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"How do I do that without hurting the plant or cuttings?" I stared at the plant, not quite knowing how to go about this

"You have to give it an offering, and then I’ll show you where to cut" She produced a plastic bag that had a few holes punched in it There was a paper towel inside, and she poured a bit of water over it and wrung it out

"We wrap the cuttings in the moist paper towel and then tuck it into the plastic and zip it closed That will keep it alive till we get the cuttings home and root them in water When they’re ready to plant, we’ll create a special place in the garden for it You’ll also want to take ho enough to withstand s It only takes a small pinch to infuse a cup of water"

I considered the plant What could I give it, in return for part of its body? And then I glanced up at Iris "My blood and hair? Would that be an acceptable offering? After all, I’ it with ently "You’ve learned a lot, Delilah Yes, that would be then the cuttings’ connection with the mother plant Go ahead, then, and say whatever comes into your head that feels appropriate"

Still uncertain, but feeling ht course of action, I took ed a hole next to the root system of the plant I held up a s unevenly through it so that I had odd, uneven bangs on the right side ofit deep, hoping no one else ever found it Hair and blood were potent for to Camille

Then I held upgash in the fleshy pads under h for my purposes, and I held my hand over the hole and let the blood trickle over the lock of hair

"My blood and e for your children, for part of your body May we both find strength in this coood to oodthat should be fine"

"You don’t think anybody will co and find my hair, do you? I knoitches and sorcerers can use hair to bind people to their will We have no idea whofroe of the woods "There ed centaur in there right now, listening and waiting"

Iris considered my words, and as I filled in the hole with dirt, she marked a rune on top of the soil and held her hands over it "Sink deep Bind and protect Curse any ould ht crackled frolowed briefly, then vanished "That should take care of it until your hair has a chance to decoo back to the land Now, here You hold the steonal--no--not like that, look at how I’h the steps, I tried to focus, butback to the fact that ere in Otherworld, and ould soon be returning Earthside, and we hadn’t found Father, Trillian, or any clue as to whether I’d had a twin at birth The latter wasn’t nearly so important as the former two, of course, but still

"No! Now, look at what you’re doing," Iris said, reaching out to shift es the direction of your cut?"

I nodded "Yes, I’hts are a million miles away"

"Well, better to focus on the here and now Do one thing at a ti"

I let out a long breath, then inhaled deeply and tried again, this tihts on my work

We were finished by midafternoon, and it was tieneral direction of the path, once again I forged a trail using er as a makeshift Weedwacker I couldn’t decide whether I was happy to be leaving or not It wasn’t that I liked Darkynwyrd I’d be altogether delighted e eed froh the woods, it would be time to head over Earthside That’s where my heart was torn

I really wanted to stay in OW for a while To go sohts of Menolly and Maggie, Chase and our home Earthside intruded, and I realized that home in Seattle meant almost as much to me now as did home in Y’Elestrial

Indecision flickered: OW, Earthside; OW, Earthside

Hell I snorted When I really thought about it, I realized that I had no idea what I wanted As usual When Iris first ca that when I was in cat for until she opened it Then I’d stop smack in the middle of the threshold, unsure whether I wanted in or out That’s why she installed the cat door

As we sturowth onto the"Hey, we’re not where hen ent off the trail I don’t recognize this point in the path Want to make a bet we overshot and are farther up the road, deeper in the forest than hen we headed toward the pond for your plant?"

I gazed at the surrounding trees "You’re right Which means we have more distance to backtrack I hope it’s not too far"

Iris, as excellent with navigation and directions, ht direction, and we set off The sun--and Morio’s watch--told us that it was three PM If we hadn’t traveled more than a mile or two off course, we’d reach the meadow and the portal around five and be home in time for dinner

As we rounded a bend in the path, Caht There, tucked back about twenty yards along a dirt path, sat a se Surrounded by a sturdy wooden fence, the land enclosed within had been cleared, and in place of the knee-deep brae crystals guarded the gate--one to each side--and even I could sense the ood three feet high, points aihed several hundred pounds each, easily

A figure standing near the fence stared at us I reached for er, but Camille suddenly let out a shout and raced toward hi? Are you out of yourThe edly handso far less civilized than Trillian, but the jet color of his skin glily, and his eyes were the same pale blue as Trillian’s His hair was far shorter, barely ski

Of course, the ht on her heels, as well as Morio I glanced at Iris, shrugged, and we followed, jogging to catch up

Ca like a fountain on overdrive "Darynal! I can’t believe it’s you" She skidded to a stop two yards froot any wards up that I should know about?"

He flashed her a lazy grin "If it isn’t Trillian’s woeous wench I’h" He leaned on the fence post and closed his eyes, waving his hand over a sigil painted on the front of the gate "There, it’s safe now Co your friends"

Camille motioned for us to follow her Smoky looked none too pleased Frankly, neither was I Any friend of Trillian’s was bound to be suspect But we silently filed through the gate and joined them at the house, where Darynal opened the door and stood back, waiting for us to enter