for they couldnt see what was picking up the five of them and the divan.  Tarrin expanded the area of the platform, then curled up its edges to keep anyone from falling off, as the three Amazons with him looked down at the nothingness that was solidly under their feet.
	Clever, Koran Tal noted as Tarrin pulled the platform carrying them high into the air, shielding them from the wind by simply wrapping the platform completely around them and ensuring it was porous, allowing fresh air to get inside of it.
	Goddess! Sulina Tal said in a rising crescendo as Tarrin whisked them high over the town, as the wild elation he always felt at flying started to rise up within him. She threw her arms around Koran Tal and held onto him tightly as Tarrin moved them towards the volcano at high speed, for the sun was just about to rise, and their increase in altitude made that moment of breaking the horizon closer on hand.
	Do you do this often? Camara Tal asked with a slightly quavering voice, her eyes plastered on the jungle that was whizzing by beneath their feet.
	Not nearly often enough, he answered her as raced the dawn towards the volcano, locking his attention onto a wide area of the lip of the volcanos peak, a place that looked stable enough to hold them and which was on the upwind side of the smoke, which would blow it safely away from them.
	In a matter of moments, he had them right where he wanted them, landing them on the lip of the volcano.  The lip was about fifteen spans wide, with a cliff on one side and a similar cliff on the other.  The only difference was that one was a fall to rocks far below, and the other was a fall into a concealing haze of smoke.
	My, that was, unexpected, Sulina Tal said with a hand on her stomach.  I think Im going to be sick.
	Well, youre not going to get a better view, Jula noted as she looked towards the brightening sky to the east.  This is as good as it gets.
	At least until the wind changes, Koran Tal noted, looking at the wafting smoke which the wind was pushing away from their back.
	I wont let that happen, Tarrin told him, coming around to stand behind Camara Tal.  He put a paw on her shoulder.  Well, Camara, here you are.  Its not much of a birth present, but I figure its something no one else ever thought to give you.
	Just having all of you here for the birth of Shaul was present enough, my friend, she said sincerely, patting his paw as she turned her eyes towards the sunrise.  Things are just there, but friends are forever.
	Indeed, Koran Tal nodded, sitting on the divan beside her.
	As sunrises went, it was definitely not the most spectacular that the world had ever seen, but it was actually a quite lovely one.  The red disc of the morning sun stained the sky to the east with shades of pink and red and orange, colors that seemed to seep across the sky like liquid, covering over the dark blues on the western side of the sky as the sun progressively got closer and closer to rising.  The light illuminated a few high cirrus clouds not far from the horizon with bright shades of red, almost making them look like pools of blood in the sky, and then the hazy edge of the sun appeared just over the horizon.  A couple of puffy cumulus clouds that were drifting by to the north of them took on the color of pink skin as the light permeated them, which turned reddish as the sun peeked over the horizon.  A sudden gust of wind heralded the appearance of the sun, blowing into their faces as the sun crept higher and higher, trying to free itself from the line at the edge of the world which formed the horizon, struggling to rise high into the sky and cast down its life-giving light onto the world.
	There it is, my daughter, Camara Tal said with amazing tenderness, pointing to the sun with her free hand.  Its the dawn of your very first day, over a world that changed for the better for your arrival.  A world with so much to offer you.   A world of endless possibilities, and if Neme wills it, a world that will remember your name for the rest of time.
	They watched as the sun climbed free of the horizon, and rose into the sky with majestic slowness, casting its warm light over the land and the sea, casting its light upon those who stood on the edge of the volcano and observed it.  They were silent for most of the event, taking it in privately, each lost in his or her own thoughts.  It was serene, with only the hissing of the volcano far below them and the sound of the wind in their ears to break that silence as the sun rose free of the horizon, at least until a keening, shrill cry touched Tarrins ears.  Both his and Julas ears picked up and swiveled towards that sound, and they turned to see shapes emerge from the smoke behind.  Phoenixes.  One after another appeared from the smoke, carried on their brightly plumed wings, soaring out to greet the rising of the sun.  As Koran Tal had mentioned in passing, the Phoenixes seemed to enjoy the morning, for that was the time when he said hed seen them flying about.  Their large wings caught the blowing wind and held them aloft without needing to flap, and they circled higher and higher over the volcano.  They rose hundreds of spans over them, then, seemingly as one, they all seemed to notice the interlopers on the volcano.  They wheeled over and dove in quick succession, causing Camara Tal to call out briefly in alarm and cradle her infant protectively against her breast, shielding her from possible attack.
	But the Phoenixes didnt attack.  One by one, they swooped close to them, glowing red eyes taking in the scene as they passed, then they simply banked away and returned to circling on the thermals produced by the volcano, again gaining altitude.  It was as if, in that one pass, they had seen everything that they had wanted to see, realized that the people on the volcano were no threat, and went back to what they were doing.
	Well, that was certainly interesting, Jula noted with a chuckle as they all watched the Phoenixes circle higher and higher, riding the rising air from the cauldera.
	I think my granddaughters going to have a very exciting life, Sulina Tal mused aloud.
	When youre in this family, thats a given, your Majesty, Jula told her.  Theres no such thing as a boring day when youre related to Tarrin Kael.
	They stayed up on the volcano for about a half an hour longer, watching the Phoenixes more than the sunrise, and then Tarrin quickly and easily brought them down, putting them right where they had started.  Most of the Amazons had either gone home or had been hauled off by the servants, clearing the garden, and those servants were now cleaning up the mess caused by an entire night of partying.  Nearly everyone else was in their rooms, sleeping, except Allia and Allyn.  They stood under the copula on the tiny island in the center of the garden, dressed in their customary desert garb, talking to a surprisingly clean Ulger.  The Knight was wearing a pair of simple leather beeches and a vest not unlike the ones that Amazons of both sexes favored, and both garments were cut and sewn in an Amazon style.
	Tarrin! Ulger shouted at him as he landed them in place.  You and me are going to have a very long talk about a few things!  Do you have any idea what that demonic Amazon woman made me do?
	Rather unpleasant things, Id imagine, Tarrin answered him bluntly.
	Unpleasant?  Unpleasant!?  If you werent a brother, wed be discussing this on the field of honor! he shouted hotly, but he had a strange kind of little smile on his face.  How could you do that to one of your own?
	Ive done worse to people I like a lot more than you, Ulger, Tarrin said with a flat stare.
	So, what did happen, Ulger? Jula asked curiously.
	It was classic! Sarrayas voice suddenly cut in, as the little Faerie faded into view from just beside the scarred Knight.  She made him clean her stables with his bare hands!  Then he had to scrub the floors in her house, then he had to whitewash the walls around her garden, then he had to polish all her china!  Then she made him wear a little apron and serve drinks to her guests at a little reception she had just before dawn this morning, after they left the High Queens party!
	A little apron? Tarrin asked.
	A little apron, she said with a hearty laugh.  And nothing else!
	Well, actually, that part wasnt too bad, Ulger admitted shamelessly.  Amazons dont think scars look bad, I got a few complements, and even got asked out on a date.  But Ill get you for having to clean those stables, Tarrin! he warned.  I had to clean them naked and without tools!
	It builds character, Ulger, Jula teased.  I know how you Knights prize character.
	Sarraya exploded into laughter, wobbling in her hover while doing so.  Ulger gave her an absolutely unholy glare, which made her laugh even harder, but she did prudently meander unsteadily out of his immediate reach.
	Youd better be happy youre over there, Jula, he told her lightly.
	Anytime, anywhere, Ulger, she teased him lightly, showing him her claws.  Im not the weak little girl you used to escort around.  Im a big girl now.
	He used to guard you? Tarrin asked in surprise.
	A few times, she answered.  He was paired with me once when we went to Tor.  I never had a permanent Knight.  I wasnt too likable back then.
	I wish we could create Illusions, Sarraya said with an evil little laugh.  You should have seen how nasty he was when he finished with the stables.  He looked like he was wallowing in manure!
	What did you do, spend your time watching Ulger? Jula asked her.
	I drifted back and forth, she answered.
	Shed better be bloody glad she can fly, or shed be a dead bug, Ulger said sulfurous.
	He has absolutely terrible aim, Sarraya said tauntingly as she flitted over towards Tarrin.  I lost count of how many things he threw at me, and he never even got close.
	I only have to hit you once, Ulger taunted back.
	As if thatll ever happen, Sarraya said flippantly as she reached Tarrin, then sedately alighted and sat down on his shoulder.  I didnt even turn invisible!  He could see me, and he couldnt get within a pikes reach of me!
	Youre an evil little woman, Sarraya, Tarrin told her.
	Yes, I know.  Dont you just love me? she replied with an evil tilt to her voice.
	Tarrin, are you finished with Camara? Jesmind shouted from the door of the little room-building which was theirs.
	Are we done, Camara? he asked her.
	Id say, unless you want to watch me sleep, she said with a yawn.  I feel half dead.
	No wonder, giving birth and then staying up all night.
	When are you going back? she asked.  The official part is over.
	Oh, I dont know.  Maybe a couple of days.  I would like to visit a while, you know.  I didnt come just to be Shauls godfather.
	Good.  Ill see you later this afternoon, then?
	Most likely, he told her, leaning down so that he was looming over the Amazon, and then putting a massive paw on her shoulder.  He put his nose close to the little infant, and he took in her scent, branding it into his memory as he did with those of his other children.
	Sometimes I forget how tall you are, my friend, Camara Tal said with gentleness, putting a hand over his paw.  Her hand looked like a childs over his black furred paw.  Maybe well be lucky, and Shaul will be as tall as you.
	Shed stand out, Tarrin said with mild amusement.  Trust me, being this size has as many drawbacks as it does advantages.
	Amazons like big, she told him.  Every mother hopes her children are taller than she is.
	And I take it Koran is taller than your other husbands? Tarrin asked in a flash of insight.
	Among other things, she said with a bright smile.  Korans height was just a pleasant added bonus.
	It was strange to see Camara Tal acting socuddly.  Tarrin knew her better than the others, and knew that at heart, Camara Tal was a nurturer, a woman who strove to better those around her.  That would make her an outstanding mother, and it was probably one of the main reasons her goddess had called her from her life as a warrior to serve.  But the usual manner in which she nurtured was a confrontational style, urging those around her to better themselves by challenging them.  Camara Tal was a forceful woman, and that showed in her personality more often than not, but it often concealed her supportive nature.  Often, the others werent aware that she was working her magic on them, quietly and inobtrusively nurturing them, challenging them, making them better for her efforts.  Tarrin had a feeling that much of the ongoing war between Camara Tal and Phandebrass had less to do with Camara Tals endless irritation with the addled Wizard and more of her seeking to see just how smart Phandebrass was, prodding him and stimulating him.  Be that as it may, much of the sniping between them was genuine.  Camara Tal would help Phandebrass better himself, but that didnt mean that she didnt get annoyed with him.
	Tarrin guessed that Shaul Tals arrival had mellowed out his friend, but he doubted it would last long.
	Not very long at all.
	Tarrin looked over to where Jesmind stood in the doorway, waiting for him, then squeezed her shoulder gently.  I think Im going to bed, Camara.
	Im going that way myself.
	Then Ill see you later.
	They watched as the Were-cat wordlessly padded across the courtyard just after Sarraya flitted off his shoulder, and then took his mates outstretched paw just before disappearing behind the gauzy curtain.
	That, is one interesting man, Sulina Tal said with an appraising look towards where he had gone.
	Mother, you have no idea, Camara Tal chuckled.
	He doesnt talk much, does he?  And hes not one for manners.
	You have to know him, mother.  He isnt open with strangers.
	Well, I think Ill have to fix that, she announced.  Koran Tal looked to his wife, and they both laughed.  Whats so funny?
	Youll find out, mother, Camara Tal said with a slight smirk.
	And I thought Ulgers night was entertaining, Sarraya snickered.  Im not going to get bored around here, thats for sure.
	Jula looked at them, and had to suppress a smile.  Nobody understood her father, not really.  Not like she did, or Triana did.  Not Camara Tal, not Sarraya, not even Jesmind.  They didnt understand.
	And she doubted the others ever would.

	Julas understanding of Tarrins personality was rooted in her rather dark past, a past that, much like Tarrins, was never forgotten, but also never held against her.
	But unlike her father, Julas dark deeds had been ones of choice rather than instinct.  She had been one of the higher-ranking members of the kizadun, and had reached that position with a very keen understanding of the emotions and motivations of others.  If one understood what an adversary wanted, what he felt, then it was that much easier to use that information against him and gain power over him.  She had always been a very strong person, even when she had been a street urchin scratching out a living on the rough, unforgiving streets, a place that had taught her the harsh reality of life, the reality that the strong abuse the weak, the rich exploit the poor, the clever outsmart the dim, and the powerful rule the subjugated.  Jula had grown up being the weak, and she was not going to remain so.  She vowed to herself that she would be strong, she would be powerful, and she would be the one doing the exploiting and the ruling, not the other way around.
	Being found by a Sorcerer had been the only real means the young girl had ever had a chance to pursue that quest, for had she not been found by the katzh-dashi, Jula firmly believed that she would be dead.  Pretty young girls often didnt last long with their freedom or their sanity intact.  One vile shopkeeper in particular had had something of an obsession with her, and had tried many times to capture the young girl to satisfy his own perverted desires.  But he had faced in Jula a very smart young lady who happened to be one of the fastest runners in the city, and her fleet feet had kept her out of a slaves collar and a horrid end in some dank cellar where her screams would not reach the streets above.
	Her dangerous background had made her a difficult Novice to train, for she was violent with the other Novices, and she had an almost uncontrollable impulse to steal, even things that would have been given to her had she simply asked for them.  But all that changed the instant she touched the Weave for the first time, for she had finally found the means by which she could gain her dream of mastery and power, which she felt in the deepest parts of her mind would give her the security and sense of protection she had always craved.  She went from the most unmanageable Novice in the Tower to its most dedicated pupil, for in Sorcery she had found the power she felt would give her her protection.  She was the brightest star in the Initiate, a strong Sorceress who had strong access to all six Spheres, something that was not very common.  Most Sorcerers were very strong in three or four Spheres, were weak in one or two, and often had no access at all to at least one.  It was why Sevren could not heal, for example, for he had virtually no access to the Divine Sphere.  But Jula had the power to be one of the most versatile Sorcerers, and proved that she had a quick and retentive mind, vital assets to a Sorcerer who needed to learn complex methods of weaving flows, of concentrating on several things at once while monitoring the weave at the same time to ensure it wasnt doing anything it wasnt supposed to do.
	It was in the Initiate where the kizadun approached her.  The one to approach her was none other than Amelyn, the revered and slightly feared Mind Seat on the Council, a woman whose grasp of Mind weaves was so profound that many whispered that Myriam Lar was naught but Amelyns puppet.  But Jula didnt know it was Amelyn at that time; she had thought that it was another Sorceress whose identity Amelyn had assumed, and continued to assume throughout Julas involvement with the kizadun.  Amelyn, who did indeed have a total mastery of Mind weaves, could use her formidable magic to probe the minds of all the Novices and Initiates and find those, like Jula, who would be receptive to the idea of working for an organization like the shadowy, powerful kizadun.  Jula had been enthralled of the idea of gaining real power, the kind of power that would make others fear her, and had readily--eagerly--agreed.
	Throughout her entire career, Jula had never known it was Amelyn who was her mistress, but she had known most of the other mid and high level officers within the Sulasian branch of the kizadun, and among them she gained impressive power in a very short time.  The bright star of the Initiate became a full katzh-dashi, and her power only grew by the month, by the year, both in Sorcery and in the kizadun.  Jula had taken the one skill she had learned on the hard streets, the ability to read the emotions and attitudes of those around her, and used it as a base to develop the fearsome capability to manipuate others.  She used these abilities skillfully to gain a very high and very feared position, turning minor officers against one another, tricking others into false alliances which she betrayed the instant it served her interest, and ingratiating herself with her superiors both by her dependable reputation to get things done and her ability to quietly manipulate others, even those of higher station, even those who knew Jula was a dangerous schemer and took precautions against her.  Often, she had used their own precautions against them to trick them into doing what she wanted.
	Though she would probably never manipulate anyone again, she could still read much more emotion in a glance or a look, and could interpret subtle shifts in body language much better than just about anyone else who knew Tarrin.  Even the dangerous Keritanima and Miranda werent as good at it as Jula was, but unlike them, Jula kept this information to herself.  She had a keen awareness of the many states of emotion that surrounded her during their gathering in Amazar.  Delicate things, such as Azakars obvious discontent, which hid a strong fear of what he had once been, and a strange mollifying undertone that sickened the Knight.  The slaves mentality had been beaten into him, and even now, a proud, capable Knight, he still wrestled with powerful internal demons that made him follow without question, made him avoid attention to himself, made him knuckle under even when he knew that those who gave him the orders were wrong.  Or perhaps Haleys cheery nature and a wittiness that probably rivaled Keritanimas or Aulis, that seemed to become strained whenever Dolanna was nearby.  Haley had powerful feelings for their diminutive leader, the woman they all obeyed, even Jula, but did not want to act on them and also didnt want Dolanna to know he had them.  There was a poignance about him whenever she left him, as if he was both glad she were gone, and longing to again be around her, but it was such a subtle thing that he himself probably wasnt aware of it.
	She had a long time to observe Tarrin, and she felt that she knew him better than he probably knew himself.  She knew that even now, so long after becoming Were, that the battle still raged inside of him, and probably would continue to rage until the day he died.  He had achived a balance between Cat and Human, but it did little to rectify the clash of personalities between the Tarrin she had come to know when he had been stripped of his Were nature and lost his memory, and the Tarrin who replaced that young man when he regained both his lycanthropic nature and his memory.  That younger Tarrin raged against the powerful, instinct-dominated personality that had supplanted it, but lacked the strength to overcome it most of the time.  But it did sometimes show itself, such as when they were flying to Amazar on Alexis skyship, or when he held one of his children.  The fractured dichotomy of her fathers mind was as clear to her as a dress on a pig would be.  Lurking beneath that gruff, sometimes surprisingly harsh exterior was the same optimistic, good-natured, kind and gentle young man that he had been before Jesminds bite had altered his life, and had also in its own way written modern history.  Tarrin was a very touchy person, whose past experiences--regrettably at Julas own hands--made him intensely distrustful of strangers, who, if they tried to get on his good side, he immediately suspected of having ulterior motives.  His size and his entire demeanor were terribly intimidating, often making those who had never met him unsure of themselves or flustered in his presence, and Tarrin would sense that and immediately impose himself on them to the point where they would do little more than mewl at him like an adoring sheep.  That was the wrong thing to do.  Tarrins Cat instincts would see that as submissive weakness, and he would not respect them.  Tarrin respected strength, but only strength that did not directly challenge his own.
	It was very easy to get at the gentler Tarrin within, if one only knew how to approach him.
	That was what amused Jula about Sulina Dars proclomation.  Jula had observed her, and knew that she was a very imposing, commanding woman, who was admittedly quite clever, but had fallen into the cunning trap that seemed to ensnare anyone in a position of great authority, and that was the expectation that she would be obeyed, that she would prevail.  It was an arrogance that rulers often needed, for that arrogant stance often parleyed into confidence in those who served, and that confidence made them better at going about their own duties.  That would not work with her father.  One had to impress him with ones strength and resolve, but not seem too powerful.  One had to prove ones worth without making it apparent that was what they were doing.
	It sounded difficult and complicated, but it actually was quite easy.  Camara Tal had done it, and Phandebrass had done it, without even trying.  Tarrin had first respected them, then he started to like them.   After that, he accepted them into the fold of his friends, those he trusted, and after a while, he would open up to them.
	Then againmaybe Camara Tal did understand.  That may be why she thought her mothers proclomation was so funny.
	But if anything, her father was anything if not surprisingly dynamic, even if he never seemed to change.  He was indeed mellowing with time, as the sense of  peace that had come to him after the entire affair of the Firestaff was over took deeper hold of himbut the more he changed, the more he would stay the same.
	Outwardly, at least.
	Jula took immense personal pride, and not a little bit of humble amazement, in the fact that Tarrin had accepted her--and even more than that.  He didnt just tolerate her presence, he actually cared for her, about her, and loved her in his own paternal manner.  To him, she was one of his children, and he loved her the same way Triana loved him, the same way he loved his blood children.  She had never been loved before, and even now, so many months after the realization of it sank in, she was still almost bewildered in how it made her feel.  Strange, she often thought, that all the power she had held, all the might over others, was nothing compared to the simple knowledge that with Tarrin and the Were-cats, she felt loved.  All her life, she had been searching for security, thinking that power would give her what she sought.  But in the end, the simple love a bond-parent held for a bond-child had showed her that all she had ever wanted, all she had ever needed, was what she had searched so long for, was love.  The first time she had believed it in her heart when she heard Tarrin say that he would protect her, despite the fact that at that moment he despised her, had been the beginning of a drastic and irrevocable change in the blond Were-cat, a moral epiphany that rearranged the very foundation upon which her life had been based.
	Oh, yes, she loved Tarrin, but it wasnt the same love that Jesmind or Kimmie had for him.  It wasnt exactly like Mists love, either, though both of them based their feelings on a foundation of towering respect and gratitude for the things he had done for them.  He loved her like a daughter, and she loved him like a father, the father she had never had.  She was an adult, but with him, near him, she felt safe, knowing that he would protect her from anything that threatened, that with him she would have total security and peace of mind.
	A childish, immature reaction, and she knew it.  But it was there nonetheless.
	It was more than that, though.  Jula liked Tarrin as much as she loved him, for he was a very intelligent man--much smarter than anyone, even Tarrin himself, suspected--always ready to challenge her mind or expand her horizons.  He was her mentor, her teacher, but she was an ear that understood things better than the other Were-cats, for she was also a human-born Were-cat with the gift of Sorcery, carrying her own number of personal demons.  They were much alike, much more alike than any of the other Were-cats were to him, and that commonality allowed them to communicate more intimately than he did with most of the others.
	Like so many others around the enigmatic Were-cat, she had found her place, had found happiness and contentment, and like many of the others, it had been Tarrin who had caused it to be.  By deed or word, by accident or intent, his paws had reached within their lives and reshaped the ugly, formless clay they found there and molded it into something the owner found incredibly pleasing.  It was just the way he was, making the lives of everyone around him better, often without either trying or intending to do so.
	It was just life around Tarrin Kaeland she wouldnt want any other life.
	Being around Tarrin was a state that often required a little work.  Her father was an uncomplicated person, but some of the things he liked to do caused him to be by himself, such as when he studied about the Dwarves.  When he wasnt studying about his favorite subject--Dwarves--there happened to be quite a few others around that often found themselves competing with one another for his attention.  Jasana was intensely competitive with Tara and Rina, who had just started to realize that getting attention from their father over Jasana could often be a full contact sport.  As if to mirror her offspring, Jesmind was often just as competitive--and combative--with the other adult females in the household.  This sometimes annoyed Kimmie and Jula, because she was his mate, and she got all sorts of private time with him at night.  She was a jealous woman, though, and wanted all his free time and all his attention, which sometimes made it hard for the others to spend any quality time with him.  The gathering in Amazar showed just how many others shared the very small world that was the inner circle of Tarrins friends, which was itself rather amusing, given how anti-social Tarrin could be sometimes.  That someone that unfriendly could have so many friends was an indication of the complexities of his personality.  So, if it wasnt Jesmind or his children, Tarrins friends and family often found themselves jostling elbows with the others to get his attention.  Tarrin often didnt notice all this competition around him, but he also never failed to have time for friends and family--at least when he wasnt in a bad mood.
	This trip had been a rich opportunity for Jula, and the others, to get time with Tarrin when it was abundantly clear to everyone around that nobody had an absolute claim on his time.  Everyone had had the opportunity to spend time with him, from those who numbered among his closest friends and family, like Keritanima and Allia, to those who had only just been more or less inducted into the unusual, exciting world that revolved around the enigmatic Were-cat, like Auli and Haley.  There was the obligatory time spent with Camara Tal, given that the reason that they had all come together was because of her, but after that initial night, Tarrins time was not monopolized by any one person, and Jula had found a way to be with him almost all the time.  Tarrin split his time up more or less evenly between all his frien