Temptation

Chapter 14
Chapter 14

“Temptation” Part 14

 

By Oni and Piper

 

Little Amara, not much more than a chubby three year old, screams bloody murder as she is flipped over and laid tummy down on Sasha's lap - but falls silent when she is barked at by the woman.

 

Jym and Reiko each blink in shock at the sudden silence.  The teen boy decides to let things play out, fearing he will embarrass his still proud mistress if he comes to her rescue.

 

Feeling utterly exposed as well as demeaned the toddler shivers and squirms on the huge lap and her bottom slides more out of its diaper, her round white cheeks fully bared now.

 

Sasha gently pulls the diaper back into position then sits the baby on her lap.  "There, that's a good girl.  Now listen."

 

Amara bites her lip to keep from screaming and chokes back sobs as she allows Sasha to continue, looking the woman in the eyes in part out of respect, and partly to keep herself from looking pleadingly towards her apprentice for help. 

 

"I know that deep in your head you are a big adult and you wish to do big adult things, but your body is that of a baby now.  Some things you simply cannot do anymore and other things not without help.  For example you cannot walk around on your watch without the risk of getting stepped on and hurt.  You will have to accept this.  It is the ... mature thing to do.  I'm sure you'll grow in time.  Do you understand?" Sasha asks gently.  The woman unties Amara’s diaper as she speaks, preparing to re-secure it. 

 

"Can't … can’t give in tuh bein’ a baby," Amara whimpers, rubbing her cheek.  At the same time the toddler no longer seems to care about her innocent exposure to others as her lone garment is fully opened to those in the room. 

 

Sasha pauses in the middle of her efforts and takes the small girl's pudgy hands between her thumb and index fingers.  "Look down." she tells Amara softly.

 

Amara looks down at the rolls of soft fat creasing her round belly and limbs as well as the bare little fold of her pee-pee.  The small blonde begins to squirm, trying weakly to pull her hands from the large woman’s.  “No – notta baby, no!” she complains.

 

“Yes, you are.  You are a little baby who needs a didee and needs others to take care of her, now enough foolishness.” Sasha intones.

 

The toddler’s babyish voice releases a long whine … and her hands shrink somewhat in Sasha’s grip as the woman feels the child’s legs slide a bit inward on her lap.  Sasha blinks in honest shock.  "Oh my." she gasps.  She lifts Amara up under her little armpits and holds the tot in front of her face in wonder at the transformation, feeling the little body diminish ever so slightly in her hands.  Amara kicks her legs as she dangles, slowly growing smaller, her legs and arms growing weaker and chubbier.

 

The former adult Paladin now looks barely older than two, having lost almost a year from her previous age as she screams in fright, showing short rows of little teeth inside her small mouth.  Jym breaks out of the hesitation of his own surprise and takes little Amara into his arms, cradling the girl.  The others in the room are still too amazed at the moment to do more than stare as little Reiko hastily returns, her frantic question of inquiry cut off by the sight before her.

 

Jym rocks his little mistress gently and tries to calm her down, doing surprisingly well as the blonde hugs his neck tightly and softly sobs as her body slows its shrinking.  The distraught moppet seems to end up just under the two year mark of age, by a couple of months, and Jym is amazed at the proportional weight loss he can feel from such a small loss of time.

 

"Oh gods, I ... I'm so sorry." Sasha says, sincerely feeling badly.

 

"It's not really your fault." Jym assures her.  "You were trying to help, and you were right.  The more she fought and denied it the harder it was going to hit her when she finally realized how helpless she is.  At least she didn't get hurt in the process which would have made things worse.  This was similar to the tantrum she threw when John teased her.  From what I’ve noticed, other than injuries what drops her in age is getting too upset about her new age and how she’s being treated because of it.  She’s fine when she accepts it and gives in, but that’s the difficult part for a Paladin." He admits, patting the tiny blonde’s bare bottom, his hand almost engulfing the girl’s lower cheeks.

 

"Yeah, ‘stubborn’ has always been her middle name." Reiko admits with a sigh.  "She'll be fine, in time."  The witchling adds optimistically, stopping herself from adding 'I hope'.

 

“Might she … youthen out of existence?” Sasha asks in a worried voice.

 

Jym shakes his head as he thinks.  “I got the impression, when I was possessed by Ternha that the real danger was Rawnleigh.  She likely could have done that, yes, but the curse won’t do it by itself.  Still, it will need to be removed, and I seem to have lost my … connection to the divine.” He adds, bouncing Amara slightly and flicking his eyes at the little blonde to indicate exactly what that connection had been.

 

Alyssa, in contrast to everyone else, grins and takes one of the babe's little big toes between her fingers wiggling it.  "Hey there you - don't cry." she soothes, her voice a bit too perky for the situation.  Amara frowns and kicks at the grasping fingers, failing to dislodge them, but succeeding in keeping her emotions under control this time.  She folds her legs up instead, trying to cover her privates.

 

"Um, shouldn't we diaper her again?" Reiko asks.  Amara has fully calmed down, her thumb now pumping between her chubby cheeks.  It is at that moment the front of Jym's tunic begins to feel very warm, and wet.

 

The boy squire sighs, "Too late."  Amara amazes everyone as she starts giggling.

 

After a moment of awkward blinking, first Alyssa, then Reiko, and finally Sasha begin laughing as well.  "Well, at least she's taking it better," Jym admits.  He holds his tiny mistress away from his tunic.  "Um..." he begins.

 

Sasha comes to the rescue and takes the baby gently from him.  "I'll handle it.  You get that shirt off." she advises, then takes Amara to the bed.  She is cooing at the baby before she even gets there, then tickles Amara’s tummy distractingly when she lays her down.  Amara's big blue eyes gaze up at Sasha, looking astonished at the woman’s apparent increase in size.  This time however the blonde seems to accept the treatment and doesn’t fight back as she gets cleaned up and diapered.  "I can probably put together a makeshift crib for her in the corner of the room if you’d like." Sasha offers to Jym, "Out of clothing of course."

 

Amara does squirm and fuss however, her adorable features in an exaggerated pout, but it is as a two year old would naturally act not as a woman would struggle.  In truth the tiny Paladin knows she is powerless to stop the woman - the giant woman looming so high above her.  In some ways it reminds her of the ogress, except that Sasha is most definitely being gentle.  She even tickles Amara in sensitive spots like her tummy and feet as she easily works.  Still, there is not a memory in Amara's little head where she can recall being this easily and completely controlled.  The woman is just an unstoppable force to the baby.

 

"I guess I will be doing the wash now." Sasha lightly teases, tapping Amara on her pug nose as she finishes up, “For your dripping wet squire.” 

 

This elicits another giggle from the tot who responds, “Jymmy all wet!”

 

"Yes he is," Sasha adds sweetly.

 

The changing cloth is wrapped around Amara's bottom twice as much this time, resulting in a very thick garment.  It is designed to do only one thing, catch and absorb whatever comes out of her loins.  There is no question now that such a thing will happen again.  The garment’s thickness also keeps the blonde's legs annoyingly spread apart.

 

"Alyssa, didn't we bring some baby clothing, just in case?" Sasha asks her sister, who nods and leaves the room.  Amara turns onto her side and pushes herself up to seated position.  She stares down at her diaper, pondering her new situation as her tiny toes flex.

 

When the redhead returns she has a short soft yellow bonnet with white frills and matching booties with her, along with a small white tunic that should fit the toddler as a night gown.  "To keep you warm." Alyssa explains when Amara's eyes widen.  Reiko has to cover her mouth with her hands to keep from bursting into a giggling fit as Sasha pulls the clothing onto Amara and ties it all into place.

 

"Awwww, don't you look so cute?" Alyssa adds in a syrupy sweet voice, tickling Amara under the chin happily.  When her finger moves from the tie of the bonnet to the toddler's soft skin however Alyssa feels a sharp static shock.  The redhead swiftly pulls her hand away then hugs herself as she feels cold again.  "Brrrr, good thing you have that to wear now.  This place is getting even colder." she mutters.

 

Amara scowls deeply at the eleven year old, it is not the first time she has.  "I tole ya ta be nice," the blonde says, trying to sound stern and intimidating but merely accomplishing a pouty tone.  "Yu dee-survh ta be widdo too."

 

The bratty redhead sticks her tongue out at the tot, before rubbing her hands up and down over her arms for warmth.

 

"Okay, okay, enough you two.  It's time for bed." Jym says, scooping Amara up again and shooing the others away from her.  The blonde's little fingers grip a fold of Jym's sleeve. 

 

"Jymee," the little Paladin calls to her squire.  "Cahful.  Nite.  Wah-atch."  She yawns wide.

 

Jym nods.  "Reiko and I will stay up first, then Sasha and John.  We've got it covered." he assures her realizing his small mistress has reached a point where she is completely incapable of fulfilling any of her duties.  The length of her limbs compared to her body amazes him, as does the relative large size of her head.  Jym lifts her up and holds her in the air above his head a moment, finding her so very light now but still with some heft.  "I must say you are amazingly adorable mistress." the teen says softly, warmly. 

 

Amara smiles at the compliment, her round cheeks dimpling.  Her once younger apprentice’s hands are simply gigantic to her, the same grip that once had trouble holding a sword and shield firmly is so strong and powerful as it holds her now.  Each of Jym’s thumbs rest securely on her chest while his fingers grip her back gently, all as the boy easily holds her aloft, her feet dangling so very far above the wooden landscape of the floor.  She finds herself enjoying the babyish treatment, of being so easily handled by someone she likes, much to her own surprise.  This time, following Jym’s advice, she doesn’t fight the feeling.

 

Giving into a temptation Jym brings the toddler down a bit, moves his face under her open gown and blows air on her belly, before lifting her up again.  His mistress laughs in delight and starts giggling.  "Enjoyed that, huh?" he asks before repeating the maneuver, this time frapping her bare belly against his lips and drawing a happy squeal from the tot.

 

Amara kicks the air gaily as she giggles again.  “No!” she jests in a firm tone, her wide grin saying otherwise.

 

Jym brings her down to his chest for a hug which the blonde tot returns.  "Sure you don’t,” he chides.  “Good then.  I think if you just relax and accept any age appropriate treatment you won't get any younger.  Emmy and Hannah didn't." he points out. 

 

Amara considers that, and nods.  "Okay," she says simply and cutely.

 

Sasha enters with a pile of full sized priest robes in her arms and arranges them in the corner like a small bed with high edges.  The finished product actually looks rather comfortable and given its location against two walls, also seems rather safe for the toddler.

 

"Well, you'll get to sleep in the same room with me at least." Jym says to his small mistress, who smiles and hugs him around the neck again, planting a kiss on the boy’s cheek.  Neither of the pair notice as Alyssa silently fumes, though the ever curious Reiko makes a note of the redhead’s reaction.  It would seem that Alyssa is just as jealous of Amara now, for being a baby carried in Jym's arms, as she was when the girl was close to Jym's age.

 

Soon enough Amara is tucked away in the makeshift ‘crib’ and the others get to sleep as well. Sasha and her little sister return to the pews, though not without some protest from the little redheaded girl, who had wanted to sleep with Jym in the bed.  “It is not proper for you or I to sleep with him, and the bed should be reserved for the ones who protect us.” Sasha scolds, subconsciously removing Amara from that list.  She leads Alyssa to the pews to sleep which are also laid down with clothing.  Killi sprawls across the bed which is not that large, but certainly seems so to a six year old boy.

 

Jym and Reiko are left to their quiet watch.  They stand at first, though a few blankets are on a pew nearby for them to rest on.  "What a day." Jym finally says softly.  "Um, how are you feeling?" he checks, a bit concerned still with the now nine year old witch.

 

"Tired, but alert," Reiko tells him, releasing a yawn.

 

Jym shakes his head.  "No.  I mean deep down.  You’ve gone from being an adult to a little girl I know, but you were changed by Amara's enchantment in a lot more ways than that.  It's obvious.  Mostly you're the same, but there's a real … difference.  So, how are you handling it?" he asks softly.

 

"I don't know yet," she admits grumpily.  "I have to think about it."

 

Jym recalls just how much of his image of the witch was about her abilities of seduction and her loose ways with men as well as women.  Not to mention the very womanly body she had once possessed.  She had teased him constantly about his inexperience and shyness and now, after the past few days, it is as if the roles have been completely switched.  While he knows in some ways it is ironic and perhaps even poetic justice for the witch to have suffered this fate, the Paladin’s apprentice mostly feels sorry for the now slight girl in the simple child’s dress before him.  "Well, you're a virgin again, mind as well as body.  That must be strange.  What do you ... recall?" he asks.

 

The witchling looks distinctly uncomfortable.  "About?"

 

"Sex.  You can be honest with me.  No one else listening." he assures her.

 

She blushes.  "A few... vague feelings, but they seem like daydreams.  I’m pretty sure it starts with kissing, on the lips, right?  An’ Killi was jus’ bein’ silly when he grabbed my chest wasn’t he?  I mean, why would he do that, it just tickled." she asks, her expression showing her honest confusion, and utter innocence.

 

Jym finds it all endearing, and his protective mode automatically rises up.  “Never mind all of that.  It’s not important for a girl your … apparent age,” he tells her kindly.  “The thing is, up until a few days ago I was a virgin too, so it’s not such a big deal to me.  But you were … well … an amazing seductress.  You lived it.  How are you feeling about losing that?"

 

The little girl glares at him sullenly and Jym immediately feels sorry and foolish for saying what he did.  Still, he tries to keep things light.  "Don't pout it is childish." he lightly teases, tapping her nose.  "And look on the bright side this is your chance to be a new person.  Haven't you ever thought about doing that?"

 

"I had no need," she rebuffs. 

 

"Amara would have disagreed." he points out.

 

"Hah!" Reiko retorts loudly before cringing and looking about embarrassingly.  She lowers her voice and adds, "Look where all that preachyness got her."

 

Jym sighs.  "Yeah, she fought the hardest against giving in and has dropped the most because of it; a diabolical curse from an evil deity.”

 

Reiko grunts.  “She’s learning at least.  An’ besides, I may not recall much about all that kissy kissy stuff from before, but I do know you’ve changed a lot in the past few days.  That’s obvious too.  An’ if I’ve changed half as much as you have then, well, it’s hard to unnerstand, but I don’t have much choice I guess.  It’s better than having a mad goddess possessing me.” She reasons.

 

Jym blinks.  “I’ve changed?” he asks.

 

The witchling nods.  “Like I said, a lot.  An’ for the better.  Yure as much a hero now as Amara ever was.  Dinni thinks so too.”  The little girl waves her hand for Jym to bend over.  When he does she rises on her bare toes and kisses his cheek.  “Thanks for doin’ what you had to, and don’t be worried about me.  I’m tougher than I look.  I always have been.” The Kirasani child grins.

 

Jym smiles back at her and nods.  “Yeah, I’ll bet that’s true.  Anyway, I want you to know I'm here for you no matter what." he adds, placing his arm reassuringly on Reiko's shoulders.

 

“I know.” The girl smiles back.

 

They move to the pew to sit on, Reiko cuddling up against Jym’s side.  He pulls a blanket over the girl to keep her warm.  Despite her toughness the nine year old falls asleep long before the four hour shift is up and ends up laying her head against the teen squire’s chest as she softly snores.

 

Once their time is up Jym carries the dozing little sorceress in his arms and places her in bed next to Killi, pilling the covers over both of them before going off to wake up John for the next shift.  When he returns he finds the pair of children curled up against one another, Reiko’s arm draping loosely over her former lover.  The utter cuteness of the scene makes Jym blush and instead of interrupting it he returns to the blanket covered pew and takes that instead.

 

***

 

Jym awakes the next morning on the wooden bench.  Stretching Jym looks around, spotting John and waving to the teen.  He approaches the other boy and asks if all is well.

 

"The sun came up two hours ago," John mentions softly, looking wan.  "All's quiet."

 

Jym nods.  "Good.  Thanks."  He moves to the door of the priest's room and slowly opens it, looking inside to see if his little party mates are awake.  He spots a small blonde figure playing in a blanket made into a little burrow on the floor and it takes a moment for him to recall that she is in fact his mistress.  He still can’t believe how babyish Amara now looks as he watches her play for a moment, mesmerized by the sheer innocence of the image, and just how far removed it is from the shining holy warrior he had followed for the last three years.

 

He can just barely see that his other former adventurers, Reiko and Killi, are still snuggled together on the bed, sleeping soundly. 

 

The little girl turns her back to him and moves under the open blanket again.  He catches sight of the bare skin of her shoulders, back, then bottom and feet, and realizes she must be naked in there, having discarded her diaper as well as the other babyish garments she was put into the night before. 

 

Jym walks in quietly, hoping Amara won't notice him as he approaches, then sits on the floor in front of the blanket burrow and opens it like a flower blossom.  "Amara?" he whispers.  "Good morning."

 

The pudgy little girl within looks up at him with big blue eyes looking surprised, and tucks her hands between her legs.  "Jymmy?" she asks in a high voice.  He sees baby teeth in her mouth, and realizes the small Paladin is old enough to run and play, but not do much else.

 

He smiles warmly and nods.  "Watcha doing?" he asks sweetly.

 

"Playing," the toddler admits with a blush.  "Keepin' warm," she adds hurriedly, and starts tugging the blanket back in to cover her bare body.

 

He smiles at how cute she is now.  "Playing what?"

 

"Dat I had this warm cave to live in," she answers, looking a little embarrassed, "In a strange land."

 

"A land of giants?" he asks, impressed with her imagination and finding the entire image incredibly sweet.

 

The small blonde shrugs, "Yeah."  Her little toes flex as she fidgets.

 

Jym's smile widens.  "I'm sorry, but you are just too cute.  Still, um, shouldn't you have a diaper on?"

 

The chubby girl blushes crimson.  "It... it was smelly."

 

Jym nods understandingly.  "I see.  Well, you do need one.  Would you mind if I put it on you again?  Otherwise it'll be Sasha doing so." he points out, recalling how Sasha easily handled Amara the night before, and figuring his mistress was not to happy with that.

 

The little girl curls up defensively in protest.  "I dun need one when I’m awake!" she pleads.  "I used da potty jus’ dis morning!"

 

"Okay, okay." he soothes.  "You're potty trained for the daytime - Got it.  You want me to wrap you in the blanket and carry you around as I check things out?" he asks, thinking she'll want to feel more important.

 

She pulls the blanket up around her head, looking unbearably cute as her round face peeks out.  "Hmmm, or, ya couhd weport bak ta me."

 

Jym's eyebrow raises and he has to resist smirking.  "Being carried around is better for you so see things as well, lest you simply wish to play some more."

 

"I jus’ dun wan’ ta be seen," she whispers.

 

Jym thinks on that.  "Well, then you have a choice.  Be seen and let it be known you are still involved, or let me report back and have everyone think you are truly a babe." he points out.

 

The adorable blonde sticks her lower lip out in a pout as she thinks.  Jym can barely resist the urge to tickle her on the chin, tummy and feet she looks so cute.

 

"You can carry me," she finally decides with a nod.  She gets to her feet, barely three feet tall.

 

Jym wraps the girl gently in the blanket, the end hanging over her feet and toes, then picks her up and sits her on his hip.  "If you have to go let me know." he says softly though he feels he could easily carry her around all day.

 

With his little mistress toted along Jym goes on rounds of the temple.  Everyone awake gushes over the little girl in his arms.  She of course is horrified, which makes her look shy.  Finding the temple safe and clear Jym suggests they peek outside to which Amara sucks on the tip of a finger and nods.

 

Cautiously opening the large front doors the pair finds there are children playing in the streets of the village, far from the church.  Jym has to admit that when they aren't being cautious, the children make the village a cheery place that a village of adults just couldn't match.

 

The teen squire steps outside and blinks in the sunlight.  "Well, it seems peaceful enough.  Think we should explore?"

 

"We shouhd patwol," Amara admits with adorable seriousness.  "I dun tink dere's much ta find buh ya betta bwing me my swohd."

 

"Why?" he asks simply.  "I've got it on my hip already."  He doesn’t add the words ‘just like you.’

 

"In case we find her hidin’ pwace," Amara notes with a huff.  "So I kin banish her."

 

"We should wake Reiko and have her along, despite the sunlight.  We know the church is safe." he points out, still respectfully deferring to Amara before turning back inside.

 

"Wight, git Weiko,” Amara agrees, feeling more in control of things and more confident already.

 

Jym returns to the sleeping Reiko and gently shakes her awake, sitting Amara on the bed.  It is still strange for him to see her as a little girl so much younger than he.  The nine year old clutches her blanket modestly as she sits up, despite having a dress on under them.  "Mmmmmm?  Huh, wha?” she mumbles, rubbing her eyes with diminutive fists.

 

"Amara and I are going outside to scout around.  We felt you should come with us." Jym adds, again including Amara in the decision.  He looks around for Killi, noticing the boy is now missing.  He sighs.  "Where did Killi run off to?"

 

"He didn't bring all heck down on us, so he must be all right," Reiko points out, not even realizing how far her language has been toned down from before her transformation, "Hi, 'Mawa!" she adds.  The teen witch tickles Amara's chin as she gushes at the blonde.

 

The toddler slaps her hand away in annoyance.  “Dun staht.  Bee see-wee-us.” She orders.

 

Reiko chuckles but pointedly keeps her hands to herself.  "You really haven't changed all that much.  Good." She pipes.

 

"Mistress Amara doesn't like being treated like a baby," Jym comments primly, which seems to actually make the tot happier.  "Well, more than necessary that is.  Granted it would look more natural outside.  You want to hold her hand so I can keep myself free to use the sword?" he asks Reiko, causing the blonde to frown.

 

The witchling hesitates then shrugs.  "Sure.  But any naughtiness and Auntie with spank," she warns Amara playfully.

 

"I told her to give a warning if she has to go.  She says she made it to the potty already this morning all by herself." Jym adds, causing Amara to squeak indignantly at his sharing of the information.  "Well you did say it." he admits.  "And Reiko should know why you're not diapered."

 

"She's precious," Reiko mouths from behind the blonde’s head where Amara can't see.  Jym nods back at the witch subtly so his mistress doesn’t notice his response.  “C’mon ‘Mara, let’s go.” Reiko adds as she helps the toddler get down off the bed.  The witchling then takes the little blonde firmly by the wrist, leading the tot out of the room.  Interestingly Amara doesn’t protest the treatment, apparently finding certain things ... natural.  In the case of her nudity, all natural it seems.

 

Jym informs John of what they are doing.  "You'll be safe in here, and we need to see what's up outside." he explains. 

 

Alyssa, freshly awake herself, strides forward.  "I'm going too." the eleven year old says.

 

"I wish to see the town as well and I can help you in speaking to my fellow townsfolk." Dinni adds in. 

 

Jym nods.  "Fine, but Alyssa you should stay then.  Help your sister with the children."  Alyssa sighs but nods as well.  Continuing Jym adds, “Amara, you mind if Dinni carries you?”  He knows his mistress hadn’t trusted the Innkeeper and had treated her with suspicion upon returning to the town, throwing harsh words at Dinni.  Even so the pudgy blonde looks up thoughtfully at the fourteen year old girl then finally nods, holding her hands up to be carried.  Dinni obliges, wrapping the tot modestly in a blanket first.

 

The foursome leaves the church, walking over to the playing children.  After a moment the young townsfolk pause in their playing to look at the group in cautious curiosity.  Dinni takes the lead and waves to them.  "Ho.  Good morning.  How are things out here?" she asks.  The girl has taken to bouncing Amara on her hip.

 

"Can't you feel it?" one boy asks with a wide grin.  "She's gone!"

 

Dinni pauses, not yet daring to hope.  "Who is?" she checks.

 

"She!" the boy says.  The children cheer and jump up and down.  "No more visits!" they cheer.  "No more backwards!"

 

"I ... think we won?" Jym says slowly.

 

"Are you sure?" Dinni asks as they get closer, though her skepticism seems to be fading as she again notices the same thing she’d felt all night in the temple, an absence of the presence that had been buzzing in the back of her mind for so long.

 

The children laugh and dance excitedly, not caring about the possibility that the reprieve may only be temporary.

 

Dinni turns, slowly beginning to smile herself.  "They, they are right.  I don't feel her anymore.  I'd just assumed it was the temple that was safe.  But now that we're out ... well that's never happened before." she tells them.  “Either she has left the town entirely, which would be a first, or she is completely gone.  It would seem the mad goddess was toying with you good squire when she alluded to the priestess still existing.”

 

"Did you hear that ‘Mawa?  We won!" Reiko says sweetly.

 

Jym looks at Reiko and Amara, taking the little girls in once more.  "Yeah, but how do you guys get older?"

 

"One year at a time ... hopefully," Dinni says, thinking he is referring to all of those who have lost age.  The comment causes Amara to burst into tears.

 

Dinni bounces the toddler Paladin some more and tries to soothe her.  "Cute baby," one of the children says.  "But cranky."

 

Reiko groans and pulls Amara’s blanket away somewhat before giving a sharp smack to the toddler’s bottom.  Jym moves to intervene, but notices Amara's crying stop as she stares in chock at Reiko.

 

"I did warn that Auntie would spank.  Now behave," Reiko orders.  “Yure a Paladin notta baby.  Remember?”  The witchling tugs harder on the blanket. "Or maybe ‘Mawa doesn't need this, hmmmm?"

 

The blonde tot blushes furiously as she hiccups, then holds her little arms out for Jym in desperation.

 

Jym takes the crying girl, rewrapping the blanket securely.  "Reiko, stop teasing her.  She's got it hard." he says softly as he hugs the sobbing child to his chest.

 

"And I don't?" Reiko complains.  "I've lost a lot too." she mutters.

 

"You still have at least a decade more than she does," Jym points out.

 

Reiko allows a curl to show in the corner of her mouth but nods slowly.  "True, and ten years is a long time to wait just to become another Paladin’s apprentice."  The witchling sighs and holds her arms out to Amara.  "Sorry Blondie, I was just having fun.  You know me.  Forgive?" her high voice asks, becoming even higher at the end of the question.  Jym finds it to be incredibly cute and a sweet contrast to the witch's former image.

 

Amara stares at her comrade distrustfully however, clinging to Jym.

 

Reiko fully smirks this time.  "Hmmm, I was wrong.  You have changed; acting like a widdo baby clinging to daddy.  Fine, be that way.  Uncle Jymmy and Auntie Rieko will decide what's best until you grow up again."

 

Dinni looks herself over.  "What if we don't grow?" she wonders aloud, in another perfect example of terrible timing.  Amara starts crying again.

 

Jym groans.  "Not now please.  We can discuss that later.   Shhhhh, it's okay Amara, it's alright." he softly soothes the baby while gently bouncing her.  The teen realizes that his former mistress is not just upset at her current age anymore.  It has likely sunk in that with no way to reverse the curse she really will have to depend on others completely now and for many years.  It is not an easy thing for an independent person such as she was to accept.

 

Reiko just shrugs and begins to look around for Killi, until she hears Dinni again.  "What if we grow backwards?" Dinni finishes her thought in hushed tones, bending over to speak to the little witch.  That idea sends a chill down even Reiko's spine.

 

The Kirasani girl covers the teen Innkeeper’s mouth with her thin hands.  "You really need to stop thinking aloud," she whispers.

 

"Sorry," Dinni apologizes sincerely.  "I gave up hope a long time ago.  I'm not sure if I'm ready for new hope."

 

"Well, try," Reiko tells Dinni, allowing a small smile to come to her lips.  The witchling finds she feels some kinship towards the girlish Innkeeper though she can’t swordpoint why.  While she vaguely remembers being in bed with the older girl she can’t seem to recall much beyond the idea that they ‘played’ with one another.  It is more likely because of the curse they have both endured.  Regardless, Reiko finds herself looking upon Dinni as a friend, despite the current age difference between them.  Granted, what does five years really mean after the past few days the witch realizes.  Well, four and a half years she amends with a happy thought.

 

"Positive thinking," Dinni thinks aloud, then looks around, her eyes coming to rest on the bundle in Jym's arms a few steps away.  "Best I can come up with right now is, 'We aren't her.'"

 

Reiko nods.  "I do hope she grows back up as swiftly as she can." Reiko whispers as Amara keeps crying.  "But, if we can’t reverse this, then frankly I couldn't think of anyone who more needed to be knocked down a dozen pegs.  And I mean that in a caring way." she comments, getting cutely sarcastic at the end.

While Reiko has always respected Amara she never really saw eye to eye with the woman.  Seeing the overly serious and self righteous Paladin reduced to a whiney, cranky baby is almost fitting to the carefree witch.  It also greatly diminishes much of that former respect.  "Heck, maybe she'll loosen up and have fun, or at least a bowel movement, to get rid of that bug up her bottom." She giggles.

 

"I guess the strict person will have to endure other people's rules from now on," Dinni mentions, catching on.

 

Reiko crosses her arms over her chest and nods.  "If we HAVE to grow up normally all over again, this could be very good for her."  The witchling recalls that Amara yelled rather nastily at Dinni the night before.  "You saw her superior attitude.  Why don’t you offer to calm the baby?" she suggests with a smirk.

 

"Because... because..." Dinni has to think about it.

 

Reiko nudges her forward.  "Go on." she goads.

 

"Because I don't feel like it?  Wow, I must be younger than I thought." Dinni says.

 

"Oh, you know you want to treat her like an infant." The witchling tempts.

 

"There's plenty of time for that when she isn't squalling," Dinni replies.  "I'd rather take a break from the noise."

 

Jym makes the mistake of calling Amara 'baby' which causes the toddler to wail even louder, just as she was beginning to calm down.  When he looks around for help Reiko and Dinni are already moving away.  "Girls." he calls.

 

"We're going to the … general store." Dinni thinks quickly.

 

"Getting clothes and – diapers," Reiko adds, making Amara cry even louder.  The little blonde also begins to kick and throw a mini-tantrum in Jym's arms. 

 

"Wow, must suck to need to be in control that much." Reiko smirks to her new friend.

 

"She's so holy, her feet don't even touch the ground," Dinni jokes, "and others wipe her bottom for her."

 

Reiko breaks into a fit of giggles as she follows her friend, noticing they are in fact heading to the Inn.

 

"I wanted to thank you for last night, in my room.” Dinni whispers after a few moments still embarrassed enough to blush about the sex they had but smiling slightly now as well.  "I’m truly sorry you dropped so far, it would have been nice to go again.  My husband ... well we haven’t done anything in a long while.  He thinks it is 'gross' ever since he undergrew me.  But what do you think of Jym?  Not very experienced, but he'll get there."

 

Reiko freezes, the fact that Dinni doesn’t know she lost that kind of experience registering in her mind.  The witchling decides to bluff, not wanting the older girl to stop liking her.  "Um, yeah, he’s very promising, and cute.  Uh, how was he exactly for you?"

 

"... Attentive, a good student, did just what I coaxed him to do."  In whispers, Dinni describes a few spots on her body she taught Jym.  "Did he, um, ever use those on you?" she wants to know.

 

"Oh, yeah!" Reiko nods quickly.  "Worked like a charm."  She struggles to not only recall how, but also even understand why any of that would work.  "I was nice and comfy in no time." she adds.

 

Dinni laughs at that.  "Then you must be set up backward."

 

Reiko can't help but blush.  "Uh, right.  It felt more like ... a really good tickle." she decides, hoping she's getting close.  She is beginning to feel inadequate and embarrassed in front of her new friend, and worse of all childish.

 

Dinni looks at the young witch, noticing her discomfort.  "I'm sorry, if you don't want to talk about it," she says, misunderstanding Reiko's discomfort and answers.

 

Reiko bites her lip, and sighs.  "Actually, I'd love to talk about it ... if I could remember it.  I mean, I know it was really really fun, I just can't remember any details.  I mean, at all.  It was that blessing Amara did to get the curse out of me.  I lost ... everything about knowing how to ... y'know." she blushes.

 

Dinni gasps.  "Why that little...!"  Then she thinks.  "Wait, you mean you get to be a virgin again?  Mind and soul?  Wow, what some wouldn't give for that!"

 

The witchling brightens.  “You mean it’s not so bad?”

 

The older girl smiles warmly and shakes her head.  “No, not bad at all.  In fact it’s rather beautiful and innocent.  I actually envy you.  Take my advice however and wait for the right boy ... or maybe girl in your case.  Well, right person.  It will mean so much more.”

 

Reiko, Kirasani witch and former seductress beams up at her new friend and nods.  “Sure, okay!”

 

***

 

The children around Jym have taken to covering their ears at Amara's screeching.  "Yeesh, just give her a swat or two." one pleads.

 

Tired of uselessly trying to comfort the toddler, Jym decides to indeed go the shock route.  He shifts the little blonde onto one arm, turns her to expose her bottom then gives her soft skin three sharp smacks. "Amara, stop acting like a baby, or I'm going to treat you like one." he declares.

 

Amara gives out a squealing yell in surprise before falling mostly silent except for weepy hiccups.  Jym shifts and cuddles her against his chest, but otherwise decides to ignore her until she really calms down.  He asks the children if they have seen Killi.

 

A small girl points at the roof of the church causing Jym to turn his head.  There, on the top of the building crouches little Killi, watching them.  Jym waves at the boy, then calls for him to come down.  "Thanks." he tells the kids.

 

The teen squire decides to return to the church with Killi and plan things with John and Sasha.  Now that he knows the danger has passed he has to discuss where to go now, and from the looks of the sniffling tot in his arms he understands his mistress will not be much help.

 

Killi hangs and drops from the awning, landing on his feet.  The naked boy seems to have left his loincloth on the church roof.  Jym takes the boy's hand and leads him back inside.  "Come along Killi." he says.  The six year old barbarian pulls free and runs ahead into the church.  Once the picture of primal manhood Killi is now nothing but a scrawny boy who would likely run from anything and everything, including women.

 

Jym enters the hall to find Alyssa overpowering the struggling two year old priest, trying to get his wet diaper off of him.  "Quit it you little brat." she says.

 

"Let the holy cloth be!" the boy screams.

 

Taking a look around Jym notices Janice, twenty years old again and wearing a simple brown dress over bare feet, sitting on a pew as she tickles her brother James who is still in his nightshirt.  The little boy giggles when he sees Killi and runs towards the young barbarian to play tag, the pair of six year olds quickly enjoying themselves.  Sasha, never having left her natural twenties is bouncing her cranky thirty month old elder sister Emmy on her knee, while her five year old mother Hannah sucks on a finger and holds tightly onto her adult daughter's dress.  All in all it is quite the scene, and most likely the ages all of them will have to learn to deal with from now on.

 

"It's not a holy cloth it's a wet diaper, YOUR wet diaper." Alyssa continues, finally stripping the garment off the small priest.  Gripping the toddler firmly by the arm she holds the wet garment close to his face.  "See?"

 

The priest looks at the wet diaper, then back up at her.  "Do YOU see?" he responds.  The diaper is clean.

 

Alyssa looks and raises an eyebrow.  "Still wet, but ... water?   Jym?"  The dark wet spot is shrinking as they watch.

 

Jym blinks, then asks the priest, "Hey squirt.  Will this happen to any cloth you ... bless?  Are you still connected to your goddess?"  The priest ignores him and snatches the cloth back.

 

Placing Amara wordlessly onto Alyssa’s lap Jym then snatches the cloth back and smacks the little priest's bottom hard.  "When I ask, you answer, squirt.  There are plenty of townspeople who would love to get their hands on you after you helped that demon.  Now explain."

 

"Mama provides," the little priest says.

 

"Mama?  You mean Rawnleigh?” he checks.

 

"Mama!  Mama!" the priest yells fanatically, sounding somewhat pathetic.  Still, Jym looks around, immediately worried and nervous, but nothing seems to happen.

 

Jym’s gaze returns to the boy and he glares at the toddler.  "She’s not gonna answer you, at least not here.  So, once again, explain or Uncie spank-spank."

 

The boy speaks quickly in what sounds like childish nonsense, not all of the words even real words.

 

"Shhhh, slow down and repeat." Jym instructs, though he simply continues, seeming to loop what he is saying.  The boy seems to be reciting an eerie mixture of a little boy's daydream and a prophecy about the end of the world, both rich and colorful, and ominous in different places.

 

“Great, he's either nuts, or we're all doomed." Jym mutters.

 

"Or both," Amara says softly and shyly.  Jym looks at the blonde tot and finds her teary eyed but calm, and chewing on her thumb.

 

"Weird." Jym says, shaking his head.  He then tosses Sasha the blessed diaper and tells her she can use it on her Emmy.  “Also, how’s Janice?” He whispers.

 

“I am perfectly fine, thank you.” Janice answers for the seamstress as she approaches.  “Forgive me my demeanor last night, but I was not myself.” She adds with a blush.

 

Jym smiles and bows his head slightly.  “Perfectly understandable milady and it is good to see you are fully back.” He says, before returning his attention to the small priest.  "Re-diaper him too Alyssa, we might as well let him bless more.  Oh, and by the way everyone, the coast seems clear.  It seems we’ve won, Rawnleigh is gone from here."  This time it is the little priest’s turn to cry.

 

***

 

Dinni leads the way to her Inn and enters the common room to relax after the tense night.  Moving behind the counter of the bar she tells little Reiko she is going to have some spirits to drink to help her unwind, then tentatively asks if the little girl wishes to have any as well.

 

"Yes, please.  I doubt if I'll get the chance to drink again anytime soon.  And by anytime soon I mean in the next decade." She grumbles.  The nine year old girl pauses a moment, contemplating just how she is going to climb up the barstool.

 

Dinni chuckles then pours a shot of the local concoction for each of them, leaving the bottle.  "You want me to help you up ... Shorty?" she lightly teases.

 

Reiko sighs but allows herself a small grin.  "No I do not.  I kin handle it myself." she grunts as she carefully climbs up and onto the tall piece of furniture, her bare feet skillfully gripping the wooden rungs.  The apparent child settles into place in the seat then feels a cool breeze hit her privates, causing her slap her knees together.  She feels surprisingly … embarrassed at having no undergarments on.  Pulling the hem of her dress down modestly below her knees she blushes and sighs at the same time, recalling enough to know she would have once reveled in the whole idea.  With a growing smile however she takes the shot glass in her delicate hand and clinks it against Dinni's.  "Here's to growing up - fast this time." the Kirasani girl pipes.  She tips the container and takes the liquor in one gulp.  After a short pause the little girl makes a hilariously absurd face and spits the liquid completely out on the bar before hacking as if her throat were on fire, which it likely is.

 

Dinni breaks out into laughter, despite her efforts to hold things in politely.  "I'm - I'm sorry, but you looked so weird like that."

 

"I'm not weird," Reiko weakly croaks out, looking sad.  "I'm not weird at all anymore.  That's the problem.  Great, another vice I can't enjoy.  Amara truly has gotten her way."

 

"Sure you're weird," Dinni assures in a kind voice.  "You are still Kirasani, aren't you?  That's enough to be weird around here.  And you can't erase who you were, so you're stuck with that weirdness too."

 

Little Reiko blinks then slowly smiles again.  “Thanks.  Still, not as weird as I usta like bein’.”  The little girl swings her feet restlessly through the air, then asks, “Hey, would ya like to see me summon a shadow?" she asks excitedly.  “That’s something weird I kin still do.”

 

Dinni shudders.  "I don't think so."

 

Reiko frowns, realizing her mistake too late.  "Sorry.  It really isn’t so bad a thing, but I understand.  Shadowcasters don’t have that great a reputation."

 

"Not that I even know what you meant," Dinni hastily corrects, trying to cheer her little friend up.  "It just sounds so ... dark."

 

Reiko nods.  "It is, but not really evil.  It's more like ... controlling an aspect of nature."

 

Dinni shakes her head then sips carefully on her own drink.  "We can't control nature.  Trying to do so just gets us dead."

 

Reiko blushes and immediately feels bad for making the analogy.  "I meant it's like that.  Maybe more like training dogs?" she suggests, feeling embarrassed.

 

The young Innkeeper laughs.  "Is that why they seem to be attached to my feet?  Heel!" she commands, pointing at her shadow.

 

Reiko giggles then makes Dinni's shadow literally sit on its haunches.  The teen turns to her with wide eyes and giggles in return.  The witchling shrugs.  "Not that hard, with practice ... and training since childhood of course."  Dinni's shadow moves away from the girl's feet and leans against the counter next to her.  She tries to touch it, and finds only varnished wood.

 

"They are real, just not solid as we are; more an absence of mass.  And they have a completely different way of looking at the world.  Which is why you have to be careful." she explains.  "They can tempt you too much if you allow."

 

Dinni's shadow moves from her side through the bar and next to Reiko, then hugs the little girl from behind.

 

"Tempt you?  To what?" Dinni breathes.

 

"Stop caring about the minor details of this world ... like morality for example, and instead only care about power.  It's a trap all Kirasani mages must be careful of falling into." she says somberly.  "I've managed to do ... alright, partly because more of my magic is actually connected to energy in the air.  After a moment of being stared at blankly Reiko blushes and says "I kinda can shoot lightning."

 

"Whoa, what's it feel like?" Dinni asks after blinking.

 

"Um, a sharp impact rips through your body, and then your limbs and skin tingles.  It's rather nice actually." The miniature sorceress admits.

 

Dinni nods in appreciation and glances at her shadow, "So what use is it to make them do things?"

 

Reiko looks up, and the shadow and looks back down at her.  "Well, they make great spies.  And they can form into clothing and stuff.  They aren't like us at all.  That's just the form that they take in this world because it's what they see of us when we pass through their senses.” The little girl rapidly chatters on excitedly, not remotely realizing just how adorable she now sounds.  "By using them I can also distort the image of things, creating very realistic illusions."

 

Dinni smiles as she listens.  “You are amazing she tells the little girl.  You did so much, and you are still so independent, even at this age.  I could never be like that.” She says.

 

Reiko grins back at her.  “Of course you could.  It’s easy.  As Jym told me, you have a second chance now to become someone else.  Maybe you need to let loose more, while I need to restrain myself a bit.”

 

“Perhaps,” The teen admits, pondering the witchling’s words.  The idea of letting loose brings back another image to her mind.  "Oh my, that reminds me, I can't believe I licked you in the temple last night!  I just couldn't resist that milk.  It was better than candy to a little girl." she adds softly. 

 

Reiko has to giggle at that.  Dinni smirks in response, then licks Reiko's nose, causing the small girl to cover it with a squeal and turn away.  "Mmmmm, little girl." the teen playfully intones.

 

 

 

 

The door to the Inn suddenly opens and Reiko’s head jerks up in surprise, causing her to gasp, and Dinni’s shadow to vanish, returning to the teen girl’s feet.

 

"Hey Din!" a young boy calls out.  "How about some drinks?  The boys are here."  Glancing over her shoulder Reiko can see a boy who looks a bit smaller then she now is, followed by about four boys all within a couple of years of one another.  She recognizes him as the kid who was in bed with Dinni the night before, the girl’s husband and likely the original Innkeeper.  She turns her face forward again and hunches over, suddenly not feeling as comfortable with strangers around.

 

"Go ahead and get them yourself, Dear, I’m occupied," Dinni tells her husband as she sips again from her own glass.

 

"Who's that?" the boy asks, patting Reiko's back.  His friends flop down on the adult-sized chairs nearby. 

 

"That's one of them newcomers," another nine-year-old comments.

 

Dinni's husband gasps.  "The witch?  Boy she got little.  Not so big now.  Guess it serves the Kirasani bitch right for messing with magic." he adds turning and laughing with his friends rudely.

 

Reiko glares back.  "Shut up!"

 

Dinni glares as well and seems to come to a decision in her mind.  She then steps around the counter and sharply slaps her husband in the face when he turns forward again.  The little boy staggers from the blow.  "Do not curse!" Dinni scolds coldly.

 

The boy rubs his cheek, chastened, and shocked.

 

"And another thing, Reiko and her friends ridded us of the priestess and not without cost to themselves.  They are brave and deserve respect and praise, not ridicule because of what they were born as." Dinni adds firmly.  "In fact, the next bad word I hear about Reiko I will personally strip and spank the offender in the middle of town."  The other boys laugh at her husband's dressing down.

 

Feeling embarrassed in front of his buddies, the boy rises on his tip toes and shouts, “You can’t talk to me like that.  This is my Inn, and you are my wife!  I am the man here!”

 

“You are no longer a man.” Dinni scoffs.  “You spend your time in our bedroom playing with marbles and even dolls, instead of your wife.” She adds, her annoyance with her childish and boorish husband boiling over.  The last comment also causes a round of gasps and laughter from his friends as his face turns red, letting them know it is true.  “Yes, I know where you hide your dollies Albert, or should I call you Allie, and put you in a dress?  Now that the curse is ended and we have a future, you will have to get used to the fact things have changed around here and I am in charge now.”

 

The little boy growls in his high voice and pushes Dinni’s chest as hard as he can.  Unfortunately for him, the fourteen year old girl has nearly double the mass of the nine year old boy, the female gender maturing more quickly, and he barely budges her.  Furthermore, given her current five year lead in age she will likely remain larger for many years to come, a thought which makes the teen girl grin.

 

“Naughty boy.” She intones, grabbing her little hubby by the upper arm and lifting him onto his toes again.  She easily drags him to a nearby chair and sits, pulling him over her lap then tugging his trousers down to his knees.  The boy kicks and whines uselessly as his wife speaks.  “As I see it Allie, you are too young to have ever been married, meaning our marriage has been annulled and my father’s Inn returns to my control.”  She begins smacking his bottom sharply, causing the boy to wail.

 

Reiko blinks at the scene and begins to giggle, even as the boy’s friends look on in horror, perhaps realizing the same thing about their own marriages.

 

Dinni continues with the spanking until the boy is a red bottomed, whimpering, tear stained, snot-dripping mess of a child who isn’t fighting back at all, his resistance broken.  “But I won’t just throw you out on the street dear.  An Inn can always use a house boy – or a scullery maid if you misbehave.”  She lets him slide onto his feet, pulling his pants back up for him to cover his miniscule member.  "Now go make yourself useful boy and strip the beds.  And do not expect any more spirits, lest you wish your growth to be stunted.  Now get going.”

 

The little boy cries profusely, but fumbles with his rope of a belt and scampers from the room.  With a cold glare towards his open mouthed friends those boys too leave as quickly as possible.

 

“Whoa … “ Reiko breathes in surprise.  “Where did that come from?”

 

The teen girl before Reiko sighs, looking a bit sad, but also very sure of herself.  “It had been building.  He was not the best husband before the priestess came.  His lack of attention only demonstrated that more clearly as he became more the child.  This is for the better.” She explains, sounding as if she is still convincing herself.  She returns to her drink and snaps the second half of the liquor swiftly down her throat, before pouring more.  “Besides, Daddy never liked him anyway, and that is not the first time he has pushed me.” She says softly.  “Thank you Reiko.” She adds.

 

The witchling blinks, honestly confused.  “Fer what?” she asks.

 

Dinni smiles slightly.  “For everything kid.  Now how about I get you some juice?”

 

Reiko gives a long adorable sigh, then nods and grins.  “Okay.”

 

---