Eedebee, Tarnac and Flegretha helped their companions and the castaways aboard the Bugbear, introductions and reunions around. "Lady Eedebee," said Nopaach-to, "of all the ships on Terra, I praise the heavens your path followed ours."

With the ship set back on course toward the stormcloud-laden Island of Dragons, the captain accompanied her new arrivals down-hatch and produced for Aeysla another dress from her cabin. "Out of your wet clothes," Eedebee ordered the assemblage belowdeck; Tarl-Cabot chose to room with Porcie and Thoryn, Aeysla with Trisahn, Val’ha and Tropruscht, and Nopaach-to and Andy in their old cabin with Flegretha and Tarnac. The shipwrecked Men in lieu of clothing wrapped blankets around their waists, and Eedebee enlisted Val’ha in draping the sopped garments from the side of her ship. "These I shall repair when they dry," she said, hanging Aeysla’s red dress. "My mother and grandmother were seamstresses who taught me their trade; I may have been a century off, however, when first I told you this."

With the island still a day away by her estimate and Terr’Sol beginning its descent for the evening, Eedebee sought refuge a tiny cay called Guamlet Isle. "It is known for trees full of sweet nuts and fruits," Porcie said, and she charged him, Andy and Thoryn with the task of swimming ashore to retrieve the foods.

**

With the others above to watch the setting colors, Val’ha made for her cabin to write of that day but stopped outside the door when she heard Tarl-Cabot and Tropruscht in a hush. "Trisahn told me of your betrothal upon our return to Moncrovia," Tropruscht was saying. "A daughter of the King, no less. Is she not thirty-five? The maiden is not so young anymore, so it is good someone pledges his oath of trust and fidelity to her."

"Why do you mock Princess Igri? She has done you no ill."

"Pardon the vinegar which coats my tongue, but it was not my intent to set my anger against the Princess."

"Your anger?"

Tropruscht laughed. "I do remember, recreant lover, that year you spent in Denlineil. It will kindle the coals of my memories when I am an old Woman waiting to cross from this realm."

"There is not anger, then, to come from the past."

"What happened of you, for your vanishing in the night, was it six years ago?"

"I continued on. Tropruscht, you knew what my life was then. I did not like my brother seek a path through duty – the sea, wind and discovery were my treasures. Denlineil was part of this journey, b you spoke…"

"How did you come to court a Princess?"

"After Denlineil I went home to Azimq’haadrin, but I grew restless again, sought my crew and took the Goddess from its cobwebs, first to see my brother Thoryn during his first week of service to King Joel. He was always more insipirile than I, and it does both kingdoms good such an exchange, for you remember the house of Taryn our father is close to that of our own King. I continued around the coast of Asch’endra, past Flooher’ty Isle and through the Straits where I called upon the court of My’cran in Zcembrota to bring him gifts from my King as well as my house. From there I spent time on both Princess Igri Isle and in the Catastrophes before completing my course to the Reiglo Islands where I met her on Creomanthy 52 two years back.

"She became to me as the air and the stars and one night I asked Frederick, God of Love to bless me with his fortune. Last year she accepted my request for her hand in the bonding of our lives." Sir Tarl-Cabot’s voice carried a tremor. "If only to amend your comment, dear past lover, no more, Igri is thirty-four, not thirty-five, and a scant five over me."

"Being that you are good with numbers in addition to your other talents," Tropruscht said coldly, "add to your mind Creomanthy 18 of the year 3095, for it was the date that your son Tarlos was born to me." Val’ha heard a thud as though someone had fallen against the cabin beds or onto the floor, then silence. Tropruscht continued: "Since you are too loath to ask it, I will reassure you that he is your child. Azimq’haadrians do not come to Denlineil often, and you were the only Man of such skin that is also Tarlos. He has your eyes as well. Do not be shocked, Tarl-Cabot – though in the years after I became both a craftswoman and posse-goer, at that time I was certain I did not live a life that could sustain a child. My good friend Gregarcantz the wise Elf, known to have watched over many orphans, I entrusted with Tarlos when our child was only a month of this realm."

"Orphan?"

"It was the story I made Gregarcantz tell Tarlos, for yes, I did know of your life then, and it was against any chance I would see you again. Or that I would leave the life I had in that time. But now both have happened and you must make a promise to me of this, that if something should come that I am gone, you will seek and tell him the truth, which I have had neither honor nor strength to do myself, so broken is my heart every time I see him with Gregarcantz and cannot tell him of my past shame. It is best," she sniffed, "if he thinks his quaint Aunt Tropruscht who visits and posses with his foster-father is but a friend to their family."

"I make the oath. I would do so even now if you ask me."

"No, no." There was great urgency in Tropruscht’s voice. "He is six years and too young, and I would not upset Master Gregarcantz, has raised our child with love and wisdom. If there is a time I am not here, Gregarcantz will reveal to Tarlos his mother’s story when he was of such an age…" Tropruscht broke into sobbing.

"Why do you cry?"

"You! Ever yourself, Tarl-Cabot. No, you would not ask why so much of what I tell you reeks of morbidity but it is something that grows within me, a creeping death that none can cure. It is coming to claim my life, I can feel it every day, but…" Tropruscht stopped for minute before whispering, "You know, you are right in this matter. If you wish to meet Tarlos, I will not oppose you, and will so instruct Gregarcantz of your coming. But, Tarl-Cabot."

"Yes, Tropruscht."

"I am to him already gone from this realm if you do so."

**

Val’ha quietly made her way to the upper deck, saddened for Tropruscht’s declining health, ashamed of herself at listening to their conversation. Terr’Sol had left the night sky to trisahn and the stars; far ahead of them Val’ha heard the terrific thunder over the Island of Dragons from the storm they followed. Barechested and buoyant, Andy, Thoryn and Porcie hoisted sacks of fresh fruit from the water that the others pulled onto the Bugbear. "Come," called Flegretha, helping Sir Thoryn back onto the ship, "Come, sweeties. You have earned your meal this night!"

Eedebee laughed and when the Men were aboard and gone below, Nopaach-to asked her, "Though I am but a grateful guest upon your journey, and am indebted for your repair to my clothing, dearest Captain Eedebee, I must beg you as to the hour that we shall savor the foods before us?"

"When are we eating, do you mean? Within this hour." She took Val’ha and Trisahn by their arms toward the hatch. "I am enlisting aid even as you speak, Lord Nopaach-to." She hastened her friends into the galley where in minutes candles were glowing and Val’ha setting the table and discovering new foods – large brown nuts, tart green and yellow and round orange fruits. Eedebee produced breads and meat preserves. "Thank you for melting at my command as well as you did."

Val’ha’s own laughter countered the heaviness in her spirit for Tropruscht. "I would rather contribute my labor here," said Trisahn, "than swim and climb in the trees!"

"Do you need any help?" It was a dry Sir Thoryn, and he made for the ale.

"Pour me a drink as well," said Trisahn.

Val’ha decided it was time to reveal her final conversation with Ma’hadrin, the amulet that would protect them from Xorus’ detection, and awaking in a bed of water. Trisahn, who knew of her vision already, finished his ale and slapped the mug down onto the table. "It is a fine gift, your charmpiece," said Eedebee when Val’ha withdrew it from under her tunic for them to see.

"Indeed, if we walk as one," finished Trisahn.

Sir Thoryn studied the amulet. "I am glad that your father can finally rest his spirit in the Convahan realm, though your sadness burdens my heart, Val’ha."

"It aches in me every moment, but so too I recognize my own selfishness, and selfish also my desire that he would reveal to me the missing piece of Xorus’ curse upon our family."

"I agree with you that this is likely your reason for being saved by his wraith in the sky-palace, that you are destined by Xorus for another outcome."

"If the curse took my mother, and Xorus ended as well my father’s time on Terra, he will not have the pleasure of witnessing my death, Sir Thoryn, before I do all I can to send him back to where he came!"

When their preparations nearly finished, Trisahn said, "Sit down, all of you. As you are the three I am closest to, and better and more loyal friends could never be found, I want you to know something."

"What is it?" asked Thoryn; Val’ha felt as though her heart looked over the edge of a mountain.

"Jonathan is taking his trade to Apocania, the City of Merchants, within the fortnight and his completion of business in Moncrovia. We have spoken and I intend to journey with him to Apocania."

"Trisahn!" exclaimed Val’ha and Thoryn at once.

Trisahn waved them to quiet. "When we have returned…Do not think for a moment, my beloved companions, I will not get to Moncrovia as often as I can, for beyond our bonds of insipirility, trade between the two cities is greatest and I intend that my business with Jonathan will grow ever larger. I am free now and though I desire to live in my home city, I cannot avoid either the eyes of my past or the lure of the guilds. In Apocania I can find my future. Do not cry, beautiful Val’ha." Trisahn wiped back his own tears and embraced her. "I vow to you I will never abandon our friendship, precious friend, nor will I forget what you have done for me."

Sir Thoryn drank of his ale and in somberness put his hand on Trisahn’s shoulder. "I bid you well in your new life."

Val’ha felt the hole created by her father’s departure double its size within her. She returned Trisahn’s embrace. "I wish you only success and good fortune, Trisahn."

Eedebee had poured them all drinks and raised her mug. "Cheers to our, and to Trisahn’s success," she said to hails around the room.

**

"That is our journey," concluded Val’ha to her shipmates in answer to Sir Tarl-Cabot. The galley was silent but for hissing candlewax and Flegretha lifting and lowering her mug of ale.

"You are the one." Aeysla gave a slight bow. "I learned of the Dragon prophecy from the High Wizarder; a year ago I left his teaching to journey Asch’endra upon my unicorn Summer and see my hometown Denlineil, visit the Magickal City…by my return to Moncrovia I happened upon my old friend Tarl-Cabot to end up…" She focused on the table before a look of enlightenment crossed her face; she seemed to speak to herself. "…with you here. It is queer and still it makes sense – my spirit, heart and mind joined in tune, distraction to my dreams and hours of wake. From now on when I look upon Fate, I will know its name. By my craft, I commit myself to your cause." Aeysla raised her mug to Val’ha, whose discomfort came anew that she was alone even with her companions.

"It was my great-grandfather’s most urgent desire to complete the mapping of the Island of Dragons," said Andy, "and from his spoken word and notes from two hundred sources handed down through the years, I have listened and studied and can assist you as well."

"Andy and I discussed the map and it is a poor replacement for his knowledge," agreed Sir Porcie.

"I too will come with you." Tarl-Cabot also lofted his ale.

"It may happen," put in Nopaach-to, "that this island is so fraught with danger, our captain needs attendance. I pledge myself to this ship’s protection."

Eedebee laughed. "Thank you, Lord Nopaach-to."

"It was also on my mind, the matter of which you speak, and in addition to your skills, those of Sir Porcie’s would also be an asset."

"Dear Val’ha," said Nopaach-to in a wounded tone.

Val’ha turned to Sir Porcie. "With Eedebee and Nopaach-to, I will guard the Bugbear against all who would bear her ill, damned the Dragons." The companions toasted to their days ahead and after listening with decreasing sobriety to Flegretha’s fables and songs, retired to their cabins.

**

Val’ha tossed under her blanket, slipping in and out of sleep for most of the night. She dreamed the tapestry of Xorus from the sky-palace, his leer and two-headed dogs; Trisahn and the circle that brought them back to Tropruscht; Tropruscht and the child who would carry on her spirit, and the lover who journeyed on to meet a princess and lose his ship to the sentinel Dragon; Ma’hadrin, and for awhile Val’ha tossed no more. Her neck and limbs relaxed and she felt herself slipping down and forward.

Val’ha stood in a white-barked boat, shadowed banks on either side of the green river she traveled. The green river was not clear under the moonglow, and she feared leaning too far either way to see would rock the boat and she would fall in. From the darkness ahead of her she saw a faint light of opaline color, growing and moving toward her. It cannot be, it is not, for in this realm he is black, the night-swallower. The boat went forward in the murky river on its own and the opaline glow took the shape of the light-circles she had seen around Feukpi, Carla and Inez.

A hum, deep and terrible, grew steadily to the point she covered her ears. A form appeared within the light-circle; her gaze riveted on it and her eyes ached from strain, but still she could not make it out. The boat sprang a leak, a splash of green water roiling over her left foot. The loud hum became a screech like a thousand hideous birds, scraping nails on slate and almost a voice. Water pouring into the boat now covered Val’ha’s ankles, and she screamed but could not hear herself. The boat began to sink under the water’s weight, at her knees now, now at her fingertips. She fell forward as the boat capsized under her, hitting its prow and falling, falling and sinking into the water. The glowing river consumed her, but not before her final glimpse of the form within the light-circle.

And she understood then it was not in this realm that his opaline light appeared, but on Terra. Her vision was no dream, and the figure within Xorus’ power was Castle Moncrovia.

**

The Bugbear sailed one more complete day and on the morning of the third they came to the crescent of the Island of Dragons. Val’ha awoke before the others as she did most days and laughed to herself when yet again Eedebee had arisen even earlier and prepared breakfast. Heavy boot clomps down the hatch brought Flegretha, who held a pear; she spotted Val’ha, smiled to her ears and took a great loud bite out of the pear. "We are here!" She poked her head into each of the cabins. "Awake, laggards! Awake, we have reached the Island of Dragons! Eat and prepare yourselves!" Val’ha entered the galley, joined shortly by the half-sleeping knights as Flegretha continued her morning crows. "Tarnac! Tarnac, now! You are not to be excepted from this! Awake!"

After breakfast the shipmates went topside for the first close look of the Dragon crescent; Porcie brought forth the map and pointed out that they floated near the northernmost peak of the crescent that formed Ajpaasaean Cove. "To your southwest," explained Nopaach-to in regard to a fair-sized island of golden-yellow trees and giant rocks, hills and a small black mountain, "that is Gold Island and to our south," he pointed, alpine-covered land peering from beyond Gold Island to fill the expanse of what cove they could see, "is Blue Dragon Island."

With Terr’Sol enough in the sky that fresh blue reflected from Flooher’ty Sea, Val’ha turned north to another island. "The Straits of Galatros and the Island of the Elementals," said Andy from behind her, then, "Look!"

"I know, Andy," Eedebee said. "I have taken every precaution to avoid the water-leapers and do not think we will be bothered, for their lair is some distance from here." They rose and dived, each one’s heads appearing only seconds at a time, and Val’ha guessed the colony to be at least in number to the one they fought on the Isle of Sipsids. The leapers, many hundreds of yards from the Bugbear, gave the impression of frolic more than concern, with chirps and squeaks instead of their glass-breaking squeals; among them, Val’ha noticed Humans playing as well, all Men, and when one flipped out of the water before splashing back, though his naked torso was Human, he had the scaly lower body and fins of a giant fish. Eedebee smiled at her confusion. "There is no common word for them or any of the other creatures who can transform from beast to Human, but in your language they are shela’i-fil’t or wer’mere. Many have seen the wer’mere Men, but the Women do not come to the surface often and when they do, most legend professes it is only to lure Terran Men to jump overboard and drown seeking their beauty and song. They can even change fully into Women and walk on land."

"As long as none of the water-leapers joins us on the ship, yes?" asked Andy and the three of them laughed.

The Island of Dragons to the east was a mile from Gold Island, the point closest to them heading northeast and almost due south. Some mountains were visible at the extreme southeast line of vision, but the other islands kept hidden the rest. Val’ha saw in both the water nearest the Island of Dragons and also in the trees of many colors along its coast an opaline glow so faint that first she guessed it to be a trick of the morning light; she set her concentration upon it and asked all of her companions to cease their talk. The Song of Terra, vague and droning, emanated from the island. Tarnac wrapped his hand around Val’ha’s forearm and cast his eyes over the expanse. "Do you see it? Do you hear it as well?"

"The Song. Porcie, Thoryn, Trisahn – do you remember the white glare and humming at Castle Ohrt?"

"Yes," they offered at once, "is it here?"

"Just, but growing," sensed Val’ha, telling the others about Xorus’ enchantments at Ohrt. "The color is his magic, and the increased light and sound his command of the Song."

"Has he tracked us to this place?" Flegretha grabbed hold of Tarnac’s free hand.

"The spells he placed long ago have their own life," answered Eedebee, "but it may also be that he himself is here in some form. He is no fool, Lady Flegretha. With the advance of Mocrolester 19, Xorus knows some will venture here to defeat his curse on Bjursk-la. You must expect to meet him." Her final comment cast a pall over the shipmates; all but Eedebee, Nopaach-to, Sir Thoryn and Val’ha slowly made their way below deck to prepare for the eight-day week ahead.

"When I do find the location of our final task," Val’ha promised, "I will come back to you with the Ring of Oromasus that you may set out to be near us."

"The time is at hand," Eedebee said. "I will bring the Bugbear in to await your providence and return." She and Sir Porcie and after a moment Nopaach-to clustered around and shared an embrace with Val’ha before she joined the others down-hatch to pack.

**

The companions disembarked from the Bugbear and a lump formed in Val’ha’s throat, as much for the things she could see in the future as those she could not; as if by her request, Trisahn put his arm around her shoulder. "See here!" Andy cried, for in both directions rotted planks forming X’s lay exposed in the sand, greatly weathered and a yard apart each. "The paths put down, by High Wizarder Feefthemf, maybe."

The Song now hummed in Val’ha’s ears without stop, and there was an even brighter opaline around the foliage. The woodferns, hanging and ground vines and trees up close were more rainbow-like in their variety than she had first observed – green, blue, yellow and brown pines, trees yellow and cherry red, purplish blue and red-orange, dense and with leaves like none any had seen before, some even circles, and all still wet from the storm passed before. "Remember, Andy," Nopaach-to called from the ship, "if you lead to the northern path you will come to the Marshlands of Caterwaul that your grandfather’s notes tell of."

"Yes, Nopaach-to! The witness reports of a colony of Black Dragons at the edge of the marsh..."

"Avoid it!" cried Nopaach-to.

"It will be a relief for him," muttered Andy, "to stay behind."

"Why, Andy!" Flegretha feigned horror.

"Is my sight in deception," Sir Porcie asked from the Bugbear, "or are there large frogs looking back at us from deep in the wood?" Those on the beach followed Porcie’s line of vision to where several heads with brown eyes the size of apples bobbed above the woodferns before vanishing back into the forest. They were about four feet tall from Val’ha’s guessing, their skin light green.

Nopaach-to nodded without concern. "Do not waste your time on them, for they are harmless. They were called ‘dreaded elies’ until it was discovered there is nothing to be dreaded!"

Val’ha nodded at Trisahn and Thoryn. "It is time to take the southward path."

"Goodbye!" called Eedebee. "Gods’ gramercy for your safe return, all of you!"

"Farewell, friends," hailed Sir Porcie, "and Andy, fill your grandfather with pride!"

"I shall! Good fortune to you. Goodbye, Lord Nopaach-to!"

"I miss you already as I would my own son," Nopaach-to said, "and if you come to mapping the island, dear Andy, find it in your heart to name a small puddle or stone after me!"

**

The companions chose the northern path in the end when Andy told them of a Green Dragon named Om to the south; they could not see the Bugbear after a mile when the X-trail turned into the island along the Caspet River that ran through it. The river meandered through the glowing wood over brown and black rocks out to the sea, and Flegretha stooped to take in her hands its water. "I do not think that wise," Aeysla warned. "Drink and eat only what you have brought, all of you, for there is venom in the leaves of this place."

"Hm!" Flegretha reached for her flagon and took several hearty draughts. "Better than water on any day."

The path turned muddy and became rutted, slowing their progress for the entirety of the wet morning. At midday when they stopped to rest, Val’ha replaced her foot-coverings and saw again the saucer-eyed elies peering from the foliage on the opposite side of the river; there were few beasts or birds, only flying spiders and lizards, small woodsnakes, gnats, elies and the Song. Aeysla sat next to her. "Flegretha told me of the night-swallower, that Tarnac’s kin and the Faielves to the one all fought in their dreams against the darkness of Xorus’ possession. Have you been so plagued?"

"I have, and much of it I was not aware, p’irth Ma’hadrin’s spirit came to my aid and banished Xorus from my sleep-realm."

"This from his first coming is new to me, his assault on the Elves," Aeysla said, "and to your next question, I myself asked Tarnac and Flegretha what haunts quiet Tarnac, for Xorus was also in my mind with his dark temptation and in my mirror still I see that same haunting – yours as well."

"I do not know what strength I would have had on my own, though now…" Val’ha told Aeysla of the green-river dreams, from her first recollection to the last where Ma’hadrin went to his final rest in Convah. "I am regretful that my father had time enough to tell me only part of Xorus’ curse upon our family."

"Do not waste your energies regretting. I found in my time such recrimination useless when there was nothing I could do. Your fate will find you."

**

After several miles the companions reached Jash Lakelet, an almost-square sylvan lake surrounded by the path on its western shore and over which the island’s mountain chain rose. The clear Caspet flowed from the lake as if by magic, enticingly fresh-looking its water but, as Aeysla warned, fed from a dank murk, green and yellow fungus growing on the lake and a bestenched laziness in its smell. Light brown reeds grew on one end of Jash Lakelet; gnats and dragonflies flew above and occasionally at the water. "What putrid rot!" Flegretha held her nose. "Do you see that over there, Tarnac?"

Everyone followed her voice; across the small lake just inside the glade-shadow something moved. It looked to Val’ha like a tremendous boulder rolling through the woodferns. "Walking-wheel," Andy informed them, "to be avoided, for it is among the deadliest of lizards."

"Lizard? That round beast a lizard? Where is its tail, or has it lost the poor thing in fright of our coming?"

"Now that we have stopped, it is a good time to make a proposition" Tarl-Cabot had been in discussion with Val’ha for an hour. "As we know that according to the prophecy Val’ha only is gifted with both sight of the pathway in the sky we now seek and the riddle of the table of stones, we believe that with only a week ahead we should split ourselves into smaller groups to spread further into the wood, that we might sense something strange or remarkable."

"Very good," the others agreed, and thus when they passed the foul Jash Lakelet and the Caspet resumed, Val’ha, Andy and Tarl-Cabot stayed upon the X-trail that continued along its bank, Sir Thoryn and Trisahn crossed to the opposite shore, Tropruscht and Flegretha entered the westwoods within shouting distance of Val’ha, and beyond them very much out of sight went Tarnac and Aeysla.

When Terr’Sol last gleamed in the sky, Val’ha called her friends together and they made camp for the night. The day had been unsuccessful if quieter with the dispersed party – Val’ha spent it talking with Andy of Sipsids, his and Acrasti’s childhoods, the performance at King Joel’s celebration, and Andy’s desire to both follow in the steps of his great-grandfather and pledge his troth soon to his intended, Lady Farron of Denlineil. While they sat around Trisahn’s fire, Andy gathered their attention. "If my estimate is correct, by morning we must be on our guard, for it is where the land falls under the realm of the Green Dragon Om."

Powdery clouds billowed across the sky next day as the companions started out, the breeze through the wood refreshing their spirits. The mountaintops from which the Caspet fed poked above the trees, and Val’ha felt connected at once to this place and Carias in the moments she could bring herself to ignore the hum and light in the air, both grown stronger since nightfall. Andy traveled that morning with Trisahn and Thoryn on the other bank, leaving her alone with Tarl-Cabot. "Speak to me, dear Elf," he said, "for I am guessing we shall be together for many days ahead. Tell me what you write in your papyrus scrolls."

Val’ha laughed. "No, fair knight! You would be sleeping within a minute if I started."

Tarl-Cabot too laughed. "That may be, Val’ha, but I must correct you on one account at least, for I am knight neither to your king nor mine. I am Sir Tarl-Cabot only because I was knighted-in-errant by King Joel for sake that I betroth his daughter Igri. I do add that I could take any in the King’s army and do well, with bow as much as Crundin."

Mention of the Sword brought to Val’ha’s mind Dervish and Xorus. "I must ask you something, errant knight. In the past, I am told, when Xorus first came for Dervish, he told the High Wizarder that he would use the Song of Terra to bring down Mount Carias upon Castle Moncrovia, and thus that Sword was ransomed the first time. Before we left," she continued, eager to voice her intuition to Tarl-Cabot, needing to know that another when told would not call her mad, "I was impressed that Xorus might threaten similar destruction and that this time High Wizarder Oromasus will not ransom the Sword."

"Meaning the wizard would send the Sword away."

"Yes, yes." Val’ha shook her head. "Oromasus talked of Crundin as well, and said he had hastened you on your journey in part to separate the two Swords, of which as you have noted Porcie is now forbidden to carry Dervish."

"I did take some umbrage at the wizard’s enthusiasm for my ship accompanying Nopaach-to, but with my betrothal Mocrolester 23, I overlooked such nuisance. At any cost, the journey kept me out of such ceremonial planning as I have no interest and from under Igri’s feet."

Val’ha smiled. "Tell me about her."

Tarl-Cabot looked off into the forest for some time before he spoke, and then even when he did. "She is the air that I breathe, the reason for my birth. It is – it is as though my heart I left in the castle in her keeping, but what warms me in the night, Val’ha, is that I truly believe as I can know anyone’s spirit, I have her heart for my own. "You must surely come to our betrothal, if I must have the King so decree it I will!"

"I shall!" Val’ha threw up her arms in jest. "And even with our stop in Denlineil, I think Eedebee will get you there in proper time."

"Denlineil?"

"Eedebee agreed to bring Andy and Nopaach-to back to their homes there, that is all." Tarl-Cabot sighed and she asked, "How is it Xorus has not come after Crundin?"

"Its sheath. The High Wizarder of Azimq’haadrin recognizes too the danger surrounding the Nine Swords – she gave this sheath to protect Crundin from being detected as a magickal Sword, even by dark gods." Tarl-Cabot growled his last words and stamped the center of an X with his boot.

"Are you all right there?" called Trisahn over the river.

"Yes, thank you!" Val’ha knew her voice went too high, and Trisahn asked if she was certain; she waved him down.

"That Oromasus keeps Dervish, even from its owner," Tarl-Cabot pondered, "is a queer thing. If he himself holds it and then too it must leave the castle…"

"…this has been my fear," finished Val’ha. "The High Wizarders of all lands must take the Oath of the Sages and once done, their duty is bound to their castle and king. If they leave the confines of duty, within a day they perish. It was important for Oromasus to push you on your way though you would return," Val’ha added. "My fear is that before you do, he will take the Sword, for if he can take Dervish to a place Xorus will not find it, Xorus will fail in attaining it."

"Only one does it take to remove from the equation," agreed Tarl-Cabot, "for the Nine and the Book must be together or…"

"Or?"

"The Nine Swords and Book were imbued with the essence of the Feel-God Oflomemnon and the children borne of his mind when in a fever he dreamed of them. The one who possesses the Nine and One can command all emotions and control the Terran realm. "It is a pity Porcie is defied from carrying his Sword," he added, "for a power of all the Swords is to penetrate demonic magic. Porcie told me of Dervish slicing through Feukpi’s light-circle, so I know you have witnessed with your own eyes that leaving him with no defense back there on that ship may have been a fool’s choice." Val’ha was shaken by his revelations and recriminations and yet was greatest so when he said in a voice that carried no anger, "I heard you outside of the cabin the morning Tropruscht told me of my son Tarlos."

"I, I – Tarl-Cabot, I…"

He waved her to silence. "No fear, your witness holds me to my oath. With the approval of Tropruscht that I may meet my son, I have decided to do so after I have spoken to Igri, for she must have knowledge of this great surprise." Tarl-Cabot thereupon lost himself in his thoughts and the two continued in silence.

**

"Come see!" called Andy over the spirited Caspet.

"Tropruscht! Flegretha!" Val’ha called.

"Come see, sweet Tarnac and Lady Aeysla!" invited Flegretha.

With luck a series of rocks and a fallen tree afforded those on its west bank the opportunity to cross over the Caspet dry, and when they assembled on the other side Andy revealed beneath the woodferns the makings of a small-stone path from a time long before. "I have no knowledge of this trail, but if we choose it…"

Trisahn remembered Nopaach-to’s words: "It leads toward the Caterwauler Marshlands, does it not? I am not of such constitution today as to desire throwing my knives at a lair of Blacks. Do we dare it? If there is to be a vote held, mine lies with our trail of southern crosses."

"But it might lead to the Skyway," Tarnac disagreed. "The only way to find out awaits us ahead."

"The trail is of Human making," Andy said; suddenly from over the trees came a great flapping noise, and wind that shook the rainbow forest. "Om! Hide, all of you!" Andy and Tropruscht dived under a nearby boulder; Tarnac removed his cape and threw it over Flegretha’s red clothing and they crouched inside the hollowed trunk of an ancient cherry-leaf tree; Aeysla vanished from view; Tarl-Cabot and Thoryn hastened to the river and hid themselves under the fallen log.

"Come," Val’ha said to Trisahn, "your Elf-wear will veil you." They raced toward the largest tree they could find and bent in its shadow. The flapping grew nearer and heated wind blasted down onto the forest floor where Om exhaled, so close to the top of the trees that each breath sent vines and leaves into whirlwinds. "He flies slow, and his breathing is labored," whispered Trisahn. "Dragon Om is very old." Val’ha looked up through the tree in whose shadow they hid just as the Dragon flew by, head lowered in search. His eyes were red coalfires and his breath the stench of rot; he flapped his wings and between that and the hot air, the tree shuddered and lost thousands of green leaves. Om passed on and the flapping continued to its silence. "Praise Ste. Lemoya his eyesight is poor as well."

The companions rejoined and Aeysla reappeared; she put up her hand to their questions and withdrew the gold ruby-heart necklace Val’ha had seen around her neck on Z Isle. "It is an Amulet of Ghostly Power," she explained.

"Well, saints be for that!" Flegretha said.

"The Dragon is gone for now," said Andy, "but we must not tarry here any longer; he will come again."

"What does he protect, so close does he fly to the wood he risks a forest fire?" Flegretha asked.

"That I do not know – perhaps the island is Om’s treasure."

"Not much of a treasure."

"I agree with Andy," said Sir Thoryn, "we must decide our course, and I propose that this path we did not find in error." Val’ha conducted a count, and when only Trisahn wanted for the southbound X-trail, they pushed into the woods, vines and undergrowth while keeping their teams closer for the duration of wherever the new trail would lead.

**

The route twisted and turned for distances at a time. By late afternoon the well-traveled group steered near the base of the mountain and decided to halt for the night. With Terr’Sol leaving its last colors in darkness and the Caspet at least twelve miles behind them by Andy’s measure by now, all of the companions could hear the drone and see the vague opaline light of the Song about them. "The strength of the Dragon Island curse grows," Aeysla said as they sat around Trisahn’s fire. "I would worry that Xorus brings down the mountain down upon us if not for your father’s hiding-stones, Val’ha."

"I do not worry for us as much as the Bugbear. Xorus knows of Eedebee’s alliance with us and has attacked her before; good that she can hide her grey-ship while we are gone." Val’ha, Thoryn and Trisahn and in parts Andy told of their journeys – Kayleen’s murder and A’crasti’s kidnapping; the revelations of the High Wizarder and the Sages’ hunt for the demon-god’s portal birthstone; the Isle of Sipsids and sky-palace of Aentfroghe; and the disappearance of the birthopal. Val’ha decided to reveal her vision of Castle Moncrovia in the opaline light-circle.

Several of her journeymates gasped. "Great magic!" cried Flegretha.

"The High Wizarder was sure that Xorus is consolidating his energies around Moncrovia, and perhaps the castle herself," said Sir Thoryn. "What you tell us fortifies his words, dear Val’ha; please let us know if you have other visions, for this power of future-casting has served you well in the past."

"But is it so?" asked Aeysla. "Is this indeed Moncrovia’s future? Or one of its possibilities?"

"I do not know," Val’ha said, frustrated at her own ignorance.

After they had eaten and the Night Moon was shining above, several of the companions went to their sleep and left the dying embers to Val’ha and Aeysla. The sound of Flegretha and Tarnac’s lovemaking sounded from a distance in the glowing darkwood and Aeysla laughed. "He is silent a great deal of the time, but I have grown fond of Tarnac in our travel together. I do still fear for him, though."

"Why so?"

"His dreams – our dreams. I fear still, though he tells me his battle with Xorus is over…"

"That it is not?"

After several moments Val’ha’s words hung in gloom, Aeysla nodded. "This land feeds all of us with its black magic and poisoned Song. If he is not immune to Xorus’ lure, woe will befall him."

"Then let us watch Tarnac and do what we can for him…?"

Aeysla’s face brightened further in the firelight and she took Val’ha by her shoulders. "Yes. Yes, dear and wise Val’ha."

**

Grey clouds hung over breakfast and Val’ha was glad for the canopy of the rainbow forest when they reentered it. Still, the tainted Song now appeared in the tree-shadow and the thrumming drone remained constant in their ears and its vibrations through their bodies.

The lost trail headed north for two miles before breaking west and with Andy and Sir Tarl-Cabot tracking, Val’ha joined Tropruscht. "Thank you for making me welcome on this quest."

"You are welcomed."

"This almost makes your amends for our little – how may I term it – misunderstanding during my pursuit of Master Trisahn on Carias." Val’ha flushed with embarrassment and stopped herself from trying to explain the exact circumstances of Trisahn’s disappearance before the posse-goers appeared that morning a thousand years ago. "However, after speaking with Tarl-Cabot, I do request your chastening for spying on our talk."

Val’ha wanted to retreat from her companion’s growing list: "You have my apology, and for the other as well."

"It is accepted," said Tropruscht, enjoying herself. "Now for the consequence of your action, that you keep our imminent Duke to his promise to support the welfare of our Tarlos, who would do worse than to be son to a prince." Val’ha agreed by what powers were hers. "I cannot tell how long this thing within me will continue to pick and snap at me with its claws before I pass from this world," Tropruscht went on with not a bit of sadness in her voice, "but if such illness is to be my end, I will not have it without fullness or fight – though I would go braver into Convah if I could climb over the mountain of my shame and let Tarlos know I am his mother. But it will not happen." Tropruscht straightened herself. "It is queer, Val’ha of Carias, that I would pursue Trisahn when first we met and now travel with him. It is queerer still that he escapes his past and I cannot my own."

**

"We are coming," said Trisahn after they had gone some miles west and an equal distance northeast, "perilously close, I remind you all, to the Black Dragon marshes. The density of this foliage deplores me with its attacks! Might we yet not cast our votes anew while there is still some daylight left?"

"Cease with your complaints," ordered Sir Tarl-Cabot.

"With pardon, Prince…" began Trisahn, but Val’ha interrupted.

"Men! Everyone!" Terra had grown as cold as snow under her feet and her breath came out in mist; in the thicket ahead, just off the old trail, Val’ha spotted a dilapidated manor built from large square granite. In that second she knew it was where she needed to go, her next step, and she brought its attention to the others. When they reached it, the ground now icy dirt and no life within a dozen yards of the manor, they discovered the upper building had collapsed around the front entrance; a low, narrow crack, however, entered the manor to its right. Tropruscht attempted to angle herself in; unsuccessful, she removed her provision sack, bow and arrows, set them aside and squeezed through. "Slow your pace!"

Tropruscht poked her head out from the crack. "It is solid ice in here, and the glow reflects from it to make the air white. This was where Feefthemf lived out his mortal years, by my wager." She vanished within; Val’ha determined that she, Tarnac and Flegretha could most quickly join Tropruscht, finding beyond an empty room of beautiful opaline light with floors indeed of ice, ribbons of Terr’Sol pouring down through the cracks in Feefthemf’s ceiling. Their breath frosted against the air with even greater thickness than before, and the bite of the chill started to take the feeling from Val’ha’s feet, they adjusted their footing to keep from slipping, drew arms and gingerly made toward Tropruscht, who stood in the archway of another room, her sword drawn at an unseen enemy.

"Stay there now, you little nasty things," she was saying. "Let me just step this way, those are good lads. Watch…" Then Tropruscht plunged forward out of sight and when Val’ha reached the room, she found Tropruscht with her leg attached to the blood-red tongue of a white, red-eyed lizard ten feet head to tail and three others that had crawled from a hole in the icy floor. The lizards began to sing in a high pitch that sounded to Val’ha like a demon’s carol, its shrillness echoing against the walls and filling their ears to a merciless level. The one holding Tropruscht pulled her further toward it, and the others gathered around her. "I think not, little caroler!" Tropruscht brought up her sword and severed the lizard’s tongue from its mouth. The caroler’s song broke into yelping pieces, its blood freezing instantly on the beast’s wound and the tongue that lay useless on the ice before it.

"Friends, step back out of the room!" Val’ha then noticed two things – one, that two much smaller and deep-blue carolers poked their heads briefly up over the edge of the hole, and two, the bottom of Tropruscht’s leg where the caroler had grabbed her was now encased in a frost that expanded around the wound by fast inches. "This beast is causing my leg to frostbite! Do not let them touch you!" Tropruscht sliced her sword through the neck of the beast that had attacked her; it fell headless on its side and the three parts of its body faded in a blue light.

"I will not be…" Taking a caroler that sprang its tongue at her, Flegretha blocked it with her mace, the spikes splitting the tongue into forks. "Taste a little of this spicy metal, my dear! Aha!" She crushed the mace down upon one forefoot of the caroler and then the other, crushing its bones, the beast so agog with pain that its tongue swung around to hit one of its eyes and stuck there. It lifted its head to the roof and its song to the shrillest. Flegretha came up from beneath and shattered its throat with the bludgeon; the caroler flew back into the hole before the blue-light signaled its end.

Tarnac took up his shortsword against a caroler that blocked their way out; it lunged and he cast himself against it, his sword driving into the lizard’s mouth and through the top of its skull. Tarnac fell back, taking his weapon with him, slid on his behind across the ice and crashed against the back wall. The caroler stumbled, its tongue lolling out the length of its body like a snake, and meandered toward Tarnac. He whirled his ax through the air; it landed between the beast’s ruby eyes and with another blue-light only one song broke their hearing. Flegretha rushed to help her fallen he-Elf.

The last caroler moved to block the exit where the other had just been. Scimitar before her, Val’ha brought forth from within her the cry of the water-leapers, hoping that the by scaring off the caroler, its offspring would have at least one to care for them; but the caroler paused silent for only a moment, cocking its head at her, before casting its tongue toward her waistline.

She slipped on the ice and the scimitar flew from her hands but in that second Tropruscht, now covered by frost, blocked Val’ha with her body and cried out in a hissing, high-pitched tongue she had never heard: "Iss wissle bith demissith ith ess wissle deffth!" Up the caroler’s lower jaw and through its head went her sword. Tropruscht turned to Val’ha. "In Ste. Io’s name, farewell." Her eyes frosted shut and her ice cocoon thickening; she pushed back against the caroler and with the beast slid in stiffening battle across the floor and down into the hole. The screaming peeps of the baby carolers ended with thud of their landing, a blue burst of light and then droning silence.

Tropruscht of the Caves was gone.