Chapter 28: Reunited

By the time the three mages returned to the Spirit Soaring aboard Natar's back, Cadderly had the rest of the cure's ingredients properly prepared and mixed, awaiting their final component. Natar carefully landed as close as he could, then returned to the emerald as they hurried to the cathedral. By his best estimation, the mages had about three hours left.

Within fifteen minutes, the poultice was ready, and applied to the wound. Instantly Vivi began breathing easier, and in the time it took Dregan's heart to beat five times, the little mage opened his glowing yellow eyes.

"Wha - where - " He tried to sit up, but Dregan gently eased him back down.

"Take it easy. You got sick from that panther thing, but fortunately we warped right onto the doorstep of a powerful priest." Vivi looked around, spotting Cadderly and Danica.

"Oh, hello. I'm Vivi Orunitia."

"Glad to finally meet you, Vivi. I'm Cadderly, and this is my wife, Danica."

"How do you feel?" asked Danica.

"A lot better, though my arm is numb." With little effort he sat up, looking around the room. "Wow. Much nicer than the jungle was."

"The poultice is a strong one," Cadderly commented, capping a jar he'd placed some of the finished medicine in. This he handed to Dregan. "Barely a dab will remove most toxins and heal cuts and wounds. Should be useful to you in your quest home." He smiled at their surprised expressions. "A gift. And you brought enough moss that I didn't need to use near it all. I could make five more such jars, and not run out."

"There's no way we can ever repay - " Dregan began, but the priest's upraised hand stopped him.

"Considering the moss, and the tales of your worlds, I'd say we're even. And aiding the ill or injured requires no payment."

"You know, you remind me of a cleric I know," mused Dregan. "Maybe, someday, I'll find a way to return here, and I'll bring him along."

"I look forward to that. Now, Vivi, after a little bit to eat you should feel as good as new."

"I am a little hungry." Powerful indeed was the poultice, for Vivi was able to hop out of bed and stand as if he'd never been injured.

The four mages enjoyed lunch with Cadderly, Danica, their children, and the pair who'd first encountered the group upon their arrival to this place, 'dwarves' Cadderly had called them, named Ivan and Pikel Bouldershoulder. Vivi was finally able to tell of his world, and in turn Cadderly told them of the world they'd landed on, Faerun. Dregan made a mental note of everything he heard, planning on asking Feamor if he knew of the place, once he returned home.

After the meal, they were given a tour of the cathedral, formerly postponed due to the urgent matter of tending to Vivi. But now with the danger past they were able to fully enjoy the home of the religious sects of Denir and Oghma. Although each one of the mages knew of similarly grand places on their respective worlds - Dregan the Temple to Lokeru, Vivi the Alexandria Palace, Zentarou the Temple of Kylado, Orko the Eternos City Palace - all agreed without any flattery that the Spirit Soaring was aptly named, a masterwork of constructive ingenuity and artistry. At that Cadderly modestly averted his gaze, prompting Dregan to query,

"I assume by your actions you had a part in its creation." Danica laughed.

"More than a part. He designed it "

"A great accomplishment," complimented Zentarou.

“I only did as I feel I had to," returned Cadderly. "After the Edficant Library was destroyed, I knew it must be rebuilt, and Denir himself inspired me then." Just then, a buzzing noise invaded the air.

"That's our cue," quipped Zentarou as they pulled out the gate cubes.

"If we can find a way," promised Dregan, "we'll return to visit."

"You're always welcome," Cadderly replied as he and his friends moved cautiously away, giving the mages plenty of room.

"Thank you!" This last from Vivi. Then the mages waved, and vanished.

"Cadderly," came Ivan's voice just a moment later, "ya got visitors." Cadderly turned to greet the new guests and smiled.

"Hello Cadderly, Danica," greeted one of the two, his voice melodious and smooth, elven. "Who were you speaking to? We saw no one upon our entrance, and there is no one here now."

"It is good to see both of you again, Drizzt, Cattie-Brie. And as to your question, we were bidding farewell to a rather interesting quartet of mages. They claimed to be under a curse, one that forced them to leap randomly from world to world against their will. Not a one was from the same world as the others."

"Oh?" queried the auburn-haired woman. "Sounds like a curious bunch indeed."

"Very much so." They all headed to more comfortable rooms to visit some. "Hopefully they will find a way to visit, and then you can meet them." Drizzt Do'Urden chuckled.

"Maybe someday..."