Ixion slows down to a halt, and draws nearer to Themis. Both you and Deirdre are curious to hear the conversation, but Themis gestures quickly to her fellow ancient in sign language. Ixion nods back, then gathers pace again. "Onward!" he barks. And the party of centaurs and humans are on the move once more.
Galloping over hills and now-rocky ground, the five centaurs come to a halt at the edge of sandstone cliffs overlooking the clear blue sea. The sun is beginning to touch the western horizon, beyond the centaurs' meadows, reminding you that the day is now well-advanced.
Deirdre, Felicia, and Harry direct the centaurs to the cliffs from where they saw Krista on the beach below. Deirdre dismounts from Themis, and leads Marina (who's still carrying Rachel) onto the protruding cliff that offers the best vantage point. They soon see Krista.
Marina cups her hands around her mouth. "Krista! Are you all right?"
"Hey - Rachel...! MARINA!!?" Krista drops her raised arm, shocked. "Jesus Christ! What happened to you...?"
"I'll explain later!" Marina yells back. "Are you hurt?"
"I was - but my wounds are healing! I can't get out from here... Oh, god! No!! Those...things...are after me again! Coming along the beach - at the base of the cliffs, below you! Get me out!"
Rachel drops down from Marina. She and Deirdre try to locate whatever is troubling Krista - without success.
Marina quickly trots over to the rest of you. She looks worried. "Krista's running along the beach! Someone needs to get down there, and help her!"
You all take in the steep cliff slopes. There is a possible route down, for a careful climber. Ideally, it would take the agility of...
"Where are Dick and Anarosa?" you ask. "We could do with them, here!"
"Kaymarl has taken his new charges to meet the rest of the more-advanced satyr tribe," Ixion tells you. "Now - this is what I suggest! One or two of you halflings descend the cliff, using this long rope which we centaurs will hold for you. Then, with your friend, you come up the same way."
"Let's get to it! I'll go," Harry announces. You volunteer, also.
"Mind yourselves, boys!" Rachel looks worried.
You nod back, as you and Harry start to slide down the rope flung over the cliff edge by Ixion. He, Michael, and Lara provide your 'top end' anchor. Meanwhile, Deirdre faces Rachel.
"You told me the centaurs wouldn't transform Marina!"
Marina sighs, and starts to explain it all to her.
------------------------------------------------------
You and Harry make swift progress, climbing down the side of the cliff. Harry goes first, with the bottom end of the rope tied around his waist - whilst you precariously side-step, holding onto the rope carefully. After five-six meters down, the two of you make contact with a grass-covered outcrop of rock, disturbing the seagulls - then you're off again. Tiny, loose rocks begin to roll downhill from where you both place your feet...
Then there is a scream - followed by yells of triumph. Silence falls
"Krista!?" Harry stops and yells. There's no reply. "My god - Ben! If someone's hurt her, I'll..."
"Harry! Don't lose it! I know you told me yesterday she made a pass at you, but..."
"And I was so taken aback, I did nothing about it - so she walked off in a huff!" Harry gazes back at you, wistfully. "If she's lost to us, that'll be forever on my mind. Me not being able to say how much I like her..." He breaks off, and pushes himself on. You follow.
You both land on the hard ground at the base of the cliffs - and Harry unties himself, dropping the rope. Neither of you can see anybody. However, in an archway set within a protruding cliff, there are a couple of upturned, rotting boats. And behind the second one there's a flicker of movement...
The pair of you pass the first boat - and as you do so, three figures leap out, rugby-tackling you both. Soon, you're held fast - on your knees - the captives of three male, gloating satyrs.
Three more figures - this time female - emerge from behind the second boat. A satyress is frog-marching a gagged Krista. The other being is none other than...Skye. She grins maliciously at you, and you notice the dagger in her hand, drawn from a cord belt tied around her furred waist. The other satyrs are likewise armed.
"You! I thought I saw you lot being rounded up by the pest-control squad!" you spit.
"They couldn't stop some of us from escaping in time, Ben!" Skye licks her lips. "And now that the management have turned against us, our arrangement with them for the supply of tourists is over!"
"The management are containing you all because you're likely to be diseased! Dick is HIV-positive, Skye! And you had..."
"Spare me your morals, mortal!" Skye snaps. "The magic Master Cedius is working on will enable him, and us, to become truly immortal! Even now, he is free to perfect his work!"
"You're the ones who converted Dick!" Harry groans. "What are you going to do with us?"
"Why - allow my friends here to transform all three of you into lustful satyrs, of course! We need all the humans we can get, to help attack the management - and free our captive brothers and sisters. However, you..." Skye tugs on your chin sharply. "...have already twice resisted me. That is unforgivable! I'll let Amalthea here convert you. Then after you have eagerly aided us in our takeover, you will serve as her love-slave!"
You take a look at Amalthea - her winkled face, and cold, gleeful eyes, mark her as very undesirable.
"Now," Skye points to Krista. "Brutus, Amalthea! Enjoy her!"
"Thank you, mistress!" The two satyrs drag Krista onto the beach, and throw her down - before tearing her clothes apart. You and Harry are forced to watch the ugly spectacle in the fading sunlight - held by the remaining two satyrs.
As Krista's bare body is exposed, you see a healed bite mark around her thigh. Krista - now bereft of her gag - screams, whilst her captors hold her still and snog her. Brutus's malehood makes itself visible amidst his furred groin.
As the satyrs go about their dirty work, Krista's ears become pointed, and her legs sprout fur. Harry groans - but your horror gives way to slow realisation, as you notice that Krista's fur is covering ALL of her. She's also growing a long tail.
Brutus, who had lost himself in his passion, now withdraws - and lowers himself over his captive's mouth. His dreamy gaze vanishes, as he finds that he and Amalthea are rubbing black-and-orange fur. "Uh-oh...," he trails off.