Rachel stops, seeing Dick freed and snuggling up with Anarosa. You fill her in on the reformed satyrs.
"Well, that's some good news, at least," Rachel sighs. But her smile doesn't reach her eyes.
"What's wrong?" you ask, heart sinking.
"Themis has tried some magic potions on Marina. They haven't worked! Themis says that Marina can't become fully-human again. She can't leave the island!"
Sucking in your breath, you slip into the candle-lit building. Inside, it's like a large communal hall. The racing centaur couple you saw yesterday are there, and they greet you cordially. Rachel follows you over to where a dry-eyed Marina is sitting on the floor, being comforted by Themis.
The centauress looks up at you, her face downcast. "I am sorry, Ben, Rachel. Cedius has strengthened his magical means of conversion. And in this partway form, Marina does not belong anywhere. I am at a loss."
"At least you tried, Themis." You place a hand on Marina's shoulder, and tell her about Dick's spiritual transformation. "There's hope, Marina! If Kaymarl can complete your transformation by magic, not sex..."
"I still don't want to be a satyr, Ben!" She sniffs. "And I know now my old life is gone. My family will forget me..." Marina's eyes widen with a thought, and she looks keenly at Themis. "Could I be transformed into a centaur, instead?"
Themis sighs with relief. "Yes, you could, child. I didn't want to plant the idea in your head. It had to come from you, or your friends. I can modify the magic in you, so that you'll be a pure centauress. But know this - it will be a one-way journey."
Marina squeezes Themis's hand. "Do it, please! You centaurs look so elegant. So...fabulous! As a girl, I wondered what it was like to be a horse. But I've never even been on one!"
Themis rises upon her four hooves and slips outside to fetch Ixion. Rachel knees down next to her friend. "Are you sure about this, Marina!?"
"It's my own, honest choice, Rach! I feel at ease with these people. And I can't go back. I'm so sorry that I have to leave you guys. You're the best!"
"What if we didn't leave you..?" Rachel blurts out. But Marina interrupts.
"What!? You two still have your human identities! Find Krista, and go home whilst you can. Tell that to Harry, Deirdre and Felicia, too."
Ixion and Themis walk in. At Ixion's request, you, Rachel, and Marina follow the centaurs over to a partitioned area, where there's a chalk circle on the stone floor. Food is gathered on a nearly table - as are a pair of leather tomes, which the centaurs pick up.
"If you wish to proceed, Marina - take off your clothes. Enter the circle, and Themis and I will conduct the rites." Ixion rubs Marina's shoulder in a fatherly fashion. He turns to you and Rachel. "You mortals may watch, if you wish."
"Ur..." You glance at Rachel. She looks deep in thought, but meets your eyes.
"I want to be here for Marina." Rachel smiles sadly, and offers her hand to you. You accept it.
Marina soon strips off, leaving only her bra on. Her furred thighs and little goat tail are now exposed. "I'm set!" she cries.
"Then let us begin!" Ixion opens one of the books, and - reading aloud in an archaic language - commences to summon the mystical forces necessary to change Marina. Themis joins in the recital.