[Mkguild] Overcoming Fear part 2

[Kamau]

Chris wrote:
> Here is part 2 – the last part! enjoy!
> 
>  
> 
> ****************
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>    The meal was served efficiently and quickly by a half dozen servants. 
> First came a soup of carrots, potatoes and mutton all in a rich, red broth.
> 
>  
> 
>    “What exactly DOES my son Misha do?” Reuben asked between spoonfuls 
> of soup.
> 
>  
> 
>    “He is knight commander of the Order of the Axe and bow,” Camella 
> explained as she sipped the soup. It tasted of the mutton but the spices 
> gave it a sharp bite.
> 
>  
> 
>    “How did he gain such a prestigious title? By killing more people 
> then everyone else?” came the sarcastic comment from Reuben.
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal shot the man a cold look. “Sir Brightleaf,” he said in a tone 
> filled with anger. “Is a personal friend of the duke. He fought for the 
> Duke and was instrumental in saving the Keep and the lives of over five 
> hundred people during the Yuletide attack. His people have saved 
> countless other lives over the years. Duke Thomas himself has honored 
> him several times with titles.”
> 
>  
> 
>    The elder simply nodded in response. “I see. But there is more to 
> life then fighting and destroying.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “I’ve heard he is making clocks,” Muriel said in a friendly tone. 
> “And other things.”
> 
>  
> 
>    The bat nodded in response. “Oh yes! He makes some the of most 
> beautiful and complex clocks I’ve ever seen. 
 >
Words reversed
“Oh yes! He makes some >of the< most


>They do all sorts of clever 
> things like ring bells and have figures dancing. He gets a lot of coins 
> for his clocks.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Does he own any property?” Reuben asked .
> 
>  
> 
>    “Oh yes!” Neal responded as he took a drink of spiced wine. “He owns 
> a fine inn in Euper called the Jolly collie. And a mill over in Mallen.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “And those five buildings in Euper too. They pay him a fine rent!” 
> Camella added.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Ah yes! He also is part owner of a caravan.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Amanda laughed cutting through the tension. “How does he find the 
> time to do any fighting.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Well he is unmarried and single,” Neal answered.
> 
>  
> 
>    “But only till June,” Camella added with a chuckle.
> 
>  
> 
>    All further conversation stopped as the main course was brought in. A 
> large platter held a roast leg of lamb basted in a red wine sauce. 
> Encircling the meat was a ring of potatoes, carrots and four different 
> kinds of string beans. Next came a large bowl of sweet potatoes their 
> skins baked to a golden brown. For Camella they brought a platter filled 
> with oranges, pears, peaches and a large grapefruit already peeled and 
> covered with a sweet, blue colored sauce.
> 
>  
> 
>    “My apologies Camella. We were not sure exactly what you could and 
> could not eat but we did bring you a quantity of fresh fruit,” Rowenna 
> commented.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Your form is based off of the large, southern lunar bat,” Elizabeth 
> commented. “They eat fruit and insects. The fruit we can provide but I’m 
> afraid the insects are out.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Not in my household,” Muriel added and smiled. “I draw the line at 
> bugs.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Fruit is fine,” Camella answered. She took a slice or orange and 
> nibbled on it for a moment. “I know I should like eating them but I 
> cannot bring myself to actually eat insects.” She took a larger bite and 
> finished the slice in seconds. “Nasty, icky bugs.”
> 
>  
> 
>    The whole group broke out into laughter.
> 
>  
> 
>    “How is the fruit?” Reuben asked. “We had it brought in fresh from 
> the south.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “It’s delicious,” the bat keeper answered as she ate a slice of pear. 
> “Thank you!”
> 
>  
> 
>    “What of the rumors of this mechanical creature?” Muriel asked. “Are 
> they true?”
> 
>  
> 
>    “You mean Madog? Perfectly true. That mechanical fox moves and thinks 
> on his own,” Neal answered between bites of lamb.
> 
>  
> 
>    “And the rumors of it’s power?” Muriel asked looking up from her plate.
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal nodded slowly. “He is one VERY powerful little metal fox. I’ve 
> heard stories that he ripped a Moransai apart during the Yule attack. 
> Literally ripped him to pieces.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Camella nodded in agreement. “Lots of people saw that happen.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “My brother owns that thing?” George said unnerved as a murmur ran 
> through the room. The man put down his drink and peered at the two 
> keepers with a frightened look.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Not owns exactly. A better description would be he keeps him as a 
> pet or a friend,” Neal answered trying to sound calm. The power Madog 
> had showed that day had un-nerved a lot of people at the Keep.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Madog’s really a sweet person,” Camella commented in a calm tone. 
> “For something so powerful.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “How much of Madog’s magic does he really understand?” the elder 
> woman asked.
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal shrugged. “I’m not sure. He says absolutely nothing about the 
> magic behind Madog.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Camella sipped her wine gently. “It is an entirely new type of 
> magic.” She commented. “I’ve never seen anything like it. None of the 
> mages at the Keep have.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “It is Automaton magic,” Elizabeth explained. “Long considered extinct.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Muriel leaned forward, closer to the Keepers. “Misha is actually 
> casting Automaton spells?” she asked sounding surprised.
> 
>  
> 
>    The bat nodded. “Misha has been casting a few spells and he recently 
> repaired Madog after he was badly damaged. But exactly what Misha can do 
> is hard to say. He is not revealing anything.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “A smart move,” Reuben said.
> 
>  
> 
>    Muriel shook her head. “I’m nervous that he is using such dangerous 
> magic alone up there without guild protection.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Misha is no fool and he can protect himself,” Elizabeth countered.
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal laughed. “He’s a very skilled fighter and he does have that big 
> axe of his! That’s more then enough to scare off most people.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Still he is at risk,” the older woman said.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Not as much as you think,” Neal countered. “To get this new magic 
> from Misha requires going to Metamor and that means exposing themselves 
> to the curse.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Elizabeth nodded her head. “That alone would keep most people at bay.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Most but not all,” Muriel commented.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Misha isn’t some wide eyed naïve apprentice,” the man answered. “He 
> is a very skilled scout and he does have that axe of his. And for those 
> who are more persistent there is always Madog. There are few who can 
> defeat that metal fox. And together Misha and Madog make a formidable pair.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “I’ve yet to see a spell that can effect Madog,” the bat said. “No 
> one in the guild has. Although they are still trying.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Are you a mage Camella?” Muriel asked.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Yes but I’m simply a low level caster. I am studying with the guild.”
> 
>  
> 
>    She leaned closer and her face lit up with a broad smile. “What is 
> your specialty?” Muriel asked.
> 
>  
> 
>    “I was studying combat magic but I’ve switched to flight and air 
> magic,” the bat responded.
> 
>  
> 
>    Muriel laughed. “I can see why!”
> 
>  
> 
>    “She can still cast a mean fire spell if she needs to,” Neal added.
> 
>  
> 
>    Camella saw Reuben looking again and again at the same place on the 
> table in front of him. She recognized the letter that they had delivered 
> this afternoon. As far as she could tell it was resting against a bottle 
> of ale and looked to be unopened.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Camella,” Muriel asked in level tones. “You mentioned my son is only 
> single till June.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Oh yes,” the bat woman answered and looked to the older woman. Her 
> own contemplation forgotten. “The wedding is in June.” She points to the 
> unopened envelope. “That is in the message we delivered to you today.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal nodded energetically. “Oh yes! We’ve been delivering the 
> engagement notices to people all over!”
> 
>  
> 
>    “MISHA IS MARRYING?” Rowenna exclaimed and smiled broadly. “Finally! 
> Who is he marrying?”
> 
>  
> 
>    “What is he marrying?” George asked.
> 
>  
> 
>    Suddenly all eyes in the room were focused on her.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Caroline Hardy. Her father is a highly respected jeweler at the 
> Keep,” Camella answered slowly.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Is she?” Amanda put both hands up to the side of her head in 
> imitation of fox ears.
> 
>  
> 
>    “A fox? No. She is a river otter and one of the nicest people I have 
> ever met,” Camella explained.
> 
>  
> 
>    “And the second most beautiful woman in the world,” Neal added and 
> took one of Camella’s hands and kissed it.
> 
>  
> 
>    “What is she like?” Muriel asked.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Caroline is a fine woman,” Neal said. “Smart, strong and certainly 
> one of the finest archers in the Keep.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Caroline’s a few years younger then he is,” Camella added. “She 
> likes to paint and can play the flute very well.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “A warrior and an artist,” Verner said with a smile.
> 
>  
> 
>    “I think they make a fine couple,” Camella said cheerfully.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Are you two married?” Amanda asked.
> 
>  
> 
>    Camella nodded. “Oh yes! Two years ago next month!”
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal smiled broadly and kissed Camella on the muzzle. “You are the 
> best thing to happen to me.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Do you have children?” Rowenna asked in a deceptively soft tone.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Not yet,” Neal answered slowly. “But we are hoping to start a family 
> soon.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “My apologies for asking such a personal question but the question 
> has bothered me. Muriel said and paused for a moment. “What will your 
> children look like?”
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal nodded slowly aware of the fact that there was more going on 
> that a simple question. 
 >
Typo
Neal nodded slowly aware of the fact that there was more going on >then< 
a simple question.

“I understand. We’ve asked that one ourselves.
> Many couples at the Keep have already had children.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “And?” Reuben snapped in an annoyed tone.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Mixed,” the female keeper explained. “Our children will be either an 
> animal morph like me or a human looking child.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “And what if you were both of different animal forms?” George asked.
> 
>  
> 
>    The room fell silent and everyone was looking at the two keepers. 
> Even the servants.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Like Misha and Caroline?” Neal asked cutting to the real heart of 
> the issue. “Even more mixed. Some will be fox, some otter and the rest 
> human.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “No hybrids?”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Nope,” Neal answered. “No fotters. They would all be of one species 
> or the other.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Curious,” George said. “What if only one of the couple was effected 
> by the curse? Could they still have children?”
> 
>  
> 
>    “Yes,” Camella said. “An animal based Keeper like me can have 
> children by an uncursed human.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “I see,” Elizabeth said and the room fell silent again. “What if an 
> animal keeper took a normal, animal as a mate?”
> 
>  
> 
>    “No children would result,” Neal said in cold tones and frowned. He 
> was unhappy with the way this conversation was going. “No more then if a 
> human here in Marigund had an animal lover.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “So,” Elizabeth said slowly as if measuring each word carefully. Her 
> eyes were fixed on the glass on the table in front of her. “That implies 
> you are still basically human in spite of your appearances.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Camella looked at Elizabeth for a moment. She was sure there was a 
> lot more to that question then the woman was revealing.
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal’s face became fixed with a look of anger and he started to speak 
> but his wife stopped him with a pat on his arm.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Of course. Why?” Camella responded.
> 
>  
> 
>    The tension in the room eased suddenly. “I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said, 
> embarrassed. “But you just answered a question that has been the center 
> of a debate that has long been raging in the Mages guild.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “In the guild and in this family,” Camella thought to herself.
> 
>  
> 
>    “My apologies if we have offended you,” Reuben said in a loud tone. 
> “We have a lot of questions about the curse and until now no way to 
> answer them. In our eagerness to answer them we have forgotten common 
> courtesy.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal smiled faintly. “I understand. You have been far kinder then 
> most people in the Midlands have been.”
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> ***************
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>    “Will you please open it!” Muriel barked in exasperation.
> 
>  
> 
>    Reuben didn’t move or speak just but stared at the envelope resting 
> on the table in front of him. He had held and examined the envelope a 
> thousand times without once opening it.
> 
>  
> 
>    Dinner was long over and the family’s unusual guests had retired for 
> the evening. As had the rest of the family. It left the two alone in 
> their own bedroom with their thoughts and the letter.
> 
>  
> 
>    “You can’t just look at it forever?” she said. “we’ve been ignoring 
> each other for too long. We should have talked to him a long time ago.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Reuben stiffened and nodded his head. “You’re right!” And he boldly 
> opened the envelope and took out the letter inside.
> 
>  
> 
>   
> 
> *********************
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>    It was a bright, clear day with few clouds. A perfect day for flying. 
> Camella and Neal  were standing in the middle of the castle courtyard 
> preparing for their departure.
> 
>  
> 
>    Muriel hugged Camella tightly. “Thank you for coming and putting up 
> with all our rude questions. “You’ve put a lot of minds at rest.”
> 
>  
> 
>    “I’m glad we could help,” Camella answered.
> 
>  
> 
>    George patted Neal on the shoulder. “You two are always welcome here 
> any time.” He handed the man several large sealed envelopes. “Those are 
> for my brother and future sister in law.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal took the letters and carefully stowed them in his pouch being 
> sure they were safe and secure. “I’ll deliver them safely.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Reuben and Muriel approached him last. The man handed Neal a large 
> envelope that was sealed with wax along the entire flap and not just one 
> spot. This is for my son and his fiancé.” Reuben said solemnly. “Please 
> see that it is delivered to them and no one else.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Neal nodded slowly. “I’ll deliver it to them safely. Never fear.”
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> ****************
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>    Misha sat staring at the top of his desk for a long time. Resting in 
> the center of the desk was a tan colored envelope edged with a light 
> blue line. Written on the envelope in black ink was the words ‘Misha 
> Brightleaf & Caroline Hardy.’
> 
>  
> 
>    “Well?” Caroline asked. “Are you going to open it or just stare at it 
> forever.”
> 
>  
> 
>    Misha took a deep breath and opened the letter slowly as if expecting 
> it to explode or poisonous snakes to spring out. Inside were several 
> pages of writing on vellum folded neatly to fit into the envelope. He 
> unfolded the pages and read the top line on the first page.
> 
>  
> 
>    “Our Dear son and daughter to be,” the letter began.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>    The end
> 
END REVIEW

Very nice story Chris.  This filled in some gaps and brought closure to 
some of what had been lingering in MK stories for a while.  Of course it 
also opened a few more areas to explore and expand in future stories.  I 
liked the way the scene with the family and the Keepers eating together 
went.  I think there was just the right balance of tension and a good 
resolve to it.

Kamau