Kayi turned around and gasped.

"Well, aren't you gonna say hello?" the newcomer asked. The 'newcomer' was a Red Mage viera.

"Well, hello, Merlina,"Willy said. "How's your Panther doing?"

"That's what I came for. Well, I need to leave on a trip to the palace, and guess what?"

"Tellennis killed someone and they won't let a Panther in," Sonya said.

"Kinda," Merlina said, flexing her fingers back and forth. "Well, remember when you guys were in a bind... Because Gunnmanship, Techniques, Fight, and Blades weren't allowed? And Sonya was out with the measles?"

Sonya scowled. "You could have just said I was sick..."

"Well," Merlina continued. "I need you to take care of Tellennis for me. Just for a while."

Kayi looked beyond the Red Mage. Sitting behind her was a primply groomed pampered-looking Panther with a Flame Collar on her throat. She growled softly, as if the Clan were just a bunch of dumpsters.

"Well... You know that me n' your pet missy don't quite agree with another. But I reckon we could..." Zhiraz said, scratching his head.

Merlina pouted and put on puppy-eyes.They probably worked, for the grumbling Zhiraz finally muttered, "Reckon so."

"Oh thank you, Zhiraz!" Merlina exclaimed. "Thank you so much!" and left in a hurry.

"Well, Zhiraz, again?" Sonya asked.

Zhiraz muttered something and slammed the mug of ale down. "I think I'm drunk."

Tellennis didn't look at all happy with the arrangements. She growled and pawed the ground.

"Hello, pwetty Pwanther," Kayi cooed. Zhiraz flinched back, expecting Tellennis to snap out at the Miss Morgana.

But she didn't. Shejust winced a bit as Kayi petted her neck.

"Well,Morgana, you can be in charge of Tellennis while you're here-"

"Ssshiras! Morgana is our guesst-" Starkin began to say when Kayi interrupted.

"I really don't mind. She's a sweet Panther, isn't she?"

Zhiraz scowled. "Just get to know her and you'll see."

"Clan Crystal Bane?" a voice called. A Paladin was waving a slip of parchment in the air. Kayi noticed that the Paladin uniform was different too. "Message for Clan Crystal Bane!" he yelled again.

Starkin went up to recieve it and came back to read the message.

"You guysss, I'll be getting back a tad bit late. Ssee ya- Bruno."

Starkin looked up. "Sorry, Missy Morgana, but our friend'll be late."

Kayi moaned. The Panther growled.