Mul the Silent sat atop a cliff overlooking the sea. It was a desolate place, the island, but it suited her mood. The Lorekeeper's touch had unlocked something in Aflia, and Mul had made sure that she got to Lady SiDabolo before vanishing to her little sanctuary. She would have to answer Lady SiDablo's questions in time, but she wasn't ready. Not yet.

Mul kicked a stone over the side of the cliff and listened to it splash into the waves far below. Would she ever be ready? Could she ever be ready? Probably not, Mul decided, and if that was true, then better to get it over with with before Lady SiDabolo got any angrier with her. She stood up, cracked her back, and headed for the goat trail that would lead to the base of the cliff and the little rowboat waiting for her there. It was a long row from the ruins of Alexandria back to the mainland.

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Aflia Cencin sat quite upright in bed. Her back ached, but that was to be expected given that she was growing a new set of appendages in a remarkably short time. It was her hooves that bothered her more. She could feel the bone structure shifting, the walls of her hooves splitting into quarters, and a new bony protrusion working its way free of her heel. She picked up her grooming kit and pulled out the hoof-rasp, intent on knocking away the hardened outer layers. Normally she would only use the rasp to level her hooves after chipping them, but today more and more keratin fell away. In a few minutes she was left with a pile of chips and dust and distinctly odd looking feet. Instead of a pair or rounded hooves she had something like the four protrusions of a cloven hoof on each foot.

"Dear, what have you done to your feet?"

"Just clipping my nails."

"Well, I'll get that swept up in a moment. Feeling able to eat something while I take a look at your back?"

"Ravenous, so long as you didn't mix in any sleep potions."

"Now why would I do that? You slept just fine when I picked you up off my doorstep. Hold still a moment while I get a tray out for you."

A few moments later and Aflia was happily slurping away at a strong beef broth and bread, trying to ignore Lady SiDabolo poking at her back. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable.

"Hrm. Hard to say now, but the shoulder blades appear to be growing rapidly to provide anchor points for the new muscles. If you can keep this meal down, I'll make sure to have some serious protein available for dinner. You're a growing girl again, and you need it."

Aflia set down her spoon, "I'm not a girl, I'm nineteen years old!"

"And I'm turning nine hundred this midsummer, so yes, you are a girl to me. And i do hope you will indulge me when I set about making you a new dress and shoes! Your old clothes won't fit, and I dare say your feet will need some protection now that they don't have three pounds of nail to take the abuse instead."

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Can't my current clothing be modified as well? I like some of my clothing, and my coloration hasn't changed that much..."

"Hmm, probably. You'd have to deal with a bit of a plunging cut in the back on the dresses, but I'm not sure what to do with the shirts and tunics..."

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Aris Cretu was at his desk, dealing with the seemingly unending stream of paperwork that comes with managing Trebor, when there came a delicate knock on his door. "Enter!"

An old, stoop-shouldered elven Druid entered. "I hope that I'm not intruding on anything Lord Trebor."

"Just day-to-day paperwork about the upcoming midsummer festivities, nothing that can't be delayed. What can I help you with Druid...?"

"Archdruid Aliwin of the Circle of the Lands. I thought I should see the man responsible for uncovering what would have been a grave betrayal and tragedy."

Aris sat up, "oh? Is ms. Greenleaf's trial going to begin then?

Archdruid Aliwin shook his head, "it is already over. Faena will not be a threat to anyone anymore."

"What was her punishment, if you don't mind me asking."

"For attempting to corrupt Paladin Ussi, we cast her out of the Circle of the Lands. For attempting to corrupt Druid Ena, the Earth took back its power, and claimed her life and soul in the doing."

"That's rather..."

"Harsh? Hardly. The Earth gives Druids great strength, binding it into our very essence, and claims that power back if we misuse it. The other reason I wished to see you was to appraise you as a Lord and a ruler of elves, men, and silithids alike. I like what I see, particularly your insistence that a person is a person, irrespective of race or gender."

"It seems only a right and proper example to set. We're all mortal in the end."

"Indeed. With your permission, we of the Circle of the Lands plan to formally anoint Ena as a Druid, and would like to tie it into the celebrations somehow."

Aris shrugged, "I have no objection, but you should probably coordinate with Cleric Little Bird as to timing and coordination. She's completing the Blessing on the Convent at the same time."

Archdruid Aliwin bowed, "That should be no problem. Thank you for your time."

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Status Report:

Treasury: 1010

Income: +105 gold per day

Amount & Source

+5 Semi-retired Agent of Altheim

+100 Food sold from Ikin

+50 Food sold from Colubrinus

Equipment: In good condition.

Estates:

* Ikin: Village: Fishing Docks, Farms Under Construction

* Trebor Convent: no upgrades, Dedication to the Light in progress

* Colubrinus: Village: Farms

* Three Empty Holdings (may be improved later)

* One Old Temple (occupied by undead, traps, and animated statues)

The Ring: obsidian band with two carbuncle gems and one empty setting.

Total Deaths: 1