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<font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Here are my comments!<br>
<br>
<br>
Chris<br>
The Lurking Fox<br>
<br>
***************<br>
</font></font>
</pre>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><i>March
7, 708 CR</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Julian
was woken in the morning by an insistent tugging.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At first he thought that someone was
physically pulling on him, but as he slowly recovered his consciousness he
recognized a distinct feeling that was slowly becoming familiar, that of his
bond to Lucy being stretched to its limits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">As
he expected, the young mage’s bunk was empty, and seemed to have been that way
for some time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Groaning, he managed to
slide off the bed that had been provided in the barracks’ common rest
area.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The cracks in the windows, all
shut against the winter chill, still confirmed to him exactly what he suspected.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sun was still several hours from its own
waking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The moondog shook his head and
ran his fingers through the fur at the top of his head as though he still had
human hair.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How someone so young could
bear to sleep so little and survive was well beyond his understanding.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>> I Hate people who get up so early. ;)</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">It
took him little time to prepare himself for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Years with the wizard Nasoj had drilled
discipline through his skull like a well-rehearsed catechism.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Whether it was to gain favor with his
superiors, or to seek opportunities to assassinate the man he claimed to serve,
he had always taken pains to make brutal efficiency his most noteworthy
trait.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He never should have bothered; it
was rumored that the dark wizard never slept.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Even if that claim was false, his rest was taken behind magically sealed
doors, doubtlessly leading to more and more numerous and sinister traps to fell
those who managed to step beyond.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">He
took a moment to be certain of where the bond led, but his initial guess was
accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She had returned to the room
where the ermine assassin would be kept until they discovered a way to reverse
the spell that now bound him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Or,
perhaps, until they admitted that there was no solution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">He
shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Cynicism was too easy a
trait to cultivate in the company of the Keep’s enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While he sometimes regretted the
circumstances that had forced his abandonment of that post, he never once
regretted the opportunity to live amongst friends again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
door to the room was shut fast when he arrived, and Julian rapped on the wooden
surface twice to alert Lucy to his presence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He could not detect any movement on the far end of the bond they shared,
so he gently pushed the door open and slipped inside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
room was a little chilly after the stove had been left cold for the night, but
the chill was quickly being banished by the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lucy had already prepared for the day, it
seemed.</span></div>
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normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
mage herself was standing at the table in the center of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She glanced up casually to observe who was
entering, but it seemed that she had already determined the answer using their
mutual bond.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She turned back to the cage
on the table shortly, watching its small inhabitant sniffing about warily.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
realized after last night that we forgot to find food for him yesterday,” she
explained before Julian had ample opportunity to ask why she had returned at
such an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Thankfully I know a few
things about what ermines eat, and the average Keeper’s diet is varied enough
that finding something that he can safely eat was little trouble.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Julian
nodded and watched the trapped creature for a few moments.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It seemed that the ermine was wary of being
handed food without having to hunt for it, but he was slowly beginning to
gravitate towards the food out of desperate hunger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Don’t
treat him too much like a pet, or he might come to you expecting food even
after we bring him back,” he cautioned with a touch of sarcasm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
sighed and shook her head softly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Please, do not even joke about that,” she muttered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I know you were not at the Keep at the time
of the Curse’s original casting, but after witnessing it myself, I find it
difficult to tolerate even honest jokes regarding it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Julian
placed a paw on her shoulder to comfort her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“I am sorry for upsetting you,” he apologized.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“You
couldn’t have known without living through it,” she responded in a low
whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The curse was meant to be the
final blow to the Keep before Her defenses could even be fully brought to bear,
and as such it was intended to be very, very final.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nasoj is not one of those fools who stands
above his enemy and gloats as they die to give them an opportunity to kill him
with their last breath.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Should anyone
under his command try to do such a thing, I am certain that he would impale
them both with the same spear.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“You
credit him with the quality of mercy,” Julian said with some chagrin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“With what I know of him, the two would beg
for something as kind as a spear before they breathed their last.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
hissed bitterly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“When the Curse struck,
the effect was instant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For a few brief
moments I was aware enough to be confused.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Then, nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was nothing
but oblivion as I became an outcast in my own body, forced to lie and wail as a
babe while unfathomable chaos unfolded about me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With the defenders gone, Nasoj’s horde began
to overrun the walls.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“We
all know the story from there; the countercurse was forged and the defenders
fought back with all of their desperation and rage until the day was won.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many stories are hidden in those few words,
but in the end I found myself thrust into an entirely new world.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She paused for a moment before
continuing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“In the early days there
were many stories about what the Curse could do, and of the limits of the countercurse
were barely understood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Whispers
suggested that some were never saved by the counterspell.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some said that some Keepers had left and
wandered forests as mere beasts, others lost in Kyia’s halls as strangers in
their own bodies, a few more weeping in nurseries…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Never did I determine if there was any truth
to the rumors, but with no chance of recognizing his face, it was a week until
I found my father.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Julian
winced.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I am sorry to hear that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At least you did find him at the end of it
all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Yet there are others who were
not so fortunate,” she admitted with evident sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Those who died in the battle could tell no
one who they were.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are unmarked
graves by the hundred to their memory, but many still do not know what became
of their loved ones in those days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some
even still hope in those terrifying old rumors, thinking that perhaps their
loved ones wander about the forests in ignorance of their pasts, perhaps to be
awakened at the end by the return of some lost memory.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Could
the Curse truly do that?” Julian asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The exact nature of the
interplay between Curse and countercurse is unclear to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The tangle of their weaves is so complex that
I have heard it said that even the pantheon would have difficulty unbinding
it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Is it possible that there are those
who have remained fully Cursed?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps,
but I have never seen one myself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>>>No one is sure exactly what the curse does or its limits.</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Are
you certain?” Julian asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lucy began
to answer, but then followed the moondog’s eyes to the cage at the center of
the table.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The realization of what he
was saying struck her like a boulder from the sling of a trebuchet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“No
mark of outside magic besides the Curse and countercurse, and yet he remains an
animal…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Could it be?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She danced about the table, shifting her
vision to see the magic that bound the former assassin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She saw nothing that she had not seen on the
day before, but now at last the pieces seemed to be falling into place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">She
quickly refocused her vision on the physical world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“If what you suggested is the case, no amount
of prodding will reveal any anomalies in the magic that binds him,” she
explained.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We need to start approaching
this from another angle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Do you think you
can find Balrog?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>NOW they are getting somewhere.</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Julian
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“As I understood, his entire
patrol is resting in the common bunking area.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>They should be easy to find; Balrog at least is distinctive enough to be
very recognizable.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Go
find him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t know exactly how to
handle this, and the more magically-inclined minds we can fit in the same room,
the more informative our discussion may become.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Julian
did not wait for her to say anything more.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He quickly departed from the room in search of the human mage, while
Lucy began to rummage about in her pack in search of something.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The moondog was correct in his conclusion; he
was able to find Balrog with very little delay.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The bunks in the barracks were actually quite empty with so many
deployed to secure the valley during the time of the quarantine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Balrog
was quick to prepare and Nathan, woken by his companion’s stirring, was ready
even before the mage under his command.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Julian also notified Alex of the breakthrough, but the lynx took his
time to wake up, and even as Julian left him sitting on the edge of the bed he
wondered if he would simply lie back down as soon as the moondog stepped around
the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was not vital for Alex to
accompany them for the discussion, however, so Julian did not bother to check
on him again before leaving with Balrog and Nathan in tow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">They
found Lucy waiting for them, a pot of tea sitting incongruously atop the wooden
cage in the center of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She had
evidently not been expecting Nathan to join them, but a fourth cup joined the
three she had already prepared in moments, all filled with the same dark liquid
that perfumed the air around it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Julian
and Nathan took their cups with nods of gratitude, while Balrog sniffed at his
skeptically before taking a sip of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He nodded approvingly and echoed the gratefulness of the others before
he stepped back from the table to enjoy it with the others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
heard that you had some sort of breakthrough,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What have you found?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
explained her theory as the rest listened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Even Nathan seemed to be able to follow the discussion without much
effort, and that allowed Lucy to finish her explanations very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Balrog took one more sip of his tea after she
finished, thinking through all that she had proposed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“It
does sound possible,” he decided.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“To be
honest, however, I had always thought that the stories of people remaining in
their fully Cursed forms after the countercurse had been cast were no more than
legends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The nature of the interplay
between the two spells would tend to favor the hybrid forms that we all wear.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
conceded his point with a nod and a wave of her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That may be true, yet all of us may adopt
the forms that the Curse originally forced upon us with little more than a
simple exercise of will.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps the
magic cast two nights ago forced him into the form of an animal, and with no
similar exercise of will he has remained in that state.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Balrog
nodded and twisted his beard over and around his thick fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It seems almost probable,” he stated.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It is so far the only theory I have heard
that accounts for the lack of magical influence with more than a wave of the
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The question that remains
unanswered, then, is why his mind was not returned to him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think we can agree that this is the case?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I have seen many Keepers take
on the forms of animals for training exercises or purposes of utility, and the
difference between these people and a person whose mind is completely lost
becomes clear after only brief observation.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Balrog
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I have noticed the same in my
own observations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If there is no magic
beyond what encompasses every other Keeper’s form affecting him now, then why
has his mind not returned?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">There
were several moments of silence before someone spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was Julian who finally did break the
silence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I do not mean to be
pessimistic about our chances, but perhaps his mind is utterly overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps there is nothing left.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Is
that even possible?” Nathan asked, looking about the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Wouldn’t there have been signs before a man’s
mind simply collapsed?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“One
would expect, yes,” Balrog admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Still, with so little certainty about anything, we have to consider any
reasonable possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps…”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He sighed, rubbing his forehead to stall for
a few moments.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Perhaps destroying Lois’
mind was the intention of the spell.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If
Nasoj or his allies could perfect such a spell, he could quickly and totally
defeat Metamor without even needing an army.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“No,
that can’t be it,” Lucy insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That,
at least, we can confirm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although Lois
was the only one to show long-term effect from the spell, all of us felt the
magic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Whatever was cast that night, it
had a wide enough area of effect that it should have done the same thing to all
of us.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“You
failed to mention that before,” Balrog noted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>He sighed and paced about the table, venturing closer to the stove that
heated the chamber while keeping his eyes on Lois.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That complicates matters even more, but I would
say that it makes your original theory even more likely.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“That
is what I was thinking as well,” Lucy agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“If some people affected by the original Curse did not take their hybrid
forms, it would parallel the effects of this spell among our patrol.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“If
this theory is correct, is there anything we can do to save him?” Julian
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Lucy, did you ever hear what
became of the Keepers you mentioned after the Curse?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
small mage shook her head with resignation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Honestly, I have not even thought of the stories much since I found out
that my father was safe,” she admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“I never thought they would be important.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Silence
fell over the room as everyone present attempted to think of a way to apply
their new theory.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A few moments after it
had begun, the silence was broken by the sound of knocking on the chamber’s
door. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The lynx on the other side did
little more than grunt to Julian as the moondog opened the door, and took the
cup of tea he was offered by Lucy with barely a look, downing most of it in one
gulp before wincing at the amount of unsweetened spice in the flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lucy chuckled quietly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Rough
night?” she asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Her
commander regarded her with an exhausted glare.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“Why should it be easier to sleep in a bed of leaves on the forest floor
than in an actual bed?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His
tone was mournful, but was clearly meant in a very sarcastic way.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“At least I’m up now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ll be more talkative once my brain joins my
body in wakefulness.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">He
was filled in on the speculation that had circulated about the room during his
absence, and he listened while taking his time to finish off what remained of
the tea in his paw.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He nodded in quiet
thought as they regaled him with their theories, finishing his cup of tea just
as Lucy finished her explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
scratched at the fur on his chin for a moment before speaking.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“So,
if he was forced into the form of an animal and has lacked the ability to
change back, but was not magically prevented from it, could he not be similarly
forced into his hybrid form?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Everyone
in the room fixed him with an incredulous look.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Alex noticed after a few moments, glancing like a trapped deer at an
assembled pack of wolves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know I’m barely conscious at the moment,
but if our enemy can force Keepers into their most Cursed forms by means of
magic, why could the process not simply be reversed?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“That
actually makes some sense,” Lucy admitted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><font size="2"><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">>>>>> Huh?</font></font><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><br>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“You
don’t have to sound so surprised,” Alex griped, playing with the small cup
between his claws.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I may not know how
to cast magic, but I’m intelligent enough to make logical connections.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Julian
chuckled and shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Is that
even possible?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I mean, it makes sense,
but I’ve never heard of it being done, or even attempted.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
don’t think it ever has been attempted,” Lucy confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It would be of barely any use to our
enemies, and the only people in Metamor I can see using it would be a prankster
here or there, and I doubt any common urchin would have the magical experience
to even consider the attempt.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She paced
around the room a bit in deep thought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Lois, still trapped in his cage, watched her go, likely hoping that she
would provide him with something more to eat before long.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“If we did attempt it, it could return him to
his hybrid form, but what of his mind?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Balrog
finally spoke up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Well, our theory so
far is that his mind was somehow weakened by the original spell.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps, trapped in the form of an animal, it
is simply more natural for him to think as an animal?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“I
can confirm that from experience,” Alex replied.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“While not to such an extent as Lois is
experiencing, I can certainly say that instincts and animalistic actions are
far more natural when I take on my feral form.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I don’t know if it is related at all, but I cannot see a change of perspective
as a negative influence.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“The
question now is whether the attempt could harm him.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nathan, who had been standing by the wall of
the room listening in silence for quite some time, added his thoughts to the
discussion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“No,”
Lucy argued with a shake of her head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“The question is not whether the attempt could harm him; the question is
whether it would harm him more than remaining as he is.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With so little understanding of the spell
that was used against him, I can only assume that the longer he spends as an
animal, the less likely it is that he will be able to return to normal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If no one objects, I say that we should make
an attempt a soon as possible.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Nathan
scoffed incredulously.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You admitted
mere moments ago that you do not even know if such a casting is possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How can you go from that admission to
recklessly creating a spell from scratch within seconds?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lucy’s
confident expression soured as the wolf objected.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Just because I have never heard of the spell
being used before does not mean that I do not understand the theory behind the
Curse well enough to conceptualize such a spell with little trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You seem rather intent on preventing any
possible aid to Lois very suddenly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I
didn’t trust you, I would suspect that you stand to lose something from the
reversal of this spell?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The
wolf snarled at her implication.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Despite
the clear difference in size and the advantage of strength heavily leaning
towards the wolf, Lucy stood her ground.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>The others in the room seemed frozen, waiting breathlessly for the two
of them to make their moves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although
the moments stretched uncomfortably long, Balrog finally stepped between the
two hostile Keepers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“We
gain nothing from this argument,” he barked, staring at the wolf
particularly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We need to take action,
or Lois could be lost for more than a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I will not allow that!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Nathan
cooled slightly, but made no move to apologize.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Instead, he spoke tersely to Balrog.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“We need to discuss these matters privately,” he said in a growl.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Without waiting for his friend to acknowledge
his words he turned and stalked through the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Balrog
sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>“I am sorry,” he said, turning to the rest of the company in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I do not know what he is thinking, but I
assure you he means only the best.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I
will go see if I can determine why he is so agitated this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hopefully the matter can be resolved
quickly.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">As
the human stepped through the door to follow the wolf, the three remaining
people in the room looked towards each other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">“Should
we follow him?” Julian asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal;tab-stops:45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Alex
hesitated, but slowly shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I
believe you two have a casting to prepare?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>I suggest you begin, and leave the tension to the men who actually know
one other.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><font size="2">Cool! I can hardly wait to see what happens next!</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><br>
</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"><br>
</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"> Chris</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><font size="2"> The Lurking Fox</font><br>
</div>
<pre>
</pre></font>