Drew and the Tri-peak Challenge

by Sharp

(A Gaby fanfic based upon the characters created by Maddy Bell)

Chapter 2

Gaby's New Accommodation and Friends.

Gaby had by now being living in her new accommodation at Thornton in Craven for several months now. She and her friends had settled down quite well in their new schools, and surroundings. Gaby along with the other older girls had transferred to Holy family Catholic School in Keighley while the younger ones like Lucy had been moved to Saint Stephens Primary School in Skipton. Gaby was surprised to find a few Asian children at the Catholic school she now attended, as she had never had any at her previous school. All the various races and religions got on very well together. One girl of Asian origin in particular called Nyola made friends with Gaby the very first day. One day Nyola asked Gaby if she would like to stay over at her house. Gaby said, "I will have to ask my parents, and if they agree then I would like that very much."

The next day Gaby found Nyola during the morning break period and said, "Yes Nyola I am allowed to come and spend some time with you."

Nyola was pleased that her friend had been allowed to stay the night, as this was the first time any other girl outside the family had been allowed to stay at her home. During the lunchtime break Nyola telephoned her mother to let her know she would be bringing a friend home?

Nyola, “Gaby Mum is a Hindu while dad is a Muslim. I am allowed to follow whichever faith I wish, hence the school I am now attending. For mother today is a holyday and we will be going to an important shrine with her after school, is that ok with you? I might have to dress up for the pageant, and you must have a veil to show respect to our gods."

"Well to be perfectly honest with you Nyola I have never been to a Hindu temple before so it will be a new experience for me. I already expected that I might have to wear a veil, and so I have brought my own veil."

After school Nyola's mother was waiting for them with the car. She held her hand out to greet Gaby. "Hi I am Gabriel or Gaby for short. I understand we are going to a temple. I told Nyola the prospect of this visit to the temple has me excited, as I have never been inside a Hindu temple before. I understand you have many gods your people worship. Do you also have a family god?"

"Gaby the Temple we are going to is dedicated to Lord Vishnu although there are statues of most of our other gods present there. We look on Lord Vishnu as the father of the gods. Nyola and I also have our own family shrine and there we pray to the Mother Goddess. She sees all." The mother looked at Gaby and then said, "Before we go I must make a telephone call." The call was in Hindi and so Gaby did not understand it."

The Pixie in Gaby's pocket said, “She is telephoning the Brahmin and is saying you are wrong about the Mother Goddess Brahmin. The goddess already walks the earth. She currently is by my side, and she is coming to visit the temple with me and my daughter Nyola this very evening."

“Ah well girls that is all sorted. I just had to make sure with the Brahmin it was ok for Gaby to visit the temple as it is a very special day for us, and it is OK for you to visit the temple. Although the Brahmin wishes to meet Gaby in person before we actually enter the building.”

Gaby, "Mum said I had to have a veil when we visited the temple so she has given me this one to wear."

"Ok Gaby I was going to loan you one but if you already have one it will suffice." Outside the temple Gaby pulled the veil out of her hand luggage, and put it on.

Nyola gasped and said, "Oh Gaby! You have a golden veil. It is not permitted for us to wear that colour?"

The Brahmin saw Gaby, "Would you mind coming with me and taking part as we need a girl to represent the Mother goddess and all she stands for. You are already wearing the golden veil of the mother goddess so please will you participate?"

Gaby smiled, "Ok I will if my friend Nyola can join me?”

Nyola's mother spoke in rather a shaky voice; “Holy Mother Nyola knew not when she befriended you, who or what you are. When I initially saw you I knew with out telling. The Golden veil you produced can only ever be worn by the Holy mother as it is forbidden for any others to wear it on pain of death."

The Brahmin, “Nyola your friend asked if you can accompany her. Is it your wish to do so?"

"Holy Father, Gaby is my friend and I brought her here as my friend. I did not expect Gaby to take part in our pageant. Neither did I realise she had a golden veil. I have to stay with my friend regardless of what role I was previously supposed to play. Now I must do as she ordains as the Holy mother. Gaby would not know the significance of the gold veil to us or that it means certain death if one of us was to wear it."

Gaby, "Well nobody had better be considering implementing that with me as Justine would take exception to that. Sorry Brahmin did I fail to say all my friends are under the protection of Justine, or as you Hindus call her Kali. I see you have enough statues of her so you know who I mean."

Nyola looked at the statues and gulped. “Gaby I worship the mother goddess and not Kali she is the destroyer. How can she protect you?"

Gaby, "Nyola your people for years have worshiped many gods, but even your people have one major god or goddess. Not long ago, Britain, China & India all provided aid in Nepal at the behest of the Golden Empress. The Golden Empress does not appear often, but when she does her followers all will know her. Kali is only one of many who serve the Golden Empress."

The Brahmin held up his hands, “Young lady you most are welcome in this temple. I wish to know no more as you have already stated things you should have no knowledge of."

Gaby reached inside her dress and brought out two statues and then said, "Multiply and show the Brahmin your true selves."

Nyola's mother now terrified prostrated her self before Gaby and said, "Mistress I apologise if we upset you there is no need to release them. My daughter if it is your wish will be your friend.”

Gaby spoke again, "Brahmin these are Petal and Sepal the smallest sisters of the Golden Empress and smallest daughters of Lord Draco or Vishnu as you call him. Like Kali they are here as my friends and companions. Now watch the tallest statue of Kali."

As they watched Justine materialised. Justine walked over to Gaby and hugged her. Kali spoke, "Brahmin have no fear. Gaby as you will have surmised by now is never truly alone. I or my imps along with the Pixie army are always there and if needed the leprechaun army along with other Fay can soon be called upon. As Justine spoke row upon row of little tiny golden figures lined up by Petal & Sepal. These are just a small proportion of those who guard Gabriel."

Gaby thought for a moment and said, "Justine today our friends here are honouring their gods it is only fair the gods honour them with their presence. With that out of each of the statues a being appeared. Then there was a flash and Alexis along with her golden companions stood in all their glory."

Alexis spoke loudly and clearly and said, "Brahmin place Nyola in the Bronze dress and veil so all may know she is a friend of the Empress and do her no harm ever."

Nyola's Mother spoke,” But that is the costume we use for the Eternal mother as we are not allowed to use the gold one."

Alexis did not argue but just pointed her hand at Gaby and then Nyola. "Perhaps I should also dress you the same and then you can lead the Imperial family into the temple."

This time it was Gaby who pointed her hand at the mother. The Brahmin spoke; “The ancient legend is true then the Golden Empress has many faces but only one mind. Nyola you have been selected and elevated above all Hindus. You unwittingly have befriended one of the forms of the Empress. From now to the end of your days you will always play the part of a Bronze Queen as that part was chosen for you by the golden one herself.”

No sooner had the Brahmin finished speaking than Ally appeared and further shocked the Brahmin. Who said, "The Silver queen”?

Ally spoke to Nyola and her mother. "I am afraid there has been an accident of some sort at your home as there was an explosion, and your house along with several others in the row has been engulfed in fire."

Nyola's mother, "There is nothing we can do so we might as well continue with this pageant."

The Brahmin led the procession out followed by Nyola and her mother. The Hindus all knelt to the ground as Nyola got near. One little girl was heard to say, “That is my cousin Nyola, One day I will join her when I am old enough to be a bronze Princess.”

Ally heard the child and stopped by her and spoke, "Go and take Nyola's hand she needs a flower girl.” As she went up to Nyola her Sari changed to Bronze. The little girl also found she was holding a posy of flowers.

More of the congregation gasped when they saw Kali and the other gods following behind. Eventually the procession stopped at the shrine of Vishnu. Alexis spoke, "You all came here today to see a pageant and pray to Lord Vishnu. It is time I summands him from his slumber to greet you. Astrid and Cleo will you take a hand each of the flower girl please. Now you young lady shall have the pleasure of calling Lord Vishnu forth."

"Lord of the Heavens, I have been asked by the Golden Empress to call you." The statue appeared to tremble and shake and there were gasps of astonishment as Draco appeared. The little girl threw herself into his arms and said. “They told me to do that pointing to Cleo and Astrid."

Draco looked around and then said, "It is a long time since any of the Hindi managed to contact me. Now I find the youngest can."

Some of the Hindi said, "Look Lord Vishnu has claimed the small Bronze girl."

Draco walked over to the mother and gave her a kiss. He then did the same with Nyola and her mother.

Nyola spoke sir, "Are you not going to kiss my friend Gaby, or are you scared because she has the protection of Kali."

Draco burst out laughing and so did Kali. Kali spoke, "Lord Vishnu is not afraid of me. He is more likely to be afraid of those two who hold your little cousin's hands. The smaller they are, the more trouble they are likely to cause him."

Draco gave Gaby a kiss and then said, "Sorry Brahmin I cannot stop and neither can my sisters. Something has come to my notice that requires my immediate attention and the enactment of dragon law. Alexis take all these bronze companions home with you and there they will be safe from what is soon to follow."

One Hindu arrived late and said, “Sorry I am late for the festival, but the whole of Barker end road in Bradford has gone up in flames, and the police have cordoned it off. Only emergency transport is allowed in that area. I heard, and saw what appeared to be many explosions. With this the people all went outside and they could see the flames shooting high into the night sky. They also could here the insistent wail of the fire engines and police cars.

As they where watching a very badly burned man staggered to the temple. Nyola and her mother burst into tears when they saw the man. The Brahmin took him into a side room and there started to clean his wounds. The man burst into tears and told the Brahmin what had happened. “My brother telephoned me and asked if he could store some documents at my house. I said yes and he called round to work for the key. I did not realise he had joined the Brothers of Islam, or that they where planning terrorist attacks against targets in Leeds and Bradford. He and his entire cell died in the explosion. I was just going to see if my brother had safely deposited the documents when the explosion happened. I just opened the door and switched on the light and "Boom I got blown right out of the doorway.”

"He died in my arms and asked I forgive him and would I look after his family. From what I can gather he did not realise the explosive substance they where using was as unstable as it was. A simple light switch can ignite it." The Brahmin recorded all this conversation.

"The brothers of Islam had received instructions from Iraq to target various sites around Yorkshire. Some of the proposed explosions would have been in heavily populated areas like Leeds as they have quite a large ethnic Jewish population. Others explosions where planned at infrastructure like Transmitters and official buildings. They had considered Leeds- Bradford Airport but found the security there was far too strict for them to do any worthwhile damage. "

The Brahmin switched on the television and relayed the report of the explosion directly to his awaiting congregation. The reporter was saying Mystery surrounds the recent fire and Explosions in Barker End Road that have completely destroyed a row of terraced houses. As we speak their seams to have been similar types of incidents on Little Horton road, Great Horton road and just off Maningham Lane at a Mosque. Because of the number of incidents fire and rescue teams from neighbouring towns have been called in to help with the fires. All the fires appear to be in the Asian areas of Bradford."

Nyola's father said before he passed out, "My brother told me before he died the pop concert at Skipton castle was to be a target due to the amount of non Muslims attending. Please get a warning out so no lives are lost."

Nyola, "Gaby do not some of your friends live at that Castle."

Gaby, "Why do you think Kali left here in a hurry with Lord Vishnu. Did you not here him utter the words Dragon law. The attempt failed as will all others if they involve any of my companions or family. Dragon law though take precedence over human law."

The Brahmin spoke, “The last time the Islamic terrorists attempted anything in Britain resulted in the deportation of many innocent people and the mass execution of terrorists across the globe. Obviously some escaped the purges and are now attempting again to kill and murder others regardless of cost to themselves.”

Gaby spoke, “The terrorists will soon learn what it is to incur the wrath of Kali or Vishnu means. They will now hunt them all down and destroy the place they are found in. Kali will not return until she is satisfied that they have all been destroyed. This time there will be no mass deportations like before. However you will find Homes, Works & Mosques all bursting into flames across the country, and being totally destroyed. Every weapons store, Armaments Dump or terrorist meeting place will go up in flames this very night. Be assured though no innocent will perish. Your father is witness to that. Kali has already examined him, and his heart was found to be true. Had it been false then like your uncle then he also would also be no more."

Nyola, "But Dad staggered in here before he told us what had transpired, and then he collapsed. So he cannot have been examined by Kali."

Nyola's Mother, "Nyola all four of us have been true to the Earth Mother and even your father said a prayer or two when he thought nobody was looking. Your father has many other issues to contend with. For some time he suspected you uncle had got in with a bad crowd and was trying to get him back on the correct path. Even your aunt and cousin knew nothing of what your uncle and the others were planning. If what Gaby said is true, and for a moment I do not doubt it. Then your father will be marked as all who fall into the clutches of Kali are marked."

The Brahmin returned with a bowl of water and soap. He also had some scissors to cut away the charred clothing. Little by little they removed the charred remnants of his clothing.

Nyola, "Oh dad he appears to have damaged his finger."

The Brahmin said, "May I see." "Nyola that is no damage that is the mark of Kali. As we all can now plainly see your father appears to be both male and female."

Nyola's mother spoke, "Nyola the changes where happening to your father long before the fire. It was one of the things that your father had to decide himself what to do. For your father his decision would have considerable consequences for him and all of us. He knew the Muslim community would shun him if they realised what was happening to him. Yet the opposite would have been true with the Hindi Community."

The father awoke and said, "Please no all will see my shame and know what I have become."

The Brahmin spoke, "Sir I know you are a muslin and true to your faith, but should you have been of our faith then regardless of what has since happened you would have been revered by all Hindus. Is it true you also said prayers to the eternal mother?"

Gaby pointed her hand at him and said, "Be dressed correctly. Kali has taken you as her child and now you are dressed as such. I would not worry too much about what your family thinks as those close to you have seen you as you really are."

"Uncle we have to go and live with the Golden one, and you will also have to come with us. I am not sad about my dad being dead. He was going to do a great wrong to a great many people, and he would have gone to the place for bad people. Now instead of that he will be reborn again as he repented at the last minute in your arms. Perhaps one day I will get chance to play with him as I did before. I suppose you will have to be renamed by us, or at least if Kali has marked you like Gaby suggested then perhaps she should name you."

"Brahmin it is true I said prayers I was taught as a child. I did not realise my family knew what I was doing. As for my brother I half suspected what he was up to and I was hoping to persuade him to change his mind. That is what I was going to do when the explosion happened. I made my late brother a promise and that I will abide by. I was scared to admit the changes I have been under going recently. It appears my brother will not be the only one to be reborn. It is true Kali picked me up and carried me here, as would any mother whose child was worn out. I met Kali a long time ago but did not realise who she was. As a child I played with her often, and she promised me she would always be there for me if I were in trouble. Kali herself taught me those prayers I was heard uttering. Since we last met I have always said the prayers I was taught every evening."

Gaby, "There is something you are not telling the Brahmin. Did you not ask Kali to be your partner, and she said it was impossible but she would always be there for you if you needed help?"

"I did not realise at the time I had proposed to the Goddess Kali. She was a friend who I enjoyed the company of and even if I had known who she was then I would have still asked her to be my partner. Now I see why it was impossible. To Kali I was always her child even when we played together. I was to dim to realise that. Kali even had her own name for me, which I suppose I had better adopt considering how I now look. Kali as some call her, called me Anne St John of Pembroke. I used to ask why she insisted on calling me Anne. I was answered with you remind me of two dear friends so I give you parts of their names."

"Far later when at college I was to do some research, and discovered my friend had named me after two great ladies. Lady Anne St John who married Earl Clifford and Lady Anne Clifford who to all intents and purposes would not bow to Lord Cornwall and he even recognised her as Queen of the Northern shires. Even to this day in Skipton or Appleby you are likely to be asked are you a Royalist or a Parliamentarian. Woe betides you if you gave the wrong answer. You will most likely be driven out of those towns. It may be many years since her death but to hear those northern people talk you would think it was only yesterday."

The town's people are likely to treat all foreigners with suspicion. The same happened to me. I visited the church and at first the locals where slow to greet me. I asked about Lady Anne and then I was treated like a long lost friend. When I asked about Anne St John I was taken to the tomb and proudly shown it. The chap who showed me the tomb said, “Aye lad she is no but resting a while till the mistress calls her from her slumber." I told the man I was hoping to also visit Appleby Church and Castle. "I well lad tell Lady Anne her loyal White coats await her return." It was some time later I discovered a White coat was soldier of Lord Clifford's army.”

“I did indeed visit Appleby church. It is not as impressive as Skipton but the tombs of Lady Anne and Lady Margaret are. Well I paid my respects and gave the message I was told to give. I could have sworn I heard a "Thank you; I will soon once again be at the head of my loyal White coats. Justice named you well and you have stirred us in preparation for our Lady's coming. After this I met and married my wife in a Hindu ceremony and then a Muslim one to please both families.”

“A good few years later I revisited Skipton with Nyola and my wife. There was some sort of pageant on in the High street. Most of the towns people where dressed in medieval costumes. So we decided to do likewise and, my wife noticed a costume shop. We into the costume hire shop to get an outfit each. All we could get was clothing of an Indian Princess. So all three of us dressed alike. Upon exiting the shop we got called over to the podium by the same man I had talked to many years before. "I see this time you come to us dressed as befits your station. Whom do I inform my lady you are this time?”

My wife replied, "Tell your mistress that the Rani St John is here with her family and seeks an audience with her."

The town crier was wearing britches and a cloak and a tricorn hat and had a bell in his hand. He rang his bell and said, "My Lords, Ladies and people of Skipton today we have a visiting Queen. She has come with her family from far in the East to take part today in our gala. Will you now give her a real Skipton welcome as befits a Queen from the Orient?"

With that we received three cheers. What I was surprised at was how serious they took their parts. The poor men who where dressed as Roundheads got boos and even some rotten food thrown at them. I was glad we had not chosen those costumes. Together we all watched the days proceedings and then we where invited back to the castle for tea. Back at the castle I was asked our true names. One thing is certain; of the women I saw there that day none of them was Gaby. They all knew though I had at one time spoken with Lady Anne and Lady Margaret."

Later at the castle we where informed that the Roundheads had been provided by an historical enactment society. It was found impossible to get any of the locals to play the part of Cromwellian parliamentarian Roundheads as they are all intensely Royalists hereabouts the only parliamentarians part they could get anybody local to play was Generals Lambert and Fairfax. Sorry I am blathering on about something that has no interest to you Brahmin.”

"I got talking to the town crier and he told me his name was Mr Hermes. Recently I have kept bumping into him. In fact he called in at my work place with an order for us a few days ago, and I had quite a chat with him. The strange thing is although we talked for at least an hour I cannot remember what either of us said. My mind has been playing strange tricks on me recently."

Nyola shook her head as did her younger cousin and the Brahmin was trying hard not to laugh. "You say this town crier was called Mr Hermes sir?"

"Yes Brahmin what is so funny about that name?"

Nyola spoke, "Father not only have you proposed to Kali and been turned down, But you have also been chatting away to Hermes the messenger of the gods. Even I know who Hermes or Mercury is. Now do you see why we find it funny?" To us it looks like Hermes was also keeping an eye on you as well as Kali." Why was he keeping check on you though? Was Hermes doing it on the orders of Kali, or somebody else far more important?"

For a while there was quiet and then Gaby said, "And I thought I was in for a quiet time getting away from the family. What do I find? Imps of all sizes keeping check on Nyola and family. Yes Imps you might as well show yourselves and answer some questions as you know jolly well who I am."

A few seconds late a considerable amount of imps emerged from their hiding place. They all looked like very small scared children. Petal spoke, "Justice Babies all need nice clean clothes and a jolly good wash. Petal and Sepal see to babies now, and then they will answer questions for Petal once they are clean. Dirty imps are only very dirty pixies babies who need good scrubbing to get them clean."

Gaby said, "Petal I suppose these are earth Pixies?"

One of the braver one spoke, "Please do not let Petal and Sepal near us they will scrub us till we bleed. We have the greatest respect for both of them, but are terrified, as we have heard how strict they are on cleanliness. Yes mistress we are earth pixies we love nothing better than burrowing into the earth, or doing the bidding of Justine. If we wear clothing it gets tatty and smelly so we do not bother normally. If though we have to live with Petal and Sepal then we will have to dress similar to them. If you do not mind though a quick wave of your hand and we can be clean again and in a new tunic similar to that of our fire cousins. If Nyola and family are to return with the Golden Empress so shall we, and as such we will need clothing of some sort."

Gaby scooped up the one who had been speaking and wrapped Nyola's veil around the Imp. "That look far better you look quite pretty like a baby who needs a good feed. For now you all can wear bronze but that may change after you all have been fed."

“Mistress we watch and listen and report all we hear to Justine. We could not find Justine and so we told Lord Draco instead, and he was not amused when we told him about the bad men planning to hurt many people. Imps from all over brought him news of them. Lord Draco scared us when he let out a giant roar and all Killer matrons came to him. Even the very old Endora and Andorra came. Endora said, Alexis will not like it but as a golden queen I invoke dragon law."

Justine, "Gaby have you worked out yet that these imps are also rather dirty Fire pixies. They like nothing better than playing in ashes while they are still warm. They also can trigger explosions, as they tend to get rather hot. Draco has summoned the killer matrons and they are already hunting their prey. One of these imps though triggered the initial explosion. It would not harm them but it sure would scare them."

Petal, "If they are fire pixies then they immediately come under Petal & Sepal's jurisdiction. Mistress Gaby why were they watching your friend when all fire pixies should be guarding you?"

Justine, "Ah I had them keep watch on the family and report to me. When I discovered them, I found them playing in the ashes of a recent fire, I at first thought they where imps and then I realised they were fire pixies. As there was no apparent parent nearby I decided to take them under my wing as in all probability I am their aunt."

Petal, "In all probability they will be either mine or Sepals children. We both had that many children we lost count."

Gaby decided to ask the fire pixies about their parents. One little one replied, "We do not know our dads name. Mum had lots and lots of us. We liked playing in the ashes and always got into trouble for being dirty. Mum would call us her dirty little imps so when the lady Justine called us imps we responded, but now we would like to go home to our mum. Fire pixies watch when house went boom, but we did not trigger it. We ran and told Lord Draco and he was very angry, and we had to run again. It is not good to be around Lord Draco when he is angry."

“Later we had to repeat everything to the Lady Endora and she was equally as cross as Lord Draco and she also called for all the killer matrons. Even the quite placid Andorra was cross about the news we had brought, and she also invoked Dragon law. We all shot back to Justice. Somebody is in for a very hot time. Lord Draco is bad enough but the Killer matrons you just keep out of their way, and pray it is not you they are mad at."

"Lady Gaby can you protect us from the wrath of Lord Draco and the matrons?"

Sepal, "Yes she can, but she can not protect you from an irate Sepal and Petal. Playing in ashes indeed! You where supposed to have being doing other duties. Like looking after your younger sisters & cousins."

Justice, "Oh she was doing that as ordered, but in the ashes. I take it you two are laying claim to all of these."

One of the other pixies spoke up. "I am the odd one out. I came across them when fleeing from a fire. I was astonished when they played in the flames and ashes and did not get burnt. They looked after me and we all stayed together helping each other as best we could. I even learnt how to walk through flames like they did, and I taught them how to get nectar from the flowers and honey from the bees without getting stung. Now they all accept me as one of their sisters. It was I who had the task of informing Lord Draco about the explosion as the others where still shaking. I was terrified and yet I remembered how one of our number had once aided the same dragon Lord so I gave him the news."

"He said are you not afraid of me like your friends?"

"Sir to be honest I am terrified but if Petal can stand your flame so can I. He laughed and deliberately cut himself, and asked me to seal it with pixie dust and I did that. Now young pixie you have followed in the footsteps of my Petal and I am instructing you to take care of those scared babies of fire. With that he left laughing. I could have sworn I heard him say the smaller they are the more trouble they cause me."

Gaby, "I presume you got dragon blood on you?"

"Lady Gaby it got everywhere and was still stuck to me when you all arrived here. I rolled in the ashes to dry it up but it is still stuck to me in places."

Petal and Sepal giggled, "Lord Draco has honoured you and made you his daughter like he did with us. Now you must complete your transformation to a fire pixie and be a fire pixie like us. Besides that the Lady Gaby needs your personal help."

Gaby looked at the other two and said, "You're both sure about this, as there is no going back for her once it is done?"

"Lady Gaby, Lord Draco said I had to look after the babies and so that is what I will continue to do until the end of my days.”

"Please show Pollen what she must do to become full sister to Petal and Sepal? Oh! Is that all I can do that easy. Pollen teaches babies how to get meal from cows and sheep in fields. Little ones all call Pollen, Polly that I like better. Oh Pollen feels strange. Many voices all talking to Polly. That is better big boss tells them all to shut up and behave."

Pollen then got a voice in her head that spoke with authority. "Welcome Polly, like your two sisters you have just become a daughter of Draco, and sister to the Empress. As I talk to you my blood is coursing through your veins. For long enough you have cared for my children and now they must come home with you. Your job is still to look after those of my blood and also those Lord Draco and Lady Justine have an interest in."

Polly's mouth was opening and shutting like a goldfish. "Somebody was speaking in my head. The big boss ordered them all to stop speaking and then the Empress spoke to me, Little Pollen! Can you imagine that Polly had the Empress speaking to her?”

Petal, "Yes we know she spoke to you as she speaks to us. For you are now one with her just as we are. You may not realise it but all round know you are one with the Empress as you now glow golden as we do."

"But Pollen is an Air Pixie. I only learned to fire walk from the children."

Nyola said, "Do you mind if I speak? "Polly to me you look like an exact replica of the two small goddesses called Petal and Sepal. Hindi legends tell of the three small sisters of a great god. They lead the legions of gods in protection of the greatest god of all. My friend Gaby is one of the faces of the great god. You where covered in the blood of Vishnu and so are born like the great goddess of his blood. You also drank her life force and also became her daughters. The statement lord Vishnu made to you to look after the children can be interpreted several ways."

"I know full well what Lord Draco meant. For long enough now we have watched and reported on you and your family. Now you know we exist and so my job will be far harder."

Petal, "No it will be far easier. Nyola is a friend of our mistress and she also is our sister's charge. We all take turns and Mistress Justine will tell us in her own time why she is interested in Nyola's Family."

2 The following morning.

Gaby knocked on the door and entered. "Hi Nyola I have to ask you and your family if you would like to go shopping for new clothing. We have brought you all some items but thought you would like the chance to do some serious shopping."

Nyola's aunt spoke, “Gaby we would love to, but everything we owned went up in the fire."

Gaby said, "Yes I know that and that is why Justine wants to take you all shopping to Hull and also visit the Deep at the same time."

Nyola's mother spoke, “Gaby we would love to go. That is somewhere I have wished to visit for quite a while and have never got round to it."

A short time late a coach left the castle with the group on a shopping spree. They headed out of town on the a629/a650 and headed for Bradford there they took the ring road and joined the M606 to get to the M62 motorway. Soon they saw the great power stations of Drax and Eggeborough they closed the ventilation system as it brought in sulphur fumes of the PowerStation's. They saw the out line of Selby Abbey and then Nyola said, "I can see the bridge do we go over it? The coach driver pulled into a car park and they got out and took some photos of the bridge.

Justine, "No we do not go over it but on the way home perhaps we could divert that way although it will mean we have a longer journey."

In Hull their first point of call was the Ferrands Way shopping centre. Nyola went into one shop with Gaby and looked around. An assistant came and asked if they needed help. Gaby paid for several items in the store. Then they left. Nyola spoke did you notice that assistant it was a man trying to look like a woman."

Gaby, "Nyola perhaps she is like your father and cannot help what is happening to her. I should think she is having quite a hard time."

"Sorry Gaby I had not thought like that.”

Unnoticed by Nyola Gaby had placed what looked like a small Gold statue on the counter. The assistant noticed it shortly after the group had left. She read the note attached to the doll. She noticed a telephone number and rang that number. A woman answered the telephone. "I have found this golden doll in my shop with this number so I rang it."

"That sounds like my daughter has left it again. I presume she has been trying clothing on, as it is usually clothes shops she leaves it at. If Possible could you meet us at the Deep before 18.00 as our coach is due to collect us from there at 18.00?"

"Yes I can manage that."

Meanwhile Gaby and the gang had all gone into the Deep. They took the lift to the very top floor that had a cafe and restaurant on it. In the Restaurant there was a wonderful view of the Humber and the port of Kingston upon Hull. The girls' all had a snack and drink in the cafe before exploring the Deep. They looked at the massive glass tanks holding the fish. Eventually they came to an open tank where the rays where coming to the surface to be petted.

Nyola, "Gaby they are just like babies and want stroking. One of the assistants saw Nyola was interested and came across.

"Would you like to swim with them?"

"I would if I could but I have nothing with me so that is impossible."

"Nothing is impossible here. I will see if we have a wet suite to fit you and then I will go in with you personally."

Nyola looked at her mother who said, "You should be safe with a wetsuit on Nyola."

With that she did not need asking again. Once she was in the water the rays acted differently and swam to Nyola but as soon as the assistant got in they swam to her and then back to Nyola.

Gaby, “Those fish have told me what Nyola has not. I bet if she was not wearing a wetsuit she would develop a tail herself."

Nyola's mother said, “Please Gaby not so loud, it would not do for others to realise the daughters of the waters exist. I do not know how or why Nyola has developed like she has & I have tried my best to ensure she did not do sports at school."

Gaby called the assistant over, “Ariel take your swimming partner to see your father and then return here."

With that Ariel took Nyola's hand and led her through the tubes. Eventually they surfaced an appeared to be in a great hall. Ariel blew a conch shell and two great doors opened.

"Ariel my daughter what are you doing here and who is this."

"Hello sir I am Nyola and I am friends with Gaby. I am not sure how we got here Ariel brought me after my friend Gaby said to Ariel she had to bring me to meet you. I have met the Lord of the Sky's are you his brother? I have been under the protection of Justine and Hermes for some time. Now the Golden one gives orders concerning my well-being."

Neptune grinned, “Come here and kneel before me. Yes Draco is my brother. Now let me check something. Well Nyola I would like you to bring both of your parents to me as at least one of them is a child of mine. Now take this bracelet off me and put it on. It will show the others you also have my protection. Now you had better return to Golden Queen Gabriel for she will be cross if she is kept waiting."

"Ariel you work in an aquarium and yet you are a daughter of the water. Can you tell me how the Lord of the Waters knew what I am when I am dressed like this?"

"That is easy Nyola. I knew before I even offered you the wetsuit. It would not have done for you to enter the water otherwise. The tell tail signs for the likes of you and me are the gills behind your ears, and they allow you to breath under the water. In future your sports lessons will be with me, but at school you will have to do extra subjects instead of the P.E you should be doing. Now though we will have to return to the others as it will no do to keep Gaby waiting."

Gaby, “Well Nyola did you enjoy that swim with Ariel?"

"The rays where very friendly Gaby they all came and greeted me as if we where long lost friends."

"Nyola they only greeted you as they would any princess of the waters. Watch Lorelie when she gets in. If you have not already guessed it all the staff here and at several Sea Life centres around the country are all Mermaids." As Gaby spoke the fish all swam around Lorelie.

Lorelie got out of the water and said, "Come through this door and you will see something else." As they did Nyola noticed a massive tank with sharks in it. Yes Nyola they are Great whites and Tiger sharks some of the most dangerous fishes in the sea. Now watch as Gaby places her hand in the water." The sharks all fled to the opposite side of the tank.

"They're terrified of Gaby's hand."

"Yes Nyola, Only the tank walls are stopping them from being further away. They all know what Gaby is and what the penalty Neptune would impose if they tried to harm her."

Samantha decided to close her shop early and return the child's doll. She got out her bike and wheeled it out of the Ferrands Centre. She was just mounting it when a group of teenagers accosted her and started calling her names and throwing things at her. They left her when somebody chased them away. She broke down in tears. "Nothing ever goes right for me. I was born a girl in a boy's body. Now they have damaged my only means of getting this to the Deep" Samantha looked up and saw a strange woman smiling at her.

"Care to tell me all your woes dear?"

The woman cuddled Samantha who decided to tell this stranger everything. The woman looked at the bike. "That is not going to get you far as those boys have damaged the front wheel of your bike."

Samantha. “In that case I had better start running as I have to deliver a parcel before 18.00 to the Deep."

"No need Samantha for that. I am Justine and that is where I am also heading. So would you like a lift with me, and then you can deliver the parcel with out further delay."

In the relatively short journey to the Deep Samantha told Justine all about herself, and her hopes and aspirations. "I was married and loved my partner dearly; she though could not cope when I started changing. We are still friends and see each other often. I was planning on visiting friends in London who have similar problems to me."

By the time they had arrived at the deep. Samantha felt considerably better. She leaned forward and kissed Justine and said, "Thank you for that and the lift. I must leave you now to deliver this to a young customer who will be pleased to get it back."

Samantha saw a coach and walked across to it. The coach driver said, "About time you are the last one now take your seat and we can be off."

"Sorry driver you are mistaken I have only brought this for Miss Gabriel Bond. She left it in my shop and I am returning it."

As she spoke Polly touched her. "Sleep friend you have returned me to my family and now it is you turn to receive help."

Samantha had the strangest dreams while she slept. The coach was just pulling in to Peg's pantry for a rest stop when Samantha awoke. Samantha was a little disorientated and Justine spoke. "You told me you wanted to go and see a bike race well we thought you might like to come with us to one as your reward for returning Polly. Gaby and some of the others are racing tomorrow, and they decided as you returned Polly they would let you accompany them to the race."

Samantha blinked her eyes. "Gaby as in Bond champion daughter of Jennie?"

Gaby. "That's me; you failed to recognise me when I was in your shop. Thanks for returning Polly. Now you must be hungry. I know we are. Your bike is a bit of a mess but we can rectify that for you once the mechanic gets his hands on it. I understand from Justine you told her everything that has happened to you."

Samantha pinched herself to see if she was dreaming. "You're all real & I am not dreaming. Did I honestly tell Justine everything?"

"Samantha I doubt not that you told Justine everything. You must have been shattered as you fell asleep as soon as you stepped on the coach and we had no alternative but to bring you with us. We could hardly leave you asleep outside the Deep with a damaged bike could we?"

Samantha started to smile and then spoke. "Has somebody a telephone I could borrow? I need to telephone two friends in London, and let them know I as safe as we normally telephone each other to keep check on each other."

Gaby passed a mobile over and Samantha dialled a London number. "Hi its Sam here something has occurred and I will be later getting to London now. I do not know when I will be there."

"Hi Sam are you sure you are ok?"

"For first time in my life I feel alive. I got attacked outside my place of work, and then lady who chased my attackers off found me. The attackers have damaged my bike, but team Bond is repairing it for me. I am going to the bike race at Nottingham with the team as their guest. Currently I am with most of team members of team Bond on their own coach. I am borrowing their telephone as mine is not working due to getting damaged in the attack."

"Sam in that case we will drop what we are doing, and drive up to Nottingham to be with you. So we will see you later. Will you ask your new friends if they mind doing a few autographs for some oldies like us?"

Gaby, "Tell them to come to the Gaby Bond refreshment stand as I would like to meet your friends Samantha."

Samantha sat down at a table with Gaby, Nyola & Justine. Justine spoke, "Relax Samantha you are among friends we will not harm you."

Samantha felt something digging into her and reached inside her bra. She brought out the doll and said, "I could have sworn I had already handed this over but as I seam to be mistaken you better have it now."

Gaby and the others started to laugh and then Gaby said, “Sorry about that Samantha. You did hand it back to me, but she has a mind of her own and has apparently decided she prefers you to me."

"How can a doll have a mind of its own? Somebody must have decided to play a trick on me while I was asleep."

Justine, “Samantha we had intended referring you and your two friends to a friend of ours Lady Helen Middleham who specialises in your problem. Am I to take it you are lactating?"

Samantha looked uncomfortable as she answered. "Yes but how did you know as I never told anybody."

Gaby started to laugh again and said, "This is how she knew. Her face is still covered in milk. This is not a doll as you thought. She is a pixie and loves a free meal or two if she can get them."

Samantha, "Well if that is true she can have a meal when ever she feel the need as I am constantly producing milk and normally I have to use a pump to relieve the pressure. Nothing seams to dry me up. You know I never took hormones to get as I am now. At school I would have much preferred to play with the girls, but I had a boy's body. Eventually I got married, and for a time we where happy. Then I noticed round my nipples was getting darker and my breasts grew. I went to doctors and they diagnosed Gynaecomastica or Male breasts. Since that date my body has slowly been altering. My hips have broadened and I lost all my body hair. My hands and face are about the only masculine thing left about me along with what is between my legs and that appears to be shrinking."

"One thing I did notice was what Nyola said about me to Gaby and the response from Gaby. I take it that your father has a similar complaint to me Nyola?

“Samantha I apologise you where not meant to hear what I said. Can you forgive this Mermaid?”

"Nyola if you where one of those blessed creatures I would be asking you to fix this fairies long established problem. That though is something you cannot do."

Nyola thought for a moment, "I will ask the Golden Queen if she will grant your heart desires."

Nyola approached Gaby, "Great gracious Golden Queen will you grant this daughter of the waters a boon? Recently I discovered a rather distressed fairy that had lost her luck. If it is in your power please allow my friend her heart desire."

Gaby, “Nyola your request is rather muddled. Luck refers to Leprechauns yet you called your friend a fairy.”

Samantha. "Gabriel I am playing Nyola's game. I though could never be a leprechaun. True my maternal father was Irish and I never met him. Apparently there was some problem as mother never took me to see him. My Father's family are Yorkshire men through and through. My Paternal Grandmother could recite the generations back to Venutias king of Brigantia. I am not sure who he was but Gran said he fought the Romans."

Justine, “Samantha, Gabriel has no idea who they are. but I do. Oberon is one of my brothers so you may call me Aunt. I cannot allow you to return to your flat. No niece of mine is going to be allowed to transform alone. As for Venutias he has already been restored to his seat. Gabriel will you allow me to speak directly with Alexis and ask what should be done with Samantha?”

Gaby found a strange voice coming out of her mouth. "Justice take good care of Samantha and I will see her when you all return home. Nyola I see you have already met Uncle Neptune and he has laid claim to you. Gaby claimed you first though. Pollen you and the children of fire have a task to perform with Samantha once she is asleep. Samantha your changes are nearly finished although soon you will feel great pain and then your problem will be over."

With that Gaby returned to her normal voice, "Alexis is gone."

Samantha stood there with her mouth open wide. "You where not kidding about the doll being a pixie and Nyola being a Mermaid were you?"

Gaby laughed. "No they were being honest with you, as was Justine. Although you thought it a game, Nyola was also calling me by one of my titles. Please though just call me Gaby like the others. Now if you have both Oberon & Venutias in your blood you certainly are no leprechaun. You may be as Nyola described you though."

Samantha, "Well I can not disagree with her description of me. I am certainly one of the biggest fairies you ever seen. Before you disagree it is a name given to the likes of me by people who do not understand us."

As Samantha was speaking she clutched her tummy, "Oh God that hurts." With that she fainted. Samantha awoke sometime later she looked around and realised she was on a bed on the coach.

Justine was sat next to her. "The others wanted to be with you but they all need their sleep before the race. I though do not. Now young lady are you going to give your aunt a cuddle.”

A little voice piped up. “We are also here to look after you. It took all of us to empty you of milk, and it should be sometime now before you require our services again. Imagine you having those two as grandpa's one is bad enough but both of them. No wonder your mum did want to take you home. I have been trying to work out which Fay was your mother and grandmother. Makes no difference though Alexis now knows of you and she will be summoning both Oberon and Venutias when we return home. Both will be there with their families.”

Samantha, "Can I borrow a mirror as my face must be a mess and I wish to make myself presentable." Samantha at first did not recognise the face looking back at her she closed one of her eyes and one closed in the mirror.

Justine, “You are now as you where meant to be and you certainly are as previously described. Come stand-up now lets see if you can fly. That tearing sound is your clothing as your wings break through. We all have slits built into the back of our clothing. I as your aunt claim the right to take you on a short flight. That is better. By now they all will know you have finally matured."

"How did we get through the roof? I suppose I should ask where the wings come from? Do they just fold away again? Gaby has she wings like me?”

"Gaby is a special case. She is one with the Empress. But yes she does have wings similar to us. Even if you where naked nobody would see your wings. You might appear to have two spots on your back but nobody would take any notice of them. With our wings out we can pass through most materials. As your aunt it falls on me to teach you all you need to know. If Titania or Tatiana was here they would have also claimed that job."

"Justine you looked after me like a mother would. First when I was assaulted and my bike damaged. And then when I got that terrible pain. I awoke to find you watching over me. Rather than Aunt may I call you Grandmother?”

“Please Samantha just call me Justine. I have reasons for doing that.”

"Aunt my sight appears to also have changed I can see down there and those boys appear to be up to no good. I am going to go and stop them."

Justine grinned, "Ok I will observe while you stop them."

"Hey you lot leave that child alone or you will have me to contend with." The boys where taken by surprise and let go of the child who ran to Samantha. Samantha picked up the child and said, "You had better come with me."

Justine when she saw the child smiled, "Samantha you are being tested this is no child. I take it your mistress is close by Baby for you would not be here alone. If not your mistress then one of the Dragon Queens is close by, are they following us."

Baby, “All the Lords are excited a child of Leofrith has appeared. You have much to learn but they all agree you could not have a better teacher than Justice. Justine Oberon sends his greetings to his sister and bids you place this tiara on Samantha as your right as a queen of the Fay demands. Oberon he will meet you at the race as he has personally gone to collect Leofrith. Fear not Polly the two Lords have long since buried their differences, and are now they are the greatest of friends. Leofrith was pleased to learn you now are with Samantha and bid you attend her as you would herself. She also says congratulations youngest of Draco's children."

Polly spoke, "Baby I need no introduction to you. Your fame is well known among the entire Fay. Although I am surprised you where the choice."

By now Gaby had awaked and saw Baby and gave her a hug. Samantha said, "I take it you know this little one.

Gaby, "Seeing as she is my main supporter I certainly do. If it were not for Baby and the others we would not have the facilities we do at home. I see you have gained your wings Samantha. Your clothes are shredded so that tells me you have flown. Also Baby could only be here if somebody had brought her."

"I was on a training flight with Justine and saw some boys apparently attacking Baby. They fled when I appeared and Baby ran to me. I have just thought about something my pet cat needs feeding."

Baby spoke, "You do not think we would have overlooked her do you? In fact your flat should be empty by now if the others have done their job correctly. I though would have thought Justine would have told you that you will not be returning there. As for the boys who where attacking me, they where the Animorph daughters of the Empress. As for your cat Samantha, currently she is doing my job, and sitting on the Empresses knee guarding her.

"Now is Ally also here?"

"Yes Baby I am what can I do for you."

"Instructions from Big Boss. As you are only True Fay here you are to look after Samantha. Justine can teach you both for the time being. Now for Polly it is at the request of Oberon himself that you Polly stay with Samantha and act as her mentor. Justine you get to have little old me for a while and it is the Empress Alexis command that you treat me as your baby. Now though I am very hungry and tired. It was fun being chased by the pack but I soon get tired out."

"So the Empress thinks I am suitable for her baby. Well I better prove that I cannot feed you. Samantha here could though." A short time later Justine realised she was feeding baby as instructed.

One of the young mischievous Pixies said, "Oh is this a new feeding station. I missed out last time."

Justine looked hard at the pixie and said, “Seriously did you miss out."

"No but I am hungry, I am always hungry. I would not dare ask you otherwise for you already know I speak the truth."

"So you are scared of me and it required you to be quite brave, is that it?"

One of the others said, "More like wrong in the head. I would not have had the bottle to ask Justice unless I had drunk a bottle full of mead. Then I would not be hungry would I?" This brought about laughter from some of the other Pixies.

Polly was not amused. "You all should be ashamed of yourselves. "Neither Petal nor myself worried about getting flambéed when we sealed Lord Draco's cut. Likewise your sister is brave enough to put a request to Justice. True she knows she also has the protection of Draco but he is not here is he."

Justice, “Yes I know you spoke the truth and it took nerve to ask me. As Baby has apparently managed to trigger me into producing milk again you may feed from me for as long as you need to. It is a long time since any child fed from me and I thought I could no longer produce milk. It appears I am wrong. I though require some commitment from you while I am able you will only attend to me. If I am unable to then you may look elsewhere. I though have a feeling you may have a long job ahead of you."

"First may I answer my sisters and cousins? I am no head case. I am always hungry and I hope Justice can fill the void in my Tummy. With the permission of my mothers all of them I accept. I should warn you though Justice I have the blood of Draco in my veins."

Justice was trying not to laugh, “Yes I know and I believe somebody is promoting you to say things."

"Nobody prompts me. Thoughts just come into my head. I think perhaps that I will not have empty tummy if Justice can fill me. I know it can make me go zip but that will soon stop once I get attuned to you. Little sisters I have not met fed from Empress and they went Zip, Zip, Zip all over the place. I know better. Empress Alexis's thinks it is good idea I become your baby she tells me so. "Ops I was not meant to say that. Pippa told not to let on Big Boss and Empress Alexis talk to Pippa."

Justice, "So you are obeying orders off the Empress. I better follow those same orders then and I will not let on you told me who instructed you to say what you did."

Gaby was laughing away. "Pippa you have already forgot I, Sepal, Petal & Polly already have a direct link with the Empress. The Big boss is laughing away as she knew you could not avoid telling Justice the truth.”

"Pippa forget when Justice stares hard all must tell truth to her. Pippa try and do as big boss instructed but Pippa fail. Pippa is very hungry; Pippa could feed from dragon and still be hungry. Pippa also very scared now Justice zaps her."

Justine picks Pippa up and said, “You had better feed as Baby is already asleep. So Alexis has decided I need a pixie as a baby. Well she slipped up as I recognised the halo of the so called attackers that is why I did not give chase as I realised it was a set up."

Gaby, "You have forgotten one thing Alexis was already with Samantha as she carried her in the form of Polly. Polly already emits the golden glow of the Empress as I do. That attack was not planned nor where they doing it on Alexis's orders. You saw the glow from Polly. As for the attackers they are terrified as they where taught a lesson by a group of fire imps.

Pippa spoke, "We could not allow them to get away with doing what they did to Poly's friend Samantha. We may be small but we are loyal to our friends and family. So the attackers found rotten fruit flung at them all the way to their homes. They all got in trouble with their parents for being so dirty once they got home. Empress told us to stop retaliating and return to base, so we did.”

Justice started to laugh. "Yes you certainly are of Draco's blood. You turn out to have quite a bit of fire in you."

Pippa. "Err Justine it turns out you can fill me. I feel as if I will explode so can you hold me tight until the feeling goes away."

Samantha looked at Polly and said, "I am being manipulated you all knew I was Fay when I did not."

Gaby, "When we visited the shop we did not know you existed. We though did know of the existence of Leofrith, as she was one of those who suffered because of Endora's command. For a while now Alexis has been searching for Leofrith. We kept coming up blank but then a few weeks ago there was a disturbance in Hull and we realised it must be Leofrith. She vanished again off our screens so we decided to investigate and discovered you.”

"Sorry I cannot help as I have no idea where either mother or Grandmother are."

Gaby, “Actually you caused the disturbance when you started to read certain books."

"Oh I remember now it was called a beginners guide to magic. It fell off the shelf in the library and I picked it up and read the pages. It appeared to be Latin or some other language I could not understand. I did though say the words in front of me. In fact I thought I saw my Cat in the library a short while before the book fell in front of me. My head started to spin and then I could read the words clearly and read this is the training book of Leofrith, and now it is yours Samantha until you pass it on to your daughter. Well this last bit had me in hysterics, as there is no way I could ever have a child. My equipment has never properly functioned like it should."

Justine, "I was correct then on taking you on a training flight. As Leofrith is one of my exiled daughters. There was nothing I could do to change the edict that went out that exiled Leofrith and the others. Endora had spoken. Now as your grandmother I ask you where Leofrith is."

"Honestly I do not know but I always felt she was close yet I could never locate her she just vanished. My sisters and I decided to sell the house and move most of the contents to our homes. We put the money from the sale into an account for mum."

"Sorry I forgot to say the telephone call was to my two older twin sisters who are just like me." As Samantha was speaking the telephone rang.

"Hello please may I speak with Sammie?

Gaby, "Samantha it is for you."

"Hi I was just telling my new friends about you both. I think they may also want you two to drop what you are doing and come and live with Grandma Justine. Yes that is correct I am with her on this coach. You would not believe what has happened to me in the last 24 hours."

“Sammie you are correct about one thing. There was a knock at the door as we where getting ready to come to you and this child was on the step and said you two are Samantha's sisters? I was taken aback but answered yes at that she clapped her hands and hundreds of little people all clad in green appeared and started to carry everything out of the house. The child said I better check they have everything. Good now the Queen wishes to examine you two. Well at first we though she meant Queen Elizabeth and then when we walked through the door we appeared to be somewhere totally different. Sammie we have just had a Leprechaun army move all our belongings.”

Samantha, "So you both have met Alexis in person?"

"Not exactly we have been greeted by two girls one of whom was titled Queen Astrid defeater of the black flight, and the second one is called Cleo daughter of the Lion Queen. The way they acted was as if they where giving the instructions to the leprechauns.

"Gaby could here all this as the telephone was on loud speaker. Greeting sisters of Samantha this is Gaby Bond speaking. Are Astrid and Cleo here if they are please call them over?"

"Ok Gaby we are here what do you want?"

"Well you can start by ensuring those two are at the race. They should have been meeting their grandma and sister who are with me."

"Ok mum already has Leofrith and from what she has learned from her has sent several hunting parties out. She has also summoned Oberon and all his kin so you will have a lot of family watching you in the three county races in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and finishing at Meadow hall in Yorkshire. In addition Venutias has stated he wishes to come and watch you race and could he bring a couple of friends.

Samantha whispered, “Gaby my Venutias must be at least 2000 years old so it cannot be the same one grandma can recite the family back to."

"Ha at one time I thought the same but I soon discovered some of those around us are thousands of years old. I am not though and neither is the Empress nor her daughters. Oberon & Neptune are certainly very old. So presumably Justine is of a similar age.”

Samantha looked at Justine and started to laugh. "Gaby that is a good one, I accept Justine could be my grandmother I am 20 and mum was 16 when she had me and 15 when she had the twins so mum is only 36 now. Grandma could be between 50 & 60 but certainly not any older, in fact if I had not worked this out I would have said she was nearer 40."

Justice smiled, "Thank you Samantha for saying I look 40. I though am considerably older than that. Your mother Leofrith was in human term's 1000 years old when she was exiled. We tend to look considerably younger than we actually are. Nyola you met Ariel and Lorelie they are my nieces and have lived for over a 1000 years also. They are now companions of the Golden Empress. For centuries they searched for a man they could live with. Well they discovered the Empress and are tied to her, as are all daughters of Neptune.”

Nyola let out a gasp; "He told me I was a daughter of Neptune. Does that mean I also will become a companion of the Empress?

Gaby started to laugh, "Nyola Neptune he was correct and you are already tied to the Empress as are Ariel and Lorelie. You are tied to me. Did you not hear the Brahmin call me one of the faces of the Empress? My friend Ally here is the Silver Lady but she also is my long time friend as are the others who surround me. You found me and asked me to stay at your house because you also became my friend. To Alexis it is as if these friends of mine are already her companions. Samantha I do not know if you realise it but since Justine has been feeding Baby and Pippa she is getting younger. Soon she will look like she is our older sister and Granny will not be appropriate. Justine's role with us is as senior Fay and to ensure we are all safe."

As Gaby was speaking there was an "Oh good we have finally arrived and we can get set up and have breakfast."

They spotted a big tent and Justine said, "I recognise those colours on the flags as my brothers but mine is missing."

Gaby. "No Justice you are with a golden party and as such the golden banner takes precedence.

Justine looked at the smaller banners and noticed several others. "Oh mine is there along with others. Samantha it appears my older sisters are here. It is a long time since I saw that banner. "Oh" not only the standards of my sisters and Nieces but Leofrith's also flutter in the wind alongside Endora's."

Nyola, "Look there is one with a deer on and then some with Wolves, Lions, Leopards."

"The deer can only mean Herne has turned up. Most of those plain colours are either my sisters or cousins or aunts."

"Why are there two black flags Justice?"

Justice looked and started to laugh. "Look again girls and tell me what you see."

"Oh they are not the same one has golden crowns all over it and the other has another colour and a crown in the corner."

"It appears that Astrid has decided to let everybody know she is in residence. The other shows that my former Brother is now under the care of one of the queens. He still retains the right to a flag although it has been altered. I see Draco must have just arrived just before us look the dragon standard is going up." Justine started to laugh, "He is ensuring we all know who his daughters are."

There was a little Yippee, "Look three flags with a dragon and pixie on, that is us. Gaby your flag is now going up it is a gold flag with a pink bike and the initials GB."

Gaby looked at the banners and a few seconds later they nearly all had a slight change. A single golden crown appeared in the centre of the majority of the flags. The rest of the groups turned round when they heard a voice say, "You did right young UN but that will get the old windbag blowing."

Justine. "Greetings and salutations brother of mine as you can see these days I seam to have gathered an assortment of individuals."

Neptune Bowed. "Greetings sister queen of mine. Now I know I have met some of these before but would you care to introduce them to me again?"

Gaby, "Old man I doubt that Justice has learned all our names yet but I will introduce my friends. This is Samantha one of three daughters of Leofrith.”

"Ah so she is your grand daughter Justice is she like her mother an Animorph? Makes no difference anyway you are my niece so entitled to this bracelet as are your sisters. Now you young lady I met a short time ago. You are Nyola correct. Well I have much to discuss with your parents. Now you young lady your Halo alone tells me you are a Queen, the Silver queen to be exact. It is a long time since that position was filled. You also are entitled to wear a bracelet of Neptune. One by one Neptune worked his way through the group and then he got to the pixies. Pixies the bane of my brothers life and yet the smallest of his daughters."

Pixie Pippa spoke up, "Sir we maybe small, but are all extremely loyal to Lord Draco and all his kin. I would not have gained this position as assistant to Queen Justice otherwise."

"Ah Pixie Pippa the only Pixie so far who has dared to speak up to my sister and me come to think of it. Yes you are equally as brave as Petal, Sepal and Polly. You show the younger generation is also full of fire. I have tended to overlook you all and I apologise will you give the Old man a cuddle."

Pippa looked at Justice who nodded. Pippa not mind giving you a cuddle, but prefer to call you Uncle as Old man seams so rude."

Justine. "Actually Pippa it is his title."

"Oh Pippa did not know sorry Uncle. Mum will not be pleased with me if I do not give you correct title Uncle Old man." This brought about a chuckle from the others.

Neptune picked Pippa up and cuddled her. "Yes I see why they are all enchanted with you. My brother is lucky to have you all. And you to be personal assistant to my sister that must be a hard job?"

"Empress Alexis speak to Pippa and tell her to look after Aunt Justine. So Pippa do as Empress Wish, and Pippa is very happy she looks after Justine. Now Justine she is younger again. Soon she will look like teenager again. Pippa has very important job to make Justine younger. Then she not as scary to little pixies. Justine has joined Gaby's crew like Samantha and Nyola."

"We all better get inside the tent as all of the others appeared to have arrived now. Pippa you better go back to Justine as I cannot provide what you need."

Justine took Pippa off Neptune, "I wondered who had put a charm on me to make me younger. Do I stay young so long as I have you Pippa?

"Justine always young now. Pippa get what she needs and so long as Justine continues to feed Pippa we both very happy."

Samantha caught on and said, "Oh does that mean you are Justine's permanent baby?"

Pippa replied, "You have got Polly to keep you young. Polly always with you. Polly likes you very much, just like I like Justine. If Polly, she needs help like before, then all pixies will help Polly. There will be no trouble though as Polly can manage you easy now."

Pippa looked at Neptune, "Pixies could make you young again, But not good idea as we could not call you Old Man, could we?"

While they where talking Gaby burst out laughing and said, "Sorry I was not laughing at you Pippa. I was thinking about The Walther family in America and the trouble both girls could have been landed with. I wonder what Mrs Walther would say if she discovered she had been playing host to a legendary being. At least now everything matches and I can ride as a female."

Pippa, "I can send somebody to check up on the family if you wish?" Gaby nodded her head.

Neptune looked at Gaby and said, "Well I am claiming the right to escort you into the tent Gabriel. The others have waited long enough for us all, and I think everybody has said what they have to. So without further delay we had better enter."

Samantha was holding on to Justine. The pushed back the flaps and entered the tent at this those seated all stood up and cheered. Gabriel saw Alexis was also stood along with the other Golden Queens.

Alexis. "Welcome Justine and Samantha to this little party for Gabriel. My spies keep me totally up dated on the two of you. Will you two stay where you are, and will somebody bring the other family members here as well? That is better. Samantha in the days to come we need to find out if you and your sisters are pure Fay or if you are more like your mother and Grandmother. If so then you are an Animorph like my daughters."

"Leofrith the previous edict that exiled you and others has been rescinded your previous rank and position is fully restored."

"It may be but during my exile I got married and had three daughters. I did not know the person I married was descended from Venutias until I heard his mother one-day recites the generations back to Venutias. Until I heard that I had hoped that there was a way back for me, but I knew there was bad blood between Venutias and Oberon. I soon realised my three sons had inherited certain abilities from me. The two older ones went to London. There they where watched by my partner. I decided Samantha needed some company and so a black cat adopted her. It made life easier for me to discover just what abilities she had got from me. Imagine my surprise when a fire pixie turned up. Samantha may not have realised I never left her, But the pixie did. Empress may I introduce my youngest daughter Samantha Ice as is my right. I know she has been marked already after being introduced by her grandmother. Now these two are my older children Catalina Helena and Amanda Boudica.

Oberon came across and kissed all three girls and then Leofrith. "So Leofrith these are descendants of mine and Venutias. It is a good job we both came to an amicable understanding some time ago. Venutias I know you do not socialise often but come and greet your girls. They are all now subject to Alexis law as we are."

Leofrith gasped as Venutias appeared and bowed. "Greetings Leofrith, I am pleased to see you have named one of your daughters Amanda and another Helena. It was your choice to name your daughters after Brigantine and Iceni Queens. Well you are just short of one person then we can begin.

Amanda spoke, "Why is our landlady here?"

Leofrith embraced her and said, "Today is the day of reckoning for us both."

Oberon and Venutias spoke with one voice. "Some time ago Neptune and we decided all our daughters must all be married off. It is not possible for them to take mortal men as partners, and all children they have will eventually become daughters.

Leofrith spoke, "I am already legally married although my partner started to change some time ago, and I thought it was my fault the changes happened. Empress Alexis I do not know what these two reprobates have planned for either of us, but I would like to request we are not split up. To be honest I am also a little out of touch with some of my skills with being deprived of them for some time. Did you say your daughters where also Animorph like me? That is one skill I have retained and perhaps I could advise them."

A lion cub followed by two Cheater cubs walked over to Leofrith and first walked round her. Then the Lion cub launched herself into Leofrith arm. A stunned Leofrith looked at the young girl who appeared in her arms. Who then said, “You even smell like a lioness just like mum and aunt." The last time I got so confused was when Gaby's mum appeared in Tunisia. These are two of my sisters who are helping me carry the inspection out."

Another group of girl's came across and one spoke, "Leofrith they want to give a demonstration of their skills. Now they will prove without doubt they are daughters of the Empress as will we." With that a small group of golden dragons appeared.

"Oh, Oh, There are lots of little dragons. That is one skill I did not manage."

Oberon had tears in his eyes with laughing, “Leofrith look again and tell me what you see?"

Astrid changed back, "Leofrith it is easy just give me your hand."

"I asked the Empress for permission to look after you all but it appears you are going to teach me. If I am still allowed to stay with you. Oh, Oh, Oh, I am stupid I have just realised. No wonder Oberon was laughing. Empress Alexis I apologise I did not realise you where testing me."

Alexis snapped her fingers and a horde of little girls appeared all around Alexis. "Sorry your majesty I did not realise."

Astrid, “Well do you still want to be our chaperone now you have seen us?

Venutias, "Leofrith the decision has already been made for you. You maybe a daughter of Justice but you still have to obey the golden one or several golden ones as I can obviously see in front of me. Both Oberon and I have to abide by their rule and it needed them to knock some sense into our heads. I can assure you that what ever you may have heard is done. I came today because I was told several relations of mine where due to be presented, and also I got informed there was to be a bike race. It is a long time since I watched a chariot race and hope this is as exciting. Regardless I am here to support team GB. I do ask a favour though. Will the team captain please carry my banner and unfurl it if they win. It is a long-time since this hill reverberated to the battles with the Romans. It is equally as long since the standard of Venutias was carried into battle."

Gaby stepped forward. "Alexis agrees with me Venutias for years you carried the dragon standard of Brigantia into battle. Well not only me will carry the ancient standard into battle but every team member. We have incorporated it into all our clothing. It could not be more appropriate as your standard was a gold dragon. If we win then we will do a lap of honour carrying your ancient standard."

Alexis, "Venutias your loyalty was never in question and so you do not feel on your own I also have brought some other friends of yours here." Venutias looked at the men coming arm in arm and smiled.

Hadrian spoke, "Venutias like you we have come to support Gabriel. I thought you might like your dragon companions so with my friend here I took the liberty of bringing them along with us. Personally I hope this is not the last time we are invited to watch this race. Like you I understand it is a sport of skill and tactics not very different from our chariot races of old."

The men all marched up to Alexis. "Mistress it is forbidden for us to carry arms in your presence so with your permission may we place them in this corner and we will collect them when we return home."

The tent was full of merriment all too soon Gaby and her companions had to leave as the race was due to commence. The commentator was heard to say "I understand team GB have made a slight change to their team colours and have incorporated a golden dragon. Apparently it is the symbol of Ancient Brigantia the Celtic kingdom that gave Britain its name. Well following her wins in America Gaby and team Bond are currently the favourites to win although they are against strong opposition. However Gaby is on home ground and she knows the course like the back of her hand. It appears her cheerleading team is here. This is the first time I have seen the Sherwood Foresters in action. I also understand there is in our midst a Celtic Dragon team of all adult males singers who have come to support Gaby and the team. From here they sound quite vocal."

Venutias looked round for the speaker and Oberon explained the speaker was some distance away. "Well regardless of if he is or he is not close by we shall give him our rendition of Land of our fathers." Oberon Neptune and Hadrian joined hands and sang with the Celtic Dragons.

The announcer looked on in amazement, "Well that is the dragon singers and we all know the Tune of Land of our fathers but they are singing some verses I have never heard before."

His assistant looked at the men and gulped, “Err boss that song they are singing they will not stop until the race is won. Listen to the words they are singing. They are summoning all true Celts to come and support the Celtic queen whom races. They are summing the Druids to return to Brigantia and that Lord Venutias has returned to his homeland of Brigantia. The Celtic Queen can only be Gaby Bond. I did some double checking and she had Welsh grandparents and so could be called Celtic."

"As we speak more people are arriving and they all appear to be putting on armbands with a white rose and Golden dragon. I am sending my assistant to investigate what is going on. By now though the sound must have reached the ears of Gaby Bond and her team mates who are 10 miles away."

Sure enough Gaby and the team did hear the noise. Gaby, "No wonder the Romans had problems, their sounds as if there are thousands cheering us on."

A German competitor heard to noise and said, "Das ist der Kaiser." "Ich commen mein Kaiser."

A French competitor said, "They are all calling for the Celtic Queen. I am a French Celt and like our Welsh, Scottish & Irish cousins I have to ensure she wins. They are summoning all true Celts."

The German, "Nein my Friend das is the song of the Valkerie they sing. The Valkerie sung that when they liked a hero or thought he deserved a place in Valhalla. They call for all the dragon people of Odin. They sing the Golden Dragon commands all the Dragon peoples to support the Tsarina who races."

The two looked at each other. "My friend there is only one team that rides under the banner of golden dragon. Yes we are both correct they sing for Gaby and if singing can win a race then they will win it for her."

Meanwhile the assistant had come down to the stand where the men where singing. As she watched more people arrived. She looked around and a little girl said, "You look lost."

"I work for the television and came down to find out what is going on. The song draws me closer and closer. I feel compelled to go across to that group of ladies. I though will help you find your parents. Come I will lift you on to my shoulders and then you can see if you can see them."

Astrid said, “Yes I can see clearly now. Do you know the song they sing?"

"My little friend I know full well what they sing. Others may not know the song but they will still be drawn by it. I though have heard it a long time ago. I never thought I would hear it again. Now where is your mother? Then I can do as the song instructs me."

"Astrid you have done your job well. You may get down and thank the lady for bringing you back to me. Now you young lady who pretends to be a reporter you already know the song."

"Tis the song of the Valkerie. It was the battle cry of the warrior maidens of Woden. I am no lady though, as you know full well. I thought I lifted a child up on my shoulder but even I could feel the power exuded by the child. I never made the grade as I was never good enough to be a Valkerie and ride a hell hound."

The next second two hellhounds came bounding and Astrid got on the larger and then said, "Take the puppy and then we will go and see where the riders have got to." The reporter mounted the puppy and the next second the two of them where off.

Venutias smiled, "See my friends even the Valkerie come to support Gaby. Look they ride to be with her.”

The German rider was the first to spot the two. "Hellhounds with Valkerie. This race is different to be sure. Now I know I was right." The two riders soon passed them.

Astrid, “Well how do you like being a Valkerie? You must be one as you are riding a hellhound."

"That cannot be I failed long ago and was banished as failure was not accepted."

"Well you are currently riding a queen's mount. One of those riders we passed recognised you and said, See Hellcat rides this day. Now that is settled perhaps I should call my sisters to accompany us for mother is far too busy. With that Astrid let out a high pitch scream and the next second the reporter found other young girls riding alongside her."

Cleo, “The Hellhounds would not take you until you where ready. Now you ride with the Empresses sisters and daughters very few get to do that. Now we had better get back after you have raced Gaby for a short distance."

"I lifted a daughter of the dragon Queen on to my shoulder no wonder I could feel your power. I am Rania an eternally young daughter of Lord Draco. Now whom did I lift?

Astrid. "I am Astrid daughter of Alexis."

"No that was no mere princess I felt the power of. You checked me out and worked out I was a daughter of Draco within seconds. No princess so young can do that unless you are not a princess, but like me eternally young. "

"My age is correct. I am no Princess and out rank you sister. Sometimes I think some of you go round blind. Did you not see my Aura or that of my sisters? You are riding with a flight of Golden Queens, and although I am one of the younger ones I am still their leader."

"Ah Auras. It is correct I cannot see them, But then most of our kind can not see them until they are of age. I have been stuck as a teenager for many years. I did feel your power and it reminded me of my yellow sister."

Cleo. "Well Rania the flight has accepted you. I should tell you Astrid disabled that microphone you have on you. It would not have done to broadcast you where born of Draco. Now to a more serious issue what are we to do with you? You are too young to join the queens. You could join Gaby but cycling is not your thing. Of course you could join us."

"Cleo the decision has already been made for me. When I found my self on the back of a hellhound I knew my fate had found me. The lady I was drawn to I presumes is your mother and must be my sister. Now may we return so I can greet her? First though may I have a kiss off all my Nieces or Sisters?"

Rania spotted some she knew. "So my older and wiser sisters ride the Hellhounds. I am pleased to see you all again. I fled when the dog would not accept me."

“When I heard the singing I knew I was been called. Not only me but also those who like me have not headed the previous calls. I gleamed enough from Astrid to realise I must have missed many calls before I heard this. The song of the Valkerie or Battle cry of the Dragon peoples returned me to you. They are still calling.”

Red smiled. "So sister you have eventually got your wish to ride with the Valkerie. Do you wish to continue to ride with them?"

"My Red sister you forget. Once you take a hellhound out you are eternally bound as a Valkerie. Our father at least will be pleased I have finally ridden with the Valkerie. Now though I must not delay I have to return to my job and report on this race. I also have to get an interview with the winner."

The Red Queen shook her head. "Rania if you had grown up. Which alas you have not, you would have been the Cream Queen. No I am sorry but I must insist you do not return to your job as a personal assistant. You now have a new job that you are more suited to your skills as a daughter of Draco. Just because you thought you where all alone does not equate to the fact you where ever alone."

Rania looked round and saw Yellow, "Hi Rania are you joining with your fire sisters? I see you have almost got your wish to ride with Odin's' Valkerie."

"Yellow I have ridden with them and now am one with them?"

"No Rania you have not, you have just ridden with the Golden Valkerie. They have accepted you as a sister and now you are a Golden Valkerie. Red is quite correct you have been watched and Justice got regular reports on you. Now though baby sister allow me to attire you correctly as one of your station."

Rania looked at the clothing she found herself in and said, "Red you have made a mistake even I know this it the wedding attire of a Valkerie. Look you have even dressed the little ones similar to me. Sorry girls my big sister has bobbed."

Astrid. "Well Rania do you take all us little ones to be your companions and friends?"

"Astrid and Cleo of course I do. How could I do any different once I had ridden with you?"

Astrid. "Will my older fire sisters present Rania? I must take my place alongside Alexis." With that Astrid and the little ones vanished. Rania was left with Red and Yellow.

"Well my sister's father will go ape when he sees me in this attire. For a start he has not given his permission, and I have no idea whom I am getting married to. Is this an elaborate charade for my benefit? The song is calling me again. Sorry sisters I have to go and so cannot stop to play your game." Rania appeared to be in an almost trance like state as Red and Yellow guided her to Alexis. She stopped by Venutias and the men and handed each of them a gold coin. "This coin is to remind you that you sang for Rania a Valkerie queen at her betrothal." After that Rania's mind went blank.

Rania knelt down in front of Alexis and said, "I Rania promise as a Valkerie. No, no, no, I can not do it. I promised the little ones already I would be their friend and companion for ever." I am sorry I can not marry an unknown male when the children need me more?

Alexis. "Rania would it make it any easier if I asked you to be a companion of mine?"

Rania nodded her head. Then it was obvious to Alexis she had spotted Draco. She started to shake and tremble.

Alexis, "What ever is the matter Rania one second you where happy and now I see fear in your eyes?"

Draco was angry before when as a child I put on a dress similar to this to play with my sisters. Father was not amused and told me it was reserved for special occasions only like a Valkerie wedding. My red sister put me in this & now I will feel the wrath of Draco."

Alexis, "Red was correct to put you in it then as this is a special day. It is the first time Gaby has cycled at home with our full support. It is the day you carried a child who you thought had lost her mother."

Draco came across and spoke. "Well Rania I see you finally managed to ride a Hellhound so congratulations on that. I understand you also went to the aid of Astrid. You where always drawn to children. Now what did I tell you about wearing that dress?

"Dad before you say anymore while one of my sisters did put me in this. I am responsible as I could have changed it and I did not. You did not say it only had to be used for a Valkerie wedding. Today is a special occasion as I am reunited with my sisters and I rode the Hellhounds."

Draco said no more but took her hand and then turned to Alexis. "Can you call the dog please? A dog came bounding up to Rania and licked her. So it is true you are bonded with a Hellhound. Ah the warier queens I wondered how long before you sided with Rania. You do realise she although the eldest of my daughters is also the baby of the family. She will never get any older than she is now."

Astrid. "I knew full well who Rania was when I took her for a ride. And she has her own mount as have all her sisters who rode with us. Rania handed the coins to the singers of the Valkerie song. She already has said her vows with us and all that remains is for you to formally pass her over."

Draco. "Alexis I heard you ask Rania if she would like to be your companion. I must be a little deaf, as I did not hear the response. As you already know I have given my permission so that cannot be the problem."

Rania kissed Draco. "Then father you must do it correct and place my hand in Alexis. Do not think for a moment that this resolves you of your responsibilities. Red sister you are quite correct I have my companions to think about. One day perhaps I will be playing with their children, but for now we will all have fun."

To Be Continued

Sharp 21.09.08 © 2008

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