Summersea Saga

by crosseyedbutterfly

Sequel to Twisted Tortallain Tale! This time, our fav group of teens are sent to Summersea...and it's crazy boy mage who runs things behind the scenes! Chapter 22 up!

19. ,

Wow...it feels like forever since I've written for this story. And it kind of has been, hasn't it? Sorry for the long wait, guys, I haven't even had time this summer to update what's supposed to be my regular story more than once though so it's not like I've just been lazing about. If you've forgotten what happened thus far (like I did : P) you might want to go reread chapter 18 just to refamiliarize yourself with the story line thus far and such. Thanks to those of you who still reviewed, you are my most loyal and faithful fans!! And now, I present to you after a long, exhausting wait: Chapter 19 of Summersea Saga.

Chris woke up earlier than usual, getting out of bed and pulling on a shirt over his wrinkled pants as he shuffled over to the ladder and slid down it quietly. Coming to the counter, he found a pot of coffee already made with an empty mug in the sink, a slice of the bread they'd made last night and a couple of sausages and rounds of cheese gone as well. Turning to the table were Briteyes usually sat in the morning, he was surprised to find it empty and the blankets before the fire folded up neatly with a note pinned to the top.

"Hey, Chris!" called Cam from above, scampering down the ladder a few moment's later as he hurriedly tucked his shirt in. "Would you mind if I...where's Brite?"

Chris frowned as he walked over to the blankets, picking them up as he checked in the corner and found all of her usual belongings cleared out as well. "I dunno..."

"But...she has to be here, right?" Cam looked around, hurt filing his eyes as did disappointment. "I was gonna go with her again today around town!"

"Go with whom?" Kristen appeared at the bottom of the steps, as grumpy as usual as it wasn't noon yet. "And where's Amanda? I want her to lend me Silven for the day..."

"You're too late for that," murmured Chris, handing her the note with his jaw set.

"Why? What is this?" Kristen scanned the bit of parchment, her eyes narrowing as she did. "Oh, no she did NOT!"

"She did," replied Chris quietly as he scooped up a handful of coppers and a few silver crescents. "Here's what she left to pay for the food she took, just like it says."

"No! She was supposed to stay here, with us, where it's safe..."

"Where's my cousin?" asked Cam, becoming increasingly agitated as two of the only adults he looked up to looked at each other in equal parts of anger and worry.

"We don't know," admitted Chris with a shrug as he pocketed the coins and moved to put the blankets back in the closet. "She's gone off to wander again."

"Why??"

"Wish I knew," replied Kristen quietly. "I thought she was happy here. And it wasn't like she was a burden to us, we could handle another two or three mouths if we had to."

"Well come on!" Cam ran for his shoes, lacing them up as he looked at the pair expectantly. "She can't have gone far, and maybe we can convince her to come back home!"

"Cam, I don't know if-"

knock knock

Everyone paused as Cam got up and answered the door, their visitor hidden to the rest of the room as he conversed with whom ever it was quietly.

"Kristen," he called after a moment over his shoulder. "It's for you, I guess."

"Who is it?" she replied, the note momentarily forgotten as she smoothed her clothes out of habit incase it was a customer.

"That one guys servant, the one who won't leave you alone. He says it's urgent."

"Gees, not him again..." She went to stand beside Cam, nodding courteously to the caller though she wondered with some trepidation what he could want. "Good day, sir, what can I do for you?"

"His lordship the Baron requests your presence at the ball in honor of his brother's birthday," announced the servant with the air of the utmost importance as he handed her the scroll.

"A ball, huh?" asked Chris as he came up behind her, crossing his arms over his chest. "Sounds like it might be fun..."

The servant cleared his throat, giving him an icy look. "The invitation is for the lady Kristen ONLY, Trader." He spat the last word out like a curse.

"Tell the Baron I will consider his offer," stated Kristen firmly as she gave Chris as quelling look as he tried to advance on the servant. "Good day."

"But, milady, he-"

SLAM

"That was racist is what that was," muttered Chris as he turned his back on the door, his jaw still set in a frown. "Bigot..."

"Are you gonna go?" asked Cam as he sidled up along side Kristen, reading the scroll over her shoulder.

"Not sure yet, but we've got other things to worry about," she replied as she tossed it on the table carelessly. Giving him a grin, she pulled on her boots and grabbed her light cloak. "Let's go find Amanda, ok?"

"Alright!"

"Look for this sign," said Cheeks as he held up a bright red bit of yard wound around a twig. "There'll be a trap under those tree roots if you find one. And be careful, if there is something in it you don't want it to break free."

"Yeah, yeah, we know..." Libby stuck out her bottom lip, holding Pinky close to her chest.

"You better be keeping an eye out, though," warned Brenner with a shrug as she motioned to the woods around them. "You're the one with the sling, don't forget."

"Believe me, I now."

Hours passed as they scoured the woods together, finding absolutely nothing alive for seemingly miles around as they tramped along tiredly. Finally, reaching what they assumed was the far edges of their property, and with nothing to show for it, Cheeks located the last trap and began to kneel by it quietly.

"Don't even bother, there's probably nothing there," grumbled Libby as Pinky moved up to her shoulder, sitting there blinking boredly.

"We could have some rabbit stew tonight, if you'd let us," commented Cheeks roughly as he pulled back the leaf cover, doing so slowly so as to not startle anything that might be in there

"You're not eating Pinky!"

"We won't have to," said Brenna gratefully as Cheeks suddenly pulled out a skinny little rabbit by its ears. "That's kinda sad, though, hours of searching and that's all we could come up with...it won't last more than a meal."

"It's better than nothing." Cheeks shoved it in his haversack, setting the trap once more in hopes of catching another later on. "Come on, let's go home."

Briteyes paused at a rise overlooking the fair city of Summersea, chewing on a bit of bread and cheese as her breakfast as Silven snuggled around her neck.

{The other's aren't going to be happy with you} commented the squirrel as she flicked her tail lightly. {In fact, they'll probably be downright pissed.}

"I couldn't just stay there forever," replied Briteyes sadly, turning away as she began to walk down the road once more. "My dreams still haunt me, and I have to figure out what it all means. We're lucky Chris was the only one who saw that one night, if it had been any of the others there's no way we would've been able to leave..."

{I still say you should've told them all the truth} put in Silven, rubbing her ears thoughtfully.

"What truth, that I can't remember what the heck happened to me during the majority of what I think was my first two years here and I got the absolute crap beat out of me and ended up dying?" The performer snorted as she drew up her hood and put her mask in place. "No, things are better this way."

{For you maybe} cut in the squirrel, a mournful note in her voice. {I liked being pampered and scratched all the time...and I can't say much for your choice of timing. Right in the dead of winter is not when I would choose to take on a wander lust."

"Getting a little too into the role of the squirrel, now, aren't we?" said Briteyes teasingly, ignoring the latter remark.

{Excuse me for taking advantage of the fact that everyone things I'm a simple animal} replied her fuzzy friend in mock anger. {Especially with that big guy, Chris, it was so much fun just to screw with his head...}

"He's the only one who still thinks you're just an animal, actually," murmured her companion in amusement. "I wonder how long that's gonna last."

{Who knows...}

Falling into an easy silence, they walked on until they reached a cross roads of sorts.

"Which sounds better to you, Lanville or Laurel Grove?" asked Briteyes, reading the signs as she paused beneath them.

{What's the third way?}

"Back towards the temple. We're not going there right now, especially after we just slipped away a few weeks ago."

{You seem to do that a lot...}

"Yeah, well...which way?"

{Laurel Grove.}

"The place of flowers it is, my fuzzy friend."

{I'm not fuzzy} huffed Silven, twitching her tail in irritation. {Just...covered in fur.}

Briteyes laughed, setting one foot in front of the other as they went to discover another place, and possibly what it was the drove the performer to wander endlessly.

Bryanna, Olivia, and Randy sat side by side out in a side chamber, dressed in mages robes that Alyse and Landon had lent to them as they waited for their time of judgment.

"Are you sure this was a good idea?" whispered Randy, fiddling with his belt nervously as his newly-cut hair stayed out of his eyes for the first time in awhile. "I mean, that Niko guy said he'd help up but how can we know for sure..."

"He's going to," said Bryanna simply, keeping her hands folded in her lap as she forced herself to remain calm and collected. "He gave us his word that he would."

"And the other mages with him believed us," added Olivia convincingly. "Alyse wouldn't have just turned us over to the dogs, that's hardly in her best interests when everyone has to be present to return home, right?"

"Well, we don't actually know what happens when someone dies," admitted Bryanna after a few moments of thought, shrugging as she did. "There've been close calls from what I remember, but as to what would have to occur if one of us were to lose our lives...I just don't know."

Randy snorted, clenching his hands into fists as he looked down at his feet. "That's not very reassuring."

"They're ready for you."

Three pairs of eyes looked up to see Nikolaren Goldeneye standing in the doorway, giving them a reassuring look as they stood and followed him to a bench before the grand counsel of mages.

"State your name, rank, and avenue of magic," ordered the head of the counsel, and elder man swamped by his black robes though his eyes were still as sharp as ever regardless of how decrepit his body had become. "Niko, if you would please."

"Of course." All three were bathed in a silver glow, the Master mage behind them keeping his eyes concentrated on them as they stood in turn and recited the specified information.

"Olivia, journeyman, ice mage."

"Bryanna, journeyman, healer."

"Randy, journeyman, light mage and illusionist."

"All are satisfied that they are the accused, aye?"

The entire panel answered as one, for Niko's spell had not wavered once nor had it changed colors as it will in the presence of a lie.

"Aye."

"Then we will proceed. Olivia, stand and recount to us the experience as you remember them during those times. Start specifically with the part you mentioned in your written testimonies as right before you met the Unmagic Master."

"Yes, sir." She stood, waiting patiently for Niko to place her under his truthspell once more before she began. "My two companions and I left our last teacher and in hopes of finishing our credits sooner decided to visit that particular teacher on the map right away as he was the closest at the time..." And so it began, telling of their strange greeting upon arrival and of their differing opinions of him at the time.

"Why did you, of all of them as a mage of light, enjoy his presence as one who was saturated in the darkness the most?" queried one of the other panelists when Randy stood up to speak.

"I don't know," he admitted with a shrug, the spell never wavering over him as he continued. "Whether it was because of his spells or my own stupidity, we can't say for sure, but if I'd known truly the harm my actions would have caused I never would have agreed to help him so."

"Hindsight is always crystal clear," commented one of the others, a bitter note in his voice. "However, why did you not stay and stand trial?"

"We were scared," he said simply with a shrug. "Scared, and alone. No one would tell us what was going on, we were treated like animals for the most part. What were we supposed to think? All we knew was on the third day, something was going to happen to us and it was likely not going to be pretty. So we escaped and made a run for it, hoping to find the man who'd put all this on us and get him to clear our names."

"That wasn't an incredibly well-thought plan."

"We weren't going for well-thought as much as saving our lives," shot back the light mage, crossing his arms in irritation. "We'd been framed, and we wanted out."

And so it continued, every detail that was relevant about the entire trip being dragged out into the open until it appeared they'd questioned the trio enough to satisfy their doubts and as one the panel of mages stood.

"We have decided," said the head of the counsel, nodding to all present. "These three who stand before us today did not knowingly submit to the teachings of or willingly participate in the distribution of the unmagic. The one, Randy, who kept the one medallion with him, though he willingly disobeyed the orders of his companions did not understand the true implications of the device and was merely attempting to hold on to part of the Master who for some reason was dear to him. As such a crime was still committed, you, Randy, are sentenced to forever hold the title Journeyman for as long as you live. Your two companions may advance to Master hood as their abilities allow them, but you have shown poor judgment and an inability to handle the responsibility that would come with such a title. All other charges are here by dropped, though and your names cleared from the criminal records. That is the final word of the Counsel of Mages. We are adjourned."

"That's so not fair!" cried Randy as the mages in the room began to stand and leave, giving his two companions looks of disbelief. "Me? Irresponsible?! The nerve!"

Bryanna rolled her eyes as Olivia just chuckled lightly. "Come on," said the ice mage, leading the way towards the door. "It's not so bad, Randy. Who cares if you'll never get higher or not? And think about it this way: we're finally free."

The three unmagic hunters tracked down the trio of student mages as soon as they saw the meeting was breaking up, dressed in their usual black and gray uniforms. Spotting them off to one side of the giant hall with Niko at their side, they grinned to each other as they hurried over.

"I see it turned out alright for you," said Landon as he pounded Randy on the back, getting a suspicious look in return.

"What, you didn't know if it would or not?!" cried Randy, looking more than a little distressed.

"Well, we thought the information provided would be convincing enough but we never knew for sure," replied Revlis with a shrug.

"They are the senior counsel of mages," added Alyse with a slight shrug. "And really, there's absolutely nothing we could have done about it if they'd decided not to believe you."

"I doubt the mage's counsel will ever grow so narrow-sighted," commented Niko a bit acidly. "Everything turned within these three's favor, and there is no longer a need to talk of what has transpired over the last few months or even days."

"Yeah, and while you three have been given a 'holiday' of sorts here until Lightsbridge calls for you again, we three have to get back to work," put in Landon lightly. "Enjoy your time here while you can."

"You're not staying with us?" replied Bryanna, looking a little surprised. "But I though...?"

"We can't, we a job to do and you can't come with us," explained Alyse in a low voice a she gave them a slight smile. "Don't worry, even if you don't know where we are we'll always be able to get in touch with you if we need to. All you need to do is concentrate on whatever task is set for you next, and leave the fighting in the shadows to us, ok?"

"I'd rather stick with you, personally, but if you insist," muttered Olivia, looking slightly disappointed. "We've been used to living on the edge for awhile now, going back to a normal routine is gonna get old real fast."

"I don't think you'll have to stay that way for long," Revlis assured her uneasily. "Things have been picking up a little...we'll call you if we need anything."

"What if we need you? How are we supposed to find you?" asked Randy sarcastically. "That's all real nice that you'll call us if we need a hand but leaves us with only a few options if the situation goes the opposite way."

"Take this, then." Landon tossed a medallion at him, similar to the one he'd worn before but with a cross on the front and some words in another language on the back that he couldn't read. "Any town with a tavern or inn that has the symbol of a black predator, give this to the owner and say you want to talk to a messenger. They should be able to get you what you need."

"Alright..." Randy put it in his pocket, still wary of the whole thing. "So...we'll be seeing you, then?"

"Eventually." Alyse handed over a pouch of gold that Bryanna accepted in surprise. "Keep yourselves out of trouble. Bye."

"Ok, bye."

"See ya."

"Later..."

Their words still hung in the air when they could no longer see the three hunters, for they had disappeared like smoke into the crowd around them.

"Come on," said Niko, who acted like none of the past conversation had just occurred and probably hadn't understood the majority of it for that matter. "Let me show you to your temporary quarters and get you some proper student robes again. Can't have you showing up at the school in commoner's robes, hm?"

Bryanna smiled, feeling like a huge burden had been lifted from her chest as they walked outside, free to roam as they pleased without fear of being chased ever again. "Of course not."

Jennifer strolled along the beach at the port where they were now staying, Nicole riding on her shoulder hidden among folds of her cloak as they spoke quietly.

"Oi, I don't think I've been off the ship in a couple of months," said Nicole with a sigh as she enjoyed the salty breeze and lack of movement as Jenny stopped and leaned against a pile of rocks to admire the sunset of the sea.

"None of us have," laughed Jenny as she took a seat there in the sand, the rocks making a fine backrest as Nicole jumped off and stretched her legs a bit.

"Everyone was let off board for a least a little while last week except me," shot back the incensed nymph with a sigh.

"Yeah, well, there isn't really anything you can do for us in the city," Jenny reminded her as usual. "People are sent in to buy things, to hire carpenters, to sell items, to barter for other goods....you can't really do any of that, Nicole."

"Not my fault..."

"I know, still not much I can do about it."

Nicole wandered around a bit, smiling when she saw a conch shell much like the one Trevor had show her only to scowl when she recalled who he had found it with. "Hey...Jenny?"

Her captain glanced down at the only crew mate who addressed her by her first name ever. "Yeah, Nicole?"

"Do you think I'm worthless as a nymph?"

Jenny looked down, completely caught of guard. "What?! Worthless?! Hardly, who else gets us from port to port safely? Not me, I can't even steer the ship."

"Yeah, but while we're at port there's practically nothing for me to do," muttered Nicole, kicking the sand in a huff. "Nothing that I'm good at..."

"You mean nothing for you to do that Trevor will notice you for," coughed Jenny with a grin.

"..." Nicole just looked away, pouting slightly.

"If I may point something out..." Jenny frowned, shrugging as she did. "You're six inches tall. I love you like a sister, but it's not like Trevor is going to randomly one day become six inches tall just like you."

"Doesn't mean I can't dream."

"Be careful what you wish for, though. It just might come true."

"Because I'm too nice to say no..."

Those same words haunted Kristen's mind as she allowed herself to be moved with the other guests into the grand hall, each on presented to the Baron and his visiting brother who's birthday was the occasion of the day's festivities. Dressed modestly in a simple, but still beautiful green gown that brought out the color of her eyes with her hair piled on top of her head and just a touch of the facepaint that the dressmaker had lent to her out of a desire to blend it, it had just the opposite effect of that. More than a few heads had turned at her entrance into the receiving hall, and she wondered if she'd dressed inappropriately or there was something wrong with her appearance as she waited to be presented along with the rest.

"My lord Baron!" called the same servant as she stepped up to the top of steps when it was her turn. "The Lady Kristen of Summersea!"

Seeing as there were no others holding in Summersea other than the Baron who lived in the citadel that was an obvious indication that she was either a merchant born or lower. There were a few such as the Baron who had invited her tonight who's titles included only that and no land to speak of, but there were no single ladies in a such a position at the moment and she would've been chased by every single man wishing to improve their station for twenty miles around if that had been the case. Seeing some turn their noses up at such a titling, she merely held her head high and carefully made her way down the steps to the bottom where the Baron rose quickly to meet her with open arms, beckoning his brother to do the same.

"My fair lady!" he cried, flushing as she curtsied properly at the edge of the dais where they sat. "It gladdens my heart that you agreed to join us this evening! How goes things with your business?"

"As well as can be expected, Baron," she replied, nodding politely as she did.

"Very good! Brother, this is the lady I have spoken to you of those many times before!"

A man of younger years than his sibling rose from the other seat on the dais, bowing low as Kristen dropped into another curtsey out of respect rather than desire to impress. Tall and well built unlike his sibling, he had black hair pulled out of his face that likely reached to his shoulders and bright brown eyes full of mischief. "Well met, Lady Kristen, my brother has indeed espoused quite often upon your many attributes and beauty." Keeping his eyes on her own, he added, "For once, it seems he has told the truth."

"You flatter me," she said tightly, lowering her eyes as a proper guest should though she beginning to hate this more by the moment.

"Please, you must be my guest of honor tonight," said the Baron as he motioned for another chair to be brought, moving to escort Kristen to her newly designated seat though she tried desperately to decline without seemingly impolite.

"My lord, that is not necessary...I am only a common born...please, sir...it would be too great an honor."

"Nonsense, the honor is all mine! Please, Gary, continue with the introductions!"

"As you wish, my lord."

Kristen pasted a fake smile on her face, retreating back in the recesses of her mind as she zoned the majority of the rest of the introductions from her thoughts and began to devise instead the many ways she might kill the Baron without getting blamed. She had settled on daggers of ice in his heart and neck when it was finally finished and everyone moved to make room for the performers on stage. Clearing out the middle of the hall, it was not long before dance squares had formed in the area by the younger members of the group.

"I hope my brother has not bored you entirely to death," offered the Baron's brother as he sidled up alongside Kristen who had until then managed to make herself a rather well-concealed wallflower for quite some time with the Baron off talking to some of his more important guests. "Allow me to introduce myself properly, Lady Kristen. I am Sir Bradley, knight to Duke Verdis and trainer of the majority of his personal guard."

"I wasn't aware that the Duke had knights," put in Kristen, a little curious despite her dislike of the social function in general.

"We're not openly spoken of as the majority of the policing is work is done by the city guards," he explained patiently. "And the title knight is very rarely bestowed upon even his personal body guards, let alone the guards of his citadel."

"Then it must have been quite an honor for you to receive it then," commented the teacher with raised brows.

"No, it meant I was the son of a lord with no titles, land, or money to speak of," he laughed a bit sardonically. "My father, a Baron who earned his title through money rather than land, passed everything to my elder brother whom he assumed as more responsible at his time of death and left me with a pension to live off of until I was 21 and a contract to train me as a Citadel Guard."

"...oh."

"Sir Bradley, my lord the Baron requests your presence at this time," said a servant as he appeared beside the knight, tugging his shirtsleeve lightly.

"My apologies, Lady Kristen, perhaps we will be able to better acquaint ourselves with each other later on," said Sir Bradley with a bow, following the servant through the sea of bodies to where his brother stood.

"Not likely," murmured Kristen as she turned and disappeared towards the exit of the room. She'd had enough and she was going home. The baron would forgive her, he always did no matter what, and it's not like she really cared either way.

"You're going?" asked a familiar voice, her turning around to see her student standing there with a tired grin on his face.

"Yeah, sorry, tell your dad I felt sick or something."

"Sorry that you had to come," he replied ruefully. "I like ya, teach, you're a good fighter and all that....but I don't want you as a mom."

"Don't worry, I don't want you to be my son, either. No offense, but I like being single and not being a Baron's wife," chuckled Kristen in understanding.

"None taken. That, and my dad's a wuss." The kid shrugged as Kristen gave him an odd look. "Well, he is."

"Ok...yeah. Well, I'll see you in class tomorrow."

"Uh huh, bye!"

Wondering what his mother must've been like with the truly pathetic father he had, Kristen went outside and hailed the first public carriage that was stationed outside.

"Where to, miss?" asked the driver as he hopped down from his seat and opened the door for her.

"Home," she said simply, rattling off her address as he jumped back up into his seat and nudged the dozing horse into a steady walk. Gazing out the open side, she let her mind wander for awhile until it hit her that they should've turned a few lanes ago to head in the right direction.

"Sir," she said impatiently. "Why are we going this way? It'll take forever if you follow this to the main road..."

THUMP

Before the dress-clad combat teacher could react a short sword was at her throat, it's blade gleaming in the moonlight.

"That's cuz we're not going to your home, girlie," leered it's holder as two more figures appeared, one pressing a scented cloth over her mouth and the other holding up a length of rope. Everything started to grow hazy from there, and the last thing Kristen knew for sure was her captors had ordered the cab to speed up as she drifted off into a forced darkness.

Brenna sat with her back to the warmed stones around the fireplace, wrapping the strips of cloth more firmly about her cold hands. This was the only room of the house they were allowing themselves to heat, and even with just that they were running through the firewood they'd managed to collect with Cheeks barely able to hobble around as it was faster than they'd thought.

"Hey," said Rupal as she came and had a seat by the low flames, huddling in on herself for warmth as she stuck her frozen fingers as close as she could bare to the fire.

"Hey," came the low reply, Brenna nodding slightly as she moved onto her feet and stuffed even more rags into her tunic. "Looks like things are going real rough, huh?"

"Yeah, I'd say so..." Rupal sighed, her face thin and pale from days of being too cold and too hungry. "Brenna, either we have to get some food or we have to leave. I don't think if we stay here like this we're going to make it until spring..."

"We keep finding just enough to keep us going," cut in the plant mage, refusing to listen. "And we'll keep doing that all winter if we have to. We're not leaving."

"Cheeks is getting worse," went on the family accountant, keeping her eyes on the fire as if to firm her resolve to get through it all. "Kaitlin is thin as a ghost, Libby's feeding half her share to her bunnies who are so close to dying it's not even funny...and look at you and me. Barely alive, barely able to crawl out of bed in the morning. How much longer do you think we can go on like this?"

"As long as we have to."

"....we're not going on if we're dead."

"No one's going to die!" Even Brenna looked slightly surprised by the fierce note in her voice, sitting back down from her half-standing position that she'd risen to when she'd yelled. "Look...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled..."

"We can't stay here," cut in Rupal, rising slowly as she did and backing away towards the door. "I just don't see how we'll survive if we do..."

"We will," grumbled Brenna to herself as she leaned back against the warmed stones once more. "We're not leaving my farm. Ever."

Ben tramped through the thick snow outside in the courtyard, enjoying the cold air on his face and the way his breath came out in puffs of steam as he wandered around to the edges of the fields where he and the Master's son usually played. Stooping down, he picked up a handful of snow, rolling it into a ball before putting it back on the ground and rolling it through the snow until it was as tall as his knees. Setting it aside, he dug around behind it and made an hole all the way to the ground with the snow taken from it added to the huge ball of snow that quickly became a wall.

Artor walked out right about then, looking amused at his efforts as he stood along side the structure in puzzlement. "What are you doing, Ben?" he asked in a friendly manner.

"Making a snowfort," came the simple reply, the servant giving his master a quick grin before he ducked down into it again.

"What's it used for?"

"Snowball fights."

"Snowball fights?" Artor frowned, looking confused. "What's that, some sort of tournament?"

Ben laughed. "Sort of..." He scooped up a handful of snow, forming it into a ball before lobbing it at his companion. Artor ducked just in time, anger flashing across his face.

"Watch it, there! There are my new robes, father will be furious if I get them dirty," he snapped, folding his arms on his chest as Ben rolled his eyes while he had his back to him.

"You can't play if you're not willing to get a little dirty," replied Ben with a laugh. "And if you don't want to, I know some other servants who'd probably wait until tonight when we have everything finished to have a war with me then."

"A war, you say?" Artor unfolded his arms, looking at him curiously. "What sort of game is this, anyways?"

"This is my fort," explained Ben slowly, wondering how it could not be obvious. "These," he scooped up some more snow into a ball and tossed it into the air so it fell with a splat "Are our weapons. No fists or anything, just snow. The point is to wage a war so you can overrun your opponent's fort. I built the fort so I get to have it. You have to try and take it from me without destroying it."

"What good does that do?" scoffed Artor, looking superior once more. "It'd be so much easier just to storm and destroy it."

"Yeah, but then what would you have to defend in return?" replied cockily. "The fort provides protection, which you don't have on open ground, and if you can take it you have the advantage."

"So why do you get to start with the advantage and not me?" Artor raised his brows suspiciously, acting more the spoiled brat today than usual despite his first impression.

"Because I went and built it. Builder gets first play," explained Ben, attempting to be patient for the sake of his neck.

"That's not fair! I didn't even know we were playing it."

"Yeah, well, I guess you could come and build one before me tomorrow." Ben shrugged, trying to make amends. "One that would be custom designed for you. And then you'd get to start with that and I'd be stuck with the open ground."

"That is true...and your fort really isn't that much to speak of..." Ben ignored the slur on his fort and waited for the noble's son to make up his mind as he stood there beside his fort.

"Alright, I'll wage this war with you," said Artor after a few more moments of thought, giving Ben a sly grin as he scooped up some snow and lobbed it at him quickly. "Beginning now!"

Ben ducked, returning fire as he dove into his fort. "You're on!"

"What's that?" asked Randy as he walked into their private quarters, finding Olivia and Bryanna sitting across from each other with a bottle in between them and a goblet of red liquid in each of their hands.

"A good vintage to celebrate with, as any good victory should be!" replied Olivia with a rosy tint to her cheeks, giving him a warmer smile than usual. "You should try some of it."

"What, you're not still pissed at me for everything that happened?" he grinned dryly, about to turn around and leave again.

"Nah, we are, we're just too intoxicated to care at the moment," put in Bryanna lazily.

Randy turned back around, noting their slight unsteadiness as he walked towards, reaching for the single empty glass. "Then I think I will. How long have you two been at it already?" He dragged over another chair, sitting in between them with his feet on the table.

"Oh...however long it takes the two of us to get through half of that," giggled Bryanna, reaching for more as she drained her cup to the dregs. "Man, that's good stuff...where'd you get it again, Olivia?"

The ice mage winked, shrugging as she did. "Around somewhere."

Randy, oblivious to the look the two girls shared, nodded as if in understanding. "Pay a fair price for it?"

"Fair for us..."

The light mage laughed, his mood instantly light and merry as his face flushed slightly and he drank more of the delicious elixir. "Mm, I don't think I've ever had wine like this before. Hope they have it back home."

"They probably do it's just really expensive," commented Bryanna lightly. "This is better than anything we had at Bren's house.

"There is more were this came from, right?" asked Randy as he noted there was only a forth of the bottle left, and he only getting to his second cup.

"Yeah, I think I could do that..." Olivia was up and down the hall before he could ask from where, back again moments later with another two bottles of the same kind. "This good enough?"

Bryanna smiled as all the glasses were topped off again. "For now, it'll be plenty."

And so the three mages celebrated their victorious case in the courts of mages and their final return to freedom. With some rather interesting results in the morning as well...

Alyse and Landon walked down the now-familiar halls of the hideout where they'd first been introduced to their lives as Unmagic Hunters, nodding to the same gray-swathed guards that appeared in the halls occasionally now with familiarity rather than fear. The great hall had not changed in the least, the same controlled chaos everywhere with soldiers and mages eating and planning at the same tine on the huge tables than ran the length of the room. Making their way to the dais in the front, the same six who were there the first time they'd visited were there again, all standing as they got closer and bowing as they did the same in return.

"You have returned," said Elcarth, one of the six, as they sat as one with Alyse and Landon still standing before them. "Safe and sound, it seems, as well."

"Yes, as requested," replied Alyse steadily. "The Unmagic Master we suspected of infiltrating the Master Mages as a teacher has been exterminated, as well as the last of the taint he left behind. A huge amassing of unmagic users was dealt with and all were terminated, as well as a cache of unmagic found to the north."

"Sounds like you've been busy," commented another of the elders. "It was reported that you attended a mage's court session in Summersea. What was your purpose of lingering there?"

"We discovered the three who were charged with spreading the unmagic as students for the Unmagic Master," explained Landon quickly. "Thus, we attended their trial."

"I assume justice prevailed."

"Justice in that they were cleared of the charges and given their freedom, yes," replied Alyse sharply. "They were truth-tested and found to be innocent, as well as clear of the taint other than the overshadowing of being in the presence of it for far too long."

"How were they unaware of their actions?"

"Two did not even know the objects used for the spread of the taint were being left at their every stop, the third did not realize he left his teachers a poisoned death rather than a surprise gift." Alyse frowned, shaking her head slightly. "No, he did not realize what his actions had caused until it was much too late."

"I see...well, you have reported everything?"

Landon nodded firmly. "Yes, sir."

"Good. Rest tonight, come have breakfast with us in the morning to discuss some things and then you must be off again," said Elcarth with a note of regret in his voice. "It is a grueling pace, I know, but you are our only Seer and Destroyer right now, we cannot afford to let you rest long."

"We understand," said Alyse simply with a slight bow, trading glances with Landon before they bowed once more and left the elders seated at their table.

"I shall relish this night of sleep as much as I can," commented the sword-bearing young man as they made their way to the food line, occasionally waving to someone they recognized. "Who knows when we'll see a decent bed again after this?"

"Unfortunately," added Alyse as she took up her tray, looking over the selection of sliced breads, cheeses, and cold meats hungrily. "That is all too true."

Trevor and Talia both reported to the Captain's cabin, each wondering what they'd been called for as they met outside the door.

"I look alright?" asked Trev as he straightened his tunic, trying to tug out the wrinkles from sitting over a desk so long.

"You look fine," replied Talia, trying to comb out her wind-swept braids. "Besides, I don't know what you could be worried about. You know the Captain better than most of us do!"

"Yeah, but when we were just a small crew she didn't feel like a 'Captain', she felt more like a shipmate," he muttered, adjusting his collar as he did. "Now that there's everyone else, and she's started to take more of a command role, she feels more like a, well a..."

"A Captain?" offered Talia teasingly, as she reached over and knocked on the door.

"Yeah, that..."

"Come in!" called Jenny, both entering immediately to find her sitting behind her desk writing something down with Nicole perched on her shoulder.

"You wanted us?" inquired Trevor formally.

"Easy, you two, you're not in trouble." Jenny chuckled to herself, looking up at them as she folded the parchment and held it out towards them. "Here's your assignment. We need a translator, one who can tell us all the innuendoes of the different ways you can phrase something in other languages. Yes, I know Ma Tegan is fluent in the southern dialects of the Yajin Islands, and that all of know Common well enough to get by in a trade deal, but we've let some others slip through our fingers by not having every resource available to us. This is the contract we're offering to any takers." The tiny nymph coughed lightly, nudging Jenny in the neck. "Oh, and you're taking Nicole with you."

"Why?" Talia looked confused, and clarified, "Taking Nicole, I mean, not the translator part. I understand completely there."

"She's going to be looking for something while you're doing that," replied Jenny enigmatically, though she recalled the discussion the pair had held earlier.

'How do you know another from our world won't be there, waiting for a job like this?'

'The odds of it are so unlikely, though...'

'As unlikely as the Queen of Thieves meeting with her old friends in her own hideout? Multiple times over, I might add.'

'Ok...you have a point there...you can go, and keep your eyes open at all times!'

'Yes, ma'am!'

Talia and Trevor exchanged glances, dubious but obedient just the same. "Yes, ma'am."

"So why exactly are you coming with us?" pried Trevor once they were off the ship, letting Nicole ride on his shoulder hidden in the folds of his cloak.

"Can't tell you," she replied flatly. "Captain's orders."

"Yeah, but you could probably bend them this once..." He gave her a puppy dog look out of the corner of his eye.

"That doesn't work from this angle," she informed him callously, though she reveled in being this close to him no matter how much she might deny it later on.

"Mind moving to a position where it would more likely work?"

"Yeah, I would, I'm quite comfortable at the moment."

"Easy, you two," cautioned Talia as they entered the market place. "Can't draw attention to the nymph..."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"I have a name, you know," huffed Nicole, though she clammed up after that and kept her eyes pealed as ordered. Coming to the informant booth of everything (or so the sign claimed) they inquired about local translators who may in looking for a contract for a small fee and were given a short list of names in return. Beginning their search just before lunch, they'd visited each name by dinner and had nothing to show for it other than empty stomachs and, for Talia, a splitting head ache.

"That was a waste of an afternoon," she grumped in Tradertalk as they sat down outside a tavern, Nicole equally disappointed as she'd been unable to spot anyone that looked even vaguely familiar.

"Yeah," agreed Trevor, ordering them a couple of lemonades and propped his feet up on the bench across from them. "Think Captain'll be mad?"

"I dunno, Nicole?"

"No, she'll be annoyed at worst and tell us to get back to our posts," muttered the nymph as she wriggled in her place restlessly. Trevor chuckled unexpectedly, moving as if to scratch his neck though he held her still instead.

"Stay still," he said quietly, giving her a teasing look out of the corner of his eye. "That tickles."

"Does it now..." Nicole grinned wickedly. "Hm..."

"Excuse me, are you from the Windsor Trader ship?"

The pair of full-sized Traders looked up, seeing a young girl in her late teens standing before them dressed in fairly nice travel clothes and sea boots. "Depends," said Talia, immediately wary though she'd noted that the girl was unarmed, or not obviously so. "Who's asking?"

"A loner who's looking for her next job," admitted their visitor a tad bleakly. "Heard you were looking for a translator of sorts."

"Yeah, we are," said Trevor, kicking out the bench across from him slightly. "Have a seat. What's your name?"

"Ami." She licked her lips nervously, as if wondering if this was such a wise idea to herself. "Look, I can speak almost any language you could ask, but I don't have time to do negotiations and stuff, so if we could cut straight to chase here and you could tell me if you're still looking for one or not, I'd really appreciate it."

"We are," said Trevor quickly. "What are your terms?"

"I assume I'd have to go with you?"

"Yeah," said Talia, rolling her eyes as she did. "Kinda obvious there, hun."

"Oh, yeah...well, I just want the same pay as the rest of the crew. A place to sleep, food to eat, and enough pay to cover my basic needs and I'm set."

"Sounds too easy to me," admitted Talia suddenly. "You on the run or something, kid?"

"No," answered Ami in a growl. "And I'm not a kid, either."

Nicole, who hadn't said a word the whole time, suddenly grinned in her hiding place. Tugging on Trevor's collar, she waited until he glanced down at her and whispered so only he could hear. "Hire her. Now."

"..." He gave her a puzzled look, but after paused for a moment obeyed. "Here's the contract," he said simply, laying it on the table before her with a charcoal stick. "Take it or leave it, on your specified terms."

Talia, who looked like she wanted to protest, silenced herself when she saw Nicole pop up long enough to give her a glare. The nymph, who was the Captain's right hand gal, had spoken and they didn't much want to tick her off.

"I'll take it!" The young woman signed her name before standing quickly. "Let me get my bags, and I'll be at your ship before the next bell."

"We'd best head back too, then," said Talia a tad bit regretfully as she drank what she could of her ale and left the rest on the table. "Would be bad form for her to beat us back."

"Yep," agreed Trevor, though he seemed a little unsure of himself. "Nicole...are you sure she was the right one?"

The nymph giggled to herself, nodding in the folds of his cloak. "Positive."

Kristen woke later, unable to tell how long she'd been out or even exactly where she was as she was seated in a rather comfortable chair facing a roaring fire. The only problem was she was currently tied firmly in place, both wrists secured to a arm and each leg to a leg of the chair. Another rope had been wrapped several times about her stomach which was likely tied in the back, and she hadn't the flexibility to even think about escape. The forms she would have to fold herself into were just too painful to even consider.

The door opened as she was able to shake the last vestiges of drowsiness from her mind, a well-dressed man coming in with a worried expression on his face.

"Thank goodness you're alright!" he practically cried, quickly untying her middle and legs first, leaving her arms for last as if to make sure she wouldn't attack him. "Quickly now, I've only been able to secure a safe passage for both of us for a little while..."

"What are you talking about?!" she demanded the moment she was free, breaking away from his hold on her arm and backing away quickly. "Where am I and how are you?"

"A friend, I swear, and you are being held captive at one of strongholds of those who would do you harm," he stated quickly, looking at her as if he honestly thought she would believe his every word. "Now, listen close. After your capture, I alone who saw you being abducted followed you here and negotiated with the Master of this mansion. He promised to allow you your freedom, in exchange for only one, simple detail of your life!"

"Don't tell me he wants to marry me," deadpanned the American sarcastically. "That would be way over done..."

"No, not even that," said the man. "Though you are beautiful indeed, and would likely make a wonderful wife as well as bare him many children...." He tapered off as she gave him a cold glare. Clearing his throat, he continued. "Erm....No, he wishes only that you leave your school of combat and swear to never teach another..."

"No."

The man paused, as if unsure he'd heard her correctly. "Miss...?"

"Get out," hissed Kristen as she grabbed the first things her hand could find, a pole that was used to open and close the curtains in that room, and held it in front of her defensively. "You're no friend, and I won't be tricked like that!"

The man attempted to appear distressed, though his irritation showed in his voice and clenched fists. "Miss, please, you must listen."

"I said OUT!" Kristen swung at him swiftly, though her movements were impeded by the bulk of her dress.

"Fine." His worry turned to anger, opening the door as he turned to stalk out of it. "But let no man say that any sealed your fate other than yourself!"

The door was locked the moment he was gone, Kristen going to the single window and finding herself almost four stories above the ground facing a back wall with the sill nailed in place. Growling in anger as she sat herself in the chair once more, she tried to figure out a way of escape with what little she knew about her surroundings and plan a revenge for her captors at the same time. There had to be a way.

Brenna woke late that morning, stumbling out of bed to find Kaitlin toasting bread over the fire and Rupal and Libby sewing up the other blankets they'd dug up in the attic into usable coats and warps.

"Morning," said Kaitlin, her own slice of toast sticking halfway out of her mouth as she ate it without her hands.

"Hey," she sighed, glancing around as she scooted closer to the fire.

"Sleep well?" asked Rupal as she sucked on a bleeding finger where she'd pricked herself again.

"Yeah, well enough." She looked around, counting the group again as if in confusion.

"Toast is done!"

"Where's Cheeks?" she asked around a yawn as she sat among them, accepting her slice of bread with a grumble of thanks.

"Out," said Rupal simply.

"Out where?"

"Out getting us more food," said a voice from the front, all four turning to see him walking in with a dead chicken in one hand and a sack of flour in the other.

"Where'd you get that?!" demanded the plant mage angrily. "Don't tell me you were able to steal that when I got caught..."

"No, I worked for it," he said quickly, holding up his hands as if in self defense. "Those old folks down the road can't keep their firewood stocked. Every time I go and rebuild their stack outside their door, we get a chicken and flour or meal. It's not much, but it'll help, right?"

The tired lone male found himself surrounded in a huge group hug, Kaitlin almost crying at the thought of eating fresh MEAT again when they'd been living on bread and veggies for so long with the occasional stringy rabbit (and Libby refused to eat that most of the time).

"Thank you so much!!!"

"Such a good Cheekums..."

"Erm..." Cheeks blushed as they huggled him tighter, feeling a little claustrophobic among other things. "You're welcome."

Ben snuck out early the next day for playtime, tramping through the fresh snow to a small clearing just inside the grounds that he'd found the other day while exploring with the Master's son. Hopefully, if he was lucky, the cook wouldn't notice his absence until it was too late to call him back without possibly upsetting Artor or the Master. Both of which were to be avoided at all costs.

Quickly piling up the snow banked there, he smoothed it to be round like a pillar with a base that was wider than its top. Getting it as even as he could, the servant boy spend several moments rubbing his hands up and down the sides until he was sure it was as close to perfect as it was gonna get. Starting with a snowball, he then formed himself a globe of snow by rolling it around on the ground and letting it grow until it was a big as his head before setting it on top with the greatest of care before he began to carve shallow pictures in it. On one side it showed a squirrel and a flag, the other a butterfly and two figures standing hand in hand. At the very top he added a smaller ball, tracing around it and other parts in swirl patterns with the tips of his fingers.

"What are you doing, Ben?"

Turning around, the servant spotted his master's son and waved slightly. "Just making something," he called back.

"Well, even I can see that. What is it, though?"

Ben turned back to his creation, swallowing through the lump that had formed in his throat. "Just...a statue."

"Of what, though? I've never seen anything like it."

Of my sister and her friend, in memory of their deaths by your father... Ben shook his head slightly instead of speaking the words of his heart, though, and turned away from it with a sigh. "Oh, I dunno. What did you want to do today, though, Artor? It's a little cold to be out, you know."

"You're right there, don't know how you stand it in just that thin jacket of yours." The young man burrowed himself deeper into his thick fur scarf and wrap. "Come on. Cook'll make us some honeyed tea, and I want to try out the new game father bought me."

"Alright."

Ben cast one last look over his shoulder at the single monument he was able to put up in their death's, and one that wouldn't last more than past the next warm day or heavy snow. It wasn't much, but it was the best he could do and he knew his sister would understand were she still around to tell himself. Putting his back to it, he left it standing there in the clearing, heading for the house with Artor in the lead. He did envy his sister in one light, however, for even if she was dead, at least she was free.

"Are you sure we have time for this?" muttered Landon as he ducked under yet another branch, seriously considering getting down and walking as long as the general branch population seemed to be.

"We're making time," replied Alyse, shooting him a warning look. "Come on, she hasn't been home in ages. The least we can do is let her visit for a day."

Landon shrugged, still moody with his sore back and headache from the high, mountain air. "That doesn't mean we had to come too...OW!"

Alyse retucked the fan back in her belt, smirking in satisfaction as he rubbed a nice lump on top of his head. "We were invited, we said we'd come. End of story."

"No, YOU said we'd come," he corrected under his breath. "I was never given a choice..." Alyse reached for his fan again, stopping when he clamped his mouth shut sullenly.

"Good," she said quite simply as the trail opened up, Revlis appearing ahead of them again with an ecstatic look on her face.

"Come on!" she called, her horse prancing underneath her excitedly. "It's just up ahead!"

"We're coming!" Alyse called back, urging her own mount to pick up the pace a bit as Landon followed obediently at the tail end. Coming out of the woods entirely, a giant valley between two mountains spread before them, a verdant paradise with a river that came cascading down the south walls and ended in a lake pooled beneath it.

"Hurry up, pokey paws!" called Revlis, now halfway down the winding trail below them at a trot. "You'll miss the feast!"

"Feast?" asked Landon, perking up immediately as his stomach growled. "Well...maybe it won't be so bad here."

Alyse laughed, following as he took off at an easy trot. "Yeah, maybe."

Revlis didn't stop her pace until she'd reached the edge of a couple of huts clustered at the waterside, leaping off her mare and turning panther before she hit the ground as a huge wolf came bounding from the trees towards her. The pair behind her immediately reached for their weapons, suspecting the worst when the two started to wrestle playfully, Revlis on top when they turned human again to reveal a young man with black hair and gray eyes just a few years younger than her.

"Not quite there yet," she told him as she put him into a headlock teasingly, rubbing his head with her fist. "Gonna have to grow a lil'more first."

"Arhhh, gerroffa me!!" He turned wolf again, nipping at her teasingly as she just ruffled the fur behind his ears, earning herself a lick from her neck to her hairline.

"Eww...doggy slobber..."

"Cute pup," said Alyse as she dismounted close to where they were, looking the wolf straight back in the eye as it swung around to stare at her in surprise. "I take it animal mages run in the family?"

"Grandpa's a wolf, mum a bird-types one and dad one of the few who can do just about anything...so yeah." She grinned, her brother dropping back into human form as they rose to their feet. "Just a little bit. This is my lil bro, Ravtis. Ravi, this is Alyse and Landon, my partners."

"Nice to meet you," he said politely, ducking his head as two others emerged from the huts. A man and a woman, both with the same black hair as their children had and the same ever-changing eyes that animal mages seemed to posses, they sized up the visiting mages as they did the same to them in amusement.

"Mum, dad!" called Revlis, a huge smile on her face as they folded her between them. "Been a long time since I've been home, hasn't it?"

"Only three years," laughed her father, scratching the back of his head as he did. "Not nearly as long as your brother's been gone. We haven't seen him in nearly a decade!"

"Which one? Roz?"

"No, he was back just a few months ago. I meant Rivin."

"Oh..."

"Use R's much?" murmured Landon to Alyse, rolling his eyes as he did. "Good grief..."

"Come," said Revlis as she turned and looped her arms through Alyse and Landon's, dragging them along beside her under the trees where a bonfire and the rest of the homes lay. An odd assortment of humans and animals awaited them there, some tending the pots at other, smaller fires that ringed the larger one and others playing games or wrestling playfully here or there. "Time for you to meet the whole family! Excited?"

Landon's eyes widened as he watched a little girl change forms as she swung through the trees, from human to chimp, in the blink of an eye. Shaking his head, he sighed. "This place is two strange..."

The pantherwoman just laughed, ignoring their protests as they were thrown among the others there and accepted as warmly as she. Needless to say, it was an experience neither would ever forget.

Olivia, Randy, and Bryanna stood outside Lightsbridge, much as they had their first day staring up at the huge set of buildings with its many rooms and corridors. They'd only seen the main hall and teacher offices their first time here, though, and as a holster came for their mounts with a servant to guide them to their destination they were soon lost in the winding hallways of the school. Coming to a similar room as the one the Headmaster had addressed them in, they stood in front of an elder woman who wore a black robe and was likely a mage teacher of sorts within the school.

"You three," she said simply, looking up at them with sharp brown eyes that seemed to see right through them. "Have been the center of quite a bit of talk around here. I assume, as I was informed, that it is all baseless and false?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Bryanna immediately, doing her best to appear sincere. "We were tricked, and led astray without realizing it."

"Well, at least having seen the trap once you will hopefully not fall in it again," she sniffed, shuffling through some papers as she did. "You did not complete your journey as required, though you had nearly reached the end of it. You have a choice, do you wish to resume your journey as Journeymen and return upon acquiring your final seals, or complete your studies here with some Masters who are currently less busy than usual and glad to take on some extra students?"

"Stay here," said Olivia and Randy as one, still saddle sore and more than ready to be rid of traveling by horse forever.

"What about you, healer?" asked the mage, turning towards Bryanna. "Will you stay?"

"I go where they go, it makes no difference to me," she stated honestly.

"Very well. Classes begin this afternoon. This is your schedule, your room keys, and a map of the grounds. Meal times begin at 5th, 12th, and 6th bell respectively. It would be wise of you not to be late. Now go."

The trio leveled out the stack of papers shoved at them between the three of them, quickly leaving as they'd come to find a servant waiting to show them to their new quarters. Things were really starting to look up.

Jenny stood leaning over the railing up beside the stern of the ship, staring at their newest crew addition who stood among others down below on the deck. "I know her from somewhere," she mused aloud to herself, resting her head on her hands as she narrowed her eyes slightly. "Where have I seen her before...?"

"You're memory must be really going if you can't remember Ami-chan, or at least her other-world self," replied Nicole with a giggle, coming to land on Jenny's shoulder gently.

"You mean Amy Carrol? The clarinet player?" Jenny leaned back, looking at the said young woman again in surprise. "You're right...it is her, isn't it? I can't believe I didn't realize it myself..."

"I checked her background with Trev like you asked, she's telling the truth. Or at least as far as having come in on the southern-bound ship from Yajin it is. Can't really confirm if her parents are dead or not and all, but we did enough poking around to figure out she's been around for years, a lot of the tavern owners around here know her well enough at least. She's not from our world, but we know her other self in ours." Nicole twiddled a breeze between her fingers lightly. "That, and she's a lot like her other self. Same happy face all the time, being a spaz and making people laugh....she can speak just about any lingo there is, though. Couple of the others tested her, she blew them out of the water with what she knows. Seems like she's been everywhere and back a half a dozen times over."

"You're sure she didn't make it all up?" asked Jenny cautiously, a hopeful glint in her eyes. "It's been a really long time since we came, I don't remember how long it took us to start to run into each other in Tortall but it didn't seem to take this long..."

"If she is, it's not because she's trying to hide the fact she's from another world," replied Nicole quietly. "Gwen went and talked to her, dropped some hints that the REAL Ami we know would've burst out laughing over, like being a gimpy newbie and all that. No, this is the otherworld's version of her."

"That's really strange, you know," muttered their Captain, turning away as she faced the setting sun just on the other side of the town where they were still harbored over the winter. "I half expect her to come up and ask if we've seen any of the others any second, but I know she won't..."

"Oh, the paradoxes of inter-dimensional travel," sighed the nymph teasingly. "Come on, Ma Tegan's got some cookies baking, and I got first dibs on the oatmeal rasin ones. Wanna come?"

Jenny nodded, the whole thing was going to give her a migraine if she dwelt on it too much longer. "Sure, let's go."

Kristen was tired, and more than a little hungry, by the time she heard someone moving outside her door several hours later towards what she assuming to be morning. She'd dozed occasionally in the large chair, which she'd dragged farther from the door and into what she figured was a more defensible position should she be attacked. But the bed remained untouched should her captors come in to find her sleeping and unarmed. The same pole she'd used earlier now sat beside her patiently, awaiting its next use in her (hopeful) plan to escape. The room itself held nothing but the bed, chair, fireplace, and a table with some rugs covering the stone floor, and she often outwardly growled as she inwardly cursed the dress she was currently wearing time and time again. Its cumbersome skirts and tight bodice were not going to make her job any easier at this point.

Still, she stood quickly as the bolt was thrown with the pole in hand, frowning in puzzlement when no one came in and she was shown an empty hallway. About to bolt for it, she checked her urge to run as a cart pushed by a burly guard came into view.

"Ya dun look so tough t'me," he muttered as he eyed her over curiously, shrugging as he came the rest of the way in the door and closed it partially behind himself.

"Looks can be deceiving," she growled, still clenching the staff though she paused warily, unsure of what to do now.

"Sir says ya t'be feed," he said as he put his back to her, unloading a couple of plates onto the table. "Dunno why ya so important t'him. Ya look more liken a kitten t'me, than a tigress..." Wondering if it was some sort of trap, or if he was truly that stupid to put his back to a trained fighter who was a prisoner, she decided it was better to have tried and failed than not and never know it all and struck.

The guard went down like a sack of potatoes with a huge lump on the back of his head and a couple of bruises on either shoulder. Figuring her rain of blows aught to be enough to keep him quiet for a little while; she divested him of his long dagger and peeked outside in the hallway. Finding no one there she was about to dart down the shadowed hallway when the tantalizing smell of freshly baked food reached her nose.

Kristen's stomach growled in response, adding to her misery as it complained all the louder with the presence of sustenance so near by. Stepping around the knocked-out brute of a guard and inching towards the plates, she poked at the food in uncertainty as she wondered if it was safe to eat or not. She had been kidnapped, and as far as she knew they had no real reason to keep her around other than trying to get rid of her business, what if it was poisoned or something like that?

Picking up a roll, she sniffed it before breaking it open and nibbling at the crust hesitantly. It tasted alright to her, though she pointedly turned her back on the wine and water that had been brought. She'd read too much about drinks being tampered with for her to even consider touching them. The meat in general looked questionable with a light tan gravy covering it, and the vegetable was of a type she'd never seen before and wasn't sure it was safe to eat period. Stuffing the whole roll in her mouth and grabbing two more in her free hand, she turned and went on down the hallway cautiously.

A few yards brought her to tee in the hallway, one direction leading her towards more lights and the sound of pots and pans being knocked about. The other was still, dark and quiet, nearly pitch black in the places between lamps. Taking the latter, as she wasn't exactly completely sure she could fend off more than one person at a time in her present condition (exhausted and still in that forsaken DRESS), she cautiously and silently walked with what felt like a slight slope heading downwards until it opened into what appeared to be a giant cavern dimly lit with a single oil lamp beside the doorway.

Finding it to be completely empty, she wandered around the huge pools and vats of colored liquids there until she realized she'd found the laundry and dye rooms of the mansion. It only took a moment to locate the clean clothes for the servants and guards that were stacked in shelves near the entry way, and within seconds of that she'd secured a pair of pants and a loose shirt she figured might fit fairly well. Hiding in the back corners and praying no one would walk in on her, she left the dress stuffed in a chest and belted the pants so they'd stay on with strips torn from a sheet which also served to tied down the cuffs and hems of her overlarge clothes as well as bind her hair back from her face.

Armed with her single pole and dagger, the escapee young woman began the next part of her mission: finding her way out without getting caught.

Brenna answered the door warily when there came a loud knock one afternoon, her stomach growling hungrily as she waved the others back incase it was another attack like last time and finding, two her surprise, two young people not much older than herself standing there looking at her expectantly.

Brushing a couple of brunette curls from her face and glancing from one to the next as they shared a look and nod with each other, she backed up a step with one hand ready to slam the door shut should it be necessary.

"She's the one," confirmed the girl, giving Brenna a warm smile as she clapped her hands lightly. She was just a couple of inches shorter than the weary farmer, thin and lithe with pale skin and dark brown hair tied back from her face a couple of small braids though most of it hung free in the back.

"The one what?" asked Brenna, even more weirded out now than before. "Um...who are you two?"

"You are the one we've, I mean she, has been looking for," explained the young man slowly, as though as unsure of their presence there was Brenna was. He was thin like his companion, but much more wiry than lithe with sinew and muscle showing in his bared arms. Pale and dark haired as well, his own fine mane was short and close-cut, sticking up from his scalp slightly. "My name is Carlton, and this is my sister Carrie."

"...I am still so confused." Brenna blinked slightly, though some back corner of her mind noted this 'Carlton' was kinda cute being as serious as he was she still had no idea what was going on."

"You," said Carrie, reaching to put a hand on Brenna's shoulder. "Are a mage. As well as..." She winced slightly the moment she put a hand on the confused young woman's cheek, letting the contact break slightly after a couple of seconds. "Slightly tainted with unmagic..."

"Unmagic?" The little color left in the ex-thief's face drained quicker than a pint of lemonade on a sunny day, leaving her white as a she and more than a little woozy. "Is that why....all of this is because of unmagic?! Everything? The farm, the animals, even us...that's why? But where did the taint come from? We've had no dealings with mages since we moved here-"

"Enough," cut in Carrie, her brother strangely silent as he turned and stared out at the dead fields with an almost pained look on his face. "Come, we have much to talk about, and a lot of work to get this place back to the healthy farm it once was." She gave the still shell-shocked young woman a reassuring smile. "Can we come in?"

"Brenna, who is it?" asked Kaitlin uncertainly from the back room, peeking around the corner with a worried look on her face.

Hesitating, the ex-thief suddenly realized the pair could be trusted, and it had likely been arranged by that midget mage for these two to finally come to their rescue. "Some...some friends." She grinned weakly, moving aside so the pair could come into their house. "Excuse the mess, if you will, we haven't exactly been feeling ourselves as of late..."

"It'll be alright now," promised the young girl, smiling at Kaitlin who edged out from behind the wall with a curious Rupal on her heals. "We've got some food with us if you guys are hungry."

"Are we ever!" cried Kaitlin, immediately liking this new girl as she pounced on the back of supplies produced. "Oh, fresh bread and cheese!"

Brenna watched as the pair (or Carrie at least, her brother seemed to hang back slightly) quickly incorporated themselves into the fabric of their lives within minutes. The girl had all but promised things would be changed now somehow, she just hoped she was right.

Briteyes sat in another small corner at a market much like the one in Summersea, though smaller and with less variety in its produce and goods. The pickings here would not be wonderful, and it was likely she and Silven would not earn enough for their efforts, but they would manage none the less and move in the morning.

Taking a break from their usual performance, the player merely plucked through the many songs of her repertoire with great ease. Silven, armed with a twig she'd whittled into a spear, guarded the hat set in front of them and the few coins they'd collected in it. It was a little chilly in the late morning sun, with most folks bundled in their heavy coats and jackets and scarves wound around their necks, but it wasn't unbearable just yet. They'd either have to head south again soon, or find some permanent residence for the coldest of the winter months, but Briteyes was still unsure of which it would be. Her 'itch', as she'd come to call it in her mind, was calling her to the north for some reason. It was almost like the poor signal she would sometimes get on her dad's laptop using his wireless internet, if the signal wasn't strong the ability to get online would short in and out on random for seemingly no reason at all. Some days, she just knew exactly where she was going and which way to go to get where it was her heart needed her to be. Other days...well, it was like she was lucky to find her way around town.

Shaking such gloomy thoughts from her mind, the performer instead studied the people around her. Though they were all different, she had realized long ago that no matter where you went, the make up of a town was generally all the same. A couple of the 'upper class' passed her, not as pompously decked out in their furs and jewelry as they might have been in a larger city such as Summersea, but certainly more finely dressed than some of their neighbors. There were always a few of those, though their status in the town variety slightly with their personality. Sometimes they were the arrogant slave drivers that sucked whatever wealth they could out of the people, others the kindly benefactors that everyone loved and went to in their times of need. The ones here seemed to be somewhere in the middle, and at since they hadn't tried to tax her yet for playing in the market place and even added a silver to her small pile of coins, she was satisfied with them for the moment.

A farmer and his cart suddenly rolled by from the opposite direction, but that wasn't unusual in the least. She had found farmers of every shape and size in her journeys, selling every sort of vegetable, fruit, and animal imaginable. It truly didn't matter where one went, there would always be some sort of farming community present to help keep the population fed. They may not contribute much to her business, that was true, but she could usually cajole one or two to trade her a loaf of bread or a couple of apples for a song. They were a likable group, for the most part, and worthy of respect as well.

The usual gaggle of beggars, however, did not like her at all. The coins that might usually go in their bowls or hands went into her pouch when those in the town realized they might as well pay someone who's at least giving them some sort of service rather than a freeloader with no productive qualities at all. Sure, if her takings were good, she'd throw a coin or two in their direction at the end of the day. But she couldn't afford to beggar herself when she and Silven were walking a tight line as it was between meals. Sometimes they went hungry as well, when ends didn't quite meet, she just wished those people who they 'took business from' on accident wouldn't be so hostile all the time.

A kindly woman bustled up from her shop, laying a still-warm sausage biscuit before them with a smile to which Briteyes quickly responded with one of her own. Shop keepers and vendors, now those were nice, respectable folks for the most part. Especially those who dealt in the line of baked goods or drinks, having a musician around more than likely helped their business and thus welcomed their presence without question. An offering like this wasn't unusual, and the squirrel and her friend split it as their noon meal as the day wore on. Sometimes, when she was going to stay in one place for awhile, the performer was even able to secure a full meal for herself through one of the vendors who profited from her presence.

Briteyes attention was then drawn to a new couple entering the market, a pair of Traders likely from the caravan outside the town who had arrived just the night before. She didn't much mind the dark-skinned merchants, though they didn't do much for her line of work, they didn't hinder it either and once or twice her presence been requested to come and play for the Head of the caravan or ship that was nearby at that point in time. But to most of them she just was just a simple kaq, and she didn't expect that change anytime soon.

Yeah, towns were pretty much the same wherever you went. Gathering the hat and coins suddenly, she ignored the query the confused Silven sent her way and packed up her things, letting her furry friend ride on her shoulder as they left the market square.

{Why are we leaving?} Silven asked when they were finally on the outskirts of town.

"It just felt like it was time..." Briteyes pulled out a map, consulting it quickly before stuffing it back in her bag. "We'll make it to the next place by nightfall. How does a hot meal and a real bed sound?"

{Great! But...can we afford it}

Briteyes shrugged, a light grin on her face as she strolled on. "Oh, we'll manage it somehow."

It seemed like it was only a few days time before Randy, Olivia and Bryanna were called before the same old woman who had spoken to them the day they had arrived back at Lightsbridge. Apprehensive as to what this latest summoning might mean, they waited nervously outside her office door until they were finally called in.

Finding themselves not alone in the room, with a whole panel of mages facing them again, the trio froze and wondered if it would be wise to bolt until one of the seated mages and began to speak.

"Today, we are gathered for a matter of great importance," he said gruffly, his voice resounding off the walls slightly. "A matter of Masterhood for two of the young Journeymen standing before you. If Olivia and Bryanna would step forwards...?"

Both young women did so, Randy finding himself back up against the wall watching in amazement.

"As a Master of Lights bridge, you would still be under our ruling and must follow our laws," went on the man as he stepped around the table, a silver medallion in either hand. "Such as to always help your fellow mages. To work for the good of mankind and the teaching of magic over your own personal gain. To find those you find with the gift a teacher, and if a suitable one cannot be found to take on the job yourself. Could you do this?"

"I could," replied the pair as one as if under a spell of sorts.

"Would you obey the call of the Mages Council if they summoned you? Obey the laws they have set before you such as these mentioned and more?"

"I would."

"Will you stand proud to be a Master mage of Lights bridge? An example for other schools and students to see and follow even when times are dark?"

"I will."

"Then I present you with these." Each medallion bore the name of the one it was presented to on one side with the symbol of their power on the other. "Welcome, Master Olivia and Master Bryanna to the ranks of Master Mages of Lightbridge University."

The entire council stood, everyone shaking the dazed pairs hands before filing out once more and leaving the trio alone in the room.

"Hey..." said Randy, feeling a little left out as his two companions studied their new medallions. "What about me?"

"Not our fault you can't become a Master," muttered Olivia as she glanced up with a superior look on her face. "MUAHAHAHA!! Puny Journeyman."

Randy sighed as he followed them back out into the hallway, a crestfallen look on his face. "That's not fair!"

"Life is never fair," Bryanna reminded him lightly, tucking her medallion under her shirt.

"Yeah, yeah..."

Revlis chattered on and on as they road Westwards at an easy pace about their trip to her homeland, Alyse and Landon not really paying attention as one was nearly asleep in the saddle and the other was practicing her meditation to pass the time more quickly.

Coming around a bend, the cat girl spotted a stream with some shade by it just as her stomach growled. "Um...would you guys mind if we stopped for some lunch?"

Landon jerked his head up, blinking rapidly. "Huh? Say what? What hunch?"

"Sure," replied Alyse, exchanging an amused look with her fellow female as they guided their horses under the stream. "I'm a little hungry myself."

He blinked, then grinned. "Oh, lunch! Ok. That sounds good to me."

"If it involves food it always sounds good to you," replied Revlis teasingly as she dismounted, tethering her horse to a tree and immediately taking one of the pots down to stream and filling it to the brim for the poor beasts to drink from. "What's on the menu for today?"

"Same as breakfast, bread and cheese and some apples," replied Alyse as she dug around in her saddlebag. "We're going to need to stop at another town and get some more supplies in a few days."

"No meat?" The cat-like woman pouted before plopping herself down gracefully beside the horses. "Aw, even some tough jerky would be nice right about now."

"Nope, we're fresh out after last nights stew," explained Landon as he began to unsaddle the horses and give them a good rubdown. "We could stop early tonight, get a little hunting in maybe before we turn it."

"Or sleep in a real bed with fresh meat stew already made in the next town we find," offered Revlis hopefully.

"Yeah, that would be nice," added Landon as they both looked to Alyse.

She shrugged with a grin. "We'll see. If the weather looks bad, yes, I don't want to spend another night out in the rain."

"Ok..."

Both off worlders froze suddenly as if struck by something, Revlis immediately sitting up as she felt an almost evil presence in her gut that made it impossible for her to speak, or even move.

"What was that?!" she demanded when it finally passed as Alyse slumped to her knees, holding her head as Landon stood looking like he wanted to hurl.

"Unmagic..." gasped their Sensor, forcing herself to her feet as she stumbled towards her mount. "A huge deposit, absolutely enormous...can't believe we missed it...!!"

"It's like a sleeping giant," muttered Landon as he leaned over for a moment before he straightened up and followed her to the horses. "That someone just poked and it began to stir. If that pool wakes up completely...!"

"I'll grab everything, you get going," offered Revlis as she immediately boosted Alyse bareback onto her horse, doing the same for Landon a moment later. "I'll be there as soon as I can!"

"Hurry, we might need you there!" called Alyse over her shoulder as she took off, looking a little better as she began to race towards their target with the surety of an arrow springing from its bow.

"I will!!" Revlis wasted no time in throwing everything back in the packs, tossing it all over her horse's shoulders before tying it to herself and transforming into her panther form. The poor beast might die of fright, but it'd be faster this way and she could follow them better with her nose than her eyes. Feeling her stomach growl again, she ignored it as she took off with a mighty bound after them. With unmagic sometimes it was mere seconds that made all the difference, and she would not be too late!

Nicole drifted about on the late-afternoon air currently, enjoying the comfort of her winds as she floated over Ami's head and paused to peer over her shoulder curiously. Their newest translator was bent over a pad of paper, sketching away furiously at something the little nymph couldn't see.

"What's that?" she asked as she flew down, landing on her shoulder gently.

"Huh?!" The new girl jumped slightly, still unused to having Nicole appear seemingly out of nowhere. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you..."

"S'ok, you'll get used to it after awhile," laughed the nymph lightly. "Besides it's fun making you jump."

"Gee, thanks..."

"What're you doing, though?" Nicole sat herself down, looking at the drawing as she tried to decipher what it was.

"It's not finished, but it will be a picture of the ship," came the easy reply as the translator picked up her fallen pencil and began to sketch some more. Leaning over for a better view, the miniature woman was surprised to see the ship taking shape under those skillful strokes, even the details of the rounded shape of Jenny's cabin door and the exact proportions of the sails coming into view.

"What do you think?" asked Ami as she held it up after a few moments, adding a few bits of shading around the sun in the background that made it look like dusk.

Nicole grinned, a warm fuzzy feeling appearing in her chest. "It's beautiful."

Everyone in the house was up in the morning, looking around quizzically when Kristen didn't appear.

"She's not in her room!" reported Cam from upstairs, the only one brave enough to venture into those hollowed (and dangerous) grounds.

"She's not in the dojo!" called Jon from the side door as he came back in.

"She's nowhere else in the house," said Mike from where he sat at the table, nursing a black coffee.

"You guys, she's not at that noble's place," called Chris from the front door, coming back with a bushel of flowers and a note apologizing from the Baron for not having seen her off personally the night before and an invite to dinner.

"Then where is she? It's not like her to just take off like this!" complained Matt as he sat at the table, his head in his hands.

"You don't think she turned whore on us, do you?" All eyes turned to Mike with a slightly murderous gleam eyes except Jon, who just chuckled lightly. "What? I was just asking..."

"There's only one thing to do since she obviously found some trouble, to find a rescue her!" said Chris as he pulled out a map and spread it over the table. "Everyone will search an area of the city, keep your ears open, and pick up any news you can! Maybe someone has seen or heard something."

"You guys..." offered Cam hesitantly as they began to argue over who would go where and such. "Um...don't you think of Kristen was taken that she could get out of it on her own?"

"Of course not," snorted Mike. "She's a girl, remember? A damsel in distress. Of course she needs to be rescued if she got into trouble!"

"He's right, now let's get out there and find her!" cried Chris, leading the charge out the doorway with Cam standing there left behind as usual.

"I still don't think she needs rescuing!" he called after them, though he still glanced at the area assigned to him and headed out the door with a sigh. "Oh well..."

And there is Chapter 19 of SSS!! Review, because that WILL make me want to write more and update sooner than last time! Again, to my few last loyal fans, thank you.

CB