Another path flowed away from the main one. Accompanied by only two lanterns near the sides of small thickets and a tree. But enough in the light of what lay beyond it. A road, with lights, that dipped but then began a gentle climb to a set of lights at a junction. A junction with houses upon either side; in contrast to the land of hedges the other side of the left-to-right road that marked the end of the path. But also had welcome structures of habitation within their bounds.
"Meis-hitoran," said Jo. "The other side."
"Safety," said Jay, running, coughing, then hobbling towards the new path, as the unmistakable gleam from a party of parakeets left the canopy of the trees near the curve of the park road and lake and flew towards the further shore.
"Take it easy," said Suzé, jogging behind him. "We've still got a way to go once we've got out of the park."
"No," said Jo, "You're not thinking of following that, that road?"
"We're not even there yet," Suzé replied, turning onto the side path.
"I know where it goes," Jo continued, following her. "Their territory."
"And more chance of being able to wait for a carriage to pick us up without having any more incidents in the meantime," Suzé said, passing the first lantern. "No - what in Tinswicks - where are you going, Jay?"
Instead of being on the path, Jay was, until he had fallen over in the grass, veering away to the left; parallel to the road, and out of the glare of the pair of lights from a carriage that had just turned into the park from the road that led to Not Safety. Only, no sooner had the car turned onto the road, it accelerated, stopping level with a back-on-feet then fallen-down-again Jay.
"Have your sword ready," Suzé said, running onto the grass with her unhurt arm outstretched.
"But I don't remember picking it up," said Jo, then felt a ripple within, as if a single drop of water had broken the surface. As if something or someone had just woken up.
"Another section to revisit," said Suzé as Jay started to crawl through the grass and a figure got out of the carriage. "If you're here to stop us, you've picked the wrong trio!"
"Suzé?" The figure gasped, covering their face from the glare from one of Suzé's chakrams. "Is that you?"
"Lower your hand so I can see you," Suzé continued, as Jo got to the further side of Jay. "And how do you know my name?"
"It's me," the figure said, voice familiar along with the needless open tie. "Montarion."
"What?" Jo pointed.
"The traitor?" Jay said, turning in the grass. "He's here? Why are you here!?"
"Good question," said Montarion, watching the chakram as it disappeared with sparkles. "Thought that I was on a wild jellyfish chase until I saw you coming down the path."
"But how did you know to come here?" asked Jo.
"Especially when you said that you were going to bed," Suzé added.
Another parakeet chieek filled the air. Followed a moment later by the deep hoot of an owl. Answered by a second owl behind Jo, Jay, and Suzé; along with the gleam of lights and a low hum. Turning, Jo's eyes were met by three pairs of feline lights; glinting from the top of the main path they had left to come onto the side one. Dimming, he could make out three bikes, complete with riders; whilst more lights, bikes and two carriages swept up the road from the right; accelerating with the equivalent of a multi-feline roar. Except the three - no four - who slowed around the carriage and in two cases came onto the path; lights flowing around the edges of the wheels; symbols picked out on the surface.
"Pretty," said Jay, getting to his feet as the riders sat upright in their saddles, back-crest helmets with ears almost like a cats. Plus, on the front of one or two jackets, a set of initials.
"Fé. R. B," spelt Jo. "What does that mean?" Then almost went into Jay as Montarion let out a cry.
"What did you do that for?" Jo said, rubbing his chest. "Nearly had a collision."
"Féruby," Montarion whispered, looking at the riders. "'Felines. Rule. Baby'."
"... What?" said Suzé.
"That's what it stands for. While M. C. means - means-"
"Miaow Choir," Jo gasped, heart sinking as the visors lifted and developed little lights.
"Why tonight..." Suzé seemed to sink, whilst the flame chakram reappeared in her 'good' hand; Jay whimpered, and the droplet landed in the millpond within Jo.
"That was me before," said Kitts, helmet and jacket dark in contrast to his long t-shirt. "Why, why Tiancai me. Face to face with a pike that wanted me for tea."
"Plus bruises," said Ensai from in front of the carriage.
"And the water," Arja added, "Messed up my boots."
"It tried to eat me!" Kitts snapped. "Eat me. And it's your fault."
"You wanted compensation, so I gave it," said Suzé, looking at the park path where the three other riders were crawling down the slope.
"Well, it's my turn now," Kitts replied, taking out his studded and tooth-marked war club. "Showtime curtains for you, Miss Magician."
"Got that right," said Arja, getting off his back and making one-handed sweeps with an engraved longsword. "Bit three times and messed up my boots."
"No, no, no way," Montarion said, hands on the sides of his face. "The M.C."
"Might want to get something Tar," said Suzé. "They're armed."
A second droplet landed, complete with a ripple, and Worrsdowth blazed into rose moon life in Jo's hand. Blazed, fell, and he followed it, invisible sea waves crashing in his head.
"Looks like it's just you and me, Miss," Kitts grinned while spreading his arms. "If the others move, let them have–"
A full-beamed bike shot down from the path, coming to a stop between an en garde Suzé and a back-jumped Kitts. A second with a spear swept between hands and knees Jo and Ensai whilst a third with a naginata drew up in the middle to complete the half-circle.
"It's too bright," Jay moaned as Montarion joined him on the grass. "Turn them off."
"He's right," said Kitts. "What are you playing at Tilds? You should be at the skylights by now."
"Know you too well, Toh," said Tilds, standing up in the saddle between Kitts and Suzé, "We haven't the time for this and you - and the haul - need to be checked out."
"She's right, Chief," the fourth rider added; helmet lighting up to reveal the unmistakable face of Mitts. "The chests won't be able to hold that much for very long."
"You would say that," said Arja. "Once a soprano always a soprano."
"Any time Kira-Blanc," Mitts said, cradling her war hammer. "Any time."
"Not you two," said Kitts, "It's me and Her."
"The haul," said Tilds. "Think about it."
A yowl erupted from Kitts, making the hairs on Jo's neck stand on end. "Thank whoever it is you thank, Miss," he said, glaring at Suzé then getting onto his cycle. "This isn't over."
"Lucky," Arja growled, jumping onto his cycle then joining an already mounted Ensai in trying to catch up with a speeding away Kitts. Into their space moved the jet and pale green cycle of Mitts, as Tilds broke into a cough.
"Thank you," said Suzé whilst Tilds raised a hand to stop Helenica from moving over.
"Call it a return of favour," said Mitts.
"But what lies between us is unfinished," said Helenica, adjusting her sword blade-like naginata.
"Very, very, much so," added Melisande, looking at a hands-on-knees Jo.
"Til next time," said Tilds, visor lowering whilst a sparkling trinket crossed the space from her towards Suzé, who had to drop her chakram to catch it. By which point Tilds had joined Mitts on the road and they were streaking away towards the avenue of trees on the left. Helenica drove past Melisande, who continued to look at Jo as her visor lowered. Looked, pointed at him, then at herself.
"Duel," echoed in his head, whilst with a flash, she and Helenica became two streams of light flowing after Tilds and Mitts.
"No-No way," Montarion broke the silence. "No, fip-fizzle way."
Jo had to take his eyes away from where the riders had gone to look at Montarion; then at Suzé - Jay upright for once - beside her and looking at what she had caught.
"A pendant," he said as Jo and Montarion came over. "Galaxy enamel."
"Like a great music note," said Suzé.
"Treble Clef," Jay continued as Jo took in his favourite sparkling music shape in gold and violet enamel. "Although I don't understand the crossed swords."
A gasp escaped from Montarion, coupled with him backing away. "No-no-no... Tell me I'm not seeing things."
"Can't be worse than what's in the void," said Jo.
"It's a challenge," Montarion added. "They've picked you out. Sooner or later they'll come back for a–"
"Rematch," Suzé sank to the ground and hit the grass with a fist. "This is too much! Oww!"
"Too right," cried Jay, also sinking to the ground. "I'm already booked."