“We should at least check on him.”

Duncan notices that the sound of splashing from the stable boy’s hurried washing has subsided. “Maybe we should check on him first,” he says, “just to make sure he’s ok. He was so freaked out that he might be trying to peel the skin off the hand he was using to grope me.”

Duncan shudders again at the thought of the way Horace was trying to feel him up. He addresses Felixia, “You were less than helpful in preventing him from pawing me and rubbing his sweaty body against me! I can still feel his — self — sticking in my back! How repulsive!”

Felixia giggles. “I wouldn’t have let him get too far, Your Royal Spareling. Besides, I thought you might enjoy it, having actual girl parts, and all. By the way, do you wish to take some time to explore them, while you can? Now that we’re away from the castle, there’s no telling when you will find a female who is willing to disrobe for you. Unless you brought gold, of course. You know, as long as we are going to the Eight Falls, there was a succubus who used to live there, and if she is still there, I wager I may introduce you.”

“A succubus?” Duncan’s interest is peeked. While sexual relations between humans and magical beings is forbidden, every human male has fantasized about the fabled creatures who literally feed off of sex.

“Yes. She is so old, blind, and **** that I wager she might give even you a tumble, if we get her sufficiently drunk.”

“You speak foolishness, Felechon! I need no help in the romance department. My sexual exploits are legendary,” boasted the young prince.

“And evidently, your technique for hair care is legendary as well! Tell me, how do you achieve such shine and softness?” The shapeshifter again breaks out in laughter while Duncan falls silent. Even so, there is the hint of a **** smile on his face, in appreciation of the banter.

The two make their way through the thicket toward the creek, following the path of Horace.

“Well, this is where he went in the water,” says Felixia, pointing to Horace’s clothes and footprints in the muddy bank. “I see no sign of him, though. Curious... the current is far too weak to have swept him away.”

“I believe I have solved the mystery,” says Duncan, pointing toward a small thicket. Some of the branches are moving, and a bare masculine foot is protruding from the other side. As they quietly approach, they hear soft moaning and heavy breathing. They peer over the thicket and see a naked and obviously sexually-aroused Horace, rolling around on the ground, holding and kissing what appears to be a large log.

“What is he doing?” whispers Duncan.

Felixia’s single eye sparkles in delight. “He has stumbled across a Decidua! I didn’t know Decidua lived around here anymore! A lot has changed during my captivity.”

“Decidua? I have never heard of such a thing. Look at him! Is he having a fit?”

“A Decidua is loosely related to the tree nymph, but rather than taking human shape, they cast a spell of illusion to make others think they look differently than they do. Our Horse Boy there apparently thinks he is getting lucky with some beautiful lass. Oh, how I would love to be around in an hour or so when he comes out of the spell and finds himself covered with splinters — particularly in the place he is least likely to want them. Say... ‘Horse’ is a good name for him, don’t you think?”

Duncan represses a shudder as he sees Horace slide his massive member into a knothole of the stump. “Is there any danger to him?”

“Aside from the splinters, no. Funny thing about Decidua — they’re not the least bit picky about mating. If we come back here next year we’ll probably find little Decidua running around with enormous twigs between their legs and virtually no leaves between their ears.”

Duncan laughs in appreciation of the observation. “Well, if he’s in no danger, I don’t fancy waiting around for him. Let’s leave a horse for him and continue on our way.”

“Yes,” agreed Felixia, “but we might as well take the horse. He will be in no condition to ride for several days, I can assure you. Decidua are bisexual — Horse Boy will also find he has quite a few splinters where the sun doesn’t shine!”

Duncan winces at the thought but still finds humor in it. “Very well. Let us speed on then to the Falls. I grow tired of this body.”

“If you keep bemoaning that body, you run the risk of hurting my feelings,” says Felixia. “I’m rather proud of the outcome. Tell me you do not find that body the least bit seductive?”

“‘Tis true... it is a truly delicious morsel,” admits the prince, gazing down at himself in grudging appreciation. “I would much rather be looking at it through the eyes of my own body, however.”

“Well, keep this spot in mind. On our return visit, I’m sure the Decidua could take that form in your head for you.”

“I think not,” replies the prince. “But tell me.... why were you able to do such a fine job with me, but your body is a repulsive, half-finished nightmare?”

“Repulsive?” Felixia looks offended. “That’s a little harsh, isn’t it? Besides, it was a rush job. And how was I to know my magic was nearly exhausted? Besides, I still managed to create a true and proper penis — not one of those microscopic human ones. Look at this fine specimen; this is what a penis should look like!”

Before Duncan can protest, he sees the pirate lift the front of his kilt, and he sees what looks like a boa constrictor, wrapped several times around the pirate’s waist. It unfurls itself and extends out toward Duncan, who jumps back in alarm. He finds himself staring at a six-foot long appendage that is shaped very much like a penis, but has a cat’s head at the end. As it reaches its full length, the cat’s head yawns, meows, and extends a tongue and doubles back to groom itself.

“By the hoary hosts of Holtippa!” exclaims Duncan. “What is that?”

Felixia beams proudly. “And you should see it when it is erect!”

“Put that away!” Duncan says, fiercely. “That is an abomination!”

“Sheesh! Don’t have a kitten!” Felixia responds, wrapping the gigantic thing around the pirate’s waist again. “Sounds like a serious case of penis envy to me! Is it because I’m a girl that you’re feeling so inadequate?”

“Enough of this,” says Duncan, resuming the walk to the horses. “You seem to have a particular fascination with the male sex organ, Felixia. You mention it at every opportunity.”

“True,” says Felixia, upon reflection. “But bear in mind that I have been imprisoned since before your grandfather was a gleam in your great-grandfather’s eye. Felechon are not nearly as driven by hormones as you humans are, but even beings as refined as we can get a little punchy when we go over a hundred years without getting laid! I am ashamed to say it, but I was almost somewhat aroused when you were beating yourself off in the windowsill earlier. I’ve gotten over it, though.”

“That’s a relief,” says Duncan, trying not to imagine being impaled by the snake-like thing under Felixia’s kilt.

“Nevertheless, I am eager to get back to my own kind — to find some manly Tom to mount me and join me in filling the night with our cries of passion!”

“First, why don’t you fill your saddle with your arse and lead us on our way to the Eight Falls? And I wouldn’t mind a spot of dinner, too. I’m a wee bit peckish.”

The companions return to their horses and continue on their journey without further incident. They arrive at the outskirts of the Eight Falls of Feelfow by late afternoon.

“We have seven or eight hours before I can perform the ritual,” says Felixia. “There used to be an inn at the town square that provided room and board, but who knows if it is still there? If we venture into the town, we are likely to encounter some pretty rough characters, but at least we will be in a public setting. If we go around the town directly to where the mystical catnip is, we may avoid unwelcome interactions with the locals — something I’d prefer, at least until I get my magic back. I don’t know what we’ll find by way of dinner options, though.”

“If the village has changed since you were last here, is it likely the mystical catnip is no longer where you remember it?”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” admits Felixia. “It would not do to get there and not be able to do the ritual. It would be a full month before another opportunity arises.”