A tall female cheetah hobbles along with the help of a thick wooden cane, her body frail and thin, making her appear much older than she truly is. But there is still a life in those bones, and it shines brightly in those eyes, especially when she looks lovingly upon her youngest daughter.

Kaela stays near to her mother's side as they slowly stroll through the gardens, her eyes somewhat distant as her mind wanders.

Abana works over to a mossy boulder half-buried in the earth, just the right height to serve as a bench, and uses it as such, catching her breath, as she looks about. She breathes deeply, inhaling the fragrances of the gardens.

Kaela sits near Abana. After a pause she signs, "Mama?"

Abana purrs, leaning over to give Kaela a single grooming lick, then straightens up again, signing, "Yes, my littlest one?"

Kaela looks almost guilty. "I may have to go again… to the City of Hands… " She signs it tentatively, watching her mother's face for a reaction.

A shiver runs up Abana's spine, and the blood drains from her ears. "That is not possible," she protests in sign, setting the cane aside so she can use both hands. "Why do you say such a thing?" Once upon a time, if her kitten had said such things, she would have thought them merely childish utterings, but it seems she takes her youngest far more seriously now.

Kaela gives Abana a little hug before continuing. "The Temple wants to learn more… they want me to go again, because I was there last time." She looks up into Abana's eyes.

Abana's brow creases with worry, but she looks resigned. "If it is the will of the Temple, then … there is nothing more to be said about it." She returns Kaela's gaze with worried eyes that threaten to bear tears. "My child… " she drops the sign and reaches forward to embrace her cub, letting the tears flow, letting them speak for the words she cannot say.

Kaela shakes her head a few times, pulling back after several moments. She signs, "It was Azhtar who asked me… she serves one of the Inquisitors, and she's in charge of the expedition. I don't have to go, but I want to… " After a few moments, she adds, "But I'll stay here with you if you want me to, Mama… "

Kaela's mother looks at her for a long time, the jitter in her gaze testament to the battle going on behind those eyes. At last, she signs, slowly and deliberately, "No, my littlest one. Oh, I do not want you to leave me … but I cannot be selfish. I know in my heart that I must let you go. I have to, because I love you more than I love myself, and I cannot deny you what destiny has in store, the good and even the bad."

Abana signs, "Go, my child, with my blessing, wherever your heart leads you. But, please, oh please … do not fail to come back to me."

Kaela gives her mother a tight hug, purring softly. After several more moments she pulls a little back and signs, "Thank you, Mama… " Then, blinking, she signs, "You could come with us… " She smiles softly at the thought. "They might even be able to cure you even better there. And make it hurt less when they do."

Abana's ears wiggle at this. "Oh, I would love to come along, my child, and never let you out of my sight … but your travels will be dangerous enough, without having to worry about me. I am not so strong as to go traipsing through the jungle."

Kaela looks a bit disappointed, but nods. "Someday soon… when you're feeling better… I'll take you there."

The older cheetah sighs, then signs, "I know some old herbal recipes handed down through many generations. I will make you a pouch talisman to keep the blood flies away, and to convince the thorn-vines to think you will taste bad, and leave you alone." She looks away, already forming a list in her head of all the things she can do as part of her motherly duties to protect her daughter from as many dangers – real and imagined – as possible.

Kaela smiles up at her mother, gently snuggling in close to her side. "I'll be fine," she promises. Not that that'll slow Abana's plan-making in the least…

Abana purrs warmly – her breath no longer rattling and grating as it did before – and holds her youngest daughter close.

A gray-garbed figure talks to one of the guards at the gate.

Kaela closes her eyes, gently cuddling with her mother.

The older cheetah cracks open one eye to spy the setting sun, and she lets out a sigh. She reluctantly pulls back, and signs, "It is going to get dark soon. We should be heading back toward the manor. I will go and prepare some herbs for you. Please do not stay out too late."

The guard points into the garden, and the figure nods and approaches the pair of cheetahs…

With that, Abana nuzzles her daughter, then grasps the cane and gasps as she tries to pull herself up to her feet again.

The figure pauses, and waits for the older cheetah to leave.

Kaela quickly stands and helps her mother regain her feet.

Abana smiles, and stands there a moment more, regarding her lovely kitten (for she will always be a kitten in her eyes), reaches out to brush one of her cub's misplaced hairs, and then starts the trek back to the manor.

Kaela watches her mother go for a moment, then glances over towards the gray-cloaked figure.

The figure approaches the kit, its face all but hidden by a large hat and scarf. "Hello, Kaela," it says, in a voice reminiscent of a certain Aeonian Inquisitor.

Kaela hesitantly signs, "May I help you, sir?" She shifts her stance nervously, looking up at the figure.

Envoy lifts the hat away from her face and smiles to Kaela. "Did I fool you?"

Kaela visibly relaxes and gives Envoy a quick hug before signing, "What are you doing here?"

Envoy grins, "I wanted to find out if there was anything special you wanted to bring for the expedition, such as candy or a weapon."

Kaela blinks a few times at the incongruous suggestions. After a few moments of consideration, she shakes her head. "I think I have everything I need… weapons won't help me with the Savanites there… I just wish that the Princess Emerald-Eyes would visit me in my dreams again… " She smiles a bit, shrugging and wiggling her ears twice. "But I don't think you can give me that."

Envoy seems to consider it for several moments, then signs back, "No, I don't see how I can help with that."

Kaela nods softly. "When will we leave?"

Envoy signs, "As soon as Azhtar secures transport. I do not know how often ships travel to the Savan, but I imagine we will need ground transport as well to get to our destination."

Kaela nods softly. After a moment she signs, "Will I be able to do things by myself? Away from the main group?"

Envoy signs, "If it is safe enough, I'm sure you will. There is much to cover and only four of us to do it."

Kaela nods a few times. "You can come with me if you want… but I don't trust Janus. He's the only one who saw the inside of the monastery… he saw the statues of the Priest-Kings… he must have been the one to tell the Inquisitor about who the Priest-King was… "

Envoy signs, "It may be difficult to hide anything from him. He moves very quietly."

Just outside the garden, a young cheetah can be seen sprinting across the grounds at high speed, stopping here and there, holding a lantern in one hand. He occasionally makes a clattering noise by whapping the side of the battered lantern with a stick, as he looks all about.

Envoy blinks at the odd behavior of the lamp-bearer.

Kaela frowns a bit, but pauses for a moment as a familiar-looking young cheetah goes sprinting along. "Just a moment," she signs. Standing, she bounds over towards him.

The cheetah boy looks back to Kaela with a frantic expression. He drops the stick and signs with one hand, "Where is your mother? The healer is here, and tired of waiting!"

Kaela blinks! "She just went inside," she signs, gesturing towards the kitchen. "She was going to gather some herbs… "

Gart shakes his head, "She isn't inside." He keeps glancing about, then grabs the stick and bangs on the lantern a few more times.

Gart dashes off, banging the lantern as he goes, stopping to peer into every shadow and hidey-hole that a lady cheetah might (for who knows what reason) be hiding in.

Kaela blinks a few times, then suddenly looks alarmed. She runs towards the manor, quickly signing, "Mama's missing!" as she passes Envoy.

As Kaela dashes, even in her distracted state, somehow she notices a few bits of greenery lying on the ground that shouldn't be there, illuminated in the light cast by the windows of the manor, as the sky darkens with the passing of the day.

Kaela moves over to the bits of greenery and fearfully stoops by it, cautiously reaching to touch it.

The kit's herbal knowledge is not so great as her mother's, but nonetheless she can identify – more by the smell of the freshly-broken bits, than their look – them as herbs of the sort her mother would use in some of her medicines.

Looking about, this particular area is in a shadowed space near the manor … somewhere that wouldn't seem quite so safe, except that the guards can be trusted to keep hoodlums and predators out of the Estate.

Envoy waits near the boulder as the search goes on.

Kaela looks a bit confused. She picks up the bit of greenery, then slowly continues towards the manor, her eyes searching through the shadows…

A bit of a disturbance in the grass … a lingering scent … long-unused skills come back to Kaela, as she notes her surroundings with greater scrutiny. Several people were here. Someone struggled.

Kaela's eyes slowly widen. Her mother! Turning, she rushes wild-eyed towards the nearest gate and Jupani.

The wolf looks back at Kaela, and recognizes her. He looks somewhat agitated, himself, and his weapon is at the ready, as he looks about. "Head inside," he barks, whilst scanning the shrubbery.

Kaela signs, "Mama's missing! There was a struggle or something!"

Envoy approaches Kaela and the guard, and signs, "Where is Jezebel?"

The wolf half-nods, then barks, "Get inside." Even as he speaks, more lantern lights are moving out and about, some carried by servants, while the guards are out in full force. There are several barks in the distance.

Envoy says, "You should go inside, Kaela. Someone may be after you as well."

Kaela moves a few steps back, her eyes filling with tears. She reaches to take Envoy's hand, and starts towards the manor.

A shadowy form pops out from the bushes, and pauses for a moment.

"Who goes there?" barks the wolf. "Show yourself!" He readies his weapon.

Envoy escorts the kit. "Don't worry, she can't have gone far."

The shadow leaps nimbly into the air, then bounds away. The wolf begins barking, and charges off in pursuit of the fleeing phantom.

Kaela blinks and looks after the shadow. "It must be Jezebel," she signs… "I saw her dance with shadows before… but… she wouldn't hurt Mama… "

Envoy signs, "You told me that she sold your family into slavery before, though."

Kaela nods a little bit, swallowing.

Lianna is standing in the doorway that leads to the servants' quarters, bits of flour on her apron and face and hands. She claps her hands to her face, creating a small white puff, and then signs, "Child! Hurry inside! There are ghosts about!"

Wolves rush to and fro, chasing shadows, but never catching them. It seems that the gate is untended in their absence.

Envoy removes her trenchcoat, freeing up her wings. "I'll watch from the air."

Kaela pauses for only a moment, then moves to stand in the middle of the gate, watching. Jezebel's not getting her mother out, if that's her plan…

Envoy takes off towards the gate.

A faint scent catches Kaela's nose. At her feet, she finds a waxy stub of a candle … a black candle, smelling strong of incense.

The candle is not lit … or is it? A stream of smoke rises from it, so hard to see, and a little shadow dances on the wick, as if it were the reverse of a flame. The candle sits in a three-pronged holder fashioned from bones.

Envoy circles over the gate, watching for any movement outside of it.

Kaela tries to blow out the candle, stooping and blowing on it hard.

A few lantern lights can be seen outside the gate, as wolves rush about on the roadway that leads through the wilderness to the estate. But the trees beyond the estate are thick, affording far more privacy than the Townhouse provides in the city proper.

The candle "flame" flickers and flutters, and then goes "out" entirely, releasing a puff of overly sweet-smelling smoke from the candle. Not far away, a growling wolf halts as the phantom he was chasing *pops* out of existence.

Unable to see through the canopy of the forest, Envoy alters her circle to cover the perimeter of the estate… just in case someone would have circled around the wall to leave in the opposite direction from the gate.

Kaela lifts the candle and spitefully does her best to snap it in two, frowning hard.

The candle is a bit too short and stubby to get much leverage … but it is still warm from the magical "flame" such that it squishes messily, and bits of it crumble away from the wick under Kaela's angry grasp.

Kaela pauses a moment, then raps at the gateway, hoping to attract the attention of one of the guards.

The guard whose phantom vanished breaks from sniffing at the surrounding area in a vain attempt at tracking it, and his ears perk, noticing Kaela. He rushes over toward the kit. "What are you doing out here? There are assassins about!"

The wolf grrrrs, "… able to walk through walls with their mysterious powers," he adds, looking about suspiciously for any sign of further phantoms.

Kaela holds the candle and candleholder up towards the guard.

The wolf wrinkles his nose at the overly-sweet incense. "Guh. So THAT'S where that smell was coming from!"

Kaela sets the two down and signs, "They're Jezebel's! I've seen her do things like this before!" Well, not really. But she knows that Jezebel's behind this, and now that her mother is well again, it's no longer dangerous to implicate Jezebel… especially if it means that she'll find her mother again.

The wolf blinks slowly. "Rrrrr. I don't know your wavy-finger talk. I'll have to find Rathos."

The Jupani cups his hands to his mouth and lets out a loud howl, which is answered by some short howls and some shouts across the estate.

Kaela looks about worriedly, but doesn't move from her spot in the gate. She's _not_ going to let Jezebel get away with her mother…

Envoy swoops down to land nearby.

A couple more Jupanis rush over. "What is it?" "Grrrr. Magic, it is! I poked that thing I don't know how many times and it was like cutting air!"

Kaela signs rapidly, "Jezebel did this! I've seen her do things like this before!"

One of the wolves jogs up, "Whoa, whoa! Slow down. I'm not so good at this. Could you try that again?" Rathos drops down to one knee to be a bit closer to eye-level with the kit, and he sniffs at the incense smoke lingering in the air.

Envoy says, "She said that the slave Jezebel is responsible."

The third wolf growls, "Why waste your time watching a scared kitten wave her fingers? Let's get her inside. She deserves a paddling for standing out here while we've got intruders about."

Kaela nods to Envoy several times.

Rathos looks up to Envoy. "Jezebel? Lord Titus' … er … " He looks to the third wolf. "Grymm, is she accounted for?" This just earns an annoyed-looking shrug from Grymm.

Grymm growls, "I don't like that spotty anyway. She acts like she OWNS the place. I'll find her." With that, he dashes off, toward the manor.

Envoy says, "Where is the mage that arrived earlier?"

Rathos says, "Latania? She got tired of waiting, and left in a huff. Right before we got a report of some strange things happening outside."

Envoy says, "Then anyone heading towards the city would have had to pass her on the road, yes?"

Janus slips down one of the cobbled paths, moving into the torchlight. "Passed who?"

The first guard nods. "Yes, I'd reckon. I saw her leave, myself." He turns toward Janus. "Halt! Who goes there?"

Envoy says, "This is Janus. He's… with me."

Janus raises both of his hands into plain view. "Janus. From the Temple."

The first guard lowers his weapon. "Hmph. You picked a bad time to visit. I think Lord Titus is going to be a lot more strict on appointments from now on… "

Envoy says, "Did you pass a Cervani doe on your way here, Janus? She might have been grumbling to herself."

"I'd better get to my watch," the first wolf says. "I didn't even see that cat coming. No telling what else might be slipping by." With that, he jogs back over to his regular station.

Janus watches the wolf jog off. "Of course he didn't." He turns and nods to Envoy, "The one with a frown set in rock?"

Envoy says, "That sounds like her, yes. Did you notice anyone else along the road, or paralleling it in the trees?"

Janus drops his hands to his pockets and shakes his head. "Just her escort.

Envoy asks Kaela, "Jezebel could survive in the wilderness, couldn't she?"

There are some more howls. Rathos' ears perk up. "I'd better head over there… " He bolts off, toward the latest disturbance.

Janus tilts his ears back. "Well… sounds like it's been an interesting night.

Kaela nods at Envoy, beginning to look frightened again.

At this point, only wolves can be seen dashing about on occasion. All of the slaves must have been called back in. All save for Kaela, at least.

Janus looks around, "Shouldn't we go inside? Sounds like quite a lot of commotion to be in the middle of."

Envoy says, "It appears that Kaela's mother has been abducted by another Savanite, Janus. I suppose we could go inside… "

Janus narrows his eyes. "Abana? Kidnapped? What happened?"

Kaela fidgets with her hands. "I can't leave," she signs. "Mama might still be here somewhere… "

Envoy says, "She was gathering herbs, and disappeared. Kaela says Jezebel, another Savanite here, is responsible for the commotion and confusion."

Janus chews on his lower lip. "Where was she? And how long ago was it?"

Envoy says, "Can you show us, Kaela?"

Janus looks to Kaela.

Kaela pauses a moment, then reluctantly moves from the gate towards the spot where she found the herbs and sensed the struggle.

Janus looks around a moment before moving to follow Kaela.

Envoy asks Janus, "Can you tell how many were involved in the struggle?"

A few bits of herbs still lie on the ground, and some of the grass is still scuffed, testament to the action here, though there has been a lot of running about to mess up the details since then.

Janus stops and drops to one knee, "I assume the Jupani tried to scent out a trail?

Kaela shrugs uncertainly.

Janus reaches out to the herbs, but stops in midmotion. He blinks and looks toward the manor house.

Janus stands up and starts to move toward toward the house. "Is anyone except the guards supposed to be outside?"

The manor looks as if parts of it were built on a whim. If seen from above, with a bit of imagination, its "wings" might suggest some arcane rune. Who knows? Maybe that's the intent, having some obscure reference to one of Titus' many excursions. Not far from here is an elbow formed by an extension of one of the wings that is shadowed. Some shrubbery and a pool add to the spot, evidently meant for some degree of solitude, yet not off in the garden.

Janus is headed directly for the shadowed elbow, gaze intent on something in its depths.

Envoy keeps close to Kaela, practically hovering over her.

Janus leans forward slightly. "What is supposed to be around the pool here? Anything?"

The shadows swallow up Janus as he investigates. There's something almost unnatural about how that happens – something beyond what just would be accounted for by how dark it is outside.

Kaela edges closer to Envoy, fidgeting. Janus makes her almost as uncomfortable as Jezebel.

Janus kneels and reaches out to something deeper in the shadows.

A wolf comes out of the servants' quarter entrance. "Hey! You! Inside! We're trying to do a head count!" He looks at Envoy and Kaela, but Janus escapes his notice, apparently.

Envoy says, "Can't you just count her out here?"

The wolf growls, "No time for jokes. Inside!"

Envoy shrugs, and leads Kaela towards the guard.

Kaela lowers her eyes and quietly moves towards the Manor, eyes downcast.

The wolf leads Envoy and Kaela back inside, where it seems every Savanite in the place is gathered. "Aha. There's Kaela," a Jupani growls. "That leaves just … Abana, Jezebel, Korg and Damon unaccounted for."

Kaela wipes at her eyes, snuffling softly. She should have known this would happen… she should have thought…

Lianna, an elderly cheetah, rushes over to Kaela. She rushedly signs, "Poor child! I'm so glad you're safe!"

Kaela cries quietly, pressing in close against her nurse. "It's Jezebel," she signs. "Her shadows… "

A hush falls over the room (that is, over the non-Savanites present), as Lord Titus haut Mikide walks into the room. "The trouble is over. The vandals have been driven from the Estate. Return to your duties," he says, looking faintly disturbed, but stern nonetheless in his commands.

Lianna embraces Kaela. Worry crosses her brow, but she signs nothing, holding the kit as comfortingly as she can manage.

Envoy wonders what was vandalized…

Kaela looks up quickly, towards her master. "Mama is gone," she signs, making her gestures large enough that hopefully he'll catch them…

At last, some of the servants and slaves start to move out, now that it looks like they are expected to do so, and feign some return to normalcy. The poodle remains, looking over the scene for a moment longer, before he turns and strides back out of the room, waving off a vulpine aide who rushes up to him, papers in hand.

The poodle seems not to notice Kaela at all.

Kaela's vision is blurred behind tears. Pulling away from her nurse, she pads towards Lord Titus in an effort to attract his attention.

The bespectacled fox shadowing Titus gasps, dropping a handful of papers as he notices the kit, then dives to pick them up as she pads past. Lord Titus just walks slowly ahead, not turning to look.

Kaela picks up speed and hurries to get in front of Titus. "Master!" she signs.

Titus stops, looking at Kaela, but his eyes not focusing as they should. "Reality is sometimes very expensive," he mumbles to the vase in a nook nearby.

Kaela quickly signs, "Mama is gone… You have to find her!" The particular flicking of her hands more implies pleading than commanding. Though such subtleties might be lost on a non-savanite.

Titus doesn't even seem like he could take offense right now even if Kaela had called him a bumbling fool. His eyes quiver somewhat as he looks upon and through Kaela. Is that a look of guilt? Fear?

Kaela wipes at her eyes and rubs at her nosepad as she looks up at him. Slowly, she begins to understand. "Where is Jezebel?"

"We mustn't raise a fuss," Titus says in a mellow voice. "That would not be very sporting. Just get some sleep, and everything will be happy in the morning."

The bespectacled fox, who has now retrieved his papers, just stands and looks aghast at the scene, seeming very uncertain as to whether to speak up or not.

Envoy distracts the fox by asking him about the household.

The fox seems quite pleased to have some distraction, and begins talking amiably about the manor to Envoy, expounding upon details regarding things she's not even asked about.

Titus glances toward Envoy, with a renewed look of fear in his face. He straightens up and walks over to her. "Please," he says, "don't say anything to your father that might make him worry. Everything is fine here. Just a misunderstanding, that's all. No need for concern."

Kaela frowns hard. She really wishes she knew magic… Bounding over to Envoy she signs, "How fast can you reach the Temple?"

Titus catches that sign, and sucks in a breath. "Please! Not a word! There's no sense in causing undue alarm!"

Envoy blinks at Titus, and just nods. To Kaela, she signs, "Maybe fifteen minutes if the air is calm."

Kaela spares only a brief glare for her master before looking back to Envoy.

Titus claps his hands together once, and smiles broadly. "You know … maybe you should stay for dinner! I'm quite sure an extra place at the table can be arranged… "

Kaela signs to Titus, "Perhaps you'd like to tell the Inquisitor that the woman he's been paying to have healed has been abducted by one of your slaves? Or should we look for them?" Odd how she calls Jezebel a slave, and her mother a woman, when you stop to think about it.

Envoy stares into the poodle's eyes, trying to decide if he is under some sort of spell. "Thank you for the offer, my Lord. Who is your closest neighbor?"

The fox looks back and forth, decides that he's feeling terribly out of place, and shuffles out of the room quickly without further word.

Beads of sweat mat Titus' close-cut fur on his forehead, as he looks to Kaela. "Y-you can't. The … the queen would have my head. N-no… "

Kaela looks back to Envoy and signs, "You must go to Zorah and the Inquisitor. Tell them what has happened – that Jezebel has taken my mother, and that she wields magic. We need help to find them… " She then gives Envoy a quick series of instructions on how to locate Zorah in the temple.

Kaela glares at Titus. "If you can suggest another way to find my mother and stop Jezebel, I would be glad to hear them." She then looks back to Envoy without waiting for a reply.

Envoy takes a step back, but pauses.

Lord Titus haut Mikide, world-class adventurer, daring explorer, ladies' man, hero of heroes and all-around life-of-the-party, looks at Kaela in a way most becoming of a master to his slave, with his lower lip quivering. Suddenly, his eyes roll up and back, he lets out a gasp … and falls to the floor with a thud.

Envoy signs to Kaela, "It should not be made known that Savanites can do magic. It would be best to search her out privately." She reaches down to lift the poodle upright.

A couple of wolves dash into the room. "What's going on here?" "Lord Titus!"

Another wolf comes in, leading a big black Vartan. He starts to point to Envoy, then rushes over toward the poodle.

Kaela looks to Envoy. "Go! There's no time! At least tell Zorah!"

Zoltan follows at the guard's heels, almost bumping into Envoy as he halts at Titus' prone form. "What happen?" He looks at Envoy, "You deck him?" His tone sounds more hopeful than questioning.

Envoy signs, "You are being irrational, Kaela. Your family would be executed if it was known your line could do magic."

Envoy says, "He fainted."

"Out! Out!" barks one of the wolves. A Rath'ani nurse dashes into the room to tend to the fallen noble.

Envoy takes Kaela by the hand and pulls her towards Zoltan.

Kaela pauses for only a moment as Envoy refuses to help her, then pulls away from her and runs from the room.

Envoy frowns. This reaction is probably what Jezebel wants…

Envoy says, "Hello, Zoltan. What brings you here so late?"

Zoltan blinks… he looks out after Kaela, "You want me to follow?" He asks, then in a much quieter tone he whispers to Envoy, "Is need to talk to you… very importants."

Envoy nods to Zoltan. "Of course. You wouldn't happen to know if there are any ruins on Rephidim, would you?"

Zoltan blinks? He casts another glance at the doorway that the little kitten exited through. "That strange question… hrr."

Zoltan tugs on Envoy's sleeve, pointing at the guards. "Maybe we best talk abouts outside?" ( And away from prying ears… )

Envoy walks with Zoltan out of the main hall.

Zoltan folds his hands behind his back as he walks, he speaks in quiet tones. "Remember city of hands? And globe room? I going back there soon on ship… but crystal hands is been sold. You know of way is could work without hands? Or maybe make new ones?"

Envoy blinks at Zoltan. "I know where the hands are. When is your ship leaving?"

The Vartan's ears *perk!* "You do? Can you gets them back? Hrr… we leaving very soon. Captain Bog-has is eager to get to city."

Envoy says, "Can you take extra passengers? Four more, with their own supplies?"

The two walk on past a couple of doors, one marked in bold letters (so that nobody can mistake it) as the "Trophy Room". The one across from it is the "Safari Room".

The walls on each side of the doorways are decorated with painted wooden masks, war shields, and other knick-knacks that mimic what appears in so many places through out the Estate. Apparently the Trophy Room isn't large enough to hold all these curios. Or else Titus just likes showing off. Maybe both.

Zoltan scratches at his chin. "Maybe. Who all is be coming?"

Envoy says, "Myself, Janus, Kaela, and another Savanite."

Zoltan nods, remembering the three names from the previous trip. "I think I can convince Captain to let you on… since you know area well enough. Who fourth?"

Envoy says, "Inquisitor Melchizedek's assistant."

Zoltan drums his talons against his beak as he contemplates.

Zoltan squawks, "Savanite with green eyes and brown hair?" The edges of bis beak curl up in a smirk. "Is name Azhtar?""

Envoy says, "Yes, Azhtar."

Zoltan squawks, "Hrr… is think I going to have to learn signspeak soon. Anyroad, ship ready to leave at any time… Captain is eager to hunt for Paradys.""

Envoy says, "Paradys?"

Zoltan looks a bit whimsical. "Paradys is great legend. Floating island made out of shinies… we hoping to track it from city."

Envoy hmms. "You mean to use the Map Chamber then. I may have deciphered the dating system for it."

Zoltan nods. "Is sure captain Bog-has will be happy to share island shinies with you. We on Shokar's Silver Be-… hrr… no… is Freedom's Dream. Airship at docks. You know it by Vartan carving on mast." ( If they've not taken that down as well. )

Envoy shakes her head, "We aren't interested in Paradys, only the City of Hands. If the chamber tracks the course of the island though, I will be able to make you a map."

Envoy says, "That is, if we are able to accompany you at all. I do not know why this Jezebel creature took Kaela's mother, and my only guesses involve dark magics."

Zoltan's ears shoot back at the mention of magic. "Little kitten? Her mother kidnapped? When this happen?"

Zoltan starts glancing around nervously.

Envoy says, "About an hour ago."

"Hr… no wonder kitten so upset," scrawks Zoltan. "Where you think mother taken to?"

Envoy shrugs. "She could be anywhere, even hidden somewhere on the Estate. Kaela seems sure Jezebel will not hurt her mother though."

Envoy says, "It appears Jezebel was also controlling Titus in some way. He is terrified of her."

Zoltan looks into the beady eyes of a stuffed Dromodon Titus has propped up against a fireplace. "Maybe there some way of finding outs? Could search Jezebel's room… or maybe someone see her before she go?"

"Would probably be good to find kitten as well," the Vartan suggests. "Chicks may peck, but they still probably feel better nestled under friend than out in cold nest alone."

Envoy blinks at the metaphors, but nods. "We should do both. I don't think Kaela wants to be around me right now though."

Zoltan points in the direction of the trophy room. "I waits here for you to get kitten. I probbaly scare her… and I not understand handsign anyhow."

Envoy nods, and leaves for the main door.

As Zoltan enters the Trophy Room, he catches a look at Titus' latest collection. Inside a glass case is a whole line of … crystal hands.

Meanwhile, in the darkness of the gardens outside the Mikide Estate, things are quiet and comparatively calm again, free of the running around, howling, barking and yelling that dominated the scene earlier. The leaping phantoms are gone … or at least unseen.

Kaela runs out into the garden surrounding the manor and into the deep gloom.

In this clearing, not too long ago, Kaela had been sitting on that boulder with her mother. The leaves filter the faint glow of the Procession above.

Kaela raises her arms over her head, signing "Jezebel!" Her hands move in large, exaggerated gestures. "I know you're here!"

Across the clearing, there's a glint of something shiny on the ground. Something darker than the grass about it bathed in the glow of the Procession… something which emits a thin tendril of smoke which curls upward and waves about … and forms a silhouette.

Kaela, upset enough to ignore caution, strides right over towards that silhouette.

As Kaela approaches, the silhouette magically takes on the form of Jezebel herself, standing brazenly before the kit, looking haughtily down at her youngest sister. "It is too late," the shadow-Jezebel signs. "You had your chance."

Kaela signs, "Give Mama back now!"

The phantom signs, "I am the first-born, and by right, I am heir to the line of the Priest-King, since I have no brothers. And since our mother has forsaken the path of magic, the mantle falls upon my shoulders. I shall release the Twelve-times-Twelve, and they shall be compelled to obey my commands. I shall unite the tribes of the Savan, along with those of the Underground whom I have brought under my sway. The empire shall rise again, under my strong and capable hand."

Kaela signs, "You think the Twelve-times-Twelve will follow one who has betrayed her own kind?"

The phantom continues, "Abana will give me her blessing. She has no choice. And you – you will just have to wait here and watch what transpires, as all of Rephidim crumbles about you. It is time for this order to fall away … and for the new – the reborn – to take its place. Goodbye, my sister. If you survive the turmoil, and if you realize your error, perhaps I will see fit to allow you to serve at my court. But you have missed your chance to rule alongside me."

The dark image of Jezebel wavers faintly in the breeze, hovering above the black candle set in the grass. She signs nothing right now, but simply looks as if she's gloating, savoring the moment.

Kaela signs, "You'll never rule, Jezebel." She takes slow steps towards the flickering black candle, glaring into the spot where Jezebel's three eyes would be. "Because the other Savanites won't follow you if they know who you are and what you've done. Even if you are the oldest."

The shadowy form of Jezebel hovers there, leering down at Kaela. "It's too late. Your world will fall apart around you, by your own hand."

Janus crashes out of the shadowy jungle growth, black fur little more than a silhouette, lit only by the magical light of the candle. "Would someone tell me just what is going on? It looked like someone set up for some sort of ritual mag… " He tilts his head to the side and looks at the phantom of Jezebel strangely. "You aren't really here."

Envoy is quieter in her approach.

The form of Jezebel wavers again, disturbed by a ripple of air stirred by Janus' arrival. But the three-eyed phantom still remains a while longer, though the candle is reduced to little more than a clump of wax, the wick reaching its end at the base formed of bone.

Janus's eyes widen as he takes in the shape hovering over the candle. "Third Eye!

Envoy watches quietly from the edge of the clearing.

Kaela pays no attention to Janus. She very quietly and slowly makes distinct signs before her. "It will happen if it happens. But I will not let you destroy all that I love. Watch your back – I will find you." And with that, she knocks over the candle holder with her foot, and grinds the soft wax of the candle into the dirt.

Sparks fly, and the candle explodes in a gust of sweet-smelling smoke, but Kaela's foot is unharmed. The phantom twists and stretches painfully, seeming to scream, then dissolves, the smoke dissipating, and the shadows blending back into the darkness.

Janus stands still, blinking. His face has the peculiar expression of someone who's not exactly sure if he's supposed to act like he's seen a ghost or not.

Envoy finally speaks up, "I have found a ship going to the City."

Janus turns his head to look at Envoy, "City?"

Envoy says, "The City of Hands, Janus."

Kaela turns, and begins to walk towards the gate of the estate, and the road outside that leads to the main city.

Janus blinks a couple times and shakes his head. "Oh… that City. Listen, what did you all do to Azhtar? She seemed a bit put out tonight."

Envoy blinks, "Put out?"

Janus makes a vague gesture toward Kaela with his thumb before starting to follow her. "Yeah. Put out. Irritated. Irate. Perturbed. In general… angry."

Envoy shrugs to Janus, and looks at Kaela. "Is your mother safe, Kaela?"

Kaela totally ignores Envoy's question. She continues on her way towards the city, walking at a brisk, though not uncomfortable pace.

Envoy trots after Kaela.

Janus reaches up and scratches the back of his head as he follows. "I think you're being ignored, Envoy."

Envoy hmms…

Much time passes … and at last Kaela's long journey takes her back into the city limits, and on toward the street before the Temple. A Lance of Knights Templar rides past, but otherwise, at this time of night, there's not much traffic.

Janus trails along quietly behind Envoy and Kaela.

A unicorn in black and red robes stands on the front steps, talking with a couple of armored warriors who have their backs turned to the exiles and the Savanite.

Kaela strides right up to the unicorn. Matters of world security come before anything that those warriors might have wanted to discuss. She makes a quick series of signs to him, looking him directly in the eye.

Melchizedek blinks, and motions for the two warriors to step aside. Their faces, encased in ceramic armor, are hidden, but one could easily imagine looks of surprise. One of them, a digitigrade female warrior – evidently a feline – regards Kaela closely, while the other – a wolf in armor of bright red, with flaming designs, looks away.

Melchizedek looks to Kaela, and makes some signs to her in return. By his expression, he does not look pleased.

Envoy trots up the steps, and smiles to the warriors.

Janus follows more slowly, keeping an eye on Kaela and Melchizedek.

Kaela twists her body just slightly, so it comes between her hands and the feline next to her. She makes a one-word sign of "Alone." She lowers her gaze slightly.

Melchizedek looks to the two warriors, and says, "You have heard enough. Find Azhtar before Moffat does. That is all." And then he leans over to usher Kaela up the steps toward the Temple.

Envoy turns to the Rose Warrior, "Hello, I've seen you on your patrol."

Kaela moves along up the steps and towards the Inquisitor's office.

The masked face of the Rose Warrior turns to regard Envoy, the light revealing a pair of deep brown eyes within the eyeholes, but nothing beyond that. The feline says nothing in reply, but simply strides on past, and down the steps, her magenta cape flowing behind her.

Envoy hmms, then turns to follow the unicorn and kitten.

Janus stops at the top of the stairs and lets out a slow breath. "This is getting weird." With more resignation than enthusiasm he heads off after Envoy.

The Inquisitor, rather than leading Kaela to his office, leads the kit to one side, behind one of the columns at the front of the Temple. "Listen here," he whispers angrily, "I don't know what has gotten into you, or what you think you can expect of me, but if you cannot show proper respect to an Inquisitor – especially in front of others – then I shall have no choice but to put you in your place."

Kaela signs at him, resuming eye-contact. "Big things are happening. I need your help."

The Inquisitor looks to Kaela and nods. "Yes, they are. Fliers have been making rounds. There is a bounty on you. It is said you are a runaway, and I imagine they will add some other charges later. I doubt a runaway would come rushing to an Inquisitor, however."

Janus grabs Envoy's shoulder and stops before she can go too far. "What do you know about Third-Eye? That ghost that Kaela was talking to."

Envoy says, "She's Kaela's eldest sister, who sold the rest of the family into slavery."

Kaela glares at him. "There will soon be a new Priest-King. I need to make a deal with you."

Janus pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers. "Look, I know I'm rather new to the area, but the Savan have been slaves a LOT longer than that little girl has been alive."

The Inquisitor reaches up to Kaela's neck … and pops out the pin holding the stone amulet around her neck which identifies her, and her status as property of Lord Titus haut Mikide. "The Temple will not honor this bounty, but that will not stop those who get the word. This will be the death of you if you wear it." He sets it down, then looks back at Kaela. "Don't look at me like that," he snaps.

Envoy says, "Some tribes remain untouched, in the Savan."

Envoy steps up to the unicorn, and says, "A ship is ready to leave immediately for the Savan, if we could find Azhtar."

Janus makes a face. "Tell me about it. Third Eye is the one who tried to sell me into slavery when I first got here." He shakes his head and turns away. "What did you say the name of that ship was? Nevermind… I'll find it." He pads out of the temple, muttering under his breath and fingering the hilt of one of his knives.

Kaela signs, "I need your guarantee that the City of Hands will remain under quarantine. And an airship to take me there."

Melchizedek reaches into his voluminous robes, and pulls out a length of cord attached to a pouch. He tears the cord out from the pouch, then binds a piece of card to it. He scrawls a sign and some writing on it, and ties it into a loop, then places this "necklace" over Kaela's head. "This will identify you as a new slave, with the owner to be written in. I am justified in doing this in that I am hereby commandeering you for the service of the Temple, until certain matters can be resolved." He looks up to Envoy, then back to Kaela. "Shall I write Envoy's name on this badge, then, for the time being?"

Envoy blinks. "I suppose. But I need to fly back to the estate to get Zoltan."

Melchizedek looks to Envoy. "There is no need. He has escaped from the Estate. And I do not know his whereabouts. Do you understand?"

Kaela makes impatient noises, as though Melchizedek were trying to decide what color to wear while she was trying to get him to help her defuse a bomb. Which is more or less the case, when you stop to think about it.

Envoy blinks. "Alright, I will take Kaela to the ship. I assume Azhtar will join us shortly… "

Melchizedek looks back to Kaela. "And as for YOU. I will do what I will do. Don't expect any promises from me, child. Don't tempt me to take the time – and there is none – to put the fear of the Temple in you, for your own good."

Melchizedek looks to Envoy. "In case it means anything to you, the Auditors made a surprise visit to Azhtar's quarters while she was away … and in the process of tearing everything apart, found a pair of crystal hands hidden in her abode. Her current whereabouts are unknown."

Envoy frowns.

Envoy looks to Kaela, "We must go now, with or without Azhtar."

"If you have a ship to take you out of Rephidim, you had best set out now," Melchizedek says, as he slips Kaela's old identifier collar into the folds of his robes. "I cannot help you."

Envoy reaches out her hand to Kaela.

Kaela glares at the Inquisitor, trying to come up with some sharp-tongued retort. But unable to think of one, she turns and stalks off as Envoy reaches her hand out.

"Wait," says the Inquisitor, reaching out in a gesture of halting. "There is one more thing, Kaela."

Kaela turns to look back at the Inquisitor. By the look in her eyes, he can probably guess that she's been having an extraordinarily bad day.

The Inquisitor slaps Kaela's cheek, just deliberately hard enough to make it sting. "Never glare at an Inquisitor again." With that, he stands up, and marches away, disappearing into the shadows of the Temple entrance.

Envoy says, "I think he likes you. Let's go, we're leaving on Roho's ship."

Kaela turns her glare upon Envoy as she begins to walk towards the dock. "I'm only going with you," she signs, "because it's the only way to get there." Just so there's no mistaken ideas about friendship or anything.

Envoy blinks and frowns, but doesn't stop moving.

At the Docks, Kaela and Envoy board the Freedom's Dream, which is already in a frenzy of activity. The mooring lines are hacked free, and the ship bobs upward, while the bats and Savanites struggle to get the ship clear of the Docks as quickly as possible … with a black Vartan among their number, a fennec ship's doctor who stands at the ready, and a robed lady cheetah who broods while looking over the railing back at Rephidim.

(And of course, there's that black cat, but he blends in with the shadows so well that nobody really notices him.)