“When I get my strength back, we need to go to Earth,” Ann said as they ate breakfast the next morning. “You need to get married,” Pt’this insisted. “Well, yeah, but we also need to go to Earth. Grandpa needs us.” “Grandpa? Grandpa who? All your grandparents are dead.” Pt’this frowned. “Emeton’s parents both died from illnesses. Tylan’s parents died in a fire. Darina’s mom had Nielboh, and her dad drank himself to death. Shawtila disappeared 600 years ago, and Mishtali died in the war.” “No. He spoke to me in the trance. He said he’s trapped on Earth. We need to go help him,” Ann insisted. “No!” Pt’this snapped so that even Sapphire flinched. “No, he’s dead. You were dreaming. Mishtali’s not a healer, and he’s not your bonded. He couldn’t have reached you.” “Unless he had help. I don’t know how he did it.” “No. You dreamt it. Ann, he and Shintanillic died. “You thought Thailyn was dead,” Ann pointed out. “He would have come when Mirimar was hurt, or when she died.” “He’s trapped there.” “There’s a gate. He could walk through anytime. He wouldn’t have abandoned his family. It was just a dream. You just found out you’re his granddaughter. Thailyn’s missing. You’re worried about him, so you were dreaming.” “But…” “We’re not going to Earth. End of discussion. It’s too dangerous,” Pt’this insisted and stormed out. They stared after him a moment. “Things have been difficult for him being here. The idea that Mishtali survived but left them suffering is more than he can handle right now,” Sapphire explained. “Give him a chance to calm down. We’ll talk to him again in a few days.” **** Ann woke with a start. She had had another nightmare. She was surprised Andy hadn’t come in to stop it. She had told him several times it wasn’t necessary but he still worried about her. It had been three days since she had woken from the trance. She grew stronger each day, physically. She kept her magic low, making sure any strength she gained went into her vial. Despite their fears, her nightmares had been no worse than they had been all her life. After the first day, Andy no longer felt it was necessary to stay in bed with her constantly although he wouldn’t leave the room until the following day. She had spent most of the time eating or sleeping. Both were helping. They tried to talk with Pt’this again about Mishtali’s visit to her in the trance, but he still hadn’t wanted to hear about it. He had once been Mishtali’s apprentice, Tomin Mishtan, back before the first war. But there had been too much pain, too much loss for him to bear, and he had turned his back on that time. Being back where it had all happened, being at war with another immortal had brought all those feelings back and he was having trouble coping. Although he seemed to have stabilized, Sapphire had told them he was just barely keeping it together. Ann’s recovery helped some. Sapphire felt that once they left the ruined castle and headed back to Sen-gan, the capital of Menthanla, he’d improve more. They’d be able to talk with him then. As Ann lay in bed thinking, she realized she could hear a rhythmic tapping. She listened closer, trying to figure out what it was. She could also hear singing. Sapphire was putting nonsense words to some tune. Ann was curious about what was going on. She hadn’t been out of bed yet but figured it was time. It was a struggle, but she made her way to the window, grateful there was a chair nearby. Outside, the three were dancing. Well, sort of. Sapphire kept switching between the two men. Whoever wasn’t dancing beat a stick against the ground keeping time. It looked like they were trying to teach Andy how to dance. Pt’this was an excellent dancer. He was a good one to show Andy how it was done. The singing was a nonsense rhyme to help Andy remember the steps. Andy missed some steps, stumbled and then did something she had seen on his world called the Bunny Hop. They laughed, and she did too. She didn’t know if he heard her or felt her watching, but Andy looked up and waved. She waved back. Something was said between them, and he hurried to the castle. He stopped under the window. “Good morning,” he called. “Is it still morning?” She asked. She had lost track of time. “It is for a little while. Would you like to join us?” “I don’t think I can make it that far.” He shook his head and hurried inside. Moments later he entered her room. He wrapped a blanket around her, covering up her nightdress and picked her up. “Don’t think you can make it? Silly girl, you’re among friends.” He kissed her and carried her down the stairs. Pt’this had moved a rock to near where they had been dancing, and Andy sat her on it. “We’ve been trying to teach Andy how to dance for the wedding,” Pt’this explained. “How is it going?” She asked. “Not bad for a morning’s work,” Pt’this said with an approving smile. “Do you want to see?” Sapphire offered. Andy looked a little self-conscious. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.” “Of course you are,” Pt’this encouraged. Sapphire stood and took Andy’s hands. Pt’this beat the stick on the ground. Andy gave in and danced with Sapphire. Pt’this was right. Andy was learning quickly. Ann applauded when they finished. Andy blushed. “That was impressive,” she said. “I wish I could join you.” “You will soon,” Sapphire said. They danced and joked for the rest of the morning. Ann was starving, not haven’t eaten anything since the night before, but she didn’t care. It was nice to see everyone having a good time for a change. Things had been so tense lately. The fun ended when they finally heard her stomach growl. Andy scolded her for not having said something earlier, but she shrugged it off.