Secrets of a Hybrid

An hour or so passes by and we begin to follow the river to town. My stomach growls loudly, causing Emalynn to giggle at me. I just shake my head at her as we close in on the town. Standing there waiting for us is Elias. I wonder if any of his other pupils have given him as much trouble as we have.

"There are my girls. I have been waiting for you for hours." Elias exaggerated. He gives us both a hug as he leads us toward our inn. "Welcome to Pine Row. A small traveler's town." He gestured to the simple little town around us.

There are a few shops, a bakery, a pub, five or so inns, and what looks like a guild hall or maybe town hall in front of us. We follow behind Elias to the last inn on the road. The sign reads Pine Sky Inn. The outside of the inn is a light brown with dark pine green accents. Elias opens the door of the three story building, which seems bigger on the inside. The inside has a small lobby with a few comfortable looking chairs and an old bookcase. Sitting behind the welcome desk, is a man about the age of Elias. He greets us and gives us our key. The inn is plain like most inns that I have stayed in during my jobs and travels. This inn does have a dining room for breakfast and dinner unlike most inns. Elias leads up the charmingly creaky steps to the second floor and to our room. Elias is in the room next to us.

Our room is adorable. There are two single beds with blue linens and a small couch and table with blue carnations in a white vase. Two paintings of a river surrounded by pines are above each bed. There is an oil lantern sitting on the table between the beds. Two large windows look out to the farmland beyond the inn. We even have a small bathroom with a shower. I suppose this inn isn't as plain as I thought.

Emalynn lands on the first bed she sees. "I am going to nap and then take a nice long shower." She mused.

Elias walks into the room with a smirk on his face and two garment bags. "No time for sleep, Emalynn. We must hurry to my contact's manor. We are to join my contact for an evening gala."

Right now, I want nothing more than to throw Elias out of the room and lock the door. How he expects us to have the energy for such an event is beyond me. Emalynn passed out only a few hours ago. "Right now? We still have some dried bug guts in our hair."

"Worry not, Rory. Your Uncle Elias has a plan." His smirk turned into a softer grin.

Emalynn just pouted at the thought of getting up again. All she wanted right now was her nap. My stomach growled loudly filling the room. Both Elias and Emalynn broke into laughter. I guess I need food more than a hot shower. "Come on, Emalynn. My stomach needs food anyway." She groaned as she rose from the bed.

"Leave the large weapons here. Only bring concealable weapons with you. We don't need to scare the town's folk." Elias said.

"Fine. So who is your contact, old man?" I grumble, sliding off my bed.

Emalynn perks up her head with curiosity. "Yeah, who is this mysterious person?" She probed.

"You'll see. Put on your cloaks. Come, we must be going." He said slyly.

We pulled out our cloaks and put up the hoods. I think Elias is trying to minimize the number of people that will see our faces. I know we have plans for makeovers, but I am not sure when or what could even be done, especially since magic already alters my form. But who knows. Magic is constantly changing and growing with new applications. Maybe, someone will replicate this magic that the ring uses.

We made our way out of the Pine Sky Inn. There are few people wandering about the town while we make our way off the main street toward the farmlands that I saw from the window. Pastures were filled with cows, goats, horses and llamas. Some fields were filled with vegetables and workers. Workers were tending fields where there were colorful barns and large manors. Small houses lay in between properties. This little town was like many others that I visited with my parents.

Elias appears chipper with that extra spring in his step. I would almost say he is skipping down the road. The person we are meeting must be extremely special to him. I can only imagine who the person could be. Elias never talked about family over the years except for Aunt Leah and my mom. Although, he did just finish training his nephew, so he must have a brother or sister out there somewhere.

Emalynn is quietly staring off into the passing pastures and fields. I know she must be worn out from last week. Even though our beast folk bodies help us heal faster, she's been unconscious more than once this week. We only rested for a day at the underground hideaway. I am sure her body is begging for rest. Her arm is still bandaged in the white cloth, and I wonder what we can do to hide it at the gala. I wonder what we are wearing this evening.

A long, winding walk leads us to a beautiful cream colored manor. It looks as big as our guild. There are floor to ceiling windows on each end of the manor and crafted glass that almost looks like stained glass. The roof is a medium brown like the moldings around each window. An arch doorway opens letting us into the spacious home. The entrance is beautiful with marble steps and grand furniture. All the furniture appears elegantly made from solid cherry wood, and everything had accents of pine green. A young maid stood next to the door asking Elias if she should announce our arrival. He gladly nodded to her.

We trailed after the maid through a few hallways before arriving at a library, or maybe a huge study? Elias’s contact seemed to be very wealthy if nothing else. We enter the book filled room to find a desk on the far side of the room. The maid crosses the distance as Emalynn whispers to me. "I bet you would lock yourself in here for days to read all these books."

"Guilty as charged." I grinned at her. She seems to have let the excitement of mystery override her exhaustion. Somewhere along the way I needed to find us a spa and hot spring, so she could truly recover.

"Announcing the arrival of Master Elias and his nieces, Madam Kaya." The maid said to the middle aged woman at the desk.

Madam Kaya nearly jumped from her chair rushing toward Elias. She slammed into him, sending both of them crashing to the floor. Elias hugged her tightly as they both burst into laughter. “You crazy old coot! How dare you stay away as long as you have!” She badgered him playfully.

“How else would you appreciate me, Kaya?” Elias joked back. “You always said that I am an acquired taste, and too much of me would make you sour.”

The two of them climbed to their feet and hugged. Who is this Kaya? She appears to be an elf woman similar to Elias with blond hair and bright eyes. They clearly go way back, but I can’t tell how. Emalynn looks as perplexed as I am about the woman. Actually, Emalynn is looking impatient, which means she’ll explode like a toddler if the mystery isn’t resolved. I am curious how this will play out if Elias doesn’t do something soon. Good luck, Elias.

Madam Kaya turns to us first before Emalynn has a chance to make her move. She glides toward us happily with Elias at her side. “So who are these young ladies, Elias?”

“We are his nieces.” Emalynn cuts in before Elias could speak. “Who are you?”

“Ema-” Elias starts to say, but Madam Kaya holds up her hand to stop him.

“Well dear, I am Madam Kaya, the governess of Pine Row and Elias’s older sister. And, I believe that makes me your aunt as well.”

“But, you look younger than Uncle Elias.” Emalynn said dumbfoundedly. Elias gave her death glare while Madam Kaya seemed flattered by her statement.

I lean into Emalynn and whisper in her fluffy cloak covered ear. “I think it’s time just to listen, Ema.” She shook her head in agreement. Elias tried to apologize for Emalynn’s outspoken behavior. I just snickered at the whole scene under my breath. I have never seen an embarrassed Elias before.

“Madam Kaya, I believe Uncle Elias said you wanted us to attend a gala of some sort. I am sorry to say we are not presentable at all for such an affair.” I decided to play the part of a dear niece to ‘Master Elias’ since that was who I was supposed to be.

Elias glared and gawked at me. Perhaps my proper speech is surprising? I don’t know, but I am eager to get on with the whole affair. At the moment I don’t know what name to go by or how they expect us to attend a high class affair. Emalynn gave me a quick thank you glance. Her flustered emotions seemed to settle finally since Elias is now focused on me.

“I have answers to your questions. Please follow me to the guest room. I should have everything you two need there.” Madam Kaya replied.

With that, we were on our way out of the study, or was it a library? I had no idea. Maybe, Madam Kaya’s staff can help shed some light on a few things. I quieted myself as we walked about the halls. My brain went into auto pilot, so I could focus on listening to the world around me. The first thing I could hear is dishes being clanged and tossed about in what I think is the kitchen. Footsteps echoed everywhere, some heavy and some light. Tables and chairs shifting across a room. Lanterns being lit and some musicians testing their instruments. It is all loud in my head. I can’t hear any voices anywhere. Another deep breath in to drown out the useless noise. Finally, I hear the chuckle of a man ring in my mind.

The man’s voice is low as he talks to a fairer voice, which sounds like the maid from the study. He laughs at her description of Kaya knocking Elias to the floor. She laughs with him and explains her delight that Elias has come for a visit. Elias has not returned to the manor in three years, and Kaya has been sullen since he last left. Even Kaya’s husband hasn’t been able to brighten her spirits. They are excited that Elias has brought his nieces because he never brings guests on his visits. Both the man and the maid seem curious about Elias’s nieces, but it’s mostly excitement in their voices. They believe we will make the gala more fun than the last few that Kaya and her husband have put on.

I let their voices fade from my mind and focus on the people staring at me like I am a chicken rat balancing cheese on my beak. “Is something wrong?” I offer to the captivated audience.

“You mean that didn’t hurt?” Emalynn asks, studying me up and down.

What is she talking about? What hurt? I feel fine. "No? I am not hurt."

"We watched you slam face first into the door." Madam Kaya explained. "You are sitting on the floor dear."

I looked down to find her words to be true. My behind is indeed on the floor and a dull ache in my nose. I must have concentrated too hard listening to the man and the maid. From the look on Elias's face, he knew what I was doing and he wasn't happy about it.

I got to my feet. Emalynn giggled behind me as we rushed through the door that I ran into. Madam Kaya closed the door and observed the area for eavesdroppers. A cricket could have filled the space with a click of its tune. Madam Kaya finished her check of the guest room.

The room reminded me of my room at the guild. The only thing missing is the kitchenette. The room is white with pink accents and floral designs. It appeared very sweet. We all sat at a round table where tea and cookies were waiting for us. Elias laid the garment bags on the couch before joining us at the table.

"I see what you mean, Elias. You have had a full plate for years. You may remove the hoods now girls." Madam Kaya gestured toward us.

We complied with her request. I took a look in the mirror in the corner of the room, and my appearance is rough. Bandages covered my torso, arms and sections of my legs. My normal bouncy curls were flat. Pale complexion and tired eyes stared back at me. I need some serious recovery time, but I am not sure that is even possible.

Madam Kaya pours everyone some tea and slides some papers in front of Emalynn and me. “So, we should get started, girls.” And, without warning Madam Kaya dropped her elf facade revealing her brownish red wolf beast form. Her green eyes sparkled like Elias’, and it became obvious that she was indeed Elias’ sister. She gave us both a gentle fanged smile. “You really need to practice being aware while focusing on your senses, dear. I don’t need you running into anymore doors.”

“Is that why you smashed into the door?” Emalynn gave me such an amused look.

“Yes, that is what I was doing. I was being cautious.” I said, curtly.

“Yep, she definitely learned from you, Elias.” Madam Kaya laughed, and Elias blushed. I guess he can be embarrassed easily when it comes to his sister. “Elias told me about the dark elf problem. I am surprised that one of Alpha Leah’s cousins would want to live outside the valley, but I suppose after the lot you have been dealt, it makes sense.”

I felt that punch to the gut. Emalynn hit my arm and pointed to my elongating claws. An unwanted transformation has already started because of a thoughtless comment.The chill of magic began flowing through my body. I have to act fast, so I don’t shift. Downing my tea, I think of my aunt and uncle in my mind. All the times that I nearly chopped off parts of my uncle and every time my aunt would scare the crap out of me for ‘training’ purposes. Each time Emalynn comes running with an S class job assignment with a fuming Myrra behind her. When Elias drops ice down a guild member’s shirt and blames it on me. The chills stop. A calm warmth washes over me and Emalynn places her hand on my arm to reassure me. I need to be more careful, so people can’t get under my skin.

“Here is the plan. In a few minutes, my friend will come and give you a glamor charm that will alter your appearance to everyone else but you. We aren’t going to go overboard with changes because we need it to be believable.”

Relief washes over me. I may morph into other forms, but I like the way I look. Every scar has a story behind it and every feature is a memory of my parents. I wouldn’t want to lose those parts of me. What changes will be made by this glamor charm?

"Before my friend comes in, let's open up your new travel papers." Madam Kaya suddenly sounds bubbly like Elias when he pranks Guild Master Myrra. "You first, dear." She gestures to an impatient and twitchy Emalynn.

Emalynn quickly looks through her new papers. I can tell she is anxious to find her new name. Leaving her old name behind might be fun for her though. She slows down using her finger to read each word carefully. A smile forms on her face, but her eyes hold a tinge of sadness. Seems like Elias has either picked a meaningful name or it's so ridiculous that she is sad. She turns to me with a bit of pride and introduces herself with her new name. "Hi, I am Emera Myrra Rhys, but you can call me, Ema."

A genuine smile is plastered on my face because Emera was Emalynn’s mother's name and Myrra is who rescued her from life as an orphan. Such a perfect name. I didn't think the old man had it in him to be so sentimental. Emalynn goes back to reading her new identity in her travel papers with pure joy on her face.

My turn to see what name the old man has given me. Will it be as sentimental as Emalynn's name? It has to be a human name… My dart up from staring at my travel papers to find Elias giving me a weary look. Madam Kaya just huffed and encouraged me to read the darn thing. One deep breath and I begin to read the papers. I glance through the pages before my eyes settle on my name. My new name. My mother's namesake.