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Subject: {ASSM} Marie's Solstice 02/14 The Chains of Freedon 2/2 (new)
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Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:10:04 -0400
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Marie's Solstice 02/14 The Chains of Freedon 2/2 (new)
---

Mrs. Ross showed up before we could do more than say hi to our
parents, and she took charge.

She pointed at the dance team.  "You kids are temporary bodyguards. 
Get these folks in the middle, then follow me.  There's a buffet set
up in my room, and faculty members are sealing off the hallways so you
can all relax once you get there."

We were surrounded, then she took point and started tapping people on
their shoulders when she got close enough.  "Move it.  These people
need to take a break, and you're slowing them down."

Most of them took one look at her, and without saying anything, joined
us to break a path through the crowd.  Pretty soon people realized
what was going on and it was like the parting of the Red Sea or
something.  Suddenly there was a huge gap, and Mrs. Ross strode along
it as if she'd expected it to happen, with all of us right behind her.

All our escorts except the dance team got peeled off when we got to
our hallway, and from there it was into the room, or to one of the
bathrooms, then all of us attacked the food before we found places to
settle and talk about what happened.
 
Ted and I grabbed a couple desks and slid them over by the window so
we could see out while we ate.  I really wasn't paying attention to
anything else when Ursula and Kyle, the co-captains of the dance team,
came over and waited until one of us noticed them.

Ted touched my arm.  "We have company."

I refocused, looked, then smiled and held out my hand.  "Hi, guys. 
Thanks for helping out."

Ursula decided to be the spokesman.  "Glad to.  That's never going to
happen again, is it?"

I laughed.  "Be nice, wouldn't it?  I hope not.  I'm going to be
exhausted when it's time to go home."

"All of us!  Hey...  How come you didn't join us?  You and Ted were
fantastic out there.  And Ted?  How come *you* never told anyone you
could dance like that?  Made most of us look like beginners!"

Ted sighed.  "Where I come from, we start as soon as we can walk. 
Then, if we don't like dancing, we call, or play.  Most of the time I
played the music with my dad and his friends.  The reason I never
joined is...  Simple.  We're poor folks.  There's no way we could
afford to have us kids in school, and be able to pay for all the
special clothes and stuff we'd need.  Back home, sure, we had one
special outfit, but most of the time, we'd dance in our regular
clothes.  It was never about how we looked, it was about the
feelings.  The sharing.  I don't know if you guys can understand
that.  Sure, there were friendly competitions, but it was never this
'end of the world if we lose' stuff that you guys do."

Both of them flinched, then she sighed.  "Yeah, it does look like
that, doesn't it?  It is, too, for some of us.  Can't stand losing,
have to be the best.  Most of us aren't real great students, and this
is our way of being somebody.  We're all pretty driven about it, now. 
You guys made us realize we forgot how to have fun.  Well, Mark did
that with his calling.  Caller like that, and we could probably take
at least a state championship.  Be a nice memory before we break up at
the end of the year.  That's why we're here.  We wanted to find out if
you'd loan us Mark and The Scarboroughs.  Most teams use cds, but with
live music...  They made it like we were all one, and that's...  Real
special."

She linked her arm with Kyle's and sighed again.  "We were going to
ask you and Marie if you'd join us, and be our new lead couple.
But..."

They started to turn away and Ted actually reached and grabbed her
arm.  "Hey!  We haven't refused yet.  I was just being honest, ok?"

They turned back and she looked scared.  "You're considering it?"

"Up to Marie.  I know we have stuff to do between now and Solstice. 
After that, I don't know.  Marie's hinted that I can make some real
good money if we go to the mall as a team.  If we do, that means I'd
have the money to pay for stuff.  If we do this, I don't know about
Marie, but I'd be doing it because...  I love doing it, and for a
Bard, it isn't about winning or losing, it's about making sure we all
realize we're a family, no matter who we are.  I'd be doing my best
because I don't know how to do it any other way."

"Was that your best?"

"You think Marie deserves anything less?"

"No.  I see what you mean.  Marie?"

I thought about it real hard.

"Umm...  Lady Chrystal's our Mistress, and since I'm a Journeywoman
now, she made me responsible for Ted, Julie, and Mark."

"Old fashioned, but I understand."

"Yeah.  Guilds and all that stuff.  Anyway, one of the things I have
to do, is my best to see they learn what they need to know, to be
proper apprentices.  Mark hinted that he can't do stuff like dance and
sing, or play an instrument.  Well, if he and Julie are willing, I'd
appreciate it if you take them both.  He can still be a caller, but I
bet he's going to want to learn how to dance, so he can make Julie a
lot happier."

Kyle was first to comment.  "We could make them a backup couple.  Be
nice if he could teach our usual caller to do what he does."

"If he accepts, he'll try.  Bards help when they're asked and they
have the knowledge.  Umm...  If he does call for you, don't be afraid
to shout questions at him in the middle of a dance.  That sort of
stuff is normal for a Bard, and he needs to learn how to work his
answer into what he's doing at the time."

"That's weird."

"For us, yes.   On Rabelaisia, it's normal."

"So you're saying that if you and Ted were singing or dancing, we
could suddenly ask you *anything*?"

"Pretty much so.  We might give our answer as the next song we choose,
but we'd answer."

"That's...  Going to take some time to get used to.  So...  What about
your parents?"

"Ask them, not me."

"Got it."

"Umm...   Do you think you and Ted could figure out how to square
dance together when you're a horse?"

I stared at them.  "Are you serious?!"

"Hey...  The Lippizaner Stallions dance.  Isn't it about time a mare
did?  Real dancing?  Not that trained stuff?"

"Umm...  I'll think about that.  Ok, since Ted's obviously dying to do
this crazy stuff, I'm in too.  Until he can afford to pay for his own
stuff, I'll cover it all, like I'm his wife, and the one providing the
income for us while he's going to school, or something like that. 
Then we'll talk things over and decide if we want to keep doing it
that way or he wants to go back to being more..."  I grinned at him 
"Traditional in the way we live.  Maybe by then I'll have him thinking
like a Rabelaisian, instead of a human."

I thought some more, then sighed.  "I think I can get permission for
all of us to rearrange our classes next semester so we can join you. 
I also need to check with Vix, to make sure I'm not screwing with her
plans...  Oh!"

Ursula looked wary.  "What was that all about?"

I ignored her.  "Apprentice Theodore.  In your opinion, do you think
the dance team is a real family, who would stay together, if they had
a way to do so?"

"Now?  I thought...  You know."

"A passive check, using the skills you already have."

"Oh."

He leaned back and closed his eyes for a few minutes, then opened them
again.  "They're pretty close to it, now.  I'd say the connections are
stronger than what is typical for a clan, where I'm from.  They're
pretty tight with each other, anyway."

"Thank you."

I studied Ursula and Kyle, then smiled real...  Hungry like.  "I bet
you guys don't want to break up, but because you can't find a way to
stay together, except maybe to get together once a month or so, it's
been eating you up inside."

"How'd you know?!"

"I'm a Bard.  Means I'm supposed to."

"Umm...  Oh."

"I can't promise anything, but I think I can get you a chance to do at
least one sponsored tour, after graduation.  All expenses paid.  That
much I *can* promise, if it happens.  Want the chance?"

"Yes!"

I raised my voice.  "Mrs. Ross!  Got a minute?"

"Be right there!"

She came over, looked at the four of us, then looked at me again. 
"Marie, if you had fur and ears, I might start thinking you're Lady
Chrystal's daughter, and worse than she is."

"Umm...  Thanks, I think.  Next time you talk to her, could you ask
her how possible it would be for you to chaperone our dance team while
they tour Rabelaisia, and show those kids how *we* do things, 'Country
Style'?"

She ignored the gasps next to her and smiled at me.  "I see even Human
Bards have a habit of seeing solutions, when the rest of us see
problems.  I will suggest, strongly, that this would be a 'good
thing', for both our worlds.  Will that be enough?"

"Yes, Ma'am.  Thank you."

She nodded, then sighed and raised her voice.  "Time, people.  Make
sure you're cleaned up and if you need to go, go now.  Ten minutes,
then we leave."

We got ready, formed up after she looked us over, then she nodded and
reached for  the door...

And I think most of us flinched when there were a lot of flashes of
light.

She froze, then, barely above a whisper, said 'Oh.  My.' and closed
the door before she faced us.  "I think there's been a change in
plans."

She was looking at me and Ted when she said it, and I knew what she
meant.  "Bad?"

Her smile got real twisted.  "Not if you want to be world famous."

I sighed.  "Ok.  I am, already, so I guess it's up to me, mostly?"

"May I make a suggestion?"

"Yes.  I'll take any I can get."

"You change, then after you get out the door, you stop and Ted gets
back on.  Julie takes your reins while the rest of your folks position
themselves around you.  Mark can walk next to Julie."

I nodded.  "The dance team?"

"They treat you like a moving float in a parade.  Mark, of course,
will do the calling.  Oh, Ted can play or not.  Up to him.  I want you
to keep your mouth shut.  Let's give everyone else their chance in the
spotlights.  I'll be the faculty advisor, and walk off to the side,
out of the way."

I nodded and looked around.  "I'm ok with it.  What about you folks?"

Ted's dad looked at me, and I could see how scared he was, so I tried
to reassure him.  "Everyone's going to be focused on us kids, mostly. 
Once we get out there, we'll figure out which side will be more or
less obscured, and you folks can use it while my mom and dad stay
visible.  You folks are just our parents, and doing your bit to be... 
Neighborly.  Will that work?

"Umm...  One more thing.  For what it's worth, I know how this stuff
works.  There are going to be agents out there, and they're going to
make what you think are ridiculous offers, to get you folks to do some
gigs.  Laugh at them.  Loudly.  Whatever they offer, it will be too
low.  Think name entertainers.  Big names, because right now, that's
the kind of draw we have.  The four of us can't take advantage of
that, but you folks can.  Umm...  Do this.  Tell them to talk to Lady
Chrystal about booking us, or you."

He froze, stared at me, then looked real awed.  "Are you saying we
should let the Senior Ambassador be our booking agent?"

"Yes.  That's my advice.  She has that big plan of hers, so I have to
make sure I don't mess it up.  That means I have to pass everything to
her.  I think it would be best, if you do the same."

He looked at his violin, put it to his shoulder and played a few
notes, then raised his head and studied the rest of us.  "When I was a
boy, then a young man, I had a dream.  I wanted to be the best fiddle
player in the world, and I'd never have to worry about money, ever
again.  I'm older now, and I hope, wiser.  But the dream has always
been there.  I know I'm not the best in the world, and never will be. 
But..."

I studied him and finally nodded.  "Change in plans.  Ted's dad will
be the first one through the door.  He's going to go out there, and
play something lively, to give us a chance to get into our positions. 
Mark, you go with him, and while he's playing, you're going to do your
caller thing, and introduce us as we come through the door."

"Thank you, Marie."

"You're welcome.  Mark?"

He looked around, as if he wanted to bolt, and Julie whispered
something in his ear.  He suddenly straightened, and nodded.  "We're
late.  Let's get moving."

I changed, Julie grabbed my reins while Ted got beside me, then I
turned to face the door. 

"Mrs. Ross can open the door...  And...  Go!"

After we were all sorted out, Ted's dad finished with a flourish and
lowered his violin to his side.

Dad had been waiting at my side, and he touched my neck lightly. 
"Don't move yet.  You'll know when."

"Dad?  What are you?...  Doing?"

He'd walked over to stand in front of Ted's dad.  He nodded his head,
then grinned and asked a musical question with his guitar.

Ted reacted before I did and spoke in an agonized whisper.  "He's
nuts!  Dad *can't* refuse that sort of a challenge..."

Sure enough, the violin came back up, and the musical response was... 
Derisive, as if my dad wasn't worthy of the effort.

Now it was my turn.  "Oh, gods...  Can we go hide somewhere?  I can't
believe those two are that crazy!"

It was too late.  They both turned, started walking, and the time for
hesitation was over.  Mark looked at them and his disbelief was
obvious, like he wasn't sure he was seeing what was going on, then he
stepped to one side and waved his hand grandly, giving them the
spotlights, before he moved to walk next to Julie as we went past him.

And *that* was how we made our grand re-entrance, to the sounds of
'Dueling Banjos', done by acoustic guitar, and fiddle.

I halfway expected Lady Chrystal to be waiting for us, but she wasn't,
and with all the media attention, I wasn't sure if I should be upset,
or relieved.

All I could do was remind myself that I was, after all, a Bard, and
I'd been through this before, so I shouldn't let it distract me from
what my real purpose was.

Naturally, once we got to the stage, we had the media all over us, and
things were getting out of hand.

I got disgusted, gathered some power, and when the next microphone was
stuck under my nose I spoke clearly as I released the gathered power. 
"You will ALL, be silent, NOW!"

It took a few seconds for the reporters to realize they were moving
their mouths but nothing was coming out, but eventually they  figured
it out and stared at me.

"Do I have your attention?  Good!  We are here, to keep a promise *I*
made to these people, for all of us.  You will wait somewhere in the
gym, out of our way and quietly, or you will wait outside, until *we*
are done here, and willing to talk with you.  Have I made myself
clear, or should I give you another demonstration of what it means, to
be a Bard?"

I pointed my nose at the man in front of me.  "Well?  Will you speak
for yourself and your companions?"

"May we...  Interview audience members while we wait?"

"Human interest?"

"Yes."

"Perhaps it would be wiser, if you put away your microphones and
recorders, to become part of the audience, so you may...  Become part
of the experience, instead of looking on from the outside.  Let the
cameras capture *your* reactions, for a change.  Would *that* be
enough human interest for your viewers, or do you fear what might
happen if you are revealed to be...  Human?"

He looked at us, then his colleagues, then at the audience, who was
totally focused on our confrontation.  He shuddered visibly, then
faced me again.  "Where can we put things, so they are out of your
way?"

"A compromise.  Find places in the audience, and let the people around
you use your equipment, to interview *you*, for a change."

"Agreed."

I lifted my head slightly.  "Make some room for our guests.  If they
start to cause problems, be gentle, but firm, ok?"

There was some laughter, but no disagreement, so I looked around. 
"Good to see you here, fellow members of Clan Human.  Make yourselves
at home, won't you?"

I looked at Ted.  "Help them along.  Something friendly and
welcoming."

He smiled.  "I know just the thing."

He turned slightly.  "Julie.  Let's do that Statue of Liberty thing we
wrote."

She stepped forward.  "You wrote the music.  The lyrics were written a
long time ago."

He nodded, then looked past her.  "Dad?  Mom?  Wouldn't be right,
without you helping.  I wrote it for all of us."

His dad finally nodded.  "That you did, son.  That you did."

They stepped up to flank us, then Julie seemed to come out of a trance
of some sort, and turned to look at Mark.  "C'mere and hug me from
behind.  Not too tight, I need to be able to sing."

He looked at his hands, then smiled.  "One arm be ok?  You can use my
microphone."

"Quit talking and let's do it."

All of them looked at each other, then Ted did a short musical intro
before his dad joined in, followed by his sister's and mother's voices
as they sang the words written on the pedestal of the Statue of
Liberty:
 
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land; 
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand 
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame 
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name 
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand 
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command 
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. 
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she 
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, 
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, 
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. 
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, 
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

('The New Colossus' - by Emma Lazarus)
---

We waited, and finally the reporter I had confronted stood, and
started clapping his hands together in a measured cadence.  Pretty
soon the whole audience joined in, and when I turned away from the
audience, I spoke softly.  "You get to take the bows, folks."

They did, and after the applause died a little, I spoke to Ted in my
mind:  {{Watch this.  It's a game we play, so relax.}}

{{What are you up to, now?}}

{{About halfway up and fifteen feet from the left end of the
bleachers.   See the redhead waving her arms?  Recognize her?}}

{{Oh.  Yeah.  Your sister Libby, right?}}

{{Yes.}}

I shook my mane, then spoke.  "Ok, folks, the request line is open. 
To start things off, somebody hand that bouncing redhead a microphone
before she has a heart attack."

One was passed up and she stayed standing after everyone else sat
down.

I saw a fleeting grin, then she lifted the mic to her lips and spoke
scathingly.

"You're selfish, Marie!  Ever since Ted showed up and spent the night,
it's like the rest of us don't exist!  Well, I have a request for
you!  Share!"

I laughed.  "Took you long enough to get jealous, Little Sister.  Must
be learning some patience!"

"Patience?!  Hah!  The only reason you know the word is because it's
in the dictionary!"

I laughed again.  "Calmly, Little Sister, calmly...  I guess you want
to get out in the spotlights so you can get sunburned and your
boyfriend can rub your back?"

"Nunya!"

I sighed.  "Very well...   See as I do, and gain whatever
understanding it may bring to you."

She handed the mic sideways.  "Hold this for me."

Suddenly there was a Golden Retriever with a medallion on her
forehead, sitting on her haunches where Libby had been standing, and
she sneezed her disgust before she launched herself in a graceful arc
over everyone's heads.

After she landed, she stared at me while she walked over to confront
me

She sneezed again, then spoke as disgustedly as she'd sneezed.  "What
I gotta do, huh?  Roll over and beg?"

She rolled to her back and waved both front feet at me before she
rolled back and sat on her haunches.

"I can sing, too, you know!"

She tilted her head back and howled briefly.

The crowd came out of it's stunned silence and started laughing.

She glanced over her shoulder, then stood on her hind legs and strode
around me before she looked at Ted and danced a brief jig.

"I can dance, too, and *I* don't have to change forms to do it, so
there!"

Then the crowd gasped when she reached with one of her legs and spoke
softly, and seriously.  "Hey, Ted.  Wanna square dance with me?"

He studied her, then smiled.  "Trying to steal me away from Marie?"

"Nahh...  It's nothing like that.  I  need your help to convince Terry
that *real* dancing isn't for sissies."

"Oh?  Tell you what.  That sounds like a request, to me."

He got down and touched her paw lightly.  "A Bard helps when he is
asked to, and he has the knowledge."

I laughed again.  "Presenting my future husband, Taciturn Ted, and my
sister, Lazy Libby, doing...  Whatever they feel like doing, center
stage!  Take it away, Mark!"

They did their dance, and when it was over and Ted bent down to kiss
her, she gave him a real sloppy doggy lick that made everyone laugh.

She ignored it all, and came over to gently nip one of my hind legs. 
"Giddie up, you old mare.  All you're good for is running in circles
while *real* performers do all the hard work!"

I kicked my heels, barely missing her head, then I started running in
as big a circle as the gym would allow.  She watched, sneezed at me,
and then came over and started weaving in and out my legs while I ran.

After a couple circles, she jumped up to sit on the saddle, then, once
she had her balance, she stood on her hind legs for a final pass.

She settled again and spoke commandingly.  "Whoa!"

A few people in the crowd screamed when I bucked her off, then I
slowed to a halt and gazed at her innocently while she hung in the air
above my head.  "I've seen you higher."

She perked her ears at me.  "Better than being a lower life form, like
you."

I shook my mane, then jumped and hovered in front of her before I
grabbed her by the neck and shook her briefly.

"Hey!  I didn't know you could do *that*!"

"Been saving it for when you got too uppity, Little Sister.  You done
with my man?"

"Let go."

I did and resettled.  She lowered herself, changed back to her human
body, then head hugged me.  "Yeah. I'm done.  You two deserve each
other and I know it.  Thanks, huh?"

She casually waved at the crowd and shouted.  "Love ya all, but
especially Terry!"

Then she went back and sat down.

One of the women reporters forgot her promise and started to follow
LIbby, but she got grabbed and firmly planted again by the people
around her.

I ignored it, and after that, it was a pretty normal assembly until it
was time for people to go home.

Mr. Albright thanked everyone for being there, and he hoped we'd
enjoyed ourselves, then he announced it was time for everyone to
leave.

Nobody moved.

He finally realized people weren't doing anything, looked at them,
then at me, and sighed.  "It's up to Marie and her people, folks."

Then he gestured me over.  "They're all yours."

I bobbed my head, then looked around and sighed.  "Look, folks.  I'd
love to do more. ok?  But...  I'm worn out and I need some food, and a
nap for at least a few hours.  Plus, I did promise those reporters a
chance to talk to us."

There were some groans, and I changed to myself and spoke softly after
I checked the time.  "It's Friday, so I'll make you a deal.  Let's all
go home and take a long break, and while we're doing that, if someone
will make the arrangements, I, Ted, Julie, and Mark can all meet you
at the park at about eight or so, and we'll do an evening show for
you, that can last until dawn, if it has to, so the folks at the game
can see us, too."

Someone shouted "What about the rest of you?"

I laughed.  "We may be Bards, but they're our parents.  Up to them, if
they want to be there."

Then I smiled.  "Umm...  You know, my little sister can do most of the
stuff I can.  Maybe, if you ask her real nicely, she'll agree to keep
those of you who show up early, occupied while you wait for the rest
of us.  BBQ chicken pizza usually works when she's wavering."

"Marie!  You wouldn't!"

"Just did.  You know how it works."

"I'm not a real Bard, like you are!"

I grinned.  "Didn't I recently hear someone call herself 'A *real*
performer', after she nipped me?  You don't have to be a Bard, to
entertain people.  I'll keep the link open."

"You set me up!"

"Did it to yourself!"

"Oh.  I did, didn't I?  I never should have shifted like that, but I
couldn't let you have all the fun."

"Gotcha good, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but I'll find a way to score on ya, someday."

She looked at the boy next to her.  "Umm...  You want to come home
with me and spend a couple hours helping me try to figure out
something we can do at the park, instead of what we had planned?"

He looked around and must have realized he was probably going to get
mobbed if he said no, so he sighed.  "I'll make a deal with you. 
Let's spend those couple hours at the Green Onion, by ourselves. 
After that, when this...  Giant party is over, I want the rest of the
weekend, with you, someplace where we can be...  Just us.  Umm...  I
gotta say this before I lose my nerve.  You're beautiful as a dog,
Libby.  Can we go get a brush or something so I can really get your
fur right before you perform again?"

She stared at him.  "You're *really* ok, about me being a bitch
sometimes?"

"Yeah.  Do you like to play Frisbee?  Always wanted a dog, but we
can't have them where we live."

"Deal.  Somebody get me a microphone."

One was handed to her, and she looked at me first.  "Go ahead and
smirk, Big Sister.  You always told me I'd get in over my head, but
least I'm a dog sometimes, so I can dig my way out!"

Then she stood up and looked around.  "Ok, guys.  I'll get there when
I get there, and when I do, me and Terry are going to show you how to
really party, while we wait for my sister to show up and kill the
atmosphere with her Bard stuff.  Do we have a deal!"

Most of the crowd shouted back.  "Deal!"

"Good!  Let's be good boys and girls, and get out of here so the
janitors can clean up the mess before we do it again!"

Then she shouted.  "Hey!  Wait!  We got an army here...  I bet we
could clean this place up in like...  Minutes.  Let's give the
janitors a break and...  Do it!  Marie, you get your people and the
reporters outside for some fresh air, then we'll deal with this stuff
before we go home.  Deal?"

I was laughing..  "Score, Little Sister!  Deal!  Come on you guys.
Somebody take pictures so she can't deny what she just did!  She
offered to clean up, without being asked!"

"ARRRGGGHHHH!!!  Score, you...  Go!"

The crowd roared its amusement, and then I looked around.  "Come on,
folks.  Let's go be big name entertainers and talk to the nice
reporters."

On the way out I had time to check with everyone about letting Lady
Chrystal be our booking agent.  They all agreed it would be a good
idea, so once we found a place with enough tables and chairs we could
sit down, and be surrounded, I held up a hand to stop the questions
that were bombarding us.  "I have something to say before we do the
question and answer stuff.  We've decided to ask Lady Chrystal to be
our booking agent.  That will include things like life stories, what's
it's like to live with us documentaries, special interviews, and stuff
like that.  I'm ok with having a team follow me around to film my
private life, but I can't give you a definite yes until we all have
time to talk things over."

Ted touched my arm.  "Can I say something?"

"Sure."

"No matter what we do, school comes first, for all of us.  I'd like to
just be myself after we do whatever this Winter Solstice thing is that
Lady Chrystal has planned.  That means I think you guys should check
with the school, and the other students, before you invade and disrupt
things, ok?"

He leaned over to hug me.  "But...  Yeah.  Paparazzi, kids with cell
phones...  All that stuff...  Be stupid to lock you guys out, so I'm
ok with the invasion of privacy, as long as somebody pays us some
decent money.  And that...  Yeah...  If Marie's willing, I say let's
make that 24/7 coverage.  Period.  No restrictions.  That way we can
forget about the hidden cam folks doing shit and taking it out of
context.  Besides..."

He kissed me then looked around.  "Marie and I are both Bards.  We're
*supposed* to be accessible all the time.  Right, Marie?"

I gulped.  "Well...  On Rabelaisia, people aren't as disrespectful of
people's privacy.  If we wanted some private time, we could ask for
it, and get it without worrying about someone invading it somehow."

"I know.  We're on Earth. so we need to adapt.  Just because I'm from
the country, doesn't mean I don't know how the real world out here
works.  Hey!  speaking of real world.  I just realized something
important."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

He made a ball of light, then offered it to me.  "Best I can do right
now.  Will you take this token of my love, and agree to be my wife?"

I knew I was blushing when I held out my hand.  "Thank you.  Of course
I'll marry you, Theodore.  By Rabelaisian custom, we've been married
ever since we realized we were life mates."  I lifted my necklace and
rearranged it so my medallion was exposed.  "Part of earning this, was
accepting dual citizenship.  We can do something more formal if you
want to, but...  We don't need to, because Earth recognizes all the
Rabelaisian stuff as legally acceptable here.  Sorry.  I sort of
assumed you'd remember that, from our studies."

He looked down and sighed.  "We just moved here a couple years ago,
remember?  I...  Never studied that stuff.  I've only read a little of
it on the net, and picked some of it up from other people when they
talk about it."

"Oops.  Things have been...  Busy.   We can fix that when we get home,
wherever that is, now."

"Your place, until we graduate, ok?"

"Sure.  No problem."

I looked at the ball of energy, then shaped it into a shimmering
bracelet before I looked at him again.  "When I get a chance,
I'll..."  I suddenly realized I was headed somewhere I wasn't supposed
to go.  "Get it replaced with one that's solid."

Before anyone else could say something, I turned back to the cameras
and microphones.  "Ok.  Q and A."

I flinched when a female voice I knew too well spoke above all the
others that were clamoring for our attention.  "I have one."

She stepped out of the crowd and handed us each a small pamphlet that
had a mini-cd in it.  "Will each of you look these over for mistakes
in the part about yourselves and let me know if you're ok with what's
written?  It's all public information.  Names, birthdays, that sort of
stuff."

I looked at the one I held, and laughed when I realized the front
picture was of us when we'd done the Statue of Liberty thing.  When I
looked up I tried to look sober, and sort of managed it.  "I suppose
the cd is a copy of the original?"

"Directly from the broadcast we were watching."

"The rest of it, already?"

"I have a very efficient staff."

"I bet...  You bloody Vixen!"

Then I stood and hugged her.  "Thanks.  Your word as Bard, that what
you wrote about us was checked and is as true as you know it to be?"

"My word as a Bard, that the facts presented were thoroughly checked
and verified.  The personal comments, are verbatim, and added with
permission, of course."

"Good enough for me, Mistress."

I looked around, then grinned.  "We need some pens, so we can sign
them and give them away, right?  Might as well let these people start
making money off our hard work."

I faced Vix.  "You have enough with you?"

"I can get as many delivered to us as we'll need, if we run out."

I stared at her suddenly relaxed posture.  "You've got something
planned.  I can tell."

She reached into the air and when her paw reappeared she was holding
some more pamphlets, but they were different than the ones she'd
handed us.

Her head lifted to study the kids behind us, then she smiled.  "Kyle? 
Ursula?  You need to look these over before we make the final versions
and send them to Rabelaisia--to announce your upcoming tour."

I could feel the focus shift when the reporters mobbed the dance team
after they realized what was being announced.

After people finished rearranging themselves, and Kyle and Ursula were
doing most of the talking, I looked at Vix and waited for her to
notice me.

When her ears focused on me, I shook my head and grinned at her
briefly, before I sobered.  "Thank you, for all of us, Mistress.  We
were on a runaway train, and nothing we could have done would have
slowed it down before it crashed."

She nodded.  "It is an inevitable consequence of your culture, Marie. 
Hopefully, when it happens again, we will have an equally effective
diversion available."

"I think you already have a few waiting."

"Astute of you."

"Thanks.  Could you find it within your skills, to create a zone of
silence or something, so you and I may converse as Mistress and
Journeywoman?  I have things to say that should not be heard by
others, yet."

"Done.  Say what you wish to say."

"Thank you, Vix.  Mrs. Ross has no need of Rabelaisian teaching
certificates, unless she will have to teach someone who would benefit
from that form of teaching, on Earth.  If she were needed on
Rabelaisia, you would send her as a normal teacher, so your people
would be able to see how our system works.  My question is simple. Is
Winter Solstice when you will be making the announcement that my
school will be getting a large group of new students next semester, or
next school year, at the latest?"

"Yes, my spiritual daughter, I will be making such an announcement at
that time.  Please tell no one of what you know."

"I will not, Mistress..."

I froze.  Then, I spoke slowly and carefully.  "Umm...  'Spiritual
daughter'?  That's...  A rare gift, when given by a Bardic Master."

She gestured at the chaos that surrounded us.  "An earned gift, in
this case.  Well done, Journeywoman."

"Ahh...  Yeah.  Thanks.  Score, and all that stuff.  I think...  Yes. 
It's time for me to work on a new form I can use when people get bored
with seeing me as a mare.  A Rabelaisian Vixen.  Green and brown fur
with fluorescent purple spots, should work."

She stared at me in obvious surprise and shock before she quickly
recovered and nodded.  "Yes.  I think that would be...  A very
effective way to get their attention."

"Thank you for your approval, Mistress, I value your praise, highly."

"Spiritual daughter, indeed."

We finally laughed with each other, and she hugged me tightly.  "Now,
return to the reality that is, Marie, not the one you have invented."

I sighed. "Yeah.  Thanks for confirming my suspicions."

"You're welcome, and watch what you say.  The zone is no longer in
place."

The media was still bugging the dance team, and I was getting
disgusted again, when I realized I had a better solution, than forcing
silence on these human blue jays, or doing something equally
spectacular.

"Looks like they're done with us.  Let's go home.  Come on, Ted.  I
need the walk, to relax."

"Pushy."

"Yeah.  I know.  Comes with the let down, sometimes.  I'll try to do
better, but right now, I'm exhausted and cranky.  I need my nap."

He laughed and casually walked over to grab my hand, then he tugged
gently.  "Sooner we get home, sooner I can baby you, right?  Isn't
that one of the perks the name star gets when it's all over?"

Then he turned slightly.  "See you folks at home, or at the park. 
We're outta here."

Everyone laughed, then they quietly started heading for their cars, or
in Mark and Julie's case, they let us get a lead on them, before they
followed us.

One of the women reporters caught up with us just before we got off
campus.

"What about those interviews?"

I shrugged.  "You folks had your chance.  Looked like you were done
with us.  I told you, once, things with you would happen at our
convenience, not yours."

"What about that accessibility stuff?"

I stopped and turned to face her.  "You know something?  That's  real
good point.  Well, I'm going to give you a free clue, this time.  We
*were* accessible, and you people had your chance to use it. Since
you, as a group, have the attention span of a gnat, you wasted it. 
That accessibility is for people who desire our help, and it's not
there so people like you can interfere with our lives, to make rating
points.  Next time, you can all take numbers, and you can start
learning basic courtesy, or I will ask the Ambassador to supply a
Rabelaisian pr crew that will do all the work you folks *could* have
been doing.  I'm sure they will be happy to make their work available,
for a price."

I grinned.  "Bottom line?  You need me, I don't need you.  Get used to
working with me, or you will surely have to learn to work without me."

I curtsied.  "Now, I have a life I wish to return to briefly, before I
go back out there, and deal with the people who deserve my efforts on
their behalf."

I turned away and started walking again, and we both ignored her
further efforts to get reactions out of us.

Ted touched my arm about a block later.  "Did I hear you call one of
the biggest names in reporting, a parasite?"

I glanced over my shoulder.  "She's got a shotgun mic on us."

"So?  Expected that."

"True.  Yes, I did.  She needed to hear it.  I guess her ego took
over.  She used to be more of a symbiont, and was a genuine stand in
for the people who couldn't be there in person."

"Aren't we a bit young, to judge people like her?"

"Remember what I told you?  Bards are trained to be judges.  On
Rabelaisia, they must be executioners, if the situation calls for
that."

"And I'll have to be the same way, someday."

"Yep.  Pretty heavy responsibility, Ted.  I've had a few years to get
used to it.  I imagine she and others are going to have a field day,
telling folks about my huge ego.  I'm not happy about that, but since
I also believe in personal responsibility, I'm not going to try and
force her to change her mind.  Instead, I'm going to go to the park,
later, and let my actions speak for me, just as she is letting hers,
speak for her."

I looked over my shoulder and smiled politely.  "Then we'll see who
sleeps better."

Ted laughed.

After a short distance of shared silence, he took out his mouth organ
and studied it.  "Hey, Marie."

"What?"

"Happy anniversary."

"Huh?"

"Twenty four hours ago, we were both nobodies.  Well, you were famous,
but nobody knew it was you, like having a secret identity and your
secret identity was just an average person."

I touched his arm.  "I get it.  Happy anniversary.  Let's celebrate. 
'We've Only Just Begun', and I'll personalize it a little, just for
us.  We'll worry about paying the royalties, later.  All part of being
a Bard on Earth, instead of on Rabelaisia.  Besides...  I don't think
that's going to be a problem for long.  I've never signed any
contracts, so we can get a web site and give our stuff away if we want
to.  Bet if we ask for it, we'd wind up with more original work than
we could sing nonstop, for the rest of our lives."

He nodded.  "Word of mouth, just like the old traveling entertainers
on Earth used to do.  Things were meant to be shared and nobody cared
about making money, because there was enough to go around, if you
shared, instead of hoarding.  Like where I'm from.  If somebody wrote
something, and others liked it, they sang it, and you were proud to
know you'd done something that touched people, and you wanted even
more, to do it again, so you tried to do even better, next time."

"Yep.  I told you that you understood about being a Bard, better than
you thought you did.  You just had to realize it.  Same for Mark, and
Julie.  They've found their solutions, right?"

He studied me, then shook his head.  "I should have guessed.  You've
been teaching us all along, haven't you?"

"I'm a Bard.  I'm the real thing, not a movie imitation, or a wiki
entry somewhere.  I teach, every second I'm awake, and the ripples
from that continue when I'm sleeping, so, effectively, I teach twenty
four hours a day, seven days a week.  All you had to do, was agree to
be my student, and hear what I was saying."

He thought about it, then nodded.  "Total immersion."

"Yes.  You going to play, or talk?  Up to you."

He laughed while he stretched.  "Play.  You ready to sing?"

"Always.  How do you want to do this?  Next to me, or on my back?"

"On your back, of course.  I can do a better job of playing."

I stopped and shifted, then he got on, leaned forward to touch my
neck, and spoke so softly I needed the sensitivity of my mare's ears
to hear him.  "With pride, Marie.  Like we can beat the world by
ourselves."

Then he settled in the saddle and started playing after I arched my
neck and began high stepping the rest of the way home.  When the
melody came my way, I seized it, and made the song our anthem.

I don't think anyone but I, noticed when Mark and Julie casually waved
at us before they lagged back and headed to his house.

I twitched an ear at them,  Julie giggled inaudibly, then I refocused
on my singing.

Just before we entered my yard, I turned so we could face the
cameras.  "Anyone have us live and unedited?"

Astonishingly, it was one of our school field teams that was providing
live coverage that several networks were rebroadcasting.

I laughed when I found out.  "I hope you guys are getting something
for that."

They grinned without saying anything, and I nodded back.  "Ok.  I'll
keep it simple, folks.  You know who we are, by now, and have an idea
of what we can do.

"We're committed for Winter Solstice, but after that, we'll be on
vacation until after the first of the year.

"Here's the deal.  I want students at any grade level, to submit
scripts for complete shows, with all original work, on Christmas and
New Year's.  Send them to the Rabelaisian Embassy, attention: Lady
Chrystal.  She'll pick one for each day, then send them to us so we
have a chance to look them over.  After that, we'll come to the
winning schools, and do a live performance for you, at our expense."

Ted touched my neck to get my attention.

"You have something to say, Ted?"

"Yes.  The dance team is going to need material for their tour.  I
think they should take the top three entries for each day with them,
along with the people who wrote them, to Rabelaisia, when they go.

"That's the prize we will give to the winners with the top entries.  A
trip for them and their families, so they can see for themselves, the
culture that produced Rabelaisian Bards, Lady Chrystal...  And,
ultimately, the four of us and...  Your 'Little Sister'.  Maybe she
could go with them.  They're probably going to need a...  Guard dog of
some sort."

"Hey!  Did I say I wanted to go there?"

I laughed.  "Not yet, today.  What's wrong?  Waiting for me to do it
first, so you know it's safe?"

"Oh.  Wow!  That's going to be the ultimate score on ya, isn't it?... 
I'll tell you all about it after we get back!"

I giggled.  "Yeah, but I scored first!"

"So?  Hey..."  

She looked around and spotted our brothers.  "I'm going to need some
backup that's used to working with me, and Mrs. Ross will be there so
we can keep up with our school stuff.  If mom and dad are ok with it,
you guys want to help me tonight, then...  On Rabelaisia?  Just
remember, we gotta be good enough that when Sis shows up there,
they're gonna be *real* disappointed with her!"

Sam looked at her, and if scorn could kill, Libby would have been
ashes on the spot.

"Come on, Lib.  It's fun, doing this pretend rivalry stuff, but let's
admit it.  Marie's special.  There's never going to be someone like
her, ever again.  I'm in, but all I can do is my best, and we all know
that next to Marie, we're pretty ordinary, no matter how special we
are otherwise.  Like dad keeps telling us, we gotta quit comparing
ourselves to other people, and just be who we are."

She looked at me, and I bobbed my head.  "You'd have been one of the
best, Little Sister.  Still can be, you know, once you decide to be
the best *you*, instead of me."

Her eyes went wide.  "One of the best, from you?  But..."

"In case you've forgotten, there have been Bards who renounced their
power, and were still Bards.  Power is a tool traditional Rabelaisian
Bards are gifted with.  Perhaps...  You're destined to be the first
Bard who marries the skills of a Rabelaisian Bard, with Earth's
technology, until you find a life mate who can trigger the power
within you, as Tom did for Mahika."

She straightened, and nodded her head.  "Someday, Big Sister, I'm
going to remember that Bards not only teach all the time, they are
students all the time, too."

"At least you've finally learned patience!"

"I...  What?!  Oh!  Get your head down here so I can hug you!"

I did, then she pushed away and looked around.  "Ok, folks.  Tear
jerker stuff is over, for now."

She gestured at the school crew.  "I bet Marie's going to claim these
guys so they can cover our private lives, and I'm ok with that, but
Terry gets to set the limits when we're involved, ok?"

Then she sighed and looked at Terry.  "I'm with ya, if you want me
there, until you meet the right one, ok?"

I turned my head to look at Ted, and he nodded.  "Hey, Terry.  Julie's
a real matchmaker.  So's my mom.  Julie's a Bard, and if you ask her
to, she'll do her best to find that special girl for you.  I bet
tonight would be a great time for that stuff, ya know?"

He finally nodded and looked at Libby.  "If it happens, you be ok with
it?  I thought...  We'd have longer together."

She shifted and looked up at him.  "Hi.  I'm Helga and I need a long
term partner for my act.  You interested in being my human?"

"Oh!  You mean...  All the fame and responsibility and stuff, too?"

"Part of the package, along with the affection and sloppy kisses... 
And the trip to Rabelaisia."

"Frisbees?"

"That and balls and sticks and whatever ever else we can work into
routines, together."

"Deal!"

She stood up and planted her feet on his stomach.  "Get down here so I
can seal it with a kiss!"

Several people gasped when her tongue came out and gently touched his
cheek.  "There.  Serious stuff, so a serious kiss, ok?"

"Umm..."  He lifted his hand and touched where she'd kissed him. 
"Yeah.  Well...  Never mind.  You ready to go get dinner?"

She shifted back and grabbed his hand.  "I will be, after you wash my
back and I grab my bag of toys and stuff."

She winked at me.  "Give us at least a half hour, before you use the
bathroom, ok?"

"No problem.  Ted's going to have to remove my saddle and wipe me down
and stuff, anyway."

"Yeah.  Forgot about that.  At least I don't have to help, this time,
right?"

"No.  I imagine that if his arm gets tired, I can find plenty of folks
willing to do a little honest work, for a chance to talk to me."

"Point.  See ya at the park."

They went in the house, and I sighed.  "Dad?  The garage door?"

"Sure, Hon."

It rolled up, and I felt like I was staggering when I moved under the
still hanging hoist cable.   Ted and dad put the cover on, hooked up
the lifting harness and then unbuckled everything after they had most
of the weight off my back.

Dad spoke gently.  "I'll deal with the rest.  You start wiping her
down.  Everything is in the cabinet."

Ted touched my neck.  "As quickly as I can, Marie.  I can tell you
aren't going to last much longer."

"Thanks, Ted.  What about you?"

"That ride home helped a lot.  I'll last long enough."

"Thanks...  Cowboy.  You're one in...  Whatever the current population
total is for two worlds."

He was digging in the cabinet so his laugh was muffled.  When he had
his head out he turned and help up a towel and my curry comb.  "And
you're the other one.  Let me get you taken care of."

"Yeah.  If I was on two legs right now, I wouldn't be on them."

He and dad got me taken care of, then I shifted and Ted grabbed for me
before I collapsed.  We looked at each other, and I sighed.  "Carry
me?"

"As long as you agree not to shift on me."

"Deal.  Oh."  I raised my head and found our crew.  "Follow us.  The
rest of you folks might as well go have dinner or something.  We're
not coming back out until it's time to go to the park."

I looked at Ted again.  "I'm ready."

"Hey!  You mean it about inside and stuff?  Does that mean... 
*Everything*?"

Ted glanced over his shoulder and smiled.  "You've seen naked girls
before.  Everything.  Edit later, if you have to.  In the meantime,
let the networks make their own decisions about censorship."

"Oh.  Ahh...  Yeah.  We can edit the camera and audio stuff.  But..."

"Maybe Lady Chrystal will agree to be your agent, and help you
negotiate a good deal for your candid observations about life with me
and Marie.  Can't do that, until you have some observations.  Let's
go."

Dad opened the connecting door, and waved us all through.  "Dinner
will be ready when you are, kids."

Libby had to get out of our way when Ted carried me down the hallway,
and she touched his arm.  "Bubble bath.  Spring Meadow, is hers."

"Got it.  Thanks."

He helped me settle on the edge of the tub, then he stripped before he
helped me get undressed.

After that, he helped me get comfortable, then he settled next to me
after he grabbed my bubble bath.

Then, he hesitated.  "Marie?  You're here, the faucet is there, and
there's no way you can reach it to set the temp."

"Feet."

"What?  Oh.  Let me get it warm first, then I'll move a foot so you
can tell me when it's right before I close the drain."

He did, and as soon as the warm water started up my thighs, I let go
and fell asleep.

I woke, briefly, when he started washing my head, then I went back to
sleep as soon as he rinsed my hair and face.

The next thing I remember, was waking to the feel of a towel rubbing
my breasts.  "Mmm...."

I reached for the towel, found his hands, and ran my hand up an arm
until I found his body.  From there, I explored a little, and smiled
without opening my eyes when I found his erection.  "Nice."

"Feels good, too."

"I bet.  You get all of me?"

"Yeah.  You weren't a complete lump.  You moved a little, if I applied
enough pressure in the right places."

"I bet."

I finally opened my eyes.  "The nap helped.  You clean, too?"

"Yes."

"Good.  Let's go to bed, and you can hold me while we sleep.  You can
do something else, first, if you want.  Afterglow would help me
relax."

He yawned.  "If I can stay awake, long enough."

I laughed at him.  "The connection will be fine, or just feeling your
arms around me will work, too."

"Good.  Alarm.  What time?"

"Umm...  Seven should work."

"Ok.  Your turn to help me.  I don't think I can make it without
help."

"No problem."

We got out, I had him put an arm over my shoulder, then I helped him
stagger to my bedroom, where he let go and fell on my bed.

I smiled down at him, then helped him roll to the center of the bed. 
I bunched everything against him, then helped him roll onto the
exposed sheet before I covered him with the blankets.

After I set the alarm, I got under the covers with him, snuggled, and
looked up at the kids filming us.  "Nothing's going to happen until
the alarm goes off, so if you want to take rotating breaks, you have
until seven. "

Then I went back to sleep after I checked to make sure my link to
Libby was still there, so she could do whatever she needed to do.

* * *

The alarm went off and I came blearily awake.  I was thinking about
the snooze button when my mind woke up.

I nuzzled Ted.  "G'Whatever."

He rolled to his back and stretched.  "Yeahhhh...  I had this weird
dream, about us being famous and mobbed and all that..."

I kissed him.  "Silly.  Umm...  I hope someone was thinking and either
washed your clothes or sent some over."

He laughed.  "What's the big deal?  Real cowboys bathed when they got
the chance, and their clothes got washed in the rain or a river,
right?"

"Point.  But most of them at least tried to be civilized, after they
hit town.  You can use one of dad's robes until we figure something
out."

"Thanks."

He flipped the covers back, froze when he realized a camera was on
him, then sighed.  "I'll get used to it, I suppose."

I was giggling when I sat up on the other side. "Hey...  It's no big
deal.  I perform naked, all the time."

He coughed.  "Go there later.  I don't know about you, but I'm
hungry."

"Good thought.  Umm...  Grab one of my robes until you can talk to
dad.  I'll get dressed and meet you in the dinning area.  Tell
mom....  I'm as hungry as a starving horse."

He laughed.  "I believe it!"

While I was digging in a drawer I made contact with Ted.  {{Try not to
react.  We do have this way to be private.  If anybody notices, tell
them you're thinking real hard.}}

{{Oh.  I forgot.  Well, Marie, it is hard and takes a lot of
thinking.  Easier with practice?}}

{{Yes.}}

{{Good.  Hey...  What's this guy's robe doing in your closet?"}}

{{Sorry.  Mom's a realist and I forgot she thinks like that.  It's
there for any of my male friends who need one.  Before you snicker, we
do have a swimming pool and a spa.}}

I felt his amusement.  {{I'm not a prude, Marie.  We country folks are
more relaxed about that stuff than city folks, anyway.  Most of us
start early.}}

{{How early?}}

{{Puberty, or sooner.}}

{{I feel like a slow developer.  I was fifteen.}}

Then he spoke out loud.  "How you guys handle things when we split up,
is up to you.  I need to eat and stuff before we leave."

I finished getting dressed, and finally wound up sitting at the table
while mom served us.  "Your father left early.  Libby needed some of
her bigger toys.  Ted, your parents put together a care package and
dropped it off, then headed for the park."

"Thanks..."

She laughed.  "Mom will do, since you're now one of my sons."

He finally remembered to swallow and nodded.  "Thanks, mom.  I miss
that stuff.  Things all changed after we moved here.  It's like nobody
wanted to just be themselves or something."

"That's part of it.  Marie, eat.  I'll take some high energy snacks in
the basket when I leave.  How are you kids getting there?"

I shrugged.  "I figured we be ourselves and walk."

She gestured at the window.  "You'll have company.  Still one crew out
there."

I glanced, then started laughing.  "I guess I made an impression, or
she wants to try for some sort of revenge."

Mom smiled.  "Neither.  First, she wants to apologise for her
behavior, on camera."

"Talked to her, huh?  I should have expected that.  Drinks and
snacks?"

"Picnic dinner on the front lawn."

That made me stop eating so I could look at her.  "Not like you, mom,
to do that."

Mom just shrugged.  "I know.  Someone reminded me that no matter what
we think of them, everyone on this planet, perhaps in the rest of the
universe, is family.  If my daughter can do it, so can I."

"Umm...."

"Eat.  Busy night ahead, Marie.  You let me worry about the stuff I
can take care of, and you worry about your first official appearance
as a Bard."

"Official?  How do you figure that one?"

"It was your decision, and nobody else's."

"Oops.  I must still be pretty tired, to miss that.  Ted?  Did you
catch it?"

"Nope.  Way I figure it, we didn't have much else to do, unless you
count that weekend we had planned.  But..  Maybe some other time..."

"What is it?"

He sighed.  "We need to do some better planning.  We also need some
crew that knows how to ride pretty good, so you and I can run in some
fields or something once in awhile."

"So we wear portable mics, and they use telephotos."

I looked at my empty plate, then sideways at the crew.  "Sorry for not
being friendlier after we got home.  Good to see you, Kevin, Mary."

Kevin smiled.  "No problem, Marie.  You two really surprised us with
that twenty four seven stuff.  I guess you know you made our careers
happen?  We've had some pretty large offers already, from several
major networks.  I guess they like people who are in the right place
at the right time.  Thanks."

I nodded.  "I didn't think about that part.  Way I saw it, you guys
were focused on your jobs instead of being selfish."

"Yeah.  The way you took Roberta down was impressive.  I don't think
anyone expected you to be able to speak with that kind of...  Casual
authority."

"Had to learn that at the mall, right after I started singing there."

"Ah.  Got it.

"You guys are going to have to figure out ways to keep up with us when
I decide to travel as a mare.  Sometimes I have to stretch and get
some exercise.  That means I can cover a lot of ground in a hurry."

"Been thinking about that.  Could we attach a portable camera to your
harness?  Be nice to mix the footage with the long distance stuff."

I giggled.  "Talk to my dad.  He's the expert on finding ways to
securely attach cameras to moving animals.  If Ted's ok with it, I am
too."

Ted sighed.  "Let me think about it some.  Not right away.  I want to
get to know Marie better and all that stuff, and at least, while we're
running a field or something, we might get the illusion of privacy."

"Oops.  Good points.  You ready?"

Ted wiped his hands off and emptied his glass.  "I'm ready."

"Good.  This time, I'll use my regular saddle and stuff.  I never
expected to wear the show saddle that long.  Now, I know better."

I stood and went to hug my mom.  "Thanks.  See you at the park?"

"Not going to miss it.  It's my oldest's coming out party, right?"

"Huh!  Yours and dad's, too.  Want the link now, or later?"

She froze, then held me off.  "What are you up to?"

"Nothing much.  In case you've forgotten, I'm used to singing with at
least two wolves as my backup vocalists.  Want the job?"

"That would mean..."

"Yeah.  I know."

She looked around, then out the window, and spoke very thoughtfully. 
"Ted.  Kevin.  Mary.  Marie has just managed to catch me by surprise. 
What she's talking about has been a family secret, but it's going to
come out soon, anyway.  Even I can see that."

"Should we stop filming?"

"No.  Marie?  Form the link.  This is better seen and felt, than
described."

"Yes, Mother."  I touched her hand when she held it out.  "See as I
do, and gain...  Even more understanding than you have now."

I turned slightly.  "I don't really need to do the words.  People are
usually more comfortable when I say something like that.  It helps
them focus and deal with the changes taking place."

Mom straightened, then spoke a little sadly.  "And thus, life moves
on, and we continue to change whether we wish to, or not.  One chapter
in the Great Book ends, and another must begin, for the Great Book
will never be completed."

"Sorry, mom."

"Don't be.  Your father and I would rather have this happen, than
somehow prevent you from being who you must be, yourself, completely."

"Yeah.  I know.  We've planned for it, but I thought we'd have more
time and we could...  Ease into this."

She smiled.  "I'll blame the shock on your current focus, and your
fatigue.  I expect Liberty has already worked your father into her
act."

"Oh.  You're right, as always.  Umm...  Mom?  Your medallion?"

"What?  Oh!"

She passed a hand over her forehead and a golden tiara with her
medallion on it, appeared.  

She smiled.  "Thanks for reminding me."

I just shook my head and didn't bother hiding my grin when I walked
over and adjusted it for her.  "Drama Queen.  There."

Mom hugged me, then shoved lightly.  "Give me some room, dear."

I did, and suddenly there was a wolfess sitting on her haunches where
my mother had been.  Instead of a medallion, the symbol was created by
variations in the coloring of her fur.

She let us get a good look at her, then she changed back and became my
mother again.  "Children aren't the only ones able to learn from Lady
Chrystal.  John and I did, as well, even though we did not become her
apprentices."

Mary sighed.  "That's quite an exclusive you just gave us.  I think
I'm more upset by not figuring out that it would have been natural for
you folks to learn what you could.  A good reporter isn't supposed to
miss stuff like that."

I laughed.  "It's a lot like being a good Bard.  Meet me in the garage
after you get dressed, Ted.  We're going to be late enough, as it is. 
See you when you get there, mother."

"I'll bring the RV.  I'm sure we'll be looking forward to it when this
party is over."

I was already at the door to the garage.  "Thanks."

I had my saddle bags packed with the essentials by the time Ted showed
up with an armload of stuff.  "Room for this?  I really don't want to
wear it while we walk to the park."

"Sure.  Umm...  Let me replace those spurs with some that aren't as
lethal looking.  I assume that's your special outfit?"

"Yes."

"Pack it all after we get everything else on."

"Right.  Working saddle this time, and the plain stuff?"

"Yep."

I shifted, he settled everything on me and I shifted back and hugged
him while I kissed him.  

"Thanks.  After things slow down, we're going to have to think about
what's essential and what isn't, then prepack everything."

"I can relate to that.  Oh, I have a real stupid question.  "How come
you keep taking your medallion off before you switch back?  I noticed
Libby had hers on when she shifted."

"I guess the main reason is because I can't get it off discreetly when
I need it.  Another reason is that I usually have a lot more
preparation to do after I shift, so it's become a habit to put it on
then."

"Ok.  Umm...  Another dumb question.  How come you don't work the
symbol into your hair?"

I laughed.  "Mom does it that way, because a harness would cause
problems when she's hunting.  Dad does the same thing.  I don't have
that problem.  But, the real reason I use the harness is because I
like the attention I get when people put it on."

"Huh.  I should have figured that one out, after you showed me you're
Monique."

I laughed again and grabbed his hand.  "Let's go.  I'll be nice to
Roberta, this time, as long as she's nice to me."

"Hmmph.  I think I'll take advantage of the situation and live up to
my stage name."

I was still giggling when we walked out the front door and collected
Roberta and her crew.

Roberta joined us and started pacing me on the side opposite Ted, and
when I glanced at her she nodded.  "Are you ok with me here?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, Marie."

We walked the first block in silence.

After we crossed the intersection, she touched my arm to get my
attention.

"I deserved that.  Sorry.  I'm no longer used to folks who don't beg
me to interview them."

"What about your colleagues?"

"If I behave, generally, they will.  I'm sure you know how it works by
now."

"Will you?  Behave?"

"I'll do my best, to."

"Thanks...  Roberta."

"You're welcome."

"I guess you've interviewed some of the kids from my homeroom, about
what Lady Chrystal did?"

"Of course."

"Have you figured out her big joke, yet?"

"Joke?  No.  I do realize she probably had more than one reason for
doing what she did."

"Several, at least.  I've figured out some of them."

"Will you share any of them?"

"Sounds selfish, but there were some lessons for me, that couldn't be
delivered in any other way."

"I'm listening."

"How to deal with a group's enthusiasm, yet still teach them how to
use power.  Another aspect of that was getting used to speaking as a
Bard when teaching new students."

"Mark, Ted, and Julie?"

"Yes."

"Anything else?"

"Of course.  My entire family has been taught how to deal with power,
by a Vixen who is her world's greatest living Bard.  But, for all
that, in case you haven't noticed, we've had only ourselves we can be
open with.  Part of what she did was to create the conditions that
would let me find people who are my true peers,  so I am not alone. 
That Ted was one of them is...  On the surface, an incredible beating
of the odds."

"I am not unprepared, Marie.  Do you feel the Zeitgeist was involved?"

And there it was.

I grabbed Ted's hand to anchor myself before I turned my head so she
and I could see each other's eyes when I spoke.  "Yes.  Definitely. 
It has been a part of my life ever since the events that triggered my
ability to sense and handle power, unassisted, just as I feel certain
it has been a part of the lives of Ted and his clan, for generations."

I shook my head a little sadly.  "Coincidence is a part of our world,
Roberta, but sometimes...  As Lady Kay and her family, or Tom, Mahika
and Sandra will undoubtedly tell you, some of us have learned that for
us, coincidence is only another word in the dictionary, and it is an
abstract concept, not a part of our reality."

By the time I finished her eyes were wide, and I nodded.  "It is no
coincidence that you are present right now.  You were given a choice
between two paths in your life.  If you are willing to hear the
sincere concern of a teenager, I think you will find that you made the
right choice."

She walked the rest of the block in silence, before she touched my arm
again.  "You must know that I've managed to interview every Bard who
comes to Earth."

"Of course."

"Then let me be the first to say it.  You are not just a teenager,
Marie.  You are the first Terran Bard, in a way that the wife of
Spartacus is not, and...  If had a child, I could do far worse than
dream that someday they would be half as skilled as you are, because
if they were that good...   They would be legends in their own right."

"Thank you, Roberta."

"Thank you, for your time, Marie.  I'll leave you alone.  I'm sure you
have more important things to think about right now."

"The most important things in my life, are my students, Roberta.  You
are one of them, and through you, your viewers are also some of my
students.  I have no criticism if your choose to learn at a speed that
is comfortable for you,  It is a wise person who knows their limits,
and honors them."

I smiled at her.  "Watch your step.  Curb."

"What?  Oh!"

We made it through the intersection, and by then she had partially
recovered.  "You mentioned a 'big joke'."

I laughed.  "I did, and it is this.  As Lady Chrystal proved, there
does not have to be contact, or words, to give others the ability to
see power.  And, if you recall what someone must have said, I told my
class that if you can see power, you can use it."

"I understand that.  I see no joke."

"Because I have not given you the punch line.  It is...  See as I do,
Roberta.  May you find...  A new understanding of the world."

She gasped, and her steps faltered.

"Ted.  I think she needs a gentle touch to guide her steps, for now."

He moved to take her outside arm, then he smiled at her and nodded
when she looked at him gratefully.

He spoke, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.  "I am her
student also.  As she has been guiding my steps, I shall guide yours
while you focus on...  A new reality, that few humans have been
allowed to see, until now."

"How long will this last?"

"It depends on you.  Until Marie decides it should end, if you do not
have the controls.  If you do...  Why then, it will be as it is for
me.  It will end when you wish it to end--and it will return when you
desire it to return.  Remember this, if you have forgotten.  You don't
have to be a Bard to use power in your life."

She nodded.  "Such...  Formality and confidence, for one of your
background and age.  It is...  Unusual."

"Here, yes.  Where I grew up...  We are very...  Rabelaisian in our
thinking.  But, there is something else."

"That is?"

"Look at me and Marie with the inner vision you now have.  We are not
only Journeywoman and Apprentice, or husband and wife.  We are life
mates, too, and...  Isn't it said that in a good marriage, husband and
wife come to resemble one another?"

She sighed after she studied each of us while we walked.  "I wish
there was a way for my viewers to see what I see."

That was my cue.  "Perhaps, someday, they will.  After all, I am not
just a Bard, I am a traveling one, and I do not maintain a distant
aloofness, as all other Bards are required to do, because of their
alien heritage."

"Any Bard could do what you just did for me, couldn't they?"

"Yes, and no.  They could, but Rabelaisian Bards are aware of our fear
of gods who offer gifts.  They are aliens, and to many, can be seen as
gods in their own right.  It is better that such a gift be offered by
a human who has taken on the... Burden, such an ability imposes."

She went for my throat.  "Do you, then, see yourself as a god?"

"Do I have a choice?  Do you?  We are both gods in our ways, are we
not?  All we can do is be responsible ones, and hope that is enough."

"I'm missing something, I think.  You spoke of our collective fear of
gifts offered by gods, and you were correct to do so.  However, you
see us as gods.  Logically, that means people will fear any gifts we
offer them."

I laughed.  "Ahh...  But you see, I do not see other humans as
people.  They are part of my family, and to be treasured as such. 
That, Roberta is the reason few will fear any gifts I offer them,
because they are given for love, and for their benefit, not mine. 
Refusal, of course, is something different, and I do, for all my
seeming arrogance, understand the word 'no' when it is spoken to me,
and I will honor it."

She figured it out.  "And...  If you speak it, you expect others to
give you the same respect."

"Yes, although I do not expect all to be that way.  For example..."

I spun and pointed at one of her film crew.  "That gentleman really
should learn that Bards are more aware of their surroundings than they
usually admit."

I walked over to him and held out my hand.  "The camera, please.  You
are being paid to do a job and...  Unless I have misunderstood the
usual contracts, I believe taking pictures for your own enrichment and
fame is a violation, is it not?"

He winced, and started to deny what he'd been doing, so I spoke
softly.  "I may be a teenager, and an entertainer, to you.  On
Rabelaisia, I would be that, and also judge, jury, and executioner, if
that was needful."

"Do you threaten me?"

"No.  I am telling you, that you have broken a promise you made, and I
am holding you responsible for your actions.  We can settle this here,
between us, or Roberta can take the time to settle it in the courts. 
I have some advice for you.  If you give your word to a Bard, you do
not get a third chance."

"Are you saying that if I give you my camera, that will be the end of
it?"

"With me, yes.  With Roberta, and the people you work for, and with, I
don't know.  I will ask that you be given a chance to redeem yourself
in the eyes of your peers.  I cannot promise that they will give you
that chance.  Again, on Rabelaisia, the matter would be over."

"I...  See."  He looked at his camera, then pocketed it and looked at
me defiantly.

I smiled.  "You have chosen your path.  I think you will find it an
interesting one."

Roberta moved to  my side, and raised her cell phone.  "Well, you may
be finished with him, but I am not.  HIs career in this business, is
over.  I have a reputation to maintain, and I do not like it when
someone violates the trust I have been given."

I touched her shoulder.  "Do what you must.  Will you listen to a
suggestion?"

"Of course."

"According to Terran laws, property used in a crime, may be seized,
and sold, then the money can be given to the victim.  Correct?"

She studied me, then nodded.  "As I  understand the law, yes."

"This is an interesting situation.  Even though I am a dual citizen,
there is only a crime against me if I invoke Rabelaisian law.  On
Earth, I am a public figure, walking in public.  There was no
expectation of exclusivity, so all of us are fair game."

"True."

"However, Roberta, a crime has been committed in my presence, because
he has violated the contract he sighed with your company."

"A succinct summary of the situation, Marie."

"Thank you.  Justice should be immediate, to be effective."

"Also true."

I turned.  "Ted, please go to the park and give them my regrets. 
There has been a delay, and I will arrive as soon as I can."

"Umm...  I bet if you do whatever it is you have planned, some pretty
big money will get involved.  On both sides."

"You're worried for me?"

"All of us, Marie.  Two worlds and all that."

"Which is the main reason I cannot walk away.  If I do not live by our
rule of law, who will listen to me, when I ask them to?"

"I get it.  The laws should be applied to all of us, equally."

"Exactly.  See if you can get people to understand that I have no
choice, as a human first, then as a Bard."

He grinned.  "I'll do my best,"

He turned and started jogging towards the park.

I watched briefly, then turned back to Roberta and smiled wryly.  "It
seems I have found a way to give you what you wanted all along, an
exclusive on a major news event that involves me."

"Exclusive?"

"Do you see any other major news crews?"

"No.  This event is?..."

I grinned, then turned back to her crew and pointed at the man who had
triggered things, and two others.  "You three are under a citizen's
arrest for violating the contracts you signed.  Please do not attempt
to resist or leave the scene of your crime.  Roberta, if you would
make the appropriate calls?"

The man I'd confronted, yelled.  "You can't do this!  You're a Bard! 
What about your reputations?"

I stared at him until he fell silent.  "I have seen you and your
companions commit an act that is a crime, by our laws.  My duty as a
human is clear.  I cannot, and will not, turn my head and let this
crime go unpunished.  I believe in justice, sir.  You will make things
easier for yourself if you give me the instruments of your crime."

"Instruments?  I have only one camera."

"You are wearing clothing, are you not?  Those clothes helped you
commit your crime.  Please remove them and hand them to me.  Perhaps
your cooperation will cause the judge and jury to be more lenient."

"No!  You have no right to ask that!"

"I have the legal right to ask.  Since I know your decision, be still,
and be silent."

I froze him in place, caused his voice to go silent, then studied
him.  "Be glad you did not do this on Rabelaisia.  A person's word is
a bond, and written or not, once it is given, that bond is enforced. 
People who deliberately give their word, while intending to break it
when they have the chance, are not looked upon with favor.  A first
offense is usually treated kindly, unless the offender has been overly
belligerent, as you have been.  A second willful offense earns the
person death.  Lady Chrystal will confirm this at your trial."

I turned to the others and held out my hand.  "Your choices?"

The woman I'd singled out spoke slightly menacingly.  "You will be
sued, of course.  Are you really going to create an interplanetary
incident over this?"

"You've already made it one, by making it clear that human film crews
are not to be trusted once they've given their word.  What do you
think that's going to do to the honest people, who truly wish to go to
Rabelaisia, and live under Rabelaisian law, as the Rabelaisians live
under our laws?

"Is your greed so great, you would force the closing off of our worlds
to each other?"

"No!  We have so much to offer them!"

"And I am living proof that they have at least as much to offer us. 
What price would you pay, to live in a world where war is
unthinkable?  The Rabelaisians have done just that, for hundreds of
years, and the main reason they are able, is their acceptance of
personal responsibility as a way of life.  Our way hasn't worked, and
I'm willing to try their way.  What about you?  Will you repeat the
mistakes of our past, or will you try something new?"

"What would happen, if I admitted I had willfully committed a crime
against a Rabelaisian citizen?"

"You would be asked to give your word, that you would not do it again,
and that by the laws of both worlds, you would be expected to report
to the nearest Terran or Rabelaisian authorities if you witnessed any
crime, or learned that one had been committed.  A second offense would
result in your execution.  There is no appeal.  Rabelaisia is still a
harsh world, and they have no time to coddle those who are capable of
repeatedly violating their laws, which are few."

"Can you kill, Marie?"

"I do not wish to, and I hope I never find myself needing to do so,
but yes, I am capable of killing to protect my family."

She handed me the camera she'd used, then, as she stripped, she handed
me each article of clothing before she straightened and faced me.  "I
have committed a crime against a Rabelaisian citizen, Marie.  I have
violated your trust in my word, and the only reason I did so, was for
selfishness.  I wish to be tried under Rabelaisian law, which is
evenly applied to all, and is applied as immediately as possible,
unlike Terran law, which is ponderous and...  Slanted in its
application.  Since you are also a Bard, I ask that you be my judge,
jury, and executioner, if that is required.  Will you do so?"

I looked at Roberta.  "Will you allow Rabelaisian law to supersede
Terran law, or will you opt to prosecute when I am done with her, as
is your right by treaty?"

"I cannot prevent the loss of her job, and how that will affect her
future."

"Understood.  Anything else?"

"If she is prosecuted under Terran law, it will not be instigated by
me, and I will do my best to see that as far as we are concerned, when
you finish, the case is closed."

People shifted when the police arrived, and the man in charge
confronted us.  "Ok.  What's going on?  Who's under citizen's arrest?"

Everyone looked at me, he realized who was in charge, so he focused. 
"A teenager?!  What the fuck are you people doing to me?"

Roberta coughed to hide her laughter.  "Officer?  Permit me to
introduce you to the Terran Bard, Marie.  She is the one who is in the
process of making some citizen's arrests, as is her duty, as a human."

"Sounds simple enough...  Wait.  I didn't know there are any Terran
Bards."

"She's the first."

"Crap!"

He studied me.  "Bard, eh?  Like that damn vixen?"

"Pretty much so, yes.  There has been at least one complication.  This
naked woman has confessed to committing a crime against a Rabelaisian
citizen.  That citizen is myself, and since I am a Bard, she opted to
allow herself to be tried under Rabelaisian law.  She is willing to
accept whatever I decide."

I gestured.  "The silent man over there, I willingly give into your
custody, to be dealt with appropriately."

I finally faced the last person.  "Your choice?  Rabelaisian law, or
Terran?"

He looked around and shivered before he studied me.  "Under
Rabelaisian law, there is no third chance?"

"When you give your word to a Bard, no."

"You must know I've destroyed any chances I had, of staying in this
career."

"Time heals, Sir.  And it is not wise to look very far into the
future, sometimes."

"I can see far enough.  If I let myself be tried under Terran law, and
I win, I lose all, and if I lose, I lose all."

"If that is what you see, it is what you see.  I repeat for the last
time, Sir.  Your choice?"

"Rabelaisian law."

He handed me his camera, then stripped and handed me his clothing.

I nodded my thanks, then turned back.  "It looks like you will only
need to deal with one man."  I let go of the blocks.  "He's all yours,
officer."

My temporary prisoner started screaming and yelling, and one of the
officers looked at him with contempt.  "Shut up and listen before I
add resisting arrest to whatever the rest of the charges are."

I tuned them out and smiled.  "I need to administer some justice,
then, if you wish to save some time, I'm willing to give you my
statement while I walk the rest of the way to the park.  I'm very late
for my engagement there."

He looked around, sighed, then studied me.  "Am I in the middle of an
interplanetary incident and on camera?"

"Yes."

"I should have listened when dad wanted me to be a barber.  He warned
me I could have a day like this, but...  As one professional to
another, I find the Rabelaisian approach to justice refreshingly
direct.  I will not call it simple.  A walk to the park will be a
pleasant way to do something I usually find tedious."

"Thank you, officer."

I offered their clothing back to them.  "I choose to give you back
your clothes and cameras.  You will find the cameras useless, except
as reminders of your...  Poor decisions."

They took everything back, but made no effort to put their clothes on.

I studied them until they started to fidget, then I nodded briskly. 
"This has been, as far as I am concerned, a first offense, and I may,
by custom, be lenient with you.  Know, however, that a second, and
similar or identical offense, will force me to deal with either of you
more harshly.  To avoid this, you may still, if you wish, put
yourselves in the hands of Terran justice."

They shook their heads in the negative, so I went on.  "Very well.  I
will hear your word that you will not deliberately seek to perform the
crimes you are being judged for and that you will report any crimes
that you commit in the future, or know to have been committed by
someone else, to the appropriate authorities."

He spoke first.

"You have my word that I will not, again, deliberately perform the
crimes of which I admit I am guilty and I will...  Report to the
authorities as you have asked."

I held up a hand to stop her from speaking.  "Something you should
know.  Rabelaisian law is honored in the intent, not the letter.  Do
you understand me?"

He looked around, shivered again, then nodded.  "I will report any
crimes I commit or become aware of, to the proper authorities."

"I find your oath acceptable."

I focused on her and she nodded.  "I, too, will mend my ways and be
more respectful of others, as well as do what is expected of a good
citizen."

"Do you have more to say?"

"No."

"My sentence is this.  Perhaps it will assist you in holding to your
vows.  Both of you will call the Rabelaisian Embassy, and offer your
services to them, at whatever rates are sufficient for you to be self
supporting.  What those services will be, I cannot tell you.  In the
meantime, since you are currently unemployed, you may join the teams
who will be filming my life, and your duties will be simple.  I expect
you to both teach, and learn.  Teach, to pass on your skills, which I
expect to be above standard, or you would not have been here.  To
learn, so that you may regain your honor by rediscovering what it is,
to be ethical."

I looked at each of them again, and spoke firmly.  "Are you satisfied
with the justice you have been given?"

They looked at each other, around at everyone else, then focused on
me.  He spoke, and I could hear his confusion.  "After violating our
contracts by filming you without permission, you *want* us filming you
all the time?"

"Yes.  If you feel this is unfair, I am willing to...  Seek a
compromise that will satisfy both of our needs for justice."

"How long will our punishment last?"

"Until you call the Rabelaisian Embassy and offer them your services."

"Our pay, in the meantime?"

"At my earliest convenience, tomorrow, I will confer with the Senior
Ambassador.  At that time we will pay you at least enough to support
yourselves."

"Umm...  Medical benefits?"

"None, until you prove yourselves ethical again."

"That's...  Oh.  I begin to understand."

"I was sure you would."

"I find my sentence acceptable, and I will do my best to abide by its
terms."

I turned to the woman.  "Well?  Have you anything to say?"

"I will accept, on one condition, that I be considered as an
emigration candidate.  I am tired of living on a world where war is
common."

"You would have to earn your way, if you are accepted."

"I'll take that chance."

"I will speak with Lady Chrystal."

"Thank you."

I stretched, then looked around.  "I'm finished.  We should get moving
again.  If nothing else, it would be the courteous thing to do, to
quit blocking the sidewalk."

People laughed and Roberta moved so she could study my face.  "This
sort of action is normal for a Bard?"

"Yes.  I am expected to do this, even when I am performing.  I will
admit that on Rabelaisia, people respect a Bard's need for personal
time, and do not trouble one who is relaxing, unless there is great
need.  But, otherwise, they may ask for advice, or justice, any time
we are accessible."

She winced.  "You think in terms of a world, don't you?  No wonder my
selfish concerns seemed so petty to you.  You see what I am *supposed*
to see, a broader picture."

"Correct."

I looked at the policeman and nodded.  "May I give my statement now?"

"Of course."

I gestured towards the park, and the faint sounds of revelry we could
hear.  "Then my time is yours, until we arrive at the park.  I hope
you have a means of recording what I say."

"I do."

He turned to his men and women.  "One more person, to take names for
later, while we walk.  The rest of you, once you take care of things
at the station, are released to go back to your regular duties."

He looked at me.  "Let's go, Marie, and get this over with."

* * *

He got my name and all the other stuff he needed, then let me describe
what had happened before he arrived.

Once he had what he needed, he shut off his recorder and we walked in
silence for a brief period.

He glanced over his shoulder, then sighed.  "Under the circumstances,
I suppose speaking off the record would be pointless?"

I thought it over.  "Well, right now, it would be off the record as
far as your superiors are concerned.  In the court of public opinion,
this is not Rabelaisia.  I cannot tell you that your words would be
used for or against you later.  However, we do have an alternative,
although personally, because of the public nature of what happened, I
do not want to use it.  If you ask, I will make this alternative
available, and accept any consequences of my action."

"You are cautious.  What is this alternative?"

"Contact telepathy.  If we touch each other's foreheads, we will be
able to communicate privately."

"Thus creating the illusion that we might be conspiring to conceal
information about a case in progress.  Perhaps later, Marie."

"Understood.  I will, of course, be available if you need me."

"A citizen's duty?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome.  I would like to request a favor."

"Ask.  I can promise nothing."

"I ask this as a Bard, not a private citizen.  I have been delayed,
and people are already aware of the reason.  Relations between people
and the police are already strained, and there is a...  Discontent
that I have become involved with the police, and been delayed.  As the
man on the scene, that discontent is currently focused on you.  I
offer a means of at least reducing that focus, and perhaps it will
help both of us, by making the police as much of a victim of
circumstances as I am.  Ideally, it will help emphasize that while I
am a Bard, I am also a citizen, and not above the laws.  Furthermore,
it would give you a chance to prove that respect, when given, is
returned."

He seemed to realize we'd been walking in a spreading zone of
resentful silence, and he looked around as if he'd been too focused to
know what was going on.  "I recognize the signs.  We are words away
from a riot."

"Unfortunately, yes."

"What do you have in mind?"

I touched his arm before I deliberately linked mine with his and got
him moving again.  "A gesture, starting with this one, to indicate
that there is no antagonism between us, and that you are clearly done
with me, for now."

"I don't think these people are going to listen to a pretty speech."

"No, but they will understand the gesture I have in mind.  I will
change forms, then you will get my reins out of the left saddlebag,
attach them, and use them to lead me the rest of the way.  When we get
to the edge of the area where the action is, you can disconnect my
reins and throw them over your shoulder, or pocket them and take them
with you when you leave, as a symbolic gesture that even I am not
above the law, at all times.

"After that...  A well known gesture of good will to send me on my
way.  A simple 'go!' accompanied by a slap on my rump, will be
enough."

"If you don't resent what has happened, the people here are more
likely to accept it?"

"Yes."

He finally nodded.  "Let's do it.  Whatever it takes to prevent what
might happen if we do nothing to defuse this."

I shifted.  He attached my reins and led me the rest of the way.  The
silence was ominous, and there was an atmosphere of impending
violence, that was oppressive.

We got to the edge of the area, and he stopped.  He ignored the
mutters that started, and unhooked my reins and tossed them over his
shoulder before he lightly stroked my forehead.  "Thank you, Marie.  I
will not keep you from your life, any longer."

I bobbed my head, then moved slowly, as if I were reluctant to leave
him.

As I passed, he shouted 'HA!", and slapped my rump.  I reared, as if
startled, then ran the rest of the way.

By the time I got to Ted, the crowd was cheering, and I knew another
crisis had been avoided.

Ted was shaking his head but smiling, and I could sense his relief. 
"I'm glad you got here finally.  Things got...  Nasty when folks
spotted that policeman escorting you.  We tried...  But you're
*Marie*, and 'The Singing Palomino'.  We aren't.  Nice touch, making
it look like you'd made him part of your act."

"Thanks, but..."

I looked at my sister, who had shifted back to being human..  "Libby?"

She sighed.  "Yeah.  I'm more of a Bard than I thought.  Nobody, not
even a Bard, is above the law and able to set it aside when they wish,
right?  Ted tried to explain that to people but...  People are
selfish, and all a lot of them could see was that the police had made
you break your promise to them."

"It wasn't the police, it was the people who committed a crime in my
presence."

"Yeah.  We knew that, but...  Glad you got here.  Things were getting
ready to get ugly."

She grinned at me.  "Hey, in the breaks, I've been helping Ted and
Mark learn some new tricks.  Flaming hoops and that sort of stuff. 
*Big* hoops.  Mare sized."

I laughed.  "You going to ride, or nip my heels?"

"Umm...  I don't think people are going to be comfortable if they see
you being controlled by anyone.  We've talked it over, and think it
would be best if you'd grab someone from the audience and give them a
ride."

"And you'll let me figure out how to pick one person, and make the
rest like it?"

"Yeah.  You've got the touch, and that entrance proves it, Big
Sister.  Dad called and made sure the riot squad was on stand by.    I
guess they're not going to get overtime, now."

"Somebody get me a microphone, Julie, and Terry."

I shifted back to being a girl, accepted the mic, then faced the
crowd.  "I'm sorry.  I witnessed a crime being committed.  A Bard
cannot be above the law and able to set it aside for her own, or
anyone else's convenience.  If we were able to set it aside, we could
not expect you to honor those same laws."

I looked around, then spoke gently.  "My entrance was more than an
entrance, done to entertain you.  It was our way of showing you many
things.  Respect gets respect in return.  The attachment and removal
of my reins was symbolic of the fact I have agreed to abide by the
rule of law, instead of whim.  The slap on my rump was the law's
encouragement that in spite of there being laws that control some of
my actions, beyond that I am a free spirit, and should live my life as
I choose."

I moved my head slowly, and scanned the crowd.  "And lastly, it was a
message that none of us should resent it when our pleasures are
needfully interrupted by our higher duties, when we are called to
perform them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my entrance was a 'Bard's Lesson' and I hope
you do not give me reason to repeat it."

Then I became a mare and shook my mane.  "Enough of that.  One more
item, then we will relax together."

A few minutes earlier, my words would have probably triggered a riot. 
What I got was respectful silence.

"Thank you.  Most of you know that my sister Liberty has a boyfriend
she cares for, very deeply.  On the other hand, they both know they
are not destined to be more than good friends, and co-workers.  This
creates a problem.  Libby, of course, will know when she meets her
life mate.  Terry, will not.  With your permission, I would like to
see if we can solve his problem.  Do I have that permission?"

I got cheers and shouts that added up to approval, so I bobbed my head
after things quieted a little.  "Thank you.  There are many ways for
people to use power.  I do it one way, Libby uses a similar but
different method and Ted has his own skills.  There is yet another
way, a very personal way, and Julie has been gifted with the ability
to use that way."

She stepped forward and waited.

"Julie is a matchmaker and will attempt to find Terry's life mate, if
she is present tonight."

I stepped backwards, Julie stepped between Terry and the crowd, then
faced him and studied him carefully.

She finally smiled.  "It is a large crowd, Marie, and Terry's life
mate is here."

She reached, and I saw her aura touch a line of power.  "If you make
this visible, it will be easier for him to find her."

I changed to human, and joined her.  "This one?"

"Yes."

I made the line visible and a girl screamed.  "Me?  It's been me all
along?!"

Terry's head jerked up and he stared at the crowd until he found the
girl.  "Debbie?  Is it really you?!"

I looked at Libby and gestured slightly.  "Fetch!"

She changed into a bitch, sneezed at me disgustedly and spoke loudly
enough she could be heard by everyone.  "Only for you, Marie, would I
do this!"

Then she jumped on the line of power and casually ambled along it
until she could look at Debbie.  "Well?  Will you touch me, and learn
how to float for real, instead of in your dreams?"

"Walk on air?"

Libby sneezed at her before she turned to face us.  "A favor for a
favor, Big Sister.  A visible path, and 'We've Only Just Begun', to
encourage Debbie to walk it at my side."

I laughed and pointed, drawing a pathway with steps at each end. 
"Done!  The rest is up to you!"

Libby turned back.  "Well?"

"All I have to do is touch you?"

"Touch my forehead, and believe in yourself."

Debbie reached, a few seconds later her head came up, and when she
stepped, Ted started playing.

I spoke softly to Terry.  "Step, and meet them halfway, to make it a
partnership of equals."

Then, I shifted back to being a mare, and sang.

After we finished, Ted touched my neck and spoke in my mind.

{{There have been a few discoveries, tonight.}}

{{Are you up to something?}}

{{Of course.}}

He stepped forward, to stand at the foot of the steps in front of us,
and held out his hand.  "Come.  Your sturdy steed, who will carry you
on your first joint adventure in life, awaits you."

{{I hope you did enough experimenting to be able to become a winged
unicorn when the time is right.}}

{{Libby telling tales on me?}}

{{Indirectly.  During an earlier show they did, she did one she called
'Bard's Apprentice', with Mark as her chosen one.  She helped him
discover himself.  He is a tale teller, who can make others see his
visions.}}

{{I see.  The clues have been there, but...  I have been too busy to
look at them closely.}}

{{And I am a mere apprentice, and not expected to see such things,
yet.}}

{{Have your fun.}}

{{Not I.  Mark.}}

{{Point.  I will be ready.}}

He helped Terry into my saddle, then helped Debbie settle in front of
him before he stepped back and spoke softly.

"This mare is magical, and needs no reins to guide her.  Her love will
keep you in the saddle.  The path to your future will sometimes be
perilous, but there will also be times of great joy."

He stepped back and raised his hand to wave us on to our adventure. 
"Fare thee well, and remember...

"Love conquers all."

He lowered his hand and turned his head slightly.  "Mark. Narrate
their adventure for us, so we may share it with them."

Mark raised his microphone, and began...

* * *

"Once upon a time, there was a Great Wizard who wandered the lands in
the company of his Golden Mare, who, unknown to all but a few, was a
magical being he'd captured by using the only thing that could hold
her for long, invisible chains that bound their hearts together so
they were as one..."

He spun a tale of grand adventure, with joys and perils, dangers
barely avoided, and magical beings who helped or hindered them while
they searched for the Wizard of Life, so he would make them as one, in
the way he was one with the magical being who walked the world as a
mare.

Of course, they thought the man who walked at their side was ordinary,
an irreverent vagrant who called no land home.

There was even an evil sorceress, who kept reappearing and attempting
to distract them from their chosen path, but always, somehow, her
wiles would fail at a critical moment and her true nature would be
revealed for all to see.

Eventually they discovered the mountain known as 'Wizard's Keep', and
climbed to its peak, only to discover a flat area, that was bare and
wind swept.

The young man shouted his frustration and anger.  "Where art thou, oh
mighty Wizard?  We have braved and survived the world's perils, and
come here to ask you to bind us together as one!

"Where?...  Oh, where...  Art thou?!"

I'd felt the currents shift, so I was able to control myself when the
crowd gasped.

Off in the distance, a light was approaching.  As it got closer, a
winged steed could be seen, and it had a figure on its back.

Mark faltered to a stop, and watched the apparition he'd somehow
called into being.

Nobody noticed.

They flew in a circle over us, then the winged unicorn mare settled in
front of me, fluttered her wings daintily, and folded them to her side
after her rider dismounted.

The man spoke demandingly.  "Who has called me here, and for what
purpose?"

Debbie recovered first.  "We have, oh Great Wizard.  We wish...  We
wish to be joined as one, in the same manner you and...  She are."

He looked at Terry.  "Is this your wish, also?"

"Yes...  Great Wizard."

"Then touch the unicorn's horn, and we will discover if this is truly
possible."

They did, and the unicorn bobbed her head, once.

The Wizard nodded.  "Know that the bond, once formed, can only be
broken by death, and perhaps not even then.  For the final time, do
you both desire this to happen?"

"Yes."  "With all my heart."

"So be it.  In the eyes of the Great Purpose, and Terran law, you are
now man and wife."

He grinned.  "Terry, kiss your bride, and welcome to the life of a
married man."

He looked at me and smiled benevolently.  "I think it is time for the
magical one to reveal her true shape."

I became another winged unicorn and touched horns with his companion. 
"Hello, Lady Kay.  I see he got away from you again.  Or...  Did he?"

She shimmered, and a woman in her usual gingham dress gave me a head
hug.  "It was a joint effort, of course.  Such a fine tale needed a
happy ending, to get the next adventure started."

I bobbed my head.  "Thank you, for all of us.  Will you stay, or must
you go home immediately?"

She giggled.  "I, of course, will stay for awhile.  It was a long
flight, and I am hungry!"

I laughed and turned slightly.  "Well, you old fraud?  Enjoy
yourself?"

He laughed.  "Of course!"

He refocused.  "The ending was no sham.  We are the High Priestess and
High Priest of a recognized religion.  The ceremony was
unconventional, to suit the circumstances, and later you will be
gifted with a scroll that...  Formalizes your bonds with each other."

He bowed.  "May you always walk in the Light."

Then he coughed and looked at me expectantly.  "Marie?  Perhaps you
should introduce us more formally?"

"Of course.  

"Terry.  Debbie.  Before you stands The Great Wizard, also known as
Merlin.  At his side is The Keeper of His Heart, who is also known to
the world as Lady Kay, and The Lady of The Lake.

"Merlin.  Kay.   My friends, the newlyweds, Debbie and Terry."

Then I turned my head to my passengers.  "I did not expect such a
finale to your adventure.  I hope your adventure, and its ending, was
pleasing to you."

Debbie leaned forward and touched my horn.  "It was.  Now, I think we
should take advantage of your friends, and let them help us down so we
can become ordinary again, and you can...

"Give *your* husband, the ride of his life, before you both *pretend*
to be ordinary, again."

The crowd granted us its approval while Debbie and Terry were helped
down after I spread my wings.

Ted touched my neck lightly, then, as if he'd suddenly made his
decision, he bounced into the saddle and settled.

He leaned forward, grabbed my mane...

And touched his heels to me.  "GO!"

I ran all out, then bunched my muscles and leaped, as if I was
clearing a fence...

At the peak of my leap my wings went down as they began to beat, and I
kept rising.  After Ted laughed for the joy of it all, I swooped back
to skim just above the crowd before I rose again and began to circle
above the silent crowd.

There was only one song worth singing, so I sang it, clearly and
proudly.

I wasn't surprised when Mark's voice drifted up to us as he led the
crowd in singing along with me.
---

The Impossible Dream

Lyrics by Joe Darion
Music by Mitch Leigh

To dream the impossible dream,
to fight the unbeatable foe,
to bear with unbearable sorrow,
to run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong,
to love pure and chaste from afar,
to try when your arms are too weary,
to reach the unreachable star.

This is my quest,
to follow that star --
no matter how hopeless,
no matter how far.

To fight for the right
without question or pause,
to be willing to march into hell for a
heavenly cause.

And I know if I'll only be true to this
glorious quest
that my heart will be peaceful and calm
when I'm laid to my rest.

And the world will be better for this,
that one man scorned and covered with scars
still strove with his last ounce of courage.
To reach the unreachable stars.
---

After I finished Ted touched my neck again.  "Responsibilities,
Marie."

I sighed.  "But isn't it wonderful?"

"Oh yes.  I'm looking forward to doing this at your side, someday."

"Are you pleased with the person you are becoming?"

"Yes.  I will remember this moment, when it all seems so futile.  It
is as close to perfection as I think I will ever feel myself."

"I know.  Brace yourself..."

I made a running landing, and after I had found my stride, between one
stride and the next, I became a Palomino again, before I slowed to a
stop and ambled back to face the crowd.

"I think it's time for a musical...  No.  I have a better idea. 
Little Sister, divide the crowd into four sections.  Julie, pick a boy
and girl from each section, and make the best matches you can, from
the people in that section, if they are not already here with a
special someone.  When you finish, bring them out in front so Mark can
call a square dance for them."

I steadied my breathing a little more and spoke to the rest of the
people.  "There's lots of room.  If any of you want to join them,
please do so, because this never was about us.  It's about you, and
your dreams and desires.  We'll be back in a little while, then we'll
see about doing some requests, and whatever else comes to mind...

"But, if I give any of you rides, my feet will stay firmly on the
ground.  I don't want to get fined for not filing a flight plan!"

The silence was shocked, then people laughed while I made my way to
one of the tables of food that had been set up.

Once we were out of the main lights, Ted dismounted, I became myself
again, and then leaned into him with a contented sigh.  "I've never
been ridden by a real horseman when I've done that.  It was an
incredible experience.  Thank you."

"That swoop of yours was everything I ever dreamed one could be, and
more.  Where on Earth did you practice your flying?"

I giggled.  "Lady Chrystal place shifted me to Merlin's castle when I
had enough free time, then the three of them worked with me until I
had it right.  It's mostly power holding me up.  If I want to, I can
reduce my weight until my wings can actually fly me.  That's a lot of
work, so I seldom do it."

"Were you serious about the flight plan stuff?"

"Yes.  Lady Chrystal checked with Spartacus.  The agreement they have
with the FAA designates them as ultralights as long as they stay below
the minimum altitude.  Our laws were never meant to cover flying
people, so things are still pretty vague.  One group feels that a
flying shape shifter should be exempt, and treated like birds and bats
are.  Others want to create a special class of license, and have us
get flight certified, as if we were a home built aircraft.  Nobody has
come up with a practical method of attaching numbers, or giving us
radios and all the other safety stuff."

He laughed at my matter of fact comment, then filled a plate and
handed it to me before he made one of his own.  "I can see things are
going to get crazy enough that some lawyers are likely to make good
money while it's sorted out."

We found a table and settled after some kids made room for us.  "Oh,
it's already gone beyond that.  There have been delegations sent back
and forth between our worlds, on fact finding missions.  This is
probably going to be handled at the diplomatic level, with special
treaties and all that pomp."

"Think you'll be invited?"

"We.  I'm sure of it.  It would make sense to involve the world's
first flying mare and her pilot."

He choked, recovered, then decided his food was more important than
his curiosity.

I ate a few bites, made myself available, then, until I was finished
with my food, visited with the people around me.

Everything was reasonably normal, until a young girl walked up and
held out some trash.  "Where should I put this?  Everything is full."

I looked around, and realized she was right.  All the trash cans and
dumpsters were full, and there was almost no trash on the ground.

"Give me a few seconds..."

I made the effort to crush the trash in several containers, then
pointed.  "Now there's some room."

"Thank you, Marie.  I'll be right back so I can ask you my question."

She ran over, made sure I was watching, then she ran back and waited
with an air of expectation.

I looked at her, then Ted, and he shrugged.  "Not a clue."

"Right."

I looked at her.  "I'll let you ask your question, if you'll answer
mine, first."

"Me?  You want to ask me a question?!  Of course!"

I gestured.  "What was that bit with the trash all about?"

"Didn't Libby tell you?  Oh, that's right. You've been busy.  She said
that if we wanted to talk to her, like she was an oracle or something,
then we should give her gifts.  Then she told us the gift would be
symbolic, and we should put some trash where it belongs or she
wouldn't listen to our questions.  I figured that you'd appreciate it,
too, since we aren't paying you anything, so you can't afford to have
all the trash picked up when this is over."

"I...  I see.  Exchanging gifts.  I wasn't expecting it, but I
accept.  Your question?"

"Umm...  It's private.  Real private."

I looked around, then nodded.  "A problem that is easily fixed.  Come
over here and touch my forehead.  After that, think your question at
me, and I will hear it, and give you my answer."

"Just like Lady Chrystal does?"

"Yes."

She touched my forehead, and a surge of images and emotions washed
over me.  When she was done I closed my eyes to think, then I
reluctantly opened them so I could watch her face while I spoke to her
in her mind.

{{You know and accept what this means?}}

{{I fear for my life.  Anything is better than that.}}

{{What do you want me to do?}}

{{Make them stop.}}

{{Are they here somewhere?}}

{{I don't know.  It would be like them, to keep an eye on me so I
don't...  You know.}}

{{I understand.  If I do this, it will be some time before you are
left alone.  They have committed a great crime, and...  You will be
asked to testify against them.}}

{{I know.}}

{{Forgive me for asking this, but I must.  You've waited a long time
to make this known.  Explain the delay.}}

{{Tonight was the first time I was given enough freedom to be on my
own.  If they had kept me at home, it would have raised suspicions.}}

She showed me an image of how her silence had been demanded, and I
winced mentally.

{{Will you trust me?}}

{{You are a Bard, Marie.  Everyone knows when a Bard gives her word,
she will die before breaking it.}}

{{Stay near me so I can watch over you until things settle.}}

{{Thank you.}}

"I have heard your question, and will find an answer.  You may remove
your hand.  Please wait while I search for a solution."

{{Ted.  Go get Libby.  Merlin and Lady Kay are still here, somewhere. 
Find them and get them here as soon as you can.  Speed is important.}}

{{Got it.}}

Ted stretched and rose, then looked at me.  "I'd better go find out
what's going on, so we can plan our return.  You going to wait here?"

"Yes.  I'm too comfortable to move, and I want the food to settle
some."

He laughed.  "Right.  Be back as soon as I can."

It felt like an eternity, but it was probably only a few minutes later
that Libby showed up in her dog form.

I put my hand on her forehead and let her see and feel what I had
seen.  {{Find her parents, Little Sister, and keep watch over them so
they no longer escape the justice they deserve.  Were the images clear
enough?}}

((They are most likely nearby.  I will find them for you.}}

She ran a short distance, then started playing with people, seemingly
at random.

She was still searching when Merlin and Lady Kay showed up.  Kay
glanced at me, then focused on the girl at my side, who was now
shaking visibly.  "Marie.  Ted mentioned you wanted to talk to us..."

"Hubert!  Quickly!"

She gathered the girl into her arms and a white corona enveloped them
at the same time Libby confronted two people and snarled menacingly.

I had already turned my head slightly to make sure I knew where the
small knife I had discreetly stopped, had fallen.

Merlin spun to see where the snarl had come from, then he strode over
to confront the man and woman who had frozen when Libby snarled at
them.

He held out his hand when the man reached into his jacket.  "Give it
to me."

The man started to speak and Merlin spoke again.  This time he was
firmer.  "I insist.  It's over.  We can do this quietly, or we can do
it with much fanfare, but it *will* be done."

The man's hand came out empty and he appeared to relax.  "You have no
jurisdiction."

Merlin smiled.  "Oh, but I do.  You see, for all my powers, I am still
a human, and a crime has been committed.  Many crimes."

"You have no proof.  You make no accusations.  Whatever you think we
are guilty of, we deny that we have done these so called crimes."

Merlin turned back to us, and spoke to the girl Kay was protecting. 
"I know it is a lot to ask of you, but would you stand naked before
the world, and let your body provide the evidence of their crimes?"

Kay still held her, but she looked at me for guidance.  "What do you
think I should do.  Lady Marie?"

"I think..."

"NO!"

Kay raised a hand and waved it negligently.  "Be still!"

I held up a hand for silence, then looked around and spotted a
familiar face.  "Roberta!  Would you like another exclusive, for your
patience?"

"Of course!"

I looked back at the girl.  "Do you have a name?"

"Jessica."

"Well, Jessica, since a lot of strangers have already seen pictures of
you on the net, I think you might as well let some more strangers, who
would be your friends, instead of use you for their own pleasure,  see
you.  At least this time, you will receive any money offered, for
yourself.  Sometimes the world is hard on us, and we must take the
opportunities it gives us, even when those opportunities are ones we
would rather reject."

She thought about it.  "People say I have pretty hair when I let it
hang down all the way.  Will you help me pretend I'm Lady Godiva?"

I stood up and changed, then found Ted.  "Remove my saddle and
everything except my medallion.  We will be naked, together."

He looked at me oddly, then nodded.

After he was done I waited patiently, and finally Jessica nodded and
started stripping.

When the bruises that had been hidden by her clothes were revealed,
there was a collective gasp, then almost as one, people started to
move towards her parents.

Merlin gestured and created a transparent wall around the three of
them.  "Justice will be served, ladies and gentlemen.  Count on it. 
There is no need for you to violate the rule of law."

Jessica finished stripping until she was wearing only her panties,
then looked up expectantly.

I smiled at her.  "Lady Kay.  Help her settle, so she can do as Lady
Godiva did, and use her body as a weapon for justice.

"Roberta, I believe the police are already familiar with your voice. 
Call and warn them I am involved, again.  You may also tell then that
at least this time, it is a purely Terran matter."

* * *

When the police arrived, the man in charge was the same one as
earlier, and he studied Jessica and I before he sighed.  "I see that
this time, the crime wasn't committed in your presence.  I do,
however, wonder about the reasons she is srtipped and on your back. 
You seem to have a knack for getting people to take their clothes off
in public."

"Jessica is being an actress, and performing as Lady Godiva.  The
choice was hers, not mine.  It is an impromptu performance, and there
were no skin toned body suits available.  Her...  Plea for justice
would be muted if she had to wear one.  Besides, I do not think you
will find anyone here who is willing to file a complaint, unless it is
yourself, as one who must enforce the law and apply it equally.  I
must also point out that I am human, and naked in public."

He looked around again, then sighed.  "I don't need to ask who, or
what crime they have committed.

"I think...  I will consider this an act of desperation by a
frightened young girl, who used the only way she could, to get people
to listen in time to save her from worse.  As for yourself, the law is
shape biased, fortunately.  Legally, your shape says you are an
animal, and it would be pointless for me to arrest an animal for
public nudity."

I bobbed my head.  "What of Jessica?"

He walked over and studied her face thoughtfully.  "You will have to
make a statement."

"I know."

"When that happens, you will be under oath.  That means no lying."

"Yes, Sir.  Is it ok if I say something now?  It's important."

"Is it the truth?  And you are making these statements of your own
free will?

"Yes."

"Say what you wish to say..."

"Jessica, Sir."

"Go on, Jessica."

"You'd better send someone to our house in a real hurry."

Kay stepped forward.   "I can help.  Jessica, will you picture your
house in your mind for me?"

"Don't you have to touch me?"

"No.  When you think of your house, your links to it will become
visible to me, and I can follow them."

"Oh.  Ok."

Kay touched his shoulder, and both of them vanished.

A few seconds later Merlin ran towards one of the other policemen and
touched him, then the two of them vanished.  He reappeared, collected
a second one, vanished again, then, after a few minutes, reappeared
and walked over to speak to one of the remaining officers before he
vanished again.  The officer gestured for his partner to take
Jessica's parents into custody, then he came over to us and looked at
Jessica. "Do you have a place you can go to for the rest of the
night?"

"No, Sir."

He nodded and faced me.  "Is there some way you can get her to the
hospital?"

"Several ways.  Is speed essential?"

"Yes."

"Ted?  Help Jessica down so I can change.  I need to make a phone
call."

"Ok."

He helped her down, I shifted back, then dug my phone out of my purse
and made my call to Lady Chrystal.

"Hello, Marie.  Yes, I've seen the news and heard the request."

"Thank you."

I hung up and she appeared, then held her hand out to Jessica.  "I
understand you need to go somewhere in a hurry."

"They want me to go to the hospital."

"I can take you there, and stay until you ask me to leave."

"But...  You're the Ambassador!  You shouldn't!"

"Oh?  Marie cannot leave, yet.  She will be there as soon as she can."

"You don't understand!  Ambassadors can't just...  Do things because
they want to!  They have more important things to do than waste
time..."  She suddenly ran down.  "It isn't a waste of your time, is
it?  You're a Bard, and you help people who ask, right?"

"Right."

"Marie?  You'll come as soon as you can?  Please?"

"It may be in the afternoon.  I don't know what time the party will
end, and I will need to get some sleep."

She reached for  Lady Chrystal's hand.  "Let's go."

Lady Chrystal walked over and held her other hand up.  "Will you allow
a touch link, so I may learn where you wish us to go?"

"Umm...  Ok."

She touched him, then she and Jessica vanished.

He stood there briefly, then studied me again.  "The Ambassador is..."

I smiled at him.  "Like a force of nature?  Implacable when angered? 
That sort of stuff?"

"That sort of stuff, young woman.  Tell me, do you think it would be
possible for there to someday be Bards who would also be members of
the police?"

"On Terra?"

"Yes."

"They are already working on the treaties that would allow some to
come here and work with you, until there are Terran Bards who have
decided to become police, instead of entertainers.  Since Bards are
already considered an essential part of the Rabelaisian justice
system, and trained for such tasks, I can say with confidence that any
Bard will make themselves available to assist when they have the time,
if asked, and they have the skills to assist constructively.

"If you need an example of something even a Journeywoman such as
myself is qualified to do, defusing tense situations is something I
can think of.  Perhaps, since you are dreaming, dream of what it would
be like to have a team consisting of a Bard and  Mage on call for
emergencies.  The savings in transportation costs alone would be... 
Significant."

He smiled.  "The reduction in our response times would be even more
significant."

He looked down suddenly  "I'd better get an evidence bag and gather up
Jessica's clothing."

"Oh!"

I walked to a spot about fifteen feet away and pointed.  "More
evidence.  When you're ready, I will release the shield so you can
pick it up."

I sighed.  "Be glad you did not feel the intent that caused it to be
thrown."

He knelt and studied the dull black knife.  "Lethal?"

"The one who threw it believed so, and did not care who it hit, as
long as it hit someone.  I was the best target available.  Because of
that, I felt her make the decision and was able to quietly deal with
it in a way that wouldn't trigger...  Hasty actions by the people
here."

He looked up, and his smile was fleeting.  "Riot prevention?"

"As you people are fond of saying, 'it's all part of the job'."

"I'll be right back, then, when it's convenient, you'll need to make a
statement."

"Of course."

I was trying to decide what to do next when Merlin and Kay
reappeared.  

Merlin, if you knew what to look for, was angry, but he had it under
control, for now.

Kay, on the other hand,  was angry, and not bothering to hide it.

The silence was awkward, until I held out my hand to them.  "Kay. 
Merlin.  As the informal 'host' of this party, I would appreciate it
if you help me with a special performance of Ted's 'Statue of
Liberty'."

Kay studied me, then nodded.  "I gather you have something in mind? 
Something more than mere singing?"

"Oh, yes, Lady of The Lake.  What I have in mind is something you will
find worthy of your skills."

Her eyebrows went up, and she stared at me with surprise.  "I have not
been known as such for...  A long time.  What event could justify my
presence?"

"A chance to perform as the Mother of Exiles, and let your torch
welcome...  Those who seek a new, and better, life."

She turned her head to watch Merlin.

He in turn, was looking around, and obviously thinking, so I waited.

He looked at Ted and spoke quietly.  "An excellent work.  We accept."

He was grim when he faced me.  "You dare much, Marie."

"I am a Bard, Merlin.  I am aware.  I do not dare, I *do*."

"What is it, that you desire of us?"

"A shield, to protect those who will need the protection, and someone
who can see into their hearts to see the truth or falsehood behind
their words, as they answer my call for justice.  I will not force
people to step forward with their stories, but I will encourage them
to seek justice, if that is what they truly want.  The police are
already here.  I would prefer that these matters be taken care of all
at once, so they do not have to keep returning throughout the rest of
the night."

"Agreed.  What needs to be done, we will do."

Ted was staring at me.  "Are you going to call for other abuse victims
to come forward?!"

"Yes.  Will you and your family keep singing your song until I ask you
to stop?"

"Just keep repeating it?"

"Like an old fashioned revival.  'Step forward, and be saved'."

He choked off a laugh, then sighed and looked around.  "We're in. 
Maybe, someday, we could do a special performance in my home town. 
The number of people who wish to be saved would be...  Impressive, if
they all stepped forward."

I smiled and hugged him.  "Thanks."

There was one more problem to worry about, so I looked around and met
the eyes of both film crews.  "I think it would be best, if you folks
stayed nearby.  Some people are probably going to be...  upset with
their sudden fame."

Roberta was staring at me.  "Marie?  Are you really saying that you
are going to stand out there and encourage abuse victims and survivors
to step forward in a collective plea for justice?"

"Yes.  I would like to have you there, so they know that this time,
there will be no chance of things being quietly swept away and
forgotten."

"A vision so great it was unthinkable...  Until you dreamed it."

She took a deep breath.  "I thought there were no more mountains left
for me to climb, and you have shown me a new world, with more
mountains than I can count."

She dug out her phone and looked at it, then at me.  "I have the
power.  Dare I use it?"

"Dare you *not* use it, when the chance to use it wisely, has been
offered to you?"

She made her call, and spoke firmly to the man who answered.  "On my
authority.  Take me live, with a breaking news event, and keep me live
until I say you can quit."

"On my count...  Five.  Four.  Three.  Two.  One.  Go!"

She launched into her intro and explanation, so I tuned her out and
looked at everyone else.  "Lets go put on a show that will be
remembered for a long, long time."

Roberta joined us and stuck her microphone in my face.  "The people of
the world are wondering about this new show you have planned.  Does it
have a name?"

"Of course it has a name.  I call it...

"Justice Triumphant!"

"Thank you, Marie.  I will let you get back to your work."

She lagged slightly, and I heard her begin interviewing some of the
crowd, who had joined us as an impromptu escort.

Merlin touched me lightly and laughed.  "A fitting title.  Now, we
must do the work of living up to it."

I laughed and glanced down to grin at Libby.  "Well, if we get in too
deep, there will be a dog there, to dig us out, right?"

"Oh, yes.  I may have acted like an evil sorceress, but what I am... 
Well, I don't know what I am, yet, but while I try to figure it out, I
think I'll spend my time being a Bard's protection dog, and faithful
companion.  After all, she doesn't need a horse to ride!"

"Thank you, Liberty."

Our brothers came running up.  

John took over after he looked at Sam, who nodded.  "We heard.  Are
you really gonna do it, Marie?"

"Yes."

"Can we help?"

"I was hoping you'd be there."

"Really?!"

"Yes.  Merlin's going to be doing some pretty intense thinking and
stuff, so it would be easier for him if there were a couple of
gatekeepers that Kay can depend on to help her let people through the
barrier.  I was thinking you two could do that 'Freedom Arch', but
this time it will be a gateway that people can walk though."

They looked at each other, then turned back.  Sam grinned.  "Merlin's
here.  Can he make us Knights or something, with all the armor?"

Merlin laughed.  "I can, but you need coats of arms for your shields."

Sam kept his grin.  "Easy.  Ted in his cowboy outfit and playing his
mouth organ while he's riding Marie, and she's rearing and she looks
like she's ready to battle something."

"A good choice.  Anything else?"

"Umm...  Yeah, if it's ok,   I'd like the words 'Justice Triumphant'
on mine, somewhere."

"Done.  John?"

"Marie, as a mare and climbing an endless stairway on a blue
background."

"Anything else?"

"The words 'Impossible Dreams'."

"Done.  I'll use titanium instead of steel.  Stand still.  Kay?  I
need your help with this."

They linked their hands, then closed their eyes.  There was a haze
that gathered around each of my brothers, and then it slowly
dissipated to reveal them as knights, with the requested shields.

Both of them raised their visors and almost in unison, spoke.  "At
your service, Lady Marie.  Command us."

I pointed.  "Lady Kay will need your services.  Serve her as you would
myself."

"We shall."

Roberta came over and watched me for awhile, then she decided to
speak.  "Can you do any of that, Marie?"

"Some.  I've learned how to use power to isolate the elements, then
reshape them into whatever form I desire.  A parlour trick, next to
what Merlin and Lady Kay can do.  What they did would have taken me a
lot longer, too."

"Do we have time to see one of these tricks?"

I sighed.  "We do."

I walked over to the nearest trash can, grabbed a paper bag, and
filled it with bits of trash.  Most of it was paper, but I tossed in a
few aluminum cans, too, before I walked back and stood in front of
Roberta.  "Whenever you are ready."

She looked at the trash, then back at me.  "Recycling?"

"Of course."

"Please explain as you go.  I want my viewers to understand that this
might be seen as magic, but there are sound principles behind it."

"First, I will use the power to crush the cans to save space while I
work with the rest of the trash.  A small ball will do for now, so... 
Ted?  Would you take the bag and hand me the cans when I ask for
them?"

"Of course."

"First can."

I took it and flattened it, then he handed me the others until I had a
stack of flattened cans in one hand.  "I could do the next step at any
time, or even leave everything that isn't aluminum, and use it for
decorating the final result, but this time I will remove all but the
aluminum."

A few seconds later I had a small lump next to the cans and I handed
it to Roberta.  "No heat."

She took it, looked at it briefly, then pocketed it.  "What next?"

"I'll collapse the cans further, into a small ball.  Again, there is
no heat or radiation danger."

I handed her the resulting ball.  "I'll need it back, later.

"Ok, Ted.  Thanks.  I need everything else, now."

"Welcome."

I held the bag up and looked at it.  "Paper has a lot of carbon in it,
and that's what I need for what I want to make.  I'll separate out the
impurities..."  A lump appeared, next to an object that resembled a
piece of charcoal.  "And now I have what I need, pure carbon."

I handed Roberta the collected impurities, and she smiled at me.  "I'm
beginning to understand how you think.  Carbon into a diamond?"

"In a way, except I will leave my hand open, instead of closing it. 
Concentrated power will do all the work for me."

I concentrated, and when I was done, Roberta was slack jawed and
silent when I held up my creation.  "Isn't this much more attractive
than a mere diamond?"

"Is that flying unicorn really a diamond, that minutes ago, was random
bits of trash?"

"Yes.  I have one more thing to do.  If I had the time, I could have
filtered gold from the soil.  You'll have to settle for an aluminum
mounting.  Please hand me the ball I gave you earlier."

She did, and I smiled at her.  "Please hold out your arm.  What I am
about to do will not hurt, or put you at any risk."

She held her arm out.  "I was wondering when you'd get your pound of
flesh back."

I held the ball against her wrist, then made a plain bracelet.  After
that was done, I set the unicorn on it and made some of the aluminum
flow until it was held there, as if it was getting ready to leap from
her wrist.

"Done.  For you, a gift to remind you of...  Whatever you wish to be
reminded of."

I let her study her gift for a little while, then I sighed.  "And now,
I must go.  I am too long away from the people I promised to
entertain."

I stepped away, shifted to being a mare, and bobbed my head in Ted's
direction.  "I need to get dressed again, then you can climb back on
and we'll see what we can do, to make a little bit of a difference,
before we figure out how to restart the party."

"If it works, I think it will be a celebration, more than a party."

"Point."

* * *

Just before we got in front of the audience, Ted touched my neck and
spoke quietly.  "Whatever you have planned, I think you should do it
as yourself, and be the one to escort people to the safe area.  Get
involved, Marie.  Don't stand aloof."

I thought about it, and sighed.  "You're right.  Thanks.  What about
you?  There will be guys that might choose to step forward.  I can
feel them, out there."

He thought about it, then sighed.  "I wish...  I can't.  I'm the only
one of us who can play the melody itself.  What about...  No.  Your
parents wouldn't work, for people our age, would they?"

"They'd be ok for older people.  Then I looked down at the Golden
Retriever that was pacing next to me.  "Most guys like dogs, right? 
Want the job?"

"Family thing?"

"Looks like it."

"Yeah.  I'll do it.  Wish we didn't have to worry about the rules of
evidence and stuff like that.  Now that I've met a couple of perps, I
know what to look for.  Got some people out there trolling the crowd
and looking for possible victims.  Don't know who they are because I
haven't had time to go find them.  Guess I'll have to get used to not
being able to do anything."

"Don't be too sure of that.  What if you have mom and dad touchlink so
you can show them what to look for?  After that, when they aren't
performing, they can wander the crowd.  Everyone here is probably used
to Tom, Mahika and Sandra wandering the mall before and after they
perform."

"How do you plan on explaining what they're doing?"

"Protection for any perps who get revealed?  Think a couple of wolves
would keep people from attacking them?"

"Gods, Marie.  I don't know.  This works, I bet most folks are going
to be pretty edgy and we could get a flash riot."

"That's one reason I wanted Merlin and Kay to help.  If it flashes, at
least we can confine it."

She studied the crowd, then looked up at me.  "I think you should do
it differently.  The idea is to do this so things don't keep on the
same way, but we don't want anyone, including the perps, to get hurt,
right?"

"Right.  Have something in mind?"

"Go ahead and make the call, but don't ask people to step forward. 
Tell them they can talk to any of us, later, when they feel it's safe
to do it.  Sure, you're going to get a few right away, but maybe... 
Have Mark call some dances, and maybe we can figure out a way he can
invite survivors down so they can ask for help, without people
wondering if their neighbors might be perps."

"Might work, and we're out of time."

I heard Kay sigh and I looked at her.  "Something wrong?"

"Of course.  A decision that isn't one, is mine to make.  Now, my
problem is that I need to find a hero.  If she were here, I wouldn't
hesitate to use Jessica.  However...  When needs must..."

Merlin gasped, turned and narrowed his eyes while he studied Kay, then
he sighed deeply.  "Announce your song and purpose, Marie, then turn
things over to us."

"You two are up to something, in capital letters."

Kay sighed.  "We are tools being used by the hands of the Great
Purpose.  It is the one who is 'up to something'."

I winced, then looked around.  "Time.  Let's go see what happens."

Ted got off to collect his family, and while he explained things to
them, I changed back to being a girl again. 

By then the cheers and stuff were dying down, so Ted got his family
playing and singing.

I sighed, looked at Merlin and Kay, who smiled encouragingly, then I
stepped up to the mic and spoke.

"As many of you know, I was delayed by events, again.  A young girl
asked for my help.  If most of you had seen and felt what I did, when
she opened her mind to me, you, too, would have accepted the delay, so
you could help.

"That is what this opening, one I call 'Justice Triumphant!', is all
about.  At any time, if you are a survivor, or a victim, or perhaps
even one who has done such in the past, and you desire justice, or
help, you may contact any of us, when you feel it is safe for you to
do so.

"I know there are some of you here.  I can feel your agony.  I can
feel your doubts.  Your hidden screams of pain speak to my inner
ears.  I can see ashes, where a glowing fire should be, when I look
with the inner vision, and I wish to do what I can, to help you.

"I say this not only as a Bard, and a woman who has sworn to give her
life in the service of Justice, if that is what is required...

"I say it as  fellow human."

I bowed my head, then looked up again and gestured.

"Now, I present 'The Lady of The Lake' and 'The Great Wizard', who
have something they wish to say to all of you, before we go back to
entertaining you." 

I changed into a mare, then moved into position with Ted's family. 
After they finished their song, he mounted me, and they resumed
playing and singing.

Merlin and Kay watched me, then they turned and faced the crowd.  He
stepped up and spoke.

"Sometimes, justice and truth need a symbol people can focus on.  As
it happened in the past, it shall happen now."

Kay held her hands out, and spoke commandingly.  "Excalibur!  The
world needs you!"

A glowing sword appeared across her open palms, and after it did so,
Merlin shouted.  "Behold The Sword of Light!  As it was then, so shall
it be now!  Let the honest bask in its benevolence, and let the evil
tremble in fear!"

He lowered his voice, and spoke conversationally to Kay.  "Times have
changed, Love, and a sword should not be the symbol of justice."

She smiled, and the sword became a silver medallion on a golden
chain.  "Will this serve?"

He took it from her and studied it before he held it up so the people
could see it.  "It shall.  I give you the Medallion of Truth.  Whoever
wears it, will become a hero and more than they ever dreamed they
could be.  As happened then, the hero who would change the world must
pass a test before they may take up the medallion."

He lifted the mic from its stand and took it with him while he walked
over and stood next to a trash can.

He tossed the medallion in the trash, then spoke again.  "I discard
it, as many of you have been used and discarded.  The one who will
carry this through life, is here, somewhere.  All you have to do is
remove the 'Medallion of Truth' from the trash.  Because it is
Excalibur returned, it will know your heart and it will not let itself
be revealed again, until the chosen hero touches it.

"All may try, but only one will succeed.

"I have spoken."

He came back and held the mic in front of me.

"Thank you for your patience.  I declare the request line open!"

Throughout the rest of night and into the early morning hours, many
people tried to lift the medallion free, but none succeeded.

During one attempt, two young men slid a pole through the chain and
attempted to lift it free.  All they did was lift the trash can from
the ground, before they looked around, sighed, and lowered it back to
the ground before they removed the pole and walked away.

It was past dawn and the crowd was finally thinning when Roberta came
over to stand beside me while I was taking a break.  "I haven't seen
you try, Marie."

"I have already felt the call, and answered it.  The medallion is not
for me, and I know it."

"So serene, for one so young.  Do you know who it will be?  Does
Merlin?"

"I don't know, and I don't think he does, either.  He and Kay were
tools being used by The Great Purpose.  Once he let go, even he, with
all his powers, could not lift the medallion from the trash."

She walked over and looked down.  "Such a simple action, yet everyone
has failed.  Could Merlin have been wrong, about the hero being
present?"

"No.  He or she is here, somewhere, and they will eventually reach,
and know who they are."

She looked at me, and I could see her doubt.  "You really do believe
all that...  Mystic stuff, don't you?  Before last night, I would have
taken oath that one as young as you could not see the world so
clearly, and speak with such serenity."

I nodded.  "Thank you."

She looked again, and sighed.  "Such a simple action, and yet..."

She reached, took the chain between her thumb and forefinger, and
lifted gently, as if she expected her motion to be abruptly halted.

It wasn't, and when she held the medallion up for all to see, there
were tears in her eyes.

"But...  This is impossible!"

Merlin was smiling when he took the chain from her and gently put it
over her head.  He spoke in a voice that carried so all could hear
him:

"Behold the Champion of Light!  As it was, so shall it be again, and
Darkness will once again be turned away from its plan to conquer and
enslave us all!"
====

End:  Marie's Solstice 02/14 The Chains of Freedon 2/2
End:  Marie's Solstice The Chains of Freedom

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