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Subject: {ASSM} Lay Lines 3/4 Summer Solstice 2008 (Man and Muse, time travel, zoo/best, het, rom) TBD
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Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:10:01 -0400
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The introduction:

The following conversation more or less took place.  It's been heavily
edited to preserve my life:
---

Her:
<g> a challenge for you - read and write a story about the white
horse:
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/uffington.html

Me:
White Horse?  read?  Is this about the white horse on the hill over
there?

Her:
yep

Me:
The locals tell stories when they are in their cups.  But one story is
well...   I hesitate to say totally unbelievable because the horse
does exist.

But I'd like to.
===

And that's more or less how this one got started.  I was thinking
about someone telling a story in a pub or bar.

Sometime between the original three sentences and starting the actual
story, Mahika conned me into making it this year's 'Man and Muse
Summer Solstice Story'.

I had a real fight to keep what little I did, somehow, salvage.

Other frustrations included at least three different Solstice
ceremonies and about five different endings before I settled on the
ones I've used.   There were also two epilogues that got dumped...  

OTOH, I did get to keep a couple of scenes I came up with, without
having to modify them too much.  And Mahika *did* let me fill in the
blanks on my own, mostly...

Still...

A certain Muse got herself firmly bapped on the nose after this one
was finished.
------


Lay Lines 3/4: Summer Solstice 2008
The White Horse of Uffington (part one of two parts)
---

Bars.

Guesthouses.

Pubs.

Monuments.

Specifically, *ancient* monuments.

Living with a Muse has some unusual perks.  Reality hopping is one of
them.

But...

Sometimes I wonder...

There's a figure called 'The White Horse of Uffington' and I've seen
it, in person, twice.

Once in this reality and once...

Well, most folks would call my story unbelievable, that it couldn't
have happened.

I wish I was 'most folks'.

* * *

I was studying the image on the screen, wondering what I could do with
the casual challenge I'd been given.  I'd tossed off a few lines,
laughed, and then said I'd see what I could do--later.

We both knew that what I'd really meant was that I didn't have a clue
about a way to continue.  If I had, the words would have flowed,
irresistibly filling the screen.

A nose nudged me and I looked down.  "Yeah, Love.  I know.  Any
ideas?"

Mahika, currently in her wolf form for some unknown reason of her own,
sneezed her gentle agreement with my frustration.  "None, other than
your own advice."

I sighed and idly scratched between her ears, earning a yawn of
contentment as payment. 

I looked at her, then the screen again.  "Yeah.  I bet I know which
bit, too.  'Close my eyes, and dream.' "

"Yes."

I leaned back, keeping the contact with Mahika, then closed my eyes
while I thought about 'The White Horse of Uffington' and what little I
knew.

It wasn't much, nowhere near enough to trigger any ideas, except one:
I couldn't stop wondering why it was created in the first place.

"I wonder who it was?  What vision did the creator of it have, that
this stylized image was carved from the landscape?  What tales would
we hear, if only we could meet that person?"

Idly, I wondered about what that unknown person would have seen.  I
started mentally erasing each of the lines, slowly building an inner
image.  The result was interesting, but no real help.

I didn't have a *reason*--and it irked me.

Eventually I sighed and opened my eyes.  "Nothing."

When I reached to grab the mouse so I could start shutting down the
computer, I noticed my artist's supplies and sketchbook.  'Would that
help?'

The internal answer was a reluctantly admitted: 'Maybe.'

Without any real hope of helping the story along, I took the time to
duplicate a clear image of the site, then did a fair job of
manipulating it until I had a result that resembled the site before
the figure was created, I hoped.

I printed that, then put it on my clipboard in preparation for an
attempt at 'recreating' an artist's concept sketch.

I didn't feel it would be very useful, except as an aid to my thinking
while I envisioned what might have happened.

As I sketched in the outline of the White Horse, I would sometimes
close my eyes and try to visualize how it would have been done, then.
Parchment?  No, probably not.  Bark and charcoal?  Maybe.

Far more likely, it would have been the soil itself, and the artist
would have created a model using bits of the available stone.

Yes.  That would do nicely.  So, as I drew, I started imagining myself
as building that model.  

Would the designer have created a copy of the terrain?

No.  Not yet.  This was just an idea.  I still had no idea what had
inspired the figure, but building the model seemed like a logical step
on the way to creating it.

So, I'd draw a line, then close my eyes and picture myself kneeling
and carefully placing pebbles as I built my image.

I was mostly finished with the sketch and mentally reviewing my
internal creation when I was startled by the unmistakable feelings of
a place and time shift.

When things settled, I felt the sun on my exposed skin.

I was, for some reason, afraid to immediately open my eyes.  Mahika
always warned me before shifting both of us!  

"Mahika?  What did you do?!"

"Nothing.  *You* did it."

I opened my eyes.  I had a pretty good idea where we might have
traveled to, but it was still a shock to confirm it.

Uffington.

Uffington *before* the White Horse was created.

There was something else that intruded on my senses.

I felt the unmistakable sensation of a powerful ley line.

To give myself time to think I gathered some of the power I felt,
located Mahika, then rested my hand on her head while voicing the
gentle command:  "See as I do, my love."

She gasped softly when the intense power flooded through her, then she
settled on her haunches while we began to study the situation.

* * *

"Elder ones."

Both of us flinched.  We'd been so preoccupied, we never noticed when
a small crowd had gathered around us.

I looked at Mahika and nodded almost imperceptibly.  Best to let her
deal with things for now.

She locked eyes with me, then flicked her ears slightly in the crowd's
direction before she turned her head so she faced the woman who had
spoken.

"Speak, and we will listen to your words."

The woman bobbed her head nervously.  "The pattern, Elder."  She
gestured at the ground between us and only then did I realize that
somehow my inner vision had been given reality.  "Is it the answer to
our needs, or yours?"

I sent a silent comment in my partner's direction.  {{Tread softly,
love.}}

{{Indeed.  Footsteps as light as a breeze.}}

"That is for you to decide.  We are travelers from afar, bringing the
tale of a vision, a vision of this place and a time in the distant
future.  The pattern you see will be writ large upon the landscape,
but the reason for that writing will be long forgotten.  Rituals and
strange stories will seek to explain the unknown.  Someday there will
be a celebration.  Every seven years the people will gather and
celebrate the mystery of the pattern, never knowing the why, only
dreaming and wondering about what might have been."

I spoke, softly but firmly.  "The pattern will outlive the people, but
it *will* come to pass...."

I gestured at the hill before me.  "We cannot say when it will happen.
We have only *seen*  that it will be writ large *here* and it will
endure long, for thousands of years after we are forgotten memories."

The woman bobbed her head respectfully.  "The pattern is for us, then.
We will leave something lasting, after all."  She paused and looked at
each of the people who were gathered with her, then back at us.

"The day is nearly over, Elders, and you have stood long while lost in
your visions.  Please, join us for a meal, and for as long as you wish
to stay."

She pointed off in the distance.  "We, the Aesu, and our people, would
be honored by your presence.  A meal and lodging is inadequate payment
when it is compared to the hope you have given us."

{{Should we accept?}}  I was worried because I didn't understand what
was going on and I felt as if any mistake would do far more damage
than it would have normally.

{{Of course.  What happens, will happen.  We will, when the time comes
to leave, return to the moment we left.  One of us will know when that
time has arrived.}}

Mahika stood and then stretched casually before looking at the woman
again.  "Of course we will join you.  The honor is ours."

* * *

The fare was simple, made of local products and to my taste, over
cooked.  However, some of the spices were intriguing and I wondered if
any of the plants they came from still existed in our true time.

No matter.  We ate well, even though both of us insisted on having the
people eat first and that we would eat after everyone else ate their
fill.  "Our own ways, different customs."

They balked at  first, but when I started serving the food, placing it
in a ritual context, the protests ended.

Eventually, bellies filled and in the relaxed camaraderie that
followed, Mahika decided she'd been patient enough.

I'd been wondering when she was going to switch to her human form. The
comfort level these people had already shown us puzzled me but there
were things she could do better as a human.

She added a last careful lick to her grooming, then stood and walked
into the slowly dying flames.  I suppressed a chuckle when she let
them flare around her body, seeming to set her afire--but leaving her
untouched.

{{You always did have a flair for the dramatic, love.}}

{{Shut.  Up.  I'm busy!}}

I stood, gathered in some of the surrounding power and launched a
multicolored bolt of energy in her direction.  {{Let me help.}}

She let the power swirl around her briefly, then she reared upward to
balance on her hind legs.  By the time she was fully upright she was
human.

With the crowd's attention diverted, I shifted to my lupine form.

When Mahika stepped out of the flames, I paced forward to meet her. As
she walked past me I turned and walked at her side.  When she stopped,
facing the Aesu, I settled on my haunches and tried to appear as
unthreatening as I could.

She rested a hand on my head and smiled.  "Elders--and true mates.  A
moving balance that must be maintained."

The people nodded, accepting of the shape changing--and thinking they
understood her meaning.

She scritched between my ears.   {{Show them your fangs, 'Pretty
Puppy'.}}

{{Of course.}}  I obediently groaned with pleasure and widened my
mouth in a contented grin while thumping my tail on the ground.

Just as we'd hoped, the people started laughing at the sight of a full
grown wolf who obviously enjoyed the role of 'lap dog'.  

But, let's face it, with Mahika in her human form, few wouldn't feel
the longing to be noticed by her.

It was, I confess, a routine we'd performed so often that we'd long
ago polished the rough edges off of it.

She settled on the ground, assuming a pose I've never been able to do
myself, a full lotus. She studied each of the Aesu in turn before
facing the woman who had first spoken to us.  "Your pattern?"

"Yes, Elder.  Ours."

"Please.  Not 'Elder'.  'Mahika'."

The woman bowed her head in obvious embarrassment.  "Forgive me...
Mahika.  It has been so long and times have been filled with so many
concerns that I have forgotten my true name.  I am known as 'First
among many'.  Our people call me 'First'."

Mahika smiled.  "Duty will, First.  Feel no shame that you have
forgotten a mere label because a new one suits you better.  It is one
of our ways, also.  We wear many names, while knowing the names are
not the true self."

I hoped I was the only one to notice the subtle changes in Mahika's
scent but when I caught the amused glint in First's eyes I groaned to
myself.  Obviously, Mahika had done something that amused First. {{You
wouldn't!}}

Mahika went on blithely.  "My mate, for example.  Name him 'Pretty
Puppy' and ponder the layers of meanings in that, for after all..."
She stroked my head lightly, drawing attention to me. "Isn't he?"

I sighed.  She had.  {{Loved doing that, didn't you?}}  

{{Of course.  Remember the culture that you are most familiar with,
and how slow some things are to change.  Now, shut up and pay
attention.}}

{{Yes, Dear.}}

She giggled and First looked at us, bewildered by our irreverence. 

I used the drollest tones I could to make my next private comment. {{I
think we're violating local customs, love.  Perhaps you should explain
things.  Never mind.  I know my lines.}}  

I looked at Mahika and gave her my best mocking grin before I turned
slightly to face First.  "In our own land, I am a teller of tales and
I change my name as easily as I change the roles I assume."  I tipped
an ear in Mahika's direction.  "And there is no 'rule' that shouldn't
be broken.  That is especially true for Elders if their chosen path is
to encourage people to be themselves."

I stood, and then stretched in a bow that invited play before I
resettled again.  "Besides, shared laughter breaks down barriers more
quickly than shared sobriety."

{{Satisfied?}}

{{For now.}}

{{Good.  I'm going to settle and observe for awhile.}}

Mahika ran a hand along my spine then returned her attention to First.
"We're long mated."

First finally recovered from her shock.  "We can see that, now."  She
giggled and then leaned into the man next to her.  "Perhaps we should
spend more time remembering that the Aesu were once ordinary people."
She let her head drift sideways until it was resting on the man's
shoulder.  "Especially in times like these."

Mahika made a slight gesture, encouraging First to continue.

"Aye.  'Times like these'."  She shook her head from side to side
slowly, leaving us no doubt that she was depressed and feeling all her
years, along with the burdens of being the leader of her people.

"We are an old people, who no longer remember from whence we came.  We
do, though, know where we are going.  After us, there will be no more.
The invaders have taken many of us, while killing others.  We will
survive, in the same way our people came to be, and we have accepted
that our survival will not be as ourselves.

"The ones they take are women and children, and few of those have
known the true ways, the ways of our bonding with our true mother, the
Earth.

"And we, the Aesu and the people, are made sad by this knowledge.
Until we saw your pattern and heard your words we felt we would be
completely forgotten, leaving no memories that we ever lived."

She leaned forward slightly and placed her hands on the ground.  She
took a deep breath, and when she exhaled suddenly, a line of pale blue
flashed from her to the fire, which burst into flames as it responded
to the sudden infusion of power.

She studied us both while she recovered.  Obviously, the manipulation
of power had weakened her.  I couldn't understand that.  Understanding
might arrive with the rest of her story--so I didn't interrupt the
flow of her tale.

Eventually, her poise mostly regained, First went on calmly.  "The
power is so strong because there are few who can use it."

{{Ah.  Explains much, doesn't it?}}   Mahika's silent comment was
thoughtful.

My reply was equally terse.  {{Indeed so.}}

"We are few now, the people you see settled around you are all there
is.  A few more generations, at most, and we will no longer be a
distinct people, uniquely contributing to a larger picture."

First smiled calmly.  "The pattern gives us purpose, a reason to go
on, until we meet the destiny of all living things."

Her husband pulled her into a hug, kissed her tear stained cheek
lightly, then whispered:

"What is the purpose of any monument?"

He continued, answering his own question.

"To leave a message for the future.  As long as it is seen and thought
about, we will be remembered, even when no one remembers who we were.

"This is the message we will send to the future--and there will always
be some who understand it--even when they do not have the words.

"We did more than survive long enough to die..."  As his voice trailed
off, First leaned forward again to place her hands on the ground.

When the fire flared at her command, The Aesu spoke as one in a joyous
shout:

"We lived!"

My wolvish eyes caught the slight stiffening of Mahika's body, but I
didn't need that knowledge.  The subtle scents she gave off caressed
my nose, sending me messages of purpose and command.  I deliberately
made my next words a statement instead of a question.  {{You know our
purpose here.}}

{{Yes.  When I stand to face them; by my side, love.}}

{{Always.}}

She stood, flowing from her seated position to stand upright, becoming
the center of attention.  Her long red hair flowed over her shoulders,
barely fluttering in the evening breeze.

I watched calmly, awaiting her signal and when she made the twitch of
her fingers that commanded me to her side I levered myself up with a
smooth, power filled movement that left me moving until I stopped at
her side, facing the Aesu.

Another slight gesture and I responded with a low, rumbling growl that
spoke of anger, and a refusal to go into the mists of time calmly.

I felt Mahika gather the power, even while I watched it surround us
until, suddenly, she flung her arms wide and let it expand outward in
a multicolored flash.

When it was over and the after images had cleared from our eyes, She,
I, and all of the Aesu were glowing in the darkness.

Mahika.  Voluptuous and radiating her femaleness.   She didn't radiate
self confidence, she *was* self confidence.  Her eyes were closed and
she was smiling the special smile that said one thing:  "I am female,
content to be so--and satiated by your love."

I had tensed my muscles, raised my hackles and never stopped the low
rumble that let everyone know that only in death would I stop being
male and ready to face the future--no matter what challenge it might
bring to my jaws.

Mahika opened her eyes and looked at the Aesu.  "Is this the proper
way for Elders to behave?  Openly filled with power--and ready to use
it?"

She brought her hands in front of her, turned them so they were palms
down, then lowered them to her sides.  As they fell, the glow faded
from everyone until we were once again mere outlines, flickering
shadows in the deepening night.

"Solstice is near.  Continue your lives and know that on that day, we
will give you *our* thanks for deciding to send your triumphant
message to the future."

She held her pose while shifting her thoughts to me.  {{Come.  It is
time for us to sleep, and leave these people to their planning for the
limited future they face.}}

I chuckled in her mind while we slowly turned and walked into the
darkness that wasn't far from the fire, then sobered slightly.
{{Pretty fireworks, love.  I'd like to know what you have planned for
Solstice, if you don't mind.}}

{{In good time.}}

{{Hmmph.}}  I recognized the tone and knew pressing for details would
be a waste of time.  {{Let's find some privacy so I can switch back to
my human form for awhile.  I have some more immediate plans for
us--that require my hands.}}

She giggled but otherwise kept silent.

* * *

After we settled for the night I changed back to my human form and
asked Mahika the question that had been bothering me.  "First used the
power of the ley line, yet she was exhausted after using it.  We used
it--and felt no fatigue.  I don't understand."

We lay on our backs, snuggled and gazing at the stars while I waited
for an answer.

"Love?"  I hated to bring her out of her thoughts but I was wondering
if she'd heard my question.  "Did you hear me?"

"Mmhmm..."  Then she sighed.  "I've been wondering if that will be a
problem."

"Oh?"

She sat up and shifted herself until she straddled my prone body. Then
she started kneading my chest lightly.

I captured her hands briefly, then let go.  She was thinking deeply
and I knew better than to disturb her.

She was thoughtful and obviously carefully choosing her words when she
answered my question.  "We usually gather and channel the power, so we
seldom use any of our own.  What personal power we use isn't enough to
significantly deplete our inner energy.

"First, and anyone else from this time, acts more like a capacitor,
gathering no more power than they can safely 'store', then they
discharge that energy, along with the personal energy used to control
it as it flows from them.

"The 'problem' is...  Will they pick up enough clues from us to change
the way they think about, and use the energy they are attuned to?"

I winced.  "Oof.  You're right.  That could be a real problem."  I
thought about it some, then sighed.  "Like you, love, 'not enough
data'."  I captured her hands again, this time holding on to them.
"However, my tentative conclusion is that it won't matter."

"Oh?"

I squeezed her hands, then let go so I could caress her thighs.  "In
my time, we know nothing definite about this time and its people. What
happens, other than the building of the White Horse, doesn't matter."

"Mm.  I don't like that, but you may be right."

Our love was gentle, a relaxed sharing that wasn't concerned with
orgasms but we both, eventually, orgasmed.  To  be safe, before we
settled for the night I shifted back to my lupine body.

* * *

We slept late, not deliberately, but simply because our bodies weren't
adjusted to the local day/night cycle and rhythms of this particular
tribe.

What awoke me was something unexpected.  Something was avidly gnawing
on my tail fur.  As I came awake, my nose told me what the problem
was.  A puppy.  

I sighed.  {{Mahika?}}

{{I see her.  If you look downwind, there's a whole litter of them
headed this way.}}

I raised my head slowly and looked in the indicated direction.  Sure
enough, there were more puppies headed directly for us.  {{I don't
suppose I can avoid the indignities about to be visited upon me?}}

{{You could shift.}}

I winced.  {{This is a matriarchal culture.  No.  I'll suffer.}}

I felt her amusement.  {{You're going to enjoy yourself immensely and
we both know it.  When you're done, bring your escort and meet me near
the council area.}}

{{Kay.}}

A vagrant thought reminded me of our 'problem'.  {{Love?  We shouldn't
have any problems if we deliberately go to bed when they do, then get
up late.}}

{{Ah.  Point.  We'll do that. They probably won't see anything we do
as unusual, anyway.  We're Elders, and not from their tribe.}}

{{Mmm.  Your point, this time.}}

Then I was swarmed by a multi legged, many voiced, ball of fur.

I may have looked unconcerned but I did cheat a little, by creating a
shield of power that followed the contours of my skin.  The puppies
could chew on me to their hearts' content but I'd remain physically
intact.

Thoughts that I should maintain my dignity never occurred to me after
that.  As Mahika had known I would, I relaxed and enjoyed myself while
she spent time doing whatever she felt needed doing.

Eventually I needed to relieve myself so I managed to shake the
puppies off long enough to do so.  Then, since I was up anyway, I
headed off to find Mahika while the pups provided me with an impromptu
escort and roving security screen.  Only one young dog decided to
challenge me and all I had to do was spare him a curled lip, a glance
his direction and then a nuzzle of one of the puppies.

Confused, he fell silent, and I continued on my way, not looking back
but tracking him with one of my ears.

When I found Mahika she was settled comfortably, chatting with the
Aesu and eating her breakfast.  I'd been wondering how I was going to
shoo the pups away but the smells of the food solved that problem for
me.

{{Got anything left for a hungry wolf?}}  I settled next to her and
gave her a soulful 'You need to feed me' look.

{{Salvaged a bone and some odds and ends.}}  She indicated a clay bowl
at her side. {{Yours.}}

I twitched my ears at the Aesu.  {{Any arguments?}}

{{None that mattered.  I used the excuse of 'different forms,
different needs'}}

{{Hmmp.  Not true.}}  I dipped my nose and ate quickly, then grabbed
the bone and started gnawing at it.

{{What have I missed?}}

She smiled and started petting me.  {{Nothing much.  They've decided
on where they are going to place the figure.  It turns out you built
the model in the center of the 'eye'.  The scaled up figure will be
easy to lay out.  Other than that, First and a few others have been
trying to pump me for more about the Solstice ceremony we have
planned.}}

{{Mmm.   We?  It would be nice to know about what I'm going to be
hiding.}}

She laughed at my plaintive tones.  {{Relax.  I don't know all of it
myself, only that it will use power and involve everyone here.}}

I looked up and smiled at her.  {{I guess it's true, that after awhile
mates think alike.  You're planning the same way I write, usually.
Know where you're going, but no clue about the path.}}  

She giggled, drawing quick glances and a few shrugs.  Otherwise the
Aesu ignored her irreverence.  She looked up and smiled sweetly.
"Private joke.  'Pretty Puppy' was being naughty in his thoughts."

I sneezed at her and then went back to gnawing on the bone while I
thought about her hints for a few minutes.  {{I know when we're
leaving.}}

{{Oh?}}

{{Yes.  Sometime shortly after the Solstice ceremony.  Let me gnaw on
a few ideas before I decide how we'll handle that.}}

She decided to ignore me and went back to chatting with the Aesu
instead of nagging me.  Then again, she was my Muse, so I was sure she
was enjoying my idle creativity while she pretended to be demure and
proper.

* * *

And that's the way things went for several days.  Most of the time she
was human and I was a wolf during the day.  That first day had set the
pattern and I guess she felt there was a good reason for not being in
the same forms at the same time.

Finally, though, her inactivity got to her and early one morning she
insisted we switch so she could be a wolfess.

We did, of course, and I teased her for it.  "You just want a chance
to play with the puppies."

She sneezed her disgust.  "Maybe.  All this planning and me sitting
around is boring.  I needed an excuse to stretch and enjoy myself.
Maybe I should create a Frisbee..."

I chuckled.  "Isn't it a little out of place to wish for a Frisbee,
here?"

"Weave me a ring of grass or something.  I'm bored!  I need to run, to
stretch..."

"OK.  I get the message.  I'll see what I can come up with."

So, I spent some time weaving a ring out of stalks of grass.  Once it
was finished, we walked away from the central area to get her some
room to run.

After that we lost ourselves for part of the morning and for most of
the afternoon in a game of 'toss and catch'.

The kids and puppies loved it, of course--and eventually joined Mahika
in an impromptu game of catch and keep away.

The Aesu tried to hide their continuing disapproval of our frivolity
but when they thought I wasn't looking I saw them frowning slightly.

I guess two 'Elders' who insisted on behaving like children was too
much for their sensibilities.  We didn't care, nor did the children
and dogs.

Then, when it was getting late, I tossed the ring one last time and as
Mahika jumped to catch it, she was silhouetted by the evening sun.

*Epiphany*.

I couldn't stop my mental shout of joy when I solved the nagging
problem of the *reason* for the image.  {{Of course!}}

I started laughing as I ran to hug Mahika.

{{It's not 'The White Horse of Uffington'...}}

{{It's 'The White *Wolf* of Uffington' -- Catching a ring made of
grass!}}

She stiffened, then turned her head and nuzzled me.  {{How strange, to
know that *I'm* the ultimate inspiration for the image.}}

{{True.  Equally strange that I created the model it was built
from--before I knew the true reason it was created.}}

A sudden realization made me shiver uncontrollably and hug Mahika
tightly before I wept into her fur.

{{What is it, Love?}}

{{I just realized.  A fantasy I've always treated as a joke, 'to
create something that outlives me, even for a little while'. This...}}
I shivered again.  {{We've created something people will see and
wonder about for thousands of years.  It's *real* and I know it will
happen, yet if I tell people the truth, I'll be thought delusional.}}

I sighed and took a deep, calming breath.  {{Our greatest triumph and
nobody will know.}}  My next words were hysterically bitter.  {{I've
always been proud of my ability to operate in *stealth mode*.  How
ironic this should happen.}}

Mahika nuzzled me lightly.  {{Let it flow through you, express it,
then let go and move on.}}

{{Aye.}}  I knew what to do.

I let go of her and stood, then, filled with my bitterness, I stalked
to where I had created the model.  When the Aesu attempted to find out
what was going on, Mahika gently turned them away.  "Something that
has to happen.  Watch if you must, but do not interfere."

Once there I straddled the model and held my arms outstretched with my
palms down.

{{Protect them, Love.}}

Before she could answer I started ripping away the local power and
gathering it to myself.  Beams of multicolored energy leapt from the
ground to make contact with my hands.  I let the corona build and
then, when I knew I could take no more and hold it, I shifted to my
anthro form...

And tilted my head back to howl my agony at the stars in a bolt of
pure blackness.

First had said the power was so great because there were few to use
it, and by implication, unsafe for them to fully use without special
training and precautions.

For the next hour I ripped the excess energy away and hurled it into
the uncaring void as I vented my agony.

When I was done, I shifted back to my human form and lowered my hands,
calming the turbulent flames beneath them.

Head high, relaxed, I smiled at the Aesu.  "I think you'll find it
much safer to use the energy here--for a long time to come."

Then I walked into the darkness and back to our sleeping area.

{{Feel better?  They were quite impressed, although I'm not sure if it
was the emotions in your howling, or the way you seemed to so easily
use the raw power you ripped from the ley line.}}

I shrugged in the darkness, knowing she would see my reaction, and
said nothing.

Once out of sight of the tribe, I shifted to my wolf form and we ran
together until we were both panting heavily from our exertions.

When I suddenly stopped and shifted back to being human she stayed
wolf and came to me, flagging me with our shared needs.

I took her without finesse, driving into her strongly as she matched
my rhythm, braced yet rocking back and forth slightly to help increase
the pressure when our pubes met.

It was over quickly and when I locked my hips against her, she howled,
telling anyone who was listening that she was mated, and rapturous
with her satiation as her mate took her.

When I came out of my orgasmic rigor I let go and fell sideways, not
caring what was beneath me.  Mahika turned and cleaned herself while I
watched languidly, then settled next to me with her spine against my
chest.

I wrapped her in a hug and quickly fell asleep.

When the light of dawn touched our bodies I felt refreshed and clean,
ready to face the future again and accepting of the strange
circumstances fate had seen fit to place us in.

I also noticed that I was holding a human female against me.  I
nuzzled her neck, finding that special place that sent bolts of
pleasure lancing through her.

"Mmm...  I needed that as much as you did."

I pulled back slightly and smiled into her hair.  "Flatterer."

She turned in my arms and kissed me.  "These people are filled with
the thoughts of their death, love--and it was getting to be more than
even I could deal with."

I kissed her hungrily, yet I was filled with sadness.  "I know.  And
there is nothing we can do about it."

She sighed.  "It is indeed so."

Something in her tone caught my attention.  She was pensive, wistful
and yet filled with resolve.  The combination didn't happen often and
when it did...  "What is it, love?"

"Nothing you can do anything about."  Her shaking body gave the lie to
the calm tones of her words.

"Hmmph."  I left her alone and held on while she shook, caught in her
inner vision.

Finally she pushed gently, seeking release.  I let go and watched
while she stood and let the sunlight bathe her naked body.

Eventually she held out a hand and helped me get to my feet.  "Come.
Tomorrow is the Solstice and we *have* to be there."

I sighed.  "Have to be there?"

"Yes."

On the way back she pointed out various plants and had me gather bits
of them, then, once I had more than I could conveniently carry, she
took some of the plants from me and started weaving a ring.

While I gathered, she wove--and while she wove she explained our part
in tomorrow's ceremony.

When she finished her weaving of the ring, and her plans, I sighed.
"I'll do it, but I don't want to."

We crested the hill and paused to look at the small camp.  She pulled
me into a hug.  "There's always a chance it won't happen that way,
love."

I leaned against her and wept.  "Small chance.  It's their world,
their choice.  We can't take that away from them."

That evening Mahika told the Aesu what she had planned.

"Gather the tribe and have the people form a living copy of the
pattern.  First, when the time comes, our skills will be yours to
command.  Do what your heart says must be done, with our blessings."

They looked at us, obviously wondering about our seriousness.  I
nodded slowly, and spoke with apparent confidence.  "There was purpose
to our frivolity.  'Balance', and to remind you that life is not
always pain.  We make choices and sometimes those choices..."  I
smiled at them.  "We *are* Elders, in our way--and sometimes, as you
saw, the pain can be overwhelming.

"Even so, we choose to look forward while remembering past lessons."

One of the Aesu studied me carefully.  "Does everything you do have a
purpose?"

I smiled and shook my head.  "No.  Not always.  But, when we find
ourselves directed somewhere we weren't expecting to go, then yes,
everything we do has a purpose, even if, ultimately, that purpose is
only to increase our own knowledge."

She nodded slowly, obviously considering everything we'd done and
said.

I stood and stretched, getting rid of some minor muscle cramps. {{Your
turn, love.}}

{{Let's shift, first.}}

We shifted to our lupine forms and I moved to stand next to Mahika
after I picked up the ring she'd woven.  I felt a little silly because
I had to lift my head a lot higher than usual so I could carry the
ring without tripping over it, but that was ok.  To these people, at
this moment, nothing we could have done would be seen as 'silly'.

Mahika nodded her head slightly to each of the Aesu.  Once the
courtesies were finished, she faced 'First', again. "When you need us,
we will be there."

Then we turned and walked away, leaving the Aesu and their people to
finish the plans for their Solstice ceremony.

* * *

We spent most of the night settled on the top of a nearby hill while
we watched the tribe make their final preparations.

We'd been discussing our roles in the ceremony and while I felt I
could perform as Mahika wanted me to, I still felt that what we were
planning was subtly wrong.

I'd been searching my memories to see if I could remember anything
similar to what we anticipated here.  {{I wonder if they are descended
from the Egyptians?}}

Mahika's thoughts were filled with sadness.  {{Perhaps.  Dying
cultures are much the same in outlook once they know their death is
inevitable.  At least, with our help, they will be able to choose, and
keep their dignity no matter what choice they make.}}

I watched as First walked to her chosen place, the small area that
future generations would think of as the 'eye' of the horse.

The predawn preparations told me more than I wanted to know about what
was going to happen.   Every Aesu, every member of the tribe was
there, waiting while they held their animals with them.  I sighed,
then sneezed my disgust for the mindset that was capable of doing...
What I still hoped wouldn't happen.  {{Time.}}  I shifted to my human
form, picked up the ring of plants and then strode confidently to the
center of the outlined figure.

Mahika stayed wolf and loped off to turn and stand several hundred
yards away from the tail.  The alignment was deliberate.  For what was
about to happen, we needed every bit of power we could gather from the
ley line we were on.

I faced Mahika, took a deep, calming breath and then let it out
slowly.  {{I'm ready.}}

Mahika started gathering power for her assisted leap.   {{First has
raised her hands...  Now!}}  She launched herself into a full run.

I focused on her and when she hit the edge of the tail and leaped, I
ripped at the power of the ley line and fed it to the ring of plants I
held. 

Mahika was outlined in a white corona.  The ring and I were a
shimmering rainbow of energy.  I watched carefully and just before her
trajectory peaked I tossed the ring straight up so she could snatch it
as she flew over me.

She sent me one thought just before her jaws closed:  {{Got it!  Close
your eyes and protect us both!}}

I spread my arms in a warding gesture just as Mahika combined the
energy she'd gathered with the power in the ring--before she launched
a pure white bolt of power at First's upraised arms.  When the glare
made me reflexively close my eyes I held them closed and ducked my
head as I covered my face with both arms.

Even so, the flash of light left me in tears, and temporarily blinded.

I'll never forget First's scream.  It was filled with more agony than
I ever want to hear again.

Yet, there was as much joy as there was agony and that scared me more
than I cared to admit to myself right then.

Time, for me, stopped until I felt a nose nudge my leg.  {{It's
done.}}  Mahika's agony flowed into me and merged with my own.

I raised my head away from my arms, then opened my eyes to look at
what I *knew* I would see.

They were gone.

The Aesu.

The entire tribe.

All of their animals.

When I focused further out, on where their camp had been, it too was
gone without a trace.

It was as if they had never been there.

Yet...

The figure that would become known as 'The White Horse of Uffington'
was burned into the ground.  The chalk still glowed from the energies
First had used, but as I watched, the shimmering faded until there was
nothing to show how the figure had been created.

I was crying, not bothering to hide the pain I felt as I walked over
to the 'eye' and looked down at the model I had created such a short
time ago.

I knelt, then carefully dismantled it stone by stone until there was
nothing left.

When I finished and looked up I was nose to nose with Mahika.  She had
the ring in her jaws, her ears were flat and her tail drooped.  Her
body shouted her dejection as she whimpered:  "Where did we go wrong?"

I sighed and hugged her.  "We didn't, Love.  We got it perfectly
*right*."

I gathered energy again and felt for the special link between us,
then...

{{Let's go home.}}
====

Note to my readers:  I use 'grrl' instead of 'girl' as an affectionate
term for female canids.  It's not a spelling error.  Please, DO NOT
FIX IT!

note:  The 'puppy chewing the Wolf's tail' incident is detailed in
'The White Horse of Uffington', part one of this two part work.  
---

Lay Lines 3/4: Summer Solstice 2008
Wandering Wolf (part two of two)
A Man and Muse story
-----

I felt the bed shake and then a furry body stretched out with its back
against mine.

"Mmm.  Thanks, love.  Nice way to wake up."

There was a long silence while I savored the contact.  I was still
waking up when I heard a sharp intake of breath, then:  "You!"

There was a happy sounding 'Woof!' and I was abandoned.

The next thing I heard was: "Down!"   Mahika was giggling when she
said it so I knew things couldn't be too serious but still...  'How
had a dog got in and what dog was it anyway?'

I rolled over and raised my head so I could look towards the door.
Then...

It took me a minute or so but I finally recognized the bitch and added
her name.  'Wolf'.

I sighed.   "Do I want to know how she got here?"

By then Wolf had settled a little and Mahika was kneeling and stroking
her head lightly.  

Mahika looked up long enough to grin at me.  "She place shifted."

I winced.  "Unintended consequences."   Last year's Summer Solstice
celebration was providing more surprises than I was willing to
contemplate at the moment.

I gazed at the wall and sighed.  "Good thing we have their phone
numbers.  I'll call and let them know where she is.   Not..."  I
finally chuckled...  "That I think they will be surprised."

"Call the cell number."

I paused in my reach for the address book.  "That sounded pretty
certain."

Mahika started to answer then glanced at Wolf.  "Yes, dear.  We'll get
there, just be patient."

Wolf gave her a lick and then vanished.  *That* got my attention.  It
was obvious the place shift had been deliberate, not accidental.

Mahika  stood and stretched.   "We're late, and she wanted to know why
we weren't at our camp site yet."

"Oh."  I grabbed the phone and settled on my back again.  "I wasn't
aware we were going anywhere this year."

Mahika came over and settled on the bed before she leaned down and
kissed me.  "We weren't."

"That's what I thought.  But you obviously changed our minds."

She laughed.  "Wolf followed us when we went back to the creation of
The White Horse.  She thinks you look handsome as a wolf.  She also
thinks watching the puppies chew on you is one of the funniest things
she's ever seen."

"What?!"  I groaned.   "How did we miss her?"

"We were busy?"

"Hmm.  Point and I was never anything other than human when we met
Wolf."  I looked up.  "But you?  No scent memory?"

She looked a bit stunned.  "I *should* have noticed her!  In fact, I
remember thinking one of the bitches looked a lot like her, but...  I
knew it wasn't Wolf because her scent wasn't there and it was a
different time."

I rolled to my side so I could study Mahika.  "Wrong scent or no
scent?"

"Umm..."

I waited.

Mahika groaned.  "No scent.  Definitely none--and I never noticed
because I was looking only for scent and didn't find any that matched
hers."

She shook her head wearily, but with a smile of reluctant admiration.
"She's learned to eliminate her scent, not just hide it."

I winced.  A predator with no scent to betray it.  That could prove to
be...  'A serious problem.'

"Love?"

"Yes?"

I chuckled...  "May I listen in while you try and explain ethics and
discretion to Wolf?"

She giggled briefly, then sobered.  "I don't have to.  She's not the
'Wolf' we met last year."

"Oh?"

"Time travel.  How old are you?"

"Oh!  Right...  Local time I'm near sixty.  Mental time..."  I sighed.
"I'm closer to one hundred?  One-fifty?  More?  Less?"

She nodded.  "For Wolf, it's all a new game.  I had the impression she
thinks she's been wandering the paths for thousands of years.  There's
a lot of wisdom in that head, now..."  

Her voice trailed off and I detected an unusual amount of
thoughtfulness in it so I studied her carefully before I prodded her
for an answer.  "What is it?"

She hesitated much longer than was normal, then shook her head
slightly, as if dismissing whatever it was she was thinking.  "Get up
and let's have breakfast.  Maybe, by then, I'll have more than a vague
feeling of 'alien' to go on."

'Alien?'  From Mahika?!  Right.  I was *definitely* in no hurry to
find out what she was thinking!

I shook my head, clearing it of my thoughts, and called John's cell
number.  Once I let him know Wolf had dropped in to find out why we
weren't there yet--and that we'd be at the camp site later, I hung up
and settled back to ponder what was obviously going to be 'an
interesting day'.

That quickly turned into a useless exercise, so I got up, took a
shower, then dressed and wandered into the kitchen.  By that time
Mahika had eaten and put some food on the table for me.  I settled at
the table and only flinched a little when I heard a dog lapping at the
water bowl.

Wolf was back.  'Wonderful.'  Oh well, at least she was focused on
Mahika.  That detail, when I thought about it, sent my mind off into
other thoughts.  How was I feeling, anyway?  I'd never had a bitch in
the house who wasn't primarily bonded to me.

I looked down when I felt a nose in my crotch.  Brown eyes looked into
mine and I shivered.  I'd never expected to see a bitch with that much
wisdom in her gaze.

A paw came up to stroke along my inner thigh and then deliberately
rest on my penis.

Mahika's comment took me by surprise.  "You'll always be her Alpha
male, even though she hasn't been a virgin for a long, long time."

I winced and faced the situation, trying to think about it with my
head more than my emotions.  "What are you two trying to tell me?"

I managed to break loose of those eyes long enough to see a grimace
cross Mahika's features.  "I'm...  A wolfess created to fit a human's
image.  Wolf..."  She took a deep breath.  "Wolf is *pure* canine,
with thousands of years of being a companion to humans, both in her
heritage and as herself."

I nodded slowly.  "And?"

"She's never seen herself as a slave, to anyone.  Wisdom earned lets
her see that any 'slavery' she suffered as she was growing up was
forced by the situation.  People fulfill her, in much the same way
they do me, with a very important difference..."

I looked down again, studied Wolf's body language--and knew I was
lost.  I barely heard Mahika's words.   "She has never used humans to
define herself.  She *chooses* to join them, as an equal.

"For thousands of years, she's remembered that I was the one who gave
her the power to be who she is.  She also remembers that *you* had
given me the ability to do that."

I heard something unusual, crying.  Mahika?  Crying?  I looked up
again.   Yes.

"For six months, local reality, she's been time slicing; playing and
exploring.  She'll keep time slicing between us and her first family
until the kids grow up and she's reached the end of her 'natural
lifespan', or let herself appear to be killed.  She's quite skilled at
this part of the 'game' she has learned to play.

"But once that is done, she wants to be here, with the rest of her
pack, in the role of...

"My best friend, Beta to our Alpha positions, canine companion to
humans...

"And as our lover."

I gazed at Wolf thoughtfully while I absorbed what I'd just been told.
She nodded slowly, then nosed my crotch again until she could grab my
zipper with her front teeth.  With a skill that told of many such
encounters, she exposed my shorts, dug my penis out and then
deliberately gave me a canine blow job until I orgasmed into her
waiting and obviously eager jaws.

After she cleaned me, she managed to tuck my penis back into my
clothes and close my zipper.

That was quite a first time, considering I'd never fantasized about
her.  It was also the clearest example of 'canine consent' I knew I'd
ever see.   Mahika had done similar things with me over the years, but
Wolf was a pure bitch, and...

It was my every remaining zoo fantasy brought to life--and I knew
nobody would believe me if I tried to explain what had just happened.

But it turned out there was still one, final, soul shattering shock
that awaited us.

Wolf smiled at me as she carefully used her tongue to clean her muzzle
then she worked her way from under the table to stand in the clear
space by the kitchen window.

In a delicate movement that reminded me of one of Mahika's
transformations, she reared to stand on her hind legs...

Then she was a Nordic goddess!

I couldn't hold back my surprised exclamation: "Wolf?!"

"Hello, Tom.  Hello, Mahika.  It's been a long time since you gave me
the gift of equality, and we've all seen much since then.  But...

"I'm home--if you'll have me."

Mahika's reaction was more physical than emotional, and in its way, on
a deep level, very satisfying to me.  Her head snapped up and she
glared at Wolf.  "You!"  You..."  She let her voice trail off and lose
its tones of exasperation.

Her next words were calmer, and filled with a joyous hunger that I
recognized.  'Like calling to like'.  "You can shape shift..."  Her
chair slid backwards and fell over as she suddenly stood up.

Wolf was already moving in her direction when the two of them met in a
tear filled hug.

When the impulsive welcome and acceptance ended, Wolf was facing me
over Mahika's left shoulder and watching me.  I sighed, then winked at
her before I filled my voice with exasperation  "*Just* what I needed.
Another bitch in my life."

She winked back.

* * *

I watched them for awhile, then chuckled...  "I'll deal with getting
ready to leave.  You grrls can go do whatever, as long as you stay out
of my way."

They giggled and headed for the living room.  While I put things away
and collected our camping gear I heard mostly silence, a few seemingly
disconnected sentences, and some gasps and giggles.

Lots of giggles.

Hmm...  Mental note to self.  'Don't ask.  Males aren't supposed to
know some things, no matter how female they are in their thinking.'

Male-female.  Transgendered.  Shared attitudes...  'Oh, damn!  Lady
Chrystal!'  I winced to myself and decided to get it over with.

I sent a mental greeting.  {{Chrys!  Busy?}}

{{What's wrong?}}

I sent her some images of recent events.  She laughed.  {{Interesting
times.}}

I chuckled.  {{Yep.  More of Mahika's 'unintended consequences'.  Have
time to join them and get caught up on things?}}

The air by the kitchen window shimmered and then coalesced into a
familiar vixen.  "Yes."

"Chrys!  Get in here and meet Sandra!"

I chuckled.  "Trust a wolfess' nose..."  Then I hugged her as she
walked past.   "Later."

I raised my voice slightly, even though I knew three sets of ears
would have heard a whisper.  "See you grrls at the camp site.  Take
your time.  It will give me a chance to relax and visit with John,
Martha and the kids."

I was rewarded with three sneezes of amusement.  Two of them, I was
familiar with, the third was subtly different.  'Sandra.  I'll have to
remember that.'

* * *

Fortunately for my peace of mind, the drive to the campground was calm
and uneventful.  Not that I considered those conditions completely
good things.  It gave me too much time to worry about what sort of
explaining might need to be done.

Explaining.  Oh, crud.  Did they know Wolf is 'Sandra'?

I decided to use the cell phone to check.  Result:  An emphatic 'No!'
and she wanted to keep it that way.

Great.  I sighed and then decided to just duck as much as I could by
only answering when things were brought up.  I wondered, briefly, why
Wolf's abilities hadn't been mentioned in any of the monthly phone
conversations or emails we exchanged.

Puzzled, but not so puzzled that I couldn't see the humor in the
situation, I snorted my disgusted amusement and kept driving.

Mahika and Chrys were waiting at the turn off to the fire trail that
led to the campground.

After they got in and settled, I shook my head and smiled.  "I thought
last year's Solstice was interesting.  Do I get to know what scheme
you grrls have cooked up for the 'old dog', this year?"

Chrys leaned forward to put a hand on my shoulder.  "The usual.  Go
with the flow.  Wolf has had a long time to think about this day."

"A long time."  I chuckled, then sobered enough to finish the drive
without wrecking the van.  "OK.  I assume the three of you will deal
with everything?"

Chrys giggled.  "No.  I'm along as the distraction for the children.
You're going to get involved in some misdirection.  Mahika is going to
translate for Wolf while Wolf plays dumb about being able to shape
shift."

Mahika took over.   "Apparently, before she understood what she was
doing, they noticed she was vanishing and coming back with odd items.
They put a video cam on her collar and as a result, they got more than
they expected.  Wolf has seemed to ignore the cam but for months she's
been carefully managing what it sees.  One of the things she let it
record was a few minutes of us while we were at Uffington.  That tail
chewing incident was what she recorded, since she had to have
something, but she couldn't record much else without creating more
problems than she wanted to deal with."

I winced and said nothing.  It wasn't that I couldn't see the point of
Wolf's stage managing.  I just wished she'd filmed something other
than me acting like an overgrown puppy.

Wait.  Puppy.  Wolf.   "Do any of them know I was the wolf in the
picture, or where we actually were and what was going on?"

Mahika frowned slightly and I felt her reach for Wolf.  "She doesn't
think so.  They don't expect to get much with the camera since she's
convinced them she randomly turns it off and on when she scratches.
Where are you going with this?"

"I don't know, yet.  John and Martha know you can shape shift but
we've never told them I can.  There's a good chance they or the kids
will recognize Chrys and *everyone* knows she's contact telepathic and
a shape shifter, when she wants to be."

Then it hit me.  "Wait.  I asked if they know that Wolf is Sandra.
What I *didn't* ask is 'Have they *met* Sandra'?"

Mahika's response was almost instant.  "Yes."

I grinned.  "That's good.  That's very, very good.  I bet they have
*also* met Sandra and Wolf at the same time."

Mahika frowned this time.  "That's..."  She gasped.  "They have!  I
thought it was impossible!"

I chuckled.   "Mindset.  If my theory is close, it was inevitable that
it would happen for Wolf."

I shut up and sent a thought at Sandra.  {{OK, Bitch.  Whatever you're
up to, I'll go along.  'Misdirection'.  Misdirection for who, eh?  Do
I tell these two?}}

I got a resigned, half-hearted mental snarl.  {{You think too much.
Let them figure it out on their own.  Now go away.  I'm busy.}}  She
cut me off after letting me get a glimpse of the road we were on.

A few minutes later a flash of light in the rear view mirror caught my
attention at about the same time Chrys turned to look behind us.
"That's Sandra back there."

I negotiated the last turn and entered the campground before I
replied.  "Makes sense.  She didn't correct me when I said I'd see the
three of you."

Mahika jerked slightly and I caught a glimpse of her frown.  "I can't
feel her.  I can feel Wolf, though."

Ah!  Time for some misdirection.  "Maybe she's never had to hide from
an Avatar of Power.  You'll have to ask her when she gets here."

I managed to suppress my grin when the mirror let me see Chrys' ears
go straight up, then swivel in my direction.  Before she could say
anything I took a deep breath.  "As soon as I park, we're on. Everyone
ready?"

"Ready."  That was Chrys

Mahika had to get her frustration under control before she answered.
"Let's get this over with so I can find out what *game* that Bitch is
playing."

"Do us all a favor, love.  *Don't* show up in any of your other forms
simultaneously.  We don't want to give them any hints, do we?"

She glared at me.  I'd guessed right.  "I'll be good, see that you
are, too."

Chrys watched Mahika get out and stalk over to Sandra before she
giggled in my mind and leaned forward to squeeze my shoulder gently.
{{What's Wolf up to with Mahika?}}

I mentally chuckled and patted her hand.  {{You haven't figured it
out?}}

{{No.}}

{{I have orders not to tell either of you.}}

She studied me.   {{You're amused and...  Paternal?!"  Her ears went
up again and she started laughing out loud before she turned her head
so she could watch Mahika and Sandra.  {{You're kidding!"}}

{{Nope.  Mahika's getting a full dose of 'teenaged daughter declaring
her adulthood and finding her position in the pack'.}}

She kept laughing.  {{I don't think 'interesting times' is quite
strong enough.  Do you?}}

{{Nope.}}

{{How did you figure it out so soon?}}

I chuckled in her mind.  Then I opened my door so I could slide out of
my seat to stand and stretch the kinks out before I slid the left side
door open to help her get out.  {{I've spent all my life around
bitches, dogs--and puppies.  Has to count for something, don't you
think?}}

{{You...}}

She sneezed at me with that cute tilt of her head that I enjoyed.   

{{Alpha!}}

* * *

"Wow!  She's TALL!"

"Hush!  She'll hear you..."

"But she *is*!"

"Is that the Ambassador?"

"Of course she is, dummy!  She's wearing that golden cloak with the
funny pin on it."

I laughed and wrapped an arm around Chrys.  "Let me introduce you to
the kids before they mob you."

"I'm used to it.  I can introduce myself."

"I know.  But there's a serious game going on this time and I have to
maintain appearances."

By then the kids and Wolf had abandoned their games to come over to
greet us.

"You know her?"

"Why didn't you tell us that?"

I grinned.   "We've known each other for years.  She wasn't here, and
if you remember, you were interested in other things."

I gestured at each of them in turn.  "Marie, John Jr., Libby and Sam.
I present to you Lady Chrystal, Rabelaisia's Senior Ambassador to
Earth.

"Lady Chrystal, meet Marie, John Jr, Libby and Sam."

Wolf pawed me and I grinned.  "Hello, Wolf.  I'm not ignoring you  I
saved you for last, that's all..  Wolf, meet Velvet.  Velvet, Wolf.
Shake?"

She moved slightly and offered a paw to Chrys.  Chrys took it solemnly
and then let go.

Sam piped up.  "Why'd he call you 'Velvet'?  Are you really a Bard? Do
Bards really do magic?  Can you do any magic tricks?"

All the kid's eyes were on Chrys so I knew they wouldn't see my grin
as I walked away.  Chrys had relaxed her legs, reducing her height
almost a foot and at the same time she'd been 'lifting' the kids until
they were eye level to her.

"Well, Sam."  She held out her arm.  "He called me Velvet because that
was one of my nick names when I was growing up.  My fur feels like
velvet, see?"

He reached out to pet her arm.  "Gee...  That's neat!"

She smiled at him.  "I think it is, too.  Yes, I'm really a Bard and I
tell stories, sing and...  Maybe you should look down before you
decide if I can do magic tricks."

"Huh?"  All of the kids looked down and gasped.  "We're standing on
air!"

Marie was the first to look up and she glared at Chrys.  "I didn't see
you make any gestures.  That wasn't Magic!"

Chrys smiled gently.  "You're wrong, Marie.  What I did *was* Magic.
Mages, Wizards, and Bards use the same power, we just learn different
ways of doing things.  I've been trained to not gesture..."

Libby interrupted.  "Like stage magic.  You distract people while you
do something and then they think you did a special trick but all you
did was hide your actions!"

The kids had been successfully diverted so the rest of us could get on
with more serious business.

I felt a nudge and looked down.  Wolf.  I scratched between her ears
and contacted her mentally.  {{Satisfied?}}

She wagged her tail.  {{It's always a pleasure to see you work
together.  Are you ready to deal with Martha and John?}}

I reached deep within and centered myself before I replied.  {{I think
so.}}

{{Let's go.}}

She woofed and bounced around me while she slowly herded me over to
where John and Martha were settled.

I looked the RV over and smiled.  "John.  Martha.  Good to see you
again.  But you never told me about this."  I gestured at the RV.

They looked at each other and I felt a sudden tension in the air. John
turned back to face me.  "Used, and this is her maiden voyage." He
nodded towards where Mahika and Sandra were having some sort of
discussion.  "Sandra never told us she knows you folks."

He grimaced and looked at his wife before he turned to face me again.
"I wish she had.  It would have made our lives a lot simpler for the
last five months."  He shook his head.  "We've been expecting her to
join us today.  That she knows you is something of a bonus, I
guess..."

Martha interrupted.  "How well does she know you?"

Oh, great.  I shook my head slightly..  "She knows Mahika better than
she does me.  Anyway, she knows who I am, what I am and what Mahika
and I are to each other, if that's what you're asking."  I chuckled.
"At least I don't have to convince you she can keep secrets."

She blushed and ducked her head.

"Hey.  Don't worry about it."  I looked over at the two of them and
shrugged.   "I imagine Mahika's letting her know she doesn't like it
when one of her close friends keeps secrets."

Tom leaned forward.  "She asked us to not tell anyone about what we've
been doing since we met her.  We've been...  No, that's not right.
*Sandra* has been in charge of the team dealing with excavating a
previously unknown Native American site we found."

He looked down at his feet.  "Well...  Wolf found it first...  Sort
of..."

He didn't look up.  "Mar?  Get the prints?"

She got up and went in the RV, then came back out with a stack of
printed images and handed them to me.  I glanced at the top one and
winced.

"May I sit down?"

She gestured at one of the chairs.

I nodded my thanks and settled gingerly.  I went through them, not
saying anything, then leaned back and sighed.  "There's some stuff in
here that..."

I leaned forward and set the stack on the table before I went on. "Oh,
hell.  I'll be honest.  I wish you'd never seen some of this, ok? But,
you have, and everything here is a picture of something real--as far
as I can tell."

The silence was brittle.  I'd wondered why they were so tense and I
was afraid I knew, now.  Nothing left to do except get it over with.

"Ask away.  I'll answer as best I can but there's only one person who
can answer some of the questions you must have."  I gestured at Wolf.
"Her."

I let the awkward silence continue.  It was up to them, now. 

While I waited I wondered if we'd still be friends when the
explanations were over.

* * *

{{Thanks.  Bitch.  You could have warned me with some details.}}  I
let Wolf feel my resignation.  {{Think they will be able to deal with
all this?}}

{{Would it have done any good to warn you?}}  Her tone was a bit tart,
the kind that I was used to hearing from Mahika when she felt I was
missing the point.

{{No.  Point.}}

{{Relax.  They have questions, but they don't expect a lot of answers.
They feel they *need* to stay friends with you.  You and Mahika are
the only way they have of coming to terms with this new reality
they've stumbled into.}}  She sent an image of her licking my face
gently.  {{They aren't worried about things with you as much as they
are worried for their children--and me.}}

{{Ah.  I see.  It quit being a game, didn't it?}}

{{Yes.}}

{{OK.  Get Mahika and Sandy over here.  Have you two settled your
differences, young bitch?}}  I let her see my amused mental grin at
what was happening between the two of them.  {{Be gentle, eh?   She's
never raised a bitch before--only wolves.}}

Wolf turned her head to watch Mahika and Sandra, then she sneezed
violently without adding any mental comments.

I laughed in her mind.  {{Cultural differences, M'Dear.}}

This time she sent an image of a little kid sticking her tongue out at
me.  {{I'll try to keep that in mind.}}

* * *

Martha had remained standing and now she reached down to the pictures.
She shuffled through them until she had the one she wanted and then
she showed it to me.  "What is this about?"

Oh, well.  It wasn't the worst one she could have picked to start
with.

"That's the flying bridge of the Samuel Langhorn Clemens."

It wasn't a very satisfying answer but I'd figured it wouldn't be.

Her voice got slightly brittle.  "And what are you two doing there?"

I glanced at John and he spread his hands out, disclaiming any
responsibility for his wife's focus.  When I looked back she was grim
faced.

"I can assume you follow the news and know what the Sam Cee is?"

She nodded.

I sighed.  "I'm the designer, owner and Captain.  Mahika is the senior
pilot.  My best guess is that the picture was taken during one of our
attack runs.  It's the only reason I can think of that nobody noticed
she was there."

She glared at me.  "Tom?  Just how rich are you?  Was last year's
sharing some sort of 'feel good charity'?"

I winced.  "Rich enough.   I own the patents for all the new
technology that went into her design.  I'd been licensing it until I
could afford to have him built.  The Sam Cee is a 'proof of concept',
as well as my major personal indulgence."

I pointed at our well used van.  "That's the real me.  I don't define
myself by how much money I happen to have."

I sighed and looked down at my hands.  "I have a real problem when it
comes to NOT offering to help someone when they are having problems. I
was raised to help others by sharing.  That's all it was.  Old
fashioned values learned when I was a kid, and growing up poor.  If we
had it, and someone needed it, we shared.  It never crossed my mind
that what we did could be seen as being selfish and buying good
feelings--or trying to buy the kind of friendship that money will
never purchase."

"Oh."

I knew better than to make any comments about her reaction.

John came over and hugged her.  "I tried to tell her but..."

I nodded.  "I understand.  It's not often we meet people we can relax
with, unless we avoid some things about our lives.  Fame is something
I'd rather live without.  I think you can see why."

Wolf stood and walked over to nuzzle at Martha.  I chuckled and
pointed.  "She doesn't care if anyone is rich or not."

{{Not true.}}  Her tail curled and brushed against the table as she
wagged it, scattering the pictures.  I was probably the only person
there who knew the action had been deliberate.

Martha scolded Wolf but her heart wasn't in it.  She gathered the
pictures, getting all of them except the one Wolf just happened to be
standing on.  "Wolf?  Move your foot."

Wolf lifted her foot, then Martha gathered in the last picture and
showed it to John.  I didn't need to ask to know Wolf had deliberately
picked it out.

"Ah.  Yes.  That one."  He sighed and took it from her so he could
hand it to me.

I looked at it and shook my head.  "Never seen this place before...
Wait.  That's in the next range of mountains to the north, isn't it?"

He looked at me oddly.  "As a matter of fact, yes it is."

I sent a quick thought to Wolf.  {{You didn't?...}}

{{Yes, I did.}}

I smiled and handed the picture back to him.  "OK.  I know the site,
didn't easily recognize it because of the trees and water."

"You *know* the site?!"

"Yeah.  I discovered it in my late teens, while hiking with a friend.
I check on it once in awhile but I haven't been there in years."

He and Martha looked at each other.  She said it first:  "Curiouser
and curiouser."

I jerked upright.  "Wait.  You mean?..."

John laughed.  "Yeah.  I don't have to ask if you ever reported it,
because it's obvious you never did.  You should have seen the
reactions we got when *we* reported it and asked if it was known."

He got serious.  "We get a percentage of the value of whatever's
recovered.  Part of the first payment is what paid cash for this RV."

He sighed and hugged Martha again.  "That's a lot of the problem
Martha has.  She's afraid being this rich is going to corrupt us all.
And..."

He sighed.  "I share those fears.  You and Mahika, now that we know...
Well...  Do you mind if we lean on you and use you as role models?  We
wanted to ask your advice as soon as we could, and while we weren't
expecting you to be here, we *did* expect Sandra and we were going to
ask her if we could bring you in on it as our friends and outside
consultants."

Martha leaned her back into his chest.  "It was weird.  We were hiking
in the area when Wolf found a stick to play with.  The kids were
taking turns tossing it when I noticed it was straighter than it
should have been.  I had them bring it to me and it turned out to be
an arrow shaft.

"We did some searching of the area and eventually Wolf and the kids
led us to more evidence of the site.  It wasn't shown on any of the
maps we had, so we decided to do some searching on the net when we got
home.

"That  eventually led us to Sandra, and the contract we have."

She reached down to pet Wolf thoughtfully.  "As far as we're
concerned, Wolf paid for the RV, and our future.

"If that makes sense."

I was saved from answering immediately.  Mahika and Sandra had joined
us part way through Martha's explanation.  All we really needed was
Chrys and the kids to make this a *real* difficult situation to deal
with...

I sighed when a fur covered paw landed on my shoulder.  {{Wonderful
timing, love.}}  With all those sensitive noses around, I knew there
was no point in trying to hide my exasperation with the situation.

I reached up and placed a hand on her paw.  John and Martha noticed
the automatic gesture but were kind enough to hold back any comments
they might have made.

{{Relax.  I'm here to simplify the situation, a little.}}  She
squeezed my shoulder gently.  {{Introduce me, formally, with ALL of my
titles.}}

I lifted my head back to stare at her as she studied me calmly.
{{All?}}

{{Yes.}}

{{OK.}}

"John.  Martha.  Sandra.  I'd like you to meet Rabelaisia's Senior
Ambassador, Wandering Master Bard, retired Bardic Council Member--and
Current Avatar of Rabelaisian Power on Terra, Lady Chrystal."

I ignored the suddenly wide eyes in most faces and finished my
introductions.  "Lady Chrystal.  I'd like you to meet John and Martha,
the parents of the four children you've already entertained so well.
Sandra, I know little about, other than she's a student of Native
American culture and artifacts, in addition to being a friend of
Mahika's."

"Pleased to meet all of you."  She nodded her head at each of them
before she faced John and Martha. 

"Kits will be kits, it seems, and when there is one such as Marie,
special needs must be met by whoever has the skills and knowledge to
meet them.  I would consider it an honor if you allowed me to summon
the people who can properly guide her in the ways of power."

{{Chrys?!  What are you planning?}}

{{Hush.  Marie is precocious.  This has to be done.}}

Before they could respond Marie walked over and tugged at Chrys' arm.
"Lady Chrystal?  Can't you teach me?"

Chrys knelt so she could look directly into Marie's eyes.  "I'd enjoy
that, Marie.  I'm not so old that I don't remember the joys of
teaching my own kits the ways of power.  However, it wouldn't be fair
to you if I did.  There are things you need to learn that I cannot
teach you--because the Rabelaisian ways of power are not the same as
Terra's ways."

Marie frowned.  "They aren't?  But you said the power is the same.
Can't you learn how so you can teach me?"

"No, dear.  Do you remember what I told you about the morphs?"

She nodded.  "Children of the Mages."

"Exactly.  Since our Mages couldn't time travel, they didn't create
the controls for that in us.  We can recognize them in others only
because we've studied it on Terra.  But, no matter how much I study,
I'll never be able to do it by myself.  You, on the other hand, have
the mental controls for it and you need to be taught by someone who
knows how, along with knowing all the other things you'll need to
learn."

Marie nodded slowly and my mental alarms went off.  When I glanced
around at the others only Wolf was watching me instead of Chrys and
Marie.  Wolf flicked an ear in Marie's direction and she nodded
slightly.  {{Stay out of it.  This is between Marie and Chrys.}}

{{Marie already knows how to time travel, doesn't she?}}

{{Yes.  I've been keeping an eye on her.  She's convinced I have to be
with her, the same way you always assumed you had to have Mahika as a
guide.  Let's keep it that way for now.}}

Marie walked over to Wolf and hugged her while she looked at Chrys. "I
don't want someone else.  I want you.  Wolf trusts you.  I trust you."

Chrys' ears had tracked on Marie and now they tipped backwards
slightly before coming erect again.  Her head tilted slightly and she
held the pose while gazing at Marie and Wolf.

When she spoke softly, it was to John and Martha.  "I can't teach
Marie how to travel in time, but everything else, I can do, including
the place shifting.  There's a tradition amongst my people that in
matters of power, we listen to our kits, and as much as possible, we
honor their decisions.

"I know my ways are not yours but I think we can reach a compromise
solution, if you are willing.  May I have your daughter as my personal
apprentice?"  She looked up and smiled.  "One of the requirements is
that an apprentice agrees to abide by her Master's decisions in
matters of power, and also agrees to allow blocks to be set--if the
Master feels they are needed."

John and Martha looked at each other for a long time.  I could tell
they were worried but seriously considering Chrys' offer.  I could
also tell that they didn't have any idea about what questions they
should be asking.

If only we could show them, safely...

{{Chrys.  Follow my lead, OK?}}

I didn't give her a chance to respond.  "Martha.  John.  Marie."  I
took a deep breath and let it out slowly once I had their attention.
"And Wolf.  I think there's a way to answer the questions you don't
know how to ask."

I looked at Chrys and sighed.  "Contact telepathy.  If the four of you
link with Chrys, she can manage things so you can see, and *feel* her
answers."

John nodded and looked down.  "Why include Wolf?"

I looked at Wolf and smiled, then looked away to meet John and
Martha's eyes in turn.  "Because, of all of us, she's best qualified
to guard Marie in her travels as she learns.  She is, after all, a
dog--and she loves all of you."  I smiled.  "Besides, with the contact
link through Chrys, you won't need Mahika to translate Wolf's concepts
into human.  You can experience them directly and see the world as she
sees it."

I held my smile while enjoying Wolf's stunned look.  {{Consider this
your rite of passage into adulthood, Bitch.  This is what it means to
be held responsible for ALL of your decisions.  You up to this?}}

I felt her frustration.  {{You're asking me to lie to them.}}

{{No.  I'm asking you to deliberately hide the things they aren't
ready to learn, and hide them so they never know you are hiding
them.}}

She wailed in my mind.  {{But they are family!  My family!  My pack!}}

{{And you are their Alpha.  For the good of your pack, decide.}}

She sat on her haunches suddenly.  I hoped nobody else would make the
connection between our discussion and her reactions.  {{I'm Alpha?}}

{{Wolf, the human Alpha is not always the one who appears to be the
Alpha, and the duties can often shift between pack members, depending
on the circumstances they find themselves in.}}

Her head turned and she studied me.  I felt her reluctance but her
tone was firm and accepting of her responsibilities.  {{For the good
of MY Pack this must be done.  Begin.}}

I gestured at Wolf.  "I think she's always wanted to share her
adventures with you.  You are, after all, members of her pack."

I looked down.  "Wolf?  Would you like to try and share what you've
seen?"

She stood and shook herself and then she walked over to stand in front
of Chrys.

Chrys smiled.  "So be it."  She settled into the Rabelaisian version
of the Lotus.  When she looked up she nodded at each of Wolf's family
in turn.  "All you need to do is touch my head.  You'll be in overall
control of the link, and can withdraw at any time by breaking physical
contact."

She looked at Wolf and laughed gently.  "I'll be the conduit.  What
happens after that will be up to you and Wolf."

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  "Wolf?  You may begin,
if you wish."

Wolf's left paw came up and she planted it firmly between Chrys' eyes.

I looked at everyone.  "Well?  A finger will work.  Touch her anywhere
on her head and you'll make contact with her, and through her, with
Wolf."

Marie broke away first and placed her hand over Wolf's paw.  Then she
let her fingers touch Chrys on either side of the paw.  She gasped
softly and her whole body made it obvious she was raptly involved with
what she was seeing and feeling.

I watched Marie for a few seconds, then returned my attention to John
and Martha.  "You control the link.  It takes a conscious effort to
send things to Chrys.  Your secrets are safe from each other--and from
Chrys, Marie and Wolf."

Martha finally laughed self consciously.  "We trusted you last year
and we barely knew you."  She pulled John with her.  "Come on.  It's
for the kids."

She looked up in surprise, then focused on the rest of her children.
"You, too."

They unfroze and ran to Chrys and Marie.  I smiled and chuckled.  With
all of them gathered around her, Chrys was running out of room for
hands and fingers on her head.

Still smiling, I gathered up Mahika and Sandra.  "Well?  You two get
things settled between you?"  I chuckled.  "Shall we take a walk so
you can fill me in?"

Mahika glared at me as we walked away.  "You knew?"

"Yes.  I figured it out when I found out they'd met Wolf and Sandra at
the same time.   How's it feel to have a daughter of your mind grow
up?"

She quit glaring and settled for a mixture of resignation and pride.
"Like nothing I've ever felt before, except second hand.  What about
your feelings?"

Her serious question surprised me.  "You know how I feel."

She nodded.  "I know how, not why, or how you're dealing with them."

Movement on my other side caught my attention before I could think of
a reply.  When I turned towards Sandra I realized she was watching me
intently.  I think if she'd been canid in form, every bit of her body
would have shouted that she was totally focused on me.

I sighed and kept walking.  "I don't know yet.  I can't time slice
like you can so I have to be linear in dealing with things and it's
all happened too fast for me to really think about myself."

Sandra spoke up.  "I'm not slicing.  Haven't been since I shifted to
human form in your kitchen.  Not right to slice in the middle of
something like this.  I'll place shift and stay linear but that's all
I'll do."

I turned my head slightly so I could watch Mahika and raised my
eyebrows, querying her.

She sighed.  "I wanted to, when we got to the campground.  Chrys and
Sandra convinced me I shouldn't, so I haven't been slicing time."  She
looked at me with unusual soberness.  "I seldom do it anyway, ever
since you let me into your life.  I..."

She shrugged a little.  "It's not fair to the mortal, if I live a life
outside our relationship."

"Thanks. Right now, I'm reacting to things without doing much in the
way of long term problem solving, other than trying to keep the
options open for all of us without revealing more than we have to
about the actual state of affairs."

Mahika stopped our walking and turned me to face her.  "You asked me,
so it's fair that I ask you...  'Have you and Wolf sorted things out
between you?'  She hasn't said anything to me--and I know you've spent
almost no time together."

My eyebrows went up.  "I thought you knew."

"Knew what?"

"That Wolf and I settled everything at breakfast, with the words you
relayed for her, and then the blow job."

Her reaction surprised me.  I'd expected any reaction except the one I
got.  She was confused, and showed it.  I reached for both of them and
drew them into a three way hug.  "Wolf is a Golden Retriever in her
natural form.  She's also, instinctively, a companion dog who belongs
to a breed of dogs noted for their ability to care for their human
partners.  She defined the relationship when she called me her Alpha,
and I accepted by allowing her to bring me to orgasm.  She doesn't see
me as her spiritual father, in the way she sees you as her spiritual
mother."

I pulled them both closer and kissed Mahika gently.  "Wolf knew
exactly how she felt and told me so.  I was surprised, but not so
surprised that I couldn't have objected to her terms.  I didn't.  All
the rest is...  Exploring the possibilities."

I let go of Mahika with one arm and lightly touched Sandra's nose with
a fingertip.  "Besides, telepathy can be useful when dealing with a
young bitch who has managed to get in over her head.  Right?"

She grimaced.  "I'm thousands of years older than you.  I should be
insulted when you call me a 'young bitch'.  Instead, I feel flattered
by the term when you speak it."

Mahika giggled.  "Watch him, he can be smooth when he wants to be."

Sandra giggled and then tilted her head to one side while she studied
me thoughtfully.  "He's not being smooth right now.  It's more than
that."

I raised my eyebrows in an invitation for her to continue.

She smiled and lightly stroked my face with her hand.  "He's being
honest.  His words, tones and scent are in agreement.  Any bitch would
be ecstatic when that happens.  He accepts my age and still sees me as
young...

"And I have to agree with him.  In this time and place, I *am* younger
than he is when it comes to experience."

Damn.  She'd nailed it in a way Mahika would never be able to do.  I
started crying.  Before I could recover I found myself the center of a
group hug.  "Thanks.  Both of you."

I took a deep breath and let go as I savored the emotions that were
flowing through me.  When I was ready to think again I smiled.  "When
this is all over, I think we could use a vacation, and I know the
first stop.  After that I'll leave things up to you."

Before either of them could respond I had another thought.  "Sandy?
You've checked out my whole life, haven't you?"

She blushed and I smiled.  "Good.  I turned to smile at Mahika.  "No
insult intended, but I'd appreciate it if you would be a dog of some
sort while we're there.  It won't be for long.  The time I'm thinking
of is one you and I have explored and I'd like to have Wolf there in
her human form."

She examined my request, and me, intently.  "Where and when?"

"Pier and Park, about 1959."

"Ah."

I blushed.  "Yeah."

She nodded thoughtfully.  "Seagull.  Less likely to be noticed and
this will be special for both of you."  She froze with a stunned look
on her face.  "No.  Forget that.  *Daughter*.  Young daughter."

I stared at her, then recovered from the surprise I felt.  "Oh.  Of
course.  Oddly fitting, isn't it?"

Sandra reached and squeezed my hand while watching Mahika.  "Thank
you.  Both of you."

I squeezed back and let go.  Then I brought myself down from the
emotions and looked back at where Chrys was still surrounded.  "Think
we've given them enough time?"

Sandra turned and studied them.  "Maybe."  She giggled.   "If nothing
else, everyone is probably getting hungry so it will break up soon
anyway."

"Point.  Let's go cook dinner while we're waiting."

* * *

This year I let Mahika handle most of the cooking chores while I kept
the fire going for her.  Sandra's help was mostly fetching and
carrying so Mahika could devote her attention to the food itself.

Eventually the gathering around Chrys broke up and everyone stretched,
then started discussing what they'd seen and felt.

I heard one of Chrys' giggles and then they were all headed towards
us.

I chuckled.  "Are we ready?"

Mahika turned the hot dogs and then answered me.  "Not quite, but by
the time they get their buns ready, these will be done."

I snorted...  "Honestly done?"

She giggled.  "Yes."

"Good.  We have enough hiding to do as it is.  We don't need more to
hide right now."

Wolf was already standing next to Mahika and had her nose almost in
the grill.  I laughed.  "I think she's telling you that she doesn't
need a bun."

Everyone got served and while the next batch was was being grilled I
watched John and Martha.  I wasn't worried about the kids.  They
couldn't stop asking Chrys questions about what had happened and what
they had seen.

Wolf was shamelessly begging for food from everyone, and getting it,
so I knew she was OK.  When I glanced at Sandra she was quietly eating
and doing her best to be invisible.

When John and his wife leaned back to relax, I took advantage of the
situation.  "You folks care to take a walk?  Sandra?  Martha?  John?"
"

Sandra looked up.  "I'm willing."

I nodded at her then turned to John and Martha.  They looked at each
other, then at their children.  John was the first to smile.  "I think
they'll be safe if we leave them with Mahika, Lady Chrystal...  and
Wolf."

Martha blushed before she stood up and faced me.  "Where to?"

I stood and stretched.  "Anywhere.  You pick a direction."

She nodded, helped John out of his chair and then the four of us
drifted away from everyone else.

We ended up standing together and silently studying a tree lined gulch
that led to another campground at a lower elevation.

John finally sighed and broke the silence.  "That was an incredible
experience.  Before, we only had random images and short videos.  Now,
we have Wolf's feelings, too.

"Tom?..."

"Yeah?"

"What's it like?"

"What?"

He sighed.  "You never told us you could shape shift.  One of the
things Wolf showed us was you and Mahika running as wolves.  I still
can't believe how rich Wolf's life is.  How?...  I don't know.  I
don't have the words yet."

I heard the pleading in his voice when he went on.  "After what
happened today...  If Marie learns to shape shift, too, will she still
be human?  How can you return to such a limited form when you can
be..."

He faced me.  "What keeps you human, when you could so easily be a
wolf?"

I sighed and looked at my clenched hands.  "So you figured it out."

I raised my head, smiled sadly--and shifted to my anthrowolf body.
"Because I  remember the man I used to be, and in this world, I can
take on no other form for my daily life if I want to survive.  Having
the Rabelaisians here helps but even so..."

I shook my head slowly.  "If I were anything other than human in
outward appearance, I couldn't escape the notoriety."

Sandra surprised me.  "Many cultures call it 'Dream Time'.   Few
people learn that the separation between dreams and reality is slight,
and the barrier can be easily crossed.  Once they do..."

She stood beside me and wrapped an arm around me.  "Mahika should be
explaining this but I'll give you the basics, as she explained them to
me.

"For all but a few people, their attachment to the consensus universe
is so strong they never realize they can consciously redefine it on a
personal level.  Of those who accept it can be redefined, few of those
are able to break the connection between their sense of self and the
body they were born in.

"When you factor in cultural conditioning that insists the human form
is 'the best', it's no surprise that shape shifting people are
extremely rare."

I chuckled in an attempt to disrupt the somber mood.  "Sorry.  But
there's really a simple answer after all.  'The human form has hands.
Most animals don't.'  As a wolf, I do live a life that is very rich in
many ways.  But, as much as I enjoy that richness, I quite willingly
trade it for the ability to easily manipulate my environment.  This
form is a compromise I seldom wear, simply because it draws too much
attention."

I gestured at their children.  "Marie will always be human, no matter
what form she happens to adopt--if she learns to shape shift.  Chrys
will see to that."

I shrugged slightly, then shifted back to being human.  "It's not as
easy at Mahika and I make it look.  Mahika spent a lot of time
changing me, then slowly letting me do more and more of the actual
change.  If you're distracted, the results can be unusual.  The only
good part is that if you relax your will, you revert to your birth
form."

{{That's not quite true.  You can forget you weren't born in the form
you're wearing.}}

I let Sandra feel my mental shrug.  {{It's as close to the truth as I
want to go.  It's essentially correct and they are worried enough as
it is.}}

Martha pounced on my opening, but her questions weren't the ones I was
expecting.  "What about Wolf?  She's been time traveling.  How old is
she?  Is that why she seems to understand us so well?"

She suddenly froze and then took a half step in the direction of her
kids.  When she caught herself and turned back to face me she had a
sickly, forlorn look on her face.  "Marie?  What will she be like
after she's time traveled?  In the blink of an eye she could be
hundreds of years older..." 

John jerked around to stare at his children, then reached and pulled
his wife into a hug.  "Will she remember us?  Will we know?  What will
she think of us when she comes back to find us so...  'Shallow'?"

A fleeting image from Sandra jerked me back to awareness of more than
John and Martha.  {{Sandy!  No!  Stay!  Don't tell them!}}

I felt her shudder and take a few deep breaths.  {{I have to tell
them!}}

{{Not here.  Wait.  There's a solution...}}

I took a deep breath and let it out.  There *was* a way, a way that
would let us hide what truth didn't need to be revealed.  {{You're too
close to their pain.  We can do this so they are reassured and have
time to accept.  Stay with me...}}

I gathered my thoughts and sent calls to Chrys and Mahika.  {{Be
ready!  Emergency time and place shift when I tell you!  Wolfess and
Vixen!}}

I spared a thought for Sandy.  {{Time and place shift.  Can you return
to being Wolf, join us as Sandra, then come back and split again?}}

{{Of course.  But shouldn't I be in my natural form, too?}}

{{Misdirection.  We'll let Chrys change you to a wolfess.  We don't
want John and Martha wondering why you would be there as a Golden."

{{Oh.}}

I gave her a mental hug.  {{Don't worry about it.  Paranoia isn't part
of your nature.  It comes naturally to us humans, and I've had a long
time to refine it.}}

I reached and touched John and Martha.  "It's Solstice Day, and many
things are possible.  There's no reason for you to worry, and you can
have all the time you need to understand..."

I linked, built the image...  {{Now!}}

Suddenly the trees around us were lusher, and different than the ones
we were used to.

I was pure wolf.  Mahika was a white wolfess and Chrys was a vixen.
John, Martha and Sandy were still human. 

I took the time to explain the situation to Mahika and Chrys, then
calmly finished with  {{Chrys?  It's your show, now.}}

Martha reacted first.  "My children!  Where are they?"

Chrys nudged her leg and when Martha looked down, she smiled.  "They
are where we left them, and safe.  Time here is not matched in your
true reality.  We will return at the instant we left and you will have
the knowledge, and the experience, you will need to understand your
daughter."

Martha trembled.  "Will I remember them?"

Chrys nodded.  "Of course you will remember them.  But it is something
that has to experienced, not described."

She settled on her haunches and suddenly she radiated the calm
reassurance that only a Bardic Master can display.  "Link with me. Let
me share your memories so when the time comes to return, they will be
easily recalled if you have forgotten them.

"Then, choose the new forms you wish to explore, knowing that when it
is time to return, you will still be human, and you will treasure your
children and the world you live in even more than you do now."

They shivered and then reached.  But, before they made contact John
glanced aside, towards Sandy.  "Why is she here?"

I stopped Sandy from replying.  {{>Let me handle this.}}

{{Yes, Alpha.}}

I sent her a mental sneeze of amusement.  {{Only because you made me
so.}}

"John?  I brought Sandra along for a simple reason.  Wolf is young,
physically, but it is likely she won't always be with you.  Sandra is
insurance, and a friend who will share your understanding."  I grinned
at them all, impartially.  "Besides, she's human and you can talk to
her without a translator.  I thought you'd appreciate that."

John let out a short laugh and Martha giggled.

They relaxed and looked at each other for a long time, then nodded and
almost as one, touched Chrys' forehead.

A few minutes later John and Martha blurred and became a wolf and
wolfess.

Chrys tilted her head and smiled.  "Seek within.  The controls and
knowledge of the wolf are inside you, but you must also let go of what
it means to be human before you can touch the knowledge, and feel it."

She looked up and grinned at Sandra, who was pretending to be eager,
yet slightly nervous.  I hoped John and Martha wouldn't notice that
her scent didn't match her attitude completely.  "And you, Sandra.
What form do you choose?"

"A wolfess, of course.  Nothing else would be appropriate, now."

I laughed in her mind.  {{A statement worthy of a Bard, Bitch.}}

Chrys nodded.  "Touch me and let your journey begin."

When it was over, Chrys remained a vixen and the rest of us were
wolves. 

Martha looked up from her self examination.  "A vixen?  Wolves run
very fast, and a long time.  How will you keep up with us?"

Chrys scampered off, leaving only her laughter and fading words
behind.  "Rabelaisian Vixens are only caught if they wish to be
caught!  It is you who will have to keep up with me!"

She led us on a merry chase and if John and Martha noticed that
Mahika, Sandra and I held back slightly to have our own chase, they
never let on.  Personally, I felt they were too wrapped up in their
own enjoyment and too new to being wolves to notice the subtle ritual
the three of us were celebrating as Mahika and I made Sandra the third
member of our pack.

* * *

Hours later Chrys stopped and let us catch her.  The six of us tussled
together briefly, then we broke apart and the five of us who were
panting from our exertions flopped heavily and settled for the
evening.

Martha had collapsed on her side, and her flanks heaved until she
caught her breath.  "That was fun!"

John flopped next to her and then rested his chin on her side.
"Incredible."  He inhaled deeply.  "So rich, so..."  He turned his
nose slightly and inhaled again.  "I'm exhausted, I can tell Martha is
willing and ready..."

He looked at me and I could see his puzzlement.  "But I can't bring
myself to mate with her."

I nodded.  "You can, but you'll have to do it consciously.  Normally,
only the Alpha mates with the Alpha bitch, when it's time.  Should we
leave, and let you be your own pack?"

He thought about it.  "Odd.  I need..."  He shifted and stood over
Martha, then, without looking at me, sighed.  "We need your permission
to mate."

I got to my feet and shook myself to stretch my tired muscles.  I
walked over and nudged each of them with my nose.  "What the Alpha has
no direct knowledge of, he cannot forbid after it happens.  You are
already mated, with cubs of your own.  Of course you may continue to
mate with each other."

I turned away from them.  "Mahika.  Sandra.  Come with me."

The three of us drifted into the forest, safely downwind of John,
Martha and Chrys, to satisfy our own desires.  I was grinning when I
heard the short yips of sexual hunger that only a wolfess in heat
could make when she was being mounted by her Alpha.

Mahika was droll.  "Fresh air does it every time, Old Wolf."

Sandra was pragmatic.  "What about Chrys?"

I laughed and settled on my haunches.  "She'll help if she has to, and
when they are done, and open enough to accept what she has to tell
them, she will continue their education."

"That's not what I meant!"

"I imagine we'll have company after John and Martha go to sleep...
Amorous company."  I laughed at her exasperated expression.  "Is that
what you wanted to know?"

She and Mahika looked at each other and Sandra's ears twitched in my
direction.  Suddenly, without warning, they lunged in my direction,
knocking me over before they ran off with their tails in the air,
enticing me.

* * *

Morning found us in our human forms, satiated from the night's
activities.

Sandra slid her fingers over my chest while Mahika spooned herself to
my back and pulled me against her.

I reached and held Sandra's head while I kissed her deeply, gently.

She moaned, then snuggled into me.  I let go when she started to pull
her head back.  Our eyes met, and we shared 'The Look'.

I was the one who took a deep breath first and used it to break the
silence.  "Well?  It was special for me.  Thanks...  Bitch."  Then I
chuckled.   "There's something else you should know.  When Mahika and
I time shift, we make sure we're infertile."

She laughed, then snuggled.  "I've wondered about your lack of
children.  First times are always special.  But this one..."  Her
voice trailed off and she caressed my chest while she finished simply.
"You're the first man I could be myself with, completely."

Before I could react Mahika giggled in my ear.  "She's late.  She's
also in her natural body--and frustrated."

Before I could figure out who 'she' was, I heard a giggle, then a
familiar voice.  "Is there room for one more, and if there is, is he
up to it?"

I chuckled.  "I don't suppose there's any point in me insisting on my
Alpha status and staying where I am?"

Chrys laughed.  "You can stay where you are, but you aren't allowed to
completely relax until I'm done with you."

It was Sandy who laughed first.  "On your back, and that's all the
movement I'm allowing."  She looked up and grinned at Chrys.  "Will
that do?"

I rolled to my back, then watched Chrys and wondered how she would
handle the situation.

She stood over me, then settled with her vulva pressed against my
penis.  When she was comfortable she smiled dreamily...  "Sandra, I've
'made do' in far more unusual conditions.  This will work quite well,
thank you."

I was laughing when I reached to stroke her belly lightly.  "Indeed
you have.  And you're late.  From that, and your...  heat, may I
safely assume John and Martha are adapting to their new forms?"

She giggled.  "I had to take pity on them and change back so I could
help John enter Martha.  They were both so horny they kept trying to
use their paws like hands, to get him lined up.  You should have seen
the looks on their faces when he tied with her!"

I roared with my laughter and nearly dislodged Chrys from her
position.  She took advantage of my reaction to reach down and insert
my penis as soon as it was turgid enough to be able to press through
her first ring of muscles.  Mahika started working my chest and Sandra
used her hands to rub anywhere she could reach without having to move
from my side.

I had a lot of options available and after a few strokes decided that
I should focus on Chrys.  At that point, I grabbed her waist and
jerked us together, then held her so my pubic bone pressed into hers.

It triggered her first orgasm and she shivered while the waves of
pleasure washed over her.

When it was over she let herself fall forward until she was resting on
my chest.  "Mmm..."

I kissed her muzzle.  "You're too easy, love."

Her tongue came out and washed my face before she said anything.  "You
would be too, if you had spent the night the way I did, having to
watch and stay alert enough to help them get past any problems.  They
were worse than my kits!"

She giggled again.  "They finally collapsed at dawn."

Mahika hugged me and laughed at Chrys' frustration.  "Reminds me of
someone else, the first time I changed him into a wolf.  Two days and
the only times he wasn't tied with me were when he had to go to the
bathroom."

I blushed and changed the subject by turning to study Sandra.  "You're
quiet."

She kissed me lightly.  "I'm a Golden, with her Alpha.  Afterglow.  I
don't need to say more, do I?"

"No, Wolf.  You don't need to try and find the words to express what
can only be felt."

She tensed suddenly and her eyes seemed to glow.  "You called me
Wolf."

"Yep."

She shivered as the tension left her.  "Thank you."  Then she kissed
me hungrily.

I quit thinking for the rest of the morning, until the four of us
collapsed in a satiated pile of intertwined limbs and sweaty bodies.

* * *

Chrys roused us from our naps.  "I need to go back.  I can feel their
hunger and nervousness."

We hugged her briefly, then she was running back to where she'd left
her students.

I chuckled.   "I don't need a wolf's nose to know she's enjoying
herself."

Sandra pinched me slightly.  "How do you know that?  I didn't feel you
use any power, or any telepathy."

I kissed her. Then pulled back slightly so our eyes could meet. "We're
acknowledged Mind-Mates.  We have a constant awareness of the other,
and how they feel.  I thought you studied my entire life?"

"I did.  You never spoke of this."

I sighed.  "It's not something that can be talked about and explained.
For those who feel it, the 'gesture between mates' is all that is
needed.  All I can tell you is that if you haven't felt it, you'll
know it when it happens.  I didn't know what was happening when I felt
it, until Chrys took pity on me and gently told me what she felt, the
first time we met.

"It's a warmth of sorts.  There's a part of me that I can reach for,
as if I were warming my hands at a fire, and I can feel her as she
joins me there."

I sighed again and pulled both of them against me.  "What I feel with
the two of you is incredible.  It's just that..."  I paused long
enough to kiss each of them tenderly.  "Chrys and I are two parts of a
single being, individual, yet so close we share emotions all the time.
It's something we can't block, even if we wanted to, which we never
have."

I sighed.  "We play the game for the game's sake, but inside, there's
a truth that transcends it all."

Sandy hugged me.  "That's confusing."

"Sandy, of course it's confusing.  Emotions have to be felt, then they
don't need explaining, because you know."

I chuckled and glanced at her.  "Be the Bitch you are, not the human
you pretend to be."

Her frustrated expression changed to one of exasperation.  "Mahika?
How can you deal with him when he's like this?  Thousands of years of
experience, and this 'Man' can push my buttons so easily I might as
well be an inexperienced teenager."

I felt Mahika's hand stop it's slow, caressing movements.  The subtle
pressures of her fingertips increased suddenly, as if she were
clenching, but before it could become painful she let go and patted me
lightly in apology.  I felt her shift her body and then she was
kissing my nipples lightly, once each, before she turned her head to
rest it on my chest while she watched Sandra.

She was trembling so violently I wrapped my free arm around her as
best I could and pulled gently, letting her know I was there for her.

There was none of the usual hidden lightness in her words when she
finally spoke.  "I let myself feel, and I react as myself, selfishly.
It took me a long time to learn that lesson, because it is my nature
to accept and adapt, not oppose the one who completes me."

Sandra looked stricken, filled with a sudden inner pain.  "Oh."

She started crying and I gathered her in, using my presence to comfort
her while she came to terms with whatever it was she'd learned about
herself.

Eventually she snuggled against me and started lightly stroking my
chest.  "I've been independent, but it was the independence of always
being a part of a pack.  I've never been 'myself', able to put my
needs ahead of the needs of the pack, and ahead of the needs of
whoever I see as Alpha."

"Mmm..."  I stroked both of them while I thought about Sandy's words.

Eventually I sighed.  "I can't escape.  Sometimes..."  I shivered.
"Being an Alpha never stops.  It's always there, waiting, patiently
stalking me, looking for the best time to strike, and ambush me."

Mahika hugged me, then repositioned herself until she was straddling
me and rubbing my chest.  

Sandy watched, then kissed me and then moved until she was cradling my
head in her lap.  "Help me understand."

"Do you wonder what makes me call you Sandra, or Sandy, most of the
time?  I would much rather call you by your true name, Wolf.  But we
have guests, and to protect them, I must create the conditions that
will reduce the chances of them learning more than they are ready
for."

I captured one of her hands, stopping her fingers as they massaged my
shoulder.  "Sandy?  What is the primary duty of an Alpha, as you
understand it?"

She frowned.  "As I see it?  To lead, to guide his pack in their
survival."

I smiled bitterly.  "And how does he lead?  What guides him in making
those decisions?"

She shrugged, obviously not seeing my point.  "He leads.  The pack
follows, and survives.  I...  I guess what guides him is deciding if
something will increase or decrease the chances the pack will
survive."

I let go of her hand and she went back to massaging me.

I lost myself in their attentions for awhile, and was glad they knew
enough to wait me out.  Sandy's hands would slow, or stop once in
awhile, telling me that she was thinking about what I had said, and
asked her.

When she bent and kissed my forehead I knew it was time to finish what
I had started.

"Wolf.  How does it feel to be Alpha for your pack?"

She shuddered.  "It scares me."

"Good.  It should.  The time to worry is when it doesn't scare you,
when you eagerly look forward to it."

I turned my head and kissed the inside of her thigh.  "There's one
more thing.  You're wrong about the primary duty of an Alpha.  An
Alpha provides context so the rest of the pack may fit themselves into
it as themselves, and it is they who ensure the survival of the pack."

I rolled my head back so I could look up and capture her eyes.  "When
there is no context to guide, or adapt, she must create a new one--and
she must never let her pack know she is doing so."

I had the bitter satisfaction of seeing her jaw go slack as everything
she knew fell into a new pattern, and she understood.

I shifted my attention to Mahika and captured her hands.  When she
looked at me and raised her eyebrows I smiled, then nodded slightly.

She nodded back, then raised her head to study Wolf.  "My place has
always been to follow.  I observe, I help my Alpha by reminding them
of what they already know, or by pointing out things I think they may
not have noticed.  I can adapt an old context, but I cannot create a
new one."

She pulled her hands from mine and reached to lightly brush the tears
away from Wolf's face.  "When the time comes, Wolf, you will be my new
Alpha."

She removed her hand from Wolf's face and touched my cheek.  "Old dog,
I've never had one of my Alphas make sure there was someone waiting to
replace them.  Thank you."

I snorted, deliberately breaking the mood.  "It wasn't planned, Love.
It just happened this way."

She laughed.  "Which makes it all the more special."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak yet.

The love the three of us shared after that was gentle, the kind of
love and affection that is a gift to those who truly accept each
other--and themselves.

* * *

The six of us spent years wandering the world, drifting when the mood
took us, settling whenever we felt like staying somewhere.  Human,
wolf--and sometimes in other forms--we explored.

Eventually, as I knew it would happen, John and Martha were ready to
go home.

We were on a beach, watching the sunset, when Martha twisted in my
direction, then kissed me lightly.  "It's time we went back, we have
children who need us."

I nodded.  "You're ready for the final lesson we can give you, for
now."

"What is it?"

I shook my head slightly and chuckled...  "It's a surprise."

"You!"

"Nope.  Not going to work."

I stood up and stretched the kinks out.  "It will be good to be back.
I needed this."

I reached and helped Mahika get up, then she and I waited patiently
while the others slowly joined us.  Mahika and I looked at each other
and she nodded her readiness.

I laughed, kissed her, and then wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Group hug everyone.  We're going home."

* * *

I smiled at Martha and John.  "You never did answer Chrys' question.
Are you going to let Marie be her personal apprentice?"

Martha shook her head slightly.  "It seems...  OH!"  She spun and
faced me.  "Did it really happen?"

I nodded.  "And this is the surprise I promised you.  Time spent away
from your base reality becomes a memory when you return, instead of
breaking the memory chains, as you thought it would."

She straightened as her mind adjusted to the years of experience she'd
just gained.  "You were right.  I had to feel it.  John?"

"Yeah.  I trust Chrys, too.  Let's do it."

I laughed.  "So, have you folks enjoyed the walk?"

Martha lightly touched my arm.  "Thank you for reassuring us--and
explaining."

I shrugged.  "Thank Chrys.  She did all the work."  Then I turned so
only Mahika and Sandra could see my face.  I winked as I sent Sandra a
final thought before we got on with the rest of the day.

{{All I did was provide the context.}}
====

End: Lay Lines: Summer Solstice 2008 (Lay Lines 3/4)

-- 
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reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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