is world.  Tarrin deals with that power by using metaphor to comprehend it.  What he thinks of as, say, moving his wing, its just a metaphor for what hes really doing.  Its something that even he doesnt completely understand.  After all, he cant.  His mind is mortal, and its controlling power it cant comprehend.
	If its beyond our understanding, how do you understand it? Kimmie asked.
	I dont, really, Miranda said with a wink and a grin.  My mother explained it to me as best she could, but remember, its like a parent trying to explain something complicated to a toddler.  No matter how patient they are, youre just trying to explain something that the child cant understand.  So she dumbs it down for me.  She motioned at Tarrin.  Tarrin has the same problem.  Hes trying to touch on power beyond his comprehension.  Hes managed to learn a few tricks, but hes capable of much, much more.  He could have destroyed the entire invading army by himself, you know.  Easily.  Locked in that unassuming, furry body is the power to destroy the world, she said with a sigh.  And thats why the Elder Gods refuse to let him come home.
	Foolishness, Mist snorted.  After everything he did, they should know to trust him by now.
	But they dont know him, Mist, Miranda said seriously.  Only Niami does.  The Elder Gods are like the Hierarchs, in a way.  Theyre aware of him, but they refuse to acknowledge him, because doing so is admitting that hes there.  All they see is his violent demeanor and the glaring fact that he has killed a god, and is capable of killing a god.  They cant see anything past that.
	Then thats what needs to be fixed, Mist stated.
	No, Mist, what needs to be fixed isnt their understanding of him, what needs to be fixed is their fear of him.  They understand him well enough, theyre just so afraid of him that they wont look at anything else.
	And what can we do about that?
	Nothing, Camara Tal answered, looking at Tarrin.  Theres nothing we can do.  The only one who can fix that is Tarrin.

	He knew they were there, but he couldnt hear them.
	Tarrin drifted in a dark void of dreamless sleep, but in other ways, he was completely aware and alert.  He was aware and alert because in his unconscious state, he was much more susceptible to hearing the voices of the other gods of Pyrosia.  They had waited a long time for him to reach this state, to be able to speak to him without shouting, and even then only be heard as whispers, as murmurs.  When the mortal mind was asleep, when it shunted aside mortal conceptions and perceptions, it was more in tune with that world within a world which was the world in which the immortals moved, a world that the mortal mind could not comprehend, could not see, but came closer to touching when asleep.  In his sleep, he became closer to the voices of the gods, and they were able to communicate clearly and lucidly with him.
	In his sleep, he was able to talk to them, to explain what was going to happen.  They did not like it.  They thought that there had to be another way, but in the end, they couldnt argue with the results of his intended plan.  Even if he failed, the Demon Lord would be dealt with, one way or the other.
	But there were other matters, ones that troubled him, and one of them lay under his paw.  Asleep, more in tune with his own power, his touch on Zyri allowed him to sense that power that was inside of her, that power he sensed the very first time they touched, that power that he couldnt understand.  Well, he understood it now.
	It was the touch of Niami.
	Zyrilen was a Sorcerer.
	The why of it was pretty straightforward, he realized after thinking it over.  There were Sorcerers here long ago, and they managed to live for several hundred years.  It was only expected that they would reproduce, and that introduced the hereditary power of Sorcery into the humans of Pyrosia.  But, since the power that fueled that ability did not exist in this world, it had no expressionit remained dormant.  Zyrilen could trace her lineage back to one of those katzh-dashi who had come to this world with the Dwarves, and that power had been passed down from parent to child for thousands of years, a hidden, sleeping power that had no way of expressing itself, so it continued to sleep.
	Noit didnt.  It was so clear to him now, and it struck him like someone hitting him in the head with a rock.  That power didnt sleepit adapted.
	That was why he could feel it when they used their power.  That was why it seemed so hauntingly familiar.
	The powers of the Elementalists had their roots in Sorcery.
	It was so clear to him now.  The power of the Elementalist reached directly into the Elemental Planesbut that was something that Sorcery could also do.  Sorcery was, by its very nature, elemental magic.  Its spheres dealt with the four elements of nature and the three elements of intelligence.  Earth, air, fire and water.  The mind, the power of the gods, and the power which joined them all together.  Dashar could reach directly into the Elemental Planes and call forth the spirit of a denizen there, summon it to this world to aid him in a task.  What the Elementalists did was somehow use their natural aptitude to reach directly back into that plane and draw forth its might to fuel their magic.  It was not Sorcery, but Sorcery was the root of that power.  The power had been changed by this world, had been changed by the marching of the years, by the steady evolution that came about as a race reproduced over time.  Just as the Ungardt had become progessively taller and taller with each generation, the power of Sorcery changed from generation to generation as it continued to be passed down, but found no way to express itself.  The touch of Niami was a vibrant thing, seeking release, seeking a way to make itself known.  That was why Sorcerers had to be trained, because that power always found a way to show itself among those with it, and once released, it could never be bottled up again.  The touch of Niami had adapted to the lack of her presence, had adapted to this world and had learned to reach directly into a place where it knew there to be power, a place it had the power to touch.
	The Elementalists were the descendants of the Sorcerers, with different powers, but powers based upon the Sorcery that was brought into this world so many years ago.  Similar enough for a Sorcerer to sense its use.
	Zyri and Jalbrother and sister, one was a remnant of a lost people, the other the product of that peoples desire to continue to live.  They were the symbols of that power, the symbol of everything this world was, what it had been, and what it could be once again.
	It was that feeling of a guiding force again, he was sure of it.  Since he arrived, hed had the feeling that he was being pushed, almost herded, led down a specific path by forces beyond his control and understanding.  Zyris secret played right into that suspicionhere she was, a Sorcerer, seemingly deliberately placed into his path as if he had been meant to find her, and then to take her in and take care of her.  If not for the fact that the future was not set, he would almost be tempted to say that it was fate, or destinybut those things didnt exist.  The only future there was was the future of possibility, not of certainty.  The actions of mortals were dynamic and changing, and those free-willed decisions shaped the future around them, causing it to change.  Kikkalli was the only god on Sennadar who had the ability to look into those many possibilities and predict possible outcomes, in a way predicting the future, but even her readings were often incorrect because of the fickle nature of the mortals populating the world.
	Was it him?  He hadnt sensed the Sorcery within his own children, and now he hadnt understood the truth of Zyri until now.  After all, hed be blind not to see it, now that he was looking at her.  Her power was incredible.  She wasnt as strong as him, or Jasana, but she would be a match for any Sorcerer on Sennadar.  It was recessed, completely dormant inside of hershe had never come close to touching it, and from the feel of it, she was not ready.  Was his inability to realize Zyris power more about him than it was about her?  
	It was certainly possible.
	But that was a matter for another time, and for another person.  When Zyri went to Sennadar, Niami could sort her out.  He would be too busy here to be able to deal with it.
	He drifted back up into the layers of mortal consciousness, and then opened his eyes.  Doing so reminded him that tomorrow, they would all be gone, back to Sennadar, and there would only be him and Dolanna left.  This would be his last day with themevening, actuallyand he had to make it count.  There were so many things left for him to do before they were gone, several loose ends to tie up, affairs to put into order before his friends and family went homea home he didnt think hed ever see again.  Even if he survived this, the Elder Gods would not allow him to returnand he wasnt sure he was willing to attempt it, put his children in danger because of him.
	Come what may, he knew deep within himself, he knew he would never see his home again.  And as much as it pained him to admit it, it was the way things were, and there was nothing to be done about it.
	He looked down on ZyrilenZyri, only her mother called her by her full nameand saw the truth of her for the first time.  Behind that dark hair, that slim, slender face, that gangly frame that was halfway between girl and woman, there waspower.  She was sleeping, and her small face, showing hints of the beauty she would possess when she matured, was reposed and peaceful.  Gone was that ever-pursed little mouth, always worried over this or that, and the drawn brows as her clever little mind took everything in and analyzed it, leaving behind a young lady that was a closed flower, just waiting to open and display her beauty to the world.
	She opened her eyes.  Dark eyes looked into his own without expression, looked deeply into them, and within those brown eyes he saw everything that she was.  He saw her determination to protect her brother, her devotion to him and Mist, who she now saw as her parents, her loyalty to familyeven Telven, who had betrayed herand her desperate need to be loved and protected, even as she tried to provide that same love and protection to her brother.  She was a child trying to act the adult, but craving the very thing she tried to provide.  He saw an intelligence in her that was exceptional, and a desire to make him and Mist proud of her.
	And tomorrowshe would be gone.  Gone to Sennadar, gone away from this place, gone to safety and under the watchful eyes of Niami.
	Gone from him.
	And she would be better off for it.  What was cominghe wanted her far away from it.
	She looked into his eyes, and spoke in a soft whisper that one word that never failed to please him most, the one word that defined him more than any other; more than Sorcerer, more than suikun, more than Were-cat, more than MiSharaeven more than demigod.
	Father.
	With the gentlest of smiles, he took his massive paw from her, and tapped her lightly on the nose with his finger, which made her giggle reflexively as she flinched away.
	Tarrin, Mist called as she moved into the room.  She sat down on the edge of the bed and took his paw in hers as he sat up, dislodging both Zyri and Jal, as Fireflash deftly climbed up to his shoulder as he moved, then nuzzled his neck fondly after he was upright.  He shivered his wings and pushed them back, then snaked his tail out from under him and hooked Jal with it, pulling him up against his side as Zyri hugged his waist on the other side.  Are you alright?  You were asleep for a long time.
	Im fine, he answered evenly, looking past her to Kimmie, Camara Tal, and Miranda.  How are Haley and Zak?
	Haleys up and about, but Zaks not going anywhere soon, Miranda answered.  Hes confined to his bed until we leave, and even then he wont be out of it for long.
	Did you heal him?
	She nodded.  That wound was mortal, Tarrin, and even my healing can only go so far.  Hell be weak as a kitten for at least a week.  Five days, she corrected quickly, with a cheeky grin.  When its time for us to go, well drag him out of bed and help him through the gate, and then have a Sorcerer immediately Teleport him back to the Tower and tuck him safely back in bed.
	He nodded, stroking Fireflashs scales as the drake continued to nuzzle him.  I have to contact Niami.  Miranda, you have to get your mothers attention.  I have to talk to her.
	Tomorrow at sunset, we leave, Miranda told him.  I already managed to get in contact with my mother, and she relayed the messages.  The Elder Gods will lower the barriers stopping Phandebrass from using his gate spell at sunset tomorrow, and theyll only be down for five minutes.  Phandebrass must cast the spell as soon as the suns lower edge touches the western hills, and everyone has to be through the gate before it disappears behind the horizon.
	Well, it seems I dont have to talk to her after all, he chuckled.  Does he have the diamonds he needs?
	Miranda nodded.  Darax found suitable components, and Phandebrass has the spell memorized.  Were ready.
	He looked down at Jals beaming face, and patted his back fondly.  Alright cubs, I need to get up now.  I have quite a few things to do, and times running short.  You two need to go to bed.
	Are you alright, Father? Zyri asked.
	Im fine, little bit.
	Why were you asleep for so long?
	He snorted.  I was having something of an argument with the gods of this world, he answered her.  When Im asleep, they can speak clearly to me.  I was asleep for so long because there were many things that we had to work out about whats going to happen, and warn them about the possibilities if things go wrong.  Theyll be ready for it.
	Thats a conversation Id love to have been able to overhear, Kimmie chuckled.  What were they arguing about?
	Nothing that concerns you, Kimmie, Tarrin said, looking her directly in the eyes.  Nothing that really concerns me either.  He got up, produced his golden charm from the elsewhere, and deliberately affixed it to the back of his amulet.  Bed.  Now, he ordered the children, pointing towards the door.  I wont be here tonight, Mist.  I have things to do.
	What do you need to do, my mate?  We might be able to help, she offered as she beckoned to the children.
	Nobody can help me with this, he told her.  He motioned to the fireplace, and caused a fire to blossom into being within it, which burned happily without fuel.  He closed his paw around empty air, and his sword appeared in his paw, which immediately erupted into flame along its blade.  His wings flared with light, as if responding to the fire of the blade, the flicks of flame that looked so much like feathers began to writhe and shimmer within his wings.
	What are you doing? Kimmie asked.
	Preparing for the worst, he answered cryptically.
	Youre not going to tell us, are you? Camara Tal said accusingly.
	No.  He gestured to the fire, which caused it to expand in size and grow hotter, until the flames were disappearing into the chimney.  Ill be back around noon tomorrow.  Just get everyone ready to go, and Ill see you then.  He gave them a glance, his eyes full of both concern and fear, and then he stepped into the fire in the grate and vanished.  The fire quickly dwindled down to a weak ball of flame that hovered over the grate, but did not disappear.
	I, um, hope he realizes he just took Fireflash with him, Kimmie said hesitantly.  Well, that was abrupt, she announced in a more stable voice, clapping her paws, which made Forge and Ember look up at her.  Now what do we do?
	We wait, Mist shrugged.  Tarrin knows what hes doing.  We just wait for him to come home.  Alright, cubs, off to bed with you.
	If Father wont be home til noon tomorrow, he wont have time to say goodbye to everyone, Zyri fretted.
	Something tells me he prefers it that way, Miranda said quietly, looking at the flames in the fireplace, crossing her arms beneath her breasts and shaking her head, the large poof of hair that perpetually hung over her eyes bobbing with the motion.
	What troubles you, Miranda? Camara Tal asked as Mist herded the children back into the common room.
	I, I dont know, she said.  I think I missed something here, but Im not sure what it was.  Something important.
	What do you mean?
	Something happened in this room, something important, she said.  I can almost feel the last vestiges of it fading away.  And I dont know what it was, or what it means.  She blew out her breath.  And in my line of work, that could get me so fired.
	By who? Camara Tal chuckled.  Kerri, or your mother?
	Both, she answered with a wink.  Ill have to think about it.  Maybe itll come to me later tonight.
	Ill get you drunk.  That always helps me remember.
	Ah, no, Miranda protested with a chuckle.  You might just be trying to get me drunk to have your way with me.
	Pff, youre too scrawny to be much fun, Camara Tal retorted, which made Miranda laugh.

	They all waited for noon like it was the stike of the bell that would herald the end of the world.
	An hour before noon, they all started gathering in the apartment that Darax had set aside for Tarrin and Mist, even Azakar, who had convinced Miranda to allow him to rest on one of the couches in the common room.  They talked and laughed as more and more people joined them, including some of the lesser known friends of Tarrin.  They also took that rare opportunity to get to know Zyri and Jal, who sat near Mist as if she would protect them from all the attention.  Zyri handled it better than Jal, who was an extremely shy child, who spent most of that time all but hiding under Mists protective paw.
	A half hour before noon, Darax arrived and politely included himself in the gathering, sporting bandages here and there and a nasty cut on his cheek that would turn into a rather striking scar.  He showed no aftereffects of all the ale hed drank the night before, his eyes bright and his demeanor animated, almost excited like a child.  Daraxs stand at the center of the line had been a suitably noble and heroic thing for a Dwarf to do, and had earned him a solid spot among the ranks of the most courageous of the Duran kings.  There would be a statue of Dain Darax of the Dura out in the city one day, that was guaranteed.
	At precisely noon, the fire in the grate swelled, and then roared to life.  A silhouette appeared, wavering and indisctinct in the flames, but it became quite apparent who it was after mere seconds.  Fireflash burst from the fire first, lancing into the room and almost crashing into Binters head, causing him to swerve around and circle the room before landing on Zyris shoulder.  The drake elicited quite a few looks and gasps, for his scales were awry, there was dirt and smoke and blood all over him, and hed obviously been injured at some point.  But he seemed quite energetic, almost bubbly, cooing and nuzzling Zyris neck with wild abandon.
	What in the furies happened to you, Fireflash? Mist demanded, but her tone was half-hearted, for every eye was locked on that image within the fire.
	Tarrin Kael stepped out of the fire slowly, and from the appearance of his left foot, it was apparent that he was an absolute mess.  As more and more of him became visible, it was more and more obvious.  Blood, mud, dirt, smoke, ash, and things best left unidentified coated him like batter, and his clothes were shredded and all but hanging to him by bare threads.
	Tarrin! Mist called in alarm.  What did you do?
	Tarrin gave her a penetrating look, his right arm still in the fire.  I had a loose end to attend to, he stated flatly, then he yanked his right arm out of the fire.
	Along with it, trembling with terror, was a very clean, very unharmed, and very terrified Telven.
	The boy crashed to the floor in front of the Were-cat and immediately started whimpering, crawling away from him.  Telven! Zyri gasped, then she bolted from the couch and slid on her knees up to him, putting her hands on him, then hugging him fiercely.  Father, what did you do to him? she asked him, looking over his shoulder and at Tarrin.
	Tell her, Telven, Tarrin said in a steely tone.
	Hehehehe burned up Dengal! Telven stammered in horror.
	Dengal? Dolanna asked.
	What used to be Dengal, Tarrin growled.  Tell her.  Tell her what they were about to do before I stopped them.
	They accused me of being a witch, he said in a tiny voice.
	Accused? Tarrin said in a dangerous tone.  It turns out your brother here is a witch, little bit.  Hes an Earth Adept.
	I am not a witch! he screamed suddenly, almost hysterically.  I am not Defiled!  I walk the path of the light!  All praise the One!
	Telven was about to say more, but Zyri slapped him across the mouth.  She was not gentle.  Telvens head snapped to the side, and he looked at his sister in shock, as if she had just grown another head.
	Dont even say that around me, Telven! she said angrily.  Do you know what the One has done?  Do you have any idea what kind of evil hes brought into the world?  Its all been a lie, Telven!  Everything weve been told is a lie!  If theres anything evil or Defiled on this world, its the One!
	Dengal? Dolanna asked Tarrin, glancing at the children.
	Gone, he answered in a tightly controlled voice.  I burned it to the ground.  Little bit, take him to Shara, Tarrin told Zyri.  Shes an Earth Adept as well.  She can force him to see the truth.
	I am not a witch! Telven screamed.
	Zyri hit him againbut hit was a woeful understatement for what she did to him.  Telvens head rocked as Zyri flat-out punched him dead in the jaw, knocking him onto his back.  They ARE NOT WITCHES! she screamed at the top of her lungs.  Dont you dare call our father a witch ever again!
	No, Zyri, Tarrin said in a low voice, but a voice those who knew him knew very wellit was the voice of a Were-cat on the verge of an explosion.  I didnt save Telven to bring him back.  Its all I can do right now not to rip his head off, he said, holding up a trembling paw.  I saved him because I knew it would cause you pain if he died, and for no other reason.  Shara and Lorak can find a place for him, as long as its nowhere near me.
	IFather, you dont mean that, do you?
	He means it, cub, Mist said grimly.  I wouldnt have that lying backstabber under my roof either.  Hell find no place with me.
	Are we taking him back to Sennadar? Kimmie asked hesitantly.
	Tarrin considered it, fixing a baleful gaze on the dazed boy.  He can come.
	Well, if its a place the boy needs, I know just where to put him, Ulger spoke up.  The Academys always looking for scullery boys and stablehands.  Maybe some good honest work will make him see the error of his ways.  And of course, maybe some exposure to the truth will change his mindset.
	And hed be where Zyri could at least visit, Azakar added.  Since shell be at your house, thered be a way for her to get back and forth.
	You wouldnt object to that, would you Tarrin? Ulger asked.  After all, you outrank me.
	Actually, I think thats a good idea, Tarrin said with a nod.  Darvon can pound some sense into his thick skull, or kill him trying.
	Who will train his abilities? Dolanna asked.
	We could ask Shara, Haley proposed.
	Shed probably accept, she would, Phandebrass said.  I say, shes talked a great deal about seeing Sennadar since I started describing it to her, she has.
	Zyri, take him to Shara, Tarrin commanded, pointing at Telven.  And tell her that shed better pack.  She will be going to Sennadar.
	Loraks gonna object, Ulger chuckled.
	He wont object after I gut him, Tarrin said in a tight voice.  All of you need to get ready to go, he ordered.
	Were ready already, Camara Tal snorted.  Were just waiting, and of course, we cant leave without having some time with you.
	Let me get cleaned up, and well have the rest of the afternoon, he told her.

	Sometimes, the wild swings of mood in Tarrin surprised even those who knew him best.
	After being one step from killing Telven in his apartment, it was as if hed switched off all that aggression immediately after the boy was removed from the room, and he became warm and intimate.  Miranda healed both him and Fireflash of their injuries, and after cleaning himself up and changing into new clothes, he did indeed give them all of his time and attention.  Despite the shortness of time, he found a way to spend private, quiet time with every single one of them, even Kang.  During those visits, he said his farewells, listened to stories, laughed, drank, joked, and reminisced.  Every one of them that came away from this goodbye visit had a strange feeling, and they talked about it among themselves.
	It was a strange feeling.  They knew Tarrin well, they knew he was saying goodbye.  All of them knew that he thought that what he had planned was probably going to kill him, and that he was saying goodbye in a way that made it feel like it was the lastjust in case it was.  But there was more to it.  There was a sense of, finality in his tone, his words.  It unsettled them, more than a little bit, because there seemed to be a sense about him that he held no hope of coming out of this alive, and what was more, that he did not care.
	And that was the paradox.  They saw him with Mist, with the children, and they saw a Were-cat who was very concerned for his future, yet he talked as if this would be the last day he would ever see them.  He talked of things he had planned for the house, about how he wanted to breach the idea to open the Tower up to other orders to Jenna and the Goddess, that it might be a good idea to start a university dedicated to the study of Arcane magic on the Tower grounds, that having Wizards on the grounds solidly allied to the katzh-dashi would be a very, very wise thing to do.  He talked of expanding Kimmies tower at his house, and of building a new barn on the north side of the meadowthen they would remember how he spoke, as if he would never see those places again.  It confused them, made them unsettled, but they would not show that to Tarrin.  Not now, not today, not during his last hours with them before they returned to Sennadar, and he and Dolanna remained behind to undertake their most dangerous task.
	But it wasnt all happiness and joy, it was also business.  Tarrin sat in as Bragg and Kang went over the maps with Darax and Lorak, as they explained what they had in mind.  They would march out of the Iron Mountain and head south, then meet the Elaran armies south of the mountains, on the plains north of Pyros.  From there they would spread out in a two-pronged invasion designed to overtake and capture every large human city on Pyrosia.  The Elara would go south and east, the Dura would go west and southwest.  If Tarrins plan worked and the vast majority of the Demons were trapped in the ruins of Pyros, they would only be facing human opposition and what few Demons might be among them.  If Tarrin failed, then the Dura would abandon the Iron Mountain and take refuge on Elara, where they would join forces and defend the inhabited moons gate for as long as they could, as the sages searched for a way to block the gate.
	Either way, Tarrin and Dolanna would be trapped in Pyros, for it was their task to contain the Demons.
	Dinner that evening was both joyous and somber, an odd mix of emotions for everyone involved.  They had accepted Daraxs invitation to a dinner in the main hall, as a farewell to his leaving people and a chance for him to say goodbye in his own way, and Tarrin accepted.  The Dura picked to go to Sennadar and wait out the coming war were not happy to be leaving, and that put an unfriendly pall on the affair, but there was an excitement about the chance to visit the place where their people had come from, and theyd promised to seek out the lore of their ancestors and bring back as much information as they could.  For this reason, many of the Dwarven sages and several Priests were also going, turning the excursion into a mission of recovering history as much as it was a way to sustain the Dwarven race in case of a cataclysm.
	Tarrin sat at Daraxs table throughout dinner and said very little, just kept his chin on his paws and stared into space, eating very little, with a thoughtful look on his face.  He listened without comment as Darax retold the tale of the battle outside the Iron Mountain, as the young king rather modestly played down his own contributions as he lavished praise upon praise on the Shadows, Phandebrass, and Dolanna and Kimmie, and recited the tale as if the spirit of Dumathoin had risen from the depths under the mountain and imparted his strength into the Dura and their alliesand perhaps he was right.  Darax had shown almost legendary courage and fortitude by holding the center of the line, resisting the push of the Demons like a rock that parted the seas crashing waves.  Maybe Dumathoin did grant the king of the Dura a little extra courage for that battle.  There were some things that gods did without the knowledge of their mortal followersand sometimes that was for the best.
	After dinner, Tarrin found himself with a moment of quiet contemplation, standing on a balcony in Daraxs palace that looked down over a bustling with the departing Dwarves, as they finalized their plans and those who were leaving went to go move their things outside, to where Phandebrass would create the gate that would send them to Sennadar.  He envied them for the journey ahead of them, one that would begin with fear and anxiety, but would end in excitement as they traced the lineage of their ancestors and discovered the truth about the Duthak, about their glorious and rich history, and be amazed at how the world to which they were going would respect and honor themthe long-lost descendants of the Duthak, the race that saved the world by sacrificing themselves.
	As she usually managed to do, Camara Tal found him.  Him and the High Priestess of Neme had always had a rather complicated relationship.  There was a closeness between th