James’s world rocked and swirled. This was all too familiar. ‘Not this again’, thought James. When he came to his senses and his vision stabilised he knew where he was. The mountain pass above the valley of Infinite Possibilities. Elana was with him. She seemed to be waiting for James to say something. Fog shrouded the lowlands in both directions below the pass.

“Elana, did you have to do that?” asked James.

“Sir James. I have been sent to you with a message of utmost urgency. I had to bring you this far as it is only possible for me to spend a few moments in your world at a time. Otherwise I risk the closure of the portal which joins your world to mine. Time does not flow here in the valley so we will be able to discuss my proposal at length, without the fear of me being permanently transferred to your world,” explained Elana. “If you choose, Sir James, I can return you to your world immediately. All I ask is that you hear me out.”

“I was just about home for the summer, Elana,” replied James.

“Ah, I see,” replied Elana, then she continued, “I apologise profusely for the inconvenience caused, but the Empire requires your service, Lord James. An existential threat to all that is good in our world has been identified by two Wizardly orders. The Council of Animal Wizardry has sent me to bring you back. We want you to join our voyage to the kingdom of Islandia, in the middle of the Great Ocean. Will you accompany us?”

Elana could be quite convincing and held considerable sway over James. No doubt there would be life threatening aspects to this journey and probably dubious arrangements to return James to England when it was all over. He really should dismiss the invitation and request immediate return to his life in England. Buuuut……

Against his better judgement James asked a question, “What is the threat, Elana?”

“We believe that the forces of Chaos seek to control the Fire Dragons of Islandia,” replied Elana. “Your assistance is required to defeat this evil scheme.”

‘Dragons!’ thought James.

“The homeland of Chaos is the ice continent of Glacierland. It is said that winter never departs this disturbed continent. Demons rule this place and rule over the possessed population of Chaos marked humans, beasts and monsters. The most serious of all threats from the forces of Chaos are the brutal Ice Dragons. Islandia is our only defence from these Wyrms. Islandia is the land of volcanoes. Lava flows, volcano cones and fault lines provide home to the Fire Dragons. Only the Fire Dragons are capable of defeating the power of the Ice Wyrms. If Islandia is lost to Chaos, the Empire will be soon to follow!” explained Elana. There was considerable desperation in her voice.

“What exactly would be the plan, Elana?” asked James. James was starting to guess where these places might actually be located in his own world.

“I will bear you to Greyhenge, in the Grey mountains. We will journey to Badendorf and board a Dwarf steamship captained by Erik Blarneysson. He will carry us to Islandia where we will confront the forces of Chaos,” detailed Elana. “We will have additional help from the head of the Lore of Animalia, and several other powerful Sapphire mages.”

What on Earth could he say? ‘Yes?’ There was a certain appeal to a return to Elana’s world. What would Dr. Benjamin think? If only he had some more time to think about it and prepare. Then there was the issue of the dragons. From a very young age, James had always wanted to see a dragon.

“I guess I’ll do it, Elana,” said James, and with that, the die was cast.

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The trip along the top of the Valley of Infinite Possibilities was remarkable. Battle scene after battle scene. The strangest conflict of all was probably a battle set between giant city sized tracked vehicles, firing volleys of archaic weapons at each other. Elana and James negotiated the gravel trail until they were able to climb down the secret entrance to the Underworld, retracing James’s own steps ten months earlier. Charon was still at it, and his passenger waiting list was as long as ever. Inside the depths of the Underworld James felt strangely lethargic, and recalled Oakleaf Gilderwood’s description of the same phenomenon. However, whenever James began to lag behind Elana would take his hand and lead him upwards. This had an invigorating effect that must have had something to do with employed magic, thought James. James and Elana climbed back up to where he himself had entered the catacombs, and once again Elana took his hand. A portal was waiting for them. James and Elana stepped through it.

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The portal closed behind them with an electric crackling noise. Both stumbled to the ground and James had to reach forward and catch himself to avoid a face plant. He helped Elana to her feet and looked around at the sight of half a dozen unfamiliar faces, every one of which seemed to be extremely exhausted. Several of the individuals, who all looked like magic users, were supporting themselves by leaning against large rectangular sandstone blocks. Snow covered mountain tops surrounded the circle of Wizards. A cool breeze of fresh mountain air blew over the assemblage.

A strong looking blonde woman in earth toned robes stepped forward and took Elana’s arms embracing her with considerable relief. “You did it Elana!”

The largest of the Wizard’s, wearing animal pelts, skulls and bones approached James. Welcome to Greyhenge, Master James. I am Bearclaw Irontooth, ruler of this monument. We are honored by your appearance. Has mage Elana informed you of the peril which approaches our land?

“She has, Sir,” replied James.

James was introduced to each of the members of the Council of Animalia Wizardry and all of the learned counselors expressed their gratitude for James’s assistance. Of particular interest to James was Elana’s introduction of Mage Saturin, who James had previously met in her animal form. Every one of them seemed to have a considerable knowledge of the events of the previous summer under Mount Issabella.

“The bards sing of your exploits in every tavern in the Empire, young James!” interjected Lord Irontooth. “Even I have heard these songs, from a travelling minstrel that visited Greyhenge for the summer solstice! You have achieved the status of a folk hero in our land, Master James.”

James could think of no response to that remark, other than to say, “Thank you,” and shook the hand of the powerful Wizard dressed in bear fur.

“Right!” responded Bearclaw, “We had best set off for the capital! Elana, are you and Saturin ready to depart?

“We are sir,” responded Elana, and then continued, “My acolytes wait for us at the base of the mountain.”

“Then we had better catch up with them,” replied the Lord of Animalia.

There were almost no arrangements to be made prior to departure. In stark contrast to the inhabitants of the Gardens of Tauber, Animal Wizards had no possessions other than their staffs and clothing. As each wizard departed in different directions, their human forms faded only to be replaced by their animal totem identities. James was deeply impressed by the sight of each transformation, each celebrated their return to animal form by galloping and leaping across the alpine meadow.

The exception was the female mage whose clothing was mostly made of feathers. This Lord transformed into an enormous golden eagle which plunged literally off of a nearby cliff, then flew powerfully and gained altitude until she circled above the four members of the quest.

“Lord Adelar will accompany us on our descent to the valley, Sir James,” explained Bearclaw Irontooth. “I will continue to retain my human form as brown bears often receive a less than positive reception from the country folk of the Empire. Lord Adelar’s eagle eyes will ensure that there are no unexpected surprises during our descent.”

Saturin Waechter also remained human, and she walked in the front position of the group, followed by Elana, then James with Lord Irontooth behind the rest. The trail wound down through the alpine meadow full of blue and red wildflowers until the hikers reached the level of the first pine trees. Scrubby at first, the trees grew more substantial as the four companions descended. High overhead their golden eagle companion kept watch. James felt remarkably different from his first appearance in this world and eagerly scanned and observed all the details of his surroundings. Professor O’Rourke had awakened James as to the significance of his experience. Was this really a parallel universe that had somehow become accessible to him? The more he thought about it as he walked the more the idea appealed to him.

“Elana, I wonder if I could ask you a question or two?” requested James. The path had widened enough by this point, that Elana was able to slow a moment allowing her to walk side by side with James on the descending trail.

“Of course James,” replied the Emerald Mage.

“Was that you that I saw in my world over the past few months?” inquired James. “I was sure that I saw you on a few occasions, but every time that it happened you would be gone before I could react.”

“I did journey to your world Sir James,” replied Elana. “I hoped not to cause offence but I needed to determine whether or not you might be available to return to our world.”

“Why didn’t you stay and talk to me? We could have talked this over,” asked James.

“I wished that was possible James, I truly did, but projecting myself into your world is an extremely difficult task. After receiving my staff, I made it my goal to see your world for myself. Several of my attempts were unsuccessful and I had to receive a great deal of advice from the members of my order to eventually succeed. Lord Gilderwood himself provided the most useful counsel. It takes weeks of preparation to cross the boundary between our worlds. All for a few seconds of presence’” explained the young enchantress.

The group heard a loud whooshing sound from above and Lord Adelar swooped close and braked herself with her wings, alighting upon a sturdy pine branch overhanging the trail. James’s perception of the image of the giant bird of prey fluctuated, and was replaced by the female Wizard in her human form sitting on the branch.

“There are soldiers ahead, Lord Irontooth,” reported mage Adelar.