I have a few tales to tell you, and the tales are true...

I will tell you a story about my "J", a friend I had once and she was a spectacular person to be around with. I always knew there was more to her than everyone saw and more than she led everyone think was the real her. Now, J never had an easy life, her father was always very demanding, pushing her to the limits and always making her step that one step further.

He wasn't an easy guy to be around, but he also treated J fair and loved her despite the hard interior. He taught her how to be tough and protect herself in every condition...also all those things that dads teach their sons...and usually not their daughters. Like fixing cars, basic skills of surviving in a forest and even some fishing.

J loved him dearly.

Now her mother was a completely different story, she was kind from nature and always did everything to protect her children. Even when her health always stood in the way... and still does to this day. J also has a "little" brother that she would surely sacrifice her life for if necessary. Not that Mike really needed it, a true army man, a navy seal officer.

I guess Mike might be surprised by what J could do for him, of how strong she is and what she is capable of.

I was always secretly proud to have a friend like her. Because she is not only a beautiful woman and an amazing friend... but also someone who can be very dangerous, despite her slender build and soft features. Because under those loose and girly clothes that she wears whenever she comes back from her "work", are muscles of steel and determination that could break and put to shame any man around. Not to mention J's special skills that she has developed over the years...

She's my best friend and the only person that she told about her other life that nobody in town... or maybe in the world knows about. I smile as I think of this situation, preparing breakfast for my 5-year-old daughter Kathrin and grinning at her "aunt" Jane.

She is always so sweet around her, teaching her how to make a catapult and how to start a campfire in the wilderness... while looking like a girl from the suburbs.

Floaty white dresses and converse trainers, never the one to wear heels. I finish the sandwiches and look at the hall, as a small sleepy person walks in, rubbing her eyes and dragging an old teddy bear behind her. She climbs on the tall chair and looks around,

still not quite awake.

Had a nice sleep, my darling? - I smile and try to straighten the blond haystack on her head. I had the same hair when I was her age. Like golden silk. These days I could easily go for a brunette... in the right light.

Mmmh - She mumbles and looks for her cereal bowl - Did aunt Jane call ?

Yes, and she said she will visit soon - I turn around and pour some coffee into my favorite red mug.

I miss her, she almost never comes to see me...

Oh, honey... she was just here a month ago. You know she comes whenever she can to see her favorite niece...She has a lot of work - I stumble a little on the last word as my mind shows me images of what J really does. I was okay with that by now, though not sure if the word "ok" did justice here.

After all, one doesn't usually have paid assassins as their best friends.

I stare at my baby and smile again. Now, it wasn't exactly as if J told me about her "profession", I just found out by accident. I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and my friend was taking care of her current responsibilities. A gun pointed to a guy that looked like he had all Hell behind his conscience. His face crippled with anger and frustration.

You're not going to get away with this you wretched creature... - he smiles and almost spits in her face - calling you a woman would be too much a compliment to you...no, I would rather call you...

He doesn't finish, his face expression freezing in place as a bullet brakes free from the gun, the noise subsided by a silencer and J's coat. The guy falls slowly to the ground and lies there on the cold cement. A small streak of blood in his chest growing bigger with every moment and dripping down. Turning into a puddle.

I take a deep breath and stare at the horrific scene. I hear footsteps and look up as a small hand touches my shoulder. I flinch at first but then freeze again.

Jane... how did this...

Clare... try to breathe sweety. I don't want you to start your panic mode... and screaming like a crazy woman...before I can clean this all up. Now give me your hand. That's right, just like that.. and sit on that crate...yes, perfect. Remember about your breathing, while I take care of this little predicament... Alright, sweetheart? Nod if you can hear me... wonderful, I am very proud of you.

She leaves for a couple of moments and returns with some plastic sacks and the kind of foil that you use when painting walls or doing a rebuild on the house. I see some thick ropes and weird bottles. Probably detergents... I sit there as if I don't have a care in the world... as if I just didn't see my best friend kill a man... even if obviously not an angel... but a murder still. I look at what's she's doing and how swiftly and professionally she proceeds with her task. I feel numb when I look at her, probably still in shock. As I sit there, Jane finishes her work, the body wrapped around in foil, and rope for a better grip. She ties the knots tight and then straightens her position. Looking directly at me for the first time and rubs her hands against each other, as if saying "there, all done, now back to other stuff" I get off the crate and wrap my arms around me, feeling the sudden chill in the air. Jane walks up to me and puts a hand on my shoulder again, bowing her head, so we are at the same eye level.

Clare, love... how are you doing?

I don't think I know yet... cold maybe. It's a little chilly today.

Why aren't you just a treasure... - She smiles at me with a warmth that shouldn't be there, considering what she had just done.

Just happy to be alive and not that guy... - I point to the bag on the ground and now clean cement. No blood in site.

Trust me, Clare. You would never be in that position. That man did a lot of horrifying things in his life and eventually landed on the "hit list"...believe me, when I say... The world is better of without him... when I think that you lived in the same town as he did and could be next...it just makes me sick - she shivers and takes a deep breath to steady herself.

Jane... - I look up at her and touch her cheek. She looks at me with a pained expression - Is this the well-paid job that you had been talking about... the one in the real estate agency?

She stares at me like the most important person in her life and smiles again.

It is an "agency" of sorts... but I tend to be more of a freelancer type... are you scared of me yet, or are going to wait till you get home first, and start calling the cops? You can if you want to - she gives me a humble smile, then turns more serious - but that would mean I would have to leave the town very soon...and you and Kathrin... Mind giving me a couple of hours in advance, so I could pack my belongings?

She asks calmly, but I see the pain in her eyes spread like wildfire. I furrow my eyebrows as a small pain of my own spreads in my heart. I wrap my arms around her neck and whisper to her.

No, that won't be necessary. You have a niece to come back to...and her mum. So, leaving isn't really an option here. Do you understand me? - I can feel her nod, my neck getting wet from her tears... and her shoulder from mine.

Ok, enough of this foolishness...I have to clean up.

I look at her, as she reaches the body and pulls on the rope. Dragging the huge dead man as if he weighed as little as she did. Her muscles flexing and her expression that of concentration...

...

I look at my daughter and smile as she fills her bowl with milk, as it overflows it and spills on the counter. I handle her a paper roll and she swiftly pulls a couple of them and cleans the mess with precision. She has a familiar expression of concentration on her face. I guess both of us look up to a certain friend and a favorite aunt... my best friend.

A well trained and paid assassin...

Because I wanted to share a few tales that I have to tell... and the tales are true.

..................................

"I have a few tales to tell you, and the tales are true." The words jolted me out of my sleep. I looked around, sensing that someone was in the room with me.

"Who's there?" I callled out. No answer. I looked around, noticing something was missing. Then I noticed it. The curtains where there but there was not a cinch of light anywhere in the room. I sat up in bed, my heart racing.

"I have a few tales to tell you, and the tales are true," It comes as a wispher, the last word being strung out. I tried to track the voice but it seemed to move around the room. My heart pounded in my ears and I was certain that I was going to die. I tried to talk myself into getting out from underneath the covers, off the bed, across the room to the blinds, and opening them. But my body refused to listen, to obey.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and jerked around, and at the same time, a laugh passed next to me.

"Who are you?" I asked. I tried to sound brave but my voice came out sounding like a little girls. I swallowed, awaiting the response.

"I have a few tales to tell you, and the tales are true," It's a wispher again.

"What are they?" I asked, barely managing to breath.

"Tales," Was the answer.

"About what?" I asked. I swallowed the vomit back down.

"You," The word was drawn out.

"Me?" I asked. "Why?"

"I am you," It answered.

"What are they," I asked. A hand reached out of the darkness and towards my face. I couldn't breath, I couldn't scream, I couldn't move. My heart pounded and pounded, and I was sure my head was going to fall off.

"Your life. Every fail, ever win, every trial, every passing," the words sent a shiver up my spine. The hand conected with my face. They were cold. I could feel the death in them.

####

"Hey Grandpa," I jerk awake at the sound of a little boy calling my name. "Can you tell me a story?" His mom shows up behind him in the door way.

"Sorry," She mouths. I nod.

"Sure," I answer. "Come here," I pat my lap and the little boy squirms up onto it.

"Tell me something scary," He pleads.

"Ok," I say. "I have a few tales to tell you, and the tales are true."

"I have a few tales to tell you, and the tales are true." Deera said to another young lady in the waiting room. "Honey, I don't think she's interested." Tara said as he sat down next to Deera. Iris was still in the Operation Room. "Actually, since I am waiting to see someone, I would love to hear a tale." The young lady said. "Well, if you say so. Let me tell you about my daughter and how she ended up in the Operation Room. She decided to take on The Flame Wolf by herself in place of us. She failed but, she fought hard. Then, my husband, Tara and I decided to go find her. We found her in the Under World, defeated the Devil and she ended up hurt. She lost a lot of blood but, I hope they can fix her soon." Deera finished as the Operation Room doors opened and out came Dr. Horseshoes. Tara and Deera stood up. "There is good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?" Dr. Horseshoes asked. "Give us the good news." Deera said anxiously. "The good news is she survived and will live her full life. The bad news is she will probably not have function in her left side." Dr. Horseshoes said as he looked at them. Deera gasped and ran out of the office. The young lady ran after her. "Is it alright if I go see Dar... I mean, Iris?" Tara asked. "Yes you may, Tara." He said as he left from in front of the doors and went into another room. Tara went to room 1939 and saw Iris laying in the bed, all peaceful. He sat down and started reading the Book of Norwind.

Meanwhile, the young lady ran after Deera in the rain. "Mrs. Freedom!! Please, wait up!!" She yelled after Deera. Deera stopped and looked at the young lady. "I am Iris' friend, Droopy Keelhill. I am the Red Draginucous daughter of Fire Fortess, the Red Draginucous Mother." She said as she pulled back her hood and Deera saw that she had red horns on her head. "No... Way. Are you really, Droopy Keelhill?" Deera asked as she looked at her. "Yes, ma'am. It is. I know it's been a long time since the last time you saw me and my mother." Droopy said as she smiled her wicked smile. "Let's go see Daru Daru. What's your dragon name?" Deera asked. "HELLENFIRE!!!!" They heard Fire Fortess yell from the sky. Fire Fortess landed next to Hellenfire with quite a thud. "Fire Fortess, dear. What are you doing here?" Deera asked. "I here see Daru Daru." Fire Fortess said as she turned into her human form. Deera lead the way back to the doctor's office. "I will go see if Tara is in the room with Daru Daru." Deera said as she ran to room 1939. She opened the door and saw that Tara was holding Iris' hand. Tara smiled at Deera as she entered the room. Iris' left arm twitched as Deera walked closer. She opened her eyes and smiled. "Ma? Pa? Is... Is that you?" Iris asked. "Yes, it is us." Deera said as she knelt down on the floor next to the bed. "M... Ma? Where is Hellenfire?" Iris asked. "Her and her mother is here. They both want to see you." Deera said. "Not her mother... yet. I want to see my friend first." Iris said slowly. Deera stood up and walked out of the room. She walked to the front and got Hellenfire. She took her in the room and Iris was sitting up. Hellenfire ran over to Daru Daru and hugged her. "Yepen bell mendator queen aen scarinfloo. You gave me quite a scare." Hellenfire said in Red Draginucous tongue as she started crying. "Hey, hey. I am sorry. I didn't mean to give anyone a scare." Iris said as she lift her left arm and held back the wince of pain as she hugged her back. "Reswellen, ren frienseera! Rest, my dear friend!!" Hellenfire said as she teleported from the bedside to the door and left the room. Iris laid the bed back and laid down on it. She yawned and started falling asleep as she closed her eyes. "Rest my dear daughter. You will need all your energy for tomorrow." Deera said as she laid on the floor and fell asleep. Tara casted a spell to keep the room to what they needed to be more comfortable. He was used to it by now. He smiled and slept in a chair.

They woke up the next morning and Iris sat up and stretched while Tara slept. "Ma? I need to walk around." Iris said as she pulled the sheets off of her body. Deera stood up and stretched. "Alright. Let's go." Deera said with a smile. Iris got off the bed and walked towards Deerau. "Ma? Can you hold onto me?" Iris asked as she grabbed Deera's shoulder. Deera nodded and walked with her all over the office and across the halls. Iris smiled as they walked around until they bumped into Dr. Horseshoes. "I see you're up and walking. You are free to go home today. There is no charge for Iris." He said as he took the Ivies off. Iris' smile got bigger and she ran to the room to wake Tara. She got there and started shaking him. Deera stood in the doorway and watched them.

"Pa! Pa! Pa! Wake up!! I can go home!! Wake up!! Wake up!!" Iris said as she shook him. "Wha... Whatt? How is this possible?" Tara asked as he sat up and was half asleep. "Dr. Horseshoes said so and she's healed quickly since she is half Draginucous." Deera said with a smile. Tara stood and grabbed his Staff of Riles and the Book of Norawind. All three walked out of that doctor's office like a family instead of missing someone. They walked all the way home and headed back to bed to sleep in from the few rough days.

They lived happily and in peace...

Until the next time The Flame Wolf attacks.