Beneath the waters of her seawater pool, Coral'mi stirred and flinched, her webbed paws twitching, then thrashing as she screamed, her eyes snapping open and water splashing as she bolted upright, gasping and shrieking in terror. At her cry, the lights snapped on and the shadows fled from her Spartan chambers, replaced with a calming, soothing glow from the sunlight lamps.

"A nightmare - that’s all it was..." Coral'mi wept, wiping her paws across her eyes and flicking away the tears. "I overexerted myself - "

There came a rustling of feathers, and a cold, raucous croak. "Hahaha -"

Coral'mi shrieked and snapped her head around, as she seen the raven perched on her windowsill, a silver necklace clutched in its talon.

"Oh no - " Coral'mi gasped. "Whoa raven - easy boy..."

Nonchalantly, the raven hopped along the sill, then as it fluttered its wings, Coral'mi's heart leapt into her throat.

"Easy boy - come on...give back the necklace...you like pretty things?" Coral'mi whispered, as she very carefully made her way out of the pool, the saltwater puddling around her naked form.

"Pretty things!" Croaked the raven, as it turned a black, beady eye on her and fluffed out its feathers, then let them settle again.

As slowly as she could, Coral'mi fumbled behind her on a small table, and her questing paws found an old, cheap ring she had once won at a fair. It meant nothing to her personally, but it was silver plated and nice and bright. Carefully, Coral'mi brought it from behind her back, and laid it on the edge of her pool and stepped away.

"Come on - look! Nice pretty ring....” Coral'mi whispered calmly, her eyes affixed on her necklace that the raven still clutched.

"Pretty things!" Repeated the Raven, as it cocked its head and looked at the ring, then fluffed out its feathers again.

Her heart pounding, Coral'mi froze, as the raven fluttered down onto the edge of the bath, and then hopped over to the ring, still keeping a talon locked tight around the necklace. It looked down at the ring, then at Coral'mi, then back at the ring. A nervous twitch seized Coral'mi and she shrieked as the Raven took wing and fled towards the window.

"Noooo!" Coral'mi shrieked in terror.

Pausing on the edge of the windowsill, the Raven leered at her and bobbed its head, as it slipped the necklace about its neck, then croaked again. "Pretty things! Oh - Yuira sends her regards!"

*

Hearing the water horse’s screams, Abbilion, Diane and Savrin pounded down the hallway, and Savrin and Abbilion broke down the door, to see Coral'mi, naked and dripping water, curled up on the floor, sobbing like a whipped foal. Diane gasped the slapped both the two gawking males sharply, as she pushed them out of the Water horse’s chambers, and helped Coral'mi to her hooves, and wrapped a blanket around the quivering Coral'mi.

"Mother Coral'mi - what's wrong - oh...you're so cold!" Diane whimpered, as she hugged the gasping Water horse, and rubbed her shaking shoulders.

"What in the Great Mother is going on around here!" Snapped an exhausted looking Celestine, as she padded up the hallway, surveying the damage.

Instantly, the three students bowed their heads in reverence to Celestine.

"Mother Celestine - we heard Mother Coral'mi's cries - " Savrin stammered.

"So you broke down the door - and charged in to do...what? If Mother Coral'mi was in trouble - there is *nothing* you three students could have done! You do not have her level of power - " Celestine chastised them.

"Mother Celestine - mercy..." Coral'mi wheezed. "Please mother - mercy on the students - they...did right. They acted out of love for me."

With an exasperated sigh, Celestine nodded. "My...apologies my students - I acted out of distrust and false accusation. Now - what has transpired here?"

Coral'mi sighed softly and her ears flattened. "Our fears are well founded Mother - indeed - Yuira has returned...and she will soon have my necklace. I woke from a nightmare - to find it holding my necklace...and.it spoke to me - but I thought it was merely someone's pet raven...that had escaped. Its last words - were 'Yuira sends her regards - ' "

"Oh Great Mother - " Celestine moaned. "Coral'mi - I...I am so sorry...."

Confused, Savrin, Abbilion and Diane looked at each other.

"A personal...item was stolen from Coral'mi - and if that falls in to the paws of Yuira - she can use that item, to tap the life-force of Coral'mi, or anyone - who has a personal item stolen. Please my students; you must get that necklace back - before it reaches Yuira. Coral'mi's very life...depends on it." Celestine whispered. "You are free to use whatever you must my students - to achieve your goals. However - "

As they blinked, then looked at each other, Celestine resumed.

"However - do *not* underestimate Yuira...she is as evil as evil comes - and with each moment, her strength grows stronger. Be mindful of this, as she will not hesitate to kidnap one of you, and hold them ransom, to enforce her will. Be mindful my students - and do not trust anyone you do not know. Yuira is weak now - but is growing stronger, and I fear that she will soon have others have...dubious...intent and purpose flocking to her banner. You must exercise all haste, but temper it well with caution, as you three know - just how deceptively cunning Yuira is."

Nodding quickly, the three students bowed and fled the chambers.

"They're young - and their training isn't yet complete - " Coral'mi sighed.

"Yet their hearts are in the right place - and those three bested Yuira before...I only hope she hasn't had time to grow too powerful yet." Celestine nodded. "Come Coral'mi - we must work the magicks of protection around you, to stop Yuira’s magicks."

"Aye mother - that we do - I only pray we are strong enough - “ Coral’mi sniffled, as she wiped a webbed paw across her eyes. "You - if our students fail - you know what too do...."

"Coral’mi - they will not fail. I have faith in them." Celestine replied, as she squeezed her friend's webbed paw softly.

"Promise me!" Coral'mi snarled suddenly.

"I..." Celestine gasped. "I promise...you will be dead by my paw - before Yuira gets her claws into you. I give you my word."

"Thank you...mother." Coral'mi nodded slowly. "Now - we must do what we can - as I fear that the power of Yuira grows - I draw breath...and I taste her foul presence...."

*

Back in her private sanctum, Yuira lay on her back, squirming and shuddering, as she smoothed down her sweat dampened fur and a pleased sigh escaped her, her partner - Kar'eesh resting on his shoulder, bracing his head with a hand, the elbow against the pillows, the strong scent of their violent, loveless mating filling the room.

"Do I please my Queen?" Kar'eesh spoke, as he trailed his hand across her sweaty stomach, feeling the muscles beneath tremble.

"You are...adequate..." Yuira replied coldly, but her scent changed to show her true feelings for her partner - a shame he could not sense them.

"I live to serve you my Queen - " He rasped

As he shuddered, he rubbed his hands over the deep scars on his upper arms, four on each bicep. Yuira had put them there herself with her wrist-blades, then expecting his resolve to crack, as the blades had been coated with a strong acidic liquid, designed to cause such agony as to make its victim scream - he had merely grunted and ground his teeth. Yuira then took the ashes from the sacrifice and ground them in a bowl, then rubbed the ashes into the raw, ravaged flesh with her own paws. Yet again, at the agony she inflicted, he remained almost like a statue, only the slight gasp indicating the agony that had broken lesser creatures. As Yuira had explained, her magicks sealing the wounds, the ashes and other magickal powders she had added, the scars were badges of rank and honour.

Indeed - Yuira *was* impressed with her new servant - both in his prowess in combat, his strength in withstanding such soul-crushing pain, and his abilities and stamina in the bedchambers. Still - Yuira allowed herself a soft sigh of what sounded like pleasure, but was actually a cruelly calculating thought behind it. He was good - indeed - but he was a tool - and when he had outlived his usefulness to Yuira, she would discard him - or if he truly proved himself - she would suck his soul dry, leaving his body a brittle, dried husk. Indeed - as the warmth of her swiftly rising powers fuelled her, she rolled away from him, stretching herself languidly, her ebony fur sheened with sweat.

As he rolled in against her back and pulled her tight; just as he lunged and bit down savagely into the soft nape of her neck and took her again, as her screams pealed forth - Yuira knew that he hated and feared her - and that only made this loveless joining all the more invigorating to Yuira. As his hate rose, and he sought to hurt her, it only fuelled the powers that grew within Yuira - making him more her slave with each thud of his heart....

*

Their quest was already off to a bad start -

"NO!" Savrin snarled, as he stopped and glared at Diane and Abbilion. "Absolutely not."

"Savrin - " Diane wheedled, moving in close to the angry firewolf. "We need him - "

Savrin growled, and looked for support from Abbilion, who held up his paws.

"Uh huh - I'm not getting involved in *this*!" Abbilion spoke. "No way - I'd rather face the demons of hell themselves, than upset either of you two!"

"Savrin - we know your hate for Zephyr - " Diane purred, using all her feminine charms on Savrin.

"Hate?" Savrin spat. "Let me tell you something about hate - Zephyr is *not* my brother! Not anymore - not ever!! He left me to die - back in that hellhole, whilst he fled and saved his own life. You can not begin to even imagine the agony I suffered at Yuira’s paws...what she...what she done to me...."

Sniffling, Diane turned away and Abbilion sighed, as he looked at Savrin.

"You forget - we *do* know - what you suffered...we rescued you...remember?" Abbilion sighed.

"Aye - I remember that place...how I wish I could have those memories erased.... Diane's right - we need Zephyr - wether you like it or not. At least - we need to talk to him."

"NO!" Savrin shrieked. "I spit on him and his betrayal! He ran like a whipped puppy...and left me to rot!"

"Savrin - please see reason..." Diane whimpered. "We feel your pain, and yes - we know we can never truly understand what Yuira done...but please - please put your anger aside - and come with us. We must talk to Zephyr - he may have a clue as to her whereabouts."

Growling dangerously, Savrin glared at his two friends, the blood-wrath slowly rising in his veins. Without warning, Abbilion leaned back, and then punched Savrin in the mouth, as hard as he could. Savrin staggered backwards and landed on his rump, a sharp crack coming from his tail as he yelped and stared dumbfounded at Abbilion, who stood over him, hackles raised and dewlaps pulled back.

"I don't care what your gripe is with Zephyr - “ Abbilion snarled in rage. "That is between you and him - but this is more important! Mother Coral'mi's life hangs in the balance - whilst you primp and prance like a pup throwing a tantrum! I swear - if you do *anything* to jeopardise our quest - and Mother Coral'mi dies - I'll have your liver for lunch! Her life is in our paws - and we've got to do everything we can - to save her! Now - get off your ass and get in step - as we're a team here, and there is no room in a team for petty, selfish thoughts about your brothers betrayal!"

Diane cringed away from both Savrin and Abbilion, feeling the power that had risen in both, the hot rage that burned within their chests, threatening to go critical. Slowly, Savrin got back to his feet, and he swiped his paw across his mouth, and then looked at the blood there.

"For the sake of Mother Coral'mi - I accept." Savrin grating replied, as he held out a paw, that Diane noticed shook with his anger. "This isn't over - Abbilion - not even close...."

Abbilion nodded grimly and took the offered paw in his own and squeezed it tight. "Aye Savrin - its not - but if we succeed, then you can have your revenge - I won't deny you that."

Stomping off down the road, Savrin's snarl swept back to them. "Come on - we've got a traitor to visit...."

Diane grabbed her shuddering brother by the shoulder and spun him around. "You better know what you're asking of him - if this comes off right - "

"If this comes off right - then Savrin can do to me as he pleases.... I made him mad for a reason - to get him to focus his hate on Yuira...she is the one who deserves whatever Savrin wishes to hand out to her - and I'll be honoured - to watch as he rips her black heart out." Abbilion replied softly.

*

Yuira slinked from her personal chambers, and smoothed down her sleek fur. She was dressed in a pure white silk gown, that clung to her as tightly as a second layer of fur, accentuating the curves of her body - and she knew - sent more than one of her male servants pulses racing - and a good few of the females as well. Simpering up to the throne, Yuira felt the eyes on her, and she smelt the heightened scents of arousal that her form elicited. Yuira was also aware of the contrast her black, glossy fur was, against the snow coloured silk. Sensuously, she ran her paws down her belly, smoothing out a wrinkle in the silk - then she sprawled across her throne, gazing around her.

A young fox crawled forwards on his belly, and lay shivering at her foot-paws, his eyes downcast and russet ears pasted flat, as he awaited her to acknowledge his presence.

Waiting five minutes, making the scent of terror in the fox at her foot-paws grow with each second, as she idly trimmed her claw tips with a knife, Yuira savoured the terror she invoked. "Speak."

"Mistress Yuira - exalted Goddess, ruler of the Ta'far - " Stammered the convulsing fox.

"Dispense with the pleasantries and tell me." Yuira growled softly.

"Mistress - one of the Bra'cen - “ Quavered the voice.

"Bra'cen you say?" Yuira replied calmly, although her mind scrambled to recall the name from memory.

"Mistress - the Bra'cen - the raven spies - “ Whimpered the terrified fox, as he kept his eyes tightly screwed shut.

"You dare address me, as if I am such that knows not of the creatures I trained with my own paw!" Yuira shrieked, her voice rising into the painful regions.

"I beg my mistress's forgiveness!" Wailed the fox, then his words came tumbling out. "One of the Bra'cen - it brought a - trinket from one of those that we believe are conspiring - "

Yuira raised an eyebrow, and moved slightly, the subtle hiss of the silk frightening the fox into more words, as they tumbled out one on another.

"The one's...who took in the cursed one - the one who...who killed your last...form. He escaped through a time-portal, with three others.... The trinket - is a necklace - from one they called 'Mother' - and it...we think...we think that she is...someone they care about...."

His paw crept to his belt, and Yuira raised her eyebrow again, then moved again, as he shuddered and withdrew Coral'mi's necklace and held it up, his paw shaking with terror. Slowly, Yuira took the necklace from his paw and she looked at it, then yawned disinterestedly and hung it from the throne - almost as if it were of no consequence.

"Oh - one last thing - " Yuira whispered, as she reached down and tugged the fox to his foot-paws, then stroked her claw tips along his cheek ruffles.

He smiled weakly, blinking away his tears at this unexpected show of kindness from his Goddess, and Yuira smiled sweetly at him, then her expression changed to one of pure, lustful hate...as she sank her paws against his cheeks - and in seconds, sucked the life from his body. As his desiccated form fell to the floor, Yuira shivered and licked her lips, squirming in delight.

"Mmmmm - Vulpine are *so* tasty...” Yuira murred then retrieved the necklace and twined it around her paw, as she closed her eyes and concentrated, then after a few moments, her eyes flew open and she threw back her head and laughed in delicious, cruel pleasure. "Oh - my dear, dear water horse - I got you right where I want you - I smell your terror - I can feel that power within you.... mmmm...I will take you my dear foolish foal - and you will learn what *true* power is...."

Her eyes sparkling with the cruelty and pleasure such thoughts brought, she quickly summoned some of her servants and laid out her plans for the capture of the water horse known as Coral'mi....