The young family step through the gates, leaving Wales behind.

The forest here is dark, ancient and powerful. As Nettle and Alec walk through the trees, they're nearly overpowered by the sense of Life that suffuses the area. Birds call overhead, and small animals rustle in the bushes underneath the leafy canopy of the forest.

They step out into a small glade filled with soft grasses. The rustling of the leaves ahead sound like whisperings and laughter, but it is a comforting sound. In the center of the clearing is a thin sapling that reaches its branches towards the sky.

As they walk nearer, Veil steps out from under the trees ahead of them. She's wearing a long black dress that trails along the ground as she moves, and falls from her wrists in long cascades of fabric. Her hair is unbound and falls down to her waist in a crimson ripple of light. She smiles when she sees Nettle, and opens her arms. "Welcome to my home," she says, her voice resonating calm and peace.

Nettle's mouth falls open a little with surprise when she sees what a change has come over Veil-- or has it just been such a long time since she last saw her? She looks so...carefree!
She hesitates just a moment, and then practically drops the suitcase and baby-carrier onto the grass, wraps her arms protectively around little Ian in his baby-sling-- holding him cushioningly to her chest-- and jogs as fast as she dares up to Veil with a radiant smile on her face.
"Veil!!" she cries just before she reaches her, and then hugs her tightly-- trying not to squish Ian!

Corrander steps into the glade just as Nettle suddenly runs off to hug a woman he assumes is Veil. He looks around and breathes in deeply. "Incredible..." he exhales in wonder. "Places such as this still exist in the human realm? But then again, Nettle said this would not quite be in the human realm...how remarkable..." Corrander murmurs half to himself and half to Alec.

Alec looks over at Corrander and smiles, "We mages have some surprises up our sleeves eh?" he says and then turns and runs over to Nettle and Veil to hug Veil as well.
"So good to see you safe, Veil. We were worried." Simone makes a few squawks and kicks her feet.

Veil hugs Nettle tightly back, closing her eyes to keep back tears. "I was afraid I'd never see you again," she whispers into Nettle's ear. "So much has happened...for me and for you!" She finally pulls back, and smiles through her tears down at the baby in Nettle's arms.

"And who is this little one?" she asks softly. "Ian, is it? Can I hold him?"
She looks back up at her friend, filled with pride and joy at seeing her face to face again.

Nettle's lips tremble violently as she tries unsuccessfully to hold back tears. Something finally just releases within her at hearing and touching Veil again, and all the fears she's held in over the past 13 months spill down her cheeks and errupt in jaggedly-surpressed sobs.
She smiles shakily. "Yes-- this is my baby boy Ian!" Nettle lifts him out of the baby-sling in front of her and kisses his cheek before turning him around to face Veil. He looks so much like Nettle-- a slender, pale baby with light-blond wispy hair-- but with his father's blue eyes. "Ian-- this is your Aunt Veil!" Nettle coos as she hands him over to her best friend. Then she notices that's Alec's holding Simone in her baby-carrier. "Veil-- this is our baby girl Simone! You were made her Guardian at the baby-blessing ceremony that the Llandona did for them last night!" Nettle trails her fingertips lovingly over Simone's thick, dark, slightly-curling hair. Simone's a sweet, chubby little baby with light green eyes like her mother's.

Alec smiles and puts an arm around Nettle. "That's my little princess there," he says looking down at Simone. He leans over and kisses Nettle on the cheek. "We've missed you, Veil. It's so good to see you again."

"Ahh...well, thank you Nettle," Veil responds. "It must be nice to have found your roots." She smiles. "Of course you'd want your family to be the ones to perform the ceremony."

She nods hello to Alec and holds out his son to him. "Want to trade? I need to meet my new little ward."

Nettle puts her hand on Veil's arm. "I've been so out of it that I completely forgot about the baby-blessing ceremony until the high priestess over there reminded me! I wish you could have been there, Veil! I could share the ceremony with you through a mind-link later on, if you like?" Nettle asks a little worriedly, realizing that Veil's probably sad at having not been at the event.

"Of course Veil," he says handing Simone to Veil. "So, Veil how's everyone else? We've been missing everyone back at the chantry."

Simone looks at Veil with big eyes for a moment and then back to her dad to see if this strange woman is all right. Satisfied, she looks back at Veil and reaches her hand up towards Veil's hair.

Corrander takes this moment to step forward-- re-adjusting the diaperbag on one of his shoulders.
"Alec and Nettle have quite a way of getting who they want to be their babies' guardians, eh Veil?" He smiles, and then performs the most elegant bow he can manage-- despite the baby-gear hanging from his arms. "Allow me to introduce myself, m'lady. I am Count Corrander Moonglow ap Dougal of Cantrev Snowdonia, guardian and great-uncle to Ian."

Nettle covers her mouth to keep from giggling as she watches Corrander bow while getting thwapped by swinging diaperbags and baby-carriers.

"That's alright Nettle," Veil responds. "You've grown, and are moving on your own path now. I'm sure the Coven back home would like to hear that you and your children are alright, but we understand that you have your own life to live. Finding your people is something you were meant to do." Veil smiles over at Corrander in understanding.

"The Chantry is...surviving. They're a much smaller group now. I don't know how much longer things will go on as they have in the past." Veil answers Alec's question about Salt Lake.

"Tania, Jacob and Sarah are the only ones living there now. Oswald drops by occasionally but he's got his own life to live, as do you, and now as do I."

Nettle twists her hands together, sad to hear about the diminishing Chantry. "I hope this is a sign that we're entering peaceful times-- the Chantry going their separate ways. I'm just glad Tania and Jacob are still there with Sarah-- it will give the kids friends to grow up with. Ozzie's "kids," too!" Nettle winks, and then gets serious again. "I think me and Alec having to be on our own this past year was really good for us. We're both used to being irresponsible...relying on others for direction...teaching...wisdom...but this time we were forced to take care of ourselves...make the best decisions for our babies. I was always nervous that we wouldn't be good parents, but now I couldn't imagine life without the twins!" Nettle touches her childrens' heads lightly and blinks back tears.
"Veil...what does this mean for you? You're now..." Nettle searches for the right word. "...you're now mortal? You're like me? You could--" Nettle pats her womb, "--if you wanted to?" Nettle smiles hopefully at Veil.

Corrander listens quietly, studying Veil as the women talk. He'd heard about how she'd housed a dragon's soul within her, and how it had kept her young and eternal. Now the dragon was somewhere nearby. Corrander glances around the glade, trying to catch sight of the dragon. When he doesn't, he looks back at Veil. Ah! Now he sees it! He was wondering what was familiar about her! She's obviously faerie-kin! Corrander smiles to himself and shakes his head. Perhaps his sister wasn't a rare case-- having a child with a mortal! It seems there might be many like her who gave birth to half-human/half-Fae babies. The thought astounds Corrander, and he continues pondering it.

Alec smiles sadly. "Well then let's all be off to have a drink for old friends who've moved on, shall we?" he asks giving Corrander a wink. "I know my throat's dry eh?"

Corrander blinks-- coming back out of his train of thought-- and turns to Alec. "Ah! A drink, you say? Would that involve being able to set this...this baby-stuff down for a moment?" he smirks.

Alec laughs and pats his shoulder. "I would assume so," he says. "Yeah let's get out of the open here and someplace we can sit and rest our arms eh?"

Corrander laughs and nods, and he and Alec walk over to sit beneath a tree and talk.

Veil waits until the men wander off to sit beneath a tree before responding to Nettle. "I suppose I could, if I wanted to. But after all that's happened, I don't see that in my future." She chuckles softly. "It's funny, isn't it? That finally after all this time, now that it's attainable, the thing I wanted most in the world doesn't seem so important to me."

She looks down at little Simone and smiles. "She really is so precious, Nettle. Thank you for making me a part of your family."

She looks back up at her friend, her violet eyes deep pools of emotion. "Would you like to meet Cuinnsear? He's here..."

Nettle listens to Veil speak about not having the desire to have children, and she feels a little sad. For all of her life up until the last year Nettle had never wanted to have kids, but now that she knows what a joy motherhood is, she wants everyone to experience it! She'll have to calm down and not pester Veil! Besides, Veil DID accept to be Simone's guardian, after all!
Nettle smiles and nods. "You've ALWAYS been a part of our family, Veil!! Don't worry-- we'll let you babysit the twins enough that you'll know what it's like to have babies!" Nettle gives Veil a big, cheesy grin...that suddenly falters. "Oh shit...my parents...I bet they're going crazy right now, wondering where we are! They don't even know I was pregnant and gave birth! Oh Mom's gonna be pissed! Jesus..." Nettle holds her head, her mind racing.
When Veil's soft voice asks her if she'd like to meet Cuinnsear, Nettle immediately banishes thoughts about her mom and meets Veil's eyes, nodding excitedly. "Oh yes...I would be honored!" Nettle straightens her hair.
"Do I look presentable?? Is my make-up smeared? Oh! Here! I'll take Simone, if you like!" Nettle blabbers on and on nervously, holding out her arms.

Veil chuckles, glad to see her friend is still the same as ever. She hands the baby back to its mother and turns to face the small sapling in the center of the grove.

As Nettle watches, the leaves on the trees seem to grow greener, the foilage more dense, the sky a more brilliant deep blue, the suns light increases to a comforting glow that bathes Nettle's skin with its warmth.

She follows Veil's gaze to the tree, and as the colors shift and move around her, a great serpentine form slowly comes into focus. Its hide is mottled and patterned with a thousand shades of green that glitter and shine in the sunlight. The long head tilts towards her, revealing large golden eyes whose faceted colors whirl slowly as it stares down at the women.

His long slim body and tail curls around the entire glade in a protective circle, surrounding the astonished watchers. Veil smiles, staring up at the dragon with an expression Nettle has never seen on her face before.

"Nettle, meet my father Cuinnsear," she says, turning again to face Nettle, her face radiant in the glow of the shifting colors of Cuinnsear's scales.

The great dragon lowers its head, and Nettle can feel his breath upon her face. The smell of exotic spices and deep loam of the earth settles over her.

"Greetings, Nettle," a deep resonating voice speaks into her mind. "It is good to see you again."

Nettle stares into Cuinnsear's eyes with her jaw dropped-- the effect a huge dragon suddenly appearing right in front of her! She swallows, and then is shaken from her trance by Simone clutching a chunk of her hair and pulling it awkwardly. Nettle glances down at Simone, and Simone coos and shakes Nettle's hair as if to say, 'Greet the ancient one, Mom! You're being rude!' Simone's large, green eyes are fixed on the dragon in wonder.
Nettle looks back up at Cuinnsear, and then bows her head. "It is good to...to see that you're safe, sacred one..." she thinks back to him shyly. He was inside Veil all those years! Nettle cringes and inwardly groans when she remembers some of the conversations she and Veil have had, and it's a wonder to her that the dragon isn't laughing at her and thinking how foolish she is! Then Nettle quickly stops thinking, realizing Cuinssear probably just heard all of that, as well!

Alec looks over to where Nettle and Veil are and his eyes grow wide. He looks down at Ian.
"See that? Or---phew Ian," he says waving his hand in front of him. "Yeah, the dragon almost made me do that too." he says grabing a diaper and some wipes out of the bag.

Corrander wordlessly hands Alec's flask back to him-- eyes fixed on Cuinnsear, as well-- and gets quickly to his feet without looking away from the dragon. He hasn't seen a dragon since leaving Arcadia, and this is the mortal realm! Well...not QUITE the mortal realm! But it brings such hope to Corrander's heart that tears spills unnoticed down his cheeks. He stands gazing at Cuinnsear with his hands clasped behind his back, crying silently.

Veil pats Nettle's arm affectionately. "Don't worry, he was sleeping while I was D'Thraene. He's referring to the time David died and Naktrassa moved to Herne's body. He woke briefly...and remembers you there. It's too bad you didn't come with us to the Deep Umbra.. to see all of the dragons in their spirit forms at once.. it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen." Veil looks up at Cuinnsear and smiles, her young face lighting up like a child's.

A look of regret shadows Nettle's face. "Yeah...we missed a lot of things I never thought I'd allow myself to miss! I just know I'm going to pound my head when I hear about what you experienced in Atlantis!"
Nettle glances down at Simone to see how she's handling everything, and then calms a little when Simone reminds her of the reason she chose to separate from the travelling-party. She follows Simone's gaze back up to Cuinnsear. "So many questions..." she murmurs to the dragon. "You created Veil, so you're both mother and father to her? You know, I've seen her get mad-- I can believe she's the child of a dragon! There was this one time--" Nettle glances at Veil's face, and then laughs and breaks off her sentence, glancing back at Cuinnsear with burning cheeks, hoping she didn't offend him!

Cuinnsear makes a strange purring noise that vibrates every bone in Nettle's body, then lowers his head closer to the two women. Veil reaches up and strokes the dragon's cheekbone, smiling over at Nettle.

Nettle's eyes get wide and she sucks in a quick breath, but when she sees Veil smiling, she gets a grip and tries to stay calm.
Simone makes a laughing-noise when the dragon's purr vibrates her tummy, and she waves her arms, pulling Nettle's hair harder.
"Ow, baby girl!" Nettle cries, and then carefully untangles her hair from Simone's chubby fingers.

"He likes you Nettle," Veil says. "He says you're good for me. Whatever that means." She chuckles again.

Nettle raises her eyebrows, and then gives a relieved laugh. "Oh good!" she laughs again, finally starting to calm down. "Maybe having me around has taught you things like, oh, lots of lots of patience!" Nettle grins.

"Are any of you hungry? Or tired? It seems you've been busy these past few days. The glade is safe, you'll be protected as long as you remain within," Veil announces.

Nettle looks down at Simone, and then back at Veil. "We were in such a hurry to get to you that I think we skipped lunch! The babies have been very good, but they won't stay that way for long! Food is probably a good idea, right pixie?" Nettle tickles Simone's foot, and Simone's laughs and kicks her feet.
Nettle laughs and then looks back at Veil and smiles. "Thanks, Veil. Thanks for letting us come here." she says softly.

Corrander-- full of questions for Veil and Cuinnsear, himself-- nods to Veil. "Food and rest would be well-appreciated, Lady."

Veil motions with her hands, and suddenly a low table appears laden with food, the ground around it covered with large comfortable-looking cushions.

She grins over at Nettle. "You know, I never will get over the thrill of casting paradox-free in Umbral realms."

"I know what you mean, Veil!! Corrander and I were sparring in the Llandona's Horizon Realm, and my magick actually worked when I wanted it to, and it was VERY blantant magic! We could be unstoppable in those realms, we Mages!" Nettle gushes excitedly.

Corrander raises his eyebrow and murmurs something sarcastic to himself with a little smirk.
Nettle flips her head around to look at him, and Corrander starts whistling and inspecting the hilt of his sword.

Veil motions for her guests to gather around the table, where they find many different kinds of mouth-watering foods and drink.

"So Nettle, I learned much of what has happened from you already, but what are your plans for the future?" Veil asks after everyone has been settled and begun eating.

Corrander settles himself on a cushion and glances across the table of food, suddenly feeling real hunger for the first time in a long time. He continues to listen silently as Veil and Nettle continue their conversation, picking food and putting it on his plate.

Nettle sits on a cushion and turns her back slightly to Corrander in case watching her breast-feed makes him uncomfortable. She holds Simone in the crook of her arm, unzips her shirt, and then holds Simone up to feed.
"Well...Corrander has agreed to stay with us for good, and he needs to rest in places protected from Banality-- such as the Chantry and Horizon Realm-- so we were going to ask Tania if he could live in the Horizon Realm Palace...let him sleep in my worship-room until we can convert some of the study-rooms into a big, comfortable place for him. When Sarah was born, Jacob said something about how we can do "renovations" on the palace using Matter and Spirit...something like that? Looks like we'll be needing a nursery when the twins get bigger, too!" Nettle grins. "Once we get that settled, we really don't know what our plans are. Alec will still work at the store...we'll just take it one day at a time. Corrander will be training Ian in everything he'll need to know once he...once his...Fae-self...awakens..." Nettle stammers, lowering her head and trying to keep back tears. "Jesus...I get like this whenever I talk about Ian's future!" she mutters shamefully.

Corrander pauses as he brings a piece of buttered bread to his lips, watching Nettle and understanding her pain. He lowers the bread. "Nettle...there will be a time when the gates to Arcadia open once again-- permanantly, is my hope. I am sure of it. Being here...seeing this dragon...hearing about the child Sarah...all signs of hope. Do not despair. You tell me that, yourself, everyday."

Nettle closes her eyes, head still bowed, and continues to wrestle with her emotions.

Alec puts Ian down in his carrier and sits it next to Corrander. He takes some bread for himself. "Yeah love, like I said eh? Our little Ian is going to bust those gates wide open, you'll see." he says. He turns to Corrander, "That's what he's supposed to do...right?"

Corrander raises his eyebrow and turns to Alec, making a motion for Alec to keep his voice down a little as he glances in Nettle's direction.
"No...Nettle does have reason to mourn. The amulet was only designed to open the gates to our cantrev and keep them open long enough to allow the Fae who accompanied the bearer to pass back into Arcadia. Then the bearer, too, steps back into Arcadia, and the doorway disappears once more."
Corrander says in a low voice. "That is what my mother, sister, and I designed it to do...what Gwendolyn was supposed to do..."

Unfortunately, years of curiously have made Nettle's hearing very sharp, and she heard every word. She doesn't seem to respond, however. She already knew all of this from reading the books back in Balador.

Veil looks at Nettle with sympathy, reaching out and touching her arm. "It's not easy to know one's fate," she begins. "One of the reasons I didn't persue Time further than I needed to. But sometimes it can be a blessing,' she finishes enigmatically.

Nettle looks up at Veil's touch and blinks tears back, managing a shakey smile. "I know what you mean, Veil. I'm not going to touch Time! However...that Cultist back with the Llandona was able to convince Corrander to stay safely there by using his expertise with Time to know that Alec and I were on our way, so in that sense it was good..."
Nettle looks over at Corrander and then back at Veil. "Can you believe he's my uncle from many generations back?? This whole past year feels like some kind of acid-trip! He wants to meet Mom since she's a descendant of Gwendolyn, so I'll have to make sure Mom's high first...not like THAT would be hard!" Nettle laughs hard, trying to keep her voice down.

Veil laughs with her friend, taking a sip from the glass of wine in front of her. "You know, with the Trees replanted, our world could start to become much as it was back when the Gates to Arcadia were open. It's a small step, at any rate," Veil says. "Our Mother Goddess is fighting back against the forces that have been poisoning her these many centuries."

Nettle-- much to her embarrassment-- gets teary-eyed again at Veil's words and nods. "I know...it's so amazing, isn't it?? It's about time, too! People have been abusing the Mother for far too long!" Nettle says vehemently, and as if in agreement Simone suddenly urps up all over Nettle's chest.
Nettle looks down at Simone, looks back at Veil with an eyebrow raised, and suddenly starts laughing. "Oooookaaaay...I think little girl is done..."
Nettle grabs a cloth from the nearest diaperbag and cleans herself and Simone off, and then raises Simone up to her shoulder to burp while patting and rubbing her back.
"So I take it Wyrmhater...Cara...Aaron...they're all on their own now with their quest, or do you think they'll need our help again in the future?" Nettle asks a little worriedly, thinking about the forces the Garou are up against.

"They're all dead," Veil responds quietly. "The creature Menthu killed them. Then he in return was betrayed by his Mother-Creator Lillith."

Nettle's jaw drops and her hand freezes in mid-pat. "Oh my god..." she barely breathes. "Dead?? I...I can't believe it...but...Cara...she...she was the hope! I think she was even descended from my people in Wales...trying to remember what she said...oh goddess..." Nettle's face pales and she sits in silence as Veil continues to speak.

Veil shifts in her chair, then takes a longer drink from her wineglass. "I was given a vision and told that if I aided them in their quest that I would share the same fate. It was not for me to interfere." Veil laughs bitterly. "So I stayed here with Cuinnsear, where I hope to be able to remain for quite a long time. I've had enough of the outside world to last a thousand lifetimes."

Nettle swallows and nods slightly, and then suddenly her eyes get wide and she looks at Veil in panic. "Are you saying that you're not coming back to Salt Lake with us??" she asks in a soft, quivering voice.
Simone finally gives a healthy burp, and Nettle wordlessly motions for Alec to trade babies with her before Ian gets fussy.

Alec takes Simone in one arm and leans over to tranfer Ian. He winks at Nettle and turns back to Corrander.

Nettle gives Alec a weak smile as she takes Ian from him, and then she quickly turns back to Veil, waiting nervously for her answer as she clutches Ian to her.

Alec looks at Corrander and nods, feelings somewhat of a heavy weight settle upon his shoulders. "So how does our son get out?" he looks over at Nettle and leans into Corrander, "Or does he?"

Corrander takes a swallow of his wine and then sets the glass down and turns back to Alec. "The only way Ian could leave Arcadia would be if the gates were blown open by earthly Glamour-- as they were when I left-- or if the gates were opened by some other arcane means. If the condition of the mortal realm were such that the Fae could feel safe there again, then I would assume the gates could be opened from within by those possessing the knowledge of how to do it." Corrander watches Alec with sympathetic eyes.

Alec sighs and adjusts his sunglasses. He looks at Corrander. "This stays between us eh? Not a word to anyone else eh?"

Corrander raises his eyebrows at Alec. "I suspect Nettle already knows-- that would explain the sudden bursting into tears at any mention of Arcadia, now wouldn't it?" he gives a wry smile, and then his face turns more serious. "It may be difficult keeping this a secret. People will ask why I am staying with you...why I cannot leave the chantry...I will have to explain that I am waiting to return home. You know the people at the chantry-- what would you suggest we say?"

"I suggest you say that you are here as their teacher and protector." Alec says considering. He steals a glance at Nettle. "We aren't supposed to go with him are we?"

Corrander thinks about Alec's idea, and then nods. "All right, we will not mention Ian's fate. We can explain how we are related, but nothing beyond that." Corrander considers Alec's second question. "No...you are not SUPPOSED to go with him..." Corrander says slowly, his eyes growing thoughtful. "...but that is not saying you COULDN'T go with him..." Corrander raises his eyebrow at Alec questioningly.

"Don't tell her that," he says. "It's best she not know." He lights a clove and takes a drag and offers it to Corrander. "Now what do you think of this Veil eh?"

Corrander takes the clove from Alec, sucks in, and holds the smoke in his mouth for a moment before blowing it out. He glances over at Veil and then back at Alec.
"She is intriguing, to say the least! I have just been waiting for the chance to ask her more about her history. There is much here that bodes well for the future of the mortal realm, and the sight of that dragon..." Corrander pauses to shake his head in wonder. "Alec, I would have it that the gates to Arcadia would blow open once and for all, if it were up to me, and perhaps they shall."

"We can only hope," he says. "We can only hope."

Veil sits quietly for a few moments, lost in her own thoughts. She finally raises her eyes to Nettle, "I wasn't planning on it."

Nettle's bottom lip pooches out and quivers a little, so she looks down at Ian and positions him so he's feeding contentedly first. When she looks back up at Veil her eyes are shiny with tears.
"But...how will...Veil, I need you!! I'll miss you!! You're my best friend!! I want you to be there as the twins grow up! Who will I go shopping with and pour my heart out to?? And you won't have a girlfriend here to pour YOUR heart out to, Veil!! I will worry about you ALL the time and mope around and...and..." Nettle tries to get a hold of herself, and quickly puts a hand over her mouth as she feels a loud sob trying to escape.

Alec looks over at the two girls and raises an eyebrow. "You're not coming back with us?" he asks.

Veil looks surprised at Nettle's vehemenant outburst. "Nettle..I'm touched.."
She starts to feel tears of her own well up in her eyes. "I didn't realize you would be so upset.."

Veil clasps her hands together and looks down at her entwined fingers resting on the table. In the background Cuinnsear shifts his position, his scales reflecting brilliant shades of greens and blues under the watchful countenance of the sun as it peers out from behind a blanket of clouds.

"I feel so different lately," she begins. "My entire life was created around a Purpose, and now it's finished." She looks up at the concerned faces of her friends. "I know that the battle has only just begun, and that even as the Goddess asserts herself, opposing forces have continued their own plans for dominion, and each battle is a hair's breadth away from toppling the balance. But I just don't feel...connected anymore. Like it's someone else's fight to win." She shrugs a slim shoulder.

"Perhaps I'm just being maudlin, I don't know," Veil continues, her eyes darkening to a deep amethyst. "I've been fighting a long time."

Nettle nods and her face finally breaks as tears spill down her cheeks. She reaches out her free hand and finds Veil's, squeezing it. "I know what you mean. Ever since Alec and I separated from the group to hide, I've felt like our roles were shifting. It doesn't feel like we're supposed to be the fighters anymore. But what is DOES feel like is that we're supposed to bring up the fighters of the future-- the ones who will decide the outcome. Look at us, Veil!" Nettle motions between herself and Alec. "You wouldn't want the future of the world to be in our hands, now would you?" The corner of Nettle's mouth lifts in a smirk. "Your wisdom and guidence have always been needed, and now more than ever! Look at that face!" Nettle exclaims, motioning to Simone in Alec's arms. "I can already tell she's going to be precocious and ask me questions I won't know how to answer!"
Nettle looks up at the dragon and thinks for a moment. "I don't want Cuinnsear to be alone here, either, tho'...what if we made an arrangement where we all come here for part of the year...another part of the year you can spend here alone with Cuinnsear to get away from all the hecticness...and another part of the year you live back in Salt Lake! It would be a great upbringing for the babies, I think, to grow up spending time here and in Wales! What do you think, Veil?" Nettle asks softly. "Tell me if you don't like that idea...just don't tell me I'll never see you again!" Nettle purses her lips together to keep them from trembling again.

"Oooh Nettle.. of course you'll see me!" Veil is quick to reassure her friend. "In fact, I really like your idea..we can trade time back and forth..spend time in both places..." She trails off for a moment. "I plan on keeping an eye on all of the saplings, until they've grown stronger. I think it would do all of us good to travel to them together. We don't need to go right away.. or even see them all too quickly."

Veil glances to Alec and Corrander. "If we use non-conventional means of travel Corrander won't have to worry about banality, he would be safe within the groves."

Nettle's face lights up and she gives Veil a tight one-armed hug, disrupting Ian's feeding temporarily. "Oh good oh good oh thank the goddess!" Nettle murmurs in happy relief.
Ian gives an indignant cry, which starts Simone going.
Nettle leans back up with a smile. "All right you two, you can stop that!" she reprimands good-naturedly, getting Ian re-situated so he resumes his lunch. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Veil!! I would love to watch them grow, too! Hey-- they were probably planted around the same time the twins were born! Nice coincidence!"

Corrander bows his head to Veil. "I thank you for your consideration, Veil. I wouldn't miss going with all of you to see these trees. Did I hear correctly? There is a dragon living within each of these groves? Are the groves scattered across the earth, then, or all near to one another?"
Corrander leans forward eagerly with his forearms resting on his knees, hands clasped together.

Alec smiles and picks up Simone and cradles her in his arms. He rocks her a bit and coos at her.
"Hey princess, hey princess." he says. He looks over at Corrander, "You got that right me old china. I bet they're magnificent to see eh?"

"Yes, there are Dragon guardians keeping watch over all the trees. They are tied to each other. Which is why when the Trees started to die, the Dragons faltered, and they created the D'Thraene -- the carriers of dragon spirits.
The trees are seven in number and are scattered over the world. Each holds its own unique resonance and it reflected by the earth from which it grows." Veil says.

"Naktrassa lives again in the desert, with the wind and sand and ruins of the dead Ute tribes. Her resonance is Spirit, like Cuinnsear's here is Life," she finishes, gesturing to the thick forest surrounding them.

Nettle smiles. "I'm so glad Naktrassa is back and doing well! So then Cuinssear is green because he's resonating Ireland? I can't wait to see how the other dragons and groves appear!"

Corrander nods. "Fascinating! Now, about the D'Thraene. Are there six others like you-- also scattered around the world-- who have also just recently been given mortality, as you have?"

Nettle bites her lip and looks at Veil apologetically, but stays quiet.

Veil shakes her head. "At one time there were seven of us, but now it is just me. Herne, Naktrassa's second D'Thraene, was slain. Her Spirit was untethered and could have been lost, sending all of us into the hands of the Wyrm, but all of the Dragon Spirits fled to the Deep Umbra to hide while they were so vulnerable. Cuinnsear's spirit was rent from my body, and for a long time I thought he was gone forever, dead, and that the trees would never be replanted and our world would slowly succumb to the Darkness that is threatening to overtake it." She clears her throat and continues.

"But then I felt their call... and we went in search of the Spirits. We finally breached the Deep Umbra... and I found the Dragon Spirits. I became D'Thraene for all of them, until we could reclaim the seeds from Atlantis and replant the Trees. I do not know what happened to the other D'Thraene, but I believe they died when the Spirits left. Nettle wouldn't let me die.." Veil laughs and smiles at her friend.

Nettle laughs and lowers her eyelids in humility. "Of COURSE I wouldn't, silly!" she smiles.

Corrander also smiles. "It seems she is good at that. She prevented me from dying, as well, a few days ago." Corrander turns to Nettle and bows his head. "Thank you again, Nettle."

Nettle blushes a little. "Oh you're both embarrassing me, now stop!" she laughs. She finally looks up and points from Corrander to Veil. "And I'll do it again, so don't try it again!" she grins.

Corrander raises his hands in surrender. "You have my word, Nettle." he smirks. He turns back to Veil. "Is there a purpose for which the dragons are here-- a fate or destiny to be accomplished in the future-- or do they now live their own lives? And the groves-- from what Nettle says, they are a wellspring of...Glamour...no...what did she call it?"

"Quintessence." Nettle prompts.

Corrander nods. "That was it. Quintessence. But perhaps the two are one and the same..." he muses.

"The purpose of the dragons is to keep the saplings safe," Veil answers.
"The saplings are offshoots from the Tree of Life, the center of all Creation. When the gods created this world they planted the Tree to tie the physical and spiritual realms together."

"When things started to go wrong, and I'm really shortening the story quite a bit, fruit from the Tree of Life was gathered by a chosen few and the seeds planted throughout the world. The Tree of Life was lost with Atlantis, but the seedlings were spared and because of them, we are all still connected to the other realms - if the trees were destroyed and their guardians with them, as they very nearly were, we would forever be severed from the spirit world. Spirits of mortal beings who died here would be unable to pass to the afterlife, and your land of Arcadia would also be forever lost to us."

"With the growing of the taint on Gaia, the trees started to sicken and die off one by one. When the first tree died, its guardian spirit saved its essence and then created a D'Thraene to carry it until the time came that we found a way back to Atlantis and the Tree of Life," she finishes.

Corrander listens to everything-- his face growing more and more amazed with every word. When Veil finishes, he springs up and kneels before her, taking her hand and pressing his forehead to it. "I thank you, Veil...I cannot possibly thank you enough for what you have done. If Arcadia had been separated from this world forever...my mother and I would surely have faded away by now without the hope of learning the fate of my sister." Corrander raises his head and lowers Veil's hand reverently. "Despite the fact that my sister did die, I do not give up hope that I will one day see her again. Her spirit is somewhere, and by keeping the worlds connected, she is not cut off from me forever. Now if only Mother will hold on...not give up waiting for me. Time passes differently here. A day there is many days here. Perhaps the wait will not seem as long to her."

Veil looks a bit surprised and color comes to her cheeks as Corrander kneels in front of her, giving his impassioned thanks. "You don't need to thank me...I just did as I was created to do," she responds. Cuinnsear's great head shifts and his eyes whorl slowly as he watches the people in his glade.

"You do not give yourself enough credit, my daughter," the voice of the dragon resonates within everyone's eardrums.

Veil colors again and looks at Nettle helplessly before grasping her wineglass and draining its contents.

Corrander smiles-- aware of Veil's discomfort-- and quickly rises and takes his place by the table again. "Yes...you did as you were created to do, but...you did it-- something the other 6 were not able to do." Corrander bows his head again to Veil with a respectful smile, and then turns back to his plate so he doesn't keep her in the spotlight more than she's comfortable.

Nettle looks down at Ian and smoothes his light, wispy hair with a little sigh. She will not keep stressing-out about the future! Ian will bring hope and new life to so many! She murmurs a prayer to the Goddess to give hope and patience to Ellowyndriel-- Corrander's mother-- to be able to wait out the next 13 or so years.

"Right, so Veil, how do you think Sarah fits into all of this eh? I mean she is quite special wouldn't you say? And I mean, what she can do obviously means something, right?" Alec asks taking a drag of the clove and handing it back to Corrander.

"My guess is that she is destined to lead," Veil responds. "Little Sarah shows all the signs of being Goddess-touched. She will certainly be a warrior in the battles to come."

"Lead..." Nettle murmurs, and then shakes her head. "Poor little twins! And this was why we weren't GOING to have kids-- the world we're bringing them into! Destined to see more fighting and death than normal children should! Oh Alec-- I hope they don't hate us someday!! At least if they do I can point to the Fae and say 'it's THEIR fault!' Oh-- Corrander...I didn't mean YOU! I meant the group Cabbie leads around...I...er..." Nettle fumbles.

Corrander raises his eyebrow and fixes an 'oh really?'-look on Nettle, and then takes a drink from his goblet. "Yes...sometimes I wonder why my parents made the same mistake..." he mutters into his glass.

Nettle throws her head back and makes a moaning-sound. "Goddess...what's wrong with me that I can never keep my fucking mouth shut??" she sighs.

Alec shrugs and rubs her back with one hand while holding his clove in the other. "Love, you worry to much. They won't be thinking any of the things you said. They will be thinking more of their task ahead and what good parents they had to help teach them what they have to do eh?" he says taking another drag.

"All children know death, Nettle," Veil responds firmly. "It is the way of things. Look around at our world, what do you see? Legions of poor living on the streets, the crime and violence escalating with each passing month. Corrupt politicians, greedy corporations, gang wars on the streets, drugs poisoning the rich and poor alike, parents unable to talk to their children, kids left alone all day while their parents work past the point of exhaustion to keep them clothed and fed. Forests being chopped down, our oceans being polluted and a thousand different species going extinct every day. Wars, crime, famine, plague, and you say your children will know more death? Death is all around all of us, your children will have the benefit of enlightenment, to know what we're really fighting against -- and you would have them live in this world blind? That is somehow better?"

Veil, aware of the effect her words would have on Nettle, quickly finishes her point. "If we do not fight to make this world a better place, if we do not raise our children and teach our families what to do to save this planet, then who will? Is it so terrible to be chosen by the Goddess to help her? You pity your children when we owe her everything, do you really wish that she had passed you over? Your children will be safer, knowing what you can teach them. You are not bringing children into the world to know death. You are bringing them into the world to protect life. The Goddess has blessed you, and your children. I didn't realize before that you consider it a curse. I think perhaps that you should speak to Her, before you have lost faith entirely."

Nettle's mouth falls open and her eyes get bigger and bigger as she is pelted by Veil's words of chastisement and truth. Her face burns hot that she should have said such things and now be reduced to a child in from of Corrander, and so-- knowing she's about to burst into tears as she always does after Veil puts her in her place-- she quickly gets to her feet so she can hide!
"I never considered it a curse!!" she cries before losing control entirely. Still holding Ian in her arms, she turns and runs weeping over to the edge of the glade where the shadows semi-hide her from everyones' eyes.
"Ian I didn't mean that at all!! Not at all!!" she cries to him, holding him up so she can rest her face against his. Ian decides that even though mommy, once again, interrupted his feeding, he's full anyway, so he doesn't cry. He DOES, however, reach up-- excited to have mommy's fascinating hair within reach-- and grips it tightly in his little fists. Nettle doesn't seem to notice, but continues crying.

As Veil gets after Nettle, Corrander's head pivots and he watches the two, transfixed. His hands holding the food he was about to bite into slowly lower to the table without him realizing it. He feels extreme guilt take hold of it-- taking Veil's words to heart, himself, as if she were talking to him instead of his great-niece. After Nettle jumps up and runs off, he lowers his head-- understanding a bit how she feels, but drawing within himself instead of reacting outwardly. He wasn't the parent who felt resentful for having to raise a child in this world, HE was the child who felt resentful for having to live in such times where so much-- TOO much, it seemed at times-- was asked of him.

Veil takes a deep breath and lets it out, turning her head to watch Nettle as she flees to the edge of the grove. Cuinnsear makes that strange half-purring noise deep in his throat, then Veil nods and stands, walking swiftly away in the other direction.

As Veil stalks out of the grove, she curses herself under her breath. Is it really so hard to keep her temper? Nettle didn't deserve such a tongue-lashing, she is just worried for her children. As Veil walks, the soft loam of the earth changes and shifts until she is walking along a smooth dirt path. The sunlight has disappeared and she walks in a purple twilight among a strange landscape, intent on finishing the errand Cuinnsear has given her.

After Veil leaves, the dragon turns his head to Nettle, and approaches her.
"Don't cry, little one," Nettle hears in her mind alone as the serpent hovers over her. "Of course you worry for your family."

The dragon moves its head so it is directly in front of Nettle, and he lets out a little puff of breath that smells faintly of windswept hills and rustling trees.

"My daughter is troubled," he continues with a note of sorrow in his voice.
"She fears she has lost her place now that she is mortal, and that the Goddess will call her home."

"She envies you that you know your purpose, now that hers is lost. It is good that you have come, she needs you now more than ever, or dispair will take her."

Nettle tries to look up at the dragon, but Ian has her hair tightly stuck between his fingers. She winces, and then gently tries to pry enough hair out that she can raise her head. Ian spies the large silver-inlayed moonstone amulet around her neck and makes an excited sound. He reaches up and clasps it tightly in his hands-- some of Nettle's hair still caught in his fingers.
"That's what a man back in Wales said about Corrander...I suppose it's hard being so long-lived...Veil was right about so much, though. If we who serve the Goddess DON'T have children to fight our fight when we're gone, it will only mean more enemies and less fighters to fight them. I was just venting-- I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining!! I love my babies so much! I didn't mean to offend anyone! Poor Veil-- after just having come back from struggling to complete her life's work she has to sit here and listen to me complain! It looks like MY life's work is to keep ancient beings from getting depressed! Well, I made them both Guardians of our children, so I'll just...have to put them to work!" she grins up at Cuinnsear.

The dragon shifts his position, and settles down upon the earth, his long tail curling behind him and wrapping protectively around the small sapling in the center of the grove.

"That is good," Cuinnsear replies, still speaking to Nettle alone. "You of all people in the mortal world are the one who can bring Veil back to herself."

Nettle bows her head meekly at the compliment. "Thank you, Cuinnsear," she murmurs softly.

The dragon raises his head, looking towards Alec and Corrander. "Do you know the question most asked of the Gods?" he queries the three. "It is, 'why me?'"

"None of you are given burdens greater than you can bear. The Goddess loves you all. If you look deep into your heart, you will sense her. You are not alone," he says, his deep voice resonating in your minds.

Nettle smiles and nods at Cuinnsear's words. "I think what Corrander and Veil should focus on doing now is just living like any ordinary person. Enjoy life! Travel...read...listen to good music...watch the babies grow up...and SHOP!" Nettle grins, and then her grin falters a little when she looks around and realizes she can't see Veil anywhere. "Where did Veil go?" she asks in puzzlement.

"I sent her to fetch something," Cuinnsear answers. "She will return soon."

Corrander bows his head to the dragon. "Wise words, indeed, but more often than not I do feel like I have had more than I can withstand. The hardest part for me is not having answers. If I only knew for certain those mysteries that plague me, I could shoulder the burden more easily...or at least know for how long I will have to carry it. Returning home to Mother in a matter of years is all well and good, but then we are both right back where we started-- not knowing the fates of Gwendolyn and my father."
Corrander looks down moodily at his plate, pulling apart a chunk of bread for no reason other than to get his frustrations out on it.

"If it is answers you seek, perhaps you should contact one who knows more of Spirit matters," Cuinnsear suggests.

Alec sits and nods at the dragons words, feeling groovy all to himself. He smiles after awhile and gives the dragon the peace frog.
"Yeah, wise words indeed. We are all just doing what we are supposed to be doing. Sitting here, good food good drink, good weed...yeah that's what it's all about baby."

Corrander raises his eyes up to look at Cuinnsear. "I was going to take matters into my own hands-- kill myself and find out first-hand where we go-- when Nettle over there stopped me." Corrander clenches his jaw, and then covers his eyes with his hand and slumps a little. "I am sure that would have been foolish...they are right. I did ask some experts of the Llandona, and they said all would be answered in time. In TIME?? That is all I have ever had too much of! Time!" He sits like that for a moment-- battling the ancient enemy of the Sidhe: disillusionment and depression-- and then finally sits up straight. "I do apologize, Cuinnsear. The older we Sidhe get, the more fleeting optimism seems to be."

Cuinnsear yawns, his jaws cracking loudly and his fanged maw dwarfing Nettle.
He settles back down onto the ground and gazes at Nettle through half-lidded eyes. "Sit back down," he suggests. "Veil will be back soon."

Nettle is up on her tippy-toes, trying to peek through the foliage to see what Veil's up to-- her curiosity getting the better of her, as usual. She was about to sneak into the trees when Cuinnsear addressed her!
"But...she doesn't need any help, then?" Nettle asks with disappointment in her voice. She makes a little scowling-face, and then sighs and forces herself to go sit with Alec and Corrander.
"Hey-- careful there, Simone! Those are Daddy's favorite sunglasses!" She reaches over to try to pry Simone's little hand off of Alec's shades with one hand, and then Ian tugs on the amulet again, pulling more of Nettle's hair. Nettle pats Ian on the back. "Let go, baby boy...let go..." she murmurs-- not having enough hands free to do it, herself-- and suddenly Ian gives a great burp and spits up all over Nettle's hair. Nettle freezes, looking down at this, and then raises her face to the sky with closed eyes and starts muttering to the Goddess for patience while taking deep breaths.

Alec snickers and leans over, careful not to disturb Simone, and takes the amulet from Ian. "There love," he says. He looks down at Simone, "At least your burping wasn't messy, love! Eh princess? Hey little girl," he says.
Leaning over he pulls a towel out of the diaper bag and hands it to Nettle. "Towel love?"

Nettle gives Alec a look and snatches the towel from him. "Ha-ha. Very funny." She says, and then, grudgingly, "thanks." She spreads out Ian's blanket on the grass and lays him on it, and then cleans him up before getting to work on her hair.

Cuinnsear sighs softly and watches the young family.

After a few more moments, Veil returns. She looks a bit sheepishly at Nettle and then approaches her.

"I'm sorry Nettle," She says quietly, sitting down next to her friend on the grass. "I didn't mean to yell at you."

Nettle flushes a little-- equally sheepish-- and gives Veil a smile while trying to clean baby-puke out of her hair. "I'm sorry, too, Veil. I didn't mean to sound complaining, or to insult anyone!"

Veil pulls something out of the pocket of her skirt and hands it to her friend.

It's a bracelet, made of a strange green metal that matches the color of Cuinnsear's scales. Ivy loops and knots around itself to form the band, and a small hidden clasp opens the bracelet so it can be worn.

Nettle's mouth falls open and she stops her towelling. She looks from Veil...to the bracelet...and back to Veil again. Taking the bracelet delicately, she runs her fingers over it. Ian sees it from his place on the blanket and stretches his hands out and coos, wanting to grab it.
"Veil...what is this? This is...beautiful!" Nettle murmurs. She scans the bracelet for Prime-- Magick coming more readily to her in this realm between worlds.

Corrander watches quietly and with interest from his place on the other side of Alec.

As Nettle opens up herself to the magick, the bracelet begins to glow a soft green, then starts to pulse in tune to Nettle's hearbeat.

As she sends out her senses, she feels a very subtle, beautiful weave of Prime infusing the bracelet. It's unlike anything she has ever sensed before, and the sense of the magick is so pure and beautiful that it brings more tears to her eyes.

"I found it in Atlantis," Veil murmers quietly, not wanting to break the spell. "I knew it was for you as soon as I found it."

"Ooh...oh wow..." Nettle barely breathes. She slowly slides the bracelet onto the wrist of her left hand-- trying not to disturb the flow of magick. It looks perfect there on her wrist-- as if it truly HAD been made for her. The green vines are a perfect compliment for the tattooed green vines and thorns there, already. Nettle glances up at Veil. "Do you know what it does? Is seems to be able to detect my life-force! This...this is supposed to be ivy, isn't it. Ivy...that's my avatar's name..." Nettle feels emotion welling up in her chest, and she blinks as more tears form in her eyes. "Thank you, Veil...thank you so much..."

Simone stops clapping her little hands on Alec's cheeks, and turns her head to stare at the bracelet, mesmerized. Ian continues stretching his hands up, wanting mommy to bring the bracelet down so he can hold it and put it in his mouth.

Veil smiles. "You're welcome Nettle. I don't know exactly what it's supposed to do, but I'm sure you'll discover in time."

Nettle looks at Veil with eyes filled with that all-too-familiar curiosity, and a little smile curls up the corner of her mouth. "I'll just have to get started on that as soon as possible!"
Suddenly Ian gets a look of concentration on his face, and in the next moment everyone in his vicinity is waving their hands in front of their noses.
"Jesus, Ian!" Nettle laughs in embarrassment. "All right, all right...I'll work on it later, baby boy!" Nettle is suddenly reminded of something ELSE she wanted to do. "Veil...do you happen to have your cell phone with you here? And would it work if I wanted to make a call back to the States from here? I, uh...I think I better give Mom a call...I'm getting that daughter-intuition-thing going."

Corrander stands and walk over to Nettle. "In the meantime, Nettle, please allow me to change Ian's diaper!" he says very chivelrously, and gives her a gallant bow.

Nettle raises her eyebrows in surprise. "Thank, Corrander! Wow! Sure! Go right ahead!" She gingerly picks up Ian and hands him over to Corrander.
Corrander takes him and a diaper-bag just far enough away from the group that the smell won't bother those still eating.

Alec looks over at Corrander and smirks, "You don't know what you're getting into there, old son." he says with a chuckle.

Corrader gives Alec a smirk back. "I have invaded the foulest of Red Cap hovels...explored the sulpherous caves of central England...stood behind a gaseous Troll-- I think I can handle...oh dear GOD!" Corrander exclaims as he opens Ian's diaper.

Alec chuckles, "There's a foul den right there," he says. "You asked for it, chap."

"I did, didn't I..." Corrander says in a weak voice.

"I'm afraid we're not quite where we need to be for the cell phone to work. Just follow me.." Veil says, standing again and waiting for Nettle to join her.

She leads her friend out into the woods and Nettle can feel nearly imperceptible shifts in the forest around her as Veil walks them through gossamer layers of the Umbra.

Finally she stops and turns around. "I could have just shifted us right out while we were standing in the grove, but this is less vulgar. I have a feeling I should quit the flashy magick tricks while you're around..I set a bad example." She grins up at Nettle.

Nettle's mouth pops open and she puts a hand to her chest melodramatically, pretending to look insulted. "Well I have NO idea what you're talking about, Veil!" she grins. She takes the cell phone from Veil. "Thanks, baby! I won't talk very long! Just enough to let them know we're alive!"
Nettle dials the number to her parents' new house in Colorado, and then holds the phone to her ear. She puts her hand over the receiver.
"My parents moved to Colorado a couple years ago-- them and their hippy-friends decided that was the mecca for all New Agers, so they sold our house in Idaho and moved their store over there." she explains to Veil while the phone rings. "I haven't been to their new h-- oh HI Dad!" Nettle cries when her dad picks up. Veil can only hear Nettle's responses to her dad's questions. "Ireland!...we just got here...well, before that we were in Wales, exploring the places Mom's ancestors are from...I'm so sorry, Dad...we were selfish and we don't have cell phones and we didn't have a way to call you and Mom-- it's pretty primitive there...I know...I'm sorry, Dad...what?? Well tell her to call the police back and tell them you found us, and we're OK!...Jesus, Dad!...OK, but before you put her on, make sure she's high first, OK, Dad...Dad...HI Mom!!...MOM! Stop shouting!...Mom--please stop crying...oh Mom...we're fine!...we've been in Wales, staying in the area your grandmother immigrated from! Isn't that great??...I'm sorry, Mom...there weren't any phones...I'm really sorry...yes, Dad told me...just call them back and say you found us and we're safe, OK?...Mom, look...we'll be home soon, and I want you and Dad to come to Salt Lake for a visit...we have somethings to show you!...no, it's a surprise!...no...OK, OK, Mom! Stop yelling!...OK, fine...well...you and Dad are grandparents!! I just had twins 3 months ago! Isn't that-- ow, Mom! My ear! I'm sorry!...I said I'm sorry!!...Mom, just-- oh hi, Dad!...yes, it's true what she said...I know...well I'll call you two when we're back in Salt Lake and we'll fly you both out, OK?...look, I'm using Veil's cell phone so I need to wrap it up...OK, Dad--" Nettle puts her hand over the receiver again. "Dad says 'hi, Veil'!" Nettle says to Veil, and then returns her attention to the phone. "I love you, too, Dad...talk to you soon, OK?...yeah, better get Mom stoned...sorry for upsetting her...bye, Dad!"
Nettle clicks off the phone and hands it back to Veil, looking exhausted.
"Thanks, baby...I feel better now that I know they're not worrying anymore..." she says, looking relieved.

"Nettle!!!" Veil exclaims, "What did you just do!!"

"Who owns the police?" She asks her student. "Haven't you told your parents anything?? Call them back right now and tell them not to call the cops! OR let any authorities know where you've been!!"

As Nettle frantically dials, Veil continues. "I could have sworn I'd already spoken to you of this...but your parents don't have to know what we are, but they should know that they should NEVER go to the police when you are concerned! Give them contacts in our coven or chantry to go to if there is trouble!"

Nettle-- face pale-- holds the phone to her ear, eyes wide with panic. Having felt so safe and sheltered for over a year now, she wasn't even phased when her father mentioned the police!! Now reality finally comes crashing back down on her, and her stomach clenches up with fear.
"Oh god, Veil-- I'm sorry! I've gotten sloppy lately-- forgotten how the world is back home! Jesus-- when my parents come to visit, I'll have to sit down with them and...and explain SOMEthing! I mean, Mom's mom was definitely Awakened-- looking back now it's all so obvious. She died 'mysteriously'...it all makes sense...I have to tell them something...I-- DAD!" Nettle's father finally picks up the phone. "What took you so long??...OK fine, good idea...she's better off after she's smoked a bowl, anyhow. OK, listen to me please, Dad. DO NOT call the police. I...I have some things I need to tell you and Mom when you come out to visit. You were right, Dad-- you and your friends. The police...government...they're not to be trusted, and I'm serious...I know she already called them, but that was many months ago, so by now they should think we died, or something...no, we're not in trouble with the law...ha-ha, Dad, no Alec's a lot sneakier than that with his contacts...OK, phew, thanks Dad!!...I knew you'd understand!...I'll tell you the babies' names when you come out!...OK, OK, we have a boy and a girl, and the boy is Ian Aleczander and the girl is Simone Rochelle!...yeah, Alec's mom is French...thanks, Dad, I'm glad you like them!...No, we just met up with Veil about an hour ago...she's been in Ireland-- that's where her ancestors are from...yeah, we're exploring our roots..." Nettle glances at Veil and rolls her eyes good-naturedly. "I don't think we'll be visiting England this time around because we've been gone so long already...oh stop whining, Dad! We'll go next time, and then you can show us around, OK?...OK, then...now I REALLY better go! Poor Veil's phonebill!...I love you, too, Dad...hug and kiss her for me...OK, bye!"
Nettle exhales and hands the phone back to Veil. "She called the police a year ago and hasn't heard anything from them. Dad said everytime she calls and asks for their progress they have nothing to tell her, so hopefully-- since we really did disappear beyond the police's ability to find us-- they've given us up for dead. Do you think they have??" Nettle bites her bottom lip and clasps her hands together tightly.

"Perhaps," Veil answers. "Just make sure they don't contact the police again for ANY reason. It's a good thing you used my phone to call them, had you used something unwarded you'd have the Technos on you right now!! It's guaranteed that they will have tapped your parents phone and are watching their house."

"It's probably not a good idea to fly them into Salt Lake, either, it will arouse their suspicions. Best choose a neutral location that has no ties to either you or your parents and meet there," Veil continues.

"Just tell them you got involved with a radical environmentalist group & are wanted for terrorism charges.. that would explain why the authorities are after you, and it's something your parents would approve of, right?" Veil suggests.

Nettle gives a loud laugh. "Yeah they would! Well...we would need to meet them at a place they could drive to in less than a day so they wouldn't need to fly, and they live just outside of Boulder..." Nettle paces back and forth, thinking hard. "...maybe Aspen..." she thinks out loud, and then finally stops pacing. "I'm so sorry, Veil...I'll fix this. The first thing I'm gonna to do when I get back is to buy a cell phone and get some help warding it!! Who knows-- this COULD be a blessing in disguise if the police think we're really out of the picture. I HOPE so, anyhow..." Nettle sighs. She looks at Veil with sad eyes. "It seems I really do need looking-after, even still. After this past year of being on the run, I thought I'd grown up a lot...was smarter and more careful..." She lets her voice trail off before she makes herself tear-up again.

Veil chuckles. "Don't worry Nettle. Between myself and Alec, we'll keep you safe."

Nettle cracks an evil grin. "Between you and Alec, eh...that sounds kind of nice...not a bad place to find one's self..." She wiggles her eyebrows and elbows Veil teasingly.

"So.. when do you want to head back to Salt Lake? We really need to get some recruitment done soon. Jacob, Oswald and Tania are the only ones left guarding the Chantry and Horizon Realm," Veil says.

Nettle clears her throat and stops being silly. "Well, I think we're all ready to go anytime. I know Alec and I have been nervous having only Jaf to run the store-- we've been getting mental-pictures of the Beatles and ABBA-displays being replaced by that freaky folk music from India!"
Nettle's face is one of pure horror. Then she blinks and resumes speaking. "We're excited for the twins and Corrander to meet Sarah, too. Are you going to come with us, then?"

"It looks like I'd better.. for some reason I don't feel safe sending you back without me." Veil grins good-naturedly at her friend. "I guess since you're a mother now I expected you not to need me anymore... but I think you still have a lot more to learn before I'm done with you."

Nettle pooches out her bottom lip and blinks her eyes quickly, pretending to have her feelings hurt. "Oh Veil, I really have been extremely careful-- I have! I just...kinda forgot I was a Mage when I got on the phone with my parents. I was in some kind of fantasy-world where I thought I was a normal mom with normal parents and kids who I wanted to introduce to each other..." Nettle takes a deep breath. "I want to tell them the truth-- my parents. I want them to be in on it-- like how there are those in the coven back home who aren't Awakened, but still participate! How did you guys tell them? I know it helped that they were already believers in Magick, but my parents are believers in a sense, too. They know I'm a Witch-- my whole Dad's side knows and don't have a problem with that, thank the Goddess! I bet if I told Mom, it would help explain the weird stuff Grandma knew how to do that Mom was always telling me about!" Nettle looks at Veil with wide, eager eyes.

Veil arches an eyebrow and looks at Nettle sternly. "What is the number one rule about Sleepers? I *know* it hasn't been that long since your last lesson!"

Nettle puts an innocent look on her face. "The number one rule is...there IS no Fight Club!" she answers enthusiastically, and then when she sees the look on Veil's face, she quickly puts up her hands. "No, no...OK, OK, I'll be serious." She clears her throat. "The number one rule is not to tell a Sleeper unless they can be trusted, right?" Nettle asks a little uncertainly.

Veil frowns. "No, Nettle. It's not trust. The beliefs of each person on this planet shape our reality. What someone thinks creates what is. We are trying to awaken the public, but they just can't be told straight out, they can't handle the Truth. You could shatter someone's mind or cause a paradox backlash.. and that's even if they believe you. If they are not ready to hear the truth, telling them could be harmful, both to you and them. That is what this whole war is for!! Awakening the Sleepers, Ascension for us and the masses... Nettle what HAVE you been doing that your memory has been so corrupted??" Veil starts to look even more concerned.

Nettle frowns and looks down, twisting her fingers nervously. "I've been a bad student, Veil. I wouldn't blame you if you finally gave up on me. I...I was more concerned with getting guys in the coven...looking good...all that stuff, while you were teaching me...I...I think I may have filtered out the, uh...you know...hard-to-digest stuff and uh, just focused on the stuff that would get me laid and make me look good...I don't think I ever took it seriously enough..." Nettle slumps more and more as she speaks. "...until now. But it's probably too late to start all over at this point." She gives a nervous laugh, her eyelashes hiding her eyes.

Veil's eyes widen, her visage darkening with displeasure.

"Oh no no no no no, you're not getting off that easy!!" Veil mutters. "We are going to start over...from day one! As soon as we get back to the Chantry!! This is unbelievable!!"

Nettle-- who stands at least 4 inches taller than her mentor-- hunches fearfully at Veil's side, accepting and internalizing the chastisement. Then a tiny smile flashes across her face-- just for a moment. She just realized that by being a bad student all those years, she may have saved Veil's life by giving her a purpose once again! Cuinnsear would have to laugh at the irony of it!
Nettle murmurs, "I'm sorry Veil...don't hate me Veil...I'm ready to be serious Veil..." at her side as they start back to join the others.

"I'm going to have to forbid you to cast any magicks until I say it's alright," Veil continues as they walk. "We really are going to start over! If you have forgotten so much..." she shakes her head. "It's amazing that you're still alive."

"Oh Veil-- I haven't forgotten! I remember EVERYTHING you ever taught me about casting and paradox..." Nettle shudders. "...I am a very careful caster now...TRUST me. If I wasn't an attentive student about the laws and the war and all that history-stuff, I was definitely an attentive student when it came to casting! Oh PLEASE don't tell me I can't use magick, Veil!!" Nettle begs, gripping Veil's arm worriedly.

"See, this is *exactly* the problem!!" Veil says, her voice getting more and more stern as she walks. "You only remember the 'fun' stuff, but everything I have taught you is equally important!! You can't go around casting magick while you're so ignorant of the world around you and how you are affecting things!!"

"And I don't know that I can trust you, after hearing this!! How did you fool me and the rest of the coven into thinking you'd learned what we were teaching you??" Veil fumes.

The air around the mage seems to crackle and charge with electricity as her anger mounts. Veil visibly takes a hold of herself, taking a few deep breaths to try to calm her mind. "See? Even getting angry can affect things," she demonstrates. "This close to the shallowing and things are more sensitive. I don't have to ask if you know what I'm talking about, that's another lesson you skipped somehow I bet!!"

Veil stalks towards the glade, Nettle in tow. When they finally arrive where Alec, Corrander and Cuinnsear wait, Veil marches right up to Alec.

"Go ahead and ask her what the Ascension war is about! She doesn't know!!!" Veil exclaims, pointing over at Nettle. She is still so incredulous and shocked that all color has drained from her face and she is looking slightly grey.
"What has been going on between you this past year? And Nettle! Tell him what you told me about Sleepers!! I think I'm going to be sick..." Veil shudders. "I wouldn't be surprised if you have Paradox spirits trailing you wherever you go...I meant what I said, you're not allowed to cast ANY magick at ALL until I say it's alright! You're going to get us all killed, or worse!!" Nettle's face is bright red, and her eyes dart from between Alec to Corrander and back to Veil as Veil vents her anger. When Veil pauses she finally speaks.
"It's not THAT bad Veil!! There IS a lot I found interesting and do know! I love learning about our religion and history! I love learning everything the coven teaches-- I do! I wasn't fooling anyone into thinking anything where that's concerned! I DID listen, Veil! I just can't keep the political-stuff straight!" She grabs the hem of Veil's sleeve and looks at her with pleading eyes. "Give me a test. Ask me every question you think is important, and I'll give my answers! Then that way we'll both find out what I really do and don't know!" she begs. "Then you'll know what to teach me! When I was younger, we all thought we were going to die, anyway...a lot of my friends HAVE died from those first days of learning. Now I can't let anything happen to myself-- I'm a serious student now! I AM, Veil!"

Corrander folds his arms and lowers his eyebrows. 'The mother of the prophesy-child, and she has enough un-trained power to blow a hole in the earth!!' he thinks to himself in frustration. He's about to join in with Veil's rant...when he remembers how he, too, found his studies of Glamour somewhat...tedious when all he wanted was to be sparring with his friends outside in the beautiful weather. Then his anger rises again.
"Aye-- teach her...PLEASE! Nettle-- if I had only paid attention in my studies of the control of Glamour, I may have been able to save my father...my sister...who KNOWS! How could you NOT take it seriously?!? Ian's life might be at stake!!"

Nettle bends her face foreward and holds her head, her thoughts spinning in extremes from determination to suicide. One side of her tells her it's too late and she's only going to hurt those she loves, but the other side is filled with determination to learn, learn, learn and make everyone proud.

"Nettle.. this is too unsettling. I'm going to have to have time to think for awhile. Then I will test you and we'll see how much you do and don't know. But don't for a second think that anything is just politics.. you do not fully understand the power of belief in our world!!!" Veil exclaims.

Alec considers a moment, "You know there mght be a way to do this quick an easy eh?" He says. You know Veil, Nettle is a good listener and if she listened to you, all those lessons are inside her head. I could peek in there and pull them out so you wouldn't have to re-teach her. Think that could work?"

Veil shakes her head sadly. "A magickal quick-fix isn't what Nettle needs, Alec," she responds. "That will just compound the problem, and it's not our way. If she has forgotten everything we've taught her then there is a reason for it, and it will keep coming back unless we determine the cause. I think that Nettle will agree with me...." Veil pauses for her answer.

Nettle raises her head up from her hands, a pissed-off look on her face. "All right, this has gotten way out of control! I have NOT forgotten everything! Veil-- you've taken one wrong answer I gave and turned it into proof that I don't know anything! If that's true, then how did I disappear so neatly and completely that even YOU couldn't find me?? I was exaggerating about not paying attention, Veil! No Mage could get as far as I have if they didn't know anything! I just meant that back then I was a kid-- I was interested in sex and fashion above everything-- and sometimes those lessons were dry! You had to have known that!" Nettle lowers her eyebrows and points at Veil. "Come on, Veil! I couldn't help but be entraced by the surroundings we were learning in-- from the coven's lands to your own house-- or get preoccupied with flirting with the cute guys sitting close to me! I was so sheltered before I joined the coven! I grew up in fucking IDAHO, for crying out loud! Everything was wonderful and amazing to me once I Awakened!"
Nettle clenches her hands into fists and starts to pace.
"I still think my answer about Sleepers was right! How can we know if telling a Sleeper is going to destroy them?? How?? I say we let the Goddess direct us who to tell, and use our instinct to know if they can be trusted, because there's no way anyone could predict how a Sleeper will react when they're told the truth! No way!"
Nettle closes her eyes for a moment and breathes.
"OK, so maybe I hate learning about the Technocracy because my first group of Mage-friends in Salt Lake were all murdered by them while I layed there on the ground and could do nothing! After that, everytime someone started talking about the Technocracy in class, I couldn't breath and my stomach clenched up because I felt so fucking guilty! It was like rubbing salt in my wounds! I...I just can't..." Nettle holds her stomach and bends over, her head falling forward a little with her hair hiding her face. "...I can't handle reliving that...I had to let something distract me..." She shakes her head as she speaks.

Corrander watches Nettle with an odd-- almost fascinated-- look in his eye, but decides to stay out of the conversation for the time being.

Alec watches Nettle with a raised eyebrow and then looks from Veil to Nettle. He looks to Corrander and then back to the women. Simone smiles and kicks her feet feeling that mommy is excited and that daddy is holding her.

Veil stares at Nettle during her outburst with a blank expression on her face. "You told me that Alec hid you in Balador. You weren't hiding yourself, you had an ancient chantry full of mages to do it for you. If you want to know why Sleepers just can't be told, what our war is all about, why we even exist, ask someone else. You obviously don't want to hear it from me."

Veil takes a step backwards into the forest and vanishes along with all traces of the grove, leaving Nettle, Alec, Corrander and the twins standing in the midst of a silent forest, the link with the umbral realm severed.

Nettle stands there-- hands still clenched into fists-- and her mouth falls open when Veil disappears. "I didn't say I hid us, I just meant I knew where to go...what to do!!" she shouts to no one. Her brows lower and she looks around. "Shit! She kicked us out!!" She turns to Alec. "What are we going to do now?? I'll have to try to open a portal, but--"

Corrander gives a little groan and clenches Ian to him, eyes closed tightly. "Nettle...into the Dreaming..." Banality starts to weaken Corrander-- although much more slightly in this location than it would elsewhere.

Nettle steps quickly up to Corrander and takes Ian from him. "Jesus...sorry Corrander! Just let me think a minute...I can open up portals, but only big enough for me and anything or anyone I'm holding at the time, but we have these suitcases and baby-things and all of us! Or...we could attempt a mind-link with one of the mages back in Wales and they could pull us back..." Nettle's eyes are wide with worry as she watches Corrander and her mind races.

Alec shakes his head, "No good love. We got to Balador from the Umbra, and Balador can takes us back to Salt Lake. You saw how much she wanted to help. We go to Balador, ask them to open us a way home and they will." He says. "All we have to do is get to Balador, and I can find that."

Nettle nods quickly, eyes grateful. "You're right, Alec! I thought of that, too, but I didn't know if we could get to the pick-up station from here...wherever it is...but I'm sure she could pick us up somewhere close, right? Oh I hate having to rely on others to get us out of messes!" Nettle turns back to Corrander, rubbing his back. "It's OK, Corrander-- Alec will get us to Balador where we'll all be safe and comfortable. There are MANY Fae that stay there!" she grins, thinking of some of the Satyr-activities she'd accidentally happened across in the various rooms and hallways of Balador.

Corrander nods his head quickly, unaccustomed to the bombardment of Banality, but keeps his eyes closed-- trying to meditate and keep his mind off of the 'sickness' that's pressing in on him from all sides.

"OK then, let's do it." Nettle murmurs. She puts Ian in his baby-carrier, and then taken Simone from Alec and places her in hers. She sits cross-legged on the ground beside them and motions for Alec to sit across from her. "I'll be watching through the mind-link, like last time."

Alec sits down and closes his eyes. He digs into his pocket and pulls out a joint. He lights it and takes a deep drag, and holds it there for a length of time.
He sighs, letting it all out, and looks at each of them. "Well well," he says. "Looks like they are on their way..." he says. "Mrs. Spiffle from the second floor is bringing a gate to us," he says.

Nettle grabs his hands, squeezing them, and exhales in relief. "Oh good!! Where? Right here?" She glances around the forest.

"Near here," he says. "There's a tree around here," he says looking around. "They are opening a door way into the tree," he says. "It has a huge break in the tree, something we'd be able to walk through...there," he says pointing at a tree 50 yards away. "There's the doorway."

Corrander exhales and nods, finally opening his eyes. "Aye-- let us get into the Umbra...please!"

Nettle nods and jumps up, grabbing Ian's baby-carrier handle in one hand, and a suitcase in the other. She looks around for a moment-- about to say something-- but then she closes her mouth and hurries towards the tree.

Corrander bends down and picks up both diaperbags with a little more effort than it would normally take, and slings them over his shoulder. He follows after Nettle, clenching his teeth with the strain to push through the Banality. One as old as he is an especial treat for that most-ancient of enemies, and he has to fight it with every step.

"There-- everyone in. They are expecting us," he says as he stops by the tree entrance to let Corrander and Nettle go first. "Go on then, nothing to worry about." he says smiling.

Nettle raises her eyebrow at Alec just before she steps into the tree. "Real creepy there, Alec! Do us a favor next time and DON'T try to reassure us!" she smirks, and then steps through the portal.

Corrander doesn't seem to be paying attention to anything they're saying-- he just keeps his eyes on Nettle's back and continues following her until he, too, disappears into the portal.

Alec laughs good-naturedly and steps through with them.

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