As vicious as the Al' Miraj could be, a childlike innocence also presented itself once it was on the boat. It sniffed everything and everyone, it decided at first meeting who it liked and who it didn't like. It seemed to like Gael an awful lot. As soon as it saw the veteran sailor it refused to leave his side.      “I have a ship to run. I don't have time to babysit a feral animal..gah” Gael started to speak until he turned and saw the Al' Miraj perched on his shoulder. “By the rolling waves of Lemuria, what is this creature's interest in me?”     Zinjo paced around Gael and studied the Al' Miraj, “I  think it is an omen we cannot ignore. Despite its animal appearance the Al' Miraj is a divine creature. Why it chose you I cannot say. Keep an eye on it, and never forget such creatures do

 The swish of gentle waves accompanied the rowboat to shore. Zinjo and Gael rowed in unison. Aurelia noted they were the only three in the leaky tub. She glared at the seagulls who screeched every time she tried to speak. The sun warmed the air, but not too unbearable levels, and a soft breeze kept her body at a nice temperature.    Asleep on Gael's shoulder was the divine Al' Miraj, a bunny with an onyx horn on its head. The creature had to lead them to this place, but why? The same question played over and over in her mind. Aurelia did not know much about divine beings, but she suspected not all of them were good.   "Gael, why are we the only people on this landing party?" She asked in a mild tone, underneath a patch of worry raged like an ocean storm.    The seaman paused and wrung his bandana in his hands, "I am not a fool. Tess is depending on me, the men have orders to leave should they not hear back from us in

As the journal promised, things in the forest grew to intolerable levels. The illusions tricked the sense and drove a wedge between Aurelia and Zinjo. Gael suffered no ill consequences from the magical assault. It lent weight to the theory he had Lemurian heritage.   They stopped to eat some leftover deer, and Aurelia and Zinjo tested the meat to make sure it was real. Gael confirmed they were indeed eating real food. The fog rolled in a bit heavier, and the sights and sounds rattled the brain.   "No offense to the Al' Miraj, but we are not following it anywhere next time," Zinjo swatted at an imaginary swarm of bugs. "This is easily the most irritating version of magic I've ever encountered," The frustration in his manner and tone was apparent.    Aurelia put her arms around him, "And what if the little beast leads us to another component  we need for the witch trap bottles?" She kissed him softly on the lips and swirled her tongue a

Much to the surprise of the three companions, Carmen resumed her position at the altar. The mass of dark matter reformed the lethally beautiful woman. "It's not as fun as it used to be, messing with you mortals. Yet as an agent of the darkness, I am obligated to do so." She glared at Aurelia, "Who would've thought the woman would prove the most resilient against my little games." Gael threw a loose stone at the entity wrapped around the altar. It phased through the being amid cruel cackles of Carmen, "Oh, does that hurt your pride? Awe, poor macho sailor man, shown up by a woman." "It has nothing to do with Aurelia. You teased me about my past and then left me hanging. You spoke about things I didn't know and then stopped just when you got the good part," Gael clenched his fists and raised them. "Oh, poor little sailor man, ignorant of his heritage and who he is. I can't wait for you to find out. Unfortunately, I am only allowed to reveal so much, cosmic rule

The guards separated Gael and the Al' Miraj from Aurelia and Zinjo. They took him to a waiting room. "Juma will deal with you once we deal with the renegade and his mate. Your trade idea sounds promising. I will make sure our leader hears you out." The sharp sting of metal spear tip pressed against Aurelias back, and she bared her teeth to the guards, who seemed unconcerned about the defiance. Worst of all, one of the guards ripped the parasol blade from her hand. She sulked as they marched across the small city. "So, how did the lion people come to be?" "Once upon a time, the people of Kiazangi were on the precipice of greatness. The mathematics and engineering in our buildings involved are lost to us now, but as you can see have stood the test of time." Zinjo seemed unconcerned with the guard's spear pointed in his back. "What happened?" Aurelia asked as they marched past several young families converse over roasted gazelle and oxen-like creatures. The chil