Kitten wisely decided to give Anwen some space after this latest assassination plot and Althea's need to 'save all the red heads'. She stayed away for two days. But the Pharaoh was not interested in their drama, only in when he could get that report on the strike against the People from the Sea. Kitten had put him off explaining even with magic they needed to follow a ship from where it strikes back to its port of call and that takes time.

Morning of the third day she climbs through a window and in to a stench. Anwen is curled up in a corner, and apparently defecated all over herself. She is a mess of piss and shit and tears.

When Kitten tries and pull her up Anwen screams and thrashes and tells her to go away. Go away and take her loud thoughts with her.

Thrown back by the creeping madness the girl is falling in to she does not know what to do. She backs off and considers. Too bad the gods cannot be summoned like a physician or servant. Or could they.

Bast tended to roam about the palace in one form or another. Watching for danger and mooching for snacks. Hmm, mooching.

Kitten leaves by the door, purposely leaving it a little open, then goes searching around the kitchen area, which as usual is swarming with the little moochers. She picks up several looking them in the eye, seeking that divine spark. She is about to give up when she spots a small female darting away. Not normal cat behavior. So she follows it and finds it trying to knock down a bottle of elven wine from a shelf. Only one cat likes that stuff. She slips in and grabs the cat up, bringing it to her face, "Hello Bast, seeking a drink are you ?" The cat squirms for all it's might but it can't escape the immortals grip, finally defeated, "Ok fine you caught me, what do you want ?"

Kitten nods, "Your help actually. Anwen is in a bad way. Something inside her is breaking and you’re the only god I know that may be able to help her. Or at least get close enough to talk to her. I got thrown away by that mind power of hers. She is laying in a pile of her own filth, crying and talking to herself. I think Althea accidently broke her by invoking the control aspects of her binding wish."

Bast sighs, "Oh dear. That is not good. Anwen is strong willed but strong wills often have cracks in them. The big one being forced to do something against their wills like that. It tends to send them in one of two directions, acceptance or self-destruction."

Kitten puts the goddess down, "I left the big door she put up cracked just far enough for a cat to get in." Bast nods and heads off to see her friend and wine consultant.

Bast thinks as she runs about what could set off Anwen like this. Anwen, though a touch surly and emotionally stunted, was normally stronger than this, or so she thought. It could be she realized a combination of things, time travel being part of it, but also new life, new body, new drives from the new body and then there … oh dear. She did not think of this before, but the child See's aura's knows what drives people, can tell a divine from a demon from a mortal just by looking at them. That new level of awareness on top of everything else. Yes she can see the combination cracking even the hardiest of souls. She pours on the speed and finds Anwen much as Kitten described. A mental breakdown underway. So she tries things the cat way. She walks up and touches her nose to Anwens nose and just like that she is in a fierce hug. Good thing she is a god, or she would be crushed by the scared need of this child. But now that she is this close she can hear the fearful chanting of 'I can't turn it off' repeated over and over. After several minutes of this and her little furry form being crushed in to the stinky sobbing form, she shifts to a human form. Which is somewhat better as her sense of smell is not as powerful. Bast being so much stronger than a mortal manages to pull Anwen up out of her mess and to a cleaner part of the floor. "Now now, Bast is here. What is this all about ?"

Anwen, tears in her eyes looks up at Bast then spreads her legs and sort of points. Bast, confused, "Your sex ?"

Deep snort, "Attached to it." Bast looks closer and sees a small silver ring piercing her upper uvula she leans down and touches it, and knows at that moment what it does. Carefully turning the ring around she sees it is a solid ring. Whatever fool put this girls body together never considered she may want to remove that ring. A ring that allows the wearer to Read other beings Minds. Yes she can see a new reason why the child is falling apart. She looks roughly toward the heavens, "Lady of Light and Dreams I am getting a much clearer picture why you decided to shred some of your workers. Apparently you got some real idiots in the bunch. Weaving a magical item in to the child with no way to remove it." Bast Feels the shift in the air then the very irate Goddess of Light and Dreams appears, "What oh her. They did something Else stupid to this one. The last 12 granted wishes have all had problems. Some fairly major ones. Including 3 people being turned in to paper versions of the hero's they wished to be. They wished for powers and abilities similar to their favorite comic book heroes, so the idiots turned them in to Living comic book characters, made of paper. So NOT what they wished for. I spend centuries building up a reputation for quality work and customer satisfaction and these Creatures have shot it all down in less than a week." she states as she pulls up the forms for this body and what was Supposed to be done compared to what was done. As she inspects the girls form she continues her rant about the other stupid or just plain careless mistakes her minions have been making lately. Some mistakes happen, sure but never to this scale or magnitude and she has been unable to find out Why it's all happening now.

With a gesture Althea finds herself in Anwens room with the two Goddesses. She sits and is very quiet not wanting to anger the glowing one who is very angry from the sound of things, already.

With a wave of her hand Anwen and the room are Clean. Trash and waste cleared away. All other objects set in order. Then she sees to Anwens body, floating it up in the air, "Be at ease child I am not mad at you. You made a good wish and did very well at covering your bases and even understood when you asked for too much and really did well working with us on it. Not everyone is so considerate. I for one appreciate customers like you. I am sorry they did such a sloppy job on you. Added far more to that curse effect than was necessary and looks like put a couple others in place as well. Ones that were not supposed to be there. Your being a very sexy person yes. Animal Magnetism at 3 ranks no. 1 rank is acceptable, the level you have it at, I can see why you were hiding. I would be hiding with That level." Anwen shrugs, "I wore the Cloak of the Vagabond allot, it blocks allot of that." The Goddess smiles, "That's what I meant, you were 'hiding' in the cloak. Of which it actually likes you. You talk to it I take it." Anwen nods, "I talk to everything, sometimes things answer back." The Goddess nods, "Yes your mind has been to the Center. I saw that when we first met. It's one reason I trusted you with that Cloak. It can be a touch temperamental, but it's not a bad cloak. It needed a home to, someone to care for and to care for it. I do like it when I make a good match like that." Bast smiles to.

She turns Anwen and sets her on her feet, "There I fixed things. All body jewelry is now removable, I put in or unlocked the on off switches on your psychic abilities so you should not be so overwhelmed again. I did not add to or take away anything. So your potentials are all still there. I fixed an oversight on your 'stats' you may feel better balanced or smarter. It's an illusion really, you've always had it. Well since you have been in this body, but without the stupid things in the way you can access them better now. NOW on to the OTHER problem. I heard how Althea was able to Compel you to obey. That is Not supposed to be part of the mix. Yes your tied together but it was supposed to be an emotional tie not a geas type tie. See each other, fall in to like, be good friends type thing. The ones who pulled that little madness are hanging over a pool of boiling protoplasma right now. Oddly they don't seem to care."

Anwen looks up, "All your problems sound like some form of Entropic Force has slipped in to your 'factory'. The poor work ethic the lethargy. Those are depressions which is one of the subtler things Entropic forces do to undermine places. Need to find where that is coming from and deal with it there. Nothing else you do will work. Heck even your frustration and rage are likely coming from that pollution."

She stops and looks thoughtful, "Pollution … yes, we do have something of that and hmm I think you may have something there. Nicely done child. I will look in to it. As for here, looking at the basic information I have on Althea's wish. She wished for help with their predicament. Getting them out of prison was only the first step. Blowing up Caine, using a magical feedback loop and triple layered spell, nice touch, and well done. You still have a ways to go. Think of it like a quest in one of your stories. Your stuck with them till the Main Quest is done. But she can no longer command you like she did before. You just have to help them with the Main Quest, all side quest are up to you. Figuring out the main quest is up to you to. But you will know when it's done because there will be a visible release of the magic binding you all together." she looks about checks a couple things, looks at the spell book she gave Anwen / Rob nods and then leaves.

Anwen watches as Bast looks at the book, "I wonder why she gave you that."

Anwen shrugging, "Probably because I will need something from it at some point, possibly several somethings to do with this quest. She compared this life to the stories I used to read. Well the only time a being like her gives anyone something like that is because it will be needed at some future time or something in it will be required or helpful to us in the future. Near future or far future only she probably knows."

Bast slowly nods, "Very possible. She is one of those Non Pantheon type Gods. Works with all of them but has allegiance to non. Never have figured out what she charges for wishes though."

Althea is looking at her hands, "Probably some metaphysical substance that is beyond mortal comprehension to decipher like some kind of emotional energies or something."

Both women look at her in surprise, She looks at them, "What ? Ok I don't always think things through but I am over 500 years old and do know things."

Anwen turns to Bast, "My soul is older, but I think my mind just got blown." Bast hugs her, "Yes I forgot that about her myself. I am actually happy to hear about Caine's demise, he has been a thorn in the world for a long time. Too bad that rumor about destroying the sire of a line destroys the line does not actually work. Set would be one of the first to turn to dust and I would be dancing all over his followers. Me and Sekmet would be making kitty snack cakes out of those snakes." Anwen smiles and leans her head against the Lady, "Thank you for being my friend. " Bast just makes a pah sound, "Thank you for being My friend to. Your one of the few mortals around who treats me like people and not something to be worshipped. Not that I mind being worshipped, but it's still nice to have someone around who is not always asking for things from me. And who gives me treats from time to time." Anwen nods, "I always liked feeding my friends. I can cook to you know, I just need to find the ingredients or make them and I can make all kinds of things. I am very good with chicken and beef especially. Though I don't do pork, that is an ethical choice from me so you understand. I know how smart certain animals are compared to others. I have no problem eating a cow or chicken. Pigs are smarter than most people I have met. Not much nicer, but smarter." nodding Bast is giggling. People who can talk to animals and are still meat eaters she likes. Realist over spiritualist is how she puts it. She also understands some people will decide that smart over stupid to eat or not eat. Works for her as Cats are smart.

"You find the meat and let me know when you want to fix something I will be there, um if I am not busy. You know, protective guardian stuff." Anwen nods, "When I do that, if you can't come, I will try to save you some. But no guarantee's. Back home everyone loved my cooking. I am hoping that translates well here to." yep a Realist.

As they talked Anwen removed the magical piercing from her v-j-j as she calls it. Odd term but who was she to comment. The ring went in to a small blue bag as did the very tasteful and simple nipple piercings.

"I think the Lady also put my crazy back in its' box to. I am not feeling that panicked overly crying feelings anymore. But then I am not seeing everything's aura's or hearing other peoples thoughts anymore either. MUCH less stressful now." Anwen adds. Bast hugs her, "Good. Glad to know I don't have to worry about you going mad. I really hate it when my favorite people go mad. Tends to be messy." Anwen grins, "Thank you, the only Madness I want to deal with right now is maybe shopping. I still need to get my money converted to local stuff. Not sure I know much about what they use locally or what the conversion ratios are."

Althea clears her throat, "Egypt is one of the few places in the world where gold is worth less than silver. Copper is still on the bottom though. As you have noticed Everyone and their cat here wears jewelry of some form. Which is why your lack of much jewelry actually gets more notice than a lot of it would. That silver and onyx ring of yours is something of an envy piece even without the enchantment on it. As is that silver and turquoise bird ring. The Ankh not so much as it's made form base metal. Some take offense though because you are not Egyptian but wear it."

Bast nods, "I saw that and liked that someone from so far away was wearing something from here. Though learning your from another entire world and Still wear something like that is very nice."

Shrugging, "Actually Egyptian art and symbols have been popular in my culture for a couple hundred years now. They marvel at the pyramids and statues left behind, wonder about much of the symbolisms and even make up stories about how things could have been built. The Greeks stories of monsters and Heroes are popular, but not so much their culture. Hercules has a huge fan base for example. But Gods like Bast here are still revered in some form or another, as is Anubis if you can believe that. Stories of Isis, Osiris and Set still come around and Ra and Horus to. 3000 years later, still popular. That’s a pretty impressive run, yes ?"

Bast nods with a smile, "Yes. It's good that we are remembered. Especially when they get our place in the pantheons right. We tend to get a little picky about that." Anwen nods and smiles. Althea grins and shakes her head. Kitten chooses that moment to peek in, "Is it safe to come in yet ?"

Bast nods and waves, "Yes yes, we got everything sorted. " Kitten comes in, stops and looks around the room. Its CLEAN, Organized, even smells fresh. "What happened in here ?"

Bast shrugs, "We got a visit by a very powerful being who is a touch of a neat freak. She fixed Anwen, fixed the messed up compulsion spells on Anwen from Althea's wish. And then made sure everything is where it's supposed to be then left."

Kitten nods slowly.

Kitten hands Bast a bottle of elven wine, "I traded some Lily nectar for it."

Looking curious, "What is Lily Nectar ?" Anwen ask. Kitten smiles at her, "Kind of perfume. The head cook's daughter loves it but it's hard to get outside of the palace. I don't care for it much but people keep giving it to me for some reason."

"Ooo" makes a face. Bast and Kitten both, "What ?"

Taking a breath in, "Cultural thing, but where I come from giving someone Lily's unasked for is a sign they are wishing you to die. Those and Black Roses. Not sure why concerning black roses. I think they are pretty."

Bast looks interested, "There are Black Roses ?" Anwen nods, "Well sort of. They are not truly black, just a dark purple or blue or deep red. Very rare to be sure." Bast nods, "I am going to be asking around about those now."

Grinning at Kitten, "The deep red ones are also supposed to be symbolic for your kind of people to."

Kitten smiles, "Blood Red Roses, I like that."

Bast nods, "Say what are her kind of people called in your world anyway ? I noticed several times you almost say it then stop yourself."

Anwen shrugs, "Vampires. After a type of bat of that name that drinks blood to live. They are also very cute. Ironically there is a giant bat called Vampyras that is actually a fruit bat. But they did not realize that when it was named. They got huge hooked claws they use to climb around in tree's in order to get to the fruits they love."

Kitten is snickering, "I like it. Better than some of the other nick names I have heard for my kind. Oh wait, you told me this before then we got side tracked talking about women who use their looks and sex to control men, or try to get men to buy things for them." Anwen nods, "Yes but Bast was not there for that conversation." Althea nods, "True. I like the Vamp comment, I like my Vamp girl."

Kitten smiles, then slaps her thigh, "Right that reminds me, Rescue and destroy mission. Ramsey's is all over me about that. We need to get to it."

Bast looks lost, "Rescue and Destroy ? What are you girls up to now."

Anwen getting up, "Long ago Caine locked up or killed all the vampyr who were not of his line. He locked them inside a volcano. We did a scry search and found survivors of that still locked away in the volcano. Freeing them is the objective, but hungry vampyr are exceptionally dangerous, So we thought and got Ramsey's permission to do this, to find where the People of the Sea have their bases and drop the hungry vampyras there."

Kitten nods, "Then sit back and watch the carnage via her magic mirror."

Bast looks interested, "Magic Mirror, what is that ?" with all that has happened she forgot about it.

Anwen smiles, "Scrying device we used to find them, It also is capable of acting like a gate, it's how I was able to destroy Caine. Also how I was able to free all the prisoners and send Kitten and Althea here." Bast slowly nods, "In this place and time, that mirror is Unique. Guard it well."

Anwen nods, "No worries, anyone steals it from me won't live very long." said in her oh so deadly tones. Then back to the happy killer mode, "Well time to find those ports so the babies can have breakfast."

Kitten to Anwen, "They are not babies."

Anwen shoots back, "They are your babies, in a manner of speaking."

Kitten, "Well some of them, some belong to my younger brother. But in their present state I can't tell them apart."

Anwen to Bast, "They look a bit mummified, all dried out." Bast nods, opens the bottle and takes a sip. She believes she is going to need it if things go the way these two are talking about.

It only takes an hour to find a raiding ship. They are attacking a town on the coast. Anwen forgets the mission and grabs her cloak and staff and pops herself there. Then proceeds to kill as many of the raiders as she can. Fire, lightning, glowing dagger like missiles that never miss their targets. A few straight transformations, and some dropping of heavy objects from on high, a few of those objects being the raiders themselves, and one medium sized iron anvil, which lands right on top of the raiders leader. That one came with a cry of "Death from the Dwarven Lands" She liked that one SO much She kept popping it over them and dropping it repeatedly. It was a very bloody mess by the time the surviving raiders left to screams from the mad mage, "And Don't Come Back if You Know What's Good for You!"

She stayed a few minutes longer putting out fires and making sure the people were ok. Handed out a few healing draughts and told them she would get those heathens for this insult. Then she popped back to her room. "So were you able to get a lock on their craft and follow it ?"

Kitten nods, "Tracking them now. You sure looked like you were having fun. But what was with that 'death from the dwarven lands' bit ?"

Shrugging, "I was dropping an anvil on them. Type they use to make horse shoes and the like. Thing is pretty heavy so it made a good bludgeoning weapon." stops then swears, "Dang it, I forgot to throw the angry badger at them! Pooh!" Bast laughs at that, "You did good, driving them off like that. They would have killed everyone there then looted the place. It's what they do. I wish we gods were allowed to fight them off. That would show them."

"Why don't you ? I mean if they ask for your help, you should be able to go and do so, or at least send a couple avatars to help protect the people. And if you try to quote some 'covenant' that was put forth to curb you from doing just that I can tell you Exactly who puts forth those and then ignores them. They tend to be called Dark Gods and Devils. They make very convincing arguments for it in order to keep you all from interfering in their affairs. I have seen Hundreds of worlds where this happens. Don't fall for it here please."

Bast looks at her, "I may borrow you one day. Take you before Ra and let you tell him that. He may actually listen to you. Or not. He can get stubborn. But it's a good point."

"One argument I have heard them use is 'well in this other world you agreed and it should stand in this world to'. To which I say, 'why ? This is a different world, different experiences, different rules. the rules of those other worlds do not apply here, besides you have proven in those other worlds to Never keep your word but expect us to keep ours. No deal.' Or something like that" Anwen states, moving the picture of the scry high above the ship so they can see around it better and make it harder for any mages on their ship to sense the scry above them.

It takes days for word to reach the capital about the attempted raid on the coastal town and how it was stopped by a nearly naked female mage wearing a raggedy looking cloak and wielding a fire spewing walking Stick.

Ramsey's summon Anwen to the main court. She arrives wearing her armor and the cloak but mismatched boots, with the walking stick in hand (and her ankh back around her throat), "You called your Majesty ?" To the messenger, "Does she look anything like the one you mentioned ?"

The messenger looks her over, "It is the same stick and cloak, but the figure was nude sir."

Ramsey's turns to Anwen, "Did you go save a village from raiders a few days back ?" Anwen nods, "Yes, People of the Sea where attacking the town and I kind of lost my temper and went after them. I had been in the bath prior you see. I just grabbed my cloak and staff and well went."

The messenger nods, "and screamed obscenities and kept dropping a large iron object on them."

Anwen nods, "An anvil actually. Dwarves use them in making tools, horseshoes and such. Makes a lovely bludgeoning weapon to." Ramsey's hides his smirk at that. A rather obnoxious councilor ask sarcastically, "And you just Happened to have this Anvil on you did you ?"

Anwen nods, "Yes, I carry all kinds of things with me most of the time. Magicked small for ease of carrying. " he snorts "a likely story."

She looks at Ramsey's, "Want me to show him ?" The smile is pure evil, Ramseys, knowing something of her power shrugs, "Just don't kill him. He may be annoying at times but he does have his uses."

"Small, medium or large object ?"

Ramseys thinks, "Large but easy to move would be nice."

Anwen nods, "Horse good ? I got a riding horse and a nice war horse complete with barding."

Ramsey sits up a little, "The war horse, yes I would love to see that."

Smiling and doing a little dance (mostly cause the horse is in the back of the cloak and hard to reach), a couple of fancy light and smoke cantrips for effect and a little swearing to herself in muted English tones , the horse a huge (for Egypt and Arabia) black stallion in full medieval chain barding and knightly rigging appears. He dances around a bit finds Anwen and comes to stand next to her. She reaches up and pets his muzzle and telepathically ask his name, the horse a touch surprised but happy, "I am Lancer. My knight was killed in battle and I am in need of a new one. Are you my new one ?"

Anwen answers, "No, you are actually to be a present to the Pharaoh of Egypt, the fellow over there in the fake beard on the throne. He is known for being a great leader and he needed a great horse to help him in that. So I summoned you here." The horse stands proud, then does a very good bow to the Pharaoh. "Your majesty may I present Lancer, an Eastern style horse trained in combat and use by generals and war heroes. He comes with a full set of Dwarven made chain armor, saddle and saddle bags. He is a very intelligent horse to. " the crowd and other mages are very impressed with this. The councilor shuts up now. Summoning small animals is common enough but a full sized animal With armor of that quality and such has never been seen.

Ramsey's comes down and looks the animal over, checking the teeth and the legs and such and proclaims it an animal fit for himself. His servants carefully take it out to the stables. It pranced the whole way, happy to have a new home.

Ramseys watched it go, "You are going to spoil me if you keep up with such gifts." She shrugs, "I still have the riding horse if the Queen wants it." He smiles, "I will ask her later." Anwen nods.

He returns to his throne, removes the cat that took his place and then places her in his lap. He looks at Anwen for a long time before asking again, "You sure you don't want an official place in the court. You keep doing great things for us. " the cat is bobbing its head, encouraging her to say yes.

"Well Bast certainly thinks I should." looking at the cat, "But no. I like being helpful but I really don't think I have done all that much. I just followed my conscience. "

Ramseys is looking at the Cat, "This is Bast, as in the Goddess ?' Anwen shrugs, "Possibly an avatar or servant type, but her spirit is in there. She likes the Palace and tends to wander around it allot. She also takes her role as Protector of the line very seriously."

The councilor sneers again, "Oh really, you can see the Gods now, we are to believe that ?"

Ramseys turns to him, "Pavios, I am a living god correct, everyone can see that and knows that. So why is it hard for you to believe she can feel the presence of the gods ? Gods whom so I am told have come to her on several occasions. I have not known her to lie or even try to gain favor. She has done much for us. Destroyed many of our enemies but ask nothing in return save a room to stay in and a place to study her magics. I have offered several times now to give her more, she has politely turned me down each time. "

Anwen knows this so called Noble. He has tried many times to intice her in to his bed, she has turned him down everytime, so now he is trying to discredit her.

In the middle of an eye roll Anwen notices something, or more like someone, just out of phase behind Pavios, holding a spear over his head while watching something only he could see. (Anwen glanced in that direction but could see nothing out of the ordinary), muttering while Ramsey is reading her virtues on humility, "oh that's not good." The figure looks up at her and grins.

Ramseys, having very good hearing it turns out, "What ? What is not good ?"

Anwen jumps, "Ah did I say that allowed ?" The shadow nods, grinning.

Ramseys leans forward, "Anwen tell me, what is it ?"

The shadow, 'oh please tell them, I love to see Pavios reaction when he hears I am here, for him."

Taking a deep breath, "Standing behind Pavios is what looks like one of Anubises servants, with a spear aimed at his head, he seems to be waiting for something."

Ramsey nods, "Does it say why it's here ?"

Anwen nods, "It wants me to tell Pavios that it's here for him, specifically." she looks at Ramseys, "Being able to see and hear spirits is quite annoying you know. When they realize someone can see them they come around and start pestering the person for favors. Or just to talk, and talk and talk. It's the leading cause of madness in spiritualist. The spirits seem to forget mortals need to Sleep. One of the reasons I like staying in the Palace is the place is well warded and they can't get in here easily. So I can actually rest and do things I want or need to do."

The cat is chuckling, those close by are looking at it in wonder, cause cats don't as a rule chuckle.

Pavios is growing very red, "You are a LIAR. You can't see gods, or spirits your just looking for people you can con in to Giving you things for Free, but I see through you Beggar. You are Less than Nothing you ARE …" he turns crimson, gurgles and starts to fall. "Oh he is having a stroke. Hm, if you want to save him prick the ends of each of his fingers. I don't really know why but it will often keep a stroke from becoming fatal. Old Chinese trick that."

Ramseys nods to the guard close to Pavios as he falls down. The guard, using the tip of a bronze knife cuts the tip of each finger. Pavios quakes and slobbers and shakes as Anwen calmly looks through her pouches for something. She comes over and passes the guard a leather belt, "Here, put this in his mouth to keep him from biting off his own tongue." The guard does so. The fit only last a few minutes but when it passes Pavios still lives, but his color is not to good.

"Check his mouth and throat, make sure it's not blocked and he can breathe. Um, that’s all I really know at this point. All my training in this area say to call in the healers." A couple do come over and they do what they can but its' not much. The head healer turns to her, "You reacted very well, stayed calm and did more than anyone else could have done. But we know very little about how to treat this ourselves. We will record what you showed us for future reference. But other than make him comfortable." she shrugs. Smiling, "I read allot and have traveled to far away places. The finger prick thing is from China and I have seen it work. But treating this is hard and even in places that know more of it, it's still iffy on the survival rate. I am not totally sure about the belt thing, healing is not something I know allot about. I can bandage wounds if I have to but that's pretty much it."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Looking up at the spirit, "Well I can ask him as he is still standing there. Hey ghost boy, what you waiting for now ?" The spirit looks down at her and grins, "ghost boy, no respect. I am waiting on a judgement call actually. The few things you managed to do may have changed his fate, for the moment. Not that he will make a full recovery even if he does live. And, huh well he gets to live a few more years. He is going to hate it, but its thanks to you." the spirit fades out.

Turning to the healers, who are watching with wide eyes, "Well the spirit says he will live, he is not going to be happy about it though, especially as it was my quick thinking that saved him. Let's not tell him that part ok. Oh, little trick I do know that will help him recover better, peppermint tea. At least once a day if not more. It helps with healing brain injuries and memory retention. My mother taught me that one, she was a specialist on Herbs and their properties. Rose petals made in to a tea is also healthy, helps ward off sickness. Catnip in humans is calming for the nerves. Catnip in cats is a narcotic. That's all I recall off the top of my head." The healers nod. Then suddenly bow. Ramsey's drops a hand on her shoulder, "You are doing it again. Saving people, even the annoying ones. Keep this up and I may have to give you a title."

Shaking her head, "Please don't. I already have gods telling me I should become one of them. I really don't want to. I don't like being responsible for anyone but myself. I have tried to lead before, I am terrible at it. I am an ok teacher, but horrible leader. " Ramseys just giggles at the denial that is flowing freely out of her mouth. "Gods really ?" He says, The Cat that had been in his lap looks up and says, "Yep, at least twice now. We offered to make her our wine goddess, elven spirits version. She turned us down."

Anwen nods, "I had 2 bottles of high end Evermead, it got mooched off of me by a parade of gods. A cup at a time. Now I got 2 empty bottles and no mead. Means I got to brew up another batch and that takes time. Years actually. Think how long it takes for just normal human wine to ferment, Elven wine takes Much longer and special care. Not to mention very special honey. Hard to get in the elven lands, almost impossible to get outside of them. Dangerous to. " sighs.

Ramsey pats her shoulder, "We can get more wine." She looks at him then pulls out a bottle from her purse and hands it to him, "100 silver coins here, you getting the picture yet ?" He looks the bottle over, the clever glass work, the pain stakingly made smooth leather carrier, the very fine wax sealed cork and started to nod. This kind was Impossible to get outside of the elven lands and probably hard to get Inside their lands, "Well can't say they don't have good taste." Anwen sighs, "Took 3 small cups to completely blitz Bast. That's get her drunk. She does make a happy drunk though."

He looks sad, "So no way to get more in my life time."

Shakes her head, "Well IF I had all the ingredients you might get some before you die. Half way descent bottle takes 30 years to ferment, 50 for the good stuff and a hundred for the Really good stuff. That was all I had left from the family's stock. No the only way to get more now would be by a wish and it would have to be one heck of a well worded wish."

Ramseys looks thoughtful, "How many gods owe you a favor ?"

"I am not asking them for that. Besides the ones most likely to help would likely keep most of it for themselves." Bast nods, "Yep got that right. If we had those kinds of contacts we would not have to mooch off you all."

Ramsey sighs and nods, "Politics exist even in their realm."

Anwen, "Especially in their realm. They can't afford to do to war as easily as humans do. Longer farther reaching repercussions." Ramsey nods, "True."

"If this is all your majesty I have a raider ship to track and the destruction of some enemies of Egypt to see about."

"Your still not going to let me reward you are you ?"

"At this point in time no. I am happy with the rooms, the job, and the peace I get between blowing things up. I like being helpful, I also like blowing things up. Working here I get to do both. Also I am bound to Althea by way of a magical mishap. So until the requirements of that are taken care of I am not really at liberty to accept any of your kind offers."

Ramsey's gets an 'Ah' expression and nods, recalling her mentioning that before. Kitten is much the same way as he recalls. She does not ask for much, sanctuary, food, and his friendship were all she has ever asked. Althea wants to protect her so she always sought better training and weapons and a good intelligence network. Now they bring this one and she is much the same way as them. Very rare people these. "Well if you want of anything with in my power, just ask. Ah, what of personal servants ?"

That one pauses her, "Well maybe, but I want to pick them out. I can be picky about stuff like that."

He nods, "On that I understand, my beauteous wives are the same way."

Anwen smiles, "Very well then. Just send someone around when you have some picked out for me to look over. Oh and if any more end up being spy's or assassins I will let your people handle them. My way seems to upset Althea."

He looks blank, "Your way ?"

Anwen nods, "I send them very high in to the air and let them fall to their deaths. Splat!"

He actually pales a bit but nods, "Effective, fast way to the afterlife that."

Anwen sighs, "Althea picked out a slave as a present for Kitten not long ago, girl turned out to be an Immortal hunter. I can understand their point of view, there are some evil bastards out there that need removing, the only problem is her groups worked for the king of the evil bastards. He is dead now, Kitten is happy with me. All is good in my corner of the world for the moment. oh the girl, I dropped her, Althea had me save her. I did so, but she still had many broken bones. I don't know why she wanted me to save the assassin."

He nods, "This assassin was a redhead like you and Kitten ?"

Anwen nods, he does to, "She tends to try and save them, from themselves if possible. She has a soft spot for people with red hair." long slow nod from Anwen, "Good to know. Give her the blind fold before executing red heads in the future."

"Blindfold ?"

Anwen grins, "Military executions in a country I ran across once, they give the condemned a blind fold before shooting them full of arrows, so they won't see it coming. They only do it for those who ran from battle and deserters."

Ramseys nods, looking thoughtful, "Hm yes that is a good way to do it. I can see how that is an appropriate punishment for ones such as those. And why you would need to give one to Althea first in that situation." he grins. "I will have Osman look in to servants for you. He has a good eye for such things. But I will not keep you longer, as you say you have work to do."

She steps back and bows, takes two steps back and then turns and walks away.

Priest of Re, "She has some interesting customs and curtseys does she not my Pharaoh ?"

He nods, "Yes Pallika, she does and once I impressed her she started using them. Remarkably strong willed person and one I do not want as an enemy. It is the reason I give her so much leeway. Well that and she belongs to Kitten, who is another I respect. "

Pallika nods, "And with that freedom she happily seeks out and destroys many of our enemies."

The Pharaoh nods, "One of my better decisions if I do say so myself. I doubt she understands fully how much in debt we are to her. A few slaves is a small price to pay for someone like her. Though I do wish I could do more for her. She gives freely, dresses poorly on purpose, and ask so little."

Bast, "And she likes cats as much as I do."

Both men jump not realizing the cat was at their feet.

Back in Anwen's quarters Kitten is monitoring the ship and playing with the interesting leather goods and skimpy outfits from Anwen's leather bag. Some of the items are pretty easy to figure out and she very much approves of them, others she is still puzzling over. The girls skill with leather and such is most impressive.

In the mirror she see's two other ships approach the raider, she watches as they come along side and trade cargo, crew and loot with the largest of the two ships. They also repair the raider before moving off. On impulse she changes the view to follow the larger ship as the raider changed course and went to join a forming flotilla. The larger vessel is of a design she had not seen before. Not hugely different but it has 2 decks and more oars than any she has seen. It sails west.

By the time Anwen has come back from her audience the mirror is showing several of these ships all heading in the same direction. These ships are loaded with prisoners and treasures and supplies stolen from the ports all over the Mediterranean. While Kitten has accidently got her arm bound behind her back and is trying, in vain to free herself.

Anwen ignores the struggling red head to look over the mirror. "Changed the focus I see. Hmm cargo carries, unexpected. Looks like a Greek design to. Wonder if they stole them or if those were supplied by whom ever is organizing these raiders."

Kitten snarling, "Yes yes, all nice and good, now get me out of this thing."

Anwen looks at her, "Why, you've almost got yourself nicely bound up, but you left your arm free."

Kitten stops struggling, "I did not mean to get my arm caught like this to begin with. I don't like being tied up."

Anwen comes over and releases the catch, "Then why are you wearing a slave suit. Its Designed to bind people up, so you can freely use them and they can't fight back."

Kitten looks shocked, "Who uses things like this ?"

"Oh lots of people really. All the stuff in that bag are for certain kinds of sexual games. Usually with willing partners, but I have heard of those who use unwilling ones to. I just make them, never found anyone I wanted to use them on. I don't go for the unwilling playthings. Otherwise you and Althea would have been all bound up by now." evil grin.

Kitten glares then sighs, "Yeah, I was thinking how good Althea would look in this thing. I will have to get you to tell me what all these things are for at some point. But there is activity on those ships, it looks like they are approaching a port."

Getting Kitten out of the suit was easy enough.

Sure enough the ships were dropping oars and raising sails and moving in to a more single file type pattern as the headed in to a busy port town. The place was swarming with ships from all over, but the one thing in common was People of the Sea flags flew on most of those ships as did this strange flag, black with 4 colored bars on it, Blood Red, Deep Green, Shiny Silver, and an almost purple Deep Blue. It looked like some strange battle flag but it was on the land near a huge warehouse, not any ship.

Kitten sees it and starts seething. "Assurane" she spits.

Wiping the spit off her arm, "Who are these Assurane people anyway. Other than I broke one of their prisons I have never heard of them."

Slowly gaining control of her fury, "Terrorist who use people like this to spread their vileness around the world."

Nodding, "Those sorts never seem to go away. Terrorist I mean. They need to die. And we need to wake the babies so they can help them all die."

Kitten nods, "I got a jar of blood just to do that, and a paint brush, put some under their noses, sit back and watch them wake, then you do your thing and send them in there. Queue the screaming and dying evil people."

"I got snacks, large bag of candy, 2 jars of peanut butter, spoon, um coffee." Anwen says as she digs through the supplies she laid aside over the last couple of days.

Kitten, "What is 'peanut butter' ?"

Without looking up, "Roasted peanuts, ground up and mixed with vegetable oil and sugar usually."

Kitten slowly nods, "Ok, what is a peanut ?"

That stops the search for proper snack items as Anwen looks at her wide eyed then just kind of Stops as her eyes glaze over. Kitten tries tapping her shoulder, shaking her, yelling at her, even went and got a cup of water and poured it on her, nothing worked.

She then calls down the hall, "ALTHEA COME QUICK I THINK I BROKE OUR MAGE!"

Althea comes at a dead run. Sliding to a stop and looking around for blood splatter or the like. Then she looks at the blank eyed stare, "What did you do to her ?"

"She was spouting stuff she put aside for snacks and well she has stuff I never heard of before and asked her about it. The first time she gave me a simple recipe, but when I asked about a specific ingredient she just, well that. I have tried everything I could think of to snap her out of it, even poured water over her head. Nothing.

Althea looks at Anwen, "Did you try to slap her ?"

Kitten shrugs and slaps Anwen, both cheeks, pretty hard. Anwens head moves with the slaps but the eyes remain blank.

Althea stares in to Anwens eyes, "I have never seen anyone go in to such a deep state of shock before. Weird."

A woman and 3 men enter the room under guard other than the guard all are naked and marked as slaves. The woman (very beautiful with natural long black hair, green eyes and vibrant red lips) looks around and listens to the other two women there speak of the tall one whose eyes are not seeing this world. The guard clears his throat, "Excuse me. I am to deliver these here under the Pharaohs orders. Mistress Anwen is to access if any will work as her personal servants"

Althea and Kitten look at them, Althea ask, "Any of you have any ideas on how to snap a person out of a sudden mental shock ? We have already tried shaking her, slapping her and dumping water on her."

Kitten adds, "Yelling and rubbing her face and shoulders to. Started with those actually."

The men shake their heads, the woman comes around and looks at the tall woman, "Usually a shock to break a shock works, the problem is find the right kind of shock. What you listed is the most common forms, then dealing with the emotions after they come out of it. What triggered this ?"

Kitten shrugs, "I asked her a question about a food I have never heard of. Usually she answers straight away and with far more information than is required. This time well, this."

The girl nods and keeps staring at the exotically beautiful woman, "May I try something ?"

Althea shrugs and Kitten nods, "Sure, as long as you don't draw blood."

The girl smiles, "Well let's hope that does not happen. Though I suspect it will depend on her reaction."

She moves in front of Anwen, takes a deep breath, licks her lips, then grasping the woman's head she leans in and kisses her, at first there is no response, then the girl tries to deepen the kiss, forcing her tongue in to the woman's mouth, slowly the woman's body moves, arms come up and the eyes focus a little then before anyone knows it she is returning the kiss and has wrapped her arms around the girl, bends her around a little bit and starts rubbing against her. All while not fully conscious of her surroundings.

About 2 or 3 minutes later Anwen straightens, staring at the girl then smiles, "Hello ?"

Kitten is shaking her head, "Hell had I known you would respond like that I might of kissed you." Althea is giggling, "Always knew you had it in you."

Anwen looks blankly at them, "What ?"

Althea holds up Anwens wet hair, "For some reason when Kitten asked you a question you went in to a sort of shocked state, we could not snap you out of it. This girl managed to do it by kissing you. Your body responded more than your brain did. Your still holding her by the way."

Anwen nods, "Yes I am, and she has a good grip on me to, what of it ?"

Kitten looks at the girls face, "I think the shock just jumped from you to her actually."

(Girls reaction) Her first reaction on seeing Anwen was pure lust. The tall redheaded woman with the perfect figure and beautiful (though blank) face just made her feel warm inside. When she boldly kissed her and got a responce, she hoped she would be chosen to stay. She loved the way the Mistresses body responded to her, the feel of it crushing in to her, the way she moved against her. She was afraid, but mostly of being sent away. She knows little of her Mistress, rumors of her being a powerful mage and very reclusive. Rumors that the gods themselves come seeking her councel, that she can move mountains and wipe away enemy armies with just the power of her magic. But almost nothing about the woman herself. Other than her generosity to all, her kindness to those even less than she. How she treats everyone, even Ramsey's as an equal. The fact that the Pharaoh allows it, and even applauds her work for Egypt speaks much about her.

The girl looks down at Kitten then over at Anwen, "You kiss really good. I wanna kiss you more."

Smiling Anwen leans down a little and kisses her some more. Till Kitten pulls her back, "Anwen, we have more important things for you to do than kiss your new slave girl."

Anwen stops kissing the girl and looks at Kitten, "What slave girl ?"

Girl, "That would be me mistress. My kiss was just to snap you out of your shock. But then well, your response was well … um …" turns bright crimson.

Anwen, "You like kissing me ?" the girl going red further down, nods shyly. "Good cause I really like how you kiss to." Keeping an arm around the girls hips she turns and looks around. Looking at the 3 naked men and the guard, "Um, what did you need ?"

The guard, keeping a straight face repeated his message. Anwen nods, "Oh right. Was not expecting you so soon. Um, can you bring them back this evening ? We were in the middle of something." The guard nods and turns to lead the slaves out. But Anwen is not letting go of the girl, "This one can stay." The other slaves all grin and the guard nods.

Althea closes the door behind them.

Anwen looks at the girl, "So what's your name ?"

Girl, "You can call me whatever you wish Mistress." still blushing.

"What name do you like to be called by ? I am terrible with making up names. Great at magic bad with names, go figure."

She thinks and decides, "I like Sarah." Anwen nods, "Then Sarah it is. Good name that one to. Known a few Sarah's in my time. Most were blonds for some reason. It's odd because it's a Hebrew name, it means princess."

The girl, Sarah looks awed, "What does your name mean ?"

Anwen shrugs, "Very Beautiful. It's from a people called the Welsh, they are found on the isle of Britain."

Kitten clears her throat, "We have a massacre to do, if you don't mind."

Anwen nods, "Right, dropping the vampires on the People of the Sea. Sorry about that fade out. My mind just blanked as I found I did not have an answer to your question. Other than a peanut is a type of bean. I don't know where it comes from or anything else about it and I ended up going round and round in my head. Well I know other things, but nothing pertaining to your question."

Kitten raises an eyebrow and Anwen shuts up, "Right right, waking the babies so they can be conscious enough to kill lots of raiders."

Sarah sees that pillows have been set around a strange, though very life like painting. She sits on one and waits to see what sort of wonders will happen.

The lady Kitten and Anwen move about the picture, muttering to one another and the picture changes, moves, flying to a new place, a mountain then through the mountain and in to a vast chamber full of mangled dead bodies, past the bodies till they come to a room with a mummy in it. Its wrapping long fallen off from what she can tell. Kitten takes up a pot, pulls off the lid and using a long handled paint brush dips it in, the reaches toward the picture with it and to Sarah's surprise the brush enters the painting and she watches as Kitten paints a red line on the upper lip of the figure. To her surprise the figures eyes snap open and then she watches as the picture moves very quickly back and sideways of that creature. Anwen notes, "1 down." and the image moves through the mountain. Again and again, different mummies are so awakened. But one is quicker than the others and grabs the brush, licking and sucking on the end. Then it looks up at the stick and tries to pull it to it, Kitten pulls it back and growls, "Let it go, you will get more soon. We just need to wake the others first."

The dead thing whines, "Mother ?"

Kitten smiles, "Yes child, Caine is dead and we can free you now. Soon you and the other survivors will be sent somewhere where you can feed to your hearts content."

The thing smiles, "thank you mother. I never gave up hope."

Anwen rolls her eyes, Kitten smiles at Anwen and nods.

They manage to move the image again. The last one though is already awake and appears to be eating a rodent of some kind. It looks up and grins, "I smell you Kitten, I know your near, come in and say hello, we have much to talk about."

Kitten "I am not there Hannibal, just using magic to find you all. Glad to see your still with us."

It lunges forward but is stopped by an unseen force, "LIAR, You Left us here to Rot, to Die because you and Father were to cowardly to come and fight Caine. I will find him and kill him, then I will come for you!"

Anwen ask sweetly, "Want me to set this one on fire, the way I did Caine ? Yes little boy Caine is dead. I burned him till nothing but ash was left and I did it at Kittens request. I am also the one who found where Caine hid you all away, she did not know it. She had been searching all this time. Ah I see your to far gone in your madness to hear. So have a light."

Anwen tosses a small but brightly glowing crystal through the picture. The creature screams and actually starts to burn. The picture moves back and slightly in to the rock.

Anwen starts to softly talk with some unseen force, "what was that, really, they can do that, wow, ok nicely found, sure more like that would be fine."

She turns to Kitten, "Apparently that light crystal was made by a sun priest so the light from it is holy and sun based. Seems this one gave himself to the darkness, that is why it hurts him."

Kitten sighs and nods, "I was afraid that might happen. If others have fallen we will deal with them as the time comes." Anwen nods, "Well this raid is during the day, so we will know soon. How do you want them placed ?"

The image moves outside and toward the port town. Kitten points to a place and Anwen gestures and mutters what sounds like numbers and something called 'cosine' and the monsters appear at those places and attacks whatever or whomever is nearest. They are spread all over the port, in to the town and even on a couple of the larger war boats. A few of the creatures burst in to flame, but it does not stop them from attacking all near it even as they burn.

Anwen steps back, occasionally casting a spell to help the monsters, but mostly eating this strange brown substance and pulling out gold coins, which she peels open, revealing a dark brown interior, which she eats and offers to share. Althea takes one, taste it then grabs a handful.

One is given to Sarah, she taste it. It is a bit sweet but not bad. Anwen puts the brown stuff on some of hers, so Althea tries a finger of the brown stuff and makes a face. Sarah tries it and it's sticky but not bad and when crossed with the dark stuff from the fake coins WOW, GOOD stuff. She comments on it and Anwen smiles at her. Of the hot drink being served, its ok, needs something more, when crystalized honey is offered around she tries that mixed in and likes it. Althea tries the drink then takes a whole carafe for herself, much to Anwens amusement. Kitten makes a face, complaining how something that smells so good could taste so bad.

During the fight, and the subtle spells Anwen is casting about, a keg of some kind catches fire. Moments later it and the ship it was on explode. Kitten comments about greek fire, Anwen nods, then starts looking for more such barrels. Actually making several just vanish and others she moves to other locations, like the armory, the warehouse, and such where she uses magic to set them off.

When the sun starts to set, Anwen moves the surviving monsters, who are well sated and starting to calm down, away from there and to a new location. A very nice, secure house outside of their city.

Shutting the mirror down causing it to turn it back in to a normal, highly expensive mirror again. They turn around to find Sarah mostly wearing her food. This actually causes both Kitten and Anwen to laugh.

Anwen, finding a towel and basin of water, "Here child, your supposed to eat the food not wear it." She shrugs, "It's good. You eat like this all the time ?"

Anwen shakes her head, "Nope, stuff is hard to come by. This was a special occasion. Waking the immortals and hurting one of the raiders cities at the same time."

Sarah nods as Anwen cleans her face and upper chest, "I like your magic picture. It was fun watching that fight to."

Anwen smiles at her, "It’s a magic mirror actually and the only one of its kind. So it is a big secret. No one outside this room is to know about it. Pharaoh's orders. Tell anyone and it means death." Anwen stated in her dead voice. Then back to happy tones, "I am pleased you enjoyed my treats though. I have a few others but not many. If your to stay with me however I have rules, you break my rules badly enough and you may find yourself going through life with 4 feet and fur." Althea nods, "Seen her do it to. Fellow in the market a few months back saw her in her foreign clothing, called her a beggar and knocked her down. The next thing anyone knew he was a donkey."

Took several people, his family I think, to talk her in to turning him back."

Anwen shrugs, "If someone is going to behave like an ass then they should BE an Ass. So I turned him in to one. The whining and begging got me to turn him back. Then I explained at length that just because someone dresses differently does not make them a beggar and that he has no right to strike down strangers because he does not like their looks. I also implied that if he starts doing things like that again he was going to become a donkey Permanently."

Kitten and Althea look surprised, Sarah ask, "Can you really do that ?" Anwen sighs, "Not yet. That level of magic is beyond me but He does not know that."

She smiles, understanding it. "Sneaky, tricking him in to being a better person yes ?"

Kitten shaking her head, "Yes." then to Anwen, "We need to get going make sure they are doing well and that there are enough supplies for them all."

Nodding, "Make sure they all have not gone to happy madness land to. That one that tried to eat the brush was thinking how they wanted to eat you instead. Given a chance that one will try and make you dinner." She nods, "I imagine several feel betrayed and hurt because I was not locked up with them."

"From what I got from that one's mind, its' Always wanted to eat you, then Caine, so its master would be the Only one. It tries anything and I will roast it. No questions, comments or orders."

Looking at the girl, "No touching the mirror. You can look at your reflection if you want, its probably the best image of yourself your likely to ever see. You can clean up the room to. We will be back, well when we get back, no telling how long it will take.

Oh and if anyone ask about those barrels out by the pond, tell them they are mine and I will kill anyone who touches them. If someone is stupid enough to put fire to them it's not my fault they will be dead or that they destroyed the pond."

Sarah nods and looks out the window, "There are guards out there now, one has a torch as it is getting on to dark."

There is an implosion of air and Anwen is out there by the guards yelling, "GET THAT TORCH AWAY FROM THOSE BARRELS. Those are full of Greek Fire. So unless you want to be Dead really quickly get the fire away from them." One guard snatches the torch and tosses it in to the pond.

Another, one in leather armor, showing him to have some kind of rank, "Where did you get these and why put them here ?"

Shrugs, "Here seemed like a good place, and I stole them from a weapons depot of the People of the Sea earlier today. Just before I blew up said depot, and their food supply house and a couple barracks, some ships, their dock. These are just the left overs I did not use to make one of their port towns burn."

The guards look impressed, she continues, "I love it when the Great Ramseys lets me blow stuff up." they all nod, happy she is on Their side. "Ok well I got to go check on some other things, if you all would be dears and make sure this stays here under guard I would be quite happy."

One guard ventures, "How happy."

She considers and pulls out an apple pie, "Pie Happy." puts it on a nearby table. Pulls out some forks and a knife to. "Make me happy I pay in food and pies." The guards laugh. They have had worse rewards and food is always good. The captain sniffs it, "What kind of pie is this ?"

She grins, "Apple, recipe from home. Has a small amount of cinnamon and nutmeg mixed in with honey sugar for the glaze part. "

They nod and set in for a nice snack and easy guard duty.

Anwen pops back in to her room, "Well that was easy, paid them off with pie."

Kitten shakes her head as Althea puts on her padded armor and makes sure her weapons are in easy reach.

Once all are ready Anwen pops them to the Monster House as she insist on calling it.