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"I can’t believe I’ve never done this before! This is fun! I’h," Delilah said "I know you’re afraid of heights"

I grinned, even though she couldn’t see my face "I’m not afraid of much when I’m on Smoky’s back"

Trillian let out a hrmph, but then I felt his arm snake aroundin my ear, he said, "We were so afraid we’d lost you forever, ht Without youFox-Boy, Dragon-Dude, and Iwe are less than we should be Than we have to be when you’re around" Tears sprang to my eyes and I ducked my head What Hyto had done to me had scarred me forever, and yet--and yet--I knew that scar tissue could be stronger than the original flesh I just had to learn how to use what had happened to empower me, rather than to tear me down

"I love you--all of you I love that you are all willing to be part of ether to make our lives happier And I lovethat you all want to be withto need your help to overcome this, but I refuse to let Hyto win I refuse to let his abuse of me rule my life I refuse to let hiainst the back of entle rerateful that I was back aht ahead of us--for Hyto would not let it rest, and neither could we--for noere as we should be

"We don’t blame Vanzir anymore After you vanished, he came back and read us the riot act Made us realize that ere bla the two of you for what couldn’t be helped He chanced the lizard killing him to defend your honor He’s not part of our triad, but"

I shooklike what Hyto did to me Vanziris not one of my heart-h now I understand hier distrust hio and know that you guys aren’t going to break his neck"

Trillian let out a long breath "As you wish, ht our conversation because he did a sudden spiral in the air, coiling up and then down in a playful twist I laughed, holding tight to him, as Trillian held on to my waist, and Delilah to Trillian

And then, a straight shot on toward the energy that was building as we grew near it Theto our level, and below the ground was covered with the rolling fog as far as we could see Most of the astral plane was covered in boiling mists--it was simply part of the makeup of the realether by the Ionyc Seas, but for the most part, I tried to stay off them The etheric realm was less physical than the astral, and others--still even less so

We flew straight as the dragon flies, as the saying goes, for what seeh in reality time didn’t exist over here But for hu lived--there would always be an internal sense of translation to a tied on S in for a landing As he gently settled, I slid off, bracingto help me descend Trillian and Delilah joined s, I felt a distinct leap in the source of the energy signature ere following

"This way," I said,toould be the east, if ere back in our realuide e field of what rerown rhododendrons, we came to a central pond The water wasn’t real water, of course, but it glistened and rippled, and as I leaned forward, I realized it was alive It rose and I ju in shape to vaguely ic froer A thin tendril spread out froer

A rush of energy floodeddroplets I had a flash of rainbows and prisentle wash of peace followed

Gently, I disengaged and watched as the creature once again took its original for back into its watery self

"How beautiful," I whispered "Pure joy, transcendent peace" And then I realized thathad lessened I closedviolated had faded--just a little but enough for me to function easier "It may not be the bluebird of happiness, but this creatureoffers a rare gift"

"What is it?" Delilah asked, staring at the glistening pool

"A water Chirp I’ve heard tales of them, but this is the first ti it well, I skirted the pond and we headed toward the other side of the field

We had barely reached another thick stand of astral ferns when a rustle on the other side stopped us Out of the bushes stepped Chase--a look of relief spreading across his face

"Thank God it’s you guys! I felt your energy, Caht forstuck alone on the astral for several days would be enough to drive any FBH nuts Especially one in the middle of ahi He pressed his eyes closed as she squeezed hihtwe talked, I was sure of it, and you were not in good shape"

I nodded, stepping forward "We did, but I escaped We have to get you hoood to stay here in body when you are still alive At least not for as long as you’ve been out here Co to do this? You can only take three at a ti first If we juood chance we’ll end up in the Northlands, and trust o back"

"Then we fly back and I return you two by two into thewellwherever that real with spiders and beetles and we don’t knohat they’re doing now Theyfor us" He frowned "I almost would rather jump back into the Northlands"

I kneanted to hunt down Hyto, but I put a soft hand on his arm "We can’t take him on without all of us there"