“What did the instructions say again,” Umbra asked from Dovrag’s side peeking over his shoulder, to look at the instructions Master Otaro had given Dovrag.

“I’ve already told you 100 times,” Dovrag said.

“Tell me again,” Umbra asked ignoring the obvious irritation in his voice.

“Turn left immediately after exiting the portal and walk until you reach a stone statue. Follow where the lady points until you arrive at a hill, from the hill 5 portals are visible in the distance, the farthest one along is the correct choice and will drop you home.”

“Ok, so which portal do you think is the correct one,” Umbra asked from the hill looking out at the portals. One was the farthest from the hill, another was the furthest along on the left side yet another was furthest along on the right side. “There are three choices.”

“I say we just go to the one on the far right, that seems most likely,” Apithe said.

“I don’t know, it could just be the far left one,” Umbra said. “Doesn’t anyone remember this place.” Dovrag and Apithe both shook their heads.

“Great so he sent us a different way,” Umbra said exasperated.

“Just go through the farthest portal on the right, that one is the best” Commented Milo in Umbra’s head. He was lying on the soft grass beside Apithe purring as the blue girl scratched him behind the ears. Longclaw still lay in Apithe’s being, and Umbra wondered if the wolf pup was ok.

Shhhh, you are only saying that because she is petting you. Milo didn’t reply and Umbra sighed. “We might as well try the one on the farthest right, we can always just go back if it isn’t the correct one,” Umbra said to Dovrag’s back, the boy was standing further down the hill, watching the portals intently, not saying anything. “Hey, wake up Dovrag,”

“Oh, yeah sorry.” Dovrag said seeming a bit startled. “we can try the one on the right, that is a good idea.”

“Well let’s get going,” Apithe added, she stood up and stopped petting Milo, the sì cat stalked back towards Umbra irritated its massage had been interrupted.

They stepped into the blueness of the portal and followed Dovrag, as he knew where he wanted to be more than any of them. Trips through portals were always sluggish seemingly walking through mud.

They made it to an exit, and Dovrag was the first to step out followed by Apithe then Umbra taking up the rear.

Umbra stepped out of the portal, to both Apithe and Dovrag pressing to get back in, “Back, back” yelled Dovrag and Umbra only caught a quick glimpse of the red environment, and its pits of lava, and unbearable heat. That wasn’t what Apithe and Dovrag were scared of though, a few steps away from them was the most hideous creature Umbra had ever laid eyes on, white like ash, fleshy protrusions spreading across its malformed body, tiny black insect eyes covering what Umbra guessed was its head.

They rushed back out of the portal to the grassy hill, it was a while before anyway worked up the courage to say anything. “So the left one now,” Apithe said. Dovrag nodded and Umbra followed them to the left most portal.