Morning found me shaken and worn from the dreams of the night before. Old memories long forgotten had run incessantly through my dreams. And the Starfyre ring still glowed more brightly than it had since that horrible day on Harmony when Uly?s ship and vanished into the Harmony sun.

Throughout the day, my gaze kept returning to the glowing ring gracing my left hand. I kept pushing hope into the background because Ozy remained conspicuously missing and I could not let hope rise only to be dashed by Ozy?s knowledge of Uly?s incarnations.

That night, I left the house to go to the Inn. There I ran into Dimitri, whom I have not seen in a very long time. ?Alais!?? He almost jumped up to walk over to greet me. ?I haven?t seen you in ages. Where have you been??

As I started to answer him, there was a crackle of amethyst that arced between the rafters and was gone. Imagination? I forced my attention back to the young elf, ?Ah haff been 'n th' Emerald Isle's Dimitri, prithee, 'ow be ye??

He pointed to the collar he wore about his neck, ?Horrible?.

I was shocked to see such a thing about his throat, and he told me it was because of the 23 deaths associated with the burning of the Outback, but Vanion had been at the root cause of that, and still Dimitri suffers.

Abruptly there was a glint of moonsilver that flashed across a window pane, and my attention riveted to that flash of light, and then dropped to my own ring before I told Dimitri that he was not responsible. He shocked me then by shifting into a large green dragon, ?I did in my new form?.

The wood in the fireplace crackled, and a burst of sparks in silver and amethyst entwined floated up the chimney, and I took an involuntary step back as Dimitri glanced at the fire. In a soft voice, I asked Dimitri if he had seen the sparks and their colors. I needed confirmation that my own vision was not playing tricks on me.

He had seen what I had and I reached for the back of a chair as Dimitri walked toward the fireplace for a closer look into the fire. ?This cannae be,? was all I could say. Then came a barely heard sound of cookware rattling, and the faint aroma of pancakes. The necklace at my throat warmed and my fingers closed around it.

Dimitri growled low, and began to look around, and I found my own legs and moved closer to the fireplace.

The dragon Icer swiveled her head and neck as the scent reached into the room. Dimitri?s eyes were black as midnight as he continued to growl, but shifted to gold as I blinked up at him.

Then it came, the abrupt ?crack? that had heralded one of Uly?s or Ozy?s portals, and a flash of amethyst. Dimitri headed upstairs then as he shifted into his elven form.

I felt the blood rush from my face as I realized what this would herald. ?Ah?m gaein? tae kill Ozy.? The fleeting thought that I should have remained in Riverbend came to me as a flow of energy blinked from step to step, coming across the floor and encircled me in a spiral from head to toe, and then it was gone. Ephemeral, fleeting, but undeniable.

I do not know how long Tass had been present, but his staff thudding upon the floor broke the magic of that moment, and I nearly yelped when Uly?s voice came softly as a whisper in my thoughts, >?lais<

Tass stopped suddenly in his progress into the room. He had felt something when he was on the Isle, the land, Matlal, had sighed. It was not something he had been able to put his finger on, but whatever he had felt on Matlal he now felt here.

The aura from the ring was anything but cold, and I closed my eyes, shaking my head, ?Ye?r naught bu? a dream.? The mantra repeating over and over in my thoughts. But then the distinct touch of Uly?s fingers threading through my hair as he had been wont to do was so familiar it nearly brought me to my knees.

Tass? hand gripped the staff a bit more, enough so that it turned his old knuckles white, and he moved forward, towards the fire, and this entity.

Ozy sprang off the rafter and floated down slowly toward me, opening his beak to let the band of moonsilver that I had given Uly those years ago fall into my hand. I leaned heavily against an empty chair near the fire as my scarred hand clutched the ring tightly. ?Ozy? ?ow?? The band radiates amethyst energy, as if something bound waits to burst into full existence.

Ozy landed, his head bowed, ?I know some of the how, Lady, but none of the why--I can only guess.?

I curled my fingers thightly around the band, ??e ist back?? I was not certain I wanted to hear Ozy?s answer one way or the other.

?My Lady, whether this is Him is beyond me...a Him is certain, but You know the nature of these things from past experience...some mysteries I cannot calculate.? Ozy reminded me of the overlays, and how many changes Ulysses had been through, and memories of the dreams raced through my thoughts. Which Uly would this be? I glanced at Tass, who remained unmoving.

Ozy flexed his wings, his head still bowed as I asked him how long he?d known about this. It was a direct question, and one very difficult for Ozy to dissemble on. I had learned ages ago that when one questioned Ozy, one had to be very specific and direct.

Ozy hesitated. ?You will recall a certain meteor shower?? His wings folded, the movement nearly a flinch.

Shock rippled through me. I had almost felt Uly?s presence that night. And as Ozy spoke, Tass?s eyes closed. So long!

Ozy fidgeted some more, ?His ring has been in my possession. I retrieved it and kept it secreted on Jacynth. I do not know why. That night both rings were active.?

I reached for Tass? hand as I gave the owl an incredulous look, ?an' ye didst nae tell me?? Tass took my hand as my fingers tightened convulsively around his, sharing his strength to weather the information that was forthcoming.

Ozy nearly had his beak to the floor, ?Does this require an answer, Lady? Obviously I did not. I cannot explain myself.?

As I asked Ozy how this could be, Tass spoke soflty, ?perhaps it is better not to ask, hun.. some things are better if you just accept.? His voice was worn and I glanced at him.

Ozy raised his head slightly, ?:: I can only guess, Lady. Jacynth technology and...magic...I have not had time to fathom what has happened...but it was the moonsilver ring that brought Him back those first brutal times traveling between existences.? I lowered my head as his next words shook me to the core, ?Lady, the twins will know.?

I lifted my head, ?Ozy, wha' dae Ah dae nae??

He gave me the equivalent of an avian shrug, ?Keep both rings? be patient? I have done all I can on Jacynth.?

He?d kept it from me! Ozy had kept his secrets about all of this, knowing how much I had suffered Uly?s death. Uly?s words came back to haunt me, ?Remember though, he acted against my will for what you believe to be my own good. Do not be surprised if he should one day choose the same for you.? Had Ozy kept this news from me for some reason I cannot fathom? I glanced at him, ?After Ah dae turn ye intae sae much metal shavin's?? I never would, but it wouldn?t hurt to let Ozy know just how unsettled this has made me.

Ozy gave me a resigned sigh, ?resignation:: I am not capable of deceiving You. I cannot explain why I had to keep this secret, but it was the only way.? He then flexed the wings, ?will you return to I? Taurn??


I nodded, ?Aye Ozy, fer th' time bein', bu' Ah mus' needs r'turn tae Matlal, there ist much work tae be daein'.?

Ozy continued then, ?as: I have served You loyally many times. It would be best if I am near for whatever... manifests...from the energies acting on the rings. And, Telemachus being nearest the moonsilver will surely seek You out soon.?

While Ozy could not explain his actions for failing to tell me, he committed himself to my service, and predicted that the outcome may be something we have longed for a great while, though, it would be less than a heartbeat to the Uly we knew.


I asked Ozy if he would be staying with me at I? Taurn, and he nodded, ?It seems most prudent...and I am somewhat concerned whether this will draw the attention of...both...Twins.?

My expression went very neutral. I doubted very much that Alia Anor would care, or respond to this sensation she was about to feel. I studied the starfyre ring long moments before whispering in Annaran and vanishing, heading back to I? Taurn.

I could feel her like fyre and ice. Being grounded to Rhydin...again...incarnate yet once more; it would be my third rebirth to the beings living in the normal sequence of time, space and probability. The closer I approached manifestation, the more I felt all somewhere somewhen somehow drawing down like a fog so thick it threatened to snuff the very fyre of my existence. Grounded to the twining of our fates, on the wheel again. Time to be in this world.

Grayson and I ended our match, and I sent Morvinyon back into oblivion as I walked once more toward the sofa. Dimitri stood up and walked toward Sylus and I, ?Could I sit with you??

I was happy to have Dimitri join us. Talk would remain on safer topics.

Rena arrived and Sylus made good his exit to change out of uniform, returning as Dimitri and I began talking about his collar. He told me the collar would not come off, and I could see it was troubling him greatly. He also helped enlighten me on the whys and how?s of his current state.

He changed the subject, asking if I had been to the Temple since my return, and I had to confess that I had not. Alia Anor had made it very clear that she did not wish to see nor speak to me, but with Uly returning, she would have to know. She would have to be told because she never went to Nitesong, and she would not feel the presence of Jacynth, and the signature of her father would be unknown to her. I was going to have to speak to my daughter. Sooner rather than later.

Dimitri?s next words brought a frown to my features, he had been to the Temple, but he could not find Alia Anor. When I asked if she was not there, he shook his head, telling me he believed she was there, but he had not been able to find her to speak to her. I studied Dimitri a moment, ?she must be found Dimitri.? He nodded, and told me he knew.

As Dimitri and Sylus began to talk about Dimitri?s condition, Sy snaked an arm around me once more, until Dimitri shifted into the green dragon that had been accused of slaying people in the Outback.

I learned that Dimitri had been attacked by a bounty hunter from Kelvar, and that when Icer healed him, he gained the dragon image, and the dragon rage. There is a bounty out on Dimitri from Kelvar, and Sylus would try to get that rescinded, but until then, Dimitri was in danger from the hunter currently after him.

I heard Cory seeking a match with a Warlord, and I excused myself from Dimitri and Sylus? discussion to see if he would care to dance with me. He accepted, and I entered the ring for a second time that night.

At the conclusion of my dance with Cory, I walked back toward Sylus and Dimitri, giving Sy a quick hug, ?Ah mus? needs be gaein?. Dimitri, Ah?ll speak wi? Lord Momus ?f ye like??

He thanked me, and Sylus rose, ?I?ve been away from you for far too long, have any qualms about me accompanying you??

Qualms? I wanted to simply disappear, into the nothingness where Morrin was now, but I could not. I smiled, linked my arm in his and we left the public venue for I? Taurn. I was going to have to tell Sylus, but it did not have to be tonight.

listened silently, nodding at his comment. There had been many artifacts in use, and sought by Melchor and his hordes. And strong magic had been used by Saltera and I. And Morrin came the unbidden afterthought.

I gave the Isle a cursory glance, ?Nay Ozy, ?t ist alrigh? ?ere fer th? moment.?

He dipped his head again, ?these events have been both great and grave, and You have often been at the center...and You have borne the starfyre ring throughout.? I nodded as he continued, ?...and there is a link between that ring and its mate...Your Mate.?

I glanced at the glowing starfyre ring, ?Ah didst once say Ah'd neffer r'move th' ring Ozy... 'n Ah haff nae.? And then I looked up at Ozy, ?bu' neffer didst Ah call 'pon 't? I had never considered calling to the link after it went cold.

Ozy shifted again, ?I have reviewd the data I have collected on Jacynth and the moonsilver ring. It is incomplete, but there are matches between major events and spikes in the energy manifested since I retrieved it.?
?Bu' th' starfyre hath been cold 'n dead since tha' day 'pon 'armony Ozy.? I reminded him. And a small voice wondered what Ozy had known that had caused him to retrieve the ring in the first place.

He nodded slightly, ?I believe the conduit has been one way until somewhat recently--when the perfect set of circumstances allowed the energies to penetrate the shielding of Jacynth.? He blinked, ?There are no coincidences.? Those words I had heard from Uly many times.

Then I asked Ozy a direct question I had been afraid to ask, ?Ozy, dae ye ken jus' where Uly hath been all this time??

Ozy shifted uneasily, ?M'Lady...is He anywhere? Do phrases such as "all this time" apply to Him??

?Ah dinnae ken Ozy, bu' ye ken well enou' th' intent o' mine query. Once ye didst lock Uly intae Nitesong fer 'is oon good, an' Uly didst warn me one day ye migh' jus' dae th' same tae me.? It was unfair to remind him of Uly?s warning about his actions done in Uly?s best interest, but at this moment, I have still not forgiven Ozy for keeping me in the dark.

Ozy shifted again, ?I observe there *is* a purpose to the place and timing--but I swear to You, it is not my purpose, This situation is tied to ...magic... it is beyond my complete understanding, let alone my control.?

I quirked a brow at him as he dipped his head, his next words coming softly, ?M'Lady...something has clouded my judgment...something has used me. I know this.?

?Ist this soomthin? th? same thin? as Uly?? I simply did not know if any others could access Ozy as Uly had.

He blinked in a very owl-like manner, ?:: I do not know. I have pondered at length. Ulysses, Yourself and the Twins introduce more variables than I can resolve.? He managed to look very disconsolate.

I frowned slightly, ?Wha' dae we dae 'f this manifestation ist nae th' Uly Ah didst love?? But my question was cut off as Ozy twitched, involuntarily, ?m?lady, something is happening.? There was a spike in energy from the rings, where Aeron and Topaz dueled, and Ozy shifted, and a surge between the starfyre ring and the moonsilver ring was instantly felt.

Ozy looked at me, ?it should not be able to draw on the duelists' energies...as I understand it there are precautions that should prevent this from being possible.?

He was right, such should not have been possible, yet there was an undeniable link to the sorcery in the rings and the energy pulses between the rings.

A spark of amethyst lit the space between Ozy and I, and I jumped slightly seeing the flash of amethyst so close. ?Ozy??

Ozy blinked, ?M'Lady, it may be prudent to leave this place. My observation is the force behind this has been building to some sort of discharge. I am not ready for this. Are you prepared for...? but a brilliant flash cut off his words as I reached for my staff.

Ulysses NS: ::blinks:: M'Lady, it may be prudent to leave this place. My observation is the force behind this has been building to some sort of discharge. I am not ready for this. Are you prepared for... ::a brilliant flash of amethyst::
Ulysses NS: ::the eagle stops in mid sentence....blinks:: ?M'Lady...perhaps You should place the moonsilver ring on the table. I don't think it is quite safe to keep it on your?? another flash cut his words off as an image of a man formed in the flash?s afterburn. ?the form is a match, M?lady.?

I blinked as the image remained in my retina, and slid the moonsilver ring from my hand, laying it upon the table. Ozy suggested some sort of ward and then vanished, but before I could summon a ward of protection, I heard a soft whisper, ??lais?

I paled as the image shimmered before me, and then a warm touch slid along the line of my throat. I closed my eyes, and involuntarily Uly?s name whispered from my lips.

His lips brushed against mine, an impossibility of familiarity and absence after so much time. As I opened my eyes, he was a dimming apparition in amethyst, translucent but stable before me. And I reached up to touch my fingertips to my lips as I remained otherwise frozen in place. His thoughts came slightly broken, <here?.now?.?lais>

I felt silver tears shimmering in my eyes, ?Uly?. ?ow?? Coherent words completely failed me.

<magic> came the joyfilled mind touch, and his apparition brightened, remaining and appearing more substantial.

Then I gazed solemnly up at him, ?Uly, prithee, where haff ye been? Why didst th? starfyre die??

His smile became distant for a moment, ?some turns of the wheel are, slower, than others.? He ran his fingers through my hair, ?there is a pause between each heartbeat, is there not?? I nodded, there was indeed ?and what have I always promised, my love? I am yours, Eternally, once I would have said as long as you will have me, but, I?m not sure I trust your judgment regarding life and love. I might not decide to be denied, even if you wished it.?

I studied him a long moment, ?Ye dinnae trust mine judgment?? Then moving into his space, ?hold me.? He whispered to me then, ?what took you so long to ask??

Just as he wrapped his arms around me, Dimitri stepped from the forest, walking toward us, ?hullo. How are you tonight??

I smiled at him, ?g?e?en Dimitri.? Then looked up at Uly, and back at Dimitri. Uly recognized Dimitri from the Inn, but I did not realize that in that moment. ?Ah mus? needs introduce ye Dimitri. Uly, this ist th? young elf whom doth love yer daughter.?

Uly smiled at him, ?so I gathered from the information I, acquired, from Ozy?s records.?

Dimitri nodded and bowed as Uly spoke to him. Then I added, ?Dimitri, this ist mine lifemate, Ulysses, an? th? father o? yer young lady.?

Uly?s arms remained around me, ?I would return the bow, but considering you woo my daughter, and I have no desire to release my love at this moment, you will have to accept my nod for now.? Uly was always courteous, but not necessarily one to follow convention.

Dimitri simply nodded, and Uly chuckled, ?He seems to have lost his voice.?

I glanced at Dimitri, ?How did she take the news after Tass and I left Dimitri? And how are you doing??

Uly?s brow lifted, ?You?ve spoken to Alia Anor??

Dimitri spoke up then, ?I am doing okay I guess. I woke up in a field today. Don?t remember what happened.?

I shook my head at Dimitri then as he frowned. ?Dimitri, Ah dinnae thin' ye effer though' ye'd 'aff tae 'xplain yer intentions tae Alia Anor's sire, didst ye??

He shook his head, ?no.?

I smiled up at Uly, ?We dae haff need o' 'elpin' Dimitri wi' this collar an' th' rage.?

Uly pressed his lips into a tight line, ?I am not sure what I can or cannot help with, 'lais...but I am willing if not able.?

Dimitri spoke up, ?No, A headmaster at a school got it off.? Where upon he showed us the small needle marks remaining in his neck, and I winced at the sight before asking him if the dragon rage remained. Regrettably, he nodded.

Uly had an amethyst sheen pass across his eyes as a pair of duelists moved into the rings, and I heard him softly whisper, ?about bloody time.? He was using the power of the magic here to help bring him into a corporeal state.

Uly and Dimitri discussed the reasons for his collar, and the death of the 23 people at the Outback, but when Uly asked him if he was good or evil, I spoke up, ?Ah'd nae le' 'im near our daughter 'f 'e were nae a good man.?

Uly took my hand and squeezed it lightly, ?I didn?t ask if he was a good man, love. I just wanted to hear his opinion of himself. He answered well.? He then squeezed my hand tightly for an instant, and it was almost painful as my hands were too thin, as the rest of me from the trials on Matlal.

At my wince, Uly lifted my hand and brushed his lips across the back of my knuckles, ?feeling sensitive, ?lais??

I glanced up at him, ?yer ?old was a wee bit ?ard.? If he had not noticed, I would not tell him. He released my hand right before another magic surge, and the amethyst haze that had been coalescing was almost normal in appearance.

It was then that I felt Sylus? arrival upon the Isle.

Dimitri?s mention of the Temple dragged Uly?s focus back. ?I know a little of this, too little.? As I told Uly that it was the place that had laid claim to our daughter.

Uly gave me one of his trademark smiles, ?Ozymandias was sorely lacking of data in some very specific areas.? Then he cast an intent glance at me.