it.  Nothing, he answered her.  I just get the feeling that something is wrong somewhere.  I dont know where or why.
	The Earth Elemental nodded, informing him that such feelings were often wise to heed.
	I know, I know, he sighed, leaning back, remaining silent for a moment as he tried to figure out why he felt as he did, but without success.  I finished the Druidic training, he announced to them.
	All four congratulated him, and the Fire Elemental was curious to know how hard it was during the last days of the training, since the last time hed talked to it.
	The last spell Sapphire taught me was very hard, he replied.  For a little while there, I wasnt sure if I was capable of using it.
	The Earth Elemental assured him that it was only right to feel so.  After all, how many could learn spells from a dragon?
	They have dragons where you come from? he asked it curiously.
	It affirmed that, telling him that his realm had everything that most material realms possessed, it was just that they were all made of earth, like it was.
	Realms? he asked curiously.  Youve been to other worlds?
	It affirmed again, relating a tale of stumbling through a nexus, a kind of gateway that existed in its own dimension, which took it to a world within the material plane.  That was what they called the real world, of which Sennadar was but one universe among a myriad of countless other universes.  It was lucky to realize its error quickly, and then turned and hurried back through the nexus into its own world.
	Nexus, he mused.  Theres supposed to be a gigantic whirlpool off the east coast of Valkar, and its called the Nexus.  I wonder-- he said, looking to the Water Elemental.
	She nodded, and informed him that it was indeed a gateway, but it only allowed passage from Sennadar into her world.
	The Air Elemental was curious about this, and asked the Water Elemental, through Tarrin, why it was only one way, when a nexus was supposed to be an open gateway.  She responded that a great power blocked movement from her realm into Sennadar, allowing travel only from Sennadar.
	The gods, he explained.  A long time ago, they closed all the gates that lead into Sennadar.  Theres only one left, and that ones guarded by Spyder.  But I do remember her, or maybe it was the Goddess, one of them told me that there are gates that lead out of Sennadar that still work.  I guess they also blocked these nexuses as well so they only work in one direction.
	The Air Elemental related in a respectful manner that only a god would have that kind of power, and the other three assented this observation.
	Why is that? he asked curiously.
	The Water Elemental flowed a little closer to him, and explained that the gates that lead in and out of worlds are the domain of a power even greater than the gods, and that this power had ordained that all worlds possess gates that allow travel to and from, at the very least, that world and the great central hub of the multiverse that she referred to as the Astral Plane, the dimension which touched all others.  Most worlds also possessed numerous gateways to other worlds in addition to gates to the Astral, and each world that was like his own also had nexuses that connected them to the four realms of the elements.  Any realm that had the properties of a world like his, in fact, required such nexuses in order to remain as it was.  There were three others, she reasoned, one each for the realms of Fire, Air, and Water, that were simply unknown to the denizens of Sennadar.
	It was the Blood War that caused that, he told them.  The closing of the gates, I mean.  I guess what you just told me explains why the gods didnt just destroy all the gates.  Because they couldnt.  He leaned back on his paws.  I remember the Goddess saying once that theres a god above them.  I never knew it was that god that made that rule.
	The Earth Elemental remarked gravely that since he had learned something this day, then it was a day well spent.
	He nodded to it.  I wonder how many other worlds the Demons have attacked the way they did ours, he asked absently.
	The Air Elemental told him that it was a rare occurrence, because few worlds in the material plane were worth the effort of trying to conquer to the extent necessary to be serious about it, as it meant that the Demons had to take over gateways, and that was not easy, not even for a god.  But Sennadar was an exception, and a major one at that.
	Why is that? he asked.
	The four Elementals looked at one another for a moment, then the Water Elemental pulled her form completely up onto the land, and altered her outward form significantly.  A human-like face appeared around those glowing eyes, complete with a mouth.  This world, she said aloud, in a flowing, rushing kind of voice, like the waves crashing against the rocks, but no doubt a feminine voice, this world is unusual, unique.  It is why we gain power when we are summoned here.  Tarrin gaped at her, for it was the first time he had ever heard any of his Elementals speak aloud.  They always spoke to his mind using the link that existed between him and them, but this subject, this answer, for some reason she deemed it important enough to use a spoken voice.  This world is so charged with the power of magic that it leaves an imprint on any who visit it, it imbues within them just a faint spark of magical power that will forever remain within them.  That touch of magic is what increases our powers, and we receive it again and again every time we are summoned forth to serve you.  I have been to many worlds, friend and master, but none have the power of magic that this world possesses.
	There was a strange hissing sound, and then the Fire Elemental also spoke aloud, a sound like air rushing through crackling flames.  The might of the god you serve is but part of the reason for it, it told him aloud.  This dimension, this universe, it is located in close proximity to the Core, to the center of all things, the place where the God of Gods is rumored to reside.  HIS closeness acts like a sun that warms this dimension, granting it more magical power than other universes might receive.
	Thus do the Demons so desperately wish to control this universe, and any universe that rests close to the Core, the Earth Elemental said, a voice sounding like cold air moaning in a cave.  Controlling this world would be but the first step in the conquest of this universe, and once they possessed it and its power, they would use that power to further their own ends.
	Youre all talking, he said, confused.  Why now?
	What you ask, the answers are not what any of us would dare to give through telepathic communion, the Air Elemental spoke, a voice that sounded like the howling of a gale.  The Demons are not just bane to you and yours, friend and master.  They are the bane of all, for it is their ultimate goal to destroy the God of Gods and control the entirety of existence.
	The Blood War of Sennadar is an event of great import throughout the planes, friend and master, known of by sages and wise men all over the multiverse, even if they do not know where Sennadar is, the Water Elemental told him.  Had the Demons won that war, had taken over this world, which is the center of this universe, then your gods would have destroyed this entire dimension to deny the Demons their prize.  Such is within the power of the one who was charged by the God of Gods to create and nurture this universe.  That which is created may be freely destroyed by the hand which brought it to be.
	Ayise, Tarrin breathed.  Shes the Allmother, the creator of the world and the mother of all the Elder Gods.
	Then upon her would have fallen the cruel task of unmaking all which she had labored to create.
	He looked to the Water Elemental curiously.  You mean other worlds know about ours?
	She nodded.  Elemental spirits listen with great care for any call from a Sorcerer, she told him.  We four are the lucky ones who were first to hear your plea, and for that resolve we are rewarded with the right to be bonded to you.
	Why didnt the gods just destroy the Demons? he asked curiously, something he had always been curious about.  Why did the gods let the mortals fight the Blood War, if it was really that serious?  Why didnt they just wipe them out?  It certainly had to be within the power of the Elder Gods.  They could do anything.
	Normal Demons, they can, the Earth Elemental told him.  But the Blood War started when someone here summoned forth a Demon Lord.  Those, friend and master, have the power of a god themselves.  Had they struck at it, the exchange of might would have shattered this world.
	Tarrin was silent, remembering the hellish nightmare which was now Gora Umadar, the result of the battle between gods taking place in the material world.
	They relied on the might of the mortals of your world, friend and master, using their power through them to try to save it, reserving a direct assault against the Demon Lord as a last resort, the Water Elemental told him gravely.  They were wise to do so.
	Huh, he mused.  I never knew that.  He was silent a moment, his expression thoughtful.  So, if Val hadnt summoned a Demon Lord, the Blood War would never have happened.
	Yes, friend and master, the Earth Elemental agreed.
	If not all worlds are like this one, then what are they like?
	There are as many different kinds as you can imagine, friend and master, the Water Elemental told him.  But they all lack the power of magic present here.  Some have magic, some do not, but those that do come nowhere near the magical power present in this material plane.  Its proximity to the Core makes it so.
	Tarrin glanced at the Earth and Water Elementals.  Where did you learn all this?
	I have not always been yours alone, friend and master, she smiled.  Before I heard your call and came to serve you, I had occasion to answer the summons of other magicians on other worlds seeking an Elemental.  I learned much from those experiences.
	The other three agreed with her statement mentally, the Earth Elemental telling him that it had offered out its services to quite a few magicians from a myriad of other worlds before hearing his call and taking up service.
	Do you still do that? he asked them all curiously.
	All four said no mentally, but the Water Elemental added to that aloud.  When an Elemental joins to a Sorcerer, we are bonded to him.  While so bonded, we cannot answer the call of any other, just as a Sorcerer cannot call any other.  I would not wish to, in any event.  Answering the summons of any other magician is enslavement.  Sorcerers repay us for our service by bringing us to Sennadar, where we may increase our power by basking in the aura of its magic.  Sorcerers, we will obey willingly.  No other receives that same latitude, not even Druids.
	If its enslavement, why do it? he asked.
	Sometimes it is accidental, she told him.  The Elemental happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Other times it is a conscious choice, and is always a gamble.  One might find herself in the service to a kindly mage seeking only information or aid in some small manner, other times in the clutches of a dark necromancer seeking to use our life energy for his own designs.  But there is gain in it for us, friend and master.  If we can break free of our summoners control, we gain a portion of his magical power when we return to our own realm.  Provided we can kill him, she added.  That is why an Elemental always attacks the magician who summoned her when she breaks free of his control.  It is partly out of revenge, and partly to strip him of a portion of his power, which enhances her own.
	So, if you found yourself summoned by a kindly mage seeking only a minor task, youd try to break free anyway, he reasoned.
	Not always, she answered, as the Fire Elemental informed him that some magicians offer to pay an Elemental for its service, a bribe to try to dissuade that inevitable attack.  Depending on the worth of the bribe, an Elemental might decide not to attack if it breaks free, and perform the task it was summoned to perform willingly.
	Im sure Phandebrass is going to love it when I tell him that, he chuckled.  All he has to do to avoid the fight to control an Elemental is buy it off.
	Not always, the Water Elemental smiled.
	Well, I hope you four arent too disappointed being stuck with me.
	That earned him amused and indignant replies.  All four of them were ecstatic to be in the service to a Sorcerer.  The Earth Elemental went so far as to relate that when Tarrins call echoed through the realm of Earth, a short and ugly fight broke out between five Elementals who were close to the gateway his magic had created, as they fought one another to reach that gateway first.  The one that did would be bonded to him, and that was something that all Elementals wanted to have happen.  Any Elemental would kill to be bonded to a Sorcerer, and they all jumped at any Sorcerers gateway that appeared anywhere in their realm.  That was because it was service that presented no intrinsic risk--Elementals couldnt be killed, only have their magical constructs disrupted, which sent their animating spirits back to the realm from which they were summoned--and it provided them with significant gain as the magic of the world of Sennadar increased their powers bit by bit each time they were summoned.  What was more, the unique bonding between Elemental and Sorcerer utterly protected them from being trapped by the magical spells of summoning of other magicians.  For an Elemental, being bonded to a Sorcerer was the best possible thing that could happen to them.  It was a totally safe way to gain power, gain it quickly by the means which Elementals marked the passage of time, and they were protected from the ensnaring traps of other magicians while they were bonded.
	We gain more than power, friend and master, the Water Elemental told him.  It is known throughout my home realm that I am the handmaiden of a suikun.  Because of this, I am afforded great prestige and respect as well as power.
	His Fire Elemental lamented that it was not so within its own home realm.  There, if it were common knowledge that it was bonded to a Sorcerer--and a suikun, no less--other Fire Elementals would hunt it down and try to kill it, to make Tarrins next attempt to summon a Fire Elemental an open call for a new bonded spirit.  The Fire Elemental kept its position as Tarrins bonded Elemental a closely guarded secret.
	Im sorry to hear that, he sighed in reply.  Is it really that dangerous for you?
	It told him that it wasnt, but only so long as it kept its secret.  That was easy enough, for other Elementals didnt know it was bonded, and there was no way for them to find out unless it told them.  So long as it kept its mouth shut, they would never know.
	Good.  I dont like the idea of one of my Elementals being in danger because of me.
	The Fire Elemental assured him that it was perfectly safe, then inquired as to what he intended to do with his free time.  All four knew he studied the Dwarves before taking up his Druidic training.
	I dont know yet, he answered, leaning back a little more.  In nine days, were all going to Wikuna for the birth of Kerris baby.  Until then, Im not really involved in anything, and Im not sure I want to do.
	The Air Elemental nodded, and told him that sometimes it was a good thing to have no duty or responsibility.  Time to play, it had called it.  Time that had no importance aside from the need to relax.
	That does sound nice, he sighed, flopping back onto the grass and looking up towards the sky through the trees.  Theyre watching me, you know, he told the four of them as the edge of the sun appeared through the fringe of the forest canopy.  The gods.  I saw one of them for the first time a little bit ago. Shirazi, he said, pointing the tip of his tail up towards the sun.  I could see her eyes staring back at me from inside the sun.  Or maybe I was seeing things, but I doubt it, he mused.
	The Earth Elemental related that it doubted that he was seeing things.  The Earth Elemental knew Tarrins secret, and did not find it odd that the gods were watching.
	Is it that obvious? he chuckled ruefully.
	The Air Elemental told him that it had felt it all when Tarrin had become a god, and then when he was killed.  But for some reason, it did not become unbonded to him after his death, and it didnt know why.  But after he had been restored, it could feel the difference, and it knew that something had lingered from his brief existence as a god.
	The other three gave a chorus of agreement to the Air Elementals observations.  All three had felt it when Tarrin had become a god, and all three had not lost the bond to him when he was killed.  And then, after he was resurrected by Niami, there was a change in the way he felt to them, a subtle alteration in his presence, in his energy.  The Earth Elemental proposed that perhaps it was the fact that Tarrin had become a god--however briefly--that kept them bonded to him, but the Fire Elemental disagreed.  It had no better answer, but it felt that there was probably a different reason.
	I dont really even think about that anymore, he told them.  Mother told me that because I was once a god, it might have an effect on me now.  But its been a couple of years now, and nothings different from the way it was before all that happened.  She said it was only possible.  I think nothing changed, that those abilities she said I might gain never happened.  If it had, it would have showed up by now, I think.
	The Earth Elemental told him with light amusement that anything was possible.
	He sat up and looked at it, a curious and sober expression on his face.  What do you think, my friend? he asked.
	It deemed to speak aloud.  I think that there is something inside of you, awaiting only the right moment to show itself to the world, it told him gravely.  And in that moment, you will discover who you truly are.
	You should have been Dolannas Elemental, he told it in a slightly sour tone, shifting to sit cross-legged.  It always was just a little too philosophical.  It had that austere, serious wisdom about it, much unlike the insightful, intuitive wisdom he often found within his Water Elemental.  They were definitely the wisest of the four, and hed just learned that the Water Elemental had to be the most well traveled and experienced.  Maybe answering all those other summons really had made them wiser.
	It told him with slight amusement that it was what it was.  The Water Elemental slid up beside him and leaned against him with light amusement, nudging him shoulder to shoulder, telling him that despite that, they loved him anyway.  It was odd to feel her water body touch him, feel its coolness against his branded shoulder, feel the wetness, but know that when she pulled away, there would not be a single drop of water left behind.
	Goodness, Jesmind is really going to get jealous now, Julas voice called as she stepped into the clearing.  Shes had to fight for you with other Were-cats, humans, and a ShaKar, but now youre consorting with Elementals, she announced with dancing eyes and a slightly evil little smile.
	What are you doing out here, daughter? he asked her, ignoring her comment.
	I wanted to know if you wanted to go to Mala Myrr today, now that youre not busy anymore, she replied.  We havent gone artifact hunting in a while.  She flopped down beside him, then looked across him at the Water Elemental.  Whats going on that hes got all four of you here? he asked her.  Or is this just a family circle summoning?
	The Water Elemental nodded at her second offering.
	You make the rest of us look bad, father, she snorted.  I dont summon my Elementals half as often as I should.
	Every three days, daughter, at least, he told her plainly.  Its good for you, and its good for them.  These Elementals obey us because they want to, not because they have to.  Its always smart to keep them happy.
	As if to reinforce that lesson, the Water Elemental placed her amorphous appendage, something that almost looked like a hand, on Tarrins wrist in a familiar gesture.
	So, do you want to go? she asked.
	That does sound like a good idea, he nodded.  No cubs this time.  We spend more time watching them than searching when theyre with us.
	We can always take them tomorrow, Jula said, kneeling in front of him.  There was a storm that shifted the sands, father, and there are new sections of the city uncovered now, she told him with building excitement.  That whole area near the northern wall is all open, and most of the buildings are intact.
	How did you find that out?
	I just came from there, she told him, holding up the backs of her paws.  There was sand in her black fur, and the shifting of the wind brought the smell of it to his nose.  I was about to start digging, but I thought you might want to join the fun.
	It looks like you already started, he teased with a slight smile.
	I didnt find anything, but I barely got half a span into the first building, she admitted.  So, lets go! she said, grabbing him by the paw and tugging.  Its coming into midday, and you know that means calm winds!
	Digging?   Digging? he protested.  Jula, youre a Sorceress!  Why in the world were you digging?
	Because its fun, she said with a wink and a bright smile.  Now come on, father!  Were wasting the midday calm!
	Alright, alright, he acquiesced.  The Water Elemental withdrew from him, pulling back over the ponds surface, and he got up.  So, you four want to go, or would you rather go home? he asked the Elementals.
	The Air Elemental decided that it would be interesting to go, but the other three preferred to be released back to their own realms.  Alright then.  Ill see you three later, he said, releasing his hold on them and giving them the option to return to their homes.  They did so, as the Fire Elementals form vanished in a puff of smoke, and the Water and Earth Elementals sank back into the land and the pond.
	Ill take us, Jula prompted as the Air Elemental swirled around them, pulling in so it would be taken as well.
	Jula kept hold of his paw as she wove the spell of Teleportation, and Tarrin had to pause just a moment and muse at how strange things had ended up.  Jula, probably the person he had hated more than anyone else, his daughter.  And the strange part was that he truly loved her as his daughter.  She was one of the bright stars in his life, the one Were-cat with whom he had so much in common, often the one he found easiest to talk to.  He was totally at ease with his sisters, but they didnt live with him like she did, and that mixture of proximity and comfort made her his companion more often than not.  The fact that Jesmind wasnt jealous of her was even better, because she was his daughter, and Jesmind knew how he felt about his daughters.  She was his daughter, but she was also his friend, and one of his very, very best.
	He found the idea of spending the day with Jula, digging through the ruins of Mala Myrr, to be quite appealing.

	One day of searching turned into a four day event, as he and Jula returned again and again, and not alone.  First he brought his daughters, Jesmind, and Kimmie, then managed to get Mist to let him bring Eron, then Dolanna joined them on the third day.  Her desire to do so was partly to spend time with him, and party to ground herself in Mala Myrr so she could Teleport back there whenever she wished.  Allia and Allyn joined them the day after that, but it was cut short after about an hour as a particularly savage sandstorm boiled over the ruins and forced them all to retreat back to Tarrins house, and it raged for four days, keeping them from returning before they went to Wikuna for the birth of Keritanimas child.
	They didnt find anything of worth, which was easy to discern now that he and Jula could both read Duthak, but it was still a very enjoyable time to him.  He was with his family and friends, he had all his children with him, and though they found nothing of worth, they had a great time digging sand out of houses and buildings and searching through them.  He took great pleasure in watching Eron play with the twins and Jasana, to crawl side by side through sand-choked passageways and rooms with his bond-child, watching Jesmind and Kimmie start getting interested enough to handle some of the common artifacts that were scattered all over Mala Myrr but had no interest for Tarrin and Jula, since they had three of each of them down in Tarrins library at home.  There were a few tight spots, however, mainly coming from Erons strangely obsessive need to stick his paw in any deep, dark hole to pull only the Goddess knew kind of poisonous desert beastie out to show to the twins.  There had been a close brush with a kajat, as it snuffled around the ruins before trudging off, and theyd spotted several Aeradalla off to the east, which wasnt normal.  They usually didnt range out so far west of Amyr Dimeon.  Tarrin told himself absently to contact Ariana and find out what was going on.  She was the queen now, having married her childhood crush, King Andos, so there was no doubt that she was in the inner loop.
	Since they couldnt go back to the desert, Tarrin instead sat in his study most of each day and went over his many Duthak books, listening absently as Jula taught Rina the language.  Shed been quite serious about that, and had been steadily learning since deciding that she wanted to do so.  When Rina wasnt learning Duthak, Jesmind came down and played her lute for him, or he sat up in the common room with a book in his lap and listened to her play.  He would look up and watch those human-formed hands dance over the strings with such incredible grace and skill, and marvel at this long-ignored talent of his mate, and let her music serve as a most wonderful background to his learning.
	But despite the enjoyment, he still couldnt shake that feeling of something being wrong.  He couldnt quite put a claw on it, and it nagged him whenever he found a quiet moment.  But it wasnt an overwhelming feeling, and was quickly and easily replaced by other thingsand when it was, it was quickly forgotten.
	That was the pattern until the day they intended to leave for Wikuna, which itself, like the last trip, wasnt preceded by any degree of serious planning, but was looked forward to by Jesmind quite a bit.  It was coming into winter there--it was so far north that they barely had five hours of daylight around the winter solstice--and Jesmind had been having this strange desire to see snow.  Dolanna had Teleported to his house the night before, bringing Camara and Koran Tal with her, as well as little Shaul, and Jenna told him that everyone else was gathered in Suld, except for Keritanima and the Vendari, of course.  Even Sarraya was there, having been doing something in Shac for the Hierarchs, so this reunion would indeed involve everyone, just as it should be.
	Jesmind was up early, waking up Tarrin and Fireflash as she loudly gathered up her clothes and started dressing.  Come on! she said, tossing his breeches at him.  Tarrin pulled the covers over his head and reached out from under them to grab the breeches, then tossed them back at her.  Its still the middle of the night in Wikuna, he told her flatly.  We cant leave until noon.
	She doesnt have to be awake for us to go, Jesmind protested, packing her lute into a protective leather case shed had Garyth the cobbler make for her some months ago.  In addition to being the cobbler, Garyth was quite good at making leather clothing and goods.
	Shell be ticked at us if we show up before she gets out of bed, he warned.
	Bull.  Shed be pleasantly surprised if she found all of us sitting around the breakfast table.
	You dont know Kerri very well, he chuckled sleepily, sitting up.  Obviously, Jesmind had decided that they were getting up, so he knew it was pointless to continue trying to sleep.  If youre so hot about going, then lets go to Suld.  Im sure a change of scenery will hold you over until noon.
	I want to go to Wikuna, she said sharply.  Youve never taken me there, Tarrin.  Not once.
	Youve never asked to go, he retorted.
	You never asked to take me, she said testily, throwing his favorite vest directly at his face.
	Oh, alright, I see how its going to be this morning, he grunted as he carefully put his feet into his trousers.  Im damned no matter what I say or do unless it involves doing whatever you want.
	Thats right, she said with a smirk, stalking quickly into the bathroom, and then calling out to him from within.  Now get your tail out of that bed and lets get everyone ready to go.
	I think females were the worst idea the gods ever came up with, he muttered as he stood up and pulled on his trousers, pausing to button up the slit in the back that accommodated his tail.
	Watch it, buster, the Goddess voice touched him with whimsical amusement.
	Thats alright, Mother.  I dont think of you as a female, he retorted in a dry tone.
	There was a startled silence, then a peal of silvery, bell-like laughter.
	Despite her impatience, Jesmind didnt manage to rush everyone out of bed and to Wikuna even a fraction as quickly as she wanted.  For one, nobody else shared her impatience.  For another, certain people in the house were totally unimpressed with her pushiness.  And lastly, the cubs had to eat before they left or theyd all be cranky and obnoxious, and nobody wanted that.  Allia showed her irritation with Jesmind by slowing way down, even walking with a dignified cadence that looked like she was moving in slow motion.  It took her ten minutes to walk from her room down to the dining table, where Dolanna, Jula, Kimmie, and Tarrin had started setting out breakfast.  And when she got there, she seated herself and began eating her meal at such a slowed pace that piping hot bread was cool to the touch in the span between when she picked it up and took a bite out of it.  This, of course, drove Jesmind absolutely wild, but it made Tarrin stifle a laugh as he watched, which earned him withering glares from his mate.  Her eyes were begging him to intervene,