Chapter 38

After the dissying flight to the alley, Toshiro calms himself and listens to the night sounds as Leaf ruminates over the situation the group now finds itself in. "I am not certain either. However, the one thing that is certain- whatever timetable we were going to have is no longer valid." Toshiro considers for a moment the thoughts that have entered his mind.

The Ehosian leadership had broken 'faith' with their god and dragged the people with them, that much he knew. But was going in like an assassin in the night the way to sufficiently speed things up and set the stage for the resistance? Ancestors, I really wish I had an answer.... and I wish Ryo was here; this is his area of expertise... "An option is to conduct the cancer removal quickly before all are alerted. I doubt the Guard would alert the nobles about an escape of heretics, do you? I know not if this is a good idea; it has both merit and danger..."

Falling Leaf's face is still shrouded by dark veils, but the ironic smile comes through with her voice. "Remove which cancer, Toshiro? My list numbers five at the moment; two are thought to be in Shariz. And then there are my brethren, each with their own assignments. And who will replace the dead men? Either through our efforts - or the resistance's," she adds grudgingly, "there are some good men and women who would be promoted. But we time our work carefully, and suitable candidtates have not been manuevered into the correct positions in all cases."

Toshiro nods. "Then which can be removed to start facilitating change now? Who has a 'suitable' replacement that can get his 'field promotion' from our actions? We have not the time, I think, to get them all or wait for a truly better time to do this..."

"Excuse me? Despoiling? Assassinations? Could someone explain what you people are doing, please?" Morgan, getting a touch exasperated, had a hunch Kvelti omitted a few details in her too-brief briefing.

She smiles - invisibly - as a thought occurs to her, and she nudges Gryppen. "Wasn't me, for once."

'Leaf shifts her attention to the noise source. "I am Falling Leaf, and I am a dae faroth: one of the shadow hunters. Me and my kind are trying to stop the Ehosian assaults on the elves to the north by removing the worst of the theocracy in such a manner that they may be replaced with more worthy men and women.

"These adventurers," she gestures to the assembled crowd, minus Aaron, "very recently discovered another direction of the Ehosian attack. They are stealing the life energies from the ancient trees that dwell in the center of our forest to power the ley gates. Within a week, they saw three trees withered before they could stop the mage who was responsible. But we fear that they will send another mage, or find a way to work their evil from here.

"Our reformed brother of Eho, there," she nods to Cael, "has also pointed out that the destruction of they ley gates will bring much hardship to the Ehosian people, who are possibly not deserving of it. But we have not yet learned any more about the gates, save that they are draining the forests. The books he carries tell how the great desert to the north was once a jungle until it, too, was eaten up by these gates. Our cousins, the wild elves of that jungle, died or were displaced."

She falls silent for a moment before continuing. "Ehosia will not change as we would like until a better Patriarch is installed, and unless the Resistance knows something we do not, I do not think a likely candidate is available. The upper heirarchy makes sure its members are all quite orthodox. Cael," she turns aside to him, "I think the time is coming where your friends and mine must make common cause, if the Ehosians will work with 'flame-snuffers' and the dae faroth will work with 'pyromaniac priests.'

"So, Toshiro," and she addresses the older Jade man, "speaking as one whose life's work has become assassinating Ehosians, I do not think a series of assassinations now will serve the more time-critical of problems, the withering of the trees. Not until we know who to kill, anyway. We should learn who controls the ley gates, how they feed them, and how we can stop that. That was your mission, yes?

"Besides..." She pauses. She hated making mistakes, but ignoring them only made them worse. "My actions earlier today were in error. All the higher clerics have assuredly been alerted that an elven assassin was seen in Shariz and escaped the Sun and Flame-tailed guards. Even though the 'Jade ambassador' was my apparent target, only a fool would not increase his security in such a situation. And since the good Brother is no ordinary heretic, but rather an apostate priest, I expect someone will be told about his escape. We will be looked for. Some of us, at least.

"Noisy one, I expect that your escape will concern them less than your cellmate. Morgan and..." she waves a hand in Gryppen's direction, "you should be as safe as two Northerners can be. Gwenh, no one has seen you who is now living.

"I can either break with you, and cause havoc in Shariz to hide your actions, or take up a new guise myself."

A new guise...

But you would, wouldn't you?

A solution, or a greater problem?

Aaron stumbles along, still dazzled by the kaledoscope of bright light after images dancing in his vison. Much like the many hued speckles of light from the Duchess Annesia's pearl studded gown. A bulky and weighty afair of material. But then again, so was the Duchess. The pain in his spine took weeks to subside.

His dialouge falling silent at the wize cautionary words of the swaddled bundle that speaks with the distinctive lyrical tone of his Huldrefolk ancestral lineage. The startleing green of his eyes, even now slight glimmering in the night, and the slight hint of not quite human grace in his movements hinting at a distant but strong still conection to the more fair and hidden races. The slight hint of a silver ring of colour in his eyes, speaking much more.

His current path of Runecaster chosesn due to the gift of Trueseeing that for most of his life has been more curse than blessing. That which is hidden from most, all too clear to his sometime tormented gaze.

Knowing when to be silent and listen being one of the more valuable lessions that his mentor, the grizzled Runemaster Hrold, hammered into his hot headed stubborn nature. Turning the once suicidal berserker into a more controled and therefore more dangerous fighter.

Resting arms on the crosshilt of his short blades sword, and huddling on his knees, he takes in the sketched in overview of events as recited by this menagerie he has fallen into. Adding at the comment about guard attentions directed at him, "It's of no great matter madam. I would be much surprised were I able to pass through a city where the Watch did NOT pay any interest in me." he says in a quiet tone pitched to carry only to the immediate circle.

The twinkle in his eyes hints at unrepentance, "They really should hire lackeys that don't mind losing at cards though" The soft creak of leather as he moves, shifting his land legs ,whispering soflty in the night breeze.

Gryppen listens to Falling Leaf's words, quietly offering his own name when she gestures in his direction and touching his hat. Sitting against one of the walls, sword in between his legs, he says nothing further, but glances to Morgan to judge her reaction - the invisibility was fading, after all.

Morgan chews the inside of her mouth thoughtfully. Visible to the others now, she's a fair-skinned, dark-haired half-elf, with just a few wrinkles and gray hairs to show her age. She shifts the opening on her cloak to her right shoulder unconsciously, hiding the masterfully wrought dwarven prosthesis that serves as her left arm and hand. Pondering, she looks at Gryppen a half-second after he looks at her.

So the shadow hunters were real? She hadn't believed it until now. What right-thinking elf could possibly...?! Nng. Creepy, even if only half of what was whispered was true. But apart from that, this tree-withering phenomenom sounded very bad, indeed. Someone should certainly do something about it. Now, should it be her? She was already on a job, after all.

Except 1) This seemed far more important and 2) if this assassin had the entire city on alert, she could kiss her chances of nabbing the liqueur goodbye.

Then what about Gryppen? Poor man, signed on to escort a lady south, then got swindled into assisting a heist, then a jailbreak, has maybe a decade to live and a quest of his own to get working on. "What do you think?" she ask him, determined this time avoid any more embarrassing assumptions.

Gryppen shrugged, smiling, and saying nothing. He'd wait for her wishes before deciding himself.

Cael was silent through most of the whispered conversation, wrapped up in his own thoughts. The books were safe, but only for now. And Falliq would soon be after them, and him, Cael had no doubts about that. Falling Leaf's question finally breaks Cael's train of thought. "Hmm? What? The Dae Faroth and the rebels, working together?" A small smile quirks his lips. "Leaf, our mutual friend within you is the only reason we did not try to kill each other when we met again at the Wombat. I think getting those to groups to trust each other enough to work together would require a miracle."

Even as he said these words, Cael could almost hear a whipser in his mind. Two of you have worked together. And what two can do, others can, as well. His subconcious thoughts, or something (or Someone) else?

Absorbing carefully everything that is said Aaron tumbles ideas through his head. The situation here seems to be unveiling a story with more twists than the double jointed cortesan Maria. His green eyes glimmering in the darkness, with a look of one that can see a great deal more than he lets on. In the tales from the Skalds of his people, such disparate companions gather in such contentious company only when the Norns have descided to meddle in the mortal lives of those tools that best serve them.

With eyes that judge with the keen gift of Second Sight, that which lay hidden beyond ken from the normal perview, no barrier to his vison.

Learning a long time ago that it is usually best that he keep his own counsel on what he see's. Not many take it well when you tell them that it was on of the faerie that pinched the maids bottom and not you. The memory of several ringing slaps serves to bolster that caution.

Disguarding several obvious questions he simply plows to the heart of the matter. In his usuall to the point interogative he comments, "Looks like we have all the makings of a conspiracy here. Against what are you plotting?" the use of the word 'you' in plural saying plainly that more informantion should be forthcoming, just to show that he picked the right side..

Falling Leaf stares flatly at Aaron. Why did he want them to inefficiently waste time by each repeating what she'd just said? "Did I not just explain that? Or should I use smaller words?"

"I wasn't conspiring at all," Morgan protests innocently. "Hardly broke a sweat, in fact. But," she looks to Gryppen, "it does sound like these folks have a good cause here. I'll trust Kvelti's judgement on that. And I think we could really help them if," and she looks back at the others, "it's information you're looking to get first. But you can do your own assassinations."

'Leaf's head swivelled. "Yes. I can."

"Then, if that is your choice," Gryppen said to Morgan, "I fear this is where I must get off the pony." He gathered his things around him and rose. "Good luck to each of you," he said, looking around. "Lady Morgan, a pleasure."

Listening silently to everything that has been said so far. Gwenh sighs as she looks to the walls of the alleyway, her displeasure mountng when their newest ally decides to leave. Looking at the big man, what was his name again? Moron, no, Aaron, Apron? Oh it doesn't matter.

"Ummm, Apron is it?" She studied the man's movements. "We are trying to keep bad priest from destroying a forest and exploting a religion. I am trying to decide if you would be a tasty snack later." She smiled at him, wondering if that last sentance would throw him off a little, maybe he might think her a cannibal. "And as long as you don't see me as a tasty treat, we'll get along just fine." She bowed to the man. "I am Gwenhwyfar Silvanius, or Gwenh, if that makes it easier to say. How are you this lovely night in this dirty alley, Apron?"

Gryppen blinked at the woman, looked behind himself to see if she was referring to someone else, and gave her a tilt-headed look that suggested he felt she might be insane.

"If you are addressing me, madam," he replied, "my name is Gryppen. I... am doing immensely well, thankee; however, where you get the idea that I might find you 'tasty' is beyond me, as is the equally confusing concept that you might find me also to your palate's liking." He smiled in his elderly way.

Gwenh looked at Gryppen. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was talking to that big lunk over their, I forgot his name. And trust me, I wouldn't call you Apron, of find you palatable sir."

Gryppen tipped his hat in a silent apology and let Aaron go at it with Gwenh.

Aaron gives Gwenh a long slow look up and down making the meaning clear on his next comment. "Mutual and shared nibbling should never be something to be offended by." Deep green eyes glinting with amusement. His next words sure to send her into fits, "Im sure if your as pleasing to the taste as you are to the eyes it would be a dineing experience fit for a royal banquet."

He looks thoughtful for a moment, "Exploiting a religion aye? Not ever a good idea, you never want to compete with that. Most such dont like the competion with their established doctrine." he shrugs and says, "Its much simpler with my people. Go find the offending charlatan and hew his head off." Illustrating the gesture with a sweep of his hand. The abrupt cutting motion a signal of finality.

Catching up her slender elven hand in his, he dips his head in a half attempt at a courtly gesture once learned at the Baron of Cornwall's bachanalia. "Aaron Runeblade, I am called in most places. Less polite names here locally. His eyes lock with hers as he says half joking and half serious..."Just dont snore and set my breeches on fire during the night and we will get along famously." The half veiled comment saying to her that he knows exactly what she is and is not at all fuzzled in the least. Smile quirked in a rough sort of sailors charm..

Gwenh studied the man. "I prefere Apron, perhaps I could wear you as one?" Smiling despite herself she kicked a rat away from her foot. "I would agree about the nibbling, but right now you seem a bit dirty to me, and I really don't want to catch anything."

"If your people kill offenders, then they have alot in common with mine. Except we send their nestmates after them, it's seen as sweeter justice to have the same ones they shared their birthing with to rip them to shreds." She shrugged abit at this, half-fuzzy memorys of her mother being mauled by her own siblings flashing in her mind.

"And Apron, I don't snore. And their's only one way I can think of that I'ld set your breeches on fire and it may or may not involve my mouth." Her silver eyes sparkling with their own amusement she cracked a smile at this. "Unless you don't like to have that burn?"

'Leaf turns her head to regard Gwenh strangely when she starts talking about eating poeple, as does Morgan. Both shift slightly as she blithely comments on nestmates tearing each other to shreds.

"Ah... exactly where were you from again?" Morgan asks. She hadn't even heard such things said about the elves of the Kangrel Woods, and they were rumored to be flirting with dark gods and magics.

Gwenh looked at Morgan and almost had to laugh. I guess we haven't had time to tell her what I am... Sighing alittle bit, she smiled. "I'm not an elf, if that's what's bothering you. I'm a dragon. I just don't care to broadcast this. I know my people have harsh laws, but...I have no explaination for them."

[Aaron again -Ed.]Shaking with mirth at the clever sally and listenting quietly as the others interject curious querrys about facts of which he is all ready aware. He adds in yet another two silvers worth, "I haven't had such a unique offer since one of Situr's many flame demonesses promised me a hot night that would forver burn in my memory. Which," he says reflectively, "was exaclty what it was. Sadly the surounding wood structures didn't survive the fire. We fell through the floor due to her unfortunate timing. Her combustive nature going off about the same time she did." The story getting more improbable and absurd as Aaron orates on in a converstational whisper, "It was our..." he pauses, "Actually more HER misfortune that our place of tryst was directly over the collection od distilled spirits." His eyes laughing as he says. "The explosion could be seen for miles.

Going on further to relay the story of how the reconstructed inn, the cost of which came out of his latest aquisition of dubiously aquired treasure, underwent a rather disticnctive name change. From the Silver Sea Chanty, to the name Runeblades's Burned Britches, in mocking honour to the man who made history by giving the town one of its hottest nights in living memory.

Adding at the last an apology about his prison grafted ofal, commenting that in other prisons, much finer establishments than this one, "they at least dump a bucket of water on a guest." In his time becoming quite the coneseur of the various corectional faculties in many of the cities he has been tossed out of....um having to shorten an otherwise entertaining visit. Not HIS fault that others insist at cheating at dice. Catching the dice of one offender and cracking them open to show how the weight had been distributed so that the numbers were sure to fall in winning combinations more often than fair chance would allow.

It also goes to show in that instance, that it is wise to leave a tip for the 'working girls' in that particular establishment. The dice scam one of the many ways that the place picked up the extra revenue to placate the local Reeve.

"The next more obvious question is, should we be loitering out in the streets like this?" Turning for a moment to more practical matters before sliping back into an amused tone as he eyes the revealed 'dragon lady', "Care for a weenie roast?"

"Aaron, it should be safe to linger here for now. Of course, the longer we wait, the better chance they will reinforce the guard at the Gateways, making it all but impossible to slip away through them," Cael put in. "But now, we need to decide quickly. This alleyway will not be protection for too much longer. There are two ways out of this city; both are dangerous in their own way. If we try the Gateway, and they have reinfoced the guards, it will be hard to fight through them all. Especially since they have priests on duty as well, who may be able to seal the Gateway before we get through.

"The other way is through the desert. It is not a pleasant trip, I assure you. Banishment among the dunes is a favorite punishment of the priests. But travelling that way would preclude anyone from chasing us; Ehosians fear the desert, and rightly so."

Both Morgan and 'Leaf are digesting the news about Gwenh. Morgan looks between the dragoness and the priest as Cael finishes speaking.

"Third option," she adds. "Gwenh, are you a very large dragon?"

'Leaf frowns at the ground, trying to make up her mind. Logically, surprise had been lost. They should evacuate and try again later. But the Gates were eating the forest. A small sigh escapes her lips; elves hate making decisions on a deadline.

Gwenh listens to Aaron's rather absurd tale. "It must of been a scorching experience for you, and the rest of the town I'm sure. But is this really the place to talk about this? Let's finish this later, and maybe have a weenie roast." Winking she looked to Morgan, alittle stunned by the question, was she a big dragon? Apparently she had been in elven form soo long she had forgotten that she was indeed able to fly. "I've never messured myself, but I'm sure if everyone held on really tight they could fit. Is that the third option, or am I way off base?"

Morgan nods. "It would be fast, but it sure would attract a lot of attention. But considering the noise that's already gone down, can it really hurt that much more?"

"This should be interesting" Aaron remarks, about to lauch into yet another tale about being on the back of a dragon. But reconsiders due to the likely possiblity that no one would belive it. It being quite an improbable experince even for one of his most unusuall life. It is his hope that the results of that peculuar experince don't come looking for their father though. What kind of paternity trial that would be is beyond even his immagination.

Saying to Cael, "I think even the open street is still a fair amount of conspicuous. We don't exactly look like your average street urchins." Looking down at his prison begrimes leathers, he adds, "I think I could pass though. It looks like I have been hosed down with the bilge pump." Scratching his chin, causing lice to flee in panic, his eyes searching around the area and listening for the sound of approaching town watch...

Cael looks at Gwehn. "If you're willing to do this, then please, let's begin. I have no wish to be back in that prison. Or more probably, slain while 'atempting to escape.'"

Still focused on Aaron, Gwenh barely heard the last few remarks. "Oh, so we're going to fly out then? I was sort of hoping for something more elaborate." When was the last time she had been in draonform? Gods alive, had she stayed in this elven shell so long that the idea of taking her true form troubled her that much? Hopefully none of her clan decided to guard these skies.

Looking around at the alley that was way too small to change in, the elf took off her dsguise bindings and threw them down, then stepped out into the street, taking a deep breath, knowing how obious she looked, she thought back to the days when she first learned how to shapechnge and smiled, it was natural, a part of her make-up, genetics included, pity the wizards that need to use components to do what she can do naturally. Feeling her own inner energies flow, Gwenh began the process of transformation, relishing in the sensations it sent through her.

---

Ali had a problem. He was rather overly fond of the fruit of the vine, properly fermented. His imam had counseled him against it; his wife was threatening to leave him if he came home drunk again. But that hadn't prevented him from getting thoroughly soused tonight.

So when the veiled woman started stripping in the middle of the road, he only found it interesting.

When he noticed the pointed ears, he was befuddled. Elves had pointed ears, not veiled Ehosian women. She must be sick, her skin was so pale... And something dim in the back of his head registered that this broke all sorts of decency laws.

When her form broke and wavered, so did Ali, running as if demons from the Dark Abyss were chasing him. He ran through three districts until he collapsed, utterly winded. And he swore off drink for the rest of his days.

---

As Gwenh assumed her true form, the panic started and the dragonfear took hold. The few Ehosians up at this late hour started screaming, waking other Ehosians, who started screaming, and then they all tried to run away.

Toshiro shakes his head. Crazy damn el... drago... whatever! he thinks as Gwenh's trueform takes locals by surprise.

A unit of six guards hesitated, torn. Should they try to face the beast (and certain death) or try and get the people out of the area in a safe and orderly manner? In the end, five of them started barking orders to the fleeing masses, and the sixth dashed off for reinforcements.

Morgan dashes forward when Gwenh's transformation is complete, lightly vaulting up onto her back. Gryppen smiles and waves good-bye to the group amiably. He summons his dog, Templeton, and placidly walks... away. He takes a few steps down the alley and vanishes.

Falling Leaf catches Cael's sleeve. "I have work here," she says in a low voice. "I will return to my homelands afterward, if you wish to meet there."

Cael looked into Falling Leaf's eyes, trying to see any glimmer, any sign, of the one he loved hiding in there. Nothing. The urge to sweep her into his arms and kiss her, or to throw her adragonback and force her to go with them was strong; heck, isn't that how all the stories ended? But Cael knew he'd get a knife in the ribs if he even tried. The one he loved was not in charge anymore.

"You take care of her," he said, knowing full well that 'Leaf knew who he was referring to. "Or I'll come back and kill you, if you're not already dead." He looked at her a moment longer, then climbed up onto the back of the dragon.

'Leaf actually dropped her ice-hard gaze. "That," she admitted, "might be for the best. But I'll be hard to find. Good luck."

She took a step back, deeper into the alley, and was swallowed by the shadows there.

Running out to the street, Toshiro waits for Cael who has been briefly accosted by Leaf. After they finish talking, he catches Leaf's eye. Standing straight, he salutes her with both a Jade gesture and then one of respect between warriors. He then vaults up behind Gwenh's neck. "I believe this Wagon is full, kiddo...."

A fine sense of irony is prevalant in Aaron's expresion as he looks eye to dragon eye with the silvery sinuous lines of scaled magnificence before him. All the years that irate and shrewish women have been on his back, he gets to turn the tables. Not his first time adragonback, oddly his eyes seem to flicker with a touch of sadness as he recalls the memory.

........The exhilerating terror of winging through the skys, lance couched in one trembling hand. The sky black with thunderclouds, the thunder bearing canopy so thick that it seems the souls of the dead have clogged the heavens. The light from the sun a faded memory as all he is able to think about now is the next target. Blood falling from the sky like rain as creatures both draconian and other races expend lives in a war that everyone has forgotten the reason for. Time not exisitng in a space that only allows for killing and more killing. Finally it seeming that even the gods were tired of the conflict when the sudden shocking silence began to echo in his ears. Followed by the thundering crash and jarring shocking pain he feels as the female coppe dragon Arclight that was his companion collides with the earth. Wounds ignored in the adrenal rush of battle affecting the poor being, his friend and had begun to be something more. Her form shimmering into the shape of the slender copper haired human girl that he first had encounterd in the distant keep of Rockfast. His soul torn as he holds the expiring girl in his arms. His blood and hers mingling as her spirit flees to the lands wherein dragons are reborn. His desparing cry....."NOOOOOOO" Reverberaiting in his mind as he snaps out of the vision......

......His eye focusing on Gwenh again as he hoists himself up on one of her legs, careful not to grab the fragile membrane of her wing. His strong hands carefully usung the larger scales to get a grip as he pulls up. His frame suddenly weary as a kind of depression mood hits him. Shell shock is not always fun. Oddly silent as he settles behind Toshiro, for a space of time dwelling on the memories that Gwenth's metamorphosis has engineerd. Not all his memories are happy ones. The whole conflict was such a waste, over land that could have been used in common, but now is 30 miles of blasted landscape where nothing will grow....

Settling his bundle of runes and his blade where they won't poke the kensai...he waits for the next move...

An bright, orange-red light suddenlly shines out from a three-story tower not too far away. Cael knows that's an emergency signal, used by the guards to request aid in their area for some emergency.

A dragon qualifies as an emergency.

Gwenh, meanwhile, seems to almost glow with the reddish light in the night as it reflects off her scales. Oddly, the color suits her...

Gwenh was a bit peturbed at how utterly sad Aaron seemed now that he was on her back, were her scales falling out, what? Toshiro hopping on, Gwenh had to chuckle at his comment as she waited for Cael, knowin full well that he needed to say goodbye to Leaf. When he climbed on she winced, wishing they would all be as careful as Aaron was on the membrane of her wings.

When the warning light went off, Gwenh paused, bathed in the red glow, her thoughts to her family and her father, something about her nature wanting red scales to come out from under he silver. With a sigh she took off, hovering over the city, her wings protesting rom lack o use, Gwenh turns her head. "Would someone point towards te dierection I'm supposed to go?"

"Good question," Toshiro adds as they sail over the city. "Where is the Jade Embassy- we may find refuge there for a brief time, if need be.."

"North!" Morgan hollers to be heard over the rushing winds. "We're leaving Ehosia, aren't we? I don't know what's south, but back north are the elven forests and Midway."

Life certainly has its little ups and downs thinks Aaron as they glide through the vast expanse of sky. His mood having lifted a bit when the exhileration of flying overcomes the dark memories of his fighting in a Dragonwar. The wind brushing back his hair and sending the long braid out behind him like a streamer. Hands resting on his knees and leaning back into the wind. Looking quite blissful as he enjoys the feel of the wind in his face. Nothing quite feels as good save for the spray of the ocean water in his face when his ship, the reciently sunk Defiant, cuts through the waves as if a hot knife in butter.

Aaron shouting into the wind, hopefully his words are heard and not blown away as he looks to be any moment, "SO WHERE ARE WE GOING?" He shouts. "I don't know about anyone else but I could use a tall glass of mead right about now." Looking down at himself, "And a bath." He adds with a rueful chuckle that gets blown away on the rush of wind. Looking down at the dizzying height, quite enjoying the view from his lofty perch. ....

Cael watched over his shoulder as the land that was once his home quickly fell away as the dragon's wings pumped. Watched in wonderment as the desert lands slid underneath them as Gwehn, now high enough in the air to cease pumping her wings, started to glide, catching thermals from the desert to keep herself aloft. I never knew Ehosia was so spread out... so big. With the Gates, Ehosia seemed almost small, with no place more than a few days journey from anywhere else. To see it from the air, though, spread out as it was.... Cael knew now with certainty that they could not just drop the gates with no preparation, no warning.

He was interupted from his thoughts when he heard a snatch of the shouted question from Aaron. "The Wombat!" he shouted back. "We need to regroup, and it's as good a place as any."

End Book 3