#fenixtj

"A story will make the time go faster..." Pleading.

"I did find this one under Desperaux." She offers, bringing out the book she discovered where her lost book was returned with a new companion. "We could see if it's any good?"

"I think that is very importante, si."

And so the kids listen to Hamster Huey and the Gooey Kablooie

"Que estas, 'Kablooie'?" Salma ponders. But gladly reads!

"Iike an explosion, but perhaps not as violent"

And Ash slips away to let the kids talk.

Then reports to JESSICA "Oh they're not happy about it. Apparently they want to 'join in the fight' or go to the beach and lead the trap here. I told them neither is happening"

"Thank you." Firmly.

"I think you may have to go in for round two. They might listen to you but we should be able to set the ambush up without trouble"

"Ambush.... the childlings?"

"No the ambush for the Ranters using Duff and hsi shapechanged friends as bait"

"Ah! You think I should talk to the girls, they'll listen to me, and then we set up the ambush."

"Your call" She says

"Ok, I'll check in with the girls. I don't want to beat it to death, you know? But I do take it seriously."

"They'll probably find if you do the ambush first. I just feel like I'm running out of excuses"

"Hmmph." She beckons and heads to find the girls.

"Ladies?" As she enters.

The girls are clustered around Salma and her book.

Jessica goes to them, and even crouches down to meet their eyes. "You must stay here till the threat is past. I am absolutely serious about this. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you that I could have prevented. The Baron feels the same way. Do you understand?"

Salma looks about to scold whoever interrupted, but as she sees it's Jessica, she blushes and ducks her head mid-scold.

"But we can help" Ariel says

"We want to help."

"You have to come back."

"I will come back." Jess assures. "I know you want to help. Right now, you can help by letting us focus on what we need to do, and not on worry about your safety."

Vaeltilde "But what if someone gets hurt while looking like us? Won't it be our fault? Won't they think we are cowards?"

"No, and no. I asked these warriors to take your shapes, and they know what they are doing and why. They are willing to do this."

Vaeltilde pouts "I hope the one that wears my form takes one of them down at least but it will be false glory"

"You HAVE to come back." She repeats to Jessica.

"I will come back."

"Cross your heart, hope to..." Ariel realizes what she's saying "Cross your heart?"

"I cannot swear it. Things happen in combat. But if it is at all possible, I will come back. I will take someone to help protect me."

Ellie fusses, though she's trying to hide it.

"If you must die, bring as many severed heads of your enemy on your belt as you can when you enter valahala" The Aesisn says

Jessica nods gravely. "I will do my best."

Vaeltilde nods approving

"May we go to the beach later?"

"Yes." Firmly. "In fact, I plan to go with you."

"For fun."

"Yay" Ariel says

"Fun is good" A piskie girl says

Wait, that's not one of Jessica's

"AND we can play in the mud."

"Who are you?" Curiously to the piskie.

"I'm uh... " She says looking at the two sidhe as if wanting them to back her up

"Adalia. She should be Vaeltilde's companion, so she may learn to understand commoner ways."

"-Is- Adalia Vaeltilde's companion?"

"She is" Vaeltilde says "if not for her, we might not have saved mister Jum" A firm nod

"But... the Baron does not know it yet?"

"I see."