sed to budge willingly, and Sarrayawell, she just flitted up, kissed his nose, and told him shed see him again very soon, then darted away.  Then again, the flighty Faerie was never one for extended farewells.  He managed a cool, exchange of paws on shoulders with Jesmind, who asked him to be careful, then she hurried off before tempers flared.  He shared a long, warm hug with Sapphire, the blue dragon who was much his mother now as Triana, as she piled suggestions up on top of him and warned him that shed be exceptionally cross with him if he got himself killed.  He then shared a warm embrace with Jula, prying Fireflash off his neck and putting him in her steady paws, and she promised she would watch over Tara, Rina, the drake and the Hellhound until he got back.  Lastly, he shared a long embrace with Allia and held his nephew Kor one more time, marveling at how tiny he was, and sharing one final touch with the closest of his friends, a sister of soul but not blood, his dear friend Allia.
	I wish I could go with you, my brother, she lamented quietly as the held one another for long moments.
	I wish you could too, but you have something else to do now.  Leave the crusading to me, deshaida.  Im better suited for it.
	She chuckled and kissed him tenderly on the cheek.  Be safe, my brother.  May the wind ever be at your back.
	May all the water that touches your lips be sweet, he said, completing the ritual farewell of the Selani, sliding his fingers down her arm as she pulled away.
	Still in his sight, and he missed his family already.
	With a sigh, he turned and mounted the charcoal-pelted stallion that hed bought some time ago, a horse that was used to his scent and didnt panic.  The pack horses had been visited earlier by Triana so she could explain a few things to them, so they too were comfortable in the presence of the Were-cats and the Were-wolf.  The others all mounted as well, and he looked at them.  Azakar and Ulger were in full armor, ready for anything, imposing monsters of men on huge horses and carrying lethal swords on belts at their waists.  Dolanna wore a simple blue dress of fine wool, a heavy brown cloak trimmed with fur over her shoulders to ward off the biting chill and as defense against the bitter cold they would find in the pass when they Teleported there.  Miranda wore a heavy, loose robe of dull black over her simple brown peasant dress, a garment that totally concealed her race and would hide her face when she pulled up the hood.  Haley wore a frilly lace shirt under a waistcoat, complete with tight-fitting trousers that looked to be made of cotton or felt, a triangular black hat with a black feather in its right side upon his head and his rapier hanging lightly at his side.  Mist wore what she always wore, a simple white linen shirt and tan leather breeches, for she needed no protection from the cold, and her magical belt and Cats Claws were being worn.  Tarrin was garbed in what he always wore, a simple black vest over his shoulders and a pair of undyed leather breeches, the hem of the breeches tattered from his claws.  The Cats Claws were on his wrists, already pinching at his fetlocks, and him amulet seemed to gleam in the dull light of the pre-dawn.
	Well, I think we are ready to go, Dolanna announced.  Tarrin, the honor is yours.
	Take care all, Jenna called.  May the Goddess watch over you.
	I hope she does, Dolanna smiled as Tarrin wasted no more time.  If he did, hed never want to leave.  He set his will against the Weave and called forth the flows that would weave together into a spell of Teleportation.  He wove the spell with a casual speed that boggled the minds of Dar and Tiella, which flowed out from him in loose strands of invisible energy, weaving together into a sphere that enclosed all those who were going.  In the blink of an eye, the Tower, his friends, his family, were gone, and they all sat their horses in a bitterly cold, dark, narrow, treacherous box canyon, illuminated by a large disc of swirling blue energy.
	Were here! Miranda shouted over the wind.  And Im bloody freezing my tail off!  Lets go!
	You have fur! Haley called lightly.  How do you think we feel?
	Yes, let us make haste! Dolanna called.  I will
	No, I go first! Azakar called.  That way I can make sure nothing nasty is waiting on the other side.
	Ill bring the pack horses, Ulger called.
	Azakar spurred his huge Brandywine Ro forward fearlessly, though the horse did start to get a little nervous when it realized that Azakar was riding him right towards the solid-looking blue gateway.  It hedged just before its nose touched the energy, but when it did and passed through, it calmed down and walked into the gate boldly. Tarrin watched his friends huge form turn to silhouette, then vanish into the gateway, leaving the world of Sennadar.
	They all watched his shadow dissipate in the gate, then Dolanna blinked and urged her horse forward.  Her small dappled brown mare hesitated a moment but, encouraged by what happened with the massive warhorse that went before her, she walked into the gateway with but a single encouraging word from her rider.
	One by one, Tarrin watched his friends go into the gate.  Tarrin and Ulger were the last two, and Tarrin urged him forward with a nod of his head.  In case a pack horse shies, he said.
	Good idea that, he agreed.  Come on, you sorry lot.  Time to earn your oats! he barked at the pack horses, urging his own gray warhorse forward at a near canter.  The pack horses didnt look to enthusiastic about the idea, but they were pulled forward by the boastful Knight, even after he vanished into the blue swirling mists.  One by one, the four pack horses vanished into the gate, and were gone.
	Tarrin settled on his horse.  He remembered a time long ago, when he had been turned back into a human, when he was spurred on by the idea of danger, magic, and excitement.  That time had come once again.  Beyond that gate were mysteries to unravel, questions to be answered, and friends to find and recover.  Beyond that gate was a world he had never seen before, a world where he couldnt take anything for granted, a world where his overwhelming magical powers may not give him an unstoppable advantage.  A world where he wouldnt be Teleporting anywhere, where hed be riding a horse, and hunting for his supper just like anyone else.  It was a strange notion, but one that wasnt totally unappealing.  He had lived for so long with his power that it was just, just there.  On the other side of the gate, it was possible that he would have no power, and thus would learn just how much he had taken advantage of his magical abilities.
	Danger, magicor not magic, in this caseand excitement.  Balanced against leaving his sisters and family, of not being there for Kor, it was a hard decision to make.
	What are you waiting for? a voice piped form the wind, and Sarraya shimmered into view before him, her face mischievous and her eyes bright.  Its the chance of a lifetime!
	Had to say goodbye twice? he chuckled.
	No.  I came to say, see you on the other side, she said with a wink.  And then, with an angry buzzing of her wings, she turned and darted straight for the gate.
	Sarraya! Tarrin gasped, digging his heels into his horse with enough power to knock the breath out of it.  It staggered a bit, then plunged headlong towards the quickly retreating Faerie, who was aimed like an arrow for the center of the gate.  Sarraya, youll die! he shouted after her, but she didnt listen.  Panic rising up in his heart, he brought forth his wings and launched himself into the air after her, lancing towards the gate like a fiery ballista bolt, paw outstretched to capture the suicidal Faerie and pull away from the gate before she went through.  The horse rushed after him, showing no fear of the gate.  He stretched out his fingers towards her tiny little blue feet, and then, his heart seizing in his chest, she managed to reach the gateway before him.
	With a shimmer of energy, Sarraya disappeared.
	Almost wild with panic and shock, Tarrin didnt pull out of his headlong drive towards the gate.  It rushed up at him like the open maw of some great beast, and he tried to arrest his forward momentum.
	Too late.
	There was a tingling all over his body, and there was nothing but blue before his eyes.  Then, it was like something from a great distance had taken hold of something in his belly and pulled him along.  There was nothing but blue before him, nothing for him to see, no sense of travel, but he did feel as if he was sliding on ice, on a sled in the winter, hurtling towards the bottom of the hill.
	In a way, it was a glorious feeling.
	But then he reached the bottom of the hill.
	The blue vanished, and he found himself flying through the air, zipping past the others.  With a flare of his wings, he came to an immediate stop and whirled around.  Sarraya! he cried out, rushing back towards them, seeing nothing but the hovering blue Faerie, just in front of Dolanna.
	Oh, calm down silly, she said with a giggle.  Im just fine.
	But, but
	I know, I couldnt come because Im bound to Sennadar, she said, then she reached under her tiny gossamer dress and pulled out an extremely small little amulet that had a strange triangular symbol on it.  Call it Essence of Sennadar, fuzzbutt.  Im just bringing a little piece of home with me, thats all.  She gave him a wolfish smile.  What, did you think that Id let you leave me behind?  Never tell a Faerie no, Tarrin.  Thats a guarantee well do it anyway.
	He spluttered, trying to find enough coherence to be furious with her, but he just landed on soft grass and laughed helplessly.  So I see, he said.
	Did you think Id miss this? she asked with bright eyes, motioning with her hands.  He looked around, and found them standing in a warm, sunlit grove of apple trees, the apples red and bright and delicious looking.  There was no sign of the gate on this side, but there was a black stone obelisk standing where hed come from, and to his surprise, he saw his horse walk out of that seemingly solid black stone casually, following its rider.  It gave Tarrin a reproachful look, then moved towards the others as if nothing whatever was the matter.
	Tarrin felt the warm sun on his face, and looked up into a sky with puffy white clouds, but no Skybands.  The sun was high in the sky, the air was warm, and the wind carried scents that were familiaroh so familiar.  This world, this place, it smelled like home, looked like home, almost fooled him into thinking it was home, at least until he reached out with his senses and found absolutely no trace at all of the Weave.  That separation left him feeling a little strange, but not as if hed been weakened, or crippled.  He merely feltseparated.  That was all.
	Apples, Azakar said.
	This world is very similar to ours, Dolanna said, looking around, then she unfastened her cloak.  And it is summer here.
	Oh, this robe is going to really be a pain now, Miranda grumbled.  I didnt pack a summer robe!
	I smell deer, Mist said, putting her nose into the wind.  And mice, and a couple of crows.  And theres water not far from here.
	I think foods not going to be a problem then, Ulger said.
	No, but Kimmie and Phandebrass arent here, Sarraya said, looking around.  They must have moved on.  So, that means we have to track them down.  She flitted this way and that, zipping up to an apple on the tree, then dashing across the clearing to another.  Isnt it wonderful?
	Its just like apples back home, Ulger told her.
	No, its all new! she said.  They could be poisonous, or the apples might just be lures for a carnivorous tree!  Everything might be different, and nothing may be what it seems!  This is going to be wonderful!  Its going to be exciting!  Its going to be
	Its going to be the last thing you ever see if you dont hush, Haley said, giving Tarrin a quick glance.
	But Tarrin wasnt listening to them.  He was looking up into the sky, looking where there was no Weave, something inside of him curiously drawn to something up there.  The others wouldnt sense it, somehow he knew that.  It wasit was meant for him, and for him alone.  It was something subtle, something delicate, something almost unnoticeable, but it was something he did discover.
	It was a sense ofa sense of.
	Welcome.
	Haley, if you would please, Dolanna called.  Kimmie and Phandebrass already have too great a lead.  We must be after them.
	Yes, Dolanna, he said with a smile, dismounting.  I feel a little weird, but not too much, he told them.  I think I can shapeshift.  Lets find out.
	Haleys form blurred, and a large gray wolf was standing where he had been.  Tarrin realized that Dolanna or someone must have made him an amulet that protected his clothes when he shapeshifted, like the ones around his and Mists necks.  He sniffed at the ground several times, padding this way and that, then he shifted back into his human form.  I can shapeshift, at least, he smiled, but I do feel a little, odd.  Weaker.
	I do too, a little, Mist agreed.
	And I have no sense of the All here, he added.  Im sorry, Dolanna, but Druidic magic is off the table.
	As is Sorcery, I fear, she sighed.  This world has no Weave.  In fact, it feels nearly sterile to me, as if there were little magic at all.
	Then we do it like everyone else, Azakar announced.  Haley, which way did they go?
	That way, he pointed, at an opening between two trees.  The scents faint, but its there.  Lucky they havent had much rain here.  If it rains at all, that is, he said, looking up. Hello, what is this?  No Skybands.
	Now thats creepy, Miranda said, looking up.
	Any other scents? Dolanna asked.
	None human, Mist answered.  This looks like a wild orchard, Dolanna.  These trees dont look like theyre tended.
	Then we must be off.  Tarrin, please remount, and we will be on our way.
	Yes, lets go! Sarraya shouted as she flew in circles around them.  Theres a whole world out there to explore!  Lets go lets go lets go!!!
	Who invited you, bug? Miranda asked.
	Its too late, youre stuck with me now, she said, zipping to a stop in front of Miranda.  Then she stuck her tongue out at the Wikuni and flitted away, laughing in delight.
	Can we leave her here? Miranda demanded acidly, pointing at the ecstatic Faerie.
	And set her loose on whatever unsuspecting people live in this world? Dolanna asked with a slight smile.  It is safer if we keep her close.
	I wish it was a carnivorous tree, Miranda grumbled as the Faeries high-pitched laughter resounded in their ears.
	Tarrin blinked, then gave his friend a warm smile.  He withdrew his wings and then shapeshifted into his human form, feeling boots around his feet and a cotton shirt around him, and then climbed up into the saddle.  Mist nodded and touched her belt meaningfully, and her form blurred, leaving her looking as she did when she was human.  Their magical objects did work, but their spellcasting powers were unusable here.  That seemed odd, since the items drew their power from the Weave, but it was something hed have to figure out when he had time to think about it.  Sarraya zipped down and landed lightly on his shoulder, and that act just felt so right.  He was angry with his friend for giving him such a scare, but in another sense, he was very happy to have her along.
	Tarrin? Dolanna asked.
	Its alright, Dolanna, he answered, looking up into the sky, sensing again that odd feeling of welcome.  Im ready to go.
	Then let us be off, she announced.  We have much to do.
	Yes.  They had much to do.  More, he suspected as he looked up into the sky, than even they realized.  Turning his horse in the direction Haley indicated, he led them out of the clearing, leading them out into a brand new world, a world where they could take nothing for granted.
	A world which was new.
 
Epilogue

	The house was empty.
	Jesmind and Jasana were gone, as Jesmind stayed with her daughter as she trained under Triana.
	Kimmie, Tara, Rina, and Anayi were gone, Kimmie lost in the other world, Tara and Rina at the Tower, and Anayi still with her mother in Dala Yar Arak.
	Mist and Eron were gone, Mist with Tarrin and Eron currently wandering around in southern Sulasia, experiencing life as an adult for the first time.
	Jula, Fireflash and Forge were gone, as Tarrins adopted daughter cared for Tara and Rina and the animals in the Tower.
	And Tarrin was gone, off on a mission to another dimension, where he searched for Kimmie and Phandebrass, and also searched for the lost Dwarves and Ancients who had fled so many years ago.
	The house was empty, devoid of the strange group which had called it home, its magic and its uniqueness and its love unused, quietly and patiently awaiting their return.  The house knew they would come back, for they always did.  It was just a matter of time.
	Down in the library, there was darkness and silence.  There were no mice or bugs in this house, no leaks, nothing about to make any sound or light.  Everything was just was it was left by its occupant, and it would remain just as it was, untouched by time, not even collecting dust, until Tarrin came home.
	But the house wasnt entirely empty.  A sudden light appeared in the library, a soft, glowing radiance that winked into existence, a spectral illumination that quickly took form, becoming the mortal form of the goddess Niami.  Goddess of magic, patron to Tarrin, and the maker of the house, it welcomed its mistress warmly and opened itself to her.
	Niamis glorious eyes focused quickly as she got her bearings within Tarrins library, and then moved with swift sureness to a certain bookshelf behind her kittens desk.  On a velvet cushion on the middle shelf was a black metal statuette, that of a thin, handsome cat seated sedately, with eyes of emeralds that seemed to glow at times when one looked at them the right way.
	She remembered the conversation that had taken place just moments ago with angered clarity.  They had watched her kitten rush through the gate in pursuit of the Faerie, she and all the Elder Gods.  She knew what they intended to have happen.  She knew that seeing her kitten leave their world had relieved them beyond measure.  She now knew why.
	With luck, they will be home soon, she had mentioned absently as Tarrins horse vanished into the gate.
	Steel yourself, my daughter, Ayise said grimly.  For when they return, we might be forced to take action.
	For what purpose? she had asked, then she looked into her mothers eyes.  No! she gasped.
	His power grows, without his knowledge, Shellar said to her quietly.  Every day he becomes stronger.  There may come a time when he is no longer locked away from his true power.   When that day comes, it might spell disaster for the Balance.
	She had fled from them then, sick with fury and outrage, for they were not going to let Tarrin come home.
	His power was beginning to grow.  She couldnt deny that.  He never used his divine powers partially out of fear of coming to enjoy using them, and only used his ability to fly with any regularity.  For years, his power had slept, remained dormant, but it had begun to stir recently, quietly beginning to increase, even without him actively using it.  It was as if his power were settling into him, and now that it was more seated inside of him, it was starting to become more active.  But they had nothing to fear!  Couldnt they see that?
	Lock him out of his home?  Not if she could help it!
	With resolution in her eyes, she reached out and took the little black cat statuette from its cushion.  The eyes flared with light when she touched it, as if it recognized her, and then went dark once again.
	Stroking the metal as if it were a real animal, she considered what she was doing for a moment.  She was going against her mother and father, and in doing so, now she was acting against the Balance.  But her love for her kitten gave her a courage she had never felt before.  She knew that she was right, and because of that, she felt she had every right to do what she was doing.
	Oh, no, they werent going to stab her kitten in the back after everything he had done for them.  They were not.
	With a flash of light, Niami vanished, leaving the library dark once again.
	Waiting.


Thus ends Book 1 of The
Pyrosian Chronicles.

In Book 2, The Sword of Fire,
Tarrin and his friends explore
A strange, exciting new world,
searching for lost friends and
striving to solve an ancient mystery.

