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Olivia's room was unchanged from Camorra's visit. Respectfully, Airy bent to one knee at the base of the dais, but she met the Maker's malevolent gaze. Airy was, after all a sovereign in her own right. Olivia was unambiguously of some much loftier rank, but Airy would not abandon all pride even in the presence of a god-like being.

A tense silence lasted for many minutes. Airy remained motionless, with her arms at her sides as though she were at attention in military formation. As the silence stretched into a discomfiting vacuum, she wished to cross her arms protectively in front of herself, but her resolve was made of steel. To yield and let her unease show was anathema to her, yet Airy did not want to risk Olivia's ire by appearing insolent.

There was no reading her state of mind from her skin art. The patterns that normally shifted with her moods remained fixed and the colors muted. Whether that was intentional or not, Airy did not know. Before approaching the Wolf Maker, Airy had vowed to avoid doing anything more than answering questions, but she suspected if she did not begin the conversation, the Human might find that more insulting.

"I am grateful that you have allowed us to enter your valley and be your guests. Thank you for your hospitality."

*"It is only White Paw's presence among so many others that intrigued me enough to let you enter my domain. No fur has ever made it to my valley before now. My servants have standing orders to kill all who find it unless they are of Wolf kind. Your mixed group confused them enough that they needed to awaken me for direction." *

*Olivia stretched and yawned dramatically. *

"I am not and never was a morning person. I need my sleep, or I might do things that I later regret."

*The implied threat was not lost on Airy. *

"I don't understand. Are you not a god? Why would you need to sleep or suffer from regret?"

"A god? Even after what I told White Paw, you still hold to that belief? The only thing god-like about me is my power, and even that is not absolute. It just seems that way to you because you are so primitive. If you stripped away all of my technology, you would find that I am not really different from you. I experience anger, jealousy, and depression. I am capable of extremely irrational acts of violence. I'm a bit mad, you know. It happens when we rejuvenate the body too many times without resetting our memories. Our brains did not evolve to live so long and remember so much."

"Why not reset your memories, then?"

Olivia smiled at Airy's ignorance.

"Such a simple question with such a terrible answer. Erasing memories and resetting my mind to an earlier state would fix the madness, but it would kill me."

Airy's ears twitched nervously in confusion.

"Kill, you? I don't understand."

"My physical body would still be here, but without my memories I would no longer be the Olivia that is talking to you now. I would be like a child again learning everything anew. In time, I would become a different person. Who we are is a direct result of our life experiences. Who I am now would be dead forever. It is a terrifying prospect."

Olivia leaned forward.

"What frightens you, Princess?"

"You do."

A brief flash of light across the images on Olivia's skin accompanied a wry smile on her face.

"I am glad of that. You should fear me. Warring factions inside of me that want opposite fates for you have formed a tenuous truce. Your presence is offensive. White Paw's love for you is infuriating, and yet you are in a position to help me. There is a part of me that wants to crush you, but another piece insists that I need you to live. For the moment, your continued existence is justified."

Airy did not think it was possible, but the Maker's gaze grew more stern and malevolent.

"Don't mistake my quandary for weakness or a reason to think that you are free to do as you please. Either part of me could win the battle over your fate. To tip the balance to the side that wants you alive, you must vow to honor certain conditions."

Airy had no illusions that she was in any way free while within the reach of Olivia's power. Rather, she felt she was a supplicant before a vengeful god.

"What are these conditions?"

"Your Cow ambassador has promised much on your behalf, but I want to hear certain oaths from your little snout. First promise: you will do everything in your power to help the Wolves. Second promise: when White Paw decides to leave you, you will not hinder his departure. Third promise: to never return to this valley for my help or any other reason, as that would ensure your instantaneous death."

"Jak will never leave me."

"So you only object to my second condition? Is that another of your fears, dear?"

*To true for comfort, Airy avoided that question. *

"Are you threatening him in an attempt to force him away from me?"

"Threaten? No. That would be pointless. He loves you as much as you love him. Manipulate? Yes. That I can do. I can plant the seeds that guide him toward his true destiny. When the time comes for White Paw to return to his people, the decision will be his to make willingly. He will leave you on his own volition. His departure will be that much harder on you and that much more enjoyable for me."

"He won't do it. Our love can resist anything you do."

"We shall see. You are free to hold onto that thought if it makes you more successful and thus more useful to me. In time, you will see that I am right. Until then, there is no more to discuss. If you wish to leave here alive, utter no other words until you state your acceptance of my conditions."

Airy's paws clenched into fists in frustration. Olivia's obsession with separating her and Jak was beyond crazy. Airy did not believe that even Olivia could do it, especially if she was as powerless outside her valley as she claimed; and yet how could Airy contend with a being so powerful, especially one who was not sane?

Being cornered and forced to swear oaths amplified Airy's anger. Several deep breaths were required to calm down enough to think rationally about the Maker's demands. What exactly was Olivia asking? Olivia had not required that Airy vow to abandon Jak, only to let him go if he so chose to leave her. Airy could not believe that Jak would make that decision no matter what pressure Olivia put on him or what tricks she employed. Even so, Airy had to consider what she would do if Jak did decide to leave her. Would she be able to stop him? Would she want to if it was what he desired?

"All right. I swear that I will do everything in my power to help the Wolves. That is an easy promise to keep since I had resolved to do so anyway. I further swear that I shall never attempt to return to this valley. That is the easiest promise of all to keep."

"And the second promise?"

With her teeth grinding and her ear twitching, Airy made her vow.

"I swear on my honor and right to be queen of all Rikifur that I will let Jak go if he ever desires to leave me of his own free will."

"I am satisfied. I know your words will bind you because you value honesty and honor above all else. These are noble traits, but can lead to your downfall if you are not careful. I suggest that you keep friends like Camorra and Cat close to your side to protect you from yourself when clever duplicity and assassination become necessary tools to stay in power. Don't look so aghast at the thought. You will thank me eventually. Consider it free advice from a winner of the ultimate power game."

*Airy prayed silently that there was a real Maker, or God, or whatever, somewhere. She did not want to believe that this lunatic was the most powerful being working to shape and guide her and Jak's destiny. *

*The audience with Olivia could not end too soon for Airy's comfort. Having conceded to Olivia's demands, she wished only to leave her presence. Olivia was not yet finished, though, and had one more surprise in store for Airy. *

"Since you have agreed to be bound to my three conditions, I am feeling generous towards you. I have tailor made gifts that I am offering to the others. I can think of no appropriate gift for you, so I am making a rare and lavish offer to let you tell me what gift you would have from me. Do not be shy or unimaginative. There is very little that I can't do or bestow."

*It was an outrageous request that entered Airy's mind. She had never considered the thought consciously before, but it had stalked the hidden corners of her psyche for many weeks now. Voicing the thought would likely anger the Maker, but Airy spoke it anyway. *

"I wish to be able to bear Jak's pups."

Now that it was said, Airy felt a great relief even though she suspected this meant her death. Indeed, Olivia's anger was obvious despite her having frozen the telltale patterning of her skin. The rage passed quickly, though, as the Maker gave thought to her wish.

"That is a bold request, little bunny. You are certainly not lacking in bravery, and yet, your request intrigues me on several levels. First, it surprises me that you could be so clever. If I gave you this boon, the family tie that would result would make it more difficult for White Paw to leave you. Was that intentional? Never mind. That's irrelevant. It's the second aspect of your wish that interests me more.

"It was Olam's plan that the races be separate and incapable of interbreeding. Being built on Human DNA, you are not genetically far apart from me or the other furry races. Safeguards were put in place and permanently affixed to your germ lines to make sure that the genes of each race stayed pure. Can those safeguards be removed? I am not sure. What would the progeny look like if they were? These are fascinating concepts. I have not pondered such questions in a long time. It is mentally invigorating to actively practice science again. I thank you for that.

"I will consider your request, but I don't promise to fulfill it - definitely not in the near future. In the meantime, I will think of something else to give you. You may go now. We are done."

Saying nothing, Airy turned and walked back to join the others glad that the interview was over. Olivia made one final statement just before Airy passed through the curtains.

"One parting thought for you to keep in mind, Princess. Jak might not leave you, but White Paw will."

---

"How dare you tame and keep wolves as pets and beasts of burden?"

*Isven had not expected to be confronted with Olivia's wrath immediately upon entering her chamber. He fell to his knees and put his forehead to the floor in front of her dais in supplication. *

"My humblest apologies, Great One. It was accidental and yet fortuitous that Ebusika and her pups became loyal to me. I found her injured and pregnant. She would have died without my help. I had no thought at the time that we would become friends and fellow pilgrims in my quest to find a Maker. She distrusted me at first, but I took pity on her, fed her, nursed her against her will and helped deliver her pups. Nothing could make her leave my side again after that."

"Why would a Bear help a wolf?"

"We are all creatures of the Makers, each one sacred and deserving of pity and succor when in need."

Olivia shook her head expressing her reluctant admiration for the noble sentiment.

"Evgenni was the best of us when it came to love and compassion. I'll give him that. I am glad it was not me who killed him."

*The white Bear began to tear up at the reminder of his Maker's death. Preparation for this meeting had defined his entire life's existence. Now that he had finally achieved his goal, he found himself distraught and disappointed. Had all of his life been a pointless quest wasted on chasing a false dream? Were Makers really just spoiled and obnoxious beings with great power? What truths could he hope to learn from her? Did truth even exist? He was coming to doubt much of what had always seemed so certain. In a low and trembling voice, he tried to rationalize aloud what had driven him here. *

"I thought there was some paw of fortune behind my encounter with Ebusika. The strength and endurance she and her pups possessed made it possible for me to live on the ice for so many summers. Without my...your wolves to haul the meat from the ocean, I could not have done it. When I realized that it was the Maker of the Wolf people who lived here, I believed that you had a paw...hand rather...in my finding Ebusika. I thought it was my destiny."

"It was not me. That was a coincidence. You read too much into random events. Think more like Jorveth, and you will find the truth that you are seeking."

Like a slap to his snout, Isven was stunned with incredulity. The Maker was telling him to abandon his faith entirely. That was something that he could not do. Despite her vastly superior power and knowledge, she was not the god that he had thought she was. That gave him a glimmer of hope. Perhaps there was still some ultimate philosophical truth that surpassed her. That thought helped him suppress the melancholy that threatened to overwhelm him.

Olivia was either unaware or unconcerned with his discomfort and stared at the Bear with an enigmatic gaze that he could not read. Gifts had been given or promised to Jak, Airy and Camorra. Isven had his own request to place before the human. Her anger made him refrain from asking, but that was not the only reason. He lacked a way to justify his continued existence as the others did. When they departed for Rikifur, he would not be joining them, and thus could not help Jak further Olivia's goals. What value would he then have in the Maker's eyes? None was the only answer he could expect. Yet he still felt compelled to try.

"I...I am not sure that I can prove my worth to you. I shall not find what I seek in Rikifur. I must go where my heart leads me, and it is not there. There is something, though, that I can do to help Jak with his journey."

"What is that?"

"Though I love Ebusika and her pups as if they were my own, their services will not help me on the next phase of my quest. The bitch loves Jak. That is obvious. She will go with him and protect him. I intend to release them to his care."

The Maker's gaze softened enough to give Isven hope.

"Despite the effrontery of taming my wolves, you did well by them. Your offer to give them up pleases me. Therefore, I am inclined to not only let you live, but grant you a gift that is within my power. What do you most desire, Isven?"

The Bear thought once that he knew with certainty the answer to that question. The rude reality of recent revelations should have changed his answer, but it didn't. Nothing about the Makers was as he had dreamed, but he could see no other course for himself but to try to make the best of it.

"To stay with you, Maker Olivia, in this valley and learn all that I can of the Makers and our shared history."

"You are certain to be disappointed by what you will learn."

"I am already disappointed."

Olivia laughed aloud.

*"Perhaps you will entertain me then in turn." *

*The amusement rapidly drained from her demeanor, and she became stern again. *

"You will be in danger around me. I may kill you in a fit of madness."

"I will risk that."

"You can't communicate with the rest of your kind while you are here. The fog prevents it."

"If I survive your presence after learning all that I can, I would beg you let me leave and spread the knowledge to the other Bears. They need to know the truth."

"Do you believe that they will be any more pleased with the truth than you?"

"No, great Maker, but there may be a greater truth as yet undiscovered by me or even you. That hope is all that I have."

"Hope is not a bad thing if it keeps you going. It is certainly better than despair, and many days despair is all I have anymore. Before I grant your wish, I charge you with a condition and a warning. The condition is that you not lose hope, and that you try to give me hope to carry on until I feel my children are safe and free once again."

"I will do my best, Maker. What is the warning?"

"Time moves slower here in my valley than elsewhere on this planet. A day here is much longer than a day out there. Generations of Bears and the other races will live and die, while you remain young. Everyone you know could be long buried after you emerge if you tarry here."

"If that is the price I must pay for the knowledge and wisdom I seek, then so be it."

"Very well. You understand the conditions. I grant you your wish. Your gift is that you may stay with me."

"Thank you, Maker."

*Olivia stepped up from her seat. The dais sank into the floor and became a part of it. A bed rose up to replace her throne. Grasping Isven's paw, she began leading him towards her bed. *

"Before you return to the others, there is one more thing I require of you, big guy. You need to thank me properly. You will not call me Maker as you do. It's a huge turn off. Call, me Olivia. Call me lover. Call me something irreverent. I command it."

---

Isven stepped through the curtains. As he passed Cat, he turned away sheepishly with a hint of blush on his cheeks. She sniffed the air left by his passing. The scent of sex was as fresh on him as it had been on Jak. With a disdainful, scowl, she muttered, "Males," with all the contempt and condemnation she could muster.

Airy had determined that Tigan go next. Cat would definitely be saved for last since she was the most likely of the remaining furs to antagonize the Maker. It was Airy's hope that the Maker would be so favorably inclined toward their group by Cat's turn, that even the prickly feline couldn't change Olivia's mind or anger her into doing something rash.

Tigan disappeared beyond the veil, while Isven stripped and climbed into the bath. Airy and the others gathered around him to learn what he had discussed with Olivia.

---

"Ferdinand definitely had a sense of humor. Creating your kind was a bit much even for him. We were all grateful that he left out the scent glands."

Being a Skunk meant putting up with similar japes over the many years of her life. Tigan was long past paying them any heed.

"He was clever enough to give you a powerful gift. It's a pity he didn't teach you how to use it properly."

The old Sunk sat cross-legged on a pile of large, flat pillows while Olivia reclined nearby on a similar foundation. They were sharing a delightfully sweet treat made from dates, coconut and an exotic substance Olivia called chocolate.

"Of what gift do you speak?"

"Prophesy, of course."

"I use t'at ability quite well I t'ink."

"You drop the folksy jargon around me. I know better."

*"I suppose that you do." *

*Tigan's quaint accent vanished and her speech became more like that of the Maker. *

"It helps to convince people you are special when you are different. They have to listen a little more carefully, too. It's all part of t'e act."

"But it isn't just an act. Your Maker, Ferdinand, linked you to the prediction algorithms that we used to understand what courses of action would have the highest probability of having a beneficial social outcome for all of the races. You don't have full access as I do. You perceive the information subconsciously. Where I receive reports, statistics and graphs of probability, you get feelings, dreams and visions instead. This makes your predictive success rate lower than mine. It does make you better at predicting the future than the other races, but you don't know why. Does it disturb you to know the truth about your abilities?"

"I am not sure I understand all of the words that you just used, but why would I expect to see the future more clearly than a Maker or question the truth? It seems right to me that you would do everything better."

Olivia shook her head in frustration.

"How many times do I have to say that I am not a god? You and the others need to stop limiting yourselves to antiquated beliefs. Jorveth understands how to view the world rationally. He is not afraid to reach for the power and knowledge that I possess. You can't make progress believing in magic."

*"I disagree, respectfully, great Maker." *

There was mischievous twinkle in the old Skunk's eye as she spoke.

*"There are only a few individuals in any society who have the audacity to try to make change. Jorveth is one of them. The Princess, Jak and the Juht are others. Jorveth uses his mind to envision new futures. The Juht, the Princess and Jak use their confidence and power to lead others to it. Most everyone else follows reluctantly. It is common for most people to prefer to keep things the way they are. They like to believe that what they have is ordained by a higher power that cares for them. *

"That's where magic helps. I also try to guide others towards that better future. Showmanship and magic tricks give them an impetus to believe. It overcomes their natural desire to resist change. Magic equals Makers, so anything done or said with magic must have the blessing of the Makers. That makes it acceptable."

Olivia finished chewing one of the tasty treats and nodded to Tigan.

"I didn't give you enough credit. You are more perceptive than I thought."

Tigan stood and bowed before sitting down again.

"High praise indeed from one such as yourself. I thank you. I plan to use my skills to help the Princess recover her throne and to begin changing our world. I believe that we are supposed to justify our continued existence to you. Here is my justification. I will entertain and mystify the masses with magic and stories to weave the new ideas the Princess will bring to Rikifur with the old ways to make them acceptable. I will remove their innate resistance to progress."

"I believe that you will. I never doubted that, actually. It is why I had already prepared a special gift for you."

*From under a pillow, Olivia produced a ring of braided gold and silver, with small sapphires and diamonds set into the metal like water lilies on the surface of a pond. With a casual flick of her thumb, she sent it spinning through the air for Tigan to catch. *

"Put it on."

Tigan did. The fit was perfect no matter which finger she slipped it onto. A tingling sensation accompanied the contact, and thoughts and knowledge of how to use this device entered her mind as if she were recalling something learned long ago. Its function became evident to her.

"Will this really work?"

"You dare question a Maker? Try it."

As Tigan recalled the popular Rabbit legend that the Princess had related to her of how Jacynthopoles and the original Airiphryone received the secret of steel, the images of two Rabbits out of legend appeared in their antiquated dress before her as if they were real. As if they were marionettes controlled by her mind, Tigan had only to think of what she wanted them to do, and they did it. With another thought, a pack of Wolves and several snarling Cats began to chase the heroes to pilfer the secret of steel exactly as in the legend. The figures were startlingly real, but passed through solid objects like ghosts leaving no trace of their passing.

Momentarily overwhelmed, Tigan slipped back into old habits of speech.

"T'is is t'e most amazin' t'ing I have ever seen."

She quickly recovered.

"Your gift is beyond any possible price that I could ever hope to pay."

"You have a part to play in this drama. I am sure that your performances will be extraordinary. Doing that will be enough to satisfy my needs. That is all. You may go now."

"No sex with the females, then?"

*"I am sorry, Tigan. Though you are attractive, my tastes don't run that way. There is, however, a requirement that accompanies this gift. You must use it to help my children even if that is counter to the needs of your princess. I will retain some control over this device and can disable it if I so desire. If you want to keep using it, you will do my bidding. Do you agree to these terms?" *

"I do."

"Then send Jorveth in. I believe the bunny wants me to see him next. I could use another carnal diversion before dealing with the kitty cat."

---

"Are your servants creatures or machines?"

The bed was back again as the central piece of furniture in Olivia's room. Olivia lay on it against a pile of pillows as seductively as she could. Jorveth sat cross-legged in the middle, oblivious of her purpose and desires irritating her with an endless series of technical questions.

Olivia sighed.

"They are all machines including Star Chaser. Form follows function, so unlike most of my servants, which were designed for utilitarian tasks, he was made to gratify me. His form helps satisfy certain needs that the other machines cannot."

The meaning of her statement was lost on the Horse, further frustrating Olivia. She had been trying for twenty minutes to seduce and arouse the horse through suggestive wordplay and had failed utterly to get any reaction from him.

"What sort of material covers the non-Wolf machines? It acts like both metal and skin, being strong and flexible. When I strike them, their skin becomes rigid, yet remains pliant under ordinary use."

*"Enough questions, Jorveth." *

Olivia crawled across the bed to the Horse, and sat directly on his lap. She could feel the bulge of his flaccid maleness under her rump and through the silky Storfayan pants he wore. With her arms wrapped around his neck, she looked directly into his eyes.

"I could spend the rest of my days trying to answer all of your questions and still never find an end to them. That would be satisfying for you, I am sure, but not for me. Are you capable of understanding what it is that I want from you?"

"You want me to justify my value towards helping your Wolves?"

"There is no need for that. Your worth as a scientist and inventor is obvious, but that all takes time. I'm talking about value that you can provide now."

Olivia ground her naked butt against his groin for emphasis. There was no appropriate response from Jorveth.

"I could guess if you like, but it would be easier if you would just tell me. Camorra says that I am unable to read emotions and subtle social clues from others. I assume she is correct. I only have my personal experience as a sample, so..."

Olivia placed one hand over his mouth.

"I am a scientist and have always worked around other scientists, but you are the most analytical and unemotional one that I have ever met. I think you have a form of schizoid personality disorder. It's not disabling, but it makes you hard to reach emotionally. I am almost ready to give up on you, but I am going to give you one last chance."

"To ask more questions?"

"No, you naive Horse, to give me what I want. Do you need me to explain it to you in plain, unambiguous language? Very well. If you give me what I demand, I will give you something that I know you crave above all else."

"What do you want, and what do you think I want?"

"You want this."

Olivia produced a book similar to the one she had given to Camorra and handed it to Jorveth.

*"Open it." *

Jorveth did, and immediately received a tutorial in its use. It promised him access to science and mathematics so advanced he had yet even to imagine them. In seconds, he was scanning through the information and became completely lost in new ideas and concepts that fascinated and tantalized him.

When Olivia snatched the book out of his hands, he was shocked. When she would not give it back, he nearly cried.

"There are strings attached to this, of course. With every gift comes a geas."

"What's a geas?"

"It's an ancient term from Earth that means a special kind of binding obligation, often magically imposed. True, there is no such thing as magic, but my powers might as well be sorcery to you. I can make this book inoperable from here no matter where you go. So tell me, what would you do to be able to keep this book?"

The hungry expression on the Horse's face gave her the answer.

"Anything," he muttered.

"I thought so. Have sex with me and it's yours."

Jorveth frowned and looked away disappointed.

"I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"That only happens with Camorra."

"What's so special about her? Am I not attractive?"

Jorveth began to respond, but Olivia shushed him.

"No. Don't answer that. I don't want to hear your clinical opinion of my appearance. Tell me instead how the little Cow does it; how she gets you up and excited."

While he pondered her question, Olivia untied Jorveth's trousers and pulled them off.

"I'm not sure. She just does."

*"Not a good enough answer. You need to tell me exactly what she does. Does she touch you somewhere, like here?" *

Her hand grasped his large, but limp sheath. He didn't even flinch the way most males would, and there was no swelling response.

"Yes. She does that."

Olivia cupped his balls in her hands. They were large enough she could barely hold on to them.

"Does she do this?"

"Sometimes. Yes."

"So she does these things and you have no response. What else does she do? Do I have to guess?"

"I am sorry. I am not sure what action exactly gives me an erection. Camorra often handles me in different ways."

Olivia pulled down on his sheath exposing the flared head of his cock and licked it in the most enticing way she could. When she received no response, she became frustrated, pushed him down onto the bed and began rubbing the rim of his tail hole with her finger.

"How about this? Do you like when I rub you here?"

"Uh, no. She has never done that."

He yelped when she inserted the tip of her forefinger inside.

"At least I got a reaction, but not where I want it," she said as she looked forlornly upon his still limp member. "This isn't working. I can live for thousands of years, but I am not that patient. Think back to the first time that you and Camorra had sex. Do you remember that?"

"Yes. It was four years, three months and twenty-seven days ago in the city of..."

"Stop! I am glad that you remember, but those are not the right details. Tell me what she was doing. Was she touching you and rubbing your cock like I'm doing now?"

Jorveth thought about that day carefully.

"Yes. She was. I am sure of it."

*"Did she do it differently than I am now?" *

Olivia resumed stroking his limp cock. Though flaccid, it was nearly as long as her forearm. Despite the Horse's frustrating lack of cooperation, Olivia found herself becoming aroused by her own anticipation and the tantalizing strange game they were playing.

"Not substantially. Maybe you should ask her. She must..."

"The day that I need a little Cow like her to show me how to arouse a male, is the day I decide to ascend. Now focus, Jorveth. What else was she doing? What were you doing?"

"The Juht gave her to me that day to teach her to read and write and do simple mathematics. She was reciting her multiplication tables with me."

Exasperated, Olivia rolled her eyes and sighed.

*"Jorveth, how can that possibly be relevant? No one gets all hot and bothered memorizing times tables. That is absurd..." *

In a flash of insight, the answer became obvious to her.

"Were you both reciting the tables or just her?"

"Both of us. It helped keep her from losing track."

"Ok, Jorveth. How about you and I try something like that but a bit more challenging?"

"You want to learn math instead of having sex?"

"No. I want both, though I don't need to learn math, Jorveth. I likely know more than you do. Let's work though some math in our heads and see what happens. Do you know what prime numbers are?"

Olivia continued gently stroking his limp member as she distracted him.

"I am not familiar with the term."

"A prime number is a natural number greater than one that has no positive divisors other than one and itself."

There was instant recognition on the Horse's face.

"Yes. I know this concept, though I never named it."

"Let's recite them together, shall we? I will name the first prime number, you the second, me the third and so on. Ok?"

Jorveth nodded eagerly, and Olivia felt a welcome swelling in her hand. He was fully erect by the time they reached ninety-seven, and he was huge. Olivia preferred her Wolf lovers, but this was going to be a delightful diversion and a bit of a challenge.

"One Hundred one," she breathed as she stood above him and slowly began to lower herself onto his massive staff.

"One hundred three," he replied quickly, enjoying this game.

"One hundred seven. Oh, gods, that fits tight."

"One hundred nine."

*Olivia gasped as she squatted down a little further, her knees still inches above the bed. He was stretching her in ways she hadn't been stretched in hundreds of years. *

"Good boy, Jorveth. If you make it all the way to the last prime number before one thousand, maybe I'll treat you to a Fibonacci sequence. One Hundred thirteen."

---

All of the furniture was gone when Cat entered. A large, padded mat covered much of the floor. Cat advanced to join Olivia in the center. The Maker looked like a child in comparison to the tall feline when they stood face to face.

"You had sex vith all the males. It must be nice to be so powerful and make people do vhatever you vant."

"It has its advantages. Being an arrogant bitch helps."

Cat's whiskers twitched subtly, but otherwise she made no expression.

"I am glad you like to spy on us and listen to vhat ve discuss. It saves me the time of having to explain my feelings to you."

"You don't care whether I like or approve of you, do you?"

"Vhat difference vould it make? None, I think. You vill kill us or help us according to your vhim, not because of anything ve say or do."

"That is not entirely true, but you are not far wrong. Everything I do, I do for myself. If that benefits you and the others, so be it. We are not so unalike in that way, are we?"

"Hmm. Maybe. Maybe not."

"You think you are better than me, because you saved your friend's lives? How many lives have you taken to balance that? How many Wolves have you killed?"

"I suspect you know the answer. That is vhy I vill not justify myself nor beg nor plead for mercy from you. Do vhat you intend or let me go. Don't torture me vith your talk."

*"You are in luck. I don't wish to talk with you at all. I want to fight." *

With a subtle movement, Olivia's neutral stance became poised and aggressive. Cat stepped backwards reflexively.

"Fight? Vhat do you mean?"

"Just you and me. No servants. No weapons. We use hands, paws and feet. I ask only that there be no biting and that you keep your claws retracted at all times. Otherwise, the only rules are to stay on the mat and keep fighting until someone yields."

Cat quickly assessed the room, ensuring that no servants were present. None could be seen, but that didn't mean they weren't nearby.

"You are serious?"

"Yes. I am. I spent lots of time talking to the others. I fucked White Paw, Isven and Jorveth. I am sick of talking and I don't fuck girls, so let's fight. You don't like me. I don't like you. It's mutual. We'll both feel better afterward no matter who wins."

"Ok. Ve fight, but I add more rules. You do not use any of your Maker magic or tricks. You fight vith the body you vere born vith."

"This body has been improved over time, and I won't give any of that up, but your body is at least as finely tuned as mine. If you are ok with that, I agree to your rules."

Cat's answer was a surprise kick to Olivia's face. The Maker managed to dodge most of the impact, but the force of the blow spun her around. As she twirled to absorb the force, Cat followed up with another kick that found only air. Olivia had dropped to the mat unexpectedly and thrown her legs in an arc that caught Cat unaware, knocking her off her hindpaws. A quick backwards somersault had the feline on her feet again, and they began to circle each other warily.

Cat had misjudged Olivia's capabilities. The Maker was much stronger and faster than Cat thought possible, but it was obvious that the Human had not lied to Jak or any of the others about her lack of divinity. Olivia was flesh and blood and could be hurt. The first kick had affected the furless woman. A thin, red trickle of blood leaked from her nose. Cat was satisfied that the fight would be fair and fierce.

She was not disappointed. Though small and weak in appearance, Olivia was nearly as strong as Cat, and the Human's speed and agility were possibly better than Cat's. The only other advantage Cat possessed was her longer reach. She used it to land as many blows on the Human as she could, but the little beast managed to return every one she took.

Nearly fifteen minutes of relentless battle passed before they both retreated to opposite edges of the mat - bloody, bruised and breathless. Cat wiped her brow to keep from her eyes what she thought was sweat. Blood coated the back of her paw. Olivia's right eye was bruised and nearly swollen shut.

Like angry ferrets, they had moved with incredible speed and agility to attack each other and to defend themselves. Ordinary mortals would have had trouble discerning their rapid movements or identifying when or where they struck each other. The aches they felt over every part of their bodies were the proof that repeated physical contact had been made.

Olivia tried to flex her left hand, but it was broken and paralyzed into a fist that she could not open. Her legs and arms felt like lead weights that were too heavy to lift. Was Cat in the same state? A simple and unobtrusive scan by her house's medical system would reveal Cat's physical condition, but she had promised no Maker magic. The feline had kept her promise of not using claws or her teeth. Olivia admired that and how well Cat had fought.

Olivia was small, but there were few who could ever beat her. Numerous Wolf chiefs had battled with her at the full moon, and she always won. All of her Wolf opponents had bowed down and recognized her as their Maker and Chief of all Chiefs. Those were the glorious days before the Maker wars.

Until this moment, Olivia had completely forgotten how good it had felt to be worshipped and needed by her children. Madness and regret were swept away by a momentary, nostalgic euphoria that she wished to hold on to forever. Like all things perfect and right, it quickly slipped away to a place deep in her mind where she could not consciously retrieve it. A pale shadow of the feeling remained, and she held to it nonetheless like a drowning woman to a life ring, grateful for what little pleasure it gave her in her routine sea of despair.

"You fight like a demon. I have not met my match in over a thousand years, but you...you are exceptional. Consider this your test to justify your worthiness to stay alive. You have passed. If you want to continue, I will oblige you, but I have what I wanted from this fight. Maybe you got what you wanted also. Ready to call this a draw?"

Cat eyed the pale faux goddess with suspicion. "Was this a trick?" she wondered. Finding a pain free spot on her own body was nearly impossible. Her right knee had been kicked so often it felt like it was about to buckle. She desperately wanted to rest and recover, but that would mean admitting failure. All of her instincts fought against that option. Surrender to an enemy was equivalent to death, and yet the Human had fought with more skill than Cat thought possible. Even among Cats, Olivia would be able to spar with the best. There was always the possibility that she had somehow used Maker magic during the fight, but if Olivia did, Cat was unable to detect it. Though nowhere near anything resembling friendship, the inconclusive battle left Cat with an unfamiliar feeling of camaraderie with the furless female. Fighting with an opponent of equal ability felt good. A mutual agreement to retreat held no shame.

"Yes. Draw is appropriate."

Olivia smiled, and her face was transformed. All of the arrogance, desire and madness was gone.

*"Good. Just step backward off the mat in synch with me." *

Cat's left hindpaw went back as Olivia's left foot did the same. They touched the cool marble floor at the same time drawing their right foot/hindpaw after. Olivia bowed and Cat returned the gesture. Obviously stiff and sore, the Human then limped across the mat and reached with her unbroken right hand to take Cat's paw. The gesture was so innocent, genuine and friendly that Cat did not hesitate to let the blonde human lead her to a place in the floor that transformed into a sunken tub of steaming water scented with vanilla and jasmine.

"Here is some welcome Maker magic now that the fight is over. Bathe with me, and my servants with take away the pain and begin the healing of our injuries."

*Together, they immersed themselves in the water. *

"Don't be afraid of what happens next. My servants will poke and prod you under the water, but it will feel good. Do you trust me?"

"Yes. I don't vant to trust you, but I do."

"Good."

They each relaxed. Cat felt small pricks on her hide from under the bubbling water. The pain was trivial and was immediately followed by a pleasant numbness that swept through her body, soon pushing all the pain aside like leaves blown away by a strong autumn wind. Based on Olivia's expression of contentment, the Human had received the same treatment.

"I thought the sex with White Paw, Isven and Jorveth was good, but none of that was as satisfying today as trying to pound you into submission and failing."

*It was suddenly hard for Cat not to laugh and smile. *

"I enjoyed our session also, Maker. I am enjoying this bath. I am enjoying just being alive."

"That's the pain killing drugs talking, Cat. A side effect that is hard to eliminate. Even I feel a bit giddy. The medisystem is not used to your body as it is with mine, so the effect is more pronounced for you. It will adjust the dosage and the type of medication as it observes how your body reacts."

*"Don't hurry to fix. I haven't felt this good since...Oh! That should not be funny." *

Cat giggled like a little kitten.

"What should not be funny? Were you thinking of your family?"

"Yes. Vhy do I not feel sad with these thoughts?"

"It's the drugs."

"I vant you to keep me like this all the time."

"No."

"Vhy not?"

"You would become useless in this state. I need you to stay tense and alert to protect the bunny and most of all White Paw. It is not in my interests for you to be happy."

"You are royal bitch."

It was Olivia's turn to laugh uncontrollably. Cat joined her until they were both gasping for air.

"I am more than a royal bitch. I am a divine bitch. I am the goddess of bitchiness incarnate. All must bow to me and know that I am the world's most powerful bitch."

Her admission made Cat laugh again.

"Maybe we did a little more damage to ourselves in the fight than I thought. The meds are strong enough to make me as silly as you are. You helped me find a long lost memory and the feeling it brought with it. For that, I am willing to give you a gift."

Looking around conspiratorially, Olivia lowered her voice as though she had a secret to confess only to Cat.

"I had planned to give you nothing but a beating. I know. How terrible of me. Such a bitch."

Cat giggled. Olivia shook her head abruptly to try to clear the pain killer-induced cobwebs that dulled her wits.

"Despite my...nature, I will help you. I can't give you what you really want. I can't bring your family back. I can't make the pain of that loss go away, but I can give you something that will ease your primary fear."

Maybe the medisystem was adjusting the drugs properly, or maybe Olivia was cutting too close to Cat's innermost dread and anxiety, but Cat suddenly became more alert and defensive.

"Vhat do you know of my pain and fear?"

"I know what I want to know. This world records everything that happens and stores that information. All I have to do to find out anything is ask it questions. I have reviewed your past. An analysis of your behavior indicates that you are afraid to get too close to anyone because they might die and leave you."

Cat said nothing in response, but the glare she returned was stone cold sober.

"You may never have to use my gift and thus will find no thanks for me unless you do, but I will give it to you anyway."

A servant drifted in and hovered near Cat's head. Cat eyed it skeptically.

"Hold your paw out. Either one will do."

"Vhy?"

"To receive my gift."

"Vhat if I don't vant it?"

"You would be stupid to refuse. Let me explain what my gift does. This servant will replace one of your claws with an artificial one that will work exactly like the original except for one remarkable feature. If you deliberately extend and stab somebody who is dying or very recently dead with this claw, it will save their life and possibly bring them back from the dead. Is that not something that you would find comforting to possess?"

"All of your gifts come vith shackles. Vhat must I do to earn this?"

"I think you are a better tool if left free. Attempting to control you will only make you less effective. I feel secure that you will serve my cause well for long enough to have earned my gift, so I give it without constraints. Take it. There is no further price to pay."

Again, Cat did not want to trust the furless, little bitch, but this gift was tailor made to tempt her. Slowly, her left paw rose out of the bath. A mouth-like port opened in the front of the hovering servant, and it moved forward engulfing her paw.

"Just hold steady while it does its work. You will feel no pain."

Cat felt only a vague tugging and poking sensation on her forefinger. After a few minutes, the servant released its hold and flew away. She experimented with her claws and found they all worked normally. She could not see any difference between the original claw and the new one.

"Trust me. It is there."

"I believe you. Thank you."

"So much congeniality. This is a pleasant end to a long day of interviews, but if we spend any more time together, we'll remember how much we despise each other and ruin the moment. Tell White Paw the servants will take him to be healed. The process will require several days. I must sleep during that time, so the rest of you will have to amuse yourselves. Go."

---

The others did not seem to mind the forced rest, but to Airy, it was torture. Worry over Jak kept her agitated and anxious. The servants refused to let her see him. To distract herself, she let Jorveth and Camorra lecture her on the knowledge they were gaining from their Maker books. Jorveth was trying to discover everything he could about Olivia's servants. He was obsessed with understanding how they functioned. Camorra similarly became engrossed with her new knowledge. Though it seemed pointless to Airy, the Cow became lost in the history of the Humans from their primitive beginnings to something called the Ascension that led to their disappearance.

When their lectures became too dull and tedious, Tigan used her Maker magic to regale Airy and the others with the multitude of stories and legends that she had collected over her life. She even began working on a new story concerning Airy and her adventures. Camorra and Airy helped critique and shape it so that the story fit better with Rabbit religious orthodoxy. Olivia's name was omitted and her form was left ambiguous as befit the Rabbit's vision of their god.

Cat and Isven spent most of their time wandering about the valley content to be alone. Airy tried hiking. The scenery was relaxing. The forests and glades were sweet smelling and tranquil, but she found no peace there. To burn the restless energy that plagued her on this forced holiday, she practiced her sword fighting and other martial skills outside in the courtyard among the fragrant trees and ponds of colorful fish.

*Occasionally, Cat would spar with her. Olivia's servants provided them with practice swords that had dulled blades and blunted tips. They were fine for the initial lessons, but real blades were necessary to teach Cat proper sword handling skills. Airy asked Star Chaser if there was another sword like hers in this land, and he retrieved two of the finest wrought steel swords that Airy had ever seen. The new weapons were impossibly sharp, strong, light and well balanced. *

Cat was a competent swordsman, but eventually lost interest in the sport preferring her own strength, stealth and claws in a fight. Again, Airy went to Star Chaser who agreed to duel with her. After each fight session, Airy carefully wrapped the wondrous swords in blankets and hid them among her belongings hoping that the Wolf would forget about them and not take them back.

---

It was on the seventh day of their stay in Olivia's palace that Airy found relief from the daily tedium. Jak emerged without fanfare from the curtains that separated the others from Olivia's personal chambers. By coincidence, everyone was present eating dinner together. Jak was met by astounded stares and exclamations of awe from everyone including Airy, who ran to him, hesitating briefly before embracing him.

"Jak? Is it really you?"

She knew it was her lover, but the changes made her doubt her own eyes. Where a leather patch had once covered scar tissue and an empty eye socket, a bright blue eye gazed back at her from an unblemished brow. His left paw, which had been impaled and permanently crippled in the fight with Blue was healed. Jak was equally amazed as demonstrated by his obsession with flexing his fingers and marveling at the regained mobility with his restored stereo vision.

Those were the improvements that Olivia had promised, and Airy was prepared for them. She was not ready, though, for the other changes.

"You are taller."

*Her snout previously reached nearly to his collarbone, but now she found herself staring at the middle of his chest. *

"Your fur is no longer gray."

*The salt and pepper color of his pelt was gone and had been replaced by vibrant, shiny black fur. Always muscular and brawny, he seemed even leaner and stronger to Airy. A greater vitality showed in the subtle, yet noticeable, agility and grace of his movements. *

As astounding as those changes were, the most astonishing of all was a new mark in the center of his chest. A giant paw-shaped patch the crimson color of blood met Airy's level gaze. Running her fingers through the fur confirmed it was not a stain or dye. The color sprang from the roots of each hair.

"I am still Jak."

"What has she done to you?"

"More than I asked or she promised. I was content to have my eye and paw repaired. She has made me younger and given me the mark of the first pack leader. The red paw talisman that I wear around my neck is a symbol that I was a chief. All Wolf chiefs carry the mark of Blood Paw in some manner, but none as obvious as this."

"Why did she do it?"

Jak sighed deeply.

"Because she wants to make me a legend - a leader among all Wolves to lead them to greatness. She wants me to leave you."

"What will you do?"

Anxiety and fear made Airy's voice tremble. Jak's arms wrapped around her back and pulled her into his strong embrace.

"I will defy her."

"She might kill you."

"I don't think so. I am one of her children. I am certain she would think nothing of killing the rest of you, though, and that worries me. She promised me that she would not harm you, but I don't trust her. She is...unstable."

By coincidence, Olivia chose that moment to step through the curtains and her wrath was evident. Her body tattoos raged in colors reminiscent of flame and destruction. Fury and madness contorted her face and gave her voice a terrible severity that bespoke no mercy.

"What are they doing here? None but Wolves may enter my domain! Have my orders been corrupted and overridden? Kill the intruders now!"

Chaos followed as the two crab-like guards moved towards the furs and everyone began shouting at once. Surprisingly, Jorveth's voice rose above the others as he calmly but loudly instructed Cat and Airy to disable the source of the red dots that he said they used for targeting. Cat reacted first and used a tall metal stand that supported a brazier of smoldering incense to strike the closest guard in the spot where Jorveth indicated. A similar blow hitting a living creature would have fractured bones and ruptured organs. The guard did not fall. It merely staggered backwards a few steps, but the red light was gone indicating Cat had succeeded.

Airy quickly thrust her sword at the eye of the second guard and shattered the glass with the blade's tip. One of the creature's arms whipped up in response and snapped her sword in two. She was forced to retreat and pick up her spear, mourning the loss of the weapon that she had carried so far since she was sundered from her home. The new swords that Star Chaser had provided were close behind her heel, but she did not dare let her attention wander from her opponent to retrieve them.

*Not designed to fight, the other servants retreated leaving just the guards. Though blinded, they advanced on Cat and Airy with their multiple arms slashing and grabbing at CAT and Rabbit. *

Jak yelled at Olivia to make them stop, but she ignored him. Jorveth continued to provide instruction to Airy and Cat for fighting the killer servants.

"If you can get a blade in the joints of their legs, you may be able to cripple them."

"How am I supposed to do that vith no blade, idiot?" snarled Cat at Jorveth as she swung the heavy, metal stand as if it were a wooden staff. Though blunt, she wielded it with great enough strength to make the crab stagger under each impact. She crippled one of its legs and two of its arms before its remaining arms grasped the makeshift weapon and wrestled it from her. She then retreated slowly keeping herself between the monster and the defenseless Cow, Skunk and Horse. Despite her agility, she could not dodge the flailing arms that were attempting to strike her for more than a few more minutes.

Airy wasn't faring much better against her opponent. The tip of her spear found a joint as instructed by Jorveth and left one leg lame, but it hardly slowed the thing. She was also in immediate danger of being overwhelmed.

"Jorveth, think of something else, fast! How do we kill these things?"

"I don't think we can. We have to change their orders somehow. They are programmed to kill anyone but Wolves."

Tigan's wild laugh made them all wonder if she had finally cracked for good, but the guards stopped their advance as though her cackle had somehow paralyzed them. It wasn't until the others looked at each other instead of the guards that they discovered what she had done. Airy, Cat, Camorra, Jorveth, Isven and Tigan all looked like Wolves. A clever application of the mobile holographic projecting ring was enough illusion to fool the guards into believing they were Olivia's children.

Airy used the distraction to retrieve the hidden Maker made swords and tossed one to Cat, who used it to bat away the metal stand in her opponent's arms. Shock followed as the blade cut through the metal without a sound. Cat and Airy gazed at their blades with wonder at first and then with feral delight as they realized that their odds in this battle had just improved.

Olivia was not fooled by the illusion and knew its source.

"That trick won't save you!" she yelled, and the holograms vanished.

Instantly, the guard crabs advanced on Airy and Cat. Both females tested their new weapons on the servants with devastating effect. Their blades sliced through the robot's limbs as easily as they had through the metal stand. A few well-aimed strikes rendered the crabs dismembered and immobile.

Knowing that Olivia didn't need her servants to kill, Jak moved between the Maker and his friends so that she could see only him. As if awakening from a bad dream, she stopped her advance and stared at Jak. Recognition was in her eyes, but the angry color of her skin markings did not diminish.

"Stand aside, White Paw. I must destroy them. They are our enemies. Olam and the others will pay for this intrusion."

Risking destruction for his impudence, Jak grabbed Olivia by her upper arms and pinned them to her side.

"Olam is dead. You killed him. All the Makers but you are dead. Don't you remember?"

Jak held his breath, but there was no resistance from Olivia, no anger, no paralyzation or lighting from above. Instead, her tattoos muted to tranquil greens and blues. All of her attention focused on Jak as though she was recognizing him for the first time.

"White Paw? You are whole again."

Her right arm struggled in his grip. Something in her eyes conveyed a longing that was non-violent. He let go, and her hand caressed his face and probed around his healed eye.

"You look so handsome and virile. How does it feel to be young?"

"I won't deny that I never thought I could feel so hale again, but you should not have gone against my wishes. The eye and the paw were enough."

"You and Moon are the same age now. Go to her, White Paw, and make many more wonderful pups to lead my children to greatness."

*Irritated at her irrational responses, Jak grasped her wrists together and pressed them against her round breasts. *

"Listen to me, Olivia. I will do what I can to save my people, but I will do it as a member of Rikifur as we agreed. Do you remember our deal and the promises you made?"

Her eyes remained confused and she gently shook her head. Tears formed in her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

"I remember so much and so little. There is too much in my head and most of it is beyond my ability to endure."

She buried her face in Jak's chest fur and wept. Blackness roiled like a thundercloud across her skin. Confused by a god-like being weeping in his arms, Jak was unsure how to respond, so he held her close and rubbed her back as he would with a frightened pup.

"I should reset myself and become a little girl again. I should have done that long ago, but I'm afraid to do it. It's too much like dying. I don't want to die, White Paw."

"Don't concern yourself with that now. Think about living. Think about you and me together in bed. You want that don't you?"

Her tears instantly ceased flowing. Nodding her head, she freed her hands from his paws and let them roam over his body.

"Yes. I want that more than anything."

"Then let the others go, and I will take you to your bed once more. Tell your servants to give them whatever they need to cross the ice safely to Rikifur. Order them to take my companions to the edge of your realm where you can't reach them. Do that now, so you and I can be alone together."

Jak ran his paws over her breasts and hips as he spoke. Olivia gasped and shivered. Goose flesh covered her body.

"You are right, White Paw. We should be alone. I will get rid of them."

*Her words were ominous and inadequate for Jak's comfort. Jak wrapped his arms about her pulling her into a kiss. She returned the embrace with vigor. To distract her from acting on a crazy impulse, he held her like that for several minutes exploring her mouth with his tongue. She moaned while sucking his tongue as though it were his cock. The other furs watched the encounter nervously letting their eyes dart back and forth between the Wolf-Human pair and the disabled, but still alive guard servants. Airy's eyes were full of rage and locked on the Maker and Jak. When Jak broke the kiss, he held Olivia's eyes with his. *

"They are not to be hurt."

"Who?"

Olivia seemed to have forgotten everyone but Jak.

"Do you remember your promise?"

"Any promise I made to you I will keep."

"Then tell your servants to let the people behind me stay or go as they please, and take the ones that wish to leave to a safe place beyond your reach. Don't look at them. This is a promise you made to me earlier. Honor it now, and I will take you to bed."

Only a moment's pause delayed Olivia's response.

"It is done, love."

Jak turned her towards her chambers and led her away from the others. He did not look back until just before passing through the curtains. The harmless servants were returning and began assembling supplies and packing their gear. The dismembered guards were carried away, and no new guards appeared. Catching Airy's eye, Jak mouthed "I'll join you after you are safe."

---

Jak made deliberate and slow love to Olivia for hours to give Airy and the others plenty of time to escape. He lay entwined with his maker enjoying the post coital, languid euphoria that followed their physical exertions. At the start of their love play, Olivia had been wild and confused. Rough and abusive, their encounter was as much a wrestling match as it was love making. She seemed to want to relive the Wolf Chief challenges that she had fought long ago.

Gradually, she calmed down and became more rational and amorous. The first of many orgasms followed and continued until they were both exhausted.

Now that they were finished, Jak's paws idly caressed her belly and teased her long curly hair to distract her and keep her pacified. He was certain the others were safe now. With her curiously furless hands, Olivia caressed Jak's lustrous black coat.

"You will make a great leader, White Paw, certainly the greatest since Blood Paw. The Wolves will remember you for all time after you return to them as I have asked."

"No. I have already told you that I am pledged to Airy and Rikifur. The Wolves are no longer my people. They have forsaken me, and I am dead to them."

*"It is a destiny that you cannot avoid. Events in progress are already conspiring to drive you back, though you don't know it because you can't see all that I see. I will do what I can to help pave the way for your return." *

"I don't want your help."

In response to his rebuff, her skin flashed red, yellow and purple like flames engulfing a forest. She pushed him away and rose to her feet to tower over him. A paralysis gripped his body preventing him from moving.

"How dare you deny me? I made you! I made you all and sacrificed everything to protect you, and yet were there any thanks for my efforts? No. You all turned away from me and tried to forget me, leaving me alone..."

The rage faded as abruptly as it had arisen, cooling the colors of her skin. She slumped to her knees, and the paralysis that held Jak immobile vanished with a gentle touch from her hand.

"You upset me, and I reacted badly. I am at my most lucid right now, and yet you can see how unstable and unpredictable I can be even so. You and your friends cannot dwell here with me for long. I am too dangerous. There is no telling what I might do with you here when a fit of uncontrollable madness is upon me."

"The danger has passed. You have already let them go."

Olivia paused to verify his statement and smiled.

"So I did. I love you, White Paw. You are handsome, strong, clever and manipulative. You used all of those skills to keep me distracted to save your friends. I have chosen my greatest champion wisely. My servants inform me that your companions are all out past the western reach of the fog waiting for you. They are safely beyond my reach. I can't harm them now."

"Thank you."

"You must join them soon; all except the white Bear. Isven is welcome to stay, but I think he will be disappointed in what he will find here. I am not what he has come to believe in. I am no god. There are no gods; at least we humans have never found proof of one.

"Evgeni was a dreamer and idealist. I liked him and was sad to see him die, but he filled his children's heads with stories and concepts of peace among all the races. We wanted that in the beginning - every one of the Makers. We wanted all of our children to love and cooperate with each other. To watch you grow and thrive together was our intent. That seems so foolish now, when you consider that we were all only human and capable of jealousy, prejudice and murder. I won't hide the truth from him. I won't protect him."

"I don't think that you should. Though disconcerting, the truth is what it is. It does no good to hide from it or be protected from it."

"I am glad you agree because I have some truth for you. Your bunny lover asked for a gift that was beyond even my ability to provide at present. You must ask her what it is if you want to know. I won't tell, but I will divulge the gift that I did provide her. She doesn't know what it is yet, so you will have to inform her."

[END OF CHAPTER]