• The Sparks of an Ancient Light -

  Bradley Greenfield sat wedged between his sofa and a bookcase, a revolver clutched to his chest and his police radio at his feet. Today was the day he'd waited for - the whole world had waited for - the final confrontation with that tyrant bitch. His radio crackled to life; a garbled static shook the horse. Then came another slightly less garbled, but still unintelligible report. "Don't scream into the radio," Bradley mumbled. "Kala just blasted Ibiza!" Cried a voice. Another field officer chimed in; "But, she's okay! Ibiza is ok!"

'Okay,' Bradley thought, 'And?'

For a long moment, there was no further traffic. All seemed eerily quiet. Bradley imagined his fellows staring blankly at whatever event was unfolding. Annoyed that he was not out there, Bradley keyed his radio, "What's happening??"

"They're just talking," came a reply, "Actually, wait.." Bradley clutched his revolver as the officer continued, "Ibiza just ran into the natural history museum! Kala hopped down onto all fours and followed her in there!"

Another voice added, "A news crew just arrived, they have a camera up and running."

Bradley dropped his weapon onto the sofa and lurched up to turn on the television. A blurry image of the museum filled the screen. He keyed his radio, "Alright guys, what's happening?"

"I dunno," came a reply, "They went in, and," the field officer fell silent as a mouse and a lion could be seen rushing into the museum. Bradley recognized the pair. He'd seen them with Ibiza, but he couldn't quite place when or where. After a moment, the dragon emerged with her animal helpers. Bradley's ears perked so hard they nearly flew off his head. "Guys, get someone into that museum! See what the hell is going on in there!"

On the news cast, a police officer rushed up the museum's wide steps, then turned to confer with the dragon's animal familiars. They traded words, then the officer screamed into his radio, but his transmission was only a garbled static. "Don't scream into the radio!" Bradley snorted.

"They got her!" The officer cried, "They got her!"

From her bedroom, Bradley's daughter Marigold heard her father's excited cries. "What? Kala is dead?!"

Marigold peeked out from her fortress of blankets and pillows. Her father rushed in, "Girl! Come here!" The brown horse scooped his daughter up and carried her into the parlor where he plopped the grey-furred filly in front of the television. On the screen, the news crew rushed toward the dragon, but were kept back by the mouse and her lion partner; "Please, give her a moment."

"Did the dragon kill Kala? Can you tell us what happened?"

The mouse gestured for the animals to calm themselves. A canine reporter nodded to her, "Alright, what is your name, ma'am?"

"I am Genivee Tin," the mouse replied. Her lion partner smiled, "I am Karl Kuhn."

"What happened? Is Kala dead?"

"Kala is dead," Genivee said. More news animals arrived on the scene and moved around Genivee to approach the dazed dragon who sat a few feet away. "Ibiza, how did you manage to kill Kala?"

The dark-eyed dragon blinked; whispered, "I gave her what she wanted."

The mouse put herself between the newsanimals and the dragon. "Please, guys. She needs to collect herself." A van rolled to a stop at the base of the museum's stairs. A large black horse leapt out, and bodily lifted Ibiza up and carried her to the van, leaving the news crew looking after them. From her father's parlor, Marigold watched the dragon's animal helpers pile into the van and disappear. Inside the jostling vehicle, the golden-scaled dragon smiled to her friends. "Thank you."

"Are you hurt?" Genivee asked. She grasped the dragon's paw to inspect her friend, but the dragon reassured her with a gentle pat. "I am more than alright," Ibiza replied, "I have Kala's power."

The lion chuffed, "What? How?"

"When Kala was killed, the magical essence she carried was released. I captured it before it could disappear into the first dimension."

Genivee's lips parted with a thoughtful breath. "We have much to discuss," Ibiza said, making eye contact with each of them, "I must ask each of you to ponder the greatest decision of your lives."

---

That evening, the Greenfield family wandered about as if in a daze. At some point, Gladice Greenfield set about cobbling together some sort of dinner. As she worked, Marigold's father sat at the table clad in his police gear. He'd expected to be called in to cover the field officers, but strangely, his office issued no summons for him. Gladice dropped a plate of food in front of him, startling the horse. "That's why they haven't called," Gladice said, "You need to recover your wits before you go back out there." He sighed. "If I had any wits left to recover."

Marigold smiled at her father, then enjoyed one of his reports. Since Bradley was a police officer, Marigold was privy to information that'd not yet been released to the general public. "The great mountain appears to be hollow," Bradley said between bites of his potatoes, "There's many caves. Army scouts have located what appear to be giant sarcophagi, way down inside one of the deepest chambers. The general consensus is, Kala and her cohorts were sleeping there for thousands, even millions of years."

Gladice Greenfield shivered, then nervously stuck a spoon full of corn into her mouth. "We may have post traumatic stress," Marigold said. The dapple grey mare glanced at her daughter, "What do you mean 'we?'"

"It says so in my books, we have all suffered extreme anxiety and stress." Bradley chortled, "I think you're a bit young to be reading psychology books, best study your mathematics books, first."

The room was lit by headlights from a passing car. Marigold hopped from her seat and rushed to the front window. "Marigold!" Gladice snorted, "Get back to the table!"

"It's the dragon's friends!" Marigold chimed. Bradley extinguished the dining room light, then moved to the window. "That's the van from the newscast." He murmured, "But, what are they doing here?"

"It's got to be a coincidence," Gladice snorted, "Our neighborhood is the sleepiest corner of Albany, what could they possibly want here?"

"Look!" Marigold cried, "It's the dragon!"

Bradley caught sight of a golden flash of light that disappeared into the home across the street. Gladice reluctantly joined them at the window, "Oh! It's the lion from the newscast! It really is them!"

"His name is Samuel Preston," Bradley said, "He's a chief inspector over in Brandenburg. I don't know why he called himself Karl Kuhn." He patted his daughter, then guided her back over to the table. "Come along, finish up."

Gladice looked about for a moment, then closed the curtain. Marigold finished her meal, and then hovered near the window. It did not take long for media vans to converge outside. "Looks like they caught up with the dragon." Sighing, Bradley got up from his chair. He went to the closet near the foyer to retrieve his police jacket. He went out to meet the reporters. Marigold knew enough not to follow after her father, but she watched from the front window as Bradley suggested in the firmest possible way that the news animals were disturbing the residents of the area. "Kindly leave, at least until morning."

Grudgingly, they complied. Bradley thanked them, as he caught sight of a small figure watching from the Holden household. After the five news vans departed, the lion named Sam met him outside. "Thank you, kindly."

"You're Preston, right? From Brandenburg State?"

"Uh, yeah." Sam said, sheepishly scratching his head. "How is the dragon? Will she be alright?" Sam smiled, "Ibiza is going to be fine."

"What happened, Sam? What happened to the world?"

"A new age is beginning."

Bradley nodded, "I suppose so." He turned to go, "My little girl is going to sneak over and poke around your house."

"I expect she will." Sam replied with a chortle. "See ya," Bradley said, and then turned in. In his foyer, Marigold bubbled with questions. "I don't have any answers," he said, poking her lip with his finger. She frumped, prompting him to pinch her ear. "They'll introduce themselves when they are ready."

Gladice nudged the girl toward the washroom. "Get thinking about bed, hm?" "Yeah, sure," the girl snorted. Gladice bit her lip, then glanced at her husband. "I think things will be alright," he breathed, "In fact, I'm rather glad that Sam Preston is with the dragon. He has a fantastic record over in Brandenburg." He picked at his teeth, "Only thing I wish I'd have asked him is, why did he identify himself has Karl Kuhn?"

"That sounds like an old time lion name," Gladice opined. "It is," he said, "And, it happens to be the name of a famous Imperial Army traitor."

The mother equine sighed, "I'm so relieved the monsters are gone. I can't believe that even happened."

"He said a new age was beginning," Bradley said, "It seems to have got off to a rocky start."

Next day, the media returned to Forest Drive. Seven large vans and nine sedans filled the narrow street. The dragon's animal assistants filed out of the home and assembled on the front lawn. The mouse Genivee Tin led the procession, followed by the lion and the black horse. Then, a large brown eagle emerged from the home. Several of the reporters audibly gasped when they caught sight of this eagle, for he bore an uncanny resemblance to the greatest avian king the world had ever known. One reporter even retrieved a ten pound note from his wallet to look upon the portrait printed there. "Fuck me,"

From her family's porch, Marigold Greenfield watched the animals issue a statement to the press. She could hear the mouse speaking, but what she said was lost amongst the flash bulbs and camera equipment that popped and whirred. She moved down the stair to the sidewalk, only to be stayed by her mother's large hand. "Stay here, dear."

Marigold made no argument. She simply watched the scene unfold. Then, a strange thing happened. The golden dragon emerged from the home, and with a wave of her paw created a blue gown which she set upon the mouse's shoulders. Then, she produced a red cloak which she gifted the lion. The black horse received a large brown robe which she placed upon him, and then the big eagle received a purple sash. The dragon now spoke to the assembled reporters, but as she did a shadowy mirror of her face looked through the crowd and met Marigold's gaze. The girl's heart began to pound, and her knees felt wobbly. After a moment, she regained her wits, but the audience with the dragon was now done.

News crews stowed their equipment, and curious neighbors returned to their homes as the sun set low in the sky. Marigold blinked, and then looked for her mother. "Mom?"

She found Gladice inside, preparing some meal. "Mom, what happened?"

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Marigold shook her head, "I dunno, I just feel like everything ended too quick."

"You're just overwhelmed, dear."

The grey filly smirked at her mother. 'I'm not overwhelmed.' She tromped inside and flopped down on the sofa as her mother continued her mealtime preparations. After dinner, the parents assumed their nighttime routines. Feeling somewhat cheated that she'd blanked out during the interview, Marigold sought to investigate her strange neighbors. 'Animals who've suffered emotional shocks sometimes black out.' Marigold said to herself, 'What happened was perfectly normal.'

Outside, Marigold crept across the street, careful to avoid the cone of light produced by the street lamp. She hurried to the hedge that separated the Holden residence from their neighbor's home and made her way to the outer wall, just beneath the kitchen window. She moved toward the parlor window and peeked inside. A hallway light illuminated many portraits adorning the parlor wall, including a large drawing of the dragon! It was a pencil or charcoal drawing and - the face in the portrait turned to look at her. Marigold stumbled backward and ran back toward her home. Tromping up the steps she struggled to open the front door, but found it locked! She glanced over her shoulder, expecting to find the dragon looming over her, when her father opened the door; "Girl! What are you doing?"

"The picture moved! She looked at me!"

Sensing that his girl had a fright, Bradley held her close. He glanced out the front window, in time to see the lights within the Holden residence wink out. 'Bollocks,' he thought, and then whispered soothing words to Marigold. Gladice met them in the hall as Bradley brought the filly into their room and lay her on the bed. "We've had a scare, so we'll all hunker down here tonight."

"What happened?" Gladice asked, but Bradley waved away her question. "We'll be alright, let's just take things as they come."

And so Bradley lay down, glancing through his open bedroom door and down the hall to the front window. He couldn't see the home across the street, but he could feel it, as his mind assembled all of the clues and information he'd gathered during Kala's yearlong reign of terror. "You expect to find a hero in this.. thing?" The blue-scaled titan had said of the golden dragon, "This creature, that is aligned with the realm of death?"

'The dragon's eyes are black,' a part of Bradley's mind said, 'As black as a starless night.'

He thought he heard his front door open, but he knew it was just his imagination. 'The dragon isn't dangerous, she swore she would never harm anyone, even Kala.'

'So how did you manage to kill Kala?'

The reporter's words echoed through Bradley's mind. 'I gave her what she wanted,' came the dragon's reply. 'So, what if she decides to give me what I want?' Bradley's mind wondered, as a strange electric tingle radiated up his spine. He shook awake. Beside him, Marigold stirred. He raised his head, and felt oddly cold, as if the front door had been left open. He sighed, then lay back, but sleep had been chased far far away.

Next day, the news reporters were back, in greater numbers. Fifteen animals alone were camped on Marigold's front lawn. Bradley surveyed the scene, and then dialed his police precinct. Marigold listened to his call, as her father conferred with his superiors. "I agree sir, the dragon's presence here is disruptive to the local neighborhood, but we have to consider that there's a reason the dragon is staying at the Holden residence. Somewhere along the way, they have befriended Ibiza, and so their home is the only place she feels safe."

After an additional exchange, Bradley agreed to carry out some order. "I'll go over and talk to him."

He placed the receiver back in it's cradle, as Marigold rushed to him. "Are you going over to the house? Can I go?"

"I thought something over there had scared you?" She nervously tugged on the end of her grey tail, "Yeah,"

"Come along, then," he said, "But stay close to me and don't interrupt when I am speaking." He took her hand, "Let's go."

The pair crossed the street, and moving around the large black van the pair made their way up the Holden's front walk. The front door opened, and the blue-robed mouse met them on the porch. "Hello, Mister Greenfield," she bowed to Marigold, "Miss Marigold."

Bradley glanced past her, "Is Ibiza here? I'd like to speak with her."

"Come in," Genivee said. Bradley took a step inside, then gestured for Marigold. Cupping his hand on her head, the father equine looked around. The lion Samuel Preston sat at a table. His lanky form was draped in red robes, and a long metallic staff rest against the wall behind him. Across from him was the black horse, clad in dark green robes. His staff was a long gnarled branch that seemed to be vibrant and alive, despite being separated from any sort of tree. Marigold waved at him, and squeaked when he returned the gesture. From the kitchen came a large golden eagle. Bradley carefully approached the avian, "Why do you look like King Octavius?"

"Well, it is because I am Octavius."

Bradley snorted, "Can you prove it? I mean-" "How come you are wearing different colored clothing?" Marigold chimed, "I mean, it looks like a uniform, like my dad would wear, but more like a gown, or something."

Genivee chortled, "It is a uniform, of sorts," she gestured to her fellows, "We have become animal wizards! We assist Ibiza, but we are also guardians, mentors, and protectors."

"That's what I wanted to ask," Bradley said, poking his daughter's head, "How safe are we with Ibiza?"

"She has taken great care to ensure that animalkind can defend it's self," Octavius said, "Each of us now possesses a titan's power." Bradley cocked his head, "Come again? You mean, Kala's powers?"

"Yes," said a dark brown voice. Bradley whirled around to find the golden dragon seated upon her haunches. His eyes met her black, featureless eyes. Marigold glanced at the drawing on the wall, then crept toward the dragon. "H-hello," she peeped. Ibiza smiled to her, and then took a white shawl from the sofa and slipped it over the girl's shoulders. "T-thank you?"

"You sound as if you are cold," Ibiza said, "Perhaps that will help?"

The girl smiled awkwardly as her father conversed with the self-described wizards. Though they were only across the parlor, their conversation seemed muted, and far away. The dragon's proximity seemed to pull upon Marigold's mind, as if the creature possessed a powerful gravitational force. Marigold's eyes traced the curves of Ibiza's horns, then moved across her elegant cheek and down along her thickly-muscled neck. The dragon met her gaze; 'You will traverse the great sea. You shall travel in my stead,'

"Okay," Bradley said, "Thank you." Her turned to his daughter, "C'mon, let's be going." "W-what?" The girl peeped. He took her hand, and smiled weakly to Ibiza. The dragon nodded to him; moved to the window to watch the horses return home. "The girl studies psychology," Ibiza murmured, "Isn't that interesting? You opined that I might require the services of a psychologist."

"I was being facetious," Genivee retorted, but Ibiza waved her paw at the mouse, "In jest, we are at our most serious."

"She's just a little girl," Octavius murmured. Ibiza glanced at him, "Thus were you once a child," she said, and then flicked her tail at him. "Sort of."

---

That evening, Marigold flopped and rolled upon her bed. She snorted; burrowed her face into her pillow. Suddenly, she sat up. "What did she mean, 'I would traverse a sea?'" She groaned, then rolled out of bed. Slipping on her pants, Marigold took up the white shawl that Ibiza had given her and threw it over her shoulders. She gazed into the little mirror upon her wall. Bathed in the soft light of the street lamp, Marigold appeared to herself as an animal wizard, clad in a flowing white robe. 'It is a uniform, of sorts,' came Genivee's voice. Marigold grasped the hem of the shawl and strode out of her room. Making her way downstairs, she crossed the parlor and slipped out onto the front porch. With a quick glance back, she crossed the street as a gentle rain began to fall, but none of the droplets wet her mane. The front door of the Holden family's home opened. Genivee Tin emerged to meet Marigold. "I need to talk to you." The girl said with all the seriousness of an adult.

The mouse beckoned her in. After an awkward silence, Genivee cleared her throat. "Marigold, do you feel Kala might have been lying about Ibiza's true nature?" Marigold nodded, "Is she really aligned with death?"

"Marigold, everything that was said is true, and know also that the titans were incapable of deceit, as is our Ibiza. Our goddess is indeed aligned with the shadow realm."

"Is that why she seems so sad?"

"The dark touch of death is a daunting ascendancy, but that is why we have become Ibiza's immortal servants, to assist her and to share the weight of her burden." Genivee's fellow wizards filed out of a door along the hall. Their faces seemed exceptionally stern, and they looked down upon her as if in judgement.

"I want to help, too," said the filly, "I want to become a wizard like you and help Ibiza."

The wizards betrayed no reaction. Marigold's veneer of composure began to crack, and after a moment she crumpled beneath their stern gaze as she attempted to plead her case, "When I saw the videos of that titan being mean to Ibiza, and I saw how scared and sad she was, I felt like I wanted to do anything I could to help her feel better."

The mouse hugged her, "That is very sweet, dear."

In the hall, the wizards stepped aside for the dragon. Marigold stood up as tall as she was able as Ibiza drew near. "I care about you, Marigold," the dragon whispered, "So much do I care, that I feel I cannot offer this position to you." She turned away, "I am sorry."

"What happened to you?" Marigold peeped, "You're deeply wounded, but it's nothing the titans did." She reached out to the dragon, "Please tell me what you need."

Ibiza smiled weakly, "Already do you make a fine psychologist." She patted the filly's hand, "Yes, Marigold, there are hurts that cut deep, and a burden that I shoulder that is nearly impossible to bear."

"So, you need a friend. You need a friend who can listen."

Genivee squeezed the girl's shoulder. She nodded to the mouse, and then reached out once more to the dragon. "Ibiza, I want to join your company and help you."

"Very well, Marigold, but I shall apply these two conditions; you must apply yourself to the study of mental health, and achieve perfection in this pursuit. If you dedicate yourself to this discipline, I will look favorably upon your application to join my company and become an animal wizard."

A spark was ignited within Marigold's eyes, "Thank you, lady."

The dragon turned to go. "Uh, what was the other condition?" Ibiza turned back to her, "You'll be required to do the household dishes. Forever."

Marigold smirked, "W-what?" "It was a jest, Marigold," said the dragon, "I alone do the dishes."

"But you're a goddess, do you really have to do dishes?"

Ibiza approached the filly to deliver a gentle peck to her snout, "If you scramble around the letters in 'goddess,' you get the word 'servant.'"

"I don't think that's true," Marigold whispered, "But thanks for not making me do dishes."

"You'd best get back," Genivee said, "I sense your mother is stirring."

The filly nodded, but remained at the doorway. The dragon in the parlor. Neither seemed to want to be the one to part first from the other. Near the sofa, the horse winked to the lion. The feline shook his head with a knowing smile as a hazy fog settled over Marigold's mind. She'd become enthralled by the dragon, but started as the wizards moved past her and filed out. "Our meeting is concluded," said the horse, "Though I suspect yours is about to begin,"

"Uh-huh," Marigold breathed, now becoming aware of a horn blowing somewhere beyond her perception, and the distant wailing of bagpipe music. The strange music grew louder, until Marigold realized it was her cellular telephone's melodic ringtone. She answered the caller; "H-hello?"

"Marigold," Gladice barked through the line, "Where are you?! Are you across the street?"

"I'm across the street, at the Holden's," the filly answered, then winced as her mother scolded her, "Get back here this instant! It's too late for you to be out!"

"Yes, mom," the filly said as she ended the call. Ibiza kissed her snout, "Go home, but come back tomorrow, for we have much to discuss."

"Okay, I'll see you later." Ibiza waited as the girl stood smiling at her. "Marigold, this is where you leave."

"Oh! Right!" She peeped, then hurried out the door. In her haste to leave, she neglected to close it. Ibiza reached out to close the door, but a golden paw suddenly thrust it's way in. The other pushed the door open a crack, peering in at Ibiza. "Remember, the core is damaged."

"Yes, I know."

"You shouldn't be entertaining this filly! We must address this problem!" Ibiza pulled the door toward herself to take control of it, and then slowly pushed it closed. "This is my moment, stay in your own time." She closed the door on her future self, and with a sigh, glanced at her portrait. The graphite drawing turned it's hand-drawn face to regard her. "I made the right decision," Ibiza muttered, "This was the only way."

---

Next morning, Marigold woke to the familiar sound of Missy Holden's yellow station wagon. She leapt out of bed and went to the window in time to see Gabriel Holden carry in his newborn daughter. She noted that Missy Holden seemed subdued, and she wondered where Shelton and Shelly were. Slipping on her white shawl, she quietly went downstairs and made her way outside. Crossing the street, Marigold approached the Holden's door. It opened for her. Marigold looked for whoever might have opened it as she entered, "Hello!?"

Gabriel Holden met her in the parlor. "Mary?" The girl smiled awkwardly, "Uh, Marigold." The stallion nodded, "Ah, right! How are you?"

"I'm okay, is Ibiza here?"

"She's in the kitchen, want something to eat?" Curious, Marigold moved down the hall to the opposite end of the house where the goddess of death prepared a pancake breakfast. Marigold smiled at the absurdity of what she beheld. Ibiza flashed her a smile as she measured out baking powder and laid out strips of wild beast flesh. "How many pancakes would you like?"

"Two, if they're small." Ibiza pointed her stubby finger at the filly, "You're going to be tall when you grow up, you need to eat so you can build that stature!" The girl giggled as a mature mare met them in the kitchen.

"Hello, Marigold," said Missy Holden. The girl smiled as the elder horse took a seat at the table. The pair traded words, as Ibiza continued her cooking, and as they chatted, Marigold noted that Ibiza took her 'servant' role very seriously. 'She's so unlike Kala,' Marigold thought, 'Kala assumed herself to be queen of everybody, because she was big, and had magic powers,' she paused to watch the quadrupedal dragon stand up on her hind legs, to use her forepaws like hands. Ibiza gestured with her paw, and a spoon flung it's self across the kitchen to her waiting fingers. Marigold blinked at the display. "Ibiza, what is magic?"

"It is."

She frowned at the reply, "Does that mean you don't know?"

The dragon glanced at her, "Magic cannot be described, Marigold. I can only show you what it is, however, there are many other things I must show you before we explore the nature of magic."

Gabriel Holden wandered into the kitchen. Ibiza went to him and hugged him tightly. Marigold blinked at the odd display of affection as Gabriel returned her embrace. "Breakfast is almost ready." "I'll get it to go," he replied, "Penny is still asleep."

She served him a plate, which Gabriel took with a smile and then returned to the parlor. Missy smiled after him, and then began organizing files and stacks of paper whilst Ibiza set plates of pancakes before them. The dragon then scooped piles of partially cooked pancakes and shreds of tuskin strips onto a large plate; shoveled the food into her maw. Marigold wrinkled her nose at the dragon. "Ibiza, how come you don't eat slowly and enjoy your food?"

"I have no sense of taste, besides, I am very hungry."

Finished with her meal, Ibiza took her place at the sink, ready to begin her clean-up work. Missy smiled at the dragon, and then began shuffling her papers, as if she were looking for one in particular. Curious, Marigold glanced at the many files and papers that Missy stacked on a little cart, "Oh, what are these?" "I'm writing a book about what's happened," Missy said.

"You mean about the titans?"

"No, I'm going to write about everything that came before. About our journey, and when we first met Ibiza."

The dragon glanced at the horses, "Yes," she said, her voice ladled with anxiety.

Marigold perked up, "You sound uneasy about it."

Ibiza shrugged her narrow shoulders, "I'd be far more confident if the narrative were kept to Missy and her immediate family."

"You are a part of this tale," Missy said.

"Yes," Ibiza replied with a glance at Marigold, "But I'd rather not have every animal on land reading about my embarrassing mood swings and personal failings."

"Isn't that the point?" Missy asked.

"What do you mean?"

"The Titans, the ordeal we've just been through, wasn't the whole point of Kala's reign of terror to take you down a notch in the eyes of regular animals?" Missy gestured to Marigold, "I mean, little girls feel confident enough to come by and ask to see you. That would never have happened if Kala hadn't ridiculed you in front of the world."

Ibiza sighed, "I am so sorry to have put you through that, Missy, but it was the only way that I could walk among mortal animals without becoming a ruling figure."

"So, you're okay with being in my book?"

"I just feel strangely vulnerable," she paused to set a tall stack of plates in the water, "What will animals think, if they find out everything? To know that I'd sprang from an old stone well, like a ghost from an old time movie?"

"That well," Missy murmured, "Ibby, whenever I've tried to ask you about the convergence, you always duck the question. Would you answer me now? What's the first thing you remember after you became reborn?"

Ibiza smirked at her, as Marigold hung on their every word. "You should gather your notepad if we're working on the book."

Missy did, and when she seated herself Ibiza sighed; "When the convergence closed around me, I was destroyed."

"Oh!" Marigold peeped. Missy nodded as she committed the dragon's words to her notebook, "Okay, but did you feel anything?"

"I suppose, I mean, it felt like every fiber of my being was stripped away. My spirit, everything that makes up who I am, was gone."

The mother equine flashed an approving smile as she jotted down the nicely descriptive passage. "What about after this dimensional alignment? What happened to you?"

"Obviously I have been restored,"

Missy smirked, "We're not writing a police report! I need to know what you were feeling or what you experienced so that a reader might be able to relate to you."

"So, after the convergence?" "Yes," Missy said, "What's the first thing you became aware of?"

"My return was not unlike a body springing up from the dark waters that'd extinguished it's life. In my vulnerable state I knew not who I was, but slowly, gradually, my memory returned to me."

As she spoke, Ibiza embarked upon a type of spiritual introspection as she relived the day of her rebirth. Within this strange recollection, Ibiza found herself within a home, where she recognized a candlestick and a vase of flowers for what they were, but these mundane items seemed like odd photo elements spliced onto an ill-fitting background. Everything looked wrong, though she could not fathom why. Ibiza puzzled on this peculiarity as more and more memories returned to her. Vague recollections of what had transpired before the convergence clouded her mind. Ibiza had the presence of mind to become alarmed, for she feared that something might have gone wrong, but she realized that she was not in a physical place, but an animal's dream!

'Why? Why do I find myself in an animal's dream?'

With as much mental focus as Ibiza could muster, she examined her surroundings, 'Farmhouse.' She clumsily made a connection; 'Home.' As quickly as Ibiza made the connection, she knew that this was not her own beloved home, but a place called Farmington Manor. This vast complex would not exist in the present modern day, so Ibiza knew the date within this dream was sometime in the near past, perhaps one hundred years before her initial arrival in the world.

Now, Farmington Manor had ceased to be a working farm some time ago. The facility was now the home of the Union Army's military intelligence branch, commanded by a reynard fox named George Kesselring.

'Kesselring,' that name stirred a memory, but Ibiza could not fathom who this animal was, or why she would know them. 'I am a century removed from Sam and Mayalee, and Timothy..'

She made the connection. 'Kesselring! He will later become Timothy!'

It was something of a revelation for the dragon to realize that she had friends. What's more, the friend who's dream she now inhabited had made a pact with a supernatural entity. 'As had I,'

A tromping of feet could be heard on the wooden flooring outside this bedchamber. Ibiza wasn't sure if she would be visible to the inhabitants of this spiritual introspection, not that it would matter, but she receded into the shadows as a tall reynard fox entered the room.

The morning is crisp and chilly, with a faint wind blowing from the north. Outside, a tree branch scratches against the outer wall of Major George Kesselring's quarters, but the fox was oblivious to the restless scraping as he prepared for the day ahead. With obsessive-compulsive precision, he turned out his uniform, smiling fondly at the wreathed star adorning his shoulder straps. 'The bullion embroidery cost a fortune,' he murmured, 'But it was well worth it.'

He held the tunic out before him, and then slowly slid it up over his lanky reynard form. His fur was almost flame-red, which stood out in stark contrast against the drab olive colored tunic. Though it was nearly mid-winter, he did not select his trousers, and instead took up his uniform kilt.

He secured his belt; moved to the mirror to inspect himself, but winced when a popping sound startled him. He rushed to the window, wincing again when another loud report issued from the surrounding wood. Looking out through the major's eyes, the reynard's future incarnation knew why Kesselring was so unnerved by the loud noises, 'He'd nearly died when an anarchist opened fire on his military recruiting station. This army major has suffered from traumatic stress syndrome ever since.'

Back within the moment, Kesselring perceived the wheezy equestrian police transport making it's way up the long path to Farmington Manor. He flinched yet again as a particularly loud bleat issued from the vehicle's compressor, the sound punctuated by a white puff of steam that rose up from beneath it. Kesselring snorted his contempt at the equines, "Those fools are going to kill themselves in that thing."

Glancing at his reflection, Kesselring left his sleeping quarters and hurried along the hall to the parlor. There, a nervous fox tapped his heel to attention. Kesselring squeezed his subordinate's shoulder as he passed, and then went out onto the porch to wait for the equines.

A burly wolf appeared beside Kesselring to gauge the number of officers present as the police vehicle came to a stop near the enlisted barracks, "I don't like this."

"Oh, shut up," Kesselring chuffed, "I'll humor these fools and then send them on their way, we have nothing to worry about."

"Do we?" Leftenant Grom retorted, "You forget that while we are a Union Army installation, we are not on Union land! Those horses have jurisdiction here!"

Kesselring looked back at the police animals as several armed equines filed out of the passenger compartment. A shapely equine mare stepped from the cab. She noticed Kesselring and waved to him, then made her way to the main house with a purposeful stride. "That must be Bard, the inspector," Kesselring murmured.

Mary Bard stepped up onto the porch and waved again to the canids. 'Simpleton,' Kesselring thought, 'Why do horses all have to be such ignorant bumpkins?'

Grom stepped away, not wishing to become ensnared in the meeting. However, he was intrigued by the short equine female. Indeed, Mary Bard was a tad short for a police animal. At five foot three, she was certainly the shortest equine Kesselring had ever seen. Hailing from the north, Kesselring cleared his throat to deliver the customary Shannonvali greeting for stressful situations such as these, "Top of the morning,"

"Hiya! I'm Mary Bard!" she said, arriving at the door where she was admitted by a uniformed soldier. Kesselring bowed graciously, yet his face conveyed great annoyance, "How might I be of service?"

"I take it you've heard about the business?"

"Business, ma'am?"

"The murder," Bard said, her eyes sparkling from beneath her bushy mane, "The gentle animals down at the hospital are quite traumatized, the whole incident was quite bloody from what I understand."

Kesselring chose his words carefully, he knew he faced a calculating police manipulator, 'You don't attain the rank of inspector based solely upon on your down-home charm,'

"Murder has a way of turning out that way," Kesselring replied as he escorted his unwanted guest to the library. Mary Bard wore a light beige shirt with matching pants that blended quite seamlessly with her tawny brown fur, giving her the appearance of being naked in the early morning light. Leftenant Grom imagined himself bending the sturdy looking horse over a chair to find out just how tightly her muscles could clench.

Grom was so absorbed by Mary's curves that he failed to notice an equine officer who'd attached himself to the procession.

Bard suddenly dropped her satchel. She took a few steps before turning to Grom, "Would you pick that up, sweetie?"

With a snort, Grom knelt to pick up the satchel. Whilst distracted, Mary slid Kesselring's revolver from it's holster and passed it smoothly to her fellow officer. Kesselring grasped his empty holster, a seething glint in his eyes. Mary smiled to him, "So you agree that Leftenant Hausser was murdered?"

"I said nothing of the kind," Kesselring chuffed. He gestured sweepingly to the library entrance, "Please, after you."

Mary's companion suddenly grasped Grom. The horse conducted a rough search of the wolf's person. Satisfied that Grom was unarmed, Officer Angus Greenfield shoved Grom into the library. Mary entered the dimly lit room, followed by an increasingly unsettled George Kesselring. Mary sat down on a dusty sofa. She guessed that animals seldom ventured here to read, and the likeliest use for the room were meetings such as these. Mary took a moment to browse the selection of books as Kesselring sat heavily in a seat. His military kilt revealed quite a lot of his legs, and Mary found herself glancing up the reynard's skirt, "Something wrong, inspector?"

"Nope. Everything appears in order."

He snorted.

"Now, George. May I call you George?"

"You may."

"George, I have to get right down to brass tacks. You're in a lot of trouble. Before Leftenant Hausser died, he was able to tell the doctors down the road everything that happened here."

"This is a military installation," Kesselring said, "You have no jurisdiction here."

Mary dismissed his thought with a wave of her hand. She took a dossier from her satchel and flipped through the pages, as if she were discovering the facts of the case for the very first time. "Now, Leftenant Hausser said that a Mantuan spy who was being interrogated here disclosed the name of one of his local contacts, this animal being one Elizabeth June Stafford."

Leftenant Grom chuffed. Mary winked at him as she continued, "Your animals were dispatched, and before long apprehended one Elizabeth June Stafford."

Mary closed the dossier and tapped it with her fingers, "The only problem was, your personnel nabbed the wrong Elizabeth Stafford."

Kesselring straightened his tunic, then turned his nose up. Mary leveled her gaze at him, "Why did you kill her? Why didn't you just let her go?"

"I have nothing more to say to you."

Mary nodded, "So, you murdered Miss Stafford rather than face the embarrassment of admitting you'd fucked up. Then, when Leftenant Hausser attempted to alert your superiors, you drugged him and placed him in his quarters. Then..." Mary continued, her voice becoming more harsh and booming as she spoke, "You cut his wrists, attempting to make his murder look like a suicide! After leaving him for dead, Hausser climbed from his window and made his way to the nearby hospital where he died."

Leftenant Grom slid along the back wall, attempting to reach the door. "Don't you move!" Angus barked. The wolf went rigid at the stallion's command.

Major Kesselring sneered at Mary, "Madame, this is a top secret intelligence installation. We cannot allow missteps, however tragic, to become public knowledge! And I must remind you yet again that you have no jurisdiction here!"

Mary reached into her dossier, "Here it is, Kesselring! The warrant for your arrest, endorsed by the Army Governor General!"

Kesselring ripped open his tunic, and from an inner pocket withdrew a small pistol. Mary betrayed no emotion as she placed the arrest warrant on a side table. "How many animals are you going to kill, George? How many more deaths will it take to erase all of your fuck-ups?"

Grom tucked his tail between his legs as several intimidating equines quietly entered. One gestured to him and the wolf slipped out of the library and was taken into custody. Then, Mary Bard faced down George Kesselring. "It's time to surrender, George. Put the gun down."

---

In the present modern day, George Kesselring's modern incarnation shook from his fitful slumber. He rolled over, groaning softly as the treacherous Major's shot echoed through his mind. Glancing across the room, the fox frowned at his reflection before a commotion from the kitchen drew his attention. The sounds issuing were not the sort that you might expect. There was no clanking and banging of dishes, but long talons scraping across a well worn tile floor. Timothy Buttons knew that these sounds should be imperceptible to him, but they were not. They were maddeningly loud. Mixed in with the scraping and rustling of his avian roommate were the eagle's loud and errant thoughts. 'Thoughts! How weird is that!?'

Timothy groaned as he slid out of bed, and paused briefly to chastise his reflection before he emerged from his room. In the hall, Timothy met an enormous black eagle. 'I'm sorry, did I wake you?'

The fox acknowledged his roommate's silent question, and attempted to answer with his mind, 'I was already awake, had another dream about Kesselring.'

The hulking black eagle at first betrayed no reaction. Timothy was left to wonder if his stab at telepathy had worked. The eagle named Herald stood motionless, his dark form seeming to phase in and out of reality. Only is bright yellow beak could be discerned in the gloom.

'Such is our burden, Timothy, though you might count yourself fortunate that the likes of Kesselring represents your soul at it's worst.'

"Did I make a mistake, Herald?" Timothy asked aloud. 'You won't know until you know,' the eagle silently replied, 'Now, if you'll excuse me, there is a client I must tend to.'

"Can I come along? You look more than big enough to carry me!"

'Hush, you'll wake Sam and Mayalee.'

Timothy focused his thought, asked; 'Is that a no?'

Herald reached out his wing, 'Very well,'

The eagle led the reynard outside where he awkwardly bumped against Timothy, 'Mount in whatever way you know, I am unused to ferrying passengers,'

"Just lower your head, then when I put my arms around your neck, straighten up, and I'll be able to slide up,"

Herald did, and became surprised at how quickly the fox hopped up. "Are you sure you'll be able to stay put? Won't you fall off?"

"Are we talking now? Out loud I mean?"

Herald resumed his silent speech, 'You ought practice the ways of your new reality. Besides, it enhances the secrecy of our existence, or so says Kromhaut.' The eagle began to walk, acquainting himself with Timothy's weight. The fox remembered his question; 'Oh, your head creates a low-pressure pocket just behind your shoulders, so I won't get a lot of wind hitting me. I'll be okay.'

'Very well,' Herald said, with a sudden lunge into the air. Timothy squeaked as he pitched backward and fell off, plummeting nearly thirty feet to the ground. Herald turned about to retrieve him and found the fox already on his feet, "You do have to take it a little easy!"

'Are you injured?'

"It's weird that I'm not, that was a nasty fall."

'When I first came into Glorafin's service, I attempted suicide. All attempts to escape her were futile gestures,' he lowered his head, 'You are now quite indestructible.'

"Uh, I feel like I should ask you again if I made a mistake."

'I am sorry, lad. I regret that I cannot offer you much guidance. My service is to the dead, and it is in their dealings that I am skilled,' he smiled awkwardly, 'Come along, we must hurry,'

Unsure now if he really wished to go, Timothy took his place on Herald's shoulder. The eagle was more gentle this time as he stepped into the air.

High up in the sky and far deep into the night did Herald Kirsten travel. Timothy watched as they passed many strange beings, all invisible to mundane living animals, but to Timothy, they'd become unnervingly real. Through the white misty vapors of the spirit world Herald passed an eerie specter that terrified Timothy, "Herald! What is that?!"

'That is the Comet Pilot, at least that is what I call him.'

"Because it looks like a weird comet?"

'He was once an eagle,' Herald murmured, 'Amdusias was his name. He hails from an elder age before any recorded history and before the night became clouded by the campfires of mortal animals.'

"W-what happened to him?" Timothy asked as the apparition passed them by and receded into the distance. "He refused to return to life. Amdusias was content with his existence as a wayward soul, and so he plies the dreamlike realm of Nidavellir, becoming more and more a part of the spirit realm with each passing century, forever searching for a sunrise that shall never come."

"Herald, are you saying that is what can happen to a spirit if they refuse to return to the regular world?"

'The spirit world may consume you, Timothy, if you linger too long, but some spirits may feel a great attraction to an existence free from the pain of the physical world,' he paused to glance back at the soul of Amdusias, the Comet Pilot, 'However, by remaining in the spirit world their spiritual life may become unendurable for them. They may walk as they would, and they may see things invisible to the eyes of mortal animals, but too often they behold only the phantasms and delusions of Glorafin, the goddess of the underworld, until their identity is stripped from them, and they lose all sense of who they once were. Then, when all hope of returning to life is lost, they become yet another wanderer in the outer dark.'

The pair set down. Timothy vaguely recognized the northern state of Avalon as his mind struggled to deal with the reality of unseen creatures that wander alone, with no one to help them, except an old sea captain. "Herald, that's terrible! Why won't the dragons do something about that?"

'Come,' Herald said, his tone clear that the conversation was now over, but his expression softened when he noted how disturbed Timothy seemed, 'You should know that I have brought you along so that you might meet someone. I believe it is important that you become acquainted with an equine named Rosemary Barter, before your impression of her becomes tainted by your new master's disdain of her.

"O-okay, so who is this animal?"

'She is less of a who, and more of a what. As the Comet Pilot embodies a bygone age now forgotten, so too does Rosemary Barter personify the age of the cataclysm.'

The pair said nothing more as they traversed a seeming maze of walkways and cobblestone paths, each lined with high hedges that obscured the way ahead. 'The animals who dwell here are not fond of crowds, and so they construct these winding pathways to veil their passage from one another.'

"How often are you listening to my thoughts?"

'I may hear whatever errant thought you broadcast.'

"So it's possible to hide my thoughts?"

'It is, though you'd not have the skill to hide them from me.'

Timothy groused, "So, I can look forward to a complete lack of privacy?"

'Hush,' Herald said, 'We have arrived,' he turned to Timothy, 'Rosemary may not hear your thoughts, but you might hear hers. Pay attention to what you glean from her! Now, come along!'

Timothy followed after Herald as more and more animal commuters appeared from the gloom. He glanced at a large clock mounted atop a lamp post, "Herald, it's half past seven, why is it so dark?"

'We pass unseen through the physical world, but as the shadow realm veils our passage, so too does it block out the light of the sun.'

A passing animal walked straight through Herald! "Hey! Are we like ghosts, now?"

The eagle suddenly stopped. Timothy walked straight into him. With a choking squeak he adjusted his green sweater as Herald turned his head around to regard him. 'No, not like ghosts, Timothy.'

"Herald!" said a shrill female voice. Timothy squinted through the mist to find a white robed figure beckoning to them. Herald moved toward the hollow form. Timothy followed, wondering at the figure who he now noted was a horse. A tall white equine mare, clad not in robes, but a long flowing gown. "Herald! I need your help! Jonathan has been comatose for months!"

'Jonathan Rookwood?' Herald asked. The mare nodded urgently, "Yes! Please hurry!"

The equine had scarcely noted Timothy, which didn't surprise him, 'She's very worked up.' As they hurried along, he noted that something about the horse seemed odd, but he could scarcely fathom what. Her fur as unnaturally white, as was her wiry mane. Her eyes appeared grey, and her lips seemed parched and cracked. 'Herald, is this horse a ghost?'

'Utilize your new abilities, Timothy. Look deep, and you will discover the answers you seek.'

Rosemary ushered the pair to a small park with wooden benches scattered amongst bushy fruit trees. Timothy became startled by the shadowy figure of an equine stallion seated on one of the benches; a shimmering ribbon of light framed the horse against the mist and the vapor pouring from the surface of the bench. He glanced at the female horse, 'No lights coming from her, so she must not be dead,'

'Do not look with your eyes, Timothy,'

Timothy cast Herald an annoyed glance as the white mare's voice became more shrill; "Herald, please help him!"

"Rosemary, your friend has lingered for far too long. He must return to the world of the living."

Behind Herald, Timothy focused his thought on Rosemary Barter. As he did, the sky lightened; Rosemary's tall and lanky form became small and diminutive; 'This is Rosemary as a little girl,' a voice seemed to say.

The young filly walked among the tall bodies of grizzled oaks, eyes downcast, never smiling. Timothy followed after her as the surrounding wood became more surreal and dreamlike. "Hello," Timothy said, "Rosemary? Are we inside your mind? Is that what this is?" The youngster stopped along the path; turned to look at Timothy.

"H-hi, can you see me?"

'I never asked for any of this,'

"W-what? What do you mean?"

The filly approached a broken pile of jagged wooden planks. She moved some of them aside, and then climbed down into the pile. Timothy became alarmed, said; "Hey! What are you doing!?"

The girl peered out from what was unmistakably a bonfire. Timothy approached the pile of wood but leapt back when a great and roaring fire sprang up, "Ugh! No!!"

"Timothy-!!" The fox shook awake, his face twisted with horror as a very concerned Herald Kirsten shook Timothy with his foot, "What's happened to you, boy?"

Timothy rolled onto his side, "Where's Rosemary?"

Herald gripped Timothy's arm to help him up, "She fled, screaming about a fire."

The fox got to his feet, "I need to find her!"

"She's quite off her rocker," said a faint, buzzing voice. Timmy turned to find the equine ghost named Rookwood. "I've had occasion to see her like that, and it's not pretty."

"Where did she go?"

Herald nudged Timothy with his wing, "I must return you to Mayalee's flat."

"No, I need to figure out what happened inside that horse-" "That is precisely what we shall determine," Herald replied, "Come along."

---

Now the morning sun cut long golden beams through the iron grey clouds of Avalon. The equine wraith Rosemary Barter rushed headlong through a sleepy village and down past an artist's colony to the train station. I must admit that this is the first time I'd got a close look at the former cult leader. In a way, Rosemary is what I expected. Tall, a tad over two meters. Pale white fur. Deep set eyes that were once blue, but now appear grey. She wears a tattered white gown that can never be removed, at least that is my assumption.

Perhaps sensing my presence, Rosemary glanced about, then turned her attention to the Morning Chorus. The chorus is a strange spiritual phenomenon that occurs each morning, where the tree spirits reach up with their power, so that they might affect the weather of the world. One such tree Rosemary had known in life, for he had once been an animal, an equine horse in point of fact. 'It is another fate that can befall a spirit who lingers for too long,' Rosemary breathed, 'But I doubt Herald will mention that to his young recruit.'

She turned away from the trees; pulled her gown close across her chest.

Ahead, a line of ghosts were queued up with living animals waiting to purchase tickets. The wraith felt foolish. She knew there was no reason to wind her way up to the ticketing booth where she'd gaze uselessly at the attendant before shuffling off toward the train, but she couldn't help it. 'It makes me feel normal, I suppose.'

'Besides,' she continued, 'I haven't deteriorated to the point where I speak to him! I mean, not in the way I'm talking to myself!'

With a last glance at the ticket booth, Rosemary entered the platform where she boarded a train. In the distance came the sound of shunting trains ringing and rumbling, their noises softened almost into medley by the distance. Rosemary secured herself to the train as it began to move. Because she possessed a living body, Rosemary could feel the train car begin to gently rock back and forth. It was a sublime sensation which she relished above all others. The wheels beneath the floor sang sweetly to her, and her eyes became heavy; 'But I cannot sleep, not in this place. I can never dream.'

Outside, the mist became heavy and the rocking of the car became more of a pitching and rolling. 'I wonder what Rookwood is recalling? His past existence as an attorney cannot be so compelling that his mind seeks to relive it again and again.'

The rocking of the train was very soothing. Her eyes began to droop. 'He did say his funeral was nice, family he never knew had come out to witness his cremation.' Rosemary's mind wandered to the fields of East Buckley where she imagined a gathering of horses had come to mourn her own banishment from life. The wraith wondered what that would be like, to have animals that might care for you.

She opened her eyes to find herself upon the deck of a ship. 'N-no,' she croaked, realizing now that she was slipping into a past introspection of her own, 'No!'

Even as her mind struggled to wake, the image of the ship became more realized, and so the wraith was forced to relive this long-past memory of a voyage to the north. Now believing herself to be aboard a vessel bound for Avalon, Rosemary rushed to the ship's wheelhouse where she found a calendar pinned to a bulkhead. She noted the day after tomorrow would be September 1st, and that the harvest moon would occur on the 16th. Rosemary sighed at how close this mad chase was cut, 'I have a little over two weeks to find their meeting place.'

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

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

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

She glanced over the side, idly wondering if the dragon who ruled the waves might avail himself, then turned back toward the breakwater as the voices inside her head debated the situation, 'Of course Kromhaut has selected one of the most remote sites in all of land to receive the sea captain! This eagle has almost certainly been driven mad! How can he be expected to perform the duties which he'll soon be charged, or endure the trials now laid before him?'

Trying her best to ignore them, Rosemary looked out over the bow as the vessel neared the sea wall. In the cool stillness of the early morning hours, the freighter passed many craft that were drawn up, and others that were anchored. Rosemary shivered as a heavy mist descended from on high, it's etherial quality stoking her paranoia; 'Did you pity him, Kromhaut? This sailor, how is it you've managed to produce an ounce of mercy for him, and yet you've none for me?'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The communion!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She glanced enviously at the highway as it veered east, 'I must press north, that road would take me too far afield.' With a sigh, Rosemary set off along a north-bound trail. Her footsteps were ladled with dread, for her place of birth lurked nearby, 'Hull is a kilometer to the east, I needn't lay eyes on it.'

She pressed on, her concern growing as she crested the foothills. At the summit, Rosemary was horrified when children's laughter rang up from the valley below! "Hull has spread out into these wild untrespassed places? How awful!"

Rosemary collapsed upon the bluff, unable to continue. 'Fool, you must press on!'

"I cannot," she rolled her eyes out toward her former township, "It's too hard, I can't bear to see Hull again."

'This place bears no resemblance to your place of birth! It is similar in name only!'

"Easy for you to say, you're just a voice in my head."

She shook when the children's voices seemed to swirl about her, "I have to get out of here, there's nothing ahead for me except pain."

The voices now merged into a singular otherworldly utterance; 'Rosemary, come home to us.'

"No! Leave me be!"

Shaken, the wraith darted forward. As horses are want to do when startled, she ran in the direction she was facing, and that happened to be toward the valley of Hull. And so Rosemary hurried through her place of birth, haunted at every turn by the memories of her former life. She had been here, in her childhood home when the cataclysm fell. As Rosemary moved through the township, the modern buildings melted away, recalling the simple stone structures of her ancient home.

Then, the southern horizon darkened. Rosemary stopped in her tracks as an angry red fireball roiled high up into the sky. "No! I won't relive this day again!"

She was aware of herself running, but not of much else. In her tortured memory, the southern sky turned slowly to blue, but it was a fleeting glimpse as an angry black cloud moved to cover the sky.

'Stop,' said her inner voice, 'Collect yourself! Don't succumb to torment!'

Rosemary returned to herself to find she'd nearly passed through the suburban communities. Ahead, the homesteads and farm houses became fewer and farther between. She paused to collect herself.

"Well," she said, smoothing her dress, "The second industrial revolution has been most kind to my former home."

She pushed on with a smile, perhaps surprising herself by how quickly she'd recovered her faculties, but in the intervening hours, iron-grey clouds filled the sky. Through the clouds, Rosemary felt an ominous presence that weighed heavily upon the land. 'You'll have to deal with me, Kromhaut. I'll not be swept aside this time!'

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

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

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

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

Their homes were adorable!

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

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

Rosemary took note of the learner's desk, with it's stacks of books and gifts of apples and a brass name plate emblazoned with the name: 'Madeline Greenfield,'

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

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

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

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

I don't know how long Rosemary lay wallowing in her own self pity, but an odd feeling compelled her to glance up. She found the ghost of a snowy owl who stood silently on the road, his head cocked in a most unusual way. She closed her eyes, but the palpable presence remained. She opened her eyes to find the owl closer now.

"May I help you?"

"I am called Boron."

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

"Your manner of speech would lead me to believe that you come from Hull," he declared, "And yet you have wandered far and wide."

She made no reply, except to wipe her eyes.

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

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

"Indeed," Boron said.

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

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

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

"Your destination lies to the north."

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

"You are currently traveling south."

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

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

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

"His legend is known to the Chippewa, for they have occasion to see him when they take to the seas," Boron said, his hollow form now rising into the air. He spoke something more, but his words were lost to Rosemary as he drifted away.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Rosemary!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Because it takes an eternity to traverse it."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I'm sorry, Rosemary."

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

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

Now the winds howled with all of the dragon god's fury. 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 Arrival

---

The date is now two months prior to my arrival. At this time, Timothy Buttons is blissfully unaware of ghosts and Comet Pilots. He works as a bookstore attendant near the Capital Corridor, whilst here in the eastern territories we settle above the farm of one Benjamin Almond. The terrain here is somewhat hilly, I believe the residents refer to these small hills as 'knobs.'

In the early morning hours just before sunrise, Benjamin woke to the gentle whistling of the train that frequently bore Rosemary Barter on her many wanderings. As the whistling faded into the distance, the farmer rose to begin his day's work. Benjamin Almond is a large black horse with a white blaze that criss-crosses his muzzle like a flash of summer lightning. The floor creaks beneath his feet, and the stallion must lower his head to avoid the ceiling beams, but despite his great size, he is a shy sort. Talks with a bit of a stutter, though in recent times it wasn't so bad, but it was enough that in most situations, his wife Alicia took care of the telephone business and left the digging and the lifting to Ben.

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

"Daddy?"

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

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

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

"Can I dig in the carrot patch?"

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

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

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

"Okay, I'll go to school,"

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

She waved, "Bye,"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Ben!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Ayep. Thanks for stopping by, Bobby."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ninety minutes later, the setting sun dipped behind the western arm of the mountains. Sunlight was still shining in the sky, but long shadows reached out over the abandoned farmhouse, bathing the valley in an unearthly twilight. From the shadows came two figures, one tall and lanky and the other small and petite. The couple felt a hundred eyes upon them, though their unseen companions swore that they were alone; 'No, Krom, we're not alone. That's why we're out here.'

In the years since the seaside rendezvous, Genivee Tin now bore the name Mayalee Mae. She glanced at the trees, hoping for any guidance or possible warning they might offer. Her grey fur stood on end as the god Kromhaut spoke inside her mind, 'The thing is not alive, there is no spirit present. You are alone.'

A scream rang out from across the grassy fields. Mayalee froze, listening intently, but was bumped from behind by her husband. The little mouse glanced up at Sam as the lion nodded his apologies. The couple continued on through the twilight, accompanied only by a ghostly sound of silence and an unsettling hand of fate.

Another scream. Mayalee quickened her pace, rushing headlong toward the creature, 'Sure sounds alive to me!'

The ground pitched and heaved beneath her. The mouse knew the unnatural earthquake issued from the spirit world, though she could not fathom how. 'Is someone or something keeping us away?'

Rain began to fall. Mayalee groaned her displeasure, but was shaken by another cry from the strange arrival. "There!" Sam cried.

Ahead lay a large pile of gleaming golden coins. The falling rain hissed and steamed as it struck them, prompting Sam the lion to alter his perception of light toward the spectrum of infrared. Within his special vision, the golden objects did appear to be very hot. Then, the pile moved. Mayalee cupped her hand over her mouth as a face could now be discerned from the coins, which Mayalee realized were not coins at all, but gleaming golden scales. The thing moaned, it's utterance now meek and pitiful. 'Krom, this creature looks very much alive! Are you sure it doesn't have a soul?'

Sam arrived at the creature's side and reached out his hand, but a voice inside his mind urged caution.

The rain continued to froth and boil upon the creature's golden hide as Sam utilized another of his special gifts. The creature's interior became visible to him, and within his spectrum of sight the creature's brain activity was revealed to be a tangle of randomly firing neurons, 'Brain activity, but barely! I don't see how this dragon is conscious!'

Mayalee marveled at what she beheld; "You're right! This really is a dragon!"

She utilized her own special vision to examine the dragon's physiology; 'Sam, look at that huge stomach!' He nodded at their shared inside joke, then gestured to the dragon's chest, 'Six-chambered heart! That's really neat!'

'No cellular activity!' Mayalee added, 'The body is completely inert! I can see why Krom thought it was dead,' Sam nodded as he gestured between the dragon's hind legs, 'Female reproductive organs, looks strikingly mammalian!'

"Aw, she's a girl!" Mayalee said aloud. The dragon reacted to Mayalee's utterance. She attempted to raise her head, but sighed as she slipped into unconsciousness.

"Well, now she's lost consciousness!" Mayalee squeaked, her eyes frantic for any guidance from her spiritual partner.

"We have to get this dragon out of here," Sam said.

Mayalee nodded her accord; moved to grasp the dragon's neck. It burned, but the little mouse was impervious to injuries. Sam too was blessed with invulnerability as he labored with the dragon's hind end.

"She's not really that heavy," Mayalee said, "Just awkward to carry,"

"We have to do something about this heat," Sam grunted, "Ariadne says the dragon's body is radiating nearly five hundred fifty degrees."

"Okay Krom," Mayalee said, addressing her spiritual partner, "I think your oath is right out, you need to subdue the heat coming off of this dragon so we can transport her,"

A tingling issued from Mayalee's hands. 'He's really doing it,' Mayalee thought as her dragon worked his magic to contain the strange dragon's extreme body temperature.

Arriving at their motor car, the couple unceremoniously deposited the unconscious dragon into the boot. Taking his place behind the wheel, Sam thumbed the ignition. Nothing happened. "Can we get a little more magic?"

The engine sputtered to life.

The couple shared a nervous laugh, then set out; 'Herald, how are you doing?'

The eagle's thoughts came to Mayalee from many many miles away, 'I have pinpointed the entity's location. I am preparing to intervene.'

'Good luck,' Mayalee offered.

'You do realize that we have passed into a new age. The old world is here ended.'

Sam sighed, 'Herald, I don't want to think about what this all means, I just want to make it through the next twenty four hours.'

---

The Boxer

---

Vinrod Hul was a large crocodile. As such, he was somewhat ill-suited to mammal-centric hotel rooms. He did enjoy the plush softness of his extra large bed, but much of the comfort was lost to him. Across the room, a television's warm glow flickered and flashed. Vinrod idly watched the featured news program, but paid the report little mind. I suppose he was entranced by the moving pictures, or perhaps he practiced a crocodilian form of meditation. He'd turned on the news hoping to see some mention of his fighter. Outside his window, loud vehicle horns honked out their frustration as passing headlights painted a chaotic mural on the far wall.

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

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

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

"What the fuck!" she hissed, hurling the package into a waste bin. Placing her hands on the sink, she glared at her reflection. Behind her, Death watched from a hidden vantage point. Every perception at Death's disposal informed it that it'd located it's sister. Death could not yet experience confusion, and so it studied Maggie in a detached, analytical sort of way. It looked on as the transgender horse gathered all of her emotional strength. Then, with some effort, the boxer doffed her trousers and shirt. Her penis looked enormous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Fuck!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Go into the woods, Maggie."

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

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

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

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

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Don't you remember anything?" he asked, now reaching out with his wing to usher his friend down along the hall.

"No, I feel pretty wiped out, actually," she paused, "What is the date?"

"It's October the eleventh, of fifty five. The time is," he paused to glance at a nearby clock, "Eight thirty in the the evening."

He knelt before her, his expression becoming serious, "Maggie, it is very important that you tell me if you experienced anything odd during your transition."

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

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

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

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

Maggie issued an incredulous chuff as Herald escorted her outside. The pair crossed a wide grassy lawn, where it seemed Herald became distracted by something. He turned his thought inward, but saw only darkness. 'Can you speak to me? I sense your presence.'

There was no reply.

Some distance away, Death lingered in the shadows, hungry for more of Maggie's story. It touched Herald's mind, where the eagle perceived a strange tingling at the base of his spine. He looked down upon the boxer as Maggie smirked at him, "I see how you were trying to guide me toward the woods, even in my dreams."

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

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

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

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

Herald again felt the strange tingling. Visibly unnerved, Herald brought forth a deep and heavy mist that closed around them. Maggie peered through the fog at her friend's broad silhouette. "Herald, what are you doing?"

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

After a moment, Herald relaxed his guard and dispelled the mist, "Forgive me Maggie, I sought to reveal any shadows that might be lingering nearby."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Why?"

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

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

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

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

Through the evening darkness, Herald perceived a voice whisper; 'Need. I need.'

Alarmed, Herald closed his wings around Maggie, "Maggie, please focus on the path! You must try!"

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

Frustrated, terribly worried, the eagle gathered up his friend, "Come, Maggie, let us seek the path elsewhere."

Death watched the eagle fly away with his spiritual companion, then turned it's attention to the hospital entrance. A terrible compulsion came over Death as it became drawn inside, 'No. No.'

Agonized, the entity moved along the corridor, inexorably drawn to the children's ward. There, Death found a secluded room where a young equine mother and father stood vigil over their remaining child. Death understood that this sick and dying infant was Maggie Pumpkin's twin sibling. 'Sorry. So sorry. I must. Kill.'

"You have a choice," said a dark brown voice. Death could scarcely acknowledge the voice as the overwhelming need to sever the infant's spiritual body from it's mortal form overrode all else. A golden dragon with piercing blue eyes moved around the infant's bed. "I don't think Death will be able to do this."

"Hush," said the dragon's sister, this one bearing sheets of flame that radiated from her face. The dragon regarded Death, as the entity became aware of the strange visitors. "Shall you take her, then?" The dragon asked. Death struggled to reach out to the visiting dragon god. 'Choice? To spare this infant?'

"If you can resist your base programming!" Hades cried.

'Compulsion! Fear! Must kill!'

"She's not going to be able to do it," said Hera, the dragon with the shimmering blue eyes. Hades waved her paw at her sister, and then locked her dark eyes upon Death's shadowy presence, "Love, if you must kill, then kill the right one! Destroy the virus that threatens this child!"

An image of the microscopic predator filled Death's consciousness as it unleashed it's power. The meningitis virus was struck down, and with this act, Death was freed from the awful need to kill. "Do you feel it?" Hades asked her sister. Hera brushed her paw along her sister's neck, the site of a lone missing scale. "Something has become awakened within the entity. She is no longer a mere force of nature."

Hades reached out to Death, "The child requires additional help! You must relieve the built-up pressure within her skull, lest she be disabled for life."

Without hesitation, Death complied. It laid it's dark presence upon the infant, carefully removing the fluid built up around the infant's brain. In so doing, Death unknowingly bestowed a special gift. Death shimmered with pride as the infant began to whimper and cry. "Doctor!" cried the child's mother, whilst the father called out to his daughter, "Shelly! Shelly!"

"You did it! I knew you could!" Hades cried.

'Who are you?'

"I am."

'I do not understand,'

"The portal through which I am visiting is collapsing. I must leave you now, but I trust you'll be well,"

'No! Stay! If I am no longer a mere thing, I shall require a name!'

Hades embraced the entity, "Heretofore, you have bore the name Death, but no longer; by sparing this infant, you have become Fate."

The dragons winked away. Fate called after them, but it soon became apparent that she was left talking to herself. The new being gathered herself up and passed along the halls, freed now from the shackles of her spiritual programming. 'Free. I am free.'

Outside, a gentle mist gathered about the crowns of the trees, 'She that named me, she is a mother. She is a mother who has created me.'

The new entity faded into the deepening night; 'I have a creator.'

---

"Who could have created this new dragon?"

Mayalee glanced over her shoulder, peering through the sedan's back seats. "Krom is pretty certain she came from the first dimension, so I have no idea."

The couple traded glances before Mayalee squeaked her frustration; "I wish we didn't have to transport her in the damn boot! It isn't a great way to make a first impression!"

No sooner had she spoke, there came a thumping from the boot. "Fuck," Mayalee hissed, "Sam, pull over, she's waking up,"

"What are you going to do?"

"Get in the boot with her,"

Sam obliged, "This section of Route Forty is deserted, I wonder if we could risk letting her out if she's awake?"

Mayalee hopped from the sedan before Sam could even set the brake. She opened the rear boot lid, hoping against hope she'd not face an angry dragon. Instead, she was met with a gentle weeping, "Oh, hey-" she peeped, hopping up over the rear of the vehicle to climb into the boot, "Are you alright? Can you speak to me?"

"Where am I?" the dragon asked, her speech flavored by a strange northern accent. In the dark, Mayalee couldn't discern any visible eyes surmounting the dragon's muzzle, although there were two large voids where her eyes ought to be, "Uh, can you see me?"

Perceiving the mouse as a bright blob of colour, the dragon nodded, "Yes," she replied, her accent changing suddenly to a more midland dialect, "I can see you well enough."

She attempted to gently push Mayalee aside, but the mouse didn't budge. "Might I free myself from this confinement?"

Sam appeared, "Hello, my name is Sam Preston,"

The dragon looked him up and down. She seemed pleased by his presence, which came as something of a relief to Mayalee, "We need to get you back to our flat, and I'm sorry, but you'll need to stay in this boot."

"Oh," the dragon chuffed.

"Do you have a name?" Sam asked. "Name?" the dragon breathed, "I have a name?"

A tightness spread out across the dragon's throat. Her muzzle became twisted with confusion as some force compelled her to utter; "Destruction."

Sam and Mayalee traded glances, whilst the dragon became unnerved, "Why did I say that? Can you tell me what that means?"

"Every dragon has a function," Mayalee said, doing her best to offer the dragon a reassuring pat, "A dragon must always speak their function when asked their identity."

The dragon nervously tugged upon her stubby fingers, "I do not wish to be a 'destruction,' is that not a terrible thing?"

"There can be no renewal without destruction," Sam said, his eyes now reflecting a strange inner fire. Destruction understood that it was not the lion who'd spoke, but someone else, although she could not fathom who.

"We are familiars," Mayalee said, sensing the dragon's confusion, "We serve dragon spirits," she patted Destruction's paw, "And it seems we'll now serve living dragons, too."

"This is unacceptable!" Destruction stuttered, "I hate dragons!" She began to shiver, but to Mayalee the creature seemed to convulse. Thus did the dragon begin a long and rambling diatribe about the folly of dragonkind. Sam noted that her accent changed at odd times and with little warning. In one moment Destruction's speech was flavored with the drawl of a rural midlander, and in the next she took on the air of a learned northerner.

"Why does she sound like Rosemary?" Sam asked.

Destruction clapped her maw shut. Mayalee glanced at him, then attempted to comfort the dragon. "Who is Rosemary?"

Sam chortled, "Heh, she's an old friend,"

"Is that sarcasm?" asked the dragon.

"Look," Mayalee said, "We need to get you back to our flat before someone sees you."

Destruction opened her mouth to protest, but realized that secrecy was probably a good idea. "Very well," she said, grasping hold of Mayalee, "But you'll endure this indignity with me!"

Sam could only laugh as he closed the boot lid. 'Truly she resembles Rosemary,' said a gentle voice inside his mind. Sam acknowledged his dragon friend, "Yeah, but I'm not sure Rosemary's nutty personality is a good fit for a dragon who might destroy things."

Inside the boot, Destruction held Mayalee close to her breast. She attempted to shrug off Kromhaut's influence so that her body heat might make Mayalee uncomfortable. The mouse squirmed in the creature's grip as Destruction seemed to take a perverse joy in Mayalee's discomfort. Then, something changed. Destruction released Mayalee as her demeanor became smooth and mild, "I appreciate you helping me," Destruction said in her midland drawl.

Mayalee knew she'd heard that voice before, although she could not recall where or when. "Do you have any memory of where you might have come from?"

"Shoot, I dunno," Destruction replied, her charming drawl bringing a smile to Mayalee's face, "First I can recall I'm with you and Sam."

"Destruction, have you ever been to the world before?"

"I wish you wouldn't address me as such!" the dragon replied, now speaking as the northerner.

"Then we'll need to give you a name, every dragon has one."

"I am not a dragon!"

Mayalee replied with a giggle. Her fit of giggles quickly escalated into a belly-laugh, "S-stop! Do not laugh at me!"

The mouse stilled her laughter, "Can I talk to the other animal inside you? The midlander?"

"I do not know what you're talking about," Destruction said as she clapped her maw shut; commenced to giving Mayalee the silent treatment. "Oh, come on," Mayalee chuffed.

"I'll not say anything that'll have you laughing at my expense."

"That northern accent you have, and this spiky personality, it sounds so much like someone I know."

"Sam mentioned a Rosemary," Destruction chuffed, "Who is this animal?"

"Well, she's a colorful animal, someone we haven't seen in a great long while."

Thinking of Rosemary, Mayalee hit upon an idea; "Rosemary wasn't always known as such, in the elder days before the falling of the cataclysm she was known as Ibiza Pushpath."

"Hmm," Destruction chimed, "That name, 'Path,' it implies a lineage of horses who are not fixed in any one location, but who wander,"

"You know your animal surnames," Mayalee said with a giggle, but she quickly stilled her laughter lest the dragon become offended, but the dragon was lost in thought; "Ibiza Pushpath, I rather like this name. It has a comfortable feel about it, would you address me as such?"

"Sure, Ibiza."

The pair continued on, not trading many other words, but enjoying a comfortable silence. Mayalee sensed familiar turns and bumps, and knew they were almost home. Then, Mayalee felt Sam making a u-turn, "We're almost there,"

A garage door could be heard opening. The vehicle rolled to a stop; Sam opened his driver's door. A moment later he opened the boot. The pair of travelers blinked in the stark white light of the garage.

Mayalee swatted the dragon's rump as she hopped from the car. Ibiza uncoiled her whip-like tail, then slid from the vehicle. She found herself in a brightly lit room, with tools and other odd ends scattered around. She knew she was inside a garage, but she didn't know how she knew this.

"We are going to address our guest as Ibiza," Mayalee said to Sam, "Ibiza Pushpath."

Sam nodded his agreement; took the opportunity to get a good look at the strange creature. The Incarnation of Destruction was smaller than Sam might have supposed, with a body scarcely larger than an adolescent canine. She possessed a rather thick neck, upon which sat a head that was perhaps too large for her body. Her forelegs were much longer than her hind legs, but as Ibiza stood everything lined up alright, but her eyes were altogether disturbing. Black as pitch they were, and as lifeless as a child's doll.

Ibiza also regarded her new acquaintances. Through her strange vision, the mouse appeared physically unremarkable, standing just under five feet tall. Ibiza glanced at her again, 'Something inside this animal outshines all of her other lights,'

"Is there something inside of you?"

Mayalee nodded, "My dragon is present-" "What is your name?" Ibiza abruptly asked.

The mouse furrowed her brow; seemed annoyed by the question, but Ibiza knew it was not Mayalee who was riled; "Renewal,"

"So a dragon does speak their function when asked?" Ibiza said, "Well, Renewal, it would seem I am your polar opposite, if I am indeed a destroyer."

Sam stepped near, "The act of destruction permits new life to flourish, you both ought to become acquainted so that you may work together."

Ibiza offered Sam a shy smile. "Are these wings?" he asked, noting golden flaps of skin tightly pressed against Ibiza's back. Ibiza shyly unfurled the flaps, which were indeed wings that spread out behind her. Her eyes ventured to Sam's groin, "I hunger,"

"Definitely a dragon," Mayalee said, taking her utterance to mean she desired food, "Come on, I'll fix you something,"

Ibiza frowned, but quickly followed after the mouse. Sam chortled at her cuteness as he extinguished the garage light. In the kitchen, Ibiza hopped from one cabinet to the other, eagerly inhaling the aromas and scents that greeted her. Sam smiled nervously to his mate as Mayalee shrugged her shoulders, "Let's try this," Mayalee said, removing a metal pan from the refrigerator that contained the severed head of a tuskin beast. Ibiza plucked the rather large head from the pan and bit off it's muzzle, sending a spray of dried blood and gore splashing across the kitchen.

Mayalee smirked at the mess as Ibiza inhaled the rest of the head. Licking her paws, Ibiza opened the refrigerator to hunt for her next victim. Sam sighed, then retired to the parlor amid the crunching and chewing issuing from the kitchen. In ten minutes time, Ibiza had effectively wiped out Sam and Mayalee's foodstuffs.

'She can bite through bone like it's nothing,' Sam said silently to his mate, then asked; 'Do you think she's reading us?'

Mayalee shrugged, turned to the dragon; 'I really hate stupid glutton dragons,'

Ibiza betrayed no reaction to her silent insult as she ran her tongue along the floor, mopping up every last molecule of blood.

'Interesting,' Sam said silently, then aloud; "I'll go to the store, Herald will be home soon, he'll likely want something to eat."

"I am sorry, I did not mean to eat all of your food."

Sam waved his hand at her, "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

The dragon put her paw to her chin, "This'll never work," she said in that strange midland accent that Mayalee couldn't quite place, "I'll eat you out of house and home!"

"I know I've heard that voice somewhere before," Mayalee squeaked.

Ibiza drew a breath to answer, but became intrigued by a stack of boxes that contained some of Mayalee's valuables. The mouse chortled as she watched Ibiza stuff her nose into each of them, 'She's so animal-like, how odd,'

The dragon went to the corner closet where she discovered a large ship's wheel, "What is this?"

"This belongs to our friend Herald," Mayalee said, "He came ashore with it a long long time ago, this is where he stores it,"

"It contains a great burden of sadness, he'd do well to rid himself of it," Ibiza said as she moved across the parlor and down into the hall. Mayalee was stunned that the dragon possessed the means to glean emotions from inanimate objects, but became alarmed as the dragon neared her bedroom. "Uh, careful if you go into my room."

Ibiza poked her head back out into the parlor, "Why, is it dangerous?"

Mayalee moved past the dragon; gestured for her to follow, "Come on, I'll show you."

In a very cluttered bedchamber, Mayalee moved through a little path that cut through the piles and piles of old odd ends. She arrived at a dresser, upon which sat a rectangular wooden box. Ibiza stood at the door, unsure if it was safe to enter, "What is that?"

Mayalee brought the box to Ibiza, "This," she said, removing the upper half of the box, "Is my most prized possession."

The box contained a large brown feather. Ibiza raised her paw to touch it, but Mayalee closed the lid, "You shouldn't touch it, it's very old."

"Yet you treasure it," Ibiza murmured, "You form attachments to objects, why?"

'Because they'll never leave me,' Mayalee thought to say, before a withered old shoe caught Ibiza's attention. "What significance does this hold? Why do you keep it?"

"It was my shoe, from when I was a girl."

Ibiza went to touch it, but was again stayed by Mayalee who said; "It might fall apart if you touch it."

"Mayalee, it would have to be exceptionally old to be reduced to such a state, and that would mean-" her voice died away as a realization dawned on her. Ibiza's maw fell open as she stepped back to take in the enormity of the collection before her, "Mayalee, how old are you?"

The mouse bowed her head, "Twenty two hundred,"

"Years?" Ibiza asked, absently reaching out to the mouse. Mayalee nodded as she took Ibiza's paw. She felt a strange stirring of love for the dragon as she squeezed Ibiza's paw, whilst the other gently smiled, her featureless eyes somehow shimmering with sympathy, "Why are you kept in such a state? To what end?"

"Kromhaut needs an animal familiar, but he wishes to keep the number of mortal animals who know of his existence to an absolute minimum," she shyly looked away, "So, he keeps me alive for as long as he needs me."

Ibiza was aghast, "How cruel! How monstrous!"

Mayalee reached out to the dragon, "Ibby, it's okay, I do well enough."

"Hmph! I'm supposed to be responsible for destruction, but I couldn't imagine putting an animal through-" she gestured sweepingly to the collection at her feet, "This!"

Mayalee's eyes followed Ibiza's paw to the piles and bundles strewn about the room. "I may have been born last night, but I know this is no way to live!"

"Maggie?" came Herald's voice.

"We're in here," Mayalee called out.

Ibiza fixed her eyes on a large black eagle as he eclipsed the light from the hallway. Unlike the bright orange and red colours of Sam or Mayalee, this eagle's outline was a cool purple hue. He almost didn't seem to be living as he stood in the close confines of the hall. "You must be our new dragon,"

Mayalee smiled, "Herald, this is Ibiza Pushpath."

"Hmmm," Herald chimed as he inspected the dragon, "Your horns evoke the appearance of a kingly crown," he narrowed his eyes, "But your eyes are most peculiar, do you see in infrared?"

Mayalee put herself between the two, "Ibby's been through a lot, Herald,"

"As have I," he retorted, "I've just come from Ibiza's birthplace where I inspected the stone of an old well," he paused for dramatic effect, "It told me many things,"

"Oh?" Ibiza chuffed, "What sorta things?"

Herald's eyes widened at the sound of Ibiza's midland drawl, "Well, I've no doubt who the boxer is."

"Boxer?" Mayalee asked.

"Maggie Pumpkin," he replied, "A strong equine fighter who in a past existence was the bravest and most ferocious pony in all of land,"

Ibiza reached up to scratch her cheek, "I don't understand, what does this horse have to do with me?"

"Kromhaut, may I show her?"

A warm red glow issued from Mayalee's eyes. Ibiza watched as the mouse's stature changed in a strange sort of way, "I suppose it will eventually discover the truth,"

Ibiza recoiled at the deep and sonorous voice that'd issued from the mouse, but also, she became offended; "What do you mean, 'it?'"

The light within Mayalee's eyes winked away as the mouse regained control of herself, "Ibby, I'm sorry, but there's something you should know."

The dragon touched a paw to her breast, "What?"

"I think it'd be best if I show her the circumstances of her arrival," Herald said, his tone now sympathetic. Ibiza nodded, "Please."

Herald folded his long legs up beneath his body to bring himself eye-level with the dragon. He gazed into the featureless depths of Ibiza's eyes as a link was established between the two. Ibiza felt the floor fall away from her as the image of a wide grassy field filled her mind's eye. In the gathering dusk, a trio of golden-scaled creatures grappled and thrashed near an old stone well. The image was distorted, difficult to fathom, but it was unmistakably three of Ibiza's species. One larger, a flickering about their face, one medium sized, their eyes bright and blue, and the third small and diminutive. Through the warped image, the blue-eyed dragon grasped hold of a smaller creature's head, and from it's body drew a black shadow that violently thrashed and flailed. Herald momentarily ceased his vision to comment; "I believe the shadow is death it's self."

Ibiza wordlessly replied as the vision continued. Now, the smaller dragon became limp and fell to the ground as the black shadow freed it's self and disappeared. "Do it now!" said the larger of the three, the dragon with the fiery tiara. "Something's wrong!" said the blue-eyed dragon.

"You've not imprinted the correct identity!"

"Bollocks! Dennis' identity is perfectly suitable for the task at hand!"

In Mayalee's flat, Ibiza began to tremble as the fiery dragon set her paw upon her fellow, "You must finish the task, Hera."

"Mother wanted it to be our boxer,"

"Hera, Destruction may only recognize death. In order to counter her dark nature, we must imprint upon her the identity of Ibiza Pushpath, she, who is deathless."

"No! Garland is perfectly suited for the task at hand! We need only allow her identity to take hold!"

Ibiza turned away from Herald to break his link, "Deathless.. she, who is deathless," she glanced at Mayalee, "You said Ibiza hails from the elder days, but has since taken the name Rosemary," she glanced back at Herald, "Why? Why did she abandon her true name?"

The animals were silent for a time before Herald sighed, "Perhaps Rosemary felt her birth name'd become ladled with shame, thus did she abandon it," he bowed his head, "So too did I change my own birth name, for my dishonor'd become too much to bear."

"Oh?" Ibiza peeped, the identity of the midlander temporarily in control, "What shame?" Then, the imprinted identity of Rosemary Barter assumed control. The dragon's face changed, and she became angry; "Do you expect Kromhaut's parlor tricks to hold me in thrall? I do not wish to hear another word!"

"Aye, you may not wish it, but that does not lessen the gravity of the events thus revealed."

"How can I know what you've shown me is real? This could easily be some deception meant to bring me to heel!"

"I will tell you what is real!" Hearld bellowed, "Your fellow dragons have meddled with a force of nature, and created from it an entity unto it's self! This creature accosted my good friend, and it's presence here has called into question the very balance of life!"

Mayalee slipped her arms around the dragon, "Herald, this isn't Ibby's fault,"

He turned away from the females and stalked back toward his room. Ibiza sat stunned as Mayalee gently rubbed her shoulders. In the foyer, Sam pushed through the front door, bearing many bags of groceries, "Hey, everyone!"

"I cannot stay here," Ibiza breathed.

"No, I don't suppose you can." Mayalee agreed.

Sam met them in the hall, "Hey, what's up?"

Ibiza went to Sam; bumped her forehead against his groin, "Thank you, Sam, for your fine hospitality," she looked up to meet his gaze, "I must seek my own path, elsewhere."

"The farm you came from is abandoned," Mayalee offered, "You should be able to stay there for a while, and have descent privacy."

"It'd be best if you didn't reveal yourself to anyone," Sam said. "I gathered as much," Ibiza replied, "A dragon that wishes you to endure such an extended existence, simply to maintain their secrecy-" her voice trailed off as she glanced at Mayalee, "I would never force such a burden upon you."

"We'll come out to the farm to visit you," Mayalee said, gesturing for Ibiza to follow, "Come on, let's get you some supplies."

From a hall closet Mayalee retrieved a large red backpack, which she filled with non-perishable foodstuffs and sundries. Ibiza raised her paw as Mayalee looped the straps about the dragon's torso, "You should be able to fly with the pack on."

"Thank you," Ibiza peeped.

She moved to go, but was met by Herald who bowed to her, "I am sorry for raising my voice, and for applying blame where there is none."

Ibiza nodded, and then slinked toward the door. Mayalee gestured for her to wait as she checked the outside path, "Okay, coast is clear."

"Thank you," Ibby said again, but paused as Herald called out; "Beware and note that as you view the memories contained within the land, so too does the land review the memories within you."

Ibiza nodded, then slipped away.

Mayalee shook her head, "Our first new friend in forever, and she can't stay with us,"

Sam cupped his large hands over her shoulders as she began to weep. He touched her mind, but was met by Ibiza's words; "I would never force such a burden upon you."

"May, what do you think Ibiza is here to do? The status-quo is effectively over. Sooner or later, animals are going to know about her.. and us."

"Let's go lay down, we didn't sleep all that much last night."

"Okay," he replied.

Hours later, Mayalee shook awake. At the back of her mind was the telltale tingling that told her Kromhaut was nearby. Beside her, Samuel stirred, softly chuffing.

Mayalee smiled to him, 'Hey, sleepy head.'

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

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 wrong?"

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. Kromhaut closed Mayalee's lips around the morsel, then glanced up at Sam's smiling face. 'Ariadne has no doubt shared with you all that he gleaned from the site of Destruction's birth.'

'Yes,' Sam silently replied. He scooped up another fingertip of ice cream, 'I thought we'd agreed that we would address her as Ibiza?'

The dragon closed Mayalee's mouth over his finger, then sucked on the melting ice cream with an erotic motion that always left Sam wondering who was working those lips, 'What is your opinion of the strange others? Those who altered Destruction's psyche?'

'They are interesting,' Sam replied, 'We've long suspected that there's an intelligence living at the center of the first dimension,' he sighed, 'I guess we have definitive proof-' Sam paused as he caught a fleeting glimpse of the dragon's thoughts. Kromhaut expelled Sam and quickly erected a mental barrier to guard his mind. Sam responded by utilizing his link with Mayalee to push past this barrier, but was again repelled by the secretive creature.

"You're not being very polite, conversations are a two-way street,"

Kromhaut made no reply, except to shovel handfuls of melting ice cream into Mayalee's mouth. "C'mon Kromhaut, stop being difficult, what's got you troubled?"

The dragon paused to glare at the lion, "Destruction's twins, they have created a living entity from a mere force of nature! Death now prowls the land! The balance of life is undone!"

"Yeah, I think we've covered all that," Sam chuffed, "And don't you think 'prowled' is a little overly dramatic?"

"We shall see," Kromhaut replied, "Soon we must confront this entity,"

"Yeah, perhaps you should leave establishing contact to May and I, I don't think we want any confrontations with death."

"That is why I keep you in my employ. Establish contact with this entity, discover it's true intent, but take care..." he paused to gesture downward, "The skeletons of murdered civilizations litter the hidden places of the world."

And with that, Kromhaut was gone. Mayalee pushed the ice cream jug away with a disgusted squeak. Sam took her in his arms as tears wet her eyes, "Krom is really scared, Sam!"

He gently rocked his mate. "Easy, now... let's take things a step at a time. First, we should determine why Destruction's counterparts wanted to imprint Rosemary's personality."

"They said Rosemary was deathless, but that isn't really true!"

Sam rubbed her ears, "Okay, so these other dragons removed something from Ibby, something that turned out to be death-" Mayalee interrupted with a shrill squeak; "And created a new entity from it!"

"I don't think so," Sam replied, "Think about what the stone told us, them yanking death out was almost a by-product of what they were doing. They didn't intend for death to become self-aware, it just happened. What they were doing was trying to stabilize Ibiza, they wanted to steer her away from her pre-programmed nature,"

"By imprinting Rosemary!?" Mayalee squeaked, "That's insane!"

He smiled gently, "Hey, we're all really worked up, 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.' Mayalee said silently, using her thoughts to communicate with her mate since the roar of the shower was quite loud.

'Tell me about it,' Sam replied.

She patted his thigh, 'Kromhaut mentioned murdered civilizations, I wonder what would have happened if Ibiza had come into the world with death as her spirit?'

Sam chuffed, then pushed his face into the nozzle stream. 'We've seen death come and go enough to know there's nothing there. There's no thought or emotion.'

'No emotion,' she sighed, 'A dragon with no emotion, coming into the world with just one thought on her mind; destruction.'

'Now she's got all the emotion she can handle!' Sam joked. She swatted his rump; 'This isn't funny!'

Sam smiled, 'Okay, let's think about this logically. First, if Destruction had come into the world with Death as her spiritual mind, we'd all be in a lot of trouble. Someone somewhere decided that they wanted the Incarnation of Destruction to be a neurotic ninny, instead of a killer.'

'Wait,' Mayalee said, 'If Death was Ibby's soul, how is she alive?' she paused to push him out of the shower stream so that she might have a turn. Sam scratched his bottom, 'Fuck, I dunno. A personality isn't really a soul.'

Mayalee lathered up her long black mane, 'So, if Death was Ibby's mind, and has now become an entity unto it's self, what was it doing harassing Maggie?'

Sam directed the nozzle down upon her to wash away the soap. 'The boxer!' Sam chimed, 'Maggie's personality was the first to be imprinted, so maybe Death feels drawn to her somehow?'

'Aw, Death feels like she wants to make contact,' Mayalee said, 'I wonder if we should get her together with Ibby?'

'That might be a catastrophically bad idea,' Sam warned, but Mayalee was now on a roll, 'There's something else to consider! Kromhaut and his siblings were once forces of nature, but have developed their own sense of self,' she paused to brush a bit of soap from his belly, 'What if death is the last of these primordial forces to blossom? I mean, it makes sense, right?'

'Other dragons removed Death from Destruction, probably because it would have been terrible to keep them together. I'm not sure Death has 'blossomed' quite yet.'

She swatted his flank, not really to disagree with him, she was simply angry that he'd stumped her. Sam smiled weakly, 'When Kromhaut was inside you, did you catch his thought about a reunion, or alignment?'

She shrugged, 'Not really.'

Sam turned off the water. He stepped from the shower to retrieve a large towel for himself, and a small-sized one for his mate. He wrapped the small towel about her, vigorously fluffing and drying her hair and fur.

"We need two questions answered," he said aloud, "Kromhaut seemed worried about this conjunction, why? And why in the name of Kromhaut's butthole did these mystery dragons-" he clapped his mouth shut.

"What?" Mayalee asked.

"That dragon, she referred to a 'boxer,' who we now know is Maggie Pumpkin, but then they called her 'Garland,'"

"Garland," Mayalee breathed, "Oh, fuck, are they talking about Garland Highpath? Rosemary's mother?"

Sam blinked, "Does that mean Maggie Pumpkin is Rosemary's mother?"

The couple collapsed beside one another as the weirdness of these events became felt. "Hey," Mayalee peeped, "What else is on your mind? I see something about police?"

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

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

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

She hugged his leg, "Alright, sweetie."

"Thanks, babe."

---

Ibiza Pushpath stood before a large mailbox, upon which was etched: 'Almond.' She moved past it to enter the abandoned farm. In the distance there lurked the stone well. She eyed the well from which she'd sprung, although she made no attempt to investigate what might be contained within the stone. Instead, Ibiza crouched low in the tall grass as she made her way toward the forlorn house. The eastern horizon was aglow with a warm orange light, this morning light danced across Ibiza's scales, momentarily distracting her from an approaching motor car.

She returned to the moment to find that she was not alone! With a speed that astonished even her, the dragon darted across the grassy field to take shelter behind a small out building. The motor car rolled to a stop at the head of the long driveway. A tawny brown horse stepped from the vehicle. He wore a type of uniform, and upon his hip was a utility belt. The stallion meandered about for some time, his eyes never straying from the ground just ahead of him. 'Is he.. crying?'

Ibiza nearly forgot herself. Moved by the stallion's sorrow, she'd nearly broke cover to offer the horse whatever comfort she could.

After a time the horse sat down on a small bench to wipe his eyes. He collected himself, then strode back to his patrol car. The Sheriff took his place behind the wheel, and with a final glance at the abandoned farm house, he backed slowly down the long driveway.

Ibiza felt a great and heavy sorrow weigh upon her heart as she watched him go. Her mood lurched frightfully between a crushing sorrow and seething rage. She stood up on her hind legs to rake her claws across the out building, "Why must I skulk about! Must I always stay in the shadows?"

She eyed the stone well. Moving closer, she gleaned flashes of memory contained within the body of the land, "This is so weird,"

The well's presence was almost palpable. She reached out to the cool stone as electricity crackled around her. An image flashed though her mind, followed by another, and another. At first the images were nonsensical. A large black horse toiling in the field; A little equine girl frolicking about; howling screams. Ibiza attempted to withdraw from the stone, but the visions held fast. Glorafin had seized control- 'No,' said a commanding voice.

Ibiza fell away from the well, then squeaked as a figure appeared over her. Ibiza thought to be afraid, but a gentle female voice addressed her; "Ibby, please don't be afraid."

"Who are you!?"

"My name is Garland, I'm here to help you."

"Garland?" Ibiza asked, as she blinked her eyes. In her strange infrared vision, should could only perceive the black silhouette of a tall horse. There was no colour present within the stranger's outline, and it seemed to Ibby that the vantablack horse was not actually there.

The figure took Ibiza's paw, "Come along, let's go to the house."

Ibiza was not led through the grass, so much as dragged. Her sense of smell could not differentiate between her own scent, and the scent of this mysterious Garland. "Wait," Ibiza said, pulling away from the figure, "I need to know who you are."

In answer, Garland tapped her hand upon Ibiza's brow. The dragon's eyes suddenly burned, "Ow! What did you do?"

"I've bestowed normal sight to your eyes," Garland replied, "Open them, see for yourself!"

Ibiza did, but could only perceive a bright blob of colour. "Come on," Garland cooed, "Open your eyes."

"Oh," Ibiza breathed as she beheld a grey equine mare, "You're a horse."

"Whom did you expect?"

"Uh, I dunno, maybe the dragon from Herald's vision."

"You don't know how close you are to the truth," the other said with a playful smile, "Come along now," Garland said, ushering Ibiza along. At length they arrived at the farmhouse where Garland gently patted Ibiza, "Now, we must make haste! My presence here is only temporary, and I have something for you!"

"What is it-" Ibiza began, but her utterance became a scream as Garland plunged her hand into Ibiza's eye socket. From the featureless void Garland drew forth a cloak of first dimensional darkness which she donned like a veil. Garland disappeared from Ibiza's sight, although her physical presence remained tangible. The disguised dragon doffed the black shadow, then threw it about Ibiza who went rigid when covered by the chilly veil.

"You can use fragments from the first dimension to move about unseen," Garland said, reaching out to pull the veil from Ibiza as she shivered, "It's so cold."

"Aye, it's not pleasant, but you'll be able to travel," Garland raised her hand, "But take care, for as you wear the veil it will slowly evaporate. You'll need to pull forth a new covering every few hours."

Ibiza rubbed her cheek, "Why did you yank that.. thing.. from my eye?"

"Your eyes are a gateway to the first dimension, Ibby."

Ibiza rubbed her eyelids, "So, I may move about, by skulking beneath a shadow?" she glared at the other, "Why should I even bother? If I am Destruction, why should I while away my time shivering beneath matter that is not matter?"

"Ah, but you are Destruction no more! Though it is the name your throat must utter, your function in this world is to learn about animal behavior," she touched her fingers to Ibiza's chin, "You must learn to be an animal, Ibby, so that you might save all animalkind."

"Can't you teach me? I don't know if I can do all that!"

"My presence here is only temporary, dear. I may only linger for a little while."

"But how can I know what to do! I'm afraid!"

"Do not fear," Garland said, as her grey fur became long strands of spun gold, "Whole you were ere your coming to this world, but I've split you into two! You have a sister, Ibiza. As you are Destruction, so too is she Death! She shall be your ally, your companion, and your compass. Trust in her guidance, Ibiza."

As she spoke, Garland's mouth became a dragon's maw. Unnerved by the transformation, Ibiza cowered on the floor, her paws clasped tightly over her eyes. Garland sighed, "Would you like to see a vision of your future? Perhaps a tender scene, something that might set your mind at ease?"

"W-what?"

The farmhouse was gone. Ibiza found herself within an unfathomably long hall with many doors that receded into the distance. She turned to the dragon, "Where are we?"

"Presently, we are within the forth dimension, as interpreted by your brain."

Ibiza looked up one end of the hall and down the other, "A hall?"

"Many beings perceive it as thus, though some might fathom a long and winding stream that slips past times and places too numerous to count."

"T-that sounds lovely," Ibiza said, moving to one of the doors. She opened it to find herself aboard a sailing vessel which trod the mist-laden waters of Avalon. Dark and deep was the grey rain curtain that obscured the way ahead; but she could hear the distant horns of boats, and the calls of sea birds.

Garland appeared beside her, "You travel to one of Rosemary Barter's memories," she pulled Ibiza back out into the hall, "Come, time is short. Before I depart, I wish to show you a vision of your future, so that you might have faith in yourself."

The visiting dragon guided Ibiza across the hall to a waiting door. Ibiza cautiously approached this door, which dissolved away as she approached. Through the archway, Ibiza found an elderly equine female toiling at a basin. Ibiza retreated from the vision and appeared back out in the hall, "Uh, I thought you said you'd show me my future?"

Garland gestured back toward the archway. Ibiza poked her head back inside, but again found only an elderly equine female. Frustrated now, she retreated back out into the forth dimensional hall, "Look, I'm not some voyeur, I don't care to intrude into other's private moments."

"You are the horse," Garland chuffed, "Have you already forgot my grey equine disguise?"

"But I don't have the ability to transform my body like that! And if that is me, can you explain why I'm washing a stack of dishes?"

Garland sharply gestured back toward the arch, "Look and see,"

Ibiza fretted and worried for a long moment before she tentatively stepped back through the archway. Within the vision, Ibiza stood near the kitchen basin, watching with nervous fascination as her apparent future self cleaned a set of dishes. The equine female's porcelain-white fur faded seamlessly with the frothy white bubbles as she finished her chore. Wiping her hands, the horse moved down a modest home's hall to a corner bedroom; "Penny, time to wake up! Remember, we have our assembly today!"

The transformed dragon brushed her hand lovingly across the door, then turned to smile at a large ship's wheel adorning the parlor wall. She returned to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of almond milk. Through her connection to the forth dimension, Ibiza was able to perceive the equine's thoughts as a voice inside her head asked; 'How do you feel?'

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

A little black-furred equine joined her grandmother in the kitchen. Perhaps sensing the dragon's internal conversation, the filly hugged the white mare, "Are you okay, Ibby?"

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

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

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

"I may as well be!"

Overwhelmed, Ibiza tumbled back out into the hall, "What damage! What's wrong! Who is this child?!"

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

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

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

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

"You have, love. Many many times."

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

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

"I think you said it to dad."

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

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

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

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

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

"Hmm?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Penny sighed, 'Ibby must feel so alone,'

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

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

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

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

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

"O-okay, Miss."

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

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

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

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

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

"Hello Miss Pushpath!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Yes?"

"Hello, uh, I was wondering how you actually stopped Kala, the leader of the titans?"

"She wished to enter my home, because she thought she would acquire more power, so I did as she asked."

"Yeah, but you live in the first dimension, right? I read it's a bad place that can kill you. Didn't Kala know that?"

"She assumed I resided within the higher dimensions, but was mistaken. As for my home, let me assure you that it is not a bad place-" the animals again broke into excited chatter. Ibiza clapped her maw shut as the youth debated the nature of her home. Penny was forced to admit that it hadn't been the best idea for Ibby to take her true form. "Guys!" Penny squeaked, "You shouldn't think of the first dimension in terms of good or bad," as she spoke, the little filly's speech became flavored by Ibiza's archaic accent, "Yes, the realm of Hell is often called the first dimension, but closer to the truth, it might be referred to as the Zeroth Dimension."

"What?" the boy next to her chuffed.

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

Ibiza frowned at the confused faces that regarded her.

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

The dragon ushered Penny off the stage, "Understand, children, the first dimension is not really a dimension at all. It is a line that takes us toward the infinitely large in one direction, and the infinitesimally small in the other. Kala was destroyed because she did not know how to navigate the intense gravitational forces of my realm."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The brown pony seated near Penny spoke up; "Dysfunctional? Everything's better now, right? No more monsters are ever going to come back?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another feline raised his hand. Ibiza acknowledged him with a nod; "Yes?"

"These names are kinda strange, what language are they? Where do they come from?"

Ibiza pinched her snout as she considered withholding the answer, but she decided to fully cast aside the secrecy Kromhaut was known for, "These names are bestowed by an ancient race, long past from the world," she smiled gently, "They hail from the Nordic peoples, from the time of Odin and his Valkyrie maidens."

The children traded glances as Ibiza continued; "Now, ranking with but below Valhalla were strange, forgotten realms. Bifrost comes to mind," she paused to level her gaze at them, "You'd do well to never venture there-" the link to the future was undone. Now back within the corridor of time, Ibiza cupped her paw over her snout as the doorway to the school momentarily disappeared. Garland stood nearby. Ibiza cast her a sideways glance, "What's going to happen?"

"Pardon?"

"Don't patronize me! You didn't just show me this scene out of the kindness of your heart! You're trying to warn me about something! Something that is amiss in this future time! What am I laboring against? Why must the children build ships to bear me away?"

Garland smiled gently, "You'll carry this link to the fourth dimension within you, you may discover for yourself what is to come," as she spoke, the golden rings within her eyes shimmered with emotion. Ibiza didn't have to snoop through a magic hall to know that Garland carried within her a heavy burden of sorrow. "Can we go back?" Ibiza asked, patting at the doorway as it reappeared, "I'd like to see more."

"My own link to you is collapsing, Ibiza. I must return to my own time," she cupped her paws over Ibiza's, "Remember your task, Ibiza, and take care, for the future is not yet set.. there is no guarantee that I am the entity that will ultimately appear," and with that, Ibiza found herself back within the farmhouse. She sat in stunned silence for a long moment before she awkwardly shoved her paw into her eye, 'Ow! This is awful!'

Eventually she withdrew a suitable veil and donned it, 'Why do I have to yank this out of my eye!?'

She hurried from the farm and after a pause to gather her bearings, she headed east, but the farm was not deserted. A dark shadow moved across the stone of the old well as Fate traced her presence across its craggy surface. An image came to her, and then a fleeting vision. She focused her thought, and the stone gave up it's secrets. 'They cast me aside.'

Fate looked again, replaying Ibiza's arrival over and over as the smaller of two golden dragons ripped Fate from Ibiza's body. 'I am a spirit. I am my sister's spirit, but I was torn from her body. Discarded. Unwanted.'

This revelation stunned the entity. 'Why? Why?'

She focused upon the larger dragon's utterance, 'Destruction may only recognize death, in order to counter her dark nature we must imprint upon her the identity of Ibiza Pushpath, she, who is deathless.'

Stunned, Fate realized what the strange dragons had done. 'They disarmed a doomsday weapon. I was not my sister's spirit, but a detonator.'

Other flashes of memory drew Fate's attention. She reviewed Sam and Mayalee's discovery of Ibiza's unconscious body, and their placing of Ibiza in their motor car's boot. 'I do not wish to be a 'destruction,' is that not a terrible thing?' Fate now felt adrift and unsure of the very nature of her existence. 'Hera! Fiery Hades! I require an audience with you!'

There was no reply. Terribly confused and more than a little frightened, Fate wandered aimlessly across the open lanes of old Route Forty. 'Something is coming, something that shall reshape the fabric of our reality, but I am not to be a part of this new world.'

The desolate route now seemed more empty and lonely, 'I am unwanted,'

---

Ninety minutes later, Ibiza Pushpath nervously paced Mayalee's parlor; "And then she said I had to learn now to be an animal! I don't know the first thing about animals! What do I do?"

Mayalee grasped the dragon's nose, "I'd say you've got a pretty good grasp of the subject."

"Looks more like you're the one with the grasp on me," the dragon said, "Just how strong are you, anyway?"

Across the parlor, Sam stirred, "I am concerned about this burden," Ariadne said through his lion, "Could you elaborate?"

"I think I was responsible of keeping the planet's magnetic field from collapsing," she tightened her jaw, "Does that mean what I think it means?"

Mayalee patted her, "Ibby, would it be possible to speak with Garland?"

"I don't know!" Ibiza wailed, "She said she had to go back to her time!"

"Take it easy," Mayalee said, "Now, we know there's some kind of trouble in the future, but this dragon you'll become, she was visiting you from this future, so we have to assume everything turns out alright."

Ibiza anxiously nodded, "But why won't she come out and say it!?"

"If I had to guess, you need to gather the experience for yourself. You need to grow and develop, Ibby, because if Garland or anyone else shows you everything, you won't develop as a person and an animal."

The dragon rubbed her cheek spines, "Okay, then I'll need to go away, just like we'd originally planned."

"Wait, no-"

"No, you just said it yourself! If you and Sam show me everything, I won't learn anything."

Ariadne spoke through his lion, "I know you find my father's presence to be unsettling, but learning to deal with difficult personages is a part of developing and growing,"

"Besides!" Mayalee added, "Don't you want to stay for dinner?"

Ibiza smiled, "Please!"

---

It is now five hours past noon. Herald Kirsten tracks the course of the great river, moving toward the equine college town of Posey. Nestled against some modest hills, Posey was a picturesque township of homes, shops, and the college that it celebrates. Herald touched down on the central avenue, though none were aware of his presence.

Emergency sirens could be heard through the muffled barrier of the spirit world, as white mists and vapors poured from everyday objects, creating a heaving and disorienting effect. It was such that a newly transitioned spirit might be very afraid to find themselves in such a place.

Herald felt the heavy footsteps of the mysterious entity, 'What are you up to?'

An accident scene lay ahead, with it's cacophony of brightly strobing lights and whooping alarms from the rescue vehicles, but as Herald arrived he found happy responders questioning a confused equine bicyclist. The horse's bicycle lay beneath an automobile. Herald carefully examined the horse, 'His cycling clothing is bloody and torn,' he glanced beneath the motor car, 'Blood, too much to be a simple injury, that would have been fatal.'

He looked again to the equine cyclist as he was loaded onto a gurney and rushed to a nearby ambulance. 'Don't bother,' Herald muttered, 'He'll likely outlive all of you,'

"Does it irk you?" asked a raspy voice.

Herald tuned to find Nemesis lurking nearby. Herald issued no salutation; returned to his examination. "You are commanded," Nemesis said, "You are to seek out the entity, and establish contact with it. You are to bring death into our fold,"

"In time death will seek you out," Herald replied as he moved around the motor car, "There is no need to chase her,"

At the rear of the car, Herald noted a bumper sticker which said simply: 'You are free.'

He glanced again and shook with startled surprise when the message was changed! It now read: 'Shit happens.'

'She's borrowing from my playbook,' Herald thought, as Nemesis joined him at the rear of the automobile. Herald glanced at the shadowy dragon, then took wing, 'If death has become an entity unto it's self, this new being would overthrow Kromhaut and the other dragons of Elysium to become the dominant force in the world,' he sighed, 'Death now sits in judgement over who may live, and who must die,' he made a banking turn toward the state of Brandenburg, 'She heals stricken bicyclists, and.. issues pardons to old sailors.'

Herald ceded his remaining calls to Death and returned home. As he touched down upon the outside walk, the lioness who lived next door waved to him. He nodded to her, then reached up with his foot to open his door. Moving inside, he noted his roommate's absence, but also, Ibiza's recent presence. 'She couldn't stay away.'

On the parlor table he found a note; 'Herald, we went out to get dinner. Ibiza is with us. See you tonight.'

He moved to the kitchen. Placing his foot on the refrigerator handle, Herald opened it to see what might be inside, 'Hmmph,' he chuffed, finding only a single slice of meat. A presence entered the flat as Herald grasped the morsel with his beak and swallowed it down.

Then, the presence diminished. Herald glanced over the refrigerator door, noted nothing out of order. Closing the refrigerator, he crossed the parlor to the front entryway. 'Can you speak to me?'

A faint tingling climbed up his spine. Herald blinked at the odd sensation, 'I appreciate what you did for the bicyclist, long have I wished to do similar.'

The tingling came again, stronger this time. He smiled, 'I am a servant of the Goddess of the Underworld, though she touches me not, not in the way that Kromhaut enters his animal familiar,' he paused before continuing, 'If you would enter me, we might commune together-'

An icy presence gripped him. His eyes widened as a voice within his mind whispered at the very edge of his perception. Herald remained fixed and immobile for a great long while, until Sam and Mayalee returned, accompanied by a veiled Ibiza. The dragon threw off her cloak as she greeted the mariner. Herald looked to her, his jaw slacked and his eyes unfocused. Sam cupped his hands over Herald's bright yellow beak, then knelt to touch the plush carpet, "He's communed with Death,"

"No, she's not death, but something else,"

Mayalee's face darkened as Kromhaut entered her, "The balance of life is undone," she cocked her head, "And your mistress is most displeased, Herald. She demands you never again engage with the intruder,"

"This 'intruder' is your master," Herald retorted with a sharp glance. Mayalee countered with a sharp retort of her own, "And your service here is probationary, if you find our instructions too difficult to follow, perhaps you'd care to be returned to your vessel?"

Herald folded his long legs up beneath his body; settled down so that he might look Kromhaut in the eye, "Aye, what are your instructions? How best should I deal with an entity that overturns all norms and procedures?"

Ibiza flattened her spines, "Herald, are you in some kind of trouble?"

"You have the means to discover the answer," he said, never taking his eyes off Mayalee as he added; "I shall await your instructions, Kromhaut, should any come to mind."

Mayalee frowned as the eagle gathered himself up and departed with a furl of his tail. Ibiza looked after him, then tuned to Mayalee, "What is going on, May? Why wouldn't Herald want to go back to his ship? Isn't he a sailor?"

The mouse sighed, "Herald is like a wild beast that has been kept for too long."

The dragon wasn't sure if it was Mayalee who'd spoke, so she moved to the closet that harbored Herald's wheel. She opened it to examine the relic of iron and wood. "What happened to Herald? What is this wheel?"

"Touch it," Mayalee heard herself say.

Ibiza did. At first there was nothing, but then she recoiled at the image of a blood-stained deck. More images filled her mind's eye. She fell away from the wheel, her face twisted by confusion and disgust. Sam drew near and gently closed the closet door, "Come on, why don't you sleep here tonight."

"I don't know, Sam,"

He patted the dragon, "Come on, it's okay."

She glanced at Sam, and then to Mayalee, "You didn't do anything like that, did you? You're not working with the dragons as a punishment for bad things you've done, right?"

Mayalee gestured to her many keepsakes and mementoes, "No, Ibiza. However, if you wish to see for yourself, you are welcome to explore our past."

The dragon smiled, "Okay,"

Hours later, Herald arrived back at the flat. He noted Ibiza sleeping in the parlor, decided to forgo his midnight snack lest he disturb her. His spine began to tingle. Moving to his bedroom, Fate waited to greet him. 'Step inside if you wish, I believe you now understand the mechanics of this merger.'

Fate obliged. Herald Kirsten became a passenger within his own body as the entity took command of his faculties. A long moment passed. After a time, Herald became concerned, 'Would you speak to me?'

"In the year ten thousand ante cataclysmus, you wore the identity of Galen Pergamon, the first animal surgeon and scientist," Fate delved deeper into his spiritual memory; "However, in your next incarnation you cast aside your noble works to engage in wanton bloodshed as Celtillus of Avernian."

'Aye,' Herald replied, 'You'll find my existence is punctuated by high lofty works, followed by low distressing savagery.'

"You represent duality," Fate declared, "Do not feel ashamed, Herald Vanderdecken, for this is the path that has been prepared for you."

Herald's spirit began to weep in the way that eagles cry. Fate embraced him with her icy touch; "You are so close to me, and yet so far away. I regret I cannot offer appropriate words of comfort to assuage your grief."

'At the accident scene, you communicated something to me,'

"Ah," Fate said, "My message to you. Would if comfort you if I repeated it?"

'Yes, it would.'

"You are free,"

---

That morning, Mayalee was surprised to feel Herald's presence in the home. She went to his door and gently tapped on it, "Herald, aren't you going to get up?"

In the parlor, Ibiza stirred, "Hello! Are you going to make breakfast?"

Herald emerged from his room. "Hey!" Ibiza chimed, whilst Mayalee put her hands on her hips. "You're not at work."

"I am now retired," Herald declared, "I expect I'll depart this land and settle in the north,"

Mayalee was stunned, "B-but no one has approved this, how can you-?" He waved his wing at her, "My permission has been obtained, I needn't seek any other council,"

"Herald, Death can't pardon you! You're being reckless-!" "Fate," Herald countered, "Fate has overthrown Kromhaut and the other dragons to become the dominant power in the world, it is in Fate that I place my allegiance,"

"But the balance of life-!" Herald gestured away her argument, "Now comes your time, Mayalee Mae! For two thousand years you've done little for the animals around you! The time has come to earn your keep!"

"Hey! I'm not a mass murderer! You're the one who needs to clear your past-!" Herald clacked his mandible to silence the mouse. He circled around Ibiza to stand near the heater, "I do not see your god raging behind your eyes, Mayalee. Where is his fury? His admonishments for my hubris? Surely he knows that I am right!"

Mayalee shook her head as Ibiza did her best to remain absolutely still. Herald smiled to the dragon; brushed her with his wing, "And you, after the convergence is come, you shall take your place as either the Incarnation of Life, or the Goddess of Death."

Ibiza turned to him, "Convergence?"

"Aye, lass! Some power has deposited you here before this celestial occurrence, I'd wager you are well aware of the reason-" Mayalee hissed at the eagle, her utterance flavored by Kromhaut's deep sonorous voice. Herald smirked at him, "Still keeping your secrets?"

The two faced off for some time, with Ibiza between them. At length she gathered herself up, "Okay, I really appreciate your help, Mayalee, but I have to go. You're not healthy for me to be around,"

Mayalee seemed genuinely injured by the sentiment. She opened her mouth to reply, but her voice failed her. Herald bowed to the dragon, "Best of luck,"

"Bye," Ibiza said, then donned her cloak. Mayalee rubbed her forehead, then turned to the eagle as Kromhaut manifest within her; "If you will not serve me, I shall cast you out!"

"That is the general idea," Herald retorted.

The god made a sweeping gesture and Herald knew it was done. His body felt suddenly stretched, as if a pair of gigantic hands were pulling him apart. No such hands existed of course, the discomfort Herald experienced was simply the aches and pains of a normal sixty eight year old eagle.

"Get out!" Kromhaut hissed.

"Is this really how it ends?" Herald asked, "Was my service not satisfactory? Did I not earn my grace?"

Mayalee's expression softened, "Yes, you did. I have no complaints."

Herald nodded, "Will you rebuild my home in the north?"

"Yes, I will,"

"Thank you," Herald replied as he moved to the closet door. He reached up with his foot to open it, "And my wheel?"

"My familiars will deliver it to you."

An uneasy realization dawned on Herald, "You've divested me of my powers, I shan't be able to converse with my husband,"

Kromhaut raised Mayalee's hand, "Such is the cost of your freedom, for the period of your penance has not yet expired," he gestured to the ship's wheel, "If you take your wheel and depart, you do so without my blessings,"

"In my absence, would you dispatch your son to assist Maggie Pumpkin?"

"No, I shall leave her to your Fate,"

Herald closed his eyes; shut the closet door. "I will remain, until dismissed."

The eagle's aches and pains melted away as his window to the spirt world was restored to him, "Get to work!" Kromhaut hissed, "And do not speak again of your 'freedom.'"

The god departed as Herald smiled after him. Then, he brushed his wing across the closet door, "Well! It seems we're still roommates!"

Mayalee breathed a heavy sigh, "Maybe you should move out, Herald."

"Eh? Come again?"

"I know it hasn't been easy living with us, maybe you should have a place of your own," she gestured to the stacks and bundles of her valuables scattered about the parlor, "You don't have any space for yourself, and I don't think you enjoy seeing me every day and being reminded of Kromhaut, do you?"

He offered a measured response, "Aye, 'tis true,"

"We'll talk about this tonight, but the more I think about it, the more I feel we should find you a place of your own."

"Thank you," he said, then he turned about and returned to his duties. Mayalee watched him go, and then kicked at some of her boxes and bags, "Fuck!"

---

The Candidates

---

The next few days passed uneventfully. Mayalee exchanged one of her gold coins for it's equivalent cash value in order to secure a new flat for Herald. In the mail, Sam received a summons from the national police service, inviting him to report for an initial interview! Mayalee was thrilled by this, and she patted him in a special way that let him know she wanted sex. He wasn't really in the mood, and he felt somewhat put-off that she'd seized this moment to think only of her own needs, but he followed her into the bedroom where he gave her what she wanted. The darkening shadows in the parlor became darker still until Fate materialized within the home. Her shadowy body phased in and out of reality as the entity moved across the plush carpeted floor to the mirror. There, she gazed intently at nothing at all. Frustrated, she willed herself to be.

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

'I exist, and yet I do not.'

Transfixed by the mirror, Maggie Pumpkin's memories returned to her. Fate supposed she was still enraptured by the fighter's tumultuous life. 'The strange dragons wished this equine's identity to take my pace, but why? What quality of spirit does she possess?'

Mayalee's gasps echoed from the bedroom. Fate shied away from her outburst, and moved along the hall until she reached the door leading into the garage. She passed through the door where she waited beside Sam's motor car. For the hours that followed, Fate waited patiently for the dawn, whilst within her ever evolving mind, she pretended to be a living equine, who had a mother who loved her. A mother who would never cast her aside.

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

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

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

Sam removed Mayalee's seat adapter from the toilet, then looked intently around. The shadows near the basin darkened, until they'd assumed the general shape of Ibiza's draconic outline. Sam flipped on the bathroom light; the figure briefly winked away, but returned after a moment. 'Death,' Sam thought, as he regarded the vantablack clone of Ibiza Pushpath.

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

There was no verbal reply, but a tingling moved up his spine. Sam straightened his backside, "If you can hear me, tickle my tail again."

The tingling came again, much stronger this time. Sam snorted, honestly surprised, "I'm glad you're here, if there's anything I can do for you, I am ready to help you in any way."

Sam was answered only by the strange tingling. He gently reached out his hand. Fate reached out a shadowy paw, but Sam could not grasp it. There was no form in Fate's manifestation. 'I see ghosts all of the time, and think of them as ordinary animals, but you are truly a ghost,' Sam thought.

As for the other, Fate perceived the obstructions of the lion's dragon masters. At every turn an invisible wall was erected around the lion's mind. Growing annoyed and impatient, Fate simply smashed through these barriers; 'My sister,' Fate said, 'Will you help me?'

"My wife and I are ready to help in any way we can."

'She requires a spirit. I must not be rejoined with my sister. I cannot overstate the importance of this matter. You must help her before it is too late.'

"Pardon?"

'The higher dimensions, they shall soon align. She must possess a soul before this convergence, lest I be rejoined with her.'

"How do you know this?"

'The future dragons, they removed me from my sister. They prevented a disaster. My sister's body is now empty, and requires a soul! You must implore the dragon who works through you! He, who may bind a soul within my sister!'

Sam shook his head, struggling to parse what the entity was telling him when the bathroom door was thrown open! Burning embers radiated from Mayalee's eyes as the god Krom looked upon the shadow of death, "Trespasser! Return to your realm this instant!"

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

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

"M-mind your place!" the dragon chuffed, but Sam was having none of it, "Idiot! Get out! Get out of my wife!"

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

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

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

The lion rolled his eyes as Mayalee regained her wits, "Your interview,"

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

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

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

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

"No time!"

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

"Thanks, babe!"

Sam slipped into his car and then took his wife's hand as she appeared beside the car, "Tell Kromhaut to research Ibiza's situation. What's going to happen to her if an alignment happens."

"Okay," she replied as Sam rolled away and made haste getting out onto Genstrasse Lane. He ventured north, toward the downtown corridor where 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.

'I am terribly sorry for father's intrusion,' Ariadne said. Sam smiled, 'It's okay, but you need to come clean out this convergence situation.'

'It is as it implies, an alignment of all higher dimensions.'

'Even this one?'

'No,' Ariadne said, his voice ladled with uncertainty, 'I believe Ibiza's body shall represent the third dimensional realm. Only her form will be affected during this alignment.'

Sam nodded, 'Okay, we'll talk more about this later. Now, if you don't mind, I need to ask you to withdraw. I can't have any distractions during this interview.'

'Yes, good luck on your interview!' the dragon replied, then departed. Now, 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.

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 steam-powered vehicle's thermostat to pilot, and locked up.

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, "I am Sergeant Vitus, please sit down."

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

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

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

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

The horse grunted, (to dismiss Sam's reply,) 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!"

Another grunt, "I see your wife is a mouse, carrying on the family tradition of odd parings?"

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

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

"I hold a lot of stock and assets,"

A grunt. "How do you two fuck, anyway? If she's a mouse and you're a lion?" he leveled his gaze at Sam, "Unless you're hung like a squirrel."

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

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

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

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

A pair of feline officers emerged from a side office to meet with Sam. One was a short female serval, and the other was some sort of spotted leopard, "Hello, Mister Preston! I'm Special Agent Tull, with your permission I'd like to run a background check on you and have you meet with one of our councilors."

Sam knew he was poised to be hired! "Certainly,"

Tull nodded, "You knocked this initial interview out of the park!" he scribbled an address onto a note, "I'd like you to report to this address straight away, you'll meet with Allomere Clemens."

Sam got into character; "Yessir,"

The leopard tapped his heel on the tile floor, "You have your assignment, carry on."

Sam took the address; slipped it into his pocket, "Yessir!"

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

Sam winked at the horse; slipped out of the office. As he walked back to his vehicle, an odd tingling climbed up his spine, but as quick as it'd come, the sensation ceased. Arriving at his run-down steam-powered car, Sam slid behind the wheel and prepared to push off. He checked his mirrors, then began his journey deep into Brandenburg's sector of the capital district. Soon he found himself within a maze of nondescript office buildings. Many bore no names, whilst some offered cryptic titles. Sam understood that they were government offices. 'Well, I am being interviewed for the national police service,'

Stationed along some street corners were large police cruisers with stern lions at their helm. As he passed them, Sam turned his head to meet their gaze. Their stern faces became friendly as they nodded to Sam. He smiled warmly, pleased beyond measure that they seemed professional. 'I'll do the same for other animals if I get the job,'

Then, he happened upon the address he sought. Sam rolled into a well-manicured facility and parked in a visitor space. The building before him loomed large. Not in a thousand years had a structure seemed so imposing.

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

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

Sam sat in a nearby chair, but quickly stood as a door opened, "This way," a hawk said, gesturing with his wing. Sam entered a hall; passed many doors before he was directed to a side office. "How are you today?"

"I'm well!" Sam replied in a cheery, professional tone.

"So, you want to be a police officer?"

"That is my desire, yes."

The hawk smiled, "Any particular reason?"

"My friends all tell me I'd make a pretty good officer,"

Sam was asked what he thought about pregnant females who consume alcohol. He answered as carefully as he could. He was asked what he thought about child abuse. Again, Sam answered as carefully as he could.

"Now," Allomere said, "You have a female between you and her large mate. The female is attempting to keep you from arresting her mate while the male is becoming aggressive and combative, what do you do?"

There was actually an Imperial Army procedure for this very situation. Sam remembered his old training manuals, because he'd written some of the procedures for his troops. Sam answered the question. Allomere reached up with his foot to scribble something into a large notebook, "Have you ever been employed by any local police agencies?"

"No, sir."

"Ever been in the military?"

(Sam almost answered Yes!) "No, sir."

Allomere closed his notebook, "Very good! Our interview is concluded. If you'll wait here, someone will be in to escort you out."

"Thank you, sir."

Allomere waved his wing at Sam as he departed. A moment later, the lioness from the front reception area appeared to escort Sam out of the building. He noted her toned arms and figured her to be a former officer. He said nothing to her, for she initiated no conversation, except to thank Sam for visiting.

"Goodbye," he replied. Sam crossed the lawn to find a police cruiser parked next to his automobile. A pair of lion officers appeared to be running Sam's license plate. As Sam approached, one of the officers beckoned to him, "Is this your car?"

"Yessir,"

"Could you please stand to the rear of the cruiser?"

Sam did as he was instructed. A crackling came over the police radio. It was a series of code words which the officers replied with their own coded replies. Finally, the larger of the two lions took out his handcuffs, "Sir, this vehicle is reported stolen."

Sam swallowed, because the car could very well have once been stolen property. He nodded to the officer, "I purchased it from a junk yard, hopefully we can get it all sorted out."

Now handcuffed, Sam was placed in the back of the cruiser and driven out of the office park. After a quick hop on the interstate, Sam was taken to a police sub-station. The officers said nothing to Sam, and he said nothing to them. Something at the back of his mind told him that this was all a little too convenient. He suspected they wanted Sam to feel what it was like to be arrested, before he was hired as an officer.

The car rolled to a stop inside the facility. Sam was taken out and led inside. There, his pockets were emptied and he was photographed. Placed in a holding cell, Sam's handcuffs were removed. 'Okay, any minute now they're going to come in with big smiles and tell me I'm hired.'

Several minutes ticked by, nothing happened.

Sam did his best to be comfortable as he waited. Minutes passed to hours, and still no one came for him. Finally, a pair of lionesses entered the cell, "Mister Preston?"

He got to his feet, "Yes?"

They presented him with an orange jumpsuit, "Put this on, you'll be moved in fifteen minutes. Can you provide us with the phone number of a family member, someone we can notify on your behalf?"

'Boy, they're really laying it on thick!' Sam thought as he provided his contact information. Next hour, Sam was placed in a jail cell with another lion, a young male who'd been caught shoplifting.

The youth glanced at Sam as he was brought in, then hopped up onto his upper bunk. Intrigued, Sam used his powers of mind to investigate the young lion's motives that ultimately led him to jail. It was as he suspected.

"You know you don't have to steal stuff to get your dad's attention."

The other swung his head down, "What?"

"Your dad, I'm going to guess you were trying to get his attention?"

The youngster retreated to his upper perch, "Leave me alone,"

"Okay, sure, but if you'd like to hear how you can really get his attention, just let me know."

A moment later; "Okay, what?"

"What?" Sam replied.

"What's your big secret?"

Sam smiled, "Your old lion is not ignoring you, he simply doesn't know how to be a father. Do you follow?"

Poking his head down from above, Sam smiled at the youngster; "What's your name?"

"Dimitri,"

"Hi Dimitri, I'm Sam."

"What do you mean he doesn't know how to be a father? He knows a lot, or he seems to,"

"Does your dad have a temper?"

"Y-yes,"

"Roars a lot?"

Dimitri nodded.

"I'd like to suggest your father is actually a very good father, and he's trying the best that he can to remain a good father, by staying a little distant from you," Sam sighed, "Because he's afraid that if he gets too close, he'll lose his temper and hurt you,"

"Ohhh," Dimitri breathed,

Sam smiled, "If you'd like your dad to get closer to you, try and give him a lot of space. I think you'll find he'll respond to you if you respect his shortcomings."

"But he's my dad, he has responsibilities-" "Does he feed you?" Sam asked, "Does he provide for you?"

"Yeah," Dimitri sighed.

"Then his responsibilities to you have been met."

"Okay," Dimitri replied, "Let me think about all that,"

Sam understood that the conversation was over, so he left Dimitri alone. As the hours wore on, the light coming in through the small window faded, until it was dark. At the end of the hall, an officer could be heard entering. Footsteps approached. Then, a voice called out; "Dimitri Hagar?"

The boy hopped down from the top bunk, "Yeah?" The officer opened the cell to release the youngster, "You're released,"

Dimitri glanced at Sam. His eyes spoke volumes, but like his father, Dimitri had difficulty expressing his gratitude. Sam nodded to him as Dimitri was led away. The cell door closed with a firm click.

Sam was left alone.

'Sam, may I-' Ariadne began, but Sam silenced his dragon companion, 'No, Ariadne. I don't want to know what's going on around me, I want to see what happens for myself.'

'Will you be alright?'

'Of course! This is the most interesting thing to happen to me in hundreds of years!'

The evening deepened into night. Beyond the heavy doors, Sam could hear the shunting and banging of police officers as they performed whatever duties they were assigned. Sam drifted off to sleep as the random noises became softer and less frequent.

Next morning, Sam was awakened by an officer opening his cell, "Samuel Preston?"

Sam rolled from his sleeping cushion, "Yes?"

"This way,"

The officer led Sam out along a narrow hall to a secure car park. Sam was handcuffed across his front, then loaded into a white van with two other felines. A driver took his place behind the wheel. At the other side of the car park, an officer opened a large powered door. The van rolled through the door, which slid closed as they exited. Now underway, the van drove a short distance to one of serval Union courthouses. Once the van arrived, junior police officers took custody of Sam and led him to a holding cell within the court. Inside, Sam noted that some of the other prisoners were muzzled.

Sam was taken to a holding room that looked more or less like a regular waiting room, though there were large metal rings in the floor to secure prisoners, which Sam was now attached to.

It wasn't long before a lion entered, wearing a black business suit and bearing a briefcase, "Mister Preston?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Bernard Ganz, I'm your court appointed attorney."

Sam began to feel less and less certain that this was all a ruse, "Yes?"

"I guess you were driving a stolen car," the lawyer glanced at a series of papers, "Well, we'll get this all sorted," he paused to look Sam up and down, "You've never been in trouble before?"

"No, sir,"

"Fine, now, is there anything you need to tell me? About this car, or anything else?"

"I purchased it from a junkyard auction about five years ago, all of it's paperwork appeared to be in order, I don't know how it could have come up stolen,"

Bernard nodded, "Well, sometimes these things happen," he closed his briefcase, "What we'll do today is enter a plea of not-guilty. You'll be released, and given a court date. In the meantime, I'll do some research on your car and see if I can figure out who sold it to the junk yard you purchased it from, sound alright?"

"Yes, thank you."

After a moment, an orderly entered to release Sam from the metal loop holding him to the floor. Sam was led into a courtroom where a large giraffe female presided over a case. A wolf was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. The giraffe judge took the wolf's plea, and then scheduled a court date for him. Then, it was Sam's turn; "Samuel M. Preston?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"You are charged with possession of stolen property, a class one misdemeanor, how do you plead to this charge?"

"Not guilty,"

"Plea of not guilty is entered, accused will report to the Union Police Academy in Albany on June seventeenth to begin his training!" (Sam's knees nearly buckled, he was so relieved,) "Good luck, Mister Preston!"

Outside the chamber, Sam was met by his 'attorney,' Bernard Ganz. Sam's muzzle split into a broad smile as he greeted the lion, "Hey! How is my case going?"

"You're screwed!" Bernard chimed as he shook Sam's hand, "Because I'm going to be your training officer!"

Tears blurred Sam's eyes, "You guys got me pretty good!"

"You handled it like a champ!" Bernard said, "And you'll of course be paid for all of the time you spent in the clink,"

"Do you guys do this to every recruit?"

Bernard weighed his answer, "Actually," he leaned in close, "Some of your answers really surprised our psychological examiner, he wanted to see how you'd react to being arrested."

"It sucked," Sam chuffed.

"Bear that in mind," Bernard replied, "When you're on the street. A wrongful arrest could ruin someone's life."

---

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

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

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

"I'm beginning to think that it might really be time for Herald to go, he's fulfilled his obligations to us."

'That's up to Kromhaut,' Mayalee began, but Sam reminded her that part of their function as familiars was to serve as their dragon's conscience.

"Okay," she said, "What are we going to do without Herald? He's pretty irreplaceable."

"We need to replace him with someone else."

Mayalee scoffed, "Krom will never go for that,"

"I've been thinking about Rosemary," Sam said, "And the more I do, the more I feel she should replace Herald when he retires."

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

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

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

He sighed, "Everyone deserves a second chance."

The mouse momentarily thought of Ibiza as a possible replacement for Herald, before she dismissed the idea; "Why did Rosemary change her name, anyway?" Mayalee asked, taking another sip of her water. Sam shrugged, "Maybe for the same reason Herald changed his, because she felt ashamed."

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

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

"And Herald murdered a lot of marine mammals, but look how dignified and fatherly he is now, even though he's still as hard-headed as a highland goat!"

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 whispered, "I have to draw a line there, I just can't spend an extended period of time with her, not like that."

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

"Much later," she added.

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

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

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

She chortled, "You know, Krom told me about the young lion you were in jail with. You really seemed to be a great help to him, I think you should consider yourself for Herald's position."

"Yeah, but I helped someone who is alive, Herald helps the dead."

Just then, a red-tailed hawk entered the restaurant, accompanied by a pretty red fox. Sam's mouth fell open, "Allomere?"

"Sam!"

Allomere gestured for the waiter to place his avian-specific chair at Sam's table. The hawk's companion shyly seated himself and smiled to Mayalee, "Hello,"

"This is my husband, Timothy," Allomere said with undisguised pride, "What a coincidence meeting you here!"

"This is my wife, Mayalee," Allomere bowed to her, as Timothy glanced at Sam. The fox broadcast a fairly explicit but rather cute fantasy involving himself and Sam. The lion attempted to betray no reaction whilst Mayalee smiled. "I must compliment you on your 'suggestion' that Sam be arrested."

"I hope you're not too sore about that," Allomere replied, "I was so taken by your answers, I wanted to see how you'd react to real pressure,"

Timothy imagined himself kneeling behind Sam. The lion snorted. "Feeling alright?" Allomere asked. Sam nodded, "Just a tickle in my throat."

Mayalee glanced at Timothy. There was something about the fox, she almost felt she'd seen him somewhere before. For the sake of Sam's embarrassment, I won't relay what Timothy was imagining now. Thankfully, a pair of waiters arrived to take the party's order. After they'd gone, Sam indulged Timothy by reaching across the table to cup his large hand over Timothy's, "So, what do you do for work?"

The fox visibly reacted to Sam's touch. "I work for a bookstore."

"Ah," Mayalee chirped, "I love bookstores!"

"Me too, that's why I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to do." Allomere nodded, "What about you, Sam? What do you do?"

"I'm unemployed right now." The hawk nodded, "Yes, that's what your application said. But what about before that? How did you come into so much knowledge?"

"I'm something of a historian. That was my passion when I was younger."

Allomere nodded, and accepted Sam's evasive answer. 'He thinks you have experience as a soldier.' Mayalee silently relayed. 'Well, he's not wrong.' Came Sam's reply.

After dinner, the four seemed reluctant to part, with Timothy perhaps the most unwilling to end the meeting. As Timothy was drawn to Sam, it seemed Mayalee fancied the hawk. Allomere could read her like a book, and knew she was lonely. "It's only half past seven, would you like to come over to my place?"

Mayalee answered "Sure!" perhaps a bit too quickly, but Allomere was understanding. He offered the familiars his address, and then departed with his husband. Mayalee ushered Sam to their own car, and then checked a map so that she was sure where exactly the couple lived, "Just west of Financial! That's a nice area!"

"Allomere probably makes a lot," Sam said as he fired up their car's boiler, "He's the go-to councilor and criminal profiler for the Union Police."

Sam could practically see a giant thought bubble above his wife's head, "What?" he chortled. "Wasn't it cute how Timothy fancied you so much?" Sam smiled, "He sure did." Mayalee patted his thigh, "And I really liked Allomere, so, what if we got Allomere and Timothy to join us?"

"Join us? As familiars?"

Her smile became bigger and bigger the more she thought of it. Sam could see that Kromhaut was on the defensive, urging his mouse to be cautious, but Mayalee was having none of it. Her mind was made up, "We need help, Sam. They'd be perfect."

"May, what we need is a spiritual guide, that's Glorafin's purview. Do you really want Allo and Timothy to have to deal with Glorafin?"

She balled her fists in frustration, "Ariadne is the Incarnation of Transition! That's a spiritual function! They could work with sprits through his auspice!"

"We're going to upset the balance," Sam warned. He reached over to cup his hand over her thigh, "I know how much you want this, I know you want Herald to be able to retire, and bring in some new friends, but we have to do this right!"

He noticed she was weeping, "Come on, May, we're almost there, pull yourself together!"

"Sam, I don't know if I can hide who I am anymore," she looked to him, "I'll either have to retire, like Herald, or have a new pair of friends who I can fully confide in," she choked back a sob, "I need those boys,"

"What about their families?" Sam asked, "We'll have to orchestrate some sort of disappearance to mask their lack of aging! Their families will lose them! Do you really want that for them?"

Within Sam's mind, his dragon offered some encouragement; 'The fox, Timothy Buttons, appears to be an orphan. And Allomere has but a single Aunt, with whom he sporadically communicates. This couple would seem to be a good match for our cause.'

Mayalee immediately seized on this information.

'Wow, thanks, Ariadne,' Sam groused.

'It was no trouble at all!' the innocent dragon replied.

Now Sam approached the upscale neighborhood where Allomere lived. The area featured rolling hills upon which were built long slab-like homes. Sam drew some amusement that the homes resembled military bunkers.

"Number six six four!" Mayalee chirped, "That's it!"

Sam felt extremely awkward parking his dilapidated steam-powered car amongst the neighborhood's high-end gasoline powered motor cars. 'Once I'm a cop, I'm going to buy one of those,'

Mayalee hopped out once Sam set the brake. Sam came around to take her hand, then the couple made their way up the long walk to the home, 'What are you going to do?' Sam asked his mate.

She squeezed his hand, 'Let's have a little fun,'

He rolled his eyes as they made their way up to the flat. The hawk's house was situated atop a wide hill, with a long walkway that lead up to it. Passing a car park, Sam saw that the couple did have a motor car, but it most likely belonged to Timothy. At the top of the path, the home did indeed resemble a fortified military building. There were no windows, (at least ones facing east,) and the only visible door was a large oak hatch with formidable iron rivets. Sam arched his brow as he knocked. From within, several sliding bolts and locks could be heard unfastening. Mayalee smirked at the display of high security, 'They knew we were coming,'

"Hiya!" Timothy chimed as he invited Sam and Mayalee inside. The couple thanked him as they entered, noting the somewhat odd decor of the residence. 'It looks like a toy shop,' Sam said silently. 'You should see what Timothy is thinking,' she replied.

Sam chortled at Timothy's fantasy, but the fox took his outburst to mean he found the assorted stuffed toys to be silly, "Uh, one of my side jobs is I make toys," the fox said.

"They're lovely," Mayalee said. Sam slipped his arm around Timothy, "You are very talented."

"Ah!" Allomere chirped, "Welcome to my nest!"

The hawk greeted his visitors, then invited them to sit, "So! I'd really like to know how you knew the best answers to a lot of those tough questions." "Is this visit business, or pleasure?" Sam joked, but Allomere seemed oddly serious, "That depends on you. I would actually like to know where you picked up your knowledge."

"As I said, I do a lot of research," Sam said, "Many of my ancestors were soldiers, and in those times there was very little difference between a police animal and a soldier. I suppose enforcement procedures haven't changed all that much over the centuries."

"Fair enough," Allomere replied, "Your studies have certainly paid off."

Timothy brought a tray of drinks and snacks. Mayalee noted Allomere's continued suspicion, 'He thinks you're withholding information,' she relayed to him. 'Yes, I know,' Sam replied, 'He feels I have actual experience, and he's correct.'

Sam sighed, "Okay, I do have a confession," Allomere glanced sharply at him, "Yes?"

"I worked as a security contractor in East Makuria, saw a bit of combat."

"Ah! So you lied about military service!"

"Not really," Sam retorted, "I was not a part of any national force."

Timothy glanced at his husband as Allomere gently clacked his mandible, "Very well, Sam, but I don't understand why you wouldn't wish to list your combat experience."

Sam rubbed his snout, "I never reported the income,"

Allomere's eyes widened, but in a way he was relieved that all of Sam's pieces had finally fallen into his puzzle, "Okay, Sam, but again I have to ask, why didn't you report your income?"

Sam spoke to the hawk in fluent Mantuan, "Watashi wa jibun jishin o mantovua no minashimashita."

"I see," Allomere replied, though his Mantuan was considerably more rusty than Sam's. "Well," the hawk continued, "I wish you would have provided a complete history in order for me to properly render a decision, but I accept your omission."

"Thank you kindly," Sam said with a bow.

The business part out of the way, the talk turned to more mundane topics. As they chatted, Timothy's position on the sofa inched closer and closer to Sam. The lion finally reached out to pull the fox onto his lap. Timmy wasted no time burying his snout beneath Sam's arm. 'Wow, he really likes your scent.' Mayalee silently chortled. Allomere's feathers fluffed up as he suggested; "Why don't you take off your pants, Sam?"

"Oh? Is that alright?"

The hawk smiled, "It'll help me forget your little omission."

Sam rest his chin on Timmy's snout as he pulled his trousers off. The desperately excited fox followed suit, and delivered the biggest surprise of the evening. "Woah," Mayalee breathed, "Timothy, you're really huge." She hopped from her seat to examine the fox's sizable member. "Wow!"

None was more impressed than Sam as he took Timothy into his mouth. Mayalee hopped up and down as her husband worked, "Make sure he doesn't cum! I want to try him out!" Allomere chortled as Sam worked his muzzle across Timothy's length. 'Sorry, babe. I want him to cum in my mouth!'

"Awww!" She peeped as Timothy grasped Sam's cheeks and unloaded into his throat. "Can I be next?" She asked. Timothy softly chuffed as Sam sucked hard upon his length, hoping to swallow down every drop. "He's all ready for you!" Mayalee pulled off her dress and positioned herself on the sofa. Sam cupped his hand on Timothy's bottom, and guided him over to Mayalee. Allomere hopped from his perch to get a closer look as the tip of Timmy's penis bumped Mayalee's bottom. "Ready?" Sam asked. "Okay," the fox replied; reaching out to grasp the mouse's bottom, "But, aren't I too big?"

"Put it in!" Mayalee moaned. Timothy smiled, then pushed his first few inches inside the little mouse. Mayalee groaned, but pushed back against him, forcing more of his length inside. Timothy's eyes widened as most of his penis was now inside the petite little mouse. Sam smiled to him, "Go on, fuck her hard, she can take it."

"O-okay," Timothy peeped. He gripped her tail, then pushed all the way in. Mayalee's moans mingled with Allomere's excited squeaking, "Wow! She's really taking you! How does it even fit?"

Timothy pulled most of the way out; thrust back in, "Oh, fuck," he grunted. Sam took Timmy's hand and put it on Mayalee's hair, "Pull her hair, she loves it." "Oh, oh," he breathed as Sam dragged his tongue along Timothy's back. "Fuck her hard, Timothy."

"Oh! Oh!" Timothy cried as he climaxed. Mayalee groaned as she began to clamp down on the fox's penis. "Hey! Ow!" He chuffed, and quickly pulled out. "S-sorry," Mayalee breathed, "You really fucked me good,"

"You put on a good show," Allomere chimed, "I look forward to our next visit!" Mayalee turned about to take the fox in her mouth. "Well," Sam said, "Hopefully this visit isn't going to end anytime soon."

Lather that night, Sam escorted his wife home. "Thanks," he said.

"For what?"

"For not springing anything on them. For playing it cool and not mentioning the supernatural."

She poked at his elbow, "If these two join us, Herald would be free to go and be with his husband, everybody would get what they want!"

"What about Allomere?" he asked with a flare of his nostrils, "He won't have any way of knowing what he's getting into until it's too late," he fell silent with a sigh. "Sam, do you regret joining me?"

He sighed, "No, not by a long shot," he glanced at her, "It's just hard being on the move all the time, of not being able to have any lasting friends,"

"Like Allomere and Timothy?" she asked, "They could be our friends for as long as we need them."

"This isn't about us," he retorted. "Sorry, that came out wrong," she replied.

The pair continued on, each lost in their thoughts as they made their way back home. At length Sam thumbed their garage door opener as they arrived home, "I'm going to ask that Allomere be able to back out of any agreements, once we reveal to him what we are."

Mayalee understood that his words were not directed at her, but surprisingly, her dragon issued no negative feelings toward Sam's request. The familiars settled into their nighttime routines as Sam thought of the hawk, and his reynard husband. "Holy fuck Timothy had a huge cock."

"I've never seen such a thing attached to a fox," Mayalee murmured. Sam winked at her, "Sampled many foxes?"

"Heh, before I met you I drowned my sorrows with random sexual encounters. It was the only way I could cope." He gently touched her, "It seemed like you needed Timothy, you feeling okay? Anymore sorrows to drown?"

"Sam, I'm so worried about Ibiza. I wonder where she is right now,"

"She must be okay, since she's not been around much lately."

She went to the window as if she expected to catch sight of the wayward dragon, "I hope she's eating okay, she tends to like junk-food."

Sam nodded, as he too became concerned about the dragon's whereabouts.

Out beyond the couple's window, far from their manicured residential streets and polished sidewalks, Ibiza Pushpath observed the comings and goings of animal-folk as the evening bustle gave way to nighttime calm. The hidden dragon moved along a broad boulevard, feeling hopelessly puzzled and confused by the strange world around her. There was no rhyme nor reason to animal's movements within the city. They hurried from one place to another, and seldom accomplished anything more than becoming more unsociable.

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

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

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

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

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

Finally, Ibiza raised herself to her full height to gaze into the mirror. She narrowed her eyes, 'Why do my eyes look the way they do?' she thought of Garland's bizarre declaration that her eyes were portals to the first dimension, 'A portal needn't look blank and lifeless,'

An uneasy thought turned at the back of her mind; 'You appear as such because your soul has been stripped from you,'

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

Ibiza grit her teeth at the low monotone of the voice, but she unlocked the door to find a strange black bird. Frowning, she allowed him to enter. "What do you wish to discuss?"

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

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

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

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

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

Ibiza bowed her head.

"You are as lifeless as my golem," Glorafin hissed, "Now listen carefully, there is a power sleeping beneath my mountain! Great creatures from a bygone age, each as powerful as a demigod! You have the power to free the elementary forces contained within these sleeping giants! With my help, we may fashion these life forces into a living soul! If you will come to my mountain, you may truly live!"

Ibiza turned away from the bird to gaze into the mirror, "Tell me, Glorafin, since you are so wise and powerful. Who is Garland? Who are the dragons that ripped death from my body?" she turned back toward the mirror, "If you wish to be of service, then tell me, why did they place within me the personality of a strange horse?"

"I do not know, Ibiza. But together, we might discover the answer to all of these questions."

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

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

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

Ibiza veiled herself, then passed through the washroom's far wall. Outside, long shadows blanketed the streets as Ibiza sought out an alleyway to bed down for the night. She found a nice nook beneath a stair, and so she doffed her veil; wedged herself into the grungy space. 'Creatures, entombed underneath the mountain,' Ibiza murmured, 'Sleeping right where Hades placed them.'

What light there was was momentarily blocked out by a great airship as it silently trod across the sky. Ibiza rolled a sleepy eye up to watch it recede into the distance, 'Animals take to the sky in shining metal chariots,' she sighed, 'They have become gods in their own right.'

And so Ibiza slept, but sometime later a marsupial animal with a white face and black eyes came calling. The animal knelt by the stair, but found his favorite nook to be occupied. He sighed, and then settled down near a rubbish dumpster. Ibiza opened her eyes, but slowly closed then as she settled back to sleep.

Next day, Sam met Allomere for lunch. The lion arrived at the cafe first, and spent his time animal-watching. 'Allomere has news for you!' Ariadne chimed within his mind.

'No spoilers!' Sam replied, 'I want to hear it from Allomere!'

'Sam, I would like to offer you some advice.'

'Oh? What sort of advice?'

'Be honest with him. Tell him who you are.'

'I'm going to come off like a loon unless I can offer some sort of proof,' Sam replied, 'Then, Allo would be as good as trapped, wouldn't he?'

'Perhaps not, I have discussed the situation with father, I believe you may be able to provide proof of your abilities without entrapping Allomere, or his husband.'

"Hello, Sam!" Allomere chimed as he entered the cafe, "I have some news for you!"

Sam perked up, "Oh?"

The hawk leaned in close, "I'm not supposed to say anything until your service record is assembled, but you've been hired!"

"Allright!" Sam beamed, "When do I start?"

"Well, based on your advanced interview, I'm recommending a basic fitness test, then you should be allowed to skip the academy training. You'll be placed with a community patrol unit somewhere in Brandenburg."

"Sounds good!"

"You might face some domestic violence calls, but I think you are more than capable," the hawk paused to proudly pat Sam with his wing, "You'll do fine!"

"Allo, I feel like we're becoming friends."

A flash of concern crossed the hawk's face, "I think so, Sam. You're not about to reveal some dark secret, are you?"

"Depends on what you consider dark," Sam said as he leaned in close, "There's something I need to tell you."

From across the busy street, Ibiza Pushpath recognized Sam as he laid bare his secrets. The veiled dragon felt a pang of longing to go to him, but she slinked away and continued her orbit of the financial district, driven on by hunger and loneliness. Back in the cafe, Allomere fanned his tail, "I don't suppose you can prove any of this?"

"I can," Sam said as he scribbled his phone number on a napkin, "Give me a call tonight."

"Put it in my shoulder bag," the hawk said. Sam did, and then swallowed an anxious lump, "I hope to hear from you,"

"Sure," Allomere replied, his expression sullen and crestfallen. He was obviously disappointed. "Hey," Sam said, "Just give me a chance, that's all I ask. Let me prove it to you."

"Okay, Sam," the hawk said, "I'll give you a call tonight."

Sam watched the hawk wander out of the cafe as a great weight of anxiety bowed his head and his heart. 'I hope he calls.'

'Sam, could you check in on Ibiza? She's a short distance away and might come to trouble.'

'I'm sorry,' Sam replied, 'I need to get home, I think I'm going to throw up.'

'Very well,' Ariadne replied, whilst across the boulevard, Ibiza infiltrated a bakery and took up a position near the display cabinet as she waited for the baker to return to the rear of his shop. Carefully as she could, Ibiza pulled aside her veil to snatch a cup cake from the display cabinet. The reynard fox rushed back to the front, convinced someone was in his shop.

He cast a suspicious eye about, then retreated to the back. The dragon reached up for another confection. She grasped it cleanly enough with her paw, but she neglected to uncover her face. She tossed it toward her maw, but the pastry merely fell to the floor. It landed with a loud splat, drawing the baker's attention. The fox returned to his cabinet to find the cup cake littering the tile floor. He glanced about then scented the air, but there was no animal's presence to be found. Terribly confused, the fox retreated to fetch his cleaning supplies.

Annoyed with herself, Ibiza slinked from the establishment in time to notice a trio of canids. Their manners were poor, and more troubling, their intent was sinister.

She left the bakery to follow after the trio. She could not interpret their thoughts, but she could smell their emotions. Their desire to brutalize others came as a pungent waft that accosted Ibby's nose. 'Can someone stop them?' Ibiza glanced about, 'Is there a police officer?'

The little dragon did not perceive the invisible paw of Glorafin, the trickster, the dark goddess, shaping the behavior of the canids to suit her purpose.

At length the trio happened upon a female rabbit withdrawing money from a box affixed to a nearby wall. Her station wagon was parked nearby, with the engine left running. Ibiza silently roared when two of the males grasped the rabbit, whilst the third hopped into her vehicle and took command of the driver's wheel. In the blink of an eye the rabbit was abducted, leaving Ibiza shaking. Her shock turned slowly to seething anger. She tightened her jaw, and filled herself with a fateful resolve.

Later, Sam returned home to find his wife's forehead ablaze with spiritual fire. "Hello, Sam."

"Hello, Kromhaut," the lion replied, pausing to wipe his shoes in the foyer, "How are you feeling?"

"I am here to ask the same of you. I'm terribly sorry for ruining your encounter with Death, you'd nearly established a dialogue with the creature."

"Yes, I nearly did."

Kromhaut brushed Mayalee's foot across the plush carpet, "Can you forgive me?"

"We're going to make a new rule. You don't enter my wife without her permission, understood?"

"Yes, Sam."

The lion smiled, "Alright."

He knelt to take the dragon in his arms. "Thank you for coming, and offering up a pretty good apology! I give it an eight out of ten."

Kromhaut chortled, then tapped Mayalee's fingers together. "You made quite an impression on the hawk, he intends to contact you!"

Sam held up his hand. "Great! Now, I want to be surprised about the rest!"

The dragon smiled. His fire diminished, then faded away, leaving Mayalee to be herself again. She slinked up to him to bump her chin against his crotch. "Horny again? Goodness, it's a good thing I'm not a mouse! We'd have a million kids by now!"

She swatted his rump, "Best to not get messy right now, anyway. We should hear from Allomere soon." She glanced at the clock. It was twenty minutes to seven.

At half past seven, the telephone rang. The lion's heart leapt into his throat, he dared to hope that it was Allomere! 'Do you wish me to confirm the caller's identity?' Ariadne asked.

Sam laughed, "Remember, don't spoil the surprise!"

He plucked the receiver from it's cradle, "Hello?"

"Well, you sound chipper," Allomere said on the other end of the line. Sam sat down so that Mayalee could climb onto his lap, "I'm glad you called."

"Alright Sam, you have my attention."

The lion drew a deep breath, "Go to any book you have laying around and open it to page twenty. My dragon is going to see what's written there, and then relay the passage to me."

"Dragon?"

Sam smiled, "From this point on, things are going to get very strange for you."

"O-okay," Allomere said, "Just a moment." Then; "I have a book open, page twenty."

Ariadne relayed to Sam what was written on page twenty of Allomere's book. Sam recited the words through the line. The hawk was quiet for a time, before he issued a thoughtful peep. "I'm going to write something down Sam, can you tell me what it is?"

'My husband has the hots for you,' Ariadne relayed to Sam. Sam chortled, "Does Timothy really think I'm attractive?"

On the other end of the line, Allomere glanced sharply about. He carefully inspected the nearby lamp, and the overhead air conditioning vent, searching for any sort of surveillance camera that might be present. Finally, he glanced down on the note he'd written, then leaned in close to the speakerphone. "Okay, you've piqued my interest. Can I come over?"

"Yes! Please!" the lion replied.

"W-what's your address?"

Sometime later, there came a peck on Sam's door. Allomere Clemens waited on the doorstep, whilst an otherworldly fire danced unseen across his feathers. The spiritual fire created deep dark shadows that watched with keen interest as Fate manifest herself.

Mayalee greeted Allomere and invited the hawk in, "Where's Timothy?"

"Visiting his mother."

Allomere entered the home, noting pile after pile of boxes and bundles stuffed into every available corner. The dank musty scent of old odd things filled his nostrils. Allomere realized that one or both of the animals were hoarders, and his eyes shimmered with sympathy. Mayalee shyly nodded, but said nothing as Sam bowed a greeting, "Thank you for coming so soon!"

"Yes, well, I had to see how you did that trick of yours."

"Your mother's name was Judith, she passed away when you were nine," Sam abruptly said. Mayalee stepped forward to add, "You grew up in Westvale, where your aunt Valerie stepped in for your late mother. She was a stern hawk, but she loved you as her own."

Allo's mandible twitched, but he quickly recovered, "That is all public record for those who wish to dig."

Sam nodded, "At age twelve you visited your father, who suspected you were homosexual. He attempted to 'straighten' you, by forcing you to kill a small wild beast."

"How do you know that!?" Allomere hissed, now visibly shaken. Mayalee smiled gently, "I may read your thoughts, Allomere. It's part of my abilities as a familiar."

Allo shook his head, "Familiar of what?"

"Dragon spirits," the couple chimed, "The gods of our world."

"Spirits? You mean they're dead?"

Mayalee shook her head, "Not dead, Allomere. They are eternal."

Allomere sat down on the plush carpet to settle his head, "I had no idea."

The familiars sat one on each side of the hawk. "You're a councilor, Allomere." Mayalee said, "In a way, we're councilors for our dragons. We allow them to gain a valuable insight into animal emotions, to help them relate to us."

Sam nodded, "Without us, they would have no idea what it is to feel."

"We are a way for the dragon gods to know themselves," Mayalee added.

From the shadows, Fate radiated concern and annoyance. 'They carry on as if no great happening looms! If these beings will not act, then perhaps I may find ways focus their attention.'

Nearby, Allomere's mind held fast to what he perceived as normal, and he rejected the couple's parlor tricks; "I'm sorry, but I simply cannot accept any of this! Have you read some diary entry penned by my father before he died!? You might have cameras in my house, so you could see what I'd written! Are you trying to swindle me? Get me to sign over my life's savings to you!?"

"Sweetie," Mayalee said, "I want you to do something. I want you to try and hurt me."

"Fuck off!"

She shook her head, then gestured to Sam. He raised himself to his full height, then bore down on the little mouse, slamming his fists onto her head. There was a tremendous impact that sent Mayalee crashing to the floor! Allomere shrieked, completely horrified!

In the next instant Mayalee recovered, apparently unharmed. The hawk's maw drooped. Mayalee reached out her hand, "Take my hand in your beak, try and bite me."

Dazed, Allomere complied. At first her skin was soft and supple, but the more pressure he exerted, the harder Mayalee's hand became. Soon her skin felt hard as rock! Allomere released her with a thoughtful peep. "Gods, what are you?"

Mayalee reached out to caress the soft feathers of Allomere's neck. She wished she could tell him the truth, that she didn't really know what she was anymore, but she simply smiled. "You won't have to decide on anything until you've had time enough to think."

"And after you've talked with Timothy," Sam added.

"Decide?" Allomere breathed, "On joining you?"

Fate 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."

Fate understood that nothing productive would transpire this night, and so she receded, her departure being felt by an appreciative Sam, "Thank you."

"Huh?" Allomere peeped.

"Oh," Sam replied with an awkward smile, "I was speaking to death."

The hawk groaned at the absurdity of all this! Dragons? Death? Who were they going to speak to next, the Hogfather? Poor Allomere circled the room, scowling at the familiars before he became dizzied. The room pitched and moved beneath him, and for a panicked moment he wondered if they'd slipped him some sort of drug. He began to pant, whilst Sam reached out to comfort him. The hawk's perception of space was becoming warped, whilst invisible sheets of flame licked across the lion's cheek, "I feel dizzy."

"I've been there," Sam said, "I know what you're going through."

He helped the hawk to settle down, "Just relax,"

Allomere beheld a ball of flame hovering above the mouse's head, "There's a fire. And a face. A face in the fire."

Sam turned to Mayalee, "Is he seeing them?"

"Yes," she whispered.

Allomere shook. His eyes were unfocused, and his breath came in short, irregular gasps. Sam cradled Allomere's face in his hands, trying his best to comfort the avian. "Allo, your spirit is waking up. Do you hear me? That's why you feel the way you do. Just let it happen, there's nothing to fear."

"Ugh!" Allomere gasped, before slipping into unconsciousness. Sam lowered his head to the carpet. "He fainted, That's exactly what happened to me."

"Yes," Mayalee breathed.

Sam wondered who was more overwhelmed, his mouse, or the hawk. "It's pretty obvious that he'd better stay the night."

"He'll be with us for a long long time," she agreed.

Sometime later, a tapping fell upon the door. Sam answered to find Herald Kirsten silhouetted in the dark. Neither spoke as the lion stepped aside for the eagle to enter, "I am here to look in on the hawk," Herald said, more as a statement of fact than anything as he crossed the parlor to gauge Allomere's spiritual condition.

An anxious moment passed as the couple watched the black eagle perform his examination. His inky feathers blended seamlessly in the dim light of the parlor, giving the huge eagle the appearance of death it's self.

'He's had a rough go,' Herald said silently, so as not to disturb the sleeping avian. Mayalee nodded, "His spirit woke up kicking and screaming-" she clapped her hand over her mouth when Allomere stirred at her spoken words.

Sam tapped his fingers on her head, 'There's this trick we all know, it's called telepathy! You should try it!'

Smirking, Mayalee jabbed him with an elbow. Herald shook his head at their antics, then turned back to Allomere, 'I believe he was awakened too quickly, I suspect Kromhaut was too eager to please you.'

The Mariner performed another scan of Allomere's spirit. 'There's some damage, I sense a slight loss of spiritual memory.'

'Can you pinpoint exact memories?' Sam asked.

'Yes, why?'

'There's a traumatic event that Allomere suffered, something to do with his father, I was wondering if you could erase it.'

'Absolutely not!' the eagle replied, 'Events in ones life are what help shape our character. The removal of this event you wish purged might create a cascade of damage to this hawk's psyche,' he glanced back at Allomere, 'It'll be all I can do to ease the damage that's already been done.'

Sam nodded, 'I understand.'

Mayalee reached out to Herald. 'You're like a surgeon, a doctor for ghosts. Please consider staying with us, there's so much good you could do!'

He smiled, 'Speaking of ghosts, I'd better locate Rosemary. I hear tell she's been stirring up trouble.'

With a polite bow he smiled to them, 'Goodnight.'

The couple returned the gesture. 'Goodnight, Herald.'

He crossed the parlor, navigating around Mayalee's many boxes and bundles. 'I'm pleased you'll have a fond companion to share in your life and times. You deserve better company than the likes of me.'

'Why does this feel like a farewell?' Mayalee asked. The mariner turned back to them, 'Because it is, love.'

The little mouse bit back a lump of emotion as he slipped away, leaving Mayalee visibly weeping. Outside, an exceptionally strong sea breeze pushed onshore. Herald Kirsten tasted the air as he sailed aloft. 'Oh, how I miss the sea,'

He became buffeted by the wind, but managed to steady himself in the air. 'What strong currents!'

There were a great many things weighing upon his mind, 'Fate is now the dominant force in the world.' Another strong gust shook him. 'She has demonstrated curiosity, and indeed, compassion,' he smiled gently, 'If she possesses compassion, then the first dimension is not a place of dread.'

Cheered, the eagle traced a lazy circle over the financial district, hoping to catch sight of his boxer before he turned east toward the equine state of Aurora. 'What of the dragon, Destruction? What exactly will happen during this impending celestial convergence?'

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 gradual return to life, for Herald found himself increasingly frustrated at odd times, and for no reason. 'Close your eyes, breathe.'

This change of mood was the worst that he could recall. He shook his head, then attempted to place himself somewhere else. 'No, I'll make the best of whatever life is left in me.'

An image of Glorafin came to him, from his one and only face-to-face meeting with her. He frowned at the memory, 'I feel as a fool, playing the part of a jester to a clown.'

He sighed on the wind, 'Soon I shall be gone, with nothing to show for any of my trials,' he touched down near a stand of trees, 'Now, where is the next soul in need of guidance?'

There was a strong pull toward the woods, and a feeling of dread that oft preceded the coming of death. 'These woods echo with the threat of murder,'

The dragon Ibiza emerged from the trees; "Herald! I need your help!"

"Eh? What are you doing out here?"

"I saw these animals take a female, they shoved her into a car and drove her out here! They mean to do her harm!"

"Aye, and they shall. That is why I am here, to assist her traumatized spirit when it is hewn from her body."

The dragon leveled her gaze at him, "I am here to rescue her, and if you will not help me, I will go on my own!"

"Ibiza, we are forbidden to interfere, it is the cycle of life-" "Bollocks!" she roared, "Will you listen to yourself! This young animal is in terrible danger, I'm not just going to stand here and do nothing!"

His expression softened, "Ibiza, I once felt as you do. I raged against the unfair nature of things-" "Uggggh!" she roared, "Toss off! I'll do it myself!"

"Alright!" Herald called after her, "I will intervene!"

Ibiza paused to offer him an approving glance. Herald sighed as he rushed headlong into the border of the woods, 'I will be punished. I'll never see my husband again.'

Now beneath the thick canopy, Herald strained his head to listen over the tromping of the dragon's feet when a trio of canines appeared in the distance, bearing something between them. Herald veiled his presence as he watched the strangers crash through the forest. "Help! Someone!" cried a young female.

"Shut the fuck up!" one of the canids spat. Herald narrowed his eyes as the would-be rapist adjusted his grip on what Herald realized was a struggling rabbit. Beside Herald, Ibiza vibrated with tension.

"Somebody!!" the rabbit cried, "Help me!!"

Herald was pushed from behind; "Go! Help her!"

He glanced back, "Eh! You place me in a very difficult position!"

"Please! Somebody!" the rabbit cried, then she squealed in pain as an attacker bit her ankle. "I will kill them," Ibiza hissed, "Unless you act!"

Herald hissed with frustration, "Blast and damn!"

Ibiza hopped from foot to foot as Herald set out. "What I do once I get to her is another matter, I hope you have a plan."

As he neared the rapists, Herald made no attempt to conceal his presence. He huffed and gruffed as loud as he could, hoping to scare them off. It seemed to work. Herald found the young rabbit lashed to a tree, with no apparent sign of the canids. He reached up with his foot to fumble at her bonds, then attempted to bite through them with his beak. The heavy nylon twine did not yield to his efforts, and more troubling, Herald felt the cold fingers of death move up and down his spine!

"Who the fuck are you!?"

Herald turned to find a scruffy looking grey canid. Two more canids appeared, one armed with a knife. "Just fuck off, eh! Nothing for you here!"

"The three of you are in great danger," Herald hissed, "I'd advise you to be off at once."

The armed canid circled Herald with menace, whilst the other two waved their hands at him. "Fuck off, bird! This isn't your night!"

A metallic flash split the air as the armed canid hurled his knife at Herald, sticking him in the chest! The canid was astonished when the black eagle betrayed no reaction. The rapist leapt back, waiting for the eagle to either fall or flee from his strike.

"Leave while you can," Herald said with menace, "Or you might not like what I'll do."

Shaken, the attacker stumbled back. "Okay, sure.. no problem."

The canids regrouped some distance away to trade confused glances. The grey canid pantomimed a stabbing motion to which Herald's attacker nodded in the affirmative.

In the clearing, Herald turned back to the rabbit. 'I have to get these blasted lines cut!' He fumbled with the bonds, pausing now and again to peer into the gloom. He was aware that the attackers had not fled. Shaking the semi-conscious rabbit, Herald put his beak to her ear; "Can you move your arms, dear? I need you to work your wrists free of the straps!"

Ibiza appeared beside the tree. She grasped the bonds and easily snapped them with her strong paws. Elated, Herald smiled his thanks. He turned to nudge the rabbit with his beak, "Come, love! Hurry!"

Caught up in the moment, Ibiza reached out to touch the young rabbit's cheek. She drew her paw back, then looked upon it with childlike wonder. "Ibiza," Herald said, "You ought to veil yourself."

"I want to be an animal of the world." Ibiza abruptly said. Herald smiled, whilst attempting to pull the rabbit away from the tree, "If you wish to be an animal, take up this rabbit! Get her to a clearing!"

Ibiza's eyes widened when she realized what Herald had asked. She reached out to take the rabbit in her arms. Smiling broadly, the Incarnation of Destruction carried the helpless rabbit to a clearing where she laid the unconscious bunny at Herald's feet. "Thank you, mariner! Go, bear her to safety!"

"You have done good work this night," Herald chimed.

The eagle smiled once more, then grasped the rabbit with his feet. Ibiza clapped her paws excitedly as Herald alighted, bearing the rabbit away. The three would-be rapists bust into the clearing and cursed Herald for his meddling. They did not immediately notice the dragon as they kicked at fallen twigs and angrily stalked about. Then, from the shadows, a terrifying golden statue came for them; "Greetings! I am Destruction, though you may address me as Ibiza!!"

"The fuck?!" the grey canid screamed, before he was bowled over by Ibiza's long tail. "Fuck! Fuck!" he cried, as Ibiza assumed a fighter's posture. As each canine attempted to stand, she delivered a fearsome right hook, sending the animals flying.

"Not so mighty now, eh?!"

'Sister,' came Fate's low monotone voice, 'Will you stop? Please do not allow Glorafin to manipulate you.'

Ibiza ignored the disembodied voice, for all of her thought was bent on punishing the perpetrators. They flailed and thrashed on the ground as she delivered blow after blow, "I have something special in store for you! Since you would violate another, I shall violate you!"

'Sister, do not give in to Destruction!' Fate cried, her voice reflecting emotion for the very first time, 'Be the one called Ibiza Pushpath! Be good!'

This time, Fate's voice pushed through Ibiza's fervor. The dragon paused, a thoughtful ripple moving across her muzzle. Whilst she was distracted, the canines leapt up and ran away. Ibiza shook away her sister's influence and gave chase. Now the dragon would incapacitate the rapists. With fearful speed she took each of their ankles in her paws and twisted, snapping them like twigs. She did not hear their screams through her fog of bloodlust. Fate attempted to plead for calm, but it was no use.

Ibiza strode to a nearby Maple tree and ripped a branch from it's body, eliciting a scream from the Maple's leaves. 'Sister, please. There is good in you. I can feel it.'

"Oh, not tonight!" she roared, "Not tonight!"

Ibiza hooked the dark brown canine with her paw, bringing his backside up. With teeth bared, she impaled him with the branch. Fate looked away as the animal screamed a harsh hollow cry that finally shook Ibiza from her fervor. His head rolled to and fro as his companions looked on in horror. Ibiza set the horribly wounded canid down, then covered her eyes with her paws, "What have I done?"

Around her, the forest railed against Ibiza's offense. To the remaining canines, the golden reptile seemed to become immobile. They whimpered pitifully as their fellow's groans became thinner and weaker. "What have I done?"

Fate set her shadowy hand upon Ibiza's shoulder. The dragon looked about, wondering who it was who comforted her.

"Come, Destruction," said Ariadne as his fiery body manifest it's self. "I'm afraid the trees are most displeased with you."

"W-why did you call me that? You know my name!"

"Come," the dragon spirit said again.

"What of the animals?"

"Concern yourself with your own predicament," he replied, "You have rendered a terrible offense to the trees."

In the dark, Destruction bowed her head, "I am sorry."

"As am I."

The fiery seraph gathered the dragon up and led her away. He spoke not to her, and his silence was nearly unendurable to the dragon. Ibiza fidgeted with the tip of her tail as the encounter wore on. Finally, Ariadne relented somewhat as he offered the dragon a supportive feeling as he wrestled with the dilemma at hand. "Will you tell me?" Ibiza asked, "What shall become of me?"

"You are right to believe yourself in error, but alas, our friend Herald is to bear the brunt of the punishment. He is wise where you are not, he is aware of the folly of mortal intervention."

"But Herald did nothing!"

"Aye, and such should have been his doing! Nothing! He should never have interfered!"

Destruction gestured back toward the canids, "We saved a young girl's life! I punished a trio of evil-doers!"

"You have played right into Glorafin's hands! She wishes to see you weaponized, so you might undermine my father's influence!"

"I knew it! You care only about maintaining your power!"

Ariadne stilled his anxious flickering, "Ibiza, we wish only to maintain the balance of life, that is the influence we wish to preserve."

She accepted his answer, but'd not exhausted her argument; "Have you considered the possibility that I was fulfilling my intended duties? Am I not Destruction?"

Ariadne's fiery body shimmered, "I saw only a self-righteous child meting out brutality."

His rebuke stung. She desperately sought to buttress her position, but realized it was indefensible. Sighing, she lowered her head in shame, "What is to happen to us? To Herald?"

"Herald must be cast into The Underworld."

"What is this place? Where is it?"

"It is a dreadful realm populated by your worst fears. It pains me to see Herald sent to such a place, especially given his long years of service."

"What of me?"

His manifestation darkened, "I do not know, never before has there been such a precedent. Your peerage is such that my father may not possess the means to overpower you."

"May I go to this underworld in Herald's stead?"

He nodded, "Perhaps."

Ibiza knew the dragons would likely jump at the opportunity to be rid of her, if only for a while, "Then I will go," she raised her paw, "If Herald might escape punishment."

"I do not know if he will escape unscathed, but he will at least be spared the pains of Glorafin's realm."

---

Just before dawn, Maggie Pumpkin wandered about a new housing development. Years earlier, it'd been the site of her first title fight, back when a fine sporting arena stood upon these grounds. She looked about with detached bemusement at the rows of parking stalls packed with shiny new automobiles. "Cars really look different now, just how long have I been gone?"

"Ah! There you are!"

She smiled as Herald touched down to greet her, "How are you feeling?"

"I don't feel anything, Herald. I'm a ghost."

"Now that's not entirely true! You're poking about your old haunt, so to speak! You're at least feeling nostalgic!"

"Uh, Herald, you have something in your belly, looks like a knife?"

"Ah, so I do!" he said, reaching down with his beak to pluck it out. It fell to the pavement with a clank, eliciting a devious chortle from Herald, "Won't it be a shame when the police find it, and obtain fingerprints from the handle!"

Maggie smirked at his antics, "You really confuse me sometimes."

He smiled, genuinely happy to see his old friend again. Suddenly, he became shaken when the goddess of the underworld pushed into his mind, 'Herald Kirsten,' said a raspy female voice, 'My brother is furious that you intervened in mortal affairs. He wishes you to retire at once to the wilderness. Your tenure is now done.'

'I have done nothing, save the bidding of a power beyond any of you! Why must you hold me to account?'

'Fool!' Glorafin hissed, 'Kromhaut would see you banished to the underworld! I have secured a compromise, you shall live out your days secluded in your former home which I have remade. You shall never again venture to the modern world.'

"Please, I must help my friend!" Herald said aloud, "Can my departure be delayed?"

The voice remained firm, 'I shall allow you to say farewell, and only farewell, then you must retire.'

Herald closed his eyes with an emotional gasp. Maggie reached out with her shadowy arms; "Herald? What's wrong?"

He shook his head, "I must leave you, Maggie, I am being asked to go away."

"What? By who?"

He draped his wing over her shimmering outline, "Find the path, love. Find it and live again."

"Don't leave me!"

Herald's broad form began to dissolve away, but he spoke clearly to Maggie; "If you need help, look for an owl named Boron! He is a friend, he can h lp y u f nd t e path a d . . ."

"Herald!"

Around her, the residential complex melted away as she called after him. Before she knew what'd happened she was in the grips of a heart-wrenching introspection. Triggered by the stress of the moment, Maggie found herself back in her childhood home, a place of great dread for her. She despaired when she heard her whiskey-addled mother weeping. 'No! Herald!'

With great effort she pulled her mind away from the past to focus her thoughts on Herald, and a singular goal; "He wanted to help me become alive again, so that's what I'm going to do! If Herald can't help me, then I'll help myself!"

The problem was, Maggie had no idea how to proceed. 'Herald was talking with someone, so at least I know there's someone out there, someone who's in charge of things.'

Maggie departed the apartment complex and looked to the broad avenue as a gentle rain began to fall. She wished the city could be as she'd remembered, but it was not. It could never be, until she found a way back into life. 'Why the fuck does this have to be difficult! What the hell is the path, anyway?'

At the back of Maggie's mind was a nagging thought, and try as she might she couldn't rid herself of it. 'You're not worthy. The path will not appear to the unworthy.'

The shunting of the passing traffic became muted in that strange sort of way, and everywhere there was the mist. Maggie's bright golden light flickered erratically as she struggled with the growing realization that perhaps the mysterious someone would not appear to her... because she was not worth their time.

She shook her head, then focused on the falling rain. Oh, how she wished she could become soaked! Maggie's light shimmered sadly as she began to despair. Her mind turned inward, and obsessively examined all of the things she'd said and done in her recent life. 'Okay, what could I have done that's so bad?'

She recalled her sparsely furnished flat, and how the sink would always back up. One thought leading to another, she found herself back within the Royal Calais... "NO!"

With super-animal effort, Maggie pulled her mind away from boxing and to the task at hand, "I have to find a way to make amends," she glanced up, "I'm sorry! Can I do something to have the path appear? Please!"

There was no reply. Maggie bowed her head, then lowered herself to the pavement, all while living animals hurried past her, oblivious to her desperation. "I'm sorry.... please, can someone help me!?"

Slowly, Maggie faded into the night. Moving. Wandering. She looked into the darken windows of nearby shops and saw no reflection. It was another strange artifact of her spiritual nature, she'd not seen her own face in the decade she'd been dead. "Don't think of yourself as dead," Herald said some years ago, as if betraying some secret to her he ought not to, "Think of yourself as awake now, but while you're covered in a living body... that's when the thing that's you... really you... is asleep."

His face became gentle, "Won't you sleep now and dream? Come Maggie, dream the dream of life..."

'Oh, Herald...' Maggie whispered, 'Where did you go?'

Far across the cityscape, Mayalee Mae hurled a skillet across her kitchen, "Where did he go!?" The mouse stormed about, hurling more pots and pans, "How could you, Kromhaut!"

'Mayalee, he broke a solemn promise, you must understand.'

"Beast-shit!"

Sam scooped his mouse up before she did any more damage, "I want him back, right now!"

"May, please," Sam whispered.

She squirmed in his arms, "This isn't how I wanted Herald's time with us to end! I'm not going to sit by and see him banished!"

"Ariadne," Sam said, turning his thought inward.

'Herald is well, I hope it does not hurt your feelings that he did not wish to exchange goodbyes.'

Mayalee relaxed in Sam's arms, "Oh, Sam. This isn't how I wanted it to end."

Down the hall, the couple heard Allomere fumble with the door to his guest room. Mayalee hopped from Sam's arms to assist him. She opened the door to find the hawk looking rather thoughtful. "Hey, you alright?"

"I heard everything," Allomere replied, "And, I saw things."

She touched her hand to his face, "You might have been dreaming, sweetie."

He looked at her hand, and then into it, "I dreamed about a fire."

Mayalee recalled Sam saying the very same thing after his first night. "Just take care, here-" she escorted Allomere back to his makeshift sleeping cushion, "Try and rest some more."

"Will I dream?"

Sam appeared at the doorway, smiling gently. The little mouse nodded, "It's all a dream, Allomere. All of it."

---

'Is this a dream?' Maggie wondered. She wound her way down Market Street, noting at every turn the many changes it'd undergone since her time. Gone were the outdoor cafes, the humble establishments replaced now with video rental stores and liquor marts.

Maggie wandered aimlessly, passing strange ghosts now and again, though she traded no words with them, 'Kinda like how it was when I was alive.'

She continued on, gradually settling into a familiar groove until her spiritual memory led her to the old gymnasium called Golden Gloves. This fitness club had been one of her... 'haunts' in life, and it was a place Maggie always found herself when she was feeling troubled. She entered the arena and smiled to her portrait gracing one of the far walls, along with her friends Lily Gardner and Sylvia Sharps. "Oh Lily, I wish I could see you right now."

As she mulled over her predicament, she began to make peace with her fate, 'If Herald's boss doesn't want me, then I'll just stay here until I drift away, or whatever Herald said would happen to me.'

Maggie felt better as she opened her mind, now willfully relishing her fondest memories with no thought of the future. As was typical of her life, high emotional peaks were often followed by low depressing valleys. When Maggie began her career as a male to female boxer, it caused quite a controversy. The young colt'd been endowed with large expressive eyes, a mane of thick blonde hair and a pink feminine nose. So blessed, Dennis Pumpkin found it easy to cast aside his male identity to become Maggie Pumpkin. The regular world has a way of intruding on our plans, however. Thus, Maggie's transformation was punctuated with isolation and heartache. Many females refused to fight the new Maggie Pumpkin, feeling the transgender stallion would have an unfair advantage against them, "You forget your name, Dennis?"

It was the burly bison Lily Gardner and a wolf named Sylvia Sharps who set aside their concerns to step into the ring with Maggie. This inflamed the boxing press, and rumors immediately began to swirl. As Maggie paused from her introspection to watch the young animals at Golden Gloves train, she caught sight of a young equine mare sparring with a canid partner. Maggie's heart ached as she wished to be alive again, so she might mentor the young boxer, "That's it, you're doing so good..."

A cascade of emotion washed down upon her, Maggie suddenly found herself back in that gloomy locker room with her crocodile trainer and feline promoter. "Okay Maggie," said the cat as he stepped behind Maggie's chair to grasp her shoulders, "Don't expect Lily to cut you any slack!"

Maggie squirmed against his touch. Anthony stepped away with a smile, "You gotta use that reach of yours to counter her greater height!"

"Yes, Anthony." She replied with a roll of her eyes.

Vinrod the crocodile smiled to her and put his large hands on her knees, "Most importantly," he said in his heavy Mantuan accent, "You must win!"

Maggie cupped her hands over his, and wondered why it was that crocodiles made such great trainers, yet were lousy fighters. "I'll do my best, guys."

The door opened; "Three minutes!"

Maggie sprang to her feet. Back within Golden Gloves, Maggie smiled at the fond memory. The battle for the divisional title was her most fond recollection, and she'd haunt that old amphitheater if they hadn't torn it down. Within her memory, Maggie adjusted her sports bra after a quick stretch of her torso. The powerfully built horse then moved down the long hall toward the stadium. Maggie tightened her jaw as a raucous crowd howled and cheered as the current divisional champion took to the ring to strut to and fro. The edge of the ring could be seen at the end of the tunnel. Maggie bit back a nervous lump as Lily's feet danced across the mat, to the delight of the crowd.

An announcer's voice boomed through a speaker, but his words were merely a garbled static.

Maggie arrived in the amphitheater, and the crowd cheered her, chanting her name over and over; "Mag-gie! Mag-gie!"

Maggie flexed her biceps and issued a shrill whinny, bringing the crowd to a fever pitch. The announcer chimed in once more, "From East Buckley, weighing eighty one point six kilograms, Maggie Puuuum-kiiiiin!"

The crowd cheered all the louder, while the regional champion looked down upon Maggie then brought her gloves together in salute. The mare returned her opponent's gesture as she approached the ring. She slipped under the ropes, then hopped to her feet. Standing six foot six, Maggie was a full four inches shorter than the bison champion. However, Maggie's arms were longer, each bearing an enormous fist that dealt fearsome punishment.

Lily Gardener eyed Maggie's endowments as the opponents drew near to touch chests for the customary stare-down, "You ain't cut your bits off yet, have you? I'd like to try you out sometime."

"You really have a way with the ladies." Maggie nickered. The announcer spoke again through the loudspeaker as the crowd cheered wildly. The fighters parted. Despite her anxiety, Maggie briefly imagined herself and Lily in the throes of a sexual encounter, 'Heh, me and Lily. That's a laugh.'

As Maggie reminisced, the flow of time was greatly accelerated within the physical world. Animals darted and dashed around her as she continued her journey back in time, these introspections being the only way that a spirit may dream. As Maggie turned her gaze toward the past, the future came rushing to meet her.

The crowd of animals within Maggie's recollection chanted and cheered, each rooting for their perspective favorites as Maggie again brought her gloves together in salute. Lily responded with a half-hearted gesture as the referee bid the fighters; "Fight!"

Lily threw herself at Maggie, only to be stopped cold by a hard right which momentarily stunned the bison. "Follow up!" Vinrod screamed, "Hit her again!"

Maggie cocked her fist as Lily recovered from the mare's blow to land her own right cross. The blow struck Maggie's cheek, sending the mare stumbling backward. Lily charged ahead, throwing blow after blow, while Maggie ducked and weaved, attempting to shake the aggressive bison. "I'm gonna fuck you hard Maggie!"

With a wild swing and a swift move to the right, Maggie repelled Lily's advance. The two crashed against the corner ropes. Maggie pressed her nose to Lily's cheek, her breath hot and musky, "You really want me to fuck you?"

Lily threw Maggie across the ring with a roar. She charged wildly, but Maggie stood fast, throwing her own wild combos. The fighters stood nose to nose, each trading fierce blows as the crowd screamed their approval. Finally, the bell rang and the referee separated the combatants. Maggie returned to her corner as Vinrod rolled under the ropes to appear beside her, "That was good girl, Good! But your eye is swelling closed."

Indeed, Maggie reached up and found her left eye to be puffy and painful, "Ow!"

Across the ring, Lily made a rude sexual gesture which brought a smile to Maggie's face. An attendant appeared to assess Maggie's injuries; "How do you feel? Any flashes in your vision? Dizziness?"

"I'm fine."

The attendant waved the all-clear. The bell rang, and Vinrod gave his fighter a supportive pat, "Do your best!"

Maggie did her best to control her breathing as the fighters circled one another, then Lily lunged, Maggie surged, and the fighters clashed.

Finally, Maggie got clear to land a hard right. The blow struck Lily's jaw, sending a strong jolt through the bison's skull. The impact generated a loud report which echoed through the amphitheater, bringing the crowd to a frenzy. Lily stood, a blank look in her eyes as Maggie followed up with another hard right. Lily Gardner teetered for a moment before falling to the mat.

Maggie fell to her knees as the referee rushed to the fallen champion and shook her. He pointed to Maggie and declared, "The winner by a knockout!"

The animals within Maggie's dream rushed to the ring. Vinrod the crocodile hugged his fighter, and then Maggie went to Lily's side as the bison sat up. Maggie hugged her opponent, drawing a warm smile from the dizzied bison, "Well, it's official. You hit like a girl."

After a great long while, Maggie let go of the triumphant moment in her life to return to the regular world. She shook with surprise when she found herself in an open field. It was night... and my had things changed. The building, her favorite gymnasium... gone. Only the concrete foundation remained. Maggie looked about with a soft sigh, 'I wonder what happened to my portrait?'

Once she'd collected herself, Maggie found herself back out on Baseline Road. She wandered aimlessly as the evening deepened into night, reminded at every turn by the echoes of her former time. "I'll always remember those nights, back at Golden Gloves."

She looked to the clear bright stars. Her inner light trembled with want as she scanned the sky, looking... hoping. 'Herald, where did you go?'

---

The Dragon's Dream World

---

The year is now 2271. Twenty five years have passed since Herald's banishment. In the time since Timothy Buttons and Allomere Clemens joined Mayalee's fellowship, the shadow of Fate has become obsessed with capturing an animal's sprit in order to present the living soul to her sister, Ibiza. 'The convergence is upon us, the time to act is now.'

And so Fate traces the high craggy hills of southern Shannonvale, seeking out the home of one Eleanor Brightwing.

Homes in this place are perched high up in trees, or tend to be. The Brightwing residence is 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.

Within a bedroom just off the main gallery, Justin Brightwing grasped a playing card with his long toes and fumbled with it for a moment before turning it over, "Shit."

His brother emitted an excited squeal as he brought a trumping card into play, "Poison Cymax beats Fire Ants! You lose two turns Justy!"

Justin watched as his brother Ashley took his two turns, and noted how deftly he manipulated the playing cards. Justin looked down upon his freakishly large feet and wondered how two golden eagle brothers separated by eighteen months could look so different.

"What's on your mind Justy?" came his father's voice.

Oblivious to his late father's question, Ashley sat down upon his bottom with his fan-like tail spread out behind him, "I'd say that's a wrap, we could go a few more rounds, but I don't see a point. When are the guys going to be here?"

"Should be here soon," Justin replied.

Tristan Brightwing remained silent, he knew Justin was up to something. Soon enough, a flock of eagles arrived upon the outside landing. Ashley flashed them a smile as he opened the circular glass door of Justin's room. "Hey!"

"What's up!" a young bald eagle cawed with a bob of his head, "Ready to go?"

"Where are you going Justin?" Tristan asked. Justin answered his father in the form of a question. "What time does this movie start?"

"Three." replied the youngster named Virgil Proudfoot. Justin nodded, hoping there'd be no further questions from his invisible father.

"What movie are you seeing?"

Justin groaned. Tristan knew that the local youth often used Justin to gain access to restricted films, because at a glance, Justin could pass for an adult. Adolescents are restricted from viewing adult films without a parent, I'm sure your world had a similar rule.

"You guys sure you want to see 'The Crush,' right?"

"Isn't that film about a school teacher that becomes mired in a relationship with an obsessed student?" Tristan asked, "I don't think you boys should see that movie, please see something else."

"Uhhhh..." Justin stammered, "I have to use the bathroom."

The boys nodded as Justin left the room. Ashley fidgeted for a moment as he waited for his brother to close the washroom door. He turned to the others, terribly concerned about his brother's erratic behavior. "I guess Justin's having tummy trouble again."

"Do you think it has something to do with the accident?" Virgil asked. Ashley shrugged his wings, "I don't know."

In the bathroom, Justin addressed his father. "Dad, come on! It's only restricted because of language! There's no sex in the movie!"

"It's a movie for adults, Justin. You shouldn't be watching things like that!"

"Dad, please!"

"Justy," Tristan said, his tone gentle and reflective, "I'm sorry I can't take you boys somewhere nice. I'm sorry I can't be there for you."

Justin looked about, wondering where his father might be standing, "You're here for me right now dad, and you've probably saved me from a really shitty movie!"

"Justin?" Virgil called, "You gonna need an ambulance?"

Justin flushed the avian toilet and them emerged from the washroom. "Guys, I don't want to see that movie, why don't we go to King's Hall?"

The other youth filed out into the hall as they looked to one another. "King's Hall might be okay!" chirped a smaller golden eagle named Beatrice. Justin handed out ankle purses to any who didn't already have one, while his concerned mother intercepted him in the hall, "Justin, are you well enough to be out flying around?"

"I'm fine, mom."

"I think you should be resting."

Justin touched his beak to her wing, "I should be out exercising!"

She sighed, "What time do you expect to be home?"

"At least by six," Ashley replied, "A new episode of Tower of Power is on!"

Eleanor Brightwing waved the flock off and then gazed out the window as they flew away. She sighed as her late husband appeared beside her. 'Gods how I miss you, Elly.'

The mother eagle bowed her head and moved away, apparently feeling the same for Tristan. Tristan's inner light shimmered as Eleanor returned to grading her school papers, but her mind was obviously elsewhere. She rose and moved slowly along the hall, her husband's spirit right beside her. "I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep this up." Tristan said as Eleanor moved into her sleeping nook. He hesitated at the archway. 'Elly, I know you and the boys are healing, soon we'll have to let go of one another.'

Caught up in his recollections, the father eagle had no idea that he was being watched. And yet, an odd sense of foreboding drove Tristan into his old bedchamber where he found his wife pulling a box from under her sleeping cushion. Tristan's spiritual eyes moved over his wife's broad shoulders and deep heavy chest. 'Ashley's small and petite, he looks like me. But Justy, he's going to look just like you, Elly.'

With her long toes, Eleanor plucked photographs from the box and placed them on her cushion. "Is that all that's left of me?" Tristan whispered. "Just some old photographs under the bed?"

Fate appeared at the doorway. Touched by Tristan's sorrow, she reached out to his spirit to review all of the past lives the eagle had lived. In the midst of Tristan's utter lack of sensory stimuli, he felt an electric tingle. Astonished, Tristan wondered if he might be transitioning somehow. He was not, the sensation was merely Fate's examination of his spiritual memory as she grasped each of the prominent moments of his life that fell from his eyes like so many tears. Fate rode the crest of all of his triumphs and sorrows, leaving Tristan feeling emotionally drained.

Eleanor softly peeped as she reminisced. "I love this one, Trissy."

Tristan moved up beside her to look upon a photo of himself gazing down from a ferris wheel's gondola. "That was such a good day."

"Yes Elly, it was."

She gasped, weeping in the way that eagles cry. Tristan bowed his head in sorrow.

'This soul is of virtuous personage with a noble past, he would make a fine sprit for my sister.' Fate reached out to him, but an odd surface tension prevented the specter from contacting Tristan. From Tristan's perspective, the world around him seemed to pitch and move. He became alarmed at the odd sensation. "Ohhh, what was that!? Am I about to move on? I didn't say goodbye to Justin!"

In her present state, Fate was as removed from Tristan as the spirit was from his mortal wife. The black shadow attempted a second contact, this time from the spiritual realm of Nidavellir. From his vantage point, Tristan beheld the black silhouette of an.. alligator? As it stepped from between the air, "Agh! Who are you!?"

Seeming to ignore his question, the shadow approached, but strangely, the entity bore no terror for him. The shadow reached out to touch him, but again a strange surface tension repelled Fate's touch. The shadow winked away, leaving Tristan stupefied. 'Was that another ghost? Is that what I look like to other ghosts?'

With a glance at his wife, Tristan moved to the window and then through it, riding the strange currents of spiritual energy that he was gradually beginning to master. "Justin is the only thing keeping me sane. If spirits are real, there has to be someone or something I can speak to!"

---

High over the ridge, Justin Brightwing peeled off from his flock. No explanation was given, and none was needed. His friends knew where Justin was going, although on this occasion Ashley followed after his brother. Though separated by only a year and a half, Justin is a towering figure in Ashley's life. It wasn't simply Justin's great size, it was something he exuded, an intangible quality in his character that Ashley felt he could always draw inspiration. The youngster was horrified that he'd almost lost his big brother, "Hey Justin! You're not going to linger too long at Shelton's, are you?"

"Nope! Just crossing the border real quick and then hopping back over!"

'It's a good thing the pony lives near the border.' Ashley thought as the pair made the forty minute flight to Albany. Now, Aurora is a picturesque realm dotted with nondescript white homes where animals possessed of a simple means quietly reside. Populated primarily by horses, it's largest cities are Albany, Buckley, Tennille and Posey.

I must confess a special fondness for these animals. Horses and Stags tend to be good natured, and are content to just live and let live. They are not overly concerned with the comings and goings of strangers, which works to our eagle brother's advantage. Ashley and Justin fly unfettered over the main thoroughfare of Telegraph Road, idly watching traffic meander beneath them as they note their landmarks and count the streets before their turn above Forest Drive. The neighborhoods over which the boys fly would be indistinguishable from the Albany that Maggie Pumpkin knew. Change comes very slowly here, if at all.

Ahead, a young equine pony rushed about his back porch, gathering his harness straps and other odd ends he'd need for his flight. "Mom! Have you seen my chest strap?"

"I put in in the laundry!"

Shelton wrinkled his nose, "Mom, it's nylon. You don't need to wash it."

The pony stooped before the washer machine and reached in, grasping at random articles before he found what he sought. With a nicker he pulled the strap loose and put it across his broad chest. Despite his diminutive height, Shelton Holden was quite thick and stout. His orange safety strap stood out in stark contrast against his dapple grey coat as he fastened the buckles about his torso. Wearing only his orange flying harness and a short black kilt, Shelton waited for his friend to arrive.

"Where are you off to today?" Missy asked as she appeared at the back door. Shelton offered his mother an innocent shrug, "We may see a movie."

"Your friend isn't going to try and get you into any restricted films, is he?" Missy asked with a raised brow.

"Mom!"

She waved her finger at him! "You're too young to see restricted movies! So don't you do it!"

He nodded. Satisfied, Missy leaned over to smooch her son, "See you later, and take care being on Justin!"

"Okay," he replied with a sullen nod. Then, the eagle brothers touched down in the yard. Shelton waved to them, then skipped out to greet his friends. Missy marveled at how beautiful the eagles were, and how big Justin was. She offered a friendly wave. Justin replied with a wave of his wing as he knelt down for Shelton to slip a strap about his neck. Missy winced as Shelton mounted up, prompting an exclamation from Justin; "You been sneaking a few extra sugar cubes? You're feeling heavier than usual!"

Shelton made some retort that Missy didn't quite catch. Justin broke into a run with Shelton bobbing up and down on the eagle's back. With the tree line fast approaching, Shelton unconsciously shut his eyes. 'I hope I'm not too heavy!'

At the last moment, Justin stepped into the air. Missy looked after them with a wistful sigh. "I hope Shelton never gets too heavy to fly, though he probably will."

She turned to the little mirror in the hall. 'Shelton is starting to look more and more like me, pretty soon he'll be huge.' Missy pulled and tugged on her facial features, noting how her son's face was morphing into a mirror of her own. She inspected her broad snout which sported a pair of large pink nostrils. 'Shelton's snout should thicken up like mine pretty soon.'

She winked at herself from beneath her bushy mane. 'Shelton's got my blue eyes, and he's got dad's dapple coat. He's gonna be a big boy.'

Her cheek bones were another matter. Missy pushed and prodded them. 'I don't know where these came from. Dad didn't have them. Mom didn't, either.' She turned her head to the side, noting how they arched rather elegantly, 'Just like Shelton's.'

She ran her finger along her tawny brown coat. 'My coloring is the only feature that Shelly's inherited from me. She sure didn't get any of my muscles.' She chortled that despite her husband's attempts at working out, she was still the bigger horse.

Now, most equine mares did sport some well-defined musculature, but it was usually carried lower down on the body. Missy's upper body is far more developed than most mares, and in her early years she was sometimes mistaken for her husband's favorite boxing star.

Missy snorted into the mirror, then moved back indoors. She paused at her daughter's room to peer inside. Shelly was still asleep. 'I'll be glad when she starts her new job.'

With another glance at her daughter, Missy returned to her room. She slipped into bed with her (still unemployed) husband who groaned as she nuzzled him, "How did you sleep?"

"So so."

Missy smiled, "I had the strangest dream about Shelton."

"Hmm?"

She pressed her snout to his shoulder, "He appeared to me as an adult, I thought it was the oddest thing. It felt so real."

"Is Shel off with Justin?" he asked.

"Mmm-hmmm," she replied, then sighed to compose her thoughts, "Sweetie, do you remember exactly how Shelton met Justin?"

"In the dump," Gabriel chuffed. "Shelton went looking for bottle caps."

"Oh, yes." Missy said. After a moment, she nuzzled him again. "Gabe, do you ever feel like there might be something strange about Justin?"

"Shelly talks to ghosts," Gabriel replied in a sleepy monotone, "That blows every other kinda weirdness out of the water."

Missy lay back on her pillow and sighed. Gabriel raised his head, "Something got you troubled?"

"Oh, I'm just worried about nothing. I dunno."

"What?" Gabriel snorted.

"Do you suppose Justin might be older than he claims?"

"Not really," he replied.

Missy squirmed about for a moment, trying to get comfortable. She didn't say anything else, but Gabriel could practically see a great big thought bubble over her head with nothing in it. "Alright," he said, rolling over, "Remember that first time Justin came to the door looking for Shelton?"

She thought back on that morning, as Justin's chiming voice rang in her ears. "Hello, I'm looking for Shelton!"

"You must be Justin," Missy said as she invited the eagle in. Justin inspected the narrow door frame, then compressed his bulk through. "Oh, careful!" Missy peeped as Justin pushed his way inside. Shelton appeared in the parlor and smiled to his new friend. "I didn't expect you back so soon!"

"Sorry." Justin said with a shrug of his wings. Shelton hugged him, then turned to properly introduce Justin to his parents. Missy recalled the unmistakable gleam in Justin's eyes, that warm open expression that only a youngster can have. "Yes, he is as young as he says."

"Good, it's settled." Gabriel chuffed, pushing his muzzle down into his pillow.

After a moment, Missy sighed. "Gabe, do you think Justin is gay?"

"Aw, c'mon Missy!"

"Gabe! I'm just trying to figure out what Justin sees in Shelton!"

The stallion turned to glare at her. Missy quickly backpedaled, "Look, Justin is obviously very intelligent, so is his brother! We have to admit that Shelton is very good looking, but isn't very.. "

"Shelton is stupid, is that what you want to say?"

"Of course not!"

Sensing they were headed toward a possible fight, Gabriel rolled out of bed and lurched toward the wash room. Missy bit her lip, aware of her husband's sensitivity regarding his son's IQ. "Gabe, I'm sorry."

His sigh echoed in the small tile room, "It's alright. Yeah, I have actually wondered what Justin's motivations are in being friends with Shel, but then I remember that our boy is a really great little colt, I'd want to be friends with him if I was his age."

Missy smiled, "Wanna make out?"

"Has Shelly cleared the house?" (Gabriel did not wish to engage in private relations if a vulgar ghost might be watching.)

"Not yet," Missy peeped.

He rolled back onto the bed and kissed her, "Let's just wait a bit, then."

"Okay."

He nudged her, "Could you flex your arms?"

She flashed her big bright teeth, then sat up. He reached up as she performed for him, but he could not shake that ever present thought; 'If ghosts are real, then there's someone out there who created them. There's got to be...'

---

Back within the present day, Marigold Greenfield noted an unusually long pause in Ibiza's tale. The dragon sat motionless, except for her bottom lip which trembled ever so slightly. Perhaps becoming impatient, Marigold touched Ibiza's paw to wake her. "Ibiza, who created your future self? Where did Hades come from?" The dragon woke from her introspection, as Missy Holden rubbed her eyes, "We should stop for the day."

Indeed, the hour was late. The sun was well down, and it was quite dark out. Marigold's cellular telephone chimed. Missy winced at her neighbor's angry voice as Marigold assured her mother that she was on her way back, "Goodbye!" Marigold cried, "I loved hearing about your past!"

Ibiza watched the grey filly depart. She sighed, and then smiled to Missy, "Goodnight, I shall see you in the morning."

"Are you going to follow her?"

"Yes," the dragon replied, "There is something which must be done. Before we progress any further with this young animal, I must face Marigold's judgement."

"Good luck," Missy offered.

Ibiza accepted the mother equine's sentiment with a nod, and then disappeared from view. Outside, Ibiza met a manifestation of her future self. Hades silently greeted Ibiza as the pair made their way across the street to Marigold's home. Passing unseen, the pair climbed the stair to the narrow hall outside Marigold's room. Ibiza materialized so that she might knock on the filly's door. "Come in," Marigold replied in a hushed tone, for she was well aware of who it was outside her door. Ibiza opened the door, and then stepped aside so that Hades might enter.

For her part, Marigold understood who the larger dragon was. She bowed a courtesy, and the goddess smiled gently, "Thank you, love," she reached out her paw, "If you please,"

"Oh," Marigold peeped, briefly mesmerized by the fire issuing from Hades' face. "My future self would like to spend some time with you," Ibiza said, as if to reassure the girl. Marigold nodded as she watched the dragon open a type of doorway within the air. Hades stepped through, and then waited for Marigold to join her. The filly stepped through the gateway and arrived on a high mountain pass. Far below, a great and deep forest extended to the far horizon. Marigold stood for a great long while as she marveled at the soft pastel beauty of this place, "Uh, where are we?"

"Come, I will show you."

The dragon took the filly in her long arms, then slipped over the cliffside edge. In the air, Marigold noted a multitude of waterfalls spilling down the side of the great mountain, which she noticed resembled Mount Tyr. These waterfalls fed a great and wide river that wound it's way through the wilderness. Soon Hades touched down along the riverbank and released Marigold. Lost in the immensity of the realm, Marigold began to wander along the sandy shore, gazing out over the shimmering river as she went.

There was no sign of animal's works here. No homes, no roadways, just the gentle swaying of tall trees, and yet there was something different about this land. It was pure. Primeval. Marigold wondered if she was the only animal in this entire world, "The spirit world has but a few residents," Hades said, "Come, I will show you."

"Spirit world?"

"Yes, this is a sanctuary for those souls not ready to transition. Here they may ponder their existence, and perhaps make amends for past misdeeds, but this is a place of healing, and not a place of punishment."

"Oh," Marigold peeped as she noticed a boat out on the river. Aboard the vessel was a pair of avians who greeted their goddess. Their colors were striking; one being black as pitch, and the other white as the driven snow.

"Marigold, these are my most trusted servants, Renewal and Transition."

The black eagle bowed to the girl, then the snowy owl issued his own courtesy. Marigold waved to them, as Hades smiled down upon the filly. Marigold looked up at the dragon, and wondered at something reflected in her dark eyes. 'Was it.. fear?'

"Aye, Marigold, I must ask for your judgement."

"Judgement?"

"The crime I committed upon that animal, the brutal act which saw me banished to Glorafin's underworld. What are your thoughts regarding the nature of my offense?"

The filly was dumbstruck, "Uh, I don't know if I can really tell you what I think,"

"You know right from wrong, you are perfectly qualified to render a judgement."

Marigold sensed that she was being tested. She drew a breath; met the dragon's gaze, "Yes, I know right from wrong, but I do not believe you were fully aware of right and wrong when you acted. You wanted to help the rabbit, and then you wanted to punish the bad animals. I believe you didn't have the maturity to really do that, but it doesn't mean you were bad or wrong for what you did."

She drew a shaky breath as she continued, "But, by helping Herald and accepting his punishment, I think you learned from the incident, and that's what is really important."

Hades closed her eyes, "Thank you, Marigold. I accept your judgement, and I am grateful for your wisdom and mercy."

The filly nervously laughed, "Wow, okay,"

"I am sorry, Marigold. Please understand that each of my wizards have rendered a judgement upon me, and assessed my character. This moral authority is what I require from each of my animal familiars."

"Does this mean I can be a wizard?"

Hades knelt to take the filly's chin in her paw, "I do not lay this burden upon you lightly, Marigold, for my company is a burden you shall bear without respite, nor reprieve. To accept my company is to become cursed, as I am."

Marigold cupped her hands over Hades' paw, "I want to help you,"

Hades closed her eyes. Marigold found herself back within her bedroom. In the corner, Ibiza looked sheepishly at the filly as Marigold collected herself. "How did it go?" Ibiza asked.

"I, uh.. don't know."

"Then it went well," Ibiza breathed, "And I have a new friend."

"But why are you so sad?" Marigold asked.

"In time you will understand," Ibiza murmured, but brightened as she nudged Marigold with her tail, "I don't guess you are ready for bed, what say I continue my story?"

"Yes! Please!"

"Very well, now, you'd asked me a question, about my future self?"

"Oh, yes. How often do you see Hades? Does she regularly appear to you?"

"She may appear when needed," Ibiza said, pausing for a moment to settle down in a sheltered nook opposite Marigold's bed, "As I languished in Glorafin's underworld, Hades perceived that the time had come to intervene."

"What is the underworld like?"

"It was a place.. terrifying to spirits," she paused, obviously troubled by her memories of the realm. Marigold crossed the room to take the dragon's face in her arms. Ibiza accepted the filly's support, and then smiled to her, "But, into that dark place came a great and terrible golden dragon," she touched Marigold's snout, "It was not some lesser incarnation, like the one you met tonight! No! The goddess who appeared arose in might from a far distant future, and commanded the very darkness itself! Glorafin and her minions shrank before her."

Returned now to the near past, Ibiza continued her spiritual introspection as Marigold held the dragon's paws and listened; "Hades trod the waters of Glorafin's realm, and encountered many tortured souls trapped therein. They disappeared in her wake."

"Where did they go?" Marigold asked.

Hades issued a pardon to each soul, and released them from Glorafin's clutches. At length a small golden body appeared in the gloom. Hades wrapped her long arms around Ibiza Pushpath and departed, emerging back within the physical world between the equine state of Aurora and the realm of mice and other little folk. There is a rocky spine of mountains which form a natural boundary between these animal states, and it was here that Hades lay the little dragon down upon the cool stone. 'Wake now, Ibby.'

Ibiza coughed up a thick black liquid that stained the stone of the pass. Hades scooped up the contaminated rock and ingested it, sparing the physical world the taint of Glorafin's realm.

"Momma?" Ibiza wheezed. The dragon looked up at Hades' imposing silhouette, "Did you release me?"

'There is important work to be done, Ibiza. The convergence is nearly upon you.'

Ibiza rolled around on the rock as painful muscle cramps gripped her, "I'm supposed to be there, I have to be punished!"

'Marigold the White has pardoned thee. The time is come to begin the next phase of your quest.'

"W-what? What quest-?" The visiting goddess stuffed a cookie into Ibiza's mouth. The dragon's dark eyes widened as her stomach responded to the food. She quickly swallowed it down, then opened her mouth like a baby chick, hoping that her 'mother' might offer another serving. Hades did, this time a piece of cake. Ibiza groaned as she ingested it, and then with a squeaky tenor in her voice asked; "Do you have any more?"

With a flick of her paw, Hades produced another wondrous treat which she offered to the young dragon, and with each morsel that Ibiza swallowed down, Hades gradually healed the emotional scars inflicted by Glorafin's realm.

"There is a pony, stout and grey, that you are bidden to meet," Hades said, "Genivee the Blue refers to this pony as her 'plan B,' for he is our secondary line of defense should the wraith fail to join with us,"

"W-what are you talking about?" Ibiza squeaked, "I'm so confused!"

"There is a place of games, the largest in Shannonvale! Go there! Seek out the pony, and watch over him!"

Ibiza opened her mouth to protest, but found herself alone upon the high rocky pass with only the lingering taste of cookies flavoring her breath. She cupped her paws over her eyes and lay upon the high pass for some time, feeling flummoxed and rather hopeless, but then, a realization downed on her. 'I have a focus now, someone to set my attention to,' she got to her feet, 'I want to learn about animals, and so my momma has pointed me in the direction of one!'

---

The Luminous Dragons and Mayalee Mae

---

In the early morning hours of Thursday, Sam and Mayalee dozed on their large sleeping cushion. The home was dark and still, the only sounds being Sam's soft exhalations of breath. In times such as these, the familiars are their most vulnerable. In the bizarre realm of The Underworld, the dragon Nemesis leaned toward his mirrored pool, "We will not have a better opportunity, mother,"

The dragon touched his paw to the waters, thus did Nemesis begin his work. It was not an easy thing to penetrate the mind of Kromhaut's familiar, lest he anger the dragon, so Nemesis was joined by a manifestation of Glorafin, goddess of the underworld. His mother buttressed Nemesis' power so the black seraph might slip unnoticed into Mayalee Mae's unconscious mind. Glorafin appeared as a white mist which settled over Nemesis' dark presence. There really is no equivalent in your world's pantheon to these deities. A creature of contradictions, Glorafin is at once vengeful, and tender. Terrible, and forgiving. But always, Glorafin is controlling. As for her eldest, Nemesis deals in absolutes. He views animal's souls in stark swaths of black or white, with no consideration given to shades of grey. I suppose Glorafin would approximate to the ancient egyptian god named Set, and her scion, to the one called Anubis.

Nemesis regarded his mother as she bid him; "Proceed,"

The waters of the underworld seeped into Mayalee's unconscious mind, gathering up her recent memories. Glorafin leaned forward with interest as a white hospital corridor became reflected in the pool. Doors were thrown open. Animals entered, bearing between them a wheeled cart upon which lay the unconscious body of a young avian eagle. The horses and foxes rushed along the hall, passing Mayalee where she stood gawking. Then, the black silhouette of Fate passed by. She followed after the animals, and after a moment's hesitation, Mayalee joined them.

Doctors, Nurses, and other medical experts converged on the eagle. Watching from a small window, Mayalee chewed upon her fingers as the eagle's spirit began to emerge from his broken body. Hovering above, Fate stretched out her dark wings, but the specter did not bear the eagle away, 'What is she doing?' Mayalee wondered as the entity performed her own surgical procedure upon the avian spirit.

Finished with her work, Fate lay the spirit back within his body; reached out to mend the eagle's broken spine and shattered skull. Satisfied that the flyer was mended, Fate joined Mayalee in the hall where she was confronted by the startled mouse; "How can you do this? How can you sit in judgement over who might live, and who must die?"

'I may think. It is right to do this.'

"It is not the natural way!" Mayalee argued, then paused as a fellow nurse passed by. "The balance of life! It must be maintained!" she turned away from the entity, "This is why Kromhaut hates you!"

At the mirrored pool, Glorafin's presence shimmered; 'Here it comes,'

'Your dragon has the power to stop me,' Fate replied, 'All that I require is a soul. A single animal soul, for my sister.'

Mayalee became distracted by a pair of doctors as they approached along the hall, "Nurse Mae, could you report to E.R. station three?"

"Yes, doctor!" She turned back to glare at Fate, "You've moved on to extortion? What have you become?"

---

On her lion-sized sleeping cushion, Mayalee woke with a snort. She cupped her hand over her head as her eyes slowly focused; "Fuck off, Glorafin, you could have just asked me what happened."

"What is it?" Sam asked as he rolled over.

"Glorafin is getting reckless with her damn mirror pool," she rolled out of bed, "She got a visit from one of the future dragons, they really put her tit in a wringer."

Sam snorted, "It tickles her to no end that Fate is holding Krom's balance hostage."

A glimmer flashed though Mayalee's eyes, and she became confused for a moment before she padded off to the bathroom. Sam too received a flash through his mind which confounded his memory. Glorafin's intrusion now forgot, the familiars settled into their morning routines, but this was not an ordinary morning. Kromhaut intended to reestablish his dominance.

"What should I call myself?" Mayalee called from the bedroom. She stood amongst the boxes and bundles containing her valuables, wondering how she would ever pack so many things into what might be a very small house. "I dunno," came Sam's reply from the kitchen, "I always liked Florence Mae."

"I went by Florence a hundred years ago," Mayalee paused, waiting to see if Sam would offer any additional ideas. A sudden crashing was heard, and the lion sputtered a curse. "Need any help?" Mayalee called.

"No, I just have to sweep up some broken glass, so don't come in here for a minute."

She lifted her foot and thought to remind him that such things wouldn't harm her, but she let it be. "Since it's my two thousandth anniversary, I thought maybe I'd go by my birth name, Genivee Tin."

The lion glanced down the hall, "I like that! It makes me wish I could go by Karl Kuhn, but I suppose that name's still too well known."

"What about your grandfather's name, Bartholomew?"

"Ugh! That's hideous!"

Mayalee smiled playfully, then noticed an out of place box. She opened it to find her tiny shoe. "Karl! I mean, Sam! Look!"

The lion made his way to their bedroom to stand over her as Mayalee showed him a weathered and wrinkled old leather shoe. "Is that your shoe from when you were a girl?"

"I wore this at my grand dad's funeral," she peeped, "I'd thought I lost this, I haven't been able to find it for fifty or sixty years."

Sam looked about at the piles and piles of belongings, 'I can see why.' He took up a nearby wooden box. "Careful with that," Mayalee warned, "That's my feather,"

"What I wouldn't give to meet Octavius, I never actually met him."

She nodded, her eyes tearing up, "I miss him.. so much."

He nuzzled her, "I'm sorry, babe."

"So, what name are you going to take?"

"Maybe I'll take the name Karl Preston."

"And I'll be Genivee Tin," she said, placing a little kiss on his nose. Sam carefully closed the box and returned it to the dressing table. "I better get that glass cleaned up."

Mayalee nodded, "We'd better go by our current names for right now, at least until the move." He smiled, then returned to the kitchen as Mayalee resumed sorting her possessions. She sighed, and stuffed some tattered old clothes into a brown paper box. She recalled quite clearly when she'd purchased each of them, so many years ago. Now it seemed they'd become a reminder of just how heavy her existence had become. As Mayalee reminisced, her bedroom became wreathed in flame. As always, the bright burning glow was a fire visible to her and Sam alone. 'I thought I'd make some pudding before we set out.'

In the kitchen, Sam opened another paperwood box as he took stock of the kitchen equipment, "Mayalee, which pan do you want to use for the pudding?"

"Just leave the sauce pan out."

Sam smiled, setting aside a small black pan as he emptied the contents of a cabinet into the box. He sighed, and looked about his flat, 'I really liked this place. It's going to be tough finding another one like this.'

He glanced at the mirrored tile above the refrigerator and noted that his grey hair dye had almost completely faded, 'Gotta put more grey in, my party is this Monday.'

Mayalee appeared beside him and playfully pecked his rump, "Hey girl, don't start anything you can't finish!"

She giggled as Sam lifted her up into his arms. "Eighteen years," Sam sighed as the couple gazed into the mirror together, "I'm going to miss being on the force."

"You better add some more grey," Mayalee said as she kissed his cheek.

"Get a room you two!"

Sam smiled as a diminutive hawk entered the flat, "Hi Allo! Any trouble getting here?"

"The usual, when are you moving?"

"Early next week, although our request to settle in Aure Dei was rejected, so we're not sure where we'll go."

Allomere nodded, "You've been in Brandenburg for eighteen years, I mean, the Union was still around when you first moved in here."

"Where's Timmy?"

"Just chatting with your neighbor," replied the lanky fox as he entered the flat and took stock of the multitude of boxes, "You two sure have a lot of stuff!"

Mayalee smiled warmly as she gestured for him to stoop down. He did, and received a rather loud kiss. Her smooch delivered, the companions settled down as they prepared for the coming day. "Princess Olivia," Allomere said, "How funny is it that her modern self will appear in an arcade later this morning."

Mayalee nodded as she settled onto Timothy's lap. The fox shyly smiled as she purred in his ear, "You two have an anniversary coming up! Your first twenty five years with us!"

"What's it like having your two-thousandth anniversary?" he asked. Mayalee became thoughtful, "I don't know, the time seems to just slip by. It doesn't feel any different than my two hundredth anniversary, actually."

Timothy shook his head, 'I wonder if I'll handle being alive for two thousand years as well as you, May?'

Hearing his thought as clearly as any spoken word, Mayalee pecked his cheek, "You will, sweetie."

"I'm surprised the dragons aren't here yet," Allomere said to no one in particular. Mayalee snapped her fingers, "Oh! I was going to make some pudding! Kromhaut will likely need a snack to settle his nerves."

All nodded their heads in agreement as Mayalee hopped to the kitchen. Allomere took Mayalee's place at Timothy's side. Timmy marveled at how far he'd come, in so short a time. Sam smiled to the pair, and thought how nice it was that they could be together. "You and Olivia shared a lot of history," Timothy said. Sam smiled gently, his memories far away. "She shared a little history with Karl, but that was a long time ago."

Allomere furled his wings, "When is your last day on the force?"

"My retirement ceremony is Monday. The national police commissioner is actually going to attend, they're very sorry to see me go."

Allomere understood that Sam's words were directed elsewhere. He bowed his head, "I'm sorry, Sam."

"At least I was allowed to take such a high profile job, I should be thankful... I guess."

Ariadne stirred at the back of Sam's mind. 'Perhaps in a short while, you might reapply to the police agency, posing as a related animal to your current persona?'

Sam nodded, "Thanks Ariadne, I'm sure it will be okay."

"Puddings about ready!" Mayalee chimed, raising her hand in a distinctive way. The gesture indicated that she was ready for her dragon. She felt the floor drop out from beneath her, in that instant Mayalee had become a passenger in her own body. Kromhaut Majoris licked Mayalee's lips as he savored the tasty treat, "Thank you love! It looks delicious!"

Across the room, Timothy focused on the dragon's strange accent. He never tired of hearing it, though most of the words uttered by Kromhaut tended to be moody, and unhappy.

Sam felt his dragon gently enter his body, as invisible flames licked around his bushy mane. Within the familiar's special vision, the flat had become wreathed in mist and flame. "Hello Sam," said Allomere, but it was not the hawk who'd spoke. Instead, it was the dragon called Mimir, one of Kromhaut's eldest sons.

Spiritual fire then issued from Timothy's eyes as a dragon named Tannin took him, although Sam himself remained in control of his faculties. He needed to drive.

"What name shall you take as your new identity?" Mimir asked Sam. The lion shrugged, "I may take Ariadne's advice and pose as a relative of Sam's."

Mimir nodded Allomere's head, as Kromhaut lapped at the black saucepan with Mayalee's delicate tongue. He seemed to wish to offer some advice, but the companions had been through it all before. Sam waved his hand, "We'd better get going."

The company filed outside and loaded into Sam's personal motor car, a large black sedan with generous chrome accents and plush embroidered seating. It was a far cry from his old steam-powered Sunbeam. He issued a satisfied grunt as he thumbed the starter, igniting the enormous V8 engine.

Though Sam and Mayalee each possessed a fortune in priceless historical artifacts, Sam hadn't held a well paying job in many years before becoming a Brandenburg Police Officer. An unemployed animal purchasing an enormously expensive automobile would tend to attract the kind of attention that Sam and Mayalee wished to avoid, so this car was something of an indulgence for Sam.

Looking out over the long bonnet, Sam stepped on the accelerator. They needed to make up some time. "Are we sure we want to do this?"

Kromhaut nodded, "I have waited, as you asked, but now I feel it is time. I cannot allow a mortal animal to possess such powers."

Timothy leaned forward, "Why? It seems all he can really do is hear ghosts, he can't even see them! Not like we can."

"I'll not discuss it," Kromhaut rumbled.

Timothy sat back with a frown. 'This isn't just some normal animal! We should bring the princess into our fold, and not rob this eagle of such a gift.'

Perched atop a nearby telephone pole, Ibiza Pushpath alighted to follow after Sam's car. To a spirit or observant tree, the sedan appeared to be a comet, wreathed in mist and sparking with fire. Sam glanced back at the scene, then reminded Kromhaut that they'd need to be more discreet. 'The eagle might see us.'

"I am well aware of the eagle's clairvoyance," Kromhaut replied, "Amun reports that when he visited them, neither the son nor the deceased father was aware of his presence. I have every confidence that you avatars will fulfill your function and veil our passage."

'He's in a real mood.' Timothy thought, 'This isn't going to be a fun communion.'

Most communion meetings were enjoyable outings you see, when these strange spirits come and assume control of Timothy and his friends and then do silly things, like over eat at a diner or go to an amusement park. 'It wasn't the sort of work I expected when they selected me.'

"Why fire?" Timothy abruptly asked, "If you are trying to be so low-key, why all of the spiritual fire?"

Kromhaut was spared the burden of sidestepping the fox's question when the company caught sight of a wisp of black smoke darting amongst the crowns of the trees. 'It's Ibiza!'

"No, it is the other thing that should not be," Kromhaut said flatly, watching Fate with a wary eye.

The others turned their attention to the black seraph as she followed along with the car. Then, Mayalee noted the tell-tale ripple left by Ibiza's first-dimensional veil. 'That's Ibby! She really is back!' Mayalee's spirit grasped hold of her dragon's presence, 'Krom! We should talk to her and see if she's okay!'

"No," Kromhaut rumbled, "Our paths are now separate, there is no need to interact with her."

Allomere thought it odd that the dragons never spoke of Ibiza, or her time in the underworld. Glancing again at the shadow of Fate, Allomere opined; "Death's new consciousness represents an entirely new balance of life. If she can think, she can also decide when and where to apply her power."

Timothy added; "She's certainly been more friendly with the spirits than any of us ever have. We really should reach out to her, perhaps offer her some training?"

"Maybe she could use an animal familiar to help train her in the proper 'Kromhaut' technique of ignoring traumatized ghosts?" Allomere joked.

Kromhaut turned Mayalee's head around backwards to glare at him.

"Why use us as avatars, anyway?" Timothy asked, "You're magical beings, you could do all sorts of things, like make your own bodies," he bowed his head, "I like being a part of the group, don't get me wrong, but it seems like it's hard for your avatars when they have to move and leave behind their friends, or a great job that they love."

'We need your experience,' came Tannin's voice, 'Our magical nature comes at a terrible cost, it isolates us from the physical world. Without your insight, we could not gather meaningful life experiences.'

Mimir offered his perspective; 'Timothy, you once opined that a dragon's mind is like a computer, your analogy is more correct than you realize.'

"Yeah, you guys can be... odd, but that's also what makes you so endearing! If you had your own bodies, and stayed out of your higher dimensions, you could start gathering your own life experiences. You could be your own animal, so to speak."

'We could never mingle with mortal animals,' Kromhaut said, 'In the way that we can with you as our vessel. Even in a world where dragons be revealed, our passage upon the land would be met with reverence and awe. We would be held in loftier esteem than any king or emperor, and there could be no meaningful relationship with such a disparity of power.'

"Have you even tried?"

Kromhaut did not answer the fox. Timothy issued an annoyed chuff, 'I don't think of you guys as kings, or even gods. I think you're lonely animals, and unfortunately, you infect your chosen familiars with your isolation.'

This comment struck home. Kromhaut thought of all the times Mayalee had begged him to alter her body so that she might appear to age, 'An animal who never ages does indeed draw unwanted attention.'

Mayalee's spirit gently touched him. He sighed through her body, 'Krom, is it really so difficult? Magic is a part of who you are, is it healthy to deny it?'

"No, Mayalee, I cannot work my magic within the third dimensional realm of Midgard. Rosemary's religious cult has seen to that. My kin have sworn an oath to refrain from influencing the mortal world, I do not intend on being the one who breaks this solemn promise."

'That's why you're so upset about Justin Brightwing's clairvoyance,' Mayalee thought, 'Ibiza, along with her sister Death fall outside your family's pledge, they are not bound by your collective agreement.'

"I do not wish to discuss it," Kromhaut said flatly, but Mayalee persisted, 'If Death does hail from the first dimension, wouldn't that make her the greater power? Are you sure you'll be able to undo what she's done to Justin?'

Kromhaut's presence within her vibrated with stress and anxiety. Mayalee backed off, ceding this argument, 'What would you like for lunch?'

The subject of food was as water thrown onto a flame. Kromhaut relaxed, knowing Mayalee would not give further argument, "I would like a large tuskin burger, with fried grasshopper legs and tomato paste."

'I wonder sometimes,' Mayalee joked, 'If you shouldn't have selected Sam as your avatar.'

The lion smiled over his shoulder as the companions drove on, "Ten miles to the Shannonvali border."

"Doesn't anyone find it interesting that the eagle's father suffered a fatal heart attack at the very same age as Octavius?" Timothy asked. Kromhaut shrugged Mayalee's shoulders. "How old was Olivia when she was assassinated?" Timothy continued, "Wouldn't it have been about the age Justin is now? He should have died in that accident, but Death healed his injuries, she saved him."

Sam flashed Timmy a cautionary glance. Reluctantly, the fox quieted down. Now focused on the road ahead, the company prepared for the border crossing as the dragons receded from their animals. Soon they came upon a backup of automobiles. Sam growled at the long line of cars, "We're going to miss Justin at the arcade, it will be more difficult if we have to catch him at home."

Surprisingly, the border checkpoint didn't take long. Sam noted that the border along Brandenburg and Shannonvale was one of the last frontiers to hold on to the animosity of the hundred years war. Brandenburg was once called Toulon, but in the time before the falling of the cataclysm, Toulon was known as Nyasaland, a realm of sleepy felines who whiled away their time chasing wild beasts and lounging in the sun.

One of the abilities Sam possessed was an access to the memories of all his past lives. Sam recalled with clear distinction his life upon those ancient plains. As he waited in the traffic line, his memory of that long-gone place became blended within the confines of the modern world, and at times such as these, his recollections became a kind of dream within a dream.

"Good morning sir, what is your business today?"

Sam snapped from his daydream as a large bald eagle loomed over his window. Sam smiled, said; "We'd like to go to the Creed shopping center."

"Brandenburg has Baden Place, what is your interest in Creed?"

"Baden has the same two dozen stores, each time we go."

The eagle smiled, noted Allomere in the back seat. 'A fox, a mouse and a hawk, pretty diverse group. Perhaps a little too diverse.'

"Sir, could you please pull to the side?" the eagle waved his wing in the direction he wished Sam to go. Within Mayalee's body, her dragon growled at the delay. A short time later, Mayalee, Allomere and Timothy waited in a side office while Sam negotiated with the Shannonvali customs officials. Mayalee could see the eagles through a small window as they spoke with Sam, but their beak movements were difficult to read, even with Kromhaut's help. She shook her head in frustration. Finally, Sam offered the eagles a 'popcorn' salute, (an unofficial courtesy rendered when not in uniform) then approached the office. The leading bald eagle official followed a short distance behind Sam, his drifting thoughts indicating he'd rather see the entire company barred from Shannonvale. "They're not going to let me or the car in, but they'll allow you three to go on ahead."

"With no car," Mayalee chuffed, her speech flavored with just a hint of Kromhaut's archaic accent. Sam shrugged his shoulders as Allomere nuzzled Mayalee, "I can carry you, pretty well I'd reckon."

Mayalee nodded her approval as she grasped Allomere's collar and led him outside. Without a word she mounted him and buckled herself to his safety vest. Allomere began to trot as the Shannonvali officials looked on, then stepped into the air with the little mouse. A customs officer gave Sam a quizzical glance as the lion shrugged. Timothy and Sam made their way back to Brandenburg, saddened that they'd not get to see Princess Olivia's modern incarnation. 'I really wanted to be there, and make sure Kromhaut didn't do anything harsh to him.'

In the sky, Allomere made his way north. "Remember," said Kromhaut, "The eagle's abilities may be quite keen, we should mask ourselves carefully to avoid detection."

"If he is so capable," Mimir replied, "We should endeavor to probe the limits of his abilities before snuffing them out."

Mayalee's face underwent a subtle change, as Kromhaut's spiritual fire subsided. "If the Brightwing boy may detect us, then it should be I who studies him."

Mimir understood that he was not invited to this communion, and so he receded from Allomere, but he did not completely disappear. He lingered just enough to see his avatar to Creed, for his presence gifted Allomere with exceptional strength and stamina. Like a flash did Allomere fly, and curious avians made way for him as the hawk ferried the lord of all life to his strange and unhappy rendezvous.

From atop her mount, Mayalee caught sight of Ibiza keeping pace with Allomere. She issued a mental salutation that was immediately quashed by Kromhaut. 'Hey! What are you doing!'

"She is responsible for this mess! I'll not have you communicate with her!"

Mayalee grit her teeth and did her best to offer a friendly wave whilst maintaining her grip on Allomere. Soon the tall spire of Creed came into view, and Allomere adjusted his trajectory to land near the center. As in the mammal world with it's many rules governing motor vehicle travel, so too did avians have (albeit unspoken) rules regarding avian flight. No avian wished to have a mid-air collusion with another flyer.

Allo touched down with nary a fuss. Kromhaut immediately slid from his shoulder, "Come," he said, "The eagle shall arrive soon."

The pair moved along Echo Pathway, gazing up at the reminders of Shannonvale's royal past. Images of King Octavius and his daughter Olivia graced many of the homes and city monuments of Shannonvale. Allomere marveled that Princess Olivia's modern self was due to appear in a local arcade, 'I wish animals could know, they'd be so happy to meet this eagle.'

Soon they arrived at the King's Hall arcade, the hall being a large domed structure that resembled a blimp hangar. The Hall celebrated Shannonvali nostalgia in fine social style, and Allomere again noted that even after a thousand years, modern avians were still fascinated by their tragic royals.

A pair of bald eagles met Allomere and Mayalee at the entrance and chimed; "Welcome to the hall!"

Allomere waved to them as Mimir secluded himself deep within the hawk. Mayalee purchased unlimited game play and snacks, then set Allo loose within the hall, 'Busy yourself, I shall await the eagle.' Allomere loitered for a moment as Mayalee stood near a concession stand, her arms folded and her bright face stern and unhappy. 'Father,' Mimir said, 'You look completely out of place. Recede, and allow Mayalee to be herself.'

Reluctantly, Kromhaut complied. Mayalee flashed Allo a grateful smile as the hawk climbed up onto an avian-specific game called Eagle's Path. Mayalee poured a soft drink, then amused herself watching him play. The pair did not notice a large and regal young eagle enter the arcade, accompanied by a diminutive grey equine. Justin Brightwing appeared beside Allomere as the hawk ducked and swooped on his game, attempting to collect digital talismans and other artifacts.

"Kromhaut," Mimir said, "He is here."

Mayalee crept up beside Justin as Kromhaut prepared to strike. She struggled to ensure that her god would be gentle as Kromhaut reached out Mayalee's hand to grasp Justin's ankle. There was a flash! Mayalee became stunned by an image of Justin's hospital room. The boy himself was gone, though his doctors lingered, examining the miraculous images of Justin's x-ray photos, "I've never given much thought to divine intervention," said an equine surgeon, "But I think we may have our first documented case."

'That's why Kromhaut is so upset,' Mayalee murmured, 'Fate is revealing too much of the supernatural world,'

"Excuse me!" Justin chuffed, shaking his leg to dislodge the mouse, "What are you doing?"

She shook her head blankly. Allomere stepped in to rescue her, "Oh, sorry about that, she's with me," he leaned in close to add; "She's a little funny."

Justin nodded, then eyed the mouse before stepping up to prepare for his turn at play. A grey equine positioned himself beside Justin to get a better view of the screen. Kromhaut became stunned when he realized who the pony was. Forgetting himself, he reached out to touch Shelton's elbow.

For Mayalee's part, she saw only blackness. No, not blackness; 'Stars? Am I up in space?'

Mayalee attempted to steady herself as she realized that she was high atop the peak of Mount Tyr. From the summit of the lofty peak, the black velvet of the night sky simmered brilliantly upon the canopy of a flying machine. Reflected on the canopy's surface was Mayalee's own thoughtful face, partially obscured beneath a heavy blue hood.

The flying machine shook as it touched down, then the canopy slid away. Mayalee watched as her other self climbed from the aircraft, and made her way to a type of temple which stood upon the summit. Then, the blue-robed Mayalee paused; "Are you there?"

'What? Hello!' Mayalee cried.

The other doffed her hood, "I wondered if this day would truly come, or if it were merely a dream," she gestured for her invisible self to follow, "Come along, Hades wishes you to glimpse this sorrowful and vulnerable incarnation of herself, though I've never fully understood why."

'Wait! Can you hear me?'

"Oh, you should know that I can't hear or see you, and I have only vague memories of what you're saying, but don't fret, just follow along and pay attention to what you see here. Hades must feel it is important for you to witness this visit."

Mayalee rushed after herself as the robed mouse made her way into the temple. Mayalee noted that this strange mouse carried a type of walking stick, or a staff, which she tapped gently on the granite floor to announce herself to the slumbering dragon.

"I am awake, would you please cease that monstrous racket?"

Mayalee's spirit blinked at the voice which issued from the dark. 'Is that Ibby?'

A dragon's daunting face emerged from the gloom; turned toward the invisible Mayalee for a moment before she turned her attention to the blue-clad Mayalee of this future time, "Genivee, I asked that you not disturb me."

"Yes, I know," the mouse replied. From her robes she retrieved a small silver vial, "I've brought your anti-depressants."

Hades sighed, "Genivee, we have been through this, I will not consume those pills,"

"Marigold adjusted the dosage for your weight and metabolism, she is confident they will work," the mouse made a sweeping gesture and there was a flash of light as a plate of tasty food appeared! The visiting Mayalee became stunned by this display of magical power!

"You should take the medication with food."

"You are not going to leave until I consume your pills, are you?"

Genivee's expression softened, "I know it embarrasses you to admit that you need help, but that's why we're here, Hades."

The goddess opened her mouth. Genivee deposited three of the pills onto the dragon's tongue, which Hades swallowed. "We're front-loading the dosage, by week's end you'll take just one pill at breakfast."

"Fine," the dragon replied as Genivee shoveled some food into the dragon's mouth. "You're still ruminating over that argument with the Shannonvali home secretary, aren't you?"

"If I am supposed to be The Queen, why do animals argue with me!? It is for me to decide, and for them to do-!" The rodent wizard took up her staff and delivered a firm swat to the dragon's rump. "Genivee, do not strike me with that infernal stick!"

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"Ughhhh! I understand what you are attempting to do, but must you take such perverse pleasure in it?"

Genivee chortled, "My past self is here, you must have sent her to witness this exchange."

The invisible Mayalee stiffened at the mention of her presence.

"Yes, I know. My busy-body future self must have summoned her, doubtless to shape your impression of me in the weeks leading up to the convergence," Hades bowed her head, "How is Penny?"

The blue wizard became solemn, "Her condition is worsening-" 'Mayalee!' came Kromhaut's frantic voice, as the vision of the future world collapsed.

"Ma'am?" said a red-furred animal. Mayalee blinked, now finding herself back in the arcade.

"Ma'am, lay back," said a reynard paramedic. To her horror, Mayalee realized that all of the arcade patrons were gone, and in their place were uniformed medical technicians. Near the exit stood a worried Allomere. He smiled gently to her as Mayalee patted the rescue technician, "I'm okay, let me go home."

"No, you should come with me, please-" Mayalee brushed him aside; gestured for Allomere. The hawk knew that Kromhaut was now in control of the mouse, and he nearly died inside as the medical technicians flashed him an expectant look. Without another word Kromhaut grasped Allomere's collar and led him outside. As the rescuers looked on, Mayalee climbed atop the hawk and departed the scene.

---

Back within Marigold's bedroom, the dragon woke from her introspection. "It is late, I must go."

"Please come back tonight," Marigold murmured.

"I will," Ibiza said as she kissed the filly on her snout, then trucked her in. "You mentioned me," Marigold said.

"Hmmm?"

"Miss Mayalee, or Genivee, she mentioned me when she visits you in the future. Am I really am going to become a wizard?"

"Yes, love."

Ibiza turned to go, but Marigold grasped at her paw, "Why didn't you want Penny to join your company? Why choose me over her?"

"It isn't a matter of who I like more, Marigold. It is a question of who is better suited," she pointed a stubby digit at the filly, "Oft in your spiritual history you have been a strong and capable horse. That is what I need, Marigold. I love Penny, but she is my friend, not my mentor."

Marigold nodded as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Ibiza sighed, and then exited as quietly as she could. In the hall, a future incarnation of the goddess Hades smiled down upon Ibiza. The younger dragon knew approximately which age this dragon hailed from, "How long until Kala's damage to the planet begins to manifest?"

The other cocked her head, "Damage?"

"I get a sense that everything is fine where you are, so I take it the planet's magnetic field gets fixed, right? There's no need for us to leave this world?"

"The planet's magnetic field is not of any consequence, for you could repair it with a thought. Your worry comes from the outside,"

"What?" Ibiza peeped, but the other'd vanished. 'Why do I have to be so fucking annoying?'

Ibiza sighed, and then slipped from the home. She made no attempt to veil herself; she walked as a regular animal. Feeling restless, Ibiza wandered over to the local neighborhood market. 'The worry comes from outside,' Ibiza thought, turning Hades' words over and over in her mind. She approached the market, and was pleased to find it open. Pushing the door aside, she pulled her long tail all inside before she greeted the elderly equine proprietor.

"Hello, lass," he said.

"Do you have any chocolate ice cream with almonds?"

"Oh, I ordered extra for you," he replied, "Want to eat it here?"

"Could I?"

"Sure, just let me get it."

She stood up on her hind legs to watch the old horse as he entered a freezer, then reemerge a moment later with a five gallon tub of her favorite ice cream. He set the tub on a low table, and then handed her a large silver spoon, "Here you go, miss!"

Ibiza squeaked happily as she rushed to the table and tore the tub open. "How are you this evening?" she asked as she shoveled a great mouthful of ice cream into her maw.

"Oh, maybe I'm doing better than you. What's got you troubled?"

"Am I that obvious?"

"Folk tend to settle their nerves with snacks," he cast a sideways glance at the dragon, "Seems you've been coming in a fair amount of late."

Ibiza sighed, "You know I'm different from other creatures, right?"

"Perhaps," he said, "But not vastly so,"

'I'm only showing you what I want you to see,' Ibiza thought before she said; "I have special powers, these powers might affect my ability to relate to animals, so it is important that I surround myself with mentors, animals who possess their own powers, who can guide me and serve as my moral compass."

"So what's the problem?"

"For the animals who serve me, their lives would basically end. Their entire existence would be spent serving me, forever."

The horse glanced out the front window toward Marigold's home. Ibiza sighed, "I feel terrible, robbing such a sweet horse of her own life and independence."

"When I was a young stallion, I worked at the Prism hydroelectric plant."

"Yes?" Ibiza said.

"I had to sit at a terminal and watch a needle moving around inside a gauge. I had to keep my eyes glued to it, for hours and hours every day. I had to make sure the needle never moved into the red zone of the gauge. It was tiring, exhausting work."

Ibiza sat back on her haunches as the old horse continued, "And you know? I was happy to watch that gauge, even though it was harder work than digging ditches. I was happy to do it because I was helping my friends and my fellow horses to have electricity," he sighed, "I only left that job because I got too old," he looked to Ibiza, "But your helpers, they have special powers? Powers that could help them stay on that gauge, and make sure it never goes into the red?"

Ibiza smiled, "They do,"

He clapped his hands, "Then I'd say you're not taking anything from anyone! You're giving your volunteers the opportunity to serve their fellow animals, and I think you'll find that there's no greater calling and no better purpose than that!"

Ibiza's lips parted in a thoughtful smile. "Ayep," he chuffed, "Go and talk to that little girl, let her decide for herself what she wants to do!"

"Thank you," Ibiza breathed, "Oh, how much is the ice cream?"

"I can put it on the Holden's tab."

Ibiza flicked her wrist. She now held a nugget of gold which she gave to the horse, "Will this do?"

"Oh, I'd say it might do alright."

"Goodnight," she said, and then slipped from the store. Ibiza did not return to the Holden's home. Rather, she curled up on a grassy area at the corner of Forest and Telegraph Avenues. Smiling peacefully, the dragon slept on the quiet corner.

Next morning, Ibiza was awakened by a group of children as they waited for their school bus. Ibiza stretched and shook her tail, to the delight of the young horses. Marigold stood among them, but she betrayed no clue that she was familiar with Ibiza. 'I will see you tonight, Marigold,' the dragon said silently to her.

Soon the bus did come, and the driver shyly waved to Ibiza as the dragon bid the children; "Have a good day!"

As the day progressed, Marigold could not focus on much of anything, except the dragon's story. At recess, she imagined seeing Ibiza in the play yard, though she knew it was only her imagination. 'I need to learn about mental health,' the filly thought, 'And the more I learn about Ibiza, I can see why.'

That evening, she waited anxiously in her room for the dragon to appear. Finally, Ibiza did arrive. "Hey! I've never seen you sleep outside like that!" Marigold said, "Were you alright?"

"I stayed up late, and was speaking with Barney. He told me of his former profession as a gauge-watcher."

"What?"

"He labored at a power plant, and was entrusted to watch an indicator, a gauge, and to sound an alarm should this gauge display a reading into a red zone."

"Huh," Marigold chuffed.

"Put extremely simply, that is the service I would require of you, Marigold, should you join my company."

"Yeah, I got a sense of that,"

Ibiza nodded, "It will be hard work, but I shall endow you with the strength to carry out this important task."

She flexed her arms, "Wizard powers!"

The dragon chortled, "Now, shall we continue our story?"

"Okay! So, when we left Mayalee she had just had a vision of you, and was on her way back home,"

Ibiza nodded as she settled into her corner, "Yes, 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," Timothy said as Ibiza reopened her portal to the past.

"You don't know the half of it," Mayalee chuffed, collapsing onto her small-sized chair. Sam knelt beside her and pressed his face to her chest. "I'm okay," she sighed, "But that scene at the arcade isn't what we should be concerned about. I saw what's going to become of Ibby, she isn't going to be associated with life," she paused to rub her tired eyes, "From what I gathered, she's going to stay true to her origins; she's going to be an Incarnation of Death."

"I think we've all expected that," Sam said, "Maybe that's why Ibiza gave you this clue?"

"Her name is Hades," Mayalee said, "And worst of all, I'm going to end up looking like some kind of wizard from a bad sci-fi movie!"

The party chortled, grateful for the cheer. "And, she's going to need anti-depressant medications,"

Sam leaned in, "You mean the dragon, right?"

"Yes, dummy."

"Just like a regular animal she's been so desperate to become," Allomere opined.

Timothy stepped forward to offer Mayalee a notebook, "Here, write down everything you saw while it's fresh in your mind.."

---

A Slight Detour

---

"Ibiza," Marigold said, breaking the dragon's concentration, "I'd like to ask you about Mayalee and Sam?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Before we continue, I'd like to know more about them."

Ibiza seemed genuinely puzzled, "What do you wish to know?"

"How did they meet?"

"Hmm, well," Ibiza said, tapping her paws together, "During the Great War, Sam had been arrested for giving battle plans to the Shannonvali. Hearing of his fate, Mayalee became obsessed with freeing him. I suppose the first time they met face to face was at his cell."

"Battle plans?" Marigold asked.

"Yes, Sam feared his emperor might actually win the war, which would have been a disaster for the equines and wolves. Sam, known then as Karl, began feeding the Shannonvali vital battlefield information."

Marigold leaned forward, "Can I hear about them? I mean, their first meeting?"

"Yes, well, I believe the date of Sam's induction into Kromhaut's company was April 7, 2145. My memories of him actually being freed by Mayalee are somewhat spotty, but later that evening my recollection becomes quite clear."

The filly urged her on. Ibiza rubbed her nose, and then diverged from her established avenue of memory. The path she now ventured down was dark and cold, and Karl Kuhn couldn't be sure if he was still under the influence of Doctor Mosin's drugs. Beside him, the mouse's hand burned like fire. The heat made him feel light-headed, as if he were walking upon a cloud. The lion shook his head, and wondered when he might awaken from this most peculiar dream. He stumbled along, guided by this strange creature that'd plucked him from certain death, whilst a heavy gale blew across the plains. Karl thought he should be lashed by the winds, but he was not.

Detached from his senses, he thought that he should be freezing, but again, he was not. The comfortable warmth from the rodent's hand beat back any chill that might threaten him. Karl's eyes became sleepy as he concentrated on placing one foot in front of the other. Her heat made him feel giddy, 'Oh, how it radiates through me!'

He exhaled in a long and shuddering groan.

"Shhhh..." she whispered, "We're still in danger, you'll need to keep quiet!"

He did as she asked. The pair continued on through the deepening night, but they were not alone. Rosemary Barter followed just behind, her snout curled in a wry smile. 'Kromhaut rescuing condemned animals? I never would have thought he'd allow such an intervention! What wonderful fun!'

As they followed the bank of a nameless creek, the lion noted strange wisps of mist that blew upon the wind. Their appearance was altogether otherworldly, and only fanned the fires of his growing anxiety. 'I'm drugged, Mosin has burdened me with a heavy narcotic! For all I know I am in a coma!'

"I have a stash of food near east fork," She said to him, "We'll soon have something to eat."

"It's quite all right, I am not hungry." He replied, "Though if you please, there is a morsel that would satisfy me, might I inquire... what is your name?"

"Oh, please forgive me, I am Genivee Tin."

Karl bowed to her, "I am pleased to meet you," then, the lion said no more, except to think; 'With each step I take, I move closer to my afterlife.'

"I must assure you that you are not dead." Genivee said, gently squeezing his hand. He smiled blankly at her, 'How can a mouse bend steel bars?'

"I ceased to be a mouse quite a long while ago."

He stopped in his tracks as the mouse continued on. The frigid chill of the night gripped him when their hands parted. Genivee took his hand once more, and Karl shuddered at the warmth of her touch. She smiled up at him as she caressed his hand. "Please forgive me Karl, but in a way, I spoke a half-truth. Though you are not dead, by this time tomorrow, you might become something else that is neither living, nor dead. Does this trouble you?"

His gaze became far away. He shook his head from left to right. "I do not know."

From her hidden vantage point, Rosemary marveled; 'Kromhaut means to make him a servant!'

"Come," she said, tugging upon his tunic, "We must go."

Thus did Karl Kuhn push on into the deepest night he could recall, his companion being a mouse who was not a mouse. She possessed the strength of ten lions. Her body radiated the heat of a bonfire! "Karl, I must warn you that your thoughts are not your own. I may hear them, as clearly as any spoken word. Though I must say, your inner voice possesses fine manners."

"Then you must be aware of the question that weighs first and foremost upon my mind."

"Which question? Of my origin? Or your physical state come the morn?"

He chortled, but was shushed by the mouse. "Be still! A party of soldiers approaches!" Karl tightened his jaw, strained to listen, "I hear nothing."

"Shhhh!" she hissed, "This way!" Genivee pulled him down into a nearby gully and rushed headlong through the woolly thickets. Karl, forced to stoop to keep hold of her hand was swatted in the face by each branch and bramble, "Stop! Our scent is being imparted upon each and every hedge!"

"That is my plan, Karl."

The lion groaned. Finally, Genivee scrambled up the embankment, bodily hauling the one hundred six kilogram Karl as she went. He marveled at her strength, but swallowed when he became aware of their pursuers. Forty or so by his reckoning, all closing on his position! "They've caught our scent!"

For her part, Genivee Tin seemed pleased by the interception. She skipped a short distance away and let cry a menacing grunt that mimicked with stunning realism the utterance of a deadly tuskin beast.

The call was uncanny! Karl's jaw slacked in disbelief as Genivee winked at him. A hundred meters away, the squad of lions paused. A sergeant gestured for his troops to stand fast, whilst Genivee flicked her whiskers. She grunted again, then skipped across the cold hard ground. Her foot falls echoed like the hoofbeats of a creature many times her size. In the dim light of the crescent moon, Karl could clearly discern hoof prints left by her small feet. 'Magic-'

Dizzied, he crouched down, '-but why not simply mask our presence? Why the subterfuge?'

'There is a method to my madness,' she answered within his mind, 'Trust me, Sir Karl.'

Genivee looked through the forest utilizing a wavelength of light that modern animals would call infrared. The bodies of the pursuing soldiers became bright blobs of color, clearly visible within the gloom. She noticed an individual break from the unit to attempt a flanking maneuver. Gennie screamed in the tuskin's voice, sending the trooper back to the (relative) safety of his fellows. Then, Genivee moved to Karl's side and ripped away his uniform tunic! He opened his maw to protest, but shrieked as a fount of blood erupted from her mouth! She shredded the tunic, and splashed it with the blood and gore issuing from her body.

Karl was horrified! He cupped his hand over his mouth as Genivee placed the final touches upon her deception. Then, she let cry one final roar, followed by a lion's screams! Karl realized with horror that it was his own voice that she mimicked!

Bodily she lifted him up and carried him away, her little feet leaving behind cloven hoof prints in the dusty soil. Gennie glanced back at the soldiers as they traded glances with one another. With a smile, Genivee Tin carried the tall lion on through the wood, leaving the soldiers to report on Karl Kuhn's terrible demise.

"Did I die?" Karl asked.

"Quite messily, I should think."

Karl reached down to grasp the mouse, "Please lady, tell me what manner of creature you are."

She paused for a moment, then smiled to him. "I am a wanderer along the morning row, a servant of life."

From his precarious perch on her shoulder, Karl swallowed thoughtfully. 'That is not the answer I expected.'

Not far away, Rosemary rolled her eyes at Genivee's corny impromptu poetry. Genivee suddenly turned her face toward the wraith and spat out a large hunk of flesh which splashed against a nearby tree. Karl looked back at the mess as they continued on, "Was that a bit of my innards?"

"We need to leave as convincing a scene as we can, the Arch Duke will comb these woods come the morn, looking for any and all evidence of your death."

The pair continued on, whilst Rosemary realized that the mouse might hear her thoughts. 'Slippery little rodent.'

Many minutes passed without a word being traded between mouse or lion. Finally, it was Genivee who broke the silence, "Aren't you going to ask me about my revelation?"

"You could simply look into my mind for any thoughts I might harbor."

"No Karl, I said I may hear your thoughts, but only if I look."

He patted her shoulder, "Would you set me down? You've been carrying me for a long long way."

"Not yet."

He sighed, and tried his best to be comfortable whilst cradled within her iron grip. After a time he became aware of the fine mist that trailed them. Looking up, the wind lashed at the crowns of the trees, and yet the white mist behaved as if the night were gentle and still, 'The mist is of the spirit world,' said Genivee's voice.

"Then I have truly died?" Karl asked aloud.

'Very soon, you shall pass from life, but you'll not die.'

Karl again glanced up. He saw patterns in the wind, and looking down, the same patterns in the sand. He read the winds and felt the fields as a new window of perception was opened to him. From her hiding place, Rosemary realized that a dragon meant to appear! She broke cover to chase after the pair, "Please! May I join you!?"

The wind issuing from the spirit world blew with a frightful gust. Rosemary's white dress was lashed about her as the tempest swirled, but to Karl, all was still and fine. Finally, Rosemary retreated into the shadows as the trees hailed the coming of a servant of life. Genivee sighed, then set Karl down as the white mist became alight with spiritual fire.

'He is coming, Karl.'

Karl stretched for a long moment, his back aching from the uncomfortable position. Unsettled, completely out of his depth, Karl Kuhn attempted to explain away this midnight flight through the woods as little more than a hallucination, 'It's the drugs,' thought Karl, smiling down upon Genivee, 'But I'd love to believe that you are real...'

Genivee placed her warm hands on his backside, "How is that?"

"Genivee, in what way do you serve life?" he gestured to the broken land, "If you be a servant, where is the master? How could they be kind, yet visit such hardships upon us?"

The warm orange glow of the mist became even brighter. Genivee bowed her head as a tongue of flame entered the clearing. Karl stumbled back as the fire hung in the air, it's warm orange glow shifting and roiling until a face became discernible within the fire! Karl fell to his knees. His mind attempted to hold fast to what remained of the ordinary world, but that time had now passed.

"This is Ariadne," Genivee said. To Karl, her lips moved in slow motion, and the sound of her voice became circular waves of sound, like ripples upon a pond, slowly drawing near as he regarded the phantasm.

He stepped back in an attempt to compose himself, finally he asked; "Eh? My question stands. How can you be our master, and yet visit such misery upon the world?"

'I am not an animal, Karl,' spoke a gentle voice, 'But a force. It is not by my works that there is misery, but in animal's deeds, but if thou would join with my kind and help us to understand animal ways, together we might help to ease the misery that stands strong in the world.'

Karl closed his eyes, then stumbled, his breath coming in short shallow gasps. Genivee stepped forward to steady him, but the lion'd collapsed. He stared up in a most worrisome way, Genivee looked to Ariadne, but the dragon assured her that all was well, 'His spirit wakes, thus did you thrash when father waked you.'

When next he was aware, Karl found himself on his back. Above, Genivee's smiling face came into view, "How do you feel?"

"I... had a dream."

"Life is rather like a dream," she agreed.

"A fire. I dreamed of a fire."

"Yes, Karl, you beheld Ariadne. It was my suggestion that he appear, so that he might become real to you."

"And what is real?"

She touched her foot to his shoulder, "All of it, or maybe none of it."

His head swam and his heart skipped a beat, but he was lucid enough to offer a gentle thought; "For all of my life, I'd thought the only power in this world is an animal who knows what they're doing."

Karl sat up, but seemed unsure of what to do next. Genivee knelt beside him, "For all of my life, Karl, I have felt as a lonely vessel, with no sheltering harbor to confide in," she paused to shyly cup her hand over her nose, "I have only known the sea, and though I've sometimes been run aground, I've seldom met with harm," she touched her hand to his elbow, "Except for the loneliness, that burden is unendurable."

Genivee drew a breath to steady herself, "Now the sea calls to me again, in the form of a brave and tall lion who's mane crashes at my bow, who's voice fills my sails, and who's eyes give me the will to continue living."

Her lip began to tremble. In her vulnerable state, Karl became aware of just how much this mouse needed him. Without realizing what he was doing, Karl reached out his hand. Genivee slipped her fingers into his waiting palm. He gently squeezed her, "So, it would seem the true power in this world is a little mouse, who counts spirits of fire as her kin."

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Genivee leaned forward so that Karl might kiss her. When he did, she felt her knees give way, but the lion was there to catch her. Thus began a steady march of time for Karl Kuhn. His days passed swiftly, merging seamlessly into the following weeks. Soon the weeks turned to months, and then the months became years.

Now a hundred years removed from their first night together, the couple clad themselves in the spartan garb of the first industrial revolution. The couple settled near Oakdale, a charming realm of mice and other small animals. In such a place, it was impossible to not acquire friends, but the few friendships they cultivated passed as swiftly as autumn leaves blown by the wind.

"Five hundred years on, the second industrial revolution brought with it some measure of prosperity and comfort, but always, the loneliness was not far behind. You should know that although Karl and Genivee had become citizens of the future, it was in the past that their hearts remained."

On her sleeping cushion, Marigold squealed her delight, "Aww! How romantic!"

Ibiza offered the filly a measured nod, "Aye, Marigold, but they were terribly lonely for a great long time."

Marigold collected herself, "I'm sorry, and hey, while we are here, what happened to Rosemary?"

"She returned to the duke's manor, would you like to hear about her exploits there?"

"Please!"

Ibiza nodded, and settled back into her spiritual introspection.

---

It had been a long and weary day for Sergeant Guinan Volquartsen, the lion'd been out on the moors all day, combing through every last bramble and unturned stone. The lion had recently noted his forty eighth birthday, and his well-worn face was creased by every one of the ten thousand days he'd spent in the field. Volquartsen rode upon a long-legged beast known in these times as a strider. He guided the creature onto the grounds of the former emperor's summer palace, a stately manor now claimed by Neseeruddin's brother-in-law, an ambitious lion who six months ago was counted only among the country gentry, but now...

Volquartsen brought his strider to a halt, then dismounted. A young orderly took the strider's reins and led the beast away while Volquartsen made his way up the wide granite steps. Upon his hip was a burlap sack containing Karl's bloody uniform tunic. Volquartsen strode down the main hall where he was intercepted by an officer, "Do you have the traitor's head?"

"We found no trace of Kuhn, save for an amount of blood and some internal organs."

The officer snarled, and waved Volquartsen along. 'What's the matter?' Guinan thought, 'Not enough evidence for you to claim credit for my work?'

Volquartsen was admitted to a large library where a slender lion conferred with a senior officer. Volquartsen waited near a row of books, attempting to browse the titles while trying to look like he was at attention. Rosemary Barter entered the room and took up a position beside the lion. She eyed the bag on his hip, and figured it was Kuhn's tunic as Guinan got a good look at the lion who might well lead the new republic. Ferdinand looked decent enough. Tall, slight of build with a long muzzle and large, well-placed eyes. He wore only a simple white tunic, his modesty a stark contrast to the extravagance of his exiled brother-in-law.

Finally, Ferdinand gestured to Guinan, "You may begin."

"Let me first be permitted to say, and I'm sure I speak for my lions, how pleased we are, Arch Duke Ferdinand..." Volquartsen crossed the room to stand before the duke's desk, "That you have been appointed to the interim ruling council."

Ferdinand glanced at the sack on Volquartsen's hip, "Unless Karl Kuhn's head is in exceptionally sad shape, I take it he remains at large?"

Volquartsen took the bloody tunic from the sack, "My lions pursued Kuhn and another animal to the edge of the wood. There, Kuhn was beset by a tuskin beast. He screamed, and this tunic was found in a pool of blood. It was in this clearing that Kuhn's footprints ended."

"Oh, Karl Kuhn is very much alive!" Rosemary cawed, her outburst causing Ferdinand's ears to twitch ever so slightly, 'Ah, receptive are we?' Rosemary nickered, while Ferdinand's staff officer, a colonel named Werle stepped near to examine the garment. Ferdinand wrinkled his nose at the sight of the dried blood, "Hmmm..." he said, "You found no trace of him, beyond an amount of blood?"

"A nearby tree was splashed with fresh gore, but no other bodily parts could be found."

Rosemary smiled broadly as she pressed herself to Volquartsen's backside. He felt an odd tingle and a chill, then adjusted his tunic, thinking there must be a draft. As Rosemary Barter eyed the lions from her hidden vantage point, so too was she observed by an unseen entity.

Ferdinand sat back, "I believe your account, Sergeant, but I think it would be prudent to assume Kuhn is still alive, until further supporting evidence of his demise can be found."

"Yes, sir," Volquartsen said, whilst Ferdinand tapped his fingertips together, "You once served with Kuhn, is that correct?"

Sensing where the duke's line of thought was headed, Volquartsen snorted, "Almost every lion in second battalion has served with Kuhn, just as almost every lion has served with me. You do not attain the rank of sergeant, and not become familiar with a great number of troops."

"I see," Ferdinand chuffed, "Very well Sergeant, carry on with your search. Bear in mind that if you find Kuhn's head, I shall promote you to Sergeant-Major. And if you do not..."

The Colonel now spoke up, "If he does not, what?"

Ferdinand realized he'd come across too strongly. Though he was rapidly claiming more and more authority within the fractured realm, it was vital to the self-proclaimed duke that he maintain a good relationship with the Army. He owed his position to lions like Werle and Volquartsen, "If you do not," Ferdinand said, glancing at the soldiers, "I shall be forced to dispatch a letter to the ruling council, and report on Kuhn's escape."

"Kuhn is dead," Volquartsen chuffed, "A lion doesn't scream like that unless he's being ripped apart."

Ferdinand spread his hands, "Then show me the pieces."

Volquartsen glanced at the colonel, but Werle returned him an expectant look. The sergeant bowed to the duke, "I'll bring you his head."

"Thank you Sergeant, and please bear in mind that in my time as a Magistrate, I could never have accepted such circumstantial evidence. Screams in the dark and blood trails are not sufficient proof of death." Volquartsen again bowed, then took his leave. After the sergeant'd departed, Ferdinand turned in his chair, "Do you think he's lying?"

The officer took up the bloodied tunic and inspected it closely. There was a grey hair on the lapel, and the colonel carefully removed it, "This hair matches hairs found at Kuhn's demolished cell."

"Yes?" Ferdinand replied.

"The presence of this hair at least proves that this is Kuhn's tunic." Werle said, then he furrowed his brow. "What is it?" Ferdinand asked.

Werle appeared reluctant to divulge any further information until his investigation was concluded, but he sighed, "The grey hair has tentatively been identified as belonging to a mouse."

"No," Rosemary said, leaning down to whisper in Ferdinand's ear, "Not a mouse, but something far worse!"

"Hmmm..." Ferdinand gruffed, tapping his fingers on the desk, "What if we're supposed to believe it was a mouse? Suppose some other creature pried apart Kuhn's cell?"

"I don't know why they'd wish to disguise the presence of some equine, and I assume that a horse was responsible for demolishing the cell, but there's something else to consider," the colonel stepped toward the bookshelf, "Whatever creature did this, I'd wager they'd possess the strength needed to repel an attacking tuskin."

Ferdinand furiously tapped his fingers on the desk. Werle thought the behavior annoying. "The horses probably don't want any reprisals from us, that's why the subterfuge! One thing remains clear colonel, we must know if Kuhn is dead or alive!"

Werle tapped his finger on a copy of the Book of Imperial Common Law, "I have a forensic team examining Kuhn's cell. I shall dispatch the senior members to the forest come the morn."

Ferdinand nodded, "Thank you, Colonel."

Rosemary circled around the elder officer, "You don't trust him, do you? You feel he's an opportunistic usurper! You know he'd toss out your precious common law the moment it suited him!"

Werle took a few steps toward the door, then turned to face Ferdinand, "My lord, I understand you were the Chief Magistrate of the Toulouse Prefecture."

"Yes?"

"Would you think it lawful to break the law in order to punish an evil witch?"

Rosemary smiled wickedly, whilst the other was taken aback by the question, "Y-yes. Yes I do." Ferdinand rose from his seat for dramatic effect, "I would break every law in Toulon in order to secure the punishment of such an evil doer."

"Then what would you do if the witch turned around to meet you?" Werle asked, as he turned about and set his hand on the door, "With every law in the land cut down, where would you run to for safety?"

"Blast and damn Colonel, what ever are you getting at?"

The colonel himself was taken aback by his outburst. He offered no reply as he departed. Ferdinand stood stunned as the door closed with a firm click.

The duke paced nervously about his library, as Rosemary followed along behind him, mimicking his polished gait. The late afternoon gave way to another chilly and windy eve as the wraith lingered for many more hours in Krieghoff Manor. In his chambers, Ferdinand Brandenburg turned Colonel Werle's words over and over in his mind. He rose from his easy chair to pace the room, his eyes glancing here and there. He paused at a side table where he took up a freshly minted coin that bore his likeness, 'My ownership of this manor is now undisputed. Local currency bears my face! How can Werle suffer this lack of confidence?'

All of a sudden, his head became dizzied. 'Dungheaps!' He cursed, clenching his jaw as an attack of panic befell him. Gone was his mask of cool calculated control. He stumbled to his bedside, hoping to calm himself before his mood could spiral out of control. He cupped his hands over his muzzle and closed his eyes whilst his innards painfully churned. 'One breath in, and one out,' he said to himself, and after a time, he did feel better. He was surprised to find that he'd burrowed beneath his covers. He pressed his lips together, then reached up to extinguish the crude electrical lighting of his bed chamber.

From her hidden vantage point, Rosemary crossed the chamber to stand over the duke's bed. She watched him for some time. As his chamber clock ticked away the minutes, Rosemary's eyes followed the graceful curve of his cheeks. She imagined kissing him. She could almost feel the warmth of his lips, and how she'd likely get those little stray hairs in her mouth after a passionate embrace. She glanced down across his white-furred throat, then lower still... 'Just one minute. If I could have a single moment to feel him inside me, that's all I'd need to feel alive again.'

She sighed, then climbed beneath the lion's bed. She lay there, listening to the duke's wheezy breaths, until his breathing became more rested and steady. She was joined under the bed by the black shadow. Had Rosemary known what lay with her, she'd likely laugh at the absurdity of it.

Elsewhere within Ibiza's memory, Mayalee Mae had finished penning her account of the strange future vision. "It makes me sad that Ibiza might not find happiness after everything is said and done."

"I wouldn't read too much into the vision," Allomere warned, "For all we know, the message is intended for Ibiza's future self, you were simply a vessel to facilitate it's transmission."

"Hmph," Mayalee chuffed.

"I'm hungry," Timothy gruffed.

"Is that greasy spoon down by the river open?"

Sam glanced at the clock, "Yes, but no way we'll make it by closing."

Allo glanced at his mate, "We could stay the night, and all go together tomorrow!"

Timothy nodded his agreement, "Okay!"

Kromhaut touched Mayalee's mind, silently expressing interest in dining at the Chomp 'n Chew. "Okay!" she chirped, "Indigestion, here we come!"

---

The Stone House

---

One hundred and fifty years before the present modern day, Inspector Mary Bard waited in the cab of a police transport as an officer filled the fuel tank. Beside her, Officer Angus Greenfield nudged her, "Got your paperwork in order?"

Mary sighed, "Yes,"

"And?"

She glanced at him, "I'll be okay, I just need to pull myself together."

"You're a lot tougher than you give yourself credit for," he said, drawing another breath to add something more. She glanced at him when nothing was forthcoming, "What? Something more you want to add?"

He shyly looked away. She smiled gently, "Angus, I don't want to wait for our lives to be over before either of us can work up the courage to say what we really feel."

"You're my hero, Mary. I don't want to cheapen the respect I feel for you," his voice died away, "I'm sorry,"

"Angus," she began, but her voice also shyly faded before an officer tapped on the cab, signaling they were ready to depart. Angus nodded to him, and then fired up the transport's boiler. "We'll get this done and then be back in time for supper."

"Right," she replied, "Now, Kesselring isn't likely to want to be taken alive. It's imperative we disarm him as quickly as possible," she glanced at him, "He'll almost certainly be armed."

"Let's try that thing you do, where you drop your satchel, and then ask a secondary to pick it up,"

"Ah!" she replied, "Right, then I'll pass you his weapon."

He smiled to her, "We make a pretty good team,"

"Careful, a mare might want to marry you when this is all said and done."

His eyes widened as Mary nickered, "Right! Let's be off!"

---

On a busy street corner back within the present modern day, Maggie Pumpkin woke from her spiritual introspection. Startled, the ghost knew that she'd been catatonic for some time. She rushed to a news stand and was relieved to find that she'd only been out for a day. However, it seemed that Maggie'd wandered far afield. She found herself along the central trading hub of civic center one, the main thoroughfare joining several animal city-states. Called Market Street in modern times, this boulevard is what remains of the former Union Financial District. Oft did Maggie Pumpkin find herself in this neutral land, mostly because it was familiar to her, but also because it harbored none of the painful memories of her home city of Buckley.

But even here amongst the old granite structures and wide city streets, the past echoed and whinnied, 'Bard... that was the name of the family who lived out near Route Forty. How did I end up over there?'

Maggie pondered the connection as she window shopped, but gradually she recognized 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 arrived at the great grey structure to find it was now a commercial complex! "The Bank of Calais?"

Maggie rushed up the steps and through the heavy steel-framed doors. She looked about, finding the interior completely changed. Mary's memories, fresh just a moment ago had become hazy and indistinct. "Her name, it should be on a wall here!"

"Hello," said a voice. Maggie paid the utterance no mind as she looked about in earnest, "Do you need any help, Miss?"

Amongst the crowd of animals waiting in line for a teller, Maggie found a tall equine spirit clad in the uniform tunic of a police sergeant. "Oh," Maggie said, "I used to work here in a past life."

The stallion nodded, "What was your name?"

Maggie declared her former identity, and the spirit became impressed. "I know of Mary Bard! She was a bit before my time, but my instructor spoke fondly of her."

"You... believe me?"

"A spirit cannot lie. I suppose deceit is impossible for ghosts."

"Oh..." Maggie chuffed, genuinely surprised by this bit of news. 'It never occurred to me to want to lie about anything.'

"Your name is inscribed upon the wall. Come, let us look upon the names there." He gesturing for Maggie to follow along. "Much like ourselves, the names of our fellows are hidden from the living animals of these modern times."

Maggie glanced about, feeling suddenly uneasy. "Yeah... the drywall. Shitty thing to do, covering our names."

He nodded and gestured for Maggie to cross through the armored bank windows, (Which in the old days would have been the booking officer's office.) "This way, you may still view them."

The pair made their way behind the bank teller windows. "I believe your name was one of the last to be enshrined here," the sergeant paused, "Oh, my name's Barney McFine."

Maggie smiled warmly, "Hello, Barney."

"Look here, Inspector."

He gestured to the western edge of the wall. Maggie pushed her face through the dry wall, and came face to face with her past. Her eyes moved over the sharply chiseled letters which spoke of personal tragedies and lost husbands and wives who were cut down in the performance of their duties. Then, Maggie found the name Mary Hathaway Bard. "She was real... this is who I was."

She emerged from the wall, pensive and thoughtful. "Barney, I need to find my friend, will you come with me?"

The thought of actually leaving the building seemed to disturb the stallion. He shook his head, "No. I am sorry, I cannot."

Maggie gestured as one might when urging another to continue, "Okay, why?"

"Those trees," he whispered, "They will not shut up!"

"Barney, I know the trees can be annoying, but my friend says that they are in tune with higher dimensions."

"That is precisely why I must remain here!" he hissed, "They inform on me! They tell those animals where I may be found!"

Maggie shook her head, "You're talking crazy!"

Barney did not wish to argue, so he retreated to the far end of the bank. Maggie looked about, wondering what she could possibly say to him, 'Herald was so much better at this.' Maggie smiled when she thought of her friend. Feeling better, she approached the distraught spirit, asked; "Barney, I get a sense that you're really attached to your life as a police sergeant."

"I remember some of the animals I have been," he smiled weakly, "Farmers, metal smiths, plain folk. Becoming a police officer was the single greatest achievement I have ever known," he looked to the hidden memorial wall, "This is the greatest home I have ever known."

A long moment passed between the spirits as Maggie struggled to channel some of Herald's magic. "Barney, I've been a soldier, a poet, and a scientist," she smiled, gazing wistfully to the wall that bore her name, "I've also been a cop, a boxer, and I think I might have been a hooligan once or twice."

Barney smiled as Maggie drew near, "And you know what? I can't wait to get back out there and see who I can become again! Even though it's gonna be hard, and you never know what'll happen."

Herald might've been proud of his favorite spirit, for Barney now considered what opportunities might lay ahead for him. "Thank you, Maggie."

Adopting his antiquated manner of speech, Maggie asked; "Barney, you spoke of 'those animals,' Who are they?"

"They are the living dead," he replied in a hushed tone, which Maggie could scarcely hear over the commotion of the living animals in the bank. "Never venture to the river, Maggie, they will find you!"

She knew she ought not to press him, that his emergence from his shell was tentative at best, but she pushed him; "Barney, what do the trees tell you?"

"Gibberish! Nonsense! They speak of powers within the world, their utterances crafted as riddles meant to confound! I have no patience for them!"

'Shit!' she thought, "Barney, you've got it wrong! The trees are not an enemy!"

The stallion shook his head, now rejecting her words. "The trees are lightning rods for the underworld! They will drag you to hell!"

Maggie hung her head. "Barney, you're suffering here. If you stay here too long, you run the risk of never being able to go back into the world."

He shook his head, wishing he could ignore her, but his respect for Mary Bard was too great. Maggie brightened, "Barney, do you ever see some kind of walkway or path?"

"A stone path? Yes I do."

"Barney," Maggie whispered, "That's the way back into the world. You can go, and find your way back to a new life! You can enjoy all of the things that make life worth living!"

"No," he said flatly.

"I can't find the path," she confessed, "It won't appear to me."

"But... why?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I don't know."

He bowed his head, "I am sorry inspector. You are a good equine, it is not fair that you cannot return to life."

"Maybe you could go on ahead and put in a good word for me?"

He glanced around his former home, as if the hall might offer him guidance, "Will you walk with me, inspector?"

Smiling, Maggie moved into his shimmering shadow where her golden light mingled with his, "Come on baby, let's go."

The pair departed the former headquarters and crossed Overland Street. Through the passing cars they walked until they arrived at the edge of the woods. "Go Barney, look for the path, and it will appear for you."

"Thank you, Inspector," he glanced back, smiling weakly. Maggie offered an encouraging boxer's salute. Barney moved his fists up to the sides of his muzzle to return the gesture, "I see it,"

"Good luck," Maggie peeped.

Barney nodded, then approached the hidden path. Suddenly, he was gone. Maggie bowed her head, "Take care, sweetie."

Now it was Maggie who gazed into the forest. Hoping. Praying. After an hour spent in quiet meditation, it became clear the path would not come for her.

She regarded the trees, "Hey! Who are the powers of the world?" She glared at them with as much authority as she could muster, "And no riddles! I want a straight answer!"

An electric thrum moved through the crowns of the trees, 'She has led one to the path! She is become a shepherd, a servant of life!'

From Maggie's perspective, their words were merely a garbled static. She anguished at her inability to decipher their speech, 'I know they can help me!'

Suddenly, a clear and audible voice spoke out. The voice was neither male nor female, but a mixture of both, "Yes, the powers of the world. You must go to them. The path is hidden from your light."

"Yeah, no shit! That's why I need someone's help!" Maggie calmed herself, "So where do I find them? Are they animals? Or gods who masquerade as animals?"

"The house of stone... you must go."

"What? I don't understand!"

"Near the river... in a house of stone... the powers of the world shall gather to feed. You must go there... they will help you."

'Never venture to the river, Maggie. They will find you...' Maggie mulled over Barney's warning, "Feed? What would gods feed on...?" a terrible thought crossed her mind, "They don't feed on spirits, do they? That's terrible!"

"They feed," said the ash tree, "As any animal might. Their diet does not include living energy. You are safe in their company."

Were Maggie alive, she'd have scratched the back of her head. "Look, what do you mean by 'powers of the world,' are you talking about gods?"

"You must go there, to the house of stone."

'The trees are spiritual guides...' Maggie's light shimmered thoughtfully as she recalled Herald's words. "Hey tree, why can't I see the path? Is something wrong with me?"

There was a buzzing among the crowns of the trees, and then the ash tree reluctantly answered. "There is a debt owed. Your life was ended too soon."

"What?? What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Sunrise... of the new moon. Go... go to the house of stone... where the river is widest and the black slashes cross it's waters."

Groaning in frustration, Maggie stalked away. "I don't know what you're talking about! What stone house? Are you talking about an old castle? Those are all over Brandenburg!"

Feeling rather unhappy and more than a little flummoxed, Maggie cast the trees an annoyed glance, "Powers of the world! I hope they're not as irritating as you are!"

She left the woods and wandered back toward Market Street. 'How funny would it be if I've just traded places with Barney? Now I'll haunt that old station, because I don't have anywhere else to go!'

The mare came to the edge of the civic center, to her right was the downtown skyline, but to her left lay the border of Aurora. A black asphalt road cut a swath through a grassy hills as it receded into the distance. Suddenly, Maggie realized what the black slashes were! "Roads, the trees call roads 'black slashes!'"

Another revelation dawned on her; "They must be talking about the Elbe River! I need to look for a stone house situated near a bridge where the river is widest!" she turned about, "Thanks trees! I got it!"

Her confidence renewed, Maggie trotted along the Autoway Four, 'Okay, A4 will cross the river at some point!'

Maggie looked to the sky, 'The Moon is a thin crescent, but I don't know if that's waxing or waning. I don't know when the new moon will be!'

She continued on, 'First things first, I have to find this stone place, then...' she stopped in her tracks, "Wait a sec... are they talking about the Chomp 'n Chew? Is that the house of stone they're talking about?"

A greasy spoon was hardly a place that Maggie Pumpkin expected to find any gods, but she continued on, 'Those trees wanted me to get there, so I'll just trust them.'

Many hours passed, and still Maggie had not made much progress. 'I'm only at mile marker seven. I need to speed things along!'

Recalling spirits she'd seen flying, Maggie collected her thoughts and willed herself to rise. Nothing happened. "Why does being dead have to be such a pain in the ass!"

She tried again, but it seemed hopeless, "Damn it!"

Maggie stalked up one side of the road and across to the other, fuming and frothing, "Why can't I catch a break! None of this is fair!"

"Miss?" said a deep, sonorous voice.

At first Maggie took the voice to be Herald's, she brightened, but found instead the ghost of a snowy owl. The shadowy outline of the avian spirit settled down beside Maggie as she shyly backed away, "Who are you?"

"I am called Boron, might I be of assistance?"

"Oh, uh.. I dunno. Can you help me learn how to fly?"

The owl cocked his head, "I'm afraid I cannot, for there's nothing to learn, nor to teach. You simply rise."

Maggie was struck by the avian's old-fashioned manner of speech, and she wondered just how long he'd been dead, "I can't."

Again the flyer cocked his head in a most unusual way, "What part of you thinks this way?"

"Look, I'm in a real hurry, can you help me or not-?" Maggie paused, "Wait, your name is Boron?"

"'Twas so a moment ago, and ever shall remain thus."

"Do you know Herald? He's my best friend!"

Boron's face betrayed a flash of emotion, "Indeed? Pray tell, what is your name?"

Maggie smiled broadly as she answered, "Yeah! My name's Maggie! Herald said I should look for you if I needed help!"

The other cocked his head, "Maggie Balin? You were a performer of sorts, yes?"

"Oh, I was a boxer," she assumed a fighter's stance, "So, Herald mentioned me?"

The slightest twinkle flashed within the owl's shadowy eye as he bowed to Maggie, "What might I do for you?"

Questions swirled though her mind, "Okay, so, who are you? How come I have never met you before?"

Boron hung his head, "To properly answer, you must know my true name, that being Boron Illus Kirsten."

Maggie shook her head, "Uh, you're an owl, how could you be Herald's brother-?" Maggie suddenly clued in, "Oh! Are you Herald's husband?"

Boron bowed, "I am,"

"Wow! I had no idea! How come you're not with Herald now? Don't you know where he is?"

"Miss Maggie, we ought concern ourselves with your needs."

"Boy, you're a lot like Herald, you dodge questions just like he does! I can see you two being an item."

He smiled, "And you are every bit as large as the tales my love has told."

"Boron, where is Herald? I'd really like to see him."

The owl was silent for a moment as he carefully studied Maggie's shimmering light, "My husband and I must walk separate paths, 'tis a condition of Herald's service as a spiritual guide," he glanced about, as if he were about to reveal something he ought not to; "Though we are permitted to visit when the moon waxes to blue."

He chortled when he noted Maggie attempting to recall how often that celestial phenomenon occurs, "The moon shall appear as such every seventeen years."

"You can only see your husband every blue moon? That sounds shitty! What kind of job requires that sort of separation?"

Boron made no comment, except to ask; "What might I do for you, Maggie?"

"Boron, I really need you to take me to Herald!"

"I am afraid I cannot, for another decade must transpire until our next visit."

Frustrated, Maggie crossed her arms, "Okay then, do you know what the house of stone is?"

"You seek this place, a house of stone?"

"The trees told me to go there, but I'd rather talk to Herald."

Boron raised his wing, "I am afraid Herald cannot offer his service, for the trees have set you on a course. You would be wise to heed their instruction."

Maggie nodded, "Okay, I will, but I don't suppose you can tell me what happened to Herald? I saw him disappear right before my eyes."

The other seemed reluctant to speak of Herald, leaving Maggie terribly hurt and frustrated, "Boron, I've asked all over, none of the ghosts who knew Herald know what's happened to him. If you know, please tell me, or at the very least, can you tell me if he's okay?"

"My husband's former home has been rebuilt. Presently, he resides in the high north, far from animal civilization."

Maggie clapped her shadowy hands, "Great! Thanks! He's at least okay!"

Boron solemnly nodded.

"Uh, how come you're not up there with him? He can see you, right?"

"Our paths must remain separate until my love's final passing from this life."

Maggie frowned, "It sounds like Herald is being punished," she reached out to him, "And you too, for that matter."

"My husband warned me of the price I'd have to pay, in order to wait for him."

"What does that even mean? Boron! What the hell is going on? Is Herald in trouble?"

"Miss Maggie, we'd best see to your departure. There is a house of stone that awaits you."

Aware that the conversation was over, Maggie sighed, "Okay, can you teach me how to fly?"

The owl smiled, "Meet my gaze, hold fast to my eyes and do not look away!"

Maggie locked eyes with the owl.

"Careful, now! Keep with me! Do not look away!"

"What are we supposed to be doing-" Maggie gasped when she found herself high in the air. The owl smiled broadly at his handiwork, "There! I'd say you've got the hang of things!"

The boxer attempted to grasp hold of the owl who playfully flew away. "Wait! I need help!"

He offered an offhand reply that Maggie couldn't quite catch, though she suspected he said; 'You've helped yourself!'

She grunted, then carefully extended her shadowy limbs. She remained aloft, (thankfully,) though she had no idea how to proceed. "Herald said Boron would help me, but I expected a little more than this!"

Thinking of her friend, Maggie imagined herself as an avian eagle. To her surprise, she accelerated ahead! "Oh! Yes!"

After an awkward moment, she found herself in control of her motion. Maggie rose up, higher and higher, and as she did her excitement grew! "Okay! There's the river!"

Indeed, the river Elbe was just on the other side of a thick stand of trees. Maggie moved over the waters and set off, tracking it's course until at last she noted a bridge crossing just ahead of a wide area where the river made a sharp westerly turn. 'That's it!'

Maggie set down, and her suspicions were confirmed. The house of stone was the Chomp 'n Chew diner.

The Chomp 'n Chew was an odd restaurant situated near the borders of Brandenburg, Aurora, and the Mid-city District, in what used to be the Capital Corridor. More a cultural institution than a diner, it was one of the few establishments that catered to all manner of animals, although Maggie herself had never frequented the place in life.

With it's river rock walls and bright red sign, the Chomp 'n Chew did look somewhat inviting. 'Okay, I just have to wait here until the day of the new moon.'

Maggie retreated to an out of the way shade tree. 'All I have to do is stay awake, and not zone out.'

And zoning out, of course, is what Maggie promptly did. One thought leading to another, the mare became lost within a spiritual introspection, recalling her first midwinter spent among the dead. Herald had done his best to assuage his friend's grief, and staged an impromptu midwinter party for his circle of spiritual companions. "Now then!" the eagle chirped, dancing about the ghost of a razorback boar recruited into the role of the mythical Hogfather, "Happy Hogwatch everyone! Come and tell the Hogfather what you'd like for Midwinter Day!"

The boar named Barnabas squirmed with embarrassment, as did the gathered spirits present at the awkwardly arranged festivity. "This would all go a lot better if we could get drunk," said Vincent, a reynard fox spirit. Herald waved his wing, "Nonsense! My parties are quite well lubricated without the need for alcohol!"

Maggie chortled as Barnabas threw his arms up and declined any further role play. "Very well!" cawed Herald, "It is up to me to be your Hogfather!"

Indulging the eagle, Maggie sat down beside him. "Yes little girl! What can the Hogfather do for you?"

"Okay!" Maggie said, getting into the spirit of Herald's party despite herself, "I'd like to know something about you! What did you do when you were alive?"

"Well, I was a ship's captain and a mariner," He shook his head as his own past returned to the fore, "Though mostly, I busied myself making bad decisions."

"What?" the gathered spirits gasped, "What bad decisions?"

The eagle furled his wings, while all around him a thick and encompassing fog descended, "My friends, let us not dwell upon unhappy memories, we're having a party, remember?"

Herald's words became far away as one by one, Maggie's friends vanished into the fog, "Herald! Where are you!?"

Maggie rushed this way and that, searching for the ghosts present just a moment before. A strong wind blew from the north, and Maggie reeled when the gust blew across her hollow form. Then, Maggie found herself before the diner. The entrance beneath the red sign was wreathed in mist, the likes of which Maggie had never before seen, 'Oh, my....' she breathed, attempting to recall Herald's discussions on the matter. 'These kinds of vortices are supposed to be windows into the spirit world.'

Finding out that there were ghosts was bad enough, (aside from becoming one) but the realization of unsettling phenomena issuing from the spirit world was quite another matter. Tree spirits were altogether bizarre, with their strange lightning and etherial mist. To view a tree from the spirit world made everyday places, like the entrance to this diner become a scary and disorienting place. Maggie stole herself to approach the white vortex swirling at the doors. The tempest seemed to repel her, as if she were a living animal trapped in the open during a tornado! Maggie marveled at being physically touched, to actually feel wind upon her shadowy body... 'This wind is from the spirit world, that's why I can feel it.'

Maggie braced herself against the gale, "I have to get in there! Please!"

It was hopeless, the storm permitted no entry. 'Wait a minute...'

She turned to glance down the long exterior wall, then moved away from the vortex to a more quiet corner of the building. 'I'll just slip in right here.'

The storm seemed to sense what she was up to, and it gave chase. With an odd sense of surface tension, Maggie pushed her way through the rock wall and into the kitchen area of the diner. The animals within were wreathed in mist. Maggie wondered what they would think if they knew what surrounded them. The white vapor penetrated the wall and moved toward Maggie. She shied away, passing through the kitchen wall and into the dining room.

And then she saw them. Four animals, wreathed in flame, a blinding golden light issuing from their eyes. The spiritual vapor swirled and danced about them, as if each of the strangers was the eye of a powerful hurricane. One of the animals, a diminutive avian, turned to regard Maggie. There was a force which penetrated her... joined with her... and it knew. It knew all of her most intimate secrets. Maggie could do nothing except surrender to the burning fingers of light that gently kissed her.

"Please!" Maggie gasped, "I'm sorry if I did something wrong. I need your help..."

"Spirit, take the high path up," came a stern, sonorous voice, "The trees will show you the way."

"Please..." Maggie whispered, "I've never seen any path, I can't find it."

The hawk stepped away from the stranger's table, and was joined by a tall reynard fox, his face partially obscured by the swirling mist and glowing golden flames. "The high mountain path," said the stranger, "That is the path that has been prepared for you."

Then a small animal leapt from the table, followed by a great and tall feline. Maggie attempted to speak, to call after them, but her voice failed her.

And then they were gone. The swirling mist lifted, and the restaurant became normal and mundane again. Maggie shook with startled surprise as she caught sight of the strangers through the front bay windows. The lanky fox climbed atop the avian hawk, then the pair made an awkward departure, leaving Maggie looking after them. Another of the strangers, a small and delicate mouse looked back at Maggie, her burning eyes radiating a kind of uncanny majesty that humbled the boxer. Then the mouse turned away and departed, leaving the mortal animals of the diner to wonder if the strangers had been there at all.

"Wait!" Maggie cried, her voice now restored, "Can't you help me!?"

There was no indication that the mouse had heard her, and Maggie sputtered a curse as she moved outside to see if she could note in which direction the strangers went. The fox had taken to the skies aboard the hawk, while it appeared the mouse had departed in an automobile, accompanied by the tall feline, possibly a lion.

Maggie marveled at the novelty of a ghost being startled by another ghost. 'No, ghosts don't get into cars, those were living animals.'

Maggie stole herself and again used all her powers of will to become airborne. Quickly now, she followed after the black motor car as it sped along the motorway. The sedan stopped at a traffic signal. Maggie hovered above, hoping that she'd chose the correct vehicle. With a bit of flailing, Maggie descended to verify the occupants. Inside, the little mouse turned toward Maggie. The fire within her eyes became stilled, and the flames issuing from her shoulders winked away.

Maggie waved awkwardly, then followed along as the car got going again. The occupants each traded glances at Maggie as she followed them across town. Maggie wasn't sure what she was going to do once they reached their destination, but she was desperate to find out more about them, 'I just want to know who you are.'

"My name is Mayalee Mae," a gentle female voice answered. Maggie shook with surprise, "Oh! Hello! My name's Maggie!"

"Why do you linger, Maggie? Did Herald not help you find your way?"

"Oh, um... you know Herald?"

"It is not healthy to linger Maggie, won't you walk the path toward reincarnation?"

"That's why I wanted to talk with you! I can't find the way."

A male voice responded this time, "Maggie, that's not possible. The path is visible to all, you just need to look."

"I can't find it..." Maggie wailed, as the male voice did his best to comfort her, "Trust the trees Maggie, let them help you."

"They didn't do anything except tell me to come and find you!" Maggie cried, her voice becoming shrill and desperate, "Please! I need help!"

Unbeknownst to the frightened spirit, Mayalee and her companion received a stern commandment from on high, "Leave her be!" Kromhaut rumbled, "Let Herald's Fate tend to her!"

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. "If Herald is up north, then that's where I'm going."

---

The City of New Albany

---

An early October morning dawned bright and clear. Animals cast their eyes skyward to inhale the deep fall fragrance drifting down from the great forest. In this time of year the sun took on a large orange demeanor which cast a glorious fall glow upon the land. The metro rail station which straddled the borders of Aurora and Brandenburg was packed with animals as they rushed off to some errand or short working shift. Most were equines, some were foxes, but all shared the same desire. To travel north.

You might find the scene here familiar, with it's long passenger platform and the sounds of shunting trains ringing and rumbling. Maggie Pumpkin found that there were almost as many spirits wishing to escape the doldrums of the mid city area to travel north, where the land was lush and beautiful.

Maggie boarded an early train for Shannonvale and settled onto a deeply padded seat. Animal spirits shuffled past her, most being large cats and lion folk. Some cast her quizzical glances, most likely wondering what business this newcomer had in their territory. She watched her fellow ghosts file past, none caring to take the seat next to her. Then a whistle blew, and an announcement was made that the train would be departing.

A dark shadow passed across the large windows, momentarily dimming the bright glorious sunlight. Maggie sat upright, thinking the phenomena unsettling. She glanced about, then gazed out the window as the train lurched forward and began to move. Bound first for Avalon, the beautiful coastal realm of the wolves, Maggie's detour through the outlying regions would not take long. 'It's hard to believe this trip is only an hour. In my day you'd have been on this train all morning.'

Quickly now, the train called The City of New Albany made it's way through the early morning sunshine and down to the sea. The sunrise poured it's impossibly rich golden light across the waters. Maggie sighed at the beauty she beheld, 'The world is so beautiful, I could spend eternity just sitting right here.'

In the distance, the protected forest was shadowed in the folds of the brooding stone mountains, while ahead a rainbow was set against iron-colored clouds. An old equine spirit sat opposite Maggie, her nose in a living animal's book.

"Look..." Maggie said, pointing out of the window to the glorious rainbow. "Oh!" the elder mare cried, "How lovely!"

The pair admired the sunrise for a moment, then Maggie introduced herself. "I'm Rosemary," said the elder as she crossed the aisle to sit down beside the younger mare. "Okay sweetie, I ain't seen you around before. What's your story?"

Maggie smiled at the elder's heavy midland drawl. "Oh, I'm on my way to Shannonvale."

"Well, that's good you gotta destination in mind," she nodded to punctuate what she'd just said, "Me, I just let the wheels move underneath me."

Beside Rosemary, Fate thrilled at being reunited with the boxer Maggie Pumpkin, but as she relived Maggie's recent exploits, a stunning realization dawned on the specter, 'These horses once shared a profound bond of kinship! And now, across the centuries, they find themselves together again!'

Not accustomed to casual conversation, Maggie fell silent as she struggled to think of something to say. Rosemary turned back to the animal with the book, but chuffed when he'd turned ahead several pages. "Ah well, I've read that one anyway."

Maggie again felt charmed by the elder's colorful drawl, it was a dialect of speech she imagined horses using a long long time ago. "Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well shoot girl, if I minded, I wouldn't be talkin' with ya!" Maggie shyly smiled as the elder continued, "I'm from Thistledown, up north there," she pointed her finger in a sweeping upward motion, Maggie couldn't help but chortle.

"Okay girl, now you gotta tell me something. Tell your dear 'ol Auntie Rosemary what's been troubling you."

"Am I that obvious?"

Rosemary waved her hand impatiently, "C'mon girl! Spill the cider!"

Maggie bowed her head, "I... I can't find the path. It won't appear to me."

Fate leaned forward with interest as Rosemary crossed her arms, "That damn thing is a stupid contraption! It's just about the closest thing to a serve yourself afterlife that I ever did see!"

"Rosemary, do you know what's happening? Why can't I find it?"

Fate whispered in Rosemary's ear; 'Assure her that she is worthy of rebirth.'

"Well girl, first thing you gotta get outta yer head is the idea that you're not worth being born again! That's just silly!"

Astonished, Fate leaned back in her seat. 'I have influenced an animal!' (Though she suspected Rosemary and herself were simply on the same page.)

Maggie nodded as the strange old mare continued, "And I don't approve of how Kromhaut's been handling things! No siree! Letting spirits just fend for themselves!"

As the mare rambled on, Maggie noticed a gradual change in her over-the-top midland drawl. Less down home than a moment ago, Rosemary could now pass for a scholarly northerner, "Then there's Herald Kirsten! He concerns himself more with erasing his past than he does with helping animals!"

"Wait!" Maggie barked, "You know Herald!? I'll have you know he's been nothing but kind and compassionate to me! He's the most selfless animal I've ever seen, so don't you go and badmouth him!"

"You are a loyal friend," Rosemary said in proper high common.

Maggie snorted, "Just who the fuck are you?"

"Have you spoken to any trees?" Rosemary asked, her demeanor suddenly cagey and shifty. Maggie was caught off guard, but she sputtered in the affirmative. "What did they tell you, dear?"

This question confused Maggie, "Uh, well... nothing useful. They sent me to these four strangers-" Rosemary waved her hand, "Nevermind them! Did the trees say anything about how you can become alive again?"

"Uh..." Maggie stammered, "They said something about a debt, and that I died too soon."

"Do you owe the debt, or are you entitled to a payment?"

"They... they said I was owed, but what the fuck does that mean?"

"It means exactly what is implied, somewhere along the way you've acquired some karma. By mentioning that you'd died too soon, the tree was hinting that you could appeal to either the lord of all life, or the goddess of the underworld, and request to be sent back into the world."

Maggie was stunned, "As myself?"

Rosemary nodded, "That's probably why the path is hidden from you, you are expected to be remade, and not reincarnated."

"But... Herald didn't say anything about that!"

"That's because he's a fool," Rosemary said with a smirk, "Oh, pardon me, I seem to have badmouthed him."

Maggie hung her head, "I had no idea...."

"Hmph," the elder chuffed, "I would have made a better spiritual guide than that sailor, and I don't have near as much bad karma!"

Maggie regarded the old horse as she leaned back in her chair, "You're alive, aren't you? You're a living animal."

"Stuck in the same dimension as you," replied the wraith.

The boxer straightened in her seat as she absorbed all that had been told. Maggie took some comfort in the knowledge that a spirit cannot lie, but as she glanced at Rosemary she realized with horror that Rosemary was not a spirit. Lost, desperate, Maggie decided that a lie would be better than no information at all, "Can you tell me about these lords of life?"

Rosemary leaned in close, as if she didn't wish any other spirits to hear, "I'll tell you something even better, see that blonde mare in the next car?"

Maggie looked through the glass door at the rear of the car and unconsciously squinted her eyes, as if the gesture would help her see better, "The mare in the tan-colored coat?"

"Ayep, that one can hear us ghosts," Rosemary said, slipping back into her country bumpkin persona, "Now go and talk to her, girl! Go and see what she might be able to do for ya!"

Maggie realized that it would indeed be handy to have a living animal to talk to. Rising, she cast Rosemary a sideways glance before making her way through the car. At the last moment, Rosemary called after her, "Remember girl, get yourself remade!"

The boxer waved the wraith's words away as she passed into the next car. There she found a pretty equine mare seated in a secluded handicapped area. Maggie moved to sit down near the blind equine's red walking stick. "You must be blind."

"Do all dead animals have such keen powers of observation?"

"Hmph," Maggie chuffed, "How did you know I was dead? I don't think I sound any different than someone who's alive."

The blind mare turned away from Maggie to press her nose against the cool window, where she gazed sightlessly at the passing countryside.

"Hey," Maggie gruffed, "How can you tell that I'm dead?"

"It's your voice. You may not hear it, but there's a tinny mechanical sound to your voice, like you're a long distance phone call." The blind mare turned her sightless white eyes upon Maggie, and for an instant the boxer flinched, fearing a golden flame might issue forth, "So, what do you want?"

"Want?"

"You're going to ask for something. What is it? Want me to contact some living relative of yours?"

"Oh, it's nothing like that! That weird old mare in the other car said I should come talk to you."

"Do you always listen to wise-ass strangers?"

The blind mare put her nose back against the glass and closed her eyes. She seemed to settle down for a nap, leaving Maggie worried that she'd failed to connect with the mare. As she waited, Maggie mulled over Rosemary's words. 'The idea of a path really is a dumb idea. It's ambiguous, and what about animals like me who can't find it?'

What's more, Maggie wondered why Herald never mentioned the four strangers. 'The trees knew about them, so Herald had to know...'

Maggie thought of the callous way they'd dismissed her in the diner, and how the mouse had left her along the side of the road. 'Maybe Herald was right not to mention them, they're just a bunch of assholes.'

"So what's your name?" The blind mare asked.

"Oh, I'm Maggie Pumpkin."

"Pumpkin?" the mare said through her bushy mane, "That's a cute name, you come from a farming family?"

"No, I come from a line of equestrian infantry fighters. My original family name was Balin, but an ancestor changed it to Pumpkin."

"My name's Shelly, Shelly Holden," she pressed her nose back against the window, "Beats me what a 'Holden' does."

Maggie smiled, then struggled to think of something intelligent to say, "So, where you headed?"

"Okay, so why Pumpkin? If your ancestor wasn't a farmer?"

Sensing the pair's burgeoning inter-dimensional girl talk was advancing to the next level, Maggie desperately tried to seem engaging, "I dunno, maybe my ancestor liked pumpkins?"

Shelly smiled, "So, where are you going? Just passing time?"

"I'm looking for a friend. He said he might be retiring to Shannonvale, and I need to find him."

"I'm off that way myself, starting a new job."

Maggie's form shimmered. "I remember working a job. It's funny, I'd almost give anything to go back to one."

"Why don't you try and go back to being alive?"

The memory of the trees returned to Maggie, with their cryptic message of a debt, and then Rosemary! Was there really someone somewhere keeping score of an animal's karma? "That's my plan, but I'd rather bypass the whole childhood ordeal if I can."

"You mean you want to try and have skin put back over your ghost?"

Maggie nickered, "Aren't we all just ghosts driving meat-covered skeletons?"

Shelly gently nodded. She wore a sad melancholy smile that concerned Maggie, but the poor boxer had no idea how to ask if she was alright. The pair settled into a (somewhat) comfortable silence as the conductor moved through the car checking tickets and seeing to other safety concerns. Maggie knew that it was best to stay quiet until they got going again so Shelly didn't come off as a loon, talking to someone who wasn't there.

'That's what I am right now.' Maggie thought, 'A non-entity.'

Out of curiosity, and a desire for more information, Maggie moved to the rear of the car to peer through the window. Rosemary was nowhere to be found. With an annoyed chuff, Maggie moved back to Shelly's side. "Shelly, how come you can hear me? Are you psychic?"

Shelly cupped her hand over her mouth, "I've always been able to hear spirits. One of my early childhood friends turned out to be a ghost. Spirits are just something I've always been attuned to."

"Wow..." Maggie replied. "Don't they bother you?"

"Sometimes." Shelly said tightly. Maggie bowed her head. "Um, you want me to leave you alone?"

"No Maggie, I'd love to have you stay with me for as long as you can."

Maggie smiled warmly, then she remembered Shelly couldn't see her. "Uh, thanks Shelly."

The train rolled into a station. There was a murmur of voices amongst the ghosts as many of them disembarked. Maggie glanced back to find the odd shadow darkening the rear passenger car. 'What the fuck is that?'

She turned back to Shelly to find the mare with her nose pressed back against the glass. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be napping. Maggie felt better about being left alone this time, though she still irrationally feared that Shelly might've become bored with her. "I saw something really unusual yesterday morning, and then the trees started piping up! Never heard them so talkative."

A gruff looking stallion shuffled over to the handicapped area and plopped down across from Shelly. Maggie frowned at the interruption, then bid Shelly a good trip. Shelly nodded with a smile. Maggie couldn't recall ever having such a nice conversation with someone. It surprised her that she felt a warm ache of friendship for the blind mare. She was pretty, and almost the same color that Maggie remembered being in life. Her long mane was worn low over her muzzle, partially obscuring her cloudy white eyes.

"You have a pretty pink nose." Maggie heard herself saying. Shelly shyly smiled as the train shunted for a moment and then began to roll. Maggie settled back and wished that she could feel the soothing rhythm of the wheels from beneath the floor as the train began it's voyage north.

Once the train passed the far northern edge of Avalon, it turned east and moved inland. The wide rolling hills of Avalon gave way to the dense forests of Shannonvale. These pristine, 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. The coach lurched from side to side as the train rumbled to a stop. Maggie glanced at the clock and noted that it'd only been forty five minutes since they left Albany. The gruff equine seated near Shelly hauled himself up and shuffled to the door. Shelly breathed a sigh of relief in his wake.

"He stank, didn't he?" Maggie asked.

"Yep."

The train resumed it's voyage, and as Maggie looked on a tall slender avian moved through the coach checking animal's passports. He appeared beside Shelly and gently clacked his mandible, "Passport?"

Shelly lifted her pocket flap to present her Shannonvali guest worker's visa. "Thank you Miss," he said, and moved on.

"Next stop is mine," Shelly said. Maggie chimed back, "Are you going to have to take the train every day?"

"My commute takes less time than some animals who have to fight their way through downtown traffic."

"Okay, well... take care of yourself Shelly."

The train again prepared to stop. Shelly smiled gently. "Bye, Maggie."

Shelly got to her feet and made several loud clicks, then made for the door, "I'll be in this car every day, if you ever want someone to talk to."

"Thanks," Maggie replied in a small voice.

Shelly turned to go, as Maggie leapt from her seat. "Well, I don't exactly know where my friend is, so I may as well start at the very southern part and work my way north!"

Shelly nodded with a smile, "Okay!" then she wiggled her ears; "You know, if you don't mind, you could make excellent eyes for me. Just let me know if I'm about to walk into something."

"Certainly!" Maggie chimed, pleased to be of help to someone. "Just bear left, the walkway is about to curve 'round."

"Thanks Maggie, and I'm looking for bus twenty two."

"Turn right in fifteen steps, I see it just ahead."

Shelly did as Maggie instructed, then grunted as she bumped into a fire plug. "Oh! Sorry!" Maggie squeaked, "I was looking at the bus."

"No problem," Shelly replied, "I'd say we're doing fairly well so far."

Actually, Shelly's desire for aid was not needed. After a quarter century of blindness, Shelly's visual cortex had become quite adept at taking information from her primary auditory cortex, and repurposing the signals to create a three dimensional image of her surroundings. Using her lips to create a sharp clicking sound, Shelly routinely utilized a type of echolocation to navigate her surroundings. It was quite remarkable really, although Shelly could still find herself in trouble if she wasn't careful. Maggie fell in beside Shelly to provide a running commentary of what lay just ahead. Shelly was pleased that Maggie seemed to have found a renewed sense of purpose, for as long as it would last, anyway. Soon the females were on the bus and headed toward the high hills, "I'm going to be working for an eagle family. They need a clean-up animal because eagles don't have hands like us mammals."

"But you're blind," Maggie said.

"Oh, I do okay," Shelly replied, "If you have some time, I could really use your help learning the layout of their house."

"Oh, ummm... okay."

"It's okay if you want to go and find your friend."

"No, it's okay," Maggie said, "I'll stay with you."

"What happened, anyway?"

"Pardon?"

"You said something weird happened yesterday morning," Shelly said, careful to avoid looking like she was talking to herself, "What was it?"

"I'm not sure," Maggie replied with a far away tone, "I saw some animals, living animals, who looked like they were on fire. Only, it was ghost fire, something from the spirit world."

Shelly felt oddly disturbed by the mental image. Maggie herself would have shivered if she'd been alive, "Gods, I didn't know what they were. I wanted to be afraid, but something inside me wanted to be with them. I wanted to get lost in those eyes," Maggie looked down upon the light shimmering within her chest, "It's the same light!"

"Pardon?" Shelly asked in a hushed voice. "My light! It's the same sort of light the strangers had shining out of their eyes! Those animal's spirits were shining out of their eyes!"

"They do say the eyes are the window to the soul," Shelly offered. Maggie marveled at the discovery, "These strangers, they knew Herald! They must be working with him somehow!"

"Herald?" Shelly peeped. As Maggie attempted to reply, her vision became far away as she settled into another trance. Maggie's mind beheld the image of a wide rocky vista as Shelly awaited a reply, "Maggie?"

"Look!" called Henry Granger, his vigorous pointing over Isadora Ironwing's shoulder placing him in real jeopardy, "Look at the regression in that sedimentary basin! There's got to be artifacts in that rock!"

Now firmly trapped within the spiritual introspection, the avian partner of Maggie's past self adjusted her flight attitude, hoping to correct her professor's hazardous lean, "Careful doctor, if you pitch off, I don't think I could catch you with all the gear I'm carrying!"

Henry patted his friend's neck, "Yes Miss Isadora, you're doing very well. Now, let's set down near the stream!"

The sun was warm, very warm for an early march day, but that's what the badlands had to offer. The rainy season had just ended, and there were many streams still meandering through the great sandstone canyons. I believe the time is one hundred and seventy years from the present modern day.

"Oh," Henry chuffed, noting his friend's speedy descent, "Can you land well enough?"

Henry was answered by the tremendous muscles of Isadora's shoulder as the great golden eagle spread her wings and flared her tail. Their descent was slowed by half as Isadora nimbly set down despite carrying a hundred pounds of gear, (plus a small pony.) Henry felt humbled, and for a moment his heart ached with desire.

Henry slid from Isadora. Squinting up at her, he dusted himself off; "Yes, well... very good."

"Doctor, could you unfasten the straps? They've become exceedingly uncomfortable."

Isadora folded her long legs beneath her torso as Henry went to work, pulling off tool kits, reference manuals, and other items pertaining to geology. "Isadora, I don't believe you've properly explained your interest in paleontology. It's not a common avian interest, how did you come to find yourself here?"

"Well, what draws any animal to a specific discipline?"

"A very good answer!" Henry replied with a stubby finger directed at her face, "Now pay attention! I'm trying to save you from a life of poverty and frustration!"

Isadora smiled, "I'm afraid it's too late."

Henry shrugged, "Aye lassie, I suppose it's too late for me as well."

"What drew you to geology, doctor?"

A gesture from the pony brought Isadora's eyes to the distant hillside, "When I first laid eyes on a Titan's skeleton, I was lost. To think that creatures such as those once walked Elysium, I knew that I'd never be happy unless I followed their footsteps, wherever they may lead."

Isadora shivered, her feathered crest rousing in a thoughtful poof, "Aye doctor, that's my feeling as well..."

"Maggie," Shelly hissed as the driver announced Ayre Street, "Maggie, I have to go!"

There was no reply from her invisible friend, and so Shelly departed the coach with a heavy heart, 'I should have known she wouldn't be reliable.'

Sometime later, Maggie Pumpkin woke from her trance. The afternoon shadows were long, and Maggie realized with horror that many hours had passed since she last spoke with Shelly. The coach accelerated from it's parking area, and meandered along a picturesque hilltop road. Maggie thought to leap from the coach, but hesitated, 'Shelly may be back this way, I'll just wait.'

Sure enough, Shelly Holden re-boarded the coach as Maggie cried out a greeting. Shelly offered a half-hearted wave, then settled down for the ride home. "How was your day?" Maggie asked.

"The eagle family was very nice. I think there's a ghost living there, but I can't be sure."

"Really?"

Shelly nodded, but said no more. Maggie fretted that she'd upset Shelly by losing her sense of time, and she apologized for her episode.

"It's okay," Shelly sighed, "It seems like all the bad spirits hang on to me, while the ones I do want around always disappear for days or weeks on end."

"Bad spirits?" Maggie asked, her tone full of concern. "Yeah," Shelly replied, "I'm being bothered by this ghost named Clint Trickett."

Maggie pressed her new friend for details, but Shelly seemed to not want to talk about it, "Aren't you getting off?" Shelly asked, "To look for your friend?"

"I'd say I found one," Maggie replied, her voice warm and thoughtful.

The voyage back to Albany went much faster, on account of a direct train that bypassed Avalon and made straight for the Mid City area. The only thing that bolloxed it was the dozen stops the train made traversing the city center.

"What about getting off the train in mid city?" Maggie asked, "Then hop onto the Underground for a direct line to Aurora, and Albany?"

"Underground's been shut down for six or seven years now."

"Really?" Maggie gasped, "How come?"

"The individual states couldn't hash out a deal to share expenses for it's upkeep, so the whole thing was abandoned."

"That's why the train is so crowded," Maggie breathed, "Wow, I feel like I've been on the moon."

"What do you do during the days?" Shelly asked, as a passing animal noted the mare's question, then looked about to see if she was addressing him.

"I mostly just walk around. I used to go to my old gym, but now it's torn down. They had one of my portraits on the wall there, and I liked to look at it to help remember what I used to look like."

"You can't look in a mirror?"

The canid male seated across from Shelly was becoming concerned for the blind equine as Maggie, caught up in her chat, had completely failed to notice, "A ghost doesn't have any sort of reflection. I can't look in a mirror, or into water and see myself. All I can do is look down upon my body, or I can see the sides of my muzzle if I concentrate. But I haven't seen my own face for a long long time now."

Maggie sighed, "I'm going to miss Golden Gloves."

Maggie's name... and now the mention of this gymnasium... the clues finally fell into place for Shelly, "You're Maggie Pumpkin, the boxer."

"Miss?" Said a voice, "Are you okay?"

"Pardon?" Shelly asked, her ears swiveling about like radar dishes. "Do you need me to call someone?" Asked the male. Shelly shook her head, "No, just leave me alone. I was practicing for a dramatic play I'm doing."

"Oh..." the canid breathed, obviously relieved, "Very well."

Maggie would have whistled if she had lips, "Nice thinking, and yes! I'm Maggie Pumpkin! Do you know my boxing?"

Shelly gently nodded. Maggie understood that they had to quiet down for a time, she glanced over at the clock, "It's six thirty, Shelly."

Shelly again nodded to acknowledge the boxer. Maggie breathed a happy sigh, "I'm glad to be your eyes Shelly, I promise I'll try and be there for you." Shelly risked another utterance, "My dad's going to flip his lid when he finds out I'm bringing you home, you were his favorite growing up!"

'Home...' Maggie thought, 'I'm going home...'

To the north, Justin Brightwing soared upon the winds that blew each evening before sunset, "Dad! Where are you!?"

"Here!" came Tristan's voice, "Near Loraline peak!"

Justin set down on the craggy landmark and roused his feathers, "Wasn't Shelton's sister wonderful?"

"Hmm," Tristan replied, "Yes, she was."

"I think it'll be good for mom to have a helper like Shelly."

"Justin, I swear that every time I spoke to you..." Justin bobbed his head to invite his father to continue, "I feel like she could hear me, Justin. It was unnerving."

"Dad! If she can hear you, then maybe my ability isn't all that uncommon! Maybe lots of animals can hear ghosts-" Justin caught himself, "Er, spirits."

"That's what I am," Tristan said ruefully, "I'm a ghost, haunting your mother."

"Dad, don't say that!"

"Justin, It's very hard to continue on like this."

"Aw, stop being so fatalistic..."

"Justin, things became fatalistic when I had my heart attack! You should let me go, son."

"Dad, let's just start again tomorrow. Let's see if Shelly really can hear you. It might open some kind of door or something."

"You really ought to get home son, this is a school night."

"Dad, I really think we should talk about this. I don't want to leave you while you're upset."

"Your mother is probably cooking dinner, you should go and stop arguing with me."

Justin laughed, "Dad, do you know how hilarious this is? I'm being nagged from beyond the grave!"

Tristan chortled, "Still and all, you should get home. Elly might start to worry, it has only been a few months since your accident."

"You sound like you're not coming back with me."

Tristan was silent for a time, the only sounds being the swaying of the trees as they leaned over the eagles and listened. "Justin, it hurts more and more to see your mother. Sometimes I can't bear it, I miss her so badly."

"Dad, we should tell mom and Ashley about you. We should tell them you're still with us."

"Justin, I... no. They'd think you'd gone mental."

"Not if Shelly can vouch for you!"

"Then they'd think you're both playing some sick game! I'm sorry Justin, but no... it's out of the question!"

"What if we devise some kind of way to prove you're here?"

"Oh?" Tristan asked, his excitement reluctantly building, "What do you suggest?"

"We could ask mom to fly around outside and then say something. You could be out there with her to hear it. Then, you could come back and tell me what it was she said. Then I'd tell mom!"

Tristan had to admit that it was indeed a simple yet effective way to at least give weight to the assertion that he was present. "Let me think about it."

"I want you to come back home with me, please."

Tristan smiled, "I love you, son."

"And I love you dad, now come on!"

Back in Albany, Maggie blinked at the simplicity of Shelly's word game, "So that's how you got your folks to believe in ghosts?"

"How else could they explain it? It was easier for them to believe in ghosts than to believe that I could somehow hear what they'd said from across town."

Shelly and Maggie made their way from the Fourth Street bus stop, down into Shelly's neighborhood. The sun was just about to dip down beneath the hills, ushering a crisp and chilly evening. "Are you okay walking around at night?" Maggie asked. Shelly shrugged, "More or less. Clint is usually with me. He'll warn me about any unsavory characters."

Crossing Forest Drive, Maggie got her first look at the Holden's home. It was a lovely white four bedroom with large parlor windows and a nice chimney rising up along the west facing side. Maggie thought the place comfortable, although the neighborhood it's self recalled better days.

"Maggie, I have to remind you about Clint, he's probably going to pop up anytime now."

"Hey girl!" Called a rough, craggy voice. Maggie wrinkled her nose at the ghost, "Who's your friend? She's quite a looker!"

"This is him," Shelly said, "Good 'ol Clint."

"At your service!" the ghost chimed as he fell in beside Maggie, "What's your name, love?"

"Don't call me 'love.'" Maggie hissed, looking the stallion up and down. Now, I should mention that most ghosts bear some sort of residual outline of the clothing they wore in life, but not Clint Trickett. He appeared nude, with a thick rack of abdominal muscles and a rather large member swinging between his legs. It horrified Maggie that such an obscene ghost was hanging around a sweet girl like Shelly, "You horrible hobgoblin! You should find somewhere else to be! Now!"

"Take it easy, Maggie," Shelly said with a gesture toward the front porch, "Clint is a sad story, so I put up with him."

"Hey!" Trickett snorted as Shelly bid Maggie enter. Inside, the Holden's residence was a stately manor with many framed photographs adorning the walls. Maggie did her best to ignore Clint as she looked to several of the portraits before Shelly called out to her parents, "Mom! Dad! I have the boxer Maggie Pumpkin with me!"

Gabriel Holden rushed from the back parlor room to hug his daughter, then smiled about the room, "Maggie? Two time welterweight champ?"

Shelly smiled, said; "Maggie says, 'Female welterweight champ,'"

"I couldn't have beat any of the females you went up against," Gabriel nickered, "And Maggie Pumpkin! Wow! I was a big fan! I mean, I still am!"

The stallion settled down upon the sofa as a mature mare joined them, "I was there when you fought Lily Gardner for the divisional title!"

"Really?" Maggie breathed, whilst Clint Trickett snorted, apparently annoyed at not being the center of Shelly's attention. He muttered a curse before departing the home. Shelly breathed a sigh of relief as she introduced Maggie to her mother. "They seem really accepting of your abilities," Maggie noted, "And please tell your folks it's lovely to meet them."

Gabriel gushed a bit more, thrilled to have a hero from his younger days drop by for a visit. Maggie delighted Gabriel with small-talk, and provided him some details of her personal life, though Shelly seemed a tad embarrassed relating some of her exploits.

Maggie then made comment of Missy Holden's portraits, "I like how dramatic your mom looks in these pictures, is she a conductor?"

"Maggie likes your conductor photos, mom." Shelly said. Missy offered a girlish shrug as she thanked their supernatural visitor. Maggie looked closely at one of Missy's early portraits, and thought to comment how much Missy resembled her in her days of life, but she looked to Gabriel who still wore a broad smile. 'Better not, might become awkward.'

The family settled into their nighttime routine. It seemed that not even the dead could alter an animal's normal habits. Maggie moved through the front door and out onto the porch where she found Clint Trickett. She glanced at him as the stallion offered a conciliatory wave.

"Why are you hanging around a young mare, anyway? To oogle her when she takes a bath?"

Trickett cocked his head, as if the thought hadn't occurred to him until just now. "Maybe..."

"That's gross! Herald would never let someone like you hassle a living animal."

"Herald?" Trickett said with a chortle, "Let me tell you about Herald Kirsten!" he leaned forward with a treacherous gleam in his eye, "Our lovely Herald's surname is not 'Kirsten,' but Vanderdecken! In life he was a ship's captain, master of the Mantuan Exeter he was!"

Maggie blinked in disbelief. Trickett punctuated his revelation with a haughty nod, "Our Herald hides behind his homosexual lover's name because a great shame was heaped upon his!"

"Wait a minute," Maggie interjected, "The Mantuan Exeter, you're talking about The Flying Mantuan! That's an opera, asshole!"

"Based upon the legend of Herald Vanderdecken," Trickett retorted.

A troubling memory of Herald came to Maggie, bitter now since she'd come to this knowledge; 'I was a ship's captain, and a mariner. Though mostly, I busied myself making bad decisions.'

Maggie leapt to her feet as Trickett laughed a foul mocking torment - "Yes Maggie! Your lovely Herald is a murderer!"

The mare rushed back into the home and to one of Missy Holden's portraits, "Shelly! Can you please ask your mother about her pictures?"

"Pardon?" Shelly answered from the kitchen. Maggie urgently paced the room, "Shelly, I need to know about the Mantuan opera, is it based on a real ship?"

Shelly relayed the question. Missy asserted that she thought the story was based upon a factual event that has since morphed into the present tale. "Although the fact that there's real ghosts certainly gives credence to the more fantastical elements of the story."

Shelly cocked her head to listen to her unseen friend, "Maggie has a friend named Herald Kirsten who is a large black eagle. His name might actually be Vanderdecken."

Missy was struck by Trickett's past claims of serving as a sailor aboard the Mantuan. 'Could he be telling the truth?'

"Shelly, is Clint here?"

"I certainly am!" Trickett chimed. "Clint's here, mom." Shelly said.

"Can you ask him about the Mantuan?"

Maggie dismissed Clint with a wave of her hand, "What the fuck would you know about it?"

"I was there," Trickett replied, "I was a boatswain aboard the Exeter..."

---

The Flying Mantuan

---

Clint Trickett walked a slow steady circle around the Holden family's sofa as the equines settled down to hear the dead stallion's tale. Maggie Pumpkin tucked herself behind a side table, scowling at the boatswain. Clint nodded to her, 'She ought to know the whole story, the real story...'

"I'm ready," Shelly said. Trickett sighed, "Aye, I suppose I am too."

After a moment to collect his thoughts, Trickett began; "Fifteen hundred years ago, we sailed from Macau, the northern most port of Mantua. We carried goods and sundries north to the port of Calais-" Maggie interrupted him with an impatient grunt, "Yeah, yeah! Tell me about Herald!"

While paused, Shelly relayed his words to her parents. Trickett was surprised at how difficult it was to speak of Kirsten and the Mantuan. He drew a long breath, then continued, "The life of a sailor is punctuated first and foremost by hunger. Even while we carried vast stores of foodstuffs from the exotic realm, our own bellies lay empty through the terribly long voyage. One day, quite suddenly actually, Herald Vanderdecken alighted from the Exeter and flew to a nearby shoal. When he returned, the Exeter's floorboards became stained with a sea mammal's blood."

Missy shifted uncomfortably as her daughter relayed Trickett's words. As the boatswain continued, his nude form became clothed in the shadowy vestiges of a sailor's uniform. "Our shipmates initially cried out against what he'd done, and some even threatened mutiny, believing Herald unfit to captain a vessel at sea, but lo, none held fast to their principals. Hunger has a way of numbing an animal's scruples you see, and so the first officer, a large bald eagle named Randall took to accompanying Kirsten on his flights, murdering the marine seals and other mammals who dwelt along the southern coasts."

Trickett smiled haughtily, "The mates came to gladly accept the carcasses they'd bring back!"

"Beetle shit!" Maggie roared, "Herald would never do that!"

"Maggie," Shelly said softly, "You ought to listen to him."

With a glance at Maggie, Trickett continued, "Our killing spree lasted for months, and our dear Herald racked up an impressive body count. Until, on the night of the new moon, something came for us. We'd set out from Vahevala, the main port city of Avalon just two days prior. Captain Vanderdecken set his sights firmly on the whales, and fitted the Exeter with a potent new harpoon gun," Trickett smiled, "It would have been a slaughter."

"So?" Maggie barked, "What happened?"

"Nothing," Trickett replied, "Day after day the Exeter struck not a breath nor motion. We sat idle, unable to sail nor give chase to the marine mammals who now knew our bloody repute."

Trickett paused before a portrait of Missy leading a performance of The Flying Mantuan. "Then, the darkness of the new moon descended upon us. One after the other, our crew disappeared into an all-encompassing fog. Vanished, until just three remained... myself, Vanderdecken, and Ebenezer the cook."

He began to pace the room, to and fro he walked as he relived that night, "I don't know how soon it was before Ebenezer disappeared, nor do I know what became of him, if he threw himself overboard or the entity felt him innocent and whisked him away. Either way, his body was never found."

From her seat, Shelly began to tremble. Not yet aware of the weight of Trickett's revelations, Missy held Shelly and attempted to comfort her. "Then there were two, and that's when he came..."

"He?" Maggie asked, not believing one iota of the stallion's tale.

"The darkness was vanquished by a tongue of flame which took the form of a serpent. An angry voice issued from the fire, declaring us guilty of a dreadful crime in it's sight."

Trickett bowed his head, "The fiery serpent cast judgement upon us, and so ordained Herald Vanderdecken to traverse the ocean he'd dishonored, never to make landfall nor speak to another living animal, until the period of his penance be expired."

Shelly relayed all that was said to her parents who marveled at the novelty of hearing such a first hand account. 'When animals used to report seeing that ghost ship,' Missy thought, 'They were actually telling the truth.'

"What happened to you?" Maggie asked, the mention of a fiery entity now undermining her disbelief, "If Herald was trapped aboard the ship, what did the fire dragon do to you?"

Trickett grimaced at Maggie, "I was spirited away, arriving within a spiritual underworld where I found myself held fast by a tree. I languished as a prisoner for hundreds of years with my decomposing body rotting at my feet," he turned away with a shudder, "Whilst they tormented me, for I was made to hear the names of the mammals we'd murdered, o'er and o'er."

Maggie went to the window and thought of Trickett's description of a tongue of flame in the shape of a dragon. 'Those strangers, they were on fire. There has to be a connection.'

"Was this entity a god?" Shelly asked. Trickett offered a shrug, "If it be so, I fear animalkind is sorely wanting."

The family was quiet for a great long while. Trickett became very annoyed that the females weren't repelled by his revelations. On the contrary, they'd become even more fascinated by the enigmatic ship's captain!

Missy rose from her place on the sofa to stand before the portrait of herself, "What about coming ashore every seventeen years? To see if any animal might offer him forgiveness?"

"Doubtless a romanticized account of the legend, popularized in the opera of which you are so fond," Shelly relayed, "Such a condition was not a part of the judgement handed down by the fiery dragon."

Maggie bowed her head, for she knew now that Herald was indeed accorded a parole every seventeen years, to visit with his long lost husband. Anger and frustration surged within Maggie as she raged against Herald's unfair treatment; "This is beast-shit!" Maggie spat, her mind refusing to believe that Herald could do such things, but even as she spoke, Maggie recalled Barney's words, 'A spirit cannot lie...'

Trickett smiled wickedly, "Kirsten spent a thousand years traversing the great sea, cold, but a ghost flowing through his veins..." he became distracted by a gasp from Shelly. Maggie seized on his pause, "And you know what happened then? The gods forgave him! They gave Herald a great duty, to help wayward spirits find their way to a new life!"

Trickett snorted as Shelly relayed Maggie's words. "And if the gods can forgive Herald, I most certainly can too!"

"Twas I who bore witness to his savagery! If you knew Herald as I do, you would not be so quick to pardon him!"

"Let me tell you about the Herald I know," Maggie retorted, "He appeared to me on my first night being dead! He stayed with me, he offered me more comfort than my mom or dad ever did!"

Shelly relayed what was said. Missy's eyes shimmered with emotion, 'Oh, Maggie...'

"Clint, why don't you just admit it," Maggie hissed, "You're jealous of Herald! The fact that the gods gave him an important job just irks the shit out of you!"

The boatswain snorted and turned to go, but paused as Maggie asked him; "Do you know where Herald lived when he was alive?"

"Aye, follow the river Elbe up. His home was rumored to be near Thistledown, a township situated at the forks of the Elbe and Brandywine."

Maggie nodded, "Thank you, Clint. And, for what it's worth, I think you would have made a good spiritual guide."

"I guess we'll never know, eh?" Trickett murmured as the high path appeared to him. It's steps sang lovingly, and a gentle white mist reached out in welcome... "Do you see it, Maggie?"

"See what?"

Trickett sighed, 'So here it ends, in this strange modern world.'

"Clint, would you... like to come with me?"

"And see Kirsten again!? I think not!" The spirit checked his anger as Maggie turned away. He apologized, "Forgive me, lass."

A gentle hush fell over the home, and it seemed to Maggie that Trickett's inner light had become a little bit brighter. "I've nothing to say to him, nor I'd wager he'd have to me. Our business is done, and so should I be."

"What do you mean?" Maggie asked, but she already knew what the mariner meant. "For too long I've lingered, being little more than a coin that can't be tossed. I'm tired, Maggie... it's time to be going..."

Maggie's gaze became far away. In a waking dream the Holden's home fell away, becoming instead a neolithic landscape with great tall trees, and the figures of cornstalks that bent and swayed in the evening breeze. The great arm of the spiral galaxy hung overhead, it's splendor undimmed by the pollution of the modern age. Bathed in the soft starlight, Maggie looked down upon her body as it bent, contorted, and reshaped it's self. Soon she found that she was no longer a horse, but an eagle... 'Maggie, I have done this.... for you.'

Maggie cried out. She found herself back within the Holden's parlor. It seemed that many hours had passed, for the home was dark and quiet. A gentle snoring issued from the corner bedroom, leaving Maggie with a great pang of longing to join this family. Finally, she sighed, 'Thank you Clint, take care of yourself.'

The boxer resigned herself to a hallway nook near Shelly's room and willed herself to embark upon another dream. Restlessness. This feeling of urgency had come to punctuate her existence, 'Am I going to end up like Rosemary? Am I going to be trapped here forever?'

Maggie gazed up, 'God, if you're out there, won't you help me?'

As Maggie pondered the very nature of her existence, Fate's dark presence entered the home. She gazed down upon the equine spirit and felt herself asking the very same questions. 'The void created me, but... whence does the darkness come? Is there some god who created me? And if so, who created them?'

'How can there be a god? Where would they come from?' Maggie thought, her spark of ancient light aching to mingle with the fiery majesty of the four strangers. 'They know who god is... they know.'

Fate smiled gently, 'Or perhaps... they know not.'

I must admit, dear Marigold, 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 fate settled down beside Maggie, 'I regret that I cannot touch you. I would hold you, and comfort you, as an animal might. As Herald did.'

More than anything, Fate craved love and contact. 'Rest, Maggie. Sleep now and dream.'

And so, Maggie did. She settled into a deep and profound retrospection, whilst unbeknownst to her, her outer form changed whenever she visited the life of some past incarnation. Maggie's broad robust outline became small and petite as she recalled the life of a little pony who lived a long long time ago...

---

Part Two

---

Crown Princess Olivia d'Shannonvale emerged from a large thatch hut, accompanied by a muscular leopard who shivered in the cold. The snow had intensified in the intervening hours since Olivia's arrival, and the temperature had dropped many scores of degrees. "They will find your informant," said Jabal Shammar, the Sultan of White Ruthenia, "And I fear that they might find you, Her Highness should not travel openly and without an armed escort."

"I believe the closer I am to danger, the further I am from harm," replied the golden eagle. The Sultan bowed, "Then I pray for your safe return."

The two leaders bid one other farewell. Princess Olivia smiled to a small equine pony who wrinkled her nose as she shivered in the cold. "You look ready to be off."

"We should not have stopped here, Majesty! Precious time has lapsed!"

Olivia knelt low for her friend to climb aboard, "Then, let's be off!"

The pony climbed atop the eagle, then fastened a safety lanyard about her waist. She yelped as Olivia pushed off with her legs and leapt into the air. The chill wind grasped at Margrey Balin's mane, whilst she cursed her shoddy goggles, 'I'll throttle the sod who sold me these!'

It wasn't long before Olivia identified the rock formation she was to seek. The landscape was almost featureless, but the arch-shaped landmark was easy to spot. She made a slow pass over the area to ensure there were no nasty surprises awaiting them. "All appears in order!"

"Except for your presence here!" Margrey cried, "My lady, won't you please send me ahead to meet the lion?"

"I shan't hear another word, Margrey! This lion has risked his life on occasions too numerous to count. He deserves to meet the lady who'd benefit from his noble efforts!"

Margrey fell silent. She gripped her bow defiantly as the great eagle prepared to set down. All manner of treacheries flashed through Margrey's mind, so she busied herself formulating an escape plan should their meeting sour.

Quiet as a whisper, Olivia set down in the snow and promptly sank down to her waist. Margrey shivered once again as Olivia strode through the drift toward the protection of a wooded thicket. There, the eagle shrugged her equine companion from her shoulder and pried off her pack. "Lady?"

"Climb between my legs," Olivia said, "Take shelter within my feathers."

Too cold to argue, Margrey climbed beneath her future ruler like a cranky hoofed chick.

"Be ready," Olivia said, "I believe they are coming."

Far far away, a sleeping Justin Brightwing murmured, "Yes, I can see them."

From the parlor, Tristan Brightwing approached his son's room with curious concern, 'I've never heard him talk in his sleep before.'

"Oh dear," Olivia said, "Margrey, the lions are armed."

Margrey sputtered a curse as she climbed out from beneath her friend, "Well this complicates things, eh?!"

"Come," Olivia said, taking the equine's coat in her beak to pull her along, "We must attempt to make contact."

"They broke their promise!" Margrey argued.

Olivia gestured to Margrey's bow, "And are we not also armed?"

Margrey frowned, but kept her bow at the ready.

"Good tidings Karl Kuhn!" Olivia called to the animals who approached, "'Tis good to meet you at long last!"

Margrey pushed her way through the protective thicket to greet two lions of intimidating stature. One of the felines was elder, his broad face creased with fatigue and concern. The other lion was young, far too young for soldiering, but his face was honest and open. Margrey could not help but be charmed by the youngster. Olivia herself was relieved by the pair's demeanor, and so too was Justin. Both lions wore their manes cropped in a most severe manner, making their large round ears stick up in a most amusing way. Clad in the green uniform tunics of a Royal Lancer, Olivia wondered if their short green kilts afforded their private parts any protection from the cold.

The pair stood silently, waiting patiently as the females sized them up. Margrey gripped her bow, then abruptly tossed it aside. She wiped her nose, then glanced about as if she were on a mid-morning stroll, "I must admit, your early messages were something of an an enigma," Margrey said, "There were many who argued that you were a saboteur, attempting to feed us false information."

"That is why I have come," Karl replied, "So that you may look into my eyes and find no deceit."

"My name is Margrey Balin," said the pony, but she clapped her mouth shut as the younger lion snorted back a laugh.

"Something funny?"

"Nein, no."

Karl smiled, then bowed to the eagle, "Princess Olivia I presume."

Margrey waved her arms; issued a fierce hiss. Olivia hushed her, then nodded to the lions, "I am Olivia."

Karl and his young charge bowed their respect. Olivia smiled her thanks before she became grave, "What of the offensive? What is Von Toth's plan?"

"Marshal Toth is dissatisfied with the length of first brigade's line. It is too long, and requires too many lions to hold it," Karl paused, his conscience offering up a fierce protest. Despite his desire to save lives, Karl had, after all, sworn an oath to serve his empire.

"The field of view is poor along the road to Levant, and the defensive organization there lacks depth. For these reasons, Toth has instructed the divisional commander to undertake operations to straighten out this angle," Margrey nodded, committing Karl's words to a small notebook, "On February 14th, there's to be a series of partial operations, each well supported by artillery, which should culminate in an invasion of Shannonvale it's self."

Olivia was stunned, but not surprised.

From his tunic Karl produced several documents, "Here is a list of troop formations and assignments, also a list of the targets Toth expects to strike first."

Margrey reached out her hand to receive the intelligence when Karl hesitated, "Do you swear that your forces will attempt, to the best of your ability, to take captive our lions and not obliterate them on the battlefield?"

"I promise," Olivia said with a solemn bow.

Karl bowed his head, then offered the documents to the equine, "I thank you, Great Princess."

Beside Karl, his young charge closed his eyes. He could not bear to look upon the treason his beloved Sergeant'd just committed, despite his belief that they were doing right.

Margrey tucked the papers into her shoulder bag as Olivia approached the lions, "Karl, will you come away with me? I can guarantee your safety."

Karl shook his head. "I thank you, but no. I shall remain with my lions, but my young charge might wish to go..."

"Nein, herr feldwebel," Arno Kose whispered. Olivia smiled warmly to the brave felines, "Bow before me,"

The pair looked to one another, then lowered themselves into the snow. Olivia reached out her massive head and with her beak she touched the lions upon their right shoulder first, and then their left, "Im nomine Animalia Shannonvali," Olivia said in her native language, "I knight you, Karl Kuhn, on behalf of a grateful nation."

Margrey bowed to the pair before she climbed atop her princess, "Farewell, Karl. I hope we may meet again someday."

"Farewell," Karl said, then raised his hand.

"Yes?" Margrey asked.

"Balin, you understand the meaning of your name, yes?"

"Sir Karl, this is hardly-"

"It means 'stupid' in Natufian."

She frowned, "No, I have researched it. My name means to weave, or it may be applied as a title to one who engages in crafts."

Arno Kose shook his head, "Stoopid. Means stoopid," he said in broken common, "Your fore-bears give joke name by felines. You to change it, Balin not good name."

Olivia did her best to hide her smile as Karl bowed once more to the princess, then waved the pair off. Olivia broke into a run, then stepped into the air with her equine mentor. Back upon his sleeping cushion, Justin woke with a start as his modern identity wrenched his spirit from the uncanny excursion. "Justin?" Tristan peeped, "Are you alright? I heard you talking in your sleep."

Justin nodded as he moved to the library to search for a certain large history tome, the one which reproduced period newspaper clippings. 'Ah, there it is,' using his long toes, Justin flipped to the time of the hundred years war and sighed as he read a prominent headline:

"Terrific Attacks on Shannonvale Repulsed; Area north of ruined castle again the centre of combat as Crown Princess Olivia advances against Field Marshal Von Toth's Third Army. Shannonvali forces led by Princess Olivia have driven the lions back to the northwest of Calais where they have shifted the center of violent fighting. During the night of February nineteenth, five fierce assaults were made on the Natufian line. Equestrian infantry supported by avian airpower have delivered a crippling blow to Toth's army. By March fifteenth, Allied Commanders believe the Crown Princess' efforts have thrown down the eighty year old Marshal. My month's end, Shannonvali General Marcus Silverbeam is expected to lead a final advance to rout the lion's war-fighting abilities."

Justin turned away from the book as Tristan ached to comfort his son, "Justin, what is it?"

"It's not right..." Justin breathed, "The lions weren't spared, they were slaughtered."

Tristan moved to his son's side and wished more than anything that he could touch his boy, "Dad, do you ever dream about who you were in a past life?"

Tristan was quiet for a time, and then replied; "Sometimes."

"Have you... do you have any clues about who you were in the past?"

"Justin, I think who we were is less important than what we do with the time we have now."

Justin nodded, "But if you were someone... interesting, would that influence your actions now?"

"My time is done Justin, there are no more actions for me to take, except one."

"Dad... I don't want you to go."

"Justin," Tristan said gently, "I feel like my mind is beginning to slip away. I catch myself having visions and daydreams about past lives." Justin scanned the room, wondering where his father might be standing, "I love you, daddy."

The boy's words were a knife in the spirit's heart, "Justin, we have to let go. Both of us. Ashley and Elly have let me go, now it's time for you to do the same."

Justin began to weep in the way that eagles cry, "Dad, I was your daughter once. I was Olivia."

"And I was your father. I'll always be your father."

"Stay with me. Let's tell Mom and Ashley about you."

"Justin, there's a stone walkway in the gallery."

Justin raised his feathers in alarm, "What!?"

"It appears to me. All the time. A stone walkway that disappears into the distance. I even see it when I'm flying."

The younger was aghast, "What does it mean!? Is there a god calling to you?"

"I think so, son."

Justin felt chilled by the thought, "Dad, don't leave me."

"Justin..." Eleanor's said, "What are you doing up?"

A bleary-eyed Eleanor emerged from the darkness to nuzzle Justin's cheek, "Can't sleep?"

"Mom," Justin breathed, "Dad's spirit is here with us. I can hear him."

Eleanor's face betrayed no emotion as she brushed her wing over his tail. Justin immediately regretted his outburst and became increasingly uncomfortable as the moments ticked by with no reply from his mother. Finally, Eleanor gently touched her cheek to his, "Sweetie, I miss your father too. It's okay."

"Dad, can you tell me something that only you and mom would know?"

The mother eagle's heart sank as she cupped her wing over Justin's shoulder, "Shhhh, sweetie... you don't have to do this."

"Dad says that when we went to the arcade, you pulled out your photo album. You said that your picture of dad on the ferris wheel was your favorite."

Eleanor blinked. All manner of thoughts flooded her mind, 'How would he know that? Is he spying on me? Is Tristan really here? How can he know that??' Her confusion turned slowly to intrigue as she found herself asking; "Justin, can you give me something else? Something that you children couldn't possibly know?"

Justin stood by for a moment, as if waiting for his unseen father to speak. Then, a cloud passed over his face as he became shocked by something.

"What did he tell you?" Eleanor peeped, indulging for a moment the belief that her deceased husband was indeed present. Justin revealed what'd been told: "Dad says that before the collapse of the old Union Government, he got a tip that the Union was about to default on it's debits and declare insolvency. You two cashed out your stocks and turned the equity into precious metals so that when the surprise default was announced, you and dad made millions."

Eleanor's maw fell open, 'No... he couldn't possibly know that!'

"Mom?" Justin peeped, "Are you okay?"

She began to pace. To and fro she walked. Up one end of the gallery and down to the other. Justin crumpled beneath his mother's gaze as she looked to him, "You need to tell me how you knew that! How did you find out!?"

"Uh... dad told me?"

"Justin!!" Eleanor screeched, "You are about to make me VERY angry!!"

"Uh... uh.... dad says that aunt Valerie was also really interested in him, but your love letters were what won him over!"

Eleanor stopped in her tracks with a surprised squeak.

"Mom, dad says his favorite letter included a poem you wrote called 'Nightingale.' That poem is what made him want to marry you!"

"Oh..." Eleanor breathed, "Tristan?"

From above, Ashley Brightwing touched down to wait quietly for his mother to calm herself. Eleanor smiled to him and reached out her wing, "Come here sweetie..."

Ashley rushed to his mother as she nuzzled him, "You look so much like your father... my Ashley."

"Are you okay, momma?"

"Yes, love." She said, looking to Justin with shimmering eyes. 'I believe you,' they seemed to say. With a gentle chirp, Justin wrapped his wings around his mother.

"Mom," Ashley asked, "Is dad really here?"

Eleanor smiled to her youngest, "I think so sweetie... I think so."

Justin shyly smiled, "Would this be a bad time to tell you that he was once King Octavius?"

---

The Search

---

Thursday morning dawned in the Holden residence with a phone call from Eleanor Brightwing. Missy Holden answered, and cheerfully greeted the eagle, "Would you like to speak with her? Oh, yes... I'll let her know. She'll see you Monday morning!"

Shelly felt her way along the hall, "Mom? What's going on?"

"Misses Brightwing says something's come up," Missy said, crossing the room to deliver a smooch to Shelly's nose, "She'll see you Monday."

Shelly nodded and returned to her braille reading as the shadow of Fate entered the home. She inspected each of the horses with great interest before turning her attention to Maggie Pumpkin. Maggie's spiritual vision became hazy, as if she were aware of something situated directly ahead. Fate drew closer, then invoked the name; "Mayalee Mae... Mayalee Mae."

Maggie's shadowy ears twitched, "Shelly! Could you help me find someone named Mayalee Mae?"

Shelly set down her book of braille, "Who is that, a friend of yours?"

"She's one of the four strangers I was telling you about."

The thought of actually finding out if this person was real intrigued Shelly. She called out to her mother, "Mom! Maggie is asking if we could help her find someone named Mayalee Mae."

"That's a mouse's name," Missy noted, "They an old friend of yours?"

"Mags says that this Mayalee might have some important insights into the spirit world."

Her curiosity piqued, Missy moved into the kitchen and rummaged about in a cabinet for the telephone book. "Ah!" she chuffed, pulling an older copy out and plopping it down on the kitchen table. A fine cloud of dust roiled up into the air, forcing Missy to cough and sputter, "I need to clean out these damn cabinets!"

Shelly entered the room, waving her hand to disperse the dust. Missy cleared her throat, "Okay, so this animal's a mouse. We'll try Oakdale."

Maggie paced restlessly as Missy flipped to the Oakdale appendix. "Oakdale is a township of small animals, and the likeliest place to find a mouse," Missy said to no one in particular as she moved her finger along, mouthing the letters as she went, "Mal... Map... Mar..." then, she gasped, "Mayalee! There's... a hundred of them!"

Shelly unconsciously moved to her mother's side to point her eyes at the book, as if she could see for herself. Missy snorted with frustration, "It will take some time to contact each of these animals and ask them if they know any spirits!"

Shelly turned toward the invisible Maggie, "Maggie says that a lion was with her, and they looked like they might have been driving toward Brandenburg. Try that appendix."

Missy nodded as she turned to the feline state. She opened to 'M' and quickly located a single entry for a Mayalee Mae, "Not too difficult to find a mouse's name in Brandenburg!"

She scooped up the telephone and dialed the number listed. Maggie waited, anxiously pacing about the kitchen. She perceived each ring through the telephone line as a loud klaxon alarm, 'Like the footsteps of destiny.'

Shelly too looked as if she were standing upon pins and needles, but the trio became disappointed when a message flashed from the speaker; "We're sorry, the number you are trying to reach has been disconnected. Please check your local listings-" Missy hung up the phone.

"Fuck!" Maggie cried.

"I'm sorry, Maggie." Shelly said.

Fate edged into the kitchen, "You must travel to the residence! To the residence!"

"Um," Maggie began, "Is there an address listed?"

Shelly relayed Maggie's question. Missy nodded, then jotted down the address listed beside the number. "Here we are," she said with a shrug, "This is an older book, so the address might be as useless as the phone number."

Maggie peered over Missy's shoulder to allow the letters of the address to burn into her memory. Her mind's eye then recalled her first visit home, after she'd died, but the boxer tore herself away from that unpleasant memory. "That's in the past, I need to keep looking forward."

"Eh?" Shelly chuffed. Maggie apologized, "Sorry, I'm trying my best to keep myself anchored in the here and now."

"I understand," Shelly replied, "If we lose you, I'll just wait for you. It's no problem."

Maggie fretted and worried, "Shelly, there's a chance I could blank out again and be catatonic for years and years."

Shelly winced and nodded, "Mags, if that happens, I want you to know that I really... like you very much. You would have made a great sister."

Missy touched her daughter's shoulder as Maggie's heart ached with want, "Then it's official. We're sisters."

From her dark corner, Fate 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. Fate realized that her presence was likely the cause of Maggie's quantum diffusion, 'I have done my work, I shall leave you to your quest!'

Maggie glanced about at the apparent sound of a strange voice. After a moment she settled down into the seat, "Okay, I'm in."

Satisfied that Maggie was safe, the females made their way west along Aurora's Autoway Four. Brandenburg's border wasn't far, Missy checked her old station wagon's gas gauge as it inched toward empty, "We're low on gas, I hope my credit card works in Brandenburg."

"I have some bank notes," Shelly said, (her bank note is a private note of currency issued by the Bank of Calais, and can be used in any city state, except Shannonvale.)

"Good," Missy replied, "We may need them."

With a nervous whinny the mother equine crossed the border into Brandenburg. There was no border checkpoint anymore, which came as a tremendous relief to the horses. Though there were obvious signs that border checks could be quickly reestablished should tensions flare. Now came the first hurdle, because with Shelly unable to see, Missy was forced to reference a map whilst driving, something that made her extremely uncomfortable. Maggie sensed her discomfort and turned to Shelly, "Shelly, can you open the map so I can see? I'll read off turns and intersections for your mom."

Shelly did as Maggie instructed. Soon she was relaying directions as Maggie read them.

Missy marveled at the novelty of the moment. Of what was happening. Of everything. 'Spirits reading directions, strange animals who have invisible fire streaming from their bodies. And... gods cursing ancient sailors?'

The mother equine pulled her mind away from such thoughts to focus on the road ahead. The landscape of Brandenburg was nice enough, with it's finely manicured landscaping and gleaming white storefronts. A more authoritarian state than the likes of Aurora, lions tended to frown on concepts like homelessness and drug abuse, and so there was virtually none of these social ills evident. 'Oh, it's there alright,' Missy thought, 'It's just behind the scenes.'

"Turn right onto Genstrasse," Shelly said, "It should be the next right after that."

Missy squinted at the approaching sign, "The damn lions can't just use normal letters! They have to use this gothic crap that's neigh impossible to read!"

She turned, and was relieved that she was within sight of their quarry's home. "Should be coming up, number two one two seven," Shelly said.

Her job done, Maggie's light nervously flickered as she recalled the incredible energy streaming from the strange animals. That mouse, that little mouse... seemed to tower over every other animal. The flames streaming from her hair, forming a crown of fire, 'Why didn't Herald ever mention someone like that?'

"Are you alright?" Shelly asked. Maggie breathed a nervous sigh, "I'll let you know when we get there."

The horses stopped in front of a nondescript condominium complex. "This is it," Missy said, as a strange electric tingle ran down the base of her mane.

Back toward Aurora, Fate attempted to monitor the horse's progress, but she became distracted by her sister's presence somewhere nearby. Curious, the phantom moved over the sleepy avenues until she sighted a complex of buildings surrounded by a large grassy field. The buildings seemed populated almost exclusively by young animals. She set down amongst the buildings which she now understood was a part of a sprawling school, and for a startling moment Fate's hollow form became solid!

Then, as quickly as she'd manifest, she disappeared. She passed not into the spirit world, nor any of the other higher realms. Fate's presence became veiled by the event horizon of the first dimension.

'Sister, are you here?'

"Who is that? I can hear you, but I can't see you."

'Ibiza, time of short, what are you doing amongst these young animals?'

"Look, I don't mean to be rude, but would you stay the fuck away from me?"

'No, Ibiza! Our quest is too important! We have only weeks until the convergence!'

"I've got this under control, the strange dragon gave me a mission, so would you go away?"

'They have set you to a mission? What is your task? We must go at once!'

"Hey! I'm not going to go and be rushed! I'm doing this at my own pace!"

'Very well, sister.'

Ibiza frowned at the sound of Fate's buzzy, electric voice. Dimly she could discern from which direction the entity was speaking, but Fate's presence was altogether disturbing and disorienting. Desperately seeking to be rid of her 'sister,' Ibiza approached the ring of buildings which formed the outer boundary of the school. She noticed that a group of very young horses was just returning from an outside play session. Then, a chime sounded. From a building to her right there emerged a group of teenage horses who hooted and nickered as they took to the field. Supervising them were adult horses who appeared to carry musical instruments with them which they played for anyone who might wish to listen.

The scene recalled other times and far off places lingering just beyond Ibiza's capacity to recall. High up in the trees, the wild insects chirped and twittered on their branches, watching carefully for any snacking horses who might leave behind a tasty tidbit.

'Ibiza, may I ask what mission the dragon issued to you?'

"Hades spoke to me, she told me to go to a place of games. She told me to look for Shelton Holden, because he is something called a 'plan B,' whatever that is. I'm supposed to keep an eye on him, and maybe learn from him, so that's what I'm doing." Ibiza paused to await her sister's reply.

"Hey, are you there?"

'Sister, I have located Shelton Holden.'

"Fuck," Ibiza chuffed as she moved through a crowd of youngsters to where a pony sat alone. The lone horse sat listening to a musician who strummed a guitar and sang a medley they hoped might make the pony feel better. Ibiza looked again; noticed the youth was not a young horse, but a lion, dressed in the traditional garb of an equine midlander. He wore a black long-sleeve tunic with complex patters embroidered along the cuffs, paired with a short black kilt with pleated patterns stitched into the fabric. His long tail was tucked up inside his kilt, and his mane of tawny brown hair was styled like a horse's mane. The effect was uncanny, it was such that at a glance, the lion resembled a Haflinger species of horse. 'Someone has gone through a lot of trouble to ensure that this feline blends in with his surroundings.'

Ibiza edged closer to him, 'But all is not well. There is much hostility, things are spoken of this lion that are not true,'

She delved deeper into the feline's mind, 'We share the same experience, this lion and I. We are strangers in a land that wishes us evicted,' she sighed, 'Can no one help you?'

She sighted Shelton as he meandered along the back park of his school, impatiently scanning the sky. Ibiza turned back to the lion, anguishing that none acknowledged his presence. The dragon moved around behind the lion to unveil her paw. She touched it to the concrete block the cat sat upon to relive the images contained in the vicinity. As she feared, this poor lion spent each and every day alone, friendless and unwanted.

Ibiza leaned in close to whisper in his ear, "Do you wish to have a friend? You should call upon Shelton Holden,"

The feline flinched at her utterance. He looked about, unaware that a disembodied golden paw was positioned directly behind him! Then, Ibiza was flung from the stone! She raged at her sister who'd thrown her aside, 'Sister, we must never reveal ourselves! Cover your paw!'

"Blast and damn you! Do not accost me again, you-" Fate interrupted; 'Do you wish to assist this lion?'

Taken aback, Ibiza nodded. The dragon felt her sister's presence diminish, only to return a moment later, now accompanied by Shelton Holden! The confused pony glanced about as Fate addressed her sister, 'Tell him what you would have him do, he is yours to command.'

"W-what? I don't want to command him!"

Shelton's ears twitched. 'He heard me,' Ibiza realized. She turned toward her sister; "I don't want to command anyone! I want Shelton to be able to decide to help that lion!"

'He shall, for I have planted the suggestion in his mind. He may choose to act upon it, or ignore the lion.'

"You're acting like a typical meddling dragon," Ibiza hissed, "From one side of your face you say do not reveal yourself, yet from the other side you issue subliminal commands to animals, violating their free will! You hypocrite!" Meanwhile, Shelton'd wandered off, but after a few steps he paused. The pony turned about and looked through the crowd of horses to where that lion sat on his rock.

Ibiza was so absorbed in her argument that she scarcely noticed Shelton approach the lion.

"Hey, Max," Shelton said, almost muttering the name under his breath. The lion lifted his head ever so slightly to acknowledge the pony, then looked away with an awkward shrug. Shelton wiped his palms across his kilt, then sat down beside the startled lion. "Whatcha doing today?"

"What are you doing?" Maximilian hissed, "Everyone was leaving me alone!"

"Yeah, well... I just thought you'd like some company."

"Fuck off!"

Ibiza was shaken from her otherworldly argument by Maximilian's apparent hostility. Incensed, she reached up under his kilt to pull his tail! "Fuck!" Maximilian cried, leaping up with a startled snarl. Shelton whirled around to confront whatever hooligan'd accosted his friend, 'Wait, this lion isn't my friend, is he?'

A crowd of hostile colts gathered around Maximilian. "Hey! Why you being mean to Shelton!?" The lion raised his hands, hoping to calm the horses. "Hey! No!" Shelton cried, "Max is okay! He just, uh.. felt some sorta pain?"

"That lion's dad stole-away my auntie's house!" one of the colts hissed, "You ought to not talk to him! He ain't good folk!"

Maximilian withered beneath the horse's accusing stares, whilst Shelton put his stout arm about the lion; "Max isn't responsible for what his daddy does! You know that!"

"Shelton, please!" Maximilian groaned, "Leave me alone!"

"Y'all been acting like a buncha goons!" Shelton cried, his voice at once gentle, yet authoritative, "Max is a nice lion! He don't deserve any of this!"

"Dopey Shelton!" said a voice from the crowd. Shelton snarled at whomever might have said that, and try as he might, he could not keep tears from wetting his eyes. Ibiza was gobsmacked at how wounded Shelton was by the insult.

A colt approached Shelton with fists raised. The pony blinked back his tears, then stared the other down. It wasn't much of a challenge, really. Shelton outweighed him by twenty kilos. "I may be stupid, but I can whoop your ass!"

'Oh, Shelton!' Ibiza thought, 'You are not stupid!'

Unknowingly asserting himself as the dominant horse in the schoolyard herd, the others acquiesced to Shelton's will. Ibiza became surprised as a pair of sisters approached Max to offer their apologies. The stunned lion nodded gratefully as a floodgate of unexpressed emotion washed over him.

Shelton nudged Max, who's eyes shimmered with thanks.

"Hey, Shelton!" said Justin.

"Oh, hey!" he replied, "Just a minute!" Shelton turned the fillies, "You'll take care of Max, hmm?"

Mary and her sister Lilly nodded. Satisfied that Max would be okay, Shelton met Justin in the yard. "What was that all about?" Justin asked.

"Honestly? I have no idea."

Justin chortled, then gestured for Shelton to mount up, "Ugh! You're getting heavier!"

Shelton smirked, "C'mon! Let's go somewhere!" Justin obliged, and the pair was off! In the air, Justin glanced back at his friend, "Hey, Shelton?"

"Yeah, Justin?"

"Could I get your advice?"

"Sure! What's up?"

Justin paused to collect his thoughts. "Things have been... interesting for me at home."

"Oh?" Shelton grunted, "Something wrong?"

Justin banked to the left and set down in a nearby field. Shelton slid from Justin's shoulder to stand before his friend, "Talk to me, buddy! What's wrong?"

The pair unknowingly stood adjacent to the Almond family's former farm. The farm it's self was long gone, in it's place was a tract of expensive homes belonging to an enclave of lions. Ibiza set down beside the pair, immediately recognizing the significance of the place. 'It is my place of birth.'

She glanced at a contractor's sign, advertising the nearby development. 'Financing masterfully provided by Ferdinand Mises.' Ibiza touched her paw to her breast, 'Young Maximilian's father.'

"Shelton..." Justin peeped, "There's something going on. Something that's hard to talk about... but I'd really like your thoughts. I trust your opinion."

Ibiza turned her attention to Shelton.

"Well, what is it?" Shelton asked, hugging Justin's leg, "I'll do my best to give you an honest opinion." Shelton braced himself for what he thought was his friend's homosexual confession. 'Okay, if Justin's gay, I can deal with that. It isn't like we'd ever be able to have sex or anything, I mean, he's an eagle and I'm a horse. How would that even work?'

"Okay..." Justin began, as Shelton silently continued, 'I'll just tell him that I love him, and that I accept him, no matter what his sexuality is, although I'll have to tell him that I don't think I'm gay.'

"Shelton, I can hear things. Things that some animals can't."

Shelton cocked his head, "Wait, what?"

"Shelton, I had an accident some months ago, and when I woke up, I could hear things that other animals can't."

The dragon appeared beside Justin to examine his physical structure, 'Ah yes, my sister's intervention.'

"Huh, that sounds like my sister. She was sick when she was a little baby, and almost died. When she started to grow up, she realized that... she could hear things."

Ibiza looked from the horse, to the eagle, then back to the horse. 'This pair has both been touched by my sister's hand! Across two and a half decades, and against all of the odds, they have come together in friendship!'

"Oh?" Justin breathed, "Can she hear... spirits?"

Shelton blinked, and then burst into laughter! Justin stood bolt upright, but it dawned on him that Shelton was not laughing at him, "Shelton, can Shelly hear ghosts?"

"Yeah!" the pony nickered, "You too, huh?"

Justin let out a great gasp of emotion, "Oh, gods! I'm so glad I'm not crazy!"

"I thought you were going to tell me that you're gay or something!" Shelton laughed, while a part of himself felt strangely disappointed that Justin hadn't.

"Oh, well..." Justin peeped, "I've never given sex much thought, I always seem to die before I get to have any."

Shelton reached up to grasp Justin's beak. He brought his friend's face down to meet his, "Aw..." Shelton breathed, his lips hovering just above his friend's beak, "I'm sorry... Justin."

The two gazed into one another's eyes, then parted with a shy smile. "So, what do you wanna do tonight?" Shelton asked. Justin shrugged, "I dunno, let Ashley beat us at cards?"

"Sounds like a plan," Shelton replied, then he threw his arms around Justin, "What do you mean you always die!? Nothing's going to happen to you, is it?"

The eagle draped his wings over the pony's head, "Not if I have anything to say about it!"

Ibiza looked after the pair as Justin flew away. She sat for some time, pondering the deep connections that were evident all around her, and marveling as more and more revealed themselves each day. At length she gathered herself up to seek out a secluded place to sleep. Soon she found herself in the lion's housing development. 'I believe Benjamin's home stood atop that hill.'

The memories of Benjamin Almond's home rushed back to her. Ibiza recalled the little girl's birthday party, and the father equine's gentle bedtime stories. 'Perhaps someday I will make Shelton's acquaintance, and then I will enjoy a birthday party.'

She gasped when a troubling vision flashed through her mind. 'The lions came to Benjamin's farm, they forced the gentle horse away!' Ibiza grit her teeth, 'How could they have done that! It is not fair! It is not just!'

She scowled at a water tank that now occupied the hilltop. 'What purpose does this vessel serve? To level a gentle animal's home, to make way for THIS?'

An angry lump formed in Ibiza's throat, "How could they have done this!? They have stolen away his very life!!"

Her face twisted into a terrifying mask of rage as a crack formed along the base of the water tank, sending a fount of pressurized water spilling down into the community's main thoroughfare. Now realizing what she was doing, Ibiza crumpled onto a side street, "No, I am good! I will not destroy!"

'Ibiza, calm yourself.'

"Oh, go away!"

'Sister, you did not do this. It is the work of Glorafin.'

The dragon laughed, a manic hysterical cackle that unnerved Fate.

With water rushing all around her, in full open view, Ibiza wandered aimlessly through the neighborhood as the few animals home at this hour of the day fled their homes. 'Come, sister, I believe the dragons are converging on this area, I believe Ariadne has dispatched his familiar.'

"Sam?" Ibiza breathed.

'Did you gaze into the equine's past?'

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

'The equine, Shelton Holden. He has laid eyes on Glorafin, the very dragon that seeks to dominate you.'

"This was Benjamin's farm," Ibiza said absently, but as she regained her wits she asked; "What do you mean Shelton has met her?"

'In a past age, Shelton was known as Sherman Straightpath, an equine husband and father who passed from life too soon. His spirit shied away from renewal, and sought out the dark path of the underworld. Beneath the high mountain fortresses he found Glorafin's keep, where he beseeched the dark goddess to return him to his family. Moved by his eloquence, Glorafin obliged.'

"Huh!" Ibiza chimed, as a large black and white automobile rolled to a stop just short of where Ibiza stood. She doffed her shadowy veil, as Sam offered a warm smile, "It's good to see you again."

He leaned over to open the passenger door. Ibiza hesitated, then slipped inside. The dragon pressed herself against the seat, looking for all the world like an uncomfortable golden statue with otherworldly eyes.

"Hey, Sam," she said.

"You okay?"

She sighed, "Yeah, but I hate what they did to Benjamin's old farm."

"I mean, did Glorafin say anything to you?"

"She did once, a while ago. She tried to get me to follow her to a mountain."

He sighed, "It's a really good thing you didn't go with her."

The dragon grimaced, and appeared to suffer a kind of panic attack. Sam gently patted her, "I brought you a cupcake,"

She arched an eye ridge, "Really?"

Sam presented the pastry, a round tasty looking thing with yellow frosting. Ibiza took the cupcake with great enthusiasm. She popped it into her mouth, then issued a satisfied groan, "I like cup cakes."

The dragon's tail bumped a computer console at the center of the dashboard. A chiming alarm issued from the computer, "Oh, what has happened??" Ibiza cried.

"This is my computer terminal, it requires continual contact with the outside world."

"Fascinating," Ibiza breathed, "A machine that hates to be lonely."

Sam patted her, and for the dragon's part, it felt lovely to see the lion again, "My sister has been pestering me."

"Really? What does she want?"

Ibiza shook her head, "I dunno, she just really makes me nervous. She's always telling me what to do."

"I think your other half is a good being," Sam said, somewhat awkwardly. Ibiza glanced at him, noting how he'd framed his thought. "She really was supposed to be my spirit, wasn't she?"

Sam drew a breath to answer, but paused as a line of emergency vehicles appeared in the distance. Ibiza opened the vehicle's door, "I better go, Sam."

"You're welcome to visit us, anytime."

She hopped out, "Thanks,"

Ibiza veiled herself, then disappeared into the countryside. Sam shook as his cellular telephone chimed. He answered; "Hello?"

"Hey, where'd you go? You said you'd be back in an hour!"

"I'll be right back, Jess, there was a strange accident just over the Albany border, I wanted to check out."

"You're the boss," replied Sam's trainee.

Sam flipped his phone closed, as he became aware of Fate's icy presence. He acknowledged the entity, and then stepped from his vehicle to meet with the equine fire crew as their bright red fire engine arrived on scene, "Hey! Need any help!?"

"Can you clear the houses? Make sure everyone's out? That would really help us out!"

Sam nodded to the equine fire fighter as he rushed about the stricken homes, "Brandenburg Police! Is anyone here?"

Fate's icy chill followed after Sam as he moved across the street to the next line of homes, "Brandenburg Police!"

Meanwhile, the fire fighters secured all gas lines and checked the underground sewer system for any victims that might have been washed below. As Sam waved an all clear, the fire captain smiled warmly to him, "Thank you, officer! Seeing you here makes me feel like we're back in the old Union."

"Those days are coming back," Sam called, "You'll see!"

The horse drew near, "If I may ask, what were you doing out this way?"

Sam quickly produced an excuse, "I was actually looking to buy one of these units, guess I dodged a bullet, huh?"

The horse shook Sam's hand, "Take care of yourself, and thanks for the help."

Back in his cruiser, Sam noted the horses looking after him as he accelerated away. Fate materialized for a fleeting instant, startling Sam. He collected himself, and then asked, "What's going to happen to you, after the convergence?"

'I shall be stripped of my thought, and become a thing, as I was before.'

"Is there any way we can save you? I'd like to help you."

'It would please me if you would remember me, as I am now. I want to be remembered for having feelings and thoughts.'

Sam nodded, "Okay, I would be happy to."

He felt the specter diminish, and then fade away. "Poor thing," he breathed, "Poor thing,"

---

Back in Brandenburg, the mares regarded the condominium complex where the mysterious mouse resided. It looked normal enough, a tall beige colored structure showcasing the customary obsessive-compulsive architecture big cats are famous for. Missy stepped from the wagon, and then helped her daughter. "You forgot your walking stick."

Maggie passed through the passenger door and fell in beside Shelly. "Let us know if you see anything strange." Shelly said as the group approached door number 2127. With a deep breath, and a hope that someone was actually home at ten in the morning on a thursday, Missy pressed the doorbell. An anxious moment passed, but no answer came. Missy pressed the bell again, and again there was no answer from within.

She stepped away from her daughter to peer into the front window while Maggie rushed ahead and through the heavy door, "The place is empty!" Came Maggie's muffled voice. "Maggie says the place is empty." Shelly said, her voice ladled with disappointment.

Inside, Maggie inspected the dwelling as a miner might a dark tunnel, "They were just here." She breathed, noting that a nearby countertop had only just begun to collect dust. "They must have left on Monday."

Then, a scrap of paper caught her attention. Maggie moved around the counter to read the words penned upon it. At first the note made no sense, "How would they know about Clint?" Then, a realization dawned on her. She began to pace about the room, caught in the grips of a kind of spiritual panic attack. "She knew..." Maggie breathed, her mind's eye moving all about the flat.

"She knew about everything! Those animals really must know who god is!" Terrified, and perhaps a bit exhilarated, Maggie rushed from the flat. Outside, she found her friends waiting out by the sidewalk. "There was a note! For me!"

"Really?" Shelly gasped, "What did it say?"

Missy looked about, anxiously waiting for her daughter to relay what Maggie might be saying. "A note said we should follow Clint's directions on how to find Herald, the sea captain."

'Magic...' Missy thought, 'This mouse knew Maggie would come looking for her! She knew about Clint, and what he might tell us. She... knew.'

"So, are we going on a trip?" Shelly asked. Missy had to admit that the thought of actually meeting Herald Vanderdecken was beyond exciting! "Okay! Let's give it a try!"

The mares piled back into Missy's wagon and set off toward home, but along the way they picked up a large black automobile which kept enough distance to seem casual, yet Missy noted the car was always there. 'Are we being followed?'

She confessed her fears to Shelly. Maggie acknowledged the situation, "I'll be right back."

The spirit drifted free of Missy's wagon, and waited for the black car to catch up. When it passed beneath her, Maggie swooped down upon the unknown animals. Inside, Maggie found two lions piloting what appeared to be a police cruiser. There was a mesh partition separating the front seats from the rear, and a large radio between the front occupants which sporadically bleeped and booped. The lions were interesting enough. One appeared mature, though his age was difficult to pin, whilst the other was quite young. Their manes were close-cropped, and upon their jacket sleeves was the Brandenburg Police insignia. 'Police...' Maggie whispered. She shook with startled surprise when the elder lion glanced over his shoulder to look directly at her. Maggie sat frozen as he flared his nostrils, before the radio crackled to life; "Seven Dragon Nine, no wants, no warrants. Vehicle registry is Albany, one Gabriel and Missy Holden on title."

He scooped up the radio handset; "Seven Dragon Nine, copy," then glanced back again, "Balin... it means 'stupid' in Natufian."

Maggie lost her grip on the cruiser and fell out onto the road. She cried out, suddenly recognizing his face! "Karl... Kuhn?"

Back within the cruiser, Sam's young trainee chuffed; "What was that?"

"Just an old memory," Sam chimed.

On the road, Maggie struggled to collect herself, "That's impossible! You can't be Karl Kuhn!"

Her light flickered erratically, and were she alive, she'd have fainted straight away. Maggie wondered if at any moment she might awaken in her old bed to marvel at what a strange dream this all had been...

'Maggie,' said a gruff female voice, 'This is Margrey Balin, a contemporary of Karl Kuhn. I believe that Karl might have been touched by the powers of the world, in much the same way as the mariner, but indeed, Karl's contact was more positive.'

The boxer regained her composure, whilst marveling at the novelty of being addressed by someone she'd once been. 'The world is indeed more magical than I would have supposed! I would advise you to follow the stranger's advice, and seek out this mariner!'

"Thank you," Maggie said.

'Good luck!' Margrey replied.

Before Margrey retired, Maggie called after her; "Why Pumpkin?"

'Pardon?'

"Pumpkin? Why did you change your name to Pumpkin? Did you come from a family of farmers?"

Margrey hesitated for a moment, then confessed; 'As a tiny filly, my coat was the color of a ripe pumpkin. A beloved relative opined that I resembled a little pumpkin on the vine.'

"Aw, that's sweet!"

Embarrassed, Margrey waved her future self away, 'You shouldn't stand about and talk to yourself! Go! Make haste! Find your new family!'

Order restored to her mind, Maggie willed herself to become airborne. She rushed ahead to search for Missy's yellow station wagon. The pastel yellow vehicle was easy to spot amongst a sea of black, white, and grey cars. Maggie descended into the cabin where she settled into the back seat, "Okay, I'm back."

"What did you find?" Shelly asked. Maggie let out a hearty cackle, "I found out that just when I thought the world can't get any weirder, it does!"

Back within Sam's cruiser, Jessup Schumacher had finally had enough, "What's that weird smell?"

"Hm?" Sam replied.

"That smell, ever since you got back from Aurora, I've been smelling this scent."

"It's probably from the water tank that ruptured over there, hell of a mess," Sam replied.

Jess smiled, "No, this is an animal's scent, but I can't quite place the species," he leaned over, "Did you rush over to Aurora to grab some afternoon horse delight?"

Sam smiled, shaking his head, "Not exactly."

"Well, go on, keep your secrets. I suppose I'll be doing the same sorta stuff before I retire."

"Thanks, Jess."

Leaving his partner off at the station, Sam made the long drive back across the Autoway 4. Within his mind, Ariadne was conspicuously quiet. Sam arrived home to find Mayalee waiting for him on the driveway. "Has Kromhaut shut up yet about what happened today?"

"Not really," she replied, "Though, he's taking it surprisingly well."

He hauled himself out of the car, "Today was... interesting."

She bit her lip, "How was Ibby?"

"She seemed real distracted, like she discovered something, but I couldn't really get a clear picture from her."

Mayalee took his hand, "Sam, Glorafin has really pushed Krom into crisis mode. I don't know what he's going to do about her."

"May, I don't think it's up to Krom anymore."

She caught a glimpse of his thoughts, and felt his brief encounter with Fate. "Yeah," she breathed, as their neighbor passed them on the walkway. The lioness smiled to the pair, but said nothing. Mayalee glanced briefly at her thoughts, which seemed preoccupied with concerns over the reliability of her motor car. Mayalee envied her. She envied her ignorance, that she could be preoccupied with banal, mundane things. "Let's make something to eat," the mouse said, as she led her lion inside.

---

That evening, Ibiza Pushpath circled Ayres rock, the steep hillside that nestled the Brightwing home. A nervous energy churned in the pit of her stomach as she recalled Glorafin's attempt to manipulate her. 'Sister, you should return to Sam's home. You require emotional support.'

"I'm supposed to learn about animals,"

'But you wander alone, sister. Glorafin seeks to torment you, she is attempting to awaken your darker nature.'

"I'll go in and visit the Brightwing family, they are my emotional support."

'Sister, I strongly advise against this move. You might come to trouble."

The dragon ignored the specter. With her shadow cloak firmly affixed, Ibiza cautiously approached the home. With no nosy trees around, Ibiza carefully removed the bit of cloak veiling her paw. She touched it to the outer wall to review what might be stored there.

There wasn't much to see, save for glimpses of eagles coming and going. Then, Ibiza yanked her paw away, 'There is a ghost present.'

She pushed her face through the wall and into a modest bedchamber, when suddenly- 'My paw!'

Ibiza's uncovered paw became lodged within the exterior wall! With no cloak to render it formless, the dragon's paw was now fused with the hard wooden structure! Alarmed, Ibiza pulled and tugged, hoping to free herself, 'Goodness! I'll never hear the end of this if I'm revealed!'

Her problems only worsened when an eagle approached the bedchamber. 'No! W-what can I do!?'

And then, disaster! The avian ghost she'd sensed entered the chamber and looked directly at her disembodied paw! "Justin!" he called, "Would you come here? Quickly!"

'Curse this eagle! Ugh!'

"Yeah, dad?"

Eleanor entered the bedroom, but did not notice the strange golden appendage wedged in her chamber wall. "Justy? Is your father saying something?"

Ibiza hung her head at the sound of Justin emerging from his room, but at the last moment a wild idea came to her! She fixed her eyes on Tristan, then expelled him from the spirit world! 'I require a distraction!'

Eleanor cried out when her husband materialized before her eyes! Unaware of what'd happened, Tristan's feathers raised in alarm, "Elly?"

Justin arrived to find his father standing in his bedroom, apparently alive and well! But at second glance, things were not as they seemed. The entity resembled Tristan Brightwing, but constructed of a strange iridescent plastic. His feathers appeared transparent, with shadowy internal structures visible beneath. In the place of his heart was a bright golden light that flashed and pulsed. It was bright! Shelton slipped into the chamber where the eagles traded astonished glances, "Uh, is that your dad?"

Justin looked to his father, "Dad? Is that really you?"

A pang of emotion stung Ibiza's heart as she realized she might've done the animals harm. She peeped when her trapped paw was seized by the power of her sister's thought. Eyes wide, Ibiza was pulled back through the wall, 'Thank you, sis!'

Outside, Fate was furious! 'This is why we do not skulk about!'

Stunned by her sister's outburst, Ibiza pulled away from her. Fate returned Tristan to the spirit world, whilst Ibiza hung her head in shame. "I'm so sorry, sis. Garland told me that I should listen to you, that you were my compass," she covered her eyes with her paws, "I should have listened to you in that forest, and I should have listened to you now. I'm so sorry!"

Taken aback, Fate accepted her sister's apology, 'All is well, sister. Please know that I am not angry with you, I ask only that you take care!'

"Thank you, Fate," Ibiza said in a small voice.

The entity gently touched Ibiza's shoulder, 'I apologize if my reprimand was overly harsh, and I feel that it is no longer correct to address me as Fate. My future self bestowed that title upon me, perhaps feeling that I might be ashamed of what I truly am,' she again touched her sister, 'But if I should be loved for who I truly am, then it is right to refer to myself as Death, for that is what I am.'

"Do you really want to be Death?"

'That is not for me to decide, I can only make the best of whatever is my truest nature.'

Ibiza smiled, "Death doesn't think, it's just a thing, but you, you're something else, so maybe you should listen to your future self, you should call yourself Fate."

The entity's voice became warm, 'Come, you mustn't be left alone, let us go and continue our observations, but let us be careful! Always ensure that your veil is firmly about your person.'

She brightened at the suggestion, then shyly reached out to Fate, "You'll come with me?"

'We should wait for a brief time, soon the animals will depart the home.'

"Okay,"

Ibiza settled down along the ridge to wait, but as soon as she relaxed, the eagles departed the home. Shelton rode perched atop Justin's shoulder. Ibiza smiled gently as he sailed away, then she turned her attention to the home. 'Come,' said Fate.

As Ibiza feared, there were unpleasant memories scattered all about the home. "Dad!" Justin had cried, "He's alive! He has a body! He's still here, somewhere!"

'The eagle's reaction, after I returned the father to Nidavellir,' Fate said.

Ibiza looked intently at the site, where she gleaned additional visions. Just over her shoulder, Fate stirred, 'What does it matter, what I call myself?'

"It matters,"

The entity was quiet for a long moment. Ibiza did not sense her presence anymore, which fanned her anxiety, "Sis?"

A hand touched her shoulder. Ibiza turned to find a shadow in the shape of a dragon! The shadow winked away, only to return a moment later. "Come, sister," Fate said in a strange, buzzing voice, "Let us explore before the animals return."

"Wait, you actually manifest as something! You're becoming a real being."

'Perhaps,' said Fate.

Ibiza watched her sister for a moment, then moved down the hall to Justin's room. There, she stared blankly about. 'What did I do? I am tearing this family apart, forcing the deceased father to manifest within the physical world.' Shaking the thought from her mind, Ibiza paused to study the recent events that'd taken place in the room.

"You know, you do look a lot like Olivia," Shelton said, mere minutes before, "At least, a male version of her."

Ibiza turned to Justin who let out a long breath, "Shelton, how would you know...?"

"Oh, I like reading about the old monarchies. In one of my books there's a few detailed portraits of Olivia, you really do look like her."

"Shelton, during that time... I think you were my old teacher and mentor, Margrey Balin."

The pony smiled and nodded, pleased that he might have been someone important back in that ancient age. "Although shortly before Olivia was assassinated, Margrey changed her surname to Pumpkin."

Shelton frowned, "Pumpkin?"

"Yeah, I thought it was an odd name too," Justin said with a clack of his mandible.

"No... there's a spirit hanging around my sister, her name's Pumpkin. Sis says the ghost told her that an ancestor changed their name to Pumpkin because their old name meant something silly."

Justin's eyes widened, "Oh, yeah! Balin means 'stupid' in the old feline language!"

Shelton scratched his nose, "Why would a horse be named 'Balin?'"

"Because after the cataclysm destroyed the ancient equine realm, a lot of horses migrated west, toward the feline kingdom."

The pony nodded, "Yeah? And?"

Justin smiled, "The felines insisted that the horses assimilate into their society, so they gave these equine survivors feline-centric names to replace their equine identities. Some of these were joke names."

"Huh," Shelton chuffed, "Uh, does this mean that I'm not your old teacher?"

"Justin!" came Tristan's voice, "Would you come here? Quickly!"

Ibiza winced when Justin turned to reply; "Yeah, dad?"

She dispelled the vision to return to the present. Fate's dark form appeared at the doorway. "How did she do it?" Ibiza asked.

"You refer to Shelton's ancient incarnation, hm?"

"Yeah, how did Glorafin make him live again, without a body?"

"Scattered about this chamber are hairs belonging to Shelton Holden. You have the power to create a body from these strands. Then, a spirit might fuse with it, regaining it's window to the third dimensional realm. Thus did Glorafin recreate Sherman Straightpath's mortal form, though she required an amount of water for this new body."

"He was just a bag of water," Ibiza said, glancing down upon her own body, "An animal's body water might have been a part of a thunderstorm a week ago, and then someday it might all go back to the ocean,"

Fate concurred; 'A living animal is more a weather pattern than a monument.'

"Except for our choices," Ibiza said, turning to her sister, "Sis, what's going to happen to us?"

'I see you have realized that we can never again be together.'

"But you're my sister! You're my spirit!"

Fate gestured about the home, 'Your spirit is here, waiting for you.'

"I don't understand,"

'Our choices, sister. An animal must choose to join with you, and I must choose to surrender all that I have learned and return to my role as Death. Only in this way can the old cycle of life be broken.'

Ibiza turned away with a chuff. The pair was silent for a great long while, but gradually the silence between them became more comfortable. The pair then took the opportunity to further examine the Brightwing home. Ibiza's eyes returned to the area of the wall where she'd been trapped. There were strange marks etched into the wood, akin to an animal's fingerprints. "Where did the eagles go?"

'They venture to the equine realm, to call upon the spirit named Pumpkin.'

Ibiza made no reply. Sensing that her sister wrestled with a great emotional dilemma, Fate opined; 'This happened for a reason.'

"Eh?" Ibiza chuffed.

'This mistake,' Fate replied, gesturing to the marks in the wood, 'You would never have provided proof of the father eagle's existence, save for this accident. It caused you to act impulsively.'

"I don't understand,"

'The animals required proof of the father's existence, in order to carry out the next phase of Garland's plan.'

"Why won't Garland just tell us what she wants us to do?"

Fate shimmered, as her bizarre shadow body began to fade away, 'Very soon there will be a great convergence of the dimensions. During this alignment, all higher realms shall become one with the first dimension,' she paused to place emphasis on her next thought; 'Your presence here is proof that something good will come of this alignment.'

And with that, Fate's presence diminished until Ibiza could not sense her anymore. "I love you," she whispered after her sister, "I promise you, I'll not let you become a thing again."

---

In the sky above Albany, Ibiza replayed Fate's words over and over in her mind, 'I must choose to surrender all that I have learned and return to my role as Death,'

Her sister's words were a heavy burden which weighed upon Ibiza's heart. The dragon sighed; glanced down at the meandering traffic, 'It would be best to not know these things, to carry on as they do. Ignorant.'

She focused her mind to conjure an image of the forth dimensional hall, 'I need to know what happens to my sister! Garland said I could look and see what I need to know!'

The portal opened. 'Show me my sister! Show me what happens after the big alignment!'

The alignment, a dark point simmering in the black velvet of the first dimension. Darkness, nothingness, and the singularity that burns at her very heart. Ibiza became dizzied as a gateway began to open, and she shook when her own voice cried out- "Penny! Can you hear me?"

A forth dimensional portal was now firmly opened. Ibiza's mind glanced into this portal, and came to herself tumbling across the sky, "Penny! You need to stop the aircraft! The mission will end in disaster! Thousands of animals will die!"

"Grandma? Uh, okay, I'll alert mission control!"

Ibiza's future self continued on, toward the emerald island of Tyche. Claimed by no nation, the small island lay fifty five miles beyond the western coast of Land. From her control console deep within the National Aeronautics and Space Academy, Penny Holden issued a frantic call to mission control, then hurried along a hall to the main situation room. There, she alerted a large rhinoceros who became enraged by Ibiza's dire warning, "Penny Holden! We cannot simply cease our operations because that dragon has a nightmare!"

He followed penny out into the hall, roaring and bellowing as Penny hurried away, "Sorry, Pike! I'm only relaying what she said!"

In this time, Penny Holden appeared to be in her mid thirties. Old enough to be a flight engineer, but still young enough that she wasn't entirely respected by her peers. Her relationship with Ibiza didn't help matters. The facility's announcing system crackled to life; "Doctor Holden, please contact Director Connally at extension seven seven five."

Penny sighed, "Fuck,"

A tiger met her in the hall, "Penny! What's going on? Vehicle is preparing to connect to the orbital platform!"

"We have to tell Avalon to hold where she is! Ibiza says something terrible is going to happen!"

"What? Did she say what was wrong?"

"She said thousands could die! I assume she means the orbital platform could fall out of the sky and crash on a populated area. Ibiza is on her way, she'll tell us exactly what she saw."

The tiger followed behind Penny as the black mare entered the sprawling Mission Control room. Inside, animals raised their heads up from their terminals to coldly regard her. Penny squeezed her nostrils, then rubbed her eyes, "Give me a fucking break, guys! Ibiza can see the future, she likely saw something happen. We have to listen to her when she says to stop!"

Her fellows returned to their terminals. Penny sighed, then glanced up at the large monitor that provided a tactical display of space shuttle Avalon's position, with regard to the giant orbital platform. On the platform was the rigging for the space elevator, and an immense spool of synthetic wire the end of which shuttle Avalon would bring to the surface.

'That was the plan, anyway.' Penny groused.

"Penny Holden, contact Director Connally at extension seven seven five! Right now!"

"Damn it!" she set her hand on the intercom, but was rescued by her grandmother's timely arrival. Penny rushed to the dragon as Ibiza struggled to catch her breath. The horse had not seen her dragon friend in many months, and was shocked by Ibiza's appearance, "Grandma! You look terrible!"

"Oh, love," Ibiza peeped, "It's all I can do to keep the magnetic field from collapsing, it's becoming almost more than I can bear!"

Penny patted her, "Well, once we get the space elevator up and running, construction on our space liners can begin!"

"That's the problem, love. I've looked at every outcome and eventuality. It's going to be impossible to lower the cable down from orbit, a terrible gravitational force shall rip it from the sky the moment the cable reaches the stratosphere."

Igor the tiger drew near, eavesdropping on the dragon's warning. Penny looked to him, hoping for some advice. Igor shrugged, "Without a space elevator to bring materials up from the surface, it'll take decades, even centuries, to construct a fleet of deep space liners."

"I'm going to bring the cable down," Ibiza said, her breath still very weak and shallow.

Penny shook her head, "Granny? You're barely able to keep the sun from frying all of us, are you sure you're up for this?"

Ibiza nodded bravely, "I have to! Their sacrifices must count for something!"

The horse ushered Ibiza into a side conference room that offered little privacy, on account of it's glass walls. Inside, Penny confronted her dragon; "Ibby! This isn't about you trying to ease your guilt! The space elevator is vital to us leaving! There's more at stake here than your feelings!"

"Penny, I have to do this! Otherwise, she is going to take control! Animals will be afraid if she comes out!"

A tall horse entered the room. Director Connally gestured sharply to Ibiza, but what he said was lost to the dragon as the vision was abruptly terminated. When next Ibiza was aware, she lay sprawled in an animal's back yard garden. Her cloak was gone, and what's more, her forearm appeared to be fractured! This was a stunning revelation for the dragon, because she'd assumed her body to be indestructible.

She reached out with her senses, hoping to re-establish a link with her future self, but the forth dimensional portal appeared dark and out of reach.

Then, a gentle chirping drew her attention to a small quadrupedal beast known as an Eryops. It's leathery skin was grey-green, with splotches of light brown. Perhaps most striking, it's eyes resembled Ibiza's, though they were gentle and soulful. The little creature shyly approached the dragon, it's liquid-black eyes shimmering with curiosity. Ibiza smiled, then reached out with her fractured paw. "Oh, please excuse me. I must repair this."

The eryops timidly sniffed about, then watched Ibiza as she performed her repairs. Her work done, Ibiza noticed a collar around the creature's neck. She turned the collar up to read the words embossed on a brass nameplate, "Daisy."

The little creature reacted to hearing her name. She excitedly wiggled her haunches, eliciting a charmed smile from Ibiza, 'You trust me.'

The dragon gazed deeply into Daisy's eyes, 'I am Destruction, the one who offended your natural world, and yet you trust me,' Ibiza touched her paw to her belly, 'Despite who I am.'

Daisy replied with a gentle lick. There was no agenda in her actions, and no ego that demanded respect. The little creature simply wished to connect with a fellow living being. Ibiza smiled warmly, then patted Daisy's long neck, "Thank you, love."

Finally, she became aware of an animal sleeping within the home. Ibiza reached into her eyes to pull forth her veil of darkness. Daisy cocked her head to the side, confused by the dragon's works. Ibiza threw her cloak about her person, vanishing from Daisy's world. The little creature honked, her eyes searching for her new friend. 'Hush love, I will return to you someday.'

Feeling strangely at peace, Ibiza returned to the sky to cover the final stretch before arriving at Shelton Holden's home. Already her vision of the future seemed as elusive as a half-remembered dream. Now arriving in Albany, Ibiza crawled up on the pony's lawn to admire the picturesque home. 'Something will happen, something profound.'

Inside, she found the spirits of Octavius d'Shannonvale and his longtime friend, Margrey Balin. 'Ah, I see they have assumed their former identities, so that they might reminisce.'

Justin Brightwing hurried past the dragon, activating his cellular anklet with an excited squeak. After a moment, Justin's friend took the line, "What's up?"

"Virgil, we're going on a trip! I think you should come too! Yeah, I know it's short notice."

From the kitchen, Eleanor peered into the parlor. She cast a suspicious eye toward her eldest as Justin smiled helplessly. Ibiza turned to Tristan as he resumed his modern identity. Margrey's diminutive outline also became larger, until she'd assumed her modern identity. Maggie Pumpkin smiled to Tristan, "It's nice to meet you. I'm happy that you and I were such good friends."

Tristan smiled wistfully, "You and I were more than friends, we were family."

"Horses and eagles?"

Tristan nodded, "The eyes of the sky and the heart of the land, there's never been a more perfect union."

"The Union..." Maggie breathed, as Margrey's identity suddenly rushed back to the fore, "The democratic union that arose after the kingdom collapsed... everything has been undone..."

"Maggie," Tristan said with a shadowy clack of his mandible, "Keep your mind here with me, don't wander off! We're so close to our goal!"

"Are we?"

Tristan nodded, "Either way, we're close to whatever end is waiting for us."

---

The Voyage North

---

Next day, Gabriel Holden piloted his yellow station wagon into the Keel Marina. This area harbored many unhappy memories for the horse, and it'd been a great many years since he'd come this way. The place looked pretty much the way he remembered. Ramshackle buildings with peeling paint, and the rusted hulks of old boats littering the spaces between them. Gabriel brought the wagon into the extended parking facility where a security guard handed Gabriel a dated parking slip, 'Put it on your dash,' said the horse.

Missy scanned the sky for the eagles, then gestured for Shelton to follow along, (The pony was already poking about the facility.)

After some issues with establishing Missy's credit history, a suitable house boat was selected.

It wasn't exactly a house boat, but more a floating garbage barge. At least that's what Shelton Holden thought. Sure it had a large central structure with windows and curtains, and at the rear a small porch with a pair of rocking chairs. What spoiled it was the missing siding along the left exterior wall. Some of the insulating material was exposed to the weather, and a large gaping hole in the domed roof further detracted from the boat's appeal. Shelton frowned as he voiced his displeasure. "We've booked this rental for a month!" Missy retorted, "So unless you have any money stashed away that you could chip in to rent a better one, this boat is it!"

Shelton bowed his head, "I'm sorry."

"Sorry boy, your 'ol mom and dad ain't made of money."

However, it appeared that Eleanor Brightwing was. The instant the eagle'd arrived, she chastised the poor rental agent when she laid eyes on the floating heap. "That one, over there!" she said, gesturing with her wing at a large sailing boat, "We'll take that one instead!" Missy and Gabriel became uncomfortable at the suggestion, but Eleanor insisted, "Come along, this is a special occasion!"

"Mom," Justin said, taking her aside, "That boat is too big to get up river, it's made to go out to the ocean. We'll need the house boat because it's keel is very shallow."

"But Justin," she hissed, "It's dreadful!"

"As Princess, I must insist that we eschew the formal mode of transport and select a more humble craft."

"Princess..." Eleanor chuffed, "Don't think you can always pull rank on me!"

Justin smiled and beaked his mum. "The house boat will be fine," he said to the rental agent. The stallion nodded, then seemed to wait for a spell to see if anyone else might offer further complaint. The business settled, Shelton was 'recruited' to shoulder the two families' belongings onto the boat. Justin nervously scanned the sky as his friend labored, 'Where's Virgil? He should've been here by now.'

Gabriel patted his son as he helped the boy lift one of the bottles of water. Missy took pity on the stallions and lent a hand. Eleanor shifted uncomfortably as the horses worked, feeling useless as she looked down upon her talons. "Dad says you'll have a part to play." Justin said. "Once we're up the river, our talon guards will have to come off! We'll be out hunting for our next meal, while the horses relax on the boat."

"Hmph," Eleanor chuffed, "I shan't do any such thing Tristan! You'll have to show Ashley how to hunt, since you..." she clapped her maw shut when she remembered he was dead.

"Mom," Justin said softly, "Dad's going to come back to us, that's why we're doing this."

Too far removed from her own experience, Eleanor could only nod. The company was now ready to depart, but Justin's friend Virgil was not yet present. "I don't know how long we should wait," said Missy, eyeing the gathering clouds, "There's a storm coming."

Justin nodded, then caught sight of his friend! "It's Virgil!"

Over the treetops came Virgil Proudfoot, accompanied by his mother Priscilla. The two bald eagles touched down upon the pier as Justin and Ashley rushed to them, "Hey!"

"Hi guys!" Virgil chirped. Eleanor waved to Priscilla, who bobbed her white-capped head in greeting. The two avian mothers conferred with one another, then Priscilla bid the companions farewell. Virgil touched his wing to his brow, "Whew! I don't think mom would have let me go if your mom wasn't along."

Justin nodded as Virgil asked, "So, where are we going?"

---

It could be said that the river Elbe is less a river, and more an inland sea. Eleven miles at it's widest, the great river has been historically treacherous as it is only a dozen fathoms at it's deepest. Here and there you'll note the rusting skeletons of ships and barges who've beached themselves on shallow sand bars. Drawing upon his experience as a fishing hand, Gabriel Holden piloted their home for the month up the mouth of the Elbe and into the unknown. He glanced out the front window as gathering clouds hemmed the valley in, threatening to unleash their store of rain upon the animals. "Shelton! Justin! See if you can cover the roof with a tarp before the rain starts!"

The two friends made their way up, whilst Virgil and Ashley stood by to offer whatever support they could. The air became heavy with the scent of rain. Eleanor grimaced as the boat edged nearer to the waiting storm. The boat began to rock, "Ugh!" Missy groaned. Maggie sensed her friend's distress, "Shelly, ask your mom if she has a copy of The Flying Mantuan!"

Shelly did, and Missy smiled, "I do!"

After a moment of searching, Missy produced a copy of the Priss Symphony performing the famous opera. "I wasn't the conductor on this recording." Missy admitted, "But it's one of my favorite versions."

Eleanor became surprised. "You are the conductor M. Holden?"

"Yes." Missy replied with a shy shrug. Her snobbery bone tweaked, Eleanor showered Missy with a barrage of questions as the music began. A battalion of strings created a sweeping sensation of wind, and a phalanx of horns heralded the arrival of the Mantuan. The music swirled and crashed like heavy waves upon the prow of a ship as rain began to pelt the boat's roof. As she spoke with Eleanor, Missy moved her hand in time with the thrumming overture.

'I can't believe we're going to actually meet this chap.' Eleanor thought. 'It's so...' She looked about the small and crowded cabin. "Tristan, would you stand near to me?"

"Dad says he hasn't left your side since we left." Justin whispered.

The mother eagle smiled, "I love you Tristan." She whispered, "I don't know if I could bear to lose you again."

Maggie understood then what she had to do. Before she met Tristan, her entire focus had been dedicated to the goal of becoming alive again. Now, she set herself to doing anything in her power to help Tristan Brightwing rejoin his family. Her inner light shimmered, and Tristan smiled to her. "Your thoughts are quite loud, Maggie Pumpkin."

"Yeah, well..." she sputtered, "There's more important things than my own silly desires."

As the adults conversed up forward, Virgil pulled Ashley aside. "Okay, so where are we going?"

"Oh..." Ashley peeped, "We're going to see some strange eagle who lives way up north."

Virgil waited for more, then swatted Ashley in hopes he might dislodge something else. "He's a history expert." Ashley continued, "He has some records that might prove that Justin is a descendant of Octavius, the last King of Shannonvale."

"Really!!" Virgil squawked, his outburst drawing all eyes to him. "That's fantastic! I mean, if Justin is a descendant of Octavius, that would be wonderful to prove!"

"Yes, well," Justin said, "There's a pretty good chance..."

Virgil paced to and fro as the sixteen year old considered the odds, "Justin, I think this is fantastic! I hope this eagle can prove your family lineage, and if so, I would love to call you whatever it is you say to royalty!"

Justin cupped his wings over Virgil. "How about calling them your friend?"

The boy smiled, and nuzzled Justin's wing. "Thanks Justin, and thanks for inviting me along on this trip."

Justin nodded to his friend, and then silently thanked Ashley for his fast thinking. 'I wasn't quite sure what to say to Virgil about the reason I wanted him along.'

With a crackle from the radio indicating the way ahead was clear, Gabriel piloted the boat north, through a fairly treacherous section of river that switched back several times before straightening again. Barges carried along by the current couldn't exactly stop on a dime, and so a sailor venturing north had to be careful when guiding his craft along. Green signal lights again confirmed that the river ahead was clear, and Gabriel paid them careful attention since it was up to him to give way should a commercial vessel appear.

"It's a good thing we're getting away from Brandenburg and going up to Shannonvale." Gabriel said to no one in particular, "Some cities have toll stops every six miles along the river!"

The boat was rocked by a heavy crack of thunder. Tristan looked nervously about, for it was in times such as these that he'd see strange things. Even scary things. He wished he could speak with his wife. To tell her what he was feeling.

Toward the back of the craft, Eleanor fussed and huffed as she cleared an area to call her own. "The dust is frightful in here!"

Missy joined Eleanor and smiled weakly. "I'm sorry the boat isn't the best-" Eleanor patted the mare with her wing. "Oh, don't be. I suppose I've become too much of a homebody. I don't like being out of my element."

The eagle leaned in close, "I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy Shelly coming in and helping me around the house. She's a fantastic equine, you should be proud!"

"I am," Missy replied, loud enough to ensure Shelly heard her over the sound of the boat's wheezy motor. Moving closer to Eleanor, Missy asked; "What do you think of Herald's story?"

"I don't know what to think," Eleanor replied, "But I'll tell you one thing, I can believe it. I mean, that he's real. When I saw my husband appear in our bedchamber..."

Missy nodded, "From everything that Maggie's said, Herald sounds like a nice eagle. It's hard to believe that he once killed and ate sea mammals."

"We all have our dark deeds that we regret," Eleanor admitted. Missy nickered, "Oh, what bad things have you done?"

Ashley glanced at his mother. She smiled gently to him, "Well, during the time of the Union, I was the deputy minister for education."

"Really!?" Missy squeaked, "I had no idea!"

Eleanor nodded grimly, "Tristan was a financial analyst, who came into possession of sensitive information that the government was in financial trouble."

Missy stared wide-eyed as Eleanor continued, "Using my government access, we tipped off our friends and orchestrated an insider run on the central bank," Eleanor bowed her head, "We probably helped crash the Union economy."

"Oh, well..." Missy breathed, not knowing what to say. Eleanor sighed, "I deserve to go to jail, but there's no government left to bring charges against me."

The cabin had become very still and quiet, and even the burbling engine could scarcely be heard over the roaring silence. Eleanor hung her head, "It... feels good to tell someone what I did."

Missy took Eleanor's huge head in her hands. "I don't think I could judge you any more harshly than you've judged yourself. Besides, there's something in my own past that I don't think I could ever forgive myself for."

"What is it mom?" Shelly asked, 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 moment 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 paused to gently kiss 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 deepening chill.

"When we discovered Shelly's ability, and that spirits were real..." Missy paused to wipe her nose, "I wondered if Sadie's little spirit might be out there, somewhere, waiting to ask me how I could have done such a thing to her... to her babies..."

Eleanor cupped her wing over Missy's shoulder, "It seems we all have heavy stones that weigh upon our hearts."

"Very heavy stones," Missy agreed.

The wind continued to blow, as the companions continued on through the heaving dusk.

---

That evening, Gabriel sighted a small dockside landing. He cautiously approached, hoping that some animals might emerge from the nearby shack and cast him lines. There were none. Gabriel did his best to make as gentle approach as he could when Justin alighted with a long section of rope and lashed it to the side of the dock. Gabriel waved to him, but the eagle didn't seem to understand exactly what to do with the rope. The boat bumped against the dock. Gabriel quickly shut off the motor and rushed outside with Shelton to tighten up the moorings. Soon the vessel was safely moored. Gabriel shuffled back inside and settled down on the shabby sofa, "Whew!"

Justin eyed the nearby shack, "I'm going to go see if anyone's around."

Eleanor became instantly concerned, "I'm coming with you." Justin cocked his head as his father spoke to him, "Dad says he and Maggie will go out and look around."

Relieved, Eleanor nodded to her invisible husband, "Thank you, my Nightingale."

From his vantage point, Tristan winced at his wife's endearment. "Nightingale?" Maggie asked. Tristan smiled, "Come on, let's go look around."

Maggie willed herself to levitate, then joined Tristan in the air. Within her mind, past identities rushed forward to offer their assistance. The police inspector Mary Bard offered tips on how to track an animal's movements, but it was the gruff soldier Margrey Balin who most manifest within Maggie. "Do you remember the informant, Karl Kuhn?"

"Oh, yes!" Tristan replied, drawing upon Octavius' memories, "I do remember him."

"Tristan, I believe Karl is alive and working as a police animal in Brandenburg."

Tristan noted Margrey's cultured accent as Maggie continued, "An elder lion spoke to me in Brandenburg. This feline uttered something that Karl Kuhn once imparted to me."

"Margrey," Tristan breathed. Maggie looked on in horror as his outline became large and regal, "I remember wh n Oliv a re urn d..."

"Tristan? No! Tristan! Come back! Don't fall asleep!"

Helpless, Maggie quickly checked the site to see if her friends would be safe, then she rushed back to the boat to report on Tristan's condition. "He's become Octavius, and is in a trance! I don't know how long he'll be out!" Maggie wailed, "It could be hours or weeks!"

Near the washroom, Virgil noted Justin and Shelly's worried expressions, "Hey guys, is something wrong?"

"We're okay," Justin replied, "Shelly just remembered she forgot some of her medicine back home."

"Oh," Virgil peeped, "I'm sorry."

"I'm going back for him," Maggie said, "I need to see if I can bring him out of the trance!"

Justin nodded as he smiled weakly to Virgil. He didn't regret bringing his friend... actually he did. Justin drew near to his mother and quietly reported on what'd happened to his father. Eleanor was concerned, but failed to understand the gravity of the situation. "Mom," Justin whispered, "Maggie says that dad could be like that for years."

The mother eagle's eyes widened, "No...."

Outside, Maggie returned to Tristan's side as the eagle spirit remained immobile, lost within an introspective trap. "Please..." Maggie breathed, then louder she cried out, "Please! Someone! Please help me! Help him!"

The gathering shadows along the river became darker still, and then the dark was shattered by bright rays of cheery sunlight! Maggie found herself within an ornate hall, where she looked about in wonder. The somewhat overdone passage was furnished with finely crafted tables and stately chandeliers. The shift to this place confused her, for this dream was unlike any mental introspection she'd ever experienced. A large bay window lay before her, and she looked out, observing the comings and goings of armed equines and eagles wearing battle claws. 'I'm in the palace!'

Margrey Balin's identity rushed to the fore, although Maggie did not feel she was being pushed aside. Rather, Margrey joined with Maggie, lending the modern equine her past experience. 'What day is it?'

The mare rushed down along the hall, noting at every turn that something seemed... off. "Hello!" Maggie cried, "Tristan! Uh, Octavius! Where are you?"

Maggie paused before a nearby mirror. Margrey Balin's diminutive reflection gazed back at her, before the little horse waved her arms urgently; "We've got to find the king!"

From a nearby corridor came familiar avian voices. Maggie recognized Octavius' regal speech. The king was accompanied by his Sky Marshal, an eagle named Grethan, "By mid April we should have Levant secured, then we can turn our attention to the west."

"Mid April," Maggie thought, "Oh shit! He's about to find out Olivia has been assassinated!"

Maggie rushed ahead, her tiny hooves pattering along the hall until she turned the corner and nearly ran straight into Octavius! "Margrey! My word!"

"Octavius! I need to talk to you!"

"Can it wait my dear? I've been summoned to the war room for an urgent meeting."

"Yeah, they've sent me along to talk to you."

Octavius nodded, "Very well, what is the urgent word from the front?"

"Well, ah, Olivia has won! Naseeruddin has been defeated!"

The king spread his wings, "Wonderful!"

Maggie bowed her head, "I... can't lie to you. What actually happens is, you were about to be told that Olivia has been assassinated."

The king's eyes went wide. "Yeah," Maggie continued, "After you get the news, you'll die of a heart attack. Your death will leave the kingdom in turmoil. Everything will collapse without you, and your death will affect Shannonvale to this day. I mean... in the modern age."

Octavius shook his head as Maggie reached out to him, "Tristan, can you wake up?"

"Tristan-" he whispered, "I know that name."

"Please!" Maggie cried, "Wake up!"

The palace corridor melted away, becoming instead a hospital waiting room. Maggie found Tristan Brightwing slumped in a corner, his shadowy head hung in mourning, 'My poor boy,'

Maggie realized that history had repeated it's self. She knew that Tristan Brightwing had suffered a heart attack upon learning of Justin's terrible mid-air collusion. 'My poor Justin.'

"Mister Brightwing?" Maggie said, trying to muster as much authority as she could, "I'm Doctor Pumpkin, your son is going to make a complete recovery!"

Tristan raised his head, "What?"

The backdrop of the waiting room lurched back toward Westvale Palace, Maggie blinked as she was reunited with King Octavius who struggled to maintain his grip on reality. The little mare touched her hand to his broad chest, "Tristan, I need you. I need you to come back to me... Octavius is the only animal I've ever really loved! I want you to be with me in case we meet any of those super-beings!"

The eagle's gaze became far away as a white mist gathered about them. "Tristan, we need to get back to the boat. We need to get to Herald's tree!"

"The tree..." Octavius breathed. His elegant outline began to shift slowly back to the modestly handsome shadow of Tristan Brightwing. "That's it!" Maggie cried, "Come on and wake up!"

And then he did. Maggie and Tristan found themselves on the riverbank, but most curious, the etherial fog remained thick and heavy. "We better get back to the boat," Maggie said, noting the hazy sunshine above. The two reported back, and were relieved to find that it was only the next morning. Gabriel and Shelton looked tired, it appeared they'd been up all night. Eleanor did her best to assist Missy in preparing some breakfast for the company. Maggie stood very close to Tristan as he smiled to her, "Maggie, I remember what you said to me. I want you to know that I love you, too," he shyly smiled, added; "Very much."

Her inner light shimmered, but she became serious, "Tristan, I don't know what will be waiting for us when we reach the end of the river, but I'm glad you're here with me."

"Fate has brought us to this point Maggie, it's no accident that we're together."

Maggie ached to touch him, to hold his head in her arms and kiss him, 'I've never wanted to be alive more than right now!'

The boat weighed anchor. Gabriel piloted it away, leaving Ibiza by the riverside, wistfully bidding them good fortune. Beside her, Fate faded in and out of reality. Ibiza glanced her her; "Are you alright?"

'The convergence is coming, sister. The spirit world is in flux.'

"What's going to happen to you?" Ibiza breathed, "Are you going to die?"

'I do not fear the convergence,' Fate said, 'It has been my pleasure to assist you, to rise above my base programming and become a thinking, feeling entity,'

"You were my spirit," Ibiza said, "It's not right that you be replaced by someone else,"

'I was a detonator, and you a weapon,' Fate replied, 'We cannot be reunited, sister, and in this realization, I have found peace.'

"Okay, sure, but what if you joined with this other soul? Would we still be a weapon?"

Fate's presence shook with surprise. Ibiza reached out to the entity, "Let's ask Garland, see what she says-?" 'No!' Fate cried, 'No! The dye is cast, sister! Keep to your purpose, for the sake of the world hangs in the balance!'

"Yes, sis," Ibiza retorted, "I want to save everyone," she paused to level her gaze at where she hoped the entity was, "And I mean - everyone."

---

Midnight to Midnight

---

Oakdale, the realm of little folk. In a cottage scarcely larger than Sam's former car park, Mayalee Mae pens a short diary entry; 'Most of the way moved in, it's funny being back in Oakdale. Our first choice, Aure Dei, rejected us, as did Avalon. It seems more and more, the modern world with it's many rules is imposing serious restrictions on my movements. But at least in Oakdale, there are no immigration hurdles. As in the old days, if you can find a vacant flat, the home is yours. Problem is, shoe-horning a lion into a mouse house is not exactly playing it subtle. I fear we're going to stick out like a sore thumb.'

She closed her book and sighed, then moved to the kitchen. She gathered her cooking supplies, then set the stovetop. Mayalee had no idea what she was making, she was simply on auto pilot. Soon, it dawned on her that she was making some sort of stew; "Sam! We're out of brewhouse sauce, is sweet and sour okay?"

"That's good!" replied the lion, his eyes never straying from the flickering images on his television screen. "Need any help?"

"Nope!" she chirped, "Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

"Eh? How long?"

"Ten!" she repeated. She stood stirring the meal for a moment, then said; "I was just thinking about the first night we spent together."

Sam flipped the television off. He rolled onto his hands and knees to make his way to the kitchen, "Yes, sweetie?"

"Aw, go and watch your show," she said with a peck on his nose. The lion smiled warmly, "Telly's a distant second to you."

Mayalee offered a girlish shrug. Sam chortled as he took her in his arms, "Our first night? You mean the part after you barfed up my innards?"

She laughed, "I was just thinking back..." Mayalee began, but laughed as Sam pushed his nose into her belly and snorted, "Ah! Stop!"

He set her down, as Mayalee became suddenly thoughtful, "The Holden family will be home soon."

"Yes," Sam agreed, "Then we can have more lovely friends we can get to know!"

She turned away, "I'm not so sure Sam, I mean..."

He cocked his head, "Already planning your goodbyes?"

"It hurts Sam, I don't know if I can go through it again."

He sat down on his bottom, bringing himself eye-level to the little mouse. "May, every friend I've ever made took a little piece of my heart with them when they died. I know full well what it's like to live on after everyone you care about has gone."

Tears wet her eyes. Sam took her in his arms, "Sweetie, I remember when you wept in my arms, after I pledged myself to Kromhaut. I know what it means to you to have a friend... someone who will be with you, so please, remember this joy when you meet the Holdens."

Beside them, the simmering dish on the stovetop began to smoke. Mayalee squeaked as she removed it from the fire. Sam smiled to her, then bumped her with his nose, "We'd better get the rest of your things into storage, so we can complete the move."

"No," she replied, "I'm throwing everything out."

He became surprised, and lingered for a moment, searching her eyes for appropriate words to offer. "I'm only keeping the feather, everything else is going," she declared, "I've let mementoes become more important than friendships, I guess because my keepsakes will never leave me."

"You'll have to keep your shoe, from when you were a girl."

She smiled, "Oh! And the little music box the Sultan of Ruthinia gave me!"

Sam laughed, moved to stand, and promptly bumped his head on the low ceiling. "Ohh..." she purred, "Lemme kiss it!"

She fell into his mane, kissing her way to his scalp. Sam chortled, but became distracted by a knock at the door. Mayalee answered it to find the little boy who lived a few doors away, "Hello Miss Mayalee, is your lion friend here?" he asked, glancing past Mayalee to Sam.

A few moments later, Sam checked the clearance of his neighbor's new refrigerator before he pushed it into position. Brandy Day's young son Nipper stood just behind Sam in the close quarters between the cabinets and refrigerator nook. Sam gestured for the boy to come along side, "See the water piping?"

Nipper shyly nodded. Sam figured the young mouse was still getting used to the idea of a lion sprawled out on his hands and knees in the middle of their kitchen. 'You could always look and see what he is thinking,' said Ariadne. Sam dismissed that idea, 'I wouldn't presume to intrude.'

Now, a typical mouse abode usually sports a ceiling clearance of six feet. That's quite tall by rodent standards. However, Sam is well over seven. Sam hoped Misses Day wasn't looking too far up his kilt as he leaned well forward to connect the water line. Then, he pushed the refrigerator the final few feet into it's new position, "There! Looks very nice!"

"Could you and Mayalee stay for dinner?" she asked. Sam winked to Nipper who gave him an expectant smile, "Sorry, Mayalee just finished up a dish."

"Aww!" Nipper chuffed, whilst Misses Day sputtered an apology, "Goodness, love! I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner with my chores!"

Sam patted Nipper's little head as he made his way to the door, "No problem at all! Maybe we can stop in tomorrow?"

After the appropriate goodbyes were exchanged, Sam crawled from the residence to find Mayalee waiting for him. "I don't think living in Oakdale is exactly laying low."

Sam smirked at her, "It was your idea!"

The lion stood up to straighten his back. His eyes admired the rows of street lights that wound their way through the picturesque neighborhood, "Oakdale is just as enchanting now as it was in the old days."

Mayalee cupped her hand over her nose, "It's been a long time."

Their dinner forgotten, Sam took Mayalee's hand to wander amongst the great oaks. The local mice and other little folk passed them by, much as they did in life. Sam and Mayalee had become fixed and immobile, stranded within a moment of time like an old photograph, while all around them living animals came and went, each of them in step with the seasons.

"It's going to be Midwinter Day in a month." Sam said softly.

"I don't know how many more I'll be able to take," Mayalee said, her voice cracking with emotion. Sam knelt to take her in his arms as an elderly voice bid them good evening. Mayalee didn't immediately recognize Rosemary's voice as she reciprocated the pleasantry, but groaned when the old mare began to cackle. "Rosemary! What do you want?"

Passersby mistook Mayalee's pointed words to be directed at Sam, and a concerned couple paused, hoping they could jump in and prevent a nasty argument. Sam offered them a reassuring nod, whilst Mayalee realized they were making a scene. She took her lion's hand to retreat to the safety of their flat. Rosemary followed along, pleased that she wasn't being repelled, "I remember when you were rescued, Karl. You were always such a good feline!"

"Name's Sam right now!"

Indoors, Mayalee turned to face the wraith, "Okay! What do you want!?"

Rosemary's face became grave, "I've just come from Kirsten's home, something terrible has happened!"

Mayalee waved her finger, "This better not be some kind of game!"

"Herald has been gifted some sort of copy of himself. It is alive, but it does not live," she began to cackle, "Much like yourselves!"

Mayalee glanced at Sam, 'Talk to her.' He nodded, "Rosemary, I need you to tell me what exactly you saw."

Her eyes darted wildly, "There's a shadow, moving through the woods! I see it everywhere!"

He shook his head, "Do you mean Fate?"

She raised her hands as if to ward off something, "It's coming for me!" the wraith turned about and fled, leaving the animals in stunned silence. Finally, Mayalee called upon her dragon, "Kromhaut? Can you elaborate on this?"

'Kirsten has been gifted a clone of his person, to raise as a son. It is a reward of sorts, courtesy of my sister.'

The animals were horrified, "A clone? Does it have a soul? Rosemary said it isn't alive!"

'My sister maintains it's life support. Once Kirsten passes away, she'll abandon the golem.'

Mayalee shook her head, "Alright, we're leaving at once to go and be with him! He needs companionship!"

'Kirsten is quite happy, actually.' Kromhaut assured, but Mayalee wasn't buying it, "We're leaving tomorrow! Or... this week."

Sam let out a long breath, "I don't know what to do. I'm sure Timothy won't want to live out in the wilderness."

"Shit," she chuffed, plopping down on her bottom, 'Shit...'

---

That night, Mayalee Mae lounged in her bean bag chair as the late night news flashed on the television screen. The sound was muted, in it's place was Sam's gentle snoring as the lion slept on the sofa. The flashing images on the screen created a dreamlike mural on the far wall. In amongst the blurry bright shapes was a deep dark shadow, Mayalee murmured Fate's name as she allowed herself to be mesmerized.

She considered going to bed, but knew that as soon as she did, the images of a horrible undead eagle might fill her dreams. She looked at her hand, 'I'm as undead as Herald's clone,'

'Nonsense!' Kromhaut replied, 'You are a wonderful soul, clad in the vestment of a lovely mouse!'

'You're keeping me alive, Krom. Just like Herald's clone, I've become as unnatural as that golem.'

Kromhaut fell silent as he watched the newscast flicker across Mayalee's television screen. The mouse closed her eyes to deprive the dragon of his view of the program, 'My sons disobey 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 possessing psychic powers hardly constitutes revealing herself to the world,' Mayalee said, 'Really, I don't see why you're still insisting on secrecy.'

'Mayalee, you know what happened all those years ago. What I was forced to do. How am I supposed to carry out my duties when an unseen hand meddles with my balance of life!'

'I thought we all agreed that you are a part of this 'unseen hand?''

Kromhaut was silent for a time, then asked; 'What would you do if you were me? Would you ignore all that has happened?'

'Technically, I am you,' Mayalee replied, 'At least, I'm your physical body.'

'You didn't answer my question.'

'You're so fixated on every other power being your adversary! You know what I would do? I'd make peace with everyone, then greet the king and his family and give them everything they want, because they deserve it.'

Kromhaut rumbled and chuffed, whilst Mayalee crept from her chair to slip on her coat, 'What are you doing?'

'I'm going out, you need some comfort food.'

He made no argument. Already, images of spicy meats and other tasty entrees darted and danced through Mayalee's mind, but also, some of Kromhaut's secrets filtered through his desire for food.

Mayalee fixed upon an image of Kromhaut speaking to his son, 'I never intended that animals should ever set foot in that hall again!!'

"Again?" Mayalee chimed, "Are you saying animals have visited the mountain?"

He made no reply as Mayalee slipped through the front door, then quietly latch it. Sam softly chuffed in his sleep, then rolled over. Standing near the kitchen was a tall grey mare with piercing blue eyes that sparkled in the darkness.

Outside, the evening was crisp and chilly. Kromhaut pushed further into his avatar's body to ensure her comfort. Above, nearby trees beheld his spiritual fire as a sheet of invisible flame poured from Mayalee's face. 'You might as well take the wheel,' Mayalee joked, 'I'm okay being a passenger,'

Kromhaut obliged, slipping past Mayalee's spirit to take possession of her body. The trees bid him greeting, the chorus of welcome growing louder and more urgent. Kromhaut waved Mayalee's hand at them, "Yes, yes, good evening!"

'They really love you,' Mayalee noted. Kromhaut agreed, "Yes, it's quite lovely."

'And they don't seem to have lost their capacity for independent thought...'

Sensing where her line of thought was headed, Kromhaut became defensive, "It is hardly the same thing!"

'You once referred to trees as animals who stay put their entire lives,' Mayalee offered, 'They seem to be capable of knowing their gods, and still retain a capacity for independence.'

"Tree spirits are altogether different," Kromhaut argued, "They may look into the higher realms of my kin, although they cannot fathom what it is they witness."

'Speaking of fathoming what we see, what do you make of Justin's abilities? I keep seeing something in your mind's eye, but.. are you blocking it from me?'

"His spirit has been awakened by something greater than the entity pretending to be Fate."

Thinking of her vision of Hades, Mayalee agreed, 'Krom, I think you have to accept that there is a deity above you, who does things without first consulting you.'

"Why does she remain aloof? Why does Hades not reveal herself?"

'Oh, I dunno Krom,' Mayalee chortled, pausing to glance at a passing badger, 'Why don't you reveal yourself to that badger? I mean, since you're in the neighborhood.'

He grit her teeth at Mayalee's jest, but after a moment he became reflective, "Mayalee, if given the choice, would you place your faith solely in this Hades?"

'Do you really want me to answer?'

He sighed, "I suppose I owe her my allegiance as well, I am insignificant before their power."

'Krom, you are a part of Hades, perhaps the greatest part! When I put my faith in her, I'm also putting my faith in you.'

She became unnerved by a high mental wall the dragon now erected around his thoughts. Pressing him, she asked; 'Would you tell me what you saw? Inside Justin's spirit?'

"Mayalee, I would never wish to lose you."

Now the mouse was becoming concerned, 'Krom? What's wrong?'

"There is something I've not told you."

'Yeah, I get that! Now tell me!'

The dragon very nearly divulged the truth to her, but found himself unable to bear the reality of what he'd seen. Instead, he told Mayalee what he wished could be, "When I gazed into Justin Brightwing's soul, I came face to face with Hades, who revealed to me that her soul represented the whole of my kin, plus one other,"

The little mouse thrilled at the revelation. Cursing himself, Kromhaut uttered his greatest falsehood; "Mayalee, Hades possessed an animal's soul. It was.. you,"

'Me?? Krom, how is that possible?'

"I do not know, Mayalee. Somehow, you have joined with my kin to create a wholly new being."

Kromhaut knew how unhappy Mayalee was as an avatar, and he secretly wished to give her something to aspire to, hoping against hope that it might come to be, 'The future is not yet set, there might be a chance!'

"Mayalee, would you give up your life and identity to join with us?"

Mayalee thought of how her dragon had benefitted from her company, and to actually join with a dragon god! To make your emotional complexities a part of their identity, it might just change the world!

'I believe in you Krom, and I believe in Hades! We have to try!'

"What of your soul mate?"

Mayalee thought of Sam, 'Krom, I wouldn't really be gone. I mean, animals change a lot as they grow older, I'm not the same person I was a thousand years ago! It'll be okay! But in the meantime, we can't let Sam know what might happen, okay?'

"Shall we deceive Sam?"

She shimmered nervously, 'No, not deceive. We'll just delay informing him until the last minute.'

Kromhaut's presence vibrated with uncertainty, but Mayalee comforted him, 'It's for the greater good, Krom. We have to trust in each other, and in Hades.'

The god ached to tell her the truth, that it was not her he'd sensed, but it was too late. He'd lied, and now all of Mayalee's thought was bent on joining with this singular entity. 'The future is not yet set,' he repeated, but already, his words rang hollow.

Daring to hope for the best, but hating himself for infecting his avatar with his dishonesty, Kromhaut turned his thoughts to food, "What shall we eat?"

'There's a twenty-four hour diner over on Greenleaf street, they have good seafood.'

Kromhaut strolled along the picturesque avenues of Oakdale. Though almost midnight, the streets were alive with nocturnal animals who meandered across the rolling hills and wide open lanes. Around them, the trees were equally active as they prepared for the small hours of the morning, and their morning chorus.

'What's going to happen to Rosemary?'

"If you please, I'd prefer another subject for discussion."

'Okay, how about Ibiza? Where will she fit in when this gathering of dragons occurs?'

He sighed, "I suspect she'll return to the first dimension, where she belongs."

'Krom, would you tell me about the night Herald was banished?'

"What do you wish to know?"

'The trees have told me enough about what happened, but I'd like to hear your side of it. What did Ibiza do?'

Kromhaut ignored her question and instead turned his attention to a family of nocturnal animals as they emerged from their home. They noted Mayalee's presence, and smiled to her, silently bidding the mouse a good evening.

The god smiled awkwardly. 'You should talk to them,' Mayalee suggested.

He betrayed no indication that he'd heard her. Instead, Kromhaut's attention became fixed upon a dozen or so ghosts who lay within a shallow gully. 'Krom, they're wearing old uniforms! They're spirits from the great war that haven't found peace!'

The dragon stared blankly at the soldiers as their shadowy faces stared blankly up at the crowns of the trees. Mayalee felt the weight of his apprehension and indecision; 'Krom, please help them.'

"Ariadne will tend to them,"

'No, Krom,' Mayalee whispered, 'You can wake them! You can guide them home!'

With a tentative step toward the tortured spirits, Kromhaut reached out with his fire. A great tongue of flame issued from Mayalee's body, visible only to ghosts. The fire washed over the spirits, who tentatively woke as the dragon god's fire burned away their nightmare. Then, slowly and gradually, their consciousness returned to them. Kromhaut relinquished control of Mayalee's faculties so that his mouse might address the disoriented spirits. "Soldiers of the north," she said, her voice flavored by Kromhaut's deep baritone, "An armistice has been declared! Your tour of duty is now ended, you are discharged."

A badger spirit snapped to attention, "By what authority are we addressed?"

"Her Royal Highness, Olivia of Shannonvale,"

"And her call sign?" Asked a rabbit corporal.

"Patmose Delta Niner."

The soldiers blinked, "We stand relieved."

The rabbit corporal looked upon his fellows, "Who do we appear as such? What has happened to us?"

"You have passed from life," Mayalee replied, "You, who have laid so costly a sacrifice upon this ancient battlefield."

"Then, we are deceased," the badger murmured. "Seek the stone path," Mayalee said, "It shall take you home."

"Aye!" Said the badger as he assumed command of his platoon for the very last time, "Company, dismissed!"

And with that, the soldiers disbanded and faded away. Kromhaut looked after them as one by one they climbed his high path, "Have they been suffering all this time?"

"Yes, Kromhaut. They have."

The pair continued on, neither trading any words with the other as Mayalee mulled the soldier's thousand year confinement within the spirit world. Her thoughts were cold daggers to the dragon, but to Kromhaut's relief they'd arrived at the diner. A few foxes turned to look at the mouse as she easily pushed aside the large-sized door. The god seated himself in a small booth as a sheep waitress offered him a menu, "We're out of fresh fish."

Kromhaut nodded Mayalee's head as he looked over the menu, 'How fortunate it was that you remembered the princess' military code word.'

'Things are going to have to change, Krom,' Mayalee said, 'If I am going to join with you and the other dragon spirits, I intend to change a few things once we become Hades and gain control of the spirit world.'

Mayalee's vision of the future flashed through her mind. Her mind's eye fixed upon the blue flowing robes of Mayalee's future self.

"Mayalee, do you love me?"

His question snapped her back to the moment, and 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 my failings?"

The waitress leaned over the counter, "What would you like?"

"Honey roasted almonds and a salad?"

"That a question, dearie?"

"Pardon?" Kromhaut peeped.

"Dressing for the salad?"

"Please,"

The waitress retreated with Kromhaut's order, whilst the god watched the cooking staff work. Mayalee carefully composed her next thought, 'When you couldn't constrain Justin's new abilities, you briefly considered bringing him into your confidence. Why didn't you follow through on your desire?'

"The fewer mortal animals who know of my existence, the better."

'But they're going to know about Glorafin, soon enough. Why not go to them now? If you fear what Glorafin might do to them, you can intervene, you can give them what they want.'

"I do not owe anything to any animal."

'Do you? You said yourself that Justin has been touched by Hades, who is comprised of you, me, and all of your kin! Why can't you accept that there's something extraordinary at work here!'

Kromhaut resisted listening to Mayalee as she continued; 'You could make Justin's father a new body! I have Octavius' feather! You could do it, Krom! You could make a body out of that feather!' Kromhaut welcomed the distraction of the waitress as she dropped a steaming plate of almonds before him, then poured his tea, "Sugar?"

"Yes, please."

His meal served, Kromhaut began to shovel great mouthfuls of food into Mayalee's delicate mouth. The mouse left her friend to eat as Kromhaut wasted no time ordering another plate. The foxes and badgers at the far end of the diner watched with abject fascination as the little grey mouse ate like a horse. However, this was no ordinary mouse as the power of Kromhaut's thought destroyed the incoming meal as it arrived within Mayalee's stomach, leaving only enough to constitute a light snack.

As the god ate, Mayalee carefully analyzed the conversation, 'You reacted strongly when I mentioned making a new body, it's been done before, hasn't it?'

"Yes,"

'I'll assume it turned out badly.'

"An act of mercy, a gesture of compassion... resulted in a hundred million animal deaths."

Kromhaut sighed heavily through Mayalee's body, eliciting a chortle from the passing waitress, "Eat too much, dearie?"

'Krom, even though you kept me asleep during our early years, I've gathered enough clues to understand that you were behind the falling of the cataclysm.'

He nodded, "Yes."

'I'd like to hear your side of things, what could have forced you to do that?'

"It was an equine spirit, a deceased pony named Sherman Straightpath who found my sister's lair within the mountain. He begged to be remade, for his young family was devastated by his loss," Kromhaut sighed, "Glorafin agreed, and created Straightpath anew. When he returned to the world, mortal animals hailed his rebirth as a miracle."

Mayalee made the connection, 'He became a religious figure.'

"It began with the best of intensions. First came a simple festival, a celebration to acknowledge the higher power that'd restored their fellow. But before long, a new church of draconic worship was born."

The mouse now understood Kromhaut's extreme protective nature regarding animal's free will, 'That's why you created the path, isn't it? You don't want another Sherman Straightpath showing up at your door, asking for a new body.'

"You are beginning to understand."

'Krom, where does Rosemary Barter fit into all this? Her cult came much later.'

"Just a moment, I'll get to that."

'Okay,' Mayalee peeped, thrilled to be getting as much information as she was, but also, marveling at how calmly Kromhaut was in telling it, 'It's like he's making peace with his past.'

"I wouldn't say that," he retorted, "But, it does feel good to... confess to someone. Someone I love."

Her spirit radiated warmth, and as Kromhaut smiled, the waitress appeared, "You need anything else?"

Kromhaut looked to her, "No thanks, just the check please."

'Krom... I understand that a really bad cult was built up around Sherman, but why didn't you appear to the ancient animals? Why didn't you tell them how much their religion displeased you?'

Painful memories echoed through Kromhaut's being, "Mayalee, that is exactly what I attempted."

The god sipped some of his tea, "My attempt to intervene, to put a stop to the church was a futile gesture. After Straightpath's final passing, the draconic church mutated into a wicked cult, which promptly fractured into several competing belief systems, each vying for power."

'Even though you personally told them to stop?'

"The religion had long ago ceased to be about me, or any dragon. It had become obsessed with control over other animals. And so, as my animals descended into religious extremism and sectarian violence, I drew my plans against them."

Mayalee was stunned, 'So that's how it happened. That's when the cataclysm fell.'

He nodded, "I willed their temple to compress and explode, creating a thermonuclear explosion of-" he fell silent, unable to further speak of it.

Mayalee offered her comfort. He silently thanked her, then reached into Mayalee's jacket to retrieve a twenty pound note. The waitress called after her, "Oh! You need change!"

"Keep it," the god said as he stood. He looked about the diner at the few animals present, 'Yes, Mayalee, and what is the legacy of my act? How has the world become a better place? What exactly did I save the world from?'

She had no answer as Kromhaut reached for his glass to sip down the last remaining gulp of tea. The waitress appeared, bearing a take out box; "Here you are, some take home?"

"Thank you," Kromhaut said as he accepted the box of steaming food. Outside, Kromhaut sniffed at the food as his thoughts rippled through Mayalee's being, "And so, just as the ancient titans were wiped away to make for something new, so too did I cleanse the world of the cult that grew up around Sherman Straightpath's miracle."

She reached out with her spirit to touch his fiery being, 'I just want you to know, that I don't feel any different about you. If anything, I feel like I understand you better.'

He sighed, "Thank you love, and if it makes any difference, I will help Octavius rejoin his family, if Glorafin refuses to help."

'Are you sure, Krom?'

"I have grave misgivings, Mayalee, but I trust that the secrecy of my existence may be preserved."

Though she wished that her friend could be free to live amongst his animals, Mayalee understood the impossibility of this wish, 'Yes,' she replied.

Just then, Kromhaut passed a marsupial animal that was colloquially known as a 'Possum.' The white-faced animal appeared to be asleep, and sat holding a bag of belongings snugly against his chest. He was awake of course, but true to his species' nickname, he pretended to be asleep when Kromhaut came near. Though he'd only just met this animal, Kromhaut knew the possum's life story. His name was Chancey. In an instant Kromhaut became aware of the years of alcohol abuse and loneliness that Chancey had endured on the streets. Kromhaut choked back tears, overwhelmed by this life gone astray, "I have f-failed you,"

Kromhaut wiped Mayalee's eyes as he placed his box of surplus food beside the marsupial, then gently padded away.

'That was nice of you,' Mayalee said.

"I should have listened to you, Mayalee. You knew what was best, all along, yet I refused to listen."

'You'll get a second chance, Krom.'

"Goodnight, love."

'Goodnight, and oh! You forgot to tell me about Rosemary!'

"She was Sherman's granddaughter. She survived the cataclysm, and attempted to revive the dragon cult. Upon my order, Ariadne tore her from the mortal world to strand her within the realm of Nidavelir."

'Because after the cataclysm, you promised to never again do any harm.'

"Precisely."

'Rosemary Barter... is Sherman Straightpath's granddaughter! I had no idea!'

"Goodnight, Mayalee... I love you very much."

"I love you too!" she said aloud, but it was too late... he'd already gone. Lost in her thoughts, Mayalee's eyes wandered aimlessly, until they settled upon a flickering street lamp, 'Bringing down the cataclysm broke his heart, that's why he's so adamant about remaining secret and not using his magic.'

From above, a broad maple leaf drifted down to settle upon her head. Mayalee smiled as she cupped her hand upon the leaf. Another leaf fell, and another. Soon Mayalee was left holding a dozen leaves from the trees around her, "Thank you."

'Daughter of Renewal, think not that he has forsaken all magic,' said the nearest maple, 'For were you not born of another age? You are an embodiment of his power upon Elysium.'

"Yes..." Mayalee replied, recalling all of the long years of her life in an instant, "Yes, I am."

Perhaps better understanding her dragon's motives, Mayalee carried home the dozen maple leaves that she would add to her growing collection of mementoes gathered from along the corridors of time.

---

Part Three

---

The silver crescent of the moon made it's way across the night sky. Rosemary Barter lay in a ditch, peering up at the innumerable stars, wondering as any animal might if there was someone out there doing the same. Her reprieve was interrupted by the morning chorus. Rosemary felt the tall bodies of the trees as they sent their power out, combining it with their neighbors, so that the forest might affect the weather of the world.

A ghost's mournful cries pierced this morning chorus. The troubled wailing stirred Rosemary's inner dialogue, where a heated debate was initiated regarding the ghost's plight. Rosemary sat up, peering through the woods as the emotional element of her being urged action, 'They should not have dismissed Herald without first naming a new spiritual guide! Someone needs to tend to that ghost!'

Rosemary struggled to put both the spirit's cries out of her mind, and her own inner arguments; 'Not that I'd want the job,' she muttered.

From an unseen vantage, a lesser dragon named Jord took note of Rosemary's stirrings, 'What does she hear? I see nothing.'

Assigned to watch over the wraith the instant Destruction'd adopted her ancient name, Jord was tasked to monitor her movements and report any interactions she might have with Destruction. He drew closer to Rosemary, hoping to detect what might have disturbed her.

"Someone! Help me!"

Rosemary snorted, "Blast and damn, I'll not stick my muzzle out only to have it slapped by Kromhaut! You are going to have to sort yourself out!" she rolled over, "All on your own, with no one to help you."

Jord puzzled at Rosemary's outburst, 'Truly, she is disturbed.'

"Momma!" the voice cried, "Where are you? What's happened to me?!"

That was the last straw, Rosemary could not suffer a child to call after their mother. With a sigh, she rolled from the ditch to set off after the traumatized ghost. The thin shrill voice was like an ice pick in Rosemary's brain, but the wraith continued on, 'I hope my presence isn't too unsettling, I likely look dreadful.'

Beside her, Jord boggled at Rosemary's odd behavior. Soon she located the spirit, a tall lioness who's shimmering outline flickered erratically; 'I know that flickering, she's likely been dead less than an hour.'

"Easy dear," Rosemary whispered, "Everything is alright."

From Jord's perspective, Rosemary spoke to - nobody. To the other, Rosemary beheld a lioness that turned to her, but this feline ghost did not immediately recognize Rosemary as another animal, 'She's reliving her death, that's why she's so scared!'

Rosemary went to the ghost, "Sweetie, listen to me. I want you to follow my voice. Hold on to the sound of my voice and come to me."

"Uhhhhhh-"

The lioness dropped to her shadowy knees, but she did make eye contact with Rosemary- "That's it! Follow me! You are not in pain, and no one will hurt you."

"W-who are you!? What's happened to me?"

"I'm sorry, love. You have died. I mean, no. Just your body has," she groaned at her own inarticulate blathering, "Oh, what is your name?"

"Greta,"

"Very well, Greta. By chance, do you see any paths or walkways in your field of view?"

"No."

"Then you are not ready to transition. Just be patient, soon enough a path will reveal it's self. Take it, don't be afraid, you'll re-enter the world inside a new mother."

"Really?"

"That's how it's supposed to work, anyway."

Jord was becoming very concerned, 'This equine has truly gone insane. It is cruel to keep her trapped this way, she should be freed.'

"What about god?" Greta asked, "Is there a god somewhere? I mean, if spirits are real-?"

"No," Rosemary chuffed, "There isn't. We are on our own, there's no one looking after us."

Greta nodded, "I'm happy you're here, I'd be terrified without you."

Rosemary's heart ached. Her eyes shimmered, and for the first time in a great long while, Rosemary smiled, "It's alright love, no need to fear."

"You are a nice lady, Rosemary."

The wraith blinked, "I didn't mention my name."

"Jord, would you help me?" Greta said.

"What?" Rosemary chuffed, "To whom are you speaking?"

Greta's long black hair shimmered in an odd sort of way. Her eyes flashed as Mayalee's might, when her dragon'd come calling. "Jord, if you think it is cruel to keep Rosemary imprisoned, you have the power to free her."

From Jord's perspective, he did not hear Greta's words, he felt them. He was touched in a deep and profound way by the entity's mind.

"Piss off, Glorafin!" Rosemary hissed, "I have no patience for your games!"

"Rosemary," Greta said, "Would you trust me?"

The wraith clapped her mouth shut. Greta smiled gently, then gestured for Jord, "Free her, Jord. You can choose to be merciful."

A white flash stunned Rosemary. Within her skull, her brain became gripped by a tremendous sense of vertigo. She felt herself fall, and was left staring up at the tall bodies of the trees, dimly aware a diminutive dragon looking down upon her, "You dragons are so useless."

Jord smiled awkwardly, "You are welcome."

Rosemary returned his smile, before she slipped into unconsciousness. Then, sometime later, she woke to a crunching of leaves. She glanced up, wondering who might be about.

There it was again! Someone traipsing about! Rosemary glanced toward the rustling, then squeaked as a sharp pain radiated down her neck. It was still quite dark in these small hours of the morning, but she did catch sight of a golden glimmer darting amongst the trees. She paid it no mind as she became preoccupied by her sudden discomfort, 'Probably that weird dragon, I haven't the time for her.'

Her eyes became heavy, 'All these dragons about, yet nothing gets done,' she yawned, then settled back down, 'What good are they?'

Hours later, the morning dawned bright and clear. Rosemary Barter opened her eyes to find a shimmering green canopy gently swaying overhead, "How odd, everything seems so clear."

She raised her head up, then gasped as a flash of pain shot through her head. Rosemary clasped hold of her brow as a stunning realization dawned on her! 'I'm not supposed to feel pain!'

She shut her eyes tight, then carefully opened them. The world appeared in crystal clarity. Well... as clear as her seventy five year old eyes could manage. Gone was the mist, the haze, and the etherial lights of Nidavellir. She struggled to recall what might have happened the previous night, but all she could recall was an odd rustling of leaves and a tremendous sense of vertigo.

Then, her belly cramped. Rosemary doubled over as she was wracked by painful spasms inside her abdomen. Soon the sensation passed, and she had the presence of mind to ponder her predicament; 'Kromhaut? Are you there? Have you released me?'

There was no answer. She cocked her head to listen to the chirping of the insects. 'Kromhaut! Answer me!'

Already she felt silly, as if she was addressing an entity who was not real. She dared to hope that it'd all been a dream, a long and terrible nightmare, and that there were no ghosts, vengeful dragons, or creatures that dwelt in the outer darkness.

"Ma'am, are you okay? Can we call someone?" said a voice. Rosemary turned to the animal but found herself unable to reply. 'My back,' she thought. Then a sharp jabbing pain brought her to her senses, "My back is killing me."

A sturdy badger knelt down to cup his hands beneath her neck, "There there ma'am, we'll get you some help."

Rosemary became aware of a gathering of voices all around her. She looked to the animal who assisted her, the elderly horse searching his eyes for meaning as the badger smiled gently to her.

"Where am I?" Rosemary croaked, expending all of her energy just to sit up. The badger braced her, his strong hands warm against her body. She looked down upon her tattered white gown and became unsettled by it's ancient hem and make. She began to tremble. "Easy," the badger said, whilst a nearby couple rang a medic. Rosemary grasped at his shirt, "This shirt is modern thread! I'm in the modern world, yes?"

Before he could answer she looked up, her grey eyes unfocused and full of fear, "Where am I?"

"Oakdale Park. Just sit tight, we'll get you some help."

Several blocks away, Sam and Mayalee hurried from their home as Kromhaut's voice rang in their ears. The lion scooped up his mouse and rushed headlong toward the site of Rosemary's return. Back at the park, the badger offered Rosemary whatever comfort he could. "You'll be alright, you might have been sleepwalking."

Rosemary sighed, "You're a helpful animal, Steven. Thank you for your kind attention."

Steven blinked, and wondered when he might've told the elderly horse his name, but he became distracted by a commotion as a pair of animals moved through the gathered crowd. "Excuse me," said Sam. At the sound of his voice, the pit of Rosemary's belly fell away as she realized; 'It was no dream.'

The kindly badger stepped back as Sam knelt beside the startled horse, "Come on, we'll help you back to the house."

"You know this horse?"

"Yeah," Sam replied, "She must have wandered off while we were asleep. Getting a little daffy in her old age!"

"No!" Rosemary gasped, "I'm free! Tell me that I'm free!"

"I have an ambulance on the way," Steven said, but Sam waved the badger away, "It's okay, I can take care of her."

Rosemary reached out for Steven, "Help me, love! Don't let them take me!"

Steven grasped Sam's arm, "Hey, please stop! I really think we should wait for the ambulance!"

The gathered crowd closed around Sam as the lion handed Rosemary off to Mayalee. He reached into his pocket, then withdrew his police identification card, "I'm an officer, it's okay. I'm looking after this equine so that she won't have to be confined to a hospital. I'm trained to care for her."

"Obviously," said a nearby rat, "You're doing a shitty job!"

Sam smiled weakly, then thanked the animals who reluctantly allowed him to take Rosemary away. "Karl Kuhn! Have I been released?!"

"Shhhh!" Mayalee hissed, "We have to get you inside!"

Rosemary's lip began to tremble, she knew that she'd not been pardoned. She thought to cry out for help, to attempt an escape from Kromhaut's servants, but it was hopeless. There would be no escaping the dragon. "Please, I don't care what happens to me! Just help Herald! He's suffering!"

"Shhhh!"

Rosemary let out a desperate wail before she hung her head in defeat. Looking down, she gazed upon the grass, hoping to burn the memory of the living world into her mind before she was again cast into the purgatory of Nidavellir. Sam helped her into the flat as tears streamed down Rosemary's cheeks. "Please," she whimpered, "I want to go to sleep, I want to fall asleep and dream! May I do that before I'm cast back?"

Mayalee hopped up onto a nearby chair to assess Rosemary's condition; "Kromhaut says a dragon named Jord released Rosemary, all on his own initiative."

"How?" Sam chuffed, "Isn't that wildly out of character for a dragon!?"

The mouse shrugged.

"I can't go back! I can't!" Rosemary gasped. Sam, stung by her sorrow, pulled her close, "It's okay, Rosemary. I'm going to stay with you."

She clung to him with her long arms, sobbing hysterically. 'Samuel,' said Kromhaut, 'Please move aside.'

"No."

'Move aside, Samuel.'

"Kromhaut! Enough! She's not going back!"

'You forget your place!'

"And you've forgot what compassion is! Just how long is she supposed to suffer?" Sam tightened his grip on her, "If Rosemary goes, then I go!"

Shivering in his arms, the old horse's bowels finally let loose. A putrid stench issued from her backside as Rosemary trembled and whimpered. Sam sighed, 'Here is your evil animal, reduced to a terrified old lady who's just pooped herself. Is this who you want to punish?'

'Sam, please, I must do this.'

'Krom, I remember the morning I pledged myself to you. Ariadne said he wanted me to help him understand animal ways, and that together, we might help ease animal's misery.'

Sensing the lion was in fierce negotiations with the dragon, Rosemary pulled her long face back to gaze into Sam's eyes. Mayalee offered her a reassuring pat as she turned her thought inward to buttress Sam's argument; 'Krom, just last night you confessed that you should have listened to me, and that I'd known what was best all along,' she embraced his presence, 'Will you listen to me now? Can you be merciful?'

A long moment passed. The ticking of Mayalee's antique clock became deafening as the dragon regarded Rosemary through Mayalee's eyes.

"This is why you have us," Sam said aloud, so that Rosemary might hear, "We are your conscience! Now please, let Rosemary be!"

The flickering in Mayalee's eyes dimmed, then winked away. She closed her eyes with a sigh, "He's going to think it over."

Rosemary choked back a lump of emotion, but could offer no other reaction. Mayalee squeezed her hand, "We'd better get you cleaned up."

"Please tell me this ordeal is over," Rosemary whispered, "Please!"

Mayalee took Rosemary's hand and squeezed it tight, "You're safe! You're not going anywhere!"

Deep down, Mayalee hoped it could be true. She led the horse to the wash room, "Come on."

Inside, Rosemary shrieked when she beheld her reflection! "I look terrible! My eyes are gaunt and sunken! Return me to Nidavellir, Kromhaut! I can't bear to be seen like this!"

"I see your sense of humor has returned," Mayalee said, using her superior strength to pull the mare down to her level. She pulled the soiled gown from Rosemary's shoulders, "Sam, please wash this!"

The lion entered to take the gown. He rushed it to the laundry room, leaving Mayalee to set the bath. Rosemary reached back to scrape the mess from her bottom, "Look what your god has done do me,"

Mayalee ignored her, "Come on, let's get you a bath."

Just off the kitchen, Sam threw the ornate gown into the washer, then moved to the basin to vigorously wash his hands. 'Sam,' came Ariadne's voice, 'Father is displeased.'

"Rosemary couldn't stay in Nidavellir forever, sooner or later you'd have to deal with her."

'Yes,' Ariadne replied, 'I accept that, but Jord has disobeyed father. We believe he was influenced by the singular entity. We do not know what to do.'

"Are you looking for my advice?"

'I suppose I am,' Ariadne replied.

"If Hades is possibly comprised of all of you, then this being would know better what is right. Clearly, they've overruled Kromhaut."

'Yes,' Ariadne repeated, as Rosemary's shrill voice echoed through the wall, "Confound it! Don't do that!"

Smiling, Sam left the kitchen to hurry to the bathroom. Inside, he found Mayalee attempting to drag a brush across Rosemary's backside, "I said stop! That hurts!"

Sam pulled Mayalee aside and bid her tend to breakfast. He ushered her out amid her silent protests. Sam smiled to the mare as Rosemary shyly cupped her hands over her breasts, "Come on, let's add more water."

Rosemary shook her head and attempted to stand, but Sam pushed her down into the tub, "Come on, just relax."

She let out a shuddering breath as the water began to cover her legs, "I'd forgot what this feels like."

"Mmm-hmm..." Sam purred, taking a bar of soap to lather his hands. Rosemary cast him a sideways glance, "What are you doing? You're not going to lay your hands on me, are you?"

"You need an animal's touch. It will be good for you."

Embarrassed, more than a little frightened, Rosemary allowed Sam to wash her back. Her slender shoulders tensed, and she began to tremble, "Shhhh, it's alright," he said, tracing his fingertips over the bumps of her spine.

"I know what you're doing," she whispered, "I'll not let you manipulate me!"

He gently kneaded the tense muscles of her shoulders, then took up a small bucket which he held under the running tap. He poured the water over her head, eliciting a terse groan from her, "And what would I gain from such a manipulation?"

She closed her eyes as Sam poured more water over her. The gaunt craggy features of Rosemary's face became softened by the water, revealing a loveliness that surprised even Sam. Despite her age, and years of abuse, Sam felt himself whisper; "You're very beautiful, Rosemary."

A knock upon the door, "Everything okay?"

"Sure, come in if you want."

Mayalee did, and was surprised by the difference in Rosemary's appearance! "Wow, she cleans up nice!"

"Sod off," the mare spat, "Your god knows what he's doing, doesn't he? He wants me to suffer!"

"What do you mean, 'my god?' You're the one who started a dragon cult!"

"Girls, please," Sam chuffed, "Let's try to start fresh, okay?"

Mayalee returned to the kitchen as Sam placed his hands on Rosemary's neck. He used his powers of mind to see her thoughts, but was repelled by what he found, "Oh, you don't want to go tripping around in there," Rosemary chortled, "You might never find your way out."

"You're not insane," Sam replied, "And how do you know I'm trying to read you?"

She offered no answer, Rosemary simply hung her head for a time as Sam finished bathing her. Through the wall, Sam heard Mayalee place Rosemary's gown into the dryer, "We'll have you fixed up in no time."

"What are the dragons saying?" she asked, "I know they speak to you, perhaps even now. What do they say? Was my release truly counter to Kromhaut's plan?"

"Yes."

She turned to him, "Then quick as you can! Kill me! Put my throat into your mouth and bite down!" She clasped her hands across his face, "Do it now! For mercy's sake!"

He wrestled her down while a concerned Mayalee appeared at the door, "Okay, maybe you're a little insane," he said in jest, then silently requested some oats be brought for Rosemary. Mayalee fetched them at once. "Here," Sam said, presenting the oats to her, "Try and eat something."

"No, I'd rather starve!"

He grasped her muzzle to push a pinch of food into her mouth. Rosemary's eyes widened as she took the morsel between her teeth. Slowly she began to chew. Mayalee smiled broadly as the old mare reached for the pot, then brought it to her face. "Easy," Sam said, "Take it easy."

Naked and wet, Rosemary Barter savored her first meal in almost two and a half thousand years. The avatars smiled to one another, but the mare was quick to squash any sense of accomplishment. "Don't get too proud of yourselves, I still think you're both morons."

"You're welcome!" Mayalee chimed, skipping to the washroom to fetch Rosemary's gown. Sam helped her from the tub then slid a towel slowly down her belly. He capitalized on her extreme attraction to lions, and used his sensuality to keep her emotional state in check. There was some part of Rosemary that relished his attention, but there was a larger part that resented it as Sam groomed and dried her.

"You were married once, weren't you?"

"No, never," she chuffed.

Sam brought the towel up to her shoulder, "I see a lion's face at the back of your mind. Who was he then, if not your husband?"

Rosemary locked eyes with him, "I only fuck lions."

Mayalee cleared her throat, then presented Rosemary's gown. The former wraith took it from her with a snarl, then slipped it over her head. It draped down over her slender body in a most unsettling way. Frowning, Rosemary turned to face the mirror, "I look ridiculous! I cannot wear this!"

"I have a jacket you can wear over it," Sam offered, "I doubt any of Mayalee's things would fit you."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Yes, bring me this jacket of yours."

The trio moved to the bedroom where Sam offered up a dark blue coat. Rosemary took it and slipped it on, "This will do. Th-thank you."

"Careful!" Mayalee squeaked, "Your face might crack saying that!"

Scowling, the mare lay down on the couple's bed. Mayalee became instantly territorial, "Hey, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like? Since I'd wager I am not free to go, I would like to rest and sleep. It's been something of an eternity since I've slept."

Sam nodded and moved to depart, but Rosemary grasped at him; "Sam, thank you," she glanced at Mayalee, "T-thank you both, for standing up for me. I'd be cast back if it were't for you."

Mayalee nodded as Sam winked to her. The couple departed, leaving Rosemary alone. She lay back, listening to the wild insects chirping and fluttering outside. Her thoughts rattled about inside her head, but eventually settled on Sam. She imagined him at the foot of the bed, removing his clothing, but she shook the dirty thought from her mind, 'It's what he wants! He's trying to manipulate me!'

'And what would I gain from such a manipulation?'

Rosemary squirmed this way and that. Her eyes settled on the gentle swaying of the trees as they created a dreamlike mural of shadows on the far wall. Hidden amongst these shadows was the black shape that'd followed her for all the years of her exile. Rosemary smiled gently, then settled off to sleep. Across the room, a grey equine mare cast aside her shadowy veil to approach Rosemary's bed. 'Sleep, daughter. Sleep now, and dream.'

Beneath the covers, a special world, lost for so long, was opened to Rosemary.

"Hello, Cricket."

Rosemary found a tall black stallion waiting for her in the fog. She stood for a moment to admire his beauty, but shook when a lion appeared from the mist to strike at the horse. Rosemary was sickened by a disorienting sense of vertigo as the stallion fell away, only to collapse upon a dingy abandoned bed. She steadied herself at the door, then watched as the stallion's body shifted and contorted.

She cried out when the back wall collapsed, revealing green growing things.

Rosemary looked back to find the stallion'd become a golden-scaled creature who's bulk now dominated the room, but it's eyes were black as pitch and bore the appearance of the dead.

"This is the choice before you."

Rosemary turned to find her mother, Garland Highpath. The grey horse smiled; gently took Rosemary's arm.

"You're not my mother," Rosemary breathed, "This isn't real."

Ignoring Rosemary's anxiety, Garland squeezed her daughter's hand, "Love, I'm so happy you're freed from Nidavellir! It is so good to see you!"

Rosemary recoiled from the strange electric current that radiated from Garland's fingers. The wary horse narrowed her eyes as she recalled the electric tingle she'd felt whenever the shadow was near.

"You,"

The other smiled, "Yes, love. I have always been with you."

"What is your name?"

Garland pursed her lips, annoyed that her daughter knew exactly the question to ask; "I am Death."

"Liar! I've seen that creature come and go! There's nothing there! Are you some sort of dragon?"

Garland smiled, "In a manner of speaking," she patted her daughter, "Come, I have many things to show you."

"Wait, what about the black horse, and that dead creature?"

"The stallion is your future husband. His name is Benjamin, you'll be seeing him come springtime!"

"What!? I'm not getting married!"

Garland snorted, "Oh, blast and damn, girl! Do you always have to be so hard-headed?"

"I'll decide whom I'll marry, thank you very much! And stop speaking as my mother! You dragons can just toss off! I'll-" the other silenced Rosemary with jab to the belly, "There's more at stake here! Don't you see? Benjamin Almond is a physical embodiment of the land! You need to marry him, so the trees will forgive your offenses, and accept your dominion over them!"

Rosemary withdrew with a snort, "I've done nothing to the trees! Now go away, Glorafin! I've suffered enough torment at your brother's hands!"

"Sweetie, please," Garland said, taking Rosemary by the elbow, "I'm here to make sure no one torments you."

"Then... this is no dream."

"Not one that you'll remember," Garland admitted, "I just want to help you, love. I know this is a scary time for you."

"If you're a dragon, I want to see your real form," Rosemary chuffed, tugging and fumbling at the mare's face, "Where are your teeth?"

Garland pinched Rosemary's snout, "Ooo! Did I bite you?"

"Show yourself! Stop pretending to be my mother!"

Garland nodded, then stepped back. A fire burst from her mane, startling Rosemary. Garland's grey fur became spun gold that flattened and broadened into shining metallic plates. Her delicate mouth became a maw, as long graceful horns sprouted from her head. A ring of fire took it's place above the dragon's head, mesmerizing Rosemary with it's etherial beauty, yet the dragon's face was daunting and commanding. Rosemary unconsciously crouched down, as if attempting to evade a predator.

"Ibby, the form I wear matters not, I shall always be your mother."

"That's what you used to call me," Rosemary whispered, "All those long years ago."

The dragon settled back on her haunches, "As good as it is to see you, there is much we must do this night."

Rosemary exhaled a long breath, "Alright, what do you want to show me?"

The dragon gestured for her daughter to sit, "You are about to have a dream within this dream. I trust you're comfortable?"

Rosemary shrugged.

"Close your eyes, Rosemary."

Rosemary did, and with her eyes closed, she settled into a deep and profound slumber. Within Death's meditative trance, Rosemary's spiritual eyes were opened. Now under the dragon's care, a great many things were revealed to her. She beheld a small grey pony who sailed upon a princess of eagles. 'Mother, where are we? Is that Olivia?'

'Hush, child.'

Enthralled, Rosemary followed along as the grey pony passed from one incarnation to the next. She witnessed the kind intellect of an equine scientist make way for the indefatigable tenacity of a police inspector. Then, Rosemary shook when a tall bison landed a blow across Maggie Pumpkin's muzzle. 'The boxer,' Rosemary murmured, 'I've steered Olivia's mentor straight toward Shelly Holden.'

'These are the lives you would have lived, had you not been cursed. Maggie Pumpkin has stepped in to fulfill the destiny that was denied you.'

Rosemary reeled at this news. 'And who is Maggie Pumpkin? Who is this spirit that has taken my place?'

Now the flow of time ran in reverse. Rosemary followed Maggie's many lives back to the time before the dawning of the modern age. 'Wait! I know these equines!'

The flow of time continued back. Rosemary watched, her mind's eye fixed on each and every life Maggie had lived, but a growing unease crept into Rosemary's spirit as they ventured along a familiar road. Soon they reached the falling of the cataclysm, and the life and times of Garland Highpath. 'How can this be! How can Maggie Pumpkin be my mother!?'

The weight of this realization crashed down upon the old horse. When next Rosemary was aware, she was buried beneath a great ruin of splintered timber and rusted metal. She cried out, but already the scene seemed oddly familiar. The grey hand of Garland Highpath reached through the rubble to comfort her daughter, "Are you ready, love?"

"Yes," Rosemary whispered, "I have done this before. I've done it a million times before."

Garland's hand became a tongue of flame that burned Rosemary's body, but she kept hold of her mother's fire. The flames brought not pain, but release. Immolated, Rosemary's remains rose up from the fire and became ash that drifted on the wind.

Rosemary's ashes traveled through a deep and tranquil fog, settling at last upon the green fields of Buckley, where a little tree welcomed her home.

Thus was the first dream to come to Rosemary Barter since the old ancient days.

---

That evening, Sam and Mayalee looked in on their guest who wailed and protested to be left alone. She burrowed her face beneath the covers and dozed for a time, but the aroma of food and chiming voices roused her. In the parlor Rosemary found the other half of Kromhaut's little gang, the hawk Allomere Clemens and the cute fox Timothy.

Allomere's maw hung open as he gawked at her. Annoyed, Rosemary sputtered a curse, "Fool, what are you looking at?"

"A ghost."

Rosemary snorted, "Not anymore."

She settled heavily in a chair, her mind momentarily unguarded. Mayalee picked up odd images and strange sensations from her as the horse gazed absently at a salt shaker. "Did you sleep okay?"

Rosemary made no answer. Mayalee gestured to Sam. He nodded, then carefully examined the thoughts Rosemary absently broadcast. "Rosemary, did you dream about a fire?"

Shaken back to the moment, Rosemary expelled the familiars! "Leave me be!"

"We're only trying to help-" Mayalee began, but Rosemary was having none of it. She left the table to flop down upon the sofa. Allomere smiled gently to her, "My husband once had a vision of you burning in a fire, it was such a traumatic experience that he nearly required counseling." He leaned closer, "We have all received visions of the future, Rosemary. I would hope that you could share whatever you have been shown, so that we might help you."

Gently, she began to weep, "We're all going to die,"

Allomere was surprised at her sudden vulnerability. He reached out with his wing to comfort her, but Mayalee gave him a cautionary nudge, "Careful."

"Maybe we should eat," Timothy suggested, moving to the kitchen to inspect the brewing pot. "Ow!" he barked, knocking his head on a support beam. Mayalee smiled to him, "Sorry love, mouse houses are rough places for tall animals."

He returned with a large lump on his head which slowly grew smaller and then faded away. Wiping her eyes, Rosemary smirked at him, "It must be good to have friends in high places."

"Well," he replied, "Technically, you do too."

At first she didn't know what he meant, then it dawned on her, 'Oh yes, Hades.' She straightened her gown, "I should think I will like this being, when they finally reveal themselves. Any entity who so vexes Kromhaut is a true friend, indeed."

Mayalee did her best to ignore the mare as she set the table. Timothy lowered himself onto his hands and knees to assist her. Rosemary smirked at the pair while Sam checked the stew. "You know, Rosemary," Sam said, knowing he shouldn't engage her, but finding it impossible not to, "Krom went rather easy on you, when you consider what you did. Ordering the killings of rival cult leaders? The systematic domination of the followers under your control? Kromhaut stranded Herald aboard his ship for a thousand years for far less mayhem than you wrought."

Timothy cast Rosemary a sideways glance. She scowled at him, "Do not presume to judge me! You, who've murdered in your own past!"

Mayalee clapped her hands, "Dinner!"

After some wary glances all around, the animals sat down to their meal. Sam was thankful they'd cooked a sufficient amount, and the food seemed to smooth everyone's frayed nerves. Even Kromhaut slipped into the background of Mayalee's mind so that he might savor the flavorful morsels, despite Rosemary's close proximity. Within her vision, Rosemary could detect wisps of vapor and flame, and she knew the dragon god was present, but she betrayed no indication that she was so aware.

The meal went smoothly. The animals even found themselves smiling. On occasion, anyway.

Seeing Rosemary in a good humor, Sam attempted to hear her thoughts, but was again caught by the wary horse, "It would be best if you didn't," Rosemary said aloud, "At the very least, I consider it extremely rude."

"I'm just trying to help you." Sam replied, but Rosemary dismissed him, "I'm sure it would cause quite a scene if I left, I'm sure your god would demand my return," she cast her eyes upward, "Tell me, is there anywhere I could go to be free of you?"

Through Mayalee's eyes, Kromhaut watched the mare finish her meal, and then retire to the bedroom. "Sam, Mayalee, I would be most grateful if I could make use of your bed for the night."

Mayalee was surprised that she'd made an actual request. She nodded her permission, "Sam and I can get a hotel. We'll be back in the morning to pick you up."

The ancient mare nodded, "Thank you."

"Just a moment," Mayalee said, taking a camera from a side table and gesturing for Rosemary to kneel down before a white plaster wall, "Have you lost your mind, mouse? I am tired!"

"I need to make you an identity card, I can work on it tonight."

"Oh, bloody hell," the cranky horse muttered as she slowly knelt before the mouse. She grimaced, drawing a chortle from Sam. "Rosie, can you please smile normally?"

Rosemary reached out to batt the camera aside, "Don't ever call me that! My name is Rosemary! Say it proper!"

Mayalee nodded, thinking; 'And here I thought it was Ibiza,' then aloud said; "What's your middle name?"

"Whatever do you need that for?"

"I'm making an identity card, such documents tend to include them."

"It's Garland."

Sam raised a brow, "Isn't that your mother's name?"

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not," the lion replied. Mayalee took several photos of the elderly horse, who chafed at the indignity. "Are we finished?"

"Yes,"

Without another word, Rosemary got to her feet. Her joints popped and snapped as she rose, "Ow!" Sam stood to embrace the squirming horse, "What are you doing?"

He pressed the barrel of his chest to her willowy body. Rosemary gasped as a blossoming heat radiated from him, her eyes became heavy as her pain melted away. She brushed her lips over Sam's ears, "Looks like you have some use, after all."

Allomere and Timothy traded glances as Mayalee thanked Sam for his intervention, 'That's really helping, I wouldn't mind if you had sex with her, it might actually turn her into something resembling a normal animal.'

'If it comes to that, but I'd rather keep my therapy soft-core, if at all possible!'

Mayalee chortled. Rosemary smirked at her before she retreated to the bedroom and closed the door. Sam sighed, then smiled to his friends, "Come on, we'd better go and leave her to sleep."

"What's going to happen to her?" Timothy asked in a low voice. Mayalee shrugged, "Krom wants her to live out her days in the north, away from civilization."

Timothy rubbed his throat, "She looks like she's been through a lot."

Sam smiled gently, "Sometimes being alive is more of a struggle than any of us realizes."

"Indeed," Allomere agreed.

And with that, the company gathered themselves up and departed. Rosemary sat on the bed, waiting for them to leave. Satisfied that they were gone, she idly poked about the bedroom, 'Look at all this clutter! These animals are slobs!'

She sifted through several piles of artifacts, recognizing some as being quite old, 'I wonder if each of these old odd ends represents a memory? I suppose I'd become quite a hoarder myself if I'd lived all this time in the physical world.'

Rosemary picked up a small music box. Smiling gently, she listened to it's tune, 'I believe I know where this comes from.'

She set the keepsake down, then opened a nearby box where she found a withered old child's shoe, "Is this her shoe? 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.'

Then, she came upon a rectangular wooden box. She opened it to find a large brown feather. Her eye twitched as she realized to whom this feather belonged, 'She was the king's chambermaid, she would have had access to his discarded feathers,'

A wicked thought flashed through her mind, 'This feather has got to be her most prized possession!' She clapped the cover over the box and rushed to the kitchen, promptly knocking her head on one of the low beams, "Ow! Damn it!"

She clasped her hand over an angry wound on her head, and found her fingertips soiled with blood. Quivering with rage, Rosemary moved to the stove and lit a burner. Removing Octavius' feather from it's box, she intended to cast it into the fire, but stayed her hand. She stood, gazing into the fire as her dream of the bonfire filled her mind's eye. With a trembling hand, she reached out to extinguish the burner. She returned the king's feather to it's box, as an odd tingling spread out across her forehead. Fearing that she was about to pass out, she gingerly made her way back to the bedroom and returned the box to it's place upon Mayalee's dresser, 'Your Majesty,' she breathed, and then glanced into the mirror. Her wound was healed. She touched her head, and felt no bump or scrape! "Uhhhhh," she groaned.

Finally, Rosemary lay back on the bed and attempted to get comfortable. Realizing that the lights were still on, she reached up to switch them off.

She sighed. For a long while she stared at the ceiling as the gathering dusk gave way to night. Through these long moments she reflected upon her long and tiring existence. 'I suppose I belong in a museum, too.'

Though she'd plotted her own course through the centuries, Rosemary'd existed in a world of perpetual night. Often her own being had become indistinguishable from the shadows that swirled about her, and even now the etherial realm weighed upon her mind, beckoning to her, calling her back. She dozed off, wondering if she'd wake back within that dreadful place. Sometime later, she shook awake. Squinting, Rosemary attempted to check the time on the far wall, but the lighted numbers were only a fuzzy blur.

"It is one half hour to midnight," said a gruff female voice.

Rosemary's heart leapt into her throat. She glanced about the room, searching for the animal who'd spoke. Minutes ticked by. Rosemary finally dared to address the unseen presence, "Please, if I'm forced back into Nidavellir, I shall truly go insane. Please... don't condemn me."

From beyond the veil, the goddess of death issued a fateful pronouncement that horrified Rosemary; "Through murder, you will find purpose,"

---

The Tree at the End of the World

---

One hundred and fifty six years ago, Mary Bard emerged from the military hospital adjacent to Farmingtom Manor. She held out her flashlight, but the dim brightness of her torch barely pushed back against the darkness of the moonless night. Angus Greenfield switched on the police cruiser's headlights to light her way, but Mary gestured for him to extinguish them. Soon she reached the vehicle, and urgently tapping the dashboard she bid him; "Let's get out of here."

Angus started the motor, "Serious, eh?"

"We'll need to contact the Army Governor General, then issue-" she gasped as the car became encircled by soldiers. Mary grasped the door handle, then with a deep breath she pushed it open. She leapt from the vehicle and stalked up to the nearest animal. He sputtered as she grasped his weapon away, "Hey!"

She threw it aside, then stormed up to the next animal. Grasping his weapon, she threw it next to the other. Angus emerged from the car to stand guard over the confiscated weapons. By the time Mary reached the last soldier, the feline practically handed her his weapon.

She smiled to him, "When I present my report, I'll mention that you animals obeyed the orders of your superior officer, but were wise enough to recognize where his authority ended."

"Thank you, ma'am," they murmured.

Angus slid back behind the wheel as Mary took her seat beside him, "Let's get out of here before any hard loyalists show up!"

He grunted as they accelerated away. Mary grasped at her chest as they moved up the long road past the main headquarters of the base proper. Outside the main gate, Angus ignited the cruiser's headlights. Mary softly panted as she struggled to calm herself. Angus reached across to take her small hand in his, "Easy, girl."

"A year ago I was pushing papers, I shouldn't be out here!"

"Aye girl, here you are, and you know? I've never met a braver horse."

She squeezed his hand, "Someday my luck is going to run out."

"But today is not that day," he replied.

The pair motored along as Mary breathed a sigh, "This must be a real bad panic attack, I think I'm hallucinating again."

"You're just anxious, it'll pass."

She squeezed his hand, "Never had these spells until I was assigned to field work, I should go back to administration."

"I believe in perception beyond the ordinary senses," Angus said, "What exactly are you seeing right now?"

"The road appears to be pitching and moving, as if it were a river moving beneath the car," she glanced at him, "I fail to see how such a vision could bestow wisdom from beyond."

"Hmm," he murmured.

Mary fixed her eyes on the dark river ahead of them, "Angus, did you ever feel like something was going to happen?"

"Like what?" asked a grey-furred equine nurse.

The police inspector found herself in a white hospital corridor. She glanced down upon her hands, and found herself wearing red boxing gloves. "Maggie?" Missy Holden cried as she rushed to the boxer, "You're Maggie Pumpkin!"

"Uh, yeah," the boxer replied, "What are you doing here?"

"I dunno! Did something happen? Are we in a hospital?"

"Visiting hours are just about over," said the grey nurse who had strangely pointed teeth. Missy turned to acknowledge her, but she became stunned by a calendar, opened to June, the days checked off until they reached the eleventh. That was the date. That terrible day. Oft did Missy dream of the day her Sheri died. The nightmares came less frequent now in her older age, but they did come on occasion to darken her sleep. Staring at the calendar, Missy began to weep, "My poor sweetie, poor poor sweetie-"

"Mom, hey!" Maggie said.

"Well, Maggie Pumpkin!"

The horses froze at the sound of the voice. The avian voice spoke again, but Missy couldn't discern what was said. Suddenly, a shimmering equine mare appeared in the hall, accompanied by a large black eagle, "I suppose a month is too short a time for a spirit to develop any sort of new identity," Missy's eyes widened at the revelation, "Come along, Maggie," said the avian, "A hospital isn't the sort of place for a sensitive sort like you."

"Maggie!" Missy cried, "You really are my daughter!"

Back aboard the house boat, Missy Holden cried out; "Maggie! Maggie!"

"Mom!" Shelton cried, shaking her. She opened her eyes, but her gaze remained far away. "Mom! It's okay! You're okay!"

The company was all of them awake. Missy sat up; looked to each of her companions. Then, she conjured her dreamtime image of Maggie Pumpkin; "I love you, sweetie. No matter what happens, I'll love you as my own."

From her hidden vantage, Maggie replied.

"Mags says she loves you, too," Shelly said. Missy nodded thoughtfully, before her face became grave. She rolled from her sleeping cushion to crawl to her daughter's side, "Sweetie, I need you to talk to Maggie. I need you to ask her if her eagle friend ever told her that a hospital wasn't the sort of place for a sensitive sort like her."

Shelly's nostrils flared, "Uh, yeah. Mags says yes, he did."

"Was her friend large and black, with a bright yellow beak?"

"Yeah, she says yes."

Missy leaned back to take in what this all might mean, "Shelly, does Maggie know who she was in her past life?"

"Maggie says she had the same dream, mom," Shelly said, "She was with you in the hospital."

Trembling, Missy touched her daughter's knee, "Sweetie, does she have any memory of being Sheri?"

"Mom, you're really freaking me out! You had a dream, okay?"

"Okay," Missy replied. She lay back for a moment before she mulled over her dream aloud; "It's just terribly odd that we both had the same dream," she paused to bite back a painful lump of emotion. Shelly reached out to pat her mother as Shelton made his way back to offer his own support. "You should stay at the wheel," Missy said to him, "Sweetie,"

Shelton turned to go, but Missy pulled him back, "You came to us and healed our pain, Shelton. I'll never get over Sheri's death, but you did so much to heal our hearts. I've always wanted to tell you that."

Tears blurred Shelton's eyes. He leaned forward to kiss his mother's snout before he joined his father at the wheel. Gabriel hugged his boy as Missy let out a long and heavy sigh, 'That dream means something. I was meant to see Maggie. I was meant to see her there, on that day,'

'Indeed,' Ibiza thought, as she passed through the rear of the cabin to stand out on the fantail. She could not feel the strong winds through her cloak, but she felt Garland's thundering velvet hand, 'Can't you speak to me? You reveal so many things to the animals around me, but you don't tell me anything!'

She bowed her head, 'No, my lessons must come from my animals,' she nodded bravely, 'I understand.'

Ibiza faded into the night. Moving. Wandering. As restless as the blowing winds, Ibiza awaited the dawn, when her animals would wake, and return to her.

Soon the dawn did come, and brought with it cloudy, iron-grey skies. Ibiza regarded these skies, and saw only the grey face of Garland, her enigmatic goddess. For the Holden family, their course took them past mournful townships and desolate riverside ports. Only a long and winding river lay ahead, with no more settlements or villages to look upon as they sailed ever north. Soon morning became day, and then day became night. "We better keep going," Gabriel said, "I don't know if it's safe to stop anywhere along the river now."

"This is Shannonvale," Eleanor said, somewhat indignant. "You'll not find any roving bands of hooligans stumbling about in the dark."

Shelly spoke up; "Maggie says that the last place we stopped looked pretty rough, she thinks we should keep going."

Eleanor grunted, but made no further argument as Missy settled down with her family. With a shy smile, she recalled the time she scored a motion picture soundtrack. "Martha Fleetfoot was such a nice pronghorn, and a fantastic singer," Missy said with a fond sigh, "I wish there was some way I could work with her again."

"Indeed?" Eleanor chirped, "I've often wondered what some of those super-divas are like in person."

"Well," Missy replied, "She was rather shy and reserved," silently she laughed, 'Martha was less of a diva than you, Eleanor!'

Up front, Tristan and Maggie watched the river move slowly past the boat, "What are you thinking about?" Tristan asked.

"Oh, that dream Missy had."

"Yeah?" Tristan replied.

"Don't you think it's interesting?"

"Certainly!" he peeped, "I mean, how would Missy know what Herald had said to you!"

"No, no," Maggie said, "Isn't it interesting that I was in that hospital when Shelly's twin died," she shook her shadowy head, "Herald said something to me, something about a month not being long enough to gather a new identity," Maggie looked to him, "Shelly's twin was one month old when she died."

Tristan nodded as Maggie reached out to touch his shimmering light, "Tristan, am I really Shelly's sister?"

He made no reply, except to grow larger until he'd assumed his ancient identity as King Octavius. The pair stood together on the prow, pondering what might have been, and what could yet be. After a time, Maggie's broad outline became small and petite as she too assumed her ancient identity.

Slowly, the families settled off to sleep whilst Octavius and Margrey maintained their vigil, hoping against hope that they might see a supernatural being who could assure them that everything would turn out all right. In the cabin, Shelton stayed up front to keep his father company. The stallion smiled to his boy, and roughed his mane as the boat continued on through the dark and winding river. On the afternoon of the third day they came to the troubled township of Thistledown. Octavius was flabbergasted at how badly this outlying community had deteriorated since the dissolution of the central Union Government. As the boat rounded the bend, a great and terrible prison came into view, it's imposing walls uglier than anything the spirit had ever seen, "It is a frightful indictment, and an epigram on the modern age," he said as Justin turned his head toward the sound of the regal and stately voice, "That the only use it knows for solitude is to make it a punishment."

Justin moved past the spot he'd heard the king speak and bid him; 'Meet me outside.'

Margrey picked up on Justin's intent and asked Shelly to strike up a conversation with Virgil so the youngster would not disturb Justin as he spoke with his father. Outside, Justin's eyes shimmered with emotion as he addressed Octavius, "I just wanted to tell you, how sorry I am that Olivia fought the war from the front lines, and got herself killed."

"Olivia won the war, Justin," Octavius replied, "My daughter did her duty. You... did your duty."

"It was Karl who made that victory possible," Justin whispered.

Octavius' voice smiled warmly, "And you know? Maggie Pumpkin says she encountered Karl Kuhn just the other day, working as a police officer. He looked upon her, and spoke some passage known but to Margrey Balin. Karl is alive Justin, most likely rewarded by the gods for his heroism."

"So what of your reward?" Justin asked, "You fought just as hard as Olivia. Both of you did so much, fighting for freedom, only to die for your efforts! It's not fair!"

"Justin," Octavius said, his medieval accent softening as Tristan's modern identity returned to the fore, "We are on this voyage together, to visit an ancient mariner known to the powers of the world. My heart tells me that these powers intend to set right that ancient sorrow. Have faith, Justin..."

With that, Octavius returned to sleep as Tristan Brightwing became himself again. Overcome with emotion, Justin began to pant as his eyes searched for the place he imagined his father to be, "Dad, I don't know how much longer I can take this! It's driving me crazy!"

"Justin..." Tristan peeped, "Son, I'm sorry...."

"I don't know who I am...." Justin gasped, "And How? How am I able to hear you!? Did my accident shake something loose? Was I that close to the spirit world that it changed me?"

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. As he moored the boat, the orange disk of the sun met the far horizon, and already a crisp chill gripped the animals.

Tristan looked again to the woods, in time to see the stone path fade from his sight, 'That's it, I'll never see it again. From here on out I'm on my own.'

The eagle rejoined his family as Gabriel guided the boat toward the ramshackle dock with a fair degree of difficulty. After some pushing and shoving the craft was moored against the dock. It was then overflown by a young black eagle. All present saw the youngster, but it was Maggie and Tristan alone who saw the strange filament of light which moved with the boy. It was the most bizarre thing Maggie had ever seen! A tendril of silver white light, miles and miles long, following after the boy. Maggie and Tristan traded glances, each seeking assurances from the other that they were seeing the same thing.

The young eagle set down near the dock and smiled to the company, "Hello."

Missy touched her hand to her chest, 'He looks so much like the eagle from my dream! Only much younger! Can it be true?'

Justin stepped from the boat and nodded to the boy, "Hello, we're looking for Herald Kirsten."

"Yes," replied the eagle. Justin blinked as the youngster regarded him with the expressionless eyes of a doll, 'Or a dead animal.'

As the others approached, it seemed to Maggie that this young eagle was strangely familiar, although his eyes were altogether disturbing. 'There's something absent, as if... he weren't really living.'
She looked him up and down, 'Bright yellow feet and beak, coal colored feathers, sure looks like a young version of Herald! But what's wrong with him!?'

Then, a large eagle appeared over the treetops. Maggie felt a surge of excitement as her old friend touched down, "Herald!"

The others stepped back as the towering black eagle furled his wings, "Good morning," said he, "I see my friend Maggie has brought along some company!"

Virgil looked about, wondering who Maggie was, then asked; "Hello sir! Are you the eagle who might be able to prove my friend's royal lineage?"

Herald blinked, "To whom are you referring?"

"My friend Justin," Virgil said, brushing his wing across Justin's flank, "Is he a descendant of Octavius?"

"He most certainly is," Herald said with a wink, "And I see that King Octavius is also present! Welcome, sir, to my home."

No longer able to contain herself, Maggie rushed to her friend, "I've done so many things since you went away! The trees sent me to see these strangers, and they said someone owed me something, and I met this weird spirit named Rosemary!" Herald interrupted her with a wave of his wing; "It is good to see you again, love."

Virgil closed his maw and looked about, "What...?"

"Come along," Herald said to him, "I'll explain everything."

"Sir..." Missy said, steeling herself to approach the great eagle, "Mister, ah.... Vanderdecken? One of your former sailing mates told us a little about your past."

"Yes?" Herald replied, his expression amused and not at all offended. Missy smiled, charmed by his reassuring demeanor, "I just wanted to tell you, that... I mean, I want to thank you for helping Maggie. It means a lot... to me."

"Thank you, Missy," he replied with a gracious bow. Missy blinked, and attempted to recall when she might've told him her name.

The companions moved up a steep stair which led to a ladder that ascended into the tree. The eagles flew up, leaving the horses to climb up on their own. Missy led Shelly to the ladder, while Maggie spoke encouraging words to her friend, "Thanks, sis," Shelly said softly. Soon the horses were on their way, and to their relief the climb up wasn't too treacherous. At the landing above, Herald greeted them and offered his guests some water. "I'm fine, thanks," said Gabriel, but Missy indicated that she'd like a glass. Herald's young son dutifully set a pair of large goblets on a cart, then moved them to a silver pump. Missy watched the boy work, while Eleanor inquired; "Is this your son?"

"In a manner of speaking," Herald replied, while Maggie chimed in, "You look different Herald, is everything okay?"

"I'm retired, remember? My biological clock is ticking once again, and every moment brings this old body closer to it's end!"

Eleanor fell silent as the eagle conversed with the unseen spirit, whilst Virgil's mouth hung open, 'Has everyone gone insane?'

"Maggie, tell me about this strange spirit you encountered. You say her name was Rosemary?"

"Yeah! She was an elderly equine ghost that introduced me to Shelly!"

He nodded, "She didn't by chance tell you to say or do anything, did she?"

Maggie shook her head, "No, why?"

Herald shook his head, as one might when dismissing a troubling thought, "It's nothing." Meanwhile, Herald's strange offspring pushed the cart of water to Missy who took up a cup, "Thank you...?"

"Oh," Herald said, "He doesn't really have a name. I'd intended that Maggie would take up residence within him, at which point I might name him Edward, after Maggie's beloved grandfather."

Maggie was dumbstruck, as was the rest of the company, "You mean... I could be alive again? Inside this eagle?"

"Edward is a golem," Herald said, "He's a created being, crafted from one of my feathers you see," Herald patted Edward with his wing, "He's not really alive, not in the way that you and I are."

Virgil had finally had enough, "What the fuck is going on here!?"

"Virgil Proudfoot!" Eleanor hissed, her anger snapping the youngster from his frustration. "Oh, I'm sorry Misses Brightwing."

She nodded, and then bowed to Herald, "Then Edward is a clone? A clone of you?"

Herald nodded whilst he listened to his invisible guests as they debated some predicament, "Of course Tristan may take Edward, I am more than happy to see that done."

Eleanor's heart leapt into her throat as Herald continued, "However, I think we should wait before we make any rash decisions, because once one of you steps into Edward, the umbilical will detach, fusing whichever soul was inside into Edward's body."

"Oh, oh..." Eleanor gasped, "Please..."

On the verge of panic, Justin appeared beside his mother to offer a supportive wing, "Mom, it's okay."

She nodded, whilst she beseeched the invisible Maggie, "Sweetheart, thank you. I know what it means to you!"

From her vantage point, Maggie nodded as she regarded Tristan, "You know it should be you who takes that body."

"He said he made the body for you," Tristan peeped, "I would feel so guilty taking away your second chance at life."

Maggie knelt before the eagle spirit, "You are a beautiful soul, Tristan. You have a family who loves you. Me? I'm just a fighter who has no family, but I can always take that walk when the path finally does appear, then I can find a new mother. That can be my second chance at life."

"Maggie," Herald gently peeped, "Please know that when the tree spoke of a debt that was owed, they were referring to me."

"What?"

"I am the party whom they were referring. Edward is the payment, he is the fulfillment of the debt owed. If Tristan takes Edward's body, your chance to return to the mortal world might be lost. You might be forever marooned within the purgatory of Nidavellir."

Tristan raised his wings, "No way! There's no way I can accept Edward."

"My king," Maggie chimed, the rhythmic pulse of her inner light beating like a living heart, "I've never put anyone else above my own interests. Not like this. Would you accept this gift? For me?"

"I can't. I just can't do that to you."

Maggie briefly channeled Margrey Balin as the gruff little pony gestured expectantly to the avian clone, "Well? Do I need to guide you in?"

The father eagle smiled warmly to Maggie as she became herself again, then he approached Edward. The golem seemed to sense the spirit's approach, for he turned to face Tristan. The strange silver thread trembled as Tristan drew near, and the spirit braced himself for what was to come...

Tristan carefully entered the golem as his inner light flickered wildly. As his spiritual form disappeared into the body of Edward Kirsten, the tendril of power sustaining the golem winked away. Edward's eyes blinked, and then the young eagle drew a deep breath, "Uhhhh!"

The eagle fell to the floor and began to violently convulse.

"Tristan!" Eleanor cried, "Oh!!"

"All is well!" Herald cried, draping his wings over the struggling Tristan, "The spirit is awake! This is to be expected!"

"What!?" Eleanor cried, unable to comprehend what was happening. Justin and Ashley threw themselves at their father's feet, hoping to calm him. "Ugh! Ohh!"

"That's it!" Herald chimed, "One breath in, and one out!"

Gradually, Tristan's breath became steadied. He attempted to stand, but his new legs were very wobbly. "Dad! Take it easy!" Justin said.

With eyes pressed shut, Tristan turned his face to his family. After a long breath, he opened his large luminous eyes. A gentle intelligence now resided within the young eagle's eyes. Eleanor cried out as she touched her face to him. "Hello, Elly."

Sobbing heavily, Eleanor cupped her huge wings over her love, whilst the assembled company looked on and marveled. Ashley nudged Virgil, "Neat, huh?" The bald eagle could only shrug his wings in reply.

"How do you feel?" Eleanor asked her husband. Tristan replied; "I feel alive."

Shelly bowed her head. She wondered how Maggie must feel, 'This had been her chance, and she lost it.'

Tristan looked about, relieved that he could see Maggie as clearly as before. "Maggie, thank you. Thank you so much."

She nodded, obviously disappointed but happy nonetheless. Eleanor smiled to Herald as she brushed her wing over her reborn husband. "Well mister, you can't very well carry on as my husband looking like that. I'm afraid you'll have to go through grade school all over again!"

The animals chortled, while Shelly piped up; "You said Edward's body was created from your feather. Is there a way that whomever made it could... create another body?"

Maggie's attention sharpened on the suggestion, but Herald was apologetic. "I'm afraid I'd but one favor due me. My former employer isn't likely to craft another."

Several of the animals asked in unison, "Who is your former employer?"

Herald smiled, then winked to the new Tristan Brightwing, "Oh, it would be very difficult to try and explain."

Virgil stood by, shifting nervously from foot to foot and thinking the entire company to be nutters. Ashley smiled to him and wondered himself when he'd wake from this tumultuous dream. "Now my friends," Herald said, "Much has happened, you must be tired! Come and make yourself at home."

Herald pulled the large circular door of his treetop cabin open. Eleanor bowed to him as she led Tristan inside. He felt somewhat wobbly on his new legs, and his breath came in odd irregular gasps, but otherwise he was adjusting nicely to his new form. Inside, Missy noted a weathered old ship's wheel. She gestured to it, "Is that...?"

"Oh, goodness no!" Herald chortled, "The Flying Mantuan exists now, only in my memories."

Gabriel Holden looked about, and found that there were no chairs. Instead, pillowy cushions lay scattered about. He lowered himself down upon one as Herald took stock of his food stores, "I'm afraid the pickings are lean, I wasn't expecting a large party," he said with a wink to Maggie. The spirit smiled to her old friend, 'It's so different seeing Herald at home! He's so playful now.'

"Still, if anyone's hungry, I believe I can regurgitate something." Herald cast an expectant look to Ashley. The youngster cackled at the thought, "Heh! No thanks!"

Missy recalled Trickett's tale of murder and cannibalism, 'It's impossible to reconcile this eagle as being the same animal who committed those atrocities,' but she thought of her own actions, sending little Sadie and her two babies to die, simply because they inconvenienced her, 'I suppose we all have our dark places, that low point that we're all ashamed of.'

She smiled to Herald, finding herself happy to meet him and glad to know his true identity. 'He worked for the gods, and set right what he did wrong. I hope I can get an opportunity to do the same.'

Herald's eyes shimmered thoughtfully as he smiled to the horses. Then, a gentle snoring was heard. All eyes turned to Gabriel as the tawny brown horse slept upon a cushion. "Well now," Herald whispered, "Yon stallion has the right idea. Perhaps we should all retire and rest ourselves."

Herald gently cupped his wing over Tristan, perhaps still considering him to be his son. Eleanor looked from Herald, then to Tristan, and found the resemblance uncanny. 'A clone... so Tristan is going to grow up to look exactly like Herald.' She was pleased that her Tristan would grow into such a fine and handsome eagle. "Is there a Misses Kirsten?" Eleanor found herself asking. Herald shook his head, "I was indeed married, once... a long long time ago."

Missy cupped her hand to her breast, 'Oh, how sad. She must have been left behind when he was cursed.'

"Come," Herald said, "Sleep now, and may the wings of night carry you into a fine tomorrow."

"Mister Herald," Missy said, "I dreamed about you in the hospital. I saw you with Maggie."

His feathers roused in a thoughtful poof, but he betrayed no other reaction. Missy continued; "You said to Maggie that a hospital wasn't the sort of place for someone sensitive like her."

Herald dimly recalled the offhand jest. He focused his eyes squarely on Maggie as he considered the implications of Missy's dream, "We should sleep. Yes, let's settle down and rest, then with a clear head we'll ponder our next move."

"There's a next move?" Maggie asked.

He smiled, but added no further comment.

The company settled down, but Virgil found himself unable to relax. The shadows of dusk painted the interior of the cabin in a warm orange glow that gradually darkened as the sun slipped away. He rose, then crept down a narrow hall past what he guessed was the poop deck. He opened a broad window. Slipping outside, Virgil took wing as the sun fell beneath the far horizon. "Hey!" Ashley called, "Where are you going!?"

"It's way to early to go to bed, so I wanna look around, maybe grab something to eat!"

Ashley fell in beside the bald eagle as the pair flew on, their attention fixed on the riverbank as they put more and more distance between themselves and Herald's tree. "All we have to do is stay over the river, and we'll be able to find our way back."

"Okay." Ashley said, somewhat unsettled about going out at night in such a strange place. Drifting just behind, a small black bird kept vigil on the pair. Soon the boys found what looked like cabins beside the river. Virgil went down to investigate. "Hey..." Ashley squeaked, "I don't like the look of this place!"

Indeed, all was black as pitch and quite scary looking in a night time television sort of way. Virgil touched down and opened his eyes as wide as he could, trying his best to get a visual of the area, "Figures, we land on the night there's no moon!"

Ashley found his friend in the dark and pressed himself to Virgil's side. Virgil pushed Ashley away with his wing, "Come on bird brain! It's just some old abandoned cabins!"

"Virgil, can we please get out of here?"

"Not until you tell me what's going on," Virgil said, poking Ashley with his foot, "Is this some kind of elaborate prank? I mean, what the fuck are you animals doing?"

"Uh..." Ashley peeped, "It's no prank. I mean-" he was interrupted by a snorting in the dark. Virgil stood bolt upright as several more snorts were heard. Hoofbeats issued from the woods, heralding the arrival of massive quadrupedal creatures. Virgil threw his wings up! "Okay, let's go!"

But it was too late! A troop of tuskin beasts swept over the river bank and fell upon the boys, but as quickly as they neared, they were struck down. Virgil and Ashley alighted, leaving behind the massive bodies of the slain tuskins.

Glorafin's black flyer arrived to survey the destruction, and ponder what might've happened to the creatures. The sentinel never noticed the grey equine mare standing amongst the tall bodies of the trees.

Back toward Herald's tree, the young eagles arrived back and slipped inside the cabin as quietly as they could. Their stealth was for naught, for they found the mariner waiting for them. "A night time flight, eh?"

"Uh... yeah." Virgil peeped. Herald smiled, "Take care in the dark boys, for here in the wilds the darkness might reach out to claim you."

Their feathers flat against their bodies, the boys watched Herald return to his perch. He ruffled his feathers with a soft chuff, then returned to sleep. The pair found their cushions, but their own slumber had been chased far far away. From the corner, a sleepless Maggie Pumpkin watched Tristan rest.

Margrey Balin stepped forward to visit with Maggie. 'I can't tell you how good it is to see Octavius at peace. Thank you, Maggie Pumpkin, for allowing our king this opportunity.'

She sighed, but before she could offer a reply she was startled by a strange mist that entered the cabin. It was an odd silvery-white vapor that... regarded her. Maggie's light flickered as a shudder moved through her. The mist was still for a moment before it settled above Shelton Holden. Maggie became increasingly uncomfortable as the encounter wore on. "Uh... hey! What are you doing!?"

The mist flashed out in anger, and for an instant it assumed the shape of a dragon. Maggie rushed forward to guard Shelton, "Go away!"

A terrible laughter issued from the mist. When next the boxer was aware, she was returned to Farmington Manor where Mary Bard lay in a pool of blood, "Ugh... shit."

Maggie's head felt as wide as a house, and her chest pressed by a vice. On the floor, a disoriented Mary turned her head to look upon the dead body of George Kesselring, shot by her fellow officers. Angus, the burly police corporal appeared over her, "Mary! Take it easy girl!"

He pressed his hand over the angry wound in her chest. Mary squeaked in pain, "Ugh! Angus..."

"Shit!" he cried, "We need a doctor! Go and fetch the doctors!"

Mary noticed Maggie hovering near the door, she beckoned for the boxer as Angus fretted and worried; "Hello, Maggie."

"Eh? Mary?" Angus chuffed.

Maggie drew near with a shy smile, "Mary? Is it really you?"

"Maggie, it's so good to see you. I've dreamed about you."

"Mary!" Angus bellowed, being a superstitious sort, "Do you see anyone?"

She reached up to comfort her fellow, then smiled to Maggie, "Has she contacted you?"

"Who?" Maggie asked.

Mary's eyes drooped, "Garland, she's a good equine. She explained everything. She'll help you," Mary closed her eyes, "Don't. Be. Afraid."

She breathed a final breath. "She's dead!" Angus cried, "No!!"

Maggie watched helplessly as Mary's spirit emerged from her now lifeless body. From his hiding place behind the sofa, the dreadful shadow of George Kesselring sneered at her, "I got you Mary, you silly cunt!"

"No!!" Maggie roared.

"Maggie!" Herald called. Maggie woke to find herself back within Herald's cabin. It was morning, though Maggie had no sense of the hour. "Keep yourself here with us," he said to her, "I must call upon my friends, to see if they might help me."

Disoriented, Maggie watched the equines tend to breakfast, whilst the eagles gathered about Tristan. Maggie felt odd, as she struggled to recall what exactly she'd seen the previous night, "What friends, Herald?"

In answer, Herald walked out onto the skyway and began to screech. Shelton held his ears as the eagle cried out from his skyway. Then, there came an answer. A faint caw issued from the forest. A moment later, a small black bird appeared. Maggie shook with startled surprise when the flyer appeared to have a thin ribbon of ghostly energy streaming out behind it. "Tristan, can you see this?"

"I- I can," he replied, "What is that? Are they like Herald's clone? I mean, are they alive?"

Maggie rushed to her friend as the black flyer alighted and flew away. "Herald, what was that bird?"

"They are my jailers, so to speak."

"What?"

"They watch over me, I consider them friends," he smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry."

"Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?" Virgil screeched.

"Mind your language!" Eleanor chuffed. Virgil glanced at her, then with reluctance, he lowered his eyes. "No, it's alright," Herald said, "You should know that I am something of a prisoner here. I requested permission to leave my tree so that we might venture to the mountain."

He smiled to the company, "I expect we'll have an answer soon."

Virgil approached Justin, his face a mask or uncertainty and frustration. Justin smiled helplessly, deeply regretting bringing his friend along.

"I found your dream to be extremely interesting," Herald said to Missy, "I believe there is a power beyond any of the dragons that has taken an interest in our case. For that reason, I believe we should travel to the mountain."

Missy was about to ask a question when a trio of black avians touched down on the skyway. Tristan shrank from them as the ghostly filaments sustaining their bodies dazzled his eyes.

"Ah! It seems we've been granted permission!" Herald furled his wings, "Splendid!"

Herald wasted no time gathering his friends, "Come now! Before anyone changes their mind! Make haste!"

The horses were pressed into service, shouldering small packs which Shelton filled with foodstuffs from the boat. Herald ushered the animals down to the clearing where he directed them down along a path. "Quickly now, we're been granted safe passage."

"From what?" Gabriel asked, reflexively pulling Shelly close to him.

"These woods are populated by animal-eating beasts, we'd not last an hour without my lady's protection."

Ashley and Virgil traded glances.

The party continued on, making their way along a shallow tributary that flowed down from the Tyr river valley. Missy peered into the woods as they moved along. She wasn't sure if the dark shapes she saw were actually wild beasts, or if it was simply her imagination. Maggie's eyes were not as sharp as a living animal's, though her special vision permitted her to catch sight of a golden-scaled creature that darted and flashed amongst the tall bodies of the trees, but she too was left to wonder if it was simply her imagination. "All is well," Herald said, "Come along."

Meanwhile, Rosemary Barter woke to Mayalee's front door opening, then flinched at the sound of the mouse's chiming voice. The old mare stretched, before a sudden urge to use the washroom drove her out of bed. She rolled from the bed and stumbled into the hall, banging her head on the low door frame, "Blast and damn!"

Sam stepped toward her, but Rosemary ducked into the washroom and closed the door. He shrugged, then helped his mouse tend to the kitchen. In the wash room, Rosemary convulsed as her body attempted to restart it's internal processes. At last, things began to happen. Groaning softly, she pressed her ear to the wall to attempt to listen in on any conversations from the kitchen, but all that could be heard was the clanking and banging of busy work. "Blassssst!" she hissed, "I know they're talking to each other, in a way that I can't hear!"

Finished with her business, she flushed the commode. After a moment spent listening to the toilet bowl fill back up, she let out a frustrated wail. In the kitchen, her outburst brought a chortle from the couple. "I hope we're not stuck with her for too long!"

"I shouldn't think so," Rosemary replied, emerging from the washroom. "This old wreck of a body may only have days left to live."

"How do you feel?" Sam asked. Rosemary smirked at him, "I received a visit from our wandering dragon," she said, assuming the entity to be Ibiza.

"What did she say?" Mayalee asked, taking a seat at the table. Rosemary paused, attempting to collect herself. "She told me that through murder, I would find purpose."

The animals became shocked. Rosemary flashed them a wry smile, "It seems there's more suffering to be done, eh?"

"That doesn't make any sense!" Mayalee chuffed, "Krom! What do you make of this?"

Rosemary noted the tale-tell glimmer in the mouse's eyes, and knew Kromhaut was present. Mayalee offered a supportive nod to Rosemary as she silently communed with the god. Rosemary shrugged, then set about rummaging around the kitchen, undoing some of the tidying Sam and Mayalee had just done. "What do you have to eat around here?"

Sam sat down at the table as Mayalee concluded her conversation. The couple paused to watch the bizarre horse from another age poke and prod about the kitchen. "What are these?" Rosemary asked, taking up a bag of wafer-like confections.

"Butter biscuits." Mayalee replied.

Rosemary tore the bag open and shoved her snout inside. "Mmmm, I like this," she said through the bag, "I haven't got to enjoy these sorts of pleasures, you know."

"That's because you were being punished." Mayalee reminded her. Rosemary snorted, "That's all in the past now, dear!"

She took a seat across from the familiars, "Tell me then, what did your god make of Ibiza's unsettling words to me?"

"He intends to ask her."

The mare snorted, "Is Kromhaut capable of forming his own opinion?!"

"Rosemary, let's travel north. Ariadne reports that Ibiza is very close to Herald's tree. We might be able to speak to her ourselves."

The mare made no reply, she simply ate another biscuit.

"So, you're with us?" Sam asked. Rosemary curled her lip in a most unsettling way, "Ibiza comes and goes as she wishes, she might even appear here the moment we depart. If I am to be your unwilling guest, then I intend to stay put and enjoy the comforts of your home with whatever time I have left to me."

Mayalee put her hands on her hips as Rosemary flashed a toothy smile, "Unless your god could see fit to let me be on my way, after all, Hades convinced that little dragon to release me from Kromhaut's purgatory."

The mouse groaned her frustration, whilst Rosemary settled down into Sam's chair.

"Don't you want to see Shelton? Or Shelly?" Sam asked.

"Eh, they'll be back this way soon enough."

"What happened to the little time you have left to you?" Mayalee asked, winking at Sam, "What if you keeled over before you meet your long-lost kin?"

Rosemary frowned, as she fumbled with the control arm of the reclining chair, "How would we get there? Take to the air in a flying ship?"

"Most likely," Sam replied.

The mare muttered to herself, and seemed to debate with some part of her mind before agreeing to the voyage. Sam breathed a sigh of relief, whilst Mayalee sent a mental update to Allomere.

'I can't leave the area,' Allomere reported, 'I received a strange visit from a ghost who seemed extremely familiar with us, Mimir wants me to investigate. Timothy will be over, he'll accompany you.'

'Mayalee,' came Timothy's voice, 'I know that what's going on isn't normal. I mean, I've only been with you for twenty five years.'

She stared off into the distance, as if recalling some past deed or moment of great significance. Sam noted her contemplative expression, 'Mayalee, what is it?'

She shook her head, 'I don't know.'

"Oh, speak so we ALL can hear!" Rosemary snorted. "You might not like what you're likely to hear," Mayalee warned. The mare squirmed in the chair, her anxiety level growing by the moment, but soon Allomere arrived with Timothy Buttons. I'll not bore you with minutiae, but suffice to say the four made their preparations and completed last-minute chores before they filed out and assembled around Sam's motor car. Rosemary kicked the side fender, "Are you sure this thing is safe?"

"Just get in," Sam said, "And don't kick the car."

Timothy seated himself and then leaned out to kiss Allomere's beak, "See you soon."

Rosemary scowled at the public display of affection, then leaned back in her padded seat. Sam started the vehicle. With a sigh he pushed off down the driveway. Timothy glanced in the rear view mirror in time to see his hawk wave to them. The big motor car took up nearly the entire road, Sam was forced to pull to the side whenever a passing mouse or other small animal appeared.

A mouse cast Sam a wary eye; 'I hope we're not going to get an influx of lions!'

Sam chortled at the rodent's thought, grateful for the humor.

Soon they slipped beyond the half-scale confines of Oakdale, and on the open road, Rosemary Barter found the ordinary world radiated a radical new look, 'I hardly recognize the place!'

She kept her long muzzle pressed to the back seat window to watch the land go by as the company motored along.

"So, we'll take flight in an air ship?" Rosemary asked, her accent changing at odd times and with little warning. In one moment she'd sound like a rural midlander, and at others she took on the air of a learned northerner. Sam picked up on some of the regional dialects she was emoting, while Mayalee discerned still older patterns of speech long passed from the world.

"Yes, but right now, we're going to get you some clothes," Sam said, "I think that would do you a world of good."

Rosemary brought the collar of Sam's jacket to her nose to breathe in his lingering scent, "No thank you, my current attire is sufficient."

Mayalee smiled to Sam, 'Goodness, I'd say you have a new girlfriend!'

Though not privy to the mouse's thoughts, Rosemary guessed at the exchange. "Why don't you two tell us about the first time you became romantically... entangled."

"What?" Sam asked, glancing over his shoulder at Rosemary.

"You heard me, I'm sure it happened rather quickly. After all, before your arrival, Kromhaut hadn't allowed his chosen animal to enjoy any sort of meaningful relationship. The poor thing was probably starved for sex."

Mayalee groaned, then snorted as Rosemary leaned over her seat, "How quickly did she force herself on you?"

Timothy shifted uncomfortably, but Sam thought the topic amusing, "Well," he began, "Sam," Mayalee squeaked, her tone clear that she wished the conversation to go no further.

"Well, it was kind of cute and funny," the lion chortled. Mayalee slapped his thigh, "I can do that a lot harder you know!"

"So," Rosemary said, "Whilst I was poking around Krieghoff manor, what were you two doing?"

Sam glanced at Mayalee who threw her hands up, "Fine, let her hear it."

"Well, after Ariadne scared you off, we passed Bywater pretty quickly. Keeping on the move wasn't tiring for me anymore, so Mayalee wanted to keep a steady pace to make for the Shannonvali border."

Rosemary nodded, "After Octavius dropped dead, you'd lost your palace position, hm?"

"I was still a trusted lady within the court!" Mayalee hissed, "Air Marshal Grethan was a good friend of mine!"

"Fine, but what we all really want to hear is, when did you put the moves to this lovely lion?"

Sam chortled at the fond recollection, however, Mayalee was not so amused, "This isn't funny! I don't want to be laughed at!"

"You never could stand that, could you?" Rosemary noted, "Did something happen to you as a child? Were you ridiculed for something?"

"Stop it!" Timothy chuffed, "I don't like fun at someone else's expense!"

Mayalee nodded appreciatively to Timothy, while Sam patted his mouse's thigh, "That play fight we had is one of my fondest memories, you know."

"Play fight?" Rosemary chimed. Mayalee nodded, "Sam and I had a fight on the road, when I thought he was making fun of me."

"Oh, I simply must hear this!" Rosemary chortled, "Please, continue!"

Mayalee jabbed Sam, 'I'll tell it,' she drew a breath, "After we left Bywater, I felt myself becoming very attracted to Sam. I knew he was going to be with me, so I felt comfortable becoming intimate with him."

"How did it happen?" Rosemary asked. Mayalee squirmed with embarrassment, "Well... "

---

"Karl," Genivee asked, pausing on the dusty road to take his hand, "Would you like to... mate?"

"Pardon?"

"Coupling, mating..." she glanced at the makeshift loincloth he wore, "You are quite lovely, and it has been a great long while since I've coupled."

Karl laughed out loud. Genivee sputtered at his reaction, "It is no jest! I am genuinely interested!"

Back within the car, Rosemary howled with laughter. Mayalee bit her lip as she continued, determined to not allow the old nag to get to her...

"But I am so much larger than you!" Karl chortled, his merriment fueling Genivee's annoyance.

"Karl, I am indestructible, remember?"

"What?!" Karl roared, "Shall I just cram it inside, then?" He became overcome with laughter and nearly flopped down on the road. Genivee was furious, "Do not laugh at me, Karl Kuhn!"

"I'm laughing with you, dear," he gasped, wiping away tears, "It's just... I've never heard sexual relations articulated in that way before!"

She put her hands on her hips, "I should like to have you, and only wished to reassure you of my durability."

"What!?" he howled, "Would you have me now? Here on the road?"

She groaned, "Not now, obviously!"

Now Karl did flop down, he rolled onto his back and belly-laughed. Indignant, Genivee hopped atop him, "Let us instead test the limits of YOUR durability!"

She slammed her fist into his belly, sending a tremendous report echoing across the nearby gully. Karl groaned frightfully, grasping at his abdomen. "Oh!" she cried, "Have I hurt you?"

Karl swung his leg up, kicking her from behind. The blow sent the mouse flying into a ditch. She rose to dust herself off, then leveled her eyes at him. Flexing her arms, she approached with menace, "You, sir, are now in some measure of trouble."

Karl tapped his fingers to his chest, "Let's go, little miss!"

She threw herself at him. Karl swatted her away, but the mouse lunged again and again. She clamped onto his arm, and could not be dislodged. The two grappled like gladiators, roaring and frothing. Gennie knocked his legs out from under him, then grasped hold of his mane. Laughing, Karl watched as she hoisted him up. With a roar she threw him against the hillside, sending a massive cloud of dust rising up into the air. Karl's laughter issued from the cloud, eliciting a smile from the little mouse. Finally, Genivee began to chortle, 'I haven't had this much fun in... a thousand years?'

She dusted herself off, then helped Karl up. The pair stood laughing until they noticed a family of equines watching them. From the expressions they wore, they'd likely witnessed the entire impromptu fight. Karl smiled awkwardly, adjusting his loincloth, "Watch out for mice, they're quite strong."

The father equine quickly nodded, whilst Gennie politely bowed to them. The familiars beat a hasty retreat, giggling as they fled into the woods.

Back in Sam's sedan, Rosemary leaned back in her padded seat. She imagined herself in the stead of Genivee, play-fighting with the lion on that dusty road. She felt Mayalee intrude into her mind, so Rosemary imagined something a little more exotic. "Ugh!" Mayalee grunted.

Rosemary smirked her contempt, "That's what you get for spying!"

Sam chortled, "For someone who fancies lions, you sure had a crush on Kirsten."

"Ew, don't be ridiculous!"

Seeing her chance to get back at Rosemary, Mayalee stood up on her seat to smile back at the horse, "I know you enjoyed his company, he visited you quite often in his early days as Glorafin's servant."

Rosemary looked away, "None serves Glorafin, she is a foul trickster who serves only herself."

Timothy squirmed in his seat, "The animals are about to enter her mountain. Kromhaut intends to open a path for them."

"He sends them into a trap, the goddess of the underworld wants nothing more than to play with their lives."

Sam glanced back, "She gave your grandfather a second chance at life."

"And we all see how well that 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 their fate?"

Sam leaned back in his seat, 'Are we? Ariadne?'

His dragon made no reply.

In the north, the forests surrounding Herald's tree became still as a presence moved through the woods. Herald was aware of the entity, but made no attempt to contact it. Instead, he gathered his visitors up and ushered them through a nearby river gorge. "This is a path through the hills that border the Tyr river valley. A short cut of sorts to the mountain."

"Uh, it's gonna take us a week to walk to Mount Tyr." Virgil said. Herald acknowledged that it would indeed be the case, "Have you any pressing business elsewhere? Is Maggie's welfare not important to you?"

"Who the fuck is Maggie??" Virgil cawed.

Eleanor resisted the urge to scold the youngster, instead, she expressed her own concerns; "It'll be an awfully long time, Herald. I don't know if we're all quite up for such a trek." She glanced at the horses. Gabriel frowned at her, "Don't worry about me."

"I see," Herald said. He wandered a short distance away, then issued another ear-splitting call. The animals shook with startled surprise when his call was quickly answered. A black flyer appeared, leaving Shelton to wonder if they were being followed. Maggie waited as Herald spoke with the avian in a strange language before the bird chirped and flew away, trailing a bizarre ribbon of energy as he went.

"We're to wait here." Herald declared.

"Really?" Shelton peeped. Herald nodded, the ends of his beak turned up in a most unusual smile, "Help is on the way!"

Gabriel felt a sudden swirling anxiety, "We're not going to fly there, are we?"

"Dad! It's okay!" Shelton said, attempting to encourage his father, but Gabriel was having none of it, "I'm staying here!"

"You would regret not accompanying us," Herald said. Justin offered his encouragement, "Can I give you some tips on flying before Herald's helpers arrive?"

Gabriel glanced at his wife who nudged him. He reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, another group prepared for their own flight. In past times, the Interstate Airport of Aurora was the preferred terminal that Sam wished to fly in and out of, chiefly because the horses did not scrutinize identity cards too closely, which was hilarious to him, since they'd dominated police work for time out of memory. However, in his guise as Samuel Preston, the couple had indulged in a great deal of travel on account of Sam actually possessing an official identity card. Rosemary Barter posed a challenge for the couple, as the dragons refused to use any sort of magic to doctor her a realistic identity credential, citing their oath. The short notice posed a challenge, but Mayalee had become a master forger in these modern times. Her hastily assembled work would now be put to the test.

The elderly Rosemary was wholly unprepared for the light and noise of the terminal. Within the spirit world, the sounds of the third dimensional realm can seem muted, and far away. The mare walked with her mouth agape, taking in all of the sensory information she could bear. Just then, a familiar ghost appeared within her vision. She broke from the avatars and strode to her old friend, "Rookwood! What are you doing here?" she cried, drawing the attention of nearby animals. Sam appeared beside her to take her arm, "Come on, Rosemary!"

The equine ghost known as Jonathan Rookwood stared blankly at the mare. It dawned on Rosemary that he didn't recognize her, "Fool! It's me!"

Sam pulled her to the ticketing booth as confused animals gawked at what they thought was a senile old equine. "How is it you're able to see ghosts, anyway?" Mayalee whispered to her, "Not even Justin has that ability!"

Rosemary arched her brow, "Huh, that is a very good question! Perhaps I carry within me some fragment of Nidavellir!"

The equine ticket agent greeted Sam as he presented the party's identity cards. Fascinated, Rosemary watched the process as the agent checked them in, and then generated tickets and boarding passes for the group. A sudden tremor of suspicion gripped Rosemary, "Tell me again why we have embarked on this voyage?"

"To visit the Brightwing and Holden families," Sam replied, taking the tickets and placing them in his pocket. Rosemary shook her head, "I don't trust Kromhaut any further than I could throw him! Tell me, what's Kromhaut's plan? I know there's something you're not telling me!"

Timothy looked away. Rosemary took his guilty demeanor to mean there really was a conspiracy, "You mean to leave me stranded in the north, don't you?"

"Rosemary..." Mayalee began, but the mare swatted the mouse's nose, "Eh!? You'll likely leave me trapped in Herald's tree! A curse upon the doors so I couldn't get out! Tell me I'm wrong!"

Nearby animals were becoming quite concerned about the rambling horse. Sam smiled helplessly to them, "Yes," he hissed through clenched teeth, "Now please be quiet before Kromhaut makes you have an aneurism!"

"Oh, there's no threat you could make," she said, gazing into Mayalee's eyes, "No force you could place upon me that can silence me! I shan't go quietly, Kromhaut, unless you mean to break your oath and murder me!"

Sam suddenly took Rosemary's hand. He led her across the aisle to an airport tavern, "What are you doing?"

"Getting you a drink!"

Rosemary pressed her lips together as the lion sat her down in a booth, "Rosemary, I need you to relax."

She snorted, blowing his mane up away from his eyes. Sam leaned in to awkwardly touch his lips to hers. Rosemary's eyes widened, but she gave in to his charms and kissed him. The pair parted, then shyly smiled as Mayalee and Timothy joined them. Rosemary felt her heart racing, and she knew her nostrils were flushed. Timothy noted that the old horse seemed much younger after becoming excited, and he winked to Sam, congratulating him on his good work, "I guess there was a force that could silence you."

Timothy immediately regretted saying that.

The lion shook his head with a rueful smile, while a waiter appeared to gather the party's drink order.

"How do you feel?" Mayalee asked. Rosemary looked about, "To whom are you speaking?"

The animals chortled, but Rosemary curled her lip in a snarl, "I'm not sure, give me a moment and I'll tell you." She touched her lips to Sam's, then warned; "You know it will take more than a kiss to keep me in check."

Sam bared his teeth, then pressed his lips to her mouth. Her hand immediately went to his tented trousers before Sam thrust several inches of his tongue into her. She squirmed in his grip as Timothy tapped his palms on the table, howling with laughter; "Get a room you two!"

Mayalee was as amused as any, but became serious for a moment, "Hades released you from Nidavellir, I'm going to trust that they have a purpose for you."

Rosemary'd scarcely heard the mouse, her mind remained fixed on Sam's hot breath, and the wet inches of his pulsing tongue. The party was then treated to a lurid sexual fantasy absently transmitted by the desperately excited horse. Timothy shyly smiled, 'I'd heard herbivores could have predator kinks, but wow! I had no idea!'

'Shhh,' Mayalee replied.

"Is Rosemary available?" said a thin voice. Timothy looked to the doorway to find Rosemary's friend, Jonathan Rookwood. He snapped his fingers to get Sam's attention. Rosemary noticed her friend, then excused herself. Mayalee watched the mare converse with her spirit friend, wincing now and again as Rosemary made no attempt at subtlety. The avatars then settled in for a wait as Rosemary continued her conversation with her old friend.

"The dragons are acting really funny," Timothy said, tapping his fingers on the table. "It's more than just Rosemary being dropped on us."

"Of course there's more going on," Rosemary said, taking a seat beside Sam. "Jonathan reports that Kromhaut's path is in flux. Spirits cannot find their way out of Nidavellir, whilst the borders of that shadow realm shrink with each passing moment!"

Mayalee's eyes widened at this news. Rosemary smirked at her, "Has your dragon shared any of this news with you? Or are you simply a stomach for him to shovel food into?"

"You seem to know the mind of Krom pretty well," Timothy snorted, "Why don't you tell us what's going on?"

Rosemary bared her teeth; "Indeed! Whilst you animals have been caught up in his little club, I've been observing his comings and goings from the outside. He's painfully predictable, actually. I could almost draw you a picture of how this will all turn out."

"Then why don't you!?"

"We are all going to die," Rosemary declared, "A dimensional alignment is underway! Why, the very Incarnation of Destruction walks the land! Is it not obvious to you that the end of days is upon us?"

Timothy leaned forward, "No, it isn't. Something's changed."

Mayalee shifted uncomfortably as Rosemary flared her nostrils. "Yes, there's this mysterious 'Hades' who Mayalee's been pining for." Mayalee looked away as Rosemary continued, "I can see why you're so enamored by this more rational and mature entity, sweetie. I'm surprised you can even tolerate Kromhaut's infantile behavior!"

"Stop it, Rosemary!"

"You think you're all privileged to be in Kromhaut's service? He's taken everything from you, even your very life!"

A frightful churning suddenly issued from Rosemary's belly. She clasped her hand over her midsection, as painful stomach cramps gripped her, "Go on Kromhaut, inflict me with your petty torments..."

Timothy smiled as she rushed to the wash room, "She has no idea the butter biscuits at your place were six years out of date."

Mayalee smiled, asked; "Timmy, do you ever regret joining us?"

He shook his head, the mane of fur on his neck rising and flattening, "I only regret not being a better animal in the past. Having to remember that awful Major is the only thing I wish could've been different, otherwise, I wouldn't change a thing."

"We have to be awake," Mayalee said, spreading her hands. She refers of course to each of the avatar's spiritual states. Timothy nodded, "I guess I'd just like a nap now and again, to forget the past if only for a little while."

An announcement was made that Albany flight seven seven four would soon begin boarding. A smiling Rosemary rejoined the avatars. "What have I missed?"

"Not much, apparently." Timothy replied.

---

The weather was perfect. At least that's what Herald Kirsten thought as his squadron of flyers approached the tallest mountain on the continent of land. Virgil Proudfoot glanced over at the wild bald eagles who ferried the Holden family across the sky. He felt vastly inferior to the stern avians, which only fueled his own teenage insecurities. The looming peak of Tyr grew closer and closer. The eagles adjusted their altitude, hoping to avoid the turbulent air that crashed against the mountain. Perched upon his eagle, poor Gabriel held on for dear life. "Do not clench so, sir!" his eagle screeched, "I must be allowed to breathe!"

Justin carefully pulled along side, the painful memories of his accident still very fresh; "How come you guys live way out here? You sound Shannonvali, don't you have Shannonvali citizenship?"

The eagle glanced at Justin, "My great great grandparents left Shannonvale, after it became clear there would be no one to succeed Octavius."

"Is it that important to have a king?" asked Tristan.

"Yes," the wild eagle replied, "I do not pledge my allegiance to a band of self-serving profiteers. If there is no king to rally around, then I choose to live in this wild realm, away from their corruption."

The other wild eagles chimed in, asserting their loyalty to the crown, and their disdain for modern Shannonvale. Tristan's eyes moved over the avians as King Octavius' spirit swelled within him; "Shannonvale is your homeland, your birthright, it is not an embodiment of a single ruler. The true test in determining to embrace or reject a nation is not who sits upon a throne, but where the nation rests within your heart."

The eagles looked to the strange young flyer as he continued; "If a king be found tomorrow, it would matter not. You must determine for yourselves that Shannonvale resides within you, only then can you find your way home."

Speechless, the eagles pondered what'd been said. Herald smiled to himself, amused beyond measure that the king had addressed his subjects from across a great gulf of time.

"You make a fine point," said the eagle, "My name is George. Tell me young lad, what might your name be?"

"I am Oct- uh, Tristan. No, Edward."

The flyers traded glances, "Very well, we shall reflect upon what you have said. I suggest you endeavor to decide upon a name."

Tristan shyly nodded as the company sailed on.

Soon the eagles arrived at the far end of the Tyr river valley. They set down and issued shrill commands for their passengers to dismount.

Shelly slid from her flyer, while Maggie unfastened herself from the young mare's shoulder. Herald thanked the eagles who quickly flew away. "Where are they going?" Missy asked, watching them recede into the distance, "How will we get back?"

"Come, friends," Herald said, "Our journey is nearly done."

Missy pressed him for an answer, "But what about the journey home? Those eagles are coming back, right?"

"Our journey back lies before us!" Herald said, gesturing with his wing. Missy grunted her frustration. Shelton patted his mother, then looked up in awe at the enormous peak of the fifty one thousand foot summit. "How far up do we go?"

"Oh, we are not going over the mountain, but under it!"

Without another word, Herald set off. The animals blinked at one another, then followed after him. They found that Herald kept a brisk cadence, leaving Shelton struggling to keep up. 'Fucking eagle needs to slow down!'

Herald turned back to smile at Shelton. The youngster thought him odd, 'Why is he looking at me like that?'

Maggie hovered nearby, and after some hemming and hawing she appeared beside Herald. "Yes, Maggie?"

"Rosemary. Who is she, really?"

"A bitter old ghost."

"She's a living animal," Maggie said, obviously pressing him for information, "And she seemed to know you very well."

"In Nidavellir, 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. Annoyed by his fleeting smirk, Maggie blurted out; "I met your husband!"

Herald stopped in his tracks, but quickly recovered his composure. He proceeded on as Maggie followed after him; "How come you never mentioned him?"

"My husband and I must walk separate paths, until my final passing from this world."

"Yeah, that's what he told me," Maggie hissed, "And if there's really a god, they're a complete asshole."

Herald sighed, "You have no idea,"

"I mean, how could a god force you to keep away from your husband? Your love of a thousand years?"

The eagle spun about; "Boron broods o'er a love that never was! I do not know how to love him! I never have, and I fear I never will!"

Maggie was stunned. The fellowship gathered all around Herald as he regained his composure, "This way," he said, "Our destination is not far."

Missy and Eleanor traded glances as the company followed after Herald. His pace was brisk, and it wasn't long before Shelton and Shelly began to lag behind as the trail became more rugged and the going more difficult. The males (plus Missy) took rest in a small clearing whilst they waited for the siblings to catch up.

"Herald," Maggie peeped, "I'm so sorry."

He glanced at her, his eyes making it abundantly clear that he wished the previous conversation to be over.

Across the clearing, Tristan stood close to Ashley, touching his wing to his son now and again. For his part, Ashley was too stunned to recognize Herald's clone as his reborn father. Tristan understood this, and gave Ashley his space, 'If I have to be a little brother, then I can accept that.'

"Soon we shall be within the Mountain of Tyr." Herald said, sensing Ashley and Virgil's inner turmoil, "Do try and keep an open mind, so that the magic of the hall might speak to you."

'Okay,' Virgil thought, 'I'll wait and see what happens.'

Herald swallowed a nervous lump, 'Glorafin, I pray to thee. Admit me, your loyal servant, one last time.'

Soon Shelton, Shelly, Missy and Gabriel were present as the eagles (plus Maggie) made for a high mountain path. The great wood was old, dating perhaps to the seventh century AC (After Cataclysm.)

Herald's huge feet crunched upon the thick carpet of leaves as Gabriel reached for his wife's hand. She helped her husband along, and Gabriel smiled gratefully as the party moved deeper into the woods.

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, despite his pervious outburst, and try as she might, she could not resist the hint of a medieval accent in his speech, 'An ancient sea captain? I'm sure if the right eagle were to set him straight, he'd make fine mating material, though he's a bit older for my tastes,'

She'd doubtless be horrified to know that Herald knew every thought that passed through her mind, and he laughed to himself, 'Indeed?'

Now, one after another, the animals made their way up the gently sloping path. Up up and up it went, although the going was steady and easy. The company was a fair klick from the foothills which led to the base of the mountain, and it was a relief to all when Herald said; "The entrance is not far now."

'Goodness,' Missy breathed, 'If I'd had to climb up some rock face, I would have died!'

"We are here," the mariner declared. The trio of Virgil, Tristan, and Ashley rushed forward to see what they could. It appeared that Herald had brought them to a burrowing creature's mound, with a small hole that led down into the earth. Ashley looked up with a questioning glance as Herald laughed at the boys. He waved his wing, prompting a nearby rock formation split into two! The companions gasped aloud at the hidden doorway that had appeared from nowhere, "Come, Maggie," Herald said, gesturing for the spirit to come forward, "This is your expedition, so lead on!"

Ashley stood with his maw agape. Virgil nudged his friend, "Neat, huh?"

Maggie timidly entered the gap between the stone walls, the others following along behind. They walked single file into the gloomy tunnel which wound in and out amongst the rocky body of the land. The light from outside became increasingly dim as the animals descended into the earth, and then the light disappeared altogether as the rock closed behind them. Herald spoke out, "Light please," and at once a warm orange glow issued from the stone. It was not a bright brilliant glow, the light offered being merely strong enough to see one's way. However, the light illuminated all things that it touched, and the outline of Maggie's spiritual form became visible to the animals of the hall.

Missy came forward with a trembling hand to reach out to her, but smiled helplessly when it became apparent that the two could never touch, "Oh, sweetheart."

Maggie mouthed the words, 'I love you.' Missy nodded, "I love you too, baby! I saw you in my dream! I think you really are my daughter!"

Taken aback by the drama, and the complete realization that ghosts were real, Virgil put himself between Tristan and Ashley as the latter cast his eyes upward, "This glowing rock, is it some sort of bioluminescence?"

"It is magic." Herald answered.

"And what is magic?" Virgil asked, to which Herald replied with his own question, "Do you really wish to know?"

Soon the sloping path leveled out, and through her fish-eyed field of vision, Maggie thought she could see different rooms and chambers which branched out from the main corridor. Her assumption was correct when Herald stopped Shelton from venturing into one, "Stay on the path, pony... those rooms are long disused, and contain many old memories."

'I wish whatever gods are present could just appear to us.' Justin thought, and he was again answered by Herald who said; 'Pay attention to what you find in here Justin, you are moving through history. Greeting Glorafin now would be akin to taking a fine novel and flipping to the very last page.'

"Wait," Justin said, stopping suddenly, "Did you say that noise outside was the trees talking?"

Herald moved up behind Shelton and chortled, "Animals or trees, each has their own life and sapience!"

Shelton thought of all the times he'd urinated on the trees near his back yard, and he wondered what they said about him.

"Come along friends," Herald said, "We've not far to go until the hall."

Shelton noted that Herald had somehow got in front of him, and he wrinkled his nose as the huge eagle led the way. The pony found that they cast no shadows in the luminescent light of the hall, and their footfalls seemed muted and far away, 'What a weird, strange place.'

The long hall grew steadily larger, with Herald seeming to grow smaller and smaller as the company went. The overhead light of the orange glowing rock became faint as the ceiling vaulted high above them. Missy slipped her arms unconsciously around Gabriel as she gazed up at the lofty cavern, while the eagle trio chattered excitedly about the apparent engineering cleverness on display above them.

Then, Herald seemed to become confused, and he looked to and fro, "Wench! She leads us in circles!"

The company settled down upon the (relatively) clean floor to have a breather, whilst Herald muttered under his breath, beseeching some unseen entity to cease their merriment.

Justin looked about the vast inner chamber as his eyes further adjusted to the gloom, "I wonder what animals would do if they discovered this place?"

Missy snorted, "This place would be stuffed with cheesy tourist shops. Animals have no shame, you know that!"

Virgil whistled, "Not in a million years would I have guessed this place was inside the mountain!"

Then, seeming to recover his wits, Herald gestured for the company. "Come fellows, 'tis not far now!"

The animals gathered themselves up and continued on, as Virgil made his way up to Herald. "Okay," he said in a low voice, "What is magic?"

"Magic," Herald said, leaning down toward Virgil's ear. Shelton heard something whispered, then Virgil issued an incredulous gasp, "That's it!? That's magic!?"

"What?!" Ashley squawked, "What did he say!?"

"You don't want to know!" Virgil said with a laugh, "It'll ruin everything!"

"Aw come on!" Ashley cried, while the party burst into excited chatter. Herald looked to Shelton and flashed a mischievous wink. The pony smiled and shook his head, "He's just kidding, guys."

The eagle trio became quiet as they glared at Herald. The mariner shrugged his wings, "I'm sorry lads, I have no idea what magic is."

Shelton looked off into the gloom of the cavern, and there in the dark was a ghostly figure, "Guys," he peeped, "Someone's there."

Herald looked, then cleared his throat, "Ah yes, come along."

The companions moved into a great cathedral, with impossibly tall columns on either side of the path. A pale white light issued from the columns as the animals entered the chamber, and at the center was an eerily beautiful silver tree. It was this metal sculpture that Shelton had seen in the dark. He approached the sculpture with a profound sense of wonderment, "Who made this?"

"Oh, you'll see." Herald replied.

The tree rose up from the stone of the floor. Shelton had a sense that the silver sculpture had roots which plunged down into the rock. There were ghostly silver leaves which now shined with a pale blue light, and all were awed by the majesty of what they beheld. Shelton touched his hand to his chest. "It's so beautiful..."

Maggie detected a faint buzzing emanating from the tree which grew steadily louder. Soon she recognized a strange dialect of tree speech, 'So, Glorafin's a tree goddess?'

The company waited whilst Herald approached the thrumming tree. Eleanor could see all manner of emotions cross his face, and she wondered what the entity said. "My friends," Herald said, his voice cracking, "It appears that the goddess is willing to help, but she demands a payment."

Missy shook her head, "What?"

Herald shook his head, "I am so sorry my friends, I have made a terrible mistake bringing you here."

The chamber plunged into darkness. Virgil shrieked like a frightened chick as the lights of the tree winked away. "What's happened! Ugh!"

After a moment, the shimmering light within Maggie's chest gently pushed back against the darkness. Then, Shelton perceived a pair of bright golden rings that emerged from the deep of the hall. Beside him, Missy shook with startled surprise when a face materialized around these rings. A strange dark smoke moved out across the floor, veiling the creature's passage until it was mere feet from the company.

"Hello," said the creature, it's dark brown voice strangely melodic, "My, but aren't you far from home,"

Herald breathed a relieved sigh, "Ibiza! It is agreeable to see you," his voice died away as the dragon drew near, for he realized this being was not Ibiza, but someone else.

"It seems Glorafin meant to do mischief upon you," said the strange dragon, "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. Behind her, Glorafin's metal avatar appeared inert, it's majesty gone. The curious dragon approached the company with measured excitement, "It is lovely to receive you! How may I be of assistance?"

Shelton stepped near as best he could while Missy attempted to pull him back, "Our friend Maggie, she needs help."

"Indeed?" the dragon replied, pleased to finally be the one to dispense a bit of supernatural social work.

"Who are you?" Missy asked. Herald stepped forward, aware that a dragon would always answer according to their function, "Her name is Ibiza."

"Herald! I'm sure this nice lady is perfectly capable of answering for herself!"

"I am the Incarnation of Death."

Missy blinked, "Come again? I seem to have misheard you."

"Death, I am the Incarnation of Death, but if it would please you, you may refer to me as Hades."

The animals stood stunned, and none was more shocked than Herald as he realized with whom they treated. He approached the dragon and bowed to her. Hades returned his courtesy, then looked anxiously to the gathered families, "My time here is short, now tell me, how might I help you?"

Shelton stepped forward, "Hi, I'm Shelton," he gestured to his parents, "This is my mom Missy and my dad Gabriel."

Hades bowed to them, "I am well met, fair animals," she clapped her paws, sending a sharp report echoing through the vast chamber, "Now, how might I be of assistance?"

Missy gazed deeply into the bright golden disks of the dragon's eyes. "Is there some fee you want in exchange for this help?"

"A true goddess exacts no fee," the dragon said with a glance at Glorafin's tree, "However, before an offer of help is extended, we must first ascertain what it is you seek."

Hades tightened her jaw. The bright golden rings of her eyes flashed in the silvery light of the hall. Missy felt the ground beneath her fall away. The sensation threatened to sicken her, but in the next instant she found herself back within Albany's regional hospital. She looked about, then noted a pair of equine nurses sporting a mane style popular a quarter century ago.

They passed Missy by, leaving her to walk the empty hall. She felt she was seeing the facility from the point of view of some other animal, and her dream weighed heavily on her as she entered a morgue. 'Maggie, where are you baby?'

A spirit lingered nearby, it's tiny shimmering outline bore Sheri's likeness, but in time it grew steadily larger until it assumed the robust shape of Maggie Pumpkin.

Back within the hall, Missy reached out to Maggie. "Sheri! I just knew it! You are my daughter!"

Hades' eyes shimmered as Gabriel emerged from his own introspection, "You saved Shelly..."

The dragon shook her head, "It was my past self who assisted you, though I offered my encouragement."

"Past self?" Shelton whispered, then all shook as Hades' golden eyes rolled over black. At once the dragon's fanciful appearance changed, and became frightening and menacing. "Shelly Holden," the dragon whispered, "Come to me..."

---

Two hundred miles to the south, Rosemary Barter stepped from the airport in Falvie, a semi-autonomous city-state north of the Shannonvali border. The ancient mare shivered in the chill, drawing a concerned chuff from Sam. He slipped his arm around her, and she gladly accepted his warmth. Mayalee smiled, then took Timothy's hand. 'She's really feeling the chill, but that doesn't make sense. She shouldn't be feeling any discomfort, unless I'm wrong about what's happening.'

The four made their way off the field and did't say much to each other, though the avatars were in almost continual contact with their dragons. Mayalee continued to note an odd tremor in Kromhaut's behavior, and a careful guarding of his thoughts. 'He's hiding something.'

Kromhaut noted her observation. Mayalee decided to press him, 'Krom, something's happened, what it it?'

Again Kromhaut lied, 'The companions have entered Glorafin's mountain, all is well.'

The little mouse paid close attention to the nervous tremor in his presence, 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 shrugged a reply. She snorted her frustration, "Secrecy is it? I'll tell you this much, where there's secrecy there's treachery! No good can come of it!"

Sam grasped her elbow. "And you're paranoid! You see treachery everywhere!"

"Hmph," she chuffed, pulling away from him, "We'll see."

The party made their way to a shabby car rental area where Rosemary set about kicking all of the tires. "What are you doing!?" Timmy barked.

"I've long seen animals do this, isn't it for luck?"

Sam chortled, as an attendant wandered over. Rosemary became surprised that the stranger's thoughts seemed to broadcast themselves, albeit in a somewhat garbled fashion. The mare strained to listen to what was coming out of the canid's head as Sam negotiated the rental of a motor car. More and more thoughts came to the white mare, and she hungrily devoured them. 'I've always wanted to be the one eaves-dropping on animal's thoughts!'

Her smile died away as a truly disturbing revelation came to her. 'This lion looks like a cop, I wonder if he's here to track the mangler?'

"What is this mangler?" Rosemary asked in a loud voice. The canid whirled around, "Huh?"

"The mangler, what is this creature?"

Sam flashed her a stern glare as the startled animal sputtered a reply. "A killer, been stalking and eating females, nobody knows who it is."

Rosemary flashed Sam an expectant look. Mayalee grasped Rosemary's hand to lead her away. "Come on, you must be tired, granny! Let's go and sit down!"

"Confound it! I'm not tired! Let me go!"

Sam let out a relieved whistle as he patted the attendant. "How about a Sunbeam? Got any of those?"

Later, Sam deposited a complaining Rosemary Barter into the back seat of their rental where she was restrained by Timothy. Mayalee glared at the horse as Sam took his place behind the wheel. He let out a long breath, then thumbed the starter. The bright yellow vehicle sputtered to life. Sam wasted no time hurrying away from the site, "Well, that was awkward!"

"Sam! We must look for this killer! We have to interview the local spirits! They may be his victims!"

"You assume it's a he," Timothy said. She dismissed him with a snort. "No female would do such a thing to another female!"

He rolled his eyes, "You must have never heard of the lioness Elizabeth Bathory!"

"Please!" Mayalee barked, "Enough!"

Rosemary folded her arms and snorted, then gazed out the window to watch the forlorn landscape drift past her window. As fate would have it, they passed a traumatized ghost. "Stop! Stop this coach!"

Sam sighted the female spirit. His quarter century spent as a police officer demanded that he investigate her death. "Sam!" Mayalee chuffed, "We can't stop now!"

"Just a minute," he said, "I want to talk to her."

Squirming up and down, Rosemary waited for Sam to pull along side the diminutive equine spirit. Unable to contain herself any longer, she leapt out to rush after the ghost, "Sweetheart! What's happened!"

The equine spirit's ghostly outline shimmered as she stared blankly at the avatars. "Happened?"

Sam knelt before her, "What is your name?"

She shied away from him. Mayalee waved her lion away, realizing that she was indeed the victim of a male. "It's okay, sweetie! Can you tell me your name?"

"Penny. Penny Almond."

'Mayalee, what are you doing?' said Kromhaut.

"Penny, can you tell us what happened to you? Who hurt you?"

'Mayalee, please...'

"I can't remember," Penny replied, "I'm sorry, all I remember is being at a cider bar, and then this nice looking wolf. Then, I was like this."

Rosemary shook her head, "If I were in charge, things like this would never happen!"

'Mayalee, this is not what I want. I cannot allow you to influence mortal affairs.'

"But she's a ghost!" Mayalee cried.

"Forget Kromhaut!" Rosemary hissed, "Let's help this poor dear!"

Mayalee attempted to delve into the Penny's spiritual memory, but the images contained therein were disjointed. Both Sam and Timothy also reported an inability to reach the spirit. It was Rosemary who seemed to possess a clear picture of the inner state of Penny's mind, 'Kromhaut,' Sam thought, 'Are you obstructing us?'

'I am sorry, Sam.' Ariadne whispered.

Timothy shook his head, then noted a strange flickering inside Rosemary's eyes, 'Is there a dragon inside her!?'

The mare knelt before the little ghost as she gleaned vital clues from her recent memory, "It was a wolf. His fur is very dark. I'm seeing a street marker for Fourth and Wilson?" she narrowed her eyes, "Yes, it's Wilson Street! That's where it happened!"

"Is there a dragon with you? Who is empowering you?" Timothy chuffed.

Sam gestured for Timothy to hush, "Lets 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, 'Hades,'

Sam checked that Penny Almond was safely anchored to the rear of the vehicle, then sped off. "Rosemary, where are we going?"

"Give me a moment!"

Penny's spirit was in a near catatonic state, but fortunately, her mind remained fixed on the final few moments of her life. "The wolf's vehicle, it's large and black! It has a black interior! That's all I can see right now, Penny's blocking out her memories of the wolf."

"Can you see any sort of logo or moniker that would identify the vehicle's make?" Sam asked.

"Uh, uh.. there's a silver badge on the seat that says 'Napier.'"

"Napier, got it!"

"I- I can't see anything else!" Rosemary groaned, "Blast it all!"

"Rosemary," Mayalee said, leaning over the front seat, "Leave yourself behind. When you enter Penny's mind, you need to adopt her identity. While you're with her, you need to become Penny Almond."

"O-okay, I'll try."

Mayalee nodded as Rosemary leaned back and closed her eyes. Her lip began to tremble ever so slightly. Timothy gasped when Rosemary suddenly grasped his knee, "His nose has a split in one nostril, and one of his fangs is chipped."

"Which one?" Sam asked, taking out his cellular telephone, "The right fang," Rosemary replied.

Sam dialed the Falvian State Police, "Good afternoon, this is Inspector Samuel Preston of the Brandenburg Police, badge number one seven five four five. Yes, I'm fine, thanks. Listen, I'm investigating an assault and I was hoping you could put out an APB for a grey wolf male, aged twenty five to thirty five, driving a black Napier wagon. The suspect has a chipped right fang, and a split nostril. Suspect should be considered extremely dangerous."

On the other side of the line, a vixen fox placed Sam on hold; "Just a moment, Inspector."

She dialed another telephone, and was connected to an interstate operator, "Brandenburg State, please."

After a moment the Falvian dispatcher returned to the line, "Thank you, inspector! Your badge checks out! By the way, your fellows down in Brandenburg were pleased to hear you're still engaged in police work, and they wish you well." Sam bid the dispatcher thanks, then ended the call, "Alright, they're going to look for him."

"We're not going after him?" Rosemary asked. Sam smiled back at her, "We have a solid description, and the entire police force of this region is going to be looking for him. He's as good as caught."

Sam gleaned enough from Penny to know that she was murdered in the wolf's wagon. "Once they find evidence of murder in his vehicle, he's finished."

Rosemary sighed, then smiled to Penny who seemed to wake from her trance, "Thank you, you're a very nice lady."

"You're welcome dear, and I'm so sorry about what's happened to you."

Penny smiled gently, "If I'm dead, is there a god somewhere waiting for me?"

Mayalee glanced away from the spirit as Rosemary smiled gently, "There is an emotional ninny that pretends not to care about us, but he does. And I wouldn't say he's a god, not yet anyway, that's something we'll hope for in time."

Penny smiled, "Then I'll wait for them."

Tears blurred Rosemary's eyes as the little spirit slipped from the car, "Goodbye, sweetie."

The old mare sniffed back her emotions and attempted to compose herself, but promptly burst into tears, "The poor sweetie!"

Timothy took her hand in his, trying his best to comfort her, 'Rosemary's got a lot of pain to let out.'

Mayalee nodded, her own eyes misty from the weight of the morning's events. Sam blinked away his own tears, "Aye," he said, his medieval accent returning to the fore.

The animals continued on, as a gentle mist descended from on high. Back within the mountain, Shelly approached the waiting dragon, oblivious to the frightening visage that awaited her. Missy and Gabriel rushed forward to protect their daughter, their teeth bared and their muscles tensed! Hades 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! "I mean you no harm!" the dragon cried, then lowered her voice, "I apologize if my appearance is sometimes unsettling, I cannot always mask my true nature."

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."

Hades smiled, "Then I require a lock of Shelly's hair."

Justin's feathers raised in a thoughtful poof, 'Is she going to clone Shelly?'

Gabriel blinked, then took a small pocket knife from his jeans. He pinched part of Shelly's mane, then held the knife over her hair. "Do you promise that we're under no obligation? You're not going to ask for any sort of payment, right?"

"It is I who should compensate you, do you realize how therapeutic this is for me?"

The horses chortled, then Gabriel looked to his wife. Missy slowly nodded. He glanced at Maggie, and the boxer smiled her support. Gabriel kissed his daughter, then carefully cut a small bit of her mane. "Sweetie, I think the dragon is going to do something with your DNA, are you alright with this?"

"Oh, come on!" Virgil screeched. Both Justin and Ashley dutifully swatted him.

Shelly smiled, then nodded. Gabriel approached the dragon to offer the creature his daughter's clippings. The goddess of death took the strands, then gripped them in her teeth. The company gasped in surprise when Hades suddenly seized Maggie 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 Hades opened her mouth very wide and, with a loud gurgling did spit out a bloody body enwrapped within a clear membrane. Maggie Pumpkin broke from the amnionic sack as Hades cheered her success, "Ah! It worked!"

Shelton and Missy rushed to Maggie, and when they beheld the face that looked back at them they cried out in surprise. Maggie coughed and sputtered, "What's wrong-?" she instantly clapped her mouth shut when she recognized the voice that'd issued from her throat. 'Shelly!?'

Tristan approached, as Justin and the others looked upon what had become of Maggie Pumpkin. "You're a clone!" Virgil cried, "She cloned you!"

Maggie carefully inspected her hands, and then her long legs. The others gathered around her as Maggie grasped and tugged upon her new body. "What did she do? This is Shelly's body! Do I look like Shelly now!?"

Shelton pulled his cellular telephone and flipped the glass face open. He presented the dark screen to Maggie, hoping it would be an effective mirror, "Look, can you see yourself?"

Maggie squinted into the phone, then her eyes widened, "Oh! Shelly! I'm so sorry!"

Shelly dropped to her knees to clasp her arms about her new sister. "Oh! Shelly!" Maggie gasped, her body wracked by great heaving sobs, "Sis..."

"I've got you Maggie," Shelly whispered, "I won't let go..."

Missy Holden joined her daughters as Shelton nuzzled his father. Missy put her arm about Shelly, "It looks like you have your twin sister back, sweetie," she turned to wipe the fluid from Maggie's face, "And I have my daughter..."

The boxer regarded her mother through tear-streaked eyes as Missy kissed her nose. Gabriel turned to thank the dragon, but found her gone.

The silver tree began to shimmer with menace. No longer an intricate sculpture of metal, the tree now regarded the animals with a cool hateful 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, "Where is the gold dragon? Where's Hades?"

"There is no danger, for I am with you," said a harsh, otherworldly voice. A silver dragon stepped from the gloom, a soft groaning of metal punctuating each of it's steps. 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, "Greetings, Master Straightpath."

"Ugh! Uhh!!" Shelton sputtered, his mind now in the grips of the goddess. Missy clasped her arms around him, whilst Gabriel held his daughters close.

A wooden wall sprang up from the floor. Glorafin's metal face became twisted with frustration as another wall appeared. Shelton blinked, 'Is that Herald's house?'

Glorafin stepped around the wall to glare at the company as the final pieces of Herald's treetop home appeared from the stone floor. There was a soft groaning as the roof slid into place, and then the oppressive chill of the hall diminished until it was no more. Herald went to a window to peer outside, "Ah! We seem to be home!"

Eleanor and Shelton pressed their faces to the glass, relieved beyond measure, "Did the gold dragon bring us here?"

Herald shook his head, "I believe our deliverance is courtesy of a dragon called Kromhaut."

"I wanna go home... go home..." Virgil breathed. Herald cupped his wing over the young eagle, "Rest easy son, these creatures have always existed, and are no more dangerous to you than any odd hazard you'd find in the natural world."

"You mean like the plague?" Maggie asked with a wry smile.

Missy suddenly grasped Maggie's muzzle and began to fuss over her, wiping away the crusted fluid from her face. "We need to get you a shower, dear. You look like you've just come out of a birth canal!"

"What was it like!?" Shelton asked. Maggie shrugged, honestly unsure. "I dunno! It felt like I was being smothered."

Missy patted her, "Justin, can you fly Maggie down to the house boat? I don't want her climbing down until we're sure she's okay."

Justin sprang up to offer his wing. After a rather awkward flight Justin touched down upon the boat's deck. Maggie squeaked, then dropped from his shoulder. Missy climbed down the long ladder, then powered up the boat's water heater. Justin poked his head into the cabin, "I'll go and bring Shelly."

Missy nodded, as she set the shower for Maggie. She roughed her daughter's mane, pleased beyond measure! "After you clean up, we'll get you into some of Shelly's clothes, I'm sure they'll fit!"

Maggie looked down upon herself and thought how ridiculous she must look wearing only an overcoat and bright yellow sandals. "Yeah, that would be good."

Missy opened Shelly's suit case to rummage around for a pair of denim trousers and a blouse, whilst above, Maggie heard Shelly's fussing voice. She reached out to her mother, "Mom, I want you to make sure to give Shelly lots of attention. Don't fuss over me too much."

The mother equine drew a breath to reply when Justin arrived with Shelly. Missy went outside as Shelly gingerly stepped from Justin's shoulder. Once inside, Missy gestured to Maggie; "Go and get your shower, the hot water won't last for too long."

Inside the shower room, Maggie slipped off Missy's overcoat and hung it on the door. She turned to spend a long moment inspecting her reflection. She approached herself in the dingy mirror and gazed deeply into her bright blue eyes, 'I can't believe this! This is exactly what I would have looked like if I hadn't died as a baby!'

She recalled Herald meeting her in the hospital, then shook the thought from her mind. She grasped her breasts, 'Shelly's boobs don't look so big when she's dressed,' she smirked at her reflection, "I can see myself, I can finally see myself!"

"Get your shower before the water gets cold!" Missy called.

Maggie triumphantly slapped her belly. "I have some nice abdominal muscles!"

She stepped into the shower and let out a loud groan of pleasure. Out in the cabin, Shelly nickered her amusement. For a moment, Maggie forgot about ghosts, about the dragons, and just about everything else as she lost herself in the warm shower water.

Afterward, Maggie appeared from the washroom wearing Shelly's pastel yellow top with a pair of faded denim pants. She settled down beside Shelly and brushed her fingers through her sister's mane, "Hey, sis."

"I feel like our lives have become like a paperback novel," Shelly said, "It's hard to believe any of this is happening."

Missy nodded. "Looks like our story might have a happy ending."

Maggie's belly suddenly growled very loudly. The company laughed, grateful for the humor. Justin bobbed his head, "Shall I regurgitate something for you?" Maggie found herself almost considering his offer, "Nah, I'll just have some oats."

Shelton sat down, then pressed himself to Maggie's side. "Hey sis, how are you feeling?"

She smiled gently to him, "I feel... hungry."

---

Part Four

---

Not far from Herald's tree, the dragon Ibiza Pushpath noted the animal's strange arrival. She'd only just arrived in the high north, and Herald's tree was her first base camp. 'I didn't expect to find them here,'

She used her powers of sight to glance into the tree, 'Look how happy they are! I ought to introduce myself since I find them in such fine spirits!' She hesitated, 'No, to intrude on their moment of happiness would be to rob them of the significance of their journey,' the dragon bowed her head, 'I must wait,'

"Very good," said Garland Highpath, "You are learning animal's ways."

Ibiza smiled, "I was wondering when I would see you again."

Garland smiled as she emerged from the forest; sat down beside the younger dragon. Ibiza noticed for the first time that the disguised dragon wore faded denim jeans, and a grey t-shirt. Garland noted her inspection. "I'm starting to pay attention to animal apparel," Ibiza said, "For when I decide to change my form."

"Blue jeans are efficient," Garland said with a nod, before her eyes dilated in a strange sort of way. Ibiza also felt a strange thrumming pressure deep inside her body. "It's this convergence, isn't it?"

Garland nodded, "It will soon be upon us."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"There's one more thing that must happen," Garland said with a nervous glance. "What?" Ibiza asked.

Garland shrugged, "We'll know when we arrive at that happening."

"Don't do this to me, don't keep me in the dark. Talk to me."

The other glanced at Ibiza, "In a way, your sister Fate knew what was required. She knew it was not a simple matter of learning about animal behavior," Garland sighed, "Before I freed you from Glorafin's realm, your sister attempted to claim for herself an animal spirit. She intended to fuse this soul to your body, but she did not know that a sacrifice must be given willingly."

"W-wait, you're making it sound like the animal would have to die.. for us?"

"Ibby, to prevent the disaster that lurks beyond the cusp of the convergence, an animal must sacrifice their spirit for us."

Ibiza's spines flattened against her body. She opened her maw to speak, but no sound was forthcoming. The dragon was literally speechless. "I am sorry, Ibby," Garland breathed, "It is the only way."

"In the gaming place, you told me Shelton might be required if someone else didn't work out. Tell me, what exactly would happen to him?"

"Ibby, please.."

"No! I need to know!"

Garland bowed her head, "His spirit would be made anew, he would give life to your body, and make you whole," (Garland dared not reveal the whole truth to Ibiza.)

"So he'll die? Is that what you're telling me?"

"Let us consider the animal who most likely will volunteer. Her name is Rosemary Barter-" Ibiza waved her paws at Garland, "I need a minute!"

The little dragon plopped onto the ground, "So, this Rosemary, when her spirit is 'made anew,' what exactly does that mean?"

"All of her memories will be lost, however," Garland tapped her fingers across Ibiza's head, "You carry within you an imprint of Rosemary Barter's identity, in this way she will live on within you, and so she will not truly die."

"I think this whole situation sucks," Ibiza spat.

Garland sat heavily upon the grass, "I'm sorry, Ibiza, it is the only way we may save the world."

"So all of my fretting and worrying about becoming a good animal, and wether I was worthy of this mantle of godhood was all for naught?"

"Ibby, when the convergence is come, all of Rosemary's mind shall be wiped away. Your mind shall set it's self in Rosemary's place, and the lessons you have learned in these short few years will prove to be as vital to our success as Rosemary's sacrifice."

Ibiza settled down beside the goddess, "In that vision of the future, when we met with the school children, you were nervous."

"Yes,"

"Why? Why were you nervous? If I'll become a goddess after the convergence?"

Garland sighed, her expression far away. Ibiza smiled weakly, "Are you thinking about Penny?"

"Yes, Ibby, she is a great source of comfort and support for me."

The little dragon shook her head, "The dragon who released me from the underworld was really strong and powerful, I guess it will take us a while to get up to that point, huh?"

"It is not magic, nor power, that shall elevate us, but our animals. Animals like Penny."

Ibiza sighed, "I can't wait to meet her,"

"No need to wait, would you like to visit her now?"

"Please, I need to get away from here for a little while."

Ibiza felt the doorway to the forth dimension open. She closed her eyes and tried her best to conjure an image of the gentle equine engineer.

"May I have something to eat?" Ibiza Pushpath will ask, thirty five years from now, "I'm very hungry."

Mission commander Muhammad Ibn Zakariya glanced back at the dragon, "Flight crew will be here in twenty minutes to bolt us in," the oryx said, "If you feel you can reach your carry on, then go ahead. Just mind any bins or other objects, we need to make sure everything remains nice and tight."

"Thank you," Ibiza said, slipping out of the nook she'd wedged herself in. She crawled across what would be the aft wall of the command cabin, but in the space shuttle's current vertical position, the wall'd become a floor.

Mission specialist Igor Konovalov, a tiger, turned in his seat to watch the dragon rifle through a bag; devour the foodstuffs contained therein, plastic wrappers and all. So engrossed in eating, Ibiza became startled when white-suited animals appeared at the side hatch to secure the shuttle for launch. Ibiza returned to her nook. There was no seat which could securely hold her, so the flight crew fastened the dragon to the bulkhead with a nylon webbing.

Zakariya gave the ground grew a thumbs up, and they returned the gesture. Konovalov began his preflight checks, as Zakariya traded messages with mission control. Before the flight crew sealed the hatch, a timid canid placed a headset over Ibiza's horned head, "It's nice to meet you, Miss Ibiza."

"Thank you, sweetie."

He smiled, then slipped out of the side hatch. It slid closed as Ibiza's headset crackled to life, "Ibby? Can you hear me?"

"Penny! Yes! I am here!"

"How do you feel?"

"I think-" Ibiza was interrupted by a voice on a different channel; "Launch control is working no technical issues, weather is green, everything is go for today's launch of space shuttle Mystic."

A chorus of other voices chimed in Ibiza's headset. At the cockpit, Zakariya and Konovalov traded a host of messages as they worked through their flight checks. "LRD is go," Konovalov said, "Mystic is go!"

"No constraints for launch," Zakariya said as the oryx glanced back at Ibiza, "Is our dragon ready to go?"

Ibiza offered a thumbs up. "Alright!" Zakariya chortled, "We are clear to go!"

"T-minus two minutes and counting," said the voice in Ibiza's headset, "Range is go."

"One minute and counting,"

Ibiza's belly began to tremble as a steady count began in her ear, "Fifty eight, fifty seven, fifty six.."

"Aero surface checks complete, forty nine, forty eight, forty seven, forty six.."

"Crew close and lock your visors, begin oxygen flow, thirty six, thirty five, thirty four.."

"All systems go, auto sequence start, twenty, nineteen, eighteen, seventeen, main engine start, ten, nine, eight, seven-" the voice was lost to Ibiza as a tremendous rumbling from beneath the space craft shook the headset from her head. The orbiter lurched to the side as it began to rise, and then swung back in the other direction as it cleared the tower. Ibiza now regretted eating the foodstuffs as she was pressed against the bulkhead.

She closed her eyes as the vehicle shot into the sky. Like most animals, she'd seen shuttle launches on television. The space crafts always seemed to rise slowly and gracefully, but that is not the case!

It was violent, and terrifying, and- "Amazing!"

Zakariya glanced back as the dragon hooted and cheered, 'Congratulations, Miss Ibiza. You're now an Aeronaut.'

The rumbling became steadily quieter, and the force pressing Ibiza to the bulkhead diminished. The bright blue sky visible through the windows darkened into a deep indigo as Mystic entered low orbit. The space craft rolled, bathing the cockpit in a bright golden radiance. Ibiza looked into the sun's face before the craft rolled away from it, but her eyes were left dazzled by the shimmering golden light. Soon the light became a broad red flame that streaked across the sky- "NO!"

"Ibiza!?" Zakariya chuffed, "What's wrong?"

"The disaster, it shall befall us, despite my efforts! I'll not have the strength to keep both the magnetic field stable, and bring the orbital cable down! I'll fail!"

'Ibiza, the time has come,' said the Goddess of Death.

Ibiza saw Zakariya's lips move, but his words were lost as the presence inside Ibiza added; 'I am here, if you are ready.'

'No! Animals will fear you! I'm responsible for the physical world, Midgard is my territory!'

'Ibiza, you have tried valiantly to maintain the balance of life, but the time has come for me to act.'

'Noooo! Animals will be afraid! All of the relationships I have built shall be undone!'

'Shelton was not afraid, when I appeared to him. He accepted me, just as he accepted you.'

Tears wet Ibiza's eyes, "Shelton, my pony!"

"Ibiza!" Zakariya called as the dragon unfastened the straps holding her to the bulkhead, 'Have I lost my chance? Am I banished, then? I don't want to lose my Penny.'

'We are a duality, Ibiza. You shall dwell within me, waiting, until it is safe for you to return.'

Ibiza closed her eyes, as a bright burning light issued from her brow. Zakariya's eyes widened as he glanced back at the dragon, "Fire! There's a fire!"

"Fuck! What is she doing!?" Konovalov cried.

On the surface, Penny grimaced at the crew's startled cries, "Mystic! Come in!"

A dark brown voice spoke over the radio; "Hello, Penny."

"Ibby?" Penny breathed, not recognizing the voice in her headset.

"She is here," the voice replied, "And she will see you again, but for now I have come among you."

Penny now realized with whom she was speaking, as the stories told by King Octavius crashed down upon her; "W-what are you going to do?"

"I shan't expend energy keeping the planet's magnetic field alive, nay, I may block the sun's harmful rays from this lofty perch!"

Penny noted the crew was conspicuously quiet; "Konovalov, status?"

"I.. uh, need a minute."

Across Penny's console, Director Connally flipped a switch to activate a camera inside Mystic's command compartment. Penny and Connally squinted into the monitor, where all that could be discerned was a bright golden flickering.

"Penny, the space elevator is not needed," said the dragon as she peered into the camera lens, startling the animals. Through the monitor, Penny beheld Ibiza's familiar face, but the visage was now wreathed in flame, and her formerly gentle eyes now radiated a daunting and frightening majesty. This transformation represented the sum of all Penny's fears, for the sleeping goddess had finally waked; "These animals must bear me to the international space station. From there, I shall hoist cargo up from the surface, whilst I maintain a protective shield around this planet. Ibiza Pushpath shan't expend all of her energy stoking a dying core!"

Penny absently nodded, "Won't the planet die?"

"The planet was murdered when Kala sprang her trap. There is no craft that I possess that can change this reality, but through animal's ingenuity, we shall ultimately triumph."

Trembling, Penny keyed her headset, "Thank you, Hades."

The Goddess of Death pressed her snout to the camera, the gesture strangely cute; "If you please, dispatch a load of ice cream to the space station, the sort that contains almonds and chocolate."

Penny snorted a breath laden with emotion, for contained within the dragon's request was a message, a clue, one which Penny immediately grasped, for the dragon let slip her greatest secret; there was no sleeping goddess hiding within her dragon, 'Ibiza' was simply a persona, an alternate identity; she'd unknowingly poured all of her love into Hades, 'I've loved my greatest fear, all along,'

"Do not begrudge me this opportunity," Hades said, "For time out of memory, I have been cast as the villain. Now comes a chance for me to be a Hero."

Shaking, Penny shuffled from the control room; her fellows looking after her. She wandered along the halls, the dragon's face still fixed in her mind. "Death, she's still death. Ibby didn't succeed in her quest, she became death."

A ringing telephone caught her attention. She glanced at the caller ID screen; 'Penny, please answer,'

Penny slid inside the booth and tapped upon the screen to answer. She was surprised to see Ibiza's familiar face on the screen, "Penny! Are you alright?"

"I could ask the same of you,"

Ibiza smiled weakly, "You've obviously figured everything out. I'm sorry for deceiving you, I know how unsettled you were by Octavius' accounts of my true nature, and so I endeavored to remain Ibiza Pushpath, for as long as I was able, if only to make you happy."

The horse touched her fingers to the screen, "Is Ibiza who you really want to be?"

"Aye, someday I will have to let Ibiza go, and take a chance on being loved, or hated, for who I really am," Hades paused as an aeronaut passed behind her, bearing a burden of wiring and tubing. The dragon minded her horns until he was past, and then sighed into the camera, "I don't want to live my life pretending to be someone I'm not, or ever really was,"

"I love you, Hades," Penny said.

The dragon closed her eyes, as her face became ringed with flame. When she opened her eyes, her visage was not so unsettling, "I love you too, my Penny," the dragon replied.

Back in the forest, Ibiza touched her paw to Garland's shoulder, "You're Hades, Goddess of Death."

The other nodded.

"Hades, what is going to happen to my sister?"

"I don't know, love. You both must make a decision, a decision that will have repercussions in whichever way you decide."

Ibiza leveled her gaze at the other, "I want to save her, is it possible to do that, and still save the world?"

"Have I not taken great pains to show you the future?"

"Hmph," Ibiza gruffed, "So I have to decide on my own, huh?"

"Think carefully, love. Weigh your decision, because if you allow death to join with you, forever will you be haunted by her presence."

Ibiza nudged her future self, "You're the goddess of death, so clearly I have made the right decision and saved my sister."

"Yes,"

"So, I guess I'll be 'haunted forever,' hmm?"

"I will say nothing to influence your decision, Ibiza, except yes, I am identified with death, but it doesn't mean I have to be bad."

The disguised dragon shed her equine form. From the depths of her eyes came brilliant golden rings; "Look deep, Ibiza. Look deep and I will show you the true nature of death."

---

The Road

---

"Ugh!" Rosemary Barter chuffed as she was jarred by a pot hole. She cried out again as the vehicle was rocked by another horrendous hole, "This abysmal contraption will be the death of me!"

"We'll find a motel at the next exit."

"Will there be food?" Rosemary asked, "I'm starving!"

Sam snorted, "Yes!"

Mayalee smiled back at her, "It's funny how you were able to commune with that spirit, when we could not. It's like you have an avatar's powers."

"Yeah," Timothy chuffed, "An avatar for a god who doesn't block you when you're trying to help someone!"

The mare glanced at him, then shrugged. Sam glanced back to offer his opinion, "You've always been pretty aware whenever one of us tries to read you. That's indicative of an avatar familiar's abilities."

"What of it?" Rosemary chuffed.

"May I see your hand?" Mayalee asked, reaching out to her. Rosemary put her willowy hand in Mayalee's, who grasped the elderly horse's fingers very firmly and squeezed them with all of her dragon-given might. Rosemary yanked her hand back, apparently unharmed by the mouse's test, "Fool, what are you doing!?"

"You... you really are an avatar!"

Rosemary snorted, "Sod off! That's impossible!"

"I tried to crush your hand, and couldn't! Only an avatar could withstand my grip!"

Rosemary rubbed her fingers, "Idiot! What if you were wrong!?"

Mayalee smiled, "Hades must have convinced Jord to release you from Nidavellir! She foresaw us finding Penny! She must have taken you as her avatar! That's why you could see Penny's thoughts while we were blocked!"

The pit of Rosemary's belly fell away. "No! I don't want to become some dragon's pet! I'd rather die!"

"Rosie," Mayalee peeped, "You did a lot of good back there. I think you need to consider what's happened."

Sam glanced back at her, as the car was shaken by a particularly horrendous pot hole, "I have faith in you, Rosemary. Our god must also think you're up for it, too."

"Yes, well, I still think you're all morons."

The animals laughed as Rosemary squeaked when Timothy playfully kissed her cheek. She touched her fingers to where he'd kissed her, as she imagined him kissing her again and again.

"I can hear your thoughts, you know."

She glanced at him, "What am I thinking about now?"

He squealed with laughter! "I didn't think you'd be into that!"

"What!?" Mayalee squeaked, then she wrinkled her nose at what was revealed, "Eww! That's gross!"

Rosemary's lips parted in a broad and genuine smile. Mayalee looked at her as time seemed to slow to a crawl before it stopped altogether. Herald's words came to Mayalee as she gazed upon Rosemary's smiling face, 'There's a good equine beneath that gruff exterior, waiting for you to set her free.'

The company continued on, until Sam pulled off at the next exit. He sought out a motel that didn't look like a complete dive. The motel they settled on seemed devoid of any color, and the room assigned to Timothy and Rosemary was dark and musky. She collapsed on the bed whilst Timothy searched the closet for extra bedding. 'I shall keep you warm,' said his dragon. The fox thanked Tannin as he sat heavily in a worn out chair. A gentle snoring issued from Rosemary. Timothy smiled at how peaceful she looked, with her normally stern face now serene and unguarded, 'Just like a nice old granny.'

A shadow moved through the dimly lit room. Timothy's hackles stood on end as Tannin attempted to push into him, 'No! Let me handle this!' Timothy said.

The shadow paused near the door. Timothy slowly rose from his seat to address the entity, "Rosemary understands what you meant, about murder."

"All is progressing as it should," replied a strange, buzzy voice, "Rosemary may yet become a proper emotional center."

Within Timothy's mind, Tannin attempted to analyze the quality of the shadow's voice. 'It is arboreal in nature! Akin to a tree spirit!'

Timothy himself thought the odd buzzing quality of the creature's voice was the most unusual sound he'd ever heard. "To whom am I speaking? What is your name?"

A tapping on the door distracted Timothy, then Mayalee's concerned voice spoke out; "May we come in? I would like to speak with you."

The shadow reached out with a hand that seemed as solid as any animal's, and opened the door for the mouse and her lion. The tall and spindly shadow moved aside so that they might enter. Timothy squinted as Sam flipped on a lamp, revealing a black-furred clone of Rosemary Barter!

Timothy blinked at the cranky mare's bizarre twin. Mayalee herself drew a sharp breath as the stranger smiled, "Greetings, Mayalee and Sam."

The little mouse approached the shadow with all of her hopes and expectations shimmering in her eyes, "Please, who are you?"

"Well, dear... I am Death."

---

In the north, the setting sun dipped behind the western arm of the mountains. Sunlight was still shining in the sky, but long shadows reached out over Herald's tree. The eagles camped there, whilst the horses took shelter in their house boat. So unnerved by their experience in the mountain, neither Missy nor Eleanor allowed their boys out of their sight.

Shelton lay beside his father who snored gently. With no thought of sleep in his future, Shelton simply lay there watching Gabriel's chest rise and fall, each breath punctuated by a gentle whistle. He wondered if Justin was up in the tree, feeling just as restless, 'I wish Justin was here.'

He raised his head to glance over at Maggie. She lay with her back to him, but didn't seem to be asleep. "Hey, Maggie? You awake?"

He waited expectantly, hoping against hope that she might answer. She didn't. Shelton sighed miserably, and wondered what time it was back home. His school now seemed like some other world, a mundane place where dragons were not real, and there was no magic. 'I wonder how Max is getting along?' he rolled over, 'I bet the school is planning some nice Midwinter stuff.'

An orange flickering cast a glow on the far wall. Shelton became mesmerized by the warm light as his eyes became very heavy, 'Dragons are so weird,' he thought, passing into a deep and profound slumber.

In a far off place, an aged stallion lay on a bed of straw. Around him was gathered gifts and flowers and all manner of foodstuffs. An odd scent permeated the air, it's quality not unlike the smell of wet hay and cinnamon.

"Hello, old horse," said a tall grey mare who entered the bed chamber, "How are we feeling today?"

"I don't think I'll be afforded another return. I'd say this is it, love."

The mare smiled, then took the stallion's hand, "Wherever you go, you'll not stray far. I'll scatter your ashes in the garden so the sunshine might warm your face again through our roses." The real Garland Highpath smiled as she rubbed his cheek, "And perhaps, some new colt born to us will help me tend our flowers."

Tears blurred his eyes, "How is Ibiza?"

"She's taking your illness hard," Garland replied, "She was scarcely a year old when you were resurrected, she has not learned how to let you go."

He cupped his hand over hers, "Daughter of mine, would you promise to keep Ibiza away from the Society of Friends? Their interests lie not in simple festivals, they are dangerous."

"I will,"

He sighed, "A veiling shadow has come, I believe death is present."

"Could they wait? If only for Ibiza to bid you farewell?"

"One cannot bargain with Death, nor make requests. Just know that I love you, and I've cherished all of these extra years I've been gifted..." Sherman met her gaze, before his pupils dilated in an unnatural way. A moment later, he was gone. Garland bowed her head, then pulled the bed sheet up over her father's face. She bit back a tear before falling upon his chest. The window to the past suddenly collapsed. Shelton woke to a dragon's fiery visage as the creature regarded him.

"Am I dead?" he asked.

"No, love."

"Uhh... your head is on fire."

Hades chortled, "Greetings, master Shelton. Might I visit with you?"

"W-why is your head on fire?"

"My fire is a light to guide those who wander in dark places."

"Oh," Shelton breathed, "You said you wanted to visit with me?"

She leaned in to deliver a kiss, but as she drew back she collected an imprint of Shelton's spiritual memory, "I wished to appear to you as you are now, to see what a fine and gentle equine you were. I love you very much, Shelton."

Shelton was struck by the dragon's voice. It sounded so much like the lady in the dream he'd just had, when he was an old horse who died. He smiled, then gazed at the bright golden rings drifting within her eyes. "What are those? They don't seem to be attached to anything."

"It would be easier to show you, would you like to see?"

"Um, okay."

"Very well. Now, close your eyes, and imagine an object."

Shelton conjured an image of Justin's feathery chest. "Now... look closely, Shelton. Dive deep into your friend's feathers."

After an awkward start, Shelton's vision began to dive down toward Justin's body. The feathers of his chest became great and large as Shelton spiraled ever closer to the cells that made up Justin's plumage.

That's when Shelton felt like he was watching one of those science videos, where you zoom in on things to see what they're made of. Down and down Shelton went, until he'd reached a tiny molecule deep inside Justin's skin. Then, Shelton ventured into this molecule, arriving at last above an orderly row of bright glowing objects that resembled tiny stars. Yet still, Shelton ventured down. Down and down, revealing more tiny points of light that made up the larger points of light. The pony was reminded of that old creation joke, something about 'turtles all the way down.'

Finally, the shapes of the sub-atomic particles became irregular and wholly unfamiliar. Shelton knew that he'd arrived at the final stop along this bizarre journey. With a final push into these blue and orange objects, everything became dark. There was nothing left. Shelton hovered within an all-encompassing night.

'This is the first dimension,' said the dragon, 'The shadow realm exists within everyone, and is not a place of death!'

From the darkness came tiny points of golden light. As they drew near, Shelton saw that they were actually golden discs. He marveled at the tiny one-dimensional rings that seemed to vibrate with a frequency. Almost like... 'Music?'

'It is the symphony of creation,' said Hades, '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.'

Hades 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?'

'Sleep now,' said the goddess, 'Sleep, and remember that the shadow realm is a place of life!'

The dragon retreated from Shelton, moving amongst the dark shadows before she merged with the night it's self.

Hours later, Shelton woke to his father's muttering. The boat's engine cover was open, and the top of Gabriel's mane could be seen futzing and fumbling with the boat's mechanical innards. "Dad, what are you doing?"

"Electrical system is shot! Nothing will energize!"

Shelton frowned, "Virgil isn't going to like that."

"Shit, boy! I ain't gonna like that!" The stallion checked his temper, "I'm sorry son, it's been a wild few days."

"I'm sorry, dad."

Gabriel climbed out of the compartment to hug his boy. "For what? You got your big sister back!"

From her sleeping cushion, Maggie Pumpkin smiled. "Hm," Gabriel said as he noticed an odd pattern in the fur on Shelton's forehead, "That's funny," Maggie sat up, "Dad, what was my name again? I mean, before you lost me?"

"We'd named you girls Shelly and Sheri, but I'd love it if you'd go by Maggie."

Maggie noted that Shelton's ears drooped. She knew that an insecure teenager might feel awfully left out in such a situation, so Maggie resolved to be a big sister for him. "Look at those arms!" Maggie said, reaching out to squeeze Shelton's bicep. "What a boxer you'd make!"

With a smile, Shelton pointed to his snout, "I'd like my nose to remain where it is, thanks."

Maggie nickered, "All you gotta do is make sure you don't get hit!"

Soon the eagles touched down upon the deck to inquire about a departure time, as was predicted, Virgil took the news very hard. "I'll fly! I'll just fly home!"

"You've only just arrived!" Herald said, "There's lots of nature to explore up here!"

"Yeah, like animal-eating beasts?" Virgil spat, "Fuck this place!"

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Tristan cawed, "You sound like a neurotic jay with all your whining!"

Herald looked sharply at Tristan, as Eleanor swatted him with her wing. "Hey!" he screeched, "I might look like a boy, but don't you go treating me like one!"

"Tristan!"

He clapped his beak shut, realizing how out of order he'd been. "Oh, I'm sorry."

"Hmph," she chuffed, "I know you've been through a lot dear, but let's do try and control ourselves."

Herald stepped over Tristan and began to poke and prod him with his beak. Indignant, Tristan stepped away with a screech, "Hey! What are you doing?"

A frightful churning suddenly issued from Maggie's belly; "Ugh!" she cried, clutching at her abdomen. Missy and Gabriel were at her side at once. Maggie nodded to them, "I'm okay, my stomach is just cramping something fierce."

"Congratulations," Herald chimed, "You are experiencing the discomfort that makes newborn babes so cranky."

Maggie cocked her head, "Really?"

"Your digestive system is firing up, as it would in a newborn," he turned to Tristan, "And before you ask, your body is ten years old! I hatched it from... well, a rock."

"What!?" The animals gasped. Tristan looked down upon his person, "What do you mean a rock?"

"A rock," Herald affirmed, "At least, it was a rock before Glorafin took my feather and transformed it into an egg."

"Wow..." Tristan breathed, a tone of genuine wonderment in his voice. Eleanor smiled to him, 'That's the happiest I've seen him since we arrived back.'

Maggie burped up a bit more gas as Herald continued, "But alas, I fear there is a terrible shortcoming in Tristan's new body."

The young eagle again looked down upon his person as Herald continued, "What pains me is one of the most wicked animals the world has ever known came to me, and warned me of this flaw in my clone."

"What is it?" Eleanor asked, a nervous tremor in her voice. Herald smiled weakly, then looked away, "My clone is perhaps too perfect a copy. There is a danger that Tristan has inherited my former sociopathic nature. He must now contend with the eagle I once was."

None knew what to say, whilst Herald's wings drooped. Try as he might, he could not make eye contact as he apologized, "I am so very sorry Tristan, I have wronged you in a deep and profound way."

"Have courage," said a voice. The animals turned to find their strange golden dragon benefactor at the skyway door. "Whilst there are obstacles to overcome," Ibiza said, "You possess the strength needed for the task at hand," she paused as Shelton stepped forward, no longer able to contain himself. Though he could not remember his strange dream of the shadow realm, a faint recollection of the tiny golden rings compelled him forward. Ibiza smiled to the pony as he inched closer to her, as Justin attempted to pull Shelton back, "Shelton, no..."

With an outstretched hand, Shelton touched the plates of Ibiza's chest, then snapped his hand back in shock. Herald Kirsten brushed Shelton aside with his wing, then greeted the dragon. "Lady Ibiza, I remember that night, when you compelled me to find my courage."

She nodded a courtesy, "Captain Vanderdecken."

He wondered why she addressed him as such, but he bowed his respect. "Alright," Eleanor said, "How can Edward overcome Herald's mental deficiencies?"

The elder eagle winced, and yet Eleanor was right. Tristan was now faced with severe mental shortcomings. Ibiza nodded to her, and then addressed Tristan; "My lad, your spirit is awake within this vestment of flesh and bone, you possess the ability to reach deep within yourself and summon the eagle Octavius d'Shannonvale. Bring him to the fore, for he possesses the will to counter the darker elements of Herald's body."

"Why should I? Don't you think I could do it?"

Ibiza's eyes flashed at his insolence, then she mouthed the words of a telephone call Tristan'd once received, offering the former commodities trader a forewarning that the Union Government was near default. "Your decision to think only of your own short-term gain helped usher the downfall of the former Union, a system of government that enriched and benefitted all species of animals."

The young eagle hung his head as she spoke. "Tristan, although you are a good-hearted eagle, I would declare you unfit to resist the darkness of Herald's former mind."

Her words stung, but he nodded, "So, I just let King Octavius take over?"

"It is the best remedy for now, but have faith, for in time a more lasting solution shall present it's self."

A flash of anger surged through Tristan. He jabbed his wing at Herald, "What about him! How come he isn't crazy! If this mess is all his fault!"

Herald hung his head at Tristan's accusation. Ibiza cupped her paw beneath Herald's mandible, her eyes smiling with pride, "He has earned his grace, and has overcome his inner darkness. He is beyond reproach."

Ibiza turned her eyes upon Tristan, "King Octavius! I call upon you!"

The dragon's stern visage changed in an instant. Suddenly childlike, Ibiza turned to Eleanor, "I have studied the life and times of Octavius, he is indeed a noble animal!"

More than a few maws hung open at the abrupt change in her demeanor; "I felt his speech before the final battle with Toulon was most stirring, 'To those who would follow in my leadership, may your resolve never slack, and your courage never falter, especially in our day of battle be close to us,'" the dragon paused to loom over Tristan, "'We do not pray for easy lives, but we do pray to be stronger animals,'" the dragon turned away from Tristan to place a paw on Justin's chest, "'We do not pray for tasks equal to our powers, but ask only for powers equal to our tasks.'"

Ibiza sat upon her haunches, "Such a stirring speech!"

"You're like a crazy animal," Virgil said. In reply to his outburst, Ibiza's eyes darkened. Her presence became menacing, drawing sharp gasps from the assembled animals. Shelton rushed to the dragon and took her paws in his hands, "Hey, it's great having you here with us! Uh, thanks for telling us about Octavius!"

The pony's intervention calmed the dragon, and her eyes became bright and cheery once again. "Ah! What were we talking about?"

"We were talking about what an idiot Virgil is," Ashley hissed.

"Ibiza," Herald said, "Would you like something to eat?"

"Why, yes!" she exclaimed, but all became distracted as Herald's clone wobbled across the wooden floor. "Tristan?" Eleanor peeped. The young eagle looked to her, "Yes, he is here. I have access to all of his memories, Misses Brightwing."

Charmed by his medieval accent, Eleanor's feathers roused in a thoughtful poof, "Octavius?"

The former king nodded, "I am somewhat confused by the events of late, but Tristan has briefed me on all that has happened."

Herald noticed that Virgil'd taken refuge in a corner. Pouting, he looked rather miserable. Ibiza followed Herald's gaze to the boy, and she went to him, "Sweetheart, don't be sad! Would you like to go for a walk?"

She patted his head in a way she imagined a mother animal might, but the gesture only elicited a cringe from the boy, (which is usually a child's response anyway,) "Some fresh air might do us good!"

Herald and Gabriel ushered the boys outside, whilst Missy and Eleanor traded worried glances. 'I assure you, the boys will be fine,' Herald's thoughts said to them. Ibiza turned back before she leapt from the tree, "Of course they will!"

From Justin's back, Shelton watched the dragon alight from the tree and join them in the air. She smiled broadly as the eagles circled a lovely clearing, "Let's set down here!" Justin called.

On the ground, Ibiza smiled blankly at the boys. She seemed desperate to project friendliness, so Shelton struck up a conversation; "So, Ibiza, what do you usually do during the days?"

"Research," she replied.

"Yeah?"

Ashley and Justin traded glances, whilst Virgil sheltered himself behind the pair. "What sort of research?" Shelton asked, "Like scientific stuff?"

"I am searching for an animal," she said, her tone oddly emotional, but again, she failed to elaborate. Ashley nudged his brother, "Justin, why don't you tell us a joke!"

Ibiza brightened, "Oh, yes! Humor! I would like to learn ways to set animals at ease. Could you teach me this joke?"

"A joke?" Shelton nickered, "What sort of joke?"

"Oh, well, let's see," Justin said, trying to think of a jest that didn't involve profanity, "How about the one about the adopted lion?"

"Oh?" Ibiza chirped, "Yes?"

She wiggled her haunches excitedly, as Shelton squeaked at her cuteness. Justin then drew a breath and closed his eyes, as if trying to conjure the scene in his mind. "Okay, there's this young lion who gets adopted by some horses."

"Really? Does this happen often?"

"Well, it's a joke," Justin said. Ibiza nodded, "I understand! Proceed!"

Shelton smiled broadly as Justin continued, "Okay, this young lion boy is living with some horses, and the whole time he's with them, he never says anything!"

"Never?" Ibiza asked, genuinely mystified. Justin chortled, "Yep! Not a word! The horses even take him to a doctor to see if anything might be wrong with him."

Shelton noted that Ibiza seemed... excessively cheerful. Like she was determined to keep the darker side of herself far far away. 'I wish you wouldn't.' Shelton thought, his words flowing straight to the dragon's hungry mind. 'If we're going to get to know you, I want to know the real you.'

Raising himself to his full height, Justin prepared to deliver the punch-line, "Then one night, the family is having dinner, and the little lion suddenly says, 'This apple strudel is a bit tepid.'"

"And the family is shocked! They're like, 'Fritz! You've finally said something! How come you've never spoke until now?'"

Ibiza's tail vibrated with anticipation. Her maw opened as she leaned forward, 'Yes! What of the lion youth's utterance!?'

"The lion boy just smiles at them and says; 'Up until now, everything had been satisfactory.'"

Ashley groaned, Shelton chortled, and Virgil rolled his eyes. But Ibiza, she was perplexed, "Is this on account of a lion's tendency to be efficient in all pursuits? Would he consider excess conversation to be a waste of resources?"

"It's a stereotype," Justin said, "So, yeah."

"Justin!" Ibiza hissed, "Have you told me a racist joke?"

"Oh! Well, no! It's more of an affectionate ribbing, you know..." he glanced helplessly at Shelton, 'C'mom Shel! Work your dragon-taming magic!'

Ibiza put her paw to her chin, "I see. In pointing out an animal's idiosyncrasies, it might help the different species to become more aware of their social shortcomings," she nodded, apparently satisfied, "Very well."

Justin wondered what would have happened if he had told her a vulgar joke. Shelton patted the dragon's shoulder, "Ibby, can you tell us about the places under the ground? I'd like to know more about the mountain."

"What did you call me?"

Shelton recoiled at her menacing tenor, "Uh... Ibby?"

"Is that a nickname? Have I become included in your social circle, then?"

"Sure, Ibby! You're part of the club!"

The eagles nodded in prompt agreement. Ibiza beamed, "Thank you!"

"So," the pony continued, "What sorts of rooms are there in the mountain? I'd sure like to explore those before we head back to the city."

"I must confess that I am not in possession of a complete mind, so my memories of the underground places are fragmented and incomplete."

Virgil rolled his eyes, 'I figured as much.'

"Well," Ibiza said, embarrassed at seeming impotent, "There are many chambers and passages that have been wrought by different civilizations that have existed upon Elysium. Many of these chambers utilize a system of function that you would refer to as magic."

"I don't suppose you can tell me what magic is?" Virgil asked. To his surprise she nodded, "Oh, yes."

Virgil hesitated, 'Do I really wanna know? Will it ruin the... 'magic?'

"I might offer an abridged explanation, so as not to ruin the mystery for you," the dragon offered.

"Ok!"

Ibiza gestured to the boy's person, "There is a bond which binds the physical to the spiritual, the highest energies to the densest matter. Magic is the force that binds the immaterial and the material, it is a power field that transcends the dimensions, and gives structure to all creation."

Shelton said nothing as an image of tiny golden rings filled his mind's eye. Beside him, Ashley shook with surprise, "Are you talking about the mass-energy equivalence?"

"Not exactly," Ibiza cautioned, "But there is an element of intrinsic energy to what defines magic."

Virgil shrugged, "Well, that was confusing, but at least you didn't spoil anything."

"Ibiza," Ashley asked, "About what you said earlier, about the old civilizations, are animals going to go extinct someday?" In answer, she made a sweeping gesture, "For a star to be born, a nebula must first collapse!" she paused to playfully fluff the feathers of his chest, "So collapse! Crumble! This is not your death, it is your birth!"

Ashley backed away with a nervous peep. Ibiza bowed to him, "Please excuse me love, I was speaking more for myself."

Shelton patted the soft plates of her neck, "Hey, you sound a little nervous, everything alright?"

She smiled at his touch, "Something is going to happen, Shelton. I'm afraid for life, for Elysium."

Virgil and Ashley traded very worried glances, whilst Shelton and Justin seemed to assure each other. "Okay," Shelton said, "What's going to happen?"

Ibiza pawed at the ground, "I'm not sure exactly,"

To the pony's surprise, the gold-colored spines along her cheeks darkened to black, before returning to their lustrous colour. 'Is that a physical reaction to lying? I know she knows what's going on.'

"You are right," Ibiza replied, "But I do not know how to properly convey what is at hand without alarming you."

Ashley pressed himself to his brother's side. Shelton smiled gently to him, "How about an abridged version?"

Ibiza bowed her head, "All of the higher realms of existence shall soon merge into one, and with that convergence, all dragon spirits shall be bound together,"

"What?" Ashley peeped.

Ibiza gestured to her person, "I am the result of this merger, but somehow, I have come among you before this great alignment has taken place. Perhaps I exist outside of time."

"Wow," Shelton breathed, "Neat,"

"But there is a terrible caveat, Shelton. There is a possibility that the future is not yet set, and if my sister and I cannot secure for ourselves an emotional center, there is a danger that I could destroy all life on Elysium," Ibiza shuddered, "I am afraid, Shelton! The closer this alignment comes, the more I feel my lessons are stripped away! I have gained so much insight into what it means to be an animal, but if I cannot locate a soul, it shall all be for naught!"

Ashley stepped back, "A soul?"

Shelton took her face in his hands, "You're sweet and kind, Ibby! You won't forget the things you've learned!"

"Isn't your presence here proof that everything will be okay?" Justin asked.

She cupped her paws over Shelton's hands, "I must embrace the possibility that I am not the entity destined to appear. Perhaps I am a discarded tool, a weapon that has outlived it's usefulness."

Not fully understanding, but desperate to comfort her, Shelton squeezed her paws. "Ibby, take a look at yourself! In the mountain you said you were Death, but why would death look like you? When your eyes are bright and pretty, you look wonderful! I would think that a bad dragon would always look, well.. bad."

She closed her eyes, and before she knew what'd happened, a link to the forth dimensional hall was opened within her mind. Ibiza briefly embarked upon a voyage to visit Penny Holden.

"Ibby?" Shelton whispered, tapping the dragon on her cheek, "Are you alright?"

The dragon opened her eyes. She noted that some time had passed, and the eagles had gone, "I am sorry, Shelton. I did not mean to venture off." She gently patted his chest, then made comment of the eagle's absence. "Our friends have departed."

"O-oh, Virgil and Ashley wanted to get back, so Justin went with them."

"Might I fly you back to the tree?"

"Really?" Shelton peeped, "Can you do that?" he looked the dragon up and down, 'She's not really much bigger than Ashley!'

The dragon beckoned to him, "Come, sit between my wings."

His thoughts swirling, Shelton swung his leg over the dragon's neck to straddle her muscular back. 'I'm sitting on a dragon!' he thought with a smug smile, 'The ponies back at school would never believe this!'

Shelton felt himself become weightless, and a funny thought crossed his mind, 'So that's how she can fly with such small wings!'

"Hold tight!" she said, looking for all the world like a gold-plated aircraft, "Here we go!"

Shelton cheered as Ibiza accelerated away. Now, let's venture back to the previous night to look in on the animals at the motel. Sam's cellular telephone suddenly chimed as Rosemary's black doppelganger phased in and out of reality. "You may wish to answer the caller."

Sam chuffed, then flipped his phone open, "Hello?"

"Sam!" said his former police colleague, "The Flavians just contacted me! How did you manage to find the Triple River Mangler?"

"Oh, I was doing a favor for someone, investigating a wolf who allegedly assaulted their daughter. She provided me a solid description, and I guess it panned out!"

"Well, you broke the case! Great work! Now please come back to us!"

Despite his confrontation with Death, Sam found himself smiling, "Maybe," He snapped the phone closed as Rosemary suddenly woke, "What are you idiots doing! I'm trying to sleep!"

She gathered her covers about herself and rolled over with a chuff. 'Come on,' Sam whispered to Timothy, 'We have a king sized bed, sleep with us.'

'Is it okay to leave Rosemary alone with this... thing?'

Sam smiled to Death, 'Come on, let's go.'

The trio filed out. Timothy cast a worried glance back at the specter before closing the door. Death paced the room for a moment, then lay down on the empty bed. She quietly stared at the ceiling whilst Rosemary struggled to get comfortable, "Ugh! My back is killing me! Do you have any aspirin?"

"I may ease your pain."

Rosemary sat up at the sound of the hollow, buzzing voice. Death also sat up to address Rosemary, but the elderly mare could not perceive the specter in the gloom. "Who is that?"

"You were most kind to the spirit, the one called Penny Almond."

Rosemary peered at the black shape silhouetted in the dark. She had a funny sense that she was looking at herself in a mirror, "You're the shadow that's been following me my whole life."

Death pulled away her shadowy face, revealing the grey visage of Garland Highpath, "You could say that,"

Rosemary recoiled from the creature, but her buried memory of Garland's strange dream welled up within her. The old mare frowned, "Still pretending to be my mother?"

Garland tugged at Rosemary's elbow, "Come along,"

"What are you doing?"

"There is something I must show you," Garland said. Rosemary curled her lip, "Is this another dream? Am I dreaming?"

Garland ushered her daughter outside where Rosemary gasped at a barren and shattered landscape. Garland took her daughter's hand as Rosemary looked about. Here and there she recognized some landmark or familiar feature, but the sad and deteriorated state of things was emotionally devastating to her, "Where are we? Is this another dream?"

"No, I have traveled laterally to this possible future," Garland said, "So it is all very real, but once you make your decision, this shattered realm will disappear from existence."

Now it was Rosemary who tugged at Garland; "Then why show me this place?"

Garland sighed, "To show you what it is we fight for. To show you that our sacrifice matters, and will mean something."

"What sacrifice?"

Garland cupped her hand under Rosemary's elbow, "The sacrifices of the Westpath family, specifically, the three generations preceding the cataclysm."

Rosemary shook her head, dimly recalling her previous dream with the dragon, "Is this all you wish to show me?"

"Patience, daughter, we are nearly there."

But they were not nearly there. Garland led her daughter past desolate housing settlements and past empty schools and hospitals. Rosemary bit her lip and covered her eyes as she noted skeletal remains littering a former playground. "W-what happened here?"

"This is actually the normal cycle of life, though one I intend to break," she glanced at Rosemary, "With your help."

"Hmmm?" Rosemary peeped.

"There's something you must do, Ibiza. A task lies before you, the most important any animal has ever undertaken."

"My name is Rosemary," the old mare chuffed as she followed after the grey equine, "And where exactly are we going?"

Garland gestured toward a nearby hill, "Here,"

It was the remains of the feline housing community, the one washed away by Glorafin's meddling. But also, it'd once been a special place for a certain dragon. "The dragon sought refuge here, to die."

Rosemary cautiously approached the only intact home. Inside, she found the dead body of a golden reptilian creature, "Mother? I mean, whoever you are? Is this you?"

Garland appeared at the door, "It is, love. In this possible future, my soul has been shattered, and so I have no life."

Curious, Rosemary moved to the dragon's side. As she drew near, she felt an odd tug, like the creature's body were a powerful magnet. Rosemary reached out her hand, then squeaked when the pull became extremely strong!

She yanked her hand away, then reached back to feel the pull again, 'If I get much closer, I'll be fused within it's body.'

Just beyond the dragon, a fragile stand of green growing things pushed up through the cracked and crumbling floor. The message was clear; 'The way ahead, toward the dragon, is life.' She glanced back out toward the barren land, 'Behind me, there is only death.'

She sighed, then turned to face her mother, "I'm being given a choice, is that what this is? I can enter this dragon's body and become it's soul, but in so doing I'll be cursed with eternal life as a dragon, but I'll save everyone, right?" she stood, "Or I can refuse, and condemn all animalkind?"

Garland opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Rosemary who added; "But since I've been sneaking around as this 'Hades,' clearly I've already made the decision to become the very thing I've always hated."

She snorted, "So why are you here? If I am the one who must choose, why does it seem like you are the one at the heart of this dragon?"

Rosemary blinked as Garland's words came crashing back - 'The sacrifices of the Westpath family, specifically, the three generations preceding the cataclysm.'

"No! That would mean that it's you, me, and... Shelton?!"

"Rosemary, we cannot allow the world to fall into darkness. Always there are three, the emotional, the rational, and the spiritual. The trinity must be preserved."

Furious, Rosemary strode from the room, "No! You can't take Shelton! I won't allow it!"

"Rosemary, you are the logical component, despite your crankiness. Use your intellect, understand the necessity of our sacrifice."

The other cupped her hands over her eyes, then yanked them away to glance at the grey mare, "Wait, do you mean to say you are actually my mother??"

Garland smiled, "I am the spiritual component."

"Then Shelton is the emotional, that makes perfect sense!"

She edged closer to Garland who spread her arms to receive her daughter. Trembling, Rosemary slipped her arms around her mother. She choked back a great lump of emotion as Garland held her close, "Let it out, Rosemary."

"My name is Ibiza," Rosemary croaked. Garland smiled as she gently held her daughter, offering up gentle words of comfort as only a mother can. "Mother, I've done terrible things..." Rosemary gasped, but Garland offered her daughter a reassuring pat, "Everything that has transpired has happened for a reason."

The pair held one another for some time. Rosemary closed her eyes, hoping to conjure an image of the last time she'd seen her grandfather. 'It's been so long, mother. My old life is just too far away.'

At length Garland squeezed Rosemary's hands, "Come, love."

Wiping her nose, Rosemary shuffled toward the room, but paused at the door, "Wait, in the modern age you are Shelly Holden's sister! How can you be here?"

"I come to you from a future time, love. Our personal convergence has already occurred."

"Oh," Rosemary chuffed, "Can you turn into Shelton? Can I see him?"

Garland's eyes shimmered, "I'm sorry love, you are not ready."

"Is he happy? At the very least, can you tell me that? Is he happy being with us?"

"Shelton is the bond that holds our trinity together, Rosemary. He is happy to be of service to his family and friends."

Rosemary closed her eyes, 'You didn't answer my question.'

Across the room, the green growing things had become larger and more beautiful. They surrounded the dragon's body, forming a soft carpet of warmth. Rosemary sighed, then approached the creature, "When will Shelton have to merge with us?"

"He'll be allowed to live out his days with his family, as will Maggie. Only you are required to stave-off the disaster, but understand, you'll not be able to function as a deity without Maggie and Shelton's sacrifice."

"Oh, Shelton..." Rosemary whispered, before she thrust herself into the dragon's body! Back within the motel room, Rosemary Barter let out a long shallow wail. After a moment Sam hurried in to check on her. "Hey, are you alright?"

She thrust her nose into his flowing mane. He took her in his arms, "You're trembling, are you okay?"

Her breath came in short shallow gasps. Her eyes were unfocused, and her arms hung limp. Sam marveled at the happening, 'It's like she's a new avatar being awakened.'

"Shelton! I'm so sorry, love!"

"Easy," he whispered, "Just let it happen."

She began to convulse. Alarmed, Sam steadied her face in his hands, "Rosemary, keep your thought focused straight ahead! Let your spirit wake up!"

Suddenly, she became calm. Her eyes fluttered open, but they were no longer grey! Sam marveled at how blue they were! "Rosemary, how do you feel?"

"Alive," she answered, "I feel alive."

He noted an uncanny majesty reflected in her voice, and knew that it was true. She would indeed become the goddess Hades. He knelt to kiss her cheek. Seeming to recover her wits, Rosemary gently pushed him away, "Oh, you needn't worship me! I've done nothing yet except behave like an insufferable wench!"

He chortled, pleased that she might retain some part of her old self. "I love you, Rosemary."

She patted his chest, then rolled out of bed. She went to the mirror to inspect herself, "Well, I'm not a total disaster! And I see that my eyes are blue again!" Truth be told, she didn't look a day over forty. And yet, she was obviously in her seventies. Rosemary narrowed her eyes at her reflection, as if she expected the horse in the mirror to move on it's own accord.

"Love, you should take it easy," Sam said, moving up behind her to rest his chin on her shoulder. She cast him a sideways glance, 'Sam is not one to behave like a smitten teenager, this isn't right.'

She patted him, the gesture more to push him away than to show any sort of affection. Rosemary took up her gown and slipped it on. With another glance at the mirror, Rosemary realized she was radiating something, some sort of newfound power. She closed her eyes, summoning all of her will to keep this influence in.

After a moment, Sam sat on the bed, "You're awful quiet. What's on your mind?"

'Ah, that's the Sam I remember!'

She drew a breath, "For the past two and a half thousand years, all I've wanted is death. Now, I'm faced with eternal life. Isn't that funny?"

Now her own feelings rang in her ears. Uncertainty and doubt gnawed at her. She cupped her hands over her face, "I'm so afraid, Sam. I don't know if I'm the right animal for this job!"

He purred in her ear, "Does a caterpillar fear death? Does he fear becoming a butterfly?"

She smirked, "So I'm a larva now, hmm?"

The lion let out a hearty laugh. She patted him, then straightened her gown, "Let's go and get a meal, I'm hungry!"

"Spoken like a true dragon!"

She shook at his remark, but became distracted by a knock at the door. Mayalee entered, smiling from ear to ear. "Goodness, Rosemary! You look radiant today! And your eyes! Look how blue they are!"

Mayalee took Rosemary's hand as a hopeful child might. Her face radiated an adoring glow that stirred Rosemary's memory. The former wraith recalled the equine school teacher, and the little students who loved her. Kneeling down, Rosemary gently kissed Mayalee's brow.

Timothy slinked in, unsure of what to make of the strong emotions radiating from his friends. Rosemary gathered her companions; "Come along."

Outside, the animals waited around the sedan, whilst Sam paid the motel attendant. After a quick stop for fuel, they selected a familiar chain diner. Rosemary stepped from the car, then reached out to the little mouse. Mayalee slipped her fingers around Rosemary's elegant hand, then skipped along beside her. Overnight, Rosemary Barter had become a towering motherly figure. Everything about her was changed. Even her tattered gown appeared clean and fine. In the wake of her decision, all the world's magic now flowed through her mane. Like it or no, the old horse had become the center of all life.

Mayalee noted that Kromhaut was conspicuously quiet. In fact, he was barely present. The party was shown to a table. There, Rosemary found snack crackers arranged in a little basket. She grasped them up and devoured them, whilst Sam and Timothy chortled at her dragon-like behavior.

'What's on your mind, Krom?' Mayalee asked, sipping her water.

'You must know that I have lied to you.'

Mayalee took another sip. 'I knew you were mistaken based upon the vision Hades gifted me, in the future I'm going to become a sci-fi wizard, and not a part of your soul,' she sighed, 'Either way, I believe you told me what you hoped might happen.'

'I am so sorry, love.'

Hoping to change the subject, Mayalee glanced around the diner, thinking back on Kromhaut's tale of the old ancient titans. 'Every few epochs there's a great convergence, where all dragons merge to become one. But, as a result, this newly formed god loses all sense of self because the first dimension takes control of it's mind.'

'Yes,' Kromhaut replied.

Mayalee flicked her whiskers. 'And what is at the heart of the first dimension? It's Death,' she frowned, 'The ancient Titans were destroyed by this singular god, who then shattered into the lesser dragons we see today.'

'Yes,' Kromhaut murmured.

'But why? Why does the new goddess shatter after she kills everyone?'

'Because,' Kromhaut said, 'Life is the root of all magic. In destroying life, the singular deity 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.'

Sam 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 Hades' identity. But now, she has evolved just enough self-awareness to break the old cycle. In her newfound wisdom, Death realized that she requires an animal soul, and by whatever powers there may be, she has selected Rosemary as her emotional center.'

Across the table, Rosemary smiled gently. 'I now understand Kromhaut's tendency for secrecy. How else can one behave, when possessed with information too painful to reveal? How will I ever tell my friends that Maggie and Shelton must also sacrifice themselves? How can I look them in the eyes and reveal that?' She hung her head, 'How will I ever tell my ponies that they must also die?'

Mayalee patted Rosemary's hand, 'I appreciate that you wanted it to be me, Krom. I want you to know that I'm not angry at you for bending the truth.'

'I lied to you,'

Rosemary cupped her hand over Mayalee's. The mouse smiled, then asked her dragon; 'Krom, do you believe everything is going to be alright?'

'I have hope, Mayalee. I trust in Rosemary.'

---

The Dark Places

---

In Herald's tree, a nighttime routine had emerged from the chaos of the mountain voyage. Each night Missy would entertain the Brightwing clan with her days as a symphony conductor, then Eleanor would gossip about her time working within the old Union Government.

The boys gathered in the house boat where they had more light to play cards. Or rather, lose game after game to Ashley. No really, he was practically unbeatable. Ibiza quietly entered the boat to take a seat just behind Justin. His bulk obscured the diminutive creature, so Shelton didn't immediately realize she was present. Virgil glanced up and noted her arrival, 'That thing doesn't even look like it's alive. It's like a scary metal statue.'

Ibiza bowed her head at the remark. "Hi Ibby," Shelton said, "Want to play?"

She brightened, then moved to his side, "How does this pass time work?"

Shelton showed her, then the companions reshuffled the cards and Ibiza was dealt a hand. "Make sure to keep us from seeing your cards."

She nodded, then wrapped her long tail about her hand, eliciting a chortle from Shelton who patted her. The game commenced, and as predicted, Ashley won the first round. A reshuffle, and round two was on! Ibiza narrowed her eyes as each animal took their turn, 'Two, three, five,' she glanced up, "Ah! I see the pattern!"

Justin clacked his mandible, "Pattern?"

"Yes! Ashley is counting the hands, keeping track of where the prime numbers are! He can anticipate the strength of each player's hand in this way!"

Justin glared at his brother, whilst Ashley smiled helplessly, "Hey! I'm not cheating! It's strategy!"

Shelton scratched his chin, "I've known something was up for a while, but it never bothered me. I like hangin' out with y'all, even if I'm losing!"

Ibiza smiled warmly, and patted with pony with a tender motherly affection. Justin smiled weakly, "I'm getting tired, I suppose I'll head back to the tree." He noted that Shelton made no reply, so he gathered himself up and departed. Virgil followed, with a disapproving eye directed at Ashley.

Alone with the dragon, Shelton gently nudged her, "Where do you go when you're not around?"

"Oh, I never stray far."

"Do you go and stay inside big chambers, like in the mountain?" Ashley asked. Ibiza shook her head, "No love, I never venture into the deep places of the world."

"Oh," he replied, "Do all those halls have a spirit or dragon guarding them?"

She rose to ruffle her wings, "No, most are simply empty chambers, long forgotten."

Ashley imagined himself exploring one. Ibiza smiled at his thought, "I may gift you a key, so that you might gain access to these places. There is a large cave complex nearby."

Shelton's ears perked, "Really? What does the key look like?"

She smiled, "It is your own thought, Shelton. I have empowered your mind, so that the ancient gates will acknowledge you as one of their former masters."

"Wow!" the boys chimed, "Can you come with us?"

"I am sorry," she said with a gentle smile, "But go! Explore! And do not fear the wild beasts, they will not trouble you," her eyes suddenly flashed with an intimidating power, "You are under my protection."

"Oh," Ashley peeped, "Neat."

With that, Ibiza faded into the shadows. Shelton moved to inspect the dark corner where she'd vanished, 'She's like a dream.' He turned back to Ashley who seemed quite unnerved, "Are you afraid of her?"

"Uh... not exactly," he paused to compose his thoughts, "It's just sometimes, I feel like I'm standing on top of a volcano that might erupt at any moment."

"Yeah," Shelton said, "Except this volcano wants to love you."

Ashley chortled, "I just hope we never get on the volcano's bad side," he got to his feet and furled his wings, "Well, I better go to bed."

"What, you don't want to go and explore?"

"Really?" Ashley peeped, "Right now?"

"Ibby said we should go."

Ashley looked unsure, "Oh, Shel... I dunno. We should tell our folks."

"Ash, a goddess said it was okay!"

"Oh, alright."

Shelton hurried about the cabin, gathering up supplies he thought he might need. "We should go soon, though," Ashley said. "I want to get my camera," the pony replied. He stuffed all of his gear into his shoulder bag, "Okay! Let's go!"

The boys set out, but didn't get very far before they realized Ibiza hadn't exactly told them where the entrance was, "Fuck." Shelton chuffed. The path ahead of them was black as pitch, though a large silver crescent of the moon shined above. "Shelton, I think we should go back."

"Ibiza," Shelton said, calling out to the dragon, "Where is this entrance?"

A faint buzzing came to them. Ashley looked about, "What's that?"

Shelton cocked his head, "What was that Justin said back at the mountain? Did he say he was hearing tree voices?"

Ashley didn't quite know how to feel about their impromptu nighttime excursion, "Shelton, why don't we wait until Justin can join us?"

"Nah, that would mean Virgil might have to tag along."

"Virgil is Justin's friend, Shelton. They went to grade school together."

Shelton shook his head, "If you wanna go back, I'll go on ahead and see what I can see. Ibiza said I'd be okay."

Ashley flattened his feathers, "She also said she didn't have a complete mind, remember?"

The pony confronted Ashley, "Hey! Ibby is my friend! I trust what she says!"

Ashley reached out with his wing, "I'm your friend too, Shelton! Don't you value what I say?"

"Well, uh.. sure!"

The pair spent a long moment pawing at the ground, neither wishing to alter their course. Finally, it was Ashley who capitulated, "Okay, Shelton. I'm up for exploring."

"Great! Let's go!"

Shelton trotted off, leaving Ashley struggling to keep up, "Ibby said it would be a rock face! We should know it when we see it!"

Now, the trouble was there were many imposing rock faces around, and it wasn't exactly easy going trying to navigate in the dark. Above, the buzzing of the trees grew louder. Shelton glanced up at them, "Hey! Can you tell us where an entrance is to the underground?"

"Fol ow th st ea t th f e of r o k."

Shelton cocked his head, "What? Are you actually saying something?"

"Follo w th stream t o th fa ce of roc k."

Shelton squeaked excitedly, "Hey! I think I got it!"

Ashley's excitement seemed to build, but he remained troubled, "Shelton, I don't expect us to really go anywhere. In fact, I'd really like to talk to you about my dad."

"Yeah?"

"Um, I was hoping to get some advice from you. I mean, if your dad died, and then came back as a younger version of someone else, what would you think?"

The pony shook his head, "I dunno Ash, it's just so surreal. I'd have to be put in that position in order to really know how I'd feel."

Ashley nodded. Shelton tapped his wing, "Sorry I can't be of much help."

"Okay, well... where to now?" Ashley asked, putting on a brave face. Again, Shelton called out to Ibiza, "Where is she!?"

Another flurry of buzzing issued from the trees; "Go t th sl pe of br ken shale. You m y gain en ry t ere."

"A slope of broken Shale?" Shelton cried, "Okay!"

Ashley looked unsure, "I don't remember any sort of broken rocks our first time through here."

"We weren't exactly paying attention either," Shelton said with a nudge, "Come on!"

The pony took his flashlight and held it out before him, "I'm glad I brought this!"

"Just turn it off and save the battery," Ashley said, "I can see well enough in the dark, just follow me."

"I thought that was owls."

"Golden eagles can do it too, we're all hunters after all."

"Oh," Shelton gruffed, "I can't see a fucking thing."

Ashley glanced at him in an offended sorta way. Shelton flicked his ears, "Cussing offends you, doesn't it?"

"I don't particularly like it."

"Why? It's just words."

"Words offer a means to meaning, they shouldn't be wasted or taken lightly."

Shelton snorted, "That's a lot of pointy-headed smart talk! I just say what comes to mind."

"Then you're like a dumb beast," Ashley retorted, "Stumbling along, grunting and dragging your knuckles."

"Hey!"

"Sorry," Ashley said, "I just don't like stupid animals."

Shelton snorted, and continued on. Ahead, the forest parted into what looked like a quarry of rock, "Hey! This looks like the place!"

Ashley surveyed the terrain, "Broken shale, just like they said."

"Let's look for one of those doors," Shelton said with a swat to Ashley's flank. "I wish you wouldn't do that!" the eagle screeched.

"What?" Shelton asked, but the pony squeaked when the unstable soil beneath him gave way. "Shelton!" Ashley called, taking wing as the pony slid down the hillside. Shelton reached out for any purchase he could find, but before he knew what'd happened he was at the bottom of the quarry, "Fuck me!"

Ashley landed nearby, "Are you okay!?"

Shelton turned on his light to inspect himself, "My knee's kind of scratched."

Ashley looked at it, "I thought Ibiza said you'd be protected?"

"Hey!!"

"Okay," Ashley said, "Sorry! Let's just try and find this door."

With another stern glance at Ashley, Shelton touched his fingers to his head, "She said the key was inside my head! So I just need to think about a door opening!"

He stood with his eyes closed for several moments, visualizing rocky doors opening, until a chorus of grinding sounds shook the boys, "Wow, look!"

No fewer than six doors had opened in the hillside, the pair stood agonizing over which to take, "How about the larger one, there," Ashley said. Shelton went to swat him, but stayed his hand, "Okay, let's go!"

"Shelton, do you think we should be doing this?"

"What? You're getting cold feet now?"

"No... I'm not. Let's go."

Shelton nodded. After a moment to gather their courage, the pair entered the dark tunnel. "Light?" Shelton asked, but there was no light to be had. "Light... please?"

Ashley strained his mind, imagining the rock to be glowing, but again, there was no light within the dusty stone of the hall. "Can you still see in the dark?" Shelton asked. Ashley waved his wing in front of his face, "Nope."

Shelton took his small flashlight and ignited it. It's light was barely enough to push back against the blackness, but at least the pair was able to discern the shapes and patters around them. They shook with fright when the hidden door closed behind them. Sealed inside, Shelton's light seemed brighter than before.

The pair continued on, down into the body of the land. "Well, we definitely didn't come this way before. Everything seems dirtier than in the tunnel with the silver tree."

"That silver monster was really scary," Ashley whispered.

"Ibiza protected us," Shelton said, touching his hand to his chest, "She's looking out for me."

Ashley put his wing across Shelton's belly, "You're starting to sound like a creator cultist! Remember, Ibiza is just an animal, though she does have amazing abilities!"

The pony shook his head, recalling a time he'd seen some nutty cultists proselytizing on a street corner. "No! This is different! Ibby is real!"

"Shelton! Have you ever thought that your behavior right now might be why these beings stay away? Because animals start acting like drooling idiots whenever they come around?"

The pony bowed his head, whilst Ashley drove his point home, "Don't disappoint Ibiza, Shelton! Try and be yourself, and not act like a robot!"

"Uhh... okay, Ash. I'll try and remember that Ibby is still a person."

Ashley smiled, "Thanks, pony!"

Shelton put his arms around Ashley, "I'm sorry if I've been acting like a jerk!"

The eagle pressed himself to Shelton's chest, "It's great to have you back!"

"Want to get out of here?" Shelton asked. Ashley opened his maw to reply, then screeched, "Wait! What's that!?"

Ahead, just beyond the glow of Shelton's light were great thorn-like structures that rose up from the cavern floor. Shelton carefully moved to inspect the forest of spikes that now stood between them and the deeper mysteries of the mountain. "Come on, we can get through these."

Shelton set out, moving amongst the hazards until Ashley reached out with his beak to grab at his mane, "Shelton, it's almost like whoever put these spikes here doesn't want us to go any further!"

Shelton had to admit that it did seem to be the case. The atmosphere within the cavern was cramped, uncomfortable, and somewhat dangerous. "Do you suppose this is some sort of tomb?"

Ashley swallowed, "I dunno."

"Let's just go a little more ahead," Shelton suggested. Ashley reluctantly agreed. They continued on, until at last they came to a series of large square blocks scattered at random across the cavern floor, "What, the... fuck?" Shelton breathed, "What is this place?"

Ashley noticed etchings upon the blocks, "Hey! Bring that flashlight, these say something!"

The pony brought his light to bear. Illuminated in Shelton's flickering light, the writing appeared wholly alien to the boys, and they boggled at what it might say- "It says," came a shrill voice, "This is not a place of honor. No great deed is commemorated here."

The boys whirled around to face a black avian sentinel. Ashley stood, his knees shaking as the bird moved to the next block, "This one says that delivering this message was significant to their culture, and they ask that you pay attention."

"Oh..." Shelton chuffed, "What message are they trying to give us?"

"That this is a place of danger," the sentinel replied with menace. Ashley shrank from him, whilst Shelton stood fast. "How is it dangerous?"

"Below us is stored dangerous ores that radiate a type of energy. This energy can kill plants and animals. The ones who made this chamber ask that we go no further."

"Wow!" Shelton breathed, "Who left this message, the titans?"

"An ancient race, now passed from the world," the bird gestured for the boys to follow, "Come along, we should not be here."

"I'm sorry," Ashley peeped. The flyer nodded to him, "I understand the unholy one urged you to explore these caves. There will be no reprimand, if you agree to never set foot here again."

"Wait, what?" Shelton squeaked, "Unholy?"

"The destroyer. She is a foul creature, one who sodomizes animals with branches and brambles, leaving them to die! She is a murderer, beware her company, beware!"

The pony was stunned. Ashley shook his head in disbelief, "Uh, oh.. "

Unaware that it was Glorafin herself who pulled the sentinel's strings, the flyer escorted the boys back to Herald's tree. In the darkness, Ibiza frowned at the black avian golem. She allowed the boys to settle back into the tree before she quietly entered through the poop deck.

Hidden from view, Ibiza eavesdropped on the boys as they debated her possible badness, "I don't believe it!" Shelton said.

"I dunno, Shel. Why would that bird lie?"

"There's something wrong here! I can't accept that Ibiza would.. what did that bird say?"

"Sodomize animals with branches, and kill them?" Ashley peeped, "Shel, you have to admit, it's a pretty specific allegation."

"Ash, at my school there's a lion named Max. The horses always make up mean things to say about him, but none of it is true! He's a good cat! But his dad has done questionable things. Maybe Ibby is like Max, maybe she's carrying around some kind of bad reputation that makes animals just make up mean things?"

Ashley fell silent. Shelton nudged him, "We'll ask Ibby about it next time we see her. I just can't take the words of some stranger as fact before I can speak to the animal in question."

The boys became surprised when Ibiza emerged from the dark. She beckoned to them, then led them out onto the skyway. The bright golden disks in her eyes shimmered, casting a warm glow out ahead of the trio as she sat daintily upon her haunches. "My boys, please forgive me for listening in on your discussion," she turned to Ashley, "You were right to believe Glorafin's servant, what they said was true."

Shelton blinked, "About the sodomy thing? And murder?"

She nodded, "I intended to punish a band of rapists by violating them with the branches of a tree," she lowered her eyes, her shimmering disks ladled with shame, "I accosted one, committing a horrific act of violence upon him, but further horrors were prevented, thanks to the intervention of a dragon named Ariadne."

"Oh," Shelton breathed, "Ohh.."

She smiled weakly, "I'm sorry, Shelton. I've tried so hard to be good, but sometimes my darker side eclipses the better angel of my nature," she turned to go, "I am a filthy creature. You ought not associate with a rapist, for that is what I am."

Shelton rushed after her, "No, wait!"

She turned her shimmering eyes to him. Shelton swallowed a nervous lump, then patted the plates of her shoulder, "Everyone makes mistakes, Ibby. You're a powerful person, so the mistakes you make are likely to be big, but hey, that doesn't make you bad!" he bit his lip, hoping against hope he wasn't overstepping his boundaries, "If you're sorry, and you won't ever do something like that again, I think you should have friends!"

Ibiza reached out for his hands. Shelton slipped his trembling fingers into her paws. "I accept your judgement, Shelton."

"Ibby, if you're still looking for an animal to be with you, I think I might know a horse who'd be interested."

"My sweet pony, I'm afraid that path is now closed, at least for now. Your granddaughter has stepped in to fill the role I so desperately needed."

"Grand daughter?"

"However," she added, "If you'd fancy a dragon friend, I think I might know a dragon who'd be interested."

Suddenly, Ibiza's face winked away from Shelton. Disoriented, he found himself on the floor of Herald's parlor, surrounded by his friends and family. He squinted as the morning light dazzled his eyes, whilst his mother asked; "What would you be interested in?"

"Ohhh, uhhh.."

Virgil swatted Shelton with his wing, "Thanks for waking us up so early!"

Gabriel smiled to his son, "You're a good alarm clock, boy. I should go and fire up that motor. It's gonna need an hour to warm up."

Shelton sat dazed for a time before Maggie nudged him, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I guess I just had a dream."

"What about?" she asked, scooting up beside him to dust off his filthy clothing, "Oh, your knee."

Ears pinned back, Shelton reached down to touch an angry scrape on his knee. "Uhhh, I can't really remember, I think it was about a lion back at school."

Shelton's eyes met Ashley's. 'Did it really happen?' they seemed to ask each other.

Maggie lay her chin on Shelton's head. The pony blinked, unaccustomed to such sisterly affection. "We've all been through a lot, don't worry about some odd dream."

He slipped his arms around her, as Missy beamed at them. "Thanks, sis."

---

Rendezvous

---

The great wild north was more grand than Allomere Clemens could have imagined, "I can't believe I've never been up here!"

Deep forests and unnamed rivers passed beneath him. A multitude of lakes sparkled like so many diamonds. "How far have I gone today?" he asked his dragon.

'Five hundred kilometers.'

"Thanks for powering me! Before I joined you, I'd have been lucky to fly just fifty kilos in a day!"

Allomere noted an odd tension in his dragon's presence, and he asked; "Something wrong?"

'The dimensions are aligning, Allomere.'

"What does that mean?"

'It means that my home has become very small. Soon all the higher dimensions might cross the event horizon of the first dimension and become one with the singularity.'

Allomere blinked, "It sounds rather like a black hole, is that what it is?"

'I am afraid, Allomere.'

"Oh! Well, is there anything I might do to help?"

'My friend, might I enter your body to take refuge within your world?'

"Absolutely!" Allomere replied, "You're my friend, I'll help you in any way I can!"

'No, it would not be right. This convergence is the will of the singular diety. I must abide by their design, for my absence might herald the undoing of what is to be.'

"What?"

'Allomere, though I've not known you long, you've done so much to enrich my life. I felt as a thing before I knew you, but now I go to my god as a thinking, feeling entity!'

Allomere didn't know what to say. He was quiet for a long moment, terribly worried for his friend. 'You are nearly to the tree.'

"Mimir, is this goodbye?"

'Bear right, follow the tributary below. You will find Herald's tree in a dozen kilometers.'

"Are you going to be alright?"

'I love you, Allomere. I never knew I could love anyone so.'

Allomere drew a breath to respond, but the dragon had gone. Weeping, the hawk followed the river up, replaying the heart-wrenching exchange in his mind. Finally, Allomere sighted a small dockside landing at the base of a great and tall tree. He circled around to trim his speed, when he sighted a black and white house boat.

Below, Gabriel Holden strained against the tight confines of the boat's engine compartment. 'Just gotta get the wiring loom seated!' With a click, the apparatus was connected. Gabriel breathed a sigh, 'Here goes!'

He connected the battery and the engine sputtered to life! "Alright!"

"Dad?"

Gabriel stood up to find his son looking rather forlorn. "Yea? What's up?"

"I think I went off exploring last night. I coulda got myself hurt, I was real stupid."

The stallion roughed his son's mane. "Thanks for telling me," he glanced at Shelton's scraped knee, "That happen on your trip?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

Gabriel hauled himself out of the engine compartment, then replaced the cover. "Thanks for telling me son! I love you, boy!"

He became surprised when Shelton began to weep. Gabriel knelt down, taking the boy in his arms, "Aw, son, it's alright."

"I can't be with her dad, she found someone else."

Up above, Herald could be heard up on the skyway. Gabriel did his best to comfort Shelton, then gestured up to the eagles, "Why don't you go up and see if everyone's ready to go."

The pony wiped his eyes and nodded, then shimmied up the rickety ladder. Above, he found Herald surrounded by the Brightwing family. They appeared to be saying goodbye. Shelton became surprised, because the thought hadn't actually occurred to him that the mariner might remain behind. "Uh, y'all ready to go?"

Ashley nodded, "Sure, in a bit."

"Uh, you going with us, right Herald?" Shelton asked.

"I must remain here."

Shelton dimly recalled Herald mentioning that he was some sort of prisoner. "Aw, okay."

Just then, a diminutive hawk touched down upon the landing. "Greetings," Herald said, recognizing the hawk as a new dragon familiar, "I regret that you've come all this way for nothing, my friends are preparing to set sail."

Allomere smiled, "You wouldn't have anything to eat, would you?"

Herald chortled, "Justin, would you assist our guest?"

Justin waved him inside, as Herald called down to Gabriel, "My friends, it would please me if you'd take the ship's wheel from my wall and bear it away with you."

"Sure, thing?" Gabriel replied with a questioning glance at his wife. "Okay," she replied, "If that's what you want." The two set themselves to their task, but not before Herald warned; "Take care and be careful, for the wheel is quite old."

The horses nodded as they approached the great six spoke wheel adorning Herald's parlor mantle. It's presence was almost palpable as Missy slowly raised her hand up to touch the ring of iron and wood. Gabriel grasped one side, and Missy the other. Both horses were well-muscled, so they easily raised the two hundred pound artifact from it's metal hooks. Chiseled into the inside hub were the letters of an archaic form of common speech which Missy had the presence of mind to understand; "Herald Meredith Vanderdecken, Commanding."

Missy flicked her long ears, then turned to face Herald, "Is this the actual wheel from the Mantuan Exeter?"

The mariner bowed his head, "Forgive me, Missy. I feared you would think it ghoulish if I'd kept such a memento from my former life."

'Why would he lie?' Missy wondered, forgetting for a moment that Herald could hear her thoughts as clearly as any spoken word. Herald reached out with his beak to open the large circular door as Missy and Gabriel brought the wheel out. "It anchors me to my old life, Missy. It reminds me that the events aboard the Exeter were indeed real, and that they happened. This wheel..." Herald breathed, his voice ladled with painful emotions, "Represents all of my shame."

"Why do you want me to have it?"

"Because," he whispered, "I wish for some part of me to escape this place. I wish to be remembered," he glanced at Maggie as she arrived on the skyway, "If only by a cherished few."

Missy nodded as she gently set her end of the wheel down. Maggie approached to offer her perspective, "I'd feel the same way about my old boxing portrait. I mean, it doesn't represent shame, but it's an anchor to my old life. I'd really like to try and find it."

Herald nodded as Gabriel looped lengths of rope about the wheel, then prepared to lower it to the forest floor.

Maggie slipped her arms around Herald, "This is goodbye again, isn't it?"

"I must remain here, love. At the very least, my soul will be free when I finally pass from this life," he smirked in a funny sort of way, "Which I suspect might be any day."

Herald smiled to Shelton, "My lad, your judge of character is impeccable. I know there's a dragon who has benefitted greatly by your faith, and your friendship. You've done the world a fine service by simply being yourself."

Shelton didn't know what to say, except to offer an appreciative nod. Justin touched his wing to the mariner to thank him for all he had done. Herald smiled, grateful for the sentiment. Shelton delivered a hug to Herald's leg, then took Justin's face in his hands, "I love you, Justin. I'm sorry for being a jerk."

Justin poked him with his beak, "Most animals are jerks already, so you weren't too out of character."

The pony chortled, as the distant echo of a motor car drifted up from the forest floor. "Is that a car?"

---

"Why couldn't we have taken a boat?" Rosemary asked, "Herald's tree is along a major tributary of the Elbe, just north of Thistledown!"

"There's nowhere to rent a boat up this way," Sam said, as the car was rocked by another massive hole. "Yes," Rosemary snorted, "But we could have taken a boat from the get-go!"

Mayalee stood up on her seat to look back at the horse, "Are you going to be this cranky as our goddess?"

Rosemary smiled weakly, "I don't know, love. I still feel like I'm going to wake up back in Oakdale park, wondering at this long and bizarre dream."

Sam glanced back in the rearview mirror, "Or I might wake up back in my prison cell."

"Or I..." Mayalee began, but fell silent. The others looked to her, "Yes?"

She shook her head, "I might die under the frozen lake I fell through... I thought I was small and light enough to make it across."

Rosemary sat back, "So that's how he found you... drowning under ice."

Mayalee squeaked when Rosemary suddenly leaned forward to hug her, "I'm so sorry, dear!"

The little mouse burrowed her face into the mare's long white hair, "I love you, momma!"

The old mare hugged her new daughter. "Remember love, death it's self shall become the core of my being. Please check your feelings until we see what sort of butterfly I'm going to become."

"Butterfly?" Timothy chuffed.

Sam smiled back at Rosemary, but did not elaborate. Suddenly, the avatars became disoriented by an odd feeling of vertigo. Within Mayalee, her dragon's presence shook, as if he were compressed by a great weight.

Up front, Sam leaned toward the windshield, as if the gesture might've helped him see further down the road. "Fuck! We need to get there! The map said we should be close!"

Mayalee noted how distant Kromhaut felt. She reached out to him, 'Are you there?'

'Forgive me, Mayalee. My realm is in flux. A tremendous alignment of the dimensions is underway.'

"I know," she squeaked, "We're almost there, hang on!"

Just then, Fate appeared on the trail ahead. Sam stopped the car, stirring up a cloud of dust that momentarily obscured the specter. Once clear, the shadowy figure beckoned for the animals to follow. Timothy stepped out first, then Rosemary. The four followed after the shadow as it led them along a path that became increasingly more wooded. The trees did not acknowledge the entity, and this struck Mayalee as very odd, until she realized that they could not perceive Fate's presence!

A large golden eagle appeared overhead. Mayalee noted the flyer, as a grey pony peered down over his shoulder. 'Olivia never flies without her pony!'

Fate folded her arms impatiently as Justin touched down along the trail. Before the pony could even dismount, Rosemary was upon him, enwrapping Shelton in her long arms. He blinked, but returned her affection. After a moment, it became obvious that the funny old horse wasn't going to let go. Shelton chortled, then peered over her shoulder to greet the others. "Hi there!" he said, recognizing the mouse and the lion from Maggie's stories, "Is your name Mayalee?"

"Hello!" she chimed, rushing up to meet the pony, "Yes! I'm Mayalee!"

Rosemary stepped back to wipe tears from her eyes. Shelton regarded her, terribly confused by her odd behavior, "Hey, you okay?"

"It's so good to finally see you, Shelton!" She reached down to touch his ears, "My sweetie."

"Maggie's all fixed up now," Shelton replied with a measured tone, "She doesn't need any help."

So caught up in her emotions, Rosemary allowed her newfound influence to burst forth. Shelton's eyes widened for a moment, before his expression became serene, "What's your name?"

"Sweetie, my name is Rosemary."

"Uh, hi there," Shelton replied.

She knelt down to take Shelton's hand in hers. "We were once family, you and I. Long ago, my name was Ibiza Pushpath, and your name was Sherman Straightpath. You were my grandfather, a stallion whom I loved very very much."

Justin drew a long breath, then he too became enraptured by the horse as Shelton stared blankly into her eyes. "Uh, my friend is also named Ibiza."

'We must hurry!' Fate called, 'Come along!'

Mayalee gestured for her companions, "Shelton, is Ibiza visiting Herald's tree?"

Shelton nodded as the party proceeded up the path, "She comes and goes, but she's been gone a little more often lately."

"She knows what's coming," Sam said, "I'm sure she's aware of who Rosemary is, and why we're here."

"Why are you here?" Justin asked.

Mayalee took Rosemary's hand, "We're here to save the world."

---

In the tree, Herald smiled warmly as Justin ferried Rosemary up onto the skyway. The eagle touched down gingerly as the former wraith wobbled for a bit, then slid from his shoulder. Gabriel stepped forward to steady her, and she held him close with a fond hug. He blinked, then immediately fell under her spell. Rosemary noted his feelings of love and awe. As Sam and Timothy climbed the ladder and arrived at the skyway, Rosemary's presence became even more grand and majestic.

"Rosemary?" Maggie breathed. Rosemary recognized that Shelly'd somehow acquired a twin, then made the connection! "Maggie?!"

Missy's ears swiveled about, "Do you know her, Maggie?"

Maggie rushed forward, "Rosemary!"

Rosemary's surprise gave way to delight! "Why, just look at you! You look gorgeous!"

The pair embraced as long-lost relatives might. Missy and Gabriel traded glances, both terribly confused. On a level, they wondered who this strange old mare was, but on a far deeper level, both felt a deep and profound love for her. Again, these strong emotional reactions set Rosemary on edge. 'What will happen after I turn into some sort of dragon god? Will animals lose their minds in my presence? Is this why Kromhaut stays away?'

"Mom," Maggie said, "This is the ghost who led me to Shelly! She's the reason we're together!"

Gabriel took Rosemary's hand and gently shook it, "Can't say you look much like a ghost now." Rosemary smiled in reply, "I could say the same about Maggie."

Maggie approached Sam and Mayalee. "You're the animals from the diner."

Mayalee nodded, "I'm sorry we couldn't have helped you, I feel terrible..."

Maggie knelt to hug Mayalee, "Then I wouldn't have found my sister! I wouldn't be with my mom and dad!"

Sam smiled warmly as Mayalee sniffed back a tear. "You did exactly what you needed to do," Maggie said, rising to shake Sam's hand, "I think there's someone who's been guiding us all along."

Now, hidden inside the house boat's wash room the dragon Ibiza Pushpath pawed at the dingy shower curtain as she listened to the animal's fond reunion. 'Sister, it is time for you to go,' Fate said through the door.

Ibiza smiled weakly, then opened the door, "Sis, I don't know about this. It doesn't feel right."

The dark entity materialized for a fleeting instant, but it was long enough for Ibiza to see her sister's proud smile. 'For a star to be born, a nebula must first collapse,' she said, quoting Ibiza's remarks to Ashley. 'This is not my death, but your birth.'

"I love you, Sister. I will love you forever."

Fate's presence shimmered, 'Then you may love yourself, which one must do in order to love others.'

"No, I have never loved myself," she choked back a lump of emotion, "But I have loved you so much that I forgot to hate myself."

She sat down at the site of the card game and hid her face with her paws, "What's the use! I'm going to become a goddess of death, anyway!" Fate attempted to comfort her sister, but Ibiza snapped from her sorrow as she became struck by a great insight, "Wait," Ibiza breathed, "Wait!"

'Sister, please-' "No!" Ibiza chimed, "The future visions! Garland has showed me many visions of a future time where I am a goddess of death, and in each one I am loved by a sweet equine!" The dragon leapt up, "Come on! You're coming with me!"

'Sister, no!'

"Sis, I love you! I'm not leaving you behind to become a thing once again! I want you to join with me! I want you to live!"

'Ibiza, if I join with you, it will mean that you will not become a goddess of life, but a goddess of death. Your worst fears will be realized.'

"Sis, I know. I have seen it. But you know what? I'd never be able to live with myself if I let your soul become lost," the dragon reached out to her immaterial sister, "Being dark and scary will make it harder for me to make friends, sure, but you know what?" The dragon paused, her maw alight with a broad smile.

'What, sister?'

"I'll have my sister!"

'Then, you want me? You really wish to veil your new animal spirit within my darkness?'

Ibiza nodded, "Yes, sis."

Fate's dark form manifest for a moment, but in that time she said, 'Through all of our trials, I have shared a hope that we were not bound to the fate of the first dimension, but to the circles of the world and beyond, where our lives may become enriched by the experiences and memories of the mortal realm.'

"I'm not really sure what you said," Ibiza peeped.

'I have said that much like any child, we shall have a tumultuous beginning, perhaps punctuated by heartaches too numerous to count, but in time our life and experience will help us evolve into someone we would hope to become.'

Ibiza let out a long breath, "Okay, I'm going to start out as death. Right, it's not so bad,"

'Sis,' Death said, 'Tucked high up on this nook are confections that might settle your nerves, I believe they are called 'cookies.'

Ibiza smiled, then scaled the dining cabinet to retrieve the 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. Death then bid her sister go; 'Once Rosemary Barter's memories become our own, remember her feelings regarding the spirit world. You'll have the power to remake Nidavellier into something beautiful.'

Ibiza reached out her paw. To her surprise, an invisible hand closed over hers. "Let's go, sis."

On the outside landing, the air bore no sound. All was quiet and dreamlike. In the distance, the goddess Hades looked out from behind a tree, her stern and daunting face silently beaming with pride.

"Thank you, for not leading me by the paw," Ibiza whispered, "Thank you for allowing me to decide on my own to become death,"

'Remember what I showed you, Ibby. The shadow realm is not a place of dread.'

Her future self winked away. Ibiza glanced back at the house boat, then shuffled the short distance to the tree where she placed a paw upon the ladder. With a glance back toward the trees, she breathed a sigh, "Are you there, sis?"

A tingle radiated up the dragon's spine. 'Yes, sister.'

"Okay, let's go get spliced back together!"

Paw over paw Ibiza climbed, using none of her magic; though the tree possessed it's own magical foundation courtesy of Glorafin's influence. Thus, the ladder did not collapse under her weight. At the top she poked her head up above the floorboards to find Rosemary Barter in the arms of the Holden family. She smiled softly to the mare, before waving to Mayalee Mae, "Hello, Mayalee!"

Mayalee rushed to the dragon and threw her arms about her, "Ibby!"

"I know how this is all going to turn out," Ibiza said as she nuzzled the mouse, "Garland showed me everything,"

Mayalee's whiskers went rigid as she sensed Death's presence. "You're going to become death, aren't you?"

Ibiza smiled, "The old cycle of life has been broken, Mayalee. In all ages past, the coming of Hades meant destruction and woe," she squeezed the little mouse, "Now, it doesn't matter if I call myself Renewal, Destruction, or even Death. I will always be your friend, and I will always look for the good in all things."

She stepped away to approach Shelton, "My faithful pony, it seems our time together is nearly done."

He rushed to her, but shyly paused. He wished he could plead to go with her, but he feared upsetting his parents; 'And Maggie,'

Ibiza smiled to him, then nodded to Rosemary, "Please forgive me for never making your acquaintance, it seems we followed separate paths."

"I suppose we'll have plenty of time together," Rosemary chortled, then added, "Is this really the smartest thing we should be doing?"

"Our mother has been our guiding hand," Ibiza said, smiling to Mayalee. Then, she turned back to Rosemary, "You, have been our guiding hand."

Rosemary nodded bravely, as Death entered the home. Shelton blinked at the black-furred clone of Rosemary Barter as the entity gestured for Ibiza, 'Come, sister.'

The animals looked on as Ibiza's golden scales sparkled. 'You shall never again hear your dragon's voices,' Death said to the familiars, 'Speak now with them, and bid them farewell, for the time has come.'

Rosemary looked about, then grasped a scrap of paper to scribble a hastily composed note. Herald's treetop home now became the new singularity that beats at the heart of the first dimension.

'She's pulling all the higher dimensions down to her,' Herald thought, 'I would never have imagined such a thing!'

Shelton hugged his mother's waist as Ibiza's presence became more difficult to bear. 'Sister, the future is not yet set,'

"I love you, sis," Ibiza breathed, "I want you to be with me."

With her dark heart signing with love, Death's black manifestation knelt before Ibiza, and then all present gasped as the specter pushed her way into Ibiza's eyes. Once merged with her sister, the inter-dimensional alignment bore down on the little dragon. Kromhaut, Ariadne, and even Glorafin were gathered up and tightly bound together as they too merged with Ibiza. In that moment, Rosemary slapped the scrap of paper into Shelton's hand. Then, Ibiza's body imploded. Vanishing, utterly.

Rosemary's body became lifeless. With a silent groan she began to fall, but was caught in Shelton's arms, "Grandma! Wake up!"

Mayalee approached the place Ibiza'd stood. There were strange marks upon the wood, and for the avatar familiars, a roaring spiritual silence followed in the dragon's wake.

Sam felt oddly smothered within his body. He attempted to touch his wife's mind, but found nothing. Herald sighed, his voice now very thin. "Think not that the magic has all gone out of the world, for a tiny glimmer still resides within each of us." He turned to Shelton as the pony cradled Rosemary's body, "Ibiza has fulfilled her destiny, Shelton. Rosemary's spirit is now a part of your dragon friend."

"Did you know that Rosemary was the one?" Mayalee asked him. In answer, Herald shrugged. "There is much I don't know, but one thing I do, I'm going to sea again, and I expect to not come back."

Maggie Pumpkin went to him, "No... "

He smiled gently, then looked to the former avatars. "Will you be alright?"

Mayalee nodded, then knelt beside Rosemary's body to slip her hand inside the ornate gown. After a moment she retrieved the identity card she'd made for the old horse. 'My final memento.'

"May?" Sam asked, kneeling beside her. She smiled to him, trying her best to hold back her tears. Sam nudged her, "I bet we can get our old flat back, if I return to the force!"

She touched his hand, "We definitely shouldn't go back to Oakdale, if you bang your head in a mouse house now, there'll be no dragon to kiss it and make it well."

The couple quietly held one another as the animals looked upon the body of Rosemary Barter.

Shelton opened the scrap of paper Rosemary'd given him. 'Dearest Shelton, though I never knew you in life, I have long watched over you. In all of your many lives, you have always done right by others, and made me proud. I am proud to be your kin.' The flowery writing became steadily more difficult to read. He could barely discern the final sentiment which ran off the edge of the paper, 'I will always love you.'

He began to whimper, then wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Missy reached out to comfort him. "Where is she, momma? Is she ever going to come back?!"

"She needed to go, sweetie," Missy said, patting his back.

The tree top home groaned. Herald became startled as a terrible realization dawned on him, "We'd best evacuate this abode with all speed! There's no goddess to hold it aloft anymore!"

The horses moved to the ladder, but Herald barred their way, "No! It's too dangerous! Eleanor! Justin! We'll fly the horses down!"

The avian king stood by helplessly, trapped within a body too small to do any good as Maggie helped Shelly onto Herald's shoulder. "Come on!" Gabriel said to his wife, "Take Justin down!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" she snorted, "I outweigh you! You go!" she shoved him toward Justin who blinked with surprise, "You need to get the boat away from the tree!"

Gabriel hopped up onto Justin, whilst Allomere evacuated Mayalee. Timothy waited anxiously with Maggie, Shelton, Sam and Missy. The home groaned again. Shelton became alarmed when the skyway tilted upward like the prow of a sinking ship. "Up!" Missy cried, "Climb up into the branches!"

"What about Rosemary!" Shelton cried, but a terrible snapping from the support beams forced him into the branches. Herald swooped in to pluck Maggie from the deck. She cried out as she was carried away, "No! You should have got Missy!"

Justin attempted to return for Shelton, but the pony waved him away, "Help my dad get the boat clear! We're safe for now!"

Missy grasped her son from behind and hurled him onto Justin's back, "Oomph!" Justin recovered quickly and took wing with his friend. Justin carried Shelton down to the boat where he quickly shrugged him off, "I'll get your mom!"

"Go!" Shelton cried.

Jagged pieces of the destabilizing home rained down on the dock. In the boat's cabin, Gabriel started the motor and placed the rudder ahead full. Shelton noticed too late that one of the mooring lines was not cast off, and it quickly tightened, holding the boat fast against the pier! "We're stuck!!"

Heavy beams and fragments of wood fell all around Shelton. Maggie rushed to his side to shelter him, "We need to get inside!"

Gabriel eased up on the throttle, "Get the line off!"

A heavy beam fell from above, pinning the mooring line tight against the cleat! Try as he might, Shelton could not unseat it! Panicked, he looked about, "Do we have a knife?"

Maggie yanked upon the mooring line, then rushed away, "I'll get one!"

In desperation, Mayalee Mae grasped the line and pulled with all of her might. Moments before, she could have demolished this boat with her bare hands. Now, she was just an ordinary mouse. She fell away with an anguished cry.

From above, Missy witnessed Mayalee's desperate attempt, she called out to her son; "Rip it out! Rip that thing out!"

Shelton grasped the mooring cleat and pulled. He strained and huffed, but it was too much for him. "Get beside me!" Maggie cried, grasping the cleat. The pony grasped hold and pulled with his sister. A loud cracking startled Shelton, but he realized they were doing it! "Yes!!"

Shelton huffed and Maggie gruffed as the cleat began to splinter away! Together, the siblings ripped the cleat from the deck and threw it overboard, freeing the boat!

The craft lurched forward and had only just escaped when the skyway broke loose and came crashing down, demolishing the pier. Above, the tree shook violently. Timmy lost his grip and fell from his branch, landing precariously upon the next one down! He hung there, eighty feet above the forest floor as Sam hurried over to reach for the fox, "No, Sam!"

The lion grasped Timothy's arm, as Allomere made frantic circles around the tree. His muscles straining, the lion pulled his friend up, but began to slip!

Missy Holden grasped Sam's neck and pulled the cat back from the edge. Sam yelped in pain, but did not loosen his grip on Timmy. Missy bettered her grip on Sam as the three slowly crawled their way to safety. Below, a large portion of the home split asunder and went whirling to destruction.

A great column of dust rose up from the forest floor. Timothy coughed and sputtered as the air slowly began to clear.

Justin swooped in and grasped a nearby branch. "Can you reach me?" he called to Timothy, who looked down on the wreckage in panic, "I don't know!"

With great effort, Justin attempted to climb nearer to Timothy, but was obstructed by heavy foliage. "You're too far!"

Allomere arrived. Whilst he was more skilled at maneuvering through the obstacles, he was now too weak to carry his mate. Falling away, Justin made another attempt to reach Timothy.

"Get some rope!" Timothy called, "We'll tie it on, then climb down on our own!"

Justin nodded, then flew down to the wrecked pier to scavenge what rope he could. Meanwhile, Gabriel brought the boat around to run it up onto the river's edge. Shelton rushed out to call up to the animals in the tree, whilst Virgil and Ashley looked on helplessly.

"We're okay!" came Sam's voice, "Take your time, work safely!"

'Ibiza,' Shelton said silently, turning his thoughts toward the dragon. 'If you're there, please come back to us!'

There was no reply.

Allomere managed to perch near his fox. Timothy waved to him, "Hell of a way to end up, huh?"

"This wasn't the sort of ending I'd imagined!"

The animals looked over the wrecked home as Shelton and Maggie tied smaller ropes to larger ones, building a strong ladder that their friends and family could use to get down. Soon Justin delivered the first bit of rope, which Sam threaded around the thick branches. He built up the sections of ladder until they had enough to reach the forest floor. Justin hunkered against the tree trunk, waiting to spring out and catch any of the animals who might lose their grip and fall, but the animals made it safely down. Below, Missy threw herself at her husband and lifted him into the air. Mayalee smiled to her lion, who knelt to peck her on the head.

Maggie grasped Herald's beak, then led him to the boat, "Come on, it's time to get to your ship!"

The animals chortled at Maggie's antics, then glanced back toward the wrecked home. "Where's Octavius?"

Eleanor rushed forward, then took wing. Justin and Ashley joined her as they rushed to the wreckage of the treetop home. "Octavius!" Justin called. Eleanor looked frantically about, "Where is he!?"

She attempted to search for him, but the splintered beams and jagged metal supports barred her way. "Dad!" Ashley cried, "Dad!"

"I am here," came Octavius' regal, highland voice... but it was Justin alone who heard him. "Dad? What did you do?"

"What was best, Justin."

Eleanor felt a terrible sinking feeling, "He's dead."

Justin nodded. Ashley began to tremble, "No..."

In the boat, Herald became overcome with emotion. Maggie cupped his face in her hands. He nodded to her, thankful for the support, "Thank you, love."

The Brightwings returned, accompanied by the ghost of King Octavius. The fellowship was heartened that both Shelly and Justin retained their ability to hear the spirit's voice. "You were touched by Hades," Herald said to them, "It is her power that endures."

Gabriel clasped his hand upon Herald's shoulder, "What about the bodies? We can't leave Rosemary and Octavius' bodies buried in that rubble."

"Give me a flare, and a gallon of petrol." Herald said, drawing surprised glances from the animals, but the fuel was delivered in short order. Herald set out to light the bonfire. The sun sank low on the horizon as the fire began to burn. The animals watched the flames leap high into the sky, creating a final bittersweet spectacle. "That's it," Sam said, "The journey is over."

"Goodbye, Rosemary." Mayalee breathed.

Octavius noted that none mourned Herald's clone. 'Clearly I have made the right decision.'

And so it was that Shelton Holden bid the great northern realm farewell. "I don't suppose I could make those secret caves open up? I think Ibiza gave me a key..."

Herald shook his head, "It'd be best if you never attempt to find out."

Ashley sighed miserably, but Shelton comforted him, "Hey, we were the first animals to ever see those caves."

"And the last!" Ashley retorted, "I can't believe the dragons are gone!"

'Tell me about it,' Mayalee thought.

Missy did her best to make the four additional members of the fellowship comfortable, whilst Shelton poked about the dining nook. "Who ate all the damn cookies?"

Maggie smirked at him, then settled down beside Mayalee. "In the diner by the river, you animals appeared to be on fire. Can you tell me why? Why a fire?"

"In ancient times, whenever Kromhaut or his sons entered the world, they appeared as bright ribbons of fire. In a way, they were like a bonfire in the spirit world," Mayalee paused to touch her tiny hand to Maggie's elbow, "You know how dark it is there,"

She wiped her eyes as Maggie gently patted her. Mayalee smiled, then continued, "In that dark place, there are souls who wander alone, but in those elder days, Kromhaut's fire used to guide these lost spirits. He could guide them home,"

Tears welled up in Mayalee's eyes, "He was their guiding light."

Maggie took the little mouse in her arms. From his dark corner, King Octavius bowed his head. 'Who will guide me home? Will I wander forever in the outer dark?'

Wiping his eyes, Sam stepped out onto the bow to feel the cool evening breeze as he prepared to return to the normal and mundane world. The animals were nearly to the Shannonvali border with Aurora when Sam realized his rental car was left behind, "D'oh!"

"It's a good thing Mayalee has enough gold stashed to buy a hundred of those cars."

Herald joined Sam outside. The lion smiled to the old mariner, "How are you feeling, Herald?"

"I might ask the same of you."

Sam looked out over the river as it moved slowly past the boat. "I feel as if the last thousand years never happened. I feel I've simply moved forward in time, and arrived in a strange new age."

"And I," Herald began, "Feel as if I've been locked inside an old seaman's chest, unaware of the wider world, until it's too late to experience it," he paused, then gazed out over the waters, "Soon I'll be no more."

"There's a new goddess who'll look after you."

Herald smiled, thinking of Rosemary Barter, "Indeed."

"I suppose we're both free," Sam breathed, "From here, we chart our own course."

Stepping back inside, Sam shook Missy's hand. "Thanks for saving Timothy and I, you were right on time!"

She smiled, flexing her arm, "My old muscles are gonna complain about that one for weeks to come."

Sam patted her, then smiled to Mayalee who sat with Shelton Holden and his twin sisters. He breathed a heavy sigh as he recovered from his first real brush with danger since the great war.

The return voyage went much faster, as the river carried the boat along with it in it's rush toward the waiting sea. Gabriel instructed his son to take the helm to pilot the boat back into the marina, "Feather the throttle," He said to Shelton. "Use the engine to make course corrections, not the rudder, there's not enough momentum to use the rudder."

Maggie noted how ordinary everything'd become. 'Boating lessons,' she thought. The former avatars then disembarked. Missy smiled to them, "Can you get home okay?"

"My car is parked at Albany International," Sam said, "We can catch a taxi there." He smiled warmly, then shook Gabriel's hand, "Thanks, though."

"Where do you all live?" Gabriel shyly asked. Sam smiled to his new friend, "I expect we're going to be back in Brandenburg," he smiled to Missy, "You've been to our old flat!"

The mother equine smiled broadly, "I'd love to get together with you all!"

Allomere looked Timothy up and down, "It's going to be like old times love! Back when every flight was a seat of your pants adventure!"

"Guess I'll have to take up hang gliding." Timothy replied, and the hawk smiled warmly.

Gabriel sensed that Herald did not feel welcome among the Brightwings, Eleanor'd hardly said a word to him the entire voyage home, "Herald, would you come home with us? I have a spare room you could use."

"Thank you kindly, Gabriel."

Now came the breaking of the fellowship. With heavy hearts, the Brightwing clan returned to their home upon the hill. Justin was grateful beyond measure that he could hear his father's voice, and he found the king's recollections and anecdotes recalled the splendor of a bygone age which until now had been lost to Justin.

The Holden's homecoming was less a return to royalty, and more a settling into normality. Gabriel guided his yellow station wagon along Highway Four, and breathed a heavy sigh when at last they crossed the border into Aurora, "I can't believe we're home."

Maggie glanced out the window, checking on Herald who followed high overhead, "He's very elderly now, it's weird seeing him like this."

Soon the family turned onto Forest Drive, and made the familiar second left into their driveway. "The house looks so different, now that I'm alive." Maggie said softly, drawing a doting smile from Missy.

Herald touched down, his breathing worryingly shallow, "What a lovely home you have."

Missy quickly ushered Maggie indoors, attempting to play her off as Shelly. The last thing the mother equine wanted at this moment was a nosy neighbor rushing over to inspect Shelly's apparent twin. Herald squeezed his way inside and moved carefully along the hall, "Misses Holden is indeed a symphony conductor." He noted, admiring the mare's many portraits, "And I see she has good taste in operas!"

Shelly was helped inside, then the family barricaded themselves, "If anyone knocks, we're not at home!"

Sure enough, there came a knock. Then several more, but Missy steadfastly refused to answer. Herald struggled to contain his laughter. Gabriel opened a large door leading down to a cellar, "I have a stallion cave down here, you're welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Thank you, Gabriel." The eagle said, "I suspect it shan't be for too long."

The horses gathered around the kitchen table and traded glances, "One of us has to write a book about this." Maggie said.

Gabriel smiled, "I'd buy any book where Maggie Pumpkin becomes my daughter."

The boxer shyly smiled, "Oh, I'm just a demure mare now, not much suited to boxing." She glanced at the burly Shelton, "But he's got some promise."

"Yeah, I'd like my nose to stay where it is!" The pony replied, pointing dramatically at his snout. Gabriel chortled, "Okay, shower time! Oldest goes first!"

"That would be me." Missy said with a smirk, "But I look older..." Gabriel replied. The mare rolled her eyes, "Guess we'll have to go together!"

"Eww..." Shelton gruffed. Gabriel chortled as Maggie went to the cellar door to check on Herald. A soft rhythmic whistling could be heard from below. Maggie sighed, thankful he was asleep. She left her old friend to rest, happy that at last he was with a family who could care for him.

---

A Kind of Homecoming

---

The following days slipped by with haste. The old ship's wheel from The Flying Mantuan was placed upon the parlor wall, framed by Missy's portraits of herself leading a performance of the famous opera.

The horses were finally ambushed by their neighbors, and Maggie's appearance was explained away as a matter of adoption. "Gabriel and I couldn't afford to raise twins," Missy lied, "So I had to separate the girls."

Misses Quill from across the street clasped her arms about Maggie and hugged her tight, leaving Missy feeling horrible for lying.

After she'd gone, Shelton shrugged, "I wish Ibiza was here, maybe you could be free to tell the truth."

"Son, I think Ibiza is doing what she knows is right. She has to stay away, for all of our sakes."

He nodded, but none seemed particularly pleased by the reality of the situation. "Ibiza was a little scary," Shelton admitted, "But she also made me feel really special."

"And therein lies the problem," Herald said, appearing from the cellar, "In the time of Octavius, the king took great care to not appear favorable to any particular animal, lest that individual become ostracized among his peers. Such would be our fate if the wider world discovered our connection to Ibiza."

Shelton felt better, but was reminded of his friends. He sighed, retiring to his room where he looked upon his collection of childish belongings that now seemed like relics from some other life. He powered up his cellular telephone. It beeped for a moment, then Justin's garbled voice rang out; "What's up?"

"Whatcha doing?"

"Nothin. Bored."

The boys sighed through their phones, each seeking comfort in the other. "Herald says that Ibiza might be staying away from us on purpose," Shelton said.

"That would suck," Justin replied, "Though I have to admit, it's probably for the best."

Shelton sighed, "I just wish I could have got to know Rosemary before she went away."

"She seemed like a nice old granny, I guess she's a good animal to have as Ibiza's conscience."

"Yeah, it's just too bad we're right back where we started." Shelton said.

The pair were quiet for a moment, then Shelton chortled, "I might have to become a boxer, and get my face rearranged!"

"Octavius is coaching me on history and politics, I bet you're going to have to vote for me sometime soon!"

The boys laughed, then agreed to meet later in the week. Slipping from his room, Shelton made it a point to knock on the cellar door to check on Herald. "Ah, come in!" came Herald's reply.

Shelton nickered at the warm welcome as he made his way down the stairs to find the huge eagle sitting atop his father's arm chair, "Heh, is that comfortable?"

Herald looked down upon the old chair, "Honestly? No, it isn't. I don't see why you mammals employ such things."

"That's because it's made for mammals, bird-butt!"

The old eagle smiled, "How are you feeling?"

The pony sighed, his voice cracking ever so slightly, a hint at the adult he'd soon become, "I don't know, I was hoping you could still read my thoughts so you could tell me."

Herald shook his head, "I'm afraid I can't, but I suspect you'd like to know more about Rosemary?"

Shelton squirmed, "I've picked up enough from Maggie to know that she was a little... 'complex.'"

"Rather like Ibiza, don't you think?"

"Heh, yeah," Shelton replied.

Herald smiled, "Don't think you've never got to spend time with her, Shelton. Rosemary visited you through Ibiza. She took advantage of your time in the north to get to know you, and I think she liked the pony she met very much."

"Thanks," Shelton breathed, "I just wish that she would come back," he looked to Herald, "Where is she?"

Herald stepped from the chair and settled down on the floor, "There could be all manner of reasons why she's staying away, for all we know time might pass differently where she is. A moment to her might be a year to you and I."

"I had a funny dream, up there in the north, about a dragon with a fire burning above her head," Shelton paused to wipe his nose. Herald nodded intently, aware that it was no dream, "This dragon showed me what things are made of. You know, particles and things."

"Go on," Herald whispered.

"We went down and down, until we were inside the smallest one of these atoms. It was dark inside. The dragon said we were in the first dimension."

"I see," Herald said at last, "Was it simply blackness, or did you see anything else there?"

"Little rings, like the ones that would appear in Ibby's eyes. They were all over the place. She said they tell things what to be, or make a vibration that does that. I don't know."

Herald leaned back, absorbing what the pony'd revealed. "It was not a dream, Shelton. You witnessed what no animal has ever seen before."

"Wow," Shelton breathed, "Well, I'd give it back if I could see Ibby again, I miss her so much."

"Keep her in your thoughts," Herald said, "Always keep a path open for her, she might just surprise you."

The eagle closed his eyes to meditate. Shelton squirmed for a moment, before he leaned against his father's chair. He fidgeted and vibrated, too worked up from his memory of the dragon. Herald rocked gently back and forth, muttering to himself, "The dragon displayed one of the deepest mysteries of creation, right there in her eyes, yet you'd never know what it is you're looking at. Typical."

He opened his eyes, "You should go to bed, Shelton, it is late."

"Sure," the pony replied, though he made no motion toward the stair. Herald gently brushed him with his wing, "I am tired, Shelton."

Shelton got the hint as he was nudged again toward the door, "Okay Herald, thanks for talking!"

"Goodnight, Shelton."

The pony looked back at the old eagle as Herald reached up with his beak to click off the cellar light. Silhouetted in the dark, the eagle seemed to embody a type of forlorn loneliness that would've been Shelton's worst fear. The pony turned back and settled down beside Herald, "What are you doing, boy?"

"You shouldn't be alone."

Herald gently bushed Shelton with his wing, "I'm not alone, Shelton. I have a great many memories to keep me company."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, love. They are like old friends you see, and they visit me often. But I thank you for your kindness."

Shelton moved to the stairs and slowly climbed up, "I... think you're a really nice eagle, Herald."

"I love you too, Shelton."

The pony rushed back to the eagle and hugged him, "Oh, confound it boy! Go to bed!"

Shelton nickered, "You make a pretty good Grandad, you know."

Herald touched his wing to Shelton's chest, "You have a good heart, my little pony."

"Thanks, Herald."

"Now go to bed!"

From the kitchen, Gabriel heard his son's tromping feet ascend the stairs. Shelton appeared in the hall, smiling to his father. The stallion reached out to him, "Whatcha doing?"

"Talking to Herald," Shelton said, stepping into the kitchen, "What about you?"

"I'm not gonna be able to sleep, I need to come down from everything that's happened."

Shelton sat down and sighed, "Tell me about it."

Gabriel nudged his boy, "What was your favorite moment? What do you most remember?"

Shelton became thoughtful, whilst Gabriel offered his own favorite memory, "Mine was Maggie getting coughed up! I'll never forget that!" His eyes sparkled, as only a proud father's can, "Once I saw her, even though she was wrapped up in what looked like afterbirth, I knew I had my little girl back!"

"Yeah," Shelton breathed.

"What was your best moment?"

"It was when Ashley and I were inside that cave, all on our own. I started to act like a jerk, like a cultist, because I was a little obsessed about Ibiza," he paused to wipe his snout, "Ashley got through to me. He made me realize that Ibiza was just an animal like everyone else, although she did have amazing powers."

He bowed his head, "I didn't realize what was happening, I'm so glad Ashley is the smart bird that he is!"

Gabriel took his boy in his arms, "I know you've always been self-conscious about your smarts, but just remember, a smart animal is one who knows a lot, but a really smart animal is one who can listen to others, and realize when they're right!"

Shelton choked back a lump of emotion as he looked to his father with shimmering eyes. Gabriel eyed him, "Something else on your mind?"

"I'm still not the brightest bulb in the world, but I know when someone's trying to stay distant from you, because they think they're going away," he nudged his father, "Is Herald going to die soon?"

"He's old, Shelton. I think we all know that, especially him."

'I wish I could say something,' Gabriel thought, 'I wish I was a brighter bulb myself, like Herald, who could say something to make you feel better.'

And so, the stallion did the only thing he could think of to comfort his boy. He sat beside Shelton and held him tight. Weeping, Shelton pressed his face beneath his father's chin. Gabriel sighed, 'He's not just letting go of Herald, he's also saying goodbye to Ibiza.'

Soon Shelton's tears eased, but he held fast to his father. 'Is this how it's going to end?' Gabriel silently whispered, hoping that someone somewhere might hear him, 'Ibiza, if you're there, please give my boy some kind of sign. Give him just one more visit, if only to say goodbye.'

An odd tingling issued from the base of Gabriel's spine. His eyes widened at the sensation. After a moment, he felt compelled to go to a nearby cabinet, and so he did. Shelton watched his father as Gabriel retrieved a large scrap of paper and a pencil. Gabriel sat back down, then set about scratching lines upon the canvas, a look of intense concentration on his face. "Dad, what are you doing?"

"Ibiza's coming to visit you."

Shelton looked on as a face began to emerge from the canvas. Gabriel smiled as he laid down more lines, forming the snout, jaw, and majestic horns of the dragon's head. Soon the drawing was done, and the horses looked upon the visage that now smiled out from the canvas. "Dad, I didn't know you could draw like that!"

"I can't," he replied, taking his son by the shoulders to position him before the drawing, "I begged Ibiza to give you a visit. I guess this is the only way she could deliver."

He patted his son's back, "If you ask me, I'd say it's pretty sweet."

Tears streaming down his cheeks, Shelton touched the rough and tattered canvas. The pair spent a long while admiring the drawing, and it seemed to Gabriel that his boy was indeed cheered by the dragon-inspired artwork. 'Ibiza, thank you. I think this is helping.'

The tingling moved up his spine, as if to answer him. Gabriel marveled that the dragon was listening! He smiled, and kissed his son's ear, "Even though Ibiza can't speak to us, I think she's listening. Tell her what you're feeling, I think she'd appreciate it."

Shelton wept a bit more, then his father gently nudged him toward thoughts of sleep. "Come on," Gabriel said, guiding his pony toward the washroom, "Brush your teeth."

Recalling his days as a younger colt, Shelton touched his nose to his father's side. After his evening toiletries, Gabriel tucked his boy in. With a kiss on the snout, Gabriel promised his son; "You'll see her again."

Gabriel was heartened by the tingling that answered him. "Ibiza promises, too."

Shelton smiled, and closed his eyes. Gabriel left him, then eased down the quiet hall, admiring his wife's photos as he went. He gazed out the window, knowing now that the trees were conscious entities. Knowing that there were ghosts and spirits and dragons. Knowing... 'A lot.' Gabriel briefly wondered if it would be better for them to forget everything. Ibiza made no reply, sent no tingling feeling up his spine, and so Gabriel quietly retired to the sofa, so as not to disturb his wife.

He lay for some time, looking up and the gently shifting shadows dancing and swirling about the ceiling. 'Whatever happens Ibiza, please... don't break his heart.'

With a soft breath, Gabriel drifted off to sleep. From the kitchen, the dragon rose up from the canvas. She smiled to the stallion, then looked about the comfortable home. After a moment, she returned to her two dimensional home away from home.

Next morning, Gabriel snorted awake as Missy's cry rang out from the kitchen. "Where did this come from!?" Missy squealed. Doors opened along the hall as the children poked their heads out.

"I drew that," Gabriel said, shuffling into the kitchen, "What do you think?"

Missy looked to him, utterly astonished! "I... think you need to draw some more!"

He reached into the fridge for the apple juice, "Don't hold your breath, I'd asked Ibiza to pay Shelton a visit. Before I knew it, I'm drawing that. She helped me do it, she answered my request."

Shelton hugged his mother, whilst Missy marveled that the dragon might not have truly abandoned them. She hung the portrait on the parlor wall, and it quickly became the focal point of the home. Each night Shelton stood before the drawing, smiling fondly at Ibiza's beautiful face. He found it interesting that his father had drawn the dragon's eyes fully blackened. 'Ibiza must have wanted to remind me that she could be scary.'

The pony reached out with a trembling hand to touch the canvas, then shuffled off to bed. He never knew that the dragon's eyes always followed him to his door.

The pony was grateful that he'd only have four days of school before the midwinter holiday. Come morning, Shelton rolled out of bed and put on his school clothes. He met his family in the kitchen where Missy finished up her oats. She placed a bowl on the counter for Shelton, "Breakfast!"

"Hi, Momma."

"I have to get back to bed, late night practice again!" She gave Shelton a peck on the head before she returned to bed. Gabriel nudged his boy, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Shelton replied, taking a seat opposite Herald.

"Holiday is coming up, you know." Herald said.

"Yeah," Shelton replied with a smile.

"I'm going to do a bit of travel while I'm well enough. I've never enjoyed a Midwinter Day before."

"Are you well enough to travel?" Gabriel asked. Herald shrugged, "I believe Ibiza will allow me one final hurrah, before my final act."

Shelton stood with a snort, "Would you stop talking like you're going to die!"

The eagle sighed, "But I am, my boy. This will almost certainly be my final winter."

"Ugh!" Shelton chuffed. He stalked away, leaving Herald crestfallen. "I'm sorry," Gabriel said, but Herald brushed him with his wing. "Shelton told me he thought I'd make a good grandfather, I suppose he's become attached."

Gabriel nodded, unsure of how to reply. Herald leaned toward Gabriel, "Speaking of the boy's grand parents, where are your parents?"

"I'm adopted, I never knew them. Missy's died in an accident."

"So your excuse for Maggie's appearance is rooted in some family truth, hmm?"

"You could say that."

Herald sighed, "I believe Ibiza is staying away so that we may all have a normal life," he paused to glance down the hall toward Shelton's room, "I feel I should move on as well, I may be too much of a distraction."

"I think it has helped Shelton to have some link to Ibiza here with him," Gabriel said, "I hope you don't feel like you have to leave."

"He has his dragon portrait now," the eagle said with a wink, "But still and all, it's time for me to go, Gabriel."

The stallion rose to offer his arms. The eagle gladly stepped into them. "One of your crew members told us about your final voyage," Gabriel said softly, "Right here in my parlor. Now you're here, about to go away for good."

Herald smiled to the horse, "Life has a funny way of putting you back where you started from, hmm?"

Gabriel shook his head, "Do you think I was one of your crew members? I've always had an affinity for sailing."

"Would it matter?" Herald asked. Gabriel shook his head, "If I was or wasn't, I'm still glad to know you, Herald."

The sea captain smiled, "Thank you, my lad." And with that, Herald stepped from the kitchen door and flew away. Gabriel looked out at the trees ringing his property and knew that was the last time he'd ever see Herald alive, 'Goodbye, Herald.'

He closed the door, then returned to bed. In his room, Missy smiled to him, "Hey,"

Gabriel sat down, "Hi, babe."

"Herald's gone, isn't he?"

He nodded, "Yep."

She reached out to him, "So that's it, our voyage is over. We're really home."

Gabriel's eyes welled up with tears. Missy sat up to kiss them away. He smiled gently, and returned her affection.

"We'll need to replace our missing eagle," she licked her lips, "So, want to try for another mouth to feed?"

He chortled, "I dunno, you sure the clock is still ticking?"

She ran her fingers through her mane, then whispered something to him. For the sake of privacy, I'll not reveal what was said, but for the stallion, her words stiffened his resolve to expand his family!

The horses made love in the shimmering morning sun, whilst in the parlor, the dragon portrait made note of Penny Almond's location. 'Follow my lights, little one.'

---

During Shelton's bus ride into school, (before he became a big brother,) he imagined the trundling coach to be another house boat, bearing him away to a new adventure! The mundane surroundings of his campus took on a fanciful quality as white fluffy flakes drifted down from on high, blanketing the land in a soft white tranquility. It wasn't enough to close the school, unfortunately, but it made for a nice diversion. One of his friends passed by, Shelton opened his mouth to greet his fellow, but his voice failed him. The pony named Bart looked at Shelton, then awkwardly passed him by.

As the day wore on, Shelton felt increasingly estranged from his fellows, and sat away from them. He sighed, and rest his face in his hands as the sights and sounds of his voyage played over and over in his mind.

"Hey, Shelton!"

The pony looked up to find the lion Maximilian, with... "Lilly Grey?"

Max squeezed Lilly's hand, "Yeah, we're going out!"

"Wow," Shelton breathed, "That's great you two!"

"I want to thank you, Shelton," Max said, "You really helped me out, I hope I can do something for you someday."

"Well, if you want to make time to hang out with me sometime, that would be swell!"

He smiled, "Sure thing!"

The pair wandered off, each nuzzling the other. Shelton beamed at what a great couple they made. Taking up his cell phone, Shelton dialed Justin who answered; "Ello?"

"Let's go flying!"

"I'm so tired of studying politics! I'm on my way!"

Shelton laughed, "That's what you get for having a king for a dad!"

Feeling better, Shelton waited at the edge of the campus for his best friend. It wasn't long before Justin arrived, and the pair set off. They passed over the wide open spaces of western Aurora before touching down near the site where they'd first met. Justin and Shelton strolled along the path bordering Dun Keel. Each step seemed to echo with a fond memory, and both animals felt it appropriate to return to this place. "Virgil hasn't talked to me since we got back. He won't return my calls or anything."

"I'm sorry," Shelton replied, "Though if you ask me, he was kind of a jerk."

Justin furled his wings. "He can be difficult sometimes."

"How's your dad? Is he able to function okay without a body?"

"Yeah, he's great. Mom thinks his will power is keeping him from zoning out too badly."

Shelton smiled, "Busting your chops with politics, huh?"

"Heh! Well, something like that," Justin paused to wrap his wing around his best friend, "It's almost midwinter, a new year will start soon."

The pair gazed out over the fields where they'd taken their first flight. "So, no more dragon friends," Shelton murmured, "It's just the regular world from now on."

"I have to say, Shelton, that I felt rather put out when Ibiza was around. I felt like you'd forgot all about me."

Shelton sputtered a reply, but Justin hushed him, "And I completely understand! Ibiza was amazing! But I think we have our reason why she's staying away."

"Yeah," Shelton said, kissing Justin's wing, "You're right."

Justin bumped his head against Shelton's, "I'm glad you're my friend."

The pair held one another close as they watched the sun track low in the sky, casting deep long shadows that blended seamlessly with other times and other places. They never noticed the dragon's shadow waiting beside them.

To the west, Herald Kirsten entered the state of Brandenburg. After an uneventful flight, he set down at Mayalee's old address. He approached the door with a profound sense of deja-vu. Smiling gently, he used his beak to ring the bell. After a moment a tall lioness answered. "Oh, forgive me, I seem to have the wrong home."

"Herald!" Mayalee peeped. He looked several doors down to find the little mouse waving him over. Herald approached with a clack of his mandible as Mayalee hugged his great long legs, "Careful dear! I'm quite fragile you know!"

She waved away his jest, and invited him in. "Sorry about that. We couldn't get our exact flat back, but we got this one!" she hugged him again, "Sam is still at work, but he'll be home soon."

"Yes, promoted to Chief Inspector! He's quite the celebrity among his peers, from what I gather!"

She nodded, "Yes."

"How are you getting on, Mayalee?"

"I miss Kromhaut's company," she said, taking a seat, "But I'm surprised at how free I feel."

Herald noted the boxes and bundles piled along the walls. "Not all of this is mine!" she chirped, "Timmy and Allomere are moving in with us!"

"Ah, that's splendid to hear!" He clacked his mandible to punctuate what he'd just said, "So, everything's in order, hmm?"

"I'm still in shock, I think. In the coming months... I don't know. Once it sets in that I'm never going to hear his voice inside my head again, I don't know how I'll feel."

"Unless Ibiza comes back."

Mayalee sighed, "Is she?"

"She compelled Gabriel to draw a portrait of herself, for Shelton."

Mayalee's eyes sparkled. He furled his wings, "I knew you'd want to hear about that."

"They connected so strongly, Shelton and Ibiza."

He flexed his toes, then sighed. "I believe that Ibiza considered him briefly as her spirit."

"But ruled him out," Mayalee added, "Why? He seems like such a caring animal."

"Perhaps too caring, he'd not have the strength to do what a deity sometimes must, just as you were deemed unfit because of your temper."

She winced at his comment, but understood his sentiment. "It would have broke Sam's heart if I went away, I think Rosemary really was the best choice."

"I'm pleased you think so,"

She nodded, "I once saw Rosemary free a hundred trapped spirits. Kromhaut used to punish her terribly when she'd influence wayward ghosts, even to help them, but Rosemary couldn't bear to see them suffer. She was a good animal at heart."

Herald smiled, "Perhaps, in a cosmic sense, she was being tested even then."

Mayalee smiled wistfully, "I think so,"

The pair was quiet for a time as they reflected on their long histories. Finally, Mayalee took Rosemary's identity card from her pocket to gaze lovingly at the cranky old mare's scowling face, "I need Rosemary, I don't know if I can make it through this life without her."

Herald shrugged, "Well, you have your reason for why she's staying away."

"It's not like that!" Mayalee chuffed, "I just, I never knew how much I missed having a mother in my life."

"I think I shall come back as a sea lion," Herald abruptly declared.

"I think that would be good for you," Mayalee agreed. Herald clacked his mandible, "Midwinter Day is approaching, kindly visit the Holdens for the holiday. You'll love Gabriel's new portrait of the dragon."

"You act like you're not going to be there."

He sighed, "I'm tired, Mayalee. I don't know how much time I've left to me."

She patted his wing, "Try to make it, okay?"

"No promises," he said, moving to the sofa. Mayalee smiled as the mariner hopped up, then folded his legs up beneath himself. He looked somewhat ridiculous perched atop the sofa, so cute was he that Mayalee took up her camera and snapped a photo of him. This would be the only photographic evidence that Herald M. Vanderdecken had ever existed at all. "Sam is going to be on the news tonight."

Herald roused his feathers, "Of all the names he's assumed, he'll be able to remain Samuel Preston for the rest of his days!" he clacked his mandible, "It'll be good for you two to never again change your identities."

"You changed yours."

"Yes," he said, "But only once."

She smiled, "Ibiza never would address you as 'Kirsten,' she always used your true name, why do you think that is?"

He shrugged as Mayalee sat beside him, "Because she felt you had nothing to be ashamed of."

"Thank you, Mayalee," he murmured, then he winked at her, "What's Sam done to garner a mention on the telly?"

"Rosemary helped a spirit up near Falvie, we were able to get her murderer caught! So the Falvian Council is sending a letter of thanks to Brandenburg's police commissioner."

"Oh?"

"It's a big deal," Mayalee continued, "Our action is being capitalized on to try and shore up relations. Politics, you know."

She rolled off the sofa to pace about, "Speaking of Politics, Octavius is coaching Justin to run for local office. It's amazing how the youngster's stature has grown since having the king at his side. I think something of Olivia's identity has been awakened within him."

Herald bowed his head, prompting Mayalee to offer a reassuring pat, "Octavius is grateful for what you did, in spite of your clone's shortcomings."

He smiled wistfully, "I became cursed before the monarchy fell, I never saw the changes in Shannonvale until I was set free," he sighed, "I left for sea with a king on the throne, and returned to find a land as adrift as I was."

The pair sat quietly for some time, each reminiscing about their distant lives in that bygone age. "You know," he added, "Of all the dragons, Kromhaut's love for you was the most real."

Mayalee nodded, unsure of how to reply, "I think he realized that he needed an animal's feelings, while his siblings made no such connection."

"You're not angry at him, are you?"

She shook her head, "I could never be angry at him, he was the only father I'd ever known."

Sniffling, Mayalee stood and went to the kitchen, "What would you like for dinner?"

"Fish!" he replied, "Which is what I should've eaten all along!"

---

Later that evening, grey storm clouds rolled in as Herald Vanderdecken stepped out onto the front walk. His oldest and most trusted friends gathered around him as he looked to each of them, 'They know this is the last they'll ever see of me.'

To Mayalee's great surprise, the mariner knelt to touch his long yellow beak to her cheek. Rising up, he leaned out to touch Sam's nose. Then, he touched his wings first to Timothy, and then to Allomere, "Farewell," he said.

Mayalee tried her best to remain composed, "Go and be with your husband, Herald. Go and be happy."

Herald smiled, "I expect that the new power in this world shall require your service, and I have no doubt that you will respond," he sighed, "Perhaps in a future time we'll reunite in service to this deity, but for my part, it shan't be for a while to come."

Sam reached out to Herald. The eagle nodded to him, and then turned about. He walked down the concrete sidewalk, past the community pool, past the children's play area, and past the community mailboxes until his black feathers dissolved into the gathering gloom of the coming night.

It was Timothy who was the first to turn back indoors, and then his mate followed after him. Sam cupped his hand on Mayalee's shoulder, and she patted him, "Okay, let's go back inside."

Mayalee padded to her polaroid camera to fetch the photograph she'd snapped of Herald. She took her very last memento and placed it on a little shelf next to her music box and withered old childhood shoe.

In the sky above, Herald relished the crispness of the early winter evening. In the distance, animals moved to and fro, embarking on their seasonal shopping after a long day's work. The sights and sounds of the animals echoed through Herald's mind, and for the first time in fifteen centuries, he felt in step with the season.

He visited a local cinema who's theatre marquee advertised a spooky ghost story left over from Nightmare Night. Herald appeared before the ticket booth and smiled, "Forgive me, I've no money."

"Yes?" the young lion chuffed, his demeanor clear that he expected to sell a ticket. Herald bowed his head, "I'm sorry to have troubled you."

"Aw, it's okay!" the lion said, "Happy Midwinter!"

He reached through the small circular window to place a ticket in Herald's beak. The eagle bowed appreciatively and made his way inside. Within the movie house, Herald settled into a special section left over from the days of the Union when public places were required to cater to all manner of animals. The house lights dimmed as Herald smiled wistfully, 'I feel I've become a character from an old time movie...' he glanced about at the couples seated around him, 'Though I'm alive, I remain as invisible as a ghost these animals can never see.'

A tightness spread out across his chest. After a moment the tightness became a thrumming pain. Captain Vanderdecken knew his time was at hand. He ignored the film, and passed whatever time he had reminiscing, and thinking back on his long and dramatic life, 'But at the least,' he thought, 'I'm not alone.'

He wept in the dark. The flickering light of the projector created a soft halo of light above his head, and in amongst the bright warm flashes were deep dark shadows, and in these shadows death patiently waited to carry out her solemn duty, 'I have squandered my existence. I have nothing to show for any of it.'

He knew that was not true, but he chose to wallow in a bit of self pity. Before he knew it, the show was concluded. He waited for all of his fellow movie-goers to file out, then Herald departed the cinema like an old, long-forgot movie star.

Outside, the night was deep and dark. Herald took flight for the last time, 'Perhaps they'll make a movie about me someday, based upon the book Missy shall write.'

---

The Final Act

---

Herald Vanderdecken did not expect to return to the Holden family's residence, but he didn't know where else to go. The home was dark when he arrived back, though the porch light was left on. He found the kitchen door unlocked, 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 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."

Herald glanced at his old ship's wheel. It seemed to bid him farewell as the old mariner settled down on the floor and went to sleep.

It was Missy who found his body the next morning. She quietly woke her family to tell them of Herald's passing. Maggie entered the parlor and knelt beside the mariner's body, wondering if his spirit was somewhere nearby. 'No, he's gone. He's really gone.'

Shelton rushed in, "Herald!"

Maggie took him in her arms, gripping him tight. "Why did he die! He could have stayed with us!"

"Shelton, please," she whispered, "He needed to go. He was ready."

Gabriel and Missy held their son as Shelton wept. Shelly drew near to rest her hand on Maggie, "Are you okay, sis?"

"Yeah," Maggie replied, noting the odd scent of sea and spray on the eagle's feathers, "I really am."

The authorities were summoned. Herald's body was taken to a funeral home in anticipation of his burial. Once the ambulance departed, Missy went down to tidy up the cellar. Maggie found herself in the parlor, looking over Missy's portraits, and trying her best to not brood over Herald's wheel.

"Maggie," Missy said, emerging from the cellar, "Herald left you a note."

She rushed to her mother who offered up the scrap of paper. Maggie smiled at Herald's flowery cursive script, then narrowed her eyes to parse his archaic shorthand; 'Dearest Maggie, I have never been one to express my feelings, and I suppose it is too late to attempt to do so now; but think not that my heart is devoid of them. Through all of my long years, I have always wished for a son or a daughter, someone whom I might cherish and nurture. Maggie, through your gentle ways I was able to know the joy that had eluded me for so long. Ever shall you be my daughter, and I would invite you to count me as a father who loved you very much. As such, it is my request that my mortal body be interred near your own grave in Buckley.'

Maggie paused to wipe tears from her eyes, 'Thank you for your love, and your friendship, Maggie Pumpkin. If I could be accorded one final request, I would ask that a tree be planted over my grave, so that something might make use of my carcass.'

Maggie laughed as she wiped more tears away, "Okay, Herald."

Missy touched her nose to Maggie's cheek as the pair held one another for a long long while.

---

The eleventh of December dawned cold and grey, as a group of remarkable animals gathered to commemorate the passing of Herald Meredith Vanderdecken.

Mayalee May knew well the enigmatic ship's captain, the mouse and the eagle being linked by a rich history of service. But today, history shall begin anew; "Surely Herald knows that a new day has dawned for him," Mayalee said, her eyes moving over the faces of her new family, "Toward the end he confided in me. Herald told me that he would reincarnate as a marine mammal, a member of the species to which he'd done so much harm."

Mayalee took up a hand full of soil, then scattered it upon Herald's linen-wrapped body, "And so Herald shall submerge himself within the boundless ocean, where all of the moments of his long and dramatic life have been enacted."

She bowed her head, "Go then, Captain Vanderdecken, return to the seas that have missed you for so long."

The others took up their offerings of soil, and cast them into Herald's grave. "Bye, Herald," Maggie whispered, "I love you so much."

Missy kissed her tears away as the families paid their respects. The service concluded, they gathered to watch the park service workers cover the grave and plant a small tree upon the site.

"Come on, sweetie." Missy said to Maggie, but the young mare lingered. Though she'd promised herself she wouldn't look upon the headstone of Maggie Pumpkin, Maggie Holden could not help herself. She approached the monument where she found an inscription, but what it said is unimportant. Maggie began to weep as her eyes moved over the words, then her weeping became a heart-wrenching sob. Gabriel took her in his arms, then Missy joined her husband as the equine parents led their daughter away.

Shelton drew near to read what was inscribed upon the stone, 'Here lies a Heroine of Buckley.'

Justin appeared behind the pony to rest his chin on Shelton's head, "Poor Maggie,"

"Justin?"

The pair nodded to Mayalee as she approached. "I have something for you."

The animals gathered around, looking on as Mayalee offered Justin a medium-sized wooden box. She opened it to reveal a large brown feather. "This feather was gifted to me a long time ago, it belonged to King Octavius."

Justin's eyes sparkled, "Oh,"

She placed the lid back upon the box. After a moment's hesitation, Mayalee tucked it into Justin's shoulder bag. He smiled gently, "You treasured that feather, didn't you?"

"More than you can know,"

Justin touched his beak to the box, "I know we're going to see Ibiza again. And when we do, I'll get you a replacement feather, after she makes my dad alive again."

Mayalee hugged Justin's broad chest, "Princess Olivia was my hero, Justin. I'm so happy that you're here, and that I can know who you are."

Justin brushed her with his wing, "This isn't the end, Mayalee! We'll see Ibiza again, I promise you! Then we can all play dragon-wrangler, and eat weird foods and everything."

She laughed! "Heartburn, here we come!"

The four avatar familiars bid the horses 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, and with a final glance at Herald's grave, they departed. As they drove away, Missy and her family bore the inheritance of The Flying Mantuan.

'He was real,' Missy thought, 'And nobody would ever believe it.'

She glanced back at her children, watching as Shelton and Shelly both squeezed their support for their sister. Maggie sighed, "He really was the closest thing I ever had to a father."

Gabriel glanced back at her. "Gimme time, I'm working on it."

She chortled, and felt so very happy to be with her new family. Her true family, "Thanks, dad."

Gabriel smiled back at her as they left Buckley behind and made their way west. Soon they crossed Telegraph Road, and made the familiar right turn onto Forest Drive. When at last they settled into their driveway, Missy noted a package resting against the front door. "Anyone order anything?"

"Nope." Shelton replied, knowing he'd be the one suspected of spending money he didn't have. Missy stepped from the wagon and made her way to the door to inspect the box. "Huh," she said, her eyes moving over the flowery writing emblazoned across the addressee line, "It's for you, Maggie."

Maggie took the box and was shocked to see it addressed to Maggie Pumpkin! She gingerly shook it, "I have no idea what it could be!"

"Looks like a book!" Shelton said, "Open it!"

She did, and squeaked with surprise when her old boxing portrait emerged from the mailer! Gabriel exclaimed; "Wow! That's you! Your old portrait!"

The boxer looked about, "Herald! If you did this, thank you!!"

Overjoyed, the animals filed inside to find a suitable place to hang Maggie's portrait, but when they looked upon Ibiza's drawing, the dragon was no longer looking slightly to the left. Her eyes now gazed straight out from the canvas, smiling with mischief.

Shelton reached out to gently touch the drawing, silently begging the dragon to spring out from the paper and be with him again. Gabriel touched the pony's shoulder, squeezing his support. Shelton sighed as he smiled to Maggie, "Can I see the box?"

She handed him the container her portrait'd been mailed in. "Herald didn't do this," Shelton declared, "This is Rosemary's writing."

Shelton nodded to the dragon's portrait, then tucked the note Rosemary'd given him onto one of the nearby frames. He shuffled off to his room, leaving his family looking after him. Gabriel took the note from the frame, then settled down on the sofa. Gingerly, he unfolded it, "Heh!" he cried, "Shelton, come here!"

The pony rushed over as Gabriel showed him the note, "Look!"

The note now read: 'My love, look for me on Midwinter Day.'

Shelton cupped his hand over his mouth as his father waved his arms, "See boy! I told you she'd be back!"

The others looked upon the note and marveled, as Gabriel danced a happy jig. Then, he placed the note back on the frame with joyous reverence. A heavy wind blew upon the front window, startling the horses. Shelly glanced about with her sightless eyes, then shuffled off to her room. Maggie followed, exhausted by the events of the day. Shelton slipped into his own room, then restlessly paced the thin section of floor free of clothing and other odd things. He passed time watching a movie on his small television, then paced the room a bit more. Outside, the wind continued to blow, bringing with it snow and freezing rain. Shivering, Shelton curled up in his bed, "Ibby, can't you come and see me now? Or grandma? If she's with you, I'd sure like to see her, too."

He closed his eyes as the home creaked in the wind, "I miss you,"

Outside Shelton's bedroom, Ibiza listened to the pony gently drift off to sleep, but she became startled by Rosemary Barter's sudden arrival, 'Did you get the feather?'

"Yes-" Ibiza began, but she was silenced by the nervous horse, 'Use your thought! Do not speak aloud!'

Ibiza pushed Rosemary's hand from her muzzle, 'Be calm, sister. We are nearly ready to reveal ourselves.'

'Yes! But not now!'

The dragon shook her head as she began to silently heave. 'What are you doing?' Rosemary asked.

'I have no pockets, sister,' the dragon replied as she coughed up the wooden box Justin'd been gifted.

"Ugh!" Rosemary chuffed, but she too was silenced by a paw across her muzzle. Rosemary took the feather, 'I must go, the dragon is now in Shannonvale.'

'Do you wish me to accompany you?'

Rosemary hesitated, 'Thank you, but no,' she glanced at Shelton's door, 'Keep watch on our ponies, I'll be back as soon as it is done.'

'Thank you, sister,' the dragon replied.

Far away, Octavius d'Shannonvale wandered the ridge line above his home. The avian ghost walked amongst a stand of trees, watching with fascination as bright silver lights flickered on down through the snow. Around him, the elms and maples argued about who was responsible for the weather, 'This isn't right,' Octavius murmured, 'Something is off balance.'

Seeking a diversion, he conjured an image of his home where he'd delight in Ashley's chiming voice, Eleanor's regal calls, and Justin's booming outbursts, but the image died away as the night closed in around him.

'It's hard when they go to bed,' said the part of him that was Tristan Brightwing. Octavius solemnly nodded, 'Ibiza suggested I was the stronger one! To think you existed this way for months, after your untimely death. I don't know how you shouldered such loneliness, Tristan.'

The avian spirit waited silently. He waited for the night to be over. He whiled away the hours, waiting for his loved ones to wake and return to him. A black shadow passed him in the night, but Octavius was too distraught to take note, 'Octavius! Look at the lights!'

The king found a gathering of bright golden sparks above his head. These strange sparks of light beckoned to him, and he felt compelled to follow their lead, 'Tristan, I feel you should assume control of our identity.'

'Octavius, if these are what I think they are, you should go! You're a better father than I ever was! Go and see where these sparks lead us!'

Octavius smiled inwardly, and thanked his modern identity. He pushed off after the lights, and they flashed out before him, leading the king to the rocky bluff overlooking his home. "Greetings, Octavius," said a raspy, dark brown voice.

"Ibiza? Is that you?"

A golden dragon stepped from the shadows. Octavius was stunned by a fiery tiara that hovered above her head, it's flames flashing out tiny sparks of guiding lights with every pulse of the dragon's heart. Her eyes bore bright golden disks that hovered within a velvety blackness as beautiful as the night sky. Octavius felt his inner light shimmer with awe, "Forgive me, I mistook you for Ibiza."

"Nay, I am not she, but perhaps you know my name?"

He tightened his mandible, "I should think you're all of the dragons, made into a singular being, whom Mayalee refers to as Hades."

"Am I everything you'd hoped for?"

Unsure of what exactly was going on, the king carefully nodded, "Perhaps, but I think the more pressing question is; are you everything you hoped for?"

The dragon laughed, then beckoned to him, "It seems your lights have led you to me. Perhaps I am to right a past wrong, hmm?"

"My lady, I thought you'd embarked upon a path of seclusion?"

"My love, never shall I hide myself from spirits in their time of need. Ever shall I be there for them."

He smiled, then bowed his head, "Is my time at hand, then?"

"Yes, Octavius."

He smiled bravely, "Might I linger till morning? I'd like to bid my family farewell on this Midwinter Day."

"My love, this is not a farewell!" She stepped near, "Climb inside my mouth, Octavius."

He shied away from the creature as her presence became oddly menacing. Annoyed, the dragon urgently gestured to her maw, "Hurry! My presence here is only temporary, I may only linger a little while!"

'How will she remake my body? She has no trace of my long-dead form!' His shadowy outline shook with anxiety, "P-please, may I see my family?"

The goddess of death stilled her frustration, "Octavius, will you trust me?"

He gazed into the dragon's eyes, "Yes. . . yes, I will."

She bowed her head as he smiled to the bright golden lights that shimmered above him. Mustering his courage, he climbed into the dragon's mouth. Inside, the avian king suddenly found himself in Westvale Palace. He blinked, completely surprised by the familiar location. There, he found the equine mare Rosemary Barter who offered him a goblet of brandy, "Have a drink?"

"Have I returned to life?"

Rosemary smiled, "I requested your consciousness be brought here, as the process of corporeal reformation might be unpleasant for you."

Octavius dipped his beak into the brandy, "Thank you."

She smiled, then poked about the finely appointed chamber, "I've always liked the dignified embellishments of your home, you should endeavor to return to such a role."

Sensing he was about to be propositioned, he asked; "What role might that be?"

Rosemary moved to a side table, upon which sat Justin's box, "Your spirit shall be awake," she said, opening the box to reveal Octavius' brown feather, "You'll be endowed with the ability to see and hear spirits..." Octavius glanced at the feather as it began to move, "You are under no obligation to return the favor that is being gifted to you, but I would ask you to step into Herald's role, at least for a little while. I never understood just how valuable he was, until he was gone."

Confused, Octavius bowed a courtesy, "I understand, what might I do?"

The box now contained an organic paste.

"I'm powerful, Octavius... but I cannot be everywhere. I need spiritual guides, those who might help wayward ghosts. I would bid you help them, then bear them to me."

"And where shall you be?"

She closed the box, "Why, I'll be moving in with the Holden family!"

He chortled, "The young lad will be most happy!"

"Will he? He'll have his old cranky granny moving in! Keeping him on his chores, and making sure he brushes his teeth!"

Octavius understood that this was Ibiza's compromise, "You'll appear as Rosemary in the mortal world, and the dragon Ibiza in the spiritual realm."

"Precisely,"

The pair was quiet for a moment as Octavius thought back on the old sea captain, 'And now I succeed him. I'll walk his path with one foot in the mortal world, and the other in the spiritual realm.'

"How is Herald?"

Rosemary smiled gently, "His husband now cares for him. All of Herald's hurts shall be washed away, in time."

He dipped his beak into the brandy, "My lady, won't my return be met with surprise?"

She smirked, "The coming months shall hold many surprises for the animals of land! I'd do well to have a leader like you close at hand!"

Octavius knelt to sip again from his goblet, but found it empty. Rosemary took the goblet and placed it on a side table, "I must leave you now, but I trust you'll be well."

"Thank you, Rosemary. Thank you for everything."

She touched her hand to his chest, imparting a warm feeling of light and heat, "I'll see you again, soon."

"My lady, I am confused."

"Yes?" she asked.

"Yon dragon appeared more than capable of maintaining control, why do you require my assistance?"

Rosemary frowned, "I fear there is more work to be done before all is as it should be. Have patience, Octavius."

"Very well,"

Suddenly, the illusion was undone! Octavius found himself in the snow, coughing and sputtering but very much alive! Around him, the trees hailed his coming and exalted the presence of the singular deity. "No, she's not a singular being, but a duality," he paused to marvel at the odd scent of brandy on his breath, "She is Ibiza Pushpath, goddess of the spirit world..." his mandible clacked with relieved laughter, "And she is Rosemary Barter, Shelton Holden's cranky old granny!"

---

In Aurora, Rosemary Barter returned to the Holden family's home. Now clad in a gleaming white gown emblazoned with pretty daisies and colorful honey bees, she bid the door open and made her way inside.

She found her alter ego looking out from her portrait, 'Hello, sister. Thank you for tending to Octavius.'

Rosemary moved to her portrait to deliver a kiss to the dragon's cheek. Then, she laid a hand upon Herald's wheel. Smiling gently, Rosemary went to the kitchen to fetch a glass from the cabinet. She was joined by Ibiza. 'Take care stepping from your portrait!' Rosemary said, taking a cookie from a bowl on the counter. She reached out, absently stuffing it into the dragon's mouth.

She filled her glass with almond milk, then took a swig, chasing down the crumbs from Ibiza's cookie. The dragon loitered for a moment before Rosemary bid her sit, 'It'll be a few minutes before Maggie wakes, you may as well join me.'

'You'll not wake her?' Ibiza asked.

'This family shall be stuck with me for a great long while, might as well let them sleep.'

The dragon nodded. Rosemary smirked at her, then stuffed another cookie into Ibiza's mouth. 'You seem troubled, sister.'

Rosemary shrugged, 'You know what's coming, wouldn't you be troubled?'

'We must trust in the plan, and in Hades. She knows what must be done.'

'I don't know if I can put this family through another ordeal! Just for the sake of walking openly! I feel so awful!'

Ibiza touched her paw to Rosemary's knee, 'We must trust in the plan.'

'Right,' Rosemary replied, nervously wringing her hands, 'Well, we have Octavius now! That is splendid! But it'll take him some time to become adjusted to his role. In the meantime, we need to prioritize all of the things that will happen, and then deal with each issue as it arises.'

'Yes,' Ibiza agreed.

'I haven't a shred of organizational skills,' Rosemary chuffed, 'If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!'

'What of the trees?' Ibiza said, 'The weather of the world worsens, while they cling to past offenses. They should be convinced to resume their duties.'

Rosemary glanced at her glass of almond milk, 'Benjamin Almond! He should be our next recruit! The trees will be like putty in his hands!'

Ibiza became excited, "Oh! Yes!"

'Shhhh!' Rosemary hissed.

The little dragon clasped her paws over her snout. Just when it seemed that no one'd been disturbed, a door opened along the hall. Rosemary cast a stern but amused glance at her alter ego before she greeted Maggie Holden, "Hello, love."

Maggie went to the goddess and hugged her, "Shelton is going to be so happy!"

"Yes, now keep your voice down!"

Maggie sat beside Ibiza who smiled with child-like delight, "Isn't this exciting!"

"I knew you'd come back!" Maggie whispered rather loudly, "I'm so happy!"

"Yes, well, you're not rid of me that easily," Rosemary said, taking a sip of her milk.

Maggie nodded, "Did you see Herald? Is he alright?"

"He's fine, love."

Something in the goddess' eyes compelled Maggie to take Rosemary's hand, "Are you okay?"

"You know, I was supposed to do all of the things you've done in your past lives."

Maggie arched her brow, "Oh?"

"I was supposed to be Olivia's mentor, and the scientist," she took another sip of her milk, "Then, the police inspector. Somehow, you stepped in to fill those roles."

"Wow," Maggie breathed, "Are we all that connected to one another?"

Rosemary nodded, "Herald was right, each of us is related in some way to the other members of our fellowship."

Maggie's gaze became far away as she recalled a recent dream; "I think Herald looks in on me, now and again. Somehow, I feel he isn't too far away."

Ibiza cuddled up against Maggie's leg as Rosemary turned to the dragon, "Alright! Back to your drawing! Visiting time is over!"

Maggie watched as the cranky horse ushered the dragon back to her portrait. Ibiza leapt into the empty canvas, her golden scales becoming graphite and paper as she resumed her place.

"Try and get some more sleep," Rosemary said to Maggie. "Hey," Maggie replied, "I feel like you're rushing out of here, is everything alright?"

Rosemary smiled gently, "Just know that I love you, sweetie. I love you so much."

Maggie chortled, "I love you too! Okay, I'll see you later?"

"Yes, see you later, now back to sleep!"

The boxer retired to her room, but after a moment she opened her door, hoping to catch sight of Rosemary again. 'She's gone, something tells me I should get used to that.'

With a sigh, Maggie lay back on her bed and returned to sleep. Hours later, she popped awake. Maggie rose to find snow visible at the base of the windows. Emerging from her room, Maggie went to the kitchen, hoping to find some evidence of Rosemary's visit, 'No dirty glass,' she thought, remembering for a moment that Rosemary'd been drinking a glass of milk, 'Huh, it couldn't have been a dream!'

Shelton joined his sister in the kitchen, "Hey."

"How did you sleep?" Maggie asked, taking a seat beside him. He drew a breath to answer but became distracted by Shelly as she moved along the hall. Shelton pulled out a seat so Shelly could home-in on it's location.

Maggie smiled to her sister, "Morning!"

"Get me some milk," Shelly said rather curtly. Shelton went to stand but was pushed back down by Maggie. The boxer pointed at herself as she winked to Shelton. He smiled, and sent out a warm glow of thanks.

"So," Shelton said, "Just a few more days to the holiday! Do you think Ibiza will show?"

"Oh, I think so," Maggie said, opening the refrigerator, "We seem to be out of milk, want to go walk in the snow and buy some?"

Shelly stood, "Let me go get my boots."

"Grab me an extra pair?" Maggie asked, "I'm sure they'll fit!"

"Heh," Shelton chuffed. After Shelly'd gone, he cupped his hand over Maggie's arm, "Did you see Ibiza last night?"

"I think it might have been a dream," Maggie said, "But even so, I think she's not far away."

Shelly returned with a pair of boots. Maggie took them with a nicker, slipped them on. Filing outside, the siblings found the air crisp and invigorating!

Tromping through the thick carpet of white, the horses made it out onto Forest Drive. Shelton paused every now and again to make a snow ball, which he'd half-heartedly throw, "I wish Herald could have held on for just two more weeks, Midwinter Day is almost here."

Maggie patted his shoulder, "I'm sorry, Shelton. I guess Herald was like his tree, so old that without any magic to hold him up, he came crashing down."

Shelton nodded, "I might have latched onto Herald as a substitute for Ibiza, that wasn't fair to him."

"Careful Shelton," Shelly nickered, "You're sounding rather mature."

Maggie squeezed the pony's shoulder, "Herald always wanted children, Shelton. In a way you let him experience what it might have been like to have a son, if only for a few weeks."

"Yeah," Shelton said.

Shelly sighed, then lay her head on her sister's shoulder, "How do you feel, Maggie?"

"Alive," Maggie nickered, "I feel so alive!"

---

The Sparks of an Ancient Light is dedicated to my Mom and Dad, and to my brother Don.

It was written by Chris Sawyer in (c) 2016.