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Subject: {ASSM} The Tails of Rabelaisia 2/8 Nikkolai, Whisper and Dale (furry) TBD
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Date: Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:10:07 -0400
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The Tails of Rabelaisia 2/6 Nikkolai, Whisper and Dale
---

Tale of a Young Wolfhound
Nikkolai, Illya and Whisper
---

"Hello. I'm Nikkolai. Nikki or Nik to my friends.

"Nikkolai the Wandering Bard to most.

"Now what should I call you? Friends? Folks? Neighbors? My listeners?

"Ah! I have it. I shall call you 'Gentles'. On my world, it means just
regular people who live and love. People who do the best they can in
life.

"'Gentles' are people who hope and despair. They cry and they laugh.

"In short, they are everyone.

"So.

"Welcome Gentles. I shall begin...

"Somewhere in this universe is a world much like yours. Forests, seas,
deserts, lakes.

"People live on it. People like you.

"There's a difference though. People like me also live there. What you
think of as fantasy is reality on my home planet.

"You see, I'm what some of you call a 'furry'. An 'animal' who walks
erect. As do many others. On your world, I would be descended from
Wolfhound stock. Maybe someday they will become as I am. As my people
are. "Come. Gather 'round. Relax. I hope you enjoy." 

Tale of a Young Wolfhound

"Come to the fire little ones...

"No need for you to hide. It is only I. Nikki."

I smile to myself as I hear the excited whispers of the ones who
followed me out of the village.

"It is him!"

"Of course idiot. We followed him when he left!"

"How did he know we were here?"

"He's a Bard. They *always* know what's happening. Stupid!"

I carefully hide a chuckle and sweeten the offer a bit.

"Plenty of fresh meat and a few vegetables. I'll just add some more to
the pot for you." Suiting action to words, I add more to the stew I've
been stirring as I was waiting for my trackers to catch up with me.

"Look! Wild rabbit! He's offering us some."

"How'd he get it?"

"He's a Wolfhound. Ever seen one move? They're *fast*! That's what my
dad says anyway. Said his father happened to see one hunting years
ago. Said she was quicker than Ma and you know she's the fastest in
the village."

I hear a wistful comment. "She hasn't brought home a wild rabbit in a
*long* time. I wonder if this one will taste as good as that one did?"

Six shapes slowly materialize from the surrounding woods. None of them
are older than about 6 years old. I've known since I left that they
were behind me. They're good, I'll grant them that.

Still... I *am* a Bard. Means a lot more than being a teller of tales
and keeper of our past.

"There's more than enough for 3 more." I *hear* a shocked silence and
then whispers.

"I *told* you he'd know."

"Yeah. But even the village Tracker has trouble with us. This guy's
just a storyteller. I thought it would be easy."

"Dummy! Don't you see he *waited* for us? Knew we were behind him all
along. Let's go. Parents will skin us if we catch cold. I'm freezing!"

The last three finally enter the clearing and eagerly seek the fire's
warmth. These three are older. Teenagers on the verge of becoming
adults.

"Nine of you. Practicing tracking were you?"

I get sheepish and shy smiles in return.

"Yeah. We thought you'd be easy to follow without getting caught.
Wanted to surprise you."

I give them a grin in return. "Bet you didn't tell your parents who
you were tracking did you?"

Reluctant grins tell me they didn't.

"Parents would have wished you luck and sent you out anyway. Then
shared a laugh after you left. They tried it when they were younger.
Everyone does."

I feel their wonder at that. See the shared looks as they realize what
I've told them.

"Yes, it's something we Bards are used to. Bet you want the same thing
they did. Another story." I smile. "Well, I'll give you one.

"You kids are good. You'll make good trackers. All of you.

"You've earned a special story. One I save for kids like you.

"Want to hear it?"

I get excited agreement from all of them.

"Thought you might. Been remembering while I waited for you to catch
up. Long time since I told it.

"While we wait for the stew to cool a bit, I'll tell it to you."

As they gather closer to the fire, I lean back and relax against the
tree behind me.

* * *

"Nikki. Ohhh..... Nikki..."

Even with my eyes closed, I can hear the weary resignation in Illya's
voice. I don't need to see to know that he still has that smile on his
face. Sighing and keeping my eyes closed, I wearily ask the question
he waits for.

"OK Illya. What did I do *this* time?"

A longish pause. My ears tell me he is not very successfully
suppressing a laugh.

"Where is the stone?"

I reach out and search cautiously with my mind.

"About a meter in front of me. Where you wanted me to put it."

"Very good Nikkolai. Now. Where is your right paw?"

My eyes fly open as I realize what I've done. I look at the offending
paw and then somewhat resignedly at Illya.

"Raised and pointing at the stone."

We share resigned smiles. After a month, I still gesture when I want
to kinetically move an object.

Illya is a Bard. I have been apprenticed to him for just over a month.
Still a young teenager, I had thought I could hit him with an
over-ripe tomato while he'd been telling a story to the village.

Since puberty, I'd been a 'Wielder'. At least that's what Illya called
it. I'd just thought it was fun to be able to do something nobody else
in the village could do. I was a prankster. Got lots of my friends in
trouble because I made it look like they had done things.

Illya was the first Bard I'd seen since I'd learned to move things and
I'd looked at him and thought he'd be an easy target.

So, I snuck up behind him while he was story telling and launched my
tomato at him. It never made it to where people could see it. I'd been
horrified as it was snatched away from me and I saw it heading for
*my* face.

Illya never paused or looked in my direction as it stopped inches away
from me and then fell to the ground. I didn't know *who* had done it
but I was almost certain he had. Trouble was, he acted like it never
happened. Scared, I snuck away and went home.

That evening, we had company. I heard the gasp as my dad answered the
gentle knock. "Ma! Nikki! Come see who honours us."

I knew better than to stay away so I cautiously came into the living
room.

I almost fainted when I saw Illya. He was still in his Bard's robes
and talking quietly with my parents.

He nodded as he saw me. "Hello Nikkolai." He turned so only I could
see his face, grinned quickly and then sobered as he turned back to my
parents.

"He shows promise. Wouldn't mind taking him on as my apprentice. If
the three of you are willing that is..."

As my parents whispered excitedly to each other, I stood there with a
foolish look on my face.

Me? A Bard? I loved to hear stories. But to tell them to people? How'd
he find out I sometimes made things up for my friends when we couldn't
go out?

No way that stuff was any good. All my attempts ended in some sort of
confusion that left my friends howling in laughter as I tried to talk
my way out of the absurd situation I'd created.

I'd never seen him before today. His grin told me he *knew* I'd
'thrown' the tomato at him. Didn't bother him a bit either. He thought
it had been funny.

Yeah. Funny. Then I realized something else. He hadn't told my
parents. Something odd was going on and I couldn't figure out just
what.

* * *

"Time to eat kids. Dig in. Then we'll relax and I'll finish the story.

"Don't worry about your parents. I went back and let the headman know
you were tracking me. They'll be waiting for us at the Inn."

I sense them freeze as I mention their parents. When they realize they
won't get in trouble for their 'crime', they eagerly take portions of
the stew.

I grin as one of the older ones looks at me in realization. 10 bowls
and sets of utensils. Nobody else has realized what she has.

She smiles sheepishly as I nod at her belated observation. We share a
private smile that tells me she knows that, as a tracker, she should
have noticed them sitting next to the pot.

I nod as her eyes tell me she understands the lesson.

There is relaxed conversation while we eat. I learn the observant one
is named Whisper. It suits her. She was the one most difficult to keep
track of.

Although we never speak of it, she and I know we will be mates. It is
our way. There is some inborn thing that lets us know when our partner
is next to us. We will speak with her parents when we get back to the
village.

None of the others notice and we do not do anything obvious to show
what has happened.

Finally, after everyone has cleaned themselves, they sit around the
fire and face me in a silent request to continue.

* * *

"Now let's see.. Where was I?..." I muse

"Your paw! You were pointing at the stone!" Comes the chorus of eager
voices.

"Ah. Thank you. So you were listening..." I smile, raise my right arm
and then suddenly point at them

"This paw!"

They flinch and then laugh as they realize I tricked them.

"Very well then.

"Ever wonder why Bards are never bothered? We're all 'Wielders of
Power'. Before we start telling tales, we are trained to use power
without ever betraying we are doing so.

"For some, it comes quickly. Others... Well, I was an apprentice for 5
years before Illya trusted me enough to let me begin my travels.

"Ahh.... " I smile in remembrance. "You should see a Bards' reunion.
Someday, each of you will. Trackers are always given extra training.
Then, they are sworn to secrecy. As I swear you now. This evening may
be spoken of amongst others but this story and its lessons may only be
spoken of amongst yourselves or with a Bard or Tracker.

"To continue...

* * *

"Nikki, you are good at this. But... You *must* stop your desire to
gesture. One must never let people know what you are doing. Certainly,
Mages and Casters use gestures. They sell themselves that way. Their
clients have to feel they are getting something in return.

"So, Mages and Casters learn to make gestures and do incantations.

"The problem is, those things limit one. They take valuable time. Time
that could mean your life. They know this but once started down that
path, one can never turn aside without years of relearning. Few choose
to do that.

"So, Mages and Casters tend to be more aloof than Bards. They know
that they must ever be cautious enough to give themselves time to make
even a small gesture or long enough to think a word.

"It's far better to break the habit early in one's training. If it
helps, even I had to learn to avoid showing movement as I reacted or
wielded power."

He smiles a knowing smile. "Like pranksters, Bards need to be subtle
if they are to get their lessons across.

"Bards sell themselves with their voice. People expect our actions to
flow with our stories. We are actors. We must go among the people or
they will fear us. So, we and the Trackers walk a different path. We
maintain a constant awareness of our surroundings and how we interact
with it.

"So, because we show no outward awareness of what goes on around us,
sometimes there are those who think us easy targets.

"The knife! Where is it?!" The command is sudden.

"Two meters behind and to the right. Blade pointed towards you now."
My reply is quick and sure. Illya's lessons on staying aware have been
sudden and effective. It is only my need for gestures and my
tale-telling skills that need work. As a prankster, I quickly learned
to stay alert. Illya had only to refine that skill by being more
subtle than any before him.

"Eh? Why so it is. Very good Nikki. I didn't feel you turn it this
time. Caught by my own lesson.

"Enough for now. I will wait until tomorrow before testing you again."

I knew he would keep his promise. Until he felt I could handle
surprises, he would give me a day's warning before testing me.

Mentally weary, I relaxed a bit. I didn't relax totally though. Illya
may not do anything but *others* might. Travelers weren't always safe.
There were some who would act before carefully checking us. Even
madmen did not often attack a Bard. Bards were known to get their
revenge by letting attackers live. Anger a Bard and you may find
yourself known throughout the land for your foolishness.

Many brigands were firmly enshrined in our folklore for such actions.

I remembered our meal and guests of a week earlier. Courlus had been
exceptionally polite to Illya. Even I had heard of his encounter with
a Bard. The story of how his stallion had wandered into a local
village with him naked and dangling helplessly underneath was an oft
repeated one.

Suddenly, I saw Courlus' politeness in a new light.

"Illya? Was it *you* Courlus met?"

He chuckled. "Of course. Someday I may even tell a tale of the great
good he has done. He and I understand each other now. He already knew
me and thought to play a trick on me.

"In payment for his fine jest, I merely embarrassed him a bit. Maybe I
will relent enough to have *you* be the one to publicly announce his
good qualities.

"Bards seldom kill. Most of us prefer to take our revenge in more
subtle ways. By taking on our attacker as an apprentice for example."
He grinned.

I shifted uncomfortably where I sat.

"Well, I uh... I thought you'd be too distracted to notice what I was
doing." I smiled sheepishly. "Now I know better.

"I didn't stop to figure out just how come Bards never seemed to have
problems with robbers or pranksters.

"I'd heard it of course but I thought..." I left the sentence
unfinished.

* * *

With that, I lowered my head in the signal I had ended my tale.

Then, I raised it and looked at them in turn.

"So. What are the lessons here?

"Simple but important ones. Never let appearances make your decisions.
Not all are as they seem."

I pause until one finally blurts out "What's the other one?!"

I chuckle. "That if you wish to surprise a Bard, you must find ways
other than the physical.

"Whisper found one such way."

"She did?"

"How?" The words are spoken in tones of disbelief.

Instead of answering right away, I raise my arms and reach out with my
paws facing outward at chest height in the ritual greeting of mates.
Fingers spread wide in invitation, I share a smile with her as I
speak.

"In the one way women *always* surprise men. By being their mate."

We intertwine our fingers for a moment and then I become all business.

"Come. It grows late. A warm hearth awaits us."

I stand and reach for my pack and staff.

Indrawn breath tells me they have just noticed that the fire is out
and everything is put away.

"Trackers you think you are?

"Very well then. Off with you now. By the shortest route if you
please. Whisper and I will follow to see that you really do get to the
Inn.

As they scamper off, I tell Whisper. "They'll make it."

Once I'm certain all have left, I lean forward and kiss her gently.

"Come. Stroll with me. We'll let them announce our pairing. Better
that way. Your parents will ask why we aren't with them and someone
will blurt out the greeting gesture I used."

With that, we head back to the village.

As we stroll back, I alter our path so it is a bit downwind of the one
we used coming out. About halfway back I carefully watch Whisper.

Suddenly she pauses and pulls away from me. Without a word, she gazes
upward for a bit. I watch her head move slowly as she scans the trees
above us. Then she nods absently.

"So. That's what you did. I should have seen it when your strides
lengthened and there was the subtle time change in your scent.

"We assumed you'd taken a short break before moving on. Never thought
to look for where you rested.

She looks me with a bit of awe. "Are Wolfhounds *really* that fast?"
She has finally figured out how fast I had to have moved.

"Faster." I grin at her confusion. "I set it up to give myself plenty
of time so I wouldn't have to hurry.

"Another lesson here. Had I wished to ambush you, I would have done
something similar. Anytime you find a time change, back away and
examine all around you to find the reason. Look above and to the
sides. Don't be afraid to move further downwind and climb a tree to
see if the scent is more recent there. Far better to lose a bit of
time than your life."

"Always make sure you can find a reason for a change in a trail. How
it's done can tell you a lot about your quarry."

She nods and then looks around the area. I see her head moving as she
traces out how she *should* have handled things.

"Pretty good. Go find the original trail and do it that way."

I get a startled look and then a smile. After all, a Bard's first duty
is to instruct. I have a star pupil in my mate. I also have a vested
interest in her being as good as possible.

"Take your time!" I call after her as she moves off.

15 minutes later she grins as she hands me a leather pouch.

"I believe you misplaced this. Thought you might want it back."

"How did you know it would be me?" She is obviously referring to the
note I left with it. A note that, had she done her job properly the
first time, she would have found. One that had told her to step
forward and greet me as my mate when she entered the clearing.

"I felt it when I circulated in the crowd after my second story. You
were there.

"Come. The party awaits us. No more lessons for a while."
====

Whisper
Whisper and Nikkolai
An interactive duet performed by Nikkolai and his mate.
---

Carried on a pagan breeze
Searching for a thrilling scent
Leading to a different road.
My journey.

[Nose quivering
Ears alert
Ever searching
She walks aware]

Dancing like the spirit's voice
Echoing, fading through the hills
Enticing yet unreachable.
My laughter.

[Gentle
Floating
Drifting
Happiness lilting]

Deeper than a mountain lake
Filled with hidden, wondrous life
Vibrant colours, light and dark.
My thoughts.

[Still stream flowing.
Deepest shallows.
Shimmering reflections
Beyond comprehension]

Silent as a dusky shadow
Fleeting form and graceful stride
Eyes of amber, silver fur.
My guise.

[Ah the moves
Of joyous life
Eyes and fur are
Oft shuttered windows of her soul]

Awe-filled as a newborn pup
Playful as the prankster cub
Pensive as the adult grows.
My life.

[Knowing without knowing
Joy at what is
Needs not yet discovered
Growth and knowledge]

Always on the outer edge
Changing hues to match the crowd
Knowing that there's something more
I wait.

[Same yet different
Always true
Things suppressed,
A normal state]

Passing through, creating tales
A stranger touches heart and hopes
I embark on life's new road.
I love

[Spinning stories I wander by
I find myself
With Whisper
In love]
====

The Minstrel and the Charlatan
Mickel, Stefan, Sabrina, Whisper and Nikkolai
---

Through closed lids, I can feel the cubs. They have been standing
there for a number of minutes, wondering whether or not to disturb me.
Inevitably, one of them decides to approach me now.

"Miss Whisper? Where's the storyteller?"

Carefully concealing a sigh, I look around at my questioner. My whole
purpose in getting up early had been to practice my focusing
exercises. It's important for a tracker to be in tune with the world
around them. Even more so for a bard - or at least bard-in-training.

The one asking the question is a young bear cub. One of a group of
hopeful spectators standing nearby. From the eagerness of his
question, I conclude that my exercises are over for now at least.

Smiling a little, I answer him.

"Just 'Whisper' will do.

"Nikki's still asleep. I'm sure he'll be up before long though. Then
no doubt you'll have your story."

Their disappointed glances speak volumes to me. On a sudden impulse, I
offer:

"Unless you'd rather hear one of my tales, for now?"

After all, I think defensively, Nikki can't object to me practicing a
little, can he?

The youngsters look at each other for a moment, coming to a silent
consensus. They approach and sit down beside me, ready to enter the
realms of the storyteller.

As I lean back against the wall of the village well, I think quickly.
An old tale, or a new one? The spirit of adventure takes hold of me,
and I decide to rise to the challenge. These youngsters will be the
first to hear a new story.

Without further ado, I begin.

* * *

Mickel had stopped at the roadside. His wagon was unhitched and the
horses were enjoying a rare break. Truth to tell, he would happily
have pushed them to journey on to the next village. It was only a few
more hours along the road.

However, his weaker impulses had led him to stop briefly. He wanted to
count his gold - again.

As it ran through his deftly calculating fingers, he took the time to
gloat to himself. The last town had been *very* profitable. Plenty of
fools, all willing to believe that his claims were true, and his wares
were valuable. Serves them right for trusting a hare!

Chink, chink, chink. The sound of the gold was lulling. Then another
noise cut through his thoughts, restoring him to full alertness.

A merry whistle made itself heard, telling him someone approached from
further down the path. Hurriedly, Mickel hid his pouches of gold, and
waited for the whistler to appear. There was always time to make a
little more profit, after all.....

When the figure appeared, Mickel's first reaction was disappointment.
This did *not* look like a promising start.

The whistler was a fox, adult but not old. He was dressed in colourful
garb, but the material showed signs of great wear. On one shoulder, he
carried his possessions, and on the other was strung a lyre. A
wandering minstrel, by the look of him - little more than a pauper.

Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained......

"Ho! Traveler!" he called out.

The fox strode onward, seemingly oblivious to the greeting. Irritated,
Mickel tried again, a little louder.

"Ho there! Minstrel!"

At last, the traveler turned his head in the direction of the wagon.

"Greetings merchant." The minstrel's voice was a clear tenor, holding
more than a trace of merriment in it.

"Mickel." He held his hand out in greeting. "Come. Share company with
me for a while."

The fox smiled pleasantly. "Gladly, hare. Maybe you would like a song
or two to pass the time?"

Mickel assented, although he had no ear for music. Always lure the
customer with whatever bait is available, he thought to himself, as he
endured the ballads. At length, he interrupted the minstrel between
songs.

"I thank you Minstrel."

"My name is Stefan."

"Then I thank you Stefan, for the entertainment. Maybe I can repay you
by offering you a sample of my wares. At no small discount, of course.
I am not a man to make profit from my friends." (I am a man to make
profit by *anyone*, he thought silently.)

The fox nodded gravely, but Mickel was fleetingly uneasy. Was there a
trace of suppressed mirth hovering on the minstrel's lips? Still,
business was business. He began his trading talk.

"In my wagon, I hold a vast array of magical and medicinal balms and
potions." The patter was all but unconscious, saying much and saying
nothing. When Mickel was sure he had the fox's attention, he moved
onto specifics.

"Maybe I could interest you in a special potion. Guaranteed to make
your voice as sweet as the purest birdsong. I offer....."

Stefan interrupted with a cheery laugh. "My voice is quite good enough
for my purposes, friend. It pays my way, and I ask nothing more from
it than that."

Mickel, sensing an opportunity thwarted, hurried on. "Then perhaps a
love potion?...." he ventured.

"What?" asked the minstrel, erupting into mirth again. "Tie myself
down with a mate? I am single, free and content to stay so. No love
potions for me, merchant."

Mickel was nothing if not persistent. Stubborn determination drove him
to make a sale, and he waded on relentlessly. "An offer you cannot
refuse then," he said, producing an unlabelled bottle from the back of
his wagon. "This is Mickel's world-famous universal cure-all. Whatever
your ailment, you have my guarantee *as a friend and trader* that this
balm will remedy it." His tone became coaxing. "Come, minstrel. Which
of us can honestly say we will never have need of something as
precious as this? From you, my friend, I ask only three gold pieces.
Virtually a gift!"

For a long moment, Stefan regarded the merchant. Mickel found himself
strangely ill-at-ease under the scrutinizing gaze. He consciously
stopped himself from fidgeting, mustering his willpower to meet the
steady gaze of the fox.

Finally, Stefan spoke. "Three gold pieces? You wish *only* three gold
pieces in return for your balm?

"It is a fair price," answered the merchant, his voice steady, despite
his discomfort.

The minstrel nodded. "A fair price indeed for such. Very well. I
accept."

Again, a fleeting sense of 'wrongness'. The merchant found himself
itching to get away from this disconcerting young fox. He let none of
that show, however. Money and balm exchanged hands with a smile and a
pleasant word of acknowledgment.

"Well, must be on my way," he said, as casually as he could. "The day
is wearing on."

The fox's eyes twinkled. "We may meet again someday."

I hope not, thought Mickel, uneasily. Hastily, he prepared his wagon
for departure again, and rode away, to the sound of the Minstrel's
tuneful whistle.

He was at least a mile down the road before he identified the tune
that Stefan had been whistling. It was a popular folk song.

"Fortune favours the honest man."

He rode on, quickening the horse's pace.

* * *

Back on the side of the path, the fox watched the wagon disappear into
the distance. He whistled the last of his tune, and then with a trace
of a smile, shook his head.

"Never try to cheat a Bard, my friend," he murmured softly. Standing
up again, he wandered off the path and strode into the depths of the
forest.

* * *

By the time that Mickel rode into the town, his disquiet had passed.
He was inclined to regard the fox's gullibility as a good joke.

'Not a bad price for crushed weeds,' he thought, his good humour
thoroughly restored.

It was too late for him to start trading tonight, so he settled into
his wagon and went to sleep.

The following morning, he awoke, made his preparations and then drove
his wagon into the market place. By the time he had set out his wares,
he already had a small crowd of people gathered around him. Never one
to miss an opportunity, he launched straight into his sales routine.

"Come closer, friends! Take a good look. A once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity awaits you.

"You! The lady with the pretty brown eyes. In your hand, you are
holding Mickel's famous elixir of youth. At least that's what it says
on the bottle. It is no more than water, essence of dandelion, camphor
oil and a dash of vinegar. Doesn't work at all. It's a pity, because
you could have used it...."

He trailed off in shock. What was he saying??? He seemed to have
temporarily lost control of his tongue! Sweating a little, he watched
as the woman banged the ointment down and left, along with a couple of
others. The rest gazed at him curiously. He swore an oath to himself
and tried again.

"You! The man with the fine muscles. How would you like to be even
stronger? Win all the wagers at arm wrestling? Impress the women? I
urge you to try Mickel's strength tonic. It is *guaranteed* to.....
to....." with horror, Mickel realized that his mouth was about to
engage on its own perilous journey again. There was nothing he could
do to prevent it.

".....to cost you six gold pieces and have *no* effect whatsoever.
Well, what would you expect from honeyed rose-water?"

With a furious roar, the man bounded up to Mickel and lifted him off
the ground with one huge fist.

'I was right about the muscles,' thought Mickel, as he wriggled
ineffectually, trying to free himself.

"What's your game, you miserable little worm?" demanded the man, his
face inches away from the merchant's.

"Please.... please!" squeaked Mickel, desperately trying to catch his
breath. "A little humour, nothing more. Just a joke?"

His potential customer regarded him through mean, slitted eyes for a
moment, then put him down again. Mickel was smarter than to assume
that he was off the hook though. Giving his most ingratiating smile,
he decided that pacification was in order.

"For you, sir, I will offer a special price. What would you say a
potion such as this was worth? Ten gold? I offer it to you not at ten,
not at eight, not even at six. Five, you say? No, I will sink my
profits even further than that. I ask only *four gold pieces* for this
inestimable treasure, which....." He struggled against the words, but
they spewed out, despite his better judgments.

"........which is four gold more than it's worth," he concluded,
miserably.

This time he was just a touch faster than the furious customer.
Abandoning all thoughts of profit for the first time in his life, he
grabbed his hat and fled the wagon. His legs pumped with speed born of
panic, and the crowd of angry pursuers could not match the hare's
pace.

Reaching the main road out of the village, he veered off to one side
and found himself a hiding place in the bushes. He watched anxiously
as the crowd made a cursory search for him, and then gave up in
disgust. It was a good job that he had been in a human village, he
thought with relief. Otherwise, they would have picked up his scent
and hunted him down.

It was two hours before he dared to emerge from his uncomfortable
lair. It had given him plenty of time to think, and he knew what he
had to do now.

Mickel was going to find that damned minstrel and wring his neck! He
had *no* doubts that it was all the fox's doing. Now, Mickel was
penniless and businessless, and somebody was going to pay!

He set off down the path, away from the village, with grim
determination.

After two days of journeying by foot, his temper had cooled, however.
The strange magic worked around his vocal chords showed no signs of
abating. Tempting as it would be to strangle the minstrel, it would
not solve anything. Mickel would still have this disabling problem of
having to tell the truth.

Besides that, the minstrel had obviously been a power-wielder of some
sort, and it was always dangerous to go up against people like that.
Reluctantly, he decided that his best course lay in apology. Possibly
even - and here he swallowed with distaste - giving a refund on the
three gold coins that he had taken.

He would ask the fox to remove the curse, and then he could go back to
earning a decent living.

Finally, the road led into a village. As a matter of fact, Mickel had
passed through it only four days ago. Keeping a wary eye out for
customers that he had cheated, he started to make his enquiries.

Had anyone seen a fox minstrel called Stefan? The question was
repeated again and again, with increasing desperation. The answer was
the same, every time.

No fox had passed through this place. No minstrel. No Stefan. No
trace.

* * *

I stop suddenly, realizing my mistake. Eager faces surround me,
awaiting the next part of the story.

The only problem is, I've talked myself into a corner. The blasted
minstrel walked off the path, into the forest. The trail is cold. No
chance of picking it up after so many days. No sign of him at the
village. How does Mickel find the bard again?

Inspiration fails me.

"Ahh......."

"What happens next, Whisper?" asks one of the bolder children.

"Well," I say slowly, stalling for time. "Mickel.... ahh.....
Mickel......"

Whatever induced me to invent a *new* story? The children expect an
end to their tale. Only problem is, I can't think of one, for the life
of me!

* * *

I've been standing quietly next to the door of the Inn where we are
staying. As Whisper starts to flounder, I smile softly to myself and
walk over to her and the cubs. I have to admit she's good. I think now
she will know how come Bards seldom weave new tales in public.

Considering we are tracking such a swindler, I think Whisper's choice
is a wise one. Perhaps on her next time through the village, this
'merchant' will hear this story and be warned.

As we exchange our morning greeting, I quietly tell her...

"Shame on you. That you didn't feel my 'nudge'.

"Good story. I like the choice of subject. A Bard's solution to our
current problem. I might even use it should I get the chance."

I add softly, "Relax. A Bard must learn to laugh at themselves as well
as *with* their audience. I'll handle this."

I turn and smile at the cubs. With a wink I tell them....

"Mickel learned his lesson of course.

"Let's see.... Which ending *should* she use?

"That Stefan made himself invisible and has been with Mickel all
along? No, too obvious.

"That they never left the clearing and he has been in a waking dream?
Too contrived."

I shake my head wearily. "You see Whisper's problem? It needs
something better than what most people would do.

"We can't have a quick solution. Not fair to the people Mickel has
cheated...

"So, would you like to hear how *I* would have dealt with someone like
Mickel?".....

I settle next to Whisper and hug her.

"You should thank Whisper. It's not often she creates a new story.
This is a fine one. I'm sure she'll eventually find *her* way to
finish it." I smile and nod in her direction.

She finally grins wryly and then chuckles softly as I move on....

"Mickel was well known for his trickery and when Stefan found out, he
stayed ahead of Mickel and prepared the villagers.

"Finally, when all was ready, he caught Mickel and played his little
'trick'.

"Mickel really did tell the truth to each of the people he tried to
sell stuff to.

"The villagers never did see a Bard who was a fox. Stefan was actually
something else. A hare like Mickel.

"Only Mickel saw him as a fox." I chuckle. "Trite I know, but
sometimes, things are like that. Had Mickel met a hare, he would have
been alert to trickery and therefore suspicious.

"So, when he asked after a Fox minstrel named Stefan... The villagers
could tell the truth." I grin slowly....

And get rewarded with a gasp. As I was speaking, I cast myself as a
Fox rather than a Wolfhound. "You see, it really is possible." Keeping
that aspect, I continue.

"Now, Stefan was waiting back at the clearing where they first met.

"He only went back to his camp to wait for Mickel. For, in spite of
his greed, Mickel is not stupid and eventually he figured out that
returning to where it all started might be a wise choice.

"For Bards will be merciful once their student has learned their
lesson."

I hug Whisper in a silent signal for her to continue.

* * *

I smile at Nikki, with a mixture of amusement and gratitude. By
recounting *his* version of the story's conclusion, he has given me
time to collect my wits, and I am now ready to continue.

"That was Nikki's ending," I tell my rapt crowd of listeners. "Now
hear mine....."

I look from one face to the next, ensuring that I have their undivided
attention, before adding the missing piece to my tale.

* * *

No sign of Stefan the bard. Mickel wandered aimlessly around the town,
wondering what to do next.

Truth was such a disabling disease to have. Before now, he could have
at least tricked his way into an inn for the night. Cadged a beer or
two from some gullible drunk or other. What chance was there of that
if he was forced to be *honest* with people?

Finally, he hit upon a plan - of sorts.

He had to find Stefan. Failing that, he had to get a cure from some
other source. Another power wielder.

Unfortunately, the only one he knew of locally was Sabrina. She lived
only a few miles from here, but he was loth to call on her. For good
reason. A little more than a year ago, he had supplied her with
certain 'magical potions', which had somehow failed to work.

He had steered clear of the surrounding locality for some months
afterwards, avoiding retribution and punishment. However, he was wiser
than to think that she would have forgotten the incident.

Hoping to hit on an alternative, Mickel questioned a few more
villagers. They merely confirmed what he already knew. If he wanted
magical help, it would have to come from Sabrina.

Sighing and muttering oaths against *all* power-wielders, Mickel began
the journey to Sabrina's cottage.

Two hours later, he was knocking on her front door. It had taken him
less than half that time to arrive there, but his cowardice had kept
him from facing the inevitable until now.

He shuffled his large feet uncomfortably and waited for her to answer.

An eternity later (less than a minute, but it seemed much longer to a
nervous hare), the door opened. There was a long pause while Sabrina
glared at Mickel. Lacking his usual smooth-talking charm, he settled
on an ingratiating (and hopeful) smile, and waited for her to speak.

Finally, she did.

"What brings you to my abode, prince of liars?" she asked. Her tone
was pleasant, but her sharp, feline teeth flashed in a dangerous
smile.

Force of habit. Mickel's brain began to work out a lie to suit the
occasion. However, his tongue took a more direct route of its own.

"I need your help." Before he could stop himself, the whole, horrible
truth came pouring out. His trickery, his encounter with the fox
minstrel, the whole miserable episode in the market place, his search
for the bard and his final arrival at Sabrina's house. Neither did his
tongue allow him to edit the facts. His own greed and villainy was
thoroughly outlined to the unsympathetic listener.

At last, Mickel wound down into hopeless silence. Sabrina spoke.

"You want my help?" she purred. "Do you offer payment for my services?
Do you offer recompense for your former cheating of me? No.....
wait..... you *did* mention that you were penniless. How do you
propose to pay for my magic then?"

Mickel stammered. "I..... I could *owe* you the payment?"

Sabrina smiled. "If I did you this service and then let you go, would
you pay me back eventually?"

"Yes," said Mickel. At least, his mind said yes. His tongue, of
course, said no.

"Hmm," mused Sabrina, thoughtfully. "No. Payment in advance, I think.
In certain cases, I accept services instead of gold."

The trace of a smile played across her lips. "For a favour such as
this, I usually demand three days payment.

"Since it is you, however......

"I demand *not* three days.....

"*Not* four days, although you wouldn't get anyone else offering you
that sort of price.....

"Not *even* six days.....

"I'm sure we can come up with something better than that for such a
*special* case as you.....

"My magic will only cost *you* - as a friend and worthy customer -
eight days of service to me.

"A fair price, wouldn't you say?"

Mickel thought murderous thoughts to himself, but he was wiser than to
speak them aloud. He knew a seller's market when he saw one. She had
him in a corner, and he was going to have to pay *her* price.

* * *

The longest eight days of Mickel's life ensued. He had thought the
price was hard, but the reality was harder still. He was left in no
doubt that the mage was finding all the dirtiest and most despicable
jobs for him to do.

Clearing the brambles and thorn bushes out of her garden.....

Grooming Sabrina's vicious pet wild-cats.....

Running into town on half a dozen errands each day.....

Cleaning the privy.....

Tidying his way through the vast and filthy cellar.....

A thousand times, Mickel considered giving up and leaving. A thousand
times he considered the bleak future of pure honesty that lay before
him. A thousand times, he decided to endure the rest of his service.

Finally, the eighth day arrived. Sabrina treated it just like the
seven that had gone before it. However, as the sun was setting, she
regarded Mickel with a faint trace of amusement.

"Well hare, you've earned your answer. I will find out where the
minstrel is, and you can ask him for your old personality back.
Although I must say, I think the new Mickel is an improvement....."

Mickel stared at her incredulously. "You said that you were going to
cure me!" he protested.

Sabrina raised her eyebrows politely.

"I don't think so, hare. Nobody can release the spell except the
original caster. I'm sorry that you *thought* I could cure you, but
that appears to be your problem, not mine."

Mickel sighed wearily. It was a fair point. He had used that sort of
word-trickery himself in the past. Buyer beware was the motto that he
lived by, and he could hardly blame Sabrina for using his own methods
on him.

She saw his expression and smiled, a little smugly. "Now, you wish to
know where Stefan is?" she asked.

"Yes. Cast your spell..... please," he added, as an afterthought.

"No need," she replied, airily.

There was a sudden, loud knocking at the front door.

"That will be him now," chuckled the mage. "He promised to stop by for
supper. I hope you've made enough for three."

Mickel gazed at her in astonishment for a moment, as his mind whirled.
Then he sprinted for the front door and yanked it open.

His first reaction was disappointment. Standing before him was another
hare.

Certain familiarities seeped through into his consciousness, though.
The same expression of merriment on the hare's face, the same
instrument slung over the back, the same clothes.....

More than that, behind the hare was Mickel's own wagon and horse!

Mickel turned to Sabrina and gasped out:

"You made me pay eight days labour, and you knew where Stefan was all
along?"

Stefan's merry laugh filled the air. "My friend, you paid a high
price, for a piece of magic that was not magical. Neither was it what
you expected to receive. The method of trading should be very familiar
to you."

In spite of himself, Mickel began to chuckle.

"I see. My own tricks used against me, by one of my own kind. Very
well, I suppose I deserved that.

"What happens now, minstrel? Will you remove the spell?"

The hare nodded, a smile on his face.

"I think you will consider the consequences of your business practices
more carefully in the future. Still, if you should forget, we can
always arrange another little lesson......"

"Oh no," interrupted Mickel, with a smile. "I don't believe a reminder
will be necessary."

"Very well," answered the minstrel. "Take your horse and wagon, and be
on your way.

"I'm afraid I took the liberty of relabelling your 'magical' potions,"
he added, lightly. "Although I believe you will find milk, water and
crushed mint a lot harder to sell than 'Mickel's beauty-balm'. Safer,
though.

"As for your profits, I will be happy to redistribute them on my
travels. The people that you have cheated will be happy to get their
gold back."

Mickel opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it.
"Thankyou, minstrel," he said, wryly.

Sabrina and Stefan watched, as the merchant hopped onto his wagon and
moved off. He obviously wanted to leave before he got into any further
trouble.

Sabrina looked questioningly at Stefan. "Has he learned his lesson, do
you think?"

Stefan chuckled. "He was still truth-bound when he told me that a
reminder would not be necessary. Stefan hardly ever needs to repeat a
lesson.

"And now, my lady, I must be on my way. I have many miles to go before
the sun sets. Farewell."

He paused for a moment to touch her paw to his lips, before setting
out along the path again.

* * *

I stop and look around.

"What happened next?" asked one of the younger pups, eagerly.

I smile.

"That's another tale, little one. Maybe later."

I look at Nikki and smile. There will always be other tales, at other
times.
====


Coyote Encounter
Nikkolai, Whisper and a coyote
---

Nikki and Whisper left their children before Ash finished telling the
story of the Mage Wars. In their eagerness to hear the story, their
shock at learning Ash's new status and their quest for other details,
the cubs never noticed when Nikki and Whisper quietly left them.

"All right. Tell.

"They missed it but *I* didn't.

"What did you find so amusing about your encounter with a Coyote?"

Whisper's voice is soft but demanding.

Nikki chuckles softly.

"Actually, it wasn't much of an encounter.

"Once you start down the path of a Bard, somewhere along the line, you
find out about Runner and Ruth.

"Like Ash, I had been wondering about why there were so few
Coyote-Bards.

"Unlike Ash, I had no one to ask at the time.

"So, I forgot about it for many years.

"A couple of days before I came to your village, I was walking down a
path. As I reached a fork, I was surprised to see someone sitting in
the middle of the path.

"That she was a Coyote was obvious.

* * *

"Stop Nikki. Sit a spell with me.

I nodded my head in respect. When a Coyote asks you to rest with them,
you don't question.

"Of course wise-one. My pleasure."

Her laugh was merry.

"So, Illya still knows how to teach his students manners. Good.

We sat in silence for what seemed to be hours before she spoke again.

She reached and brought my paw to her forehead. "Make the link. There
is that which it is time for you to know about us. About Bards."

"Love, here was a living repository of history. That was when I
learned that Coyotes are all Bards. They've learned much since those
early days. Carefully, they pass it on when the rest of us are ready.
Even more than Bards, they refuse to interfere directly.

"They hold themselves apart and wait in case they are ever needed
again.

After a time of sharing, she moved her head and broke the link. Her
eyes held mine as she spoke her last words to me.

"Very well then. Before you, lies a fork in your path. Choose wisely.
You won't regret it."

She vanished. Only the slightly disturbed earth remained to show she
had been there.

I pondered her words. Her meaning was clear. I could take my usual
route and go to the village I normally visited next. Or, I could
change my path and go the other direction.

To your village.

* * *

I pause and remember that long ago evening when we met.

"I don't regret it.

"Not for nothing are the Coyotes known as 'bringers of good fortune'."

Smiling, I turn to kiss my mate of many years.
====

Vacation
Nikkolai, Blade, Chel, Whisper and Grigori
---

Nikki watches thoughtfully as Blade and Chel leave.

Once they are completely out of sight, he breaks out in the grin and
chortles he has been suppressing.

'So my son. This time I can't fault you for leaving a job unfinished.

'I think however, it is well past time a certain caravan master had a
'Bard's Lesson.'

He grins slyly.

* * *

Home put in order, he closes it and places the storage aura around it.

Still chuckling, he sets out at the ground covering full run he seldom
uses.

Not too long after he leaves, he passes Blade and Chel.

Blade's started shout of 'Dad!' and Chel's astonishment quickly fade
behind him.

He chuckles to himself as Blade's first impulse to chase him down is
quickly suppressed.

Nikki is a Wolfhound still in his prime. Even Blade knows he could
never catch his father when he is running all out like this.

The conversation he monitors is brief

"That was your *father*?" For one of the few times in her life, Chel
is nearly speechless with shock and surprise. "All I saw was someone
moving *fast*."

Blade's comment is wry.

"He was in a hurry for some reason. I haven't seen him run at full
speed for years.

"He doesn't want to be followed either. Look." He gestures at the
path.

Chel looks where he is pointing. Then she looks back. Finally, she
kneels and uses every skill she has to examine the path and air around
them.

Nothing.

Absolutely *nothing* indicates Nikkolai went past them. For all his
incredible speed, there is nothing disturbed.

Yet, she saw him. Glimpsed him really. Blade admits it was his father.

She stands and looks at Blade. Her question, though unspoken, is
obvious.

"He's a Bard. Been one all his life. Became a Master years before I
was born."

Blade's pride in his father is obvious. She can't blame him for it
either. Nikki has certainly earned *her* respect. She didn't even know
anyone could run that fast. Let alone do it and not leave a trail
behind.

Blade grins slightly at her.

"He uses power as easily as you or I breathe. Mother refuses to try to
track him when he's in one of his moods like he was then. She knows
her limits.

Then he holds up a paw.

"He *did* leave me a note though."

Chel watches as he opens it and reads it.

Then he passes it to her. 'Your mother and I are going to take a
vacation and visit an old friend of yours and Chel's.'

"Mine?" Her voice is filled with her puzzlement.

Blade chuckles. "Dad's been wanting to expand the house and mother
wants some new furniture.

"My guess is that a certain caravan master is going to have a couple
of very interesting helpers on his next trip."

Then it hits her. "Both of them?"

She laughs so hard she doubles over. "I wish we could be there."

* * *

Nikki ignores them from that point on. He has a lot of ground to cover
before he can get Whisper and implement his plan.

The next afternoon, he catches up to his mate and explains his plan.

* * *

So it is that two nondescript drovers join the next caravan. Obviously
poor, they had quickly agreed to the low pay and long journey.

They quickly become well-liked and the easy skill they display while
doing their jobs speaks of long years as travelers.

Each night, they are asked to relate tales of their journeys. Even the
master is drawn in by the tales of their lives as wanderers.

Then, a storm catches them and they have to spend three days whiling
their time away waiting for it to leave. Part of that involves
everyone telling stories to relieve the boredom of sitting under
shelter and doing lots of nothing for hours on end.

At last, after two months, journey's end.

At which point, two travel weary drovers ask for their pay.

"Our pay good Master. As much as we've enjoyed the trip, we are near
home and will not continue with you.

"At one gold piece every two days for each of us, I believe that will
be 60 gold pieces." Nikki holds out a paw and waits with a smile.

"Ummm.. Well... There is the small matter of expenses you incurred."
The Master's voice is regretful. "I will have to deduct the cost of
your meals and drink."

"We understand. How much will that be?" Whisper's voice is mild.

"Well now. Three meals a day for two people. Had you eaten in a
taverns, it would have cost you oh... probably about one and a half
silvers apiece for each meal. So, that would have been 9 silvers per
day for food."

"No, no. he added hastily as he caught Nikki's frown start. "I only
said 'if'. Since we carry our own food, I'll only charge you six. Nor
will there be a charge for preparing it since everyone helped cook it.
I can hardly charge you for something you did yourselves."

He smiled expansively. "Now then there is the matter of drinks. Ale is
cheap of course, but the wines are a bit more expensive. Fortunately,
you both preferred ale but I did draw the occasional glass of wine for
you when you were telling your stories. And then there is the cost of
transporting water for you.

"You told some good stories to brighten the journey so I'll sell you
the wine at one-half silver per day. The ale, while you consumed more
of course, *is* cheap so I'll only charge you the same . The water?
Well, it is cheap but I do have to feed the animals used to transport
it. And sir, your mate did bathe rather more frequently than she
really needed to. Say three-fourths a silver per day for the two of
you.

"Now, since you did not have your own trail supplies, I had to supply
you with blankets and a sleeping tent. We use high quality ones that
cost a bit more."

He hastily added, "I won't charge you full price for them as they are
used and they will last at least one more journey.

"New, the tents are 40 gold and the blankets are 20 gold The pillows
are usually 5 gold apiece new.

"So, one tent at 40 plus two blankets at 40 plus two pillows at 10
that's 50 gold or 500 silver if you had bought them new. Since I can
reuse everything, I'll be willing to charge you a rental fee rather
than selling then to you."

He looked at hem. "Unless you'd rather buy them? I'll let you have
them for half of the new price." He waits expectantly

"No then? Well, I generally charge 3 silvers a day for rental but you
did help when we had problems with the horses several times. Say
instead of 180 silver, I charge you 150. You couldn't rent such
quality for that price anywhere."

Now, he stops and waits for them. They look at each other. Finally,
they sigh as if there isn't much choice. The prices are very fair
after all.

Nikki looks back and sighs... "Very well merchant. Few charge their
drovers for necessities but it does happen and the journey was a long
one.

"Your prices are reasonable and our expenses would have been much as
you say had we traveled in a normal fashion. And we did gain the
protection of traveling in a large company.

"Very well, we agree to your terms. Deduct our expenses and pay us."

The master starts the calculations...

"60 gold pieces is 600 silver. 6 silver per day for food for 60 days
is 360 and that leaves 240 silver. For drinks and water that was 1 and
three-quarter silvers per day for a total of 105 silver. That leaves
135 silver. Rental on the tent and sleeping gear 150..."

He pauses and looks up in astonishment. "I do believe you owe me 15
silver pieces. I'm terribly sorry for that but you did agree to the
terms..."

Nikki chuckles softly. "I think not Master Merchant."

The air shimmers and he and Whisper are suddenly robed in their
cloaks.

The Master groans in dismay. Bards. Worse yet, two Masters.

Whisper smiles at him. "Now hear *our* fees for entertaining you." She
is all sweetness as she continues. "You did hire us. The stories we
told were in addition to our regular duties. Certainly you would not
expect Bards such as ourselves to perform for free? "

"No, I suppose you would get compensated for your stories." His
admission is grudging.

Nikki continues. "Normally, we work alone. In a groups as large as
this one, we can usually expect around 10 to 15 silvers each for each
story we tell. Whisper and I..." He pauses at the merchant's flinch.
"Yes?"

"Whisper? That means you are Nikkolai?"

Nikki nods.

The merchant sighs and covers his eyes with one hand. "Of all the
Bards I get to meet in a situation like this..." He mutters.

His voice is weary with resignation. "Continue."

"We told at least two stories each per night. Also, we usually told a
couple more during the longer flat sections while on the move. Just to
relieve the boredom of your people you understand. And you yourself
did request some as I recall.

"Say, just to average things out, that would be 6 stories per day.
Now, under normal conditions, that would be around 90 silvers a day
for the two of us. You yourself admired our skills. 90 silvers for a
day's worth of stories as we told is decidedly a bargain.

"Then, there was the three days we spent storm bound. I would guess we
told 10 stories each day for those three days. Call it 30 stories
total.

"That would be another 450 silver for those stories.

"So, let's see. 9 gold per day for 60 days. That's 540 gold. Less 27
for the three storm bound days would be 513 gold. But," he held up a
paw, "there is the 45 more gold due to the increased number of
stories.

"That's what? 558 gold pieces?"

"However, since traveling with you saved us our normal expenses of
about 2 gold per day, we are more than willing to allow the saving you
gave us...

"We are willing to split the difference and call it even on the
expenses. I'm willing to deduct 60 gold for that. That leaves you
owing us 498 gold pieces for our efforts as Bards. To hire two master
Bards for sixty days at that price *is* a real bargain as I'm sure
you're aware."

Nikki paused to smile at the merchant. The man's face was agonized.
That would be his entire planned profit from this trip. To the gold
piece.

Then Whisper chose to speak. "Nikki? Aren't you forgetting something?"
Her question was filled with innocence.

The merchant winced at what he was sure was a new twist to his fate at
the paws of these two.

"Forgetting?" He looked quizzically at his mate.

She smiled sweetly. "We *are* on vacation. Remember?

"Do you really think it's fair to charge the man our full price?"

He looked at her. Then he turned to stare thoughtfully at the
merchant.

"Well... No, I guess he does deserve some sort of discount in that
case.

"Say... One third off? And we pay him half a gold per day for
entertaining *us* He was very enjoyable after all. For all that he
isn't a Bard.

"That would leave him owing us 302 gold pieces and us owing him 15
silver.

"Well merchant? We're willing to call it 300 gold you owe us."

Nikki and Whisper smile at him.

"Quite a bargain as you well know." Nikki's voice is soft.

The man winced. "I..." He sighed. "I don't have it all. Yet."

"I can pay 250 now, the rest after I deliver these goods." He added
that hastily.

Whisper nodded her head. "We can wait. Of course, if you don't have
the money this afternoon, Nikki and I will have to stay someplace
while we are waiting. I don't think we should *work* on our vacation.
Instead of that, how about you pay our expenses for as long as we have
to wait? Far cheaper than if we charged you interest for a late
payment."

Nikki smiled again. "If we *do* have to earn our way... I'm sure
Whisper and I could tell some very interesting stories about out
recent travels..."

"I'll-have-the-money-within-the-hour!" And the man hurried off to
collect his pay for his cargo.

* * *

"297, 298, 299, 300." He sighs in resignation.

"No, I will not cheat my people again. It's far too expensive. Nor
will I cheat those who made this trip."

He sighs again.

Bowing deeply and with a resigned but honest smile for his own
foolishness, he finally gathers the courage to ask his last question
of these two.

"At least I was honored by the presence of two excellent Bards. Your
fame and reputation preceded you and is well earned.

"To what set of circumstances do I owe your attention?"

"A rather unusual set Master." Nikki's comment is softly spoken.

"I understand you know Chel? A snow-wolf?"

"Yes, I know her. She uses me as much as I use her I'm afraid. I'm
certain that will change the next time we meet.

"You know her?"

"Well, yes." Nikki's smile becomes a grin.

"But, I only met her a few days before we joined your caravan and my
mate hasn't met her at all yet.

Before the merchant can express his confusion, Nikki continues.

"The young hound who left your caravan with her not too long ago?
Without finishing the trip or getting paid?"

Nikki is laughing so hard he can't finish it. Whisper does.

Her grin shocks the man. "That young hound is our youngest son.

"Now do you understand our rather *personal* interest in you?"

As they walk away arm in arm, their laughter echoes from the
surrounding buildings.
====


Nikki's Gift
----

"It's *HIM*!   It's Nikki!"

I glanced at my traveling companions.  Ash, my son, just smiled.
Whisper, my life-mate these many, many years, shook her head and
gestured at the young 'sentry', who was even now climbing down from
her perch.  "Life-Mate.   It's *you* they honor on this day."   She
smiled as we touched paws in the greeting of mates.  "Go.  Ash and I
will pay our respects to the elders while you do that which you do
best."

I chuckled and reached down to lift the young female wolfhound and
settle her on my shoulders before addressing her.  "Yes, dear.   You
had it right.  I'm Nikki.  And you are?"

She giggled.  "I'm Nikki, too, Sir."

I laughed.  "Well, then.   I bet I don't have to ask you if you'd like
to ride my shoulders while I run the rest of the way, do I?"

I felt the currents knot at her shock.  "Run?"

I chuckled and touched a leg where it was hanging.   "It's such a
short ways. Only a jog or so...  As old as I am, even *I* can sprint
that far."

"And I get to ride?   Please!"

I gathered power and let her feel it while I gently bound us together.
Then, I lunged into a power assisted sprint.   Laughing, my wife and
son kept pace while we joyously entered my home village after I had
been so long away.

After we stopped for the customary challenge and response from the
sentries, I turned to my rider.  "So, my young sentry, spy--and guide.
The Park?"

I heard her gulp.  "You knew?   Yes, Sir." 

"Nikki.   We're not at court, or in front of the elders."

She giggled.

*They*  were waiting.   It looked like every child in the village was
there.

"Please, Nikki.  Let me down.  Then..."  She took a deep breath. "Will
you wait here?  Briefly?"

"Of course."  I smiled and looked at my hands.  When she looked down I
made a slight gesture that I felt sure she would recognize.
'Wolfhound's trust'. It was a clan secret, and one of the few things
we kept to ourselves.

She nodded and the gesture was an eerie reminder of those times when
Whisper had gleefully presented me with another surprise gift.

When she was at the place that was the focus of the group, she barked
a single, loud command, one that I hadn't heard since becoming a Bard.
The noises slowly faded until everyone was focused on her.  Then she
turned and looked at me with a maturity that spoke of wisdom beyond
her years.   "Our elders and the people of the village will give you
many gifts, Nikkolai. Their children wish to give you theirs. 'Welcome
home, Pack Master.' "

'Pack Master?'  I was not, had never desired...   The elders?  No.  I
rejected that thought.  Nikki had said 'their children'.  Her words
had been worthy of a Bard...

I looked at my namesake and this time I looked with my inner senses.
"Bardic Journeywoman Nikki."  I made it a title and she nodded.

This time, when I looked at the children, I studied each in turn.
Nervousness. Pride.   Self assurance.  I saw the future in their eyes
and yes, it pleased me to know these children would be building it.

When I got back to Nikki I smiled.   "The Pack Master thanks his pack
for their gift, and will give one of his own making, in return.  A new
story, crafted as he speaks it."

* * *

"There are other worlds.   Other people, with customs and ways
different, yet sometimes similar, to ours.  One of those worlds is
named 'Terra'--and they used their arts to come here, to meet us. Some
of our people have gone there--and returned--to tell us of what they
discovered.

"It is a strange world, and why this is so is both obvious, and
subtle. There is one race there, and they are humans.  There are no
morphs.  There is no common use of magic, or indeed, use of any of the
powers we take for granted. There is no inner knowledge that tells a
Terran when they have met a life-mate."  (I deliberately left out the
Merlins and their small group of fellow mages.  That was not my tale
to tell.)

"Still, they have children--and those children must be taught.

"They have no Bards.  Indeed, in some places they entrust all the
teaching to a few, self chosen people they call 'teachers'   Some are
good, as good as any Bard, Mage, or  other journeywoman or
craftmaster.   Others are less skilled and still others are, gently
speaking, 'incompetent'."

I shrugged and a shudder went through the group.  Incompetence at your
chosen craft was one of the worst crimes they could imagine.

"What about their guilds?  Don't they discipline them?  Don't they set
standards?"   It was a shocked question from one of them.

I gazed at her and smiled sadly.  "They do.  Not guilds as we
understand them.  But very similar."

I sighed.  Then, hating myself for the judgement I knew would tinge my
next words...   "But, you see, for them, 'personal responsibilty' is
an abstract concept instead of the way of life it is for us."  I held
up a paw to stop questions.  "Some people embrace it as a way of life,
but not many, and fewer still of those are in positions of power,
except one type."

"Teachers."

There was a collective gasp of understanding.

I nodded.  "Yes.  They do what they can, but it is little enough.  On
their world, their 'mages' won.

"But, that is not the tale I craft.

"Lady Chrystal travelled there.  They have wondrous ways of talking
over distances, even seeing.  She learned to use these, and in that
way got to know several of these teachers.   One of these, a teacher
of the very young, caught her attention.

"The woman lives in a place where the ice can dwell for long periods
and where days change, becoming longer or shorter, as the seasons
change. Her 'job' is to educate the young, instilling in them the
basic things her culture expects them to know.   She goes beyond that,
as much as the limits imposed by her masters will allow and does her
best to also instill the balance that will give them self confidence
enough to look ahead and meet life directly, seeing it as a challenge
to be overcome, not a hammer that will beat them down and destroy
them.

"Perhaps as important, she hides part of her true self--and what she
does privately.  She writes with a skill any Bard would envy.  And
what she often writes about is life, both the good and the bad.
Unfortunately, she also writes about love, and the physical joys
lovers share--and that, on her world, could cost her many things,
including being able to teach the children and help prepare them for
life."

I bowed my head in the traditional signal that I had finished my
story, then raised it to smile at them.   "You have named me your
'Pack Master'.   I accept, and give you the only command I will ever
give you:  'Do your best to see that what happened on Terra--doesn't
happen here.'  "
====

Decision - Dale's Choice
Dale, Nikkolai and Whisper
---

"Dad?"

"Yes son?"

"Do I have to be a Bard?"

Nikki looks carefully at his son. Automatically, he searches the
patterns surrounding Dale and then reaches out to gently place a paw
on Dale's forehead.

Dale is 8 now.

He is large like his father was at that age but he has the sleek form
of his mother. He is also beginning to display signs of being able to
handle power.

"No son. You may have the potential but *you* get to choose your own
path.

"Your mother and I won't force you to be anything."

Nikki pulls his paw away and settles himself on the ground.

"I didn't search your mind. Care to tell me about it? I only know that
you feel your future doesn't include being a Bard."

He falls silent and waits patiently.

Dale wanders aimlessly around their yard for a bit. He's glad his
father is so calm about this but he can't bring himself to look at him
directly.

Glancing over once in a while, Dale realizes his dad is waiting with
all the patience of... well, a Bard. He's giving him, Dale, all the
time he wants to decide if he wants to open up.

'At least they won't force me to be something I don't want to be.' He
thinks to himself. 'That means none of their Bard tricks.'

That is what he had feared. That his parents would use their skills to
push him down a road he can't travel happily.

Finally, reassured by that thought, he settles in front of his father
and speaks.

* * *

"Remember last year when you and mother stopped that fake healer?"

Nikki nods.

"Well..." He takes a deep breath and continues... "You played with her
emotions.

"I can't do that. I don't like manipulating people that way.

"And..." He hangs his head in dejection.

"I don't want to be known as 'Nikki and Whisper's son'.

"I want to be known as Dale. As me. For what *I've* done. If I become
a Bard, I'll always be compared to you."

He falls silent and faces his father defiantly.

Strangely, it is Nikki who looks away first.

"Son.

"Your mother and I...

"Well, yes, there is a price we pay for being Bards.

"Sometimes a Bard must make a choice knowing that he or she can see no
better one."

He looks back at his son. Briefly, Dale sees pain in his father's
eyes. Then, it is dimmed as he comes fully back to here and now.

"We have always known you are sensitive. That sort of thing is
difficult to hide.

"Too sensitive to be a Bard? Well, yes and no. The training is
available to you should you wish it. No matter what you decide to do
in life.

"Your life choice will come to you in time. Often it comes upon one
when you least expect it. Your mother started out training to be a
Tracker. She stayed one but decided to train as a Bard as well.

"I'm not telling you you have to become a Bard. What I am saying is
don't deny your abilities when you become aware of them. You'll have
to find your own compromise. You are going to have some ability to
handle power. For your own safety, you are going to have to learn some
basics. The basics anyone learns.

"To go beyond that or stop will be your choice. With no blame or
judgment by me or your mother. Handling power is not for everyone.

"As for becoming known as yourself, I'm not angry or upset. Your
mother isn't either. We're both proud that you are strong enough to
want be yourself. To be known for what *you* do with your life.

"Ash has already made his choice. Blade is too young to know what he
wants."

Nikki smiles. "Your sister? Well, she changes her mind several times a
day. But we expected that. She inherited that from your mother."

"Pippa isn't as strong that way as you and Ash are. Not yet anyway."
Nikki grins slyly. "Don't you tell her that either. Or I'll give *you*
a lesson you won't soon forget!"

They grin at each other. Dale and the others have compared notes on
their parent's 'lessons'. He doesn't want to get any like Pippa has
received from time to time. They've discovered that while their father
is more or less direct in his teaching, their mother can give a
'lesson' that can make one feel really stupid and foolish for days
afterwards.

"Thanks dad. I should have known you wouldn't be mad at me. Everyone
has been going along figuring I'd be a Bard like you. I don't like
playing mind-games."

A paw is placed on Dale's shoulder. "Neither do we son." Whisper's
voice is gentle. In spite of that, it is only the firm pressure of her
paw that keeps him from bolting.

"Whatever path you choose, we'll support you in your choice."
====

Dale - Self Acceptance
Dale, Sarah, Pippa, Nkkolai, Whisper and Ash
---

"You!  Dale!" The Sergeant's voice jerked at my attention.

"Get over here."

"Yes Ma'am!"

I ran over to her at an easy jog. At least growing up with my parents
had done wonders for my endurance. I still couldn't match my father's
ground covering pace or even keep up with my mother for longer
distances but still, compared to what the last two years of training
had involved...

I had no trouble doing what most of the others complained and moaned
about.

Most put it down to the wolfhound in me. I'd been concealing that my
parents were Bards and let them assume want they wanted. In it's way,
it was true. In the 8 years before I joined, mom and dad helped me
accept there would be times I would need to not tell all the truth.
That doing so was a normal part of life for everyone, not just Bards.

One thing I liked about the King's Guards. It was a firm rule that you
never asked anyone about their past. You were Guards now. All that
mattered was what you did after joining.

It was what I wanted. The chance to be myself at last and not my
father's son.

"You ever done this before?"

"No ma'am. Never did anything like this." (When you grow up in a home
where two members of the family are trackers, you don't 'train' as
one. You play at it. I wasn't about to tell her that.)

"I don't know..." Her voice was thoughtful.

"You're the best student I've ever had at this. You seem to do it
naturally. Tracker material if I ever saw it.

'Damn!' I thought to myself. I hadn't considered holding back. Mom and
dad would have smacked me down good if they caught me doing less than
my best once I started something. I'd automatically done it in
training.

"Ma'am... With respect, I don't want to be a Tracker. I'm a Guard."

She nodded. "Dale. Guards do cross-train at times. If you ever decide,
you'll be welcome as one of the King's Messengers."

She smiled at my shock. "Keep that to yourself. Nobody else here
knows."

She looked at me closely. "You remind me of someone I met years ago.
Can't remember who it was though..."

She shook her head. "Back to your training."

"Yes Ma'am."

That had been close. Good thing she'd been human. Anyone else would
have probably remembered meeting my dad. Mom told me that he and I
smelled very alike. Especially after physical activity.

'King's Messenger'. *I* could be one?

I'd heard of them of course. Everyone has. They only reveal themselves
when they have to.

As I got back to the others, I was distracted as they asked me what
had happened.

"What did 'iron-face' want you for?"

"Hmm?.. Oh, she asked me if I wanted to train as a Tracker. I said
no."

"You did what?!" Somebody whispered that comment in shock.

"You told her *no* and she liked it? We saw her smile."

"Well, yeah, sort of. She told me wait and see.

"You know how she is when she smiles. Always got something hidden for
later." I fell silent in realization.

Just like my parents. Except Sarah wasn't a Bard or power wielder of
any kind. I'd know it.

Which made me think of something else dad had told me. 'Don't deny
your abilities when you find out about them.'

I sighed to myself. 10 years later, I was learning what he meant. I
*had* been denying my abilities all these years.

"I'll be right back. I need to talk to the Sergeant."

They looked at me oddly. "I need to ask her something about today's
session."

I ran back to her and waited for her to notice me.

"Permission to speak Ma'am."

"Granted."

"I'd like to go on an overnight solo. I need to think about what you
told me earlier."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Don't move. Don't do anything to react to
what I tell you."

She slowly walked around me and returned to stand in front of me.

She was shaking her head in resignation and I could also feel
amusement radiating from her. 'What had I done now?'

"Ma'am?"

"I should have seen it a long time ago. You're Nikkolai's oldest son.

"Aren't you?"

I stiffened. Then I sighed and admitted it. "Yes ma'am.

"How'd you figure it out?"

"I didn't put all the pieces together until just now. That overnight
thing is a Bard's custom. The Guards don't do it. We encourage
discussing things with your fellow Guards. Makes you closer to each
other.

"Bards tend to be loners when they need to think things over."

"Loners?" I'd never thought of my parents as loners. They were so
close to each other. Always happy to deal with people. Always there
for us kids.

Mom a loner? Dad a loner? I couldn't picture them that way.

"Not all of them. Reason I remember your parents is because mated
Bards are rare. Nikkolai and Whisper always seemed so close to each
other. Outgoing. She taught a tracking class years ago. An advanced
one that I had to take. Nikkolai was often there as an observer.

"If it's any consolation, I think you could someday be as good as
Pippa. At least in your tracking abilities.

"Still, there's a hardness missing that a tracker sometimes needs.
Unless I miss my guess, it's the Bard influence. Or something else.
I've noticed you tend to avoid certain types of solutions to problems.

She paused in thought. As much as I'd learned from my parents, her
face was unreadable to me.

"No. Permission denied. We'll find another way. Trust me and follow my
lead later.

"I won't tell anyone who you are. Pippa knows of course.

"As for hiding who you are, I did the same thing when I was younger.
Mom was head of the village council. Everyone thought I'd be the same
someday.

"Eventually, I wound up here in the Guards. There's a lot of us doing
what you are. It's the reason for the rule 'Don't ever ask.' "

Her voice became soft. " 'Be true to yourself' is the unofficial Guard
motto. Now you know why.

"Think you can work it out in the next day or so?"

I nodded.

"OK. I've got a way to give you that time so nobody will suspect you
were raised around Bards and Trackers.

"Go on back."

"Yes Ma'am!"

* * *

"All right you people!

"Listen up!

"It's about time we tested you to see if any of you are as good as you
think you are.

"If you've got noses and eyes, use 'em. I'm gonna send Dale out to see
if he can hide himself from you lot. He's never done this before so
I'm sending a senior Tracker with him. You'll have two trails to
follow. His, and one other. What they do after they leave here is up
to them.

"Neither is returning here until the lot of you find them. I'll be
along as an observer only.

"The reason I'm sending Dale is that I already know he could find any
of you even if he was blindfolded. I don't need to test his abilities.

"Just to make it challenging, you're all confined to the compound
until tomorrow when we leave. I want his trail good and cold."

She was greeted with groans of dismay.

"Dale, you stay here for instructions. The rest of you are dismissed.

I waited as the others left.

"At ease Dale.

"I want you back here in two hours with three days of travel supplies.

"I know how fast you can move if you put your mind to it. Pippa's told
me stories of how you kids used to play hide-and-seek.

"I'm sending her here to meet you. She'll know what kind of trail I
want laid. She's done this before. I want it fairly simple but put a
few twists in it. Mostly, for the first few hours, I want you to focus
on distance."

"That should easily give you another day.

"Then, the two of you can figure out what else you want to do after
you have had time to relax together. Keep it simple though. I want
them to find you fairly easily."

She grinned at me. It was the first time I'd ever seen her do it to
anyone.

"If you find a place, you might do what your father did to Whisper and
her friends."

I stared at her in shock.

Then I smiled.

"Of course! Pippa would have told you wouldn't she? Mother always said
it was a favorite trick for robbers to use. We all used to use it on
each other as we got older."

I smiled in remembrance. "Especially when we were trying to get away
from the others and find some privacy. Or hide from Mom and Dad."

She looked at me thoughtfully.

"Pippa has always wondered how come you never wanted to become a Bard
or Tracker. She's learned to gauge other's abilities. She's becoming a
lot like Whisper in that. Someday, she'll replace me as the primary
instructor for tracking. She doesn't know that yet and I want you to
tell her for me.

"It's about time she knew. This will give her time to adjust to the
idea.

"She knows I'm a King's Messenger so you can talk to her about that if
you want.

"I also think you should tell her all your reasons for not wanting to
be a Bard. It's time she knew. I'm not certain just why you didn't
become one. I've known a lot of Bards over the years. Something tells
me you aren't suited to be one right now. You're lacking something
they have.

I flinched at that comment and she saw it.

"Relax. That lack isn't a negative thing. It's a difference I see only
because I've worked with a lot of Bards.

"Think about telling her. She's not just your sister anymore. It
bothers her when someone isn't all they could be. Or when she can't
figure out someone's motives for a decision.

"A tracker learns to figure out their quarry's motivations. Yours have
been nagging at her for years. I think it's time she knew the real
story.

"You *are* your parent's children. Trust me in this. The two of you
need to be honest with each other finally.

"Someday, you may wind up working together. Your lives and that of
others could wind up depending on how much you trust each other and
how well you understand how the other thinks.

"Guards conceal their past. But, as a Guard, you are going to have to
decide if your past will affect your fellows. It's not an easy path to
choose. In some ways, it's more demanding than being a Bard.

"Should the occasion demand it, you may be expected to kill and kill
as long or as many as you need to.

"If I know anything, it's that Bards seldom kill.

"Could you deal with Pippa leading you to a criminal that you had to
kill? What if your parents brought someone in for justice? Could you
deal with that if need be? We try to never let family members get into
situations like that but it does happen. If we know ahead of time we
can usually avoid it. Even after, if you should openly admit it as it
happens, there is no shame involved.

"There are too many of us like yourself here. We may need your support
ourselves someday.

"Dale, your parents are both Bards. I don't need to tell you what your
future may bring. I know you can see possibilities I can't dream of.
I've seen Pippa think of things most wouldn't. That's one reason I've
chosen her to be my replacement. I want to do what's best for the
Guards. They're the only family I have."

We stood there in silence for a while. Finally, I nodded.

Indeed, I would have much to discuss with my sister.

She sighed in resignation. "I'm going to turn the rest of them loose
sometime before noon. Be nice won't you? Most of this lot can't find
the floor when they get up in the morning. Make the trail simple to
follow. They need something to build their confidence."

She smiled slightly. "They're good enough for where they started from.
Let's not waste that by making their first attempt at a serious track
a failure."

I nodded and pondered things as I waited for her to finish.

"Dismissed!" Her voice jerked me back to the present and I walked off
to get ready.

* * *

I was back early. I was impatient to be off.

At last, I settled into a sitting position and tried to calm myself in
preparation for our run.

I also had to decide what speed I wanted to run at. I wasn't worried
about Pippa. Ever since we were kids, she could always outrun me over
long distances.

Lost in my thoughts, I was startled by a paw on my shoulder.

"Shame on you brother. Have you forgotten everything?"

"Pip!" I grabbed her and pulled her down beside me.

We tussled for a bit and then sobered.

"It's good to see you."

I looked closer. "Real good."

I grinned at her. "You've changed. A lot."

It had been a couple of years since our last meeting.

"You too brother." Her voice was gentle. "Sarah told me about today."

"You feel more sure of yourself." She looked at me oddly. "You? A
Tracker? You sure feel like one."

I sighed. "That's part of the problem. She asked if I wanted to become
one. I don't know if I want get involved with power handling. Of any
kind.

"There's more but I'm supposed to tell you when we stop."

Pippa nodded. "Sounds like Sarah. She's a lot like mom and dad in
that.

"What's wrong?!" She'd caught my wince of pain.

"Later sis."

She continued.

"She also told me what was going on. Sounds like things caught up with
you finally."

She smiled a sad sort of smile. "I wouldn't have had the courage to do
what you've done. Spend two years as a normal person. Not tell people
who my parents are."

I held up a paw to stop her. "It wasn't that hard. 'Never ask' was one
reason I chose to become a Guard. You know how I feel about being
known as 'Nikkolai's Son'.

"Later for that. We need to get moving. She said you'd done this
before."

"OK. Brother. You're dodging. Not well either. You were a lot better
two years ago.

"Here's how it works.

"You and I are going to cover a lot of ground in the next few hours.
We'll do it at a stride that's a bit faster than normal for most other
people.

I nodded. "I figured that much. 'Never let your enemies know more than
you have to'. Keep something in reserve. They know I'm fast and have
endurance. I've never shown them just *how* fast and for how long. I
don't want to be a courier.

"They'd expect me to cover more territory than average."

She grinned at me. "You sound like dad.

"So we'll travel in a fairly straight path. You can be a little
careless as you run. This is a training exercise. I don't want them
calling in other trackers to find us. We stay out until they *do* find
us.

"After we rest tonight, we can lay a few simple tricks and side
trails. We can discuss details while we run. Or have you forgotten
how?"

Her grin was mocking.

"You know your fellow Guards and we can tailor the trail to challenge
them without giving them something they can't handle.

"They'll be tracking you as Guards would. From what Sarah told me,
you're the only potential Tracker in this batch.

"So, let's go for a jog.

"Dale, Sarah also confirmed something I always suspected but never
told you.

"If you wanted to be, you could be as good a Tracker as I am. With
your Guard training, that opens up another job for you."

"Say no more Pip." I again held up a paw to stop her from continuing.

"She told me I could become a King's Messenger if I wanted to.

"And there's the real problem. If I do, it means I have to embrace and
start being serious about my use of power. Start doing what I've
avoided for the last 10 years.

"That awareness of my surroundings is something I've consciously
limited over the years.

"I don't know if I want to run a path that requires I use my full
abilities. I need to talk to you about parts of that problem. Dad and
mom don't have the background you do to understand some things about
me. I needed to talk to you and somehow, Sarah knew it before I did."

She looked at me for long moments. Something in her gaze reminded me
of our father rather than our mother. "There's something else though.
Another, deeper reason you fear power.

"OK. If there's one thing I learned, it's that you'll speak only when
you are ready."

We stood and shouldered our packs. "Let's wander to the edge of the
forest and get a ways in before we pick up our feet."

Pippa pointed at where she had sat. "I left a marker for them. Sarah
will start them from here in the morning."

I looked at her a moment. "I don't get until noon?"

I smiled. "She must be serious about using trickery then. Otherwise we
don't get the second day.

"Test within a test? Sister mine?"

"OK, Let's see how much I remember of what dad and mother taught us."

We share grins and amble off to the edge of the forest.

"Head towards home. Once we get done in the morning, I can go get the
rest of the family for a private gathering.

"Oh, Blade's not home anymore..." She lets her silence speak.

"He isn't? He's a full Mage then?"

"Nooo..." Pippa's comment is amused. He quit *that* just after you
joined the Guards.

"Last I heard from mother, he let Capo talk him into training as a
bodyguard."

Her comment is bland as only a Bard can make it. Or the daughter of a
Bard.

I stop and stare at her. "Blade and Artor? You're kidding. The two of
them together for almost two years?

"Want my guess? If he's still working as a bodyguard, Blade's bored
out of his skull by now. I know the duties. Sometimes we get called in
to escort caravans.

"If Blade lasts though his apprenticeship, I'll be surprised. Amazed
would be closer. Unless he's changed a great deal in the years since I
left home, I can't see him spending weeks with a bunch of merchants
for a few moments of action."

Pippa smiled at me. "He always has been rather impatient hasn't he?"

Then I realized something. Her comment about Blade had been done to
distract me from something else.

"Oh, that's good Pip. I'm used to your thinking. See how many follow
dad's trail instead of mine after we split up.

"You and dad go off together and the rest of us go a different
direction.

I chuckle. "Sarah's gonna be upset with you when she finds out.
Especially if she falls for it."

"The family will love it though. Especially Mom and Dad."

"I was wondering if you'd realize that." She grinned.

We smiled again at each other. This game of 'distractions' was
something we grew up with. Ash had usually held himself aloof from it
but Pip and I and sometimes Blade had teased each other constantly.

Plus, our parents had encouraged all of us to look underneath the
surface. It was their main gift to us to help us survive on our own.
At home, the game was harmless.

In life? Rabelaisia is still a hard world at times. And there are
those who make a living by deceiving others. As children of Bards, we
know it better than most.

My training as a Guard had honed that even further.

We're inside the forest finally and as I break into the ground eating
easy run that I learned as a kid, I call back to her.

"No wonder she's making you her replacement when she retires soon."

Pippa catches up and paces me.

"She... Said... That?..."

Her words are spaced in time to her steps and breathing. I can hear
her shock at my comment.

"Of.. Course." Dad had taught us this trick. If one was careful, you
could carry on a conversation while running at this and faster paces.
Only at full speed would we have to focus on our breathing and
conserve our energy. It was slower speech than normal but he said that
just gave you more time to think.

It was something he said only Hounds could do without tiring. Others
tried it, but without knowing all the little tricks, they soon lost
the rhythm and their energy.

"I bet Sarah doesn't know we'll have our talk *before* we stop for the
night."

"Nope. Never seemed to be a reason to mention it.

"I've not done it since leaving home anyway.

Her voice turned a bit wistful. "There aren't any other hounds around
right now either."

"So?" I let my voice carry my amusement. "I have my own plans and they
don't include you. Not that way anyway."

As we ran, she guided me down various little used paths. Finally, as
it started to get darker, we stopped to eat and take a break. We could
have gone even longer but we were in no hurry.

We'd picked up several hours by making our plans as we ran. After we
napped and our eyes adjusted to the night, we started in again.

This time we were moving at a fast jog. I let her lead because she
knew the area. Her awareness would let her find problems before I
would.

"Pippa?"

"Yes?"

"I'd forgotten what it was like to run long distance like this."

Then I realized something that had been nagging at me. She was in far
better condition than she should have been. Few would have noticed it
because she could already outrun everyone.

"So that was *your* solution. Do our parents know?"

"No. They know I'm a courier. Tracker.

"Not the other part. Not yet.

"I'll tell dad after we separate.

"What do I tell him about you?"

I gusted one of my next breaths to let her now I had finally accepted
my future. I had also figured out a solution I could live with.

"Nothing. I'll explain to mother. After the others head home.

"I need to learn how to focus like a Tracker."

"Like?" I managed to startle her a bit with that.

"Walk a bit Dale. What are you planning?"

We slow to a walk and I hold her paw for a bit.

"My path. Use power my way. Not as a Bard or King's Messenger.

"A Royal Constable.

"You know I can't stand to manipulate people emotionally.

"I can no longer deny my abilities either.

"Nor, ultimately, can I forever hide who my parents are."

"Dale! You know there hasn't been a Royal Constable for generations."

Her voice is tinged with her shock. She drags me to a halt and turns
me to face her.

"There's been no need."

My voice is gentle. "No Pippa, *think*. There has always been a need
for such."

I sigh a final time and straighten myself and look her in the eyes.

"I am, when all is said and done, my father's son. A Bard's son. I
inherited all his abilities. His sense of responsibility.

"I have the same sense of duty that drives him.

"Until now, I've denied all that. I had to until I decided what I
really wanted to do.

"When Sarah told me I could become a King's Messenger, she
inadvertently reminded me that the best solution is not to run and
hide. I needed to face my future directly. Rather than deny what I can
do, I needed to figure out how to use my abilities to their fullest.
Use them in ways *I* can live with.

"Once I accepted that, I started looking for something that demanded I
use my abilities rather than hide them.

"Once I started thinking in those terms, the rest was obvious to me.

"There has not been a Royal Constable for all these generations
because there has been no one willing to ask for the position.

"Now, there is someone. Myself.

"Ask Father. He'll tell you that the position is taken by someone who
asks for it.

"If I go before the King and announce myself, he'll accept me as
such."

I smile a bit ruefully. "I think being 'Nikkolai's Son' won't hurt
either.

I smile at her. "Just the knowledge there is a Royal Constable again
will prevent many problems. I can live with manipulating people that
way.

"Think about how you'd feel if a Guard with the skills of a Tracker
and the understanding and powers of a Bard were after you.

"How often has mother had someone come to *her* when they found out
she was after them?

"Look for yourself." I place her paw on my forehead and open myself to
her.

Finally, she removes her paw and motions ahead.

I nod and we start off again. This time, we travel in silence. There
is no further need for words.

* * *

I can feel them coming.

Pippa let me touch-link and learn about some of the things I needed to
know about using power as a Tracker. Much of it, I knew but had
suppressed for the last ten years.

Now that I accepted myself and had decided on a path, it was with a
sense of relief that I no longer held my abilities in check.

I knew I should have never denied them. Mom and dad, in their own
wisdom, had let me find my own truths.

Armed with that knowledge, I had to admit that everyone would feel the
difference in me. It took far more skill than I had to conceal my
presence and the changes within me.

So, I decided to tell them what I had decided.

"Hello father." I was gazing into the fire as he entered the clearing.
He was alone.

"Hello son." He moved to stand opposite me.

"So. My son has finally discovered who he is." Those wise yet laughing
eyes studied me.

I smiled a bit lopsidedly.

"Yeah. Thanks for being so patient with me.

I stood and we embraced each other.

"Do you mind if I wait and tell everyone at once? I'm not as skilled
as any of you yet but I know enough to have realized I can't hide that
I've changed."

"Of course. I came ahead because I waned to see you alone.

"Pippa wouldn't be on an exercise with you unless there were problems.
I'm glad to know you've found your solution."

A few minutes later, the rest of them arrived.

Now that I had decided to let myself be aware of my surroundings, I
could feel differences in all of them.

That awareness told me that mom and dad were privately communicating
and not bothering to hide it from me. That, a shared look, and they
faded to the background as the rest of us got caught up on what we'd
been doing since we last saw each other.

Pippa quickly absented herself and went to quietly visit with our
parents.

Ash and I looked at each other and grinned.

"You've changed Dale." That was Ash. A Bard's acknowledgment and
understanding in three simple words.

He sobered and watched me thoughtfully. "I don't want to tangle with
you. You feel a lot like dad in one of his moods. Except that hardness
is part of you. With dad, it's something he does when he has to."

I sighed. "You're right. I'm trained as a Guard. If we're not hard, we
don't last long. I'd rather be like this than play mind games with
people.

"Dad and mom have known that for years. I told Pip yesterday.

"Come on. There's something I need to tell all of you."

After we settled, I raised a paw to get everyone's attention.

"I know what I want to do with my life.

"I'm going to be a King's Constable."

Pippa laughed at the silent shock. Irritated with her, I tossed a
clump of grass at her.

Instead of deflecting it, she caught it and grinned at me before
quickly sobering.

"I told Pip yesterday. Now, I want you all to know about it."

As to be expected, mom and dad were unreadable. Then they nodded. Dad
smiled a bit and I knew he had put the pieces together. They hugged
each other and waited.

Ash started to speak. "There hasn't been one for... Oh." Then he
nodded thoughtfully to himself.

"Elegant solution son." That was mom.

"Royal Constables are not appointed. Not formally anyway. They appoint
themselves. And nobody argues with that decision.

"They always 'know' they are suited for the job. Once they reach that
decision, the rest follows."

"I never pictured you as one. You're right for the job though.

"Yes mother. It means I will have to learn to fully use my abilities.
At last"

I smiled grimly. "I doubt if I will need them very often though. I'm
also going to train as a Tracker. That and being a Guard will solve
most problems."

Now I grinned at all of them. "What would *you* do if you found
'Nikki's Son' looking for you? While knowing he's also a Guard?"

Mom and Dad grinned back at me.

Ash's only comment was. "I'd rather have mom or dad chasing me.
They're *only* Bards."

Dad was laughing openly.

"A Bard Guard... I can just picture the reactions that is going to
cause.."

We all started laughing at the picture his words painted.

"Most people don't fear the King's justice. That justice administered
by someone known to have Bard training and skills?

"Truly, I am proud to call you my son."

He and mother stood and their cloaks suddenly appeared and covered
them.

"Royal Constable Dale. It is my pleasure to have met you. I hope all
our future meetings are as pleasant. I have every confidence in your
abilities.

"May all your judgments be wise ones." He bowed formally. A bard's bow
of acknowledgment.

"I pledge you any assistance I may give." My mother's gaze was level.

"I will notify the Trackers and should you need any of us, you have
but to call." She inclined her head at me.

"As a King's Messenger and Courier, I pledge our cooperation and help
should you ask it of us."

Pippa's words froze everyone but me. She smiled and gave me the open
palmed greeting of equals in the Royal service. The Guard's greeting.

I looked at Ash. He nodded and tilted his head in dad's direction. I
nodded slightly to show I understood him.

Smiling and with tears in my eyes, I reached out and we hugged each
other. "Thanks. I hope I never need your skills."

* * *

That evening, it was Pippa's turn.

"It's time Dale and I went about our real business.

"We're the quarry in a tracking session."

She smiled slyly. Dad, I want to go off with you in a different
direction and let Dale and mom go their way."

"Ash, no need for you to stick around. I want the people after us to
have to see yet a third trail leaving here.

"I don't expect anyone to follow you, so you can do what you like.

"Say a few hours travel and then we wait for them to 'find' us.

We all smiled at each other.

It was Whisper who spoke first. Her voice was filled with amusement.

"That's good Pippa. You hope for them to follow you and Nikki don't
you?"

They shared grins. "Nikki? Shall we?"

He grinned back. "Of course. You and Dale enjoy yourselves. We'll see
how many we can lead astray."

* * *

"Pip?" I grinned at her and dad.

"Sarah suggested we pull a Nikki somewhere along the trail...." I
looked meaningfully at a nearby tree.

"If you and dad..." We smiled at each other.

Mom looked surprised and her eyes narrowed. "Pull a Nikki?"

Dad looked at Pippa for an explanation.

Her ears flattened to her head in embarrassment. "Uhh... It's like
this...

"When we were younger, we started to call that tree trick of yours
'pulling a Nikki'. I shared the story with Sarah, the human in charge
of Tracker training right now.

"When she set this up, she suggested to Dale that if we found a
convenient place to do it, we do it just to add a bit of confusion to
our trail."

Dad grinned at her. "And since she's expecting it, Dale is suggesting
that you and I do it to see if it causes them to follow us rather than
Dale and mother."

Dad Nodded thoughtfully. "Hmmm. Ash. You stay here. I want Sarah and
the others to find you here.

"But not as you are... I think a Hare would be appropriate. You can
wear your cloak.

"Ash, as a Bard, you may offer your services if they decide to split
and follow both trails.

"I want you to be *very* helpful." He grinned. "Remember Ash, a Bard
is noted for being trustworthy and honest..." He and Ash shared
knowing smiles.

"Dad!" My voice was anguished.

"Agreed son." Nikki's voice was gentle.

"No mind-games. If I find you've played with their emotions rather
than manipulated the facts..."

Ash shuddered at that promise.

Whisper flinched, started to speak and then kept silent.

Nikki very seldom spoke to their children in the tones of a Master
rather than as their father.

"Pippa? Do you, as the person in charge approve those changes to your
plans?"

Pippa jerked out of her shock at his earlier tone.

"Dad?" I spoke before she could. I'm subdued but firm. "These are *my*
fellow Guards Ash will be dealing with.

"I want to impose one condition. That when we are done, *I* get to
touch-link with Ash to find out what he did. Not you. Not Pippa. Not
mother.

"These people are *my* responsibility. If Ash doesn't agree to that, I
don't want him to stay here."

All of them stared at me. They could hear the coldness in my voice at
the end. The Guards had become brothers and sisters to me. Another
family. I know what Ash is capable of doing when he's in a playful
mood. My fellow Guards don't deserve that sort of treatment.

It was dad who moved first. He held up a paw towards me in an unspoken
request.

I nodded in silent agreement

After long minutes, he pulled his paw away and shook his head as
though coming out of a deep trance.

He knelt before me and bowed his head.

"Forgive me, giver of the King's Justice. It shall be as *you* wish."

I nodded at him. "Forgiven Nikkolai. You may rise."

* * *

Ash was terrified. Their father has *never* bowed to anyone and asked
to be forgiven.

What did we discuss in those long minutes?

He and dad looked at each other.

What is going on here? Is this another of dad's 'lessons'? If it is,
it has certainly worked. All thoughts of games have totally fled from
his mind.

* * *

"Well brother?" My question was mild.

Ash started as though jabbed.

He and dad shared a look again and Ash reached his decision.

His smile was weak. "I don't think I'm qualified to do what dad
suggested. I'd like to try someday but... This time sounds like it's
pretty complicated already."

It was a good thing I was upwind of him. I knew he was reeking of fear
right then.

Actually, dad used the link to apologize for trying to take over. He
did the other as a reminder to the others and himself that Pippa and I
were in charge here. Not him.

It was also a chance for me to practice how I would have to be
whenever I acted as a Royal Constable.

So, he had been absolutely serious when he knelt and asked my
forgiveness. He had been in the wrong and he knew it. So, ultimately,
the main lesson was for me. Had he not explained the situation, I
would have accepted the change in plans.

He'd driven the lessons home by using one economical action.
Definitely, he deserved to be known as a Master of his craft.

I sighed and then smiled. "OK, let's split up and I'll see the rest of
you in a few weeks probably."

By the time we were all packed and ready, the tenseness had left and
everyone was relaxed.

"Shall we? Mother?"

She smiled and we jogged off to await anyone who found us.
====

End: The Tails of Rabelaisia 2/6 Nikkolai, Whisper and Dale

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