Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 This is something of a departure from my normal stories.  I make no apology
as I write as much for my own pleasure as that of my readers and this story
needs to be told.

   As ever I would stress that this is a work of fiction.  It involves
sexual encounters between young people and some of the situations may be
disturbing to some people.  If you are easily offended, underage (yeah like
you're going to admit to that one!) or the accessing of such material is
illegal where you come from then please read no further.

   So, if you want to make contact (and I always cherish contact) drop me a
line at knjfriend(at)yahoo.co.uk (I'm sure you can work out how to amend
that) if you have criticism to make then please feel free but try and be
constructive where possible.

   The Game At The Edge Of The Mind Part 4

   "Well" asked Marks' father as the three sets of parents sat around the
crumpled bodies of their offspring "how far in do we think they are?"

   Simones' mother looked at the picture before her before replying. 
"They're still mainly dressed" she answered "Still lots to explore."

   Beckys' mother stifled a cry as she witnessed her daughters jeans slowly
unzip themselves.  "oh God she's so young" she cried into her husbands
shoulder.

   "It was the only way dear" he soothed "If they are to keep in touch via
the game then they have to start playing together, just the way we all
did."

   Becky gave up trying to instil good humour into the warrior rowing the
boat sullenly down the river.  Instead she cradled the still sleeping
Simone and let her mind and imagination drift to what might have occurred
to make her so relaxed and tired.  Eventually, as Becky was giving up
trying to visualise a hoard of naked futa elves, Simone stirred.

   Mark noticed immediately.  "You alright?" he growled

   "I'm fine Mark" she replied quietly "They did me a favour.  I think I
can control .....  things, better now.  Want me to help row?"

   "No you stay there and keep an eye out for a suitable camp site." He
replied rowing steadily.

   Eventually, as dusk was gathering about them, the trio pulled their
small craft ashore.

   Wood was gathered and a small fire lit before the girls delved into the
food sacks that the elves had provided.  There was plenty to go around and
even Mark enjoyed the feeling of a full stomach.  Throughout the evenings
discussions it became apparent that Simone was a little hazy on the detail
after her first two or three futa partners.  Was she was certain of was
that they had imbued her with a sense of fulfilment and control and she
urged Mark to be grateful rather than angry.

   The boy remained unconvinced as they huddled around the fire and,
sensing that he would be unlikely to sleep, offered to take first watch.

   Becky took over a few hours later and then, 3 hours before the dawn,
Simone took her turn.

   The night was uneventful and, after a small but filling breakfast of
rewarmed bread and honeyed oats they set off down the river once more.

   The atmosphere in the little craft was much improved and Mark and Simone
sat side by side to share the rowing and the banter that flowed freely
between them.

   The net came as something of a shock.

   One minute they were rowing a course through the middle of the stream
and the next Simone was on the deck having been dragged off the bench by
the weight of the net.  Mark, also entangled, was trying to free his sword
whilst Becky cast about for somebody to defend against.

   Darkness descended immediately and completely.  The trio couldn't even
make each other out from a few feet apart.

   "Mark, Simone" called Becky

   "I'm here" replied Simone "Can't get up though."

   "Bastard net" snapped Mark in the darkness "We're being dragged."

   There was no more speech.  The trio came too a short while later.  Becky
was the first to squint out of half open eyes.  She saw trees rather than
riverbank.  A high canopy blocking out the sun.  Lowering her gaze she saw
elves sitting around on logs in a circle around them.  But, she quickly
realised, these were not the type of elves who had befriended and fed. 
These were dark skinned and dark of nature.

   She closed her eyes and waited for the sense that her companions might
have regained consciousness.  She didn't have to wait long.

   Mark sprang to his feet, sword in hand and Becky jumped to his side
urging caution.  Simone clambered to her feet more cautiously feeling the
egg sized lump on the back of her head where she had hit the little boats
deck.

   Mark soon realised that they were vastly outnumbered and lowered his
weapon.

   "Good.  You realise that you are mine" rasped a dark elf to his right.

   "No" answered Mark with characteristic stubbornness "but I may as well
see what you want before I start fighting."

   The elf laughed.

   "You are beaten boy warrior.  You and your companions live because I am
feeling good natured today."

   Mark went to reply but was hushed by Simone grasping his forearm.

   "Ah," said the dark elf "I see that your females are also in command"
she laughed

   "We're a team" snapped Becky "We have equal rights and an equal say"

   The dark elf laughed and the others in the circle joined in.  A rough
grating sound like wood against a saw blade.

   "You have no rights" snapped the elf finally "You will answer my
questions and then, if you please me, you might live."

   "Really" snapped Mark "and if we choose not to?"

   "Then you will die.  Maybe not immediately but you will die."

   "I'll be taking a few of you with me then" the boy yelled bringing his
sword back up.

   Simone unhooked her hammer and took up a position with her back to her
companions facing another row of dark elves who seemed particularly
unconcerned.

   Becky started mumbling and flexing her fingers.  The blinding light at
the back of her mind knocked the mage to her knees and she was left gasping
for air.

   "Ah, the mage is hurt" the dark elf observed "Stupid human.  We are
protected.  You cannot use your magic within our camp boundaries."

   She waited whilst Simone and Mark helped Becky back to her feet.

   "Where did you get the elf food that we found in your boat.  More
importantly, where are those of my cousins who gave it to you and what do
they plan?"

   "As you have already guessed" said Simone quietly "we were given help by
a elven tribe.  We have no idea where they were going or what they're plans
were."

   "FUTA!" snapped the dark elf "my stupid cousins might revere your kind
but in this society you are the lowest caste.  You will stay silent.  You
will not speak to me.  You boy" she shouted pointing at Mark "you will
speak".

   "It is as she said.  We have no knowledge of their intentions or
whereabouts." He replied sullenly.

   "If you truly know nothing then you are of no value.  You will be
executed" she said to Mark "but only after you have witnessed the
punishment of the futa and the aggressive mage."

   "What do you have in mind" asked Becky weakly.

   "You were not invited to speak mage but I will tell you anyway.  Your
futa trash will be given to our futa trash.  They deserve a little fun
sometimes.  When they have had their fill, or rather when you have been
filled to the brim" she chuckled at her own joke and a ripple of laughter
swept the circle "you will provide food for their dogs.  The mage," she
said thinking as she spoke "will provide the same services for my personal
hunting dogs.  They enjoy elf flesh but will wish to mount you first little
one.  Once the warrior has seen these events he will know my power and he
will either speak the truth or die at the hands of my bodyguard.

   The circle rose as one and held out short pointed spears towards the
trio.

   "Take them" snapped the dark elf

   "NO WAIT" came a cry from behind the circle.

   Another dark elf stepped into the ring.  A dark elf that Mark instantly
recognised.  She approached the leader and whispered into her ear.

   "My daughter" the dark elf queen started "informs me that she has
enjoyed the warrior previously."

   "I know her" Mark acknowledged.

   "She tells me that you are a man of your word."

   Mark nodded uncertainly.

   "She tells me that if you claim no knowledge of the elven filth then you
probably have no knowledge of their plans."

   Mark nodded again.

   "My daughter wishes to take you as her pet."

   "Fuck that!" squealed Mark.

   The elf queen chuckled "It seems likely that your duties might include
such services" she smiled as giggles erupted around her.  "Were you to
agree and give yourself into her service then I might be inclined to free
your companions unharmed."

   Mark looked to Simone and then to Becky.  He threw his sword to the
floor and marched purposefully towards the queen and her daughter.

   "Mark No!" shouted Simone at his back

   Marked moved forward with purpose.

   "Kneel" the younger elf commanded.

   Mark knelt whilst the steel collar was attached around his neck.  A
quick tug and he moved to crouch behind his new mistress.

   "Your companion has saved you" snapped the elf queen.  "Be gone, the
river is that way." She added pointing.

   Simone made to pounce and Becky held her back.

   "Not now" hissed the mage.

   The two girls were followed to the river by a half dozen of the dark
skinned elves who watched as the pair clambered back into their boat and
set off down stream.  It was dark when the girls finally made their way
back to the dark elf camp.

   Becky had used a cloaking shield to allow them to slip past the
perimeter guards and they now crouched just outside of the camp boundaries
and watched proceedings though the bushes.

   Mark was the main focus of attention for the whole encampment.  He
stood, naked and chained in the centre of a circle of tables.  Every now
and then one or other of the female warriors would approach, stiffen his
erection and walk away laughing.  Even from their hiding place the girls
could see the redness in his member.  It looked like he had been given no
rest all day and was standing by sheer dint of will alone.  They couldn't
rely on him for support that night.

   Becky explained her intentions as quickly as she could.

   "Wait up" hissed Simone "I thought that you couldn't use magic in the
camp."

   "I can't but I can cast from outside" she smiled "The distance might be
a problem though, I might not have quite the control and it will weaken me
more than normal.  You'll have to be quick."

   Simone nodded and the girls waited and watched.

   Finally as the evening wound to a close the dark elf princess who had
claimed the warrior, moved from her table.  As she walked towards the boy
she disrobed and came to stand before him wearing her boots only.  Mark
simply followed her instructions.  He started washing her with his tongue.
In place of her usual evening bath she announced to the crowd.  20 minutes
later she had a table brought over, lay on her back and commanded the boy
to give her pleasure.

   Mark groaned loudly enough for al to hear as he clambered between her
legs and forced his tender erection into her valley to the cheers of the
assembled thong.

   He rode her for a few minutes before she orgasmed loudly, bucking her
hips and throwing the tired boy off her and onto the dirt below.  Then, as
the crowd dispersed to their individual tents she collected his chain leash
and half dragged him to her own tent.

   The girls waited a further 20 minutes or so.  By that time the
occasional sentry was the only movement and Becky promised that they would
see and hear nothing.

   Simone slipped towards the camp and the rear of the princess's tent.

   Becky waited to give her chance to get in position and then let rip.

   Fireballs hurtled into the queens tent and into 4 other tents around the
encampment.  The queen herself burst out through her tent flaps screaming
for water and protection only to be met by mysterious ropes which bound her
and forced her back inside the burning tent as her horrified bodyguard
looked on.

   The other tents were ignored as the whole camp tried to fight the fire
on the queens tent.

   Simone had slipped around the princess's tent and was waiting for the
commotion to start.  She was ready as the tent flaps were thrown open and
the dark elf warrior peered out.  The hammer blow was quick and decisive
and Simone caught her as she fell, dragging her back into the tent as she
did so.

   She struggled to rouse Mark.  He was both tired and drugged but
gathering those of his belongings that were in evidence she tugged on his
chain and, like the obedient dog that he had become in so short a space of
time, he allowed himself to be led out of the tent and away.

   Becky waited until she saw Simone lead the boy out and then unleashed
more fireballs and a couple of tornados at the fire fighters.  In the
screaming chaos that ensued she slipped away to meet up with Simone and
before the flames were out the trio were back in their boat and the girls
were paddling furiously.

   In fact they didn't go too far.  Becky was all but exhausted and Simone
took the decision to find a safe campsite an hour or so later.  Taking a
risk they didn't post a guard but simply huddled together and slept.

   Mark awoke the next morning.  He was stiff and his head hurt but he had
a broad understanding of his rescue.  He had less of an understanding of
the looks on the faces of Simone and Becky.

   "What?" he asked as Becky knelt alongside him to brush his hair back
from his forehead.

   Becky smiled.  "How you feeling oh brave and courageous warrior?"

   "Don't take the piss Becks" Mark snapped

   "I'm not" she said defensively "You saved us all yesterday and you did
it without thinking."

   "Hardly" he offered "I needed you lot to come and save me as I recall"

   "Yes but" Simone joined in "had you not saved us first we wouldn't have
been able to rescue you.  You did good.....  for a boy!" she added

   Mark realised that he was naked and blushed.

   "Seen it all before" smiled Becky as she realised what he was thinking
and passed over his chain mail skirt.

   "Couldn't find the loincloth" Simone answered the unspoken question "But
I've mended your tunic and we can get you another sword at the next town."

   The trio ate a relaxed breakfast of food that had been left in their
little boat and then chatted about the future.

   "The dark elves will be hunting us" chimed Mark "The water isn't safe
anymore.  We'll be walking and we'll be walking directly away from the
water today."

   The girls didn't disagree and the trio set of at a brisk pace across the
grassland away from the river.

   They walked all day before finding a small village set in rolling hills.

   There was no inn but one of the farmers offered them the use of his barn
and others sold them food for an evening meal.

   The three ate well and, content that they were once again secure and
safe, settled for a good nights sleep.

   It was two days before anything of note was to happen.

   As our trio were walking just below a ridge he heard a commotion.  A
series of shouts and then the clash of metal on metal.

   Cautiously they clambered up the slope and flattened themselves on the
ground to crawl the last few feet and peer over the top.

   Below was a nightmare scene.

   A party of elves was trapped on a bridge over a fast flowing river.  On
one side were a hoard of goblins whilst on the other was a significant
number of their larger cousins the orcs.  The elves, in cramped and
confined conditions could do little more than try and defend but the
relentless onslaught by sword and arrow was taking its toll.

   "That's Petraskine" announced Simone "there in the middle of the bridge"

   "You sure?" queried Mark

   "I'd know her anywhere" whispered his older cousin

   "I suppose that we had better help" suggested Becky

   "You think an extra three will have an impact" sneered Mark

   "Well I'm going down there" stated Simone simply "you can either watch
or help"

   "Shit" snapped Mark "Ok.  We go in hard and fast.  Becky you fire a
couple of salvos and then fall back behind us.  We don't want to break
through or else we'll be as trapped as the elves.  We need to make enough
noise and cause enough damage for the goblins to run.  Then, and only then,
do we stand any chance of helping the elves beat off the orcs."

   "Got it" agreed Simone

   "If I stay above you I can keep firing" suggested Becky

   "Just don't get caught by any gobo.  If that's the same lot you hammered
a few days back they might just want a word." Warned Mark.

   Becky stood on the crest and fired two bolts of blue down into the green
mass as Simone and Mark started their run down the hillside.  Simone was
screaming a blood curdling warning as she started lashing out with her
heavy hammer.  Mark simply took short sword in one hand and dagger in the
other and slashed at anything green and tatty.

   Another explosion rocked the green hoard and a bit of leg flew past Mark
as he hacked into the mass.  The elves nearest that side started to pour
off the bridge and the goblins were caught between the two battle fronts.

   Had they taken the time to count the newest attackers they might have
held their nerve but the explosive magic and the foes on both sides had the
desired effect and the hoard broke and ran for the trees.

   That allowed the elves to pull back from the bride and line the banks
with their archers.  The quickfire hiss of arrows on the wind, coupled with
the occasional burst of blue or red bolts from Becky had a huge impact on
the orc numbers and they too broke and ran before too long.

   Petraskine approached Simone with a huge smile.

   "That was a very welcome sight" she whispered "For a time we were sorely
pressed."

   "Our pleasure" smiled Simone "It was nice to be able to help."

   "You will join our camp tonight?" invited the elf.

   "Just to eat and sleep" warned Simone

   "Of course" smiled Petraskine "The futa do not play when battle is
close"

   In fact the trio, having no better idea of where to go next, stayed with
the elven party for the next two days.

   Eventually they crossed a small ford and climbed a hill to a substantial
building nestling in the trees.

   "Lord Antari offers you this abode for as long as you would like it"
said Petraskine

   "What?" queried Mark not sure if he had heard it right

   "This small lodge, although inadequate for the service that you have
given our nation, is available for you to use as and when you would.  You
must treat it as your own home although we will maintain and staff it on
your behalf." The elf explained

   Simone, Becky and Mark exchanged startled glances.

   "It is not sufficient?" queried Petraskine

   "It's absolutely wonderful" smiled Simone "It is far more than we
deserve and more than we ever might have hoped for."

   The elf smiled "You will need these tokens for now" she explained "after
a night in your home they will no longer be required but until the morn you
must carry them with you."

   The elf gave each of the travellers a small copper coloured disc bearing
a symbol of three elves joined at the waist.

   "Is this...." Started Simone

   "A tribute to our futa heritage" smiled Petraskine "Now go and explore I
will return later with food and clothing.  And, in case you were concerned,
you are half a day inside elven borders.  You and this lodge are protected
from outsiders and can relax."

   Petraskine turned and hurried to catch up with the main elven body which
was now almost out of sight.

   "Well" whistled Mark "best we go have a look around."

   The property was far from palatial but was plenty large and grand enough
for three errant cousins from a far away land.

   On the ground floor was a welcoming hall with a large log fire already
burning.  Beyond the hall was a small corridor leading to kitchens and
store rooms on one side and a large wood panelled room containing a vast
table and chairs sufficient to seat a dozen or more comfortably.  On the
other side of the room, between large windows and another huge log fire
were a series of comfortable chairs and sofas.

   Upstairs there were five bedrooms, each with individual bathing
facilities and each with spectacular views over the surrounding
countryside.

   The trio spent some time running and exploring before Petraskine
announced her return with a sharp rapp on the large front door.

   "You don't have to knock" cried Simone as she opened the mighty door.

   "Of course I do" replied the elf "just as you would if you visited my
home.  May we enter?"

   Simone looked past Petraskine to a line of elves carrying various
bundles and stepped quickly aside.

   The trio stood dumfounded as elves and packages disappeared in all
directions.

   Petraskine called two elves to her.

   "This" she said indicating a slightly older looking elf with a smiling
face "is Symviant.  Symviant will be your cook when you are here and with
young Elise will keep the lodge ready for you whilst you are away."

   "A cook!" piped Becky

   "Unless you would rather not have the intrusion" smiled Petraskine
"although I can promise that they will be loyal and discreet."

   "Thank you so much" gushed Simone

   Petraskine smiled.  Clothes and gifts have been taken to your rooms.  I
hope they have correctly guessed who has claimed which room" said
Petraskine with a twinkle.  "Now do you have any further needs that I can
assist with?"

   Simone started to sidle towards the elf but Becky got there first, took
Petraskine by the arm and led her away whispering into her ear as she did.

   The elf smiled broadly at the young girl.  "it will be done" she
promised as se clapped her hands and waited whilst all but two elves
readied to leave the lodge.

   "With your permission" smiled Petraskine "I will return later to see how
you fare"

   "You will be most welcome" said Mark formerly

   Mark led the race to the stairs as Symviant smiled and headed for the
kitchens with Elise close behind.

   The trio separated at the top of the stairs and headed for the rooms
that they had chosen for themselves.

   Each had several parcels containing clothing and other gifts.  Mostly
the clothing was for use in the house but each had a set of good quality
travelling clothing too.

   Mark was downstairs in front of the log fire when Petraskine returned.

   He went to rise but Elise surged past him to answer the door. 
Petraskine exchanged a brief nod with the young elf before entering with
two other elves in tow.

   "Mark, I see your clothes fit well" she started

   Mark was dressed in soft leather leggings over a light linen tunic.  His
feet were bare.  Around his neck he wore a silver chain beset with elven
runes.

   "Did anybody explain the neck chain?" asked Petraskine

   Mark shook his head as he fingered the cool metal at his throat.

   "It carries a warning" informed the elf "in times of danger it will emit
heat, not enough to burn but too much to ignore.  It is particularly
sensitive to dark elves.  I understand that you have had trouble with their
kind" she finished with a wink.

   Mark laughed "Will you have some refreshments?" he asked drawing her
attention to the food laden table with a sweep of his arm.

   "My, my" said the elf "Symviant has been busy."

   Just then her attention was drawn to Simone who coughed gently to
announce herself as she descended the stairs.

   She too wore soft leather leggings, cut generously in the front, under a
soft linen tunic.  She too was barefoot.

   "You have been very generous" she hissed as she linked her arm though
the elf's.

   Petraskine smiled into her eyes and said nothing.

   They had no more than a few moments to wait before Becky made her
entrance.

   She wore a robe of sky blue silk which billowed behind her as she
walked.

   "A picture" whispered Petraskine into the silence that had engulfed the
room "Did everything else fit?"

   Becky smiled and opened her robe to display a freshly made bright red
thong.

   "Shit!" hissed Mark as his eyes drank in the sight of his near naked
cousin.

   Becky smiled gleefully and pointedly looked at his crotch.  "Tight
leggings Mark?" she enquired innocently.  And then turning to Petraskine
and pointing to the elves standing quietly in the doorway "are those for
me?"

   Petraskine smiled.  "They are fire bringer.  Be gentle with them."

   "What's going on?" asked Mark as Becky promptly stated back up the
stairs with the two elves right behind her.

   "The mage asked a favour" explained Petraskine "It seems that she has
developed certain tastes and needs.  My futa cousins were happy to oblige
on this occasion."

   "FUTA!" stormed Mark "She's only twelve - I saw what state Simone was in
when the futa had finished with her."

   Petraskine tensed awaiting his next action but it was Simone who spoke.

   "The futa are masters of control" she explained "Have you not noticed
what they taught me?  Have you not realised how well in control every part
of me has been?"

   "Well yeah, I guess, but I thought you were just, well, knackered." The
boy mumbled.

   "As I understand it" Simone went on "Becky actually asked for a couple
of the elven warriors to play with.  Petraskine thought that she would be
safer with her futa cousins.  Do you not realise how much of an honour it
is for futa to visit?"

   "Well yeah" said the boy quietly "it's just, well you know"

   "You have been a great protector to us both Mark" Simone continued "but
right now we are safe and happy and you can relax too.  Ok?"

   "Ok" he agreed grudgingly.

   Mark grabbed a plate of food.  Petraskine grabbed a handful of Simone.

   The elf saw the boy watching as she undid Simone's linen tunic and
exposed her breasts "You have no objection?" she hissed

   "Go right ahead" the boy said sullenly biting into a tasty tartlette as
he did so.

   Still, though the food was good, it couldn't entirely mask the seduction
occurring on a nearby sofa and Mark found himself glancing in the direction
of that sofa more and more often.

   He witnessed the elf gorge herself on Simone's nipples and then expertly
unlace the soft leather leggings and drag them down his cousins thighs
without missing a beat.

   Once Simone was naked and erect the elf stood and shimmied out of her
own clothes to stand naked before the girl.  In profile Mark had an
uninterrupted view of Petraskine's firm breasts, tight stomach and huge
erection.  He could only imagine the delicate pussy lips cowering beneath
that monster.  Still, imagine he did.

   "I think" said Simone in a mock whisper "That Mark's leggings are just a
wee bit too small"

   Petraskine looked his way, eyed the significant bulge in the leather and
giggled.  Before she returned to her feast of Simone she clapped her hands
once and Elise appeared in an instant.

   The young elf moved to stand between Mark and the futa couple. 
Initially Mark thought that she was there to block the view but when she
started slipping out of her tunic and leggings he grinned and she smiled
back.

   Elise, despite her youthful innocent looks, took scant seconds to
release Mark's own erection and only a moment more to slide her tongue up
and around it before slipping her lips over the tip and swallowing.

   Simone allowed herself a small tinge of jealousy before turning so that
Petraskine could mount her from behind and then use both hands on her
erection.  The combination of a huge cock inside her and delicate hands
wrapped around her was too much after so many days and Simone squealed as
her orgasm hit her and Petraskine milked her cock.

   The elf then lay the cleric down and suckled that monster erection back
to life before encouraging Simone to return the favour in exactly the same
way.

   Upstairs, the futa elves had wasted no time in divesting themselves of
clothing and then helping the young mage out of her scant coverings.  They
had then warmed each other up whilst the mage watched and waited patiently
as the youngster feasted on each erection in turn.  The elves filled her
mouth twice each and then, whilst one tongued our magical heroine to
orgasm, the other mounted her cousin and rode her to oblivion and back.

   Elise swallowed the first load quickly.  She stayed on her knees and
dragged the blood back into Mark's cock and then, smiling at her
achievement, clambered onto his lap and impaled herself.  She showered him
with delicate kisses and toyed with his nipples as she rode him gently and
then with more urgency and determination and then, as Mark and Simone
cuddled against each other naked in the glow of the fire, Elise and
Petraskine filled plates for them all and they sat down to eat and await
the return of the mage.

   Becky didn't keep them waiting too long.  She washed, dressed and strode
down the stairs with a naked futa on either side of her.  These three
joined the feast and the group chatted quietly until Petraskine announced
that it was time to depart.

   Weary but happy, our trio of adventurers clambered up the stairs and
into their respective rooms.

   The following morning the three adventurers took breakfast together.  It
was a chance meeting.  One by one they trooped down the stairs within
moments of each other to be greeted by the smiling Symviant.

   Food was spread over the large table and they sat in comparative silence
as they ate.

   "Symviant" queried Becky as the elf moved past her "what's this place
called?"

   "Did nobody tell you?" replied the elf "this is the Kwest Lodge" she
answered as she moved back to the kitchens.

   "Kwest Lodge" smiled Becky "This is it, this is why we are here"

   She stared into the blank faces of her companions and cousins.

   "Kwest - Quest - this is it.  We have a place we can call our own.  A
place we can always meet even when the world is between us."

   The dawn light spread through the other two minds at roughly the same
time.

   "Do you think we can return?" queried Simone even as her eyes fluttered
open and she focussed on the smiling faces of her parents aunts and uncles
sat quietly in the old apparently forgotten room.

   "Yes dear" said her mother "you can all visit whenever you want.  Even
we oldies still visit from time to time"

   "You have played the game?" asked Becky with a squeak.

   "Who do you think planned for you to find that box" laughed her father
"did you have fun?"

   Becky blushed.

   "I see that you did" he smiled "Just remember that what happens in the
game stays in the game.  The physical world won't have changed but your
ideas and perceptions might have."

   Simone smiled at Mark and touched his arm.

   "Sorry if I've been a pain recently" she said quietly.

   Mark smiled back.
   End of Part 4