[Mkguild] Two for the Price of One. Part 1 of 4

[Kamau]

Two for the price of One

Even though Rorlyn had visited here many times he continued to be amazed 
at the variety of creatures that walked the street.  As he looked up 
from his wagon he could see a bear and goat morph busily engaged in 
bartering while in the shop across the way a badger argued with a cat 
over the price of some herbs.

"Oh that's not going well," he mumbled while he listened in on the 
conversation. "If that badger isn't careful he'll end up paying twice 
what that's really worth."

He finished tying down the last of his goods and stepped out from behind 
the wagon.  An antelope morph leaped clear across the street nearly 
toppling into a sheep.

"Watch where you're going!" the angry Keeper called out. "You could 
scare a person to death doing that."

"Doing what, walking to my wagon?" Rorlyn responded. "I think you had 
best get control of your instincts before they get the better of you."

The anger blazed in the ruminant's eyes but Rorlyn only smiled.  The 
anger vanished from the antelope's expression as quickly as a candle's 
flame in a strong wind.  He spun about and darted down the street as 
fast as his hooves could carry him.

"That wasn't very nice," a voice said to Rorlyn's side. "The curse only 
claimed him a couple months ago and he's been having a hard time 
overcoming his animal nature."

Turning to see where the voice came from he saw the bear that had been 
bartering with the goat a few moments before.

"I suppose not," he replied moving forward and checking his horse's 
harness. "Maybe I need to practice not smiling so broadly."

"It wouldn't be amiss," the bear told him as Rorlyn mounted his wagon. 
"Besides we don't see many lions in the Keep.  Were you recently cursed 
as well?"

The leonine merchant shook his head and picked up the reigns.

"No I've been this way for some time," he said looking down at the brown 
furred Keeper. "But I kept to myself in the beginning."

"Perhaps that's why I haven't seen you before," the Ursus replied eyeing 
the feline.

"Perhaps," the lion said with a shrug. "Excuse me but I've got to be on 
my way."

With that he gently urged his horse into motion and moments later was 
heading for the main gate.  Rorlyn reflected on what he had done and 
counseled himself that in the future he should use a bit more 
restraint.  After all unlike himself the Keepers all struggled with 
their animal side and it wasn't fair to taunt them.  Still it was great 
sport using this form in that way.

As he moved past Euper he reflected on how successful this trip had 
been.  Once he reached Midtown he would reap a sizeable sum of money for 
his efforts over the last ten days.  This was his longest stay yet in 
the keep and both his plan and his spell were working perfectly.  
Perhaps it was time to stay longer but how would he transport the 
additional goods?  If he involved others in his business his secret 
would likely be discovered.  If he got a larger wagon it would require 
more horses and it had taken forever to find even one that didn't spook 
at the sight of him.

Several hours later he cleared the south end of the valley and he pulled 
off onto a small trail.  Once he was out of sight of the road he 
carefully check the area using all his feline senses.  It was one of the 
great advantages of this body.  He could smell and hear most anything 
that was a threat well before they would see him.  Satisfied that he was 
alone he stepped off the wagon and began reciting words from a long dead 
language as he moved his hands through a series of gestures.  Shortly he 
felt the tingle that told him the spell was unraveling.  He could feel 
his limbs start to alter, an occasional twinge of discomfort 
accompanying their change.  His robes seemed to grow but he knew the 
truth was his body was shrinking back to its human size.  Moments later 
he was back to his true form.  Reaching under the seat he drew out a 
robe better suited for his human frame and changed into it.

As he stepped back into the wagon he became aware that his warding spell 
had been tripped.  Tapping a flat medallion on his chest he flicked the 
reigns and began down the trail that he knew would soon join the main 
road.  Rorlyn heard more then saw the arrow that struck him.  Letting 
out a cry he doubled over and fell across the seat.  From an outcropping 
of rocks ahead a small green figure emerged and began running toward the 
horse.  Seeing the man prostrate across the seat he shouldered his bow 
and drew a bronze sword that hung at his side.  Grinning the Lutin ran 
up the road but his expression changed to one of shock as Rorlyn stood 
up, the shattered remains of the arrow falling from his lap.  With a cry 
of anger the archer raised his sword and charged.

"Pyrosphero crematius," Rorlyn shouted, extending his hand toward his 
attacker.

The five marble sized spheres that shot from his fingers flew faster 
than an arrow at the Lutin, their red and orange hue glowing like the 
sun.  The spheres flew past him and the archer counted himself lucky his 
victim had such poor aim.  His luck was not what he believed however as 
the spheres reappeared, circling about from the other side now trailing 
tails of fire.  He screamed in pain as he slid to a stop passing through 
their burning trail but this was only the beginning.  The balls of fire 
continued their circuit about him, moving ever more rapidly until the 
tails formed a fiery net about the mage's attacker.  Moments later they 
joined into a solid sphere and began to shrink inward.  A single scream 
echoed forth and then fell silent as the burning globe dwindled to the 
size of a man's fist and vanished.  Upon the road, where the Lutin had 
stood, was a darkened circle and a streak of molten bronze but nothing else.

With a sigh Rorlyn brushed the remnants of the arrow from the wagon and 
took up the reigns to resume his course south.  Joining the main road he 
continued on until he reached the inn that he had now made his standard 
stop for the night.  Once inside he warned them of the Lutin threat he 
had encountered so that they might be on their guard and send word to 
the Keep.  By the next afternoon he was at Midtown and made quick work 
of converting his goods into cash.

After a good meal and a night's rest he began to seek out what he would 
need for his next journey to the Keep.  Most of the caravans that made 
the same trip would stay many days beyond the valley before returning 
for fear of the curse.  In his conversations with the Keepers he had 
learned that there was no need to delay that long.  While he was 
becoming a very wealthy man, he was tired by the frequency of his 
travels through the valley and this trip's encounter with the Lutin 
underscored the danger each trip brought.  

For some time he had considered whether he should buy a house and some 
land in Midtown.  Certainly he had the money to do so and perhaps he 
could return to the full time practice of magic, his true love.  The 
problem was that he was not even a journeyman as this was something his 
Master had said would have to wait until after he returned from his 
business to the south.  Without that status he would never be able to 
practice freely.  For now he had to continue to play the part of a 
merchant and hope his Master would still return.

To do this successfully and reduce his number of trips what he needed 
was a larger wagon.  This also meant a new team of horses and a team 
that would not spook when he was in his lion form.  That night he 
started awake, the answer as plain as day.  The Keep had many good draft 
horses that were use to the varied forms found there.  And while they 
did not trade such beasts readily with visitors, to another Keeper he 
was sure they would sell a team.

Early the next morning he loaded the carefully selected goods he 
intended to trade and began for Metamor once again.  Ever since the 
Winter Assault the Keepers had become more cautious about mentioning 
certain needs they had.  In his lion form they assumed him to be one of 
their own and freely admitted to him what they lacked.  This gave him an 
edge over the other merchants and greatly increased his profits.  
Inwardly he complimented himself on his skill at knowing exactly what 
the Keep needed and on the spell that gave him the edge in both buying 
and selling.

"You young fool," one of the teamsters chided him as he left. "You can't 
have been out of the valley more than two days."

"What of it," the youthful mage-merchant shouted back. "Are you jealous 
that I'm making profits while you dawdle here for days?"

"What good will your profits be when the curse takes you?" the man 
shouted as Rorlyn passed out of the inn's yard.

"What a fool," the young man mused, now urging his horse a bit more. 
"Not only does the time protect me but being magically transformed into 
a lion makes it such that the curse can not take me."

In two days he reentered the Keep having resumed his leonine appearance 
as he entered the valley.  For the next few days he bartered with the 
various Keep merchants all the while keeping an eye and ear open for 
where he might find the horses he desired.  After he had completed his 
business he set about in earnest to find himself a team.  He had learned 
that the best horses were found in Euper just below the Keep.  He was 
told to seek out a man by the name of Howles.  Early the next day he 
made his way to the place where the horse trader kept his herd.  As he 
approached he saw a donkey Keeper brushing down a fine mare.

"Good day," Rorlyn called out while still at a distance.

"Greetings," the equine Keeper replied. "How can I help you today?"

"I'm looking for a man named Howles," the lion told him. "I'm in need of 
a good pair of draft horses."

"Well you've come to the right place," he answered, motioning to the 
feline to come nearer. "You will find no finer horses in all the Metamor 
valley."

"If this is any example I would certainly believe it," the maned cat 
said examining the mare.

"Aye, she's a beauty," the donkey admitted finishing with one final 
sweep of the brush. "You'll find all my animals are of the highest 
quality be they mounts or draft."

"You're Howles then?" Rorlyn asked, surprised that an equine Keeper 
would trade in horses.

"Indeed I am," he replied. "Now what manner of wagon do you intend for 
them to pull?"

"Very near the one that sets there," the young merchant answered 
gesturing to a wagon across the way. "Perhaps a bit smaller but not 
greatly so."

"Ah, you are in luck as I've just acquired a new team that would be well 
suited to such," Howles told him.

"When can I see them?" the feline asked, pleased this was going so quickly.

"They are not here as yet," the donkey morph explained. "They are coming 
from the north and should be here in a few days."

"Are these as fine as the mare here?"

"Did I not tell you all my horses are?" the horse trader replied. "They 
are as fine a team of Shires as you can come by.  A well matched pair, 
docile and many good years left in them."

"And what might you be asking for such a team?" Rorlyn asked getting to 
the meat of the matter.

"You are quick about this business," remarked the donkey. "Each is worth 
forty five Garrets but I'll let the pair go for eighty five."

For a moment Rorlyn remained silent as if considering the offer, however 
the barter spell he had devised long ago had already revealed that this 
was far too high.

"They would have to be a powerful team to deserve that price," the lion 
morph answered. "As I've been told a good team can be had for sixty five."

"Hah, a broken down farm team, perhaps," Howles told him almost 
laughing. "But you appear an honest man, I'll take another five off the 
price."

"Oh I doubt that the man I spoke with had a farm animal in mind," Rorlyn 
countered. "Still I know he does exaggerate at times thus I shall offer 
you sixty eight Garrets for them."

"That's a good ten Garrets below their worth," Howles said with a frown. 
"I am in the business of selling horses not giving them away sir."

Rorlyn knew the man could still give but he dared not push too greatly 
as he needed these animals.

"Very well, if they are as good as you say I shall offer you seventy," 
he offered the donkey.

The Keeper's ears fell back and his brow furled at the offer.  He held 
firm for a moment and then his continence reformed closer to his former 
appearance.

"Seventy two and not a bronze less," he stated flatly.

"Done," the lion said content that he was near as honest a price as he 
dared get.

"You drive a hard bargain for a man I judge not to be familiar with 
horses sir," Howles told him.

"Perhaps but this deal is not done until I look upon them myself," he 
said. "When shall I be able to view them?"

"If all goes well they should be here by the end of the week," the 
Keeper told him. "I'll send word to you as soon as they're in and 
properly groomed."

Rorlyn did some quick math and realized that this could make it nearly a 
fortnight he would be in the valley.  He had confidence in his spell for 
he knew of others that had been cursed in less time then he had spent in 
the valley before.  This did not prevent him from feeling uneasy about it.

"Very well," he said hiding his concern. "Send word and I will come to 
inspect them."

Rorlyn spent the remainder of the day in the marketplace finding out 
what other goods the Keep seemed in need of so as better to equip 
himself for his next trip.

That evening, after taking his meal, the mage-merchant decided to engage 
in a game of cards with some of the other travelers at the inn.  All 
went well and as usual his discernment spell allowed him to take in a 
sizable amount of money.  Suddenly his luck turned bad not by way of the 
cards but by way of human nature.  One of the caravan leaders accused 
him of cheating after he lost a particularly large sum.

"Sir, you have very unusual luck this night," the man slurred under the 
effects of his ale. "and I for one believe it not as much luck as 
deception."

"I prefer to see it as skill my good sir," Rorlyn replied as the man 
began to stand.

"Skill," the teamster shouted drawing the attention of all in the room. 
"yes, but the skill of a cheat in hiding or marking the cards."

"My good man," the lion replied standing to his full height hoping to 
dissuade his accuser of any violence by his size alone. "There is no 
need for unpleasantries here."

"No?" the drunken traveler barked. "then explain why each king has a 
hole in the corner.  A hole easily made with a claw."

Rorlyn's eyes darted quickly to the cards still upon the table.  Indeed 
two of the visible kings did have small holes in their corners.

"Sir, it was not I who placed those holes," the feline replied with eyes 
fixed firmly on his accuser.

"Liar!" screamed the man, his hand reaching for his dagger.

Rorlyn raised a paw to his chest only to find his protective medallion 
was not about his neck.  Silently he cursed at having been so careless 
this night as to have left it in his room.  Still he was across the 
table from this man and he saw the inn keeper already en route to subdue 
his unruly patron.  This small comfort quickly faded however as the man 
flipped the blade over in his hand and prepared to throw it.

While his cat like reflexes might allow him to dodge the weapon the 
young mage was not willing to risk it.  Throwing his arm forward he 
formed a phrase 'Fortya sphaira' in his mind.  It was a very familiar 
spell taught to him on one of his early journeys with his master and 
well suited for this situation.

As Rorlyn's arm reached full extension he opened his hand and a small 
silvery sphere flashed across the table striking the man in the chest.  
The sound of ribs cracking filled the silence that had fallen on the 
room.  The man was lifted off his feet and flew over the nearby tables 
slamming into the wall.  As the inn keeper and others reached him the 
man was gasping for breath, blood running from his nose and ear.

"Quickly, a healer," someone shouted as the man began to spasm and his 
breath become more ragged.

"Gentlemen, if you would be so kind as to remain here," a deep voice 
said firmly from behind Rorlyn. "We will need to sort this out."

Turning about the lion saw a jackal standing only a short distance from him.

"Clearly you don't need all of us to stay," one of the others at the 
table replied. "This was between the lion and that man."

"No it was not," the jackal Keeper said moving to the table and 
examining the cards carefully. "Someone did indeed mark this deck and 
that act has resulted in the injury of that man.  If nothing else it has 
caused a disturbance of the peace and perhaps a higher crime."

"Who are you to command us in this way?" a man in a russet doublet demanded.

"I am known as George the patrol master," the doglike Keeper replied 
with a growl now present in his voice. "Now I suggest you all be seated 
until the watch arrives and we can get to the truth of this."

"Oh come," said a lanky fellow in a doe colored vest and fine shirt. 
"Surely you can't believe one of us marked those cards."

"Someone did," George said holding one up so all could clearly see the 
small hole in the opposite corner of the card.

Rorlyn, having recovered from his encounter began to mentally reach out 
as each man spoke trying to discern who was truthful and who was not.  
He knew well that he was innocent but the real culprit would have to be 
found to clear him.  Shortly the watch showed up and the group was taken 
into another part of the inn.  One by one they were taken into a room 
where they were questioned by the watch, Rorlyn being the first to be 
questioned.

"That was a powerful piece of mage craft," a short fat traveler said to 
him after the lion returned.

"Something my Master taught me while I was an apprentice," he replied 
honestly. "When your trade involves traveling it is good to know one or 
two spells to defend yourself."

"So you are not a mage?" a finely dressed gentleman asked.

"No, I have some aptitude for magic," he told the man not wishing to 
disclose his true abilities. "but not great enough for more than what 
you saw.  In truth I fear I used too much force in my ill handled casting."

In this Rorlyn was being overly truthful.  In his haste to release the 
spell he had been careless in the amount of force he applied to it.

"Yes," the lanky fellow agreed. "I dare say that even an armored man 
would not have withstood what you threw at him.  Still you did act in 
self defense."

Just then the watch called this man in and the fat little merchant returned.

"How did it go?" the traveler in the russet doublet asked.

"Well enough," he answered. "I doubt that we'll be free to go until they 
know who marked the cards however."

"Clearly only one of us has the tools to do such," the man who had asked 
replied eyeing the feline.

"Sir, as I told the fellow who challenged me I did not mark the cards," 
Rorlyn restated. "Besides the tools you speak of are not fit for such 
delicate work."

With that he held his leonine hand out palm up and spread his claws.  
Two of the men gasped at the massive weapons which the lion retracted 
after the short display

"But certainly those are sharp enough to pierce a card," the gentleman said.

"Sharp enough, yes," the mage answered. "but they would leave a much 
larger hole and one that was not uniform nor easily overlooked."

"How do you propose that the hole was made then?" the fat little fellow 
asked.

"I would say a concealed pin," Rorlyn stated flatly.

"Ah, and how would one do such as that?" the gentleman questioned in 
return. "Surely it would be noticed if one drew out a pin."

"Would it?" the lion asked. "Do you not use pins to keep your lace cuffs 
in good order?"

"Yes, there are pins there," the man of gentle birth admitted displaying 
the finery at his wrists. "But to draw them out would be too obvious and 
would loose the lace as well."

"Difficult but not impossible to do," stated the other who also wore a 
doublet. "As I have but plain cuffs I have need of no pins."

"Ah but you still would have the means of hiding them," noted the fat 
merchant whose shirt would offer little hiding place.

"Have you an items such as a pin on you?" asked the gentlemen examining 
the other man.

"Certainly not," he retorted. "my cuffs are simply tied and folded back."

Rorlyn noted that there was a falsehood in this statement that had not 
been present in the gentleman's reply regarding his pins.

"Oh the device would not need to be a pin," the feline mage stated 
hoping to press for even more of a reaction. "It would only need to be 
pin like."

"Are you accusing me of hiding something?" the man replied glaring at 
the cat. "What is to say the cards were not marked before the game?"

It did not take his spell to see that his question had gotten a warmer 
response then needed.  Indeed the lion could see the man stiffen at the 
suggestion.

"You are the only one of us who is of this place," the russet clad man 
now countered. "Perhaps you and the inn keeper conspired to cheat us of 
our money."

In his time as a merchant Rorlyn had become good at watching people's 
eyes and hands while negotiating with them.  He noted that this man not 
only kept is one hand hid under the other but seemed to glance uneasily 
to his hands now.  The lion was quite certain he had seen a ring on the 
hidden hand.

"A conspiracy then," the gentleman suggested. "It is a way that the task 
could be accomplished."

"Yes, you Keepers could be working together," the man pressed pointing 
at the lion and revealing his ring clad hand. "The inn keep marks the 
cards and you win the hands then divide the spoils."

Rorlyn could not deny being a Keeper without giving himself away but 
knew a counter that should turn the tables completely.

"Yes or a man with a sharp setting on their ring could pierce the cards 
as well," the lion countered.

To the lion's eye the man notably paled at this but he stood his ground.

"You will see that my ring is a simple band," he said with a firm but 
strained voice. "There is no stone or setting."

"Thus there would be no way to make the hole," the gentleman replied.

"Is that correct?" Rorlyn asked knowing that if the man answered in his 
current state he would give himself away to the lion's discernment spell.

"Of course that's correct," the fellow almost shouted but the spell told 
the feline of the falsehood. "how could a smooth single band do that?"

"Then you will not object to me examining it?" Rorlyn asked.

"I most certainly do," he snapped drawing his hand to his side.

"Then allow me to do so," George broke in, stepping forward from where 
he had been watching the exchange.

For a moment the man hesitated but then held out his hand for the jackal 
morph to examine.

"Please be kind enough to remove it," George said calmly holding out his 
hand.

Despite the man's best efforts his expression showed this was the final 
blow and he handed over the ring.  George rolled it over in his palm and 
then held it up to the light of a near by lantern.  Holding it between 
his fingers he ran a claw about the inside of the ring and a small 
sliver of metal slid out the side.

"A very nice piece of workmanship," the old bandit commented. "Too bad 
you won't have a use for it any longer."

But as he spoke these words the fellow darted for the open door at the 
end of the hall only to fall flat on his face as he passed the 
gentleman.  George grabbed the back of his doublet and yanked him to his 
feet.

"Nicely done sir," the patrol master said to the gentleman who was 
reseating his sword scabbard on his belt.

"Thank you," the gentleman replied with a smile. "From our youth we are 
taught how to keep a sword from entangling others.  Still there are 
times that training must be ignored."

The noise of the incident had brought the rest of the watch out into the 
hall and the jackal handed the fellow over to them to be taken to the 
jail.  As the others left George turned to Rorlyn.

"That was also a nice piece of magic you used," he commented. "Though a 
bit stronger than needed."

"As I told the others I am a much better merchant then a mage," the lion 
replied.

"On the contrary," the jackal continued. "I've seen many spells in my 
life and that was not the work of an amateur.  It was far too compact 
and controlled.  I know most of the mages in the Keep, how is it that I 
don't know your name?"

Rorlyn's tail twitched in discomfort at the question and pondered how 
best to respond.

"I don't know," he finally answered. "I tend to keep a very low 
profile.  Perhaps that's why."

"When was your last time out on patrol?" he asked the feline.

"I don't recall," the mage answered fearing what might be coming next.

"Then it's been too long," the patrol master said. "I want you at the 
gates before they open tomorrow.  Bring supplies and equipment for a 
week's duty."

"But I'm not a mage!" Rorlyn stammered.

"No buts about it," George said sternly. "I need a mage for a patrol 
starting tomorrow and as a Keeper it's your duty to be part of that patrol."

"I have a business appointment in just a few days," the lion objected.

"Send word to them that you've been called up," the jackal replied 
walking away. "Be at the gate before sunrise or I'll be forced to do 
some lion hunting."

Rorlyn stood there too stunned to object further.  This was the last 
thing he needed on this trip.  As he walked into the common room the inn 
keeper motioned him to the bar.

"Here are your coins from the game," he said placing a sizable pile of 
golds, silvers and bronze before him. "I assure you all that you won is 
there."

"Thank you," Rorlyn said with drooping whiskers as he picked up the coins.

"For someone who just avoided going to jail and pocketed a goodly sum of 
money you don't seem very happy," the big man commented.

"I just found out I've got to go out on a week's patrol starting 
tomorrow," the lion said, his ears joining his whiskers in displaying 
his dismay.

"I see," the inn keeper replied. "That's a bit more then the average 
patrol.  How did you draw that?"

"I don't know," Rorlyn sighed.

"Have you been mostly on short ones before?" the man asked picking up a 
tankard and wiping the bar.

"I've never even been on one before," the lion morph growled as his 
frustration got the better of him.

"What?  Never been on patrol," the inn keeper gasped unable to restrain 
his surprise. "I thought you had been cursed for some time."

"Be that as it may," Rorlyn said having recovered enough of his wit not 
to admit his lie. "I've never put in any military service outside the 
walls.  For that matter I don't even know what to bring with me."

"Never beyond the walls you say?" the great bearded man replied. "Well, 
I've had my share of both standing a watch and longer patrols so I can 
help you there.  First you'll need something much less fine then what 
you're currently wearing."

"That I can manage," the feline answered the man thinking of his travel 
clothing.

"You'll also need a pack, bedroll, a good knife and sword," he 
continued. "For you food stuffs shouldn't be a problem as some good 
jerky will serve."

"Where in the Keep can I pick all of that up before dawn?" Rorlyn exclaimed.

"Other then the sword and knife I can provide you with most of it," the 
inn keeper told him. "Stop by here tomorrow before you leave and I'll 
have what you need waiting."

"But I have to be at the gate before dawn," the lion morph told him.

"Darion will be here overseeing breakfast long before that," the large 
man explained. "He'll see to it that it's waiting for you."

"Very well," Rorlyn replied, his tail drooped in dismay. "Thank you."

With that he turned and retired to his room and his bed.

The next morning the lion was awakened by a pounding on his door and a 
young voice calling out.

"Just a moment," the feline said throwing back the covers.

"Master Rorlyn," the youthful voice called back. "I've all your supplies 
but you'll need to hurry to reach the gate before the dawn."

Glancing at his window the merchant saw that the sky was already 
lightening.  Quickly throwing on his travel tunic he belted his knife 
about his waist and opened the door.  There stood the lad he knew was 
the inn keeper's husband.  Though now a lad of only twelve he held out a 
good size pack with a blanket tied beneath.

"Jami said you would need this," he explained. "There's enough jerky for 
a week as well as a few other things that might come in handy."

"Thank you," the lion said tossing the lad several coins. "I hope that 
will cover the cost."

"And somewhat more," the lad added. "We'll see that the over payment is 
credited to your room bill."

Shouldering the pack the feline darted out the door and down to the 
gate.  To his surprise he did not see the jackal from the previous night 
there but a large horned goat stepped forward as he approached.

"You're late," he gruffly said to the feline mage. "And where is your 
weapon."

"I don't have one," Rorlyn answered somewhat out of breath.

"He's our mage," a cat said. "perhaps he doesn't carry one."

"Everyone carries a weapon in my squad," the goat snapped and stepped 
into the tower next to them.

Moments later a staff came flying out the door which the lion by pure 
reflex caught.  Stomping out of the door the goat commander gave the 
lion an angry stare.

"You'll carry a staff," he said pointing a hoof like finger at him. "I 
hope you know how to use it."

Rorlyn opened his mouth to reply but the goat was already starting to 
address the rest of the group.  Besides the goat and the cat the party 
consisted of a rabbit, small bear, a vixen, deer, a boy of about twelve 
and a woman armed with a bow and two swords.

"We're going out to the north," the goat began. "We've had reports of 
several bands of Lutins between the signal tower and the Giant Dike.  
Lord Avery will handle those to the west so our mission is to head east 
toward the area between Mycransburg and the Haunted woods."

"Wade, any word on how many we're likely to face?" the deer asked.

"Best the scouts can give us is the bands range between ten and thirty 
each," the goat replied. "George said that they may have a total 
strength of just under two hundred."

"Wade, I don't mind a target rich environment," the woman commented. 
"but that's more then one patrol should be handling.  Will we have 
reinforcements?"

"If they were together I'd agree, but they're not," the horned Keeper 
told her. "It looks more like several groups who got the same idea at 
the same time rather then an organized company."

"So we pick the bands off one at a time," the bear said running his paw 
over his ax.

"That's the plan Ed," the commander answered. "They should all be small 
chewable bites in our teeth.  Any other questions before we leave?"

"Who's the fuzzy feline over here?" the rabbit asked rubbing his scarred 
ear.

"This is Rorlyn," the goat replied. "George assigned him as our mage for 
this patrol."

"I don't recall seeing him on any patrols before," the vixen said eyeing 
the lion up and down. "Is he a combat mage?"

Rorlyn felt all eyes of the patrol fall firmly on him and he wondered if 
he should cling to his story of being a merchant and knowing only some 
simple spells or admitting to being a mage.

"No but George assigned him to us," Wade told the fox. "and seeing there 
are no other mages available just now he's all we got.  So like it or 
not Maggie he goes with us."

The vixen let out a low growl as she continued to study the feline.  
Rorlyn felt as if she'd bore through to his very soul with the intensity 
of her stare.

"Why do we need a mage anyway?" the rabbit asked, his gaze as strong as 
the vixen's

"Because I don't want to risk you losing your other ear Cal," the goat 
replied sternly. "There have also been at least two humans traveling 
with the bands.  George is concerned that one or both might be a mage."

At this response Rorlyn's ears went fully erect and his whiskers flashed 
stiffly forward.

"That worries you mage?" Maggie asked sharply.

"Ah, yes, a bit," the lion stammered, his tail twitching nervously.

"Wade, you can't be serious about taking him with us?" Cal rumbled. 
"Look at him.  He's a mess."

"He goes with you," a voice boomed from the gatehouse. "And if I don't 
hear feet heading for the gate rather then talk I'll personally help you 
there."

"Yes sir," the goat replied at the sound of George's voice. "We're on 
our way."

The goat spun on his hooves and gave the rabbit a stern look then eyeing 
the others shouted.

"Now people, move it!"

If they had moved any faster the group would have run out of the gate.  
Rorlyn wasn't sure if he should be thankful or sorry that George had 
ordered and end to the discussion.  Had the others got their way he 
might have been spared having to go but then he would have had to face 
George all the same.

The patrol headed north in the pre dawn light setting a good pace even 
after they were out of view of the Keep.  While on the road the others 
chatted among themselves while Rorlyn kept thinking about the 
possibility of doing battle with another mage.  His master had taught 
him certain fundamentals about such combat but he'd never had to fight 
someone skilled in the art.

"Mage!" someone shouted breaking him out of his reflection. "What types 
of spell are you proficient at?"

"Fire," he replied trying to find the speaker.

"Great, so we got a candle lighter," Cal quipped. "Anything else?"

"Sure he can make wick lights so they can find us at night," Maggie 
chimed in.

"Say maybe he can make his coat green like Pascal," Ed added.

"All right you two, that's enough," Wade ordered as they moved up the 
road. "Rorlyn, what type of fire spells do you have?"

"Several different ones," the lion replied trying to keep his voice firm 
and confident. "Most are targeted but a couple are area spells."

"Anything else besides fire?" the goat commander continued.

"Light," he started but was cut off.

"See, just what a patrol needs," Maggie laughed.

Suddenly a pearl size sphere darted in front of her muzzle.  She was 
about to swat it away when it grew larger than a watermelon.  In an 
instant it flooded the entire company in blinding white light forcing 
them to stop.

"A bit more then a wick light wouldn't you say," Rorlyn growled snapping 
the sphere out of existence. "I dare say you'd have a bit of trouble 
fighting with one of those in your face."

"Really," the rabbit said lowering his glave and charging the feline. 
"Not everyone is unfamiliar with such tricks."

The lion had had more then enough of the taunting and the lupine's 
threat now only strengthened his resolve to show his skill.  He thrust 
his fist forward and as his arm reached full extension he snapped his 
fingers open crying out.

"Scield energeyc"

A white disk erupted from his palm and moved toward the charging lapin.  
Cal closed one eye, preparing for another blinding light but instead the 
disk expanded into thousands of jagged flashing fingers radiating from a 
central point.  As soon as the first finger touched the weapon's tip it 
raced down the shaft and onto the rabbit's arm.  Cal let out one long 
agonizing scream and fell to the ground, his entire body twitching 
uncontrollably.

"Cal!" Sam cried out as she stumbled to his side.

But as soon as she touched the Keeper she was flung away from him.

"Rorlyn, Enough!" Wade called out. "Release them."

"There is nothing to release," the lion said calmly. "It shall pass in a 
moment."

"What did you do to him?" Ed asked stepping near to the still trembling 
hare but not touching his body.

"Far less then I could have," the mage replied in smooth even tones.

"Answer the question," the goat commander ordered as he helped the deer 
to her feet.

"A small taste of lightening is all," Rorlyn answered as the thrill of 
battle wore off and he began to feel the cost of his spell. "A mere 
fraction of what a weather mage could produce but still potent."

"But, but why was I shocked?" Sam asked, her cervine legs still trembling.

"The charge had yet to dissipate when you touched him," he explained 
moving to the rabbit's side and setting him up. "As you can see he is 
safe now."

"Safe but look at him," Wade scolded, watching the hare's head hang 
limply on his chest his eyes fluttering open. "I doubt if he can take 
another step."

"Perhaps he should have considered that before he attacked me," the 
feline replied.

"And perhaps you should have considered the results before you cast your 
spell," rebuked the long horned goat Keeper. "Maggie, steady Cal.  
Rorlyn, drop your pack."

As the vulpine took over supporting the injured man Rorlyn stood up and 
dropped his pack beside him.  Immediately Wade grabbed the pack and 
untied the lower ends of the straps, placing it against the lion's chest.

"Hold it there," the commander ordered.

He then threw the first strap over the lion's shoulder and then the 
other. Crossing them behind the feline's back so that the pack was now 
secure on his front.

"Now, you carry him until he is well enough to walk himself," commanded 
the goat.

"What?" the feline questioned.

"By the gods have you forgotten all your training?" growled the angry 
leader. "Like this."

The goat grabbed one of Cal's arms swung it over his shoulder, then with 
the hare resting on his back he took the other arm and brought it 
forward and across his other shoulder to serve as a second support.

"Now carry him!" the horned commander ordered.

The feline stepped forward and awkwardly placed the rabbit on his back 
following the goat's example.  At first the lion did not consider the 
burden too great seeing that the rabbit was nearly the same weight as 
his pack but as minutes grew into hours he began to feel it take its 
toll.  Near midmorning Wade call a halt and the patrol took a break.  
Rorlyn gently eased Cal to the ground and lay back beside him not even 
bothering to remove his own pack.

Maggie came over to Cal with some water.  The lupine warrior was awake 
but still groggy.

"How do you feel?" she asked her friend.

"Like someone has clad me in lead," he replied. "My body feels like I've 
worked a week straight.  I'm feeling muscles I never knew I had.  What 
hit us anyway?"

"Don't you remember?" the vixen asked. "you attacked the mage and he 
gave us a little demonstration of his power to stop you."

"He did what!" the hare cried, eyes bursting wide open and ears going erect.

Sitting up he saw the feline lying next to him.  Before Maggie could say 
a word the rabbit had pounced onto the lion's chest, his hands sunk 
deeply into his mane and grabbed him by the throat.  Rorlyn opened his 
eyes and looked at the hare rocking back and forth.

"What are you doing?" he asked in a tired voice.

"Choking the life out of you!" he screamed into the lion's face still 
pressing in with all the force he could muster.

"Oh I see," he said, waited a moment then continued. "Has it ever 
crossed your mind why lion's have such thick manes?"

The rabbit slowly stopped rocking as the words and who was saying them 
sank into his still foggy brain.  The others who had gathered at first 
to pull him off all started laughing.  Slowly he withdrew his hands from 
Rorlyn's mane and sat just staring at the feline.

"No," he said in a flat tone. "No, I never had."

"Well now you know," the lion said smiling but being careful to keep his 
teeth concealed. "You'd have had to push deeper then that to reach my 
throat."

The rabbit warrior's ears drooped to the side as he looked down at his 
intended victim.  Slowly he stood and with Maggie's help stepped off the 
lion's chest.

"I think you owe him an apology," Wade said repressing a grin at Cal's 
failed attack.

"For what?" Cal snapped, his anger relighting.

"He has no need to apologize," the big cat said rising to one elbow. 
"But I do hope he has learned that I can hold my own in combat."

The hare balled his hands in anger but said nothing.

"You've got to admit he stopped you cold in your tracks," Ed commented a 
slight grin still creasing the ursine's features.

Cal made no reply but threw up his hands and stormed off into the woods.

"Well that was a mistake," Rorlyn said following the rabbit with his eyes.

"What was," Sam asked with a twitch of her ears.

"Just about everything I've done to him," the lion answered.

"Oh don't worry about him," the female warrior said. "He'll get over 
it.  He's just sore because someone bettered him in combat.  You should 
see him in practice if I get the better of him."

The feline looked the woman up and down trying to imagine her taking out 
the small but apparently skilled rabbit.

"Yes, but he usually buys you an ale at the Mule that evening," Maggie 
said looking in the direction her companion had walked.

"He's as good a fighter now as he was as a man," the child in the group 
added. "Just overly sensitive to what he has become even after all this 
time."

"Maggie, go get him will you," Wade said shouldering his pack. "We've 
got a ways to travel before we reach our jump off point."

The vixen trotted off into the woods while the others gathered their 
equipment.  Once back with the party the rabbit shouldered his pack 
despite the objections of his companions.  In no uncertain words the 
lupine warrior assured them that he could continue the journey unaided.

The party continued until the sun was past its zenith finally stopping 
where a trail branched off the road to the east.  Here the goat 
commander called a halt for lunch.  Opening his pack Rorlyn drew out 
some of the jerky and began to chew on it looking about.  As he quietly 
cast a warding spell the woman set down her quiver and bow next to him.

"May I have a seat?" she asked opening the bag at her side.

"Help yourself," the lion said.

"I'm Katelyn," she said drawing out a small round bread. "But just call 
me Kate."

"I guess you know I'm Rorlyn," the feline said then swallowed his bite 
of meat.

"Where do you come from?" Kate asked biting into the crust and reveling 
in its filling.

"The south," the feline replied.

"How far south?" she pressed. "You don't sound like you're from the 
Midlands or Flatlands."

"No," the lion simply replied.

"Sathmore?" she questioned further.

"I'll make a deal with you," he said realizing she would not stop until 
she had an answer. "If you tell me a bit about yourself and the others 
I'll tell you where I'm from."

"And how you came under the curse?" she asked.

Rorlyn paused for a moment but reasoned he could devise some story and 
so nodded.

"Yes, but you first," he said.

"About half of us here have lived in Metamor all our lives," she began. 
"Wade, Tricia, Ed and Maggie were all in the Keep at the battle of Three 
Gates."

"Who's Tricia?" he asked.

"That's Tricia," Kate said pointing to the gray shorthaired feline 
sitting next to Sam. "Sam came to the Keep a couple years ago with her 
dying father.  The curse took both of them and saved his life."

"I've heard of several people who came here for that reason," the lion 
commented.

"Yes, for some it's a choice to come as the curse will cure most illness 
or injury," Kate explained, some pain showing in her face. "but for 
some, like Cal and Dan, it wasn't by choice."

"Oh?  How is that?" Rorlyn said looking at the child and rabbit.

"Both Cal and Dan were cursed while they were being held in prison," she 
continued. "They were part of a group sent by Nasoj to take the north of 
the valley.  They were injured and captured.  In under two weeks they 
became what you see."

"But if they were enemies of Metamor how is it that they're fighting for 
it now?" the feline questioned.

"They, like a number of the northerners, didn't join Nasoj's cause of 
their own free will," the female warrior explained. "He has many mages 
who enslave people using spells or by making threats against their 
village or family.  That's one of the reasons Cal has such hatred for 
mages.  Once freed from the spell they willingly joined us in our fight 
against Nasoj."

"So Cal thinks all mages enslave people?" Rorlyn asked.

"No, he knows better then that," she answered. "But until he knows a 
mage he is extremely defensive.  I think that light spell you threw was 
very close in appearance to what was used on him and Dan to enslave them."

"So that made him think I was doing the same." the maned cat said.

"That's my guess," she replied eating a bit more of her meal. "All I 
know is he doesn't usually try to kill one of our own mages."

"He sure seemed set on doing it today," Rorlyn agreed looking at the 
long eared warrior. "Do you think I can trust him?"

"I think you earned a bit of respect today," Kate told him. "and I'm 
sure Wade gave him a good talk down.  You should be fine so long as you 
don't use any spells on us again."

"I already cast one," the lion said with a bit of a grin.

"You did what?" she exclaimed.

"Just a warding spell," he said. "It's my standard precaution whenever I 
stop.  I don't like people sneaking up on me."

"That's different," she replied with a smile. "and very wise."

So what about you?" Rorlyn asked. "How did you come to Metamor?"

"Some overly helpful friends brought me here after I'd lost a leg in 
combat," she said with an expression of anger crossing her face. "I was 
unable to leave on my own and so ended up as you see now."

"You were a man?" the feline gasped looking at the buxom woman but then 
recanted. "No, of course you were.  It's just I've never talked to 
anyone who was a warrior before being changed into a woman."

"I think it's one of the cruelest changes the curse can bestow," she 
told him with a sigh.

"Being this way is not easy either," Rorlyn said trying to imagine what 
it would really be like to be stuck in an animal body.

"Oh I understand the trouble you have with instincts," she agreed. "But 
the damn desires that the curse imbeds in people like me, well, if you 
don't fight them constantly you're just going to turn into a whore.  
Shit, even though you're an animal I find you attractive and would bed 
you in a moment."

Rorlyn's mouth dropped open at this statement and he reflexively leaned 
away from her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you," Kate said hanging her head. "I 
fight it but the feelings are still there.  That's what makes it so hard."

"It's alright," the lion finally said gaining some composure. "I've just 
never had a woman say that to me."

"Call you an animal?" she asked in surprise.

"No, say I was attractive," he told her.

"Well you are an attractive lion," she replied trying not to make it 
sound like an advance.

"Oh, thank you," the feline said feeling a blush run through his ears.

"So now how about you," she asked. "How did you become cursed?"

Rorlyn swallowed hard as he had never explained in any detail his 
supposed change.  He hoped the story he had devised and now expanded 
upon would be convincing.

"My master sent me to the Keep to get some scrolls from one of the mages 
here," he began. "The mage was away so I had to wait at the Keep for his 
return."

"And you waited until you were changed?" the woman said in shock.

"No, I knew enough to leave before then," the lion told her. "Once I had 
the scrolls I headed out of the valley with a caravan.  Unfortunately we 
got attacked by Lutins and had to hold up until help arrived.  That 
delayed my leaving the valley long enough that I changed."

"What did your master do?" Kate asked.

Before he could reply he felt his warding spell activate.

"Someone's near," he said quietly to Kate.

"Can you tell where?" she asked slowly looking about.

"No, my spell only warns me that someone's approaching," the mage explained.

Kate made a gesture to Wade who gave a nod and said something to Cal and 
Maggie who sat next to him.  Both of them stood up and moved off into 
the woods.  Shortly Tricia and Ed did the same in the opposite direction.

"Come with me," Kate said moving to where the others were seated.

"What did you feel?" Wade asked Rorlyn as soon as he was near.

"My spell only tells me that someone has entered the area," he replied.

"Nothing else?" the goat questioned. "Numbers, direction, anything else?"

"Not exact numbers, more like size," the lion told him. "but I'd guess 
no more than one or two."

Their conversation was interrupted by a shout and someone crashing 
through the brush.  Moments later there was the sounds of combat not far 
from the clearing they were in.  Suddenly a small green figure carrying 
a short sword burst out into the open.

"Take him," Wade ordered. "I want him alive if you can."

Both Sam and Dan bolted off in the direction of the Lutin.  The small 
creature was surprisingly nimble however and darted off in a different 
direction that put him between them and the rest of the party.  Kate 
nocked an arrow and took aim at the fleeing enemy.

"Wait," Rorlyn called out raising his hand.

The same small silvery sphere that he had used in the tavern flew forth 
from his hand again but this time it expanded to the size of a melon 
before it hit the green figure.  The effect was no less impressive.  The 
Lutin was knocked to the ground and rolled several times before coming 
to a stop.  Members of the patrol were upon him in seconds and bound the 
dazed creature's arms behind him.  The Lutin's recovery was surprisingly 
fast and soon he became a squirming biting machine attempting to sink 
his teeth into anyone who neared him.

Watching the struggle for a moment Rorlyn walked around behind him and 
in a quick movement, his claws unsheaved, palmed their enemy's head in 
his large hand.  He made one more attempt to snap at Ed but the lion's 
strength and claws quickly dissuaded him from moving.  Seeing the Lutin 
restrained Wade stepped forward.

"Now you will tell me what I want to know," the goat said in a 
commanding voice. "or I will have my friend crush your pathetic little 
skull."

Rorlyn doubted he actually had the strength for such as that but there 
was no way the creature could know.

"Are you alone?" the goat demanded.

"No tell," the creature hissed baring his teeth at the goat.

"That is not an answer," Wade said nodding to the lion who tightened his 
grip and mumbled something as he did so.

"No tell," came the answer again his face skewed in pain. "they kill."

"So there are others?" the commander pressed.

"No, Master kill," he cried.

"He lies," Rorlyn said in a low tone.

Wade and the others looked at the feline mage but kept their thoughts to 
themselves.

"The truth!" Wade ordered.

"Yes, others," the small creature said as blood started running from the 
lion's tightening claws.

"Are they near?" the commander demanded.

"Some near, others far," the green figure said.

"How many?" the goat demanded.

"Two," the Lutin replied but Rorlyn shook his head.

"I don't believe you," the horned leader said. "You have one more chance 
before you die.  Now how many in your party?"

"Not sure, no count," the creature hissed and the lion nodded.

"Is your party larger then ours?" Wade pressed.

"Yes," came the answer the mage agreeing.

"Many more?"

"Yes," the Lutin growled but quickly corrected as the lion's claws bit 
in deeper. "No, only few more."

"Where are they?  What direction?"

The Lutin's eyes darted about the land for a moment and then he replied.

"They north."

How far away?" Cal demanded.

Wade briefly shot him a glare but returned his gaze to the Lutin.

"Hour, two, no more," the prisoner replied.

Just then Ed and Tricia rejoined the group.

"We took out two others," the bear said still cleaning his axe.

"Were there any others besides those two?" Wade then asked.

"No," the creature replied, the feline mage confirming this to be true.

"Cal, Dan, get him out of here," the goat ordered.

Rorlyn released his hold and the rabbit and boy quickly dragged the 
Lutin to the edge of the clearing.

"They're deeper into the area then the scouts reported," Wade said once 
the prisoner was out of earshot. "We'll need to intercept them.  Rorlyn, 
do you have any spells that could help us find them?"

"None that I've memorized," he told him. "but my warding spell will 
activate if we get near them."

"But you can't give us a direction from that," Tricia said.

"No, I've never refined it to that degree," the lion replied.

"You might want to work on that when you get back," Ed suggested. "On 
patrol it's best to know where the enemy is not just that he's around."

The lion mage nodded but said nothing.

"Right then," Wade said looking at Maggie. "How good are you at picking 
up scents today?"

"I should be able to back track them," the vixen told him. "In two hours 
Lutin scent isn't going to have become that weak."

"What about the prisoner?" Rorlyn asked.

"Taken care of," Cal's voice said from behind him.

Turning about the lion saw the rabbit resheaving his knife with Dan not 
far behind.

"What do you mean?" the feline questioned.

"Huh, you really are a rookie," Dan commented shaking his head. "He'll 
be feeding the wolves in a few hours."

"He's what?" the mage questioned still not grasping his meaning.

"He's dead," Cal snarled looking at the mage. "I cut his throat."

The lion's jaw dropped open in shock and his stomach churned.

"Look if you're going to lose your lunch, go over there," the warrior 
hare said sternly. "But get use to it.  That's the way it is out here.  
You can't take prisoners on a patrol like this.  Make a clean kill and 
just be done with it.  Do it to them before they do it to you."

"But to kill them in cold blood," Rorlyn began but was cut off.

"You've killed them before," Sam said her ears flicking in agitation. 
"I've heard you say so at the Mule or did you make that up."

The lion knew that he had in conversation mentioned having to kill 
Lutins on some of his journeys.

"But that was in self defense," he said. "Not in cold blood."

"We don't have time to argue about this," Wade broke in looking at them 
all. "We're moving out.  Maggie, take point and keep a sharp eye out for 
the Lutins.  Kate, keep an eye on the rookie when we engage."
--
End Part