“Nim! Stop pacing. You’re driving me rocky!” Ann insisted. “But, she’s not home yet,” Nim said. “She’s ten minutes late.” “Ten minutes isn’t much.” Ann shrugged. “But, she always gets here when that clock says 5:35.” “No, she doesn’t. She may have these last few days, but there are plenty of days when she has to work late.” “What if something’s happened to her?” “She has that pendant still, right? She’ll use it.” “What if she can’t?” “Then call her.” Nim looked deflated. “I don’t know how.” “Bring me the phone. I’ll show you.” The phone rang just as Nim was reaching for. He jumped. “Press talk to answer,” Ann said. “I know,” Nim said. “Hello? Mrs. Thompson? No, Joanne isn’t here yet. She hasn’t come home from work. I’m assuming she’s working late... I’m sorry, I don’t know the number. Let me ask if someone else knows it. Ann?” ‘Do you think that’s a good idea?’ ‘I don’t know. This is beyond me.’ ‘Maybe we should tell her Jo will call her back.’ “Sorry, I can’t find it,” she said aloud. “Sorry, Mrs. Thompson. I’ll tell you what, let me have your number. I’ll go down there and check on her. I’ll tell her to call you. If she won’t, I’ll call you and let you know she’s okay. “Write it down? I suppose I could but why? I don’t forget. Thank you. It may be a while. I’ll have to walk. It’s not that far. One of us will call you as soon as possible.” He hung up. “Now, how do I call her?” He gave Ann the telephone. She looked up Jo’s number and helped Nim call her. He spoke to someone there who said Jo had left already although her van was still there. It was possible the van hadn’t started again, so she walked home. Nim thanked the person and hung up. “She had those shoes with the pointy heels on again this morning. She said those aren’t good for walking.” “She keeps a spare pair in her van, but it’s unlikely she’d walk with a house full here. She would’ve called for a ride.” Ann agreed. “What does the bond tell you?” “It’s too weak,” Nim said. “Is it? Why are you so worried? You’ve been pacing a good twenty minutes. She isn’t twenty minutes late. I think we need to talk with the others.” They gathered the others and filled them in. “Why didn’t she scry me?” Nim asked. “Perhaps because your spell was for between worlds. It’s possible it won’t contact you. I think you’ll still feel the summons you put into it though,” Ann said. “You put a summons into a scrying charm?” Pt’this asked surprised. Nim nodded. “I wanted to make sure I could find her.” “Okay, Ann, now, you scry and find her and Nor’than,” Emeton said. “She activated it,” Nim said suddenly and started for the door. “Nim, wait,” Emeton called after him. “I know where she is.” “Good. Show Ann on a map. We need to know what we’re up against. Andy, call Shintanillic. See if he’s found out anything.” “I’ll call in case Ann needs Andy’s help,” Nim offered. “I need to do something.” Ann got a mirror and prepared for casting the spell. Andy gave Nim John’s number. “He said Nor’than and Mishtali are in about the same area as I feel Joanne.” He reported and continued pacing. “Would someone give him some drawing stuff? He’s driving me rocky,” Ann said. “What did you use as a catalyst for the summoning?” Shunati asked. “It’s not the summoning. It’s the bond,” Ann said. “It’s both,” Nim said. He sighed. Sapphire handed him his parchment and charcoal. “Thanks.” He started drawing fervently. Ann worked for a bit. “Would you two knock it off?” She said without looking up. They all looked at each other puzzled. No one was doing anything. A short time later, she’s stood, slamming her hands on the table. “Scales, Copper, CUT. IT. OUT. This is hard enough to do without you two distracting us.” “What are you talking about?” Pt’this asked. “You’re sending telepathic messages back and forth. It’s giving us a headache.” “We haven’t been talking telepathically,” Nim said. “Someone has,” Andy said. “I can feel it. There are only two other dragons on this world, and I don’t think it’s them.” “Let me at least try to contact Tani and see if he’s doing something,” Pt’this asked Emeton. Before the king could respond there was a knock at the door. Sapphire went and answered it. “Ti?”