Bast returns with Anwen to her 'lair', the outside. Time was only a few minutes have past when they left in the mortal plane. Anwen looks at Bast while rubbing her neck, "Is that bite going to leave a scar ?"

Bast grins, "No. I pretty much bit your soul more than your body. My fingers were in your body. So you are officially not a virgin any more. Well as official as not having a hymen goes. Humans usually consider having sex with the opposite gender to be the official end of that. Just saying."

Anwen nods, "So how long were we gone ?"

Ptah coming out behind them, "A few minutes by your understanding of time. I have to say I am surprised Ra let you do that to her."

Bast shrugs, "It's not like I asked him, you know how he is. Besides she is my friend and she did ask once. So I had permission from her."

Ptah, "You are really playing that close to the line."

Anwen, "Am I supposed to feel hot, achy and stretched out ?"

Bast, "Yes that's your body getting used to the new you. It will last a few days before your first shift. Sorry but like the vampires, this takes time to take full effect. I suggest you avoid anything too stressful over the next 3 or 4 days. If you can avoid it."

Giving Bast a side long look, "Is sex to stressful"

Ptah "Can be, depends on the situation and whose on top."

That got a giggle from Bast and a blank stare from Anwen.

Bast stops her, "Oh, um the immortals, they are going to know your different now. I don't know how they will react but you may want to be prepared to run, cause some of them hate shifters just on principle." Anwen nods then vanishes and reappears about a foot away, "Ok that works, I am good."

Ptah laughs, "Yes you have all your old abilities and will develop new ones now to." Anwen smiles and nods and then heads down the tunnel. As it has only been a short time the others are not back yet but progress is still being made.

Anwen ask, "You guys want me to move anything outside from here ?"

Ulva thinks, "Are you strong enough for that ?"

Anwen laughs, "I just teleport heavy objects out of the way."

Ulva calls back, "Then try and move some of the larger rocks, but also try not to destabilize the roof."

"Will do." Working in a combination of actual physical labor, teleportation and telekinesis they manage to get a narrow passage open enough for two way safe travel. It is close to dark by this time and the Immortals are finally outside.

Anwen, sitting on a pile of rocks and rubble, "I would offer you something to drink "

Before she can finish Gwen is there, "Don't mind if I do." She makes like she is going to bite Anwen when she gets a whiff of something and backs off, "Ug girl you Stink! What have you been up to today."

Anwen shrugs, "Was visited by Bast earlier, she was feeling playful and licked me all over my face while she was in lion woman mode. Not the most pleasant experience." makes a waving hand in front of nose gesture.

Kitten comes around handing out mugs of warmed blood, "Not as good as fresh but it works." she states, "Bast likes our little mage. Always coming around and playing with her, or just chatting about this and that."

Gwen looks puzzled, "Lion woman mode, what is mode ?"

Picking up her cloak, "Mode, hm in this case Form. Bast has different forms she uses. Lion, house cat, woman, woman with a cat or lioness head like that. Her and Ptah were out here playing some kind of game using red and white tiles. I popped out for some fresh air, we got to talking and joking and something I said set her off and she started licking me. I like Bast and all, but lion tongues are not as nice as kitty tongues when it comes to being licked." Kitten laughs and Melidea looks intrigued.

Sipping her warmed blood, "What is wrong with Lion licks ?" The girl ask.

"Dead cow breath and well cats have very rough tongues, the bigger the cat the rougher the tongue. I once heard that a tigers tongue is so rough it can rip the skin off its prey." Anwen answers.

Melidea nods, "Ok that's a rough tongue."

Gwen, "You need a bath now to. That really stinks."

Anwen grins, "So it works as Immortal repellent then ?"

Gwen grins and nods, "Yes."

Ulva, "Saved by the Stink." everyone laughs. Anwen does not know how long she can hide what has happened to her. "Well I don't have enough water here for that, so I will probably stink for a few days. I will have to head back to the Palace and check my messages … oh shit, I completely forgot about the slave Ramsey's gave me. I just told her to clean up the place and nothing else. That was two days ago."

Kitten grins, "She will be fine. If you are not there she will just go to the Palace kitchens for her meals and such."

"Unless she finds the leather bag and starts playing with its contents like you did. You know what can happen, as I recall you got yourself completely tied up when you moved wrong and got the hooks crossed."

Shule looks at Kitten, "What is in that bag ?"

Kitten, looking in to her cup, "Leather items. Anwen is a trained leather worker and makes some, um, interesting leather wear."

Anwen nods, "Bondage gear for sexy times. There is actually a pretty good market for that stuff."

All of them sort of stop for a moment then several nod, thinking of interesting ways such things could be put to use. Both in their diets and in other ways.

As they are contemplating that the sound of horses and a cart is heard and shortly Brawn shows up with a cart full of lumber and a dozen slaves to help clear the place.

To Anwen, "You were not kidding when you said Silver is worth so much here. I still have 5 pieces left from what you gave me." To Kitten, "Orsa and Rutt will be along, they were looking for more slaves and maybe some food and cattle." To Anwen, "Sorry to put you out like this but do you have enough food for them right now ?" nodding to the workers.

Anwen sighs and starts to move to a clear spot, levitating some of the flatter debris around to make impromptu tables, "Sure just let me get set up. We got a narrow passage opened so far. Oh and Bast talked me in to letting her banish the influence here but said she would leave the place so other Immortals could visit." Looking pointedly at the group sitting around sipping their 'wine'.

Nast'al gets up and helps her set up a place, "We will need to set up some shelters for them to, Hope you thought of that Brawn."

Brawn nods, "I got tarps and such to make tents out of and there is a village not far from here with a deep well. I got a couple good sized barrels, I thought Anwen could just pop over and fill them then pop back."

Anwen shakes her head, "That's right make the mage do all the heavy lifting." she gripes even as a thousand pound chunk of rock floats over-head and settles in the middle of her prep area. Looking over the 'table' it is very uneven and she sighs, "Need to fix that. Well might as well ask an expert on such things."

She walks well away from the group, pulls out her staff, talks to it for a moment then draws a large circle on the ground, puts a few runes around it for good measure, then proceeds to chant to herself (little prayer to Geb asking for a nice earth elemental) before calling on the power of the staff and summoning up a being made of stone. It 'looks' around then down at the mage, in a voice that sounds more like rocks rubbing together than actual words it speaks, "Hello little mage, why have you summoned me ?"

"Hello large and rocky, sorry if I disturbed you but I was in need of someone of your description. I was wondering if you can shape stone without making rubble out of the item being shaped."

It thinks for a moment, "Maybe, depends on what needs to be done." Anwen points to the 'table' "I am trying to make an area to use as a table so I can feed these workers. They are to clear out this old temple so it can be dedicated to Bast."

The elemental nods, "Why Bast ?"

Anwen sighs, "Cause she kept licking me till I agreed. Ever been licked by a lion goddess ?"

There is a deep rumbling and the elemental shakes it's 'head'. "No but I can imagine it is not all that pleasant. Geb is going to find that one humorous when I get back."

It moves over to the stone in question and looks it over, then carefully it rubs one 'hand' over it till there is a fine layer of sand. The surface is smooth as glass. Anwen looks it over, "Wow you do good work. I have no idea if I should pay you or something for this small service."

The elemental 'looks' surprised, "well if your willing" it reaches in to itself and pulls out a limestone slab with some writing on it. Mostly hieroglyphics. "A report on my job performance would be appreciated. Don't worry if you don't know the local language, Geb has translators for nearly any language."

Anwen looks it over, cast a minor 'read language' spell and gets the gist of what is needed. Then carefully using a provided stone chisel she writes a report remarking on his good interpersonal skills as well as completion of the required task and workman ship as excellent. She wrote it in Elven cause she is not sure what writing it in English would do. Then she reads it back to it, "How is that."

It nods, "Oh very nice. Thank you. We don't get pay the way mortals do, but good reviews mean when jobs are called for we get better ones more suited to our talents. This works for us much better than some past things that were tried. Elementals like myself actually volunteer to be summoned for such things. On a personal note, I prefer jobs like this to combat. I like making things."

Anwen nods, "I like being useful to. It feels good."

It nods in agreement, "Is there anything else ?"

Anwen looks about, "Up to you really. I would not turn down any help in getting more set up though." It considers, puts away its slab then helps set up the seats and gets them polished down so the soft ones can use them easier. "Ok I think that's everything. You all have a nice evening." then it returns to the circle and vanishes. Anwen rubs out the circle, says a little prayer of thanks to Geb then returns to the others.

All the slaves, immortals and even Kitten are looking at her in awe. She looks around, "What ?"

Slave, "You commanded the earth and it obeyed you."

Anwen, "No I asked Geb if he would be kind enough to send someone who could help me here. He did a good job, I wrote him a nice review, he did a few more things then left. I thanked Geb for the helper. end of story."

Althea, now leaning on the edge of the entrance, "Anwen, honey, even the mightiest of mages can't do what you just did."

Anwen pulls out her black book and looks it up, "Conjure Elemental is just a 5th rank spell. Any experienced mage could do that."

Althea shakes her head, "They can make them attack things, or do crude work, you just walked up to it told it what you needed and it went and did it. I have seen mages conjure those before, none worked that well."

Anwen, "How many politely asked an earth god for help prior to the conjuring ?"

Kitten nods, "None that I know of. Interesting."

Anwen Nods, "Most human mages tend to be arrogant to the point where they think they can do better without the gods help or intervention. I am not that stupid."

Several slaves and a few of the Immortals actually laugh at that.

Her next trick the Immortals have seen before, so are not that impressed. The new people are once more left in awe as she pulls food from thin air. 24lb turkey, fully cooked, piping hot with all the trimmings stuffing, Mashed Potatoes with skins mixed in, 24 dinner rolls, Cranberry sauce, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato pie, Green Bean casserole, gravy in gravy boat. With a large knife to carve the turkey, and large 2 pronged fork to help serve it

For drinks she pulls out a quart of steaming coffee and a half gallon pitcher of milk. Searching her cloak she finds 1 set of silverware (fork, knife, spoon in a cloth napkin) and a soup ladle which she puts in the gravy.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Digging around for more she accidently pulls out a live she goat, that needs milking and a tree. The tree she looks at then drops to the side of the entrance, where it roots, spreads its leaves and promptly sprouts large red apples. Anwen ooo's and picks one, patting the tree, "Red and Delicious apples, Nice."

Then she vanishes for a few minutes only to return with a good sized brazier, already burning. She places her fire grate over it and pulls out some ground beef (5 pounds) and rice (3 pounds) and vanishes again only to return with an iron pot full of water, and 'oven mitts' so as to not burn her hands. "I am sure the Palace will not miss this stuff." she mutters as she sets up her cooking area.

Looking around she sets off a loud whistle, "ROMULUS, REMUS, COME!" out of the ruins the two massive dogs come running, one of them has a little grey kitten clinging to its leather clad back. They skid to a halt before her and looks like soldiers at attention, "Ok boys, how do you like your hamburger ?" They look sideways at each other but don't move, Romulus growls, "Raw mam."

Anwen nods, "me to actually." she whispers to them with a wink. She slides off a pound of hamburger each, "Sorry there is not more, got a whole bunch of guest with no warning they were coming. The dogs nod. Anwen pulls over a couple of small stone slabs, "Got no plates either, well not tonight, will have to see about getting some tomorrow. She puts down the food and waits, they wait, she thinks, "Well ?"

Remus, in a side whisper, "you have to tell us to eat mam, oh and what about this little one we found. she is fearless little thing … can we keep her ?"

Anwen smiles at them, "She was a gift to us from the Goddess Bast, local cat god, so yes we can keep her. And I will make a small plate for her from the turkey we got."

Both dogs heads turn that way and you can almost hear the subsonic whimper, "Sorry boys but this one is ear marked for the humans. If there is some left overs then we will talk, ok." they nod. "Ok well eat up." she looks at the humans who are practically drooling, "Brawn did you remember things like plates and such ? Cause I don't have any more than what you see here."

He goes over to the wagon and takes out tin plates, dull knives and spoons, and a large barrel of wine and enough cups for 3 times the number of slaves. Anwen smiles, "Ok then."

He passes out the plates and cheap bronze wear items while Anwen carves the bird and sets each plate with a small portion of each item. "Ok the white stuff is called mashed potatoes, it’s a kind of plant of the tuber variety. Meaning it’s a root vegetable. The bird has been stuffed with a mixture of nuts and bread to soak up its juices and well it's good to eat to. The rolls are nice, they are supposed to be white, it’s the type of floor used to make them, the red stuff is called cranberry sauce, some people like it some don't, if you don't then give your share to someone who does like it. For desert I have 3 different kinds of pie and the apple tree. Be nice to the tree, upsetting it's spirit would not be healthy. The greens are Green Bean casserole and the brown stuff is gravy made from the bird's juices. The bird is called a turkey, in case any are wondering. Every item here is from my homeland. I hope you enjoy them."

Kitten looks the items over with a touch of envy, "You come from a rich homeland.'

Althea gets in line for the food to, she comments to the slaves around her, "I have had some of this before, it's really good. The white stuff is a little bland, but works well with the gravy mixed in." She gets her plate and takes a seat at the big table.

One burly slave looks about and then ask, "Mam, would you happen to have an ale or beer. I have not had any in a while and I have a powerful craving for it."

She looks through her stuff then puts a large stein of German Ale next to him, "Only one I got I am afraid. I don't care for it myself so I did not bother to stock up." The stein is a large affair with a smiling dwarven face on it.

He points, "Looks like a dwarf."

She nods, "Dwarven ale, supposedly some of the best I am told."

He takes a taste and nods, "Gort that is Good ale, thank you mam." She smiles at him and moves on.

He says to the fellow next to him, "I don't know where she is from, but they have good ale and good food."

The fellow next to him nods forlornly, "I suppose. I just hate that we only get it cause we lost and are now slaves."

Little dark haired girl is walking around the table and over hears them, "What did you lose ?"

The narrow faced man turns to her, "We were adventurers together you see. He and I were part of a large group. Thought to come down here to Egypt to do a little treasure hunting, but we ran afoul the local army, they decided we were looting tombs or some such. We weren't mind you, just some old forgotten temples. But they attacked, we lost the fight and in the end they sold us off for slaves after taking all the stuff we recovered. Only Henric and I are still together after all that."

She nods, "I have done some adventuring myself. Well I and my boyfriend. Our last adventure was against some of those evil Snake people, I think they were called Setites. If not for the mage we would not be here. We fought and she made an escape route for us. Then brought us here. She is digging out this old temple. They are going to rededicate it to one of the local gods or some such. Have not found anything like treasure yet. She only managed to get 3 rooms cleared and then moved in to them so she can be close to her work."

They nod, "Having some people who know something of this sort of work is good. She is really smart and powerful, but a bit strange to."

Henric nods, "She seems nice. Not everyone would give a slave an ale just cause they asked."

She nods, "She seemed to like you, else she would not have done it. Though I doubt it's a personal like. She can read a person's soul, you must have a good one."

His partner nudges him in the arm and Henric blushes slightly.

The girl moves on and then returns to her friends.

Suddenly Anwen calls out "HA!" and puts down two metal cylinders, "I knew I had those in one of my pockets. One is salt the other is ground black pepper. Feel free to use them." she pushes them toward the workers. Several pass them around and thank her for their addition to the feast. Kitten to Nast'al, "Well she is enjoying herself." He nods, "Yes she really does like helping people. I wonder how many she will adopt before we need to feed again."

"Well Orsa is supposed to be bringing more, and Ruttag was to get the supplies and food for them. Hopefully he remembers what food is."

Nast'al grins, "Remember Jonon and how he was sent for human food, came back with 3 humans and a dying cow."

She nods, "He never was very bright. Nice enough fellow but that dead cow was smarter."

Nast'al nods, recalling lost friends.

Kitten, "How did he die ?"

Nast'al, "As I recall Borno told him it was possible to put his own head up his ass, he actually ripped his own head off trying to do it."

Kitten shook her head, "I swear only he could die from being stupid and he went and did it to."

Anwen comes up behind them, "Hi, sorry for the smell, have not had a chance to wash yet. Anyway, the scrawny fellow with the long face next to the big guy I gave the ale to." They nod, "He was silently praying to the 'god' Nast'al the Undying to smite his enemies or give him a blade and the opportunity to do it himself. Thought you would like to know."

Nast'al looks very surprised, "That was the nickname my old gang had for me. Mind you most of them were thralls."

Anwen nods, "Remember what I told you about thralls and their children ?"

Nast'al's eyes light up, "Do you think he could be one of them ?"

She shrugs, "I cannot honestly tell, I just know he thinks you’re a minor god of death and assassins." She grins, "He also thinks the big guy next to him is one of the nicest most loyal friends he has ever had. The big guys is a little thick but nice enough. Well thick from my point of view which isn't saying much cause most of you are as sharp as a bag of rocks." Grins then pops away before either of them can get her for the gibe.

Kitten grins and shakes her head, "She is learning. What I am not sure of, but she is learning."

Nast'al, "good insult really, though I suspect that's somewhat true. She is one of those dangerously smart people with just enough talent to stay out of range of a good return strike."

Kitten whispers, "you like her"

He whispers back, "yes I do. she is strong and loyal and you know how I feel about loyalty." She nods. For all his faults he has a loyal heart and prizes loyalty above everything else.

After dinner Anwen takes the few left overs and makes a plate for the dogs and kitten, "Now boys, I expect you to train her in proper etiquette and such. She is a cat, and they can be stubborn but with proper training they turn in to good guards." the dogs nod and begin their instructions that evening. When Anwen thinks to ask the kitten its name it proudly declares its name is Mew Mew Kit. Then growls 'want to make something of it ?' she gets a head rubbing from an amused Anwen.

That night, in her room she removes the boys armor and gives them both a rub down, Romulus "You’re the best master we have had in a while. Our last one was all military, tough as nails, and never gave us rub downs or table scraps. Very strict about everything that one."

Anwen nods, "Well I am not like him, I am not like anyone really. I am part elf, part something else and part cat and maybe a little magic in the mix to. My jobs are a mage and thief. Oh don't look at me that way, I only steal for my people, not in some lame attempt to get rich. Presently I work for Kitten who is in Egyptian Intelligence. So we do espionage and such as well as other covert jobs." The dogs nod understanding things better than most humans would believe. "Kittens people are not nice people but they are loyal, more or less, to each other. Thing is they are from 2 groups and not everyone from each group gets along with everyone from the other group."

Remus nods, "We have seen that before. Sometimes they get vicious about it to."

Anwen nods, "oh isn't that the truth. Now my Direct commander is Althea, she is the one who got bit by a snake the day we all met. She is a good fighter, and will defend her people with her life. Kitten is her commander, so I tend to go around Althea, who while nice is not a good sergeant in my book, besides I am from a different division than her, but if you boys have been around military types I am sure you know what they say about military intelligence." They woof in agreement. "Right, somehow you get a supposedly group of smart people together and they tend to make stupid decisions." dog laughter ensues.

"Anyway I am allot more lenient than the type your most used to. May treat you more like pets than soldiers from time to time, but that does not mean you get to go lax on me. Just sometimes I like to play things like fetch or run around and such."

Remus nods in a human fashion, "Semi retirement."

She grins, "Close enough. Say do you know the human date you are from ?"

One looks at the other, "Yes mam. December 12, 1919." low whistle from her, "Well boys, you have been moved back in time to the late Bronze age. About 3100 years Before you were born. I am from a future time to, farther along than you in fact. So no canned dog food, premade treats or even electricity. On the other hand Magic is stronger than ever."

They think on that but give no answer to the news.