"What do you say, little raindrops?" Flegretha asked. Seated around a large head table in a room that filled a third of the ship, Flegretha, Tarnac and his sister Oru, and other small folk including the third great race of Elves, the hand-length, fair-haired Faielves, who flitted about, laughed and cajoled, questioned and consoled Val’ha, Trisahn and Thoryn, scooped from the Flooher’ty Ocean where they fell from the sky and drenched, with blankets around them, for there were none on the entire sixty feet of the ship Dwarfkeep with clothing large enough to accommodate the companions.

Around the galley between its portholes and cupboards hung curved bronze sconces low on the ship’s wall with beeswax candles that lit the air yellow and made the Faielves appear at times only sparkles. From the sconces hung spices and plants Val’ha had seen everywhere on the ship and around the necks of many of the Dwarves and Short Elves and whose pungency filled each breath she took – wolfsbane, cloves, mandrake, garlic, arbutus, dwale, chive, bloodroot.

The galley tables offered breads, baskets of fruits and seed, dried meats, cakes and pies, hopsbrew and ales, flowers in vases, and pitchers and plates and chalices of bolted metals – copper, tin, bronze, silver, iron, platinum and gold, some with Dwarven filigree and precious stones.

"Like those, do you?" Flegretha noticed. "Why, my birds, that is my trade. I am not by nature a seagoing Woman, but as proprietor of the most famous smithery in the kingdom – Northern Moncrovia at any estimate – I travel far to find the best materials, the finest tools, and now," she said, withdrawing a clump of mandrake from her pocket, "my best invention yet – spiced metals!" The Elves and Dwarves raised their glasses and cheered, sharing their joy amongst each other when Val’ha sat with her friends in confusion. Flegretha cocked her head, a grin pushing back in rolls on her cheeks. "Innocents! Be told here, for you must not be from the Carias region, or you would know of he who has come back! It is the talk of our people, it is the conversation in the inns and our beds at night and even the King’s court, they say!"

"Well –" Val’ha began, but Flegretha stood on her stool above all but the Faielves and raised her drink.

"The demons of the underworld of Terr’des return, my blessed ducks from the sky, led by Xorus! They have cast lightning on Moncrovia and unleashed all the witchery of the ages. But at my smithery what you see, these plates and cups and the mace and axe I carry, between the layers of metal and in the smelting of our steel we put mandrake and garlic and wherefore and what-have-you and by so doing, every house, every village will swarm to our goods so that they may be protected against the demons down to their hatchets, bowls, anvils and knives!"

The crowd cheered wildly, some danced. A half-Dwarf began humming; four Short Elves produced a fiddle, dulcimer, panflute and pan whereupon they played music to match the halfling’s tune. The Faielves twinkled brighter and Val’ha heard bells in the air, then the whole of the shipmates sang:

The most riotous congratulations and mirth followed the resounding end to their song, after which the Elves, Dwarves and fair-folk appeared to forget Val’ha, Thoryn and Trisahn until Flegretha sat down, speared an apple with a knife and continued: "What can I do with them, I ask? My crew is quite inventive on a fiddle! To be sure, sugarplums, we were on our return home with spices and metal from the mining plantations of the Cat Islands when we found you there, a-bob little fishies come to call on our line."

"Dears," Tarnac joined in, "I need to announce here a new invention!" A stirring hush brought three-score pointed pair of ears to his pronouncement. "It is Tarnac’s wedge, which we shall use to drive between the torrential river of my beloved’s oratory and allow our guests to speak!" The galley exploded into tearful hoots and rejoicing at Tarnac’s wittiness, and the musicians readied themselves to begin a new song.

"Xorus – " said Val’ha; silence swept through the little folk. "I wanted to say that your song about Xorus, though it tells a fine tale and though we do live in Moncrovia, and Sir Thoryn here from the court of King Joel – " the crew ooh-ed and aah-ed at this – "I am not aware of armies of demons that you refer to."

The faces of her audience dropped into frowns, but grew rapt when she told them of their odyssey – how she met Trisahn on Mount Carias, the journey to Moncrovia, Thoryn, hearing of the second coming of Xorus and how they saved the King’s jester from Feukpi (the ship’s crew were most familiar with this) and dispelled the Sipsids family curse, their abduction by Feukpi’s family, labyrinths and giant beasts, upward slides and Osravulin’s transformation into a flying-horse, witches and finally Val’ha’s spellcasting that allowed them to escape on the magickal carpet.

"Where is this horse and ragamuffin Tim?" Tarnac asked.

"I am unsure and worried, Tarnac," Val’ha said. "We passed through rich cloud cover; with auspice it assisted their escape. Back in Moncrovia is a mutual friend named Hevoran who I make promise to inquire of."

"Well, all be." Flegretha crossed her eyes, turned her palms down on the table and pushed herself to stand. "May I speak for my staff and crew, great warriors, for in my jest rang truth. You are raindrops to bring hope to us all." A toast raised in silence to the trio, and Val’ha’s face burned.

"Know, Val’ha," said Tarnac, "there has been much pain aboard the ship of late, in the dreams of the Elves short and fey, for there creep specters and cimm’rus where were springtime and wood."

"It afflicted me also," admitted Val’ha.

"Then you attest to Xorus’ evil endeavors to drive our desires and craft our actions, to tempt each of us one by one. But in concert and with pain we have resisted his call, for I do not believe such demons could come to possess without an already blackened heart. And this we do not have."

"Not my dearest Elf Tarnac," Flegretha said, giving him a pinch. "And it is not, my fighting-fish, just his wisdom and golden heart that make my own a-pitter! My sweetest belongs to Forever Eternal if he lives a good life, he does, and someday I would not mind little Tarnacs who have it running in their blood as well!" The galley blew once more into a gale of merriment, Tarnac turning purplish-red; then Oru and the crew stood as by command and, but for the Faielves, exited to return to their duties.

While the Faielves twinkled about the room, sparkling the dishes to cleanliness and flying the leftovers out through the portholes, Flegretha and Tarnac took each other’s hands and gave themselves a kiss. "Give pardon, lady captain," said Val’ha, "for I may stare too much. Having told you my solitude on the mount of Carias, I have never before seen the races of Short Elves or Faielves who are my cousins. I have not, in fact, met many of my own race."

"Well, dark-haired Val’ha of Carias, you are blessed that Tarnac, most handsome of all Short Elves, is your first inquiry then!" She raised her chalice and gave a toast to her lover, then leaned over and dropped her voice to a whisper. "Now, as for the Faielves, or fairy-folk as they call themselves for their light hair, here on the Dwarfkeep we hire what you call in your tongue shela’i lar’pinnit, waterfolk who prefer dwelling with mortals. On land, you know, the terra lar’pinnit, you find them in home and castle alike, fine housekeepers and maids they make! Here what better use than hire the little dears for the galley!" Flegretha’s mighty chortles rocked her body and she paused for breath before swigging her hopsbrew and stood and sat again.

"Well, I must say, this is a day for the Dwarfkeep!" she cried. "I do admit, and I do not often do so myself, for I weave a fine tale, but I do admit your story must be among the best of them! No, no! I believe that if half of your dream is true, then the rumors going about town and crown are also true. We are family joined in this cause. My crew sings of my love for gold and silver, but it is also strong in my heart my dedication to a prosperous kingdom, love of land and water and devotion to a strong, vibrant and just economy. Share the wealth, I always tell Tarnac, eh, dear?

"If there is anything we can do in assistance of your goals, Tarnac runs the merchantry Chance By Here, Chance being the name of our shopkeeper – is it not clever? Oh, so if we may help, my smithery runs under my name – Flegretha’s Smithworks – and the whole of the town know its location. We are back home to unload provisions and relieve most of our crew (send them back to the casts and dies, actually), then off to Denlineil-on-Zyzax, where my Everlasting Love here hails from, this to bring his sister home and visit with the Elf side of the family."

"That is interesting," Trisahn said. "I have business there in the next week myself."

"How interesting!" Flegretha clapped her hands. "Are you from the city?"

"Yes, though few would know it."

"Then we might travel together! From the saga you have spun, your ship’s captain Eedebee may enchant us with a ride on her craft! A ship of Elven magic that vanishes in the air and needs only one ring to operate, perhaps she may consider an offer on the vessel. And for sake of the heavens, what relief in my heart to sail on a ship I was not myself required to captain!"

**

Terr’Sol reached its three-quarter mark in the sky when the Dwarfkeep pulled into the harbor of Moncrovia. Trisahn in thanking Flegretha and Tarnac made his promise to share the journey to Denlineil several days hence and the companions bade farewell to the crew’s hurrahs and hails. Val’ha wanted most to make her way to Eedebee’s ship for possible news, warm clothing for each of them and her friend.

Eedebee’s grey-ship rested on the far left of the harbor, nearest to Val’ha and Trisahn’s own lodging; she greeted them with joy and relief. On the Bugbear she restored their possessions to them and the three went to dispense of their wet clothes. Val’ha changed in a room of her own; Eedebee entered and hugged her. "Oh Val’ha, such blessed providence that you survived, I am so happy to see you once more." Val’ha recounted the journey through the sky-palace of Aentfroghe and their recovery by the Dwarfkeep. "Flegretha sounds delightful! It will be great entertainment to meet her, and I must tell Trisahn I will be happy to bear him to Denlineil."

**

Trisahn and Eedebee made accommodations and the four of them, each with their possessions, stood on the Bugbear’s deck. "Dear friends, I did not even think to mention the news I have for you! First, as you will have guessed, the Baroness, Nopaach-to and Andy left to confer with the High Wizarder before returning Nopaach-to’s commission report and maps to the Baron.

"Lady Frippe has been coming every evening looking for us; I saw her last night and gave her summary of our trip. Something haunts her eyes I cannot discern, but she does not tell me things. She did request that if and when I see you again to tell you of the necessity to confer with High Wizarder Oromasus as soon as possible."

Sir Thoryn accompanied Trisahn and Val’ha back to their lodging; Trisahn withdrew his doorkey and closed his eyes. "Not until now have I been aware of my longing to lie once more in my bed. If we are to decide by our voice whether to race up to his wizardship’s summons this evening, for it shall be so before Hevoran escorts us to our horses and we reach the castle, my vote is for the morning light." He jumped onto this bed, tossing his provisions to the floor.

"Lady Frippe will be at Eedebee’s ship tonight by her own schedule," Thoryn responded, "and I cannot return home without you so I beg we forgo the Dragon Inn and bring the High Wizarder our tidings."

Thus decided, Thoryn put down his trappings, sat at the table and stared at Val’ha for such a time that she felt uncomfortable. "Dear Sir Thoryn, why do you look upon me in such a manner?"

He grew sad. "Eedebee – her statement on the ghosts in Lady Frippe’s eyes was odd in its coincidence, for that is how I have felt about you since our battle with the witches." Val’ha slumped into a chair. "Please tell us, Val’ha, we are your friends, is it the shadows you spoke of? The night-swallower?"

"No! Thoryn, it could not be more in the opposite! During the fight the witches cast upon me, at the same time, their weapons…"

"I remember something in the chaos of the fight then," said Trisahn.

In hope Val’ha asked, "Did you see it then? Did you see him?"

Trisahn gave pause. "I am unsure to what you refer, Val’ha." She told how the Xoran wraith had protected her against Inez and Carla’s volleys. "This cannot mean anything good, you know that, do you not, Val’ha?"

"Yes, Master Trisahn, is he not black magic itself?" Val’ha’s own harshness surprised her and she cupped her hands around her mouth. "I ask your forgiveness, but you must agree there is no greater paradox than the wraith’s action. No, my friends, I am fully aware that it is no good Xorus brings for any purpose, but then why does my desire to know his motive occupy my thoughts? You yourself answered my father’s riddle, my fate will not be to do Xorus’ bidding, for he will not come into my dreams again, I believe this now. Why, then, did that creature save my life?"

**

Hevoran dropped the book he perused in his yellow reading-room. "For faith and hope!" He jumped up to embrace the companions. "Tim had returned and did not know what your fate was. Great saints, welcome home! Tim is at the Jonathan the Trainer’s stables. What miracle has happened to his little donkey? I say, let me take a shawl, lock my door and be off with you to retrieve your mounts."

Jonathan, with stables near the last building on the last block of Moncrovia’s main street, was closing for the day, and paid out his stablehands as they departed. He looked up warmly when Hevoran approached with his friends. They found a jubilant Tim in the stables attending to his flying-horse. In the next stall, Val’ha and Trisahn found their mounts, and Thoryn, having arranged independent of them his own steed to remain with Jonathan, left with the trainer and Hevoran for another stable.

Trisahn and Val’ha told Tim what happened to them after the hippogriff had chased him off, and he confirmed Val’ha’s hopes. "The creature came after us wild in its calling, as many voices as a flock of birds, madder than I have ever seen a beast, but my dear friend here outran him." He patted Osravulin who, thought Val’ha, purred like cat and repositioned his magnificent brown wings against his back. Tim brightened further. "Jonathan is letting me keep Osravulin here, and Hevoran has asked me to be his apprentice, is that not wonderful? And I am planning to bring to Sister Ulsruvula the rainbow-chest to safekeep and tell her of our adventure. She must accept its merit when Osravulin gives her a ride into the sky!" His exuberance gladdened Val’ha’s spirit and Thoryn bade him the gods’ blessings. Hevoran and Tim returned to Hevoran’s Place.

After Val’ha clasped Dragonslayer by his ropings and told him she missed him, the companions made fast gallop under a fading Terr’Sol to Castle Moncrovia, residents of the city, palace guard and gentry pointing as they rode by and some clapping or calling their names.

They met Lady Frippe and Val’ha knew Eedebee did not distort the truth; the Lady’s eyes indeed sheltered a ghost. Her every attention was to them, however, and she tumbled her words, thrilled at their return, fully informed on their island journey and happy to report that the rider sent from Denlineil, who set out at the stroke of the midnight hour of Guinivere of Sipsids’ thirtieth birthday, bore the best news possible. Guinivere, of the house of Sipsids and troth to the Mayor of Denlineil, survived; at that hour’s minute-stroke a feast was to begin for all Denlineilians to last into the next night.

**

Val’ha handed the Ring of Didapruvnefe to the High Wizarder; he shifted in his tree-chair and said, "Your success on the Isle of Sipsids I have heard from the Baroness; now tell me yourselves, with the most detail you can, of everything."

From Sipsids to their return to the port of Moncrovia, they gave a full account of their happenings, and Oromasus sat back and put his hand to his beard. When they finished, Val’ha asked, "What of the Sages? How is your progress toward locating Gargantua and the Xoran birthstone? Xorus’ return blackens even the songs of Elves, and now must be the time this portal is closed!" An impatient tear streamed down her cheek and Val’ha realized she was yelling.

The High Wizarder gazed at his lap. "The hermit-wizard of Loran Forest is no longer on Terra, for the forest is of another realm."

"What do you mean?" asked Trisahn.

"The High Wizards of the Ten Kingdoms in communion last night received from Lath-vecat revelation of a disruption in the Song of Terra. His agents within the northwest forest near Loran fled talking of a pact made between Xorus and his conjurer Gargantua. It is as though Time and Space folded, said Lath-vecat’s spies, when in their flight they turned to see the forest behind them disappear from the daylight. Some of those who survived the tempest of wind that followed in the wake of its vanishing told Lath-vecat they heard Gargantua accept a bargain from Xorus that the forest would become a new realm surrounded by opaline fog and he would be God-King for life in this world called Loran. As it stands, Gargantua will no more be seen here on the Terran realm. For this he gave up Xorus’ opal birthstone which I come now to know contains his mortal ashes as well, and this is where my heart is afire with suffering. Lath-vecat could not be certain who holds the birthstone, but through his agents and my own meditations, I proclaim to my own public recrimination that Xorus is consolidating his power around Moncrovia; the stone is here, so much do its vibrations wrack me, that it may even have entered the castle grounds."

Taken aback by his revelations, Val’ha thought, The stone has come to your doorstep? How could it have done so with all the magic at your command, fair wizard? Imprudence rising in her blood, she breathed to recapture herself.

The High Wizarder continued and Val’ha wondered if he read her mind. "The magic of a god is more powerful than that of a wizard, but I am as committed to finding the birthstone’s new owner as I am in my protection of Dervish!" Never before did the High Wizarder speak with such passion, and Val’ha remembered Eedebee’s story of how he had in the end failed to keep Dervish from Xorus’ possession a century ago at the demon-god’s first coming. "Even if Porcie wishes to take the Sword now, I cannot let him do it. I cannot allow it to leave the grounds and be taken by one of Xorus’ agents.

"It was most frightening when you had left for several days to the Isle of Sipsids; as the princes and princesses and their families made back to Castle Moncrovia, the lover and intended troth of Princess Igri arrived. Fate has not frowned worse upon me – from his hilt he carried one of the Nine Swords, Crundin the Flaming Sword of Snofi, Goddess of Empathy. His name is Sir Tarl-Cabot, arrived on his ship Goddess from Azimq’haadrin."

Sir Thoryn gasped. "That is my brother! Where is he? Is he here? I have not set eyes upon him for too many Night Moons!"

The High Wizarder motioned Thoryn’s spirits down with a pass of his hand. "No, Sir Knight, I fear not, for in my urgency to rid the palace grounds of Crundin, upon the Baroness’ return and request for another accompaniment I urged Tarl-Cabot to accept her commission and sent him with one of my students to take her and the cartographers to the Baron for a new journey to complete the mapping of the Isle of Sipsids. They set sail for Val Tress Pass yesterday." Thoryn’s shoulders fell. "I will not forever prevent Sir Tarl-Cabot’s return to Princess Igri, sir knight, so you should be told that when the Goddess returns some fortnight from now, their ceremony of betrothal will take place in the Court of the King and the Queen."

Thoryn whistled. "My brother does well in his accomplishment, and only now do I learn of his courtship with a princess. I am most assuredly the worst of brothers to be ignorant of so important an affair."

"He will return, Sir Thoryn, but in that time there is one more journey that I must ask you to take." The High Wizarder nodded at Trisahn. "Upon completion of your – business with Mayor Altomaine of Denlineil, I pray you accept this assignment, and this considers, Val’ha and Thoryn, that you accompany Trisahn and Eedebee who has promised him use of her ship. It will be your most perilous quest, to the Island of Dragons.

"It is a century since Xorus failed in his first coming, and with his thirst for retribution he cursed the kingdom whose border prevented him from attaining the Book of Ceremony, the capital city of Bjursk-la in Joh’oprinia. From the Island of Dragons in little over a week, on the hundredth anniversary of Xorus’ failure, a race of Dragons will arise from the island to descend their fire upon Bjursk-la and destroy all who live there." He removed from his smallest left finger a plain silver band and gave it to Val’ha. "You may call it the Ring of Oromasus; it will allow you as its bearer to find your way to Lady Eedebee’s ship from wherever you are."

Suddenly he grabbed Val’ha’s hands. "Protect her welfare, be her friend in the world out there and support her as you would a sister, whatever may come." Val’ha was greatly moved by his request, and sensed a new frailty in Oromasus, as if time at that very moment had just decided to pass him by.

**

"Down, Nip-helloo," declared Porcie; his orange tabby jumped to the floor and seemed vastly uninterested in the return of Val’ha, Sir Thoryn and Trisahn. Sir Porcie was another story yet, and rose to greet them with the heartiest of hugs. "Friends! Dear friends! It is so good to see you, Thoryn, all of you. Tell me, for innuendo has been the only bird to fly to my window, all that has happened to the three of you." Sir Thoryn put away his belongings, took Nip-helloo in his arms to stroke and reclined on his bed; the other three sat and Porcie listened to their adventures since they last saw him – Eedebee and her enchanted ship, the Isle of Sipsids, Aentfroghe’s sky-palace and last, the High Wizarder’s final assignment in the matter of Bjursk-la. "Final – I daresay that may rank with the heartiest of A’crasti’s comedy!" Porcie said when they finished. "What of this vendetta on Joh’oprinia?"

"Xorus’ justice meted," said Trisahn, "since he tried to visit the King of Joh’oprinia’s castle in Bjursk-la one hundred years ago, and…"

"Yes – he failed when he crossed the border to retrieve the final piece of his puzzle, the Book of Ceremony, to command the will of mortals."

"Vengeance," Thoryn said.

"It would seem to be his signature. What fiendishness did he cast upon the capital?"

"The descent of an army of Dragons upon it," Trisahn said, "to destroy all who live there." With that he reiterated the High Wizarder’s parting words.

"Val’ha, you?" Porcie asked.

Val’ha flushed and shifted in her chair. "The High Wizarder told us it was his feeling from the first day he saw my face that the heir of Ma’hadrin was come. He has told me many things, and I know of no other kin, but it is a great burden to consider that the lives of so many are depending upon my – our – success when we depart two days from here."

"Woodrot!" Trisahn said. "Porcie, he set us on the first missions – with his purpose, mind you, not telling us of anything about the Dragon Island curse – he tasked them to us, in so many words, to prove ourselves! Bah! That I am unwitting servant to a fading master, a secret-keeper who sends us on his errands and does not tell us our next steps!"

"In demon’s defense, Trisahn, wizards are not like us," Porcie told him. "I would not be so fast to whip the High Wizarder with judgment, he has protected this castle – my Sword, even – for this century, and if he has his ways, then so be it. As to me, my chronicle is not so brave as yours, for though I took Dervish with me and my mother to the hallowed grounds of the Clerickal Church and back to the protectorate of Castle Moncrovia, there were no further assaults upon us. It is my notion that you will need, Lady Val’ha, a party of larger number and I will make arrangement with Siress Cyr, captain of our army, that I may go with you on your last journey against Xorus, though I am unable to take Dervish with me by order of the King himself.

"Now dear friends, the Night Moon has only just come out to greet the evening, and I am expecting, Trisahn, you might want to celebrate your parade of victories by finally letting me take you up on your offer to buy me a drink and tell me of your life since our childhood!" Trisahn and Sir Thoryn expressed their thirst for a celebratory night at the Dragon Inn, and with that decision, their horses were assembled for the ride back to Moncrovia.

**

Val’ha tied Dragonslayer to his tree near the shore of Flooher’ty Sea and returned to her lodging. She did not say too much to the Men, but begged away from their festivities by plea of exhaustion. In truth, since their audience with the High Wizarder and his revelations, she felt more alone now than her loneliest days on Mount Carias. She slept in fits and starts, and Trisahn came home and fell into his bed during this time. Val’ha decided to focus on her green-light, and it soothed her until she lay fast asleep.

She awoke on the shore of the green river, and though she was not in the physical realm, felt herself in full consciousness. The star-dappled sky twinkled down light upon her and a sense of tranquility permeated her skin. She scooped the warm sand and dropped it, and did so again and again. "It is my wish," she told the river, "to remain here in my dream." And her hand dug into the sand and brought with it an amulet, crafted of silver with amethyst and emerald stones, on the end of a silver chain. Quite surprised, she recalled her past visions and dreams and placed the amulet around her neck, then waded into the water and sunk down past the reeds to the riverbed. The color of lavender radiated in the water, and she could see and breathe with ease. A silhouette appeared. "Pir’th Ma’hadrin."

"That has ever been my advocacy. Seek in the days of your future to meet with your past – in the land that is now the Magickal City those of your clan still dwell."

"Someday I will, but it is the present that troubles me so, and I am alone in seeking guidance to my questions."

"My time in this realm is complete." The silhouette alarmed Val’ha greatly.

"We will not come here again?"

"No. My spirit when I leave you this night will find its place of rest with those who are gone before, in the House of our God-King.

"The amulet you found, it is my final gift to you. With its cloaking charm, the Dark God and his agents will not find you or those who travel with you. I was a foolish Elf, and hid from Xorus for over two centuries after he became a god with more power than he had ever wrought upon Terra. I knew he would come back for vengeance one day, and through the Song of Terra, he sent his wraiths to find us. Your mother and I crafted a spell, which your amulet holds, to protect ourselves from ever being found by Xorus, and to the back of Mount Carias we fled and lived all the last days of our Terran lives. But time wore down the enchantment we cast upon the land around where I watched you grow, and in the year before your birth, it weakened so that Xorus’ wraiths found us and cast upon our family a spell that took your mother’s life."

"Why? How?" Fear welled inside Val’ha.

"I have no more time to be with you, but you must know that as Xorus gathered his powers to return to Terra for his second coming, there were some whose life-force he took to feed his own."

Val’ha remembered the slow wasting of Ma’hadrin’s body and his refusal to tell her what ailed him. "You, Father?"

"There were others as well, but Xorus knew our location, and I could cast no more enchantments to protect our family – you – from him. Xorus fed off the essence of magickal beings to suckle his First Wraith, already in the Terran world, enough for it and the spirits it had enslaved, nine doppelgangers of him, to cause his portal-stone to be found and bring his ruin to the world. Yes, even after Xorus had brought death upon your mother, he came back. Oh, I should never have thought I could protect you with ignorance." There was a pause. "Zcymthic the Gatekeeper tells me it is my time to go to the House of Zeus. Goodbye now, Kephu’mir." The silhouette faded and the water grew dark. Val’ha awoke in her bed, water pouring off her face and her bedcovers and clothing drenched.