Maraxus: Yes we're back with another piece of this story. While not directly an audience with our Minion Mistress this piece provi-

Gnarl: Don't ruin it. Let them read on and discover for themselves.

Maraxus: Fair enough. Enjoy.

An Overlady's Audiences Part 6

They fell into the sky.

Jinx barely had the time to see her Tower Gate's red glow before they flew above it; Kniff and her, on Zephyros' wings, where she always had been happiest; only this time they weren't flying into battle. This time they had another goal entirely.

The Gate they'd ascended out of was situated in the Everlightian mountains, but a few ridges further than the cave system where Zephyros' former colony roosted. Jinx preferred to not be surprised by them before she had a chance to get her bearings.

Change concerning that could be afoot, however. For the past few weeks Zephyros and her had visited the mountains three times. The first time, the tame giant bat had been violently chased off, and Jinx had founded a new Tower Gate a safe distance from the colony. The second time, the bat and Jinx had kept more to themselves, hunting in the valley below the roost, and leaving some of their prey on a ledge beneath the entrance. As they flew off, bats had approached their gift, still interested in the hunting skill of their mounted relative.
The third time some bats had approached them, among which a few individuals without the long mane, which Jinx assumed were females. None of them had come very close, though, save for a truly giant male with a flowing mane and so many holes and tears in the membrane of his wings that they whistled as he flew. Jinx had been very concerned about Zephyros' wellbeing, and her own, but had then realized there was no aggression in the eyes or demeanour of the huge male; only a kind of calculating seriousness. And Jinx had understood.

He may not be a bat anymore, but together you're something that resembles one.

The wild giant bats had retreated, and Jinx had wisely done the same. But now, a little over a week after that day, she'd returned, with Kniff tagging along. She was very curious about Zephyros' species, and wanted to reunite him with them as well as she could, just like she'd once wanted the same for Kniff.

It was a clear day and Zephyros' wings cut through the air, barely flapping in search of a good thermal. The stocky scholar, Darion, had been a good breakfast, so he flew contently and effortlessly.

They soared over the deep valleys and flattened highlands of the mountain range, coming ever closer to the roost. Jinx felt excitement bubble up in her stomach, as always as she approached the caves – she'd never forget her first visit. That day had been the beginning of the best part of her life.

Kniff sensed her enthusiasm, and placed a claw on her shoulder. Jinx stretched her neck to look back and look him in the eye, and grinned. She knew he was glad to be allowed to go with her now.

She looked ahead again, enjoying the cool air. Below her the mists in the valley parted, and the entrance of the roost came to sight.

Her thoughts returned to the huge male with the whistling wings. After giving it a bit of thought she'd named him Sibilo – Whistler. He was probably the leader, as Stripe had once been for the browns. Hopefully Zephyros would never have to take him on to truly be taken back.

But Sibilo didn't show, not even as the three of them lowered themselves on the wind and came level with the entrance. Jinx peered into the dark and made out a few hanging bats in the roost. The smell of guano and warm bodies reached her, and Zephyros widened his nostrils.

There weren't half as many bats as Jinx had expected. Perhaps the main part of the colony was out hunting. The Overlady let her bat descend, and Zephyros landed on the rocky ledge with scraping claws. Jinx and Kniff slid off his back, and suddenly felt very small, with the warm darkness towering over them.

"Why aren't they here?" Jinx wondered out loud. "There usually are so many of them… so eager to chase him off."

"But done chasing off last time," Kniff replied. "Maybe… less cautious now?"

"They accepted him already?" Jinx stared up at the roost's ceiling. She took a few careful steps forward. Kniff followed, just as slowly. "Careful," he spoke softly. Jinx briefly touched his shoulder, as her eyes slid over the bats.

"I can see Sibilo," she hissed excitedly. "He's still here! But he seems to be asleep…"

Then something moved at the ceiling, and a single bat came down, claws outstretched, almost perfectly white and gleaming. Jinx threw herself out of the way and dragged Kniff with her, rolling aside as the bat soared past them and swooped around outside the cave. Jinx raised her head as new wingbeats joined in.

Zephyros had taken flight again and now circled the second bat.

Jinx looked at the cave, then back at the duo. Inside of the cave not a single bat seemed to care much for Zephyros. Kniff seemed to be right – Zephyros was no longer a threat, and neither was she. Kniff was probably her equivalent – small, and no longer interesting.

There was only one of them that was interested in Zephyros, and that was the bat outside. It was a light-coloured individual, without a mane; probably a female. Jinx stared at her claws, still outstretched to Zephyros. "Snatcher," she muttered. Then, smiling: "Harpyia."

The two of them still tumbled around each other, but Zephyros didn't bare his own claws. Eventually Harpyia, too, tucked them under her body, and the duo swooped away over the mountain ridge. Zephyros briefly looked back, but Jinx just stuck up her thumbs, grinning monstrously.

"Not entirely according to plan, but… Grubby? Are you there?"

A new Tower Gate later Jinx and Kniff were back in the Netherworld, wind-swept and all. Gnarl exchanged glances with Jinx. "Do you think he'll return, Milady?"

"I know. He's mine, but I wish him all the luck in the world with this." She cheerfully bounced on the balls of her feet. "It wasn't right for him to have to roost alone."

"It'll also be easier on the throne room and the private quarters, reducing the guano production and all…"

"He'll still come down occasionally, I'm afraid," Jinx chuckled.

"Oh well," Gnarl sighed, as the Overlady walked past him and returned to her throne. "We'll survive. Are you ready for the next visitor?"

"We'll see how ready I am," Jinx spoke. "Bring it on."

Maraxus: So, Zeph's got a girlfriend. Good for you buddy.

Gnarl: At least he won't be hanging around the Netherworld so much then.

Maraxus: Who knows, if he starts a family Jinx could end up with her own airforce of them.

Gnarl: That would be something.

Maraxus: Anyway that will be all for this time. Please review and all credit to Sunjinjo (Iris). Bye.