Sybill~~

The next morning comes. "Rose, today's the day! I figured out the most perfect way to convince them!"

Rose sighs. "Well, I'm not going to stop you, because I know I can't. And besides...perhaps this is better. For our safety, and theirs."

"Glad you're seeing things on my side! Come on. let's go talk to them now."

___

A few moments later, we stand in a large room with all the members of the Animals watching us intently.

"Thank you for coming to listen to what I have to say." I begin. The crowd quiets.

"I know that we're just travellers, and you probably don't trust us. But I can tell you're leaderless and are desperately searching for one. Let me guess: Nobody wanted to be leader though, am I right?" A few share glances. A couple even nod. One particular bat shouts out, "Finally! Somebody here to help us!"

I smile. "That is exactly what I plan to do. I know you may not like it, but I would like to become the leader of the Animals, with Rose as my co-leader. I promise to be a great leader, and listen everybody. All members will have an equal say. I want to help you," I tell them. The panther from earlier dips his head.

"With our leader gone, I'd assumed the role of leadership. But it's a burden I do not enjoy carrying. I think I speak for all of the Animals when I say we need you and your human friend as our leaders, even if it's not something our original leader would have wanted." The crowd nods.

"I am very honored to be your soon-to-be leader."

------ 

Sybill~~

It's later, now. Lonbraj, the panther from earlier, walks beside me and Rose. "If you two are going to be our leaders," He purrs, "Then you should meet the members I elected to be in positions of importance. First, I'd like you to meet our Shaman, who is also our head healer."

He opens a door designed for animals. Felines, specifically. Inside the room are herbs and other materials on shelves, labeled. There is a cauldron. In the corner is a bed sewn from colorful silk. A lynx sits on it, reading. She looks up at us. 

"Ah, Rose and Sybill, the two who are to become our leaders." She surprises us by speaking in human language . Her large, youthful blue eyes look up at us. I feel a pang of sharp sadness looking at them. They look so much like what Yin's looked like, but they are not cloudy. 

"Who are you?" Rose asks. 

"My name is Traudl. I am very pleased that you two are becoming the leaders." She looks straight at me. "I knew Yin. We sometimes met to discuss things. I...can't believe she's gone." I remember Traudl. Yin spoke of her. She said that Traudl was always watching over her with magic.

Instantly, I trust Traudl.

~~~~ 

Sybill~~

Today is the day. At the end of this day, the Animals will belong to Rose and I.

I've never felt like this before. This thought of power and control excites me. It almost controls me. Finally, though, I'll be able to have dominance over something. Everything else in life I couldn't control, and so I lost it. But now, I have something that I control however I'd like. And Rose will help me, too.

~~~