“And stly…” the four-tailed fox said, her smile gentle. “…A heart of deep passion, one who will free Tamamo-No-Mae, my dear grandmother, I believe, from her endless suffering.”

  I paused, stuamamo-no-Mae, the legendary ailed Fox herself, one of the most famous and powerful Yōkai of all history? I do that? Should I do that? The question was whirring through my mind. It was hard to turn down, if such a powerful Yōkai would be an ally, but…

  Shaeu spoke for me, crossing her arms and gring at the foxwoman, even as I squeezed the Bezoar stone she had obtained from far distant nds. I suppose there’s no reason why spiritual beings ’t travel, seas are still seas, even if likely more dangerous…

  “I do distinctly recall you saying you did not-not know where this fox dwelt. Are you a liar? Do you expect us to trust-trust the words of an untrustworthy fox such as you?”

  “Your daughter is being shtfully cold to me, Urakaze.” The fox ughed. “I have no idea why, I believe I have been quite gracious so far.” She waved her four tails behind her for emphasis. “Besides, you’re wrong, dear Shaeu, Seventy-First of the Parade. And while I am quite a free spirit, and seldom hung up oty matters of etiquette…” Suddenly her League fred, and the harmless image she was cultivating shattered in an instant. “… I am still the lower Number, so show me some of the respect I am due.”

  Damn, her League is definitely higher than Tarōbō. She doesn’t quite match up to Prince Shaetanao, but even so, if I was to fight her it’d be toud go… Around us the weaker Fae were struggling, before she reined in her presence, a smile on her face, the momentary terror of her presence fotten. With a smile, she crossed her legs, leaning backwards, her kimono straining. “If you recall, I said wherever she now dwells. Surely as one of the Fae, you are used to weasel words.” She ughed at her pun, though the weaselkin didn’t find it amusing, aher did Urakaze, who was gring at her. “I hardly be certain of her location, but sidering the need for that Stone…” she looked at the Bezoar in my hand. “…I have a very good idea. Either she is sin, or imprisoned, as the greatest of foxes would leave tales and chaos in her wake wherever she goes. Since she is not, then…” she shrugged, again drawing all eyes.

  “Hey, Tamamo-no-Mae, she’s like… super evil, right?” My sis said, fasated and fused by the whole situation, but her blue eyes were sparkling. I guess she’s delighted to finally be a part of these events, not stu Nishimorioka. I do have reservations, but my sis is safer stronger, and being involved offers more opportuo get that strength… “One of the Three Great Evil Yōkai? Besides, in every anime she’s bad news.”

  “Three? Old ōtakemaru would crack your skull foblet and drink wi of it, girl. He hates that the old Tengu has taken the position he siders rightfully his.” The fox giggled. “But you are quite correct. Grandmother has done many things you humans would sider awful. But hardly through malice. We are merely… different.” She smiled. “Grandmother was simply a free spirit, doing as she pleases with men and women both, bearing many children and amusing herself as she willed. Not every kitsune carries her blood, but I would wager the majority do to some extent.”

  “Oh great, that’s all we need, another slut. And ohat preys on girls too. I’m cute, I’ll be in danger bro, I don’t think this is a good idea!” my sis protested. “Besides, in anime she’s usually not nice!”

  “I think that what she is in anime doesn’t really matter.” I shrugged. “If the myths are correct though, I think it’s wrong to say that what she did wasn’t out of malice. She’s killed a lot of people by maniputing others to their ruin.”

  “How cold you are.” The four-tailed fox sighed theatrically. “Were you not mere hing about yhter of these poor Myids? Has my grandmother killed fewer than you? Or do these Myids not t, as they are not your race? How… uncharitable.”

  “The Myids are quite-quite different.” Shaeu insisted, though I could see Duke Vulpatrius sneering behind her. “They exist to spread death-death aru. They also stole our nds, and…”

  The fox cut her off. “Perhaps that is simply their way? I believe you Fae are hardly free of malice.” She looked at Prince Morioth, who was a bd-white facsimile of a weaselkin at the moment. “gelings, repg stolen mortal children like a… what was it, ah yes, a cuckoo.” She grinned in satisfa. “What happeo them, I do wonder? And that is hardly all. But setting aside that, you have killed enough of my kind, do you see yourself as free of responsibility?” She persisted, questioning me.

  “That was to save Eri and the poor trainees!” my sis protested loudly, and the fox shrugged, blowing smoke.

  “Reasons. Besides, all you have is myth and history. Who knows how grandmother truly was?” she sighed. “Even so… does your heart not ache for her, punished for so long? Is there no room for fiveness?”

  “I… I uand.” Eleanor said bitterly. “You should too, Akio. It’s hard tive Donovan, sidering…” she shuddered at the memory. “But Sarah…”

  “She’s just as culpable. She didn’t stop Donovan, and she would have let Mary kill you…” I warned. “But… Ling. She too has doerrible things, perhaps for uandable, maybe even somewhat justifiable reasons, yet even so…” I’m using her for my own ends, despite everything. Is that justice? Probably not. It’s y…

  “I am aware Japan has the death penalty still.” Eleanor said softly. “But in Britain, even someone who its many murders may one day find freedom after their sentence is served. Is it justice? I don’t know. And is it fair, when someone live thousands of years, to measure the punishment for lives taken in mere decades?” She smiled at me then. “Isn’t that what your Ministry is set up to decide?”

  “I don’t have the answers.” Yukiko-san said, having been listening. “These Fae, are they exactly like the stories told of them?” she asked me, and I snorted out a ugh, gng at Shaeu, who looked proud.

  “No way, there are simirities, definitely, but the reality is far different. I get what you’re saying.” I scratched my cheek, thinking. “That Tamamo-no-Mae might be different too. Although with the kitsune I’ve met, I expect there to be quite a lot of malivolved.”

  “How rude, you wound my very heart.” She clutched at her overflowing breasts in mock-pain.

  “I’ve agreed a deal with Nurarihyon, and I’ve brought Ginneka into the fold. Yeah, I get it. But…” The vision I had, one of the few, was of a volic stone, in a hellish nd of reeking, poisonous fumes, surrounded by a sacred rope. There were some fragmentary words too, yet even with my potent memory they escape me right now. That does remind me of the… “Sesshō-seki, the stone said to be the corpse or prison of Tamamo-no-Mae… surrounded by poisonous gas and a barren ndscape, as if her evil is seeping out.” I ched the Bezoar. “I see the use of this, but… even if I do release her, there’s no guarantee she won’t bee our enemy. And if she is in the same css as Nurarihyon…”

  The four-tailed fox let out a long hiss, foul-smelling herbal smoke streaming from her mouth. “I would have thought a man such as yourself would uand women and their gratitude by now.” There were a few ughs arou that, my sis included. “I believe anyone would be grateful to be liberated after so long trapped and lonely, especially such a lusty and vivacious fox as the great Tamamo-no-Mae herself. At the least, I believe she would not repay gratitude with hatred. We may not believe in Boons…” she gnced around at the Fae. “But we are creatures of emotion, and we feel deeply. I wish you would feel passion for her pitiful plight.”

  “I do, to aent…” I admitted. “So, how does this be you?”

  “Apart from relieving the guilt of knowing prandmother suffers?” she grinned. “There have been other kitsune who have been strohan I, yet if they still live they are well-hidden, and take no i in the world. Yet her than grandmother have reached the pinnacle, have ails. If anyone aid me to finally bring forth my fifth tail, then it would be she. Sadly, merely living a tury is not enough to grant us a ail. Such is fortuhough, as it means none guess e.” she joked. Seeing me waver, she pressed her advantage.

  “You keep the Bezoar, it is a great treasure, is it not? I’ve no need for it, but even so, it has great value. And I will i in your schemes, and help y more treasures from the fools who ck the wisdom to pn for tomorrow when they drink and make merry today. I will aid you in times of trouble, and… should you wish it…” She then stopped, as a bullet of air caught her off-guard, snapping her head back. She gred at Shaeu, who lowered her hand.

  “He does not-not need you, fox.” She said coldly. Fortuhe bullet had merely been a light warning, so it caused no injury but a little redness on her pale skin.

  “How upsetting. I hardly see why, am I not beautiful? You press for many lovers, I know. Yet why not me? I may be fickle, but a truly strong man could bind me down and make me his…”

  “I don’t like it!” My sis joined Shaeu. “All the girls right now are the sort I bring home to meet mom and dad! You… you’d just upset them!”

  “A fresh-faced, eager virgin is he fox agreed, lig her lips, coiliongue around the stem of her pipe. “But there is much to be said for experience…”

  “All right, enough of that. I’m not in the market for any more wives right now. And even if I was…” I g Prihethrion, who nodded, uanding. “I think of others who I’d like to get to know better first. However, other than that, you make a tempting offer…”

  “The me apologise. For I told one… no, not a lie, but an omission.” The fox grinned, and from the look in her eyes I knew what she would say was going to make up my mind, one way or the other. “I added the part about a passionate heart, for it is true. Fiveness is hard. But I trust you are pragmatiough to make promises to save those you protect. You have already, merely having me here. No, Uranai said the third riddle. Only someone who be in two pces at once break the prison, the curse. It seemed impossible, and truly befits a prison able to hold grandmother. Yet…” she looked into my eyes, and her furry fox-ears twitched. “I have very keen ears. I have heard you mention what is going on with the others, as if you be there and here at the same moment.” She puffed out her chest triumphantly, and I realised she was doing it to enti purpose. Knowing I knew, she merely stood taller, the cloth just barely c her nipples. “It therefore must be you.” she finished, her toriumphant.

  “Prophecy is not certainty. This Uranai you speak of…” Lady Nimu? said into the silence around us, as everyone, myself included, pondered her words. “…her words carry the weight of such, though. Do you not agree?”

  I had to nod. Yeah, it could be something the four-tailed fox made up, but when you’ve heard prophecies, even dreamed them yourself, you get to feel the flow. It definitely strikes me as genuine. “I suppose that’s true. But…”

  “What more I offer you?” the fox asked. “I have offered everything. Everything!”

  I g Shaeu, whed, waving her hands up and down. Not sure, huh? I was grateful that Shaeu uood me without words a lot of the time. In that case… “Let us finish up here, and I’ll give you my decision ter, when I’ve sorted through everything in my mind.”

  “Fine. I hope your passion wins out.” She smiled at me, her eyes pleading. Wait, for a moment then she looked cute. No, she’s definitely not my type. She’d eat me and probably the girls alive…

  “All right then, Princess Ffionnan, now’s a good time to further discuss your involvement.” Happy to ge the subject, I got Moira to hurriedly project more tables and charts…

  ********

  “I see. It does make a lot of sense.” Princess Ffionnan was saying. “Though I am curious… if I am to provide my treasures, I o see what I am getting in exge.”

  “Yes, though you’re about on the borderline of what I’m fortable experimenting with.” I pointed out. The League of Ffionnan, at a rough guess, was not inferior to Tarōbō’s. She was weaker than Shaetanao, for sure, but even so, she’d be the stro being that Ling would send into the dream a her wake ierial. Preserving the Boundary is ultimately a futile effort, I imagine, but we don’t want to be needlessly destructive and hasten its end without good reason.

  “Such matters will have-have to be solved.” Shaetanao decred, and I nodded.

  “I know, the tactical advantages are obvious, and…”

  “…if my daughter is to be wed in the mortal world as well-well, I should be there!” he decred, arms crossed defensively. “I would not miss it, not-not for all these iments.”

  Urakaze rolled her eyes, and Annae scowled a little, but Anna joined in, agreeing with her father, eager to see her U wed. At least she’s more accepting that Shaeraggo. No, that’s not fair, even a superior sis like him has e to terms with it. I suppose I should be grateful…

  “Still as popur as ever. It must be so hard. David would be challenging you to another bout.” Eleanor remarked, and I had to nod in response.

  “Sorry, I agree, the wedding should be special. And the logistics of the guests is a nightmare. A lot of you are to to easily e down to the Boundary or Material, while I doubt that ordinary people just with Chirurgery withstand the higher ether density of the Fae realms. But it’s not going to matter yet, we have time, the wedding won’t be until year anyway. I’d like to deal with our immediate problems so we truly celebrate. Perhaps this isn’t the time to discuss this?”

  “He’s learning.” Yukiko-san whispered to Eleanor, who hid a smile behind her hand.

  “It seems so. Though he did still end up talking about his wedding in front of all these dignitaries…” Eleanor whispered ba a voice clearly meant to be audible.

  “Hey, sidering most people here will need an invite, as it’s effectively a state wedding, I think it’s at least a little relevant!” I protested, before shaking my head. “Anyrincess Ffionnan is providing the most iment…” We had obtained a number of blue and greeherites, as well as some yellow ones. e and red weren’t so important, as they seemed to dense around the Artificial Ether Spires. Not often, but as we were running more and more of the Spires, putting them into Kyoto as fast as the Mortal Engineers could make them, we were acg a number of them. They still had uses in produ and alchemy, so were accepted at a dist. “…so it’s only right that she gets first mover privileges.”

  “I look forward to it.” Her s jingled in her hair as she nodded excitedly. She looked at her fellow Princes and Princesses proudly. “You’ll be sorry when I am swimming in treasures!”

  “Not all of us share your passion for such worthless tris.” Duke Vulpatrius said sourly, not enjoying the way this event had progressed. “I will not be so much as a scrap to these fools.”

  “Suit yourself.” I shrugged. “But when Moira returns with darkness element, I hope you’ll be more civil. Now…”

  “…to more important matters.” Prihethrion took the lead. “We must not fet, no, how could we fet what we are here for, sidering the location? The Spring, retaken from our enemies. But we have many foes remaining. A on front, united against the Wild Hunt and the Unseelie. As well as other, stranger foes.”

  “Since Akio is acquiesg to my humble request…” the four-tailed fox said cheerfully, and I rolled my eyes, as I hadn’t definitely agreed, though I had a feeling I would end up trying to release Tamamo-no-Mae sooner or ter. “…I shall of course lend my aid and urge the Hyakki Yagyō to do likewise. You will do the same, no, Urakaze? Since your dear daughter asks?”

  “I have no obje-issues.” She said coldly. “Not to alliahough we expect reciprocation-pensation. When our battle es…”

  “Yes, it works both ways.” I agreed. “As for you…” I turo Eleanor, who nodded.

  “Having heard tell of the Wild Hunt, I believe I have already been battling some of their forces in London. I ’t say I cared for them overmuch. Besides, I have already agreed to work with you, Akio. I am a woman of my word, and grandmother would never let me shame Britain by being a coward or a turncoat.”

  “I too will offer my aid, in exge for the same. I do not speak for all of Japan, in fact, you have a higher standing than me in these matters…” Yukiko-san said self-depregly. “…though I do have some secrets I wish to share. I haven’t received permissio…” she said, a bit ashamed. “But it’s only a matter of time.” She looked at the shard of metal Eleanor held. “No, I say no more.”

  “The kami of Kyoto also agree.” Kofuku Jizo said. He and Shirohebi had been keeping a low profile during the meeting, but they had been watg, listening and weighing up the assorted guests, and had now e to their decision. “We stand together, or we fail apart. I approve of those words. And I have already seen war that we alone could not win.”

  “I see. Then we have no objes?” Prihethrion asked, and Duke Formor was first to speak.

  “None.” He rumbled. “As long as I crush the life from my enemies, I am tent. These other creatures are no foes of mine, but if they endanger us, I shall stomp them to bloody paste under my feet!” He crossed his massive arms, eye flickering red, and I could feel heat from it, before he calmed down.

  “I have many reservations!” Duke Vulpatrius spat, his tone abrasive. “But ohing is true. Our enemies are the Unseelie Court and those pests from the Wild Hunt. I tolerate some worthless allies if it prevents colboration with our enemies. You of the Parade are their natural brothers and sisters.”

  “You would know, little fox.” The four-tailed fox ughed heartily. As he glowered at her, she tilted her head, amused. “But the past is the past, we are here to iate the future. With some foreknowledge, it seems.”

  “Aye, lenty enough foes tae be worryin’ about foolish grudges and past mistakes, ye ken?” the San decred. “I be sure t’Queen wishes for aae this sorry war. With her own hands, she surely wishes she could choke t’life from…”

  “Nooo!” Hyath decred then, interrupting. Seeing all eyes on her she flushed and trembled but tio speak. “Hyath hates, hates, hates those of the Dark Cooourt.” Her words were ced with bleak, bitter emotions, and Asha and Shaeu urged me to go to her, so I stood and held her shoulders, feeling them tremble under my hands. So thin. She’s strong, but still a woman, seeming sile. “I will choooke and kill and turn their hooome to rot and ashes, but…” she blinked, and tears the colour of her silver-violet eyes shimmered as they slid down her cheeks. “…it is sooo sad. The Queen, she must nooot…” she shut her mouth, biting at her lips. “…no, it should be ooother hands. Else there be nooiveness…”

  “Fiveness?” Duke Formor rumbled. “For our dead? Are you addled, woman? We did not rebel, we did not attack the humans first, we did…”

  “Oh shut up, shut up, shut yooour mouth! I hate you, you put me in the booox! I ooonly five you because you gifted me to Akiooo, my orue master I was always destio meet. No, there was befooore… agh, my head, it hurts! I dooo not want the Queen to…” I pulled Hyath into a hug, calming her down.

  “I think we o ge the subject.” Yes, Hyath has a very tangled past. It’s uandable she’s flicted. “We know our enemies, so let’s cut the bragging and the boasting, a down to what matters. Their movements.”

  “Yes, I think we should.” Prihethrion agreed. “As you know, there are many elves amongst the Way-Wardens, so I am kept abreast of matters, although we have a rather famed one here…” he looked at Anna, who preened proudly.

  “Indeed, I have not had much time, many opportuo patrol the borders of te, a great shame, bitter sorrow.” she mented. “But what we find surprises us.” She then expihat the Wild Hunt had almost entirely stopped their attacks. There were a few skirmishes outside the Fae Stone Wards, but nothing of any he Unseelie too were quiet, though that was far less unusual.

  “Perhaps it is because of the ideas you presented, brought forth.” Anna mused as she finished. “With the broken ntern you provided, as well as the clever ideas, ing ruses to escape the defences of the Seelie Court, perhaps they are simply at a loss, without recourse now we have tightened our defences?”

  “Thinking such is folly.” Duke Frated. “The Wild Hunt are wily, disho and without honour.” He ched his massive fists. “I too have heard of these weaknesses. It came as quite the shoe.”

  “To us all.” The mournful voice of Princess Moraine drifted to us, echoed by her ghostly handmaidens. She hasn’t really done much but listen until now. But then, everyone was surprised she even came, apparently she sits out almost all matters of the Court. “If what has been surmised is accurate, I expect bitter tidings in our future. For how would we ever stop their intrusions? The Wild Hunt…” she wailed, her voice a dirge, her handmaidens waving her spectral train of bck cloth for emphasis, repeating parts of her words. “…they are too skilled at their craft to let these setbacks dismay them…”

  “I also agree.” Duke Vulpatrius threw in his support. “You would have to be either empty-headed, without wit, or a coward who does not have the stomach for battle…” he gred at us. “…to suspect that they are held back by the discoveries that be brought by such as you.” His eyes were cold, and I resisted the urge to ask him to settle it with our fists. I’m not normally violent, but this fox is trying my patience severely. My sis felt the same, as she was gring at him, and I didn’t eveo expand my vision to see Shaeu was ag the same way. No, if I get too irritated, it’ll only bother the girls. Right now we’re having a lot of fun, they’re happy, so… Allowing my divided attention to focus more on that, soothing my rage, I merely smiled, whihe fox Duke.

  “It does not matter what the reason is…” Primal Forest spoke, he too had been silent ever since we had raised the possibility of further Trees and also getting more areas ected with Ring Gates. “We have learned not to be hasty, to rust the Hunt ag in ways we anticipate.”

  “That’s right…” Estalian said. She’d had a small nap and was now feelier. “They could be trying to lower uard or searg for something. There are endless possibilities, but we should always assume the worst.”

  “I agree.” Shaetanao joined in. “If we assume their ability to intrude remains undiminished and are wrong-wrong, we suffer no losses. The reverse however, and…” He drew a finger across his neck, the meaning clear.

  As the talk dragged on, everyone sharing their views, I tio fort Hyath while rexing myself with what was going on ba the Material. Shaeu looked at me quizzically, and I resolved to make it up to her, Asha and the trembling maid in my arms ter…

  ********

  “I shall settle some affairs and then jouro your nds forthwith.” Princess Ffionnan decred. “I expect to be treated to the fi of delicacies, as such a serious ior!” She said the unfamiliar word with gravitas, having taken a great liking to it.

  “Of course-course.” Shaeu agreed. “Asha’s Treetop café is simply outstanding. But before that, we must-must introduce you to the twins…”

  “Noble Primal Forest, I hope you are not offended.” Asha was saying to the colossal Treekin. “I uand that you care deeply for the Rhyming Trees, and the Ring Gates have long been under your purview… but look around. We care as well. You know I could never give my Kiss to one, my heart and spirit, to someone who would misuse nature. Besides…” she covered her mouth and said something I couldn’t hear.

  “Oh really?” Estalian giggled, as she was still perched in Primal Forest. “You don’t say?” She looked at me, a pyful expression oiny face. “That’s not usual, is it? Well, you old fossil…” she spped Primal Forest with one small hand. “Stop sulking. Isn’t it something to celebrate? As part of an alliance we all agreed, you tribute. You always pined how hard it is to grow those mushrooms, so… why whine now? It isn’t that you are a miser like young Ffionnan is it?”

  “I heard that!” the aforementioned princess shot back. “If I was a miser, then I would never have bee an ior!” She looked proud once more. “Besides, we all know Primal Forest is greedy, he thinks every Tree and pnt and bde of grass should be uhe care of the Treekin.”

  “Enough.” He rumbled, closing his eyes. He pondered for an unfortably long time, where I said my farewells to Prince Morioth, who had secured a promise from Raidre to at least sider a return to Court, as well as the sombre Princess Moraine, who left me with words of warning, that the closer one came to succeeding, the more likely one was to fail. Words as gloomy as her tenance…

  “A, go with them. See for yourself if they be trusted.” Primal Forest said at st, and the Pntkin prised of vines nodded, agreeing. “For now…” he tinued ponderously. “…I will allow the formation of further Ring Gates without being angry. But be cautious. Such a Gate is a bde with no hilt. Used unwisely it is as dangerous to the possessor as the enemy.”

  With those st words, he departed, Princess Estalian going too. I waved off the Prince of the Elves, not before he fervently extoled the virtues of Moira, Bell, Solitaire and the others one more time. Duke Formor had left, Duke Vulpatrius going with him, unwilling to stay and exge pleasantries with us, and soon out of the Fae nobility, only Shaetanao remained.

  “So, my Shaeu, son-in-w…”

  “Yes, father?” she replied.

  “The gloomy spectral wench is n-wrong. You have shown your power, swept-swept aside doubts, but now you are exposed. It is no longer possible to appear weak to fool your enemies. Be wary. As for you…” he turo me. “If my daughter suffers, I shall-shall…”

  “You’ve o worry. Man, I get this a lot.” I had to ugh at another lecture. “I guess it’s a cross I have to bear.”

  “Yes, David would be delighted to hear it.” Eleanhed, exasperated. “Arthur and I must return to Engnd, we have much to do. Raidre too, for now. But do take care of Aditi and Mary-Jaraining in your Territory is giving them hope, taking their minds off their sorrows.” She then looked at Yukiko-san. “We must keep in touch. I expect we will have many worries only erhaps Shaeu… uand.”

  “I agree. My phone number is…” As the two women exged details, I turo Urakaze, who was looking at Annae and Anna with a bitter expression on her face. Suddenly she spoke. “I will remain-stay here for now. There is much to discuss-sider.”

  “You damn bitch… uh…” Anna paused, Shaeu giving her a knowing smirk. “… I did not mean that, think it. I just…”

  “Do not expeuch, Shaetanao.” she said to the suddenly bright Prince. “I merely wish to discuss our daughter. There have been those who wish to harm-hurt her, even see her killed-dead. Perhaps if we put our knowledge together, we determine-divihe culprits that yet remain hidden?”

  His eyes harde that, and he nodded. “Yes. Annae, Shaeranna, put-put aside yer. Shaeu es first…”

  “Damn, every day a wonder with you now bro. To think I art of this. Hey, wow, do you think this will go in the history books one day, bro? I mean, it was a meeting of some very important people.” My sis was curious, and I shrugged.

  “It could, it definitely could. But who’d believe it for now?”

  It was then that Haanōbō tugged diffidently on my sleeve, her masked face pointing downwards. I g Arangbō, who had dotle but drink throughout the event, whed, wings bobbing.

  “We… we did not i, or pledge support. It feels wrong…” she said slowly, and I ughed, patting her head reflexively, before freezing, realising what I had done. My sis puffed out her cheeks, irritated, while after a moment the Tengu smacked my hand aside. “I am not a child. I am older than you, likely by… no, that is not the point.” She stopped herself from revealing her age at the st moment. “I am no child, nor… nor one of your women!”

  “Yeah, sorry. You just seemed down so I acted on instinct. Look, you already have tributed. Mount Atago is under my prote, so we’re already a team. That’s why your brother was so carefree.”

  “That’s the reason? Okay.” my sis said, unvinced, while Arangbō boomed a loud ugh. It was then that the st of the guests came to say goodbye to me.

  “I will see you on the first full moon of the year ahead of us. Along with your seer.” Lady Nimu? promised. “For now… do not be hasty. For before the full moon rises, there is the darkness.”

  “What she be tryin’ tae say is, best be watg out.” The San spped my shoulder, and he had quite the firm blow, though it paled before such as Grulgor or even David. “It was good tae get out, the Pace is nae always a happy pce.” He frowned, as if he had said too much, scratg his bushy red beard. “It seems that t’world has moved on. Moving paintings, musi strange boxes… looks like the Fae nae have the dominion of magiae more. Until we meet again, which may be soohan ye be thinkin’, I ken.” With that they too left, and I pohe implications of his words.

  “All right then. I am eager to get going.” A voice said, and I turo see the four-tailed fox, her tails wagging.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, and she smirked at me, arms under her chest pushing out her assets dangerously.

  “What else would I meaill have to discuss the details of my own iments, and your resy poor misfortunate grandmother. After all, Urakaze is attending to her own matters, and I have no pressio return to the Parade.” She smiled seductively, and for a moment I had a bad feeling, before finding refuge in the happiness I was sharing with the girls back at our new home oerial. At least that’s not causing me any headaches, although… is that actually true? Things have bee rather… heated…

  ShipTeaser