In Loki's Honor

If you ever had a magically frozen pussy, my condolences. It is awfully annoying, it is bitterly cold, it is a huge turnoff, and it hurts like hell. Fortunately, there's divine magic. The spectral priest put himself to work on healing the Empress' damaged genitals, thawing the organs carefully to avoid breakage.

I nudged the fairy Queen with an antler. "Go there and help warm up the Empress."

She whined but complied with some nudging. I was amazed at her power and control over her element. Fire fairies are rare as altruistic dragons.

Everyone looked tired. Even the ghosts. I started to use my SP to purify and release them so they could go to the next step in their existence.

Halfway through the process, I dumped everything I got from the treasury, the Empress bedroom, and the siege granaries in the middle of the courtyard, so the nobles and knights had something to entertain themselves with while I worked. Like doing inventory and keeping each other from stealing. I kept a few gold coins as a rain fund for my next life.

I sent the Queen and the werewolves back to the hideout, leaving only me and Nenandil with the Duke in the castle. The worst he could do was to kill me and that was not a huge issue. I also shifted back to my rainbow Silkie form and let Nenandil play with my iridescent white hair. It was white unless it caught the light in the correct angle, which meant it had faint hues along the spectrum, especially if I moved my head.

"So, Lady Silverstreak. You can turn into animals, right?" 'cousin' Duke asked.

"That's correct. But I'm not turning into a mice if there's a cat nearby. Or anything likewise stupid."

"You seem to have a plethora of abilities," he verbally nudged, in hopes I was goaded to overshare.

"I get a headache every time I see my status," I overshare. "It is too damn huge," I sigh as I look upward. "Seriously, if there's some voyeur in another place watching us right now, give me something to organize my Status. I'll even accept one of your shitty jobs again."

C'mon, Wyxnos.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked, confused. "What is your level?"

I smile at him while Nenandil plays with my hair, "A true gentleman should never ask such questions from a lady."

"It was my fault. I apologize for prying too much."

"I once earned more than two billion Experience for killing a King," I told to throw him off-guard. "The one from the lightning story."

The Duke nods, "Yes, the story from the scorched continent."

Now it was my time to do a double-take, "Sorry? Scorched continent?"

"When the {Hero} of the first age fought the second Demon Lord. They exploded and scorched half the continent. Even now, all these centuries later, the land is barren."

Interesting. "But the other half of the continent still has people living in, right?"

"Yes. They are impoverished and plagued by monsters, but that only tempered the people that live there."

"I see. Do you know where is the Fulgen forest?"

"Ah. The old elven realm. Yes. The massive trees can be seen from a week's travel away. I've seen them once. They are millennia old. Some elves from there travel the world, sharing knowledge. They are considered very wise, the Fulgen elves. We would like to forge diplomatic bonds but they are on the other side of this continent."

I can't help but smile. I've saved the elves. I would like to believe I am a force for good in this world. I pick up a steel coffee spoon. "For how long do you have steel?"

"This metal came from the scorched continent two centuries ago. The dwarves brought the knowledge, but they don't share. Today all the steel we have is smelted by the dwarven foundries. Our smiths can forge steel but not smelt it. Do you know how to make it?"

"I won't say, sorry. Not even under threat of death."

He smiled, "The thought never crossed my mind."

"Surely it didn't."

Nenandil pulls my hair to get my attention, "Silverstreak, it is time for us to go."

I stand up, "Your Grace, I'll leave you a gift of friendship. Can you show me your House heraldry?"

"Surely, our coat of arms. I'll call my knights to show you."

I spend one hour to weave him a tabard with my silk. The chest part has five layers with the fabric at odd angles, to better block blows. I test with a knife and a sword. The reinforced silk strands do not break. The tabard outer layer is red with gold embroidery, the Duke's colors.

"An unenchanted weapon will have great difficulty to pierce this tabard. It will also resist fire," I told him. "If it ever needs repairs, maybe there's a fairy that can do that for the right price. But if it does, it is because it has saved the wearer's life tenfold."

He looks at the tabard. "A marvelous gift. I'm unworthy of it."

"Take it. I'll make more until the next full moon when I'll grant my blessings to the Princess. It is a few days away. I'll make these tabards for the Emperor and the Crown Prince as well."

"The Emperor will be very pleased."

"I hope so. I'm putting the fate of my people in his hands. The least I can do is to make sure he's well-protected. I'll make them protective clothing. Maybe some undergarments that resist cold for the Empress," I raise an eyebrow at my familiar.

"She will surely appreciate that," the Duke chuckled.

Back at the dollhouse, I sit to talk with Nenandil.

"The blessings I want to give the Princess are these," I show her a list. "But they'll be very expensive. And since I have to sacrifice my resources permanently, I'm thinking of going with the big plan. This other list can ensure the safety of the were-kin and the fairies, but I'd have to sacrifice everything."

"And then we'll move on to the next life."

She was dismayed. Nenandil wanted to play house and spend some time with her people, I understand that. But the threat of human encroachment is too big. I think we should do it for the sake of the fairies and the were-kin. "Yes. This one has been a fast-paced one. But what we achieved in these short months were worth a lifetime."

"I feel like there's an intelligence throwing us into these situations. Why can't we have a normal life?"

I shook my head and hugged her. "I have no answer for that. But you know what kind of beings have their hands on our fate."

"Yes, THEM," she said bitterly. "Do it. For the fairies. We'll come back later. One day we'll be strong enough to just blast through this bullshit."

"One day. But not today."

We spend time with each other, just the two of us.

I taught the were-kin meditation as well. One of the more enthusiastic students were already in the journeyman levels of t'ai chi ch'üan. I wonder if the next time I see them I'll have someone perform Shaolin werewolf kung-fu. I also told more of my stories to the cubs and fairies. I made sure to leave the groundwork to be recognized in a later life.

If I had time I'd travel with Nenandil to Fulgen. Visit her mother. If she's still there after all these centuries.

As I wove the thread that sprouted from my fingers into silk fabric to make protective gambesons for the werewolves as well, I wondered. When does it end?

Laila approached, with her father's ghost in tow. I step outside my tree-hole-home and jump on her hands. I felt bad for her mother. She died last year in the mines.

"Godmother?"

I smile at her and nod at the milliner's ghost. "Yes, child?"

"Will it hurt?"

"Just a little prick. Like the one, you'd get from a flower's thorn. I'll heal it. You don't need to do it if you don't want."

"I want to be a cat. Just like you!" She pouts, thinking I'm trying to dissuade her.

"A cat you will be. You'll need to fear silver for its wounds will burn and won't close but I intend to give you protection," I explain. It will cost another ten thousand SP. That's why you don't see many fairies granting children gifts. I'm literally sacrificing my life for them.

But if you think about it, removing the rage, the silver vulnerability, what's left on the bad side of were-catness? The social stigma, I guess. But that's another reason I'm converting the Princess as well. So Laila has a litter-sister.

The night of the full moon came. I didn't bring a swarm of fairies to the ceremony. Only Neep, the Queen, and a grinning and self-controlled werewolf-shaped King Adrian. We have Vester and Sylvis, the two moons mixing their colors and painting the night in hues of cyan. He trained hard to control his rage. Too bad I can't cheat for him.

The Duke brought the Princess and us to the temple of Yznera. The Mother won't do anything but watch, such voyeurs the gods are. I grant the girls my blessings under the moonlight and prick their fingers with my claws at the same time.

You infected Laila with were-cat theriantropy.

Laila was granted the Were-cat Noble (ultra-rare) perk. You were converted directly by the were-cat matriarch. Your fur is dark gray. +2 Dexterity, +2 Endurance.

Laila's Silver Vulnerability (rare) was removed.

You infected Princess Hannah with were-cat theriantropy.

Princess Hannah was granted the Were-cat Noble (ultra-rare) perk. You were converted directly by the were-cat matriarch. Your fur is dark gray. +2 Dexterity, +2 Endurance.

Laila's Silver Vulnerability (rare) was removed.

Princess Hannah was granted the Feral Rage Control (very rare) perk. She can remain in control when in a feral rage state, although she will be prone to act on it.

Princess Hannah was granted the Fairy Goddaughter (very rare) perk. You have a protector fairy. You gained +2 Dexterity, +2 Endurance, +2 Mind, +5 Luck.

Princess Hannah was granted the Fae-touched (very rare) perk. You are claimed by the fae. You age at one-third of your species' normal rate. Should you withdraw to a place where fae inhabit, you do not age. +2 Charisma

Princess Hannah was granted the Melodius Voice (uncommon) perk. Your voice is never off-tune. Add your Endurance to Charisma for all Charisma effects that depend on speech or song.

Princess Hannah was granted the Uncanny Beauty (rare) perk. Your features are very symmetrical. +2 Charisma

Princess Hannah was granted the Skill Talent (very rare) perk. You learn Skills 10% faster and purchased Skills are 10% cheaper.

Princess Hannah's bloodline was granted the Were and Fae Protector (ultra-rare) perk. Unless you act with hostility, all were-kin fae will recognize you as kin and act friendly toward you. Enraged were-kin will not attack you. Should you fail to heed a call for help from the fae, the whole Realm under your bloodline's rule will fall asleep unmolested for a hundred years. Your descendants inherit this perk. This perk cannot be removed by divine means neither by anyone with a 100 Soul Attribute or less. +2 Dexterity. +2 Endurance +2 Charisma.

I feel all my SP, MP, and HP maximums dropped to zero, I have but minutes left now. I see the somber face of King Adrian. The werewolf gave a faint whimper. Neep and the Queen respect the mood but they don't adhere to the same morality and sentimentality of humans. They respect my decision and understand it is for the greater good.

The Duke's eyes went wide when he saw the last Perk I added to the mix. The one that really busted all my budget for blessings then some. After his initial surprise passed, he nodded. Six Attribute points for all the Empire's Royal bloodline is nothing to scoff at and will make proving a bastard's claim all that easier, for good or bad.

The priests of Yznera healed the girls. I wobble and fall down. Laila scoops me.

"Thank you for your gifts, 'twinkle'," She cooed and hugged me.

"Take care of your new sister," I pointed at the princess. "She'll need you."

"Yes, godmother."

You died.