Naga and the Shadow Mirror Clones

Chapter 3

While I fly I spot a hot spring and a building. I fly down to it and find it is an unused Spa. What's more, it has a "For Sale" sign up so I buy it on a whim.

From there I keep flying and searching,and occasionally I ask for directions. I finally spot Lina and land. Alas, when I try to talk to her she gets very mad and attacks me, stabbing me in the thigh as I try to run. Fortunately, she does not give chase, but the sword is still in my thigh. I fight back the urge to faint, and I finally manage to cast ray wing. It takes all I have to fly back to the cabin. I am badly battered, bruised, and bloody. I knock on the door as loud as I can.

It was pre dawn by this time. The girls got out of bed very, very sleepily. After some fumbling Lina managed to cast "Lighting" and they stumbled to the door. They had a freak at seeing Naga there, all hurt and bloodied. "M-mother! What happened? How on earth did you get injured? And how did you managed to get back here with all that blood? You always faint?" cried a worried Gracia.

Almost instantly I do faint, now, partly from the blood, and partly from the blood loss. Lina's short sword is still in my thigh. As I faint I try to pull the deed to the spa from my cape, but I don't make it.

The girls gave another cry, and dragged Naga inside. Gracia desperately remembered all that Naga had ever learned of white magic healing while Lina removed the sword and applied pressure to the wound. She looked at the sword and gasped. "It's real Lina's short sword..." she said.

"Oh dear, they must have had a fight..." sobbed Gracia as she waited for an imperfectly cast "Recovery" to work. There was a strong, intense white glow around Naga as the spell went to work closing the wounds, calling the serpent Mage back from the brink...

As I start to come to out of fear I grab the deed and place it in Garcia’s hands. "This is for you my daughter, just take it, ok, sweetie?"

Gracia said "O-Okay." and stuffed it away unlooked at. Right now she wanted to heal her mother. Nothing else mattered.

"No, you must read it. I will be fine. Lina is helping cast as well, it will be ok if you stop for a minute" I say weakly.

"Alright, mother, I will, after we get you safely into bed so you can rest." Gracia said quietly. With Lina's help she got Naga up and tucked into their only bed. After giving her another spell for pain, and one for sleep, they left the room. Gracia took the paper out and, with Lina casting Lighting and looking on, they read the paper. Afterwards, they could only look at each other, speechless...

As I sleep an old dream comes back to haunt me. In my locked sleep I see my mother’s murder over and over again.

Meanwhile, the girls made what bed they could of the floor, and tried to resettle for the rest of the night.

A day and a half passes of dead locked sleep in which I relive the death of my mother over and over again. When I finally reawaken I scream out in a mixture of pain and pure terror...
"MOMMY!!!"

Alas, it was mid afternoon, and the girls were out. The cottage was empty.

I sit there crying for an hour for my mommy before I seal it away. I look at my body and see that I am well now. I get up and walk outside to see if I could find them.

The yard looks deserted, as if no one was there. Eventually Naga made her way around to the back of the property and saw a chicken coop, with a pen and a small flock, and a very large garden. Obviously the girls grew most of their own food. At the far end of the garden a handful of weeds suddenly flew up and out of the garden.

I walk over to the area to investigate the flying weeds and ask "Hey is there anything I could help with?"

Lina's head popped up. "Oh! Hey, you're awake. How was the sleep? It took you long enough." she said with a smile.

It was horrible. I shake with terror as it is brought up

Lina gave the trembling Naga a puzzled look. "Err, what was wrong???" she asked.

I tell Lina what the dream was that I had the whole time I was asleep

Lina looked sad "Oh, your poor mother. Yes, I know the story, Princess, your shadow has told me everything, and I have done the same for Lina. But don't worry we have told no one else, just each other."

I nod in gratefulness and I ask again if I can help with anything.

Lina looks around. "Uh, well, I'm weeding the garden, so... Oh I know, see the pile of weeds here? Take them and throw them to the chickens. They love picking through them."

"Alright then, Lina." I pick up the weeds and take them to the chicken pen and I go in and start spreading them out when I slip and bust my butt on some fresh chicken poop when I yell out "Ahhhhhh help!"when Lina turns to look there are chickens all over me picking at the weeds and getting holes in my costume*

Lina came running over to help. She couldn't help but laugh as she did so though. "Well, you know, I don't think that costume is meant for farming. Let's clean you up and get you something more practical."

I nod in the midst of starting to laugh getting the feathers out of my hair as well noticing a breeze on one of my nipples

Lina led the way into the cottage. As they went passed the pond she pointed out the spot they went into it. "Here's our bathtub, a fireball will warm it and it's a good place to soak. I'll get some clean clothes."

Ummmmm Lina? I don't know fireball. I say this as I start to get undressed

"Oh. Okay." said Lina, she turned around, gave Naga a once over, noticing how she looked exactly like her Gracia. "Watch yourself." she said, then, aiming at the pond... "Fireball!" A carefully controlled irregular ball of fire popped out and plopped into the water before bursting. Lina clearly didn't have her namesake's delicate control of the spell, but, if all She ever did was heat water and light fires, how much more did she need?

"How's that? She asked.

I try the water then give a sigh of contentment as I lower myself into the water up to my nose and start to blow bubbles in the water.

Lina smiled and went into the cottage, stoked the fire, and put the water on. It was tea time anyway. She got some bread and butter and honey from the cupboard and set it out, ready for after the bath. Then she got a towel and some of Gracia's work clothes, and went back out to see how her guest was doing.

I am doing the dead man’s float when you return to check on me face down.

Lina was startled by this. "WH-what... hey, Naga?" she said. She knew the real Lina would dive in and go to her aid, but, she wasn't the real Lina. So, she managed to find a long stick and started poking at Naga, trying to bring her to shore...

I smile below the surface as my plan is working and glad I can hold my breath for so long...

Lina finally got Naga to shore, and with only a few whacks of the stick. But it was only her head she hit, nothing important...

I lay there acting like I am dead.

Lina finally managed to struggle Naga to the shore, but she couldn't lift her completely out of the water. She managed to turn her over, and started to shake her. "H-hey Naga? Naga! Are you alright???"

I open my big beautiful eyes and say "What, no mouth to mouth, Lina?"

Lina jumps back, startled. "H-huh? WH-what? What's that?? Wait... was this a trick???"

I laugh happily at your reaction.

Lina stared. Then she frowned. Then a tear trickled down her cheek. "That wasn't funny, I was really scared. What if something was wrong?" she said. It seemed Naga had forgotten that Shadow Lina wouldn't act like real Lina and fireball Naga for the bad joke.

"Aw, I am sorry, Lina." I hug you, forgetting that I am completely naked, as I am as I try to comfort you...

Lina lets you comfort her for a few seconds, yet another difference from the real Lina. "I-it's okay, I just over react sometimes. She snuggled in, but didn't seem to notice her companion was naked.

I stay that way, enjoying it too much to say anything as I hug you tighter.

Finally Lina smiles again then says "I'm making tea and I've put some food on the table, you must be hungry after a day and a half of sleeping." she said.

I pull back and look at you. "Did you say food?

"Yep!" said Lina getting up and automatically handing you a towel and the work dress she found for you.

I dry off and get dressed and walk back to the cottage. Along the way I ask if you two read the deed, and where is Gracia?

Lina replied "Oh, it's her day to work in town, so she's been gone since morning. We need to make some money after all, even here. Yes, we read the deed, we should talk about it over tea, I think." With that she got the tea ready and set it out on the table next to the bread and honey.

"Was what I did a bad thing or a good thing?" I ask as I sit down and enjoy the food and tea.

Lina looked at Naga with a slightly confused look. "It was an unexpected thing. Why, did you do it?"

I thought that you could use a better income, one where, if you wished, you could live a life of luxury, and of little want. It is just outside of Zoana, in a place the King and Queen frequent.

Lina looked stunned. "Uh, well, yeah, we don't like being as poor as we are, though we don't desire to be rich like you are. Uh, but what are we supposed to do with this spa?"

"Why, people will pay you to let them, bathe there, and get therapeutic massages. They will even pay to eat healthy food for a change. You won’t have to cook meat or anything you do not wish to touch, and if you want, I will help you with the place."

Lina blinked. "Yeah, I got that part already, but, why us?"

Naga replied "Because I love you two like my own daughters. Gracia is my daughter and I thought I would ask if you would like to join her as my daughter Lina?"

"Daughter? So soon after we've just met? Huh. But, in a way you know us already, so, I suppose that's right..." said Lina with a thoughtful voice. Then she got sad and went on "Yeah, we don't have real moms... I'd love to have one." She smiled again. "Okay, you drive a hard bargain, I'll be your daughter too." she said, as she walked over and gave Naga a hug.

Hugs you back then I start to sip on my tea again just like Gracia does.

Lina sat down and drank her tea too. "Um, neither of us has much business experience, we'd need to learn how to do the books and stuff" she said.

Naga beamed a big smile at Lina."And that is where I come in. I can even help with the finances, little Lina, and maybe even get my daddy and Amy-Chan to come up there to relax sometime soon."

Lina looked at Naga and smiled. "Are you going to make up with them then? Oh that would be so good! And Gracia has always wanted to meet the people she remembers so well, but never actually knew."

"Yes I am, Lina darling, and she will have to wait, because I think seeing two of me after 6 years being gone they might just faint. Do you understand little Lina?"

"Sure, don't want to give them TOO big of a shock, he, he..." chuckled Lina. Then a yawn overtook her. "What the heck?" she said.

"You lie down and just tell me what is left to do and I will do it for you, ok daughter? Think of this as a day off..."

"It's just being out in the sun all day I think, uh, mommy..." said Lina, trying on her new role. "He, he, it’s okay. The weeding is done, for today anyway, and I'll start supper later. A nap would be good. But I'll do it outside under my favorite tree..." she smiled.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

Lina smiled and gave a carefree shrug. "No, not at all, mommy..." She went outside.

I follow you.

Lina lead them to a big spreading shade tree with a bit of a soft lawn underneath it. "Were here!" she said, flopping herself down on the ground.

I lay down next to you and look up to the sky and sigh a sigh of contentment.

Lina on the other hand, having actually worked all-day, instead of sleeping, fell asleep...

After a few minutes of relaxing I finally drift off to sleep...

It is a warm pleasant afternoon, and Lina is having a relaxing sleep.

I roll over towards Lina my hand lying on her breast as I sleep.

Lina slept on. But she did give a happy sigh and breathe the name "Naga"...

Mmmmmm Lina I sigh as I instinctively slide closer to my daughter and starts to snuggle with her.

Lina was soon in Naga's arms. Still asleep of course. The problem was, she had done this with HER Naga (now Gracia) before, and in her sleep she had no way to tell what she was doing...

I lie there following suit, dreaming of the old times with my Lina and the late night snuggle times. I start acting out my past times with my Lina with my daughter. I start to kiss Lina on the lips and rub my body against hers as I am trying to make passionate love to her in my sleep.

Lina grogged awake. For a second or two she returned the kiss. "Naga?" she murmured. "You are home early, love."

Still asleep I continue to kiss and hug you and I moan "Lina...".

Lina woke up a bit more as Naga snuggled up to her. This was great, but something was wrong. But what?

I am acting just like your Gracia would do as I kiss you and rub my body against yours, moaning your name deeply with love...

Lina blinked fully awake. If Naga wanted to make love... Then the candle lit... this was the real Naga, not hers.... "GYYAAAHHHH!!!!!" she screamed, pulling away in shock. "WHATHTEHELLAREYOUDOING???!!!" she yelled in fright...

Startled awake, I let loose with a scream of my own in fear.

After breathing deeply for awhile while starring at the equally shocked Naga, Lina calmed down. "Oh, wait, we were asleep under the tree..." she said trying to figure it out.

Starts to cry as I jump up to run away. I trip and fall shortly after I start running in disgust at myself for what I did.

Lina said "W-wait..." but Naga was too fast for her. Feeling upset she did the only thing she could think of and went in to make supper.

I lie there out, cold from hitting a rock, for an hour.

Lina eventually worried herself enough to go look. Gracia wouldn't like what had just happened, oh no, and all Lina needed to do to make it worse was have Naga disappear...

You find me behind a bush about 100 feet from the tree, still out cold, a small pool of blood under my head, but I am still breathing strong.

"Oh no, and Gracia is the one who remembers the white magic..." said a worried Lina. She thought for a bit. Then she cast "Levitation" on to Naga and was able to pick her up and float her to the cottage. She got her cleaned up as best she could and settled her back into bed.

30 minutes later, I wake up and groan in pain.

Lina heard Naga’s groan and went in to see her. "Are you awake now?" she asked. "I am so sorry for what happened, Gracia will be home soon and she remembers the healing spells better than I do. Oh, maybe we should use our magic more..." she said, looking very worried.

"Oh, my head..."

Lina didn't know what to do. She ran and got a cloth, then dipped it in the now cool water from the pond. She came back and applied the compress to Naga's head.

I nervously say "Thank you Lina and I am so sorry about what happened. I don't know what got into me."

Lina smiled bravely. "Well, I did it too. But, uh, I thought you were, you know, my Naga. I-I couldn't really tell the difference. I'm so sorry this happened." She looked teary.

I smile at her and replied "No, I must have been dreaming about my Lina, and I must have forced myself on you, so I am sorry"

"Well, I'd better go stir supper..." said Lina, not knowing what else to do...

I lie there thinking on how to fix things, then decide on a drawing of our little family. "Lina? Do you have any paper and art supplies?"

"Hey? Uh, a bit..." she said, getting some paper and a pencil for Naga.

I thank you, then set to work drawing a portrait of our family, me, Gracia, and lil' Lina. I finish my drawing and get up, feeling a little dizzy. I walk over to you, and place it face down on the table and go sit down.

Lina handed Naga a cup of tea, and asked "Do you feel alright?"

A little dizzy but other than that and a bad headache yes I am fine.

"I wish I had some pain relief. Oh! I know I can at least get you some Willow bark!" she said, nipping outside to gather some.

Looks confused and put the picture in front of your seat picture side up.

Lina was back in a minute with some shavings from the willow. She set them to steep in the hot water. Then she looked over and saw the picture. "What's this?" she asked, taking a closer look.

"A picture of our little family for the new house, unless you want me to draw one with just you two" I say, looking a little sad as I am trying to apologize.

Lina smiled at it. "Are we really a family then? I'd like that; we've been so misunderstood since we were made. It will be nice to be part of a family." she said quietly.

"Yes, we are a family now, Lina."

Lina smiled. "Okay, so, Gracia should be along soon. Oh, here's the tea, it's not as good as magic, but it will help with the pain in your head."

I take it, thankfully, and drink it. "Thank you, Lina."

Lina started to set the table. It was a bit of a special occasion, so out came the table cloth, what passed for good china, and the like, even a few candles.

I look on in surprise as I move to get out of the way.

Lina giggled. "It isn't much but even we have a few little luxuries. I want it pretty for Naga, err, I mean Gracia... My, but you two are so much alike in some ways you know, he, he, he..."

"So what’s the special occasion?"

"Oh? Our being a family, of course..." she said.

I walk over and hug you. "I love you, my lovely daughter."

"Thank you." said Lina. Then she went to set out the meal. "Gracia should be home any moment!" she said.

"Want some help?" I ask as I try to do something so I am not just a waste of space at the moment.

Lina looked around. "Well, I don't ... oh, of course, flowers! What is your favorite? Or do you still think you are superior to any flowers out there?" she asked.

"No I don't. I love roses, I just wasn't going to let Lina and that jerk get one up on me." I smile remembering the incident where Lina tries to help some guy we were guarding get all sweet on me with a bouquet of flowers...

Lina said "We have some wild ones out back. They are in the last of their blooms and beginning to make rose hips. We should use them now, or never, I think!" Lina went to the bush with the pretty pink flowers. "They have thorns..." she said, carefully starting to cut a few off the bush.”We won't need many."

"Sounds like a plan!" I say, getting a few of them myself. I smell one and getting a bug up my nose. Of course it wiggles, and I act like a fool...

Lina laughed at that. "Lucky it wasn't a bee." she said.

Finally I blow it out and it was a beetle.

"Awe, a little lady bug." said Lina with a smile.

I rub my nose comically.

Lina laughed. "Awe, does mommy's nose itch?" she teased.

"Yes it does Lina, stupid bug..."

"Well, let's get inside and distract your poor nose by letting it smell the food. That's one thing you both share, you love your food, though we tend to just be vegetarians, and I hope you don't mind..." smiled Lina.

I chuckle despite myself. "It is fine by me, it seems to do great for you two, so I can learn to love it too." I say as we walk back to the house.