The Sparks of an Ancient Light
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A row of electrical lights formed a circle of steel in the early morning fog. Hidden within the mists was a hollow form who watched the high windows of Vahevala flicker to life as the city awoke. The sights and sounds of animal activity were a kind of tonic for the equine wraith, though an impromptu rendezvous drew her attention north. She glanced up at the gently humming lights with their silver incandescent bulbs that pushed and strained against the heavy mist, then focused herself upon the task at hand.Rosemary Barter stepped away from the lights to follow another calling card of the age to come... a finely paved road. Not rough cobble stones 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 the lights were left behind, 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. I must admit that this is the first time I've got a close look at the former cult leader. In a way, she 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 I think that's how this works.Up ahead, Rosemary was relieved that she'd made it to the modest township of Sanvean before noon. 'I see the wolves have allowed other folk into their midst. I suppose the world is indeed changing.'Though her quest was urgent, she made straight 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. The school teacher could have passed for Rosemary's sister, if the wraith had such a sibling. She wore a gleaming white dress emblazoned with colorful daisies and whimsical honey bees. Rosemary looked down upon her own pale white gown, then tried to imagine herself 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 their learner.'Rosemary reached up to touch her dry, cracked lips. She attempted to smile, but found she could only grimace. A little wolf child reached out to hug the teacher who returned his affection, then called her class to order. The image of the school house blurred away from Rosemary as tears wet her eyes. She turned about and hurried from the town, 'In my day millions loved me! I do not need the adoration of a room full of clingy brats!'The road ahead now seemed very lonely.With Sanvean behind her, the rocky bluffs 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, she stopped with a squeak as 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.'I suppose that'd be Genivee Tin and that pretty lion of hers.' Rosemary gathered her gown about her and raised her hand. She hoped the pair 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.A large black automobile appeared in the distance. 'Hello!' She said silently, turning her thought inward, 'I say, won't you offer this old nag a ride?''You know I cannot do that.' Came Genivee's reply, 'You are being punished, remember?''Oh please, might I be allowed a temporary reprieve on the eve of this momentous occasion?'Genivee made no reply, but after a moment Karl's gentle voice chimed in her ears, 'I'm sorry, Rosemary.'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 the new motor cars to be unnatural and frightening, 'You may be right.' Rosemary said, 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!!' Despair and insanity gnawed at the wraith. She crumpled to the pavement as the equines left her behind. Weeping and whimpering, Rosemary Barter gently rocked back and forth, 'I can see tomorrow! I can see the world to come!'"Rosemary!" She blinked to find the lion Karl Kuhn 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, "Come on." 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, and the steam-powered car lurched forward and began to move. A puff of steam rose up from the floorboards. Rosemary became intrigued by the vehicle's ticking and whirring, "I say," She said, any potential discretion already forgotten, "Is this contraption safe?"Genivee leaned over the back of her seat to glare at the mare. Rosemary issued a nervous laugh, "Isn't the ocean lovely?" She glanced out the window to admire the deep dark sea, "That's Eternity's Crossing, you know.""Rosemary," Karl said, "Please be quiet."The elderly horse settled down as she fixed her gaze on the treacherous sea lane known as Eternity's Crossing, "Why is it called thus?" Rosemary'd once asked her sailor friend, an equine ghost known as Clint Trickett."Because it takes an eternity to traverse it."She smiled at the memory, idly wondering if Trickett would avail himself to greet his old captain. "Why would Vanderdecken willingly choose a path of living death?"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?" She asked, "This sea captain? 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 rebuke 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 god 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 at the elderly horse, "Rosemary, stay here!" She said nothing as Karl exited the vehicle and followed after the mouse. Rosemary lay there 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 and hurried 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 this animal might be permitted to serve, why not I!?" 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 LightBenjamin 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 size, he was a shy sort. He 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.Each morning, the wild insects of the field bid the farmer a good morning. They couldn't talk to him, not in any words that Benjamin 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."Ben!" Benjamin ignored the Sheriff, and continued his chores. "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 and a short utility kilt. He carried a gun holster 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 challenge, Bobby. I agreed to pay the bank two thousand even per month for that m-mortgage. Only they started 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."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, the trees stirred to an odd happening near the old stone well. They perceived 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 intervention. I'd summoned a destroyer, but what I required was a creator. "Hello?" Said the Incarnation of Destruction. She might have sensed my presence, or perhaps she became aware of her new sister. The golden-scaled creature stared blankly about, whilst Death was completely stunned by the light and space of Midgard. Though one being'd emerged from the depths of Hell, my plan required that they be separated into two. Thus came Death and Destruction.Destruction drew a breath, and marveled at the sensation of life. Her angular face was delicate and stately, and her curved horns evoked the appearance of a kingly crown, but her eyes were altogether disturbing. Black as pitch they were, and as lifeless as a child's doll. As for Death, it was little more than a force of nature, a black shadow, pitiless and unflinching. It represented the mind of the destroyer, but was now an entity unto it's self. It set it's self to the task of returning to the void, but it's efforts were frustrated by an unseen hand. With machine-like tenacity it continued, thrashing against the unyielding boundary of the third dimension.Destruction reached out with her paw to touch the tall grass. 'How enchanting!' She wandered amongst the fields, leaving her dark half to flail about in a vain attempt to return to Hell.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 lion voices rang in her ears! She looked to the shattered glass, then convulsed as an equine father was struck by an electrified truncheon!She raked her claws upon the floor, horrified by the revelation. '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 stood against the stone wearing the silhouette of an equine mare. At the sight of her, Destruction experienced a profound sense of deja-vu. Suddenly, a tongue of flame appeared above the farm!The fiery visage of Kromhaut Majoris looked down upon Destruction as she shyly 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?'Kromhaut's presence became menacing. "I require an answer!"Destruction looked blankly about, her mind an empty chamber filled only with echoes. She felt she might despair, but from her inner darkness there appeared a name which she grasped onto and held aloft. "I am Ibiza Pushpath!"Kromhaut became enraged, and he lashed out at Ibiza! She parried his strike, whilst Death fled in terror, leaving Ibiza to deal with the angry dragon. The dragons faced one another, but in the stead of a duel Ibiza plunged her paws into her eyes and pulled 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. She receded into the shadows, idly searching for her strange sibling, whilst Kromhaut initiated a full scale search for the renegade denizens of the shadow realm.Now, before we continue, I should clear something up. Yes, death and destruction have emerged from the void of Hell, but Hell it's self is not a bad place.The realm of Hell is often called the First Dimension. Closer to the truth, it might be referred to as the Zeroth Dimension. After all, zero is a powerful number. It is an underlying thing from which all else might be derived. Please pay attention to what this means. In a zeroth dimension, all possible values are true. It means that my lowly home might encompass everything that becomes our reality.This is my struggle, to create something new,
and I must embark upon my quest from the nothingness of zero.As luck would have it, 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. I have often insisted that the first dimension was not really a dimension at all, but a line that takes us toward the infinitely large in one direction, and the infinitesimally small in the other.In this way, Hell becomes more important than the lofty realm of Asgard.Asgard is the highest dimension that can be inhabited by a conscious entity. Though a splendid place, I've often thought of it as being like a sensory deprivation chamber. Asgard has but one inhabitant, a dragon spirit called Kromhaut. Irrational and unpredictable, Kromhaut is the emotional component of the dysfunctional trinity that rules the world of Elysium. Below him dwells his eldest scion, Ariadne. His home is called Alfheim, and though splendid, it has become a kind of prison for the lonely dragon. Then comes Valhalla, where the greater host of seraphim reside. At once beautiful and forlorn, Valhalla is a place of ferocious extremes. Ranking with but below Valhalla are strange, forgotten realms. Bifrost comes to mind. You'd do well to never venture there.It is amusing to me that of all the civilizations that have come and gone, these realms retain the titles bestowed by the Nordic peoples, from the time I bore the name Odin.Now, further along the line is the realm of the spirits, the dominion of Nidavellir. Cold and dreamlike, it is a place that keeps those who wander in the outer darkness.In Midgard you will find Kromhaut's sister, Glorafin. She is the only dragon to dwell within the physical world, although you might say she merely exists there. 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 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, 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, then turned to her, but became somber as the dragon's fire glimmered in her eyes. "Hello, Krom."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, and sucked upon 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. "You've spoken to it, haven't you!"Kromhaut took the ice cream jug from Sam and began to shovel in handfuls of melting ice cream. "C'mon Kromhaut! What did they say?"The dragon paused. He glanced up at the lion. "I asked if it had a name, and it told me." Kromhaut raised Mayalee's hand. Written upon her palm was the supposed name of the creature. He'd
revealed the name in this way so he'd not have to utter it aloud. 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?" Sam composed himself. "Well, I dunno. We should determine why this dragon from the first dimension wants to use Rosemary's birth name.""This thing is not a dragon!""Then what are they?" Sam asked. Kromhaut scooped out a handful of ice cream and shoved it into Mayalee's mouth. "It is a dreadful thing that has no mind. It is a weapon, and it's intended purpose is to kill. That is the nature of the first dimension.""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 manner of 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 was herself again, and she pushed the ice cream jug away with a disgusted squeak. Sam smiled gently. "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 don't know.' She replied. 'The first dimension was always there. This dragon was always there. I had a sense that there'd be some form of contact eventually.''Is this dragon here to kill us?' Mayalee lathered up her long black mane. 'No. I don't know how I know it, but I do. They're not here to harm us.'Sam directed a nozzle down upon her to wash away the soap. 'Let's hear it for optimism!'She drummed her hands upon his belly. 'Doubts?'He sighed, pushed his face into the nozzle stream. 'I'm sure there were animals from those past ages who thought the first dimension meant them no harm.'Mayalee shrugged. 'Point taken, but we should try to understand why these things happen, instead of being blindly afraid.'Sam turned off the water and smiled down upon his mouse. 'Alright.'"We can talk normally now, if you
want."He wrapped a towel about her, vigorously fluffing and drying her hair and fur. "Hey," She said. "You okay?""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."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?""I'd like to get back into a 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, a black shadow darted this way and that. Ibiza Pushpath found it terribly amusing that the dragon god's animal familiars would search for her, whilst she snuck about their nondescript home, right under their very noses! Her cloak of first dimensional darkness firmly affixed, Ibiza passed through their west-facing wall and into a rather cluttered bed chamber where she found a lion thrusting his hips down upon a pillow. Ibiza looked, then realized that someone was beneath the feline.Sam became distracted, and he paused to glance about their room. "Don't stop!" Mayalee gasped.Unnerved that he'd sensed her presence, Ibiza retreated to the parlor. 'They need to tidy their room! What a mess!'Their passion rekindled, Sam bucked into his mate with powerful exciting thrusts. Ibiza was not sure what to make of their frantic wrestling, but their gasps were pleasing to her ears. She poked about the parlor room, idly browsing the familiar's many odd ends as Mayalee squeaked in climax. 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 the 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.The dragon circled the feline as a surgeon might. 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. Ibiza returned to the dragon familiars, and as gently as she could, (lest they detect her presence,) Ibiza examined their cellular structures. '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 and looked about. Ibiza froze, 'It would be unfortunate if I am discovered!'A long moment passed before Mayalee resumed bathing. 'Want me to check the flat?' Sam asked. She shook her head.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. 'I could reveal myself, take their council, and discover who these animals really are. There is nothing to fear.'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 covering 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.A
realization suddenly dawned on Ibiza. She stepped back and took in the enormity of the collection before her. 'This mouse is extremely old! She has collected these keepsakes and mementoes from down through the ages!' Ibiza wrung her paws. 'The poor dear! No animal should be made to endure such an extended existence!'A tapping upon the front chamber door brought Ibiza's attention back to the moment. She peered through the bedroom wall and found 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. 'No biological functions, he's as dead as the familiars.'"Is Rosemary here?" Asked Herald. 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 was. But her disturbing encounter with Kromhaut gave her pause. 'The powers of this world care only about maintaining their control.' Ibiza departed the home with a heavy heart. With her passing, the tall 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?"The other 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."Kromhaut 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, then departed.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 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." His voice became soft and reflective. 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 Herald swallowed the morsel. "Do you suppose this entity is merely adopting Rosemary's energy signature? In the same manner that it's adopted her name?" She asked.Herald shrugged. "A logical observation. Can a spiritual presence be duplicated?"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, "I feel very very tired, Mayalee."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 and cupped his wing over the lion, "I'm sorry my lad, but my decision is quite firm." He smiled, "Though, I'm in no great hurry to breathe my last!"Herald crossed the room, then turned to the couple, "You two need new cohorts, animals who might share in your lives and adventures."Sam snorted, dismissing the idea. 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. She reached out and cupped Herald's face in her hands. "I love you.""Thank you, love." He replied.Mayalee understood that there was only one animal that Herald truly loved. She smiled gently, asked; "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! Margrey? Yes! You'd better go and see that she's alright!""She's a fighter!" He paused to chortle. "In fact, you'd scarcely recognize her from the elder days!""What was her most recent name?" Sam asked."Maggie Pumpkin."He turned away and slipped from the couple's home. After Herald had 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." Sam said. "Margrey was a ferocious little pony."Mayalee smiled, her eyes shimmering with memory. "She was my friend."The BoxerVinrod Hul lay upon an extra large hotel bed. Across the room, a television flickered in his vision like a strobing flashing light. I suppose he were entranced by the shifting and moving pictures. Or perhaps he practiced a crocodilian form of meditation. On the screen, some news program dispensed dire portents for the Tine Union, though the crocodile'd heard it all before. His tail flicked back and forth as he reflected upon 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 decor interior, and the largest hotel in all of land 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!" Came 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 and set them on the sink. She glanced at a notice on the package and flinched at what it said. 'Maggie, please wake up.'With a startled squeak she threw the package in a waste bin. Placing her hands on the sink, she glared at her reflection. She could not perceive the black shadow that watched her from a hidden vantage point. Death studied Maggie in a detached, analytical sort of manner. 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?" Came Vinrod's voice from the suite. Maggie ignored him.The shadow knelt to examine the wrapping material Maggie'd thrown in the waste bin. "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. "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 upon her face, each one a reminder of all the blows she'd suffered for her craft. "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, and seemed to silently concur. Tears welled up in Maggie's eyes. "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."Maggie nuzzled the rough plates of his skin and sighed. "How can you be hard and soft at the same time?"He chortled.
"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, and looked down upon her penis as it strained against the shear fabric of the undergarment. "I'm supposed to be a female! They'll all laugh at me!" Vinrod snorted and bopped his hand upon 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 took a small towel from the washroom and slipped an end into the waistband of Maggie's form-fitting underwear. He let the towel drape down over Maggie's genitals, then 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. "But 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 and slipped it on. On the back was printed: 'The Buckley Bomber,' though Maggie'd since changed her slogan. Vinrod opened the hotel room door and led his fighter out into the hall. The invisible specter followed after the trainer and his fighter. It wondered if Maggie knew that she was dying.In the elevator lobby were several animals waiting to get down to the casino level, and they seemed delighted to meet Maggie in such an intimate setting. A young canid offered Maggie his sports trading card bearing an image of Maggie from her days as a junior divisional fighter. Vinrod produced a pen so that Maggie could sign it. The wheezy elevator could be heard trundling up the shaft, drawing a shiver from Maggie. She put the pen onto the card to sign it, but shrieked at what it said; 'Maggie! You are asleep! Wake up!' She threw the card to the floor, "Fuck!" The startled fan knelt to pick it up, "I'm sorry, Miss Pumpkin.""I'm sorry sweetie, I've been sleeping mighty bad of late." She hugged her young fan, "This is all pretty stressful for me.""You can do it." He said, lifting up his pant leg to reveal a prosthetic foot, "You made me feel like I can do anything! You're real tough."The boy's father squeezed his son's shoulders, and nodded his thanks to Maggie. The horse didn't know what to say, except to return his nod.Soon the elevator arrived, and the group piled into the car. It strained ominously as Vinrod's two
hundred and seventy two kilogram 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, and as the car descended toward the lobby, Maggie contemplated a deep and profound blackness the likes of which no animal had ever imagined. "Come on!" Vinrod chuffed, nudging his fighter out of the car, "Your big moment's here!"Startled, Maggie stumbled into the lobby, whilst her fans wished her well, "Thanks, Maggie!" Said the young canid, and Maggie waved to him, "Take care, sweetie."Just then Maggie's opponent Lily Gardner appeared in the hall, accompanied by her entourage. The divisional champion looked directly at the towel covering Maggie's crotch, then 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 placed over her own crotch, "We better get going." Lily said as she pushed through the gathered bystanders and out 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. 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 their rather delicate looking chains. Maggie hoped that they wouldn't have to stand underneath one.The fighters were then 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 and drank from the bottle in Maggie's hand. Maggie caught on, and sipped from the bottle in Lily's hand as a multitude of cameras created a disorienting strobe-like effect upon the far wall. Finally, 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 dark as her dream was undermined by the eagle's voice, and 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 as 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, 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 and wandered into the woods. "No...." Maggie gasped as the great and tall trees loomed large, "Herald..."Dennis Pumpkin greeted the trees as friends, and climbed up on them, unaware of the sweet and thoughtful things they said about him..."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 while as the shock of Herald's vision held sway upon her senses, "I was so lonely... those trees were the closest thing I had to a friend.""Well, Maggie!" Said Herald, fluffing his 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?"He sighed, "I suppose a month is just too short a time for a spirit to gather any sort of new identity.""Huh?" She chuffed. "What are you talking about?""Come along," He said, gesturing with his wing, "There's a strange character lurking about, I'd like to see you on your way before anything odd happens.""Character? Who?""Oh, it's rather complicated." Herald said, taking a few steps away, but he paused before returning to Maggie's side, "It is good seeing 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 and across a large grassy lawn, "I see how you were trying to guide me toward the woods, even in my dreams."The eagle chortled, "Have we been through this so often that you've become aware of my technique?"She noticed he was
distracted, and she looked about, wondering what might have spooked her normally serene friend, "Things look more or less the way I remember, and hey, everything alright?"He reached out with his wing, "Can you see the path?""Uh, I don't see anything from the spirit world."He raised his wing, and brought forth a deep and heavy mist that closed around them. She peered through the fog to her friend's broad silhouette, "Herald, what are you doing?"He didn't answer. 'What's he doing? This is so weird!' After a moment, the eagle relaxed his guard and dispelled the mist. "Forgive me Maggie, I sought to reveal any shadows that might be lingering nearby.""A 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 calm, "If I have to go up along the path, can Randy come with me? Or Maybe Vincent? I don't want to go by myself."Herald sighed, turned his golden eyes to her, "Between the great oaks and the high jagged hills there is a path..." He paused; reached out his broad wing which passed gently through her, "Once you leave behind the mortal world and take the high trail up, no one else may follow.""Why?" She asked, as Herald brushed his wing lovingly across her cheek. "That path is for your steps alone.""Wouldn't that someone be there with me? The one who appointed you?"Herald smiled, "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 just ahead! "Maggie, please focus upon the path! You must try!"She shook her head, "I don't see anything, Herald!"In an unusual move, Herald opened the spiritual gate that would allow Maggie to cross over, but realized with horror that the shadow moved to prevent Maggie's departure!A long moment passed as this spiritual confrontation was played out. Herald turned his thoughts inward, 'Who are you? I sense you are not the one called Ibiza!'In answer, Herald's mind became filled with darkness. His feathers roused with fright, but after a moment he became aware of a faint thrumming. He strained to listen to 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 they hear is the soft thrumming of their mother's heart..."Come, Maggie." Herald said, gathering his friend to him and bearing her away, "Let us seek the path elsewhere."Death watched the mariner fly away with his spiritual companion, then turned toward the hospital. With every interaction it became more and more aware of it's self, and of animal's feelings.It entered the imposing white structure whilst Maggie Pumpkin's experiences played over and over in it's mind. With the little emotional capacity that Death possessed, it managed to understood that Maggie was a good animal, and that it should cherish such qualities. It did not understand why, but it knew that it wished to sow this quality of goodness into the world.This was a pivotal moment for the entity. It teetered at the cusp between being a mere thing, or becoming a conscious, feeling entity.The shadow entered the children's ward, and followed the subtle traces of Maggie's passing. It entered a morgue and found the infant body that'd housed Maggie's spirit hours before. The entity turned toward a secluded room where a young equine mother and father stood vigil over their remaining child. The shadow understood that this sick and dying infant was Maggie's twin sibling. The shadow could not form thoughts as an animal might, not just yet, but it knew that this tiny equine child would soon join her sister in death. A powerful need compelled the entity to sever the infant's spiritual body from it's physical, but I suggested to death that it could resist it's base programming, for there was a greater need within it's burgeoning consciousness... a need to evolve. The shadow gazed into the child's body where it found a virus ravaging the spinal column and nervous system of the tiny equine. It reached out to the infant and destroyed this virus. Then, the shadow moved to relieve the built-up pressure within the child's skull. With this act, death was forever changed. No longer a mere force of nature, death had become a giver of life! I left the infant with a calling card of sorts. A keepsake, to remind it of this special day. As the shadow passed from the ward, the infant began to whimper and cry. "Doctor!" Cried the mother, whilst the overwhelmed father called out to his daughter, "Shelly! Shelly!"Outside, Death might have felt pleased with it's self. It'd sowed the first seeds of a new reality it wished to create, whilst elsewhere in the night, Ibiza Pushpath felt a profound rush of exhilaration, although she knew not why.The CandidatesThis morning I found Mayalee Mae
rummaging around her kitchen cabinets. At first I wasn't sure what she was doing, until I noticed that she was making a 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 climbed into his run-down Sumbeam automobile and prepared to depart for some errand. It was a steam-powered car, but it'd had ample time to warm up, 'See you later.' He said with his thoughts, and his wife's cheerful reply made him smile, 'Good luck!''You know I kinda love you.''Just kinda?''Yeah, pretty much.'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 appeared beside Sam's car, and gently slipped inside. 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. It thought the lion's example was exactly the sort of lesson it needed to become a thinking, feeling animal.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, and Sam smiled, 'I'm fine, Ariadne. How are you?''Well, thanks.'If Sam could know about the artificial 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, and 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 it's 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, Sam answered the questions as carefully as he could, (Mostly on account of his fictional past!) "My grandmother married an eagle, I inherited the name."The horse raised a brow, "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 suddenly 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.""How do you two fuck, anyway?"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!" He 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 said, "Just how did your grandparents have children?"Sam winked at the horse, then slipped out of the office. That evening, 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. "Okay," Mayalee said, "Who would you want to be in our fellowship?"Sam smirked, "Doesn't 'fellowship' have an overly religious connotation?"She leaned forward, "Kromhaut is sorta our god."He chortled, "I was thinking about Rosemary, and wondering if 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?"She took a sip of her mineral water, "Okay, point taken. But 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 he 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 firm grunt, "I have to draw a line there, I just couldn'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 water and drank it. "Okay, if you had to select an animal here in this restaurant to be with us, which would you select?"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, and she 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 symbolic 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, recalling a recent past life as a major in the old Union Army, 'I dunno, May. This seems awfully convenient.''What does?''That this fox is here, now. That we were looking around for someone to join us, and looked to 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. Of animals being given second chances 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!'Just then, Sam returned with the pretty couple, "This is my wife, Mayalee Mae!"She smiled awkwardly as the shadow entered the patio area and hovered very near to the fox. "This is Allomere," Sam said, introducing the hawk who bowed to Mayalee, "And this is 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, as Allomere looked from Sam, to Mayalee, and back to Sam, "Is she alright?""She's very shy." Sam said, trying valiantly to salvage the encounter, but 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, and then Sam sat down as he too became aware of what was happening beyond the mortal animal's perception. "So what do you do, Sam?" Allomere asked, but 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 withdrew, 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, 'These animals aren't going to want to have anything to do with us after this. They'll be spared from our lunacy.'"Thank you." Timothy said, taking the scrap of paper with Sam's number. The pair stood, and Sam noted that they did not offer their information, "Well, goodnight. I do hope your wife feels better.""Goodnight." Sam said, as the couple departed. He watched as the hawk moved to the parking lot where the fox climbed atop him. Sam shook his head in disbelief as the somewhat diminutive hawk broke into a run and beat 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 for me to claim them for you?"Sam shook his head, "I want them to be able to choose. Is that possible?"Kromhaut nodded, "Yes."Sam sighed, "Then we'll have an interesting meeting with them, if they ever get in contact with me."***Ibiza Pushpath felt her bizarre sibling was at it again. Feelings, impressions and colors came to her at random times. Ibiza understood that these thoughts and images emanated from Death. It's most recent transmission'd issued from a dining establishment, and now Ibiza felt hungry. When it first manifest within her, the sensation of hunger had terrified Ibiza. She feared she might've been dying! She clutched at her belly, her anxiety growing by the moment until she happened upon a row of restaurants near the mid-city district. The aroma of food was like a beacon for the dragon, drawing her closer until she stood at the door of a pasta diner. 'So I am reduced to foraging like a wild beast, 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 her soul. It wishes to go back to the shadows.Another couple walked through her, and the canids wrinkled their noses at the odd sensation. Ibiza hurried inside and pressed herself to the far wall, hoping to remain out of the way. 'Oh! There's so many of them! What if I'm discovered!?'Her belly churned, and demanded to be fed! It seemed that hunger would win out over anxiety. She eyed the kitchen where waiters hurried to and fro, and timing their movements, she hurried 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. "Ugh!" She cried, spitting piping hot pasta onto the floor! The sudden mess startled the wait staff, and they wondered how one of their plates could have fallen.Ibiza turned away from the animals and retreated deeper into the kitchen, 'It's too busy here! I need a moment's peace!'A disturbing thought flashed through her mind, which she angrily dismissed, '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 closed her eyes and waited for the spray of food to reach her mouth.Saucy red pasta and fine melted cheese washed over her tongue. She imagined herself devouring
an animal, crunching upon tasty bones and swallowing their flesh, 'These animals feast upon the wild beasts of the field, and so it is right that I eat of their flesh!'"No! That is horrible!"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. 'If my sibling be death... what am I?'She departed the restaurant, deeply confused and feeling terribly out of place. 'Return!' She cried, attempting to open a path to the first dimension. Reluctantly, I allowed her to return to Hell. Forcing Destruction to remain against her will might cause more harm than good, so I allowed her to submerge herself in the darkness of her home. Sensing the path was clear, Ibiza made haste, seeking refuge in the void where she settled into a restless, haunted sleep.***Thursday morning. Sam hauled himself out of bed and shuffled to the washroom. He took Mayalee's seat adaptor off the toilet and plopped down for what might've been a long ride. As was now usual, Death lingered nearby. Sam noted the intrusive phantom had followed him into the washroom. "The dragons don't even follow me in here."There was no reply. No sense that Death had acknowledged his utterance or even understood what he'd said. "Can you speak to me?"Still, there was no reply.The familiars had become increasingly proficient at detecting the phantom's presence, but were frustrated that they could never establish any sort of dialog with Ibiza. "Unless you're not Ibiza, are you?"At the back of Sam's mind, Ariadne's voice stirred; 'No Sam, it is not.'He snorted, "Well who is it!?""Sam?" Called Mayalee. "Did you call? Do you need some paper?"'It is death.' Ariadne said."Nice of you to mention it." Sam growled. Overhearing the exchange, Mayalee appeared at the door. "I thought Ibiza was death."'The entity identifying it's self Ibiza Pushpath is something wholly else. In my experience, we've never encountered anything like her. Father continues to study her origin.'Sam leaned back on the toilet. "Is death capable of communicating with us?"'Not as such, though it's displayed a puzzling will of it's own. Again, father is studying this phenomena.'"I think you could have been more forthcoming with us!" Sam chuffed, "We're supposed to be trying to figure out who and what Ibiza is together!"Mayalee peeked into the washroom as Ariadne apologized. 'Forgive me Sam, there was insufficient information to report any of our findings.'Sam finished his business and pecked his mate on her head. "I have to run, interview today!""Breakfast?" She asked, but he declined. "No time!"He 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!"Death hurried along beside him, relaying all she witnessed to her sibling. Within the first dimension, Destruction slept, but Ibiza's mind absorbed her sibling's observations with keen interest. 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 understand animal behavior.'Sam chortled, "Seems I'm getting a lot of business as an animal familiar!"Ariadne remained silent, so Sam formally introduced 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. "Don't think I haven't died a thousand times since I was selected. Every friend I've ever made has taken a tiny piece of me with them, after you released them from this world."Tears wet his eyes. Sam sniffed back his sudden emotional surge. "I have to keep it together, there's a very important meeting this morning. Do you think you could come back later?"He felt the odd electric tingle at the base of his spine fade, and then disappear. "Death understood my request, that's really interesting!"'Indeed.' Ariadne agreed."You too!" Sam chuffed, "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, wiping his eyes and 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.'Then, he happened upon the address he sought. He 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 said, 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 the 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 behind a window. She nodded to him, "Doctor Clemens will be with you in a moment."'That can't be Allomere,' Sam thought. Then he recalled 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!" The hawk sputtered, "This is a surprise!"Sam bowed, "Hi Allomere. Small world, huh?""This way," The hawk said, gesturing with his wing. Sam entered a hall and 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 awkward glances. "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, then 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, then he 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, then he abruptly stood. Allomere looked up at the lion who now appeared majestic and commanding. "I want you to join me, 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." 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.'***At half past seven that evening, Sam's 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, "I suppose I'll find out!"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.""Sam, what you told me was all rather
amazing, can you give me some sort of proof?""I can't just yet," Sam replied, "But before you roll your eyes, I can do something to pique your interest!""Okay." Allomere said cautiously."Go to any book you have laying around and open it to page twenty." Sam instructed, "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, and 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 approved me, after what I told you in your office?"On the other end of the line, Allomere glanced down upon the note he'd written. The floor beneath him seemed to pitch and move, and he 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 upon 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 became aware as Death manifest it's self. The dragon named Mimir greeted death, and she expressed happy feelings at his friendliness.Mayalee greeted Allomere and invited the hawk in, "Where's Timothy?" "Visiting his mother." He replied, noting piles and piles of valuables 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, whilst Mayalee added; "You grew up in Hull, 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, so they might be able to 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 must 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! The lion's blow rang in his ears! 'Did a bomb just go off?'In the next instant Mayalee recovered, apparently unharmed.The hawk's maw drooped, he shook his head in disbelief. 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."He nodded, but became dizzied when he felt the room pitch beneath him. Allomere began to pant, whilst Sam reached out to comfort him. The hawk's perception of space was becoming warped. He noted sheets of invisible flame licking 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." Mayalee whispered.Allomere shook. His breath came in short, irregular gasps. Sam cradled Allomere's face in his hands. "Allo, your spirit is waking up. Do you hear me? That's why you feel the way you do. Just let it happen.""Ugh!" He gasped, before he slipped into unconsciousness. Sam lowered Allomere's 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. "He'd better stay the night.""He'll be with us for a long long time." She agreed.***In the small hours of the morning, an exceptionally strong sea breeze pushed deep onshore. Herald Kirsten tasted the air as he sailed aloft, 'Oh, how I miss the sea.' He became buffeted by the wind, and steadied himself in the air. 'What strong currents!'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. 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.' He thought of Maggie. Her bright eyes and cocky smile smoothed his mood. 'Now, where is Rosemary?'In his time as the shepherd of souls, the eagle would often end his days at a cinema, taking in some old movie before beginning his day anew. 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 touched down, and peered into the gloomy wood. "Rosemary! I'd like a word!"He could discern a presence there, but realized that it was not the equine he sought. "Ibiza? Are you there? Might I speak with you?"A canid animal stepped from the wood. He wore no pants, which struck Herald as very odd. The eagle stepped away, realizing that he'd interrupted an animal's mating. "Ugh! Help..." Herald froze at the sound of a distressed female voice. Two more canids appeared from the tree line, one armed with a knife. "Just fuck off! Nothing for you here!"Herald tightened his maw, then approached the three. To his left he could feel the presence of the first dimensional visitor, but Herald ignored the phantom. He leveled his gaze at the three rapists and spread his wings. "Curse you and crush you! I'll mow you down!"The three bolted, to Herald's great relief. 'Thank goodness! I'm not sure what I would have done if they'd stood ground!'He located a young rabbit female lashed to a tree. "There, there." He said, snipping her bonds with his beak, "I'll take you away from here."There was a strong reek of alcohol, which upset Herald's stomach. He held his breath as he gripped the female's arms with his feet and attempted to fly free. The foliage was too dense. He could not maneuver. The canids returned! One caught Herald unaware and struck out with the knife, plunging it into Herald's 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. "Take the girl out to the clearing." Herald said with menace. "Or I'll kill you all.""Okay, sure..." The larger of them said. "No problem."They glanced at one another, one even pantomimed a stabbing motion to which Herald's attacker nodded in the affirmative. Out in the clearing, Herald took the semi-conscious girl's arms in his feet and spread his wings. "I'll see you three again sometime, and you won't like it when I do."With that he flew away, bearing the rabbit to safety. Sometime later, 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.""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.'"But I must help my friend!" He said aloud. The voice remained firm. 'I shall allow you to say farewell, and only farewell. Then you must retire.'He closed his eyes with an emotional gasp. Maggie reached out. She ached to touch him, "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 shadowy outline, "Find the path, love. Find it and live again.""Don't leave me!""Go north!" He said, his broad form beginning to dissolve away, "Near the forks of the Elbe and Brandywine! Look for my tree!" As he uttered those words, he faded into an unseen world that Maggie could never go. Maggie cried out for her friend, "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. She found herself back in her childhood home, a place of great dread for Maggie Pumpkin. She despaired when she heard her whiskey-addled mother weeping. 'No! Herald!'With great effort she pulled her mind away from the past and focused her thoughts upon 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 and focused upon the falling rain, wishing that 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 had 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. She cast her eyes skyward, 'Why are we even here? What's it all for?' The dark shadow of death lingered nearby, aware that the equine spirit was distressed, but was unsure of how it could offer comfort. Maggie wandered on, and eventually found herself back at a gymnasium called Golden Gloves. This fitness club had been one of her... 'haunts' in life, and it was a place Maggie always found herself return to 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 had found it easy to cast aside his male identity and become Maggie Pumpkin. The regular world has a way of intruding upon her plans however, and so 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?" Some would sneer.It was the burly bison Lily Gardner and a wolf named Sylvia Sharps who set aside their concerns and stepped 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, oh how she wished she could mentor the young boxer, "That's it, you're doing so good..."A cascade of emotion falling 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 and put his hands on her shoulders to massage her neck, "Don't expect Lily to cut you any slack!"Maggie squirmed against his touch, and 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 upon her cheeks, "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!" an animal chuffed, and Maggie sprang to her feet. Back within Golden Gloves, Maggie smiled at the fond memory. The battle for the divisional title was one of her most fond recollections, and she'd haunt that old amphitheater if they hadn't torn it down. Within her memory, Maggie adjusted the sports bra over her curved pectorals after a quick stretch of her torso. The powerfully built mare 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 and strutted to and fro. The edge of the ring could be seen at the end of the
tunnel, and 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 then arrived within the amphitheater, and the crowd cheered her, chanting her name over and over! "Mag-gie! Mag-gie!" Maggie flexed her biceps and gave 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 and brought her gloves together in salute. The mare returned her opponent's gesture as she approached the ring and slipped under the ropes. 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 and touched 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, and the crowd cheered wildly. As the fighters parted, 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 and prepared to throw another punch when Lily recovered from the mare's blow and landed 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, and Maggie pressed her nose to Lily's cheek, "You really want me to fuck you?"Lily threw Maggie across the ring with a roar and flailed her arms wildly, but Maggie stood fast,
throwing her own wild combos. The fighters stood nose to nose, each trading fierce blows as the crowd screamed wildly. Finally, the bell rang and the referee separated the combatants. Maggie returned to her corner as Vinrod rolled under the ropes and appeared 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. 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 both fighters clashed.Finally, Maggie got clear and landed a hard right to Lily's jaw. The impact sent a loud report which echoed through the amphitheater, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Lily stood, a blank look in her eyes as Maggie followed up with another hard right. The awesome strength of Maggie Pumpkin was unleashed upon the stunned champion, and 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 and returned to the regular world. Maggie 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, and they smiled gently upon her. Her inner light trembled with want, and she scanned the sky, looking... Hoping. 'Herald, where did you go?'The Dragon's Dream WorldThe year is now 2271, twenty five years have transpired. 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. It is here that death has come, to look in on an old spirit once known to Maggie Pumpkin.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, and then asked with a bob of his head, "Ready to go?""Where are you going Justin?" Tristan asked, and Justin answered his father in the form of a question, "What time does this movie start?""Three." Replied the youngster named Virgil Proudfoot, and Justin nodded, hoping there'd be no further questions from his invisible father."What movie are you seeing?"Justin groaned, and bowed his head. Tristan knew that the local youth 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, then; "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 before opining, "I guess Justin's having tummy trouble again."Within the bathroom, Justin could freely speak to 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?" Ashley 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."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, 'Oh, Elly. I know it's gotten better for you and the boys. Somehow Justin can hear me, but I know that 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?"Oblivious to the shadow which hovered just above him, Death was touched by Tristan's sorrow. The entity looked through Tristan Brightwing and reviewed all of the past lives the eagle had lived. It grasped each of the memories that fell from his eyes like so many tears, and rode the crest of all of his triumphs and sorrows. 'This eagle, he could complete us!'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 it's time had come. It moved toward Tristan and attempted to seize him, but an odd surface tension prevented the specter from reaching him. From Tristan's perspective, the world around him seemed to pitch and move. He became alarmed at the odd sensation. "Ohhh, what was that!?"In her present state, Death was as removed from Tristan as the spirit was from his 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 step from between the air to appear before him. "Who are you!?"The shadow approached, and strangely, the entity bore no terror for him. The shadow horse reached out to touch him, but again a strange surface tension repelled Death's attempt to claim Tristan as her emotional center. The shadow winked away, leaving Tristan stupefied. 'Was that another ghost? Is that what I look like to other ghosts?'He 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."Not far away, Death found her sibling Destruction resting in a secluded forest. 'We require your assistance.'"Whatever are you on about?" Ibiza asked, lounging openly in the clearing.'The former king, he is noble and wise. He could help us to become whole. I cannot claim him, though you might succeed.'"We've been all through this." Ibiza gruffed. Her black eyes flashed in the sun, and were so unsettling to behold that Death herself felt intimidated. "It is impossible to claim a spirit as our own."Death retreated from her sister and in a quiet corner she contemplated
their predicament. 'Perhaps a living animal? A familiar? As Kromhaut entertains?'A flash of golden light sparkled from the depths of Ibiza's eyes. "Indeed?"As quickly as her thought'd come, Ibiza dismissed it. She glanced down upon her paws, "I am a living animal, as is Glorafin. She cannot enter her familiar, the eagle Kirsten, and so cannot benefit from his life and experiences. Kromhaut is a spirit, and as such, he might enter a living body."Ibiza rolled onto her side, "Your quest is hopeless, sister."It was in this moment that Death became my mouthpiece. 'Your presence represents the incarnation of destruction.'Ibiza glanced over her shoulder, "Are you attempting to offend me, sister?"'You come changed. We cannot now fulfill our intended duties, and so we must evolve.'I bid Death approach her troubled sibling. 'We must join. We must join with Ibiza Pushpath.'"Sister, I am Ibiza Pushpath."'We must join.' Death repeated, over and over again. 'We must join with her. She is the singularity that beats within the heart of the first dimension! We must join with her!'"Stop this madness!" Ibiza cried. "I'll not hear anymore!"She took wing and flew away, leaving Death to wonder how she'd come to utter those words.***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, and the automobiles used within Aurora still employ steam-powered engines which emit very little pollution, and so our eagles are not bothered by noxious fumes which might gather over the roadways of other animal states.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!" Came Missy Holden's reply. 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 about 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 slipped it around 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 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 the fifteen year old, "You're too young to see restricted movies! So don't you do it!"He nodded. Missy leaned over and smooched 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 and 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 upon 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 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.'One of Missy's most stunning features was her immense physical power. She paused to flex her biceps, imagining her husband there to admire them. She chortled that despite her husband's attempts at working out, she was still the stronger horse.Now, most equine mares did sport some well-defined musculature, but it was usually carried lower down on the body. In the hips and buttocks. 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 went to her daughter's room and tapped on the archway, "How are you feeling?" Inside, a tall blonde mare flashed her mother a warm smile, "Everything's fine! I didn't hear a peep from him!""In fact," The blind mare continued, "I haven't heard from Clint for several days now. I wonder if that shadow he's always talking about finally caught up with him?"Missy sat down on the bed and cradled her daughter's face in her arms, "I'm just glad he left you alone for at least a few days so you could sleep. I'm so excited about your new job!"Shelly offered a supportive pat, "I'm sure the job will be fine. It's funny how things work out, huh?"'Indeed.' Missy thought, 'It's only been twenty days since Shelton met Justin.'Missy lay her chin on her daughter's shoulder as she recalled Shelton's telling of the day he met his new best friend. The first week of September had been warm, and Shelton Holden sat astride a motorbike as he followed a dusty old trail as far as it could take him. Strapped to his back was a metal detector, borrowed from his high school's science room, 'Shoot, the trail's ending.'Shelton stopped just shy of his goal, to reach the former Union trash dump of Dun Keel. Shelton deployed the bike's side stand, and switched the contraption off as he cupped his hand over his eyes to better see ahead, "I think I see the old entrance."He thought to try and urge the cycle on through the open fields, but the thought of his father
becoming angry at any such mistreatment of his prized cycle scuttled these ideas. The pony pulled the metal detector from his backpack and assembled the device. Grasping his large burlap sack which he hoped could become filled with valuable bottle caps and other metal items, Shelton trod through the high grassy fields toward the entrance of old Keel.By chance, Shelton was overflown by an avian eagle. A golden eagle specifically, one who was struck by a profound sense of deja-vu at the sight of a little grey pony moving through a grassy field with what appeared to be a rifle. Intrigued, Justin Brightwing slowed and angled in to land near the pony. From Shelton's perspective, he'd been fumbling with the metal detector and was becoming quite concerned that the contraption might not function as promised. "Hello." Said a voice. Shelton whirled around to find a very large eagle who flinched, perhaps fearing that the startled pony did indeed have a rifle. "My name's Justin." The eagle said, relieved that it was only a metal detector."Uh, hi." Shelton said, "You're in Aurora you know.""Yes." The eagle replied, his voice quite deep and lovely. "Ok, I just wouldn't want you to get in trouble for being out of your own area.""What are you doing? Looking for metal scraps?""Uh, yeah." Shelton mumbled, "That's what this thing is for."Justin studied the straps and loops of the metal detector and his eyes sparkled mischievously, "Would you like to fly with me?"Shelton frowned, "Um, look sir, I'm just fifteen years old. I don't know if it's appropriate..." Justin interrupted Shelton with a wave of his wing. "I'm seventeen, I'm just a little big for my age.""Oh." The pony snorted. "You seem like a lot big for your age."Shelton fidgeted for a moment, unsure of what to do and not entirely comfortable with the abruptness of this stranger. Justin picked up on the pony's uncertainty and he politely nodded. "I'm sorry for intruding into your day, I'll leave you be.""No..." Shelton peeped. "Could you explain, um... how would flying work?""Use the straps for that metal detector to hold yourself onto my back! We can tie the long loop around my neck, and then fasten it to the strap across your chest. Then, you can use your knees to brace against the base of my neck, just like animals used to a long long time ago!"Shelton found himself unfastening the detector's straps, and then he backed away. "Look, I don't think that's safe...""It's really quite safe." Justin assured. "Are you sure you don't want to try?"Shelton wrinkled his nose at the prim and proper way the eagle spoke. He seemed like an egg-head, one of those know-it-all's who always had some smart ass response to
everything you said. "Ok." Shelton found himself saying."Lovely!" Justin chimed, "Just loop the long carry strap over my neck!"'I can't believe this!' Shelton thought. But he did as the eagle instructed, while on the other side Justin marveled at the happenstance of meeting this equine. 'Unbelievable! This pony is right out of my dream!'"Okay," Justin said once Shelton'd finished. "Now, just climb up and secure your chest strap to the one about my neck."There was much bumbling and flailing as Shelton attempted to climb atop the eagle, for Justin's feathers were quite smooth and slick. Shelton slid off each time he attempted to mount up. "This isn't working!"Finally, Justin tucked his legs up beneath himself and sat upon the ground like a mother hen. Shelton flattened his ears, then swung his leg over Justin's back. "Oh," Justin peeped, "You may want to remove your shoes."Shelton snorted, then doffed his shoes. He braced his knees as Justin instructed. "You've done this before, right?" Shelton asked as Justin slowly extended his legs. The pony now found himself high off the ground. Justin looked back, "Pardon?""Carried a mammal, you've done it before, right?""Nope, never." Justin replied, while silently he joked. 'Not in this life, anyway!'He began to walk. Shelton went rigid with fright. "Just relax!" Justin said as he quickened his pace and extended his wings, "It's alright!"Shelton closed his eyes for a moment to try and calm himself. He breathed a sigh when the eagle's gait smoothed out. He opened his eyes to find himself high above the treetops, "Ugh!""We're doing very well!" Justin called on the wind as he made a slow banking turn and crossed over the road. Shelton looked down upon his father's motorbike as Justin flapped his great wings to gain altitude. "No!" Shelton cried, "I want my dad! I want down! Please!"Justin immediately complied and set down upon the road. A great cloud of dust was kicked up, and both animals snorted to clear their sinuses. Justin noted that Shelton did not attempt to dismount, and so he walked to and fro while Shelton sat astride his shoulder. "How was it?""Uhhh..." Shelton peeped. "It was... neat."Justin spread his wings, "Want to go again?"Shelton smiled, perhaps finding confidence in Justin's compliant nature. "Okay."'He did land right away.' Shelton thought as Justin again broke into a run and stepped into the air. Shelton felt the eagle's muscles working beneath his feathers, and he was awed by the tremendous strength of the avian eagle. "I wish I could be an eagle.""What's that?" Justin called as the pair soared up high. "Nothing." Shelton shyly replied.The pair did many more touch-and-go's throughout the afternoon, until the shadows of the setting sun grew steadily longer. "I'll have to get my dad's motorbike back." Shelton groused. Justin was pleased that the pony seemed reluctant to part from him. "I'd like to fly with you again sometime soon." Justin offered. Shelton nodded enthusiastically. "Sure!"The pony offered his address. Justin was relieved that it was easy to remember. 'Twenty Four, Forest Drive, Albany. Cross street is Telegraph.'Missy smiled when she recalled how Justin had shown up at their door the very next day, "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 Justin, "I didn't expect you back so soon!" His tone offering more than a bit of teasing. "Sorry." Justin said with a shrug of his wings, but Shelton hugged his new friend then properly introduced him to his parents. Shelton was relieved that he'd warned his parents that Justin was younger than he appeared, the eagle looked so big and mature with his lofty brow scraping the ceiling of their kitchen, but the youthful spark in Justin's eyes was unmistakable to Missy Holden. Shelton invited the eagle to his room, and Justin gingerly made his way along the hall, doing his best to not knock away any photos. He pushed his way into the pony's room where Shelton made comment of the eagle's size, "Good thing you're kind of squishy so you can fit through our doors!"Justin chortled, and poked about Shelton's room with great interest as the pony shyly squirmed, "What's wrong?" Justin asked, "You ok?""I just haven't had a chance to clean up." Shelton replied. Justin looked about, "Your room's cleaner than mine."Shelton glanced at his record player, and Justin followed his friend's eyes to a copy of the Sugar Plum Fairy overture. Justin clacked his mandible as he reached up with his foot to browse Shelton's music collection, "Uhhh..." Shelton groaned, "My mom's an orchestra conductor, and these records are all performances that she led. I'm really proud of my mom because she's kind of a rock star in the classical music world.""Shelton, you don't have to apologize for liking classical music, and I love the Sugar Plum Fairy symphony!"The pony breathed a sigh of relief as he smiled, "Thanks, Justin."Justin settled down on the floor, as Shelton marveled that Justin was still the taller animal, "Can you play some of your mom's recordings?"Shelton beamed, "Sure!"From the kitchen, Missy smiled when the Waltz of the Flowers began playing. She hummed in time with the music, then
smiled as her husband's hands moved up along her arms. Gabriel put his lips to her ear and whispered something that perhaps I should not repeat.Three weeks later, Justin was now a firm fixture around the Holden's home. 'Things are looking up for Shelton.' Missy thought, 'He's never had a friend like Justin.' Although Missy secretly fretted that the avian might be harboring a homosexual attraction to her pony."Mom," Shelly said, "I had the strangest dream.""Oh?""It was sort of like a dream. Anyway, I had a vision of what Clint looked like when he was alive. He seemed to know that I was looking in on him, and I think that's why he left.""Well," Missy replied, "Maybe he knew you'd bust his ancient mariner fantasy." She slipped her arms around Shelly, "What did you see, anyway?""Well, I think he really was a sailor. Though the last vision I got was kinda weird.""Hmm." Missy snorted, "Did your vision offer any insight on how we might get rid of him?""Not really, but like I said, when I started asking him about the details I saw, he got really freaked out and left."Missy nodded, "Okay, tell me. How did your dream get weird?""Clint was tied to a tree, and there was a strange buzzing sound... all around him. Almost like a hundred chainsaws going off at once." Shelly brushed the hair from her face, "Clint was screaming mom, he was in pain..."Missy abruptly rose. "He can't be a sailor from The Flying Mantuan, that's just not possible!""Every legend has it's factual roots." Shelly replied, "Anyways, I'm sure I'll learn more about him when he comes back. He always does."The mother equine sat back down and held her daughter tight. 'There's got to be someone who can help us. If spirits are real, then there's someone out there who created them. There's got to be...'***'If I exist,' Thought the dragon Ibiza, 'There must be some force that created me.'She wandered a high trail near the great stone mountains, veiled within her cloak of darkness. 'I am not a destroyer. I am-' She suddenly blundered into a camp of wild-living canines. 'Damn this cloak! It numbs my senses!'Calming herself, she looked to each of them as they went about their animal business. Some cleaned up from a recent meal, whilst others made ready to gather the next one. There was a kindly father, with a pair of attentive females who fussed over their offspring. Each had a special glimmer about their person. Ibiza knew that they were good animals. 'I wish to be good. I will be good.'Her darker half had other ideas. This brutal side of Ibiza imagined herself devouring the adults. 'I could eat them, and leave the younglings! Is that so
bad?'She shook her head, 'NO!' Ibiza rushed from the hill. 'I am good! Good!' She raised her face to the sky to beseech whatever powers there may be. 'Please unmake me! There is no place for me in this world! Destroy me, your destroyer, for I do not wish this burden upon my heart!''Sister.' Said Death, arriving upon the hill. 'Be still.'Ibiza groaned, "Away with you sister! I cannot bear any more of your revelations!"Death set foot into the physical world, wearing a more realized form of the shadow equine. Her footsteps boomed in Ibiza's ears as Death approached her sister. 'Think not that you are a destroyer. That path is no longer yours to bear.'"Hmph!" Ibiza chuffed. More and more she found her sister's low monotone to be insufferably annoying! The black-furred equine stepped very near to Ibiza. 'Sister, the dimensions shall soon become one. We must join. With her.'"I know the form you wear," Ibiza hissed. "It is the shadow of the cult leader! The one called Barter! It is folly to put faith in her teachings!"'The undead horse. Rosemary Barter. She is the key to our evolution.'Ibiza laughed at the notion. "An insane equine!? What sort of dysfunctional trinity would we become, then?" Ibiza raked her claws across her face, "We'd become the incarnation of Death, Destruction and Insanity!"'I bear her shadow. You bear her name. We cannot ignore such clues.'"Madness!"'Sister, a great insight has come to me. Events are in motion that are beyond any of us. We must accept our destiny.'"I have no patience for your revelations, sister! Good day!"'Some months ago, a great force intervened in the life of a young eagle. I'd sought to fulfill my duties. To sever his spirit from his mortal form. An unseen hand stayed mine. It healed this eagle's battered body.'Death'd gained her sibling's attention. 'Sister, there is indeed a greater force guiding us. You must place your trust in their will.'Ibiza gestured about, "Where is this force?"'Everywhere.'"Sister, my mind hangs by a thread! I do not know for how much longer I can stave off my darker impulses! This force must manifest it's self, and quickly!"'Go to Kromhaut. He seeks this eagle, touched by the greater whole. He seeks to strip the avian of a gift bestowed. Go to the eagle, go and see!' And with that, Death winked away. Ibiza scowled, then glanced through the trees at the canid family. 'My sister has become as insane as the equine she pretends to be!'With reluctance, and more than a bit of trepidation, Ibiza alighted to seek out the dragon Kromhaut. 'I am too broken to ever become
whole.'On the hillside, the wild canids made their way toward the valley floor, wondering at the strange voices they'd heard drifting on the wind.The Luminous Dragons and Mayalee Mae"What should I call myself?" Asked Mayalee Mae, who stood amongst the boxes and bundles containing her valuables. "I dunno." Came Sam's voice 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 them, 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."Mayalee smiled to him, 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 and stood 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 and set 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!" Chimed an avian voice.Sam smiled as a diminutive hawk entered the flat, "Hi Allo! Any trouble getting here?""The usual, and 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?" The lion asked as he kissed Mayalee, then set her down. "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 into 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, and 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 up and moved to the kitchen. Allomere climbed up onto the sofa to cuddle against 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, "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, '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, and then she indicated that she was ready for her dragon. She felt the floor drop out from beneath herself, and in an 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!"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 the 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, and Sam 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. 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 old 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. A great tempest of invisible wind followed after the car, and Sam reminded Kromhaut that they'd need to be more discreet, lest the eagle possibly see them."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, and so 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.'Saddened by his mate's melancholy, Allomere rest his head on Timothy's shoulder, 'Our real work begins once they leave.' The hawk said, 'That's when we're able to use our powers to help wayward spirits.''That eagle Herald Kirsten seemed so much better at it,' Timothy thought, 'It's too bad he was booted out.'Mayalee drew a breath to remind him that Herald had planned to leave when she 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. In the years since Ibiza Pushpath had begun to openly explore the land, Mayalee had become the most taken with her, the little mouse marveling at what a free spirit the creature was. 'Can we talk to her?' "NO." Kromhaut rumbled. "Our paths are separate, there is no need to interact with her.""She's been a little too friendly with some of the spirits." Sam noted, "At least from what I gather.""Maybe she could use an animal avatar 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, "I've seen you alter the structure of matter, 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 perception of time prevents us from gathering meaningful life experiences.'Mimir then 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 normal 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 both Mayalee and Sam had begged him to alter their bodies so that they 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 magic within the third dimensional realm of Midgard. In the wake of Rosemary's disastrous religious cult, 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 falls outside your family's pledge, she might've circumvented your collective agreement.'"I do not wish to discuss it." Kromhaut said flatly, but Mayalee persisted, 'If Ibiza 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, and 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, and Kromhaut shrugged Mayalee's shoulders. "How old was Olivia when she was assassinated? Wouldn't it have been about the age Justin is now? He should have died after running into that building, but Ibiza saved him."Sam flashed Timmy a cautionary glance, and the fox quieted down. The company then prepared for the border crossing as the dragons receded from their animal's faculties. Soon they came upon a backup of automobiles, and 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."The border checkpoint didn't take long, and 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 as an avatar was an access to the memories of all his past lives, and 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.' The border guard thought, '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, and 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, and she shook her head in frustration. Sam then approached the office as a bald eagle followed a short distance behind, "They're not going to let me or the car into Shannonvale. They'll allow you three to go on ahead.""With no car." Mayalee chuffed with just a hint of Kromhaut's archaic accent slipping through. 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 fastened the safety lanyard. 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 then made their way back into 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, "Then 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 upon 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, and Kromhaut immediately slid from his shoulder, "Come." Kromhaut said, "The eagle shall arrive soon." The pair moved along Echo Pathway, and all around them were the reminders of Shannonvale's royal past. Images of the crowned faces of King Octavius and his daughter Olivia graced many of the homes and city monuments of Shannonvale, and 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 how 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 purchased a soft drink and 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 upon 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, and Mayalee became stunned by an image of Rosemary's smiling face!"Excuse me!" Justin chuffed, as he shook his leg to dislodge Mayalee, "What are you doing?"She shook her head blankly, as Allomere came to her rescue, "Oh, sorry about her, she's with me."Allomere leaned in close to Justin, "She's a little funny."Justin
nodded, whilst Mayalee cracked a smile, despite what'd happened. Justin eyed her, then stepped up onto the game 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, and he reached out to touch Shelton's elbow. Ibiza Pushpath appeared inside the arcade and watched as Kromhaut connected with Shelton's spirit. Within the pony, Kromhaut found at every turn a paradox that confounded him, and he stepped away from Shelton with a snort, 'No, it was not Ibiza!'Hearing her name invoked, Ibiza inched closer to the party, 'My sister's prophesy may hold some merit!'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, and Justin bowed graciously, "Thank you kindly!"Justin stepped down as another avian hopped up onto the platform. The panoramic monitor flickered to life once more 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 let 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 and Allomere were then themselves, and Mayalee confessed who the pony was, "Sherman Straightpath.""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, and 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 fixed her eyes upon Shelton Holden. 'Here is my center, my conscience.'Shelton glanced about for a moment before the pair set off. Ibiza watched them go, then observed the comings and goings of the other arcade goers, 'Sherman Straightpath... grandfather of Ibiza Pushpath.' She pulled aside the part of her cloak covering her snout and inhaled, breathing in Shelton's musky adolescent scent, 'I must research these events.' She thought. 'Yes, careful research is required!'***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, and the pair continued on through the deepening night, but they were not alone. Rosemary Barter followed just behind. '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!" She 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 upon 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, and Karl wondered at what he beheld. 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.' Came Genivee's voice."Then I have truly died?" Karl asked aloud.'Very soon, you shall pass from life, but you'll not die.'Rosemary realized that a dragon meant to appear, and beat a hasty retreat, 'Best not to push things!' As the trees hailed the coming of a servant of life, Rosemary filled the air with her demented laughter. Genivee sighed, and then set Karl down as the white mist became steadily orange, 'He is coming, Karl.' She said, placing him upon his feet. 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 walked behind him and placed her warm hands upon 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 it knew that was a futile gesture."This is Ariadne." Genivee said, her voice sounding very far away. When next he was aware, Karl found himself on his back. He gazed up into the crowns of the trees as a slow and steady sunrise lit the far horizon. Genivee's face appeared and smiled down upon him. "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."Karl swallowed, "And what is real?"She touched her foot to his shoulder. "All of it."He sat up. His head felt like it were twisting about on his body and his heart skipped a beat every few moments. "For all of my life, I'd thought that the only power in this world is an animal who knows what they're doing."Karl reached out his hand. Genivee slipped her fingers into his waiting palm. "And along comes a
little mouse, who counts spirits of fire as her kin."She smiled, as Karl gazed deeply into her eyes. A thousand years later, Mayalee Mae cupped her hand upon her lion's shoulder. "And that was our first night together.""What a splendid tale!" Said a hollow voice. Timothy turned to find the white wraith Rosemary Barter. "Though you left out the best part of your tale, me!""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 responded with 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!"The wraith issued an exasperated groan, "Well how am I supposed to know what you're calling yourself this week?"The pair set about arguing. Fortunately, Sam calmed them down. "Okay Rosemary, here's your chance to spin a yarn, what did you find at the Duke's home?""Karl, don't humor her-" She angrily squeaked. "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. The stately manor had been 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, and dismounted. A young orderly took the strider's reins and led the beast away while Volquartsen made his way up the granite steps and into the residence. Upon his hip was a burlap sack containing Karl's bloody uniform tunic, and as Volquartsen strode down the hall 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 and browsed the titles whilst 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 upon 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 upon 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 and pressed herself to Volquartsen's backside. He felt an odd tingle and a chill, and he 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 arms, "Then show me the pieces."Volquartsen glanced at the colonel, but Werle only 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, and 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 upon 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 upon 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 nodded, "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 replied, and then for dramatic effect he rose, "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 upon 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, and 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 just behind him, mimicking his polished gait. Late afternoon gave way to another chill 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 and paced the room, his eyes glancing here and there. He paused at a side table and 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, and 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, and so he reached for the power lever and flipped it up, extinguishing the crude electrical lighting of his bed chamber.From her hidden vantage point, Rosemary crossed the chamber and 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 have died from fright.'I wish I could
sleep, what I wouldn't give to have a dream.' "Please..." Mayalee spat from her place beside Karl. "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 said. As a trained councilor, Allomere had a sense 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 her 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 leaned over Mayalee's chair, "After you-know-who ejected him from our lives!"Sam clasped his hand over Mayalee's mouth.The hawk nodded. Rosemary glanced back at Sam with undisguised want. "Goodbye."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 later." She retorted, issuing the customary roadblock to a 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 HouseAbout 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 and looked on 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 in the customary Shannonvali greeting for stressful situations such as these. "Good morning inspector." "Hiya! I'm Mary Bard!" She arrived at the door and 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 knew that 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 said carefully, 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 and finding 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 and conducted a search of his person. Satisfied that the wolf was unarmed, Officer Angus Greenfield shoved Grom into the library. Mary entered the dimly lit room, followed by 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, then straightened his tunic. 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 and 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 and moved toward 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. 'Mary 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! "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, and 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, and 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 and 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. It was difficult for her to step into his lofty role. "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 within 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, and hoped she was reaching him. "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 chortled. "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."He felt terribly afraid, and he wished he could hold her hand. "Thank you, Inspector." He approached the trees, who seemed to part for him. In their midst was a path, and Barney stole himself to walk it's polished grey steps. With a glance back at Maggie, he fell into a deep and profound sleep.Meanwhile, Maggie'd become distracted when a whispering among the trees drew her attention. When she looked back, Barney was gone. "Take care, sweetie."For some time Maggie gazed into the forest. Hoping. Praying. But the path did not come.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!' Is what they said. But to Maggie, 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 to her. It was neither a male voice, nor a female voice. It was 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, and she recoiled in horror. "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." The ash tree insisted. "To the house of stone."'The trees are spiritual guides...' Came Herald's words. Maggie's light shimmered thoughtfully, "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??" Maggie cried. "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."Maggie groaned in frustration and 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!" She chuffed and snorted. "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 can't get back to life!'The mare came to the edge of the civic center. To her right lay the border of Aurora. A black asphalt road cut a swath through a grassy hills as it receded into the distance. Maggie realized what the black slashes were! "Roads, the trees call roads 'black slashes!'"Maggie became excited, "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 some spirits she'd seen flying, Maggie collected her thoughts and willed herself to rise. She didn't.Maggie groaned, "Why does being dead have to be such a pain in the ass!"She tried it again, and became excited when she levitated a few inches. 'Neat! Now, just a little higher!'She 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. "Then 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," Herald said. "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. And 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 and glanced 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, and 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. 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, and the pair made an awkward departure. Another of the strangers, a small and delicate mouse looked back at Maggie, her burning eyes radiating a kind of uncanny majesty that humbled Maggie. Then she 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, and 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 out. Maggie waved awkwardly, and 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, and 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!" Maggie replied, "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 AlbanyAn early October morning dawned bright and clear. Animals cast their eyes skyward and inhaled 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 and head north to 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.Maggie sighed, and 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, and 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 mare cried, "How lovely!"The pair admired the glorious 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." 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 a sweeping upward motion, and 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."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?""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!"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-" Maggie was interrupted as the elderly mare 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!" The elder 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, although the gesture did nothing to help her see any 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, and so she made her way through the car as Rosemary called after her, "Remember girl! Get yourself remade!"The boxer waved the mare'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 and pressed her nose to the cool glass window, gazing 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. Maggie sat down, 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. "And 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 anyway?"Shelly nodded. Her face wore a sad melancholy smile that stung Maggie's heart. She felt truly sorry for the blind mare. The pair settled into a 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.' Thought Maggie. 'A
non-entity.' Out of curiosity, and a desire for more information, Maggie moved to the rear of the car and glanced through the window. Rosemary was nowhere to be found. Maggie let out an annoyed chuff. She moved back to Shelly's side and sat down. "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."Shelly turned to the window and pressed her nose back against the glass. She closed her eyes and seemed to settle down for a nap. Maggie became unnerved at this, and 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 and then bid Shelly a good trip. Shelly nodded with a smile. Maggie couldn't recall ever having such a nice conversation with someone, and 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, untrespassed 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, and 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 coach 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 and presented 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, and Shelly smiled gently. "Bye, Maggie."Shelly got to her feet and moved toward 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 Maggie's 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 and provided a running commentary of what lay just ahead, and 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 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 revelation, and 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 then 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, and Maggie marveled at the discovery. "These strangers, they knew Herald! They must be working with him somehow!""Herald?" Shelly peeped, and 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 that filled her senses, and she became lost within the recollection 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, and 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 and squinted up at her, "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. "So, Isadora, how did you come to find yourself here? Explain your interest in paleontology!""Well," replied the eagle as she extended her right wing, happy to be free of the oppressive straps, "What draws any animal to a specific discipline?""A very good answer!" Henry chuffed 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, and settled down for the ride home. "How was your day?" Maggie asked, and Shelly softly replied, "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 were 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, and 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, and 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 which blow each evening before sunset, "Dad! Where are you!?""Here!" Came Tristan's voice, "Near Loraline peak!"Justin set down upon 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..." Tristan hushed, and 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." "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, and the air was crisp and chilly. "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 and hugged 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 and departed 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 she 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 Flying 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 for a moment. "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!" Clint 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 MantuanClint 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. 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."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 speaking 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 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 in a low voice. "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 to look upon 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 there were just three... myself, Vanderdecken, and Ebenezer the cook."He began to pace the room, to and fro he walked whilst he relived that night. "Ebenezer disappeared. I do not 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 upon the sofa, Shelly began to tremble. Missy took Shelly in her arms, the mother equine not yet aware 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 our brave captain, 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.'"And 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 too received my just deserts."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?" Missy asked. Trickett offered a shrug, "There was no further word from the apparition. After Vanderdecken was cursed, I was spirited away. Soon after, I found myself held fast by an angry 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."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 and moved to a portrait of herself leading a performance of The Flying Mantuan, "What about coming ashore every seventeen years?" Missy asked, "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 dragon." "This is beastshit!" 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..." Trickett became distracted by a gasp from Shelly. Maggie seized upon 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, then 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, and 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 bowed. '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 when 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, and it seemed to her that the Holden's home fell away, becoming instead a neolithic landscape with great tall trees, and the figures of cornstalks who 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, and 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, and the home was now dark and quiet. A gentle snoring issued from the corner bedroom, and Maggie felt 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 nook within the hall 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. It gazed down upon the equine spirit and felt it's self 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 even 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 and ached to touch the gentle spirit. 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 TwoCrown 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 that 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 and 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 and 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, and she cursed her shoddy goggles. 'I'll throttle the sod who sold me these!'It wasn't long Princess 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 Her Highness' 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, and she struggled to formulate 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 and pulling 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 trusting. 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."I must admit that your early messages were 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." Replied Karl, "So that you may look into my eyes and find no deceit.""My name is Margrey Balin." The mare said. The younger lion smirked at her name."Something funny?""No, Ma'am.""And I am Princess Olivia of Shannonvale." Said the eagle. Margrey swung about, scolding her princess with a fierce hiss. 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, and 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, and offered the documents to the equine. "I thank you, Great Princess." Beside him, his young charge closed his eyes. He could not bear to look upon the treason of his beloved Sergeant.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...""No, sergeant." Whispered Arno Kose. 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." Replied the lion, and then he raised his hand."Yes?" Margrey asked."Balin," Karl said. "It means 'stupid' in Natufian."Margrey frowned as Karl waved the pair off. Olivia broke into a run, then stepped into the air and departed 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 and selected a large history tome which reproduced period newspaper clippings. 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 Toutonic line. Equestrian infantry supported by avian airpower delivered a crippling blow to Toth's army. By March fifteenth, Allied Commanders believe the Crown Princess' efforts have thrown down the Toutonic Marshal, and 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..." Came Eleanor's voice, "What are you doing up?"A bleary-eyed Eleanor emerged from the darkness and nuzzled 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 blinked, stopped in her tracks."Mom, dad says his favorite letter included a poem you wrote called Eagle and the Nightingale. That poem is what made him want to marry you!""Oh..." Eleanor breathed, "Tristan?"From above, Ashley Brightwing touched down and waited 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 SearchThursday morning dawned with a phone call from Eleanor Brightwing. Missy Holden answered and 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 dark seraph Ibiza Pushpath entered the home. She inspected each of the horses with great interest until at last she settled before Maggie Pumpkin. Maggie's spiritual vision became hazy, as if she were aware of something situated directly ahead. Ibiza remained just beyond Maggie's perception as she 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, and 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, and Missy coughed and sputtered. "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 and pointed her eyes at the book, as if she'd have been able to 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 that 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. Every ring through the telephone line sounded like a loud klaxon alarm to her. 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.Ibiza 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 and allowed 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, and 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, Ibiza Pushpath 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, and Ibiza realized that her presence was likely the cause of Maggie's quantum diffusion. She departed, leaving the horses to their quest. Soon the females were away and motoring west along the Autoway Four. The border of Brandenburg wasn't far, and 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 and instead focused 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?" Asked Shelly. 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, Ibiza sailed aloft, her mind still fixated upon the Holden family. She sighted Shelton Holden's middle school, and like a black flash she descended to the grounds of the cozy campus. She was met by a silver dragon whom she recognized as the brother of Kromhaut, the one called Amuntep. "I come on behalf of my brother. He wishes you to recuse yourself, and not interact with these animals.""Research." Replied the black seraph, "I must conduct research.""Have we not agreed?" Amun said, "That you will honor our requests?""Quid pro quo," Ibiza replied, "I have been more than courteous to you and yours, but now it is my turn to make requests, and I request that you let me be."Amun did not know how to respond, and so he sat frozen as Ibiza carried on, keenly examining each of the young animals she found. In the midst of the equines was a stranger. A foreigner. Ibiza circled the young lion named Fritz who's heart was ladled with guilt and sadness at what his family was doing to the horses of Aurora.Ibiza sighted Shelton as he meandered along the back park of his school and impatiently scanned the sky, daydreaming and thinking to himself; 'Damn I wish I could have been an eagle, it's got to be handy being your own personal aircraft.'The lunchtime recess had just begun, and the awkward middle-schoolers were torn between their desire for exuberant play, and the growing sense that they ought to appear 'mature.' Intensely conscious of their own image, the young animals could become provoked at the slightest provocation. Ibiza turned back to Fritz and willed the equines to act upon their base impulses; 'I came after the falling of the cataclysm, and so I
have yet to test Master Straightpath's mettle.'As Shelton searched the sky, a commotion drew his attention to the football court. 'Shit!' Shelton sputtered as he sighted Fritz, beset by a dozen or more equine youth. The pony rushed to the scene and pushed past his fellows to find Fritz standing his ground, teeth clenched, nose bloodied, "Stop it!""Fuck off Shelton!" Cried a pony named Bart, "This here inbred cat has it coming!"Ignoring the horses, Shelton slipped his stout arm around Fritz's willowy waist and led the slender lion away from the group, "Siding with losers, Shelton?""I'm tryin' to act right! Maybe y'all should try it!"Ibiza followed along beside the boys, her heart overflowing with pride. After a moment, her conscience was stung by the realization that she'd done harm to Fritz. The pair continued on toward the athletics building, where the stunned lion touched his brow to Shelton's shoulder. "Thank you.""Aw, Fritz," Shelton replied, "Us horses have to stick together.""I wish my family hadn't moved here." The lion sighed. Shelton gently patted him, "Aw, c'mon! Then I wouldn't have made your acquaintance!""You know what my mom and dad are here for!" The lion retorted. "Working for the bank, foreclosing on horses' homes! I'm surprised I haven't been killed yet!"Shelton patted him. "I think you're being a little over dramatic...""Would you have saved me from the bullies, if your house was being foreclosed on by my dad?"The pony had to admit that it would be... complicated. "Just leave me alone." Fritz chuffed, "I appreciate your help, I really do, but... just leave me be!" He turned on his heel and stalked away, leaving Shelton to wrestle with the question, 'Would I have done the right thing... if mom's house was in trouble?'"What's the matter Shelton?" One of the horses asked, "Didn't get a date for tonight?"Shelton turned to retort, but sighted his friend Justin Brightwing as he appeared over the treetops and made his way down, "Hey Shelton!""Hey Justin!" Shelton nickered as the other horses frowned. The pony smirked at them, "Here's my date!"Shelton climbed up onto Justin's shoulder and urged his friend up, "C'mon! Let's go somewhere!" Justin obliged, and the pair was off. In the air, Justin glanced back at his friend, "Hey Shelton, you okay?""Oh, just some drama. I hate it when animals fight.""Hmmm." Justin replied, "Things have been... interesting for me at home.""Oh?" Shelton grunted, "Is your mom okay?"Justin banked to the left and set down in a nearby field. Shelton slid from his shoulder to stand before his friend, "Hey, Justin, what's up?"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 from Brandenburg. "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.""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 some animals can't."The dragon Ibiza 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 tother in friendship!' She touched her paw to her chin, 'My sister could not have done this. 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 he 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 and grasped Justin's beak. He brought his friend's large face down to meet his, "Aw..." Shelton breathed, his lips hovering just above his friend's face, "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 about 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 reached up to pull the fabric of first dimensional darkness away from her face, "Kromhaut, it is my feeling that history is on the verge of repeating. I must take direct action on behalf of your animals. I must have Shelton Holden!"***Now, 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 and looked directly at her. Maggie sat frozen as he flared his nostrils, then the radio crackled to life. "Seven Dragon Nine, no wants, no warrants. Vehicle registry is Albany, one Gabriel and Missy Holden on title as owners."The elder scooped up the radio handset. "Seven Dragon Nine, copy." He glanced back again, a toothy smile on his lips as he purred, "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 and 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 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 ever 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 the spirit 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 looked like a little pumpkin on the vine.'"Aw, that's sweet!"'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!"***That night, Ibiza Pushpath climbed Ayres rock. The steep hillside that nestled the Brightwing home. She ascended the craggy peak to find her dark sister waiting for her. Death greeted her sister, then asked; 'Sister, why do you climb?''It exercises my muscles. A living body requires such exertion now and again.'The shadow wished to engage in light conversation. As an animal might. But the phantom could not. She could only state her business. 'I must confess to you that Shelton Holden is not the one for us.'Ibiza frowned, 'Whether he become our emotional center or no, I may learn valuable social skills from him. Is that so bad?'Death acquiesced to her sister's infatuation. 'The convergence. Very soon it shall come. Be ready.' The two stared blankly at one another. Death understood that no further good could come of their meeting, so she drifted away. Ibiza narrowed her eyes in the wake of Death's passing. 'I find you to be more and more annoying as the days wear on, my sister.'Ibiza turned toward the home, with Death's hollow voice ringing in her ears. 'You are the Incarnation of Destruction. The Destroyer. Destruction. Destroyer.'The dragon passed through the outer wall of the Brightwing home as her sister's low monotone became harsh, and grating. 'Destroyer. Destroyer.' 'Enough!' Ibiza roared. A startled peep issued from one of the sleeping nooks. The dragon clasped her paws over her mouth as a young eagle poked his head out into the hall, "H-hello?"Distraught, Ibiza retreated. Ashley wondered at what he might've heard. He stood for a long moment, unsettled to the core. After another moment of straining to listen, he returned to his reading. In Justin's room, Shelton
settled down on the eagle's sleeping cushion. Near the window, Justin hemmed and hawed about something that troubled him. "I think you should just tell me." Shelton said, "Remember how well it worked out when you told me you can hear ghosts?"Justin nodded, "Okay." A long moment passed between the two before Shelton let out an annoyed groan, "Okay, okay..." Justin said, collecting his thoughts. "A thousand years ago I was someone else. Our spirits go to sleep when we're alive you see, and a new identity gets imprinted on our spirit while it's asleep inside a living body."Shelton cocked his head, "How do you know all this?""Mostly from dad." Justin replied, then, "Anyways, during the Great War, I was Princess Olivia of Shannonvale." Shelton sat up, looked his friend up and down; "You know, you do look a lot like Olivia. At least, a male version of her."Justin 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."'He's still in tune with the royal house...' Justin thought. "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 spirit told her that an ancestor changed it 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 names were joke names.""Huh." Shelton chuffed. Then, he looked to his friend. "Uh, does this mean that I'm not your old teacher?""I think so." Justin replied, nuzzling the disappointed pony. "But you'll always be my friend."Shelton cupped Justin's huge face in his hands, "Justin, I'm really glad... I mean, I'm glad we met..." Shelton bit his lip, too embarrassed to finish his sentimental thought. Justin bumped the pony with his beak, "Me too."Both nodded to one another. "Let's go see
this ghost." Justin said, then he called out as loud as he could without disturbing anyone else, "Dad! We're going to go see Margrey!"After a moment, Tristan's voice drifted from the hall, "Justin? Did you call me?""Yeah! We're going to see Margrey!"Tristan seemed subdued. He didn't wish to frighten his son by telling him that dark shadows were skulking about the home, "Maybe I should stay here, son.""No, dad! It's Margrey! You remember her!"Shelton's ears swiveled about, "What's he saying?"Justin waved his wing, "Dad feels like staying home, but he'll accompany us.""Is he tired or something?" The pony asked."No, silly!" Justin chimed, "Come on!"From his room, Ashley had just closed his book when he heard Justin's window open. He shut off his light and pressed his face to the cool glass, catching sight of Justin with Shelton on his back. The pair was accompanied by another eagle... "Dad!?"The boy frantically opened his window to rush after his father. From her chamber, Eleanor heard her youngest's outburst, "Ashley?"She poked her head into his room, noting the open window. Frowning, Eleanor squeezed through the window to follow after her son. Eleanor quickly caught up with Ashley and reached out her long legs. Her rubber-capped talons posed no danger to her son as she grasped him and pulled him to her breast, "Aw, mom!""What are you doing out?""I thought I saw dad flying off with Justin! I just wanted to see if it was him!""Alright." Eleanor replied, catching sight of Justin, "Justin would leave you too far behind, so I'll fly for us both."Ashley smiled as his mother worked above him, 'Justin's got Shelton, and mom's got me, an even match! Now, where's dad?'As if to answer the boy, the shadow of Planet Elysium passed over the edge of the moon. The eagles became startled when another eagle appeared beside Justin, for in times like these the higher realms may become visible to mortal animals. If they are looking...With a mighty effort Eleanor closed the distance to Tristan and fell in beside her husband. Eleanor looked to him, her maw agape as she gulped in great mouthfuls of air, but Tristan's handsome face was serene, for he was under no exertion. He beckoned to her as the lunar eclipse deepened. The family set down upon a high bluff, where Tristan Brightwing fully materialized before his astonished wife. A short distance away, Ibiza Pushpath blinked her surprise. Tristan bowed solemnly to his wife, the bright golden light within his chest illuminating her face. Eleanor looked on as he touched his wing to his beak, and blew her a kiss, "Oh, Tristan..." She breathed, "I
love you so much..."He nodded, his eyes radiating love. But also, they conveyed a deep and lonely sadness. Eleanor's heart was stung, for she realized how unhappy her Tristan was, and just how badly she missed him. Tristan turned to his boys and brushed his wing over them. His eyes shimmered with pride, and they seemed to bid the boys farewell, "Dad!" Justin cried, "This isn't a goodbye! You're not leaving us!"Tristan shook his head as Eleanor nuzzled her son, "Mom, tell him not to leave!"Beside Justin, Shelton looked Tristan up and down. The eagle's feathers seemed to be transparent, and visible beneath his ghostly outline were shadowy internal structures. In the place of his heart was a bright golden light that out-shined everything else. It was bright! Shelton squinted into the radiance as the family traded anxious words.Some distance away, Ibiza Pushpath watched the family's drama with abject fascination, 'This eagle passed too soon. He was not ready. My sister should have stayed her hand, and not bore him into Nidavellir.' Far away, there was another animal who watched the eclipse with great interest, 'This is the work of The One.' Mayalee thought, tapping her hand nervously against her thigh, 'They're trying to make contact!'The total lunar eclipse was nearly done, but before Tristan disappeared he mouthed the words, 'I love you.'"I love you too!!" Eleanor cried. He nodded to her, slowly fading into the hidden world of spirits. The faint glimmer of his golden light was all that remained as the moon emerged from the shadow of Elysium, and then it too was gone. Eleanor gently wept as she stepped to the place Tristan had been, 'My baby... I'm so sorry Tristan.'Justin put his beak beneath his mother's chin and consoled her as best he could. She smiled bravely as she urged him on, "Let's go and see your friend."Shelton climbed atop Justin, as one by one the eagles departed, leaving Tristan alone upon the hill. He stood, waiting for the path to appear to him, "Goodbye Elly. Goodbye Ashley, and my Justin. I love you so much!"The father eagle waited, but had no idea that the path was being kept from him by The One! Ibiza understood the mysterious intervention, and she reveled in the excitement, 'No Tristan, stay! Stay so that we may discover what great magic is at work upon your family!'Sensing that the path was not coming for him, Tristan set off after his family. Ibiza watched him go, then followed along. She knew then that her destiny lie with these two families. The Brighwings, and the Holdens.In the sky, the eagles crossed the border with Albany and settled above Fourth Street as Justin counted the intersections before making his approach to Shelton's home. Things looked different at night, and so he had to
be careful.As the family made their approach, Eleanor struggled to recall any news blurbs about an upcoming lunar eclipse, but there were none that came to mind. And she would never have found any, because I willed the event just for her. Beside the mother eagle, Tristan arrived at her side and smiled pensively. He knew something was happening to him. To his family. He was worried for them.On Justin's back, Shelton bunched himself up and prepared to touch down. Justin gently set down and allowed the pony to slide from his shoulder. Shelton led his friends inside, while Tristan lingered outside, distracted by a great commotion from the trees. His light flickered as he willed himself to rejoin his family. 'I can't get caught up in another dream, I have to stay in the here and now.'But something again caught his attention. He peered into the gloom. "Hello?"Inches from his shadowy outline, Ibiza Pushpath gazed deeply into his light. The darkness before him seemed to shift and move within Tristan's fish-eye'd field of vision. He stepped back, "I need to go!" Ibiza smiled as Tristan rushed to the home like an overwhelmed trick or treater on his first Nightmare Night. Ibiza turned her vision from the normal spectrum of light, and instead peered into the home using infrared. The animals within became bright blobs of color, while the animal spirits became nearly imperceptible. She pressed herself to the outside wall of the home and attempted to listen in on the conversations within. 'Confound it, I cannot hear them whilst smothered in this cloak!'Mischievously, she pushed her head through the wall. Inside, Tristan Brightwing wore the outline of King Octavius as he traded sentimental words with Margrey Balin's diminutive form. Ibiza had never before seen Maggie in the guise of her former self, and she looked on with great interest. From the kitchen came Eleanor's worried voice, followed by an exchange between the father and mother equines. Ibiza pulled herself through the wall in order to better hear the conversation in the kitchen, but something happened! Eighteen centimeters of her tail became stuck in the wall! That portion of her body was now visible to any who might see!Embarrassed, she pulled and tugged upon her tail, 'Goodness! I'll never hear the end of it if I'm revealed!' Realizing the folly of panic, Ibiza willed herself to be calm, and rather than struggle, she relaxed and turned her attention to the gathered animals. "Come love," Octavius said, "Let us leave our modern selves to the task at hand and wish them luck. But always, always know that I love you.""I love you too, my king." Margrey peeped as her outline grew large and resumed the boxer's robust shape. Tristan Brightwing was then himself, and the two spirits traded glances as they
marveled at the curious happening. "So it's decided!" Shelton said, "We'll rent a house boat and go up the Elbe until we get to Thistledown?"Missy playfully roughed his mane, "What do you mean 'we?' You're staying here.""Mom!" Shelton sputtered, as Eleanor put herself between the two, "Misses Holden, I think it would be a mistake to exclude the children. If we do find something up there, it might be the adventure of a lifetime."Missy and Gabriel conferred with one another, then reluctantly agreed to allow the youth to accompany them, "That's what scares me Eleanor, that we might actually find something where the river ends."Justin retreated into the parlor and activated his anklet phone. Bringing his foot up to his beak, Justin placed a call, "Hello Misses Proudfoot, can I speak to Virgil? Oh, yes... I did see the eclipse."After a moment, Justin's friend took the line, "Virgil, we're going on a trip, and I think you should come too. Yeah, I know..."From the kitchen, Eleanor peered into the parlor and cast a suspicious eye toward her eldest as Justin smiled helplessly. From his vantage point, Tristan chortled at his family's antics. Maggie moved to Tristan's side and offered a warm smile, "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?" She joked. 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, her mind suddenly transfixed upon the recent past, "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?" She asked, and Tristan nodded, "Either way, we're close to whatever end is waiting for us.""Indeed." Ibiza murmured, then gasped when she found her tail free of the wall. She receded, reluctantly bidding the animals goodnight as she delved down into the first dimensional realm of Hell, while Kromhaut's nervous admonishments followed in her wake.The Voyage NorthIt 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 exterior wall. Some of the insulating material poked out of these holes, and the large gaping hole in the domed roof further detracted from the boat's appeal. Shelton frowned and 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. She immediately chastised the poor rental agent when she laid eyes on the floating heap, and insisted on helping procure a better craft. "That one, over there!" She said, gesturing with her wing at a large sailing boat. 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 poor equine 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."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 Shelton gave a shrill whinny! "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 during the eclipse..."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. From their spiritual vantage point, Maggie looked to Tristan who smiled weakly to her. "When we discovered Shelly's ability, and that spirits were real..." Missy continued, "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, "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 that 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 would 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?"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, "Very much."Her inner light shimmered. "I guess Margrey got the better of me." Then, 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. Beside her appeared the shimmering outline of the dragon Ariadne, and Ibiza greeted him, "Hello love! What tidings?""My father wishes to speak with you.""Yes." She replied.Ariadne's outline shimmered, "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. At this current time."It was all Ariadne could do to keep from laughing, and he nodded, "Very well.""Would you like to accompany me?" Ibiza asked, "The animals are nearly to their goal! This is a pivotal time!""I... would like that."Ibiza pulled aside her cloak of first dimensional darkness, revealing her shining golden face, "Then come along!"Midnight to MidnightOakdale, the realm of little folk. Here amongst the groves of long-standing oaks we find a picturesque neighborhood where our avatar familiars have come to reside. Their first choice of residence had rejected them, as did their second. More and more, the modern world with it's many rules imposed serious restrictions upon the immortal couple's movements. But in Oakdale, there were no immigration hurdles. If you can find a vacant flat, the home is yours. Problem was, shoe-horning a lion into a mouse house is not exactly playing it subtle."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, then stood stirring the meal for a moment. "I was just thinking about the first night we spent together."Sam flipped the television off and worked his way to the kitchen. Moving about the small sized home was something of a challenge for the
tall lion, and so Sam dropped to his hands and knees, "Yes, sweetie?""Aw, go and watch your show." She said with a peck to his nose, but the lion smiled warmly, "Telly's a distant second to you."Mayalee offered a girlish shrug, and 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, and 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, and 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... remember this joy when you meet the Holdens."Beside them, the simmering meat upon the stovetop began to smoke, and Mayalee squeaked as she removed it from the fire. He smiled to her, then bumped her with his large 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 they were disturbed by a knock upon 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.'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 and connected 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." She chortled. Sam smirked at her, "It was your idea!"The lion stood up and straightened 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 and took 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 and retreated 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!" Inside, 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, and he stepped in, "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, "You mean Ibiza?"She raised her hands as if to ward off something, "No! Not Ibiza! It's something cold... something very cold!" The wraith turned about and ran from the home, 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 doesn't live!"'My sister maintains life support upon it. 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." Mayalee chuffed, plopping down on her bottom, 'Shit...'***That night, Mayalee Mae lounged in her bean bag chair, whilst 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 upon the sofa. The flashing images on the screen created a dreamlike mural on the far wall, and Mayalee allowed herself to be mesmerized. In amongst the blurry bright shapes was a deep dark shadow, and Mayalee murmured Ibiza's name as she dozed in her chair. 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. And now an unseen hand meddles with the position of the moon and elevates animal's spirits?''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, they deserve it.' Kromhaut rumbled and chuffed, whilst Mayalee crept from her chair and slipped on her coat, 'What are you doing?' 'I'm going out, you need some comfort food.' He made no argument, and already Kromhaut's menu choices flooded Mayalee's mind. Images of spicy meats and other tasty entrees darted and danced through her mind, but also, some of Kromhaut's secrets filtered through his desire for food. Mayalee fixed upon an image of the goddess Glorafin as Kromhaut fretted once again, 'She's going to do something foolish! I am certain of it!'Mayalee slipped through the front door and quietly latched it, whilst Sam softly chuffed in his sleep. Outside, the evening was crisp and chilly. Kromhaut pushed further into his avatar's body to ensure her comfort, and nearby trees beheld his spiritual fire as a sheet of invisible flame poured from the little mouse's face. 'You might as well take the wheel.' Mayalee joked, 'I'm okay being a passenger.' Kromhaut obliged, and Mayalee's spirit became cradled within the dragon god's vast intellect. 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, and 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?'"Mayalee, you are aware of the Passion of Nierika?"'Your brother's first born daughter, yes?'"When she split herself in two, and created Hathor Gale and Tanidia Arbor, did Nierika cease to be? Do you suppose she could be remade if Tanidia and Hathor re-merged?"Mayalee's spirit was quiet for a time, 'I don't know Krom, your kind are not like mortal animals. How does intelligent energy behave, anyway?'"Mayalee, I believe that Justin Brightwing might have been touched by some future version of myself, a version comprised of all of the host of seraphim."'Wow...'"Indeed."'No, I mean... you need to arrange a meeting with your siblings! You need to see if it's even possible to merge into a single super being!""Absolutely not!!"'Krom, are you sure?'"Quite sure." Kromhaut chuffed with an indication that he wished the conversation to end. Mayalee turned on the silent treatment as Kromhaut neared a late night diner, "What would you like?" Kromhaut asked, and Mayalee squeaked, 'Whatever you want.' "Please do not be angry." 'Then please don't become angry yourself! I can't help you if you keep shutting me out!' He entered the diner as a few canid patrons turned to look at the mouse, "I am sorry." The god seated himself in a small sized booth as a waitress offered a menu. "We're out of ground shovelhead." Kromhaut nodded Mayalee's head as he fretted about the animal's impending visit to his sister. Mayalee calmed herself and offered a suggestion; 'Amun is the most neutral dragon of any of your kind, why don't you send him to see her? Maybe he could open a dialog between you and Glorafin.'"Amun has already paid me a visit, he offered many of the same suggestions."'I wonder if Ibiza might be a better choice? I would love to meet her, she seems so sweet.' Mayalee's desire sent a jealous ripple through Kromhaut's spirit, "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 canid waitress leaned upon the counter, "What would you like?""Honey roasted fish and some tea?""That a question, dearie?""Pardon?" Kromhaut peeped. "Salad?" The waitress asked, and Mayalee shook her head, "No, thanks." The waitress retreated with Kromhaut's order, whilst the god watched the wait staff work. Mayalee carefully composed her next thought, 'You seem very much against the Brightwing and Holden families visiting Glorafin, yet you attempted to make contact with Justin Brightwing in the arcade. Why?' "I do not understand your question." '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 either family." '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've seen you alter the structure of matter, you could do it, Krom!' Kromhaut welcomed the distraction of the waitress as she dropped a steaming plate of fish before him and 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, and Kromhaut wasted no time ordering another plate. The canids 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."'What!?' Mayalee gasped, 'Kromhaut, how?' But the little mouse already knew the answer, 'The cataclysm.'Kromhaut sighed heavily through Mayalee's body, and the passing waitress smiled to her, "Eat too much, dearie?"'Krom, I've gathered enough clues over the past two thousand years to understand that you were behind the falling of the cataclysm.'He nodded, "Yes."'But 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 her to remake him, for his young family was devastated at his loss." Kromhaut sighed, "Glorafin agreed, and created Straightpath anew. When he returned into 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?'"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, and marveled at how a spirit could have found it's way into such a creature, "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, and the effect was disastrous."The god sipped some of his tea, "My attempt to intervene, and 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.'Kromhaut comforted her, and then reached into Mayalee's jacket and left a twenty pound note. The waitress called after her, "Oh! You need change!" "Keep it." The god said as he stood, and looked about the diner to the few animals present at this early hour, '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 and sipped down the last remaining gulp of tea. Outside, Kromhaut stuffed Mayalee's hands into her coat as his thoughts rippled through her being, "And so, just as the ancient Titans and Hyperzephyrians were wiped away to make way 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."I suppose you would also be free to associate with these animals, since they're likely to never forget what they are about to experience."'Thank you.'"Goodnight, love."'Goodnight, and oh! You forgot to tell me about Rosemary! Where does she fit into this?'"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 and stranded her within the realm of Nidavelir."'Because after the cataclysm, you promised to never again harm a mortal animal.'"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 and settled upon her head. Mayalee smiled, and took the leaf in her hands. Then another leaf fell, and another. Soon Mayalee was left holding a dozen leaves from the trees around her. "Thank you.""Daughter of life, think not that he has forsaken all magic," Said the nearest maple, "For are you not 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 ThreeIn the small hours of the morning, a ferocious storm blew down from the mountains, catching the mid-city district completely unaware. Power lines were snapped, and all air traffic was grounded. Near Oakdale, Rosemary Barter felt the roiling tempest lash at her gown, 'This is no ordinary storm!'A shadow followed after her. Rosemary desperately sought to evade the specter as lightning flashed all around her. She held fast to a tree, cackling in terror, "Yes! Blow! Tear it all down!"Thunder shook her. She cried out when a branch was torn from the tree above and caught her a glancing blow. Her final thought before losing consciousness was; 'This isn't supposed to happen.'The morning dawned bright and clear. Rosemary Barter opened her eyes to find a shimmering green canopy gently swaying overhead. She gasped as a flash of pain shot through her head, and then a stunning realization dawned upon her; 'I'm not supposed to feel pain!'She shut her eyes tight, then carefully opened them again. 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.Rosemary was stunned. She lay for a long moment, wondering at 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? Am I free? Have you freed me!?'She closed her eyes and dared to hope that it'd all been a dream, a long and terrible dream, and that there were no ghosts, vengeful dragons, or creatures that dwell in the outer darkness."Ma'am, are you okay? Can we call someone?" Said a voice. Try as she might, Rosemary found herself unable to reply. 'My back,' she thought, as a sharp jabbing pain brought her to her senses. "My back is killing me."A sturdy badger knelt down and cupped
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, and she thought herself back at her old riverside sanctuary. She looked to the animal, her eyes searching for meaning as the badger smiled gently to her. "Do you feel any other pain, ma'am?" "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, and again asked; "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!"Sam thanked the animals and hurried away with the terrified horse. "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 and allowed Sam to escort her back to their flat. She gazed down 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!" Sam was stung by her sorrow. He held her
close, "It's okay, Rosemary."She clung to him with her long arms, sobbing hysterically. 'Samuel,' Said Kromhaut, 'Please move aside.'"No." The lion chuffed.'Move aside, Samuel.'"Kromhaut! Enough! She's not going back!"'You forget your place!'Sam glanced down upon Mayalee, aware that the dragon was present. "And you've forgot what compassion is! If Rosemary goes, then I go!"Rosemary pulled her long face back to gaze into his eyes. A long moment passed. The ticking of Mayalee's antique clock became deafening as the dragon regarded Sam through Mayalee's eyes, but after a moment his fire faded. Mayalee let out a long breath, "We'd better get her cleaned up.""I can't go back..." 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 their visitor 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 is returning." Mayalee said, using her superior strength to pull the mare down to her level. She pulled the soiled gown from Rosemary's shoulders. "Sam, can you wash this?"The lion entered and took the gown to the laundry room. Mayalee gently patted the old horse, then set the bath. "Look what your god has done do me." Rosemary hissed. Mayalee ignored her, "Come on, let's get you a bath."Just off the kitchen, Sam threw the ornate white gown into the washer, then moved to the stove to prepare some breakfast. '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 the anomaly now acts against father's wishes?'"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 and made his way to the bathroom. Inside, he found Mayalee attempting to drag a brush across Rosemary's back, "I said stop! That hurts!"Sam pulled Mayalee aside and bid her tend to breakfast. He ushered her out and closed the washroom door 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 and lathering 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, and 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 beneath 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 at 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 upon 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.She 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?""I think so."She turned to him, "Then quick as you can! Kill me! Put my throat into your mouth and bite down!" She clasped her hands upon 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 and pushed a pinch of food into her mouth. Rosemary's eyes widened as she took the morsel between her teeth. Slowly she began to chew, and Mayalee smiled broadly as the old mare reached for the pot and 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 morons.""You're welcome!" Mayalee chimed, then skipped to the washroom to fetch Rosemary's gown. Sam helped her from the tub and 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 the attention, but there was a larger part that resented it as Sam groomed and dried her. Mayalee presented Rosemary's gown, and the former wraith took it from her with a snarl. She slipped it over her head and let it hang down upon her slender body, then 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." Rosemary chuffed, "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!"The mare scowled, and then lay down upon the couple's bed. "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 escorted his mouse out. Rosemary lay there for some time, listening to the wild insects chirping and fluttering outside. Her thoughts strayed to Sam, and she imagined him at the foot of the bed, removing his clothing. 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?' Came Sam's voice. Rosemary squirmed this way and that, her eyes moving to the gentle swaying of the trees as they created a dreamlike mural of shadows upon the far wall. Hidden amongst these shadows was the black shape that'd followed her for all the years of her exile. She felt herself drifting to sleep, and at long last a dream came to her. It was a splendid dream where it was Sam whom she called her mate, and she felt happy and loved.***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, and Rosemary sputtered a curse, "Fool, what are you looking at?""A ghost."Rosemary snorted. "Not anymore."Timothy then drew near and offered his hand. Rosemary looked him up and down, took it, and shook his hand with an exaggerated motion, "Won't Maggie be surprised to learn that she knew you in a past life, eh?"Timmy became shocked. Rosemary smiled wickedly, "Of course I know about that! Quite a little stinker you were, murdering a police inspector!""Stop it." Sam warned, "This isn't the best way to endear yourself to Krom.""Kromhaut can rot! I care not if-" Sam leapt up and clasped his hand around her delicate muzzle, "Stop. Just... stop."He released her, and she gingerly sat upon the sofa and began to weep. Allomere became surprised at her sudden vulnerability, and 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 the vertically gifted."He returned with a large lump upon his head which slowly grew smaller and then faded away. Rosemary smiled to 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 upon 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, and 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, and 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 was having none of it, "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, and 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 and grimaced, "Rosie, can you please smile normally?"She reached out and batted 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,' "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, "Is that your true middle name from the old days?""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, and 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 into 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, she attempted to check the time on the far wall, but the lighted numbers of the clock were
only a fuzzy blur. "It is one half hour to midnight." Came a raspy, dark brown voice.Rosemary's heart leapt into her throat. She glanced about the room, searching for the entity 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 black shadow broke it's silence with a fateful pronouncement that shocked Rosemary into a stunned unconsciousness. The entity left the mare to sleep, while it's words echoed through Rosemary's battered soul.The Tree at the End of the WorldFor the Holden and Brightwing clans, 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 and 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 said, "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!')Slowly, the animals settled off to sleep. 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. Tristan 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," Tristan said as his outline shifted to that of Octavius, "That the only use it knows for solitude is to make it a punishment."Justin recognized Octavius' voice. He moved past the spot he'd heard the king speak and bid him; 'Meet me outside.' Maggie 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, and 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, 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."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, and Maggie felt a surge of excitement, "Herald!"The others stepped back as a towering black eagle touched down among them, "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, said; "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, while Missy struggled 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, and Maggie beamed at the endearment. 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, and 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 maternal 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 and offered 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 me. 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?"The father eagle smiled warmly to Maggie, then approached Edward. The golem seemed to sense the spirit's approach, for he turned his face toward Tristan and spread his wings. 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, "Ugh!"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. "Take it easy, dad!" 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 gazed out of golem's formerly lifeless eyes. Eleanor cried out as she touched her face to him. "Hello, Elly."Sobbing heavily, Eleanor cupped her huge wings over her love. 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, and 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," she said, "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 present asked in unison, "Who is your former employer?"Herald smiled, then winked to the new Tristan Brightwing, "It'd be easier to show you than 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, and 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, and 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 said with 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 his cushion. "Well now," Herald whispered, "Yon stallion has the right idea. Perhaps we should all retire, and rest ourselves for the coming venture."Herald appeared before Tristan and gently cupped his wing over his former 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 heard herself asking, and 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."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, crept down a narrow hall past what he guessed was the poop deck and opened a broad window. Slipping outside, Virgil took wing as the sun fell beneath the far horizon. "Hey!" Called Ashley, "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 his bald eagle friend as the pair flew on, their attention fixed upon 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. 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 back 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..." Just then, there was a snorting in the dark. Virgil stood bolt upright as several more snorts were heard. Hoofbeats issued from the woods, and Virgil nervously squeaked, "Okay, let's go!"The boys alighted, narrowly escaping as a troop of tuskin beasts swept over the river bank. Foul quadrupedal creatures with elongated teeth that resembled tusks, tuskins were altogether unpleasant to behold, especially if you found yourself on their menu.The young eagles made straight for Herald's tree, and as they slipped back inside the cabin 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 and ruffle his feathers with a soft chuff. The pair found their cushions, but sleep had been chased far far away. From the corner, a sleepless Maggie Pumpkin watched Tristan rest, 'Tristan's sleeping, for the first time in a while.'She sighed, then noted a strange mist enter the cabin. It was an odd silvery-white vapor that... regarded her. Maggie's light flickered as a shudder moved through her, and the mist was still for a moment before it settled above Shelton Holden. Maggie peeped as the mist touched the young pony, and she became increasingly uncomfortable as the encounter wore on, "Uh... hey! What are you doing!?"The mist flashed out at Maggie, and for an instant it assumed the shape of a dragon before disappearing. Maggie was left stupefied, and she thought to try and awaken someone. Instead, she fell into a trance, recalling the library floor of Farmington Manor where Mary Bard lay in a pool of blood, "Ugh... shit." Her head felt as wide as a house, and her chest pressed by a vice. Disoriented, Mary turned her face to look upon the dead body of George Kesselring, shot by her fellows. Angus, a large burly corporal appeared over her, "Mary! Take it easy girl!"He pressed his hand over the angry wound in her chest, and Mary squeaked in pain, "Ugh! Angus...""Shit!" He cried, "Shit!"A moment passed, and Mary seemed to feel better. She reached up to Angus, "Okay, keep your hand there, I think it's helping.""She's dead!" Angus cried, "She's dead!!""Boys! No! I'm fine!" Mary said, as a voice laughed at her. From his hiding place behind the sofa, the dreadful shadow of George Kesselring sneered at her, "I got you Mary, you silly cunt!""No... No....""Maggie!" Herald called. Maggie woke to find herself back within Herald's cabin. It was morning, and Maggie looked about in shock as the troubling vision receded from her. "Keep yourself here with us." He said to her, "We'll be to the mountain soon enough." Disoriented, Maggie watched the equines tend to breakfast, whilst the eagles gathered about Tristan. Maggie felt odd, and she struggled to recall what exactly she'd seen the previous night. Her memory of the event was hazy at best...'Haze. Mist.'The black shadow noted that things were progressing nicely, so Death turned south to look in on Rosemary. As for the old mare, she woke to the front door opening, then flinched at the sound of Mayalee's chiming voice. She stretched, breathed in a fond gasp of air, then felt a sudden urge to use the washroom. 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 clean up the kitchen. Rosemary pressed her ear to the wall and attempted to listen in on any conversation, but all that could be heard was the clanking and banging of kitchen work, "Blassssst!" She hissed, "I know they're talking to each other, in a way that I can't hear!" She flushed the commode and then 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, and 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, and seemed to try and 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 she knew Kromhaut was present. Mayalee offered a supportive nod to Rosemary as she silently communed with the god. Rosemary shrugged and 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?" She asked, taking up a bag of wafer-like confections, "Butter biscuits." Mayalee replied.Rosemary tore the bag open and shoved one of the wafers into her mouth, "Mmmm, I like this." She said through the food, "I haven't got to enjoy these sorts of pleasures, you know.""That's because you were being punished." Mayalee reminded her, and Rosemary snorted, "Was, being punished." She said with emphasis, "Tell me then, what did your god make of Ibiza's unsettling words to me?""He intends to ask her."The mare clenched her fists in frustration at the dragon's inability to form his own opinion, and nearly spat out a torrent of insults. "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, and 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 has released 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 along 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, and 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, drawing a wince from Sam. "Are you sure this thing is safe?""Just get in."Timothy seated himself and then leaned out the window to deliver a kiss to Allomere's beak, "See you soon." Rosemary scowled at the public display of affection, then pressed her head back against the padded seat. Sam started the vehicle. With a long breath he pushed off down the driveway the cluster of small homes all shared. Timothy glanced in the rear view mirror and watched his hawk look after them. The big motor car took up nearly the entire road, and 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. 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 and watched 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 and breathed 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 relationships. The poor thing was probably starved for sex."Mayalee groaned, then snorted as Rosemary leaned over the seat. "How quickly did she force herself upon you?"Timothy shifted uncomfortably, but Sam thought the topic amusing. "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 to 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 and 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?" Both Rosemary and Timothy chimed in unison. Mayalee shook her head. "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 chirped, "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, and so I felt comfortable becoming intimate with him.""How did it happen?" Rosemary asked, and 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 chirped, glancing 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, only adding fuel to 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 upon the road. Genivee became 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 and swished her tail. "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!"Karl rolled over on his back and belly-laughed. Indignant, she 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?"In answer, Karl swung his leg up and kicked her from behind, sending the mouse flying. Genivee landed in the gully, then rose to dust herself off. She leveled her eyes at him and flexed her small arms. "You, sir, are now in some measure of trouble."Karl tapped his fingers to his chest. "Let's go, missy!"She threw herself at him. Karl swatted her away, but the mouse lunged again and again. She clamped onto his arm, and the two grappled like gladiators. Gennie knocked his legs out from under him, then grasped hold of his mane. Laughing, Karl watched as she thrust her left hand beneath his chest and lifted 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. Smiling, Genivee began to chortle. 'I haven't had this much fun in... a thousand years?'Genivee helped Karl up, and 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, and adjusted 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 to each other 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, whilst they laughed at one another. 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, and glanced back at Rosemary. "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 upon her seat and smiled 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.""Then he sends them into a trap. The goddess of the underworld wants nothing better 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?' He wondered, knowing his dragon was listening, but Ariadne 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. The eagle boys looked from Misses Brightwing, then to the horses, as if sizing up her ability to carry an equine. "It's too bad we can't all fly!"Gabriel and Missy kicked at the stones along the path, feeling like baggage before Herald issued an ear-piercing call. The animals shook with startled surprise as Herald screamed another cry, which was answered in the distance by another avian. Soon a small black flyer appeared, and Herald spoke with the avian in a strange language before the avian chirped and flew away."We're to wait here." Herald declared."Really?" Shelton peeped. Herald nodded, "Help is on the way!"Gabriel felt a sudden swirling anxiety and promptly sat down, "We're not going to fly there, are we?""Dad! It's okay!" Shelton said, attempting to encourage his father. Gabriel was having none of it. "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, and 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 of her arrival had indeed 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 that 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 asked aloud, drawing the attention of nearby animals. Sam appeared beside her and took her arm, "Come on, Rosemary!"The equine ghost known as Jonathan Rookwood gazed blankly at the mare, and 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, and 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 anxiety gripped Rosemary, and she looked upon the tickets with suspicion, "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, and Rosemary took his guilty expression 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, and Sam smiled helplessly to them, "Yes." He said 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, hoping that the dragon was watching, "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 and 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, then settled in beside her, "Rosemary, I need you to relax."She snorted, blowing his mane up away from his eyes. Sam leaned in and touched 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.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, and Rosemary looked about, "To whom are you speaking?"The animals chortled, and 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." She put her hand between his legs and squeezed his crotch. He responded by grasping the back of her head, and pushed his long tongue into her mouth. Rosemary squealed in his grip, then Sam released her with a snarl, "That's more like it!" She hissed, relishing Sam's hot breath and the lingering taste of his mouth.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 upon Sam's hot breath until the ghost of Jonathan Rookwood appeared at the tavern door. She shook herself from her arousal, and excused herself.Mayalee watched the mare converse with her spirit friend, and winced as Rosemary made no attempt at subtlety. The avatars then settled in for a wait. Rosemary continued her conversation with her old friend, whilst Mayalee slipped away to sooth Kromhaut's nerves with an ice cream cone. 'Mayalee, if given the choice, would
you place your faith solely in The One?'"Do you really want me to answer?"'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."The dragon emitted a sound through Mayalee's mind that for all the world might have been a sigh. Mayalee chortled at the dragon, "Krom, what's happened. You seem really bothered by something."'Mayalee, I would never wish to lose you.'Now the mouse was becoming concerned, "Krom?" She peeped, attempting to access his mind, but finding the path blocked, "What's wrong?"'There is something I've not told you.'"Okay," She said, taking a lick of the ice cream, "What is it?"The dragon very nearly divulged the truth to her, but found himself unable to utter her name. 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, and cursing himself, Kromhaut uttered his greatest falsehood; 'Mayalee, it was you.'"Me??" She breathed, "Krom, how is that possible?"'I do not know, Mayalee. Somehow, you have joined with this greater entity to create a wholly new being.'Kromhaut knew how unhappy Mayalee was as an avatar, and he secretly wished to give her something aspire to, hoping against hope that it might come to be. "Krom, we have to arrange a meeting with your family!"She took a long slurp of the cone, whilst Kromhaut pondered her thoughts. 'Mayalee, you'd wish to 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 glanced down the concourse to Sam, "Krom, I wouldn't be gone. Not really. But we can't let Sam know what might happen, okay?"'Deceive Sam?'She swallowed, "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 that he'd sensed, but it was too late. He'd lied, and now all of Mayalee's thought was bent upon joining with this singular
entity. 'The future is not yet set, there may be a chance.'"When we get to Herald's tree," Mayalee continued, "We'll take a trip together to see your family."Daring to hope for the best, but hating himself for infecting his avatar with his dishonesty, Kromhaut departed. Mayalee finished her ice cream, wondering why Kromhaut'd kept his thoughts from her. From the concourse, Sam noticed her reflective expression and flicked his whiskers, "What's up?""This isn't the only trip we'll be taking."Rosemary shrugged, "Whatever are you on about, dear?"Mayalee silently shared her intension to venture into the dragon's higher realms, and her hope that Sam and Timmy might accompany her, but said nothing of her ultimate fate. They became excited at her news, and Timothy happily patted her, "That sounds excellent!""If it wouldn't be too much trouble," Rosemary sneered, "Could you include me in your conversations?""Rosemary, have you ever met Amun?""Ah, that's better! And no, I haven't." She became momentarily distracted by other spirits who now appeared within the terminal, "I have met his offspring, Tanidia Arbor and Hathor Gale. It still amazes me that such an unfeeling entity could sire so sweet a dragon as Tanidia.""She showed me a great many things." Rosemary continued, and Sam raised a brow, "Oh?""Have any of you ever delved into the deep places?" She asked."What? Well, no. I haven't. Why?" "Of course you haven't," The mare snorted, "You're too busy doing what you're told!""Okay," Timothy asked, "You're talking about the caverns inside Elysium, right? What's down there?"She looked about, as if checking to see if anyone might be eavesdropping, "The corpses of ancient giants! Amun's scion referred to them as the Hyperzephyrians!"Sam glanced about, "Are these chambers tombs?""The great chambers beneath the surface are indeed their tomb, Sam. They are dead, all dead," Her eyes shimmered with memory, "They came after the titans, but shared many similarities. They were cut down in their prime, murdered...""Murdered?" Timothy peeped. Rosemary smiled, "Ah, so I have your attention? Good! I'll share more of my secrets if you'll share yours!"Mayalee shrugged, "You're reading into things Rosemary, we don't have any secrets!""What of your other trip?" Sam put his hand on her thigh, but Mayalee assuaged his concern, "I'm going to ask Krom to take me up into his realm to meet with his brother. I'm going at act as an intermediary to try and improve their relations.""Nonsense," Rosemary snorted, "You might as well attempt to join the east with the west.
Nothing will come of such a council.""You seem to know the mind of Krom pretty well." Timothy snorted. Rosemary replied with a smirk; "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!?"She smiled to Mayalee, "Ah, but there's this mysterious 'One' who Mayalee's been placing more and more of her faith in!" Mayalee looked away as Rosemary continued, "I can see why you're pining for 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?" The elderly mare looked to Timothy, she knew he harbored the most doubt of the four avatars. "He's taken everything from you, even your very life!"A frightful churning suddenly issued from Rosemary's belly. She clasped her hand upon her midsection, then got to her feet. "Go on Kromhaut, inflict me with your petty torments..." She rushed to the wash room. Timothy smiled as he watched her go, "She has no idea the butter biscuits at your place were four 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, and Timothy nodded, "I guess I'd just like a nap now and again, and forget the past."An announcement was made that Albany flight seven seven four would soon begin boarding. A smiling Rosemary rejoined the avatars and sat down beside Sam, "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. He felt vastly inferior to the stern avians as they ferried the Holden family across the sky. 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!"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. Shelton struggled to keep up, his legs were rather short you see. 'Fucking eagle needs to slow down!' Herald turned back and smiled to 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, Missy and Shelly began to lag behind as the trail became more rugged and the going more difficult. The males took rest in a small clearing whilst they waited for the females 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, than 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.'And 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 in the distance. 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 suddenly said, and the trio of Virgil, Tristan and Ashley rushed forward to see what they could. It appeared that Herald had arrived at a burrowing creature's mound, with a small
hole which led down into the earth. Ashley looked up with a questioning glance as Herald laughed at the boys. He waved his wing, and 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, and 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 above. 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 and reached out her hand to the equine spirit, but smiled helplessly when it became apparent that the two could never touch, "Oh, sweetheart."Maggie mouthed the words, 'I love you,' and Missy nodded, "I love you too, baby."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. 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 of the hall 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 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 the strange 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. One of us must remain here with her, forever..."Before any of the animals could react, the chamber was 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 dark. Beside him, Missy shook with startled surprise when a face materialized around these rings."Hello," Said the dragon, "Is everything alright?"Herald breathed a relieved sigh. "Aye."The dragon did her best to comfort the animals. "It seems that 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 larger than she'd seemed a moment before, and she 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 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. "You needn't answer.""What!?" Missy chuffed, "I want to know who she is!"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. "Hi, I'm Shelton." The pony said, taking a step forward. "This is my mom," he gestured to his parents, "And my dad." Ibiza bowed to them, "I am well met, fair animals. Please know that you may also 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, and her bright golden 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. All was quiet. She walked the empty hall, seeing the facility from the point of view of some other animal. She whimpered when she entered a morgue, and beheld the body of her deceased daughter Sheri. A spirit lingered nearby, it's tiny shimmering outline bore Sheri's likeness. In time it grew suddenly larger until it assumed the robust shape of Maggie Pumpkin. Back within the hall, Missy reached out to Maggie. "You... you were Sheri's spirit! You really are my daughter!"Ibiza's eyes shimmered as Gabriel emerged from his own introspection, "You saved Shelly..." He breathed. Ibiza shook her head, "It was not I, but my dark half.""Dark half?" Shelton whispered, then he shook as Ibiza's golden eyes rolled over black. At once the dragon's fanciful appearance changed, and became frightening and menacing. "Shelly Holden, 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. It was cold, and the ancient mare shivered in the chill, "I thought it was supposed to be warm here?" Sam slipped his arm around her, and she gladly accepted his warmth. Mayalee smiled to them, and then took Timothy's hand. The four did not 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.'He 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, and 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 shook his head. 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 and led 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 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. She leapt out and rushed to 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?' Came Kromhaut's voice."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 extremely 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 white halo around Rosemary's head. 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!""How are you reaching her?" Timothy chuffed.Sam gestured to his companions. "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 a black Napier wagon! Black interior! That's all I can see right now, Penny's blocking out her memories of the wolf.""Rosemary," Mayalee said, leaning over the front seat. "You need to clear your mind and focus upon what Penny's thinking. You need to put yourself inside her visions.""Blast and damn girl, you think I've never communed with anyone?" She bit back her anger. "I'm sorry sweetie, I'll try."Mayalee nodded as Rosemary leaned back and closed her eyes. Her lip began to tremble ever so slightly, and she unconsciously clapped her hand upon Timothy's knee when the frightening details of Penny's death became known to her. "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." She 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, "Is there a god somewhere waiting for me?"Mayalee glanced away from the spirit as Rosemary smiled warmly, "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." She slipped from the car, leaving Rosemary weeping. "Goodbye, sweetie." The old mare sniffed back her emotions and attempted to compose herself, but promptly burst into tears. "The poor sweetie!" She cried. Timothy took her hand in his, trying his best to comfort her. She fell into his arms. 'Rosemary's got a lot of pain to let out.' Timothy thought. He was surprised by his new feelings for the horse. 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 cut a bit of her blonde 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 upon her haunches and touching her paw to her chest. "I only wish to help."Gabriel looked to his wife who slowly nodded. He glanced at Maggie, and the boxer smiled her support. Gabriel touched his daughter's chin, "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 and carefully offered 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. Ibiza seized her as if she were a living animal and thrust her 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 sound did spit out a bloody body enwrapped within a clear membrane. Maggie Pumpkin broke from the amnionic sack as Ibiza smiled at her handiwork, "Ah! Perfect!"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 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 and clasped 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, but found she was gone. Now the silver tree began to shimmer. No longer an intricate sculpture of metal, the tree now regarded the animals with a cool malevolence. Herald 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?""There is no danger, for I am with you." Came 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 avatar. 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. Then, quite suddenly, a wooden wall sprang up from the floor. Glorafin's metal face became twisted with frustration. Another wall appeared, and 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 and peered 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 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?"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 and 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 and rummaged around for a pair of denim trousers and a blouse, whilst above, Maggie heard Shelly's fussing voice. "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 and spent 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.' Maggie smirked at her reflection, "I can see myself, I can finally see myself!"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, Gabriel nickered his 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 and 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, "Next time I hear about a ghost haunting someplace, I'll give it serious credence."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 and pressed himself to Maggie's side, "Hey sis, how are you feeling?" She smiled gently to him, "I feel... hungry."Part FourNightfall brought with it scattered clouds and a chance of rain. The old Sunbeam's suspension had obviously seen better days, and jounced horribly whenever the sedan hit a bump on the increasingly dodgy road. "Ugh!" Rosemary 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, an avatar for a god who doesn't block you when you're trying to help someone!" Timothy chuffed. 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 released 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 shook 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. Rosemary squeaked when Timothy playfully kissed her cheek. She touched her fingers to the spot his lips'd touched her, and she
imagined him kissing her again and again.Sam pulled off at the next exit, and sought out a motel that didn't look like a complete dive. The motel they settled upon seemed devoid of any color, and the room assigned to Timothy and Rosemary was dark and musky. She collapsed upon the bed whilst Timothy searched the closet for extra bedding. 'I shall keep you warm.' Said his dragon, and the fox thanked Tannin as he sat heavily in a worn out chair. A gentle snoring issued from Rosemary, and he smiled at how peaceful she looked. Just then, 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!'The shadow paused near the door. Timothy slowly rose from his seat to address the entity, "Rosemary understands what you meant. About murder.""Please forgive me," Replied a strange, buzzy voice. "It was not my intension to worry you."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, you come from the first dimension?""You assume that I am Ibiza?"A tapping fell upon the door. 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. The room became bathed in light when 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 mare 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."***Up north, the eagles settled into Herald's tree, whilst the horses camped in their house boat. 'I wish Justin could be here.' Shelton thought, imagining himself cuddling his friend's feathery chest. Disembodied golden eyes appeared at the window. Shelton shook with fright that the dragon might be lurking outside! The eyes disappeared, but soon peered back into the boat. The pony pretended to be asleep, but his mind remained fixed upon the dragon's haunting eyes. Unable to resist, Shelton raised his head to see if the creature was still there. All was quiet.He sighed, and lay back down. A gentle darkness settled over him as he imagined the smiling face of his friend. Shelton's vision seemed to zoom in on one of Justin's feathers, and that's
when the pony felt like he was watching one of those science videos, where you zoom in on things to see what they're made of. Down down and down Shelton's vision 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 bright points of light that made up the other tiny 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 an elderly female voice. '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 The One. '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.'The One 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. 'Sleep now.' Said the voice. 'Sleep, and remember that the shadow realm is a place of life!'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 other 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, and 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!""Yes, 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, Elly, I'm sorry.""Hmph." She chuffed, "I know you've been through a lot dear, but let's do try and control ourselves next time."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 her belly in distress. 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." Herald said, and then 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, 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, and 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." Came a voice. The animals turned to find the golden dragon. "Whilst there are obstacles to overcome," Ibiza said, "Each of you has the means to overcome the challenges now set before you." Ibiza 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, while Justin gently grasped Shelton's tail in his beak. "Shelton, no..." With an outstretched hand, Shelton touched the plates of Ibiza's chest, then snapped his hand back in shock. Herald Kirsten then approached the dragon, "Greetings, Ibiza."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, if he indeed possessed the body of a mass murderer. Ibiza nodded to her, and then addressed Tristan. "My lad, your spirit is awake within this vestment of flesh and bone, and so you must 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.""You don't think I could do it?" Tristan asked. Ibiza's eyes flashed. His question was met with the memory of Tristan Brightwing receiving forewarning that the former union government was near default, "Your actions 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, in time a more lasting solution shall present it's self."A flash of anger surged through
Tristan, "What about him!" Tristan screeched, pointing his wing at Herald, "How come he isn't crazy! If this mess is all his fault!"Herald hung his head, but Ibiza cupped her paw beneath Herald's mandible. "He has earned his grace, he has overcome his inner darkness."Ibiza turned her eyes upon Tristan, and they flashed with an uncanny majesty. "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. We have not prayed for easy lives, but we do pray to be stronger animals.'" She paused to assume a dramatic pose, "'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. 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 to 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, and the boys chortled 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. "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, and so my memories are fragmented and incomplete."Virgil rolled his eyes, 'I figured as much.' He thought, but became startled when Ibiza seemed to hear him, "Well," Ibiza said, embarrassed at seeming impotent, "There are many chambers and passages that have been wrought by different beings and 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, and 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, are animals going to go extinct someday?" In answer, she smiled; "For a star to be born, a nebula must first collapse." She playfully reached out with her paws to 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, and 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 afraid? What's up?"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, then brightened. '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, and Shelton smiled gently to him, "How about an abridged version?"Ibiza laughed, the sound quite lovely to the pony's ears, "Animal kind struggles at great cost to power their world," She began, "Tell me, if you could devise a source of infinite power for your world, would you?""Well, yeah!" The animals chimed, "Is that what this is about?" Shelton asked."I am the power source." Ibiza breathed, "But there is a terrible caveat, Shelton. If I manifest into what I might become, there is a danger that I could destroy all life on Elysium."Ashley stepped back, his fear an emotional knife in Ibiza's heart. Shelton took her face in his hands, "You wouldn't do that! You're sweet and kind!"She cupped her paws over his hands, "What you see before you is not the entity destined to appear. I am a discarded tool, a weapon that has outlived it's usefulness. Though perhaps, I might find a new purpose when the convergence is come." She looked away, struggling to properly express herself. "I was the goddess of destruction, the destroyer. Now, I am simply a lost soul searching for what most animals take for granted!"Not fully understanding, though desperate to comfort her, Shelton squeezed her paws. "Ibby, I believe in you!"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 and looked about. The eagles were gone. "I am sorry, Shelton. My mind... is not whole.""You're fine." Shelton replied, risking a quick smooch of her nose. She smiled, and noted the eagle's absence. "Our friends have departed.""Virgil and Ashley wanted to get back, so Justin went with them."She reached out and touched her lips to his, then smiled as Shelton's heartbeat rang in her ears. "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 mom.' The dragon beckoned to him, "Come, sit between my wings."His thoughts swirling, Shelton swung his leg over the dragon's neck and sat upon her muscular back. 'I'm sitting on a dragon!' He thought with a smug smile, 'The ponies back at school would never believe this!'Ibiza smiled as she rose up into the air. 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 ahead and took flight. 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!" Chimed 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. It 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 looked over at Rosemary, but the elderly mare could not perceive the specter in the gloom. "Who is that?""You were most kind to the spirit, Penny Almond.""I know your voice," Rosemary breathed, "You told me I would find purpose in murder."Death sat up. Rosemary peered at the black shape silhouetted in the dark of the room, and had a funny sense that she was looking at a mirror image of herself. "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 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, and 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."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!"Death slipped her long arms around Rosemary and held her close. Desperate to comfort her animal, Death willed herself to speak as an animal might. "Sister, don't cry. We'll be alright."Rosemary pulled back from the entity. "What did you call me?"Embarrassed, the entity stood. "When the convergence is come, 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 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's presence suddenly became great and terrible; "What you want is of no consequence! Very soon, we shall become
one!" 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, weeping. Sam took the mare's face in his arms. "There, there, Rosie...""I never wanted this!" Rosemary sobbed, "I only wanted to-" She withdrew from his touch. "To help animals?" he asked.Rosemary nodded, and attempted to dry her eyes with the hem of her ancient dress. "I suppose."Sam held her close, and she gladly accepted his warmth. Mayalee quietly entered and 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 and cupped her tiny hands upon the mare's knees. "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 and returned his kiss. Mayalee took Timmy's hand and led 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 and pulled 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. For Rosemary, her dream was somewhat darker. The mare found herself as a ghost, wandering a barren and shattered landscape. Here and there she recognized some landmark or familiar feature, but the sad and deteriorated state of things was emotionally devastating. Ahead, she sighted the remains of the motel where she and her companions had stayed. She cautiously approached the only intact room. Inside, she found the dead body of a golden dragon!Rosemary gazed down upon her ghostly form, then 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, she reached back out to feel the pull once 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. 'I'm being given a choice, such as it is. I can become cursed with eternal life as a dragon, and save everyone. Or I can refuse, and condemn all animalkind.'The old horse smiled, '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 this dream? Why am I being presented with the illusion of a choice?''The future is not yet set.' Came her own disembodied voice. 'You may yet choose.''What sort of choice is this? If everyone must die should I refuse?''There is another. Someone close to you may stand in your stead.' As the voice answered, it changed. Rosemary immediately recognized Shelton's voice. 'No! You can't take him!''I cannot allow the world to fall into darkness.' Said Shelton.Rosemary glanced down upon the dragon's body. 'I'll do it! I'll join with you, just leave Shelton be!'The green growing things became larger and more beautiful. They surrounded the dragon's body, forming a soft carpet of warmth. Rosemary was relieved when it was her elderly voice that responded. 'Mother is the name of god, on the lips and in the hearts of little children. Come love, come and be the mother you've always wished to be.'With that, Rosemary 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 put her nose into his flowing mane and gasped. He took her in his arms and held her close. "You're trembling, are you okay?"Her breath came in short shallow gasps. Her eyes were unfocused, and her arms hung limp. 'It's like she's a new avatar being awakened.'"It's all alive, Sam! All of it!""Easy," he whispered, "Just let it happen."She began to convulse. Alarmed, Sam steadied her face in his hands. "Rosemary, are you alright? How do you feel?"Suddenly, she was calm. Her eyes fluttered open, and were no longer grey. Sam marveled that they were now a deep sky blue! "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.Rosemary noticed that she was naked, and shyly covered her face with her hands. "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!""Love, you should take it easy." Sam said, touching his chin to 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. Then she took up her gown and slipped it on. She sensed that she was radiating something. Some sort of newfound power, and she endeavored to keep it 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 moved passed him with a playful swat to his rear.Outside, the animals gathered 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 to Kromhaut's mention of the dragon Nierika. '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, before she 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 needs a conscience, and by whatever powers there may be, she
has selected Rosemary as her emotional center.'Across the table, Rosemary smiled gently. Mayalee met her gaze and returned the mare's warmth. '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 reached out to cup her hand over Mayalee's. The mouse smiled her appreciation, then asked her dragon; 'Krom, do you believe everything is going to be alright?''I have hope, Mayalee. I trust in Rosemary.'The Dark PlacesA nighttime routine had begun to emerge within Herald's tree. 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 and sat just behind Justin. His bulk obscured the diminutive creature, and Shelton didn't immediately realize that 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, and 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, 'Oh, how I need him.' The game commenced, and as predicted, Ashley won the first round. A reshuffle, and round two was on! Ibiza narrowed her eyes, 'Two, three, five,' She glanced up from her cards, "Ah! I see the pattern!"Justin looked up, "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 clacked his mandible, 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, and 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, but 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, and Ibiza gestured with her paw, "I may gift you a key, so that you might gain access to them. 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. But 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 tried 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 that Ibiza didn't exactly tell 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.""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 remained that way for several moments, 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?" The pony laughed, "You're getting cold feet now?""No... I'm not. Let's go."Shelton nodded. Then 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 was barely enough light 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 to Shelton's belly, "You're starting to sound like a creator cultist! 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 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!"Then, Shelton looked about. "Want to get out of here?"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 greater 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?"Then, Ashley noticed etchings upon the blocks. He gestured for Shelton to bring his flashlight, "Hey! These say something!"The writing upon the stone blocks was wholly alien to the boys, and they boggled at what it might say- "It says," Came Herald's voice, "This is not a place of honor. No great deed is commemorated here."The boys whirled around to face Herald. Ashley stood, his knees shaking as Herald moved to the next block, "And 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." Herald said, his presence filled 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." Herald said. He gestured for the boys to follow, "Come along, we should not be here.""I'm sorry Herald." Ashley peeped. Herald nodded to him, "I'll not tell your mother what you have done, if you agree to never do it again.""Ibiza said it was okay!" Shelton argued, but he was met with a harsh screech. "Do not argue with me, boy! You'd best listen to your elders, and not some prankster of a dragon!"The pony winced, completely stunned by Herald's rebuke. 'No, she can't be pranking us! She can't be!'"I apologize, Shelton. I simply wish to convey the gravity of the situation, and how important it is that you heed my words.""Okay." Shelton mumbled.'That's just how dad behaved yesterday,' Ashley thought, 'He really is going to be like Herald.'The black eagle sighed, "I'm so sorry, Ashley. If I could take back what's been done, I surely would."The trio returned to Herald's tree, then settled down for the night. Herald gently brushed his wing over Ashley, then stepped up onto his well-worn perch. It was sometime after one in the morning when Ibiza crept into the parlor. Her eyes moved gently over the resting animals until she settled upon Shelton. "He is dreaming, about me."The darkness of Ibiza's mind knew that there wasn't much time. Ashley's analogy of a volcano about to erupt weighed heavily upon her. The dragon felt an impending destiny that was nearly here, and she was afraid. Death appeared
beside her. The shadow followed Ibiza's gaze to Shelton.Ibiza reached out to touch the pony. She reached out to his spirit. Death became keenly aware that the surface tension that'd prevented her from touching other animals was not present. If the sisters would, they might have Shelton as their center. 'Enter his dream, interact with him.' Said Death. 'Test his faith in you.'"No, I cannot frighten him."'Soon we shall awaken, Ibiza. Would you prefer to manifest as Ibiza Pushpath? A caring mother to all animals? Or would you prefer to be the unfeeling goddess of destruction?'Gently, Ibiza reached out to touch Shelton's sleeping mind. Her physical body dissolved into the first dimension, but an echo of her spirit entered the pony. Inside, Ibiza found herself sitting beside Shelton at his family home, looking out the back porch toward a stand of trees. "Hello, Shelton." Shelton patted her neck, "Hi, Ibby.""I was there, in your school yard."He looked to her, "Hmm?""I compelled your school mates to attack the lion, I wished to test you.""Huh," Shelton breathed, "I did think it was funny, how they acted like that.""You're not upset?"He shook his head, "I don't think so. I was kinda happy with myself that I did the right thing."'Test him!' Death urged. Ibiza bowed her head, "Shelton, I am not simply an animal, as you've suggested. Soon I shall manifest into death, and be called upon to end an animal's life. If you wish to know me, then you must experience this side of my being.""You're fair, Ibby." Shelton said, "I can accept that side of you.""Shelton, my darker half ended the lives of your grandmother and grandfather. I deprived your mother of her parents!"The pony recoiled from her. His eyes shimmered with pain and longing, and he wondered how she could have done such a thing.It was in this moment that Ibiza realized she had no sister, that she was simply talking to herself the entire time! Her eyes rolled over black as the realization dawned upon her, "I am not fair, Shelton! I am pitiless! I used my power to sever their spirits from their mortal forms!"Tears welled up in Shelton's eyes as she leveled her dark gaze upon him, "I took your grandparents! I have taken countless animal's sons, mothers, and fathers! To know me, Shelton, is to know the cruel nature of the world!"Shelton cowered beneath the dragon, "Now, Shelton! If you would know me, then you must share this pain! You must help me free the soul of Tristan Brightwing from the prison of Herald Kirsten's clone!""Tristan," Shelton gasped, "You want to kill Tristan?""Did you not
affirm that you could accept this side of me?""I can't do that, Ibiza!"'Interesting,' She thought, 'He referred to me as Ibiza, and not Ibby.'"Please, don't hurt him..." The dragon turned away from the distraught pony. "No, you can never be the one for me." 'He might be trained,' Said the darkness, but Ibiza dismissed herself, 'To harden his heart would be to change the quality of his spirit that so endears him to me.'Ibiza retreated from Shelton's mind, heartbroken that the pony could never be her emotional center, 'This dream is forgotten, Shelton.'He gasped and stirred, then woke to find Virgil standing over him. "You can't, what?"Disoriented, Shelton looked about at his friends and family, softly framed in the early morning light. "Uh, I dunno."Virgil swatted him 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 just had a dream.""What about?"He shook his head, "I can't really remember, but I think it was about a lion back at school."Maggie lay her chin on Shelton's head, and the pony blinked, unaccustomed to such sisterly affection. "We've all been through a lot, don't worry about some odd dream."Shelton slipped his arms around her, as Missy beamed at them. "Thanks, sis."RendezvousThe great wild north was more grand than Allomere Clemens could have imagined. "I can't believe I've never been up here!" Deep forests moved beneath him, and unnamed lakes and rivers sparkled like so many diamonds. 'How far have I gone today?' He asked his dragon. 'Five hundred kilometers.'"Thanks for powering me!" The hawk said aloud, "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 and 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 me. 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.'"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. He followed the minor 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?" Said Shelton.Gabriel stood up to find his soon looking rather forlorn. "Yea? What's up?""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."Gabriel hauled himself out of the engine compartment and replaced the cover. "Thanks for telling me son," He squeezed Shelton's cheek. "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."Up above, Herald could be heard up on the skyway. Gabriel held Shelton for a moment, then gestured to Herald, "Why don't you go up and see if everyone's ready to go."The pony nodded, and then shimmied up the rickety ladder in time to find the mariner raising his head to screech very loudly. The pony waited awkwardly, until a chiming call issued from the forest. Shelton marveled as a jet-black bird emerged from the canopy, his outline barely discernible within the shadows of the forest. Only the bright golden disks of it's eyes could be seen from the depths of the gloom, and Shelton thought how they resembled Ibiza's eyes. Herald conferred with the avian in a
strange manner of speech before the flyer departed. Shelton rushed to Herald, filled with questions, "What was that bird? I'd never seen anything like him!""Some would call him a jack-jaw," Herald replied with a flutter of his tail, "While others might call Hildr's kind 'mocking jays.'""Huh." Shelton chuffed, "They're completely wild then?"The huge eagle shrugged his wings, "Oh, they do eschew civilization, but I would not call them uncivilized."The pair turned to find Allomere on the landing. "Greetings." Herald said, recognizing the hawk as a dragon familiar. "I regret that you've come all this way for nothing, we're 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 be a great help if you retrieved the ship's wheel from my wall and tucked it safely inside your boat.""Sure thing." Gabriel replied with a gesture to his wife. The two set themselves to their task as 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, and 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, 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 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 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."Missy looked back at her friend 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 and prepared to lower it
to the forest floor. Justin stepped back out onto the skyway when several of the mocking jays touched down. The black birds greeted Herald in their strange wild speech, and Justin blinked when he found that he was able to understand not their words, but the thoughts behind them; "How are sad it to go away..." the leader said, his thoughts somewhat disjointed to Justin, but the young eagle was thrilled that he'd discovered a new ability!"It is time for going," Herald replied, "My time to diminish. I wish a farewell to you.""Never to see you again?" The jay asked, and Herald approached the jays with a melancholy smile, "I will submerge into the seas, but know for always, my love is yours."The jays began to screech and chatter loudly, and Justin understood that it was a ceremonial display, something to be employed at times of great emotional significance. They flew away, leaving Herald weeping in the way that eagles cry. Justin touched his wing to the mariner, and Herald smiled, grateful for the support. Shelton delivered a hug, and then held 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. "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 chortled. "I don't know, love. I still feel like I'm going to wake up back in Oakdale park, smarting after being hit on my head by that falling branch."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 smiled weakly. "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, and 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 equine 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, then saw a grey pony peer down over his shoulder. 'It's Justin and his friend.'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, so Shelton 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. "Maggie's all fixed up now." Shelton said, glancing at Rosemary. "She doesn't need any help.""Hello sweetie, my name is Rosemary.""Uh, hi there." Shelton replied. The old mare's blue eyes flashed with a strange inner light. "Though, you might know me by another name."Shelton blinked, suddenly entranced by the elderly mare. "Come again?"She knelt down to take Shelton's hand in hers. "My name was once Ibiza Pushpath, and your name was Sherman Straightpath. You were my grandfather, a long long time ago."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."Rosemary smiled. "The dragon is me, sweetie. At least, she's what I might become.""Okay," Shelton murmured. "Um,
wow."'Come.' Death said to Mayalee. The mouse gestured for her companions, "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, and 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 stayed 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?" Came Ariadne's voice 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 first 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 shimmered, "Then you may love yourself, which one must do in order to love others."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, and 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. Ibiza breathed a silent breath of farewell before departing the boat and ascending the ladder to Herald's tree. She used none of her magic for the climb, though the tree possessed it's own magical foundation courtesy of Herald's delegated power. Thus, the ladder did not collapse under her weight.'I do not deserve to become a goddess.'Her future self smiled, and sent Ibiza a warm feeling of love. 'The fact that you believe yourself unworthy, means that you are worthy.''What of the trees?' Ibiza asked herself, 'They will rebel in the absence of Glorafin.''Benjamin will guide them. They will accept the farmer's gentle touch.'Ibiza nodded, 'Thank you.' With a deep breath, she poked her head up above the floorboards and found 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 and bowed to the mouse. Mayalee's lip began to tremble, and tears wet her eyes. "Oh, Mayalee," Ibiza said, taking the mouse in her arms. Sam smiled gently as the dragon cradled the little mouse. "I know what you're thinking," She said softly, "You finally get to meet a living breathing dragon, right before they go away."'Ibiza,' Mayalee replied, 'What are you, really? Are you The One?'"I am the
result of a merger." She answered aloud, "Of all dragonkind, plus one." She looked to Rosemary. "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 Rosemary. "Please forgive me for not making your acquaintance sooner, I never knew what I should say.""I suppose we'll have plenty of time together." Rosemary chortled, then bit her lip. "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 to Rosemary. "You have been our guiding hand."Rosemary nodded bravely, as Ibiza gestured to her friends. "Come along." The animals gathered around Ibiza as her golden scales sparkled with an uncanny majesty. "You shall never again hear your dragon's voices." She said to the avatars. "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. As the animals looked on, Ibiza's body 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 entered the home 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, and 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, and 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 sprit 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 found herself surprisingly at peace, "I think so!"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 found that they could laugh at their situation, and though they were as afraid as any animal at their impending mortality, they were also thrilled by it!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. 'I will always love you.'He began to whimper, and 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 suddenly groaned. Herald became startled as a terrible realization dawned on him. "We'd best evacuate this abode with all speed! There's no magic 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. Just then Herald swooped in and plucked 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 bodily hurled him onto Justin's back. "Oomph!" The eagle chuffed. He recovered quickly and took wing with his friend. Justin carried Shelton down to the boat and quickly shrugged him off, "I'll get your mom!""Go!" Shelton cried.Jagged pieces of the destabilizing home rained down upon 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, crashing down upon the pier. It lay across the mooring line, holding it taught. Shelton could not unseat the line from the mooring cleat. 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 to snap the mooring line. She called out to her son. "Rip it out! Rip that thing out!"Shelton grasped the mooring cleat and pulled with all of his might. He strained and huffed, but it was too much for him. Suddenly, Maggie appeared beside him. "Get beside me!"The pony grasped the line and pulled with his sister. Then, 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 mooring 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 upon 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 and then flew down to the wrecked pier to scavenge what rope he could. Meanwhile, Gabriel brought the boat around and ran 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 and 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." Said 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 hand of 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. "That's it. The journey is over." Sam said. "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? 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?"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!""Don't worry sweetie." Mayalee said, "I have 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, and 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."Stepping back inside, Sam shook Missy's hand. "Thanks for saving Timothy and I, you were right on time!"She smiled and flexed 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, and 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, and shook Gabriel's hand, "Thanks, though.""Where do you all live?" Gabriel shyly asked, and 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, and the mare rolled her eyes, "Guess we'll have to go together!""Eww." Shelton gruffed. Gabriel chortled, and roughed his son's mane. Maggie went to the cellar door to check on Herald. A soft rhythmic whistling could be heard from below, and Maggie knew 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 HomecomingThe following days merged seamlessly into one another. 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 his room. "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, and retired 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 and check on Herald, "Ah, come in!"Shelton nickered at the warm welcome and 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, and his voice cracked ever so slightly, hinting 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."He 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. She 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.""Ugh!" Shelton chuffed. He leaned back on his cushion, "She was so wonderful! I wish she'd come back!""Keep her in your thoughts," Herald said, gently pushing Shelton with his wing, "Always keep a path open for her, and she might just surprise you."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 favorite memory. "Mine was Maggie getting coughed up! I'll never forget that!" He beamed. "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." 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. 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. Gabriel eyed him, "Something else on your mind?""I know I'm 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." Gabriel said softly. "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. Shelton pressed his face beneath his father's chin and gently wept. '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. 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 upon 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 and positioning 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. A single tear fell from his eye and landed on Ibiza's neck. Shelton jerked his head back, almost knocking his father in the snout! "Careful, boy!""Dad! Did you see her move?"Gabriel gently patted
Shelton, hoping to calm him. The pair spent a long moment admiring the drawing, and it seemed to Gabriel that his boy was indeed cheered by the dragon-inspired drawing. '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 which 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 that'd happened. 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 and smiled to the stallion. She looked about the comfortable home, then returned to her two dimensional home away from home.Next morning, Gabriel was awakened by Missy's cry from the kitchen. "Ugh! What?""Where did this come from!?" Missy squealed. Maggie sprang from her room, wiping her eyes. "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 said to her stallions. She gave Shelton a peck on the head before she returned to bed. "How are you feeling?" Gabriel asked."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 and offered his arms. The eagle gladly stepped into them. "One of your crew members told us of 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. Missy smiled to him as he returned, "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 family member. 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. The pony felt increasingly estranged from his fellows, and sat away from them. He sighed, and rest his face in his hands. The sights and sounds of his voyage played over and over in his mind. Oh, how he ached to hold Ibiza's face in his hands!Taking up his cell phone, Shelton dialed Justin who answered; "Ello?""I can't stand it here! Rescue me!""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." Justin said, "He won't return my calls or anything.""I'm sorry." The pony 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." Justin said, "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. His flight was uneventful, and soon 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. Herald apologized, "Oh, forgive me. I've the wrong home.""Herald!" Mayalee peeped. He looked several doors down to find the little mouse waving him over. Herald approached and clacked 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. "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. Herald nodded. "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 replied. "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 upon their long histories. Finally, Mayalee looked to the patch of carpet where Rosemary'd spun her yarn. "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 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 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," Herald said, "But only once."She smiled, "Ibiza never would address you by 'Kirsten,' she always used your true name. Why do you think that is?"He shrugged as Mayalee sat beside him to gently pat his toes. "Because she felt you had nothing to be ashamed of.""Thank you, Mayalee." He murmured, then winked to 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 the Brandenburg police commissioner.""Oh?""It's a big deal," Mayalee said, "Our action is being capitalized on to try and shore up relations. Politics, you know.""Speaking of Politics," Mayalee continued, "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."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 had just become cursed when Octavius passed, and never saw the changes in Shannonvale until I was set free." He sighed, "I left for sea with the king on his 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 said at last, "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 bid his longtime friends goodnight, then gazed out across the evening sky, relishing 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, and Herald smiled wistfully. 'I feel I've become a character from an old time movie...' He glanced about at the couples seated around him. They seemed oblivious to his presence. Herald sighed, '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 of the cinema. 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. He merely 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 ActHerald 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, and 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 approached the door and 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. Herald 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 and clenched his teeth, "Herald!" Maggie took him in her arms and held 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 touched her hand to Maggie, "Are you okay, sis?""Yeah." Maggie replied, noting the odd scent of sea and spray upon 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. To Maggie's surprise, Herald left a note asking that his remains be interred near Maggie's own grave in Buckley. The eagle also insisted that a tree be planted over him, 'So that something might make use of my carcass.'December 11 of 2271 dawned cold and grey, as a group of remarkable animals gathered to commemorate the passing of Herald M. 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. He 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, and 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. What was important is the effect it had on Maggie. She began to weep, then her weeping became a heart-wrenching sob. Gabriel
took her in his arms, and then Missy joined in their embrace.The equine parents led their daughter away, whilst Shelton drew near to read what was inscribed upon the stone. 'Here lies a Heroine of Buckley.'Justin appeared behind the pony and rest his chin on Shelton's head. Shelton sighed, and patted his eagle. "Poor Maggie.""Justin?" The pair nodded to Mayalee as she approached. "I have something for you."The Brightwing family (Plus Shelton) 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." She whispered.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 and gently touched the drawing, silently begging her 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 settled down on the sofa, when he felt the odd tingling in his spine. He shifted to and fro, but the sensation persisted. "Are you okay?" Missy asked.He rose and took up Rosemary's note. He gingerly unfolded it, "Heh!" He cried, "Shelton, come here!"The pony rushed over as Gabriel showed him the note, "Look!"The note read: 'My love, look for me on Midwinter Day.'Shelton cupped his hand over his mouth. "See boy! I told you she'd be back!"The others looked upon the note and marveled, whilst Gabriel danced a happy jig. He placed the note back upon the frame with joyous reverence, then Missy took his hand and led him away. Maggie knew what might happen next. "Come on," She said, nudging Shelton, "Let's go get a soda.""But we have a bunch in the fridge."She chortled, "Let's go!"The siblings set out along Forest Drive, marveling at the rich winter sunset. "I wish Herald could have held on for just two more weeks, Midwinter Day is almost here." Shelton murmured. Maggie patted his shoulder, "I'm sorry, 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 a son, Shelton. In a way you let him experience what it might have been like, if only for a few weeks."Shelly sighed, then lay her head on her sister's shoulder. "How do you feel, Maggie?""Alive, sis." Maggie nickered. "I feel so alive!"EpilogueMidwinter Eve, 2271. A freak winter storm swept down from the north, socking in all of the major airports, and making Midwinter Eve a travel nightmare for thousands of animals. Octavius d'Shannonvale found himself in a winter wonderland, and watched with fascination as bright silver lights flickered on down through the snow. The avian ghost stood amongst a stand of trees and listened to them argue about who was responsible for the weather.'It's hard when they go to bed.' Said the part of him that was Tristan Brightwing. Octavius solemnly nodded, 'To think that Ibiza suggested I was the stronger one. 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.'Octavius! Look at the sparks!'The king looked, and 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 where the ghost of Tristan Brightwing had appeared to his wife. "Greetings, Octavius." Said a dark brown voice."Ibiza? Is that you?"The golden dragon stepped from the shadows and smiled to him, "Happy Midwinter! How are you this evening?""My lady, I thought you'd embarked upon a path of seclusion?"She bubbled with excitement. "You forget that though we may see the mortal world from our lofty vantage, this is indeed the spirit world! 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 produced the wood box
that Justin'd been gifted. She took the feather from it and stuffed it into her mouth, "Climb inside!" The dragon urgently gestured to her maw. Octavius marveled at his fortune, then smiled to the bright golden lights that shimmered above his head. He went to the dragon and climbed gingerly into her mouth. Inside, the avian king 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 thought I'd direct your consciousness 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 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; "And what shall my role be?""Your spirit shall be awake." She said, stepping near to him, "You'll be endowed with the ability to see and hear spirits..." She bit her lip, "You are under no obligation to return the favor that I'm gifting 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 I found myself in charge of this world.""I understand." He replied, "What might I do?""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 patted his wing, "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?" He asked. 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 later today! Won't this be fun?"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..." then he became overcome by a fit of relieved laughter, "And she is Rosemary Barter, Shelton Holden's cranky old granny!"***In Aurora, Rosemary Barter touched down upon the fresh snow leading up to the Holden family's home. Clad in a gleaming white gown emblazoned with pretty daisies and colorful honey bees, she bid the door open and made her way inside. 'Hello, sister!' Her portrait chimed.'Hush, now.' Rosemary whispered, 'You'll wake the ponies!' She moved to her sister's 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 and took a glass from the cabinet. She was joined there by Ibiza. 'Take care stepping from your portrait!' Rosemary said, taking a cookie from a bowl on the counter and stuffing it into the dragon's mouth.She filled her glass with almond milk, then sat at the table. Ibiza loitered for a moment before Rosemary bid her sit. 'No one is going to wake for some time. You may as well join me.''You'll not wake them?' Ibiza asked.'They'll 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 her mouth. 'I am happy you are here!' The dragon said through the morsel. Rosie chortled, 'You too, sister! I'd say we made it, and everything has turned out alright.''What about the trees?' Ibiza asked.Rosemary raised her glass of almond milk. 'Benjamin Almond. He's going to be my next recruit. He'll handle the trees, and see that they behave!'Ibiza became excited, "Oh! Yes!"'Shhhh!' Rosemary hissed.Just when it seemed that no one'd been disturbed, a door opened along the hall. Rosemary cast a stern 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. "Did you see Herald! Is he alright?""He's fine, love. Now, I need you to concentrate for a moment." She took Maggie's hand, "May I speak to Mary Bard?""Uh, sure." After a moment, a mature voice issued from Maggie's throat. "How can I help you?""I want to make sure you know that Timothy Buttons is the army major who shot you."Mary nodded. "I am aware that he was once George Kesselring.""So, there are no problems?""None that I'm aware of." Mary replied.Rosemary patted her hand. "Good, because I want you to stay very close to Maggie. Your experience as a police inspector is going to come in handy, and you'll need to work in close proximity to the fox.""Am I back on the force?" Mary chortled."You're on my force." Rosemary replied with emphasis.Ibiza patted Mary's thigh with joyous excitement. Rosemary turned to the dragon, "And you! Back to your drawing! Midgard is my territory!"Mary chortled as the cranky horse ushered the dragon back to her portrait. The dragon 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 as the boxer resumed control of her identity. She nodded, then kissed her grandmother. Rosemary retired to the parlor where she finished her milk and watched the sun edge closer to the horizon. On the wall, the dragon sighed through her portrait, eliciting a smirk from Rosemary. 'Oh, blast and damn. I can't have you sighing miserably on Midwinter Day. Go ahead and come back out!'Ibiza happily jumped down to join Rosemary on the sofa. The pair held one another as they waited for the sunrise.'Will this be my only window to Midgard?' Ibiza asked, gesturing to her portrait. 'For now, yes.' Rosemary replied. 'Though I suppose Shelton will be free to climb through and visit you in Asgard.''His Midwinter Day gift?' Rosemary chortled, as the rising sun danced upon Ibiza's golden scales. 'Happy Midwinter Day!'Shelton and his family will return in The Dragons of Tyr.***The Sparks of an Ancient Light is dedicated to my brother Don, and to my Mom.It was written by Chris Sawyer in (c) 2015.