Serel Thorne Bloodforge.

  Jianrong appeared near Shepard and instantly regretted not checking ahead, as Virea and he were in the middle of something, so she slipped out as quietly as possible.

  Rong moved through the village as evening had already taken hold.

  In a sense, she was grateful, for moving through the village during the day had become…difficult.

  Everyone wanted a piece of her time because her presence comforted them.

  The unease of being just another woman in a sea of women that was her village had vanished like morning fog, as now she was seen as neither man nor woman.

  She was a fox.

  Children flocked to her tail and gentle smile.

  Women clutched at her arm, knowing she found comfort in their presence.

  Men moved just to stand in her presence, knowing she would not mind them.

  She found Serel in her study with a gentle knock.

  She and Erin were chatting.

  Jianrong realized the two were living together, not just staying in the same house.

  That marked the fifth couple she knew like that; she wondered if it was because there were so many women and so few men.

  When they realized who it was, both smiled and pulled her in.

  Then Erin helped her remove her ear coverings and hung the long, heavy robes that hid the tail protruding from her special pants.

  Rong had to learn in significant discomfort, sitting on her legs, a posture that reminded her of Japanese women. She did it because sitting usually put pressure on her growing tail, making her wince.

  The two women beamed as they chatted with her, and behind her, they saw her short red tail whipping back and forth in excitement.

  What the Dar’s could conceal from Aura could not be hidden by Rong because her tail let them know the truth.

  “We heard from Shepard that you were training today. How did it go, child?” Erin asked as she touched Rong's hand, then held it.

  Jianrong blushed, then looked between the two. “I found something interesting, and I wanted to share it with you, then get some assistance.”

  Serel joined them.

  “Tell us,” she said excitedly.

  Jianrong shared her memories for the day, then let them mull them over.

  Serel was a scholar and had heard many things, but hearing a treasure talk about different worlds, having been to them, was new.

  Erin, as a sect disciple, and the blade were not used to ask questions.

  Coming to Ironwood, she never stopped wanting to ask more questions.

  “So, you are learning Heaven’s Script. With that, structured cultivation will open to you,” Erin said in thought. “Talismans, arrays, contracts — all higher arts are written in Heaven’s words. Power can be grasped without it. Creation cannot.”

  Serel glanced at Erin, and the color in her face rose as Erin looked down demurely.

  Jianrong blinked, then squeezed her lips tight. She felt like so much was changing around her, not just what was happening to her…it made her feel the ground was not as firm as she thought.

  “I wanted to ask for your assistance. Uncle Ning let me feel his Spirit pressure. I am trying to look inward to see where my Spirit is growing so I can guide it.” Rong explained.

  Serel was pulled from her reverie, and her brows came together.

  “Rong’er, that isn’t how it works.” Serel chided her.

  It was Jianrong’s turn to look down; it seemed Serel had the same effect on both of her companions.

  Erin gave a gentle smile. “What could it hurt to let her take a look at my sweet Serel?”

  Serel huffed at the idea, but when Erin turned her head in her direction, the academic nodded and then gave a small smile.

  “Shen Vey wrote me, she tells me your very reliable about writing her letters, that you keep in touch with the Empress and Minister Elaren diligently,” Serel murmured, making Erin cover her face to giggle.

  “I…well… you know how I am,” Rong muttered.

  Erin nodded at the confession.

  Serel also nodded. “Just remember, just because you have changed does not mean we don’t care about you. It's just the nature of our relationship has changed.”

  “Yeah,” Rong croaked.

  Erin whispered into her ear, making Jianrong take a startled breath.

  Serel cleared her throat and spoke. “Come, let's lie on our sides, and we can take turns while you try to find yourself.”

  Jianrong felt odd looking at a woman she loved, but the relationship had changed when her gender and species had changed.

  They were still close, they were family, sisters, companions, but not lovers.

  But Erin didn’t seem to agree,

  None of the Dars had ever been intimate with her besides a kiss.

  But here, now…Serel's scent was on her. And her words clutched Rong's heart like an eagle's claw.

  “Give it time.”

  Jianrong would have to talk to her mother.

  Too many things were becoming confusing.

  The most confusing part was how everyone was trying to put into words and writing exactly where she stood in their lives, and who was in that circle and who was not.

  This had never been a discussion.

  But it wasn’t about Dar’s.

  It was just around her.

  “T-thank you,” Rong said to both of them, but the meanings meant something different to both.

  A futon was laid out, and Rong lay between the two.

  She felt Erin's arm slide over her waist and her hand catch Serel’s, who seemed to be surprised but elated.

  “Your tail has a mind of its own,” Erin murmured.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Rong's tail was wagging nonstop as she was pressed between two people she had dreams about.

  Then it started.

  Rong felt that familiar pressure.

  Her Spirit sense moved slowly and gently over where she felt the pressure.

  Serel stepped back, and Erin took over.

  The Spirit pressure was much different.

  Serel’s presence was firm but not overbearing.

  Erin's was sharp; it was almost painful to wear.

  They took several turns, then lay in silence as Jianrong searched inward. She knew where to begin because Spirit came from one place, and somehow Ning couldn't just say that.

  Rong felt strange, sensing herself FOR herself.

  Then she found it.

  The blob.

  There was another layer between the body and the soul. That layer was the Spirit, as she used her Soul Sense, delved inward to her Soul, and moved her mote of light so that its edge overlapped her senses.

  The best she could do was describe it as a discoloration of the glass alone.

  Not a spot, but a vague shape where a drop of something had been and had stained the glass when it was wiped away.

  Rong opened her eyes and realized the two women were staring at one another. Jianrong closed her eyes slowly and let out a slow breath to capture their attention.

  “I found it. Would you mind looking to verify if I am correct, or if it’s just a tumor?” She said gently, pointing to a spot on her head, her eyes shut.

  She could feel the warmth of their feelings touch her through their auras, then she felt Spirit senses moving over her face and head.

  Serel finally spoke. “It's so light I could barely feel it, if you had not pointed it out.”

  Rong felt there was a gulf between words and understanding, because, in her mind, her Spirit HAD to be felt near her Chakra… where would they think it was? Her foot?

  Erin’s arm slid between the gap between Ron's shoulder and neck and curled, pulling her closer.

  Rong simply sighed.

  Then her other hand tugged at Serel, who looked surprised but moved closer.

  Feeling like she was in a dream, she watched the two slowly kiss. Serel looked happier than she could ever remember, as if something had been resolved.

  “Will you keep our secret?” Erin asked softly.

  Rong blinked, confused.

  “No one cares if you are together,” Rong replied.

  Erin gave Serel a small smile, and Serel looked ashamed.

  “Rong, did Lin Su talk to you today?” Erin asked.

  Rong nodded. “Although I am not really clear on what she was referring to.” She admitted.

  Serel took a breath. “Sol…when you were with Bram…do you remember the people who got upset besides Cheri?”

  Rong blinked. “People got upset...oh, you mean the sect people?” She couldn’t fully recall because their opinion mattered so little to her.

  Erin chuckled and squeezed her. “I love you, child.” She confessed.

  Serel smiled and kissed Erin’s hand. “I forgot how easy this was with him…her, I mean.”

  Erin nodded.

  “Rong, what would happen if there was a pill that could let a woman have intercourse with another woman and have a child, or just have intimacy?” Serel asked.

  “Ah! That would be perfect, it would mean anyone could be with anyone and a child could be born of it…. well, as long as your woman that is.” Rong clarified.

  “Does it bother you that two women could have a child together?” Erin asked while locking eyes with Serel.

  “Bother me? What am I, some kind of asshole?” Jianrong asked, offended.

  Serel gave a small gasp, then crushed Rong between them as they kissed once more.

  “What the fuck is happening?! I was gone like less than a lunar cycle, and it feels like everyone is both afraid of me and cannot bear the idea I am not theirs.” Rong confessed.

  Erin moved, and Rong was on her back, looking up at them.

  “Child. You may not know this, but many of us have felt the grace of your patrons.” Erin admitted.

  Rong's mouth opened in surprise.

  Serel laughed, then kissed her forehead. “Rong, do you recall how you have been getting home?”

  Rong blinked. She blacked out sometimes when with Ling or Rou, so she figured she stumbled home, and the ladies at the house helped her when it was serious.

  “Child, there is a group of us. A group of worshippers. A group of women who are tired of pretending.”

  Rong frowned. “Rosha and Mira have been lesbians for as long as I have drawn breath.” She pointed out.

  Both women blinked at the strange word she had used in English.

  Rong blinked and realized she didn’t have a common word for what they did.

  “Sorry, word from my old world means same sex relationship.” She explained.

  “Child, did Rosha or Mira ever admit to it? Ever show affection in public? Even now do they?” Erin asked.

  Rong opened her eyes wider and thought. Then her brows shot up, because no…no, they had not. She had never thought about it.

  “Why are we having this discussion?” Rong asked, wanting to understand what was happening.

  Serel took an unsteady breath. “Some of us would like to move into the Bloom of Returning so we can openly show our affection.”

  Jianrong blinked. “I don’t think Matron would mind, as long as we are fixing it up for saving Cat-kin.”

  “Do you really think we will find her people?” Erin asked sceptically.

  “Doesn’t matter, the Bloom will be working in case we do. I pray we do…in a sense, they are like you…people who just want to exist without being persecuted…right?” Rong pointed out.

  Serel nodded. “Would you talk to her, talk for us?”

  Rong blinked. “I uh aren’t you supposed to be uh you know like uh getting married?”

  Serel looked to Erin, then back to Rong. “I have already talked to Nadia. Some from her exile have also come forward regarding this matter.”

  Rong's face moved through several emotions. “How many er uh people are we talking about moving to the Bloom?”

  “Nearly one hundred,” Erin whispered.

  Jianrong stared. That number was a third of the village, which was fifty couples or fewer if it was like Lin Su and Na living with her. Then she realized the same conversation had happened earlier, just without context. Rosha and the others wished to bind themselves to Rong because Rong had once been Sol, and that was acceptable.

  “What in the fuck happened while I was gone?!” Rong gasped.

  “The feelings from the joining….are returning to normal. We still love Dar, but it's not the same.” Serel admitted.

  “We…we… who is this we?!” Rong sputtered.

  “All of us,” Erin admitted.

  Rong began to hyperventilate. She imagined Dar without a wife and all the women she loved finding new partners and moving on and away.

  Erin became alarmed. “Child, breathe slowly, do not worry, no one is abandoning you or your brother. But since the gods have guided us…help you clean up, many things have become clearer.”

  “Alia, Virea…there is a wedding soon.” Rong croaked.

  Serel nodded. “They will still be wives, as is Cheri, but there will be understandings and space. Besides, there is a lot of Ironwood that needs that attention if they seek it.”

  Rong realized something. “Everyone is buying their way into a village that is not orthodoxy.” She thought aloud.

  Erin nodded.

  “Will you help us?” Serel asked quietly.

  Rong snorted. “Of course, family is family.”

  “Told you,” Erin whispered.

  Serel nodded, then she bit her lip. “Stay with us tonight, it's late.”

  Rong tried to say something but was forced just to nod.

  In the darkness of the night, surrounded by warmth, Rong spoke softly, not wanting it to end.

  “Not to be one to shame…But I am dying to know how my lovers convinced you to er uh well you know with me after they uh ahaha yeah.” Rong swallowed.

  Erin’s hand glided across her thigh and nudged something intimate. “Child, what is happening to you happens every day in Sects. The difference is that, in your case, the source is divinity. Some call them Purification Rites, others refer to them as Essence Recovery Therapy, but all of it comes down to the serving, serving means tasting, and tasting divinity brings clarity.”

  Rong whimpered when Serel rested her hand on the young woman's waist.

  “Are you mad at us?” Serel asked Rong, her breathing warm and intoxicating on Rong's neck.

  The young woman shook her head, not daring to say something to ruin the moment. Then she froze.

  Her gaze shifted to Erin, who watched with a smile.

  “How many of those one hundred are helping me get home every week?” Rong asked weakly.

  Erin looked to Serel, who took Rong's chin and kissed her as she had done with Erin.

  Jianrong’s body softened to Serel's kiss, then melted under Erin’s knowing touch.

  The next day, Jianrong could not, not smile as she worked in the field under the unbearable heat of the sun.

  When she made her rounds to check on children and mothers, she realized that many of the people who were always in her home belonged to the group Serel and Erin had described.

  When it was late afternoon, she moved alone in her head covering and long robes to a rocky outcropping one hill away.

  Releasing her Aura, she sat in contemplation.

  As she considered the situation with her Spirit, she felt a weight. Looking in her lap she found a large Crow.

  Without thinking, she pulled out some meat and dried fruit and offered them.

  “What tickles your fancy, my friend?” She asked, amused as she rubbed his head, making him close his eyes.

  “Fruit”

  Rong nodded and put the dried meat away, and pulled out her secret reserves of berries.

  The bird gobbled them up.

  She saw he had three legs and made sure he was healthy.

  “I am fine.”

  Rong nodded then covered him with her robes and returned to meditating.

  “You smell nice.”

  Rong chuckled. “That, my friend, is the smell of difficulty.” Then she froze.

  Her eyes moved down to the crow who had gold light in his eyes.

  Jianrong lifted her hands and lowered her head in supplication.

  “Eminence, please forgive me, I knew not who I addressed, to me, crows are friends.” She explained.

  The crow was still looking up at her with its golden eyes. Rong blinked, then went back to petting it, and it closed its eyes.

  She spent the day in the sun, feeding the strange bird all her fruit, then all her meat.

  When the sun was falling below the horizon Jianrong offered her usual prayer to the father.

  Then the sun was gone, and the crow stood up.

  Rong opened her mouth, sad to see him go.

  The bird deftly leaped to a large boulder growing to the size of a condor in the process, its black wing turning a vibrant golden Red.

  Jianrong kowtowed and waited.

  “Child, this one is Di Jun, the Flame Emperor of the Sun.” The bird intoned.

  Jianrong raised her head and bowed once more. “Eminence, I will remember.”

  Di Jun nodded. “When you pray to me, use my name properly.”

  “Yes, Eminence.” Rong nodded.

  The bird took flight, only to burst into flames and vanish a moment later.

  Rong clicked her tongue.

  “Is it me? Or is it the area just has a lot of gods?” she murmured.

  Crows landed all around her.

  She saw Ebon in all his plumpness.

  “Friend of yours.” She asked, moving back to where she had been sitting.

  “WAWA God,” Ebon explained.

  Rong nodded. “No kidding, what gave it away?”

  Ebon hopped closer, opening his mouth. “Tax”

  Rong stared at him, then all the crows that landed and got in line.

  “These little bastards,” she breathed.

  Three gods watched as Jianrong created small Qi gems for each bird because she had no more fruit to share.

  Then a bird landed amongst the crows, but none of them seemed to care.

  Rong turned to Ebon.

  “WAWA, Friend.” The fat crow explained.

  Rong looked at the long-tailed pheasant, then sighed and made another gem and handed it to him.

  Jianrong took up the lotus position and returned to her thoughts when she felt a weight in her lap.

  Looking down the colorful pheasant was resting on her.

  With a slow gentleness, she began to pet it and release a small bit of Qi to make it relax so she could check its health.

  Then she froze.

  “Are you a god too?” she asked.

  The bird looked at her and blinked.

  There was a heavy pause before Ebon spoke up. “WA not God.”

  The crows took flight to the trees and left Rong in the growing darkness with the colorful bird who had decided this was as good a place as any to lay roots.