
	But the Priests say that theres only the world, heaven, and hell, Telven said.  If youre not from here, then youre either from heaven or hell.  And since youre witches, you must be from hell, he concluded quite logically.
	Demons come from what you call hell, Telven, Tarrin told him.  Do I look like a Demon to you?
	You do when youre the other way, he answered boldly.
	Sarraya laughed.  Hes got you there, Tarrin.  You do look a little Demonic when youre in your normal form and you have your wings out.
	Well, I can prove that to you, Telven, he said calmly.  Remember when I killed the Demons at the church?
	Yeah.
	What color was their blood?
	It was black and icky smelling.
	Tarrin drew his belt dagger and  slid it across his palm to create a thin line of blood, then showed it to Telven.  And what color is my blood? he asked.
	Red.
	Then Im not a Demon, he said in a measured tone.  And since Im not a Demon, how can I be from hell, since only Demons live in hell?
	Telven wasnt prepared for that.  He floundered a bit, looking to try to start talking, then he just shrugged.  They say witches come from hell, he stated.
	You dont listen to your Priests, Tarrin told him.  They say they get their power from hell, which is itself a stupid and completely wrong conclusion.  They say thats how they become Defiled, and lose their purity.  So that means that theyre not from hell.  Now, Im obviously not a Demon, weve established that I dont come from hell, I do come from another world, and Im obviously not from your Ones heaven.  So then, exactly where did I come from?
	Telven struggled with that bit of logic for several long moments, then sighed and shrugged again.  I dunno.
	Well, he admits he doesnt know everything, Tarrin said cooly.  Thats a first.
	Zyri laughed, and Jal, who was riding on a horse being led by Zyri, gave a shy smile of his own.
	Some things, you just have to accept when you dont understand them, Telven.  Trust me on this one, its something I have a lot of experience with.
	Whats it like in your world? Zyri asked.
	Well, it looks a lot like yours, he answered.  But its not just humans.  There are more humans than any other race, thats for certain, but theres more than just them.  We have the Wikuni who live across the sea, he said, pointing at Miranda, who was again hiding behind an Illusion of Mist.  There are the ShaKar, who serve in the Towers and do the will of my Goddess.  There are the Selani who live in the desert, and the Were-kin and other forest folk who are called the Woodkin, who live in the vast forest west of the desert.  There are orcs in our world too, but we call them Waern, and we have a bunch of other races related to orcs that we call Goblinoids as a whole.  There are the Aeradalla who share the desert with the Selani, and theres the Vendari, who are a race of lizard-men even bigger than me, Mist, and Zak.
	They sound scary, Zyri said.
	The Vendari can be scary-looking, but once you get to know them, youd be surprised how nice they can be, he answered.
	And you dont fight with each other? Zyri asked.
	Gods no, Dolanna laughed.  The ShaKar are our brothers and sisters, as close to us as close can be.  The Vendari and the Wikuni are some of our best friends, and we have very good relations with the Aeradalla and the Selani.  The Woodkin tend to keep to themselves, because most humans do not really understand them, but they too are friendly with the humans.  The only non-human race that really causes us any trouble are the Goblinoids, because they would rather steal what they need than make it themselves.
	But theres fights, or you wouldnt have Knights.
	Yes, there are occasionally fights, Dolanna admitted.  But it tends to be humans against humans more than anything else.  When we have fights on our world, it is most often one kingdom fighting another, or very rarely the worshippers of one god having fights with the worshippers of another, though that happens only once in a very great while.
	It sounds nice.
	It is, but I think this world would be nice if it wasnt for the One, Tarrin told her.  This world would be much better off if hed just drop dead.
	Thats blasphemy! Telven gasped.
	Its only blasphemy if I cared about what the One felt about it, Tarrin answered flatly.  If he wants to take issue with the fact that I think hes a plague on this world, he can come over here and try to tell me so.  Id enjoy that particular opportunity, he finished, flexing his fingers in an ominous manner.
	Youre not afraid? Zyri asked in disbelief.
	Little bit, Im not afraid of any god, he told her flatly.  Not even the One.
	Zyri gaped at him
	Ah, it seems that weve found Kimmies tailers, Haley spoke up lightly, pointing ahead.
	The conversation forgotten, Tarrin and the others looked ahead.  There were several bodies littering the grass, and a change in the wind brought the smell of decomposing flesh to them.
	Ewww! Telven squealed, putting his hands over his nose and mouth.  That smells awful!
	I do not think we need to get too close to them, Dolanna suggested.
	Ill go look, Haley offered.  Id like to know if they were from the Church.
	Be my guest, Miranda said, just before she sneezed.
	They circled wide of the carnage as Haley inspected the corpses.  There were seven bodies there, but they didnt get close enough for Tarrin to see if they were wearing Church uniforms, because their clothing was badly mangled from both whatever killed them and also stained from the process of decomposition.  Haley moved his skittish horse through the scene, then trotted him over to the group with a slight smile on his face.
	Church soldiers, he affirmed.  Judging from the condition of the bodies, it was certainly Kimmie and Phandebrass who killed them.  They were killed by magic and by something with very large claws.
	That would definitely be Kimmie, Miranda agreed.
	How could you tell? Telven asked.  Theyre all icky looking.
	Its not all that hard, young man, Azakar told him.  It just takes a willingness to look at something unpleasant to find the clues left behind.  He turned to look at Dolanna.  We should start thinking about finding a site for camp, Dolanna.
	Well away from this place, that is for certain, Dolanna told him.  Let us move up a couple of longspans and then start looking for a good place.
	They found an excellent campsite about an hour before sunset, a flat, dry patch of grass beside a very strange river that flowed from the north, then turned to the east.  The river wasnt very large, but it was surprisingly deep, and it held water that was so clear that the bottom of the river, some twelve spans down in the middle, was as visible as the grass at the riverbank.  There were large plants growing on the riverbed, undulating in a slow yet steady current that led off to the east.
	Now that is bizarre, Ulger said, kneeling at the bank of the river and looking into it after they had finished setting up camp.
	Spring water, Mist told him.  She had shifted into her normal form and joined him at the riverbank for a moment to get a drink.  Ive seen water like this, but never in a river this big.
	Its safe to drink, right? Ulger asked.
	Mist nodded.  It might taste a little heavy, but its safe.
	Ulger dipped a hand into the water and brought a cupped palmful to his mouth.  Heavy?  It tastes great! he said, taking the waterskin off his belt and pouring the water within out onto the grass.
	Its got the steepest bank Ive ever seen in a river flowing this slow, Sarraya said, flitting over and landing on Ulgers shoulder.  Theres no slope at all.  It goes from rivers edge to the very bottom just like that.
	Dont ask me how it got like this, Mist snorted.
	I hope we dont have to cross it, Ulger grunted.  It might get tricky.
	Kimmies trail goes along the rivers edge, and shes still on horseback, Azakar told him as he stacked firewood by the firepit.  If she crossed it, she did it at a ford, so we should be alright.
	The evening was pleasant enough.  Tarrin watched Ulger give Zyri and Telven lessons with a sling, and they had an excellent meal of rabbit stew and roasted rabbit, victims of Ulgers sling during the course of the day.  Tarrin was mildly surprised at the Knights accuracy with what was basicly a hunting weapon, even when mounted on a moving horse.  Tarrin opted to take the watch all night that night rather than have his friends not get enough sleep, and after everyone else went to bed, he took out a rolled leather kit that held all his fletching tools and got to work with it.
	By morning, he was quite satisfied with the result.  He had three small bows, designed specifically for Zyri, Telven, and Jal, one made out of a large section of blueleaf wood that hed brought along with his fletching equipment, in case he needed to make a new bow, the second made of yew, and the third made of elm.  The bluish wood wasnt often used for bows in Aldreth, not when there was oak handy, but Tarrin had found that blueleaf wood was an excellent wood for people who werent all that strong.  It was resilient and gave a good feel for the pull, but wasnt so strong that theyd find fully drawing the bow impossible.  It was the perfect training wood, because theyd learn how to fully draw the bow without it exhausting them, teaching them proper form, yet still have enough power behind the arrow to bring down small game, and perhaps send an arrow a good three hundred spans with a favorable tailwind.  Tarrin had brought a blueleaf bow staff as part of a group of six, the other five of which were woods more mainstream for use as adult bows, and it had always been part of his fletching supplies, so hed brought it out of habit.  That habit had been good luck for him, for hed had it on hand to do this.  Hed used the blueleaf wood to make a bow for Jal, the yew to make a bow for Zyri, and used the elm bow staff to craft a bow for Telven.  They were proportionally the size of longbows for the children, each one specifically made just a bit too large so they could grow into them.
	It had been a long time since hed made a bow.  Hed forgotten how easy it could be when one had the proper tools and wasnt entirely worried about being utterly perfect.  The bows had been hastily made, but they were still quality work, very simple longbows without recurve or additions.  The only real extravagance he had put into them was a nock in the handle to help guide the arrows.
	I see you were busy during the night, dear one, Dolanna said as she came out of her tent, wearing a simple robe over a nightshirt.
	It gave me something to do with my hands, he shrugged, looking up at the sky.  Our good luck is over concerning the weather.
	She looked up with him, at dark bands on the eastern horizon that was hiding the sunrise.  We will survive, though riding in the rain was never my favorite pasttime, she told him.  For the children?
	Something in me objects to them learning how to use a sling and not a bow, he answered.
	She chuckled.  You are from Aldreth, dear one.  They give infants longbows there almost as soon as they can grasp it.  I have never seen a group of people who were collectively more accurate with a bow than those from Aldreth.  They truly made a name for themselves during the Battle of Suld.  General Kang was utterly astounded by their accuracy.
	Well, we do favor it, Tarrin nodded in agreement, picking up the bow hed made for Telven.  Ive never so much as picked up a sling in my life.  Ive always had one of these.
	Dolanna was about to say something, but her eyes narrowed as she looked behind him, then she looked to the fire.  Dear one, have you brought more firewood from the packs?
	No, I didnt, he answered, looking at the fire, which was still merrily burning, and then to the firewood.  He looked at it, wondering why Dolanna would ask that question, then he blinked and realized that the same amount of wood was in that pile as there had been when he started on the bows.  And hed gotten so wrapped up in crafting them, he couldnt remember a single time hed put more wood on the fire outside of throwing wood shavings into it and the splinters of wood hed taken off the bows as he made them.  But that was not enough wood to make the fire last that long.
	The fire had burned all night without fuel.
	Huh, Tarrin said, looking at the pile of wood.  I never noticed the fire dying.  It never did.
	Dear onedo you feel different? she asked him intently, her eyes serious.  Obviously, you have caused this to happen.  Fire is your realm.  But
	I havent had my wings out all night, Dolanna, he protested.  I cant use my powers without bringing them out.
	I think you might want to explore the boundaries of your abilities once again, dear one, she told him, pointing at the fire.  That is still burning strong and well, and you have not stoked it.  Now that I look closely, I see that there is nothing but ashes remaining.  The fire is burning atop them.
	That shouldnt be possible.
	It should not, at least with your powers being the way they are at home.  But this is not Sennadar, dear one.  Just as Sorcery and other forms of magic are different here, then perhaps so are your powers.  Try to do something.
	I, alright, he said, holding out his hand and trying to create a small ball of fire in his palm.
	And it appeared.
	Well, Dolanna said with a smile.  I think that this world is starting to affect your abilities, dear one.  She reached into his hand and took the ball of fire from it, which did not vanish once it left his hand.  But the fireform cat you created the other day did vanish, she said with suddenly pursed lips.  This might be an aspect of a shift in your power.  Perhaps when you discovered you could join to a fireform, you unlocked a new branch of your powers heretofore undiscovered, which is only now beginning to manifest in a way we can see.  That, or the realization caused a sudden increase in your powers, like making a jump between Sorcerer and dashar.
	I dont see how, Dolanna.  Ive had these powers for years, and I know them well.  Theyre not like Sorcery.  They tell me what they can and cant do, after a fashion.
	As I recall, dear one, you were resistant to Phandebrass attempts to help you explore the extent of your abilities.  He told me that you might very well be capable of other things, but you lacked the desire or motivation to explore those boundaries.  Perhaps they told you only what they thought you wanted to hear.
	Maybe.
	And as I also recall, you did tell me that you had no idea how to use these powers when the sword changed you.
	Those are a different set of powers, Dolanna.
	Are they?  They are just stronger, dear one.  The powers you have now are just shadows of your true potential.  If you could not use your full power because of a lack of understanding of it, is it not a logical assumption to say that you might have also not fully learned how to use the shadow of that power as well, since you have never fully explored its limits?  She held the little ball of fire out so he could see it.  This does not lie, dear one.  Your powers are different now, or stronger, else this ball would not be here.
	He couldnt refute her logic, or the ball of fire in her hands.  Its possible, he acceded.
	Dear one, tell me something.  The powers you have in your current state.  Are they still considered divine, or aspects of fire?
	He gave her a look.  Its still divine power, Dolanna.  It just manifests as fire.
	Her eyes glittered for a long moment, and she gave him the strangest look.  It was amused.
	What?
	Nothing, dear one.  Just satisfying an old curiosity, that is all.  She touched the fire in her palm with a finger, and saw that unlike a fireform or the fire of his wings, this was normal fire, without substance.
	Morning, Haley called as he came out of his tent.  He was wearing nothing but a pair of linen knee-length undergarments, the name of which escaped Tarrin.  They were a Shacan garmenthe thought they were called braes, but he wasnt entirely sure.  The garment did, however, show off a very sleek body, the perfect blending of muscle and slimness.  Tarrin could admire Haleys physique for the appeal it would hold for a human female.  No one else is up?
	Im letting them sleep a bit, Tarrin answered.  Sleep well?
	Well enough, he shrugged, stretching.  How was your night, Dolanna?
	It was pleasant, dear friend, she replied with a gentle smile, reaching her hand out to him as he approached them.  He kissed the back of her hand gallantly, then seated himself by the fire with them.  I see now what I heard you two talking about, he announced, nodding at the small ball of fire in Dolannas other hand.  Having growing pains, Tarrin?
	Tarrin chuckled.  I guess so, he agreed.  It feels weird to know that I can do things without having to take out my wings.  Im curious to know just how much I can do without doing it.
	I dont understand why you had to take them out in the first place, Haley divulged.  After all, they were always there, just hidden.
	In a way, the size of the wings determines the power Tarrin can bring to bear, Dolanna told him.  Remember in Dengal, when he created the dragon of fire?  Remember how his wings expanded in size before he did so?
	Yesah, I see, Haley nodded.  So, if you can use your powers now, with them at their smallest size, Id wager that your powers are growing.
	Or Im learning how to get around that little condition, Tarrin added.  Every rule has an exception, you know.
	Haley chuckled.  Thats the truth, he agreed.  Would you like some tea, Dolanna?  I have some excellent leaves from Xau Lu.  Its a mellow flavor, just a hint of tang, strong yet smooth on the palate.
	When do I not want tea, dear friend? she told him with a smile.
	Tarrin reached behind him, and produce Dolannas rather worn travel kettle, and set it on one of the heated stones circling the fire.  It should be ready in a couple of minutes, he told her.
	Would you like some,  Tarrin? Haley asked.  I have plenty.
	Im not all that fond of tea, Haley, thanks anyway, he answered.
	Alright then.  Be right back.
	They watched him go, and Tarrin picked up the bow he had made for Zyri, inspecting it.  I wonder how many kinds of tea he has, he mused.  Every day he offers you something different.
	I am curious to know myself.
	Then ask him.
	And ruin his fun?  I think not, dear one.  He enjoys surprising me, she said with a strange little smile.
	Tarrin looked at her for a short moment, then went back to inspecting the bow.  He considered telling her his suspicions about Haleys true feelings, but he decided that that might not be wise with Haley in possible earshot.  How long have you known him?
	About fifty years, she answered.  At that time, he was running a moneychanging business in Tor.  He must move every ten years, or the locals notice that he does not age, and they get suspicious.
	Ah.  When did he open that inn in Dayis?
	Fifteen years ago, she answered.
	Im glad he was there.  He was a lifesaver.
	He is always there when I need a hand, dear one, she said with an odd look towards the tent.
	Tarrin quietly considered that look, and wondered if Dolanna had the same hidden feelings for Haley that Haley seemed to have for Dolanna.
	The others started getting up, and Tarrin decided not to talk about this change in his power quite yet, at least with the others.  He quietly pondered it as Mist made breakfast, and after he presented the children with their new bows and promised them hed teach them how to use them in the evenings.  He wasnt sure if was a change in his powers, or if hed simply acclimated to this world or his powers to the point where he could now access them without having his wings out.  He actively avoided thinking about that power or using it too much, because the others didnt understand the way he did just what those powers were and what they meant. They were the curse that made him separate from everyone else, the constant reminder that he could never again be a true part of the mortal world.  He didnt like to dwell on what that meant for too long, or it depressed him, to know that he simply didnt belong anywhere.  Unable to be understood by mortals, yet scorned by the gods, he was trapped between the two, cursed to an existence where he could look into both worlds and yet not be allowed to belong to either.
	But at least he still had his friends and his family.  Thank the Goddess that they at least accepted him for what he was, and at least with them, he did truly feel as if he belonged.
	Sometimes, just feeling that way was all that mattered, regardless of the fact that it was merely an illusion.

	They followed that strange river for two days before angling off to the northwest and travelling for five more days.  The weather turned nasty on them, raining off and on every single day, sometimes so heavily that they were all soaked to the skin before managing to either find or construct shelter.  One storm drenched them so quickly that Tarrin couldnt even create a shelter from a fireform before he got soaked.
	The days were quiet introspection for Tarrin, as he pondered the significance of the change in his abilities, but no amount of thinking about it produced any real answers.  Fireflash and Mists presences in the saddle were a strange comfort to him as he thought about it, tangible reminders of the anchors that held him to the mortal world.  Each evening after making camp, he and Ulger took turns teaching the children how to use their weapons, which also turned into a swapping of instruction between them, as Tarrin picked up a sling for the first time and started learning how it was used, and Ulger took some lessons in the finer points of marksmanship from an Aldreth bowman, who were now, after the battle of Suld, regarded as some of the best archers in all the world.
	After the others went to sleep, Tarrin would go out a ways and try to understand how his powers had changed.  It only took a few days of practice to determine that unless he had his wings out, his powers were very limited, restricted to little more than producing fire, and creating fireforms no larger than Fireflash.  With his wings out, he found no real change in his abilitiesthey were the same as they had been before.  They werent stronger and they hadnt changed, the only real change seemed to have been in the fact that he could now produce very minor effects without having to take out his wings.
	He pondered on that for an entire night and half a day, sitting in the saddle and thinking it over as Azakar guided them northwest, following Kimmies trail.  The children had become accustomed to riding horses now, so much so that Jals horse wasnt guided anymore.  Haley had taken the boy aside and taught him how to control his horse, and hed been an apt pupil.  Then again, Haley had also cheated a little bit by telling the horse to keep up with the other horses.  Telven didnt complain about saddlesores anymore, and hed become a little more accustomed to the peculiarities of the group in which he found himself, so Tarrin didnt mind him at all now.  Then again, Sarraya still bantered with Telven, keeping the boy amused and keeping him out of everyone elses hair.  Truth be told, Tarrin thought that Sarraya rather liked Telven.  In him she found someone more along the lines of her own level of maturity.  Despite the fact that she was an intelligent female, aged and wise, and a powerful Druid, Sarraya was still a Faerie, and that fundamental fact would never change.  It would make her an eternal child; mischievous, petulant, impulsive, and flighty.
	Hold on, Azakar called, holding up a mailed hand to stop the group.  Theres something wrong.
	What do you mean? Tarrin asked.
	The paths all messed up.  I see both hoofprints and footprints, and they go all over the place.
	Haley quickly dismounted, and to the gasps of Zyri and Telven, he shapeshifted into his hybrid form.  Mist also jumped down from Tarrins saddle and shapeshifted into her normal form, and the two of them started going over the grass before them.  Tarrin looked out ahead of Azakar, and saw a flat patch of grass with a black scar roughly circular in shape, looking like a firepit.  The grass did look a bit trampled in places, as if a group had stopped to make camp, but Tarrin wasnt close enough to it to give it a good inspection.
	There was a fight here, Haley said immediately.  I can smell hints of blood.  And that burned place is from a Demon getting killed.
	A Demon? Ulger said in concern, riding up from the back of the group.
	Kimmie and Phandebrass were ambushed, Mist told them, moving around on all fours, analyzing the scents and visible marks left behind.  There were at least four different Demons and about fifteen humans.
	They all waited anxiously as the two of them combed over the scene.
	Phandebrass ran off that way on foot, Haley said, pointing southeast.  From the smell of it, he was pursued.  Ill go track this down, Mist.
	Ill come with you, Sarraya called, flitting off Telvens shoulder and zipping over to the Were-wolf.
	Alright, she said in a low growl.  Mist continued to comb through the area quickly yet methodically.  Kimmies scent disappears, but theres no Were-cat blood anywhere, she finally announced.  She could have used magic to escape, something that doesnt leave a scent behind.
	Can you see anything, Zak? Miranda asked.
	No, the trail just stops right here, he answered her.
	Hmm.  If she used magic to escape, my spell wouldnt be able to show us that, she fretted.  It would simply pick up where it starts again.
	Can you find it?  If she didnt go far using magic, Tarrin added.
	Yes, but it might take me some time. Ill have to scry for it.
	Lets hold off until Haley gets back, Ulger said.  Kimmies trail might pick up with his.  Thats what I would think it would do.  Odds are, she covered Phandebrass so he could escape, then used magic to get away and joined him somewhere else.
	A definite possibility, Dolanna agreed.  Mist, were there any casualties?
	Id say a bunch, Mist grunted.  Human blood is everywhere.  I think Kimmie and Phandebrass killed all the humans, and only ran from the Demons.
	Haley came loping back over a small rise.  Well, I found Kimmies scent, he announced.  There are three more patches of burned ground over there.  It looks like they killed the other three Demons.  Theres also horse tracks that lead off to the north over there.  From the looks of it, Phandebrass chased down the horses, they killed the last of the Demons after catching up to them, and then moved on.
	Zak, go look, if you please, Miranda prompted.
	Sure, Miranda, he nodded, then spurred his horse into a quick gallop.
	I guess she didnt get them all at that last battleground, Ulger grunted.  That, or this was a group called in by the other group before Kimmie wiped them out.
	After a moment, Azakar galloped back and reined in before them.  Yeah, the trail picks back up over the hill, he announced.  From the looks of it, they got out of here at a dead run, going northeast.
	Can you blame them? Sarraya said acidly.  Its not every day you have to kill Demons, you know.
	Quiet, Tarrin said absently.  I dont like this.  I think wed better catch up as fast as we can.  How far are we behind now?
	About fourteen days, Mist answered.  They hadnt been moving very fast, so we were catching up.
	That will probably change now, Dolanna said grimly.  Let us hope that this time, they destroyed all eyes which were following them.
	Yah, I dont think fighting Demons on a daily basis is something anyone but Tarrin would feel comfortable doing, Sarraya said, giving Tarrin a sly wink.
	He ignored the Faerie.  We might want to think of picking it up a little.
	Agreed, Dolanna nodded.  Let us finish this days ride at a canter.
	Still, though, thats quite a feat.  Kimmie and that mage killing twenty people? Ulger asked, then he laughed.
	Id think I didnt train her right if she couldnt, Mist snorted before shifting back into cat form and jumping up onto Tarrins boot, then vaulting back up into the saddle with him.
	They rode through the rest of the day at a canter, and with a silence that came with knowing that their friends were in much more danger than they first believed.  They all kept looking for traces that someone had been following Kimmie and Phandebrass, even Sarraya stopping her bantering with Telven to flit about to either side of their path and look for traces of others.  Kimmies trail turned almost due west after about an hour of moving northeast, and they reached the upper edge of the forest that they had passed through to reach Dengal by sunset.  The forest didnt extend across their path, ending some league or so to the south.  They put out two on the watch that night, and moved on the next morning with the same urgency.
	After two more days of an increased pace, skirting north of the forest and moving out onto a slightly hilly grassland not much different than what was on the other side of the forest, the strain of it was starting to show on the children.  They had just gotten used to riding, and days of moving at a canter was making them sore and stiff once more.  Telven again started complaining, and even Zyri modestly asked if they could take an extended break when they camped for the night.  Even I could use a few extra hours out of a saddle, Haley admitted.  Maybe we should set an early camp tonight.
	It might be a good idea, Dolanna agreed.
	They set an early camp in a small grove of pear trees, that looked to have been deliberately planted at one time, but had not been tended by human hands for decades.  Tarrin wasnt entirely happy about the delay, but he knew that the other needed a little rest, especially the children, and he didnt want to push them too hard.  He wasnt sure of their opinions of him quite yet, and he didnt want to alienate them.  He took Fireflash with him as he hunted for something fresh for dinner, ranging 