A soft growl emitted from Ping as she spoke so carelessly . Keric had to move his paw to nudge his side to remind the fox not to pounce . They could both sense the Master's anger . It was deeper than perhaps expected .

There were many things that could be said of the Lord of Souls . He was a womanizer . A foul tempered beast some days . Some would even call him cruel or deceitful . However one thing they could not claim was careless about his duty . Every beast who did their time in the Land of the living and did their best to follow the Rules of the Wilderness would be welcomed to his kingdom . No one was ever forgotten . Or left to wander aimlessly upon the earth .

As the thought of a possible hundred souls of the old and gentle or fallen young and innocent wandering earth wondering where they betrayed the laws they held so dear, his heart ached . He had failed them . Whether by choice or by force they still were not welcomed home . That he took very very seriously .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Those 100 souls have done their time . They have suffered and followed the law . They deserve our respect, and proper care just as much as the living, Destiny . " The Master replied his voice calm and collected though he wished he could slap her hard across the face . He couldn't . Not yet .

"100 souls verses thousands and you still believe you have s.p.a.ce to argue?" she demanded, swirling the wind in her gla.s.s . "You really are selfish . Just as you were when you put five children on the earth . How did you expect that to end? Bloodily I hope, because thats what happened . You split your power and now you pay the price as a lesser Lord of Death . You once stood a chance to rule . " Destiny spat back pouring salt crystals in the wounds .

The Master was shaking with the effort of control . Every inch of him wound tight as a spring ready to set loose upon her skin . Keric raised to his feet, eyes set on the woman's face, but he did not snarl . instead he cleared his throat humbly, waiting for acknowledgement before beginning to speak .

"Who decides the worth of life over death? You, My Lady, spend joyus hours planning each moment of pride and triumph that humans, Kindred, and animals alike face . Yet you also relish in deciding their deaths and torments . Who is truly the selfish one here, Old one?" Keric replied sitting and tilting his head down just a bit so his chin guarded his neck . The action itself a insult to the G.o.ddess of Destiny . Her eye fell on him and glared darkly .

"There is a balance to my work, dog that you do not understand . " she replied coldly, but his words struck her deep . Tarnis.h.i.+ng her perfect image with the dark underbelly of her job . He chuckled at the sally and gave his Master a meaningful look before laying back down beside Ping .

"I believe what Keric meant was, your scale is in need of service . " Ping added I'm a soft mumbling voice . The woman looked down at him only to find Keric's protective eyes meeting her own . A all s.h.i.+ver ran down her back, but she laughed .

"At any rate, my Lady there is much to do since your little interference . I would appreciate it next time if you warn me so my spirits can stay and gather souls rather than have my entire operation interrupted . " The Master replied with a genteel smile . She was being dismissed and she knew it . There was no polite way to stay and poke the bear so to speak if he was making it clear there was work to be done .

"Well of course . " she replied getting to her feet and smoothing the sapphire silk over her form . "Little rabbits and Mice to bring back to the Palace…" she replies with a wink . The Master nodded, distaste in his eyes only .

"Thank you for your time . I trust you know the way out?" he asked, but before the question was said she disappeared in a ball of light . Her crystal gla.s.s still resting on the table .

While the Fox and the Wolf caught their breath, the Master carefully poured the spirits back into the bottle . Once the cla.s.s was empty he threw it against the far wall . The crystal shattered into a cloud of sparkling gla.s.s powder .

"Witch . " he growled before turning to Keric . "Go, find out what happened to Kyera . Bring… bring her home if…" his voice cracked and faltered as Keric bowed his head .

"I will see to her . " he nodded at Ping, his eyes entrusting the Fox with the Master's health before flying off in long purposeful strides . The magic of the realm restored .

"If that woman did something to the lady…" Ping growled angrily . He fell short when he noticed a glimmer on the lord's cheek . The Master drug a hand through his hair .

"If something happens to her, all of the realms will see a bloodbath unlike any other . " The Lord of Spirits replied his tone hardened and unwilling to bend .