165. Of mistakes, apparitions and a little bit of reasons

Cassandra Pendragon

"I think that's on us. I don't know exactly what we needed Amazeroth's help for, but judging from the few hints I picked up, I imagine the both of us came to the conclusion that the only way forward would include forgetting the atrocities committed during the war and… forgetting what we had created. At least I remember thinking it. The power that ran and still runs, in the case of your relatives, through the veins of the nine families is much too enticing… no immortal would be able to resist and in essence, it's nothing but Corruption. To save the Aretes, I think we hid the truth. We made sure the memories of that time wouldn't survive unaltered so they could live in peace."

"And in doing so, we doomed the future. Are you telling me it's our fault that Michael tries to change the cosmos? Because we hid the truth?" She seemed truly taken aback at the notion. Since I wasn't able to fully hug her, I took her hand in mine before I answered:

"Maybe, but in the end we didn't doom anyone back then, we saved and protected people you cared for. That's never a bad thing. The consequences of our actions are so intertwined, so twisted that nobody can predict where they lead… well, maybe there's one exception. What I'm trying to say is: I might have agreed with you, ages ago, when we were but incarnations of an empty purpose, but I've learned a thing or two since then. Everything we do brings with it good and evil, light and darkness. We can only try to do the best we can and fight for what we think is right. If it comes back to bite us in the ass later on… we'll just have to try harder." She smiled insecurely but at least she rewarded my effort with another kiss.

"I'm not sure I believe you, but thanks for trying…" she was interrupted when my stomach rumbled audibly, which made me blush a beautiful shade of crimson, almost like the strands in her hair. A quiet laugh escaped her and she sauntered over to the table to fill an empty plate.

"Breakfast in bed," she said. "Don't get used to it, but I think for now, we don't want to risk you stumbling over your own feet or falling from a chair. Pineapples or pears?"

"Both, please. I didn't expect to be hungry, considering how I'm feeling but I'm actually famished. Aren't you supposed to have trouble eating when you're sick?"

"Usually, but in your case, you have to somehow make up for what you've lost. True, most of the energy is taken from your core, but I imagine your body doesn't know that. Here, that should help until I can get you something warm," she added while she returned with a glass of water and several slices of fruit. I began salivating when the sweet smell hit me despite my clogged up nose.

The first few bites were like heaven and even though I couldn't appreciate the full aroma, sugar and a hint of taste was already enough to have me moaning with pleasure.

"Seems to be tasty," Ahri commented while she snatched a small piece of mango.

"Unbelievably so," I replied after half of the plate was gone. "Or I'm just starved. One of the two. You should try the dragon fruit, it's pretty amazing."

"The kids bought everything on their way from the harbour, you can thank them later. Which reminds me, are you feeling up to a few visitors? Your family will drop by soon enough, but the rest I could keep away today, if you wanted me to."

"I imagine I'll be more bored than sick quite soon. Leaving the house wouldn't be the best idea, I take it?"

"Not really. As long as you can't fight properly, I honestly don't want you outside. Remember what Tom told us? About the city tearing itself apart if the Mask should die? It's not that bad, but chances are, something's going to happen, should you be on your own. Nobody has seen your face when you killed the Mask… so you're pretty much just a worthwhile, pretty target. Rumours are spreading from what Pete told me, he's back, by the way and still in one piece, but Tom hasn't got the pull yet to keep you safe, so yeah, until you can fly again, you're stuck here."

"Perfect… no matter, there are a couple of things I need to take care of anyways. At least I have plenty of time now, being grounded." She looked at me sternly.

"No magic, that could be dangerous. It's not likely but even Mephisto doesn't know how you'll react if you use your core right now. You can talk, eat and sleep and if you've got some colour in your cheeks by tomorrow, I might be persuaded to take you to the market, but that's it."

"Then what exactly do you expect me to do? I can't just sit here for hours, I'll go crazy!"

"I'm not going to suggest knitting, but you could read a book, once in a while. Your practical knowledge about magic is, apart from the more esoteric stuff, virtually nonexistent. If you truly want to learn, you'll have to start somewhere and now might be a good time to lay some groundwork. You've never cast a spell in your life, and sooner or later throwing more and more energy at a problem won't be enough. Also… I'm pretty sure your sister will keep you occupied, once she's back with her escort, if you don't throw her out at one point or the other. She's been bombarding me with questions ever since she has arrived and I'm convinced she'll focus on you, once she knows you're awake. By the way, she hasn't told your mom anything and neither have I. So I imagine that's another lengthy conversation."

"You realise you're making everything worse? Isn't here anything I can look forward to?"

"Well… once you're feeling a little better, a few things come to mind," she replied while her gaze became hazy and her eyes roamed over my curves, only half hidden under the blanket. Before I could react she added quickly: "But for now, I'm afraid you'll have to deal with a little boredom. By the way, I promised Helena to fetch her, once you wake up. Should I go now or do you want a few more hours of peace and quiet? I imagine you'll have quite the stream of visitors knocking on your door, once they know your awake."

"I'll have more than enough peace and quiet, if your predictions come through. And… if you're already on the way, could you maybe get me some meat or anything else with a little more sustenance? Fruits are delicious and all, but I'm still hungry."

"Sure." She kissed me again and headed for the door. Before she left she added over her shoulder: "I'm glad you're okay. Even though I knew what was going on this time, I was still worried. There's never a dull moment with you, is there?" She didn't wait for a response and closed the door quietly. I stared after her for a few more seconds before I shrugged. As if she was any better.

Sighing deeply, I contemplate getting up and dressed but frankly, the idea of standing upright sent shivers down my spine and despite the minor aches, I still felt quite comfortable. In the end, I contented myself with peaking under the blanket, curious if I had changed in any way, but I was still looking the same, except that I could now clearly see my muscles twitch under my skin, every time I moved and I thought the silvery shimmer I had begun exuding, might have intensified, but at least I still had the same number of tails and they hadn't changed colour. Just as well, for a moment I had feared a more severe transformation, considering my body was restructuring itself, yet again. Apparently that was mostly on the inside, but of course Ahri hadn't left me a mirror, so I couldn't be sure. At least she had kept me clean, or rather I fervently hoped it had been her.

I wrinkled my nose, not too pleased with how skinny I had become, but with a little fattening up, unavoidable if I was confined to this room and the sweets, I hadn't touched until now, were as delicious as they looked anyways, I would be back to normal quickly enough. With a little luck I might even have gotten something out of the deal. Maybe poisons wouldn't work on my change body anymore, which made me think, would alcohol not have an effect either? That would be a pity. Not that I was particularly fond of stronger beverages, but over the course of the last two weeks I had become quite attached to dwarven mead. Oh well, I'd find out soon enough.

For now, I had a stretch of inactivity to deal with, which surprisingly wasn't something I was looking forward to. Admittedly, I had wished for less life threatening circumstance for a while now, but not being able to even go out on my own? That was taking it a bit far. I couldn't even remember the last time I had been hauled up in a room for days on end and I wasn't particularly thrilled at the prospect. If Ahri could have stayed with me the whole time, I wouldn't have minded, but unsurprisingly she seemed rather busy and I didn't want to make her feel like she had to babysit me. Sure, she would probably spend her nights with me, but that still left me with hours I had to somehow fill. Reading might be an option, and it'd even be useful, as she had pointed out, but truthfully, I had never liked it much. Maybe Mephisto would be willing to teach me a thing or two, but knowing him, he would expect me to lay the foundations on my own and he wouldn't bother if I wasn't even able or supposed to use magic. Why would two people be involved if you can do it on your own, he'd say.

Glumly I looked out the window and nearly bolted upright in the bed. Someone was standing on a roof close by, his figure hidden beneath a long, black woollen cloak, utterly unsuitable for the humid and hot climate. A shimmer of red glowed from beneath the hood and I reflexively pushed some energy from my core and towards my eyes. Which wasn't the best idea I had ever had.

A spike of pain dug through my skull and I had to close my eyes when my vision blurred. Hissing in surprise, I massaged my temples and when I opened my eyes again, the figure was gone and I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," I said distractedly, while I tried to get up and hobble towards the window.

"By the Great Fox, I leave you alone for less than two minutes and you're already up? What's gotten into you," Ahri's exasperated voice sounded from the door. Disorientated. I turned around to see her standing there while a bolt of silver flashed through the room. A second later, I was again prostrated on the bed, a nine tailed fox on my chest. For such a small creature, she was surprisingly heavy.

"Ouch," I muttered and wrapped my arms around her. "I missed you, too, but was that really necessary?"

With a toothy grin that showed her long canines, I heard my mother's unchanged voice in my mind: "no, it wasn't. But you shouldn't be up and I quite enjoyed it. Once you're back to normal, I'll hardly be able to throw you off balance now, will I? Thanks, Cassy. Thanks for coming after us." Her bright, silvery eyes shimmered when she added: "that's twice you've saved me now."

"Don't mention it… wait a second, when have you learned how to speak?" Her grin widened.

"Not all of us have been lazing around in bed for the last few days and as it tuned out, I've got a talent for telepathy… most magic, actually, but I thought being able to communicate would be more important than hurling fireballs around." That made me laugh.

"I hope you're right." My fingers traveled across her slim body, searching for any marks she might have retained from her ordeal but luckily I found none. "How are you? And how's everyone else?"

She hunkered down and wrapped her tails around me while she replied: "nothing we can't deal with. The bruises to our egos are probably going to take a little longer to heal, but for the most part, we're fine. Well, at least none of us is going to complain to your face, that would be rather hypocritical, don't you think, considering what you've been through in the last week. And how about you? How are you doing?"

"Great, well, no, that's a lie, I've been better, but there's nothing to worry about. I'll be out and about in jiffy. Unfortunately it seems like I'm stuck here until then."

"You can bet your tails you are," Ahri interjected as she joined us. "Especially since you're obviously not giving a damn about what anyone tells you. Why were you up?"

"I… it's nothing, really. I just thought I saw someone on the roof over there." With a few strides she crossed over to the window, opened it and stuck her beautiful head outside.

"I don't see anything. Want me to go check?"

"No… or maybe, would you mind? I'm probably just paranoid, but there was something… I can't say for sure but I thought I saw a pair of glowing, red eyes and they were staring at me… almost like whoever it was, was hunting and I was the prey. Scratch that, that was just my imagination, but I'd still very much appreciate it, if you could have a look around. Better safe than sorry, I think, isn't it? I'll find a way to make it up to you." She kissed me swiftly and headed for the door again.

"No worries, but if I'm not back in 10 minutes, I'd appreciate if you sent someone after me. Wouldn't be the first time something went wrong around here, would it?" I couldn't quite bring myself to laugh and judging from the low growl that escaped her, my mom didn't see the humour either. Or maybe she had simply been dead serious.

When Ahri was gone I focused back on the sleek vixen and asked: "How did you get caught anyways? I didn't think any one mortal could get the jump on you, a dragon and a fey."

"Don't forget your brother and two elves," she replied while an involuntary snarl spread across her face. "Idiocy, bad luck… take your pick. Has anyone already told you, whom you freed us from?"

"No, but I already figured out that he was most likely one of us, a kitsune, born on Boseiju and exiled, wasn't he?"

"More than that… he was a noble and I knew him personally… he was banished, long before you were born, for practicing sacrificial magic. His status and connections protected him from the executioner but he was exiled the old fashioned way, branded and maimed. I… in hindsight that wasn't the smartest thing to do. Let it serve as a lesson to you: don't humiliate anyone, kill them, if you have to, but never send them away with a festering hatred in their heart. Sooner or later it'll come back to bite you in the tails." She fell silent while she wriggled around to find a more comfortable position before she continued:

"At first, everything seemed to work out just fine. We visited the markets, kept to ourselves and quickly located everything we needed. If we had just bought the ingredients then and there, nothing would have happened, but as you very well know, we wanted to take more than we could pay for. We decided to wait until the stalls closed down, follow the merchants and take what we wanted from their stores but that part didn't work out as planned. Somebody had recognised us, or at least your brother, I think. Not him, personally," she added when she saw me ready to interrupt, "but rather that he was a kitsune." Another growl escaped her before she continued.

"Word travelled fast and when we tried to get into the building, they had already set a trap and where waiting for us. No spells, no magic, just mundane blowpipes, crossbows and expensive poisons. There was no warning, no trace, they knew how many we were and before any of us even realised that we had been tricked, we went down. The next thing I knew, I was already confined to that abominable cage and the others weren't much better of. The next hours were… challenging. Torture is one thing, but seeing your child… oh well, it's over now." Her matter of fact tone didn't deceive me for a second, I could feel her shiver as she told her story, after all.