"Warriors have their training secrets," the smile Raw gave caused one glider to spontaneously crash in terror as its archer tried to avert his eyes.

"Quick, while they're distracted, what's our plan? I've got the makings for a couple of smoke bombs" said Hane, already mixing the ingredients. Sazi pulled some cording off Hane's outfit to make fuses. They quickly enlisted Sergeant Nutty and Pippi, Raw and Clara's companions, to help. "Nutty, bring these up that tree and Pippi, use this burning twig to light them. You know what to do then. Hopefully 2 will be enough coverage." Nutty scrambled up into the branches and before they could say "why is that squirrel wearing a uniform?" his bird compatriot fired them up, tossing the bombs right in front of the Archers. The smoke billowed out, causing the gliders to cough and buck. Not only could the archers not see to fire, they couldn't even stay mounted!

Meanwhile, Raw climbed a short way up the slope and..."Fore!" used the blunt end of the trident to knock a good sized rock right into the skeleton horse brigade. The force of the blow knocked the bony stallion's head clean off, causing it to rear and circle madly. "You should watch for people playing through" gloated the warrior "Fore again!" With slightly better aim, based on experience, Raw hit the second horse squarely in the hindquarters, causing it to collapse completely. This confuses and blocks some of the riders, but there's still plenty of threat remaining. "Sera," shouts Raw, "come up here and take over. I have an itch to go and do some proper damage." On her way up the slope, Sera stops to break a sturdy branch off a tree. Pausing, she remembers an old bedtime story her nanny used to read her. Not sure whether or not it applied in this forest, she thought it was best to be polite, just in case. Hesitantly, she touches the tree trunk and in her mind apologises to the tree for breaking off a limb. "Sera, whaat are you doing holding the tree like that?" yells Raw impatiently, still hitting rocks into the air, "Come on!" Sera rushed over and took over the rock duty, swinging the branch and launching the rocks at the skeletal warriors. Raw lets out an intimidating battle cry and rushes down the hill, waving her Trident in the air. "Kyo, grab your bow, let's do this" Like a whirlwind, Raw rushes towards the nearest horse, and with a sweeping action, sweeps the bony legs out from under the horse. With a clatter of bones, the horse lands in a heap, followed by the rider. For added effectiveness, Raw swings and neatly knocks the skull off the warrior.

Kyo, misunderstanding Raw, fires an arrow at the skeletons. It lands neatly between a warrior's ribs, though given the warriors were without any vital organs, it didn't appear to do any damage. "No no, no" shouts Raw. "grab your bow and do this." Raw demonstrates her swinging action again with her Trident, this time swiping under the ribcage, the long reach of the weapon neatly taking out another warrior before he manages to raise his sword to attack the halfling. "If you really want to jab the ribs, you'll need to do something look like" She spins the Trident around and forcefully thrusts the prongs towards another oncoming skeleton. With a grunt, she flicks the weapon up, picking up the warrior, like she was spearing a piece of food on her dinner fork and sending him through the air, landing in another jumble of bones. Kyo, watching this masterclass in Trident warfare, could only faintly smile and nod.

"Frankie, go!" Hane hands her pieced-together puppy one end of a vine from the nearby tree. He tilts his head, so cute, but so brainless. "Oh, for goodness sake, take it!" His tail wags so hard it almost falls off, but still nothing. Hane finally wraps the end of the vine around a empty bomb casing and throws the "ball". Frankie takes off like a shot, darting in and out among the skeletons. He grabs the vine and starts to run back, pulling it taut, and tripping several horses. At that point, he's distracted by all those tasty looking bones, and grabs one for a prize. The horse femur is so heavy, he can't really pick it up, but heroically drags it back to his human, almost knocking Raw over. Having run out of rocks, Sera joins Raw to finish off the last warriors.

Seeing the wizards ready to launch those nasty fireballs, Clara starts pulling some hollow bamboo tubes out of a hidden pocket in her flowing dress. Quickly she starts assembling what looks like a flute, twisting the ends together. "We have no time for music" says Sazi, "unless you know some sort of magical tune that sends them to sleep or something?" Clara shakes her head, "Oh no, I have better than that." She winks at Sazi as as she pulls some of her hair pins out and inserts them into one end of her flute. As her hair falls over the shoulders, she prepares to take aim at the wizards. Haneway seeing this, shouts "Wait, I have an idea." Rummaging in her bag she pulls out a small vial. "Snake Venom. Here dip your pins into this first, but for goodness sake, be careful you don't get that stuff on your hands. You'll end up with huge boils for weeks" Clara shakes the pins back out of of her flute. Carefully unstoppering the vial, she dips a pin in the liquid and reinserts back into the flute. Taking aim, she blows sharply through the other end and watches the makeshift dart sail towards the nearest wizard. Instead of hitting him as Clara had intended, the dart fell towards the glowing green fireball. With a fizzle, the dart extinguished the fireball while passing through it, landing squarely on the wizard's palm, huge yellow boils erupting instantaneously making the wizard dance around, holding his palm in agony. "Hmm..." muttered Clara, as she dipped another dart into the vial. "Not quite what I wanted, but I suppose it works for that one. Aim slightly left, I think " Kyo, seeing better and more fleshed out targets for her arrows hurries over and fires at the injured wizard. "Woohoo, bullseye." Clara hits the next one right in the face, the boils shutting his eyes.

Unfortunately for the Whovians, the third wizard was able to get off a shot of his fireball. Both Sazi and Clara dive away, but not quite fast enough. The poison ball catches Sazi in the shoulder! Kyo quickly reloads and shoots him in the leg. From the ground, Sazi gasps out "The...smoke...clearing" Somehow the gliders have coordinated their wing movement to move the smoke out of the way, giving the archers a clear shot. "Where's Thurston??"

A sizzle and pop reaches their ears, and the archers shake their heads and start waving their hands in front of their faces. One gags and jumps off his glider, ducking behind a tree to throw up. Their eye look clear for a second, as if the stink has woken them up from the spell, but quickly become lost again. Even through her pain, Sazi laughs "stink bomb -- match heads, some hair, wrap it in paper, and light it up! Works every time. Thanks, Thurston!" Stealth turtles for the win!

"C'mon, let's finish the last group off!" Raw charges forward, dodging between shatter arrows, stabbing a glider, and twisting to bring it to the ground. Sera follows right after, simultaneously picking up her beloved pet and randomly striking out with her makeshift club. Kyo redirects her arrows high toward the archers. Hane and Clara drag Sazi behind a rock. "Here, this should help the poison burn...I hope" Hane hands Clara a packet of powder, and runs out to help the others, wielding the skeleton horse bone like a club. She and Sera pair up, focusing on the gliders. After much effort, the group brings some down, and after taking out more thank half, the archers realize their attack has been thwarted, and retreat, taking their injured with them. The group collapses in exhaustion. "Next time, no battling in fancy shoes!"

The Foggiest Notions were aboard their enchanted coach when the Unseelie attack began. Fern was up front steering the coach, doing her best to keep the Equrus that was pulling it calm during the impending battle, while the rest of the group were inside the coach.

As they rolled along the road they suddenly became flanked on all three sides, Turf saw the Dark Wizards and instantly recognized their green fireballs as poisonous. Thinking fast he whispered something into Frink's ear, "You distract the Dark Wizards and I will cast a cleansing spell on them... but first," as he said this he began to conjure a green fireball of his own which Frink merged with and became immune to the Wizards poison.

The warrior could not hear what Turf was saying to Frink but Armina was almost certain the fairy was to be a diversion. Since Frink and Odin were now friends, she had no worries. She quickly assigned the small dragon to follow, but not too closely. “Don't get in the way,” she spoke to Odin, “and don't be afraid to use your fire breath if needed, just be mindful of our new little friend and don't harm him.”

Frink then flew at the wizards with Odin close behind, their fireballs hitting him but not causing him to falter. Odin dodged the fireballs and fired a few of his own back at the wizards, singeing their beards and eyebrows. As they were kept busy by the sprite and the dragon, Turf began to conjure a spell that needed every ounce of his concentration. The rest of his group could see this in his eyes and so they began to fight the skeletal warriors and Death Gliders.

The moment of anticipation had arrived. Armina had been on edge since this trip began and was more than ready to utilize her skills in a real battle setting; unlike the wisps from before this was turning out to be a true challenge.

Turf chanted the words for a cleansing spell. Starting off in a soft voice and then booming as the spell began to grow into a bright blue glow around him and then the coach itself. The words were incomprehensive to his friends, but they could feel the power of them.

Despite all the chaos going on around them, Ravensong found an inner peace and as though this were all part of her daily routine she calmly began pulling out her daggers. One by one she began throwing them toward the Possessed Selwyn, knocking bows from hands before grabbing up her violin and beginning to play.

Knowing his mistress would need all the power she could muster, Kabe moved to press up against Ravensong's leg, adding his considerable magic to her song. As the notes echoed within the carriage, renewed strength and a sense of calm permeated the air, encasing her companions in a protective bubble of sorts and banishing any fear they might have been suffering as well as the fatigue that threatened to sap the strength from muscle and bone.

Turf could feel the power of the song, aiding his need for strength and concentration. With a burst of splendid light, the spell came to fruition and it shot out in all directions from the coach. The light of the spell then converged together and one by one it cleansed the Dark Wizards of their poisonous spells as Frink laughed in each of their faces as he flew by them. Turf, having concentrating so deeply on the spell collapsed in the seat as Frink rejoined him in the coach.

Fern struggled with the reins as the Equrus came to a sudden halt, rearing in panic and flapping its mighty wings. She watched in awe as the magical beast sent a powerful gust towards the Death Gliders, throwing them off balance just in time to spare the ranger's life as one of the enemy archer's arrows narrowly missed its mark. It grazed Fern's cheek in the process and narrowly missed Tito, her owl companion, who was sitting on her shoulder, “Get inside the coach, Tito, this is no place for you,” she said as she tried her best to look calm and courageous.

Still a bit shaken Fern wasted no time in readying her bow, firing a few precise shots, aiming to disarm the enemy elves as she couldn't bring herself to take a life despite trying to reason with herself that the possessed no longer had lives to take.

Swinging her battle axe, Armina managed to crumble several of the skeletal warriors as they rode by the coach. It gave her great pleasure watching them collapse into a heap of dust and bone fragments.

Fern’s attention was taken briefly from the battle when Turf collapsed in the seat behind her and she was about to ask if he was okay before realizing that the undead were closing in with their mounts, "Armina, take my bow!" She shouted to the warrior, knowing that the battle would be lost if they were to remain stationary and she took hold of the reins again, "Yah!"

Armina was just about to switch to the right side of the coach when she heard Fern call to her. The warrior held her shield up for protection and quickly made her way through the window in the front of the craft, passing Turf hoping he was alright but knowing there was no time to stop and check.

Armina grabbed the rangers' bow just as the carriage bolted forward, almost losing her footing. The warrior began slinging arrows, even though she had not practiced her archery skills in some time her aim was remarkably still dead on, even in a moving vehicle.

Something touched Armina on the shoulder causing her to spin frantically, “Oh Odin, you startled me. I am glad to see you well my friend but mighten you take cover for now.”

Odin joined Ravensong and Turf inside the coach, as Frink was fanning him trying to wake him up. The small dragon licked Turf’s face and he gasped for air, “Hi there little guy… did I get the wizards?” Turf asked as Frink nodded to him. Turf glanced around at the remaining Unseelie and hoped upon hope that his friends could defeat them. He couldn’t help but think that they would have a much better chance if their whole team was in the coach, but Evangelista was off on her own adventure and Max had mysteriously disappeared before they embarked into the Seelie lands.

There was a screech and a flurry of feathers as a particular steampunked white owl joined the fray. Snatching arrows this way and that, that came too close to the coach, “Tinker? Where did you come from… and if you’re here, does that mean Max…” questioned Fern as the coach hit a bump causing her to tumble backwards into the cabin of the coach before she could finish her thought. She landed next to Turf, who grabbed on to her before she bounced out the window, “I got you,” he said as he held onto her tightly.

A few white feathers landed on the spot that Fern had been sitting, next to Armina, before Max mysteriously and gracefully landed on them. Quickly grabbing the reigns and cuing the noble stead to move on.

Armina had barely recovered from being distracted by her companion Odin when Tinker had suddenly appeared from out of nowhere followed by a loud thump as the vagabond landed in the driver’s seat, "Max! Where the hell have you been?" The warrior shouted, although it came out more as a squeal.

All Max said was, "Later," shrugging off inquisitive looks and demanding questions from his friends. He reached one hand back to Ravensong and pointed at the daggers, beckoning for some. With daggers in hand, Max wasn't completely useless now. After smoothing out the ride he threw a dagger here and there, taking out all but one of the remaining Unseelie attackers.

Completely frenzied by the chaos around her, Armina was unaware that she was in immediate danger until Max shoved her violently out of the way, and took an arrow in the arm. Armina almost fell off the coach as another arrow from the remaining elven archer whizzed past her head. With a frown, Max pulled the arrow out of his arm, being undead had its advantages and this was one of them, his arm would be just fine. He then threw one final throw, landing a dagger in the chest of the final archer. The Team saved the day, with an unexpected boost from Max in the end. Where he had been all this time was a story for another day.

Salt-and-pepper hair and beard wet with sweat, he removed his cloak with a tired huff as he shrugged the straps of the burden from his shoulders.

"That looks heavy, friend."

The seated man jerked with fright and looked all about for the source of the voice. His eyes passed over a vertical blotch on the road then snapped back only to realize the blotch was in fact the figure of a dark-haired man standing in plain sight.

"Wha- how- where?" The seated man gasped, clutching his bag tightly.

"I've come up the road from the forest, we've been walking towards one another for a while now." The newcomer waved a hand back at the trees, his stance at ease and the thumb of his other hand hooked into his belt.

"I never saw you coming down the road." The seated man replied, his eyes sweeping the grass to either side of the road.

"I hear that a lot. And I have no intent to bother you." The dark haired man added, taking note of the other's unease. "I have business in the mountain valley town, I only wondered if I could bother you for a mouthful of water. This dusty road and unusual heat have me parched."

The seated man looked thoroughly conflicted on how he should refuse this request, but the newcomer's attention was drawn upward to where a crow circled.

"Ah sir, what have you done?"

The seated man's face flushed at these words and he leapt to his feet intent on dashing headlong into the grass, only to find his way blocked by the stranger.

"I- I didn't- I don't- what do you mean?" The man's mud brown eyes wavered as he stumbled back.

"Well, why is a gang of bloodthirsty hooligans riding out with what looks like intent to kill?" The newcomer asked stepping forward as the other retreated.

"What! They can't have- You don't understand- I had no choice!" The man was studdering in desperation now.

Something about his demeanor seemed to strike the newcomer as odd for he loomed over the quivering man his white-pupiled black eyes narrowed.

"You best explain now, if you lie I'll know." Something in his voice left no doubt that he would.

"M- my master is clearing his estate of all who worked there while his father was a- alive... So I fled."

"Oh, and is that all? What is it you carry you are so lothe to lose?"

"N- nothing! I- he-" the cowering man flushed in panic and clutched the bag to his chest with a peculiar look behind his eyes.

"Ah," the newcomer breathed in understanding, his hand suddenly shooting out and seizing the man by his collar and yanked him forward to speak over him in a loud, commanding voice.

"So you flee for your life and think it is a good time to be greedy and steal from the man who already wants you gone?!"

The stranger shoved the man away who lost his balance and fell back, the bag burst open and a pair of fabric bundles spilled out, one unraveled enough to reveal the sheen of gold.

The stranger kicked at the loosened fabric to uncover a polished golden goblet with an enameled family crest glittering on its surface.

"Well well, good news." The newcomer stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Good news. Your master is in fact the business I have in town, I can actually confirm your story. So listen up, I am going to help you correct your fatal mistake," He stepped forward and snatched the cowarding man's discarded cloak. "But you won't like it."

Some fifteen minutes later a number of hardened looking thugs came riding up the road on everything from steam-powered motor bikes and all terrain carts to horses and giant saddled lizards.

A fierce scarred man riding a heavily customized motor bike at the head of the pack spotted something lying in the road ahead and with a raised fist brought the entire company to a halt.

The massive cloud of dust raised by the group overcame and swept over them like a sinister shroud as they dismounted and strode forward toward the prone form in the road.

The massive scarred man came forward and kicked at the shape with his steam-powered prosthetic leg to reveal it to be the cloak of the salt-and-pepper haired man, only now it was shredded as from a wild beast attack and soaked in a fatal amount of blood. More blood trailed toward the tall grass as if something heavy had been dragged that way. With a growl the man walked alongside the blood trail until with a shout he lunged forward and snatched something from the edge of the grass.

From behind a low scrubby bush some thirty yards away, two figures watched as the fearsome man held aloft a blood stained bag with a golden gleam shining from under its torn flap.

"There you have it." The black-eyed stranger said with finality. "Thanks to that poor deer's sacrifice your life has been spared."

Beside him the hunted man swallowed hard and looked sidelong at the carcase a few yards away of the animal whose death had saved his life.

"I must go now while the dust still can cover my way, you must stay until they are all out of sight." The man nodded, his graying hair damp. Rising to a crouch the stranger clapped a hand on the man's shoulder, jarring him to attention. "Understand you now the seriousness here. That animal is dead because of your greed and I cannot tarry here to honor it by properly cleaning it for its meat. Once everything is safe you best do this yourself, it will sustain you on your journey to the next town since you lost your supplies in your bag. And in future, curb your greed."

With a final shove on the man's shoulder the stranger stole away with startling stealth through the dust cloud toward the rear of the large company cheering their leader holding aloft his prize.

From his hiding place the man cast a quivering glance at the dear carcase and dabbed the sweat from his brow with a shaking hand.

The company began mounting up to ride back to town. One bony individual with a shock of blond hair wandered about looking lost, one of his higher-ups noticed his actions and called over to ask what the holdup was. "I can't find mah horse, man! Et was right thar!" He pointed at the very back of the company. The higher-up rolled his eyes and waved his hand saying, "Look, the tracks are headed back to town, it'll probably be in its stall when we get back, bum a ride from one of the others."

Not far from the edge of town the stranger dismounted the hard-ridden bay horse he had borrowed and slapped its flank, releasing it to head on its own way home. Without missing a stride he passed into town, a lone crow flapping on ahead silently.

In a magnificent manor overlooking the town from its lofty perch atop the highest hill in the area a man smugly sipped brandy from a crystal glass from behind his desk in an elegant study backed by ceiling high windows. He had pointed animal ears covered in the same peach fuzz that covered his body except for the painstakingly trimmed golden mane that covered his head and neck. The man was just pulling his letters toward himself with a finger when his ear flicked at the sound of hurried footfalls. He had barely looked up when the doors burst open and his attendant ran into the room, stumbling a bit in his haste, and without pausing at his master's indignant outburst hurried to his side and whispered in his ear.

The master's lip curled in a snarl distorting his feline nose and revealing his fangs. "How is that possible!" He spat. "Stay here until the others arrive, I have to go to the bank and check something!" The master ordered, forcing his way past the attendant and storming out. Outside the window a crow took flight from its perch on a trimmed bush.

"It's still here! That damned fool said it had been stolen!" The master of the manor slammed the bank box on the table in the vault room of the bank. "Well- i- isn't that a good thing?" The bank manager asked carefully.

"Not the point!" The master yowled, slamming the lid closed and shoving the box into the chest of the bank vault security guard. "Put this back!" He ordered still glowering at the bank manager. "My damned attendant said he got word from one of the thugs that my thief of an ex-employee had broken into the vault and robbed me!" "Sir, I assure you that isn't possible, our security is seamless-"

Their voices faded down the hall as the security guard set the box back on the table and pulled a lockpick set from the brim of his hat.

"Look, you've gotta check again, my uniform was turned in for dry-cleaning and it isn't in my locker." A harried young man pleaded at the window of the bank's back office. "Look Harold, my checking again won't make it miraculously appear-" "Just- just please check Starly." The secretary sighed and got up, calling over her shoulder as she went. "I'll humor you Harold but it probably got left at the dry-cleaners and somebody accidentally signed it as deliv- Oh... Huh, here it is, odd, I swear I looked here..."

Three days later and two towns away an aged regal lady in faded, once lovely robes sat on a wooden stool gazing sorrowfully out the window of a shabby room at a local inn. A soft knock sounded at her door. Despite her initial reaction of fear she rose up to her full height and said in a steady voice, "Who is it?" "Verrek m'lady, I've returned from the task you entrusted me." The lady slumped slightly in relief and strode forward and hurriedly unlocked the door. The black-eyed stranger from the road stood there, his clothes travel stained yet the superior tailoring more than made up for it, Verrek always tried to look classy even when conditions were not ideal. "Caull, thank goodness you are alright. Come in,I thought surely my son would have..." "Nothing I couldn't handle, in fact I stumbled upon a bit of good luck on the road into town that made my task much easier." He said stepping into the room, and pulling a sealed envelope from a bifold he carried under his cloak.

"Is that?" The woman asked breathlessly taking a step back as if overcome. "Indeed, your son had it scryed by a mage to find out what is said without breaking the seal, here is what the mage saw." He pulled a page from the bifold and handed it to her.

As the lady read silent tears rolled down her regal features, similar in many ways to her son, the lord of the manor, but more angular giving an air of gentle sternness.

"My husband's will and testament, he did leave everything to me in the end." "Yes, and your son only inherited in the event of your death, which is why he sent the assassins and left the will sealed." "Nobody could prove he did it since the will was never officially opened so he couldn't be held for knowing the terms."

"This should be enough to hold your case in court." Verrek stated handing her the envelope and the bifold.

"No wonder he kept it hidden. Thank you Caull, for finding me." "Thank your friends, they told me about your situation. They had your back even when you sent them away to protect them from the assassination attempts."

The lady held the letter to her chest and nodded.

"Excellent, in which case, m'lady you should go downstairs and talk to your lawyer, I brought him along, and work out the details."

Outside the inn Verrek heaved a tired yet satisfied sigh.

SilentOne alighted on his shoulder, his wing brushing the strings of Verrek's compound bow on his back creating a mellow strum that caused the shade to smile.

Feeling Juana give a brief shiver from behind him as Termina glided past them with her haughty air, Leaf glanced back at his comrade.

Jilly also apparently noted Juana wasn’t herself and whispered, “Are you okay?”

When Juana shook her head, Leaf frowned. True enough he and the warrior butted heads at least once a day, but no one was going to intimidate his friend. “Forget her,” he said in a quiet but firm voice. “She is nothing to fret over. You’re a fine example of your people, Juana, and worthy of notice. Look at all you’ve endured. Her? Well let’s see, she has a grand title…because of her husband! A Dowager only gets the title when she becomes a widow, so it’s not by anything great that she’s done. Hold your head high, warrior. You’re better than her in numerous ways.”

Juana looked at Leaf in amazement. It took her a moment to process that the elf was actually praising her and helping her to feel better. It was a rare thing, but then again she knew Leaf had a good heart and that he was loyal to the companions. At his words about enduring, Juana thought of her past and then her fighting spirit rose. “You’re right, Leaf. What do I have to hang my head and hide about?” Tossing her head, the warrior smiled and added sincerely, “Thanks for the reminder, Leaf.”

“Anytime,” Leaf said and then grinned as Jenna gave his arm a loving squeeze. The smile didn’t last long however as yells came from all around as weapons turned red hot. Leaf was more than thankful that as a wood elf his weapons were made of natural materials such as wood and bone, and mithril already, but he saw Juana’s smile fade and her jaw clench though to their warrior’s credit she didn’t release her weapon like the others.

It was the keening wail that had Leaf’s expression turning pained. He at last had to give in and cover his sensitive ears as he watched two of the groups have their vehicles destroyed. “Pompous ass,” he muttered in regard to Termina.

“Leaf,” Jenna chided. “They were Unseelie.”

“No, they were similar,” Leaf countered. “I don’t believe anyone here is true Unseelie. It’s just the fey throwing their weight around again and showing off their powers without so much as a by your leave.” For a brief moment the elf wondered if he should have stayed at home this time.

Amdir frowned. “It was rather a bit much to just totally destroy all the hard work they had done. It took time and imagination.”

“Oh my!” Anna gasped, looking upward as the first of the swan gliders arrived. “How beautiful!”

Aran gave a sudden whinny and Leaf turned at the sound of hooves and this time his eyes widened as he took in the unicorn coaches. As though drawn by a magnet, the ranger headed toward the majestic, yet dainty beasts. It was true that as an elf and a ranger he loved all manner of creatures, but birds had never really interested him. That was his father’s specialty and Leaf had memories of his father’s feathered spies tattling on his elfling mischief far too often to have ever developed an affinity for them. But four legged mammals were a thing that reached his heart, especially if it was equine or canine.

Watching Leaf slowly approach the unicorn, Jenna smiled. “I think our method of travel has been chosen,” she commented to the other Misfits.

Leaf extended his hand and whispered softly in elvish to the beautiful creature. After a moment the unicorn placed its nose in the outstretched hand and Leaf smiled delightedly. His slim fingers gently stroked the shimmering, silken mane as he made friends with the animal.

The other Misfits wandered over and Jenna reached out to stroke the unicorn’s neck while Jilly petted the velvety nose. Amdir reached to gently scratch around the pearlized horn and the unicorn rewarded her with a soft whinny and leaned into the touch.

“I think we have made a new friend,” Jenna smiled.

As Aran snorted and shoved Leaf in the back, the elf laughed and said, “And made the old ones jealous.” He turned to pet his much loved mount. “You know well that you are loved, beast,” he said teasingly. “Even without a horn you are a fine and regal animal.” Aran nodded his head and arched his neck.

“And as modest as his master,” Juana snickered while Flint flickered around her as though laughing as well.

Noting that the others were beginning to load into coaches and gliders, Jilly said, “I think it’s time for us to go.”

Leaf helped the ladies and the smaller companions into the coach before giving the larger companions instructions to keep up and then climbing in as well. He gave Juana a look as Flint blinked rapidly near her at the sight of the pixie in the coach with them.

After listening to the pixie’s puzzle, the Misfits turned their attentions to solving the puzzle and before they knew it, the coach was slowing and then halting. They had arrived at the Seelie court.

For Jilly, Anna, Amdir, and even Jenna the sight was nothing short of spectacular regardless of the fact that they had been to an elven court in their first adventure together and also had become a bit more used to elven splendor through visiting Leaf. For Juana and Leaf it was less intimidating and more familiar, but it also stirred memories and feelings in each of the adventurers.

Leaf approached the Seelie king and bowed out of respect. He did not however stare at the ground like an underling, but rather kept his pale blue-grey eyes locked on Selwyn. He was after all an elven prince in his own right as this king should know. Listening to the discussion of the eldest prince being taken as a babe had Leaf frowning thoughtfully. There were so many possibilities and a part of him said that Delgar was not dead at all. Now there was something that bore looking into further and pondering. But for now…Caniel. Leaf could scarely blame the other prince. The duties and responsibilities related to being a prince were indeed stifling. In fact, Leaf supposed that he’d run away somewhat himself when he joined the rangers and began his wanderings rather than stay at home with the home guard warriors like his best friend had done. He winced though at hearing about the elixir and the possibility of losing Caniel to the Possessed. They had to find the prince before that occurred. He had to smile at Eilwynn’s magnanimous gift of increased healing and stronger spells. While they would both be useful in battles for the entire party, the princess had to realize that as an elf he was already endowed with faster healing; it was just in the elven blood.

Once they were dismissed to enjoy themselves, Leaf set about doing just that. He took Jenna’s hand and led her to where a mix of Seelie and adventurers were dancing. With a grin, he slipped an arm around her waist and together they glided away on the music. For tonight they were just a young couple who could share their love. Tomorrow they would share more adventure.

Jenna couldn't stop looking around at all the wonders of the fairy court. She made mental note of all the characteristics of the place and planned to pen a song about it when she had more time to herself. She caught Leaf chuckling at her. Getting a little defensive she whispered, "What's so funny?”

Leaf smiled, "You'd best get used to royal courts if you plan to hang around me."

Jenna frowned. While she knew this was a part of Leaf's life, she wasn't too sure how she would fit into it. After all, she wasn't royalty, nor was she an elf. She tried not to think about it too much, otherwise it made her sad, and that just makes Leaf worry over her. So instead she quickly turned her frown back into a sexy smile."If I get my way, I'll be hanging around you for a very long time!" she murmured back into his ear.

With a grin of his own, Leaf pulled her closer and kissed her cheek as they moved in time with the music.

As Leaf led Jenna away, the rest of the Misfits made their way to tables laden with food of every sort imaginable, from light and airy fare to hearty meat dishes, from salads and healthy options to rich and lavish desserts. Amdir, Jilly, Juana, and Anna each took a golden plate and added an assortment of food. Finding a table under a tree hung with twinkling lanterns that resembled fireflies, the companions ate and talked while keeping an eye on their friends.

Only after Jenna began to stumble at some of the faster steps and lean on Leaf did the pair stop and partake of the food themselves. Joining the other Misfits at the table, Jenna said, “This has been a night to remember!”

“Yes it has,” Anna said as a yawn slipped out. “Oh..sorry. I think I need to head to bed soon. I hope the beds are comfortable.”

“In this place I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” Jilly said.

Truer words were rarely spoken as the group discovered when they did all turn in at last. The beds were soft and the pillows fluffy. As Amdir said the next morning, it was like spending the night wrapped in a cloud.

Jenna found the bed so soft that she had no trouble falling asleep, but…she had another dream that night. In this one she was walking through the fairy forest; it was so quiet that all she could hear was her footsteps. No, make that two sets of footsteps. She was not alone. Her heart began to race as the stranger came up along side of her quickly. Jenna held her breath and was almost too frightened to look at who was next to her, but she made herself turn her gaze towards the figure. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw it was Leaf. She laughed, but her laugh sounded like it was miles away and it echoed in such a strange way. Leaf did not laugh with her, but kept his gaze forward. The expression on his face almost seemed vacant. She tried to talk to him, but the words would not come out. Jenna took hold of his arm. His stride did not change, and he made no indication that he knew she was touching him. Once more Jenna's heart began to race and she turned to face him and began to walk backwards. She put her face right up to his, but his hollow stare looked right through her. Again she tried calling out his name, but all she could do was grunt. She was still walking backwards as he continued to walk forward until suddenly he stopped walking. She had stopped as well, but then she realized too late that she had stepped off a cliff and was beginning to slowly fall backwards into a dark abyss. She screamed for Leaf to save her, but he just stood there on the edge of the precipice and stared off into the darkness while she plummeted.

Jenna woke suddenly, panting heavily and covered in a thin sheen of sweat. Leaf was lying next to her, stroking her back.

Softly he whispered, "I'm here, love. I heard you crying out my name. Was it a bad dream?"

The bard swallowed hard, "It was just a dream. Nothing to worry about, love. Go back to sleep." She snuggled close to the elf while he wrapped his arms around her.

Little did she know that the ranger was frowning once more. Leaf had hoped her bad dreams were nothing to worry about, but it seemed they kept plaguing her every night. He was about to press her to tell him more about the dreams when he heard Jenna softly snoring once more. Her body had relaxed considerably and she was softly cooing a song. Satisfied, Leaf drifted off to sleep himself.

Everyone was fully rested and refreshed and ready to take on the next adventure. Little did they know that it would be sooner than they planned.

He had contacted a close ally in the court and paid them well to go through all the weaponry of the Rogues and to cast a spell to convert all steel and iron weapons into mithril. He strapped on his newly re-minted mithril sword, gathered up his arrows and bow and headed for the Terrapin Glider, his boots were polished meticulously, his fur-collared cape waved behind him as he strode out into the morning sunlight.  

He sized up the situation, clamored aboard and started giving orders.  Dace, you are a captain of a barge on your home world?  You think you can fly this thing, then take your position"

Dace replied without apparent emotion, "Yes--sir." Was she glowering, or was she being sarcastic, “Did you need me to bring you a sandwich too?"  She asked with what seemed to him to be all seriousness, but he sensed a little bit of bantering.

The warrior smiled and waved, "No thank you little lady, not just now.  Later perhaps.  You just tend to steering this boat and let the warriors handle the important stuff."  He knew he was mocking her, he wasn't really a jerk, he was just having fun.  He love a good jest and appreciated good banter.  If the changeling could give it and take it, then they were going to enjoy each other's company.

The little weasel-girl was an enigma to him.  He had never encountered one so small, she was only two-thirds his size, a child.  Yet, she held her head up high, she had regal bearing, and she was comely.  Not drop-dead gorgeous...that would be the Mage...No Lady Frieda was what one would call 'cute,' a word he hardly ever used to describe a woman, especially a married woman with eight children.

He called out to her, "Lady Frieda, I feel Dace here is going to be completely unprotected out here in the open at the wheel."  He smiled over at the vagabond who gave him a snide smirk.  "Might I offer a suggestion for you to take a position here at the wheel as her protector?  I understand you are good with a bow and arrow and that you have also brought along your short sword.  Are you confident in this task?"

Frieda nodded, approached him, and smiled up at him.  She placed her hand on his and looked him in his eye and told him that he could trust her.  His heart leaped up into his throat and he blushed.  Gorgeous women never caused that reaction in him.  Why did the Little One make him blush?

He turned quickly and caught Eren's attention. "Ranger Eren, What position do you desire, port or starboard, fore or aft?"  He took the other position turned to Shasa and Teislyn, "Ladies, not too sure it's going to be safe out here for you unless you can handle a bow or a sword."  He gave a conspiratorial wink at Shasa, "I bet you could cave in a few skulls with that fancy looking lute of yours."  He chuckled as he teased. "But if you're up to it, I would put you in charge of the armory.  Your responsibility would be to keep our quivers full of those mithril arrows." He nodded and pointed at barrels of arrows against the railings. "You could whistle while you work."

They got underway and Alphonse's jovial mood vanished, replaced with a seriousness that bordered on edgy.  All his senses were heightened, including his sixth sense...they were flying right into a trap.  Suddenly, Dace pulled back on the throttle, yelled a warning just as he saw the trouble blocking their path.  Instinctively, he put away his sword, unslung his bow, drew an arrow and notched it. "Run those bastards down Dace!  Take out the archers first!"  He punctuated his order by letting his arrow fly, striking the first elven archer between the eyes, killing him instantly.

He fired arrow after arrow, calling out the archers as they whizzed past.  He had every confidence in Eren's ability with a bow, he was a better archer then he was.  But he was concerned for the weasel-girl, how was she holding up?  He glanced over his shoulder and observed her pick off an archer with confidence and he felt assured she was going to be OK for now.  But how would she hold up if it came to hand-to-hand?

Suddenly there was a shout, a crash and a tremendous snapping sound.  The Terrapin Glider seemed to lose control and Alphonse felt the craft fall from the sky and grind to a halt as it hit the ground.  He hit the deck hard, had he not grabbed a rope, he would have been cast overboard.  When the dust cleared, it was obvious what had happened, a very large low branch and sheared off the masts.  To make matters worse, the skeleton cavalry had moved into position and were advancing on their position.  The remaining elven archers had retreated behind the enemy lines.

He surveyed the oncoming monsters and muttered to himself, "Great, just great.  I'm not getting out of this without getting my clothes dirty."  He chuckled to himself, slung his bow and drew his sword.  

And now morning had come a bit too soon for her. Unable to go back to sleep, the werefox decided to look through her backpack to see if she was well equipped. Much to her dismay, she quickly found a significant lack of any proper armour. Her 'midnight excursion' garb was made more for stealth than protection. It would be no protection against enchanted weapons- or even ordinary ones. Wondering if it would be possible for her to obtain armour here, Shasa left her room and strolled through the now quiet Court. It was a stroke of luck that led her to bump into her Seelie friend, the babysitter, and his lady friend. More than happy to lend her a hand, they took her to a workshop staffed by a sturdy but somehow bird-like faerie, who barely listened to Shasa's request before stuffing a smooth, light piece  into her hands. "As strong as light armour gets," the faerie said, waving off both Shasa's offer to pay and her profuse thanks. "Protect you from getting run through and most enchantments, but you'll still feel a bit of impact. All the best, adventurer." Back in her room, Shasa dressed quickly, admiring the feel of the silky green armour. She inspected her sole weapon- a sharp dagger carved from what was supposedly the fang of a Celestial Lion. It never broke, never dulled and was capable of slicing through bone. Shasa carefully sheathed it before strapping it to her belt. The sinking feeling in her gut told her she would need it. Waking Kiska took up the time until departure, and it was only by offering to leave him behind that she finally got him to stare. Sulky snake in tow, she caught up with her team as they encountered Niva, and listened to the archer with increasing dismay. Boarding the Terrapin, she thanked her stars that she had prepared herself. As the Glider took off, she distracted herself from her increasing nervousness by creating tiny figures of her team and making them dance on the palm of her hand. But a short while later, the sinking feeling had become too deep to ignore and she could now hear things. The light rattling of bones, the sound of other Gliders and muffled footsteps. Exchanging a frightened look with Kiska, she ran to the railings just as the Glider came to a stop and Dace cried a warning.

It was not a pleasant sight. The blank eyes of the skeletal warriors promised death, as did their sharp blades. The Dark Wizards leered, their fireballs crackling with venom. But it was the glassy eyed possessed archers that made the werefox shudder. The possessed were the most dangerous opponents of all, for with no mind of their own, they cared little for their own well-being. These unfortunates would feel nothing as they fought- and they would fight till the end. Briefly, Shasa wondered if she should bail. The others would not chase her, they would be far too preoccupied with the Unseelie. Almost immediately, shame assaulted her for even thinking about such a thing. She would never be able to live with herself if she abandoned her team-mates and their mission.

The sound of the cannon exploding threw her out of her daze. Starting violently, she looked around wildly. Kiska tapped her on the shoulder and pointed, and she registered that Alphonse had taken charge and was apparently giving out orders. She walked up to stand beside Teislyn and raised an eyebrow as Alphonse's rather irritating comment. Underestimate her, would he? Well, she would show him! Pursing her lips, she let out a high pitched, almost soundless whistle that made the warrior cringe and clap his hands over his ears and others nearby wince. "Like that, darling?" she asked, giving him her sweetest smile. Alphonse removed his hands and grimaced. "Perhaps not quite like that, miss. You don't want to shatter our weapons, do you?" Shasa grinned as she headed for the arrows. Oddly, that exchange had made her feel better. Then the first arrow flew and the battle took over.

The next few minutes were a blur. She ran from Frieda to Eren to Alphonse, carrying piles of arrows and slipping them into her quiver. Kiska provided backup, picking out arrows, placing them into a neat pile and handing them to her as when she ran out. There was little time for thought, but she wondered if she should use her own skills. Snatching a moment when everyone was well supplied, she took her fox shape and climbed a little way up a mast. Spotting a cluster of archers she focused on the mental image of Alphonse leaping from the Glider and running towards them with his sword bared, humming softly as the illusion took form. Then she heard a frantic shout. "Dace! Duck!" 'Duck?' she had the time to wonder. 'There aren't any birds...' she saw the branch. 'Oh...' It struck the mast, shearing through it, and Shasa felt a sense of weightlessness as she realised she was flying through the air. Instinct took over and she curled herself in, turning head-over-heels thrice as she hit the ground and rolled into a hedge. She stayed frozen for a moment, taking stock of herself and the situation. She was shaken, but unhurt, and clearly not in the middle of the battle-zone. Carefully poking her nose out of the hedge she saw the Glider crashing to the ground, and the others emerging from it like ants from a broken nest. And between her and they was the enemy army. She was cut off entirely from her team.   

In the relative comfort of her own private room, the mage stripped off her fancy clothing and placed it back into her closet. Reaching inside, she pulled out a new ensemble: a sexy top complete with lace sleeves and an opening to show her assets, a short skit, some heeled shoes, and a circlet. Examining her reflection, Aicha frowned. Bringing her hand up, she returned her extended hair to it's previous short length

The mage knew better than to expect an easy journey - it was only a matter of time until someone attacked them. Best not to allow anyone to ruin her wonderful hair. With a groan, the mage took a staff out and put it next to her bed before relaxing back onto the bed - there was a time for a nap.

Some time later, the sounds of yelling and explosions awoke Aicha from her nap. With a sigh, the mage rose to her feet. It looked like, once again, she would most likely have to save the day. Grabbing her staff and grinning as the runic magic filled her, Aicha stepped out of her room and magically sealed the door before heading off.

The loss of the dark glider had been a blow, but if the new vehicle saved them from some grief then it was an acceptable loss. She intended to have a talk with her comrades about it over breakfast nevertheless. To her mind it looked rather 'airy fairy' and needed 'beefing up' a bit.

Spirited conversation engulfs the table as the group considers vehicle modifications. Many ideas were offered and, tablet at the ready, Ayla made sure to jot down any that won majority approval. Ace sat contentedly in her lap. The adventurers come to an agreement, and go to their rooms to prepare for their departure.

It was only when Lara stepped out into the courtyard and made her way towards her friends’ vehicle that she saw all the work that had been done whilst she'd been upstairs packing at a leisurely rate, and her face reddened. She hurried to lend a hand. Better late than never, I suppose!

Phineas naturally lends a hand in the rebuilding of their new, brighter, better flying…um…crystal bed chamber, yes, precisely. "Apples?" he asks with an incredulous tone. "I know the fairy queen gave them to us and all in swap for the candles, or whatever, but are you serious? Apples?"

Amaryllis nods. "Truly, why apples of all things? Surely the faerie wasn't hoping to get us to change our eating habits, now?" she says half-jokingly. "Honestly, though, it feels like there is a connection with the apples and our new craft. I can't be the only one to think so. You know, that fairytale about a girl as pure as snow, who bit into a poisoned apple and fell asleep, then was laid to rest in a similar co--" she coughs, avoiding the Unseelie word, "--a similar bed chamber, until her prince charming woke her with a kiss...that one?"

She looks down at the apples in the bin, then to Ayla, who says, "Anyway, all that's left is to boil these up and let the concoction seep into the apples." Ayla pours the vat of liquid into the bin, making sure not to spill. “Right,” says Amaryllis. “Burnsley, get the fire ready.” Her sidekick, ever eager to help, huffs out a breath of fire, and the apples start to cook.

Phineas does have an artistic touch, after all, and if he sneaks in a fluffy pillow for Katja, or spends a minute to paint a few pink polka dots riiiight about at Nightshade's eye level, it is purely due to artistic bent and not at all fiendish glee at the thought of irritating the ever loving heck out of anyone. Ahem. He mostly accepts the tasks given him, though.

Nightshade eyed Phineas who was expressing his poor taste in décor. Well, doesn't really matter, he mused. After all, the bard had devoured the pie that Nightshade placed on the table right in front of Phineas’ usual chair before their morning meal. Guess we'll find out if those apples are poisonous or not any time now.

While the rest of the group was sleeping, Nightshade had spent his time fortifying their flying glass bottle with some mithril. Turning from a final inspection of his work, he notices the cannons that Kaiidth and Lara were installing. He seriously hoped he'd get a chance to use them, and soon. The thought of the damage they are capable of brought a smile to his face.

"My, my, someone's in a good mood today, could it be our dear elf has finally seen the light and decided to show his appreciation of my art?" Phineas’ voice all but pierced his ears in that sing song tone that annoyed him so.

...guess those apples take longer to work than expected...

Kaiidth inspected her bow and arrows for any faults, wanting to provide the best possible defense of her companions. Her ears twitched as she considered the battle to come. Ah well, it can’t have gone but too smoothly, or we’d not have been needed on this adventure to begin with! She stroked Shiva to calm both of their nerves.

Lara made herself busy stowing everyone’s luggage, ensuring that their illustrious travelling companions were safely tucked into their makeshift hiding place and settling any restlessness from the smaller companion animals.

They hadn't been on the road long when they heard a fearsome noise. It grew louder and louder, it was straight ahead of them! They were driving straight into a trap!

"Here they come!" Phineas shouts, probably unnecessarily since the hordes of Unseelie are right there. It is a rare serious moment for the bard, brought on utterly by his sudden realization that this time he was probably going to die. Staring mortality in the face does tend to be a sobering motivation.

Amaryllis was praying for their safety until she heard Phineas' battle cry. With renewed morale, she runs to the front of their craft and takes the wheel. Seeing the barrage of arrows coming toward them, she braces for impact. The curved roof was Ayla's brilliant idea; all Amaryllis had to do was maintain the windscreen. She takes one hand off the wheel and chants a spell, creating a magic shield for the front window. The longer they stay, the less mana she'll have to maintain that spell, but she has faith they'll make it through alive, however tattered and torn they might be.

Kaiidth jumped up and engaged the roof lift, then began to unleash a barrage of arrows on the wizards to the right. Lara clung on for dear life as Amaryllis steered them through the swarm of evil looking Unseelie. They were taking damage, but at least none of the scatter arrows were passing through.

Ayla dashed around and fitted the breathing masks she’d made on everyone’s faces. Except Nightshade, of course, who had given her a fierce glare, and tossed his in the corner. Well, if anyone would survive a direct hit from one of those poison balls, it would be him. He’s too mean to perish. Bah.

Nightshade took aim with the four-barreled cannon mounted under the left wing and waited until the enemy was in range before engaging the trigger. With a deafening explosion, the weapon fired four yellow balls in succession which splattered the minute they made contact with the skeletons, thereby covering them in sticky goo. "Good work there Ayla, that apple sauce and glue mixture you came up with is actually working!" He didn’t put too much faith in long-distance weapons, though. His trusty sword was by his side. If needed he would hack and slash his way out of this situation.

"And damn good call on that raising roof, dear lady, my compliments.” Phineas says in his best court tone. “It lets us shoot around it while protecting us from those arrows. Is the tank ready?" When the large container holding the reserve concoction is connected with the floral-shaped gun, the bard begins to fire upon the possessed elves, aiming to simply disable their crafts and perhaps just put them out of commission for a while. Doubtless a few will be suffering from minor injuries, but assuming they can be recovered from their current state, that should be a small price to pay. He hopes. But if not, oh well, one more elf all ticked off at him really does not matter in the long run.

Phineas looks how I feel, thought Lara, petrified but defiant. However, Nightshade was magnificent; he was in his comfort zone and no mistake! Fearless and terrifying as he bellowed at her to keep the cannonballs coming whilst he manhandled the four-barrel on the left. Ayla was equally demanding with the cannons on the right, though not as loud about it. It seemed that they were making progress!

How many more of them can there be? Kaiidth panted. Surely we must be coming near the end. Yes! Most of the army was now downed by arrows or stuck in the delicious smelling goo! Nightshade had really wanted to throw some acid in the mix, but since they were unsure what they would face along the trip, they’d decided to go with an immobilizing mix. He still thought melting the enemy's face off would have sent a stronger message, but he had to work with what was available!

Lara ducked down in terror as the final wave sent the glider spinning, she could hear crystal shattering around her, and closed her eyes, getting ready to pray to the 'Magic That Was' for some sort of help when she heard a glorious cry from Phineas and whoops of glee from the girls, they had made it through! Nightshade showed his “joy” with a sardonic half-grin. The enemy managed to break some of the silly crystal off, but, as expected, the mithril railwork kept them out.

Nightshade kept an eye out for danger even as they settled down for the rest of the journey. Maybe he'd get lucky and another group of undead will attack [strike]the bard[/strike] them. ]:-)

The final leg of their journey to the Gearloose Goose seemed interminable, but at last they arrived. Nightshade’s one regret was probably saving that stupid bard. Phineas had been singing off key about it for the past 20 minutes non-stop!!

In the end, Phineas simply accepts what shall be and it is well to note that though dressed in his best, he is amazingly good at not getting any gunk or funk on himself.

Ayla said a silent prayer of thanks to the good in the universe for bringing them through safely. She tucked Ace back into her bag, and headed up to the inn for a nice cup of tea before bed.

The mission was over, but Amaryllis was too drained to make sense of their current state. The only thing she could confirm was that they were, indeed, alive. It was enough to tune out any other thoughts, and she decides she'll fret over the damage done to their ship tomorrow. Tonight, however, she will be sleeping soundly.

Kaiidth looked up from the couch she’d sagged into, and sighed in relief. This had not been as physically taxing as the multiple transformations, but she was still exhausted.

Lara was very happy to be back, but oh, how her body would cope was a different matter! She was seriously thinking of staying behind and volunteering to help restore the Wayward Squirrel the next time they were invited to a dance. She only hoped that their efforts to find Prince Caniel in the Borderlands would be successful.

The first wave of Skeletal Cavalry descended upon the Rogues and Alphonse, Eren, and Aicha used their swords to fend off the attackers.  One blow with their weapons and the skeletons would fall apart and litter the deck.  Teislyn and Shasa used deck swabs to fling the bones overboard before they could reform.  It took only a minute or two but eventually those bones would magically migrate toward each other and rearrange themselves into a skeleton and steed once again only to resume it's attacks.

After fifteen minutes of this horrifying nonsense, the weasel-girl reappeared with four cloth bags  slung over her shoulders.  She labored under the weight of their contents and set them down next to the railing.  Alphonse observed as she reached into one of the bags and took out an amber-colored stoppered bottle and held it aloft. He rushed forward happy that the miniature alchemist unit had come through. "Little One, thank the stars, you have made us a mighty weapon. Please go below now and keep yourself safe, your sword and bow will not prevail here.  Let the strong finish these bastards off.  You have done your part."  He took the bottle from her and tossed it in his hands to gauge it's mass.  Lady Frieda protested, but he reassured her that she had nothing to worry about, he had used grenades in battle before.

He was quite chagrinned when his mighty throw missed it's mark and exploded on the ground with no effect.  But being scolded by the Vagabond was downright embarrassing and his realized his ego and enthusiasm had got the best of him.  He got out of the way, took up his sword and resumed hewing at skeletons.  When Frieda's weapon managed to kill two skeleton cavalry at once, he recovered his full will to fight, grabbed a rope, and jumped into the fray, knocking skeleton galley west in order to give Lady Frieda the best chance at destroying as many of these vile demons as she could with her bombs.  

He resumed calling out to Eren, Aicha, and Frieda any and all skeletons that had reformed and were attacking again, but their number was soon diminishing.  Hopefully they could get airborne again because he didn't like to think about being on the ground during the next wave of attackers.  

Damn.

Staying completely still, she watched the situation in front of her, her mind racing as she wondered just what she could do. It was then that she noticed one of the wizards- a young man with a broad jaw- taking aim at Alphonse. Thinking fast, she frowned, humming a low note under her breath. A blazing green fireball hurtled past that wizard, seemingly coming from one of his comrades. With a snarl, Broad Jaw whirled around and flung his fireball at the one he saw as the perpetrator. The unlucky wizard toppled over, screaming and rolling around as he tried to put the flames out. With yells of outrage, the other wizards closed in on their trigger-happy comrade and Shasa watched in horrified fascination as the orderly group quickly degenerated into a brawl. As yet another wizard went over, sporting what looked like giant, rotting mushrooms growing from his face, Shasa, with a grin that was pure carnivore, made a greenish fog roll out from another wizard- whom she dubbed Beetle Eyes- which effectively obscured the vision of the entire group. The angry shouts turned into bellows of fury, and the very real fireballs that were flying out in all directions from the fog showed that the blame game was still continuing quite effectively.

The sound of an arrow singing through the air told Shasa that another problem had made itself apparent. The remaining fairy archers had regrouped and were lending support to the skeletons. Torn, she looked from the still squabbling wizards to the archers, and as one of the arrows narrowly missed Lady Frieda, decided that the archers posed a larger problem. The wizard, after all, would still be occupied for a few more minutes. The fog dissipated as she turned her attention to the archers. There weren't many left, which was both helpful and a hindrance. Another arrow went through, this one glancing off Eren's armour. Desperately, Shasa projected the first thing she could think of among. The creature appeared, an enormous Wraith leader, its bulging eyes blazing, fog tendrils whipping and the storm in its mouth crackling with lightning. The archers and Shasa simply stared at it blankly.

The wraith was bright orange.  

Shasa smacked herself on her forehead. HOW had that happened? And the colour wasn't even the worst of it. She was quite certain the eyes were shaped like tangerines. And were those...? Yes, they were. Oh, dear. Tiny bananas and lampshades bounced around inside the Wraith's translucent body, making it look like a nightmarish  blob of marmalade. Her stomach rumbled and she recognised the source of her mistake. The perturbed archers had shifted away from the wraith and were now pointing their weapons at it. Making the best of the situation, Shasa hummed a spritely battle hymn, making the wraith zip around, feinting attacks and whirling away. She tried not to think about the fact that the archers would soon notice that it wasn't harming them or taking any damage itself and then come to the logical conclusion. Which might lead to her being discovered. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that the wizards had resolved their differences and attacked the Glider, leaving behind two who were obviously injured. About to intervene, she stopped when she saw Aicha engage them. Wincing, she turned away as the explosion rang through the area. The mage's skills were so powerful she could almost taste the magic. She shivered, and realised that her wraith was mimicking her movement. The wraith wobbled and dissipated altogether as she then realised that the Glider was slowly but surely rising up and moving forward. With increasing panic Shasa realised that it was being chased by the remaining wizards and cavalry, as well as the archers, who had by now joined in the attack. And they were all heading right for her.

The mage cursed vehemently - someone had cleared the debris from the deck but failed to realize that without the sails which collected the magic, the Terrapin Glider was going to stay on the ground. And, best of all, no one else seemed to have noticed it yet or at least no one seemed worried about it. What utter morons! No wonder they were getting overwhelmed by monsters.

There was a nearby crash and the mage turned to see a jar land and explode a few feet away. Seeing the weasel had arrived, the mage dashed off towards the deck. Behind her someone shouted out asking where she was going. Aicha ignored it for a moment and headed towards the broken part of the deck where the mast had stood. Grabbing her staff, Aicha quickly cast a spell to clear the remaining debris from the conduits that ran below deck, carrying the magic to where it needed to go. With a growl, the mage slammed the bottom end of her staff into the open conduit, wedging it tight.

"In case anyone hasn't noticed or had noticed and has forgotten, we're on the ground!" She growled.

Stepping back, she began chanting a spell. The staff began to glow bright crimson as magic filled it. The mage looked around after a moment. The glider was beginning to show signs of life again. Aicha sighed; she had enchanted the staff to constantly drain a portion of her magic and feed it down the conduit for power. A single shot might have sufficed, but if they needed to make a quick getaway or a sudden turn she would have to jolt it again and again - this way provided some breathing room. Heavy footsteps behind alerted Aicha to the presence of Dace. With a scoff, the mage turned and sneered.

"Hey, cow! See the pretty staff?" She asked, her tone mocking and slow as if she were speaking to a child. "If the pretty staff comes out of the hole, we all fall down and DIE! So be a useful cow: stand here and make sure no one or nothing removes it. It will take a few minutes for the initial charge to get us airborne again."

The mage turned away, eyes fixing on some new arrivals. "I have other businessto take care of."

Aicha's smirk grew as she giggled, eyes beginning to glow with a golden light...

"Everyone not battling for our lives grab a rigging axe and start hacking the ropes, ALL of the ropes!  We need to get disentangled from the trees right away!"  She began chopping ropes, hoping the others would follow suit.  Before long they had freed the mast and pushed the splintered wood, shredded sails and ripped rope overboard.  The magic stores were showing empty on the gauges and Dace bit her bottom lip.  Aicha had better be up to the task of powering the vehicle for the rest of the trip.

She looked at the melee going on behind her and winced.  This was so bad and she was basically unarmed.  Regardless, she leapt into the fray, trying to keep the skeletons at bay until Frieda could come up with something that might be a more permanent solution.  She heard Frieda's voice and then Alphonse came barreling past her with a smallish bottle in his hand, shouting something before tossing the bottle overhand at a group of skeletons.  it missed and there was a huge explosion.  the fighting stopped for a brief milisecond as everyone tirned to stare at the warrior. 

"What the hell are you doing you moron?  Let Frieda throw the bombs!  Warriors don't know anything about alchemy, you risk blowing us all up!"  She pushed Alphonse out of the way. "Just keep clobbering them and knocking them loose, at least it keeps 'em busy for a few moments."  She cursed at him and motioned to Aicha.  The mage didn't look happy to see her.

Aicha stormed towards Dace and used her staff to clear away the remaining mess around the magic conduits, then slammed the staff down hard, wedging it into the magic intake valve.

"In case anyone hasn't noticed or had noticed and has forgotten, we're on the ground!"

"I NOTICED." Bellowed Dace.  "But getting OFF the ground one piece is just as important as anything else!"  She tried not to roll her eyes.  Obviously they weren't going to go ANYWHERE without Aicha's magic. The mage began chanting and much to Dace's delight the Glider began to hum to life again.  Dace walked around behind Aicha to make sure the valve was going to hold under pressure and nearly crashed into Aicha who was turned to say something.

"Hey, cow! See the pretty staff?" She asked, her tone mocking and slow as if she were speaking to a child. "If the pretty staff comes out of the hole, we all fall down and DIE! So be a useful cow: stand here and make sure no one or nothing removes it. It will take a few minutes for the initial charge to get us airborne again."

Dace felt her blood pressure surge, a vein under her eye ticking in time with her heartbeat.  She was sure she was going to have a stroke and die and then, suddenly, peace.  Aicha had already turned to fight, so she had missed the explosion of glitter that now rained down around Dace's head.

"Oh my goddess." said a soft voice in Dace's ear.  Buttercup was fluttering her wings in excitement.  "Oh my. Oh oh my."

"WHAT." Dace tried not to shout, but even as the irritation rose it was almost ummediatly quelled. 

"Y-you have WINGS!" 

Dace nodded slowly, after all, they had been embraced by several faerie folk during the night before.  Maybe that's what was giving her the preternatural calm. She doubted there was a lick of faerie magic in her, but the serene feeling that everything might turn out ok was bolstering her confidence.

[spoiler=alphonse the warrior] Alphonse turned to Eren, "You take out those archers, and I'll keep those boneheads busy.  Let's pray that the others can eliminate those wizards!"  The two males took their positions at the stern of the Terrapin glider and prepared to defend their team.  A fireball exploded on their left and they staggered to regain their balance.  Alphonse glanced over his shoulder and saw that Lady Frieda had fallen, but she seemed unharmed.  Had there not been enemies at the rear, he would have gone to her rescue.  

Alphonse senses were near overload; he felt the vibrations of energy from the weapons charging beneath his feet, his chest pounded with each blast from the canons, the searing heat from the fireballs bursting nearby, the explosions, bursts of faerie energy, the green flashes of light and now the smell of burning flesh and blood.  All conspired and raised his adrenaline to it's maximum and he took out his wrath and fury on the skeleton cavalry, hewing their bones asunder.  He was focused on their total destruction and didn't even see what his companion Eren was doing.  Time and time again, he knocked one skeleton and then another, only to have to repeat the procedure moments later as the skeletons reformed.  "Hell, Atlas had it easy, he only had to carry the world." He said to no one in particular.  

He noticed that the Glider wasn't moving very fast, but at least it was moving.  Eren had dispatched the last of the elven archers and had drawn his sword when there was a flash of green light and a blast that knocked them both back.  When Alphonse looked again, the last of the skeleton cavalry were smoldering heaps of ash, the wizards had apparently blasted them by mistake.  Alphonse chuckled, turned to Frieda and waved her toward the aft hatch, "Come Little One, We shall man the guns and help the Mage!  The battle still rages with those cursed wizards.”  

He helped Frieda to her position on the starboard Espergile waist gun and he took his position behind the port Espergile gun. . The weapon seemed simple enough, they were mounted on a gimbals, merely aim and pull the trigger. He checked his enthusiasm though, hubris with the acid bomb had led to a waste of resources and had endangered them. He showed restraint, carefully took aim and fired his first shot. He was pleased to see a wizard vaporized in a flash of faerie magic energy.

At last, it seemed that all danger was over and Alphonse helped Lady Frieda back to the topside. Dace the Vagabond was at the wheel, Teislyn the Bard and Eren the Ranger were chucking the last of the bone fragments off the deck of the craft and Frieda the Alchemist was tending to Shasa the other Bard. He turned to Aicha the Mage. "Madam, remind me to always be on your good side, you fought well and I would hate to be on the receiving end of one of your attacks."  He turned to Dace. "I commend you on your flying Vagabond...It seems that you do know a thing or two about maneuvering a craft." He winked at her and smiled.  There was something about the shape-shifter that made him just want to arm-wrestle her very, very badly. Was she twinkling? Did she have wings now?

He looked down at the weasel-girl and smiled.  She was now standing next to Dace with her arm around her and she looked a little whoozy.  Her tunic was soiled, her hair and face splattered with blood  and she had a bruised scrape on her cheek from when she fell to the deck. Alphonse's heart went out to her, he would give anything to take her in his arms and give her comfort, there was something compelling about her that he couldn't control.  His face revealed his concern for her and his smile faded. "My Lady, are you alright?"  His heart sank when she nodded 'yes.'  Was he falling in love with her?  He fought against that thought, nodded back at her, cleared his throat nervously and said weakly. "Good. We are all here then?"

Teislyn was now tending to Shasa and Alphonse turned to them and remarked.  "Ah, our Bards have survived.  Well played friends, well played.  You sure confused our enemy with your craft.” He teased in an attempt to change the course of his thoughts.  "Maybe you can favor us with a tune of victory as we head home.  What say you?  A tune of mighty valor and glorious deeds?"  He motioned for the Bards to join the rest of the group near the helm as if he meant to engage them all in a group hug.  He grinned then suddenly changed his expression, "Dace, my dear...get us the hell out here with all haste...if you don't mind.  Before anything else leaps out at us."

  "Aaand it's getting more aaaaand more absuuurrd,"

The wizard burst into tears.

 "Iiiiiit's saaa-aaaad, so saaa-aaaad,"

The wizard dropped to his knees and curled up in a bulky bundle of misery. Shasa shifted to her human form and, without letting herself think about it, unsheathed her dagger and stabbed him through the heart. Pausing only to be certain that he was dead, she took her fox shape and ran after the Glider, ignoring the throbbing of her leg and tail.

It was still moving quite slowly, and judging by the trail of bodies, most of its pursuers seemed to have met their ends. Putting on a burst of speed, she flung herself forward, overtaking it slightly to claw her way up a tree and reach the highest branch just as the Glider passed overhead. Noticing a flash of green on the deck, she jumped forward, and was caught by the very familiar scaly length of her old friend. Winding tightly around her waist, the snake carefully pulled himself up to where he had coiled his tail around the Glider's railing. Lifting her over, he gently deposited her on the deck before settling beside her and reverting to his usual size, after which he smacked her sharply on her nose. "The next time this inky-pelted ignoramus pulls a stunt like this, Kiska will leave her baboon-like behind to rot." Shasa lifted the side of her lip in a grin. "I missed you too, scaleface. Did you get hurt?" Kiska snorted. "As if those pathetic creatures could damage Kiska. No, he simply bedazzled them with his scintillating hide until they exploded, unable to bear the sight of his magnificence." Another smack landed on Shasa's nose as she began to giggle. Rolling to her paws, she limped up to join her team at the front of the Glider, shaking her head at Alphonse's request for a song. She gave Teislyn an apologetic look, sorry to make the Bard sing on her own, but too tired to sing herself. Gingerly sitting down, she leant against the deck wall and sighed, closing her eyes. Maybe now she could get that nap... As she dozed off, she heard Kiska's voice saying, "Would the Lady Frieda be so kind as to assist Shasa? Kiska thinks her wound needs to be bandaged..."

With a malicious grin the mage launched herself forward towards the wizard with the green sash. Fireballs headed right for Aicha as she dashed forward but she did not flinch nor retreat. Aicha dodged the largest ball of the group by jumping to the right, causing three of the smaller ones to impact her left arm and shoulder. Fabric tore and flesh was lightly singed but the mage ignored the damage and headed forward. A jump to the left, slide to the right, leap forward, duck, bend over to the right - the mage continued forward amid the flurry of fire taking the occasional hit without grimace nor complaint.

As she at last made her way to a few feet away from her opponent, a series of large fireballs was launched. Aicha dodged the first, barely missed the second, and was scraped on the right side by the third as she jumped. As the mage landed, she looked up to see a forth fireball. There was no time nor room to dodge and the ball hit her square in the chest. The impact caused a large flash of light and wave of dust and the mage could have sworn she heard someone call her name.

The battle upfront seemed to halt as the wizard with the green sash grinned in triumph amid the cloud of dust. Suddenly, the wind picked up and cleared the mess away. The deck had been badly burned by the impact but the mage was still standing in the center. Her clothes were badly burnt, especially around the chest, and the ends of her hair were on fire but the glow on the mage's hands remained strong. Turning her head up with a vicious grin and still glowing eyes, she eyes the shocked wizard.

"My turn."

In a flash the mage was up in his face, an almost feral grin upon her face. The wizard raised his staff to block but Aicha's tail wound around it and pulled it down as the mage darted left and under. Grabbing the wizard around the middle from both sides with hr glowing hands, the mage chuckled. Leaning in to the wizard's face, she whispered a single word.

"Boom."

Connecting the spell in her hands through his body, the mage cackled as the magic literally tore the opponent's body to shreds in an instant. A geyser of blood covered part of the deck as the remaining wizards found themselves being pelted with a rain of bone, flesh, and blood. A hand with only two fingers left landed on one's face while another barely dodged what once had been a leg bone. With a squish part of some intestines landed near the mage's feet while a sole eyeball rolled down the deck, leaving a trail of blood behind it. Time almost seemed to stop.

The silence and shock was broken by giggles from the mage. Turning to the remaining wizards she gave a sadistic smile.

"Who's next?" She asked as her hands once again began to glow that sickly golden yellow.

Finally the air was clear of foes and Dace smiled seeing the outline of the Wayward Squirrel come in to view.  She managed to slide it into the docking bay and sighed with relief.  Even the sight of the blood drenched mage ripping her staff out of the magic conduit was welcome to her.

The team assembled on the deck and Frieda came up and gave her a squeeze.

"Nice flying Cousin.  Maybe when we get home, you'll take me fishing on your barge?  I would like that very much."

Dace nodded and smiled.  She'd like that too.

The Silver Legends all climb into a coach and are given a sheet of paper full of information to figure out the doppleganger. They look over the sheet quickly handing it off to each other.

Fresh starts getting nervous and stammers, "I don't think I know this one."

Lovecraft grins and starts digging in a bag for some chains, "I hope these didn't get messed with."

Witchy just sits back, thinking about the grand time she is going to have dancing with all the different folks at the court. Hoping to grab another handful of that lovely Frieda's oh so fluffy tail.

TerrenaAnimula looks over the sheet and just shakes her head, "I am coming up blank. Think I have it partly figured out, but that is about it."

"FOUND THEM!" Lovecraft yells as she starts pulling out some chains.

"Put those away," Gryffindor looks over at her. "I mean if you want. I figured it out." Hands the group a sheet of paper with answers scribbled on them.

"You are AMAZING!" Fresh exclaims grabbing Gryffindor in a tight squeeze.

Putting the chains away, Lovecraft admits, "You know glad we grabbed you up and brought you along."

"More like kidnapped her," TerrenaAnimula reminds them.

"I'm really glad," Fresh smiles. "I get cake AND I haven't been chained up once." He pauses then sings, "I try to break the chains but the chains only break me. Baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong.. baby tell me why, why you do, do me wrong.."

Lovecraft covers her ears. "NO! NO NICK JONAS!" As she tries to cover her ears the rest of the Legends start singing the song as they head towards the Seelie Court for a night of drink, food and dancing.

As they get out of the carriage, Witchy spots a familiar tail swishing inside the door ahead of them. "Another shot to grab Frieda's tail," she grins with delight. "Wishful thinking does come true."

TerrenaAnimula grabs Witchy by the arm, "Remember best behavior."

"That's not any fun," Witchy huffs and pulls out her pipe and lights it up.

"Lets get inside," Fresh says. "We don't want to be early, but we are becoming fashionably late." He starts to push them into the ball. They are amazed by the beauty and wonder around them.

"I don't think I would have ever had a chance to see any of this," Gryffindor says eyes becoming huge, "If you all hadn't kidnapped me off the street. This is beautiful."

"You can find me over by the drinks," Lovecraft says and heads off towards the nearest bar.

"I don't think that is going to turn out good," TerrenaAnimula says to Fresh.

"Better she drink," he says smiling, "Then she tries to kill everyone for looking at her. Lets mingle."

After a few hours of partying and meeting many wonderful people, they find themselves in negotiation with Reaper about marrying Lovecraft and how it would be a bad outcome for all parties involved. Both Lovecraft and she seem highly intoxicated and not sure what they both agreed upon. After delicately explaining that it would be a bad idea, Reaper seems to understand and drop the idea, but they were gong to have to keep an eye on her in case she tries something. But they were pretty sure Lovecraft would push her off a cliff first chance she had so not much concern was given. At least when she sobered up.

"I thought, Witchy was going to be the problem at this party," Fresh says absently.

TerrenaAnimula whispers so Lovecraft can't over hear, "I think she misses Tea_Roll and this is her way of dealing with it."

"I miss TEA!" Witchy cries out and bursts into tears. "This party would have been so much better if it was a TEA PARTY!"

The next morning, feeling slightly haggard and worse for wear the Legends assemble to start off on the next leg of the journey. They open the door to leave and encounter what seems like an army of enemies awaiting them.

"NO!" Lovecraft shouts holding her head. "I have a headache! This isn't the time or place for them. Be gone!" She makes a shooing motion towards them.

"New fighting tactic?" Fresh looks at her puzzled.

"Oh Poop Scooper!" says Witchy, "Where'd all those bad guys come from? I don't think I have enough Rainbow for everyone."

The Silver Legends jump into their Legend Special Vehicle to take off and go thru the bad guys.

Witchy starts digging through her pack, "We need a shield! Where's my compact! I KNEW we should have stuck that boat motor on the balloon! Do I have my shit kicken' boots in here" and she sticks her head further into her bag.

Desperately looking for her compact, so that she could put up a reflective shield to protect the Legends, Witchy starts throwing things out of her bag... A handful of birdwing and copper went first, flying into the group of Death Gliders. Beetle Juice and a Crystal shard and a lotus petal was next...

"OH MY GLORY!" yells Witchy, "I Can't Find ANYTHING in my bag!" and with that, she threw a Moonstone at the Death Gliders, and screamed at them..."JUST GO TO SLEEP DAMN IT!"

A HUGE explosion hit the Legends, as the moonstone seem to go through the vapor cloud of all she had thrown before.

As the Legends peek over the side of the vehicle, TerrenaAnimula says, "uh, Witchy? Did you run out of Rainbow? You seem a little tense..."

"That hasn't helped with anything," Lovecraft looking at Witchy with more annoyance then normal. "The enemies are still out there."

"I need some help here guys," Gryffindor yells from the wheel of the Legends Special. "I see some trees up ahead and I don't think we are going to fit thru them with the balloons!"

"I can handle that," Fresh says and quickly goes about getting the balloons deflated so they are closer to the ground.

"I KNEW wheels and a sail would come in handy," Witchy says proudly and takes a puff of smoke. "What was I doing before?"

"Figuring out a way to clear our path," TerrenaAnimula reminds her.

Lovecraft is simply staring out at the hoards of enemies and suddenly her eyes widen. No it couldn't be. She closes her eyes and opens them again. "OH HELL!" she blurts out.

"What is it now?" Fresh says thinking she is about to blow a gasket.

"Please tell me that isn't Tea_Roll out there running thru the Skeletons?" Lovecraft replies shaking her head.

Fresh, Terrena and Witchy quickly stare out in the direction she motioned in. Gryffindor doing her best to steer the vehicle without colliding with any trees or gliders coming towards her.

"YES!" Witchy yells delighted, "THAT IS MY TEA!!!" She starts to wave her arms around hoping to get Tea's attention.

Tea looks up and grins. Then yells, "They may take our lives but they will never take our freedom!!!!!" With that she raises her arm and throws what looks like a bottle with a flame behind her into the army of skeletons. A huge cloud starts to rise and seems to melt the skeletons away.

"That way!" Fresh yells to Gryffidor. "Steer the special into the cleared path and drive like hell!"

With that Gryffidor makes a fast turn and aims towards the hole created in the line of Skeletons. "I have the need...the need for speed!" She yells as she presses her foot to the floor. The rest of the Legends fall back and land on the ground in a pile. Witchy just starts laughing. Once thru to the other side, they get up and look back.

"Anyone see my Tea?" Witchy asks. "We need to get her!"

TerrenaAnimula points out to the distance. "There she is...and is that..." she squints her eyes to try to see clearer. "Habeebi? Does he have her in cuffs?"

"About time he recaught her!" Lovecraft says then mumbbles, "Even tho she kinda helped here."

"I wonder what she threw?" Fresh asks watching as Habeebi drags Tea_Roll away.

Witchy takes a puff on her pipe, "She will escape again."

"I think the Legends Special took on some damage," Gryffindor says. "She seems like she can still go, but Witchy we are probably going to use more of your power."

"Lets just get going," Lovecraft says. "These things may regroup. And my hangover still isn't any better. By the way," she looks around at them and holds up her one hand, "When did I get a ring put on my finger?"

There eyes just get big and laugh. Secretly hoping that they had stopped something stupid the night before.