Lady Silver cut her question short then turned to me with an eyebrow raised in evident question. I sighed and looked at the brilliant little gem in my hand. "When you told me what you saw I could tell that you couldn't solve the puzzle. I could. I don't know who set it up but it seems that the only way it could be solved is if you allowed another to reach out. Something that isn't likely if your reactions were any clue." I grabbed her hand and placed the gem into it. "And thank you for your restraint." She looked down at the blue gleam in her hand and then shook her head. She tossed the gem at me and I caught it. "No, you keep hold of it. You have allowed me to see that I cannot use it. I have foresworn so much of what I was but still there are lingering spots that... try to claim me." "Truly am I amazed as I have not been in aeons and aeons that I have known your kind," the River Wytch said softly. "Those who follow you will soon know that something has happened which will disturb and anger them though they will not know what." Lady Silver looked grim at that statement. "You say the Eldest is now in the hunt?" "Yes. Joining forces with the other that has been trailing you. An uneasy alliance but you will give them a common cause for now," the Wytch stated. "Then we should be doing our best to keep them from stopping us," Lady Silver said. Then she looked around at all of us. "I can't begin to explain how dangerous this is. I will say that if we don't succeed what all have suffered since the beginnings of your times will seem trivial for what will be inflicted on you all. I don't make demands. If you wish to back out now I will... understand." I shook my head. "I've never broken a contract yet. I don't intend to start now. Then again, if you rip it up nothing will change. I'll still be piloting for you." Sally looked frightened. "I'm st... st... still in," she stammered quietly. The Iskar just smiled her little smile. "Lead on." Lady Silver nodded to each of us. "Thank you." She then turned to the River Wytch. "I thank you also Wytch. May we lead them from you and succeed in opening the secret that they fear so much." The child-like entity smiled and rose from her chair. "Have no fears for me. They are less than those who were before them though none of them would ever admit to it. And I have lost none of what I had except that I am no longer bound by the geas that was set so long ago." She walked to Sally and reached up to touch her forehead before Sally could move. There was a glimmer of silvery light and Sally's eyes opened in surprise. "You have courage despite your fears. So let it be." Stopping in front of the Iskar she looked up at the enigmatic smile the creature wore almost constantly. "Completion is near, I feel. You need nothing from me. Your path shall bring you that." Lady Silver looked shocked as the River Wytch stopped and pulled her into a hug. Slowly her arms wrapped around the child-like form. I saw, but ignored, a glisten of tear. The Wytch looked up at her. "For better or worse things will never be the same for you. I hope you have the courage to do what you must in the end." She came to stand before me. "And you, Guardian. You also need nothing from me. I cannot see the end of your quest. I only know that success will bring you more than you believe." She stepped back and then began a wave of her arm. "Be on your way and may fortune shine on you all!" Silvery dazzle filled my vision and then I staggered a bit as I found myself standing on the deckplates of the Athame. The others were standing about with bemused expressions. "Sally! Get the course from Lady Silver and let's get her into space." Sally jumped a bit but then replied crisply. "Yes, sir." To be continued.....