Steve and Carla did what they could for the injuries they could see but some they didn’t know what to do about. They’d heard Ann’s call for help. Steve kept an eye on the city, watching for a flash of light indicating help had arrived. It was getting dark so they should be able to see it, even this far away. They weren’t expected to be right there in the yard. They both jumped as a group appeared. “Sorry,” Shunati said. “There wasn’t time to deal with the elders so I convinced Morina to help us.” He indicated a cross-looking woman. “This is Mila, Tor, Darkham, Bob, Lamdi, and Ruzi. I don’t know he’s here.” Shunati winked. “Lamdi, now is the time for emergency healing but not on Thailyn, okay? His heart won’t take it. And let me do Pt’this, okay?” He knelt by the nearest patient to assess the severity of the injuries and prioritize. “What about the baby?” Lamdi asked, hovering near Ann. Shunati looked up. “Is the baby hurt?” “Princess Ann is. She’s almost in a trance,” Lamdi said. “Ruzi, help Ann first, and then Nim, Dae, and Andy if they’re in trances. Ruzi nodded. **** Ann awoke. Drepal was gone, put back to sleep. The pains were gone, but she felt weak. She laid there a bit gathering strength to get up to check on the others. She could hear voices, Carla talking with Shunati but there were other voices too, not ones who’d been in Ertonia. It sounded like Mila and Tor. Struggling, she made a way to the door. Shunati met her there. “I thought I heard someone. What are you doing up?” “Is everyone okay?” Shunati nodded. “They’re fine. Come on.” He helped her to the living room and sat her in a chair. She looked around at all the healers. She glanced at Shunati. “You said you needed help so I brought every healer I could find.” Ruzi slipped in trying to stay out of Shunati’s view. Shunati made it a point to look the other way. “You looked like you could use his help.” “You brought him to Erilu?” “No. Morina brought us here.” “Morina?” “I told her if she didn’t want Morcri to know where she was, she’d help us. She’s with Chapado.” “How is she?” “She’s fine. She’s resting. Everyone is fine.” “Thailyn?” “Fine. Everyone means everyone.” “Even the baby,” Lamdi said. Then she came up and whispered. “The baby is good, strong like mom but no darkness.” Then she and Ruzi ran off. “You should really still be in bed,” Mila said. “Bob, give her a hand, will you?” “Yes ma’am.” Bob smiled apologetically. “Sorry, your highness, but Mila is in charge.” He picked up Ann and carried her back to bed. “Where’s Andy?” “He’s fine,” Bob said. “I know he’s fine. I can feel him. Where is he?” “In the other house with Steve. I’ll tell him you’re awake.” Andy came in a few minutes later. He kissed her. “How are you feeling?” “You know how I’m feeling.” Andy smiled. “How many times are we going to have to have this conversation? I don’t ask for me but for you.” Ann smiled. “I’m okay. I need some rest. How is everyone?” “Everyone’s fine. Most are outside. Nim and Thailyn are still sleeping. Between absorbing energy and being hit with fire, Nim had quite a few burns. None were as bad as his arm was though. Once they healed Thailyn, he started healing others. After trying to heal you, he was pretty well spent. He said if you get yourself hurt like that again, you need to find another healer. His heart stopped twice. He’s ok now though.” “I couldn’t let them hurt Jaidu or the others. I knew it would wake Drepal. I needed her to help us escape.” Andy nodded. “Sapphire told us.” “What were you doing in the main house?” “Making lunch.” “Lunch?” Andy nodded. “You slept all night and morning. My folks have no idea how to cook for this size crowd so I volunteered. I used to work in food service you know. “We’re also trying to convince Mishtali not to kill Remtani.” “What? Why?” “A bond started. Neither realized it but that’s how we found you. When we realized what was going on Mishtali almost crushed your brother’s windpipe. The only reason he didn’t kill him at the time was that he was the only way to find you. Now that everyone’s safe, he’s on warpath again. Dad, Pt’this, and I are trying to convince him Rem didn’t do anything wrong.” “If I remember correctly, he wasn’t interested in fourteen-year-olds when he was fourteen He hasn’t really looked much at women since he got out of prison.” “Pt’this pointed that out too. Mishtali started to calm down. “But I need to get going before something burns.” He kissed her again and hurried out. **** Jo sat with Nim while he slept. She had been lying with him but it was difficult to breathe lying down. She was worried about him. His burns had been healed and he had been able to help others out of trances but it had taken a toll on him. He was getting sick again. Shunati thought it was too soon for that but Jo had felt it enough she knew. Andy was going to make him hotdogs and ice cream for lunch since it seemed to settle his stomach. Carla thought they had some left. Steve said even if they didn’t, more could be bought. Amelia came in. Someone had called Jo’s parents last night. They were in the air within hours, taking advantage of the corporate jet. “How’s he doing?” She asked. Jo shrugged and shook her head. “The sooner we get him home, the better.” “I don’t like you living there. Look what happened to you.” “I got smoke inhalation. That can happen anywhere. I’ll make a full recovery.” “Jo, you were abducted.” “I was abducted twice here,” Jo said. “Twice? What are you talking about? When were you abducted the second time?” “Two years ago by Nor’than. He was using me as bait for Nim.” The first time had been when she was little. Someone had grabbed her and her brother on the way home from school. He had planned to hold them for ransom but had made a mistake and they escaped. “This is getting to be a habit for you,” Amelia said. “Everyone needs a hobby.” Jo smiled. “This isn’t something to be joked about.” Amelia frowned. “Who’s joking?” Nim asked groggily. “I am,” Jo said and kissed his forehead. “We’ll talk later. Did we wake you?” Nim shook his head. “I don’t think so. You’re having trouble breathing.” “I’m okay. I got some smoke inhalation. I said to just heal it enough that I’m not in danger. There are others worse off. They can help me more later if I need it.” “Lunch is about ready,” Amelia said. “Do you feel up to eating? Jo said you weren’t feeling well.” “I’m not too bad yet but it’s starting. I don’t know about food.” “Andy’s making you hotdogs,” Jo said. “With ice cream?” Nim perked up a little bit. Jo nodded. “Mint chip.” “I suppose I can eat one or two,” Nim said. “Or four or five.” Jo smiled. “How is everyone else?” Nim asked. “I’m told everyone is fine. Ann awoke up a little while ago. Thailyn is sleeping still. The healers are checking his heart every five minutes. So far it’s not too bad. Chapado went into a trance that took Andy and Morina working together to get her out of. She’s resting and will be fine.” “Chapado?” Nim looked confused. “Chapado. Your mentor. You remember her, don’t you?” “Chapado’s here?” “She was with us in the dungeon. She escaped with us. You didn’t see her last night?” “No. There were so many people. How did we get here?” “You pointed out a pinhole to Ann. She opened it and led here.” “I remember the pinhole. I had no idea where it went. I just knew we had to get out of there.” “Well, we lucked out. Ann scried Shunati for help and he convinced Morina to bring the healers and Ruzi and someone called my folks. They took a plane.” “Steve called us. We also spoke to a woman named Tor,” Amelia told them. “Tor was the healer that worked on me. She’s wife to the real Kar. The man you’ve been speaking to is named Cramda,” Jo said. “Hopefully, he won’t be bothering you anymore.” “I don’t know. He got away last night,” Nim said. “He did?” Jo looked alarmed. Nim nodded, but before he could say anything, Andy’s head popped in. “Lunch is ready. We’re having a picnic outside, but if you don’t feel up to it, I can bring something in here.” “I can get up. I’m not that bad yet,” Nim said. Andy nodded. “Let us know if you need help. I’m getting Ann now.” **** Andy helped Ann out to the yard where they had set up a picnic. Most everyone was there, either seated and waiting for the rest or were helping themselves from a big pot on a table to the side. Mishtali brought Thailyn out with Jaidu following. Morina hovered over Chapado who repeatedly insisted she was fine. Nim and Jo came out hand-in-hand. He looked terrible. He was getting sick again. Jo brought him a plate of hotdogs top with mint chip ice cream and then went to get her own food. “I’ll bring you something,” Andy told Ann and brought her a bowl of something he called camper’s stew along with a biscuit. Sapphire and Dae were handing out drinks. “It’s peppermint tea to help any other stomachs that might be starting to have problems,” Andy explained. Ann’s nodded. “Good idea.” “Is there anyone here who knows everyone that could make introductions?” Carla asked. “I think we’ve been introduced to everyone, maybe, but I think there might be others who haven’t.” Ann stood. “I believe I know everyone.” She made introductions. There were enough people there, she was ready to sit again by the time she’d finished. “Yesterday, you said something about me being…” Chapado started. “Stop,” Ann said. “We can’t discuss that here.” Chapado nodded. She looked past her to Nim. “Did she say this beautiful woman was your wife?” Nim nodded and grinned. “We were married a month ago.” “Dragons getting married?” Chapado looked surprised. “She’s human,” Nim said. “See, I told you not to worry about those in class. You’d find a mate somewhere.” Nim nodded. “I just never imagined it would be on another world.” “Another world? Are you from here?” Chapado asked. Jo nodded. “I am.” “How did you two meet?” Morina asked. Nim explained what happened. “How romantic,” Chapado sighed. “Romantic? The poor girl was abducted and he got eta-vie poisoning,” Morina scoffed. “Well, not that part, except him rushing to her rescue. And I told you Nor’than was dangerous.” “All my sources told me he was dead. He and Mishtali died five hundred years ago.” “Well, obviously they didn’t.” “Guys, it’s okay,” Jo said. “He’s dead for sure now. That’s what matters.” “But is he dead this time?” Morina asked. “He’s dead.” Ann insisted. “How can you be sure?” “I killed him myself. I tore his throat out. And then when the building collapsed, it decapitated him. How many immortals can live without a head?” “You, a half-breed, killed an immortal?” Morina asked. “I told you before I did,” Ann said. “You thought I was lying.” “Morina, she’s the White Wyrm,” Chapado said softly. Morina shook her head. “That’s been deemed impossible. None of the attempts were successful. The tests all failed.” “She’s not a test. She’s someone's daughter,” Chapado chastised her sister. “She’s a crossbreed.” “She’s sitting right here,” Ann said crossly. Both looked at Ann startled. “Sorry,” Chapado said. She turned to Morina and started talking in the immortal language. “I understand you still,” Ann said. The sisters looked at her surprised. “How?” Morina asked. “Nim,” was Chapado’s answer. “She’s quite good with languages,” Nim said. “This would make her eighth.” “Impressive.” Morina nodded. “I wonder if that’s an ability of being the wyrm,” Chapado thought aloud. “Do not call me that. I’m a dragon. That is all.” Ann insisted. The sisters looked at each other and nodded. “We’re sorry,” Chapado said.