That night Ciara stayed in the Hilltop camp and ate mushroom stew with wild carrots, onions and berries that were definitely not fuschia-coloured.

The fire smoked and burned in her eyes. Flames warmed her cheeks, and the popping and hissing sounds made her think about her relationship with Skye. Where was he now? Was he off by himself?

She had never expected to have the day she'd just had. She was far too tired to worry whether the students might not really want her to be there. But what a surprise. The opposite seemed to be true. They're nicer to me than Rondan was. And I guess I know now why he didn't want me around. But, I didn't expect this.

Some of them sat quietly near her to listen as she answered questions from the few who were brave enough to address the Proxy of Skye-Voice. They seemed really nice.

One student, called Nighe, actually moved spots to give her his best one.

After dinner, another girl offered her a handmade hairbrush she had brought from her home a long way off in the distant mountains. "Here."

"What's it made from?"

"Porqupai quills and goose feather spines."

"And you poked them all in there to make it a brush? Who put these beads on? This is too special. I can't take it from you!"

But the girl, Rakael looked desperate. "You would put it in there—" She pointed to the thick cover rolled round the handle that folded over the bristles. "—when you don't want to use it and you won't get hurt."

Ciara smiled. "Thank you. I will always remember how you must have made it. It's so clever."

"You can brush your Torgney with it, if you want, like we do sometimes with the moghorses after Rain Dance. They're getting wise to my grasswires, but I manage to slither up to their snouts when their behinds are turned to the rocks and catch 'em."

"Oh, what are those—?"

"Moghorses? We can still get one or two coming up when they climb high in the hills looking for sweet water nymphs for a good scratch on their backs. They get all itchy with the blue dot spurs, this time of year."

"And what do you do with them, then?"

"Sometimes I can convince them to stay around for a day or two. They don't want to at first, but I just blow blue bell pollen on them and soon they'll let me touch 'em—so I can scrape the sucking blue dots off. Then they like me just fine."

"Haha."

A really quiet sound came from Ciara's bag, that sounded like a sqeaked, "Blue bells!" from Walter, but then he was quiet.

"They make the good dye plants come," the girl went on. "They turn the ground all up with their feet and the dot spurs fall off and start a new crop. We make honey for the Story Fair, but mostly for grandma. She just likes it in tea. And the light flies will come and take some. It makes them shine blue."

"Wow. That's sounds really neat."

"Ya, they're pretty."

"Could I see one?"

"Only if you want to come up for a visit after the snow. They've come and they're gone now."

The Hilltop kids seemed more impressed by her presence than anything else, and even shy around her! Could they be? After supper she was shown where to sleep.

She was suddenly so tired she wouldn't have minded that the knots in her hair were too tangled at the back of her head for her to be able to get to, but the girl, Rakael and her younger friend, Majeeta helped to pull them out. Then she slept, and slept deeply.

The next morning, goodbyes were kind. "Good bye, Ciara! We want you to come back!"

"I had fun! I don't know, but I will if I can. Thank you."

Back at the steps of the Spire, warm hugs and, later on, tearful ones too, were gushing from both Ciara and Magtha.

"I've grown fond of you in such a short time, but we shall meet again. I know! We have dragons to seek and others to care for." Magtha gave her an extra-long squeeze.

Alphonse was happy. "I wish you could stay, too." But Ciara was going to be able to keep an eye on Aspher. "No one orders a dragon back through the flux, no matter how small! And Aspher did want to go to school, so I know he'll be in good hands with you there. I understand you can't tell me where you live and that's all right. Just take care of him, will you?"

"I will," she nodded. "Proxy Pact Promise."

Alphonse quirked his head at the expression, but grinned. "Thanks. Tell him to come back soon."

Robesaille wished her well. "I hope you'll continue your tracking and studies. Joe tells me you're an exemplary student." Ciara was too exhilarated about seeing her family to say anything back. Will I really be home soon? She spontaneously hugged him through robes, while he coughed, slightly embarrassed,  and then she did the same to Alphonse, and Magtha each—one more time. I don't want to let go.

"Shall we be off?" She and TJ took their time winding back down the mountain. "You're a born tracker, Ciara. I hope you'll remember and use your skills wisely. Noticing things is a fine gift to have!"

Suddenly, Skye chimed in. Yesss, I think I'll have to agree—in spite of the poor altitude for tracking small things down there at your height.

Oh, so funny, Skye!

She received another warm nod and a pat from TJ at the point where they parted. "Thank you so much," she said.

"Good luck, little lady! Take care of yourself. You have a long way to go."

The path branched out—the camp down below, the Vault to the right and the cave, rainbow valley and her tree in the alcove, all to her left.

I'll go through the high fields, find my alcove and then up to the tree, she mentioned to Skye. I want to walk. She sighed, wishing she did not need to part with any of this. I tried to find where I belong here. I thought that I did. I'll hike to the cave first, so Walter can check on the things he had squarl'ed away. According to Skye's request on Walter's squeaky behalf, he would run down his tunnel and then back here to join her. And, of course, she didn't mind. She rather wanted to see where she'd stayed one last time. This looked so dark before and now it seems cozy, she mused.

While she waited for scurrying Walter, Ciara told Skye in mind voice, all about Whitestuff and details of home. I forgive you, Skye. I know why you didn't tell me you could return me back to my farm. I know how important everything is that you and your friends—and all of us—do now. I've learned so much here with you!

She had gone back to walking and Torgney had remained in the 'sky'. There were no 'tricks' nor 'joking' needed between them to acknowledge his presence any longer. She knew Skye was with her and he was her friend.

Walter came along in her bag to see her off. You're a keen one for another bumpy journey so soon! You only just got home.

"Squeak!"

If Skye-Voice or Walter wanted to fly—by whatever means—they'd have to do it themselves, another time—not with her. For now, she wanted to enjoy the rest of her day, before she left for her 'egg-song' cocoon, as Skye called it.

But, long before she could approach the telltale jutting mountain arm and the secret alcove valley that led to her tree, Skye asked her to wait. She had only just arrived in the big field. This is the spot of the very first sight I saw when I stumbled down the mountain on the day I woke up here. It's still too beautiful too for words.

Why are you stopping me here, Skye?

I think there are some others you may wissshhh to say goodbye to—

From straight ahead, dots grew bigger up above on the wide valley high fields. Three tiny figures climbed down in her direction, high-stepping through the long grass. She stopped and she stared hard.

Who's that, Skye—?

But then she made out their clothes. It's Sadie, Rondan and Drey! Now that she was about to leave she was happy to see Drey, even Rondan might be forgiven, and certainly Sadie. She had questions for her.

When you've said your goodbyes—I'll return you to Whitessstuff—

Skye's presence vanished.

At first, she shuffled nervously as they approached, but when they drew near to the tree, she heard Rondan's voice first.

"You were great up there," Rondan said in enthusiastic admiration. "How did it feel?"

She smiled, nervously. Does he mean it? He seems to.

Drey was begging to know too. "Ya, I was scared for you. How do you stay on there? Caluu's gonna be miffed—"

"He'll have seen it from the top, Drey," Rondan reminded.

"Oh, ya. Right—forgot he's up there."

"Yes, you were good," said Sadie, avoiding Ciara's eyes.

Rondan pushed Sadie in the side with his elbow, but then spoke to Ciara. "We've voted to have you join Sadie's Trackerdoodles," he offered, teasing Sadie. "If you want to—be a tracker, I mean. We'd all try to help."

"Thank you," whispered Ciara. She felt warmth now, even about Rondan. She had ever since she'd guessed how much he cared about Sadie. But I still don't fully know why they did it.

She smiled recalling TJ's punishment for the three Trackerdoodles and answered, as gratefully as she could, "But I know where I'm from now, and I—have to go home. My friends, Whitestuff, and my family will need me. But I'd like that—if it's okay if I come back. —If I can do that one day."

Skye?

You've been my Proxy! Of course, I will be here to do as you like. Let Aspher know. He rattled his head. I really do have to find a proper dragon name for that whelp!

"Too bad," Rondan added.

"TJ would let you," said Drey.

Then, Ciara turned back to Sadie with a questioning look, but unsure what to say. Sadie too, looked to the boys and looked at the mountains far off.

"Can I ask you—about Liv?" Ciara suggested, after a long quiet moment.

"You guys go on without me. I'll catch up soon." Sadie let out her breath. She wanted her time with Ciara to be more private than it could be with both the boys around.

Rondan and Drey, raced each other out of earshot, towards their own camp.

"They'll wait for me. So, how did you know?" Sadie quietly asked, watching Ciara's face to try to guess what she might think of her now.

≈≈≈/