WS4--Beyond the Borders--Chapter 11--Epilogue
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Resolutions and Portents
At last, all is quiet.
"Too quiet," comments Junu to the night air, and is more amused than surprised to hear Klytie answer him.
"I know," she agrees. "I know we've discussed it all until we can't anymore, but still...they've all gone now."
He nods. Behind them, the Wayward Squirrel is peaceful in the light of the full moon. The Protectors have departed until they are summoned again.
"We've been over and over it, but it was just too simple. Chiasa's a blocker, true, a so the shamaness was wise to vacant, but that hardly explains the absence of everything but the Gwishin. Every gate just opened, and we just walked in."
Klytie smiles, remembering her first sight of the exquisite raven haired woman with a small rabbit curled at her feet. Chiasa's eyes had gone wide, first with fear of the intruders on her solitude and then overwhelming joy at seeing her beloved brother.
The faerie's eyes misted again at the two and then the three of them embracing and crying in pure happiness. Chiasa was doing well, too, making up for lost time and learning all she could. She had a steady stream of nobles from the Sidhe vying to help her, along with every male over ten in the small crossroads village. The Crystanians loved her as well, and wanted her and Junu to return there with Tanaka.
However, she liked to spend a good deal of time with Thorson, perhaps because she had no magic, and alchemy was a type of magic in itself, or perhaps it was Thorson himself and that wonderful cat.
"Too many loose ends." Junu broke into her thoughts. "I should be feeling safe and relaxed. I do feel safe, but still there a prickling down my spine."
Klytie nodded. "Yes, mine too."
And that was when they both heard the rustling in the brush.
In the garden behind the inn, Larianne walked happily with Lappy, both so content to be home with the smell of the summer flowers and the lingering aromas of the farewell feast.
She looked at the full moon and smiled.
"It's good to be home, Lappy."
"It is indeed, my mistress."
"All kinds of home," a deep voice behind her reminded. Tanaka dropped both hands onto her shoulders lightly and put her cheek next to hers. "It meant a lot that you came for me, Girlie."
Larianne felt her cheeks flush, but didn't pull away. "Well, you did, after all, save Lappy."
"Oh, I'm just a prince," he teased. "Only too glad to oblige. Right now, I'm doing a favor for Uncle Hiro and fulfilling a request you gave him."
"I did? But I didn't ask him for any...OH!" Lari remembers, and starts to pull away, but it's too late.
Tanaka spins her around, lifts her half off her feet and covers her mouth with his. Lappy yips with pleasure.
Sometimes, like a great water coaster ride, it's best if you just close your eyes and go with it.
Yes, she tells herself, just kiss me once and I'll know.
And she does.
Outside, the rustling increases until a creature emerges, covered in flowers and branches for camouflage. It is a small wolf, who comes to bow before Junu.
"It's a Bamneuk," he tells Klytie, "a Nightwolf."
"Is that something like a Werewolf? Under a full moon, they...."
She doesn't need to finish her question. As the moon's rays strike the bowing animal, it twists and turns until it transforms:
"Degun," the lovely figure addresses Junu with great respect. "The Bamneuk are pleased you live and that we could find you. The loyal creatures of Sinhae are on the move, heading into a strange land called Falkor, where we may join our cousins in the great conflict that is soon to come.
"May I speak freely, Degun? I have much to tell you!"
Junu inclines his hear slightly and motions toward the inn. The Bamneuk follows he and Klytie into the warmth of the Squirrel.
Whatever lies ahead, they will all face it together.
To be continued...
pulls up her lawn chair and case of wine Im resting now.
:
Organized Chaos Epilogue
Frieda emerged from the baths fairly dragging Doom with her, "Doom honey, you must be considerate of the others, I'm sure we aren't the last to clean up, somebody else might want a bath." She pulled the honey badger's towel from the rack and began to dry her companion's thick fur. "I must admit, you were a mess, I don't know if you will ever be...." Frieda stopped, bit her lip, looked deep into Doom's obsidian-colored eyes for a moment before she threw herself around Doom's neck and burst into uncontrollable sobbing.
It was an hour later when Dace and Buttercup entered the bath looking for Frieda and found both friends asleep on the floor, Doom was curled up around Frieda's body in a protective posture. Her ears perked up at Dace's approach and she put her paw on Frieda's middle and raised her head. "Easy Little One, I'm here to check on Frieda." Dace knelt and felt for her cousin's pulse. "There, there Doom, she's going to be OK." Dace stroked Doom's forehead and scratched her ears. "We need to get you two dried off and into bed. You're exhausted." She said as Frieda's eyes blinked open.
Frieda sat up quickly and surveyed her surroundings and blinked a few more times, "This might be true cousin, I may indeed be exhausted, or perhaps it's just the final stages of the battle." Frieda stood with a little help and grabbed her towel. "I imagine now that the storm has passed and that clear skies are in our future." She toweled off her rump and tail and tossed the towel back onto the rack. "It will be good to be back at home with my Weldon and my Aya, but now is the time for celebrating, I will not sleep that reward away." She flicked her tail. "Come, help me choose something to wear. I got two new kimonos as part of my reward and I'm having trouble deciding which one is the prettiest."
Despite her protests, Dace wasn't able to convince Frieda to go to bed. She knew that she had suffered terribly in the battle with the spirits and the black demon. She was barely alive when the conflict was over, her energy completely expended. But Frieda wouldn't hear of going to bed, her little impromptu bathmat nap was sufficient for the time being. Perhaps if she overindulged at the dinner this evening, she might consider going to bed early. For the time being, she wanted to celebrate with her friends and the other protectors and she planned to attend in full regalia. She had a new kimono in her treasure that she wanted to show off and this evening was perfect for it's debut. Dace just shook her head and smiled at her. Stubborn? Yes. Willful? Her most enduring quality. Saucy and cute? In that kimono, she was going to break hearts. Lucky Weldon.
Appropriately ribboned, perfumed, bedecked in her new kimono, Frieda emerged with Doom, Dace and Buttercup and entered the Great Room of the Wayward Squirrel. Tonight was the night that Frieda was going to try Whiskey for the first time, she was a big weasel-girl and she had earned it. She approached the bar, tossed up a silk purse of gold coin and batted her eyes. "If you would be so kind as to keep the , espcially that one over there, Ms. , properly lubricated with whatever wine she wants, I would greatly appreciate it Oh, and cake...they like to dip their cake in their wine. Also, I'm paying for all drinks for the Organized Chaos. If you need more, let me know. As for me, I would like to try some whiskey please. Could you bring a bottle of your finest Irish Whiskey over to my table please? I'll start with that. Perhaps later I'll try a bottle of Scotch, then a bottle of Canadian, and then a bottle of Kentucky Bourbon followed by some Tennessee, then some....." Her attention was drawn to the crowd that had gathered around a knot of bards who had just finished tuning up their instruments and had struck the chords of a lively jig. She found Kronus of the Travelers (), grabbed his hand and hauled him to the dance floor. She gathered her skirts, bowed to the Ranger and kicked up her heels.
Thanks for the fun and the presents. I look forward to WWS5 next year. Thanks again to the Organized Chaos members; Ichigo777, Hollis, Glitter, Scorpio and Dannygyrrl for being an awesome team, I am really proud of all of you and of your performance and I look forward to working with you again in the future.
My prizes, the two kimonos and the background.
My recent custom purchase from Rowan is the extremely cute wig...it is so Freddie....
