They were being led to a large tent in the center of camp. Dirty snow was churned all around it. Eken opened the flap and waved them inside. At an oak desk, a man was standing. He resembled Jerue so closely, it took everything Pyre had not to gasp. How was it that in the land of Beyond, there were so many who looked like someone inside the Council Wall’s protection? We’re those within the Wall really so different from those beyond it?The man’s cool blue eyes surveyed the group. In a low voice he said, “Hello Loren. Did your mother finally teach you how to cross over?”

Tersely, Loren bowed and said, “Hello Commander Rhys. No Sir she did not. I was sent.”

Commander Rhys looked Loren over up and down. “Who sent you,then?”

Loren stiffened. A struggle seemed to be going on inside of him. Finally he said, “Head Councilman Appocca.”

“Ah yes, I had heard about Appocca. Quite a change from that bastard Jerue.” He shook his head. “Despite being new at the job, Appocca knows he should have cleared your entrance with me.” The man smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. It had the same chilling effect as Jerue’s. The smile faded from his lips and he asked, “So tell me, where are the beasts hiding?”

“The Sonpur, sir, I could not tell you that.”

With and edge in his voice Commander Rhys asked, “Really?” I think you can. How much will it take to get you to talk?” His eyes scanned Rufus and Pyre. “Or shall I ask one of them? I imagine a Guard can hold his tongue until it is cut out, but you, Apprentice?” His eyes raked across the burn scars on Pyre’s face. “Bumbled a Transferrance I see. Probably bumbled a few other things. What will it take to get you to tell me, where the Sonpur are hiding?”

A trace of anger crept into Loren's voice when he said, “I know he does not look like much, but he is often underestimated. Desist in this line of questioning, Sir.”

The commander's eyes narrowed. “Loren Uhr. You are no longer within the safe confines of your precious city. You should watch your tongue.”

A strange smile turned Loren's lips. “Sir, I do watch my tongue. Always. My mother taught me how. She took many secrets to her grave and one of them is the location of the Sonpur's hiding place.”

The man’s expression hardened. “You talk so clever. But have you considered this, why is it that Appocca sent such a small party out. Is not a small party expendable. If you failed to return, who would miss you? And no one will blame him if you don’t return.”

Angered by this insinuation against Appocca’s character, Pyre lunged forward but was immediately grasped by Eken. He growled, “There now Apprentice, calm yourself.”

In a firm voice that dared to be defied, Loren said, “If you will excuse us, we have nothing more to say Sir. If you have any questions contact Appocca. By the way could you direct us to the mess tent? I am hungery.”

The man’s eyes crackled with anger, and then something odd happened, he started to laugh. “You have always called my bluff Loren. Even as a child. You knew when my hands were tied. Still I can hold you prisoner until I decide to let you go. So what will it be, talk or stay?”

“Stay.”

Pyre could not believe his ears. Stay! For how long?

Commander Rhys said, “Very well then. Eken could you please escort these vagabonds to the mess tent and make some arrangement for their sleeping quarters.”

Inside Pyre was screaming, What? What! They were so near to Fand. Why was Loren doing this? As soon as they had food and were at table, Pyre whispered to Loren, “What is your game?”

“Commander Rhys is here for Sonpur. I believe they have her or had her. Resen is with her or close to getting her. I have a feeling he will bring her here.”

Through clenched teeth, Pyre hissed, “What if you are wrong?”

Loren shook his head. “I’m not wrong. I can feel it.”

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Making full eye contact, Pyre said, “You better be.”

*

A warm breath blew into Pyre’s face waking him from sleep. He opened his eyes and stared into the great liquid eyes of the GOAT! Keeper, how had it gotten here?

The goat bleated at him. From across the tent, a groggy Loren asked, “Sassafras is that you?”

Goat hooves tripped across the earth floor. With delight in his voice, Loren said, “Ah, old friend it is good to see you? How did you get here?”

Sassafras rubbed her head again Loren’s cheek and bleated.

Pyre asked, “You know this goat?”

“Yes, she belongs, belonged to my mother. How do you know this goat?”

“She was transferred with me to your mother’s mountain hide out.”

Loren caught his breath. “What? That means knew, she knew all along she would not survive to feed her child. That is why she brought Sassafras. I wish…” his voice trailed off and he did not finish his sentence. Instead he said, “Since Sassafras has turned up, Fand must be on her way here.”

Excitement and wild hope raced through Pyre’s mind. “Truly?”

Loren nodded. “I think so.” He was silent a moment before he said, “I still can’t get a read on her though. You try.”

Pyre stretched out his mind. Nothing. He tried again, nothing. Discouraged he said, “I’m not getting anything.”

“Don’t give up hope. I think Sassafras was sent here for a reason. Who sent her I don’t know. All we can do right now is wait and see what it is. We need to get our rest while we can. Try to go back to sleep.”

Impossible, Pyre thought. However he was wrong. Within ten short minutes his weary cold body fell back into fitful dreams.

A hand closed over Pyre’s mouth. He was immediately awake and staring into the shadowed face of…could it be? Resen. The face nodded. Resen put a finger to his lips. Behind him, Rufus was already awake and on his feet, so was Loren. Then Pyre saw her. Cradled in Rufus’ huge arms was Fand! Resen jerked Pyre soundlessly to his feet, and nodded to Loren who held Sassafras. A single burst of flame sprung up from a candle on the floor. The next thing Pyre knew his body was being sucked into Transferrance. The fall as usual was cold and terrifying, but Fand was with them and that was all that mattered. When they landed they were in Dr. Kran’s office.

The good doctor said, “Hurry get into the room. Commander Rhys will soon discover you are missing.”

All of them rushed into the room. Dr. Kran closed the door.

Gently Rufus, put Fand on the cot. The goat wriggled out of Loren’s arms. Dr. Kran told Loren, “Get Fand out of that cloak.” On the table beside the cot were vials of medicines, pestles, bowls, a pot of tea and an empty teat.

Elated and dismayed Pyre watched them go to work on Fand. He wanted to touch her so badly, hold her. She looked so small on the cot and so cold. Frost bite, most likely. Beneath the cloak, the baby emerged. She was all pink and immediately began to wail. Dr. Kran said, “Loren tend to your sister. I will see to Fand.”

Loren grabbed a bowl from the table and handed it to Pyre. “Milk Sassafras while I clean the baby.” Pyre took the bowl and crouched down beside the goat. Sassafras udder was quite full. She seemed eager to have some of her milk removed. As the milk zinged into the bowl, Pyre listened anxiously for some sound that Fand had regained consciousness. So far, the only thing he heard was the sound of her breathing.

There was a clink of glass and the pop of a cork. Dr. Kran said, “This should bring her around.” An acrid aroma filled the room. Pyre turned toward the cot. He saw Dr. Kran place the vial under Fand’s nose. At first there was no response and then her nose wrinkled. She coughed and coughed again. Finally her eyes opened. She squinted and looked around the group. It seemed she could not make out their faces. In a small voice she asked, “Where is Zel?”

Instantly, Loren thrust the now clean child into Fand’s arms. Zel, still hungry let out an angry roar. Loren took the bowl of milk from Pyre and poured some in the teat. The shrill cry of Zel filled the room and bounced off the walls. It was deafening. Dr. Kran laughed and said, “Well this child has strength and spirit. What an adventure she has had since her birth!”

Loren said, “I am just thankful she is here. I didn’t know if I would ever see her again.” He handed Fand the teat.

With absorbed concentration Fand began to feed the baby. In that instant, Fand went from being the girl Pyre loved, to the woman who he would always cherish. She was no longer a child. In the days since he had last seen her, she had become a mother. She glanced up over the top of Zel’s face and smiled at him. The smile was weary, but it was so full of love and gratitude. Much to their surprise she had managed once again to make it back. “Where is Resen?”

The question brought an immediate chill to Pyre’s heart. Loren told her, “He did not come with us.”

“But he is in danger!“

Her obvious concern sent a new spate of jealousy through Pyre.

Softly Loren said, “The man is uncanny, always turns up at the right moment and leaves at the right moment too. He knows what he is about. Do not worry. He would not want you to. " Though his smile was reassuring, Pyre was not convinced. Fand was too weary to notice. He continued, "Now I think someone should go fetch Uncle Wert.”

At the mention of her uncle’s name, light filled Fand’s eyes. She whispered, “Yes,please hurry. I want Uncle Wert to know to know I am safe. I want him to see his grandchild.”

Dr. Kran said, “I will go fetch him.” He bowed to Fand and left the room.

Pyre's watched the door close and then his gaze returned to Fand. She was alive, she was here. Once again his prayers had been answered. He closed his eyes and offered up a brief but heart felt prayer of thanks. Praise the Keeper!