Dylas, Avani, and I all quietly left Sharmila’s study, leaving Chanda sleeping peacefully under her care. She’d cast some spell that the seers alone knew, I gathered mainly due to the difficulty in learning it as well as the potential to do more harm than good. Sharmila explained that it would accelerate the healing process, allowing her to quickly replenish the blood she’d lost, but that she had to negate the spell after a few hours or a day at most, or else the acceleration could cause irreparable damage.

As we quietly walked down the hall, Dylas suggested a bath would be a good idea. We were still naked, and each of us was smeared with grime and blood. Avani and I agreed, and she led us back to the bathing room.

This time it was occupied by a few of the servants. They were just finishing, though, and by the time we had finished scrubbing and rinsing in the shower, they had departed. The water was too hot for Avani to soak in this time, so Dylas and I soaked in the bath while she sat on the edge with her legs dangling down into the bath. After a few minutes of quiet relaxation, she looked over at Dylas, who was leaning back and sunk down so that the water came nearly to his chin. “Well, now that half the tribe has seen you in the buff, are you feeling a little more at ease with nudity and your appearance?”

Dylas turned beet-red and slipped down a little, sputtering. “No! I mean, not really. I… I don’t think I’ll ever be that comfortable. But….”

“But?” Avani prompted as he hesitated.

Turning a little more red, he said, “Well… you were right about the water. It did feel pretty nice without a swimsuit, especially in that heat.” I burst out laughing and he glared at me. “H-hey! Knock it off! It’s not that funny!”

“Well, the next time Avani and I throw a skinny-dipping party, we’ll be sure to invite you first,” I teased him with a grin, and Avani kicked a spray of water at me as she laughed at the idea.

Within a couple of hours, Chanda had recovered enough to rise, and she declared her intent to attend the evening’s meeting despite her debility. Sharmila hesitantly approved, then sent her to go and bathe with Avani’s assistance. The two women appeared a little while later, dressed in native garb. Chanda wore a crimson tunic with some simple embroidery on the sleeves, and baggy, lightweight trousers in a black print—a modest costume that suited her well. Avani, on the other hand, was stunning. She wore a peacock-blue skirt and cropped top that left her rounded belly exposed. Both the skirt and top were heavily embroidered in gold and red and decorated with small red jewels or crystals, and she carried a length of sheer peacock-blue fabric draped across her waist and shoulder. Her celadon hair had been braided and wound at the back of her head, with tiny golden-yellow flowers tucked into the coils.

In her arms, she carried additional clothing. “Here, I brought these for you two, if you’d like to dress in the local fashion for the meeting tonight?” She handed a few articles of clothing to Chanda, and held up the rest. I was intrigued by the bright colors and the embroidery, having a love of color myself. Seeing the dubious look on Dylas’s face, she explained, “They’re similar to Chanda’s outfit, only the tunics are longer and more heavily embroidered. She prefers simple clothing for even the most formal occasions.”

“Is this a formal occasion, then?” I asked, somewhat surprised.

“In a way, I suppose. There will be an announcement of Bhima’s death—and for all his despicable behavior, he was well-regarded in the community, since most of the tribe never saw his… darker side. And an announcement of our marriage and pregnancy, not that the latter is exactly necessary. Since I’m a princess, though, it will still be a matter of interest—especially given that, as far as the tribe is concerned, I was already married at the time of our marriage. And of course, everyone will be keen to see me after my long absence, regardless of whether they wish me well or ill. So it behooves us to look our best, since so many eyes will be upon us.”

“Well, then, My Lady, I defer to your expertise. Which would you have me wear? I rather fancy the peacock blue and gold costume, myself, since it matches yours so well and since I favor that shade anyway. But if you would prefer some other outfit….”

“No, not at all—I was hoping you’d choose that one. I’ll have a servant help you dress, and he can make any adjustments needed to the size as well as make some accommodation for your tail. Dylas, what about you?”

He snorted as he examined the brightly colored clothing. “Unlike Mr. Fancypants there, I don’t care for bright colors. I don’t suppose you have anything… well, darker?”

“I think there was something. Both of you, come with me.”

She led us upstairs and back to a good-sized room that seemed to have nothing but wardrobes, a few chairs, a stool, a small table, and a large mirror in it. She lay the costume I’d selected over the back of one chair, and opening a wardrobe, she replaced the other clothing in it. She flipped through the contents of that wardrobe, then went to another. After a few moments, she exclaimed and pulled out some black clothing. Dylas acquiesced with a slight shrug, and she told us to wait there.

A moment later, an older man knocked and entered the room. He bowed, and offered his services. I saw that he carried a pouch at his belt, and as soon as we accepted, he opened it and whipped out a tiny pair of scissors, a thimble, a needle, and a wooden spool of thread.

In no time at all, he had our old clothing off, the new clothing on, and was snipping and stitching, modifying the clothing to fit us better and to fit our tails. Fortunately, the pants were loose and baggy, which made it easier to fit them to our height. The sleeves were a little problematic, especially for Dylas, but all in all, the clothing fit us surprisingly well by the time he finished.

My coat was of the same blue as Avani’s outfit, and embroidered with gold thread around the cuffs and the neckline and placket. Small gold emblems were embroidered across the remainder of the coat at regular intervals, and the baggy pants were of a pale gold cloth. Dylas’s, though, was the really remarkable outfit. The coat was made of a fabric woven with a black-on-black design, with a little silver embroidery to highlight the design across the chest and at the collar. The buttons down the front were made of carven ebony. The loose-fitting pants were of a solid, shiny black cloth, and while I was given simple gold cloth slippers to wear with my costume, his were black and heavily embroidered with silver thread.

When we rejoined the ladies, Avani opened her eyes wide and gave a squeal of delight, clapping her hands like an overjoyed child. “You both look wonderful!” she exclaimed, circling first me and then Dylas. “Don’t they, Chanda?”

Chanda stared at Dylas for a moment until he began to squirm uncomfortably, then to my surprise, she blushed furiously and looked away. She mumbled, “I guess they’ll do,” then hurried out the door.

Stepping out, I saw that several lengths of heavy, colorful fabric had been spread out along the center of the green. Upon these, several dishes of food had been placed, as well as jugs of assorted beverages. Places were set with plates, cups, forks, and spoons along either side and at each end. Villagers were arriving, and each family brought at least one large bowl or platter of food to share, placing it with the others before choosing seats on the grass for themselves. In addition, servants came and went from Rishi’s house, bearing still more food and drink. Rishi and Sharmila had already taken their places in the center of one side of the cloths, and it was there that Chanda and Avani headed.

Avani sat next to her brother, and I sat at her side. Chanda indicated that Dylas should sit next to Sharmila, but when she started to walk away, he grabbed her hand. “Hey, where are you going?” he asked, scowling with puzzlement.

She turned red and glanced around. “Some people don’t like me to eat anywhere near the Prince. I’m not good enough for a place of honor,” she explained, bitterly.

“Fuck that,” Dylas said, pulling her down next to him. “You’re Avani’s friend, aren’t you? And Rishi’s and Sharmila’s, right? And you’re my friend, now, too. So sit with us. Who cares what anyone else thinks or says?”

She stared at him openmouthed, then peered around Dylas at Sharmila and Rishi. Sharmila smiled at her, and said, “Stay, Chanda. Rishi and I have never asked you to leave. That was always your own doing. You know that you are always welcome in our home and at our table.”

Across from us, an older man sputtered and rose to his feet, his quiet wife joining him after a brief hesitation. “Going somewhere, Somu?” Rishi asked him in a voice like silk.

“Well…. Well, yes! Yes, I am, my lord. If you intend to allow that… that… that devil’s spawn to sit and dine among us as if she was one of us, then I for one won’t tolerate it!” he exclaimed huffily.

Rishi turned towards him, serene as usual, and replied, “Zitamaya may have his faults, Somu, but I’d hardly call him a devil.”

“My lord! You know what I mean. I’m talking about her accursed eye, the mark of a devil!” he said, affronted.

“Do you mean to say that you consider a mere physical difference, something she was born with and has absolutely no control over, to be grounds for excluding her from our society? Do you suggest that she is somehow less than the least among us, simply because her eyes are not like your own?”

“Yes, I do—you know as well as I what that mark means! She shouldn’t be here—she’s not like the rest of us.”

Turning his face towards Chanda and smiling at her, Rishi commented, “And yet, we are not so different, are we, my sister-friend?” Again facing the red-faced man across from him, he continued. “By your own admission, differences from the norm are grounds for banishment from our tribe. Yet how is she any different than me? She has two perfectly good eyes of differing shades, I have eyes that match but are nearly useless. We were both born the way we are, and neither of us can help our differences. Do you suggest that I, your Ra’mara and the only son of the previous Ra’mara, should also be banished from our tribe?”

His face changing from scarlet to ashen in a heartbeat, Somu quickly sat down. “N-no, my lord! Of course not! I… I didn’t mean… I hadn’t looked at it that way, of course. But still… the red eye!”

“…is just as beautiful and functional as the green, I’m certain. And that alone should be cause for joy.” And with that, he turned his attention elsewhere, leaving the old man and his wife to eat their meal in an uncomfortable silence.

Rishi next exchanged whispers with Sharmila, which from her glances up and down the crowds of people on either side of the lengths of cloth, concerned the attendance. Apparently satisfied that all who were coming had arrived, he stood and called for quiet. “My beloved Ventunara and Ventunisi, I have called you here for several reasons. But most of these can wait until you have eaten your fill. So please, eat, drink, tell stories, sing songs, and enjoy yourselves. Before you begin, however, I would like to present to you once again your Princess, the Lady Avani kumari Acanda, who has at last returned to us, and her husband, Sir Leon Drake of Selphia.” He gestured towards his sister, then helped her to her feet. I could hear a few scattered gasps—she had not attempted to hide her pregnancy even a little, and if anything, had chosen to emphasize it instead. I stood, as well, and placed my arm around her waist for support, both physical and mental. She bowed her head to the crowd to either side, and taking a cue from her, I nodded my head towards the villagers who sat staring at us, mouths agape. Then I helped her to sit again and resumed my seat next to her. Still standing, Rishi added, “All else can wait until we have finished our meal. Now please, eat, before the food suffers from the indignity of our inattention.”

With Avani’s guidance, I helped myself to several dishes, none of which were familiar to me. The tribe appeared to eat no meat, save a little fish. Even eggs were featured in only a few dishes. The rest utilized a wide selection of vegetables, fruits, grains, and pulses, as well as some dairy and plenty of spices. Of course, I had always detested dairy foods for their blandness, but I found that I didn’t mind the use of milk and yoghurt in this cuisine, because there was nothing the least bit bland about it.

To my other side sat a pretty young child, I would say in her preteens or possibly even her early teens, and beyond her were, I guessed, her family—a middle aged man and woman, who kept stealing surreptitious glances at their daughter in unobtrusive surveillance, two little boys, and an infant in its mother’s arms. Looking shyly at me, the girl said, “Hi, I’m Preity. What was your name again?”

“Leon,” I replied with some amusement. “Pleased to meet you.” She giggled and blushed, then hesitated, apparently wanting to say something but too shy. “Yes? You have a question for me?”

“Are… are you really part jackal?” she asked, turning even pinker, her eyes wide as she looked up at my ears.

“Fox, actually. But no, I’m not part fox. It’s… complicated to explain. To put it simply, I did a favor for the Lady Ventuswill, and part of that favor meant that I was asleep for several centuries while bound to a monster. When I awoke—when Avani rescued me, that is—I found that my long association with that monster left me changed in appearance. The same thing happened to Dylas over there,” and she peered around us to where he sat talking to Chanda and Sharmila while picking out cubes of dense, white cheese from a red sauce. “Only in his case, he was attached to a horse-like monster. But I’m not part fox, nor is he part horse. We’re both entirely human. We just… look a little different, that’s all.”

“Is… is that why he doesn’t mind the redeye?” she asked, genuinely curious.

“Preity!” the young boy next to her reprimanded his older sister. “You know you aren’t supposed to talk like that, it’s rude!”

“But I want to know!” she protested, pouting.

I laughed a little and replied, “It’s okay, kids. You see, in the town where we come from, people don’t judge others based on their appearances. It doesn’t matter if you’re old or young, handsome or ugly, or if you have handicaps or scars or diseases. What matters to us is what people are like on the inside. Of course, I can only speak for that town—I can’t vouch for everyone everywhere.”

The girl opened her mouth to say something more, but just then, her mother leaned forward. “Preity! Pran! Stop bothering our guest and eat your food.” And that put an end to our short conversation.

Once the meal had ended, the servants rose and collected the dishes before returning with platter after platter of fruits and pastries and huge pots of tea. Once the tea had been poured and the first cup enjoyed, Rishi set his cup down and stood once again.

“My people, one of the announcements that I must make is that one of our tribe has passed away. Avani’s husband, Bhima kumara Anusa, is no more.” I was astonished by the gasps and cries of dismay that rose from the men and women seated all around us. Had no one really seen him for what he was, known his true nature?

Raising his hand, he said, “Quiet, please, and I will tell what transpired.” He returned to his seat and settled himself while Sharmila poured another cup of tea for him from the pots the servants had left out for refills. I saw Avani had turned pale, so I reached down and held her hand, giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze as her brother began to speak.

“The true tale is a long tale, and far too long for this night. So I will shorten it, though that will leave out many details and make for a less satisfying story.” Satisfying story? I thought, baffled. There was nothing at all satisfying in any aspect of Bhima’s incursion into Avani’s life.

“As some of you are by now aware, the late Ra’mara, Acanda kumara Karan, my father and Avani’s, sent her on a mission of utmost secrecy and importance, choosing her over all others due to her position as our Dragon Knight. While on this mission, she was injured and lost her memory. She recalled nothing of her people, her family, her home, or her past, so she settled in the town wherein resided the blessed dragon Ventuswill. She made a new life for herself, new friends, lovers, and in time, a new family—Sir Leon and their soon-to-be-born twin children. She performed many great deeds during these years, and her fame was such that it even reached the attention of the King of Norad, in whose lands our tribal lands are situated.

“Then one day, her tribal husband, Bhima, learned of her whereabouts and set forth to reclaim her and bring her back to his home. She refused, choosing a life among the videziya to returning to him. As a few of you may have known, her life with Bhima was neither easy nor happy, and she did not wish to return to such unhappiness when she was well content with her new life.

“Bhima would not be denied what he insisted was his due, however, and he kidnapped the Lady Avani. He took her far away from those who love her—both Ventuani and videziya—and he imprisoned and dishonored her. Her husband, Sir Leon, and her friend and former lover, Sir Dylas Powell of Selphia, both fearless and determined Knights of the realm of Norad and renowned warriors, together with myself, the Mother Sharmila, and our friend Chanda kumari Zitamaya, gave chase. Leon, moving with the speed and stealth of a leopard on the hunt, caught Bhima in the act of violating his wife.

“Challenging his adversary to fight him to the death, as was his prerogative, Leon faced Bhima alone. The fight was brief and savage, ending with Bhima disarmed and incapacitated. However, before Leon could deliver the final blow, Avani stepped forward and prevented one husband from killing the other. She demanded that vengeance was hers and hers alone to claim, and before any could move to prevent her, she healed Bhima and cast the nullification spell, Virtsati. It was then that we realized that Avani had been consumed by battlelust.”

I heard several excited exclamations and some murmuring at this point, and Rishi paused to take a sip of tea before raising his hand to again call for silence. When all was still, he resumed his story.

“Avani fought her husband well. Her fighting skills had improved over the past three years to such an extent that she was virtually unstoppable—even pregnant with twins, she was more than a match for Bhima. Then he had a stroke of luck and managed to catch hold of her leg, proceeding to hurl her into the ground and nearly into unconsciousness. There, before our eyes, he attempted to violate her yet again—yet she was not as helpless as he believed. She fought him off and cast a spell that consumed him from the inside out. This is all that now remains of Bhima kumara Anusa!” And he held aloft the amulet that had been left behind after Bhima’s dissolution.

From a short ways down the line opposite us, I heard a shriek and a loud hiss, and looking that way, I saw a beautiful woman a few years older than Avani leaping to her feet. She had long, dark hair and black eyes, bronzed skin and voluptuous curves, and her face was contorted with grief and rage. “No! You lie! Bhima was more a man than any of you—a cripple, a seer, a demonspawn, a whore, and two half-breeds! He could have taken you all on at once and prevailed—in a fair fight!” A woman who sat on her left side remained seated but nodded her agreement, her face similarly disbelieving.

Avani slowly rose to her feet, graceful even in her condition, and looked haughtily at the other woman. “Do you call me a liar, Kamini kumari Jahnu? I know you desired my husband; would that he had returned your advances—perhaps it would have brought me some respite!”

Livid, Kamini spat on the grass. “I do call you a liar, because you are a liar! I know Bhima better than that, and I know that he loved me as I loved him! In time he would have come around, would have seen you for the whore that you are and turned to me instead! If you killed him, you killed him by trickery, not by any prowess! And he never would have laid a violent hand on you, except when you earned it—he was ever chivalrous, was Bhima—as splendid as he was beautiful!”

Avani slowly walked around the long line of villagers, clear to the end and back up to where Kamini stood glaring balefully at her. Standing between Kamini and her still-seated friend, Avani looked at them. “You malign me with your accusations. Therefore, Kamini kumari Jahnu and Suma kumari Javas, I will show you evidences.” Then she gripped the two women by their shoulders and shouted out the teleportation spell, and they disappeared from sight.

At their disappearance, the villagers collectively gasped and sprang to their feet, and there was an excited commotion over the unusual proceedings. Several minutes passed and the shadows began to lengthen into twilight before the three reappeared.

Suma immediately ran into the forest, and we could hear the sound of retching. A man, presumably her husband or lover, ran after her, and a matronly woman followed behind. Kamini, meanwhile, her face blanched to a ghastly white, sank to the ground, her eyes averted. Avani stood over her for a moment, a strange, scornful look in her eyes, before returning and resuming her seat in silence. Someone apparently asked Kamini if she believed Avani now, because she cast a quick, nervous glance in our direction before nodding. “Y-yes. She… I-I believe she’s telling the truth,” she stammered faintly, then she just sat, huddled and wan, and refused to speak again for the remainder of the evening.

Rishi, who had remained seating during the commotion, now stood, and staring straight ahead, he called out, “Are there any among us who still doubt the truth of Avani’s story?” And if any still harbored such doubts, there were none who admitted to them.

After waiting a few moments, Rishi nodded, satisfied. “Then the last thing I wish to announce, my people, is that, as the new Ra’mara, it is my intent to do what those before me could or would not do: rejoin the outside world. For too long have we lived in insulated isolation—for too long have we hidden our light from the world. We have much to offer the outside world, and I believe that it would be to our mutual benefit.

“In my search for my sister, I met a prince of the kingdom in which we reside—an intelligent, well-grounded young man called Arthur. I brought him to our village for a brief visit, though few of you met him and none of you knew his identity. Since then, I have been in discussions with him, and I will soon meet with his father, the King of Norad, to determine how best to attain official recognition as an autonomous principality and protected state within the kingdom . For now, though, go home to your beds, let my words sink in and simmer in your thoughts while you sleep, and we will meet here again tomorrow after the midday meal. May the stars bring you all restful dreams and blissful repose.” And with that, he turned and walked towards his house, with Sharmila on his arm.

Looking around after his departure, I noticed many who looked shocked, a great many who seemed either pleased or at least eager for the change, and a few who looked worried. The ones that caught my attention the most, however, and caused me the greatest concern, were those few who gathered together at some small remove from the rest of the tribe and looked darkly at each other while saying little. I noted that the number was small, and that the youngest member of this group appeared to be nearly twice my age. Still, they all appeared hale, hearty, and vigorous, not to mention well-muscled. I noticed that Dylas was likewise observing this group, and when I caught his eye, he nodded slowly, a somber look in his eyes.

We rose and headed for the house, Avani and Chanda following us. Once inside, Avani turned to me. “Did you notice those older men? They looked as if they were up to no good.”

“I’m sure they weren’t,” Chanda said, frowning. “Vidhur is their leader. He was a great friend of your father’s and your grandfather’s, but he strongly disapproves of Rishi’s ‘notions’. He was also a great admirer of Bhima’s,” she added.

“I don’t think it would be advisable for Rishi to sleep in his own room tonight,” I mused, looking towards the stairs.

Avani looked concerned, but said, “Perhaps not. Anyway, it certainly won’t hurt for him to sleep elsewhere. Should we place a guard with him?”

“Yeah, good idea,” Dylas said. “I don’t know anything about the guards here, though, so maybe we should be his guards tonight. We’re all good fighters, and he can trust us more than anyone.”

We all agreed, and hurried up to Rishi’s room. He looked solemn at our intelligence, and agreed that it would be a wise precaution to change rooms for the night. Avani suggested that everyone stay in our room, as it was the largest bedroom after his own, and so it was agreed. Sharmila, Avani, and Chanda would share the large bed, while Dylas, Rishi, and I would bed down on the floor, with Rishi placed between me and Dylas for safety’s sake.

As he left his room, Rishi paused to cast some spell, then locked the door, bringing the key with him. Once we were all in his room, he said, “I cast an alarm spell. If anyone enters my room, by means magical or mundane, he or she will trigger the alarm. Then at least we will know if there is cause for concern.”

Sharmila had brought in bedding gleaned from other bedrooms and made beds on the floor for the three of us. Then the ladies all piled into the large bed together while we gents stretched out on the floor. We were all so tired, that no one seemed to mind the crowded quarters, and everyone fell asleep quickly—or at least I did, and I know Avani fell asleep even before me.

**************

I awoke sometime in the night to odd, slightly muffled sounds. They were too faint to disturb the rest of the sleepers, but my hearing was far more acute. I swiveled my ears this way and that, trying to determine if the sounds indicated any danger or if they were normal nocturnal noises here in the village.

Then I jumped slightly upon hearing my name, and realized it was Avani, apparently talking in her sleep. “Mmmmm… oh, Leo….” followed by a small sigh. A moment later and she seemed to be moaning and gasping slightly, so, concerned, I turned my head to better see her. The room was as dark as the night, but the starlight shining through the window was just barely enough light for my vulpine eyes, and after a moment of adjustment, I could see well enough to make out the forms of my sleeping companions.

I could see Avani where she slept at the edge of the bed, and I could see a shape hovering over her. After a moment of concentration, I saw a glimmer of silver and realized that it was Chanda leaning over her, as if whispering to her. Upon focusing my vision, she seemed to be caressing Avani. No, check that—she was making love to her, kissing her breasts and, judging from the movement under the covers below Avani’s belly, she was doing a good deal more besides.

Just then, Chanda leaned in and kissed her mouth… but before I could shout in protest, Avani startled awake. With a shriek, she cast an energy spell, blasting Chanda off of her, and in fact, off of the bed entirely, dragging the blankets with her. She landed in a heap on the floor, sprawled across our feet, naked and stunned. Sharmila quickly lit the lamp next to her on the far side of the bed, and we all looked at Chanda lying dazed, blinking up at us.

Avani was furious. “Chanda!” she hissed. “How dare you molest me like that, and in my sleep? You’ve taken things too far this time! I’m married, in case you’ve forgotten!”

Recovering her faculties, Chanda flushed. “So what if you are? You’re still allowed to have a lover, male or female! So why not me? You know I love you more than anyone! Why can’t you love me, too?”

Rubbing her temples, Avani scowled at her friend. “That isn’t the point, Chanda. You took advantage of me, forced yourself on me when I was asleep and helpless! That’s no better than some of the things Bhima used to do to me. How can you call yourself my friend, yet treat me the same way as he did?”

She started to cry, then, and I struggled to my feet, pushing Chanda away to get free, and hurried over to comfort her. Sharmila sat and looked thoughtfully at Chanda for a few moments, then slowly said, “I think, my dear, that you had best return to your room for the night. Think about what you did, and about what Avani said. Then you two can talk in the morning.”

Chanda looked piteously at Sharmila first, and then Avani, but the former didn’t soften her impassive expression and the latter refused even to look at her. So she rose and gathered her things to leave. At the doorway, she paused and muttered in a hoarse, tremulous voice, “I’m sorry, Avani. I… I really do love you.” And then she pushed open the door and stepped out into the darkness.