oo many.  Discipline would certainly be a serious problem.  He changed his plans quickly, before the frightened chieftan, a surprisingly large and burly fellow carrying a large, rusted battle axe, warily advanced out in front of the children, who were now with their mothers.  Who am I addressing? he demanded.
	Kad, chieftan of da Two Fist tribe of da forest orcs, the burly orc replied in a quavering voice.
	Well, Kad, I just saved your tribe from the soldiers of the One, Tarrin told him.  You owe me a debt.
	Kad thinks youz can have anything youz wants, he said fearfully, putting his axe on the ground in some kind of ritual.  Kad aint to be thinkin dat he cant win a chief challenge against youz.  Da axe of da chief be youz.
	Youre a smart orc, Kad, Tarrin said with grave dignity, advancing a couple of steps and lowering his head to about twenty spans over the orc, making him crane his neck up to look him in the eye.  I want the you to spread out along the plain and tell any bands of humans you see that arent soldiers of the One to regroup at the stronghold of the Dura.
	Youz means the Shadows? he asked.
	Tarrin blinked.  Thats exactly who I mean, he answered.
	Kad worked with da Shadows before, he said, thumping his chest and relaxing a great deal.  Tarrin obviously said something that made the orc chief relaxas much as one could relax when talking to someone that was over five hundred spans long.  Kad knows da sign so dat dey wont be shooting da arrows at us or doing dat magic thing on us.  Kad seen da One soldiers rushin up a north, Kad figured deyz was all tryin to get ahead of da Shadows, since dey all went and run away from da cities after da big fightin over in Pyros.
	Tarrin quickly reassessed his impression of this big, strong, rather pungent orc.  He was much smarter than he seemed, even with his rather primitive language and odd dialect.  The Waern back home were actually very smart, and thats what made them the most dangerous of the Goblinoids, even more dangerous than Trolls.  Kad here didnt sound very intelligent, or look very intelligent, but Tarrin could see that he actually was a rather smart fellow.
	You have a firm grip of the situation, Kad, Tarrin said respectfully.
	Youz a Shadow all done up magic-like into that big scaly thing? he asked.
	No, but right now Im helping them, because its in my best interest, he answered.  The same as youve helped them in the past because you share a common enemy.  The One.
	Kad spat.  May Gruumsh put boils on his butt and make him sit on firestone for da ever, Kad growled.
	I see we share a similar opinion of him, Tarrin said with a nod.
	If youz be against da Onez, youz be a friend to da Two Fist tribe of da forest orcs, Kad proclaimed, thumping his chest again.
	Thats nice to hear.  I want the you to try to find groups of Shadows and warn them, and tell them to take the pass thats the fastest route over the mountains and to the stronghold of the Dura.  Thats the way were going, so theyll encounter the least resistance if they follow the path I take.  Ill make sure theres nothing left behind to challenge them.
	Da fastest route to da shorties, Kad gots it, he repeated with a nod.  Da Two Fist tribe of da forest orcs will do honor to da debt wez owe youz, he said proudly, thumping his chest once more.  Kad will have da tribe spread out and warn da Shadows and send them da way dey needs to be goin.  Iz just tell dem to follow dese big footprints, he said, pointing at the ground.  Deyz cant miss dem.
	Very good.  Ill take my leave now.  Those soldiers chasing you were driving you towards a larger force.  Im going to go kill them.
	Youz saved da Two Fist tribe of da forest orcs.  Youz want orc warriors to bash da heads of da One soldiers with youz?  Iz send youz lots of warriors.
	Keep your warriors with the tribe to protect them, he said absently, looking south.  There wassomething.  He could sense it, south of him, and moving this way.  Was this another of those divine abilities?  Was he sensing a Demon?  Or maybe the Avatar of a god?  Whatever it was, it was very powerful, and it tugged at him in an odd way.  Nothis was a familiar sensation.  This was
	Telven?  Could it be Telven?  That was the only creature on this world with which he was familiar that wasnt with him.  Were they sending him with an army of the One, along with Hunters, using the boys knowledge of Tarrin to help try to capture or destroy him?  He wasnt sure.  But whatever it was, it was far away.  Very far away.
	Be careful and be well, Chief Kad, Tarrin told him, glancing south again.  I leave you now.
	Odd, that, he mused as he turned around and ambled towards the northwest, towards the others, as Zyri finished rounding up the horses she could get and had her Pegasus lead them.  Shed managed to get about sixty of them, following behind the Pegasus and to the group, where they would be relieved of their gear and burdens, the best chosen to be reserve mounts, and the rest released.  Strange that he felt the need to be soso formal.  Perhaps it was part of being a gold dragon, he wasnt sure.
	The walk back to longer than the flight over, so it took nearly an hour for him to get back to the others.  They had taken the time to build some fires for cooking, and Azakar and Ulger were engaged in an informal training session with Skords guardswhich meant that they were beating them senseless and showing them why they were getting beaten senseless.  Tarrin ushered Zyri ahead with the horses, then stopped and sat on his haunches outside the camp, craning his neck over and down so he was close enough to hear them.  All of the Shadows watched Tarrin very nervously, and they were still a bit wild-eyed.  Sarraya flitted up and landed on his nose, staring into his eyes with a broad grin on her face.  Sarraya, who delighted in shocking people, probably thought that Tarrin had done the grandest thing in the world.
	A nice catch, Tarrin, Ulger said professionally as he and Azakar came over, sheathing their swords.  Some of these horses are very good animals.
	Well, youll have to deprogram them.  Gods only know, the Priests of the One probably made them attend church services, Haley said with a slight smile.
	Strip them of anything you want and pick the good ones to be added to our train, Tarrin ordered.  And be ready to move.  I want to get to that other group of soldiers right around sunset.  I dont want to camp with so many enemies so close.  Lets just go kill them, then camp.
	Why sunset? Lorak asked.
	Because you never fight a Demon at night, he replied bluntly.  Trust me.  I know.
	Tarrin watched as Skords men quickly started stripping horses of their saddles and packs, and his friends gathered up near him, as did the magic-users among the Shadows.  Sarraya contined to sit sedately on his nose, looking down at the others from her lofty perch.  How did it go? Ulger asked up at him conversationally.
	Oh, about as much as youd expect, he answered.  I landed and wiped out the church soldiers, then told that orc tribe to fan out and find groups of Shadows, and have them follow along behind us.
	And you believed them? Lorak asked, a bit disdainfully.  No offense, Master Tarrin, but you should not put weight in the words of an orc.  You have no experience with them.
	Chief Kad will do as I asked, he answered evenly.  It seems hes worked with the Shadows before.  He thought I was one of you made this way by a magic spell.
	Some of the orc bands out on the peninsula work extensively with the Shadows, Skord mentioned.  If this orc tribes worked with us before, they probably will do as you asked, Master Tarrin.
	Id think that healthy fear would motivate them to obey, Sarraya giggled.
	Probably, Ulger nodded.
	How do those soldiers look? Tarrin asked.
	Well, theyve had solid fundamental training, Ulger answered.  Theyre not bad, but theyre not Knights either.  Give me a month, and I could make something out of them.
	They do have some potential, Azakar agreed.  Theyd give a cadet a good fight.
	Pardon my pride in my men, but theyre some of the best-trained in the Shadows, Skord said with slight indignity.  I think theyd be more than a match for one of your trainees.
	Azakar and Ulger looked at each other.  No they wouldnt, they said in unison.  Most of our cadets arrive at our academy already knowing more than your men do.  We only take the best, Ulger explained.
	How young are these cadets?
	Kids, Ulger snorted.  You dont decide you want to be a Knight when you grow up, Master Skord.  You decide when youre still hanging on your mothers apron strings, and work for it.  Its not a job, its a way of life.
	Sounds very much like one, Neh mused.  How long do you train?
	That depends on the cadet. Some get through the academy in just a couple of years.  Some take eight years.
	Sounds interesting, Neh said.  We might talk more about it later, Master Ulger.
	Are they really that good, Mistress Neh? Skord asked her.
	Ive seen them fight, Skord.  They are that good, she answered.  It makes me wonder just how strong the peoples of your world are in fighting, she said to Ulger.
	We have a good reputation, he said modestly.
	Dont be so humble, Ulger, Sarraya grinned.  The Knights are considered one of the best fighting groups on Sennadar.  Right up there with the Ungardt, and the Wikuni, and the Legions of Arak.  But they all run like girls when the Selani and the Vendari show up, she laughed.  You want to conquer someone?  Thats who you ask to do it.  Too bad both races are so stuffy and tied up with their silly honor.
	Races?  They arent kingdoms? Skord asked.
	Unlike your world,  Sennadar is populated by many different races, Dolanna told him.  Humans are but one of many, though they are the most numerous.  We share our world with the Selani, the ShaKar, the Vendari, the Wikuni, the many races of the Woodkin.  There are many distinct groups within the human race as well.  The Ungardt are much different from the Dals, who are much different from the Arakites, who are much different from my peoples, the Sharadi, who are much different from the Nyrians, who are much different than the Shou.  The Ungardt are a huge strain of humans, where my own people are quite small. The Tellurians are among the most innovative, while the Zakkites are among the most savage.  Even among the humans of my world, there is great diversity.
	I would much like to visit your world some day, Mistress Dolanna, Neh said seriously.  It sounds fascinating.
	I would be happy to host your visit, Neh, she said fondly.  I have been meaning to askwhy such an unusual name?
	Neh?  Its the short version of my name, Mistress Dolanna.  My true name is Nehshimmarisanna.  Loraks full name is Lorakimitasith.  My mother always called me Nehshi, because my older sister is named Nehdorimistiri.
	Ah, Dolanna said with a chuckle.  A short version would definitely be more useful.
	Long names have ever been the custom of my people, she explained.  But it became an idea run away with its own conceit.  I have friends who have names it takes nearly ten seconds to speak.
	Ulger laughed.  Id hate to see a letter on Elara. The first page would be nothing but the address.
	Tarrin looked south again as that sense of presence seemed to get stronger.  No, it was likelike it was looking for him.  It was still quite distant, so distant he could barely make any sense of what he was sensing, but he was sure that it was a familiar power, something he had encountered before, and it was approaching himand approaching quickly.
	What is it, dear one? Dolanna asked.
	Im not sure yet, he answered.  Theres something coming from the south.  Something strong.
	South?  Like from Pyros? Sarraya asked quickly.
	Actually, yes, probably from Pyros, he agreed.  But its not the One.  Id know if it was.  This is something different, something Ive sensed before, something strong.  But I cant figure out for the life of me what it could be.  I dont know anyone from here thats not standing right in front of me.
	How strong? Dolanna asked.
	Strong enough to feel it from this distance, he replied.  He shook his massive head.  Ill worry about that later.  We need to get moving.  I want to destroy the enemies ahead of us before sunset, and its obvious that were not going to make it in time.  So just have everyone make camp here.  Ill go take care of it.
	Alone?  They have Demons, Tarrin, Miranda warned.
	Dragons can hurt demons, he said in a steely tone.
	Through an expression of Druidic power which you cannot access here, Dolanna said sharply.
	I dont need Druidic magic, he told her, standing up.  I have Wizard magic.
	Which you cannot exercise while simultaneously destroying a column of armed men! she told him angrily.  You should not do this alone, Tarrin!  The size of that form does not make you invincible!
	The men will all be dead before I touch the ground, he told her as he took a step backwards.  And there are too many of them for our forces to engage while me and Miranda take on the Demons, and our forces havent got a chance against them if I take on the men and leave Miranda to do it herself.  Its safest for everyone involved if I just go by myself.
	I strongly advise against this, dear one, she told him bluntly.
	Trust me, Dolanna, he told her calmly.  My gas sacks are completely full.  I can melt the entire column with one pass.
	I cannot talk you out of this? she asked.
	He shook his head, which made Sarraya nearly fall off his snout.
	Then go quickly and be safe, she said, as Mist gave him another of those cold stares.  He was racking up quite a list of things she was going to ride him about, he was sure of that.  Mist usually obeyed him without question, but she did make it clear to him when she disagreed with what he was doing.  Her devotion was unswerving, but not completely blind.
	What does gas sacks mean? Lorak asked Dolanna.
	It means that Tarrin can breathe fire, Sarraya answered before the Sorceress could respond.  Id ask him to demonstrate, but hed be using up his fire.  From the sound of it, hes going to strafe the Ones army and burn them to ash, then turn around and land to take on the Demons.
	Just so, he agreed, shaking his head to dislodge the Faerie from his nose.  If theyre gathered together, I can kill them all with one pass.
	Dear one, we know that fire does not work on Demons, but would the gas itself  be effective? Dolanna asked.
	Tarrin was about to reply, but stopped before he made a sound and thought it over.  I really dont know, he answered.  They do breathe here, even if Im not sure if they have to.  Im not sure if it would work on them, though.  Their metablism might make them immune to it.
	What does this gas do? Lorak asked.
	Remember what Fireflash did to Sarraya? Miranda asked, and Lorak nodded.  That.  Fireflash is just a teensy little replica of what Tarrin is.  Drakes and dragons are related.
	You could always try, Haley reasoned.  If it doesnt work, you can come around on the next pass and ignite the gas before it disperses.  That would be rather spectacular, he chuckled.
	I say, it would be positively explosive, it would, Phandebrass agreed.  Instead of burning in a controlled area, it would be like setting fire to fog, it would.  I say, what an idea.  I must write that down, I must.  Where is my book?
	This gas burns? Lorak asked curiously.
	Of course, Kimmie answered, as Fireflash jumped from Zyris lap and onto Kimmies shoulder, responding to her beckoning paw.  She scratched him between the horns, which caused him to nuzzle her neck affectionately.  The gas is the component that makes the fire.  When it mixes with a fluid that a dragon can inject into it, it burns in a chemical reaction, but the gas itself is highly combustible.  She touched Fireflashs throat.  Theres a little gland in here that injects that fluid into the gas when he breathes it out, that makes it burn.  He can decide not to inject it, though, which only causes him to breathe the gas.  Thats how drakes, and dragons, can breathe either fire or the gas.  Gold dragons and drakes are totally immune to any kind of fire, so their fire doesnt hurt them.  Theyre also immune to their own gas, or theyd flop over paralyzed every time they used it.  Each dragon or drake is immune to the effects of its own breath weapon, be it from the dragon or not.  Blues are immune to lightning, blacks immune to acid, and so on and so on.
	Im surprised you learned that much about dragons, Tarrin told her.
	I got curious after I met Sapphire, she smiled.  Blue dragons have a large series of organs that generates a huge amount of lightning energy instead of gas sacks.  Even though its biological, those organs themselves, and your gas sacks, and any dragons breath weapon generating organ, are magical in how they create it.  Part of what makes dragons magic.
	Magical organs? Lorak said, then he chuckled.  Thats hard to imagine.
	You are a magical organ, Lorak, Miranda told him with a smile.  You wield magic.  How you do it, well, thats a mystery to me, but you do.  Youre a living, breathing creature that generates magic, therefore youre a magical organ.
	I say, that is a most interesting philosphical point of view, Phandebrass said with enthusiasm.
	Ill leave you to discuss it, Tarrin told them.  Wait here.  Ill be back in a while.
	Be careful, my mate! Mist demanded.
	Ill be very careful, Mist, he told her.  So long as I can wipe out the humans, the Demons wont pose too much of a danger.  Not all of them can fly, and the ones that can wont come after me without really thinking it over.
	He was about to say something else, but a sudden surge of magic seemed to rush through the area, like a ghostly wind that was visible to his eyes.  It swirled around him, then rushed towards his packs, which were on the ground near the Pegasi.  The Pegasi seemed to sense it as well, for they whinnied and quickly bolted from the area.  Tarrin took but one step forward, but he stopped dead when the air above his packs seemed to shimmer, and then a pair of figures simply appeared in the air over the pack, dropping to the ground lightly.
	Tarrin gawked in utter astonishment.  Standing there, as calmly as she pleased, was a tall, beautiful woman with dark hair and large leathery wings.  Beside her was a huge dog with glowing red eyes and a coat the color of coal.
	Anayi! And Forge!  Anayi was wearing the leather haltar that Alus favored, freeing up their wings, and sleek black leather pants.  She had a polearm in her free hand, a wicked hook-billed Lochabre Axe on an eight span long pole, a vicious weapon that would be perfect for someone with the ability to fly.  She still had her black-bladed sword belted on her waist, however.
	Holy Hades, is that you, Tarrin? she asked with a surprised stare.
	Forge! Kimmie shouted in surprise, jumping to her feet.  The massive Hellhound bounded away from the Alu and slammed into his master, knocking her down.  Kimmie laughed as the Hellhound licked her face.
	How did you find us, Anayi? he asked in surprise.  And what are you doing here?
	Well, why Im here should be obvious, Tarrin, she chuckled.  That one told Kikkalli whats going on here, Kikkalli told your Goddess, your Goddess talked to my mother, and she sent me.  Your Goddess has an army massed at the base of the Skydancers, ready to march into the pass and through the gate if theyre needed.  Shes ready to invade this world if it becomes needful, to get the souls of her children back, and to help you.  I was sent in first to come find you and help you, since I can Teleport.  Ive been jumping this way all day, looking for you.
	What? he asked in surprise.  Shes got an army?
	The Elder Gods are violently opposed to the idea, of course, but right now things are very crazy on Sennadar, she said.  Your Goddess had some kind of fight with the other Elder Gods, and its gotten messy.  Right now, nobody can use magic of any kind except the Sorcerers and the Druids.  Not even magical objects work.  Shes withholding magic from the world as some kind of protest against something the other Elder Gods did.
	Miranda laughed so hard she almost fell over, as was Haley.
	The other gods are in an absolute furor, of course, but what can they do? she asked with a laugh.  When it comes to magic, not even the Allmother can really do anything about it.  Withdrawing magic from Sennadar does not threaten the Balance.  Their hands are tied.  She looked up at him.  Now, how in the world did you manage to do that, Tarrin?  Thats amazing!
	Nevermind that, silly!  Its so good to see you! Kimmie said happily, getting out from under Forge and hugging the Alu.  Tarirn pondered what she said as Anayi greeted the others, being introduced to Haley and Ulger, and renewing her friendships with Dolanna, Mist, and Miranda.
	Hold on a second, Tarrin said, his mind racing.  Mothers fighting with the other Elder Gods?
	She nodded, pushing Miranda away from the welcoming embrace. Nobody knows why, but your Goddess has them all by the hair.  Shes acting on her own, defying the will of the other Elder Gods, but like I said, what can they do?  They cant really do anything about it.  Shes an Elder God, answerable only to the Allmother, and the Allmother cant do anything short of killing her to make her stop.  And she wont go that far, because what the Goddess is doing doesnt threaten the Balance.  The Elder Gods are in a pickle, and its letting your Goddess act with complete impugnity.  Remind me never to get on your Goddess bad side, Tarrin.  Shes brutal when shes angry.
	Niami said that she would resort to that if they didnt allow him to return home.  Had it really come to that?  Was she now using her ultimate weapon, denying magic to the world, as leverage to extort a promise that he would be allowed to come home?  He certainly hoped not.  What she was doing was making her many, many enemies.  The Younger Gods in particular would be very angry about what she was doing, for stripping their Priests of magic threatened their power directly.  There would be reprisals, and since they couldnt directly avenge themselves against Niami, that meant that they would exact retribution by making life very unpleasant for the katzh-dashi.  He certainly hoped Mother had taken steps.
	And what was this other thing Anayi said?  An army massing in northern Sulasia?  Whats the army for, Anayi? he asked.
	That would be fairly obvious, she answered.  If it takes an army to get you back, or an army to get the souls of her children released, your Goddess has one ready to send in.  She told me to tell you that theyre there to get you to Auromar if its needed, wherever that is.  And its not just a collection of mercs, honey.  Your Goddess went out and got some damn good forces.  Sulasian Rangers, Ungardt, Selani, the Legions, Wikuni Marines, Aeradalla, and Knights.  Its being commanded by Kang.
	Kang?  The General Kang? Ulger asked in surprise.
	Who else would you want for such a dangerous expedition? Anayi chuckled.  Like I said, your Goddess went out and got the best.  Theyre ready to march in on a moments notice.  Now tell me, how did you do that?  Is it a Wizard spell?  Honey, Ive never seen any Wizard spell that could make the change complete.  You are a dragon.  Like you were born and raised one!  Do you have the breath weapons and the magic powers?
	He nodded.  It was something I learned to do while I was here, he told her.  A power from my wings.  I just got it back this morning.  My powers are still healing after my fight with the One.  I took this form after getting that power back, because the size of it gives us a major advantage.
	Ah, that explains it.  She looked at his monstrous form.  Good choice.
	Thank you, he said with a nod.
	Do you happen to realize that this creature standing here is a Demon? Lorak asked in a strangled tone.
	Oh, there are Demons, Lorak, and there are Demons, Tarrin answered him.  We know what she is.  And that doesnt really matter.  This particular Demon is a friend.  The Hellhound is Kimmies pet.
	You consort with Demons? he asked in shock.
	Only certain ones, he answered.  Ones whove proved we can trust them.  There are certain Demons who make my world their permanent home.  Theyre allowed to remain there by our gods so long as they behave themselves.  Anayi is one of those Demons.
	Thats right, she affirmed, speaking in that manner which would allow anyone to understand her.  That was an ability of Demons, the ability to understand and be understood by anyone, the ability after which the charm he had was patterned.  Its just a family of Demons, human.  My mother and her children.  My mother serves the gods of Sennadar instead of the Demon Lords, and in return they let us live there.  Think of us as a family of traitors, she winked.
	You can trust Anayi, Tarrin told him bluntly.  In a way, shes part of my family.
	Why Tarrin, what a nice thing to say, she said, her face turning a slight shade of gray as her black blood filled her cheeks.  Oh, I brought you something, she said, reaching into her belt pouch.  She withdrew a small crystal bell.
	Sapphires bell.
	What is that for? he asked, motioning for Mist to take it.  She did so with a nod.
	Sapphire told me that if I didnt bring it to you, Id regret it.  I dont know about you, but Im not crossing that particular dragon, she laughed.  Im not insane.  She told me to tell you that youd know what to do with it, and youd better do it as soon as I reached you.
	He certainly knew what the bell was for.  It was a way to communicate with her.  By ringing the bell, it triggered a spell that allowed them to talk.  But would it work across dimensions?
	No, this was a different bell, he could see, after a closer inspection.  This one had a slight bluish tinge to its crystal, where the other one was clear. She must have made one that would allow communication between worlds.  He could see an aura around the bell, one of both magic and emotion.  Great emotion went into the creation of this bell, the emotion of the one who made it.  Love, concern, anger, they were all present in varying measures.
	Wed better do as Sapphire wants, he said, craning his neck down close to Mist.  Go ahead, Mist.  Ring it.
	She did so, tapping her claw to it.  The bell immediately began to glow, and that ring began to chime, and that chime turned into a shimmering echo, which in turned became a choral voice, a voice that was so infused with power that it seemed that it could not be contained by a single voice.  But this time, this time Tarrin could hear what was really inside that choral harmony.  It was not power, as he had always imagined, it was knowledge.  It was the harmony of a single voice that spoke with the wisdom of the ages, the voice reflecting the vast mind and knowledge and experience that was a god.
	It was the voice of Niami.
	Kitten?  Are you there? she called.
	Im here, Mother, he answered immediately.  Did Sapphire make this for you?
	Clever kitten, yes, she did, she answered.  Its the best we could come up with on short notice.  I would guess that Anayi and Forge are there.  Now, Ive taken the liberty of assembling a force on our side of the gate.  You say the word, kitten, and Ill have them march into that world.  Do you need them?
	They couldnt reach us, Mother, he answered.  Were a very long way from the place where that gate opens.  At best they could serve to distract, but its so far away it wouldnt really do us any good.
	Anayi was taught a gate spell, kitten, that would let her open a sustained gate between where she is and a place she knows.  If she obeyed me, she stayed at the entry area long enough to be able to open a gate back to it.  You could have that army by your side in a few hours.  Now, do you need them? she asked again.
	Tarrin considered it for a long moment, then he looked to Miranda.  She shook her head immediately, telling him she would be very hard pressed to get them back home.  Miranda was their only way home.
	No, Mother, I dont need them, he answered, ignoring Loraks sudden hot look.  He very much wanted an army there.  But if you would, if its possible, Id like about fifteen to twenty of the best warriors you have there to come through the gate.  We need a bit of extra manpower, but not an army.
	If you want twenty, you get twenty, my kitten, she said immediately.  I have just the twenty in mind, too.  Would having Vendari and Selani there cause any undue problems?
	Were not hiding anymore, Mother.  Its not a problem.
	Perfect.  Then youre Vendari and Selani, as well as others.  Theyll be coming through the gate in just a few minutes.  Anayi.
	Yes, Mistress? she answered immediately and with great humility, dropping to one knee before the bell out of reflex.
	Prepare to cast the spell we taught you.  Ill let you know when you may begin.
	Ill get started immediately, Mistress, Anayi answered.  She got up and rushed out away from the others, pulling two belt pouches from her waist.
	Your voice sounds strange, dear one. Are you recovering well enough?
	My voice sounds strange because Im in another form right now, Mother, he answered.
	Ill say! Miranda laughed.
	Really?  What form is that?
	A dragon, Mother, Dolanna answered.  Tarrin has regained his ability to transform into forms other than a cat.
	Ah.  Now thats clever, my kitten.  If this One is as Miranda described to Kikkalli, now that his Priests have no power, he has almost nothing left with magic capable of challenging you in that form.
	He has Demons, Mother, and lots of them, he said with a grunt.  In fact, he has way more than he should, and there seems to be more and more every day.  His Priests must have summoned a damned army of them before Mist damaged his icon, and now theyre all over the place.  Every patrol of his soldiers seems to have at least one Demon with it.
	It sounds like hes using the Demons to take the place of his Pr