"I've heard rumors from South America about a magical item that can heal anything, flesh or not.

"It's supposed to be a big jewel that a shaman I've heard of has hidden in his village. Roughly translated, it's called the Heaven's Eye. Big friggin' jewel, or so I hear." Lothar sighed."

But he's not likely to give it up without a fight. He's a bit of a savage. That's not me being a snob either. He's actually trying to convince the locals to take up human sacrifice and cannibalism again.

" Lothar a breath of air.

“I'm to but I'm not gulped big willing go, a fighter," he admitted dejectedly.

Tarloh cocked his head.

"But you're a valuable ally," he said, meaning it. Normally Lothar was just a geek with some cool tricks.

He was showing himself to be made of sterner stuff than Tarloh had thought.

"We would need to find someone who could get down there quickly, since I'm assuming you couldn't really teleport an army."

"Nope," Lothar admitted.

"Teleportation is tricky when it's just me."

The leader of the Strays appeared deep in thought.

"Robbie!" he shouted suddenly.

Red's brother wandered over, a number of the Strays following in his wake.

“Wa'as up boss?"

"Do you have a guess where the Raptors might be this time of year?"

Robbie just stared at the werebear like he'd lost his mind.

"Why?"

“Because we might need their help."

"They're insane! I mean, I thought WE liked to fight, but the Raptors are . . . edgy."

"Uhm, who are the Raptors?" Chris asked. He hadn't been with the Strays as long as some of the others.

“The Raptors are a bunch of orphans that can fly," Tarloh explained.

“They've slipped through different dimensions, but can't coexist this close to civilization like we can. It's hard to hide those wings.

There's maybe a dozen or so of ‘em. Some succubae, at least one gargoyle, two quetzalcoatl ...