Siren's Reach - Fallen Lands Book 3

Chapter Nineteen

The Castle of Blackstone

Evelyn

We continued our journey by walking up the road for some time while Haunt and I recovered from our run. Our time was limited, so after a quick check of our map, we got far enough from the road to avoid the notice of anyone sent to investigate the town and resumed our normal traveling mode with the two of us in our spirit fox form and Lilith riding on Haunt. Running at a sustainable speed that was surprisingly quick overland, we traveled for another two hours, well past sunset, before we came into view of Blackstone Keep. It should have been called Blackstone Castle if you asked me. The place was much bigger than expected. Part of that was the wall it was built into. A massive stone construction spanned across a valley leading deeper into the mountains, and the castle was built right in the center of the thing. From what we could see, it looked like it was originally just a keep, but many additions had been made over time, turning it into a sprawling castle expanding outward, both in front of and behind the wall. I hadn't expected to see such a fortification in the area, and as far as I knew, the only thing it was defending were several mines for a material similar to Obsidian. It helped me understand how they'd managed to take and hold so many territories, though. Anyone trying to fight them would have to get through these massive stone walls and then just run into a castle complex behind them. I was willing to bet they could house thousands of soldiers if they needed to, and I was certain they had a good source of water behind the fortifications.

We had stopped in a small copse of trees nearly a mile away, and it was the last good cover we would have before approaching the keep. As intimidating as it might have been to an army, though, I was pretty sure we'd be able to sneak inside. Well, Sibylla and me, at least. Haunt was a definite no-go for this part of our mission, and Lilith would have a lot of explaining to do if she were spotted. My mind started working out plans on how to get in, but I forced it to calm down. This was Sibylla's show.

"Okay, what now?" I asked her.

She grinned, "Now, we find all the treasure."

I blinked at her, "I'm not sure how much treasure we're really going to find here. Is that your whole plan?"

She scoffed at me, "Of course not. And it doesn't matter how much treasure we find – so long as we find more than he has to spare. That Edgar Batanero guy just incurred a massive debt to those mercenaries, and by the time we leave, he won't be able to pay it. And who knows? Maybe he'll have some cool stuff!"

I bobbed my head side to side, "Well, okay. Fair enough. So, are you thinking that it will just be the two of us, or did you have a plan for Lilith and Haunt to get in there unseen?"

She seemed to hesitate for the first time since she'd been brought back from the spirit realm, "Well… You know, maybe we should take a break first. I could use something to eat. Maybe some tea. It'll give everyone inside more time to fall asleep, too."

Lilith grinned at her, "Don't tell me you've not gotten that far into your plans yet?"

Sibylla put her nose in the air as she walked further back into our cover, "I have plans. I just want to decide which one to use."

I shook my head, following her, "I think you should just pick the one that you think is going to work the best and have the best outcome."

She stopped and spun to look at me, "Do you mean it?" She hummed for a moment, and then a concerningly mischievous look took over her features and she continued in a mysterious, foreboding tone, "I could do that. But the best outcome for who? You? Me? Lilith? Maybe they're all the same… Maybe they're not."

I raised an eyebrow, "That's not ominous at all… I'm not so sure it's possible for there to be an outcome better for just one of us. I mean, I think you'll end up with the most loot, but I don't mind that one bit, and I doubt Lilith would either."

She nodded and sat down, with a small kettle hanging from a tripod over a little firepit in front of her. I was a little distracted by how it suspiciously looked a lot like a smaller version of her cauldron but I was distracted when she quickly began to stock the pit with already burning, precut wood she was pulling from thin air. "I don't know. Amélie is the oracle, not me. But I think it could matter."

I blinked at her, "Are you okay, Sibylla?"

She giggled, "Yeah, sorry. Hey, Do you like tarot?"

"What? Uh, well, I guess?"

She reached over, pulling the somehow already hot kettle off the flames and humming thoughtfully as she poured us each a cup of tea. She shot me a subtle, hinting look, "Maybe I should do a reading for Lilith?"

I almost scrunched my face up in confusion but resisted and nodded. "Sure. It might be, uh, interesting for her?"

"What is Tarot?" Lilith asked, immediately holding up a warning finger to Sibylla and giving me a stern look. I knew right away she wanted me to explain it so Sibylla wouldn't hide any meanings or secrets from her. Apparently, she'd caught on to everything right away.

"Sibylla probably knows better than me, but I guess I can try to explain. It is like fortune telling using special cards. It's a thing from our previous lives. There are some people who took it very seriously, but to almost everyone else it was just something for entertainment. It's pretty harmless and can be a fun way to pass the time." I gave a small shrug, unsure what else to say.

"Please, Lilith?" Sibylla asked with a hint of sincerity.

She looked between us, "Fine. So long as this isn't going to turn into another prank."

Sibylla sat on the ground and rolled out a mat in front of her before placing a deck of cards on it. "No. I just want to get to know you better. You're very important to Evelyn and Amélie. I want us to be closer, too." A candle appeared on either side of the mat, and Sibylla lit them with a touch. Then, she motioned for Lilith to sit across from her. "Are you ready?"

Lilith reluctantly sat, "Alright. How does this work?"

Sibylla smiled and picked up her cards, beginning to gently shuffle them, explaining in a calm voice lightly laced with excitement, "Tarot is... well, it's not really a game or even just a tool. It's a way to tap into the unseen threads that weave through our lives. Think of it as a mirror—one that doesn't just show your reflection, but the reflection of your thoughts, your emotions, and even the choices ahead of you."

Lilith looked amused, "And you're going to get that from a few playing cards?"

Sibyl grinned, "Oh, no. That isn't what these are at all. This deck is made up of seventy-eight cards, each with its own unique meaning. Some, like The Moon or The Sun, are part of the Major Arcana—these represent the big, powerful forces in life, like destiny, transformation, or hidden truths. Then there are the Minor Arcana—these are the everyday details, the small but important steps along your journey."

"I thought this was just something for fun?" Lilith asked, looking a little more concerned with her ready agreement.

Sibylla just gave a light laugh, "No, not exactly. Like I said, its not a game, but it can be fun. Ok, I'll explain better. We don't have to do a reading if you don't want to. So, when I shuffle the cards, I'm not just mixing paper and ink. I'm letting the energy of the moment flow into the deck. The cards that show up aren't random. They're guided by the forces around us, maybe even by your own spirit or subconscious. It's a way of revealing what's already there, just hidden beneath the surface." She paused, and I could tell she was watching Lilith's reaction and trying to gauge her interest.

Lilith just seemed a little amused, "And you just said it was Amélie that was the oracle. This sounds a lot like you're about to tell my future."

Sibylla snorted, "Tarot isn't about predicting the future like a book already written. It's about possibilities and guidance – showing you the paths that might lie ahead, the challenges you might face, and how you can find your way through them. Each card has layers of meaning depending on what it shows, where it's placed in the spread, and how it relates to the other cards around it. Like a puzzle or a story, the cards come together to tell a tale. Sometimes that story gives clarity, and sometimes it just gives you more questions." She looked Lilith in the eyes, and seeing more amusement than reluctance, she continued with a wry smile, "So, how about it?"

Lilith shrugged, "Okay. Sure. I am curious, what made you think of this?"

Sibylla looked at me and motioned to one side of her mat, "Why don't you join us?" As I moved to sit, she looked at Lilith consideringly, "Well, I don't know. I think it'll help me plan things out. You know, getting to know you a little better and finding the right way to make my plans work. At the end of the day, I just want to make sure we all go home happy."

I looked at her curiously, but she gave me a subtle gesture to be quiet, which Lilith didn't miss – again. "Is this some kind of test?"

Sibyl nodded and, after a few seconds, asked, "What do you want for the future, Lilith?"

Lilith straightened a little, "What do you mean?"

Sibylla shrugged, "I mean, what do you want for the future? Are you going to stay with Evelyn forever? Do you want to adventure with us for a while and then retire, get married, have a mess of kids, and live happily ever after? Are you hoping to go out in a blaze of glory? What is it that you really want?"

Lilith looked at her seriously for the first time, "I didn't expect such a sincere question from you. Well, I guess you should know. I do not intend to leave Evelyn's side as long as I am able. I expect I will die eventually, but it's not something I am hoping for. And if we manage to save the world, there will still be a lot of work to do. I have Derik, but we've never talked much about marriage. Adventurers tend not to live long enough for it – and now that I've taken up a greater calling, I doubt I'd have the time. I'm okay with that. I've always wanted to make a difference in the world, and I'm glad that I have this opportunity."

Sibylla gave a sad smile, "Evelyn is very lucky to have found such a caring friend and companion. Did you know one of her greatest fears is losing you?"

"Sibyl!" I sputtered out, feeling weirdly embarrassed, but she returned my gaze momentarily before shaking her head.

"Sorry. Of course, she knows. Alright, Lilith, let's begin." Lilith sat for a moment, sipping on her tea and thinking about our exchange, before she nodded and Sibylla continued, "Now, just relax. Take a deep breath and think about the questions you've had on your mind. Not just those that I've asked you, but the ones you're asking yourself. Hold on to what those questions make you feel and the future that you're hoping for. This works best when your energy flows into the cards."

Sibylla began to shuffle her deck with grace and intent, every motion seeming deliberate and practiced. When she finished, she held the deck out to Lilith and said, "Shuffle this as long as you feel you need to. Stay focused on your questions and thoughts. When you are ready, give them back to me."

Lilith looked to me before she took them, "Okay. I'll give it a shot." Her movements were not as well practiced, but after a few seconds, she found her rhythm and closed her eyes to focus and play along. She carefully shuffled the cards for nearly a minute before she suddenly stopped. With a deep breath, she opened her eyes and offered the cards back to Sibylla. "I'm done."

Sibylla took the cards back with a look of solemnity that sent a shiver down my spine. She closed her eyes, and it felt like she was weighing the moment. Then, she began drawing the cards. She placed the first card down at the bottom center of the mat before tilting it slightly for Lilith to see its intricately painted visage. "The Moon. This represents where you are now. It's a card of mystery and intuition but also uncertainty. You might feel like you're walking in shadows, unsure of what's ahead or even of what's real. But the moonlight also guides us. It helps us see things differently. Do you feel like you're in a place of uncertainty right now, maybe searching for clarity?"

Curiosity sparked in Lilith's eyes, and taking things seriously, she considered the question. "Things have changed a lot in the past few months. I suppose I could say that I am searching for clarity. It's not just for me, though, but for all of us. To me, well, I suppose I am trying to find the best way to help with everything. For Evelyn, you, and Amélie, I am trying to show you everything you need to know to survive here."

Sibylla gave a gentle smile, "Well, maybe we'll find some answers." Then, with slow, deliberate motion, she placed the next card just above and to the left of The Moon, once again angling it for Lilith to see. "The Star. This is your hidden opportunity – something waiting for you to discover. It's a card of hope, renewal, and destiny. There's a chance for you to embrace something beautiful, something transformative. But it's subtle, like a star in the distance. You have to choose to follow its light." Sibylla looked up at Lilith curiously, her voice softening, "If you could reach for something that could change your life, what would it be? What would give you hope right now?"

A small, uncharacteristic laugh escaped Lilith, "That's the question, isn't it?" She leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees with relaxed, glazed eyes sparkling in the firelight and considered, "Hope? Before all of this started, that used to be in such short supply. Still, I found my hope in the little things. A warm fire after a long day. A village free from danger because we cleared out a band of goblins or purged the undead. Did Evelyn ever tell you about how I taught her to shoot her first bow after I'd taken her as my apprentice? Seeing her first shot hit its target dead on." She shook her head with a faint smile, "I never dreamed about making big, sweeping changes. I just wanted to make a difference. My life has already changed so much. Now, I look at you, Evelyn, and Amélie, and I know we all have hope. I'm not sure what change there is left to reach for." Lilith shook her head as if trying to refocus, and her eyes cleared ever so slightly. Then she grinned, "Maybe if I could find something to help keep you all safe with all the mischief you're always getting into, it would be that, though I'd be afraid of the price of such a miracle."

Sibylla nodded, "The cost isn't always what we think. Sometimes it isn't something to be paid, but a challenge to overcome. That is what the next card will represent." She drew the card, placing it above and to the right of the moon, forming a triangle. "Ah, Death. Uh, Before you panic, this doesn't mean actual death. It means transformation, change, and rebirth. It's about letting go of the old to embrace the new. But change isn't easy. There's always something we have to leave behind, even if it hurts." She met Lilith's gaze, taking a serious tone, "If you had to let go of something to grow stronger, to become more, what would it be? Would you be willing to face that challenge?"

Lilith returned her gaze for several long seconds, "Letting go? That is a tricky question. I guess it depends on what's at stake. If I needed to let go of old habits, my fears, maybe the things that make my life comfortable? Those are easy. But if it's something deeper, I don't know. Like the people I care about or the things that make me who I am? That's not as easy to answer. I've spent my life fighting to protect the things I care about. If I had to give them up to grow stronger, what's the point of that strength?" She shook her head, looking to me for a moment, and then back to Sibylla, "So, it depends on what's at stake. If it's for something bigger than me, something that could save the people I love, I'd do it. Even if it meant giving up a part of myself."

For some reason, her answer made Sibylla relax ever so slightly. She placed her hand back on her deck. "The outcome of acceptance." She drew the card, placing it face up directly above The Star and Death, "The Lovers. This isn't just about love. It's about choices, connections, and the bonds we form. If you accept the opportunity and face the challenge, you could deepen the ties that matter most to you. But it's also a reminder that your choices affect those around you." Sibyl tilted her head a little to the side and asked in a reflective tone, "If you could stay close to the ones you care about, even if it meant changing who you are, would you do it? How much would you give to keep those bonds alive?"

Lilith once again looked between us, waiting for more with a few dazed, lazy blinks, but when Sibyl didn't say anything else, she replied, "That is a much easier question than the others." She looked like she was about to answer but then stopped with a sudden confused scrunch to her face and sighed. "Or perhaps not. I would do anything to stay close to those I care about. I am Evelyn's companion and her friend. Perhaps more. Evelyn, Amélie," she stopped and gave a dreamy, amused grin, "and I guess by extension, you, have become my family. And family is worth fighting for, worth sacrificing for. If changing who I am is the cost, then so be it." She sighed and shook her head, "Only that isn't without consequences. Any time we change, the people around us will see us differently, and we risk losing ourselves in the process..." Lilith softly exhaled while she gathered her thoughts and brushed a hand through her hair, "I guess the real question is whether the change would help me be someone who could protect you all better, not just... be there. If it makes me stronger, someone you can rely on, then yeah, I'd take that step."

The corners of Sibylla's lips twitched up ever so slightly, but she maintained an appropriate tone for the situation, "Then, let's look at the long-term consequences." She carefully drew the last card, placing it at the top of the others like a pyramid. "Judgment. The card of awakening and rebirth. This is about stepping into a new version of yourself and fully embracing your purpose. But it's also a card of reckoning." Sibylla leaned forward slightly, her voice both reverent and somber, "It's not just about what you gain. It's also about the weight you carry afterward. If you had the chance to become something more, something greater, even if it meant living with that burden forever, could you take that step?"

Lilith blinked at her, looking suspiciously at her tea cup before taking another sip. "Forever. It's a long time, isn't it? You know, that's not a concept I thought about much before meeting you all. My life was the next monster to hunt or village to protect. But this, everything we're doing? This is bigger than that." She searched Sibyl's face, trying to find the meaning in her questions. "I've spent my life making choices I could live with and trying to make sure I could look at my reflection the next day without regret. If this kind of change means I can keep doing good, keep protecting the people I care about, then yeah, I think I could take that step." She paused for a moment but, with a small nod and more resolve, continued, "But if it's something that makes me lose sight of who I am or why I fight, then no. Forever is a long time to regret doing things for the wrong reasons."

Sibylla slowly began to smile, "This spread tells a story. A journey. Right now, you're standing in the moonlight, uncertain of what's ahead. But there's a star in the distance, a chance to change everything. It won't be easy. Death reminds us that growth means sacrifice. But if you're brave enough to choose, the bonds you hold dear could grow even stronger. And in the end, Judgment shows you'll emerge as something entirely new."

Lilith shook her head, "Is that it? We're done?" She somehow managed to relax a little more, "I think I get it. That was a little fun." She looked at her now empty cup. "Hey, Sibylla… Did you put something in my tea?"

She sat back, watching Lilith's face carefully. "Don't worry. It's just chamomile, peppermint, mellow root, blue lotus, and honey mixed in moonwater. It's meant to help us relax and be more open spiritually. Would you really want to stay by our side, even if it meant giving up parts of who you are?" As she spoke, she began making her little campsite disappear piece by piece.

With one last look at her teacup before it vanished, Lilith said, "I meant what I said. I must admit it was a little out of character to say so much. Are you sure this wasn't a magical ritual?"

Sibylla only smiled and gave a small shrug, then changed the subject, "I think I've decided how we're going to break into the keep. Haunt will need to stay here as our lookout. He can alert us if any large groups approach the keep by howling. I will give you an elixir that will allow you to hide in the shadows as Evelyn and I do, and we can approach the keep on the right side, where there is a slight incline near the wall. It will be easier to climb up. From there, we can follow the battlements to the main keep and sneak inside."

Lilith gave Sibylla a suspicious look, "What else will this elixir do? Is it going to have side effects like the last one?"

Sibylla blinked, "You don't trust me?" After we both gave her a flat stare, she sighed and continued with a bit of snark, "Oh, sure. It'll have side effects. You won't just be a little sneaky. You'll be able to completely disappear into the shadows. Also, it'll probably make it so people will think you're as young and pretty as me. Probably permanently. How do you feel about fox ears? I bet you'd look great with fox ears."

Lilith sighed exasperatedly, "Can you be serious?"

Sibylla shrugged, "Fine. You don't have to take my elixir. Evelyn and I can do this alone. You really don't like fox ears?"

Lilith just glared for a moment. "This better not be another prank."

"It's not! I'm completely serious. It isn't a prank – it's a gift. I'll have you know this was a super difficult elixir to make! Even just gathering the materials! But I made it specifically for you after everything Evelyn told me about your adventures and how close the two of you were. I've really been looking forward to when we could all do stuff like this together. I was kind of hoping you'd like it."

I was a little confused at her sudden change of tone after how serious she'd been while doing her tarot reading, but Lilith rolled her eyes and held out her hand. "Alright, Sibylla. Let's get it over with. If this is another trick, I'm going to really start to worry that you don't like me."

A flask as black as night appeared in Sibylla's hand, radiating shadow and.. something familiar. "Here."

Lilith took it, and her careful stare told us both she'd used Insight, "Essence of the Shadow Fox? That's a new one. I'm not going to choke on this one, am I?" she asked as she uncorked it.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Sibylla shook her head, "Not if you're careful. Just relax when you touch it to your lips. All my potions are like that."

Lilith looked at it for just another second as I played Sibylla's words through my head. And I realized something very important. Sibylla's tone might have been light and playful when she talked about side effects, but Kitsune never lied to a friend. Ever.

"Lily.." I started, but she was already putting it to her lips. Just like before, the potion flowed into her mouth of its own accord, and her eyes met mine with something like determination. She knew Sibylla was up to something, but she was humoring her anyway.

When nothing happened for a few seconds, Lilith asked, "Is it working?"

Sibylla nodded, "Sure. It's the tea. It makes it take longer for a spiritual elixir to take effect, so, you know, you can throw it up if you want to. Otherwise, it also makes it stronger and more likely to work. Last chance."

Lilith gave her a lazy look, "Are you testing my trust in you?"

She shook her head, "No. I told you what it'll do. I'm telling you that you have a chance to change your mind."

Lilith looked confused for a moment and then a little indecisive. "Stealth and shadows.. blending…" Then her eyes widened. "Young as you? What did you do? Fox ears?!"

Sibyl nodded, "Five."

Lilith blinked at her, "Five what?"

"Four."

Lilith looked around, focusing on me. I could only gape. If Sibyl wasn't teasing her…

"Three."

"Sibyl, did you just do something awful to me?" She asked in a near panic.

"Nope. Two."

"Tell me!" Lilith demanded, but I could see from the widening of her eyes she was getting the idea.

"I did. One!"

And in that final moment of indecision, Lilith looked at me with eyes full of confusion and fear. But then, her entire body turned into pure darkness, and she disappeared into a cloud of shadows and smoke. It swirled like a vortex, condensing down into a dark orb the size of a soccer ball that kept spinning faster and faster, even drawing in and condensing the shadows around us. I watched it with apprehension for several seconds before everything froze into an orb of perfect darkness. I stared at it, entirely unsure what to do or say. Sibylla stared at the ball, too, with a look of elation and pride. Then, in a silent explosion, it shattered, evaporating back into the night and leaving a small fox lying on the ground. She was made of pure shadow and, after a moment, slowly began moving her paws in complete disorientation. I knelt down next to her, helping her get her paws under her when she chirped, "What happened?"

Her chirps were like a shot of adrenaline, and she sprang to all fours, spinning around and then looking over herself, "Sibylla! What did you do?! Why am I a fox?!"

Sibylla smiled at her, shifting into a fox herself and chirping back, "You're not just any fox. You're a shadow spirit fox! Now we can totally sneak anywhere together! Isn't this great?"

"Great?! Sibylla! I'm… I'm.." she was starting to shiver with panic.

I shifted and stepped up beside her, leaning in and rubbing my face against hers. She froze as our essence mixed for that brief instance, "It's okay, Lily. I'm sure it's just temporary. Everything's fine. I guess now you understand a little more what we felt when we first came here. Don't worry. Being a fox isn't a bad thing. Just take a deep breath."

"… Did you know?" She asked after a moment.

I turned a weak glare on Sibylla, "No, not until it was too late... and Sibylla really could have done a better job preparing you for this. Are you okay?"

Lilith looked around and took a step back, lifting her paws and testing out her new body. She chirped, "Everything looks different. I think I see the auras you are always talking about, but they're so faint. I thought moving around would be harder… but this isn't bad. How do I change back?"

Sibylla sat and tilted her head, "I can't make the elixir again. If you change back now, that's it. You'll just be who you were."

"And.. if I don't?"

"Then, you won't. You willingly took in the essence of a kitsune elder. It was a historical treasure of our clan, created by an elder hundreds of thousands of years ago. He broke away part of his being after falling in love with an elven woman. They were to be wed, and it was to be used for an elixir to bring her into the clan and let her stay by his side for all time. I just picked up where he left off. I mean, well, I'm no master alchemist. I'm very good, but compared to someone like him, I'm a novice. Still, I made all the preparations for it to work – even if I needed the tea to help boost the elixir. It just might take a few days for the essence to properly integrate into your soul." When Lilith nearly reared back at the last words, she quickly amended, "Don't worry! You'll still be you! You'll be mostly human. I think, anyway, I couldn't read all of his notes. But you'll just also be a little bit kitsune, and you'll be linked to us and our clan."

Lilith just stared at her for several seconds. "Is that even possible? And.. what happened to this elder and his wife? They aren't going to be angry at me for stealing this clan treasure he created?"

Sibylla shook her head fervently, "Oh, no, no, no. Don't worry. They're both super dead! They came to a horrible end just before their wedding. The treasure is really meant as a lesson to help deter the young of the clan from getting too close with outsiders. You know, like us! Anyway, it doesn't work for that, obviously, so I'm sure no one will mind that I found a better use."

I could feel Lilith's annoyance, "So, let me get this straight. You gave me a family heirloom treasure without warning me, and it's going to make me part Kitsune if I don't spit it out, but if I do, it's going to be destroyed forever. And to make things even more complicated, you didn't bother to tell anyone that you took it, and … let me guess, they're going to know the moment they see me that I have it?"

Sibylla excitedly nodded, "Yeah! Well, mostly. It's not that you have it. It's gone. But certainly, everyone will know that the essence is part of you now. Lilith, it is just like I told you. This is an opportunity, but it's not just about what you gain. There is a cost. You will gain from this, but you will also face the same challenges and burdens we do…. One of those challenges just also happens to be Elder Haruka."

I watched their conversation with mixed emotions. Lilith was obviously a little overwhelmed at first, but now that she was calming down, I was stuck in my own quagmire. If this worked, if it meant what I thought it did, it was like Sibylla had not only handed her a chance at a much longer life, but she'd basically adopted her into our clan as some level of distant cousin. Of course, she didn't warn her at all, and even as my heart pounded with excitement and relief at the situation, it was obviously a very unfair and somewhat cruel way to introduce her to the idea. More, I knew I was only beginning to understand the burdens Sibylla was talking about. Eventually, we would really be watching as time wore away at everyone and everything we knew while it stood still for us, and that was only part of the story. We were children now, as far as the clan was concerned, but as we grew older, we'd be more, and we'd have responsibilities that I didn't even understand yet. Still. I tried to keep a neutral face while I watched their conversation and, afterward, Lilith's internal contemplation. At least until she looked to me.

"Evelyn. This, gods, it is a lot to consider. What do you think?"

"I think that.. if I tell you what I think, it will skew your opinion, and this is an important decision about your future. That would be unfair."

Lilith shook her head. "No, you would be giving me the input of a valued friend and of someone I've sworn to follow. What you think matters to me."

I looked to Sibylla, who looked an odd mixture of nervous and pleased with herself. I knew she did this with good intent, even if something about how her mind worked turned it into a game. And that was enough for me to just be honest. "She was right. I don't want to lose you. I think you understand that accepting this means you'll be feeling the same way about your other friends. It will change who you are forever. And I'd be lying if I said anything other than I hope you accept."

Lilith slowly nodded a few times, thinking it over. "How long do I have to decide?"

Sibylla looked her over carefully, inspecting her aura, and I suspected using a skill, and said, "Five – maybe six days. The longer you wait, the more it will change you, but after that, you'll be beyond the point of no return."

"Wait, change me?"

Sibylla nodded, "I warned you before that it was your last chance to spit it out. By now, you've probably grown a little more youthful. Your hair might be a little darker. Things like that. You have time."

"And if I wait until the fifth day?" Lilith asked with trepidation.

Sibylla looked on top of her head, "Your fox ears are very cute, as predicted. I wouldn't worry." When Lilith gave her an annoyed stare, she said, "Why don't we go finish our mission? Give yourself a chance to feel a little bit of what it's really like to be a kitsune. It will help you make an informed decision."

Instead of answering, Lilith prodded, "Sibylla, I know you're playing it off like this is no big deal, but what you did is going to likely get you in a lot of trouble. This isn't something you should give someone lightly. Why did you do it?"

Sibylla sat up straight, locking eyes with Lilith, "Because you earned it. Without you, I wouldn't have sisters. If you'd have turned Evelyn away or even made any decision other than to keep her under your wing after you figured out who she was, she would have been captured within days. If you hadn't agreed to help Amélie, she would have been captured even faster. They'd both be long dead with devils in their place. You talk about wanting to make a difference. Well, you did. You probably saved this world. But more importantly, you saved my sisters, and no one, not even our elders, will say you don't deserve this opportunity. We want you to be part of our family, and once they understand, they will agree."

"I see. Alright. I will give it a shot. It sounds like a few hours to think won't make things any worse. Sibylla, I'm glad you put more thought into this than, well, what I assumed. I'm sorry for thinking less of you."

Sibylla nodded magnanimously, "You are forgiven. One day, you will realize I'm the brilliant one of the bunch. Besides, I'm saving the thoughtless pranks for after we're done robbing this stupid jerk."

Soon after, the three of us were moving swiftly across the open field before the fortress. Sibylla led the way, followed by Lilith and with me bringing up the rear. At first, Lilith moved cautiously, unsure of what to expect, but as she got accustomed to her new form, she actually began to play a bit, sprinting in bursts and even jumping from one shadow to another as if she'd suddenly learned a new skill. It was incredibly fun to watch, and I knew the moment she realized she was acting like a playful fox kit, she was going to collapse in embarrassment. It was nice to know that wasn't an experience unique to me.

At first, Sibylla was leading us along natural depressions in the landscape or trying to keep large rocks between us and the wall, but as we closed, she took on a much more direct course for our target. I only had to look up for a moment to see why. As large as the wall was, it was very sparsely guarded. From what I could make out, there had to be less than ten people across the entire thing. I wasn't sure if they just felt invincible or if something else was going on. When we reached the base of the cliff, Sibylla stopped and waited for us to group up. As we closed in, Lilith hopped into the shadow of one rock and then out from behind another, landing on a squawking Sibylla.

"So far, this isn't all bad," she chirped with some mirth as Sibylla shook her fur out and tried to pretend she wasn't ruffled.

"I'm glad you're having fun. Okay, the closest guard is nearly fifty feet away from where the wall here meets the cliffside. I think it will be very easy to get over the battlements and into the shadows up there. Then, we will make a steady push for the keep. Just remember, if anyone spots you, well, you're a fox. Just keep running like you were already doing. They'll probably lose sight of you, but they're probably not going to chase a random lost wild animal away from their post."

"Wait." I chirped, summoning up the runes for a spell. "I'll give us a Charm of Unnoticeability. Just in case."

As I was focused on that, Lilith asked, "How do I climb? Just.. well, I guess I can see where I'll fit." She started positioning herself in a low stance, almost kneading the ground before she froze. "Is it normal to just suddenly want to hop up places?"

Sibylla gave a foxy grin, "Oh yeah, totally. And it's exactly as fun as you think it'll be. Just don't get yourself in trouble doing that stuff at the wrong time. That's, like, half my life."

"No wonder you three are always such a menace.." she chirped back, forcibly steadying herself.

My spell settled over the three of us, and now free to talk, I shot her a look, "You think I'm a menace? I try really hard to stay out of trouble! It just sort of finds me anyway. You can't hold that against me!"

Lilith just sighed, "Are we ready to go?"

I huffed and started making my way up the cliff, the two of them following right behind me. Lilith was cheating and ducking into one shadow and out of another from time to time, but her claws seemed weaker than ours, so I couldn't really hold that against her. When we reached the top of the wall, it was just as vacant as advertised, so we went right over the side. With the moon behind the fortifications, we had plenty of shadows to work with, and Sibylla led us at a nice trot toward the keep. In theory, the guards should have all been facing away from us to watch for anything approaching the wall, but in reality, they were only occasionally looking over the open expanse and often chatting with each other, dozing off, or, in one case, reading a book. When we reached the entrance to the keep itself, we finally ran into a small problem. The door was closed. It wasn't locked or anything, we were just very small foxes. But Lilith didn't stop. Instead, she just bounced up onto the crenulations of the battlements and then leapt right through a murder hole. I nearly squeaked before rushing to follow her. It was a space barely big enough for us to fit, obviously just a circular hole for firing a bow down at someone attacking the wall, but as soon as I landed, Sibyl was coming through as well. I froze, taking in our surroundings, but no one seemed to be sounding an alarm. I gave it a few seconds before letting out the breath I'd been holding the entire time.

"I guess that works.. maybe a little warning next time?" I whisper-chirped to Lilith, who immediately began to look a little sheepish.

"Yeah, of course. Sorry about that. It just seemed like a very good idea at the time."

Sibylla just walked over and touched her face to Lilith's, "It was a great idea! Now, let's find the good stuff!"

Before she'd finished speaking, she was already leading the way down the hall and taking the first staircase she found leading up. I blinked, but followed. It was a good choice. The stairs took us up two stories, and as soon as we stepped out of the stairwell, it was on to plush carpet – which vanished out from under my paws almost as soon as I saw it. The walls were lined with display cases, armor on stands, both functional and cosmetic, and dozens of paintings and tapestries. They all vanished as quickly as Sibylla could walk past them. She turned to the first door she saw, and I followed her to find it was a dining room. She moved around, storing everything she could find in wherever it was that she put things, before zooming past me on her way back out and to the next room. She came to a sudden halt at the door and sniffed around it. It was closed, but even I could see the humming magic ward. Curious, I joined her and noticed right away that it was an alarm, but oddly set to alert for anyone going in or out. I extended my claws and cut right through the lines. The magic vanished under my trait, and Lilith leapt up to the latch, digging her claws into the wooden door as she kicked it down with her rear legs and rode the door as it swung into the room. It was dark, but we could see well enough. The room had a large frilly bed in its center where a teen girl slept and was far too well appointed to belong to anyone other than the lord's daughter. Everything in the room was similarly appointed, creating the ambiance of a dollhouse. I almost wanted to laugh at the over-the-top little girl styling I never thought I'd see outside a bad movie. Without needing to say anything, we all agreed not to rob the poor girl and turned to leave. But then I saw something odd. Her ankle was in a silk cuff hanging off the side of the bed where a silvery line led to the frame. When I didn't follow, the others turned back.

Very quietly, I chirped, "Is she locked to her bed?"

Lilith took a closer look and cursed under her breath, "I guess they are Drolian, after all. It's a custom. Her bride price has been paid, and it's customary to lock her in her room to prevent her from running off and being spoiled before she can be retrieved."

The girl shifted at the soft chirps and looked around, seeing the open door, "Is someone there?"

Too quiet for a human to hear, I chirped to the others, "Go loot more, I'll catch right up."

I got a flat look from them both, but I motioned for them to get going, and reluctantly, they went. Carefully, I wove an illusion to catch sound trying to escape the room and moved to the far side of the bed before shifting.

"Aren't you a little young to be sold off?"

She rolled over, wide-eyed, but covered her mouth instead of screaming. That was nice, at least. She took me in before calmly asking, "Are you the priestess coming to rescue me? You're early. Did something happen?"

"Oh? No. I'm Lady Evelyn. I'm here robbing Lord Edgar blind for sending people to murder my citizens."

Her face fell, and she pulled her pillow to her chest, "You're not going to murder me, are you?"

"What? No way! Why would I do that? Don't be silly. I just wanted to make sure you didn't need help or something. I felt bad seeing you locked to a bed."

She looked down to her ankle and back, "Then.. could you kidnap me for ransom? The temple of Ilarus will pay. I sent them a letter for help, but they aren't going to get here until very close to when I'm supposed to be wed. With how things are going back east, I might even be shipped off very soon."

"What's going on in the east? How far east?"

She shook her head, "Someone is going to come check the door's alarm spell soon. Drolia is east, and two of their neighbors are posturing for war. The roads won't be open. I don't know much. Please take me away from here. I'll show you where Father keeps his vault. He's not home right now. We can go directly into his chambers."

I shrugged, reached over, and let my claws slide through the silk binding on her ankle. I felt several spells die as it separated, and it made me wonder what was so dangerous about this girl that she needed so many precautions. "Okay. But just so we're clear, I don't do kidnappings, only rescues. Now we're co-conspirators."

"I … well, I can live with that. Let me get dressed."

The girl lit a lamp and I could finally make out who I was talking to. Technically, I could see in the dark, but it was an odd black and white, and she'd been hiding in a lot of frilly pillows and blankets. Now standing, she was taller than me by a few inches, with long chestnut hair and a tan complexion. I thought she couldn't have been more than fourteen or fifteen with her quiet tone and all the room's frilly adornments and bedding, but as she moved around with the surety of a young woman, finding her boots and getting changed into a split riding skirt and blouse, I could see she was likely seventeen or eighteen. She grabbed a pack from under her bed that she looked to have stored for this exact scenario and came back to my side before stopping with the look of confidence fading from her face.

"Are you a beastkin?"

"Nope! Let's go find that treasure and escape! I know I already said as much, but I'm Evelyn." I held out a hand for her to shake, and she slowly took it.

"It is nice to meet you, Evelyn. I'm Sarah. We need to hurry. My door was trapped with a spell."

I gestured for her to go ahead, "Don't worry. I broke it. Lead the way!"

She looked at the doorframe, seeing the fine lines and destroyed runes, but only shook her head. She carefully leaned out, looking up the hall before spinning around, "What happened to the hallway?!"

I joined her, looking at the bare stone walls and floor, "Nothing? It looks fine."

"It's completely empty!"

"Ohh! Yeah, my sister is having more fun with this than she really has any right to."

She looked out to the hallway again, "I have no idea what to say to that. Let's move quickly."

I nodded and followed as she walked at a brisk pace, following a path of desolation. Every room was completely empty until we reached a sizable library. She stopped and stared inside for a moment.

"She only took half of the library?"

I pointed to a corner where books were rapidly disappearing before the shelf followed suit, "She's still working on it. Don't worry."

"She's a mage?!"

I nodded, "Something like that."

She didn't ask anything else, just turned and continued moving, now on a soft carpet that silenced our steps. The hall turned and led us to a large, closed door. She pressed a stone in the wall, causing the door to click and drift open an inch, and then she led the way inside. She turned directly toward a side room, opened a closet, and pushing the clothing aside, pressed at two separate spots on the wall again before it clicked open, leading to a narrow hidden hall. She stepped inside, and I followed suit. We made it several steps before the hidden door snapped shut behind us, but she just kept going until we turned a corner and came to one last door.

She stared at it for a few seconds before turning to me, "Can you break this magic seal?"

I nodded, "No problem. Are you sure you're okay with this? You're not upset we're robbing the place?"

"I don't care what you do if you get me out of here."

I punched my claws through the seal on the door, causing magic to fizzle across the entire thing. As I pulled my claws out, the door swung open just a little, and she stared at me in confusion. I just reached over and opened the door with a shrug. But my nonchalance disappeared when I saw what was inside. This was the jackpot. The room had several small chests, a literal stack of gold bars, two sets of armor I knew at once were enchanted, several swords and a lance, and plenty of books I knew had to be ledgers. But the real prize was a pair of spell tomes. I wasted no time in taking off my pack and stuffing everything inside. Sarah watched for a moment before shrugging and beginning to help. It only took us about two minutes to empty the entire vault.

When we finished, I turned to lead us back the way we came, but stopped. "Sarah, why are you helping? You could have just followed me out. I wouldn't have left you behind if you wanted to leave. If I were going to do that, I'd not have bothered to wake you up."

She stared at me for a few seconds, but when I didn't budge, she sighed. "Because I hate him. Not only is he forcing me to go to another country where he can make me marry someone for his personal gain, two years ago when my mother tried to stop him from doing the same thing to my older sister, he threw her from the wall. He said she jumped, but I saw them arguing. My sister followed her two days later. I was hoping he'd die in this pointless war, but that would just leave me at the mercy of my elder brother. This is much better. Now, maybe he dies, maybe he doesn't, but he and my brother will both be ruined."

Her words broke my heart, and I turned around and hugged her. She just stood there and took it, but that was okay. "I'm sorry you had to live through that, Sarah. It's over now."

She shook her head, "It'll be over when I find a place I can hide from them. Now, I've held up my end of the bargain. Please get me out of here."

I smiled, "I keep my promises. Don't worry." I led the way back up the narrow hallway, "So, where are your dad and brother now?"

"Father is meeting up with his army to march on, well, you, I guess. My brother was sent to destroy whatever force assaulted Darkwater Downs. I expect he's already attacking whoever is garrisoned in the town. He took almost three hundred of father's mercenary cavalry to deal with it quickly. I hope whoever you had garrisoning the place is prepared or can at least run very fast."

I sighed, "Well, at least you don't like your brother very much. Why did your father start this war? For real? I was only in those towns trying to figure out why he thought I attacked them, but it's obvious what happened at both."

She only hesitated a moment before saying, "Supposedly, you stole Siren's Reach from an acquaintance of his. Someone important in Drolia, my father's homeland. He asked my father to reclaim it for him and even offered to marry his troublesome daughter in addition to the payment he sent. There's even a bonus if he captures you alive."

"Uh, his friend wouldn't happen to be some foppish creep with a very stupid mustache named Count Alexandros Oriol Vega, would he?" When I saw the recognition on her face, I was immediately annoyed. "I didn't steal Siren's Reach from him! He wanted to duel me over an insult, which he deserved, by the way, and we wagered that if I won, I'd get Siren's Reach. So, those people all died because that jerk was a sore loser?" I reached out and opened the secret passage to an empty closet and stepped out.

Sarah followed me, "That isn't how he tells the story, but I guess so."

I sighed and stepped into the empty bedroom just as Sibylla and Lilith came running in and then froze, looking at us. "Who's the hottie? I thought Amélie was joking about your harem." Sibylla chirped with obvious mirth.

"Shush you. She's coming with us. She's Lord Edgar daughter. Her name is Sarah."

Sarah looked between me and the foxes on the ground, "Are you talking to those foxes? How did they get in here?"

Sibylla flashed back to her normal self, "Magic! Nice to meet you. I'm Sibylla. Anyway, I heard Haunt and went to check – there are about twenty or thirty soldiers riding toward the gate. They're in really bad shape, but everyone is going to know something is up very soon."

Sarah looked between us, "My brother is back so soon?"

I shrugged, "Not if he is one of those leads-from-the-front sort of people. Darkwater Downs is full of monsters. If he charged in there looking for glory, he's very likely dead."

Her face fell for a second as she warred with complex emotions, but she shook it off, "There are a few options for an escape. We'll have to get to the ground level, though."

I shook my head, "No need for any of that. Sibylla, do you have any more of those potions you made for Lilith and Haunt?"

She beamed, "I sure do." She handed a vial to Sarah, "Here, it'll make it easier to escape."

Sarah, bless her heart, didn't even ask. She just touched it to her lips and then sputtered as the liquid shot down her throat. "What was that?!"

Sibylla patted her on the back, "Sorry, forgot to warn you. The vials are enchanted for quick use in combat. Just close your eyes for a minute, and the disorientation will pass."

"That's really mean." Lilith chirped at us, but I could tell she was watching with amusement in her eyes, too.

A moment later, a not-quite three-foot-tall Sarah looked up at me in terror. "What is this.. what happened?"

I giggled. Okay, that was funny. "Don't worry. It wears off after a bit. It just makes you very small and lightweight. Here, I'll carry you. You get to carry the foxes."

Before she could object, I scooped her up in a princess carry, and Lilith and Sibylla, once again a fox, hopped up into her lap. I started quickly moving down the hall as Sibylla called out directions, already knowing what I had in mind. We turned into one last stairwell and pushed our way onto the roof. Looking down, I could see the mounted unit they were talking about, more horses than men, and every one of them injured.

I heard Sarah's tiny voice a moment later, "I don't see my brother. His armor is impossible to miss."

I sighed and focused in on Haunt's waiting form in the distance, "I'm sorry, Sarah. I'm going to jump now. Don't worry. I have a lot of magic. You are perfectly safe. Just don't scream."

Her eyes widened as she looked at me, but a tiny black paw covered her mouth, and I sprinted into a [Heroic Leap], using [Levitation Aura] to float silently away out into the dark of night.