Alaisdair, not thinking his ability to run will be majorly enhanced in his Panther form, looks and does not see Chad or Fallon. So he decides to sit and wait for them rather than go back. Soon, he sees them approaching and yells to them, "I'm in the shade of the tree.
The men approach, and Fallon tells Alaisdair, "We need a short rest."
"I don't think there is any need to delay," says Alaisdair, standing and strolling to the center of the road. The two men walk wearily toward him. Alaisdair says, "Hop on sideways or legs around my back. I am strong enough to carry both of you."
"Both quickly mounted, straddling. Alaisdair said, "Here we go!"
Fallon and Chad held tightly to the Panther's back with their legs and hands. Alaisdair, in this form, was formidable—a supple, flexible bundle, hurling along at a speed neither man had experienced before. "Hold tight. I am ready to stop!"
As Chad and Fallon dismounted, they both turned to Alaisdair, who was walking into the bushes. Alaisdair held out a hand, saying, "Tunic, please."
Fallon handed the tunic to Chad, indicating he was unrolling the net and the leads. Handing the leads to Chad, Fallon says, "The leads may be all we need, and if not, I will have the net ready. The men have been instructed to observe, so we must move forward quietly.
Alisdair was already in motion. He was quietly treading while his flute started weaving its magical notes into a binding song of rapture. As he came to the corner, he peered toward the lake, seeing The Rogue, Clayton looking skyward with a smile. He was still in his Horse form. Alaisdair knew he would only stop his pursuit if he changed into his human form. Taking him home in his Pegasus form would be useless. Memories were starting to flood him.
He turned and motioned to the men to get the leads on The Rogue but gently, not disturbing his enraptured state. Alaisdair felt sorrow with the need to exile Clayton, but unfortunately, the safety of his wife and children came first.
Now, he, too, needed to step into danger. And he did not know how long he would be stranded on the Island called No Return. He had the key to return but needed the means.
Alaisdair walked to Fallon and hugged him, saying, "My dear friend, my Uncle, tell my wife I will return as soon as possible. I must mount before he loses his spellbound. Tie my pants to my left arm. I hope the tunic will not rip, but it stays on as I return to the cat form."
As Alaisdair changes and jumps to mount The Rogue - from Alaisdair collar, the tiny flyer, exits. The Rogue tries to throw the cat, but Alaisdair sinks his teeth into The Rougue's mane, twisting it tight, and his back paw claws into the underbelly.
The Pegasus bucked and kicked to dislodge his rider but struggled in vain since his legs were trussed up. Alaisdair guided him towards the whirlpool, the Island of No Return entrance.
As they neared the vortex, the tiny flier turned into a full-size Pegasus filly. She flew before The Rogue, who sniffed her and stopped fighting. She dove into the pool with Alaisdair following on The Rogue.
The spiral down was dizzying, but soon, they hit the open pocket. Sunshine and land, as far as the eye could see. It was a virtual paradise, one with no way out. The sand was white, and the water crystal clear, filled with marine life.
The Filly landed on the shoreline. The Rogue still trying to get to her. She addressed Alaisdair, saying we need to loosen some of his ties so he can free himself, and I am your key out. You must come on me as the cat, and please let us wait to talk until we are back topside.
Alaisdair knew this was his wife in her Pegasus form and was almost one hundred percent she was the girl in the scullery. But The Rogue needed tending to, and he was still dangerous.
Alaisdair made a quick decision and turned into his human form, popped the flute, and prayed this area was enchanted and would receive his notes as magical.
As the notes sounded, he saw the look of rapture cover Clayton's face. He continued playing, and the gathering of the wildlife was varied. They looked but did not come out onto the beach area.
He watched The Rogue lay down, his eyes fluttering until they finally closed. The Filly started to release the binding when The Rogue instantly grabbed her by the neck. Alaisdair morphed, roared, and lept, grabbing The Rogue and throwing him into the water. Then he saw a vast reptile twice as massive as he was, possibly as much as seventeen to twenty feet. Again, he grabbed the Pegasus by the tail and flung him into the tree line.
Alaisdair saw the Filly run to check on The Rogue, but he passed her and found the Pegasus was breathing but unconscious.
"Okay," Alaisdair said while morphing back into human form, "Now what do we do? I know he is dangerous, but right now, he is vulnerable and will get killed if he is not awake and free to move away from trouble."
"Yes," I agree," says the Filly, "I think he is safe up here, but we probably need to remove the bindings."
Alaisdair growled, "I will do that. Not you. If he lunges again, it will be into me," as he morphed back to the Panther. Alaisdair chews through the binding leads but does not remove them. They will quickly fall away at the movement of the body.
The Pegasus starts to move, and Alaisdair jumps to the back of the Filly. She flies towards the vortex, entering seconds before it closes.
The Rogue circles where the opening is no longer. He decides to make a nest at the top of the tree where he awoke. Returning to the tree, he is instantly asleep. Clayton has suffered another head injury.
A cat was hidden in the tree, watching closely and listening to all the Filly and the human/cat were doing. She wanted to get closer to the bound Pegasus. She'd wait until they were gone, then make her move. Now was the time.