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Wyvern's Nest was still too hot inside. In a few months it would be close to unbearable outside, but the inside of the dancers' nest was always in another league. She caught a breath as she stepped inside and stood off to the side of the door, letting her body adjust and her eyes become accustomed to the sudden dimness. She wiped a few beads of sweat off of her forehead. The air was thick with the smells of smoke from the central fire, sweat, and scented oils used to cover both.

As her eyes adjusted, she saw a few people smile and wave. She reached out to one woman as she walked past, lightly touching her arm.

"Excuse me. Is A'isha in?"

"Yes. Would you prefer if I brought you to her, or should I bring her out?"

"I can come in."

As she moved through the room, a smile fought its way onto her face. Despite the fact that walking in often felt like getting hit on the head with a brick, she had to admit that she liked it in here.

She looked around. Everything was brightly colored, a contrast to the neutral colors outside or in Avian houses. They stepped over the usual layer of cushions and silks, around groups of people scattered here and there.

One woman caught Hai's eye. The was demonstrating a series of movements to a group of young people standing around awkwardly-the beginner's class. In a room of mostly Serpiente, a few Avians, and dark or gem-like colors, her white hair and pale blue eyes stood out.

A white viper? Even now the Obsidian Guild tends to keep mostly to itself.

As she pondered this, she noticed two men sitting off to the side of the room, each with one arm looped loosely around the other. One, a Serpiente, said something. The other, an Avian with a long shock of black hair falling over one eye, smiled and laughed a little. He then noticed Hai and waved. The Serpiente man turned and gave her a big grin and a wink.

Hai waved back. It was always good to see Urban and Marus.

The woman she was following led her toward the dais in the back of the room. Another woman with long, wavy black hair was standing at the base, talking to two tall men. One had the red hair, red-tinged sandy complexion, and green eyes of an emerald boa. The other, slightly taller and with broader shoulders, had darker hair, paler skin, and eyes the color of hardened amber. If Hai had to guess, she would assume he was a black mamba.

A'isha looked up as they approached. "Well, hello, Hai! What brings you here?"

"I just had a few questions related to the…incident…yesterday, and I was wondering if you could help me."

A'isha nodded to the two men, and they walked off. "I'd be glad to, although I'm not sure what I could do. I was in here all day yesterday."

"Do you know an Avian named Thalia Garrow?"

Ai'sha smiled. "Ah, Thalia! Delightful girl, if a bit awkward-although I suppose she can't help her upbringing. Yes, she's friends with some of my top students. I've even taught her a few things myself. She's not in here quite as often as some of the regulars, but I do see her in the marketplace quite often." Her expression suddenly turned serious. "She wasn't involved, was she? Was she hurt?"

"Yes to the first, no to the second. It would seem that she accidentally started the fire."

"Oh." A'isha put one hand on her chest. "Well, that is unfortunate. She must be quite shaken."

"Very. You haven’t even heard the half of it yet. It wasn't as if she merely knocked over a candle or spilled some coals from the forge-it would appear she is manifesting the full powers of the Dasi."

A'isha stared for a few seconds, speechless. Then she shook her head. "How is this possible?"

"I don't know." Hai glanced up toward the dais. "I do know that her friends said they were here for the spring festival, and that she began displaying the first signs of her power shortly afterward."

"I suppose it's not out of the question that something happened here." A'isha looked thoughtful. "Didn't you say that Oliza spun her first sakkri while doing dance warmups to clear her mind?"

"Yes, and she also felt the presence of her powers while dancing with the Obsidian Guild for the first time." Hai pointed her thumb over her shoulder at the white-haired woman. "Which, speaking of, you have a white viper here now?"

"Ah, yes. That is Bea. She grew up spending as much time here as with her parents, which they hoped would foster friendlier relations. She's actually one of two people I'm considering as my successor some day. Her dancing is so wonderful and expressive, and she has all of the techniques down perfectly. Perhaps she is a little too sure of her own judgment at times, but with a little bit of introspection, she could have great potential." A'isha smiled fondly in her direction, then turned back to Hai. "But I digress."

"What do you think could have happened here that would have sparked her powers?"

A'isha's expression darkened. "There was one point where she collapsed while dancing. I had written it off as over-exertion."

Hai paused. "She danced in front of the whole nest? From what I've heard everyone else say about her, that sounds surprising, to say the least."

A'isha laughed. "Yes, she danced in front of everyone, but it's not as if she did the harja before the whole court. Yes, she is a bit on the shy side, but she has very encouraging friends, and I believe the music moves her just as strongly as it does anyone else here."

"Hm. Well then, what kind of dancing did she do? It must have been high-energy to make her collapse."

"Mostly relatively freeform, although she does have an aptitude for blade dances just like Oliza. She did quite a bit of dancing that night despite only being on the dais for a short time. She also mostly stayed near her friends-few of the dances were strictly choreographed for a set number of people."

For a second, A'isha's eyes flicked toward the two men from earlier. They had moved closer to the central fire and were deep in conversation. As she watched, the boa said something to the mamba that made him stumble back, laughing and covering his face with a slight blush. The boa looked over as if called, met Hai's eyes, and smirked. She instantly decided that she liked him.

"To be completely honest, I did not have my eyes on her the entire time. I had my responsibilities making sure the whole celebration went smoothly. You could try asking those two, however. They spent more time with her than I did."

"The boa and the…mamba, I assume?"

A'isha nodded. "Yes. She seems to trust them reasonably well. In fact, she was dancing with Ciaran when she collapsed."

"Ciaran?"

A'isha pointed to the mamba. "Him. He's actually my other candidate for future leadership. He's unquestionably dedicated to his nestmates, but perhaps a bit more reserved than I'd like to see."

So he'd probably understand an Avian fairly easily.

"A'isha? Can you spare a moment?"

Both women turned back around. Bea had walked up behind them, with the beginner class watching expectantly from across the room.

A'isha gave Hai an apologetic smile. "If you'll excuse me, please? I wish I could help you more, but I wouldn't know what to tell you. If I can think of anything else I'll tell you immediately."

"Thank you."

"Hai? Please do take care of her."

"I'll try my best."

Hai watched A'isha walk away, then turned back toward the central fire. The boa was now sitting with a group of children, writing symbols on a chalk slate. He waved one hand airily as he said something, and the group laughed.

She turned her head left and right, searching. The mamba was gone.

Ugh. I hope he didn't leave right as I was possibly on the verge of getting some answers.

She sighed, looking around the room. Nowhere.

The dais did look inviting though. She remembered watching the dancers in the Obsidian Guild and seeing the traces of magic they left behind.

Maybe there's a little bit of what happened to Thalia. It's probably mostly gone or covered by now, though.

As she started across the room, she felt a prickle in her shoulders. She smelled someone behind her a few seconds later-sweat, the faintly sulfuric smell of scales, and a strong mixture of-she sniffed-rosemary and something floral.

"It's not every day we're graced with a visit from the royal inspector."

She spun around. Ciaran was standing right behind her, a trace of amusement in his orange eyes.

What, did you think you could get an edge on me?

"It's not every day something momentous enough to call for a royal investigator happens."

"One could argue that everything is momentous in its own way to someone. Perhaps the dip of a leaf is important to a passing butterfly. Perhaps a small argument in the market causes someone involved to make a decision that drastically alters the course of their life, although the argument itself is insignificant to those around it."

Hai shrugged. He was right-she was already very familiar with how fate could be sent dramatically off-course by small actions or inactions, or could perpetuate itself through many possibilities despite forceful action. An image of Keyi flashed through her mind.

But he's wrong if he thinks he's going to play mind games with me.

"True, but most days people don't spontaneously combust."

He blinked, then gave her a small head tilt of acknowledgement. "So you think that was connected to something here."

"More than likely. A'isha says you're friends with an Avian named Thalia Garrow?"

The smile dropped off his face. "Tasa'Anleh!"

He turned toward the entrance, but Hai caught his arm. "No. No, you're not. You're currently my best lead."

"I have to make sure she's alright!"

"She's in capable hands right now. Now, the best way to help her is to find out what happened to her, so just stay put for a minute."

For a second Hai wondered if she would have to restrain him with magic, but he sighed and turned back to her, glaring. "Alright. What do you need to know?"

She let go of his arm and gestured for a few seconds. "Anything. Everything. Whatever might be relevant. Who was she with at what time? What did she do? What dances were performed?"

For a second, she was resentful. Thalia's teachers and parents were as helpful as they could be for having little relevant information, but my job would be so much easier if everyone told me everything starting from the very beginning. She knew she was being a little unreasonable, but she didn't care.

He considered her question. "Hm. Well, she was with either her Avian friends, A'isha, myself, or Gavril for the entire evening." He briefly waved in the direction of the boa, and Hai mentally noted his name. "A'isha and Bea and I were making sure everything was running smoothly, but I wasn't about to abandon her, even though I know that she couldn't go wrong with Shaina and Elias." He gave her a wry smile.

Hai raised an eyebrow. "Would you have preferred that she spent more time in Serpiente company?"

"It's not like that. I have nothing against Avians or their culture, and I doubt she would have been entirely at ease in a room full of unfamiliar Serpiente even though she holds no prejudice. Shaina is quite nice, and," he paused, "Thalia and Elias are close."

"You have no opinion on him?" Or none that you want to share with me? Dear Ahnmik, A'isha was right. This boy seems almost as reticent as an Avian.

"He's actually a distant cousin of Marus. He…can be quite good at playing the fool when he needs to."

Hai laughed. So you think he's an idiot.

"So, she spent her time around people she trusts. Who was she dancing with when she collapsed?"

"Me." He looked away. "Perhaps I pushed her too hard."

"What kind of dance was it?"

"Nothing too specific or locked into a traditional form, although I did see her attempt some steps that looked like they were form the sakkri'a'she. I guess she had been practicing and wanted to try something out, and wasn't too inclined to care what the audience thought."

Hai's blood went cold. "That's…interesting."

"What is?" He gave her a questioning look.

"Perhaps it's nothing."

"No. If it might help her I want to know, and I doubt you're about to dismiss a possible theory."

"Well, my cousin discovered her own magic through the sakkri'a'she, but I doubt a few isolated steps would have been enough to produce the same effect."

She looked up at the dais again, shimmering faintly to her eyes with traces of energy. "What dance did she do right before that one?"

"Someone else was up there immediately before us." He began to run through a list of performers and dances. Hai raised an eyebrow, but let him continue, feeling slightly impressed at his memory.

Well, he certainly does have a solid grasp of ritual function and can keep track of his people. I can see how A'isha would consider those qualities positive.

"And right before us was a full sakkri'a'she."

"Say that again? Wait, no need to repeat it. I think that's what did it."

"How so?"

"Well, modern Serpiente still have a trace of the old magic, and they leave trails of it behind when they call on it-say, by changing forms, or by performing a ritual dance. If they left enough of their sakkri behind, then Thalia dancing through it and retracing their steps might have been enough to call hers to the surface."

His expression morphed into full worry. "If you think so…"

"I'm willing to bet."

He put one hand to his forehead and exhaled forcefully. "Gods! This should never have happened."

"Perhaps it doesn't have to be a bad thing, if she can learn to master it."

He stared off in the direction of the door. "I hope."

"One last thing…do you know what happened after that?"

"I practically carried her off of the dais. Everyone was trying to crowd in and was worried about her, and I had to tell everyone to keep their distance. I left her with Shaina and Elias, and I assumed they helped her home. I would have done it myself but A'isha still needed me here."

He clenched and unclenched one fist around the edge of his melos, which was a slightly darker shade of orange than his eyes. "Is there anything else you need to know, or can I go check on her now?"

"You can go, and thank you."

"Will you let me know when you can do something to help her, or if I can?"

"I will."

He practically took off running, weaving in and out of the mass of activity with ease. She could practically feel the air crackle as he left.

Well, no one can say that the Serpiente aren't intense.

She sighed. Finding out how it had happened brought her no closer to knowing what to do about it.

Perhaps Nicias can offer some ideas when he returns.

It was said that no one could find the Obsidian Guild camp unless they already knew where it was. Hai would have found it more accurate to say that it was still difficult to find even then. It was admittedly easier to determine the rough location by air than it had been to ride a horse aimlessly through the woods and hope for the best, and she was grateful that Nicias and Oliza had returned her falcon form to her. However, she still had to make her best guess with the general direction, distance, and growth pattern of the trees. The children of Maeve did their best to hide from prying eyes.

She landed in a clearing, shifted back, and decided that she recognized the large tree in front of her. Its thick lichen-covered trunk, suggesting many years of age, leaned to the left and then twisted back around itself about two thirds of the way up. A large, jutting rock to the left of the tree leaned back into it, creating an archway. Vines growing on both the rock and the tree's branches spilled over the edge and formed a curtain.

It's certainly a memorable sight. I'd say that if I brought someone else here, they'd be tempted to assume that this was some magical gateway and that the Guild lived on the other side…but they'd be wrong.

She turned to a faint trail a few feet to the right. It was somewhere back this way through all those thick bushes, and she had a habit of getting turned around in them.

Fortunately, someone else decided to help her first.

"Greetings, friend. What brings you here?"

A tall man with very light blond hair and blue eyes emerged from the shade and undergrowth as if from thin air. He smiled at her, perhaps more warmly than their past would have suggested he should.

Hai smiled back in relief. "Vere. It's always a pleasure to see you, and not just because I'd be stumbling around in the woods all afternoon otherwise."

Vere laughed. "I suppose that wouldn't hurt, though." He began leading the way back to the camp. "Now, what occasion calls for a visit to the middle of nowhere? I expect you'd be too busy on a normal day for just a friendly visit."

Hai ran through the events of yesterday and that morning. Following behind him, she couldn't see his face, but she knew he was listening with the same intent focus as the forest around him.

"So the full power of Anhamirak has returned?" he asked as they emerged from the trees. He held back a branch as she passed, pulling sticks and leaves out of her hair.

"Apparently, though I don't know how it's possible. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"

He shrugged. "I would have thought it lost forever except in wyverns and my own guild. Perhaps having everyone in close proximity for the last few hundred years has called it closer to the surface?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

He led her to a tent near the center of the camp. "Are you worried that she might destroy Wyvern's Court?"

She shook her head. "I'm far less worried about her than I was about Keyi. Thalia at least has an adult's reasoning capabilities." She looked up at the sky before entering, knowing that the wards around the camp protected it from any unwanted visitors from above. "I'm more worried about Cjarsa."

"Of course. The shm'Ahnmik have always been just as quick to react to even the slightest possibility of a threat from the followers of Anhamirak as they claim that Anhamirak's people are to them. It's rather ironic, isn't it? And yet here we are, able to attest to the rash actions of both sides." He ducked under the front flap and sat down.

"Indeed."

The start of the war was now just as common of knowledge in the court as the end. Avian, Serpiente, and even some Obsidian history were all required to be taught. And yet…

The Maeve'ra still live out here in the woods with the exiled criminals. I understand they like their traditions, culture, and autonomy, and that they provide something of a service by rehabilitating those our society has rejected, but it still seems as if all our advances in reconciliation have passed them by.

She took a brief look at the camp through the entrance. "It doesn't really seem fair, does it? Even as recently as our generation-even Zane himself, celebrated as he is-the Cobriana family has been going back on its promises to your people. I apologize again for my own role in it."

He smiled faintly. "Well, I can hardly complain about the way things are now, can I? Years of senseless violence are over, and my people can walk among yours without fear of harm. I can also hardly fault either you or Oliza for not wishing to participate in a marriage of convenience." The smile faded. "I confess I do still get mad when I think of the heartbreak and execution of my aunt Adelina, but killing a member of the royal family after swearing yourself to it can not be considered anything but treason. The death of Charis was unfortunate, the death of Danica would have been even more so." He shrugged. "But, it's easy to judge the past, and harder to predict the future."

He pointed toward a man maintaining a fire. "Besides, they trust us enough to raise our children and let us raise theirs. Did you know that he was born in Wyvern's Court and was sent here as a child with his parents' full permission? He is guilty of no crime, and everyone knows it. He was always allowed to spend plenty of time with his own parents, and is equally attached to both. The girl we sent to the Wyvern's Nest can claim the same."

An image of the woman in the dancers' nest came to Hai's mind. "Bea?"

"Ah, you've met her?"

"Briefly. I had other things on my mind, but perhaps one day I could spend more time there for its own sake."

"Yes, your crow is certainly a pressing matter. What do you think you'll do?"

"I don't know. My first inclination is to ask Nicias if he can bind her power in some way, but I'm not sure if that's even possible."

Vere frowned. "Would it even be right? I remember a certain young woman was quite distressed when poison stripped her wings from her. This would do the same."

"So we'd just have to hope she can learn to control it?"

"Essentially. We have our own practices here to learn how to master our magic-it's not innate knowledge beyond shapeshifting. Fortunately, the magic of balance is not nearly so…explosive, or even as self-consuming as that of Ahnmik."

A new idea began to stir in Hai's mind. "I know you don't have the same kind of magic, but would you be willing to teach her?"

Vere blinked, taken aback. "I would be willing to try. I can't promise that I would be able to give her everything she needs. Although…wouldn't you think Oliza might be a better choice?"

Hai shook her head. "Oliza never needed to learn control because her magic never acted out in any dangerous way. She would be just as unable to stabilize Thalia as she would have been for Keyi."

"Very well, then."

Suddenly, he held up a hand and looked out of the door. She waited as he listened to something only he could hear.

"If I'm not much mistaken, Nicias has just crossed our perimeter."

He stood up and exited the tent. She followed.

"Huh. He did say he was cutting his trip short, but he said nothing about coming here."

"Perhaps he had the same idea you did."

They crossed the camp. A few heads turned to look at them, and the guild members continued to watch as Nicias emerged from the bushes without a guide.

Vere chuckled. "He seems to be learning the way in fairly well."

Hai gave him a lopsided smile in return. "Well, he's always had a better sense of direction than I have."

Hai and Nicias gave each other warm smiles as they closed the distance. Nicias stopped about a foot back, reaching out one hand to clasp hers between them. She could hear a snicker and a muffled comment about his "obviously Avian upbringing" in the background, but she ignored it. However he chose to express his affection for her was fine with her, even if it wasn't the full-contact greeting common to the Serpiente she lived around.

My light.

The other half of my soul.

"Welcome, Nicias Silvermead, Wyvern of Honor." Vere inclined his head respectfully. "I trust your trip went well?"

"As always. Oliza, Betia, and Frektane send their greetings."

Nicias turned to Hai. "I did not expect to see you here."

"Likewise. I thought it prudent to check in with someone who knows something of the ancient power."

"Same-I thought I'd stop by on the way home." They looked at each other for a few seconds, then began to laugh.

Nicias looked at Vere. "And your thoughts on the matter?"

"I have agreed to try to help in any way I can."

"Thank you."

"Oh, no-thank you, actually. I believe this could be the start of something magnificent, and I would not want to miss it."

Vere's optimism lifted Hai's spirits for the first time in two days. She thought back to his comment at the celebration after she had restored Salem to the Serpiente throne.

"They will remember. Even if the war starts again tomorrow, they will see today and remember."

Despite everything that had happened to their societies, he still always saw hope. She decided that was something she admired about him.

Saying and waving their goodbyes, Hai and Nicias began to push their way through the bushes they had entered through. Vere remained watching after them for at least as long as they could still see him through the thick undergrowth.

Hai seemed moody the rest of the afternoon. Nicias noticed little things here and there as they went about preparing for the trial, although he didn't get a chance to ask her about it until much later. Practically as soon as they had landed in the courtyard, his second-in-command had swept him away to fill him in on everything that had happened in his absence. Small disputes in the marketplace, border agitation by some belligerent human raiders-they seemed small matters compared to the talk of the day, but he knew they were still important to address.

In return, he brought news from the wolves. Both the Frektane and Vahamil tribes reported relative peace, though they had heard some rumors of unrest stirring further east.

It seemed forever before he could finally return home. Hai was already there, sitting curled up on a low seat across from the door. He sat down next to her and put an arm around her, and she leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder.

He waited for her to speak. He knew she would when she was ready. After all, she had promised to talk about her thoughts more since she had temporarily become Diente. Even as they relaxed physically, he could still sense her mentally squirming.

Finally her thoughts forced their way out. "She spun a sakkri."

"Hm?"

"It just…frustrates me. I had to put so much work into my training and controlling my powers when Cjarsa taught me how to dance, but one Avian with little experience does one dance and can suddenly spin a full sakkri. She's not even royal blood!" She waved her hands.

Nicias rubbed her shoulder, fighting back a chuckle. True, everything she said was worrying, but it was amusing to see her worked up like this.

"Hm. You want to be dance partners at some point?"

Hai frowned. "That would probably be…dangerous."

"And you think Cjarsa might get involved."

"How could she not? I'm surprised my dearest mother hasn't said something to you already."

Nicias cringed at the venom in Hai's voice. "I'm…also surprised Darien hasn't said anything. Our latest discussion involved smuggling someone else off of the island. If Cjarsa wanted to make an immediate move, Darien would have already warned us. Perhaps Cjarsa is waiting for a time she feels would be most beneficial to her own ends."

"Perhaps she's just waiting for Thalia to burn down Wyvern's Court so she can walk over what's left with no effort. It's not exactly a comforting thought."

"Well…it wouldn't seem like it, but the fact that Cjarsa wouldn't make a move until we've essentially destroyed ourselves is encouraging in its own way. If she won't challenge us at our full strength, even as steeped in Ahnmik's power as she and Araceli are, maybe we stand a chance."

Hai snuggled in closer. "Cjarsa can't make a move herself or the Ecl will claim its debt. I would be more worried about Araceli. And what of Syfka?"

"I don't know what happened to Syfka after I left. I doubt the falcons would have killed one of their own despite the extent of her treason."

"It would be ironic if they killed the priestess of death."

"I suppose it would be."

"So…we might have a while to prepare. Is there a way to bind Thalia's power?"

Nicias shook his head. "It would take someone with years more experience to even touch a full power so contradictory to ours. I suspect even my parents were only successful in assuming the forms of Andreios and Erica because their magic was divided and dormant…and even then, they weren't able to save their lives." He frowned. "And while I know you would only suggest something like that as a last resort, I can't say I would agree with it. You've seen my father's scars."

Hai winced. Araceli had claimed that each line of power she had forced into Sebastian's skin had been necessary. She had her doubts, considering Araceli's tendency toward needless cruelty, but she didn't have enough knowledge of the process to contradict her.

"Anyway, what if she has children?"

Hai smirked. "From what I gather, she's in no rush."

"Well, at least that's one thing we won't have to worry about." Nicias sighed. "Now…about finding her a teacher."

"Do you think Vere was the right choice?"

"Yes, or at least, he's the best we can offer. It's a shame the knowledge was all lost along with the magic." He paused. "Araceli gave me limited instruction, but for the most part I'd credit Darien for showing me how to control my power instead of letting it control me-and all at once, too. Too bad we don't really have an equivalent."

He thought for a moment. "It might be a good idea to get A'isha involved as well. If we're all so used to channeling our magic through dance, then why not get her further instruction in dancing? It doesn't hurt that she seems to trust A'isha."

"Heh. Well, everyone does say Thalia spends more time wishing she were a dancer than her peers would like." A glint of mischief shone in her eyes. "Won't this ruffle their feathers."

Nicias rolled his eyes, but didn't take the bait.

They sat in silence for a minute, then Hai spoke again. "There's one more thing."

"Only one?"

"It might be wise to keep an eye on Ciaran…that Nikhil'ra dancer. If he was involved at the beginning, he'll likely stay involved." She could picture his faintly luminous eyes. "There was something vaguely unsettling about him, but I just can't figure it out."

"Very well."

There was another lapse in the conversation. Hai found comfort in the silence, the world outside muffle behind a thick door and several enchantments. Even now, she still didn't understand how everyone else lived with the constant chaos.

She squeezed his hand lightly. "Nicias? I'll love you forever for pulling me out of the Ecl, but what was going through your mind? Why did you do it?"

"I couldn’t leave you there. I had to try, at least."

"Because of the promise you made?"

"Because it was the right thing to do. And because, I suppose, even then you intrigued me."

"Hm." She picked at a strand of her hair.

"Do you think Thalia will refuse our help as much as you tried to refuse mine?"

"I don't think so. Everyone says she doesn't like to ask for help-that she prefers to solve her problems on her own. If she's gotten to the point where she'll admit to her two best friends and her Tuuli Thea that she needs help, I can't see her being so quick to drive us out." She shrugged. "Anyway, we have to try. It's…the right thing to do."

He kissed her lightly. "Well, I'm sure we'll be just as successful in the end."

Description
Wyvern's Nest was still too hot inside. In a few months it would be close to unbearable outside, but the inside of the dancers' nest was always in another league. She caught a breath as she stepped inside and stood off to the side of the door, letting her body adjust and her eyes become accustomed to the sudden dimness. She wiped a few beads of sweat off of her forehead. The air was thick with the smells of smoke from the central fire, sweat, and scented oils used to cover both.

As her eyes adjusted, she saw a few people smile and wave. She reached out to one woman as she walked past, lightly touching her arm.

"Excuse me. Is A'isha in?"

"Yes. Would you prefer if I brought you to her, or should I bring her out?"

"I can come in."

As she moved through the room, a smile fought its way onto her face. Despite the fact that walking in often felt like getting hit on the head with a brick, she had to admit that she liked it in here.

She looked around. Everything was brightly colored, a contrast to the neutral colors outside or in Avian houses. They stepped over the usual layer of cushions and silks, around groups of people scattered here and there.

One woman caught Hai's eye. The was demonstrating a series of movements to a group of young people standing around awkwardly-the beginner's class. In a room of mostly Serpiente, a few Avians, and dark or gem-like colors, her white hair and pale blue eyes stood out.

A white viper? Even now the Obsidian Guild tends to keep mostly to itself.

As she pondered this, she noticed two men sitting off to the side of the room, each with one arm looped loosely around the other. One, a Serpiente, said something. The other, an Avian with a long shock of black hair falling over one eye, smiled and laughed a little. He then noticed Hai and waved. The Serpiente man turned and gave her a big grin and a wink.

Hai waved back. It was always good to see Urban and Marus.

The woman she was following led her toward the dais in the back of the room. Another woman with long, wavy black hair was standing at the base, talking to two tall men. One had the red hair, red-tinged sandy complexion, and green eyes of an emerald boa. The other, slightly taller and with broader shoulders, had darker hair, paler skin, and eyes the color of hardened amber. If Hai had to guess, she would assume he was a black mamba.

A'isha looked up as they approached. "Well, hello, Hai! What brings you here?"

"I just had a few questions related to the…incident…yesterday, and I was wondering if you could help me."

A'isha nodded to the two men, and they walked off. "I'd be glad to, although I'm not sure what I could do. I was in here all day yesterday."

"Do you know an Avian named Thalia Garrow?"

Ai'sha smiled. "Ah, Thalia! Delightful girl, if a bit awkward-although I suppose she can't help her upbringing. Yes, she's friends with some of my top students. I've even taught her a few things myself. She's not in here quite as often as some of the regulars, but I do see her in the marketplace quite often." Her expression suddenly turned serious. "She wasn't involved, was she? Was she hurt?"

"Yes to the first, no to the second. It would seem that she accidentally started the fire."

"Oh." A'isha put one hand on her chest. "Well, that is unfortunate. She must be quite shaken."

"Very. You haven’t even heard the half of it yet. It wasn't as if she merely knocked over a candle or spilled some coals from the forge-it would appear she is manifesting the full powers of the Dasi."

A'isha stared for a few seconds, speechless. Then she shook her head. "How is this possible?"

"I don't know." Hai glanced up toward the dais. "I do know that her friends said they were here for the spring festival, and that she began displaying the first signs of her power shortly afterward."

"I suppose it's not out of the question that something happened here." A'isha looked thoughtful. "Didn't you say that Oliza spun her first sakkri while doing dance warmups to clear her mind?"

"Yes, and she also felt the presence of her powers while dancing with the Obsidian Guild for the first time." Hai pointed her thumb over her shoulder at the white-haired woman. "Which, speaking of, you have a white viper here now?"

"Ah, yes. That is Bea. She grew up spending as much time here as with her parents, which they hoped would foster friendlier relations. She's actually one of two people I'm considering as my successor some day. Her dancing is so wonderful and expressive, and she has all of the techniques down perfectly. Perhaps she is a little too sure of her own judgment at times, but with a little bit of introspection, she could have great potential." A'isha smiled fondly in her direction, then turned back to Hai. "But I digress."

"What do you think could have happened here that would have sparked her powers?"

A'isha's expression darkened. "There was one point where she collapsed while dancing. I had written it off as over-exertion."

Hai paused. "She danced in front of the whole nest? From what I've heard everyone else say about her, that sounds surprising, to say the least."

A'isha laughed. "Yes, she danced in front of everyone, but it's not as if she did the harja before the whole court. Yes, she is a bit on the shy side, but she has very encouraging friends, and I believe the music moves her just as strongly as it does anyone else here."

"Hm. Well then, what kind of dancing did she do? It must have been high-energy to make her collapse."

"Mostly relatively freeform, although she does have an aptitude for blade dances just like Oliza. She did quite a bit of dancing that night despite only being on the dais for a short time. She also mostly stayed near her friends-few of the dances were strictly choreographed for a set number of people."

For a second, A'isha's eyes flicked toward the two men from earlier. They had moved closer to the central fire and were deep in conversation. As she watched, the boa said something to the mamba that made him stumble back, laughing and covering his face with a slight blush. The boa looked over as if called, met Hai's eyes, and smirked. She instantly decided that she liked him.

"To be completely honest, I did not have my eyes on her the entire time. I had my responsibilities making sure the whole celebration went smoothly. You could try asking those two, however. They spent more time with her than I did."

"The boa and the…mamba, I assume?"

A'isha nodded. "Yes. She seems to trust them reasonably well. In fact, she was dancing with Ciaran when she collapsed."

"Ciaran?"

A'isha pointed to the mamba. "Him. He's actually my other candidate for future leadership. He's unquestionably dedicated to his nestmates, but perhaps a bit more reserved than I'd like to see."

So he'd probably understand an Avian fairly easily.

"A'isha? Can you spare a moment?"

Both women turned back around. Bea had walked up behind them, with the beginner class watching expectantly from across the room.

A'isha gave Hai an apologetic smile. "If you'll excuse me, please? I wish I could help you more, but I wouldn't know what to tell you. If I can think of anything else I'll tell you immediately."

"Thank you."

"Hai? Please do take care of her."

"I'll try my best."

Hai watched A'isha walk away, then turned back toward the central fire. The boa was now sitting with a group of children, writing symbols on a chalk slate. He waved one hand airily as he said something, and the group laughed.

She turned her head left and right, searching. The mamba was gone.

Ugh. I hope he didn't leave right as I was possibly on the verge of getting some answers.

She sighed, looking around the room. Nowhere.

The dais did look inviting though. She remembered watching the dancers in the Obsidian Guild and seeing the traces of magic they left behind.

Maybe there's a little bit of what happened to Thalia. It's probably mostly gone or covered by now, though.

As she started across the room, she felt a prickle in her shoulders. She smelled someone behind her a few seconds later-sweat, the faintly sulfuric smell of scales, and a strong mixture of-she sniffed-rosemary and something floral.

"It's not every day we're graced with a visit from the royal inspector."

She spun around. Ciaran was standing right behind her, a trace of amusement in his orange eyes.

What, did you think you could get an edge on me?

"It's not every day something momentous enough to call for a royal investigator happens."

"One could argue that everything is momentous in its own way to someone. Perhaps the dip of a leaf is important to a passing butterfly. Perhaps a small argument in the market causes someone involved to make a decision that drastically alters the course of their life, although the argument itself is insignificant to those around it."

Hai shrugged. He was right-she was already very familiar with how fate could be sent dramatically off-course by small actions or inactions, or could perpetuate itself through many possibilities despite forceful action. An image of Keyi flashed through her mind.

But he's wrong if he thinks he's going to play mind games with me.

"True, but most days people don't spontaneously combust."

He blinked, then gave her a small head tilt of acknowledgement. "So you think that was connected to something here."

"More than likely. A'isha says you're friends with an Avian named Thalia Garrow?"

The smile dropped off his face. "Tasa'Anleh!"

He turned toward the entrance, but Hai caught his arm. "No. No, you're not. You're currently my best lead."

"I have to make sure she's alright!"

"She's in capable hands right now. Now, the best way to help her is to find out what happened to her, so just stay put for a minute."

For a second Hai wondered if she would have to restrain him with magic, but he sighed and turned back to her, glaring. "Alright. What do you need to know?"

She let go of his arm and gestured for a few seconds. "Anything. Everything. Whatever might be relevant. Who was she with at what time? What did she do? What dances were performed?"

For a second, she was resentful. Thalia's teachers and parents were as helpful as they could be for having little relevant information, but my job would be so much easier if everyone told me everything starting from the very beginning. She knew she was being a little unreasonable, but she didn't care.

He considered her question. "Hm. Well, she was with either her Avian friends, A'isha, myself, or Gavril for the entire evening." He briefly waved in the direction of the boa, and Hai mentally noted his name. "A'isha and Bea and I were making sure everything was running smoothly, but I wasn't about to abandon her, even though I know that she couldn't go wrong with Shaina and Elias." He gave her a wry smile.

Hai raised an eyebrow. "Would you have preferred that she spent more time in Serpiente company?"

"It's not like that. I have nothing against Avians or their culture, and I doubt she would have been entirely at ease in a room full of unfamiliar Serpiente even though she holds no prejudice. Shaina is quite nice, and," he paused, "Thalia and Elias are close."

"You have no opinion on him?" Or none that you want to share with me? Dear Ahnmik, A'isha was right. This boy seems almost as reticent as an Avian.

"He's actually a distant cousin of Marus. He…can be quite good at playing the fool when he needs to."

Hai laughed. So you think he's an idiot.

"So, she spent her time around people she trusts. Who was she dancing with when she collapsed?"

"Me." He looked away. "Perhaps I pushed her too hard."

"What kind of dance was it?"

"Nothing too specific or locked into a traditional form, although I did see her attempt some steps that looked like they were form the sakkri'a'she. I guess she had been practicing and wanted to try something out, and wasn't too inclined to care what the audience thought."

Hai's blood went cold. "That's…interesting."

"What is?" He gave her a questioning look.

"Perhaps it's nothing."

"No. If it might help her I want to know, and I doubt you're about to dismiss a possible theory."

"Well, my cousin discovered her own magic through the sakkri'a'she, but I doubt a few isolated steps would have been enough to produce the same effect."

She looked up at the dais again, shimmering faintly to her eyes with traces of energy. "What dance did she do right before that one?"

"Someone else was up there immediately before us." He began to run through a list of performers and dances. Hai raised an eyebrow, but let him continue, feeling slightly impressed at his memory.

Well, he certainly does have a solid grasp of ritual function and can keep track of his people. I can see how A'isha would consider those qualities positive.

"And right before us was a full sakkri'a'she."

"Say that again? Wait, no need to repeat it. I think that's what did it."

"How so?"

"Well, modern Serpiente still have a trace of the old magic, and they leave trails of it behind when they call on it-say, by changing forms, or by performing a ritual dance. If they left enough of their sakkri behind, then Thalia dancing through it and retracing their steps might have been enough to call hers to the surface."

His expression morphed into full worry. "If you think so…"

"I'm willing to bet."

He put one hand to his forehead and exhaled forcefully. "Gods! This should never have happened."

"Perhaps it doesn't have to be a bad thing, if she can learn to master it."

He stared off in the direction of the door. "I hope."

"One last thing…do you know what happened after that?"

"I practically carried her off of the dais. Everyone was trying to crowd in and was worried about her, and I had to tell everyone to keep their distance. I left her with Shaina and Elias, and I assumed they helped her home. I would have done it myself but A'isha still needed me here."

He clenched and unclenched one fist around the edge of his melos, which was a slightly darker shade of orange than his eyes. "Is there anything else you need to know, or can I go check on her now?"

"You can go, and thank you."

"Will you let me know when you can do something to help her, or if I can?"

"I will."

He practically took off running, weaving in and out of the mass of activity with ease. She could practically feel the air crackle as he left.

Well, no one can say that the Serpiente aren't intense.

She sighed. Finding out how it had happened brought her no closer to knowing what to do about it.

Perhaps Nicias can offer some ideas when he returns.

It was said that no one could find the Obsidian Guild camp unless they already knew where it was. Hai would have found it more accurate to say that it was still difficult to find even then. It was admittedly easier to determine the rough location by air than it had been to ride a horse aimlessly through the woods and hope for the best, and she was grateful that Nicias and Oliza had returned her falcon form to her. However, she still had to make her best guess with the general direction, distance, and growth pattern of the trees. The children of Maeve did their best to hide from prying eyes.

She landed in a clearing, shifted back, and decided that she recognized the large tree in front of her. Its thick lichen-covered trunk, suggesting many years of age, leaned to the left and then twisted back around itself about two thirds of the way up. A large, jutting rock to the left of the tree leaned back into it, creating an archway. Vines growing on both the rock and the tree's branches spilled over the edge and formed a curtain.

It's certainly a memorable sight. I'd say that if I brought someone else here, they'd be tempted to assume that this was some magical gateway and that the Guild lived on the other side…but they'd be wrong.

She turned to a faint trail a few feet to the right. It was somewhere back this way through all those thick bushes, and she had a habit of getting turned around in them.

Fortunately, someone else decided to help her first.

"Greetings, friend. What brings you here?"

A tall man with very light blond hair and blue eyes emerged from the shade and undergrowth as if from thin air. He smiled at her, perhaps more warmly than their past would have suggested he should.

Hai smiled back in relief. "Vere. It's always a pleasure to see you, and not just because I'd be stumbling around in the woods all afternoon otherwise."

Vere laughed. "I suppose that wouldn't hurt, though." He began leading the way back to the camp. "Now, what occasion calls for a visit to the middle of nowhere? I expect you'd be too busy on a normal day for just a friendly visit."

Hai ran through the events of yesterday and that morning. Following behind him, she couldn't see his face, but she knew he was listening with the same intent focus as the forest around him.

"So the full power of Anhamirak has returned?" he asked as they emerged from the trees. He held back a branch as she passed, pulling sticks and leaves out of her hair.

"Apparently, though I don't know how it's possible. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"

He shrugged. "I would have thought it lost forever except in wyverns and my own guild. Perhaps having everyone in close proximity for the last few hundred years has called it closer to the surface?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

He led her to a tent near the center of the camp. "Are you worried that she might destroy Wyvern's Court?"

She shook her head. "I'm far less worried about her than I was about Keyi. Thalia at least has an adult's reasoning capabilities." She looked up at the sky before entering, knowing that the wards around the camp protected it from any unwanted visitors from above. "I'm more worried about Cjarsa."

"Of course. The shm'Ahnmik have always been just as quick to react to even the slightest possibility of a threat from the followers of Anhamirak as they claim that Anhamirak's people are to them. It's rather ironic, isn't it? And yet here we are, able to attest to the rash actions of both sides." He ducked under the front flap and sat down.

"Indeed."

The start of the war was now just as common of knowledge in the court as the end. Avian, Serpiente, and even some Obsidian history were all required to be taught. And yet…

The Maeve'ra still live out here in the woods with the exiled criminals. I understand they like their traditions, culture, and autonomy, and that they provide something of a service by rehabilitating those our society has rejected, but it still seems as if all our advances in reconciliation have passed them by.

She took a brief look at the camp through the entrance. "It doesn't really seem fair, does it? Even as recently as our generation-even Zane himself, celebrated as he is-the Cobriana family has been going back on its promises to your people. I apologize again for my own role in it."

He smiled faintly. "Well, I can hardly complain about the way things are now, can I? Years of senseless violence are over, and my people can walk among yours without fear of harm. I can also hardly fault either you or Oliza for not wishing to participate in a marriage of convenience." The smile faded. "I confess I do still get mad when I think of the heartbreak and execution of my aunt Adelina, but killing a member of the royal family after swearing yourself to it can not be considered anything but treason. The death of Charis was unfortunate, the death of Danica would have been even more so." He shrugged. "But, it's easy to judge the past, and harder to predict the future."

He pointed toward a man maintaining a fire. "Besides, they trust us enough to raise our children and let us raise theirs. Did you know that he was born in Wyvern's Court and was sent here as a child with his parents' full permission? He is guilty of no crime, and everyone knows it. He was always allowed to spend plenty of time with his own parents, and is equally attached to both. The girl we sent to the Wyvern's Nest can claim the same."

An image of the woman in the dancers' nest came to Hai's mind. "Bea?"

"Ah, you've met her?"

"Briefly. I had other things on my mind, but perhaps one day I could spend more time there for its own sake."

"Yes, your crow is certainly a pressing matter. What do you think you'll do?"

"I don't know. My first inclination is to ask Nicias if he can bind her power in some way, but I'm not sure if that's even possible."

Vere frowned. "Would it even be right? I remember a certain young woman was quite distressed when poison stripped her wings from her. This would do the same."

"So we'd just have to hope she can learn to control it?"

"Essentially. We have our own practices here to learn how to master our magic-it's not innate knowledge beyond shapeshifting. Fortunately, the magic of balance is not nearly so…explosive, or even as self-consuming as that of Ahnmik."

A new idea began to stir in Hai's mind. "I know you don't have the same kind of magic, but would you be willing to teach her?"

Vere blinked, taken aback. "I would be willing to try. I can't promise that I would be able to give her everything she needs. Although…wouldn't you think Oliza might be a better choice?"

Hai shook her head. "Oliza never needed to learn control because her magic never acted out in any dangerous way. She would be just as unable to stabilize Thalia as she would have been for Keyi."

"Very well, then."

Suddenly, he held up a hand and looked out of the door. She waited as he listened to something only he could hear.

"If I'm not much mistaken, Nicias has just crossed our perimeter."

He stood up and exited the tent. She followed.

"Huh. He did say he was cutting his trip short, but he said nothing about coming here."

"Perhaps he had the same idea you did."

They crossed the camp. A few heads turned to look at them, and the guild members continued to watch as Nicias emerged from the bushes without a guide.

Vere chuckled. "He seems to be learning the way in fairly well."

Hai gave him a lopsided smile in return. "Well, he's always had a better sense of direction than I have."

Hai and Nicias gave each other warm smiles as they closed the distance. Nicias stopped about a foot back, reaching out one hand to clasp hers between them. She could hear a snicker and a muffled comment about his "obviously Avian upbringing" in the background, but she ignored it. However he chose to express his affection for her was fine with her, even if it wasn't the full-contact greeting common to the Serpiente she lived around.

My light.

The other half of my soul.

"Welcome, Nicias Silvermead, Wyvern of Honor." Vere inclined his head respectfully. "I trust your trip went well?"

"As always. Oliza, Betia, and Frektane send their greetings."

Nicias turned to Hai. "I did not expect to see you here."

"Likewise. I thought it prudent to check in with someone who knows something of the ancient power."

"Same-I thought I'd stop by on the way home." They looked at each other for a few seconds, then began to laugh.

Nicias looked at Vere. "And your thoughts on the matter?"

"I have agreed to try to help in any way I can."

"Thank you."

"Oh, no-thank you, actually. I believe this could be the start of something magnificent, and I would not want to miss it."

Vere's optimism lifted Hai's spirits for the first time in two days. She thought back to his comment at the celebration after she had restored Salem to the Serpiente throne.

"They will remember. Even if the war starts again tomorrow, they will see today and remember."

Despite everything that had happened to their societies, he still always saw hope. She decided that was something she admired about him.

Saying and waving their goodbyes, Hai and Nicias began to push their way through the bushes they had entered through. Vere remained watching after them for at least as long as they could still see him through the thick undergrowth.

Hai seemed moody the rest of the afternoon. Nicias noticed little things here and there as they went about preparing for the trial, although he didn't get a chance to ask her about it until much later. Practically as soon as they had landed in the courtyard, his second-in-command had swept him away to fill him in on everything that had happened in his absence. Small disputes in the marketplace, border agitation by some belligerent human raiders-they seemed small matters compared to the talk of the day, but he knew they were still important to address.

In return, he brought news from the wolves. Both the Frektane and Vahamil tribes reported relative peace, though they had heard some rumors of unrest stirring further east.

It seemed forever before he could finally return home. Hai was already there, sitting curled up on a low seat across from the door. He sat down next to her and put an arm around her, and she leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder.

He waited for her to speak. He knew she would when she was ready. After all, she had promised to talk about her thoughts more since she had temporarily become Diente. Even as they relaxed physically, he could still sense her mentally squirming.

Finally her thoughts forced their way out. "She spun a sakkri."

"Hm?"

"It just…frustrates me. I had to put so much work into my training and controlling my powers when Cjarsa taught me how to dance, but one Avian with little experience does one dance and can suddenly spin a full sakkri. She's not even royal blood!" She waved her hands.

Nicias rubbed her shoulder, fighting back a chuckle. True, everything she said was worrying, but it was amusing to see her worked up like this.

"Hm. You want to be dance partners at some point?"

Hai frowned. "That would probably be…dangerous."

"And you think Cjarsa might get involved."

"How could she not? I'm surprised my dearest mother hasn't said something to you already."

Nicias cringed at the venom in Hai's voice. "I'm…also surprised Darien hasn't said anything. Our latest discussion involved smuggling someone else off of the island. If Cjarsa wanted to make an immediate move, Darien would have already warned us. Perhaps Cjarsa is waiting for a time she feels would be most beneficial to her own ends."

"Perhaps she's just waiting for Thalia to burn down Wyvern's Court so she can walk over what's left with no effort. It's not exactly a comforting thought."

"Well…it wouldn't seem like it, but the fact that Cjarsa wouldn't make a move until we've essentially destroyed ourselves is encouraging in its own way. If she won't challenge us at our full strength, even as steeped in Ahnmik's power as she and Araceli are, maybe we stand a chance."

Hai snuggled in closer. "Cjarsa can't make a move herself or the Ecl will claim its debt. I would be more worried about Araceli. And what of Syfka?"

"I don't know what happened to Syfka after I left. I doubt the falcons would have killed one of their own despite the extent of her treason."

"It would be ironic if they killed the priestess of death."

"I suppose it would be."

"So…we might have a while to prepare. Is there a way to bind Thalia's power?"

Nicias shook his head. "It would take someone with years more experience to even touch a full power so contradictory to ours. I suspect even my parents were only successful in assuming the forms of Andreios and Erica because their magic was divided and dormant…and even then, they weren't able to save their lives." He frowned. "And while I know you would only suggest something like that as a last resort, I can't say I would agree with it. You've seen my father's scars."

Hai winced. Araceli had claimed that each line of power she had forced into Sebastian's skin had been necessary. She had her doubts, considering Araceli's tendency toward needless cruelty, but she didn't have enough knowledge of the process to contradict her.

"Anyway, what if she has children?"

Hai smirked. "From what I gather, she's in no rush."

"Well, at least that's one thing we won't have to worry about." Nicias sighed. "Now…about finding her a teacher."

"Do you think Vere was the right choice?"

"Yes, or at least, he's the best we can offer. It's a shame the knowledge was all lost along with the magic." He paused. "Araceli gave me limited instruction, but for the most part I'd credit Darien for showing me how to control my power instead of letting it control me-and all at once, too. Too bad we don't really have an equivalent."

He thought for a moment. "It might be a good idea to get A'isha involved as well. If we're all so used to channeling our magic through dance, then why not get her further instruction in dancing? It doesn't hurt that she seems to trust A'isha."

"Heh. Well, everyone does say Thalia spends more time wishing she were a dancer than her peers would like." A glint of mischief shone in her eyes. "Won't this ruffle their feathers."

Nicias rolled his eyes, but didn't take the bait.

They sat in silence for a minute, then Hai spoke again. "There's one more thing."

"Only one?"

"It might be wise to keep an eye on Ciaran…that Nikhil'ra dancer. If he was involved at the beginning, he'll likely stay involved." She could picture his faintly luminous eyes. "There was something vaguely unsettling about him, but I just can't figure it out."

"Very well."

There was another lapse in the conversation. Hai found comfort in the silence, the world outside muffle behind a thick door and several enchantments. Even now, she still didn't understand how everyone else lived with the constant chaos.

She squeezed his hand lightly. "Nicias? I'll love you forever for pulling me out of the Ecl, but what was going through your mind? Why did you do it?"

"I couldn’t leave you there. I had to try, at least."

"Because of the promise you made?"

"Because it was the right thing to do. And because, I suppose, even then you intrigued me."

"Hm." She picked at a strand of her hair.

"Do you think Thalia will refuse our help as much as you tried to refuse mine?"

"I don't think so. Everyone says she doesn't like to ask for help-that she prefers to solve her problems on her own. If she's gotten to the point where she'll admit to her two best friends and her Tuuli Thea that she needs help, I can't see her being so quick to drive us out." She shrugged. "Anyway, we have to try. It's…the right thing to do."

He kissed her lightly. "Well, I'm sure we'll be just as successful in the end."