The Dance (Closed for moonlightlilly and I)

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy dressed and came down early for breakfast. She had a lot she wanted to achieve today and wanted to get out before the plaza was overcrowded. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she detected a smell that seemed familiar. Lock growled softly, he noticed it as well. Upon entering the common room, they discovered the sauce of the odour. A well-dressed man was chatting with Mamma Tusk and was drenched in what Izzy could only describe as a very rancid dragons piss. To most people it was an odour that compelled those around them to become docile and agreeable. And it was incredibly expensive. Mamma tusk seemed to be both docile and agreeable in this man’s presence. Izzy gave mouse a questioning look. “Oh, that Lord Cassius. He’s the town Mayer, and a great guy. Helped Mamma Tusk get the tavern up and going. They have been friends for quite some time.”
Izzy nodded that she understood and asked Mouse if he was still interested in giving her a tour of the city. He seemed thrilled, grabbing his coat and following her out the door. Lord Cassius looked directly at Izzy as she walked past but her veil covered all but her eyes and she had no interest in sharing niceties with someone soaked in dragons urine. It wasn’t until they were out in the street that Izzy remembered where she had smelled that odour recently. It was on the hellhounds. It wasn’t strong enough that they had been wearing it directly, more, they had been in the presence of someone who had been wearing it. This of cause did not immediately implicate Mamma Tusks friend in being in league with those thugs, but it was certainly something to keep in mind.
As they made their way along the street, Izzy noticed a number of children huddled together beneath a staircase. They were cold and hungry, looking across the street at the bake house and dreaming of fresh bread. Since she had missed breakfast herself, she made her way over to the bake house. She purchased a pie for herself and one for Mouse, then purchased all the remaining bread and rolls in the shop. Mouse was confused, why buy all that food. Then she signed “It’s for the children,” he understood, taking arms full of fresh bread across the street and handing it out to hungry mouths. The baker looked as her as though she was mad but said nothing. A sale was a sale.
The street was beginning to fill quickly with venders and traders, followed by those who sought to buy their wares. Izzy asked Mouse to take her to a leather works craftsman and he knew just where to go. The store was set back off the street, and the owner was still setting up for the day. He greeted Izzy and Mouse with a grumbled “Mornin’” and stared at them, waiting for them to tell him what they wanted. Clearly, he was not a morning person. Izzy produced a sheet of paper from her pocket and showed it to the man. He frowned for a moment, then reached for a measuring tape. He took measurements of her bust, waist and hips, then showed her a few different colours of leather to choose from. She picked the soft tan and chose silver buckles. He also took measurements of the blades Izzy now carried and marked where on her design she wanted them to be secured. When Izzy was happy that the craftsman understood what she wanted, she paid for half of the work up front.
Back out on the street, Izzy could see more and more people desperate to make a sale, trying to find enough money to get some food. Wherever there was space, there were beggars, “come over from the bad side of town” Mouse explained, “because it was even worse over there”. This was a social dynamic Izzy had seen many times. The rich bathed in dragon urine, and the poor died of starvation and exposure, if they weren’t murdered in the street for their blanket or shoes first.
Taking some coins from her purse, she slipped a few into the pockets and baskets of those who seemed most in need. She also purchased a barrow full of apples and passed them out to hungry children. It wasn’t a lot, but to these people it was a great deal, she just wished she could do more.
Towards the end of the plaza a girl in her early teens was selling bunches of wildflowers. Two younger children sat in the dirt behind her and it was easy to see they were siblings. Mouse stepped up and bought a bunch for Izzy and once again, she found herself smiling. She then purchased all the remaining bunches, signing to Mouse that it would be a nice thing to do for Mamma Tusk and the other ladies after the ordeal they had all been through, especially Yvette. He agreed wholeheartedly.
It was then she spotted the other reason for this morning’s outing, the apothecary. Mouse gave her the rundown on how much of the town thought the store owner was a witch, but they all came to her when they had a runny nose or a case of the pox. She was also popular for magical potions and fortune telling, for the right price. Rich people seemed to think magic could fix all the problems they didn’t want to take responsibility for. Izzy was intrigued. The store was shelved from floor to ceiling with all manner of jars, bottles and pouches on offer.
The old woman behind the counter lifted an eyebrow at the sight of Izzy and Mouse. “Mouse, my sweet, so lovely to see you, I hope Mamma is well? So many flowers? And who is your lovely friend here?”
“Mamma is fine, Lord Cassius paid her a nice visit this morning, so she is as happy as a July Bride right now. This is my friend Izabelle, a guest at the Tusk. I’m giving her a tour around the town. All these flowers are for Mamma and the Harlots, lovely flowers for lovely women. Oh, and Izabelle doesn’t speak, but I am pretty good with reading her sign language so I can translate if you need”.
The storekeeper smiled, “It’s of my sweet, I can read sign just fine”. Turning her attention to Izzy “It’s been a long time since I have seen one of your order, but it does explain a lot. I hear the crime rate in town dropped a little recently. Not before time either. I expect you will be needing one of these” she emptied a small pouch onto the counter revealing a silver pendulum on a chain. Izzy nodded “yes” “and this?” she opened a slender box, revealing a crystal rod about the length of her hand. This was exactly what she was after. She produced another piece of paper and handed it to the old woman, “This is quite a list you got here. Gonna take me a couple a days ta get all this together.” Izzy handed her ten gold without even asking how much the order would be. The items she wanted were expensive and hard to come by, she had anticipated the expense. This old woman was someone she thought she would like to have a long conversation with. She had questions and maybe, just maybe, this woman might have some answers.
As the left the store Mouse’s stomach began to grumble out loud and Izzy laughed at his attempt to cover it up. It was definitely time to go back to the Tusk. There were flowers to be given and food to be made, all in all though, Izzy considered the morning to be quite constructive. She only had a few more things to gather and she would be ready to leave this city and move on. But to where? Since arriving here, the voice telling her to go west had become silent. Perhaps there was more work for her here to do. Or maybe, this is as far west as she needed to go.

 

[Ravenloft]

Lord Cassius shared the good/horrendous news that it appeared as though the entire lot of the nefarious members of the Hellhounds had been slaughtered in the night by what appeared to have been some sort of dire wolf or a worg wolf. It was admittedly a relief, but death was death, and someone would likely mourn for those men, evil or not. Someone was a widow or an orphan now... At least it was more of a relief for most of the local businesses than it was a sorrow, like it would be for those poor unfortunate souls who were trapped, depending on these dead men.

Regardless, Cassius was here, in the tusk to share what he suspected would only be a relief to Mamma Tusk to hear. She was happy to see him, that was good, that would make his goal so much easier to accomplish. The perfume was working as well, he could see, as she was clearly smitten with him. He smiled and touched her arm gently, his hand warm even through his black silk glove, and it was clear his touch had an effect on her. How easy this was. "Damiana, would you do me the honor of sharing dinner with me? In celebration? I know this event is tragic in its way, but I know that, for you, it is a time to celebrate, others may weep, but you and I... We hold our hearts to a higher standard, and I would share this with you, as only you and I can appreciate what has come to pass in a way that no other may likely see."

Mamma Tusk was moved beyond words, Lord Cassius had a way with his own, and she was immediately and completely his. He could see it in her eyes, and it wasn't just the effects of the 'perfume' either. She admired him and, secretly desired him, not like she desired other men, she knew how to take what she wanted from others, but she had never wanted to be taken, not in the way she felt with Lord Cassius. He had power, but he never abused it, not that she could see, he was kind and gentle, but real and honest, he didn't shy away from the darkness in the world, or in peoples hearts, he had an amazing gift for understanding the burning fury that can beat in every heart, and she was in love with that.

So she did her best to stay on her feet and pretend she wasn't about to swoon, and gave him a slow nod, speaking was out of the question, as she knew any sound she might make would reveal just how completely he had her and she still had her pride. Thankfully, her nodded acceptance was all that he needed and was wise enough to leave it at that. Whew! That was close! She thought to herself as he left the Tusk and she turned immediately to go gather up the Harlots, she would need their help!

With them all gathered together, in private, she asked them to make her beautiful for her date with Lord Cassius. They teased her and loved her in the same breath. "Yur already there Mamma! Jus don't break the boy in two when you ave yer way wit him!" "Oh Mamma... No..." "You ave it Mamma, don't talk such silly nonsense!"
They all chimed in, until Sally hushed them all, as leader of the lot and smiled sweetly, knowing just what to say to Mamma Tusk. "What they mean to say Mamma, is stop with the bad self talk and we will give you a make over, jus, don't ever neg yerself in front of us again, or we will smother you with love until yer crying on the floor!"

Damiana was rendered mute as the seven harlots gathered her up in their arms and showed her such love that she did not know what to say or do. She was in the best of hands though, and was about to have the time of her life.

*****

Lord Cassius return the his richly appointed manor house and went about making preparations for his guest. Ordering his cooks to make a meal that would impress the gods, something rich and potent. He ordered his dinning room be decorated with powerful fertility icons, as well as his bed chambers. He prepared his own body as well, doing everything he knew to ensure that conception would occur, with herbs and magic. Putting the same kind of herbs and magic in the food and drink they would share, he was going to make her ready as well. His plan was in motion, the Tusk would finally come under his sway, in time. He was certain of it.

*****

Out on the town, a place that usually left Mouse feeling vulnerable and empty, things were strangely different, walking next to Izzy. He liked that she seemed to see all the same things he often noticed but was helpless to do anything about without sacrificing what little he had for himself, liked it even more that she knew exactly what to do about them, and did it. If he felt he loved her before, he was completely in love with her now.

After Izzy did what she could for the ones in the most need, Mouse pulled her aside, with tears in his eyes and kissed her hand. "Thank you." He whispered. He knew several of the ones she had given to, in ways he was never able to. "You are the best of all women." He added, though his voice was strained. That was all he could manage to say out on the street without completely breaking down in front of her. This wasn't the time for that though, there was more to do, so much more!

It was his turn to show her the way in which he had always tried to help, and that was what inspired him to inspire her with the flowers. He felt absolute validation in her joining him in his preferred method of sending out love into the world. "We make a good team." He acknowledged with the biggest smile he had.

Izzy lead them to Creech's shop and Mouse was thrilled, he had wanted Cassie to meet Izzy, trusting her instincts to know a good soul when she met one. Was it as test? Was it simply to find her approval? Mouse had no idea, but he was happy they had come here. So very happy. He played things as low key as he could and made their introductions. Mouse was not surprised in the least when Cassie took over her conversation with Izzy, freeing him up to look around the shop some more, keeping his ears open, just in case he could learn a thing or two from the witch and the dancer. Her kind? Mouse was very, very curious, but did his best to hide it.

Before they left Creech's shop, Mouse snuck up to her and asked if she had given Tom a visit. She only smiled and winked at him. Oh, she had, he could tell, he was glad of it too, and more than a little proud of his knack to make such connections. Those two were going to make a great couple! Of course, soon as they left the shop, his stomach made a noise, of course! He laughed with Izzy, she made it easy. "Wonder what's going on back at the Tusk." He asked as they returned home.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

On their return to the Tusk Tavern, Izzy could still small the dragon urine strongly in the common room. The patrons were going to be jovial and well behaved tonight, and every night until the scent dissipated. Mouse went looking for Mamma Tusk and the harlots to deliver the flowers and Izzy made her way up to her room.

She took out her purchases and placed them on the bed. She didn’t have many personal items, she had no need of them traveling so much, but these items may prove useful, even necessary. The magic of the dance, and the ferocity of the wolf were not the only lethal tools at her disposal, and best used on groups of three or more marks at the same time. She could throw a knife with pinpoint accuracy, knew all manor of potions and poisons, could throw a punch as well as any man, and was lethal with a sword. Now she had the twin blades of heart and soul, and as soon as her order with the leather works man was complete, she would be prepared for anything, and more lethal than ever.
But the leather garment would not be ready for a few days, so until then, she would deal with the sinners in the usual way. As long as they paid for their sins, it didn’t really matter how it was achieved. She gave little thought to those who might be beholding to these people, if she did, she would find their lives better off for their removal.

There were a few more things she wanted before tonight’s work which required her to return to the market and decided it would require less explanation without Mouse. First though, lunch, her own stomach was starting to make sounds much like Mouses. Down in the common room lunch was being served and Mouse made sure she received the best cuts of meat and fresh bread. Izzy appreciated the kind gesture and invited Mouse to join her. He looked visibly pained when he told her that they needed him to help with the lunch rush, so she assured him they would catch up later. Mouse was happy with the compromise and rushed back to the kitchen to help the cook.

With her hunger sated, Izzy went back to the marketplace. She purchased a pair of men’s trousers and shirt. They were far too big for her, so she also purchased a small sewing kit to make the alteration herself. Next, she bought a man’s cloak with a full cowl to cover her face. All the items were very ordinary, the same style and color most men of low rank wore and were just right for her needs. She needed to look perfectly ordinary and blend in. From there she sought out the cobbler and ordered a new pair of boots. She had a design she wanted with pockets for coins and slips to conceal a knife in each boot.

After purchasing the last of a fruit vender's goods and passing them out to children, she made her way back to the Tusk, her purchases tucked under her cloak. Everyone was too busy to pay her much attention when she returned, but the harlet’s were fussing over a now well-dressed Mamma Tusk. From the chatter and giggles it seems she was going on a date with that guy wearing the dragon’s urine, Lord Cassius. She sighed heavily, considering the situation. The magical perfume was one thing, finding it on the hell-hounds was another, but perhaps they were unrelated, and she was reading to much into it. Pushing her suspicions aside for the moment, she retired to her room. She would need to alter these cloths and rest before tonight.

It was well after sunset when she woke from her nap. The flowers Mouse had bought for her earlier were now in a jar of water, so she guessed he had come to check on her at some point and was then annoyed with herself for not locking the door. Mouse was harmless but not all were as trustworthy. She dressed in the men’s clothing she had altered and made her way downstairs.

The common room was full of happy patrons, everyone drinking and eating volumes of food. One of the side effects on the dragon urine, was those who succumbed to it, developed quite an appetite. This worked in Izzy’s favor, with Mouse being kept very busy in the kitchen. She slipped out without being noticed.

Making her way across town it wasn’t hard to find those who were cloaked in their own shrouds of sin and evil doing. She would choose her mark carefully though, the last thing she needed was to raise suspicion on herself, or the Tusk. She followed two men as they made their way to the darker side of town. Their shadows dark with murder and misdeeds. One of the men stopped to relieve himself in a small ally way and Izzy slipped in behind him. He had no inkling that she was there until he felt her blade on his throat. As the thick, warm blood flowed down over his chest, he dropped to the ground, unable to scream, laying in a puddle of his own urine, he died. Izzy leaned over him, wiping her blade on her shirt. She cut his purse from his belt and emptied it’s contents into her hand. How was it these low life scum suckers had so much money? And then there was that familiar smell, dragon piss. The odor still lingered on some of the coins. Coincidence? She thought not. After adding the coins to her own purse, she caught up with the other man. Curious to see if his coin carried the same trace, she emptied his purse as well. It did, and he had more coins than the last man she dispatched. Her next stop she decided was the town Mayor’s house to check on Mamma Tusk. If he hurt that woman, he would die a very slow, very painful death. This she vowed.

Security was quite strong around the Mayor’s mansion, but it was of little concern to Izzy, slipping past the guards and around the garden. She could see the Mayer and Mamma Tusk clearly through the window, chatting, laughing and dinning on fine foods. She thought for a moment of all those in the city who would not eat tonight, tomorrow, or the day after that, and this man’s table boasted enough food for several families. It was just the imbalance between the haves and have-nots, the separation of the classes, the way of the world.

She regarded them more closely. Mamma Tusk was obviously smitten with this peacock, so why did he feel the need to adorn himself in the dragon urine? Why couldn’t he risk her rejection? Perhaps she was over thinking it but this man and his pungent perfume required further observation. Something just didn’t feel right somehow.

She dispatched another mark on the way back to the Tusk. His coin however did not present with the now all to familiar dragon scent. She concluded that not every asshole in the town was in the Mayer’s’ pocket, some were just ordinary assholes going about their asshole business independently. Or perhaps they just hadn’t been invited to join the Mayer’s murder club yet.

Back in her room, she changed and went down to mingle with the patrons in the common room. If any where to ask, she was there all evening. She was careful in her tasks, a trained professional, and this night had just seen three thugs bettered in a fight or a robbery. Noting out of the ordinary on the dark side of town.

 

[Ravenloft]

Damiana warmed up to Cassius quickly and with ease, he was very charming, but realistic, two qualities none of her usual... Lovers? Pets? Conquests? What have you, possessed. He had no fear of her, like others seemed to, and his interest in her seemed relaxed, but present. He hit that right mix that made her want him, but too timid to say so. No other man had every given her this feeling, this freedom to feel purely female! It scared her a little, letting her guard down, giving up that spirit of control that she thought defined her, but she found herself enjoying it. Taking a break from being Mamma Tusk, to be Damiana just for a little bit.

"I want you." Lord Cassius said, out of the blue, his black silk hands sliding across the table to touch hers. His eyes, his face was serious, there was nothing in his demeanor to suggest any kind of ruse. Damiana barely kept from sputtering on a sip of wine as he made his desire known. In her mind, she was screaming. "You're fucking with me, right?" But he was clearly serious. She could see that, and she was more than just a little curious, the lustful orc in her was thinking about clearing the table violently and rutting with him on top of it, but she wanted more, she wanted... Slow, tender, comfort.

So she took another sip of wine and leveled her eyes on his. "Really? And how do you want me, Lord Cassius?" She asked, her voice suddenly sultry. His cool, silk clad hand covered hers and he grinned, arching his brow in that knowing way he did. "That's a bit of an unfair question, Damiana, but I want you in every way, most of all, I want you to be yourself, I don't think you're there yet, but I think you're getting there..." His hand was creeping up her arm, sending tingles through her body. "I... Um... I'm being myself..." She lied, trying to convince herself. Cassius smile deepened as he rose from his seat, coming around to kneel at her side. "I want you, Damiana." He repeated, his hand going from her arm up to caress her cheek.

She searched his eyes and covered his hand with hers, this could not be real, it had to be a dream, right? No, he felt very real, this was not fantasy. "Lord Cassius, I..." She was in a daze, a strange hazy daze, as he gently hushed her, his hand on her cheek growing warm. "Call me Cass, please?" He whispered, drawing in to kiss her. There was real heat in his kiss, she felt her body respond almost immediately. "Cass?" She whispered, breaking the kiss reluctantly. "Yes, Damiana?" He whispered back, softly. "Take me to your bed, please?" She asked, closing her eyes and resting her brow against his. "With pleasure." He answered.

*****

Back at the Tusk, Mouse was freaking out, they were the busiest they had ever been and he was worried about Mamma Tusk, a dinner wouldn't last this long, would it? He kept checking in with Sally or Yvette, who were forsaking their normal business, just to help him from going insane, in the kitchen. Sally was older and wiser, so dismissed his worries, saying. "Mammas a big girl, Mousey, she knows what she's doing! Get this food out to table five, would you? They're pretty rowdy!" but Yvette was a bit more sympathetic. "Oh, I'm worried to hun, but let her have her fun! You know she'd let you!"

"Hrmph! Maybe... Wonder what Izzy would make of it..." And it was at that moment, he saw her return as he was serving table five. He rushed to greet her as quickly as he could. "Izzy! Can we talk? It's Mamma, I'm worried, she's been gone all night!" He knew she was with Lord Cassius, the safest of all people, and it was clear what they were probably up to, so why was his guy telling him she was in danger? "Er... Nevermind, I'm just overreacting... I think..."he admitted, looking into Izzy's eyes, he felt himself flush with heat and embarrassment over being a mother hen. Before he had the chance to read her signed answer he was called back to the kitchen by the cook who was beyond stressed! How frustrating! He wanted a break, but it wasn't to be!

 

[Moonlightlilly]

The common room was full, and everyone was in good cheer. One of the harlots was on stage singing dirty ditties and the crowd roared with laughter. Yvette waved her over to the bar and offered her a stool on the other side. There was no where to sit anywhere else. Mouse rushed past with a tray full of food and drinks headed into the crowd pausing for a moment to give her an exhausted smile. He returned shortly after with a plate with an assortment of meats and veg, but it was obvious that the kitchen was getting very low on everything. She was happy to receive what was offered. She wondered if she should tell them that the effects of the dragon’s scent would last two or three days? Nah, she decided, let them enjoy their good fortune while it lasts.

It was only a matter of time before the kitchen ran out of food and Yvette call last drinks. Happy and contented, the patrons filed out the door, still in good cheer and singing songs as they went. Yvette commented that they had never had such a night. None of the harlots even had to get on their backs. They were all exhausted. Izzy offered to help with the clean up and everyone was grateful for the extra hands. She overheard the cook saying a prayer to the god of plenty, that she could do with out breakfast being as busy as dinner. Izzy didn’t like her chances. The patrons would be drawn back again and again until the scent was gone. She found Mouse in the pantry slumped over a bag of flour, fast asleep. Once again, he had made her smile. She found a couple of empty sacks and draped them over him in leu of a blanket and left him to dream. It was the early hours of the morning before they all made their way to their beds for a few hours of well-earned rest.

Izzy came down early the next morning to see if she could help in any way. The cook had already been out to get more supplies, and Yvette was pounding bread dough on the bench but there was little strength in her work. Seeing they were already very busy, Izzy slipped out and made her way to the marketplace. The bake house was already open, and the smell of fresh bread was very inviting. She didn’t miss the children who had accumulated under the staircase across the street, all hoping she would be as generous as she was yesterday.

She purchased a pie for herself and did a rough head count of the children. She purchased thirty rolls, three of which she placed in her pack, the remainder she handed out to the children. Her purse was heavy after last night’s work, and she was happy to part with some of it. Further along she came across the man with a barrow of apples, and beside him, a man with a similar barrow full of oranges. Brothers, Izzy assumed, and purchased all they had. She could see the relief in the faces. It bothered her that so many lived with so little. She took three of each fruit and placed them in her pack as well.
The cobbler stepped out of his shop and waved her over. He had worked all night and her new boots were finished. She expressed her gratitude by paying him a little extra. Walking in her current boots when she had to store excess coins in them, was uncomfortable. She had one more stop to make at the far end of the marketplace. The girl with the flowers, who saw Izzy approaching and smiled. Once again, the two younger children were sitting behind her. Izzy reached into her pack and took out the bread and fruit. Even if the girl had sold all her flowers, she could not have afforded such a feast. Izzy also handed her some coins and refused to take any of the flowers. A tear of gratitude ran down the girl’s cheek, cutting a line through the dirt and dust the covered her face. She wiped it away and hurried to give food to the smaller children.

On the return trip to the tavern, she decided to stop and have a chat with Cassie the witch, and found her dusting some of the jars and shelves in the store. “Ah I was wondering when you would come see me again. I don’t have all of your order ready yet though, probably tomorrow. But you’re not here for that are you?”

Izzy shook her head and signed, “You know a lot about my kind, I have questions and was hoping you might be able to give me some answers”.

Cassie motioned to a small table with two chairs in the corner of the shop. There was already a pot of tea and two cups sitting on the table. Izzy raised an eyebrow “You expect company?”

“Always” Cassie chucked. “So, what is it you wish to know?”

“The woman who owned the crystal and pendulum before me, what happened to her?”

“Ah yes. She was a sweet thing but frail, and heavy with child. She knew in her heart that the birth was not going to go well, and she didn’t want dancers magic falling into the wrong hands. She left them with me to pass along to the next dancer that came my way.”

Izzy thought for a moment. In cases where the mother dies but the daughter survived the birth, she to died shortly after, needing her mother’s life force to sustain her until she was eighteen, eventually draining every drop of life from her mother resulting in her mother’s death. She had been fortunate, her mother lived an additional five years with the aid of Elder magic, but it had been a hard five years. Her mothers passing left a hole in her heart that could never be filled.

Cassie interrupted her thoughts. “Have you had your daughter yet?”

Izzy shook her head “No” “I have no desire to bring a child into this world, into this life, to live as I have lived. It is not a good life”.

Cassie nodded her head in understanding, “eventually fate won’t give you a choice. It is your destiny”.

“Destiny and fate can go fuck themselves. I am the mistress of my own fate, and I shan’t yield to the whims of the gods.”

Cassie could sympathise with Izzy. It wasn’t the kind of life any parent would wish on a child, and she wished her luck dodging her fate.

“Is there a magic that will allow me to speak without having to mate with and kill the listener?”

“Not that I am aware of my sweet, but I can do a little research for you and see what I can find out. Come back tomorrow and collect your order, we will talk more then”. Cassie rose and went to serve a customer who was coughing and spluttering all over the counter.

Izzy left the store frustrated. Answers were always hard to come by. Continuing on her way back to the Tusk, she saw children sitting in shaded places stuffing their faces with fruit and bread. It warmed her heart. Why bring another child into a world that doesn’t take care of the ones they have? It was then she came upon a great treasure. A trader with a strange accent was uncovering his goods when Izzy spotted books. Four of them, stacked neatly at the edge of his cart. Izzy knew she had to have them. They were almost as rare as the answers she sought. She picked one up, turning it over in her hands. It was a little tattered and worn with age, but still well able to be read. The other books were the same. The price was high, but she didn’t care. She simply had to have them. Tucking them into her pack she hurried back to the tavern. She could hardly wait to read them.

Back at the tavern, Mamma Tusk had returned, the smell of dragon urine so strong on her person the tavern was going to be very busy for quite some time. She resolved to tell her about the scent, but not right now, she was dancing about humming to herself. Izzy saw no immediate need to bust that bubble. She found a seat close to a window with good light and began to read the first of her books. “Dragon’s Rage”.

 

[Ravenloft]

A traveling noble man took notice of the woman kindly feeding the poor starving children and decided then and there, he would establish a castle keep in these lands, inspired by the sight of her generosity. It would take more than a decade, perhaps, but one day, this little town would become the center of a true and noble kingdom. "Castle Hallowgrove..." The Noble said to himself with a proud smile as he kicked his powerful steed into motion. "One day..."

*****

The book seller was of Goblin blood, and drove a hard bargain, only pausing in his haggling with Izabelle to bark at a large eyed little goblin girl with unusually red hair and tan skin, odd for one of her kind. The little one was peaking out from her hiding spot in the covered wagon and gave Izabelle a small smile, as if recognizing another kindred spirit, before going back into hiding. "Greenbite, you know better than to peak out while we are in a human village! How many times must I warn you of the dangers?! That one will be the death of me..." The goblin man with bushy grey eyebrows and a curved pipe clenched between his teeth looked back at the Dancer. "Well, if you're so eager to have the lot, I can let them go for fifty gold a piece!" He pretended that he hadn't just raised the price by ten gold for no good reason, other than being upset with his innocent looking charge.

"I risked life and limb just to get them, you see, I cannot guarantee your safety either, the original owner is... Looking for them. Full disclosure. Never say I don't warn a customer of any danger! Nope, Not me, good old Crookshank, purveyor of the rarest of rare and sought after books!" He pushed a poorly scribed strip of paper into the first book on the stack that Izabelle had wanted. "And with such a large order, you get a free bookmark with all my information on it, just in case you are looking for more interesting finds down the road!" He took what she handed him and counted it carefully, making absolutely certain she hadn't cheated him none.

*****

Mouse came out of the kitchen, woken by the sound of Izzy returning from her foray through town, only to discover Mamma Tusk dancing about and humming like a teenager in love. "Mamma!" He shouted. "And where have you been all night?!" His tone was parental and accusatory as he jammed his fists into his hips, like she had done to him on more than one occasion. "What?" She shot back with a dopy grin, just like he had given her on more than one occasion. Total role reversal! It was very strange and almost comical. Until Mouse caught a whiff of what was clinging to her. "Oh, woah! What IS that?!" It was far from subtle, and it stank like rancid urine. "Oh my gawds!" Mamma Tusk was oblivious to the reek, even sniffing herself, curiously, wondering why little Mouse was so offended. "What?" She asked again, confused. "I just... Um..." She turned bright red and giggled, like she was drunk or high.

"Oh no... No, no, NO, no NO!" Mouse grumbled and choked, spreading his hands in an arcane gesture. "Cleanse!" He shouted and a wave of magic energy washed over Mamma Tusk, making the smell of dragon urine fade to a more manageable level. "Whew..." What on Toril WAS that smell, Mamma? He glanced over at Izzy, seeking her help without words. "I thought you were with Lord Cassius, not in a bathroom stall! I mean, oof! What WAS that?!" Damiana stopped and shook her head, clearing it of the haze she was in. "I... Don't know... I..." Her eyes went wide with realization. "I think I need Sally, Yvette and the others... NOW! Please get them for me, Mouse, please send them up to my room..." She passed her haunted eyes over Izzy and frowned to herself. "I think I made a mistake... A big one... Of Tymora, be with me..." She rushed upstairs and hid in her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Mouse turned toward Izzy, confused beyond words, but turned on his heals to go and get Sally, Yvette and the others up, so they could go attend to Mamma Tusk, she seemed so distraught. But why, she only spent the night with... Oh... Oh wow... After he'd gotten the Harlots up in force, and they left him down in the common room, Mouse returned to where Izzy was just trying to mind her own business and sat down across from her, his eyes staring off into space. He had no idea what to say or do. "Woah..." was all he could manage to say before hiding his face in his arms, resting on the table.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy watched the drama unfolding around her with interest but didn’t feel it was her place to intervene. When Mouse sat down opposite her though, she could see he was looking for guidance, so she put down her book, all be it reluctantly. She placed her hand on his arm gently to get his attention and when he looked up at her she could see he was tired and worried. Removing the veil from her face she smiled at him and began to sign. “Your wonderful friend the Mayer seeded the tavern with dragon urine, it makes people happy and agreeable. That is why so many were here last night, and will come again tonight, just to feel that bliss again. It will take a few days to dissipate, and things will go back to normal. It’s my guess he also used it on Mamma Tusk though I don’t think he needed to; she appeared quite smitten with him, it seems he didn’t want to risk her turning him down. Judging by her behaviour earlier, I’d say she was bewitched by something much stronger than dragon scent. Perhaps it was so she would conceive a child without resistance.”

Mouse turned white, “A child? Oh no way. Surely it’s not….., nooo! She would never…….when? how? Does she know? how do you know?”

Izzy lifted her hand signing for him to slow down. “Her shadow, it has a change in color, a glistening that I only see in women in who are with child. She probably doesn’t know herself yet, but judging by her reaction a few moments ago, I think she has a fairly good idea.”

She wasn’t sure if Mouse was going to choke or spit, “If that son of a goat has done anything to Mamma Tusk I swear I will see him suffer in ways….I will end him... I’ll make him hurt. No one, no one, touches my family!”. With that final statement, he rose to his feet, slapped his hands on the table and strode off the Mamma Tusks room muttering, “No one touches my family, no one, damn son of a ….”

Izzy sighed, all interest in reading her new treasures lost for the moment. Patrons had already begun to fill the common room and it wouldn’t be long before it would be full again. Taking her books to her room, she replaced the veil over her face and headed back out into the busy streets. If this was as far west as she needed to be, even for the moment, she could not make the tavern a home, as much as she liked the people. She needed something she could make into her own home, for how ever long that would be.

Making several enquiries as she moved along the street, she was shown a few vacant flats and rooms, all of which looked ready to collapse, were infested with vermin, had no way of keep out rain, let alone snow, and one even had a dead body in it, which the landlord swore he would have removed right away. Little good it would do though. It had been there for weeks and body fluids had soaked through the bed and the carpet and floor boards. That was a smell that was not coming out any time soon.

At the end of town, not far from the docks, Izzy found a large building all boarded up. From the outside it looked sound but there was no way to tell for sure without looking inside. As if on cue, she could smell him walking up behind her. Lord Cassius. “Are you interested in the premises?” Izzy nodded yes and watched as he produced a ring with over a dozen keys hanging from it. He handed the keys to a big man at his side who stepped forward and unlocked the doors. Izzy smirked to herself, “Has to get his bodyguard to open the doors in case he breaks a nail” then laughed inwardly at her own joke.

It was an old warehouse, apparently not used since the previous tenant went broke. There were two floors with stairs at each end, and she could see no visible light coming through the ceiling. There was a fireplace at each end as well. That was to help keep goods from going mouldy in summer and from freezing in winter. As Izzy looked at this structure, it’s size and potential, she had an idea. But first she had to work out a deal for the rent from this overdressed peacock.

Initially he wanted twenty gold a month, but she knew he was testing her. She offered him five, and the first month free to pay for the work to clean it. They haggled for a few minutes and settled on eleven gold a month, a month free for cleaning, and no restrictions on what she could use it for. He handed her the key and promised to return with a rental agreement in the morning. From there he headed down the street in the direction of the Golden Tusk Tavern. Izzy could not help but chuckle. He had no idea that Mouse had lifted the spell intoxicating Mamma Tusk.

Feeling like she had won a small victory she looked around the building. It was a mess, but nothing a bit of had work wouldn’t fix. The old warehouse was an open space on both floors with a separate room built into one corner, presumably the office. From the front doors a path wide enough for a wagon ran the length of the building to the back doors, which she opened to let the wind blow through. There was the smell of dust, old straw and neglect with the remains of crates, sacks and general trash strewn across the floors. Both sides of the wagon driveway were timber decking, about knee high from the ground, that had served as docks for loading and unloading the wagons. It was just right.

Some of the children she had given food to earlier that day had noticed her and were curious, following her but trying to stay unnoticed, with very little success. Izzy pretended not to see them. First, she went to the blacksmith and bought a rake, a shovel, a hammer and some nails, then to the general store for a broom, mop, two buckets, a cup, matches, a wheelbarrow, and all the blankets and candles they had. Loading everything into the barrow, she made her way back towards the warehouse. As she went, one of the buckets fell out of the barrow and a child raced over to catch it for her. Instead of replacing it, the boy carried it and fell in behind her, he was soon joined by a small army of children, each taking something from the barrow and falling in line. An older boy then stepped up, “Ere miss, I can take tha’ for ya’,” and relieved her of the barrow as well. “Another win.” she thought to herself.

Soon there were fourteen children standing in the open doorway of the warehouse, all holding assorted items from the stores. They had all wondered what it was like inside, but it was near impossible to get into. Up the four steps that led to the deck on the right, the least littered one, Izzy made them a proposition. “If you help me to clean up, you may live here”.

The children looked at each other in disbelief,” Na miss, wot ya’ wanna’ help us fu? Aint no one ever ‘elped us, were just street trash. Wots in it for you?”



Izzy could understand their hesitation. Street trash is exactly what they had been treated like. She told them as simply as she could that it was a very big building, and she would need help to clean it. She couldn’t pay them, but she could give them food and shelter. The children talked amongst themselves for a moment, then a stout red headed boy, about ten years of age and displaying physical attributes of both human and gnome, spoke for the group. “OK Miss, we’ll give ya’ a week and see ow thins go. Ifen we don’t like the deal, we parts ways, no ‘arm done”. Izzy stretch out her hand and they shook on it, the deal was made.

They started at the end of the right platform closest to the front doors, sweeping and raking the dirt and trash off the edge and onto the wagon tracks. Any bits of timber, broken crates, or bits of paper were stacked beside the fireplace, and anything of use was placed in a tidy pile as well. They found a few mugs, a bowl, a couple of spoons, and a small axe. All great treasures. Some of the children took the buckets to get water, one for drinking, the other for washing. By mid afternoon enough of the right deck had been cleaned for them to set up camp and many of the children ran off to gather their few possessions. The red headed boy, Stan, still watched her with wary eyes. His trust was not going to be won with a few bread rolls and a place to sleep, and rightly so.

He stayed with the younger children at the warehouse while Izzy made her way along the street to see what food might be available. She bought all the remaining bread loaves from the baker, and the basket they were displayed in, ordering an additional twelve loaves for the morning, then some overpriced cheese, apples, jerky and dried fish. If she’d thought about it earlier, she may have been able to do better, but for tonight, it would fill their bellies.

With the big doors closed for the night, and the candles burning, Izzy insisted they was their hands and faces before having food. Most of them grumbled about it, but their stomachs grumbled louder. It wasn’t long before thirteen very tired little people were snuggled up in the warm blankets asleep, and one red haired young man sat first watch. He touched Izzy’s heart, taking on the roll of guardian over his brood, even though he wasn’t the biggest or the oldest. If anyone tried to hurt his family, he would be a force to be reckoned with.

Happy that the children were safe, she told Stan that she was going to gather her things and would be back soon. He scoffed as though he didn’t care, but she could see something new creeping into his dark eyes, hope.

Back at the Tusk the evening meal was in full swing, Britt was on stage entertaining the customers, and any thoughts she had of reaching the stairs to her room vanished. She looked for Mouse in the crowd but from the doorway she couldn’t even see the back of the bar. She would come back later when things had calmed down a little. Besides, if she was going to look after all these children, she was going to need money and supplies. Not that she was short on money, a little extra never hurt, and she had time to kill, so to speak.

 

[Ravenloft]

Whatever the Mayor had done to Mamma Tusk, it went deep, deeper than any of the Harlots, Mouse and Damiana could fathom. They all circled around her, giving her every ounce of their support and showering her with love and concern, asking what she wanted. She didn't know, she was afraid of her feelings and disgusted with herself, thinking she had fallen for the worst thing she could have ever imagined. How has she been so foolish as to fall for such an awful and cruel trick? It was driving her mad, the only thing that kept her holding onto her sanity was the love of her friends. "What do I do?" She asked, in tears. "I don't know what to do..." No one had a good answer, all they could do was support her and love her with all their hearts, Mouse was included in on that, although it was hard for him to hide his fury at Lord Cassius, Sally shook her head at him every time he made a fist, in anger. "That won't help, luv... Just listen to Mamma, she has to come to her own conclusion on this one, hon." Sally was the wisest of them all, Mouse knew.

"I don't want this..." Damiana said finally. "I really don't..." Sally nodded, and sent Yvette to go make 'the brew', though they all grew somber in the moment, they remained by Mamma's side, continuing to show her love and support in her hour of need. Yvette returned with the brew, and they all knew what it meant. Damiana's hands shook as she took it from Yvette. Mouse tried not to cry, not to make a sound, but his tears were streaming down his cheeks and he was making little huping sounds. Sally only had to glance at Yvette to get her to take him out of the room. He tried to protest, but knew she'd probably knock him on his ass again, if he started making a scene, and he wouldn't do that to Mamma.

Damiana lifted the cup to her lips and tried to tip it up, but couldn't do it. "I can't..." She whispered through tears, frustrated, angry tears. "Hush now, Mamma... We understand hun..." Damiana cut her off. "No, I mean, I physically couldn't... Move... I don't want to be carrying such a man's child! I don't! I don't! I don't!" The harlots, even Sally looked confused. "Would one of you please go finds Cassandra and bring her here, RIGHT NOW?" Sally commanded, putting her hands on Damiana's shoulders to stop her from leaving her bed. "I think we have a bigger problem than just pregnancy here..." The more Damiana thought about ridding herself of this child, the more she felt the compulsion to keep it. "What is wrong with me?" She growled, her orc blood beginning to boil. "I don't know, Mamma, but we are GOING to finds out!" Sally promised her.

*****

Lord Cassius was very pleased with himself, he'd actually done it, he'd put Damiana under control at last, and what's more, he had confirmed his suspicions of the Dancing girl. There was no direct proof that she was linked to the slaughter of his Hellhounds, but she was the only valid suspect in the matter. It was all too easy to put her in a place that he could keep an eye on her, just in case she decided to challenge him directly. The benefits of magic eyes all around his properties were unquestionable. He would simply pretend that he had no idea who, or what she was, until she vexed him again. Then he would take care of her, for good. It would take careful planning, a dinner for the entire crew of the Tusk, paralytic poison perhaps? Yes, that would be suitable, might as well make the confrontation a memorable one. It would no doubt cost him this body, but that was of little consequence, his spirit would remain, safe and well, thousands of miles away, across a vast sea, if it should come to his death. Being a lich had its benefits. All of this, he thought even as he haggled with her over the price of rent. It was truly irrelevant to him, but he had to convince her that he was just a pompous peacock and nothing more. He found the game quite relaxing really, the board was clearly set and he was three moves ahead of her. Far too easy... That bothered him. To easy... Hmm... Was he overlooking something? No, he couldn't be...

*****

Mouse had finally had enough, he loved each and every one of his found family at the Tusk but he was sick of feeling helpless, sick of being kept from defending them. He left the women to care for each other and searched for anything he could find to go out into the night and exact his vengeance upon the bastard Mayor. A trash can lid for a shield and a large cleaver was the best he could find, but it would have to do. He didn't expect to be coming back from this, or even succeed really, but he had to do something.

He stole a thick, too large for him, cloak from a guests room, and hid his implements of 'war' under it before slipping out into the night, rage like he had never felt before burned in his chest, even as he pushed away his sorrow. If he did this, he knew there was no going back... Murder was murder, and he would not be denied this one. Please don't let him be denied this one... He saw Yvette coming his way with Cassandra Creesh and panicked, they could not see him, if they did... He ducked down an alley to hide from them. Cassandra stopped for a moment, as though she could sense him, but Yvette urged her on, worried for Mamma Tusk.

Mouse had been holding his breath until they were out of sight. He could not be stopped. He had to do this... Dashing out of the alleyway without looking where he was going, he ran right into Izabelle of all people! And promptly fell on his ass with an "Oof!" Looking up at her, he groaned with complete exasperation. "You've got to be kidding me..." He grumbled under his breath before standing up, with her help and brushing himself off. "Would you believe I'm out for a moonlit walk?" He asked, knowing he was caught, knowing it was stupid and dangerous, what he had been planning to do.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy never thought of herself as a killer, but as a deliverer of justice and retribution for those who were unable to seek justice for themselves. As a child she had been told that if the darkness in the world was not kept in check, it would soon snuff out the light. All that was good in the world would choke and die. She had seen the darkness, felt it’s cruelty and smelled its stench. For every murderer, rapist, human trafficker and sinner she killed, there were so many innocents who would live. She had now had children that she intended to protect, and in light of that, darkness had to be kept in check, whatever the cost.

She left the crowded tavern and made her way to the darker side of town. There was no shortage of evil there, men and women of all races and breeds, committing all manner of despicable acts against the weak and innocent. She was selective though, not choosing any old mark, oh no, she chose them on the darkness of their shadows, for it was the shadow that gave her a window into their souls, and the depths of their depravity.


It didn’t take long to find what she was looking for. A woman of sorts, a blend of several different species of peoples, made her way alone the darkened street. She had been drinking cheap gin and smoking hand rolled tobacco, looking for a man fool enough to pay for her services. Tonight, she had found no one drunk enough to take her up on her service so she made her way home alone. Her shadow loomed about her so dark it blocked out the streetlights from Izzy’s sight as she went. This female took depravity to a whole new level.

Izzy followed at discrete distance, making sure she wasn’t seen by any passers-by, until the female pulled some keys from a pocket in her skirts and unlocked the door to a ground floor flat. The surrounding flats were in darkness, presumably asleep or not home, not that it mattered, Izzy dispatched her marks in silence.

The business at hand was easy enough and there was very little mess. It was enough for a landlord to have to dispose of a body but cleaning up a river of blood was a messy business, so she spared them that. She looked about the woman’s flat and noticed several items that would be of use to her and the children at the warehouse. How quickly she had changed her nature. Normally she would not have given any thought to things of use, to herself or others.



She laid out a blanket and bundled up things she could use at the warehouse, including food, soap, blankets, plates and other kitchen items, and a large, ruffled skirt that she could use for fabric to make new clothing for some of the children. There was also a large amount of money in a silver box hidden behind a brick in the wall. She tied the bundle together and hoisted it onto her back before making her way back to the warehouse. The loss of the items would add substance to just another robbery that resulted in the death of just another sinner that no one would miss. She hid the bundle behind a pile of trash behind the warehouse and returned to the Tusk, hoping that things had subsided enough for her to be able to retrieve her belongings, pay her tab, and tell Mouse where she was going. She found she was quite for of him and now that she was staying for a while it would be nice to share his company from time to time.

As she hoped, the Tusk had called last drinks and the patrons were making their way home, happy and still euphoric from the effects of the dragon scent. It did no harm for them to feel good for a time.

She wasn’t far from the tavern when a cloaked figure crashed into her. On pure instinct she pulled a blade from her boot and prepared for a fight. That was until she noticed who her attacker was. Mouse. Sprawled out on his back, a bin lid in one hand and a meat cleaver in the other. It took considerable effort to hold back her laughter. Reaching out a hand to help him to his feet, she could see the redness in his cheeks, even in the dim glow of the streetlamps. Without a word she continued in the direction of the Tusk. Mouse was spluttering at her side, keeping pace with her, “Let me explain, I have to kill the bastard, he hurt Mamma and …”, Izzy signed that he had no need explain. She knew where he was going.

Still walking he tried telling her all that had happened and how Cassie was going to make things right. Pain, anger, fear and confusion had him overwhelmed. Izzy’s heart went out to him, and she understood her desire for justice, but she certainly wasn’t going to encourage him. She did, however, pick up her pace. She needed to talk to Cassie before she tried to purge the child.

Cassie was already in with Mamma Tusk and Izzy had no other recourse other than to shove the door open and charge in. She signed for them all to stop, NOW!. The child could not be expelled. It was conceived in magic and trying to remove it would kill the mother. It couldn’t be done. Cassie nodded, confirming Izzy’s diagnoses. The only one who could remove the babe, is the one who put it there. Mamma Tusk put her hands over her face and sobbed. Izzy knew there was nothing she could do here and as much as she liked these people, this was none of her business.

She headed down the hall to her room. She didn’t have a lot of possessions. She was on the move so much, rarely spending more than a few days in any one place, that everything fitted into her pack and the pockets in her cloak.

Back in the common room she looked for Mouse, hoping he hadn’t gone back on a vengeful rampage. Izzy held no hope of a meal this late in the night but was surprised when a very tired looking Mouse brought her a plate. He had saved it for her, making sure she didn’t miss out on the best cuts of meat. Thanking him she thought, “This man would have to have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met”. And that didn’t make telling him about her changing address any easier.

Mouse sat across from her as she devoured the meal. She was certainly going to miss the cook. Mouse kept sighing heavily and running his fingers through his hair. Izzy put down he knife, worried she might stab him with it if he didn’t calm down, and looked at him across the table.

“This is not something you can control or change. The are forces at work here that are much bigger than mortal men. The people in this town are just tiny pieces in a much larger game. I understand your frustration, but it wont help”.

Mouse looked at her with such hurt in his eyes. Must he always feel do defenceless and small? He just wanted to protect those he loved.

She took down her veil and smiled. “There are many ways to help others, and they don’t include a trash can lid and a knife. You have a big heart and a quick mind, use them and you won’t need to be built like a bear to win a fight. Perhaps if you come by the warehouse I can teach you a few things, if you like.”

It took Mouse a few moments to absorb what she told him. The warehouse? What warehouse?

She filled him in on the warehouse she was renting and the children she was giving shelter to. She had come back to collect her things and settle her bill.

Mouse looked shell shocked. He had not considered that she might move out. There was already so much going wrong, and now she was leaving?

Izzy explained that it was just down the street, and he was welcome any time. In fact, she would love for him to come over when ever he wanted. Opening her purse, she placed a dozen gold on the table. It was more than enough to cover her tab, and a bit extra. The look on Mouse’s face was concerning but she knew he would be ok, as long as he didn’t go out on any more heroic quests.

She left him sitting alone at the table. It surprised her, how hard it was leaving the tavern, but she had a bunch of children sleeping in a big building, who would be depending on her to make their lives a little better, and she was looking forward to doing it.

Back at the warehouse, Stan had fallen asleep at his post. She took her own blanket and wrapped it around him, “What a wonderful little man” she thought to herself. She found a place to put down her pack and hang her cloak before opening the back door and bringing in the items she had collected from the mark.

The blankets and clothing would have to be washed. They stank of tobacco and booze. The plates, bowls, mugs and cutlery she placed in a bucket and covered in water to soak, and a small pot and frying pan would go in next. The food items she sorted and placed with the bit of food that was left over from the evening meal, and the silver box full of money she stashed with her pack. A quick concealment spell hid her pack from discovery and curious eyes.

With that done, she sat on the edge of the platform looking about the space available to her and thinking of ways to set things up. They would need a washroom, those children needed a bath, and a kitchen built for cooking for large numbers. There were two fireplaces, but they were built to provide warmth, and heat up a kettle, but definitely not for cooking food for lots of little people.

Wrapping her cloak about herself, she closed her eyes hoping to get a few hours sleep. Before she knew it, the first rays of sunlight were creeping in under the doors. Some of the children were already awake. Stan looked at her, a little embarrassed at falling asleep, and returned her blanket to her. It was something neither of them would ever mention and helped to fashion a bond between them.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

As Izzy and some of the children made their way through the marketplace, loading up the breadbasket and wheelbarrow with food and other items that would make the warehouse a home, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck. She almost cried out from the sharpness of the pain but managed to contain it. She had only ever felt pain like this once before. It was a hunter. This was Lock warning her of his presence. She hoped that he had not seen her and the children, but if there was a hunter here, death would follow. Just as she had been born with the gift of being able to see the bad in people, a hunter was born with the ability to see magic in people’s blood and tasked themselves with stamping it out. Izzy’s kind hunted those who took pleasure in the pain of others, the hunter killed indiscriminately. Male, female, child, a hunter didn’t care. Magic was unnatural to them and had to be destroyed, even though they themselves were born of magic and were quite powerful in their own right. Izzy felt a sense of dread. She had not been in this town long, only a few weeks, but already she had made friends, and had many she cared about, and many of them had magic running through their veins. She had to stop the hunter before her friends could be murdered. She had to hunt the hunter.


It was mid-morning and Izzy and the children had not long returned from the marketplace, when a messenger arrived with an envelope stinking of the Mayor’s signature scent. He had invited her to dine with him that night and mentioned that Mouse and Domiana would also be joining them. She had a strong suspicion that this was not so much of an invitation but a summons.

Lord Cassius was no real threat to her, but he was to Mouse and Mamma Tusk, so she had no choice but to attend. Until then she had much to do and there was still a lot of the warehouse that needed to be organized and cleaned. Finding places to store their purchases, everyone pitched in and got to work. One of the younger girls started tugging on the sleeve of Izzy’s blouse and pointed to the door.

A woman in her mid-twenties, holding a child in her arms with two little girls hiding behind her skirt, stood there looking at her in desperation. She looked ready to collapse so Izzy rushed to her aid.

“Please can you help us Miss, my boy you see, he’s real sick, and I have no money and no where to go. me husband died and left us nothin'. Young Stan there said you could help us. Please, will you help us? Or just my children, if you could just take the children I can go and……”

Izzy stopped her there. Of cause she would help them. The child in her arms, a boy perhaps four years old, was burning up with fever. She took him from his mother and signed Stan to get the woman and the other two children something to eat. By the way they devoured the food they hadn’t eaten for some time.

She lay the boy on a clean patch of floor and gently looked him over. It wasn’t hard to find the cause of the fever, he had developed a large boil on his hip, and it had become infected. She would have to drain it. She signed the children to bring her what she needed. Clean water, some clean scraps of cloth and a sharp knife. She also wrote a note and sent one of the older boys to Cassie’s store for supplies. Washing the area around the angry red bulge she placed the scraps of material beneath him the catch the fluids. She cut a small slit in the top of the boil and no sooner than it opened up and it’s foul contents poured out, soaking into the fabric. As she applied pressure around the site, a large solid lump plopped out, followed by a stream of puss and muck. Gently she worked around the swelling, coaxing as much of the infection out as she could. Wrapping the expelled much into a ball, she wiped the area clean to inspect it more closely. If she had to guess, this family had been living rough and not had good food in some time. It didn’t take long for the items she wanted from Cassie to come back. Applying a salve to another piece of clean cloth, she applied it to the wound, then wrapped him in a bandage. Moving him was painful so she made him a bed where he was and left him to rest. She took a combination of herbs and mixed up a tonic, steeping it in hot water then setting it aside to cool.

Leaving the family in the care of the children, Izzy strode off across the marketplace in the direction of the blacksmith. She had seen a large tub outside his shop and her kids needed a bath. She hadn’t thought to inspect them for signs of injury and malnutrition, evidence of living on the streets for so long. She also stopped at the draper store and bought a bundle of children’s clothing and a dress that would fit the woman. Everyone was getting a bath.

One by one she checked them, helping them to wash their hair and checking for head and body lice. She was relieved to find a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing of concern. A makeshift screen was setup so the woman, who introduced herself as Alice, could also bath. When everyone was done, the tub was refilled with clean water and all the soiled clothing was thrown in to boil.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

The sick boy, Seth, began to moan in his sleep. Izzy took the tonic and a spoon, giving him a spoonful of the unpleasant smelling herbal mix. She indicated to Alice that he would have to have it every few hours to help his fight the fever.


The day was getting away and Tam, a nine-year-old girl, asked Izzy if they were having lunch today. One of the older children gave her a shove, telling her that she was being rude. Izzy had been so busy she hadn’t even thought about food, and Alice offered to help. Izzy could not have been more grateful, informing Alice that she and her children could stay if they wanted, and she would be grateful for the help. Alice accepted at once and Izzy’s next thought was “Where the hell am I going to get more bedding?”

The day was slipping away fast and soon it was time to prepare dinner for the children and prepare herself for dinner with Lord Cassius. Finding a few sheets of paper, Izzy hastily wrote two letters and folded them into her pocket along with a small pot of salve sent to her by Cassie, in case of emergencies.

She arrived at the same time as Mouse and Domiana, glad to not be making an entrance alone, and they were met at the door by an uptight man in equally tight clothing. “His Lordship will meet you in the dinning room presently. If you will all follow me,” Izzy and Mouse shared a “what the fuck?” look and set off behind the butler.

They were shown into a room that was dripping in extravagance, and a table that was even more so. Izzy frowned, all this wealth and the people he was sworn to serve and protect were going hungry in the street. It wasn’t right. As she looked around at the many paintings that adorned the walls, Lord Cassius made his grand entry, “Ah my friends, I am so glad you could make it. Please, come sit, diner won’t be long.”

“Surely it is obvious that none of them was his friend, nor did they want to be there”. Izzy gave him a disapproving stare from above her veil. He was up to something. He continued to prattle out small talk, engaging in conversation that no one else was engaging in, basically he was talking to himself. No sooner had they sat down than the uptight man arrived with a tray with bowls of soup. Izzy smelled hers with suspicion and pushed it aside. Mouse and Domiana did the same. “Come now, the soup is perfectly safe, I promise you”. He dipped his spoon and ate some of the hot brown liquid. Izzy wasn’t convinced but Mouse and Domiana decided to take him at his word. They realized right away that they had made a huge mistake, their heads swimming, vision blurred, unconsciousness followed.

Lord Cassius look at Izzy with a smirk. “So little dancer, it’s just you and me. Oh yes, I know you are a dancer. Haven’t seen one of your order in a long while. I have been waiting for you to wander into my game. I have a proposition for you. I will release the hold I have on Domiana and the child, if you agree to have my child instead. I do know of cause that you will kill me in the act, but you see my dear, I am immortal and I will simply be renewed and return to the most powerful child ever conceived. I have been planning this for a long time you see, and you have made it so easy for me”.

Izzy regarded him for a moment before rising from her chair. Pulling the pieces of paper from her pocket she handed them to him. One was a document stating that she was now the sole owner of the warehouse, the other stating that the mansion, and all his holdings would now belong to Domiana and her child. He read both the documents and burst out laughing. “Why the hell would I sign these?”

Izzy removed her veil to reveal her face and gave him a sideways grin. “If you want a child by me, this is what I want. It hardly matters since you will be dead anyway, at least for a while. Why not let your child with Domiana inherit his father’s assets?”

“Ah, so it’s a boy. A son, and a daughter. Seems like I will have the whole package. Very well, I will give you what you ask for. Not like I will be needing it for a while.” He chuckled to himself as he signed the papers, calling the butler to witness them before handing them back to Izzy.

Izzy moved closer to him, pressing her body against his, letting the veil and shawl fall to the floor about her feet. She could see the excitement in his eyes, he truly thought he’d won, but he had never come up against a dancer before. Reaching between them, she unbuckled his belt and pulled free the laces holding his breeches closed. He offered no protest as she slid her hand inside his garment, his penis hard and ready to receive her. However, what he received was not at all what he expected. As she moved her slender hand along his shaft, he began to feel faint, sliding to the floor, unable to move or even speak. Was this all there was to it? Surely not, she hadn’t taken his seed yet, he couldn’t die before she had mated with him. something was wrong here.

Izzy stood looking down at his motionless yet still conscious form laying on the floor. Before his eyes, she peeled away a thin film that had been covering her hand and dropped it into his soup bowl. “It seems you are not going to win this time you piece of crap. You can only reincarnate if you die, and you won’t be doing that for a very long time. You have suffered a major stroke, pun intended, and will be paralyzed and speechless until you eventually wither and die, which could be a while, you being immortal and all. Did you think I would not see you're evil intent in your shadow? Oh, and the brain injury you just acquired, broke the bond you have over Domiana. She is free to make her own choice concerning the child now.”

The butler was still standing by the door after witnessing the documents but seemed unmoved by the events before him. Without looking around Izzy asked him “Is there a quiet place where his Lordship can rest? He has had quite a turn, but I don’t think he will be needing the master bedroom”.

The butler kept a very straight face. “I believe there is space in the cellar that would suite perfectly, I will have him moved in the morning.” It seemed there was no love lost between Lord and Butler, happy to let him lay on the floor overnight before placing him in the cellar to be forgotten. It seemed just.

It was a few hours before Mouse and Domiana woke from their slumber, both complaining of a serious headache and kicking themselves for eating the bloody soup. Izzy filled them in on what had transpired and neither of them could believe how quickly the tide had turned. Domiama was now a very rich woman and out from under his spell. Things were looking up for the tavern keeper and her family. For Izzy, there was a hunter to deal with and he would be a lot harder then Lord Cassius to bring down.

 

[Ravenloft]

In the following days, Damiana, excited and happy, moved herself into the estate that Izabelle had given to her and her son, his birth right. With no longer being trapped and bound by Lord Cassius' evil intent, she found she wanted to have this child, though she didn't know what it would mean, or how it would change her. She had every intention to follow Izzy's example and disperse as much as the newly acquired wealth as she could out to those it would help the most. But she was not so selfless as to not put her most loved and cherished ones first. She gifted the Golden Tusk immediately to Mouse, Sally and her sisters, explaining that she wasn't abandoning them, just entrusting them all with taking care of things until she was free enough to return, promising to make the occasional appearance there, while she could.

Mouse didn't like the idea, but understood it, because he felt his own calling pulling him away from 'home' as well. How quickly things were changing... It scared him a little, but Sally and her harlots would take care of the Tusk, and he believed that Mamma Tusk wasn't really leaving, just following her own path. That was everything he needed to finally figure out his own desire. He loved the Tusk, it was his home after all, but... He loved Izabelle more.

Taking what was his and asking the Harlots for what they could part with, Mouse spent days delivering every last piece of extra bedding and furniture the Tusk had to spare to Izzy's newly minted orphanage. He even found an old board and carved a name he had dreamed up for Izzy's orphanage. "The Dancing Dreamers home for wayward children." He just hoped she would like it and not call it silly or, worse, hate the name he had dreamed up.

He managed three trips before the 'attack'. On his first delivery, little Stan was alert and ready for him. Mouse was overloaded with stacks of bedding, so was not prepared at all! The red head boy had him flat on his back and, pinned before Mouse could even shout in surprise. "Wut you doin ere, ya dumb, prudy-boy, snot-nosed elf-blood fink?!" Stan was full of fire, having been bullied by the pomposity of high born elf-bloods in his short life, so had no love for any of Mouse's kind. "I'm..." Mouse struggled against the child, who was of a much heartier stock than him, and full of a fury that he would never understand. Gasping for air, as the boys knee was firmly in his stomach, grinding in hard. "Just trying to help!" Mouse grunted in frustration and confusion. "Can't you see all the stuff I've been bringing you and yours all day long?! Please, just get off of me!"

Stan would not let up. "Naw, yer jus tryna make yerself feel bigger, thas all! No one's that nice, ya lousy snot-fink donkey-butt! Now, go on! Git! We don't want yer help or yer pitty, leave the stuff, consider it taxes on walking through me turf! Go an don't come back! Or I'll really wollop ya! Got it, purdy boy?" Stan dug his knee in sharply, growling through his crooked teeth before letting Mouse up and shoving at him to leave. "Why? Why are you so mean?" Mouse asked, stunned and confused.

Stan gave him a snarly grin. "Don't make me urt ya fer real! I'm playing nice as it is! This was jus a warning! You want mean... I'll give ya mean!" Stan picked up a loose rock and got ready to throw it at Mouse. "What in the actual fuck?!" Mouse was mad, but was backing off. "Izzy!" He shouted. "Izzy! Are you in there?!" Stan paused, still snarling, but if he knew the woman, maybe he wasn't all bad. "Ow you know er?" Stan spat, still very suspicious of Mouse. "She's a hero, she's my friend, please put down the rock, I'm not here as an enemy... I just want to help..." Mouse pleased with the kid.

"Hrmp! Is that right? Prove it! Prove you know her!" Stan would not back down, but was at least not threatening him as much anymore. "She doesn't talk, she only signs or writes, she wears a veil, her hair is like honey, her eyes are like emeralds, she is beautiful and sorrowful, stronger than a thousand men, holds more pain than a million more could bare." Mouse was trembling where he stood as he spoke. Stan lowered his arm and let the stone drop, stunned, then grinned from ear to ear. "Boy... You got it bad for her don't ya?" He observed, trying not to laugh. "Thas her, for sure, okay, I believe you... Coulda just said ya wanted to see her, ya know... Woulda still shooed you off still, but woulda had a good laugh while doin it!"

Mouse brushed himself off and gave the boy a half hearted smile. "Thanks..." He sighed. "Well, you going to let me see her, your lordship?" Mouse teased right back. "Its Stan, purdy-boy." Stan shot back, taking a menacing step forward. Mouse took a step back. "Alright, Lord Stan." He smirked as Stan narrowed his eyes at him and grinned right back. "Alright, funny guy, you can see her, but leave the stuff. And if you want to keep seeing her, you better have more than just some bed sheets ta offer us!"

Mouse shook his head, this kid was one tough customer. "You drive a hard bargain Sir Stan." Stan kept smiling, like the cat who ate the canary. "You know it, elf-blood. You got some good manners fer a purdy-boy, high-an-mighty, sparkle-in-my-shiny-pants fey-baby." Stan shot back. "And you have quite a way with words, your lordship..." Mouse knew he'd won the boy over, even if he would never admit it. Respect, even if it was veiled in insults, was still respect. "Oh, i've got plenty more to contribute, I assure you of that, I could really use some he." Stan walked away, mid sentence, but returned with the wheelbarrow and left it in front of Mouse. "You talk way too much." Stan said before walking off again, leaving it to Mouse to pick up the scattered bedding.

Watching mouse like a hawk from his chosen post, Stan folded his arms, he was still on guard duty after all. Mouse gathered the scattered sheets and blankets and tossed them haphazardly into the wheelbarrow, taking the hazing with a grain of salt. He was used to this kind of thing. Had to earn the respect the hard way. But he knew it would be worth it, that kid would be a bad ass one day, well, more of one. He brought the bedding into the warehouse and left it where he had left the other 'tributes' this Lord Stanley of Stanonia. The title making him chuckle to himself.

Izzy wasn't around, so Mouse took the wheelbarrow and made several more trips with what was left of the bedding, but the furniture... He was going to need something more substantial, like a cart, or a lot more help to bring any of that over. On his way back for the fourth time, he noticed a loose hen sitting in the road. Just sitting there... "Huh... You lost, girl? No one own you?" He asked her, as if she would talk back. "Do you need a home?" The hen just sat there, cause it was just a hen. "Come here, little girl..." Mouse went over to her and picked her up, she didn't seem sick, just plump and maybe a little lazy. "Good girl... Come with me, I've got just the place for you!" He had the plaque he'd made laying on top of this loads worth of bedding, to keep it from falling out, and placed the hen in the corner of the wheelbarrow, letting her rest on the bedding.

This time, Izzy was around and he got to present her with his gifts, bedding, plaque and hen! He was so happy he felt himself shaking! Or was he just hungry? He didn't say a word about his altercation with Lord Stanly of Stantopia though. That he would keep to himself. Out of respect.

 

[Ravenloft]

*****

Trapped within a broken body, in a mind that was only half there, Cassius, stripped of his lordship, lay, trying to formulate a way out of this hell. Death would work, but how would he achieve that without help? All of his spells were so muddled in what was left of his mind, and even if they weren't, he couldn't cast anything without the use of his hands or voice. There was one out for him, but it would be very, very difficult to do with his half brain. Meditation, astral travel, but all that would do is allow him to reach out to someone, or something that could sense a disembodied soul... The Death Dancer could, or at least her beast could, as it was currently in astral form as well, bound to her by its own silver cord. That damnable silver cord... His own would keep him trapped in this hell, if he couldn't get someone to kill him... "Deep breathes, put yourself into a calm, Cass, you can do this..." He thought to himself. Everything that was left to him was on automatic though, he couldn't even actively control his breathing, it just happened, she had truly locked him into his body... "No! I reject that! I am powerful! I will break free! It will just take time and effort, clear your thoughts! You still have half a brain!"

He lay there for what seemed like days, trying to free his astral form... It was beginning to look hopeless and the cellar rats were coming out to taste him... How absolutely embarrassing! "No! Push all other thoughts away! It is the only way to escape this prison!" He told himself. If he didn't do this, if he couldn't find a way to astral travel, at least the rats would devour him... It would take years and probably drive him completely mad, but at least he would return to his phylactery. That was of some comfort, but not much! The thought that gave him hope was, in that worst case scenario, becoming mad, he would be free to hunt the Death Dancer down and finally have his revenge! But would he even be there enough to enjoy it? He didn't think so, but it would have to be enough...

Focusing on all the ways he could torture her for her lies and betrayal calmed him. He went over it in his half mind, over and over, first, he would lock her down with a spell, so she could not move, then he would finally impregnate her, as she had promised to let him. He would keep her held in an extradimensional sphere until she gave birth, then and only then would he kill her, burning her from the inside out, and then, he would dine on her hear, and drink of her blood! Oh, such sweet thoughts! They gave him such serenity! Such peace! Exactly what he needed to enter the astral realm!

Rising in his astral form, from his broken body, he stretched, completely unnecessary, as he was no longer trapped in his flesh and bone body and the stretching would do him absolutely no good, but it felt good, it felt right. "Ah, much better..." He was pleased with himself until he looked up to find that bitch's astral wolf watching him. "Fuck me! Really?!" Lock lept at him, for the kill, but he let himself fall through the floor, into the solid earth, to hide. The wolf wouldn't dare attack his silver cord! That would only free him to return to his crown, a million miles away! And that is exactly what he wanted! It was a stale mate... Again! Unless, until something happened to the the wolf's mistress and they had to switch places. He knew enough to know that about the Death Dancer. He had studied and planned for a very long time.

"Patience, Cassi... Patience..." He sighed to himself as he could hear Lock scratching and sniffing at the earth that concealed him. "At least the beast is too stupid to earth merge..." He thought, then spat out from his hiding place. "Go on, you loathsome beast, do and warn your... Bitch... That I'm free! I dare you!" It didn't work, the mindless beast was too eager to attack him. "Time... Its just a matter of time..." He muttered to himself as he waited.


*****

Damiana had finally moved in and was settling into the good life, it was thrilling, and almost impossible to believe, she had gone from thinking she was in love, to complete and total terror of the worst kind, to this richest of all fortunes! To say it was a whirlwind of emotions would be simplifying it all down to the barest of all possible understanding! She honestly didn't know what to make of any of it! But she was allowing herself to enjoy it as much as she could. One thought was, how long before she felt her pregnancy? Another was how would she expunge her orc rage or worse, Cassius' evil that she was sure to be inherent in this child? She sent for Cassandra Creesh to give her consultations in those matters, she could pay her well now, and she needed a woman of her caliber to give her some wisdom and advice.

She was oddly happy with gifting her dream over to her loved found family, but she had no intention of abandoning them, and she tried her best to make that clear. But Mouse didn't seem to understand as well as the Harlots... She would have to do something special for him... She had something for him, if he ever said he would need to leave, she just hoped he would give her that chance. She had kept this treasure for him for years, ever since he had won her over with his kind and gentle ways. The little heart stealer that he was! She was deeply proud of him and loved him dearly, but could never outright say so. She had to put it all away, in a box.

On her second day, she tried to clean out the mansion of everything that belonged to Lord Cassius, but her new servant... Servant? Really?! Demanded that she take her ease and that he and his staff... Staff?! "Fuck me running!" Was said under her breath... Would take care of everything for her... And they did... Except... A book that she found completely by accident, left tucked under her bed, one she had chosen, because it was as far from the one he had bedded her upon as she possibly could! It was a diary... A woman's life... Someone else that that monster had tormented and used... But fooled into believing she loved him... Just like he had fooled Damiana! What was this? And why couldn't she stop reading it over the next few days?! It was like she was enthralled, posessed! She hid it from everyone! Especially from the witch, who she had quickly grown to love and admire as Cassandra showed her nothing but kindness and gentle concern. She was afraid Cassie would take this away from her, before she could finish it, thinking it was another form of poison for Damiana's soul or something! It wasn't poison, it couldn't be, knowing someone else truly understood her pain, that had to be healing her, hadn't it?

The diary went beyond Damiana's own hell, it was far worse for this poor woman, because she never seemed to have been able to break free of his spell... "Gods... I was lucky..." Damiana muttered as she read on and on. "I wish someone could have helped you, like Izzy helped me..." She found herself saying one night as she fought tears. "I wonder if you're still alive... If your child is still alive..." She had no idea how long ago the diary was written. On the fourth night, she dreamed the woman, who she had never seen before, sat with her and wept, all she could think to do was hold her. Was it just a dream?

Finally, after two weeks of hiding it all, she asked Cassie to come to her and talk with her, and stay with her through the night, to see if she... Sensed something... Cassie chided her, albeit gently, for not coming to her sooner, immediately in fact, but agreed to sit with her and help her. "I am with you, my sister, and I always will be." She promised as she took a seat by Damiana's bed. "May I hold this book of yours?" She asked softly. "Don't worry, I won't keep it, I promise. It will just help me to sense what is present, that is all." Damiana nodded, only slightly nervous and hesitant, giving her the diary.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy asked the butler if he could give her any old blankets and he returned with his arms full. It appeared that the Mayer liked to hang onto what was his and gave no thought to charity. They were very much appreciated though they didn’t look very old. The night had been surreal, but everything worked out well for the moment. Taking the blankets, she bid Domiana and Mouse good night, addressing Domiana as Lady Tusk and doing a dramatic curtsy. She was now a woman of wealth and position after all.

Back at the warehouse Izzy kept a blanket for herself and spread the others over sleeping children. Fifteen children and a widow. It was looking like an orphanage. Then it struck her, she would make it an orphanage, a place for widows and orphans of all species, a sanctuary for those in need of respite. The idea excited her, her mind making all sorts of plans when she should have been getting some much-needed rest. Eventually sleep did find her though and her dreams were filled with plans for the future.

The following morning, she woke to find Alice already busy dealing with children and getting them ready for breakfast. She needed to go and get the bread from the bakehouse but her first port of call was to check on Seth. The colour had returned to his cheeks and his fever had broken. His wound would need to be redressed but she could wait until he woke for that. Satisfied that all was well, she headed out to the marketplace with Stan and a few of the other children in tow.

Winter wasn’t far away, and fresh food was getting harder to come by, and more expensive. She resolved to start stocking up on everything they will need to get through until spring. As they collected the bread, she was mindful of the hunter, searching the crowd for any sign of him, but sensed nothing. Relieved, she returned to the warehouse. There were ideas racing around in her mind and she couldn’t wait to share them.

Taking another sheet of paper she made two lists, one for things they needed right away, and things that could come later. They needed some large pots and pans, and a cooking fire built to manage several pots at once. Plates, cups and spoons along with cooking tools and some kind of bench or table for food preparation. A stockpile of firewood and coal would need to be gathered, especially since the nights were going to get much colder very soon and cooking required a lot of fuel. There was so much to do, and Izzy found herself quite excited to set about making it happen.

The day was spent cleaning the left platform and searching the marketplace for things they needed. The left platform was larger than the right where they had set up their living quarters and yielded a few treasures. At the back of the deck there was several large barrels, some crates in serviceable condition, three chairs, a ladder, several empty rum bottles and a pile of unused sacks. Seems whom ever was here last had a going away party. The barrels were washed out and placed under the eave of the building to catch rainwater. The rum bottles made great water bottles, and the chairs were set aside for the adults to avoid children fighting over them. A few trips to the stables acquired enough clean straw to stuff some of the sacks to work as cushions and mattresses. The area itself would prove to be the perfect place for children to play when the world outside was inhospitable.

Alice knew of a man, Josh, who was looking for work and may be able to help with the heavy lifting. Turns out he was a very handy man indeed. Pulling the planks that had been nailed across the windows, he used them to make a long table and benches to match, as well as several storage boxes and shelves for the kitchen area. He then enlisted the aid of some of the bigger children to help him collect stones suitable to build a cooking fireplace. The building of an oven was going to take a lot more time and materials, so it had to wait. Izzy noted that he was a kind man, and good with the children so she asked about his living arrangements. Alice told her that his wife and son died from illness a few years ago and he has lived alone since. When asked to join them for dinner he was happy to accept, after all he had to try out the new table and benches. It was another week before he accepted her invitation to make the warehouse his home.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy woke to the first rays of sunlight peeking through the now uncovered windows. The children were beginning to stir, but if she was quick, she could beat the line-up for the privy.

Upon opening the back doors of the building to let the breeze in, she found three children, woodland folk, huddled up behind the trash pile. It was rare to see woodland folk in town. They were a shy and reclused people, sticking to themselves and existing within the folds of the thickest regions of the forest. Their ability to blend in with their surroundings and remain undetected meant they had no need for weapons or even self-defence. So why were these children here?

Kneeling before them, she beckoned them closer. They recounted how a man came with a bow, and their family went deeper into the trees to hide, but somehow, he could see them. Their mother hid them inside a hollow tree and told them not to come out. They waited until dark before emerging and found everyone was dead. The whole family, shot with arrows. They didn’t know what else to do, so they came to the town to look for help. Izzy marvelled at how brave they were, leaving the forest and coming all this way alone. How could she not help them?

Inside she gave them some food and water, then built them a small tent out of blankets. They needed sleep but were fearful of open spaces. It was the best she could do on short notice.

Alice and the children were soon awake, and everyone was curious about the new arrivals. None of them had ever seen a woodland person before and all were keen to meet them, bombarding Izzy with a hundred questions at once.

Izzy had a good idea who had killed the woodland family but would need to go and see for herself. If she left early, she could be there and back before nightfall. As she prepared to leave, Josh arrived to see if there was any more work to be done and volunteered to go along. After all, it could be dangerous out there for a woman on her own. If only he knew. They walked quickly and covered most of the distance in silence, which Izzy appreciated. It was difficult to walk and sign at the same time.

It wasn’t hard to find the location of the attack, though it was more of a slaughter, as the bodies were already beginning to breakdown and smell. Men, women and children’s bodies littered the forest floor, in what could only be described as senseless murder. Izzy collected the arrows, tying them together in a bundle and wrapping the tips carefully in cloth. The ends of the arrows had been tipped in poison, ensuring even the wounded would die. This was the work of the Hunter. Cowards at best, hunters tended to stalk the most defenceless people, striking in remote and secluded areas so they would not be seen or identified, but Izzy knew their handiwork. There was no need to bury the dead, the forest floor would claim them within a few days, and it will be as though they were never there.

As they got closer to town they could see the sky building, dark and threatening over the ocean. Their brisk walk became a run, they had to get back before the storm hit.

By the time they reached the warehouse the rain had already begun to fall. Stan and his possie had been out in the town, gathering other homeless children and families who were living rough in the streets and needed shelter increasing their number by close to fifty. “I couldn’t leave ‘em out there Miss Izzy, they would all be goners by mornin’” Izzy was amazed by the size of this young mans heart. “You have done well, I am proud of you”. The boy’s face beamed with a smile. Someone was proud of him, and he did a good job. She over heard him bragging to other children about it later and she understood the significance of her praise. How long had it been since any of these children had received praise or approval? She resolved to change that.

Outside the thunder rolled and the lightning lit up the sky. Rain became a deluge, the sound of it falling on the roof so loud it was impossible to have a conversation. It was as if Mother Nature herself was crying out in grief at the loss of her forest children. Inside the warehouse, men, women and children of so many species, huddled together, sharing body warmth and comfort as the world outside wreaked havoc.

It was late morning before the storm subsided. Outside in the streets, water was still running in the gutters causing flooding in the lower areas of the town. Some of the more dilapidated houses had lost their roofs and a few had collapsed completely leaving the inhabitants stranded. Fortunately, many of those who had called those shacks home, were now taking refuge in the warehouse. Those houses would be rebuilt, but it would take time.

Later that day Izzy took the arrows she had taken from the Woodland folk’s bodies to Cassie and gave her one, asking if she knew the poison and was it possible to make an antidote? Cassie was all to happy to help, angry that such simple and peaceful folk could be slaughtered in such a cowardly way. She raised an eyebrow at Izzy “I assume you are going to do something about this murderer?” Izzy assured her that justice would be done. Before she left, she collected her previous order along with more antiseptic salve and bandages. Cassie hoped to have some answers about the poison in the morning.

Back at the warehouse Izzy set to work cleaning out the old office room, using it to store items she could not risk the children handling such as medications, the poison arrows, her books, weapons, money and logs recording the names and ages of the children in her charge. She closed the room with a spell that allowed only her to open.

With so many extra mouths to feed, the day became quite hectic. On one of her return’s trips from the marketplace, she discovered a growing pile of sheets and blankets, apparently delivered by Mouse from the Tusk Tavern. Once again, he made her smile. Other donations of bedding, food and clothing trickled in, making Izzy proud to call this her community.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

It had been a few weeks since Lord Cassius had been placed in crate in the back of the cellar. Izzy had placed Lock in the cellar as well to make sure his Lordship didn’t escape, and no one came to rescue him. She had trapped him in his own body, but even the best traps could be foiled. Lady Tusk told her that she never wanted him to be able to interfere with herself or her sone ever again and suggested Izzy use the knife, “Soul Eater” to trap him for all eternity and Izzy promised to consider it.

Finally able to collect her order from the leather worker, Izzy fitted into her new leather corset. Buckling up at the front with the silver buckles she had chosen; the corset was covered with pockets and loops. At the back was two slots for the twin blade to fit snugly against the small of her back, across her ribs were slips for eight knives, small and as sharp as a surgeon’s blade. There was room for her crystal, pendulum, hunting knife and other magical tools. The entire ensemble was light and flexible, not inhibiting her movement at all. It was perfect.

From there she stopped at Cassie's. The poison was a concoction of several elements, mixed for maximum potency. An antidote wasn’t easy, but Cassie was able to make a small amount. More was in progress, but it would take time. Tucking the small vile into an empty pocket on her garb, she handed Cassie some coins and headed home. Home. It felt so strange, yet so right.

...................................................................

The day had started out so nicely. Izzy and her entourage of children, made their way through the marketplace to the blacksmith. She ordered some parts Josh needed to make some more wheelbarrows, but before that, she wanted some barbed hooks and small balls of lead. When she told him it was for catching fish he laughed, telling her that fish were caught in nets, not on little hooks and a piece of string. Izzy had been braiding a string out of horsehair, hemp, cotton thread and strands of human hair. All twisted together, it was strong, but wet, it was even stronger.

As they were about to leave Izzy heard a whistle and instinctively grabbed Fern, the oldest of the forest children who was standing beside her. The arrow hissed past, driving into a support beam of the blacksmiths shop. Izzy held Fern close, realizing quickly that the arrow had not completely missed its mark. A small cut in Fern’s arm was all it took to inject the poison. She had the small vile and antidote in her corset, putting three drops into Fern’s mouth, and another three directly on the cut. The poison in the wound began to bubble and froth as the antidote went to war on the toxic blend. Sweeping Fern into her arms, she raced for Cassie’s shop. If anyone could save her, it was Cassie.

Working quickly, Cassie was able to stabilize Fern, but warned that she was not in the clear yet and would keep her safe until she was better. Izzy blamed herself. She had promised the girl that she would keep her safe, and now she might die. It was time to deal with this hunter once and for all, but for that she needed Lock. Sending the children back to the orphanage, she went to pay a visit to Lady Tusk.

“I am going to make sure Lord Cassius never does anyone harm again. Men like him are cowards, killing from the shadows and hurting the innocent”. By this point could feel her anger growing and was never a good thing. In the cellar Lady Tusk and the butler helped her remove the lid from the crate containing the now former Mayer. He looked like he was already dead, parts of his face, fingers and toes missing, eaten by rats, and his flesh pale and drawn. She pulled the soul eater blade from its place on her corset and placed it on his neck, cutting deep enough to almost sever his head. His soul, hiding in the earth out of Lock’s reach, was violently pulled back to his body and towards the blade. He did not struggle at first, thinking he was being released, until he realized the was not going home, he was going straight to hell, trapped for all eternity inside a magical blade with an appetite for the souls of men.

It took a few moments, but the task was done. He was trapped forever. The butler said he would organize for Cassius to be buried in the cellar in a bed of lime, and Izzy reclaimed Lock. They had work to do.

 

[Ravenloft]

Cassius shrieked in fury as his astral form was sucked from this realm into some sort of pocket dimension. He knew he had been severed from his body, he felt it like a knife through his soul. The wound was sharp and deep, and would not likely heal for a very long time, but he was not obliterated. That was good... He turned to face his new prison, his new hell... It was strange and without form, like standing in a sea of blinding rock and wind. If he was not a being of pure necromantic power, he would have been stripped of his soul by the blasted winds that cut and clawed at his astral form.

No mortal would be able to survive such a torment! It was like the entire realm was trying to devour him whole! "Stop!" Cassius shrieked, pouring out all his rage into a maelstrom of fury to protect himself. A sphere of power swelled from him, forming a bubble to envelop his formless spirit, guarding against the lashing teeth of hell itself. "What are you..." A voice entered his mind, compelling him to answer. "A lich." Cassius answered, against his will. "Deceiver! None any longer exist upon this world!" The voice boomed, sending Cassius to his knees. "Mercy! It is no deception! I have hid within the mind of mortal flesh, passing from father to child for Millenia! Seek of you the ancient pact! Chainer-born!" There was silence, a howling-madness, booming laughter. "You dare invoke the name of the chained one?! Your soul will know endless torment here!" The voice was fury, madness and mirth all at once, pressing Cassius down to his hands and knees. So much power... It was weakening him... "Asmodeus polluamini damnatorum animus!" Cassius shrieked in pain, collapsing.

There was stillness, then silence. Then distant rumbling. Something was happening

 

[Ravenloft]

Mouse spent the next few days dragging more furniture and old pots and pans from the Tusk's kitchen to Izzy's orphanage, with the help of some of the kids she had taken in and that old fellow who was helping her fix things up. He put the sign he made up over the main doors of the building, hoping Izzy would love it. Once everything he could bring was lugged into the orphanage, Mouse set about teaching and entertaining the children, when he wasn't busy with his duties at the Tusk. He wanted to see Izabelle, but she was very busy herself, with other things, and they kept missing each other, or seeing each other in passing. It made his heart ache, but he knew they would share some time together, eventually, once things settled down.

 

[Ravenloft]

Damiana and Cassie confirmed that there was indeed a spirit trapped between life and death that had no idea it was dead. The woman who had written the diary, in fact. Lost and oblivious to her state, or to the existence of the living that now dwelled in her home. "How do we reach her, Cassie?" Damiana asked. "We can't, she is trapped in a hell of her own making, the living cannot cross into the umbral realms without protection, and even if we could, she would not willingly see us. What right do we have to torment the dead, my dear? Wait... The dancer... She could... But that is too much to ask... She's suffered too much already, and continues to deal with her own demons..." Damiana looked defeated, but then hopeful, then angry. "We have to help her! We can't just let her continue to suffer! I... I can pay Izabelle for her service! I have more than enough, thanks to her! I owe her everything... Oh... Won't you please beseech her for this one last thing?! Please, I beg you Cassandra! I could not bare it if anyone else had to continue suffering that bastards torments! What he's done... I have to help this spirit if I am ever to heal fully, myself! She's with me every night! She's driving me insane with her suffering!"

 

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy felt empowered, reunited with Lock, and fuelled by anger. She knew the hunter would not risk being in town so soon after his failed attack on Fern, so she headed for the forest. Under the cover of shadows, Izzy gave Lock the lead, letting his keen senses scour the ground, the trees, and the wind. They searched for hours, following streams and hollows, covering every piece of ground in a ten-mile radius. And then late into the night, they found him. Curled up in his bedroll asleep, concealing himself in the hollow of a tree, he could not disguise his stink from Lock. Lock wanted to throw back his head and howl, marking his success and rip his prize to shreds, but Izzy bade him not to. She regarded the man sleeping on the ground before her. He was not a towering figure of muscle and might as one would expect a hunter to be, but rather a small, somewhat skinny figure, already balding and showing signs of age. In short, he was pathetic. Just the kind of man who would murder small children from the shadows.

Izzy’s anger began to build. This pathetic excuse for a life form would not live to see another sunrise. Silently, she let her cloak slip to the ground. She didn’t want him to wake, not yet. Slowly she began to move, swaying her hips and undulating to a rhythm in her mind. “Dance,” the rhythm told her, “Dance until he’s dead”. Steadily her movement increased in tempo, letting the magic within her build, feeding the fire of her pain and anger, stronger and stronger she became until she beckoned Lock to howl, howl with all your might.

The hunter woke. Startled, looking directly at Izzy. She had him. Her trap was sprung. His eyes wide, he could not blink, he could not move. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out. She wanted to kill him right them, rid the world of his hatred, but “wait”, the voice told her, “why just take his life when you can take it all”? yes, she would have him all, for what he has done, he deserved no less. Blinded and silent, she pushed him onto his back and she spoke to him openly. “So you think you can just come into my world and kill my children? What the fuck gives you the right to kill the innocent? You have no right!” her anger became a rage, and her rage became fury. She ripped open the front of his pants, his penis already standing at attention. “That’s it? That’s all you have to offer? You truly are a poor excuse for a man.” She straddled him, letting her magic and rage guide her. This was of the act of love or affection, it was hate, grief, and justice. She pushed herself down on him, breaking through her virgin barrier and deep within her body. She lifted herself up and down, riding him as the magic continued to grow. “You know what I am now don’t you puny little man. I am a dancer and I am not only going to take your life, but I am also going to take your seed and make a new life, one just like me. How do you like that? Father to a dancer?” she laughed loudly and it felt so good, hearing her own laughter.

It didn’t take him long, no more than a few strokes and his seed was hers, but it wasn’t enough, something within her powered her on, made her continue. It wasn’t her magic, it was her rage. Closing her eyes, she felt the power flow into her, around her, through her. She basked in its heat and drowned in its cool depts. Never wanting it to end. But it did end, she felt the last trickle of his life force flow into her, and then nothing. Opening her eyes, she fell away from him, repulsed by the closeness of his form. There was not much form left though, only the dried husky remains of what was once a person. As she watch, the husk became dirt, and the dirt became dust, and the dust blew away. There was nothing left of him.

Izzy sat there on the cool ground for a time, trying to process what had just transpired. Was that supposed to happen? Her mother had told her that when she gave her virginity to a man, and spoke out loud, she would become impregnated and the man would die, but she never gave her any specifics. “Wow Mum, a little more info would have been great,” climbing to her feet, she gathered the hunter’s possessions and stuffed them into his pack. Shaking the remaining dust from the clothing he had been wearing, and his bed roll, she bundled them together, kicked some dirt over the fire, she collected his bow and poisoned arrows and headed for home.

Back at the warehouse, she moved silently through the back door. Stashing the hunter’s things in the office and re-enforcing the containment spell, she fetched herself a bucket of water. It was cold but she didn’t care. She had to wash every trace of him off her.

 

[Ravenloft]

Mouse looked up from where he was kneeling, beside the steaming bath he had already prepared for Izabelle, stirring it with his hand, his shirt rolled up to his shoulder. He had tricked the knowledge of Izzy's mission out of Stan, no real details, just that there was an evil man who needed to be punished, and that Izzy had taken it upon herself to be the Heroine, once again. "It's about time, Iz... I hope you enjoy the scent of lavender, it was all I could find." Mouse said with a soft smile, pushing a stray strand of hair behind one ear. "You never let me honor you back at the Tusk, so I brought it here, to your orphanage." He pointed out, his eyes pleading with her to let him show her this one, simple and affectionate act of love. "I know, I know, you can do it yourself... That's not the point though, please let me honor you, please, for all that you have done, for me, for Mamma, Sally, Yvette, all these children, all of Hallowgrove. You help so many, you never ask for anything in return, not really... I just... I just love you Izabelle. Please, let me love you? In just this one little way?" Mouse's eyes were brimming with tears as he poured his heart out to her.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy hadn't noticed Mouse when she first came in, she was so engrossed in her thoughts, going back over what had happened and trying to make sense of it all. The tub was warm and smelled divine. Letting her clothing fall to the floor, she stepped into the water, her body sinking into the water. Right now, Mouse and his tender attentions, was exactly what she needed.

 

[Ravenloft]

Mouse's eyes went wide as Izabelle disrobed, he had never seen a woman of such perfection bare her body before him! It was all he could do from making a little squeal of joy over being witness to this kind of beauty. As she stepped into the tub, Mouse felt his cheeks burning, his eyes passing over the thatch of golden pubic hair which crowned her sex before it was hidden beneath the waters surface, and again as the swell of her breasts sunk below as well.

His eyes were no longer full of tears, now they were glazed over with something else, desire. He cleared his throat and shook the filthy thoughts from his head and went to work, taking a thick, soft sponge and lathering it up with some soap he had bought from Cassandra's shop, just for this occasion. It had a nice scent and the witch had guessed who it was for, and gave her approval as well, with a wink.

With the sponge lathered thickly with the pleasant smelling hand made soap, Mouse ran it over Izzy's slender shoulders, feeling it growing slightly harder to breath and his heart swelling up with... What was this feeling? Longing, giddiness, joy, desire, excitement. No one word could describe it! He had to swallow just to breath as she slowly leaned forward. Her body, the way she moved, how smooth her skin felt, how it shimmered, wet and soapy now that he was washing her back. The subtle ripple of fine, feminine muscle beneath her flesh, trained by a lifetime of dance. He was enthralled by her. "You are so beautiful..." Mouse whispered softly, so as not to allow his voice to crack with too intense emotions.

The need to touch her naked skin with his bare hands grew stronger. The only skin on offer without reaching under the surface of the water though was her shoulders up. He wet the sponge again and used the remnants of the watered down soap to apply moisture to her golden hair, so he could begin washing it. Starting from the base of her neck, he rand his thumbs upward, massaging firmly, yet gently, the kind of touch he always enjoyed. "Mmmh..." He sighed, he couldn't help himself, it felt so delicious, lacing his fingers through her golden, wet hair and caressing her scalp. Was he enjoying this too much? Probably. He had closed his eyes and smiled to himself as he had hummed out his pleasure over finally touching the focus of all his desires.

Cracking one eye open as he continued to kneed his fingers through her hair with ease, he began to ask her how she was liking it, his voice immediately cracking. "Haoh!" He stopped himself, cleared his throat and went back to his soft whisper, so he wouldn't continue sounding like a foolish little boy. "How does it feel?" He wanted to call her "My dove." or some such silly name, but stopped himself. There was such a thing as too much, after all.

 

[Ravenloft]

Izabelle lifted one hand and signed "I think you should continue." That was all Mouse needed to hear! He nearly fell over, right into the tub with her! But caught himself before he tumbled in. "Sorry... Sorry!" Mouse whispered and chirped, giddy with excitement. What to do next? What would make her feel good? Should he only continue washing her? Or would she allow him to pleasure her as well? Only one way to find out...

Mouse scooted up behind her, so he was straddling the back of the tub, allowing him to reach his hands about her. He bowed his head down to kiss lightly at her neck. His hands caressed her shoulders and slowly moved down, drawing closer and closer to the waters surface, and her submerged breasts. She could stop him at any time, but she didn't He felt his breath hitch as his finger tips broke the waters surface. And still she did not still his hands.

Closing his eyes slowly as his lips moved to the base of her neck, he caressed her full, proud breasts in his hands. They felt warm and held a tender pliancy, buoyed by the water. Mouse stifled a groan of pleasure against her back over the touch. Now what was it that Yvette had said once? About how to touch a lady? Oh yes! "Gentle, but not to gentle, luv, we won't break, we aren't made of glass." Lesson learned, Mouse squeezed Izzy's breasts firmly, but far from painfully, as if he could... "Sune's Light!" Mouse gasped, deriving great pleasure just from touching her like this. There was something else... More than just squeezing them... Yvette had said... Even as Mouse dumbly searched his preoccupied mind for the memory, something, like two tiny pebbles had formed in the palms of his hands, while he caressed her breasts. Oh! "Oh!" Mouse repeated his thought aloud.

He grinned from ear to ear, his cheeks burning with lust and desire, and more than just a little pride that he was causing her body to react so, to his touch. "Are these for me?" He teased her, shifting his touch so his finger tips brushed the pink tips of her breasts, lightly at first, then firmly rubbing them to even more excitement. Hers? Or his own? Both, he hoped! He was beginning to breath faster, hiding his face in her neck. Growing bolder, he parted his lips and tasted her skin with a dab of his tongue. The feel of her smooth, wet skin drew a soft growl of lust from his lungs.

Without another thought to seeking further permission, Mouse's dominant hand slipped from her right breast and drifted down, down, down, caressing her slender belly, seeking to go even lower. The rush of blood in his ears was deafening as his pulse quickened, eager to finally feel that which he most desired.

 

[Moonlightlilly]

Izzy surrendered herself to Mouse’s soft attention. The touch of his hands on her body, the heat of his breath on her neck and the soft way he moaned as he touched her. This is how it was supposed to feel. This is how it should feel. She turned herself to face him, reaching for him and kissing him softly.

Her lips became hungry for his kisses, her body ached in a way she had never felt before. She unbuttoned the front of his shirt, reaching for his exposed chest. Caressing his flesh, intoxicated by the smell of him, she knew she had to know him better, all of him.