I'd forgotten that I still had a couple more of these unused story illustrations; they were tucked away inside a portfolio. This scene is from the first chapter...

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It was obvious, Felicia thought as she hurried back up the road to where the dimitharns lay defrosting in the autumn sun. Dimitharns don't just appear randomly or attack strangers without cause. These were denizens of dreaded Fungor, and if they were here in Katara, in her very backyard, then they had been sent forth. There was a purpose. And it obviously involved the Lep'kufft healer and his young companion. Her divinations, made so shortly before their arrival, had also pointed to something extraordinary in the offing. "So now I have a dilemma," she murmured, mildly annoyed, yet still greatly intrigued, as she walked among the thawing monsters. "Do I ignore events within vixenish earshot of my own humble tower and go shopping? Or do I investigate a little bit more? Not to become involved, oh my no. That would be rude, especially as I was just not invited. But just a little, to see what there is to see."

She kicked tentatively at one of the sprawled dimitharns in the grass. The ice had nearly melted away from the creature and it wriggled feebly as it attempted to rise. She snatched it up by its scruff, for it really wasn't much bigger than a small animal, and raised it so she could look into its eye. "Tell me why you're pursuing the healer," Felicia demanded of the dimitharn writhing in her grip. It opened its mouth to scream soundlessly as it strove to surge at her. "Wrong answer," she said coldly. She flicked a finger at it. A pulse of light shot forth and exploded the dimitharn into millions of pieces. Felicia reached down to grab another of the creatures. "Your turn," she informed it. "Why were you pursuing the healer?" It, too, tried to wrench free to attack her. It, too, blew up. The vixen sighed and picked up another. So it continued until the forty-seventh dimitharn displayed a little more intelligence than the others.

"Sent," it revealed in a dull, withered voice that echoed in the vixen's brain.

"I figured," Felicia said.

"Kill healer. Kill boy. Eat souls."

"Why?"

"Like souls. Yummy."

"No, I mean, why them in particular? Why are they to be killed?"

"Sent," the monster persisted.

"Why?" Felicia demanded, just as persistent.

"Not know. Sent."

"Well, too bad," Felicia told it. "I’m afraid you've lost your free meal. There will be no killing. You're uncovered and undone."

"Not hurt us," it snarled in defiance, writhing to twist free. "Ancient! Magi not strong. Not hurt us."

Felicia smiled coldly. "Want to bet?"