What is it?” Rock asks.

“It's called a helicopter. They normally run on gas, but I'm guessing this doesn't”

“You mean it runs on butt gas?” Rock asks.

“No it is a combustible liquid,” I say.

“Why does it have huge swords on the top?” Oaky asks.

“They spin to give it lift and the small ones on the tail give it stability, I think.”

“It looks so cumbersome, Why don't they use a float spell?” Rock asks.

“There is no magic in the human world. And please do not say magic spells in the human world. It can cause a bad reaction.

The only magic in the human world is sleight of hand. Anyone that says they do magic is a magician or someone that looked on with suspicion.” I say.

“I thought there were some who could use magic.” Oaky says.

“Well if there is they keep it quiet. If someone says they use magic they are called a witch and shunned. Humans still consider magic evil,” I say.

“But it isn't. It is natural,” Oaky says.

“Here yes, but not there,” I say.

“The curse,” Rock says.

“Yep,” I say.

“I will meet you on the other side, Sesney says, “Flying makes me queasy.”

“Do I need to call you?” I ask.

“No, I can find you.”

“Well off we go into the wild blue yonder,” I say and head to the copter.

As I get closer I see a pilot in the seat. His face is expressionless. We go to the side door and it opens without assistance, “Um that might draw attention,” I say.

“What?” Rock asks.

“I don't think these doors open on their own,” I say as I get in.

“This is the most advanced prototype,” the man in the seat says. “All illusionary functions are imitations of advancements in the human world.

Great care is taken to blend in. When we enter the human world you will notice the illusion of a pilot will be more active. I have been instructed on deceptive protocol.”

“What are you?” I ask.

“I am a summoned creation by Star Seeker,” It says.

“Awesome,” Rock says.

“I don't mean to sound rude, but are you an automation or an intelligent creation?” I ask.

“I can be considered both. But I believe you are asking if you should treat me as a living being, or a computer. It doesn't make a difference here, but in the other world it is recommended that you treat me as another human, when a human illusion is present. It will enhance the illusionary facade,” its says.

“Gotcha, now do you have emotions like other races?” I ask.

“I can imitate them only. I do not feel emotion like other races.”

“That's what I was curious about, Thank you”

“You are welcome,” it says.

“So it's not alive?” Oaky asks.

“Not in the sense we know it, no. I don't think you can insult it or make it mad. Am I right copter?”

“Correct, please call me Stan when a human illusion is present,” it says.

“Strange, I have never talked to a summoned creature,” Oaky says.

“What am I chopped liver?” Sesney asks at the helicopter door.

Oaky jumps, “Oh no Sesney I didn't mean it that way. I mean a created creature, not an intelligent one. Oh sorry Stan I didn't mean...”

“Oaky relax I'm just joking,” Sesney says.

“Sorry for what ma'am?” Stan asks., “Did you give me a wrong instruction? I have not activated anything.”

“But...Ooo,” Oaky says flustered.

“Stan don't worry about it. You are functioning just fine. Oaky is confused,” I say.

“Is that correct Miss Oaky?” Stan asks.

“Yes,” she says and slumps down in her chair.

“I will meet you all there,” Sesney says. “I have some preparations I have to do. I am going to be used to stabilize the portal as much as possible.

Oh there will be some watchers at the portal when you get there. They are going to open the portal fully. There will be two on this side and two on the other.”

“Will there be a problem of them being seen on the other side?” I ask.

“No, that is taken care of. Humans will see them as clouds. Humans are so easy to deceive,” Sesney says.

“Thanks,” I say sarcastically.

“You're quite welcome, Bye,” Sesney says.

“Not fair,” I say, “I can't give a great come back when they leave.” I say.

“How do you know he left,” Rock asks.

“When he is around I get a feeling I am being watched.” I say.

“Is that what is causing that,” Rock asks, “I just thought I was getting paranoid.”

“Well you are paranoid, but yeah,” I say with a smile.

“Hey,” Rock returns.

“Stan, take us to the portal a mile above Lake of the Ozarks Missouri, please,” I say.

“Strap in please, and then we will take off,” Stan says.

I strap in and watch the others do the same. The door closes and the blades instantly are going full speed and we lift off. “Okay on the other side the blades don't go that fast do they?” I ask.

“No,” Stan answers, “I don't use the full illusion on this side of the portal. I see no need.”

“True, I guess you have been around for a while so know best.” I say.

“I was summoned at the time the first automobile was sold,” Stan says.

“Yeah I definitely trust your judgment.”

“Automobile?” Rock asks.

“You'll get to see it all. I will explain what I can when no one is around. For most of the stuff we run into it will be easier to just see it then try to explain it,” I say.

“Okay,” Rock says.

“You both will get a similar experience to what I did when I got here. Other than finding out animals talk,” I say.

“Animals talk? What do you mean?” Rock asks.

“In the human world, Ghost, would be considered a large dog. They just bark and growl and are humans pets,” I say.

“How crewel,” Oaky says.

“Sometimes yes. But in the human world wild dogs have a hard life. Most dogs just have to lay around a house and not have a worry about anything. Humans take care of their needs. In a lot of cases it is beneficial. It gives people companionship and just lets the dogs enjoy living and fun to be around.”

“Well I guess that isn't too bad. Are there any other pets?” Oaky asks.

“Mainly dogs and cats. But some other animals are pets. But most other animals are completely wild.” I say.

“Cat?” Rock asks.

“Hmm, you know I never thought about it, but there aren't any cats around here. I wonder why?” I ask.

“What are they?” Rock asks.

“They are felines. They tend to be small and sleek. Some have long fir and others have short. Actually you know kind of hard to explain if you have never seen anything from the feline line.” I say.

“I can be of assistance with that,” Stan says, “Look at the front window and I will display some from the net.”

“You can get the internet here?” I ask.

“Yes,” it replies.

“Neat,”

“What is the net?” Rock asks.

“I will pull that up to if you like,” Stan says.

“Sure it will be lots easier,” I say.

We fly along as Rock and Oaky ask questions of Stan about the human world. I find it entertaining to watch their reactions as they see the stuff I grew up with. I am glad that they get a taste of things before we get there. It will make it so much easier to blend it.

They both gain a strong interest in automobiles. Neither of them are able to fully understand why they were made. Oaky feels it is too dangerous to ride in something that has explosions. Rock acts just like a young human teen. He had to view all the fancy sports cars and say he wants one.

Stan had to put another internet screen on the side door for Oaky. Rock eventually migrates to the passenger seat, next to the pilot. How Stan can keep both requests straight, I don't know. At several points they are both asking questions at the same time.

It's now that I wish that Sesney was here to talk to. I have been so used to having someone to talk to, I miss the conversation. After several hours of watching them check out things on the internet I grow bored.

“Stan can I play around with magic in here?” I ask.

“Yes, I just suggest not using a counter spell or one that will interfere with flying. It would be very dangerous to you and your companions.” it says.

“Of course, I will be careful.” I say.

I'm not sure what to do, but it is better then just sitting here. I remember what I did with Rocks swords. I was about to create a light show when it dawns on me, “Rock?” I ask, but he continues what he is doing.

“Rock,” I say louder.

Rock pulls himself away from the windshield and looks at me, “What?” he asks cranky.

“You need to hide the weapons. They are illegal.” I say.

“Illegal?” he asks.

“It's against the law. Look up laws,” I say.

“Okay,” he says and turns back to the windshield.

I remember a book I read once where they were able to write in air, so I figured that would be safe. I look at my fingers and imagine them leaving a trail of light. I try writing in the air but nothing happens.

Maybe it isn't possible. They say you can't teleport. Then I remember the dream with Messa and Balthazar. They said teleportation is not possible, but he did it. How could he do something that can't be done?

Obviously not all could since Messa couldn't. Wait, she wobbled when she got there. Could he just circumvent it? If something moves really fast, it could give the idea of teleportation. Could all of his skills just be a way of creating the illusion of things that could not be done?

Okay let's assume I can't create a light from my fingers. What could be done to give the illusion of it. Light is a wavelength. It is always around us just in a different form. So what if I change the wave in the air?

I don't fully understand the light wave, but I do remember waves used to indicate it. Okay blue. What wave would imply blue. I see a wave in my mind's eye.

I imagine that wave imprinting in the air where my finger moves. A line of blue light appears where my finger had gone. I imagine my hand erasing that wave and I wipe my hand over the blue light and it vanishes.

Interesting how magic is simply the alteration of the existing norm. Is it possible to use it to communicate? I wonder if Stan would mind.

Okay communication is by sound waves. Sound only goes so far then dissipates. How can it be instantly transported to someone and back without loss? Then there is the time difference. Okay a computer changes it to something else then back. How can I change it to move faster and how can I change it back once there.

Okay the ancients use dimensions. I can't use that, it is beyond my understanding right now. What about the so called subspace, or a wormhole? A worm hole sounds the best, but they say it is unstable. How do I stabilize something unstable?

Wait, a worm hole isn't stable because it is not natural. Can I make something unnatural, natural? Okay now I am going in circles. How did Balthazar keep from doing that?

Okay more simplistic. Something easily visualized. Okay a worm for a wormhole. A squiggly one for the unstable wormhole. Okay to stabilize, I need to sedate then enforce it. Because if you just sedate, it will fall. So how to reinforce.

Well either glue or maybe a shrunken worm. That might work if I cause it to shrink, it makes the hole shorter. But I will still need to glue or an anchor. Or when I sedate the teeth, retract and lock. That might work.

I envision Star and see a worm connect from right in front of me to right in front of her. The worm has two heads. One at each end. I see it lock on my end then hers. I then imagine it being filled with very strong sleeping gas. I see the worm relax. It tries to close its mouth but it is stuck in the veil between us. The teeth try to retract but just hold the window open.

As it goes completely asleep it shrinks till the worm is just a thin wrinkled skin between us. I open my eyes to see an area in front of me about the size of a coffee table. It looks more like a window though. In the window I see Star looking at me shocked.

“Can you hear me?” I ask.

“Yes,” Star answers, “How did you accomplish this magic?”

“Tell the truth, not sure. I just used a literal vision of a worm hole and sedated it.” I say.

“Ingenious, you truly are Balthazar. He has tried to do this since I had known him. The irony is that it was a simple vision that did it,” she says.

“I don't know how long it will last though, I hope I did not interrupt something.” I say.

“Well worth the interruption. I'm sure the council is quite impressed, if maybe a bit fearful too. When the window misted over we thought a spell was being cast on us,” She says with a bit of humor.

“Oh I am so sorry. Truthfully I didn't expect it to work,” I say.

“You are, and always have been too doubtful of yourself. Your timing is actually very timely. Could you inform the council of what you are attempting?” she asks.

“Wish I could see them,” I say.

“Well let's see if that is possible,” she says and grabs each side of the window. She turns it and I am facing five people sitting at a rock table. There are two women and three men. I recognize one elderly man from when Star laughed, and they came to accept the blessing.

“Pardon my unannounced intrusion,” I say and they nod slightly, “When Lady Star Seeker came to the hidden city we found a room that reacted when certain people were in it. The most we got was a light show of colors.

We have a theory that we need another human with ancient magic. I had a dream of the room that had three people in it. We found that me and Star activated a reaction so we are now off to the human side to find another ancient. The city said that there might be another, so we are on our way to check it out. Rock and Oaky are with me to help. Falls saw no need to go.

Once we get to the other world I can try this again, if you would like an update,” I say hoping I sounded professional. I decided not to mention Sesney because I remember that I was told most dragons don't know of their kind.

Star turns the window to her, “Just use Falls as your informant for this world. I don't think the council likes the idea of a window appearing like this. Anything that you have not mentioned you can tell Falls. She will know what is most relevant to inform us,” she says.

“If I think of anything I will tell Falls. I know she is capable of knowing what is best to say,”

“Thanks Jode,” She says and pauses for a moment before saying , “For everything.”

“I try my best,” I say and she nods.

I imagine giving the worm a wake up shot. The window fuzzes, then disappears. I look around to see Oaky and Rock staring at me.

“How did you get a spell through the council room defenses?” Rock asks in shock.

“I actually didn't. The spell was done here. The window was actually a natural occurring phenomenon. I just stabilized it to stay more than a fraction of an eye blink,” I say.

Rocks eyes lights up, “Oh you have got to teach me that,” he says.

“I don't know if I can. But first you need to get a rough idea of what a wormhole is. I think it should be on the net,” I return.

“I will find out for sure,” Rock says and turns back to the windshield.

“I'll explain how I did it the next time I use it, just remind me then.”

“Oh yeah,” Rock says excited.

“How did you figure out the magic part of the spell?” Oaky asks.

“I realized that just about anything can be done with magic, if you just know a way around its limitations. Like teleporting.”

“No one can do that. I never even heard of it being used in ancient times,” She says.

“But yet the house does it,” I say.

“You're right it does, but how can it do that?”

“Deception actually. Now I am not sure, but I think one way is to move the rooms. You have to say the room before you walk into the wall. While you are walking to the wall the castle simply moves the room to that wall and you walk through to it.”

“So the wall is an illusion?”

“I don't know. I never walked into it without a destination,” I say then add, “I just visualize or say the room in my head. The castle does the rest.”

“I'll have to try that when we get back.”she says.

“Stan how much longer till we get to the portal?” I ask.

“In a few minutes,” it replies.