Chapter Seven : Elysia Brenna the Wild Child

So it’s Elysia Brenna checking in and all I can say is that I have reached the point where I can no longer resist the constant strain the Stone of Tongues is placing on all of my erogenous zones ever hour after I touch it to enable me to understand the infernal languages of this world called Emerald. The band of adventures I had been travelling with at the moment included Shiron the Kensai, my infatuation Nialla the Warlock and beloved Morgan the Ninja while at any moment we could be joined by Buerick the Druid, Ragoff the Barbarian, Malcolm the Viking, and even Null the Priest. Now of course the others were at the moment spending quality time within the pocket dimension located within the Stone of Tongues no doubt having the times of their lives. While I was stuck out here on what was starting to look like a suicide mission with a bunch of repressed boring stuck up sexual prudes. Now I realize that I might be sounding a bit harsh but the Stone of Tongues was starting to work on my sanity. While I had been trained by a Beguiler of legendary skill at her craft I was beginning to feel the strain of constant exposure to the artifact I have called the Stone of Tongues. There is an expensive and exotic aphrodisiac called Golden Haze it normally costs around seven hundred and fifty gold pieces (750gp) per dose and the effect it has on the body is exquisite but it only last for around two hours but what a two hours and if you partner was ever thinking about resisting you then they will think twice after being dosed with Golden Haze. Now the downside is of course if you take more than one dose per twenty four hours then you will find your libido suppressed and you will find yourself slumped into a deep depression. Well after being exposed to the strongest known aphrodisiac I have learned to tolerate it and even get used to the depression if I was ever overdosed but to have all of the benefits without any of the drawback which would cause everything one looks at to acquire a golden glow was maddening. I truly began to realize perhaps the only place I might be able to find peace was to travel back within the dimension within the stone myself where granted I was sure once I arrived I would experience another mind overwhelming orgasmic experience I would at least be able to recover in peace without having to touch the Stone of Tongues every hour and be constantly left with an itch that none of my seemingly useless companions seemed willing to help me scratch. Truth be told I really needed some time away before I began thinking I would be better off without the lot of them. After all I wanted to believe they were my friends but I know if any of them needed me to help them if they had a problem I would not leave them tortured and forced to deal with their situations alone.

So it was that I remembered the ritual my Mother had taught me that would allow me to banish from my psyche my fiendish heritage forever. If all went as planned then by Aphrodite my fey nature would be revitalized I would have gained enough strength to resist the Stone of Tongues influence. There would be a price it would mean replacing Loki my current patron with Aphrodite a deity I also revered and giving up the pure chaos I had come to embrace for so long and brighten it with the light of love. I realized that I was giving up a lot and my quest for power would now be a more difficult road to follow but I also realized that I needed to change things or the future that Sully the Moonbeast might very well come true. I needed to change some things and stop being the presumptuous Markessa De’Mornae and start thinking like the loving and caring Elisa Brenna that I used to be so many years ago. It might take anywhere from six to twenty four hours for me to find the right focus to perform the ritual and as I prepared to enter the dimension within the Stone of Tongues I removed the bag from my Backpack of Containment that held our local currency which now valued at one hundred and thirty three point seventy five (133.75) and six red (6r) and handed it to Nialla and then I touched the Stone of Tongues and vanished and I reappeared where I had desired near a stream deep within the forest. I could feel the orgasmic aftermath from my transition to this realm and for awhile I lost track of time as I disrobed and entered the water to begin the ritual. I needed to cleanse both my soul and body of the taint that I had allowed to take hold within me that while I knew that the side effects of the transition would cause me to be a little shakier than I had been in the past I felt confident the rewards would be worth it. As exited the stream I could hear the sounds of the forest calling to me and I could literally feel my resistance to enchantments growing even as I felt my skin begin to tingle I knew that soon cold iron would be my enemy but most other types injury I would be able to ignore and I could feel my mind altering and new magical abilities coming within my reach. From now on I would be able to charm others with my words or even cause them to succumb to a deep slumber or even if my Hat of Mystery ever failed me I would be able to duplicate its effects and alter my appearance and while these abilities would only be available once per day each they were mind to command and the feeling was exhilarating. For a moment I felt as carefree and wild as I had been when I had first spent time with the Nymph Arethusa known to my Mother who had first taught me how to explore my sexuality. Of course later on there was the Dryad Naida who had taught me how to be patience and caring lover and of course there had been Oren the Satyr with whom I had gotten out of hand which had eventually led to my association with the Cult of Dionysus and of course after much debauchery had let eventually to Loki the Trickster at which point my Mother had stepped in and taken me to me away from the Fey Court and when we arrived at the Elven Court I had became her ward Markessa De’Mornae never again to become Elysia Brenna and realize that I had been tricked by Loki and given up my other birthright until now. As I reclaimed my cloths and prepared to emerge from the realm within the Stone of Tongues I realized that change was good and sometimes it’s alright to be a little wild.

Well speaking of wild it seems that my departure had indeed brought out the wild side within my companions. For as I looked upon the arch that would allow me to see the world outside the Stone of Tongues what I beheld was sad and evil and while before I might have laughed and claimed any who stood in our way deserved whatever they got. My reality was no longer the same and what I saw now almost made me sick to the stomach so much so that I needed to return to the stream once again to cleanse myself in preparation for when I needed to face my companions again and try not to judge but love them. Now you might be wondering what I had beheld that could cause such a reaction and was almost bringing tears to my eyes. Well what I had beheld was that Buerick had exited the realm within the Stone almost exactly at the same time that I had entered. Now was I will admit strange was that I knew I had been in the midst of my ritual for at least six hours as I had been able to focus and accomplish my task of renewal but it seemed as I looked out that my friends had only recently gotten underway in the taxi they seemed to have been caught up in some sort of investigation on the road. It seemed they were being redirected to a ferry to cross the lake before they were to be allowed to get underway. It seemed they were the only ones on the Ferry at the time which made it look like a trap to me. I would have tried to exit the Realm of the Stone then but at the moment I was still concentrating on assimilating my new abilities and I could not yet split my concentration to try and warn them. Well sooner than I expected they once the ferry had gotten underway and they were lounging somewhat either within or outside the taxi. A De’Moulay and three of his De’Moulay henchman started to approach and seemed to be questioning my friends. Which was when all hell broke loose of course for no sooner did Nialla step out of the taxi then at a signal from the cloak wearing De’Moulay the three support soldiers started draw their firearms. Well that was when Morgan the Nimble literally sprung into blinding action for he immediately leaped over the taxi while drawing his short sword and prepared to do battle with one of the soldiers. While Shiron drew his katana but seemed equally prepared to fight without it. I saw Buerick start to cast a spell while Nialla began unleashing her eldritch bolts of mystical power. I will not relay a second by second of what happened next but I will make note that both Morgan and Shiron would have fallen if it were not for the actions of my beloved Nialla. While without the versatility and tenacity of Buerick one of the soldiers and perhaps even the De’Moulay would have escaped in the lake but by transforming into a shark he made any attempt at fleeing impossible. As it was only one of the soldiers was dead struck down finally but one of Nialla eldritch bolts. It seemed that perhaps Nialla might have had a plan but it seemed that after Shiron heard an answer that displeased him the struck the De’Moulay and ended his life while gesturing to Morgan to do the same with the others which Morgan did with one who was barely conscious and another who had chosen to surrender. About this time Malcolm showed up and seeing me asked me if I would be offended if he took a bath and I told him of course not and I also told him the waters I had found quite soothing and cleansing. He told me that a Asgardian clansman of his had been wandering within the forest and he had recently found him and his name was Erik and he was of their Silver Dragon Shaman and that he had changed cloths with him and he was going to replace him on the mission. As I looked back on the scene on the ferry Nialla seemed disgusted and walked away while I felt for her and Morgan. Nialla because I knew for her killing in the midst of combat was one thing but killing captives in cold blood was another and Morgan because I knew he had a bloodthirsty streak that if he was not careful could lead him down the same dark path that I had only recently abandoned. I could see that Erik seemed to be in a heated discussion with the others regarding their actions while Shiron and Buerick spoke. I had a feeling that I might be seeing them soon. For within moments Nialla had used her eldritch power to remove physical remains of the De’Moulay and her men while I could see that the captain of the ferry seemed to have escaped and Shiron seemed in the mood to spare the taxi driver. I saw Buerick hold up the Stone of Tongues and I saw each of my friends as well as Erik vanish. I then saw the Stone seem to take off into the air no doubt Buerick was using his shape changing ability to take the form of a bird which he would use to enable us to escape the scene. I had a feeling they would transition near the drudical grove and since I was nearby they would no doubt find me in short order If they were looking. After witnessing the cold blooded slaughter by my friends I needed to once again cleanse myself within the stream and prepare myself to receive them for I did not want them to think I was judging them since if it were not for my recent transformation I realized I would not have let the ferry captain escape or the taxi driver live to ever have the chance to tell the tale.

Morgan was the first to find me no doubt his excellent senses had alerted him and the fact that I was singing a sylvan melody I knew would help him to locate me. I also saw Erik coming a few feet behind him but in truth my eyes were only for Morgan. I will admit in my life I have become a mistress of expressing emotions as well as perceiving them and on his face I could read conflicting emotions when he laid eyes on me enthrallment, torment and the slightest bit perhaps of longing when his eyes met mine. He seemed to be mumbling under his breath walked to a nearby tree and slumped next to it. I could tell that he had been in a fight his blood was everywhere and his cloths were a mess. Erik spoke to me and I noticed that in all the excitement I had lost track of Malcolm but not matter I had more pressing things to attend to at the moment. As I rose out of the stream I tumbled out to help dry myself and conceal my features as I went to put on my cloths and my equipment. I spoke with Erik who seemed to rightfully be calling my friends murderers and deranged killers and while I could not really question his logic I did work my charm to try and convince him that they were highly stressed out and felling overwhelmed and perhaps not that he had arrived perhaps we would have the balance that in the past we had lacked. He seemed to calm down and seemed to need the spring as had I moments before to help cleanse his body and mind. While he cleared his thoughts I crossed to Morgan to console and comfort him. I will admit the thought to take advantage of him did cross my mind but those were thoughts of the past and now Morgan needed a friend not a lover. I could now hear what he was still mumbling “To Close, To Close, To Close” I kneeled next to him and asked Morgan was to close you are scaring me what happened. He told me his version of the tale and how close he had come to dying and how he had chosen to listen to Shiron as he gave the order to kill their hostages. Morgan was conflicted because he had been enthralled by the power he felt over life and death as well the torment he was now suffering through because within his heart he wanted to remain a good man. As I took his hand and helped him disrobe as I left my cloths and gear at the tree I guided Morgan with me back to the stream and while I tried to conceal it he saw my tears. He asked why I was crying and I told him because I was sad that I had left him and Nialla alone and they had been forced to perform acts that would now mare their souls. I asked him why he had followed Shiron’s orders and he told me he had felt at the time that it was the wisest decision to make at the time while I methodically cleansed and purified him within the stream. I also started to sing an old elven lullaby to help Morgan relax and as I led him back out of the stream I reached to my Backpack of Containment and pulled fresh cloths for him to wear. And while we both dressed I let him rest and he leaned back and I told him to rest here he was safe and that I would be nearby. I told him relax and that Elysia would sing him a song and he asked me if I wanted to know his real name and I told him I only was giving him my first which was mine to give. I continued I would be honored to know his name if knowing it betrayed no one he held dear. He told me he was the last of his clan and that his name was Alex and I smiled and said thank you and then I told him to rest while him could. Within moments Morgan was resting or the elven version of it anyway and rose to check on the well being of my beloved Nialla.

Along the way I caught sight of Captain Shiron who seemed suddenly in the mood to step up and become the groups commander or perhaps even leader. As I approached I had no tears for him as I was sure I would have none as well Buerick at least for now. I greeted Shiron and I told him I had seen and now heard what had transpired. We then started into a conversation about the trap the Ves had set for us with the assistance of their De’Moulay forces. I asked him if he had realized they were being led into a trap and if so why had he allowed the confrontation to occur in the first place. He explained to me that he had felt something was odd since the roadblock but he had wanted the Ves to betray their hand and have a chance to find out firsthand what they were capable of as well as what information that could be gained from them. I apologized for being busy and I told him I was sorry that my absence may have helped cause the need for the others to almost lose their lives. He told me I had nothing to be sorry for while I realized that perhaps I needed to explain a little more so he might have a better idea of what I was talking about. I explained to him that I needed to change some things about myself and what he saw as I pointed to my elegant figure was the result. I informed him of the vastness of the information that had overwhelmed my mind during my contact with the mind of the Moonbeast and how the Stone of Tongues and even my friend Morgan had led to me realize that I had to make a change in my life for the better. He questioned what I was talking about and I used my beloved Nialla since she was on my mind to explain. I informed him that Nialla was no doubt right now going through a bout with her sense of good and evil. For as I explained her powers might come from Infernal connections and ties it was her will and her heart which is pure and good that allows her to use the powers granted to her for the cause of good. I explained how in my life my Mother and I had had a conversation years ago about the paths that I could chose that she could live with. She had always told me whatever path I chose as long as I did not become evil in my heart she would forever love me. I explained that in the past the path to power for me was a seductive one and I had chosen the quick and easy path but I had never forgotten the ritual my Mother had taught me that I could use to reclaim my connections to the Fey. He questioned the reasons for my actions when in reality he could never really understand well perhaps in time but I doubted we had that much time. I tried for a simpler approach and asked what he saw when he looked at me. He told me a woman of magical powers of his world and then he asked what else did he need to see? My answer while perhaps a little vague was as much truth as I could offer him for I told him that in the past I had chosen a darker path but that I hand now abandoned that path forever. I informed him that while I knew he was not exactly a man of faith I was and while I had recently changed my devotions and in so doing I now no longer felt the need to believe that this world would one day serve my needs. I now felt that while I would refrain from violence myself when necessary I fully understood that it was often necessary and to those who performed the tasks needed to preserve our world and way of life I would not judge but instead offer comfort and love. I told Shiron that I had made some bad choices in the past and the events not just any one had led me to the choices I had made and that I was completely on board to save our world and find out the truth at any cost. I told him my name was Elysia and that I could now call myself that name again for my Mother had made me swear a vow to remain Markessa until the day came when the mention of my name would never embarrass her and that day had come. I told him in the past Markessa might not have been as lenient as he had been for the cab driver as well as the ferry captain escaped but that now I could understand his desire to show compassion for those who were civilians. For a moment I began to wonder if he thought I might have a mental disorder but I smiled and assured him that all was well and that not to worry and that I would work on a way to hide our scent as well as our physical appearance. I then bid him a pleasant time in reflection and realized as I departed his presence to seek out Nialla I realized I would have to keep a very close eye on Captain Shiron for if left to his own bloodthirsty desires anyone who raised a weapon in our direction would be receiving no quarter. I felt sad for Shiron for he was like the opposite side of the coin from myself for while in the past I would have embraced and believed that complete chaos molded by intelligence was the path to power I felt Shiron felt that order regardless if it served the purposes of good or evil if our world was saved then petty things like morality and right and wrong were small prices to pay. Perhaps he might be right but tears still came once again fresh to my eyes as I realized the price for if I was not careful might very well be my beloved Morgan’s and Nialla’s immortal souls.

I did not have to look far to find Nialla and as I saw her from the tenseness in her beautiful shoulders she was still suffering from the actions in which she had taken part. For once again I knew she had been forced to destroy evidence of murder and this time the victims had been helpless prisoners. I know that Nialla’s heart is a good one and that she struggles with Infernal Devilish forces every day of her life. She believes she can use the powers granted to her by pacts she has made with such dark forces to do good. It is not for me to judge but to believe in my friend and give her comfort and love during the times when the struggle seems as if it could at any moment overwhelm her. As I drew closer to her I could see that she was putting several items back into her sidebag while getting ready it seemed to destroy two other devices. I silently walked to her and knelt by her side and once again tears came to my eyes she saw and asked me what was wrong. I told her as I came closer to her and hugged her I was sorry for what she had been forced to do. She smiled back at me and I could see when I asked her what she found that the technology was a perfect distraction for her and it seemed to be helping her overcome her disgust at the blatant evil actions of our group. I did not figure now was a good time to discuss Shiron or Morgan for this was about Nialla and her needs so therefore I allowed my closeness remind her that she had a friend who was devoted to and loved her. I was so happy to not have the burning within my body that would have driven me to throw her to the ground and ravish her and that I could just be with her as she explained the new devices she had found on the De’Moulay team. The items that had survived her demolition were a one shot missile launcher, tear gas grenade and three guns with six clips. Nialla asked me if I wanted on and I told her of course since if figured I still needed to learn if the weapons used by the Ves and the Hub were specific to their own divisions or universal like their missiles. So I took one of the firearms and two of the clips and realized now that I held the weapon perhaps I should find somewhere to practice once we arrived back on the world of Emerald. I could tell Nialla was enjoying my company and I was so enjoying not having to act like someone else like I had been for so many years. To finally be able to talk to someone who I realized I loved and whose beauty rivaled that of a Dryad was so stimulating that I lost track of time. Nialla told me that we needed to rise for she was aware that time passed differently inside the Realm within the Stone and since Buerick was flying us to the hills of Central City she told me we would be due to arrive soon. I told her just give me a moment to collect my stuff and I will be ready and it was then that the reality really hit me. I would need to of course adapt another disguise and be prepared to create new ones for the group as well which was fine by me. The only snag of course might very well be the presence of Scrounger when I realized that the De’Moulay on Sandbar had no doubt turned us over which could cause problems but at sensitive area’s we could always hide Scrounger back within the stone. As Nialla walked with me back near the stream I asked Scrounger if barring a description from the cab driver or ferry captain could they had acquired a picture of us that they could use. He told me from what he was aware we would have to have been standing still for a longer period for such picture to be taken. I will admit I was mildly irritated since in my mind the knowledge of space ships and particle beams really seemed to me like Scrounger had said in the past primitive by comparison but I had to admit that they did seem organized enough that we needed to stay on our toes. Well I was once again fully dressed and I set my mind and prepared myself just in case the arrival back to the world of Emerald had the same mind wrenching orgasmic side effect.

I was overjoyed when I arrived back and looked on the night we seemed to be in an abandoned building several stories up as they were called and the area that Buerick had chosen was exposed to the night air. But what was even more amazing was that with the exception of a slight tingle on my fey skin I felt fine and the final test was soon to come. As the others arrived I could see that Buerick was holding the Stone of Tongues and that Shiron had already arrived and they were talking. I approached them and thanked Buerick for his efforts and I bowed to him as I touched the Stone of Tongues and once again said the words which for the hour would give me the ability to understand the people of this world and I spoke “In the brightest day, In the blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight, Let those who worship evils might, Beware my power…, Green Lanterns light!” and it was done and once again besides a milder tingle across my skin I felt the same. Well let’s be honest I always would be happy to spend some quality time with Morgan or Nialla or both together if Shiron would ease up on the bloodthirsty orders which Morgan felt compelled to obey which obviously I knew would work to drive a wedge between them. Well if I had my way I planned to be the wedge that drove them back together and with that settled I put my sexual feeling to the back of my mind so I could focus on the task at hand. I will admit I am more hedonistic than most but the truth is I enjoy studying and in that I have always taken pleasure and my mind is like an organized puzzle box and now without the Stone of Tongues ripping my well constructed emotional construct to shreds and forcing me to do everything in my power to keep from ripping off my cloths and jumping someone or ever worse charming one of my friends to serve my sexual needs I was at peace. So I was not surprised when I overheard the others talking about checking out the area and that perhaps Morgan would be best suited for the task. As I looked around this area that Buerick had chose was completely gutted every building around us seemed in the same pathetic shape. While I thought about this Eric the Dragon Shaman asked me if I could help him with his beard and I had to admit I liked him and I told him it would be my pleasure. As I went to work on Eric I looked around and realized that if memory served Eric could heal it would just be a matter of filling him in and letting him understand why the others had felt the need to take such drastic actions. I also came to the conclusion that Buerick should be able to heal Morgan as well. For I knew if I waited for Morgan the Iron Willed to say something about his wounds which were still severe I would be an old woman before he said something so it would be up to me which was fine by me for that’s what friends were for. It was decided that we would likely camp here for the night while I will admit I wanted to wait until Morgan came back just to be sure and I knew I would want Scrounger in this conversation since I realized that we seemed to constantly only about one step ahead of our enemies of which meant they could afford to mess up if the liked and miss their chance to catch us but we did not have the same luxury. So it was going to be time to show the group and this world of Emerald exactly what a Fey Beguiler was capable of and since I no longer feared being turned toward my former Abyssal nature all I could think about was look out Cthulhu we are coming for you.

Chapter Six : Elysia and Morgan the Iron Willed

So it came to pass that Morgan the Nimble and I Elysia Breena which means blissful beauty of fairy land or Markessa or Beauty as I have come be known her on the world of Emerald were left alone by the others to handle the affairs of our band and lay the groundwork for our next plan. I had been deserted by every single member of our little expedition with the exception of Morgan the Nimble. Well if I had to pick one companion to be left alone with I will admit Morgan would have been my first choice. I will just have to remember if I ever decide to leave this world to track my Mother down and find out whatever she had said to my Morgan to cause him to not take advantage of the many opportunities to spend some quality time with me. For the alternative that he did not find me attractive and desirable was simply inconceivable. So it was left to Morgan and I to lay the groundwork that would see us past spies, more spies and the De’Moulay law enforcement division and make our way safely to Central City. Not really a problem when you have a team like Morgan the Nimble and I but I get ahead of myself so I shall start from the beginning.

I barely remember the walk back from the beach to the Government Trade Center as my mind was elsewhere but I do remember Nialla saying something about needing to perform a ritual with Scrounger that would bind him to her and save his life that would take twenty four hours and Shiron saying something about needing to perform a ritual that would also last the same amount of time. I only knew of one ritual that took about that long and involved a warrior but that could only mean he was indeed a Kensai. Morgan stepped next door saying something about checking on our other room. Before I could even question Nialla about the wisdom of doing this now she touched the Stone of Tongues and vanished and about the same time so did Buerick and Malcolm. Morgan came back and told us that our other room seemed clear and undisturbed and Shiron told us that while he was gone we might investigate the plans of the De’Moulay. For a moment I did not really follow him then I remembered he was talking about what we had discussed before my encounter with the Moonbeast which really seemed like year ago to me. I came around after a moment and said sure Morgan and I will endeavor to keep ourselves out of trouble but in reality I figured it would do it’s best to find us. Shiron then touched the Stone of Tongues and after a moment vanished as well which left Morgan and I to handle our affairs. Well I actually hoped to really work on my relationship with Morgan while they were all gone but alas the Red Menace had other plans for us.

I had decided after working to pull myself together that we had the entire day and perhaps we might be able to check on the De’Moulay’s activities. As Morgan and I took our leave of the GTC the doorman Rallo and Carlton bid us a good day and we were on a way to the municipal district. I was glad to have Morgan at my side his graceful yet confident stride was soothing. I really needed the air because I was still trying to process all of the information that I had gathered from the Moonbeast Sully. I will admit that one of the many skills I had picked up during my time as a professional Diplomat and even as I continued on as a Negotiator was a thirst for knowledge that led me to almost every field of trained study. While I do not claim to be an expert in everything I would have said in the past that if it was something that could be known then I might know something about it was not longer a fact. The harsh reality was that if I had thought the showers, stoves, radios, televisions, and mobile transport were impressive they paled in comparison to the control of singularities which were another way of saying black holes. So what were black holes well they were not just a hole that was black they were a concept that dealt with gravity. I could go on to describe the working of the Quantum field theory but since I would have no way to relate it in non scientific terms that anyone I know would be able to follow I will suffice to say that from what I have been able to determine their technology would enable them to perform anything an Archmage could do and perhaps beyond. So I was thankful for Morgan’s presence and even more when he told us that once again we seemed to have once again acquired a tail. I was in the mood for another distraction and cloths were one of my favorite so I decided to window shop for a little and see if our tail stayed with us and Morgan told me he was actually trying to get closer. I figured I would seem if the was intent to pass close to the municipal district if he stayed with us I would at least be able to gain and idea if he was armed. As we passed the fire station, police station and even a medical facility our tail fell back and we approached the school without incident. I knew Morgan was looking to teach our tail a lesson but I asked him to please be patient and find out if tries to pick us back up after we leave the school. So as we approached I noticed a young girl outside who seemed to be tending to two young children outside the school. I cast a silent detect thoughts spell in order to enable me to pick up more information as we began to talk. I told her we were visiting and we had come looking to see the school and perhaps catch up with the De’Moulay and she had told us we had just missed her. I inquired about the school and found out that while they were looking to expand they only had sixteen students right now. Her impression of the current De’Moulay was quite positive as she seemed to be able to find the root of problems and solve them while the Ves church which should have been able to perform the same function seemed unable to often come to a consensus. It had seemed that in her two years as De’Moulay she had managed to gain quite a following among the Non-Reformed Ves as they were called her on Safe Landing. I inquired into the reason into the visit of the De’Moulay and she shared that there were some books that some children had brought to school that were felt to be a little sexually graphic for young children. She discussed how the island was non polygamous which I thought was sad but which I could respect since I always felt to each their own as long as you do not try to force their beliefs on me then we are all good. So to be honest I felt there was not much more to be gained here and so Morgan and I headed back to the GTC and this time while he was trying to get closer Morgan turned and walked right up to him. I had taken the liberty to silently cast another detect thought spell to enable me to find out the truth. When Morgan asked him why he was following us he of course claimed he was doing no such thing. While I could read his thoughts and I could determine that he was an operative who was paid to observe the island and file a report on anything interesting. I asked him so what are you doing around here anyway which of course led him to think about what he was really doing and that was for the most part spying on the Rugby team and following us because we were new. I could tell Morgan was about to perhaps make him sorry for ever deciding to try and follow us and I was able to persuade him that all was good and we could move on. I let him know that he was indeed the same man who had been following us since we arrived in town and I asked him to please refrain from teaching him a well deserved lesson. I informed Morgan that for now we were not drawing any suspicion and I felt it wise that we keep it that way since I told him our current cover was far from solid and the more normal we seem to those we interact with the better. I could tell he was not exactly happy with my logic but he did see the wisdom to it and we walked arm in arm back which for one made sure he did not slip away from me and second touching his arm was exciting other parts of my body in anticipation of returning to my room at the GTC where I planned to take advantage of our alone time.

So for the most part since my recent awakening I was no longer really feeling the need to maintain my guise as Markessa De’Mornae and I was really feeling more like Elysia Brenna I don’t know it was the Stone of Tongues the contact with the Moonbeasts mind or a combination of the two. All I knew was that the need to deceive and manipulate was not really high on my list of priorities at the moment. I waved to Rallo and Carlton as we entered the elevator and rode up to my room. I was happy to see Morgan follow me to my room and once we arrived I proceeded to my bed and started to disrobe in preparation for a shower. I turned back and told Morgan he was more than welcome to join me I told him the shower’s were exquisite and if he felt a little pent up I knew ways to relax him. Yeah I know I was being perhaps a little to forward but for Loki’s sake I had been waiting five years and with the Stone’s effect on me and my mind still reeling from the contact with the Moonbeast I could really us a real person to help satisfy my need and desire and who better than Morgan the Nimble. I could tell I was lost in thought or lust for I totally did not even hear the ringer in the room which Morgan answered and then I heard the voice of Rallo speaking about a strange man who was heading up to our floor. Morgan called out to me to get ready and so I threw my mithral back on and reactivated the Hat of Disguise for I had been giving Morgan a view of my undisguised beauty and he was actually playing the role of a gentleman and looking away. So I cast another detect thoughts spell and since the doors and wall were thin I was able to pierce the wall and door and locate a mind. Morgan had told me that he had been unable to hear anything. The operative was walking down the hall and trying to locate someone who he believed might be the creature they had been tracking which they had thought was a Moonbeast which had somehow managed to eliminate without a trace one of their Psi-Operatives. He had been sent here alone to find out exactly they were dealing with and had managed to trail us here and to top it off he was coming up empty and was getting ready to cast a detect magic spell once he made his way back toward our room. I ceased concentration on my spell and walked to Morgan and said to him I can cloak you sword which I proceeded to do but then I realized I would be unable to cloak the Stone of Tongues. So I devised another plan to turn Morgan invisible and exit the room with the plan to walk toward the elevator and then notice the Red Menace operative once Morgan had the chance to slip away. Well at least that was the plan the reality worked out a little bit differently. For no sooner had I opened the door and walked out than the Red Menace operative turned toward me and touching something on his belt he cast a detect magic spell. I was a little surprised but I covered it but the operative failed to do so and backed up saying at first “Hello I am trying to find.” And then “Ah excuse me I will be leaving”. Well his uncertainty was not lost on Morgan who must have moved up behind him for within moments he stopped and reached behind him and then I heard Morgan say “Perhaps you might want to stick around and answer the ladies questions?.”. I saw him jerk as if he had a something to his throat and I realized the jig as they say was up. I figured no use trying to be subtle for while the operative only stood around five foot four I could sense there was more to him he carried himself with a composure that spoke of experience. So therefore I did not take any chances and I cast a spell of deep slumber on him I reacted so quickly that before either he or Morgan could even move he was asleep and Morgan was catching him. I then asked Morgan to carry him to our room for we only had around seven minutes for me to enact my plan plenty of time in mind. Morgan looked to me and I said don’t kill him since I wanted to reserve that for a last resort. I told Morgan my plan as we striped and searched him yeah I know some might thing the stripping thing a bit much but you never know where a person will hide a weapon. As it was he was armed with a pistol and ammo which I moved to my Backpack of Holding as well as a mysteriously curved knife and the magical box which bore symbols in abyssal which I realized could be use to duplicate a vast array of magical abilities. I kept track of this while I filled Morgan in on my plan I was going to use the Stone of Tongues to attempt to transfer us both into the dimension within it drop him off with some of our comrades inside and then exit. I would then assume his guise and exit the GTC and then slip back. I informed Morgan I would need him to exit the room head downstairs look at the pool wait around four minutes then act as if he was going to exit and seem to change his mind and then head back up to the room. In that way I would have plenty of time to slip the operatives identity turn myself invisible and shadow Morgan while invisible back up the room. Morgan looking as handsome as ever said he understood and with that while touching the Red Menace operative I touched the Stone of Tongues and channeling drudical energy I focused on taking us both into the world within. There was a flash and when my vision cleared not only was I recovering from a mind blowing toe curling orgasm but the operative and I were in a field near a forest. I looked around as I withdrew a dagger and I prepared myself to finish him while at the same time I spoke out the realm “I could use some help finding someone to watch over him?” My will was answered when Null the Priest suddenly came walking out of the forest and seemed really glad to see me. Thankfully I had saw him coming before he saw me and I had time to revert to my Markessa guise which is why he recognized me in the first place. Well after our brief introductions and I had told him about her current situation and asked if he could keep an eye on our captor while I tied him up. I also informed him of the danger of the mystical box and explained that it was a dangerous mystical device and if he could manage to get it into Nialla’s hands he would be doing me a big favor. He informed me that I was the first person he had seen since he first arrived here but that he would try. I told him either way was fine but I told him to keep our prisoner tied up and to watch him as he was not doubt dangerous. With that I shimmered and reassumed my Beauty persona and focused my feelings on returning to Emerald and braced myself just in case I had another orgasmic experience. Well as I had come to expect I returned to my room in the GTC and it was a good thing I was kneeling otherwise I might have cried out in pleasure and fell to the ground. As it was I had been focusing and I don’t believe Morgan noticed anything different but I am sure as he was talking I missed a few words. I asked him how much time had passed as I rose and stepped to the full length mirror near the shower to prepare my disguise. He told me only a few minutes which seemed about right to me I told him that our captive was still alive and being watched by Null he seemed to give me the impression that he would be better off dead and I responded that he was a potential knowledge base that we could use to our advantage. He seemed to roll with that and within moment my guise as the Red Menace operative was complete and we headed out of the room for phase two of my plan. As we exited the elevator using my acting skill I mimicked the operatives voice and said “Sorry for the confusion once again and have a good day.” While Morgan looked at me and said “Not a problem happens all the time.” while he exited and headed to the swimming pool. Meanwhile I exited the GTC with the plan being to head to the Inky Sunshine and use the bathroom to slip the operative id and switch into another one that I would slip and turn invisible and then return to the GTC. Well that was the plan anyway for as I was heading in that direction I noticed that I was being heading off by a member of the law enforcement. I took a moment to make sure that he was indeed heading in my direction and once I had confirmed it I looked for a location where I could duck away from him and once I did so I cast two spell which would get me back to the GTC unseen and unheard. So once I had cast invisibility and zone of silence upon myself I was now invisible and silent while I could still hear what the law enforcement officer said and it was interesting to hear him speak into his radio and say that the De’Moulay had been correct and individual he had be approaching was no doubt a Red Menace operative and that he had lost him. I circled around him and heading back to the GTC and I as quite intrigued when I returned and waited for Morgan to make his move toward the door and as I entered I notice the same law man who had been outside was now inside questioning Rallo and Carlton. He seemed to still quite upset that he had lost the Red Menace operative and was taking it out on the doormen and it seemed that he was continuing his investigation by wanted to speak with whomever the operative had spoken to. It seemed I had been pushing it by speaking with Morgan when I left for it seemed that was out of character for an RM operative. I filed that away for future reference and noticed that Rallo was pointing to Morgan and the officer was walking his way. Morgan handled the situation smoothly and managed to convey that the others were upstairs and that he had spoken to the RM operative only briefly as he had come downstairs. To officer seemed to accept everything that Morgan had said and concluded that he would be continuing his investigation. At which point Morgan and I headed back upstairs to Nialla’s and my room where once we arrived I turned visible while disrobing since now I really needed a shower and I turned back to Morgan and I noticed he had turned around and I told him he did a marvelous job with the law enforcement officer. I once again informed him he was more than welcome to join me but he respectfully declined. All I could think of was either two things were happening here either Morgan preferred men or my Mother dam her to the Abyss if she did told Morgan to watch over me in which case he might just have enough will power to do it. As I stepped into the shower I noticed Morgan turned back around and I was able to deduce that he did not prefer men which left only my Mother and if I had not been still so turned on by the Stone of Tongues I would screamed in anger and despair for here I was finally alone with a man I had been dreaming of for over five years with the need for a physical connection and he would not even look at me. My mind stated to become absorbed by the knowledge that I was still poring over and while I used my crystal companion to simulate my fantasies of Morgan I sang a little song to hide my cries of both ecstasy and despair as I once again satisfied my bodies needs on my own. I was recovering and pulling myself back together for Morgan’s sake and he told me he heard noises outside in the hall. I had figured it was merely the law enforcement officer wrapping up his investigation. Morgan had asked me to get ready just in case and I noticed that while I had yet to put on any cloths he still managed to avoid looking directly at me. I almost wanted to scream by Dionysus look at me Morgan you dammed fool can’t you see I am practically throwing myself at you but I controlled myself and focused on getting fixing my makeup and my hair screw the cloths. I heard Morgan say someone was coming toward our door and he stepped out to meet him. I moved silently to the door and listened and it was indeed the law enforcement officer and they talked and I heard them head for the elevator. Morgan came back a few moments later and I figured we had a number of hours to kill until dinner time and I figured if he had the will to resist me then I was going to let him put it to the test. So several hours later while we discussed in further detail the events I had witnessed with the mind of the Moonbeast and our coming journey to the Soup Shop to confirm our travel arrangements to Central City Port. It was finally time to get dressed and head out for dinner. Well I learned my lesson Morgan the Nimble might as well be called the Iron Willed for while I was definitely in the mood Morgan much to my libido’s despair Morgan would not be seduced well perhaps if I had thrown myself at him but if it came to that then I would know that I had lost my touch. And if he wanted to play hard to get then so be it two could play that game.

Morgan and I had passed thru the GTC lobby without incident and make our way to Driscol’s Soup and Bread Shop. Where we spend a good part of the evening dining and drinking which for two point seventy five (2.75) each for all you can eat and drink was a good deal. While we were there we confirmed with Driscol that he would meet us at the GTC about an hour after morning prayer. It seemed that his cousin owned a water taxi and was going to give us a deal. He was going to be travelling with his son and a cousin and told us our cut for the transportation was going to be four (4.00) which seemed fair to me. He told us his cousin’s name was Monifred and as long as his rumple as he called the vehicle did not give us any trouble we should arrive in Central City Port within two hours. It was odd but it seemed that one of his family members who were helping to serve us seemed to be a little too interested in our conversation. I excused myself for a moment to us the ladies room and while there cast a detect thoughts spell and when I returned I found that the family member in question was another spy who was paid to drop off information on any newcomers. So for the most part fairly innocent so I did not even mention it to Morgan. I was surprised that we would be headed the Science Center alone since it seemed that Driscol had acquired other priorities and would be parting ways with us once we reached Central City Port. So after making sure Driscol’s eavesdropping had enough useless information which would lead anyone trying to follow us to Swamp Town Morgan and I called it a night and told Driscol we would see him in the morning. We arrived back at the GTC without incident and retired to our rooms for the night I kept the Stone of Tongues with me at my bedside and dreamed of Nialla and Morgan and awoke in the morning refreshed horny as hell but ready to get the next phase of this operation under way.

So the morning had arrived and Morgan had came over and while I dressed and showered he was once again Morgan Mister Iron Willed and while I knew the others were due back anytime I was almost infuriated that he could just stand ignore me when I really some attention. I was just finishing my makeup when Nialla, Shiron and Scrounger appeared in the room. Nialla seemed to be holding the mystical Red Menace device while Shiron was asking us what had happened while they had been gone. I was filling them in and during my relating of the incident regarding our captive Morgan interjected and took the credit. I was taken aback for a moment but I rolled with it better for the others to have an overestimated view of his abilities and I am sure he wanted the ego boost. I knew that in reality I had done the majority of the work but I had to admit if I had had anyone who I would have picked to help me it would have been Morgan so I felt fine with him taking the credit. Nialla had informed us that she had woken up this morning with the device and she believed it functioned by manipulating the soul energy of the user and was somehow similar to mitras magic. Scrounger spoke up and told us that it was also extremely dangerous and was best left in another dimension since it could be tracked by other members of the Red Menace within fifty miles. And with that he touched it to the Stone of Tongues and it vanished and when I asked him where he had sent it her replied to a sitting room inside a castle. I will admit I was impressed that the Nor-Vi could manage such fine manipulation of the artifact but then I realized that greater intelligence must have been one of the gifts granted to him in addition to an extended lifespan. Scrounger had went on to explain how the device could be used to perform almost any kind of magic and that the detect magic ability in addition to having a range of fifty miles could also view backward in time. It was strange that Shiron suddenly wanted to see the device and I assume he was thinking he could use it. I will admit I had my doubts for I knew that the kind of magic the device used was tied to the plane of evil chaos the Abyss and I did not believe for one moment that its use came without a price. Scrounger cleared that up letting Shiron know that his very soul would be in jeopardy as well as the device being a beacon that could be tracked by the Red Menace and thankfully before I had to step in Shiron relented and Scrounger once again placed the device back toward the Stone of Tongues and it once again vanished but this time I watched intently so in the future I would be able to recover it if necessary. With everyone caught up and prepared we headed down for Morning Prayer.

As we arrived downstairs it was a pleasure to have Nialla once again among us she really seemed to have a calming effect on me and after prayer was over we returned to our rooms for final preparation before our departure. I took the time speak to Speak with Scrounger regarding the Red Menace operative it had seemed that Scrounger had doubted that he was alone and also that the De’Moulay had been investigating his presence on her island. I had questioned his logic and after realizing that it was based on information he lacked instead of something he had divined I cleared up the issue by letting him know that I had read the thought of the RMO and overheard the words out of the law enforcement officers regarding the De’Moulay’s wishes out of his own mouth. Scrounger thought that was strange for Scrounger related in his experience whenever the Red Menace acted they normally moved in groups of twenty and believed in overwhelming their adversaries so to hear of a lone operative he was perplexed. I also was curious if now that he was rejuvenated as it were if he might once again be able to sow his wild oat again in the future. He had replied that he was not sure and while I let the other think I was merely concerned about his welfare in reality I was thinking about acquiring a female Nor-Vi and using him as breeding stock. In no time at all after Shiron and Nialla had refreshed themselves the hour had passed and we headed down to meet Driscol so we could begin our two hour journey to Central City Port.

It was interesting and worth noting that the Driscol’s cousins rumple did indeed seem slower and did make more noise and Monifred managed to make it to the Central City Port in exactly two hours. We did pass a number of suspended bridges that might I could tell were causing the other to look in awe but they paled in comparison to a singularity drive so I really took it in stride. We had passed the Stone of Tongues around and while I was doing my best to maintain my composure I almost just chose to throw myself onto Shiron to help satisfy my bodies needs but I focused instead on playing hard to get and tried to just focus on making it thru the day. I had expected some kind of radio contact when we approached the dock but instead Monifred merely waved and a loading rig was lowered and we were raised to the port to street level. We had passed the local GTC and I could see it was a few miles away from the dock and when we arrived Driscol was prepared to bid us goodbye. I delayed him for a moment to confirm that his business would cause him to remain local and checked on when he was due to depart and he told me around two days. He told me I could leave a message for him at the local GTC and while you could not stay there they did take messages. I told him to check just in case and with that we were left on the dock where there were a number of taxies waiting for us. I figured before we just moved one perhaps now would be a good time to discuss the next stage of our operation. I figured now would be a good time for Scrounger to relate any useful information he might be able to relay to us regarding what for all intent and purposes was a sprawling metropolis the likes of which none of us had ever seen. I asked Scrounger if he had ever been here before and he said that he had and I asked him about how many people lived here and he said over forty thousand (40,000) while the biggest cities back home were lucky to reach ten thousand (10,000) and to top it off Scrounger actually said this city was small compared to most of the bigger cities. We all entered into a prolonged discussion about the matter of legality and punishment which I called the Hierarchy of Retribution since I realized that we only had around one hundred and forty five point seventy five (145.75) and six red (6r) rations left and we would need to find a source of income either legal or otherwise or soon we might find ourselves in a tight situation. I found out that the people of Emerald stored their money in a variety of ways and held it in banks, as well as machines. He even explained how banking institutions often dealt in commodities where people gave them money to hold onto and six months later they would hope to have increased their money by one percent or perhaps slightly more. Nialla and I had discussed liberating some funds from just such an establishment and truth be told I figured I could walk in invisible and silent and walk out with three hundred (300.00) and no one would even notice. Scrounger felt with the lack of rich people in this town that any attempt to liberate funds might draw the unnecessary attention of the De’Moulay forces. Which seemed to include not only a ruling De’Moulay but the entire support force under their command also called the De’Moulay. Which seemed downright confusing to me but I rolled with it I also found out that we would have another problem that of caste. It seemed that while the Hub had overthrown the former corrupt Ves Church and government they had been unable to take Central City which they had laid siege to for four years. It seemed they had won the battle but lost the war for the new Ves Church that took over while giving the Hub very few rights were only a little less oppressive than the previous government. For instance all Ves were born into a caste a within their caste they were stuck. The Hub who were mostly without caste were tolerated but really could never expect to rise in station of influence with the Ves structure which they controlled by the maintaining of birth records which were created at birth. And to be honest Scrounger shared that the best women like Nialla and I could hope for would be to perhaps marry up to increase our caste status. So in other words without a priest to create fake status papers for us all for while we could pass for low caste Hub the real movers and shakers were the high caste Ves. Well I proposed then perhaps that might be high on our list to work on and while Scrounger did not like my plan to waltz right into the High Ves temple and charm a priest since he told me that their magical defenses were indeed strong for the Hub were using the magical devices which were at the command of the Red Menace and they had failed to breach their defenses. I still figured I could do it but if figured perhaps I would start small but meanwhile I figured we needed to figure out where we were going to find a taxi since we would need to find a gypsy taxi driver as they were called by Scrounger or in other words a driver who would not ask to see our credentials. Scrounger had said that perhaps he might be able to find a snake man driver and while I was asking about that Nialla helped enlighten me on the subject. She informed me that the Nor-Vi could merge and form a man like shape which took ten of them and that when enough of them merged they could even form a god like being. Which lead to splinter conversation regarding Jason and the cult of Nor-Vi he was working with who if Nialla was not careful she would find herself on their sacrificial altar. I confirmed that if need be that Scrounger could perhaps find a few snakes to merge with if necessary and he told us that since the top snake normally ended up in charge he would no doubt end up top dog. Just something to keep in mind I reminded Nialla and speaking of informed she reminded me that my possible new boyfriend Victor or Big Vic the gangster was located in Central City who was rumored to hang out near a suburb called Hill Top. I brought the concept up regarding meeting the local Moonbeast and Nialla reminded me that we could trust the next one but that it also might lead to their deaths. The other seemed to want to head to the end of the story which meant Big Vic while my mind was wandering once again focusing on the vast amount of information that I was still struggling to process and fully comprehend. I heard Nialla talking about if I was not sold on the idea of visiting Big Vic perhaps she could work on him and she proceeded to almost glow and I will admit I almost had difficulty standing for she almost looked even more alluring and seductive. About that time a contingent of low level De’Moulay officers started clearing the dock. I was still in a slight haze I almost missed Shiron talking to a gypsy taxi driver and negotiating a fare to Central City. Suddenly I was stuck on finding out from Scrounger how come the conflicts between the Hub and Ves had ended and he told us it was because of the Pleadians an independent nation who it seemed were the ones who had invented the missiles that they sold to each warring faction and once each side had the power to literally obliterate each other as well as devastate the planet several times over then a ending of hostilities if not compete peace took sway over the land that lasted to this very day. Meanwhile Shiron had done a good job of negotiating and had brought down the price from fifteen (15.00) to twelve (12.00) for the two hour journey into Central City. So after slipping Shiron the twelve (12.00) using a little sleight of hand we boarded the taxi and I realized we had one hundred and thirty three point seventy five (133.75) and six (6r) rations until our next score. I realized one thing I was going to let the others take the lead for awhile since I was going to focus on the bigger picture for awhile in addition to planning a score of my own either physical or financial just in case my companions even with the best laid plans still managed to get themselves killed. I mean no matter what you always have to look out for number one and in this case sorry Morgan and Nialla but in this case its Elysia Brenna.

Chapter Five : Wow That Really Was Some Good Space Mead

So there I was sitting at the bar of Inky Sunshine currently wearing my Sarah Mandi or Beauty in a bar or tavern you can take your pick on Sandbar Island in this god forsaken planet I have come to know as Emerald and to think for a few moments there I had actually been thinking that we would have this all wrapped up in no time flat. Well that was of course before our run in with the Moonbeast and things started to get really interesting. For the record this mission is starting to turn out to be even by my Lokian (That a worshiper of Loki for the non informed.) standards extremely chaotic and complicated and I was beginning to believe that was one hell of a goblet of Space Mead that the Priest Null have given me before we had arrived on this planet. But enough about the past I shall endeavor to make sense the chaotic maelstrom that seem determined to claim the lives of everyone of my companions and myself that may be named Cthulhu as well I am sure if I am not careful.
So as I was relaxing at the bar and getting ready to rise and round everyone up and head out to the herbalist and curio shops I turned and I saw something that caused my breath to tighten and parts of my anatomy to flutter. For out of the men’s room came none other than Nialla the Warlock looking as ravishing as ever. I stood there as she approached admiring her near perfect form and the elegant sway of her hips which were practically hypnotic. I noticed that Morgan had gone to gather the others as Shiron and Nialla each took turns striking up conversations with my new Snakal friend who I actually had come to realize in his own draconic like tongue he was known as a Nor-Vi. So it seemed to me that they needed to make sure that what I proceeded to inform them about our Nor-Vi friend working for the De’Moulay was something to be concerned about as were the events that referred to a crash. I informed them that I believed more could be learned at the Curio shop where the sold the snakes. My hope was to find an older Nor-Vi who might have more information to share as well perhaps acquire a pet to assist me on this new world. I had even considered purchasing the snake on the bar but I realized I our time on this Island might need to be short before the De’Moulay uncovered information from the snake that would cause her to turn her interest in our direction. So I wanted to make haste and after a few moments we were on our way first to the herbalist shop.
Buerick had informed me that he was indeed eager to find the nature of the infestation spoken of by the De’Moulay and had asked me to make the introductions to feel out the shop owner. I advised him I would be my pleasure but no doubt I would make sure to introduce him and the allow his superior knowledge of nature to carry him through since my knowledge was minimal at best I advised him I would keep an eye and I could no doubt misdirect him if the herbalist seemed wary at any point. I will admit I was impressed and I also found what I was looking for it seemed that the shop had somehow acquired a rare garlic from Hyboria and Buerick confirmed there was no way it was natural to this world as well as an a assortment of herbs that were that completely new to him. The shopkeeper came over and I introduced Buerick and he informed him that he had been visiting and the De’Moulay had asked if he could stop by and take a look at his infestation situation. I had looked around and added that he had a number of interesting samples that Buerick found quite interesting. He shared that he could arrange a sample of all of the herbs on stock for him and proceeded to head into the back of the shop. The son of the herbalist was walking around and I asked him about the new herb that had arrived. The young man told me that they had received it on a recent shipment and that he was not really aware of much else. I had noticed Morgan standing at the entrance of the shop and he seemed to be observing something but I was sure if he noticed anything he would be sure to let us know. Nialla drew me into a conversation concerning the snakes and while it was not the most intriguing conversation it was a helpful transition to enable me to drag the chief gardener into the conversation regarding the sale of the snakes which he confirmed seemed to be all the rage as of late. He even commented that he was glad his son Chuck who he pointed back to was now older or he would have to have found a way to buy one for him. He had also returned with a large box composed of a material I could recognize which realized must be the plastic that I had heard in the minds of other people on this planet that contained the herbs that he had acquired for Buerick and he had said he had told us he was always happy to help in any way to advance the science. I noticed that while I had been talking with Nialla Buerick had gone back to join him and seemed to be holding two small chipmunks. As I inquired about his two new companions he explained that they were the infestation that was giving the chief herbalist a problem. Buerick also added that he had never seen their like and while they resembled rodents which were often dog sized he was going to take them with us so as to make it elevate the problem caused by their presence. Buerick and the chief herbalist shared a few more pleasantries while I inquired about the garlic which he informed me was a leftover from a special order for a local bakery called Jocko from the Science Center and Agritech. He continued to inform us that is was a special ingredient that the bakery had requested in order to make a hard biscuit. Something kept nagging at the back of my mind from my time as Elysia Breena during my childhood and suddenly it came to me Elven Waybread’s secret ingredient was the rare garlic that was staring me in the face. I asked it the herb had solved their problem and he told us it had indeed and he had kept some for himself with the hopes of finding a use for it. So more information confirming we needed to indeed head for the mainland and the Science Center we left the herbalist shop with our two new chipmunk additions and I could almost swear I saw a smile on Buerick’s face.
As we exited the herbalist shop right across the street was the shop called Island Curio’s which had a giant sign across the window proclaiming “We have Snakes” and “The Ves church does not condemn the owning of snakes” and even “The Supreme Ves owns a Snake”. Wow talk about advertising no wonder the snakes were flying off the shelves. Upon entering the shop I noticed that they did indeed seem to have quite a number of interesting and strange objects. But I was actually drawn to the objects of my desire the Nor-Vi and I could spot three of them two in cages and one larger four feet long snake the was on the floor and seemed to be lounging. The shopkeeper approached us seeming glad to have so many customers at once and I asked Nialla if she could keep him company and he proceeded to lead her around the store. Meanwhile I started a conversation with Scrounger the Nor-Vi. It was actually funny as Scrounger seemed to have quite the sense of humor and he commented that he was a feral snake as opposed to a pure breed idiot like the two in the cage above him. He even claimed to have seen the world and even had the chance to sow his wild oat as it were. Truly a Nor-Vi after my own heart I asked him how long he had been here and he said around four years since he had had the chance to see the outside world. We continued to talk about the world and he mentioned that he could tell that we were obviously different from the normal clientele of the shop. Morgan had approached as well as Nialla and the shopkeeper and Morgan had asked me what I thought. I told him I believed I had found the snake I was looking for but I planned to return on the morrow to acquire him. I looked to Nialla and I could tell she was also impressed by Scrounger and while I asked the shopkeeper the prices of the snakes I was impressed when he told us their prices. Like I said I was amazed that one that could juggle was selling for three hundred (300.00) and another who could sing was selling for five hundred (500.00) while Scrounger was selling for six (6.00). Nialla looked at me and asked if I was going to purchase Scrounger now which struck me as odd since I had found out his name was Scrounger which I could tell was Draconic name when he pronounced it to me. When I called her told perhaps tomorrow when we came back she asked me for her ten (10.00) which I handed to her once again making it seem that I removed it from a purse and she proceeded to purchase Scrounger right there on the spot. The shopkeeper asked her if she needed a cage which she declined and he offered her a bag and a number of food cubes. It was strange that he had also asked if we were part of something called the Natural Foods Cult. Which was something that almost turned my stomach for while I will admit while my Mother was an herbivore and my Father had been obviously a carnivore I tried to avoid eating things that I had recently been having a conversation with at the very least. Since we were not planning to live stay in Sandbar we were not required to purchase a license and with that we left. I had noticed the strange symbolic artifacts scattered around the room and they looked familiar I asked Nialla about them and she had mentioned that they were magical in nature and designed to ward against chaotic evil extraplanar beings. This almost gave me a shudder and I casually asked about the creator of the totems and the shopkeeper had shared with us that they had all been created by a young lady named O’toole who he said lived in Summit. So yet another mystery that I had to add to our collection and so with Scrounger in the bag we made our way from Curio Shop and headed back to the Government Trade Center for a well deserved nights rest.
As we arrived back at the GTC were once again greeted by the doorman or guards take your pick. They asked us how our evening had progressed and I assured them it had passed delightfully. They inquired about our snake which Nialla made sure they knew was named Scrounger and we made our way to the elevator. I wanted to reach the men’s room for I was sure Scrounger had more information which he would be able to relay to us. As we came to the elevator two men stepped out and said Ready Men and Shiron was prepared to inform them that we were not interested and we entered and continued on to their room. I had informed Nialla that while we were not being issued a curfew per the De’Moulay we would be required to stay in a room across the hall since I had already arranged for us to stay on the coed floor. So as we entered Nialla let Scrounger out of the bag and our investigation of the situations on this world truly began. I will not dwell on the long conversation but I will instead relate the important facts gained from our conversation. To begin with the De’Moulay was a member of a race from another world called an Ormatene and it would seem that they along with the Starlore which were another enhanced humanoid but birdlike race were both servants of the Ves Order. It would seem of the two the Ormatene’s had to learn to pass as human while the Starlore were for all intents and purposes indistinguishable from normal humankind. It was also worth noting that the designated Ormatene training ground where they mastered the art of appearing human was located in a University near Central City. As I was conversing and once again using my detect thought spell to enable me to follow all that was going through the mind of Scrounger I began to realize that his memory was more than just his memory and it seemed that he somehow was able to recall events that would have happened far before his birth. For when I brought the conversation to the race know as the Moonbeast even more became clear. It seemed the Moonbeasts were a race of hedonistic egotistic highly intelligent race that enjoyed eating intelligent life and possessed technology so far advanced it could be rightly be confused with magic. It also seemed the Nor-Vi were actually nothing more than an intelligent food source for the Moonbeasts. Now the interesting part of the mystery was that the Moonbeasts had invaded this planet known as Emerald twelve years ago with every intention of using their mastery of singularities or a fancy word for time mastery to literally overwhelm this planet whose technology should have been far inferior to their own and turn it into a feeding ground. They according to Scrounger had a fleet of eighty what can only be called spaceships prepared to devastate the planet when somehow the missiles launched by the planet were able to pierce what they called shields and literally within less than ten minutes the entire fleet crashed to the planet below. More than ninety percent of the Moonbeasts were lost but the Nor-Vi’s smaller size saved many of them and of course now they were free. The Moonbeasts seem to possess an ability to cloak or turn invisible naturally and for the most part have become nothing more than scavengers while they waited for reinforcements that never came. Well that at least explained why the Hub of Defender Island had assumed that Morgan was a Moonbeast since they were not able to see him. I also inquired about the group that Scrounger had said he had worked for called the Brotherhood who he said he had witnessed all run over by a truck four years ago. He informed me that they used to hang around people like us and after further prompting I was able to find out about a hideout which we might be able to find located in Central City. Scrounger it also seemed to have heard of the Cult of the Dreaming God but as far as he knew they were nothing more than a group he had know of in Central City that composed of a group of green men who were using kids who they seemed to believer were “The Key to Everything” and addicting them to drugs and using them to sell perfume and makeup. Well not what I would have expected but filed the information which lead to seeking information about the Hub and Ves and I learned that the Hub who were far outnumbered by Ves had recently after becoming tired of being oppressed armed every man and women and rose up into bloody revolt and for all intents and purposes now were running things on Emerald. Well I was starting to get tired and my constant state of excitement do to the presence of Nialla and Morgan was really causing me to want to rip off my mithral and start something I might regret later well perhaps not but still. I was working on staying focused and around I even joking around with Shiron a little and I believe I might have misjudged him and who knows how long we are going to be stuck on Emerald anyway. He had asked me to show Scrounger what the women who had taken our people captive and had looked around to the other to make sure they were sure and then I created a silent image of the women with guns and he told us that he believed they worked for the Science Center. I will admit there does seem to be more the meets the eye to Shiron which will warrant further investigation. But back to business I had one more ace to play that I hoped would give us a solid lead. I asked Scrounger if he was aware of the location of any of these scavenger Moonbeasts. I just so happened that he was aware of one called Sully that he could sense and track who seemed to either hang around the beach or garbage dumpsters. I convinced the others that our trail I believed was leading us to find out more about the Moonbeasts and while Scrounger had told us Sully only seemed to have influence of ocean life I could tell I might face some resistance in the morning. I could tell Morgan was tired and while I might have been willing to continue on longer I told the others it might be a good idea to retire so we would be rested for the morrow and with that I turned to Nialla while she picked up Scrounger and we for our room across the hall.
As we arrived in our room Nialla started into a conversation about ways that either of us might use to bind Scrounger as a familiar which would of course extend his life and bind it to one of us. So that was what had been keeping her so silent well ok I will admit I am quite drawn to her voice and other parts of her anatomy which was why as she talked I began to undress since I really needed the privacy of the shower before I let myself get carried away. I was thinking I had a few friends back home could have put together a scroll for me if I had really wanted a familiar but to be honest I was not sure if I would want an attachment that would enable someone to be able to keep track of me. Nialla to my surprise also started to disrobe which I will admit caused my concentration to completely slip as I was packing my things into my Backpack of Containment in preparation of taking my shower so that if she had looked she would have seen my true form since I had taken off Hat of Mystery in preparation of my shower. So it was that was able to see my true form that of Elysia Breena and to be honest I was really starting to doubt we would ever be going home and it’s not like I figured she would be able to connect me since whenever I had traveled in Iranastan I had looked the part. So before my shower to loosen myself up as well as to give Nialla something to look at and think about as I performed for her and acrobatic routine that I used to keep my mind focused. I have to admit Morgan is not the only person with skill at tumbling I have been told that my skill is almost great enough to draw even the eyes of extraplanar beings but I am sure the performance was a memorable one. For me it did serve two of my problems one I wanted Nialla to see my real Half-Elven form and while I still shared my current hair color of my current guise as Beauty/Sarah my natural complexion was flawless while my athletic and full bodied figure I know for a fact since I have been told on many occasions is almost hypnotic and two after the way the Stone of Tongues was making me feel lately I wanted Nialla to be able to see the effect she was having on me. So once I was feeling quite loose it was time to enter the shower where I could begin using my crystal companion to satisfy the need that was burning with me and while I truly had hoped that Nialla would have joined me I was able to conceal my moments of ecstasy to seem as if I was humming and once again be thankful that my training had not deserted me. As I exited the shower Nialla was already in bed but I could feel her eyes on me as I walked to my own bed and how the desire to join her was nearly overwhelming and if we stayed here another night things might very well progress if I had anything to say about it. I mean really by Malcanthet Demoness and Queen of the Succubi and Incubi and patron of my Father if I was ever to be drawn into the depths of evil if it looked as good as Nialla all that kept going through my mind was that I was indeed in trouble. I had returned to my bed and once again placed my Hat of Mystery back on my head and tied my hair back to conceal my elven ears just in case and prepared to go to sleep when there was a knock at the door. It was my turn to be entranced as Nialla rose from her bed to get the door and she like myself I was surprised to see also slept in the nude for as she walked to get the door I was literally struck by the sheer elegance of her healthy dark-skinned form. I almost hoped it would be someone from the Rugby team which while I was not planning on entertaining would have been a welcome distraction but instead it was the De’Moulay. So as Nialla was explaining to her how we had enjoyed our time and even purchased a snake who she once again called by name the De’Moulay seemed quite pleased and even invited us to the Oculas in the Sun-Room where we would be more than welcome to join her for breakfast after morning prayer. I had rose from my bed and greeted the De’Moulay and let her know it would be our pleasure and wished her a good evening. As I returned back to bed I remembered something Scrounger had said about if we were to see Sully bringing food was a good idea to get on his good side well if this world proved to be consistent there was sure to be an elaborate spread laid out for us. And while as we stood there I was once again almost overwhelmed by Nialla but using my superb acting skills while I am sure my hard nipples gave me away I bid Nialla good night and returned to my bed. I had figured I might had staying up most of the night but the Stone of Tongues influence on me had literally wore me out and sleep came quickly.
I awoke early and dressed and headed to the room occupied by our men and knocked and was pleased to see Morgan awake and looking refreshed and I figured it was time for him to take a shower and after he came out I could fix his makeup or disguise if you will. While he showered and I went to recharge at the Stone of Tongues I once again had the experience of having every sexual nerve ending in my entire body turned on at once and could tell it was once again going to be one of those days. As Buerick, Shiron and Malcolm woke I informed them that it was almost time for morning prayer and after that we had been invited to breakfast in the Sun-Room with the De’Moulay. Nialla had joined us along with Scrounger and as the others got ready I once again discussed my plan to visit Sully the Moonbeast. As I had expected Shiron and Buerick had expressed concerns about my plan considering they believed it could prove a danger to us I truly felt with the power we had our command we could dispatch it with ease if necessary. But for their benefit while I was fixing Morgan’s disguise I once again asked Scrounger if he felt we had anything to worry about and he reconfirmed that besides having some influence over aquatic creatures he was pretty harmless. Both Shiron and Buerick seemed relieved but were still advising on caution and I said to them of course but they did finally agree that it was worth the risk. So with that being said and Morgan looking perfect we headed to the elevator to head downstairs for morning prayer. It was interesting to note that the ritual of prayer was far less formal than it had been on Defender Island those present barely seemed to even acknowledge it except in formality. So it was that after a brief interlude on the main floor we headed upstairs to join the De’Moulay for breakfast in the Sun-Room. As we arrived there was indeed a marvelous spread laid out and the De’Moulay was there with an aid of hers. As we dined we discussed how so far we were enjoying ourselves in Sandbar and the De’Moulay seemed pleased that we were eager to visit and spend money. She did inform us the she had to excuse herself early since she needed to take care of a sensitive matter at the school and asked us to please enjoy ourselves and then took her leave of us. After she left we all started packing the food from breakfast up with the encouragement of Scrounger who reminded us we it was wise to have food for his associate Sully. So after recharging again from the Stone of Tongues and by Aphrodite I really needed someone to love right then not that I was not capable of helping myself but I was really beginning to feel the stress of the situation. So I lapsed into silence as Nialla led us away and out of the GTC and into the street to find Sully the Moonbeast.
We made our way from the GTC and as we were walking Morgan noticed that we were not alone we had acquired a tail. To top it off Morgan told us that or mystery guest was also armed. Upon hearing Morgan’s words about our tail I pulled myself out of my haze since about the only thing I had been able to focus on had been Nialla’s perfect ass as she walked in front of me. I raised my eyes and instead focused on Scrounger and while Morgan I could tell was thinking about taking out our tail I had a better idea. I confirmed with Scrounger that citizens were not to be armed and then I asked him where could on go were having a firearm would indeed place our tail in trouble and he told me the school district. Excellent so with a little detour we lost our tail and in no time at all we had arrived at the beach. Once at the beach I saw one armed creature known as a Moonbeast in the water. I figured it was time to do my thing and I concentrated and activate my fiendish talent of detecting thoughts in order to start my scan of the creature known as Sully. As my ability started to expand I at first was able to pick up that indeed the Moonbeast had a mind and what a mind it was. Nialla looked to me and I told her to start talking while I tried to gain additional information while she talked. Scrounger spoke up then and let Sully know that he was here with a few friends. Sully responded with something like you again and the reason I say something like that was because my mind was somewhere else quite literally almost everywhere. If I were an average person I might have just stood there with my mouth open and screamed or run away in blind terror. As it was it took every bit of my self control to remain calm externally while my mind worked to process the surface thought I was receiving from Sully the Moonbeast. Now while I had been thinking about just what Scrounger had meant about how the Moonbeasts manipulated time I was nowhere near prepared to realize that the mind of this Moonbeast was running everything from the beginning of its existence to the present to even possible futures that it already had memory of. Nialla looked to me and asked if I was alright and I looked to her and all I could say was it’s incredible as I turned to the Sully and said what you mean again we just arrived. But I already knew that from what I had seen from the Moonbeasts mind was that it had already replayed every event that had lead us to this point and was not at all surprised to see us but actually seemed bored or upset. It even seemed that I had somehow visited it this very morning with some new boyfriend named Victor or Big Vic a gangster from Central City and told him to tell me when he saw me to not be so presumptuous. To top it all off it also seemed that every last one of my companions had already been killed by this point in time. Sully also seemed to believe that if we stayed on our current course we would all be dead a week from now. From what I was able to gather time passes differently for Moonbeasts they have some kind of temporal perception and it would seem that their minds have just learned to adapt. I started thinking and the Moonbeast started talking which in a way made sense to me but I could tell the others were getting confused with the exception of Nialla. From the mind and the words of Sully I was able to deduce that the real enemy we were facing was actually a being know as Cthulhu a being of deity like power that lived somewhere in the ocean of this world of Emerald and was somehow responsible for the failed Moonbeast attack and the subsequent invasion the arrival of the Starlord’s and Ormatene and eventually subjugation of our world of Hyboria. Which according to Sully was underway and in full swing even as we spoke and to top it off he believed that they had been coming to our world for some time and had even created clones that were serving some unknown purpose. To top it all off this Cthulhu was so greedy that it was not happy with one world and for that matter two and perhaps not even three. Shiron spoke up at about that point about the same time as I and said that’s where we need to go. I added well not without the gun since I was beginning to realize the Dreaming God was just another name for Cthulhu since I was beginning to realize it had big dreaming delusions of grandeur. Well Sully laughed that off telling us that if we went anywhere near there now even if we could find it we would be faced with our own destruction. Which of course lead me back to how to find the pieces and assemble to gun and I picked up from Sully mind as he spoke that Big Vic was the key. It would also seem that this Victor had become my lover as well which did not really surprise me but a number of other things were concerning me. While I had already come to the conclusion that somehow I was possibly travelling in time and I believed it had to do with the Stone of Tongues I still needed every bit of information I could gather so I could at least try and prepare for what might happen even if it had already happened or might never happen depending on my own present point of view. I said a silent prayer to Loki, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Pan and even Malcanthet for while all of them shared a connection to the typical chaos I embraced I realized that none of them wanted to see wholesale destruction on the scale I was beginning to realize seemed to be the plan of this Cthulhu. So thought and spoke aloud how my companions perish in the other timelines. I was glad to see the others keep up I was having quite the time of it myself and I was connected to the mind of the Moonbeast. Since at the same time as this was going on I was also seeing the power of the Moonbeast technology and the journey to this world and with their ability to harness the powers of the cosmos itself fell victim to missiles created by the people of Pleadies. To say my mind was being blown was an understatement as a matter of fact the information I was gaining was like a drug that totally calmed my libido and almost brought an orgasmic state all its own. So it was with great concentration that I had to focus on how my companions might meet their demise since somehow I survived not that I would have ever doubted it but I would be deeply saddened by the loss Morgan or Nialla. I found that Morgan was due to perish at the hands of a giant skeleton. Nialla was scheduled to be sacrificed to a snake cult led by a mysterious Jason. Shiron would be beheaded by a mob of some kind. Buerick would be slain by the Treant once it had been taken over by Cthulhu. While the others would fall in ways so gruesome I shall allow them to remain something I will us to frighten our foes someday with an illusion of it. I also was able to gleam that we had a number of enemies who were no doubt hunting for us even now. So while I much of it I filed to the back of my mind one thing I reminded myself to take away until we had managed to secure the gun we needed to stay on alert and it would be wise to not stay in one place to long. Sully concluded with telling us that we should trust the next Moonbeast not this one. And then his mind seemed to almost just shut off as if he went into some kind of deep slumber and his thoughts seemed to fade from his mind. It took me a moment to snap out of it but in a few moments I did and I told the other that I needed to return to our rooms at the Government Trade Center because I had a headache and I needed to relay to them what I had seen. Morgan came to my side and I reached for his hand which I was glad he took and I allowed him to lead me back to our rooms at the GTC. My mind was awash with possibilities and courses of action but I needed to calm myself and focus since never in my wildest dreams did I envision that my mind would experience such a rush from the glimpse into mind of a Moonbeast. All I could think was if I had known half of what I knew now before I left Hyboria I would have asked for more than a goblet of Space Mead.