Year 90

  *As the end of the summer heat hits the Oasis, Emma and Keya return with a group of Beastkin, Canda and Rodrick join them as well.*

  Keya: No offense to your guys, Emma. But I don’t trust them.

  Emma: I never said I fully trust them either. But I trust Canda. She’ll make a great advisor.

  Canda: Well, someone has to stop him from fighting everything and everyone. We understand that the Oasis is run with less violence. I’m just glad you were able to convince Lord Leon to let me join.

  Emma: All I did was burn a fake flower to make him use his head. If he called my bluff, I wasn’t sure of what to do.

  Keya: I still say my hammer could’ve knocked his brain around enough to break out of those cobwebs.

  *Canda laughs to prevent the others from lashing out; they glare at the two elves for a moment before going back to themselves.*

  Emma: There’s nothing wrong with being stuck in your own way of thinking, but this is a very delicate situation for both sides. The halflings that aren’t of beastkin varieties aren’t happy about being categorized as a race that has nothing to do with them.

  Canda: Which is where the exchange program has helped immensely. Dwarves and gnomes are great for smaller and more durable work that most smaller subspecies can handle. Humans are good at planning, and the aid of what little magic the elves can provide. I’m sure things will turn out; we just need to ride out this storm ahead until it calms down.

  Emma: If only it were just that easy.

  Keya: I thought you couldn’t go on open waters?

  Emma: I can, I just don’t remember and can’t be relied on. *Laughs*

  *Over the next few months, Griffin relinquishes his position, and Emma works with Elizabeth to store everything. Emma places a box down in the seemingly endless white room.*

  Emma: *Wipes forehead* All this packing reminds me of my old Dwarven bank. I’m sure it’s been emptied by now.

  Lily: Let's go check in a few more years.

  *Emma walks out of the room and heads downstairs to help Keya pack the last of the furniture.*

  Emma: Would you want to go to Mithrun?

  Keya: *Confused* What for?

  Emma: I don’t know *Shrugs* I kinda want to see if I still have a bank, as well as I can’t remember much of it since I spent most of it underground.

  Keya: So sightseeing? If it’s not important, I think I’d like to wait a bit longer. Maybe after Lazarus, depending on how long it takes to find him.

  *Keya pauses with her hands on the box as she nails it shut. Emma walks over and places a hand on her back.*

  Emma: We will. I promise that I’ll give everything to finding him.

  Keya: *Scoffs* It’s not your fault, Emma. We all knew what we were getting into, maybe not the exacts, but we knew that the fight was more about surviving than winning.

  Emma: I know.

  *With the last of the items put away, Elizabeth goes to the doors and removes the magic placed on them, turning them back to small empty rooms. Arthur hops excitedly in the back of a covered cart. Kimmy and Haze place sacks of supplies in the cart while Griffin discusses some last-minute details with Haythum.*

  Haythum: I know we treated you like crap, but you never gave up on us. If you ever comeback I’ll keep Ms. Kimmy’s home available. Flint wanted to maybe stay there, but I think it would be better if we left it.

  Kimmy: And I thank you for that. I hear he’s not the cleanest. At least the inn he stays at says so.

  Haythum: *Laughs* That is definitely one reason as well, don’t need complaints.

  Griffin: And the tree would get sick before long.

  *Haythum points at Griffin, agreeing with him.*

  Griffin: *Sigh* Well, next time we come through.

  Emma: Wait, we have to come back?!

  Kimmy: You have to bring me back home.

  Emma: *Sigh* Fine.

  Griffin: I thought we talked about living in Lycaris so she had a reason to visit more often.

  Emma: I never agreed to that. You like to stay in place, and I like to travel.

  *The two continue arguing while they head north, and both Lily and Griffin take larger forms. Griffin takes the form of a bipedal, large bird. As they make it to Lycaris, they stop in a small town where Keya smells something sweet and demands Emma go look for the source of the smell, until they find Sheila’s bakery. They spend the night catching up before heading out again. The two sisters reminisce over how the trip reminds them of when they were kids, going to visit Grace with their Mother and Father. As winter begins, the family stops in the ferry town, where they decide to go to Grant and Penelope, and upon knocking on the door, a voice calls from around back. They speak with in Lycanthrope.*

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  Keya: They said to wait.

  Emma: I didn’t know you could speak Lycan.

  Keya: I don’t really, but I picked it up when I would visit Sheila.

  *Soon, a grown-up Joey walks around, wiping his paws with a cloth wrapped around his waist.*

  Joey: If Mom or Dad were here. Emma! Keya! Is that you two?

  Emma: That depends if you’re Joey? You look so adult now!

  Joey: It’s good to see you two are still alive and well.

  *They exchange hugs, Griffin shakes his hand, and Arthur bashfully hides behind Elizabeth, squatting to fully conceal himself.*

  Emma: I’m kind of surprised you recognized us so quickly. And where is Aunt Penelope? I was hoping we could stay for the Winter.

  *Joey looks down in sorrow.*

  Keya: When?

  Joey: She got Parvo about two years ago. We can’t prove it, but I think she was poisoned. It’s rare for anyone to get it past childhood. *Sniffs* As to how I recognized you both, I never forget a scent. You can ask The Wife about staying for Winter; she loves guests, so we built a small guest house to help with funds when the crops or animals act up.

  Keya: You got married! Who’s the lucky lady? Do I know here?

  Joey: *Laughs* I met Dotty while preparing Mom's funeral. Sheila came for a visit but hasn’t been back since the funeral.

  Keya: She told us to stop by as we passed by. I don’t know why she didn’t tell us.

  Joey: She feels guilty for not visiting her more when she was alive.

  Voices: Daddy! We’re back!

  *Three young beastkin are followed by a shorter Dachshund beastkin, whose legs are short, and her ears are floppy but perk up as she notices the group.*

  Dotty: Are you all here for the winter? I hope Joey informed you all how much I like stories.

  Joey: Actually, this is Emma and Keya Silvashade. You remember me telling you about them, don’t you?

  Dotty: The elves who were like cousins? What brings you all this way then?

  Emma: You were right about us staying for the winter. We also haven’t visited since everything has happened.

  Dotty: Well, I’ll let Joey discuss that with you all. I’ll get dinner started.

  Arthur: Can I help?

  Dotty: *Smiles* Of course.

  *Arthur looks to Emma, who smiles and nods.*

  Arthur: Yay!

  *Arthur follows the pups and Dotty inside, and soon smoke comes from the chimney. Joey discusses the living situations with the adults while walking to the guest house. A large fire pit with seating around it rests in front of the cabin. Inside is a fireplace with three rooms, each with a group of 3 to four beds of all different sizes.*

  Joey: There are extra mats under the beds. I know you said she *Elizabeth* doesn’t need a bed, but they’ll surely feel more comfortable off the cold floor. If we get others to join, then all we ask is that you be respectful.

  Griffin: Do you chop all the wood yourself, or is there a cutting block?

  Joey: It depends. We offer to cut for a small fee, but you’re more than welcome to cut your own; just look for trees with white bands.

  Keya: I was joking when I said that, Griff. I don’t mind cutting.

  *As the smell of food reaches the house, Joey leads the family to a large stone table where Arthur and the pups have already become great friends.*

  Joey: Good news, Love. Haze and Griffin volunteered to take the floor if needed. So we still have the other two rooms.

  Dotty: That’s great! And Arthur taught me a neat trick to thicken up the curry.

  Arthur: You gotta mix the flour with water before you put it in.

  Emma: *Smiles* He’s our little chef. Nothing makes him happier than his time in the kitchen.

  * Over the winter, another group of Beastkin adventerurs stay in the guest house. As spring begins, the adventurers head out, and after another week passes, Emma and everyone wake up to barking and screams.*

  Emma: Arthur? *Looks around*

  Haze: I thought he was spending the night with the pups?

  *Emma runs out of the room, waking Griffin by stepping on him by accident, reaching the main house, Joey is holding his bloody arms, as Dotty is in emotional turmoil.*

  Joey:*Panicked* I’m sorry, Emma. Kobolds broke in.

  Emma: *Eyes flicker, voice distorts* Which way?

  *Lily grows next to Emma, and she hops on her back. Joey points to the north. Keya runs, catches up, followed by the others as Emma and Lily sprint past them.*

  Keya: Kobolds don’t normally come this close to settlements without reason.

  Dotty: They had an Alpha with them.

  *The family looks in a panic. Keya smiles as she turns north.*

  Keya: Sounds like my Little sister could use some help. Hey Griff.

  Griffin: Dennis, go help.

  *Elizabeth flies off in pursuit, followed by Dennis carrying Keya and Haze.*

  *A pack of Kobolods runs on all fours, with a large one towering over them, carrying Arthur. The pups struggle to keep up as they’re dragged along. Arthur, unaware of the dangers, laughs as he thinks they’re playing. *

  Arthur: Elizabeth! This is fun!

  *Elizabeth waits for her orders floating above, the pack stops, except those dragging the pups.*

  Alpha: *Howls* Birdy Dinner!

  *The Alpha grabs his throat in confusion as his voice is cut off. He looks around and notices his guard in pieces. *

  Emma: Drop the boy. And I’ll give you a head start.

  *Emma‘s voice echoes through the silence. Dennis hovers with Elizabeth.*

  Elizabeth: The beastkin children were brought further north.

  *Dennis cries out as he understands and takes Haze and Keya north. Emma walks out as the Alpha tosses Arthur to the side. He starts to sniff in pain from hitting the ground, then Elizabeth flies down and scoops him up, bringing him back to the house. Green and purple eyes glow through the darkness, doubling and surrounding the Alpha. The Alpha howls and breaks the illusion to reveal Emma alone, left eye glows green andthe right is glowing purple. The Alpha charges forward on all fours at incredible speed. Emma blocks his claws from piercing her with her blade, smiling as she spits in his face. The force pushes Emma back, and the trees move out of her way as she flips backward, landing.*

  Emma: He seemed to enjoy his time with you. *Distorted* So you won’t mind if I toy with you?

  *The Alpha growls angrily before slashing at Emma; each swipe releases a group of wind-cutting spells. Emma throws her knives out, deflecting the attacks, cutting down the nearby trees. His eyes begin to glow yellow as he gets enraged. The two exchange blow after blow, and Emma continues to toy with him, staying just out of his reach. Occasionally, letting him swipe through a clone just to hit him on the snout with her sheathe.*

  Emma: Bad dog. No bite.

  *The Alpha continues to get angrier as Emma messes with him until she hears an explosion to the north. She smiles widely as she turns back to the Alpha.*

  Emma: Looks like your snacks are gone.

  *The Alpha smiles and speaks in Lycanthrope. Emma can’t make out the words but can understand that he’s moved on to Emma as ameal as drool drips from his jaw. Emma’s gaze revives as her eyes glow and fade, as though breathing.*

  Emma: Lily?

  *The Alpha barely manages to stop Lily as she leaps down, mouth agape. He holds her fangs, struggling, and his feet bleed as he attempts to keep her mouth open. He leaps back as Emma’s blades narrowly miss him. High above Keya and the others fly back south. Smalls yips and soft growls surround Emma.*

  Emma(TL): Take care of the muts, I’ll deal with the big one.

  *The pack goes silent as another howl comes from the west. Emma turns to see another Alpha, the Omega female of the group. *

  Emma: That’s going to be an issue.