Year 86

  Crowd: Cheers!

  *In the Lycaris capital, Anthrotis. Emma and Griffin are at a dinner party. Lord Leon sits next to a younger male Lionkin. He smiles as he raises his glass. The crowd includes a couple groups of halflings and a majority of other Beastkin, most of whom are of the feline traits.*

  Leon: To the Beastling alliance!

  *The crowd cheers, and Emma attempts to sneak out but is stopped by a couple, a lion, and a lioness beastkin. The woman's tail is twitching with excitement.*

  Yekaterina: Emma? I was hoping to speak with you. My name is Yekaterina, but you can call me Katya. My husband and I were hoping to join you all when you returned home.

  Emma: You’ll have to discuss this with Griffin. He’s taking care of those traveling with us.

  *Katya continues to talk, explaining everything she wants to do once they get there. Emma creates the sound of someone calling for Katya, as they both turn away, Emma creates a clone and steps back into stealth. Once she gets far enough away, she releases her spells and walks the halls until she reaches a room guarded by two familiar guards. Emma waves to them before they drop their weapons, blocking her way.*

  Emma: Excuse me? I want to make sure Sunflower is okay.

  Guard: Lord Leon has requested to discuss an opportunity. If you agree to this, you may enter.

  Emma: *Confused* That’s fine. But why me?

  *The guards step aside, refusing to answer any more of her questions. Inside Sunflower sits in a chair, resting. Liza curtsies to Emma from beside the chair.*

  Sunflower: Emma. *Smiles* I wish Kimmy could have come with us. She would’ve loved hearing all the stories.

  Emma: *Smiles* Yeah. She would. What about you, though? How’s he been treating you?

  Sunflower: He’s a little harsh towards slackers. But reassures me that he doesn’t want me working until. *Covers mouth.*

  Emma: *Serious* Is it related to why he wants to see me?

  Leon: Yes.

  *Emma turns to look at Leon. He walks over and kneels beside Sunflower and takes her hand. He kisses her hand and turns to Emma.*

  Leon: I want to cure Sunflower’s illness. And I’d like you help… NightWarden.

  *Emma’s eyes glow as she hears the title.*

  Emma: I don’t like that look in your eyes.

  *Leon’s eyes have narrowed like a predator spotting its prey. He blinks and chuckles softly.*

  Leon: I meant no ill will to you, of course. I just mean to use you to collect a few things. *Extends arm to Sunflower* I’m only asking for you to save our dear Sunflower.

  Sunflower: *Smiles* You found them?

  *Sunflower coughs, and Leon comforts her.*

  Emma: I was understanding that there was no cure?

  Leon: In Glimmfell, there is a chemist who has discovered a cure, but the ingredients are…

  Emma: *Sigh* Dangerous?

  Leon: That’s one way of putting it, yes.

  Emma: If I can cure Sunflower, of course. *Looking at Leon’s dark grey soul.* But why me?

  Leon: It’s not just you. I have a party, but they need elven magic. I planned on asking Griffin until I learned more about your title from Kraven and his men before they left.

  Emma: I have a family now, though. I’ll need to discuss it with them. I love Sunflower, but I made a promise.

  Sunflower: Kimmy wanted me to ask you, though.

  Emma: What?

  Leon: They’re expecting you by the first of the spring showers and the last of the snow melts.

  Sunflower: Emma. *Lock eyes* I told her I won’t ask because she needs her Mama. She laughed. *Emma tilts her head in confusion.*

  “I don’t think the gods themselves could kill my mother. She always returns home.”

  *Emma looks down and remembers the little girl following Sunflower around proudly.*

  “Kimmy: Mama?

  Emma: Yes, sweetie?

  Kimmy: Elves live forever, right?

  Emma: *Giggles* Yeah. But you know you’re only half elf.

  Kimmy: That means you have plenty of time to spend with me. *Giggles* “

  *Emma nods her head and looks up. She steeles herself before turning to Leon.*

  Emma: Do we know how long you have?

  Leon: They said she has five years at most.

  Emma: Then, I’ll meet them now. Where are they?

  *Leon roars, and after a moment, the doors open. A male burly Tigerkin with sparse Plate armor walks in with two gnomes, a male and female, standing on his shoulders. As well as a young female Cheetahkin adult follows them, wearing a metal breast plate and thin veil-like fabrics around her waist make a near-seethrough skirt. The female gnome has a pink pixie cut is priest robes, and the male has only a white gotee that can be seen through his plate armor.*

  Leon: Emma, I’d like to introduce you to my Nephew, Rodrick.

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  Rodrick: So you’re the Night Warden? I thought you’d be male.

  Cheetahkin: Rodrick, don’t be rude. *Steps forward* My name is Canda.

  Male gnome: And we are Spt” Spite” and Pts” Pots”.

  Emma: So why do you need me?

  Leon: There is a magic barrier that guards the entrance. Spt assures me that a strong enough elf can break through. And you and Griffin are the only two elves the world has contact with.

  Emma: *Scoffs* Aside from slaves? They might not be as common in Lycaris, but I know there isn’t a single race that hasn’t tried to use elves as a way to prolong their own lives.

  *Some voices can be heard outside, finalized with a knock on the door.*

  Guard: It’s Lord Griffin.

  Leon: Let him in.

  *Griffin walks in and looks over to Emma with a look of relief.*

  Griffin: After your clone disappeared, I had to find a moment to find you. What’s going on here?

  *Leon starts to speak, but Emma stops him.*

  Emma: I’m going to Glimmfell for a bit.

  Griffin: *Squints* This isn’t because?

  Emma: No. I’m not in trouble. But I know Kimmy would.*Griffin sighs* What? Why do you look like that?

  *Griffin shakes his head with a smile.*

  Griffin: The one thing she asked me to do was bring you home.

  *Griffin stops Emma from responding.*

  Griffin: I also know that you talked to Dennis about how you hate staying in one place for too long. I expected this to happen, and all I request is that you come back safely.

  *Emma passionately kisses Griffin, only to be interrupted by Canda.*

  Canda: If you need a night to mate, we can leave in the morning.

  *Emma, embarrassed, steps away and fixes her hair.*

  Rodrick: In all seriousness. When are we heading out?

  Griffin: We planned on staying a couple of days originally anyway.

  Leon: Great! Then I’ll finalize the traveling arrangements.

  *The next day, Emma and Griffin are walking the streets as the sun reaches its peak, and it’s as though the city comes to a halt. Felinekin of all shapes and sizes can be found sunbathing. Emma imagines thinking about whether Rodrick and Canda will do this every day while traveling.*

  Griffin: Hey, that place is still open. Want to sit down for a bit?

  Emma: We just got here, how’re you already becoming like them?!

  *The surrounding beastkin glare at Emma as she throws her hands over her mouth in embarrassment.*

  Griffin: I got hungry, so now I’m becoming a beastkin?

  Emma: *Softly* No. I was thinking about something else…

  Griffin: Okay, so you don’t want to then?

  Emma: No. We can. Just ignore me.

  Griffin: *Chuckles* What if I don’t want to?

  *They finish eating just as the sunbathing ends. Emma notices a couple of glares as some of the beastkin from earlier notice her.*

  Rodrick: Night Warden!

  *Emma and Griffin turn to see Rodrick being followed by a small pride of lionesses.*

  Emma: As I said before. Emma is fine.

  Lioness 1: So she’s the elf you’re traveling with Ricky?

  Lioness 2: Why can't he go?

  *Emma looks at Griffin.*

  Griffin: Because. I’m not much for spellcasting.

  Lioness 3: Just keep your filthy elven.

  *Rodrick turns his head toward the third Lioness, who silently backs away into the crowd of women.*

  Canda: “Ricky,” Might want to keep your dingleberries from stinking up the streets.

  Rodrick: *Laugh* Now, Candy.

  *Canda hisses, turning slowly across the Lioness until they all take their leave.*

  Canda: We agreed you don’t call me that and I don’t tell your uncle about your little.

  *Rodrick laughs nervously as he stops Canda from speaking by covering her mouth.*

  Emma: Listen. Rodrick. Whatever it is you want. It can wait until we meet the day after tomorrow.

  Canda: In his defense, I asked him if he had seen you before bath time. I wanted to make a spirit pack with you before we leave. *Emma looks confused, and Canda whispers in her ear.* It’s a magical mark, but it goes on over your heart. It allows me to keep track of your vitals as long as I reapply magic to it. *Backs away* I can meet you later if need be, but I’d like to get the connection stable before we leave.

  Emma: How long should it take?

  Canda: The ritual would be finished within an hour.

  Griffin: Why not do it now, then? I’ll come as well.

  *Canda looks to Emma for confirmation.*

  Emma: Hmm? Oh yeah, he can come.

  *Canda claps excitedly, the metal trim on her clothes all jingles, sounding like a windchime hit by a mild gust of wind. Canda leads them to her home, an array of beads make up an image of a snake’s head glaring, the eyes shimmer in the light, making it appear as if it looks around. *

  *Inside the house is a table surrounded by candles decorating the walls, shelves, and floor.*

  Canda: Griffin. Be a dear and slide the door closed. *Turns to Emma.* Have you been marked before? *Emma shakes her head.* Okay, start by removing your top and lie facing down on the Altar.

  *As Emma rests on her arms, Canda walks out wearing nothing but a metal claw-like glove. Griffin’s eyes open wide as he looks at Emma.*

  Canda: Normally, you’d remove all your clothing, but for none beastkin, I just need your core for skin-to-skin.

  *Canda straddles Emma, chanting. Her eyes begin to glow, and lights flow around the room. Canda quickly reaches out and grabs the lights as they form symbols using the metal claw. Using her other hand, she presses the symbols into Emma’s back, and Emma lets out a soft squeak.*

  Griffin: You okay?

  Emma: Yeah, it was cold. Then it got hot for a moment.

  Canda: The discomfort will be gone momentarily. The less hair, the greater the difference, I’m afraid.

  Emma: It’s fine, I was expecting worse, honestly.

  Canda: So you can handle pain. *Softly* That’s good to know.

  *Canda hops down from the altar and slips into a thin robe.*

  Canda: All done. Griffin can look up.

  Griffin: Why would I need to look up?

  Canda: Please, even a noble blushes in the presence of another woman.

  Emma: Griffin’s different.

  *Emma sits up and turns to Griffin, his eyes glued to her chest.*

  Emma: Was. Different.

  *Emma uses telekinesis to close Griffin's mouth. He blinks before handing Emma her clothes back, and the two women laugh together.*

  Griffin: At least I can tell you’ll be in good hands.

  Emma: Huh?

  *Griffin smiles and shakes his head.*

  Griffin: Nothing. I’m just glad to see you’re becoming friends.

  Canda: For now. *Smile*

  *Canda walks away laughing.*

  Emma: *looks at Griffin.* His fur is too coarse. You have nothing to worry about.

  *Griffin laughs loudly as Canda returns with some drinks.*

  Canda: Drink this. It will help the bond last longer.

  Griffin: Why do I have to drink it?

  Canda: Because it’s just water. It’s just a shafolk joke. *smiles* Oddly enough. Most don’t even notice. I’ll do it with couples to test their loyalty. *shrugs* or intelligence.

  Emma: So did you and Rodrick ever?

  Canda: Surprisingly. I’ve never been his type. Which is why I find it so fun to toy with him. He gets so awkward, it’s great. *Laughs*

  *The party waits in a cart being pulled by a creature with a large, delicate birdlike body and a ram head, adorned with a set of horns each the size of its head, allowing it to swing it like a hammer. Emma hugs Griffin, Arthur, and Liza.*

  Arthur: But Auntie.

  Liza: Arthur! Remember.

  Arthur: Oh yeah. *Smiles*

  Emma: Thank you, Liza.

  Griffin: Does this mean next time I get to travel?

  Emma: *Squints* I’ll try to stay in contact. *Smiles*

  Griffin: *Laughs* Good. While you’re in Glimmerfell, can you stop by this address?

  *Griffin hands Emma a paper with an address on it, Aubern.*

  Emma: Who do you know in Aubern? *Gasp*

  *Griffin bursts into laughter, almost falling over. Emma smiles, pleased with herself*

  Griffin: Well, I did want a suvinor, but no. You’ll understand when you get there.

  Emma: *Glares* I’m not agreeing to anything I’m unsure of. You know that.

  Griffin: *Sighs* I know. Gik wants to meet Liza again. In return, he’s willing to open up a trading route as far as the edge of the sands.

  Emma: I make no promises. I’d still rather gut the little shit.

  Griffin: *Kisses Emma on the cheek* That’s why I love you. Just stay safe, okay?

  Emma: *Smiles* Of course. *Nods*

  *In the cart, Emma leans back and looks at the sky, a slight smile as she spaces off.*

  Emma thinking: This is a weird feeling. For once, I don’t feel like I have to worry about home. *Smiles*

  Pts: Excited to travel again, I see?

  Emma: *glances over without moving head.* You could say that. I’m just realizing I can relax until we get there. Rodrick looks big enough to scare away any bandits.

  Spt: And the Animals leave us alone because of Canda’s blessing.