Camellia and Florian packed their things in a hurry and got ready to leave aboard Halfmoon. Florian, sure that they hadn’t left anything behind, went into the hall.

Camellia ran around their quarters and checked every nook and cranny. She bent her head and looked beneath a table. A pen rested there.

“I knew it.” Camellia scooped it up. She trotted out the room and nearly bumped into Florian. To her surprise, she almost bumped into Eder as well. “Oh sorry.”

Eder rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s alright.”

Camellia guessed it must be hard to be told you would fail before you even tried. Meladee got the job over him on a spell that he helped to design. Camellia could feel the sting. Best not to say anything.

“Camellia.” Florian looked between Camellia and Eder. “Do you remember how we need a replacement mage for the AAH?”

Camellia felt her eyes come alight. “Yes.”

Florian faced Eder. “I would like to offer you the position of resident mage. We need someone to offer viewpoints on spells from dig sites – no travel – just review after the travel. Other duties would include creation and repair of magical items used as study tools. Eder, it would honor me if you would accept.”

Eder tried to smile. “Are you sure you want me? Apparently, I can’t handle pressure. I might mess up when things are very important.”

“That’s the beauty of our work,” Florian said. “You have time to think it through. We may survive combat situations, but we do much better when there’s more quiet work to be done.”

Camellia said, “I think you’ll like the work. You’ll be on payroll to make magical inventions and spells, no funding needing.”

“What about Inez?”

Florian put a hand on Eder’s shoulder. “Inez is going to stay with Rooks. She wants to continue to work on the problem of the Volanter. I did offer her a similar position, but I knew she wouldn’t take it.”

“Yeah, it’s not her thing.” Eder straightened. “Alright. I’ll take it. But…I don’t know anyone in Groaza anymore, and I didn’t have great relationships with the guild members that I did know – of the Enchanted Textilers that is.”

“You know us.” Camellia pointed between her and Florian. “And, there are a few younger anthropologists we’ll introduce you to. With your kind of position, everyone will want to be your friend, just so you’ll give preferential treatment to their requests. In that bunch, some are bound to drift to the top as real friends.”

Florian laughed. “I like to think that we’re a more friendly bunch than that.”

Camellia made a face and looked at Florian. “We gossip a lot, and by we, I mean not me…or you.”

Eder laughed. “Oh, I need to pack. Can you wait for me?”

“Yes, we’ll wait,” Florian promised, with a nod. Then, he turned to Camellia. “Have you been the victim of gossip recently?”

“Not recently. But, you know how it is, a bunch of people interested in people often talk about…people.”

“I can do something about the gossip. Let me see that pen. I’ll make a note of it.”

Camellia handed him the pen, but she said, “You can’t do anything about it. I just want to make sure nothing ever gets that bad for Eder.”

Florian scribbled with the pen. “Out of ink.” He stowed it in his bag.

Camellia tapped her foot and waited. “So, what do you think Cernunnos would have thought about his favorite culture being our antagonist? This has gone way beyond a disagreement. Now, we’re at war.”

“I think that Cernunnos would have liked it to be honest. He thrived on conflict. And, gossip.”

“I’m still glad he didn’t have to see it. I was so eager to trust them…” Camellia let her words trail off.

Florian didn’t say anything, but he stood by Camellia.

“I’m ready,” Eder said.

Pan had her things ready. Since she waited at the threshold of Scaldigir, she could make no excuses not to disembark and see her home planet.

Besides, it would be fun to see how those in charge reacted to the new feature of their solar system. She referred to the wormhole, of course. It waited just ahead of the penultimate planet in their solar system, three planets from Scaldigir itself.

Someone would have to explain the sudden appearance of a new body in space to the Scaldin government. Wouldn’t be Pan. Alban probably got stuck with the job.

He stood on the bridge, arms crossed, and frowned at his screen. Oh yeah, it was his job for sure.

As Scaldigir came into Pan’s view for the first time in three years, she looked around the rest of the bridge.

Every arcane on the journey waited on the dais or the forward walk by the windshield. In fact, they included every arcane that Pan cared about.

Kat and Chara approached Pan.

“So, what did you learn about me that you’re going to take back to the other arcanes?” Pan smiled.

“That you’re a capable, powerful arcane – more of a mage now.” Kat held her bag on her shoulder.

Chara nodded along with Kat’s words. “And, that we’re very proud of you. We’re going to recommend that you come back to the Ischyros.”

Pan frowned. She thought she’d made a joke. They seemed serious.

Kat smiled. “I was supposed to watch you and make a judgement. Not Hagen.” Kat shook her head and pointed at Chara. “Not Chara. Chara wasn’t even supposed to come along.”

“I really wanted to see you one more time,” Chara said. “Our group is emptying out. We’ll still work as arcanes, but we’ll only have three girls to mentor. No new girls. And, Irini already doesn’t need much help.”

Pan shot a glance Irini’s way. “I don’t know about that. Something seems off with her.”

Kat frowned in Irini’s direction.

Irini pouted at the three of them. She stood with Hagen. He had his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his feet. He said something to her, oblivious that she didn’t listen.

Chara hummed her concern. “Well, we’re not just going to abandon her. I’ll see if she wants to talk later.”

“Now is better.” Pan pointed in Irini’s direction.

Kat wandered there. Chara gave Pan one more look. Then, she too headed to Irini.

Pan sent her gaze back out the windshield. She viewed Scaldigir, with its one giant continent, half hidden by clouds. The ocean dominated the planet.

“No choice,” Sotir whispered into Pan’s ear. “We’ll have to go.”

“I don’t mind.” Pan continued to stare.

Sotir hovered closer. “Good.”

She had one of her most favorite arcanes beside her. She felt her brow furrow. Now, where was Aria?

Pan searched the forward walk. No Aria. She knew Aria wasn’t on the dais. She glanced back and saw Aria by the door, with Gavain at her side. Pan waved to Aria.

Aria waved slowly back.

Pan put her head close to Sotir. “Do you think we can stay on Scaldigir for a while? Kat and Chara think we should come back here, but I don’t want to, not right away.”

“I have to stay on Scaldigir. Given that I’ll be asked to do readings concerning the Volanter and now the Iruedians,” Sotir’s mouth dipped close to her ear. “Maybe, that’s why they’re going to recommend that you don’t stay on Scaldigir. To split us up.”

Pan felt heat enter her face. “That is not what I wanted to hear.” She stared up at him.

He returned her gaze. “You know the principles behind making magical items. Meladee taught you. So, why don’t you offer to make a strong planetary shield. Better than anything we have now.” Sotir held his staff lose in his hands and twirled it. “And, later Iruedim might need us both. We’re staying together, don’t’ worry.”

Pan raised her eyebrows. “Iruedim might need us? I think that’s guaranteed.” After a short pause, Pan asked, “What about Aria?”

“What about her?”

Pan batted his arm. “You know what I mean.”

Sotir bent close again. “I’m not supposed to look, unless Gavain asks me. After what I saw, I don’t think he will. Four children is enough for him.”

Pan touched his chest. “But, the future can be in motion. Everything can change, and all those pleasant futures can evaporate. Tell him about all the futures you lost with me after I outed myself as a reaper.”

He stiffened. “It’s better to let it be. The less I look, the less he’ll lose.”

Pan didn’t think their happily ever afters could stand through their encounter with the Volanter. They would have to find a different path to happily ever after now.