.  By this time next month, those paths will be different.
	Where he is concerned, that is most likely true, Kikkalli agreed.  The winds of change swirl about him like a tornado, and he changes the future of everything he touches, which in turn change his own.
	Try to focus on one thing, Ahiriya told the force which was Kikkalli.  Answer me one question.
	If I can.  What do you want to know?
	Does he start trying to learn how his power works soon?
	The force which was Kikkalli was silent a long moment.  From what I see at this moment, sister, yes, she answered.  Most paths of potential converge on that event.  Id say he starts on it within the end of the ride.
	Excellent, Ahiriya announced, rather smugly.  Thats what all this was about, kicking his butt and getting him going towards that goal.  Ignore those distant visions, sister.  Theyre going to be changing.
	I hope so, FaraNae seemed to sigh.
	Have faith in my kitten, sister, Niami assured her.
	My faith in his ability is not in doubt, sister, she answered.  It is my faith in the wisdom of the other gods which worries me.  They will see him learning how his power works as either a threat or an opportunity to take measure of him.  Either way, it leads down a violent path.
	Thats exactly what I want to happen, Ahiriya announced.  Trust me.  Right now, I want the other gods to be very, very afraid of Tarrin Kael.
	Why is that? Karas asked.
	Because it will keep him alive, she answered grimly.
 
Chapter 20

	Needless to say, Tarrins day had been rather eventful.
	The morning had been nervous enough, but then again, that didnt say much about the revelation he dropped on the Wikuni when he came through that archway with his wings out and revealed to the world.  There was nothing but stunned silence throughout the entire breakfast, and there was some amount of surprised silence coming from his friends and family.  They could tell that Tarrin was edgy and unsure of what he was doing, so they were careful to treat him gently, to prevent an unwanted explosion.  But on the whole, though they were rather unsure of things, the Wikuni at that breakfast reacted with more curiosity than fear.
	After that, he left the task of getting everyone home to Keritanima, Jula, Dolanna, and Jasana while he left alone to take care of some pressing business.  The first thing he did was stop in at the palace in Suld and bull his way into Arrens court.  There, with his wings in full view, he stood before Arren and explained what happened, made an account of himself, then sincerely apologized for the entire affair.
	I should have led it out of Suld, but I wasnt thinking, he said in a grim tone, his head bowed.  Im sorry, Arren.  Ill do whatever you feel will put things right, even if it means spending some time in prison.
	Well, um, the Tower already explained much of it, Tarrin, he said uncertainly.  It was obvious he wasnt sure how to deal with Tarrins behavior.  That you had to use a power that only the mightiest of Sorcerers can use, a very dangerous power.  But you could tell me why you still have those wings.
	Tarrin blew out his breath, quickly crafting his response to go with what the Tower had already said.  He didnt like to lie, but he did have to have some kind of a plausible explanation that wasnt the truth. Theyre a scar, he answered in an unemotional voice.  A permanent mark of what I did.  Theyre a part of me now, as much a punishment as they are a blessing.
	That was certainly the truth.
	Ianelle already offered up an impressive sum to rebuild that section of the city, Arren told him.  I refused it.  Its not the Towers responsibility to pay for it, Tarrin.  The High Priest of Karas received an omen telling him that what you did was supported by Karas, that you were defending Suld from that thing.  Thus, no blame has been placed on you.  You did us all a favor when you destroyed that monster, and I wont punish you for it, even if Suld was damaged in the process.
	Tarrin was grateful beyond words that Arren didnt hate him for laying waste to another of his cities, but he also couldnt justify it in his mind.  He had done wrong, and for that he had to make right.
	If you wont let them pay you, then let me, he declared.  Ill personally pay for the rebuilding, and Ill devote every other day to helping your engineers with the construction.
	Well, youll be joining the other katzh-dashi, he smiled in return.  Ianelle did more than just try to buy the Towers way out of trouble.  Jenna devoted nearly half of the Sorcerers to the rebuilding effort.  With their magic, we can get everything rebuilt by midsummer.  As far as you paying for it goes, Ill accept that, Tarrin.  Mainly because youll just spank me if I refuse.
	Tarrin gave him a wry smile, but said nothing.
	Tarrin had felt that to be absolutely necessary.  It satisfied his own sense of responsibility over the destruction of the southeastern section of Suld, and it showed Sulasia and the world that Tarrin was willing to stand up and accept punishment for his actions, that even someone as powerful as him had to take responsibility for what he did.  That, he hoped, would prevent the mortals from being terrified of him.
	After that, he went home, and found that Anayi had yet to show up at his house, or anywhere in Aldreth, for that matter.  He spent some time relaxing a while, then quickly warned Forge about depopulating the forest around the house and burning it down the first time the Hellhound wanted to go out.  It was the first time hed been home since it all happened, and it just felt wonderful to sit in his favorite chair by the fire, sit in his favorite chair down in his library, and let things feel like they were getting back to normal.
	Tara! came a strangled cry from upstairs, followed by the sound of crashing crockery and an upset piece of furniture.
	Tarrin smile to himself.  Or at least as normal as things ever got in the Kael household.
	After an afternoon and evening of quiet rest, trying to sink himself back into the feeling of home, he hunted up a nice meal of venison for his family and spent a nice night sitting on the porch with a book written in Duthak on his lap, looking at the deep snow all around the house, but which stopped at the border where the temperature was controlled.  Fireflash was on his shoulder, Forge laying at his feet, and Jesmind was playing her lute in the common room, audible through the open door.  He was rarely alone for long when he was not in his library, and it didnt take long for Kimmie to meander out onto the porch with one of her spellbooks in her paw and sit on the wooden bench-like piece of furniture which was hung from the porchs roof by slim yet sturdy chains, which allowed it to swing back and forth.  It had a back, which was made up of elegantly shaped pieces of wood that flared out from the central panel, like ripples on a pond flowing away from their point of origin.  She pulled her legs up under herself and allowed the rocking swing chair to drift back and forth as she opened her book and started reading, as Forge got up and took a couple of steps over, then laid down in the doorway, almost perfectly between his two masters.  Tarrin said nothing, and neither did she, but this was not unusual for them.  They enjoyed each others company without the need for excessive conversation, and besides, Jesmind got a little unsettled if she felt he was paying Kimmie any kind of undue attention.
	It was just one of those little peculiarities of the Kael household.  Tarrin loved both Jesmind and Kimmie, but he was Jesminds mate.  Jesmind was highly jealous, one of her most un-Were traits, which was an aspect of her deep love for him.  Kimmie lived in the same house with them, but Jesmind tolerated her because Kimmie had a great deal of experience in dealing with dangerous Were-cats, and knew the boundaries under which she could operate within the house.  She was allowed to spend private time with Tarrin, but she couldnt get too friendly.  Jesminds jealousy and need to control the other females nearly got her killed at the paws of Mist, who had left the house because shed had enough of it.
	They sat there for quite a while, silent, reading their books, as the lute continued to play inside, until Kimmie glanced up at him as she turned a page.  Want to learn?
	Maybe later, he answered.  Want to learn?
	Definitely, she affirmed.
	Tarrin held out a paw and Summoned his Dwarven tutor, what Jula used, then held it out in her direction.  Here.  If you cheat, keep me out of it.
	Kimmie chuckled.  She had finally perfected an aspect of the memory spell that she had used on Phandebrass and himself, one that allowed her to retain information just like the Priest magic the Sorcerers used.  Phandebrass had made the spell a while ago, but it had a tendency to backfire when cast and erase memories instead of allow the recipient to retain them, so Kimmie had labored to correct that rather dangerous little problem in the spell.
	Tarrin glanced in her direction, to make sure she was reaching for it.  This game of short sentences was a part of the way they communicated, since they knew each other well enough to not have to say much more.  It also kept Jesmind from getting too interested in what they were talking about.
	Jula wont mind, she told him as she took it.  She cheated herself.
	I know.
	You do owe me one thing.
	What?
	Torian, she told him with a steely look.
	Cheat?
	Not on your life.
	I figured as much, he grunted.  Tomorrow?
	Deal.  She closed her magic book and opened the tutor, paging through the first section quickly.  You wrote it?
	I cheated, but the spell puts it in my handwriting, he answered.
	You know something?
	What?
	We cheat too much, she admitted, then they both chuckled quietly.
	Oh, I should warn you about something, he remembered.
	What?
	He was about to tell her, but the ghostly sound of leathery wings touched his ears, making them pick up and swivel in that direction.  Nevermind, he chuckled.  He heard her land, which made Forge lift his head and peer out into the gloom, then he stood up and gave a single low bark.  The light emanating from the glow globe over their heads robbed them of night vision, so to his eyes, it looked like a winged form materialized out of the shadows of the night.  Come on, he called loudly. I know youre there.
	Anayi marched into the light quickly, a large rucksack slung over her shoulder, held between her wings.  She was dressed in a simple black wrap that went over her shoulders, crossed her breasts, then tied behind her back and under her wings, and black leather breeches tucked into soft black boots.  Anayi had always favored black, but the wrap was something new.  She usually wore a tight-fitting vest-like bustier that was shoulderless, with a strap that went around her neck to keep it from slipping.  She pulled the sack up and over as she approached them, as Kimmie and Tarrin watched her advance, then she stopped and dropped it on the ground just before the porch, her eyes determined her expression set.  She ruffled her wings slightly, then folded them behind her, her blue eyes piercing as she gazed silently upon them.
	She told you I was coming, she announced flatly.
	Tarrin nodded.  She warned me you were moving in this direction.  I dont suggest you go back any time soon, he added.  He didnt want her to know that Shiika goaded her into running away, so he made it sound like Shiika wouldnt want her to returnwhich was the truth.  And Im not entirely sure why you came here.  You know I wont protect you from her.
	I didnt come here to ask you to, she told him in a strong voice, but he could tell that she was very nervous, and there was a tiny quaver in her voice.
	Then what do you want?
	She rushed up onto the porch, startling Forge, then knelt in front of the porch swing and grabbed Kimmies dress in both hands, looking up her pleadingly.  Please take me as an apprentice! she begged.  Im good at Arcane magic, Mistress Kimmie!  I already know some minor spells, but I need a teacher to help me with the more advanced magic.  Ill serve you in any way you want if youll teach me!  Please?!?!
	Youre going to tear my dress! Kimmie objected, slapping at the Alus hands, but the outburst concealed a quite startled Were-cat, Tarrin realized.  Kimmie hadnt in her wildest dreams expected that.  Kimmie looked down at her in surprise, clutching at her freed skirts with her orange tabby-furred paws.
	I can be a good apprentice, Mistress Kimmie, she pleaded.  Im a hard worker, I can cook and clean for you, and Ill do anything you say!
	An apprentice? she said in confusion.  Why are you coming to me?  Im still a student myself!
	Youre a good Wizard, Mistress Kimmie, she said emphatically.  Mother said youre better than even Phandebrass thinks.
	Tarrin had to look away, stifling a chuckle.  Shiika set her up from slippers to a bow in her hair.  He was surprised she didnt see that, but she was so blinded by loyalty to her mother and the inability to believe that shed do all this that she couldnt see it.
	Kimmie looked quite bewildered.  Tarrin put his chin in in his paw and regarded her, observing the emotions play through her scent and body language.  She was surprised, then she flushed a little with delight that someone thought she was a good magician, then she was a little worried that it was Shiika that felt so.  She looked down at the kneeling Alu with shock and surprise, and he could see already that the idea of taking on an apprentice seemed to strike a chord in her, but she worried about this particular one, and all the problems and baggage that might come with her.
	She looked to him desperately, but he just gave her a slow, lazy smile and shook his head.  Shed get no help from him.  This was her decision to make.
	You knew she was coming! she accused in the manner of the Cat.  You knew she was going to ask this, didnt you!  Answer me, Tarrin, I can smell it all over you!
	That earned him a look of surprise from Anayi, which he ignored.  First off, she understands when you do that, Tarrin told her.  Second, yes, I had a good idea of it.  Shiika told me that Anayi stole some of her spellbooks and some other items, and I knew from before that she wanted to learn magic.  It wasnt a stretch to piece it together.
	Anayis face turned slightly darker, then it paled.  She obviously realized that if Tarrin could make the connection, then so would Shiika.  Little did she know that Tarrin got that information from Shiika herself.
	Ease off, he told her.  He realized that a perhaps he should divulge a few facts here, if only to keep her from living in terror for the next few decades.  Shiika knows exactly where you are, and as you can see, shes not coming after you.  I talked to her in Wikuna, and she said that shes not going to try to get you back for what you did.  Shes letting you go, he told her.
	What did she do? Kimmie asked.
	Thats right, we never told anyone else, he grunted.  Shiika wanted to be there when Kerri gave birth, but Anayi here started a revolt in the palace to cover the fact that she was plundering her mothers library and running away.
	Anayi blushed furiously, which gave her skin an ashen color that looked decidedly unpleasant.  Anayi, like all Demon and Demonspawn, had black blood, and it was the color of that blood that infused her flesh when she blushed.
	You didnt! Kimmie gasped, then she laughed.  Well, thats one way to say goodbye, she joked.  Then she pursed her lips.  Soexactly what did you take from your mother?
	Youre a pirate at heart, Kimmie, Tarrin teased.
	Several spellbooks, she said quickly, going for the large rucksack.  I cant cast any of the spells in them.  I cant even read them.  If you take me as an apprentice, theyre yours, Mistress Kimmie.  She pulled one out, bound in black leather with silver hinges, and offered it towards her with a bowed head.
	Now she had Kimmies attention.  The lure of new magic to study was a powerful motivator.  But, this isnt my house, she said uncertainly.  Tarrin is the one you should be asking to let you stay here.  I cant make that decision.
	Tell you what, he said absently, turning the page of his book.  You go in there and ask Jesmind if you can live here.  If you can get her to give her consent without using your powers against her and without hurting her, and without her killing you, he added absently, Ill agree to it.  After that, its how well you can sweet-talk Kimmie into agreeing to take you.
	Anayi paled considerably, then slowly put the book down on the porch and stood up.  If thats what it takes, she said in a grim kind of manner, as if girding herself to walk into the maw of a hungry dragon.
	Tarrin motioned towards the door between his chair and Kimmies swing, and Kimmie watched as the halfbreed Demoness marched into it.  The playing of the lute stopped immediately, but Tarrins paw waving in the doorway assured everyone inside that Anayi had permission to enter.
	Tarrin, what are you doing? Kimmie hissed as Anayi went inside.
	If she can deal with Jesmind, she can stay, he answered in a measured tone, turning the page again.  If she cant, she has no business being here.  You know that as well as anyone.
	Forge sat down by the swing and nudged at Kimmie with his snout, which caused her to scratch him behind the ears.  Fireflash jumped down from Tarrins shoulder and landed on Forges back, looking back through the door curiously.
	What?! Jesminds voice shouted from inside.
	Now comes the test, Tarrin said with a chuckle.
	Tarrin could have made out what was being said inside the house, but he didnt want to know.  How Anayi placated his mate wasnt his concern.  All that mattered was that she could deal with Jesmind without resorting to violence or magic.
	Which wasnt very easy.
	He waited for several moments, reading about some of the other Dwarven cities of the ancient world, as voices sounded within, trading back and forth.  Jesmind sounded rather irked, and Anayis voice calm and reasoned, with just a hint of desperate pleading.  Then, curiously, the timbre of each voice shifted, and sounded rather accommodating.  And then Jesmind laughed.
	Well, it sounds like youd better decide, he told her as he turned another page.
	Anayi rushed out the door and again knelt in front of Kimmie, and Jesmind came up to the door, lute in hand, and leaned against the frame.  I dont have a problem with it, Tarrin, she announced.
	Sounds like you two made a deal.
	Thats between me and her, isnt it? she declared, then she went back inside.
	Tarrin looked towards the door with narrow eyes, but said nothing.
	Will you accept me as an apprentice? Anayi asked, putting her hand on the book on the porch before her.
	Kimmie looked to Tarrin, but his shrug told her that in this, she was on her own.
	I, well, uh, she floundered, then she laughed.  Why not? she said.  I need some help in my lab anyway, and I wouldnt mind having a friend around.  Seeing as how my intended student always finds other things to do, she declared, giving Tarrin an accusing look.
	Talk to Triana, he countered as Anayi gave out several cries of delight.
	Ill talk to you, she told him archly.  You dont seem to have any binding commitments at the moment, dear.  I think I get my own turn teaching you whats important to me.
	Youve never told me you wanted to teach me Wizard magic.
	How could I with everyone else always having possession of your time? she said in exasperation.  Youve never had the time for me, Tarrin!
	Tarrin frowned, for he realized she was right.  He always had something else to do.  And now that he had nothing more than a need to learn what this inner power did, and every other day devoted to helping with the rebuilding of Suld, he did have time.  Well, and the need to give Triana a five layer spell.  And his friends, and keeping tabs on Shaul and Faalken, and--
	--no.  He would make time.  Kimmie was important to him, no matter how Jesmind felt about things.  He owed her his time and his attention.  Teaching him her lifes passion was important to her, as important as it was to Triana, and he would not ignore her wishes.  Not anymore.  If he lost a little sleep, then so be it.  Kimmie was worth it.  He honestly wasnt all that interested in Arcane magic, but for Kimmie, he would learn.  He would learn anything she wanted to teach him, as long as it made her happy.
	Because he loved her.
	I do now, he announced, closing the book and setting it aside.  I have other things to do, but Ill find time for your lessons, Kimmie.  I promise.
	She gave him a beaming smile.
	But its going to have to be tomorrow evening, he added.  I have something to do tomorrow.
	Well work out a schedule, she said, unable to do anything but grin happily.
	Well, I see I wont be the only apprentice, Anayi told him, her voice still a little giddy from being accepted.
	Apprentice? Tarrin said in an amused tone.  No.
	Well, technically yes, but I wont call you that if you dont want me to, Kimmie told him with a wink.
	Smart woman, Tarrin said evenly as he yawned, showing off his impressive white fangs.
	So, what did you bring? Kimmie asked with bright eyes, looking at the black leather-bound book on the porch.
	I have six spellbooks, she said, digging into the sack quickly, rummaging around in it.  I also got my hands on a few magical artifacts that mothers had for a few hundred years.  They survived the Breaking.  She pulled out a small brass lamp, then a small, dull silver flask, and then a simple gold ring.  Theres an enchanted feather in here too, she said, looking down the neck of the bag.
	What do they do? Kimmie asked.
	I have no idea, she answered.  Mother knows what they do, but she didnt keep them in the room where she keeps all the dangerous and cursed items, so Im pretty sure that theyre safe.  Odds are they just have minor enchantments on them, like that glowing globe up there.  She pointed to the glowglobe hovering near the porchs roof.
	Tarrin could identify them, Kimmie said, looking at him.
	Not if they were created by Wizard magic, he told her.  I dont know enough about Wizard magic to know what it does.
	I forgot about that, she said with a frown.  Well, Phandebrass could figure them out.
	So long as he doesnt blow them up in the process, Tarrin added.
	Kimmie leaned way out over the arm of her swing and slapped him on the shoulder.  And she wasnt gentle.
	Heres the feather, Anayi announced, pulling out a very large feather that Tarrin immediately identified as belonging to a Phoenix, then she pulled out the other five spell books, all bound with the same black leather and with silver hinges, stacking them on the porch.
	Put the items back in the bag, Anayi, Kimmie said as she got up.  Ill have Tarrin take them to Phandebrass in the morning.  Lets get the books to my lab.
	Where is it?
	On the second floor, she said.  Its not very large, but I have to work with what I have.
	Tarrin watched them go, and he realized tht she was right.  Kimmies lab was one of the bedrooms upstairs, and it was quite small.  She had so much stuff that it was stacked up on top of each other, and every available horizontal surface was packed with beakers, vials, little tubes, books, loose pieces of parchment holding notes, and jars of things Tarrin didnt even want to identify.  It was cozy with Kimmie in there, but it was going to be cramped with Anayi in there, and downright overcrowded if Tarrin were also inside.
	Obviously, something had to be done about it.
	Tarrin put his chin in his paw and pondered the problem.  The house couldnt be altered.  The magic that infused it would be disrupted if they started knocking out walls, which might cause the entire weave that bound it together to unravel.  That would leave them all homeless.  Another option was another underground level beneath his library, but for some reason he didnt want to stick Kimmie a hundred spans underground.  Besides, that was his space, and if he ever had to expand, hed be eating into Kimmies lab.
	Well, if he couldnt give her a decent lab inside the house, that meant he had to build something outside.
	Now that was a workable idea.  The dome of magic that surrounded his house went up about a hundred spans, centered right over the house, so that would allow him to build something about sixty spans high to one side of the main house.  The barn would prevent building on the south side, and he didnt want to put it in the front of the house or to the north, because that would block his rooms view of the mountains.  Putting something behind the house, on the west sidenow that was feasible.
	Tarrin was starting to like this idea.  He wanted to minimize the ground area her lab took up yet still give her plenty of room, so he could build her a nice sixty span high tower behind the house.  A tower that high would have at least four floors and as many cellar levels he cared to dig, so shed have plenty of room for her equipment.  It would be her space, all her own, a sanctuary from the stifling rules and restrictions under which she had to live in his house.  After years of playing second fiddle, quietly and patiently waiting, being forced to watch as the man she loved was with another, it was about bloody time that he did something for Kimmie that reminded her that she mattered to him.
	Mother, I know you may not want to talk, but answer me this.  Will it disrupt the houses magic? he asked bluntly.
	No, came her immediate reply, in a manner that told him that she wasnt willing to say any more.
	Well then.  Jasana! he boomed from the porch as he banished his book back to the library.  Jula!  Get out here!
	He Conjured a piece of parchment, then used Sorcery to imprint upon it in ink a visual illustration of what he saw in his minds eye.  It was a slender tower, sixty spans high, about twenty spans in diameter.  It had a flat unadorned roof with a small stair house, so the stairs leading to its top didnt come up through the roofs floor.  What he envisioned was four large chambers that took up the entirety of each floor, with plenty of headroom, and the staircase would revolve around the outer circumference.  There would be windows on each level on the three sides not take up by the staircase.  There would be two cellar levels to start out, much larger than the rooms above, perfect for a windowless lab--if she needed one--or a large storeroom for just about anything.  Though there would be no for fireplaces or hearths in the design, because they wouldnt be needed, he included one chimney, which would draw for four hearths on all four levels.  That chimney wouldnt jut out, for it would be contained entirely in the wall, on the side where the stairs crossed between the third and fourth levels, where he would have to reinforce the stone to keep the heat from the chimneys smoke from bleeding into the stone and making it a potential threat.
	Whats wrong, father? Jasana asked as she came out onto the porch.  Jula was right behind her, still in the act of pulling a shirt on.  Her hair was wet, plastered to her head, her fur was slightly matted together on her arms, and she was still damp here and there.  She must have just gotten out of the bathtub.
	Sorry, he apologized to Jula.  I didnt realize you were in the bathtub.
	Its nothing, father.  I was just drying off, she said dismissively.  Her amused expression turned a little dark as she looked out towards the meadow, then her face flushed in the most curious manner, and she hastily used Sorcery to dry her fur and hair.  He looked towards the meadow and saw Thean and Jeri strolling towards them.  It was about time Thean got here, he only asked him to come yesterday night.
	What took you so long? Tarrin demanded as he stood up.
	I had to travel here, lad, he said with a teasing smile.
	Uncle Thean! Jasana said in excitement, rushing off towards him with her arms out wide.  Jula stayed where she was, however, continuing to stare at the two males with a strange expression on her face.
	Tarrin had to suppress a smile.  It wasnt Thean, it was Jeri.  Shed met Thean several times, since he wandered by from time to time, but shed met Jeri when she was still a bonded child, when she had lots of other things on her mind.  And here was a young male, about her age, good-looking, nice and completely unattached.  That she would react like that was perfectly natural, given that she had not taken a mate since becoming Were.
	Thean collected up Jasana and carried her with him as the two males approached, as Jasana talked Theans ear off, babbling about going to Wikuna and this and that, but careful to avoid the matter of the wings.  Jula quickly smoothed her hair and made herself look presentable as Jeris attention was held by Jasana, then put her paws behind her back and assumed a demure pose--a very human reaction--as the two of them reached the porch.  Jeri was still rather small and slim and sleek, his green shirt and baggy black trousers replaced by a one-sleeved brown tunic of sorts that had several holes in it and a pair of black leather breeches that had been torn off at the knees.  The males reddish-orange striped fur--the same color as Kimmies--was a bit dirty, as if hed just come back from an extended trip, and he had a ratty backpack slung negligently over one shoulder, holding onto its strap to keep it from sliding off, and a very heavy fur cloak over his other arm.  Thean too was carrying a heavy cloak in his free paw, but he wore a heavy linen shirt under a vest-like sleeveless doublet of dark blue that looked curiously good with his gray fur on his arms.  His leggings were of a thick, dark fur, ample protection from a brisk Sulasian winter.  He was much cleaner than Jeri.
	Youre a mess, Jeri, Tarrin told him.
	I know, he laughed.  I ran into Thean while on the way back to my den after a few years of wandering, and he told me you asked him to come.  I havent come to visit you since the war at Suld, so I thought it would be a good time to wander over and see how you were doing.  I still havent gotten back to my den,