Hues of color returned to Old Varoonya. Slowly what had been gray on gray, black on black, became distinguished again. The green of vines on the white of stones, the crimson of flags on a pale blue sky, cerulean blossoms on terracotta pots. The cry of a rooster and the crowing of a human baby joined in the symphony of waking songbirds.

Torly and Yoor hauled their baggage across Farewell Square as they zigzagged between neighing horses and rattling carriages. While they were still looking around in confusion between piles of cargo and hurrying passengers, Enim came to collect them. Relieved, they sank into their seats, just in time before the wheels started rolling.

"Did you truly manage to reschedule all your performances?" Enim asked uneasily. "I have a bit of a bad conscience, hauling you away like that on short notice."

"Never fear," Yoor replied, "Varoonya will manage without me for a while. Not without pain, of course. Not without a sense of loss. Not without wistful longing, that will build up to culminate in an exuberant reunion once I return, I am sure," Yoor concluded confidently. "Also, you are not hauling us away. We decided to come of our own free will, to see where you are going. And to heed the call of destiny, of course."

"But," Yoor turned to Torly, his eyebrows raised, "did you manage to reschedule all your classes, my dear?"

"Alas, I did not," Torly grinned. "But never fear. The Academy of Magical Arts will manage without me for a while. Also, I am sure my cultivation will not suffer. I met a most magnificent magician once who told me that he had learned as much outside the academy as inside. So no worries. I am still on my path to greatness."

"That you are, for sure," Yoor agreed. "We all are. What could be greater than bringing the Transition to the Mountains. And once we are beyond Toan, we shall ride across country on galloping horses. I knew we would be doing that at some point. I told Nin all about it too. She liked that part very much. And she puts great trust in you," Yoor nodded confidently at Enim. "As a Special Representative." Even within the confines of the carriage, Yoor managed to turn enough to put a hand on Enim's back, in a gesture somewhere between a slap on the shoulder and a knighting.

"Nin gives you her blessing."

* * *

It was dark. It was late. He might as well have waited until morning.

But Enim could not resist. Tired as he was after a long ride over the mountains, he turned away from his beckoning bed to walk across the street and to briefly, ever so briefly, peek in at the Snuggery.

They were all asleep.

But Cahuan lay close to the door and woke.

"Enim!" she whispered a shout of joy as she embraced him in the dark.

"I'm back. I'll tell you tomorrow," Enim murmured, trying not to wake the kids. "I've brought two friends."

* * *