The Adventure of a Lifetime by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

A misjudged monster

She was described to us as awesome yet was one of the fearful symbols of death. If she set her eyes on you, just accept your death. A beautiful black fur that shimmered as the nighttime sky reflected in a lake. A Fenrir lupine of the top tier, she was known as the mistress of death. If she set sights on your group, make sure that you had someone or three that you could out run. There has been some that have actually escaped to tell the tale.

We were asked to eliminate her as a threat. This was one that Azael was anxious to go on.

“If we can’t eliminate this threat, then no one can.”

For the first time with her, I can’t believe what she said without really thinking. I had to call her on it.

“Did you just hear what you said? If we can’t eliminate this threat, one or all of us will be dead! This is not your ordinary gang, this one is on a do or die level. If we take this quest, we need to either plan in great detail or make a will. Going for fame is a journey to death. This one is not hand to hand. It is a distance battle. This one is a close combat destroyer. Ruth, what do you think?”

“This is a beast on a mythical level. I agree with Rick. We need a distance attack plan. I think that we should try to disable this one and try to find out what is its reason for such anger. The Fenrir lupine has been alive for a long time. Only recently it started its rampage. If we can capture it, we must be able to prevent it from becoming an exhibit.”

Azael now realizes the scope of this quest. She spoke without thinking and she admits it. Now she has to ask how do we capture this one and can we actually find out why it is attacking?

“if we can incapacitate it for a while,” Ruth says. “I may be able to probe its mind.

Reason with it. Come to some agreement to stop the rampage.”

Now I must bring some harsh reality to the discussion.

“If we cannot reason with it, we will need to put it down. As an alternative, is there a world that we can send it to that does not have sentient life?”

I am told that there are worlds like that but we would need to choose carefully.

We discuss different methods to capture it and finally decide on a spell that should knock it out for a little while. We would need to act quickly because the beast’s will would be strong. It may be a flash decision to kill it.

Azael now says that we would get more fame if we are able to stop it and let this legendary creature back to its natural state. She does tell us that we should go with the intent to kill as the ultimate solution to this.

“Go to try to reason but know that if that does not work, we kill.”

With that we pack and leave for the area it was last seen.

There was an area that Azael was familiar with that would cut our travel by days. We opened a door to that area. There is a peak that we can look at the surroundings to see if we can sight the beast. We climb. It is needed to, at the very least, orient ourselves to the terrain.

The area is a combination of hills, mountains and valleys. The mountains would have the caves that it could be using as a den. This is going to be a challenge. We do spot a village. It appears to be a days journey from here. We could open a door because we can see it but decide to walk so that we can scout for signs.

Walking in the direction of that village, we see occasional suspicious signs that could be from it but the most disturbing thing was encroachment of people. We come across large areas that we saw from the peak.

From the peak they looked like large meadows but when we walked into them, we do see grass and brush but there is a field of stumps. There has been strip clearing but not for the use of farming. It is either fire wood or lumber.

We run into quite a few of these. I see both Azael and Ruth looking around. I voice my thoughts.

“Think this may be a partial reason for the beast getting revenge for destroying the forest?”

It wasn’t too long before we made it to the village. We immediately go to the chief’s residence. For a village, this is a palatial mansion. We now see where most of those trees went. Looking around, we see that there are quite a few over built houses.

I believe that there is a war going on here. A battle for who can build the most ostentatious house. Why?

“This is a village, why are they doing this?”

Before we could answer, an overly dressed pompous fool comes up to us and demands that we leave.

“Why are you trash ruining my vacation village? Leave now before I have you taken for slaves.”

This is too much and Ruth acts before any of us could. The man is now frozen in place.

You could see his eyes moving but that was the only thing that could move. Azael walks up to him and stares into his eyed and growls.

“We have been sent by the emperor to find out why the Fenrir has started rampaging. I see the fortification walls around this small village. I see this ridiculous trash you call houses. I see all those stumps. Those walls are to keep it out, isn’t it.”

Ruth and I do our incantations and all those walls disappear.

As a show she tells him, “This is The Grand Mage, this man is the descendent of Elrick and has all his powers . I am the great adventurer Azael. Now Grand Mage, if it is your pleasure, would you release this pig and make him tell us, what the hell is he doing here.”

She does and he goes into a rant. “I am the lord of this area. I can do whatever I want and I am going to report you to the emperor.” He crosses his arms and has a look on his face that says, you need to tremble at my greatness.

I open a door and in a few minutes I step back with the emperor. His look was priceless.

“Now please report us to the emperor. Make sure that you tell him that your palace is more important than the Fenrir’s territory, its domain that you destroyed.”

He starts to instruct the emperor on his rights as lord of the area. How he chose this village for his vacation home and it was the emperor’s obligation to protect his rights. He again took the pose of superiority. Arms crossed, a stupid grin on his face and his chin elevated.

Without saying a word, a door opens and a regiment of troupes come out. You could see delight in his eyes. He knew he was going to be avenged for the insult we dealt him.

“Burn this village down to the ground starting with that hovel.” The emperor points to the man’s house.

He is screaming at the emperor while his and those others go up in flames.

It is while the village is burning. The beast walks in and just stands there looking at us and the burning buildings. The man is yelling to kill it but I hold up my hand.

I know that my two are going to chew on me royally for what I am doing but the posture of the beast tells me that it could kill all of us but it didn’t. I believe that it is showing that it wanted to see justice done.

Holding up my empty hands I speak to it as I walk. I change from my felid form to a human form. Then I talk to it.

“I mean you no harm.” I go down on one knee and speak. “I apologize for the country for allowing this man to desecrate your lands for something so trivial. We are going to burn this whole village down. Let the ash be the enrichment for regrowing the trees.”

The beast shifts to a female human form. “That man killed so many of my children. I thank you for returning them to the soil. They will nurture the children. That man, will he be killed?”

The emperor steps forward and he knees. She tells us to rise and we do.

“I am the emperor of this land. Yes I condemn him to death. Rick will you incinerate him now?”

Without a word, I do just that.

She seems very sad. “That is what is necessary but so many of my children are gone.

They were close to me. That man made it so I can no longer stay here.”

Azael steps forward and hugs the woman. It surprises everyone when that terror cries deeply on the shoulders of Azael. The idea hits me. I ask her,

“How would you like to come and live with us. We have a lot of woods and we control who is allowed to come there. Would you like to meet all those new children?”

She brightens. “But what will happen to this area without me here to watch over it.”

The emperor tells her that he is decreeing that this total area is now the royal forest. “On this site, I will have a garrison of my troupes. Their only responsibility is to protect this land. No one will be allowed to settle here.”

I look at her and ask if that is acceptable to her. She says it will but asks if she could come to visit here. Ruth tells her that we can open a door here anytime she would like to visit.

I have another idea and I think she will like it.

“We rescued a young man who is now devoted to rescuing outcast children, nurturing them and helping them to find a way to a new life. How would you like to teach those children just what a treasure the growing plants are. Teach them to love the trees. Let them know to honor the ones you fell by making them into works of beauty. To not just strip cut areas. To plant one tree for each cut. How would you like to change the world with us. May I ask, what is your name?”

“I have none.”

“If it is alright with you, I would like to call you Margret.” I look at my two and say to her,

“That is the name of my mate’s best friend who has fallen.”

She seems delighted and says that she likes the name and will proudly use it.

Azael with tears, “Margret, why don’t we show you to your new home and let you introduce yourself to our trees.”

With that I open a door and we go through. It looks like Margret loves it and walks over to the trees. She looks like she is talking to them. She walks back.

“You are true to your word. These children tell me that you respect them. You only use the old ones that have passed. That is the way it should be. I have three forms, the human I have now, an intermediate form that is like Ruth’s form and then I have my vengeance form. Which is proper here.”

Margret is told that whichever form she is the most comfortable in is the right one. She sees that some of the ones here like their natural form but will change when they feel like it. She goes to her intermediate form, black hair the shines. A figure that is pleasant and she tells us that this is her favorite form.

My two see something in her eyes so, they take her off to the mansion but tell me to take a walk. They are up to something. If it is what I think. Life will be good. Tiring but good.

Cabin life

It’s the four of us. Both Azael and Ruth thought it would be a good idea to have us take Margret to the cabin to really get acquainted with her. By ourselves. It also will give her the opportunity to run in her biggest form and catch game for meals. That gives her more trees to find out what is happening to her forest.

It seems that they have their own network that she can tap into. That may come in handy looking for gangs and monsters.

“What do they tell you?” I ask

She is almost embarrassed to say that they tell her that every time we are here, we shed our bark and run around with our cambium exposed.

“They did say that there has been loss here but it was not an old one.”

We know what they were talking about. I figured I should tell her the story. We sit and I tell her about her name’s sake.

“What they are talking about is the person that I named you for. She was a very good friend to Azael for a long time. There came a time that her mind became diseased and she tried to kill me. We had a battle and she fell. Before that disease, she was a loyal friend. She protected Azael from danger. I did not want to have to put her down but in the end, she was like a sick wild animal. She was a great fighter. That is the one they are talking about but I named you for the person she was before she got sick.”

I asked her if she still wanted to be called by that name. I was told that it is now more of a honor to have her name..

“To fall in battle, even though her mind was sick, is the greatest end a warrior could ask for.”

We will leave it at that. It is both Azael and Ruth that shed their clothes. They stretch and shift back and forth like an exercise. Then exclaim that they are free. Much to my surprise, Margret does the same. Now I am the odd one out but not for long.

The only reason it took a while longer was that this is the first time that I have seen her in the nude. I now know the reason I never won any of those contests. I was being saved just for this moment.

“I am the luckiest man in any world.” I yell. “Three insanely beautiful women in any form and they are mine.”

I go to the newest, Margret and put her in a hug. I kiss and let my hands roam all over her body. It did not matter to me what form she was in, she feels good. Before I get too caried away, I go to Ruth and she feels just as enticing, just as inviting but I must hold out because there is Azael.

My first love. I love each for who they are. I cannot and will not compare with one another. They know it but the other two realize that she is the first.

It seemed that I was the odd one. I still had all my clothes on but not for long. The three tackled me and I no longer had any clothes on. They insisted that Margret be the first since she had not become one of my mates. It took very little persuasion since she was on top of me and already riding.

It was a good time and now my three were satisfied but hungry. We decided to run and hunt our meal. It was a magnificent sight. The four of us in our natural form. It was Margret that picked up on a deer and was chasing it down.

She caught it by the throat and it took only a few moments and that deer was down. She looked so proud. As pack leader, I was offered the first bite. Then the other two in order but the heart went to Margret for the kill.

I must say that the taste of fresh killed tasted wonderful. I still will like my cooked meals but they will pale compared to the taste of raw meat that is still warm. It is primal in satisfaction.

Suddenly Margret alerts and looks towards the brush. She sniffs the air then says in a soft voice,

“It’s okay little one. Please come out and share our meat.”

Out from the bushes comes a little girl, maybe five years old. Timid canid, her clothes were barely rags. You can tell that she has not had a good meal, most likely ever. Her small size and her ribs showing.

Margret picks her up because it really looks like this could be her last day. Margaret chews up a small piece of meat then, mouth to mouth, feeds it to her. She does this over and over. I take my flask of water and warm a little in a cup I conger up and give it to Margret. The girl drinks it up.

After a few more pieces of meat, the girl drifts off to sleep in her arms. Margret has an expression of love on her face. We tell her that this one is a cast out. Left to die.

A look comes over her face that tells me that the parents must never be found or they will die. With a quiet but determined voice, she tells us that

“This one is my child. She’s mine.”

I pick up the deer, Ruth opens a door to the mansion. We step through.

The staff springs into action. The kitchen butchers the rest of the deer, the others find clothes, runs a bath and generally helps my three take care of this new addition. When they come back, the little one is clean but sleepy. Margret insists that she have some of the warm soup the kitchen made for her. She had some but again drifted off.

Margert told us that she was going to put her to bed and sleep with her. With out another word, they went to her room. We did the same. The three of us felt that it would not be right so each slept in our own rooms.

In the morning, after we got up, Margert and her child came into the breakfast area.

What a difference a night makes. She now has some color in her. Good clothes but she is hiding behind Margret’s leg.

As she peeps out at us from behind Margret, she is told.

“Remember darling, mama told you that I was going to introduce you to your other mothers and your new father.”

Azael and Ruth are introduced to her and she hugs each. The hooks a sunk in. May the gods alert anyone foolish enough to come between those three and their now pup.

I get down to her level and talk to her.

“I want you to know that you are going to stay here forever. You will never be harmed.

You will never feel hunger again and you will always be loved. I would ask you, can you be my daughter and I be your papa?”

I open my arms and she hugs me. I’m hooked so I ask her what her name is.

“I don’t have one. My father told me that it was a waste of a name. I was not worth a name.”

Margret asks me, “As her new papa, would you give our daughter a good, strong and proud name?”

I pick her up and sit on a chair.

“I’m going to tell you a story about my childhood. You see, I was brought up in a very loving family. I never knew my mother and father. They both died when I was just a child younger than you. I was taken in by an aunt who loved me until she died at an old age.

She was the mother that I knew. She was tough on me but in a good way. She would not let me go astray. She kept me on the right path. I still hold her dear in my heart. The greatest honor I can give her it to give you her name.”

I look at my three who are waiting.

“In honor of my mother, I give you her name. From this time forward you are to be called Carol. In my village, that name has a meaning. It means a joyful song to the gods.

Always know that you are not worthless, you are a song to the gods.”

Carol is very happy and tells me, “I will make sure that I always remember that I am a song to the gods, papa.”

The three mothers are in tears, happy tears and congratulate her on the name. We all can see that she has a sense of pride that was not present in her before. She has come to know that she is worth a name let alone a special name.

Now for the best part. We host the children all the time. Lyle’s are a delight. I take her to the room that we house the toys. She is bewildered and has a “what are these?” look on her.

Mine have told me that I, at times, am a child at heart because I know just what to pick. I grab two boxes of crayons and two coloring books and we go to a table. I open mine and there is a picture of a cow. I pick out, deliberately, the wrong color and start to fill in the open area of the cow. I am making a purple cow.

Carol laughs. I must say that it is a wonderful sound.

“Papa, cows are brown and white.” She continues to giggle as I make the grass blue. I tell her that she should show me how. Carol then gets serious and tells me to watch.

Carefully she picks out the right colors and fills in her first page. She is so proud.

“Show it to your moms.” I tell her. She does and gets the praise due to an aspiring artist.

Now she is on the next page as she shows me how to do it and makes sure that I use the right color for the duck.

I hear her stomach grumble but she is ignoring it. Knowing that it was out of habit I ask her if she is hungry. She tells me that she has had her meal already. It hurts me because I know that she was only allowed one meal a day.

Looking at her and then her new mothers. “We have someone that does not know that we eat breakfast, lunch and supper. Would you mothers please let her know that it is never right to only eat once a day.”

Leave it to them. They come over and tell her that she must eat to grow strong. Three meals a day. Azael tells her

“Remember, you are a song to the gods. You don’t want to be a weak song do you?”

That got her. They told her that she could come back to color but she needed to eat and they led her away.

“Papa, are you coming. We must eat to grow strong.” Carol says. How can I ignore that.

We have a wonderful time and Azael tells me that Carol has me wrapped around her little fingers. How can I object, she has. I’m papa.

After a week here, Carol is getting into our routines and she looks one hundred percent better. More energy and she is more outgoing. We have told her that there are times we will need to leave for a little bit but the staff will look out for her. To the staff, she is their little princess. Always sneaking some treats to her.

She is very comfortable with staying with them. I do tell my three that one of them will come back here each night to check up on her and reassure her that we are okay. That turns out to be what she really wanted so the one returning would stay until she went to bed.

We have had requests from the emperor to let him know when Lyle and the children come to the mansion. I have been meaning to ask him to come here with the other children.

Since I have a daughter I am required to spoil her. I figure it will help replace those bad memories. I want to see Lyle’s children when they see the master swing, slide and fort set I have made for her.

Once I showed her how to work if, she had mama Margret sit and swing with her. Of course, she had to show mama the proper way to swing. There is also a set of monkey bars. I figure that mama Ruth has healing powers. Any injury is a learning experience.

A side note, Carol is fast but Azael and Margret have found a new way to compete. See who could put their feet on each bar the fastest. The tower is ten feet tall by four foot square. They both say that it is good training. Carol is not as fast but she has been watching and practicing.

I invite Lyle and the children to come and stay for a few days. The emperor also has been invited. Always mischievous, I have been working on something away from prying eyes.

We open the door and a stampede of children come running through. Their attention was focused on the swings and the monkey bars. All we can do is watch. Lyle looks at me and just says that I can’t help myself.

“Watching them have fun is a highlight but now I have a daughter to go along with my son. Have I ever told you that I am so proud of you son. You have grown into someone of great importance.”

I see that he is stunned. I think I know why.

“I need you to know that you are my son. You’re stuck with me. Now let me introduce you to your sister. Also my new wife.”

I lead him over to the swings and call to Carol. “Carol, I want to introduce you to my son Lyle. He is your big brother. Lyle, this is Carol.” Margaret comes over and puts him in a long hug.

“The gods have blessed you. These children are wonderful. I would like to help you but first. I am Carol’s mother would it be possible to call you son and have you add me to your two other mothers?”

He is in tears. The children have come over and formed a wall around him and demand to know what we did to him. He looks at all of them and tells him that these are happy tears.

“My father and mothers have told me that they are proud of how well I look after you children.”

You can tell that their minds are going in high gear. Then the boldest of them comes over to me and asks. “If he is your son, does that mean you are our grandpa?”

I scoop him up and ask him, “Was there any doubt?”

As we are talking, a door opens and the emperor and empress come through.

Everything stops and honors are paid. He walks over to Lyle.

“Lyle Brown. Your efforts to find homes for these children and to try to set up a network to match unwanted children with those who genuinely want them. This is starting to stop the abhorrent practice of abandoning children to die. In recognition of this great mission that you have embarked on, I now proclaim that you now are the rank of Baron. With that, out of our personal accounts, you will have a yearly stipend of 100 gold to be used in your cause. I call for three cheers to Baron Lyle Brown.”

Everyone cheers but he cannot make his mind wrap around all that has happened to him. His brain is trying to reboot.

I tell everybody to please gather at the outside tables. “I have something that I made for a surprise but now this new treat is in celebration.” Everyone comes over and I get my invention. It really is not but I won’t tell.

Going back to my old world. I bought another solar generator and an ice cream soft serve machine. I have everyone line up and start filling bowls with vanilla ice cream.

The children are exploding. No melting, spoons are at the fastest they can go. More than one have found the pain and pleasure of brain freeze. The adults eat a little slower but the emperor becomes a victim.

There was enough for seconds. It was a hit with everyone.

I sat with Lyle and the emperor. We talked and again I told him how proud I am with him.

Looking at the emperor and back to him, I say, “This title would not have come to you if you did not deserve it.”

The emperor tells him that he deserves even more and continue the way you’re going, I see you progressing higher. He is surprised when Lyle tells him that he never got into this for the fame.

“I started this because my father here instilled in me that I have worth. If anyone deserves to be granted peerage is my father and now three mothers.”

I am left scratching my head when the emperor says that he is just waiting for the right moment.

All I needed to say is “I told you many times I don’t want to rule. Just let me enjoy my family. You want to honor me, honor my son by a royal decree making it a severe penalty to dump children to die. Make it so they are required to bring them to Lyle or a guard post. They can use a door to bring the child to him. At the same time ask couples that want to adopt to contact him. Give him an aide to help him establish that network.

“That will be done.” Is all that he says about that “But I may need you to forfeit that machine of yours.”

“You can’t take it. It now is one of the most favorite things here for the children not to mention our wives. Speaking of which, Lyle, anyone in your sights? You are a rising star so you, once this baron thing gets out, may be having a line of potential suiters.”

“That won’t happen” the emperor tells us. “My daughter has fallen for him. My wife and I will want to talk with your family.”

I look over to the women. I see the empress and mine seriously talking and looking this way. I point it out to Lyle and the emperor. I say to Lyle. “Sorry son, your fate may be being decided on as we speak. If it is what I think it is, know this. It is the women who decides marriage partners. Mom Azael chose me. Mom Ruth was chosen by Azael and..”

The emperor stops me there. “Who is Ruth?”

“She is my wife sitting on the right side of Azael.”

“All I see is the grand mage.”

“That is my wife, Ruth. I’m not going to call my wife The Grand Mage Brown.”

He is just sitting there then says “What do you think if I called her Ruth?”

“Poof. Think about it.”

He thinks about it and then just says “Poof!”

A short time later we entered formal discussions with the royals. Lyle was totally caught off guard when he saw the daughter is one of his closest working friends. He actually has feelings for her but did not know how to start.

Now contracts are official. I still don’t think that he realizes what is the result of marrying the emperor’s only child in a country where only the male can ascend to the throne.

Being a Baron, married to her makes him heir to the throne.

Why do you think I said I don’t want to rule.

We are family

It is funny. A fierce monster that we were hired to kill, is now a doting mother. We had explained to Carol that we have to go on quests and she seems to be okay with staying with the staff. But.

Azael and Ruth sat with me and said what we all were thinking. Margret needs to be here with her daughter excused from missions. It is just, how do we broach the subject with her?

I have an idea. I ask them to go along with me when we notice her coming over. Margret asks what are we discussion that has us worried. I get serious.

“We are now well known. Our family has gone after gangs and problem people. I have a growing concern over the safety of the mansion when we are away on quests. Hiring people to protect family is questionable.”

I stop as if I am gathering my thoughts when Ruth pipes in. “How about we get a place in the country of your old world. We have the entire mansion staff and Carol go there when the four of us go out?”

“My old world is on the eve of destruction. I will not go on missions when the option is putting them in that world.”

Margret is in deep thought. She looks like she is trying to find the proper way to say something.

Azael is good at reading people. “I’m sorry to say this but we may need to retire. The only option, if we continue to fight for the peace that our children so richly deserve, is that we may need to have one of us to be in charge of the security and stay behind.”

Seeing her opening, Margaret speaks her feelings.

“My daughter.” She hesitates then draws a shuttering breath, “Carol will be okay with the staff. Our staff is very capable in taking care of her but in an attack, they are average fighters. Please don’t think that I don’t trust them but no one can beat me in a fight. I want to stay and protect the mansion. I’m terrible. I am only thinking of myself”

Azael tells her “Don’t think that. I would feel safer if you were to stay here. We were trying to figure out how to broach the subject. You are the most powerful being here. As you said no one can beat you. We were worried that you would feel that we did not trust you to go out with us.”

Ruth now says, “It is just the opposite. This home is where our family is. Even the staff is family. We canids have the need to protect our den. It is the most important role that any female could have. You are going on your instincts. I am proud to have you protect our den. Our pups are the future of our pack. I will ask you. Do you accept this most important pack role?”

“To the point that I will give my life protecting the den!”

We each affirmed that we now feel comfortable taking on quests. She is told, by Azael,

“You will make a great character in my next book. I am sure that you will have a following on Rick’s world and here that will insist on reading more about you. Thank you for offering your service to your family.”

Azael and Ruth hug her. When they are done, I also hug her and whisper to her that I was extremely proud that she is my wife.

All in all, it started out to find a way for her to stay here with Carol but how it evolved, having her protecting the mansion is the most logical solution. Again having them evacuate to a world that may not be there the next time we open a door to it, is not an option. She is the right person to protect our den.

My old world, this world is my home. No question about that but there is a nostalgic tug about that world. It is in the back of my mind but the necessary tasks of my pack must be in the forefront.

To that end, we have a request to take care of an issue. A noble is asking for assistance, In his domain, the game is disappearing. It is to the point that his people are having to go a far to get meat for their families.

The strange thing is that they have not spotted a predator. Again, Azael knows the general area so she opens the door. There is almost an immediate indication that there is something wrong.

It is a meadow that we arrive in but, unlike the last time she was here, the scene was that of a field of cotton. As far as the eye could see. As we walked, we see every open space is nothing but cotton.

We get to the noble’s mansion and now, this is the only open space that has grass, We meet with him to get the scope of the problem from his prospect. My gut tells me that I may not want to hear what he has to say.

He is not what you would think. You can tell that he is proud of his land and people.

“We are making money. My domain is the most profitable in this country. Cotton has been the salvation of the people. Our cotton is making it so all have a comfortable life.

Our problem is that there is something out there eating the wild game. I buy all the vegetables for my lands and sell it at what it cost me to my people. Meat is the problem.”

Listening to him, he is proud, he loves his people, his heart is in the right place but we need to look around. It just could be a predator. In this job, an open mind is necessary. If you go on a feeling, you will find that your investigation will change to tailor to your assumption.

Thanking him, our first need is to explore the woods in the area. It is remarkable. In our woods, there is the rustling, the song birds, this time of the year, the large animals are going into rut. There should be the bellowing call of the cervids. There are none.

Looking around there is no sign of them. No broken branches, no matted beds, not even any scat. All over we do find snares and traps. None of them have been tripped. There is no life in these woods. This is going to be tough.

We need to go out further until we start finding wild life.

Evidence is being found almost in the next domain, but, here as in the other areas, the open areas are being plowed under. We asked the owners and they tell us that they are planting cotton.

“The Lord buys all of it at a good price.”

I look to my wives. They express the same thought. There is no monster. No predator.

The answer is plain. We need to give our report.

Sitting again with the noble, I say

“You are not going to like this but we found the reason there is no game here. It has moved away. They have no food. Every inch of growable space is cotton. They have no grass to eat. The small game that depends on grass, berries and seed, don’t have it.

Those have been trapped out. Basically all that cotton is not eatable to almost all the animals, including your people. Just like the animals, you need to invade another’s domain to get some meat to eat.”

Azael adds, “What will happen to your people if your neighbors cut you off due to poaching? What if they stop selling you vegetables? Starving people are not loyal.

Poaching may cause your neighbors to go to war with you.”

I can’t help but think about my world. Petty squabbles are leading to worldwide destruction. They all know that I came from the world where Elrick was stranded so I can’t hold back.

“My world may not be there right now. Things like this cause world wars to break out.

They have weapons that can burn up entire domains in an instant. For what it’s worth.

In that world there was a business sage that gave this advice that they ignored but it is not too late for you.

Never let one client be more than fifteen percent of your revenue.

You have all open space in cotton and your people are suffering.”

Ruth now sums it up.

“You really need to plow under at least half of your open space. Let half of that return to meadow. The rest plant food gardens. The animals will return once the meadows are reestablished. You should contact your neighboring nobles and ask them if they will trap the big game and release them in those new meadows. Reestablish the herds.”

He is not happy. Cotton is good money but he also sees that it is also the source of suffering. I see that I need to drive it home.

“Have you noticed that there are a lot of vacant houses. Your people are leaving.

Families need to eat and having the family starve makes it easy just to leave. Your choice. Money or people.”

With that, we excuse ourselves. I need to get back and see my family. I need to really decide something about my old world. Let it burn or stage an intervention.

The time has come

I have opened the door to my old world and have found that it is very close to pushing the buttons. It is now that I have determined it Is time to either intervene or permanently close that door. I call for a worldwide meeting. I need advice.

“People of my new world, I need your advice. My original world is ready to destroy itself.

There are now big cities that are literally burning down to the ground. They cannot stop themselves. I feel the tug of my ancestors. They are asking me to save the world. This is my world, as I have said. I work for its preservation.

Having said that, there are the majority of that population that are innocent victims of corrupt governments. I just don’t know what can be done but we cannot evacuate them here because they will pose a threat to our peace. We are still struggling. I just do not know what I should do. Please help me figure it out.”

As soon as I finished, ideas started coming in. The general consensus is in agreement with my last statement. We cannot afford to bring them here but now ideas of how to stop them from blowing up that world are flowing in.

Most of the scholars and scientists have visited the world. Studying the culture and the degeneration of the human species. They said that the first thing needed is to render the nuclear weapons inert. We can use our magic to do that.

The next thing that was suggested that we also include the armament of the military to be rendered useless.

The most important thing is that, after those things are done, they are saying that we need to publicly let it be known that we have intervened to prevent the governments from destroying that world.

I now get a brilliant idea.

“There has always been a belief that aliens from other worlds have been visiting, watching. They are ready to stop them from total destruction. Why don’t we build upon that. We take over their airways and broadcast that we have seen enough. We will not allow those in the governments and big business, to destroy the world. Then we make it known about the weapons of mass destructions that have been destroyed. Tell them that we are living among them. Reference all those fictional books about just that. Ask them, where did those ideas come from? We put them in the thoughts of the writers. My mate and I will write books slanting towards that.”

This idea is being accepted. I tell them that my group will be the ones to be the face. We will shift in front of them on the air.

“It is my intension to open a door, during a broadcast, to a major news network. We will come through in our normal felid shape. That way we could operate as authors without being suspected. We will deliver the warning. I would ask the emperor to be available to make an appearance and with his authority announce that their governments are suspended, that the human population needs to tell them that they do not want someone else telling them what to do, what to think. The normal population will know what is good for them.”

The emperor tells us that this is a good plan. He will cooperate but he does say

“No one from this world will be allowed to rule over them. That includes you Rick.”

“Again, as I told you when you were on vacation here and at other times, I just want to live with my family in peace. Go on adventures and write about Elrick’s memories about both here and in space.”

The plan was set in motion. All the weapon locations were identified. Having the ability of opening doors, we had enough mages to cover all the locations. They were in and out without being detected. All the military mass destruction and normal armaments stock piles are rendered inert.

News cannot be contained. All across the world, reports are coming in of the destruction of the weapons of war. That was allowed to go on until it became all the content of all the stations. The first responders were not affected and communities have formed their own watch groups.

The people are not panicking and that is causing the news stations to go wild. They are asking themselves why the ignorant masses are not listening to them. This is the end of the world, for the news stations, as we know it. Then the unexpected happened on air and they could not cut off their feeds. We had ours in place.

On air, the world saw a glowing hole appear in the news room of the major fear mongering news network. From the large hole there stepped out two formally dressed large cats that looked almost human in appearance. One male and one female. Then they stepped forward. It was a surprise when they spoke in this continent’s language.

The male speaks.

“We have interceded in each of your government’s insanity. We have been watching your world for a long time. Your people would have such a bright future if it was not for the efforts of a few greedy self righteous and self centered leaders. Your world was only a day or two from being incinerated by them. Their army’s leaders were just as power hungry. The leaders and the generals are in their bunkers and as we speak, are trying to launch those weapons. Fear not, those weapons have been rendered useless. They are trapped in those bunkers until you, the people, decide their future.”

Now the female comes forward

“Our race has been watching you from the beginning of your history. We have lived among you. Your present understanding tells you that those creatures of mythology were just stories. We are here to say, those were us.”

With that, we both shift to a full human form. I use Elrick’s form and Azael uses Razael’s.

She continues.

“As you can see, we are a shifter race. We have rulers, we have trouble but we sit down and discuss. We have wise people who guide us in arbitration of our disputes. We have not come here to rule you. We don’t want to.”

As she speaks, a very regal looking dog man comes through. He is wearing a crown and has a gilded staff. You can tell that he is in a great position. He does not shift but speaks as he is.

“ I am the emperor of our world. We have a love for your race. Your people have such a great imagination. We especially love your books. There are many an author that have worldwide literary master status on our world. We have no intention to rule you. That would jeopardize your self rule. As you were told, it was your rulers that wanted to destroy each other. They had no concern for you, the general population. We want you to decide where you want to go but if you would like some guidance, we would be glad to help. Just ask.”

He now looks at those anchors

“You are just as guilty for this condition. You do not report, you create your own news.

Fear is your weapon and you wield it well. We will be closely watching. You are culpable in all of this turmoil. These people will hold us, now they know of us and your evil, to our word. I have decreed that there will be a larger group of watchers here. There may even

be a few here right now on this set. Be reporters not opinionators. We will be watching you.”

With that he thanks the two and leaves back through the glow. The man now puts his arm around the female.

“My mate and I just want to have this world prosper. We want to eventually have an exchange between our worlds. That will not happen until you get control of your own destiny. Please be kind to each other.”

They go back through and the glow disappears.

The news people sat silently for almost a minute then you could see that they wanted to go back to their regular spew of fear but, what their audience does not see is the intense feelings. The off scene workers spoke and said that they will cut them off if they return to their hate filled opinions.

Both Azael and I are greeted with warmth. The royals are besides themselves. The emperor is being smothered in kisses by the empress. After we come back, she takes him to the royal suite. They are going to privately celebrate. Before that happened, they thanked us for letting him participate.

“I have never felt so useful as I was on that set. I finally am satisfied in my role. You four are responsible for that. Thank you.”

I turn to Ruth and give her a kiss.

“If it was not for your global mage network, none of this would have been possible. It would have only been better if you went on stage with Azael and me. I really would have liked to show off my three mates.”

“I would rather operate in the background” Ruth tells him.

I kiss Margaret and tell her that it really would have driven the point home if we had her show in her full lycanthrope form. She says that we need to save that for if those news people go back to their fear mongering. I laugh and agree.

Azael tells them that they are vital to our family. “If Rick wants to show us off, he shows us off. Why don’t we shift and go back to my brownstone. Rick, how about taking your three beautiful wives to a dinner date. Your apartment has been kept up to date on all the rent and utilities. After the date, we go there and watch what is happening.”

I love the thought. She lets the staff know. “If the royals emerge, tell them what we are doing. If they do not, make a cart load of food and the best wine. Knock on the door and just say that the cart is at their door. Tell them that you are leaving.”

With that we enter that room that seems so long ago. There we got into plain clothes.

The funny thing is that, after she talked to the guards for a little, we went by the guard on the door. He gave me my wallet. It actually felt strange.

“As per the instruction I was given,” He tells me, “There is a debit card in there with your name on it. It is charged with twenty grand. Enjoy”

I look at Azael and tell her, “At one time, that would impress me but now, what I have with the three of you, makes this unimportant. How about we spend it all on stuff you would like back home. I want to get Carol a pedal bike and an electric children’s car..

Presents for all of Lyle’s children. Let’s get them fun things.”

Ruth tells me to calm down. “We need to get them necessities. Treats from this world and books.”

We had a wonderful time. All the gifts were delivered to the brownstone. It was a glorious date. Where ever we went, the reaction was the same. Both males and females that saw us were taken by the beauty of my three. We had a delicious meal and then went to my apartment. It now seems so small. We watched some of the news and found that quite a few of the commentators have been replaced.

This world is in correction mode. There are meetings as to what to do with those, around the world, who are in those governmental bunkers and slowly it has been decided just to leave them locked up until their stores run out. Let them see just what animals they are.

They are reporting that fights are beginning to erupt but are being quelled by the citizens. This is what we wanted. Self rule. Our system is ours. They need to come up with their own.

I turn off the television. I am too distracted by the scent of three beautiful totally naked women. Their pheromones are driving me crazy. I shift to the form that is most comfortable and their smells have the distinct scent of breeding.

“Are you sure?” I ask.

All they do is squirm and the scent grows . I feel myself going into rut.

Our children will know nothing but love.

Almost a year after we made our presence known, we are sitting at the SciFi convention. Our booth is in the same spot that Vicky Dew had last year. Now I sit beside her as a fledgling author and her husband. I have my own book and to cap it, my pen name is Victor Dew

Her book is called the Contest winner’s adventure. Mine is the evolution of Elrick the shifter. Many thought I was riding her coat tails but the prerelease reviews were excellent and presales have exceeded what was expected.

Her book is about a Randan contest winner who went on an adventure and found that they were soul mates. They form bonds with a mage and a lycanthrope. My book was about a journey that involved souls sleeping for eons to finally meet back up in the future. It is a true love story.

It was a wonderful show but I found out what she felt last year. The lust for her character. There were two women that came through that had nothing but love for the both of us. Of course they would. They are Ruth and Margaret in human form.

We did see other authors that were selling books about the invasion of the shifters. Only a few were hostile but they were bested by humans but they brought the peace that this world needed.

I did buy out one author’s stock at the end of the day. It was about the shifters but they brought a sexual revolution to this world. It seems their home world is full of nothing but hot babes. I do send out thoughts. He never responded.

How could he be so right. We will watch his progression but he did write an erotic novel.

When I paid him I did hear him give a sigh so we gave him our contact info and told him to let us know when he had his next.

I told my wives that we should think about starting a publishing company.

“Aspiring authors that just needed that break to put their own out there. Maybe a website that allowed them to upload their books and have readers download them.”