A platform lowers from the column in the center of the chamber, expelling jets of steam at its base until it finally comes flush with the floor. An Aeonian Inquisitor in robes of black and red steps off of the platform and walks over to his desk, across from Envoy.

"You may be seated," says the Arch-Inquisitor, who doesn't even wait until Envoy has had a chance to do so before continuing. "There has been a change of plans regarding the journey to Ashtoreth, since your partner has bowed out to tend to personal business, and we do not intend to delay the expedition to wait for her. You may either continue on your own to Ashtoreth, with a small group of explorers that has yet to be assembled, or else you may choose to help explore one of the other available worlds instead."

The unicorn indicates a chart mounted on an easel, showing the projected locations of the planets, and runes next to them to identify each one … save for two locations at the rim that are marked with the Rephidim Standard equivalent of a question mark.

"Primus, the sun, is believed to be too hazardous to chance visiting. Abaddon is presently restricted for reasons of security. Arcadia is already being charted. That would leave your previous destination of Ashtoreth, as well as the worlds we believe to be Ariel, Morpheus, Fortunatis, Logos, Behemoth, and two unnamed and unknown worlds," indicates the unicorn, tapping on the chart for emphasis with each named destination. "Most of these locations have been briefly visited by earlier parties, so we are not wholly without details on them, but there is much yet to be explored."

The unicorn turns to face Envoy.

Envoy asks, "Has anyone actually volunteered to go to Fortunatis yet?"

The Arch-Inquisitor nods. "A scout visited Fortunatis, but only went so far as to verify that the 'gateway' leads to a crystal chamber on that world, just like the others. The scope of the expedition at that time did not call for any further exploration beyond that point. No further parties have been sent to Fortunatis after that. All measurements taken were from the chamber itself … but it has been observed on Morpheus that conditions inside the 'crystal chambers' can vary greatly from those in the world beyond."

"What conditions were apparent outside of the tower on Fortunatis?" the Aeolun asks, curious to find out if the planet really does 'change its face' as the astronomical texts claim.

The Arch-Inquisitor says, "Fortunatis appears to have some sort of atmosphere, though it is not known if it is breathable. The crystal chamber, at least, maintains conditions conducive to life as we know it."

The unicorn continues, "Observations of the surrounding areas through the windows suggest a landscape that shifts colors randomly. The sky does likewise. There appear to be no distinct landmarks of note within the immediate vicinity of the crystal chamber … although the area is mountainous, and there is no telling what may be on the other side of those mountains."

"Observations of the sky suggest movements of clouds, and precipitation, with conditions shifting frequently and apparently randomly," the unicorn notes.

"Where any quantometer readings taken from inside the tower there?" Envoy asks. "Although I'd expect all the readings to be the same within the towers."

The unicorn nods. "Quantometer readings were taken, and indicated fluctuating levels. However, quantometer readings within the crystal chambers have not been indicative of conditions outside of them in the past. Advisors from the Collegia Esoterica interpret the readings to mean that the crystal chamber is too unstable of a location to attempt any use of magic for further studies."

Envoy's face shows a bit of surprise following that statement. "Interesting. Do they suppose that means First Ones and Sifras magics require that sort of instability? I think Fortunatis may be some sort of probability regulator, which is why I make it my first choice of worlds to explore."

The unicorn says, "That is well outside my field of expertise, but I do believe I have heard a Chaos Mage use the term 'probability regulator' when referring to Fortunatis. It was also described as a 'counterweight'." The unicorn raises an eyebrow. "It should be noted that, although precipitation was observed, no bodies of water, or any plant or animal life were observed. For all we know, it may be a barren, mountainous rock that changes color at random."

The Aeolun nods. "It would be useful to find out for certain, though. Since I need less food and water than most others my size, and I can fly, I would like to make the initial scouting outside of the Gateway Tower there. If the atmosphere turns out to be toxic … well, my lungs will recover."

The Aeonian raises an eyebrow again, but nods. "You seem to have extraordinary abilities to survive in hazardous environments. If this is your wish, you will be assigned to a team to explore Fortunatis. When arrangements are ready for an airship to take you to the Himaat, you will be notified. Until that time, you are to remain on call."

Envoy smiles, "Thank you. Is there anything you need delivered, picked up, or transcribed while I'm here?"

The unicorn shakes his head. "That will be all."

The Exile stands and bows to the unicorn, before turning to the door and knocking on it.

The door cycles open, letting the Exile out, and revealing a couple of Jupani Guards and a Korv acolyte. The Korv squawks, "I'm to make sure that any special needs for your expedition are duly requisitioned, so we don't have any last-minute scrambles."

Envoy bows and smiles to the Acolyte. "How uncommonly efficient. Do you have any metal-tipped picks for taking rock samples, or perhaps chemical compounds that react to different sorts of radioactive energies?"

The Acolyte looks positively befuddled, and starts scribbling this down. "I have no idea … but we can find out!" Yes, he's got the cheerfulness and can-do spirit that only a new initiate could have. He leads the Exile down the corridors. "Maybe some Technopriests would have some of that to spare!"

"I hope so," Envoy says, as she follows along, grinning like a kid on the way to a candy store.

Much later, after Envoy was summoned to the Temple again, and put on an airship borne for the Himaat, she finds herself aboard a sand trireme cutting across the desert sands, borne for some location in the middle of this trackless waste.

A white bat walks across the deck, and waves to Envoy. She's wearing a ha'clohi of the local design, turned out in sky blue shades with little wisps that suggest clouds. She takes a deep breath of the desert air, then says, "Ah! My allergies haven't bothered me a bit since Rephidim! Anyway … fancy meeting you here! You're with the expedition to Fortunatis, right?"

The Exile nods to the familiar Eeee Air Mage. "Hello Wynona! Are you going to Fortunatis as well?"

Wynona nods. "I'm not going as a mage, though." She giggles. "I'm going as a meteorologist. I was going to Ashtoreth, but they had some sort of problems putting together a team, and that trip was scrubbed."

Envoy nods, "I know about that: troubles back in Aelfhem." Smiling, she asks, "So, you aren't going to be providing us all with breathable air then? That should take some strain off of your sinuses, at least."

Wynona sighs. "I wish … but so far there's no evidence of magic working anywhere beyond Sinai. I heard that there are magic-like things happening in Morpheus … but apparently that doesn't count."

"Morpheus is a very interesting place," Envoy says, leaning against a side-rail. "Are you concerned about not being able to depend on your magic?"

Wynona nods, biting her lip. "Yes … yes, I am … but I've had to do it before. I'm not exactly looking forward to it … but I feel like my experience on Abaddon made me just a little bit stronger because of it." She sighs. "And I heard about what was happening in Aelfhem. I had a strong urge to head there myself … but I really don't see what I could do to help. It sounds like everything is over with. Now, if I were a Life Mage, maybe I could be useful, but … " She shakes her head. "There are more things to living than just using magic. Or, at least, that's what I'm trying to teach myself." She winks.

Envoy blinks, and stands up straighter, "You've been to Abaddon already? What are you learning now besides magic?"

Wynona says, "Well, it seems that I'm learning a bit about other worlds, at this rate." She smiles. "Not terribly much, so far. I mean … you can't learn all that much just by visiting a place. Not as much as a serious study … but, really, there's more to learning about magic than just being able to cast it. In order to use air magic, I have to know a lot about … well … air, of course!" She giggles. "And, the mechanics of magic – where it works, where it doesn't work, and a little bit of why – isn't necessarily the same thing as learning how to cast a spell."

Smiling, Envoy says, "So you're becoming a scholar then? I'd like to learn about magic myself. Life Magic. And Earth Magic. And some of the other Spheres. I've already learned how to live without it, although having to eat and sleep did take some getting used to at first. Is magic really mechanical? Or is it more mathematical? Mathematical magic is what I was made from."

Wynona frowns. "It's hard to say. It's an art … and a science. There are many facts to learn, and certain rules … but just about every rule has an exception or several. For all we know about magic, there is that much more that we don't. And, history indicates that the nature of magic may have actually changed over time – not merely our understanding of it. But, of course, that's a matter of debate."

Envoy hmms, and looks out across the Sea of Sand. "It could be that the more magic is used, the more it evolves. Thousands of years ago, only Savanites were able to use magic here."

Wynona giggles … but she doesn't seem to be terribly shocked by the claim.

The Aeolun smiles at Wynona. "I suppose you should be happy that it isn't changing while you're still trying to practice it though, eh?"

Wynona says, "Well, of course! But it's not like it's something that changes enough that I'd be able to tell a difference within my lifetime."

"Do you think I should record the changes then?" Envoy asks. "Assuming I become open to magic again. And that I survive this expedition."

Wynona says, "Well, I think we might as well assume that we'll survive this expedition, or else we'll have a gloomy time, now won't we? And are you serious about wanting to take up the study of magic?"

Envoy nods. "I wanted to learn magic before I even arrived here. It's a part of me I lost."

Wynona says, "Well … if you're only as old as you claim to be, you must be a fast learner. I'd expect you could master all twelve spheres in no time." She winks. "You put someone like me to shame!"

Envoy blinks three times at Wynona. "Don't be so certain. I can learn quickly, and recall things accurately, but I don't know if that would have any impact on being able to actually control magic. I may just end up being a scholar or researcher looking for Mages to carry out experiments for me."

Wynona hmms and nods. "Yes, there are a few people at the Collegia Esoterica who know about magic, inside and out … but can't cast so much as a cantrip. I guess you have a point there."

"My only advantage over another student," Envoy grins, "would be that I wouldn't need to review material for exams."

Wynona laughs. "That's still quite an enviable advantage!"

Envoy goes back to scanning the sand for monsters, and says, "It doesn't matter. Even if I showed talent, it is unlikely an Exile would be allowed to accumulate that much magical knowledge. Or else they'd burn me at the stake before I could master all of the Spheres, for trying to do something too different."

Wynona raises an eyebrow. "I know you're widely seen as being terribly weird … but I think you're just a tad bit too hard on the general populace."

It's Envoy's turn to giggle now. "Oh, I wasn't thinking of the general populace… I was thinking of Dean Latania and Dean Malthus actually."

Wynona says, "Ohhhhh. Well … I suppose I could imagine that."

Envoy asks, "Do you think you'll be teaching at the College someday? What made you want to become a mage in the first place?"

Wynona hmms. "Well … actually, I was 'discovered'. I happened to be tested for magical aptitude, and came out positive. I love flying – not unusual for my kind – and when given a choice of Spheres, I thought it quite natural to choose Air."

"Well, you probably can't get more 'lofty' a position than Air Mage, after all," Envoy jokes.

Wynona blinks a few times, then obligingly laughs. "Of course not!"

The wind starts picking up, and the crew on the deck begin to batten things down. "Uh oh!" exclaims Wynona, as she wiggles her nose. "I think we're getting close to the Forbidden Zone!"

Envoy runs towards the prow of the trireme to get a better look at the phenomenon. "Will we be going into it? I've only ever been under one before. Not counting the one I arrived in."

Wynona nods. "The Gateway Tower is in there. I first saw it when I was on the Lalee Papu. We flew in there by accident … and somehow we survived. Local legend has it that even if you go in by land, you'll be destroyed … but obviously not, since I made it in there and back to tell the tale." She winks. "It's a really rough ride, though," she cautions. "It suddenly turns into a fierce storm, and you can't really see much of anything until you hit the other side."

Envoy raises her voice in response to the growing wind. "Is it magic, or something else?"

Wynona shakes her head. "I don't know! It's sort of magic … but not exactly, either. It's not Air Magic as I know it!" Her voice is getting harder to pick out, as the wind begins to howl, and the sky darkens.

The Aeolun nods, and watches the storm silently.

The storm grows in fierce intensity … finally swallowing up the sky and the entirety of the trireme. The crew cries out as they struggle to keep the ship under control against the wild, whipping winds, and Wynona gets down and clutches a mast so that she won't get blown away.

Envoy hugs onto the railing and keeps her wings folded tight, but still tries to experience as much of the maelstrom as possible.

The tumultuous winds threaten to tear apart the trireme, and for a while it seems uncertain whether the craft is still solid upon the sands anymore … but, at last, the craft suddenly breaks free of the storm, and comes through the tempest as suddenly as if just passing through a curtain to clear skies and sunny days.

In fact, the change is just that drastic, as it turns out. The trireme passes into what looks like an "eye of the storm" so cleanly defined as to defy any sort of natural explanation. It looks as if the black storm is still brewing about this clearing, but that someone took a circular cookie cutter and sliced the heart right out of the center. In the center of this calm clearing is a stone tower, with the top broken off, and debris about its base hinting at what happened to its peak.

About its base are several colorful Himaatian tents, and some more drab-looking structures of a temporary-looking nature.

Not for the first time, Envoy marvels at the amount of energy needed to maintain a permanent hurricane-force storm system. At least, until the tower takes up all of her attention, as towers tend to do for her.

The trireme slows down as it approaches the tower … though its velocity initially upon escaping the "permanent hurricane" is quite considerable for a craft of its type. At last, the crew brings it under control, and glides it to a stop closer to the tower, at the fringe of the "camp" of tents and simple buildings that has sprouted up about the base.

Khattan merchants in the robes of desert nomads walk about, and other sand triremes and Dromodon caravans can be seen at the fringe. (This Forbidden Zone must be at the edge of the Sea of Sand, or those Dromodons would have a rough time making it here.)

There are also several soldiers walking about in strange uniforms of a type Envoy hasn't seen before, many of them wearing gas masks, perhaps as a filter against the sand that gets blown about on occasion.

They wear pointed helmets, and their equipment and banners are red with a white circle in the center, with a black emblem that resembles a swastika, only with five arms instead of four.

After yawning to pop her ears, Envoy tells Wynona, "I thought it would be made out of living crystal, not… stone." Pointing to one of the soldiers, she also asks, "Are those Abaddonians?"

Wynona says, "It's crystal on the inside. And, yes, those men are from Abaddon. They're humans. They claim to be part of the 'Kampfzengruppe'."

"Exile humans?" the Aeolun asks, even while perking up at the information that the real tower is just sheathed in stonework.

Wynona says, "I guess you could call them that … but I'm not really sure if you can call them 'Exiles', since apparently they can go home whenever they please. I guess they're more 'Visitors'."

Envoy blinks, then says, "Oh, I didn't mean Exiles here. I was curious if they arrived on Abaddon as Exiles, just like Exiles show up on Sinai."

Wynona says, "Ohhhh!" She pauses, deep in thought. "That's a very tough question. I don't really know. They haven't been very forthcoming about their history. But there are several people living on Abaddon, really. It's not that nice of a place, but they do have cities there. Magic doesn't work, but technology does … although they don't seem to be as highly advanced as the Technopriesthood."

The Aeolun nods. "If they don't share the same sort of technology, they are probably Exiles then. Does the Gateway Tower talk, or eat people?"

"Uhm … no, it doesn't eat people, that I know of," answers Wynona, looking puzzled, "nor does it seem to communicate in any real way. It just seems to be a … uhm … magical mechanism, I suppose. That is, if it's really magic. It's hard to tell, with First Ones artifacts."

The trireme comes to a complete stop now … and the crew starts off-loading supplies.

Envoy says, "Doesn't sound like a relation of mine or the old Priest-King's then. I wonder if it goes all the way to the planetary core though? Or connects to an underground network of crystal tunnels that keep the sky islands afloat? That would be neat… "

Several Khattan merchants come up to the ship, holding necklaces, silks, and other wares. "Many a good bargain, yes? Many thinkings you be liking such fine apparel!" And so forth. They just can't pass up a chance to make a sale, it seems.

"I don't know anything about that," answers Wynona, shrugging. "It seems to have a solid enough floor, not some sort of pit or tunnel going down. But as strange as First Ones sites are … I wouldn't be overly surprised if something like that existed somewhere!" The bat smiles, and gathers up her bag of supplies.

Envoy hurries to fetch her own supply pack as well. "I'm afraid I didn't bring any money with me," she apologizes to the hucksters.

A Jupani Guard walks up and helps the Eeee and Exile to the gangplank. "Greetings. I am Korut," the silver-furred wolf says with a nod of his head. "I am assigned to protect you during your journey."

Smiling, Envoy asks Korut, "Does that mean we have to stay on the ground? Have you been through the Gateway before?"

Korut frowns. "Mmm. A good point. Well, bad selection on the part of the Temple, then. I can protect you while you're on the ground, then," he adds, trying to smile. "And I can carry things. And, no, I have not been through the Gateway before, but I have been told all about it. It feels like you are being stretched like taffy, then snapped like a wet towel to another world." He pauses. "I'll be glad when it's over with, and we're on the world, I imagine."

Wynona nods. "It's not the most pleasant of experiences … and you don't really get used to it. But the trip back isn't as bad."

"Stretched?" Envoy asks, eyes going wide. "Then it's using a wormhole? Do you know if it's a charged vacuum system or a subspace manifold distortion?"

Korut blinks. "Buh… "

Wynona says, "I've never heard of that before. What does that mean?"

Envoy blinks at Wynona. "Buh? I don't know what that means either."

Wynona giggles. "You don't know what 'buh' means? Or you don't know what … uh … a charged vacuum system superspace many-fold … whatever is?"

"Oh!" Envoy giggles. "A charged-vacuum wormhole is just a negative-energy density region of space. You can make one using Cassimer forces between two massive nested shells that are very very close to each other… but I don't think one would fit inside that tower. It must be something else altogether."

Wynona shrugs. "Maybe it's just magic? But then, of course, if magic doesn't work on these other worlds, I guess that doesn't make much of a theory. Unless, that is, there are different types of magic. I suppose some day, when we get a chance to better study all of this, we'll be able to apply more meaningful names to what we discover."

Envoy says, with great authority, "Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology. Anyway, let's go see it!"

Wynona says, "I like that idea! Hopefully our Temple representative will have finished dealing with the Kampfzengruppers by now." She looks about, her eyes falling upon a Temple Priest of the Korvish variety, who is discussing particulars with a human in a decorated uniform who must hold a high rank amongst the Abaddonians.

Near the tower, there are some wagons loaded with dirt … and some stacked pieces of rusted iron. On any other word, it would probably be charitably called "junk".

Envoy says, "I think 'Kampfzengrupper' might mean 'Dream Soldier'. Or else 'Dream Footwear'. I can't be too sure with human languages."

Wynona raises her eyebrows. "Really? That sounds quite surreal. Maybe they're in denial of reality?"

The Aeolun blinks again at Wynona, and says, "Because they're trading metal for dirt?"

A Temple officer walks up to the adventurers and announces, "We have secured the right for passage to Fortunatis. You should be aware that the gateway only functions once every Sinai day … and if it fails to function the next day, it may be because the Kampfzengruppe chose to open a different gateway before you activate it yourself."

Wynona takes a moment to nod at the officer, then turns to Envoy. "Well, that is a good point there."

"Is there no way to send a message between Gateways then?" Envoy asks the officer.

The officer says, "The gateway windows can show images of the world on the other side. You may be able to catch the attention of someone on this side … but the Kampfzengruppe can be … hard to deal with sometimes. If you cannot get back immediately, try again. We have already demonstrated that the Fortunatis gate is in working order."

Wynona says, "Well, maybe we'd best head for the gateway before those Abaddonians change their minds, hmm?" She points to a glassy window at the base of the tower, in between the stacks of rusty iron and dirt.

Envoy runs up to look through the "window" into the tower.

As soon as Envoy touches the glass window … it shatters! The shards make strange, tinkling noises as they slide apart, retracting into the archway framing the window.

Through the open window can be seen the interior of the tower – lined with glowing crystals that seem almost liquid as they pulse with light and energy.

The Exile blinks as the way opens, but doesn't hesitate to run inside!

Inside the Gateway Tower, Envoy is soon followed by Korut and Wynona, the former carrying the bulk of the supplies. The bottom of the tower is ringed with twelve archways and windows, each just like the one Envoy came through, but only one of them providing passage to the outside. The other "windows" reveal only dull stone. Just then, the glassy shards of the "broken" window appear again, sliding together and then fusing, forming a whole surface once more.

Envoy tries to look everywhere at once. "It's beautiful! Almost like a T'spyra-rhyan! Alive!" She grins like an idiot.

In the center of the chamber floats a myriad of points of light with no visible source of origination. In the very center is a glowing yellow orb that is the largest, and around which orbit points of light that probably correspond to the planets of this solar system. The luminescent models evidently aren't to scale, and there are two outermost planets that aren't accounted for in currently recognized astronomy.

"I wonder if they modeled the Map Room at the City of Hands after this," Envoy ponders, looking up at the miniature solar system.

It's easy enough to pick out the blue orb that represents Sinai – it even has a ring around it: the Procession, no doubt. It seems to have a faint glowing aura about it that the other representations lack.

"Wynona, when you went to Abaddon, did that," Envoy points to the floating representation of the red world, "have a glow around it like Sinai does here?"

Wynona nods. "It corresponds to which world you have a 'link' made to. Right now, the only way to go is," she points to the window showing the desert outside, "Sinai."

Envoy ohs. "That's handy! How do we pick which world to go to?"

Wynona says, "You walk right up to one of the windows. Here … I have a 'map', sort of… " She digs around in her satchel and pulls out a diagram of the chamber – a circle, with each window numbered and indicated by a name. She points at the top of the circle. "Here's Primus … and you go clockwise around this way and it corresponds to the order of the planets out from the sun. Here's Sinai … and here's Fortunatis. These two," she points to those at the end of the circuit, "we don't have names for yet."

Ever curious, Envoy approaches the two "unknown" portals. "What do they look like?"

"Well, they look like," Wynona starts, then stops as the archway Envoy stands in front of lights up. "Well … they look like that." The window in front of Envoy shows what looks like a swirling mass of purple shadows that dance about. Occasionally, one with sufficient imagination might be able to form them into the likeness of fanciful creatures or familiar faces … but nothing clear or certain.

Envoy freezes for a moment, then steps back away from that portal, and moves towards the other unnamed one.

The purple-world window returns to a plain face of dull stone … and then the new face reveals … an empty void of space, filled with an expanse of stars more clearly visible than any view from Sinai at night.

Envoy's keen senses, however, pick out a slight aberration … there is a slight flickering in the starscape from what would be considered the "horizon" from Envoy's point of view, on downward.

Envoy watches for awhile, trying to determine if the distortion is reflecting the starscape, or is somehow transparent.

And that's it – the distorted area is a reflection of the starscape above … not a perfect reflection, as it is warped here and there, but there's too much symmetry here for it to just be a transparent field showing more stars beyond.

"I dub thee Ylem and Quicksilver," Envoy says to the portals. Then she turns around and rejoins Wynona. "Interesting and disturbing worlds, to be sure."

Wynona giggles. "Why 'Ylem'?"

Envoy says, "Ylem is the primordial stuff of creation. Unformed, vague, but desiring the imposition of order."

"Really?" asks Wynona. "I'll have to remember that. It sounds so much more dignified than 'stuff'."

"It does, doesn't it?" Envoy agrees. "And if you press it on newsprint, the words will stick to it too. Let's see what the weather is like on Fortunatis, shall we?"

Wynona nods, repeating 'ylem' under her breath and smiling, quite pleased with the sound of the word. She then steps over to the window that is indicated on the map as corresponding to Fortunatis. The window to "Quicksilver" fades, and the one to Fortunatis clears to reveal a garish-looking landscape … like some sort of Kame Ikata landscape brought to life, only painted in even brighter, nay, luminescent colors.

"The rocks may have fluorescent crystals in them," Envoy says. "But then they'd need to be bombarded by charged particles to light up like that. And I don't know how they'd change color. They sure look pretty though! We should try to bring some back to see if they still do that on Sinai."

Envoy grins, "Or maybe the whole planet is made of the same kind of crystal as this tower! Imagine that!"

"Do we all have to go through at the same time?" the Exile asks Korut.

Korut nods. "It tends to help, unless you want to risk getting separated."

Envoy blinks, and her eyes go wide once more. "Separated? You mean people have been stretched apart?" She gets a firm grip on her horn with her left hand.

Wynona says, "Nonono! I mean … I really don't think that … er … ouch. No, that hasn't happened. I think what he means is that … well, really, we've got plenty of time to go through before the gateway closes. The chances of us getting separated from each other are fairly slim. It just seems to be the tradition to hold onto each other when going through, but it probably doesn't matter."

That seems to calm down Envoy, although she doesn't release the grip on her horn. "Oh, okay. If this really is a subspace-distortion wormhole though, I hope it doesn't try to translate my ansible to another dimension, since I can't turn it off. But that's not very likely to happen, right?" She looks hopefully at Wynona.

Wynona looks puzzled, then shakes her head, "Uhm … no, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to speak the same language when you come out."

Envoy lets go of her horn and nods. "All right. I'm ready then."

Wynona says, "Very well then … I guess I'll go first, since I'm a veteran at this… " She reaches out to touch the window … and is promptly sucked out of sight!

Envoy looks to the Jupani, and says, "I'll hold onto some of that baggage if you'll hold my hand."

"Sure," answers the Jupani, handing off a satchel labeled "food", and holding Envoy's free hand.

The Exile grips both hand and satchel tightly, and steps into the portal.

Reality stretches outward and spirals tightly, as Envoy can feel herself being in many places at once, seeing the starry expanse and the void between the worlds … and then space pulling together and apart as she bridges the space between herself and a luminescent world. It's a terribly wrenching sensation that would probably cause great stomach distress for most "normal" creatures.

Envoy does suffer a few random memory flashbacks due to the transit however, leaving her a bit disoriented.

At last, the experience comes to a close, as space recedes, and reality rushes up in the form of a solid floor that Envoy finds herself suddenly standing on, as the wolf comes through the window behind them, still holding her hand, and staggering a bit at the sudden reversion to realspace. "Unh… " he groans. Wynona is kneeling on the floor, moaning.

They are now standing in a crystal chamber that is much like the one on Sinai … except that it happens to have a roof, and all of the windows save for the one with the portal show a view of the surrounding landscape of Fortunatis, rapidly and randomly changing colors in coursing waves that ripple across the mountains and hills.

Envoy looks at the Eeee and lets go of Korut's hand, dropping the food bag from her other one. "Oh no! Channa, the Gate's turned your fur white!!"