sniffed at the practice, for she felt a bow was a useless weapon for a Were-cat, but she said nothing about it.
	It took a bit of digging, but he found his own bow, the one that had been altered to make it unbreakable to allow Tarrin to use it in his natural form.  But then he thought that he might need a bow to use as a human, so he went over to see his father and asked a favor of him.
	I guess I could, son, he answered.  But I havent made a bow or arrows in years.  Ive been making more money brewing than I did at fletching.  I might make you a bow with three arms.
	Tarrin laughed.  One of your worst is still better than one of my best, he assured him.
	Youd be carrying two bows around, son, Elke said disapprovingly.  Theyre too big for that.
	I know, but what choice do I have, mother? he said.  I can put one on a pack horse.
	Youre a magician, boy, she told him sharply.  Cant you figure out a way to make your bow change itself to you rather than you having to change bows?  They used magic on the one you have so you couldnt break it and you could use your full strength when drawing it, and its your old bow.  Just fix it so you can turn that magic off when youre a human.
	I he started, then he realized that Elke had hit on something of an idea there.  You know something, mother?  Thats a damn good idea.
	Of course it is, she said waspishly.  Now go get some venison out of the cold room.  Youre eating here tonight.
	It took him six hours to figure out how to insert a trigger into the magic of his bow to disable the strengthening spell that made it all but unusuable to anyone of human strength, but it took him nearly a day to work out how to add that trigger into the weaving of the bows magic without having to purge all the magic and start completely over.  The bows magic was already bound, and that made changing it impossible without some divine intervention.  After wasting that day on study and concluding that it was impossible, he had to ask Niami for a little help to clear the binding spell and allow him to make an alteration to the power of the bow, then rebind it with the new trigger intact.  But after he got that assistance, it took him all of three hours to clear the binding, insert the trigger, and rebind it, which gave him the ability to use his bow either as a human or as a Were-cat.  He only disabled its aspect of the stronger draw, leaving intact its unbreakable nature as well as the unbreakable bowstring.
	Now that he had a bow again, he needed some arrows.  He packed a fletching kit to be added to the equipment going with them on the journey so he could make more arrows in case they found themselves in a place where he had no access to fletching supplies, which consisted of a case of fine arrowheads, fine sinew for wrapping, good whittling knives for shaping shafts, and a sack of fletching feathers.  He gambled that he could make shafts where they were going, for theyd be too bulky to take along with him.  A case of  two hundred arrowheads fit into a medium sized box, but it was a bit weighty.  The feathers were bulky, but were very light.  The shafts would be both bulky and heavy.
	When he was done, he and Eron sat down and made two barrels of arrows.  Most of the arrows that went into the barrel were Tarrins, but by the end of it, Eron had gotten the knack of it and was starting to put out some good arrows, more than worthy enough to go into the barrel with Tarrins, arrows that were going with him on his journey.  Like a wise fellow, Tarrin was taking both two barrels of finished arrows and the supplies he needed to make three more, for they had no idea where they were going or how long they would be there.  It was only smart to be prepared.
	Not long after they finished the arrows, Mist collected up Eron and left the house, journeying to where the Hierarchs would meet to assess their son.  Tarrin had never come face to face with the Hierarchs before, because of his past.  He had broken nearly every rule that Fae-daNar had, but they had had to overlook it because of who he was and what he was doing.  They couldnt be seen actively supporting him, so they simply turned a blind eye to him and pretended he didnt exist.  And he wasnt allowed to be there for Erons introduction either, both because of the Hierarchs and because a cubs father had nothing to do with it.  He was forced to wait at the house impatiently, contacting Mist through her amulet every day to make sure they were well and to keep him abreast of their progress.  Tarrin looked after Sandy while Eron was gone, who spent most of that time playing with Fireflash and Forge.
	A few days after that, Kimmie rushed in and dropped a bundle on Tarrins couch, startling Sandy, who was nearly where she put it.  Can you watch the cubs for a few days, hon?  And can you give me a lift to Suld? she asked quickly.  Phandebrass just contacted me and told me he had a breakthrough, and he wants me to come see it!
	What kind of breakthrough?
	Kimmie laughed.  Who knows, but it must have been a good one.  I thought he was going to start dancing on the ceiling!
	I told him to make his own version of a Gnomlin Traveling Spellbook.  Maybe he managed to do it without blowing himself up.
	She laughed.  That might be it, she agreed.
	Alright, Ill keep an eye on things for a while, he told her.  Is Anayi going?
	She shook her head.  She got summoned by her mother this morning.  She went back to Dala Yar Arak to see what she wants.
	Why would Shiika call Anayi back home? Tarrin asked curiously.
	I think she wants to see how far Anayis progressed, Kimmie said with a clever little look on her face.
	How far has she progressed?
	Her spellbooks are about half as full as mine, she winked.  Shes quite a Wizard.
	Speaking of spellbooks, can I have mine back now? he asked.
	She laughed.  Yes, you can, its on the table in my lab.
	You put more spells in it, didnt you?
	She winked.  Go see.
	More spells I cant cast?
	She snorted.  I think you could cast any spell in my library if you were serious about it, she accused.  I know you pretend you cant when Im around, Tarrin.
	He flushed a bit.  Guilty, he admitted.
	Since were not going to pretend, I went ahead and copied all my spells into your book.  That way I have one more emergency backup.
	I thought you did that already.
	Not all of them.  I didnt put in the spells that I cant cast.  I went ahead and did those too.
	Oh.  Alright.
	Im not jealous, she giggled.  Calm down.
	Sorry.  I, well, you know.
	I know.  But youre special, my love.  I think I can accept the fact that if you werent who you are, you wouldnt be able to cast them either.
	He laughed.  Youre probably right.  Now off with you.  The sooner you get there, the sooner you can come home.
	You have to take me, silly, she said with a mischevious little wink.
	He stood.  Now?
	Why not?  Ill grab a bite there, and the cubs already know Im going.  Theyre out playing right now.
	Alright, hold on a second, he said, opening himself to the Weave and drawing out the flows which he needed to weave a spell of Teleportation.  She blew him a kiss as he wove the spell, snapped it down, and then released it, and her image shimmered into nothingness as the spell Teleported her to Suld.
	There was little to do now but watch over the cubs and wait.  With Mist and Eron gone, Kimmie in Suld and Anayi in Dala Yar Arak, he and Kimmies cubs had the house to themselvesand it felt a little empty.  But he wasnt alone, and it was a chance to teach his daughters a few things without Kimmie being around to see it.  Tara wasnt interested in much of anything, and Rina was interested in everything, so the trick was finding something that Tara found interesting and that Rina didnt already know.  They already knew most everything a Were-cat needed to know to make it as an adult.
	He knew his aggressive little cub fairly well, and knew that she was much smarter than she pretended to be.  It was almost as if she were ashamed of it, and acted like a wolverine with a burr in her butt to hide that fact.  She did have interests, but they were firmly along the lines of a Were-cats interests; hunting, tracking, outdoor skills.  Mist and Jesmind had helped put a hand in to teach Tara and Rina woodcraft, mainly because their mother was admittedly inept at it, so they were not lacking in that department.  Theyd learned five different languages while they grew up, Sulasian, Torian, ShaKar, Selani, and Wikuni, and though their father knew several more languages, it wasnt something he could teach in the month and a half or so that was left before he started his mission.
	What he finally found that set fire to Taras curiosity was something he would never have expected, and in a way, something that took him by surprise.  It was after hed reclaimed his spellbook from Kimmies tower and was studying the Wizard spells shed put into it that she came into the common room downstairs from outside, carrying a ripped shirt in her paws, leaving the cubwho had the body of a sixteen year old human femalebare to the waist.  Despite the fact that she was his daughter, he had to admit, Tara was quite a well-formed female, with all those generous curves that males found appealing.  What happened to you? he asked her.
	Aww, that stupid old bear up the valley got pissy, she answered gruffly.  He ripped my shirt off!
	I told you to leave him alone.
	I never did nothin! she protested.
	Then why were you in that valley?  You know thats his territory.
	I was chasing a rabbit, she answered.  I didnt realize I was there til he came charging out of his den.  She glared at him.  Why do you put up with old grumpybutt anyway?
	Because I dont go aggravating him, he answered mildly, holding out his paw.  Shirt.
	She handed it to him, and he used a brief weave of mending to repair it.  He noticed that her eyes were very intent as he did so.  He looked a little bit more closely at his daughter, and felt the first twinges of magic starting to stir inside her.  That shocked him.  She was expressing talent in Sorcery!  But why did it show up so late in her?  And why hadnt he felt it before?
	That was twice now that hed failed to sense the magical power within another being.  Was his own magical abilities getting dulled somehow?  Or was he just not paying attention?  Or could it be that with everything that he now sensed, both mundane and magical, mortal and divine, sensing things like that was something he just overlooked?
	What? she demanded.
	Dont take that tone with me, missy, he warned flatly, his ears twitching as if to lay back.
	She immediately looked away, her tail drooping and her shoulders slumping somewhat.
	I hope youre not too attached to this place, cub, he told her.
	Why, father?
	Because youre going to the Tower, he answered.
	What?  Why?
	Why were you staring at the shirt so hard when I was fixing it?
	I, well, I thought I could see something.
	Thats because you can.  Youre a Sorcerer, cub.  Its just starting to show up in you.  That means youre going to the Tower and youre going to learn.
	Im a Sorcerer?  Ill be able to do all that stuff you do?
	He gave her a keen look.  It was just starting to show up in her, the first stirrings, but he could tell even now that she would have formidable power in Sorcery.  She wasnt a suikun, but she was more than equal in power to such notable Sorcerers as Ianelle, Dolanna, and Sevren.  She would definitely be a dashar, and a bloody strong one at that.
	Most of it, he said honestly.
	For the first time, he saw his grumpy cub almost giddy.  She squealed in delight and jumped in the air, spinning around three times before her feet hit the floor.  Then she rushed up and hugged him gleefully.  I didnt think Id ever be a Sorcerer, and its what Ive always wanted to do! she told him.
	He put his huge paw on his cubs bare back and patted it gently.  Well now, it looks like youre going to get your chance, my cub, he told her with a chuckle.  Do you know if Rinas been doing the same things?
	Rina?  Shes been studying moms books on Wizard magic when she isnt looking, she told him with a roguish smile.  Thats what she really likes, what mother does.
	He picked up his daughter in a single strong arm, and she looped her arms around his neck.  Well, cub, Im glad things worked out the way you hoped.
	Now I can be just like you, father, she said with gentle exuberance, leaning in and rubbing her nose against his.
	Be careful what you wish for, cub, he chuckled.  You may get it.  Now put your shirt back on before your grandmother comes in and gives me a tongue-lashing for letting your run around topless, and go round up your sister so we can get busy with dinner.
	Before dinner, he gave Rina a very close inspection, and found that the spark of Sorcery was also lurking within her, but much more recessed.  Tara had been actively seeking that power, and because of that, she was much closer to it.  But Rinas concentration was with her mothers Wizard magic, so her own talent in Sorcery was completely unrealized.  But still, that spark required that she learn Sorcery, if only to be able to control it.  Rinas aptitude, strangely enough, wasnt as strong as Taras.  The two of them were identical in nearly every way, but for some odd reason, their raw aptitude in Sorcery was not.  That seemedunnatural.
	Rina wasnt nearly as happy about it as Tara was.  Aww, I dont want to go to the Tower, father! she complained, coming as close to being surly as hed ever seen in his gentle cub.
	Like it or not, its what you have to do, girl, he said in a steely tone.  Sorcery is dangerous in the hands of the untrained.  Anyone who has the talent has to learn how to control it.  Given your aptitude, you should be home in two years if you decide not to learn more than you need to know to control your power.
	Im not coming back til I know everything, Tara announced.
	Then youd better pack everything you own, cub, Tarrin told her.  Youll be there for quite a while.
	Kimmie didnt take it very well.  Theyre what? she demanded as he contacted her after dinner to tell her the news.
	Theyre Sorcerers, he answered.  Taras right on the verge of expressing it, and Rinas not far behind.  That usually wouldnt be too much of a problem, but theyre both very strong.  Im sorry, love, but they have to go to the Tower.  Soon.  Tomorrow.
	Why didnt you know sooner?  Youve sensed it in some, like Shal, when they were born!
	Im not sure, he admitted.  But I know that they are.  Ive already talked to Jenna, and Im taking them to the Tower tomorrow.  You can have breakfast with us.
	I wish I could, but Im almost to Ultern, she answered.  Phandebrass did make that spellbook, but he thinks hes found a scion, and were going there to investigate.
	Whats a scion?
	Back in the Age of Power, the Wizards built places they called scions, she explained.  Wizards cant Teleport, but they did create inter-dimensional gateways, kind of like the one that links the house to your parents farm.  By using a scion, I could go to any other scion as fast as teleporting.  Phandebrass thinks one is in the ruins of Castle Keening, which may be one reason  why the kizadun set up shop there.  So were taking a trip up there to look the place over.  If it is a scion, were going to study it and see if we cant figure out how they made them.  Sorry, love, but Ill be gone about a month, maybe two.
	Youd better hurry.  If you miss the birth of Allias child, shell kill you.
	I know.  Phandebrass said were going straight over the mountains.  Itll be a rough trip, but itll cut a month off the travelling time  And if we run long, you can always come get us, so we should be alright.
	Want me to come get you now and take you?
	No, dear, were doing this ourselves.  Its a Wizard thing.  I think the cubs will be just fine without me for a little while, and I know youre enjoying the time with them.
	You could have told me sooner, you know.
	I wanted to be well on my way before I did, so you couldnt say anything, she said in am impish voice.
	Sneak.
	You bet.  Keep me posted on how the cubs are doing, will you?
	Of course I will.  You have everything you need?
	I made sure we did, she giggled.  So we have supplies, horses, tents, a map, and money.  Were just fine.
	Good.  Keep him on a leash.
	Oh, I think I have everything under control, she laughed.
	Alright.  Ill see you when you get home, Kimmie.
	Ill be there soon, my love.  Have fun with the cubs.
	I will.
 
Chapter 25

	For the first time ever, Tarrin was alone in the house.
	Sort of.  Forge, Fireflash, and Sandy were there as well, but nobody else was.  Jesmind and Mist and Kimmie werent there, Anayi wasnt there, Jula was currently exploring the abandoned island of ShaKari, his children werent there, he had no visitors.  The house was all his, and he honestly had no idea what to do with it.
	It was such a strange thing.  The house was usually filled with sound and smells, coming from the unusual pack of people who lived here.  There wasnt any of Erons laughing, or Taras rough voice shouting at someone, or the sound of Rinas flute as she practicedwhich was often the reason Tara was yellingor the sounds of Kimmie or Mist shouting at Tara to be silent.  The house was quiet, only the sounds of him and the animals, and the smells of his family were starting to grow old.
	Such was the progress of time, he supposed.  Tara and Rina were now firmly in the Tower, and well on their way in the Novitiate, under Jennas watchful eye.  For the first time in her life, Tara had found something that truly interested her, truly sparked her desire, and the change in her was quite amazing.  She was still pushy and quite the bully, but she didnt argue or fight with any of her teachers, such was her desire to learn what they had to teach.  She even showed incredible patience, for she had to progress through the Novitiate first, just like any other student, and she was enduring that delay with surprising fortitude.  Rina was happy being nearly anywhere, for that was Rinas nature.  She still was much more interested in Wizard magic than she was Sorcery, but she knew that since she had the gift, she had to learn how to use it and control it, and thus she was quite content with this sudden change in her life.  On the other hand, very little upset Rina.  His mellow little cub was always quite happy and cheerful, sedate and content, no matter where she was.  It was as if she was simply happy to be alive, and that happiness was always enough for her.
	If they all could only be so lucky.
	Kimmie took the news rather well.  She was thrilled that her children possessed the power of Sorcery, and told Tarrin that shed make immediate plans to move her lab to Suld.  While the children were in the Tower, shed return to studying under her mentor, Phandebrass.
	Having the entire house to himself was strange.  Until Mist and Eron came back from their meeting the Hierarchs, or Kimmie or Anayi came back from their respective missions, he was all alone.  That was the strange part.  He was used to being alone, but not at home.  Hed been alone for two years when he filled in for Spyder, but that didnt feel like home to him.  He just guessed that he had always associated home, this house, with more than just him, and without the others, it just didnt feel the same.
	Odd that a solitary Were-cat would feel any pangs of lonelinessbut then again, Tarrin was not an ordinary Were-cat.
	But he was but one jump away from family, and he took that jump quite often.  He became quite a regular at the farm where he grew up, spending time with his parents, who were very glad to have him.  While they all waited for Allia to have her baby, they were more or less trapped by that fact, unable to start anything that they couldnt finish within a matter of days.  Selani pregnancies were unusual and could be unpredictable, and Allia had warned them all that now, with only a month and a half to go before her time, that there was a chance that the birth may come early.  It was a common complication among many Selani females, the tendency for premature birth, and one of the reasons why pregnant females went to their tribes permanent settlement once they reached that stage. The Selani life was a hard one, and the constant movement might incite a premature birth.  But since Allia wanted them all to meet in Mala Myrr, she was now there, set up in one of the old Dwarven buildings near the arena with Allyn, her parents, and a watchful detachment of ten Aeradalla who had simply showed up when they moved into the ruins and announced that theyd be there to help hunt and watch over the Selani family.  Tarrin hadnt known that the Aeradalla were keeping an eye on Allia, and after a talk with Ariana, he found out that theyd been watching over Allias tribe since she returned to the desert.  Ariana and Andos owed a great deal to Tarrin, and since Allia was Tarrins sister, they always watched from above and afar to ensure that she was safe and all was well.  Allia would be furious if she found out, so he quietly kept that information to himself.  Allias pride would be injured if she found out that the Aeradalla were babysitting her, as she would call it.
	They all could do little but wait.  Tarrin helped his father rebuild the hayloft floor in the smaller barn, knocking it out and putting in a new one, then they built an addition to the brewhouse, which now took up a sizable portion of real estate along the stream.  Eron had quite the business going with his brewing, and had even taken five apprentices to teach them the trade and get some help managing his activities.  One of those apprentices was a Were-fox female named Lyri, though the four villagers had no idea she was Were.
	That still surprised him a little bit.  He could go to Aldreth now and see Fae-daNar walking along the Green.  Aldreth had become an open village for the Woodkin, where they knew they could come and visit and know that they were accepted, even welcomed.  Always before, they sent no more than one or two, and did so with speed and reluctance, outside of the Centaurs, who always sent ten.  But then again, Centaurs were an overly nervous and insecure lot, though they were powerful fighters.  Centaurs and Were in human form were common sights now in Aldreth, as were Druids and even some of the more exotic races, like Faeries, Pixies, Brownies, Sylphs, Dryads, and Nymphs.  The Nymphs caused some problems, but it was nothing that the now-harried Mayor Garyth couldnt manage.  Theyd even had a Treant come to the village two months ago, a tree-like creature that was nearly thirty spans tall.  He came in and asked if they procure him some special dirt and loam from a plain in Shac.  One of the merchants who had wisely moved up from Torrian to get a piece of this new source of income had agreed to get it for him, and he returned to the Heartwood.  A month later, thanks to carrier pigeons and some fast riverboats, the dirt arrived, and the Treant returned.  He paid the man with a huge pouch of amber, which was about ten times what it cost to procure the dirt and have it delivered.  Amber jewelry was quite the rage on the Stormhaven Isles.
	The other strange thing was the magic.  Tarrin stayed mostly to himself, but the last time he visited the village to get a barrel of nails from Karn, he was quite surprised to see Karn using a Wizard cantrip to pull stock out of the fire.  Karn told him that a Wizard had visited last year and offered to teach them little useful magic tricks for money, and he was very reasonable with his fees.  Karn proudly proclaimed that he knew four magic spells, and that one had made forging much easier.  He could get the stock exactly where he wanted it in the fire without worrying about burning himself, take it out, turn it over, and move it around without having to use tongs on it, though he still had to hold it down with tongs when he hammered on it.  Everyone in the village now knew at least one or two cantrips, except for the children.  The mayor had wisely realized that teaching magic to children would be a bad idea, so he forbade it.  The parents agreed, the children were furious, and the Wizard did what he was told and refused to teach any children.  It seemed that the only people in Aldreth now who didnt know any magic outside the children were his own parents.
	When he asked them why they hadnt learned any, they just shrugged and said that theyd gone that long without it, so why did they need it now?
	He should have expected that answer.  His parents were never ones to flout power or authority, and the gods knew the two of them had enough of both.
	He was alone for half a month, spending most of his time with his parents, until Miranda showed up on his front porch one fine morning with a large bag dropped to the porch floor and that ever-present satchel over one shoulder.  I hear you have empty rooms, she winked at him.
	I thought you were staying in Wikuna.
	I was, but I didnt want Kerri to think that I was staying forever.  I felt it was the right time to go.
	Good idea.  Second floor, any room on the left.  The ones on the right are taken.
	Thanks Tarrin, she said with a cheeky grin.
	And this isnt an inn! he shouted after her as she bounded up the stairs.
	You cook, I clean! she called from upstairs.
	Having Miranda in the house actually made it feel less empty.  He had someone to talk to, someone to help him clean, and someone to complain about his cooking.  There was a slight issue between her and Forge, however.  However loyal he was to Tarrins family, he was still a Hellhound, a creature of darkness and evil, and Miranda was a holy woman now, a paragon of spiritual might.  That made both of them a little uncomfortable with each other.  Miranda understood Forges discomfort with her, but he could sense her hackles come up whenever the Hellhound padded into the room.  So could Tarrin.
	Thats why he gets upset with you, Miranda, he said sharply one morning as they were eating breakfast, after Forge came into the common room just long enough to get a large bone from Tarrin to take outside and eat.  Every time he gets near you, I feel your power rise up.
	She laughed helplessly.  I sorta cant help it, she admitted.  He has an aura of defilement about him that just triggers my power, something of a response to his presence.  How can you stand him?  I know you can feel that in him too.
	I know what he is, but I also know what he means to us.  Hes a part of my family, Miranda.  Get your hackles under control or Ill send you out of the room whenever he comes in.  He was here first.
	Yes, Master! she said with a breathless kind of mocking insincerity that made him throw a biscuit at her.
	Miranda wasnt the first to take up residence in Tarrins house to await the summons to Mala Myrr.  Dolanna arrived three days after Miranda, and she had Azakar and Ulger with her.  We felt it prudent to assemble before we leave, so we can go over our supplies and get a feel for one another, she explained.  Ulger is new to our group, and thus he might need some time to adjust to our peculiarities.
	Where are the stables? Azakar asked him immediately.
	I dont have one here, we can stable them at my parents farm, he answered. But we have to care for them.
	I would rather do that anyway, Azakar said immediately.  Ill go get them.
	Ulger laughed.  Zak has a new horse, he explained quickly.  Kerri gave it to him.  Its the biggest horse I ever saw.
	That made Tarrin and Miranda a little curious, so they went out on the porch and took a look.  They werent disappointed.  Azakars horse was a coal black stallion with shaggy fetlocks around its hooves, nearly half again as large as the other two horses, making them look like colts.
	A Brandywine Ro, Miranda said with a whistle.  Those horses are expensive.
	Hes bloody huge, Tarrin remarked.
	Theyre bred to be huge, she answered.  They were originally bred to do heavy work. Theyre powerful animals, Tarrin, that monster right there could easily carry Zak, in full armor, at a dead run.  They also have a cantankerous disposition, so you have to be careful with them.  Some daring Wikuni use them as cavalry horses.
	Why daring? Dolanna asked.
	Miranda laughed.  Because you need a ladder to get on its back, while the horse is trying to bite off your tail, she answered.
	That one doesnt seem too aggressive, Tarrin said.
	Thats probably why Kerri gave it to him, she answered.
	Have you got your horses yet, Tarrin? Ulger asked.
	Tarrin nodded.  I have them stabled at my parents farm.  One for me and one for Mist.  I havent bought pack horses yet, though.  I decided to wait until were nearly ready to leave.
	You should not do that, dear one.  We will go to the village today and see if they have suitable horses for an extended journey.  If not, we will buy some in Suld.
	Buy?  Phaugh, Ulger snorted.  The Knights keep a corral full of dependable pack horses.  Just go ask Darvon for some.
	I thought Darvon retired, Miranda noted.  He was talking about it.
	Karas wont let him, Ulger chuckled.  He cant retire until Karas tells him he can.
	When your boss is a god, its not easy to quit, Miranda laughed.
	Tarrin poked the Wikuni just under her neckline, where her amulet laid hidden, meaningfully.
	Yeah yeah, I know, she said with a mischievous, cheeky grin, then she reached up and poked his amulet as well.
	Oh, yeah, that reminds me.  Did Kerri ever answer my letter, Dolanna? Ulger asked.
	She is still considering it, she answered.
	Considering what? Tarrin asked.
	Ulger asked if he could get some muskets and a supply of powder and ammunition, Dolanna answered.  Additional protection.
	Tarrin pursed his lips.  Thats actually not a bad idea.  Coming from Ulger, thats saying something.
	Watch it, boy, Ulger said, his scarred face twisting into an evil smile.
	Careful, Ulger, Tarrin might sic his mother on you again, Miranda said with an outrageous little smile.
	Can we leave her behin