The First

Nurlan was standing with his sword lowered and blood streaking down his face. He hadn't spoken after the initial excitement, and everyone's attention had been on either the monster or his magical foxy companion. Now they viewed with horror, the gashes on his cheek.

"The Abominable got you!" Aurora cried in devastation. Despite the side effects, the group had initially brought a barrel of healing water with them on the backs of the unicorns, but could only bring a small portion of it with them when they left Utku and the others behind.

Searching through his belongings, the physician pulled out a water skin and rushed over to the general. Since the wound was fresh, it would hopefully be enough.

Nurlan grabbed the doctor's hand before he could pour any of the liquid on him. "It wasn't the monster. The little fox got me right after he got Alvar. I should be fine."

The others breathed a sigh of relief.

"You...you mean I didn't hurt anyone?" a voice came from inside the ice prison. The Abominable shifted, turning his gaze toward the wounded general.

Aurora gasped as she saw his eyes. Where there had been only blackness before, there were now pupils and irises, much like a human's. The difference was striking.

"Are you happy or disappointed?" the fiery-haired woman asked tentatively. Either answer would give her a starting point. The fact the creature could talk at all meant they might actually get the answers they sought.

"I am more happy than you will ever know. When my mind goes like that, I have done some unspeakable things," the monster's voice sounded husky as is if he had woken from a deep sleep. The creature rubbed at his beady eyes and then pressed his paw-like hands to his forehead.

"What do you mean by 'your mind goes'?" Zan's sword was still lifted. His senses were invaded by the putrid smell of the creature, and every part of his being was waging war against the 'wrongness' he saw before him.

The Abominable held his head. "Nowadays when I get scared or angry or overwhelmed, I lose control of my body. I wake up later and am horrified by what I have done."

"You mean like with the harpies?" Aurora was beginning to get the picture.

"You mean those winged things on the other side of the ice?" The creature shivered. "I do not even know why they attacked me unless it was because I startled that horsewoman."

"The harpies try to rid the land of magic of things that they think will harm it or its inhabitants. No offense, but you smell like death itself," Reyan plugged his nose. "Even I feel threatened by your scent, and I'm practically invincible."

The stench, instead of being contained by the windy prison, was only being spread by the whirlwind. As the monster's voice was also not being distorted, the magic was being concentrated solely on keeping the beast subdued.

The creature sat down on its backside and leaned against a column. "Yes, well when they attacked, I fell into a red-eyed fury. I awoke halfway up the barrier covered in blood and feathers. This little lady brought me out of it with her calming presence." He motioned to the kitsune.

"How did you come up on one of those rare creatures?" Zan knew just how uncommon they were after his last experience with one. When he had told Lanassa about his adventure, she said most magical creatures never see a kitsune in their life even if they try. Yet here was one wrapped around a monster's neck like an expensive scarf.

Shrugging, the Abominable stroked one of the white fox's tails. "She found me the first time I crossed the ice wall and has been generous enough to stay with me ever since."

"Was she with you when you saw the horsewoman?" Aurora shifted the conversation slightly.

"Yes," the monster nodded, "the little lady only left for a moment when the winged maidens attacked me. Other than that, Foxie has been my companion."

"That explains it!" The Empress was slightly amused by the others' confusion. "Look at him. Bess said he had three heads. She wasn't exaggerating, just confused."

The others examined the creature with fresh eyes. The kitsune had its head resting on the monster's shoulder. Their white fur intermingled, indistinguishable one from another. If Aurora had not seen the fox climb onto the monster, she might have thought they were one creature as well.

And the tails all clumped together could easily be mistaken for another head if the person looking on were scared or panicked. The wild description that the Empress had been questioning suddenly made complete sense.

"Poor Bess..." Aurora gave a dry chuckle.

"You may as well kill me now and get it over with. You all seem nicer than the rest of Sir Taran's crew, but I refuse to go back to him." The creature gave a low rumble. "Just don't hurt Foxie."

"Did you say Taran?!" Everyone said in unison.

"We are not working with Sir Taran," Zan assured him.

The creature's rounded ears lifted slightly. "Not with Taran? Then that means..." he turned to the elves. "You are actual magical creatures?!"

"Well, we aren't stuffed dolls," Brinn rolled her eyes as she spoke through gritted teeth. Sweat was beginning to form on her brow from the exertion. She wasn't about to take any chances and was using her full force to keep the creature confined.

So she was very surprised when Aurora spoke. "Reyan, be ready to portal this creature away if necessary. Maybe send him into a tree or somewhere that he cannot hurt us. Brinn and Alvar, prepare to let down your magic." She paused, and looked the creature in the eye. "What is your name?"

The monster looked away, deciding if he should answer. At last he decided there was no harm in responding. "My name is Gela."

"Gela," he answered.

Aurora felt like the name should mean something to her, but she came up empty. "Alright, Gela, We are going to let you out, but if you try anything, that ominous fairy right there is going to make sure it doesn't end well for you."

Reyan cracked his knuckles. "I might like him to act up, Your Majesty. There are a few tricks I have been meaning to try with a live target..."

Gela seemed unbothered by the threat. "I will do my best to keep control," he promised.

The Guardian and general readied their swords, while Reyan flexed his fingers. With the Empress's signal the magical beings stopped their wind and removed the ice.

Gela, who had been leaning on one of the pillars, fell backwards onto the ground and cried out. "My shoulder! I was using the ice to numb the pain."

He gripped at where the arrowhead was lodged, fetid blood dripping onto his white fur. Roaring, the monster seemed on the verge of losing control all over again. Only when the kitsune, who had jumped clear of the fall, returned to nuzzle the creature did Gela's eyes come back into focus. It had been a close call.

Instead Gela went limp, whimpering slightly. "Blast it, that hurts. Who shot me with an arrow anyway?" He looked toward the Empress with a sad expression. "I probably deserved it."

"You were charging, and I was trying to stop you. It didn't do me much good in the end." Aurora shrugged.

"I am glad you are alright," Gela said honestly.

Phileas stepped into the circle of melted ice with his bag in hand. "I am a doctor. May I assist you?"

The physician did not care if the man was an enemy or not or even that he was a monster. It was his job to heal the wounded.

"I would be appreciative," Gela said.

"Are you sure it is a good idea?" Alvar had not unsheathed his sword, but his hand was at the ready. "Even if he is not rabid right now, he could go wild when the pain comes."

Gela bore his monstrous teeth as he sucked in his breath. Careful to keep the blood from touching him, Phileas was already hard at work.

"I find it helps to keep my mind engaged. I just need to focus hard on something and not let the madness take over." The monster growled softly, feeling the pinch of tweezers around the arrowhead. "Tell me, if you aren't Taran's men come to trap me, what in the world are you doing out here in no man's land?"

"We've been tracking you for days," Aurora admitted. "You see, we have run across some rather nasty lizards and wolves that are unknown even to the Fates. We hoped by finding you we might be able to get some answers."

"Ah, yes, I know who you mean. Unfortunately, I am probably one of the foremost experts on those creatures. You see, I used to be Dania's assistant." Gela looked at the others' faces and saw recognition in their eyes.

"You don't mean..." Aurora's face went pale.

"That's right," the monster continued, "I am one of Taran's abominations. In fact, I was the first..."