Gorm paced back and forth at the portal in Gwidion's laboratory, bored out of his dragon-skull. Althea, his mate had been down earlier with a few of the children to entertain him, but it didn't take long for the boredom to return. He really hated it when they all took off leaving him to guard the portal. Then again, someone had to do it and really it was an honor to have such a duty. The portal was something Gwidion had built from his magics. It consisted of a thing called The Eye, which was a contraption of copper tubing, coils and conduits, shiny red crystals, and a big round polished crystal in the middle. In front of that was something Gorm and most everyone else for that matter found completely strange and wonderful - a thing called a mirror. There were three mirrors actually - things you could see yourself in almost as clearly as if you were someone else looking back at your self! It had quite entertained the young'uns. Gwidion absolutely would not reveal how he made this thing. All he would say is that silver was involved. The Mirrors surrounded a stone protective circle, also carved in some mysterious manner by Gwidion. The circle was to hold any entities that came through the portal until it was ascertained they were of a friendly sort. If they were good and meant no evil, a green fog radiated up from the pentagram in the circle. The two sensors on either side of the portal would release the hold of the circle then. If they were bad and harmful, the fog was purple. The sensors would hold tight. Green was for good. Purple for bad. Gwidion really was amazing, Gorm thought to himself sighing heavily. He was fortunate to have such a marvelous master. Suddenly The Eye began to hum and pulsate and glow. Gorm was almost overjoyed at the intrusion but he wondered who it was. The family wasn't to be back for a few more days at least. The dragon placed himself at the edge of the circle and waited. As soon as he saw that wand poke through the mirror, he knew exactly who it was - Kyli, Lady Lali's sister from the Northern Banshee. "Kyli!!" Of course he spoke in dragon. "Gorm?" She smiled but she looked a bit confused. "Where is everyone?" "Don't I get a 'Nice to see you Gorm!! How's the family? What have you been up to?' from you?" he seemed hurt. Kyli stepped out of the circle and patted his head. "It IS nice to see you Gorm and how's that little family of yours?" "They're good! Thanks for asking," this cheered him. "They are gone to Beann-Hame to visit Lady Brianna." "Is it true they're talking about starting a war with Mog?" Gorm nodded. "Seriously, they are." "Well then, sorry to leave again so soon dear Gorm but I'll be going to Beann-Hame. I need to speak to them if this is so." Kyli turned and thrust her wand back at the mirror, thinking of Beann-Hame and then she was gone. "Until we meet again," Gorm grumbled after her disappearing form. He layed down next to the circle. "Humans!" ***** Just a small side trip in the story because the moment I saw 'The Eye' I knew it had to be something in Gwidion's lab :) And yes, that is the lovely Miss Astrid. Enjoy! Have a fantastic holiday with your friends and family all. Thank you for your friendship here, your comments and favorites, and most of all your own awesome images that inspire and delight! Cheers, Rayvn