<div dir="ltr">June 4, 708 CR Trey and Aldwin soon met up with Rita and Nestor, along with a large patrol in their direction. “You weren’t kidding about half the Keep being out!” “Lads, it’s good to see both of you!” the owl flapped over and then down. “But what’s this in your hand Trey-lad? Surely that’s a runic sword–I can sense its power!” “I should hope so. I am Yuèjiàn the Moon Sword, second greatest sword of our lands.” “You wouldn’t be the same one as was causin’ all the trouble would you?” Nestor shifted into his full form. Others were gathering near. “To my deep shame, I was, but both I and my master would like to make amends if that is possible.” The feathers above one of Nestor’s eyes rose up. “If that’s the case, why’s your master not here himself?” “Uh, well, he is…” said Trey, and he held out the sleeping form of Yuèliàng. “This would be Yuèliàng.” “He’s a wee bit smaller than I thought he’d be,” said Nestor. “From what Yuèjiàn told me, he pulled energy into himself to create some Eclipse effect.” “That we saw,” said Rita. “How is he a baby bunny?” “The lad’s double cursed,” said Nestor. “Or is it triple?” “Double,” said Trey. “I checked.” “Can my wielder recover?” asked Yuèjiàn. For the first time, Trey noticed a change in the sword’s voice, a concern that could not be mistaken. “Perhaps. We’ll need to strengthen the anticurse. You might be able to help with that, given your bond.” “If anything I can do will help restore Yuèliàng to himself, I will do it!” “Very well, let us get back to the Keep,” said Nestor. — June 3, 708 CR Rita had secured Kasaima to Talo’s back and Nyien accompanied him to the Keep. It would have been faster to fly, but Talo still didn’t trust his ability and certainly didn’t want to cause Kasaima more harm than he’d already sustained. Even before he reached the Keep, Talo could see activity. “I’ll fly ahead," said Nyien. "We’ve got some friendly dragons around, but it pays to make sure everyone knows. Plus we’ll need Coe as soon as possible.” “Who’s Coe?” “He’s a raccoon who operates the Keep’s clinic.” Nyien flew off and Talo plodded forward. In his new form, Kasaima was not that heavy on his back, but he’d seen the wounds. Whatever he could do by way of comfort, he would. Nyien was not long returning. “Phew! It’s been a long time since folks have been this riled up! Fortunately saner heads prevail around here. We’ll be met at the gates by some healers who’ll take in Kasaima. After that I figure we two should work on getting you into a less imposing form.” It wasn’t long before Talo was at the eastern gate of Euper. A group of Keepers came out with what looked like a white tarp held between two long, wooden poles. Leading them was a raccoon. “Well, you’re different,” he said. “I’m Brian Coe.” “Talo.” “Pleased to meet you Talo. Now, just relax and we’ll get your friend off.” His tone was professional rather than patronizing, and Talo allowed the healers to take Kasaima off his back. Coe made his way over. “Well, he’s still breathing. Those wounds are really nasty, and we’re going to need to get him warm for this frostbite.” Talo and Nyein watched as the healers took Kasaima away into the night. They weren’t sure if they’d see him again alive. — Awareness came slowly, like a spark being built into a fire. Kasaima groaned and opened his eyes. He was in a strange room, and there was a raccoon looking at him with concern. “Can you understand me?” “Yes.” “How many fingers am I holding up?” Kasaima tried to move, but his body protested. The raccoon was holding up three fingers, but Kasaima wasn’t sure why that was important. “Three, why?” “Just a test, to make sure you’re not seeing multiples. How do you feel?” “My last recollection was being in a losing battle. That I’m able to feel anything at all I find miraculous.” Kasaima managed to sit up in bed. He looked down at his hands and saw that golden scales were now covering them and his lower arms and his fingernails looked more like claws. “Ah, it seems the Curse is at work.” “One benefit of the Curse is it will heal people of whatever’s wrong with them. I didn’t think someone like you could be hit with it, though.” “It was my own doing. I did not quite realize what tampering with the magics here would mean.” “*That’s* a familiar tale. Well, the good thing is that you’re healing. It looked like someone used you as a pin cushion!” “Indeed. How are my companions? Aldwin, Rita, Talo, Trey?” “Well, half of them are here to see you.” Into the room walked Aldwin and Rita. “Talo’s still figuring out his smaller form,” said Rita. “He’ll likely be in here soon.” “But where is Trey-san? I thought I saw him jump my attacker out of the corner of my eye. Has he been hurt?” There was concern in his voice. “We don’t know,” said Aldwin. “We’re going to try to find him, though. The night patrols are out.” Kasaima frowned. “I should be out there helping not lying in this bed!” He tried to raise himself, but found his body collapsing under him! Coe was at his side immediately. “You are in no condition to get out of that bed, and won’t be for at least another day! Even someone like you should expect to pay for the toll on your body–you’re lucky you’re not a frostbitten corpse from what I hear!” Kasaima sighed. He hated it, but he knew it was true. He’d be of no service to anyone in this condition. Perhaps the Curse might work with his own naturally fast healing, but tonight he could do nothing but rest. “Very well. But alert me as soon as you find him!” “Of course!” said Aldwin. “Rita and I will be helping search in the morning. Eli is sure to protect Trey in the meantime.” “What can you tell us about your attacker?” asked Rita. “We need to know what we’re dealing with.” “His name is Yuèliàng of the Unoki Clan. They are the traditional keepers of the runic sword Yuèjiàn. Yuèjiàn has eight powers, for the eight phases of the moon: air, fire, earth, water, lightning, plant, sound, and metal. It can only use one of these powers at a time, however. An additional virtue is that it cannot be lied to. Or, at least, it cannot be directly lied to. I do not know how it fought me when what Yuèliàng said of my mission was a lie.” “What if he didn’t know it was a lie?” asked Rita. “I could say that the Duke is near the Giant’s Dike, but he might not actually be anywhere near it.” Kasaima paused. “Yes, that would explain much. Yuèjiàn’s creator was a virtuous man, and his mind would not have thought of something that devious. It would be a risky gambit–the person telling them the lie would have to also believe it true–but it would be worth it. Yuèliàng is a cunning warrior, he would not be easily deceived even without Yuèjiàn. Yet he would not be the first to fall to a beautiful lie that is backed by prejudice. My kind served the Emperor well. Our reputation fell with him.” “You don’t know Yuèliàng personally?” asked Aldwin. “If I had, the battle could not have happened. He’d have known my desire. I think he knew the minute I spoke it, but had determined to kill me and so could not back down. He must have thought himself safe.” “Anywhere else he would have been,” said Rita. “But this Valley seems to attract magic like a magnet. He pulled some weird spell that caused an eclipse!” “The Eclipse Technique! It does not truly cause an eclipse, but works to scare enemies and conceal a retreat. But how did you not catch him after? That technique requires a great deal of mana.” “We’re not sure what happened,” said Rita. “I could track him so far, and then nothing. He might have found some way to do it that’s less mana-intense. In any case, he can’t have gone far.” — June 4, 708 CR The trip back to the Keep was largely uneventful, though Trey wished he weren’t the center of attention. A lot of folks were telling him how brave he was, but he didn’t see it that way. If anything, he’d been stupid to try and attack Yuèliàng. He just hoped Kasaima wouldn’t be too disappointed. Talo had managed to get back into a form close to his original kobold self, if a bit taller and more dragon-like. Before he had a chance to say anything, though, Misha Brightleaf was walking towards him with what looked like half the Long Scouts behind him. Trey gulped. “I hear you’ve captured a dangerous criminal,” he said, looking at Trey. His hand was on Whisper’s hilt. Trey bowed. “That’d be too much credit, M’lord Brightleaf. When I woke, the Curse had already rendered him helpless.” He rose and presented the still-sleeping form of Yuèliàng. “According to his sword, they were both misled into the attack and would like to make amends.” “The one in your other hand?” “I am Yuèjiàn the Moon Sword, second greatest sword of our lands,” said Yuèjiàn. “I surrender myself and my wielder so that we may be judged, and rendered justice.” “Hmm. That makes things a bit different,” said Misha. “If you’re telling the truth, of course.” “My creator bestowed on me the virtue of honesty. I can neither lie nor be deceived by an outright lie. I regret that Yuèliàng and I were misled to this action. It is a stain on our honor, and whatever justice you dispense we shall respect.” “Oddly enough I believe that. Are you safe for anyone to hold?” “No. Only a virtuous soul may even touch me safely, much less hold me. Trey has a pure heart, and also holds my wielder. I do not know how many others would be safe.” “Very well. Yuèliàng seems to be in no condition to face anyone.” “Och! He certainly is not Misha!” said Nestor. “His mind is all rabbity as far as I can tell. I dunna know if he can be recalled or not. We’ve managed to feed him some milk, but aside from basic functions, he seems but a normal baby bunny. I was hoping to get him somewhere that Yuèjiàn might be able to help us and possibly more mages.” “Very well, we’ll send you help.” At his look, several mages from the Scouts volunteered. Nestor led Trey and the others to a building where he lived. “I’ll need to get a wet nurse should we be unable to call him back. Place him at the center of that circle and put Yuèjiàn facing him. I’d like you to hold Yuèjiàn while I cast.” The other mages also took positions to support Nestor. “Why me?” asked Trey. “I’m no mage. Other than my stupidity, I’ve naught to do with him.” “Ah, you might see it that way. Yet you held both him and his sword, so you formed some connection even if you didn’t know it or intend it lad.” As Trey held the hilt of Yuèjiàn, Nestor and the others began canting the counter-Curse. Trey could feel his fur standing on edge as the magic built. Silently, he prayed to Eli for strength. — It was dark and silent; a still void of utter nothingness. Then there was a light. It was silvery soft and sweet. Something in the void stirred. More than nothingness, but still tenuous. The light, though, was giving it strength and form, awaking it slowly and gently. “Yuèliàng” a sound without meaning. Or it should have been. Yet the spirit rising within the void felt as though there was more. Grass and flowers began to grow, and the spirit moved closer to the light. “Yuèliàng!” Who was Yuèliàng? What was Yuèliàng? It was familiar, yet elusive. Like the shadow of a ghost. Yet the spirit knew that the answer was vitally important, and if it didn’t discover the answer soon, it might never know again. The silver circle of a full moon was in a sky full of stars. Around was a field of grass and flowers. The spirit felt stronger yet. A chord was tied between itself and the moon. Wasn’t there a tale about that? A moon maiden? Yes, something…something… “YUÈLIÀNG!” A command! A name! His name! He was Yuèliàng and he was being called! Trees broke into bloom around him as memories filled him again! “I come!” He woke to soft light, in a strange setting he did not recognize. There was a giant rat holding the hilt of his sword Yuèjiàn! “Wunwan wy word woo wuffian!” The words were hard to get out and not remotely in the same octave they ought to have been. Behind him, Yuèliàng heard a snigger. He tried to turn, but his body felt strange and awkward. What he could see of what ought to have been his hands were instead two fuzzy paws. What had happened to him?! “Be at peace, Yuèliàng,” said Yuèjiàn. “Trey has carried us from the cave to where we could find aid. Nestor-sama and these others have helped me restore you to yourself.” “Why dwo wI fweel swo stwange?” His mouth felt as though it had been turned into a soft pillow. Making any words was strangely difficult, but he persisted. “You have been doubly Cursed, Yuèliàng-san,” said Trey. “You’ve been turned into a baby bunny. You will find it difficult to speak until you learn to change more.” “Aye, but more counter-curse will not hurt!” Yuèliàng heard the voice again behind him. He could feel a tingle of magic in his fur. Trey, meanwhile, had gone from a man-like rat to a form closer to a real rat, though a bit oddly shaped. “Here, let me show you. You’ll need to focus a bit at a time.” — June 5, 708 CR Kasaima awoke in the hospital bed feeling as good as new. He stretched his arms and legs and examined the golden scales on them. “Fascinating!” He wasn’t sure if he needed to wait for Coe to release him, but the raccoon soon came in, smiling. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better! If you want, you can have breakfast soon. There were some early morning visitors here, including some who may surprise you!” “Good surprises are always welcome!” Into the room first came Aldwin, Rita, and Talo. Talo was looking wonderingly at Kasaima. “Yes, Talo-san, I am also turning into a dragon, though I think one from my area rather than those you are more familiar with in the west.” Next in came Trey along with him a rabbit-boy of perhaps eight with a small sword at his side. “Trey-kun! I’m glad to see you!” Kasaima rose and hugged Trey. He then looked at the rabbit-boy. “That sword is Yuèjiàn, despite its altered size. You must be Yuèliàng.” Yuèliàng bowed deeply. “At your service, Kasaima-san, though after my despicable attack, I would not expect less than death.” His voice was that of a child, but it was filled with adult seriousness. “Truly this Curse must have some sense of humor. But no, Yuèliàng-san, I do not desire your death. Yuèjiàn has chosen you as its wielder, and it would not do so were you not of outstanding character. How is it that size, though?” “When helping to defend Yuèliàng, I also drew on energies of this Valley. Apparently this allows me to alter my size to fit my wielder now. I may, in fact, now carry some of the Curse within me, though I can’t be certain yet.” “Fascinating. We should talk and plan more over breakfast.” Coe popped his head in. “I just got a message from Misha, inviting you all to the Jolly Collie for a meal with him. You two,” he said, pointing to both Yuèliàng and Yuèjiàn, “are also to attend. I’m not sure if it’s so much an invitation as an order.” Yuèliàng nodded and gave a slight bow. “It is only fitting. We’ve caused much trouble, so we must be expected to make amends. Lead on, Kasaima-san. If in life or in death I can serve you, I will.”</div>