Yet our journey would take a very quick turn as we neared home with the adventurers that had joined us. And it started with the very mists we'd been warned of, as we quickly lost sight of our new allies through the thick fog.

Leaving me to quickly take Heart by the hand, trying to guide her through. Once again finding a familiar collection of tents before us as I did.

"Madame Eva?" I asked aloud while leading Heart to the main tent.
As I peaked into the tent, leading Heart in, we would find the old crone leaning over her table. Brushing loose strands of black hair out of her face, the tall pale woman in colorful garb gave a smile, "So you return... as Madame Eva expected. Come, take a seat... I have two prepared for you."
Heart looked to the woman curiously, before giving a polite bow, "It's an honor to meet you, Madame Eva."

She and I joined her at the table as requested. I looked to the woman before us, with some unease as I told her, "I think I'm learnin' more about who I am, about my magic an' how I can guide us through the mists. Though..." I paused.
She would look over us with her milky eyes. Despite how pale her gaze became, it was still penetrating... the two feeling as if she was seeing more than what the eyes could see. "Do tell Madame Eva... she is willing to listen... and perhaps help if she sees fit."
I nodded and said, "I am worried about why it keeps callin' me, an' puttin' Heart at risk because of it. Will embracin' this cause the mists to keep pullin' us in? If ignore it, then I close off the magic I've awakened to? Then I become an outsider again? Can I take better control of this?"
"It calls to you for it's in your blood child... and to achieve what it wishes to grant you... one must take a risk... but one can be empowered if one does not go along..." The old woman said with a wry smile.
"I'm not exactly sure what ya mean by that?" I admitted, "The mists call to me 'cause they wish to grant me somethin', but I have to take a risk for that to happen, or I can ignore it an' still be empowered?"

I'd thought of the risks we had taken thus far, wondering if we were what she meant, or if there was something ahead of us to watch for.

Then Heart asked, "Why have the musts gathered around our home? Has something happened while we've been away? Is it Xanathar?"
"Quite possibly... a dark heart will call upon the mists..." She said, closing her eyes as she rapped her fingers on the table before her, "and the mists are always eager to answer."
"Duke can guide us through though, can't he?" Heart encouraged while glancing at the rogue. I attempted a smile, but was clearly concerned over the dark heart comment followed by the mists eager to answer us. Was I still more thief than I thought, even with my earned pardon? These concerns were showing on my face as I looked to Madame Eva.
"Perhaps..." She replied, as she slowly opened her eyes. "But... it is dangerous to go alone, after all."
"Can ya give us an idea of what we're facin' here in these mists?" I then asked, focusing on the problem at hand for the moment and shoving my concerns aside to try and support Heart.
Letting out a sigh, she shook her head. "Despite how long I've traveled through the mists... it is still hard for me to say what exactly dwells in them... it is as if the Mists itself is alive..."
"Sorry, I guess I meant, is there somethin' or someone here this time to be wary of?" I asked, "Like how you were able to give advice in regards to Orlock?"

Pulling out her deck of cards, she began to shuffle them, muttering to herself quietly under her breath.
Heart and I waited patiently. As we did, Heart would see the concerns weighing down my shoulders, and would reach out to close her hand over mine. Showing her trust in him, no matter what was ahead. I gave a light smile, gathering myself as I did.
She would shuffle the deck, and placed three cards face town. With her eyes closed, she would flip them over one by one with her gnarled hands... one with a horrible monster, one with a fair maiden, and the other with a mage obscured by magic, the first two upside down, "Hmm... very interesting... The Beast and Innocent inverted... and not all will be as it seems with the Illustionist..."
"Inverted?" I asked.

"Not all that it seems?" Heart pondered, "That's becoming more and more familiar to us, isn't it?"

I nodded.
She let out a chuckle, as she scooped the cards back up in her hands, shuffling them again before putting them away. "The cards have different meanings depending on their position when drawn..."
Heart was rather intrigued by this, as was I, though still more cautiously.

"So what does it mean when they come up inverted? Or is that for us to find out?" Heart asked politely.
She gave a chuckle, and nodded. "It is also interesting both of those came inverted..."
"Oh?" I prompted curiously, "Do ya know who they're tied to?"

Though I wasn't sure if I wanted to know, or even liked what I felt might be the answer.
"Sadly... I do not... I know much, but... that is something for you to discover yourselves."
"We still thank you for the answers you've been able to give us, and for helping him reconnect with this part of himself," Heart said earnestly.

I gave a quiet nod to this, despite the questions swirling in my head, I was at least content knowing I had some control of things still, and thus could at least guide Heart. Even if my own path was unclear.
"It is my pleasure, children... Now, Madame Eva needs her rest, if you will..." She said, as she cracked her neck, the crunching of vertebrae filling the air.
Heart gave a nod, suppressing her shudder from the sound of the woman's bones.

"Thanks again, I hope we meet again," I said before getting up and leading Heart out of the encampment.

As we stepped out into the mists, I would focus on the city that was there home to guide Heart through it. Even a part of it, something familiar to the princess walking alongside him. Anything to tell us we were back home.
As we wandered through the mists, it would grow more damp and humid. The sounds of frogs croaking and crickets chirping filled the air, as the ground beneath our feet became wet and muddy.]
"Where are we?" Heart asked I bewilderment. I didn't dare let go of her hand as we looked on ahead, "A swamp? Isn't there one hidden away in Waterdeep? To the East a bit?"

"I think so, though I've never been to it," Heart replied as we continued along.
Soon enough, in the distance, we would spot the glow of candlelight from the windows of a large mansion... and on a pillar next to the path we were on, a family crest Heart was familiar with..
"Madame Lucille?!" Heart gasped in shock, before starting to hurry ahead.

"Heart, hold on!" I called to her as I quickly followed after.

She ran up to the gates, grasping at the bars to try and open them.

"Madame Lucille?" I asked as I caught up, "Your mentor, right?"

Heart nodded, "Maybe she's here?! I haven't seen her since the attack on the castle! Maybe you were able to bring us to her?"

"Easy, Heart," I urged with a hand placed on her shoulder, "We don't know if she's here or not. I hope she is, to give ya some peace of mind, an' to have some of your family back."
As we approached the front doors of the mansion, they would slowly open... to reveal a black feathered owl man, gesturing for us to come in. "Madame DeVal's pupil, I believe?"
"Y-Yes," Heart confirmed with a polite nod. She then gestured to me, "and this is my dear companion, Duke. Is Madame Lucille here?"
I would give a nod, and gestured for the two to follow. He would lead us through the lavish estate, opulent and ornate. My footfalls were silent, as I guided us.

Heart couldn't help but look about in awe and wonder as we walked along, following the owl. While I kept a close eye on Heart.

"I don't believe Madame Lucille ever told me about you, sir?" Heart prompted politely, "Then again, she was rather quiet about her personal life and home."

"Madame Lucille was hired by both your parents, right?" I asked. Heart nodded, "Before I was even born. we trusted her with a lot. Though she and my aunt never saw eye to eye. It's thanks to Madame Lucille that I even had a clue to the dragon blood in my veins. I think you saw her at the party?"

"I did, she was quite friendly, at least she looked it," I recalled, easing up a bit.

"She saw us dancing, and I think k she was happy to see me enjoying myself for once, and with someone for once?" Heart then recalled the teasing from her teacher in regards to me nearly kissing her that night.
Bringing us to a parlor room, we would see Lucille sitting in a well furnished chair, sitting in front of a roaring fire. Turning a page in a book, her ears would perk up, before she turned towards the two. A wide smile crossed her face as she arouse, "Oh Heart mah dear, it's so good to see ya! It's been oh too long!"
"Madame Lucille!" Heart exclaimed while breaking form and running over to her, hugging her mentor with relief showing in her eyes, "I feared the worse had happened to you!"

I watched on, with a smile curving my scarred lip as I quietly watched my beloved reunite with one of her family.

"How did you escape the attack on the castle?" Heart asked.
The large feline woman would grip Heart, squeezing her against her own bulk and lifting her up. Setting her back on the ground, Lucille fixed Heart's hair, "Well shugah... Ah honestly don't recollect all of it, but, Ah found sanctuary in mah ancestral home here, and those brutish ruffians haven't been able to find us."
I winced as I heard Heart's back crack a bit from the tight hug, then chuckled a bit as I was reminded just how small Heart's frame was. Then again Lucille was quite tall, and softer proportion wise, like a mother bear, but a cat. I could certainly see and feel the respect Heart had for our feline hostess.
"Now then, how were ya able to escape those brutes yaself?! Ya had me worried sick!" The cat exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips.
Heart's relief turned into frustration as she admitted, "Xanathar's men found me in the secret study...I still don't know how, seeing how only a few of us knew it existed. However they found they couldn't easily kill me, and decided to try and make a profit off of me instead. Luckily, Duke and the rest of our crew were able to rescue me from the brothel I was tucked away in before I could be sold off. Ever since he- and I have been on a quest to grow stronger and develop our magic we've learned. Our crew have been dealing with things in the city in the meantime."
"It's been quite the adventure," I commented.
"Oh my... it certainly sound like it! Well hun, ya two are in a safe place now...ya can relax, and unwind abit here. Infact, Ah'll have the servants prepare dinner for y'all!"
"That's greatly appreciated, Madame Lucille," Heart replied, "After some rest we can find the others and hopefully deal with Xanathar."

I gave a quiet nod in agreement to this, still keeping my distance to let Heart visit with her mentor.
Lucille would take Heart's hand, and start to lead her down the hall. "Oh, don't think anything of it mah dear! Take all the time ya need, and Ah'll be happy to make sure ya are nice and comfortable here."
I followed after the two of them. Heart would begin telling Lucille of all that we'd faced. From the shadow in the cavern, to the Baron that had tries to buy her, to the drow that had used baleful polymorph on her, to the satyr and hag in the Grove, to the undead army and near lich in the making while I had been turned into that guardian beast, to the doppelganger and Falcone, the rescuing of the vampire lord Orlock, the fight against the mad doctor and the vengeful drow turned dryder, facing the sorcerer Asteroth, and anything in between along the road. Heart and I really had been through a lot in a short time, getting each other out of trouble. Though I did wince at parts where even I felt I'd failed in protecting her.
"Heaven sake... it sounds like ya been through Hell itself and back. Well, don't ya fret now shugah.." With that, she gave Heart another hug... and looked over at me, her pale blue eyes piercing him with a glance, "Come along now!"
I didn't say a word when I saw this. As far as I was concerned, I felt a few looks were more than fair. I would just have to do what I'd been doing, and show how I supported Heart. Afterall, all I really needed was Heart's trust to know I was doing right by her.

"We got through it all," Heart sighed with a bit of a smile, "and we're stronger from it. We understand our magic better, we've gained allies, and..." Heart blushed while looking over at me, trying to tell her mentor, "and we've grown quite close through it all."
She raised a brow, looking over at me skeptically,"Is that so...? Wll.. that's all behind y'all now."

With that, she would bring us to the banquet hall, and took a seat, gesturing for Heart to sit next to her, "Now then... do ya have any plans on dealing with that multi eyed brute?"

"Not yet," Heart admitted, "We have to find Mister Bump, Buttercup, Latha, and Harlequin first."

"We also need to find out why these mists have rolled in," I mentioned, "Do ya know when it did? We've been through it a couple times now, an' so far I've been able to guide us through them, but they could certainly complicate things."
I took a seat at Heart's other side to stay close to her. I'd seen the looks from Lucille, but refused to act any differently when it came to Heart. All I could do was hope the feline would see that, and my intentions, with time.
Placing a hand over her fluff covered chest, the cat smirked, "Well.. Ah don't know where they came from, but honestly, these mists seem to be a good form of defense against any would be attackers. Ever since it appeared around mah home, Ah have not had any issues with any ne'er do wells."
"That's good at least," Heart pondered aloud, "I wonder why that is though?"

She looked to me, "Then again, this is still fairly new to us."

"The mists seem to have washed over the whole city," the rogue added from beside Heart, "It could be keepin' any villains at bay; or the dark lord, as adventurers refer to them as, may not be focusin' on attackin' at the moment?"
"Hmm.. perhaps... it might be what's keeping that creature from causing any further havoc," She said, as she took her wineglass and helped herself to a sip, "Now... ya said ya found others in the mists? How curious..."
I then explained about the Vistani people, and my newly found connection to them. Heart then mentioned saving Orlock from his imprisonment a short time ago.

"It seems I'm able to guide us through the mists 'cause of my heritage? Heart an' I have been learnin' a lot about our magic an' where it came from. She knows about her dragon blood, an' I've noticed I have quite the infinity with shadows."
As we spoke, the staff would arrive with our food ready, catered to our tastes. Taking a silver fork, the cat would enjoy a portion of tartare as she listened, "Ya don't say... now.. that is rather interesting... So ya can go through the mists as ya please?"
"Yes an' no," I replied, "They still seem to go where they want, but I've been able to guide us with some practice. Madame Eva mentioned that they might be tryin' to offer me somethin', but I'm not really interested."

I risked giving Heart a smile when saying the last bit.
"How unfortunate..." She stated, looking him over, seeming to analyze him, "If it is part of ya heritage, perhaps ya should reconsider?"
"Not if it means givin' up Heart," I stated with certainty in my remaining brown eye. Heart looked to me, her heart seeming to skip at my steady response, even blushing a bit.
She gave a nod, closing her eyes as a smile crossed her face, "Ya loyalty is rather admirable..." Through the rest of the meal, we would have some small talk, Lucille bringing up the trouble Heart caused when she was younger and how the maternal feline had to take care of things.
"I do recall trying to escape my tutoring often. I didn't care for dressing up," Heart winced at the stories, and I smiled.

I then asked, "It must have been hard playin' the role of mentor an' teacher for a buddin' dragon blood? I heard about some of it. Still, I'm glad Heart had someone there for her growin' up." I'd rested a hand over Heart's when I'd noticed how tense it was.
"Ya flatter me, mah dear. Ah do as Ah must to make sure she is safe. That said... the night is growing late, and Ah imagine ya two must be worn out. Stryx will lead ya to ya chambers for the night." The cat would say, as she took her wineglass in hand.
Heart looked to me a bit nervously, as she realized out loud, "This will be a first in a while." I nodded, "It will. I've grown used to ya bein' there at night, if not right beside me, than at least in the same room."

The look in Heart's eyes seemed to say it felt oddly lonely to her as well.
There was a shattering of glass, as the white fur of the matron stood on end. A servant quickly rushed to her side, cleaning up the spilled wine and the broken shards, "Oh dear... well... Ah suppose ya are mature enough to... make such decisions... however, Ah did have mah staff prepare two different rooms for y'all... it's only proper after all."
Heart and I both looked to her in awkward surprise. Though I did attempt to assure Heart's mother figure, "Please know I would never do anythin' to Heart. It was to keep her safe, as it was only the two of us on the road. I respect her, an' wanted to protect her."

"We thank you for your hospitality, Madame Lucille. We weren't trying to offend you by any means. We were just saying it would be a bit different after all these months, that's all."

Heart did risk a shy glance at me however, knowing it would be difficult for her to sleep that night with the arrangement. However, in love or not, Madame Lucille was going to treat her as the princess she'd raised, and I couldn't blame her. I didn't argue against it either, wanting to show my respect, no matter how I would miss Heart in return.
"No need to apologize... just get some rest, and we can catch up in the morning." She answered the two of us, as another servant poured her another glass.
"Thank you, Madame Lucille," I replied politely while helping Heart to her feet.

With or without her watching him, I was quite the gentleman to Heart, as I'd been well before I'd learned of her crown. However, I had a feeling it would take a bit to prove that to the feline.

"Good night, Madame Lucille," Heart said as the two of us followed Stryx down the hall to our guest chambers.

"It seems we're right across the hall still," I told Heart to try and cheer her up, "If ya need me, ya know where to find me, an' how to call me."

Heart gave a slight smile as I heard in my head, "Promise?"

"Of course, sweetheart, " she would hear back.

And so, the two of us parted and were lead to our respective rooms, and would begin to prepare for a night's rest. However, before I was about to pull the covers over myself, there was a knock upon the door, "Good evenin hun! Ah hate to be a bother, but, would ya mind if Ah came in for a little bit?"
I looked to my mentor, "Of course not, Madame Lucille."

I sat up in the bed, wearing night clothes better fit for my noble birth for the first time in a while. I had tucked away my Black Viper attire into my pack.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.
The heavy feline would stroll in, closing the door behind her.

"Oh, everything is quite alright for me darhlin... Ah'm honestly just concerned about ya," She said, as she pulled up a chair from the vanity and took a seat next to the bed.
"Concerned?" I inquired. "I know there's a lot ahead of us still, but we have a better chance now than we did before."
She took a deep breath, crossing her fingers in front of herself, "Honestly mah dear... Ah think it might be best for ya to stay here until things blow over in the city. Even with the Mists protecting ya here, if ya go back now, who knows the power that thug has now..."
"Blow over?!" I questioned in confusion, "It's not as simple as a storm passing by! We have to find the others and reclaim our home! Duke's and my quest will have been for..." I refused to say it, considering how much we had been through, instead saying, "Duke and I are back to help make things right again. I can't keep hiding."
"That's the thing mah dear... Xanathar is looking for ya, expecting ya to return. Perhaps it would be wise to wait until he lets his guard down. From what Ah understand, ya friends are quite capable of handling themselves and protecting the common folk," She said, her tail swishing behind herself.
"Madame Lucille, I have to stand up and fight for our home. What good is my magic if I don't use it to help? Duke will be at my side with his own magic and skill to support and protect me," Despite my lingering scars from our recent scrapes, I didn't falter in stating my faith in my companion.
She took a deep breath, and gave a weak smile, "Ah just wished to voice mah concerns... Ah'd hate for something awful to happen to ya dear. Please consider what Ah said though mah dear."
I looked to Lucille, "I do understand. You've known me as the kid that barely knew what she was, escaping teachers and dances and such...you've raised me...but I have grown through all of this."

I then ventured, "There's something else bothering you, isn't there?"
The matron of the manor would rise up, and shook her head.

"Oh... it's nothing... Ah just want the best for ya shugah," She said, as she leaned forward and gave me a hug, "Ah'll do everything in mah power to make sure y'all be alright."
I hugged her back, "I did miss you. I just ask for your support as we face this evil, and free our hone."
Giving me a squeeze, the cat would let me go, "Well... Ah hope ya sleep well hun. Ah'll see ya in the morning."

With that, she would head out, her tail being the last thing to vanish through the door.
I tried my best to get some sleep. Though I tossed and turned, missing his arm resting protectively over me. It had been so if I moved, I would know, and the same in return. Though eventually I would try and tell myself that I was safe here, and was able to finally drift off to sleep. Duke had had the same difficulty, until finally I was able to close his eye for the night. When morning found us, we were eager to get up and ready to face the day.
Shortly after we woke up, there would be a knock on each of our doors, as Stryx would speak from the other side, "Terribly sorry to disturb you, but, breakfast is ready if you so wish to partake."
"Thank you!" I called back while going to the door, now dressed.

I would step out just as Duke was doing the same. Seeing him gave me some ease as I looked over him.

"Did ya get enough sleep, Heart?" Duke asked, his usually smooth voice carrying a slight protective growl to it, "Ya seem a bit on guard?"

As Duke looked over me, taking in a now fully hybrid draconic form, Duke sounded as though this were normal for me. Horns had grown out from my forehead, my shimmering blue scales covered my body, claws had emerged from my fingertips, a tail was curling around my waist like a sash, and my wings had come out, but were folded up. My bare feet were also more dragonlike in nature, causing me to look more dragonborn.

Yet this didn't seem to alarm him. Just as I didn't seem alarmed when looking to him. With his lean wolf like frame, though still standing upright. A thick tail had grown out from his tunic. A thick coat of ebony fur had covered him, but he'd kept his dark hair, complete with the white streak through his front bangs. His muzzle now bared the scar of his upper lip. It were as though he'd become a werefox of sorts, but hadn't at the same time, as he acted just as he always had.

"I missed you," I admitted while hugging him, my head carefully nuzzling against his chest.

He hugged me in return, giving a chuckling growl, "I did too, sweetheart."
The two, once out, would be escorted back to the hall, where Lucille was already waiting for us. She gave us as smile as we entered, leaving her seat and coming up to greet us, "Good morning dearies! May Ah say, ya two look like that rest last night did ya well! Y'all feeling any better?"
"Yes," I replied politely.

Duke gave a nod, as he held my draconic hand in his paw like one.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Madame Lucille. After we eat, we should probably try an' find the others."

"Which reminds me..." I pondered aloud, "Has there been any sign of Aunt Victoria? Do you know if she survived or not?"
Placing a hand to her cheek, she would ponder for a moment, "Ah hate to say... but Ah have not heard a word or seen a glimpse of her after all this went down. Honestly... that is concerning in and of itself.."
"We'll find her," Duke tried to assure, before pulling out a chair for me.

Despite his appearance, which still didn't seem to alert us any, he was still the rougish gentleman I knew him to be.
As we took our seats, a servant would come up to Lucille, and leaned over to her. As he whispered into her ear, I gave a few knowing nods, before dismissing him, "Ah hate to be the bearer of bad news... but it appears that a storm is brewing outside in the Mists... it occasionally happens here, and it may not be safe for y'all to travel forward with it blowing."

"When the storm parts, we'll head out," I said with some careful thought.

"It seemed so calm before?" Duke wondered aloud while looking outside to see the winds picking up.

"I don't want to risk us gettin' lost,not when I still don't know how this works with me."

"In the meantime, we can try and form a plan?" I suggested with a clawed hand over his.
"Ya may use mah study to plot ya next course of actions." She said simply, and as if on cue, the sound of rolling thunder came from the distance, as rain started to fall from the heavens, patting against the windows and roof.
"Thank you, Madame Lucille," I said with a nod.

The two of us would try and enjoy our breakfast, before following Lucille uo the forementioned study.

As Lucille would lead us along, Stryx would emerge from the halls, "Beg pardon Madame, but, if I may, I would like to speak with Duke in private."

The cat gave a nod, before gesturing towards Duke, "That is, if that is alright with ya hun."
I looked to Duke, who had turned to the owl in bewilderment, "It's fine?"

I reluctantly released his hand so he could follow Stryx. While I watched as they vanished, before following Lucille to the study.

I began showing Lucille what I had learned in ways of magic while I was away with the rogue on our quest. I expressed what I had learned of my dragon heritage as well. While Duke went with Stryx.
"Very impressive mah dear." Lucille responded, seeing the bits of magic I had learned.

Meanwhile, as Stryx lead me away, he said not a word, keeping as silent as the dead of night.
"Is everythin' alright?" I finally asked after a while. I was growing a bit on edge between the looks I'd been given, and now this odd silence.
The owl would look back towards me, and nodded. "Quite alright... just thought after all you been through, perhaps we could get a little sparring match in to blow off some steam." With that, he would lead me into the parlor, and drew his rapier.

I thought for a moment, before giving an appreciative nod, "That does sound good. In order to keep my skills sharp for whatever is ahead of us."

I drew my saber, "En guarde!"
With that, Stryx would lunge upon me, taking a swipe at me with his rapier. The thin foil would whizz through the air, just barely grazing me.
I turned to block the next swipe, turning on my heel quickly to lock blades with my opponent. I gave a friendly, but still very confident smirk. I then wondered, "Are you the one that taught Heart?"

"I was charged with teaching her how to defend herself, and I have sworn to protect her when she is in my master's charge," As he said that, he parried a blow from me, taking another slash at me.

I sidestepped away from the swipe and then lunged at him in return, "I've made a similar vow, which is why I need my skills as sharp as possible," I said.

"Hmm... well, let's see who's skills are the sharpest." With that, Stryx struck with a quick blow, taking a slash across my vest without cutting into me.

While I paused in my showing of magic, giving a polite bow, "Thank you Madame Lucille."

I then looked towards the door with curious concern, "I wonder where they are? It's been some time now?"
"Oh, Ah'm sure they're alright. Stryx probably just wanted to make sure Duke was alright... ya know how men are after all." Lucille replied, giving me a playful nudge.
"Do I?" I asked in bewilderment.

"Oh yes, just a little exercise to take the edge off," Lucille commented, as she began to pull out various tomes about the city itself, blue prints, maps, and the like.

I looked to Lucille, "What do you mean by that?"

She chuckled, and shook her head. "Boys will have their fun after all."

I thought over Lucille's comment, still unsure if I understood. Then I thought about how Duke had sparred with me, "You mean a practice match?"
"I guess I understand that, we've been through a lot, and it must be frustrating not being able to find the others yet to face what's ahead," I nodded while looking over the maps.

From around my neck, the feline could see the sapphire heart resting below my collar bone.
Lucille gave a nod, looking over the sapphire. Raising a brow, Lucille went to ask. "Now... where did ya get that pretty little thing?"

I glanced down, blushing a bit as I cradled the heart cut gem in my hand, "Duke gave it to me. He said he felt it was meant to be mine."

I remembered the moment well, both of us. It had been while he was trapped in that guardian form, then again after changing back. A warm smile curved my lips from the memory of such relief to have him back, showing quite clearly what I thought of his gesture, and the rogue behind it.

Lucille paused in place, and took a deep breath. "That man... he really means alot to ya, doesn't he?"

I didn't even try to hide it, "I love him..." I thought back and smiled still, "You remember the masked man at the dance that night? That was Duke."

"So.. that's him?" She said, raising a brow. "... mah dear... Ah worry about ya... how much ya been hurt during all this... Ah just want ya safe.."
"I appreciate that, Lucille, I really do..." I said, but then added, "but, we can't protect each other from everything in this world,,especially with the hand we've been dealt, but we can always be there for the other. I've had to help him just as much as he's helped me. We've learned magic together, and have learned from the other as well."

There was a spark of life in my once lonely blue eyes as I talked of this thief.

I gave a blend of a growling chuckle as I displayed some rather fast and steady footwork. Then I slashed back at the owl, making sure not to cut into him either.
The owl backed up, and smirked. "You do have quite some skill, I must admit."

With that, he dashed at me, our steel meeting with a spark.
"As do you," I said as I tried to advance a bit, taking another swing, but being sure not to hurt my opponent by mistake.
As the duel progressed, Stryx would retain his stoic disposition, but I would realize something was off. The owl's moves were growing more aggressive, with the occasional cut in my shirt as Stryx carried on in the match.
"You okay, buddy?" I asked as I blocked the next blow, a bit of a growl in my throat as I tried to get him to answer.

Was he just focusing too hard? I tried to disengage.
"Quite alright." He said, as he continued his assault on me, pushing me back with each attack, "You are quite a match. Been a while since I've had a challenge quite like you. A shame then.."
"A shame?" I asked sharply as I started to catch on and realized I needed to defend myself.

Then I quickly began to wonder if Heart was in danger now as well, and questioned, "What's goin' on, friend? Ya suddenly want us out of the picture?"
He kept on the offensive, pushing me back to the wall, "I am terribly sorry, but, Madame thinks it's best that you... stay away from her charge."

Meanwhile, back in the study, Lucille would take a deep breath. "Oh... oh dear... Ah believe a mistake has been made.."

"A mistake?" I asked in growing concern.
"Ya see hun... well... this is hard for me to say..." She took a nervous gulp, tapping her fingers together. "Ya are aware that man is... well... a thief and a criminal, right hun?"

"Stay away?" I questioned in alarm, as I blocked the next attack, "I'm not stayin' away from Heart!"

I attempted to slash back, this time managing to push him back, with a bit of a growl in his throat, "You're not keepin' her from me either!" My remaining brown eye now had a gold tint to it, my fox like ears folded back.

"He was, yes," I replied hesitantly, "He's been working hard to clear his name. Prince Borg granted him a pardon, just as I plan to here."
Taking a sharp inhalation, the white furred woman sat up straight, "Mah dear... please, do not take this as me questioning your decisions... but, as a thief, his career was based on taking advantage of people's trust. Ya must be careful with somebody like that... they know how to spin and work things so they look innocent."
"Madame Lucille, Duke saved my life well before he knew who I really was," I took a deep breath, "He didn't find out I was of noble birth until he snuck into the party that night."

Thinking Heart was in trouble, I tried to disengage and dart down the hallway to the study.
Stryx's eyes would glow yellow, as the rain poured outside. As I made my way into the hall, the thin blade of the rapier would make a gash across my shoulder, as the owl took pursuit.
"I won't let ya near her!" I growled in growing frustration, "I won't let ya hurt her with this betrayal!"

I turned and swiped at him with my saber to deflect the next attack, before running forward again.
Spreading out his wings, the owl would take flight, and soar over me, cutting me off as he landing before me and took a slice at the fox man. "We won't let you hurt her!"
I managed to jump back just in time. I growled in growing frustration, "I wouldn't hurt Heart! I love her!"
"You may have deceived my master's charge, but she can see through your rouse thief." He stated, before taking another slice, cutting into my arm.
I growled while trying to grasp at my arm to stop the bleeding. I glared at the owl with my remaining eye now, "I wouldn't do that to her!" I tried to focus on finding Heart now, rushing down the hall still.
Before I would turn down the hall, the owl would be upon me. Raising the hilt of the blade, he would bash it against the back of my head, knocking me out cold, "Terribly sorry for that bit of unsporting behavior... but I do what I must for Madame..."
Everything went black as I crumbled to the floor.

My head throbbed when I stirred, looking around as I quickly tried to see if she were there, "Heart?!"

Slight relief showed when I found she wasn't chained up as I was. Yet then there was indeed that to be concerned about. I now looked around for an answer, growling out, "Let me go! I won't let ya hurt Heart! I'll steal her away from your master jus' as I have with anyone else that tried to take her from me!"
Down in the dungeon with me, Lucille would emerge from the darkness. Her ice blue eyes would stare down at me with contempt, "Ya won't be going anywhere, thief. Ah know ya kind... just what you do to young maidens like her. Ah won't let you hurt her any further... and don't try to tell me you were protecting her, with how banged up she was when she arrived..."
I felt a wild anger stirring in me, my pride blending with it, "Ya won't hold me back from her. I have stolen her from those that tried to take her, savin' her from so-called nobility that tried to steal her freedom from her! I have a feelin' you're no different! How else would Xanathar's men have found her in the study that night?! Ya betrayed her, an' you're tryin' to keep me from her now!"

I tried to calm down, but the idea of Heart being taken from me like this only made my warping nature worse. I glared at her with a now gold vulpine eye, "I will steal her from ya, these chains won't hold me! I may not have kept her as safe as I should have, but I never gave up on her either!"
Her eyes narrowed, as she took off her scarlet glove, and she slapped me across the face, "How dare such a wretched cur like you accuse me of something like that! For all Ah know, ya in cahoots with Xanathar... it would be fitting for somebody like you after all."
I gritted my sharpened teeth, my face stinging from being struck.

Still I glared at her with my remaining natural eye, "If I were then she would have been sold off to the monster that wanted her to carry his heir! I wouldn't have gone to the castle that night to try an' save her! I wouldn't have searched all over waterdeep for her, hopin' she was alive!"

I pulled at my restraints, my voice carried a growl still, "I won't lose her to you now!"
"Who know what's going on in that twisted mind of ya's... but, Ah have you safely contained down here, and Ah will make sure Heart is safe from now on!" She said with a hurmph, before turning around, and vanishing back into the shadows.
I pulled and pulled at my chains and shackles, growling still. When she vanished, I tried to focus on a way to get free.

With a bit of a huff, I swore, "I'm not givin' up on her!"

The cat would leave Duke behind in the dungeon below the mansion, using a candle to light her away up the winding steps of the secret passage. While she didn't need the illumination due to her feline vision, she still carried it out of habit. Coming up to the hidden door on the ground floor, she pushed the bookshelf aside in the parlor, and made her way to the study.

"Any luck, Heart?"
I shook my head, "Nothing much yet."

I looked outside to see the storm still brewing. Then I asked, "Where did you disappear to? Are Duke and Stryx joining us soon?"

I had been looking over maps of the city, trying to figure out a way to navigate us through the mists with a set path, "If Duke can guide us through, there may be a road to the castle we can take, or the clock tower."
"Oh... well, mah dear, Stryx and Duke decided to go scout around first, making sure nothing followed after ya two. Ah'm sure they'll return soon enough hun."
"Didn't you say it was dangerous due to the storm?" I asked in confusion.

I started towards the door, "Maybe I could help them then? My magic could be useful?"
Lucille would place a hand on my shoulder, holding me in place. "No need to worry hun, Ah'm sure they'll be alright. They're just surveying the grounds, not going into the mists. Come sit down, and we'll figure out our next move."

Meanwhile, I had started to try and find a way to get free. I noted the keys hanging up and conjured up mage hand to bring them over to me. The set of keys began to float over.
As the keys hovered towards me, I would suddenly get the feeling that I wasn't along. Metal would jangle from behind the wrack, as a shadow darted across the chamber.
I focused on the shadow, using the darkvision I'd learned through our travels. I grabbed the keys in time, but waited to make my next move.
The form would be turned towards me, hunched over with a thin tail dragging behind him, which it grabbed and started to nibble on.

I raised a brow at this, "Ya alright there?"

I kept a close eye on him while starting to try and unlock my shackles.

The form would give a little jump, before it returned it's gaze at me, a pair of yellow beady eyes glaring at me, "The... the madame wants you... down here..."

"Sorry, but Madame Lucille will have to be disappointed," I growled as I turned the key in the lock to get free. As I did, I tried to think of my spells if they were needed.

As the locked turned, the shadow would pounce out of the darkness, revealing what appeared to be a misshapen rat on it's hand legs. Holding a butcher's cleaver, it would swing at me, missing by mere inches. I managed to twist and contort my frame just in time to dodge the blade as the shackles sprang open to free me. With this, I pushed myself off away from the wall and whisper to myself as a blade of shadow was conjured to block the next attack in time. I tried to push the rat back, "I won't let ya creeps hurt Heart!"

Letting out a cackle, the rodent would scurry up the wrack, and took a wild swing at me again, "Madame will do as she wants!"

"Not with Heart, she won't!" I growled as I blocked the cleaver, siding back a bit on my hind vulpine paws. I then tried to slash at the rat in my own growing fury, ignoring the cut the rat had managed to score on my right forearm.
Bounding out of the way in time, the rat grabbed an overhanging chain. Swinging towards the wall, he would kick it, propelling himself back towards me to take another hack.

I would side step out of the way, using the cast shadows of the room to travel to the other side of the room. Taking my chance, I darted out the door and began hurrying up the spiraling stairs.

The mad laughs of the rat would follow after me, his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness, "Perhaps Madame would like a new fur coat! Skin a handsome fox and drape him over her shoulders!"

I ignored him, running up along the stairwell to reach the hallway. As I did, I didn't realize the fury building in me as I thought of her in trouble, that I needed to protect her. My remaining eye would take on a gold hue again, and I bared my teeth with a low growl I couldn't stifle. Still I ran, swiftly keeping to the shadows to blend in with my ebony fur and dark clothing.

The rat, not seeing me fade into the shadows, would continue down the hall, searching for his prisoner, "You can run... but you can't hide... I will fiiiiind yoooou."
I didn't dare say a word, but continued to travel along the shadows, looking for Heart. I focused my senses to try and pick up a sign of her, my vulpine ears twitching when I picked up her voice from much further down the hall.

I began hurrying down the hall towards them, using shadows as a cover as needed.

Meanwhile I looked to Lucille, giving a quiet nod and looking over the maps and notes that might help. However, as we continued reading, I could feel something was a bit off, but wasn't sure just what it was.

Lucille, looking up from her books, would raise a brow. "Heart... sweetie... what's the matter?"
"I...I don't really know?" I replied, "Something just feels off? Duke would have told me he was heading out?" I tried to convince myself that things were just fine.
The cat would scoot over towards me, the chair squeaking under neath her large frame. Leaning towards me, she would give me a hug, "Ah'm sure he's alright.. he just don't want ya to worry. Perhaps ya should get some rest shugah..."
"I don't need to rest," I assured, "I need to help save our home."

I continued to look over a map, pointing out a road from the mansion to the castle, "Is this how you got here safely? We could use this to get back to the castle and find what we can there?"

"Perhaps... though, we will have to wait until the storm settles down..." And as if on cue, lightning would strike outside, a brilliant flash illuminating the room in a moment, Lucille's ice blue eyes glowing as the room dimmed down.
"If it takes too long, we may have to chance it. I have storm magic, maybe I can shield us long enough to reach the castle?" I mentioned, as I then started watching the storm.

In a way, it seemed to mesmerize me as I asked, "Madame Lucille, have you known about what I am all of this time? How do I have dragon blood in the first place?"
The feline would pause for a moment, taking a deep breath, "Hun... Ah must admit.. Ah have known about it. Ah just couldn't tell ya because... well.. it was something Ah thought you weren't ready for."
"How did I come to have this? Neither of my parents carried this blood?" I inquired, shaking a little from this confession.
"About that... hun, Ah needed to save ya when ya were newly born... and in doing so, Ah had to make a deal with a dragon.. part of which bestowed some of it's powers to ya... Ah know it's alot to take in shugah.."

"You made a deal for a blood ritual with a dragon?" I asked, a little surprised, "What did it ask in return?" I then thought over it a bit more, "Were...were you the one that got me out?"
"Simply... half my family's wealth. Ah used to be on par with ya own." She started to answer, until that second question rose. To which, she simply nodded.
"Lucille...?" I gasped, rather stunned by all of this. I then gathered myself and said to my mentor, "Thank you."
She gave a soft smile, placing her hands on mine, "Think nothing of it, hun... Ah just want the best for ya.. so if it seems like Ah fret too much.. it's simply because of that."
"What's best for me?" I asked. I looked out at the storm again, thinking over things quietly.

"Thanks to you, I'm lucky to be alive. If not for you and Duke, I wouldn't know what I was, nor how to control it."

I searched the stormy scene for a sign of my thief, "Where are they?"
She took a deep breath, and nodded. "Ah'm sure they'll be back soon shugah.. they're both capable men."

I glanced over at Lucille, still feeling as though something were off, "Madame Lucille, is something wrong?"

Her ears would twitch, as she looked towards the door. Rising up, she gestured for me to stay, "Something's... amiss dear. Ya stay here while Ah make sure all is well."

With that, she would begin to head out the door without another word. Once she was on the other side, she pulled out a key, sliding it in and turning the lock to make sure that I didn't go anywhere.
I looked after Lucille in growing alarm at her actions, "Madame Lucille?"

Yet she was already gone, and the lock bolting in place only made my worries rise.

I drew closer to the study, before pausing a moment to figure out my next move. I couldn't go in blind, but I knew that I needed to reach Heart as soon as possible. It was then that I noticed our feline hostess down the hall a bit. As I did, I attempted to blend in with the shadows still in hopes she couldn't see me. Though I couldn't help but feel this was useless for some reason. So I stood, bracing myself.
Making her way down the hall, the cat walked slowly but with purpose. Her large fluffy tail swayed behind her form, as her ears twitched, picking up the slightest noise. In the darkness, her blue eyes gleamed, looking over the lavish walls of the manor, "Ah know ya out here... come on out, and we can straighten things out..."
Taking a quick, quiet breath, I tried to look for a way by. The shadows allowed me to travel by, at first, getting by her just enough. Until a flash of lightning revealed me now just standing behind her. I knew this, and tried to brace myself.
The cat turned towards me, her eyes narrowing as she stared me down, "Now shug... what exactly are ya doing up here? Don't ya think ya caused enough trouble already?"
"Ya know darn well why I'm here," I attempted a bit of a smirk.

I didn't move just yet, debating if I should face the feline, or make a break for it to reach Heart.
"After all ya let her go through...?" She said calmly, but if looks could kill, I would already have been just a smear on the wall.

"Here's mah proposal... ya go out, walk into the mists, and never trouble Heart again. Ah'll make sure she'll be safe, something that Ah know you can't promise."
"You would have her give up? All that she's learned an' gone through for nothin'?" I questioned sharply.

I turned around, "I know that I screwed up a lot, but I've always done my best to support her. We're tryin' to save our home, an' secure Heart's place on the throne. You raised her, didn't ya? Don't ya want to see her do this?"

Meanwhile, I was already trying to pick the lock to try and get out. Something in my very core drove me to act, to try and get out. So with a click of my tools, that's what I did as I started to sneak down the hallway.

"If ya want to see her safe, leave her here. We can bide our time until the moment is right.. not charge blindly with ya devil may care attitude." She chide, drawing herself closer to me, making it all the more apparent of how much she dwarfed me, "This is ya last chance... leave now, or else Ah will be forced to act."
"I'm not leavin' her here!" I snapped with a low growl, "An' we weren't goin' to jus' charge in. Whether ya believe it or not, Heart an' I have both learned a lot while we've been away."

I drew another shadow blade to emphasize this, "I don't want to fight ya, but I will defend myself an' her if I have to."
I said this, not knowing that Heart was now sneaking down the hallway, trying to pick up on our voices to lead her in the right direction.
The feline let out a sigh, and shook her head, "Drawing a blade on the lady of the house? Well... ya seemed to made a rather poor decision..."

With that, she lashed out at me, her claw wrapping around my throat, before she slammed me down to the ground.
I choked out a growl as I tried to get free of the feline's grasp. Using the claws of my own paw like hands, I attempted to pry hers away from my neck! As I did, I choked out, "Ya can't...ya can't jus' keep her here!"

Unknown to us, Heart would hear these growls and began to run now. She would tear away most of the skirt of the given dress in order to move quicker without being tripped or weighed down.
"Ah raised her, nutured and taught her! Ah am like a second mother to her! Hellfire, Ah delivered her from the corpse of her mother as it was cooling off! If anyone has any say on what's best for her, it's me ya damn fool!" She exclaimed, tightening her grip as she picked me up and pinned me against the wall.

I fought still, trying to catch enough breath to attempt at getting free. I managed to growl back, "Heart...Heart has more fight in her...than ya know!"

I tried to think of a spell to conjure up, quickly grabbing her arm and giving her a quick shock so she would drop him. As I crumbled to my hands and knees, I caught my breath and said, "What's best for her...is...is supportin' her...believin' that she's strong enough...to endure what's ahead...! We can't protect her from everythin', as much as I wish I could...!" I glared up at her with a glowing gold eye and bared fangs in my vulpine state. Fur bristling with frustration.
Her own fur would bristle, as her claws and teeth began to elongate.

"Just stroll into that creature's lair? Like ya did mine? Ah can't see what mah Heart sees in ya," She hissed, as she slashed at me with a razor sharp claw.
I took the strike, as her claws struck my cheek and knocked me back against the wall. I groaned a bit, but at Lucille's words, I replied with surprising calmness in my voice, "Someone that sees the real her, instead of the princess that wore a mask all the time."
Her fur stood on end at that, as she took my hand, and began to crush it in her grasp, "Ah know her better than ya ever will child. Ah know what she's capable of! I was the one that offered up so much to give her that strength!"
I groaned at first, before letting out a growling yell. I then quickly caught my breath while trying to say, "Then let her use that strength! Did ya know she was the Black Viper, tryin' to stop Xanathar? Did ya know how she admires dragons? Did ya know she could use a sword an' her magic?!"
"... she wouldn't be the Black Viper! She is far more honorable than that wretched theft! Ya just want her to be a low life like you!" She snarled, tightening her grip.
I tried to focus enough to conjure up another spell. Yet I also didn't really want to hurt what was left of Heart's family.

I growled from the pain now radiating from in my hand, "I want her to have her freedom! I want to support her as I've been doin' since I met her! Before I knew who she even really was! She was tryin' to protect her people an' her home, even if she had to do it in a way you wouldn't approve of! She did it to give folks hope!"
"That's why Ah have to keep her safe! It's dangerous to go out now! We need to pounce when he least expects it!"
"We're not goin' to rush in!" I yelled, "but we can't stay here an' wait forever either!"

I managed to slip my hand free, as I tried to slip into the shadows. Before another flash of lightning kept me from slipping away. Lucille would glare down at me, the lightning illuminating behind her, "If it wasn't for the storm ya two would be gone already!"
"To find out what we need to, not to attack! I know I've screwed up before, but I was not goin' to let him get a hold of her! I would give myself up before I let that tyrant catch her!" I growled in rising anger.
"Perhaps ya have a point about scouting ahead... but ya a damn fool to think Ah would allow Heart to task such a risk so early!"
"Heart's been riskin' her life already to grow stronger! She's fought an' learned every step of this journey! Ya need to trust her! If it weren't for her, I'd be dead a few times over by now, an'...an' so would any hope that she's given me..." I admitted in a harsh growl.
"I'm not the one who betrayed her that night! I never would have done that to her!"
"She may be capable, but she isn't ready! Ah won't let ya have her take such a needless risk!" She hissed, raising her hand back as her nails grew, before she went to slash at me once more.
I looked up, unable to pull away in time as she dropped her clawed hand. Both of us not seeing as someone darted between us, taking Lucille's claws for me as they struck her face!

She didn't cry out, but there was a pained grimace over her face, as Heart looked up at her mentor. Standing firmly between Lucille and i, the sapphire scaled draconic woman pleaded, "Lucille, stop!"
The cat froze in place, seeing the damage she did to Heart. Letting out a mortified gasp, she covered her mouth, "Heart! What are ya doing here?! Ya supposed to be in the study!"
"Standing between you and him, that's what!" Heart snapped, trying to ignore the stinging in her face as blood trickled from the claw marks.

Luckily she'd missed her eyes, but it certainly wasn't pleasant still.

"Why are you attacking him?!"

"Heart?" I asked in alarm at seeing her get hurt on MY behalf, "Heart, are ya okay?"
"Heart... mah dear... it's best for ya to head off now. Ya shouldn't be caught in the middle of this. He... he let so much happen to ya, and is willing to risk ya! If something happened to ya, there's no way for us to recover!"

"I'm already in the middle of it, aren't I?!" Heart questioned, "You've been like a mother to me, and he is the man I fell in love with!"

I looked to Heart as she stood there still, refusing to admit that she was shaking, "Sweetheart...?"

"He didn't let those things happen to me. Anytime I was in trouble he didn't stop trying to reach me. He always found me, just as he did before...!"
"What if he can't?! What if Xanathar gets ya, and he isn't able to help ya?! Heart, we can't afford losing ya!" She exclaimed, grabbing Heart by a shoulder and looking her in the eyes.

"Heart... Ah can't afford to lose ya!"
"Lucille..." Heart said in a soft reply, trying to figure out what else to say.

From behind Heart, while steadying my stance while getting up, I attempted, "Don't ya think I know that? It's part of why I insisted on goin' with her when we started this quest."
As I spoke up, her fur would stand on her, "Even if that's what ya believe, Ah know for certain that from what Ah've seen ya won't be able to protect her the same way Ah can!"
"Like ya did the night of the attack on the castle?! Like ya did when she was found an' nearly sold to a cretin that was goin' to use her?! She was bein' kept in a brothel, an' we were able to save her! Ya hid here this whole time not knowin' where she was!" I snapped in growing frustration.
Pushing past Heart, she would grab me by his hair, and yanked me up, "Ya don't know when to keep ya mouth shut when ya should! Mah men searched and scoured the city! Don't ya dare say Ah did nothing!"

"Lucille, stop!" I snapped to see him being treated so.

Duke gritted his teeth from the strain on his scalp, as his long hair was pulled. He couldn't help but bare his fangs a bit, growling as he tried to get free. I would then grab Lucille's arm to try and get her to release him, "Please, stop!"
At my plea, she would let go of Duke, letting him fall to the ground. Her ears folded back, as she hissed, "Ya can't even stand up to me... what hope do ya have standing before Xanthar..."
Duke winced as he caught himself on his hands and knees again. Looking up at the feline, he replied, "If I did that...it would hurt Heart."

I looked over the rogue as I took a step closer to him.
Lucille glared down at him... and let out a huff. Turning towards me, she took out a hankerchief, and went to dab the blood off my face, "Ya poor thing... Ah'm ever so sorry... Ah... Ah just want the best for ya.."
She would find hurt in my eyes, even as I allowed her to do this. Before taking the cloth and turning it over to kneel down before Duke, and began cleaning the scratches on his face.

"I know a lot has happened, and I understand you're scared for me...but I also remember the Lucille that was scared I would never be happy. You said I was so focused on things before this all happened that I was losing myself..."

Duke listened as I said this, and remembered aloud, "Even when ya were the Viper, you were tryin' to defend the city from it's dark secrets all on your own. No one knew, did they?"

I shook my head, and risked looking up at Lucille.
She took a deep breath, and ran her fingers through my hair. "... ya really should've told me ya... Ah would've understood... Ah'd be worried to death, but Ah would've understood.."
"Like you understand now?" I asked while looking at the claw marks over Duke's cheek and trying to sooth their sting, "You encouraged me while growing up to find someone that makes my heart pound. Someone that thinks of me before themselves, whether I want him to or not. Someone to treat me like a princess without knowing I even was one?"
She gave pause, before letting out a sigh. "... very well... if he means so much... just... please, by all that is holy... please... be careful..." The came up to the two of us, and shook her head. "Ah'll.. have somebody get some healing supplies..."
Duke helped me to my feet as we faced Lucille. Taking a deep breath, he attempted, "I know I've messed up, but Heart an' I have learned a lot as well. We started out unsure of what she was, where to go, an' how to get stronger. However, we still took that chance 'cause it was more important for us to start somewhere. Not only has she learned magic, but helped me to do the same."
Lucille gave a nod. "Honestly... not too surprising... she was always been a quick study... though rather stubborn... which does have it's merits."
Duke gave a bit of a chuckle as he said, "As I've seen, an' am standin' here thanks to that."

He thought for a moment, and carefully, before saying, "We've saved each other, an' have been able to protect others along our journey. Heart's proven to be worthy of the hope people have put in her. She can do this, an' I swear I'll be there with her." Then he added, "Don't think for a moment that I am not afraid of losin' her though."

"... very good then. If ya value her half as much as Ah do, then Ah know she's in good hands." The feline commented, as she ushered a servant to tend to our wounds.
Duke gave a nod, before looking over at me, and seeing the real me shining through, he said, "More than any treasure I've ever stolen."

He watched as I blushed from thus remark and smirked. Before he added softly, "'cause without her to see anythin' worth while in me, I'd still be a rather lonely thief, without much of a purpose, or much hope of one."

I would see through the vulpine features that were now reversing, and smiled at him. The two of us then looked to Lucille, with me attempting, "So trying to kill him aside, what do you think of the man I've finally brought home?"

Duke braced himself for the worst.
"... he's got spirit, Ah'll say that." She let out a soft chuckle, looking over the two of us, "Now Duke... make sure ya take good care of her.. otherwise ya will have me to deal with."
Duke gave a swift bow to my feline mentor, "Of course, Madame Lucille. I'll steal her from whatever trouble tries to take her."

I blushed a bit still as I smiled at him. Then I looked to Lucille, "Well make you proud, and we'll free our home from that tyrant. With our friends here, I know we can do this."
The cat would come up to the two of us, and wrapped us in her arms, pulling us into an embrace... and nearly smothering the two of us.
As she did this, I let a tear or two fall as I hugged them in return. Noticing this, Duke hugged us both, and said, "It's good to be back home, isn't it?"

I nodded while still hugging them both.