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Part 40: Reunited

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Part 40 - Reunited by Dworkin (GM)
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Chialla thanks Dorian for his gift, then leads the dræne towards her own workers, "I am sure you have things you need to speak of, and I need to explain to the men what these... dræne... are for."  The dræne move oddly; short bursts of rapid motion, followed by a pause while the creature seemingly sniffs the air, then another burst of speed.

The workers seem nervous of the newcomers at first, but soon relax when they see how willing they are to work.


Devlin and Serena stay in the camp, with Berd nearby.  The drake raises its head lazily as another of the kite-shaped fliers glides past, this one smaller than the last.

Gil is walking about the camp, cheerfully engaged in a one-sided conversation...

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Cyan slowly sits down, rubbing her temples.  "I still do not like the idea of destroying worlds...even what we call 'dying' worlds.  I would think that a dead world would be more appropriate.  Dead and gone.  But would that not, eventually, destroy the entire...universe in which that world rests?  Would we not have to find a world, self-contained, with sufficient energy to drain, but at the same time without any life?  At all?"

And what of the potential for life upon that world?  Or am I grasping too far?

Unable to sit, though she only just crossed her legs, Cyan scrambles to her feet, beginning to pace.  Am I taking things too far?  IS there a better way to resolve this?  Turning, she looks up at the sun with dull, jade eyes.  What if we found a world next to this one, in the same universe, and then set an orb upon it thinking the universe to be dead?  What then?

Frustrated, she growls under her breath and begins to pace.  There has to be a way to take the fight to the enemy.  We destroyed one piece of the Broken God!  Why can we not simply find another one, and destroy that?

They would be better defended now, of course, but still....

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Aaron
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Sighing, Aaron shook his head.

"It goes against everything that I'm trying to uphold now, but I've yet to find another way. There must be one, but..." again, Aaron shook his head.

"I can only think of deactivating the orbs, in time, but I fear that deactivating all of them will take much more time than we actually have. If I..." and then he stopped, not wanting to complete that sentence.

If I was alone, I could do it until I died. But that is not the case, nor does it seem to be my place.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dorian
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"Dying worlds," Dorian muttered, watching the dræne with a sort of fatherly pride. "Emotionally, I don't like the idea. On one world I visited, I heard of a poet named Oh'Sab who wrote a poem while on his death bed. It was of a small amphibian creature, as I understood it, playing in an old pond. It was an analogy, of course; it represented many things, in many ways. The point is, he was dying, but his poem came to be known as one of the best poems of his culture. He was arguably regarded as the best poet to have walked that world. The point being, he was dying; yet, there was beauty within him."

He felt a chill, for some reason. He was looking beyond the dræne, now, thinking, remembering, calculating. "Logically, however, it is the only path. I've seen worlds saved because their physicians had the courage to terminate the diseased, who could not be cured. I've seen lives saved because rotten limbs were amputated. Is this really any different, except on a larger scale? In the end, these dying worlds would be no less dead should the Archons succeed, they would only have a lot more company."

Finally drawing his gaze back in to this world, he focuses on the others. "Perhaps," he mused with a now colder smirk. "We should ask our physician." He gestures towards the ruins.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Jonnee
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Jonnee, calmer now, looks to each speaker in turn, and finally adds his own part to the discussion, "Aaron, there's a place we need to go next.  I think it's important that we do."

He keeps his face turned down, only occasionally glancing up, unused to asking favours of anybody.

"I think we all need to see this place, because there is a lesson to be learned there.  And because there might be a day when we need help, and I have a certain amount of pull with the locals.  That's not the main reason for going, but it's a damned good one."

Finally he looks up, meeting Aaron's gaze.

"We need to go there.  It may help you make a decision about whether or not to sacrifice a world." he finishes quietly, no trace of his usual good natured grin.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Cyan studies Dorian while he speaks, the words striking a chord with what she feels in her heart.  Her head says one thing - the instinctual strategist there arguing, as always, for the quickest, most efficient method for striking at the enemy that they have at the moment.

Her heart, though...that's a different matter.  And Cyan has never been one to follow her head.

Dorian's words, before his voice chills and hardens, let her push back the confusion of head and heart, make the choice within.  Jonnee's determined look only reinforces this.  "I think...we should do what Jonnee asks.  My spirit cannot countenance the thought of excecuting some to save all - an unwilling sacrifice is murder, no matter how one slices it.  And as Dorian points out, who can say what is 'dead', with nothing left to give?"  I cannot...I have little experience with the Myriad Worlds.

"But Jonnee wishes us to see this, and when has he asked aught of us?  I think it behooves us to listen, and take the time.  We have little enough, but it seems to me it is very important we follow his wishes...and speak to the others, above, as Dorian suggests."

Quietly, within her spirit, she thanks both men for reminding her of who she is.

Above, sunning himself on a rock, Berd lets out a contented snort and blows a rainbow cloud into the air, watching as it shifts through many forms.  The cloud stabilizes in a blurred image of crossed shapes - a sword and a bent, cruelly-twisted 'L'.  After a moment, the 'L' shape slowly fades to darkness, the sword flaring brightly in the sun before dispersing.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Devlin
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"Currently, I don't believe the others would listen to much that I would have to say. But, while I am beginning to undertand what it is you fight against, I have little in the way of ideas about how I might aide that fight."

Devlin shrugs, "But if you feel you should be there to voice your opinion on any decisions then we should go."

He looks in the direction of the valley, "When I left them Cyan and the others were helping the locals in the task which brought them here. Perhaps that is what they are still doing."

Devlin looks from Serena to Berd and asks the creature, "Are the others still working in the valley?"

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Berd
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Berd chuckles musically, slowly sitting up and rubbing his sparkling eyes with his tail.  Wings unfurl suddenly, stretching, and the drake yawns, before snapping his mouth shut with a click!.  The glittering gaze now turns to Devlin for a moment before glancing at Serena.



The little dragon scratches his neck for a moment, looking like a small cat, then sinuously slides off the rock and trots up to the edge of the path down before pausing to look at the trio behind him - Serena, Gil, and Devlin.

This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:28, Thu 04 Aug 2005.



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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Serena
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Serena smiled at Berd and then at Devlin and said," Well, I guess that settles it. Devlin, they may or may not listen but I will and if you feel you have something to contribute please speak up." then she began to walk down to where the others were assuming Devlin and Gil would follow along.

"Welcome back Aaron. It is good to see you are in one piece. So, what did you learn while you were away?" Serena asked her voice calm and serene followed suddenly by" If there is any of that food that was here when I went off to do my work still around I could use some."

Serena had directed the last towards Jonee with a grin as she believed it was he who had asked about food in the first place

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dworkin (GM)
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With the whole group together now, at the work camp, it seems that they will soon be moving on.

Some distance away, Chialla is testing/demonstrating the abilities of her new workers, and the old ones seem to be approving of their every move.  She glances back towards Cyan and the others, and frowns, as she sees that even more people have joined the bard.

Satisfied that the insectoid dræne are more than capable of continuing to work unsupervised for a while, she moves back across to speak to Cyan.

And stops dead in her tracks at the sight of Gil, distractedly talking to himself.  Her eyes go round, and she whispers a single word, "Hardunna!" before turning and heading back to her men.

All eyes turn to Gil, and the men advance towards him...

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Berd
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Berd's eyeridges rise like eyebrows, and he studies the men curiously.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Aaron
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Listening to the various byplay regarding the destruction of worlds,  Jonnee's statement seemed to be what Aaron was looking for. It was something to do, and Aaron felt a strange pull... that Jonnee was right, and they all needed to see exactly what he was talking about.

"Jonnee, I agree with you. If you believe we need to see this place, then I'm certainly ready for it."

He rose, for he had been crouching all the while, and was about to address Serena when the woman Chialla said a strange word. He thought it sounded like a name, and was stated with some alarm.

"That doesn't sound very good." Arianne intoned in a somewhat distressed voice, and Aaron only nodded in agreement.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dorian
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"Well, Gill, it appear you're something of a celebrity. I believe she said earlier that Hardunna was the name of a legendary hero of theirs. Perhaps you've been to this world before."

Watching Chialla retreat towards the others, he muses, "Considering all that's happened, there is little way to explain all this without some sort of new religion being started up. Perhaps this is a good occaision for the truth."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Cyan looks relieved that Aaron has made the decision to follow Jonnee's suggestion, but then her amber eyes lock on the people heading in their direction.  She's up and stepping forward, nervous determination on her face, when the bard suddenly pauses, nodding.

"They mean no harm as yet - they are confused, uncertain."  A glance to the others, then she speaks, sotto voice.  "I will be wary, but I do trust these people.  And the truth?  Which one, Dorian?  Regarding ourselves, in detail, for we have summed up the situation.  Or for Gil, and his past?"

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dworkin (GM)
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Chialla, too, steps forward to meet Cyan.  "I'm sorry, I did not mean to startle you.  The sight of your friend took me by surprise, and I reacted without thinking."


Gil stops his discussion with his invisible companion, and looks about at the gathering crowd, "What are you all looking at?  What did I do?"

The activity on the shore stirs up the caged beasts, and they start howling and roaring.  Gil glances in that direction, seeing them for the first time, and smiles.  "I know them!  They are... are... carthuu!  Small ones, but carthuu all the same.  I can't remember when I saw one, but the name... well, it just fits."


Chialla subjects the old man to close scrutiny, her eyes narrowing, "He bears the marks of Hardunna."  She uses her index finger to make a number of small circles in front of her face, neck, and chest, "And when Hardunna was king, he favoured hunting carthuu.  Of course, that was long ago, before they became so rare."

The workers are murmuring, and smiles are starting to appear on their faces.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by James
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James chuckles quietly at Gil's disorientation in suddenly finding himself the centre of attention until he remembers the look-alike buried under the rubble in the old well at the fort.  Was the look-alike the real hardunna or was Gil the hardunna and the look-alike a shadow left behind when Gil moved between worlds?  With the look-alike dead and Gil's memory shot full of holes it was likely the question would never be properly answered.

James agrees with the others, those that have ventured an opinion anyway, that they should follow Jonnee to this world of his.  If nothing else James is curious to know why the usually carefree Jonnee is suddenly so earnest and determined.  The question of the orbs more generally is one that James wants more time to consider.  It is a classical dilemma, the resolution of which will have monumental consequences.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dworkin (GM)
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Gil scratches his head, a puzzled expression on his face that might have been comical under other circumstances.  "Well, miss, I can't say that I remember any such thing, but I know I've seen those animals before.  They must have been very important to me at some time, way back.  I don't recall why or when, but the beasts themselves seem to have stuck in my mind for some reason."

He pauses, suddenly struck by Chialla's words, "How long ago was I here?"

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Chialla (NPC)
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"Many centuries ago.  Before there was writing, even.  Your description was handed down by word of mouth for uncounted years, Hardunna.  Always there was word of the blue rings you wore, and always we were told that you would return."

"When I was a child, I saw a picture of you in a book.  In that picture you were three yards tall, and much younger, with a spear of lightning.  But the rings were there."

Chialla smiles nervously, her face flushing crimson, "I... I am sorry to have to admit that I never believed you would return."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Serena
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Serena watched all this with a bit of amusement in her eye. However, she did wonder why Aaron had not answered her question and decided then and ther that before things went any farther she wanted to talk to Aaron.

Serena had noticed Cyan's relief at Aaron's decision and decided it was time she and Aaron had a one on one talk about her concerns. It was nota s though she thought him a bad leader in any way. However, she did feel certain things needed pointing out.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Cyan, watching the drama unfold, blinks sapphire eyes as she finally understands.  Gil has been here.  Before.  And because of that, legends exist.  Legends begun by him, mistakenly ascribed to them a short time ago.

Or something along those lines.

Sitting down on a stump, she glances to the side as Berd slowly ambles toward her, then sits up in front of her, staring with his own, brilliant eyes.  After a long moment, she looks back to him.  "We are certainly not through with this, and you must still speak to Aaron regarding your part," she whispers quietly.  Then, with a sigh, slips into a more silent mode of communication, one she has avoided with the drake for their time on this world.  After a long pause, the bard reaches down and picks up the dragon, placing him on her shoulder.

Berd, obviously realizing that any preening over himself, or fawning over Cyan, might spark a resurgeance of anger, curls up immediately, and appears to go to sleep.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Jonnee
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He's been here before! Jonnee realises.  So long ago that he doesn't remember it, but some things stuck in his mind.

He glances at Cyan, and when he speaks his voice is loaded with ironic humour, "This might even be his real home.  Trouble is, he might never remember it, and if he wanders again, will he remember enough about this visit to find his way back again?"

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Cyan gives Jonnee a wry grin, pulling up one knee and putting her chin on it in consideration.  "Well...Berd has informed me of his acceptance of the...I cannot pronounce that word, Berd," she states a little tartly, then sighs.  "A word I cannot pronounce.  The world goes strange.  But regardless, it is the creature that assists his memory.  He should, I am informed, have greater powers of recollection now."

She sighs.  "But as to whether he will remember if this is his real home...it seems unlikely, from what I understand."  For a long moment she sits staring into space, amethyst eyes hunting for something far away, then blinks, switching to a sunny smile.  "One can hope, yes?"

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Jonnee
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"So he might remember some of it?" Jonnee's face returns to its more usual expression.  "That's good.  It's a little win.  And enough little wins will eventually add up to equal a big win.  Just like on the ponies."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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"The ponies?  Ah, betting.  Are you a betting man, Jonnee Kay?" Cyan asks with some amusement.  "You seem to have experience with the seamier side of life," she continues.  "Betting, ah...what was that word...'bookies?'"  Tapping her chin, the bard makes a show of considering.

"Where stand the odds of our success, in your eyes, Jonnee Kay?"  One eyebrow cocks over a topaz eye.

Berd snorts in amusement.  Cyan glances to him for a moment.  "I know your opinion on the matter, old beast."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Jonnee
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Jonnee chuckles, then tries to straighten his face for fear of offending Gil or one of the locals (though it looks like Gil might be "one of the locals" too).

"The odds of us winning this?  They're better now, and improving, I'd have to say.  We understand each other more each day, and we learn to work better together."

"Like here.  Not so long ago, Dorian wouldn't have helped with the work.  Sure surprised me when he came walking down that hill.  No offence, Dorian, but it's true.  I would have helped, but that's just how I am.  I grew up in a gang.  Work together or lose everything was the way things went there."

He shrugs.

"We're learning to all pull in the same direction, I think.  And that's one thing we've got over the enemy."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dworkin (GM)
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"So this might not be my original home?" Gil ponders quietly, his eyes downcast for a moment.  Then he raises his head, and smiles, "But it's as close as I've found to it, so far."

"Chialla, might I stay with your people for a while?  I'm told that my memories will return in time, Cyan and her friends have seen to that.  I may choose to move on soon, but in the meantime it might be good to see a place where things seem at least a little familiar."

He turns to Cyan then, "With your leave, Cyan?  I am, after all, obligated to your group, and would not leave if you would prefer me not to."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dorian
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"There was simply nothing better to do, Jonnee," Dorian says, hinting at agitation. "It was merely better to help Cyan finish her task quickly, so we wouldn't be tied down."

Gil had met a copy of himself here, which meant this definately wasn't his original home. However, it seemed good enough for the man. It was a loss to not have him on their side, but he could have been a liability, as well. It was just as well, in the end.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Serena
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"Aaron, would you mind if you and I spoke alone for a few moments? I would like to do that if at all possible." Serena asked calmly. In her mind what she had to say was important. It was more and more obvious to her that there was a certain problem. Fixing it could be very well impossible she thought to herself.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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"I do hope you are correct, Jonnee Kay.  About our odds, that is," Cyan says, now more serious and with some worry.  She glances at Dorian, noting the man's agitation.  In a hurry to be gone, perhaps?  Or is something bothering?  She should ask, when she asks him her other question.

Berd stirs, standing up and turning around before settling down again.

"It is indeed a fine thing to have focus and purpose to knit people together...and the people who prove capable of being woven into a tight knot," Cyan continues, again checking to be sure she doesn't offend Dorian, who has brushed Jonnee's compliment away as being simple expedience.  Gil, however, gains her attention, and she turns emerald eyes in his direction, standing.

"Gil, your life is your own - what we did for you, we did because we could, and it was right."  Smiling, Cyan bows.  "There is no obligation - if you must see one, merely consider the same for others, in the future.  Pass favours along to pay them back."

Her smile brightens.  "Though I did hope to have a chance to practice against you - I have yet to spar with a truly skilled spearman, and it might have come in useful.  Regretfully, we have little time."

Serena is attempting to get Aaron's attention, but that is between the two of them.  Obviously she has something private to discuss with the man, and Cyan does not wish to interrupt them.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Aaron
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Aaron didn't know the whole story, but the fact that Gil questioned whether this place was his real home or not didn't surprise him. When one wandered the worlds, and the passage of time no longer became a factor, you ended up making your home wherever your road took you.

He almost felt bad about it, for Aaron thought that maybe he'd been trying too hard to give himself a history... a home. He could tell himself all he wanted that his past didn't matter, even though he knew that that was all he'd been searching for in the first place.

Serena then caught his attention, as he'd been pondering the intricacies of not only his own intent, but the strange new abilities that Metatron had given him. Turning to face her, he nodded and led her away from the group when she asked for privacy.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dorian
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The cloud of irritation seems to fade quickly. Watching Aaron and Serena retreat some distance, Dorian remarks, "Why do I have the feeling it will be an interesting conversation?"

Turning back to the others, he offers a thin, functional smile. "A minor delay, then. I was hoping to get right into business; there is much to discuss. I guess it will have to wait a few more minutes." He doubted there could be much harm in this, how long could it take? Still, he worked to bury the agitation, a different agitation, now.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by James
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James turns and watches as Aaron and Serena walk off a little ways, "I think you're probably right, Dorian, although I'm sure I couldn't tell you what Serena needs to speak to Aaron so urgently about."

Turning back to the group, James continues, "I wish I shared your optimism, Jonnee.  I can't help but think of the scale of the enemy that we face.  I sometimes feel like we're attacking a mountain with a mallet and a chisel." James shrugs, "Maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, as the saying goes.  We will know more when Aaron tells us what he's been doing."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dorian
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"I've found it's always best to assume the worst, James. It's better to be surprised by how easy the task is, than unprepared for how hard it is. Optomists are usually the quickest to surrender."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Leaning on her sheathed sword, Cyan watches Aaron step away with Serena.  "Oh, I suspect most conversations of this ilk are interesting," she notes quietly, topaz eyes flicking to Dorian then back to the departing pair.  For a long moment, as the dark-clad man speaks, the bard considers asking him the question plaguing her, but...it simply does not seem to be the right time.  She isn't quite certain why - they have nothing better to discuss at the moment, save their rather low chances of success - but Cyan feels edgy, worried about inquiring.

Time.  Aaron's conversation with Serena will likely only take a short while, and Cyan has no idea how long it might take Dorian to accomplish what she would request of him.  Nor does she know how long it will take to explain it.  Better I do this later, when we have sufficient time, she considers, and puts it out of her head.

"I am...of a mind halfway between the two extremes," Cyan states, finally, shaking off the tense feeling and focusing on the conversation at hand.  "I believe our chances are slim, and it will be more a matter of one, single strike than these delaying tactics we have been forced to take on...the Enemy has far, far too great a lead.  But at the same time, I feel we have the resources to locate the proper target, and to attack."

"We know what we must do," she continues, rocking back and forth.  "We must destroy the Broken God.  Deprive the Archons of Its power.  That, in turn will deny them their focus - without a common purpose, their alliances will crumble.  But how?  Poisoning It is a method...but do we know that the orbs connect to all the pieces?  A good start, but not guaranteed...and perhaps the Archons can find a way around that plan, once it begins.  They created the orbs, after all."

Frowning, the bard paces in a circle.  On her shoulder, Berd stirs, the glittering in his eyes fading back to its customary brightness.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Devlin
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Devlin watches and listens to Cyan. After a few moments of silence the man says, "I would have to agree." he looks around.

"Corrupting these orbs is fine, but it will take millenia to complete the task in that fashion. I think before we can complete it that the corruption will be discovered."

Devlin looks not at Cyan this time but at the Dragon on her shoulder, "There must be a way to effect the hole lot at once. The destroy or to make all the pieces unusable."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Berd's head comes up, proving he is, in fact, paying attention (at least on some level), and the drake's tail points to the middle of his chest in a 'Who, me?' fashion.  Berd gives a kind of 'harrump', which fades into a sad, speculative chiming sound accompanied by a puff of brilliant pink smoke that fades into nothingness.

"Berd..."  Cyan shakes her head sadly, sapphire eyes downcast.  "Berd is searches for methods to strike to the heart of the problem, but is hampered by the fact that the Archons are both suspicious and powerful.  They lay spiritual defenses about their areas, and it is dangerous to penetrate into their lands with the Mind's Eye."

"As usual, a dearth of information or, equally likely, a lack of knowledge as to what information is key, is our difficulty...."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Jonnee
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"Which is where this potential army I was talking about might come in useful." Jonnee chips in.

"I know that they can provide a strong arm, which can be useful if we have to bust into a fortified base, or something.  But I know these people, and I'm certain there will be some, maybe lots of them, that Aaron can train up to burn the orbs.  If he knows how to train them."

"And it's a pretty fast world too.  It'll give us a chance to train them without getting to far behind.  Maybe ten days there, or twelve, is a day in Amber."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dorian
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"We don't know any of that," Dorian says. "Aaron has not told us anything, so far. We don't know it will take millenia, and we don't know if mortals can learn to taint the orbs at all. Perhaps only Aaron himself can do it, or perhaps we can affect many at once. As much as I hate it, we should simply wait and see what Aaron says, first. Then we can decide if there is enough time."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by James
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James smiles, but without much enthusiasm.  They were covering old ground here, going back over plans of attack that had previously been considered.  Maybe not by Devlin, James tries to remember.  But they all made good points and so, as Dorian has said, he waits for Aaron.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dworkin (GM)
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Gil and Chialla, meanwhile, continue their discussion a few paces away.  Finally Chialla breaks away to send her men back to work, and they move off reluctantly, many of them taking a small detour to touch Gil's arm or pat him on the shoulder or otherwise assure themselves of his reality.

Gil returns to Cyan and the others.

"My thanks to you for your help and hospitality, and for the gift of memory."

He pauses then, a long awkward silence.  It's clear that he has more to say, but isn't sure how to say it, until...

"I... I have done things that... I am not proud of, some of them long ago, barely remembered, others more recent.  Perhaps, with returning knowledge, I might discover who, and what, I truly am.  I will admit the lack of that particular knowledge may have made me angry and afraid, caused me to treat some people worse than they deserved."

"Perhaps, in future, I will be able to remember my mistakes a little better, learn from them, and not keep repeating them."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Dorian is, of course, correct.  Waiting seems all they can do at the moment.  Jonnee's words have Cyan chewing her lower lip in thought.  An army.  She wonders how they'll deal with an army.  No doubt the masters of the Pattern among us can bring them through the Myriad Worlds.

But she doesn't have long to wait before Gil comes up with some (possibly) parting words.  Standing, Cyan studies him as he speaks, then smiles.  "You are most welcome, Gil.  It was, indeed, our pleasure.  And if you have made mistakes, surely you are not the only one.  And if you learn from them...well, there is hope for us all, is there not?"  Amethyst eyes pleased, she offers him her hand.

"I hope you do well with yourself, Gil, in whatever you choose."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by James
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"You may also find your returning memory useful in other ways.  If you pay careful attention to your surroundings, you should be able to work out when you are moving between worlds because little details will change.  If you set your thoughts on what you remember you should be able to find your way back."
James offers some parting advice.  Even as one still becoming accustomed to walking between worlds, there are still some basics he can pass on.

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Jonnee
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"Yeah, you take care, Gil." Jonnee adds his own farewell to the others.  "It's a big universe, but I got thrown in at the deep end too, and I managed to do okay.  If I can manage, then I'm sure you can."

"Just one thing though, if you're going to hunt any more of those," he jerks a thumb toward the cages, "just remember you're not as young as you used to be.  Okay?"

He glances towards Aaron and Serena, muttering, "Wish those two would hurry up.  I'm itching to get going."

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Dworkin (GM)
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Somewhat awkwardly, Gil mumbles his goodbyes, and shakes the hand of each of those present.  He jerks his head towards Serena and Aaron, "I guess the young girl is busy, and I don't know the lad.  I'll be going now, to help Chialla and her men.  If I do have a talent for hunting carthuu, then maybe I'll find a career, other than soldier, with these people."

With a last smile at Cyan, and a shallow bow, he takes his leave, making his way to help the men and the dræne with their labours.  As he walks away, he is whistling a cheerful-sounding tune.

Then, a dozen paces off, he stops and looks back, "You do realise that, in a thousand years, they'll probably talk about you people the same way they talk about Hardunna?  I'll try to make sure they get your names right."  Then he returns to his whistling, and walking, and there is a jaunty spring in his step...

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Re: Part 40 - Reunited by Cyan
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Cyan watches Gil leave, replying to his bow with one of her own, and her amethyst eyes grow wistful at his last words.  "Nor will your name be forgotten, Gil," she whispers, "should I survive this quest."  A song will come of this.

Every bard, for their mastery, must compose an epic.  Cyan feels she easily has the makings of one.  The only question is, how will it end?

Regrettably, she will have to count on that song for her part in keeping Gil's name alive in the Myriad Worlds, along with the others fallen on this quest.  "I would visit," she notes with some irony after Gil leaves, "but unless the time here is significantly quicker than elsewhere, I very much suspect I will be long in my grave by that point."  Sighing, Cyan sits down on the ground, almost dislodging Berd (who squawks indignantly), and puts her back against her pack, her feet up on a nearby rock.  After a moment, she pulls off one boot and, crossing that leg over the extended one, begins massaging the arch.

"You and I both, Jonnee Kay.  You and I both."

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