FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Book III – Return to Earth

Chapter 8 – And Back There Again

After they were all together again and James was sure that everyone was well he went to examine the body of the Legionnaire formerly known as Longinus, lately going by the name Mister Ross. Annie Joined him.

She poked the limp body with her spear. “So, this is the man that killed your father and blew up your portal."

“Probably not." James replied as he squatted beside the body and twisted the iron ring on his finger. Annie recognized it as the one that his father had given him so they could cross the portal despite the spell that sealed it off from rivals.

“The explosion that destroyed the family portal had a distinct chemical smell to it, like diesel and fertilizer." James continued. “Probably commercial grade Ammonium-Nitrate - Fuel Oil. A mining explosive we used to ship to worlds where it would work. No, I think that my uncle Rory managed all that on his own and only sent Ross in when his mercenaries and assassins fucked up." He turned to face Chris. “No offense Chris."

“None taken." The grey fox replied as he stood up and came over. He was over the initial shock of stabbing Ross with the spear of destiny and wanted to see if the immortal legionnaire was really dead. “I think all the holy power came out of him when I stuck him with the spear." He told James.

“Are you sure?"

“Only one way to tell." Chris took his ordinary dagger out and ran it across Ross's cheek. It cut deep, but there was no blood to speak of because the man's heart had already stopped beating. Chris made a few more experimental pokes.

“That's enough." Annie said through pursed lips. “Just because he was an asshole doesn't mean you should mutilate his body."

“You are too nice to be a killer." Chris commented, but he wiped his blade and put it away.

“I only kill out of necessity." Annie spat back.

Chris shrugged as he examined the spear wounds in Ross's chest and back. “Me too, nowadays, but we had to be sure he was dead, not just stunned and recovering."

Having been raised on video games and movies where zombies and vampires regenerated if you hung around too long James looked concerned.

“Is he healing?"

“It doesn't look like it, but we should burn the body just to be sure."

“I agree." Annie chimed in. “Right where he lies. It will cleanse the ground where his blood was spilt."

It was the widest part of the path and no one wanted to move the tall bald man's body anyway so James used the portable portal he still carried to boost the power of his ruby. He shot a white-hot jet of fire at the body that consumed it in seconds without lighting up the forest around them. The ash left over was so fine that the slight breeze among the trees was already scattering it, and some of them had to scramble to get out of its way least they breathe some in.

Junafir took James by the arm as she watched the remains of Mister Ross disappear.

“How did you know that he would attack here?" She asked.

“I didn't, but Chris pointed out that Ross had developed a habit of always popping up unexpectedly, acting less like a soldier and more like an assassin. Gael, Chris and I just went over the route and figured out where our guard would normally be lowest and arranged to leave Coyotka with the duplicate Gael made as bait in those spots. Chris' idea to disguise himself as Merlin, who Ross knew to be a coward, and carry the real thing was pure genius. Ross would never have guessed that we would trust a former assassin with such a treasure."

“Chris only volunteered because he didn't want anyone else responsible for Coyotka's safety." Junafir whispered confidentially. “I heard them arguing about it this morning. She didn't want him to risk himself."

“Hmmm." James smiled as he pulled the tigress in closer. “Seems that another couple of questors have fallen for each other."

After there was no trace left of Ross they gathered their things and headed back the way that they had come. James might have been anxious to move on but he had promised to deliver Merlin safely to Camelot, and the fake wizard was currently trussed up and hanging from a high branch back at their last campsite. He figured that the conman might manage to wiggle out of his bonds no matter how tight but if he did that from thirty feet up the fall would slow him down some.

They returned to the last campsite to find Merlin comfortably if discontentedly swinging in the breeze. Chris, the best climber, went up to lower him down before they untied him.

“I take it from your seven shinning faces that you managed to kill the abomination?" The old can man sneered.

“Yes, we did." Annie confirmed.

“Well don't go off all cocky. Old Longinus was just one of Rory Douglas's assets, and when he doesn't come back the sly fox will be forewarned."

“Uncle Rory may also think that Ross got the spear he wanted and took off on his own."

“Without recovering the portable portal and at least taunting Rory with it?"

“Yeah, you have a point. Still, best to keep the bastard guessing. We won't use the portable portal until he's dead."

“And how do you propose to do that? It's not like he'll come after you personally."

James rubbed his bearded chin. “We need to find a weakness and exploit it."

“Exploitation I'm good at, but I doubt that Rory Douglas has any weaknesses."

“Oh, but he does." Junafir interrupted. “Nahal told me about it when she was helping me get over the spider attack and the … the egg thing." She went on to explain what the small Afghani woman had told her about the red fox's sexual habits.

“Ha! Getting some slim, hairless peach of a girl into his bed is easy enough." Merlin said. “But even without Ross he will have experts searching her for weapons, traps and poisons. She will have to kill him with her bare hands. Where are you going to find a lass like that?"

The fake wizard was shocked when everyone of the seven comrades grew knowing smiles and began nodding back and forth to one another.

“Leave that part to us, Merlin." James said, patting the old man on the back. “You'll just need to advise us on how you would set it up, as well as drawing up a map of the portals that would get someone from Medioterrae to wherever my uncle is holed up these days."

They stayed another night in the same campsite and headed back in the direction of Camelot the next morning.

They wore their pilgrim disguises and took the fastest route on the public roads. James figured that it would take a few more days of absence before Rory got suspicious about the missing Ross and wanted to make the most out of this short reprieve. They marched steadily without avoiding towns but without stopping in them either, and when they found a roadside inn near dusk with four free rooms they jumped at the opportunity.

“I guess I'm stuck with the old man." Magnus said, resigned to his fate.

“What?" Chris laughed. “You were planning on hitting the bar and picking up a little number for the night?"

“Maybe."

“Keep it in your sheath until we're on a world where they don't burn anthros at the stake, okay?"

Magnus mumbled assent and led the old man away.

In their room a short while later, James was teasing Junafir's clit with his tongue and thumb. She was biting down on her forearm to keep from screaming as she approached orgasm. She clawed at his thick red hair, tried to pull him off, but the lad was relentless. In another minute it was too late, and she drew blood on her arm and his temple as she came with a vengeance.

She was splayed out on the bed, panting from the intensity of her climax, when James crawled up between her legs. His cock was fully erect and swayed in the space between them. He stopped when his balls were even with her twat and sat back on his calves.

“I want to be deep inside you." He told her.

“I want that too." She answered, reaching out for him.

“I want to cum deep inside you," he continued, “but I have no more condoms."

She waggled her fingers at the ends of her outstretched arms, urging him closer. “Annie still has some of Oyo's herbs, and I want to feel you cum inside me."

James smiled and lowered himself until his chest was against hers, supporting most of his weight on his arms. He rolled his hips until the head of his cock was pressed against the entrance to her cunt, which was already slick and slippery from his saliva and her cum. “Ready?"

“Ready."

The power of his thrust not only drove him balls deep into her, but also drove the headboard of the bed into the wall separating them from the next room.

James paused. “Who's next door?"

“Magnus and Merlin, I think. Do you want to stop?"

James shook his head. “Fuck 'em."

“No, she said wrapping her legs around his waist and whipping his ass with her tail, 'fuck me."

Two doors down Annie was climbing on top of Gael, who was laying on his back in the biggest bed the Inn had. His cock was standing straight up, having been lovingly teased to fully erect by the hands and tongue of his human paramour. She was fingering herself as she stood over the wobbling tower of penis, bringing lubricating fluids to the fore. When she was ready, she began to squat, lowering her cunt down to the flat tip of his massive cock. When they touched she paused to spread his pre-cum around too. Then she let her powerful legs relax a bit and gasped as the tip stretched her to the limit as it made its way inside.

“Are you sure you want to do this?" Gael asked. “You'll never get the whole thing in."

“I'm going to get as much as humanly possible." She huffed. “Take my hands."

Gael raised his arms, bugling with blacksmith muscle, and took her hands in his. He rested his elbows on his abdomen and she used them for support as she impaled herself on his cock. It was three-quarters of the way in when the end made contact with the entrance to her uterus. She stopped then, because she had read that damaging that doughnut of muscle called the cervix could result in the inability to bear children, and she wanted to have children, some day.

But not today. She had taken the last of the herbal pregnancy preventer provided by Oyo before climbing into bed with Gael. Now she could ride her equine lover until he filled her womb with cum without fear, and so she proceeded to do so.

In the room between the two pairs of lovers Magnus was considering ripping off one of his antlers and stabbing himself with it, or stabbing Merlin. The wizened would-be wizard had decided to recount each and every one of his thousands of sexual encounters for the stag. Each story gave a comprehensive account of the physical details of acts that were lusty but loveless, unions of opportunity or because one or the other was seeking financial benefit. The lack of romance and feeling was almost making Magnus ill.

Countering that were the moans and gasps coming through the thin walls, with the banging of the headboard on one side and the creaking of the bedframe on the other providing rhythm and backbeat. If Merlin would shut up Magnus could have composed a love song that would make the audience orgasm spontaneously based on this tune, but the old conman was oblivious to the passion all around them.

“And then, in a place called Bavaria, you'd like Bavaria Magnus, except for the hunters." Merlin rattled on. “Anyway, there was this milkmaid named Gertrude and you should have seen her tits! As big as the utters on the cows she milked each morning and twice as soft. She used to get on her hands and knees and moo while she wiggled her ass and winked over her shoulder at me. The first time …"

I'll definitely stab him first, Magnus decided, then I'll have some peace. He paused his thought as a crash from the next room indicated that the bed had failed under the stress of Annie's and Gael's lovemaking. They did not stop though, and now the creaking was coming from the floorboards that extended under the dividing wall and into his room.

Peace, he reminded himself, but not quiet.

In the fourth room Coyotka was buckling up the harness that she usually made Chris wear, but tonight she had put the black leather restraints on herself. When it was tight she checked the array of implements she had laid out on the dresser: a small whip, dildos of various sizes, and of course, the leather paddles; she had promised to let him use the paddles. When she was satisfied that all was in order she turned to the bed and posed, naked save for the revealing harness.

“Ta-da!"

There was no answer from the bed, just sonorous snores.

Coyotka moved around to the side of the bed and looked at Chris. His eyes were closed and his mouth, the source of the noise, was open. Drool was accumulating on the pillow where his head rested.

“Aw, poor baby." She said and ruffled the fur on his head. “Killing Ross must have taken more out of him than I thought." She debated waking him but decided against it. It was a shame though, the thought of switching sides for a change had excited her more than she had expected.

“Next time." She told the sleeping fox. Then she leaned over and planted kiss between his ears, something she would never have done if he was awake. “Sweet dreams baby."

Chris waited until he heard her drop the harness and climb into bed behind him before he opened his eyes. The pupils were dilated from fear. He was terrified by the strong feelings and emotions that had almost overwhelmed him since he plunged the spear of destiny into the almost invulnerable Ross. Then, earlier tonight, when Coyotka had whispered into his ear the things she would let him do to her, they had spilled over and he had a full-blown panic attack in the Inn's privy. He was only able to control the terror by using the Assassin guild's patented relaxation techniques.

Back in the room, as she busied herself with her dominatrix gear, the panic had returned but this time the relaxation exercises did nothing. He dared not even consider engaging in the sadomasochist role play until he could control them, so he faked sleep instead.

He heard the soft breathing that indicated she had fallen asleep, but he was still wide awake.

Where will this end, he asked himself, and when?

* * * * * * * * *

From the Inn it was a short walk to the main road leading to Camelot. Merlin had described it as a bustling thoroughfare, but the great road was almost empty, and the homes and buildings along the way were dark and shuddered.

“What is going on?" James asked in a subdued voice.

“Their King is dying." Merlin answered in a similarly serious tone. “He brought peace and hope to this realm and they are afraid that if he dies their newfound prosperity will disappear. The gift of Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake for the future king when he came, drawing the sword from the stone, the comet that was visible in the sky the day the old king passed command to the young warrior. Every major event in this country and in his life has been a symbol. His legend is inexorably tied to the welfare of the nation now."

“And who is responsible for that, I wonder?" Chris asked with a suspicious glance and a raised eyebrow.

“Okay, I admit it. I may have had a hand in building up his reputation, but the people adore him! That he did on his own. Everyone he touches loves and respects him." Merlin sniffled, and Chris was sure he saw a tear slide down from the old man's eye to disappear into his scraggly beard. “Everyone."

“His legend has reached our home world," Annie injected, “where he is loved and respected even though there is no evidence that he ever existed."

“That is a tribute to the man himself." Merlin sniffled. “Sure, I schemed to take advantage of the kid when I found out he was the true king and all. I had already found Excalibur and hidden it away, could have given it to anyone I choose, really. But in the five years I tutored him I grew to love him too, and to recognize the greatness in him."

“Yet you still went ahead and set him up as God's gift to Briton." Chris sniped.

Merlin turned on the former assassin as righteous anger welled up in him. “He was destined to save this land from becoming a handful of barbarian states. He was meant to wield Excalibur and die undefeated in battle. Before he passes, he will return the holy sword to the Lady of the Lake, and Briton will be safe as long as it remains with her, hidden on British soil. But Ross has muddied the time flow with his corrupted, semi-divine interference. I heard the whispers from the travelers at the Inn; Arthur is wasting away and the only thing keeping him alive is the sword by his side. They can't remove it to take it back to the lake without killing him and they can't move him to the lake without killing him and so the prophesy remains unfulfilled. If he dies before his time this version of Briton will fail, and who knows, maybe other versions like yours, that only made it through their many wars because the people had faith in the legend of Arthur."

Merlin paused to shake his lowered head. “The important thing now is to get to Camelot and help Arthur before it is too late, and I have a feeling that only your rag-tag group of curious crusaders can do that, with or without me."

James cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?"

“I mean that if anything happens to me before we get there, or if you want to abandon me to my creditors after you have secured your audience with Arthur, you must go through with it and heal him. You're a lad that keeps his promises, so promise me that you will."

James glanced around at the others. Even Chris was nodding sympathetically. “Aright Merlin, you've done your part, even if we had to hog-tie you a couple of times to make sure you did, so I promise. We will do everything we can to heal Arthur."

“Thank you, thank you lad."

James shrugged. “Well, I couldn't very well refuse. My father was named after him."

They continued on mostly in silence. They had to make their own noonday meal because all the Inns and Taverns were closed by the order of the Queen, who was ruling in Arthur's stead. But as the fortified hilltop that was known as Camelot came into sight small groups of people appeared on the street, whispering in groups and glancing nervously at the group of pilgrims headed for the High King's fortress. One group seemed to recognize Merlin and one of them ran ahead, perhaps to inform the King that his mentor had returned, perhaps to alert one of the people Merlin owed money to before he made it to the safety of the King's keep.

It appeared to be the former as the Captain of the Guard was waiting for them when they arrived at the western gate.

“Hail, pilgrims." The large man clad in shiny armour called as they drew near. “It seems that a favorite of the King travels with you. As a prisoner, perhaps?"

James stepped forward and spoke. “I will not lie, he was our prisoner, assigned to us by the Archbishop of Canterbury's men. But he has proven his worth on our holy quest and now he escorts us to Arthur's side, where we may find the means to cure him."

The Captain looked skeptically at the man who was more wizened than wizard. “I hate to tell you this, traveler, but he may have … exaggerated ... his skills as a healer to fool you into escorting him here rather than turn him over to bounty hunters working for his many creditors."

“You misunderstand." Coyotka spoke up from under her concealing hood. “It is we who will heal the King. We have much arcane knowledge and skills among us, and we have a holy relic that may turn the tide of this wasting disease." As she spoke she pulled the head of the holy spear out with a gloved hand and screwed it to the shaft she was using as a walking stick. She flicked a finger against the ancient iron blade and it sent forth a thrum accompanied by a wave of energy that could be felt by anyone within earshot.

Several of the soldiers knelt when that wave passed over them. The Captain was also impressed, but more familiar with such relics as one of Arthur's inner circle. “Come inside." He said. “I'll send word to the Chamberlain."

They kept their disguises on even though Merlin assured them that the King and his closest companions were aware of the worlds connected by the portals and the creatures that inhabited them. The attendants and guards were not, however, and it would not do to start a panic by disrobing, even though the antechamber was very hot from the fire burning in the large hearth.

Fortunately, they were not kept waiting long. The Captain returned and personally escorted them to the keep and the Kings chambers, where he let them into a waiting room and closed the door behind them. A moment later a door on the far side of the room opened for a tall fit man dressed in a full robe with a coat of arms embroidered on the front. The image looked like a spotted wolf that was rising up on its hind paws to fight.

“I am Sir Lucan, Butler to the High King." The man said.

“That means he runs the castle." Merlin said in a stage whisper. “He's no servant."

James stepped forward and offered his hand. “I am James, son of Arthur of Kingston."

Lucan clasped forearms with James and grunted in appreciation at mention of his father's name. “A prophetic sign." The knight said. “Why don't you ask your companions to take off their heavy robes? It must be very hot under there with all that fur."

Merlin had explained that Arthur's inner circle were aware of the portals and the various creatures that lived on the other worlds, so Lucan's offer did not surprise them. The five Terrans gratefully peeled off the woolen robes and stood there in their light undergarments.

“A fox, A horse, a tiger, a stag and a Coyote." Lucan recited. “No wolves? He asked regretfully, indicating his coat of arms. “Pity. I have always wanted to talk with a wolf. Sir Meliant will be sorry he missed you though." He added, pointing at Chris. “His family emblem is a grey fox, but he is off to the holy land, looking for the Grail."

“What do you guys have against tigers?" Junafir asked, and the laughter that followed broke the tension.

James introduced his companions and their talents to Sir Lucan. “And of course you are familiar with Merlin." He finished. “His knowledge has been quite helpful to us so far." He went on to give a brief rendition of their adventures on that world and the death of Mister Ross.

“Ross, you say his name was?" Lucan asked. “We just referred to him as 'The Black Knight' because of his robes. We assumed that he was wearing goodly armour underneath because none of our weapons did any damage when we struck him."

James explained what he knew of Ross' origins as the legionnaire Longinus and how he and the spear that he pierced Christ's side with became blessed with immortality and invincibility respectively.

Lucan nodded his head; such tales were familiar on his world. “And so, you used the only thing more blessed than him to kill him. Very clever. Did you know that we were searching for you and your holy relic?"

“We did," James admitted, “but Ross destroying your portal and alerting you about us was just part of his plan to force us to the ambush site of his choosing. He knew that your Knights would not stand a chance against us while we had the spear and our other magical weapons. Even if by some miracle you killed us and took the spear of destiny Ross would just come back and steal it from you, so we had to deal with him first."

“Perhaps you are right," Lucan said with a slight frown, “but the delay has put the life of our King in peril."

“We know, and Merlin warned us of the consequences if we failed and lost the spear, or if it was destroyed along with Ross."

“Perhaps you should have come here first." Lucan chided.

“Even if they made it past all the knights out searching for mythical beasts and cured Arthur would you have let them leave here with the spear?" Merlin spat.

“Probably not." Lucan admitted.

“Then you can see why they couldn't come here first. As it is they still have a formidable foe to defeat and may need the holy weapon to do so."

“No." James interrupted before Lucan could retort angrily. “We have no intention of taking the Holy Lance any further. With Ross out of the picture my uncle has lost his best weapon on these outer worlds. He's sure to hole up on some world where magic doesn't work and where he has plenty of mercenaries and conventional weaponry. The spear may be invulnerable, but we aren't. It can't defend us against a volley of arrows or machinegun fire. My intention has always been to keep it until Ross was defeated and then find a safe place for it."

“And what safer place than a castle filled with blessed knights and other holy relics?" Lucan finished for him.

“Exactly."

“Wait a second." Annie said, stepping forward. “If you have all these other holy relics, how come you can't use them to cure the King?"

“We don't know." Lucan admitted. “Normally Excalibur would be enough to heal any wound or leech away any poison, but there was something too powerful for it in the toxic substance coating Ross's blade. That is why so many knights are absent, they are all out searching for the most holy and powerful relics in this world … the articles that touched Christ, the healer."

“The grail, the cross, the shroud, the spear." Annie said.

Lucan completed the list. “The plate his last meal was served on, the crown of thorns he wore, the sponge that sopped the wound, the cloth that wiped his face. And there are other holy relics of other saintly men, like the skull of John the Baptist."

“The beard of the Prophet." Coyotka mumbled.

“Who?"

“You'll hear about him soon enough."

“Well then," Lucan opened the door he had come in though and indicated they should proceed, “let us have no further delay."

James led them through the door cautiously. They found themselves in a large chamber with a roaring fire in the hearth and a large bed against the far wall. A cat was curled up by the fire, purring in its sleep. Desks and chairs sat about unused as the only occupant was in the bed.

Lucan went to stand by the bed and waved them forward. When they were close they could see that the man propped up in the bed was tall, but not large, handsome but not pretty, strong but not muscle bound. His hair and bread were golden brown, but his brow was sweaty and his eyes were closed. His breathing was laboured. A large sword with a jewelled, golden hilt lay by his side.

“Our King has been slipping away steadily since the day Ross stuck him with his dagger." Lucan said solemnly. “We put him to bed with Excalibur by his side hoping to cure him, but the sword's presence has only slowed down the pace of his decline. Our best healers say that to cure him we must know the nature of the poison and counter it with the proper relic. It is hoped that since it was Ross that administered the poison that the spear he carried as a soldier, now made holy, will be able to counter it."

“But only in the right hands." Merlin spoke from where he stood on the far side of the bed. He had taken one of Arthur's still hand and was squeezing it tight.

“Our healers admit that their magic may not be enough or of the right type to use the relic properly." Lucan said, a bit taken aback. “But surely you are not suggesting that you … we all know your true nature Merlin, even if Arthur loves you like a father, you have no more magic in you than the cat by the hearth."

“No, not me." Merlin said shaking his head while he regarded the troubled face of his pupil. “But there is one among the present company that has skill as well as experience."

Coyotka blushed under her fur and waved her hand in front of her face to shoo away the compliment.

“Holy relics have been a sub-specialty of mine, but I can't really say that I'm experienced in their use."

“Not you!" Merlin turned and almost shouted. “Him, the fox!" he pointed to Chris.

Coyotka's head whipped back and forth between them. “Chris? But he's a … he was …" She looked at Lucan worried how he might react when he found out that he had let an assassin get so close to his king. She was at a loss for words.

“I was an assassin," Chris finished for her as he stepped to the front of the pack, “but not anymore." He examined the prone form quickly, aware that Lucan's grip had tightened on his sword. “I recognize the poison from the residue around the wound and the parlour on the skin. It's an ancient one that usually required the addition of the creator's urine."

“Ross pissed in it?" Junafir said, shocked.

“Uhm, yes." Chris replied with a quick glance at Lucan. “Given his malignant but immortal nature it is no wonder that normal antidotes have had no success."

“But you can cure it?" Lucan said hopefully. “Using the spear?"

Chris looked sideways at the fake wizard. “I'm afraid Merlin may have … exaggerated … my qualifications."

“No, I haven't lad." The old man replied seriously. “You're the only one that has ever used the spear, and didn't you tell your coyote friend that you've been feeling different ever since?"

“You weren't there when I told her that, unless …" he turned to Coyotka.

“I may have consulted him as to your symptoms." She admitted. “He was a Wanderer once, after all."

Merlin waved his hands in frustration. “Whatever! The fact is you wielded a holy relic successfully despite a somewhat less than saintly past, and you can still feel the connection with it. That tells me that you are the one that should use it on Arthur, and …" he turned back to Lucan, “… you know that I would never suggest anything that would bring harm to the boy."

“He's the King now, Merlin." Lucan reminded the old man, not unkindly.

“He won't be for long if you don't stand back and let the fox work on him."

Lucan took two steps back and the others did the same. Merlin stayed beside Chris to advise him as he mixed an antidote to the poison and helped him pour it between the slack lips of the King.

“What now Merlin? Their healers would have tried this or similar cures already."

“Now you take the spear." Merlin waved Coyotka forward. She produced the head of the spear.

“Put it on the shaft." Merlin instructed. “It would have been polished with Longinus' sweat and probably still carries traces of him, locked in when the blood of the Christ transformed it."

Chris took the assembled spear. “What do I do with it now?"

Merlin shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine, but if you do have a connection it will guide your hand."

Chris stared at the old man for a moment while the human gestured toward the recumbent body on the bed. Then he took a few deep breaths and mentally recited a calming exercise the assassins used to settle their nerves before striking. As he relaxed he could feel a vibration in the spear. It started off low, barely detectable, but it grew steadily.

Soon he could feel it spreading to his hands and up his arms. A warmth accompanied the tingling sensation and he could swear that his hands were glowing slightly too. He muttered a prayer he had overheard in the hospital, while his snout was being sewed back on, as he placed the spear, still held tightly in his hands, across the chest of the dying man.

“Loving Maker, I trust in your power and grace to restore and sustain this man. Touch him now with your healing hands, for I believe that it is your will that he should be well in mind, body soul and spirit. May your healing power flow through me and, uh …" he improvised “… though this holy relic … and lend me the skill and the confidence, the strength and the courage, to heal this man."

“Amen." Lucan finished, making the sign of the cross.

The tingling and the glow intensified, so much that the others in the room could see and feel the power flowing through the spear and through Chris. He was finding it difficult to hold onto the spear, such was the intensity of the energy within it. He wanted to let go, much like when he stabbed Ross with it, but knew that he dared not, not until the job was finished, so he held on, and ignored the chattering of his teeth as his whole body began to shake.

Coyotka watched in distress. She was about to intervene, even though she knew it could be dangerous for him as well as her to interfere, yet she was afraid that the experience would prove to be too much for the fox. But just as she began to reach out the glow disappeared, the shaking stopped, and the power went out of the room with an audible 'pop'.

Chris slumped to the floor, where Merlin and Coyotka rushed to help him. On the bed, the King opened his eyes.

“Lucan." He said in a dry voice. “I've had the strangest dream. Devils in black and angels with fox faces fighting over my soul. How long have I been …" Then the King noticed the others in the room. “I say, who are all these … people?"

* * * * * * * *

Lucan would not let his King talk for long. After polite introductions and a highly abbreviated version of how they came to be there the Royal Butler escorted them to another antechamber so that Arthur could rest.

It was a large room, with only the one entrance, a door wide and tall enough to ride a horse through. The floor, the ceiling and the walls looked like they had been freshly cleaned, but James doubted that it had been done for them as they had arrived without notice. Lucan explained that the room had once housed the portal connecting Briton to the Norse Kingdoms.

“It once stood in the middle of a grove of Linden trees." Lucan explained. “Lost to men's knowledge since the Romans departure. Excalibur, the Roman Emperor's sword, guided Arthur to it and Camelot was built around it. Whenever the Saxons raided from the continent Arthur would lead his Knights through the portal and threaten their homeland until they withdrew. After Ross destroyed it we changed the door and cleaned It up with the intention of turning it into a storeroom. The Norse Chieftains will eventually learn that our secret way behind their lines is gone and then they will be back in force."

Because only the most senior knights and castle staff were aware of the portals and the strange creatures that sometimes came though it the travellers were confined to the room and a nearby privy. The room was large enough for all of them to sleep in but there was no privacy, so the nights were quiet, except for Merlin's incessant snoring.

Arthur was fully recovered two days later, at which time he held a formal audience for them with his senior knights in attendance. He bade James to give them a full recount of their story from his father's death to he killing of Ross. James obliged, calling on the others to add details for the portions they experienced firsthand.

The King and his knights were impressed by their exploits, especially for those not raised to be warriors like they were. After the story was done, Arthur stood up and thanked them all formally for their part in dispatching Ross and healing him, thanking Chris in particular.

“Now, down to business." Arthur said, resuming his seat. “Sir Lucan tells me that you intend to leave the spear of destiny in our keeping."

“That is correct, your Majesty." James confirmed. “With Ross dead this seems to be the safest place for it, and you are the most trustworthy guardian for it, if you do not think keeping it will bring more trouble down on your kingdom. I already blame myself for bringing Ross here and the loss of your portal."

“A rabbit can't be blamed for running through the farmyard when being chased by a fox." Arthur assured the lad. “No offence, Master Cinereo."

“None taken." Chris replied, raising his goblet of water.

“In any event," Arthur continued, “the addition of the spear to our arsenal will help protect this land from the heathen invaders. They may not believe in our God but when they see one of my righteous knights cutting through their ranks with a spear that can pierce any armour and can never be broken, they will give pause to reconsider their faith. For that I am thankful, but for as long as I live, if you ever have a need of it just come and ask and I will willingly surrender it. This I pledge in front of witnesses."

Coyotka could not help but blurt out, “What happens to it after you die, Sire?"

Arthur sat back in his great chair and a frown clouded his face, but not because of the question. Many self-described sorcerers and witches, including his half-sister Morgana, had predicted his death would come at the height of his power and his fate often weighed on his mind.

“When I die," he said solemnly, “my sword will go back to the Lady of the Lake, and all the other holy relics that I have accumulated will go into hiding, carried by my most trustworthy knights to the four corners of the world. There they will lie until one pure of heart, sound of mind and strong of soul needs to find them. This I heave been told by one who knows."

Coyotka glanced toward Merlin, who was sitting quietly off to one side, neither with the travellers nor part of the King's retinue.

Arthur followed her eyes and laughed. “No, not Merlin, although he is a dear advisor and a font of knowledge, any visions he has of the future come second-hand from visiting worlds on more advanced timelines than ours. Yes, I know of them, do not look surprised. Each world has its own experiences and reality, and they tend to interpret other worlds though that lens. But what they think happened and what really happened are often two different things, so I do not rely too much on what they think they know."

“Fair enough, Sire."

“And speaking of Merlin," Arthur said, swinging to face his mentor, “I have had a dozen petitions from money lenders, church officials and fathers of women left in delicate conditions since it became known that you were to be delivered to me here."

“About those, Sire ..." Merlin began, but Arthur waved him to silence while tying to hide a grin.

“No, Merlin, there is no possible defence, other than that anyone who would leave their money or their daughter in your hands should have known better by now. I am afraid that I am left with no choice but to banish you from the Kingdom."

“But Arthur, lad ..."

Several of the knights grumbled at the familiarities, but Arthur silenced them too.

“Merlin, you will always have my love and respect, but your misadventures are a distraction that detracts from the orderly governance of the Kingdom. While I will miss your counsel and the amusing tales of other worlds, I'm afraid that it is time for you to disappear from the story of Camelot as the legends on other worlds say you did."

Merlin looked crushed but nodded his drooping head. “You're right lad, you're always right. Perhaps it's time I started looking for that tropical island to retire to."

Arthur grinned. “Have you retained enough of the gold others have, uh, invested in you to afford to retire?"

“I may have squirrelled away a ducat or two."

“Well, if you ever need funds ... please do not come here. But just to be sure that you have enough I will give young James here a small punch of gold to transfer to you should you guide them faithfully to their home world."

“You're too kind, your Majesty."

“Obviously." Then Arthur addressed James. “Will you be able to grace us with your presence for a while before leaving through this new portal?"

“I'm afraid not sire. The loss of your portal had put us behind schedule and Merlin tells me we need to move fast if I am to fulfil my promise to get my friend Annie back to Earth in time."

“I understand. Please stay tonight and feast with us. I suspect that several of the knights want to examine your weapons and talk about the fighting techniques you employ, and I know that Sir Gwain wants to challenge your horse friend to an arm-wrestling competition."

“A good meal and an evening of pleasant company would fortify us on our journey."

“Excellent. Lucan, send for food and wine."

The evening was pleasant, if somewhat intense, given the amount of alcohol fuelled testosterone in the room. Magnus produced a pale version of his lute and accompanied himself with it and his homemade harp until Merlin took over on that instrument.

“A troubadour is welcome everywhere," he told the startled stag, “so wanderers who can sing or play an instrument prefect their art before heading out into the worlds. Besides, it's a great way to get laid."

The knights lined up to challenge Gael in tests of strength, but the blacksmith insisted that he would only take on those that could beat Annie first, and that eliminated half of the competition.

“What was it you said you competed in? Lucan asked her as he rubbed a nearly dislocated shoulder.

“Shotput and the hammer throw." When she saw his blank look she elaborated, “They involve seeing who can throw a metal weight the farthest either by strength of arm alone or by swinging it on the end of a chain and letting it go."

The Knight-Butler's eyes lit up in understanding. “Ah-ha! And do you practice against straw targets or live prisoners?"

They woke up late the following day, somewhat the worse for wear because of the volume of spirits the night before. Magnus used the weakened magic in his amethyst ring to rid them of the worse side effects of their hangovers before they packed their things and proceeded to breakfast in the main chamber where they had imbibed the night before. They were pleased to discover that most of the knights, with the exception of Arthur and Lucan, were still snoozing among the tables and chairs.

Arthur appeared to say his farewells and give his mentor, Merlin, one last hug. “Remember," he reminded the old conman, “the gold is yours only after you get these companions back whence they came in a timely fashion."

“Then we should be off without further delay." The fake wizard replied, trying to hide a tear.

Those with fur donned their pilgrim disguises while James and Annie put on their warrior attire. Their packs were lighter by one holy spear but gifts from Arthur and fresh food from the larder more than made up for the lost weight.

“Ill take that pouch of gold if the weight is too much for you." Merlin offered as soon as they were on the road again.

“Yeaaaaah … no."

“Don't overburden yourself, lad. We have a long way to go in a very short time if we're going to make it back to earth near the beginning of the summer you left."

“I'm afraid to ask how far or how fast."

“And so you should be. This is prime Wanderer territory we're entering, and you all best keep your eyes open and your swords ready."

They reached the portal at the end of the second day out of Camelot. The next morning Merlin advised them to wear all their spare clothes and wrap their bedrolls about themselves before crossing the portal.

“Is it cold on the next world?" Chris asked.

“A bit on the cool side."

They emerged in an arctic wasteland where a gale-force wind was blowing snow and ice pellets hard enough to pierce bare skin.

“Good." Merlin noted. “The bears will not be out in this weather."

Gael's brows rose. “Bears?"

“Polar bears. Big ones. This here is Hyperborea, an ice world where your Earthen physics and chemistry rules do not apply, much like Terra but about fifty degrees cooler. Magic abounds here though, so several species have evolved into intelligent magic users where opposing thumbs are not a requirement. The polar bears generally run the show because they can eat anything else that moves, and they will eat us all too if we don't pay for our passage. That would involve sacrificing half our party to be eaten anyway, so our best bet is to get to the next portal before the weather clears, otherwise we'll have a fight on our hands. A fight where your magic weapons may not be enough to defeat their magic."

Fortunately, with Merlin's knowledge and the help of the star sapphire on Junafir's cleaver they were able to find the next portal quickly. Gael's diamond ensured that the storm stayed strong around them, although he did adjust it so that the wind was always to their backs, helping to push them along.

The other side of the next portal was hidden behind another waterfall and looked to be undiscovered by the locals. Merlin said that it was safe to camp by the river that night on the edge of the jungle. He also told them that they need not cover themselves up like they had in Camelot.

“The natives won't be put off by talking tigers or chatty coyotes." He told them.

“Who lives here?" James asked.

“A tribe of warrior women known as Amazons." Merlin replied. “This is Themiscyra, their home world, although they often venture out among the other worlds to raid and plunder."

Annie frowned. “I thought that they were a benevolent race that only wanted to perfect their martial skills and be left alone."

“Oh no. They are very aggressive and shun contact with the other worlds, other than to hone their skills and carry off treasure and breeding stock."

“Breeding stock?" Annie looked to Coyotka for some assistance, but the coyote shook her head.

“I'm afraid that Merlin is correct. The university has extensive material on the Amazons, and they did indeed run a strict matriarchal society based on martial achievement.

“That is a fancy way of saying that they hate men, even while needing them to reproduce and as foes to measure their strength against." Merlin cackled. “They are as strict as the Spartans when it comes to raising their daughters, but any sons they have are taken back to the worlds where they found their fathers and left at one of the temples for adoption. Most find good homes because Amazon stock produces strong, smart offspring, no matter what sex."

“So, we should avoid running into them.' James concluded.

“Oh, I didn't say that. They welcome worthy women like young Annie there, and they would find the tigress and the coyote interesting. They can also be very, ah, accommodating to males they deem worthy of breeding. Big Gael is a shoe-in, pardon the pun, and James would make a good contribution to their gene pool. They have no time for music or poetry though, so yon stag is out of luck, and they likely wouldn't want to add any fox to their heritage either, too skinny and sly for their tastes. They prefer open challenge and raw strength but will breed for superior intelligence also."

“So, that eliminates you too." Chris noted.

“On the contrary. The last time I passed this way they were most eager to mate with the Senior Archivist of the Greater Order of the Wanderers."

“There is no such thing!" Coyotka spat, angry at first, but then she looked uncertain. “Is there?"

“They didn't know that."

“Look, Merlin, if you plan on detouring to resume your role as chief brain breeder at our expense I'll remind you who holds the gold … and I'm sure Chris would not be above gelding you as a preventative measure also."

“Alas, no. While there is very little as satisfying as being constantly ravaged by a woman warrior twice one's size some other … acquaintances … of mine passed through and ratted on me." He gripped his balls through the material of his trousers. “I barely got away with the equipment you propose to remove, which was completely ironic I think as I had to outwit them in order to do so, proving my worth as a superior mind. I'd rather not have to explain that to them though. Their lack of patience is legendary."

“Then it behooves you to guide us true and straight to the next portal." Coyotka noted.

“Yes, and in the morning, I shall."

It was not so easy though. Moving in the jungle along trails that had not been cleared for years was slow and difficult. They were forced to spend a second night in the jungle and were constantly on the watch for Amazon patrols and hunting parties.

“In some societies it is considered a rite of passage to sneak into Amazon territory and bring back some trophy." Coyotka told the others. “Some trinket is good enough, but a weapon would be proof that you defeated one of them in battle."

“Or found one laying around." Merlin injected.

Coyotka shoot him a sour look. “An intimate article of clothing would be best. A breast restraint or a girdle would be considered proof that you not only overpowered one but also bedded her."

“Or that you steal from clotheslines." Merlin cackled again, earning a kick from the coyote.

They camped on the Themiscyra side of the next portal, as Merlin believed that it would be safer than what waited for them on the other side.

“It's another land familiar to your ancient Greeks." He told them. “Laestrygon, a land populated by primitive cannibal giants."

“Have you had a run in with them too?" Chris asked suspiciously.

“God, no. James' uncle Rory is the only one crazy enough to engage with these guys. Guns don't work there and neither does magic, so it's swords spears and arrows against hides as tough as tree bark and fists as hard as rock. Besides, there is nothing worth taking from their rocky world, so most leave it alone."

“What does my uncle want with it?"

“It's a convenient short cut across the space-time barrier to get back to Earth in your time, and a great place to dispose of bodies, especially since that's what the giants demand as payment for crossing their land."

“Is it likely they will catch us crossing?"

“Very likely. They can smell the blood of living creatures from miles away."

“So, what do we do?"

“Throw Merlin to them." Chris suggested, but the thought made him feel ill, surprisingly.

“If you hold that portable portal against your sword you should be able to generate enough fire to scare them off. They're afraid of fire."

James frowned. “Using the mini portal will alert Rory, and I'd rather avoid that. He may even be able to guess where we are and send forces against us, like he did when we were crossing Terra. The less he knows about our whereabouts the better. Even knowing that we're still alive while Ross is missing could give that slippery fox an advantage."

“Then you had better wear your best shoes tomorrow because your only other option is to outrun them." Merlin said, seriously.

“I wish we had kept that holy spear." Junafir mumbled.

They did indeed encounter several giants on their way between Laestrygon portals. The first two came at them from different directions and James, remembering a tactic he had seen or heard of in some childhood tale, taunted them by making Gael stop and flex his large muscles.

“Who's going to get to eat the big horsie?" He called. They fled when the two giants set to fighting over who would chow down on the meaty blacksmith.

The third giant was alone and determined to snack on as many of the trespassers as she could before they slipped away amongst the boulders. The group kept her changing directions by exposing themselves then hiding while another member lured her away so they could run a few hundred yards and taunt her again.

It seemed to be working but the distance between her and her potential lunch kept growing smaller. In the end James was afraid that he would have to use the portable portal and hold her off with fire, but Junafir spotted the portal her gem had been leading them too and they all made a dash for it. Gael, calculating that the giantess would close the gap before they arrived stopped just in front of the portal and swung his mighty double-edged sword in great arcs while the others ran past him to safety.

One by one they dove through the portal, which was barely big enough for them to fit. When the giantess stopped to suck on a scratch his sword had made on one of her fingers Gael turned and jumped though too. He barely had time to register that he had landed inside a dim building when a giant hand came though the portal, grabbed him by the leg and started to drag him back though.

“You're close to the portal." James shouted. “Use your gem."

Gael understood and he closed his eyes to concentrate as the field of magical potential around the portal energized the diamond embedded in the blade of his sword. Sticking out one arm to prevent being dragged tough the vortex, he lowered his sword with the other until the blade was against the back of the giant's hand, then he released the magic.

The bolt of lightning that passed from gem to hand would have been enough to disintegrate most enemies, but it barely scorched the thick brown skin of the giantess. Still, it was enough to make her open her fist and pull her hand back, freeing Gael. He scrambled back out of range as quick as he could.

Out of range proved to be marked on the concrete floor of what appeared to be an empty warehouse with a line of yellow paint. The others had also figured out that the line indicated how far a giant could reach through the portal and were standing behind it. Gael joined them.

“What is this place?" Annie asked.

“A former warehouse belonging to one Rory Douglas." A strange voice answered from the shadows behind them.

With weapons already drawn they turned toward the potential new danger.

A tall human stepped out of the shadows by the far wall and stopped a dozen paces away from them. He was red headed, like James, and dressed in contemporary Earth fashion, with a suit, tie and overcoat.

“My name is Forrest, Sean Forrest." He said in a voice that reminded James of the old Bond films, the ones with Sean Connery. “Am I correct in presuming that you are James Douglas?" He continued, tilting his chin toward James.

James saw no use in denying it, but he inched back towards the portal as far as he dared to keep within the circle of its influence without getting with in reach of the giant hand that was currently feeling about on this side of the portal.

“I am James Douglas." He told the man.

Forrest smiled. “Then the lass with the unique hairstyle would be Anne Steward, a noble family name, if somewhat removed from it's Scottish origins."

Coyotka noticed that Merlin was trying to hide behind Gael, and that the stranger did not seem to be surprised to be in the presence of an anthropomorphic coyote, fox, horse and tigress, although his eyes often flicked to the bare breast of said tigress.

“Excuse me," she said as she lowered the blades Chris had gifted her, “but just who the hell are you, Sean Forrest?"

“A fair enough question." The man said as he pulled his hands from the pockets of his overcoat to show that they were empty. “Like many people I am several things. In my official capacity I am Inspector Sean Forrest of Interpol, here to track down and arrest the reclusive Rory Douglas for crimes such as tax evasion, copyright infringement, forgery and fraud … oh, and did I forget to add murder and kidnapping? The murder of his brother, Arthur Douglas to be specific, and the kidnapping of Arthur's son, James and his friend Anne Stewart."

“And in other capacities?" James asked, lowering his sword a bit.

Sean looked at the floor and scuffed his shoes in the dust. “The Forrests are a Sept of the Douglas clan." He began. “Such as the Blackwood's, the Dickies, the Kirklands and the McKittricks. Many of the Septs are involved in the, ah … clan business. Some of us have been tasked with seeking positions in the regulatory, legislative and enforcement branches of the world's governments in order to … ease the way … you might say."

“You work for the Douglas's of Lanarkshire?" James said.

“Lanark? Isn't that county right beside Renfrew County, where your portal was?" Annie interrupted.

“The two are close together in Scotland too." Sean informed her. “The clan Douglas has a strong presence in both."

“You're not just here because Rory violated some Earth laws." James guessed.

“No. The clan has found out what happened to your father's portal and is out to punish Rory Douglas for it. You see, we don't just protect our portals with a few locks and fences. We have surveillance cameras and standby crews to respond to break ins. Your father would have explained all this if he had time, but Rory acted to fast, too boldly for us to prevent it. We were, however, able to trace the mercenaries that he hired to blow up the portal. With murder charges in Canada and war crimes in the Balkans waiting for them they gave up Ross as the one that hired them fairly quickly. A trace on the payment also led back to Rory Douglas."

“Your uncle has left Earth though." The Interpol man sighed and shrugged his shoulders as he revealed that the knowledge was futile. “In my 'official capacity' I can only act if he comes back to Earth, which he is unlikely to do, so my job ends here. But in my capacity as an agent of the clan I am still very involved."

“Where is Rory now?"

“In his castle on Terra, where we cannot get to him." Forrest replied. “He destroyed the portal connecting it to Darwin as he fled, along with his mansion there. The conventional police think he is hiding out somewhere in south-east Asia, where he can indulge in his craving for pubescent, hairless girls."

“Yes, we knew one of his victims." James said, sheathing his sword and moving closer. The others did likewise. He gestured to Annie and himself. “Where does that leave us?"

“The clan will use it's influence in law enforcement and the media to portray it as a scheme of Rory Douglas to take over the family business. He murdered your father by blowing up his warehouse in Renfrew and kidnapped you to sign over your inheritance to him."

The Interpol agent paused and stared at Annie's scars. “He used a blowtorch to torture your friend, who was swept up in the scheme, to make you cooperate but you resisted, believing that they would just kill you both if you ceded to their demands."

“Her scars are months old now." Chris pointed out.

“We have doctors that will say they are fresh." Forrest informed him.

“And how did we end up here? Wherever here is." James asked.

“You are in Darwin, Australia." Forrest said with a smile. “And that alone will make people believe you were kidnapped by your uncle. Rory Douglas owns this property, which you are about to escape from, and the local constabulary has agreed to help. You, James, will be returned to your home as the acknowledged heir to the Canadian holdings of Douglas Trading, along with your uncle's portion of the business." He turned to Annie. “You, lassie, will be reunited with your family as fully recovered from your abuse, ready to take that scholarship in British Columbia."

“How do you know all these things?" Annie asked him.

We have people everywhere." Forrest assured her.

“Why didn't you deal with Rory earlier," Chris demanded, “when he was murdering innocents and selling people into slavery?"

Forrest sighed. “We tried, Mister Cinereo, but he had isolated himself from the business of the clan and he was not interfering with the regular commerce of the portals at that time. With a few nudges from us the conventional authorities were closing in on him, in their slow, inexorable way, but he escaped before we could bring the machinery of justice to bear. Trust me though, he will receive his just rewards, in time."

James looked thoughtful. “I have an idea about that, but I may need your help to bring it about."

“Rory Douglas has gone so far over the line that the clan and its business associates are open to all suggestions."

Junafir was biting her lip. She had heard a lot about saving James and Annie but she and the other Terrans had been largely ignored in the conversation.

“What happens to the rest of us?" She asked nervously.

Forrest's face expressed sympathy and regret. “You cannot be seen here on Earth, lassie. We have a transport ready to take you all to a portal that will bring you back to Terra, from where you can make your way back to Dougs-ur-Mark or anyplace else you would like to go."

James pulled her close to him. “Where she goes, I go."

Forrest shook his head sadly. “Then your uncle wins, Jamie lad. Without you here on Earth to testify against him his lawyers will swallow up your father's business and may even be able to clear the rascal's name."

James looked to Junafir. She kissed him and pushed him toward the Interpol agent.

“Family is everything." She told him. “I learned that too late. You need to go back and take care of your family business."

James turned back to Forrest. “Will we ever be able to see each other again?"

A broad smile lit up the man's face. “Of course you can laddie. Once all the legal issues are settled the Clan would be happy to let you use one of the other portals it controls to get you to Terra for a visit. A business trip, perhaps."

“There won't be much business going on now that the portal is gone."

“I would not say that laddie. You may not be aware of it, but you have impressed some very powerful people in our clan and elsewhere. You've earned a lot of respect and forged some strong personal bonds on several worlds. Those kinds of things open doors, or portals as the case may be, that will come in handy if you want to follow in your father's footsteps. Arthur Douglas didn't just travel to Dougs-ur-Mark and back on his own behalf, he was an integral part of the greater clan enterprise."

James let that sink in. “How soon could I go back."

“Cool your jets, laddie." Forrest laughed. “Besides, you don't have to say goodbye this minute. It will take time to get all the pieces in place. Until then … well there are plenty of little side rooms in this warehouse for saying goodbye in." He added with a wink.

“And speaking of pieces," Forrest continued, “I'll be taking charge of your guide now."

“What? Merlin?" Annie asked. “But he's been instrumental in getting us back here."

“Nonetheless, he is wanted on Earth and in several other realms under several names: Myron Emrys_,_ Myrddin Wyllt, Ambrosius Auroralis, and Bernie. His cooperation will be taken into consideration, I'm sure, but he owes a small fortune to some very nasty people here."

James turned around. “Merlin is this true? Merlin? Has anyone seen Merlin?"

“He was cowering behind you while you were talking with your clansman." Chris informed him, but he's gone now."

James cursed and slapped his pockets. They were all empty. “He's taken it." James said as he knelt and began going through his backpack.

“Taken what?" Forrest inquired.

“A pouch of gold that King Arthur gave me to hold onto until Merlin had brought us successfully to Earth." He pulled his old wallet and a felt bag out of his pack and examined the contents.

“Did he take anything else?" Forrest asked.

“No. nothing else. The cash and jewels I had are still here."

“He must like you, laddie," Forrest grinned, “if he only took what he was owed. That's the kind of respect that you bring out in people, from what we've heard." The agent looked around. “Now, where has the old scoundrel gotten off to?"

Junafir bit her claws nervously. Despite his sometimes abrasive attitude she had kind of liked the old human. “Do you think he went back through the portal?"

They turned to see a giant hand feeling around the floor just this side of the portal. It was bigger than the one that had almost caught them, and its wrist barely fit through the portal.

“Probably not." Forrest answered her. “But I get the feeling he has passed this way before, and without being caught by Rory's people either. Oh well," he sighed, “we'll catch him some day, maybe. Now I have to be off arranging things for your heroic 'escape', laddie, but before I go, tell me this idea of yours for dealing with your uncle Rory."

* * * * * * * * *

After Forrest left the group split up to explore the warehouse. Only Magnus stayed in the main room, close enough to the portal to use his magic ring to call up his lute. The sound of his heartfelt songs filled the space, echoing off the walls to accompany him. It also served to cover the sounds of frenzied activity in several of the small rooms around the periphery.

In one such room, Coyotka was consoling Chris as she undid the harness she had jumped into as soon as they were alone.

“Hey, don't get all warped out of shape about this." She said as she pushed the abandoned leather-clad paddles aside to sit beside him. “This kind of thing happens to all males every now and then."

“It's not that." Chris said, taking her hand and squeezing it. “It's the whole BDSM thing. I just … I mean … it used to excite me, but it doesn't now. A week ago just the thought of getting a chance to use the paddles on you would have sent me into the bushes for a quick jerk off so my balls didn't explode, but now … now the thought of hurting anyone makes my physically ill, even if its consensual."

“Oh, baby … what happened? Did I say or do something to put you off?"

“No, it's not you, Constance. Something changed in me when Ross died. Some thing passed from him to me through the spear."

Coyotka's eyes went wide. “The Maker! Are you blessed too?"

“No, not like he was. I cut myself to just to be sure and I'm not invulnerable and probably not immortal, as a patch of fur lost in the fight is already growing back at the regular rate. No, I think that there was something else, a sense of kindness and compassion that was passed to him from this Jesus fellow, that he didn't how to deal with. He was a bad man before the crucifixion and he wanted to stay that way, so he buried it deep down and kept it locked away by being a worse man afterward."

He rubbed his stomach, which was cramping at the thought of ever killing again. “I was an assassin, a killer, and even though I justified it and thought of my profession as a sort of public service the memory sickens me."

She reached over and rubbed his stomach too. “What are you going to do?"

Chris sighed. “When James releases me from the life pledge I don't know what I'll do, but I know that I will never kill again. I'm done as an assassin and burglary is out too."

“May I make a suggestion?"

He looked at her hopefully. “Sure."

“You already know more about antidotes, herbs and medicine than most doctors in Cognitionis. It's said that Jesus was a healer, maybe that was what was passed on to you by way of Ross? Maybe you should consider a more sedate, academic life, learning the art of healing. I'm sure I could lure some of the old medical faculty back."

“I think you're right." Chris smiled. “And I'd like to be with you at the university."

“Not just at the university." She said with a grin. “I have a mind to take after my father and throw a little adventurous field work into my schedule. Of course, I'll need a good doctor to go too because who knows what might befall me?"

“Perish the thought." He said as he turned into her and raised his hand to her cheek. He guided her muzzle to his and they settled into a long, languorous kiss.

Her hand was on his lap and she could feel the bulge growing under it.

“See that?" she whispered as she started to rub him there. “You're healing already."

* * * * * * * * *

By the time Forrest reappeared everyone was back in the main room, catching up on their sleep.

“Everything is ready." Forrest told them. “The terrans will go out the back door straight into a van that will take them to a portal in the outback that connects to Cognitionis; they've cleared the lava from around that one and several others there. From Cognitionis the ones bound for Dougs-ur-Mark can catch the coach. Thirty minutes after the van leaves James and Annie will stumble out the front into the arms of the local Chief of Police, who is impatient and likely to bust in on his own if you are late, so let's not keep him waiting too long."

Annie and Gael had one last embrace as did James and Junafir.

“Where will you go, Magnus?" Coyotka asked the stag.

“I'm going to Terra also, but from there I need to get back to Medioterrae to see my mother and pass the news of my father's death. After that, perhaps we'll go back to her home world."

“I hope you meet some local doe there and she turns out to be the one for you." Coyotka said, hugging the deer-man.

“Thank you, Constance."

“There is one last thing." Gael said as he drew his big sword. He took a small tool from his belt and popped the diamond out of its setting in the blade. “I will not be needing this on Terra, and it is part of your inheritance, James. I thank you for lending it to me, but you should have it back now."

James made a feeble attempt to refuse but the big horse forced it into the lad's hand. Behind him Junafir and Magnus were also prying the stones off their weapons.

“It won't work on Terra." Junafir said handing over the star sapphire.

“I never liked fish anyway." Magnus claimed when he gave James the blue sapphire.

“You can carry the gems and some other small articles in the clothes I've brought for you. The local police won't search you, but you and Annie are going to have to leave your packs and weapons behind." Forrest pointed out. “Wouldn't want the press getting a picture of you armed and dressed like a He-Man character; that would get too many tongues wagging. Don't worry, I'll make sure they back to you."

James and Annie took the gems off their respective weapons. James gave his father's katana to Forrest. Annie gave her spear to Gael.

“Hold onto this for me, will you big guy? I might need it some day."

The big blacksmith wiped a small tear from his eye. “Of course."

Forrest glanced at his watch and clicked his tongue impatiently. “Alright, lads and lassies, time to get this show on the road."

* * * * * * * * *

Rory Douglas paced back and forth inside his chambers at the castle in the Terran city of Darnis. Things were going badly of late. He had to abandon his Earthly holdings, and messages from his legal team there informed him that the Douglas clan was making a move on them now that James was back home.

He was effectively trapped here on Terra, not only because he had destroyed his own local portal but also because the others he used to have access to were closed to him now. The Shang family had cut him off from their Asian portals and the Llugana tribe in the Congo had done the same. In fact, all the important trading families and conglomerates around the realms were ignoring his requests under the growing influence of his former clan.

No matter, he assured himself, he had been in worse positions before and had clawed his way up from them. Mind you, he had to admit, he had Mister Ross at his side for a good portion of that climb. Where has that infernal immortal gotten himself off to, he wondered? Did he find his precious spear and go off to conquer some world, or had his nephew James somehow managed to kill the old legionnaire?

Not knowing was chewing away at his insides, but he dared not let his worry show least his minions think him weak.

He needed to relax, but on this world of furry beings there were no females matching his tastes, except for the ones he had cast into the slave pits in previous years, and they were not fit for anything now. Still, slave traders from other worlds occasionally passed though with merchandise matching his desires. He made a point of inviting each and every one to show off their wares. The latest one to pass though was due any minute. Rory hoped he would have something suitable, before he exploded in a fit a rage and lost a few more employees.

His new head of security, a wolf who looked impressive enough but lacked the looming presence or the skill of Mister Ross, announced the slave trader had arrived. Rory reminded him to search both the trader and any creature he brought with him thoroughly, and to check them against the list of known Douglas agents. Anyone seen near the castle matching the descriptions of the clan's operatives or any of James' friends was to be bound and thrown into the cells so that Rory could question them personally.

The wolf came back after having cleared the trader. “He's a canine, a shepherd of some sort that does not match any of the descriptions." The wolf assured him. Rory grunted and gripped the trigger of a crossbow he kept hidden under the table in from of his chair.

It was a shepherd, he saw as the wolf escorted the slaver in. It was mid-sized, with black and brown fur in the shepherd pattern and ears that stood straight up. The tip of its nose was also brown, a rare colouring in most breeds but not uncommon among darker coated dogs. The trader was leading a creature under a baggy green cloak by a silver chain. Rory motioned impatiently for him to remove it.

When the cloak fell to the floor Rory's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped open. There in the puddle of green fabric stood an elf maiden. She was slim and young, and her pale skin glowed with health. More importantly for Rory, as the slaver made her raise her arms and rotate, she had no hair on her body, save for the long golden locks that fell around her pointed ears.

“As your eminence requested," the trader said in a gravelly voice, “a delectable little beauty barely of age, even by the standards of her people, totally hairless except for what grows on her head. And best of all, sire," the dog grinned, revealing several rotten teeth, “she's not been shaved to make her so; she's naturally as smooth and clean as a newborn babe."

Rory's mouth was closed but he was salivating and had to swallow it down frequently.

“How much?"

“Well, that is hard to say." The slaver said, rubbing his chin. “Goods like these are hard to come by. Lots of portal fees to pay to get her all the way here, then there's the ground transportation, upkeep, extra pay for the guards for keepin' their hands off her …"

Rory threw a sack of gold across the room. The slaver caught it in mid air and was counting it immediately.

It was twice the going rate for a house slave, but the desire in Rory's eyes was evident, as was the fact that they were locked on the smooth skin of the elf.

“Lots of extra expenses for this kind of trade." He mumbled. “Out of my way too, got to get back to my regular stompin' grounds, pick up some more stock … and what with prices going up everywhere."

Rory could not take his eyes off the elf, but he snarled in a way that conveyed that his patience was rapidly running out.

“Another ten in gold?" The slaver concluded quickly.

It was an outrageous fee, one that would kill most deals on the spot, but just daring enough to convince Rory that he was dealing with a creature after his own heart.

“How frequently can you provide goods such as this?" he asked the slaver.

The trader answered with no hesitation. “Once a season."

“Alright then." Rory dug into his pocket and produced another ten gold coins. He wrapped them in a cloth napkin, knotted it and threw it to the slaver rather than invite him closer. “You can have the same price for each one you bring me like this, but you must keep to the schedule. Keep me waiting and I'll be interviewing other slavers at a table dressed with your hide."

“Tis a deal." The slaver nodded. He looked around and licked his lips. “Shall we seal it with an ale … over dinner perhaps?"

“Don't push your luck."

The shepherd began to back towards the door. “Right, sire, if you'll excuse me then." The wolf showed him out.

Rory got up and came around the table toward the shivering elf girl. She would have been searched thoroughly, and enjoyably, by the head of security, who would be hoping to get what was left over when her replacement was delivered, Rory believed. But meanwhile he had to make this one last.

His muzzle wrinkled when he got close enough to confirm that there was no trace of stubble on her.

“A bath for you first." He said, eager to begin but reigning in his anticipation. Everything must be perfect the first time. She must be perfect, perfectly smooth, perfectly clean, perfectly innocent. Maker knows she would be filthy enough by the time he was done.

Down at the main gate the slave trader tipped his hand to the guards and made his way back to the city's edge, where he had booked the topmost room at an isolated Inn. When he arrived he found the bath that he had ordered drawn and hot in the middle of the room.

He got undressed but did not get into the tub right away. First, he removed the wires that were woven into the fur of his ears to make them stand up. As soon as they were out they flopped over halfway the way they naturally did. He spat out the wads of cotton that made his snout look wider, and then he took a tissue and wiped the brown boot polish from his black nose. Only then did he slip into the tub to rinse away the black dye, revealing the brown and white collie pattern it had hidden. The fur he had trimmed to match a smoother shepherd's coat would just have to grow back in its own time.

Paul sighed in relief. It had been a bit tense, facing Rory like that, but his part was done. Now it was up to Ladread, in her elf maiden form, to do her bit.

Back in the castle Rory was laying naked in bed, waiting for the elf. He had had servants brush his fur until it stood out in all its puffy glory, especially his tail. He was already half erect just at the thought of rubbing it against all that pale, bare skin.

There was a soft knock at the door and he called for them to come in. There was his chambermaid, a dried-up old witch of a vixen that nonetheless could be trusted to keep her yap shut about what went on in his bedroom. Behind her was the elf, naked and gleaming fresh from the bath with her hair done up in a bun on top of her head as he had requested. Behind the two his head of security peered over their heads, making sure that his employer was safe, and pleased.

Rory waved them out, then ordered the elf to approach the bed.

He jumped up and circled her several times. At first he was looking for signs of a trap, but then he was checking to see how hairless she was. By the third circuit his hands were reaching out, toughing that perfect skin, skidding across a shoulder her, tracing a thigh there, reaching to spread her buttocks and peer under them at the small pale mound of hairless flesh between her legs.

Satisfied, he ordered her onto the bed. “On your hands and knees." He told her. “Facing the headboard."

He was fully erect now, and his knot locked his sheath against his balls as he ached to plunge his cock into her. Was she really a virgin, he wondered? Probably not, but the best traders knew simple ways to make it appear as if they were. A stich of human hair inside that the first thrust would tear out, producing just enough blood to convince a skeptical mother-in-law, perhaps. It did not really matter to Rory, the blood was what he wanted, however it was produced. He would satisfy that urge quickly before cleaning her up and taking his time the next round.

He looked down on her naked back, at all that smooth, bare skin, and at the tiny twin globes of her ass where the target of his desire waited. “This is going to hurt." He giggled as she spread the mound of her sex with one hand and gripped his shaft in the other. He reared back and them drove his hips forward forcefully, aiming for the pink slit his thumb had revealed.

His cock was dripping pre-cum, but it would not be enough to lubricate her, so he was expecting some resistance, some tearing, and quite a lot of screaming, but instead his cock came up painfully against something hard.

His first thought was that the wolf had hidden something inside her, a trap of some kind. Was he working for one of his enemies? He tried to scramble back to safety but found that he could not move. Looking down he saw that the elf had somehow grown a tail, a long, thick, scaly tail that was wrapped around his waist.

To his horror the tail continued to grow and wind its way around him, forcing itself between his jaws, already too thick for him to bite down on it. It would not have mattered anyway, as it was now covered in hard scales that his teeth could not penetrate.

As the tail lifted him and turned him around the body of the elf began to change too. It grew larger, thicker, and became covered with scales also. Her neck got longer, longer than he was tall, and her head took on a reptilian shape. Dagger-like teeth grew in her expanding mouth, and her tongue split into two at the end. When she was finished she had the form of a great black dragon, and his bed collapsed under her weight. Leaving her sitting on the floor holding him up in front of her face while whisps of smoke drifted out of her nostrils.

Rory kicked but to no avail. He tried to scream for help but nothing came out.

Aldreda laughed at his efforts. “Leaving so soon, Mister Douglas? But sex always makes me hungry, and it would be rude not to feed your lover before you go."

Outside his chambers the maid and the wolf heard the bed collapse but thought nothing of it, the master frequently got carried away in his passions. Then they heard him scream, a scream that was abruptly cut off.

The wolf looked worried. “Should we check on him?" he asked nervously.

“Nah." The old vixen replied. “He often screams like that when he gets a real good 'un in. He'll be back at it soon enough." She moved a little closer to him and plucked at her loose blouse. “When you've been here long enough you'll hear all sorts of bizarre sounds come out of his room."

“Oh." The wolf replied, relieved. Then he looked her up and down, from her ragged head to her threadbare tail. “How a bout a quicky then, while he's engaged?"

“Sure." She said, shrugging out of her maid's uniform. “I thought you'd never ask."

* * * * * * * * *

It was several months before James could return to Kingston. First there was the business of the kidnapping and murder of his father. He and Annie stuck to the basic story, that they were visiting one of his father's trading posts when they were set upon by assassins, but they changed the location to an ungoverned island off the coast of Papua New Guinea and the species of the assassins to human. It was important that they swear to the death of Arthur Douglas because otherwise James would have to wait several years before his father's estate cleared.

They claimed that they were hooded and flown to Darwin where Rory and his henchman Mister Ross tortured them. Annie's burn scars were quite convincing, and the cuts James had suffered during their adventures were counted as being inflicted by his uncle also. There were also fresh scars from blood collected by Sean Forrest's people so he could leave enough manufactured evidence in the warehouse to fill the forensic reports.

James claimed that while bound and hooded they had heard an altercation between Ross and his uncle. It was possible that one had killed the other but all they knew was that they were left alone for a long time afterward, long enough to loosen their bonds and escape, right into the arms of the local police, who claimed to be closing in on Rory Douglas for offenses such as human trafficking, murder and rape. A reporter that also worked for the Douglas clan was present, and soon both the police and the victims were being hailed as heroes in the press.

The Chief of Police failed to mention in subsequent interviews that all the evidence for the warrant to arrest Rory Douglas had been handed to him by a Scottish Interpol agent an hour before the raid.

There was an inquest, of course, but it was riddled with Douglas clan sympathizers and other local rivals of Rory Douglas. The conclusion was that Arthur Douglas was dead and had been murdered, that James and Annie had been kidnapped and tortured, and that there was sufficient evidence to conclude that Rory Douglas was responsible for these crimes. Should he ever step foot again in Australia, or any other country associated with his crimes, he would be arrested and put on trial.

That was the end of the Australian portion, and representatives from the Canadian High Commission who had sat in on the inquest informed James that they were satisfied with the verdict. When he returned to Canada he would inherit his father's assets and business interests.

“Such as they are." James had mumbled at the time.

He and Annie parted ways then. She had been able to secure her scholarship and confirm her registration at the Art College with the help of her parents, who had been flown to Australia to be with her during the inquiry. They marvelled at how well her scars had healed, which Annie credited to the amazing doctors of Darwin. They promised to find the best plastic surgeons available when they got back to Canada, to reconstruct her scalp and transplant hair to that side of her head but she refused.

“I kinda like the look. Sort of like Cressida in that Hunger Games movie."

Her mother was horrified and though that it made Annie look like a cancer victim. She blamed James for being a poor influence on her daughter.

Instead of going straight back to Canada Forrester escorted James to Scotland, where he was introduced to the head of the clan and other important portal traders. There he was indoctrinated into the secrets that his father had not had time to pass on to him, including access to the Clan archives, where much knowledge of the portals and the Thousand Realms could be found.

There, while researching the creation and destruction of the portals he came across a reference to the destructive power of black pearls when combined with gems that had magical potential in proximity to a portal. This confirmed his suspicions that his uncle and his henchman Ross were using the combination to close off portals along his route. Clan investigators claimed that Rory Douglas had done the same to several of his competitors' portals also. It was one reason that most portal owners kept them in buildings larger than their zone of influence, and why Rory's mercenaries had to use conventional explosives on the portal in Renfrew County.

James found some other interesting information though, when reading about small portals, like the one he still carried. He discovered that his uncle would not dare try the same method on the miniature portal in an attempt to kill him as the resulting explosion would be just a big as the one that would destroy a large portal and affect both ends of the vortex through space-time. In other words, trying to kill James by destroying the portable portal would probably kill whoever was on the other end also.

The last piece of the puzzle though was an ancient treatise on the miniature portals themselves, and how a traumatic shock like a large earthquake, a powerful lightning strike, or an explosion, 'ofttimes only reinforced the link between the pair, creating a larger portal by which commerce may be served', according to the scholar.

James had sent a message then to Paul Collieman and Ladread, who were about to launch the strike on Rory's Terran stronghold, asking that she recover the other half of the mini-portal when she was done with the fox, and giving Paul instructions as to what to do with it next.

It was Mid-Fall before he made it back to Kingston to get his affairs in order. Bill Decker, his father's foreman at the Kingston warehouse was waiting for him. James was now aware that Decker knew about the true nature of the family business, as did his father's lawyer and a few trusted contractors.

“Is everything in order?" James asked the older man when they met at the small municipal airport.

“Yes. Your father's lawyer, your lawyer now, has settled the estate and transferred everything into your name. Now that he has, uh, … disappeared … and can't fight back, the Clan has stripped your uncle of all his Earthen shares in the business and transferred them to you as promised. I have a trusted construction crew on standby, as you requested."

James nodded. “Good work, Mister Decker."

“Please, call me Bill. Your father was as much a friend as an employer, and you always called me Bill when you were young and running around the warehouse."

James smiled at the memory. “Alright, Bill."

“I see you're wearing your father's ring."

James looked down to his right hand, where he had been unconsciously twisting the artifact that his father had given him so that he could cross the portal without benefit of a spell. It was the same device that allowed him to bring Junafir and Gael back across, which he used to think was the cause of all the subsequent trouble. He knew better now; Uncle Rory would have come after him and his father eventually in any event.

“It's useless now that the portal it created has been destroyed." James admitted. “But it's one of the few personal items of my father's that I still have."

Decker patted the boy, who was now a man a full head taller than him with a big bushy red beard, sympathetically on his shoulder. “I have some news that may cheer you up." Decker turned and pointed. There in the public waiting area stood Annie.

James was so glad to see her that he leapt over the barrier and lifted her off the ground, not an easy feat as she was still as thick and solid as the warrior she was when they had crossed the last portal.

“Annie! What are you doing here? Did they give you time off school to visit?"

Annie brushed the long hair that grew only on one side of head away from her face, revealing fresh tattoos on the scarred side. “No, I dropped out."

“Wha- … but you dreamed of going there, you had a full scholarship."

“Eh … I got bored. School seemed a little tame compared with what we went through. Plus, they start everyone off at the same place there, and I already know how to draw. What I have an urge to do now is to apply my artist skis to a new medium – metal work."

A grin spread across James' face. “Under the tutelage of a certain blacksmith and sword maker we know, maybe?"

Annie blushed. “If he'll have me."

“I've been in contact with Paul, who is back in Dougs-ur-Mark waiting for us. He tells me that you are the only thing Gael talks about."

“Really? I mean … ga'wan with you."

“You're coming with us?"

“I would not miss it for the world."

Outside James and Bill Decker loaded his luggage into the back of a large black SUV. James kept his carryon bag and he sat in the back with Annie while Decker drove them through the beautiful autumn countryside from Kingston to the family property in Renfrew County.

The fence had been repaired, but Decker had held off on rebuilding the warehouse, partially because if James' experiment failed there would be no point, and partially because whatever they built would likely be destroyed even if it did work.

They left the SUV outside the fence where it would be safe. James walked to a spot where the door of the warehouse once was and took a few things out of his bag. The first thing was a felt pouch that held all the gems that had once adorned their weapons: Gael's diamond, Junafir's star sapphire, Annie's emerald, Paul's blue sapphire, and finally James' ruby. From another pouch he took the black pearl, one larger than any Bill Decker had ever seen, and he added it to the gems before closing the bag.

“Are you sure it's safe?" Annie asked nervously.

“It's safe until it gets within range of a portal." James assured her. Then he tied the bag to the end of a long length of steel wire that was notched at short intervals. Letting the bag hang out of the way he took out the miniature portal that had once belonged to his uncle Rory.

“This is so small that it's field of influence is only a centimeter around it, barely bigger than the case that holds it." James explained. “When Gael or I used it on non-magical worlds we had to hold it right up against our gems to activate them."

He treaded the other end of the wire into a modern device and then clamped the case with the portable portal onto it.

“This device is a simple clockwork mechanism that will draw the wire in until the sack with the pearl and gems is right up against the portal's case," he explained, “which should be close enough to cause a reaction. Paul has placed the other end of the miniature portal pair on top of the hill where the Dougs-ur-Mark portal used to be. If everything works as I hope …" he crossed his fingers.

“It will start reeling the sack in when it hits the ground." He continued, turning to hold it out toward Annie. “Would you like to do the honours?"

Annie took the sack in her big fist and spun the mechanism around and around on the end of the wire like one of her track and field hammers. She let it go at just the right moment to have it sail up and over to where the portal had once stood inside a log cabin. It landed solidly and stuck. Even from a distance they could hear the 'click-click-click' of the mechanism drawing in the wire.

“We'd better back away." James said as he took a few steps toward the fence. “Based on the size of the gems and that pearl this is going to be intense."

They went though the new gate on the fence and stood behind the car. James was mentally ticking off the time, and his fingers on one fist extended one at a time as his countdown neared the end.

“Five … four … three … two …"

There was a huge explosion and a blinding flash of light from the spot where the portal and gems had landed. James, Bill and Annie ducked but there was no shrapnel save for a few bits of dust and dirt. The car did rock a bit from the force though, and a great swirling ball of dust rose up from the ground.

When the dust cleared there was a portal there, hovering just off the ground. It was slightly larger than the one that his ancestor had discovered some four hundred years prior, but it looked very much the same, right down to the view of the village of Dougs-ur-Mark at its centre.

James and Annie ran to portal excitedly, with Bill Decker following along at a slower pace. Even before they got close they could see Paul and Gael waving back at them from the other side with huge grins on their faces. Farther back he could see his mother and his two sisters, but James was disappointed that Junafir was not with him. They had been apart only a couple of months, had she moved on from him already?

Part of his mind was elated that his experiment had worked so well. Another part was devastated by the absence of Junafir. A third portion was calculating everything that had to be done now that the link between his world and theirs had been re-established.

I'll need to bring a spellcaster in to secure the portal from casual travellers, he thought. Then Bill will need to bring his crew in to build a secure structure around it on Earth while Paul does the same here. After that I'll need to hide a few surprises in case someone like Rory tries to take control of it … oh, and we'll need to replenish our stock of magical gems. Paul will know where to source them, if he stays on that is, he reminded himself.

James was the first though the portal and he went to thank Paul for his help. Annie passed him halfway and leapt into Gael's arms. The big blacksmith spun her around several times before they collapsed into a laughing heap on the grass that had grown back after the fire.

James shook Paul's hand and gripped his shoulder tight. Paul returned the gesture, teary eyed to see how much James looked his father from when Paul had first met him.

“Your father would be so proud of you." He told James.

“I have your guidance to thank for it." James replied. “Will I be able to benefit from that guidance again?"

Paul smiled. “You will. I was growing weary of settling petty disputes between nobles and adjudicating squabbles among the guilds and farmers long before you sent your request for our help. Ladread and I were only too willing to leave the court and come here to Terra. Once I was here, I realized how much I missed the place. I'll be staying on as your foreman again, if you'll have me."

“Of course I will. In fact, after discussion with the Clan we'd like to make you a partner. It's a bribe I was saving in case you were reluctant to stay, but a promotion you deserve. What about Ladread, will she be staying here with you?"

Paul shook his head ruefully. “No. She misses her Medioterrae mountains as much as I missed Terra. I'm afraid that we shall never see each other again."

“Don't give up so fast." James told him. “There will be plenty of excuses to go there on business. I have plans to set up a trading post near Lyonesse where the men, dwarves, elves and even the dragons can trade their goods for off-world wares. With your connections there you would be the perfect candidate to set it up and supervise it once you can train a local manager."

“I appreciate that, James. Look, here's your mother come to take you away. I'll go over and coordinate plans for the new buildings with Bill while they drag you to the cottage and fill you with food while draining you of the details of your travels."

His mother, the vixen Aurora Foxworthy-Douglas, stood back as the twins, Vikki and Mikki launched themselves at their older brother. The two young vixens almost cut off his air supply with their fierce hugs and nearly numbed his ears with their incessant questions.

“What worlds did you go to, Jimmie?"

“Were there foxes on any of them?"

“Mister Collieman said you fought a dragon."

“Gael Tholkes said a shark with big boobies pulled you all across the ocean."

“Girls!" Aurora warned before taking James' head between her hands. “Honestly, I do not know where they get these things from."

“Hello, Mother. I made it back."

“Yes, I see." Aurora said in the universal condescending tone of mothers that can never be impressed by their children's accomplishments. “And you have avenged your father, I hear."

“The family is out of danger now."

“The family is never out of danger," she said, looking down and shaking her head, “not while we're engaged in this business. But don't you worry," she said looking back up at him with a smile, “having a family makes it all worth while. Now, come to the cottage. We have a surprise for you."

James let the twins lead him by the hands down the hill while he protested that he had work to do now that the portal was open, but they would not hear of it. He wondered if the surprise was something edible, which he would have to pretend to enjoy even though he was not hungry, or some memento of his father that they had found and preserved for him.

He was not prepared for the sight of Junafir standing in the parlour, biting her lip and looking expectant.

“Junafir!" He exclaimed as he rushed forward and gripped her by the upper arms. “I … you … when I didn't see you on the hill … Wha- what are you doing hiding here and making me all worried?"

“Paul would not let me get any closer." She replied, looking up at him with uncharacteristic shyness. “He didn't know if there would be a shock wave or a magic discharge or something else that might hurt the baby."

James' jaw dropped. “The baby? What bay- …" then he looked down at her, past her expectant face and jutting breasts, to the obvious bulge in her belly.

“You're … we're …?"

She nodded.

“When? I mean … it doesn't matter when. I'm just so happy to see you ... and with a baby ... our baby."

“It's several months along, your mother thinks. It's hard to say when because our gestation period is half that of humans, but it can be longer when species mix like this. So, maybe at the warehouse before they separated us, maybe in the Inn outside of Camelot. We weren't exactly being careful those last few weeks."

“Are you happy, Junafir? Happy that we met? Happy to be carrying my baby, even after all the bad things that happened because you met me?"

She hugged him tight and settled her head against his broad chest. “Yes, I'm happy. I have no regrets."

Over her shoulder James looked out the window where his mother and the twins were dancing with joy at the outcome of their surprise. Behind them Annie and Gael were coming down the hill with their arms around each other and smiles as wide as their faces. Even Paul looked ten years younger as he discussed plans with Bill Decker up on the hill.

“I'm happy too." James told Junafir as they hugged. “Everyone is happy now."

* * * * * * * *

Several worlds away and in a slightly different time stream, the former Wanderer known as Merlin, Myrddin, Emrys and occasionally Bernie was longing in a hammock strung between two palm trees on a tropical island. The island was in a remote part of Hawaiki, far from any portal and any trace of modern civilization. It was inhabited by a race of intelligent sea otters with human-like attributes, such as hands with opposing thumbs, walking upright and, to Merlin's delight, breasts … large ones.

The otters, known as the Lanai, had no form of money, and therefore nothing to tempt the reformed con artist other than the delights of their womenfolk, of which there was a surplus. The females of the tribe were expert divers, able to reach the largest and juiciest oysters and scallops that thrived in the deep. The males were not so good at diving, so they stayed near the surface to protect the females. Since their territory bordered that of the aggressive orcas this was a necessary, and dangerous, duty. With no natural weapons like the orcas the otters were outmatched. As a result, few males survived to breeding age, and the lanai females relied on transient males and strangers passing though to keep the population up.

This then, was heaven on earth for Merlin. Plenty of females looking to breed and willing to feed and house him in exchange for his services. And on top of that no money or precious metals or gems to tempt him into conjuring another get rich quick scheme to relieve the innocent citizens of their hard-earned wealth.

He didn't even have to go out on the ocean to help protect them, which was fine by him as he disliked swimming and could not contribute in any event. Life was perfect … until the day he idly inquired of one of his favourite mates why they bothered diving so close to the orca territory in the first place.

She looked up from where she was kneeling naked in the sand, massaging his feet. “Because of the pearls."

Merlin had never seen any of the women wearing pearls. Hell, he thought, they don't wear much of anything other than a thong with a sheath for their knives. He reminded himself of this by taking a moment to admire her furry breasts and their dark brown nipples.

A fellow could forget an awful lot with his head nuzzled between those, he thought, but the image of glistening white and pink pearls would not leave his head.

“What kind of pearls?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Big black pearls." The female answered. “They are only to be found in the territory under dispute with the orcas. We have no use for them ourselves, but men and foxes in boats often come to trade for them in exchange for knives and pots and other metal necessities. None of us know what they want them for, but I suppose that they are the only things of value we have on our lonely island.

Laying back in the hammock as he was, she could not see the way that Merlin's eyes lit up.

“Black pearls, you say?"

THE END

Thanks to everyone that contributed characters to this story:

Paul Collieman © Collifan

Gael Tholkes © MarcusXLight

Junafir Pawstone © Frostlupus

Netyu © Frostlupus

Oyo © Frostlupus

Chris Cinereo © Kyroo Echos

Yup Thatchwatyahurd © Kyroo Echos

Constance “Coyotka" Jotkowska © Coyotek

Darryl D. Dragon © Major Matt Mason

Ladread © White Tiger Hunting

Aldreda © White Tiger Hunting

Magnus © Thwaitesy