It took the line of druids and rangers another couple of days until Spring opened the exit to the warren. In the darkness, they were ready for a change from the days of marching and traveling, so a change of scenery was very welcome.

By this time, Sam had finally got the idea of being the patrol leader and Ortho was now nitpicking her on more and more finer details. By the time he had gotten to how some of the other candidates had muddy boots, one look from Sam was enough to get him to clam up.

Chip was happy to see the Otter taskmaster finally caught off guard. It warmed his heart. Of course Otho was no less harsh on him and the others. Chip was frequently tossed out as a sparring companion especially after the patrol took a break.

“Thank the Raven that we’re finally on our way out,” Sam said as Spring finally ripped a tear into reality.

The moment that the portal was open, a warm friendly feeling shook both Sam and Chip. The two locked eyes.

Sam raced Chip through, both otters vying to be the first to protect the druid initiates and ranger candidates on the other side. A large building ahead of them made them gasp, as well as the closeness of their bond, but not with each other.

A smiling otter stood by the door.

“Fish daddys in town now!” Sela said.

All of the fatigue left Chip as he ran to embrace his husband, barely avoiding stepping on his wife to get there. Together the two grabbed Sam and squeezed her tight.

“Ah, the infamous Sela,” A gruff voice said behind them, “Well I don’t want to interrupt a family reunion. I want the three of you at the parade ground at dawn.”

Ortho looked up at the midday sun, clearly not expecting the light. The warren had been night time when they left.

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“Your druid may have something for you, but I am not done with you by a long shot, all three of you!”

Ortho led the line down into the red misted valley. Spring came by and exchanged some words with River, who sat by the door. Chip didn’t catch what was said, but she could feel River blushing under her black feathers.

“Sela, so much has happened, and,” Sam said, kissing Sela.

“We’ll be able to…” Chip said, kissing his husband.

“I missed you both so much!” Sela said, picking both of them up in what could only be called an otterly adorable embrace, since no bears were allowed near the valley of red mist.

River waved a wing at Spring as she walked off. Chip felt a longing in her bond.

“I think that River needs a hug. Pile on River!” Chip said.

They did, and River smiled from underneath pounds of otter love.

As it turned out, druids had excellent quarters. As the four walked down into the valley, the mists parted around them, coming up to waist height in most areas or higher.

Around them large marble buildings surrounded a giant central yard.

"Over here is where we will be staying. House of Change they call it," River said, "but it's your home now."

The large three story building flanked the central yard, as two other buildings within view also crowded around. A fourth was nearly visible through the mist opposite their new house. To River it was home, but she was certain that her rangers would see it as a glorified barracks.

"I have a room on the second floor," she said, "but it's mostly empty. There aren't a lot of druids in our house, and they are often in demand because of their abilities."

The large entryway opened into a common room where a very small contingent of druids, one mouse, two rabbits and another corvid greeted them.

By their lack of headbands, River knew that all of them were full druids. She would be one too as soon as the proper forms were tried, as well as the testing.

"Sister River, welcome home," the other corvid, Kino said,"It's good to see another one of us."

"Thank you Druid Kino."

"Your rangers, I presume?" She said turning to them.

Sela snapped to attention, to Rivers' irritation. He was always a bit formal around others.

"Sela, druid and my wife Sam, and our husband Chip."

"Ah, it has been a while since a druid picked more than one ranger. I knew that there would be a ranger," the mouse said.

"There are plenty of ranger candidates in this year's batch," Sam said, her voice solid and commanding. River felt the undercurrent of her confidence and embraced it.

All of the druids on hearing this crowded around Sam, with questions about the caliber of the candidates, as well as how many druids had come with them.

Chip pulled River to the side.

"I know that you're my druid and all," he said as the rabbits talked over the mice who talked over Sela,"So where can I get some use out of this?"

He clinked something in his rucksack. A familiar tinny sound brought her back.

"The kitchen, such that we have, is right behind there. The servants won't be too pleased that you're using it but… tell them that you're my ranger and flash your pin and you should be fine."

"River, did you want to bake something with me?"

For the first time in a long time, River smiled so hard that it almost hurt.

"I would love that very much. Let's bake something, and have a family meal."