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The day after tomorrow would be September 1st. The harvest moon would occur on the 16th. Rosemary Barter sighed at how close this mad chase was cut, 'I have a little over two weeks to find their meeting place.'

The phantom horse steadied herself as the grizzled merchant freighter pitched and rolled. Her humble transport neared the breakwater, the entrance to Vahevala's inland bay where the restless choppy waters mirrored her own sense of urgency, 'Two weeks to scour this wretched place.'

'Appeal to Ahti!' said a tremulous voice inside her head, 'He is a friend! He is sure to know where the sea captain will come ashore!'

'Don't be a fool!' replied another, more authoritative voice, 'None of the dragons are friends!'

Desperate for any information, whatever the source, Rosemary leaned over the side, "Ahti, I know you are there! Please! Just a scrap of information! A clue, anything!"

Her eyes darted to a fro, searching for the dragon that ruled the waves, but he heeded her not. She balled her fists in frustration, then turned back toward the breakwater as the voices inside her head debated the situation, 'Of course the dragon'd selected one of the most remote sites in all of land to receive the sea captain! This eagle has almost certainly been driven mad! How can he be expected to perform the duties which he'll soon be charged, or endure the trials now laid before him?'

Trying her best to ignore them, Rosemary looked out over the bow as the vessel neared the sea wall. In the cool stillness of the early morning hours, the freighter passed many craft that were drawn up, and others that were anchored. Rosemary shivered as a heavy mist descended from on high, it's etherial quality stoking her paranoia; 'No, Kromhaut, you'll not thwart me. You'll deal with me, one way or another.'

The unnatural fog blanketed the bay, whilst the mist and haze of the spirit world heaped more gloom upon her eyes; but her ears could discern far off seas crashing upon beaches, and sea-birds fussing and arguing over the day's fishing rights.

The mist pierced her body and confounded her mind; 'Did you pity him, Kromhaut? This sailor, how is it you've managed to produce an ounce of mercy for him, and yet you've none for me?'

With an abruptness that shook her, the ship passed through the mist. Rosemary glanced back at the wall of white as the ship moved on, then turned toward the bow where she was accorded a fine view of the city of Vahevala. The seaport's lights sparkled along the coast, their splendor a reminder that the world around her was changing, while she herself was not.

"Now go to your stations, the sea and anchor detail!"

Rosemary scowled at the boatswain for disturbing her. She sighed, thankful at least that the voyage would soon be over, and that they were not delayed.

Sleepy animals poured up from the freighter's ladder wells and passage ways. They manned their stations, supervised by an equine captain who stood up on the prow. He turned his eyes to Rosemary and seemed to acknowledge her presence, but she knew that he looked not at her, but at the loud-mouthed boatswain.

I must admit that this is the first time I'd got a close look at the former cult leader. In a way, Rosemary is what I expected. Tall, a tad over two meters. Pale white fur. Deep set eyes that were once blue, but now appear grey. She wears a tattered white gown that can never be removed, at least that is my assumption.

'How would Trickett know of this rendezvous? He would have no idea what the dragon's familiars are up to.'

She turned to a nearby animal, "Eh? What am I supposed to do? Place my faith in a scoundrel who hasn't an ounce of decency? Who is himself a murderer?" Rosemary was beset by a terrible panic, "What am I to do!?"

The authoritative voice urged calm, whilst the hysterical part of herself hissed and frothed. 'What do you suppose the mouse would say if she saw us like this?' asked the stern voice.

The wraith drew a deep breath and held it, then blew out a long and ragged sigh, "She'd declare us unfit to serve."

She began to pace, all manner of questions swirling about her mind, 'How do they intend on rehabilitating this eagle? And why even select him? If they desire a scoundrel, I most certainly fit the bill!'

Though she'd never met Captain Vanderdecken, she felt she knew him well enough through the tales told by a ghost named Clint Trickett. 'Though how much of his lurid stories are just mindless wind-baggery, eh?'

Turning again to the nearby canid, Rosemary nervously tugged upon her long fingers, "Though I wonder, am I capable of serving anyone or anything?" She considered Vanderdecken's state; "The poor fool has been trapped aboard his vessel for a thousand years! He must be-" she turned her head to spit a haughty laugh, "He must be as nutty as a loon! How does the dragon intend to put such a traumatized animal to work?"

'Calm yourself!' said the voice that embodied her intellect, 'Be steady!'

Rosemary grudgingly obliged. She smoothed her dress, then cast her gaze across the bay to the gleaming coastal city. The view across the harbor was lovely, though the sea port was more built-up than she remembered. She shook with surprise when the ship had covered many miles in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Now parallel with the dockside landing, the ship made it's final preparations to make port. On the pier, crews of wolves made ready to receive lines cast from the freighter. Rosemary looked upon their goings-on with interest, and imagined Clint Trickett and the other mariners of the Exeter performing the same sorts of chores as these modern animals. 'Would Vanderdecken take the lofty perch? High up on the prow?'

She sighed, annoyed beyond measure that she might've been taken for a fool. The ship shook beneath her as it settled against the landing. Cries rang out as the wolves grasped at the lines thrown to them.

'There's no way Trickett could have known! He told me what I wanted to hear, because he knows how much I despise this place! He tricked me into coming here!'

Her frightful mood lurched back and forth, swinging wildly between a crushed hopelessness and seething rage. Tears blurred her eyes as Rosemary looked to the white featureless shape of the rising sun, 'I want this to be true! I want a second chance! If Vanderdecken might serve, why not I?'

A gangway was laid. Rosemary wasted no time disembarking, wiping her eyes with the hem of her dress as she hurried past the sailors. On the pier, she considered abandoning her mission, to deprive Trickett of his merriment. 'No, I'd better carry on with this mad chase. In the case Trickett is right, I'd not miss such a communion for the world!'

Lost in her thoughts, she paused along the seaport landing to watch the high windows of Vahevala flicker to life as the city awoke. On this chilly fall morning, the past and the present seemed to merge into a single indistinguishable blur. Rosemary's mind began to drift, not unlike Vanderdecken's ghostly ship. 'I want it to be true.'

The communion!

Rosemary's mind returned to the present with a sharp mental jolt! She snorted, then gathered up the hem of her dress.

With a purposeful stride she left the port and followed the ancient cobblestone lane through the city. The old horse was surprised by fancy silver lighting that'd replaced the old city lamps. Rosemary paused to examine the row of electrical lights that formed a circle of steel in the early morning fog. Their ghostly radiance mimicked the etherial lights of the spirit world with disturbing clarity, and she shivered beneath their pale white light, 'No, I don't much care for these. Give me the warm glow of an oil lamp!'

With a final glance at the gently humming lights, she left them behind to follow another calling card of the age to come... a finely paved road.

It was not rough gravel mind you, that fashion of lane had been relegated to the medieval world. This black strip, referred to by the modern animals as a 'highway' took Rosemary north, away from the gleaming coastal city.

Soon she was free of Vahevala, and the quality of the lane became poor. 'Though it's orders of magnitude better than what I'm accustomed to. I mean, look...' she said, gesturing to her left, as if addressing an animal beside her, 'Look how well they manicure their road, even in the high north!'

For a moment I thought the mare might've become aware of my presence, but she continued on, conversing with her unseen companion.

'Cursed horse! I'd throttle the sod if he had a head made of meat! How dare he lie to me!' she grit her teeth, 'Though if it's true, and the sea captain means to serve the dragons, what of me? What of my plight!? If he might serve, why not I?'

Now she faced her first obstacle, the high rocky hills that ringed the great bay, 'Oh, how I wish I could fly! Things would be so much easier!'

She glanced enviously at the highway as it veered east, 'I must press north, that road would take me too far afield.' With a sigh, Rosemary set off along a north-bound trail. Up up and up it went, until she crested the hills. At the summit, Rosemary was horrified when children's laughter rang up from the valley below. She shook as their voices merged into a singular otherworldly utterance; 'Rosemary, come home to us.'

"No! Leave me be!"

Shaken, the wraith hurried through the valley, haunted at every turn by the memories of her former life. She pushed on, passing through the suburban communities until the homesteads and farm houses became fewer and farther between. In the intervening hours, iron-grey clouds filled the sky, their ominous presence weighed heavily upon the land. Again, Rosemary felt the dragon's presence; 'You'll have to deal with me, Kromhaut! I'll not be swept aside this time!'

A wind issued from the spirit world. She bit her lip, 'An ounce of mercy, that's all I ask.'

Up ahead, Rosemary was relieved that she'd made it to the modest township of Sanvean before noon. This odd berg was a place she'd always felt comfortable, it was a neutral territory that harbored no painful memories. 'I see the wolves have allowed other folk into their midst, I suppose the world is indeed changing.'

Desperate to shake the dragon's oppressive scrutiny, she made for the local pub to animal-watch. The streets seemed more crowded than she remembered, and it was abundantly obvious which buildings catered to which sort of animal. Wolves favored tall narrow structures with small windows. Rosemary recoiled at the garish colors of the lupine homes. Naturally color-blind, the wolves must've not realized how their homes would appear to their neighbors.

Horses preferred wide airy buildings with large doors. Rosemary nodded approvingly at the graceful shapes of their homes, with their natural earth-tone colors and accents. That's important. Horses are very grounded to the land. Now to the rabbits and mice! They favored bright splashes of color! Their homes resembled small cylinders, each embellished with wood-carved leaves and flowers. By all accounts their homes should be as garish as the wolven abodes, but somehow, the little folk made it work.

Their homes were adorable!

Passing a small school, Rosemary noted an elderly equine teacher. She paused, then stood to stare at the tall grey horse. Rosemary reached up to trace her fingers across her long muzzle, then down along her elegant cheek bones. Like a blind animal who uses their fingers to see the world, Rosemary formed a mental image of her own face. 'She looks like me. We could be sisters, this learner and I.'

The teacher wore a gleaming white dress emblazoned with colorful daisies and whimsical honey bees. Rosemary looked down upon her own pale white gown, then indulged in the fantasy of leading a class of youngsters. "W-welcome, students."

The kindly teacher smiled to her class, and they returned an adoring glow. 'Look how they love her! They could love me!'

Rosemary reached up to touch her dry, cracked lips. She attempted to smile, but could only grimace. A little wolf child reached out to hug the teacher who returned his affection. Then with a lovely nicker and a clap of her hands, she called her class to order. The image of the school blurred away from Rosemary as tears wet her eyes, "How long must I remain like this!? How much longer shall I suffer!"

She turned about and hurried away, "In my day millions loved me! I do not need the adoration of a room full of clingy brats!"

Outside of town, the former cult leader collapsed in a drainage culvert, sobbing hysterically. A gentle mist closed around her as she wept, but she paid it no mind, 'You've won, Kromhaut, I hope you're satisfied.'

I don't know how long Rosemary lay wallowing in her own self pity, but an odd feeling compelled her to glance up. She found the ghost of a snowy owl who stood silently on the road, his head cocked in a most unusual way. "May I help you?" she spat.

"I am called Boron."

Rosemary gathered herself up, "Well I am pleased as punch to meet you, what might I do for you?"

"Your manner of speech would lead me to believe that you come from Hull," he declared, "What brings you here?"

She made no reply, except to wipe her eyes.

Boron furled his shadowy wings, "You are a living animal, I was not aware that one such as you could enter the spirit world."

"There are no living animals in the spirit world," Rosemary retorted, "There are only ghosts, some more dead than others."

"Indeed," Boron said.

Rosemary climbed from the culvert, "I'm afraid I must bid you good day."

"I know who you are," he said, his white featureless outline becoming strangely menacing, "Yes, the clues fit your puzzle."

"Toss off," Rosemary hissed, now placing one foot in front of the other as she sought to distance herself from the owl.

"Your destination lies to the north."

Rosemary turned about, "What business is it of yours?"

"You are currently traveling south."

She scowled, then balled her fists, now thinking herself to be harassed by the goddess of the underworld, "Toss off, Glorafin! I do not appreciate your foul jests!"

"The Captain speaks of such a dragon," Boron said, "But I am no servant of she."

Rosemary carefully moved past the stranger as she corrected her course, "Is it Vanderdecken you speak of? Do you know Trickett? How do you know of Glorafin?"

"The Captain's legend is known to the Chippewa," Boron said, his hollow form now rising into the air. He spoke something more, but his words were lost to Rosemary as he drifted away.

Rosemary stalked away, feeling a heavy burden weighing upon her heart, 'He knew personally this sea captain, I know it!'

With Sanvean behind her, the rocky bluffs now fell away, revealing the brooding ocean. The heavy scent of salty air filled Rosemary's nostrils, though her senses were dulled by her confinement within the spirit world. She gazed out toward the vast expanse of blue-green water, as the road she followed hugged the jagged coast. Just then, several wild animals darted from a thicket and crossed the road ahead of her. They were oblivious to the wraith's presence, but not to the gentle wheeze of a motor car.

Sensing the familiar's presence, Rosemary was honestly surprised, 'Trickett knew, how very interesting.' She gathered her gown about her and raised her hand, 'I say, won't you offer this old nag a ride?'

Her thoughts went out to the approaching motor car. An anxious moment passed when no reply was forthcoming, 'It's a good sign! The mouse might say yes!'

She hoped the dragon's animal familiars would take pity on her and offer her a lift. Understand, Rosemary is not like a normal ghost, who after some practice might master flight. This phantom horse is not technically dead, and so she remains forever grounded.

When the mouse's reply did come, Rosemary's smile died away, 'You know I cannot do that. You are being punished, remember?'

'Oh please, might I be allowed a temporary reprieve on the eve of this momentous occasion?'

Genivee Tin made no reply, but after a moment her mate's gentle voice chimed in, 'I'm sorry, besides, this is supposed to be a secret meeting.'

Rosemary lowered her hand as the familiar's car passed her by. It receded into the distance and then disappeared into the mist. The nervous Chippewa natives emerged from their hiding places. The wild equines thought motor cars to be unnatural and frightening, 'You may be right,' Rosemary whispered, falling in beside a particularly handsome stallion as he conversed with his fellows in their dying language. 'Soon your people will be gone, assimilated by the modern world.'

Her face became twisted by an inner turmoil, 'Soon you'll find yourselves huddled in a dingy flat, while your neighbors shout at one another all day!!'

She crumpled to the pavement as the equines left her behind. Weeping and whimpering, Rosemary Barter gently rocked back and forth, 'Oh, my gentle grandfather! It's all my fault! I should have listened to you! This is all my fault! All mine!'

In the car, Karl Kuhn shook Rosemary's anguished thoughts from his mind. The lion looked to his mate, "I'm not leaving her like that."

"Karl, no-" the mouse said, though she made no further argument as Karl turned the car around. On the road, Rosemary'd sank into a near catatonic state. She imagined herself covered by wood and ruin, and then a fire springing to life, consuming not only her body, but her very soul.

"Rosemary!"

She blinked to find the tall lion standing over her, "Okay, come on.... you can tag along."

Trembling, she reached out her hand. Being a special sort of animal, Karl was able to grasp Rosemary's willowy arm to help her up. "Hurry, we need to go!"

He led her to the car where a frowning grey mouse issued a half-hearted wave. Rosemary smiled to the mouse, then settled into the back seat. Karl took his place at the driver's wheel, then glanced back at the wraith, "It'd be best if you kept quiet, alright?"

She nodded, aware that Karl'd likely won a hard-fought battle to allow her to ride along. Karl pulled a lever on the center console of the steam-powered car. With a low whistle it lurched forward and began to move. A puff of steam rose up from the floorboards, piquing Rosemary's interest as she listened to the vehicle's ticking and whirring. "I say, is this contraption safe?"

Genivee leaned over the back of her seat to glare at the horse. Rosemary issued a nervous laugh, "Isn't the ocean lovely?" She glanced out the window to admire the deep dark sea, "Y'all know that's Eternity's Crossing out there, hmm?" she said, adopting the persona of a rural Midlander.

"Rosemary, you're from Hull. Stop talking like that!"

The elderly horse settled down, yet her eyes remained restless. She fixed her gaze on the treacherous sea lane known as Eternity's Crossing, "Why is it called thus?" she'd once asked her bizarre sailor friend.

"Because it takes an eternity to traverse it."

She smiled at the memory, idly wondering if Clint Trickett would avail himself to greet his old captain. "Why would Vanderdecken willingly choose a path of living death?" she asked, speaking this time as a learned northerner.

Genivee scowled at the mare, but Rosemary was oblivious to the mouse's displeasure. Lost in her thoughts, Rosemary supposed that the captain would be used to existing as such, since, whilst trapped aboard his vessel, he was neither living nor dead. Less of a who, and more of a what... 'Like myself.'

"What shall become of this eagle? This Flying Mantuan? Shall his burden be eventually lifted?"

"Quiet," Genivee chuffed, her voice suddenly deep and harsh. Rosemary saw the burning embers deep inside Genivee's eyes that warned of the dragon's presence. Rosemary opened her mouth to chastise the creature, but clapped it shut. 'This is the closest you've been to Kromhaut since the elder days! Don't bollox it!'

North the company traveled, up up and up. The wheezy motor car became buffeted by fierce winds which carried surf and spray across the long bonnet of Karl's automobile. Rosemary thought it appropriate that the car had become a kind of Flying Mantuan, bearing them into a grim spiritual prison. "The poor fool! He thinks he's obtaining a pardon!!"

"Stop the car!" the dragon roared through his mouse, "Stop, I say!"

Karl thought the dragon intended to throw Rosemary out along the road. Instead, Genivee leapt from the vehicle before Karl could even set the brake. The pair watched Genivee hurry along the road, then turn off toward a secluded rocky shoal. Karl glanced back, "Rosemary, stay here!"

She grasped at his arm, "Before you go, tell me that I might find peace! Please allow me to serve an indenture, so that I might purchase my freedom!"

"I'm sorry, Rosemary."

He slipped away to hurry after the mouse. Trembling, Rosemary lay for a time, staring at the cabin's finely upholstered ceiling until, gripped by her own paranoia, the vehicle began to pitch and roll, not unlike Vanderdecken's infamous ghost ship. "No! If this eagle might find grace, so shall I!"

Rosemary tumbled from the car to hurry after the familiars, whilst the winds continued to blow. The howling gale lashed at her gown, and battered her face. It threatened to rip the very flesh from her bones, but the pain mattered not. "If you will not be merciful, then to hell with you! Go there and rot, Kromhaut! Oh, how I hate you!!"

Now the winds howled with all of the dragon god's fury. Caught by the tempest, Rosemary was lifted into the air and carried away, but from her now lofty vantage she caught a glimpse of the shore, where a hulking black eagle emerged from the surf, bearing a battered ship's wheel in his maw.

***

The Sparks of an Ancient Light

***

Benjamin Almond was a large black horse with a white blaze that criss-crossed his muzzle like a flash of summer lightning. No, he wasn't large, he was enormous. Benjamin stood head and shoulders above even the largest equines. Despite his great size, he was a shy sort. Talked with a bit of a stutter, though in recent times it wasn't so bad, but it was enough that in most situations, his wife Alicia took care of the telephone business and left the digging and the lifting to Ben.

Quietly as he could, Benjamin emerged from his bedroom and crept along the hall, but he wasn't quiet enough.

"Daddy?"

"Hey, little cricket," he said, scooping up his baby daughter, "You have school today, Penny, you should be in bed!"

"I don't want to go to school," replied the chestnut-colored four year old.

He carried her on his arm as he made his way to the kitchen, "Well, since you can't go to school on account of you don't want to, then you can help your daddy with his farming chores."

"Can I dig in the carrot patch?"

"No, that's daddy's job. You might have to muck-out the 'Erops pens."

She furrowed her tiny muzzle, "I don't want to do that."

He set her down, "Oh, I'm afraid that's the sort of work children do when they don't go to school."

"Okay, I'll go to school,"

"Alright, girl!" he stooped to deliver a kiss, then bid her return to bed, "I'll see you when you get home."

She waved, "Bye."

Ben smiled, then slipped out the back door. "Funny how we go through that every morning."

Outside, Benjamin settled down on a bench near the tool shed to await his next morning ritual. Soon enough, the wild insects of the field arrived to bid the farmer a good morning. Now, in contrast to the world you knew, the insects of this world tend to behave more like pets than anything, though they couldn't talk to Benjamin, not in any words that he could understand, but they had their own special way of making their affection known. The honey bees perched atop his shoulder, buzzing their wings in a friendly sorta way. Tree beetles lost themselves in his mane, and had to be coaxed out once it was time to get working. Even the hornets and the yellow jackets stopped by to greet Benjamin.

They loved their equine friend as surely as they loved their colonies and their hidey-holes. I believe that's what so endeared him to me. Benjamin Almond was a physical embodiment of the land.

Clad in his denim overalls and a wide straw hat, he typified the persona of a rugged equine provider. Benjamin followed the same well-worn path left by his forebears as he made his way to the family well to gather water for his pack beasts. There he'd pause to kneel down and touch the soil, as if to gauge it's virility, or to merely connect with the land that he loved. In his earliest memories, Benjamin saw how a field was like the body of a mother who lay down under the sun and under the freezing snow to produce a great bounty of nourishment for the animals of the land.

He loved his farm as deeply as he loved his own mother, and so it was difficult for him when obscure financial concepts forced him to mortgage his fields.

In the distance he saw a motor car out on old Route Forty. Benjamin didn't think much of it at the time, so he continued to gather his water and tend to the nearby carrot patch. There he'd enter a light meditative state when he got working. Ben would think about his daughter, his wife, and all manner of things that made him happy. So engrossed in his chores, Ben failed to notice the brown sedan make it's way up the long driveway. Or, Ben tried his best not to notice.

"Ben!"

Benjamin ignored the Sheriff. "Ben, can I have a word?"

"I d-don't have any words to give you, Bobby."

A tawny brown horse approached, clad in a khaki colored tunic with a short utility kilt. He carried a gun belt on his hip, but it holstered only a small radio. "Benjamin, you were supposed to appear in court yesterday. You gotta answer this challenge from the bank!"

"Ain't no c-c-challenge, Bobby. I agreed to pay the bank two thousand even per month for that m-mortgage. Only they started t-t-talking about interest rates, and they upped my payment for no good reason!"

"I'm sorry Ben, I really am, but this court proceeding is getting serious! You need to appear, or the court will rule to let the bank take your land!"

"Nope," Benjamin replied, "I'm not playin' any games with them. I'm making the payments I promised to make. I'm keeping my promises, I expect them to keep their promises, too."

Bobby Hitchens bowed his head, "I'm sorry, Ben. Please give my regards to your Misses."

"Ayep. Thanks for stopping by, Bobby."

The farmer watched his friend climb back into his car, then slowly retreat down the driveway. Bobby didn't turn the car around, he kept his eyes fixed on the Almond home for as long as he could, before the hedges finally obscured his view. 'This is the last time I'll ever set foot here.'

Overcome with emotion, Bobby Hitchens glanced through the trees to where his friend stood, silhouetted against his soon-to-be former home. From the pasture, Benjamin watched the Sheriff drive away. 'Goodbye, Bobby.'

Two months later, Benjamin and his family were forced off their land by an armed security company hired by the Bank of Calais. Sheriff Robert Hitchens was ordered to remain at the court house, because the presiding judge knew the stallion would stand with his longtime friend in defense of his home.

The Almond family salvaged what they could from their farm, then moved north. There was no plan, it was more an evacuation than a relocation. The property sits vacant now, save for the odd wild-living crow that pokes about the old barn. The well-worn trails left by generations of Almonds have already begun to fade into the wild grassy meadows. The insects look for their equine friend, and they mourn his absence.

Sixty six days after the Almonds were driven from their land, I perceived the time had come. The trees stirred to an odd happening near the old stone well, and beheld uncountable swarms of bright etherial lights streaming from the well, which had become a focal point, a line, that now bridged the third dimensional realm of Midgard with the shadow realm of death.

The farm became an unwilling mother, and the stone well a canal from which she'd bear an offspring, but what emerged was not born from the rocky body of the land. This thing, rising with it's maw open and a cry rising into the air would have swallowed the world whole, were it not for my future self's intervention. From the blackness we'd summoned a destroyer, but what we required was a creator.

'Success! Success!'

Now my future self stripped away the destroyer's mind, whilst I wrestled with it's golden body. I imprinted a new identity onto the creature, 'twas an animal's mind that would helm this new dragon, but no sooner had I done my part that I felt the first inkling that something was terribly wrong.

"Can you hear me?"

The dragon lay motionless, her deep black eyes fixed upon- 'You ought not speak to her,' said my future self.

'Something's wrong!' I replied, shaking Destruction with my paw, "Wake now, Destruction! This is not what we'd foreseen."

'You've not imprinted the correct identity.'

'Bollocks! The fighter's identity is perfectly suitable for the task at hand!'

The incarnation of my future self stepped from between the air to appear in the meadow. With her head ringed with fire, the Incarnation of Life examined the destroyer as I fretted and worried, "You must finish the task, Ibby."

"I am unsettled by that identity," I attempted to argue, but Life waved away my stubbornness. I believe I made some sort of rude gesture, and then scoffed at the absurdity of standing in a meadow, arguing with myself. "Finish the task!" Life hissed.

"No! Let's deposit Garland into her! If something is wrong with the fighter, Garland would be so much better than Ibiza!"

I winced as Life lay her paw upon my shoulder, "Destruction may only recognize death. In order to counter her dark nature, we must imprint upon her the identity of Ibiza Pushpath, she, who is deathless."

I did not appreciate her patronizing petting. I shrugged away her touch, then sighed, "The future is not yet set, there may be a way to avoid utilizing the cult leader."

"Ibby, I know you harbor deep feelings of self loathing, but your presence is vital to this new dragon," Life again squeezed me, "Please, Ibby."

"V-very well."

Life insisted on hugging me, but despite myself, her warmth felt good. "May I look inside her? See if there is any way we might salvage this?"

As I spoke, my future self began to fade from view, "You know what must be done. You've privacy here, take as long as you need, but ultimately, it must be Ibiza Pushpath who resides within Destruction's heart."

My spines are probably drooping. I sighed, then cautiously inspected Destruction's interior. Inside, I found her mind's eye fixed upon some animal lodge or hotel room, 'Oh, no! She's reliving the boxer's death!'

Destruction looked out through a tawny brown horse's eyes as she grasped a side table with trembling hands. The dragon believed her skull to be pulsing and throbbing, but she felt no pain. Nay, she felt enormous! In the wake of the fighter's terrible stroke, Destruction now believed the left half of her brain was near death. The artistic right hemisphere of the horse's brain had taken control of the fighter's body, but this emotional half did not immediately recognize it's terrible predicament, but the Destroyer knew. With a growing sense of panic the dragon thrashed and flailed, attempting to free it's self from certain death.

There was no danger of course, but Destruction was hopelessly trapped, and believed with all certainty that she was dying.

'Bollocks,' I cursed.

With a foreknowledge of all the ways this could go horribly wrong, I completed Destruction's spiritual surgery. Destruction now bore an imprint of the mind of Ibiza Pushpath, an ancient cult leader who'd once murdered millions, 'And this villain's mind is now at the center of a terrible weapon of mass destruction, what could possibly go wrong!'

With a tentative glance, I inspected the dragon's mind. Gone were the images of death. The dragon now entertained distant recollections of wide grassy meadows. I grasped these images, and gently merged them with the grassy fields of the Almond family's former farm.

Careful now to veil my presence, I felt the first stirrings of hope as the dragon seemed to wake, as if from a troubling dream.

"Hello?" said Destruction as she raised her head. She might have sensed my presence, or perhaps she became aware of her new sister. Whichever it be, I retreated, leaving the new dragon to pursue her destiny.

The golden-scaled creature stared about, stunned by the light and space of Midgard. The Incarnation of Destruction was a petite and diminutive creature, no larger than an adult reynard fox. She raised her angular face to the sun; marveled at the sensation of life. After a time, the creature gathered her perception to examine herself. Destruction found her face to be delicate and stately, and she stirred with pride that her curved horns evoked the appearance of a kingly crown. She opened her eyes, 'Wait, no!'

Destruction looked again, 'No, this isn't right! Where are my eyes!?'

The creature gazed into the inky black depths of the voids surmounting her muzzle, completely disturbed by what she beheld. 'Are these holes truly my eyes? Why do they look this way? If these black things be my eyes, why must they seem as lifeless as a child's doll?'

She gazed down upon her paws, 'Where are my blue eyes? How can such awful eyes behold the world, seeming as they are?'

A protective mental wall grew up around the disturbing revelations regarding her eyes. Feeling better, Destruction concluded her self examination and now pondered the warm mid-morning sun, but her reprieve was disrupted by a black shadow that pierced her mind.

A commotion drew her attention to the nearby well. Destruction shook her head to clear her thoughts, then trotted over to the stone structure where she found a dark entity thrashing against the unyielding boundary of the third dimension.

'A-are you a force of nature? If it be so, why do you panic!?' Destruction reached out her paw, 'Do not be afraid, shadow! The sun is warm, and I am with you!'

The shadow heeded her not. Destruction slipped a paw beneath her chin, 'No, I don't suppose you'd appreciate the sun, for you have no body with which to feel!'

The dragon had no idea the black shadow represented her former mind, stripped from her body to form a new entity unto it's self. Though one being'd emerged from the depths of Hell, Life had separated them into two. Thus came Death and Destruction.

'Do as you will, shadow. I do not possess the means to communicate with you, so I shall not.'

Destruction left the stone well to wander the fields. Now and again she'd reach out her paw to touch the tall grass, enchanted at every turn by the living carpet of green.

In the distance, the Almond family's former home stood abandoned and forlorn. Destruction eyed it cautiously, suddenly feeling many eyes upon her. The dragon's paranoia was valid, for the powers of the world converged on her location.

Unsettled, she sought shelter in the large white house. Climbing the steps, she found the front door torn from it's hinges. The door lay in the kitchen, amongst a scattering of shattered glass. She peered into the dusty chamber, feeling a great emotional weight upon her heart. 'Something very sorrowful happened here.'

Hidden amongst the cracks and crevices of the home were flashes of memory. Destruction grasped at some of these visions. In one, she found herself enjoying a little equine girl's birthday party. Then, a fine dinner with an extended family. She boggled at what she beheld. Destruction touched her paw to the ruined door, then shook with fright as harsh voices rang in her ears! She looked to the shattered glass, then convulsed as an equine father was struck by an electrified truncheon!

Horrified, she raked her claws upon the floor! 'It is better outside, in the grass!'

Her mind erected a barrier to any further visions, and she willed those revealed to become forgot. Outside, a part of her wondered what grass was, while another part knew well the features of the land.

At the well, Death abandoned it's efforts and now darkened the stone with it's otherworldly shadow. Destruction eyed the shadow, 'In what sort of world can such an entity exist-?' A tongue of flame startled the dragon!

The fiery visage of Kromhaut Majoris looked down upon Destruction as she fumbled with the end of her tail. She attempted to greet the ribbon of fire, but could not find her voice.

"Who are you!?" Kromhaut rumbled.

Destruction shook her head, 'Who?' She looked down upon her paws, 'Who indeed? This is not my body, what has happened to me?'

Kromhaut's presence became menacing, "I require an answer!"

The dragon's maw suddenly tightened. A terrible compulsion came over her, forcing her throat to utter not her name, but her function; "Destruction."

Above, the ribbon of fire flashed with anxiety, "What did you say?"

Destruction clapped her paws over her snout. She desperately wished to offer another name, any name, but her mind was an empty chamber, filled only with echoes. When she felt she might despair, an ancient identity arose from the depths of her spirit. Confused, yet elated, she grasped onto this identity and held it aloft!

"I am-" she looked down upon her paws, "I am. . . Ibiza Pushpath."

It was the last name Kromhaut expected to hear. His shimmering ribbon flashed with menace, "If you would claim that name, then you are my enemy."

"N-no," Ibiza breathed, but already Kromhaut moved against her! He lashed out at Ibiza who parried his strike. Death fled in terror, leaving Ibiza to deal with the angry dragon. "Oh blast and damn, Kromhaut! Have you lost your mind?"

Her utterance fueled Kromhaut's anger!

I must admit, dear traveler, I was in a panic. I could not allow Destruction to believe herself to be a villain. Below, the dragons faced one another, but in the stead of a duel I willed Ibiza to plunge her paws into her eyes to pull forth a cloak of first dimensional darkness. She donned the shadow like a veil, rendering herself invisible, 'You cannot see me.'

The other howled with rage, and he searched for her, but Ibiza was beyond Kromhaut's perception. Shaken beyond measure, Kromhaut initiated a full scale search for the dragon he believed to be his greatest foe.

Panic. Terrible panic. I'd not experienced such emotion since the old ancient days. I grasped hold of my future self's power to gaze into the near future to see what might come of the mess I'd made.

I saw only an elderly equine female toiling at a basin. I returned to the Almond farm, and then reached out again, careful this time to target Ibiza's presence, but again, I found an elderly equine female. Frustrated now, I snapped my mind's eye back to the Almond's farm.

'Fool, this is the dragon, she's adopted the cult leader's form!'

I was disturbed that already my future self had adopted Ibiza's ill-tempered mannerisms, 'Yes, well, can you explain why she's washing a stack of dishes?'

'Return to her, and we shall discover what is afoot!'

I was too afraid to move. I felt I was being toyed with, that the moment I returned, the dragon would spring some trap. Heedless of my concern, my future self re-opened the portal through the fourth dimension. With no other choice, I returned to the dragon's side.

Destruction did indeed wear the cult leader's elderly form, but something was different. Her eyes were crisp and blue, and her gown pristine and fine. Ibiza stood at a kitchen basin, washing the previous evening's dishes. Her porcelain-white fur faded seamlessly with the frothy white bubbles as she finished her chore. Wiping her hands, Ibiza moved down a modest home's hall to the corner bedroom; "Penny, time to wake up! Remember, we have our assembly today!"

The dragon brushed her hand lovingly across the door, then turned to smile at a large ship's wheel adorning the parlor wall. Ibiza returned to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of almond milk. 'How do you feel?' asked a voice inside her head.

'It's hard today. I can barely keep the magnetic field stable, I fear the damage may be worsening.'

Penny joined her grandmother in the kitchen. "Good morning, dear." Ibiza said.

Perhaps sensing the dragon's internal conversation, the little black filly hugged the white mare, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, yes. Now, gather up your lunch!"

Ibiza tossed the soiled dish towels into a nearby basket, "I want this house tidy by the time your parents arrive back!"

Penny glanced up from behind the refrigerator door, "Are you talking to yourself?"

"I may as well be!"

I returned to the Almond farm with a sharp mental jolt- 'She has a child? How?'

'Obviously, the child belongs to the parents who were mentioned.'

Astonishing. I willed the forth dimensional portal to reopen, my future self quickly obliged.

I returned to find Penny and Ibiza looking out over the long bonnet of a yellow station wagon as they motored across town. Ibiza was in fine spirits as she hummed a fond medley. Beside her, the little black filly smirked at her adopted grandmother's antics. "There is a road," Ibiza sang, leaning toward Penny with a wink, "A celestial highway, between the dawn and the dark of night. And if you go, no one else may follow," she paused to cup her fingers beneath Penny's chin, "That path is for your steps alone."

"Herald said that to you, didn't he?"

Ibiza nodded, "Not to me, but to Maggie. And not in so many words, but it's a moment in time I shall never forget."

Penny cupped her hand over Ibiza's long fingers, "I wish I could have met him."

"You have, love. Many many times."

Penny became quiet as her eyes followed the curve of Ibiza's jaw. The muscles beneath Ibiza's white fur tightened and flexed; Penny knew her granny was suffering a crisis of confidence, "Ibby, you can be confident and still have social anxiety."

Ibiza glanced at the filly, "Wherever did you hear that?"

"I think you said it to dad."

"Hmph. Well, unlike your father, I do not have social anxiety. I simply feel I shouldn't become too familiar with you animals-"

"What do you mean you animals?" Penny chimed, "You're just as much of an animal as dad is!"

"Yes, dear," Ibiza retorted, "But your father isn't in charge of keeping the planet's magnetic field from collapsing."

Penny snorted, stumped for the moment. Ibiza resumed her tune, humming thoughtfully as the pair neared the cross-town interchange.

"For the lecture, would you turn into the dragon?" Penny asked.

"Hmm?"

"The dragon, can you turn into your real form when we get there?"

"I suppose, though it might be too much of a distraction. I'm supposed to be teaching the children about physics."

Penny cupped her small hand beneath Ibiza's elbow, "They need to learn about science in order to build big space ships. I think they should meet the dragon they'll work so hard to save."

The other squinted at the little filly, "You are quite persuasive for a little girl."

"That's what happens when your grandma is a weird supernatural garbage-gut!"

Now the pair arrived at Penny's school. Ibiza sighed, glanced at Penny; "I suppose you're waiting for me to transform myself into a fantasy character from some novel."

"No," Penny replied with a nudge, "I'm waiting for you to be yourself."

Ibiza briefly considered taking the form of a stout little colt as she stepped from the wagon. Quick as a flash, the transformation was done. A golden-scaled dragon closed the driver's door as Penny leapt from the passenger side. It'd been many months since she'd seen Ibiza wear her true form, and the filly intended to enjoy the occasion, but as she looked at her friend, Penny was struck by Ibiza's presence, 'Dad says Ibby is the last of a line of lasts, the only dragon left in the world.'

'Ibby must feel so alone.'

Painfully aware of her granddaughter's thoughts, the dragon stuck out her wing. Penny took the tip as the pair made their way across the lawn to the school entrance. Penny opened the door for Ibby, who glanced at Penny before slipping inside, 'There is one other dragon, Penny, and I pray you'll never have occasion to meet her.'

A startled badger met them in the hall, "M-miss Pushpath?"

The dragon moved past him and into the faculty lounge. Penny followed after Ibiza, her muzzle sporting a quixotic smile as Ibiza took a plate of doughnuts and shoved the treats into her maw. Then, she set about rummaging around in the cabinets and cupboards, finding whatever treats she could and devouring them.

"Miss Pushpath, we really should get you to the auditorium."

"Mister Sprague, the body beneath these scales is hot enough to melt lead. I require an enormous calorie intake to sustain this metabolism." (Actually, she's telling a half-truth. Ibiza is also self-medicating her anxiety with food.)

"O-okay, Miss."

Penny smirked at the language teacher, then tugged at Ibiza's wing, "C'mon, granny, we probably should get going."

Ibiza sat upon her haunches, nervously grooming the spines along her jaw, "Oh, blast it Penny! Can't I simply be an old mare?"

"Ibiza! It's just a room full of cubs and colts!"

Sprague looked after the pair as Penny led the shy dragon along the hall to the auditorium. Youthful voices rang in Ibiza's ears as they arrived at the double doors. Excited children and smiling adults threw open the doors for the pair as Penny Holden proudly led her dragon friend into the domed chamber.

With her golden scales glimmering in the lights, Penny noted that Ibiza did look rather like a character from an old time storybook, "Good morning!" said the dragon, while inwardly she winced at the random thoughts coming to her, 'She looks like a robot, like a golden metal robot!'

"Hello Miss Pushpath!"

Ibiza sat daintily upon a speaker box, "Thank you for waking at such an early hour, children! We have much to do today, but before I begin, may I answer any questions?"

A young canid raised his hand, "Do you go to the bathroom? If so, how do you do it?"

The group burst into excited chatter as Penny rolled her eyes. The spines along Ibiza's cheeks drooped as the children heaped more and more intrusive questions upon her.

"Guys!" Penny roared, "Did you know that Ibiza is made up of lots of different dragons?"

The children settled down. Penny nodded, then turned to her friend, "Why don't you tell us about these dragons?"

"Oh, well," Ibiza muttered, before a youngster in the front row raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"Do you really live in the first dimension? My dad said that was a bad place."

"I do, but it's not a bad place-" the animals again broke into excited chatter. Ibiza clapped her maw shut. Penny was forced to admit that it likely wasn't the best idea for Ibby to take her true form. "Guys!" Penny squeaked, "You shouldn't think of the first dimension in terms of good or bad," as she spoke, the little filly's speech became flavored by Ibiza's archaic accent, "Yes, the realm of Hell is often called the first dimension, but closer to the truth, it might be referred to as the Zeroth Dimension."

"What?" the boy next to her chuffed.

"Zero," Ibiza said, "Zero is a powerful number, it is an underlying thing from which all else might be derived. In a zeroth dimension, all possible values are true. It means my lowly home might encompass everything that becomes our reality."

Ibiza frowned at the confused faces that regarded her.

With a chortle, Penny trotted to a nearby blackboard. Taking up a piece of chalk, she drew a circle upon the black expanse, "The Laws of Zero," Penny chimed. She turned back to her fellows, but she too frowned at her classmate's confused expressions, "Oh, you all haven't got that far up in math yet, huh?"

The dragon ushered Penny off the stage, "Understand, children, the first dimension is not really a dimension at all. It is a line that takes us toward the infinitely large in one direction, and the infinitesimally small in the other."

Ibiza tapped upon the zero Penny'd drawn, "I have come to speak with you today because there is a task now set before us. I am Destruction no more. Now, I must create. We must all create. Great and wondrous things must spring from nothing, and with all haste. This is our struggle, to create something new," as she spoke, her presence became oddly melancholy, "Fortunately, I come bearing an ultimate ensemble. As in mathematics, a whole might arise from the value of zero, and when you get right down to it, that's what every respectable tao or theory of everything needs to be-" Ibiza clapped her maw shut, 'I'm rambling again! Take it slow, be more personable!'

She turned to the gathered animals, "Creation it's self has emerged from the nothingness of zero. Before the great explosion that scattered all matter out across the cosmos, there was nothing, save the shadow realm. Now, the shadow realm exists not out there, but down in here!" Ibiza gestured to the box she sat upon, "The first dimension exists everywhere!"

The room became deathly quiet. You could have heard a pin drop. In times such as these, Ibiza suffered her worst personal doubts; 'I'm losing them, I should not be here. I have my familiars, it is they who should speak on my behalf.'

"Okay," said a timid voice from the back of the room.

Ibiza smiled, then drew a fiery ribbon in the air, "Because Zero is such a powerful force, Hell becomes more important than the lofty realm of Asgard."

"Isn't Asgard is the highest dimension?" asked a young equine.

"Asgard is the highest dimension that can be inhabited by a conscious entity," Ibiza replied, "It's a splendid place, though I seldom venture there because I've often thought of it as being like a sensory deprivation chamber," moving her paws to slice away the air, Ibiza formed an image of the lofty realm, "In times gone by, Asgard had but one inhabitant, a dragon spirit called Kromhaut Majoris. Often irrational and wildly unpredictable, Kromhaut was the emotional component of the dysfunctional trinity that ruled our world."

The brown pony seated near Penny spoke up; "Dysfunctional? Everything's better now, right? All the monsters are gone?"

"Yes, things have got better, but before our new dawn may come, we must endure the darkest of nights."

All present traded anxious glances. From her seat, Penny urged her grandmother to continue; "Ibby, what about the other dimensions? Which of your pieces lived where?"

"Well, below Kromhaut there dwelt his eldest scion, Ariadne. His home was called Alfheim, and though splendid, it was little more than a prison for the lonely dragon."

She sighed, "Then there was Valhalla, where the greater host of seraphim did reside. At once beautiful and forlorn, Valhalla was a place of ferocious extremes."

"You say was," the pony noted, "Don't they exist anymore?"

"They do," Ibiza replied, "But only if I choose to go to them. As of now, they exist only in my memories."

The children traded glances as Ibiza continued; "Ranking with but below Valhalla were strange, forgotten realms. Bifrost comes to mind," she paused to level her gaze at them, "You'd do well to never venture there-"

I must withdraw from this vision of the future, I may only glimpse fragments before the tidal forces within the singularity force me to return to the present. "What is going to happen to the planet's magnetic field?"

My future self did not answer.

"Do not ignore me! This is important!"

'You should concern yourself with the task at hand, and leave matters of the future to me.'

Before I could become angry, Life added; 'What was your impression of the conference? Ibiza did well with the children, yes?'

"Yes, she did."

'I am pleased you think so. Now, I must tend to matters elsewhere. In the meantime, why don't you explain to your traveling companion the nature of the remaining realms of existence.'

Oh, how I hate it when she treats me like an idiot. Very well, yes, the higher realms of which Ibiza spoke. Let's see, Ibiza'd touched on Valhalla, so I should add that further along the line of creation was the realm of the spirits, the dominion of Nidavellir. Cold and dreamlike, it was a place that kept those who wandered in the outer darkness.

You know, it amuses me that of all the civilizations that have come and gone, those higher realms retained the titles bestowed by the ancient Nordic peoples, from the time I bore the name Odin.

The distant hills remind me that in Midgard dwelt Kromhaut's sister, the one called Glorafin. She was the only dragon to dwell within the physical world, although you might say she merely existed there, but in this current modern day, she remains locked deep within the tallest mountain, and of the three siblings she is the spiritual component. She is the shepherd of trees, and they are her children. Ever watchful, she lives vicariously through their stories.

Below Midgard dwells the third dragon god, the one called Amuntep. He is the bringer of logic, the thinking component of the trinity. His home is Nilheim, what might be called the Second Dimension. As Hell is black, so Nilheim is white.

The dragons spirits cast a wary eye toward the event horizon of the first dimension, the place of death, but on this day, the darkness has come calling...

***

"... From the desert, to the sea, to all of The Union of Tine, good evening," said Thom Chandler, a handsome lupine wolf who anchored the evening newscast. The television's white flickering glow illuminated a cluttered bedchamber where a mouse and a lion lay together. Four hundred years have passed since the sea side rendezvous with the undead sea captain, and yet Karl Kuhn and Genivee Tin remain unchanged. Frozen in time, if you will.

To the casual observer, one might guess the mouse to be in her early twenties, but if you look closely, you might behold an uncanny maturity reflected in her eyes. Now known as Mayalee Mae, the mouse sought shelter amongst her mate's long limbs. The day's events weighed upon her mind, and chased any thoughts of sleep far far away. She knew there'd been an incident in Aurora, that something had burst upon the world that morning, but her dragon'd thus far refused to speak of it. Samuel stirred, softly chuffing.

Mayalee smiled to him, 'Hey, sleepy head'

He smiled at her warm thought, but became somber as the dragon's spiritual fire shimmered in her eyes. "Hello, Krom. What are you doing here this late?"

The mouse patted him, but it was not Mayalee's heart that issued the affection. She hopped from the bed and made for the kitchen, whilst Sam lay back on his pillow and sighed. He shuddered at a loud clanging from the kitchen, "Please be quiet, Krom. My neighbors go to bed early."

"My apologies," replied the dragon. Sam rolled onto his side to glance down the hall, "What's happened, anyway?"

The possessed mouse returned to the bedroom, bearing a jug of ice cream, "Why do you ask?"

Sam slid out of bed to take the treat from the dragon. "Because you've absconded with my wife and raided my freezer. You always snack when something's got you troubled."

Kromhaut sat down, but did not divulge what worried him. Sam settled down next to him and offered the god a pinch of ice cream. He closed Mayalee's lips around the morsel, then glanced up at Sam's smiling face. 'The first dimension has demonstrated that a fragment of it's dark matter is capable of venturing out beyond the realm's event horizon.'

'I see,' Sam silently replied. He scooped up another fingertip of ice cream, 'You've mentioned that there's an intelligence living somewhere inside the singularity.'

The dragon closed Mayalee's mouth over his finger, then sucked on the melting ice cream with an erotic motion that always left Sam wondering who was working those lips, 'You do not seem particularly concerned.'

'Well, no.' Sam replied. 'Yes, the first dimension is associated with death, but it's still a part of the inter-dimensional fabric,' he sighed, 'Besides, this fragment hasn't done anything wrong...' Sam paused as he caught a fleeting glimpse of the dragon's thoughts. Kromhaut expelled Sam and quickly erected a mental barrier to guard his mind. Sam responded by utilizing his link with Mayalee to push past this barrier, but was repelled again by the secretive creature.

"You've spoken to it, haven't you."

Kromhaut made no reply, except to shovel handfuls of melting ice cream into Mayalee's mouth. "C'mon Kromhaut! What did they say?"

The dragon paused to glare at the lion. "I asked if it had a name, and it told me." Kromhaut raised Mayalee's hand. Written on her palm was the supposed name of the creature. He'd revealed it in this way so he'd not have to utter the name of his most hated nemesis. Though he'd revealed the name 'Ibiza Pushpath,' Kromhaut dared not mention the creature's function. Sam issued a bemused chortle, "What! Why would they claim that name?"

Mayalee's face darkened, "It bears an ill-portent, don't you think?"

"If this visitor really is a dragon, why didn't they answer by telling you what their function is?"

Kromhaut ignored Sam's question.

"Come on, Krom! I know dragons always answer according to their function, what did they tell you? What does this dragon do?"

"This thing is not a dragon!"

"Then what are they?"

Kromhaut grunted through a mouthful of ice cream, "It is a dreadful thing that has no mind! This creature that has burst upon our world has no spiritual life! It is a weapon, and it's intended purpose is to kill! That is the nature of the first dimension!"

Kromhaut cursed himself for revealing too much. A clever animal could deduce the dragon's true function from these clues, fortunately, neither Sam nor Mayalee were clever animals.

"Show me your memory of it. I want to see it again."

"No." Kromhaut chuffed.

Sam stood, waving the dragon away, "Then you don't need me."

"You have allowed the modern age to influence your speech too much." Kromhaut said. "You sound like an ignorant bumpkin."

"Who's being stupid here? You're acting like a dumb territorial beast! We should be out there bringing this dragon into our company!"

Kromhaut nodded. "That is why I keep you in my employ. Establish contact with this creature, discover it's true intent, but take care..." Kromhaut bared Mayalee's teeth, "The skeletons of murdered civilizations litter the hidden places of the world."

And with that, Kromhaut was gone. Mayalee pushed the ice cream jug away with a disgusted squeak.

Sam took her in his arms, "Krom wouldn't show me anything, Sam! He's really scared!"

He gently rocked his mate. "Easy, now... let's take things a step at a time. First, we should determine why this new dragon wants to use Rosemary's birth name."

"Sam, I can't think about anything right now!"

He smiled gently, "Okay, let's take a shower."

Now, the shower was the one place in the animal's lives where the dragon spirits never intruded. The couple could speak freely, though neither said very much on this night. 'I feel like I'm in shock.' Sam said silently, using his thoughts to communicate with his mate since the roar of the shower was quite loud.

'I think the dragon did tell Kromhaut what their function is,' Mayalee said, 'Think about it, Kromhaut mentioned murdered civilizations, and that the dragon's purpose is to kill. Do you suppose this dragon is death?'

Sam chuffed, then pushed his face into the nozzle stream. 'We've seen death come and go enough to know there's nothing there. There's no thought or emotion. Our mystery dragon appeared to be shy and nervous, she certainly wasn't devoid of feelings.'

She swatted at his rump, not really to disagree with him, Mayalee was simply annoyed that he'd shot down a fine theory.

'I don't know,' she sighed, 'I don't know what to make of any of this, but the first dimension was always there. This dragon was always there, I guess we had to expect some form of contact eventually.'

Sam smiled, 'From the little glimpse I got, this dragon didn't look so bad. If they are death, they seem to be a pretty approachable sort.'

'You know what Kromhaut's function is, right?' Mayalee asked, pushing him out of the shower stream so that she might have a turn, 'He's the Incarnation of Renewal, and yet he's cranky and moody. Hardly the temperament you'd expect from the lord of life.'

'You can say that again.' Sam chuffed. Mayalee nodded, 'So, what if death has found emotions?'

'So, if she is death, is this dragon here to kill us?'

Mayalee lathered up her long black mane. 'No. I don't know how I know, but I do. They're not here to harm us.'

Sam directed a nozzle down upon her to wash away the soap. 'The first dimension isn't exactly known for anything else, so I suppose she could be death.'

She drummed her hands on his belly. 'Kromhaut and his siblings were once forces of nature, but have developed their own sense of self,' she paused to brush a bit of soap from his belly, 'What if death was the last of these primordial forces to blossom? I mean, it makes sense, right?'

'You sound like you're trying to convince yourself, is this round theory not fitting the square hole of plausibility?'

'Fuck, I don't know! Kromhaut needs to stop being secretive and just tell us what this dragon's function is!'

'Maybe she's the Incarnation of Gravity?'

She swatted his flank, 'Maybe!'

Sam turned off the water. 'I think Kromhaut would have been upfront with us if she was death. I mean, why wouldn't he?' He stepped from the shower to retrieve a large towel for himself, and a small-sized one for his mate, then wrapped the small towel about her, vigorously fluffing and drying her hair and fur.

"The question now becomes," he said aloud, "If she isn't death, then what is she?"

"Hey," Mayalee peeped, "What's on your mind? I see something about police?"

"Ariadne gave me the go-ahead to try out for the National Police Service."

She flicked her whiskers. "You know you won't be able to stay with it for more than twenty years. After that..."

"I know," he replied. "But I need to wear a uniform again, even for just a little while."

She hugged his leg, "Alright, sweetie."

"Thanks, babe."

***

The next few days passed rather uneventfully. Mayalee was content to allow the dragons to settle themselves before any real action was taken regarding the intruder. "Visitor," Sam said aloud, as if he'd somehow overheard my narrative. "Never refer to them as an intruder."

"Right!" Mayalee agreed. She continued sorting out her many personal articles and attempted to place them in any available cubby-hole or closet nook. She'd been at it all day, but considered abandoning her project as the long shadows of dusk gave way to a moonless night.

"Let's also address them by the name they've selected. If the visitor wishes to be called Ibiza, we should respect that."

Mayalee smiled, "You'd make a pretty good councilor, sure you don't want to try out for that?"

"There's no nifty uniform."

She slinked over to him, "You were such a dashing soldier."

"You were pretty dashing yourself, when you ripped the bars of my cell apart."

"Heh! I'd almost forgot about that!"

He bumped her nose with his, "Wanna take another shower?"

She flashed him a rather predatory smile, "We should get ourselves dirty, first."

Outside the couple's flat, the night was populated by shifting and moving shadows. One black shape broke from the safety of a low drainage culvert to dart across a vast suburban park. Ibiza Pushpath felt the heavy presence of the trees as they searched for her. With every passing moment, she feared the dragons and their minions became ever more adept at piercing her cloak of darkness.

She paused to gaze out over the forest, and though her senses were dulled by her smothering cloak, she could feel the brooding eyes of the distant hills. 'The dark one, the goddess of the underworld, she commands the features of the land, they are extensions of her will.'

In the dim coolness of the shadows, I followed after her. It seems that her memories of the boxer's life and the cult leader's time have become hazy, and indistinct. This is what I'd initially hoped for, the dragon was never meant to recall specific events from her imprinted identity.

More chatter from the trees distracted both Ibiza, and I. Ibiza cocked her head to listen, but could discern only gibberish. She carefully uncloaked her paw, then touched it to the ground to glean information from her surroundings. As in Benjamin Almond's home, Ibiza relived past moments recorded within the stone. At first she saw dark skies and tall battlements, and a terrible carnage that sickened her. She retreated from the vision with a snort. She calmed herself, and with a breath held fast she placed her paw back upon the rocky soil.

The land thrust more images of a terrible past conflict back before her mind's eye, 'You seek to thwart me, dark one?' Ibiza side-stepped Glorafin's influence with surprising ease. Both dragons were taken aback by the exchange, but Glorafin quickly regained her composure to continue her psychological assault. To her annoyance, Ibiza assumed command of the stone. Now, to help you visualize what it is Ibiza is reviewing, imagine a large video playback machine that can link directly into your visual cortex. Now, with a mental swipe of your paw, you can filter through images of the past or even the future, as if you were thumbing through a book. However, the farther forward into the future you attempt to look, the more hazy and indistinct the images shall become, until you can only speculate on what it is you are witnessing.

Back in the park, Ibiza felt Kromhaut's presence within the stone, 'Ah, Renewal, there you are.'

Ibiza hissed when Kromhaut's trail led back toward the great war. Try as she might, she attempted to steer clear of that period. 'Glorafin's meddling is undone! Why must I travel to this time?'

She watched long columns of animals marching, and the thundering sound of guns. When her patience was nearly at an end, there appeared a diminutive figure. Ibiza narrowed her eyes at the small mammal who carried the dragon's presence within her. Ibiza pulled back from the soil, genuinely surprised. 'He entertains an animal familiar.'

She thrust her paw back upon the soil. The connection reestablished, the small animal's shadowy outline came into focus; 'A mouse, she is a mouse!' Exhilarated, Ibiza's tail swished to and fro as she soaked up more information, 'And a lion! Whatever a lion is!'

A kind of ghostly footprint suggested the lion had recently passed this way. Ibiza followed the lion's energy back to the culvert, which in days gone by was a burbling creek. Ibiza's mind suddenly grasped hold of the vision, as if to inspect it more closely. 'No, she led the lion this way, a long long time ago.'

This time discrepancy was not acceptable. Frowning, she cast an annoyed glance at the hills. 'Do you distort history? How can this mouse and her lion companion exist for so long a time?'

Ibiza was answered by the caw of a black flyer. A small bird, who regarded Ibiza's uncloaked paw with hollow, lifeless eyes. 'I am busy! Away with you!'

"My lady seeks an audience with you, will you follow me to the mountain?"

'N-no.'

"Will you remove your veil, so that I may see you?"

'NO.'

"Do not fear my lady, she only wishes to make your acquaintance."

To the flyer's surprise, Ibiza doffed her veil. Her golden scales shimmered in the moonlight as she closed the distance to the flyer and seized him, "Oh? Despite her attempt to unsettle me with images of war and brutality?"

The bird squirmed in Ibiza's grip, as the dragon carefully inspected the creature. Uncloaked, Ibiza could now perceive a thin tendril of energy reaching up from the soil. The ghostly white finger contacted the flyer's body, apparently bestowing some form of life. Ibiza placed her paw upon the soil, disrupting the ribbon of energy. The black bird immediately slacked in Ibiza's paws. She raised her paw, allowing the tendril to resume contact with the flyer. The bird's golden eyes fluttered open, but his demeanor suggested he'd been harmed by the loss of contact with his mistress.

'This thing is a golem, a tool of Glorafin.'

"Will y u come to mow tain? My la y seeks aud enc-" Ibiza shoved the creature away, "Away with you! I have no desire to speak with Glorafin!"

"The mou tain," the flyer hissed, "My lady will sp ak wit you."

His lifeless eyes bored into Ibiza's mind. The dragon retreated from the bird, but he gave chase. Ibiza felt the ground move and swell beneath her. The flyer's voice screeched and grated on her. Ibiza clasped her paw over her muzzle as a crippling sense of vertigo gripped her. 'The dark one does not seek my council, she wishes to goad me into killing. I must not be allowed to draw blood.'

She hurried away from the scene. Ibiza did not know why it was so important, but she knew on a fundamental level that she must refrain from acting on her base programming. 'I am a destroyer, who must never be allowed to destroy.'

Snapping twigs and a rustling in the dark spooked her. Donning her cloak, Ibiza regained her composure, then resumed her investigation. A part of her psyche dutifully stepped forward to sweep away the unpleasant memory of the flyer's intrusion. With that unpleasantness out of the way, she was free to focus on the task at hand; 'What is an animal's average life-span? Eighty, to one hundred summers?' Her mind grasped each image offered up by the stone, then pushed them aside with an annoyed chuff. 'This information is over one thousand summers old!'

She left the culvert and made for the nearby trail. There, she caught a fresh image of the very same mouse, accompanied by her lion companion. 'Is the information contained within this land reliable? Am I led astray?'

With a sigh, the dragon continued on with a tenacity and an eye for detail that would have impressed any forensic examiner.

In time, all gathered clues led Ibiza to a nondescript animal tenement. A tall maple tree stood just outside the front window of one in particular, Ibiza knew it guarded the flat she sought. 'The trees are exceptionally nosy, they pass all information to the dark goddess. This sentinel should possess an intimate history of the animal's comings and goings.'

She approached the tree to review it's memories. As gently as she could, she touched her bare paw to it's body. Her intrusion alarmed the tree, but to Ibiza's relief, the maple mistook her for a denizen of the land. 'Rosemary Barter? Why can I not see you?'

Quickly now, Ibiza accessed the tree's memories to learn what a 'Rosemary Barter' was. The data obtained, Ibiza mimicked the cranky equine's northern speech; "Because I do not wish it, fool."

'There is no need to be rude!'

Ibiza released the offended tree and moved away, she'd learned all she needed to know. 'So, these animals would search for me? How do they intend to find me, when even their gods cannot?'

She found it terribly amusing that the dragon god's animal familiars would search for her, whilst she snuck about outside their nondescript home, right under their very noses! With her cloak of first dimensional darkness firmly affixed, Ibiza passed through their west-facing wall and into a rather cluttered wash room. If she were not cloaked, she'd have found the space extremely confining.

Just then, the sounds of physical exertion drew her attention to an adjacent room. Ibiza passed through the wall, and into an even more cluttered bed chamber where she found a lion thrusting his hips down upon a pillow. Ibiza looked, then realized that someone was beneath him.

Her eyes followed the rhythmic motion of the lion's body, and as the dragon watched, a hot warm ache blossomed across her abdomen. Perhaps sensing the dragon's arousal, Sam became distracted. He paused to glance about the room. "Don't stop!" Mayalee gasped.

Unnerved that he'd become aware of her, Ibiza retreated to the parlor. She shook the strange feelings from her body, whilst a part of her held fast to warm glowing heat. 'So! These animals might possess the means to detect me after all!'

She poked about the parlor room, idly browsing the familiar's many odd ends. On the far wall was a large mirror which Ibiza went to. As expected, there was no reflection. 'My cloak smothers me.'

The dragon continued to skulk about, stealing a quick glance through the bedroom door to find the animals retiring to the shower. 'Something odd about this lot.'

She shoved her head through the common wall and into the flat next door. There, Ibiza found a lioness with her ear pressed to the wall. This feline appeared to be in a state of arousal, though none were present with her to arouse her so. Ibiza boggled at the odd behavior.

Carefully as she could, Ibiza ducked behind a cabinet to remove the section of veil covering her face. The scent of the lioness was overpowering! Ibiza inhaled, taking in the strange, intoxicating aroma. The heat returned to her lower abdomen. Shaking the sensation away, Ibiza re-cloaked herself. 'The dragon's familiars are different than this animal, but how?'

The dragon approached the feline. Without being conscious of the action, her thoughts became like a scalpel, delving down into the lioness' body. Ibiza focused her sight at the cellular level where she found some of the lioness' cells to be dying, whilst others carried on with their functions. Some divided themselves, whilst others committed biological suicide when their usefulness was at an end.

'This animal exists in an ever-present state of change,' she glanced through the common wall, 'I did not sense this biological activity in the familiars, though I was.. distracted.'

Back in the flat, Ibiza regarded the strange animals. As gently as she could, (lest they detect her presence,) Ibiza examined their bodies. 'None of the biological processes are at work here! The cells of these animals are completely inert! For all intents and purpose, they are dead!'

Mayalee shut off the shower water to glance about. Ibiza froze. Sam narrowed his eyes, as if the gesture would help him see better. A long moment passed before Mayalee turned the water back on. 'Want me to check the flat?' Sam asked.

The mouse shook her head. 'No. If they want to communicate, they'll make themselves known.'

Ibiza slinked away, intrigued by the undead state of the animals and puzzled by the possible motives that would require them to exist in such a condition. Ibiza changed her perception of light toward the spectrum of infrared. The animal familiars looked normal enough, appearing as bright blobs of color. This is what Ibiza would expect to see in a living animal, but she was struck by a sudden realization, 'Why is this so familiar to me? I have no recollection of ever employing such a spectrum of vision!'

Concerned, and more than a little unsure about what exactly was going on, Ibiza found herself wishing she could call upon the animal familiars and make them her own. 'Oh, Kromhaut would not like that. Any potential relations might be irreparably damaged in the wake of such a move.'

Her wings drooped, Ibiza slinked back to the bedchamber where she idly browsed through the bundles and bags containing Mayalee's valuables. 'The land was indeed truthful. If this mouse and her companion be deathless objects, they might be quite old.'

A withered old shoe stuffed within a teapot caught her attention. 'This must be the mouse's shoe, from her days as a young animal!'

She pulled aside the cloak of darkness veiling her paw, revealing her gleaming golden scales. She gingerly plucked the shoe from the teapot and placed it inside a small black box. Ibiza glanced back toward the wash room as the couple finished their bathing. She quickly re-cloaked her paw, then wondered where she could safely retreat to. Her eyes darted to a music box, then to an old dress, and back to one of the lion's weathered old vests.

A realization suddenly dawned on her. She stepped back to take in the enormity of the collection before her, 'Yes indeed! These animals are extremely old, and have collected many keepsakes and mementoes from down through the ages!'

Ibiza wrung her paws, 'But this is unnatural! No animal should be made to endure such an extended existence!'

A tapping on the front chamber door brought Ibiza's attention back to the moment. She peered through the bedroom wall to find a great and tall eagle waiting outside, 'Ah, it is Kirsten. The mariner.'

"Just a minute!" Sam called, wrapping a towel about his person. From outside, Herald chortled, "You needn't hurry, Sam!"

Sam opened the door and smiled warmly, "Hey! I'm glad you're here!"

Ibiza peered out from the bedroom to examine the old sea captain, 'Some biological functions, but not to the level of a mortal animal. I would say he's as dead as the familiars.'

"Is Rosemary here?" Herald asked. Mayalee shook her head, "No, why do you ask?"

"I feel her energy," the eagle replied with a shrug of his wings, "How strange."

Mayalee flicked her whiskers, "I've been feeling something odd all evening."

"This can't be a coincidence," Sam said. He gestured sweepingly about the room, "Please show yourself, Ibiza. We would love to speak with you."

Herald chimed in, "You needn't be afraid."

Ibiza ached to reveal herself, to share in the company of animals who might know who and what she is. Her mind calculated the possible ramifications of revealing herself, and she was not pleased with the results. 'No, that is not an acceptable outcome. The powers of this world care only about maintaining their control.'

Ibiza departed the home with a heavy heart. With her passing, the black eagle became crestfallen, "The presence is diminished."

Sam smiled weakly, but hugged the eagle's neck with great affection. "It's wonderful to see you, Herald!"

"Likewise, Sam!" he turned to Mayalee, "Kromhaut, would you join us please?"

Mayalee's eyes began to shimmer. Wisps of invisible flame issued from her long black hair, forming a fiery tiara, "Yes?"

"I felt a strong similarity between this entity and Rosemary. With your permission, I would like to associate with Rosemary. With her assistance, I might discover the nature of this spiritual resemblance."

Mayalee stood silent, save for the erratic movements of the spiritual fire swirling about her head. Sam cleared his throat. "Uh, has Glorafin told you that this entity has assumed Rosemary's birth name?"

Herald furled his wings. "No, she has not."

"The most evil animal to ever have lived." Kromhaut rumbled.

"Rosemary is a tired old mare." Herald said, heedless of the dragon's temper. "She is no more good or evil than your average flu virus."

A foul frown was Kromhaut's only reply. He wished to deny the eagle's request, to forbid him from involving the ancient cult leader, but the similarity was undeniable. "Do what you will," the dragon spat before departing.

Herald sighed, then moved to the parlor where he worked his long toes into the thick plush carpet. "Ahhhh, this feels lovely!"

"Becoming used to the world of the living?" Sam asked with a smile. Mayalee shyly approached to pat the eagle on his wing. "Care for something to eat?"

"I can always use something," he replied, "I've not had to deal with hunger for a great many years."

Sam knew what the eagle was thinking, "Do you think it's time for Rosemary to be set free?"

Herald shrugged, "Kromhaut'll have to deal with her eventually, I can think of no better time than now."

Mayalee returned with some scraps of Sam's dinner meats which she placed into Herald's waiting maw. His bright yellow beak chomped up and down before he swallowed the morsel. Mayalee offered another morsel, but paused to ask a question, "Do you suppose this entity is merely adopting Rosemary's energy signature? In the same manner that it's adopted her name?"

"A logical observation," Herald replied, leaning in to take the morsel. "Can a spiritual presence be duplicated?" he said with his mouth full.

Sam frowned, "It's terribly odd, but that's what we're here for! To find out!"

Herald shifted this way and that. Mayalee sensed his discomfort, "You don't intend on staying around, do you?"

"I would like to become wholly mortal once again," Herald replied, "Once I leave my office behind, I don't expect I'll last too long."

Sam wrapped his arms about the eagle, then Mayalee joined in the embrace. "Oh, come now!" Herald chortled, "You've had to contend with me for centuries! Surely your own time is at hand, hmm?"

The familiars looked to one another, each realizing that it had, indeed, been a long time.

"I suppose I perceive time differently than you," Mayalee said, "Since your relationship with Glorafin is not as intimate as ours is with Kromhaut."

Herald nodded, "Employing you was the greatest thing Kromhaut has ever done, it's done wonders for him."

"I wish you didn't have to go," Sam said, his voice cracking with emotion. Herald went to him to cup his wing over the lion. "I'm sorry my lad, but my decision is quite firm," he smiled gently, "Though, I'm in no great hurry to breathe my last!"

Herald crossed the room, then turned to the couple, "You two need cohorts, animals who might share in your life and adventures!"

Sam snorted, dismissing the idea. Not because he wasn't keen on having new friends, but because he knew Kromhaut would never permit such a thing. Mayalee's eyes shimmered, but she too declined to voice her feelings on the idea. Herald folded his legs up beneath his great bulk to look Mayalee in the eye. "Kromhaut, if you heed any words an animal might impart, heed mine; Expand your fellowship, enrich you familiar's lives."

Mayalee's face changed in a strange sort of way. Herald knew he'd elicited a reaction from the dragon, but only time would tell if it was the reaction he'd hoped for. She reached out to cup Herald's face in her hands, "I love you."

"Thank you, love."

Mayalee understood that there was only one animal that Herald had ever truly loved. She smiled gently, "Would you like to spend the night?"

Herald waved his wing, "I must look in on a spiritual acquaintance of mine, she's presently trapped within a comatose body," he got to his feet and fanned his tail, "You would know her as Margrey Balin."

"Oh! Yes! You'd better go and see that she's alright!"

He paused to chortle, "She's a fighter! In fact, you'd scarcely recognize her from the elder days!"

"What was her most recent name?" Sam asked.

"Maggie Pumpkin."

Herald turned away, then slipped from the couple's home. After he'd gone, Mayalee balled her fists in frustration. "I wish Kromhaut would allow us to help troubled spirits!"

"That's Glorafin's purview. Herald is her servant, that's his job."

She shook her head, "Glorafin cares more about the trees! She should just worry about them and leave all animals to us!"

Sam set his hands on her head, then chortled at the heat pouring from her scalp, "You're warming the house nicely! Keep that up!"

"Stop it! I'm serious!"

"May, so am I." He turned her around so she'd face him, "Think about how far we've come with the dragons! In the time after I was selected, it would have been outrageous to suggest the need for a spiritual guide! But now we have Herald!"

Mayalee snorted, "I think he worked out far better than Glorafin might have supposed."

He flicked his fingers across her round ears, "What I'm saying is, we made progress! We can't expect miracles overnight! We're literally moving mountains!"

She sighed, "Oh, Margrey. What I wouldn't give to speak with her."

"I'm not surprised to hear that Margrey became the boxer Maggie Pumpkin. Margrey was a ferocious little pony."

Mayalee smiled, her eyes shimmering with memory, "She was my friend."

***

The Boxer

***

Vinrod Hul was a large crocodile. As such, he was somewhat ill-suited to mammal hotel rooms. He did enjoy the plush softness of an extra large bed, but much of the comfort was lost to him. Across the room, a television's warm glow flickered and flashed. Vinrod idly watched the featured news program, but paid the report little mind. I suppose he was entranced by the moving pictures, or perhaps he practiced a crocodilian form of meditation. He'd turned on the news hoping to see some mention of his fighter. Instead, it was all economic news. That's all the news ever focused on these days. The same tired warnings about financial collapse that every animal'd heard a hundred times before.

His tail flicked back and forth as he reflected on how far his boxer had come in so short a time. He smiled, then turned to admire the garish decor of his hotel suite. 'We've made it all the way to the Royal Calais.'

The early 2200's saw a fad in busy bright interior decor. It's not surprising that the largest hotel in all of land had spared no expense in becoming the biggest and brightest, but there was no masking the lingering reek of pipe leaf. No concealing the claw marks left by frantic lovers as they painted the headboards with all manner of... passions. 'Truth be told,' Vinrod thought, 'The old Calais is looking rather tore-back.'

"Fuck!" hissed a voice from the washroom. Vinrod rolled toward the door, "Eh? Maggie?"

Inside the ornate washroom, a tawny brown horse ripped open a package of undergarments. She set them on the sink with an anxious groan, then glanced at a notice on the package; 'Maggie, you are in trouble! Please wake up!'

"What the fuck!" she hissed, hurling the package into a waste bin. Placing her hands on the sink, she glared at her reflection. Behind her, a black shadow watched from a hidden vantage point. Death studied Maggie in a detached, analytical sort of way as it waited to fulfill it's function. It looked on as the transgender horse gathered all of her emotional strength. Then, with some effort, the boxer doffed her trousers and shirt. Her penis looked enormous.

"This is never going to work! I'll look ridiculous!"

"Eh? What's wrong?" Vinrod said through the door. Maggie ignored him.

Death knelt to examine the wrapping material Maggie'd thrown in the waste bin. The product information was as it should be. Herald's message had been for Maggie's eyes alone. If Death could form thoughts as you and I, it would appreciate the wisdom of appointing such a caring animal as a spiritual guide.

"They'll all laugh real good," Maggie hissed at her reflection, "Why couldn't you just finish up in the male league before trying to transition?"

A knock upon the door, then Vinrod asked; "Maggie, you okay?"

Though she'd known her trainer since high school, Maggie still found occasion to smile at his thick Mantuan accent. "I'm okay Vinnie, though I don't know what sort of girl I'm going to make."

Vinrod waited outside for a moment before Maggie emerged wearing tight shear underwear that, although cut for a male, displayed all that Maggie had with embarrassing clarity. "I shouldn't have transitioned without going through the reassignment surgery, it's too awkward!"

The crocodile reached out to trace his fingers over the marks on her face. "It's not so bad, Maggie. At least, it's only as bad as you allow it to be."

The black shadow inspected Maggie's briefs, then silently concurred. Tears welled up in Maggie's eyes as she looked down upon her unwanted gender, "I can't do it Vinnie... I just can't!"

"Come here girl..." he rumbled, enwrapping her in his long arms, "Remember, there's a price to be paid for anything worthwhile."

Vinrod held her close as she began to weep. He hummed a fond medley in her ear, I believe it was Maggie's favorite popular song. She nuzzled the rough plates of his skin, then sighed; "How can you be hard and soft at the same time?"

He chortled, then patted her cheeks with a gentle fatherly love, "Maggie, you don't have to go out there. You can forgo the press conference, and do the weigh-in in private."

Maggie sighed miserably, then looked down upon her penis as it strained against the shear fabric of the undergarment, "I'm supposed to be a female! Why do I have to be hung like an elephant!? They'll all laugh at me!"

Vinrod snorted, then bopped his hand on her head, "Don't be ashamed of yourself, Maggie!"

"It's easy for you to say," Maggie said with a wiggle of her ears so that he'd know she was joking, "Male and female crocs all look and sound the same!"

"I bet you thought I was a boy all this time, eh?"

She smiled as Vinrod clasped his hands upon her cheeks. He gently massaged the knotted muscles of her jaw before he hit upon an idea. He pushed his way into the washroom, and from it retrieved a small hand towel. He slipped an end into the waistband of Maggie's form-fitting underwear, then let it drape down over her genitals. He stepped back to admire his handiwork, "There! All fixed!"

Still fretting, Maggie tugged at the towel to see how well it'd stay on, "Won't they tell me to take it off for the weigh-in?"

"Perhaps," Vinrod replied, "By then the press conference will be just about over."

She blew out a long breath, "Okay, let's get down there."

The lingering shadow stepped aside as Maggie took up her blue and yellow boxing robe. On the back was printed: 'The Buckley Bomber,' though Maggie'd since changed her slogan. Vinrod opened the door for his fighter, then led her out into the hall. The invisible specter followed after the master and his apprentice. Death wondered if Maggie knew she was dying.

In the elevator lobby were several animals waiting to get down to the casino level. Their faces brightened as Maggie drew near. For perhaps the very first time, Death experienced confusion. It thought it should sever Maggie's lingering hold on life, but felt compelled to remain within Maggie's memories. With each passing moment spent within Maggie's past, the entity felt as if it was less of a what, and more of a who.

A young canid offered Maggie his sports trading card. It bore an image of Maggie from her days as a junior divisional fighter. She frowned at her former name emblazoned across the bottom of the card. 'Dennis Daniel Pumpkin.'

"It's so great to meet you!" the youngster chimed, his face glowing with admiration.

'How can you be this excited to meet me?' Maggie wondered, 'I haven't done anything except make a complete mess of my life.'

Vinrod nudged her, then produced a pen so that she might sign her fan's card. Maggie awkwardly took the pen and placed it on the card, "Do you want me to sign it as Dennis? The name on this card is Dennis."

"I want you to sign it any way you'd like, Maggie."

Despite her anxiety, she felt impressed by the youngster's reply. She began to move the pen across the card but shrieked at what it now said! 'Maggie! Wake up!'

"Fuck!"

The startled boy knelt to pick up the card as Maggie threw it down. "I'm sorry, Miss Pumpkin! I didn't mean to bother you!"

At the sight of his anguished face, Maggie shook aside her shock. "It's okay sweetie, I've been sleeping mighty bad of late," she took him in her arms, "This is all pretty stressful for me."

"You can do it," he said, squeezing her neck with his small arms. Then, he lifted up his pant leg to reveal a prosthetic foot. "You helped me feel like I can do anything! You're real tough."

The boy's father smiled warmly, then nodded his thanks to Maggie. The horse didn't know what to say, except to return his nod. Death mimicked the animals as it nodded it's shadowy head, though it was unsure what exactly the gesture signified. Before the entity knew what'd happened, it entertained it's first ever thought as a conscious entity; 'We do not live for ourselves, but for others.'

Soon the elevator arrived, and the group piled into the car. It strained ominously as Vinrod's two hundred and seventy kilos of bulk weighed upon the cables. The black shadow slipped into the car just as the doors closed. Maggie shivered as the entity hovered very near to her. As the car descended toward the lobby, Maggie Pumpkin contemplated a deep and profound blackness.

In a far away hospital room, Maggie Pumpkin's spirit slipped from it's vestment of flesh and bone. Alarmed, Death reached out to buttress Maggie's memory. For once, it was Death who was not ready to transition.

"Come on!" Vinrod chuffed, nudging his fighter out of the car, "Your big moment's here!"

Startled, Maggie stumbled into the lobby. Just behind, her fans wished her well. "Thanks, Maggie!" said the young canid. She turned back to take him in her arms, "You're a tough wolf," she said to him, tapping his prosthetic foot with her fingers, "Don't ever let this hold you back! You can do anything you want!"

His eyes shimmered as she kissed him, then Maggie slipped away to meet her destiny.

Just then Maggie's opponent Lily Gardner appeared in the hall, accompanied by her entourage. The divisional champion noted a towel poking out of the crotch area of Maggie's robe. She whispered something to one of her aides. Maggie flattened her ears as she cupped her hands over her towel, but became surprised when the attendant returned with a towel that Lily slipped into her waist band, "We better get going."

Lily pushed through the gathered bystanders and cleared a path into the Hotel's casino.

Maggie followed behind the tall bison as Vinrod walked beside Lily's trainer, a rough and tumble lion named Dieter Munsch. The stench of liquor and pipe weed was overpowering as Maggie looked about the dimly lit room. It's vaulted ceiling was imposing, as were the huge chandeliers hanging precariously from rather delicate looking chains. Maggie hoped that they wouldn't have to stand underneath one.

The fighters were led up onto a white carpeted platform as flashbulbs popped and flashed all around them. Lily playfully patted Maggie's abdominals, eliciting a startled squeak from the nervous horse. Rocketing to the top of the eastern division in just eighteen months, Maggie was unaccustomed to this sort of media attention.

"Lily!" called a feline, "How do you feel fighting a stallion here in the female league?"

The bison did not immediately answer. Instead, Lily handed Maggie a water bottle as she crossed arms with the transgender horse. She drank from the bottle in Maggie's hand, her eyes smiling with mischief. Maggie caught on, and sipped from the bottle in Lily's hand. Around them, a multitude of cameras created a disorienting strobe-like effect on the far wall. The specter of Death obscured some of these flashes, it's shadow darkening Maggie Pumpkin's face.

Lily smiled to Maggie as she turned to the sports reporter, "If boxers fought with our genitals, then I might have an opinion about Maggie's plumbing."

Maggie smiled broadly as Lily winked her support. As the press conference wore on, Maggie realized that her opponent was running interference, shielding Maggie from the pointed and often intrusive questions regarding her recent change from a male to female fighter. Maggie basked in the glow of Lily's support, and she imagined herself becoming good friends with the bison, but her reprieve was interrupted by a dark brown voice, "Maggie, come away with me."

The hall became blurred as her memory was undermined by the eagle's voice. Maggie's senses reeled as the mariner pulled her mind's eye away from the ring, and carried her far afield; "Do you remember the little colt?"

"No, Herald..." Maggie groaned, "Stop it, I don't want to go back there."

Maggie's mind struggled to remain within the Royal Calais, and just when it seemed she'd succeeded, the dark of the hall was shattered by a bright and cheery meadow. "Come Maggie, return to Buckley... come and visit the little colt that you've forgot."

"No Herald... I'm not Dennis anymore..."

Her words became faint, detached, and distant. An uneasy serenity fell over her as slowly, gently, Herald placed Maggie's mind upon the green fields of Buckley. Maggie watched as her childhood self pedaled his bicycle to the border of the protected forest, where the stout little colt climbed a driftwood fence to enter the woods. "No...." Maggie gasped, "Herald..."

Dennis Pumpkin greeted the trees as friends, and climbed up on them, unaware of the sweet and thoughtful things they said about him. Neither Herald nor Maggie noticed a golden-scaled creature moving amongst the tall bodies of the trees.

"Go into the woods, Maggie."

"NO!!" Maggie cried as the dream collapsed around her, revealing a stark white hospital corridor. Maggie's ghostly outline flickered for a long moment as the shock of Herald's vision held sway on her senses. "I was so lonely... those trees were the closest thing I had to a friend."

"Well, Maggie!" Herald chimed, fluffing his black feathers in a most endearing way, "It seems we meet again!"

"Hey, Herald," she replied, her identity as the burly transgender fighter now firmly reestablished, "Who were you expecting?"

"I suppose a month is just too short a time for a spirit to gather any sort of new identity." He smiled gently, "Do you remember anything from your recent birth?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

He knelt before her, bringing his powers to bear, "Maggie, it is very important that you tell me if you experienced anything odd during your transition."

"Herald, you're starting to freak me out, just what's going on?"

"Come along," he said, gesturing with his wing, "Things have become rather complicated since your last incarnation," he took a few steps away, but paused before returning to Maggie's side, "It is good to see you again, love. I trust you'll be alright?"

"Sure, I just feel a little disoriented is all."

He smiled, "Fine, now come along. This hospital is not the sort of place for a sensitive sort like you!"

Maggie issued an incredulous chuff as Herald escorted her outside. The pair crossed a wide grassy lawn, where it seemed Herald became distracted by something. He turned his thought inward, but saw only darkness. Herald mistook the presence to be Destruction, and he reached out to her; 'Can you speak to me?'

There was no reply.

Death lingered in the shadows, hungry for more of Maggie's story. It touched Herald's mind, where the eagle perceived Rosemary Barter's face in the gloom. This apparition was most unnerving to him, 'There can be no doubt, the shadow realm has formed a connection with Rosemary, but how, and why?'

He looked down upon the boxer as Maggie smirked at him, "I see how you were trying to guide me toward the woods, even in my dreams."

"Have we been through this so often that you've become aware of my technique?"

She noticed he was distracted, "Hey, everything alright?"

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out with his wing, "Can you see the path?"

"Uh, I don't see anything from the spirit world."

Herald again felt the presence of Rosemary Barter. Her expressionless face flashed through his mind. Visibly unnerved, Herald brought forth a deep and heavy mist that closed around them. Maggie peered through the fog at her friend's broad silhouette. "Herald, what are you doing?"

He didn't answer. 'What's he doing? This is so weird!'

Unbeknownst to Herald, Death's shadowy form was changing, reshaping. No longer a what, it'd become more of a who. Death was now a female, an equine mare in point of fact. After a moment, Herald relaxed his guard and dispelled the mist, "Forgive me Maggie, I sought to reveal any shadows that might be lingering nearby."

"Another ghost?" she asked. Herald shook his head, "A dimensional fragment, a piece of some far-off place."

Maggie's bright golden light shimmered as she smiled to him, "Herald, how did you get this job of yours? Did you take it upon yourself, or did... someone appoint you?"

"It is my hope that you might never find out."

Unnerved by his uncharacteristically brooding demeanor, Maggie drew a deep breath. The gesture was purely emotional mind you, since she'd no lungs. "Okay," Maggie said, trying her best to be brave, "If I have to go up along the path, can Randy come with me? Or Maybe Vincent?"

Herald sighed, "I am sorry Maggie, all of your friends have returned to life."

"Hmmph, I don't want to go by myself."

"Between the great oaks and the high jagged hills there is a path..." he paused to reach out his broad wing, "Once you leave behind the mortal world to take the high trail up, no one else may follow."

"Why?" she asked.

Herald brushed his wing lovingly across her cheek, "The path is for your steps alone."

"Wouldn't that someone be there with me? The one who appointed you?"

He smiled gently, "You wouldn't be able to see them."

"But why? Herald, is there some kind of spirit or animal who does... god stuff?"

Herald was suddenly jarred by a looming shadow hovering directly ahead! 'Whatever entity it may be, they are firmly fixed on Maggie's presence! I must get her to safety!'

Death could not help herself, she knew that at any moment the eagle would whisk Maggie away to be reborn again. 'Need. I need.'

"Maggie, please focus on the path! You must try!"

She shook her head, "I don't see anything! What am I supposed to do?!"

In an unusual move, Herald opened the spiritual gateway that would allow Maggie to cross over. Death felt Maggie slipping away, 'No! Stay! I need!'

Now it was Death who encountered a looming shadow. The phantom's connection to the spirit world was shaken as an unseen hand moved to prevent Maggie's departure!

Death watched this strange other shadow confront the eagle. Herald faced the entity, whilst shielding Maggie as best he could; 'This equine is not for you, but there is another! Look for the one named Barter! She is a page that seeks for a word, so I urge you to write your story upon her!'

"Herald," Maggie peeped, "What's wrong?"

A long moment passed as the spiritual confrontation was played out. In the moments that followed, Herald became aware of a faint thrumming. He strained to parse what the noise might be, but his avian spirit was ill-equipped to understand just what the sound represented. However, a mammal spirit might have made the connection, for they are want to find themselves within an all-encompassing dark, where the only sound to be heard is the soft thrumming of their mother's heart...

The shadow diminished, but did not fade away, Death continued to perceive the strange other as they waited nearby, meanwhile, the eagle gathered up his friend, "Come, Maggie," Herald said, "Let us seek the path elsewhere."

Death watched the mariner fly away with his spiritual companion, then turned her attention to the mysterious entity. She was not yet capable of experiencing the emotion of surprise, but she came very close as a golden-scaled dragon cast aside it's veil of darkness. Hovering above the dragon's brow was a bright burning ring. Death puzzled at what it might be, but she also understood that this dragon was not her sister.

The strange dragon turned toward the hospital to pass through the wide granite entrance. Confused, Death followed after the dragon, moving up beside the female to observe her bright and soulful eyes.

'You are not my sister. You are alive. She is not.'

'Maggie's story pleases you, hmm?' the dragon asked, turning to smile at Death as the pair made their way along a white corridor. Again, Death was very confused by her newfound feelings.

With every interaction, Death became more and more aware of herself. With every fleeting contact, Death's grasp on emotion became more and more realized. The dragon sensed her past self's inner turmoil, paused to offer an encouraging word; "This is pivotal moment for you, love. You teeter at the cusp between being a mere thing, and becoming a conscious, feeling spirit!"

Death marveled at being touched by another. A rush of thoughts and emotions washed over her, as the dragon squeezed a pair of willowy arms that now took shape. "That's it! Take your form! Let it happen!"

'I wish. To feel. I wish to be alive.'

"You shall, love!" the dragon chimed, leaning in to kiss the black-furred equine Death had become. 'All is proceeding as it should.'

She playfully nudged her former self, "I would like to test you, come here!"

The dragon led Death along the corridor, then entered the children's ward. There, the pair found a secluded room where a young equine mother and father stood vigil over their remaining child. Death understood that this sick and dying infant was Maggie Pumpkin's twin sibling. As Death entered the small room, she became compelled by a powerful need to sever the infant's spiritual body from it's mortal form.

"What is your judgement?" the dragon asked, "Shall you take her?"

Death peered into the bright golden rings inhabiting her sister's eyes. 'I am confused. You are not my sister, and yet you are.'

The dragon waved Death's confusion away, "Now, what shall we do about this child, hmm?"

'Are you suggesting there is a choice? Is it possible to spare this infant?'

"If you can resist your base programming!"

'Help me! I am afraid! I cannot resist the urge!'

"Then kill the right one! Destroy the virus that threatens this child! In so doing, you'll be relived of your burden!"

A black shadow erupted from Death's equine form, lashing out at the virus that ravaged the little child. The dragon nodded her approval, then moved to relieve the built-up pressure within the child's skull. With this act, Death was freed from the awful need to kill. Relieved, Death turned to find the dragon had changed. Gone was her fiery tiara, and the daunting and commanding power radiating from her face. 'You're no longer a thing, sister, and you're no longer Death. We've become Fate.'

The dragon's words receded into Death's primitive mind, leaving the phantom stunned.

As Fate vanished, the dragon left the infant a calling card of sorts, a keepsake, to remind her of this special day. Death turned to the infant as she began to whimper and cry. "Doctor!" cried the child's mother, whilst the father called out to his daughter, "Shelly! Shelly!"

***

The Candidates

***

Next morning, I found Mayalee Mae rummaging around her kitchen cabinets. At first I wasn't sure what she was doing, until I noticed she made tally of what foodstuffs she had, and the given expiration dates of each item. It seemed a rather mundane thing to be doing, given what'd happened of late.

Outside, Sam tended a small vegetable garden for the benefit of his mate, who possessed no green thumb whatsoever.

"Sam," said Herald, peeking over the property's back wall. The lion blinked in surprise, then gestured for the eagle to join him in the yard. "I had a most unsettling encounter with Ibiza," Herald said, half flying, half leaping over the wall, "I've never seen the like!"

"What happened?" Sam asked, wiping off his hands. Mayalee joined the pair on the patio as Herald collected his thoughts, "I glimpsed her mind, Sam. I fear this dragon from the first dimension might be more dangerous than we'd supposed."

Mayalee stepped forward; "Show me."

Herald touched her mind, revealing to Mayalee the primordial nature of the intellect he'd encountered. Mayalee wrinkled her nose as Rosemary's face filled her mind's eye, "You suggested it contact Rosemary Barter? Whatever did you do that for?"

He blinked, "Honestly, I have no idea."

Sam tugged at his whiskers, "This doesn't make sense. Kromhaut's memories of the visitor don't jive with what you've shown us at all," he put his hands on his head to focus his thoughts, "While Kromhaut's dragon was hardly miss personality, she's hardly what I'd call a primordial spirit."

'Krom,' Mayalee chimed, beckoning her dragon to her, 'It's time for you to come clean. We need you to tell us everything you saw regarding this new dragon.'

The animals waited for the dragon to avail himself. After a long moment, it became clear that he did not intend to answer, leaving Mayalee growling with frustration.

"Perhaps it is a manifestation of the shadow realm it's self," Herald offered. Mayalee shrugged, "Isn't that what Ibiza is supposed to be?"

The animals pawed at the small patch of soil along the narrow patio. "Alright, we'll call this primordial spirit visitor number two," Sam said, "And, at least there's been some form of contact, and primitive or no, this second visitor has shown a curiosity for spirits, instead of any overt hostility."

Mayalee threw up her hands, "So we're dealing with two, now? Krom won't even help us locate the first!"

"It is you who must assist your dragon," Herald said, "Be bright, Mayalee, create a bright and welcoming flame with your dragon's fire. In time, our wayward visitors will seek you out."

Mayalee went to Herald to deliver a hug. He chortled as she cradled his long legs, "I'm going to miss you when you go away."

"All the more reason for you pair to go out and find some new friends!"

Sam joined his mate in her affections as he hugged the eagle's neck. Whilst flattered, he wished that they'd let go. Herald was never comfortable with overt, demonstrative affection. As he glanced down at Sam, Herald sensed a perfect opportunity to remind Mayalee of the realm's other wayward spirit.

"Remember, I was not always so dear to you," Herald breathed, "Remember this, in your dealings with Rosemary. There is a good equine somewhere beneath her gruff veneer, waiting for you to set her free."

Mayalee stepped back, "Want to stay for dinner?"

"I'd best locate Rosemary, and warn her of this entity, should it come calling."

The three nodded to one another, then Herald flew away. Mayalee watched him go, as Sam tapped her on the head, "He's right, you know."

"Yes," she agreed, "We do need new friends."

"No, silly," Sam persisted, "Rosemary, she's the obvious choice to replace Herald. The world needs a spiritual guide, and Rosemary's been neck-deep in the spirit world for a very long time-" Mayalee reached up to silence him. Much like her dragon, she turned about and went indoors to avoid any further discussion. Sam snorted, then continued his gardening.

***

That evening, Sam and Mayalee passed Herald's memory back and forth. It'd become like a puzzle, a confounding and elusive riddle that defied understanding. "Okay, our visitor, she demonstrated obvious feelings and emotion. She's not the entity that confronted Herald."

Sam nodded in accord, "How could this entity countermand Herald's attempt to free Maggie? Isn't that rather terrifying?"

Mayalee drummed her fingers on the table. "Yeah, just a little! Okay, I think we can safely assume that Ibiza isn't a personification of death, she's something else, but this entity, who clearly has the power to control dimensional gateways, I mean-" she clapped her mouth shut.

"What?" Sam chuffed.

She shrugged, "I don't know what to think anymore."

Sam furrowed his brow, "I'd like to know exactly how this entity negated Herald's powers, and how exactly death functions in our world."

Mayalee drew a breath to reply, but paused to gather her thoughts. Whilst paused, Sam added; "If the first dimension is separate from our world, how does death come here to do it's thing? How is the arrival of our visitor so extraordinary?"

"That's the thing, Sam. The first dimension isn't separate, it's all over the place."

"I don't understand."

Mayalee gestured to the plush carpeting, "The first dimension is like the land it's self, with our third dimension being a nice house built atop it. Within our house we are separate from the land outside, but we're still sitting atop it."

"Ohhhh," Sam breathed, "And our visitor is like a big clump of soil from the first dimensional landscape that's sprouted legs to walk into the house."

"Precisely!"

The animals smiled to one another, then Sam sighed, "We should leave right now to go out and find Ibiza. We need to make contact with her."

Mayalee raised her hand, "She associates us with Kromhaut, so she's likely to be shy. We should allow her to come to us when she's ready. If we chase her, we could end up doing more harm than good."

He groaned, "Ugh!"

The pair sat quietly for a long while, each lost in their thoughts. Mayalee idly tugged at her whiskers, then opined; "I'd expect death it's self to match the description of Herald's mystery entity."

Sam slid from his seat, then crawled toward his mate, "Kromhaut! That's what we're dealing with! Isn't it?"

Mayalee mouthed the words of Kromhaut's reply, whilst the dragon's voice chimed in Sam's mind, 'No, it is impossible.'

Sam frowned, "You don't sound too sure of yourself!"

'Unlike you, I would like to study matters more before I jump to conclusions.'

"Okay, fair enough."

The dragon abruptly terminated his link.

Sam furiously rubbed his chin, "Kromhaut is the Incarnation of Renewal, it's completely logical that he'd be at odds with anything emerging from the first dimension!"

Mayalee swatted the sides of her thighs, "But without Death, Kromhaut wouldn't have anything to renew! He should be working with Death, not actively opposing it!"

"Perhaps that's the true balance of life," Sam noted, looking Mayalee in the eye, hoping that the dragon might still be listening, "When Renewal and Death are working together in harmony."

Mayalee let out a long breath, then smiled to her lion, "We'd better go to bed, you have a big day tomorrow!"

Sam nibbled on her ear, then began his evening chores. Mayalee watched him brush his teeth, then wash his feet. There was a special powder that lions use to clean their skin, whilst preserving their natural moisture. Sam applied the powder to his torso, as Mayalee stood in the doorway.

"Do you suppose it's even possible for death to come to life?"

He shrugged. "I dunno, could gravity come to life? Or the wind?"

She pressed her finger into the door frame. "Hey!" he chuffed, "This is a rental, remember?"

Mayalee patted him in a special way that let him know she wanted sex. He wasn't really in the mood, but he followed her into the bedroom where he gave her what she wanted. The darkening shadows in the parlor became darker still until Death materialized within the home. Her shadowy body phased in and out of reality as the entity moved across the plush carpeted floor to the mirror. There, she gazed intently at nothing at all. Frustrated, she willed herself to be.

For a fleeting instant, a black-furred equine appeared in the mirror.

'I exist, and yet I do not.'

Transfixed by the mirror, Maggie Pumpkin's memories returned to her. Death supposed she was still enraptured by the fighter's tumultuous life. 'Why am I drawn to this animal? What quality of spirit does she possess?'

Mayalee's gasps echoed from the bedroom. Death shied away from her outburst, then moved along the hall until she reached the door leading into the garage. She passed through the door where she waited beside Sam's motor car. For the hours that followed, Death waited patiently for the dawn, whilst within her ever evolving mind, she pretended to be a living equine, who had a mother who loved her.

Not far away, the dragon Ibiza Pushpath passed through the exterior wall of an automotive repair installation. All was quiet; the employees had gone. Ibiza removed her veil of darkness to draw a deep breath. She poked about the repair shop, then chirped when she found a water nozzle. She placed the end into her maw, then fumbled with the control arm. It sprayed into her mouth, then whipped out with a loud whoosh and spray of liquid. Ibiza returned the nozzle to her mouth, careful now to clench the end with her teeth. She activated the nozzle, then groaned at the sweetness of the cooling water.

After she'd finished, she noted an amount of food scattered about an employee's work station. She hungrily ate an apple and some other sweet confections, wrapper and all. Then, a nearby mirror caught her attention. She dimly recalled some troubling memory regarding her appearance, but what it was escaped her. Intrigued to discover what it might have been, Ibiza strode to the mirror to gaze upon her reflection, "What!? No!"

She beheld a disturbing, lifeless creature staring back at her, "That cannot be me! I am not a horrible thing!"

The concrete floor seemed to pitch and sway beneath her as she faced the undead creature, "I live, I am alive! T-that thing that stares back at me, it is not alive!"

Ibiza fled the facility, deeply disturbed by her appearance. The shadows of the night seemed to taunt her, and I must admit, the dragon came very near to suffering a complete breakdown of identity. With all haste I presented her a vision of the near future, where a young grey equine would smile upon her, say; "If you'd still like an animal friend, I think I might know a horse who'd be interested."

She stopped along a dark alley as the vision receded from her, but it's effect was profound. Her breathing became calmed, and her thought focused, though the exact details of the vision were already becoming muddled.

"I shall have a friend," was all she could take away from the glimpse of the future, but it was enough to keep her on course.

Next morning, Mayalee did her best to carry on as she always did. She darted about the kitchen, moving a little step ladder around to reach the high countertops of their lion-centric kitchen. She was aware of something, a faint tingling at the base of her spine compounded this sensation, but she carried on with her chores.

In the garage, Sam passed Death at the doorway and moved to light the burner on his steam-powered car. The phantom watched him with keen interest, but made no attempt to interfere. Sam went back into the flat where he bid his mate a good day.

Sam hurried back, then climbed into his run-down Sumbeam automobile. 'See you later,' he said with his thoughts. His wife's cheerful reply made him smile, 'Good luck!'

She sent a warm feeling of love to him, and for a brief moment he considered forgoing his appointment at the security ministry, just to spend another afternoon with her. Death carefully entered the car, being as careful as she could to not betray her presence. Though she was warming to the angry dragon's animal familiars, she remained quite skittish.

Sam released the parking brake and set the car into motion, whilst the entity reviewed Sam's thousand year love affair with the little grey mouse. She thought the lion's example was exactly the sort of lesson she needed to become a thinking, feeling animal.

In the wake of her encounter with Maggie Pumpkin, Death had now found a purpose... to feel.

And a feeling is what Sam experienced. A strange, electric tingle at the base of his spine. He squirmed and fidgeted, wondering at the odd sensation. Death realized she was betraying her presence, and took steps to mask her influence.

Feeling better, Sam got out onto Genstrasse Lane and ventured north, toward the downtown corridor. Soon he caught the Autoway Four, a main Union highway linking the various animal states that made up the continent-wide Tine Government. The state of Brandenburg was a very orderly place, and so navigating it's busy cross-town arteries was considerably easier than in other places.

'How are you feeling today?' Asked a gentle voice within his mind. Sam smiled, 'I'm fine, Ariadne. How are you?'

'Well, thanks.'

If Sam could know about the machine intelligences that would arise in later ages, he would have laughed at the similarities between them, and his timid dragon partner. Being a greater being than his sons, the god Krom possessed a more realized psyche. Ariadne was a product of Kromhaut's thought, and so lacked the emotional complexity of his father.

'I hope your appointment goes as planned,' Ariadne said, 'I know how much it means to you.'

'If it happens, it happens.' Sam replied, 'I'll have to leave the job soon enough anyway, so it's neither here nor there.'

Ariadne was troubled by this, 'Just as Mayalee was forced to separate from her profession as a nurse, due to her lack of an aging process.'

Sam nodded, 'She was a great care-giver.'

'I'm so sorry, Sam.'

'Aw, don't fret so much,' Sam replied, 'It's part of our job working with you.'

'Sam, I was thinking about Herald's desire to divest himself of his current incarnation.'

'Yes?'

'You wouldn't wish that, would you?'

Sam raised a brow, 'Well, I suppose it'll happen eventually.'

'If you divest yourself, might I make your acquaintance again? In your next life?'

'Why don't we talk about this later.'

'I am sorry, Sam. I did not mean to intrude.'

Death observed the interplay between the two, and it realized how lonely and isolated the dragon spirit was. But in associating with a living animal, it had made this lion equally isolated.

'Good luck on your interview!' the dragon said, then departed. Sam and Mayalee could always tell when the dragons were gone. It was like a lid was closed over their minds, trapping their thoughts inside their skulls. When possessed by the dragons, both Sam and Mayalee felt enormous.

Soon Sam arrived at the central recruiting office for the national police service. He was directed to park in a special visitors area, where he set his vehicle's thermostat to pilot, and locked up. Death remained inside the vehicle, replaying the exchange between Sam and Ariadne over and over in her mind.

Feeling optimistic, Sam hurried over to the central office. The Union Police Force was primarily dominated by horses, but Sam hoped he could slip in under the required hiring quotas for non-equine animals. The waiting room was crowded with wolves and horses who didn't seem to have a scheduled appointment, but Sam was quickly called into a side office for his scheduled meeting. A burly brown horse met Sam and shook his hand, "Hi, please sit down."

Sam did, whilst the horse reviewed his application, "Preston, that's a Shannonvali name. You from up that way?"

Aware that the interview had started the moment he walked in, Sam answered the question as carefully as he could, (mostly on account of his fictional past!) "My grandmother married an eagle, I inherited the name."

The horse stuck his face into Sam's application, avoiding eye contact. Understand that among animals, this gesture would be considered extremely rude, especially given the nature of the interview. "That must have been pretty scandalous for back then. Shit, it would get you some funny looks now."

"I suppose love doesn't care what species you are."

The horse glanced over the top of Sam's application, "How did they procreate?"

"Pardon?"

"The eagle, how did he procreate with your grandmother, if she was a lion."

"Oh, they tried really hard I suppose!"

The other grunted, "I see your wife is a mouse. Carrying on the family tradition of odd parings?"

Sam flicked his long whiskers. "You could say that."

"I see you have a class one credit rating." he again peered over the top of the application. "How do you manage that, if you're presently unemployed?"

"I hold a lot of stock and assets."

The other grunted. "How do you two fuck, anyway? If she's a mouse and you're a lion? Unless you're hung like a squirrel."

Sam took care to not betray any emotion as he inwardly laughed. 'Oh, you have NO idea!'

Rising from his seat, Sam made for the door. "I'm sorry for wasting your time officer, I was under the illusion that this was a professional police force."

"Mister Preston, please. This line of dialog was part of a character assessment, and you did great!" the embarrassed horse stuck out his hand. "Please, I hope you weren't too offended."

Sam took the horse's hand and shook it. "Alright."

The officer scribbled an address onto a note. "I'd like you to meet with one of our councilors as part of your assessment, is Thursday okay?"

"That's fine."

He offered Sam the appointment slip. "Again, you did great on this initial interview!"

Sam reassured the horse with a grateful smile, "Thank you!"

"And Sam," the horse asked, "Just how did your grandparents have children?"

Sam winked at the horse, then slipped out of the office. As he walked back to his vehicle, the odd tingling returned to his spine, but as quick as it'd come, the sensation ceased. 'Ibiza?' Sam thought, reaching out with his mind. The only entity to respond was his dragon partner, 'It is not Ibiza, Sam'

That afternoon, Sam and Mayalee risked a meal out. The couple had to be careful of late, as they were recognized by an animal who'd seen them decades before. Mayalee chose an outdoor cafe restaurant near the mid-city district, not far from the police headquarters.

Seated beneath a cozy patio, Sam poked at his fish fillets, whilst Mayalee munched on a salad. 'What's on your mind?'

"Oh, I was just thinking about the first dimension," he answered aloud. 'Yes?' Mayalee silently continued on account of her mouth-full of food.

"I'm beginning to believe that Death might indeed be an entity unto it's self. It's what Herald encountered, and-" he paused, "I may have encountered something on the way to my interview."

Mayalee nodded, 'The fact that the dragons are so tight-lipped about what's going on leads me to believe it.'

Sam smiled as Mayalee indulged in a fond fantasy of welcoming Death as a new spirit that they might befriend. He shook his head; 'Are we that lonely, that befriending death would be preferable to what we have now?'

"Okay," he said, "Who would you want to replace Herald?"

She leaned back in her seat, "Whoever we select for our fellowship, they'll be with us forever. We need to choose carefully."

Sam smirked, "Doesn't 'fellowship' have an overly religious connotation?"

She leaned forward, "Kromhaut is sorta our god."

He chortled, "I've been thinking about Rosemary, and the more I do the more I feel she should replace Herald when he passes away."

Mayalee rolled her eyes, "She's crazy! You can't expect her to be trustworthy!"

"Don't you remember what Herald was like when he was released from his ship? He even said it himself, he was awful!"

She took a sip of her mineral water, "Okay, point taken," she took another nervous sip, "I dunno Sam, Rosemary is a different sort of crazy."

He sighed, "Everyone deserves a second chance."

"Why did she change her name, anyway?" Mayalee asked, taking another sip. Sam shrugged, "Maybe for the same reason Herald did, because she felt ashamed."

Mayalee looked to the animals seated around them, as some long-past memory came to her. Sam cupped his hand over hers, "If she feels ashamed, it might mean that she's sorry."

"She put a lot of animals to death, Sam."

"And Herald murdered a lot of marine mammals, but look how dignified and fatherly he is now! You love Herald!"

She had to admit he had a point. "May," he said, "We need to consider Rosemary, I think she should join us."

"No, Sam..." she said with a guttural whisper, "I have to draw a line there, I just can't spend an extended period of time with her, not like that."

He tapped his claws on the table, "Alright, let's talk about this later, then."

"Much later," she added.

Smirking, he took her small cup and gulped down the remaining water, "Okay, if you had to select an animal here in this restaurant, who would you choose?"

She wrinkled her nose and looked about. The dining hall was indeed packed with an interesting assortment of animals, but Mayalee's ears twitched when she sighted a pretty red-tailed hawk, dining with an adorable fox. The reynard's fur was almost the exact red hue as the hawk's plumage. Mayalee was struck by what a cute couple they were, 'Assuming they're a couple.'

She leaned back, 'Kromhaut, would you step in for a moment, I want to take a peek at them.'

The dragon complied, further endowing his servant was greater powers of mind. As she investigated the couple, her mischievous smile died away, "Uh, I dunno Sam."

"What?"

She shook her head, "Something this fox did in his past, it looks wrong."

'Ariadne,' Sam said to his dragon, 'Could you enter, please?'

The lid upon Sam's mind that I'd mentioned earlier was lifted by the dragon, allowing Sam's thoughts to travel outside his body. Sam investigated the reynard, but the fox's recent past seemed perfectly fine. 'Look deeper,' Mayalee said.

'Oh, come on! If this fox did something in a past life, then that's in the past! It shouldn't disqualify him now!'

'Sam, he was ruthless enough to murder a police inspector! That's a terrible flaw in his spirit!'

The lion leaned back, taking in this new information. He delved deeper into the fox's sprit, 'I dunno, May. This seems awfully convenient.'

'What does?'

'That this fox is here, now. That we were looking for someone to join us, and found him.'

Mayalee shook her head, 'Sam, not this one!'

'Then who, May? I mean technically, I'm a traitor to the old empire! I was under a death sentence before you broke me out!'

He cupped his hand over hers, 'Over and over, I see a theme of redemption being played out, I animals being given a second chance to right past wrongs, don't you see?'

She nodded, 'Alright, I'll consider it.'

He pointed at the couple, 'We're choosing them! They're adorable!'

'Alright,' Mayalee said, his smile undermining her frown, 'But after they've adjusted to our world, the fox will work to socialize Rosemary!'

'Deal!'

Triumphant, Sam rose and went to the couple's table. Mayalee remained behind, as her shyness rendered her useless in these situations. As Sam chatted up the receptive animals, Mayalee became aware of a black shape just outside the restaurant's patio. 'Ibiza?' she silently whispered, 'Is that you?'

She felt Kromhaut push deeper into her body, but she forcibly ejected him, 'Let me handle this!'

Sam returned with the pretty couple, "This is my wife, Mayalee Mae!"

She smiled awkwardly as the shadow entered the patio area to take up a position very near to the fox. "This is Allomere," Sam said, introducing the hawk who bowed to Mayalee, "And this is his mate, Timothy."

The fox offered a concerned wave as Mayalee forced a smile. Kromhaut pushed back into his familiar as he confronted the shadow entity, 'What is your business here! What do you seek!?'

Mayalee's lip began to tremble. Allomere traded glances with his mate, "Is she alright?"

"She's very shy," Sam said, trying valiantly to salvage the encounter. Allomere seemed forgiving, "I see a great many animals with social anxiety in my work, it's no problem, really."

He gestured with his wing for Timothy to seat himself. Sam sat down, but he too became aware of what was happening beyond the mortal animal's perception. "So what do you do, Sam?" Allomere asked. Sam didn't seem to hear him. "Sam?"

"Oh, sorry, I'm just worried about my wife, she seems particularly tongue-tied tonight."

"Yes, poor dear." the hawk said, "What say we exchange numbers, so we might try again some other time?"

Sam smiled, "I'd like that."

Sam jotted down his information, as a supernatural battle of wills played out around him. The shadow winked away, but Kromhaut remained within Mayalee, and refused to withdraw. He folded his familiar's arms across her chest and furrowed her brow in a most unpleasant way.

'Maybe it's for the best,' Sam thought as he presented his number to Timothy, 'These animals aren't going to want to have anything to do with us after this. They'll be spared our lunacy.'

"Thank you." Timothy said, taking the scrap of paper. Sam noted that Allomere did not offer up his own information. "Well, goodnight. I do hope your wife feels better."

"Goodnight," Sam said, as the couple awkwardly departed. He watched as the hawk moved to the parking area where the fox climbed atop him. Sam shook his head in disbelief as the somewhat diminutive hawk broke into a run, beating his wings as hard as he could to gain altitude before the pair ran into a row of parked cars.

Somehow, Allomere cleared the obstacles and steadily gained altitude. "I'm sorry, Sam," Kromhaut said. "I did not mean to ruin your social encounter."

"It's okay, I was just thinking it's probably for the best."

"Do you wish me to claim them for you?"

Sam shook his head, "I want them to be able to choose. Is that possible?"

Kromhaut nodded Mayalee's head. "Yes, I will allow that."

Sam sighed, "Then we'll have an interesting meeting with them, if they ever get in contact with me."

***

For the few hours of daylight that remained, Ibiza Pushpath observed the comings and goings of animal-folk as the afternoon bustle gave way to evening calm. The hidden dragon moved along a broad boulevard, shifting into the shade as the sun moved along the distant hills. She wondered at the strange world around her. There was no rhyme nor reason to the bustle. Animals hurried from one place to another, and seldom accomplished anything more than becoming more unsociable.

A rowdy band of canids startled her. She watched with grated teeth as the trio leered at passing females. 'If I could reveal myself, I would teach them good manners.'

Her backside began to ache. Ibiza realized what the sensation was, and looked about for someplace to relieve herself. 'Where am I to go? There is no privacy in this city center!'

The dusk was deep when Ibiza stole herself to enter a public toilet. From her observations, she understood that it was a place of privacy. She carefully checked the stall before removing her veil. Then, she locked the door.

Across the room, the waiting mirror beckoned to her. She ignored it as she positioned her hind quarters over the toilet. The dragon rolled her eyes with relief as the sound of her bathroom activity echoed about the room. Finished with her business, Ibiza enjoyed being free of her cloak. She glanced at the basin, and the mirror above.

Ibiza pawed at the tile floor before moving to the basin. She turned the handle, 'Blue means cool,' she thought, dipping her muzzle below the running water to drink. She glanced up. The peaks of her golden horns were visible in the mirror. She turned her attention to the running water as she gulped down a few more mouthfuls of water.

Finally, Ibiza raised herself to her full height to gaze into the mirror. She narrowed her eyes, 'Why do my eyes look the way they do? Am I too a golem, here to fulfill some unknown function?'

She touched her paw to the edge of her eye. Her claw-tip encountered an odd surface tension where the whites of an ordinary animal's eyes would be. Ibiza pushed her claw into the blackness. The intense gravity of the first dimension seized her finger, Ibiza yanked her paw away as a tapping fell upon the bathroom door. "Hello, Ibiza? Might I enter? I wish to speak with you."

Ibiza grit her teeth at the low monotone of the flyer's voice, but she unlocked the door to allow the bird to enter. "I pray you will not damage me," the bird said, ruffling his feathers. "What would it matter?" Ibiza hissed.

"I do not possess a soul, yet I live," the flyer said, taking up a position before the basin so that Ibiza'd be forced to see her reflection. However, Ibiza was in no mood for games. She grasped the bird's neck, then deposited him in the toilet stall. Closing the door with a firm click, Ibiza bid him speak; "What do you wish to discuss?"

"Ibiza, it is I, Glorafin, speaking to you though my servant. I seek an alliance with you, will you come to my mountain?"

Ibiza idly traced her claw over the graffiti scrawled upon the stall door, "I am not here to take sides."

"I know what troubles you, Ibiza. Only I can gift you a soul, it is through me that you might truly live."

Ibiza snorted, "Would you make me a golem, then? Appealing to you for life would be folly! Besides, there is nothing you may offer me that I do not already possess."

"Gaze into that mirror, and assert your existence. Look deep into your eyes and proclaim your life!"

Ibiza bowed her head.

"You are as lifeless as my golem," Glorafin hissed, "Now listen carefully, there is a power sleeping beneath my mountain! Great creatures from a bygone age, each as powerful as a demigod! You have the power to free the elementary forces contained within these sleeping giants! Through them, you may live!"

Ibiza turned away from the stall to gaze into the mirror, "Tell me, Glorafin, since you are so wise and powerful, who's mind do I possess?" Ibiza turned to the stall, "My mind is full of thoughts, biases, and impressions. These impressions are not my own, but belong to a mortal animal," she turned back toward the mirror, "If you wish to be of service, then tell me, who's mind do I possess?"

"I do not know, Ibiza. But together, we might discover the answer."

Ibiza eyed the tendril of energy radiating up from the floor, "How do you do that? How do you make this vestment of flesh and bone live?"

"Come with me, I might show you all that I know."

"You know nothing," Ibiza said. From outside, an angry voice called out; "Hey! Hurry it up! This ain't your bathroom at home!"

Ibiza veiled herself, then passed through the washroom's far wall, leaving Glorafin behind. Outside, long shadows blanketed the streets as Ibiza suppressed Glorafin's unpleasant memory. Beyond, the city lights began to shimmer and glow. Lost in her thoughts, her belly churned with hunger. 'If I am a lifeless thing, why must I eat?'

When it first manifest, the sensation of hunger had terrified Ibiza. Drawn by a desire for food, Ibiza tentatively approached a busy row of restaurants near the mid-city district. The aroma of food was a beacon for the hungry dragon, drawing her closer until she stood at the door of a pasta diner. 'Why must I eat, whilst my sibling suffers no such indignity!?'

She edged closer to the entrance, but was startled by an animal couple emerging from the restaurant. Though cloaked, she might still come to trouble. Understand, her cloak of darkness comes from the first dimension. It wishes to go back to the shadows.

Another couple walked through her, the canids wrinkled their noses at the odd sensation of passing though the invisible dragon. Ibiza hurried inside, then pressed herself to the far wall. 'Oh! There's so many of them! What if I'm discovered!?'

Images fired and flashed through her mind's eye. The tall battlements of the great war loomed large, followed by the expressionless visage of Glorafin's lifeless servant. Her belly churned at the sight of the flyer. Desperate to satisfy her hunger, Ibiza eyed the kitchen where waiters hurried to and fro, and timing their movements, she bolted in after a wolf. Inside, she found plate after plate of steaming hot food stacked on a waiting shelf, 'I'm sure they won't miss any of these.'

Taking up a plate, she shoveled it's contents into her maw. It burned! "Ugh!" she cried, spitting the piping hot pasta onto the floor! The sudden mess startled the wait staff. Ibiza turned away from the animals, retreating deeper into the kitchen, 'It's too busy here! I need a moment's peace!'

She imagined herself devouring the noisy animals, every single one! They'd fit in her belly, and if not, she'd make them! She could do it!

Ibiza shook her head, angrily dismissing the idea, 'No! I'll not kill them!'

She anguished for a moment before hitting upon an idea. Raising her paws she concentrated, bringing to bear the power of her thought. Within the restaurant, the animals suddenly froze. Now, Ibiza did not stop time, she merely accelerated her presence within it. 'I have done it!' she chimed, moving about from table to table, taking up plates of food and directing them into her waiting maw. As a consequence of her accelerated presence, the plates shattered when she touched them. Ibiza reached forward to nibble at the spray of food hanging in the air.

Saucy red pasta and fine melted cheese washed over her tongue. So sublime was the sensation that she once again imagined herself devouring the animals, crunching upon their tasty bones and swallowing the warm salty flesh. 'These animals feast upon the wild beasts of the field, and think themselves noble. Is it not right that I eat of their flesh?'

She snapped herself away from the dark thoughts, "No! That is horrible!"

Distraught, she shook her head, "What is happening to me? These thoughts are abhorrent!"

Clearing her mind, she focused on the gentle grassy fields of Aurora. Feeling better, she resumed dining, "Oh, terribly sorry," she said, noting the mess she'd made on an animal couple's table.

Desperate to remain cheerful, she began to giggle and prance about the establishment, "Some tea?" she asked a horse, imagining herself to be a waitress, "I'm sure it's very good!"

Ibiza shook with surprise when she noticed a fiery ribbon at the far end of the hall. She could discern a dragon's visage within the fire, frozen in time like the mortal animals of the diner. Ibiza cupped her paw to her chest and gazed for a great long while at the immobile dragon. 'He'd come to take issue with me, but he cannot do as I do,' she narrowed her eyes, 'He is a lesser being than I.'

The realization stunned Ibiza, and she was not entirely sure she liked the idea. She turned her thought inward and recalled the moment she identified herself to Kromhaut. 'Destruction.'

She cupped her paws over her eyes and began to weep. Desperately, she turned to the immobile dragon spirit, 'Unfreeze yourself! Join me! Take council with me, and speak!'

At first, nothing happened. Ibiza reached out to the spirit, hoping to pull him or her into her accelerated flow of time- the gesture worked!

The fiery ribbon manifest it's self as a shimmering dragon. There was a face in the fire that blinked in surprise when Ibiza lowered her face to the floor, "Please do not hate me! I do not know why I have come, nor can I fathom why I have been made as I am!"

"Be at ease," replied the spirit, "I am Transition, though you might address me as Ariadne."

Ibiza became soothed by the other's gentle voice, though she was pained when forced to reply; "I am Destruction."

An awkward silence developed as the pair struggled to reach out to the other. Finally, Ariadne gestured to the shattered plates and spilled food, "Are you hungry? My father's animal familiars might offer you sustenance, you need only go to them."

"Will your father be present?"

"He may."

Ibiza shook her head, "I do not wish to treat with him, or his familiars. I will speak with you, alone."

"I can only offer companionship, Ibiza. I hope you might reconsider, my lion Samuel is a good and noble animal."

"I have seen him," Ibiza murmured, touching her claw tips together, "Their home is an appalling mess."

Ariadne chortled, "Your speech is peppered with the mannerisms of your namesake! Tell me, how did you come to know Ibiza Pushpath?"

"Whatever are you talking about?"

The other proceeded more carefully, "Would you come with me, Ibiza? You might sleep soundly in my familiar's home, without need of your veil."

"You do not understand," Ibiza hissed.

"I understand," Ariadne replied, "That you and my father are diametrically opposed beings, but you must try to overcome-" Ibiza interrupted him with a wave of her paw. With teeth clenched, Ibiza reiterated her desire to keep well away from Kromhaut.

Fearing he'd angered her, Ariadne moved away, but became stuck within the normal flow of time. Ibiza snorted, then departed the restaurant. She rejoined the normal flow of time, but realized too late that she was not veiled! A passing animal glanced at her, then shook his head as he looked again. Ibiza darted away from the herbivore and ducked down an alley where she hid within her cloak.

Panicked cries arouse from the restaurant. Ibiza cupped her paws over her ears, 'Stop! Please stop! I cannot bear it anymore!'

Fearing a mental break, my future self intervened with a comforting glimpse of the near future; "Where do you want to eat, Ibby?"

Ibiza Pushpath smiled at a black-furred teenage mare, "We had pizza last night, how about dumplings?"

The pair motored along in a yellow station wagon that Penny had only just learned to drive, "Dumplings are okay, though you might want to limit how many you eat, or the restaurant owner will be furious!"

In the alley, Ibiza became calmed as she lost herself in the vision. In time, she settled into a deep and dreamless sleep, save for the occasional vision of a tasty dumpling.

***

Sam woke on Thursday morning to an odd tingling in his spine. He squirmed, trying to rid himself of the annoying sensation. Mayalee yawned, then pushed her face into the small of his back. Her face felt hot in comparison to the chill in his backside. As gently as he could, Sam hauled himself out of bed and shuffled to the washroom.

Along the hall, Sam could almost discern a presence following along beside him.

He entered the washroom, and found it as cold as a freezer. 'Or a tomb.'

Sam removed Mayalee's seat adapter from the toilet, then looked intently around. From the shadows came a tall and willowy form. Sam blinked when he realized it was Rosemary! 'No,' Sam thought.

He flipped on the bathroom light, the figure was gone. In it's place was the persistent tingling.

'Death,' Sam thought.

"Can you speak to me? Do you have a name that I might call you?"

There was no reply. Sam thought that he should feel silly addressing something that in all actuality was his imagination.

The tingling moved up his spine. Sam straightened his back, then peered into the gloom, "If you can hear me, tickle my tail again."

The tingling came again, much stronger this time. Sam snorted, honestly surprised, "You're not the one called Ibiza, we know that much. You're the only other entity that could have come from the first dimension. You're death."

Sam was answered by the strange tingling. He gently reached out his hand, "You seemed to manifest, if only for a moment. Can you touch my hand?"

He shook with startled surprise when an invisible hand closed over his! 'I see ghosts all of the time, and think of them as ordinary animals. But you, you're truly a ghost!'

Sam gently squeezed the phantom hand, "I see you've sought me out, is there anything I can do for you?"

The bathroom door was suddenly thrown open! Burning embers radiated from Mayalee's eyes as the god Krom looked upon the shadow of death, "Trespasser! Return to your realm this instant!"

"No! No!" Sam bellowed! "Blast and damn it, Krom!"

Death fled the home, leaving Sam balling his fists in frustration, "Kromhaut! What the fuck are you doing!?"

"Mind your place!" the dragon roared, but Sam was having none of it, "Idiot! Get out! Get out of my wife!"

Stunned by the lion's rebuke, the dragon departed, leaving Mayalee shaken and weeping. Sam took her in his arms. "She was right here," Mayalee peeped, "You were doing so good."

She buried her face in the soft flowing fur of his chest. Sam purred, hoping to cheer her, 'Ariadne, is your father alright?'

'Father apologizes, Sam. He'll not do that again.'

'Can you tell me anything about death? Could she understand what I was saying, or was she simply reacting to my voice?'

'Forgive me Sam, there is insufficient information. I cannot formulate an analysis at this time.'

The lion rolled his eyes, prompting Ariadne to add; 'I have made contact with the dragon Ibiza. I believe she means us no harm.'

"Great," Sam groused, "When did you plan on telling me about this?"

'Father wishes me to remain silent, for the moment.'

Mayalee regained her wits, then nudged her lion, "Your interview."

"Fuck the interview. I have to do my real job and try to salvage this fiasco."

"No, Sam," she peeped, pulling his hand so that he'd kneel down beside her, "I want you to follow your passion! There will be other opportunities to establish a communion with death."

He smirked, "That sounds so weird to hear you say."

"Tell me about it!" She grasped his bottom to hoist him up, "Get dressed! I'll make you some breakfast!"

"No time!"

Energized, Sam threw on his clothes and rushed to the door where he was ambushed by Mayalee who threw cookie bars into his mouth, "I started the car for you!"

"Thanks, babe!"

Outside, Death reappeared. Though not aware of any such emotion, the phantom was desperate for contact. She'd taken a shine to Sam you see, and hurried along beside him. In her 'excitement,' she relayed all that she witnessed to her sibling. In the alley, Destruction slept. However, Ibiza's mind absorbed her sibling's observations with keen interest, (a dragon never truly sleeps.)

Sam slid behind the wheel of his sedan and pushed off. 'I'm sure your interview will go well,' Ariadne chimed.

"I really want this to work." Sam said, squeezing the steering wheel so tightly that it nearly shattered, "It's been a long time since I've wanted anything like this."

'Death is still present,' Ariadne reported, 'I believe it is observing your actions so that it might come to understand animal behavior.'

Sam chortled, "Boy, did they come to the wrong place!"

Ariadne fell silent. Sam noted his dragon's anxiety, then turned to formally introduce himself to the unseen entity. "My true name is Karl Kuhn, Sargent, Royal Lancers."

He shifted in his seat, "I suppose you're fascinated with me because I've eluded you for so long."

As was usual, there was no reply. Sam sighed, then looked out over Brandenburg's remaining open spaces, "I get a sense you're trying to speak to me, but you're too far removed. The gulf between the first dimension and the higher realms is just to wide."

The tingling answered him. 'What is that sensation?'

He sighed, "I have to keep it together, there's a very important meeting this morning. Do you think you could come back later?"

The odd electric tingle manifested it's self, as if to answer him, then disappeared. "Death understood my request, that's really interesting!"

'Indeed,' Ariadne agreed.

"You too! I need to be myself for this interview! I can't have any supernatural distractions."

Ariadne wished his familiar well, and then departed. Sam continued on, trying his best to compose himself. His journey brought him deep into Brandenburg's sector of the capital district. Soon he found himself within a maze of nondescript office buildings. Many bore no names, whilst some offered cryptic titles. Sam understood that they were government offices. 'Well, I am being interviewed for the national police service.'

Stationed along some street corners were large police cruisers with suspicious lions at their helm. They eyed Sam's dilapidated car and assumed him to be a ne'er-do-well, but they did not initiate a traffic stop. Sam appreciated the benefit of a doubt, and vowed to do the same for other animals if he got the job.

Then, he happened upon the address he sought. Sam rolled into a well-manicured facility and parked in a visitor space. Oddly, he wished Death might've still been with him. 'I remember when I first signed up for the Imperial Army. A platoon of lancers marched into my village and informed my people that they needed seventy 'volunteers.'

He chortled, 'I didn't have any pressing business at the time, so I volunteered.'

The building before him loomed large. Not in a thousand years had a structure seemed so imposing.

"Seems I'm volunteering once again," he murmured, making his way into a sheltered causeway between the two halves of the building. There was a nice fountain with fish who peacefully swam about. Sam paused to admire their bright colors, whilst a lingering scent of fish food and algae hung in the air. A large camera globe observed him, Sam knew the interview was already well underway.

He drew a breath, then entered the reception area. "Hello, I'm Sam Preston," he said to a lioness seated behind a window. She nodded to him, then reached out for his appointment slip. Sam handed it through the little hole. "Doctor Clemens will be with you in a moment."

'That can't be Allomere,' Sam thought, recalling what the hawk had said in passing; 'I see many animals with social anxiety in my line of work.'

Sam considered calling upon Ariadne to tell him for sure, but he decided to just be surprised, and he was! Allomere Clemens met Sam in the lobby with a fond rouse of his feathers, "Well! This is a surprise!"

Sam bowed, "Hi Allomere. Small world, huh?"

"This way," the hawk said, gesturing with his wing. Sam entered a hall, he passed many doors before he was directed to a side office. "How is your mate? Is she feeling better?"

Sam understood that the hawk had forgot her name, "Mayalee is doing fine."

The pair traded an awkward glance. "So, you want to be a police officer?"

"Uh-huh."

Allomere smiled, "Any particular reason?"

"I wore a uniform, a long time ago. Ever since then, I've wanted to get back into one."

The hawk looked Sam up and down, "What's this 'long time ago' nonsense? You don't look a day over thirty five."

Sam nodded, as his eyes fixed upon some far-off memory, leaving Allomere to wonder if the lion was still with him. The hawk cocked his head, "You are a very interesting lion, Sam."

Suddenly, Ariadne's voice rang out in Sam's mind, 'Sam, tell him the truth!'

Sam shook his head, in hopes of dislodging the dragon.

"Everything alright, Sam?"

'Ariadne! I told you to leave me be!'

'Sam! No harm will come to your hopes if you tell him the truth! In so doing, you may gain your position, and a friend!'

Allomere flattened his feathers. 'He's exhibiting the same distracted behavior as the mouse. They must both be disturbed animals.'

"No, I'm not disturbed," Sam said, "I'm eleven hundred years old. My real name is Karl Kuhn."

Allomere's feathers flattened, 'He's delusional.'

"I know this is difficult to believe," Sam continued, but paused to bite his lip. "Allo, my mate and I are very lonely. We were hoping that you and Timothy could join us, we need animals who can share in what we do."

"And what do you do?" Allomere asked with a measured tone.

Sam chortled, "Well, that's the thing," he paused to scratch his ear, "We're babysitters, in a manner of speaking. Though you might say we're role models for spirits who need animal contact."

"Spirits?"

"Yes," Sam replied, "I want you to join my mate and I, but know that if you do, you'll become changed." Sam bowed his head, "I need you to choose, and decide if you want to enter our world."

Feeling the interview was very much over, Sam turned to go, "You have my number, call me."

Sam left the hawk dumbfounded. After a moment, Allomere took up a rubber stamp with his foot and pressed it to Sam's paperwork. He removed the stamp, where the drying ink declared Sam to be: 'ACCEPTED.'

Allomere sighed, then opened his shoulder bag. He rummaged around inside for a long moment, then became increasingly anxious when the scrap of paper bearing Sam's number was not present. 'Shoot, I threw his number out!'

His anxiety slowly turned to panic, and he considered rushing after the lion, "Wait a minute!" Leaning over Sam's application, Allomere jotted down Sam's telephone number from the CONTACT INFORMATION section. 'For a smart bird I can be pretty dense sometimes.'

***

In the mid-city district, the dragon Ibiza waited for a baker to return to the rear of his shop before she pulled aside her veil to snatch another cup cake from a display cabinet. The reynard fox cast a suspicious eye about, then retreated to the back. The dragon reached up for a confection. She grasped it cleanly enough with her paw, but she neglected to uncover her face. She tossed it toward her maw, but the pastry merely fell to the floor. It landed with a loud splat, drawing the baker's attention. The fox returned to his cabinet to find the cup cake on the tile floor. He glanced about then scented the air, but there was no animal's presence to be found. Terribly confused, the fox retreated to fetch his cleaning supplies.

Annoyed with herself, Ibiza slinked from the establishment in time to notice a familiar trio of canids. As usual, their manners were poor, and more troubling, their intent was now sinister.

She left the bakery to follow after the three. Her cloak prevented her from interpreting their thoughts clearly, but she'd gleaned enough to know they meant to do a female harm. This disregard for other's rights infuriated some part of her psyche, although she could not fathom why.

At length, the trio happened upon a female rabbit withdrawing money from a box affixed to a nearby bank wall. Her station wagon was parked nearby, with the engine left running. Ibiza silently roared when two of the males grasped the rabbit, whilst the third took the driver's wheel of her wagon. In the blink of an eye, the rabbit was abducted, leaving Ibiza shaking. Her shock turned slowly into a seething anger. She tightened her jaw, and filled herself with a fateful resolve.

Later that evening, Sam returned to find his wife's forehead ablaze with spiritual fire. "Hello, Sam."

"Hello, Kromhaut," the lion replied, pausing to wipe his shoes in the foyer, "How are you feeling?"

"I am here to ask the same of you. I'm terribly sorry for ruining your communion. You'd nearly established contact with the entity."

"Yes. I nearly did."

Kromhaut brushed Mayalee's foot across the plush carpet, "Can you forgive me?"

"We're going to make a new rule. You don't enter my wife without her permission, understood?"

"Yes, Sam."

The lion smiled, "Alright."

He knelt to take the dragon in his arms. "Thank you for coming, and offering up a pretty good apology! I give it an eight out of ten."

Kromhaut chortled, then tapped Mayalee's fingers together. "You made quite an impression on the hawk, he intends to contact you!"

Sam held up his hand. "Great! Now, I want to be surprised about the rest!"

The dragon smiled. His fire diminished, then faded away, leaving Mayalee to be herself again. She slinked up to him to bump her chin against his crotch. "Horny again? Goodness, it's a good thing I'm not a mouse! We'd have a million kids by now!"

She swatted his rump, "Best to not get messy right now, anyway. We should hear from Allomere soon." She glanced at the clock. It was twenty minutes to seven.

At half past seven, the telephone rang. The lion's heart leapt into his throat, he dared to hope that it was Allomere! 'Do you wish me to confirm the caller's identity?' Ariadne asked.

Sam laughed, "Remember, don't spoil the surprise!"

He plucked the receiver from it's cradle, "Hello?"

"Well, you sound chipper," Allomere said on the other end of the line. Sam sat down so that Mayalee could climb onto his lap, "I'm glad you called."

"Alright Sam, you have my attention."

The lion drew a deep breath, "Go to any book you have laying around and open it to page twenty. My dragon is going to see what's written there, and then relay the passage to me."

"Dragon?"

Sam smiled, "From this point on, things are going to get very strange for you."

"O-okay," Allomere said, "Just a moment." Then; "I have a book open, page twenty."

Ariadne relayed to Sam what was written on page twenty of Allomere's book. Sam recited the words through the line. The hawk was quiet for a time, before he issued a thoughtful peep. "I'm going to write something down Sam, can you tell me what it is?"

'I have approved you for service,' Ariadne relayed to Sam. Sam chortled, "You've approved me, after all this weirdness?"

On the other end of the line, Allomere glanced sharply about. He carefully inspected the nearby lamp, and the overhead air conditioning vent, searching for any sort of surveillance camera that might be present. Finally, he glanced down on the note he'd written, then leaned in close to the speakerphone. "Okay, you've piqued my interest. When can I meet you?"

"You can come over right now!" the lion replied.

"W-what's your address?"

Sometime later, there came a peck on Sam's door. Allomere Clemens waited on the doorstep, whilst an otherworldly fire danced unseen across his feathers. The spiritual fire created deep dark shadows that watched with keen interest as Death manifest it's self.

Mayalee greeted Allomere and invited the hawk in, "Where's Timothy?"

"Visiting his mother."

Allomere entered the home, noting pile after pile of boxes and bundles stuffed into every available corner. The dank musty scent of old odd things filled his nostrils. Allomere realized that one or both of the animals were hoarders, and his eyes shimmered with sympathy. Mayalee shyly nodded, but said nothing as Sam bowed a greeting, "Thank you for coming so soon!"

"Yes, well, I had to see how you did that trick of yours."

"Your mother's name was Judith, she passed away when you were nine," Sam abruptly said. Mayalee stepped forward to add, "You grew up in Westvale, where your aunt Valerie stepped in for your late mother. She was a stern hawk, but she loved you as her own."

Allo's mandible twitched, but he quickly recovered, "That is all public record for those who wish to dig."

Sam nodded, "At age twelve you visited your father, who suspected you were homosexual. He attempted to 'straighten' you, by forcing you to kill a small wild beast."

"How do you know that!?" Allomere hissed, now visibly shaken. Mayalee smiled gently, "I may read your thoughts, Allomere. It's part of my abilities as a familiar."

Allo shook his head, "Familiar of what?"

"Dragon spirits," the couple chimed, "The gods of our world."

"Spirits? You mean they're dead?"

Mayalee shook her head, "Not dead, Allomere. They are eternal."

Allomere sat down on the plush carpet to settle his head, "I had no idea."

The familiars sat one on each side of the hawk. "You're a councilor, Allomere." Mayalee said, "In a way, we're councilors for our dragons. We allow them to gain a valuable insight into animal emotions, to help them relate to us."

Sam nodded, "Without us, they would have no idea what it is to feel."

"We are a way for the dragon gods to know themselves," Mayalee added.

From the shadows Death fixed upon the familiar's words. 'We wish to feel! An animal might be the key to feeling!' Eagerly the phantom relayed it's findings to Ibiza, 'We wish to feel! We require an animal for this purpose!'

Now, our hawk did not wish to feel any such thing. Allomere's mind held fast to what he perceived as normal, and he rejected the couple's parlor tricks; "I'm sorry, but I simply cannot accept any of this! Have you read some diary entry penned by my father before he died!? You might have cameras in my house, so you could see what I'd written! Are you trying to swindle me? Get me to sign over my life's savings to you!?"

"Sweetie," Mayalee said, "I want you to do something. I want you to try and hurt me."

"Fuck off!"

She shook her head, then gestured to Sam. He raised himself to his full height, then bore down on the little mouse, slamming his fists onto her head. There was a tremendous impact that sent Mayalee crashing to the floor! Allomere shrieked, completely horrified!

In the next instant Mayalee recovered, apparently unharmed. The hawk's maw drooped. Mayalee reached out her hand, "Take my hand in your beak, try and bite me."

Dazed, Allomere complied. At first her skin was soft and supple, but the more pressure he exerted, the harder Mayalee's hand became. Soon her skin felt hard as rock! Allomere released her with a thoughtful peep. "Gods, what are you?"

Mayalee reached out to caress the soft feathers of Allomere's neck. She wished she could tell him the truth, that she didn't really know what she was anymore, but she simply smiled. "You won't have to decide on anything until you've had time enough to think."

"And after you've talked with Timothy," Sam added.

"Decide?" Allomere breathed, "On joining you?"

Death drew very near to the hawk as Allomere wrestled with this new reality. Mayalee finally became aware of the phantom's presence. Kromhaut's nervous voice rang out in her ears, causing her to shake with surprise, "Kromhaut, calm down!"

"Pardon?" Allomere asked.

Mayalee shyly smiled, "I'm sorry, I was speaking to my dragon."

Death understood that she'd intruded at an inopportune time. She receded, her departure being felt by an appreciative Sam, "Thank you."

"Huh?" Allomere peeped.

"Oh," Sam replied with an awkward smile, "I was speaking to death."

The hawk groaned at the absurdity of all this! Dragons? Death? Who were they going to speak to next, the Hogfather? Poor Allomere circled the room, scowling at the familiars before he became dizzied. The room pitched and moved beneath him, and for a panicked moment he wondered if they'd slipped him some sort of drug. He began to pant, whilst Sam reached out to comfort him. The hawk's perception of space was becoming warped, whilst invisible sheets of flame licked across the lion's cheek, "I feel dizzy."

"I've been there," Sam said, "I know what you're going through."

He helped the hawk to settle down, "Just relax."

Allomere beheld a ball of flame hovering above the mouse's head, "There's a fire. And a face. A face in the fire."

Sam turned to Mayalee, "Is he seeing them?"

"Yes," she whispered.

Allomere shook. His eyes were unfocused, and his breath came in short, irregular gasps. Sam cradled Allomere's face in his hands, trying his best to comfort the avian. "Allo, your spirit is waking up. Do you hear me? That's why you feel the way you do. Just let it happen, there's nothing to fear."

"Ugh!" Allomere gasped, before slipping into unconsciousness. Sam lowered his head to the carpet. "He fainted, That's exactly what happened to me."

"Yes," Mayalee breathed.

Sam wondered who was more overwhelmed, his mouse, or the hawk. "It's pretty obvious that he'd better stay the night."

"He'll be with us for a long long time," she agreed.

Sometime later, a tapping fell upon the door. Sam answered to find Herald Kirsten silhouetted in the dark. Neither spoke as the lion stepped aside for the eagle to enter, "I am here to look in on the hawk," Herald said, more as a statement of fact than anything as he crossed the parlor to gauge Allomere's spiritual condition.

An anxious moment passed as the couple watched the black eagle perform his examination. His inky feathers blended seamlessly in the dim light of the parlor, giving the huge eagle the appearance of death it's self.

'He's had a rough go,' Herald said silently, so as not to disturb the sleeping avian. Mayalee nodded, "His spirit woke up kicking and screaming-" she clapped her hand over her mouth when Allomere stirred at her spoken words.

Sam tapped his fingers on her head, 'There's this trick we all know, it's called telepathy! You should try it!'

Smirking, Mayalee jabbed him with an elbow. Herald shook his head at their antics, then turned back to Allomere, 'I believe he was awakened too quickly, I suspect Kromhaut was too eager to please you.'

The Mariner performed another scan of Allomere's spirit. 'There's some damage, I sense a slight loss of spiritual memory.'

'Can you pinpoint exact memories?' Sam asked.

'Yes, why?'

'There's a traumatic event that Allomere suffered, something to do with his father, I was wondering if you could erase it.'

'Absolutely not!' the eagle replied, 'Events in ones life are what help shape our character. The removal of this event you wish purged might create a cascade of damage to this hawk's psyche,' he glanced back at Allomere, 'It'll be all I can do to ease the damage that's already been done.'

Sam nodded, 'I understand.'

Mayalee reached out to Herald. 'You're like a surgeon, a doctor for ghosts. Please consider staying with us, there's so much good you could do!'

He smiled, 'Speaking of ghosts, I'd better locate Rosemary. I hear tell something's been pestering her, it's most likely our wayward force of nature.'

With a polite bow he smiled to them, 'Goodnight.'

The couple returned the gesture. 'Goodnight, Herald.'

He crossed the parlor, navigating around Mayalee's many boxes and bundles. 'I'm pleased you'll have a fond companion to share in your life and times. You deserve better company than the likes of me.'

'Why does this feel like a farewell?' Mayalee asked. The mariner turned back once more, 'Because it is, love.'

The little mouse bit back a lump of emotion as he slipped away, leaving Mayalee visibly weeping. Outside, an exceptionally strong sea breeze pushed onshore. Herald Kirsten tasted the air as he sailed aloft. 'Oh, how I miss the sea.'

He became buffeted by the wind, but managed to steady himself in the air. 'What strong currents!'

There were a great many things weighing upon his mind, 'If death has become an entity unto it's self, this new being would overthrow Kromhaut and the other dragons of Elysium to become the dominant force in the world,'

Another strong gust shook him. 'Death has attempted contact with Sam. It has demonstrated curiosity, and indeed, compassion,' he smiled gently, 'If Death possesses compassion, then the first dimension is not a place of dread.'

Cheered, the eagle traced a lazy circle over the financial district, hoping to catch sight of his boxer before he turned east toward the equine state of Aurora. 'What of the dragon, Destruction? Why did she settle upon Rosemary's birth name? Why does she identify with equines?'

His belly churned, and demanded to be fed. Though not quite mortal, Herald's body now expected a steady meal. 'I have no money, and I am too far from the wilderness to catch anything.'

He spat a curse when his belly spasmed. His growing temper was another artifact of his return to life, for Herald found himself increasingly frustrated at odd times, and for no reason. 'Close your eyes, breathe.'

This change of mood was the worst that he could recall. He shook his head, then attempted to place himself somewhere else. 'No, I'll make the best of whatever life is left in me.'

An image of Glorafin came to him, from his one and only face-to-face meeting with her. He frowned at the memory, 'I feel as a fool, playing the part of a jester to the clown.'

He sighed on the wind, 'Soon I shall be gone, with nothing to show for any of my trials.' He touched down near a stand of trees, 'Now, where is Rosemary?'

In his time as the shepherd of souls, the eagle often concluded his days at a cinema, taking in some old movie before resuming his duties. It amused him that Rosemary Barter resembled the stereotypic movie ghost with her bone-white fur and long flowing gown. She even had the characteristic cackle of a cinematic specter.

He homed in on her energy, sensing the wandering wraith somewhere near the border of the protected forest. He cupped his wing across his beak to direct his voice into the gloomy wood. "Rosemary! Avail yourself, please! I'd like a word!"

As soon as the echo of his voice faded, a sudden realization came to him. It was not Rosemary, but something else that lurked in the dark. It's presence was palpable, but not menacing, and oddly, it mimicked Rosemary Barter's distinctive electromagnetic signature! Herald swallowed an anxious lump, then tentatively stepped forward. "Death? Are you there? Might I speak with you?"

A diminutive golden dragon appeared from the gloom. She shyly cupped a paw across her breast in an undeniable gesture of shy emotion. Herald stepped nearer, careful not to spook the creature. As he did, bright golden disks appeared within her eyes. "Destruction, I presume."

"Herald! It is lovely to see you, but there is no time for pleasantries! Something terrible has happened! You must follow me!"

"I sense a strong familiarity in your voice, Destruction. Tell me, how do you know of me?"

"Please, Herald!"

The voice was unmistakeable. Herald blinked at the uncanny similarity between this dragon, and- "Hurry, Herald!"

"A moment please," he chuffed. The dragon hissed at his stubbornness, "Do you have a parent? What is their name?"

His question triggered her spiritual programming, and the dragon spoke her function. 'So you are indeed Destruction,' Herald thought.

"Please, sir!" she wailed.

"Very well, I am at your service."

He followed along as Destruction led him through the forest. Now and again she'd glance back, as if to check and make sure the eagle was still with her. It was the sort of gesture a young child might do. "Destruction, how might I be of assistance?"

"Please call me Ibiza! Now come along, hurry!"

The dragon dropped onto all fours to scurry along the forest floor. Herald struggled to keep up, then slipped into the spirit world so he'd not be whacked in the face by every low-hanging branch and bramble.

"Please, stop! I've had quite enough of this wild chase! Stop now, so that I may speak with you!"

Exasperated, Destruction paused on the trail to glare at Herald. He shook his wings, then returned to the physical world, "Destruction, I shan't take another step until you tell me what this is about!"

"Perpetrators," she replied, "They have snatched a young animal, a female with long ears," she clasped her paws along the side of her head to mimmic a rabbit's ears, "Please! You must help her!"

"Destruction, if you desire my attention, you needn't fabricate this story. I am happy to speak with you."

The golden disks in her eyes winked away. At once her presence became menacing, "If you will not assist me, then I shall be forced to kill. I dread to think what might be awakened within me if I should taste blood."

Now Herald was less sure that the dragon'd fabricated this mad chase. "Very well," he said, "Lead on."

With no further word between them, Destruction led him through the wood. Any lingering doubts he harbored were dashed when a distant commotion drifted through the forest. Herald strained his head to listen over the tromping of the dragon's feet through the thick carpet of leaves.

A trio of canines appeared in the distance, bearing something between them. Herald veiled his presence as he watched the strangers crash through the forest. "Help! Someone!" cried a young female.

"Shut the fuck up!" one of the canids spat. Herald narrowed his eyes as the would-be rapist adjusted his grip on what Herald realized was a struggling rabbit. Beside Herald, Destruction vibrated with tension. He could feel her warm exhale of breath across his cheek, and taste her rush of adrenaline.

"Somebody!!" the rabbit cried, "Help me!!"

Herald was pushed from behind; "Go! Help her!"

He glanced back, "Eh! It is not our place to intervene in mortal affairs!"

"Please! Somebody!" the rabbit cried, then she squealed in pain as an attacker bit her ankle. "I will kill them," Destruction hissed, "Unless you act!"

Herald regained his composure and nodded to the dragon. "Alright, I will go to her."

Destruction nodded, hopping from foot to foot as Herald set out. "What I do once I get to her is another matter, I hope you have a plan."

As he neared the rapists, Herald made no attempt to conceal his presence. He huffed and gruffed as loud as he could, hoping to scare them off. It seemed to work. Herald found the young rabbit lashed to a tree, with no apparent sign of the canids. He reached up with his foot to fumble at her bonds, then attempted to bite through with his beak. The heavy nylon twine did not yield to his efforts, and more troubling, Herald felt the cold fingers of the unseen presence move up and down his spine!

"Who the fuck are you!?"

Herald turned to find a scruffy looking grey canid emerge from the brambles. Two more canids appeared, one armed with a knife. "Just fuck off, eh! Nothing for you here!"

"The three of you are in great danger," Herald hissed, "I'd advise you to be off at once."

The armed canid circled Herald with menace, whilst the other two waved their hands at him. "Fuck off, bird! This isn't your night!"

A metallic flash split the air as the armed canid hurled his knife at Herald, sticking him in the chest! The canid was astonished when the black eagle betrayed no reaction. The rapist leapt back, waiting for the eagle to either fall or flee from his strike.

"Leave while you can," Herald said with menace, "Or you might not like what I'll do."

Shaken, the attacker stumbled back. "Okay, sure.. no problem."

The canids regrouped some distance away to trade confused glances. The grey canid pantomimed a stabbing motion to which Herald's attacker nodded in the affirmative.

In the clearing, Herald turned back to the rabbit. 'I have to get these blasted lines cut!' He fumbled with the bonds, pausing now and again to peer into the gloom. He was aware that the attackers did not flee. Shaking the semi-conscious rabbit, Herald put his beak to her ear; "Can you move your arms, dear? I need you to work your wrists free of the straps!"

Destruction appeared beside the tree. She grasped the bonds and easily snapped them with her strong paws. Elated, Herald smiled his thanks. He turned to nudge the rabbit with his beak, "Come, love! Hurry!"

Caught up in the moment, Destruction reached out to touch the young rabbit's cheek. She drew her paw back, then looked upon it with childlike wonder. "Ibiza," Herald said, "You ought to veil yourself."

"I want to be an animal of the world." Ibiza abruptly said. Herald smiled, whilst attempting to pull the rabbit away from the tree, "If you wish to be an animal, take up this rabbit! Get her to a clearing!"

Ibiza's eyes widened when she realized what Herald had asked. She reached out to take the rabbit in her arms. Smiling broadly, the Incarnation of Destruction carried the helpless rabbit to a clearing where she laid the unconscious bunny at Herald's feet. "Thank you, mariner! Go, bear her to safety!"

Herald had to admit that he fancied this strange golden dragon who spoke like a native Bucklander. "I hope we may meet again."

"Let's do! Please!"

The eagle smiled once more, then grasped the rabbit with his feet. Ibiza clapped her paws excitedly as Herald alighted, bearing the rabbit away. Suddenly, the three would-be rapists bust into the clearing and cursed Herald for his meddling. They did not immediately notice Destruction as they kicked at fallen twigs and angrily stalked about. Then, from the shadows, a terrifying golden statue came for them; "Greetings! I am called Destruction, though you may address me as Ibiza!!"

"The fuck?!" the grey canid screamed, before he was bowled over by Destruction's long tail. "Fuck! Fuck!" he cried, as Destruction assumed a fighter's posture. As each canine attempted to stand, Destruction delivered a fearsome right hook, sending the animals flying.

"Not so mighty now, eh?!"

'Sister,' came Death's low monotone voice, 'Will you stop?'

Destruction had never actually heard her sister speak before, and so the voice did not register in her mind. All of Destruction's thought was bent on punishing the perpetrators. They flailed and thrashed on the ground as she delivered blow after blow, "I have something special in store for you! Since you would violate another, I shall violate you!"

'Sister, do not give in to Destruction. Be the one called Ibiza Pushpath, be good.'

This time, Death's voice pushed through Destruction's fervor. The dragon paused, a thoughtful ripple moving across her muzzle. Whilst she was distracted, the canines leapt up and ran away. Destruction gave chase with a fearsome roar. Now the dragon would incapacitate the rapists. With fearful speed, she took each of their ankles in her paws and twisted, snapping them like twigs. She did not hear their screams through her fog of bloodlust. Death tried her best to plead for calm, but it was no use.

Destruction strode to a nearby Maple tree and ripped a branch from it's body, eliciting a scream from the Maple's leaves. 'Sister, please. There is good in you. I can feel it.'

"Oh, not tonight!" she roared, "Not tonight!"

Destruction hooked the dark brown canine with her paw, bringing his backside up. With teeth bared, Destruction impaled him with the branch. Death looked away as the animal screamed a harsh hollow cry that finally shook Destruction from her fervor. His head rolled to and fro as his companions looked on in horror. Destruction set the horribly wounded canid down, then covered her eye sockets with her paws, "What have I done?"

Around her, the forest railed against Ibiza's actions. To the remaining canines, the golden reptile seemed to become immobile. They whimpered pitifully as their fellow's groans became thinner and weaker. "What have I done?"

"Come, Destruction," said Ariadne as his fiery body manifest it's self. "I'm afraid the trees are most displeased with you."

"What of the animals?"

"Concern yourself with your own predicament," he replied, "You have rendered a terrible offense to the trees."

In the dark, Destruction bowed her head, "I am sorry."

"As am I."

She fidgeted with the tip of her tail as the encounter wore on. Finally, Ariadne beckoned her to follow. She fell in beside the ribbon of fire as Ariadne wrestled with the dilemma at hand. "Will you tell me?" Ibiza asked, "What shall become of me?"

"You are right to believe yourself in error, but alas, our friend Herald is to bear the brunt of the punishment. He is wise where you are not, he is aware of the folly of mortal intervention."

"But Herald did nothing!"

"Aye, and such should have been his doing. Nothing. He should never have interfered in mortal affairs."

Destruction gestured back toward the canids, "We saved a young girl's life! I punished a trio of evil-doers!"

"You have played right into Glorafin's hands! She wishes to see you weaponized, so you might undermine my father's influence!"

"I knew it! You care only about maintaining your power!"

Ariadne stilled his anxious flickering, "Ibiza, we wish only to maintain the balance of life, that is the influence we wish to preserve."

She accepted his answer, but'd not exhausted her argument; "Have you considered the possibility that I was fulfilling my intended duties? Am I not Destruction?"

Ariadne's fiery body shimmered, "I saw only a self-righteous child meting out brutality."

His rebuke stung. She desperately sought to buttress her position, but realized it was indefensible. Sighing, she lowered her head in shame, "What is to happen to us? To Herald?"

"Herald must be cast into the Underworld."

"What is this place? Where is it?"

Ariadne shimmered thoughtfully, "It is a dreadful realm populated by your worst fears. It pains me to see Herald sent to such a place, especially given his long years of service."

"What of me?"

His manifestation darkened, "I do not know, never before has there been such a precedent. Your peerage is such that my father may not possess the means to overpower you."

"May I go to this underworld in Herald's stead?"

He nodded, "Perhaps."

Ibiza knew the dragons would likely jump at the opportunity to be rid of her, if only for a while, "Then I will go," she raised her paw, "If Herald might escape punishment."

"I do not know if he will escape unscathed, but he will at least be spared the pains of Glorafin's realm."

***

Just before morning, Maggie Pumpkin wandered about a new housing development. Years earlier, it'd been the site of her first title fight, back when a fine sporting arena stood upon these grounds. She looked about with detached bemusement at the rows of parking stalls packed with shiny new automobiles. "Cars really look different now, just how long have I been gone?"

"Ah! There you are!"

She smiled as Herald touched down to greet her, "How are you feeling?"

"I don't feel anything, Herald. I'm a ghost."

"Now that's not entirely true! You're poking about your old haunt, so to speak! You're at least feeling nostalgic!"

"Uh, Herald, you have something in your belly. Looks like a knife?"

"Ah, so I do!" he said, reaching down with his beak to pluck it out. It fell to the pavement with a clank, eliciting a devious chortle from Herald, "Won't it be a shame when the police find it, and obtain fingerprints from the handle!"

Maggie smirked at his antics, "You really confuse me sometimes, you know."

He smiled, genuinely happy to see his old friend again. Suddenly, he became shaken when the goddess of the underworld pushed into his mind, 'Herald Kirsten,' said a raspy female voice, 'My brother is furious that you intervened in mortal affairs. He wishes you to retire at once to the wilderness. Your tenure is now done.'

'I have done nothing, save the bidding of a power beyond any of you! Why must you hold me to account?'

'Fool!' Glorafin hissed, 'Kromhaut would see you banished to the underworld! I have secured a compromise, you shall live out your days secluded in your former home which I have remade. You shall never again venture to the modern world.'

"Please, I must help my friend!" Herald said aloud, "Can my departure be delayed?"

The voice remained firm, 'I shall allow you to say farewell, and only farewell, then you must retire.'

Herald closed his eyes with an emotional gasp. Maggie reached out with her shadowy arms; "Herald? What's wrong?"

He shook his head, "I must leave you, Maggie, I am being asked to go away."

"What? By who?"

He draped his wing over her shimmering outline, "Find the path, love. Find it and live again."

"Don't leave me!"

Herald's broad form began to dissolve away, "If you should need help, go north! Near the fo ks of the El e and Br ndy ne, look f r my tr e!" his words became distant and broken as he faded away.

"Herald!"

Around her, the residential complex melted away as she called after him. Before she knew what'd happened she was in the grips of a heart-wrenching introspection. Triggered by the stress of the moment, Maggie found herself back in her childhood home, a place of great dread for her. She despaired when she heard her whiskey-addled mother weeping. 'No! Herald!'

With great effort she pulled her mind away from the past to focus her thoughts on Herald, and a singular goal; "He wanted to help me become alive again, so that's what I'm going to do! If Herald can't help me, then I'll help myself!"

The problem was, Maggie had no idea how to proceed. 'Herald was talking with someone, so at least I know there's someone out there, someone who's in charge of things.'

Maggie departed the apartment complex and looked to the broad avenue as a gentle rain began to fall. She wished the city could be as she'd remembered, but it was not. It could never be, until she found a way back into life. 'Why the fuck does this have to be difficult! What the hell is the path, anyway?'

At the back of Maggie's mind was a nagging thought, and try as she might she couldn't rid herself of it. 'You're not worthy. The path will not appear to the unworthy.'

The shunting of the passing traffic became muted in that strange sort of way, and everywhere there was the mist. Maggie's bright golden light flickered erratically as she struggled with the growing realization that perhaps the mysterious someone would not appear to her... because she was not worth their time.

She shook her head, then focused on the falling rain. Oh, how she wished she could become soaked! Maggie's light shimmered sadly as she began to despair. Her mind turned inward, and obsessively examined all of the things she'd said and done in her recent life. 'Okay, what could I have done that's so bad?'

She recalled her sparsely furnished flat, and how the sink would always back up. One thought leading to another, she found herself back within the Royal Calais... "NO!"

With super-animal effort, Maggie pulled her mind away from boxing and to the task at hand, "I have to find a way to make amends," she glanced up, "I'm sorry! Can I do something to have the path appear? Please!"

There was no reply. Maggie bowed her head, then lowered herself to the pavement, all while living animals hurried past her, oblivious to her desperation. "I'm sorry.... please, can someone help me!?"

Slowly, Maggie faded into the night. Moving. Wandering. She looked into the darken windows of nearby shops and saw no reflection. It was another strange artifact of her spiritual nature, she'd not seen her own face in the decade she'd been dead. "Don't think of yourself as dead," Herald said some years ago, as if betraying some secret to her he ought not to, "Think of yourself as awake now, but while you're covered in a living body... that's when the thing that's you... really you... is asleep."

His face became gentle, "Won't you sleep now and dream? Come Maggie, dream the dream of life..."

'Oh, Herald...' Maggie whispered. The rain fell all around her, it's gentle patter a comfort to her. 'Where did you go, Herald?'

Far across the cityscape, Mayalee Mae hurled a skillet across her kitchen, "Where did he go!?" The mouse stormed about, hurling more pots and pans, "How could you, Kromhaut!"

'Mayalee, he broke a solemn promise, you must understand.'

"Beast-shit!"

Sam scooped his mouse up before she did any more damage, "I want him back, right now!"

"May, please," Sam whispered.

She squirmed in his arms, "This isn't how I wanted Herald's time with us to end! I'm not going to sit by and see him banished!"

"Ariadne," Sam said, turning his thought inward.

'Herald is well, Sam. I hope it does not hurt your feelings that he did not wish to exchange goodbyes.'

Mayalee relaxed in Sam's arms, "Oh, Sam. This isn't how I wanted it to end."

Down the hall, the couple heard Allomere fumble with the door to his guest room. Mayalee hopped from Sam's arms to assist him. She opened the door to find the hawk looking rather thoughtful. "Hey, you alright?"

"I heard everything," Allomere replied, "And, I saw things."

She touched her hand to his face, "You might have been dreaming, sweetie."

He looked at her hand, and then into it, "I dreamed about a fire."

Mayalee recalled Sam saying the very same thing after his first night. "Just take care, here-" she escorted Allomere back to his makeshift sleeping cushion, "Try and rest some more."

"Will I dream?"

Sam appeared at the doorway, smiling gently. The little mouse nodded, "It's all a dream, Allomere. All of it."

***

'Is this a dream?' Maggie wondered. She wound her way down Market Street, noting at every turn the many changes it'd undergone since her time. Gone were the outdoor cafes, the humble establishments replaced now with video rental stores and liquor marts.

Maggie wandered aimlessly, passing strange ghosts now and again, though she traded no words with them, 'Kinda like how it was when I was alive.'

She continued on, gradually settling into a familiar groove until her spiritual memory led her to the old gymnasium called Golden Gloves. This fitness club had been one of her... 'haunts' in life, and it was a place Maggie always found herself when she was feeling troubled. She entered the arena and smiled to her portrait gracing one of the far walls, along with her friends Lily Gardner and Sylvia Sharps. "Oh Lily, I wish I could see you right now."

As she mulled over her predicament, she began to make peace with her fate, 'If Herald's boss doesn't want me, then I'll just stay here until I drift away, or whatever Herald said would happen to me.'

Maggie felt better as she opened her mind, now willfully relishing her fondest memories with no thought of the future. As was typical of her life, high emotional peaks were often followed by low depressing valleys. When Maggie began her career as a male to female boxer, it caused quite a controversy. The young colt'd been endowed with large expressive eyes, a mane of thick blonde hair and a pink feminine nose. So blessed, Dennis Pumpkin found it easy to cast aside his male identity to become Maggie Pumpkin. The regular world has a way of intruding on our plans, however. Thus, Maggie's transformation was punctuated with isolation and heartache. Many females refused to fight the new Maggie Pumpkin, feeling the gender dysphoric stallion would have an unfair advantage against them, "You forget your name, Dennis?"

It was the burly bison Lily Gardner and a wolf named Sylvia Sharps who set aside their concerns to step into the ring with Maggie. This inflamed the boxing press, and rumors immediately began to swirl. As Maggie paused from her introspection to watch the young animals at Golden Gloves train, she caught sight of a young equine mare sparring with a canid partner. Maggie's heart ached as she wished to be alive again, so she might mentor the young boxer, "That's it, you're doing so good..."

A cascade of emotion washed down upon her, Maggie suddenly found herself back in that gloomy locker room with her crocodile trainer and feline promoter. "Okay Maggie," said the cat as he stepped behind Maggie's chair to grasp her shoulders, "Don't expect Lily to cut you any slack!"

Maggie squirmed against his touch. Anthony stepped away with a smile, "You gotta use that reach of yours to counter her greater height!"

"Yes, Anthony." She replied with a roll of her eyes.

Vinrod the crocodile smiled to her and put his large hands on her knees, "Most importantly," he said in his heavy Mantuan accent, "You must win!"

Maggie cupped her hands over his, and wondered why it was that crocodiles made such great trainers, yet were lousy fighters. "I'll do my best, guys."

The door opened; "Three minutes!"

Maggie sprang to her feet. Back within Golden Gloves, Maggie smiled at the fond memory. The battle for the divisional title was her most fond recollection, and she'd haunt that old amphitheater if they hadn't torn it down. Within her memory, Maggie adjusted her sports bra after a quick stretch of her torso. The powerfully built horse then moved down the long hall toward the stadium. Maggie tightened her jaw as a raucous crowd howled and cheered as the current divisional champion took to the ring to strut to and fro. The edge of the ring could be seen at the end of the tunnel. Maggie bit back a nervous lump as Lily's feet danced across the mat, to the delight of the crowd.

An announcer's voice boomed through a speaker, but his words were merely a garbled static.

Maggie arrived in the amphitheater, and the crowd cheered her, chanting her name over and over; "Mag-gie! Mag-gie!"

Maggie flexed her biceps and issued a shrill whinny, bringing the crowd to a fever pitch. The announcer chimed in once more, "From East Buckley, weighing eighty one point six kilograms, Maggie Puuuum-kiiiiin!"

The crowd cheered all the louder, while the regional champion looked down upon Maggie then brought her gloves together in salute. The mare returned her opponent's gesture as she approached the ring. She slipped under the ropes, then hopped to her feet. Standing six foot six, Maggie was a full four inches shorter than the bison champion. However, Maggie's arms were longer, each bearing an enormous fist that dealt fearsome punishment.

Lily Gardener eyed Maggie's endowments as the opponents drew near to touch chests for the customary stare-down, "You ain't cut your bits off yet, have you? I'd like to try you out sometime."

"You really have a way with the ladies." Maggie nickered. The announcer spoke again through the loudspeaker as the crowd cheered wildly. The fighters parted. Despite her anxiety, Maggie briefly imagined herself and Lily in the throes of a sexual encounter, 'Heh, me and Lily. That's a laugh.'

As Maggie reminisced, the flow of time was greatly accelerated within the physical world. Animals darted and dashed around her as she continued her journey back in time, these introspections being the only way that a spirit may dream. As Maggie turned her gaze toward the past, the future came rushing to meet her.

The crowd of animals within Maggie's recollection chanted and cheered, each rooting for their perspective favorites as Maggie again brought her gloves together in salute. Lily responded with a half-hearted gesture as the referee bid the fighters; "Fight!"

Lily threw herself at Maggie, only to be stopped cold by a hard right which momentarily stunned the bison. "Follow up!" Vinrod screamed, "Hit her again!"

Maggie cocked her fist as Lily recovered from the mare's blow to land her own right cross. The blow struck Maggie's cheek, sending the mare stumbling backward. Lily charged ahead, throwing blow after blow, while Maggie ducked and weaved, attempting to shake the aggressive bison. "I'm gonna fuck you hard Maggie!"

With a wild swing and a swift move to the right, Maggie repelled Lily's advance. The two crashed against the corner ropes. Maggie pressed her nose to Lily's cheek, her breath hot and musky, "You really want me to fuck you?"

Lily threw Maggie across the ring with a roar. She charged wildly, but Maggie stood fast, throwing her own wild combos. The fighters stood nose to nose, each trading fierce blows as the crowd screamed their approval. Finally, the bell rang and the referee separated the combatants. Maggie returned to her corner as Vinrod rolled under the ropes to appear beside her, "That was good girl, Good! But your eye is swelling closed."

Indeed, Maggie reached up and found her left eye to be puffy and painful, "Ow!"

Across the ring, Lily made a rude sexual gesture which brought a smile to Maggie's face. An attendant appeared to assess Maggie's injuries; "How do you feel? Any flashes in your vision? Dizziness?"

"I'm fine."

The attendant waved the all-clear. The bell rang, and Vinrod gave his fighter a supportive pat, "Do your best!"

Maggie did her best to control her breathing as the fighters circled one another, then Lily lunged, Maggie surged, and the fighters clashed.

Finally, Maggie got clear to land a hard right. The blow struck Lily's jaw, sending a strong jolt through the bison's skull. The impact generated a loud report which echoed through the amphitheater, bringing the crowd to a frenzy. Lily stood, a blank look in her eyes as Maggie followed up with another hard right. Lily Gardner teetered for a moment before falling to the mat.

Maggie fell to her knees as the referee rushed to the fallen champion and shook her. He pointed to Maggie and declared, "The winner by a knockout!"

The animals within Maggie's dream rushed to the ring. Vinrod the crocodile hugged his fighter, and then Maggie went to Lily's side as the bison sat up. Maggie hugged her opponent, drawing a warm smile from the dizzied bison, "Well, it's official. You hit like a girl."

After a great long while, Maggie let go of the triumphant moment in her life to return to the regular world. She shook with surprise when she found herself in an open field. It was night... and my had things changed. The building, her favorite gymnasium... gone. Only the concrete foundation remained. Maggie looked about with a soft sigh, 'I wonder what happened to my portrait?'

Once she'd collected herself, Maggie found herself back out on Baseline Road. She wandered aimlessly as the evening deepened into night, reminded at every turn by the echoes of her former time. "I'll always remember those nights, back at Golden Gloves."

She looked to the clear bright stars. Her inner light trembled with want as she scanned the sky, looking... hoping. 'Herald, where did you go?'

***

The Dragon's Dream World

***

The year is now 2271. Twenty five years have transpired since Herald's banishment. The greatest change to have come in the last decade was the dissolution of the central Union Government. The individual animal states have struck out on their own, with Shannonvale bidding good riddance to it's mammal neighbors. A mammal can always tell when they've stumbled into the realm of eagles, because nothing is ever on the ground. You'd be right in assuming this had long been a point of contention between avians and mammals, in much the same way that avians complain about the fiddly door knobs of the mammal world.

Homes in this place are perched high up in trees, or tend to be. Some, like the Brightwing residence are built into the side of a steep hillside. Ayer Rock is the name of the neighborhood, an enclave of upscale homes perched along the picturesque foothills. It's a steep drop from the balconies. However, a road along the top of the ridge permits motor vehicle access. The cheery sunlight became dimmed for a moment as Death appeared above the high craggy pass. The phantom followed the well-worn road, seeking out the residence of an eagle named Justin Brightwing.

Sensing she'd overflown the site of the boy's accident, Death touched down near an unassuming crag. The nearby trees did not perceive her arrival, and so Death freely browsed the memories contained within the stone. She beheld Justin's body slamming down upon the slope, then winced as the impact snapped the young eagle's vertebrae. A dazed owl set down. There was no stored memory of the collusion between the two, but Death did not need to witness it. She'd seen enough.

'My sister's strange twin. She healed the eagle's wounds, and gifted him a window on the spirit world.'

Unfortunately, as Justin lay in a coma, history was repeated. His father suffered a fatal heart attack in the wake of his son's tragic accident.

Now, Death approached a cluster of homes that sheltered Justin's residence. She stole herself to continue on, hoping against hope that the father'd not transitioned into a new life. 'My need is great. I need him.'

Within a bedroom just off the main gallery, Justin Brightwing grasped a playing card with his long toes and fumbled with it for a moment before turning it over, "Shit."

His brother emitted an excited squeal as he brought a trumping card into play, "Poison Cymax beats Fire Ants! You lose two turns Justy!"

Justin watched as his brother Ashley took his two turns, and noted how deftly he manipulated the playing cards. Justin looked down upon his freakishly large feet and wondered how two golden eagle brothers separated by eighteen months could look so different.

"What's on your mind Justy?" came his father's voice.

Oblivious to his late father's question, Ashley sat down upon his bottom with his fan-like tail spread out behind him, "I'd say that's a wrap, we could go a few more rounds, but I don't see a point. When are the guys going to be here?"

"Should be here soon," Justin replied.

Tristan Brightwing remained silent, he knew Justin was up to something. Soon enough, a flock of eagles arrived upon the outside landing. Ashley flashed them a smile as he opened the circular glass door of Justin's room. "Hey!"

"What's up!" a young bald eagle cawed with a bob of his head, "Ready to go?"

"Where are you going Justin?" Tristan asked. Justin answered his father in the form of a question. "What time does this movie start?"

"Three." replied the youngster named Virgil Proudfoot. Justin nodded, hoping there'd be no further questions from his invisible father.

"What movie are you seeing?"

Justin groaned. Tristan knew that the local youth often used Justin to gain access to restricted films, because at a glance, Justin could pass for an adult. Adolescents are restricted from viewing adult films without a parent, I'm sure your world had a similar rule.

"You guys sure you want to see 'The Crush,' right?"

"Isn't that film about a school teacher that becomes mired in a relationship with an obsessed student?" Tristan asked, "I don't think you boys should see that movie, please see something else."

"Uhhhh..." Justin stammered, "I have to use the bathroom."

The boys nodded as Justin left the room. Ashley fidgeted for a moment as he waited for his brother to close the washroom door. He turned to the others, terribly concerned about his brother's erratic behavior. "I guess Justin's having tummy trouble again."

"Do you think it has something to do with the accident?" Virgil asked. Ashley shrugged his wings, "I don't know."

In the bathroom, Justin addressed his father. "Dad, come on! It's only restricted because of language! There's no sex in the movie!"

"It's a movie for adults, Justin. You shouldn't be watching things like that!"

"Dad, please!"

"Justy," Tristan said, his tone gentle and reflective, "I'm sorry I can't take you boys somewhere nice. I'm sorry I can't be there for you."

Justin looked about, wondering where his father might be standing, "You're here for me right now dad, and you've probably saved me from a really shitty movie!"

"Justin?" Virgil called, "You gonna need an ambulance?"

Justin flushed the avian toilet and them emerged from the washroom. "Guys, I don't want to see that movie, why don't we go to King's Hall?"

The other youth filed out into the hall as they looked to one another. "King's Hall might be okay!" chirped a smaller golden eagle named Beatrice. Justin handed out ankle purses to any who didn't already have one, while his concerned mother intercepted him in the hall, "Justin, are you well enough to be out flying around?"

"I'm fine, mom."

"I think you should be resting."

Justin touched his beak to her wing, "I should be out exercising!"

She sighed, "What time do you expect to be home?"

"At least by six," Ashley replied, "A new episode of Tower of Power is on!"

Eleanor Brightwing waved the flock off and then gazed out the window as they flew away. She sighed as her late husband appeared beside her. 'Gods how I miss you, Elly.'

The mother eagle bowed her head and moved away, apparently feeling the same for Tristan. Tristan's inner light shimmered as Eleanor returned to grading her school papers, but her mind was obviously elsewhere. She rose and moved slowly along the hall, her husband's spirit right beside her. "I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep this up." Tristan said as Eleanor moved into her sleeping nook. He hesitated at the archway. 'Elly, I know you and the boys are healing, soon we'll have to let go of one another.'

Caught up in his recollections, the father eagle had no idea that he was being watched. And yet, an odd sense of foreboding drove Tristan into his old bedchamber where he found his wife pulling a box from under her sleeping cushion. Tristan's spiritual eyes moved over his wife's broad shoulders and deep heavy chest. 'Ashley's small and petite, he looks like me. But Justy, he's going to look just like you, Elly.'

With her long toes, Eleanor plucked photographs from the box and placed them on her cushion. "Is that all that's left of me?" Tristan whispered. "Just some old photographs under the bed?"

Death appeared at the doorway. Touched by Tristan's sorrow, she reached out to his spirit to review all of the past lives the eagle had lived. In the midst of Tristan's utter lack of sensory stimuli, he felt an electric tingle. Astonished, Tristan wondered if he might be transitioning somehow. He was not, the sensation was merely Death's examination of his spiritual memory as she grasped each of the prominent moments of his life that fell from his eyes like so many tears. Death rode the crest of all of his triumphs and sorrows, leaving Tristan feeling emotionally drained.

Eleanor softly peeped as she reminisced. "I love this one, Trissy."

Tristan moved up beside her to look upon a photo of himself gazing down from a ferris wheel's gondola. "That was such a good day."

"Yes Elly, it was."

She gasped, weeping in the way that eagles cry. Tristan bowed his head in sorrow.

Death perceived that her time had come. She reached out to him, but an odd surface tension prevented the specter from contacting Tristan. From Tristan's perspective, the world around him seemed to pitch and move. He became alarmed at the odd sensation. "Ohhh, what was that!? Am I about to move on? I didn't say goodbye to Justin!"

In her present state, Death was as removed from Tristan as the spirit was from his mortal wife. The black shadow attempted a second contact, this time from the spiritual realm of Nidavellir. From his vantage point, Tristan beheld the black silhouette of an equine mare who stepped from between the air! "Agh! Who are you!?"

Seeming to ignore his question, the shadow approached, but strangely, the entity bore no terror for him. The shadow reached out to touch him, but again a strange surface tension repelled Death's touch. The shadow winked away, leaving Tristan stupefied. 'Was that another ghost? Is that what I look like to other ghosts?'

With a glance at his wife, Tristan moved to the window and then through it, riding the strange currents of spiritual energy that he was gradually beginning to master. "Justin is the only thing keeping me sane. If spirits are real, there has to be someone or something I can speak to!"

***

High over the ridge, Justin Brightwing peeled off from his flock. No explanation was given, and none was needed. His friends knew where Justin was going, although on this occasion Ashley followed after his brother. Though separated by only a year and a half, Justin is a towering figure in Ashley's life. It wasn't simply Justin's great size, it was something he exuded, an intangible quality in his character that Ashley felt he could always draw inspiration. The youngster was horrified that he'd almost lost his big brother, "Hey Justin! You're not going to linger too long at Shelton's, are you?"

"Nope! Just crossing the border real quick and then hopping back over!"

'It's a good thing the pony lives near the border.' Ashley thought as the pair made the forty minute flight to Albany. Now, Aurora is a picturesque realm dotted with nondescript white homes where animals possessed of a simple means quietly reside. Populated primarily by horses, it's largest cities are Albany, Buckley, Tennille and Posey.

I must confess a special fondness for these animals. Horses and Stags tend to be good natured, and are content to just live and let live. They are not overly concerned with the comings and goings of strangers, which works to our eagle brother's advantage. Ashley and Justin fly unfettered over the main thoroughfare of Telegraph Road, idly watching traffic meander beneath them as they note their landmarks and count the streets before their turn above Forest Drive. The neighborhoods over which the boys fly would be indistinguishable from the Albany that Maggie Pumpkin knew. Change comes very slowly here, if at all.

Ahead, a young equine pony rushed about his back porch, gathering his harness straps and other odd ends he'd need for his flight. "Mom! Have you seen my chest strap?"

"I put in in the laundry!"

Shelton wrinkled his nose, "Mom, it's nylon. You don't need to wash it."

The pony stooped before the washer machine and reached in, grasping at random articles before he found what he sought. With a nicker he pulled the strap loose and put it across his broad chest. Despite his diminutive height, Shelton Holden was quite thick and stout. His orange safety strap stood out in stark contrast against his dapple grey coat as he fastened the buckles about his torso. Wearing only his orange flying harness and a short black kilt, Shelton waited for his friend to arrive.

"Where are you off to today?" Missy asked as she appeared at the back door. Shelton offered his mother an innocent shrug, "We may see a movie."

"Your friend isn't going to try and get you into any restricted films, is he?" Missy asked with a raised brow.

"Mom!"

She waved her finger at him! "You're too young to see restricted movies! So don't you do it!"

He nodded. Satisfied, Missy leaned over to smooch her son, "See you later, and take care being on Justin!"

"Okay," he replied with a sullen nod. Then, the eagle brothers touched down in the yard. Shelton waved to them, then skipped out to greet his friends. Missy marveled at how beautiful the eagles were, and how big Justin was. She offered a friendly wave. Justin replied with a wave of his wing as he knelt down for Shelton to slip a strap about his neck. Missy winced as Shelton mounted up, prompting an exclamation from Justin; "You been sneaking a few extra sugar cubes? You're feeling heavier than usual!"

Shelton made some retort that Missy didn't quite catch. Justin broke into a run with Shelton bobbing up and down on the eagle's back. With the tree line fast approaching, Shelton unconsciously shut his eyes. 'I hope I'm not too heavy!'

At the last moment, Justin stepped into the air. Missy looked after them with a wistful sigh. "I hope Shelton never gets too heavy to fly, though he probably will."

She turned to the little mirror in the hall. 'Shelton is starting to look more and more like me, pretty soon he'll be huge.' Missy pulled and tugged on her facial features, noting how her son's face was morphing into a mirror of her own. She inspected her broad snout which sported a pair of large pink nostrils. 'Shelton's snout should thicken up like mine pretty soon.'

She winked at herself from beneath her bushy mane. 'Shelton's got my blue eyes, and he's got dad's dapple coat. He's gonna be a big boy.'

Her cheek bones were another matter. Missy pushed and prodded them. 'I don't know where these came from. Dad didn't have them. Mom didn't, either.' She turned her head to the side, noting how they arched rather elegantly, 'Just like Shelton's.'

She ran her finger along her tawny brown coat. 'My coloring is the only feature that Shelly's inherited from me. She sure didn't get any of my muscles.' She chortled that despite her husband's attempts at working out, she was still the bigger horse.

Now, most equine mares did sport some well-defined musculature, but it was usually carried lower down on the body. Missy's upper body is far more developed than most mares, and in her early years she was sometimes mistaken for her husband's favorite boxing star.

Missy snorted into the mirror, then moved back indoors. She paused at her daughter's room to peer inside. Shelly was still asleep. 'I'll be glad when she starts her new job.'

With another glance at her daughter, Missy returned to her room. She slipped into bed with her (still unemployed) husband who groaned as she nuzzled him, "How did you sleep?"

"So so."

Missy smiled, "I had the strangest dream about Shelton."

"Hmm?"

She pressed her snout to his shoulder, "He appeared to me as an adult, I thought it was the oddest thing. It felt so real."

"Is Shel off with Justin?" he asked.

"Mmm-hmmm," she replied, then sighed to compose her thoughts, "Sweetie, do you remember exactly how Shelton met Justin?"

"In the dump," Gabriel chuffed. "Shelton went looking for bottle caps."

"Oh, yes." Missy said. After a moment, she nuzzled him again. "Gabe, do you ever feel like there might be something strange about Justin?"

"Shelly talks to ghosts," Gabriel replied in a sleepy monotone, "That blows every other kinda weirdness out of the water."

Missy lay back on her pillow and sighed. Gabriel raised his head, "Something got you troubled?"

"Oh, I'm just worried about nothing. I dunno."

"What?" Gabriel snorted.

"Do you suppose Justin might be older than he claims?"

"Not really," he replied.

Missy squirmed about for a moment, trying to get comfortable. She didn't say anything else, but Gabriel could practically see a great big thought bubble over her head with nothing in it. "Alright," he said, rolling over, "Remember that first time Justin came to the door looking for Shelton?"

She thought back on that morning, as Justin's chiming voice rang in her ears. "Hello, I'm looking for Shelton!"

"You must be Justin," Missy said as she invited the eagle in. Justin inspected the narrow door frame, then compressed his bulk through. "Oh, careful!" Missy peeped as Justin pushed his way inside. Shelton appeared in the parlor and smiled to his new friend. "I didn't expect you back so soon!"

"Sorry." Justin said with a shrug of his wings. Shelton hugged him, then turned to properly introduce Justin to his parents. Missy recalled the unmistakable gleam in Justin's eyes, that warm open expression that only a youngster can have. "Yes, he is as young as he says."

"Good, it's settled." Gabriel chuffed, pushing his muzzle down into his pillow.

After a moment, Missy sighed. "Gabe, do you think Justin is gay?"

"Aw, c'mon Missy!"

"Gabe! I'm just trying to figure out what Justin sees in Shelton!"

The stallion turned to glare at her. Missy quickly backpedaled, "Look, Justin is obviously very intelligent, so is his brother! We have to admit that Shelton is very good looking, but isn't very.. "

"Shelton is stupid, is that what you want to say?"

"Of course not!"

Sensing they were headed toward a possible fight, Gabriel rolled out of bed and lurched toward the wash room. Missy bit her lip, aware of her husband's sensitivity regarding his son's IQ. "Gabe, I'm sorry."

His sigh echoed in the small tile room, "It's alright. Yeah, I have actually wondered what Justin's motivations are in being friends with Shel, but then I remember that our boy is a really great little colt, I'd want to be friends with him if I was his age."

Missy smiled, "Wanna make out?"

"Has Shelly cleared the house?" (Gabriel did not wish to engage in private relations if a vulgar ghost might be watching.)

"Not yet," Missy peeped.

He rolled back onto the bed and kissed her, "Let's just wait a bit, then."

"Okay."

He nudged her, "Could you flex your arms?"

She flashed her big bright teeth, then sat up. He reached up as she performed for him, but he could not shake that ever present thought; 'If ghosts are real, then there's someone out there who created them. There's got to be...'

***

'If I exist, there must be some force that created me.'

A black dragon leaned toward a mirrored pool, "Ibiza stirs."

The dragon touched his paw to the waters, thus did Nemesis begin his work. It was not an easy thing to penetrate the mind of a dragon such as Ibiza, and so he was joined by a manifestation of Glorafin, goddess of the underworld. His mother buttressed Nemesis' power so the black seraph might slip unnoticed into Ibiza's unconscious mind. Glorafin appeared as a white mist which settled over Nemesis' black form. There really is no equivalent in your world's pantheon to these deities. A creature of contradictions, Glorafin is at once vengeful, and tender. Terrible, and forgiving. But always, Glorafin is controlling. As for her eldest, Nemesis deals in absolutes. He views animal's souls in stark swaths of black or white, with no consideration given to shades of grey. I suppose Glorafin would approximate to the ancient egyptian god named Set, and her scion, Nemesis, to the one called Anubis.

Nemesis regarded his mother as she bid him; "Proceed."

The waters of the underworld penetrated Ibiza's body, and sublimated her deepest fears. Glorafin watched as her mirrored pool peeled away the layers of Ibiza's mind, revealing the internal structure of her deepest subconscious.

At first the images conjured by the waters were nonsensical, but gradually a pattern emerged, "Destruction," Glorafin murmured, "It is hardly surprising that the Incarnation of Destruction fears her own basic programming."

Across the pool, Nemesis nodded in accord.

Glorafin watched as Ibiza imagined herself hanging in the air, grasping at some form of rope, "What is she doing?" Nemesis asked.

His mother gestured to the pool, "Observe," she said, as Ibiza seemed to pull a great structure from the sky. This great contrivance plunged down many thousands of meters, obliterating an animal city.

Within her dream, Ibiza howled at the loss of so many animals, "I have failed!" she cried, "I have failed!"

'Fate,' said a voice.

Glorafin froze at the sound of the deep dark voice that spoke at the very edge of her perception, 'Fate,'

She gestured urgently for Nemesis to withdraw from the pool, as the shadow of Death infiltrated Ibiza's fears, 'Fate, come away with me.'

The scenes of devastation scattered across Ibiza's mind were replaced by a white hospital corridor. The dragon watched as a pair of double doors were thrown open. Animals entered, bearing between them a wheeled cart upon which lay the unconscious body of a young avian eagle. The horses and foxes rushed along the hall, passing Ibiza where she stood gawking. Then, the black silhouette of her sister passed her by. Death followed after the animals, and Ibiza felt compelled to join them.

Doctors, Nurses, and other medical experts converged upon the eagle. Watching from a small window, Ibiza chewed upon her paws as the eagle's spirit began to emerge from his broken body. Hovering above, Death stretched out her dark wings, but the specter did not bear the eagle away, 'What is she doing?' Ibiza wondered as her sister performed her own surgical procedure upon the avian spirit.

'Fate,' said Death, as she lay the spirit back within his body. Death then reached out to mend the eagle's broken spine and shattered skull. Satisfied that the flyer was mended, Death joined her sister in the hall where she was confronted by the startled dragon; "How can you do this? How can you sit in judgement over who might live, and who must die?"

'I may think. It is right to do this.'

"It is not the natural way!" Ibiza argued, "The balance of life! It must be maintained!" she turned away from her sister, "This is why Kromhaut hates us!"

'I may think, as such, I must be allowed to make my own decisions,' replied Death, 'Henceforth, do not address me as Death, rather, refer to me as Fate.'

"What have you become?" Ibiza whispered.

The black shadow took Ibiza in her long arms. The dragon struggled to free herself, "What are you doing?"

"You must return to the physical world, sister, you have much to learn."

Far away, a black furred equine mare stepped from between the air, bearing a small golden dragon in her arms. She lay the little dragon down upon a high rocky pass, where a gentle wind blew the entity's formless mane, 'Wake now, sister.'

Ibiza coughed up a thick black liquid that stained the stone of the pass. Fate scooped up the contaminated rock and ingested it, sparing the physical world the taint of Glorafin's realm.

"Sister?" Ibiza wheezed. The dragon looked up at the black silhouette of her sister, "What has happened to you? Why have you returned me to the world?"

'The eagle who now bears my mark, you must go to him. He is to be your learner, you must become his pupil.'

Ibiza shook her head, "No, I must return to Glorafin's realm, I must stand in Herald's stead."

Fate seized Ibiza's face, 'The eagle, go to him. Follow closely, and do not let him stray from your sight! You shall find love, sister. You will learn many things from his family, and then you will be Destruction no more.'

Ibiza's jaw slacked as she gazed into the daunting and commanding face of the entity. She knew then that it was not her sister who addressed her, "V-very well."

'I love you, Ibiza.'

Tears blurred Ibiza's eyes. Never before had anyone declared such a sentiment. She raised her paw, hoping to touch the entity's face, "Are you my mother?"

Fate held Ibiza close, 'I am not, yet we are bound by a special kinship.'

Ibiza wept gently in Fate's arms. Then, the entity willed Ibiza to clear her mind of all that had been revealed, save one thought; 'The eagle, seek him out, and you shall find love.'

Without another word, Ibiza alighted and flew away. The Incarnation of Fate watched her past self disappear into the west, then waited for a time. As the moments ticked by, the entity's equine body shifted and contorted, until it'd assumed the shape of a diminutive golden dragon. My future self then threw up a veil of darkness to mimic the shroud that Ibiza wore. Soon the true shadow of death appeared on the hill, "Hello, sister. What tidings?"

'Sister, I felt your return. It is agreeable to see you again.'

"You have evolved a fine intellect, sister," Fate paused, "You seem troubled."

'I require assistance.'

"What might I do for you?"

'I require an emotional center. I fear I shall lose the wisdom I have gained, and become a mere thing once again, if I cannot locate an animal familiar. I have selected an avian eagle for my purpose, but he remains elusive. I cannot claim him.'

"Your quest is hopeless, sister. The eagle is not for you."

Death brooded over her latest failure as Fate asked; "Sister, you once mentioned a black eagle's name, what was it?"

'Herald Kirsten.'

"Yes, Kirsten. Didn't he suggest you go and find someone named Barter?"

A flash of recognition shimmered through Death, 'He did.'

"And have you?"

'No.'

"You receive a suggestion, but ignore it. Then thrash about searching in vain for other animals to possess. Honestly sister, if you'd just pause to listen to what others are telling you."

Death focused all of her thought to materialize within the physical world, 'Sister, I have occasion to appear as a mammal. This horse, in point of fact.'

"I hear tell that this Barter animal is a horse. You should go and see if she suits your needs."

'Yes!' Death declared, as her equine body dissolved into shadow.

"I don't think I've ever heard you employ such an exclamation!"

Death's shadowy form flittered about the clearing, 'Yes!'

"Sister, perhaps I should look in on the injured eagle. It'll be our quest! A search for our animal familiars!"

'I love you, sister,' Death whispered.

"I love you too! Now make haste, find the equine named Barter!"

Death winked away, leaving my future self smiling after her. Fate lounged for a time, enjoying the warm midday sun before she returned to the singularity that beats at the heart of the first dimension.

***

The Luminous Dragons and Mayalee Mae

***

"What should I call myself?" Mayalee Mae called from the bedroom. She stood amongst the boxes and bundles containing her valuables, wondering how she would ever pack so many things into what might be a very small house. "I dunno," came Sam's reply from the kitchen, "I always liked Florence Mae."

"I went by Florence a hundred years ago." Mayalee replied, waiting to see if Sam would offer any additional ideas. A sudden crashing was heard, and the lion sputtered a curse. "Need any help?" Mayalee called.

"No, I just have to sweep up some broken glass, so don't come in here for a minute."

She lifted her foot and thought to remind him that such things wouldn't harm her, but she let it be. "Since it's my two thousandth anniversary, I thought maybe I'd go by my birth name, Genivee Tin."

The lion glanced down the hall, "I like that! It makes me wish I could go by Karl Kuhn, but I suppose that name's still too well known."

"What about your grandfather's name, Bartholomew?"

"Ugh! That's hideous!"

Mayalee smiled playfully, then noticed an out of place box. She opened it to find her tiny shoe. "Karl! I mean, Sam! Look!"

The lion made his way to their bedroom to stand over her as Mayalee showed him a weathered and wrinkled old leather shoe. "Is that your shoe from when you were a girl?"

"I wore this at my grand dad's funeral," she peeped, "I'd thought I lost this, I haven't been able to find it for fifty or sixty years."

Sam looked about at the piles and piles of belongings, 'I can see why.' He took up a nearby wooden box. "Careful with that," Mayalee warned, "Make sure you don't touch what's inside."

"What's in it?" he asked, gingerly shaking the box. She flicked her whiskers, "Look and see."

Sam opened the box to find a dark brown feather, "Who's is this?"

"That," she said with emphasis, "Is a little memento from King Octavius!"

"You're kidding! How did you get it?"

Mayalee smiled, "Who do you think was Octavius' chamber maid?"

The lion was flabbergasted, "You? I never knew! You never mentioned that before!"

She climbed up onto his lap, "The war years have always been a sore spot for you Karl-" she corrected herself, "I mean, Sam."

He nuzzled her, "Maybe I'll take the name Karl Preston."

"And I'll be Genivee Tin," she said, placing a little kiss on his nose. Sam carefully closed the box and returned it to the dressing table. "I better get that glass cleaned up."

Mayalee nodded, "We'd better go by our current names for right now, at least until the move." He smiled, then returned to the kitchen as Mayalee resumed sorting her possessions. She sighed, and stuffed some tattered old clothes into a brown paper box. She recalled quite clearly when she'd purchased each of them, so many years ago. Now it seemed they'd become a reminder of just how heavy her existence had become. As Mayalee reminisced, her bedroom became wreathed in flame. As always, the bright burning glow was a fire visible to her and Sam alone. 'I thought I'd make some pudding before we set out.'

In the kitchen, Sam opened another paperwood box as he took stock of the kitchen equipment, "Mayalee, which pan do you want to use for the pudding?"

"Just leave the sauce pan out."

Sam smiled, setting aside a small black pan as he emptied the contents of a cabinet into the box. He sighed, and looked about his flat, 'I really liked this place. It's going to be tough finding another one like this.'

He glanced at the mirrored tile above the refrigerator and noted that his grey hair dye had almost completely faded, 'Gotta put more grey in, my party is this Monday.'

Mayalee appeared beside him and playfully pecked his rump, "Hey girl, don't start anything you can't finish!"

She giggled as Sam lifted her up into his arms. "Eighteen years," Sam sighed as the couple gazed into the mirror together, "I'm going to miss being on the force."

"You better add some more grey," Mayalee said as she kissed his cheek.

"Get a room you two!"

Sam smiled as a diminutive hawk entered the flat, "Hi Allo! Any trouble getting here?"

"The usual, when are you moving?"

"Early next week, although our request to settle in Aure Dei was rejected, so we're not sure where we'll go."

Allomere nodded, "You've been in Brandenburg for eighteen years, I mean, the Union was still around when you first moved in here."

"Where's Timmy?"

"Just chatting with your neighbor," replied the lanky fox as he entered the flat and took stock of the multitude of boxes, "You two sure have a lot of stuff!"

Mayalee smiled warmly as she gestured for him to stoop down. He did, and received a rather loud kiss. Her smooch delivered, the companions settled down as they prepared for the coming day. "Princess Olivia," Allomere said, "How funny is it that her modern self will appear in an arcade later this morning."

Mayalee nodded as she settled onto Timothy's lap. The fox shyly smiled as she purred in his ear, "You two have an anniversary coming up! Your first twenty five years with us!"

"What's it like having your two-thousandth anniversary?" he asked. Mayalee became thoughtful, "I don't know, the time seems to just slip by. It doesn't feel any different than my two hundredth anniversary, actually."

Timothy shook his head, 'I wonder if I'll handle being alive for two thousand years as well as you, May?'

Hearing his thought as clearly as any spoken word, Mayalee pecked his cheek, "You will, sweetie."

"I'm surprised the dragons aren't here yet," Allomere said to no one in particular. Mayalee snapped her fingers, "Oh! I was going to make some pudding! Kromhaut will likely need a snack to settle his nerves."

All nodded their heads in agreement as Mayalee hopped to the kitchen. Allomere took Mayalee's place at Timothy's side. Timmy marveled at how far he'd come, in so short a time. Sam smiled to the pair, and thought how nice it was that they could be together. "You and Olivia shared a lot of history," Timothy said. Sam smiled gently, his memories far away. "She shared a little history with Karl, but that was a long time ago."

Allomere furled his wings, "When is your last day on the force?"

"My retirement ceremony is Monday. The national police commissioner is actually going to attend, they're very sorry to see me go."

Allomere understood that Sam's words were directed elsewhere. He bowed his head, "I'm sorry, Sam."

"At least I was allowed to take such a high profile job, I should be thankful... I guess."

Ariadne stirred at the back of Sam's mind. 'Perhaps in a short while, you might reapply to the police agency, posing as a related animal to your current persona?'

Sam nodded, "Thanks Ariadne, I'm sure it will be okay."

"Puddings about ready!" Mayalee chimed, raising her hand in a distinctive way. The gesture indicated that she was ready for her dragon. She felt the floor drop out from beneath her, in that instant Mayalee had become a passenger in her own body. Kromhaut Majoris licked Mayalee's lips as he savored the tasty treat, "Thank you love! It looks delicious!"

Across the room, Timothy focused on the dragon's strange accent. He never tired of hearing it, though most of the words uttered in the dragon's tongue tended to be angsty.

Sam felt his dragon gently enter his body, as invisible flames licked around his bushy mane. Within the familiar's special vision, the flat had become wreathed in mist and flame. "Hello Sam," said Allomere, but it was not the hawk who'd spoke. Instead, it was the dragon called Mimir, one of Kromhaut's eldest sons.

Spiritual fire then issued from Timothy's eyes as a dragon named Tannin took him, although Sam himself remained in control of his faculties. He needed to drive.

"What name shall you take as your new identity?" Mimir asked Sam. The lion shrugged, "I may take Ariadne's advice and pose as a relative of Sam's."

Mimir nodded Allomere's head, as Kromhaut lapped at the black saucepan with Mayalee's delicate tongue. He seemed to wish to offer some advice, but the companions had been through it all before. Sam waved his hand, "We'd better get going."

The company filed outside and loaded into Sam's personal motor car, a large black sedan with generous chrome accents and plush embroidered seating. It was a far cry from his old steam-powered Sunbeam. He issued a satisfied grunt as he thumbed the starter, igniting the enormous V8 engine.

Though Sam and Mayalee each possessed a fortune in priceless historical artifacts, Sam hadn't held a well paying job in many years before becoming a Brandenburg Police Officer. An unemployed animal purchasing an enormously expensive automobile would tend to attract the kind of attention that Sam and Mayalee wished to avoid, so this car was something of an indulgence for Sam.

Looking out over the long bonnet, Sam stepped on the accelerator. They needed to make up some time. "Are we sure we want to do this?"

Kromhaut nodded, "I have waited, as you asked, but now I feel it is time. I cannot allow a mortal animal to possess such powers."

Timothy leaned forward, "Why? It seems all he can really do is hear ghosts, he can't even see them! Not like we can."

"I'll not discuss it," Kromhaut rumbled.

Timothy sat back with a frown. 'This isn't just some normal animal! We should bring the princess into our fold, and not rob this eagle of such a gift.'

Perched atop a nearby telephone pole, Ibiza Pushpath alighted to follow after Sam's car. To a spirit or observant tree, the sedan appeared to be a comet, wreathed in mist and sparking with fire. Sam glanced back at the scene, then reminded Kromhaut that they'd need to be more discreet. 'The eagle might see us.'

"I am well aware of the eagle's clairvoyance," Kromhaut replied, "Amun reports that when he visited them, neither the son nor the deceased father was aware of his presence. I have every confidence that you avatars will fulfill your function and veil our passage."

'He's in a real mood.' Timothy thought, 'This isn't going to be a fun communion.'

Most communion meetings were enjoyable outings you see, when these strange spirits come and assume control of Timothy and his friends and then do silly things, like over eat at a diner or go to an amusement park. 'It wasn't the sort of work I expected when they selected me.'

"Why fire?" Timothy abruptly asked, "If you are trying to be so low-key, why all of the spiritual fire?"

Kromhaut was spared the burden of sidestepping the fox's question when the company caught sight of a wisp of black smoke darting amongst the crowns of the trees. 'It's Ibiza!'

"It is," Kromhaut said flatly, watching her with a wary eye.

The others turned their attention to the black seraph as she followed along with the car, 'She's back!' Mayalee chimed, 'Krom! We should talk to her!'

"No," Kromhaut rumbled, "Our paths are separate, there is no need to interact with her."

Mayalee thought of Glorafin's many reports from the underworld, 'Maybe talking with her would yield better results than trying to sneak in through her back door?'

"She really freaked Glorafin out," Sam added, "Whenever Glorafin managed to slip into Ibiza's subconscious, Death would come forward and shut her down."

Allomere thought it odd that the dragons never spoke of Ibiza's time in the underworld, so he speculated; "Death's new consciousness represents an entirely new balance of life. If she can think, she can also decide when and where to apply her power."

Timothy added; "She's certainly been more friendly with the spirits than any of us ever have. We really should reach out to her, perhaps offer her some training?"

"Maybe she could use an animal familiar to help train her in the proper 'Kromhaut' technique of ignoring traumatized ghosts?" Allomere joked.

Kromhaut turned Mayalee's head around backwards to glare at him.

"Why use us as avatars, anyway?" Timothy asked, "You're magical beings, you could do all sorts of things, like make your own bodies," he bowed his head, "I like being a part of the group, don't get me wrong, but it seems like it's hard for your avatars when they have to move and leave behind their friends, or a great job that they love."

'We need your experience,' came Tannin's voice, 'Our magical nature comes at a terrible cost, it isolates us from the physical world. Without your insight, we could not gather meaningful life experiences.'

Mimir offered his perspective; 'Timothy, you once opined that a dragon's mind is like a computer, your analogy is more correct than you realize.'

"Yeah, you guys can be... odd, but that's also what makes you so endearing! If you had your own bodies, and stayed out of your higher dimensions, you could start gathering your own life experiences. You could be your own animal, so to speak."

'We could never mingle with mortal animals,' Kromhaut said, 'In the way that we can with you as our vessel. Even in a world where dragons be revealed, our passage upon the land would be met with reverence and awe. We would be held in loftier esteem than any king or emperor, and there could be no meaningful relationship with such a disparity of power.'

"Have you even tried?"

Kromhaut did not answer the fox. Timothy issued an annoyed chuff, 'I don't think of you guys as kings, or even gods. I think you're lonely animals, and unfortunately, you infect your chosen familiars with your isolation.'

This comment struck home. Kromhaut thought of all the times Mayalee had begged him to alter her body so that she might appear to age, 'An animal who never ages does indeed draw unwanted attention.'

Mayalee's spirit gently touched him. He sighed through her body, 'Krom, is it really so difficult? Magic is a part of who you are, is it healthy to deny it?'

"No, Mayalee, I cannot work my magic within the third dimensional realm of Midgard. Rosemary's religious cult has seen to that. My kin have sworn an oath to refrain from influencing the mortal world, I do not intend on being the one who breaks this solemn promise."

'That's why you're so upset about Justin Brightwing's clairvoyance,' Mayalee thought, 'Ibiza, along with her sister Death fall outside your family's pledge, they are not bound by your collective agreement.'

"I do not wish to discuss it," Kromhaut said flatly, but Mayalee persisted, 'If Death does hail from the first dimension, wouldn't that make her the greater power? Are you sure you'll be able to undo what she's done to Justin?'

Kromhaut's presence within her vibrated with stress and anxiety. Mayalee backed off, ceding this argument, 'What would you like for lunch?'

The subject of food was as water thrown onto a flame. Kromhaut relaxed, knowing Mayalee would not give further argument, "I would like a large tuskin burger, with fried grasshopper legs and tomato paste."

'I wonder sometimes,' Mayalee joked, 'If you shouldn't have selected Sam as your avatar.'

The lion smiled over his shoulder as the companions drove on, "Ten miles to the Shannonvali border."

"Doesn't anyone find it interesting that the eagle's father suffered a fatal heart attack at the very same age as Octavius?" Timothy asked. Kromhaut shrugged Mayalee's shoulders. "How old was Olivia when she was assassinated?" Timothy continued, "Wouldn't it have been about the age Justin is now? He should have died in that accident, but Death healed his injuries, she saved him."

Sam flashed Timmy a cautionary glance. Reluctantly, the fox quieted down. Now focused on the road ahead, the company prepared for the border crossing as the dragons receded from their animals. Soon they came upon a backup of automobiles. Sam growled at the long line of cars, "We're going to miss Justin at the arcade, it will be more difficult if we have to catch him at home."

Surprisingly, the border checkpoint didn't take long. Sam noted that the border along Brandenburg and Shannonvale was one of the last frontiers to hold on to the animosity of the hundred years war. Brandenburg was once called Toulon, but in the time before the falling of the cataclysm, Toulon was known as Nyasaland, a realm of sleepy felines who whiled away their time chasing wild beasts and lounging in the sun.

One of the abilities Sam possessed was an access to the memories of all his past lives. Sam recalled with clear distinction his life upon those ancient plains. As he waited in the traffic line, his memory of that long-gone place became blended within the confines of the modern world, and at times such as these, his recollections became a kind of dream within a dream.

"Good morning sir, what is your business today?"

Sam snapped from his daydream as a large bald eagle loomed over his window. Sam smiled, said; "We'd like to go to the Creed shopping center."

"Brandenburg has Baden Place, what is your interest in Creed?"

"Baden has the same two dozen stores, each time we go."

The eagle smiled, noted Allomere in the back seat. 'A fox, a mouse and a hawk, pretty diverse group. Perhaps a little too diverse.'

"Sir, could you please pull to the side?" the eagle waved his wing in the direction he wished Sam to go. Within Mayalee's body, her dragon growled at the delay. A short time later, Mayalee, Allomere and Timothy waited in a side office while Sam negotiated with the Shannonvali customs officials. Mayalee could see the eagles through a small window as they spoke with Sam, but their beak movements were difficult to read, even with Kromhaut's help. She shook her head in frustration. Finally, Sam offered the eagles a 'popcorn' salute, (an unofficial courtesy rendered when not in uniform) then approached the office. The leading bald eagle official followed a short distance behind Sam, his drifting thoughts indicating he'd rather see the entire company barred from Shannonvale. "They're not going to let me or the car in, but they'll allow you three to go on ahead."

"With no car," Mayalee chuffed, her speech flavored with just a hint of Kromhaut's archaic accent. Sam shrugged his shoulders as Allomere nuzzled Mayalee, "I can carry you, pretty well I'd reckon."

Mayalee nodded her approval as she grasped Allomere's collar and led him outside. Without a word she mounted him and buckled herself to his safety vest. Allomere began to trot as the Shannonvali officials looked on, then stepped into the air with the little mouse. A customs officer gave Sam a quizzical glance as the lion shrugged. Timothy and Sam made their way back to Brandenburg, saddened that they'd not get to see Princess Olivia's modern incarnation. 'I really wanted to be there, and make sure Kromhaut didn't do anything harsh to him.'

In the sky, Allomere made his way north. "Remember," said Kromhaut, "The eagle's abilities may be quite keen, we should mask ourselves carefully to avoid detection."

"If he is so capable," Mimir replied, "We should endeavor to probe the limits of his abilities before snuffing them out."

Mayalee's face underwent a subtle change, as Kromhaut's spiritual fire subsided. "If the Brightwing boy may detect us, then it should be I who studies him."

Mimir understood that he was not invited to this communion, and so he receded from Allomere, but he did not completely disappear. He lingered just enough to see his avatar to Creed, for his presence gifted Allomere with exceptional strength and stamina. Like a flash did Allomere fly, and curious avians made way for him as the hawk ferried the lord of all life to his strange and unhappy rendezvous.

From atop her mount, Mayalee caught sight of Ibiza keeping pace with Allomere. She issued a mental salutation that was immediately quashed by Kromhaut. 'Hey! What are you doing!'

"She is responsible for this mess! I'll not have you communicate with her!"

Mayalee grit her teeth and did her best to offer a friendly wave whilst maintaining her grip on Allomere. Soon the tall spire of Creed came into view, and Allomere adjusted his trajectory to land near the center. As in the mammal world with it's many rules governing motor vehicle travel, so too did avians have (albeit unspoken) rules regarding avian flight. No avian wished to have a mid-air collusion with another flyer.

Allo touched down with nary a fuss. Kromhaut immediately slid from his shoulder, "Come," he said, "The eagle shall arrive soon."

The pair moved along Echo Pathway, gazing up at the reminders of Shannonvale's royal past. Images of King Octavius and his daughter Olivia graced many of the homes and city monuments of Shannonvale. Allomere marveled that Princess Olivia's modern self was due to appear in a local arcade, 'I wish animals could know, they'd be so happy to meet this eagle.'

Soon they arrived at the King's Hall arcade, the hall being a large domed structure that resembled a blimp hangar. The Hall celebrated Shannonvali nostalgia in fine social style, and Allomere again noted that even after a thousand years, modern avians were still fascinated by their tragic royals.

A pair of bald eagles met Allomere and Mayalee at the entrance and chimed; "Welcome to the hall!"

Allomere waved to them as Mimir secluded himself deep within the hawk. Mayalee purchased unlimited game play and snacks, then set Allo loose within the hall, 'Busy yourself, I shall await the eagle.' Allomere loitered for a moment as Mayalee stood near a concession stand, her arms folded and her bright face stern and unhappy. 'Father,' Mimir said, 'You look completely out of place. Recede, and allow Mayalee to be herself.'

Reluctantly, Kromhaut complied. Mayalee flashed Allo a grateful smile as the hawk climbed up onto an avian-specific game called Eagle's Path. Mayalee poured a soft drink, then amused herself watching him play. The pair did not notice a large and regal young eagle enter the arcade, accompanied by a diminutive grey equine. Justin Brightwing appeared beside Allomere as the hawk ducked and swooped on his game, attempting to collect digital talismans and other artifacts.

"Kromhaut," Mimir said, "He is here."

Mayalee crept up beside Justin as Kromhaut prepared to strike. She struggled to ensure that her god would be gentle as Kromhaut reached out Mayalee's hand to grasp Justin's ankle. There was a flash! Mayalee became stunned by an image of Justin's hospital room. The boy himself was gone, though his doctors lingered, examining the miraculous images of Justin's x-ray photos, "I've never given much thought to divine intervention," said an equine surgeon, "But I think we may have our first documented case."

'That's why Kromhaut is so upset,' Mayalee murmured.

"Excuse me!" Justin chuffed, shaking his leg to dislodge the mouse, "What are you doing?"

She shook her head blankly. Allomere stepped in to rescue her, "Oh, sorry about that, she's with me," he leaned in close to add; "She's a little funny."

Justin nodded, then eyed the mouse before stepping up to prepare for his turn at play. A grey equine positioned himself beside Justin to get a better view of the screen. Kromhaut became stunned when he realized who the pony was. Forgetting himself, he reached out to touch Shelton's elbow.

Distracted, Kromhaut failed to notice Ibiza Pushpath who appeared inside the arcade to watch as Kromhaut connected with Shelton's spirit. Within the pony, Kromhaut found at every turn a paradox that confounded him! He stepped away from Shelton with a snort, 'No, it was not Ibiza!'

Hearing her name invoked, Ibiza inched closer to the party.

Beside Shelton, Kromhaut marveled at what he beheld. Every instinct at his disposal pointed to a power beyond his, or any of the host of seraphim. The same power that'd saved Justin Brightwing, and gifted him the ability to touch the spirit world had also intervened on behalf of this equine's sister, transforming her soul into a semiotic puzzle about... 'What?' Mayalee asked.

'Ibiza Pushpath did not touch this eagle... I did.'

'What do you mean?'

'Mayalee, Justin's clairvoyance is gifted courtesy of myself, and my brother, and even Glorafin. Our collected touch is upon his spirit.'

'Okay... how?'

Kromhaut sipped the drink in Mayalee's hand as Justin's game was concluded. "Nice game!" Allomere chimed. Justin bowed graciously, "Thank you!"

Justin stepped down as another avian hopped up onto the platform. The panoramic monitor flickered to life once again as the game commenced. Allomere's eyes lingered longingly upon Justin's great form as he watched the other player. Mayalee silently teased him, 'Careful, he'll think you want to take him home!'

'Oh, but I do.'

Kromhaut grasped Allo's collar and led him away, "Our work is done," he announced, while Allomere looked back at Justin, "Do you think we could stay a while?"

"No," Kromhaut chuffed.

Crestfallen, Allomere followed along after Mayalee as Kromhaut led the way to the outside terrace, "Did you see the equine?"

Allo blinked, "The grey horse?"

"I suppose you were too enraptured with the former princess to pay attention to the other historical figure."

"Okay, who was it?"

"You may ask Mayalee," Kromhaut replied, "After I have departed." And with that, he was gone.

Mayalee shook her head, then confessed who the pony was. "Her grandfather!" Allomere peeped, "Wow, okay... let's go back in!"

"Kromhaut wants us to stay away from Justin Brightwing. He wants zero contact."

Allomere bowed his head, "I hate it when Kromhaut gets like this! Justin needs to know what's happening to him!"

"Let's go home." Mayalee sighed. Allomere groused under his breath as Mayalee climbed atop him, while curious onlookers watched them fly away. Back inside, Shelton tugged upon the strap around Justin's neck, "I'd kind of like to get home, think we could take off?"

Justin looked about the arcade. "I suppose, I think we were out more for the voyage than the destination."

From her unseen vantage point, Ibiza's eyes lingered on Shelton Holden. She felt as though she were looking into a mirror, a dusty and slightly cracked mirror, but a mirror nonetheless. 'What is it about you? Is this what Kromhaut felt when he selected his animal familiar?'

The thought sent a surge of excitement though the dragon. So caught up in exploring all the possible outcomes of selecting Shelton Holden as her animal guide, she'd completely missed the pony's departure. She noted his absence, then hurried outside to glimpse him receding over the treetops, borne aloft by his eagle friend. Ibiza imagined it was she who ferried Shelton across the sky. A fond glimpse into the future revealed that it would indeed be so. With a smile, she slipped back into the arcade to watch the animals while away their time.

***

Mayalee and Allomere arrived back in Brandenburg sometime after dusk. The pair made their way inside the home as Sam and Timothy met them at the door, "Ariadne told us what happened."

"It's like a convergence of historical figures." Mayalee chuffed, collapsing onto her small-sized chair. "And here we thought it was Ibiza meddling with the spirit world! It turns out there's a greater god that nobody knew existed!"

The companions traded glances as the weight of the revelation became felt. Mayalee nervously tugged upon her whiskers, "What should we call them, this one god?"

"I think you've answered your own question," Timothy replied. "Call them 'The One.'"

Mayalee smiled warmly, pleased beyond measure that there was perhaps a greater entity that would make everything alright. Allomere curled up beside the sofa, "I've never experienced anything like that, I mean, aside from the day you two pulled the rug out from under me and told me about dragons and magic!"

Sam smiled, "I'm glad you took the risk and called me, I know what a terrible first impression we made."

Timothy sat down beside his husband, "You guys never really told us about the time you first met, what was it like for you?"

"Me?" Sam chuffed, "There was so much going on back then, I mean, I'd just been arrested for giving battle plans to the Shannonvali."

Mayalee patted his thigh, "Then I had to bust you out."

Timothy went to the refrigerator and helped himself to a fizzy soda drink. "Okay, I want to hear about it."

"Oh, no..." Mayalee breathed. Her demeanor made it clear that she didn't wish to discuss her past. The fox prodded her with his foot, "You always put up a wall and shut me off! I know next to nothing about your early days!"

Sam chortled as he grasped Timothy's wrist. He pulled him down onto his lap, but the fox squirmed in Sam's grip. "Don't try and distract me! I really want to hear your story!"

Mayalee sighed, "Alright."

Sam released Timothy who pecked the lion on his nose. Then, he turned to Mayalee, "Okay. Let's hear it."

The mouse was surprised that her memories of those days had become oddly hazy, but she related her story as best she could. In the stead of her spotty recollection, let us instead travel to the time in question...

The date is now April 7, 2145. The time being sometime after supper. It is dark and cold, and Karl Kuhn wasn't sure if he was still under the influence of Doctor Mosin's drugs. Beside him, the mouse's hand burned like fire. The heat made him feel light-headed, as if he were walking upon a cloud. The lion shook his head, and wondered when he might awaken from this most peculiar dream. He stumbled along, guided by this strange creature that'd plucked him from certain death, whilst a heavy gale blew across the plains. Karl thought he should be lashed by the winds, but he was not.

Detached from his senses, he thought that he should be freezing, but again, he was not. The comfortable warmth from the rodent's hand beat back any chill that might threaten him. Karl's eyes became sleepy as he concentrated on placing one foot in front of the other. Her heat made him feel giddy, 'Oh, how it radiates through me!'

He exhaled in a long and shuddering groan.

"Shhhh..." she whispered, "We're still in danger, you'll need to keep quiet!"

He did as she asked. The pair continued on through the deepening night, but they were not alone. Rosemary Barter followed just behind, her snout curled in a wry smile. 'Kromhaut rescuing condemned animals? I never would have thought he'd allow such an intervention! What wonderful fun!'

As they followed the bank of a nameless creek, the lion noted strange wisps of mist that blew upon the wind. Their appearance was altogether otherworldly, and only fanned the fires of his growing anxiety. 'I'm drugged, Mosin has burdened me with a heavy narcotic! For all I know I am in a coma!'

"I have a stash of food near east fork," She said to him, "We'll soon have something to eat."

"It's quite all right, I am not hungry." He replied, "Though if you please, there is a morsel that would satisfy me, might I inquire... what is your name?"

"Oh, please forgive me, I am Genivee Tin."

Karl bowed to her, "I am pleased to meet you," then, the lion said no more, except to think; 'With each step I take, I move closer to my afterlife.'

"I must assure you that you are not dead." Genivee said, gently squeezing his hand. He smiled blankly at her, 'How can a mouse bend steel bars?'

"I ceased to be a mouse quite a long while ago."

He stopped in his tracks as the mouse continued on. The frigid chill of the night gripped him when their hands parted. Genivee took his hand once more, and Karl shuddered at the warmth of her touch. She smiled up at him as she caressed his hand. "Please forgive me Karl, but in a way, I spoke a half-truth. Though you are not dead, by this time tomorrow, you might become something else that is neither living, nor dead. Does this trouble you?"

His gaze became far away. He shook his head from left to right. "I do not know."

From her hidden vantage point, Rosemary marveled; 'Kromhaut means to make him a servant!'

"Come," she said, tugging upon his tunic, "We must go."

Thus did Karl Kuhn push on into the deepest night he could recall, his companion being a mouse who was not a mouse. She possessed the strength of ten lions. Her body radiated the heat of a bonfire! "Karl, I must warn you that your thoughts are not your own. I may hear them, as clearly as any spoken word. Though I must say, your inner voice possesses fine manners."

"Then you must be aware of the question that weighs first and foremost upon my mind."

"Which question? Of my origin? Or your physical state come the morn?"

He chortled, but was shushed by the mouse. "Be still! A party of soldiers approaches!" Karl tightened his jaw, strained to listen, "I hear nothing."

"Shhhh!" she hissed, "This way!" Genivee pulled him down into a nearby gully and rushed headlong through the woolly thickets. Karl, forced to stoop to keep hold of her hand was swatted in the face by each branch and bramble, "Stop! Our scent is being imparted upon each and every hedge!"

"That is my plan, Karl."

The lion groaned. Finally, Genivee scrambled up the embankment, bodily hauling the one hundred six kilogram Karl as she went. He marveled at her strength, but swallowed when he became aware of their pursuers. Forty or so by his reckoning, all closing on his position! "They've caught our scent!"

For her part, Genivee Tin seemed pleased by the interception. She skipped a short distance away and let cry a menacing grunt that mimicked with stunning realism the utterance of a deadly tuskin beast.

The call was uncanny! Karl's jaw slacked in disbelief as Genivee winked at him. A hundred meters away, the squad of lions paused. A sergeant gestured for his troops to stand fast, whilst Genivee flicked her whiskers. She grunted again, then skipped across the cold hard ground. Her foot falls echoed like the hoofbeats of a creature many times her size. In the dim light of the crescent moon, Karl could clearly discern hoof prints left by her small feet. 'Magic-'

Dizzied, he crouched down, '-but why not simply mask our presence? Why the subterfuge?'

'There is a method to my madness,' she answered within his mind, 'Trust me, Sir Karl.'

Genivee looked through the forest utilizing a wavelength of light that modern animals would call infrared. The bodies of the pursuing soldiers became bright blobs of color, clearly visible within the gloom. She noticed an individual break from the unit to attempt a flanking maneuver. Gennie screamed in the tuskin's voice, sending the trooper back to the (relative) safety of his fellows. Then, Genivee moved to Karl's side and ripped away his uniform tunic! He opened his maw to protest, but shrieked as a fount of blood erupted from her mouth! She shredded the tunic, and splashed it with the blood and gore issuing from her body.

Karl was horrified! He cupped his hand over his mouth as Genivee placed the final touches upon her deception. Then, she let cry one final roar, followed by a lion's screams! Karl realized with horror that it was his own voice that she mimicked!

Bodily she lifted him up and carried him away, her little feet leaving behind cloven hoof prints in the dusty soil. Gennie glanced back at the soldiers as they traded glances with one another. With a smile, Genivee Tin carried the tall lion on through the wood, leaving the soldiers to report on Karl Kuhn's terrible demise.

"Did I die?" Karl asked.

"Quite messily, I should think."

Karl reached down to grasp the mouse, "Please lady, tell me what manner of creature you are."

She paused for a moment, then smiled to him. "I am a wanderer along the morning row, a servant of life."

From his precarious perch on her shoulder, Karl swallowed thoughtfully. 'That is not the answer I expected.'

Not far away, Rosemary rolled her eyes at Genivee's corny impromptu poetry. Genivee suddenly turned her face toward the wraith and spat out a large hunk of flesh which splashed against a nearby tree. Karl looked back at the mess as they continued on, "Was that a bit of my innards?"

"We need to leave as convincing a scene as we can, the Arch Duke will comb these woods come the morn, looking for any and all evidence of your death."

The pair continued on, whilst Rosemary realized that the mouse might hear her thoughts. 'Slippery little rodent.'

Many minutes passed without a word being traded between mouse or lion. Finally, it was Genivee who broke the silence, "Aren't you going to ask me about my revelation?"

"You could simply look into my mind for any thoughts I might harbor."

"No Karl, I said I may hear your thoughts, but only if I look."

He patted her shoulder, "Would you set me down? You've been carrying me for a long long way."

"Not yet."

He sighed, and tried his best to be comfortable whilst cradled within her iron grip. After a time he became aware of the fine mist that trailed them. Looking up, the wind lashed at the crowns of the trees, and yet the white mist behaved as if the night were gentle and still, 'The mist is of the spirit world,' said Genivee's voice.

"Then I have truly died?" Karl asked aloud.

'Very soon, you shall pass from life, but you'll not die.'

Karl again glanced up. He saw patterns in the wind, and looking down, the same patterns in the sand. He read the winds and felt the fields as a new window of perception was opened to him. From her hiding place, Rosemary realized that a dragon meant to appear! She broke cover to chase after the pair, "Please! May I join you!?"

The wind issuing from the spirit world blew with a frightful gust. Rosemary's white dress was lashed about her as the tempest swirled, but to Karl, all was still and fine. Finally, Rosemary retreated into the shadows as the trees hailed the coming of a servant of life. Genivee sighed, then set Karl down as the white mist became alight with spiritual fire.

'He is coming, Karl.'

Karl stretched for a long moment, his back aching from the uncomfortable position. Unsettled, completely out of his depth, Karl Kuhn attempted to explain away this midnight flight through the woods as little more than a hallucination, 'It's the drugs,' thought Karl, smiling down upon Genivee, 'But I'd love to believe that you are real...'

Genivee placed her warm hands on his backside, "How is that?"

"Genivee, in what way do you serve life?" he gestured to the broken land, "If you be a servant, where is the master? How could they visit such hardships upon us?"

The warm orange glow of the mist became even brighter. Genivee bowed her head as a tongue of flame entered the clearing. Karl stumbled back as the fire hung in the air, it's warm orange glow shifting and roiling until a face became discernible within the fire! Karl fell to his knees. His mind attempted to hold fast to what remained of the ordinary world, but that time had now passed.

"This is Ariadne," Genivee said. To Karl, her lips moved in slow motion, and the sound of her voice became circular waves of sound, like ripples upon a pond, slowly drawing near as he regarded the phantasm.

He stepped back in an attempt to compose himself, finally he asked; "Eh? My question stands. How can you be our master, and yet visit such misery upon the world?"

'I am not an animal, Karl,' spoke a gentle voice, 'But a force. It is not by my works that there is misery, but in animal's deeds, but if thou would join with my kind, and help us to understand animal ways, together, we might help to ease the misery that stands strong in the world.'

Karl closed his eyes, then stumbled, his breath coming in short shallow gasps. Genivee stepped forward to steady him, but the lion'd collapsed. He stared up in a most worrisome way, Genivee looked to Ariadne, but the dragon assured her that all was well, 'His spirit wakes, thus did you thrash and roil when father waked you.'

When next he was aware, Karl found himself on his back. Above, Genivee's smiling face came into view, "How do you feel?"

"I... had a dream."

"Life is rather like a dream," she agreed.

"A fire. I dreamed of a fire."

"Yes, Karl, you beheld Ariadne. It was my suggestion that he appear, so that he might become real to you."

"And what is real?"

She touched her foot to his shoulder, "All of it, or maybe none of it."

His head swam and his heart skipped a beat, but he was lucid enough to offer a gentle thought; "For all of my life, I'd thought the only power in this world is an animal who knows what they're doing."

Karl sat up, but seemed unsure of what to do next. Genivee knelt beside him, "For all of my life, Karl, I have felt as a lonely vessel, with no sheltering harbor to confide in," she paused to shyly cup her hand over her nose, "I have only known the sea, and though I've sometimes been run aground, I've seldom met with harm," she touched her hand to his elbow, "Except for the loneliness."

Genivee drew a breath to steady herself, "Now the sea calls to me once again, in the form of a brave and tall lion who's mane crashes at my bow, who's voice fills my sails, and who's eyes give me the will to continue living."

Her lip began to tremble. In her vulnerable state, Karl became aware of just how much this mouse needed him. Without realizing what he was doing, Karl reached out his hand. Genivee slipped her fingers into his waiting palm. He gently squeezed her, "So, along comes a little mouse, who counts spirits of fire as her kin."

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Genivee leaned forward so that Karl might kiss her. When he did, she felt her knees give way, but the lion was there to catch her. A hundred years later, the couple clad themselves in the spartan garb of the first industrial revolution. Karl wore his mane longer, but he still caught his mouse when her knees had occasion to wobble.

Now five hundred years on, Karl and Genivee's love deepened. The second industrial revolution brought with it some measure of prosperity and comfort, but there was always the loneliness.

A thousand years later, Mayalee Mae squeezed her lion's shoulder, "Our first night together feels like it was just yesterday,"

"What a splendid tale!" said a hollow voice. Timothy turned to find the white wraith Rosemary Barter leaning in through the door, "Though I must admit you are the neediest animal I've ever known!"

"Get out of my house!" Mayalee roared. Allomere winced at her outburst, while Sam subtly put himself between the two, "Rosemary, this isn't a good time."

"It's never a good time! You animals need someone who understands what you're going through, and believe me, I know!"

The old mare began to cackle. Mayalee chuffed an annoyed groan, "Is there something you want?"

"I thoroughly enjoyed your tale, Genivee! Perhaps you'd like to hear what I found when I returned to Krieghoff Manor?"

"My name is Mayalee!"

"Well how am I supposed to know what you're calling yourself this week?"

The pair set about arguing, but their raised voices became far away to Sam as a black shadow entered the home. He mistook the entity to be Death, and offered up a friendly salutation. 'Hello. I'm sorry you're seeing us at our worst.'

"Who are you talking to?" Rosemary asked.

In answer, Sam tapped his finger across her nose. "Okay Rosemary, here's your chance to spin a yarn. What did you find at the Duke's home?"

"Karl, don't humor her-" Mayalee angrily paused to correct herself, "I mean, Sam!"

Smiling, the old mare settled down beside the lion. "Well, when I arrived back, this handsome lion was just arriving-" I apologize dear traveler, I do not wish to hear Rosemary's embellished account. As before, let us instead travel to the date in question...

It had been a long and weary day for Sergeant Guinan Volquartsen, the lion'd been out on the moors all day, combing through every last bramble and unturned stone. The lion had recently noted his forty eighth birthday, and his well-worn face was creased by every one of the ten thousand days he'd spent in the field. Volquartsen rode upon a long-legged beast known in these times as a strider. He guided the creature onto the grounds of the former emperor's summer palace, a stately manor now claimed by Neseeruddin's brother-in-law, an ambitious lion who six months ago was counted only among the country gentry, but now...

Volquartsen brought his strider to a halt, then dismounted. A young orderly took the strider's reins and led the beast away while Volquartsen made his way up the wide granite steps. Upon his hip was a burlap sack containing Karl's bloody uniform tunic. Volquartsen strode down the main hall where he was intercepted by an officer, "Do you have the traitor's head?"

"We found no trace of Kuhn, save for an amount of blood and some internal organs."

The officer snarled, and waved Volquartsen along. 'What's the matter?' Guinan thought, 'Not enough evidence for you to claim credit for my work?'

Volquartsen was admitted to a large library where a slender lion conferred with a senior officer. Volquartsen waited near a row of books, attempting to browse the titles while trying to look like he was at attention. Rosemary Barter entered the room and took up a position beside the lion. She eyed the bag on his hip, and figured it was Kuhn's tunic as Guinan got a good look at the lion who might well lead the new republic. Ferdinand looked decent enough. Tall, slight of build with a long muzzle and large, well-placed eyes. He wore only a simple white tunic, his modesty a stark contrast to the extravagance of his exiled brother-in-law.

Finally, Ferdinand gestured to Guinan, "You may begin."

"Let me first be permitted to say, and I'm sure I speak for my lions, how pleased we are, Arch Duke Ferdinand..." Volquartsen crossed the room to stand before the duke's desk, "That you have been appointed to the interim ruling council."

Ferdinand glanced at the sack on Volquartsen's hip, "Unless Karl Kuhn's head is in exceptionally sad shape, I take it he remains at large?"

Volquartsen took the bloody tunic from the sack, "My lions pursued Kuhn and another animal to the edge of the wood. There, Kuhn was beset by a tuskin beast. He screamed, and this tunic was found in a pool of blood. It was in this clearing that Kuhn's footprints ended."

"Oh, Karl Kuhn is very much alive!" Rosemary cawed, her outburst causing Ferdinand's ears to twitch ever so slightly, 'Ah, receptive are we?' Rosemary nickered, while Ferdinand's staff officer, a colonel named Werle stepped near to examine the garment. Ferdinand wrinkled his nose at the sight of the dried blood, "Hmmm..." he said, "You found no trace of him, beyond an amount of blood?"

"A nearby tree was splashed with fresh gore, but no other bodily parts could be found."

Rosemary smiled broadly as she pressed herself to Volquartsen's backside. He felt an odd tingle and a chill, then adjusted his tunic, thinking there must be a draft. As Rosemary Barter eyed the lions from her hidden vantage point, so too was she observed by an unseen entity.

Ferdinand sat back, "I believe your account, Sergeant, but I think it would be prudent to assume Kuhn is still alive, until further supporting evidence of his demise can be found."

"Yes, sir," Volquartsen said, whilst Ferdinand tapped his fingertips together, "You once served with Kuhn, is that correct?"

Sensing where the duke's line of thought was headed, Volquartsen snorted, "Almost every lion in second battalion has served with Kuhn, just as almost every lion has served with me. You do not attain the rank of sergeant, and not become familiar with a great number of troops."

"I see," Ferdinand chuffed, "Very well Sergeant, carry on with your search. Bear in mind that if you find Kuhn's head, I shall promote you to Sergeant-Major. And if you do not..."

The Colonel now spoke up, "If he does not, what?"

Ferdinand realized he'd come across too strongly. Though he was rapidly claiming more and more authority within the fractured realm, it was vital to the self-proclaimed duke that he maintain a good relationship with the Army. He owed his position to lions like Werle and Volquartsen, "If you do not," Ferdinand said, glancing at the soldiers, "I shall be forced to dispatch a letter to the ruling council, and report on Kuhn's escape."

"Kuhn is dead," Volquartsen chuffed, "A lion doesn't scream like that unless he's being ripped apart."

Ferdinand spread his hands, "Then show me the pieces."

Volquartsen glanced at the colonel, but Werle returned him an expectant look. The sergeant bowed to the duke, "I'll bring you his head."

"Thank you Sergeant, and please bear in mind that in my time as a Magistrate, I could never have accepted such circumstantial evidence. Screams in the dark and blood trails are not sufficient proof of death." Volquartsen again bowed, then took his leave. After the sergeant'd departed, Ferdinand turned in his chair, "Do you think he's lying?"

The officer took up the bloodied tunic and inspected it closely. There was a grey hair on the lapel, and the colonel carefully removed it, "This hair matches hairs found at Kuhn's demolished cell."

"Yes?" Ferdinand replied.

"The presence of this hair at least proves that this is Kuhn's tunic." Werle said, then he furrowed his brow. "What is it?" Ferdinand asked.

Werle appeared reluctant to divulge any further information until his investigation was concluded, but he sighed, "The grey hair has tentatively been identified as belonging to a mouse."

"No," Rosemary said, leaning down to whisper in Ferdinand's ear, "Not a mouse, but something far worse!"

"Hmmm..." Ferdinand gruffed, tapping his fingers on the desk, "What if we're supposed to believe it was a mouse? Suppose some other creature pried apart Kuhn's cell?"

"I don't know why they'd wish to disguise the presence of some equine, and I assume that a horse was responsible for demolishing the cell, but there's something else to consider," the colonel stepped toward the bookshelf, "Whatever creature did this, I'd wager they'd possess the strength needed to repel an attacking tuskin."

Ferdinand furiously tapped his fingers on the desk. Werle thought the behavior annoying. "The horses probably don't want any reprisals from us, that's why the subterfuge! One thing remains clear colonel, we must know if Kuhn is dead or alive!"

Werle tapped his finger on a copy of the Book of Imperial Common Law, "I have a forensic team examining Kuhn's cell. I shall dispatch the senior members to the forest come the morn."

Ferdinand nodded, "Thank you, Colonel."

Rosemary circled around the elder officer, "You don't trust him, do you? You feel he's an opportunistic usurper! You know he'd toss out your precious common law the moment it suited him!"

Werle took a few steps toward the door, then turned to face Ferdinand, "My lord, I understand you were the Chief Magistrate of the Toulouse Prefecture."

"Yes?"

"Would you think it lawful to break the law in order to punish an evil witch?"

Rosemary smiled wickedly, whilst the other was taken aback by the question, "Y-yes. Yes I do." Ferdinand rose from his seat for dramatic effect, "I would break every law in Toulon in order to secure the punishment of such an evil doer."

"Then what would you do if the witch turned around to meet you?" Werle asked, as he turned about and set his hand on the door, "With every law in the land cut down, where would you run to for safety?"

"Blast and damn Colonel, what ever are you getting at?"

The colonel himself was taken aback by his outburst. He offered no reply as he departed. Ferdinand stood stunned as the door closed with a firm click.

The duke paced nervously about his library, as Rosemary followed along behind him, mimicking his polished gait. The late afternoon gave way to another chilly and windy eve as the wraith lingered for many more hours in Krieghoff Manor. In his chambers, Ferdinand Brandenburg turned Colonel Werle's words over and over in his mind. He rose from his easy chair to pace the room, his eyes glancing here and there. He paused at a side table where he took up a freshly minted coin that bore his likeness, 'My ownership of this manor is now undisputed. Local currency bears my face! How can Werle suffer this lack of confidence?'

All of a sudden, his head became dizzied. 'Dungheaps!' He cursed, clenching his jaw as an attack of panic befell him. Gone was his mask of cool calculated control. He stumbled to his bedside, hoping to calm himself before his mood could spiral out of control. He cupped his hands over his muzzle and closed his eyes whilst his innards painfully churned. 'One breath in, and one out,' he said to himself, and after a time, he did feel better. He was surprised to find that he'd burrowed beneath his covers. He pressed his lips together, then reached up to extinguish the crude electrical lighting of his bed chamber.

From her hidden vantage point, Rosemary crossed the chamber to stand over the duke's bed. She watched him for some time. As his chamber clock ticked away the minutes, Rosemary's eyes followed the graceful curve of his cheeks. She imagined kissing him. She could almost feel the warmth of his lips, and how she'd likely get those little stray hairs in her mouth after a passionate embrace. She glanced down across his white-furred throat, then lower still... 'Just one minute. If I could have a single moment to feel him inside me, that's all I'd need to feel alive again.'

She sighed, then climbed beneath the lion's bed. She lay there, listening to the duke's wheezy breaths, until his breathing became more rested and steady. She was joined under the bed by the black shadow. Had Rosemary known what lay with her, she'd likely laugh at the absurdity of it.

Back within Sam's flat, the same lurking shadow hovered near Rosemary as the old mare sighed, "I wish I could sleep, what I wouldn't give to have a dream."

"Please..." Mayalee spat, "You're being punished, remember?"

Rosemary looked about the couple's soon-to-be former home, "You had a lovely place here, It's a shame you have to move yet again."

Before his wife could angrily retort, Sam stirred, "I never knew Duke Brandenburg had anxiety issues, that's really interesting."

"If you can even believe a word she says," Mayalee hissed. As a trained councilor, Allomere noted that Rosemary seemed genuinely hurt by the mouse's repeated slights. Sam sent gentle thoughts to his mate, but Mayalee answered them curtly, and aloud, "You can't believe her! She's a master manipulator!"

"I'd better go," Rosemary declared, "I've clearly worn out my welcome."

"Yes, I think you'd better." Mayalee chuffed.

Moved by the wraith's predicament, Allomere offered his wing, "You'd be welcome to stop by our flat."

She waved her hand at him, "Thank you, no. I'm headed north, I wish to look in on Herald and see how he's faring," Rosemary paused to lean over Mayalee's chair, "After you-know-who ejected him from our lives!"

Sam clasped his hand over Mayalee's mouth as Rosemary glanced back at him with undisguised want, "Goodbye."

Head hung, Rosemary passed through the residence's heavy door. After she'd gone, Timothy softly whistled, "That's the longest interaction I've ever had with her."

Mayalee swatted Sam's hand aside, "You wouldn't want it to go on much longer."

"May," Allomere said, "You seem to genuinely dislike her, it's not like you to behave that way. I think Kromhaut's feelings are influencing you too much. It should work the other way around, remember?"

"Let's talk about this late," she retorted, issuing the customary roadblock to an unpleasant discussion. The hawk nodded. "What say we all go to that greasy spoon down by the river?"

Sam glanced at the clock, "No way we'll make it by closing."

Allo glanced at his mate. "We could stay the night, and all go together tomorrow!"

Timothy nodded his agreement. "Okay!" Kromhaut touched Mayalee's mind, silently expressing interest in dining at the Chomp 'n Chew. "Okay!" She chirped, "Indigestion, here we come!"

***

The Stone House

***

About a hundred years before the present modern day, a wheezy equestrian police transport made it's way up the long path to Farmington Manor, the former country home of a prominent Union official. With each bleat of the vehicle's compressor, a white puff of steam issued from beneath it. From the porch, Major George Kesselring snorted his contempt at the equines, "Those fools are going to kill themselves in that thing."

A burly wolf appeared beside the fox to gauge the number of police officers present as the police vehicle came to a stop near the enlisted barracks, "I don't like this."

"Oh, shut up." Kesselring chuffed, "I'll humor these fools and then send them on their way, we have nothing to worry about."

"Do we?" Leftenant Grom retorted, "You forget that while we are a Union Army installation, we are not on Union land! Those horses have jurisdiction here!"

Kesselring looked back at the police animals as several armed equines filed out of the passenger compartment. A shapely equine mare stepped from the cab. She noticed Kesselring and waved to him, then made her way to the main house with a purposeful stride. "That must be Bard, the inspector," Kesselring murmured.

Mary Bard stepped up onto the porch and waved again to the canids. 'Simpleton,' Kesselring thought, 'Why do horses all have to be such ignorant bumpkins?'

Grom stepped away, not wishing to become ensnared in the meeting. However, he was intrigued by the short equine female. Indeed, Mary Bard was a tad short for a police animal. At five foot three, she was certainly the shortest equine Kesselring had ever seen. Hailing from the north, Kesselring cleared his throat to deliver the customary Shannonvali greeting for stressful situations such as these, "Good morning, inspector."

"Hiya! I'm Mary Bard!" she said, arriving at the door where she was admitted by a uniformed soldier. Kesselring bowed graciously, yet his face conveyed great annoyance, "How might I be of service?"

"I take it you've heard about the business?"

"Business, ma'am?"

"The murder," Bard said, her eyes sparkling from beneath her bushy mane, "The gentle animals down at the hospital are quite traumatized, the whole incident was quite bloody from what I understand."

Kesselring chose his words carefully, he knew he faced a calculating police manipulator, 'You don't attain the rank of inspector based solely upon on your down-home charm.'

"Murder has a way of turning out that way," Kesselring replied as he escorted his unwanted guest to the library. Mary Bard wore a light beige shirt with matching pants that blended quite seamlessly with her tawny brown fur, giving her the appearance of being naked in the early morning light. Leftenant Grom imagined himself bending the sturdy looking horse over a chair to find out just how tightly her muscles could clench.

Grom was so absorbed by Mary's curves that he failed to notice an equine officer who'd attached himself to the procession.

Bard suddenly dropped her satchel. She took a few steps before turning to Grom, "Would you pick that up, sweetie?"

With a snort, Grom knelt to pick up the satchel. Whilst distracted, Mary slid Kesselring's revolver from it's holster and passed it smoothly to her fellow officer. Kesselring clasped his hand over the empty holster, a seething glint in his eyes. Mary smiled to him, "So you agree that Leftenant Hausser was murdered?"

"I said nothing of the kind," Kesselring chuffed. He gestured sweepingly to the library entrance, "Please, after you."

Mary's companion suddenly grasped Grom. The horse conducted a rough search of the wolf's person. Satisfied that Grom was unarmed, Officer Angus Greenfield shoved Grom into the library. Mary entered the dimly lit room, followed by an increasingly unsettled George Kesselring. Mary sat down on a dusty sofa. She guessed that animals seldom ventured here to read, and the likeliest use for the room were meetings such as these. Mary took a moment to browse the selection of books as Kesselring sat heavily in a seat. His military kilt revealed quite a lot of his legs, and Mary found herself glancing up the reynard's skirt, "Something wrong, inspector?"

"Nope. Everything appears in order."

He snorted.

"Now, George. May I call you George?"

"You may."

"George, I have to get right down to brass tacks. You're in a lot of trouble. Before Leftenant Hausser died, he was able to tell the doctors down the road everything that happened here."

"This is a military installation," Kesselring said, "You have no jurisdiction here."

Mary dismissed his thought with a wave of her hand. She took a dossier from her satchel and flipped through the pages, as if she were discovering the facts of the case for the very first time. "Now, Leftenant Hausser said that a Mantuan spy who was being interrogated here disclosed the name of one of his local contacts, this animal being one Elizabeth June Stafford."

Leftenant Grom chuffed. Mary winked at him as she continued, "Your animals were dispatched, and before long apprehended one Elizabeth June Stafford."

Mary closed the dossier and tapped it with her fingers, "The only problem was, your personnel nabbed the wrong Elizabeth Stafford."

Kesselring straightened his tunic, then turned his nose up. Mary leveled her gaze at him, "Why did you kill her? Why didn't you just let her go?"

"I have nothing more to say to you."

Mary nodded, "So, you murdered Miss Stafford rather than face the embarrassment of admitting you'd fucked up. Then, when Leftenant Hausser attempted to alert your superiors, you drugged him and placed him in his quarters. Then..." Mary continued, her voice becoming more harsh and booming as she spoke, "You cut his wrists, attempting to make his murder look like a suicide! After leaving him for dead, Hausser climbed from his window and made his way to the nearby hospital where he died."

Leftenant Grom slid along the back wall, attempting to reach the door. "Don't you move!" Angus barked. The wolf went rigid at the stallion's command.

Major Kesselring sneered at Mary, "Madame, this is a top secret intelligence installation. We cannot allow missteps, however tragic, to become public knowledge! And I must remind you yet again that you have no jurisdiction here!"

Mary reached into her dossier, "Here it is, Kesselring! The warrant for your arrest, endorsed by the Army Governor General!"

Kesselring ripped open his tunic, and from an inner pocket withdrew a small pistol. Mary betrayed no emotion as she placed the arrest warrant on a side table. "How many animals are you going to kill, George? How many more deaths will it take to erase all of your fuck-ups?"

Grom tucked his tail between his legs as several intimidating equines quietly entered. One gestured to him and the wolf slipped out of the library and was taken into custody. Then, Mary Bard faced down George Kesselring. "It's time to surrender, George. Put the gun down."

Back within the modern world, Maggie Pumpkin was shaken from her recollection by a motor car's loud backfire. She rushed to a newspaper box to check the date, "Oh, good! It's still October!"

However, it seemed that Maggie'd wandered far afield whilst she'd been asleep. She now found herself along the central trading hub of civic center one, the main thoroughfare joining several animal city-states. Called Market Street in modern times, this boulevard is what remains of the former Union financial district. Oft did Maggie Pumpkin find herself in this neutral land, mostly because it was familiar to her, but also because it harbored none of the painful memories of her home city of Buckley.

But even here amongst the old granite structures and wide city streets, the past echoed and whinnied. 'Bard... that was the name of the family who lived out near Route Forty. How did I end up over there?'

Maggie looked about, recognizing the path she'd unconsciously taken. 'Mary Bard would have walked this very street, on her way to the old Albany Yard.'

Out of curiosity, Maggie followed Market Street to the great roundabout situated at the intersection of Market and Overland. Maggie turned left, moving south along Overland to number twenty two, the former headquarters of New Albany Yard. Fond recollections washed over her as the building came into view. Originally constructed as a fortified factory which printed money and minted coins, the structure'd morphed into several different government headquarters before becoming the home base of New Albany Yard, the preeminent police agency of the Tine Union.

It should come as no surprise that different animals have different skills in which they excel. The horses of Aurora, in particular those hailing from the city of Albany were trusted above all others to engage in law enforcement on account of their trustworthy natures, and honest dispositions. These unassuming rural equines oversaw the greatest police agency the continent of land had ever seen.

Maggie Pumpkin stepped out of her own identity as she recalled Mary Bard's typical morning walk to 22 Overland, all while being quite proud of herself for who she'd been. A passing sedan bleated it's horn and brought Maggie back to reality. "What?" Maggie stood dumbstruck at the foot of the stairs. The great grey structure was now a commercial complex! "The Bank of Calais?"

Maggie rushed up the steps and through the heavy steel-framed doors. She looked about, finding the interior completely changed. Mary's memories, fresh just a moment ago had become hazy and indistinct. "Her name, it should be on a wall here!"

"Hello." Came a voice. Maggie paid it no mind as she looked about in earnest. "Do you need any help, Miss?"

Amongst the crowd of animals waiting in line for a teller, Maggie found a tall equine spirit clad in the uniform tunic of a police sergeant. "Oh," Maggie said, "I used to work here in a past life."

The stallion nodded. "What was your name?"

Maggie declared her former identity, and the spirit became impressed. "I know of Mary Bard! She was a bit before my time, but my instructor spoke fondly of her."

"You... believe me?"

"A spirit cannot lie. I suppose deceit is impossible for ghosts."

"Oh..." Maggie chuffed, genuinely surprised by this bit of news. 'It never occurred to me to want to lie about anything.'

"Your name is inscribed upon the wall. Come, let us look upon the names there." He gesturing for Maggie to follow along. "Much like ourselves, the names of our fellows are hidden from the living animals of these modern times."

Maggie glanced about, feeling suddenly uneasy. "Yeah... the drywall. Shitty thing to do, covering our names."

He nodded and gestured for Maggie to cross through the armored bank windows. (Which in the old days would have been the booking officer's office.) "This way, you may still view them."

The pair made their way behind the bank teller windows. "I believe your name was one of the last to be enshrined here," the sergeant paused, "Oh, my name's Barney McFine."

Maggie smiled warmly, "Hello, Barney."

"Look here, Inspector."

He gestured to the western edge of the wall. Maggie pushed her face through the dry wall, and came face to face with her past. Her eyes moved over the sharply chiseled letters which spoke of personal tragedies and lost husbands and wives who were cut down in the performance of their duties. Then, Maggie found the name Mary Hathaway Bard. "She was real... this is who I was."

She emerged from the wall, pensive and thoughtful. "Barney, I need to find my friend, will you come with me?"

The thought of actually leaving the building seemed to disturb the stallion. He shook his head, "No. I am sorry, I cannot."

Maggie gestured as one might when urging another to continue, "Okay, why?"

"Those trees," he whispered, "They will not shut up!"

"Barney, I know the trees can be annoying, but my friend says that they are in tune with higher dimensions."

"That is precisely why I must remain here!" he hissed, "They inform on me! They tell those animals where I may be found!"

Maggie shook her head, "You're talking crazy!"

Barney did not wish to argue, so he retreated to the far end of the bank. Maggie looked about, wondering what she could possibly say to him, 'Herald was so much better at this.' Maggie smiled when she thought of her friend. Feeling better, she approached the distraught spirit, asked; "Barney, I get a sense that you're really attached to your life as a police sergeant."

"I remember some of the animals I have been," he smiled weakly, "Farmers, metal smiths, plain folk. Becoming a police officer was the single greatest achievement I have ever known." He looked about the bank, "This is the greatest home I have ever known."

A long moment passed between the spirits as Maggie struggled to channel some of Herald's magic. "Barney, I've been a soldier, a poet, and a scientist," she smiled, gazing wistfully to the wall that bore her name, "I've also been a cop, a boxer, and I think I might have been a hooligan, once or twice."

Barney smiled as Maggie drew near, "And you know what? I can't wait to get back out there and see who I can become again! Even though it's gonna be hard, and you never know what'll happen."

Herald might've been proud of his favorite spirit, for Barney now considered what opportunities might lay ahead for him. "Thank you, Maggie."

Were she alive, Maggie might've bit her lip. "Barney, you spoke of 'those animals,'" she unconsciously adopted his antiquated manner of speech, "Who are they?"

"They are the living dead," he replied in a hushed tone, which Maggie could scarcely hear over the commotion of the living animals in the bank. "Never venture to the river Maggie, they will find you!"

She knew she ought not to press him, that his emergence from his shell was tentative at best, but she pushed him. "Barney, what do the trees tell you?"

"Gibberish! Nonsense! They speak of powers within the world, their utterances crafted as riddles meant to confound! I have no patience for them!"

'Shit!' she thought, "Barney, you've got it wrong! The trees are not an enemy!"

The stallion shook his head, now rejecting her words. "The trees are lightning rods for the underworld! They will drag you to hell!"

Maggie hung her head. "Barney, you're suffering here. If you stay here too long, you run the risk of never being able to go back into the world."

He shook his head, wishing he could ignore her, but his respect for Mary Bard was too great. Maggie brightened, "Barney, do you ever see some kind of walkway or path?"

"A stone path? Yes I do."

"Barney," Maggie whispered, "That's the way back into the world. You can go, and find your way back to a new life! You can enjoy all of the things that make life worth living!"

"No," he said flatly.

"I can't find the path," she confessed, "It won't appear to me."

"But... why?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I don't know."

He bowed his head, "I am sorry inspector. You are a good equine, it is not fair that you cannot return to life."

"Maybe you could go on ahead and put in a good word for me?"

He glanced around his former home, as if the hall might offer him guidance. "Will you walk with me, inspector?"

Smiling, Maggie moved into his colorless shadow where her golden light mingled with his. "Come on baby, let's go."

The pair departed the former headquarters and crossed Overland Street. Through the passing cars they walked until they arrived at the edge of the woods. "Go Barney, look for the path, and it will appear for you."

"Thank you, Inspector." He glanced back, smiling weakly. Maggie offered an encouraging boxer's salute, with her fists held at the sides of her muzzle.

Barney nodded, then approached the trees. Suddenly, he was gone. Maggie bowed her head, "Take care, sweetie."

Now it was Maggie who gazed into the forest. Hoping. Praying. After an hour spent in quiet meditation, it became clear the path would not come for her.

She regarded the trees, "Hey! Who are the powers of the world?" She glared at them with as much authority as she could muster, "And no riddles! I want a straight answer!"

An electric thrum moved through the crowns of the trees, 'She has led one to the path! She is become a shepherd, a servant of life!'

From Maggie's perspective, their words were merely a garbled static. She anguished at her inability to decipher their speech, 'I know they can help me!'

Suddenly, a clear and audible voice spoke out. The voice was neither male nor female, but a mixture of both, "Yes, the powers of the world. You must go to them. The path is hidden from your light."

"Yeah, no shit! That's why I need someone's help!" Maggie calmed herself, "So where do I find them? Are they animals? Or gods who masquerade as animals?"

"The house of stone... you must go."

"What? I don't understand!"

"Near the river... in a house of stone... the powers of the world shall gather to feed. You must go there... they will help you."

'Never venture to the river, Maggie. They will find you...' Maggie mulled over Barney's warning, "Feed? What would gods feed on...?" a terrible thought crossed her mind, "They don't feed on spirits, do they? That's terrible!"

"They feed," said the ash tree, "As any animal might."

Were Maggie alive, she'd have scratched the back of her head. "Look, what do you mean by 'powers of the world,' are you talking about gods?"

"You must go there, to the house of stone."

'The trees are spiritual guides...' Maggie's light shimmered thoughtfully as she recalled Herald's words. "Hey tree, why can't I see the path? Is something wrong with me?"

There was a buzzing among the crowns of the trees, and then the ash tree reluctantly answered. "There is a debt owed. Your life was ended too soon."

"What?? What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Sunrise... of the new moon. Go... go to the house of stone... where the river is widest and the black slashes cross it's waters."

Groaning in frustration, Maggie stalked away. "I don't know what you're talking about! What stone house? Are you talking about an old castle? Those are all over in Brandenburg!"

Feeling rather unhappy and more than a little flummoxed, Maggie cast the trees an annoyed glance. "Powers of the world! I hope they're not as irritating as you are!"

She left the woods and wandered back toward Market Street. 'How funny would it be if I've just traded places with Barney? Now I'll haunt that old station, because I don't have anywhere else to go!'

The mare came to the edge of the civic center, to her right was the downtown skyline, but to her left lay the border of Aurora. A black asphalt road cut a swath through a grassy hills as it receded into the distance. Suddenly, Maggie realized what the black slashes were! "Roads, the trees call roads 'black slashes!'"

Another revelation dawned on her. "They must be talking about the Elbe River! I need to look for a stone house situated near a bridge where the river is widest!" she turned about, "Thanks trees! I got it!"

Her confidence renewed, Maggie trotted along the Autoway Four. 'Okay, A4 will cross the river at some point!'

Maggie looked to the sky, 'The Moon is a thin crescent, but I don't know if that's waxing or waning. I don't know when the new moon will be!'

She continued on, 'First things first, I have to find this stone place, then...' She stopped in her tracks, "Wait a sec... Are they talking about the Chomp 'n Chew? Is that the house of stone they're talking about?"

A greasy spoon was hardly a place that Maggie Pumpkin expected to find any gods, but she continued on. 'Those trees wanted me to get there, so I'll just trust them.'

Many hours passed, and still Maggie had not made much progress. 'I'm only at mile marker seven. I need to speed things along!'

Recalling spirits she'd seen flying, Maggie collected her thoughts and willed herself to rise. Nothing happened, "Why does being dead have to be such a pain in the ass!"

She tried again, but it seemed hopeless, "Damn it!"

Maggie stalked up one side of the road and across to the other, fuming and frothing, "Why can't I catch a break! None of this is fair!"

"Miss?" said a deep, sonorous voice.

At first Maggie took the voice to be Herald's. She brightened, looking for her friend, but it was the ghost of a snowy owl who'd spoke. The shadowy outline of the avian spirit settled down beside Maggie as she shyly backed away, "Who are you?"

"I am called Boron, might I be of assistance?"

"Oh, uh.. I dunno. Can you help me learn how to fly?"

The owl cocked his head, "I'm afraid I cannot, for there's nothing to learn, nor to teach. You simply rise."

Maggie was struck by the avian's old-fashioned manner of speech, and she wondered just how long he'd been dead, "I can't."

Again the flyer cocked his head in a most unusual way, "What part of you thinks this way?" He moved to brush her with his wing, which passed through her.

"Look, I'm in a real hurry, can you help me or not?"

The owl smiled, "Meet my gaze, hold fast to my eyes and do not look away!"

Maggie locked eyes with the owl.

"Careful, now! Keep with me! Do not look away!"

"What are we supposed to be doing-" Maggie gasped when she found herself high in the air. The owl smiled broadly at his handiwork, "There! I'd say you've got the hang of things!"

The boxer attempted to grasp hold of the owl, who playfully flew away. "Wait! I need help!"

He offered an offhand reply that Maggie couldn't quite catch, though she suspected he said; 'You've helped yourself!'

She grunted, then carefully extended her shadowy limbs. She remained aloft, (thankfully,) though she had no idea how to proceed. "That owl reminded me of Herald, I wonder if all large birds are like him."

Thinking of her friend, she imagined herself as an avian eagle. To her surprise, she accelerated ahead! "Oh! Yes!"

After an awkward moment, she found herself in control of her motion. Maggie rose up, higher and higher, and as she did her excitement grew! "Okay! There's the river!"

Indeed, the river Elbe was just on the other side of a thick stand of trees. Maggie moved over the waters and set off, tracking it's course until at last she noted a bridge crossing just ahead of a wide area where the river made a sharp westerly turn. 'That's it!'

Maggie set down, and her suspicions were confirmed. The house of stone was the Chomp 'n Chew diner.

The Chomp 'n Chew was an odd restaurant situated near the borders of Brandenburg, Aurora, and the Mid-city District. In what used to be the Capital Corridor. More a cultural institution than a diner, it was one of the few establishments that catered to all manner of animals, although Maggie herself had never frequented the place in life.

With it's river rock walls and bright red sign, the Chomp 'n Chew did look somewhat inviting. 'Okay, I just have to wait here until the day of the new moon.'

Maggie retreated to an out of the way shade tree. 'All I have to do is stay awake, and not zone out.'

And zoning out, of course, is what Maggie promptly did. One thought leading to another, the mare became lost within a spiritual introspection, recalling her first midwinter spent among the dead. Herald had done his best to assuage his friend's grief, and staged an impromptu midwinter party for his circle of spiritual companions. "Now then!" the eagle chirped, dancing about the ghost of a razorback boar recruited into the role of the mythical Hogfather, "Happy Hogwatch everyone! Come and tell the Hogfather what you'd like for Midwinter Day!"

The boar named Barnabas squirmed with embarrassment, as did the gathered spirits present at the awkwardly arranged festivity. "This would all go a lot better if we could get drunk," said Vincent, a reynard fox spirit. Herald waved his wing, "Nonsense! My parties are quite well lubricated without the need for alcohol!"

Maggie chortled as Barnabas threw his arms up and declined any further role play. "Very well!" cawed Herald, "It is up to me to be your Hogfather!"

Indulging the eagle, Maggie sat down beside him. "Yes little girl! What can the Hogfather do for you?"

"Okay!" Maggie said, getting into the spirit of Herald's party despite herself, "I'd like to know something about you! What did you do when you were alive?"

"Well, I was a ship's captain, and a mariner." He shook his head as his own past returned to the fore, "Though mostly, I busied myself making bad decisions."

"What?" the gathered spirits gasped, "What bad decisions?"

The eagle furled his wings, while all around him a thick and encompassing fog descended, "My friends, let us not dwell upon unhappy memories, we're having a party, remember?"

Herald's words became far away as one by one, Maggie's friends vanished into the fog, "Herald! Where are you!?"

Maggie rushed this way and that, searching for the ghosts present just a moment before. A strong wind blew from the north, and Maggie reeled when the gust blew across her hollow form. Then, Maggie found herself before the diner. The entrance beneath the red sign was wreathed in mist, the likes of which Maggie had never before seen, 'Oh, my....' she breathed, attempting to recall Herald's discussions on the matter. 'These kinds of vortices are supposed to be windows into the spirit world.'

Finding out that there were ghosts was bad enough, (aside from becoming one) but the realization of unsettling phenomena issuing from the spirit world was quite another matter. Tree spirits were altogether bizarre, as was the strange lightning and etherial mist. It was such that everyday places, like the entrance to this diner could become scary places. Maggie stole herself to approach the white vortex swirling at the doors. The tempest seemed to repel her, as if she were a living animal trapped in the open during a tornado! Maggie marveled at being physically touched, to actually feel wind upon her shadowy body... 'This wind is from the spirit world, that's why I can feel it.'

Maggie braced herself against the gale, "I have to get in there! Please!"

It was hopeless. The storm permitted no entry. 'Wait a minute...'

She turned to glance down the long exterior wall, then moved away from the vortex to a more quiet corner of the building. 'I'll just slip in right here.'

The storm seemed to sense what she was up to, and it gave chase. With an odd sense of surface tension, Maggie pushed her way through the rock wall and into the kitchen area of the diner. The animals within were wreathed in mist. Maggie wondered what they would think if they knew what surrounded them. The white vapor penetrated the wall and moved toward Maggie. She shied away, passing through the kitchen wall and into the dining room.

And then she saw them. Four animals, wreathed in flame, a blinding golden light issuing from their eyes. The spiritual vapor swirled and danced about them, as if each of the strangers was the eye of a powerful hurricane. One of the animals, a diminutive avian, turned to regard Maggie. There was a force which penetrated her... joined with her... and it knew. It knew all of her most intimate secrets. Maggie could do nothing except surrender to the burning fingers of light that gently kissed her.

"Please!" Maggie gasped, "I'm sorry if I did something wrong. I need your help..."

"Spirit, take the high path up," came a stern, sonorous voice, "The trees will show you the way."

"Please..." Maggie whispered, "I've never seen any path, I can't find it."

The hawk stepped away from the stranger's table, and was joined by a tall reynard fox, his face partially obscured by the swirling mist and glowing golden flames. "The high mountain path," said the stranger, "That is the path that has been prepared for you."

Then a small animal leapt from the table, followed by a great and tall feline. Maggie attempted to speak, to call after them, but her voice failed her.

And then they were gone. The swirling mist lifted, and the restaurant became normal and mundane again. Maggie shook with startled surprise as she caught sight of the strangers through the front bay windows. The lanky fox climbed atop the avian hawk, then the pair made an awkward departure, leaving Maggie looking after them. Another of the strangers, a small and delicate mouse looked back at Maggie, her burning eyes radiating a kind of uncanny majesty that humbled the boxer. Then the mouse turned away and departed, leaving the mortal animals of the diner to wonder if the strangers had been there at all.

"Wait!" Maggie cried, her voice now restored, "Can't you help me!?"

There was no indication that the mouse had heard her, and Maggie sputtered a curse as she moved outside to see if she could note in which direction the strangers went. The fox had taken to the skies aboard the hawk, while it appeared the mouse had departed in an automobile, accompanied by the tall feline, possibly a lion.

Maggie marveled at the novelty of a ghost being startled by another ghost, 'Ghosts don't get into cars, those were living animals.'

Maggie stole herself and again used all her powers of will to become airborne. Quickly now, she followed after the black motor car as it sped along the motorway. The sedan stopped at a traffic signal. Maggie hovered above, hoping that she'd chose the correct vehicle. With a bit of flailing, Maggie descended to verify the occupants. Inside, the little mouse turned toward Maggie. The fire within her eyes became stilled, and the flames issuing from her shoulders winked away.

Maggie waved awkwardly, then followed along as the car got going again. The occupants each traded glances at Maggie as she followed them across town. Maggie wasn't sure what she was going to do once they reached their destination, but she was desperate to find out more about them, 'I just want to know who you are.'

"My name is Mayalee Mae," a gentle female voice answered. Maggie shook with surprise, "Oh! Hello! My name's Maggie!"

"Why do you linger, Maggie? Did Herald not help you find your way?"

"Oh, um... you know Herald?"

"It is not healthy to linger Maggie, won't you walk the path toward reincarnation?"

"That's why I wanted to talk with you! I can't find the way."

A male voice responded this time, "Maggie, that's not possible. The path is visible to all, you just need to look."

"I can't find it..." Maggie wailed, as the male voice did his best to comfort her, "Trust the trees Maggie, let them help you."

"They didn't do anything except tell me to come and find you!" Maggie cried, her voice becoming shrill and desperate, "Please! I need help!"

Unbeknownst to the frightened spirit, Mayalee and her companion received a stern commandment from on high, "Leave her be!" Kromhaut rumbled, "She'll need to sort her problem on her own!"

Maggie's heart sank when the car slowly accelerated away, leaving her anguished and wondering just who those animals really were. 'They knew Herald... how?'

The equine spirit hovered near the crowns of the trees as they spoke of supernatural aeons and praised the lord of all life. Maggie looked to them with a curious glance, "Do you know what's going on here? How could those animals be on fire? How do they know Herald?"

As always, the trees provided no useful answers. They could only chant in their electric voices, and carry on about light and life.

"Light..." Maggie said, recalling the etherial radiance of the stranger's eyes. "They knew Herald. Herald said he was going to Shannonvale, so that's where I'm going."

***

The City of New Albany

***

An early October morning dawned bright and clear. Animals cast their eyes skyward to inhale the deep fall fragrance drifting down from the great forest. In this time of year the sun took on a large orange demeanor which cast a glorious fall glow upon the land. The metro rail station which straddled the borders of Aurora and Brandenburg was packed with animals as they rushed off to some errand or short working shift. Most were equines, some were foxes, but all shared the same desire. To travel north.

You might find the scene here familiar, with it's long passenger platform and the sounds of shunting trains ringing and rumbling. Maggie Pumpkin found that there were almost as many spirits wishing to escape the doldrums of the mid city area to travel north, where the land was lush and beautiful.

Maggie boarded an early train for Shannonvale and settled onto a deeply padded seat. Animal spirits shuffled past her, most being large cats and lion folk. Some cast her quizzical glances, most likely wondering what business this newcomer had in their territory. She watched her fellow ghosts file past, none caring to take the seat next to her. Then a whistle blew, and an announcement was made that the train would be departing.

A dark shadow passed across the large windows, momentarily dimming the bright glorious sunlight. Maggie sat upright, thinking the phenomena unsettling.

Maggie glanced about, then gazed out the window as the train lurched forward and began to move. Bound first for Avalon, the beautiful coastal realm of the wolves, Maggie's detour through the outlying regions would not take long. 'It's hard to believe this trip is only an hour. In my day you'd have been on this train all morning.'

Quickly now, the train called The City of New Albany made it's way through the early morning sunshine and down to the sea. The sunrise poured it's impossibly rich golden light across the waters. Maggie sighed at the beauty she beheld, 'The world is so beautiful, I could spend eternity just sitting right here.'

In the distance, the protected forest was shadowed in the folds of the brooding stone mountains, while ahead a rainbow was set against iron-colored clouds. An old equine spirit sat opposite Maggie, her nose in a living animal's book.

"Look..." Maggie said, pointing out of the window to the glorious rainbow. "Oh!" the elder mare cried, "How lovely!"

The pair admired the sunrise for a moment, then Maggie introduced herself. The mare smiled a greeting, "I'm Rosemary," said the elder as she crossed the aisle to sit down beside the younger mare. "Okay sweetie, I ain't seen you around before. What's your story?"

Maggie smiled at the elder's heavy midland drawl. "Oh, I'm on my way to Shannonvale."

"Well, that's good you gotta destination in mind," she nodded to punctuate what she'd just said, "Me, I just let the wheels move underneath me."

Beside Rosemary, Death thrilled at being reunited with the boxer Maggie Pumpkin, but as she relived Maggie's recent exploits, a stunning realization dawned on the specter, 'These horses once shared a profound bond of kinship, and now across the centuries, they find themselves together again!'

Not accustomed to casual conversation, Maggie fell silent as she struggled to think of something to say. Rosemary turned back to the animal with the book, but chuffed when he'd turned ahead several pages. "Ah well, I've read that one anyway."

Maggie again felt charmed by the elder's colorful drawl, it was a dialect of speech she imagined horses using a long long time ago. "Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well shoot girl, if I minded, I wouldn't be talkin' with ya!" Maggie shyly smiled as the elder continued, "I'm from Thistledown, up north there," she pointed her finger in an sweeping upward motion, Maggie couldn't help but chortle.

"Okay girl, now you gotta tell me something. Tell your dear 'ol Auntie Rosemary what's been troubling you."

"Am I that obvious?"

Rosemary waved her hand impatiently, "C'mon girl! Spill the cider!"

Maggie bowed her head, "I... I can't find the path. It won't appear to me."

Death leaned forward with interest as Rosemary crossed her arms, "That damn thing is a stupid contraption! It's just about the closest thing to a serve yourself afterlife that I ever did see!"

"Rosemary, do you know what's happening? Why can't I find it?"

Death whispered in Rosemary's ear; 'Assure her that she is worthy of rebirth.'

"Well girl, first thing you gotta get outta yer head is the idea that you're not worth being born again! That's just silly!"

Astonished, Death leaned back in her seat. 'I have influenced an animal!' (Though she suspected that Rosemary was simply on the same page as she.)

Maggie nodded as the strange old mare continued, "And I don't approve of how Kromhaut's been handling things! No siree! Letting spirits just fend for themselves!"

As the mare rambled on, Maggie noticed a gradual change in her over-the-top midland drawl. Less down home than a moment ago, Rosemary could now pass for a scholarly northerner, "Then there's Herald Kirsten! He concerns himself more with erasing his past than he does with helping animals!"

"Wait!" Maggie barked, "You know Herald!? I'll have you know he's been nothing but kind and compassionate to me! He's the most selfless animal I've ever seen, so don't you go and badmouth him!"

"You are a loyal friend," Rosemary said in proper high common.

Maggie snorted, "Just who the fuck are you?"

"Have you spoken to any trees?" Rosemary asked, her demeanor suddenly cagey and shifty. Maggie was caught off guard, but she sputtered in the affirmative. "What did they tell you, dear?"

This question confused Maggie, "Uh, well... nothing useful. They sent me to these four strangers-" Rosemary waved her hand, "Nevermind them! Did the trees say anything about how you can become alive again?"

"Uh..." Maggie stammered, "They said something about a debt, and that I died too soon."

"Do you owe the debt, or are you entitled to a payment?"

"They... they said I was owed, but what the fuck does that mean?"

"It means exactly what is implied, somewhere along the way you've acquired some karma. By mentioning that you'd died too soon, the tree was hinting that you could appeal to either the lord of all life, or the goddess of the underworld, and request to be sent back into the world."

Maggie was stunned, "As myself?"

Rosemary nodded, "That's probably why the path is hidden from you, you are expected to be remade, and not reincarnated."

"But... Herald didn't say anything about that!"

"That's because he's a fool," Rosemary said with a smirk, "Oh, pardon me, I seem to have badmouthed him."

Maggie hung her head, "I had no idea...."

"Hmph," the elder chuffed, "I would have made a better spiritual guide than that sailor, and I don't have near as much bad karma!" Rosemary leaned back in her chair, and for the first time Maggie realized that Rosemary was like Herald, "You're alive. You're a living animal."

"Stuck in the same dimension as you," replied the wraith.

The boxer straightened in her seat as she absorbed all that had been told. Maggie took some comfort in the knowledge that a spirit cannot lie, but as she glanced at Rosemary she realized with horror that Rosemary was not a spirit. Lost, desperate, Maggie decided that a lie would be better than no information at all, "Can you tell me about these lords of life?"

Rosemary leaned in close, as if she didn't wish any other spirits to hear, "I'll tell you something even better, see that blonde mare in the next car?"

Maggie looked through the glass door at the rear of the car and unconsciously squinted her eyes, as if the gesture would help her see better, "The mare in the tan-colored coat?"

"Ayep, that one can hear us ghosts," Rosemary said, slipping back into her country bumpkin persona, "Now go and talk to her girl! Go and see what she might be able to do for ya!"

Maggie realized that it would indeed be handy to have a living animal to talk to. Rising, she cast Rosemary a sideways glance before making her way through the car. At the last moment, Rosemary called after her, "Remember girl, get yourself remade!"

The boxer waved the wraith's words away as she passed into the next car. There she found a pretty equine mare seated in a secluded handicapped area. Maggie moved to sit down near the blind equine's red walking stick. "You must be blind."

"Do all dead animals have such keen powers of observation?"

"Hmph," Maggie chuffed, "How did you know I was dead? I don't think I sound any different than someone who's alive."

The blind mare turned away from Maggie to press her nose against the cool window, where she gazed sightlessly at the passing countryside.

"Hey," Maggie gruffed, "How can you tell that I'm dead?"

"It's your voice. You may not hear it, but there's a tinny mechanical sound to your voice, like you're a long distance phone call." The blind mare turned her sightless white eyes upon Maggie, and for an instant the boxer flinched, fearing a golden flame might issue forth, "So, what do you want?"

"Want?"

"You're going to ask for something. What is it? Want me to contact some living relative of yours?"

"Oh, it's nothing like that! That weird old mare in the other car said I should come talk to you."

"Do you always listen to wise-ass strangers?"

The blind mare put her nose back against the glass and closed her eyes. She seemed to settle down for a nap, leaving Maggie worried that she'd failed to connect with the mare. As she waited, Maggie mulled over Rosemary's words. 'The idea of a path really is a dumb idea. It's ambiguous, and what about animals like me who can't find it?'

What's more, Maggie wondered why Herald never mentioned the four strangers. 'The trees knew about them, so Herald had to know...'

Maggie thought of the callous way they'd dismissed her in the diner, and how the mouse had left her along the side of the road. 'Maybe Herald was right not to mention them, they're just a bunch of assholes.'

"So what's your name?" The blind mare asked.

"Oh, I'm Maggie Pumpkin."

"Pumpkin?" the mare said through her bushy mane, "That's a cute name, you come from a farming family?"

"No, I come from a line of equestrian infantry fighters. My original family name was Balin, but an ancestor changed it to Pumpkin."

"My name's Shelly, Shelly Holden," she pressed her nose back against the window, "Beats me what a 'Holden' does."

Maggie smiled, then struggled to think of something intelligent to say, "So, where you headed?"

"Okay, so why Pumpkin? If your ancestor wasn't a farmer?"

Sensing the pair's burgeoning inter-dimensional girl talk was advancing to the next level, Maggie desperately tried to seem engaging, "I dunno, maybe my ancestor liked pumpkins?"

Shelly smiled, "So, where are you going? Just passing time?"

"I'm looking for a friend. He said he might be retiring to Shannonvale, and I need to find him."

"I'm off that way myself, starting a new job."

Maggie's form shimmered. "I remember working a job. It's funny, I'd almost give anything to go back to one."

"Why don't you try and go back to being alive?"

The memory of the trees returned to Maggie, with their cryptic message of a debt, and then Rosemary! Was there really someone somewhere keeping score of an animal's karma? "That's my plan, but I'd rather bypass the whole childhood ordeal if I can."

"You mean you want to try and have skin put back over your ghost?"

Maggie nickered, "Aren't we all just ghosts driving meat-covered skeletons?"

Shelly gently nodded. She wore a sad melancholy smile that concerned Maggie, but the poor boxer had no idea how to ask if she was alright. The pair settled into a (somewhat) comfortable silence as the conductor moved through the car checking tickets and seeing to other safety concerns. Maggie knew that it was best to stay quiet until they got going again so Shelly didn't come off as a loon, talking to someone who wasn't there.

'That's what I am right now.' Maggie thought, 'A non-entity.'

Out of curiosity, and a desire for more information, Maggie moved to the rear of the car to peer through the window. Rosemary was nowhere to be found. With an annoyed chuff, Maggie moved back to Shelly's side. "Shelly, how come you can hear me? Are you psychic?"

Shelly cupped her hand over her mouth, "I've always been able to hear spirits. One of my early childhood friends turned out to be a ghost. Spirits are just something I've always been attuned to."

"Wow..." Maggie replied. "Don't they bother you?"

"Sometimes." Shelly said tightly. Maggie bowed her head. "Um, you want me to leave you alone?"

"No Maggie, I'd love to have you stay with me for as long as you can."

Maggie smiled warmly, then she remembered Shelly couldn't see her. "Uh, thanks Shelly."

The train rolled into a station. There was a murmur of voices amongst the ghosts as many of them disembarked. Maggie glanced back to find the odd shadow darkening the rear passenger car. 'What the fuck is that?'

She turned back to Shelly to find the mare with her nose pressed back against the glass. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be napping. Maggie felt better about being left alone this time, though she still irrationally feared that Shelly might've become bored with her. "I saw something really unusual yesterday morning, and then the trees started piping up! Never heard them so talkative."

A gruff looking stallion shuffled over to the handicapped area and plopped down across from Shelly. Maggie frowned at the interruption, then bid Shelly a good trip. Shelly nodded with a smile. Maggie couldn't recall ever having such a nice conversation with someone. It surprised her that she felt a warm ache of friendship for the blind mare. She was pretty, and almost the same color that Maggie remembered being in life. Her long mane was worn low over her muzzle, partially obscuring her cloudy white eyes.

"You have a pretty pink nose." Maggie heard herself saying. Shelly shyly smiled as the train shunted for a moment and then began to roll. Maggie settled back and wished that she could feel the soothing rhythm of the wheels from beneath the floor as the train began it's voyage north.

Once the train passed the far northern edge of Avalon, it turned east and moved inland. The wide rolling hills of Avalon gave way to the dense forests of Shannonvale. These pristine, untresspassed valleys are jealously guarded by the wild beasts who dwell there, but along the railroad the forest is more tame. Here and there are the cottages and homes of rugged animals who's profession it is to maintain the long network of rail line.

Maggie watched the scenery pass by, and she wondered what it would be like to live such a solitary life, 'It would be just like what I deal with. You may as well be dead.'

The train's brakes squealed. The coach lurched from side to side as the train rumbled to a stop. Maggie glanced at the clock and noted that it'd only been forty five minutes since they left Albany. The gruff equine seated near Shelly hauled himself up and shuffled to the door. Shelly breathed a sigh of relief in his wake.

"He stank, didn't he?" Maggie asked.

"Yep."

The train resumed it's voyage, and as Maggie looked on a tall slender avian moved through the coach checking animal's passports. He appeared beside Shelly and gently clacked his mandible, "Passport?"

Shelly lifted her pocket flap to present her Shannonvali guest worker's visa. "Thank you Miss," he said, and moved on.

"Next stop is mine," Shelly said. Maggie chimed back, "Are you going to have to take the train every day?"

"My commute takes less time than some animals who have to fight their way through downtown traffic."

"Okay, well... take care of yourself Shelly."

The train again prepared to stop. Shelly smiled gently. "Bye, Maggie."

Shelly got to her feet and made several loud clicks, then made for the door, "I'll be in this car every day, if you ever want someone to talk to."

"Thanks," Maggie replied in a small voice.

Shelly turned to go, as Maggie leapt from her seat. "Well, I don't exactly know where my friend is, so I may as well start at the very southern part and work my way north!"

Shelly nodded with a smile, "Okay!" then she wiggled her ears; "You know, if you don't mind, you could make excellent eyes for me. Just let me know if I'm about to walk into something."

"Certainly!" Maggie chimed, pleased to be of help to someone. "Just bear left, the walkway is about to curve 'round."

"Thanks Maggie, and I'm looking for bus twenty two."

"Turn right in fifteen steps, I see it just ahead."

Shelly did as Maggie instructed, then grunted as she bumped into a fire plug. "Oh! Sorry!" Maggie squeaked, "I was looking at the bus."

"No problem," Shelly replied, "I'd say we're doing fairly well so far."

Actually, Shelly's desire for aid was not needed. After a quarter century of blindness, Shelly's visual cortex had become quite adept at taking information from her primary auditory cortex, and repurposing the signals to create a three dimensional image of her surroundings. Using her lips to create a sharp clicking sound, Shelly routinely utilized a type of echolocation to navigate her surroundings. It was quite remarkable really, although Shelly could still find herself in trouble if she wasn't careful. Maggie fell in beside Shelly to provide a running commentary of what lay just ahead. Shelly was pleased that Maggie seemed to have found a renewed sense of purpose, for as long as it would last, anyway. Soon the females were on the bus and headed toward the high hills, "I'm going to be working for an eagle family. They need a clean-up animal because eagles don't have hands like us mammals."

"But you're blind," Maggie said.

"Oh, I do okay," Shelly replied, "If you have some time, I could really use your help learning the layout of their house."

"Oh, ummm... okay."

"It's okay if you want to go and find your friend."

"No, it's okay." Maggie said, "I'll stay with you."

"What happened, anyway?"

"Pardon?"

"You said something weird happened yesterday morning," Shelly said, careful to avoid looking like she was talking to herself, "What was it?"

"I'm not sure," Maggie replied with a far away tone, "I saw some animals, living animals, who looked like they were on fire. Only, it was ghost fire, something from the spirit world."

Shelly felt oddly disturbed by the mental image. Maggie herself would have shivered if she'd been alive, "Gods, I didn't know what they were. I wanted to be afraid, but something inside me wanted to be with them. I wanted to get lost in those eyes," Maggie looked down upon the light shimmering within her chest, "It's the same light!"

"Pardon?" Shelly asked in a hushed voice. "My light! It's the same sort of light the strangers had shining out of their eyes! Those animal's spirits were shining out of their eyes!"

"They do say the eyes are the window to the soul," Shelly offered. Maggie marveled at the discovery, "These strangers, they knew Herald! They must be working with him somehow!"

"Herald?" Shelly peeped. As Maggie attempted to reply, her vision became far away as she settled into another trance. Maggie's mind beheld the image of a wide rocky vista as Shelly awaited a reply, "Maggie?"

"Look!" called Henry Granger, his vigorous pointing over Isadora Ironwing's shoulder placing him in real jeopardy, "Look at the regression in that sedimentary basin! There's got to be artifacts in that rock!"

Isadora adjusted her attitude, hoping to correct her partner's hazardous lean, "Careful doctor, if you pitch off, I don't think I could catch you with all the gear I'm carrying!"

Henry patted his friend's neck, "Yes Miss Isadora, you're doing very well. Now, let's set down near the stream!"

The sun was warm, very warm for an early march day, but that's what the badlands had to offer. The rainy season had just ended, and there were many streams still meandering through the great sandstone canyons. I believe the time is one hundred and seventy years from the present modern day.

"Oh," Henry chuffed, noting his friend's speedy descent, "Can you land well enough?"

Henry was answered by the tremendous muscles of Isadora's shoulder as the great golden eagle spread her wings and flared her tail. Their descent was slowed by half as Isadora nimbly set down despite carrying a hundred pounds of gear, (plus a small pony.) Henry felt humbled, and for a moment his heart ached with desire.

Henry slid from Isadora. Squinting up at her, he dusted himself off; "Yes, well... very good."

"Doctor, could you unfasten the straps? They've become exceedingly uncomfortable."

Isadora folded her long legs beneath her torso as Henry went to work, pulling off tool kits, reference manuals, and other items pertaining to geology. "Isadora, I don't believe you've properly explained your interest in paleontology. It's not a common avian interest, how did you come to find yourself here?"

"Well, what draws any animal to a specific discipline?"

"A very good answer!" Henry replied with a stubby finger directed at her face, "Now pay attention! I'm trying to save you from a life of poverty and frustration!"

Isadora smiled, "I'm afraid it's too late."

Henry shrugged, "Aye lassie, I suppose it's too late for me as well."

"What drew you to geology, doctor?"

A gesture from the pony brought Isadora's eyes to the distant hillside, "When I first laid eyes on a Titan's skeleton, I was lost. To think that creatures such as those once walked Elysium, I knew that I'd never be happy unless I followed their footsteps, wherever they may lead."

Isadora shivered, her feathered crest rousing in a thoughtful poof, "Aye doctor, that's my feeling as well..."

"Maggie," Shelly hissed as the driver announced Ayre Street, "Maggie, I have to go!"

There was no reply from her invisible friend, and so Shelly departed the coach with a heavy heart, 'I should have known she wouldn't be reliable.'

Sometime later, Maggie Pumpkin woke from her trance. The afternoon shadows were long, and Maggie realized with horror that many hours had passed since she last spoke with Shelly. The coach accelerated from it's parking area, and meandered along a picturesque hilltop road. Maggie thought to leap from the coach, but hesitated, 'Shelly may be back this way, I'll just wait.'

Sure enough, Shelly Holden re-boarded the coach as Maggie cried out a greeting. Shelly offered a half-hearted wave, then settled down for the ride home. "How was your day?" Maggie asked.

"The eagle family was very nice. I think there's a ghost living there, but I can't be sure."

"Really?"

Shelly nodded, but said no more. Maggie fretted that she'd upset Shelly by losing her sense of time, and she apologized for her episode.

"It's okay," Shelly sighed, "It seems like all the bad spirits hang on to me, while the ones I do want around always disappear for days or weeks on end."

"Bad spirits?" Maggie asked, her tone full of concern. "Yeah," Shelly replied, "I'm being bothered by this ghost named Clint Trickett."

Maggie pressed her new friend for details, but Shelly seemed to not want to talk about it, "Aren't you getting off?" Shelly asked, "To look for your friend?"

"I'd say I found one," Maggie replied, her voice warm and thoughtful.

The voyage back to Albany went much faster, on account of a direct train that bypassed Avalon and made straight for the Mid City area. The only thing that bolloxed it was the dozen stops the train made traversing the city center.

"What about getting off the train in mid city?" Maggie asked, "Then hop onto the Underground for a direct line to Aurora, and Albany?"

"Underground's been shut down for six or seven years now."

"Really?" Maggie gasped, "How come?"

"The individual states couldn't hash out a deal to share expenses for it's upkeep, so the whole thing was abandoned."

"That's why the train is so crowded," Maggie breathed, "Wow, I feel like I've been on the moon."

"What do you do during the days?" Shelly asked, as a passing animal noted the mare's question, then looked about to see if she was addressing him.

"I mostly just walk around. I used to go to my old gym, but now it's torn down. They had one of my portraits on the wall there, and I liked to look at it to help remember what I used to look like."

"You can't look in a mirror?"

The canid male seated across from Shelly was becoming concerned for the blind equine as Maggie, caught up in her chat, had completely failed to notice, "A ghost doesn't have any sort of reflection. I can't look in a mirror, or into water and see myself. All I can do is look down upon my body, or I can see the sides of my muzzle if I concentrate. But I haven't seen my own face for a long long time now."

Maggie sighed, "I'm going to miss Golden Gloves."

Maggie's name... and now the mention of this gymnasium... the clues finally fell into place for Shelly, "You're Maggie Pumpkin, the boxer."

"Miss?" Said a voice, "Are you okay?"

"Pardon?" Shelly asked, her ears swiveling about like radar dishes. "Do you need me to call someone?" Asked the male. Shelly shook her head, "No, just leave me alone. I was practicing for a dramatic play I'm doing."

"Oh..." the canid breathed, obviously relieved, "Very well."

Maggie would have whistled if she had lips, "Nice thinking, and yes! I'm Maggie Pumpkin! Do you know my boxing?"

Shelly gently nodded. Maggie understood that they had to quiet down for a time, she glanced over at the clock, "It's six thirty, Shelly."

Shelly again nodded to acknowledge the boxer. Maggie breathed a happy sigh, "I'm glad to be your eyes Shelly, I promise I'll try and be there for you." Shelly risked another utterance, "My dad's going to flip his lid when he finds out I'm bringing you home, you were his favorite growing up!"

'Home...' Maggie thought, 'I'm going home...'

To the north, Justin Brightwing soared upon the winds that blew each evening before sunset, "Dad! Where are you!?"

"Here!" came Tristan's voice, "Near Loraline peak!"

Justin set down on the craggy landmark and roused his feathers, "Wasn't Shelton's sister wonderful?"

"Hmm," Tristan replied, "Yes, she was."

"I think it'll be good for mom to have a helper like Shelly."

"Justin, I swear that every time I spoke to you..." Justin bobbed his head to invite his father to continue, "I feel like she could hear me, Justin. It was unnerving."

"Dad! If she can hear you, then maybe my ability isn't all that uncommon! Maybe lots of animals can hear ghosts-" Justin caught himself, "Er, spirits."

"That's what I am," Tristan said ruefully, "I'm a ghost, haunting your mother."

"Dad, don't say that!"

"Justin, It's very hard to continue on like this."

"Aw, stop being so fatalistic..."

"Justin, things became fatalistic when I had my heart attack! You should let me go, son."

"Dad, let's just start again tomorrow. Let's see if Shelly really can hear you. It might open some kind of door or something."

"You really ought to get home son, this is a school night."

"Dad, I really think we should talk about this. I don't want to leave you while you're upset."

"Your mother is probably cooking dinner, you should go and stop arguing with me."

Justin laughed, "Dad, do you know how hilarious this is? I'm being nagged from beyond the grave!"

Tristan chortled, "Still and all, you should get home. Elly might start to worry, it has only been a few months since your accident."

"You sound like you're not coming back with me."

Tristan was silent for a time, the only sounds being the swaying of the trees as they leaned over the eagles and listened. "Justin, it hurts more and more to see your mother. Sometimes I can't bear it, I miss her so badly."

"Dad, we should tell mom and Ashley about you. We should tell them you're still with us."

"Justin, I... no. They'd think you'd gone mental."

"Not if Shelly can vouch for you!"

"Then they'd think you're both playing some sick game! I'm sorry Justin, but no... it's out of the question!"

"What if we devise some kind of way to prove you're here?"

"Oh?" Tristan asked, his excitement reluctantly building, "What do you suggest?"

"We could ask mom to fly around outside and then say something. You could be out there with her to hear it. Then, you could come back and tell me what it was she said. Then I'd tell mom!"

Tristan had to admit that it was indeed a simple yet effective way to at least give weight to the assertion that he was present. "Let me think about it."

"I want you to come back home with me, please."

Tristan smiled, "I love you, son."

"And I love you dad, now come on!"

Back in Albany, Maggie blinked at the simplicity of Shelly's word game, "So that's how you got your folks to believe in ghosts?"

"How else could they explain it? It was easier for them to believe in ghosts than to believe that I could somehow hear what they'd said from across town."

Shelly and Maggie made their way from the Fourth Street bus stop, down into Shelly's neighborhood. The sun was just about to dip down beneath the hills, ushering a crisp and chilly evening. "Are you okay walking around at night?" Maggie asked. Shelly shrugged, "More or less. Clint is usually with me. He'll warn me about any unsavory characters."

Crossing Forest Drive, Maggie got her first look at the Holden's home. It was a lovely white four bedroom with large parlor windows and a nice chimney rising up along the west facing side. Maggie thought the place comfortable, although the neighborhood it's self recalled better days.

"Maggie, I have to remind you about Clint, he's probably going to pop up anytime now."

"Hey girl!" Called a rough, craggy voice. Maggie wrinkled her nose at the ghost, "Who's your friend? She's quite a looker!"

"This is him," Shelly said, "Good 'ol Clint."

"At your service!" the ghost chimed as he fell in beside Maggie, "What's your name, love?"

"Don't call me 'love.'" Maggie hissed, looking the stallion up and down. Now, I should mention that most ghosts bear some sort of residual outline of the clothing they wore in life, but not Clint Trickett. He appeared nude, with a thick rack of abdominal muscles and a rather large member swinging between his legs. It horrified Maggie that such an obscene ghost was hanging around a sweet girl like Shelly, "You horrible hobgoblin! You should find somewhere else to be! Now!"

"Take it easy Maggie," Shelly said with a gesture toward the front porch, "Clint is a sad story, so I put up with him."

"Hey!" Trickett snorted as Shelly bid Maggie enter. Inside, the Holden's residence was a stately manor with many framed photographs adorning the walls. Maggie did her best to ignore Clint as she looked to several of the portraits before Shelly called out to her parents, "Mom! Dad! I have the boxer Maggie Pumpkin with me!"

Gabriel Holden rushed from the back parlor room to hug his daughter, then smiled about the room, "Maggie? Two time welterweight champ?"

Shelly smiled, said; "Maggie says, 'Female welterweight champ.'"

"I couldn't have beat any of the females you went up against." Gabriel nickered, "And Maggie Pumpkin! Wow! I was a big fan! I mean, I still am!"

The stallion settled down upon the sofa as a mature mare joined them, "I was there when you fought Lily Gardner for the divisional title!"

"Really?" Maggie breathed. Clint Trickett, apparently annoyed at not being the center of Shelly's attention snorted a curse before departing the home. Shelly breathed a sigh of relief as she introduced Maggie to her mother. "They seem really accepting of your abilities." Maggie noted, "And please tell your folks it's lovely to meet them."

Gabriel gushed a bit more, thrilled to have a hero from his younger days drop by for a visit. Maggie delighted Gabriel with small-talk, and provided him some details of her personal life, though Shelly seemed a tad embarrassed relating some of her exploits.

Maggie then made comment of Missy Holden's portraits, "I like how dramatic your mom looks in these pictures, is she a conductor?"

"Maggie likes your conductor photos mom." Shelly said. Missy offered a girlish shrug as she thanked their supernatural visitor. Maggie looked closely at one of Missy's early portraits, and thought to comment how much Missy resembled her in her days of life, but she looked to Gabriel who still wore a broad smile. 'Better not. Might become awkward.'

The family settled into their nighttime routine. It seemed that not even the dead could alter an animal's normal habits. Maggie moved through the front door and out onto the porch where she found Clint Trickett. She glanced at him as the stallion offered a conciliatory wave.

"Why are you hanging around a young mare, anyway? To oogle her when she takes a bath?"

Trickett cocked his head, as if the thought hadn't occurred to him until just now. "Maybe..."

"That's gross! Herald would never let someone like you hassle a living animal."

"Herald?" Trickett said with a chortle, "Let me tell you about Herald Kirsten!" He leaned forward with a treacherous gleam in his eye, "Our lovely Herald's surname is not 'Kirsten,' but Vanderdecken! In life he was a ship's captain, master of the Mantuan Exeter he was!"

Maggie blinked in disbelief. Trickett punctuated his revelation with a haughty nod, "Our Herald hides behind a distant relative's namesake because a great shame was heaped upon his!"

"Wait a minute," Maggie interjected, "The Mantuan Exeter, you're talking about The Flying Mantuan! That's an opera, asshole!"

"Based upon the legend of Herald Vanderdecken," Trickett retorted.

A troubling memory of Herald came to Maggie, bitter now since she'd come to this knowledge. 'I was a ship's captain, and a mariner. Though mostly, I busied myself making bad decisions.'

Maggie leapt to her feet as Trickett laughed a foul mocking torment! "Yes Maggie! Your lovely Herald is a murderer!"

The mare rushed back into the home and to one of Missy Holden's portraits. "Shelly! Can you please ask your mother about her pictures?"

"Pardon?" Shelly answered from the kitchen. Maggie urgently paced the room, "Shelly, I need to know about the Mantuan opera, is it based on a real ship?"

Shelly relayed the question. Missy asserted that she thought the story was based upon a factual event that has since morphed into the present tale. "Although the fact that there's real ghosts certainly gives credence to the more fantastical elements of the story."

Shelly cocked her head to listen to her unseen friend, "Maggie has a friend named Herald Kirsten who is a large black eagle. His name might actually be Vanderdecken."

Missy was struck by Trickett's past claims of serving as a sailor aboard the Mantuan. 'Could he be telling the truth?'

"Shelly, is Clint here?"

"I certainly am!" Trickett chimed. "Clint's here, mom." Shelly said.

"Can you ask him about the Mantuan?"

Maggie dismissed Clint with a wave of her hand, "What the fuck would you know about it?"

"I was there," Trickett replied, "I was a boatswain aboard the Exeter..."

***

The Flying Mantuan

***

Clint Trickett walked a slow steady circle around the Holden family's sofa as the equines settled down to hear the dead stallion's tale. Maggie Pumpkin tucked herself behind a side table, scowling at the boatswain. Clint nodded to her, 'She ought to know the whole story, the real story...'

"I'm ready," Shelly said. Trickett sighed, "Aye, I suppose I am too."

After a moment to collect his thoughts, Trickett began; "Fifteen hundred years ago, we sailed from Macau, the northern most port of Mantua. We carried goods and sundries north to the port of Calais-" Maggie interrupted him with an impatient grunt, "Yeah, yeah! Tell me about Herald!"

While paused, Shelly relayed his words to her parents. Trickett was surprised at how difficult it was to speak of Kirsten and the Mantuan. He drew a long breath, then continued, "The life of a sailor is punctuated first and foremost by hunger. Even while we carried vast stores of foodstuffs from the exotic realm, our own bellies lay empty through the terribly long voyage. One day, quite suddenly actually, Herald Vanderdecken alighted from the Exeter and flew to a nearby shoal. When he returned, the Exeter's floorboards became stained with a sea mammal's blood."

Missy shifted uncomfortably as her daughter relayed Trickett's words. As the boatswain continued, his nude form became clothed in the shadowy vestiges of a sailor's uniform. "Our shipmates initially cried out against what he'd done, and some even threatened mutiny, believing Herald unfit to captain a vessel at sea, but lo, none held fast to their principals. Hunger has a way of numbing an animal's scruples you see, and so the first officer, a large bald eagle named Randall took to accompanying Kirsten on his flights, murdering the marine seals and other mammals who dwelt along the southern coasts."

Trickett smiled haughtily, "The mates came to gladly accept the carcasses they'd bring back!"

"Beetle shit!" Maggie roared, "Herald would never do that!"

"Maggie," Shelly said softly, "You ought to listen to him."

With a glance at Maggie, Trickett continued, "Our killing spree lasted for months, and our dear Herald racked up an impressive body count. Until, on the night of the new moon, something came for us. We'd set out from Vahevala, the main port city of Avalon just two days prior. Captain Vanderdecken set his sights firmly on the whales, and fitted the Exeter with a potent new harpoon gun," Trickett smiled, "It would have been a slaughter."

"So?" Maggie barked, "What happened?"

"Nothing," Trickett replied, "Day after day the Exeter struck not a breath nor motion. We sat idle, unable to sail nor give chase to the marine mammals who now knew our bloody repute."

Trickett paused before a portrait of Missy leading a performance of The Flying Mantuan. "Then, the darkness of the new moon descended upon us. One after the other, our crew disappeared into an all-encompassing fog. Vanished, until just three remained... myself, Vanderdecken, and Ebenezer the cook."

He began to pace the room, to and fro he walked as he relived that night, "I don't know how soon it was before Ebenezer disappeared, nor do I know what became of him, if he threw himself overboard or the entity felt him innocent and whisked him away. Either way, his body was never found."

From her seat, Shelly began to tremble. Missy took Shelly in her arms, unaware of the weight of Trickett's revelations. "Then there were two, and that's when he came..."

"He?" Maggie asked, not believing one iota of the stallion's tale.

"The darkness was vanquished by a tongue of flame which took the form of a serpent. An angry voice issued from the fire, declaring us guilty of a dreadful crime in it's sight."

Trickett bowed his head, "The fiery serpent cast judgement upon us, and so ordained Herald Vanderdecken to traverse the ocean he'd dishonored, never to make landfall nor speak to another living animal, until the period of his penance be expired."

Shelly relayed all that was said to her parents who marveled at the novelty of hearing such a first hand account. 'When animals used to report seeing that ghost ship,' Missy thought, 'They were actually telling the truth.'

"What happened to you?" Maggie asked, the mention of a fiery entity now undermining her disbelief, "If Herald was trapped aboard the ship, what did the fire dragon do to you?"

Trickett grimaced at Maggie, "I was spirited away, arriving within a spiritual underworld where I found myself held fast by a tree. I languished as a prisoner for hundreds of years with my decomposing body rotting at my feet, whilst I was made to hear the names of the mammals we'd murdered, o'er and o'er."

Maggie went to the window and thought of Trickett's description of a tongue of flame in the shape of a dragon. 'Those strangers, they were on fire. There has to be a connection.'

"Was this entity a god?" Shelly asked. Trickett offered a shrug, "If it be so, I fear animalkind is sorely wanting."

The family was quiet for a great long while. Trickett became very annoyed that the females weren't repelled by his revelations. On the contrary, they'd become even more fascinated by the enigmatic ship's captain!

"So where did the name 'Kirsten' come from?" Missy asked. Trickett snorted, "The name of an ancestor, adopted by our brave Herald so he might escape his shameful past."

Missy rose from her place on the sofa to stand before the portrait of herself leading a performance of The Flying Mantuan, "What about coming ashore every seventeen years? To see if any animal might offer him forgiveness?"

"Doubtless a romanticized account of the legend, popularized in the opera of which you are so fond," Shelly relayed, "Such a condition was not a part of the judgement handed down by the fiery dragon."

"This is beast-shit!" Maggie spat, her mind refusing to believe that such a thing could even happen, but even as she spoke, Maggie recalled Barney's words, 'A spirit cannot lie...'

Trickett smiled wickedly, "Kirsten spent a thousand years traversing the great sea, cold, but a ghost flowing through his veins..." he became distracted by a gasp from Shelly. Maggie seized on his pause, "And you know what happened then? The gods forgave him! They gave Herald a great duty, to help wayward spirits find their way to a new life!"

Trickett snorted as Shelly relayed Maggie's words. "And if the gods can forgive Herald, I most certainly can too!"

"Twas I who bore witness to his savagery! If you knew Herald as I do, you would not be so quick to pardon him!"

"Let me tell you about the Herald I know," Maggie retorted, "He appeared to me on my first night being dead! He stayed with me, he offered me more comfort than my mom or dad ever did!"

Shelly relayed what was said. Missy's eyes shimmered with emotion, 'Oh, Maggie...'

"Clint, why don't you just admit it," Maggie hissed, "You're jealous of Herald! The fact that the gods gave him an important job just irks the shit out of you!"

The boatswain snorted and turned to go, but paused as Maggie asked him; "Do you know where Herald lived when he was alive?"

"Aye, follow the river Elbe up. His home was rumored to be near Thistledown, a township situated at the forks of the Elbe and Brandywine."

Maggie nodded, "Thank you, Clint. And, for what it's worth, I think you would have made a good spiritual guide."

"I guess we'll never know, eh?" Trickett murmured as the high path appeared to him. It's steps sang lovingly, and a gentle white mist reached out in welcome... "Do you see it, Maggie?"

"See what?"

Trickett sighed, 'So here it ends, in this strange modern world.'

"Clint, would you... like to come with me?"

"And see Kirsten again!? I think not!" The spirit checked his anger as Maggie turned away. He apologized, "Forgive me, lass."

A gentle hush fell over the home, and it seemed to Maggie that Trickett's inner light had become a little bit brighter. "I've nothing to say to him, nor I'd wager he'd have to me. Our business is done, and so should I be."

"What do you mean?" Maggie asked, but she already knew what the mariner meant. "For too long I've lingered, being little more than a coin that can't be tossed. I'm tired, Maggie... it's time to be going..."

Maggie's gaze became far away. In a waking dream, the Holden's home fell away, becoming instead a neolithic landscape with great tall trees, and the figures of cornstalks that bent and swayed in the evening breeze. The great arm of the spiral galaxy hung overhead, it's splendor undimmed by the pollution of the modern age. The innumerable stars twinkled brightly against the black velvet of the sky. Maggie looked down upon her body as it bent, contorted, and reshaped it's self. Soon she found that she was no longer a horse, but an eagle... 'Maggie, I have done this.... for you.'

Maggie cried out. She found herself back within the Holden's parlor. It seemed that many hours had passed, for the home was dark and quiet. A gentle snoring issued from the corner bedroom, leaving Maggie with a great pang of longing to join this family. Finally, she sighed, 'Thank you Clint, take care of yourself.'

The boxer resigned herself to a hallway nook near Shelly's room and willed herself to embark upon another dream. Restlessness. This feeling of urgency had come to punctuate her existence, 'Am I going to end up like Rosemary? Am I going to be trapped here forever?'

Maggie gazed up, 'God, if you're out there, won't you help me?'

As Maggie pondered the very nature of her existence, the black shadow of death entered the home. She gazed down upon the equine spirit and felt herself asking the very same questions. 'The void created me, but... whence does the darkness come? Is there some god who created me? And if so, who created them?'

'How can there be a god? Where would they come from?' Maggie thought, her spark of ancient light aching to mingle with the fiery majesty of the four strangers. 'They know who god is... they know.'

Death smiled gently, 'Or perhaps... they know not.'

I must admit, dear traveler, that I have not invested sufficient thought to my own origins. It could be that I have always existed, albeit in a more rudimentary form. Before my emergence, I knew not myself nor the beauty around me. Maggie's thoughts became my own as she looked down upon her light, and thought it resembled a golden ember, warm with the glow of life.

The shadow of death settled down beside Maggie, 'I regret that I cannot touch you. I would hold you, and comfort you, as an animal might. As Herald did.'

More than anything, death craved love and contact. No longer a mere force, she'd become a new spirit. 'Rest, Maggie. Sleep now and dream.'

And so, Maggie did. She settled into a deep and profound retrospection, whilst unbeknownst to her, her outer form changed whenever she visited the life of some past incarnation. Maggie's broad robust outline became small and petite as she recalled the life of a little pony who lived a long long time ago...

***

Part Two

***

Crown Princess Olivia d'Shannonvale emerged from a large thatch hut, accompanied by a muscular leopard who shivered in the cold. The snow had intensified in the intervening hours since Olivia's arrival, and the temperature had dropped many scores of degrees. "They will find your informant," said Jabal Shammar, the Sultan of White Ruthenia, "And I fear that they might find you, Her Highness should not travel openly and without an armed escort."

"I believe the closer I am to danger, the further I am from harm," replied the golden eagle. The Sultan bowed, "Then I pray for your safe return."

The two leaders bid one other farewell. Princess Olivia smiled to a small equine pony who wrinkled her nose as she shivered in the cold. "You look ready to be off."

"We should not have stopped here, Majesty! Precious time has lapsed!"

Olivia knelt low for her friend to climb aboard, "Then, let's be off!"

The pony climbed atop the eagle, then fastened a safety lanyard about her waist. She yelped as Olivia pushed off with her legs and leapt into the air. The chill wind grasped at Margrey Balin's mane, whilst she cursed her shoddy goggles, 'I'll throttle the sod who sold me these!'

It wasn't long before Olivia identified the rock formation she was to seek. The landscape was almost featureless, but the arch-shaped landmark was easy to spot. She made a slow pass over the area to ensure there were no nasty surprises awaiting them. "All appears in order!"

"Except for your presence here!" Margrey cried, "My lady, won't you please send me ahead to meet the lion?"

"I shan't hear another word, Margrey! This lion has risked his life on occasions too numerous to count. He deserves to meet the lady who'd benefit from his noble efforts!"

Margrey fell silent. She gripped her bow defiantly as the great eagle prepared to set down. All manner of treacheries flashed through Margrey's mind, so she busied herself formulating an escape plan should their meeting sour.

Quiet as a whisper, Olivia set down in the snow and promptly sank down to her waist. Margrey shivered once again as Olivia strode through the drift toward the protection of a wooded thicket. There, the eagle shrugged her equine companion from her shoulder and pried off her pack. "Lady?"

"Climb between my legs," Olivia said, "Take shelter within my feathers."

Too cold to argue, Margrey climbed beneath her future ruler like a cranky hoofed chick.

"Be ready," Olivia said, "I believe they are coming."

Far far away, a sleeping Justin Brightwing murmured, "Yes, I can see them."

From the parlor, Tristan Brightwing approached his son's room with curious concern, 'I've never heard him talk in his sleep before.'

"Oh dear," Olivia said, "Margrey, the lions are armed."

Margrey sputtered a curse as she climbed out from beneath her friend, "Well this complicates things, eh?!"

"Come," Olivia said, taking the equine's coat in her beak to pull her along, "We must attempt to make contact."

"They broke their promise!" Margrey argued.

Olivia gestured to Margrey's bow, "And are we not also armed?"

Margrey frowned, but kept her bow at the ready.

"Good tidings Karl Kuhn!" Olivia called to the animals who approached, "'Tis good to meet you at long last!"

Margrey pushed her way through the protective thicket to greet two lions of intimidating stature. One of the felines was elder, his broad face creased with fatigue and concern. The other lion was young, far too young for soldiering, but his face was honest and open. Margrey could not help but be charmed by the youngster. Olivia herself was relieved by the pair's demeanor, and so too was Justin. Both lions wore their manes cropped in a most severe manner, making their large round ears stick up in a most amusing way. Clad in the green uniform tunics of a Royal Lancer, Olivia wondered if their short green kilts afforded their private parts any protection from the cold.

The pair stood silently, waiting patiently as the females sized them up. Margrey gripped her bow, then abruptly tossed it aside. She wiped her nose, then glanced about as if she were on a mid-morning stroll, "I must admit, your early messages were something of an an enigma," Margrey said, "There were many who argued that you were a saboteur, attempting to feed us false information."

"That is why I have come," Karl replied, "So that you may look into my eyes and find no deceit."

"My name is Margrey Balin," said the pony, but she clapped her mouth shut as the younger lion snorted back a laugh.

"Something funny?"

"Nein, no."

Karl smiled, then bowed to the eagle, "Princess Olivia I presume."

Margrey waved her arms; issued a fierce hiss. Olivia hushed her, then nodded to the lions, "I am Olivia."

Karl and his young charge bowed their respect. Olivia smiled her thanks before she became grave, "What of the offensive? What is Von Toth's plan?"

"Marshal Toth is dissatisfied with the length of first brigade's line. It is too long, and requires too many lions to hold it," Karl paused, his conscience offering up a fierce protest. Despite his desire to save lives, Karl had, after all, sworn an oath to serve his empire.

"The field of view is poor along the road to Levant, and the defensive organization there lacks depth. For these reasons, Toth has instructed the divisional commander to undertake operations to straighten out this angle," Margrey nodded, committing Karl's words to a small notebook, "On February 14th, there's to be a series of partial operations, each well supported by artillery, which should culminate in an invasion of Shannonvale it's self."

Olivia was stunned, but not surprised.

From his tunic Karl produced several documents, "Here is a list of troop formations and assignments, also a list of the targets Toth expects to strike first."

Margrey reached out her hand to receive the intelligence when Karl hesitated, "Do you swear that your forces will attempt, to the best of your ability, to take captive our lions and not obliterate them on the battlefield?"

"I promise," Olivia said with a solemn bow.

Karl bowed his head, then offered the documents to the equine, "I thank you, Great Princess."

Beside Karl, his young charge closed his eyes. He could not bear to look upon the treason his beloved Sergeant'd just committed, despite his belief that they were doing right.

Margrey tucked the papers into her shoulder bag as Olivia approached the lions, "Karl, will you come away with me? I can guarantee your safety."

Karl shook his head. "I thank you, but no. I shall remain with my lions, but my young charge might wish to go..."

"Nein, herr feldwebel," Arno Kose whispered. Olivia smiled warmly to the brave felines, "Bow before me,"

The pair looked to one another, then lowered themselves into the snow. Olivia reached out her massive head and with her beak she touched the lions upon their right shoulder first, and then their left, "Im nomine Animalia Shannonvali," Olivia said in her native language, "I knight you, Karl Kuhn, on behalf of a grateful nation."

Margrey bowed to the pair before she climbed atop her princess, "Farewell, Karl. I hope we may meet again someday."

"Farewell," Karl said, then raised his hand.

"Yes?" Margrey asked.

"Balin, you understand the meaning of your name, yes?"

"Sir Karl, this is hardly-"

"It means 'stupid' in Natufian."

She frowned, "No, I have researched it. My name means to weave, or it may be applied as a title to one who engages in crafts."

Arno Kose shook his head, "Stoopid. Means stoopid," he said in broken common, "Your fore-bears give joke name by felines. You to change it, Balin not good name."

Olivia did her best to hide her smile as Karl bowed once more to the princess, then waved the pair off. Olivia broke into a run, then stepped into the air with her equine mentor. Back upon his sleeping cushion, Justin woke with a start as his modern identity wrenched his spirit from the uncanny excursion. "Justin?" Tristan peeped, "Are you alright? I heard you talking in your sleep."

Justin nodded as he moved to the library to search for a certain large history tome, the one which reproduced period newspaper clippings. 'Ah, there it is,' using his long toes, Justin flipped to the time of the hundred years war and sighed as he read a prominent headline:

"Terrific Attacks on Shannonvale Repulsed; Area north of ruined castle again the centre of combat as Crown Princess Olivia advances against Field Marshal Von Toth's Third Army. Shannonvali forces led by Princess Olivia have driven the lions back to the northwest of Calais where they have shifted the center of violent fighting. During the night of February nineteenth, five fierce assaults were made on the Natufian line. Equestrian infantry supported by avian airpower have delivered a crippling blow to Toth's army. By March fifteenth, Allied Commanders believe the Crown Princess' efforts have thrown down the eighty year old Marshal. My month's end, Shannonvali General Marcus Silverbeam is expected to lead a final advance to rout the lion's war-fighting abilities."

Justin turned away from the book as Tristan ached to comfort his son, "Justin, what is it?"

"It's not right..." Justin breathed, "The lions weren't spared, they were slaughtered."

Tristan moved to his son's side and wished more than anything that he could touch his boy, "Dad, do you ever dream about who you were in a past life?"

Tristan was quiet for a time, and then replied; "Sometimes."

"Have you... do you have any clues about who you were in the past?"

"Justin, I think who we were is less important than what we do with the time we have now."

Justin nodded, "But if you were someone... interesting, would that influence your actions now?"

"My time is done Justin, there are no more actions for me to take, except one."

"Dad... I don't want you to go."

"Justin," Tristan said gently, "I feel like my mind is beginning to slip away. I catch myself having visions and daydreams about past lives." Justin scanned the room, wondering where his father might be standing, "I love you, daddy."

The boy's words were a knife in the spirit's heart, "Justin, we have to let go. Both of us. Ashley and Elly have let me go, now it's time for you to do the same."

Justin began to weep in the way that eagles cry, "Dad, I was your daughter once. I was Olivia."

"And I was your father. I'll always be your father."

"Stay with me. Let's tell Mom and Ashley about you."

"Justin, there's a stone walkway in the gallery."

Justin raised his feathers in alarm, "What!?"

"It appears to me. All the time. A stone walkway that disappears into the distance. I even see it when I'm flying."

The younger was aghast, "What does it mean!? Is there a god calling to you?"

"I think so, son."

Justin felt chilled by the thought, "Dad, don't leave me."

"Justin..." Eleanor's said, "What are you doing up?"

A bleary-eyed Eleanor emerged from the darkness to nuzzle Justin's cheek, "Can't sleep?"

"Mom," Justin breathed, "Dad's spirit is here with us. I can hear him."

Eleanor's face betrayed no emotion as she brushed her wing over his tail. Justin immediately regretted his outburst and became increasingly uncomfortable as the moments ticked by with no reply from his mother. Finally, Eleanor gently touched her cheek to his, "Sweetie, I miss your father too. It's okay."

"Dad, can you tell me something that only you and mom would know?"

The mother eagle's heart sank as she cupped her wing over Justin's shoulder, "Shhhh, sweetie... you don't have to do this."

"Dad says that when we went to the arcade, you pulled out your photo album. You said that your picture of dad on the ferris wheel was your favorite."

Eleanor blinked. All manner of thoughts flooded her mind, 'How would he know that? Is he spying on me? Is Tristan really here? How can he know that??' Her confusion turned slowly to intrigue as she found herself asking; "Justin, can you give me something else? Something that you children couldn't possibly know?"

Justin stood by for a moment, as if waiting for his unseen father to speak. Then, a cloud passed over his face as he became shocked by something.

"What did he tell you?" Eleanor peeped, indulging for a moment the belief that her deceased husband was indeed present. Justin revealed what'd been told: "Dad says that before the collapse of the old Union Government, he got a tip that the Union was about to default on it's debits and declare insolvency. You two cashed out your stocks and turned the equity into precious metals so that when the surprise default was announced, you and dad made millions."

Eleanor's maw fell open, 'No... he couldn't possibly know that!'

"Mom?" Justin peeped, "Are you okay?"

She began to pace. To and fro she walked. Up one end of the gallery and down to the other. Justin crumpled beneath his mother's gaze as she looked to him, "You need to tell me how you knew that! How did you find out!?"

"Uh... dad told me?"

"Justin!!" Eleanor screeched, "You are about to make me VERY angry!!"

"Uh... uh.... dad says that aunt Valerie was also really interested in him, but your love letters were what won him over!"

Eleanor stopped in her tracks with a surprised squeak.

"Mom, dad says his favorite letter included a poem you wrote called 'Nightingale.' That poem is what made him want to marry you!"

"Oh..." Eleanor breathed, "Tristan?"

From above, Ashley Brightwing touched down to wait quietly for his mother to calm herself. Eleanor smiled to him and reached out her wing, "Come here sweetie..."

Ashley rushed to his mother as she nuzzled him, "You look so much like your father... my Ashley."

"Are you okay, momma?"

"Yes, love." She said, looking to Justin with shimmering eyes. 'I believe you,' they seemed to say. With a gentle chirp, Justin wrapped his wings around his mother.

"Mom," Ashley asked, "Is dad really here?"

Eleanor smiled to her youngest, "I think so sweetie... I think so."

Justin shyly smiled, "Would this be a bad time to tell you that he was once King Octavius?"

***

The Search

***

Thursday morning dawned in the Holden residence with a phone call from Eleanor Brightwing. Missy Holden answered, and cheerfully greeted the eagle, "Would you like to speak with her? Oh, yes... I'll let her know. She'll see you Monday morning!"

Shelly felt her way along the hall, "Mom? What's going on?"

"Misses Brightwing says something's come up," Missy said, crossing the room to deliver a smooch to Shelly's nose, "She'll see you Monday."

Shelly nodded and returned to her braille reading as the shadow of Death entered the home. She inspected each of the horses with great interest before turning her attention to Maggie Pumpkin. Maggie's spiritual vision became hazy, as if she were aware of something situated directly ahead. Death drew closer, then invoked the name; "Mayalee Mae... Mayalee Mae."

Maggie's shadowy ears twitched, "Shelly! Could you help me find someone named Mayalee Mae?"

Shelly set down her book of braille, "Who is that, a friend of yours?"

"She's one of the four strangers I was telling you about."

The thought of actually finding out if this person was real intrigued Shelly. She called out to her mother, "Mom! Maggie is asking if we could help her find someone named Mayalee Mae."

"That's a mouse's name," Missy noted, "They an old friend of yours?"

"Mags says that this Mayalee might have some important insights into the spirit world."

Her curiosity piqued, Missy moved into the kitchen and rummaged about in a cabinet for the telephone book. "Ah!" she chuffed, pulling an older copy out and plopping it down on the kitchen table. A fine cloud of dust roiled up into the air, forcing Missy to cough and sputter, "I need to clean out these damn cabinets!"

Shelly entered the room, waving her hand to disperse the dust. Missy cleared her throat, "Okay, so this animal's a mouse. We'll try Oakdale."

Maggie paced restlessly as Missy flipped to the Oakdale appendix. "Oakdale is a township of small animals, and the likeliest place to find a mouse," Missy said to no one in particular as she moved her finger along, mouthing the letters as she went, "Mal... Map... Mar..." then, she gasped, "Mayalee! There's... a hundred of them!"

Shelly unconsciously moved to her mother's side to point her eyes at the book, as if she could see for herself. Missy snorted with frustration, "It will take some time to contact each of these animals and ask them if they know any spirits!"

Shelly turned toward the invisible Maggie, "Maggie says that a lion was with her, and they looked like they might have been driving toward Brandenburg. Try that appendix."

Missy nodded as she turned to the feline state. She opened to 'M' and quickly located a single entry for a Mayalee Mae, "Not too difficult to find a mouse's name in Brandenburg!"

She scooped up the telephone and dialed the number listed. Maggie waited, anxiously pacing about the kitchen. She perceived each ring through the telephone line as a loud klaxon alarm, 'Like the footsteps of destiny.'

Shelly too looked as if she were standing upon pins and needles, but the trio became disappointed when a message flashed from the speaker; "We're sorry, the number you are trying to reach has been disconnected. Please check your local listings-" Missy hung up the phone.

"Fuck!" Maggie cried.

"I'm sorry, Maggie." Shelly said.

Death edged into the kitchen, "You must travel to the residence! To the residence!"

"Um," Maggie began, "Is there an address listed?"

Shelly relayed Maggie's question. Missy nodded, then jotted down the address listed beside the number. "Here we are," she said with a shrug, "This is an older book, so the address might be as useless as the phone number."

Maggie peered over Missy's shoulder to allow the letters of the address to burn into her memory. Her mind's eye then recalled her first visit home, after she'd died, but the boxer tore herself away from that unpleasant memory. "That's in the past, I need to keep looking forward."

"Eh?" Shelly chuffed. Maggie apologized, "Sorry, I'm trying my best to keep myself anchored in the here and now."

"I understand," Shelly replied, "If we lose you, I'll just wait for you. It's no problem."

Maggie fretted and worried, "Shelly, there's a chance I could blank out again and be catatonic for years and years."

Shelly winced and nodded, "Mags, if that happens, I want you to know that I really... like you very much. You would have made a great sister."

Missy touched her daughter's shoulder as Maggie's heart ached with want, "Then it's official. We're sisters."

From her dark corner, Death watched the horses with a growing understanding of what it meant to be an animal, 'You do not live for yourself, you live for others.'

After a quiet moment, the mares loaded into the family's station wagon. Maggie experienced an anxious moment when she could not anchor herself into the vehicle. Death realized that her presence was likely the cause of Maggie's quantum diffusion, 'I have done my work, now I'll leave you to your quest!'

Maggie glanced about at the apparent sound of a strange voice. After a moment she settled down into the seat, "Okay, I'm in."

Satisfied that Maggie was safe, the females made their way west along Aurora's Autoway Four. Brandenburg's border wasn't far, Missy checked her old station wagon's gas gauge as it inched toward empty, "We're low on gas, I hope my credit card works in Brandenburg."

"I have some bank notes," Shelly said, (her bank note is a private note of currency issued by the Bank of Calais, and can be used in any city state, except Shannonvale.)

"Good," Missy replied, "We may need them."

With a nervous whinny the mother equine crossed the border into Brandenburg. There was no border checkpoint anymore, which came as a tremendous relief to the horses. Though there were obvious signs that border checks could be quickly reestablished should tensions flare. Now came the first hurdle, because with Shelly unable to see, Missy was forced to reference a map whilst driving, something that made her extremely uncomfortable. Maggie sensed her discomfort and turned to Shelly, "Shelly, can you open the map so I can see? I'll read off turns and intersections for your mom."

Shelly did as Maggie instructed. Soon she was relaying directions as Maggie read them.

Missy marveled at the novelty of the moment. Of what was happening. Of everything. 'Spirits reading directions, strange animals who have invisible fire streaming from their bodies. And... gods cursing ancient sailors?'

The mother equine pulled her mind away from such thoughts to focus on the road ahead. The landscape of Brandenburg was nice enough, with it's finely manicured landscaping and gleaming white storefronts. A more authoritarian state than the likes of Aurora, lions tended to frown on concepts like homelessness and drug abuse, and so there was virtually none of these social ills evident. 'Oh, it's there alright.' Missy thought, 'It's just behind the scenes.'

"Turn right onto Genstrasse." Shelly said, "It should be the next right after that."

Missy squinted at the approaching sign, "The damn lions can't just use normal letters! They have to use this gothic crap that's neigh impossible to read!"

She turned, and was relieved that she was within sight of their quarry's home. "Should be coming up, number two one two seven." Shelly said.

Her job done, Maggie's light nervously flickered as she recalled the incredible energy streaming from the strange animals. That mouse, that little mouse... seemed to tower over every other animal. The flames streaming from her hair, forming a crown of fire, 'Why didn't Herald ever mention someone like that?'

"Are you alright?" Shelly asked. Maggie breathed a nervous sigh, "I'll let you know when we get there."

The horses stopped in front of a nondescript condominium complex. "This is it," Missy said, as a strange electric tingle ran down the base of her mane. Meanwhile, the dragon Ibiza Pushpath sailed aloft, her mind reviewing Death's recent interaction with the Holden family. She sighted Shelton's middle school. Adjusting her course, she descended down to the the cozy campus.

A nervous vibration issued from the nearby hillside. Ibiza felt Glorafin's gaze fall upon her. 'Someday I must face her, without my sister's protection, though I dread such a meeting. The goddess of the underworld may turn your own fears against you, and there is much that I fear.'

Ibiza carried on, turning away from the hills to examine each of the young animals she found in the school's yard. She sensed Shelton's presence. Then, some of the other personalities filled her senses. Some were shy, others outgoing, but in the midst of the equines was a stranger. Intrigued, Ibiza moved unseen through the young horses, searching for this foreigner, 'Where is he?'

Her senses informed her that the stranger should be right under her nose. She looked again, then noticed him. Her heart sank when she realized it was a young lion, dressed in the traditional garb of an equine midlander. He wore a black long-sleeve tunic with complex patters embroidered along the cuffs, paired with a short black kilt with pleated patterns stitched into the fabric. His long tail was tucked up inside his kilt, and his mane of tawny brown hair was styled like a horse's mane. The effect was uncanny, it was such that at a glance, the lion resembled a Haflinger species of horse. 'Someone has gone through a lot of trouble to ensure that this feline blends in with his surroundings.'

Ibiza edged closer to him, 'But all is not well. There is much hostility, things are spoken of this lion that are not true.'

She delved deeper into the feline's mind, 'We share the same experience, this lion and I. We are strangers in a land that wishes us evicted,' she sighed, 'Can no one help you?'

She sighted Shelton as he meandered along the back park of his school, impatiently scanning the sky. The lunchtime recess had just begun, though none spoke with the lion, nor acknowledged his presence. Ibiza moved around behind the lion to unveil her paw. She touched it to the concrete block the cat sat upon to relive the images contained in the vicinity. As she feared, this poor lion spent each and every day alone, friendless and unwanted.

Ibiza leaned in close to whisper in his ear, "Do you see the grey equine? The one who's coat resembles a spray of salt and pepper?"

The feline flinched at her utterance. He looked about, unaware that a disembodied golden paw was positioned directly behind him! "His name is Shelton Holden. Go to him, he will befriend you."

The youngster remained on the concrete. To Ibiza's annoyance, the lion brought his knees up to his chest, as if to anchor himself more firmly upon his island of isolation. "My love, please trust me."

He did not move. Annoyed, Ibiza re-cloaked her paw then moved across the grassy yard to Shelton's side, "Shelton! I need your help!" The pony betrayed no reaction that he'd heard her. Ibiza realized her mistake, then moved around to his backside to lift the veil from her paw, "Shelton, won't you go to the lion?"

"Justin?" Shelton looked about, "Is that you?"

Ibiza leaned in closely, "The lion, Shelton. He needs you! You can be the one to free him from his awful loneliness!"

The pony looked through the crowd of horses to where the lion sat on his island. With another glance about, Shelton approached the feline. 'What am I doing? I'm gonna get eaten alive!'

Ibiza veiled her paw, then followed along after Shelton, excitedly clapping her paws! 'I have helped to improve the life of an animal! Truly I am not an awful thing!'

"Hey, Max," Shelton said, almost muttering the name under his breath. The lion lifted his head ever so slightly to acknowledge the pony, then looked away with an awkward shrug. Shelton wiped his palms across his kilt, then sat down beside the startled lion. "Whatcha doing today, Max?"

Across the yard, dissenting voices already took issue with Shelton's gesture, "Shelton! What are you doing with 'The Misses?'"

Ibiza blinked, 'Misses? This young male is not someone's wife.'

Shelton wiped his hands again, then smiled helplessly. Ibiza ducked in behind the pair to lift the veil from her paw, so she might clearly read the animal's thoughts. 'Ah, the lion's name is Maximilian Mises. The youth taunt him by distorting his surname, and pronouncing it 'Misses.''

"What are you doing?" Maximilian hissed, "Everyone was leaving me alone!"

"Yeah, well... I just thought you'd like some company."

"Fuck off!"

Ibiza recoiled at Maximilian's apparent hostility. Incensed, she reached up under his kilt to pull his tail! "Fuck!" Maximilian cried, leaping up with a startled snarl. Shelton whirled around to confront whatever hooligan'd accosted his friend, 'Wait, this lion isn't my friend, is he?'

A crowd of hostile colts gathered around Maximilian. The lion raised his hands, hoping to calm the horses. "Hey! No!" Shelton snorted, rising to put his stout arm around Max's willowy waist, "Y'all go back to whatever it was you were doing! Max hasn't done anything to you!"

"Except steal my auntie's house away from her!" said one of the colts.

Maximilian squirmed in Shelton's grip, which only made the pony hold onto him more firmly. "Max isn't responsible for what his daddy does! You know that!"

"Shelton, please!" Maximilian groaned, "Leave me alone!"

"Y'all been acting like a buncha goons!" Shelton roared, pointing his finger at the group, "Max is a nice lion! He don't deserve any of this!"

"Dopey Shelton!" said a voice from the crowd. Shelton snarled at whomever might have said that, and try as he might, he could not keep tears from wetting his eyes. Ibiza was gobsmacked at how wounded Shelton was by the insult.

A colt approached Shelton with fists raised. The pony blinked back his tears, then stared the other down. It wasn't much of a challenge, really. Shelton outweighed him by twenty kilos. "I may be stupid, but I can whoop your ass!"

'Oh, Shelton!' Ibiza thought, 'You are not stupid!'

Unknowingly asserting himself as the dominant horse in the schoolyard herd, the others acquiesced to Shelton's will. Ibiza became surprised as a pair of sisters approached Max to offer their apologies. The stunned lion nodded gratefully as a floodgate of unexpressed emotion washed over him.

Shelton nudged Max, who's eyes shimmered with thanks.

"Hey, Shelton!" said Justin.

"Oh, hey!" he replied, "Just a minute!" Shelton turned the fillies, "You'll take care of Max, hmm?"

Mary and her sister Lilly nodded. Satisfied that Max would be okay, Shelton met Justin in the yard. "What was that all about?" Justin asked.

"Honestly? I have no idea."

Justin chortled, then gestured for Shelton to mount up, "Ugh! You're getting heavier!"

Shelton smirked, "C'mon! Let's go somewhere!" Justin obliged, and the pair was off! In the air, Justin glanced back at his friend, "Hey, Shelton?"

"Yeah, Justin?"

"Could I get your advice?"

Sure! What's up?"

Justin paused to collect his thoughts. "Things have been... interesting for me at home."

"Oh?" Shelton grunted. "Something wrong?"

Justin banked to the left and set down in a nearby field. Shelton slid from Justin's shoulder to stand before his friend, "Talk to me, buddy! What's wrong?"

The pair unknowingly stood adjacent to the Almond family's former farm. The farm it's self was long gone, in it's place was a tract of expensive homes belonging to an enclave of lions. Ibiza set down beside the pair, immediately recognizing the significance of the place. 'It is my place of birth.'

She glanced at a contractor's sign, advertising the nearby development. 'Financing masterfully provided by Ferdinand Mises.' Ibiza touched her paw to her breast, 'Young Maximilian's father.'

"Shelton..." Justin peeped, "There's something going on. Something that's hard to talk about... but I'd really like your thoughts. I trust your opinion."

Ibiza turned her attention to Shelton.

"Well, what is it?" Shelton asked, hugging Justin's leg, "I'll do my best to give you an honest opinion." Shelton braced himself for what he thought was his friend's homosexual confession. 'Okay, if Justin's gay, I can deal with that. It isn't like we'd ever be able to have sex or anything, I mean, he's an eagle and I'm a horse. How would that even work?'

"Okay..." Justin began, as Shelton silently continued, 'I'll just tell him that I love him, and that I accept him, no matter what his sexuality is, although I'll have to tell him that I don't think I'm gay.'

"Shelton, I can hear things. Things that some animals can't."

Shelton cocked his head, "Wait, what?"

"Shelton, I had an accident some months ago, and when I woke up, I could hear things that other animals can't."

The dragon appeared beside Justin to examine his physical structure, 'Ah yes, my sister's intervention.'

"Huh, that sounds like my sister. She was sick when she was a little baby, and almost died. When she started to grow up, she realized that... she could hear things."

Ibiza looked from the horse, to the eagle, then back to the horse. 'This pair has both been touched by my sister's hand! Across two and a half decades, and against all of the odds, they have come together in friendship!'

She touched her paw to her chin, 'No, my sister could not have done this. She could not bestow such a clairvoyance upon this avian, this is the work of Mayalee's 'One.'

"Oh?" Justin breathed, "Can she hear... spirits?"

Shelton blinked, and then burst into laughter! Justin stood bolt upright, but it dawned on him that Shelton was not laughing at him, "Shelton, can Shelly hear ghosts?"

"Yeah!" the pony nickered, "You too, huh?"

Justin let out a great gasp of emotion, "Oh, gods! I'm so glad I'm not crazy!"

"I thought you were going to tell me that you're gay or something!" Shelton laughed, while a part of himself felt strangely disappointed that Justin hadn't.

"Oh, well..." Justin peeped, "I've never given sex much thought, I always seem to die before I get to have any."

Shelton reached up to grasp Justin's beak. He brought his friend's face down to meet his, "Aw..." Shelton breathed, his lips hovering just above his friend's beak, "I'm sorry... Justin."

The two gazed into one another's eyes, then parted with a shy smile. "So, what do you wanna do tonight?" Shelton asked. Justin shrugged, "I dunno, let Ashley beat us at cards?"

"Sounds like a plan," Shelton replied, then he threw his arms around Justin, "What do you mean you always die!? Nothing's going to happen to you, is it?"

The eagle draped his wings over the pony's head, "Not if I have anything to say about it!"

Ibiza looked after the pair as Justin flew away. She sat for some time, pondering the deep connections that were evident all around her, and marveling as more and more revealed themselves each day. Soon she found herself in the lion's housing development. 'I believe Benjamin's home stood atop that hill.'

The suppressed memories gleaned from Benjamin's home returned to her. Ibiza recalled the little girl's birthday party, and the father equine's gentle bedtime stories. 'Perhaps someday I will make Shelton's acquaintance, and then I will enjoy a birthday party.'

She gasped when a troubling vision flashed through her mind. 'The lions came, they forced the gentle horse away!' Ibiza grit her teeth, 'How could they have done that! It is not fair! It is not just!'

She scowled at a water tank that now occupied the hilltop. 'What purpose does this vessel serve? To level a gentle animal's home, to make way for THIS?'

An angry lump formed in Ibiza's throat, "How could they have done this!? They have stolen away his home!!"

Her face twisted into a terrifying mask of rage as a crack formed along the base of the water tank, sending a fount of pressurized water spilling down into the community's main thoroughfare. Now realizing what she was doing, Ibiza crumpled onto a side street, "No, I am good! I will not destroy!"

'Ibiza, I love you.'

She turned to find Ariadne's shimmering ribbon smiling down on her. Ibiza croaked back a reply, but the tension in her throat was almost more than she could bear. As Death felt an ever-present compulsion to kill, so too did Destruction wish to destroy.

'I love you,' Ariadne said again. Tears wet Ibiza's eyes as she reached out to him. With water flowing all around them, the two dragons gently held one another as best they could. "Shelton is not stupid, Ariadne. Oh, how I wish I could tell him that!"

'I have summoned my familiar, Ibiza. I would very much like to hold you with his arms.'

She nodded, too distraught to offer any argument. A short time later, emergency crews arrived to sort out the reservoir's rupture. A great amount of water had already poured from the structure, with a vast sum waiting to stream out. The destructive power of the rupture was akin to a dam bursting, the housing development would be destroyed. 'All is well,' Ariadne said, 'It is mid-day, there are no animals at home to be threatened by the rushing waters.'

"I am a dreadful thing," Ibiza groused, "Dreadful."

'Ibiza, you did not do this.'

"I beg your pardon?"

'This release of water was not of your doing, it is merely a coincidence that you are here.'

Ibiza raised her head with a surprised chuff, "Oh,"

Ariadne directed her to wait along the side of a nearby road, despite Kromhaut's stiff protests. The dragon spirit was already attracting a great deal of attention from nearby animal spirits, who stood along the treelike to gawk at the living ribbon of fire. Ibiza felt Kromhaut's presence within Ariadne's mind. "It is unusual for you to manifest yourself within the physical world. Why does your father refuse to allow you to venture into the third dimensional realm?"

'An ancient sorrow compels us to remain beyond the realm of Midgard.'

Sam's timely arrival relieved Ariadne of the burden of further questions. His large black and white automobile rolled to a stop just short of where Ibiza stood. She doffed her shadowy veil, and for the very first time, Sam laid eyes on the elusive dragon.

He leaned over to open the passenger door. Ibiza hesitated, then slipped inside. The dragon pressed herself against the seat, looking for all the world like an uncomfortable golden statue with otherworldly eyes.

"Hi," Sam said.

"Greetings," Ibiza replied.

"I brought you a cupcake."

She arched an eye ridge, "Cake? Something to eat?"

Sam presented the pastry, a round tasty looking thing with yellow frosting. Ibiza recognized the confection from the bakery and took the cupcake with great enthusiasm. She popped it into her mouth with a satisfied groan. Ariadne chortled as a pleasured smile spread across her face. "How was it?"

"I like these cup cakes."

The lion and his dragon partner smiled. Then, Ariadne settled into Sam, assuming control of the lion's body. This merger was astonishing to Ibiza; "How can you enter a living animal? He, who is in possession of a soul?"

"A body needn't be limited to one spirit," Ariadne said, reaching across Ibiza's diminutive form to close the passenger door. The dragon's tail bumped a computer console at the center of the dashboard. A chiming alarm issued from the computer, "Oh, what has happened??" Ibiza cried.

Calling upon Sam's knowledge of his cruiser's functioning, Ariadne pressed a button, reestablishing a connection with the interlink. "This machine requires continual contact with the outside world."

"Fascinating," Ibiza breathed, "A machine that hates to be isolated."

Ariadne smiled, then touched Sam's hand to Ibiza's shoulder. Through his body, Sam noted an odd electric tingle, as if the creature were surrounded by a bizarre power field. The lion took the opportunity to absorb as many details as he could about the dragon. The Incarnation of Destruction was smaller than Sam would have supposed, her torso being roughly the size of an adult reynard fox. Her chest was broad, but her waist narrow. Her hind legs were stout, yet stubby, while her forelegs appeared much longer. Sam imagined the dragon's gait would be most unusual.

Her tail was slender and whip-like, while her neck was short and muscular. Her head was bulbous at the top, ringed with impressive horns, while her face tapered down to a pointed muzzle. Her scales bore the appearance of a multitude of bullion coins. Ariadne gazed deeply into Ibiza's eyes, which sparkled with bright golden disks. These golden rings did not appear to be a part of the dragon's eyes, rather, they hovered within an inky blackness. Without these shining rings, Sam imagined the creature's eyes would appear as gaping pits, windows to some unfathomable realm. 'Gateways to Hell.'

Ibiza shook at Sam's observation, 'The shadow realm is not a place of dread,' Sam carefully cleared his mind, so as not to render further offense to the dragon.

Ariadne moved Sam's hand up along the dragon's neck, eliciting a shy groan from her. She locked eyes with Ariadne, then reached up to fumble at Sam's clothing.

'What exactly are we doing here?' Sam asked.

Ariadne ignored his animal as he leaned in to touch Sam's lips to the dragon's snout. Ibiza's heart began to thump within her chest. She grasped at Sam's police uniform, tearing it away from his chest. 'Ariadne! This has gone too far!'

'She needs contact, Sam.'

'She does, or you??'

Ibiza leaned back in her seat, "I sense a conflict."

"All is well," Ariadne replied, touching Sam's lips to her neck. She groaned, as her sharp claws poked into the seat. Within his body, Sam winced at the damage being done to his cruiser. Emboldened by her receptivity, Ariadne cupped Sam's hand between her hind legs. Ibiza gasped loudly as she pushed back against his hand. An intense heat radiated from the soft supple scales of her belly, but a sudden flash of memory jolted Ibiza from her passion, 'Someone! Help me!'

"Ariadne! Stop!"

She grasped Sam's wrists, then gently placed his hands higher up on her chest, "Love, I do appreciate your attention, but I do not know if I am ready," she sighed, "I am sorry."

"Aye," he breathed.

Ibiza touched her paws to Sam's cheeks, "Is this what it means to feel? To be alive?"

"Yes, Ibiza. I suppose it does, for an animal cannot always obtain what they desire."

Within his body, Sam felt for his dragon. Ibiza reached over to fumble with the inside of the door, inflicting more scratches on the cruiser's interior. Ariadne opened the door for her. She slipped out, then smiled to Ariadne, "Perhaps at a future time, we might both obtain what we desire."

"Indeed," he replied.

Ibiza veiled herself, then disappeared into the countryside.

Ariadne's fiery ribbon emerged from Sam, then set to work repairing the damage done by Ibiza's claws. "Don't use magic! You'll send Kromhaut into a tizzy!"

'I'm afraid father presently resides within the tizzy place, Sam.'

The lion watched his friend work, captivated by actually seeing the dragon use his magic. "Alright, I think I know what we need to do."

'Yes, Sam?'

"Your father needs to make a body for you! You and Ibiza obviously like one another! Maybe that's what we need to do in order to bring her into our family!"

'No, Sam.'

Sam shook as his cellular telephone chimed. He answered; "Hello?"

"Hey, where'd you go? You said you'd be back in an hour!"

"I'll be right back Jess, there was a strange accident just over the Albany border, I wanted to check out."

"You're the boss." replied Sam's trainee.

Sam flipped his phone closed, as Ariadne winked away. He smiled, then put his cruiser into gear. He glanced about quickly to see if Ariadne'd repaired all of the cruiser's damage. 'He did, thank the gods.' Sam found himself laughing out loud, "This time, an animal can actually thank the gods!"

***

Back in Brandenburg, the mares regarded the condominium complex where the mysterious mouse resided. It looked normal enough, a tall beige colored structure showcasing the customary obsessive-compulsive architecture big cats are famous for. Missy stepped from the wagon, and then helped her daughter. "You forgot your walking stick."

Maggie passed through the passenger door and fell in beside Shelly. "Let us know if you see anything strange." Shelly said as the group approached door number 2127. With a deep breath, and a hope that someone was actually home at ten in the morning on a thursday, Missy pressed the doorbell. An anxious moment passed, but no answer came. Missy pressed the bell again, and again there was no answer from within.

She stepped away from her daughter to peer into the front window while Maggie rushed ahead and through the heavy door, "The place is empty!" Came Maggie's muffled voice. "Maggie says the place is empty." Shelly said, her voice ladled with disappointment.

Inside, Maggie inspected the dwelling as a miner might a dark tunnel, "They were just here." She breathed, noting that a nearby countertop had only just begun to collect dust. "They must have left on Monday."

Then, a scrap of paper caught her attention. Maggie moved around the counter to read the words penned upon it. At first the note made no sense, "How would they know about Clint?" Then, a realization dawned on her. She began to pace about the room, caught in the grips of a kind of spiritual panic attack. "She knew..." Maggie breathed, her mind's eye moving all about the flat.

"She knew about everything! Those animals really must know who god is!" Terrified, and perhaps a bit exhilarated, Maggie rushed from the flat. Outside, she found her friends waiting out by the sidewalk. "There was a note! For me!"

"Really?" Shelly gasped, "What did it say?"

Missy looked about, anxiously waiting for her daughter to relay what Maggie might be saying. "A note said we should follow Clint's directions on how to find Herald, the sea captain."

'Magic...' Missy thought, 'This mouse knew Maggie would come looking for her! She knew about Clint, and what he might tell us. She... knew.'

"So, are we going on a trip?" Shelly asked. Missy had to admit that the thought of actually meeting Herald Vanderdecken was beyond exciting! "Okay! Let's give it a try!"

The mares piled back into Missy's wagon and set off toward home, but along the way they picked up a large black automobile which kept enough distance to seem casual, yet Missy noted the car was always there. 'Are we being followed?'

She confessed her fears to Shelly. Maggie acknowledged the situation, "I'll be right back."

The spirit drifted free of Missy's wagon, and waited for the black car to catch up. When it passed beneath her, Maggie swooped down upon the unknown animals. Inside, Maggie found two lions piloting what appeared to be a police cruiser. There was a mesh partition separating the front seats from the rear, and a large radio between the front occupants which sporadically bleeped and booped. The lions were interesting enough. One appeared mature, though his age was difficult to pin, whilst the other was quite young. Their manes were close-cropped, and upon their jacket sleeves was the Brandenburg Police insignia. 'Police...' Maggie whispered. She shook with startled surprise when the elder lion glanced over his shoulder to look directly at her. Maggie sat frozen as he flared his nostrils, before the radio crackled to life; "Seven Dragon Nine, no wants, no warrants. Vehicle registry is Albany, one Gabriel and Missy Holden on title."

He scooped up the radio handset; "Seven Dragon Nine, copy," then glanced back again, "Balin... it means 'stupid' in Natufian."

Maggie lost her grip on the cruiser and fell out onto the road. She cried out, suddenly recognizing his face! "Karl... Kuhn?"

Back within the cruiser, Sam's young trainee chuffed; "What was that?"

"Just an old memory," Sam chimed.

On the road, Maggie struggled to collect herself, "That's impossible! You can't be Karl Kuhn!"

Her light flickered erratically, and were she alive, she'd have fainted straight away. Maggie wondered if at any moment she might awaken in her old bed to marvel at what a strange dream this all had been...

'Maggie,' said a gruff female voice, 'This is Margrey Balin, a contemporary of Karl Kuhn. I believe that Karl might have been touched by the powers of the world, in much the same way as the mariner, but indeed, Karl's contact was more positive.'

The boxer regained her composure, whilst marveling at the novelty of being addressed by someone she'd once been. 'The world is indeed more magical than I would have supposed! I would advise you to follow the stranger's advice, and seek out this mariner!'

"Thank you," Maggie said.

'Good luck!' Margrey replied.

Before Margrey retired, Maggie called after her; "Why Pumpkin?"

'Pardon?'

"Pumpkin? Why did you change your name to Pumpkin? Did you come from a family of farmers?"

Margrey hesitated for a moment, then confessed; 'As a tiny filly, my coat was the color of a ripe pumpkin. A beloved relative opined that I resembled a little pumpkin on the vine.'

"Aw, that's sweet!"

Embarrassed, Margrey waved her future self away, 'You shouldn't stand about and talk to yourself! Go! Make haste! Find your new family!'

Order restored to her mind, Maggie willed herself to become airborne. She rushed ahead to search for Missy's yellow station wagon. The pastel yellow vehicle was easy to spot amongst a sea of black, white, and grey cars. Maggie descended into the cabin where she settled into the back seat, "Okay, I'm back."

"What did you find?" Shelly asked. Maggie let out a hearty cackle, "I found out that just when I thought the world can't get any weirder, it does!"

Back within Sam's cruiser, Jessup Schumacher had finally had enough, "What's that weird smell?"

"Hm?" Sam replied.

"That smell, ever since you got back from Aurora, I've been smelling this scent."

"It's probably from the water tank that ruptured over there, hell of a mess." Sam replied.

Jess smiled, "No, this is an animal's scent, but I can't quite place the species," he leaned over, "Did you rush over to Aurora to grab some afternoon horse delight?"

Sam smiled, shaking his head, "Not exactly."

"Well, go on, keep your secrets. I suppose I'll be doing the same sorta stuff before I retire."

"Thanks, Jess."

Leaving his partner off at the station, Sam made the long drive back across the Autoway 4. Within his mind, Ariadne was conspicuously quiet. Sam arrived home to find Mayalee waiting for him on the driveway. "Has Kromhaut shut up yet about what happened today?"

"Not really," she replied, "Though, he's taking it surprisingly well."

He hauled himself out of the car, "Today was... interesting."

She bit her lip, "Want to talk about it?"

"Not really, though something was confirmed that I had suspected all along."

She took his hand, "What's that?"

"The dragons should have made their own bodies, all along. It isn't natural, the way they're existing."

Squeezing his hand, Mayalee escorted her lion indoors, "Sam, can you imagine all the baby dragons that'd be running around?"

He chortled, "Well, I suppose animalkind would still end up babysitting dragons."

***

That evening, Ibiza Pushpath circled Ayres rock, the steep hillside that nestled the Brightwing home. A nervous energy churned in the pit of her stomach as she played out awkward scenarios in her mind. In these fantasies, she imagined herself throwing off her shadow veil to reveal herself to Shelton Holden. She imagined the pony touching her in the way that Ariadne had, through his lion. Ibiza's subconscious feverishly analyzed all possible outcomes of such a coupling, but none of these possible realities met with her approval. In point of fact, some of the consequences were downright awful.

With her shadow cloak firmly affixed, Ibiza cautiously approached the home. With no nosy trees around, Ibiza carefully removed the bit of cloak veiling her paw. She touched it to the outer wall to review what might be stored there.

There wasn't much to see, save for glimpses of eagles coming and going. Then, Ibiza yanked her paw away, 'There is a ghost present.'

She pushed her face through the wall and into a modest bedchamber, when suddenly- 'My paw!'

Ibiza's uncovered paw became lodged within the exterior wall! With no cloak to render it formless, the dragon's paw was now fused with the hard wooden structure! Alarmed, Ibiza pulled and tugged, hoping to free herself, 'Goodness! I'll never hear the end of this if I'm revealed!'

The inopportune outcomes she'd foreseen came crashing back, 'No! I cannot be revealed! Not at this time!'

Her problems only worsened when an eagle approached the bedchamber. 'No! W-what can I do!?'

And then, disaster! The avian ghost she'd sensed entered the chamber and looked directly at her disembodied paw! "Justin!" he called, "Would you come here? Quickly!"

'Curse this eagle! Ugh!'

"Yeah, dad?"

Eleanor entered the bedroom, but did not notice the strange golden appendage wedged in her chamber wall. "Justy? Is your father saying something?"

Ibiza hung her head at the sound of Justin emerging from his room, but at the last moment a wild idea came to her! She fixed her eyes on Tristan, then expelled him from the spirit world! 'I require a distraction!'

Eleanor cried out when her husband materialized before her eyes! Unaware of what'd happened, Tristan's feathers raised in alarm, "Elly?"

Justin arrived to find his father standing in his bedroom, apparently alive and well! But at second glance, things were not as they seemed. The entity present resembled Tristan Brightwing, but constructed of a strange iridescent plastic. His feathers appeared transparent, with shadowy internal structures visible beneath. In the place of his heart was a bright golden light that flashed and pulsed. It was bright! Shelton slipped into the chamber where the eagles traded astonished glances, "Uh, is that your dad?"

Justin looked to his father, "Dad? Is that really you?"

A pang of emotion stung Ibiza's heart as she realized she might've done the animals harm. She peeped when her trapped paw was seized by the power of a dragon's thought. Eyes wide, Ibiza was pulled back through the wall, 'Thank you, Ariadne.'

Outside, Ariadne was furious! "This is why we do not skulk about!"

Shocked by his anger, she pulled away from him, embarrassed and apologetic, "Please forgive me! I only sought Shelton Holden's company!"

Ariadne made no reply, save for righting what Ibiza'd done. He returned Tristan to the spirit world, whilst Ibiza hung her head in shame. He noted her anguish and sighed, "I am not angry with you, Ibiza, but you must take care!"

Though he could not enter her mind, Ibiza radiated her most recent memories, including her glimpses of the future. "You've seen the folly of interacting with mortal animals, I pray you'll heed your own visions."

"Thank you, Ariadne." she said in a small voice.

Now, Ariadne found himself in a difficult position. 'She mustn't be left alone, not at this time, but father already demands my return. She'd certainly not wish to follow after me.'

"Ibiza, go and continue your observations, but be careful! Ensure that your veil is firmly about your person."

She brightened at his suggestion, then shyly reached out to him, "Will you come with me?"

After a brief council with his father, Ariadne agreed; 'We should wait for a time, soon the animals will depart the home.'

"Very well."

Ibiza settled down along the ridge, "In the motor car, you were most attentive."

He shyly smiled, 'You have been among us for a quarter of a century, perhaps I assumed too much familiarity.'

"As did I." She smiled, then added; "After the incident in the forest, I'd pushed all thoughts of sex from my mind. In a way, you helped me realize that coupling can indeed be gentle and fine."

He didn't quite know how to respond, but oh... how he wished he could hold her!

Just then, the eagles departed the home. Shelton rode, perched atop Justin's shoulder. Ibiza smiled wistfully as he sailed away, then she turned her attention to the home. 'Come,' said Ariadne.

As Ibiza feared, there were unpleasant memories scattered all about the home. "Dad!" Justin had cried, "He's alive! He has a body! He's still here, somewhere!"

'The eagle's reaction, after I returned the father to Nidavellir.' Ariadne said.

Ibiza removed her cloak, "Yes."

She moved down the hall to Justin's room. There, she stared blankly about. 'What did I do? I am tearing this family apart, forcing the deceased father to manifest within the physical world.' Shaking the thought from her mind, Ibiza paused to study the recent events that'd taken place in the room.

"You know, you do look a lot like Olivia," Shelton said, mere minutes before, "At least, a male version of her."

Ibiza turned to Justin who let out a long breath, "Shelton, how would you know...?"

"Oh, I like reading about the old monarchies. In one of my books there's a few detailed portraits of Olivia, you really do look like her."

"Shelton, during that time... I think you were my old teacher and mentor, Margrey Balin."

The pony smiled and nodded, pleased that he might have been someone important back in that ancient age. "Although shortly before Olivia was assassinated, Margrey changed her surname to Pumpkin."

Shelton frowned, "Pumpkin?"

"Yeah, I thought it was an odd name too." Justin said with a clack of his mandible.

"No... There's a spirit hanging around my sister, her name's Pumpkin. Sis says the ghost told her that an ancestor changed their name to Pumpkin because their old name meant something silly."

Justin's eyes widened, "Oh, yeah! Balin means 'stupid' in the old feline language!"

Shelton scratched his nose, "Why would a horse be named 'Balin?'"

"Because after the cataclysm destroyed the ancient equine realm, a lot of horses migrated west, toward the feline kingdom."

The pony nodded, "Yeah? And?"

Justin smiled, "The felines gave these equine survivors feline-centric names to replace their equine identities. Some of these were joke names."

"Huh," Shelton chuffed, then, he looked to his friend, "Uh, does this mean that I'm not your old teacher?"

"Justin!" came Tristan's voice, "Would you come here? Quickly!"

Ibiza winced when Justin turned to reply; "Yeah, dad?"

She dispelled the vision to return to the present. Ariadne's shimmering form appeared at the doorway, 'Scattered about this chamber are hairs belonging to Shelton Holden. You have the power to create a body from these strands. Then, if it would please you, I might enter this body-' he paused as she turned to him, "Would you hold me, using a reconstruction of Shelton's body?"

'I could.'

She bit her lip, "No, it would not be right. However pleasurable the experience, there would be a terrible emotional cost," she turned away from him, "I do love you, Ariadne, but I cannot disrespect Shelton in such a personal way."

'I am sorry,' he peeped.

She smiled, "I am pleased you care for me, despite the terrible mistakes I've made."

'It is what animals do. There is nothing to forgive, Ibiza.'

She laughed to herself, 'Would you explain that to the trees?'

With the silence between them becoming more comfortable, the dragons took the opportunity to examine a living animal's abode up close and in person. Ibiza's eyes returned to the area of the wall where she'd been trapped. There were strange marks etched into the wood, akin to an animal's fingerprints. "Where did the eagles go?"

'They venture to the equine realm, to call upon the spirit named Pumpkin.'

She made no reply. Sensing that their meeting was nearly done, Ariadne opined; 'This happened for a reason.'

"Eh?" Ibiza chuffed.

'This mistake,' he replied, gesturing with his fiery body to the marks in the wood, 'You would never have provided proof of the father eagle's existence, save for this accident. It caused you to act impulsively.'

"I do not understand,"

'The animals required proof of the father's existence, in order to carry out the next phase of The One's plan.'

Ibiza cast him a sideways glance, "You believe in this entity?"

He smiled, 'Very soon there will be a great convergence of the dimensions. During this alignment, all higher realms shall become one with the first dimension,' Ariadne paused to place emphasis on his next thought; 'Your presence here is proof that something good will come of this alignment.'

Ibiza shook her head. "If I am good, why do I answer to a horrible name!? Why am I made to feel terrible things? Why am I forced to speak the name 'Destruction?'"

'We exist now within a grey twilight, where it is neither the past, nor a present,' Ariadne moved to touch his fiery body to Ibiza's chest, 'But, we shall all have a future in this new world. Once the convergence is come, I suspect you shall answer to a new name, one cherished by all.'

'ONE,' her mind seized upon the utterance as it echoed loudly through her consciousness. Ibiza drew a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. 'Go,' he said, 'Follow after your animals, learn what you must, so that you might become what The One intends you to be.'

"I will," Ibiza peeped.

And with that, Ariadne returned to his lonely realm. "I love you," she whispered after him, "I will love you, always."

***

In the sky above Albany, Ibiza replayed Ariadne's words over and over in her mind, 'If there be a future beyond the convergence, why can I see nothing beyond the cusp of this happening?'

This troubled her greatly, the likeliest reason for her lack of vision was because... 'I do not exist.'

She glanced down at the meandering traffic, 'It would be best to not know, to carry on as they do. Ignorant.'

She focused her mind to conjure an image of the future, but as always, there was nothing beyond the dimensional alignment. The alignment, a dark point simmering in the black velvet of the first dimension. Darkness, nothingness, and the singularity that burns at the center of her existence- 'Penny! Can you hear me?'

A forth dimensional portal was opened within this singularity. Ibiza's mind glanced into this portal, and came to herself tumbling across the sky, 'Penny! You need to stop the aircraft! The mission will end in disaster! Thousands of animals will die!'

This is the future, I am seeing a vision of what is to come, beyond the cusp of the convergence- 'Grandma? Uh, okay, I'll alert mission control!'

Ibiza's future self continued on, whilst her past self watched.

Ahead, the emerald island of Tyche lay fifty five miles beyond the western coast of Land. From her control console deep within the National Aeronautics and Space Academy, Penny Holden issued a frantic call to mission control, then hurried along a hall to the main situation room. There, she alerted a large rhinoceros who became enraged by Ibiza's dire warning, "Penny Holden! We cannot simply cease our operations because that dragon has a nightmare!"

He followed penny out into the hall, roaring and bellowing as Penny hurried away, "Sorry, Pike! I'm only relaying what she said!"

In this time, Penny Holden appeared to be in her mid thirties. Old enough to be a flight engineer, but still young enough that she wasn't entirely respected by her peers. Her relationship with Ibiza didn't help matters. The facility's announcing system crackled to life; "Doctor Holden, please contact Director Connally at extension seven seven five."

Penny sighed, "Fuck,"

A tiger met her in the hall, "Penny! What's going on? Vehicle is preparing to connect to the orbital platform!"

"We have to tell Avalon to hold where she is! Ibiza says something terrible is going to happen!"

"What? Did she say what was wrong?"

"She said thousands could die! I assume she means the orbital platform could fall out of the sky and crash on a populated area. Ibiza is on her way, she'll tell us exactly what she saw."

The tiger followed behind Penny as the black mare entered the sprawling Mission Control room. Inside, animals raised their heads up from their terminals to coldly regard her. Penny squeezed her nostrils, then rubbed her eyes, "Give me a fucking break, guys! Ibiza can see the future, she likely saw something happen. We have to listen to her when she says to stop!"

Her fellows returned to their terminals. Penny sighed, then glanced up at the large monitor that provided a tactical display of space shuttle Avalon's position, with regard to the giant orbital platform. On the platform was the rigging for the space elevator, and an immense spool of synthetic wire the end of which shuttle Avalon would bring to the surface.

'That was the plan, anyway.' Penny groused.

"Penny Holden, contact Director Connally at extension seven seven five! Right now!"

"Damn it!" she set her hand on the intercom, but was rescued by her grandmother's timely arrival. Penny rushed to the dragon as Ibiza struggled to catch her breath. The horse had not seen her dragon friend in many months, and was shocked by Ibiza's appearance, "Grandma! You look terrible!"

"Oh, love," Ibiza peeped, "It's all I can do to keep the magnetic field from collapsing, it's becoming almost more than I can bear!"

Penny patted her, "Well, once we get the space elevator up and running, construction on our space liners can begin!"

"That's the problem, love. I've looked at every outcome and eventuality. It's going to be impossible to lower the cable down from orbit, a terrible gravitational force shall rip it from the sky the moment the cable reaches the stratosphere."

Igor the tiger drew near, eavesdropping on the dragon's warning. Penny looked to him, hoping for some advice. Igor shrugged, "Without a space elevator to bring materials up from the surface, it'll take decades, even centuries, to construct a fleet of deep space liners."

"I'm going to bring the cable down," Ibiza said, her breath still very weak and shallow.

Penny shook her head, "Granny? You're barely able to keep the sun from frying all of us, are you sure you're up for this?"

Ibiza nodded bravely, "I have to! Their sacrifices must count for something!"

The horse ushered Ibiza into a side conference room that offered little privacy, on account of it's glass walls. Inside, Penny confronted her dragon; "Ibby! This isn't about you trying to ease your guilt! The space elevator is vital to us leaving! There's more at stake here than your feelings!"

"Penny, I have to do this! Otherwise, she is going to take control! Animals will be afraid if she comes out!"

A tall horse entered the room. Director Connally gestured sharply to Ibiza, but what he said was lost to the dragon as the vision was abruptly terminated. When next Ibiza was aware, she lay sprawled in an animal's back yard garden. Her cloak was gone, and what's more, her forearm appeared to be fractured! This was a stunning revelation for the dragon, because she'd assumed her body to be indestructible.

She reached out with her senses, hoping to re-establish a link with her future self, but the forth dimensional portal appeared dark once more.

Then, a gentle chirping drew her attention to a small quadrupedal beast known as an Eryops. It's leathery skin was grey-green, with splotches of light brown. Perhaps most striking, it's eyes resembled Ibiza's, though they were gentle and soulful. The little creature shyly approached the dragon, it's liquid-black eyes shimmering with curiosity. Ibiza smiled, then reached out with her fractured paw. "Oh, please excuse me. I must repair this."

The eryops timidly sniffed about, then watched Ibiza as she performed her repairs. Her work done, Ibiza noticed a collar around the creature's neck. She turned the collar up to read the words embossed on a brass nameplate, "Daisy."

The little creature reacted to hearing her name. She excitedly wiggled her haunches, eliciting a charmed smile from Ibiza, 'You trust me.'

The dragon gazed deeply into Daisy's eyes, 'I am Destruction, the one who offended your natural world, and yet you trust me.' Ibiza touched her paw to her belly, 'Despite who I am.'

Daisy replied with a gentle lick. There was no agenda in her actions, and no ego that demanded respect. The little creature simply wished to connect with a fellow living being. Ibiza smiled warmly, then patted Daisy's long neck, "Thank you, love."

Finally, she became aware of sleeping animals within the home. Ibiza reached into her eyes to pull forth her veil of darkness. Daisy cocked her head to the side, confused by the dragon's works. Ibiza threw her cloak about her person, vanishing from Daisy's world. The little creature honked, her eyes searching for her new friend. 'Hush love, if Ariadne is right about me, I might return one day to gift you an animal's spirit.'

Feeling strangely at peace, Ibiza returned to the sky to cover the final stretch before arriving at Shelton Holden's home. 'Something profound. The world is in danger, but something profound might happen.'

She shook her head, 'For all I know I had a waking dream!' she glanced at the nearby hills, 'Do you confound me, Glorafin?'

Something deep inside her whispered; 'No.'

Ibiza adjusted her flight as she glanced back toward Shannonvale. The future, though still murky and incomplete, now seemed brighter. 'Beyond the convergence, I shall exist, though I'll shoulder a terrible burden.'

What this burden was, Ibiza did not know. Already the vision seemed as elusive as a half-remembered dream. Now arriving in Albany, Ibiza crawled up on the pony's lawn to admire the picturesque home. 'Something will happen, something profound.'

Inside, she found the spirits of Octavius d'Shannonvale and his longtime friend, Margrey Balin. 'Ah, I see they have assumed their former identities, so that they might reminisce.'

Justin Brightwing hurried past the dragon, activating his cellular anklet with an excited squeak. After a moment, Justin's friend took the line, "What's up?"

"Virgil, we're going on a trip! I think you should come too! Yeah, I know it's short notice."

From the kitchen, Eleanor peered into the parlor. She cast a suspicious eye toward her eldest as Justin smiled helplessly. Ibiza turned to Tristan as he resumed his modern identity. Margrey's diminutive outline also became larger, until she'd assumed her modern identity. Maggie Pumpkin smiled to Tristan, "It's nice to meet you. I'm happy that you and I were such good friends."

Tristan smiled wistfully, "You and I were more than friends, we were family."

"Horses and eagles?"

Tristan nodded, "The eyes of the sky and the heart of the land, there's never been a more perfect union."

"The Union..." Maggie breathed, as Margrey's identity suddenly rushed back to the fore, "The democratic union that arose after the kingdom collapsed... everything has been undone..."

"Maggie," Tristan said with a clack of his mandible, "Keep your mind here with me, don't wander off! We're so close to our goal!"

"Are we?"

Tristan nodded, "Either way, we're close to whatever end is waiting for us."

'Indeed,' Ibiza murmured. She departed the home to walk among the tall trees of western Aurora. The trees ignored her, which actually pleased her immensely. 'They do not curse me! This is an improvement!' Then, she turned her thought inward; 'Please give me a glimpse. Show me something lovely.'

The singularity obliged with a view of a restaurant's interior, "How are your dumplings?" Penny asked from across a table.

"I'd have made them spicier," Ibiza replied, "But otherwise, they are sublime!"

On the Holden's front lawn, Ibiza Pushpath began to weep, 'The future cannot come soon enough.'

***

The Voyage North

***

Next day, Gabriel Holden piloted his yellow station wagon into the Keel Marina. This area harbored many unhappy memories for the horse, and it'd been a great many years since he'd come this way. The place looked pretty much the way he remembered. Ramshackle buildings with peeling paint, and the rusted hulks of old boats littering the spaces between them. Gabriel brought the wagon into the extended parking facility where a security guard handed Gabriel a dated parking slip, 'Put it on your dash,' said the horse.

Missy scanned the sky for the eagles, then gestured for Shelton to follow along, (The pony was already poking about the facility.)

After some issues with establishing Missy's credit history, a suitable house boat was selected.

It wasn't exactly a house boat, but more a floating garbage barge. At least that's what Shelton Holden thought. Sure it had a large central structure with windows and curtains, and at the rear a small porch with a pair of rocking chairs. What spoiled it was the missing siding along the left exterior wall. Some of the insulating material was exposed to the weather, and a large gaping hole in the domed roof further detracted from the boat's appeal. Shelton frowned as he voiced his displeasure. "We've booked this rental for a month!" Missy retorted, "So unless you have any money stashed away that you could chip in to rent a better one, this boat is it!"

Shelton bowed his head, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry boy, your 'ol mom and dad ain't made of money."

However, it appeared that Eleanor Brightwing was. The instant the eagle'd arrived, she chastised the poor rental agent when she laid eyes on the floating heap. "That one, over there!" she said, gesturing with her wing at a large sailing boat, "We'll take that one instead!" Missy and Gabriel became uncomfortable at the suggestion, but Eleanor insisted, "Come along, this is a special occasion!"

"Mom," Justin said, taking her aside, "That boat is too big to get up river, it's made to go out to the ocean. We'll need the house boat because it's keel is very shallow."

"But Justin," she hissed, "It's dreadful!"

"As Princess, I must insist that we eschew the formal mode of transport and select a more humble craft."

"Princess..." Eleanor chuffed, "Don't think you can always pull rank on me!"

Justin smiled and beaked his mum. "The house boat will be fine," he said to the rental agent. The stallion nodded, then seemed to wait for a spell to see if anyone else might offer further complaint. The business settled, Shelton was 'recruited' to shoulder the two families' belongings onto the boat. Justin nervously scanned the sky as his friend labored, 'Where's Virgil? He should've been here by now.'

Gabriel patted his son as he helped the boy lift one of the bottles of water. Missy took pity on the stallions and lent a hand. Eleanor shifted uncomfortably as the horses worked, feeling useless as she looked down upon her talons. "Dad says you'll have a part to play." Justin said. "Once we're up the river, our talon guards will have to come off! We'll be out hunting for our next meal, while the horses relax on the boat."

"Hmph," Eleanor chuffed, "I shan't do any such thing Tristan! You'll have to show Ashley how to hunt, since you..." she clapped her maw shut when she remembered he was dead.

"Mom," Justin said softly, "Dad's going to come back to us, that's why we're doing this."

Too far removed from her own experience, Eleanor could only nod. The company was now ready to depart, but Justin's friend Virgil was not yet present. "I don't know how long we should wait," said Missy, eyeing the gathering clouds, "There's a storm coming."

Justin nodded, then caught sight of his friend! "It's Virgil!"

Over the treetops came Virgil Proudfoot, accompanied by his mother Priscilla. The two bald eagles touched down upon the pier as Justin and Ashley rushed to them, "Hey!"

"Hi guys!" Virgil chirped. Eleanor waved to Priscilla, who bobbed her white-capped head in greeting. The two avian mothers conferred with one another, then Priscilla bid the companions farewell. Virgil touched his wing to his brow, "Whew! I don't think mom would have let me go if your mom wasn't along."

Justin nodded as Virgil asked, "So, where are we going?"

***

It could be said that the river Elbe is less a river, and more an inland sea. Eleven miles at it's widest, the great river has been historically treacherous as it is only a dozen fathoms at it's deepest. Here and there you'll note the rusting skeletons of ships and barges who've beached themselves on shallow sand bars. Drawing upon his experience as a fishing hand, Gabriel Holden piloted their home for the month up the mouth of the Elbe and into the unknown. He glanced out the front window as gathering clouds hemmed the valley in, threatening to unleash their store of rain upon the animals. "Shelton! Justin! See if you can cover the roof with a tarp before the rain starts!"

The two friends made their way up, whilst Virgil and Ashley stood by to offer whatever support they could. The air became heavy with the scent of rain. Eleanor grimaced as the boat edged nearer to the waiting storm. The boat began to rock, "Ugh!" Missy groaned. Maggie sensed her friend's distress, "Shelly, ask your mom if she has a copy of The Flying Mantuan!"

Shelly did, and Missy smiled, "I do!"

After a moment of searching, Missy produced a copy of the Priss Symphony performing the famous opera. "I wasn't the conductor on this recording." Missy admitted, "But it's one of my favorite versions."

Eleanor became surprised. "You are the conductor M. Holden?"

"Yes." Missy replied with a shy shrug. Her snobbery bone tweaked, Eleanor showered Missy with a barrage of questions as the music began. A battalion of strings created a sweeping sensation of wind, and a phalanx of horns heralded the arrival of the Mantuan. The music swirled and crashed like heavy waves upon the prow of a ship as rain began to pelt the boat's roof. As she spoke with Eleanor, Missy moved her hand in time with the thrumming overture.

'I can't believe we're going to actually meet this chap.' Eleanor thought. 'It's so...' She looked about the small and crowded cabin. "Tristan, would you stand near to me?"

"Dad says he hasn't left your side since we left." Justin whispered.

The mother eagle smiled, "I love you Tristan." She whispered, "I don't know if I could bear to lose you again."

Maggie understood then what she had to do. Before she met Tristan, her entire focus had been dedicated to the goal of becoming alive again. Now, she set herself to doing anything in her power to help Tristan Brightwing rejoin his family. Her inner light shimmered, and Tristan smiled to her. "Your thoughts are quite loud, Maggie Pumpkin."

"Yeah, well..." she sputtered, "There's more important things than my own silly desires."

As the adults conversed up forward, Virgil pulled Ashley aside. "Okay, so where are we going?"

"Oh..." Ashley peeped, "We're going to see some strange eagle who lives way up north."

Virgil waited for more, then swatted Ashley in hopes he might dislodge something else. "He's a history expert." Ashley continued, "He has some records that might prove that Justin is a descendant of Octavius, the last King of Shannonvale."

"Really!!" Virgil squawked, his outburst drawing all eyes to him. "That's fantastic! I mean, if Justin is a descendant of Octavius, that would be wonderful to prove!"

"Yes, well," Justin said, "There's a pretty good chance..."

Virgil paced to and fro as the sixteen year old considered the odds, "Justin, I think this is fantastic! I hope this eagle can prove your family lineage, and if so, I would love to call you whatever it is you say to royalty!"

Justin cupped his wings over Virgil. "How about calling them your friend?"

The boy smiled, and nuzzled Justin's wing. "Thanks Justin, and thanks for inviting me along on this trip."

Justin nodded to his friend, and then silently thanked Ashley for his fast thinking. 'I wasn't quite sure what to say to Virgil about the reason I wanted him along.'

With a crackle from the radio indicating the way ahead was clear, Gabriel piloted the boat north, through a fairly treacherous section of river that switched back several times before straightening again. Barges carried along by the current couldn't exactly stop on a dime, and so a sailor venturing north had to be careful when guiding his craft along. Green signal lights again confirmed that the river ahead was clear, and Gabriel paid them careful attention since it was up to him to give way should a commercial vessel appear.

"It's a good thing we're getting away from Brandenburg and going up to Shannonvale." Gabriel said to no one in particular, "Some cities have toll stops every six miles along the river!"

The boat was rocked by a heavy crack of thunder. Tristan looked nervously about, for it was in times such as these that he'd see strange things. Even scary things. He wished he could speak with his wife. To tell her what he was feeling.

Toward the back of the craft, Eleanor fussed and huffed as she cleared an area to call her own. "The dust is frightful in here!"

Missy joined Eleanor and smiled weakly. "I'm sorry the boat isn't the best-" Eleanor patted the mare with her wing. "Oh, don't be. I suppose I've become too much of a homebody. I don't like being out of my element."

The eagle leaned in close, "I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy Shelly coming in and helping me around the house. She's a fantastic equine, you should be proud!"

"I am," Missy replied, loud enough to ensure Shelly heard her over the sound of the boat's wheezy motor. Then, Missy asked; "What do you think of Herald's story?"

"I don't know what to think," Eleanor replied, "But I'll tell you one thing, I can believe it. I mean, that he's real. When I saw my husband appear in our bedchamber..."

Missy nodded, "From everything that Maggie's said, Herald sounds like a nice eagle. It's hard to believe that he once killed and ate sea mammals."

"We all have our dark deeds that we regret," Eleanor admitted. Missy nickered, "Oh, what bad things have you done?"

Ashley glanced at his mother. She smiled gently to him, "Well, during the time of the Union, I was the deputy minister for education."

"Really!?" Missy squeaked, "I had no idea!"

Eleanor nodded grimly, "Tristan was a financial analyst, who came into possession of sensitive information that the government was in financial trouble."

Missy stared wide-eyed as Eleanor continued, "Using my government access, we tipped off our friends and orchestrated an insider run on the central bank," Eleanor bowed her head, "We probably helped crash the Union economy."

"Oh, well..." Missy breathed, not knowing what to say. Eleanor sighed, "I deserve to go to jail, but there's no government left to bring charges against me."

The cabin had become very still and quiet, and even the burbling engine could scarcely be heard over the roaring silence. Eleanor hung her head, "It... feels good to tell someone what I did."

Missy took Eleanor's huge head in her hands. "I don't think I could judge you any more harshly than you've judged yourself. Besides, there's something in my own past that I don't think I could ever forgive myself for."

"What is it mom?" Shelly asked, quite concerned as Shelton helped her to Missy's side. The mother equine nuzzled her daughter, then drew a heavy sigh, "Back in '44, after graduating from university, I got myself a cute little apartment.

Eleanor smiled at Missy's gentle midland drawl as she continued, "I wasn't dating at the time, and was working a few odd jobs. Feeling lonely, I went to a local insect shelter. That's where I found Sadie."

"Sadie?" Shelly peeped, "You've never told me about having a pet insect."

"Sadie," Missy continued, "She was a little wood beetle, bright green body with yellow and orange splotches. She had the cutest little face, and she loved her toys and our walkies..." overcome with emotion, Missy paused to wipe her eyes, "I had her for several years, and during that time she entertained a boy beetle, because she had a little brood. I gave away most of them, but kept two."

Eleanor nodded as Missy composed herself, "Then, I got my first music job. I was made a cellist with the Priss, it was a dream job for me."

Missy was quiet for a time as the company hung on her every breath, "So... I had to move to Calais, only problem was, I couldn't find a place that allowed pets. I didn't know what to do..."

Sensing where the story was going, Eleanor asked; "Your parents?"

"My folks passed away. They died on a camping trip, carbon monoxide poisoning."

Eleanor nodded as Missy continued, "I took Sadie back to that insect shelter, along with her two babies." Tears streaming down her cheeks, Missy choked back thirty years of pain and guilt, "Her eyes... she was pleading with me not to leave her, but I left her there, I turned my back on her-" Missy gently kissed Shelton's cheek, "I told the attendant to put her to sleep with her babies... so she wouldn't suffer."

Outside, the wind blew loud against the fragile windows. The animals shivered in the chill.

"When we discovered Shelly's ability, and that spirits were real..." Missy paused to wipe her nose, "I wondered if Sadie's little spirit might be out there, somewhere, waiting to ask me how I could have done such a thing to her... to her babies..."

Eleanor cupped her wing over Missy's shoulder, "It seems we all have heavy stones that weigh upon our hearts."

"Very heavy stones." Missy agreed.

The wind continued to blow, as the companions continued on through the heaving dusk.

***

That evening, Gabriel sighted a small dockside landing. He cautiously approached, hoping that some animals might emerge from the nearby shack and cast him lines. There were none. Gabriel did his best to make as gentle approach as he could when Justin alighted with a long section of rope and lashed it to the side of the dock. Gabriel waved to him, but the eagle didn't seem to understand exactly what to do with the rope. The boat bumped against the dock. Gabriel quickly shut off the motor and rushed outside with Shelton to tighten up the moorings. Soon the vessel was safely moored. Gabriel shuffled back inside and settled down on the shabby sofa, "Whew!"

Justin eyed the nearby shack, "I'm going to go see if anyone's around."

Eleanor became instantly concerned, "I'm coming with you." Justin cocked his head as his father spoke to him, "Dad says he and Maggie will go out and look around."

Relieved, Eleanor nodded to her invisible husband, "Thank you, my Nightingale."

From his vantage point, Tristan winced at his wife's endearment. "Nightingale?" Maggie asked. Tristan smiled, "Come on, let's go look around."

Maggie willed herself to levitate, then joined Tristan in the air. Within her mind, past identities rushed forward to offer their assistance. The police inspector Mary Bard offered tips on how to track an animal's movements, but it was the gruff soldier Margrey Balin who most manifest within Maggie. "Do you remember the informant, Karl Kuhn?"

"Oh, yes!" Tristan replied, drawing upon Octavius' memories, "I do remember him."

"Tristan, I believe Karl is alive and working as a police animal in Brandenburg."

Tristan noted Margrey's cultured accent as Maggie continued, "An elder lion spoke to me in Brandenburg. This feline uttered something that Karl Kuhn once imparted to me."

"Margrey." Tristan breathed. Maggie looked on in horror as his outline became large and regal, "I remember wh n Oliv a re urn d..."

"Tristan? No! Tristan! Come back! Don't fall asleep!"

Helpless, Maggie quickly checked the site to see if her friends would be safe, then she rushed back to the boat to report on Tristan's condition. "He's become Octavius, and is in a trance! I don't know how long he'll be out!" Maggie wailed, "It could be hours or weeks!"

Near the washroom, Virgil noted Justin and Shelly's worried expressions, "Hey guys, is something wrong?"

"We're okay," Justin replied, "Shelly just remembered she forgot some of her medicine back home."

"Oh," Virgil peeped, "I'm sorry."

"I'm going back for him," Maggie said, "I need to see if I can bring him out of the trance!"

Justin nodded as he smiled weakly to Virgil. He didn't regret bringing his friend... actually he did. Justin drew near to his mother and quietly reported on what'd happened to his father. Eleanor was concerned, but failed to understand the gravity of the situation. "Mom," Justin whispered, "Maggie says that dad could be like that for years."

The mother eagle's eyes widened, "No...."

Outside, Maggie returned to Tristan's side as the eagle spirit remained immobile, lost within an introspective trap. "Please..." Maggie breathed, then louder she cried out, "Please! Someone! Please help me! Help him!"

The gathering shadows along the river became darker still, and then the dark was shattered by bright rays of cheery sunlight! Maggie found herself within an ornate hall, where she looked about in wonder. The somewhat overdone passage was furnished with finely crafted tables and stately chandeliers. The shift to this place confused her, for this dream was unlike any mental introspection she'd ever experienced. A large bay window lay before her, and she looked out, observing the comings and goings of armed equines and eagles wearing battle claws. 'I'm in the palace!'

Margrey Balin's identity rushed to the fore, although Maggie did not feel she was being pushed aside. Rather, Margrey joined with Maggie, lending the modern equine her past experience. 'What day is it?'

The mare rushed down along the hall, noting at every turn that something seemed... off. "Hello!" Maggie cried, "Tristan! Uh, Octavius! Where are you?"

Maggie paused before a nearby mirror. Margrey Balin's diminutive reflection gazed back at her, before the little horse waved her arms urgently; "We've got to find the king!"

Around a bend chimed familiar avian voices. Maggie recognized Octavius' regal speech. The king was accompanied by his Sky Marshal, an eagle named Grethan, "By mid April we should have Levant secured, then we can turn our attention to the west."

"Mid April," Maggie thought, "Oh shit! He's about to find out Olivia has been assassinated!"

Maggie rushed ahead, her tiny hooves pattering along the hall until she turned the corner and nearly ran straight into Octavius! "Margrey! My word!"

"Octavius! I need to talk to you!"

"Can it wait my dear? I've been summoned to the war room for an urgent meeting."

"Yeah, they've sent me along to talk to you."

Octavius nodded, "Very well, what is the urgent word from the front?"

"Well, ah, Olivia has won! Naseeruddin has been defeated!"

The king spread his wings, "Wonderful!"

Maggie bowed her head, "I... can't lie to you. What actually happens is, you were about to be told that Olivia has been assassinated."

The king's eyes went wide. "Yeah," Maggie continued, "After you get the news, you'll die of a heart attack. Your death will leave the kingdom in turmoil. Everything will collapse without you, and your death will affect Shannonvale to this day. I mean... in the modern age."

Octavius shook his head as Maggie reached out to him, "Tristan, can you wake up?"

"Tristan-" he whispered, "I know that name."

"Please!" Maggie cried, "Wake up!"

The palace corridor melted away, becoming instead a hospital waiting room. Maggie found Tristan Brightwing slumped in a corner, his shadowy head hung in mourning, 'My poor boy.'

Maggie realized that history had repeated it's self. She knew that Tristan Brightwing had suffered a heart attack upon learning of Justin's terrible mid-air collusion. 'My poor Justin.'

"Mister Brightwing?" Maggie said, trying to muster as much authority as she could, "I'm Doctor Pumpkin, your son is going to make a complete recovery!"

Tristan raised his head, "What?"

The backdrop of the waiting room lurched back toward Westvale Palace, Maggie blinked as she was reunited with King Octavius who struggled to maintain his grip on reality. The little mare touched her hand to his broad chest, "Tristan, I need you. I need you to come back to me... Octavius is the only animal I've ever really loved! I want you to be with me in case we meet any of those super-beings!"

The eagle's gaze became far away as a white mist gathered about them. "Tristan, we need to get back to the boat. We need to get to Herald's tree!"

"The tree..." Octavius breathed. His elegant outline began to shift slowly back to the modestly handsome shadow of Tristan Brightwing. "That's it!" Maggie cried, "Come on and wake up!"

And then he did. Maggie and Tristan found themselves on the riverbank, but most curious, the etherial fog remained thick and heavy. "We better get back to the boat," Maggie said, noting the hazy sunshine above. The two reported back, and were relieved to find that it was only the next morning. Gabriel and Shelton looked tired, it appeared they'd been up all night. Eleanor did her best to assist Missy in preparing some breakfast for the company. Maggie stood very close to Tristan as he smiled to her, "Maggie, I remember what you said to me. I want you to know that I love you too," he shyly smiled, added; "Very much."

Her inner light shimmered, but she became serious, "Tristan, I don't know what will be waiting for us when we reach the end of the river, but I'm glad you're here with me."

"Fate has brought us to this point Maggie, it's no accident that we're together."

Maggie ached to touch him, to hold his head in her arms and kiss him, 'I've never wanted to be alive more than right now!'

The boat weighed anchor. Gabriel piloted it away, leaving Ibiza by the riverside, wistfully bidding them good fortune. She glanced at a black shadow as it departed, and knew The One had come into the world, 'Why will they not confer with me? They share visions and render assistance to animals, but have nothing to share with me.' She closed her eyes and attempted to gather a vision of the future, but none were forthcoming, 'I am too close to this convergence.'

Beside her, Ariadne's shimmering outline appeared from between the air. Ibiza turned to greet him, "Hello, what tidings?"

"You sound most reflective,"

She nodded, "I have come to much wisdom, Ariadne. A great happening looms on the other side of this convergence, I have reason to believe the planet may be in jeopardy."

Ariadne gestured to the receding shadow, "The One paves the way for our new day, I trust the planet might not be in danger, rather, it may stand on the threshold of a great transition."

"Thus says the Incarnation of Transition," Ibiza said with a fond smile.

"My father wishes to speak with you."

"Yes," she replied.

"Now, please."

"Please tell your father that I am humbled that he'd wish to summon me to his court, but I am detained at the moment, and cannot visit him."

"Very well."

"Would you like to accompany me?" Ibiza asked, "The animals are nearly to their goal."

"I... would like that."

"Come along my love! We travel north!"

***

Midnight to Midnight

***

Oakdale, the realm of little folk. In a cottage scarcely larger than Sam's former car park, Mayalee Mae pens a short diary entry; 'Most of the way moved in, it's funny being back in Oakdale. Our first choice, Aure Dei, rejected us, as did Avalon. It seems more and more, the modern world with it's many rules is imposing serious restrictions on my movements. But at least in Oakdale, there are no immigration hurdles. As in the old days, if you can find a vacant flat, the home is yours. Problem is, shoe-horning a lion into a mouse house is not exactly playing it subtle. I fear we're going to stick out like a sore thumb.'

She closed her book and sighed, then moved to the kitchen. She gathered her cooking supplies, then set the stovetop. Mayalee had no idea what she was making, she was simply on auto pilot. Soon, it dawned on her that she was making some sort of stew; "Sam! We're out of brewhouse sauce, is sweet and sour okay?"

"That's good!" replied the lion, his eyes never straying from the flickering images on his television screen. "Need any help?"

"Nope!" she chirped, "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

"Eh? How long?"

"Ten!" she repeated. She stood stirring the meal for a moment, then said; "I was just thinking about the first night we spent together."

Sam flipped the television off. He rolled onto his hands and knees to make his way to the kitchen, "Yes, sweetie?"

"Aw, go and watch your show," she said with a peck on his nose. The lion smiled warmly, "Telly's a distant second to you."

Mayalee offered a girlish shrug. Sam chortled as he took her in his arms, "Our first night? You mean the part after you barfed up my innards?"

She laughed, "I was just thinking back..." Mayalee began, but laughed as Sam pushed his nose into her belly and snorted, "Ah! Stop!"

He set her down, as Mayalee became suddenly thoughtful, "The Holden family will be home soon."

"Yes," Sam agreed, "Then we can have more lovely friends we can get to know!"

She turned away, "I'm not so sure Sam, I mean..."

He cocked his head, "Already planning your goodbyes?"

"It hurts Sam, I don't know if I can go through it again."

He sat down on his bottom, bringing himself eye-level to the little mouse. "May, every friend I've ever made took a little piece of my heart with them when they died. I know full well what it's like to live on after everyone you care about has gone."

Tears wet her eyes. Sam took her in his arms, "Sweetie, I remember when you wept in my arms, after I pledged myself to Kromhaut. I know what it means to you to have a friend... someone who will be with you, so please, remember this joy when you meet the Holdens."

Beside them, the simmering dish on the stovetop began to smoke. Mayalee squeaked as she removed it from the fire. Sam smiled to her, then bumped her with his nose, "We'd better get the rest of your things into storage, so we can complete the move."

"No," she replied, "I'm throwing everything out."

He became surprised, and lingered for a moment, searching her eyes for appropriate words to offer. "I'm only keeping the feather, everything else is going," she declared, "I've let mementoes become more important than friendships, I guess because my keepsakes will never leave me."

"You'll have to keep your shoe, from when you were a girl."

She smiled, "Oh! And the little music box the Sultan of Ruthinia gave me!"

Sam laughed, moved to stand, and promptly bumped his head on the low ceiling. "Ohh..." she purred, "Lemme kiss it!"

She fell into his mane, kissing her way to his scalp. Sam chortled, but became distracted by a knock at the door. Mayalee answered it to find the little boy who lived a few doors away, "Hello Miss Mayalee, is your lion friend here?" he asked, glancing past Mayalee to Sam.

A few moments later, Sam checked the clearance of his neighbor's new refrigerator before he pushed it into position. Brandy Day's young son Nipper stood just behind Sam in the close quarters between the cabinets and refrigerator nook. Sam gestured for the boy to come along side, "See the water piping?"

Nipper shyly nodded. Sam figured the young mouse was still getting used to the idea of a lion sprawled out on his hands and knees in the middle of their kitchen. 'You could always look and see what he is thinking,' said Ariadne. Sam dismissed that idea, 'I wouldn't presume to intrude.'

Now, a typical mouse abode usually sports a ceiling clearance of six feet. That's quite tall by rodent standards. However, Sam is well over seven. Sam hoped Misses Day wasn't looking too far up his kilt as he leaned well forward to connect the water line. Then, he pushed the refrigerator the final few feet into it's new position, "There! Looks very nice!"

"Could you and Mayalee stay for dinner?" she asked. Sam winked to Nipper who gave him an expectant smile, "Sorry, Mayalee just finished up a dish."

"Aww!" Nipper chuffed, whilst Misses Day sputtered an apology, "Goodness love, I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner with my chores!"

Sam patted Nipper's little head as he made his way to the door, "No problem at all! Maybe we can stop in tomorrow?"

After the appropriate goodbyes were exchanged, Sam crawled from the residence to find Mayalee waiting for him. "I don't think living in Oakdale is exactly laying low."

Sam smirked at her, "It was your idea!"

The lion stood up to straighten his back. His eyes admired the rows of street lights that wound their way through the picturesque neighborhood, "Oakdale is just as enchanting now as it was in the old days."

Mayalee cupped her hand over her nose, "It's been a long time."

Their dinner forgotten, Sam took Mayalee's hand to wander amongst the great oaks. The local mice and other little folk passed them by, much as they did in life. Sam and Mayalee had become fixed and immobile, stranded within a moment of time like an old photograph, while all around them living animals came and went, each in step with the seasons.

"It's going to be Midwinter Day in a month." Sam said softly.

"I don't know how many more I'll be able to take," Mayalee said, her voice cracking with emotion. Sam knelt to take her in his arms, whilst an elderly voice bid them good evening. Mayalee didn't immediately recognize Rosemary's voice as she reciprocated the pleasantry, but groaned when the old mare began to cackle. "Rosemary! What do you want?"

Passersby mistook Mayalee's pointed words to be directed at Sam, and a concerned couple paused, hoping they could jump in and prevent a nasty argument. Sam offered them a reassuring nod, whilst Mayalee realized they were making a scene. She took her lion's hand to retreat to the safety of their flat. Rosemary followed along, pleased that she wasn't being repelled, "I remember when you were rescued, Karl. You were always such a good feline!"

"Name's Sam right now!"

Indoors, Mayalee turned to face the wraith, "Okay! What do you want!?"

Rosemary's face became grave, "I've just come from Kirsten's home, something terrible has happened!"

Mayalee waved her finger, "This better not be some kind of game!"

"Herald has been gifted some sort of copy of himself. It is alive, but it does not live," she began to cackle, "Much like yourselves!"

Mayalee glanced at Sam, 'Talk to her.' He nodded, "Rosemary, I need you to tell me what exactly you saw."

Her eyes darted wildly, "There's a shadow, moving through the woods! I see it everywhere!"

He shook his head, "Do you mean Ibiza, or is it Death?"

She raised her hands as if to ward off something, "It's coming for me!" the wraith turned about and fled, leaving the animals in stunned silence. Finally, Mayalee called upon her dragon, "Kromhaut? Can you elaborate on this?"

'Kirsten has been gifted a clone of his person, so that he might raise it as a son. It is a reward of sorts, courtesy of my sister.'

The animals were horrified, "A clone? Does it have a soul? Rosemary said it isn't alive!"

'My sister maintains it's life support. Once Kirsten passes away, she'll abandon the golem.'

Mayalee shook her head. "Alright, we're leaving at once to go and be with him! He needs companionship!"

'Kirsten is quite happy, actually.' Kromhaut assured, but Mayalee wasn't buying it. "We're leaving tomorrow! Or... this week."

Sam let out a long breath, "I don't know what to do. I'm sure Timothy won't want to live out in the wilderness."

"Shit," she chuffed, plopping down on her bottom, 'Shit...'

***

That night, Mayalee Mae lounged in her bean bag chair as the late night news flashed on the television screen. The sound was muted, in it's place was Sam's gentle snoring as the lion slept on the sofa. The flashing images on the screen created a dreamlike mural on the far wall. In amongst the blurry bright shapes was a deep dark shadow, Mayalee murmured Death's name as she allowed herself to be mesmerized.

She considered going to bed, but knew that as soon as she did, the images of a horrible undead eagle might fill her dreams. She looked at her hand, 'I'm as undead as Herald's clone,'

'Nonsense!' Kromhaut replied, 'You are a wonderful soul, clad in the vestment of a lovely mouse!'

'You're keeping me alive, Krom. Just like Herald's clone, I've become as unnatural as that golem.'

Kromhaut fell silent as he watched the newscast flicker across Mayalee's television screen. The mouse closed her eyes to deprive the dragon of his view of the program, 'Ariadne has disobeyed me. My world unravels before me, and now you tease me.'

'I simply closed my eyes,' Mayalee silently replied, 'And since when did keeping tack of Ibiza become mutiny?'

'The animals are nearly to Kirsten,' Kromhaut rumbled, his deep sonorous voice echoing through her mind, 'I know that Glorafin will see them, she'll do it just to spite me! She'll break her oath!'

'Admitting a handful of animals, some of whom have psychic powers supposedly gifted by you hardly constitutes revealing herself to the world.' Mayalee said, 'Really, I don't see why you're still insisting on secrecy.'

'Mayalee, you know what happened all those years ago. What I was forced to do. How am I supposed to carry out my duties when an unseen hand meddles with my balance of life!'

'I thought we all agreed that you are a part of this 'unseen hand?''

Kromhaut was silent for a time, then asked; 'What would you do if you were me? Would you ignore all that has happened?'

'Technically, I am you,' Mayalee replied, 'At least, I'm your physical body.'

'You didn't answer my question.'

'You're so fixated on every other power being your adversary! You know what I would do? I'd make peace with everyone, then greet the king and his family and give them everything they want, because they deserve it.'

Kromhaut rumbled and chuffed, whilst Mayalee crept from her chair to slip on her coat, 'What are you doing?'

'I'm going out, you need some comfort food.'

He made no argument. Already, images of spicy meats and other tasty entrees darted and danced through Mayalee's mind, but also, some of Kromhaut's secrets filtered through his desire for food.

Mayalee fixed upon an image of Kromhaut speaking to his son, 'I never intended that animals should ever set foot in that hall again!!'

"Again?" Mayalee chimed, "Are you saying animals have visited the mountain?"

He made no reply as Mayalee slipped through the front door, then quietly latch it. Sam softly chuffed in his sleep, then rolled over. Standing over his bed was a tall grey equine mare with piercing blue eyes that sparkled in the darkness. The female smiled gently to Sam, before she receded into the first dimension.

Outside, the evening was crisp and chilly. Kromhaut pushed further into his avatar's body to ensure her comfort. Above, nearby trees beheld his spiritual fire as a sheet of invisible flame poured from Mayalee's face. 'You might as well take the wheel,' Mayalee joked, 'I'm okay being a passenger.'

Kromhaut obliged, slipping past Mayalee's spirit to take possession of her body. The trees bid him greeting, the chorus of welcome growing louder and more urgent. Kromhaut waved Mayalee's hand at them, "Yes, yes, good evening!"

'They really love you,' Mayalee noted. Kromhaut agreed, "Yes, it's quite lovely."

'And they don't seem to have lost their capacity for independent thought...'

Sensing where her line of thought was headed, Kromhaut became defensive, "It is hardly the same thing!"

'You once referred to trees as animals who stay put their entire lives,' Mayalee offered, 'They seem to be capable of knowing their gods, and still retain a capacity for independence.'

"Tree spirits are altogether different," Kromhaut argued, "They may look into the higher realms of my kin, although they cannot fathom what it is they witness."

'Speaking of fathoming what we see, what do you make of Justin's abilities? You said that he'd been touched by all of you collectively?'

"His spirit has been awakened by an unseen hand."

'Krom, I think you have to accept that there is a deity above you, who does things without first consulting you.'

"Why do they not reveal themselves?"

'Oh, I dunno Krom,' Mayalee chortled, pausing to glance at a passing badger, 'Why don't you reveal yourself to that badger? I mean, since you're in the neighborhood.'

He grit her teeth at Mayalee's jest, but after a moment he became reflective, "Mayalee, if given the choice, would you place your faith solely in this One?"

'Do you really want me to answer?'

He sighed, "I suppose I owe them my allegiance as well, I am insignificant before their power."

'Krom, you are a part of The One, perhaps the greatest part! When I put my faith in them, I'm also putting my faith in you.'

She became unnerved by a high mental wall the dragon now erected around his thoughts. Pressing him, she asked; 'Would you tell me what you saw? Inside Justin's spirit?'

"Mayalee, I would never wish to lose you."

Now the mouse was becoming concerned, 'Krom? What's wrong?'

"There is something I've not told you."

'Yeah, I get that! Now tell me!'

The dragon very nearly divulged the truth to her, but found himself unable to bear the reality of what he'd seen. Instead, he told Mayalee what he wished could be, "When I gazed into Justin Brightwing's soul, I noted the presence of the entire host of seraphim, but also, I found an animal's spirit at the very heart of The One."

The little mouse thrilled at the revelation. Cursing himself, Kromhaut uttered his greatest falsehood; "Mayalee, it was you."

'Me?? Krom, how is that possible?'

"I do not know, Mayalee. Somehow, you have joined with my kin to create a wholly new being."

Kromhaut knew how unhappy Mayalee was as an avatar, and he secretly wished to give her something to aspire to, hoping against hope that it might come to be, 'The future is not yet set, there might be a chance!'

"Mayalee, would you give up your life and identity to join with us?"

Mayalee thought of how her dragon had benefitted from her company, and to actually join with a dragon god! To make your emotional complexities a part of their identity, it might just change the world!

'I believe in you Krom, and I believe in The One! We have to try!'

"What of your soul mate?"

Mayalee thought of Sam, 'Krom, I wouldn't really be gone. I mean, animals change a lot as they grow older, I'm not the same person I was a thousand years ago! It'll be okay! But in the meantime, we can't let Sam know what might happen, okay?'

"Shall we deceive Sam?"

She shimmered nervously, 'No, not deceive. We'll just delay informing him until the last minute.'

Kromhaut's presence vibrated with uncertainty, but Mayalee comforted him, 'It's for the greater good, Krom. We have to trust in each other, and in The One.'

The god ached to tell her the truth, that it was not her he'd sensed, but it was too late. He'd lied, and now all of Mayalee's thought was bent on joining with this singular entity. 'The future is not yet set,' he repeated, but already, his words rang hollow.

Daring to hope for the best, but hating himself for infecting his avatar with his dishonesty, Kromhaut turned his thoughts to food, "What shall we eat?"

'There's a twenty-four hour diner over on Greenleaf street, they have good seafood.'

Kromhaut strolled along the picturesque avenues of Oakdale. Though almost midnight, the streets were alive with nocturnal animals who meandered across the rolling hills and wide open lanes. Around them, the trees were equally active as they prepared for the small hours of the morning, and their morning chorus.

'What's going to happen to Rosemary?'

"If you please, I'd prefer another subject for discussion."

'Okay, how about Ibiza? Where will she fit in when this gathering of dragons occurs?'

He sighed, "I suspect she'll return to the first dimension, where she belongs."

'Krom, would you tell me about the night Herald was banished?'

"What do you wish to know?"

'The trees have told me enough about what happened, but I'd like to hear your side of it. What did Ibiza do?'

Kromhaut ignored her question and instead turned his attention to a family of nocturnal animals as they emerged from their home. They noted Mayalee's presence, and smiled to her, silently bidding the mouse a good evening.

The god smiled awkwardly. 'You should talk to them,' Mayalee suggested.

He betrayed no indication that he'd heard her. Instead, Kromhaut's attention became fixed upon a dozen or so ghosts who marched in seeming lockstep around several large trees. Around and around they went, heedless of the gloom, for in their present state they knew not if it was dark outside or light.

'Krom, are they wearing old uniforms? Are they soldiers?'

Mayalee struggled to recall if she'd ever seen such troubled spirits in these parts, but she realized that it had indeed been a great long while since she'd returned to Oakdale, 'Krom, please help them.'

"Ariadne will tend to them."

'You could go to them, Krom,' Mayalee whispered, 'You can guide them home.'

To Kromhaut's relief he'd arrived at the diner. A few foxes turned to look at the mouse as she easily pushed aside the large-sized door. The god seated himself in a small booth as a sheep waitress offered him a menu, "We're out of fresh fish."

Kromhaut nodded Mayalee's head as he fretted about the Holden's impending visit to his sister. Mayalee knew he wouldn't speak of the incident, so she allowed him to order his meal in silence.

To her surprise, he asked; "Mayalee, do you love me?"

She nearly answered crossly, but bit her lip. She calmed herself, then answered, 'I love you very very much.'

Kromhaut parsed her words, "In what way do you love me?"

'In a special way that two animals can love one another.'

"In spite of who I am?"

Mayalee replied with her own question, 'And who are you?'

This question stumped the dragon, "I... am."

'And I am me, and I love you. Not because of who you are, but because you are you.'

"I am confused, but I am happy to be loved."

The waitress leaned over the counter, "What would you like?"

"Honey roasted almonds and a salad?"

"That a question, dearie?"

"Pardon?" Kromhaut peeped.

"Dressing for the salad?"

"Please."

The waitress retreated with Kromhaut's order, whilst the god watched the cooking staff work. Mayalee carefully composed her next thought, 'When you couldn't constrain Justin's new abilities, you briefly considered bringing him into your confidence. Why didn't you follow through on your desire?'

"The fewer mortal animals who know of my existence, the better."

'But they're going to know about Glorafin, soon enough. Why not go to them now? If you fear what Glorafin might do to them, you can intervene, you can give them what they want.'

"I do not owe anything to any animal."

'Do you? You said yourself that Justin has been touched by all of your kin, why can't you accept that there's something extraordinary at work here!'

Kromhaut resisted listening to Mayalee as she continued; 'You could make Justin's father a new body! I have Octavius' feather! You could do it, Krom! You could make a body out of that feather!' Kromhaut welcomed the distraction of the waitress as she dropped a steaming plate of almonds before him, then poured his tea, "Sugar?"

"Yes, please."

His meal served, Kromhaut began to shovel great mouthfuls of food into Mayalee's delicate mouth. The mouse left her friend to eat as Kromhaut wasted no time ordering another plate. The foxes and badgers at the far end of the diner watched with abject fascination as the little grey mouse ate like a horse. However, this was no ordinary mouse as the power of Kromhaut's thought destroyed the incoming meal as it arrived within Mayalee's stomach, leaving only enough to constitute a light snack.

As the god ate, Mayalee carefully analyzed the conversation, 'You reacted strongly when I mentioned making a new body, it's been done before, hasn't it?'

"Yes."

'I'll assume it turned out badly.'

"An act of mercy, a gesture of compassion... resulted in a hundred million animal deaths."

Kromhaut sighed heavily through Mayalee's body, eliciting a chortle from the passing waitress, "Eat too much, dearie?"

'Krom, even though you kept me asleep during our early years, I've gathered enough clues to understand that you were behind the falling of the cataclysm.'

He nodded, "Yes."

'I'd like to hear your side of things, what could have forced you to do that?'

"It was an equine spirit, a deceased pony named Sherman Straightpath who found my sister's lair within the mountain. He begged to be remade, for his young family was devastated by his loss," Kromhaut sighed, "Glorafin agreed, and created Straightpath anew. When he returned to the world, mortal animals hailed his rebirth as a miracle."

Mayalee made the connection, 'He became a religious figure.'

"It began with the best of intensions. First came a simple festival, a celebration to acknowledge the higher power that'd restored their fellow. But before long, a new church of draconic worship was born."

The mouse now understood Kromhaut's extreme protective nature regarding animal's free will, 'That's why you created the path, isn't it? You don't want another Sherman Straightpath showing up at your door, asking for a new body.'

"You are beginning to understand."

'Krom, where does Rosemary Barter fit into all this? Her cult came much later.'

"Just a moment, I'll get to that."

'Okay,' Mayalee peeped, thrilled to be getting as much information as she was, but also, marveling at how calmly Kromhaut was in telling it, 'It's like he's making peace with his past.'

"I wouldn't say that," he retorted, "But, it does feel good to... confess to someone. Someone I love."

Her spirit radiated warmth, and as Kromhaut smiled, the waitress appeared, "You need anything else?"

Kromhaut looked to her, "No thanks, just the check please."

'Krom... I understand that a really bad cult was built up around Sherman, but why didn't you appear to the ancient animals? Why didn't you tell them how much their religion displeased you?'

Painful memories echoed through Kromhaut's being, "Mayalee, that is exactly what I attempted."

The god sipped some of his tea, "My attempt to intervene, to put a stop to the church was a futile gesture. After Straightpath's final passing, the draconic church mutated into a wicked cult, which promptly fractured into several competing belief systems, each vying for power."

'Even though you personally told them to stop?'

"The religion had long ago ceased to be about me, or any dragon. It had become obsessed with control over other animals. And so, as my animals descended into religious extremism and sectarian violence, I drew my plans against them."

Mayalee was stunned, 'So that's how it happened. That's when the cataclysm fell.'

He nodded, "I willed their temple to compress and explode, creating a thermonuclear explosion of-" he fell silent, unable to further speak of it.

Mayalee offered her comfort. He silently thanked her, then reached into Mayalee's jacket to retrieve a twenty pound note. The waitress called after her, "Oh! You need change!"

"Keep it," the god said as he stood. He looked about the diner at the few animals present, 'Yes Mayalee, and what is the legacy of my act? How has the world become a better place? What exactly did I save the world from?'

She had no answer as Kromhaut reached for his glass to sip down the last remaining gulp of tea. The waitress appeared, bearing a take out box; "Here you are, some take home?"

"Thank you," Kromhaut said as he accepted the box of steaming food. Outside, Kromhaut sniffed at the food as his thoughts rippled through Mayalee's being, "And so, just as the ancient titans were wiped away to make for something new, so too did I cleanse the world of the cult that grew up around Sherman Straightpath's miracle."

She reached out with her spirit to touch his fiery being, 'I just want you to know, that I don't feel any different about you. If anything, I feel like I understand you better.'

He sighed, "Thank you love, and if it makes any difference, I will help Octavius rejoin his family, if Glorafin refuses to help."

'Are you sure, Krom?'

"I have grave misgivings Mayalee, but I trust that the secrecy of my existence may be preserved."

Though she wished that her friend could be free to live amongst his animals, Mayalee understood the impossibility of this wish, 'Yes,' she replied.

Just then, Kromhaut passed a marsupial animal that was colloquially known as a 'Possum.' The white-faced animal appeared to be asleep, and sat holding a bag of belongings snugly against his chest. He was awake of course, but true to his species' nickname, he pretended to be asleep when Kromhaut came near. Though he'd only just met this animal, Kromhaut knew the possum's life story. His name was Chancey. In an instant Kromhaut became aware of the years of alcohol abuse and loneliness that Chancey had endured on the streets. Kromhaut choked back tears, overwhelmed by this life gone astray, "I have f-failed you,"

Kromhaut wiped Mayalee's eyes as he placed his box of surplus food beside the marsupial, then gently padded away.

'That was nice of you.' Mayalee said.

"I should have listened to you, Mayalee, you knew what was best, all along, yet I refused to listen."

'You'll get a second chance, Krom, when you join with The One.'

"Goodnight, love."

'Goodnight, and oh! You forgot to tell me about Rosemary!'

"She was Sherman's granddaughter. She survived the cataclysm, and attempted to revive the dragon cult. Upon my order, Ariadne tore her from the mortal world to strand her within the realm of Nidavelir."

'Because after the cataclysm, you promised to never again do any harm.'

"Precisely."

'Rosemary Barter... is Sherman Straightpath's granddaughter! I had no idea!'

"Goodnight, Mayalee... I love you very much."

"I love you too!" she said aloud, but it was too late... he'd already gone. Lost in her thoughts, Mayalee's eyes wandered aimlessly, until they settled upon a flickering street lamp, 'Bringing down the cataclysm broke his heart, that's why he's so adamant about remaining secret and not using his magic.'

From above, a broad maple leaf drifted down to settle upon her head. Mayalee smiled as she cupped her hand upon the leaf. Another leaf fell, and another. Soon Mayalee was left holding a dozen leaves from the trees around her, "Thank you."

'Daughter of Renewal, think not that he has forsaken all magic,' said the nearest maple, 'For were you not born of another age? You are an embodiment of his power upon Elysium.'

"Yes..." Mayalee replied, recalling all of the long years of her life in an instant, "Yes, I am."

Perhaps better understanding her dragon's motives, Mayalee carried home the dozen maple leaves that she would add to her growing collection of mementoes gathered from along the corridors of time.

***

Part Three

***

The silver crescent of the moon made it's way across the night sky. Rosemary Barter lay in a ditch, peering up at the innumerable stars, wondering as any animal might if there was someone out there doing the same. Her reprieve was interrupted by the morning chorus. Rosemary felt the tall bodies of the trees as they sent their power out, combining it with their neighbors, so that the forest might affect the weather of the world.

A ghost's mournful cries pierced this morning chorus. The troubled wailing stirred Rosemary's inner dialogue, where a heated debate was initiated regarding the ghost's plight. Rosemary sat up, peering through the woods as the emotional element of her being urged action, 'They should not have dismissed Herald without first naming a new spiritual guide! Someone needs to tend to that ghost!'

Rosemary struggled to put both the spirit's cries out of her mind, and her own inner arguments; 'Not that I'd want the job,' she muttered.

From an unseen vantage, a lesser dragon named Jord took note of Rosemary's stirrings, 'What does she hear? I see nothing.'

Assigned to watch over the wraith the instant Destruction'd adopted her ancient name, Jord was tasked to monitor her movements and report any interactions she might have with Destruction. He drew closer to Rosemary, hoping to detect what might have disturbed her.

"Someone! Help me!"

Rosemary snorted, "Blast and damn, I'll not stick my muzzle out only to have it slapped by Kromhaut! You are going to have to sort yourself out!" she rolled over, "All on your own, with no one to help you."

Jord puzzled at Rosemary's outburst, 'Truly, she is disturbed.'

"Momma," the voice cried, "Where are you? What's happened to me?!"

That was the last straw, Rosemary could not suffer a child to call after their mother. With a sigh, she rolled from the ditch to set off after the traumatized ghost. The thin shrill voice was like an ice pick in Rosemary's brain, but the wraith continued on, 'I hope my presence isn't too unsettling, I likely look dreadful.'

Beside her, Jord boggled at Rosemary's odd behavior. Soon she located the spirit, a tall lioness who's shimmering outline flickered erratically; 'I know that flickering, she's likely been dead less than an hour.'

"Easy dear," Rosemary whispered, "Everything is alright."

From Jord's perspective, Rosemary spoke to - nobody. To the other, Rosemary beheld a lioness that turned to her, but this feline ghost did not immediately recognize Rosemary as another animal, 'She's reliving her death, that's why she's so scared!'

Rosemary went to the ghost, "Sweetie, listen to me. I want you to follow my voice. Hold on to the sound of my voice and come to me."

"Uhhhhhh-"

The lioness dropped to her shadowy knees, but she did make eye contact with Rosemary- "That's it! Follow me! You are not in pain, and no one will hurt you."

"W-who are you!? What's happened to me?"

"I'm sorry, love. You have died. I mean, no. Just your body has," she groaned at her own inarticulate blathering, "What is your name?"

"Greta."

"Very well, Greta. By chance, do you see any paths or walkways in your field of view?"

"No."

"Then you are not ready to transition. Just be patient, soon enough a path will reveal it's self. Take it, don't be afraid, you'll re-enter the world inside a new mother."

"Really?"

"That's how it's supposed to work, anyway."

Jord was becoming very concerned, 'This equine has truly gone insane. It is cruel to keep her trapped this way, she should be freed.'

"What about god?" Greta asked, "Is there a god somewhere? I mean, if spirits are real-"

"No," Rosemary chuffed, "There isn't. We are on our own, there's no one looking after us."

Greta nodded, "I'm happy you're here, I'd be terrified without you."

Rosemary's heart ached. Her eyes shimmered, and for the first time in a great long while, Rosemary smiled, "It's alright love, no need to fear."

"You are a nice lady, Rosemary."

The wraith blinked, "I didn't mention my name."

"Jord, would you help me?" Greta said.

"What?" Rosemary chuffed, "To whom are you speaking?"

Greta's long black hair shimmered in an odd sort of way. Her eyes flashed as Mayalee's might, when her dragon'd come calling. "Jord, if you think it is cruel to keep Rosemary imprisoned, you have the power to free her."

From Jord's perspective, he did not hear Greta's words, he felt them. He was touched in a deep and profound way by the entity's mind.

"Piss off, Glorafin!" Rosemary hissed, "I have no patience for your games!"

"Rosemary," Greta said, "Would you trust me?"

The wraith clapped her mouth shut. Greta smiled gently, then gestured for Jord, "Free her, Jord. You can choose to be merciful."

A white flash stunned Rosemary. Within her skull, her brain became gripped by a tremendous sense of vertigo. She felt herself fall, and was left staring up at the tall bodies of the trees, dimly aware a diminutive dragon looking down upon her, "You dragons are so useless."

Jord smiled awkwardly, "You are welcome."

Rosemary returned his smile, before she slipped into unconsciousness. Then, sometime later, she woke to a crunching of leaves. She glanced up, wondering who might be about.

There it was again! Someone traipsing about! Rosemary glanced toward the rustling, then squeaked as a sharp pain radiated down her neck. It was still quite dark in these small hours of the morning, but she did catch sight of a golden glimmer darting amongst the trees. She paid it no mind as she became preoccupied by her sudden discomfort, 'Probably that weird dragon, I haven't the time for her.'

Her eyes became heavy, 'All these dragons about, yet nothing gets done,' she yawned, then settled back down, 'What good are they?'

Hours later, the morning dawned bright and clear. Rosemary Barter opened her eyes to find a shimmering green canopy gently swaying overhead, "How odd, everything seems so clear."

She raised her head up, then gasped as a flash of pain shot through her head. Rosemary clasped hold of her brow as a stunning realization dawned on her! 'I'm not supposed to feel pain!'

She shut her eyes tight, then carefully opened them. The world appeared in crystal clarity. Well... as clear as her seventy five year old eyes could manage. Gone was the mist, the haze, and the etherial lights of Nidavellir. She struggled to recall what might have happened the previous night, but all she could recall was an odd rustling of leaves and a tremendous sense of vertigo.

Then, her belly cramped. Rosemary doubled over as she was wracked by painful spasms inside her abdomen. Soon the sensation passed, and she had the presence of mind to ponder her predicament; 'Kromhaut? Are you there? Have you released me?'

There was no answer. She cocked her head to listen to the chirping of the insects. 'Kromhaut! Answer me!'

Already she felt silly, as if she was addressing an entity who was not real. She dared to hope that it'd all been a dream, a long and terrible nightmare, and that there were no ghosts, vengeful dragons, or creatures that dwelt in the outer darkness.

"Ma'am, are you okay? Can we call someone?" said a voice. Rosemary turned to the animal but found herself unable to reply. 'My back,' she thought. Then a sharp jabbing pain brought her to her senses, "My back is killing me."

A sturdy badger knelt down to cup his hands beneath her neck, "There there ma'am, we'll get you some help."

Rosemary became aware of a gathering of voices all around her. She looked to the animal, her eyes searching for meaning as the badger smiled gently to her.

"Where am I?" Rosemary croaked, expending all of her energy just to sit up. The badger assisted her, his strong hands warm against her body. She looked down upon her tattered white gown and became unsettled by it's ancient hem and make. She began to tremble. "Easy," the badger said, whilst a nearby couple rang a medic. Rosemary grasped at his shirt, 'This shirt is modern thread! I'm in the modern world.'

She looked up, her grey eyes unfocused and full of fear, "Where am I?"

"Oakdale Park. Just sit tight, we'll get you some help."

Several blocks away, Sam and Mayalee hurried from their home as Kromhaut's voice rang in their ears. The lion scooped up his mouse and rushed headlong toward the site of Rosemary's return. Back at the park, the badger offered Rosemary whatever comfort he could. "You'll be alright, you might have been sleepwalking."

Rosemary sighed, "You're a helpful animal, Steven. Thank you for your kind attention."

Steven blinked, and wondered when he might've told the elderly horse his name, but he became distracted by a commotion as a pair of animals moved through the gathered crowd. "Excuse me," said Sam. At the sound of his voice, the pit of Rosemary's belly fell away as she realized; 'It was no dream.'

The kindly badger stepped back as Sam knelt beside the startled horse, "Come on, we'll help you back to the house."

"You know this horse?"

"Yeah," Sam replied, "She must have wandered off while we were asleep. Getting a little daffy in her old age!"

"No!" Rosemary gasped, "I'm free! Tell me that I'm free!"

"I have an ambulance on the way," Steven said, but Sam waved the badger away, "It's okay, I can take care of her."

Rosemary reached out for Steven, "Help me, love! Don't let them take me!"

Steven grasped Sam's arm, "Hey, please stop! I really think we should wait for the ambulance!"

The gathered crowd closed around Sam as the lion handed Rosemary off to Mayalee. He reached into his pocket, then withdrew his police identification card, "I'm an officer, it's okay. I'm looking after this equine so that she won't have to be confined to a hospital. I'm trained to care for her."

"Obviously," said a nearby rat, "You're doing a shitty job!"

Sam smiled weakly, then thanked the animals who reluctantly allowed him to take Rosemary away. "Karl Kuhn! Have I been released?!"

"Shhhh!" Mayalee hissed, "We have to get you inside!"

Rosemary's lip began to tremble, she knew that she'd not been pardoned. She thought to cry out for help, to attempt an escape from Kromhaut's servants, but it was hopeless. There would be no escaping the dragon. "Please, I don't care what happens to me! Just help Herald! He's suffering!"

"Shhhh!"

Rosemary let out a desperate wail before she hung her head in defeat. Looking down, she gazed upon the grass, hoping to burn the memory of the living world into her mind before she was again cast into the purgatory of Nidavellir. Sam helped her into the flat as tears streamed down Rosemary's cheeks. "Please," she whimpered, "I want to go to sleep, I want to fall asleep and dream! May I do that before I'm cast back?"

Mayalee hopped up onto a nearby chair to assess Rosemary's condition; "Kromhaut says a dragon named Jord released Rosemary, all on his own initiative."

"How?" Sam chuffed, "Isn't that wildly out of character for a dragon!?"

The mouse shrugged.

"I can't go back! I can't!" Rosemary gasped. Sam, stung by her sorrow, pulled her close, "It's okay, Rosemary. I'm going to stay with you."

She clung to him with her long arms, sobbing hysterically. 'Samuel,' said Kromhaut, 'Please move aside.'

"No."

'Move aside, Samuel.'

"Kromhaut! Enough! She's not going back!"

'You forget your place!'

"And you've forgot what compassion is! Just how long is she supposed to suffer?" Sam tightened his grip on her, "If Rosemary goes, then I go!"

Shivering in his arms, the old horse's bowels finally let loose. A putrid stench issued from her backside as Rosemary trembled and whimpered. Sam sighed, 'Here is your evil animal, reduced to a terrified old lady who's just pooped herself. Is this who you want to punish?'

'Sam, please, I must do this.'

'Krom, I remember the morning I pledged myself to you. Ariadne said he wanted me to help him understand animal ways, and that together, we might help ease animal's misery.'

Sensing the lion was in fierce negotiations with the dragon, Rosemary pulled her long face back to gaze into Sam's eyes. Mayalee offered her a reassuring pat as she turned her thought inward to buttress Sam's argument; 'Krom, just last night you confessed that you should have listened to me, and that I'd known what was best all along,' she embraced his presence, 'Will you listen to me now? Can you be merciful?'

A long moment passed. The ticking of Mayalee's antique clock became deafening as the dragon regarded Rosemary through Mayalee's eyes.

"This is why you have us," Sam said aloud, so that Rosemary might hear, "We are your conscience! Now please, let Rosemary be!"

The flickering in Mayalee's eyes dimmed, then winked away. She closed her eyes with a sigh, "He's going to think it over."

Rosemary choked back a lump of emotion, but could offer no other reaction. Mayalee squeezed her hand, "We'd better get you cleaned up."

"Please tell me this ordeal is over," Rosemary whispered, "Please!"

Mayalee took Rosemary's hand and squeezed it tight, "You're safe! You're not going anywhere!"

Deep down, Mayalee hoped it could be true. She led the horse to the wash room, "Come on."

Inside, Rosemary shrieked when she beheld her reflection! "I look terrible! My eyes are gaunt and sunken! Return me to Nidavellir, Kromhaut! I can't bear to be seen like this!"

"I see your sense of humor has returned," Mayalee said, using her superior strength to pull the mare down to her level. She pulled the soiled gown from Rosemary's shoulders, "Sam, please wash this!"

The lion entered to take the gown. He rushed it to the laundry room, leaving Mayalee to set the bath. Rosemary reached back to scrape the mess from her bottom, "Look what your god has done do me,"

Mayalee ignored her, "Come on, let's get you a bath."

Just off the kitchen, Sam threw the ornate gown into the washer, then moved to the basin to vigorously wash his hands. 'Sam,' came Ariadne's voice, 'Father is displeased.'

"Rosemary couldn't stay in Nidavellir forever, sooner or later you'd have to deal with her."

'Yes,' Ariadne replied, 'I accept that, but Jord has disobeyed father. We believe he was influenced by the singular entity. We do not know what to do.'

"Are you looking for my advice?"

'I suppose I am,' Ariadne replied.

"If The One is comprised of all of you, then this being would know better what is right. Clearly, they've overruled Kromhaut."

'Yes,' Ariadne repeated, as Rosemary's shrill voice echoed through the wall, "Confound it! Don't do that!"

Smiling, Sam left the kitchen to hurry to the bathroom. Inside, he found Mayalee attempting to drag a brush across Rosemary's backside, "I said stop! That hurts!"

Sam pulled Mayalee aside and bid her tend to breakfast. He ushered her out amid her silent protests. Sam smiled to the mare as Rosemary shyly cupped her hands over her breasts, "Come on, let's add more water."

Rosemary shook her head and attempted to stand, but Sam pushed her down into the tub, "Come on, just relax."

She let out a shuddering breath as the water began to cover her legs, "I'd forgot what this feels like."

"Mmm-hmm..." Sam purred, taking a bar of soap to lather his hands. Rosemary cast him a sideways glance, "What are you doing? You're not going to lay your hands on me, are you?"

"You need an animal's touch. It will be good for you."

Embarrassed, more than a little frightened, Rosemary allowed Sam to wash her back. Her slender shoulders tensed, and she began to tremble, "Shhhh, it's alright," he said, tracing his fingertips over the bumps of her spine.

"I know what you're doing," she whispered, "I'll not let you manipulate me!"

He gently kneaded the tense muscles of her shoulders, then took up a small bucket which he held under the running tap. He poured the water over her head, eliciting a terse groan from her, "And what would I gain from such a manipulation?"

She closed her eyes as Sam poured more water over her. The gaunt craggy features of Rosemary's face became softened by the water, revealing a loveliness that surprised even Sam. Despite her age, and years of abuse, Sam felt himself whisper; "You're very beautiful, Rosemary."

A knock upon the door, "Everything okay?"

"Sure, come in if you want."

Mayalee did, and was surprised by the difference in Rosemary's appearance! "Wow, she cleans up nice!"

"Sod off," the mare spat, "Your god knows what he's doing, doesn't he? He wants me to suffer!"

"What do you mean, 'my god?' You're the one who started a dragon cult!"

"Girls, please," Sam chuffed, "Let's try to start fresh, okay?"

Mayalee returned to the kitchen as Sam placed his hands on Rosemary's neck. He used his powers of mind to see her thoughts, but was repelled by what he found, "Oh, you don't want to go tripping around in there," Rosemary chortled, "You might never find your way out."

"You're not insane," Sam replied, "And how do you know I'm trying to read you?"

She offered no answer, Rosemary simply hung her head for a time as Sam finished bathing her. Through the wall, Sam heard Mayalee place Rosemary's gown into the dryer, "We'll have you fixed up in no time."

"What are the dragons saying?" she asked, "I know they speak to you, perhaps even now. What do they say? Was my release truly counter to Kromhaut's plan?"

"Yes."

She turned to him, "Then quick as you can! Kill me! Put my throat into your mouth and bite down!" She clasped her hands across his face, "Do it! For mercy's sake!"

He wrestled her down while a concerned Mayalee appeared at the door, "Okay, maybe you're a little insane," he said in jest, then silently requested some oats be brought for Rosemary. Mayalee fetched them at once. "Here," Sam said, presenting the oats to her, "Try and eat something."

"No, I'd rather starve!"

He grasped her muzzle to push a pinch of food into her mouth. Rosemary's eyes widened as she took the morsel between her teeth. Slowly she began to chew. Mayalee smiled broadly as the old mare reached for the pot, then brought it to her face. "Easy," Sam said, "Take it easy."

Naked and wet, Rosemary Barter savored her first meal in almost two and a half thousand years. The avatars smiled to one another, but the mare was quick to squash any sense of accomplishment. "Don't get too proud of yourselves, I still think you're both morons."

"You're welcome!" Mayalee chimed, skipping to the washroom to fetch Rosemary's gown. Sam helped her from the tub then slid a towel slowly down her belly. He capitalized on her extreme attraction to lions, and used his sensuality to keep her emotional state in check. There was some part of Rosemary that relished his attention, but there was a larger part that resented it as Sam groomed and dried her.

"You were married once, weren't you?"

"No, never," she chuffed.

Sam brought the towel up to her shoulder, "I see a lion's face at the back of your mind. Who was he then, if not your husband?"

Rosemary locked eyes with him, "I only fuck lions."

Mayalee cleared her throat, then presented Rosemary's gown. The former wraith took it from her with a snarl, then slipped it over her head. It draped down over her slender body in a most unsettling way. Frowning, Rosemary turned to face the mirror, "I look ridiculous! I cannot wear this!"

"I have a jacket you can wear over it," Sam offered, "I doubt any of Mayalee's things would fit you."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Yes, bring me this jacket of yours."

The trio moved to the bedroom where Sam offered up a dark blue coat. Rosemary took it and slipped it on, "This will do. Th-thank you."

"Careful!" Mayalee squeaked, "Your face might crack saying that!"

Scowling, the mare lay down on the couple's bed. Mayalee became instantly territorial, "Hey, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like? Since I'd wager I am not free to go, I would like to rest and sleep. It's been something of an eternity since I've slept."

Sam nodded and moved to depart, but Rosemary grasped at him; "Sam, thank you," she glanced at Mayalee, "T-thank you both, for standing up for me. I'd be cast back if it were't for you."

Mayalee nodded as Sam winked to her. The couple departed, leaving Rosemary alone. She lay back, listening to the wild insects chirping and fluttering outside. Her thoughts rattled about inside her head, but eventually settled on Sam. She imagined him at the foot of the bed, removing his clothing, but she shook the dirty thought from her mind, 'It's what he wants! He's trying to manipulate me!'

'And what would I gain from such a manipulation?'

Rosemary squirmed this way and that. Her eyes settled on the gentle swaying of the trees as they created a dreamlike mural of shadows on the far wall. Hidden amongst these shadows was the black shape that'd followed her for all the years of her exile. Rosemary smiled gently, then settled off to sleep. Across the room, a grey equine mare cast aside her shadowy veil to approach Rosemary's bed. 'Sleep, daughter. Sleep now, and dream.'

Beneath the covers, a special world, lost for so long, was opened to Rosemary.

"Hello, Cricket."

Rosemary found a tall black stallion waiting for her in the fog. She stood for a moment to admire his beauty, but shook when a lion appeared from the mist to strike at the horse. Rosemary was sickened by a disorienting sense of vertigo as the stallion fell away, only to collapse upon a dingy motel bed. She steadied herself at the door, then watched as the stallion's body shifted and contorted.

She cried out when the back wall collapsed, revealing green growing things.

Rosemary looked back to find the stallion'd become a golden-scaled creature, who's bulk now dominated the room, but it's eyes were black as pitch, and bore the appearance of the dead.

"This is the choice before you."

Rosemary turned to find her mother, Garland Highpath. The grey horse smiled; gently took Rosemary's arm.

"You're not my mother," Rosemary breathed, "This isn't real."

Ignoring Rosemary's anxiety, Garland squeezed her daughter's hand, "Love, I'm so happy you're freed from Nidavellir! It is good to see you after so long!"

Rosemary recoiled from the strange electric current that radiated from Garland's fingers. The wary horse narrowed her eyes as she recalled the electric tingle she'd felt whenever the shadow was near.

"You."

"You are quite perceptive," Garland said, tossing her dark mane away from her face. Rosemary glanced sharply at the flowing locks that so resembled the hair of the strange lioness who'd presided over her release.

"What is your name?"

Garland pursed her lips, annoyed that her daughter knew exactly the question to ask; "I am Life."

"Life? So you're a force of nature? A dragon?"

Garland smiled, "In a manner of speaking," she patted her daughter, "Come, I have many things to show you."

"Wait, what about the black horse, and that dead creature?"

"The stallion is your future husband. His name is Benjamin, you'll be seeing him come springtime!"

"What!? I'm not getting married!"

Garland snorted, "Oh, blast and damn, girl! Do you always have to be so hard-headed?"

"I'll decide whom I'll marry, thank you very much! And stop speaking as my mother! You dragons can just toss off! I'll-" the other silenced Rosemary with jab to the belly, "There's more at stake here! Don't you see? Benjamin Almond is a physical embodiment of the land! You need to marry him, so the trees will forgive your offenses, and accept your dominion over them!"

Rosemary withdrew with a snort, "I've done nothing to the trees! Now go away, Glorafin! I've suffered enough torment at your brother's hands!"

"Sweetie, please," Garland said, taking Rosemary by the elbow, "I'm here to make sure no one torments you."

"Then... this is no dream."

"Not one that you'll remember," Garland admitted, "I just want to help you, love. I know this is a scary time for you."

"If you're a dragon, I want to see your real form," Rosemary chuffed, tugging and fumbling at the mare's face, "Where are your teeth?"

Garland pinched Rosemary's snout, "Ooo! Did I bite you?"

"Show yourself! Stop pretending to be my mother!"

Garland nodded, then stepped back. A fire burst from her brow, startling Rosemary. Garland's grey fur became spun gold that flattened and broadened into shining metallic plates. Her delicate mouth became a maw, as long graceful horns sprouted from her head. A ring of fire took it's place above the dragon's head, mesmerizing Rosemary with it's etherial beauty, but the dragon's face was daunting and commanding. Rosemary looked into the dragon's eyes and felt as an animal might, when standing precariously close to a high cliffside face.

"Ibby, the form I wear matters not, I shall always be your mother."

"That's what you used to call me," Rosemary whispered, "All those long years ago."

The dragon settled back on her haunches, "As good as it is to see you, there is much we must do this night."

Rosemary exhaled a long breath, "Alright, what do you want to show me?"

The Incarnation of Life gestured for her daughter to sit, "You're about to have a dream within this dream. I trust you're comfortable?"

Rosemary shrugged.

"Close your eyes, Rosemary."

Rosemary did. With her eyes closed, she settled into a deep and profound slumber. Within Life's meditative trance, Rosemary's spiritual eyes were opened. Now under the dragon's care, a great many things were revealed to her. She beheld a small grey pony who sailed upon a princess of eagles. 'Mother, where are we? Is that Olivia?'

'Hush, child.'

Enthralled, Rosemary followed along as the grey pony passed from one incarnation to the next. She witnessed the kind intellect of an equine scientist make way for the indefatigable tenacity of a police inspector. Then Rosemary shook when a tall bison landed a blow across Maggie Pumpkin's muzzle. 'The boxer,' Rosemary murmured, 'I've steered Olivia's mentor straight toward Shelly Holden.'

'These are the lives you would have lived, had you not been cursed. Maggie Pumpkin has stepped in to fulfill the destiny that was denied you.'

Rosemary reeled at this news. 'And who is Maggie Pumpkin? Who is this spirit that has taken my place?'

Now the flow of time ran in reverse. Rosemary followed Maggie's many lives back to the time before the dawning of the modern age. 'Wait! I know these equines!'

The flow of time continued back. Rosemary watched, her mind's eye fixed on each and every life Maggie had lived, but a growing unease crept into Rosemary's spirit as they ventured along a familiar road. Soon they reached the falling of the cataclysm, and the life and times of Garland Highpath. 'How can this be! How can Maggie Pumpkin be my mother!?'

The weight of this realization crashed down upon the old horse. When next Rosemary was aware, she was buried beneath a great ruin of splintered timber and rusted metal. She cried out, but already the scene seemed oddly familiar. The grey hand of Garland Highpath reached through the rubble to comfort her daughter, "Are you ready, love?"

"Yes," Rosemary whispered, "I have done this before. I've done it a million times before."

Garland's hand became a tongue of flame that burned Rosemary's body, but she kept hold of her mother's fire. The flames brought not pain, but release. Immolated, Rosemary's remains rose up from the fire and became as ash that drifted on the wind.

Rosemary's ashes traveled through a deep and tranquil fog, settling at last upon the green fields of Buckley, where a little tree welcomed her home.

Thus was the first dream to come to Rosemary Barter since the old ancient days.

***

That evening, Sam and Mayalee looked in on their guest who wailed and protested to be left alone. She burrowed her face beneath the covers and dozed for a time, but the aroma of food and chiming voices roused her. In the parlor Rosemary found the other half of Kromhaut's little gang, the hawk Allomere Clemens and the cute fox Timothy.

Allomere's maw hung open as he gawked at her. Annoyed, Rosemary sputtered a curse, "Fool, what are you looking at?"

"A ghost."

Rosemary snorted, "Not anymore."

She settled heavily in a chair, her mind momentarily unguarded. Mayalee picked up odd images and strange sensations from her as the horse gazed absently at a salt shaker. "Did you sleep okay?"

Rosemary made no answer. Mayalee gestured to Sam. He nodded, then carefully examined the thoughts Rosemary absently broadcast. "Rosemary, did you dream about a fire?"

Shaken back to the moment, Rosemary expelled the familiars! "Leave me be!"

"We're only trying to help-" Mayalee began, but Rosemary was having none of it. She left the table to flop down upon the sofa. Gently, she began to weep. Allomere was surprised at her sudden vulnerability. He reached out with his wing to comfort her, but Mayalee gave him a cautionary nudge. "Careful."

"Maybe we should eat," Timothy suggested, moving to the kitchen to inspect the brewing pot. "Ow!" he barked, knocking his head on a support beam. Mayalee smiled to him, "Sorry love, mouse houses are rough places for tall animals."

He returned with a large lump upon his head which slowly grew smaller and then faded away. Rosemary smirked at him, "It must be good to have friends in high places."

"Well," he replied, "Technically, you do too."

At first she didn't know what he meant, and then it dawned on her, 'Oh yes, The One.' She straightened her gown, "I should think I will like this 'One,' when they finally reveal themselves. Any entity who so vexes Kromhaut is a true friend, indeed."

Mayalee did her best to ignore the mare as she set the table. Timothy lowered himself onto his hands and knees to assist her. Rosemary smirked at the pair while Sam checked the stew. "You know, Rosemary," Sam said, knowing he shouldn't engage her, but finding it impossible not to, "Krom went rather easy on you, when you consider what you did. Ordering the killings of rival cult leaders? The systematic domination of the followers under your control? Kromhaut stranded Herald aboard his ship for a thousand years for far less mayhem than you wrought."

Timothy cast Rosemary a sideways glance. She scowled at him, "Do not presume to judge me! You, who've murdered in your own past!"

Mayalee clapped her hands, "Dinner!"

After some wary glances all around, the animals sat down to their meal. Sam was thankful they'd cooked a sufficient amount, and the food seemed to smooth everyone's frayed nerves. Even Kromhaut slipped into the background of Mayalee's mind so that he might savor the flavorful morsels, despite Rosemary's close proximity. Within her vision, Rosemary could detect wisps of vapor and flame, and she knew the dragon god was present, but she betrayed no indication that she was so aware.

The meal went smoothly. The animals even found themselves smiling. On occasion, anyway.

Seeing Rosemary in a good humor, Sam attempted to hear her thoughts, but was again caught by the wary horse, "It would be best if you didn't." Rosemary said aloud, "At the very least, I consider it extremely rude."

"I'm just trying to help you." Sam replied, but Rosemary dismissed him, "I'm sure it would cause quite a scene if I left, I'm sure your god would demand my return." She then cast her eyes upward, "Tell me, is there anywhere I could go to be free of you?"

Through Mayalee's eyes, Kromhaut watched the mare finish her meal, and then retire to the bedroom, "Sam, Mayalee, I would be most grateful if I could make use of your bed for the night."

Mayalee was surprised that she'd made an actual request. She nodded her permission, "Sam and I can get a hotel. We'll be back in the morning to pick you up."

The ancient mare nodded, "Thank you."

"Just a moment." Mayalee said, taking a camera from a side table and gesturing for Rosemary to kneel down before a white plaster wall, "Have you lost your mind, mouse? I am tired!"

"I need to make you an identity card, I can work on it tonight."

"Oh, bloody hell," the cranky horse muttered as she slowly knelt before the mouse. She grimaced, drawing a chortle from Sam. "Rosie, can you please smile normally?"

Rosemary reached out to batt the camera aside, "Don't ever call me that! My name is Rosemary! Say it proper!"

Mayalee nodded, thinking; 'And here I thought it was Ibiza,' then aloud said; "What's your middle name?"

"Whatever do you need that for?"

"I'm making an identity card, such documents tend to include them."

"It's Garland."

Sam raised a brow, "Isn't that your mother's name?"

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not," the lion replied. Mayalee took several photos of the elderly horse, who chafed at the indignity. "Are we finished?"

"Yes."

Without another word, Rosemary got to her feet. Her joints popped and snapped as she rose, "Ow!" Sam stood to embrace the squirming horse, "What are you doing?"

He pressed the barrel of his chest to her willowy body. Rosemary gasped as a blossoming heat radiated from him, her eyes became heavy as her pain melted away. She brushed her lips over Sam's ears, "Looks like you have some use, after all."

Allomere and Timothy traded glances as Mayalee thanked Sam for his intervention, 'That's really helping, I wouldn't mind if you had sex with her, it might actually turn her into something resembling a normal animal.'

'If it comes to that, but I'd rather keep my therapy soft-core, if at all possible!'

Mayalee chortled. Rosemary smirked at her before she retreated to the bedroom and closed the door. Sam sighed, then smiled to his friends, "Come on, we'd better go and leave her to sleep."

"What's going to happen to her?" Timothy asked in a low voice. Mayalee shrugged, "Krom wants her to live out her days in the north, away from civilization."

Timothy rubbed his throat, "She looks like she's been through a lot."

Sam smiled gently, "Sometimes being alive is more of a struggle than any of us realizes."

"Indeed," Allomere agreed.

And with that, the company gathered themselves up and departed. Rosemary sat on the bed, waiting for them to leave. Satisfied that they were gone, she idly poked about the bedroom, 'Look at all this clutter! These animals are slobs!'

She sifted through several piles of artifacts, recognizing some as being quite old, 'I wonder if each of these old odd ends represents a memory? I suppose I'd become quite a hoarder myself if I'd lived all this time in the physical world.'

Rosemary picked up a small music box. Smiling gently, she listened to it's tune, 'I believe I know where this comes from.'

She set the keepsake down, then opened a nearby box where she found a withered old child's shoe, "Is this her shoe?" Rosemary asked aloud, "From her childhood?" She put the shoe to her nostrils and breathed it's scent, but all she could discern was the aged decay of a well-worn artifact, 'This thing should be in a museum.'

Finally, Rosemary lay back on the bed and attempted to get comfortable. Realizing that the lights were still on, she reached up and switched them off.

She sighed. For a long while she stared at the ceiling as the gathering dusk gave way to night. Through these long moments she reflected upon her long and tiring existence. 'I suppose I belong in a museum, too.'

Though she'd plotted her own course through the centuries, Rosemary'd existed in a world of perpetual night. Often her own being had become indistinguishable from the shadows that swirled about her, and even now the etherial realm weighed upon her mind, beckoning to her, calling her back. She dozed off, wondering if she'd wake back within that dreadful place. Sometime later, she shook awake. Squinting, Rosemary attempted to check the time on the far wall, but the lighted numbers were only a fuzzy blur.

"It is one half hour to midnight," said a gruff female voice.

Rosemary's heart leapt into her throat. She glanced about the room, searching for the animal who'd spoke. Minutes ticked by. Rosemary finally dared to address the unseen presence, "Please, if I'm forced back into Nidavellir, I shall truly go insane. Please... don't condemn me."

The Incarnation of Life spoke a fateful pronouncement that shocked Rosemary into a stunned unconsciousness. The goddess left the mare to sleep, while her words echoed through Rosemary's battered soul.

***

The Tree at the End of the World

***

One hundred and fifty six years ago, Mary Bard emerged from the military hospital adjacent to Farmingtom Manor. She held out her flashlight, but the dim brightness of her torch barely pushed back against the darkness of the moonless night. Angus Greenfield switched on the police cruiser's headlights to light her way, but Mary gestured for him to extinguish them. Soon she reached the vehicle, and urgently tapping the dashboard she bid him; "Let's get out of here."

Angus started the motor, "Serious, eh?"

"We'll need to contact the Army Governor General, then issue-" the car became encircled by soldiers. Mary grasped the door handle, then with a deep breath she pushed it open. She leapt from the vehicle and stalked up to the nearest animal. He sputtered as she grasped his weapon away, "Hey!"

She threw it aside, then stormed up to the next animal. Grasping his weapon, she threw it next to the other. By this time, Angus was out of the car to stand guard over the confiscated weapons. By the time Mary reached the last soldier, the feline practically handed her his weapon.

She smiled to him, "When I present my report, I'll mention that you animals obeyed the orders of your superior officer, but were wise enough to recognize where his authority ended."

"Thank you, ma'am," they murmured.

Angus slid back behind the wheel as Mary took her seat beside him, "Let's get out of here before any hard loyalists show up!"

He grunted as they accelerated away. Mary grasped at her chest as they moved up the long road past the main headquarters of the base proper. Outside the main gate, Angus ignited the cruiser's headlights. Mary softly panted as she struggled to calm herself. Angus reached across to take her small hand in his, "Easy, girl."

"A year ago I was pushing papers, I shouldn't be out here!"

"Aye girl, here you are, and you know? I've never met a braver horse."

She squeezed his hand, "Someday my luck is going to run out."

"But today is not that day," he replied.

The pair motored along as Mary breathed a sigh, "This must be a real bad panic attack, I think I'm hallucinating again."

"You're just anxious, it'll pass."

She squeezed his hand, "Never had these spells until I was assigned to field work, I should go back to administration."

"I believe in perception beyond the ordinary senses," Angus said, "What exactly are you seeing right now?"

"The road appears to be pitching and moving, as if it were a river moving beneath the car," she glanced at him, "I fail to see how such a vision could bestow wisdom from beyond."

"Hmm," he murmured.

Mary fixed her eyes on the dark river ahead of them, "Angus, did you ever feel like something was going to happen?"

"Like what?" Ibiza Pushpath asked, from her perch atop the Holden family's house boat. Laying open and uncovered, Ibiza peered into the gloom, "I feel like something's coming, something terrible."

Shelton Holden suddenly emerged from the wheel house to search for who might have spoke. Ibiza froze, not moving a muscle. After a time, Shelton returned to his sleepy vigil at the wheel. Ibiza glanced through the boat's roof to where Shelton stood, 'Sweet Shelton, how I wish I could make your acquaintance, but I know it is not yet time.'

Ibiza went rigid when she noted a strange grey mare standing very near to Shelton. Tall and lean, the grey female glanced up to offer Ibiza a queer, unsettling smile.

Ibiza quickly veiled herself, then slipped into the main cabin where she confronted the stranger, 'Who are you?' she silently hissed, instantly recognizing the electric tremor of a supernatural being. The female horse smiled to Ibiza as she stepped near to where Missy Holden slept. Ibiza felt dizzied as the mare knelt beside Missy to deliver a kiss, or perhaps to whisper something.

Missy Holden shook awake, but the mother equine found herself not aboard the house boat, but in a hospital waiting room. A television flashed and flickered on the far wall. A stack of magazines lay on a beige side table, and the grey checkered carpet reflected the overhead lights in a most unsettling way. Missy got to her feet, then looked down the hall, "Hello?"

She glanced across to the other passage, "Gabriel? Did something happen? Are we in a hospital?"

All around her were signs of animal activity. A warm cup of coffee on a desk, a blinking telephone switchboard, and yet the halls were quiet. Missy was alone. Terribly confused, the mother equine wandered the stark white hall as a growing sense of panic gripped her; "Hello? Gabe? Answer me!"

And then she saw it. A calendar, opened to June. And the days checked off until they reached the eleventh. That was the date, that terrible day. Oft did Missy dream of the day her Sheri died. The nightmares came less frequent now in her older age, but they did come on occasion to darken her sleep. Staring at the calendar, Missy began to weep, "My poor sweetie, poor poor sweetie-"

"Now, what shall we do about this child, hmm?"

Missy froze at the sound of the voice. She looked about the empty hall, searching for a nurse or any animal who could help her, "Hello? Is someone there?"

The raspy female voice spoke again, but Missy couldn't discern what was said. Suddenly, a shimmering equine mare appeared in the hall, accompanied by a large black eagle, "Come along, Maggie," said the avian, "A hospital isn't the sort of place for a sensitive sort like you."

"Maggie-" Missy cried, immediately recognizing the fighter from her husband's sports photos, "Maggie!"

Back aboard the house boat, Missy Holden cried out; "Maggie! Maggie!"

"Mom!" Shelton cried, shaking her. She opened her eyes, but her gaze remained far away. "Mom! It's okay! You're okay!"

The company was all of them awake. Missy sat up; looked to each of her companions. Then, she conjured an image of Maggie Pumpkin; "I love you, sweetie. No matter what happens, I'll love you as my own."

From her hidden vantage, Maggie smiled.

"Mags says she loves you too." Shelly said. Missy nodded thoughtfully, before her face became grave. She rolled from her sleeping cushion to crawl to her daughter's side, "Sweetie, I need you to talk to Maggie. I need you to ask her if her eagle friend ever told her that a hospital wasn't the sort of place for a sensitive sort like her."

Shelly's nostrils flared, "Uh, yeah. Mags says yes, he did."

"Was her friend large and black, with a bright yellow beak?"

"Yeah, she says yes."

Missy leaned back to take in what this all might mean, "Shelly, does Maggie know who she was in her past life?"

"I don't understand what you want to ask," Shelly said, "She was Maggie, Maggie Pumpkin."

Trembling, Missy touched her daughter's knee, "Sweetie, does she remember being born after that? Can she remember why she was at the hospital on that day?"

"Mom, you're really freaking me out! You had a dream, okay?"

"Okay," Missy replied. She lay back for a moment before she mulled over her dream aloud; "It's just terribly odd that Maggie happened to be in Albany Regional at just about the same time we lost-" she paused to bite back a painful lump of emotion. Shelly reached out to pat her mother as Shelton made his way back to offer his own support. "You should stay at the wheel," Missy said to him, "Sweetie."

Shelton turned to go, but Missy pulled him back, "You came to us and healed our pain, Shelton. I'll never get over Sheri's death, but you did so much to heal our hearts. I've always wanted to tell you that."

Tears blurred Shelton's eyes. He leaned forward to kiss his mother's snout before he joined his father at the wheel. Gabriel hugged his boy as Missy let out a long and heavy sigh, 'That dream means something. I was meant to see Maggie. I was meant to see her there, on that day.'

'Indeed,' Ibiza thought, as she passed through the rear of the cabin to stand out on the fantail. She could not feel the strong winds through her cloak, but she felt the thundering velvet hand of The One, 'That is who you are, isn't it?' she glanced back toward the cabin, 'Grey horse? Can you not speak to me? You reveal so many things to the animals around me, but you visit no revelations upon me.'

She bowed her head, 'No, my lessons must come from my animals,' she nodded bravely, 'I understand.'

Ibiza faded into the night. Moving. Wandering. As restless as the blowing winds, Ibiza awaited the dawn, when her animals would wake, and return to her.

Soon the dawn did come, and brought with it cloudy, iron-grey skies. Ibiza regarded these skies, and saw only the grey face of The One. For the Holden family, their course took them past mournful townships and desolate riverside ports. Only a long and winding river lay ahead, with no more settlements or villages to look upon as they sailed ever north. Soon morning became day, and then day became night. "We better keep going," Gabriel said, "I don't know if it's safe to stop anywhere along the river now."

"This is Shannonvale," Eleanor said, somewhat indignant. "You'll not find any roving bands of hooligans stumbling about in the dark."

Shelly spoke up; "Maggie says that the last place we stopped looked pretty rough, she thinks we should keep going."

Eleanor grunted, but made no further argument as Missy settled down with her family. With a shy smile, she recalled the time she scored a motion picture soundtrack. "Martha Fleetfoot was such a nice pronghorn, and a fantastic singer," Missy said with a fond sigh, "I wish there was some way I could work with her again."

"Indeed?" Eleanor chirped, "I've often wondered what some of those super-divas are like in person."

"Well," Missy replied, "She was rather shy and reserved," silently she laughed, 'Martha was less of a diva than you, Eleanor!'

Up front, Tristan and Maggie watched the river move slowly past the boat, "What are you thinking about?" Tristan asked.

"Oh, that dream Missy had."

"Yeah?" Tristan replied.

"Don't you think it's interesting?"

"Certainly!" he peeped, "I mean, how would Missy know what Herald had said to you!"

"No, no," Maggie said, "Isn't it interesting that I was in that hospital when Shelly's twin died," she shook her shadowy head, "Herald said something to me, something about a month not being long enough to gather a new identity," Maggie looked to him, "Shelly's twin was one month old when she died."

Tristan nodded as Maggie reached out to touch his shimmering light, "Tristan, am I really Shelly's sister?"

He made no reply, except to grow larger until he was once again King Octavius. The pair stood together on the prow, pondering what might have been, and what could yet be. After a time, Maggie's broad outline became small and petite as she too assumed her ancient identity.

Slowly, the families settled off to sleep whilst Octavius and Margrey maintained their vigil, hoping against hope that they might see a supernatural being who could assure them that everything would turn out all right. In the cabin, Shelton stayed up front to keep his father company. The stallion smiled to his boy, and roughed his mane as the boat continued on through the dark and winding river. On the afternoon of the third day they came to the troubled township of Thistledown. Octavius was flabbergasted at how badly this outlying community had deteriorated since the dissolution of the central Union Government. As the boat rounded the bend, a great and terrible prison came into view, it's imposing walls uglier than anything the spirit had ever seen, "It is a frightful indictment, and an epigram on the modern age," he said as Justin turned his head toward the sound of the regal and stately voice, "That the only use it knows for solitude is to make it a punishment."

Justin moved past the spot he'd heard the king speak and bid him; 'Meet me outside.'

Margrey picked up on Justin's intent and asked Shelly to strike up a conversation with Virgil so the youngster would not disturb Justin as he spoke with his father. Outside, Justin's eyes shimmered with emotion as he addressed Octavius, "I just wanted to tell you, how sorry I am that Olivia fought the war from the front lines, and got herself killed."

"Olivia won the war, Justin," Octavius replied, "My daughter did her duty. You... did your duty."

"It was Karl who made that victory possible." Justin whispered.

Octavius' voice smiled warmly, "And you know? Maggie Pumpkin says she encountered Karl Kuhn just the other day, working as a police officer. He looked upon her, and spoke some passage known but to Margrey Balin. Karl is alive Justin, most likely rewarded by the gods for his heroism."

"So what of your reward?" Justin asked, "You fought just as hard as Olivia. Both of you did so much, fighting for freedom, only to die for your efforts! It's not fair!"

"Justin," Octavius said, his medieval accent softening as Tristan's modern identity returned to the fore, "We are on this voyage together, to visit an ancient mariner known to the powers of the world. My heart tells me that these powers intend to set right that ancient sorrow. Have faith, Justin..."

With that, Octavius returned to sleep as Tristan Brightwing became himself again. Overcome with emotion, Justin began to pant as his eyes searched for the place he imagined his father to be, "Dad, I don't know how much longer I can take this! It's driving me crazy!"

"Justin..." Tristan peeped, "Son, I'm sorry...."

"I don't know who I am...." Justin gasped, "And How? How am I able to hear you!? Did my accident shake something loose? Was I that close to the spirit world?"

Tristan gazed off into the distant wood as the stone path appeared to him, "Justin... I should go."

"Why dad?" Justin gasped, "Why is this happening?"

Suddenly, Gabriel called out from the wheelhouse, "There's a big tree coming up, do you suppose this is it?"

Justin regained his composure while inside, Ashley appeared beside Gabriel and squinted into the distance, "There's a house up in there, so maybe!"

Maggie looked off into the distance as a shimmering golden light issued from the tree, then winked away as soon as she'd sighted it, "That's it! That's Herald!"

"Maggie says this is it." Shelly said. Gabriel nodded and prepared to tie up at a small pier near the shore. The orange disk of the sun met the far horizon, and already a crisp chill gripped the animals.

Tristan looked again to the woods, in time to see the stone path fade from his sight, 'That's it, I'll never see it again. From here on out I'm on my own.'

The eagle rejoined his family as Gabriel guided the boat toward the ramshackle dock with a fair degree of difficulty. After some pushing and shoving the craft was moored against the dock. It was then overflown by a young black eagle. All present saw the youngster, but it was Maggie and Tristan alone who saw the strange filament of light which moved with the boy. It was the most bizarre thing Maggie had ever seen! A tendril of silver white light, miles and miles long, following after the boy. Maggie and Tristan traded glances, each seeking assurances from the other that they were seeing the same thing.

The young eagle set down near the dock and smiled to the company, "Hello."

Missy touched her hand to her chest, 'He looks so much like the eagle from my dream! Only so much younger! Can it be true?'

Justin stepped from the boat and nodded to the boy, "Hello, we're looking for Herald Kirsten."

"Yes," he replied. Justin blinked as the youngster regarded him with the expressionless eyes of a doll, 'Or a dead animal.'

As the others approached, it seemed to Maggie that this young eagle was strangely familiar, although his eyes were altogether disturbing. 'There's something absent, as if... he weren't really living.'

She looked him up and down, 'Bright yellow feet and beak, coal colored feathers, sure looks like a young version of Herald! But what's wrong with him!?'

Then, a large eagle appeared over the treetops. Maggie felt a surge of excitement as her old friend touched down, "Herald!"

The others stepped back as the towering black eagle furled his wings, "Good morning." said he, "I see my friend Maggie has brought along some company!"

Virgil looked about, wondering who Maggie was, then asked; "Hello sir! Are you the eagle who might be able to prove my friend's royal lineage?"

Herald blinked, "To whom are you referring?"

"My friend Justin," Virgil said, brushing his wing across Justin's flank, "Is he a descendant of Octavius?"

"He most certainly is," Herald said with a wink, "And I see that King Octavius is also present! Welcome sir, to my home."

No longer able to contain herself, Maggie rushed to her friend, "I've done so many things since you went away! The trees sent me to see these strangers, and they said someone owed me something, and I met this weird spirit named Rosemary!" Herald interrupted her with a wave of his wing; "It is good to see you again, love."

Virgil closed his maw and looked about, "What...?"

"Come along," Herald said to him, "I'll explain everything."

"Sir..." Missy said, steeling herself to approach the great eagle, "Mister, ah.... Vanderdecken? One of your former sailing mates told us a little about your past."

"Yes?" Herald replied, his expression amused and not at all offended. Missy smiled, charmed by his reassuring demeanor, "I just wanted to tell you, that... I mean, I want to thank you for helping Maggie. It means a lot... to me."

"Thank you, Missy," he replied with a gracious bow. Missy blinked, and attempted to recall when she might've told him her name.

The companions moved up a steep stair which led to a ladder that ascended into the tree. The eagles flew up, leaving the horses to climb up on their own. Missy led Shelly to the ladder, while Maggie spoke encouraging words to her friend, "Thanks, sis," Shelly said softly. Soon the horses were on their way, and to their relief the climb up wasn't too treacherous. At the landing above, Herald greeted them and offered his guests some water. "I'm fine, thanks," said Gabriel, but Missy indicated that she'd like a glass. Herald's young son dutifully set a pair of large goblets on a cart, then moved them to a silver pump. Missy watched the boy work, while Eleanor inquired; "Is this your son?"

"In a manner of speaking," Herald replied, while Maggie chimed in, "You look different Herald, is everything okay?"

"I'm retired, remember? My biological clock is ticking once again, and every moment brings this old body closer to it's end!"

Eleanor fell silent as the eagle conversed with the unseen spirit. Virgil's mouth hung open, 'Has everyone gone insane?'

"Maggie, tell me about this strange spirit you encountered. You say her name was Rosemary?"

"Yeah! She was an elderly equine ghost that introduced me to Shelly!"

He nodded, "She didn't by chance tell you to say or do anything, did she?"

Maggie shook her head, "No, why?"

Herald shook his head, as one might when dismissing a troubling thought, "It's nothing." Meanwhile, Herald's strange offspring pushed the cart of water to Missy who took up a cup, "Thank you...?"

"Oh," Herald said, "He doesn't really have a name. I'd intended that Maggie would take up residence within him, at which point I might name him Edward, after Maggie's beloved grandfather."

Maggie was dumbstruck, as was the rest of the company, "You mean... I could be alive again? Inside this eagle?"

"Edward is a golem," Herald said, "He's a created being, crafted from one of my feathers you see," Herald patted Edward with his wing, "He's not really alive, not in the way that you and I are."

Virgil had finally had enough, "What the fuck is going on here!?"

"Virgil Proudfoot!" Eleanor hissed, her anger snapping the youngster from his frustration. "Oh, I'm sorry Misses Brightwing."

She nodded, and then bowed to Herald, "Then Edward is a clone? A clone of you?"

Herald nodded whilst he listened to his invisible guests as they debated some predicament, "Of course Tristan may take Edward, I am more than happy to see that done."

Eleanor's heart leapt into her throat as Herald continued, "However, I think we should wait before we make any rash decisions, because once one of you steps into Edward, the umbilical will detach, fusing whichever soul was inside into Edward's body."

"Oh, oh..." Eleanor gasped, "Please..."

On the verge of panic, Justin appeared beside his mother to offer a supportive wing, "Mom, it's okay."

She nodded, whilst she beseeched the invisible Maggie, "Sweetheart, thank you. I know what it means to you!"

From her vantage point, Maggie nodded as she regarded Tristan, "You know it should be you who takes that body."

"He said he made the body for you," Tristan peeped, "I would feel so guilty taking away your second chance at life."

Maggie knelt before the eagle spirit, "You are a beautiful soul, Tristan. You have a family who loves you. Me? I'm just a fighter who has no family, but I can always take that walk when the path finally does appear, then I can find a new mother. That can be my second chance at life."

"Maggie," Herald gently peeped, "Please know that when the tree spoke of a debt that was owed, they were referring to me."

"What?"

"I am the party whom they were referring. Edward is the payment, he is the fulfillment of the debt owed. If Tristan takes Edward's body, your chance to return to the mortal world might be lost. You might be forever marooned within the purgatory of Nidavellir."

Tristan raised his wings, "No way! There's no way I can accept Edward."

"My king," Maggie chimed, the rhythmic pulse of her inner light beating like a living heart, "I've never put anyone else above my own interests. Not like this. Would you accept this gift? For me?"

"I can't. I just can't do that to you."

Maggie's outline changed briefly to become Margrey Balin as the gruff little pony gestured expectantly to the avian clone, "Well? Do I need to guide you in?"

The father eagle smiled warmly to Maggie as she became herself again, then he approached Edward. The golem seemed to sense the spirit's approach, for he turned to face Tristan. The strange silver thread trembled as Tristan drew near, and the spirit braced himself for what was to come...

Tristan carefully entered the golem as his inner light flickered wildly. As his spiritual form disappeared into the body of Edward Kirsten, the tendril of power sustaining the golem winked away. Edward's eyes blinked, and then the young eagle drew a deep breath, "Uhhhh!"

The eagle fell to the floor and began to violently convulse.

"Tristan!" Eleanor cried, "Oh!!"

"All is well!" Herald cried, draping his wings over the struggling Tristan, "The spirit is awake! This is to be expected!"

"What!?" Eleanor cried, unable to comprehend what was happening. Justin and Ashley threw themselves at their father's feet, hoping to calm him. "Ugh! Ohh!"

"That's it!" Herald chimed, "One breath in, and one out!"

Gradually, Tristan's breath became steadied. He attempted to stand, but his new legs were very wobbly. "Dad! Take it easy!" Justin said.

With eyes pressed shut, Tristan turned his face to his family. After a long breath, he opened his large luminous eyes. A gentle intelligence now resided within the young eagle's eyes. Eleanor cried out as she touched her face to him. "Hello, Elly."

Sobbing heavily, Eleanor cupped her huge wings over her love, whilst the assembled company looked on and marveled. Ashley nudged Virgil, "Neat, huh?" The bald eagle could only shrug his wings in reply.

"How do you feel?" Eleanor asked her husband. Tristan replied; "I feel alive."

Shelly bowed her head. She wondered how Maggie must feel, 'This had been her chance, and she lost it.'

Tristan looked about, relieved that he could see Maggie as clearly as before. "Maggie, thank you. Thank you so much."

She nodded, obviously disappointed but happy nonetheless. Eleanor smiled to Herald as she brushed her wing over her reborn husband. "Well mister, you can't very well carry on as my husband looking like that. I'm afraid you'll have to go through grade school all over again!"

The animals chortled, while Shelly piped up; "You said Edward's body was created from your feather. Is there a way that whomever made it could... create another body?"

Maggie's attention sharpened on the suggestion, but Herald was apologetic. "I'm afraid I'd but one favor due me. My former employer isn't likely to craft another."

Several of the animals asked in unison, "Who is your former employer?"

Herald smiled, then winked to the new Tristan Brightwing, "Oh, it would be very difficult to try and explain."

Virgil stood by, shifting nervously from foot to foot and thinking the entire company to be nutters. Ashley smiled to him and wondered himself when he'd wake from this tumultuous dream. "Now my friends," Herald said, "Much has happened, you must be tired! Come and make yourself at home."

Herald pulled the large circular door of his treetop cabin open. Eleanor bowed to him as she led Tristan inside. He felt somewhat wobbly on his new legs, and his breath came in odd irregular gasps, but otherwise he was adjusting nicely to his new form. Inside, Missy noted a weathered old ship's wheel. She gestured to it, "Is that...?"

"Oh, goodness no!" Herald chortled, "The Flying Mantuan exists now, only in my memories."

Gabriel Holden looked about, and found that there were no chairs. Instead, there were pillowy cushions scattered about. He lowered himself down upon one as Herald took stock of his food stores, "I'm afraid the pickings are lean, I wasn't expecting a large party," he said with a wink to Maggie. The spirit smiled to her old friend, 'It's so different seeing Herald at home! He's so playful now.'

"Still, if anyone's hungry, I believe I can regurgitate something." Herald cast an expectant look to Ashley. The youngster cackled at the thought, "Heh! No thanks!"

Missy recalled Trickett's tale of murder and cannibalism, 'It's impossible to reconcile this eagle as being the same animal who committed those atrocities,' but she thought of her own actions, sending little Sadie and her two babies to die, simply because they inconvenienced her, 'I suppose we all have our dark places, that low point that we're all ashamed of.'

She smiled to Herald, finding herself happy to meet him and glad to know his true identity. 'He worked for the gods, and set right what he did wrong. I hope I can get an opportunity to do the same.'

Herald's eyes shimmered thoughtfully as he smiled to the horses. Then, a gentle snoring was heard. All eyes turned to Gabriel as the tawny brown horse slept upon a cushion. "Well now," Herald whispered, "Yon stallion has the right idea. Perhaps we should all retire, and rest ourselves."

Herald gently cupped his wing over Tristan, perhaps still considering him to be his son. Eleanor looked from Herald, then to Tristan, and found the resemblance uncanny. 'A clone... so Tristan is going to grow up to look exactly like Herald.' She was pleased that her Tristan would grow into such a fine and handsome eagle. "Is there a Misses Kirsten?" Eleanor found herself asking. Herald shook his head, "There was, once... a long long time ago."

Missy cupped her hand to her breast, 'Oh, how sad. She must have been left behind when he was cursed.'

"Come," Herald said, "Sleep now, and may the wings of night carry you into a fine tomorrow."

"Mister Herald," Missy said, "I dreamed about you in the hospital. I saw you with Maggie."

His feathers roused in a thoughtful poof, but he betrayed no other reaction. "You said to Maggie that a hospital wasn't the sort of place for someone sensitive like her."

Herald dimly recalled the offhand jest. He focused his eyes squarely on Maggie as he considered the implications of Missy's dream, "We should sleep. Yes, let's settle down and rest, then with a clear head we'll ponder our next move."

"There's a next move?" Maggie asked.

He smiled, but added no further comment.

The company settled down, but Virgil found himself unable to relax. The shadows of dusk painted the interior of the cabin in a warm orange glow that gradually darkened as the sun slipped away. He rose, then crept down a narrow hall past what he guessed was the poop deck. He opened a broad window. Slipping outside, Virgil took wing as the sun fell beneath the far horizon. "Hey!" Ashley called, "Where are you going!?"

"It's way to early to go to bed, so I wanna look around, maybe grab something to eat!"

Ashley fell in beside the bald eagle as the pair flew on, their attention fixed on the riverbank as they put more and more distance between themselves and Herald's tree. "All we have to do is stay over the river, and we'll be able to find our way back."

"Okay." Ashley said, somewhat unsettled about going out at night in such a strange place. Drifting just behind, a small black bird kept vigil on the pair. Soon the boys found what looked like cabins beside the river. Virgil went down to investigate. "Hey..." Ashley squeaked, "I don't like the look of this place!"

Indeed, all was black as pitch and quite scary looking in a night time television sort of way. Virgil touched down and opened his eyes as wide as he could, trying his best to get a visual of the area, "Figures, we land on the night there's no moon!"

Ashley found his friend in the dark and pressed himself to Virgil's side. Virgil pushed Ashley away with his wing, "Come on bird brain! It's just some old abandoned cabins!"

"Virgil, can we please get out of here?"

"Not until you tell me what's going on," Virgil said, poking Ashley with his foot, "Is this some kind of elaborate prank? I mean, what the fuck are you animals doing?"

"Uh..." Ashley peeped, "It's no prank. I mean-" he was interrupted by a snorting in the dark. Virgil stood bolt upright as several more snorts were heard. Hoofbeats issued from the woods, heralding the arrival of massive quadrupedal creatures. Virgil threw his wings up! "Okay, let's go!"

But it was too late! A troop of tuskin beasts swept over the river bank and fell upon the boys, but as quickly as they neared, they were struck down. Virgil and Ashley alighted, leaving behind the massive bodies of the slain tuskins.

Glorafin's black flyer arrived to survey the destruction, and ponder what might've happened to the creatures. The sentinel never noticed the grey equine mare standing amongst the tall bodies of the trees.

Back toward Herald's tree, the young eagles arrived back and slipped inside the cabin as quietly as they could. Their stealth was for naught, for they found the mariner waiting for them. "A night time flight, eh?"

"Uh... yeah." Virgil peeped. Herald smiled, "Take care in the dark boys, for here in the wilds, the darkness might reach out to claim you."

Their feathers flat against their bodies, the boys watched Herald return to his perch. He ruffled his feathers with a soft chuff, then returned to sleep. The pair found their cushions, but their own slumber had been chased far far away. From the corner, a sleepless Maggie Pumpkin watched Tristan rest.

Margrey Balin stepped forward to visit with Maggie. 'I can't tell you how good it is to see Octavius at peace. Thank you, Maggie Pumpkin, for allowing our king this opportunity.'

She sighed, but before she could offer a reply she was startled by a strange mist that entered the cabin. It was an odd silvery-white vapor that... regarded her. Maggie's light flickered as a shudder moved through her. The mist was still for a moment before it settled above Shelton Holden. Maggie peeped as the strange vapor touched the young pony, and she became increasingly uncomfortable as the encounter wore on. "Uh... hey! What are you doing!?"

The mist flashed out in anger, and for an instant it assumed the shape of a dragon. Maggie rushed forward to guard Shelton, "Go away!"

Glorafin laughed at Maggie. When next the boxer was aware, she was returned to Farmington Manor where Mary Bard lay in a pool of blood, "Ugh... shit."

Maggie's head felt as wide as a house, and her chest pressed by a vice. On the floor, a disoriented Mary turned her head to look upon the dead body of George Kesselring, shot by her fellow officers. Angus, the burly police corporal appeared over her, "Mary! Take it easy girl!"

He pressed his hand over the angry wound in her chest. Mary squeaked in pain, "Ugh! Angus..."

"Shit!" he cried, "We need a doctor! Go and fetch the doctors!"

Mary noticed Maggie hovering near the door, she beckoned for the boxer as Angus fretted and worried; "Hello, Maggie."

"Eh? Mary?" Angus chuffed.

Maggie drew near with a shy smile, "Mary? Is it really you?"

"Maggie, it's so good to see you. I've dreamed about you."

"Mary!" Angus bellowed, being a superstitious sort, "Do you see anyone?"

She reached up to comfort her fellow, then smiled to Maggie, "Has she contacted you yet?"

"Who?" Maggie asked.

Mary's eyes drooped, "Garland, she's a good equine. She explained everything. She'll help you, Maggie," Mary closed her eyes, "Don't. Be. Afraid."

She breathed a final breath. "She's dead!" Angus cried, "No!!"

Maggie watched helplessly as Mary's spirit emerged from her now lifeless body. From his hiding place behind the sofa, the dreadful shadow of George Kesselring sneered at her, "I got you Mary, you silly cunt!"

"No!!" Maggie roared.

"Maggie!" Herald called. Maggie woke to find herself back within Herald's cabin. It was morning, though Maggie had no sense of the hour. "Keep yourself here with us," he said to her, "I must call upon my friends, to see if they might help me."

Disoriented, Maggie watched the equines tend to breakfast, whilst the eagles gathered about Tristan. Maggie felt odd, as she struggled to recall what exactly she'd seen the previous night, "What friends, Herald?"

In answer, Herald walked out onto the skyway and began to screech. Shelton held his ears as the eagle cried out from his skyway. Then, there came an answer. A faint caw issued from the forest. A moment later, a small black bird appeared. Maggie shook with startled surprise when the flyer appeared to have a thin ribbon of ghostly energy streaming out behind it. "Tristan, can you see this?"

"I- I can," he replied, "What is that? Are they like Herald's clone? I mean, are they alive?"

Maggie rushed to her friend as the black flyer alighted and flew away. "Herald, what was that bird?"

"They are my jailers, so to speak."

"What?"

"They watch over me, I consider them friends," he smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry."

"Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?" Virgil screeched.

"Mind your language!" Eleanor chuffed. Virgil glanced at her, then with reluctance, he lowered his eyes. "No, it's alright," Herald said, "You should know that I am something of a prisoner here. I requested permission to leave my tree so that we might venture to the mountain."

He smiled to the company, "I expect we'll have an answer soon."

Virgil approached Justin, his face a mask or uncertainty and frustration. Justin smiled helplessly, deeply regretting bringing his friend along.

"I found your dream to be extremely interesting," Herald said to Missy, "I believe there is a power beyond any of the dragons that has taken an interest in our case. For that reason, I believe we should travel to the mountain."

Missy was about to ask a question when a trio of black avians touched down on the skyway. Tristan shrank from them as the ghostly filaments sustaining their bodies dazzled his eyes.

"Ah! It seems we've been granted permission!" Herald furled his wings, "Splendid!"

Herald wasted no time gathering his friends, "Come now! Before anyone changes their mind! Make haste!"

The horses were pressed into service, shouldering small packs which Shelton filled with foodstuffs from the boat. Herald ushered the animals down to the clearing where he directed them down along a path. "Quickly now, we're been granted safe passage."

"From what?" Gabriel asked, reflexively pulling Shelly close to him.

"These woods are populated by animal-eating beasts, we'd not last an hour without my lady's protection."

Ashley and Virgil traded glances.

The party continued on, making their way along a shallow tributary that flowed down from the Tyr river valley. Missy peered into the woods as they moved along. She wasn't sure if the dark shapes she saw were actually wild beasts, or if it was simply her imagination. Maggie's eyes were not as sharp as a living animal's, though her special vision permitted her to catch sight of a golden-scaled creature that darted and flashed amongst the tall bodies of the trees, but she too was left to wonder if it was simply her imagination. "All is well," Herald said, "Come along."

Meanwhile, Rosemary Barter woke to Mayalee's front door opening, then flinched at the sound of the mouse's chiming voice. The old mare stretched, before a sudden urge to use the washroom drove her out of bed. She rolled from the bed and stumbled into the hall, banging her head on the low door frame, "Blast and damn!"

Sam stepped toward her, but Rosemary ducked into the washroom and closed the door. He shrugged, then helped his mouse tend to the kitchen. In the wash room, Rosemary convulsed as her body attempted to restart it's internal processes. At last, things began to happen. Groaning softly, she pressed her ear to the wall to attempt to listen in on any conversations from the kitchen, but all that could be heard was the clanking and banging of busy work. "Blassssst!" she hissed, "I know they're talking to each other, in a way that I can't hear!"

Finished with her business, she flushed the commode. After a moment spent listening to the toilet bowl fill back up, she let out a frustrated wail. In the kitchen, her outburst brought a chortle from the couple. "I hope we're not stuck with her for too long!"

"I shouldn't think so," Rosemary replied, emerging from the washroom. "This old wreck of a body may only have days left to live."

"How do you feel?" Sam asked. Rosemary smirked at him, "I received a visit from our wandering dragon," she said, assuming the entity to be Ibiza.

"What did she say?" Mayalee asked, taking a seat at the table. Rosemary paused, attempting to collect herself. "She told me that through murder, I would find purpose."

The animals became shocked. Rosemary flashed them a wry smile, "It seems there's more suffering to be done, eh?"

"That doesn't make any sense!" Mayalee chuffed, "Krom! What do you make of this?"

Rosemary noted the tale-tell glimmer in the mouse's eyes, and knew Kromhaut was present. Mayalee offered a supportive nod to Rosemary as she silently communed with the god. Rosemary shrugged, then set about rummaging around the kitchen, undoing some of the tidying Sam and Mayalee had just done. "What do you have to eat around here?"

Sam sat down at the table as Mayalee concluded her conversation. The couple paused to watch the bizarre horse from another age poke and prod about the kitchen. "What are these?" Rosemary asked, taking up a bag of wafer-like confections.

"Butter biscuits." Mayalee replied.

Rosemary tore the bag open and shoved her snout inside. "Mmmm, I like this," she said through the bag, "I haven't got to enjoy these sorts of pleasures, you know."

"That's because you were being punished." Mayalee reminded her. Rosemary snorted, "That's all in the past now, dear!"

She took a seat across from the familiars, "Tell me then, what did your god make of Ibiza's unsettling words to me?"

"He intends to ask her."

The mare snorted, "Is Kromhaut capable of forming his own opinion?!"

"Rosemary, let's travel north. Ariadne reports that Ibiza is very close to Herald's tree. We might be able to speak to her ourselves."

The mare made no reply, she simply ate another biscuit.

"So, you're with us?" Sam asked. Rosemary curled her lip in a most unsettling way, "Ibiza comes and goes as she wishes, she might even appear here the moment we depart. If I am to be your unwilling guest, then I intend to stay put and enjoy the comforts of your home with whatever time I have left to me."

Mayalee put her hands on her hips as Rosemary flashed a toothy smile, "Unless your god could see fit to let me be on my way, after all, The One convinced that little dragon to release me from Kromhaut's purgatory."

The mouse groaned her frustration, whilst Rosemary settled down into Sam's chair.

"Don't you want to see Shelton? Or Shelly?" Sam asked.

"Eh, they'll be back this way soon enough."

"What happened to the little time you have left to you?" Mayalee asked, winking at Sam, "What if you keeled over before you meet your long-lost kin?"

Rosemary frowned, as she fumbled with the control arm of the reclining chair, "How would we get there? Take to the air in a flying ship?"

"Most likely," Sam replied.

The mare muttered to herself, and seemed to debate with some part of her mind before agreeing to the voyage. Sam breathed a sigh of relief, whilst Mayalee sent a mental update to Allomere.

'I can't leave the area,' Allomere reported, 'I received a strange visit from a ghost who seemed extremely familiar with us, Mimir wants me to investigate. Timothy will be over, he'll accompany you.'

'Mayalee,' came Timothy's voice, 'I know that what's going on isn't normal. I mean, I've only been with you for twenty five years.'

She stared off into the distance, as if recalling some past deed or moment of great significance. Sam noted her contemplative expression, 'Mayalee, what is it?'

She shook her head, 'I don't know.'

"Oh, speak so we ALL can hear!" Rosemary snorted. "You might not like what you're likely to hear," Mayalee warned. The mare squirmed in the chair, her anxiety level growing by the moment, but soon Allomere arrived with Timothy Buttons. I'll not bore you with minutiae, but suffice to say the four made their preparations and completed last-minute chores before they filed out and assembled around Sam's motor car. Rosemary kicked the side fender, "Are you sure this thing is safe?"

"Just get in," Sam said, "And don't kick the car."

Timothy seated himself and then leaned out to kiss Allomere's beak, "See you soon."

Rosemary scowled at the public display of affection, then leaned back in her padded seat. Sam started the vehicle. With a sigh he pushed off down the driveway. Timothy glanced in the rear view mirror in time to see his hawk wave to them. The big motor car took up nearly the entire road, Sam was forced to pull to the side whenever a passing mouse or other small animal appeared.

A mouse cast Sam a wary eye; 'I hope we're not going to get an influx of lions!'

Sam chortled at the rodent's thought, grateful for the humor.

Soon they slipped beyond the half-scale confines of Oakdale, and on the open road, Rosemary Barter found the ordinary world radiated a radical new look, 'I hardly recognize the place!'

She kept her long muzzle pressed to the back seat window to watch the land go by as the company motored along.

"So, we'll take flight in an air ship?" Rosemary asked, her accent changing at odd times and with little warning. In one moment she'd sound like a rural midlander, and at others she took on the air of a learned northerner. Sam picked up on some of the regional dialects she was emoting, while Mayalee discerned still older patterns of speech long passed from the world.

"Yes, but right now, we're going to get you some clothes," Sam said, "I think that would do you a world of good."

Rosemary brought the collar of Sam's jacket to her nose to breathe in his lingering scent, "No thank you, my current attire is sufficient."

Mayalee smiled to Sam, 'Goodness, I'd say you have a new girlfriend!'

Though not privy to the mouse's thoughts, Rosemary guessed at the exchange. "Why don't you two tell us about the first time you became romantically... entangled."

"What?" Sam asked, glancing over his shoulder at Rosemary.

"You heard me, I'm sure it happened rather quickly. After all, before your arrival, Kromhaut hadn't allowed his chosen animal to enjoy any sort of meaningful relationship. The poor thing was probably starved for sex."

Mayalee groaned, then snorted as Rosemary leaned over her seat, "How quickly did she force herself on you?"

Timothy shifted uncomfortably, but Sam thought the topic amusing, "Well," he began, "Sam," Mayalee squeaked, her tone clear that she wished the conversation to go no further.

"Well, it was kind of cute and funny," the lion chortled. Mayalee slapped his thigh, "I can do that a lot harder you know!"

"So," Rosemary said, "Whilst I was poking around Krieghoff manor, what were you two doing?"

Sam glanced at Mayalee who threw her hands up, "Fine, let her hear it."

"Well, after Ariadne scared you off, we passed Bywater pretty quickly. Keeping on the move wasn't tiring for me anymore, after Ariadne touched me, so Mayalee wanted to keep a steady pace to make for the Shannonvali border."

Rosemary nodded, "After Octavius dropped dead, you'd lost your palace position, hm?"

"I was still a trusted lady within the court!" Mayalee hissed, "Air Marshal Grethan was a good friend of mine!"

"Fine, but what we all really want to hear is, when did you put the moves to this lovely lion?"

Sam chortled at the fond recollection, however, Mayalee was not so amused, "This isn't funny! I don't want to be laughed at!"

"You never could stand that, could you?" Rosemary noted, "Did something happen to you as a child? Were you ridiculed for something?"

"Stop it!" Timothy chuffed, "I don't like fun at someone else's expense!"

Mayalee nodded appreciatively to Timothy, while Sam patted his mouse's thigh, "That play fight we had is one of my fondest memories, you know."

"Play fight?" Rosemary chimed. Mayalee nodded, "Sam and I had a fight on the road, when I thought he was making fun of me."

"Oh, I simply must hear this!" Rosemary chortled, "Please, continue!"

Mayalee jabbed Sam, 'I'll tell it.'

She drew a breath, "After we left Bywater, I felt myself becoming very attracted to Sam. I knew he was going to be with me, so I felt comfortable becoming intimate with him."

"How did it happen?" Rosemary asked. Mayalee squirmed with embarrassment, "Well... "

***

"Karl," Genivee asked, pausing on the dusty road to take his hand, "Would you like to... mate?"

"Pardon?"

"Coupling, mating..." she glanced at the makeshift loincloth he wore, "You are quite lovely, and it has been a great long while since I've coupled."

Karl laughed out loud. Genivee sputtered at his reaction, "It is no jest! I am genuinely interested!"

Back within the car, Rosemary howled with laughter. Mayalee bit her lip and continued, determined to not allow the old nag to get to her...

"But I am so much larger than you!" Karl chortled, his merriment fueling Genivee's annoyance.

"Karl, I am indestructible, remember?"

"What?!" Karl roared, "Shall I just cram it inside, then?" He became overcome with laughter and nearly flopped down on the road. Genivee was furious, "Do not laugh at me, Karl Kuhn!"

"I'm laughing with you, dear," he gasped, wiping away tears, "It's just... I've never heard sexual relations articulated in that way before!"

She put her hands on her hips, "I should like to have you, and only wished to reassure you of my durability."

"What!?" he howled, "Would you have me now? Here on the road?"

She groaned, "Not now, obviously!"

Now Karl did flop down, he rolled onto his back and belly-laughed. Indignant, Genivee hopped atop him, "Let us instead test the limits of YOUR durability!"

She slammed her fist into his belly, sending a tremendous report echoing across the nearby gully. Karl groaned frightfully, grasping at his abdomen. "Oh!" she cried, "Have I hurt you?"

Karl swung his leg up, kicking her from behind. The blow sent the mouse flying into a nearby gully. She rose to dust herself off, then leveled her eyes at him. Flexing her arms, she approached with menace, "You, sir, are now in some measure of trouble."

Karl tapped his fingers to his chest, "Let's go, little miss!"

She threw herself at him. Karl swatted her away, but the mouse lunged again and again. She clamped onto his arm, and could not be dislodged. The two grappled like gladiators, roaring and frothing. Gennie knocked his legs out from under him, then grasped hold of his mane. Laughing, Karl watched as she hoisted him up. With a roar she threw him against the hillside, sending a massive cloud of dust rising up into the air. Karl's laughter issued from the cloud, eliciting a smile from the little mouse. Finally, Genivee began to chortle, 'I haven't had this much fun in... a thousand years?'

She dusted herself off, then helped Karl up. The pair stood laughing until they noticed a family of equines watching them. From the expressions they wore, they'd likely witnessed the entire impromptu fight. Karl smiled awkwardly, adjusting his loincloth, "Watch out for mice, they're quite strong."

The father equine quickly nodded, whilst Gennie politely bowed to them. The familiars beat a hasty retreat, giggling as they fled into the woods.

Back in Sam's sedan, Rosemary leaned back in her padded seat. She imagined herself in the stead of Genivee, play-fighting with the lion on that dusty road. She felt Mayalee intrude into her mind, so Rosemary imagined herself being mounted by Sam. "Ugh!" Mayalee grunted.

Rosemary smirked her contempt, "That's what you get for spying!"

Sam chortled, "For someone who fancies lions, you sure had a crush on Kirsten."

"Ew, don't be ridiculous!"

Seeing her chance to get back at Rosemary, Mayalee stood up on her seat to smile back at her, "I know you enjoyed his company, he visited you quite often in his early days as Glorafin's servant."

Rosemary looked away, "None serves Glorafin, she is a foul trickster who serves only herself."

Timothy squirmed in his seat, "The animals are about to enter her mountain. Kromhaut intends to open a path for them."

"He sends them into a trap, the goddess of the underworld wants nothing more than to play with their lives."

Sam glanced back, "She gave your grandfather a second chance at life."

"And we all see how well that's worked out," Rosemary said ruefully. The animals fell silent. "Well," Rosemary continued, "The question now becomes, is your god going to help these animals, or leave them to Glorafin?"

Sam leaned back in his seat, 'Are we? Ariadne?'

His dragon made no reply.

In the north, the forests surrounding Herald's tree became still as a presence moved through the woods. Herald was aware of the entity, but made no attempt to contact it. Instead, he gathered his visitors up and ushered them through a nearby river gorge. "This is a path through the hills that border the Tyr river valley. A short cut of sorts to the mountain."

"Uh, it's gonna take us a week to walk to Mount Tyr." Virgil said. Herald acknowledged that it would indeed be the case, "Have you any pressing business elsewhere? Is Maggie's welfare not important to you?"

"Who the fuck is Maggie??" Virgil cawed.

Eleanor resisted the urge to scold the youngster, instead, she expressed her own concerns; "It'll be an awfully long time, Herald. I don't know if we're all quite up for such a trek."

She glanced at the horses. Gabriel frowned at her, "Don't worry about me."

"I see," Herald said. He wandered a short distance away, then issued another ear-splitting call. The animals shook with startled surprise when his call was quickly answered. A black flyer appeared, leaving Shelton to wonder if they were being watched. Maggie waited as Herald spoke with the avian in a strange language before the bird chirped and flew away, trailing a bizarre ribbon of energy as he went.

"We're to wait here." Herald declared.

"Really?" Shelton peeped. Herald nodded, the ends of his beak turned up in a most unusual smile, "Help is on the way!"

Gabriel felt a sudden swirling anxiety, "We're not going to fly there, are we?"

"Dad! It's okay!" Shelton said, attempting to encourage his father, but Gabriel was having none of it, "I'm staying here!"

"You would regret not accompanying us," Herald said. Justin offered his encouragement, "Can I give you some tips on flying before Herald's helpers arrive?"

Gabriel glanced at his wife who nudged him. He reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, another group prepared for their own flight. In past times, the Interstate Airport of Aurora was the preferred terminal that Sam wished to fly in and out of, chiefly because the horses did not scrutinize identity cards too closely, which was hilarious to him, since they'd dominated police work in times past. However, in his guise as Samuel Preston, the couple had indulged in a great deal of travel on account of Sam actually possessing an official identity card. Rosemary Barter posed a challenge for the couple, as the dragons refused to use any sort of magic to doctor her a realistic identity credential, citing their oath. The short notice posed a challenge, but Mayalee had become a master forger in these modern times. Her hastily assembled work would now be put to the test.

The elderly Rosemary was wholly unprepared for the light and noise of the terminal. Within the spirit world, the sounds of the third dimensional realm can seem muted, and far away. The mare walked with her mouth agape, taking in all of the sensory information she could bear. Just then, a familiar ghost appeared within her vision. She broke from the avatars and strode to her old friend, "Rookwood! What are you doing here?" she cried, drawing the attention of nearby animals. Sam appeared beside her to take her arm, "Come on, Rosemary!"

The equine ghost known as Jonathan Rookwood stared blankly at the mare. It dawned on Rosemary that he didn't recognize her, "Fool! It's me!"

Sam pulled her to the ticketing booth as confused animals gawked at what they thought was a senile old equine. "How is it you're able to see ghosts, anyway?" Mayalee whispered to her, "Not even Justin has that ability!"

Rosemary arched her brow, "Huh, that is a very good question! Perhaps I carry within me some fragment of Nidavellir!"

The equine ticket agent greeted Sam as he presented the party's identity cards. Fascinated, Rosemary watched the process as the agent checked them in, and then generated tickets and boarding passes for the group. A sudden tremor of suspicion gripped Rosemary, "Tell me again why we have embarked on this voyage?"

"To visit the Brightwing and Holden families," Sam replied, taking the tickets and placing them in his pocket. Rosemary shook her head, "I don't trust Kromhaut any further than I could throw him! Tell me, what's Kromhaut's plan? I know there's something you're not telling me!"

Timothy looked away. Rosemary took his guilty demeanor to mean there really was a conspiracy, "You mean to leave me stranded in the north, don't you?"

"Rosemary..." Mayalee began, but the mare swatted the mouse's nose, "Eh!? You'll likely leave me trapped in Herald's tree! A curse upon the doors so I couldn't get out! Tell me I'm wrong!"

Nearby animals were becoming quite concerned about the rambling horse. Sam smiled helplessly to them, "Yes," he hissed through clenched teeth, "Now please be quiet before Kromhaut makes you have an aneurism!"

"Oh, there's no threat you could make," she said, gazing into Mayalee's eyes, "No force you could place upon me that can silence me! I shan't go quietly, Kromhaut, unless you mean to break your oath and murder me!"

Sam suddenly took Rosemary's hand. He led her across the aisle to an airport tavern, "What are you doing?"

"Getting you a drink!"

Rosemary pressed her lips together as the lion sat her down in a booth, "Rosemary, I need you to relax."

She snorted, blowing his mane up away from his eyes. Sam leaned in to awkwardly touch his lips to hers. Rosemary's eyes widened, but she gave in to his charms and kissed him. The pair parted, then shyly smiled as Mayalee and Timothy joined them. Rosemary felt her heart racing, and she knew her nostrils were flushed. Timothy noted that the old horse seemed much younger after becoming excited, and he winked to Sam, congratulating him on his good work, "I guess there was a force that could silence you."

Timothy immediately regretted saying that.

The lion shook his head with a rueful smile, while a waiter appeared to gather the party's drink order.

"How do you feel?" Mayalee asked. Rosemary looked about, "To whom are you speaking?"

The animals chortled, but Rosemary curled her lip in a snarl, "I'm not sure, give me a moment and I'll tell you." She touched her lips to Sam's, then warned; "You know it will take more than a kiss to keep me in check."

Sam bared his teeth, then pressed his lips to her mouth. Her hand immediately went to his tented trousers before Sam thrust several inches of his tongue into her. She squirmed in his grip as Timothy tapped his palms on the table, howling with laughter; "Get a room you two!"

Mayalee was as amused as any, but became serious for a moment, "The One released you from Nidavellir, I'm going to trust that they have a purpose for you."

Rosemary'd scarcely heard the mouse, her mind remained fixed on Sam's hot breath, and the wet inches of his pulsing tongue. The party was then treated to a lurid sexual fantasy absently transmitted by the desperately excited horse. Timothy shyly smiled, 'I'd heard herbivores could have predator kinks, but wow! I had no idea!'

'Shhh.' Mayalee replied.

"Is Rosemary available?" said a thin voice. Timothy looked to the doorway to find Rosemary's friend, Jonathan Rookwood. He snapped his fingers to get Sam's attention. Rosemary noticed her friend, then excused herself. Mayalee watched the mare converse with her spirit friend, wincing now and again as Rosemary made no attempt at subtlety. The avatars then settled in for a wait as Rosemary continued her conversation with her old friend.

"The dragons are acting really funny," Timothy said, tapping his fingers on the table. "It's more than just Rosemary being dropped on us."

"Of course there's more going on," Rosemary said, taking a seat beside Sam. "Jonathan reports that Kromhaut's path is in flux. Spirits cannot find their way out of Nidavellir, whilst the borders of that shadow realm shrink with each passing moment!"

Mayalee's eyes widened at this news. Rosemary smirked at her, "Has your dragon shared any of this news with you? Or are you simply a stomach for him to shovel food into?"

"You seem to know the mind of Krom pretty well," Timothy snorted, "Why don't you tell us what's going on?"

Rosemary bared her teeth; "Indeed! Whilst you animals have been caught up in his little club, I've been observing his comings and goings from the outside. He's painfully predictable, actually. I could almost draw you a picture of how this will all turn out."

"Then why don't you!?"

"We are all going to die," Rosemary declared, "A dimensional alignment is underway! Why, the very Incarnation of Destruction walks the land! Is it not obvious to you that the end of days is upon us?"

Timothy leaned forward, "No, it isn't. Something's changed."

Mayalee shifted uncomfortably as Rosemary flared her nostrils. "Yes, there's this mysterious 'One' who Mayalee's been pining for." Mayalee looked away as Rosemary continued, "I can see why you're so enamored by this more rational and mature entity, sweetie. I'm surprised you can even tolerate Kromhaut's infantile behavior!"

"Stop it, Rosemary!"

"You think you're all privileged to be in Kromhaut's service? He's taken everything from you, even your very life!"

A frightful churning suddenly issued from Rosemary's belly. She clasped her hand over her midsection, as the unmistakable reek of diarrhea wafted up from the mare's lap, "Go on Kromhaut, inflict me with your petty torments..."

Timothy smiled as she rushed to the wash room, "She has no idea the butter biscuits at your place were six years out of date."

Mayalee smiled, asked; "Timmy, do you ever regret joining us?"

He shook his head, the mane of fur on his neck rising and flattening, "I only regret not being a better animal in the past. Having to remember that awful Major is the only thing I wish could've been different, otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing."

"We have to be awake," Mayalee said, spreading her hands. She refers of course to each of the avatar's spiritual states. Timothy nodded, "I guess I'd just like a nap now and again, to forget the past if only for a little while."

An announcement was made that Albany flight seven seven four would soon begin boarding. A smiling Rosemary rejoined the avatars. "What have I missed?"

"Not much, apparently." Timothy replied.

***

The weather was perfect. At least that's what Herald Kirsten thought as his squadron of flyers approached the tallest mountain on the continent of land. Virgil Proudfoot glanced over at the wild bald eagles who ferried the Holden family across the sky. He felt vastly inferior to the stern avians, which only fueled his own teenage insecurities. The looming peak of Tyr grew closer and closer. The eagles adjusted their altitude, hoping to avoid the turbulent air that crashed against the mountain. Perched upon his eagle, poor Gabriel held on for dear life. "Do not clench so, sir!" his eagle screeched, "I must be allowed to breathe!"

Justin carefully pulled along side, the painful memories of his accident still very fresh; "How come you guys live way out here? You sound Shannonvali, don't you have Shannonvali citizenship?"

The eagle glanced at Justin, "My great great grandparents left Shannonvale, after it became clear there would be no one to succeed Octavius."

"Is it that important to have a king?" asked Tristan.

"Yes," the wild eagle replied, "I do not pledge my allegiance to a band of self-serving profiteers. If there is no king to rally around, then I choose to live in this wild realm, away from their corruption."

The other wild eagles chimed in, asserting their loyalty to the crown, and their disdain for modern Shannonvale. Tristan's eyes moved over the avians as King Octavius' spirit swelled within him; "Shannonvale is your homeland, your birthright, it is not an embodiment of a single ruler. The true test in determining to embrace or reject a nation is not who sits upon a throne, but where the nation rests within your heart."

The eagles looked to the strange young flyer as he continued; "If a king be found tomorrow, it would matter not. You must determine for yourselves that Shannonvale resides within you, only then can you find your way home."

Speechless, the eagles pondered what'd been said. Herald smiled to himself, amused beyond measure that the king had addressed his subjects from across a great gulf of time.

"You make a fine point," said the eagle, "My name is George. Tell me young lad, what might your name be?"

"I am Oct- uh, Tristan. No, Edward."

The flyers traded glances, "Very well, we shall reflect upon what you have said. I suggest you endeavor to decide upon a name."

Tristan shyly nodded as the company sailed on.

Soon the eagles arrived at the far end of the Tyr river valley. They set down and issued shrill commands for their passengers to dismount.

Shelly slid from her flyer, while Maggie unfastened herself from the young mare's shoulder. Herald thanked the eagles who quickly flew away. "Where are they going?" Missy asked, watching them recede into the distance, "How will we get back?"

"Come, friends," Herald said, "Our journey is nearly done."

Missy pressed him for an answer, "But what about the journey home? Those eagles are coming back, right?"

"Our journey back lies before us!" Herald said, gesturing with his wing. Missy grunted her frustration. Shelton patted his mother, then looked up in awe at the enormous peak of the fifty one thousand foot summit. "How far up do we go?"

"Oh, we are not going over the mountain, but under it!"

Without another word, Herald set off. The animals blinked at one another, then followed after him. They found that Herald kept a brisk cadence, leaving Shelton struggling to keep up. 'Fucking eagle needs to slow down!'

Herald turned back to smile at Shelton. The youngster thought him odd, 'Why is he looking at me like that?'

Maggie hovered nearby, and after some hemming and hawing she appeared beside Herald. "Yes, Maggie?"

"Rosemary. Who is she, really?"

"A bitter old ghost."

"She's a living animal," Maggie said, obviously pressing him for information, "And she seemed to know you very well."

"In Nidavelir, every animal is a ghost. Some more bitter than others."

Maggie rolled her eyes, "C'mon Herald! It's really bothering me!"

Herald smiled, "Maggie, each of us is related in some way to the other members of this fellowship. This includes Rosemary, at least peripherally. Do not fear, in time you shall find out more about her than perhaps you'd otherwise wish to know."

She nodded, and accepted his side-stepping of the issue. Gradually, Shelton and Shelly began to lag behind as the trail became more rugged and the going more difficult. The males (plus Missy) took rest in a small clearing whilst they waited for the siblings to catch up. Tristan stood close to Ashley, touching his wing to his son now and again. For his part, Ashley was too stunned to recognize Herald's clone as his reborn father. Tristan understood this, and gave Ashley his space, 'If I have to be a little brother, then I can accept that.'

"Soon we shall be within the Mountain of Tyr." Herald said, sensing Ashley and Virgil's inner turmoil, "Do try and keep an open mind, so that the magic of the hall might speak to you."

'Okay,' Virgil thought, 'I'll wait and see what happens.'

Herald swallowed a nervous lump, 'Glorafin, I pray to thee. Admit me, your loyal servant, one last time.'

Soon Shelton, Shelly, Missy and Gabriel were present as the eagles (plus Maggie) made for a high mountain path. The great wood was old, dating perhaps to the seventh century AC (After Cataclysm.) Herald's huge feet crunched upon the thick carpet of leaves as Gabriel took his wife's hand. She smiled gratefully as the party moved deeper into the woods, with the looming mountain high above.

The wood was deep and quiet now, save for the animal's foot falls as they thumped along the ground or crashed through the thick carpet of leaves, all while the trees above leaned over them and listened.

Justin thought he heard a ringing in his ear, a kind of buzzing which came now and again and quickly grew annoying. 'You are hearing the voices of the trees,' came Herald's voice into his mind.

"How did you do that?" Justin asked aloud, sending several muzzles turning in his direction. Herald answered aloud, "I am mortal once more, but I am not a defrocked servant. I retain many of my abilities."

Maggie appeared beside Herald, "Oh?"

Justin thought the answer very strange, and he meant to inquire further when Tristan cried out. All looked to him, concerned that something might have gone wrong, but Herald knew; "Yes Tristan, it is the path."

Before the company was a stone path that every spirit might recognize, well... except one. Maggie stood before the stair that ascended high up onto the mountain side. 'Between the great oaks and the high jagged hills, there is a path...' Maggie's light shimmered thoughtfully, "Looks like I get to walk the path after all."

"This is a good sign," Herald said, "It means that the goddess is willing to see us."

"Oh?" Eleanor asked, "A goddess?"

"Well, she's more an eccentric artist. Don't put too much stock into anything she says, she's something of a prankster."

Eleanor smiled at Herald's disarming manor. His gentlemanly charm was quite alluring, as was the hint of a medieval accent in his speech, 'An ancient sea captain? I wonder what sort of husband material he'd make?'

She'd doubtless be horrified to know that Herald knew every thought that passed through her mind, and he laughed to himself, 'Indeed?'

Now, one after another, the animals made their way up the gently sloping path. Up up and up it went, although the going was steady and easy. The company was a fair klick from the foothills which led to the base of the mountain, and it was a relief to all when Herald said; "The entrance is not far now."

'Goodness,' Missy breathed, 'If I'd had to climb up some rock face, I would have died!'

"We are here," the mariner declared. The trio of Virgil, Tristan, and Ashley rushed forward to see what they could. It appeared that Herald had brought them to a burrowing creature's mound, with a small hole that led down into the earth. Ashley looked up with a questioning glance as Herald laughed at the boys. He waved his wing, prompting a nearby rock formation split into two! The companions gasped aloud at the hidden doorway that had appeared from nowhere, "Come, Maggie," Herald said, gesturing for the spirit to come forward, "This is your expedition, so lead on!"

Ashley stood with his maw agape. Virgil nudged his friend, "Neat, huh?"

Maggie timidly entered the gap between the stone walls, the others following along behind. They walked single file into the gloomy tunnel which wound in and out amongst the rocky body of the land. The light from outside became increasingly dim as the animals descended into the earth, and then the light disappeared altogether as the rock closed behind them. Herald spoke out, "Light please," and at once a warm orange glow issued from the stone. It was not a bright brilliant glow, the light offered being merely strong enough to see one's way. However, the light illuminated all things that it touched, and the outline of Maggie's spiritual form became visible to the animals of the hall.

Missy came forward with a trembling hand to reach out to her, but smiled helplessly when it became apparent that the two could never touch, "Oh, sweetheart."

Maggie mouthed the words, 'I love you.' Missy nodded, "I love you too, baby! I saw you in my dream! I think you really are my daughter!"

Taken aback by the drama, and the complete realization that ghosts were real, Virgil put himself between Tristan and Ashley as the latter cast his eyes upward, "This glowing rock, is it some sort of bioluminescence?"

"It is magic." Herald answered.

"And what is magic?" Virgil asked, to which Herald replied with his own question, "Do you really wish to know?"

Soon the sloping path leveled out, and through her fish-eyed field of vision, Maggie thought she could see different rooms and chambers which branched out from the main corridor. Her assumption was correct when Herald stopped Shelton from venturing into one, "Stay on the path, pony... those rooms are long disused, and contain many old memories."

'I wish whatever gods are present could just appear to us.' Justin thought, and he was again answered by Herald who said; 'Pay attention to what you find in here Justin, you are moving through history. Greeting Glorafin now would be akin to taking a fine novel and flipping to the very last page.'

"Wait," Justin said, stopping suddenly, "Did you say that noise outside was the trees talking?"

Herald moved up behind Shelton and chortled, "Animals or trees, each has their own life and sapience!"

Shelton thought of all the times he'd urinated on the trees near his back yard, and he wondered what they said about him.

"Come along friends," Herald said, "We've not far to go until the hall."

Shelton noted that Herald had somehow got in front of him, and he wrinkled his nose as the huge eagle led the way. The pony found that they cast no shadows in the luminescent light of the hall, and their footfalls seemed muted and far away, 'What a weird, strange place.'

The long hall grew steadily larger, with Herald seeming to grow smaller and smaller as the company went. The overhead light of the orange glowing rock became faint as the ceiling vaulted high above them. Missy slipped her arms unconsciously around Gabriel as she gazed up at the lofty cavern, while the eagle trio chattered excitedly about the apparent engineering cleverness on display above them.

Then, Herald seemed to become confused, and he looked to and fro, "Wench! She leads us in circles!"

The company settled down upon the (relatively) clean floor to have a breather, whilst Herald muttered under his breath, beseeching some unseen entity to cease their merriment.

Justin looked about the vast inner chamber as his eyes further adjusted to the gloom, "I wonder what animals would do if they discovered this place?"

Missy snorted, "This place would be stuffed with cheesy tourist shops. Animals have no shame, you know that!"

Virgil whistled, "Not in a million years would I have guessed this place was inside the mountain!"

Then, seeming to recover his wits, Herald gestured for the company. "Come fellows, 'tis not far now!"

The animals gathered themselves up and continued on, as Virgil made his way up to Herald. "Okay," he said in a low voice, "What is magic?"

"Magic," Herald said, leaning down toward Virgil's ear. Shelton heard something whispered, then Virgil gave an incredulous gasp, "That's it!? That's magic!?"

"What?!" Ashley squawked, "What did he say!?"

"You don't want to know!" Virgil said with a laugh, "It'll ruin everything!"

"Aw come on!" Ashley cried, while the party burst into excited chatter. Herald looked to Shelton and flashed a mischievous wink. The pony smiled and shook his head, "He's just kidding, guys."

The eagle trio became quiet as they glared at Herald. The mariner shrugged his wings, "I'm sorry lads, I have no idea what magic is."

Shelton looked off into the gloom of the cavern, and there in the dark was a ghostly figure, "Guys," he peeped, "Someone's there."

Herald looked, then cleared his throat, "Ah yes, come along."

The companions moved into a great cathedral, with impossibly tall columns on either side of the path. A pale white light issued from the columns as the animals entered the chamber, and at the center was an eerily beautiful silver tree. It was this metal sculpture that Shelton had seen in the dark. He approached the sculpture with a profound sense of wonderment, "Who made this?"

"Oh, you'll see." Herald replied.

The tree rose up from the stone of the floor. Shelton had a sense that the silver sculpture had roots which plunged down into the rock. There were ghostly silver leaves which now shined with a pale blue light, and all were awed by the majesty of what they beheld. Shelton touched his hand to his chest. "It's so beautiful..."

Maggie detected a faint buzzing emanating from the tree which grew steadily louder. Soon she recognized a strange dialect of tree speech, 'So, Glorafin's a tree goddess?'

The company waited whilst Herald approached the thrumming tree. Eleanor could see all manner of emotions cross his face, and she wondered what the entity said. "My friends," Herald said, his voice cracking, "It appears that the goddess is willing to help, but she demands a payment."

Missy shook her head, "What?"

Herald shook his head, "I am so sorry my friends, I have made a terrible mistake bringing you here."

The chamber plunged into darkness. Virgil shrieked like a frightened chick as the lights of the tree winked away. "What's happened! Ugh!"

After a moment, the shimmering light within Maggie's chest gently pushed back against the darkness. Then, Shelton perceived a pair of bright golden rings that emerged from the deep of the hall. Beside him, Missy shook with startled surprise when a face materialized around these rings.

"Hello," said the creature, "Is everything alright?"

Herald breathed a relieved sigh, "Aye."

The dragon did her best to comfort the animals, "It seems Glorafin meant to do mischief upon you, so I have... requested that she retire for the evening."

Shelton strained to get a better look at the creature in the gloom, whilst Virgil took shelter behind him. "First thing's first," said the dragon, "Light, please."

The columns flickered to life as the strange dragon assumed command of the hall. Glorafin's metal avatar appeared inert, it's majesty gone. In the light, Ibiza appeared much smaller than she'd seemed a moment before. The curious dragon approached the company with child-like excitement, "It is lovely to receive you! How may I be of assistance?"

Shelton stepped near as best he could while Missy attempted to pull him back, "Our friend Maggie, she needs help."

"Yes, indeed!" Ibiza replied, pleased to finally be the one to dispense a bit of supernatural social work.

"Who are you?" Missy asked. Herald stepped forward, aware that a dragon would always answer according to their function, "Her name is Ibiza."

"Herald! I'm sure this nice lady is perfectly capable of answering for herself!"

Ibiza tugged at the end of her tail, "I am destruction," she said in a small voice.

Missy blinked, "Come again? I seem to have misheard you."

"Destruction... I am the Incarnation of Destruction."

The animals stood stunned. Herald approached the dragon and bowed to her. Ibiza returned his courtesy, then looked anxiously to the gathered families. Shelton noted her anxiety and immediately stepped forward, hoping to set the dragon at ease. "Hi, I'm Shelton," he gestured to his parents, "This is my mom Missy and my dad Gabriel."

Ibiza bowed to them, "I am well met, fair animals. Please know that as Herald indicated, you may address me as Ibiza, for that was the name upon my tongue ere my coming to Elysium.

Missy gazed deeply into the bright golden disks of the dragon's eyes. They were odd and otherworldly, but also, strangely comforting. "You said you could help us?"

"Before an offer of help is extended," Ibiza said, "We must first ascertain what it is you seek."

Ibiza tightened her jaw. The bright golden rings of her eyes flashed in the silvery light of the hall. Missy felt the ground beneath her fall away. The sensation threatened to sicken her, but in the next instant she found herself back within Albany's regional hospital. She looked about, then noted a pair of equine nurses sporting a mane style popular a quarter century ago.

They passed Missy by, leaving her to walk the empty hall. She felt she were seeing the facility from the point of view of some other animal, and her dream weighed heavily on her as she entered a morgue. 'Maggie, where are you baby?' In answer, Missy beheld the body of her deceased daughter Sheri. A spirit lingered nearby, it's tiny shimmering outline bore Sheri's likeness, but in time it grew steadily larger until it assumed the robust shape of Maggie Pumpkin.

Back within the hall, Missy reached out to Maggie. "Sheri! You really are my daughter!"

Ibiza's eyes shimmered as Gabriel emerged from his own introspection, "You saved Shelly..."

The dragon shook her head, "It was not I, but an unknown hand. Though I suspect that whatever power bestowed Missy's dream, also healed your daughter Shelly," she paused to turn to Justin, "And, the young eagle."

"Unknown hand?" Shelton whispered, then all shook as Ibiza's golden eyes rolled over black. At once the dragon's fanciful appearance changed, and became frightening and menacing. "Shelly Holden," the dragon whispered, "Come to me..."

***

Two hundred miles to the south, Rosemary Barter stepped from the airport in Falvie, a semi-autonomous city-state north of the Shannonvali border. The ancient mare shivered in the chill, drawing a concerned chuff from Sam. He slipped his arm around her, and she gladly accepted his warmth. Mayalee smiled, then took Timothy's hand. 'She's really feeling the chill, but that doesn't make sense. She shouldn't be feeling any discomfort, unless I'm wrong about what's happening.'

The four made their way off the field and did't say much to each other, though the avatars were in almost continual contact with their dragons. Mayalee continued to note an odd tremor in Kromhaut's behavior, and a careful guarding of his thoughts. 'He's hiding something.'

Kromhaut noted her observation. Mayalee decided to press him, 'Krom, something's happened, what it it?'

Again Kromhaut lied, 'The companions have entered Glorafin's mountain, all is well.'

The little mouse paid close attention to the nervous tremor in his presence, but despaired at her dragon's elusiveness. She comforted him, only to inflame his feelings of shame.

Sam noted Mayalee's expression. 'I can only imagine what they're talking about.'

Ariadne chimed in within Sam's mind, 'This is an unprecedented time, Sam. Father has become unsure of his place within the world.'

Rosemary glanced at the pair. "You two look like you've received word that someone's died!" she turned to Timothy, "What's going on?"

He shrugged a reply. She snorted her frustration, "Secrecy is it? I'll tell you this much, where there's secrecy there's treachery! No good can come of it!"

Sam grasped her elbow. "And you're paranoid! You see treachery everywhere!"

"Hmph," she chuffed, pulling away from him, "We'll see."

The party made their way to a shabby car rental area where Rosemary set about kicking all of the tires. "What are you doing!?" Timmy barked.

"I've long seen animals do this, isn't it for luck?"

Sam chortled, as an attendant wandered over. Rosemary became surprised that the stranger's thoughts seemed to broadcast themselves, albeit in a somewhat garbled fashion. The mare strained to listen to what was coming out of the canid's head as Sam negotiated the rental of a motor car. More and more thoughts came to the white mare, and she hungrily devoured them. 'I've always wanted to be the one eaves-dropping on animal's thoughts!'

Her smile died away as a truly disturbing revelation came to her. 'This lion looks like a cop, I wonder if he's here to track the mangler?'

"Who is this mangler?" Rosemary asked in a loud voice. The canid whirled around, "Huh?"

"The mangler, what is this creature?"

Sam flashed her a stern glare as the startled animal sputtered a reply. "A killer, been stalking and eating females, nobody knows who it is."

Rosemary flashed Sam an expectant look. Mayalee grasped Rosemary's hand to lead her away. "Come on, you must be tired, granny! Let's go and sit down!"

"Confound it! I'm not tired! Let me go!"

Sam let out a relieved whistle as he patted the attendant. "How about a Sunbeam? Got any of those?"

Later, Sam deposited a complaining Rosemary Barter into the back seat of their rental where she was restrained by Timothy. Mayalee glared at the horse as Sam took his place behind the wheel. He let out a long breath, then thumbed the starter. The bright yellow vehicle sputtered to life. Sam wasted no time hurrying away from the site, "Well, that was awkward!"

"Sam! We must look for this killer! We have to interview the local spirits! They may be his victims!"

"You assume it's a he." Timothy said. She dismissed him with a snort. "No female would do such a thing to another female!"

He rolled his eyes, "You must have never heard of the lioness Elizabeth Bathory!"

"Please!" Mayalee barked, "Enough!"

Rosemary folded her arms and snorted, then gazed out the window to watch the forlorn landscape drift past her window. As fate would have it, they passed a traumatized ghost. "Stop! Stop this coach!"

Sam sighted the female spirit. His quarter century spent as a police officer demanded that he investigate her death. "Sam!" Mayalee chuffed, "We can't stop now!"

"Just a minute," he said, "I want to talk to her."

Squirming up and down, Rosemary waited for Sam to pull along side the diminutive equine spirit. Unable to contain herself any longer, she leapt out to rush after the ghost, "Sweetheart! What's happened!"

The equine spirit's ghostly outline shimmered as she stared blankly at the avatars. "Happened?"

Sam knelt before her, "What is your name?"

She shied away from him. Mayalee waved her lion away, realizing that she was indeed the victim of a male. "It's okay, sweetie! Can you tell me your name?"

"Penny. Penny Almond."

'Mayalee, what are you doing?' said Kromhaut.

"Penny, can you tell us what happened to you? Who hurt you?"

'Mayalee, please...'

"I can't remember," Penny replied, "I'm sorry, all I remember is being at a cider bar, and then this nice looking wolf. Then, I was like this."

Rosemary shook her head, "If I were in charge, things like this would never happen!"

'Mayalee, this is not what I want. I cannot allow you to influence mortal affairs.'

"But she's a ghost!" Mayalee cried.

"Forget Kromhaut!" Rosemary hissed, "Let's help this poor dear!"

Mayalee attempted to delve into the Penny's spiritual memory, but the images contained therein were disjointed. Both Sam and Timothy also reported an inability to reach the spirit. It was Rosemary who seemed to possess a clear picture of the inner state of Penny's mind, 'Kromhaut,' Sam thought, 'Are you obstructing us?'

'I am sorry, Sam.' Ariadne whispered.

Timothy shook his head, then noted a strange flickering inside Rosemary's eyes, 'Is there a dragon inside her!?'

The mare knelt before the little ghost as she gleaned vital clues from her recent memory, "It was a wolf. His fur is very dark. I'm seeing a street marker for Fourth and Wilson?" she narrowed her eyes, "Yes, it's Wilson Street! That's where it happened!"

"Is there a dragon with you? Who is empowering you?" Timothy chuffed.

Sam gestured for Timothy to hush, "Let's get Penny anchored to the car. Rosemary, glean whatever clues you can from her! See if you can get a clear image of this wolf!"

Exhilarated, the elderly mare radiated with a newfound sense of purpose, but as she assisted the tragic young spirit, a realization dawned on her; 'Through murder, you shall find purpose.'

"That's what she meant!" Rosemary chimed, turning to the murdered spirit. She gazed into Penny's eyes as all of her anger and bitterness became displaced by intense feelings of sympathy and compassion. "Oh, Penny... I'm so sorry dear."

Mayalee understood Rosemary's revelation, and smiled broadly, 'Ibiza can predict the future, this is very very interesting!'

Sam checked that Penny Almond was safely anchored to the rear of the vehicle, then sped off. "Rosemary, where are we going?"

"Give me a moment!"

Penny's spirit was in a near catatonic state, but fortunately, her mind remained fixed on the final few moments of her life. "The wolf's vehicle, it's large and black! It has a black inside! That's all I can see right now, Penny's blocking out her memories of the wolf."

"Can you see any sort of logo or moniker that would identify the vehicle's make?" Sam asked.

"Uh, uh.. there's a silver badge on the seat that says 'Napier.'"

"Napier, got it!"

"I- I can't see anything else!" Rosemary groaned, "Blast it all!"

"Rosemary," Mayalee said, leaning over the front seat, "Leave yourself behind. When you enter Penny's mind, you need to adopt her identity. While you're with her, you need to become Penny Almond."

"O-okay, Mayalee. I'll try."

Mayalee nodded as Rosemary leaned back and closed her eyes. Her lip began to tremble ever so slightly. Timothy gasped when Rosemary suddenly grasped his knee, "His nose has a split in one nostril, and one of his fangs is chipped."

"Which one?" Sam asked, taking out his cellular telephone, "The right fang," Rosemary replied.

Sam dialed the Falvian State Police, "Good afternoon, this is Inspector Samuel Preston of the Brandenburg Police, badge number one seven five four five. Yes, I'm fine, thanks. Listen, I'm investigating an assault and I was hoping you could put out an APB for a grey wolf male, aged twenty five to thirty five, driving a black Napier wagon. The suspect has a chipped right fang, and a split nostril. Suspect should be considered extremely dangerous."

On the other side of the line, a vixen fox placed Sam on hold; "Just a moment, Inspector."

She dialed another telephone, and was connected to an interstate operator, "Brandenburg State, please."

After a moment the Falvian dispatcher returned to the line, "Thank you, inspector! Your badge checks out! By the way, your fellows down in Brandenburg were pleased to hear you're still engaged in police work, and they wish you well." Sam bid the dispatcher thanks, then ended the call, "Alright, they're going to look for him."

"We're not going after him?" Rosemary asked. Sam smiled back at her, "We have a solid description, and the entire police force of this region is going to be looking for him. He's as good as caught."

Sam gleaned enough from Penny to know that she was murdered in the wolf's wagon. "Once they find evidence of murder in his vehicle, he's finished."

Rosemary sighed, then smiled to Penny who seemed to wake from her trance, "Thank you, you're a very nice lady."

"You're welcome dear, and I'm so sorry about what's happened to you."

Penny smiled gently, "If I'm dead, is there a god somewhere waiting for me?"

Mayalee glanced away from the spirit as Rosemary smiled gently, "There is an emotional ninny that pretends not to care about us, but he does. And I wouldn't say he's a god, not yet anyway, that's something we'll hope for in time."

Penny smiled, "Then I'll wait for them."

Tears blurred Rosemary's eyes as the little spirit slipped from the car, "Goodbye, sweetie."

The old mare sniffed back her emotions and attempted to compose herself, but promptly burst into tears, "The poor sweetie!"

Timothy took her hand in his, trying his best to comfort her, 'Rosemary's got a lot of pain to let out.'

Mayalee nodded, her own eyes misty from the weight of the morning's events. Sam blinked away his own tears, "Aye." he said, his medieval accent returning to the fore.

The animals continued on, as a gentle mist descended from on high. Back within the mountain, Shelly approached the waiting dragon, oblivious to the frightening visage that awaited her. Missy and Gabriel rushed forward to protect their daughter, their teeth bared and their muscles tensed! Ibiza blinked at their sudden aggression. Within her dark eyes, the bright golden disks returned from the unfathomable depths of her spirit. With another blink, the dragon appeared friendly and fanciful again! "Oh! Please! I mean you no harm!"

The dragon cowered near the inert silver tree, and seemed genuinely afraid of the horses. Gabriel lowered his hands, "Okay, I'm sorry."

Missy kept a tight hold of her daughter while Gabriel approached the dragon. "Is Maggie really our lost daughter?"

"What does your heart tell you?"

Gabriel looked to Maggie, then reached out his hand. Maggie placed her shadowy fingers in his. "I love you, Maggie. I want you to be with us."

Ibiza smiled, "Then I require a lock of Shelly's hair."

Justin's feathers raised in a thoughtful poof, 'Is she going to clone Shelly?'

Gabriel blinked, then took a small pocket knife from his jeans. He pinched part of Shelly's mane, then held the knife over her hair. "Do you promise that we're under no obligation? You're not going to ask for any sort of payment, right?"

"I can assure you," Ibiza replied, sitting back on her haunches to touch her paw to her chest, "I only wish to help."

Gabriel looked to his wife who slowly nodded. He glanced at Maggie, the boxer smiled her support. Gabriel kissed his daughter, then carefully cut a small bit of her mane. "Sweetie, I think the dragon is going to do something with your DNA, are you alright with this?"

"Oh, come on!" Virgil screeched. Both Justin and Ashley dutifully swatted him.

Shelly smiled, then nodded. Gabriel approached the dragon to offer the creature his daughter's clippings. Ibiza took the strands, then gripped them in her teeth. The company gasped in surprise when Ibiza suddenly appeared beside Maggie. She seized Maggie as if she were a living animal, and thrust the spirit down into her maw.

Horrified, Gabriel cried out; "No!"

He rushed forward to confront the terrible creature when Ibiza opened her mouth very wide and, with a loud gurgling did spit out a bloody body enwrapped within a clear membrane. Maggie Pumpkin broke from the amnionic sack as Ibiza cheered her success, "Ah! It worked, Ariadne! Your trick worked!"

Shelton and Missy rushed to Maggie, and when they beheld the face that looked back at them they cried out in surprise. Maggie coughed and sputtered, "What's wrong-?" she instantly clapped her mouth shut when she recognized the voice that'd issued from her throat. 'Shelly!?'

Tristan approached, as Justin and the others looked upon what had become of Maggie Pumpkin. "You're a clone!" Virgil cried, "She cloned you!"

Maggie carefully inspected her hands, and then her long legs. The others gathered around her as Maggie grasped and tugged upon her new body. "What did she do? This is Shelly's body! Do I look like Shelly now!?"

Shelton pulled his cellular telephone and flipped the glass face open. He presented the dark screen to Maggie, hoping it would be an effective mirror, "Look, can you see yourself?"

Maggie squinted into the phone, then her eyes widened, "Oh! Shelly! I'm so sorry!"

Shelly dropped to her knees to clasp her arms about her new sister. "Oh! Shelly!" Maggie gasped, her body wracked by great heaving sobs, "Sis..."

"I've got you Maggie," Shelly whispered, "I won't let go..."

Missy Holden joined her daughters as Shelton nuzzled his father. Missy put her arm about Shelly, "It looks like you have your twin sister back, sweetie," she turned to wipe the fluid from Maggie's face, "And I have my daughter..."

The boxer regarded her mother through tear-streaked eyes as Missy kissed her nose. Gabriel turned to thank the dragon, who clapped her paws excitedly. He smiled at her cuteness, then reeled as the dragon winked away.

The silver tree began to shimmer with menace. No longer an intricate sculpture of metal, the tree now regarded the animals with a cool malevolence. Herald realized that Glorafin had caught Ibiza unaware, so he quickly gathered the company up, "Come along!"

The vast chamber seemed suddenly confining and claustrophobic, Missy hurriedly doffed her overcoat to wrap it about Maggie's body. In the distance, a screeching and groaning of metal split the still air. Herald led the company from the chamber and into a narrow passage, his talons rhythmically clacking upon the stone of the hall. Above, the soft glow of the rock flickered wildly, creating a disorienting strobe-like effect in the passage.

Then, the company emerged back within the central cathedral. Shelton was startled to find the silver tree gone, with only a gaping hole in the stone where it'd stood. Herald gestured for the company to gather about him, "Do not speak unless spoken to, and then only in single word replies! Keep your minds blank, but if you must think, I would suggest fixing your mind's eye upon the image of a tree!"

"Are we in danger?" Missy chuffed, glancing about the chamber, "Where is the gold dragon? Where's Ibiza?"

"There is no danger, for I am with you," said a harsh, otherworldly voice. A silver dragon stepped from the gloom, a soft groaning of metal ringing out with each step of it's metal body. Herald bowed to Glorafin as she smiled, "Good morrow, Herald! What momentous tidings!"

The chamber echoed with Virgil's pitiful squeaks. Justin did his best to calm his friend as Glorafin leveled her eyes at Shelton, "It has been such a long time, Master Straightpath."

"Ugh! Uhh!!" Shelton sputtered, his mind now in the grips of the goddess. Missy clasped her arms around him, whilst Gabriel held his daughters close.

A wooden wall sprang up from the floor. Glorafin's metal face became twisted with frustration as another wall appeared. Shelton blinked, noting that it looked oddly familiar. Glorafin stepped around the wall to glare at the company as the final pieces of Herald's treetop home appeared from the stone floor. There was a soft groaning as the roof slid into place, and then the oppressive chill of the hall diminished until it was no more. Herald went to a window to peer outside, "Ah! We seem to be home!"

Eleanor and Shelton pressed their faces to a window and were relieved to find themselves free of the mountain, "Did the gold dragon bring us here?"

Herald shook his head, "I believe our deliverance is courtesy of a dragon called Kromhaut."

"I wanna go home... go home..." Virgil breathed. Herald cupped his wing over the young eagle, "Rest easy son, these creatures have always existed, and are no more dangerous to you than any odd hazard you'd find in the natural world."

"You mean like the plague?" Maggie asked with a wry smile.

Missy suddenly grasped Maggie's muzzle and began to fuss over her, wiping away the crusted fluid from her face. "We need to get you a shower, dear. You look like you've just come out of a birth canal!"

"What was it like!" Shelton asked. Maggie shrugged, honestly unsure. "I dunno! It felt like I was being smothered."

Missy patted her, "Justin, can you fly Maggie down to the house boat? I don't want her climbing down until we're sure she's okay."

Justin sprang up to offer his wing. After a rather awkward flight Justin touched down upon the boat's deck. Maggie squeaked, then dropped from his shoulder. Missy climbed down the long ladder, then powered up the boat's water heater. Justin poked his head into the cabin, "I'll go and bring Shelly."

Missy nodded, as she set the shower for Maggie. She roughed her daughter's mane, pleased beyond measure! "After you clean up, we'll get you into some of Shelly's clothes, I'm sure they'll fit!"

Maggie looked down upon herself and thought how ridiculous she must look wearing only an overcoat and bright yellow sandals. "Yeah, that would be good."

Missy opened Shelly's suit case to rummage around for a pair of denim trousers and a blouse, whilst above, Maggie heard Shelly's fussing voice. She reached out to her mother, "Mom, I want you to make sure to give Shelly lots of attention. Don't fuss over me too much."

The mother equine drew a breath to reply when Justin arrived with Shelly. Missy went outside as Shelly gingerly stepped from Justin's shoulder. Once inside, Missy gestured to Maggie; "Go and get your shower, the hot water won't last for too long."

Inside the shower room, Maggie slipped off Missy's overcoat and hung it on the door. She turned to spend a long moment inspecting her reflection. She approached herself in the dingy mirror and gazed deeply into her bright blue eyes, 'I can't believe this! This is exactly what I would have looked like if I hadn't died as a baby!'

She recalled Herald meeting her in the hospital, then shook the thought from her mind. She grasped her breasts, 'Shelly's boobs don't look so big when she's dressed,' she smirked at her reflection, "I can see myself, I can finally see myself!"

"Get your shower before the water gets cold!" Missy called.

Maggie triumphantly slapped her belly. "I have some nice abdominal muscles!"

She stepped into the shower and let out a loud groan of pleasure. Out in the cabin, Shelly nickered her amusement. For a moment, Maggie forgot about ghosts, about the dragons, and just about everything else as she lost herself in the warm shower water.

Afterward, Maggie appeared from the washroom wearing Shelly's pastel yellow top with a pair of faded denim pants. She settled down beside Shelly and brushed her fingers through her sister's mane, "Hey, sis."

"I feel like our lives have become like a paperback novel." Shelly said, "It's hard to believe any of this is happening."

Missy nodded. "Looks like our story might have a happy ending."

Maggie's belly suddenly growled very loudly. The company laughed, grateful for the humor. Justin bobbed his head, "Shall I regurgitate something for you?" Maggie found herself almost considering his offer, "Nah, I'll just have some oats."

Shelton sat down, then pressed himself to Maggie's side. "Hey sis, how are you feeling?"

She smiled gently to him, "I feel... hungry."

***

Part Four

***

"May I have something to eat?" Ibiza Pushpath will ask, thirty five years from now, "I'm very hungry."

Mission commander Muhammad ibn Zakariya glanced back at the dragon, "Flight crew will be here in twenty minutes to bolt us in," the oryx said, "If you feel you can reach your carry on, then go ahead. Just mind any bins or other objects, we need to make sure everything remains nice and tight."

"Thank you," Ibiza said, slipping out of the nook she'd wedged herself in. She crawled across what would be the aft wall of the command cabin, but in the space shuttle's current vertical position, the wall'd become a floor.

Mission specialist Igor Konovalov, a tiger, turned in his seat to watch the dragon rifle through a bag, then devour the foodstuffs contained therein, plastic wrappers and all. So engrossed in eating, Ibiza became startled when white-suited animals appeared at the side hatch to secure the shuttle for launch. Ibiza returned to her nook. There was no seat which could securely hold her, so the flight crew fastened the dragon to the bulkhead with a nylon webbing.

Zakariya gave the ground grew a thumbs up, and they returned the gesture. Konovalov began his preflight checks, as Zakariya traded messages with mission control. Before the flight crew sealed the hatch, a timid canid placed a headset over Ibiza's horned head, "It's nice to meet you, Miss Ibiza."

"Thank you, sweetie."

He smiled, then slipped out of the side hatch. It slid closed as Ibiza's headset crackled to life, "Ibby? Can you hear me?"

"Penny! Yes! I am here!"

"How do you feel?"

"I think-" Ibiza was interrupted by a voice on a different channel; "Launch control is working no technical issues, weather is green, everything is go for today's launch of space shuttle Mystic."

A chorus of other voices chimed in Ibiza's headset. At the cockpit, Zakariya and Konovalov traded a host of messages as they worked through their flight checks. "LRD is go," Konovalov said, "Mystic is go!"

"No constraints for launch," Zakariya said as the oryx glanced back at Ibiza, "Is our dragon ready to go?"

Ibiza offered a thumbs up. "Alright!" Zakariya chortled, "We are clear to go!"

"T-minus two minutes and counting," said the voice in Ibiza's headset, "Range is go."

"One minute and counting,"

Ibiza's belly began to tremble as a steady count began in her ear, "Fifty eight, fifty seven, fifty six.."

"Aero surface checks complete, forty nine, forty eight, forty seven, forty six.."

"Crew close and lock your visors, begin oxygen flow, thirty six, thirty five, thirty four.."

"All systems go, auto sequence start, twenty, nineteen, eighteen, seventeen, main engine start, ten, nine, eight, seven-" the voice was lost to Ibiza as a tremendous rumbling from beneath the space craft shook the headset from her head. The orbiter lurched to the side as it began to rise, and then swung back in the other direction as it cleared the tower. Ibiza now regretted eating the foodstuffs as she was pressed against the bulkhead.

She closed her eyes as the vehicle shot into the sky. Like most animals, she'd seen shuttle launches on television, and the craft always seemed to rise slowly and gracefully. That is not the case!

It was violent, and terrifying, and- "Amazing!"

Zakariya glanced back as the dragon hooted and cheered, 'Congratulations, Miss Ibiza. You're now an Aeronaut.'

The rumbling became steadily quieter, and the force pressing Ibiza to the bulkhead diminished. The bright blue sky visible through the windows darkened into a deep indigo as Mystic entered low orbit. The space craft rolled, bathing the cockpit in a bright golden radiance. Ibiza looked into the sun's face before the craft rolled away from it, but her eyes were left dazzled by a shimmering golden light. Soon the light became a broad red flame that streaked across the sky- "NO!"

"Ibiza!?" Zakariya chuffed, "What's wrong?"

"The disaster, it shall befall us, despite my efforts! I'll not have the strength to keep both the magnetic field stable, and bring the orbital cable down! I'll fail!"

'Fate has come up against your will, servant of life,' said a voice deep inside her.

Ibiza saw Zakariya's lips move, but his words were lost as the presence inside Ibiza added; 'I am here, if you are ready.'

'No! Animals will fear you! I'm responsible for the physical world, Midgard is my territory!'

'Ibiza, you have tried valiantly to maintain the balance of life, but the time has come for me to act.'

'Noooo! Animals will be afraid! All of the relationships I have built shall be undone!'

'Shelton was not afraid, when I appeared to him. He accepted me, Ibiza, as he accepted you.'

Tears wet Ibiza's eyes, "Shelton, my pony!"

"Ibiza!" Zakariya called as the dragon unfastened the straps holding her to the bulkhead, 'Have I lost my chance? Am I banished, then? I don't want to lose my Penny.'

'We are a duality, Ibiza. You shall dwell within me, waiting, until it is safe for you to return.'

Ibiza closed her eyes, as a bright burning light issued from her brow. Zakariya's eyes widened as he glanced back at the dragon, "Fire! There's a fire!"

"Fuck! What is she doing!?" Konovalov cried.

On the surface, Penny grimaced at their startled cries, "Mystic! Come in!"

A dark brown voice spoke over the radio; "Hello, Penny."

"Ibby?" Penny breathed, not recognizing the voice in her headset.

"She is here," the voice replied, "And she will see you again, but for now I must act."

Penny now realized with whom she was speaking, as the stories told by King Octavius crashed down upon her; "W-what are you going to do?"

"I shan't expend energy keeping the planet's magnetic field alive, nay, I may block the sun's harmful rays from this lofty perch!"

Penny noted the crew was conspicuously quiet; "Konovalov, status?"

"I.. uh, need a minute."

Across Penny's console, Director Connally flipped a switch to activate a camera in Mystic's command compartment. Penny and Connally squinted into the monitor, where all that could be discerned was a bright golden flickering.

"Penny, the space elevator is not needed," said the dragon as she peered into the camera lens, startling the animals. Penny beheld Ibiza's familiar face, but the visage was now wreathed in flame, and from her eyes there radiated a frightening majesty, "These animals must bear me to the international space station. From there, Ibiza shall hoist cargo up from the surface, whilst I maintain a protective shield around this planet. Ibiza Pushpath shall no longer expend all of her energy stoking the dying core!"

Penny absently nodded, "Won't the planet die?"

"The planet was murdered when Kala sprang her trap. There is no craft that I possess that can change this reality, but through animal's ingenuity, we shall ultimately triumph."

Trembling, Penny keyed her headset to ask; "How might I address you? What is your name?"

There was a pause, before the dragon replied; "Life."

Penny's eyes rolled up inside her head as she felt herself slip outside of time. She beheld a great hall the length of which receded into an unfathomable distance, and many doors that opened to events too numerous to count, 'This is the forth dimension, as interpreted by your brain,' said the dragon.

The black horse shivered as she glanced through the doors, catching glimpses of events familiar, and others mysterious. She recognized her old college days, and fond dinners with her elder sister. Then, the flow of time brought her back to her childhood, and her days as a young filly.

'You are a part of my world,' the dragon said to her, 'Ever shall it be so.'

"Doctor Holden," Connally said, his words now distant and indistinct. Penny continued her journey back along the corridors of time, to the great river Elbe, and a rough and rocky road upon which a yellow sedan jounced and tumbled; "Ugh!" Rosemary Barter chuffed, "This rattling is killing my back!"

"We'll find a motel at the next exit."

"Will there be food?" Rosemary asked, "I'm starving!"

Sam snorted, "Yes!"

Mayalee smiled back at her, "It's funny how you were able to commune with that spirit, when we could not. It's like you have an avatar's powers."

"Yeah," Timothy chuffed, "An avatar for a god who doesn't block you when you're trying to help someone!"

The mare glanced at him, then shrugged. Sam glanced back to offer his opinion, "You've always been pretty aware whenever one of us tries to read you. That's indicative of an avatar familiar's abilities."

"What of it?" Rosemary chuffed.

"May I see your hand?" Mayalee asked, reaching out to her. Rosemary put her willowy hand in Mayalee's, who grasped the elderly horse's fingers very firmly and squeezed them with all of her dragon-given might. Rosemary yanked her hand back, apparently unharmed by the mouse's test, "Fool, what are you doing!?"

"You... you really are an avatar!"

Rosemary snorted, "Sod off! That's impossible!"

"I tried to crush your hand, and couldn't! Only an avatar could withstand my grip!"

Rosemary rubbed her fingers, "Idiot! What if you were wrong!?"

Mayalee smiled, "The One must have convinced Jord to release you from Nidavellir! They foresaw us finding Penny! She must have taken you as her avatar! That's why you could see Penny's thoughts while we were blocked!"

The pit of Rosemary's belly fell away. "No! I don't want to become some dragon's pet! I'd rather die!"

"Rosie," Mayalee peeped, "You did a lot of good back there. I think you need to consider what's happened."

Sam glanced back at her, as the car was shaken by a particularly horrendous pot hole, "I have faith in you, Rosemary. Our god must also think you're up for it, too."

"Yes, well, I still think you're all morons."

The animals laughed as Rosemary squeaked when Timothy playfully kissed her cheek. She touched her fingers to where he'd kissed her, as she imagined him kissing her again and again.

"I can hear your thoughts, you know."

She glanced at him, "What am I thinking about now?"

He squealed with laughter! "I didn't think you'd be into that!"

"What!?" Mayalee squeaked, then she wrinkled her nose at what was revealed, "Eww! That's gross!"

Rosemary's lips parted in a broad and genuine smile. Mayalee looked at her as time seemed to slow to a crawl before it stopped altogether. Herald's words came to Mayalee as she gazed upon Rosemary's smiling face, 'There's a good equine beneath that gruff exterior, waiting for you to set her free.'

The company continued on, until Sam pulled off at the next exit. He sought out a motel that didn't look like a complete dive. The motel they settled on seemed devoid of any color, and the room assigned to Timothy and Rosemary was dark and musky. She collapsed on the bed whilst Timothy searched the closet for extra bedding. 'I shall keep you warm,' said his dragon. The fox thanked Tannin as he sat heavily in a worn out chair. A gentle snoring issued from Rosemary. Timothy smiled at how peaceful she looked, with her normally stern face now serene and unguarded, 'Just like a nice old granny.'

A shadow moved through the dimly lit room. Timothy's hackles stood on end as Tannin attempted to push into him, 'No! Let me handle this!' Timothy said.

The shadow paused near the door. Timothy slowly rose from his seat to address the entity, "Rosemary understands what you meant, about murder."

"All is progressing as it should," replied a strange, buzzy voice, "Rosemary may yet become a proper emotional center."

Within Timothy's mind, Tannin attempted to analyze the quality of the shadow's voice. 'It is arboreal in nature! Akin to a tree spirit!'

Timothy himself thought the odd buzzing quality of the creature's voice was the most unusual sound he'd ever heard. "So, Ibiza, how did you escape from the first dimension?"

"You assume that I am Ibiza?"

A tapping on the door distracted Timothy, then Mayalee's concerned voice spoke out; "May we come in? I would like to speak with you."

The shadow reached out with a hand that seemed as solid as any animal's, and opened the door for the mouse and her lion. The tall and spindly shadow moved aside so that they might enter. Timothy squinted as Sam flipped on a lamp, revealing a black-furred clone of Rosemary Barter!

Timothy blinked at the cranky mare's bizarre twin. Mayalee herself drew a sharp breath as the stranger smiled, "Greetings, Mayalee and Sam."

The little mouse approached the shadow with all of her hopes and expectations shimmering in her eyes, "If you're not Ibiza, then who are you?"

"Well, dear... I am death."

***

In the north, the setting sun dipped behind the western arm of the mountains. Sunlight was still shining in the sky, but long shadows reached out over Herald's tree. The eagles camped there, whilst the horses took shelter in their house boat. So unnerved by their experience in the mountain, neither Missy nor Eleanor allowed their boys out of their sight.

Shelton lay beside his father who snored gently. With no thought of sleep in his future, Shelton simply lay there watching Gabriel's chest rise and fall, each breath punctuated by a gentle whistle. He wondered if Justin was up in the tree, feeling just as restless, 'I wish Justin was here.'

He raised his head to glance over at Maggie. She lay with her back to him, but didn't seem to be asleep. "Hey, Maggie? You awake?"

He waited expectantly, hoping against hope that she might answer. She didn't. Shelton sighed miserably, and wondered what time it was back home. His school now seemed like some other world, a mundane place where dragons were not real, and there was no magic. 'I wonder how Max is getting along?' he rolled over, 'I bet the school is planning some nice Midwinter stuff.'

An orange flickering cast a glow on the far wall. Shelton became mesmerized by the warm light as his eyes became very heavy, 'Dragons are so weird,' he thought, passing into a deep and profound slumber.

In a far off place, an aged stallion lay on a bed of straw. Around him was gathered gifts and flowers and all manner of foodstuffs. An odd scent permeated the air, it's quality not unlike the smell of wet hay and cinnamon.

"Hello, old horse," said a tall grey female who entered the bed chamber, "How are we feeling today?"

"I don't think I'll be afforded another return. I'd say this is it, love."

The mare smiled, then took the stallion's hand, "Wherever you go, you'll not stray far. I'll scatter your ashes in the garden so the sunshine might warm your face again through our roses." Garland smiled, "And perhaps, some new colt born to us will help me tend our flowers."

Tears blurred his eyes, "How is Ibiza?"

"She's taking your illness hard," Garland replied, "She was scarcely a year old when you were resurrected, she has not learned how to let you go."

He cupped his hand over hers, "Daughter of mine, would you promise to keep Ibiza away from the Society of Friends? Their interests lie not in simple festivals, they are dangerous."

"I will."

He sighed, "A veiling shadow has come, I believe death is present."

"Could they wait? If only for Ibiza to bid her grandfather farewell?"

"One cannot bargain with Death, nor make requests. Just know that I love you, and I've cherished all of these extra years I've been gifted..." Sherman met her gaze, before his pupils dilated in an unnatural way. A moment later, his face bore the appearance of the dead. Garland bowed her head, then pulled the bed sheet up over her father's face. She bit back a tear before falling upon her father's chest. When next Shelton was aware, a dragon's fiery visage regarded him.

"Am I dead?" he asked.

"No, love."

"Uhh... your head is on fire."

The Incarnation of Life chortled, "Greetings, master Shelton. Might I visit with you?"

"You're not Ibiza, are you?"

"You refer of course to Destruction. In a way, I am she. And yet, I am not."

"Your eyes look alive. Ibiza's eyes didn't look alive."

She settled down beside him, "I have been blessed with an animal's spirit, it is through their sacrifice that I live."

"W-why is your head on fire?"

"My fire is a light to guide those who wander in dark places."

"Oh," Shelton breathed, "You said you wanted to visit with me?"

She leaned in to deliver a kiss, "I wished to appear to you as you are now, to see what a fine and gentle equine you were. I love you very much, Shelton."

Shelton was struck by the dragon's voice. It sounded so much like the lady in the dream he'd just had, when he was an old horse who died. He smiled, then gazed at the bright golden rings drifting within her eyes. "What are those? They don't seem to be attached to anything."

"It would be easier to show you, would you like to see?"

"Um, okay."

"Very well. Now, close your eyes, and imagine an object."

Shelton conjured an image of Justin's feathery chest. "Now... look closely, Shelton. Dive deep into your friend's feathers."

After an awkward start, Shelton's vision began to dive down toward Justin's body. The feathers of his chest became great and large as Shelton spiraled ever closer to the cells that made up Justin's plumage.

That's when Shelton felt like he was watching one of those science videos, where you zoom in on things to see what they're made of. Down and down Shelton went, until he'd reached a tiny molecule deep inside Justin's skin. Then, Shelton ventured into this molecule, arriving at last above an orderly row of bright glowing objects that resembled tiny stars. Yet still, Shelton ventured down. Down and down, revealing more tiny points of light that made up the larger points of light. The pony was reminded of that old creation joke, something about 'turtles all the way down.'

Finally, the shapes of the sub-atomic particles became irregular and wholly unfamiliar. Shelton knew that he'd arrived at the final stop along this bizarre journey. With a final push into these blue and orange objects, everything became dark. There was nothing left. Shelton hovered within an all-encompassing night.

'This is the first dimension,' said the dragon, 'The shadow realm exists within everyone, and is not a place of death!'

From the darkness came tiny points of golden light. As they drew near, Shelton saw that they were actually golden discs. He marveled at the tiny one-dimensional rings that seemed to vibrate with a frequency. Almost like... 'Music?'

'It is the symphony of creation,' said Life, 'I am the musician, and these are my instruments.'

Shelton gazed upon what'd been revealed with a growing sense of frustration. 'If I were a smart animal, I could figure out what this all means.'

Life was understanding, 'My lad, this is the boundary between the material, and the immaterial. Energy, and matter. These rings create an energy field that binds all of creation together. They represent my life force.'

'God is inside all of us,' Shelton thought, 'Is that what this means?'

One of the rings came near. Shelton could see that it was the very same sort of golden disc that appeared within Ibiza's eyes. And, the eyes of this strange other dragon. 'Sleep now,' said the Incarnation of Life, 'Sleep, and remember that the shadow realm is a place of life!'

The dragon retreated from Shelton, moving amongst the dark shadows before she merged with the night it's self.

Hours later, Shelton woke to his father's muttering. The boat's engine cover was open, and the top of Gabriel's mane could be seen futzing and fumbling with the boat's mechanical innards. "Dad, what are you doing?"

"Electrical system is shot! Nothing will energize!"

Shelton frowned, "Virgil isn't going to like that."

"Shit, boy! I ain't gonna like that!" The stallion checked his temper, "I'm sorry son, it's been a wild few days."

"I'm sorry, dad."

Gabriel climbed out of the compartment to hug his boy. "For what? You got your big sister back!"

From her sleeping cushion, Maggie Pumpkin smiled. "Shoot!" Gabriel nickered, "My daughter is Maggie Pumpkin! I... uh, get to pay for my hero's college tuition!"

Maggie sat up, "Dad, what was my name again? I mean, before you lost me?"

"We'd named you girls Shelly and Sheri, but I'd love it if you'd go by Maggie."

Maggie noted that Shelton's ears drooped. She knew that an insecure teenager might feel awfully left out in such a situation, so Maggie resolved to be a big sister for him. "Look at those arms!" Maggie said, reaching out to squeeze Shelton's bicep. "What a boxer you'd make!"

With a smile, Shelton pointed to his snout, "I'd like my nose to remain where it is, thanks."

Maggie nickered, "All you gotta do is make sure you don't get hit!"

As the siblings became aquatinted, Missy and Gabriel beamed. Soon the eagles touched down upon the deck to inquire about a departure time, as was predicted, Virgil took the news very hard. "I'll fly! I'll just fly home!"

"You've only just arrived!" Herald said, "There's lots of nature to explore up here!"

"Yeah, like animal-eating beasts?" Virgil spat, "Fuck this place!"

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Tristan cawed, "You sound like a neurotic jay with all your whining!"

Herald looked sharply at Tristan, as Eleanor swatted him with her wing. "Hey!" he screeched, "I might look like a boy, but don't you go treating me like one!"

"Tristan!"

He clapped his beak shut, realizing how out of order he'd been. "Oh, I'm sorry."

"Hmph," she chuffed, "I know you've been through a lot dear, but let's do try and control ourselves."

Herald stepped over Tristan and began to poke and prod him with his beak. Indignant, Tristan stepped away with a screech, "Hey! What are you doing?"

A frightful churning suddenly issued from Maggie's belly; "Ugh!" she cried, clutching at her abdomen. Missy and Gabriel were at her side at once. Maggie nodded to them, "I'm okay, my stomach is just cramping something fierce."

"Congratulations," Herald chimed, "You are experiencing the discomfort that makes newborn babes so cranky."

Maggie cocked her head, "Really?"

"Your digestive system is firing up, as it would in a newborn," he turned to Tristan, "And before you ask, your body is ten years old! I hatched it from... well, a rock."

"What!?" The animals gasped. Tristan looked down upon his person, "What do you mean a rock?"

"A rock," Herald affirmed, "At least, it was a rock before Glorafin took my feather and transformed it into an egg."

"Wow..." Tristan breathed, a tone of genuine wonderment in his voice. Eleanor smiled to him, 'That's the happiest I've seen him since we arrived back.'

Maggie burped up a bit more gas as Herald continued, "But alas, I fear there is a terrible shortcoming in Tristan's new body."

The young eagle again looked down upon his person as Herald continued, "What pains me is one of the most wicked animals the world has ever known came to me, and warned me of this flaw in my clone."

"What is it?" Eleanor asked, a nervous tremor in her voice. Herald smiled weakly, then looked away, "My clone is perhaps too perfect a copy. There is a danger that Tristan has inherited my former sociopathic nature. He must now contend with the eagle I once was."

None knew what to say, whilst Herald's wings drooped. Try as he might, he could not make eye contact as he apologized, "I am so very sorry Tristan, I have wronged you in a deep and profound way."

"Have courage," said a voice. The animals turned to find their strange golden dragon benefactor at the skyway door. "Whilst there are obstacles to overcome," Ibiza said, "You possess the strength needed for the task at hand," she paused as Shelton stepped forward, no longer able to contain himself. Though he could not remember his strange dream of the shadow realm, a faint recollection of the tiny golden rings compelled him forward. Ibiza smiled to the pony as he inched closer to her, as Justin attempted to pull Shelton back, "Shelton, no..."

With an outstretched hand, Shelton touched the plates of Ibiza's chest, then snapped his hand back in shock. Herald Kirsten brushed Shelton aside with his wing, then greeted the dragon. "Lady Ibiza, I remember that night, when you compelled me to find my courage."

She nodded a courtesy, "Captain Vanderdecken."

He wondered why she addressed him as such, but he bowed his respect. "Alright," Eleanor said, "How can Edward overcome Herald's mental deficiencies?"

The elder eagle winced, and yet Eleanor was right. Tristan was now faced with severe mental shortcomings. Ibiza nodded to her, and then addressed Tristan; "My lad, your spirit is awake within this vestment of flesh and bone, you possess the ability to reach deep within yourself and summon the eagle Octavius d'Shannonvale. Bring him to the fore, for he possesses the will to counter the darker elements of Herald's body."

"Why should I? Don't you think I could do it?"

Ibiza's eyes flashed at his insolence, then she mouthed the words of a telephone call Tristan'd once received, offering the former commodities trader a forewarning that the Union Government was near default. "Your decision to think only of your own short-term gain helped usher the downfall of the former Union, a system of government that enriched and benefitted all species of animals."

The young eagle hung his head as she spoke. "Tristan, although you are a good-hearted eagle, I would declare you unfit to resist the darkness of Herald's former mind."

Her words stung, but he nodded, "So, I just let King Octavius take over?"

"It is the best remedy for now, but have faith, for in time a more lasting solution shall present it's self."

A flash of anger surged through Tristan. He jabbed his wing at Herald, "What about him! How come he isn't crazy! If this mess is all his fault!"

Herald hung his head at Tristan's accusation. Ibiza cupped her paw beneath Herald's mandible, her eyes smiling with pride, "He has earned his grace, and has overcome his inner darkness. He is beyond reproach."

Ibiza turned her eyes upon Tristan, "King Octavius! I call upon you!"

The dragon's stern visage changed in an instant. Suddenly childlike, Ibiza turned to Eleanor, "I have studied the life and times of Octavius, he is indeed a noble animal!"

More than a few maws hung open at the abrupt change in her demeanor; "I felt his speech before the final battle with Toulon was most stirring, 'To those who would follow in my leadership, may your resolve never slack, and your courage never falter, especially in our day of battle be close to us,'" the dragon paused to loom over Tristan, "'We do not pray for easy lives, but we do pray to be stronger animals,'" the dragon turned away from Tristan to place a paw on Justin's chest, "'We do not pray for tasks equal to our powers, but ask only for powers equal to our tasks.'"

Ibiza sat upon her haunches, "Such a stirring speech!"

"You're like a crazy animal," Virgil said. In reply to his outburst, Ibiza's eyes darkened. Her presence became menacing, drawing sharp gasps from the assembled animals. Shelton rushed to the dragon and took her paws in his hands, "Hey, it's great having you here with us! Uh, thanks for telling us about Octavius!"

The pony's intervention calmed the dragon, and her eyes became bright and cheery once again. "Ah! What were we talking about?"

"We were talking about what an idiot Virgil is," Ashley hissed.

"Ibiza," Herald said, "Would you like something to eat?"

"Why, yes!" she exclaimed, but all became distracted as Herald's clone wobbled across the wooden floor. "Tristan?" Eleanor peeped. The young eagle looked to her, "Yes, he is here. I have access to all of his memories, Misses Brightwing."

Charmed by his medieval accent, Eleanor's feathers roused in a thoughtful poof, "Octavius?"

The former king nodded, "I am somewhat confused by the events of late, but Tristan has briefed me on all that has happened."

Herald noticed that Virgil'd taken refuge in a corner. Pouting, he looked rather miserable. Ibiza followed Herald's gaze to the boy, and she went to him, "Sweetheart, don't be sad! Would you like to go for a walk?"

She patted his head in a way she imagined a mother animal might, but the gesture only elicited a cringe from the boy, (Which is usually a child's response anyway,) "Some fresh air might do us good!"

Herald and Gabriel ushered the boys outside, whilst Missy and Eleanor traded worried glances. 'I assure you, the boys will be fine,' Herald's thoughts said to them. Ibiza turned back before she leapt from the tree, "Of course they will!"

From Justin's back, Shelton watched the dragon alight from the tree and join them in the air. She smiled broadly as the eagles circled a lovely clearing, "Let's set down here!" Justin called.

On the ground, Ibiza smiled blankly at the boys. She seemed desperate to project friendliness, so Shelton struck up a conversation; "So, Ibiza, what do you usually do during the days?"

"Research," she replied.

"Yeah?"

Ashley and Justin traded glances, whilst Virgil sheltered himself behind the pair. "What sort of research?" Shelton asked, "Like scientific stuff?"

"I am searching for an animal," she said, her tone oddly emotional, but again, she failed to elaborate. Ashley nudged his brother, "Justin, why don't you tell us a joke!"

Ibiza brightened, "Oh, yes! Humor! I would like to learn ways to set animals at ease. Could you teach me this joke?"

"A joke?" Shelton nickered, "What sort of joke?"

"Oh, well, let's see," Justin said, trying to think of a jest that didn't involve profanity, "How about the one about the adopted lion?"

"Oh?" Ibiza chirped, "Yes?"

She wiggled her haunches excitedly, as Shelton squeaked at her cuteness. Justin then drew a breath and closed his eyes, as if trying to conjure the scene in his mind. "Okay, there's this young lion who gets adopted by some horses."

"Really? Does this happen often?"

"Well, it's a joke," Justin said. Ibiza nodded, "I understand! Proceed!"

Shelton smiled broadly as Justin continued, "Okay, this young lion boy is living with some horses, and the whole time he's with them, he never says anything!"

"Never?" Ibiza asked, genuinely mystified. Justin chortled, "Yep! Not a word! The horses even take him to a doctor to see if anything might be wrong with him."

Shelton noted that Ibiza seemed... excessively cheerful. Like she was determined to keep the darker side of herself far far away. 'I wish you wouldn't.' Shelton thought, his words flowing straight to the dragon's hungry mind. 'If we're going to get to know you, I want to know the real you.'

Raising himself to his full height, Justin prepared to deliver the punch-line, "Then one night, the family is having dinner, and the little lion suddenly says, 'This apple strudel is a bit tepid.'"

"And the family is shocked! They're like, 'Fritz! You've finally said something! How come you've never spoke until now?'"

Ibiza's tail vibrated with anticipation. Her maw opened as she leaned forward, 'Yes! What of the lion youth's utterance!?'

"The lion boy just smiles at them and says; 'Up until now, everything had been satisfactory.'"

Ashley groaned, Shelton chortled, and Virgil rolled his eyes. But Ibiza, she was perplexed, "Is this on account of a lion's tendency to be efficient in all pursuits? Would he consider excess conversation to be a waste of resources?"

"It's a stereotype," Justin said, "So, yeah."

"Justin!" Ibiza hissed, "Have you told me a racist joke?"

"Oh! Well, no! It's more of an affectionate ribbing, you know..." he glanced helplessly at Shelton, 'C'mom Shel! Work your dragon-taming magic!'

Ibiza put her paw to her chin, "I see. In pointing out an animal's idiosyncrasies, it might help the different species to become more aware of their social shortcomings," she nodded, apparently satisfied, "Very well."

Justin wondered what would have happened if he had told her a vulgar joke. Shelton patted the dragon's shoulder, "Ibby, can you tell us about the places under the ground? I'd like to know more about the mountain."

"What did you call me?"

Shelton recoiled at her menacing tenor, "Uh... Ibby?"

"Is that a nickname? Have I become included in your social circle, then?"

"Sure, Ibby! You're part of the club!"

The eagles nodded in prompt agreement. Ibiza beamed, "Thank you!"

"So," the pony continued, "What sorts of rooms are there in the mountain? I'd sure like to explore those before we head back to the city."

"I must confess that I am not in possession of a complete mind, so my memories of the underground places are fragmented and incomplete."

Virgil rolled his eyes, 'I figured as much.'

"Well," Ibiza said, embarrassed at seeming impotent, "There are many chambers and passages that have been wrought by different the civilizations that have existed upon Elysium. Many of these chambers utilize a system of function that you would refer to as magic."

"I don't suppose you can tell me what magic is?" Virgil asked. To his surprise she nodded, "Oh, yes."

Virgil hesitated, 'Do I really wanna know? Will it ruin the... 'magic?'

"I might offer an abridged explanation, so as not to ruin the mystery for you," the dragon offered.

"Ok!"

Ibiza gestured to the boy's person, "There is a bond which binds the physical to the spiritual, the highest energies to the densest matter. Magic is the force that binds the immaterial and the material, it is a power field that transcends the dimensions, and gives structure to all creation."

Shelton said nothing as an image of tiny golden rings filled his mind's eye. Beside him, Ashley shook with surprise, "Are you talking about the mass-energy equivalence?"

"Not exactly," Ibiza cautioned, "But there is an element of intrinsic energy to what defines magic."

Virgil shrugged, "Well, that was confusing, but at least you didn't spoil anything."

"Ibiza," Ashley asked, "About what you said earlier, about the old civilizations, are animals going to go extinct someday?" In answer, she made a sweeping gesture, "For a star to be born, a nebula must first collapse!" she paused to playfully fluff the feathers of his chest, "So collapse! Crumble! This is not your death, it is your birth!"

Ashley backed away with a nervous peep. Ibiza bowed to him, "Please excuse me love, I was speaking more for myself."

Shelton patted the soft plates of her neck, "Hey, you sound a little nervous, everything alright?"

She smiled at his touch, "Something is going to happen, Shelton. I'm afraid for life, for Elysium."

Virgil and Ashley traded very worried glances, whilst Shelton and Justin seemed to assure each other. "Okay," Shelton said, "What's going to happen?"

Ibiza pawed at the ground, "I'm not sure exactly."

To the pony's surprise, the gold-colored spines along her cheeks darkened a bit. 'Is that a physical reaction to lying? I know she knows what's going on.'

"You are right," Ibiza replied, "But I do not know how to properly convey what is at hand without alarming you."

Ashley pressed himself to his brother's side. Shelton smiled gently to him, "How about an abridged version?"

Ibiza bowed her head, "All of the higher realms of existence shall soon merge into one, and with that convergence, all dragon spirits shall be bound together,"

"What?" Ashley peeped.

Ibiza gestured to her person, "I am the result of this merger, but somehow, I have come among you before this great alignment has taken place. Perhaps I exist outside of time."

"Wow," Shelton breathed, "Neat,"

"But there is a terrible caveat, Shelton. There is a possibility that the future is not yet set, and if my sister and I cannot secure for ourselves an emotional center, there is a danger that I could destroy all life on Elysium," Ibiza shuddered, "I am afraid, Shelton! The closer this alignment comes, the more I feel my lessons are stripped away! I have gained so much insight into what it means to be an animal, but if I cannot locate an emotional center, it shall all be for naught!"

Ashley stepped back, his fear an emotional knife in Ibiza's heart. Shelton took her face in his hands, "You're sweet and kind, Ibby! You'll find a way!"

"Isn't your presence here proof that everything will be okay?" Justin asked.

She cupped her paws over Shelton's hands, "I must embrace the possibility that I am not the entity destined to appear. Perhaps I am a discarded tool, a weapon that has outlived it's usefulness."

Not fully understanding, but desperate to comfort her, Shelton squeezed her paws. "Ibby, take a look at yourself! In the mountain you said your name was Destroyer-" she corrected him with a nod, "Destruction, my name is Destruction."

"Well, why would a destructor look like you? When your eyes are bright and pretty, you look wonderful! I would think that a bad dragon would always look, well.. bad."

She closed her eyes, turning her thought inward to beseech The One. 'I need him, never was there a more perfect soulmate! He must become my emotional center!'

"Ibby?" Shelton whispered, tapping the dragon on her cheek, "Are you alright?"

The dragon opened her eyes. She noted that some time had passed, and the eagles had gone, "I am sorry, Shelton. My mind... is not whole."

"Where is the rest of it?"

She sighed, "It is at the heart of the first dimension, awaiting the alignment."

Shelton's ears twitched, "So, so you're looking for an animal?"

She nodded.

"Uh, I think I might know someone who wouldn't mind helping out."

She reached out to touch her lips to his, then smiled as Shelton's heartbeat rang in her ears. She leaned in again, but paused, 'No, he's just a boy.'

Ibiza gently patted his chest, then made comment of the eagle's absence. "Our friends have departed."

"O-oh, Virgil and Ashley wanted to get back, so Justin went with them."

"Might I fly you back to the tree?"

"Really?" Shelton peeped, "Can you do that?" he looked the dragon up and down, 'She's not really much bigger than Ashley!'

The dragon beckoned to him, "Come, sit between my wings."

His thoughts swirling, Shelton swung his leg over the dragon's neck to straddle her muscular back. 'I'm sitting on a dragon!' he thought with a smug smile, 'The ponies back at school would never believe this!'

'I am enwrapped by his muscular legs!' Ibiza thought, entertaining her own fantasies. Shelton felt himself become weightless, and a funny thought crossed his mind, 'So that's how she can fly with such small wings!'

"Hold tight!" she said, looking for all the world like a gold-plated aircraft, "Here we go!"

Shelton cheered as Ibiza accelerated away. Now, let's venture back to the previous night to look in on the animals at the motel. Sam's cellular telephone suddenly chimed as Rosemary's black doppelganger phased in and out of reality. "You may wish to answer the caller."

Sam chuffed, then flipped his phone open, "Hello?"

"Sam!" said his former police colleague, "The Flavians just contacted me! How did you manage to find the Triple River Mangler?"

"Oh, I was doing a favor for someone, investigating a wolf who allegedly assaulted their daughter. She provided me a solid description, and I guess it panned out!"

"Well, you broke the case! Great work! Now please come back to us!"

Despite his confrontation with death, Sam found himself smiling, "Maybe." He snapped the phone closed as Rosemary suddenly woke, "What are you idiots doing! I'm trying to sleep!"

She gathered her covers about herself and rolled over with a chuff. 'Come on,' Sam whispered to Timothy, 'We have a king sized bed, sleep with us.'

'Is it okay to leave Rosemary alone with this... thing?'

Sam smiled to Death, 'Come on, let's go.'

The trio filed out. Timothy cast a worried glance back at the specter before closing the door. Death paced the room for a moment, then lay down on the empty bed. She quietly stared at the ceiling whilst Rosemary struggled to get comfortable, "Ugh! My back is killing me! Do you have any aspirin?"

"I may ease your pain."

Rosemary sat up at the sound of the hollow, buzzing voice. Death also sat up to address Rosemary, but the elderly mare could not perceive the specter in the gloom. "Who is that?"

"You were most kind to the spirit, the one called Penny Almond."

Rosemary peered at the black shape silhouetted in the dark. She had a funny sense that she was looking at herself in a mirror, "You're the shadow that's been following me my whole life."

"I believe it is The One who has guided you, Rosemary. Or should I address you as Ibiza, for that is your true name, is it not?"

Rosemary touched her fingers to her cheek, "I don't want guidance, I just want to die. I don't want to be a avatar, or a familiar, or anything!"

"For what is to come, you must cease to be. But die? No... you shall never die."

The elderly mare began to weep as a condemned animal might. Moved by her sorrow, the shadow rose to sit beside Rosemary. The old mare reached up to touch the creature. She marveled that it felt both hot to the touch, and cold as a stone. "Why haven't you contacted me before now? Why all of this sneaking around?"

"I am a force of nature, Rosemary. Whence I arose, I was not aware of myself, nor my place in the world. For eons my singular function was to kill, to strip the spiritual from the physical. To cease the music of creation."

Rosemary snorted, "And you need me because?"

"I have evolved, Rosemary. I can no longer remain a mere elementary force. I must join with you, and together, we shall give conscience to The One."

Gasping with emotion, Rosemary cupped her hands over her eyes, "I don't want to be here! I don't want to be a part of anything!"

"I need you," Death whispered, "The convergence is nearly here. I feel my mind slipping away, soon everything I have achieved shall be taken from me. Without you, I shall be reduced to a primordial force once more, and the world shall suffer for it."

"Noooooo..." Rosemary gasped.

Desperate to comfort her animal, Death slipped her long arms around Rosemary, "Sister, don't cry. We'll be alright."

Rosemary pulled back from the entity, "What did you call me?"

Embarrassed, Death stood, "After we have joined together, we might appear to one another as separate beings. Twins, if you will. In this way, we might enjoy a warm bond of sisterhood."

Death knelt before Rosemary, "You have always wished for a sister, yes?"

"No! I mean, I don't know!"

The shadow cupped it's fingers beneath Rosemary's chin, "Your fondest wish is to become a mother. I see this want in your mind as clearly as the loneliness in your heart! Soon you shall count all animals as your children!"

"Just leave me be!" Rosemary spat, "I d-don't want you, or anyone!"

Death ripped away her shadowy face, revealing the grey visage of Garland Highpath, "Blast and damn, girl! Why do you have to be so hard-headed?"

Rosemary screamed a harsh hollow cry that rang out through the paper thin walls. Sam and Timothy barged into the room looking for the specter, but found only Rosemary rocking back and forth. Sam took the mare's face in his arms. "Easy, Rosie..."

"I never wanted this!" Rosemary sobbed, "I only wanted to-" she withdrew from his touch.

"To help animals?" he asked.

Rosemary nodded. She attempted to dry her eyes with the hem of her ancient dress, "I suppose."

Sam held her close. Mayalee quietly entered the room as she regarded the mare from a wholly new perspective. She understood that Rosemary was the animal that Kromhaut had sensed at the heart of The One. It'd been her all along, a crazy horse from a bygone age! Smiling, Mayalee knelt before Rosemary. She cupped her tiny hands on the mare's knees, then looked up with a hopeful sparkle in her eyes, "So you're my One, acting from a future time."

Rosemary laughed, "I suppose, as ridiculous as that sounds!"

Sam knelt to kiss the mare's brow. Rosemary smiled appreciatively, then returned his kiss. Mayalee took Timmy's hand to lead him from the room, "Rosie, you shouldn't be alone. Let Sam be your husband tonight."

"You don't have to put him in that position, dear."

Mayalee mimicked Rosemary's trademark dismissive gesture. The mare laughed, then nodded. Sam ushered his friends out, then prepared for bed. He pushed the two narrow beds together to make one semi-comfortable large bed. Rosemary shyly smiled as Sam disrobed. He glanced at her and purred, "You've been wearing that gown for a couple of thousand years, don't you want to take it off?"

"Can you help me?" she peeped.

On the other side of the wall, Timothy lay back to pull his trousers off. Mayalee shyly smiled, then clicked off the light. The pair lay together for a long moment before Rosemary's groans of ecstasy drifted through the wall. 'I almost don't recognize her.' Timothy said.

Mayalee patted his neck, 'She's become a new animal.'

The pair settled off to sleep, and dreamed of pretty daisies and colorful honeybees. In the other room, Rosemary smiled as Sam rolled over with a soft chuff. She sighed, then closed her eyes but was disturbed by a tapping at the door. She glanced at Sam, then rose to answer whoever might've come calling. Opening the door, she found Garland Highpath waiting for her, "What are you doing?"

"There is something I must show you," Garland said. Rosemary glanced back at Sam before she stepped outside, "Is this another dream? Am I dreaming?"

She gasped when she found herself in a barren and shattered landscape. Garland took her daughter's hand as Rosemary looked about. Here and there she recognized some landmark or familiar feature, but the sad and deteriorated state of things was emotionally devastating to her, "Where are we?"

"This is a future that shall thankfully never come to pass," Garland said, "Thanks to the sacrifices of the Westpath family, specifically, the three generations preceding the cataclysm."

"Then why show me this place?" Rosemary asked, pulling her hand away from the entity pretending to be her mother. Garland sighed, "To show you what it is we fight for. To show you that our sacrifice matters, and will mean something."

Rosemary shook her head, dimly recalling her previous dream with the dragon, "Is this all you wish to show me?"

Garland gestured toward the remains of the motel, "There's something you must do, Ibiza. A task lies before you, the most important you'll ever undertake."

"My name is Rosemary," the old mare chuffed as she cautiously approached the only intact room. Inside, she found the dead body of a golden reptilian creature, "Mother? I mean, whoever you are? Is this you?"

Garland appeared at the door, "It is, love. In this possible future, I possess no soul, and so I have no life."

Curious, Rosemary moved to the dragon's side. As she drew near, she felt an odd tug, like the creature's body were a powerful magnet. Rosemary reached out her hand, then squeaked when the pull became extremely strong!

She yanked her hand away, then reached back to feel the pull again, 'If I get much closer, I'll be fused within it's body.'

Just beyond the dragon, a fragile stand of green growing things pushed up through the cracked and crumbling floor. The message was clear; 'The way ahead, toward the dragon, is life.' She glanced back out toward the barren land, 'Behind me, there is only death.'

She sighed, then turned to face her mother, "I'm being given a choice, is that what this is? I can become cursed with eternal life as a dragon, and save everyone, or I can refuse, and condemn all animalkind?"

Garland opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Rosemary who added; "But since I've been sneaking around as this 'One,' clearly I've already made the decision to become the very thing I've always hated."

She snorted, "So why are you here? If I am the one who must choose, why does it seem like you are the one at the heart of this dragon?"

Rosemary blinked as Garland's words came crashing back - 'This is a future that shall thankfully never come to pass, thanks to the sacrifices of the Westpath family, specifically, the three generations preceding the cataclysm.'

"No! That would mean that it's you, me, and... Shelton?!"

"Rosemary, we cannot allow the world to fall into darkness. Always there are three, the emotional, the rational, and the spiritual. The trinity must be preserved."

Furious, Rosemary strode from the room, "No! You can't take Shelton! I won't allow it!"

"Rosemary, you are the logical component, despite your crankiness. Use your intellect, understand the necessity of our sacrifice."

The other cupped her hands over her eyes, then yanked them away to glance at the grey mare, "Wait, do you mean to say you are actually my mother??"

Garland smiled, "I am the spiritual component."

"Then Shelton is the emotional, that makes perfect sense!"

She edged closer to Garland who spread her arms to receive her daughter, "I'm so happy to see you at long last!"

Trembling, Rosemary slipped her arms around her mother. She choked back a great lump of emotion as Garland held her daughter tight, "Let it out, Rosemary."

"My name is Ibiza," Rosemary croaked. Garland smiled as she gently held her daughter, offering up gentle words of comfort as only a mother can. "Mother, I've done terrible things..." Rosemary gasped, but Garland offered her daughter a reassuring pat, "Everything that has transpired has happened for a reason."

The pair held one another for some time. Rosemary closed her eyes, hoping to conjure an image of the last time she'd seen her grandfather. 'It's been so long, mother. My old life is just too far away.'

At length, Garland squeezed Rosemary's hands, "Come, love."

Wiping her nose, Rosemary shuffled toward the room, but paused at the door, "Wait, in the modern age you are Shelly Holden's sister! How can you be here?"

"I come to you from a future time, love. Our personal convergence has already occurred."

"Oh," Rosemary chuffed, "Can you turn into Shelton? Can I see him?"

Garland's eyes shimmered, "I'm sorry love, you are not ready."

"Is he happy? At the very least, can you tell me that? Is he happy being with us?"

"Shelton is the bond that holds our trinity together, Rosemary. He is happy to be of service to his family and friends."

Rosemary closed her eyes, 'You didn't answer my question.'

Across the room, the green growing things had become larger and more beautiful. They surrounded the dragon's body, forming a soft carpet of warmth. Rosemary sighed, then approached the creature, "When will Shelton have to merge with us?"

"He'll be allowed to live out his days with his family, as will Maggie. Only you are required to stave-off the disaster, but understand, you'll not be able to function as a deity without Maggie and Shelton's sacrifice."

"Oh, Shelton..." Rosemary whispered, before she thrust herself into the dragon's body! Back within the motel room, Rosemary Barter shook awake. Beside her, Sam stirred. "Hey, are you alright?"

She thrust her nose into his flowing mane. He took her in his arms, "You're trembling, are you okay?"

Her breath came in short shallow gasps. Her eyes were unfocused, and her arms hung limp. Sam marveled at the happening, 'It's like she's a new avatar being awakened.'

"Shelton! I'm so sorry, love!"

"Easy," he whispered, "Just let it happen."

She began to convulse. Alarmed, Sam steadied her face in his hands, "Rosemary, keep your thought focused straight ahead! Let your spirit wake up!"

Suddenly, she became calm. Her eyes fluttered open, but they were no longer grey! Sam marveled at how blue they were! "Rosemary, how do you feel?"

"Alive," she answered, "I feel alive."

He noted an uncanny majesty reflected in her voice, and knew that it was true. She would indeed become The One. He knelt to kiss her cheek. Seeming to recover her wits, Rosemary gently pushed him away, "Oh, you needn't worship me! I've done nothing yet except behave like an insufferable wench!"

He chortled, pleased that she might retain some part of her old self.

Rosemary cupped her large hands over his abdominals, "Thank you so much for last night, Sam. You were everything I'd hoped for."

He traced his fingers across her milky-white thighs, "I love you, Rosemary."

She patted his chest, then rolled out of bed. She went to the mirror to inspect herself, "Well, I'm not a total disaster! And I see that my eyes are blue again!" Truth be told, she didn't look a day over forty. And yet, she was obviously in her seventies. Rosemary narrowed her eyes at her reflection, as if she expected the horse in the mirror to move on it's own accord.

"Love, you should take it easy," Sam said, moving up behind her to rest his chin on her shoulder. She cast him a sideways glance, 'Sam is not one to behave like a smitten teenager, this isn't right.'

She patted him, the gesture more to push him away than to show any sort of affection. Rosemary took up her gown and slipped it on. With another glance at the mirror, Rosemary realized she was radiating something, some sort of newfound power. She closed her eyes, summoning all of her will to keep this influence in.

After a moment, Sam sat on the bed, "You're awful quiet. What's on your mind?"

'Ah, that's the Sam I remember!'

She drew a breath, "For the past two and a half thousand years, all I've wanted is death. Now, I'm faced with eternal life. Isn't that funny?"

Now her own feelings rang in her ears. Uncertainty and doubt gnawed at her. She cupped her hands over her face, "I'm so afraid, Sam. I don't know if I'm the right animal for this job!"

He purred in her ear, "Does a caterpillar fear death? Does he fear becoming a butterfly?"

She smirked, "So I'm a larva now, hmm?"

The lion let out a hearty laugh. She patted him, then straightened her gown, "Let's go and get a meal, I'm hungry!"

"Spoken like a true dragon!"

She shook at his remark, but became distracted by a knock at the door. Mayalee entered, smiling from ear to ear. "Goodness, Rosemary! You look radiant today!"

"Your lion has a way of making a girl feel special."

"And your eyes! Look how blue they are!"

Mayalee took Rosemary's hand as a hopeful child might. Her face radiated an adoring glow that stirred Rosemary's memory. The former wraith recalled the equine school teacher, and the little students who loved her. Kneeling down, Rosemary gently kissed Mayalee's brow.

Timothy slinked in, unsure of what to make of the strong emotions radiating from his friends. Rosemary gathered her companions; "Come along."

Outside, the animals waited around the sedan, whilst Sam paid the motel attendant. After a quick stop for fuel, they selected a familiar chain diner. Rosemary stepped from the car, then reached out to the little mouse. Mayalee slipped her fingers around Rosemary's elegant hand, then skipped along beside her. Overnight, Rosemary Barter had become a towering motherly figure. Everything about her was changed. Even her tattered gown appeared clean and fine. In the wake of her decision, all the world's magic now flowed through her mane. Like it or no, the old horse had become the center of all life.

Mayalee noted that Kromhaut was conspicuously quiet. In fact, he was barely present. The party was shown to a table. There, Rosemary found snack crackers arranged in a little basket. She grasped them up and devoured them, whilst Sam and Timothy chortled at her dragon-like behavior.

'What's on your mind, Krom?' Mayalee asked, sipping her water.

'You must know that I have lied to you.'

Mayalee took another sip. 'Maybe. Closer to the truth, I believe you told me what you hoped might happen. Either way, it doesn't matter.'

'Certainly that is not true.'

Mayalee glanced around the diner, thinking back on Kromhaut's tale of the old ancient titans. 'Every few epochs there's a great convergence, where all dragons merge to become one. But, as a result, this newly formed god loses all sense of self because the first dimension takes control of it's mind.'

'Yes,' Kromhaut replied.

Mayalee flicked her whiskers. 'And what is at the heart of the first dimension? It's Death,' she frowned, 'The ancient Titans were destroyed by this singular god, who then shattered into the lesser dragons we see today.'

'Yes,' Kromhaut murmured.

'But why? Why does the new goddess shatter after she kills everyone?'

'Because,' Kromhaut said, 'Life is the root of all magic. In destroying life, The One divests herself of her power, shattering into lesser elementary spirits. Spirits like me.'

Mayalee was stunned. 'So that's what magic is! It's the power field that permeates all life!'

The animals sipped their water and glanced around the diner. Mayalee's eyes followed the busy waitress as she hurried around to her tables, delivering plates of steaming hot food. 'You are magical, sweetheart. You are a small but vital part of our God's life force.'

The mouse sighed. 'But now, something's changed. This destroyer has come on the scene before the convergence, creating a sort of paradox, and while she's still a weapon, she's trying really hard not to be.'

Mayalee smiled, 'Death and Destruction were cast as villains, but have become heroines!'

Kromhaut's presence shimmered. 'The something that has changed the equation is Rosemary. In every past age, death assumed command of The One's identity. But now, it has evolved just enough self-awareness to break the old cycle. In her newfound wisdom, Death realized that she requires a conscience, and by whatever powers there may be, she has selected Rosemary as her emotional center.'

Across the table, Rosemary smiled gently. 'I now understand Kromhaut's tendency for secrecy. How else can one behave, when possessed with information too painful to reveal? How will I ever tell my friends that Maggie and Shelton must also sacrifice themselves? How can I look them in the eyes and reveal that?' She hung her head, 'How will I ever tell my ponies that they must also die?'

Mayalee patted Rosemary's hand, 'I appreciate that you wanted it to be me, Krom. I want you to know that I'm not angry at you for bending the truth.'

'I lied to you.'

Rosemary cupped her hand over Mayalee's. The mouse smiled, then asked her dragon; 'Krom, do you believe everything is going to be alright?'

'I have hope, Mayalee. I trust in Rosemary.'

***

The Dark Places

***

In Herald's tree, a nighttime routine had emerged from the chaos of the mountain voyage. Each night Missy would entertain the Brightwing clan with her days as a symphony conductor, then Eleanor would gossip about her time working within the old Union Government.

The boys gathered in the house boat where they had more light to play cards. Or rather, lose game after game to Ashley. No really, he was practically unbeatable. Ibiza quietly entered the boat to take a seat just behind Justin. His bulk obscured the diminutive creature, so Shelton didn't immediately realize she was present. Virgil glanced up and noted her arrival, 'That thing doesn't even look like it's alive. It's like a scary metal statue.'

Ibiza bowed her head at the remark. "Hi Ibby," Shelton said, "Want to play?"

She brightened, then moved to his side, "How does this pass time work?"

Shelton showed her, then the companions reshuffled the cards and Ibiza was dealt a hand. "Make sure to keep us from seeing your cards."

She nodded, then wrapped her long tail about her hand, eliciting a chortle from Shelton who patted her. The game commenced, and as predicted, Ashley won the first round. A reshuffle, and round two was on! Ibiza narrowed her eyes as each animal took their turn, 'Two, three, five,' she glanced up, "Ah! I see the pattern!"

Justin clacked his mandible, "Pattern?"

"Yes! Ashley is counting the hands, keeping track of where the prime numbers are! He can anticipate the strength of each player's hand in this way!"

Justin glared at his brother, whilst Ashley smiled helplessly, "Hey! I'm not cheating! It's strategy!"

Shelton scratched his chin, "I've known something was up for a while, but it never bothered me. I like hangin' out with y'all, even if I'm losing!"

Ibiza smiled warmly, and patted with pony with a tender motherly affection. Justin smiled weakly, "I'm getting tired, I suppose I'll head back to the tree." He noted that Shelton made no reply, so he gathered himself up and departed. Virgil followed, with a disapproving eye directed at Ashley.

Alone with the dragon, Shelton gently nudged her, "Where do you go when you're not around?"

"Oh, I never stray far."

"Do you go and stay inside big chambers, like in the mountain?" Ashley asked. Ibiza shook her head, "No love, I never venture into the deep places of the world."

"Oh," he replied, "Do all those halls have a spirit or dragon guarding them?"

She rose to ruffle her wings, "No, most are simply empty chambers, long forgotten."

Ashley imagined himself exploring one. Ibiza smiled at his thought, "I may gift you a key, so that you might gain access to these places. There is a large cave complex nearby."

Shelton's ears perked, "Really? What does the key look like?"

She smiled, "It is your own thought, Shelton. I have empowered your mind, so that the ancient gates will acknowledge you as one of their former masters."

"Wow!" the boys chimed, "Can you come with us?"

"I am sorry," she said with a gentle smile, "But go! Explore! And do not fear the wild beasts, they will not trouble you," her eyes suddenly flashed with an intimidating power, "You are under my protection."

"Oh," Ashley peeped, "Neat."

With that, Ibiza faded into the shadows. Shelton moved to inspect the dark corner where she'd vanished, 'She's like a dream.' He turned back to Ashley who seemed quite unnerved, "Are you afraid of her?"

"Uh... not exactly," he paused to compose his thoughts, "It's just sometimes, I feel like I'm standing on top of a volcano that might erupt at any moment."

"Yeah," Shelton said, "Except this volcano wants to love you."

Ashley chortled, "I just hope we never get on the volcano's bad side," he got to his feet and furled his wings, "Well, I better go to bed."

"What, you don't want to go and explore?"

"Really?" Ashley peeped, "Right now?"

"Ibby said we should go."

Ashley looked unsure, "Oh, Shel... I dunno. We should tell our folks."

"Ash, a goddess said it was okay!"

"Oh, alright."

Shelton hurried about the cabin, gathering up supplies he thought he might need. "We should go soon, though," Ashley said. "I want to get my camera," the pony replied. He stuffed all of his gear into his shoulder bag, "Okay! Let's go!"

The boys set out, but didn't get very far before they realized Ibiza hadn't exactly told them where the entrance was, "Fuck." Shelton chuffed. The path ahead of them was black as pitch, though a large silver crescent of the moon shined above. "Shelton, I think we should go back."

"Ibiza," Shelton said, calling out to the dragon, "Where is this entrance?"

A faint buzzing came to them. Ashley looked about, "What's that?"

Shelton cocked his head, "What was that Justin said back at the mountain? Did he say he was hearing tree voices?"

Ashley didn't quite know how to feel about their impromptu nighttime excursion, "Shelton, why don't we wait until Justin can join us?"

"Nah, that would mean Virgil might have to tag along."

"Virgil is Justin's friend, Shelton. They went to grade school together."

Shelton shook his head, "If you wanna go back, I'll go on ahead and see what I can see. Ibiza said I'd be okay."

Ashley flattened his feathers, "She also said she didn't have a complete mind, remember?"

The pony confronted Ashley, "Hey! Ibby is my friend! I trust what she says!"

Ashley reached out with his wing, "I'm your friend too, Shelton! Don't you value what I say?"

"Well, uh.. sure!"

The pair spent a long moment pawing at the ground, neither wishing to alter their course. Finally, it was Ashley who capitulated, "Okay, Shelton. I'm up for exploring."

"Great! Let's go!"

Shelton trotted off, leaving Ashley struggling to keep up, "Ibby said it would be a rock face! We should know it when we see it!"

Now, the trouble was there were many imposing rock faces around, and it wasn't exactly easy going trying to navigate in the dark. Above, the buzzing of the trees grew louder. Shelton glanced up at them, "Hey! Can you tell us where an entrance is to the underground?"

"Fol ow th st ea t th f e of r o k."

Shelton cocked his head, "What? Are you actually saying something?"

"Follo w th stream t o th fa ce of roc k."

Shelton squeaked excitedly, "Hey! I think I got it!"

Ashley's excitement seemed to build, but he remained troubled, "Shelton, I don't expect us to really go anywhere. In fact, I'd really like to talk to you about my dad."

"Yeah?"

"Um, I was hoping to get some advice from you. I mean, if your dad died, and then came back as a younger version of someone else, what would you think?"

The pony shook his head, "I dunno Ash, it's just so surreal. I'd have to be put in that position in order to really know how I'd feel."

Ashley nodded. Shelton tapped his wing, "Sorry I can't be of much help."

"Okay, well... where to now?" Ashley asked, putting on a brave face. Again, Shelton called out to Ibiza, "Where is she!?"

Another flurry of buzzing issued from the trees; "Go t th sl pe of br ken shale. You m y gain en ry t ere."

"A slope of broken Shale?" Shelton cried, "Okay!"

Ashley looked unsure, "I don't remember any sort of broken rocks our first time through here."

"We weren't exactly paying attention either," Shelton said with a nudge, "Come on!"

The pony took his flashlight and held it out before him, "I'm glad I brought this!"

"Just turn it off and save the battery," Ashley said, "I can see well enough in the dark, just follow me."

"I thought that was owls."

"Golden eagles can do it too, we're all hunters after all."

"Oh," Shelton gruffed, "I can't see a fucking thing."

Ashley glanced at him in an offended sorta way. Shelton flicked his ears, "Cussing offends you, doesn't it?"

"I don't particularly like it."

"Why? It's just words."

"Words offer a means to meaning, they shouldn't be wasted or taken lightly."

Shelton snorted, "That's a lot of pointy-headed smart talk! I just say what comes to mind."

"Then you're like a dumb beast," Ashley retorted, "Stumbling along, grunting and dragging your knuckles."

"Hey!"

"Sorry," Ashley said, "I just don't like stupid animals."

Shelton snorted, and continued on. Ahead, the forest parted into what looked like a quarry of rock, "Hey! This looks like the place!"

Ashley surveyed the terrain, "Broken shale, just like they said."

"Let's look for one of those doors," Shelton said with a swat to Ashley's flank. "I wish you wouldn't do that!" the eagle screeched.

"What?" Shelton asked, but the pony squeaked when the unstable soil beneath him gave way. "Shelton!" Ashley called, taking wing as the pony slid down the hillside. Shelton reached out for any purchase he could find, but before he knew what'd happened he was at the bottom of the quarry, "Fuck me!"

Ashley landed nearby, "Are you okay!?"

Shelton turned on his light to inspect himself, "My knee's kind of scratched."

Ashley looked at it, "I thought Ibiza said you'd be protected?"

"Hey!!"

"Okay," Ashley said, "Sorry! Let's just try and find this door."

With another stern glance at Ashley, Shelton touched his fingers to his head, "She said the key was inside my head! So I just need to think about a door opening!"

He stood with his eyes closed for several moments, visualizing rocky doors opening, until a chorus of grinding sounds shook the boys, "Wow, look!"

No fewer than six doors had opened in the hillside, the pair stood agonizing over which to take, "How about the larger one, there," Ashley said. Shelton went to swat him, but stayed his hand, "Okay, let's go!"

"Shelton, do you think we should be doing this?"

"What? You're getting cold feet now?"

"No... I'm not. Let's go."

Shelton nodded. After a moment to gather their courage, the pair entered the dark tunnel. "Light?" Shelton asked, but there was no light to be had. "Light... please?"

Ashley strained his mind, imagining the rock to be glowing. But again, there was no light within the dusty stone of the hall. "Can you still see in the dark?" Shelton asked. Ashley waved his wing in front of his face, "Nope."

Shelton took his small flashlight and ignited it. It's light was barely enough to push back against the blackness, but at least the pair was able to discern the shapes and patters around them. They shook with fright when the hidden door closed behind them. Sealed, Shelton's light seemed brighter than before.

The pair continued on, down into the body of the land. "Well, we definitely didn't come this way before. Everything seems dirtier than in the tunnel with the silver tree."

"That silver monster was really scary," Ashley whispered.

"Ibiza protected us." Shelton said, touching his hand to his chest, "She's looking out for me."

Ashley put his wing across Shelton's belly, "You're starting to sound like a creator cultist! Remember, Ibiza is just an animal, though she does have amazing abilities!"

The pony shook his head, recalling a time he'd seen some nutty cultists proselytizing on a street corner. "No! This is different! Ibby is real!"

"Shelton! Have you ever thought that your behavior right now might be why these beings stay away? Because animals start acting like drooling idiots whenever they come around?"

The pony bowed his head, whilst Ashley drove his point home, "Don't disappoint Ibiza, Shelton! Try and be yourself, and not act like a robot!"

"Uhh... okay, Ash. I'll try and remember that Ibby is still a person."

Ashley smiled, "Thanks, pony!"

Shelton put his arms around Ashley, "I'm sorry if I've been acting like a jerk!"

The eagle pressed himself to Shelton's chest, "It's great to have you back!"

"Want to get out of here?" Shelton asked. Ashley opened his maw to reply, then screeched, "Wait! What's that!?"

Ahead, just beyond the glow of Shelton's light were great thorn-like structures that rose up from the cavern floor. Shelton carefully moved to inspect the forest of spikes that now stood between them and the deeper mysteries of the mountain. "Come on, we can get through these."

Shelton set out, moving amongst the hazards until Ashley reached out with his beak to grab at his mane, "Shelton, it's almost like whoever put these spikes here doesn't want us to go any further!"

Shelton had to admit that it did seem to be the case. The atmosphere within the cavern was cramped, uncomfortable, and somewhat dangerous. "Do you suppose this is some sort of tomb?"

Ashley swallowed, "I dunno."

"Let's just go a little more ahead," Shelton suggested. Ashley reluctantly agreed. They continued on, until at last they came to a series of large square blocks scattered at random across the cavern floor, "What, the... fuck?" Shelton breathed, "What is this place?"

Ashley noticed etchings upon the blocks, "Hey! Bring that flashlight, these say something!"

The pony brought his light to bear. Illuminated in Shelton's flickering light, the writing appeared wholly alien to the boys, and they boggled at what it might say- "It says," came a shrill voice, "This is not a place of honor. No great deed is commemorated here."

The boys whirled around to face a black avian sentinel. Ashley stood, his knees shaking as the bird moved to the next block, "This one says that delivering this message was significant to their culture, and they ask that you pay attention."

"Oh..." Shelton chuffed, "What message are they trying to give us?"

"That this is a place of danger," the sentinel replied with menace. Ashley shrank from him, whilst Shelton stood fast. "How is it dangerous?"

"Below us is stored dangerous ores that radiate a type of energy. This energy can kill plants and animals. The ones who made this chamber ask that we go no further."

"Wow!" Shelton breathed, "Who left this message, the titans?"

"An ancient race, now passed from the world," the bird gestured for the boys to follow, "Come along, we should not be here."

"I'm sorry," Ashley peeped. The flyer nodded to him, "I understand the unholy one urged you to explore these caves. There will be no reprimand, if you agree to never set foot here again."

"Wait, what?" Shelton squeaked, "Unholy?"

"The destroyer. She is a foul creature, one who sodomizes animals with branches and brambles, leaving them to die! She is a murderer, beware her company, beware!"

The pony was stunned. Ashley shook his head in disbelief, "Uh, oh.. "

Unaware that it was Glorafin herself who pulled the sentinel's strings, the flyer escorted the boys back to Herald's tree. In the darkness, Ibiza frowned at the black avian golem. She allowed the boys to settle back into the tree before she quietly entered through the poop deck.

Hidden from view, Ibiza eavesdropped on the boys as they debated her possible badness, "I don't believe it!" Shelton said.

"I dunno, Shel. Why would that bird lie?"

"There's something wrong here! I can't accept that Ibiza would.. what did that bird say?"

"Sodomize animals with branches, and kill them?" Ashley peeped, "Shel, you have to admit, it's a pretty specific allegation."

"Ash, at my school there's a lion named Max. The horses always make up mean things to say about him, but none of it is true! He's a good cat! But his dad has done questionable things. Maybe Ibby is like Max, maybe she's carrying around some kind of bad reputation that makes animals just make up mean things?"

Ashley fell silent. Shelton nudged him, "We'll ask Ibby about it next time we see her. I just can't take the words of some stranger as fact before I can speak to the animal in question."

The boys became surprised when Ibiza emerged from the dark. She beckoned to them, then led them out onto the skyway. The bright golden disks in her eyes shimmered, casting a warm glow out ahead of the trio as she sat daintily upon her haunches. "My boys, please forgive me for listening in on your discussion," she turned to Ashley, "You were right to believe Glorafin's servant, what they said was true."

Shelton blinked, "About the sodomy thing? And murder?"

She nodded, "I intended to punish a band of rapists by violating them with the branches of a tree," she lowered her eyes, her shimmering disks ladled with shame, "I accosted one, committing a horrific act of violence upon him, but further horrors were prevented, thanks to the intervention of a dragon named Ariadne."

"Oh," Shelton breathed, "Ohh.."

She smiled weakly, "I'm sorry, Shelton. I've tried so hard to be good, but sometimes my darker side eclipses the better angel of my nature," she turned to go, "I am a filthy creature. You ought not associate with a rapist, for that is what I am."

Shelton rushed after her, "No, wait!"

She turned her shimmering eyes to him. Shelton swallowed a nervous lump, then patted the plates of her shoulder, "Everyone makes mistakes, Ibby. You're a powerful person, so the mistakes you make are likely to be big, but hey, that doesn't make you bad!" he bit his lip, hoping against hope he wasn't overstepping his boundaries, "If you're sorry, and you won't ever do something like that again, I think you should have friends!"

Ibiza reached out for his hands. Shelton slipped his trembling fingers into her paws. "Ibby, if you're still looking for an animal to be with you, I think I might know a horse who'd be interested."

"My sweet pony, I'm afraid that path is now closed. Your granddaughter has stepped in to fill the role I so desperately needed."

"Grand daughter?"

"However," she added, "If you'd fancy a dragon friend, I think I might know a dragon who'd be interested."

Suddenly, Ibiza's face winked away from Shelton. Disoriented, he found himself on the floor of Herald's parlor, surrounded by his friends and family. He squinted as the morning light dazzled his eyes, whilst his mother asked; "What would you be interested in?"

"Ohhh, uhhh.."

Virgil swatted Shelton with his wing, "Thanks for waking us up so early!"

Gabriel smiled to his son, "You're a good alarm clock boy, I should go and fire up that motor. It's gonna need an hour to warm up."

Shelton sat dazed for a time before Maggie nudged him, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I guess I just had a dream."

"What about?" she asked, scooting up beside him to dust off his filthy clothing, "Oh, your knee."

Ears pinned back, Shelton reached down to touch an angry scrape on his knee. "Uhhh, I can't really remember, I think it was about a lion back at school."

Shelton's eyes met Ashley's. 'Did it really happen?' they seemed to ask each other.

Maggie lay her chin on Shelton's head. The pony blinked, unaccustomed to such sisterly affection. "We've all been through a lot, don't worry about some odd dream."

He slipped his arms around her, as Missy beamed at them. "Thanks, sis."

***

Rendezvous

***

The great wild north was more grand than Allomere Clemens could have imagined, "I can't believe I've never been up here!"

Deep forests and unnamed rivers passed beneath him. A multitude of lakes sparkled like so many diamonds. "How far have I gone today?" he asked his dragon.

'Five hundred kilometers.'

"Thanks for powering me! Before I joined you, I'd have been lucky to fly just fifty kilos in a day!"

Allomere noted an odd tension in his dragon's presence, and he asked; "Something wrong?"

'The dimensions are aligning, Allomere.'

"What does that mean?"

'It means that my home has become very small. Soon all the higher dimensions might cross the event horizon of the first dimension and become one with the singularity.'

Allomere blinked, "It sounds rather like a black hole, is that what it is?"

'I am afraid, Allomere.'

"Oh! Well, is there anything I might do to help?"

'My friend, might I enter your body to take refuge within your world?'

"Absolutely!" Allomere replied, "You're my friend, I'll help you in any way I can!"

'No, it would not be right. This convergence is the will of The One. I must abide by their design, for my absence might herald the undoing of what is to be.'

"What?"

'Allomere, though I've not known you long, you've done so much to enrich my life. I felt as a thing before I knew you, but now I go to my god as a thinking, feeling entity!'

Allomere didn't know what to say. He was quiet for a long moment, terribly worried for his friend. 'You are nearly to the tree.'

"Mimir, is this goodbye?"

'Bear right, follow the tributary below. You will find Herald's tree in a dozen kilometers.'

"Are you going to be alright?"

'I love you, Allomere. I never knew I could love anyone so.'

Allomere drew a breath to respond, but the dragon had gone. Weeping, the hawk followed the river up, replaying the heart-wrenching exchange in his mind. Finally, Allomere sighted a small dockside landing at the base of a great and tall tree. He circled around to trim his speed, when he sighted a black and white house boat.

Below, Gabriel Holden strained against the tight confines of the boat's engine compartment. 'Just gotta get the wiring loom seated!' With a click, the apparatus was connected. Gabriel breathed a sigh, 'Here goes!'

He connected the battery and the engine sputtered to life! "Alright!"

"Dad?"

Gabriel stood up to find his son looking rather forlorn. "Yea? What's up?"

"I think I went off exploring last night. I coulda got myself hurt, I was real stupid."

The stallion roughed his son's mane. "Thanks for telling me," he glanced at Shelton's scraped knee, "That happen on your trip?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

Gabriel hauled himself out of the engine compartment, then replaced the cover. "Thanks for telling me son! I love you, boy!"

He became surprised when Shelton began to weep. Gabriel knelt down, taking the boy in his arms, "Aw, son, it's alright."

"I can't be with her dad, she found someone else."

Up above, Herald could be heard up on the skyway. Gabriel did his best to comfort Shelton, then gestured up to the eagles, "Why don't you go up and see if everyone's ready to go."

The pony wiped his eyes and nodded, then shimmied up the rickety ladder. Above, he found Herald surrounded by the Brightwing family. They appeared to be saying goodbye. Shelton became surprised, because the thought hadn't actually occurred to him that the mariner might remain behind. "Uh, y'all ready to go?"

Ashley nodded, "Sure, in a bit."

"Uh, you going with us, right Herald?" Shelton asked.

"I must remain here."

Shelton dimly recalled Herald mentioning that he was some sort of prisoner. "Aw, okay."

Just then, a diminutive hawk touched down upon the landing. "Greetings," Herald said, recognizing the hawk as a new dragon familiar, "I regret that you've come all this way for nothing, my friends are preparing to set sail."

Allomere smiled, "You wouldn't have anything to eat, would you?"

Herald chortled, "Justin, would you assist our guest?"

Justin waved him inside, as Herald called down to Gabriel, "My friends, it would please me if you'd take the ship's wheel from my wall and bear it away with you."

"Sure, thing?" Gabriel replied with a questioning glance at his wife. "Okay," she replied, "If that's what you want." The two set themselves to their task, but not before Herald warned; "Take care and be careful, for the wheel is quite old."

The horses nodded as they approached the great six spoke wheel adorning Herald's parlor mantle. It's presence was almost palpable as Missy slowly raised her hand up to touch the ring of iron and wood. Gabriel grasped one side, and Missy the other. Both horses were well-muscled, so they easily raised the two hundred pound artifact from it's metal hooks. Chiseled into the inside hub were the letters of an archaic form of common speech which Missy had the presence of mind to understand; "Herald Meredith Vanderdecken, Commanding."

Missy flicked her long ears, then turned to face Herald, "Is this the actual wheel from the Mantuan Exeter?"

The mariner bowed his head, "Forgive me, Missy. I feared you would think it ghoulish if I'd kept such a memento from my former life."

'Why would he lie?' Missy wondered, forgetting for a moment that Herald could hear her thoughts as clearly as any spoken word. Herald reached out with his beak to open the large circular door as Missy and Gabriel brought the wheel out. "It anchors me to my old life, Missy. It reminds me that the events aboard the Exeter were indeed real, and that they happened. This wheel..." Herald breathed, his voice ladled with painful emotions, "Represents all of my shame."

"Why do you want me to have it?"

"Because," he whispered, "I wish for some part of me to escape this place. I wish to be remembered," he glanced at Maggie as she arrived on the skyway, "If only by a cherished few."

Missy nodded as she gently set her end of the wheel down. Maggie approached to offer her perspective, "I'd feel the same way about my old boxing portrait. I mean, it doesn't represent shame, but it's an anchor to my old life. I'd really like to try and find it."

Herald nodded as Gabriel looped lengths of rope about the wheel, then prepared to lower it to the forest floor.

Maggie slipped her arms around Herald, "This is goodbye again, isn't it?"

"I must remain here, love. At the very least, my soul will be free when I finally pass from this life," he smirked in a funny sort of way, "Which I suspect might be any day."

Herald then smiled to Shelton. "My lad, your judge of character is impeccable. I know there's a dragon who has benefitted greatly by your faith, and your friendship. You've done the world a fine service by simply being yourself."

Shelton didn't know what to say, except to offer an appreciative nod. Justin touched his wing to the mariner to thank him for all he had done. Herald smiled, grateful for the sentiment. Shelton delivered a hug to Herald's leg, then took Justin's face in his hands, "I love you, Justin. I'm sorry for being a jerk."

Justin poked him with his beak, "Most animals are jerks already, so you weren't too out of character."

The pony chortled, as the distant echo of a motor car drifted up from the forest floor. "Is that a car?"

***

"Why couldn't we have taken a boat?" Rosemary asked, "Herald's tree is along a major tributary of the Elbe, just north of Thistledown!"

"There's nowhere to rent a boat up this way." Sam said, as the car was rocked by another massive hole. "Yes," Rosemary snorted, "But we could have taken a boat from the get-go!"

Mayalee stood up on her seat to look back at the horse, "Are you going to be this cranky as our goddess?"

Rosemary smiled weakly, "I don't know, love. I still feel like I'm going to wake up back in Oakdale park, wondering at this long and bizarre dream."

Sam glanced back in the rearview mirror, "Or I might wake up back in my prison cell."

"Or I..." Mayalee began, but fell silent. The others looked to her, "Yes?"

She shook her head, "I might die under the frozen lake I fell through... I thought I was small and light enough to make it across."

Rosemary sat back, "So that's how he found you... drowning under ice."

Mayalee squeaked when Rosemary suddenly leaned forward to hug her, "I'm so sorry, dear!"

The little mouse burrowed her face into the mare's long white hair, "I love you, momma."

The old mare hugged her new daughter. "Remember love, death it's self is going to become the core of my being. Please check your feelings until we see what sort of butterfly I'm going to become."

"Butterfly?" Timothy chuffed.

Sam smiled back at Rosemary, but did not elaborate. Suddenly, the avatars became disoriented by an odd feeling of vertigo. Within Mayalee, her dragon's presence shook, as if he were compressed by a great weight.

Up front, Sam leaned toward the windshield, as if the gesture might've helped him see further down the road. "Fuck! We need to get there! The map said we should be close!"

Mayalee noted how distant Kromhaut felt. She reached out to him, 'Are you there?'

'Forgive me, Mayalee. My realm is in flux. A tremendous alignment of the dimensions is underway.'

"I know," she squeaked, "We're almost there, hang on!"

Just then, Death appeared on the trail ahead. Sam stopped the car, stirring up a cloud of dust that momentarily obscured the specter. Once clear, the shadowy figure beckoned for the animals to follow. Timothy stepped out first, then Rosemary. The four followed after the shadow as it led them along a path that became increasingly more wooded. The trees did not acknowledge the entity, and this struck Mayalee as very odd, until she realized that they could not perceive the being!

A large golden eagle appeared overhead. Mayalee noted the flyer, and the grey pony who peered down over his shoulder. 'Olivia never flies without her pony!'

Death folded her arms impatiently as Justin touched down along the trail. Before the pony could even dismount, Rosemary was upon him, enwrapping Shelton in her long arms. He blinked, but returned her affection. After a moment, it became obvious that the funny old horse wasn't going to let go. Shelton chortled, then peered over her shoulder to greet the others. "Hi there!" he said, recognizing the mouse and the lion from Maggie's stories, "Is your name Mayalee?"

"Hello!" she chimed, rushing up to meet the pony, "Yes! I'm Mayalee!"

Rosemary stepped back to wipe tears from her eyes. Shelton regarded her, terribly confused by her odd behavior, "Hey, you okay?"

"It's so good to finally see you, Shelton!" She reached down to touch his ears, "My sweetie."

"Maggie's all fixed up now," Shelton replied with a measured tone, "She doesn't need any help."

So caught up in her emotions, Rosemary allowed her newfound influence to burst forth. Shelton's eyes widened for a moment, before his expression became serene, "What's your name?"

"Sweetie, my name is Rosemary."

"Uh, hi there," Shelton replied.

She knelt down to take Shelton's hand in hers. "We were once family, you and I. Long ago, my name was Ibiza Pushpath, and your name was Sherman Straightpath. You were my grandfather, a stallion whom I loved very very much."

Justin drew a long breath, then he too became enraptured by the horse as Shelton stared blankly into her eyes. "Uh, my friend is also named Ibiza."

'We must hurry!' Death called, 'Come along!'

Mayalee gestured for her companions, "Shelton, is Ibiza visiting Herald's tree?"

Shelton nodded as the party proceeded up the path, "She comes and goes, but she's been gone a little more often lately."

"She knows what's coming," Sam said, "I'm sure she's aware of who Rosemary is, and why we're here."

"Why are you here?" Justin asked.

Mayalee took Rosemary's hand, "We're here to save the world."

***

In the tree, Herald smiled warmly as Justin ferried Rosemary up onto the skyway. The eagle touched down gingerly as the former wraith wobbled for a bit, then slid from his shoulder. Gabriel stepped forward to steady her, and she held him close with a fond hug. He blinked, then immediately fell under her spell. Rosemary noted his feelings of love and awe. As Sam and Timothy climbed the ladder and arrived at the skyway, Rosemary's presence became even more grand and majestic.

"Rosemary?" Maggie breathed. Rosemary recognized that Shelly'd somehow acquired a twin, then she made the connection! "Maggie?"

Missy's ears swiveled about, "Do you know her, Maggie?"

Maggie rushed forward, "Rosemary!"

Rosemary's surprise gave way to delight! "Why, just look at you! You look gorgeous!"

The pair embraced as long-lost relatives might. Missy and Gabriel traded glances, both terribly confused. On a level, they wondered who this strange old mare was, but on a far deeper level, both felt a deep and profound love for her. Again, these strong emotional reactions set Rosemary on edge. 'What will happen after I turn into some sort of dragon god? Will animals lose their minds in my presence? Is this why Kromhaut stays away?'

"Mom," Maggie said, "This is the ghost who led me to Shelly! She's the reason we're together!"

Gabriel took Rosemary's hand and gently shook it. "Can't say you look much like a ghost now." Rosemary smiled in reply, "I could say the same about Maggie."

Maggie approached Sam and Mayalee. "You're the animals from the diner."

Mayalee nodded, "I'm sorry we couldn't have helped you, I feel terrible..."

Maggie knelt to hug Mayalee, "Then I wouldn't have found my sister! I wouldn't be with my mom and dad!"

Sam smiled warmly as Mayalee sniffed back a tear. "You did exactly what you needed to do." Maggie said, rising to shake Sam's hand, "I think there's someone who's been guiding us all along."

Now, hidden inside the house boat's wash room, the dragon Ibiza Pushpath pawed at the dingy shower curtain as she listened to the animal's fond reunion. "Do you not wish to meet her?" Ariadne asked through the door.

Ibiza smiled weakly, then opened the door. "You know it'll not just be Rosemary who ceases to be. My coming shall herald your undoing, Ariadne. All dragons shall become one within my soul."

The dragon spirit shimmered, obviously laboring beneath the intense gravity issuing from the first dimension. "For a star to be born, a nebula must first collapse," he said, quoting her remarks to Ashley. "This is not my death, but your birth."

Tears wet Ibiza's eyes for the very last time. "I cannot kiss away your tears." Ariadne said, "But your animals might. Go to them, go to them and live."

"I love you, Ariadne. I will love you forever."

He smiled, "Then you may love yourself, which one must do in order to love others."

"No, Ariadne, I have never loved myself," she choked back a lump of emotion, "But I have loved you so much that I forgot to hate myself."

She sat down at the site of her card game and hid her face with her paws. "Ibiza," Ariadne said, his shimmering ribbon gesturing to a dining nook, "These confections might settle your nerves, I believe they are called 'cookies.'"

She smiled, then took up a bag. "Thank you."

She tore the bag open and shoveled the treats into her maw. Devouring a second bag, she returned the empty wrappers to their place on the shelf. Ariadne smiled, then bid her go, "Once Rosemary Barter's memories become your own, remember your feelings regarding the spirit world. You'll have the power to remake Nidavellir into something beautiful."

He winked away before she could say goodbye. Ibiza breathed a silent breath of farewell before departing the boat. On the landing, the air bore no sound. All was quiet and dreamlike. In the distance, a strange mirror of herself watched from the trees, a shimmering flame above her head and a dancing life in her eyes.

"What happens to Ibiza's relationships?" Ibiza asked the other, "Do animals accept your presence?"

Her future self winked away. Ibiza glanced about for a moment, then shuffled the short distance to the tree where she placed a paw upon the ladder. With a glance back toward the trees, she breathed a sigh, 'Fine, keep me in suspense.'

Then, paw over paw she climbed, using none of her magic; though the tree possessed it's own magical foundation courtesy of Glorafin's influence. Thus, the ladder did not collapse under her weight.

At the top, she poked her head up above the floorboards to find Rosemary Barter in the arms of the Holden family. She smiled softly to the mare, before waving to Mayalee Mae, "Hello, love."

Mayalee approached the dragon with reverent awe. Ibiza collected herself on the landing to bow before the mouse. 'Ibiza,' Mayalee asked, 'Are you The One?'

"No, love. I'm a discarded weapon," she looked to Rosemary, then blinked back clear fragrant tears as she reached out to Mayalee, relieved beyond measure that she'd never be forced to fulfill her dreadful purpose, "The old cycle of life has been broken, Mayalee. In all ages past, the coming of The One meant destruction, and woe."

She squeezed the little mouse, then stepped away to approach Shelton, "My faithful pony, it seems our time together is nearly done."

He rushed to her, but shyly paused. He wished he could plead to go with her, but he feared upsetting his parents; 'And Maggie.'

"Soon I will have a new name," Ibiza said, vocalizing her thoughts, "A good and fine name, and I shall be Destruction no more."

"What will you call yourself?" Maggie asked, stepping forward to embrace Shelton.

"That will be for the fates to determine," she sighed, then nodded to Rosemary, "Please forgive me for never making your acquaintance, it seems we followed separate paths."

"I suppose we'll have plenty of time together," Rosemary chortled, then added; "Is this really the smartest thing we should be doing?"

"The One has been our guiding hand," Ibiza said, smiling to Mayalee. Then, she turned back to Rosemary, "You, have been our guiding hand."

Rosemary nodded bravely, as Death entered the home. Shelton blinked at the black-furred clone of Rosemary as the entity gestured for Ibiza, 'Come, sister.'

The animals looked on as Ibiza's golden scales sparkled. 'You shall never again hear your dragon's voices,' Death said to the familiars, 'Speak now with them, and bid them farewell, for the time has come.'

Rosemary looked about, then grasped a scrap of paper to scribble a hastily composed note. Herald's treetop home now became the new singularity that beats at the heart of the first dimension.

'She's pulling all the higher dimensions down to her,' Herald thought, 'I would never have imagined such a thing!'

Shelton hugged his mother's waist as Ibiza's presence became more difficult to bear, but before the shadow of death merged with her sister to complete the inter-dimensional alignment, Rosemary slapped the scrap of paper into Shelton's hand. Then, Ibiza's body imploded. Vanishing, utterly.

Rosemary's body became lifeless. With a silent groan she began to fall, but was caught in Shelton's arms, "Grandma! Wake up!"

Mayalee approached the place Ibiza'd stood. There were strange marks upon the wood, and for the avatar familiars, a roaring spiritual silence followed in the dragon's wake.

Sam felt oddly smothered within his body. He attempted to touch his wife's mind, but found nothing. Herald sighed, his voice now very thin. "Think not that the magic has all gone out of the world, for a tiny glimmer still resides within each of us." He turned to Shelton as the pony cradled Rosemary's body, "Ibiza has fulfilled her destiny, Shelton. Rosemary's spirit is now a part of your dragon friend."

"Did you know that Rosemary was the one?" Mayalee asked him. In answer, Herald shrugged. "There is much I don't know, but one thing I do, I'm going to sea again, and I expect to not come back."

Maggie Pumpkin went to him, "No... "

He smiled gently, then looked to the former avatars. "Will you be alright?"

Mayalee nodded, then knelt beside Rosemary's body to slip her hand inside the ornate gown. After a moment she retrieved the identity card she'd made for the old horse. 'My final memento.'

"May?" Sam asked, kneeling beside her. She smiled to him, trying her best to hold back her tears. Sam nudged her, "I bet we can get our old flat back, if I return to the force!"

She touched his hand, "We definitely shouldn't go back to Oakdale, if you bang your head in a mouse house now, there'll be no dragon to kiss it and make it well."

The couple quietly held one another as the animals looked upon the body of Rosemary Barter.

Shelton opened the scrap of paper Rosemary'd given him. 'Dearest Shelton, though I never knew you in life, I have long watched over you. In all of your many lives, you have always done right by others, and made me proud. I am proud to be your kin.' The flowery writing became steadily more difficult to read. He could barely discern the final sentiment which ran off the edge of the paper, 'I will always love you.'

He began to whimper, then wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Missy reached out to comfort him. "Where is she, momma? Is she ever going to come back?!"

"She needed to go, sweetie," Missy said, patting his back.

The tree top home groaned. Herald became startled as a terrible realization dawned on him, "We'd best evacuate this abode with all speed! There's no goddess to hold it aloft anymore!"

The horses moved to the ladder, but Herald barred their way, "No! It's too dangerous! Eleanor! Justin! We'll fly the horses down!"

The avian king stood by helplessly, trapped within a body too small to do any good as Maggie helped Shelly onto Herald's shoulder. "Come on!" Gabriel said to his wife, "Take Justin down!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" she snorted, "I outweigh you! You go!" she shoved him toward Justin who blinked with surprise, "You need to get the boat away from the tree!"

Gabriel hopped up onto Justin, whilst Allomere evacuated Mayalee. Timothy waited anxiously with Maggie, Shelton, Sam and Missy. The home groaned again. Shelton became alarmed when the skyway tilted upward like the prow of a sinking ship. "Up!" Missy cried, "Climb up into the branches!"

"What about Rosemary!" Shelton cried, but a terrible snapping from the support beams forced him into the branches. Herald swooped in to pluck Maggie from the deck. She cried out as she was carried away, "No! You should have got Missy!"

Justin attempted to return for Shelton, but the pony waved him away, "Help my dad get the boat clear! We're safe for now!"

Missy grasped her son from behind and hurled him onto Justin's back, "Oomph!" Justin recovered quickly and took wing with his friend. Justin carried Shelton down to the boat where he quickly shrugged him off, "I'll get your mom!"

"Go!" Shelton cried.

Jagged pieces of the destabilizing home rained down on the dock. In the boat's cabin, Gabriel started the motor and placed the rudder ahead full. Shelton noticed too late that one of the mooring lines was not cast off, and it quickly tightened, holding the boat fast against the pier! "We're stuck!!"

Heavy beams and fragments of wood fell all around Shelton. Maggie rushed to his side to shelter him, "We need to get inside!"

Gabriel eased up on the throttle, "Get the line off!"

A heavy beam fell from above, pinning the mooring line tight against the cleat! Try as he might, Shelton could not unseat it! Panicked, he looked about, "Do we have a knife?"

Maggie yanked upon the mooring line, then rushed away, "I'll get one!"

In desperation, Mayalee Mae grasped the line and pulled with all of her might. Moments before, she could have demolished this boat with her bare hands. Now, she was just an ordinary mouse. She fell away with an anguished cry.

From above, Missy witnessed Mayalee's desperate attempt, she called out to her son; "Rip it out! Rip that thing out!"

Shelton grasped the mooring cleat and pulled. He strained and huffed, but it was too much for him. "Get beside me!" Maggie cried, grasping the cleat. The pony grasped hold and pulled with his sister. A loud cracking startled Shelton, but he realized they were doing it! "Yes!!"

Shelton huffed and Maggie gruffed as the cleat began to splinter away! Together, the siblings ripped the cleat from the deck and threw it overboard, freeing the boat!

The craft lurched forward and had only just escaped when the skyway broke loose and came crashing down, demolishing the pier. Above, the tree shook violently. Timmy lost his grip and fell from his branch, landing precariously upon the next one down! He hung there, eighty feet above the forest floor as Sam hurried over to reach for the fox, "No, Sam!"

The lion grasped Timothy's arm, as Allomere made frantic circles around the tree. His muscles straining, the lion pulled his friend up, but began to slip!

Missy Holden grasped Sam's neck and pulled the cat back from the edge. Sam yelped in pain, but did not loosen his grip on Timmy. Missy bettered her grip on Sam as the three slowly crawled their way to safety. Below, a large portion of the home split asunder and went whirling to destruction.

A great column of dust rose up from the forest floor. Timothy coughed and sputtered as the air slowly began to clear.

Justin swooped in and grasped a nearby branch. "Can you reach me?" he called to Timothy, who looked down on the wreckage in panic, "I don't know!"

With great effort, Justin attempted to climb nearer to Timothy, but was obstructed by heavy foliage. "You're too far!"

Allomere arrived. Whilst he was more skilled at maneuvering through the obstacles, he was now too weak to carry his mate. Falling away, Justin made another attempt to reach Timothy.

"Get some rope!" Timothy called, "We'll tie it on, then climb down on our own!"

Justin nodded, then flew down to the wrecked pier to scavenge what rope he could. Meanwhile, Gabriel brought the boat around to run it up onto the river's edge. Shelton rushed out to call up to the animals in the tree, whilst Virgil and Ashley looked on helplessly.

"We're okay!" came Sam's voice, "Take your time, work safely!"

'Ibiza,' Shelton said silently, turning his thoughts toward the dragon. 'If you're there, please come back to us!'

There was no reply.

Allomere managed to perch near his fox. Timothy waved to him, "Hell of a way to end up, huh?"

"This wasn't the sort of ending I'd imagined!"

The animals looked over the wrecked home as Shelton and Maggie tied smaller ropes to larger ones, building a strong ladder that their friends and family could use to get down. Soon Justin delivered the first bit of rope, which Sam threaded around the thick branches. He built up the sections of ladder until they had enough to reach the forest floor. Justin hunkered against the tree trunk, waiting to spring out and catch any of the animals who might lose their grip and fall, but the animals made it safely down. Below, Missy threw herself at her husband and lifted him into the air. Mayalee smiled to her lion, who knelt to peck her on the head.

Maggie grasped Herald's beak, then led him to the boat, "Come on, it's time to get to your ship!"

The animals chortled at Maggie's antics, then glanced back toward the wrecked home. "Where's Octavius?"

Eleanor rushed forward, then took wing. Justin and Ashley joined her as they rushed to the wreckage of the treetop home. "Octavius!" Justin called. Eleanor looked frantically about, "Where is he!?"

She attempted to search for him, but the splintered beams and jagged metal supports barred her way. "Dad!" Ashley cried, "Dad!"

"I am here," came Octavius' regal, highland voice... but it was Justin alone who heard him. "Dad? What did you do?"

"What was best, Justin."

Eleanor felt a terrible sinking feeling, "He's dead."

Justin nodded. Ashley began to tremble, "No..."

In the boat, Herald became overcome with emotion. Maggie cupped his face in her hands. He nodded to her, thankful for the support, "Thank you, love."

The Brightwings returned, accompanied by the ghost of King Octavius. The fellowship was heartened that both Shelly and Justin retained their ability to hear the spirit's voice. "You were touched by The One," Herald said to them, "It is her power that endures."

Gabriel clasped his hand upon Herald's shoulder, "What about the bodies? We can't leave Rosemary and Octavius' bodies buried in that rubble."

"Give me a flare, and a gallon of petrol." Herald said, drawing surprised glances from the animals, but the fuel was delivered in short order. Herald set out to light the bonfire. The sun sank low on the horizon as the fire began to burn. The animals watched the flames leap high into the sky, creating a final bittersweet spectacle. "That's it," Sam said, "The journey is over."

"Goodbye, Rosemary." Mayalee breathed.

Octavius noted that none mourned Herald's clone. 'Clearly I have made the right decision.'

And so it was that Shelton Holden bid the great northern realm farewell. "I don't suppose I could make those secret caves open up? I think Ibiza gave me a key..."

Herald shook his head, "It'd be best if you never attempt to find out."

Ashley sighed miserably, but Shelton comforted him, "Hey, we were the first animals to ever see those caves."

"And the last!" Ashley retorted, "I can't believe the dragons are gone!"

'Tell me about it,' Mayalee thought.

Missy did her best to make the four additional members of the fellowship comfortable, whilst Shelton poked about the dining nook. "Who ate all the damn cookies?"

Maggie smirked at him, then settled down beside Mayalee. "In the diner by the river, you animals appeared to be on fire. Can you tell me why? Why a fire?"

"In ancient times, whenever Kromhaut or his sons entered the world, they appeared as bright ribbons of fire. In a way, they were like a bonfire in the spirit world," Mayalee paused to touch her tiny hand to Maggie's elbow, "You know how dark it is there."

She wiped her eyes as Maggie gently patted her. Mayalee smiled, then continued, "In that dark place, there are souls who wander alone, but in those elder days, Kromhaut's fire used to guide these lost spirits, he could guide them home."

Tears welled up in Mayalee's eyes, "He was their guiding light."

Maggie took the little mouse in her arms. From his dark corner, King Octavius bowed his head. 'Who will guide me home? Will I wander forever in the outer dark?'

Wiping his eyes, Sam stepped out onto the bow to feel the cool evening breeze as he prepared to return to the normal and mundane world. The animals were nearly to the Shannonvali border with Aurora when Sam realized his rental car was left behind, "D'oh!"

"It's a good thing Mayalee has enough gold stashed to buy a hundred of those cars."

Herald joined Sam outside. The lion smiled to the old mariner, "How are you feeling, Herald?"

"I might ask the same of you."

Sam looked out over the river as it moved slowly past the boat. "I feel as if the last thousand years never happened. I feel I've simply moved forward in time, and arrived in a strange new age."

"And I," Herald began, "Feel as if I've been locked inside an old seaman's chest, unaware of the wider world, until it's too late to experience it," he paused, then gazed out over the waters, "Soon I'll be no more."

"There's a new goddess who'll look after you."

Herald smiled, thinking of Rosemary Barter, "Indeed."

"I suppose we're both free," Sam breathed, "From here, we chart our own course."

Stepping back inside, Sam shook Missy's hand. "Thanks for saving Timothy and I, you were right on time!"

She smiled, flexing her arm, "My old muscles are gonna complain about that one for weeks to come."

Sam patted her, then smiled to Mayalee who sat with Shelton Holden and his twin sisters. He breathed a heavy sigh as he recovered from his first real brush with danger since the great war.

The return voyage went much faster, as the river carried the boat along with it in it's rush toward the waiting sea. Gabriel instructed his son to take the helm to pilot the boat back into the marina, "Feather the throttle," He said to Shelton. "Use the engine to make course corrections, not the rudder, there's not enough momentum to use the rudder."

Maggie noted how ordinary everything'd become. 'Boating lessons,' she thought. The former avatars then disembarked. Missy smiled to them, "Can you get home okay?"

"My car is parked at Albany International," Sam said, "We can catch a taxi there." He smiled warmly, then shook Gabriel's hand, "Thanks, though."

"Where do you all live?" Gabriel shyly asked. Sam smiled to his new friend, "I expect we're going to be back in Brandenburg," he smiled to Missy, "You've been to our old flat!"

The mother equine smiled broadly, "I'd love to get together with you all!"

Allomere looked Timothy up and down, "It's going to be like old times love! Back when every flight was a seat of your pants adventure!"

"Guess I'll have to take up hang gliding." Timothy replied, and the hawk smiled warmly.

Gabriel sensed that Herald did not feel welcome among the Brightwings, Eleanor'd hardly said a word to him the entire voyage home, "Herald, would you come home with us? I have a spare room you could use."

"Thank you kindly, Gabriel."

Now came the breaking of the fellowship. With heavy hearts, the Brightwing clan returned to their home upon the hill. Justin was grateful beyond measure that he could hear his father's voice. The late king's recollections and anecdotes recalling the splendor of a bygone age.

The Holden's homecoming was less a return to royalty, and more a settling into normality. Gabriel guided his yellow station wagon along Highway Four, and breathed a heavy sigh when at last they crossed the border into Aurora, "I can't believe we're home."

Maggie glanced out the window, checking on Herald who followed high overhead, "He's very elderly now, it's weird seeing him like this."

Soon the family turned onto Forest Drive, and made the familiar second left into their driveway. "The house looks so different, now that I'm alive." Maggie said softly, drawing a doting smile from Missy.

Herald touched down, his breathing worryingly shallow, "What a lovely home you have."

Missy quickly ushered Maggie indoors, attempting to play her off as Shelly. The last thing the mother equine wanted at this moment was a nosy neighbor rushing over to inspect Shelly's apparent twin. Herald squeezed his way inside and moved carefully along the hall, "Misses Holden is indeed a symphony conductor." He noted, admiring the mare's many portraits, "And I see she has good taste in operas!"

Shelly was helped inside, then the family barricaded themselves, "If anyone knocks, we're not at home!"

Sure enough, there came a knock. Then several more, but Missy steadfastly refused to answer. Herald struggled to contain his laughter. Gabriel opened a large door leading down to a cellar, "I have a stallion cave down here, you're welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Thank you, Gabriel." The eagle said, "I suspect it shan't be for too long."

The horses gathered around the kitchen table and traded glances, "One of us has to write a book about this." Maggie said.

Gabriel smiled, "I'd buy any book where Maggie Pumpkin becomes my daughter."

The boxer shyly smiled, "Oh, I'm just a demure mare now, not much suited to boxing." She glanced at the burly Shelton, "But he's got some promise."

"Yeah, I'd like my nose to stay where it is!" The pony replied, pointing dramatically at his snout. Gabriel chortled, "Okay, shower time! Oldest goes first!"

"That would be me." Missy said with a smirk, "But I look older..." Gabriel replied. The mare rolled her eyes, "Guess we'll have to go together!"

"Eww..." Shelton gruffed. Gabriel chortled as Maggie went to the cellar door to check on Herald. A soft rhythmic whistling could be heard from below. Maggie sighed, thankful he was asleep. She left her old friend to rest, happy that at last he was with a family who could care for him.

***

A Kind of Homecoming

***

The following days slipped by with haste. The old ship's wheel from The Flying Mantuan was placed upon the parlor wall, framed by Missy's portraits of herself leading a performance of the famous opera.

The horses were finally ambushed by their neighbors, and Maggie's appearance was explained away as a matter of adoption. "Gabriel and I couldn't afford to raise twins," Missy lied, "So I had to separate the girls."

Misses Quill from across the street clasped her arms about Maggie and hugged her tight, leaving Missy feeling horrible for lying.

After she'd gone, Shelton shrugged, "I wish Ibiza was here, maybe you could be free to tell the truth."

"Son, I think Ibiza is doing what she knows is right. She has to stay away, for all of our sakes."

He nodded, but none seemed particularly pleased by the reality of the situation. "Ibiza was a little scary," Shelton admitted, "But she also made me feel really special."

"And therein lies the problem," Herald said, appearing from the cellar, "In the time of Octavius, the king took great care to not appear favorable to any particular animal, lest that individual become ostracized among his peers. Such would be our fate if the wider world discovered our connection to Ibiza."

Shelton felt better, but was reminded of his friends. He sighed, retiring to his room where he looked upon his collection of childish belongings that now seemed like relics from some other life. He powered up his cellular telephone. It beeped for a moment, then Justin's garbled voice rang out; "What's up?"

"Whatcha doing?"

"Nothin. Bored."

The boys sighed through their phones, each seeking comfort in the other. "Herald says that Ibiza might be staying away from us on purpose," Shelton said.

"That would suck," Justin replied, "Though I have to admit, it's probably for the best."

Shelton sighed, "I just wish I could have got to know Rosemary before she went away."

"She seemed like a nice old granny, I guess she's a good animal to have as Ibiza's conscience."

"Yeah, it's just too bad we're right back where we started." Shelton said.

The pair were quiet for a moment, then Shelton chortled, "I might have to become a boxer, and get my face rearranged!"

"Octavius is coaching me on history and politics, I bet you're going to have to vote for me sometime soon!"

The boys laughed, then agreed to meet later in the week. Slipping from his room, Shelton made it a point to knock on the cellar door to check on Herald. "Ah, come in!" came Herald's reply.

Shelton nickered at the warm welcome as he made his way down the stairs to find the huge eagle sitting atop his father's arm chair, "Heh, is that comfortable?"

Herald looked down upon the old chair, "Honestly? No, it isn't. I don't see why you mammals employ such things."

"That's because it's made for mammals, bird-butt!"

The old eagle smiled, "How are you feeling?"

The pony sighed, his voice cracking ever so slightly, a hint at the adult he'd soon become, "I don't know, I was hoping you could still read my thoughts so you could tell me."

Herald shook his head, "I'm afraid I can't, but I suspect you'd like to know more about Rosemary?"

Shelton squirmed, "I've picked up enough from Maggie to know that she was a little... 'complex.'"

"Rather like Ibiza, don't you think?"

"Heh, yeah," Shelton replied.

Herald smiled, "Don't think you've never got to spend time with her, Shelton. Rosemary visited you through Ibiza. She took advantage of your time in the north to get to know you, and I think she liked the pony she met very much."

"Thanks," Shelton breathed, "I just wish that she would come back," he looked to Herald, "Where is she?"

Herald stepped from the chair and settled down on the floor, "There could be all manner of reasons why she's staying away, for all we know time might pass differently where she is. A moment to her might be a year to you and I."

"I had a funny dream, up there in the north, about a dragon with a fire burning above her head," Shelton paused to wipe his nose. Herald nodded intently, aware that it was no dream, "This dragon showed me what things are made of. You know, particles and things."

"Go on," Herald whispered.

"We went down and down, until we were inside the smallest one of these atoms. It was dark inside. The dragon said we were in the first dimension."

'Did he meet the Incarnation of Life? Is that what Ibiza is to become?'

"I see," Herald said at last, "Was it simply blackness, or did you see anything else there?"

"Little rings, like the ones that would appear in Ibby's eyes. They were all over the place. She said they tell things what to be, or make a vibration that does that. I don't know."

Herald leaned back, absorbing what the pony'd revealed. "It was not a dream, Shelton. You witnessed what no animal has seen before."

"Wow," Shelton breathed, "Well, I'd give it back if I could see Ibby again, I miss her so much."

"Keep her in your thoughts," Herald said, "Always keep a path open for her, she might just surprise you."

The eagle closed his eyes to meditate. Shelton squirmed for a moment, before he leaned against his father's chair. He fidgeted and vibrated, too worked up from his memory of the dragon. Herald rocked gently back and forth, muttering to himself, "The dragon displayed one of the deepest mysteries of creation, right there in her eyes, yet you'd never know what it is you're looking at. Typical."

He opened his eyes, "You should go to bed, Shelton, it is late."

"Sure," the pony replied, though he made no motion toward the stair. Herald gently brushed him with his wing, "I am tired, Shelton."

Shelton got the hint as he was nudged again toward the door, "Okay Herald, thanks for talking!"

"Goodnight, Shelton."

The pony looked back at the old eagle as Herald reached up with his beak to click off the cellar light. Silhouetted in the dark, the eagle seemed to embody a type of forlorn loneliness that would've been Shelton's worst fear. The pony turned back and settled down beside Herald, "What are you doing, boy?"

"You shouldn't be alone."

Herald gently bushed Shelton with his wing, "I'm not alone, Shelton. I have a great many memories to keep me company."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, love. They are like old friends you see, and they visit me often. But I thank you for your kindness."

Shelton moved to the stairs and slowly climbed up, "I... think you're a really nice eagle, Herald."

"I love you too, Shelton."

The pony rushed back to the eagle and hugged him, "Oh, confound it boy! Go to bed!"

Shelton nickered, "You make a pretty good Grandad, you know."

Herald touched his wing to Shelton's chest, "You have a good heart, my little pony."

"Thanks, Herald."

"Now go to bed!"

From the kitchen, Gabriel heard his son's tromping feet ascend the stairs. Shelton appeared in the hall, smiling to his father. The stallion reached out to him, "Whatcha doing?"

"Talking to Herald," Shelton said, stepping into the kitchen, "What about you?"

"I'm not gonna be able to sleep, I need to come down from everything that's happened."

Shelton sat down and sighed, "Tell me about it."

Gabriel nudged his boy, "What was your favorite moment? What do you most remember?"

Shelton became thoughtful, whilst Gabriel offered his own favorite memory, "Mine was Maggie getting coughed up! I'll never forget that!" His eyes sparkled, as only a proud father's can, "Once I saw her, even though she was wrapped up in what looked like afterbirth, I knew I had my little girl back!"

"Yeah," Shelton breathed.

"What was your best moment?"

"It was when Ashley and I were inside that cave, all on our own. I started to act like a jerk, like a cultist, because I was a little obsessed about Ibiza," he paused to wipe his snout, "Ashley got through to me. He made me realize that Ibiza was just an animal like everyone else, although she did have amazing powers."

He bowed his head, "I didn't realize what was happening, I'm so glad Ashley is the smart bird that he is!"

Gabriel took his boy in his arms, "I know you've always been self-conscious about your smarts, but just remember, a smart animal is one who knows a lot, but a really smart animal is one who can listen to others, and realize when they're right!"

Shelton choked back a lump of emotion as he looked to his father with shimmering eyes. Gabriel eyed him, "Something else on your mind?"

"I'm still not the brightest bulb in the world, but I know when someone's trying to stay distant from you, because they think they're going away," he nudged his father, "Is Herald going to die soon?"

"He's old, Shelton. I think we all know that, especially him."

'I wish I could say something,' Gabriel thought, 'I wish I was a brighter bulb myself, like Herald, who could say something to make you feel better.'

And so, the stallion did the only thing he could think of to comfort his boy. He sat beside Shelton and held him tight. Weeping, Shelton pressed his face beneath his father's chin. Gabriel sighed, 'He's not just letting go of Herald, he's also saying goodbye to Ibiza.'

Soon Shelton's tears eased, but he held fast to his father. 'Is this how it's going to end?' Gabriel silently whispered, hoping that someone somewhere might hear him, 'Ibiza, if you're there, please give my boy some kind of sign. Give him just one more visit, if only to say goodbye.'

An odd tingling issued from the base of Gabriel's spine. His eyes widened at the sensation. After a moment, he felt compelled to go to a nearby cabinet, and so he did. Shelton watched his father as Gabriel retrieved a large scrap of paper and a pencil. Gabriel sat back down, then set about scratching lines upon the canvas, a look of intense concentration on his face. "Dad, what are you doing?"

"Ibiza's coming to visit you."

Shelton looked on as a face began to emerge from the canvas. Gabriel smiled as he laid down more lines, forming the snout, jaw, and majestic horns of the dragon's head. Soon the drawing was done, and the horses looked upon the visage that now smiled out from the canvas. "Dad, I didn't know you could draw like that!"

"I can't," he replied, taking his son by the shoulders to position him before the drawing, "I begged Ibiza to give you a visit. I guess this is the only way she could deliver."

He patted his son's back, "If you ask me, I'd say it's pretty sweet."

Tears streaming down his cheeks, Shelton touched the rough and tattered canvas. The pair spent a long while admiring the drawing, and it seemed to Gabriel that his boy was indeed cheered by the dragon-inspired artwork. 'Ibiza, thank you. I think this is helping.'

The tingling moved up his spine, as if to answer him. Gabriel marveled that the dragon was listening! He smiled, and kissed his son's ear, "Even though Ibiza can't speak to us, I think she's listening. Tell her what you're feeling, I think she'd appreciate it."

Shelton wept a bit more, then his father gently nudged him toward thoughts of sleep. "Come on," Gabriel said, guiding his pony toward the washroom, "Brush your teeth."

Recalling his days as a younger colt, Shelton touched his nose to his father's side. After his evening toiletries, Gabriel tucked his boy in. With a kiss on the snout, Gabriel promised his son; "You'll see her again."

Gabriel was heartened by the tingling that answered him. "Ibiza promises, too."

Shelton smiled, and closed his eyes. Gabriel left him, then eased down the quiet hall, admiring his wife's photos as he went. He gazed out the window, knowing now that the trees were conscious entities. Knowing that there were ghosts and spirits and dragons. Knowing... 'A lot.' Gabriel briefly wondered if it would be better for them to forget everything. Ibiza made no reply, sent no tingling feeling up his spine, and so Gabriel quietly retired to the sofa, so as not to disturb his wife.

He lay for some time, looking up and the gently shifting shadows dancing and swirling about the ceiling. 'Whatever happens Ibiza, please... don't break his heart.'

With a soft breath, Gabriel drifted off to sleep. From the kitchen, the dragon rose up from the canvas. She smiled to the stallion, then looked about the comfortable home. After a moment, she returned to her two dimensional home away from home.

Next morning, Gabriel snorted awake as Missy's cry rang out from the kitchen. "Where did this come from!?" Missy squealed. Doors opened along the hall as the children poked their heads out.

"I drew that," Gabriel said, shuffling into the kitchen, "What do you think?"

Missy looked to him, utterly astonished! "I... think you need to draw some more!"

He reached into the fridge for the apple juice, "Don't hold your breath, I'd asked Ibiza to pay Shelton a visit. Before I knew it, I'm drawing that. She helped me do it, she answered my request."

Shelton hugged his mother, whilst Missy marveled that the dragon might not have truly abandoned them. She hung the portrait on the parlor wall, and it quickly became the focal point of the home. Each night Shelton stood before the drawing, smiling fondly at Ibiza's beautiful face. He found it interesting that his father had drawn the dragon's eyes fully blackened. 'Ibiza must have wanted to remind me that she could be scary.'

The pony reached out with a trembling hand to touch the canvas, then shuffled off to bed. He never knew that the dragon's eyes always followed him to his door.

The pony was grateful that he'd only have four days of school before the midwinter holiday. Come morning, Shelton rolled out of bed and put on his school clothes. He met his family in the kitchen where Missy finished up her oats. She placed a bowl on the counter for Shelton, "Breakfast!"

"Hi, Momma."

"I have to get back to bed, late night practice again!" She gave Shelton a peck on the head before she returned to bed. Gabriel nudged his boy, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Shelton replied, taking a seat opposite Herald.

"Holiday is coming up, you know." Herald said.

"Yeah," Shelton replied with a smile.

"I'm going to do a bit of travel while I'm well enough. I've never enjoyed a Midwinter Day before."

"Are you well enough to travel?" Gabriel asked. Herald shrugged, "I believe Ibiza will allow me one final hurrah, before my final act."

Shelton stood with a snort, "Would you stop talking like you're going to die!"

The eagle sighed, "But I am, my boy. This will almost certainly be my final winter."

"Ugh!" Shelton chuffed. He stalked away, leaving Herald crestfallen. "I'm sorry," Gabriel said, but Herald brushed him with his wing. "Shelton told me he thought I'd make a good grandfather, I suppose he's become attached."

Gabriel nodded, unsure of how to reply. Herald leaned toward Gabriel, "Speaking of the boy's grand parents, where are your parents?"

"I'm adopted, I never knew them. Missy's died in an accident."

"So your excuse for Maggie's appearance is rooted in some family truth, hmm?"

"You could say that."

Herald sighed, "I believe Ibiza is staying away so that we may all have a normal life," he paused to glance down the hall toward Shelton's room, "I feel I should move on as well, I may be too much of a distraction."

"I think it has helped Shelton to have some link to Ibiza here with him," Gabriel said, "I hope you don't feel like you have to leave."

"He has his dragon portrait now," the eagle said with a wink, "But still and all, it's time for me to go, Gabriel."

The stallion rose to offer his arms. The eagle gladly stepped into them. "One of your crew members told us about your final voyage," Gabriel said softly, "Right here in my parlor. Now you're here, about to go away for good."

Herald smiled to the horse, "Life has a funny way of putting you back where you started from, hmm?"

Gabriel shook his head, "Do you think I was one of your crew members? I've always had an affinity for sailing."

"Would it matter?" Herald asked. Gabriel shook his head, "If I was or wasn't, I'm still glad to know you, Herald."

The sea captain smiled, "Thank you, my lad." And with that, Herald stepped from the kitchen door and flew away. Gabriel looked out at the trees ringing his property and knew that was the last time he'd ever see Herald alive, 'Goodbye, Herald.'

He closed the door, then returned to bed. In his room, Missy smiled to him, "Hey."

Gabriel sat down, "Hi, babe."

"Herald's gone, isn't he?"

He nodded, "Yep."

She reached out to him, "So that's it, our voyage is over. We're really home."

Gabriel found tears blurring his eyes. Missy sat up to kiss them away. He smiled gently, and returned her affection.

"We'll need to replace our missing eagle," she licked her lips, "So, want to try for another mouth to feed?"

He chortled, "I dunno, you sure the clock is still ticking?"

She ran her fingers through her mane, then whispered something to him. For the sake of privacy, I'll not reveal what was said, but for the stallion, her words stiffened his resolve to expand his family!

The horses made love in the shimmering morning sun, whilst in the parlor, the dragon portrait made note of Penny Almond's location. 'Follow my lights, little one.'

***

During Shelton's bus ride into school, (before he became a big brother,) he imagined the trundling coach to be another house boat, bearing him away to a new adventure! The mundane surroundings of his campus took on a fanciful quality as white fluffy flakes drifted down from on high, blanketing the land in a soft white tranquility. It wasn't enough to close the school, unfortunately, but it made for a nice diversion. One of his friends passed by, Shelton opened his mouth to greet his fellow, but his voice failed him. The pony named Bart looked at Shelton, then awkwardly passed him by.

As the day wore on, Shelton felt increasingly estranged from his fellows, and sat away from them. He sighed, and rest his face in his hands as the sights and sounds of his voyage played over and over in his mind.

"Hey, Shelton!"

The pony looked up to find the lion Maximilian, with... "Lilly Grey?"

Max squeezed Lilly's hand, "Yeah, we're going out!"

"Wow," Shelton breathed, "That's great you two!"

"I want to thank you, Shelton," Max said, "You really helped me out, I hope I can do something for you someday."

"Well, if you want to make time to hang out with me sometime, that would be swell!"

He smiled, "Sure thing!"

The pair wandered off, each nuzzling the other. Shelton beamed at what a great couple they made. Taking up his cell phone, Shelton dialed Justin who answered; "Ello?"

"Let's go flying!"

"I'm so tired of studying politics! I'm on my way!"

Shelton laughed, "That's what you get for having a king for a dad!"

Feeling better, Shelton waited at the edge of the campus for his best friend. It wasn't long before Justin arrived, and the pair set off. They passed over the wide open spaces of western Aurora before touching down near the site where they'd first met. Justin and Shelton strolled along the path bordering Dun Keel. Each step seemed to echo with a fond memory, and both animals felt it appropriate to return to this place. "Virgil hasn't talked to me since we got back. He won't return my calls or anything."

"I'm sorry," Shelton replied, "Though if you ask me, he was kind of a jerk."

Justin furled his wings. "He can be difficult sometimes."

"How's your dad? Is he able to function okay without a body?"

"Yeah, he's great. Mom thinks his will power is keeping him from zoning out too badly."

Shelton smiled, "Busting your chops with politics, huh?"

"Heh! Well, something like that," Justin paused to wrap his wing around his best friend, "It's almost midwinter, a new year will start soon."

The pair gazed out over the fields where they'd taken their first flight. "So, no more dragon friends," Shelton murmured, "It's just the regular world from now on."

"I have to say, Shelton, that I felt rather put out when Ibiza was around. I felt like you'd forgot all about me."

Shelton sputtered a reply, but Justin hushed him, "And I completely understand! Ibiza was amazing! But I think we have our reason why she's staying away."

"Yeah," Shelton said, kissing Justin's wing, "You're right."

Justin bumped his head against Shelton's, "I'm glad you're my friend."

The pair held one another close as they watched the sun track low in the sky, casting deep long shadows that blended seamlessly with other times and other places. They never noticed the dragon's shadow waiting beside them.

To the west, Herald Kirsten entered the state of Brandenburg. After an uneventful flight, he set down at Mayalee's old address. He approached the door with a profound sense of deja-vu. 'Twenty five years ago, I arrived at this door a free eagle.' Smiling gently, he used his beak to ring the bell. After a moment a tall lioness answered. "Oh, forgive me. I seem to have the wrong home."

"Herald!" Mayalee peeped. He looked several doors down to find the little mouse waving him over. Herald approached with a clack of his mandible as Mayalee hugged his great long legs. "Careful dear! I'm quite fragile you know!"

She waved away his jest, and invited him in. "Sorry about that. We couldn't get our exact flat back, but we got this one!" she hugged him again, "Sam is still at work, but he'll be home soon."

"Yes, promoted to Chief Inspector! He's quite the celebrity among his peers, from what I gather!"

She nodded, "Yes."

"How are you getting on, Mayalee?"

"I miss Kromhaut's company," she said, taking a seat, "But I'm surprised at how free I feel."

Herald noted the boxes and bundles piled along the walls. "Not all of this is mine!" she chirped, "Timmy and Allomere are moving in with us!"

"Ah, that's splendid to hear!" He clacked his mandible to punctuate what he'd just said, "So, everything's in order, hmm?"

"I'm still in shock, I think. In the coming months... I don't know. Once it sets in that I'm never going to hear his voice inside my head again, I don't know how I'll feel."

"Unless Ibiza comes back."

Mayalee sighed, "Is she?"

"She compelled Gabriel to draw a portrait of herself, for Shelton."

Mayalee's eyes sparkled. He furled his wings, "I knew you'd want to hear about that."

"They connected so strongly, Shelton and Ibiza."

He flexed his toes, then sighed. "I believe that Ibiza considered him briefly as her emotional center."

"But ruled him out," Mayalee added, "Why? He seems like such a caring animal."

"Perhaps too caring, he'd not have the strength to do what a deity sometimes must, just as you were deemed unfit because of your temper."

She winced at his comment, but understood his sentiment. "It would have broke Sam's heart if I went away, I think Rosemary really was the best choice."

"I'm pleased you think so."

She nodded, "I once saw Rosemary free a hundred trapped spirits. Kromhaut used to punish her terribly when she'd influence wayward ghosts, even to help them, but Rosemary couldn't bear to see them suffer. She was a good animal at heart."

Herald smiled, "Perhaps, in a cosmic sense, she was being tested even then."

Mayalee smiled wistfully, "I think so."

The pair was quiet for a time, each reflecting on their long histories. Finally, Mayalee took Rosemary's identity card from her pocket to gaze lovingly at the cranky old mare's scowling face, "I need Rosemary, I don't know if I can make it through this life without her."

Herald shrugged, "Well, you have your reason for why she's staying away."

"It's not like that!" Mayalee chuffed, "I just, I never knew how much I missed having a mother in my life, until Rosemary became touched by The One."

"I think I shall come back as a sea lion." Herald abruptly declared.

"I think that would be good for you," Mayalee agreed. Herald clacked his mandible, "Midwinter Day is approaching, kindly visit the Holdens for the holiday. You'll love Gabriel's new portrait of the dragon."

"You act like you're not going to be there."

He sighed, "I'm tired, Mayalee. I don't know how much time I've left to me."

She patted his wing, "Try to make it, okay?"

"No promises," he said, moving to the sofa. Mayalee smiled as the mariner hopped up, then folded his legs up beneath himself. He looked somewhat ridiculous perched atop the sofa, so cute was he that Mayalee took up her camera and snapped a photo of him. This would be the only photographic evidence that Herald M. Vanderdecken had ever existed at all. "Sam is going to be on the news tonight."

Herald roused his feathers, "Of all the names he's assumed, he'll be able to remain Samuel Preston for the rest of his days!" he clacked his mandible, "It'll be good for you two to never again change your identities."

"You changed yours."

"Yes," he said, "But only once."

She smiled, "Ibiza never would address you as 'Kirsten,' she always used your true name, why do you think that is?"

He shrugged as Mayalee sat beside him, "Because she felt you had nothing to be ashamed of."

"Thank you, Mayalee," he murmured, then he winked at her, "What's Sam done to garner a mention on the telly?"

"Rosemary helped a spirit up near Falvie, we were able to get her murderer caught! So the Falvian Council is sending a letter of thanks to Brandenburg's police commissioner."

"Oh?"

"It's a big deal," Mayalee continued, "Our action is being capitalized on to try and shore up relations. Politics, you know."

She rolled off the sofa to pace about, "Speaking of Politics, Octavius is coaching Justin to run for local office. It's amazing how the youngster's stature has grown since having the king at his side. I think something of Olivia's identity has been awakened within him."

Herald bowed his head, prompting Mayalee to offer a reassuring pat, "Octavius is grateful for what you did, in spite of your clone's shortcomings."

He smiled wistfully, "I became cursed before the monarchy fell, I never saw the changes in Shannonvale until I was set free," he sighed, "I left for sea with a king on the throne, and returned to find a land as adrift as I was."

The pair sat quietly for some time, each reminiscing about their lives in that bygone age. "You know," he added, "Of all the dragons, Kromhaut's love for you was the most real."

Mayalee nodded, unsure of how to reply, "I think he realized that he needed an animal's feelings, while his siblings made no such connection."

"You're not angry at him, are you?"

She shook her head, "I could never be angry at him, he was the only father I'd ever known."

Sniffling, Mayalee stood and went to the kitchen, "What would you like for dinner?"

"Fish!" he replied, "Which is what I should've eaten all along!"

***

Later that evening, grey storm clouds rolled in. Herald Vanderdecken stepped out onto the front walk as his oldest and most trusted friends gathered around him, 'They know this is the last they'll ever see of me.'

To Mayalee's great surprise, the mariner knelt to touch his long yellow beak to her cheek. Rising up, he leaned out to touch Sam's nose. Then, he touched his wings first to Timothy, and then to Allomere, "Farewell," he said.

Mayalee tried her best to choke back her tears. Herald smiled gently, "Let them flow, love, and let each represent the many lives that were denied you."

Sam reached out to Herald. The eagle nodded to him, and then turned about. He walked down the concrete sidewalk, past the community pool, and past the children's play area. His black feathers dissolved into the gathering gloom of the coming night, until his bright yellow feet were all that could be discerned.

It was Timothy who was the first to turn back indoors, and then his mate followed after him. Sam cupped his hand on Mayalee's shoulder, and she patted him, "Okay, let's go back inside."

Mayalee padded to her polaroid camera to fetch the photograph she'd snapped of Herald. She took her very last memento, and placed it on a little shelf next to her music box and withered old childhood shoe.

In the sky above, Herald relished the crispness of the early winter evening. In the distance, animals moved to and fro, embarking on their seasonal shopping after a long day's work. The sights and sounds of the animals echoed through Herald's mind, and for the first time in fifteen centuries, he felt in step with the season.

He visited a local cinema who's theatre marquee advertised a spooky ghost story left over from Nightmare Night. Herald appeared before the ticket booth and smiled, "Forgive me, I've no money."

"Yes?" the young lion chuffed, his demeanor clear that he expected to sell a ticket. Herald bowed his head, "I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"Aw, it's okay!" the lion said, "Happy Midwinter!"

He reached through the small circular window to place a ticket in Herald's beak. The eagle bowed appreciatively. Inside, Herald settled into a special section left over from the days of the Union when public places were required to cater to all manner of animals. The house lights dimmed as Herald smiled wistfully, 'I feel I've become a character from an old time movie...' he glanced about at the couples seated around him, 'Though I'm alive, I remain as invisible as a ghost these animals can never see.'

A tightness spread out across his chest. After a moment the tightness became a thrumming pain. Captain Vanderdecken knew his time was at hand. He ignored the film, and passed whatever time he had reminiscing, and thinking back on his long and dramatic life, 'But at the least,' he thought, 'I'm not alone.'

He softly wept in the dark. The flickering light of the projector created a soft halo of light above his head. In amongst the bright warm flashes were deep dark shadows, and in these shadows death patiently waited to carry out her solemn duty, 'I have squandered my existence. I have nothing to show for any of it.'

He knew that was not true, but he chose to wallow in a bit of self pity. Before he knew it, the show was concluded. He waited for all of his fellow movie-goers to file out, then Herald departed the cinema like an old, long-forgot movie star.

The dusk deepened into night. Herald took flight for the last time, 'Perhaps they'll make a movie about me someday, based upon the book Missy shall write.'

***

The Final Act

***

Herald Vanderdecken did not expect to return to the Holden family's residence, but he didn't know where else to go. The home was dark when he arrived back, though the porch light was left on. He found the kitchen door unlocked. He pushed his way inside. The clack of his talons seemed far away as the room pitched and moved beneath him, recalling his days on a ship at sea, 'I am going to sea again! To sea! To sea!'

The dimly lit kitchen became bathed in a soft shimmering light. Herald marveled at tiny points of light that appeared above his head, 'The Path is no more, now come the days of the guiding lights!'

One foot in front of the other, Herald moved slowly down the hall, only to find the beige plaster'd become fine oak paneling. A warm sea breeze filled his nostrils, and the chiming voices of his crew rang in his ears. Captain Vanderdecken smiled as he entered his old ship's cabin to find an ornate drawing upon the wall. A strange dragon smiled out from the canvas, beckoning to him, calling him home.

Vanderdecken stirred with recognition, 'I know your face.'

He became startled when a boatswain tapped on his door, "Cap'n?"

"W-what is it?"

Herald blinked when Clint Trickett stepped into his quarters, "Some weather to the south, I've had the mates secure the forward rigging."

The Mantuan Exeter gently rocked beneath Herald's feet as he nodded, "Very good, what's our last point of reckoning?"

"Two days from Vahevala."

Herald noted that the horse looked well, "Everything fine, Mister Trickett?"

"Fine sir! Looking forward to those lovely lupine ladies!" the horse bucked his hips, but quickly regained his composure, "You all right, sir?"

Herald smiled as he moved past Trickett, "Aye lad, everything's alright."

"Great! Now, Cap'n, I was wondering if this would be a good time to strike for Master. I've been ship's Bos'n for two years now!"

"Chafing beneath your current position, Mister Trickett?" Herald asked. He entered the pilot house and looked upon the ornate wheel that bore his name. "Well, sir, I would like to strive for more, if you catch my meaning."

Herald smiled to the horse, "Barnabas is set to retire in ten months. If you can hold out, then I can think of no better animal to replace him than you."

"Thank you kindly!" Trickett nickered, "Indeed!"

Herald glanced out the port side window to the wooden decking that'd been stained with the blood of so many marine animals. He sighed with great relief when the wood appeared clean and fine. "Something wrong, Cap'n?"

"No, Clint," Herald said with a thoughtful smile. Trickett blinked, unaccustomed to such intimacy from his leader. Herald chuffed, then regained his wits, "Actually, Mister Trickett, there is something wrong! This ship is an appalling mess, and I want it scrubbed from stem to stern!"

The horse smiled broadly, happy to have his captain back! "Aye, Sir!"

"And I want two cases of salted flounder brought up from the hold!" the eagle continued, leaving the wheel house to return to his cabin, "I don't want you lads to go hungry!"

"Shall we strike the cases from our manifest?"

"No," Herald replied, stepping into his cabin, "Let the merchants eat it!"

He paused before the drawing of Ibiza. After a moment of vertigo, Herald found himself returned to the Holden family's parlor. "Thank you, Ibiza. That was beautiful." He glanced at his old ship's wheel, and it seemed to bid him farewell. He settled down upon the floor and went to sleep.

It was Missy who found his body the next morning. She quietly woke her family to tell them of Herald's passing. Maggie entered the parlor and knelt beside the mariner's body, wondering if his spirit was somewhere nearby. 'No, he's gone. He's really gone.'

Shelton rushed in, "Herald!"

Maggie took him in her arms, gripping him tight. "Why did he die! He could have stayed with us!"

"Shelton, please," she whispered, "He needed to go. He was ready."

Gabriel and Missy held their son as Shelton wept. Shelly drew near to rest her hand on Maggie, "Are you okay, sis?"

"Yeah," Maggie replied, noting the odd scent of sea and spray on the eagle's feathers, "I really am."

The authorities were summoned. Herald's body was taken to a funeral home in anticipation of his burial. Once the ambulance departed, Missy went down to tidy up the cellar. Maggie found herself in the parlor, looking over Missy's portraits, and trying her best to not brood over Herald's wheel.

"Maggie," Missy said, emerging from the cellar, "Herald left you a note."

She rushed to her mother who offered up the note. Maggie smiled at Herald's flowery cursive script, then narrowed her eyes to parse his archaic shorthand; 'Dearest Maggie, I have never been one to express my feelings, and I suppose it is too late to attempt to do so now; but think not that my heart is devoid of them. Through all of my long years, I have always wished for a son or a daughter, someone whom I might cherish and nurture. Maggie, you helped me to experience what it might have been like. Through your gentle ways, I was able to know the joy that had eluded me for so long. Ever shall you be my daughter, and I would invite you to count me as a father who loved you very much. As such, it is my request that my mortal body be interred near your own grave in Buckley.'

Maggie paused to wipe tears from her eyes, 'Thank you for your love, and your friendship, Maggie Pumpkin. If I could be accorded one final request, I would ask that a tree be planted over my grave, so that something might make use of my carcass.'

Maggie laughed as she wiped more tears away, "Okay, Herald."

Missy touched her nose to Maggie's cheek as the pair held one another for a long long while.

***

The eleventh of December dawned cold and grey, as a group of remarkable animals gathered to commemorate the passing of Herald Meredith Vanderdecken.

Mayalee May knew well the enigmatic ship's captain, the mouse and the eagle being linked by a rich history of service. But today, history shall begin anew; "Surely Herald knows that a new day has dawned for him," Mayalee said, her eyes moving over the faces of her new family, "Toward the end he confided in me. Herald told me that he would reincarnate as a marine mammal, a member of the species to which he'd done so much harm."

Mayalee took up a hand full of soil, then scattered it upon Herald's linen-wrapped body, "And so Herald shall submerge himself within the boundless ocean, where all of the moments of his long and dramatic life have been enacted."

She bowed her head, "Go then, Captain Vanderdecken, return to the seas that have missed you for so long."

The others took up their offerings of soil, and cast them into Herald's grave. "Bye, Herald," Maggie whispered, "I love you so much."

Missy kissed her tears away as the families paid their respects. The service concluded, they gathered to watch the park service workers cover the grave and plant a small tree upon the site.

"Come on, sweetie." Missy said to Maggie, but the young mare lingered. Though she'd promised herself she wouldn't look upon the headstone of Maggie Pumpkin, Maggie Holden could not help herself. She approached the monument where she found an inscription, but what it said is unimportant. Maggie began to weep as her eyes moved over the words, then her weeping became a heart-wrenching sob. Gabriel took her in his arms, then Missy joined her husband as the equine parents led their daughter away.

Shelton drew near to read what was inscribed upon the stone, 'Here lies a Heroine of Buckley.'

Justin appeared behind the pony to rest his chin on Shelton's head. Shelton sighed, "Poor Maggie."

"Justin?"

The pair nodded to Mayalee as she approached. "I have something for you."

The animals gathered around, looking on as Mayalee offered Justin a medium-sized wooden box. She opened it to reveal a large brown feather. "This feather was gifted to me a long time ago, it belonged to King Octavius."

Justin's eyes sparkled, "Oh."

She placed the lid back upon the box. After a moment's hesitation, Mayalee tucked it into Justin's shoulder bag. He smiled gently, "You treasured that feather, didn't you?"

"More than you can know."

Justin touched his beak to the box, "I know we're going to see Ibiza again. And when we do, I'll get you a replacement feather, after she makes my dad alive again."

Mayalee hugged Justin's broad chest, "Princess Olivia was my hero, Justin. I'm so happy that you're here, and that I can know who you are."

Justin brushed her with his wing, "This isn't the end, Mayalee! We'll see Ibiza again. I promise you. Then we can all play dragon-wrangler, and eat weird foods and everything."

She laughed! "Heartburn, here we come!"

The four avatar familiars bid the animals farewell, then retired. Shelton looked after them as they faded into the grassy fields of Buckley.

Shelton hugged his eagle friends, and bid them a happy Hearth's Warming. The horses quietly filed into their yellow wagon. As they drove away, Missy and her family bore the inheritance of The Flying Mantuan.

'He was real,' Missy thought, 'And nobody would ever believe it.'

She glanced back at her children, watching as Shelton and Shelly both squeezed their support for their sister. Maggie sighed, "He really was the closest thing I ever had to a father."

Gabriel glanced back at her. "Gimme time, I'm working on it."

She chortled, and felt so very happy to be with her new family. Her true family, "Thanks, dad."

Gabriel smiled back at her as they left Buckley behind and made their way west. Soon they crossed Telegraph Road, and made the familiar right turn onto Forest Drive. When at last they settled into their driveway, Missy noted a package resting against the front door. "Anyone order anything?"

"Nope." Shelton replied, knowing he'd be the one suspected of spending money he didn't have. Missy stepped from the wagon and made her way to the door to inspect the box. "Huh." She said, her eyes moving over the flowery writing emblazoned across the addressee line, "It's for you, Maggie."

Maggie took the box and was shocked to see it addressed to Maggie Pumpkin! She gingerly shook it, "I have no idea what it could be!"

"Looks like a book!" Shelton said, "Open it!"

She did, and squeaked with surprise when her old boxing portrait emerged from the mailer! Gabriel exclaimed; "Wow! That's you! Your old portrait!"

The boxer looked about, "Herald! If you did this, thank you!!"

Overjoyed, the animals filed inside to find a suitable place to hang Maggie's portrait, but when they looked upon Ibiza's drawing, the dragon was no longer looking slightly to the left. Her eyes now gazed straight out from the canvas, smiling with mischief.

Shelton reached out to gently touch the drawing, silently begging the dragon to spring out from the paper and be with him again. Gabriel touched the pony's shoulder, squeezing his support. Shelton sighed as he smiled to Maggie, "Can I see the box?"

She handed him the container her portrait'd been mailed in. "Herald didn't do this," Shelton declared, "This is Rosemary's writing."

Shelton nodded to the dragon's portrait, then tucked the note Rosemary'd given him onto one of the nearby frames. He shuffled off to his room, leaving his family looking after him. Gabriel took the note from the frame, then settled down on the sofa. Gingerly, he unfolded it, "Heh!" he cried, "Shelton, come here!"

The pony rushed over as Gabriel showed him the note, "Look!"

The note now read: 'My love, look for me on Midwinter Day.'

Shelton cupped his hand over his mouth as his father waved his arms, "See boy! I told you she'd be back!"

The others looked upon the note and marveled, as Gabriel danced a happy jig. Then, he placed the note back on the frame with joyous reverence. A heavy wind blew upon the front window, startling the horses. Shelly glanced about with her sightless eyes, then shuffled off to her room. Maggie followed, exhausted by the events of the day. Shelton slipped into his own room, then restlessly paced the thin section of floor free of clothing and other odd things. He passed time watching a movie on his small television, then paced the room a bit more. Outside, the wind continued to blow, bringing with it snow and freezing rain. Shivering, Shelton curled up in his bed, "Ibby, can't you come and see me now? Or grandma? If she's with you, I'd sure like to see her, too."

He closed his eyes as the home creaked in the wind, "I miss you."

Outside Shelton's bedroom, Ibiza listened to the pony gently drift off to sleep, but she became startled by Rosemary Barter's sudden arrival, 'Did you get the feather?'

"Yes-" Ibiza began, but was silenced by the nervous horse, 'Use your thought! Do not speak aloud!'

Ibiza pushed Rosemary's hand from her muzzle, 'Be calm, sister. We are nearly ready to reveal ourselves.'

'Yes! But not now!'

The dragon shook her head as she began to silently heave. 'What are you doing?' Rosemary asked.

'I have no pockets, sister,' the dragon replied as she coughed up the wooden box Justin'd been gifted.

"Ugh!" Rosemary chuffed, but she too was silenced by a paw across her muzzle. Rosemary withdrew with the feather, 'I must go, the dragon is now in Shannonvale.'

'Do you wish me to accompany you?'

Rosemary hesitated, 'Thank you, but no,' she glanced at Shelton's door, 'Keep watch on our ponies, I'll be back as soon as it is done.'

'Thank you, sister,' the dragon replied.

Far away, Octavius d'Shannonvale wandered the ridge line above his home. The avian ghost walked amongst a stand of trees, watching with fascination as bright silver lights flickered on down through the snow. Around him, the elms and maples argued about who was responsible for the weather, 'This isn't right, something is off balance.'

Seeking a diversion, he conjured an image of his home where he'd delight in Ashley's chiming voice, and Eleanor's regal calls, but the image died away as the night closed in around him.

'It's hard when they go to bed,' said the part of him that was Tristan Brightwing. Octavius solemnly nodded, 'Ibiza suggested I was the stronger one! To think you existed this way for months, after your untimely death. I don't know how you shouldered such loneliness, Tristan.'

The avian spirit waited silently. He waited for the night to be over. He whiled away the hours, waiting for his loved ones to wake and return to him. A black shadow passed him in the night, but Octavius was too distraught to take note, 'Octavius! Look at the sparks!'

The king found a gathering of bright golden sparks above his head. These strange sparks of light beckoned to him, and he felt compelled to follow their lead, 'Tristan, I feel you should assume control of our identity.'

'Octavius, if these are what I think they are, you should go! You're a better father than I ever was! Go and see where these sparks lead us!'

Octavius smiled inwardly, and thanked his modern identity. He pushed off after the lights, and they flashed out before him, leading the king to the rocky bluff overlooking his home. "Greetings, Octavius," said a raspy, dark brown voice.

"Ibiza? Is that you?"

A golden dragon stepped from the shadows. Octavius was stunned by a fiery tiara that hovered above her head, it's flames flashing out tiny sparks of guiding lights. Her eyes bore bright golden disks that pulsed and sparkled, suspended within a velvety blackness as beautiful as the night sky. Octavius felt his inner light shimmer with awe, "Forgive me, I mistook you for Ibiza."

"Nay, I am not she, but perhaps you know my name?"

He tightened his mandible, "I should think you're all of the dragons, made into a singular being, what Mayalee refers to as her One."

"Am I everything you'd hoped for?"

Unsure of what exactly was going on, the king carefully nodded, "Perhaps, but I think the more pressing question is; are you everything you hoped for?"

The dragon laughed, then beckoned to him, "It seems your lights have led you to me. Perhaps I am to right a past wrong, hmm?"

"My lady, I thought you'd embarked upon a path of seclusion?"

"My love, never shall I hide myself from spirits in their time of need. Ever shall I be there for them."

He smiled, then bowed his head, "Is my time at hand, then?"

"Yes, Octavius."

He smiled bravely, "Might I linger till morning? I'd like to bid my family farewell on this Midwinter Day."

"My love, this is not a farewell!" She stepped near, "Climb inside my mouth, Octavius."

He shied away from the creature as her presence became oddly menacing. Annoyed, the dragon urgently gestured to her maw, "Hurry! My presence here is only temporary, I may only linger a little while!"

'How will she remake my body? She has no trace of my long-dead form, nor any other animal!' His shadowy outline shook with anxiety, "P-please, may I see my family?"

"Octavius, will you trust me?"

He met the dragon's eyes, then stole himself to trust the strange deity, "Yes. I will."

She bowed her head as he smiled to the bright golden lights that shimmered above his head. Mustering his courage, he climbed into the dragon's mouth. Inside, the avian king suddenly found himself in Westvale Palace. He blinked, completely surprised by the familiar location. There, he found the equine mare Rosemary Barter who offered him a goblet of brandy, "Have a drink?"

"Have I returned to life?"

Rosemary smiled, "I requested your consciousness be brought here, as the process of corporeal reformation might be unpleasant for you."

Octavius dipped his beak into the brandy, "Thank you."

She smiled, then poked about the finely appointed chamber, "I've always liked the dignified embellishments of your home, you should endeavor to return to such a role."

Sensing he was about to be propositioned, he asked; "What role might that be?"

Rosemary moved to a side table, upon which sat Justin's box, "Your spirit shall be awake," she said, opening the box to reveal a large brown feather, "You'll be endowed with the ability to see and hear spirits..." Octavius glanced at the feather as it began to move, "You are under no obligation to return the favor that is being gifted to you, but I would ask you to step into Herald's role, at least for a little while. I never understood just how valuable he was, until he was gone."

Confused, Octavius bowed a courtesy, "I understand, what might I do?"

The box now contained an organic paste.

"I'm powerful, Octavius... but I cannot be everywhere. I need spiritual guides, those who might help wayward ghosts. I would bid you help them, then bear them to me."

"And where shall you be?"

She closed the box, "Why, I'll be moving in with the Holden family!"

He chortled, "The young lad will be most happy!"

"Will he? He'll have his old cranky granny moving in! Keeping him on his chores, and making sure he brushes his teeth!"

Octavius understood that this was Ibiza's compromise, "You'll appear as Rosemary in the mortal world, and the dragon Ibiza in the spiritual realm."

"Precisely."

The pair was quiet for a moment as Octavius thought back on the old sea captain, 'And now I succeed him. I'll walk his path with one foot in the mortal world, and the other in the spiritual realm.'

"How is Herald?"

Rosemary smiled gently, "All of his hurts shall be washed away, in time."

He dipped his beak into the brandy, "My lady, won't my return be met with surprise?"

She smirked, "The coming months shall hold many surprises for the animals of land! I'd do well to have a leader like you close at hand!"

Octavius knelt to sip again from his goblet, but found it empty. Rosemary took the goblet and placed it on a side table, "I must leave you now, but I trust you'll be well."

"Thank you, Rosemary. Thank you for everything."

She touched her hand to his chest, imparting a warm feeling of light and heat, "I'll see you again soon."

"My lady, I am confused."

"Yes?" she asked.

"Yon dragon appeared more than capable of maintaining control, why do you require my assistance?"

Rosemary frowned, "I fear there is more work to be done before all is as it should be. Have patience, Octavius."

"Very well,"

Suddenly, the illusion was undone! Octavius found himself in the snow, coughing and sputtering but very much alive! Around him, the trees hailed his coming and exalted the presence of The One. "No, she's not a singular being, but a duality," he paused to marvel at the odd scent of brandy on his breath, "She is Ibiza Pushpath, goddess of the spirit world..." his mandible clacked with relieved laughter, "And she is Rosemary Barter, Shelton Holden's cranky old granny!"

***

In Aurora, Rosemary Barter returned to the Holden family's home. Now clad in a gleaming white gown emblazoned with pretty daisies and colorful honey bees, she bid the door open and made her way inside.

She found her alter ego looking out from her portrait, 'Hello, sister. Thank you for tending to Octavius.'

Rosemary moved to her portrait to deliver a kiss to the dragon's cheek. Then, she laid a hand upon Herald's wheel. Smiling gently, Rosemary went to the kitchen to fetch a glass from the cabinet. She was joined by Ibiza. 'Take care stepping from your portrait!' Rosemary said, taking a cookie from a bowl on the counter. She reached out, absently stuffing it into the dragon's mouth.

She filled her glass with almond milk, then took a swig, chasing down crumbs from the cookie she'd just fed Ibiza. The dragon loitered for a moment before Rosemary bid her sit, 'It'll be a few minutes before Maggie wakes, you may as well join me.'

'You'll not wake her?' Ibiza asked.

'This family shall be stuck with me for a great long while, might as well let them sleep.'

The dragon nodded. Rosemary smirked at her, then stuffed another cookie into Ibiza's mouth. 'You seem troubled, sister.'

Rosemary shrugged, 'You know what's coming, wouldn't you be troubled?'

'We must trust in the plan, and in Life. She knows what must be done.'

'Right,' Rosemary replied, nervously wringing her hands, 'We have Octavius now! That is splendid! But it'll take him some time to become adjusted to his role. In the meantime, we need to prioritize all of the things that will happen, and then deal with each issue as it arises.'

'Yes,' Ibiza agreed.

'I haven't a shred of organizational skills,' Rosemary chuffed, 'If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!'

'What of the trees?' Ibiza said, 'The weather of the world worsens, while they cling to past offenses. They should be convinced to resume their duties.'

Rosemary glanced at her glass of almond milk, 'Benjamin Almond! He should be our next recruit! The trees will be like putty in his hands!'

Ibiza became excited, "Oh! Yes!"

'Shhhh!' Rosemary hissed.

The little dragon clasped her paws over her snout. Just when it seemed that no one'd been disturbed, a door opened along the hall. Rosemary cast a stern but amused glance at her alter ego before she greeted Maggie Holden, "Hello, love."

Maggie went to the goddess and hugged her, "Shelton is going to be so happy!"

"Yes, now keep your voice down!"

Maggie sat beside Ibiza who smiled with child-like delight, "Isn't this exciting!"

"I knew you'd come back!" Maggie whispered rather loudly, "I'm so happy!"

"Yes, well, you're not rid of me that easily," Rosemary said, taking a sip of her milk.

Maggie glanced at her, before she noted something odd about Ibiza's face, "Did you ever get a new name?" Maggie asked, patting Ibiza's cheek.

"Why, yes!" the little dragon answered, "I am-" her voice cracked as confusion clouded her face, "Fate."

"Fate?" Maggie chuffed, "Is that the name you wanted?"

Ibiza looked away with a shy shrug, whilst Rosemary patted the dragon's shoulder, "There there, things'll sort themselves out in good time."

Confused, Maggie nodded, "Did you see Herald? Is he alright?"

"He's fine, love."

Something in the goddess' eyes compelled Maggie to take Rosemary's hand, "Are you okay?"

"You know, I was supposed to do all of the things you've done in your past lives."

Maggie arched her brow, "Oh?"

"I was supposed to be Olivia's mentor, and the scientist," she took a sip of her milk, "Then, the police inspector. Somehow, you stepped in to fulfill those roles."

"Wow," Maggie breathed, "Are we all that connected to one another?"

Rosemary nodded, "Herald was right, each of us is related in some way to the other members of our fellowship."

Maggie's gaze became far away as she recalled a recent dream; "I think Herald looks in on me, now and again. Somehow, I feel he isn't too far away."

Ibiza cuddled up against Maggie's leg as Rosemary turned to the dragon, "Alright! Back to your drawing! Visiting time is over!"

Maggie watched as the cranky horse ushered the dragon back to her portrait. Ibiza leapt into the empty canvas, her golden scales becoming graphite and paper as she resumed her place.

"Try and get some more sleep," Rosemary said to Maggie. "Hey," Maggie replied, "I feel like you're rushing out of here, is everything alright?"

Rosemary smiled gently, "Just know that I love you, sweetie. I love you so much."

Maggie chortled, "I love you too! Okay, I'll see you later?"

"Yes, see you later, now back to sleep!"

The boxer retired to her room, but after a moment she opened her door, hoping to catch sight of Rosemary again. 'She's gone. Something tells me I should get used to that.'

With a sigh, Maggie lay back on her bed and returned to sleep. Hours later, she popped awake. Maggie rose to find snow visible at the base of the windows. Emerging from her room, Maggie went to the kitchen, hoping to find some evidence of Rosemary's visit, 'No dirty glass,' she thought, remembering for a moment that Rosemary'd been drinking a glass of milk, 'Huh, it couldn't have been a dream!'

Shelton joined his sister in the kitchen, "Hey."

"How did you sleep?" Maggie asked, taking a seat beside him. He drew a breath to answer but became distracted by Shelly as she moved along the hall. Shelton pulled out a seat so Shelly could home-in on it's location.

Maggie smiled to her sister, "Morning!"

"Get me some milk," Shelly said rather curtly. Shelton went to stand but was pushed back down by Maggie. The boxer pointed at herself as she winked to Shelton. He smiled, and sent out a warm glow of thanks.

"So," Shelton said, "Just a few more days to the holiday! Do you think Ibiza will show?"

"Oh, I think so," Maggie said, opening the refrigerator, "We seem to be out of milk, want to go walk in the snow and buy some?"

Shelly stood, "Let me go get my boots."

"Grab me an extra pair?" Maggie asked, "I'm sure they'll fit!"

"Heh," Shelton chuffed. After Shelly'd gone, he cupped his hand over Maggie's arm, "Did you see Ibiza last night?"

"I think it might have been a dream," Maggie said, "But even so, I think she's not far away."

Shelly returned with a pair of boots. Maggie took them with a nicker, slipped them on. Filing outside, the siblings found the air crisp and invigorating!

Tromping through the thick carpet of white, the horses made it out onto Forest Drive. Shelton paused every now and again to make a snow ball, which he'd half-heartedly throw, "I wish Herald could have held on for just two more weeks, Midwinter Day is almost here."

Maggie patted his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Shelton. I guess Herald was like his tree, so old that without any magic to hold him up, he came crashing down."

Shelton nodded, "I might have latched onto Herald as a substitute for Ibiza, that wasn't fair to him."

"Careful Shelton," Shelly nickered, "You're sounding rather mature."

Maggie squeezed the pony's shoulder, "Herald always wanted children, Shelton. In a way you let him experience what it might have been like to have a son, if only for a few weeks."

"Yeah," Shelton said.

Shelly sighed, then lay her head on her sister's shoulder, "How do you feel, Maggie?"

"Alive," Maggie nickered, "I feel so alive!"

***

***

The Sparks of an Ancient Light is dedicated to my Mom and Dad, and to my brother Don.

It was written by Chris Sawyer in (c) 2016.