Meeting Ryan and Wishing for a nice, Quiet Lunch...

“Shall we?” Londra motioned at the door that Alden had brought them to. Once again, the slave traders was a simple two-story house that looked inviting. Alden gently placed his hand on her back, giving her a push up the stairs. “Thanks, everything is slow.”

“Know that,” Alex grumbled looking at the stairs. “You want to help me up these four, horrid stairs too?” Alden turned around offering his hand to Alex who sighed happily. “Thanks.”

Londra tried the door, but it was locked. With a little nock, the door opened to a half-Elf and a large human man. Both gave her warm smiles. “Hello, you must be Londra. We don’t have any slaves… thus the door is locked since it is our residence as well. I am Tim, a simple human name, right?” the large man with a long, black face and piercing brown eyes said. “This is my wife, Markona.” This brought attention to the woman, just as tall with brilliant blue eyes, an accented, oval face, and short Elven ears that were only two fingers from her head holding back shoulder length blond hair.

“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Londra said with a nod and smile. “Alden, Alex, and…” she paused to look down at Delta who was pretending to sleep, “Delta.”

“If you will come in, I would like to introduce you to Mary and John. Two other very human names,” Tim added with a chuckle. “They would like to speak with you before they turn over Ryan. Nala is not technically a slave but comes with Ryan.” He motioned them to the left, an open living room where two older humans sat. Both with greying, brown hair and caring blue eyes. They stood and came to the group. “This is Captain Londra and two members of Twilight Star, Alden and Alex. Oh, and her Feline Drake, Delta.”

The pretending Delta purred causing Londra to stroke him. “Hello. Was there a problem with the price, because I can offer more. We really want her to join us even if it is just as a support member. Helen and Alex really miss their friend and want her back.”

“There wasn’t a hint of a lie there anywhere,” John stated. “That is all I wanted to hear. Ryan can’t see but if her friends want her back that much… I am glad to… sell her to you.”

“That isn’t something that a faulty teleportation should do,” Londra frowned, blinking her dry hazel eyes while thinking. “Now I am intrigued. I wonder if I can heal her... I defiantly will try. I promise we will take care of her and make her feel like one of us no matter if she can see. We will work her hard, just like we do ourselves.”

Mary chuckled, taking Londra's light beige hand. “You need sleep my dear. I can see how hard you work, don’t forget to breathe once in a while. We already said our good-byes and if we go back in, we will only cry which will…”

“Makes her angry,” Alex finished. “Yea, she doesn’t like tears because she feels so much.”

“Exactly,” Mary smiled, patting him on his left arm. “Tim, enjoy your day and thanks. If you have another lost lamb, we will help in any way we can. I hear we have food that isn’t fish! I can't wait!”

This caused the four to smile as they waited to make sure Mary and John made it down the stairs before moving them to the right, a bigger living room. This large room had a tea cart in the corner with pale yellow walls and bright cheery paintings. In the center of the room was a large coffee table with pale green couches on opposite sides and pale blue loveseats on the other two sides. A nervous female sat on one of the couches with large windows behind, her catlike ears twitching around. They were stripped… silver and dark grey while her short hair was black. There was a cloth around her eyes. Londra then noticed a blanket on the coffee table with a cat curled up. She was a violet color, with short fur and a long tail that almost wrapped completely around her curled up body. “Hello?” Ryan started softly, her voice full of emotion. “I know that smell, a human I truly like, but I don’t know what name you decided on. I could guess...”

“Alexander, just Alex works,” he answered moving to sit next to her taking her hands with a frown. They were more paws than hands, with silver and dark grey fur. “What happened to you? Your hands… did your evolution regress?” He looked up at Londra showing so many emotions in his square, cognac face and steel grey eyes.

Ryan chuckled, “look at you using such non-human words. Maybe, I am not sure. You have a strange smell with you. What happened to you?” she asked glad that he didn’t shy from the silver-dark grey fur on her hand with sharp claws. Most were afraid of her hands…

“I lost an arm, right one,” he answered simply. “My friend Londra, she is quite the mage. Can she take a look? I trust her… so does my wife. Here name is Helen now. Her actual name now is Helianthus, she took the name of her grandmother.”

“And they are allowed to call her Helen,” Ryan commented, her long tail unwinding from her waist to sit across Alex who smiled. “Wow, of course I will let Londra look. I smell others with her… a male Elf with a strange, horrible curse, another Feline Drake that is quite powerful. Wait, you and Londra have another type of curse… a nightmare curse if my nose is correct.”

“It is,” Alex confirmed with a smile. “Your nose always did amaze me. The Elf is Alden, he was sold into slavery from Golden after the blood curse didn’t kill him, long story. Londra contained it otherwise he would be very cross to any female. Delta is the Feline Drake.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you and your nose,” Londra said with a smile, glad it made her smile as well. She sat Delta down on the light blue loveseat near the wall towards the street. He slowly studied the cat sleeping but didn’t move too much. Londra stroked him. “Delta, could you dim the lights please.” He didn’t say anything, but the room grew darker. Tim and Markona sat on the opposite couch watching how easily Ryan trusted Alex. They needed to be there because of the slave transfer, plus they enjoyed entertainment.

Londra unwrapped Ryan's eyes then took her other hand. Power surrounded her before a real smile came over her face. Her hazel eyes blinked as she checked again before applying a few different healing spells before Victim’s Revenge. She loved how versatile that healing curse/spell was. “Okay, I need you to keep your eyes gently closed for the next twenty minutes.”

“What did you find?” Alex wondered as Londra went over to the loveseat with Delta. Alden was still standing behind it waiting to see what would happen next.

Londa scooped up Delta setting him on her lap and motioning Alden to sit next to her. She knew that the loveseat was high enough since she had to climb into it. “Two things, the first is that she wasn’t teleported too far and would have been one of the prime teleportees of the original spell. Thus, she isn’t missing anything. Could you see after the teleportation?”

“I could, but only for a few minutes then everything went dark,” Ryan answered, leaning back against the sofa. “I ran in both forms until I couldn’t run anymore. I can change into a silver tiger with dark grey striping. But, I haven’t been able to since… and my body is always in pain... My hands were human-like with pointed fingernails…”

“Thanks, you that verifies my other observation,” Londra continued. “You were close to enhanced before your Lacrama broke. I understand why they decided to do that but at the same time it fractured your mind, more so than it did with Helen’s or Alex’s. Maybe it was because you were closer to them when they did it. It is why you can’t see and are in pain, yet it also saved your life in a way. To live for ten years without being able to change would have killed you, if your mind was whole. Now, I have started the healing process, but you will have to brave the Learning Room and have the sentient spell heal it completely. But you should be able to see soon. We will get you back to yourself, if not better!”

“I hear that one,” Alex chuckled, squeezing Ryan's hand. “Do you know that every non-human in our party is enhanced? Londra and Anna have a way of gently pushing us forward in the most beneficial ways. Even Helen has learned more spells, and I have learned more skills. Oh, Anna is Julianna, she has deep red hair. She is a human but can craft spells like no other. If you could see… well maybe your nose did. Londra applied a version of Victim’s Revenge that she and Anna have changed so much you don’t know it was applied until three hours later when you need to sleep and wake up so much different! Wow, that was a lot for me.”

“That is amazing,” Ryan murmured. “You definitely need sleep, but I do like your voice, and it confirmed some of my suspicions. I can take another headache! Londra, you seem to know a lot about fractured minds. May I ask why?”

“I and six of my teammates were part of the Challenge,” Londra answered. “Our minds were fractured from that. Mine went farther since they shattered my Lacrama twice. I saved the former Duke’s son and they owed me money. They thought I would forget but that part never left my mind. I still don’t have all my memories back and when I do get them… lots of pain because they are unveiled so quickly.”

“I am sorry to hear that and more impressed with this group of people by the moment,” Tim commented. “Sorry, but we have to stay…”

“I totally understand,” Londra smiled. “Master Yevhen is a friend, but don’t tell anyone!”

“We understand that,” Markona smiled. “He is the reason we can be together.”

Londra gently put Delta on Alden’s lap. Neither objected but both were watching her. She slid off from the loveseat to stroke Nala. “What a lovely violet color,” she mumbled. This had Nala’s tail unwrapping as the slim cat began to wake. “Oh, she has white feet and green eyes. Hello, I am Londra. Would you like to be part of my group of Familiars?”

Tim watched in astonishment as Nala sat up and looked at Londra. Anybody else that touched her, but Ryan, she attacked. He was warned but this female was amazing.

“I am Nala,” she yawned. “You gave me mana. It was warm,” she added softly. “You smell good, and he trusts you completely, I can see it. You can protect me?”

“Your voice is very soft,” Londra started, as Delta's tail gently hit her shoulder. “Yes, I can protect you but before you decide, may I heal you? They locked your wings inside you… how horrible. Can you tell me about your journey here? We have some time to wait, and I would love to hear.”

“Please, that would be nice,” Nala answered softly. Now everyone was focused on the power coming from Londra’s hands and the variety of colors with the lines of spells. “That is a variation of a complicated healing curse that you turned into a spell. You are quite skilled.” Londra smiled at her watching Nala’s tail swirl around. “I don’t know what continent I was born on. That isn’t important to us magical animals. All I remember is a horrible screeching sound that caused me to pass out. Luckily, I wasn’t near my family… my mother and father were still alive. I hope they still are… I slept for a long time because of magic. When I awoke, I was in a strange cage. There were several of us… three other female Feline Drakes, six large magical cats, eight elemental wolves, and a variety of magical birds... maybe a dozen or more. We were on a ship. I remember the men talking about us going to Continent Thirty. They were going to kidnap the renowned animal healer… Lizama and force her to heal us. They had bought us cheap because those who caught us used the wrong spells to keep us in line. It made us sick and unable to reproduce. Did I say something wrong, you look like you are in pain.”

Londra had climbed back up on the love seat and was now holding Alden’s hand tightly while Delta looked on with quiet anticipation. “She is okay, go on,” Delta said hoping that this could end all the doubt in her heart. "Please, she needs this."

“Yes,” Nala nodded. “Lizama was a high-level Elf that specialized in healing animals. One of the men said it was a stupid plan because her husband was a crazy strong half-Elf. They even said his name was Barten. I don’t know why but the others just shivered at his name and whispered real low about all he had done. Then they went on to say that the children were all extremely powerful… what were their names. OH! Londra, Diego, and Heather… is that you? A sea creature destroyed the ship and sent us all flying this way. I think it wanted to help. I also think it got away. Are we on Continent Thirty?” she asked with a bit of fear in her soft voice.

Londra couldn’t stop the memories or the tears from flowing so Delta jumped over to the table so Alden could help ease the headache. “You said nothing wrong, everything right actually,” he said in his adolescent way, his golden eyes glowing. “That was one piece of the puzzle we have been trying to get someone to say. We are part of her; thus, she couldn’t hear us when we told her about her old lives. But now… my thanks. No, we are on Continent 21. Not a fun continent yet we have fun friends. You will always be safe with her, no matter the continent.”

“Wow,” Ryan whispered, “so much emotion and pain... I can smell it.”

“She isn’t an Elf,” Tim mumbled. “Oh, I have heard about this. No wonder she is so gifted…”

“Read the room,” Markona mumbled, they both bowed their heads in apology.

“That is why you asked for my story,” Nala said softly. “I heard about the Lacramas being broken. I am glad to help. May I be your Familiar as well?” Her green eyes begging.

“Yes,” Londra chuckled through tears completing the contract. “My brother is an Elf, while my sister is a half-Elf. I was always bullied but that wasn’t new from my last life… also the same was their support. It was rock solid,” she added softly more to Alex and Alden but didn’t care if the others heard. She really was happy. Now she knew so much about her loving family and was glad that Alpha could contact them. She looked down to see her Lacrama was glowing. “I haven’t offered Ryan the contract yet,” she mumbled looking to see why it was glowing. She had a recorded message from her mother… just like that.

“I don’t think anyone would care if you watched it,” Alden said in her mind before kissing her head like his mother had done to give comfort. But the simple kiss let him know that wasn’t something he could do. His curse hit him with such force he almost cried out in pain. He hoped Londra didn’t notice since the simple touch had made her smile through her tears. She rubbed her hands… nervously, which helped the pain from the curse calm. Thus, he learned he could hold her at any time, but kissing was a different thing.

“I don’t think I can move, may I watch it?” Londra asked the room softly, unconsciously moving her wrist across the slave marking again. Her hands were cold, so she was rubbing both sides unaware that it was helping to ease Alden’s pain. “Ryan’s eyes need about ten more minutes…”

“We don’t mind and are sworn to secrecy since you are a client,” Tim stated.

Londra licked her lips and tried to dry her hazel eyes but then just sighed figuring it was useless. She activated her Lacrama and the recording with her mind. A female appeared for them all to see since the transmission was transparent. Her long, beige face and evergreen eyes showed more emotion than most Elves, while her long ears, far from head showed how powerful she was. She had a unique mix of white, pink, and orange shoulder length, hair another characteristic of Elven power. She nodded taking a deep breath, “My dearest daughter, I hope this reaches your eyes but know that if it doesn’t, I will record a new one on every Monday until someone jiggles your memories. I have come to understand the uphill battle you are facing… know that I believe in you. Alpha’s messages have gotten more positive and that makes us all happy. I can’t imagine not having any solid memories… you must think us horrible for leaving you in the Challenge.” She paused for her nervous hand to push back hair and to blink the moisture from her eyes. “I did feel horrible, but we sent spies… there was no way to free you since there was nothing we could offer. We love you and never stopped thinking about you. I want you to know that…” she paused again to swallow her emotions. She looked up for a moment. “I don’t have a lot of time, so I will be quick. Please forgive me but things here are not good. The dark mist is growing every day, and our politicians are spiraling down… becoming more like the ones we left behind in our other lives. We went from the brother to the cousin… it doesn’t matter. We are safe and they don’t understand that if pushed too much more we, the people they are supposed to govern, have real power here. For this reason, I ask that you only send recordings to us on Friday and watch ours future recording on Wednesday. Remember to make them around five minutes long. Now, the one point I truly want… I now know why you were trying to learn Justice Sword and I feel so horrible. But know one thing, I too have researched it, the spell will only kill those that deserve it and erase those that are truly horrible. There is no way to mess up the spell. If the fame around your sword is blue, it is true. Use it, protect yourself… they are just more M-Ms that need purifying. Souls that twisted and already shattered, return them to the lifestream and let the victims receive sanity. That is the other aspect of the spell… truly wonderful. If they have brutalized more than ten, their memories are wiped from everyone and those that endured the brutality are healed in every way as if it never happened. To wake up and be stronger because you didn’t endure that but fought it… I believe in your judgment more than most and I believe in you… we all do. Your father and siblings can’t wait to hear from you. We send all of our love to you, my brave daughter.” Her mother smiled through her tears as the recording ended.

“I didn’t know she could talk that fast,” Delta commented trying to lighten the mood.

“Do you know that spell?” Ryan wondered, trying to relax. She had yet to let go of Alex’s hand and her tail was still draped over his lap because it made her feel safe. “Not that I want you to use it but… there are many here right now that it could be used on… not that I would be brave enough…”

Alex squeezed her hand as she nodded carefully.

“I do, quite well,” Londra whispered, looking around the room through her tears. “Is there a bathroom nearby that I could use?”

“Yes, right there in the far corner,” Tim answered pointing behind Ryan. “It looks like a closet, but it is a bathroom. Please, take your time.”

She slid off from the loveseat and Alden steadied her. She just nodded at him, slowly walking towards Ryan. She paused to check the spell. “That works nicely. The spell should be done when I am. Please excuse me,” she said softly retreating to the small bathroom to relieve herself and wash her face with cold water… the coldest she could get. She listened, wandering if any would speak about her… not that she cared right now. That was her mother… who was sending her a recording every week! She felt so many emotions but knew she needed to focus. Her life was here, with them but at least she knew now.

The room was quiet and still dim. Delta was laying on the soft blanket with Nala. He wasn’t quick with his assessments, but he would protect her, she was sure of that. “Ready?” Londra asked softly since they all seemed to be lost in thought.

“I think so… not to jinx it but I am noticing a bit of light through my lids, and everything has been dark no matter the lighting,” Ryan said hopeful. Her silver and dark grey stripped cat ears were moving quite a bit as was the tip of her tail. Alex put his hand on her leg and she sighed. It was nice to see that she trusted him so.

“Good, now open your eyes,” Londra started. “They will tear up, blink until the tears have all fallen… probably three to four blinks.” Londra stood before her watching. “Can you see?”

“It is darker than I thought it would be, but I can see,” she answered softly, fisting her cat-like hands careful not to poke herself.

“Good, Delta raise the lights by a quarter, please,” Londra asked. The lighting in the room changed slowly and Ryan’s eyes started to tear. She blinked again until they were dry. “Good, wow your eyes are gorgeous. Okay, one more time should do it. Delta, full light.”

“I am so useful,” Delta said happily returning the lights to their full strength. He stood, letting his wings slide out then flapped over before Ryan. He wanted to see her Demon eyes. They were remarkable, the pupil was pure silver while the iris around it was violet outlined in a darker silver. The violet iris had black flecks within it. Yes, just as unique as Mara’s. Ryan was blinking but smiling at the flapping black cat before her. “Hello, I am Delta. I wanted to see if your eyes were like Mara’s, she is a friend. Her pupils are navy while the iris is blue with flecks of navy and black. We have another Demon with us named Trenton. His are all different greens… a bit boring but still unique. His pupil is dark green while the iris contains lighter greens with specks of dark green and black.”

“Thanks for the information,” Ryan smiled reaching out to pet him noticing her hands were changing little by little. He let her stroke his head before pulling back a bit. “You are a lovely black. Your wings remind me of my father… I wonder if he is still alive. You must be powerful since you have six tips.”

“I like you,” Delta decided, flapping to land in Londra’s arms. “She noticed my tips!”

“That she did,” Londra chuckled, snuggling him close for a moment before returning her attention to Ryan. The spells were helping change her body back, her hands were now more human than cat with only a bit of fur on the tops. “Delta and Theda have six tips while Alpha and Beta have five. All four are very powerful since a standard Feline Drake only has two,” she explained.

“I did not know that,” Alden said through their link. “I am sorry I didn’t notice, Delta.”

“Now I like you better too!” Delta purred. “All the spells are working perrrfectly,” Delta announced. Londra chuckled moving to check on Nala. She rubbed him again before setting him in Alden’s lap.

“Nala, I need to see your wings,” Londra started, sitting on the coffee table. “I am going to help them out. The spells will heal them, but I want to make sure everything has started to heal.” Nala’s green eyes blinked but she stood for Londra to stroke her back. A moment later her violet wings slid out of her body. “Now don’t move, even though I know you want to. Let me check them out. Look, five tips and they are white like your feet.”

“That means she can use lightning, holy, light, and air magic. I can use earth when I want to,” Delta added as Alden stroked him. “I can also use air but like gravity and dark magic. By the way, light magic and holy magic are different just like dark and shadow magic. Oh, I can use shadow magic too! I am so great... na, Alpha does that part better. I am loveable.” Alden continued to stroke Delta with a partial smile on his long, accented, beige face.

Londra smiled, so glad that Delta was there since Alex was battling to stay awake and their slave traders were very quiet. It was like they were watching a show, a bit annoying. Alden wasn’t saying much either, but he had helped with all the headaches… so maybe he was tired. He did look a bit worn; his marble blue-green eyes were deeper than normal. “Okay, looks like the membrane is all healthy but there are two tips that are twisted… this will hurt for a second,” she added quickly righting the tips on the left wing. “These bones need strengthening,” she mumbled touching the bones and adding to the healing spells. She waited to make sure it was enough. “Looks good, now I am going to push them back inside. In about three hours they should be good to fly on. Be warned, it will be strange since you haven’t in years.”

“My thanks,” Nala said softly with so much emotion. “I am glad that you came for Ryan.”

Londra looked over at Delta who gave his permission to her. She scooped up Nala gently, snuggling her close, “so am I. Okay, here is the contract, Ryan.”

Ryan smiled, activating her Lacrama. She accepted it without hesitation and now they all waited for Tim to do his part, which took seconds. “Master Yevhen said it would be the easiest. Well, there you go. Ryan, you are now a probationary member of Twilight Star until you finish it at the guild. Thanks,” with that he stood with the rest of them.

“Let’s go get that done,” Londra decided, “then it should be time for lunch.” Alden tucked Delta in his arms. The others stood and followed her out the door with smiles.

“Each step is better than the last,” Ryan said happily, her tail swirling behind her while her cat ears twitched. “I can see too, well when the tears of happiness subside.” She walked hand in hand with Alex until they entered the Guild House which was just a few feet away. She never liked this skinny man but didn’t let anyone know.

“Hello,” Londra started, walking up to the desk. “I would like to finalize a member and add another Familiar to our party. I am Londra, the Captain of Twilight Star.”

The skinny man huffed, pointing to the large Lacrama. Londra said nothing but did as was required. The man grumbled as he did his small part before motioning to Ryan. Ryan touched the Lacrama finalizing her membership. “Well, aren’t you a goodie-goodie. Everything is done so be on your way with the filthy animals.”

“Wow, so kind,” Londra responded lightly. She motioned to the others that they were leaving. The tall skinny man actually tried to grab her arm but missed, falling to the ground. “That is karma,” she added leaving with the others. “Time to meet up with half the group. Hope you are ready to be happily bombarded!”

“How far is Rosalies?” Alex wondered watching Londra scanning as she walked, while Alden followed to right her when she stumbled.

Ryan stopped to sniff the air, “not far…oh, look it is green and pink. I never knew that!”

“That looks like a cute house instead of a restaurant,” Londra commented. “We have to come back when I can see straight…” she chuckled, “and walk straight.”

“Agreed,” Delta snickered as they entered.

Lunch and vengeance 

In the back was the rest of the group while a half-Elf greeted them with a smile. “Welcome,” she started, “your group is in the back and already ordered for you. I hope that is alright. Also, Lord Oberon stopped by to say… ‘they owe thirty, thus traitors and have an hour to leave before we round them up. Be aware, they are watching.’ I do believe that is word for word,” she smiled. “Oh, Ryan your eyes are beautiful. Sorry, I am glad they were able to heal them. Nala, your tail is happily moving, and so long. I am so glad. Anyways, your orders should be out soon.” With that she motioned them to the back. Calla’s musical laughter drifted through the room making many smile.

Londra moved through the tables making her way to a jovial Zeke and laughing Fenten. In the middle of the large table Theda laid watching them all. Delta jumped out of Alden’s arms to join him, motioning Nala to join them. She wasn’t as graceful but landed without falling. “Hi, made it. This is Ryan and that is Nala.”

Nala studied the other Fenile Drake for a moment before relaxing. Theda had a gentle presence to go with his long yellow hair and hazel eyes. She hoped that her short, violet hair could look that shiny and her white feet could be white again. Her green eyes connected with Delta’s golden eyes and she twirled her long tail in greeting.

Ryan took a moment to survey the strange group after seeing Nala relax. A tall female, the same height as Ryan, moved towards Londra. Her light violet eyes and diamond face were full of concern. With a steady light honey colored hand with a touch of light green she reached for Londra. This is when Ryan noticed her slightly pointed ears and lovely golden hair.

“You are a mess of emotional energy,” Calla started. “Nice to meet you both, by the way. I am Calla, beside me is Zeke. Londra, you need to sit,” she finished guiding her into the chair next to her motioning Alden to take the other chair.

“Wow, to evolve all that way,” Ryan mumbled, blinking her eyes in disbelief. The male that Calla pointed to was almost a foot taller, made of muscle with a kind smile and golden eyes. His mahogany hair was loosely braided, so it framed his long face. “You are Goblins, right? I see the hints of green in your honey skin. That is amazing.”

“Thanks,” Zeke responded poking Alex to see if he was awake. Alex rolled his steel grey eyes while rubbing his cognac, square face. He motioned to Ryan, causing his auburn hair to wave. He took the chair next to Zeke pulling Ryan with him since she was still studying the group. The woman next to her was unique. She too was about the same height or appeared to be around six feet tall. She was curvy yet toned with hair that was a mix of yellow, green, and red. Her evergreen eyes and long face showed nothing but kindness. Ryan could see faint outlines of scales under her buttercream skin proving her nose was right, she was a fully evolved Snake Beastwoman.

The male beside her was a Fairy with short, indigo hair was neatly shaped to show his pointed ears and accented, oval, caramel face. His light blue eyes watched her, but they only had kindness in them. What surprised her the most was that he was comfortable enough to leave out his long, oval, cicada-shaped wings. They were transparent blue while the outside edges were a bold green, the inside veins were indigo, white, and blue thickening at certain points to create vibrant ovals in an exact, symmetrical pattern.

“Hello, I am Sasha beside me is Fenten…” Sasha started watching Ryan’s unique silver-violet Demon eyes. She glanced down to see the thinning hair on the top of Ryan’s hands and understood that her body was healing.

“You are a Snake Beastwoman… enhanced if I am not mistaken and your wings are lovely,” Ryan said excitedly but with reverence.

“I like her already,” Fenton joked as Sasha blushed.

Next in the circle was a female with ivory skin with violet undertones. Her face was an oval shaped with long blue-black hair pushed behind her pointed ears. “You must be Mara, Delta told me about you,” Ryan smiled, her silver and dark grey stripped cat ears happily messing up her short black hair. Her long, cat-like tail that was silver and dark grey striped waved around her as if it was introducing itself to the group causing many smiles and a few chuckles. “Sorry, I am excited. It is the first time I have been able to see in ten years.”

“Well I would be excited too,” Julius smiled, blinking his dry green eyes. “I am Julius and the fluffy yellow one is Theda. That is who is here…” he finished with a yawn then scrubbed his square face.

“You too have the nightmare curse,” Ryan commented. “I can see parts of it but not enough to understand. We fought M-Ms for… twenty-five years and never remember them cursing us. You must be special.”

This caused them all to chuckle. “Special is the nice way to say it,” Mara smiled. “So, Londra… what else did you learn today?”

“Oh, thanks to Nala and Delta’s leading... I now know the names of my family,” Londra smiled largely, blinking happy tears from her hazel eyes. “My mom, Lizama, left me a recoding. I guess it isn’t great at home, but they are fine and she apologized for not being able to free me from the Challenge. It was a relief.”

“I am sure it was,” Fenten agreed, blinking the moisture from his light blue eyes. He fluttered his cicada shaped wings behind him refusing to pull them in. Let them all stare at his beauty! Then they tucked slightly under the tall chair he was sitting in so the server wouldn’t trip. “Glad she didn’t find a way. I really like our life now.”

“You are quiet, Alden,” Julius noticed, rubbing the back of his light tan neck pushing his red hair away from his square pale face. “Ryan is part of us now, so she should be able to hear you mostly. Your little quips are so enjoyable.”

“Thanks, but I have had a long day too. That was quite the headache to heal away so she could heal the other two. Plus, I am trying to figure out what those three runes are in the curse. I have seen them but… it is frustrating,” Alden explained, blinking his marbled blue-green eyes and slightly wiggling his long, beige ears.

“Okay, you are off the hook for now,” Zeke decided trying to wiggle his ears. Nope, that was one thing he couldn’t do after the evolution. But he could if he changed back so there was that. He began to think about what he learned as Calla touched his arm and he finished his thought. “We were talking about the new spell. From what we can tell the few negatives weren’t that bad.”

“Wait, where did it fail?” Londra asked quickly looking franticly around the table. Calla placed a gentle hand on her arm and Londra sighed and waited.

“Not fail but…” Sasha started noticing how lost Ryan looked, since her cat-like ears dropped. “Oh, our spell crafters decided to make the Impenetrable Skin spell individual.”

“Wow, that is small and so many lines of runes,” Ryan muttered, her ears stood back up twitching in her short, black hair. “You tested it out before this? Like on your way here?”

“Not exactly, but it happened at the chicken farm,” Fenten smiled, his light blue eyes watching the newcomers. “We are overachievers if you ask anybody else. Plus, we have three spell examiners that turned into four, that just can’t leave a magical problem alone.”

“Helen is the fourth,” Alex said happily wiggling his fingers of both his real and artificial hand to keep his body awake. “They took our barrier spell and attached it to a refillable sigil so the chicken farm could be protected. Not only that… this is how interesting this group is… the spell can redistribute a holy spell whether it is casted inside or outside.”

“The low-ranking ones would be purified completely if it was a level eight spell,” Ryan mumbled, nodding. “Amazing. I can’t wait to see one… but admit that I am sleepy too, so maybe in a day or two. What else? How did the smaller spells work?”

“Our food is coming,” Mara smiled. “Not bad, just a bit of resistance when changing sizes but the protection never waived.”

“Oh, that is where it needs work,” Londra mumbled, smiling at the server. She took the three bowls for the cats and placed them in the center. It didn’t take Delta and Theda long to dive in, but Nala just looked at the bowl. “You don’t like chicken?”

“No, I like chicken… this is for me? The whole bowl?” Nala wondered softly.

“Yes,” Theda paused to answer, in his monotone way. “You must eat the vegetables too, so mix it with the wonderful chicken. Vegetables are good for your coat; look at how lovely mine is. All fluffy, shinny, and yellow!”

“I don’t remember eating them but thanks,” Nala mumbled beginning to eat the chicken stew. “This is good!”

“Glad to hear it,” Londra said looking down at her lunch. Some kind of noodle dish. She shrugged and began to eat. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t her favorite… some kind of fish. She was like her cats and preferred chicken to most meats.

“Ordered dessert too,” Calla told her halfway through. “I don’t remember what they called it but cream on top of a waffle cone with fruit and chocolate. Sounded great to us all.”

“Dessert is always welcome,” Ryan agreed her tail twitching behind her in happiness. “I never knew how much color was in here.” She blinked to moisten her eyes, taking it all in.

“Oh, here comes our dessert,” Mara announced. “I told them to bring it when it was ready since the lunch crowd is usually large. See, it is already starting to fill… and everyone is looking at us. I feel like waving,” she chuckled.

The server took the empty tableware, since many were finished, and left the dessert. Londra had taken one wonderful bite when a scream rang through the room. “Londra! I demand that you return with us! Move your fat ass now!”

Londra sighed, storing her dessert in her vault but leaving the bowl on the table. “Calla, would you bring Nala. I am fine, they are all much weaker… I need to do this. Please finish.” She stood only to have Alden and Zeke stand with her. “Nope, just one.” Alden sighed as Zeke followed her towards the three yelling. “At least you know your name… bring the cats with you.”

Londra walked pass them out into the street. “They are always with me. Zeke, did you visit the docks?” she asked completely ignoring the three yelling men as if they were M-Ms.

“A bit, theirs is the third ship,” Zeke supplied, his golden eyes darting around while he faced forward. “They won’t go in…”

“Nope, they can’t see our Feline Drakes and that is what they want. They know that I keep them in my vault. Thus, the only way to get in is to kill me. Too bad that won't work. The vault is there for up to five years after my death,” Londra answered continuing to walk as more and more followed her. She was walking slow, not to draw them out but because she didn’t want to fall. “Let me know when we reach… thirty or more.”

“Okay, wait, as in thirty following us with looks of violence?” Zeke asked. Londra nodded, taking his strong hand in her own for a moment. “Just walking to the ship?” he wondered, following her while watching in every direction. They seemed to be crawling out of the shadows… not all males. There were two females that started to follow that made him nervous. So much malice in their eyes they could be M-Ms.

“Yes, only because it will be away from everyone,” Londra commented as the Captain of Rosebud appeared before her. A large man with beady eyes and an evil smile. “Listen, I need you to watch my back but do not get involved.”

“Not sure I like that,” Zeke mumbled looking at how surrounded they were. Then he noticed another large man pulling Othniel forward with a knife to his throat. Yet Othniel did not look afraid but furious and calculating how to escape. “I will do nothing but help you stand up… I will also tell the others to watch because they didn’t stay.”

“Look who we finally found!” the Captain of Rosebud yelled, everyone around started to laugh and cheer. “The thorn in our side who made our powder useless. You die today and then we will take all those kitties that you treasure. Oh, if your friend tries to help with all his muscles the son of Lord Oberon will die.”

Londra yawned, which wasn’t an act, but it did anger them all. “I am only going to warn you once,” she started loudly. “Your party owes King Augustan thirty gold which we all know you don’t have. You are not that good of Adventurers. Not only that, but there is also no way, even as a slave, you could ever repay him… thus you are traitors that will be eliminated. I will do that for them unless you get on the ship and leave. But I know you won’t… which makes me happy.”

“Do you want his blood on your hands!” the man holding Othniel yelled.

“You will die,” a female spat, “and I will play with muscles!” A new wave of cheers and lewd comments erupted from the people surrounding them.

“Very well,” Londra said pulling out her lance and coating it with a blue flame. She walked towards Othniel, but the others didn’t pounce yet. “He was one that had me imprisoned. I don’t care if his blood is on my hands!” she yelled before winking at the annoyed Othniel. She ran her lance through him with the man holding him. When she pulled it out only the man fell to the ground. Othniel was touching his stomach. He felt no pain nor had a wound. His clothing wasn't ripped either. He looked up with so much confusion in his dark grey eyes she wanted to apologize. “I knew you wasn’t bad,” she said pulling him towards Zeke. “It only cuts those that have hurt others and kills those who enjoy brutalizing others. See.”

They both looked at the man slowly turning to white ash. “Just like a M-M,” Zeke mumbled. “Much like they are acting and speaking… funny, never thought about it that way before.”

“Now, let’s play,” Londra smiled wickedly. “For all of those you have destroyed, humiliated, killed, raped, manipulated… well I am sure there are other words but let’s just get this over with. Come at me… if you dare.”

The captain was the first and was down with one swipe of her lance. The mob started to swarm and she began to dance. Stepping over a few that passed out by her lance because they weren’t bad but forced to do the other’s bidding. She continued her purification dance. Block, block, jab, slice, swirl, block, dodge, swing, jab, dodge… her motions wouldn’t have bothered her any other day but with each swirl she felt dizzier. It wasn’t from the spell but from the lack of sleep. Her senses were dull, and her dry unfocused eyes were her biggest foe.

“She needs to do this,” she heard Theda say snuggling into Mara’s arms trying to calm down his friend. “Mara, we need to move over there.” He pointed with his tail.

“Calla, please take Nala with you and join Zeke,” Delta stated. “We need to let her do this and she could if it was any other day.” His tail patted Alden’s tense arms.

Both Calla and Mara moved while Delta pointed to where Alden needed to take him. There were only fifteen left, but her movements were slowing and they had actually got a few hits in, nothing major but it was annoying her. “We are in place, close your eyes,” Delta stated. With that the three Feline Drake’s eyes began to glow softly.

“Thanks, yours is very clear too Nala. Great job Theda and Delta,” Londra said rolling her shoulders and closing her eyes. "You even gave me a bit of endurance back!" Her movements changed. Now that she wasn’t dizzy and her vision was clear… now the dance had precision. Three more fell to ash while two more fell unconscious on the ground. She shoved those the lance didn’t touch towards her party to hold. That just meant they were being used. Fenten understood what to do and began to cleanse their minds. Sasha watched then began to help.

Londra was almost done when ten more jumped off from the ship to join the battle. It didn’t change anything. Zeke moved to help steady her twice but other than that he just waited beside Othniel. “She did that,” Zeke told him. “She used a call spell on the ones hiding. It is over now. Guess your father won’t have to gather an army to push them out.”

“I have never seen anything so… magnificent yet frightening,” Othniel mumbled. He looked over to see that more than her party was watching. So many faces of those who awoke unsure of what happened to them. Some grew distant, others grew angry, while others just tried to push forward. They were all brave in his eyes.

“Done!” Londra yelled. “Captain Regin, I didn’t take too much of your crew, did I?”

“Londra! You are a sight for these old eyes and those you did take… well I am glad to be rid of,” an older man yelled down from the ship.

“You have your supplies for the trip home, right?” Londra asked, dismissing her lance and walking towards the ship.

“We do… their memories are fading,” he commented. “Your mother told me about that spell. Amazing. What do I tell those who ask?”

“Siren Island,” Londra chuckled. This caused all on the deck of the ship to laugh as well. “Oh, look alive, my dear friends are bringing the ones that were pawns back on board. Their minds have been cleansed so they are free too, just sleeping for a bit.”

“I don’t have that kind of gold and I am leaving,” Captain Regin yelled down. “According to my Lacrama, which just updated, I now have everyone. Bye!” He turned from her and started to bark orders to his sailors. The ship started to move causing many to sigh while others cheered. Londra simply waved to the few she recognized before turning around.

“So, you just ran me through?” Othniel asked when she was closer, rocking on his feet.

Her eyes were still closed until she rubbed Nala’s head. “I knew you wasn’t bad,” she shrugged. “I was wondering how I would feel…” she started. “It is like they tried but failed and left me alone. Like I was powerful… it is a wonderful feeling,” she finished drying her hazel eyes as Delta landed in her arms. She noticed that Alden was still quiet but before she could wonder, a ball of energy came running towards Othniel.

She appeared to be the same age with fiery red hair that flew behind her long Elven ears. Her silver eyes were focused on Othniel. First, she shoved him, then grabbed him, followed by a kiss. “What did you do! I went from wondering what those horrible men did... to seeing myself fight them off. I was strong enough to get away… they didn’t win. It is so clear now and I want to cry happy tears like so many of the others, but I want to know why! Not only that, why did you have a knife to your throat? Have you been neglecting your training!”

Londra smiled as Lord Oberon came towards her with the rest of her team. “Next time, you need to see the beach,” he stated. “My thanks, now go get some rest.”

“That is the plan,” Mara said pushing Julius with her wing while scratching Theda’s chin. A moment later they were in their room, while Alden, Londra, and Delta stood in front of Slave Trader Master Yevhen’s house.