FSE

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*"Why have you come here, Child of the Maker?" *

The peculiar bird hovered just beyond the edge of the ice. How it maintained its position without flapping its wings was a mystery to the exhausted travelers. The beast was shaped like no bird or other animal that they had ever seen. Several long, tube like objects protruded from beneath the wings that sprouted from its egg shaped body. It had no feathers, and its skin was a smooth, shiny white with curious, red markings that included an inverted triangle. It also lacked anything that resembled a head or feet. If it had eyes, they were too small for the perplexed furs to detect. In addition to its voice, which sounded vaguely female, a sound similar to rushing air accompanied it.

"Did you hear that?" asked Isven with an expression of pure rapture on his face. "This must be a servant of the Maker. "We have done it. We have found the Makers!"

Before the others could comment, the unusual creature spoke again. "Maker's child, respond now."

*The Rikifurians all looked to Airy for guidance, who in turn deferred to the Bear. *

"You seem to be closer to the Makers than any of us. Speak to it."

*Isven nodded in gratitude for the honor to address an emissary of the Maker. He rose and strode forward until he was just a step from the edge of the ice cliff. *

"My name is Isven, great one. I am a pilgrim who has traveled far physically and spiritually to meet a Maker. Am I in the presence of a servant of the Maker or the Maker himself?"

*The bird gave no outward indications that it had heard the Bear speak. Instead, its voice, already unfriendly, became more menacing. *

"Only the Maker's child may speak."

*Airy was confused and stepped forward to confer in hushed tones with the Bear. *

"Aren't we all children of the Makers?"

"Yes, but as I explained earlier, each race has its own Maker. This bird, or messenger, or whatever it is won't speak to me. It must not be my Maker who dwells in this valley."

*The bird spoke again, louder and with more harshness. *

*"Failure to comply will result in termination." *

Two more birds rose up from below, and Airy's sense of awe dissolved into a feeling of dread.

"Termination? That sounds bad. If this is a Maker for the Deer or some unknown race, we are in trouble. How do we know whose Maker this is, Isven?"

"I...I don't know," stammered the Bear.

"This is important."

"I'll ask." Isven addressed the bird again. "Which Maker do you represent?"

"Termination in ten seconds," was its cold, unemotional response. A small red dot appeared over both Isven and Airy's hearts. A steady countdown followed. "Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven..."

*Airy looked to the others and noticed that a red dot was fixed on everyone's breast except for Jak's. Assuming the glowing mark was a threat led her to an obvious conclusion. *

"Jak! You must be this Maker's child. Talk to the bird before it kills us."

Jak's people had long ago lost faith in their maker, Ovia, and ceased believing in her. To be confronted with the possibility of meeting the deity he and his kind had long since forsaken was disconcerting. He wanted nothing to do with her. Nevertheless, he stepped forward as near to the cliff as he dared while Airy and Isven drew cautiously back. The shimmering red dots tracked their hearts as they retreated.

"Six. Five. Four. Three..."

"I am Jak, formerly White Paw, leader of Blackrock Pack of the Wolf people. These are my friends. I request safe passage for us all to meet the Maker."

"...Two. One..." The bird's countdown stopped. Everyone held his or her breath as the red lights remained fixed on them for several heartbeats before finally disappearing. The collective sigh of relief nearly drowned out the bird's subsequent statement.

"An audience with the Maker has been granted. Please wait here until transportation arrives."

"W'at sort of transportation will get us down t'is ice cliff?" Tigan peered over the edge with skepticism as she spoke. "T'e only way down is to fly and ain't none of t'ese birds looks big enough to carry us safely to t'e bottom."

*Isven's distress brought on by the stubborn bird's threats had disappeared. Rapturous glee replaced it. Being a true believer in the omnipotence and benevolence of the Makers, he found it impossible to imagine them doing any kind of wrong or evil. *

"I knew they would not harm us. The Makers are all powerful and benevolent. Perhaps this was a test of worth, and we passed. A safe means to deliver us to their august presence will be provided. You must not doubt."

*His prediction proved accurate as another much larger bird approached. It hovered just above the ice before landing on three legs that had extended from openings that appeared in the underside of its body. Unlike the first three birds, this one was much larger. The furs used the word bird, because it flew. However, it hardly looked like a bird at all and more like a flying wagon. The upper half was open and contained seven seats and an open space as if it were created just to accommodate all of their party including the sled wolves. *

"Do we climb in, Airy?" asked Jak. "I don't like the idea of flying, and I like the idea of meeting Ovia even less." He leaned close to her to whisper in her tall ears. "This is bad luck, and I have a bad feeling about this place. Wolves stopped worshipping Ovia long ago. There is no love between us. If this is her home, then I think we are in more danger if we go to her than if we turn and head back now. We can find a place to hide in Storfay and build boats to take across the water next year."

*"What do we do, Princess?" asked Camorra. As Airy pondered Jak's words and Camorra's question, Isven approached the three footed bird and placed his paw on its side. *

"You think about it, Princess. I am not bound to your leadership or your command. I have waited all of my life for this moment. An opportunity like this won't come to me again, and I won't give up now." He climbed onto the bird's back and sat down in one of the seats. It adjusted and molded itself to fit the size of his huge body. "Are any of you coming?"

"I vote we go. T'e Bear is right. T'is is somet'in' t'at won't happen again in what little life I have left. I would like to see a Maker even if it is t'e last t'ing I ever do."

*The Bear had sworn no loyalty to Airy's command and could do as he pleased, but Airy was not giving up her right as leader to decide what to do for the rest of the group. *

"We aren't voting, Tigan, but I will consider your words. In fact, I would like to know each of your thoughts. Cat?"

"Cat's have no dealings vith makers and consider talk of them to be stories to frighten little kits. Yesterday, I vould have said there is no such thing as Maker. Now, I am not so sure. Vhat I have heard about Makers tells me they are dangerous and unpredictable. It is said that they fought vars that nearly destroyed our vorld. Ve vill be better off going the long vay around to the north and avoiding this place altogether.

*Characteristically, Camorra spoke for her and Jorveth. *

"It is both terrifying and exciting to think that a Maker is nearby. We will do whatever you decide is wise, Princess."

*Jak was last and the most reluctant to decide. *

"I do not wish to see my Maker. Since I was a pup, I was taught that she abandoned us in our time of greatest need. I have shunned her my entire life and believe that she is unworthy of my devotion. Though I am a Wolf and one of her children, I am not fit to be in her presence. Ovia sees all. She will know what is in my heart. She will unmake me when she does. If you think you are safe in her presence because of me, you are mistaken. She will likely destroy us all."

*When Jak finished, Cat spoke again. *

"I vill go only if Jak goes. If he turns back, I vill not leave him to cross the ice and Storfay alone. Vith my help, he can return safely to his homeland."

At that moment, Airy hated Cat for giving Jak that hope of backing out and staying alive. Jak was the key to getting across this valley. The bird had made it clear they were only able to pass because Jak was welcome. If Jak turned back, they would all have to go with him. Airy refused to retreat; it was not part of her nature. To her, turning back meant certain death and failure in Storfay. Despite Jak's assurances, Airy did not believe they could remain an entire year in the Juht's land without being discovered and captured. Proceeding down into the valley to meet a god was terrifying, but it was moving forward and offered the greatest hope of reaching Rikifur.

"I think that if the Maker wanted to harm any of us, she would not have to wait for us to come before her. I judge that accepting her invitation is the best path forward to reach Rikifur alive. I would ask again if each of you agree to join me in riding this bird, but the choice is Jak's. If Jak does not go, none of us will be allowed to proceed."

Camorra, Jorveth and Tigan all nodded agreement as expected. Cat awaited Jak's decision.

If Jak was still reluctant to meet the Wolves' Maker, Airy would have to order him against his will onto the bird's back or retreat. Rikifur was too close now for her to turn back. The lover inside of her did not want to make Jak do anything he was reluctant to do, but that love had to vie with the love she felt for her family and homeland that welled up inside of her every time she thought of them. The leader inside of her was prepared to force him forward. She would not let this last obstacle prevent her return, but Jak's answer spared her having to make that terrible choice.

"Airy is right that the decision is mine to make, and thus the choice is easy. I follow where both my loyalty and my heart tell me to go. I go with you, Airy. I will meet the Wolves' faithless Maker if that is what I must do to stay by your side."

It was Impossible for Airy not to smile and express her relief openly. Without further words, Airy and her company climbed aboard the waiting bird. With a whistle from Isven, Ebusika leapt into the open space in the rear. The other wolves followed her reluctantly, but obediently.

Without warning, the bird rose several feet in the air, turned around, banked sharply, and sped with terrifying speed down into the valley heading north. Miles raced by underneath them revealing a landscape with a garden like beauty that was wonderful to behold to all but Jak, who kept his eyes closed and his paws tightly gripping the ruff of fur around lead wolf's neck.

*They landed in front of a large building carved from the native rock with tall columns, a multi-domed roof and pediments with elaborately carved friezes. The inverted triangle symbol was repeated within the abstract scrollwork and among the bas-reliefs that decorated the garden walls and ornamented the friezes. Fountains sprouting from statues carved into the likenesses of Wolves, feral wolves, other fauna and mythical beasts sprayed pleasantly warm water into ponds, streams and catch basins that drained into a large rectangular pond full of large colorful fish. The pool was surrounded by an expansive area paved with marble. Cold air from the ice sheet did not penetrate here even though the very walls of this valley were made of ice. The air in the valley was warm, but not humid, making the ice appear as a distant illusion. *

*"If this isn't proof of magic," declared Isven as they stepped onto firm ground, "then I don't know what is." *

The jibe was aimed at Jorveth, but the Horse paid him no heed. All of Jorveth's attention was focused on the bird they had ridden and several new creatures approaching with a Wolf, who strode steadily down the broad steps that led up to the temple in front of which they landed.

The Wolf was nude and obviously male. His fur was light gray with gold and auburn highlights that formed patterns reminiscent of the inverted triangle that was woven into everything in this enchanted land. On either side of the Wolf scuttled two large creatures similar in color and surface covering to the birds that first threatened them. The resemblance ended there, though. Crab or insect-like was how the furs thought of these new beasts with their rounded bodies, six multi-jointed legs and four arms with pincer like claws. They carried no obvious armaments but conveyed the impression that they were soldiers. Cat, Tigan and Airy gripped their weapons tightly in response to their presence.

Like all the servants except for the Wolf, the soldier crabs lacked obvious eyes. That made it difficult to discern upon which furs the attention of the soldier crabs was focused. Airy suspected it was on her and the other non-Wolves. The new Wolf ignored everyone but Jak and spoke directly to him.

"Greetings, child of the maker. Welcome. I am Star Chaser, a servant to the mother of all Wolves. Come with me, please. The Maker grants your request for an audience and bids you to enter her house."

"Thank you for your welcome, Star Chaser. I am Jak."

Jak did not feel that he had made a request for an audience as much as he had begged not to be killed. Apprehension made him wary, but the presence of this other Wolf comforted him somewhat in that it gave evidence that a mortal could survive the presence of the Maker. Jak felt safer following another of his kind even if Star Chaser did have an unusual smell for a Wolf. Something was unusual about this Wolf, but Jak could not make sense of it with so much else that was new distracting him.

"What about my companions? May they come, too?"

Star Chaser paused as if considering Jak's question or perhaps receiving silent orders from the Maker.

"Yes. They may follow, including the ferals."

*The inside of the temple was as ornate and lavish as the outside. Marble covered much of the floor. Tiles made of polished stones of various colors were woven within it into intricate geometric and abstract patterns that delighted the senses. Trees heavy with juicy and fragrant fruit grew from planters besides pools of clear water. Birds of fantastic colors with elaborate ornamental feathers perched and sang soothingly from the tree branches or walked about the floor unconcerned for their safety. *

Ebusika and her subordinates made no move to harm them. Whether this was due to their training or the will of the Maker, even Isven did not know. The Bear had never trained them for an environment such as this. Perhaps the ferals knew instinctively whose land this was and respected it.

Above the interior space was a great dome made of narrow gold ribs and colored glass through which light from the sun illuminated the interior in pleasing tones.

They followed Star Chaser and the crab servants across an open expanse of floor to the base of a set of broad steps that led to a higher platform behind which rose more tall columns hung with sheer draperies that obscured the space behind them. The Wolf stopped at the bottom of the stairs and bowed to Jak.

"Please wait here."

Standing upright again, he turned and walked away to disappear among the interior gardens. The crab guards scuttled sideways several steps but remained at the base of the stairs. Their function as guards was obvious.

Several tense minutes passed before the curtains parted. Through them strode a creature that was shaped startlingly like a person and yet unlike any race they had ever seen or heard tell. Though alien in appearance, she was obviously female. She wore no clothing to hide her round, firm breasts or the slit between her thighs. What ornamentation she did wear consisted of glittering jewels embedded in her skin or hanging from her ears, bands of precious metals wrapped about her arms and legs. She was covered in braided knot patterned tattoos on her naked flesh that shimmered and changed color and form as she moved.

She was furless except for golden hair perched in a small tuft above her sex and a mane that hung down in waves, curls and braids from the top of her head reaching nearly to her waist. Strangest of all was her face, which was flat. Where a snout should be, there was only a small nub of a nose. Her ears were similarly diminished in size and hung on the sides of her head instead of sticking out or up from the top.

Like the goddess that she clearly was, she strode regally towards the top of stairs where she stopped and gazed down upon the furs with an enigmatic expression that revealed nothing of her mood. Though she was small, barely even as tall as Airy, she radiated power and infinite self-confidence.

"Ovia!" exclaimed Jak as he dropped to the floor in the gesture of submission common to his kind. The feral wolves sat in unison with wagging tails and lolling tongues clearly regarding her presence with delight.

Isven fell similarly to his knees and placed his huge paws over his heart. "Oh, Great Maker." His voice was filled with reverence and awe.

Airy bent to one knee, but kept her eyes on the furless being, as did Camorra, who dragged Jorveth down with her. Cat and Tigan remained standing. Airy worried that the Maker would take offense, but was surprised instead when the goddess laughed. Changing colors to pleasing and harmonious hues, her tattoos shimmered through the spectrum. Hers was a genuine and mirthful expression, but there was a slight hysterical edge to it that made Airy uneasy.

"Jak, you have not only forgotten me over these many centuries, but you even forgot my true name." Her tone became stern with her reprimand, and the patterns on her skin glowed an angry red as they took on the shapes of dragons and other fell beasts.

Jak looked up at her in wonderment upon hearing his name, but he had no reply. He could only gape at her with his mouth open. "_Could this creature truly be my Maker?"_he wondered. Despite her alien appearance, primal memories woven deep into his unconsciousness rose unbidden to his waking mind, confirming her origin.

"My true name is Olivia, Jak." She paused for a moment as if thinking before continuing. "That is not your warrior name, though; just what the others call you. You are White Paw."

Her tattoos subsided to a peaceful blue and their form became Wolf cubs that cavorted innocently over her body as her voice softened again.

"Do not be frightened. My anger is not for you. I am grateful that you remember even a trace of my name. I have not done as well for your people as I should. I suppose I deserve to be forgotten."

*As she spoke, her eyes unfocused, and she became momentarily lost in thought. Her haughty demeanor faded. *

*"So much death and destruction," she mumbled to herself, but her voice was audible to all. "We were all such arrogant fools..." *

An uncomfortable silence followed the incomplete thought. Changing color again with her mood, the markings on her body became indigo. She seemed on the verge of crying. The mood passed quickly, replaced by a sudden rage. The braided knot patterns on her skin became a violent red-orange, and her brow furrowed as she gazed upon each of the other furs in turn for the first time since she entered the room. The disgust she bore them was plain. Olivia slowly descended the stairs and grasped Jak's paw.

"White Paw, come with me." To the servants she said, "Take the rest away and be rid of them."

The others gasped as the giant crab-like servants moved towards them with their claws outstretched. Red dots reappeared on their chests. Airy drew her sword, and Cat spun about with her spear pointed at several servants that came at them from the rear.

Jak wrenched his paw from Olivia's hand and moved to place himself between his Maker and his companions. "No! Do not harm my friends."

"Friends? I don't understand. These are the enemies of my children - your people, White Paw. Why should I spare them?"

"Because I have pledged myself to protect them. We are all subjects of Rikifur."

*"Rikifur?" mused Olivia, and the servants stopped their advance, though the shimmering red marks on their breasts persisted, fixed on their hearts no matter how nervously Airy or the others shifted about. The Maker remained motionless for a few seconds as if trying to remember something. *

*"I see," she said at last breaking the tense silence that gripped her nervous guests. *

"There may be some use for them after all. Very well, White Paw. I will not harm your friends, but you must come with me, and they must stay behind. They will be safe, well fed, bathed and healed of any hurts they may have."

*Olivia reached out for Jak's paw, but he drew it away. He sensed no lie in her voice, but was unsure if a Maker could be read that way. *

"You must promise; you must swear your servants will not harm them."

"What good would that do, White Paw? I am not bound to oaths or promises. There is no magic in words to contain or hinder my actions. To you and your friends, I am all-powerful. If I change my mind in a fit of pique or madness, there is nothing that anyone can do to stop me from carrying out my will. Observe."

She snapped her fingers in the air, but nothing seemed to happen. It wasn't until Jak noticed the complete lack of motion from his comrades that he realized what she had done.

"That's right, White Paw. They are paralyzed and cannot move. I can do that and more with just a thought. Do not worry. They are alive and well. How long that lasts depends on you. With another thought, I can stop them from breathing and still their hearts. I don't need my servants to kill for me."

*As she spoke, she moved past the stupefied Wolf to walk among the immobilized furs until she stood in front of Cat. With one outstretched finger, Olivia poked Cat in the chest several times while taunting her. *

"Hey, big, fearsome kitty. Do you want to kill me? Did Silas make you cantankerous and fiercely independent in his own image? What's that? I can't hear you. Cat got your tongue?"

Turning towards Jak, she smiled, but the Wolf's distress over his friend's state was obvious. Sighing, she apologized.

*"I am sorry, White Paw. That was tasteless. You deserve better from your Maker." *

*Returning to her place at the top of the stairs, Olivia snapped her fingers dramatically again. The others stumbled as they regained control of their bodies. *

Cat turned to face Olivia with a feral look of hatred. She hefted her spear to hurl it at her, but Airy grabbed her arm.

*"Cat, no! Would you have us all killed?" *

Cat snarled, but not at Airy. Her gaze never left the furless woman who looked down upon her with contempt. Their eyes locked, and neither blinked. It was Cat who finally conceded. Releasing a mighty roar of frustration, Cat threw her spear to the ground.

*"If only I could toss away temptation so easily," mused Olivia. "You may all keep your weapons or lay them aside as you wish. They will do you no good. Cat sees that. She knows the difference between hunter and prey." *

As Olivia spoke, the guard servants retreated to their former positions, and new servants emerged. They were as varied in appearance as their function, but all of them gave the impression of being useful and not menacing. Some brought trays of food and drink. Others set large pillows upon the stone floor. A few erected curtains around areas in the floor that magically transformed into sunken baths.

"Enjoy my hospitality while it lasts. Whatever you desire, within reason, is yours." Olivia did not reach for Jak's paw again or look to see if he followed as she turned and began to walk out the way that she had come. Her words, though, were filled with silent threat.

"Come now, White Paw. I won't ask again."

Jak paused briefly to seek council in Airy's eyes. Though Airy feared more for Jak than herself, she nodded for him to go.

---

*Olivia led Jak into another room much like the first. It was large and open to the sky with statues, fountains, tile mosaics on the walls and vistas visible between the pillars of her enchanting valley. There were several chairs and divans, but a large, canopied bed dominated the center of the room. Diaphanous curtains were drawn back and tied to the canopy posts with golden cords. *

She made no move to occupy any of the furniture, but stopped next to the bed. Jak was grateful. He knew he was grimy and dirty from weeks without a bath. Standing kept him from soiling her fine furniture. Ignorant of her true intentions, he wondered if she was thinking the same thing as she examined his body slowly from his hindpaws to the tips of his ears.

"I want you to tell me all about yourself, White Paw, and what you desire in life. I can easily access knowledge about each of you, but it is so nice to hear you speak. Tell me first how you lost your eye and became crippled in this paw." Her hands gently touched the scar in the center of his left paw and tested its stiff fingers.

*Jak related the story of the challenge fight with his son and his subsequent banishment. He felt it best to leave out any talk of Airy or the others for the moment even though he suspected Olivia knew all about their travels and trials, so he skipped the rest of his journey to describe his battle with Moordenar in the Aarosht. When he finished, she removed the eye patch and examined his ruined eye as she caressed his face and snout. *

*"You are beautiful, White Paw, despite your wounds." *

*Olivia's hands wandered from his face over the muscles of his chest. Her gold enameled fingernails left grooves in his fur as she traced imaginary patterns from his neck down to the top of his loincloth. *

*"The finest example of what I strove so hard to create." *

*The patterns on her skin shifted through pink, sea green, and blue to a deep purple. *

"Come lie with me White Paw. It has been so long since one of the Wolf chiefs has come to me."

*The intent of her words was clear and it gave Jak distress. *

"I...I...I shouldn't," he stammered.

*"Why not? Does this seem sacrilegious? Are you afraid that I might hurt you? Do not be frightened. You aren't the first Wolf Chief I have bedded, and the others all survived the ordeal." *

*Her hands untied the drawstrings that held Jak's loincloth in place, and she let it fall to the marble floor. Her gaze settled on his genitals, and her hands followed her gaze. *

*"You might be able to hurt me, though, with this. A very fine example of what I strove to create, indeed." *

Her voice became husky as Jak involuntarily grew longer from her touch.

"Maker, please."

*"Olivia, White Paw. Call me Olivia. There are no rules preventing us from making love. It matters not that I made you." *

"It's not you, Maker...Olivia. It's Airy. I promised to lie with her and only her."

*Anger returned to the Maker's eyes and swirled throughout her body art. *

*"To that Rabbit slut? She is a toy, White Paw, not a mate. She cannot even bear you pups. You were made by me to be free sexually. You have had many. Why tie yourself to only her? Wolf chieftains enjoy the privilege of mating with whomever they wish. Are you not a Wolf chieftain? You are White Paw!" *

As she raged, she forced Jak towards the bed until the backs of his legs were against the silk covers that draped to the floor.

"White Paw died when I lost the challenge. Airy gave Jak a reason to live. Without her acceptance into her pack, I would have died. Since you made us, you know this to be true."

*"Do not lecture me on what is true, child. I also made you to be free of ridiculous constraints like monogamy that plagued humanity for so long. I made you to please me. The first born pack leaders of the Wolves came to me willingly and often..." *

*Her eyes regained a faraway look, and her voice quieted. She was no longer talking to Jak. *

"There were many, in fact, long ago when my children were young. Things were better then, before the betrayals, before the petty fighting..."

The melancholy indigo returned to her tattoos, and this time a small tear formed in the corner of her left eye. There was a prolonged silence during which she seemed so sad and lonely that Jak took her hands again in his paws.

"Please do not grieve over the past, Maker."

*She stepped towards him suddenly and hugged Jak tightly as she sobbed into his chest. *

"There is too much past, White Paw. I am the past and the past is me. Everything that happened is my fault as much as any other's. How can I not grieve?"

"I don't understand. You are a Maker. You made the world and all the people. How can you do wrong or be at fault?"

*Her sobs subsided, but she did not release her hold of the Wolf. *

*"I want you to call me Olivia, White Paw. I am asking, not commanding, you to call me that. Forget that I am the Maker." *

There was silence again as she clutched at the fur on Jak's back. Confused, Jak stroked her hair in an attempt to soothe her.

"You should know the truth. Someone should before I am gone forever. Although I am a Maker in the sense that I created your kind, I am not a god. I am a mortal being like you, just longer lived and with greater power at my command."

*She looked up into his one good eye and searched there for comprehension. She saw instead, doubt, awe, a trace of fear and deep concern. *

"You still see me as some supernatural being, but you are wrong. What I say is true. I am a Human. That is what we called ourselves. We are, or were, just another sentient species like you. I am not sure if any of my kind still live. It is possible that I am the last. The rest may all have ascended by now. You, our children, called us Makers, but not all Humans were Makers. Just a few of us took on that task."

The look in Jak's eye turned to confusion. Olivia released her hold on his fur and began stroking him in return.

"I am sorry that I am unclear, White Paw. Much of my story will make no sense to you, and I am not as sane or coherent as I once was. That happens when the body is rejuvenated and the mind is not. I am old; older than I should be to keep all my original memories."

"You should be old, Maker..." Jak checked himself and struggled with using the name of a being so powerful. "Olivia," he finally managed to say. "You are eternal."

"No, and we were never meant to get as old as I am, White Paw. The others and I came to this world as the rest of Humanity began to ascend. We had never found any other intelligent races in our brief exploration of the galaxy, only traces of their passage. We grieved that no new race was staged to take our place and learn the wonders that we had learned."

"Please, Maker. I mean, Olivia. What is a galaxy?"

"It is all of the stars in the sky that move together as a huge family through the emptiness of space. Each star is like the sun, except far away. Worlds like this, and worlds unlike this, orbit about those suns. The original Earth from whence we came is one of those worlds. Let me show you."

With a thought, it became night and the roof over their heads vanished. The night sky was dazzling in its clarity. Olivia's finger pointed towards the east, towards an ordinary looking star.

"That is Sol, the sun around which the original Earth orbits. It was my home."

Maker magic was an accepted part of Jak's life and beliefs. For her to change day into night and make physical objects like the building's roof disappear were expected phenomena. To him it was more incredible that she be flesh and blood like him. More perplexing still were the terms she used for things he did not understand.

"What is an Earth orbit?"

*She laughed. *

"It is good that you are curious and wish to learn new things. You will need that to save your people. I have no time to explain, though. Ask Jorveth later. For now, I just want you to listen, and to lie down."

"But I am filthy from weeks of travel. I will ruin your beautiful blankets."

"Jak, you cannot ruin anything here."

"I am too dirty for you."

*Her laugh was loud and genuine as she pushed him backwards onto the bed and lay on top of him with the soft hair of her sex rubbing against his furry sheath. *

*"That just makes it all the more exciting for me. I am intoxicated by your scent." *

*Grinding her groin against his, she slowly worked Jak to a full erection. The gap between her legs became wet as she slid up and down his length without letting the tapered tip inside. Jak lay uncomfortably taut, afraid to move as she moaned her pleasure. *

"That's better. Now where was I? Oh, yes. There were nine of us: Evgeni made the Bears, Olamilekan made the Rabbits, the twins Thandiwe and Owethu made the Cows and the Horses, Ferdinand - always the joker - made the Skunks, Xochitl made the Foxes, Silas made the Cats, and Moki made the Deer. Poor, unstable Skaal was the first of us to go mad and vanished before the races were born or making one of his own."

*She paused to slide to Jak's side and admire the obvious affect her efforts had so far had on him. Climbing to her knees, she placed her hands on Jak's stomach. *

"I want you to lick me, Jak. Please me well, and I will pleasure you in return."

One bare thigh arced over the tip of his snout. It was followed by the dusky odor of Olivia's sex as she settled herself astride his face. She shivered uncontrollably as his warm breath tickled her moist flesh. When Jak began to lick tentatively at first, then with more enthusiasm, she rose up with her back straight. Olivia dragged Jak's paws up to her breasts. Claws poked into the delicate, bare skin leaving small red marks.

*"That's good, White Paw. Keep doing that." *

Her speech was broken and interrupted by gasps and moans, but she managed to continue her story.

"Olam was our leader and the inspiration for all of our work. It was his idea to modify our own DNA to create new races that would be like us, yet unique. He was also my mate. I regret killing him."

Jak's tongue froze in place. His paws ceased teasing her stiff nipples. The casual way she discussed murdering her mate scared him. He considered whether he could overpower her if he moved fast enough, if she was truly mortal like him.

"Don't stop, White Paw. It was war, and we were all insane. We were so proud of our creations. We couldn't help ourselves."

*Her hands gripped Jak's waist tightly as his tongue slowly resumed its sensuous duty. Her breath hissed in and out between her teeth in response. *

"That's better. It took us far longer to create you and the others than we had planned. Altering the ecosystem of this planet to meet our needs was challenging beyond even Olam's foresight."

Many of the words she spoke, made no sense to Jak, but he thought he understood the basic message in her story. The Makers each created a race and set them all free to grow and develop on their own. At first, the Makers were content to merely observe and enjoy watching their children mature, but the initial peace between the races did not last. Olivia could not remember if the Makers started the trouble by interfering to help their own children advance quicker or if the races started fighting on their own. However it began, the madness that came with their great age drove the Makers to break their vow of non-interference.

*The wars that followed sundered the happy peace and coexistence that the races had shared during the early years of their existence. Cooperation transformed into a fight for survival and dominance. In the Stone Age culture in which they began, the predators quickly dominated with their superior strength and greater aggression. *

*For races like the Rabbits and Horses, help was needed, so their Makers began to meddle directly. Olamiliken, the leader who preached the mantra of non-interference the loudest, gave the secret of steel to his children, the Rabbits, to protect them from the Wolves and Cats. *

*"That is why I killed him. He betrayed my trust and my love, and threatened something dearer to me than his affection. In our youth, he was the center and the love of my life, but my devotion for my children grew greater and displaced him. *

"My crime started open war among all the Makers. No longer content to use our children as proxies, we employed the full might of our power and technology in an attempt to annihilate each other. Much that was wonderful was destroyed in that war, and many of our children were killed. That was when, by mutual agreement, we imposed limits on our use of power before we turned the planet into a lifeless rock. We separated ourselves form our children and with the passage of time became poorly remembered gods by the survivors of our wars.

"We established that whoever among the Makers was last to live, would gain control of all of the control systems again. I think many of the other Makers thought that would end the fighting, but the paranoid and greedy among us changed the game to one of assassination. It turns out that I was the best at that game."

As she finished relating her wretched history, she rubbed herself vigorously against Jak's snout until she suddenly went silent and grew tense. Her whole body then shuddered, her gilt fingernails dug into Jak's thighs and her orgasm struck.

Riding the waves of pleasure until she could no longer stand the sensation, she tried to rise up off Jak's snout and away from the nubile tongue that stroked her over sensitive flesh. Jak would not let her. With powerful arms wrapped around her thighs, he kept her tight against his mouth. It was not until she screamed and begged for release that he let her fall forward with her face pressed against his erect cock. Minutes passed as Olivia's racing heart slowed and her breathing returned to normal. She idly began to lick his erection.

"You are a wonder, Jak. I want to keep you here with me forever. I can do that, you know. Eternal youth can be yours. I can repair all the hurts to your body including your eye and paw."

"Are these gifts given freely, or is there a price to pay for them?"

*Her tongue stopped its caress, and she glared at her reluctant lover. *

"That is a rude and naughty question. I should punish you for that, except that you are right. I do want more from you than sex. Much more, and you will know I am lying if I say otherwise. I gave all Wolves the gift to sense truth from lies to help you know people's motives, even mine. Deceitful people like me are suspicious of others. I did not want my children becoming the victims of my own methods.

"Therefore, I will be truthful. I said that I wished you could stay with me, but my children need you more. I have been asleep for a long time and not paying attention to what is happening in this world. Your arrival woke me up for the first time in hundreds of years. I see now that the armies of Storfay will overwhelm the Wolves of the East, and the packs of the West will be consumed by Rikifur if something is not done to help them. My children need to change and unite to resist annihilation.

"Your arrival here with your unique 'friends' is timely. You must take from them whatever knowledge and assistance you can. With my help, you will unite the Wolves and lead them to victory and dominance over the other races. I choose you to be my emissary - the chosen one of the Maker."

"That is an absurd dream. Wolf Chiefs will not accept an outcast leader. I lost my challenge and was sent away to die. That is our way. Stop calling me White Paw and accept what I am. Call me Jak."

"No. You are still White Paw. You can overcome all resistance with my blessing. There are many things that I can do to prepare my children to believe in me again and accept you as the emissary of my will. The miracle of your healing will convince Blackrock Pack and their neighbors. I can send prophetic dreams to key individuals. I can..."

"I have pledged myself to protecting Airy and returning her to her home. I will not break that promise or desert her until I have fulfilled my oath."

*Olivia turned her body until her face was even with Jak's. *

*"You are bold to continue to defy me, especially with your continued insistence on remaining love sick for your little bunny Princess." *

*The tattoos on her body abruptly turned black. *

*"I should destroy her. She is a leader of the enemy of my children. Her kind more than any other have led to the oppression of my Wolves." *

The despair Jak expressed was the emotion she sought.

"You want that I should spare, her?" Jak nodded. "Then you must listen and obey me. You must use her and Rikifur to our advantage. Keep Rikifur out of the western pack lands. Learn from her and Jorveth. Then return to Olchanth with the knowledge you need to defeat Storfay."

*As she spoke, Jak's unease grew. Olivia noticed his ears flattened against his head. *

"What is it, White Paw?"

"There is more to this than just an oath and a need to belong. I love her and want to stay with her. Rikifur is my pack now."

"No it isn't. You are a Wolf, White Paw. I know that means you need to belong to something bigger than yourself. With my help, you will rule all the packs. They will all adore and follow you. Best of all, you can return to Moon, your true love."

*The mention of Jak's favorite mate elicited a whine from him. *

"You know of her?"

"I see and hear what I want through my servants. Moon is alive and well except for continued mourning over the loss of the most important part of her life. She still loves you."

*Dormant feelings for Moon were awakened and warred within Jak over his affection for Airy. That former life was lost to him, or so he had believed. He had accepted it. It was too painful to be buoyed by such slim hope. He remained defiant. *

"Moon is in love with the memory of White Paw. He is dead. There is only Jak now."

"You know that is a lie. She has taken no other mate since you left. She will have no other. Think of Ice Eyes. Think of the two new pups that she bears. You must return to them. I command it!"

Jak was shocked to learn that Moon had conceived on their last night together. Angry at Olivia's obnoxious demands and her attempts to manipulate him using his love for his own family, his paws grabbed her shoulders roughly and lifted her easily off his body.

"Who are you to command me? You abandoned all the Wolves and left us alone long ago. Why should I or any Wolf worship you again now?"

*Olivia laughed. There was no fear in her eyes even with Jak's rough handling. *

"I don't want your worship. I want your obedience. I want you to see reason and do what is right for your people; for my children."

"Ice Eyes can lead them."

"No. He can't, not all of the packs. Only a special Wolf with the blessing of the Maker can do that. Now put me back down slowly on your cock, lover. I have been patient with your disobedience, but I won't be denied my pleasure. Don't make me paralyze everything but that."

*Jak obeyed. Olivia purred as each inch slid inside until the fleshy folds of her sex rested on his knot. *

*"Oooh. If only I could keep you. It is my love for all of my children that allows me to willingly let you go." *

*She began to grind against Jak. *

"You are my chosen one, White Paw. You must go back."

"Why don't you save them? You are powerful enough."

"My power does not extend beyond this sanctuary. As I said earlier, to prevent us from destroying this world with our fight, the Makers devised safeguards that imposed limits on our ability to influence our children directly. I can observe and have restricted communication with all the people but little else. The last surviving Maker was supposed to recover all of the power, but something went wrong. Control did not return to me when the last of the others died."

"Is there another Maker still alive?"

*"No. They are all dead. I am sure of that. I killed most of them myself." *

*The worried expression on Jak's face was not lost to her. *

"I was insane then, but not right now. The long sleep helps, but you are right to fear me. The madness will return the longer that I am awake. It is best that my control of the automated systems of this world is severed. I can't do much harm from here, but I also can't directly help my children either. That is why I need you. Luck brought you here, and I don't intend to waste this opportunity. You have met the Maker, White Paw. Now you must go forth and change the world. I will heal you and send you forth as my champion."

"I am grateful for your offer to heal me, but I won't desert Airy."

*"Enough talk of that. We will speak of this again before you leave. Right now, I want you to love me as you would any Wolf bitch." *

Olivia rose slowly to her feet. Jak's wet, slippery organ slid from between her legs. She marked its departure with sadness, but eagerly anticipated its return as she stepped towards the center of the bed and dropped to her hands and knees. The smooth, tailless curves of her hips and buttocks were presented to him. Despite her lack of fur and tail, Jak found it an alluring sight. Jak longed to continue their lovemaking, but now that Olivia had yielded the dominant role to him, he was conflicted.

*"I know what you are thinking, White Paw. You don't want to break your vow to Airy. I know it is easier for you if I am on top. That lets you think that I am forcing you. Mount me anyway. If you do that, I promise not to hurt your friends, not even Airy. Deny me this, and who knows what I might do." *

Madness mixed with desire burned in her eyes. Jak could easily sense the truth in her threat.

He rolled onto his knees and moved towards her with his erection leading the way. As quickly as the fading of a dream upon awakening, her mood shifted to lustful anticipation. The black of her skin turned purple, and the patterns on her thighs and buttocks glowed brightly. As she laid her head sideways on the bed, she parted her legs so her moist sex was fully exposed, open and inviting.

*"I do this for Airy; not for you or me," he muttered to himself as he reached out with one paw to grab hold of her hip. With the other, he guided the tip of his long, red cock to its destination. *

*He paused at her entrance letting his Maker squirm in anticipation. She was ready for him. Clear fluid oozed from her. He let it drip onto and coat his shaft before he began to push inside of her. No hesitation or gentle in and out motions were needed. She wanted him and pushed hard to impale herself with eagerness. In one smooth motion, only his red, swollen knot remained visible. Olivia moaned her pleasure. There were no more words between them as they moved in delirious synchronicity. *

Jak began by holding her hips and keeping his back straight. As their love play progressed, one paw moved to massage the sensitive nub at the top of her sex. She responded with a gasp of delight, an involuntary shudder and a muscular squeeze of his cock from inside. He bent over her back in response and nuzzled her neck with his snout. They mutually sensed each other's impending orgasm. Olivia bumped her butt against Jak insistently. It was clear what she wanted.

His knot was already pounding at her entrance, threatening to slip inside each time they ground against each other. Pushing down with his chest and wrapping his arms across her abdomen, he forced her harder and downward onto the bed to pin her there immobile. Fully in control, he pushed his groin against hers with steady pressure. The swollen bulb at the base of his cock began to stretch her lips apart. A sharp intake of breath from Olivia accompanied the onset of her orgasm that coincided with the full insertion of that fist-sized knot of flesh. The convulsing walls of her vagina around his shaft and knot drew out his own orgasm. Warm jets of his seed shot deep inside of her until he was spent.

Knowing they would be tied together for a while, Jak rolled onto his back clutching tightly to his Maker so that she lay facing upward on top of him. In this position, he would not crush her with the weight of his exhausted body. Olivia was as light as Airy and similar in size, so Jak closed his eyes and pretended this was his Rabbit lover.

Olivia cooed and purred contentedly in his furry embrace and lay with her eyes closed for many minutes. Colors of all hues and patterns shimmered and pulsed over her skin. One hand idly stroked the base of his cock and the limp sheath folded up against his balls until his knot deflated enough that the slippery red organ began to slowly slide out of her and back into its protective cover.

"That was beautiful, White Paw. Thank you. You did not give yourself willingly, but that made it even more exciting for me. I am satisfied and feeling generous now. Go tell the others they must present themselves to me. I wish to speak to them individually and offer gifts, but make sure that they know I will be judging them. They must justify themselves to me if they wish to survive the audience. Be quick. I need to sleep again soon. Don't keep me waiting long."

---

*"I must go first." *

Airy stood and began to walk to the next room. Camorra stopped her with a gentle touch to her arm.

"My Lady, if I may offer an alternative, please."

*Initially reluctant, Airy checked her determined advance. Her nature was to proceed boldly and with courage, but she was learning that there were other ways to solve problems. In Rikifur, where her authority was nearly absolute and tradition guided every action, she had not sought nor encouraged advice from subordinates. Faced with new and previously unimaginable challenges, Airy was learning that guidance from others was often too valuable to ignore. *

"You may, Camorra, of course."

"Thank you, Lady Airiphryone. The Maker Olivia has many reasons to hate your people and by surrogate, you. My people have no history of bad relations with the Wolves. Olivia may be more favorably inclined to listen to what I say and see me as a neutral party. She wants what is best for her children. Our survival can only benefit the Wolves. I shall try to convince her that helping us furthers this interest. Based on what Jak has told us of Olivia's history and motives, I think that I can make a case to her that we are indispensable to help save her children. With your permission, I request that I talk with her next. We must convince her that Rikifur is the best hope for her children."

"How will you do that?"

"I will tell her the truth."

A sly glint crept into the Cow's eyes and Airy suspected Camorra would indeed speak honestly in a way that would be pleasing to Olivia.

"Listen to Camorra, Princess," Jak begged. "Olivia made it clear to me that she hates you. I think she would have killed you if I had not conceded to some of her...demands. She still may destroy you if we are not careful. Her moods change dangerously and abruptly."

The lingering scent of sex was evidence of at least one of Jak's concessions. Airy's temper darkened dangerously, but she controlled herself knowing she was impotent to exact vengeance against her new rival.

"You are both right. I would probably hurt our chances of leaving here alive more so than if Cat saw her next."

Cat was lounging in a tub of hot scented water, but her sensitive ears heard everything. The feline chuckled softly.

"I vill not be as diplomatic as Cow, that is for sure. This Maker is arrogant bitch. She needs to be told that."

"That is why you are going last," continued Airy. "After Camorra does her best to gain us favor, I will go, then Isven, Tigan, Jorveth and lastly you."

*If Cat was offended, she didn't show it. Instead, she sank lower in the water so only her snout and ears projected above the surface. *

"At least she is good host. This vater feels and smells good."

*Shaking her head, Airy pointed towards the curtains. *

"Go Camorra. I trust you to not make promises that I cannot or will not keep."

"Fear not, my Lady. I serve you and Rikifur. I shall be discreet."

---

Stepping through the curtains, Camorra entered the same room where Jak had lain with his Maker, but the bed was gone, replaced by a throne of ivory on a dais raised above the rest of the room. Olivia glared down like a naked, wrathful god from her perch. Camorra strode quietly towards the lowest step of the circular dais and knelt on the floor with her eyes cast downward.

"Great Maker, I come as you have requested, may this humble one have permission to speak?"

"Curious," was Olivia's idle reply. "I expected the little bunny, and I get a slave instead. Is this meant as an insult?"

"No, Great One. We intend the respect that you are due. It is no slave that the Princess sent to treat with you. I am her ambassador. The Princess freed me."

"Has she? I don't think you are free yet, dear. In Storfay, you will be a slave once more. It seems your freedom is situational. What if I decide to send you all back the way you came?"

"That would not be in your best interest."

*Olivia snorted her contempt for the Cow. *

"What do you know of my interests?"

"It is likely that I know very little, but what I do know gives me hope that you will spare us all. I am here to present our case as to why you should."

"Why doesn't the Rabbit present herself to me? Is she not your leader? I think she is afraid of me."

*"The Princess is not incapable of experiencing fear, but she is one of the bravest souls that I have ever met. She wanted to confront you first, but I stopped her." *

*Olivia's eyebrows arched as she wondered how this meek bovine girl could prevent the arrogant little bunny from doing anything. *

Camorra continued. "Anger and resentment will not help you or the Princess achieve your goals. Only calm reasoning and mutual understanding can do that. May I begin by stating what I believe to be true?"

*Olivia began to admit to herself that Camorra was a gifted negotiator. *

"You may."

"The Princess, by virtue of her position as firstborn in the royal line, already has the power to influence policy in Rikifur. When she becomes queen, she will be directly able to change policy. More than anyone of her kind, she has learned to work with the other races, Wolves and Cats in particular. She has abandoned her prejudices to such an extent that she has even taken a Wolf for a lover."

*Olivia's skin seethed in angry reds and oranges. *

"Is that supposed to make me happy and win my good graces?"

*Camorra was undaunted. *

*"No, but it does illustrate her sincerity to make peace with the Wolves. If she can love one of your children, then she can make peace with the rest of the Wolves. There are many in Rikifur who urge that the Wolves of the West be eliminated entirely. They claim the Maker ordained it. The Princess can prevent that. As we have traveled, she has confided to me her plans to try to heal the rift between the Wolves of the West and the Rabbits of Rikifur. With Jak's help, I believe that an equitable peace can be reached. *

"The Princess also understands the threat that Storfay poses to Rikifur and the Wolves of the East. With new weapons that Jorveth plans to develop, Rikifur's well-trained army will have the capacity to repel an invasion by the Juht. The Princess is bold enough to lead her people beyond their borders to counter this threat. That is the only hope the Eastern Wolves have to prevent becoming slaves to the Horses as happened to my people. Are these outcomes not beneficial to your desires?"

*Angry tones still roiled across Olivia's bare body, but they became muted and less agitated. *

"They do, but what guarantee do I have that she will succeed?"

"None. There are no guarantees. Consider, though, if you kill her. Nothing will change in Rikifur. Your children will have less chance of survival without her. If you doubt her courage or her fortitude, then you should review the journey home that she has completed thus far. Jak tells us that you can see and know what happens in the world through your servants. If that is true, then look upon her accomplishments."

"I have, child, and she has done well. I will even admit to being impressed. That does not change my loathing towards her."

"You don't have to like her. Allies do not have to be friends. They just need a common purpose that makes working together worthwhile. You both desire to help the Wolves. An alliance benefits both races. It benefits you."

Olivia relaxed noticeably and closed her eyes as if calming herself. Unknown to the Cow, she was accessing the knowledge of the artificial intelligence that continuously observed this world and predicted social and political outcomes based on the past, present events and various future actions. The color of her tattoos muted further and ceased shifting to settle into calm and tranquil patterns.

"That was well said, child of Thandiwe. I always wondered what gift, if any she gave to your kind. Perhaps diplomacy and peacemaking was it. Maybe it is just your personal gift. In either case, I have a gift of my own for you. Come to me."

Camorra climbed the steps until she stood before the Maker. She hung her head and discreetly stared at the floor wondering how she was worthy for any kind of boon from a Maker.

"You may look me in the eye. I will not be threatened or offended."

Camorra met Olivia's gaze.

"You are wise and clever, girl, but I see and know more of this world than you. There are trials ahead that the bunny cannot surmount by herself. She thinks she understands the changes that are coming, but she does not. Brave, fearless, resolute: these are qualities that have served her well so far. They will make her a great leader in the future, but political intrigue and forming challenging alliances are not her fortes. You will need to help her with that as you have just done now."

A spark of hope for success gleamed in Camorra's eyes.

"Yes. I am agreeing with your premise that the bunny and I should be allies for now. Since allies help each other, here is my help for you."

Olivia produced a book. Its cover was plain with no writing upon it. Camorra had seen books in Jorveth's study. The book brought back fond memories of when he taught her to read, write and cipher numbers. Books were slow to make and thus rare and valuable. Still, it seemed an odd gift from a Maker. With only a slight hesitation, the Cow took the proffered treasure and stared at it curiously.

"To anyone but you, it appears to be a book with blank pages. Yet, it is filled with all the knowledge that humanity ever developed concerning social, political and economic systems to manage our affairs. It also has examples from our history to help explain and put that knowledge in context. With this, you should be able to help the Princess forge alliances and superior systems of government to better suit a changing world."

Wonder nearly overwhelmed Camorra at the munificence of such a gift. She turned the book repeatedly in her hands and was about to open it, when Olivia stopped her.

"The book is like no other book you have ever seen. The writing and illustrations on the pages change to suit what you desire to learn. Find a quiet place alone to let it instruct you in its use. You and only you can use it. It will activate and draw its energy from none but you."

"Thank you, Great Maker. This is a gift beyond anything I could have imagined or dared asked."

"To me it is nothing, but I am glad that you appreciate it." The Maker waved her hand in dismissal. "Go now. I will see the others."

---

After listening to Camorra's news, Airy braced herself for her own interview with the unpredictable Maker. Improving upon Camorra's accomplishments seemed improbable, so Airy went forth intent on not upsetting their host. Airy's armor and weapons were useless and likely to give offense, so she removed them and let the odd servant creatures take them to be polished. The heavy wool garments that had served well when crossing the ice were too warm for the climate of Olivia's valley. The clothes in which she had escaped the volcano had long since fallen apart and been discarded. That left her with only the light and colorful Storfayan garments she had kept to wear once they left the ice behind. Though attractive and in good repair, they were made by an enemy and did not befit a future queen of Rikifur presenting herself to a Maker. Therefore, like her host, she went naked covered only in her own fur.

[END OF CHAPTER]