Land of Lore

Story by Civilunit on SoFurry

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Legal stuff! This is an adult piece, so if your not old enough get lost. I have connections with santa, don't think I wont know if you have been naughty! Been getting a fair piece of mail asking me, hey where is part two to your sonic fic? Well, this is a very old story that I wrote awhile ago, it has gone through many reversions and it my favorite. Now when I first started this story, it was intended to be a very short piece about a classic character of Japanese mythology, the kitsune. I wanted something dark and shady but it some how snow balled into some chaotic carnival of chaos, but I like it anyways so I am proud to work on this piece and present it to you. Sadly, part 2 and 3, where lost in a hard drive incident and only this remained backed up on disc. I am not sure if I shall rewrite it or not. Lorelei is copy write by her player on whatever mucks she happens to be on these days.

Land of Lore -

Even in the cold black night the smoke could still be seen, casting a distorted reflection of the flames rising from the village under it. Sound of falling timber and those drying or ones along side the dying faintly reached the top of a far away hill just outside the village, where she stood watching it all before her. Amber eye's caught by the sight, enraptured at the dance of the flames and the departing archers who caused them. Chaos was a beautiful thing; the very air was filled with it just as much as it was smoke. She could watch it happen even before it was to be, thin strings of fate from every event was laid out before her to guide her eyes in a vision no mortal could perceive. What wheel of time made them, or three-sided coin that decided their outcome no one but the kitsune knew. Turning at last when the chaos became tired, resting into sequence that is the path of life. Flames will retire, the dead will be buried and the remaining woman and children will someday have children themselves as such the mortal coils demand like the unwinding spring of a clock.

She walked over the other side of the hill continuing down into the valley, as light would soon spill over the Twin Mountains to her east. The sleeping grass that will begin to gather dew for the morning was not disturbed under her feet as she walked her own trail into the forest of mist. This place was hers; it was not in her name or title nor was it inherited. It was simply occupied by her presence and she made sure it was public knowledge to near villages and towns, with the third dynasty in full swing man had their sights on expansion. Young branches from small tree's slipped over her sides, wet leaves caressing her as she slide through them effortlessly as if they shied away from her touch and bid her entrance into the forest.

Slowing as she approached the great tree near the center of the vast forest while light began to trickle through its branches of the morning, it was here that the thick mists that gave the Forrest its name did not swallow whole. Standing before it she took a deep breath that seemed to cause the air to still before she sighed heavily, if trees could give sympathy this old one would.

Grasping a carving made of ivory that hung around her neck her fingers spread out along the outline of a legendary phoenix, with exceptional detail the necklace showed the great fire bird poised in flight with wings spread. It only took a mere thought for the kitsune to activate the magic spell that would allow her entrance to her home, beginning to shrink in size the world changed drastically in perception. Finding the door at the foot of the tree would have been near impossible otherwise, but after reducing herself to the size of a common ant it was easy.

A warm light greeted her as she opened the door, stepping into her realm the kitsune closed the door and began a long climb up the great set of stairs. Having counted them time and time again it was always the same but unexplainable number, 750 steps to go up but 800 steps on the way down. It always does take longer to get where you where going then it did to get back the kitsune thought with a smile, hands folded in front of her as she had no reason to aid her balance on the railing.

At the very top of the stairs stood a pair of large wooden doors, heavy iron rings hung from them to serve as handles. With a pair of torches lit with cold fire to reveal the old stone archway that frames the double doors, many pictures and writing have been carved into it. On the other side of the door, the setting was completely different. Songbirds filled the air with their music; nesting in rare tree's and bushes within a lush garden setting. Worlds crossed at those doors, into a realm of the kitsune making. No longer did it seem as if you where inside a tree, instead it was if you where transported to another world all together. Here fish could fly and birds could swim. Children and animals played games with each other without care, as if Eden was stolen from man and hid inside this tree. Time flowed here as the kitsune wished it, sometimes, seven years here only took a single day in the outside world.

Finely reaching the top of the stairs she placed her hand on the surface of the right door, the slightest push eased the heavy wooden door. Her gloom from the trip to the outside world faded as the warm light of a sun that has seen no sorrow over the land it warms. Sitting under a tree by the archway constructed in the side of a steep hill was a snow leopard that directed its gaze over at you.

"Welcome back Lorelei, I hope your long trip was pleasant?" the snow leopard asked, getting to its feet. There to greet the kitsune who smiled lightly back at it.

"Still waiting for me at the door Balton?" she mused as the door slowly closed behind her. "Yes, the world hasn't changed much though since the last time I saw it..." not delivering any new news other than that, which seemed to bother the feline inquirer.

"At least you get to see it when you choose to." Balton replied sullenly, turning to join her to her left side when she began to walk down the gold bricked pathway.

Lorelei didn't reply at first, as for an uncountable number of times she has returned he was there waiting for her and each time he would sulk about being left at this place. He was getting better about it though she thought, as the decades slipped by. "You still have a long while to go Balton before you can return, I thought you have accepted that already?" she replied at last, as she always did.

"I have, there is nothing wrong with having hope though is there? 400 years is a long time to be cursed and you have changed your mind before in the past." Looking down at his reflection in the gold bricks, the same features always mirrored back at him since the day he was brought here.

"Those where special cases Balton, you are not. I have told you before that I won't change my mind." Lorelei said flatly, which always causes Balton to flatten his ears back. He was always like this whenever she came back, so she tried not to let it get to her. Soon he will forget all about it go about things normally, or so she hoped.

Silently the snow leopard followed her across a small bridge running over a stream, where the kitsune stopped and bent down to pick up a small stone to throw into the stream. She watched the ripples cast themselves over the clear surface of the water.

"What did you wish for?" Balton asked softly.

"I wished for a house cat that didn't talk..."

"Some things are out of even your reach too I guess." He mused over the remark; she would often say such things to change his spirit. Annoying her always made him happy, for him it was like getting back at her for his own punishment in a small way.

"Don't you have a mate to bother yet or something, or do I have to listen to your complaints all night during dinner?" she continued on her path to the palace in the center of her garden, a perfect replica of a structure she saw in India. Complete with ivory colored dome towers and high arched doors, laced with gold and sandstone.

"Not many here that are my type I guess, you know...nice smile, sunny outlook in life and doesn't shed." Cocking her a look that brought laughter from the kitsune that echoed through the court yard of the palace, stirring the attention of a few maidens attending the garden. "You could at least fake sympathy you know, love has its barriers but few like mine." Parting her side to grab at a rope with his paw to pull a set of curtains away from the doorway to allow her to enter.

"Maybe if you tried purring more often, women like that." She winked, leaving Balton to take care of himself as she continued on up to her study and greeted a few servants along the way to make sure breakfast would be ready in an hour.

Above the great hall where many entertaining party's have been held before during nights when the moon was full and bright was the kitsune study, a place where she spent many hours meditating and relaxing in. On the door was a stencil plate that simply read 'mischief at work' that was done by one of the children as a joke, which she accepted and kept over time as it was true quite often. For in the center of the room on a pedestal was a great white orb, like a giant pearl from an oyster a millenium old. Over its surface images of the world around her would appear and it was hunched over the sphere where she would grant her blessings or seek her vengeance on the surrounding people in her land. Floods, or droughts would somehow be brought to be for the simplest of reasons. Mortals where always like children in her eye's, to be corrected when wrong and praised when right. Even from its magic however she could not see everything, so every so often she would leave her realm to experience things herself. Sometimes it brought her great joy, others she would have liked to forget. Sitting down at the white orb now she waved a hand over it to gather a progress on some guest that stay within her realm, Some who have been banished from their land wrongly as well as those who have had their homes destroyed by man. Then of course there where ones like Balton where kept here for varies crimes in the outside world, she was a firm believer that time heals any soul.

"To each to their own devices, is how it should be." She mumbled to herself, as a few of her new servants would need correcting but that would be taken care of later. Turning to face a large mirror to gaze back at her, she had chosen the shape of a tall dark hared woman with fair skin. It was an attractive form, one she has used more than once while traveling. Having captured the hearts of kings and land owners, it had earned her the nick name of The Lorelei. She did not consider herself a Siren though; romance usually fell behind her curiosity in most matters. Watching herself change form was something she did often, it was an art form after all. Few of the finest mages she has come across or even taut could master such ability with such grace, slipping into her natural form of half fox and half-human the trade marked tails could reveal themselves. All seven fanning out behind her proudly, relieved that the itching in her spine has cease.

"Much better, I think the reason why humans do not listen very well is due to their tiny ears..." she smiled back at herself, wiggling the larger vulpine ears forward. "But they shall listen soon, even if I have to give them all ears like an ass just as poor Frederick in the kitchen." She laughed at her silliness, knowing it wouldn't work and would be a waste of energy. Her plans where much more subtle than that and much more effective, or at least more rewarding for herself. Giving her body a final once over she shifted her dress into a long flowing blue and white robe, shape shifting always inspired an equal talent in clothing.

Not far away from the center palace where small houses, dotting hill sides and fields. Well into the morning now the farmers will in motion harvesting crops and turning more soil. Everything as it should be, alert with ambition to fuel another day of play and work for indeed what little needed to be done to make the land plentiful was richly rewarding. All accept one that is, who slept in a hayloft lazily with her sandals hanging on the end of the ladder leading down into the barn. When you measure a mage, the individual's determination and focus towards the art of magic usually gauge it. Shellaira or Shelly as she was nick named was none of these things, even if the talent did lay with in her despite the fact it was becoming even rarer among humans. In her defense she would most likely argue that it isn't easy getting taught by a creature such as Lorelei, Kitsune where powerful and legendary beings where few have even seen never mind lived with.

"You will never pass your test today if you sleep during it..." Came a rumbling voice beside her, causing the young girl to stir.

"Test? What test are you ta-Aaah!" she screamed while rolling over off the edge of the loft to fall onto some bags of grain stacked under her.

"If you learned how to float that wouldn't have happened." The voice chuckled from above her, causing Shelly to clear her eye's with a hand and open them to the light to focus on a furry feline face above her.

"Balton? What are you doing here? I thought you where going to wait for Lorelei this morning..." she grumbled, sitting up onto grain bags. Looking around for her tunic she left around the barn somewhere before going to sleep.

Gracefully the snow leopard jumped down from the loft and stretched himself with an arch of his back, digging his claws into the wooden floorboards. "I already did, morning is almost over you know..." he flicked his tail and stalked over behind some bails of hay to grab the missing red tunic that the girl was hunting for.

"Oh, thanks Balton...um, I was up late last night practicing and I guess I forgot to cast a wake up spell..." yawning a little as she pulled her clothing on, fishing a ribbon out of a front pocket and tying her hair back with it.

Stalking toward the door before sitting down and looking back at her the feline rumbled a bit in return, "Today's test will be hard, Lorelei herself will be testing you and she doesn't go gentle you know. If she doesn't like what she sees you could end worse than me." He warned, turning back to look out into the bright day.

"I'm ready Balton, you said so yourself that I have gotten very strong. I'll be able to take care of my-" Shelly started before a snarl came from balton, "You'll have to do more than take care of yourself, its not just about strength. If you don't use your head all your training will simply backfire in your face." He finished, slowly moving outside to leave Shelly still for a moment before she ran out after him.

"Hey! Come on, wait up. What is that suppose to mean anyway? How can things backfire in my face?" Shelly asked, joining up with the snow leopard again as he walked towards the palace.

"You know kitsune play by a different set of rules; you have done well so far but have you ever stopped and think what would happen if you failed?" Balton questioned, looking up at the girl and getting a thoughtful expression in return.

Shelly had been here for awhile, about 140 years. Yet as most things in this realm she hardly aged at all, a year before becoming of age she had been brought here when she was seven. Balton had come to admire her, and friend. He had seen a few magicians and monks in his time when he was human out in the world; Shelly surpassed them all in both talent and strength. Learning more than she ever could here hid from the world that would one day fear her and the ability's she might master.

"I never really thought about it I guess..." she admitted, "Lorelei's test so far have been like a game, I've had doubts but as long as I don't give up I'm sure I'll pass."

"Kitsune play by their own rules you know, to them it IS all a big game. Where there is a prize for winning and a penalty for failing, I don't want something to happen to you like what happened to me."

"Being a leopard wouldn't be the worst thing in the world you know." She laughed softly, "Especially one that doesn't have to worry about being hunted for his fur or catch food."

Balton walked off the golden bricked path to a tall tree to settle under the shade, starring off into the distance for a short bit before Shelly joined him. "Losing your humanity is more difficult than you think, my village had the kitsune favor and game was plentiful. She gave life to the land, but when I took too much...her curse fell over me."

"What did you do exactly? You never did tell me." Pulling up her knee's and leaning back against the trunk of the apple tree, reaching a hand up and using a pull spell to break a ripe apple off the tree to have some breakfast.

"It's not something I like to talk about, 400 years I have to wait before I get to be released. It hasn't even been half that yet and I think I have just about given up. What would be the point of returning to a world I will no longer know? If you want to hear it I suppose I could tell you, it all started a long time ago while hunting in the mountains during the spring." Balton began his story.

Meanwhile at the head of a large dining table the kitsune quietly finished up her breakfast of eggs, chicken and rice. She found the taste to her liking and commended the chef so, who was very pleased by the compliment. Lorelei couldn't remember at this point whether the man with the French accent and large white puffy hat was an illusion or not, she had traveled all over the world to learn everything there was to learn so from time to time she would borrow a mortal that took to her liking. Not that it mattered to her, what was real and what was not made no difference in her realm.

Getting up from the table and waving a paw to causes the glasses and plates to float off into the kitchen to be cleaned. A grapevine wrapped around her wrist tightened a little to draw her attention, making Lorelei pause for a moment. It did this ever so often to remind her to remember something she had to do, it took a great deal of thought to pin point precisely what she meant to remember today. Pounding a hand on the surface of the table as it came to her; the test for Shelly was going to be today. Beaming with a wide smile it now seemed like it will not be so dull after all; a test for her most promising student defiantly had to be a well thought out and difficult one. Above everything else however was the potential to amuse her greatly, boredom was something the kitsune just didn't know how to live with.

Now it was off to the arena to prepare, thinking that the girl will make fair sport in this test as she herself gets to intervene and change the rules to her liking. Beneath the palace floors descended long stair cases, winding down spiral tunnels that could make even a one footed duck dizzy, as each stone laid into the walls had an Erie pulsing glow to them. The arena itself was little more than a large dome, with a monolithic black floor so smooth no one could guess what it was made out of. Spectators would sit around the arena on wooden benches in a horse shoe layout, under the shadows of the blue metallic ceiling. Light emitted from lanterns positioned all over the arena and from a misty glowing cloud that hugged the very center of the ceiling.

"Alright...let the games begin." She smiled, looking up at the stands that suddenly filled with people. Cheers begin to roll through the audience as she stood at the entrance.

You have to first understand that I was a fur trader within my village, the business was good and it fed and clothed my family easily. I wanted for nothing, hunting for the best furs from rare animals living in the mountain's and valleys around my home. A traveling merchant passed through one day and took interest in the furs I caught; he said he had never seen pelts of this quality where he was from. Offering me three times the gold I was collecting from my furs then to set up trade to a distant land, naturally I agreed and soon found my pockets lined quit heavily with gold. It seemed as if I was setting up another trap or staying out for an extra hour to get more pelts for trade, what was one more animal after all?

My greed pushed me up into the snowy peaks of the mountains during the spring, a snow leopards pelt was very valuable and I was determined to find one. Following tracks and the remains of kills it took days of searching, I grew frustrated and annoyed. Thinking that it was as if the cats where invisible to my eye's, when at last I located the den of a snow leopard. My heart sank as I found that it was only the mother and her new born cubs, the winter was almost over and soon she would descend into the valley's for food. Try as I might I could not find the male, maybe something already got him. I was determined not to leave without a pelt of a snow leopard, the things I could do with that money went wild in my head.

Going back to the den of the mother I stood there, thinking what was one litter of snow leopards. I could probably get additional money for the cubs as well, with the temptation so great even when I knew it was wrong I brought up my bow. When I was close enough I let my arrow slip from my finger tips after I had pulled the string back fully, swiftly it cut through the air and it its mark. Listening to the cry of the mother as it died I readied my knife to go finish the job; it was then that she appeared...

A kitsune standing before me in her natural fox form, sitting still in the snow marked with the snow leopards blood. I was frozen, looking into the eye's of this creature of legend. I had visited the temple within our village to give thanks to the spirit that inhabited our lands, providing tribute when I could. I had not known fear to the level that coursed through my being that day. Her tails fanning out behind her, possessing the most beautiful white fur I have ever seen. Even the sun seemed to worship her presents as its light bathed over her, casting her shadows in many directions that I could not explain.

"Hunter..." she spoke, her voice was soft, as if carried by the wind. A cold, icy wind that sent shivers over my body despite my own warm fur coats protecting me from the climate.

"It is not enough for you to have all that you desire, but you must have even more that you have no need for. You have killed this mother and sentenced her cubs to death for your greed, rather than for your need." She stated, those eyes where incredible I tell you Shelly. I couldn't even speak, though I wanted to. I wanted to press my forehead into the snow until the cold ice burned my skin while pleading for forgiveness. No such thing could be brought to pass by me; I was lost in those dark pools that seem to bring me to infinity.

"This I can not let pass within my lands, you have lost respect for the creatures within in and in doing so you have lost my respect as well. You shall be cursed, to live the lives of those who you have taken this day. So you may once again learn to understand the respect that each creature deserves in nature, you will also serve with me, in my realm away from all that you know to pay respect towards me again. If you do not go with me willingly I shall reduce your village to ashes..." she sentenced, I could only follow the most subtle movement of an ear and I felt the curse within me. I will not lie to you, the transformation was very painful. It was like I was dying and being borne at the same time, I ripped my clothes from my body before I fully became a snow leopard myself.

"Come with me, Balton." She said, turning and walking away. I was reluctant at first but I did not want harm brought on my family by this spirit. I followed her, for miles in the snow to get used too four feet and my new senses. She brought me here and told me I was to remain, within her domain for 400 years if I served her well.

"That's a sad story..." Shelly said after a few moments of silence from the snow leopard.

"Yes, every time she goes out I hope that when she comes back it will be time to lift the curse. What ever she sees out there however isn't anything inspiring her to do that." Balton admitted, glancing to the dozen or so apple cores now covering the ground around the girl.

"Do you still miss your family?" she asks, tilting her head a bit at Balton. Wondering what he must have looked like as a man.

"Yes, but its easier not to miss them so much having friends such as yourself to talk to...we better get going. You'll need time to prepare before you begin." Getting up from under the tree and waiting for Shelly to join him to enter the palace.

"Thanks Balton for saying that, I'm glad we are friends too." She said before putting a hand on his back, getting a rare purr from him. "Do you think she is ready for me yet?"

"Knowing her, yes...but she'll still find some reason to be late."

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With the arena floor set up with the proper trigger spells and barriers it was time to choose the opposition, she already had chosen two of the three desired guardians that would be her pieces to pit against her apprentice. Kiwi the grass bird, with Crystal Tortoise where good choices and both have been in her games before. Her last choice she wanted something new and fresh, something that would not be expected. Naturally when the Griffin twins made there way by her to take a break and refresh them selves with a large mug of ale she smiled with pleasure at the possibility's. Both hadn't been here long, serving as arena guards they would do nicely if they agreed to take place in the game.

"Dolph, Dranon? Can I have a moment of your time?" she asked them pleasantly while she approached. Receiving a smile from both as they turned to address her.

"Of course Lorelei, what may we do for you?" Dolph rumbled softly after a sip of ale, settling his mug to the side.

"Well, as you know we are doing a trial this evening. A very bright Girl named Shelly will be taking the test, I have set everything up but I was wondering if you two would like to make up my third guardians during the game." She gave a churr of hopeful optimism that would per sway them to accept.

"Wow, you're asking both of us to represent you?" asked Dranon, a little taken aback.

"Yes, your both fine young lads and I think you have what it takes, this girl needs a real challenge and I think you would be the best choice." Swaying her tails behind her, flattering a griffin always helped.

"I don't know Lorelei, we are kind of new here...and besides it can get a little rough in there, we are rather comfortable with the job we have now. Right Dranon?" Dolph looked to his brother who nodded in return, "Aye, that's true Dolph."

Working her way closer between them she placed a paw on Dolphs thigh, "I understand, granted I won't feel hurt if you refuse. Though perhaps there is something I can do to compensate for your efforts." Lorelei smiled up at the dark, golden eye's. Bringing a blush to both under their facial feathers.

For a moment they paused in consideration before looking at each other closely, as if conveying by thought of this offer. "There is one thing, that if you did for us we would agree to take part this evening." Dranon began, ruffling his wings a bit.

"We like a joining of passions to be preformed to bind us to each other..." finished Dolph, the request caught the kitsune off guard. It was rare that griffins desired such, being the free spirited individuals that they where.

"I see...which one of you hatched first?" she asked, having Dranon speaking up to confirm it. "That would make you the dominant then Dranon, would you accept to be his submissive Dolph? You understand that it can't be undone." She asked, just to be sure. Though she didn't even get to finish before Dolph nodded.

"Yes Lorelei, I fully accept to be my brothers domence by hatching rights." Curling his long lion tail around his brothers with a smile.

It wasn't a very long ceremony, but it had been awhile since she had done one, let alone between like sexes but then who was she to argue. She had assumed many shapes in her life and it had taught her one thing through life is that the body never really matters, hidden within is what counts. She could tell the two really wanted this, refusing would break their hearts

"If you two really want to go through with it, I shall perform the rites. I've never done it for griffins mind you but I'm sure I have a parchment with the readings and oaths...why don't we head up to my study and take care of that?" she asked, both griffins agreeing whole heartily and followed her out of the room. Lorelei didn't make it practice to perform such things for others, but she could understand their desire to have her do it instead of a griffin shaman counter part within their land. Being rather found of the twins since their arrival here a little while ago she couldn't say she wasn't pleased, even though they where more interested in each other than her.

Climbing up a ladder to reach higher on the book case in her study she fetched a thick leather book, handling it down with a grunt to Dolph who set it on the podium for her. Being short in height the kitsune fetched a small stool to stand on before hoping up and opening the book, wetting her thumb with her tongue to comb over the pages. She had to be rather careful as the old yellow paper could be torn easily, as well as being the type that was hand written in ink so getting a replacement copy meant going to the writer.

"Well now here it is, I only know a little about it myself. Let's see what it says here, you can hang up your things on the rack in the corner while I read to myself." She told the twins, both seeming to blush a little around their beak as they moved over to remove their sashes and hang up their belts with their batons and shorts attached to it, moving back over with reserved modesty.

"Mmm, I didn't know there were so many oaths to take. Very remarkable how specific and binding this is, here is the part I want, sibling pairings of like sex." She guided her index finger down the page, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "I'll need a few items too from the storage closet across the hall, Dranon, would you get them for me while I set up the candles and such?" she asks, scribbling down a few items on another piece of paper she gave it to him to look over before heading out the door.

"Would you like me to do anything?" Dolph hesitantly asked, looking a little uneasy when his brother left.

"Yes, I need these candles set up in an oval so I can make a few markings." Pointing to the cabinet on the floor. Nodding quickly he turned and bent down to gather the needed candle sticks, the kitsune took a shameless moment to watch while he did so. His lion half was very well toned, powerful legs with a muscular back side to be further enhanced by a heavy pair of oval rounded testicles that hung low between his thighs. Smiling a little, even her garden peaches hardly grew to that size but the griffin's own fruit was well ripened.

Returning soon with an arm full of items and bags came Dranon, blinking as the room was transformed a bit from his leaving, the candle have been laid out and lit with a kitsune on the floor marking symbols with chalk over the floor. "Interesting, I guess it is as complicated as they say." He commented. Lorelei raised off the floor and smiled.

"Nothings to hard for me, just set those aside, I need to make some sort of greasy substance before I start." She churr's, taking some roots from a bag and adding them to a small bowl of ingredients. Grinding some into a powder. "Yingshu scale, Wind mushroom with some whale oil...catnip? How odd." She giggled a little. Stirring it all together until it was gooey thick syrup.

"kneel together in the oval there, Dolph you have to be on the left okay?" watching the two shuffle together she moved with in the circle and dipped her thumb into the syrup and spread it down from dolphs forehead to run between his eye's and over his beak, he wiggled his head a little in a soft squawk. "Hold still silly." She smiles, dotting the silverish syrup under his nostrils and began to do the same to Dranon. They both looked at each other afterwards, giving a head tilt in study.

Stringing some quarts crystal into a necklace she placed one around both males neck before retreating back to her podium to peer at her book. "Dranon, Are you ready to take the vows?" she asked, he nodded in response and said clearly that he did.

"Do you promise to give your life towards Dolphs well being and safely?" she continued, moving on when he agreed. "To treat him as yours, decorated with your honor within the court? Will you provide food for his nourishment during spring Solstice?" the list went on, a total of twenty five vows to agree on to promise to uphold tradition and fly with him every moon light. Both where getting quite antsy as Dranon finished his vows, breathing heavily from the scent of the syrup on their beaks. Smiling a little as she noticed each males sheath was terribly swollen, Each member having slid out to expose their gland and plumping further with each deep breath. Looking towards a picture in the book the two where right where they should be and will be fully aroused by the time Dolph finished his vows as Dranon's submissive.

"Dolph, are you now ready to take the vows?" she asked, getting a yes in return. "Do you vow to always yield towards Dranons desires, and make them yours?" Lorelei spoke clearly, thinking the pairs lust where burning as brightly as the candles around them. "To only except meat from him to sustain you?" this part confused her at first but she latter looked it up, it was customary for lead mate to eat meat first and then regurgitate it for their mate like what was done for infant griffons. It wasn't the most attractive thing se fancy's about birds but a custom is how it is, regardless of her thoughts.

"Do you vow to give up self satisfaction to meet the needs of Dranons desire for you?" she asked, finishing the 25 vows for the other griffin and noting the edge in his voice when he accepted. Both where very erect. As twins the difference in their size was hardly noticeable, fourteen inches of feline excitement stood proudly from each sheath. Each was fairly thick, with Dranon having a bit more width at his base then his brother. Three and a half inches the kitsune guessed, each twitched with a steady heart beat.

Stepping off the stool she took hold of the bowl of thick syrup and poured some mineral water in it to thin it out, stirring slowly until it was the right consistency. Using a piece of birch bark that has been smooth on the inside she stepped forward into the circle to dip the end of the bark into the thin syrup, pulling it up and gently spreading the silver lubricant over the tip of Dranons member. He grunted softly but remained still, she could see the full blue veins under the skin swell a bit with need as she stroked the bitch bark down the top of his member slowly to spread the silver greasy syrup with short strokes, applying it heavily as the instruction describe. Breathing hard now Dranon looked down at her a little desperately, his tail whipping around behind him to show his eagerness. It was a pity the kitsune was not allowed to use her paws, it would be very interesting to see how far to the edge she could take him. Starting from his thick base the kitsune applied more of the grease over the underside of the griffins erection, making sure it was completely covered as she moved her way up. His shaft bowed up at a slight angle that caused some of the silver grease to drip down over his pulled back sheath, this was acceptable.

Hissing loudly with his eye's closed Dranon flexed his wings out a bit as the smooth bark glided up under the tip of his glands to smooth over the grease over his shafts slit that dripped his arousal in steady measures. Chest raising and falling rapidly with his breathing the kitsune pulled back when she was finished. "We will begin the binding now...Dolph, you may move to the center of the candles. Fall to your talons and knee's, wing tips touching the floor at those markings to either side of you." Lorelei directed, the ritual was based on a story of a fallen griffin mother that was shelter during a storm by her mate.

Moving behind Dolph with a small horse hair brush she dripped it into some cinder berry juice, directing his knee's apart further she feathered gentle strokes with the brush over the full orbs of his scrotum. Drawing a crescent to symbolize the horizon and an upside down V with a short line in the middle to depict a griffin in flight smaller diamonds where painted on along the sides and over his swells to show mountains. Dolph held as still as possible even though the fine bristles where very distracting, she watches his heavy jewels pull themselves up a little higher in reaction to her touch before gravity nestled them back down in the tawny golden furred sac. Cinder berries made a remarkable dye, used by mages to leave marks along the body like tattoos as the juice reacts strongly to magic. Burning the image into both flesh and fur without damaging either. Last but not least she drew the sign of the submissive over his thigh, looking like a capital Y with a vertical slash down in the middle of the left line. Drawing the same Y on Dranon's thigh but instead of the extra slash she drew a circle under it.

"Dranon, take your position over Dolph. When you are ready, start to enter him. You may not stop your joining for any reason until you are together as one completely." She instructed, this is the part where she began the chant. The rest would take care of itself, she hoped. Magic was a strange mistress; it didn't always choose to suite your needs.

Lowering himself to his knee's behind his brother dranon knelt over his back to cover Dolph entirely with his body, resting his chest against the griffins wings and his beak to his neck. Placing both talons at Dolphs wing tips to hold them down he moved his hips closer, going blind as he aligned his slick glistening shaft that made the candle light dance over its hard surface in a mystical way his tip nestled under his twins tail to kiss the tight anal ring. Dolph made sure to hold his tail well up to the side, grunting softly as he was touched. Though both where very intimate with each other since birth this would be his first taking, knowing as well that Dranon had never been as stiff and engorged with lust than he was today during the influence of the bounding potion. After this he would officially become his brothers submissive, never allowed to give himself a climax.

Lorelei turned the page and began the chanting, telling Dragon that he could continue when he was ready. Waiting a few moments, admiring the beauty under him and the love he felt for his twin rookery brother. When their heart beats fell into synch his powerful feline hips pressed forward, spreading the tight ring of Dolphs tail hole wide quickly. He couldn't stop, as much as he wanted to when his thick glands sank into the young male, the cry Dolph let out shook him a bit but he pressed on, smoothly forcing his way into the warm bowels of his mate. Their quarts pendants glowed softly when Lorelei's voice become louder to be heard over both of their cry's, holding Dolph down with all his strength. Even if the grease did help allot Dranon had to press hard and firmer to move fully into the soft back side, stretching the warm tunnel to his size until their hips met. Both closed their eye's when all fourteen inches finished its entrance into Dolphs body, their heavy testicles pressed together and the wet cinder berry dye painted onto Dolph was transferred to his mates. They both felt the heavy burn of the dye as the spell took hold from the kitsune, at that moment Dranon could feel dolphs pain just as Dolph could feel his brothers pleasure from sheathing within him.

Breathing deeply herself Lorelei turned another page in her book; it showed a picture of a griffin pair locked in the same embrace as the two before her. "Give your seed to Dolph now dranon; give him the gift of your pleasure." She announced clearly, both where very caught up in the soul sharing experience. Emotions lingered against one another like a deaf man tilting his head towards the first sound he ever heard. Slowly Dranon pulled his powerful body back, the heavy pressure in his brother subsiding as he drew mostly out of him before smoothly thrusting back in. he would pause for a moment every time, giving Dolph time to accept the pressure against his stomach before relenting. Their moans full and rich in their throats, changing in pitch as Dranon adjusted his movements for shorter though faster strokes.

Even as some of Dolphs virgin blood dotted his mates sheath fur from the small tearing of fragile tissue he felt the settle changes take place within him, without even touching his own achingly stiff cock he was experiencing pleasure beyond anything he has every felt. His back arched a bit with every gentle contact of Dranons heavy balls bumping up against his, which had grown terribly sensitive after the cinder berry burn. Feeling his ring contract eagerly as the slick griffin shaft pumped into him again time after time the tightness in his stomach felt wonderful, to be torn open then mended inside with his love. Knowing that his seed would not be spilled this time, nor might it ever again if Dranon choose to stay with tradition and not bid him too.

Pent up passions screamed within Dranon as he began to more aggressively thrust into his lover, the warm embrace by the males griffins insides where incredible. Each time his balls slapped up against Dolphs he felt the need to climax grow, tightening them closer to his body and for him to rut harder into his mate. Try as he might it could not be rushed, steadily with every loud slap against his body and feral grunt of griffin guts giving way to better hold his needing pulsing member the pleasure grew more intense for him. Though he was allowed to please himself anytime he wanted, Dolphs own lust had been merged with his to make the need even stronger to couple. It was necessary for him to take on these extra passions as the dominate; he already felt the subtle swelling begin to occur within his orbs.

Watching silently now, Lorelei sat outside the circle. Magical wisps of both their energy's seen to her mixing together, dancing among one another within the candle boundaries. Smiling a little as Dolphs eye's rolled back with bliss, he would always be male but he would take on many female attributes from here after from the material instincts to the afterglow of an orgasm that would linger within his body without ejaculating. Dranon became much more aggressive, his thrusting became erratic and hurried to signal he was close.

Waiting patiently as the minutes went by Lorelei silently knew that both would be kept on edge for a long period of time, the nature of the spell was to synchronize and rebalance the pairs experiences with one another. Dranon's body moved fluidly over Dolphs, haunches tight with the effort of every thrust. Her eye's had difficulty following some of the more uneven strokes that broke the rhythm to encourage his balls to pull a little higher against his body and release their heated load into his mate, his lion tail whipping back and forth with excitement.

At last, both of their pleasures reached their peak, Dranon delivered the final stroke with great pleasure. Pulling almost entirely back before thrusting smoothly and deeply into Dolph who wailed loudly with a shudder. He remained buried deep, to exhausted to give the smallest movements to enhance the feeling of climaxing. It would not be needed though, with quarts crystals glowing brightly and a very well deserved throb through out dranon'' shaft as a strong pulse of seed jetted into Dolphs guts who arched like he was singed with white fire on the inside.

Dolph couldn't believe the feelings he felt, receiving an orgasm unlike anything he has ever had. His own shaft twitch to the same aching beat as the member deep within him, unlike his brother though his seed sacs did not tighten up now to it jet a strong burst of hot fluid time and time again. Instead the experience was less intense, starting from within him, around the spot where the engorged griffins member glands pressed into the back of his stomach. Flowing within him like a flood, waters that did not receded quickly like a crashing wave that Dranon experienced. Laying there panting, eye's closed he felt it happen again. Sending shivers within his body. Somehow it left him sated inside; the talking of seed satisfying his needs rather then giving it himself.

Lorelei was happy for the two, even more happy that it was almost over so she could have some fun with them too. Getting a fancy gold chalice she moved within the circle, placing it under Dolph and stroking Dranons neck feathers to make him croon softly. "Now, milk your mate of what remains of his independent lust dranon. Go slow and be sure to get it all, I know your tired now and you are happy inside a full reservoir of your own seed but you can enjoy that feeling later." Getting a soft nod as he moved his talons around Dolphs stiff maleness, he had done this many times before and knowing that slow, full strokes from base to tip is what Dolph liked the most. Whimpering gently under his mate Dolph gasped softly, hunching up Dranon pressed a little harder into him and finely caused the griffins prostate to trigger it, even though more encouraged with his moments than from a natural release. Filling the chalice with every warm spurt Dolph now felt the same weariness as his own hormone level went down considerably.

Not surprised with the amount as she lifted the chalice away she placed it to the side, "withdraw from your mate Dranon." She asked, the griffin reluctantly responding and slid himself out of the warm bowels. She noted the insistent stiffness had been relived from his member, half erect between his thighs as he moved back. Dolph slowly raised back to his knee's, looking back at the kitsune who now approached with the chalice. Holding it up to his beak. "Drink of your needs now Dolph, and know they are now for Dranons." The chalice was tilted forward and the thick seminal fluid poured into his mouth. With eye's closed his throat swallowed every time, drinking deeply of the thick salty mess. Wanting to come up for air but allowed none until the chalice was empty, leaving him panting with his stomach swollen. She waited patiently while he licked his lips clean and then the chalice itself spotless before putting it away.

"You may remove your necklace now, it is complete." She announced. Closing the book with a thump and waving a paw to extinguish the candles. Admiring them both for a moment as Dranon returned to Dolph side, chuckling soft as he noticed the poor griffin's erection hadn't subsided a bit.

"What you chuckling at balloon balls?" Dolph sneered a little bit, making Dranon blush a little as he gazed down between his thighs to look at his swollen orbs. They both kissed and gave each other a gentle fondle, Dolph stroking the exposed part of his retreating maleness which made Dranon groan with a thickening response from his sheath. Retaliating a talon gave a teasing caress to the backs of his mates orbs, wing shuddering with a gasp.

"Okay you two...you've been teasing me long enough, when are you going to invite me to play too?" Lorelei giggled, the two griffins looking up at her sheepishly to nod in agreement as they watched her undress herself openly in front of them. One of her tails curling around one of the batons hanging from a belt that the pair had brought in she dipped it in the remaining lubricant, wielding it menacing.

"Looks like you have a disruptive kitsune in possession of a weapon...guess you should take her in." she laughed softly as both grinned at her, noticing the hungry predator look within Dranon's eye's as his maleness slipped slowly out of its sheath again.

A few hours later a soft pounding noise reached the kitsune sensitive ears, her mind not paying it much attention. Laying on her back with legs spread wide Lorelei groaned softly; lapping at the most delicious pair of balls she has been treated to for a long time. Dolph grunted a bit, down on all fours over the kitsune in a sixty-nine position. One of his talons hard griped around the handle of the baton and positioning it in and out of a wet and well filled vixen cunt suddenly found himself swallowing his third load of griffin seed from Dranon kneeling in front of him. Talons raking the feathers at the back of his head to pull the beak all the way down the twitching cock and fill his throat, giving him a queasy stomach with its 4th helping today. Amazed that his mate never seemed to run out of the salty stuff, which was also running rather heavily out of his rear until the kitsune licked it so clean the pink flesh shined from under his tail.

"Gaahh...mmm, l-lore? I think someone is outside." Dranon warbled softly, slowly pulling back for a bit of rest and letting Dolph breath again.

"Oh bother...who could that be?" she sighed softly from underneath Dolph, sliding out from under him and throwing on some cloths to answer the door. Hearing her name being called as she was about to take the baton out of her sex she instead just shoved it deeper up inside of her and walked over to the door a little bow legged.

Bringing Dolph into his arms Dranon kissed and groomed at his mates feathers, pushing in a finger deeply into raw tail hole of the griffin in his arms. Holding Dolph tightly as he groaned and withered, still so high in pleasure from the licking he was getting. Biting hard into Dranons shoulder to muffle himself as his body jerked, Cumming again in that warm way that made his member ache terribly but somehow lacked the element to loose its seed. Basking in the after glow the moment was broken as the door was firmly closed and the kitsune hushed them all.

"Hurry up, get dressed! My apprentice is here." She hissed, causing the two griffins to jump and hurry to their clothes. Which took a little longer with Dolph in his aroused state, Lorelei had to fuss a little bit and cast a relaxing spell to get the member to return to its sheath. It was time to get back to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking the smooth path into the garden the pair proceeded on their way, having to halt for a drove of dodos to cross one pound over to the other. An animal that Balton on more than one occasion wanted to eat because of their annoyance. When asked why she kept them here along with all the other rare birds Lorelei would simply smile and say "someday they will fit right in." without a word of explanation. Passing under a small water fall that also like the birds was completely backwards, Instead of feeding into the pound the water flew upwards instead of down. Who ever said that water always runs down hill has never visited this place. Balton often wondered that if any salmon inhabited the water would they have to fight their way to go down stream or not, it was lucky that there wasn't because he was sure he was better off not knowing.

"I feel a little better knowing that you trust me to talk about your past." Shelly spoke once again as they ascended the large stair case that leads up from the great hall.

"Trust has nothing to do with it, I thought it would help you if you better understood what you where dealing with. Every coin has two sides, knowing more about Lorelei and how she thinks is to your advantage." Balton replied, his tail swaying back and forth. He was never much good at telling others that he liked them, or let others get close to him. Being cursed is a bad omen and misfortune tends to stick around those being cursed to find more potential victims.

"Still means allot to me, that you want to help." She smiled in that way that always confused balton, he was about to question the nature of it before the arrived at Lorelei's door. "Would you please knock?" he asked softly.

Placing three solid wraps on the wooden surface of the door with the back of her knuckles Shelly took a big step back behind Balton who announced her presence through the door. For a few moments the pair waited, remaining still as they waited a response. It was about a minute later that Balton looked up at her questioningly and leaned forward to place a feline ear to the door in order to listen for movement.

"Lorelei? Are you in this evening?" he asked once more in a clear voice. Once again getting no response.

"Do you think we are early?" suggested Shelly.

"No, I hear something. I can't really make it out, maybe she is in some sort of meditation...or...well that's an interesting noise." Feline whiskers bowed against the surface of the door as his cheek pressed a little firmer, joined by shelly who bent forward for a listen as well.

"What are you talking about, do you hear her or not?" she demanded, listening for herself. At first she could only hear her own breathing but after a moment she could actually hear something from the other side, it was very difficult to make out as they seemed to be mixed together.

"Sounds like...squeaky bird calls and giggling." She suggested, lowering her eye's to the cat beneath her who nodded softly in agreement.

"Do you think we should just, go in? I mean I know we are not suppose to in all but do you think it could be something in trouble?" Shelly stood up and questioned, usually the kitsune showed a talent for ESP on her arrival. Often opening the door before she even knocked.

"Knowing Lorelei, trouble is probably exactly what it is. I'd stay out here if I was you and knock a little louder." Came the answer, almost growling it out in annoyance. Balton was certain that what ever it was he did not want to know.

Knocking louder once more as suggested each took a step back and waited once more, this time something seemed to stir. With an audible shriek that sounded like an eagle was attacking something came the sound of feet making its way to the door a few moments afterwards, a key was turned from the inside and the door opened part way to let a few large feathers blow out the door and into the hallway that started the pair waiting outside.

"Shelly my dear apprentice, how good of you to visit. What can I help you with today? Has the cat been bothering you again?" Lorelei beamed down at Balton who for a moment tilted his head down to see past the kitsune blocking the door, blinking a bit in disbelief of what he saw.

"N-no sensei, Balton actually brought be here so I would not be late for my test this evening." Shelly defended quickly, knowing the kitsune was a little defensive with her. For a moment she thought the kitsune had forgotten completely as she was met with a look of confusement before one of her tails swept out and gave Balton's head a gentle swipe to keep him from leaning further in to look behind her.

"Right! Yes, of course. I thought you would be another hour yet, if you would excuse me for just one moment." She held up a finger and disappeared again after shutting the door.

Bending down to pick up a large feather from the ground she turned it in her fingers, wondering what manner of bird it belonged to. "How strange, do you think she was performing an incantation or something?" she asked her companion.

"Hardly..." answered Balton in a dry tone, rolling his eye's a bit.

"I beg your pardon?"

"No, its nothing...forget I said anything." Raising his paw and licking at his leg, to leave the young girl vexed on the situation.

Behind the door where the stenciled 'mischief at work' plate swung loosely was a pair of unusual creatures, while within the tomb like room it wasn't uncommon to find the rare or the even odd take place there. If the fabric of space and time was silk then this place would be the wrinkle within the cloth, Kitsune themselves arrive from a rather particular dimension known as the spirit realm. Things there differ greatly from the material realm that takes rest on earth, being that its mostly empty and full of space Kitsune have found that the material plane and the cross roads that overlap it to be much more enjoyable. One these alternate earths was home to the pair of beings yet to be disclosed, it was also bound to happen that at certain times these dimensional cross roads can get weaker or mixed up and certain things cross over to the mundane place known as earth. Humans have given their own names to these creatures, such as dragons or trolls and even the ever-illusive gargoyle.

Within the kitsune chamber though rested a pair of griffins, told to be the offspring of a giant eagle like bird and a lion. As an amusing match as that would be such a mating never took place between the two species, such creatures evolved from their own devices but the dogma of their presents has always remained and their rarity that has thankfully kept them as a myth. While their legend was a popular English fairy tail it was the Egyptians who actually immortalized them as temple guardians. It was said that such a creature would guard a kings treasure and to reach it the griffin would ask you a riddle, as they are an extremely intelligent creature. If you answered the riddle correctly then the griffin would let you pass, if you answered wrong you would get your limbs torn off. Menacingly beautiful usually sums up their appearance.

Patiently both Shelly and Balton waited where more noises coupled with a soft outburst laugh from the kitsune every so often before it finely opened to let both of the great creatures exit the room, startling the pair waiting at the door who promptly moved back as they filled most of the door way.

"This is Dolph and Dranon, I know it's hard to tell them apart being that they are twins and all." Lorelei introduced the pair while squeezing through between them. Looking up at each of them the simply peered back at her and then at Shelly, "Well come on now, don't be shy. Say hello." Curling a fox tail around each of their waists they looked a little flustered.

Both stood at an impressive 7 feet tall, they stood upright like a man on large lion legs. Tawny golden fur continued up their body's to their chest where it exploded in lush white and blue feathers, each also possessed a long lion like tail with a dark brown tuff of fur at the end. Their avian half's where equally muscular and wide at the shoulders, powerful arms ending with hands fashioned like a birds talons. Each was wearing a heavy clothe sash over their shoulders and chest, a brilliant scarlet colored one for Dolph and blue for his brother. Matching brown cutoff linen shorts where worn below the waist, held up by a thick metal chain serving as a belt.

"Good evening miss Shelly." Bowed the griffin with the red sash while the other followed suit, "Pleased to meet you." Responded the other.

"Thank you, um, it's nice to meet you too." Shelly replied nervously, they looked friendly enough but their large sharp beaks are dangerous too.

For a moment they remained silent, eagle eye's blinking back and forth to each other until Dranon reached down to place a talon at a thick wooden baton hanging from his belt. "We should probably get back on duty, Lorelei. You will be busy with the young one here." His brother nodded and looked down at the kitsune while reaching for his own weapon; only with a ruffled stretch of his wings did he find it wasn't there.

"I say Dranon, do you have my baton?" asked Dolph, looking around behind him into the room. Turning his head and looking about the other griffin shook his beak with a soft squawk. "No of course not..." he took how his stick to show the handle to the other and small markings over it to prove his case.

"I'll get you a new one Dolph, you two head back down to the arena and make sure everything is ready alright?" Lorelei said quickly, shoving the two out of the door way and giving a gentle wave as they moved off towards the stairs.

"Well that was interesting..." mused the snow leopard, which got a sharp look from the kitsune in return.

Taking shelly by the hand the kitsune walked her into the room across the hall, within it held magic items and supply's that shelly was free to use as need be. Fetching a staff and a gold hand band for the girl she went about picking out a gown to wear during the test, tying her long hair back into a single braid. In front of a grand mirror their reflections guided their actions to get ready.

"For this test, I shall be giving you a special item." Announced Lorelei, getting out a box and opening it for her to show a leather fingerless glove with blue rune stones over the top. "This is the Freeze glove, in the event that something becomes to difficult for you to overcome you may freeze the action. It can only be used once, and once used the test is over. Only activate it if absolutely needed." Giving the girl time to study the item and then put it on her left hand.

"Okay, sort of like the Guide whistle given to me for the maze?" Shelly asked, turning her hand over to look at the palm.

"Its just a safe guard tool, if anything should happen to you, it will be your doing and not mine, I'm giving that power to you. However I know you won't need to use it, I will be pushing you to your limits with this one but it will be within your means. Don't let me down, okay?" Standing back Lorelei examined the girls outfit for a moment, mages clothing was important to her.

"I'll do my best Lorelei, even if I have to duel you myself." Shelly smiled, the kitsune stood back with a soft smirk, letting a little laugh out.

"That day will come child, not today but I will be involved. You are still a candle in the wind compared to my power, within my domain. You have not yet gained the wisdom to guide you down the road of victory, after today you will be able to see further down the paths you will have to walk." She placed a paw on the girls shoulder.

Kitsune though immortal where still considered a lessor class of karmi; they had more rules that they had to follow. However their magic was legendary, even the greatest sorcerers seldom where able to meet the raw power of a one or two tail kitsune. What made them the most dangerous however is that kitsune are not born all knowing, they learn just like Shelly with time and experience. Over hundreds of years such knowledge soon becomes a deadly weapon, for each kitsune develops their own philosophy of life. Beyond good and evil they remained in the way of Amora, deciding what was right and wrong over these morals. All these things where known to Shelly, even if Lorelei was a bit different from your typical kitsune. She projected a sense of maturity and patience that was unlike her kind. It was probably why she lived alone, though if it was because she was an outcast or by her own choosing Shelly did not yet know.

Taking her staff in hand Shelly stood ready in front of the mirror, putting on her game face as she put her thoughts through the paces needed to summon the energy from within her. A long time ago the great Merlin put forth three types of wizards in the word, those who could use their powers through words. Then being able to cast such spells with a gesture of their hands was the second level, surpassed only by the third which is a wizard who needed no words or motions to guide his power but only his mind to convey in pure thought what he desired to do. Shelly was slowly crossing over into pure thought, relying mostly on hand motions she would also use certain words to strengthen such spells. Once she had mastered using her power with just the quickness and ease of her thoughts Lorelei knew she would be ready for the forth level which was not known by mortals. This stage, went beyond even thought. Where magic is no longer called on or summoned, it does not even need to be controlled. Acting on ones emotions and envoirment, it surrounds a person like a second aura and apart of their soul as fingers are parts of a hand. Perfect balance with mind and soul.

"I'm ready Lorelei, we had better get started." Shelly turned to the kitsune who smiled back at her near the door; slowly she opened the door and stood in the doorframe.

"I'm glad; your goal is pass three obstacles in order to reach the exit doors. You must have two gold key's in order to unlock the doors, I will be able to alter any challenge or rule as I see fit. If you have any questions, save them until you finish the test. You start now." She giggled which startled Shelly as the floor seem to liquefy under her feet and suck her down like a whirlpool, her scream reached Baltons ears for only a moment out in the hall before it was silenced.

"What happened?" He asked to Lorelei who exited the doorway and locked the room behind her, the snow leopard with concern in his voice.

"She was eager to get started so I sent her on her way." Lorelei giggled, beginning to walk down the hall towards the staircase to bring herself down to the arena.

"What where you doing with those two griffins anyway?" Balton asked while following her.

"Something you should try doing sometime Balton my dear." She laughs a little with a flick of tails, leaving him confused as they made their way down stairs.

"I'll just ignore the obvious smells because I don't want to get into that conversation again." He growled softly. Getting a cheerful smile from the kitsune whom had a slight bounce to her step as she hopped down the steps to the floor below.

Darkness swallowed her as she fell tumbling and sliding as she went. Hands came in contact with nothing as she reached out desperately to stabilize herself and slow her decent, finding the darkness was caused by her tightly closed eyes. Opening them once more she screamed loudly in shock as she rushed down in an inky blackness, streaks of light and colors shot up at her from the darkness to move over her body head first as some unknown force guided her down an invisible roller coaster path below the palace.

Air rushed through her hair as she moved at an unknown speed, feeling gravity pull at her body as she banked and turned along her course the inky blackness in front of her finally exploded into light as she shot out of the tunnel. Blind she tumbled head over heals into a deep pool of water, cold as ice her eye's again shot open when her body sank to the stony bottom. Confused thoughts suddenly came into focus as the need for air was thrust onto her. Swimming hard to the surface she emerged with a sputtering gasp, shivering as she swam to the shore and climbed out of the water to lay on her back on the lush grasslands that sprawled out before her. Staring silently up at the glowing misty sky that gave off the formula light of the arena, it was time for the test to begin and Shelly was already wishing she were still curled up in the hay loft.

"I'll get you for that Lorelei." She sighed, pulling her soaked arms up as the water dripped off her bangs and over her face...

(End, next chapter. Round 1, Kiwi's Race)

So what do you think? Obviously, I would have to rewrite kiwi's race. But feedback or general love would be great. The drill is the same, email me at [email protected] to tell me what ya think. I'd be glad to hear it. Hey if nothing else this lazy writer could be convinced to write a short yiff piece of shelly and balton for you bestiality fans.