Chapter 46 {’Girl’ Talk}
Current mood: calm
Category: Writing and Poetry

"Merc! Wake up!" Mentokka shouted as she shook Merc awake. "Come on, Wake up!" Merc eyes shot opened, as she grabbed Mentokka by her arms.

"M-Mentokka?" she said in shock. "What are you doing?"

"What am I doing?" she replied wide eyed. "Your were just about screaming in your sleep. What's wrong, sis?"

Mentokka called Merc 'sis' when they were alone. The strong sisterly-like bond the girls were feeling towards each other. But for the third night, Mentokka was worried about Merc. She was drenched in sweat. Her nightgown was sticking to her body. Beads of sweat covered her face. "I think it was a bad dream."

"A bad dream got you screaming like that?" Mentokka asked, clearly not believing her. "Do you want me to call Uncle Rand?" Mentokka was about to get out of the bed, when Merc stopped her.

"No, please, " she said, gently grabbing her arm. "Master Rand is my teacher, not my father." Mentokka was taken back by her statement.

"What do you mean by that?" Merc took a couple of breaths before she spoke again.

"I'm sure Master Rand knows what is wrong, if not, figure it out. But there are times I don't feel comfortable talking to him."

"Why is that?" Mentokka asked, but had a feeling she knew what Merc was talking about. But she decided to wait and see if Merc will tell her. But one look into her face. The way she wouldn't look her in the eyes told her that she wouldn't tell her. "Is it because, he's a man?
Merc's eyes went wide for a moment, then she turned her face away from her. That's all Mentokka needed to see. "It is that, isn't it." Merc said nothing.

"Mentokka......" Merc finally said looking at her. "You have to understand. I never knew my father. When I had a problem. My mother was always there for me, and she always told me to keep men a distance from me when I was growing up. {Men are no good. You can't trust them for anything}"

"Sis?.... Do you think this way about Uncle Rand, and the others?" she asked, clearly not believing what she just heard.

"Yes..... I mean, no.....I mean......I-I don't know what to think." she said covering her face in her hands.

Clearly this was bubbling under the surface for Merc for a while. Mentokka knew that she knew Tosh, Uber and Gunner sometime in her past. But from what she knew of it. there was nothing out of the ordinary when she dealt with them. She guessed it had to be about Uncle Rand. So she decided to focus on him.

"Sis? Do you have a problem with Uncle Rand?" Merc quickly raised her head from her face.

"Of course not," she replied, too quickly. "I have the world of respect for Master Rand."

"Yet, there is something about him that's bothering you. You can tell me."

"Your his niece. I don't want to offend you."

"You don't have to worry about that, sis. This is between us. There will be no hard feelings between us. Remember.....were 'sisters'." The two shared a laugh. Merc nodded.

"It happened when I first met Master Rand."

"The fight here when that gang attacked you?"

"You know about it?"

"Only what, Uncle Rand told me when I asked him about it. Remember. I got there at the end of it." Merc agreed.

"I remembered being held down and one of them was hitting me in the face, over and over again. Right there, Master Rand and Tosh came to my aid. They gave me the chance to recover. But when I was ready to continue the fight. It was just about over. Only one of the gang was left standing, holding a sword on Master Rand. I was so angry, I picked up my frying pan and let him have it. One blow was enough to finish him off. The fight was over, but I was still yearning for a fight. When Tosh came over towards me to see if I was alright. Something in me snapped. I didn't see a friend. I saw a man that took my opportunity to get back at men that hurt me. So I hit him also, knocked him out cold. The only one left standing was Master Rand. And at that moment, I hated him more then anyone alive. Something inside me screamed at me to attack. And I did."

"And?" Mentokka said, eagerly waiting to heard what happened next.

Merc took a painful deep breath and continued. "I attacked him with everything I knew, and several things I made up. But, I couldn't lay a finger on him. He avoided every attack and made me look stupid in the process. He kept calling me 'Giant Women'. Never in my life, that I felt such hatred towards anyone. Master Rand humiliated me with his talking and that damnable grin. And to prove my point, he bent my prized weapon, my Sai that Master Kasumi gave me."

"But.....but didn't Uncle Rand go to Master Kasumi to apologize to her personally about that?" Merc looked shocked that she knew about that. But she nodded. "What did Master Kasumi say when she found out that you've became Uncle Rand's new student?"

"She said that she was happy that I was going to train under such a great teacher."

"Then what is the problem?" Mentokka asked, not understanding where this was going.

"Mentokka?" she said quietly "When I knelled down before Master Rand, and asked him to train me. I really did not wish to do that."

"You didn't?" Merc shook her head.

"I didn't want to train under him.......My anger was such, that I wanted to Destroy him!"

Nothing was said for several moments. There was tension in the air between the two of them. Mentokka spoke.

"Was you feeling that way when we fought each other during your training. I was dressed in the same fighting robe as Uncle Rand."

"I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, now that I think about it." she said softly. "But it felt good hitting you........because I didn't see your face. I saw Master Rand. Stupid grin and all. Yet......yet I lost to you all the same." The sadness on her face was hard to look at.

"Sis? You were cursed" Mentokka said taking her hands in hers. I'm sure that was the only reason that you lost to the both of us."

Merc looked at Mentokka and smiled. She understood what Master Rand and Uber went though to free her of it. It nearly killed them.

"So this is what Merc is going though." Mentokka thought to herself. "This is the juggling act she was dealing with. Balls of hatred and respect were in the air at the same time. How does she do it and not lose it. I know I wouldn't."

After a while, the tension was more or less gone between the two of them. The talked about nothing in particular for a while. "Can I ask you a question about Master Rand?"

"If I can.......sure."

"How old is Master Rand?"

Mentokka was about to say a number, but paused. For several moments Mentokka-Tor was in deep thought. As she thought about it. She........ wasn't sure.

"You might find this hard to believe, but I.......I'm not really sure."

"What do you mean, your not really sure?"

"Just what I said. When I think about it. Uncle Rand has always looked the same. As far as I can remember. He looked the same for over fifteen years. But other then that, he's sixty-two" Merc didn't reply to what she said. This was something she would have to talk to Master Rand about sometime in the near future. But she did have another question that she was sure that Mentokka could answer.

"This look that Master Rand is now, is it someone from his past, or is it him at a younger age?"

Mentokka told him that this was a new guise for Uncle Rand. She had never seen him look like that before. "Sis? Uncle Rand, has looked like a teenager of fifteen, He become an army officer of thirty-six, He's posed as an Ancient Wizard that was well over a hundred, And......." Mentokka stopped suddenly, and turned her face away from Merc slightly embarrassed.

"And what?"

"I......rather not say, Sis" she said, a small grin breaking across her face.

"Oh No You Don't, Girlfriend!" Merc just about shouted."Out with it!"

Mentokka held out for several more seconds, until she finally gave in.

"OK, OK, I'll tell you. But you must promise me you'll NEVER let Uncle Rand find out I told you this." She said. Merc nodded. "Promise me!"

"OK!" Merc said raising her left hand and placing her right hand over her heart. "I swear on the honor on Master Rand and Master Kasumi."

"Both Masters? I'm impressed." Mentokka said smiling broadly. Looked around the room before talking. This made Merc even more willing to hear what she was going to say. "It was about ten years ago. Uncle Rand just learned how to change his appearance using his magic. A King's Man from Fatoria hired Uncle Rand to help him track down a spy that was planning to escape with plans that numbered there Army's locations in the surrounding areas. After several day of searching, they trapped he spy in a large tavern in Fatoria. Rand and the King's Man couldn't enter the tavern though the front, without being spotted by the spy. When they tried entering though the back, they were stopped by guards saying it was only for the female dancers. After several minutes of thinking, Rand asked the King's Man to wait near the front entrance.

When asked what was he planning. Rand told him to trust him. After he left him, Rand concentrated hard and changed himself into a beautiful, young women of 20. She had strawberry-blond hair, a pair of large, firm breasts, a flat belly, firm and powerful legs of a dancer. She wore a near see though pink outfit. When one of the guard asked her who was she. Rand told them that she was new act that just got into town. She called herself the ' Water Nymph of Paradise'. The guards just about feel over themselves to let her in.

When Rand was alone in his room, he decided to chance back to himself. But there was a problem, he couldn't change back. The counter spell wasn't working. For nearly a half hour, Rand tried to change back, with no luck. Suddenly things went from Bad to Worse for him.

It was his turn on stage. His first impulse was to get out of there, but he decided against it. He closed his eyes, calmed his mind, using his magic, He remember a act he saw several years back when he was in the army. And when he added his magic to it, he...or should I say, she was going to give them a performance they'll Never forget. Besides, the spy was in the audience, and it was his job to catch him.

When her named was called all the lights went dim. Suddenly a soft, gentle rain started coming down on the stage. But instead of flowing down off the stage. It stayed in it's place. The sound of a harp and a lute filled the room. Suddenly the water seem to move and dance with the rhythm. When Rand came on stage. She stood with her arms extended as the rain came down harder to drench her. At this point everyone in there were totally enthralled with her performance. Her arms and hips swayed to the music. Her hands started glowing, and the water rose and fell to her movements. She slowly started spinning around and the water seem to spin around her in the opposite direction. She increased the speed of her turns, the water moved to increase it's speed. At the end of the performance, Rand stopped spinning, and feel to the floor, and the water disappeared, leaving the stage dry and her soaked.

The roar and cheering was loud and long. They wouldn't let her leave the stage, until she gave them another performance. Half way thought the second act, some drunk fool came up on the stage and took Rand by her arm. Without thinking Rand punched the man in the face that sent him crashing though a table in the front row. Even though Rand looked like a small girl, She was still Master Rand. Suddenly a fight broke out in the crowd. At that moment Rand saw the spy trying to leave his seat. Rand leaped off the stage and delivered a well placed kick to his lower back. As the brawl spread though out the tavern, Rand dragged the now unconscious spy towards the window near the entrance, and promptly pitched him out the window near the King's Man. Where he instantly shackled him.

When Rand tried to climb out the window, an arm grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back inside. So for the next half hour, Rand fought her way though the entire tavern, laying out at least ten men and several others that was more interested in pawing and grabbing at her body.

When she finally made it outside. She was breathing hard and her outfit was just about hanging off her body. The King's Man being a man of chivalry, placed his cloak over Rand's near naked body. Rand was about to tell him that she was Rand, but he was sure he's never believe her. She told him that she was Rand's assistant, And Rand was still inside fighting. Realizing that his friend was in trouble, he ran into the tavern to 'rescue' his friend. Suddenly several guards rushed towards the tavern and entered it. It was then, that Rand took her leave of this place and headed to a nearby Inn to take a well deserved bath, and to figure out Why the Hell he couldn't turn herself back into a man?"

Merc and Mentokka was laughing so hard, the two of them were in tears and Mentokka feel off the bed. After getting back onto the bed, Merc asked her what happened after all that happened. Mentokka told her that Rand learned that he spoke the last phrase of the counter spell wrong. When she asked how long it took for him to remember it. Mentokka said it took him two whole days. Which go the two laughing once again.

Mentokka said, Rand went to receive the King's phrase for all he done. But he has to go as Rand's assistant and a young Tosh as his page. When asked where was Rand-Tor. She said He apologized for not being there, but there was death in the family and he went home sometime last evening. The King believed it and offered his deep condolences of the lost of his family member. And for those two days, Rand received countless looks and hungry glares at her. Even the King's Man made a pass at her. With that, Rand couldn't get out of Fatoria fast enough.

After another round of laughter, Merc said she wouldn't tell a soul. After several minutes of talking, Merc decided to call it a night. With that Mentokka raised her hand and muttered something under her breath, and Merc not being the wiser, fell into a deep sleep. Mentokka suddenly glowed a soft light around her and changed into Rand.

Mentokka was worried about Merc and her nightmares, so she told Rand about it. He asked her if she has another nightmare, her told her to come and get him. So that night when Merc started screaming in here sleep, Mentokka went to get Rand to see if he could help. Rand told himself that he was going to keep an eye on his student. But he was sure that she would see him in a different light after hearing the story when he turned into a girl and couldn't change back.

"I want you to see, that I'm not perfect, Little Lady." He said walking out of Merc's room. "And I hope, it will get rid of some of the feelings of hate you have for me. For I truly believe you will be my best student ever."

There he saw Mentokka sleeping soundly at one of the tables. Smiling, he cast another sleep spell on his Little Girl. This time a deep sleep spell like the one he put on Merc. and carried her into the bedroom and placed her onto the other bed next to Merc.

"You two, rest easy." He said drawing the blankets on them and leaving there room. "I'll do my best to guild and protect you both."

With that Rand made a small pray to the gods for there wisdom and Blessings, then headed to the Inn to call it a night.

Uber packed quietly. He decided to leave before dawn. For some reason he didn't wish to see there faces. He knew that his better judgment would make him stay, and continue the search.

He asked himself several times why was he leaving?

"To hell if I really know." he answered himself several times. Yet,Gunner was right, they were a family. Even though, he thought the Tors were insane half of the time. But in a good way. He looked down at the two things Rand have given to him.

First, the bottomless sack. What a great thing for a traveler like himself to have. He could load enough supplies to give a strong horse a workout. Yet it all disappear in to a tiny pouch that was light as a feather.

Second, his sword. Now enchanted. He picked it up off the bed and drew it from it's scabbard, and almost instantly the sword crackled to life given off a warm, pulsing feeling of power. He shook his head, knowing full well that people paid a king's ransom to acquire such a weapon. Yet, Rand created it to help Merc. Taught him how to use it, and told him it was his til he breathed his last breath. He sighed deeply.

"Sometimes that man's words ........" He couldn't finished his thoughts, as he placed the sword back into it's scabbard. "All the things he's done for me......No! For all of us." He thought. "He's just about bend over backwards for us, and thinks nothing about it. And there isn't a hint, of arrogance or an over does of pride in that man. How does he do it? Did it take forty years of training to make him what he is now?" He shook his head as he finished packing.

As he left the room, he made sure to carefully walk past Rand's room, so the old man wouldn't hear him this time. As soon as he pasted all the rooms, he strapped on his sword onto his back and left the inn. As Uber walked heading for the town's gates, a flood of thoughts entered his mind. With the knowledge and clues that Rand gave him, he should have very little trouble finding out where the ruins are. He was sure that the scriptorium in Fatoria would help him unlock the secrets of these ruins. Yet.........Yet he knew he would find them a whole lot faster with Rand and the others help.

"So why the hell am I leaving?" he just about shouted. He stopped, took a deep breath and forced it out though clenched teeth. "I must make sense of this. To myself, if to anyone."

Uber walked back over towards the inn and took a seat on the stairs leading to the entrance. He leaned back on the stairs, tossed his head back and closed his eyes. He controlled his breathing like Rand taught him. Suddenly his eyes opened, and he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Gods!" he shouted, rising to his feet. "It's the story of my life! Always learning something form someone else. Learning this from Rand. Gunner teaching me his tracking skills. Merc teaching me how to cook, and even Mentokka teaching me to braid my hair, if it ever gets long enough. Did I ever learn anything on my own? I'm being smothered, It's like dealing with........" He stopped himself from saying it. Realization slapping him in the face.

"Like dealing with my.........grandfather."

Uber sat back upon the stairs and rested his chin between his thumb and fore finger and thought back several years ago. His grandfather, Albert Pen. A war hero in the last war in the southern region. Leading a handful of men into the heart of the enemy encampment, they captured the enemy general and killed his second in command. His bold act lead to the end of the war. Albert didn't wish to have phrase heaped upon himself. He though more for his men, but his men thought other wise. He became a national hero overnight. His rank rose Captain to General. At the end of the war, he gave serious thought to retiring to his old life with his wife and child. But the nation needed it's heroes, and he answered it's call.

He became General Albert Pen. Hero of the South. A title he took to heart. Most soldiers look up to him in awe. After the war, he trained the next generation of military leaders. To think with a level head, a strong, clear mind and a heart that was filled love for country and people. But he also pounded into here heads, never to hate others unjustifiably, for that would clearly lead to the path of ruin. Most officers and common soldiers lived by his words. Too bad his son did not take his words to heart.

Albert's son. Thomas grew up in his father's shadow of fame and name recondition, and instead of growing up to maybe walk in his father's footsteps one day. He grew up a womanizer.

At first when he was old enough to accompany his father to dinners or get together with people of equal or greater status. A world of praise was heaped upon him. They really though he would become as great as his father. Uber could only guess he got spoiled by it all. There would be times that he would start drinking and boast about his father's adventures to other officers. Albert being embarrassed would quietly tell him to calm down. Even though Albert loved his son with all his heart. After a while he told his son to no longer accompany him to any more parties. Angered and pouting like the spoiled brat her was, he moved out.

Sometime later, Thomas would come alone to parties.....{Where his father wasn't} He would be decked out in a uniform of his own. He would tell some that he was joined up years ago, and others that he just sighed up. He starting telling stories that his father told him, only to twist it around to make himself the hero of the stories. He quickly discovered that the uniform had one very definite advantage: it attracted women. He was not sure why, but it was undeniable that women who had scarcely glanced his way in the past now stared at him with hungry eyes and looked for excuses to talk with him. He would tell them, since he did not know when he would get sent off on a mission that could easily end up in capture or mutilation, he refused to make any sort of long term arrangements, but did spare a little time with a particularly eager or attractive young women back at him home.

About a year later, Thomas son was born. Neither mother or father seem to have time for raising him, so he was placed in the care of Thomas parents. Even though, they were reaching an age that it was hard to raise a child. They raised him as if he was there second child. They even gave him the name of Thomas like his father.

As he grew, he saw little of his father and even less of his mother. So he saw his grand parents as he true parents. His grand mother how to read and write, and Albert would teach him to be a strong, well disciplined young man. Nothing like his son. For many years he was hard on the boy. Teaching everything he knew about respecting others. The young boy felt like he was being smothered by the older man. He knew it was for his own good. But he never had the chance to speak his mind when he was around him. When he reached sixteen years of age. He enlisted in the army. The truth was, he needed to get away from the old man. Yet when Albert saw him in his uniform, he never felt prouder.

Even though it was a time of peace, he worked hard in his assigned tasks and rose up in the ranks rather quickly. It was this time when he ran into his father. He saw what a life of parting, drinking could do. He looked as old as his father and a little over forty. It was also learned that him mother was sent away by her parents when they found out she was pregnant. For the longest he thought that she didn't love him. But he wished her father told him this.

After finishing his time in the military he when to see his mother. It took several day to reach the small mansion And to his shock, she refuse to meet him. The servant told him that she had no son named Thomas. Angrily he confronted his father about this. He muttered something stupid, only to enrage him even more. After leaving him. He came to a decision that would change his life as he knew it. He would drop his name of Thomas Pen. He thought the name of Albert. But he wanted to get out of his shadow also. So after a couple of days of thinking about it. He gave himself the name of Uber Pendragon.

Why Uber? A name that had no meaning. Kind of stupid. And he was sure no one else had such a name. Why Pendragon? He couldn't count how name people called themselves that name these days. So why not?

And this was what he felt when he was around Rand. That feeling of being smothered. But this was different. It was being with his grandmother. Showed him nothing but respect. But it was always second fiddle to him. He would always fall behind Rand. The man was a true leader, but Uber was sick of talking a back seat to Rand.

"The search for those ruins belong to me!" he shouted. "But he was going to lead it. I'm just as qualified as he is. I wanted Merc to join me, but she ends up Rand student. I hired Gunner. But he's enthralled with Mentokka, Rand niece. And now Rand hires him for himself. By the Gods! He's killing me."

And his weapon he used was truly terrible......It was kindness.

Uber shook his head and rose to his feet. He finally understood. He should feel glad, but he didn't. He felt awful. Blaming his problems on a man that did nothing other then being himself. A Leader. He looked up at the still dark skies and sighed deeply.

"I better leave now." He thought as he turned and begin walking towards the town gates.

"I think we need to talk, Uber." A voice called out.

He stopped, but didn't turn around. "Reading minds again, Rand." he said with a touch a irritation in his voice. "If so, you know what I'm thinking."

"I didn't need to," Rand said walking towards him. "Your thoughts were so strong it woke me up. I didn't know you felt that way about me."

"I do.......but please don't take it personal. It's me. It's something I must come to grips with. Something I MUST do alone."

"Were not here to stop you, Boss," Another voice called out. It was Gunner. "Were here to see you off."

"But you also have to understand, you don't have to leave, you know." It was Mentokka. "That's right. Gunner is right. We are a family."

"But, Tors are NOT crazy!" It was Tosh. "Well, at least I'm not crazy."

"That's open for debate." It was Merc. "You know we can work this out together. But it is up to you."

She's right you, know." Rand said. "We're all here for you. To offer our help, or to see you off."

Uber smiled. He walked down the line of them. He hugged Rand, Tosh and Gunner. Kissed Merc and Mentokka on the cheek. And made his way out of the town though the city gates.

"You know something," Mentokka said to Tosh. "I got this strange feeling were not going to see him again for a while."

"I hope your wrong, sis." he replied softly. "But I feel it also."

Everyone looked at each other then slowly went back to there rooms.

Gunner stretched and yawned loudly. That was the cue that his storytelling was just about over. And the fact that he was talking for more then three hours.

"That was a great story, Gunner," Rand said coming to his feet and walking towards him. "I'm happy you survived such an ordeal with you wits mostly intact. I look forward to hearing the rest of your tale."

"I agree," Tosh said. "I can't wait to hear what happens to Elly and Nianna." He gave Gunner a wry smile.

"I bet you do, Tosh." Mentokka said in a slightly angry tone in her voice. Tosh sighed inwardly. For he had a good idea what his kid sister would say. {You men are ALL alike} But she wasn't alone. Merc was most likely feeling the same kind of disgust that Mentokka was.

Tosh was about to say something, then he remembered what happened the last time these two ganged up on him. {Beaten half to death}

Tosh slightly slumped his shoulders, muttered that he was sorry, turned and walked towards the door, exiting the restaurant and headed towards the Inn.

Rand seeing this smiled. He told the girls, not to be 'too' hard on Tosh and Gunner. Mentokka was about to say something angrily towards her uncle. But she remembered the last time Merc and she teamed up against someone. {Taken down with a rapid sleep spell}

Mentokka was still to say something to his uncle, but she felt a hand placed onto her shoulder. It was Merc. She looked over to Merc, and she slowly shook her head at her. Mentokka sighed, and started to head in to the room she shared with Merc. But Rand called to her.

"Didn't you want to talk to me about something, little girl?"

"Oh that's right!" Mentokka said walking back towards her Uncle and talking a seat. Rand sat down facing her. "I almost forgot."

Neither of the two said nothing at first. Gunner, Uber and Merc thought that this was something that they wished to talk about in private. Shorty after Merc went into her room, Gunner and Uber left the restaurant to go to the inn. Mentokka spoke.

She told him about what happened to her after the magical trial. She told him of the dream she had of her in the partly burned dress she wore during the trial.The hot flashes she was feeling, especially around her breast and between her legs. The vision of her older self in the frozen ice.

Seeing the way she sat uncomfortably in her seat. Rand asked her, did she really wanted him to hear this. For he knew that he was about to hear things about her feelings about sex or something in that nature. Mentokka paused for a moment, looked away for a second, and told him that she wanted him to hear everything that she saw in the dream. And shortly after when Mentokka freed her older self from the ice. Rand asked her to describe what she looked like.

"It was like I was looking at an older version of myself."

"Was there anything different about her?" Mentokka paused for a moment. No doubt thinking about it. Then she spoke.

"Her hair was thicker then mines. But it was braided up as mines is." Rand asked her was there anything else. "My.......I mean her......" She stopped herself and shook her head. "Her breasts were larger......fuller then mines. Also her thighs were thicker then mines. Rand stopped her there

He asked her what did she think of her older self? She told him that she was beautiful. She said it without hesitation. But Rand could tell that something was troubling her about what she just said. He pressed her on it.

"I didn't change!" Mentokka shouted. "I look the same. "Other then larger tits, and thicker hair and thighs. I didn't change one bit!"

Rand kept silent give her time to let go of some of the frustration she was feeling. Tears were welling up in her eyes when she spoke, but she roughly wiped then away. Not letting her uncle see her tears fall. Rand spoke his words carefully.

"There is no need to get upset, little girl" Rand told her, taking her hands in his. "The magic in you is like looking at a mirror at yourself. It take a special image of you, and give it form."

"A special image of me?" Mentokka asked, slightly confused. Rand nodded in agreement.

"How many times you've talked about what your going to do when you get older?" Rand said. "But you never said what you'll look like."

Rand waited to let that sink in. "You see, little girl. The fact that you never said what you look like The magic can only go with what is there. An older version of you as you are."

Mentokka eyes went wide, as the realization of Rand words seeped in. "Are you saying that image of me is not what I'm going to look like when I get older?"

"The future is NOT carved in stone, little girl. The future.........Your future is what you make of it. If your magic is anything like mines. It's is there to help and serve you. Remember this, little girl."

The look of relief on Mentokka's face was a beautiful thing. She embraced her uncle and held onto him tightly, saying how happy she was.
Rand always treasured when he held Mentokka like this. For he knew these days won't last.

"Someday soon, she will go out and find the meaning of her own life." Rand thought sadly. "I know its selfish of me, but I wish my little girl, never leaves. She really is the center of my world." Yet and knew these longing feelings last for only a short time. Mentokka let him go and told him that she was going to bed. As she bounded away, Rand called out to her.

"Mentokka?" Rand called out.

"Yes, Uncle Rand?" She turned to look at him.

"The answer is yes." Mentokka looked at him, not understanding what he was talking about.

"Yes? What do you mean?"

"If you stay true to the path, you will become stronger then me." Rand got to his feet and headed towards the the door.

Mentokka was shocked. She forgot to ask him about that. "How......how did you know I wanted to ask you about that?"

Rand turned to face her. A large grin on the old man's face. Like Uber before her, he placed a finger on tapped his temple. She knew immediately what that meant.

"You read my mind," She said, a smiling frown formed across her pretty face. "You know, I Hate when you do that, Uncle Rand!"

Still smiling, Rand bowed, telling her pleasant dreams, and let an old an have some fun, then turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving Mentokka trying hard to stay mad at him. Yet that pretty smile came forth as she locked the front door and called it a night.




Tosh took him time to go to asleep this night. He remembered what Mentokka's magic asked of him. {"The magic in you would see me entering your dreams and attack me. I need you to lower you defenses."}

He didn't understand, but he felt his heart racing, when he heard his sister's words. What was it? Fear? Excitement? Something else?
He pushed those questions out of his mind as he laid down in his bed. Before falling asleep he muttered the words, 'Don't attack my sister' Magic?......Lower your defenses. Don't hurt Mentokka!
Before long Tosh was fast asleep, snoring quietly.

For the longest time, Tosh's dreams were the same. Things from his past. Good, bad, strange. Then all of a sudden Tosh fond himself in a long tunnel. Lights flashed above him battered his senses. Much like Mentokka's 'Flash and Bang' spell, with out the bang that threw off his equilibrium.

Without thinking, Tosh shouted for the lights to stop flashing. Taking several deep breaths, shook his head to clear it. Then remembering that this was his dream, and he was in control of it. With that he started walking towards the other side of he tunnel. Half way though, he started calling Mentokka's name.

"Mentokka?" he called out. "Are you here? ......... Answer me, sis."

After several calls, he started wondering if all of this with Mentokka talking to him in the restaurant was all in his mind. He was about to end the folly when her heard something......... No.
More like felt something inside him, calling out to him.

"Mentokka?' Tosh called out again. "Is that you?"

"I'm here, big brother." a voice called out to him. I'm here at the other side of this tunnel." Tosh paused for a moment.

It sounded like Mentokka. But there was something different about it. It had a deeper tone to it. It sounded less like a girl, more like a women. Tosh started walking once again. His defenses were up now. If this was a trick, he would make who or whatever was at the end of this tunnel pay for this.

He got to the end of the tunnel and a door suddenly appeared. He snorted loudly.

"A bit much to talk to my sister." Tosh thought bitterly. "Are you in there sis? I'm coming in." He pushed the door open and walked in. And what he saw left him opened mouth. Standing there in her favorite peasant dress. Was Mentokka. Or someone like Mentokka.

What Tosh saw was a women standing before him her hands behind her back. She looked about thirty. Her braided hair was much thicker, still silver white..{It still irritate him to no end} But it was her large breasts that stood out.......Literally.

"By the gods!" Tosh muttered. "Mentokka!? I-is that y-you?" She giggled, that always made him grin or smile. But, it had a more womanly tone to it.

"Now who else would I be, big brother?"

"I'm not sure," Tosh muttered. "My sister is a young girl. But you are clearly a full grown women. How is this possible. Mentokka was never had this kind of power to change form."

"Tosh." she said gently. "I am Mentokka's magic. You felt my essence before. All you have to do is look me in the eyes and let our spirits touch like last time...........Tosh? My eyes are up here."

Tosh blinked, and stopped looking at her breasts, a small embarrassing grin on his face

"Alright..........I believe that your an older version of my sister. After what Uncle Rand did before to change his appearance" Tosh said standing close to her. "But why do we have to go though so much if you just wanted to talk?" Mentokka smiled.

"I told you before. Mentokka has little knowledge of me other then freeing me."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because other then Uncle Rand, you are the most important person in our lives. I'm here to tell you that Mentokka is going to go though some changes."

"Changes?" Tosh asked. "What do you mean?"

"By freeing me. I will bond with her. Just like you and Uncle Rand has bonded with your magic. But as you know, it changes us in some way. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad."
Tosh nodded in agreement.

For it was nothing less then an all out fight to control his magic. This was the reason why he tried not to use it as much as he should. Even though, Uncle Rand told him he was in full control of his magic.

"In other words. Your not sure what going to happen to her."

"This is true, Tosh." she said. "She might become timid, or angry or even a flirt. I'm sure you'd like her like that." Tosh looked at her strangely.

"What do you mean by that?" Tosh asked defensively.

"What do you think." She snapped back at him. "The way you use to look at me with those nasty eyes. I could only guess what dirty thoughts you were thinking about."

"Now wait a minute!" Tosh shouted. "You don't know what I was thinking about....." She cut him off with a sharp right to his face. Tosh went down instantly.

"I felt that," Tosh thought to himself, rubbing his jaw. "When did she get so strong?"

"Your not dealing with a little girl, Big Brother!" She said standing over him. "Here, I can hit just as hard as you."

Rage suddenly filled Tosh as rose to his feet with speed he hardly knew he had. But Mentokka was ready for him. She was about to hit him again. when he caught her fist in his hand.

"Sis? I made a promise never to hit you." He said flatly. "Just hit you back." His fist slammed square in her face. She went down, screaming. Her nose exploded with blood. But Tosh followed her down. holding her down by her shoulders.

Tosh said nothing as he held her. Rage in his heart. Mentokka groaned holding her nose with both hands, rocking from side to side in his hands.

"Go on, Big Brother!" She shouted between her hands. "Hit me again and prove to me how much of a monster you really are!"

"A monster?' Tosh said angrily. "Who the hell gives you the right to call me that! You have NO clue what I was thinking about."

"Oh really?" Mentokka shouted back at him, breaking away from his grip, rising to her feet. "Why don't you prove it, Big Brother!" She used the helm of her dress to wiped the blood from her face.

Tosh was shaking now. He fought with those old feeling he thought that were long buried. He took a deep breath, held it and forced it out. "Very well, sis. I guess it is time for you to hear everything, I was thinking about back then when I looked at you."

"Well go ahead, Tosh!............Tell me!" But she didn't feel as confindent as she sounded.

"You were right about me, sis." Tosh said, walking towards her, standing inches from her. "I was thinking dirty thoughts about you."

Tosh's expression got darker as he continued.

"Is that you want to hear?..........Huh!?" Tosh shouted. "That your Big Brother wanted to have sex with you! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR!?"

Even though she was an older image of Mentokka. She felt like that frightened teenager from so many years ago. Tosh's anger scared her. But he wasn't finished.

"Even now, a part of me wants you!" Tosh said. "With that body you have right now, I want to get you out of that dress. Tear it off if I must! Then I'd kiss and lick you from your head to your toes, and everything in between"

Tosh could see the out right fear in his sister's eyes. This was the last thing, he wanted to happen. He thought that he must look like a real monster to her. With that, he took several steps back, and took a deep breath and spoke once again.

"But that's why I went to the tavern all those times?" he asked, his voice returning to his usual tone. "I drank myself into a stupor to drown those dirty thoughts. So I wouldn't end up doing something to you, that i'd end up never forgive myself."

She tried to speak, but the words couldn't come out. His words shocked her.

"And let me tell you something. I'd sooner kill myself then doing that to you." Tosh wanted to stop but the words poured out uncontrollably. "Mentokka, you gave me the reason to live after Patti and Little Tosh died."

Mentokka covered her mouth with her shaking hands. She couldn't remember the last time she heard Tosh saying his wife and child's name. "Me?" Tosh nodded, tears now in his eyes.

"If you didn't come over that day to make me move back to the grasslands with you and Uncle Rand. I'm sure I would be sharing a grave with them now. It was you who gave me the strength to move on with my life. To make sense of it all when they died........."

At this point Tosh fell to his knees, sobbing.

"Forgive me, sis" Tosh cried. "I'm so sorry for feeling and thinking those terrible things about you. Please, forgive me."

Mentokka went to her knees and embraced his brother. Never truly understanding what Tosh was going though back then. Right there Mentokka realized she also suppressed her feelings about there deaths as well.

"It's alright, Tosh." she whispered. "I forgive you." Tear now streaming from her eyes.

They held each other for a long time in that place of dreams. The Tor family bond growing even stronger.


In the Inn. Tosh rose from his bed, shaking. "Why am I .....crying?" He asked wiping tears from his eyes looking around the darkened room. "Are you alright, sis?"

In the Restaurant. Mentokka woke up, hugging her blanket. "Tosh?" Is everything alright with you?" she asked looking around in the room.

Soon the two fell back asleep.

And so began the three-way relationship between myself, Nianna and Eleanor. The plan was simple enough. Make sure Nianna doesn't find out about me and Eleanor. Something that Eleanor was more then happy to agree to. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt Nianna. But need for Eleanor was too strong to resist. There was something about her that made my heart beat with excitement. I believe it was her short hair, dark brown hair. Those large amber eyes and those full lips. And her passion easily matched my own. It didn't matter if it we did it gentle where the two of us softly moaned with passion. Or rough and wild, where it looked like I just finished having a fist fight in the bar after wards.

Davon couldn't say or do much in my defense. He was too busy laughing at the three of us. But like the friend he was, he helped me every now and then. Warning me when Nianna was near by. But after awhile, I got so good at it I really didn't need his help. I would come in on the two of then talking in there room and asked if either one of them would like to go out for a walk or something like that. But the trick would be to ask Nianna when she got back from work at the clothing shop. And nine out of ten times she would be too tired to do anything at the moment. And right on cue, Eleanor would offer to 'keep me company'. Nianna would smile and tell Eleanor to keep him out of trouble. She'd giggle and tell her she had nothing to worry about.

The places we did it only heightened the excitement. In the cellar. On the pier, Hell! We would of done it in the sea if given half a chance. But the boldest place we did it was in Nianna's room, while she was sleeping. We had to freeze everything she stirred. I thought I was going to have an heart attack. But it was so exciting. Felt like I was teetering on the edge a cliff. What the hell was I thinking?

And not with only with Eleanor. I had a one night fling with the shop keeper's young Red-haired daughter. We did it in the shop after hours. I didn't know what was wrong with me. I felt like I was under a spell. See a pretty girl, and go after her. Thank the gods for my stamina giving out, or I was sure I would of done it with a few more.

A couple of weeks later, Nianna suspected something. I guess it was her women's intuition or something like that. Because one night in my room, we were arguing because she suspected that I was sleeping with Elly.....{What I now called her}


I was caught, but instead of confessing, I took the offensive. Ten minutes later I had turned around everything and Nianna was apologizing to me. The smart thing to do would of been to make up and tell her everything was alright between the two of us. But instead, I told her I was 'a little' disappointed with her.

"I though you had more faith in me." I told her turning away from her. I could hear her gasped when I said that. I knew my words hurt her, but It was necessary. If I was going to continue doing this. I had to make her believe I had no interests in Elly. And as fast as I said that to her. I walked towards her and took her in my arms and looked into those green eyes. I told her that she was my one true love. Her smile was a thing of beauty.

We made passionate love that night, and afterward, I quietly got dressed and walked towards the Pier. There I fell to my knees and wept. It broke my heart that I did that to Nianna, But.........but, I was good at this. Romancing girls and women.

"Gods help me!" I shouted. "I'm good at this!"

For the next couple of days, I made a conscious effort to spend some time with Nianna. I told her to take a day off work and spend the day with me. I borrowed a horse and took Nianna for a slow ride though out the country side. The scenes were beautiful. The leaves were changing from green to brown to gold. The air had the gentle bite of the coming colder weather. Nianna was enjoying herself. I always though she was working way to hard. But she had big dreams. At least that is what she told me at that time. Because she kept her ideas to herself. And I was one not to pry into what she had planned.

We talked for nearly an hour in an open meadow. We talked about a lot of things. Was there any future between the two of us? I told once again about what me and Davon was planning to do in the spring. It was a vow the two of us made in blood.

"People are going to die for what was done to us." I said grimly. "And I'm not sure either one of us is going to live to see the end of this."

Nianna begged me not to do this. "I don't want you to die, Falco!" She sobbed. "I see a future for the two of us. I took her in my arms and told her this was something I had to do.

"And even if I didn't do this. There is still the matter of my father and Gisela. I still have to search for the two of them. The gods know how much I want you a part of my life. But I could never ask you to wait for me. Because I do not know how long this will take."

There is was. The biggest obstacle that drove a wedge between the two of us. The vow me and Davon made in slavery, sealed in our blood. By the gods! It would be so easy to turn my back on it all of it, and start and new life with Nianna...or Elly. Lord knows, I deserve such a life. A vow that was a wall that was too high to look over and too far to go around.

"Gods, Damn it all!" I shouted as I rose from where I was sitting. "This isn't fair!" I stood there shaking with anger, pain and rage. I turned my head away from her.

Nianna just looked at me. Her expression didn't change. I could only guess that she knew what I was going though. She rose to her feet and placed her hand on my cheek. I turned to look at her and seem to lose all my anger and pain when I stared into her green eyes.

"Falco," she said my name softly. "I'm sorry.... I know what your going though and the pain you must be feeling. I should of never asked you to turn your eyes away from something you must do. Please forgive me."

I told her that she had no reason to apologize to me. I wanted to tell faith is keep us apart. But it sounded stupid when I thought about it. So I said nothing more.

"You and Davon go and do what you have to do. I'll wait for you."

I shook my head. "Don't you remember?" I said smiling at her. "Me and Davon have to get all of you to The East Lake Republic. So We have to protect you all. We are honor bound to you all. I'm bound........to you."

It was true. No matter what I did to her with Elly. I'm still bound to protect her with my life. After spending a tender moment with Nianna. We walked back to town. During that time, she asked me once again, did I do anything with Elly.

I told her the truth........{Somewhat}

I told her we had dinner together. I took her out to the meadow where we went. I told her about the stormy night you wasn't feeling well. And how she ran in my room saying she was scared of the storm. How she jumped into my arms several times when the thunder booming and the lighting lit up the sky. "Right there I wanted her. But.....it was Elly that stopped me. She said.... she didn't see me that way. I was just her friend. Nothing more. After the storm. I went to bed that night, frustrated. I thanked her for having more control then me. But....not that night."

Nianna looked at me without saying anything. Her eyes were reading my face and body movements. But she believed me. God! How easy the lies came out of my mouth. With a straight face no less. It would be so easy to bare my soul to her. I'd know she would forgive me. But I was thinking about Elly. Davon words saying that they would most likely end there friendship because of me. And I wasn't going to let that happen.

"Yeah right." I thought to myself. "How noble I was. Fearing the break up of close friends. But the truth was.........I was scared.

I wanted the two of them. I believed if I lost either one of them. I felt a part of me would go away with them. And I wasn't ready to be half a man to either one of them..............{If that makes any sense}

We walked into town holding hands. I clearly heard a few of the town folks saying what a pretty couple we were. It was true. But I'm sure they would of had a slightly different opinion of me if they knew the truth. My smile got a tad bit broader.

Gunner stopped his story to look at everyone. Uber, Tosh and Rand were either smiling or chucking under there breaths, Mentokka and Merc clearly look like they wanted to strangle him. Gunner looked away embarrassed. But inwardly, he was grinning, damn near laughing out loud. "How easy it is to shift these girls feeling towards me. One minute there close to tears and then close to bashing my face in.
This is truly a gift of the gods......Or I was just a Rotten Bastard.


Winter came to the area early. Snow blanketed the area. But I forced my way out just to get out of my room every now and then. Each time I took my bow, on the outside chance to hunt. Once again it was Davon teaching me the finer point on tracking prey......{What didn't this guy know"}

How to move read tracks, move down wind, How to use all your senses, how to blend in your surroundings. How to survive in the cold weather. He said he was happily surprised who fast I learned what he taught me. He said I must be blessed by the nameless Dragon God.

At first I told I was just lucky. But when I took down my first Stag Deer, with my first shot no less. I know I was a good shot, but I was begining to think he might be on to something with this. He promised to take me to closest Tine Temple in the spring.
I had to admit, I was eagerly counting the days. I could only guess what secrets would be revealed.........If any.