The Forgotten Zodiac

"I doubted it too, sir, but then I saw the damage..." The guard frowned, then blinked in alarm when Isslia wormed out of his grip.

"Do I not get my own word in this? I admit it." She said loudly. "I broke his arm and one bone in his leg, but the other bone and the ear was done by my wolf companion."

"And where is this wolf?" Valley questioned.

"Dead. This guard that brought me in tried to run me through, and...he took the wound instead." Isslia looked down, then shook her head and brought her glaring gaze up again. "I didn't attack without cause. The guard in question had been bullying shopkeepers and stalltenders, stealing their wares under the guise of 'payment' for his duties. I confronted him verbally, and warned against attacking physically, but he ignored it. He pushed me into a stand and attempted to grab me. I avoided his attack and warned him again, but he ignored it."

"So you brutalized him?" Valley raised a brow.

"I'd been following him for about an hour. He stole almost a hundred gold pieces worth of merchandise and food. I did what I saw fair."

"Why not merely report it?"

Isslia shrugged. "Your justice system takes too long. Pretty sure that after being beaten up by a girl less than half his size, he won't be stealing from anyone anymore."

Valley sighed. "You're not from around here, are you? What, do they cut the hands off of thieves where you live?"

"Not commonly, but it's certainly not unheard of..."

"Then it's likely not unheard of to punish those who assault guards." Valley tutted. "Riordan, I'm going to our room. You decide what to do with this girl." She walked out, her stride quick and light in spite of the situation. Isslia, in the meantime, was fighting very valiantly to hide her fear. Jailed in a strange country...she didn't like the idea, and rightly so...

The king stared down at Isslia like he wished he were elsewhere. His expression was one of extreme boredom, and he leaned his head on his hand, sighing. "You'll await your hearing in a cell," he said. "I'm too busy currently to be bothered with such a trivial case. Clearly, you were both wrong. The guard has apparently been punished, but I'll see to it that he's removed from his position. You, meanwhile, girl, will await your proper trial in chains. No matter what your motives were, I won't have an outsider attacking my men. Take her down, but don't hurt her...and don't let Kage near her." He gestured with his hand, signaling the other guard to take her down to the jail.

Isslia went quietly, knowing full well that there was nothing she could do. What on earth had she been thinking? Perhaps she should have mentioned that the guard was about to punish someone for arguing with him when he tried to steal more wares...not that mentioning anything further would make a difference. Isslia sighed heavily as chains were locked around her wrists and ankles. A fifth shackle was put on, this time around her neck. Isslia felt at once that she wouldn't be able to transform. Which was dissapointing; her small dog form would be able to slip out of this easily, if she thought to...but no. These actions were her own, and she'd have to face the punishment for them, wouldn't she?

Isslia watched dully as the cell door was locked and the key hung on a rung near the door. This was it, then. If she wasn't executed, she'd spend a good time behind bars. What a way to go. Isslia knew full well that she wouldn't be good in jail. And all because she had just wanted to help. Perhaps she had gotten carried away. Just a bit. Isslia curled up in the back corner of the cell, closing her eyes. She didn't expect any visitors.

That is, until Luna slipped around the corner a few minutes later, glancing over her shoulder warily.

"Isslia?" she asked, bending down in front of the bars with her hands clutching them tightly. "That's really you then, isn't it? Don't worry, I'm going to try and help you out. I can't do anything yet, though. But the second I can, you're free. Just...be careful."

"Wha-what?" Isslia looked up, staring at Luna. "You...you're that Tartaran's boyfriend...why on earth are you here? I mean...why would you help me...? You should be back in Alastor with Forin, not here..." Her eyes caught the band around Luna's ankle. "You're a prisoner too, then? You shouldn't even be here...I did my crime, and here I am. I don't want help getting out. If this is my fate, then so be it..." She looked...sad. So very sad.

"Oh, what a bunch of nonsense," Luna said sternly, rocking back lightly on her heels. "You owe these people nothing. They aren't your people, your rulers. Once you're back in your own borders, they can't touch you. Besides...there's a man here you don't want to be around. Especially not you." She frowned, saying "And who says your fate can't involve a little help?"

"Not too long," Luna said. "And last I saw the others, they were still in Alastor castle. I'm not sure where else they could be. Perhaps Kaislun. I wish I could contact them, but this stupid thing..." She gave the band around her ankle a tap, growling. "...cuts off my powers. I can't teleport, I can't mind-sync, I can't do anything."

"Yes, she is," Luna answered, standing quickly and turning to glare at him. "I'll see you again, Isslia. Count on it." She stalked away, her long hair flowing like silvery water behind her.

*

Cynyr shifted slightly, exhaling before opening his eyes.

He was laying against Werr's back, who was still asleep, his arms wrapped tightly around the lion half-cat curled against his chest. Welk was completely limp, sound asleep and breathing softly, his long tail flicking calmly against Werr's leg.

Cynyr gave a light, rusty purr and flicked his tail, tilting his head curiously. He gave Werr a nudge and the boy fell against Welk, who didn't stirr. He was still sound asleep, his breathing suggesting someone deep in exhausted unconsciousness. He hadn't gained the energy to switch forms yet, and his wings were currently spread, with Werr firmly nestled in a warm, feathery bundle.

Cynyr pressed his nearly-scar-free muzzle into Welk's fur, then gave Werr a happy look, clearly saying He's back.

Cynyr surprised with with an actual smile and slid neatly off of the bed, giving his gurgling purr and rubbing up against Ophile. It seemed unlikely that they would have such a good friendship, but Ophile really was the only person besides Werr, Welk, his wife, and Nate that the tormented half-cat trusted. After all, Ophile, with his ability to receive every single memory or feeling from someone, truly understood Cynyr the best. The panther unloaded his memories onto the wolf, which was a storm of joyous thoughts and words that he was unable to speak.

I'm actually really really happy which is rare and I don't really know how to cope with it as you know and I think it's made me hyper but I've never been hyper before so I don't know what to do I mean Welk's been hyper before and- OH Welk's back and that's another reason why I'm so happy because now Werr won't be depressed and I can't thank Naybrin enough for what he did and have you seen my face I only have a few scars left and Ophile Welk's back and Werr's happy and Seria's going to have twins and I'm scared about that but dealing with it and I can't believe how weird all this happiness is making me I think I'm going to blow up or something can that happen to someone? I have no idea, I just-

((I imagine Ophile would cut him off. XD))

It's fine, Cynyr went to say, but all that came out was a squeak. He frowned, then shifted forms and walked after her, opening the door and saying Airlia, it's okay. You can come in. The only one sleeping is Welk. He extended his hand with one of his most unique scars; the star-mark he had accidentally 'summoned' Airlia with all those years ago.

He tilted his head, then said Only if you want to. It doesn't really matter to me anymore, so it's your choice. Either way, you're still my only summon, and I'm your first summoner. There's nothing that can ever be done to change that. He gave a small smile, carefully moving a hand out to move a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear.

He blinked, his gaze taking on it's usual pre-emotion-sort-of-shocked-look at being hugged, then he puts his arms around her in return and smiled. He stroked her hair back again, saying Okay. Besides, I rather like that mark. I've gotten used to it over the years. He chuckled, enjoying the moment with her. He had never really had the time to develope a true 'summoner's bond' with her, like Forin and Diana had, but that didn't mean she didn't hold a special place somewhere in his heart.