David & 'Lyssa Ch. 03

David appeared in the mist, life sized and three-dimensional. David would have been proud of her.

"I thought so." Said tuck when he saw who was in the picture. "He and someone named 'Lyssa fixed me up after a fight in the hall you talked about. I was pretty badly hurt, and they helped as best they could and opened a doorway to send me home." Tuck stood and went over to a rag bin. Taking out some scraps of cloth, he held them out to Bitsy. "I think these are what you smelled."

Bitsy instinctively shifted to her natural form and stretched her neck out to sniff at the cloth. "What?" said Tuck, surprised at her sudden transformation.

Then Bitsy shifted back to her human form. "That's them!" she said excitedly. "Can you take me to them?"

Tuck shook his head. "I don't know where they are right now," he said. "And besides, inter-realm travel is not one of my abilities."

"I can do that." Bitsy said impatiently.

"But before we travel," Tuck said, "You need to know WHERE you are going, or we can end up in bigger trouble then when we started."

Bitsy was ready to cry. "But how will I know where they are?" she wailed. "If I knew that, I wouldn't be lost!"

"While I agree with your logic," Tuck grinned, "I think that we need to ask someone who knows everything."

"And who is that? When can we get going? Where are we headed?" Bitsy demanded in rapid-fire questions.

Tuck laughed, "Slow down Little One, slow down. We'11 go see Old Mad Tom. But he is a long way from here, so we'll want to start out rested. There will be time enough in the morning."

Bitsy hated to wait, but she was smart enough to see the truth in the giant's words. "OK." she grumbled.

Tuck piled blankets and the smallest pillows he had in the house on his spare bed for Bitsy to use.

She stood on the bed and gave Tuck a hug goodnight without thinking about it. Then the shifted into dragon form and burrowed into the blankets to sleep.

Tuck lay awake for a long time in the next room thinking. Well, he had wanted adventure ever since his return. He snorted softly in the darkness, And a damsel in distress too boot. Tuck shook his head. Then he grinned, what the hell, Life was getting boring anyway.

He heard whimpering from the spare room, peeking in, he saw Bitsy's dragon form kicking and thrashing in the throes of a nightmare. Tuck tiptoed into the kitchen and retrieved the rags with David and 'Lyssa's scent on them. He placed them in the bed near Bitsy's nose. As she caught the familiar and comforting scents of her erstwhile parents, Bitsy relaxed into a deep, nightmare-free sleep.

Bitsy woke up late the next morning, feeling much better. She changed back into human form and went back to the kitchen. There on the table, she found a note from Tuck, and more food. She levitated up onto the table and sat down cross-legged to read the note while she ate.

*I am out getting supplies for our trip.* The note said. *If you wake up before I get back, meet me in my shop.* And there was a simple map to follow.

Bitsy finished eating and cleaned up the table. She smiled to herself, sometimes magic has it's uses she mused.

Then she shifted back to dragon form with the note clutched firmly in her talons and took to the air.

Finding Tuck's shop was not difficult. His map was clear and easy to follow. She shifted form again when she landed and entered the shop. Tuck was not back yet, and she spent a fascinated hour wandering around and inspecting the tools and equipment of the forge etc. The rack of swords and spears against one wall gave off a strong aura of magic that was clearly visible to Bitsy's eyes. Likewise the stand holding shields and various types of armor.

Bitsy idly picked up a dagger that was almost as big as a broadsword for her. For one of Tuck's people, it would have been a small belt knife. She sat on a bench and held the knife across her palms, tracing the spells locked into the metal, and enhancing them. When she was done, she opened her eyes. The blade of the dagger now shone with an eye-hurting brilliance. She hastily shut her eyes and toned down the glow of the blade to a tolerable level. The enchantments remained with the enhancements intact. Finding a scabbard for the dagger, Bitsy sheathed the blade and thrust it through her belt. She would ask Tuck she could keep it when he came back.

Like any bored 12 year old, Bitsy soon found more mischief to get into. She practiced enhancing the enchantments on various weapons and armor in the shop without making them glow like the dagger had done. By the time Tuck returned, rather later than he had planned, Bitsy had bespelled every damn piece of armor and weaponry in the whole shop. And she was just putting the finishing touches on his forge when Tuck walked into the shop.

"Oh Oh." Tuck said.

Bitsy turned around to smile proudly at Tuck. She lost her smile fast when she saw the nervous look on the giants face. "What's wrong?" Bitsy asked in a worried voice.

"What did you do/" Asked Tuck urgently.

"I just made your spells stronger." She said. "Did I do something wrong?"

Tuck sighed. "This place radiates magic now like a beacon." He told her gently. "I'll bet every

adept in the city can feel and see this place by now."

"Is that bad?" Bitsy asked.

"It can be." Tuck sighed. "I guess there's no help for it now."

"I'm sorry." Bitsy said tearfully. "I was only trying to help."

"It's all right," said Tuck as he gently patted her shoulder. "I don't suppose you can shield the shop to keep anyone from sensing all the extra magic can you?"

"I'll try." sniffled Bitsy as she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She closed her eyes in concentration.

She built energy sinks and reflectors into the walls and doorways of the shop. Then she shaped shields to redirect magic into an anvil that she turned into a sort of magical heat sink, where it could be retrieved at a later time for re-use. When she opened her eyes, Tuck was looking at her in awe. To all outward appearances, his shop emitted only the usual amount of power. But inside, the place was like being at the focus of a large sun lamp.

"Where did you learn how to do that?" Tuck asked her.

Bitsy answered smugly, "Something my daddy showed me in his library."

Tuck shook his head. "ME and him HAVE to have a talk when I get you back to them."

Tuck chose a heavy double bitted axe and a round shield for himself. Then he tucked his favorite hammer into his belt.

"I have our packs waiting outside for us. We had better get going."

Bitsy pulled the sheathed dagger from her belt. "Can I keep this one?" she asked Tuck. "Please?" she wheedled.

Tuck threw his head back and gave out a shout of laughter. "Little One, you can have anything you want!" and he gave a sweep of his hand to encompass the entire shop.

"I'm not greedy, this will do me just fine." Bitsy said so primly that Tuck just had to laugh again.

Bitsy's pack was just right to fit her, and it had been bespelled to hold an amazing amount of stuff and still feel light as a feather. Tuck helped her into the straps and then hoisted his own pack to his shoulders. The two set off down the street toward the edge of town.

~Back at ‘Lyssa's mansion~

Paul Black Eagle knocked on the door to "Lyssa's mansion. The door opened immediately. Black Eagle looked at the maid standing in the doorway approvingly. Not bad at all.

"Pardon me milady," Said Black Eagle, "My friend David Porter and his wives are friends of mine. Do you happen to know where I may find them?"

"Come in please." Said the maid. "My name is Asshann. Mistress 'Lyssa and Master David have gone to fix the tear between the worlds, and Miss Bitsy and Mistresses Jenny and Prissy have all left not long ago."

Black Eagle followed Asshann into the mansion. Admiring the view of her backside in that short skirt as they walked down the hallway to the parlor. "Please make yourself comfortable," said Asshann. She vanished. Black Eagle grunted. It figured, another teleport. He sat his old bones down in a surprisingly comfortable chair. Asshann reappeared with a tray bearing a bottle and a glass. Setting the tray on a nearby table, Asshann poured the glass full of an amber liquid. She handed the glass to Black Eagle. "Is this satisfactory?" She inquired.

Black Eagle took a sip. "Not bad." he decided. "Please sit down and chat with an old man will you?" he asked Asshann with a wink.

"It is not proper." began Asshann.

"Bugger proper." snorted Black Eagle. "I invited a pretty girl to sit and chat, and anyone who don't like it can stuff it."

The corners of her mouth twitched upward for a split second. Then Asshann made up her mind. Black Eagle gestured and a chair like the one he was sitting in slid across the room and settled down in front of his. Asshann sat down carefully. Black Eagle gestured again and a glass appeared next to the bottle on the table. The bottle floated up and the cork popped out. Asshann watched as the bottle poured the glass full, then re-corked itself and settled down on the table once again. The now full glass floated over to Asshann's waiting hand.

Black Eagle raised his glass to Asshann in salute. "Here's to good friends, new friends, and pretty girls who put up with an old man's flirting." Was Black Eagles toast.

Asshann laughed softly and clinked glasses with him, then they both took a sip.

Black Eagle could hardly believe himself. He hadn't showed off like this for a girl in over 200 years. It was nice to know he hadn't lost his touch entirely.

Asshann and Black Eagle chatted easily, as if they were friends of long standing, rather than new acquaintances. Black Eagle skillfully drew information out of Asshann that she didn't even realize that she had.

For her part, Asshann had not felt this comfortable with anyone but David for years. And truth be told, she was enjoying the attention and wished the moment wouldn't end any time soon.

A glowing orb popped into existence between them. 'Lyssa's voice could be heard with her message and request for help.

Bolting to his feet, Black Eagle grabbed Asshann's hand. "Take me there." He demanded. Asshann had never teleported two people before, but she felt Black Eagles power flowing into her and supporting her as she made the transfer.

They appeared in the great hall next to David and 'Lyssa. Black Eagle's gorge rose at the smell of charred flesh rising from David's arm. But he controlled his nausea. 'Lyssa recognized him and almost fainted with relief.

Scooping the unconscious David up in his arms, Black Eagle stood. "Asshann, take 'Lyssa's hand and put your other hand on my shoulder and take us home!"

Asshann did as she was told, reveling in the power flowing into her from the contact of her hand on Black Eagle" s shoulder. The teleport was effortless and accurate. They materialized in 'Lyssa's bedroom. Laying David on the bed, the old Shaman/wizard probed David's injuries with his magical senses. Finally satisfied that his friend was no longer in danger, Black Eagle pulled 'Lyssa aside. "What he needs now is rest, and plenty of it. Stay here with him, as he seems to draw comfort from your touch. We will assure that you are not disturbed until he wakes."

'Lyssa nodded silently, her gaze on her beloved's face. As soon as Black Eagle released her hand, 'Lyssa went back and lay beside David on his uninjured side. She laid her head on her arm and put her other arm across his chest.

Black Eagle drew Asshann out of the room and softly closed the door. "Make sure that they will not be disturbed, then come find me in the parlor."

Asshann nodded once and vanished. Black Eagle turned down the hallway to where he could see the stairs leading down.

He had just found the Parlor again when Asshann popped out of thin air. "Handy trick that." Black Eagle said with a smile.

Asshann blushed.

Black Eagle took Asshann's hand and led her over to the chair he had occupied earlier. Sitting down, he drew Asshann down to sit in his lap. He couldn't explain why he was so drawn to this maid, but the attraction was undeniable. And from way she snuggled down in his lap, the feeling was mutual.

After a long time, Asshann pulled back to smile at the older man. She effortlessly teleported them both to her room, where they materialized sitting on her bed. Black Eagle turned his head to look around. When he looked back at Asshann, she was already wriggling out of her dress. Fair enough, He deposited her on the bed to finish undressing as he shed his own clothing. There was life in the old boy yet.

~Looking for answers~

Prissy was the first to clear the portal. She stepped to the side to let the others pass through freely.

They were on a mesa looking down over a rich green valley. Dimly visible in the distance was a trail of smoke rising from a grove of trees. Jenny was the first to spot a trail down. "This way." she said.

The trip down the side of the mesa was tricky and the members of th group had to work together to keep from falling to a messy death on the rocks below.

Finally the trail leveled off.

The path was wide enough for two to walk abreast, and seemed free of obstructions. Booger thought that it looked too good to be true.

Unholstering one of the .45's he checked the load. "Chris, I'll take point, you bring up the rear with the rifle. I want your firepower backing me." Rath blinked at the unaccustomed tone of command in Booger's voice. Then he unslung the rifle and chambered a round.

Booger led the way, followed by Prissy and Jenny. Rath hung back a few steps, then followed. Booger found a long branch by the side of the road. He used it to tap the path in front of him. A half-mile further, his paranoia paid off.

The branch tapping the path set off a trap!

There was a pinging sound. A shower of arrows lanced into the dirt of the path right where they would have been had Booger triggered the ambush prematurely. Much warier, the group continued on down the trail.

The rest of the trip was uneventful.

They came out from the trees into a clearing. There was a nice cabin surrounded by flowerbeds and a vegetable garden in the middle of the clearing. The path led directly to the front door.

"Go ahead and knock." Jenny told Prissy. Booger nodded and faded to the back of the group, keeping his pistol ready, but out of sight.

Prissy stepped forward and tapped softly on the door.

"You won't need the guns boys." came a voice from behind them.

Booger and Rath jumped about 3 feet straight up. They landed facing an old man in a monk's cassock and sandals.

"As you can see, I am unarmed." Said the old man. "I am called Tom."

Booger somewhat sheepishly holstered the pistol. Rath hesitated, and then slung the rifle. "Now, what can I do for you?" Asked Tom.

Prissy came to the front again. "Sorry to disturb you, but there was a dragon who thought you might be able to help us find our missing daughter."

Tom looked surprised. "A lost child? Come tell me more." And he led the way onto his cabin.

~The Giant and the Dragonette~

Tuck and Bitsy gathered more than their share of stares as they hiked along the main thoroughfare

of the city. Offworlders were not that unusual, but one as comparatively tiny as Bitsy was rare.

indeed.

Bitsy didn't care if anyone looked. She was too busy talking to Tuck and commenting on the sights

of the city.

Tuck however was very aware of the extra attention, and he knew that some of it was most almost certainly unfriendly. He kept a wary eye out for any potential trouble.

But as Tuck would find out, even he couldn't see everywhere at once.

A shadowy figure darted out from an alley that they had just passed, scooped up Bitsy and sped off around the next corner.

Tuck sprinted in pursuit. But by the time he turned the corner, the situation was swiftly being brought to a conclusion.

Bitsy had been scared a first when she had been grabbed. Then she got mad...

What tuck saw when he came around into view was a highly pissed off young dragon in the process of shredding one very dead would-be kidnapper.

"Bitsy!" Tuck bellowed. The dragon's head whipped around to stare at him. Then turned back to the remains of her victim. "He's dead Bitsy, come on away from there." Tuck said firmly.

The dragon looked at him again, then backed a few feet from the bloody mound on the cobblestones. She inhaled and opened her jaws wide. A blast of flame poured from her throat, neatly turning the corpse into a fine white ash.

Bitsy shook herself, then made an effort and shifted to her human form.

"Are you hurt?" asked Tuck.

"I'm fine," said Bitsy. She coughed a bit. "Sorry about that."

"Somehow, I doubt we'll have any more trouble from that quarter," said Tuck. "But we might want to be long gone before the police show up."

Bitsy nodded meekly. She let Tuck pick her up and perch her on his massive shoulder. The rest of the trip out of the city was quick and tense. Tuck relaxed when he was out of sight of the city walls.

We have about a week or two to travel." Said Tuck. "Can we please make the trip without torching anyone else?" "Unless they really ask for it." Said Bitsy with a mischievous grin.

"Unless they really ask for it." agreed Tuck.

The pair got to know each other well during the trip. Tuck told Bitsy about trading with off warders, and she showed him how to do more efficient magic.

~Reunion #1~

They were almost sorry when they crested the last mountain pass. There below them was a cabin in a pleasant valley. The valley was far too warm to be natural in the snowy mountains they had just crossed.

As they approached the cabin, the door opened and an old man in a robe and sandals came out. "Come on in!" he said cheerfully, "I have been expecting you."

Tuck blinked, the doorway was suddenly tall enough for him to enter without ducking. The old man didn't seem to notice. Shrugging, Tuck ushered Bitsy into the cabin ahead of him.

He heard a great shout come from the next room, and Bitsy was being swarmed by people yelling her name and hugging her. Tuck looked at the old hermit. "They got her just a while ago looking for her."

Booger and Rath were staring at the giant. Tuck looked back at them.

He took out his pipe that he had carved himself out of briar. Drat, his tobacco pouch was empty. Rath held out a paper bag to him.

Tuck took the bag and studied it. Ingenious, he would have to copy it when her got home. Meantime, there was something in the bag. Tuck raised an eyebrow at Rath. "Smoke it dude," Said Rath.

Tuck wasn't sure what a 'dude' was, but it didn't sound like an insult. Tuck loaded the pipe with the leaves in the bag. "Thanks." he rumbled as he handed the bag back to Rath. Using a small spell, he lit the pipe and took a deep puff. The smoke was harsh, and he coughed the first time. Then he took a more careful puff.

Hmmm, most relaxing.

Finally Tuck heard Bitsy's voice calling his name. "Tuck! Tom says Daddy and Mommy are back home!" Then she sobered a bit. "Tuck," she began as she took his huge hand in both of hers. "Will you come home with me for a while?"

"Of course Little One." Tuck said. "There was never any doubt that I would get you all the way home."

Tom stood there looking pleased. When he opened the door again, there was a completely different scene outside.

"This path will take you to the great Hall. From there, it is an easy trip back to the mansion." Tuck started to ask Tom a question, then thought better of it. Best not to push his luck.

The whole troop started out down the trail. Booger again going first, with Tuck in the middle, and Rath as Tail End Charlie with the big rifle.

The woods they traveled through were right out of Boogers worst nightmares, and he was jumpy as a cat with all the rustlings in the brush just out of sight. But nothing in the woods wanted to tackle such a large party, especially with a giant in the mix.