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| And with that, the four were now five, and began the long walk back to Whiterun and home.

"So, a herb-witch huh? Does that mean you make potions and stuff like that?" asked Muz-Ra.

"Well, yes. I certainly can do that, but the craft is much more than just making potions. It's really all about learning the properties of different things found in Nature. Old Umbra taught me from when I was little. She died a few years ago, but by then - to be honest - I'd passed her in the art. It's really fascinating though. Just for instance, those juniper berries there. There's a mixture you can make with them that helps eyesight which in turn helps archers tremendously!"

"Oh? You know, I..."

"Yes, the bow on your back gave me a clue," laughed Shabhira. | |

| "So you know all about plants then?" Udaran asked.

"Not all. Not possible. And it's not just plants by any means! But that's the idea. It's really just the study of Nature itself."

"Do you do magic then?"

"Some people would think of it as a type of magic, but really no. Or at least I don't MAKE magic. It's already there in Nature. I just... I guess you could say I condense it and make it useful." | |

| "What do you think of Mages then? You can't say THEY don't make magic!" Muz-Ra went on.

"Udaran mentioned there was a Mage back in Helgen. I guess you'd know more than me about them!"

"I know enough to stay as far away as possible."

"And THAT... Red? Can I call you Red?"

"Sure Shabhira. Nobody calls me Muz-Ra."

"Well, THAT, Red, is knowledge too. That kind of magic is dangerous. I think it's kind of UN-Natural. It really shouldn't exist. If I could, I'd abolish it altogether. Too much bad can come from that kind of power. Potions take time and effort to learn. But Mages just pull lightning out of thin air. That's just not right." | |

| "What about Dragons?" Kitty asked. "And Vampires?"

"What do I think about them you mean? Again, they're both really sort of like Mages aren't they? I don't think they COULD exist without Un-Natural magic. It's like the Draugr. Walking dead and skeletons. They really don't make sense. I mean, a Skeleton is just so much solidified calcium. How can they move? They have no muscles to drive them, no nerves to activate the muscles. You might as well put together so many sticks and ask THEM to walk. Yet they exist. It's just not a natural state. All I learn about Nature tells me they can't exist, but they do! They're fascinating, but they're also WRONG. Oh, I'm sorry. You got me started. I'm afraid it's my passion." | |

| "Ever considered studying THEM?" Kitty asked.

"What, Skeltons?"

"Yeah... well, the animated kind I mean."

"Hehe. Sorry Kitty, you must think I'm braver than I am. The LAST thing I want to do is to be close to one of them! I'm no hero. My herbs don't leap out of their containers and attack me!"

Kitty nodded. "Good point!" | |

| "Let's stop here for a minute," Udaran suggested, at which all agreed.

"You know," Muz-Ra said to Shabhira, "there are those who think WE are un-natural. Argonians and Khajiits I mean."

"Oh, I suppose we are. But so are Elves, Humans and Orcs for that matter. I don't see how we're any more un-natural than they are."

"Elves. Talk about UN-Natural!" Muz-Ra spat.

"You don't like Elves?" asked Shabhira.

"Oh, they're ok I guess - but they LOVE their Magic don't they? I mean, MOST magic-users are elves."

"The one that attacked you at Helgen?"

Muz-Ra nodded. | |

| "Well, good and evil come in all shapes I guess."

"I've never seen a Good skeleton!"

"Mmm. But they don't count. No intelligence. Might as well call a Bear evil."

"How about Vampires? Ever heard of a Good vampire? And they're intelligent."

"Ok, we've gone WAAAAY out of my area of expertise. But no, can't say I've ever heard of a good vampire."

Mus-Ra smiled, satisfied the she'd made a good point.

"Let's get moving again," Ubergard commanded, "It's a long walk and we've nowhere to stay tonight but out in the wilds. I'd like to get back to familiar territory before dark." | |

| "We know a good Werewolf." Muz-Ra pointed out as they continued on.

"A good Werewolf? Surely there's no such thing."

"Sure is. We met him on the way here. He's Ubergard's brother in fact. Lives in a shack south of Lake Ilinalta, and he's as nice a guy as you'd ever dream of meeting."

"REALLY? Now THAT would be fascinating!"

Kitty could fairly see the gears turning in Shabhira's brain.

Shabhira went on, more to herself than to her companions, "You could watch him transform. Weigh him! I wonder if the mass changes, or... would Wolfs-bane really have any effect? Oh but this is all idle speculation. He may be as sweet as you please when he's an Argonian, but you'd not want to be around him after the change I bet!" | |

| "He says he's fully under control at all times, and Ubergard came to believe him too. And Kitty, he came up to her while he was changed. Didn't leave a scratch."

"Is that right Kitty?" Shabhira asked, genuinely interested.

Kitty had turned sulky though, and just grunted, "I guess so."

Muz-Ra, never one for subtleties, continued rambling on before Kitty cried, "ENOUGH! Can we PLEASE NOT TALK ABOUT FARSEER ANYMORE??"

Muz-Ra and Shabhira took the hint only after it was bludgeoned into their ears by this and discussion on the topic stopped. | |

| Shabhira rolled a meaningful eye towards Kitty, indicating her and an unseen Other, at Muz-Ra silently.

The Argonian nodded, confirming Shabhira's unspoken question.

"OOOOooohhhh," she mouthed silently back. | |