After stumbling through the dark a fair distance from the fire, Merse found a small clearing where the moonlight managed to break through the branches. Digging through the stolen pack, Merse cursed at her carelessness. While there were some soft moccasin-style shoes in the pack, mainly for the soldier's late-night latrine trips, there was nothing approximating traveling shoes or boots, as the sentries had been wearing their boots, and Merse hadn't bothered to check around for any additional pairs. Putting the moccasins on her aching and bruised feet, Merse drew a ground blanket and small knife from the pack and cut oval-shaped pieces and strips from the blanket, which she tied on her feet over the moccasins like drawstring pouches. It did not help her mobility, but at least it would keep her feet from being torn up too badly to walk. Continuing on her way, Merse kept trekking through the forest in the direction of Dregsbale, assuming the darkness had sharpened her hearing, as she was able to notice and hide from various beasts as she made her way. Finally, she heard the soft sound of flowing water, and just as the sky began to lighten, found a hidden hollow with a pond fed by a small spring. Fairly confident she had not been tracked, Merse decided to pause there for some much-needed rest.
Kayl had been oddly quiet since she had stumbled across the archmage's party, but for the moment Merse tried to not think about him or his memories. Although his soul remained close to hers, he had taken no action, so she ignored him and prepared to bed down, grateful to be back in control. She spread the blanket on the ground and pulled a loose shirt from the pack. She reached up to pull it over her head, but the collar seemed to catch on something as her ear felt a sudden tug. Her arms already through the sleeves, Merse flailed a bit trying to get the shirt down, placing a hand on her head and lifting the collar up a bit and over to the side, when she felt something strange. A soft, fuzzy object popped out of the collar and brushed against her hand. The shirt finally falling off her head and down to her shoulders, Merse extended a hand towards her head, figuring another material must have gotten caught in the shirt. However, what she felt wasn't a piece of cloth...it was triangular, upright, furry, and twitching ...and what's more, she could feel her hand through her ears! Scuttling over to the pond on her hands and knees, a stupefied Merse stared at her reflection in the dawn light, suddenly understanding why her hearing was so acute. Standing proudly atop Merse's head were two wolfen ears.
What the...?! Merse cursed, clapping both hands over her large ears and mentally shoving Kayl far away from her own soul, which resulted in a surprised yip from him.
What was that for?! A distracted Kayl, who had been lost in his thoughts, yelped.
My ears!! What did you do? Merse squawked, then cautiously lifted her hands. However, what greeted Merse in her reflection was not two dark gray wolfen ears, but her regular ears, now on their proper position on the sides of her head. Merse wondered if she were going mad.
I didn't do anything! Kayl growled, obviously annoyed at being shoved around after giving up his entire existence. However, Merse was too busy trying to figure out the situation to care.
"That shaman said something about subjugation, taking forms at will..." Merse muttered to herself as she stared at her reflection. "I wanted to hear that conversation last night, and then...."
Come here! Merse ordered a wary Kayl.
Why? What for Kayl queried.
I just need to try something, Merse responded, not giving an answer. Although he was unsure, Kayl realized he had nothing left to lose, so cautiously neared Merse's awareness. Reaching out, Merse touched his soul with her own, and closed her eyes to focus. I want to hear better, be able to smell better, have better vision at night... Merse thought to herself as though reciting a mantra as she felt her face itch a bit, almost as if the muscles had fallen asleep and the blood was just beginning to flow again. Suddenly, Merse could recognize the scent of other animals who had previously drunk at the spring, and hear the wind caress the leaves. Opening her eyes, she stared down at her reflection. Although her body remained unchanged, from the neck up staring at her was the head of a gray-furred wolfen with intense eyes - Kayl's head.
"Oh my..." Kayl's voice came from the wolfen muzzle. However, unlike before, when Merse was simply watching as Kayl controlled her body, this time Merse was in full possession of her senses and faculties. Reaching up with her human hand, she shivered at the feeling of fur and whiskers on her face as her ears twitched at the surrounding sounds.
Can you see this? Merse asked Kayl.
Kind of, vaguely...but how...? Kayl responded in awe.
"Not sure..." the wolfen head stated, a gleam in its eye. "But this is rather...interesting."