Multi-storied buildings rise on each side of the street in a cheerfully chaotic way, some of them seeming to balance precariously on their foundations, some of them not content to stay on one side of the street, but rather arching across to join another house on the other side by means of a second-story covered "bridge" connecting the two. Clotheslines stretch across the alleys, garments drying in the intermittent breeze. Stray dogs, cats, krenns, Creens, fuff'nars and other small animals – former pets, gone feral – wander about, begging for or stealing scraps of food.

A selona rickshaw patters down the street at a pace far slower than it would be going in Nagai City – but still reckless by most civilized standards – and a Savanite critter-catcher sprints out of the way, then shakes his fist at the back of the totally oblivious frog-like Shiga riding in the careening carriage. After this vain gesture of frustration, the coolect-eaten-looking cheetah adjusts his cap, dusts off his patched-up uniform that identifies him as "Safar City Public Pest Control", and takes up his critter-catcher net, stalking the alley in search of strays.

Across the street, some girls play "jump-Naga", a young snake in their number whipping her coil around to serve as the "rope" and hissing a nonsensical rhyme, while a cheetah, a floppy-eared mutt and a lizard duck and leap in time. Nearby, boys play "snap-and-grab", trying to snatch brightly colored stones scattered within a chalk circle, avoiding the clamping jaws of an ornery bug perched in the center. A "snap" announces the end of the game, accompanied by a yowl from a young tabby Khatta as he shakes his hand about, trying to shake off the stubborn (but largely ineffectual) bug, while his buddies guffaw (or ear-wiggle, in the case of Savanites).

Up on one of the bridges spanning the street, under a canopy of old sheets and what remains of a wooden roof, the sounds of leather drums, wooden chimes and whistle can be heard, played by a band comprised of a small family of cheetahs, joined by a rat playing beggar's-whistle. The Creen-flutes have attracted several Creens, naturally, and the little rainbow-winged lizards strut back and forth on the roof and bob their heads up and down. A number of passers-by have gathered in the shade cast by the bridge or nearby awnings, or (in the case of fliers) perch on balconies and rooftops, taking a break in their routine to listen to the concert.

Some are just hanging around here because the chigas seem to be biting less frequently here. Maybe it has something to do with those pungent-smelling leather pouches dangling on strings from the bridge … or all the Creens that have congregated here.

Down at the street level, a Silent-Ones warrior with sigils on his mask identifying him as "Son-of-Thunder" vigorously exchanges signs with a small gathering of cheetah men, most of them looking to be of advanced age, and some wearing robes, prayer shawls or talismans marking them as holy men or shamans. One cheetah is dressed in a loose white greatcoat with a wide-brimmed hat shielding his eyes, with a heavy wooden symbol of the Star hanging about his neck. Another is adorned in leather and feathers and bits of bone, carrying a crooked staff that has a Creen skeleton curled around the tip and a pair of fading wings. A third is an Abaddonian Silent-Ones priest whose mask identifies him as "Open-Hand". A fourth is a solemn, gaunt-looking cheetah with a frosted black mane, adorned in plain brown robes.

The Skreek taps her foot on the wooden floor of the bridge as she plays a light trilling tune. It's a song about hope and joy, but notes are missing in odd places and the music itches at the ears of the people listening to it… a song about peace and joy, but unfinished. Something is missing or wrong.

A passing cloud shadows the bridge for a time. Several cheetahs, reptiles, amphibians and fliers watch and listen curiously – some sitting and paying attention, others just half-listening while they chat or exchange signs with fellows and go about daily business, and others just walk a little more slowly as they pass by.

Her eyes judging the size of the crowd, Willow flicks her tail back and forth behind her, signaling the musicians to wind the song to an end. As the last notes play out, she moves to the railing of the bridge and looks out at the people. "Thank you all for coming to listen to us perform. Usually when musicians finish their song, they pass a hat around… but for payment I do not wish for coins or charity. I only ask that you stay for a few minutes longer and listen to what I have to say."

A few of those who were only passing by or tending to other business pause to glance up at the rat and the cheetahs. Son-of-Thunder's "friends" spread out, stepping out from under the bridge so that they can see the Skreek better as well.

She swallows and licks her lips. She tucks her whistle into her belt and holds her hands out, echoing her spoken words in sign. "I am Lady Willow-the-Wisp Dack, and I have come here to speak to you of the Star. I have no speech to give, no heartless spiel … I just wanted to tell you that the Star loves us all. There are those who will tell you that the Star demands that we punish those who do not walk in its light … but they are wrong. The Star is love, and its greatest gift is forgiveness. Anything that claims to be of the Star but lacks those two virtues is a lie."

A few of those gathered – none of the holy men, incidentally – walk off immediately. The Skreek gets more than a few dubious expressions in response to her message.

Not all are so dubious, though. There are a few children who seem curious more than anything, not old enough to have learned to be quite so cynical. And there are a few who might well be of a favorable bent toward the Star … and maybe a few who are just "undecided" and willing enough to "pay the piper" by listening to a short speech.

"I came to Safar because I had heard of the Star that the Priest-Queen claimed to have been in contact with. I was joyous as her at the news at first, but then I started feeling uneasy. Finally I spoke to the Priest-Queen herself and asked her to speak to her 'star' for me, to ask it to lighten me of my fears. Instead, what it gave me was a veiled threat, that I will either worship this 'star' or meet its 'holy fire'. When I asked the Queen to test this spirit, like it asks in the Holy Book, she refused to listen to me and sent me out of the City," Willow continues, "I did not sleep that night, and before I left in the morning, I had found a chamber that told the history of the Savanite Empire. I learned that what comes is not a god or a star, but men … and they might be cruel men at that. Safar and Xenea are the symbol of freedom all over Sinai – a place where being a Savanite or a Jingai do not matter … but you may soon find yourselves being blindly led back into bonds again."

One of the cheetahs claps his hands, but not in applause. He makes wide sweeps of his arms as he signs, "She speaks against the Priest-Queen!"

One lizard, at the mention of the "symbol of freedom" status of Xenea, cheers out, oblivious to any controversy in the rat's speech.

"Which one? Third-Vision founded this land … and Jade-Eyes disobeyed her wishes and went into a cursed tabernacle to speak with this so-called 'star'. She disobeyed the wishes of the very person who died for all of you, as though Third-Vision was nothing at all. What sort of queen cares nothing for her predecessor – what sort of priest will not even listen to the counsel of the very book whose teachings she is supposed to form her faith from? I am not intending to incite you into a revolution, but I am warning you that you may be led into slavery again if you blindly follow this false 'star' like she does."

Another cheetah – an adolescent male – signs, "What is this history?"

The Skreek turns to this cheetah. "Your ancestors, and those of the very first Priest-King. Jade-Eyes spoke of the Silent-Ones from beyond the stars – they are your ancestors, but were a race of warriors and world conquerors. They believed in the Star, but twisted the message to suit their own needs. They turned the Star's message of love into one of conquest."

"Our ancestors are the First Ones!" signs a young cheetah girl, perhaps in her teens. "The crystal hands are proof of that!" Her claim, however, goes largely unnoticed by those around her.

The cloud rolls on, though the cool shade over the bridge and the gathered crowd still lingers.

"The First Ones of the Temple?" replies the Skreek. "The writings on the wall said that the Temple was founded by the Silent-Ones, under the name of the Star. It was later that they twisted it into a belief of the First Ones. The crystal hands mean nothing, for the Priest-King himself had the ability to make technological wonders from crystal."

. The girl just glowers at the Skreek, then storms off. The cheetah who asked about history – a male not much older than the girl – signs, "What of the Silent-Ones of Abaddon? Who are they, then, if not our ancestors?"

Willow faces the boy next. "I do not claim to know all of the answers, but the writings I saw spoke of Silent-Ones arriving on great craft from the stars, one of them landing on Rephidim itself. Would it also not be possible for them to land on other planets as well? Or they may have gone there through the Gateway Tower. They are as much of the People as you are, though. The Star loves them as much as it loves you or me." She clears her throat and addresses the crowd again. "Have you not realized why the Star has never shown its face to us? If we knew what it looked like, it might make us exalt one type of person over another."

The Silent-Ones priest puts a hand to the chin of his helmet in a contemplative gesture. The boy looks to the sky, lost in thought. A few of the children lose interest and go back to their games. Son-of-Thunder busily exchanges signs with a few cheetahs, and it looks like some members of the family helping Willow out with the music have gone down to the street as well.

Willow leans over the rail. "I will tell you what I plan to do. I cannot believe that this is the Star. The Star would have known how to comfort me. Instead, this 'star' threatened me. Third-Vision knew that the tabernacle was evil, and the members of the Twelve tried to seduce her into using it. Instead they have seduced Jade-Eyes. They know that the false gods they tried to raise did not work, so now they prey upon the Queen's hope for wanting to help the people. I do not fault her for that, but a leader should not be naive nor should they disobey the very teachings of the deity they claim to follow. I follow the Star, and even if it brings me my death or brings suffering upon me, I will do what I feel the Star would have me do. What I ask of you is to follow me – not in a riot against the Priest-Queen, but against the false god she brings down with her."

One of the lizard hiss-laughs. "A Skreek setting herself up as our new leader?"

The Skreek shakes her head. "I am not the leader of this; I am only a follower. The Star is my leader." She folds her arms across the railings. "Is the land of freedom a place where one may listen to the words of a Jinga and the signs of a Savanite, but not the words of a rat who follows the Star? I was converted by Third-Vision herself in the Himaat; I owe my faith and my life to her and her people. It is the least I can to do try and preserve it."

"And what does your Star tell you to do?" signs a Savanite merchant.

"To love those who hate me, to forgive those who hurt me, and to walk in truth and love," Willow replies. "I tested this spirit and saw the eyes of a demon instead. Telling me that I must bend my knee or die are not the words of the true Star, and if you read even a fraction of the teachings of the Holy Book you will know that for yourself."

A few more people shuffle off, though almost as many stop by to listen to the goings-on. Now that the music has ended, and there are no morsels to feed on, most of the Creens have dispersed.

The Skreek moves to sit on the railing, letting her feet dangle down. "All I ask is that you spread my word. If you are afraid to face the Star's fire I do not fault you. But to those who feel my words, I ask that if you will not follow me then spread the word and bring people who can. There are priests under the bridge who will give you books to read, and I will be at this place every day until I am arrested or killed. I will speak to you and listen to what you have to say… all I ask in return is that you listen to me as well. I am not asking you to be my soldiers, my revolutionaries, or any such thing. I ask you to follow the Star, and that is all."

Some of those more critical part ways, while a few others – Savanites, Jingai and a few other species – wander over toward the group gathered under the bridge.

Willow smiles and pulls herself back over the bridge. She puts her whistle to her mouth and begins playing the tune she played earlier, except that the missing notes have appeared and the song sounds more complete – not quite, but it lacks the tense quality it did earlier. As she plays, she slowly walks down to join the crowd underneath the bridge and to allow the people there to meet her on a more personal level.

Son-of-Thunder and a few other cheetahs hand out some copies of "abbreviated" versions of the Holy Book – courtesy of Testament-Blaze and his friends.

The Skreek leans against one of the bracers holding the bridge up, she tries to manage a smile and a nod to every one of the people there. ( I hope I'm doing this right. I'm no priest… )

"Mage Envoy!" calls out someone from within the crowd. It looks like a Vartan-hybrid in the uniform of a Temple Ranger.

His call is returned by a white-winged Kiriga (?) in green robes.

Willow flattens her ears in thought. ( Envoy… Envoy… where have I heard… OH! The girl who thought she was a Zelak! We worked together in Oresta. ) She plays her tune a bit louder, giving it a bit of a Himaatian flair as she remembers her adventures in Abu Dhabi.

"Books? What kind of books?" a snippet of conversation can be heard from the direction of the Temple Ranger.

The Skreek continues to play her tune, she glances around to see if the shamans that were speaking to Son-of-Thunder earlier were among those that left, or if they're still here.

There's a faint scent in the air that reaches Willow's nose. Smells like Sebazhan's favorite cologne. Very unusual, since it's a concoction that Willow invented.

It looks like the shaman is still present, quietly watching the exchanges.

A shrill note escapes from Willow's beggar's whistle and she almost drops the instrument. She abruptly stops playing and stands up on her toes, scanning the crowd a great deal more closely.

It looks like the Kiriga mage has just picked up a pamphlet from a lady cheetah. It looks like one of those "Is the true Star coming?" pamphlets and a booklet. (The message inside is, of course, "No," or at least, "This particular 'star' isn't the real one.")

A black Khatta dressed in white can be seen briefly, making his way through the crowd, weaving back this way, then that way, apparently trying to get over toward the group under the bridge, but not quite making it.

"SEBAZHAAAAAAAN!!!" Willow squeals, jumping up and down and waving her arms. She looks at the crowd and frowns. "Meet me up top on the bridge! You can tell me what in fires you're doing here!" She grins and then starts to jog back up.

Meanwhile, an exchange can be heard between Envoy and the Ranger, as Envoy gets the Ranger to read the pamphlet for her.

The black Khatta smirks and waves, nodding … then makes his way to the other side of the street – and the other staircase leading up to the bridge.

The weeks of separation from her husband have taken a toll on the Skreek, and the first thing she does is pounce the black Khatta, hugging him wildly. "You big … I mean … argh! What are you doing here? Where's Nene?"

Sebazhan, after years of practice, manages to catch the rat without falling on his tail. He laughs, then says, "She's safe back in Dack, don't worry. I just couldn't very well leave you here without checking up on you."

Willow's smile fades a little bit. "I suppose my letter was a little on the dark side. I'm sorry if I scared you … but, well … I couldn't lie to you or make things sound as though they weren't as bad as they are." She shakes her head and jerks a thumb over her shoulder. "What do you think of my new crew?"

Sebazhan smiles. "As usual, you display a knack for making lots of new friends wherever you go. Not too many enemies as well, I hope?"

"Once the Priest-Queen finds out about what I'm doing – and no doubt she'll find out soon enough – I'll make an enemy or two. But Testy tells me that it's expected in this line of work. Whatever happens, I'll manage." She takes a step back , leaning over the rail a little to listen to the goings on under the bridge. "We play music every day, and I talk. Some people listen and some don't. When this 'star' comes, we'll be waiting and ready. We might just be a handful of dust against an ocean of sand, but we can make a show. If I could only get to one of the Twelve … that would mean something."

Sebazhan looks over as well. "Hmm. Is that your new friend, Son-of-Thunder? It looks like he's got his hands full down there."

Indeed, Son-of-Thunder is down there, fending off arguments from the shaman (who believes in a pantheon of gods and earth spirits), the Abaddonian priest (who is of the "Keepers of the Flame" sect, and thus believes in one Star, and doesn't like being called an 'impostor', but still has issues with passing out holy books), and the white-robed priest (who seems to be just fine with the Star and passing out holy books, but believes that the holy book needs another chapter that explains how the First Ones fit into the scheme of things.)

The cheetah in the brown robes seems to be just quietly standing there the whole while, not jumping in at all.

"That's him. He's a good helper, but I hope he's finding the Star in all of this. He's learning to ask questions and believe in himself. It's a start." The Skreek smirks a little, and then looks contemplative. "Honey, I'm happy as a hatching poly to see you again, but I want to check on something. I'll be back in a moment." She gives the Khatta a peck on the cheek and heads down the steps again, curious about this extra silent cheetah.

Willow makes it downstairs without incident. Son-of-Thunder is still doing his best to hold his own … though since he's getting so many arguments at once, it's as if he should be handing out numbers.

The brown-robed cheetah continues to watch the arguments, not noticing – or at least not acknowledging – Willow's arrival.

The Skreek stands alongside the quiet cheetah. "Hello. I notice you've been here listening a great deal. Sometimes people do that because they're waiting for someone to ask the question they want an answer to, or sometimes they do it because they just learn better by watching others. I'm Willow-the-Wisp. If I can help you in any way, I'll be happy to."

The brown-robed cheetah turns to look at Willow. His hair is long, and was once raven black, but it shows signs of light gray "frost". There's something odd about his eyes … as if they seem to be piercing through and gazing into Willow's very soul … or maybe he's just staring.

Willow flinches a little but resists the urge to step back and put some space between her and the Savanite. "I know this sounds like propaganda or yifflewash… but you look as though you're troubled by something. I've seen eyes like yours before."

The cheetah inclines his head. "Greetings, Lady Dack. I am Twilight-Wing, of the Twelve," he signs.

Meanwhile, Willow's ears pick up Envoy saying, "I haven't seen her in a few years, but we were on good terms then."

"Oh." The Skreek sounds a bit disappointed but shakes her head as though clearing away the thought. "What brought you here? I'm sorry for the pain I've caused your Queen – but I still mean the words I spoke. If you are one of the Twelve then you know how much of a 'true' star this thing that Jade-Eyes speaks with really is."

Twilight-Wing nods again, and signs, "I am not at liberty to speak of the Star. I am here, however, to observe, for my own benefit. Do not fear. I am not here to warn the Priest-Queen of your actions."

Willow's ears alert her to a bit of tapping on stone next to the staircase … Sebazhan's little way to let keen-eared Willow know that he's nearby.

"I don't care about that, and I don't care who you are. If you came here to learn about the Star, then that is all that matters to me." Willow looks over at the conversation between Son-Of-Thunder and his three companions. "Son-of-Thunder was probably best suited for speaking to other members of his brotherhood. I'm sure that the added burden of the other two isn't helping… but if one of them is willing to listen, then it can be three or three-hundred against one person. Listening is the important part. If I can help you or answer anything for you, I would be happy to."

"Yes," signs Twilight-Wing. "Where did you learn of this 'history'?"

"It was in your own city, written on a wall and then hidden with some plaster that had been blasted loose during the attack on the City. It's in the room where the Creen-ship once was, and I hope that you ask me this because you want to see it for yourself instead of hide it or somehow use it against me." The Skreek perks an ear behind her back and turns around, shouting something over her shoulder. "It's very important to both the College and to Rephidim! If these people say kneel or die, then they'll probably step beyond the Savan! And if a message is finally able to get out, then no doubt they can come in just as easily!"

Twilight-Wing inclines his head to Envoy.

"Go see it for yourself, and come back here. Judge with your own eyes, but if you do, then I ask that you take one of the books with you as well."

Mage Envoy and Ranger Lochinvar walk up to Willow and Twilight-Wing.

Willow turns around to face the Aeolun and the winged coyote. "Rephidim will be surprised to learn that the Temple they founded was originally formed by the Silent-Ones – Priests and Silent-One Inquisitors who worshipped the Star and not the First Ones. I bet that there are people there that know this for a fact already, but they deny it because it would mean that the Temple would have to take up this so-called 'slave's religion' and drop veneration of the First Ones. The ones that are coming will probably bear an uncanny resemblance to the Templars, to the point that I doubt the Temple will be all that comfortable with it."

"But wouldn't they have to come through the Gateway Tower?" Envoy asks. "Unless they plan to crash-land or stay up in orbit."

"I'm not sure I follow," says Lochinvar. "'Ones that are coming'? Who's coming?"

Twilight-Wing just watches the threesome confer, not adding any signs one way or the other.

"They're obviously not afraid of coming here, and they probably know what happened to the people that came before them. I've seen Titanian and Abaddonian machines work here on the ground, and airships are working better as well… for all we know, if we found a way to improve airships, they have as well. Besides, I don't like the idea of a bunch of ships crashing into Sinai either. We've already had enough cities wiped clean off the map over the last few years." The Skreek puts her hands in her pockets. "I'm sorry… I'm Willow-the-Wisp Dack. You can call me Willow or Lady Dack or Foxfire. As for the 'they', Queen Jade-Eyes has proclaimed that Silent-Ones from beyond the Gateway Worlds are coming here, and when I spoke to her about them she was claiming that these people were the Star itself. I don't believe it, and see a lot of trouble coming, so I'm getting ready in the best way I know how."

Envoy purses her lips. "Do you mean they would not be coming merely to take land, but as a missionary force? Did the Queen say when they were arriving, or how she learned of their arrival?"

Lochinvar nods to the rat. "Lochinvar Arques, Ranger of the Rephidim Temple," he offers as his introduction. "And machines working on the ground? That's something that only the Chronotopians can really claim to have working. I wouldn't really count the Titanians that much."

"Oh," the Aeolun says, "Forgive my rudeness. I am Envoy of Lothrhyn, Exile, and Mage of the Sphere of Earth. I was there when Twilight-Wing and the other Twelve-Times-Twelve were revived."

"Through a tabernacle that Third-Vision forbade people to go through. Some kind of means to communicate outside of the Gateway Worlds, I suppose. There's something in the Procession that helps it along, but I'd have to probably be a Technopriest to explain it properly. Jade-Eyes didn't give me a time or a date… only the message that they were coming. This 'star' itself told me… " She clears her throat. "'The Star is coming. When the Star has arrived, all truth will be revealed, and all doubts will be purged from the hearts of the faithful. And those who resist the purging of their doubts will be cleansed with holy fire.'"

The cheetah mage nods. "I can confirm the Exile's claim. I am Twilight-Wing, of the Twelve, specialist in the Sphere of Mind. Envoy of Lothrhyn … " He turns to look at the Exile. "… was approached briefly in the City of Hands shortly after the coronation of Priest-Queen Third-Vision, and shortly after then-Princess Jade-Eyes had procured knowledge of the 'tabernacle', as you call it, from my fellows amongst the Twelve-times-Twelve. I had feared that Envoy's curiosity would prompt her to join Jade-Eyes in investigating, but she had other concerns at the time."

"Not a friendly message. That isn't my Star, and it's not Third-Vision's Star either," Willow adds. "I don't know about the rest… but I'd rather be prepared for something that turns out to not be necessary than to not be prepared at all."

"Then the communications system is here, at the City of Hands?" Envoy asks with a look of amazement.

The Skreek nods. "But there's wards set up. Only the royal family can get through without setting them off."

Twilight-Wing nods. "In a manner of signing. The tabernacle is in the City. It was left unused during the time of the Priest-King of old, but it is a relic of the earliest times of the Empire, I am led to believe. The tabernacle is of no use unless, however, there is a sentinel watching from above." He points up. "Priest-Queen Jade-Eyes calls this sentinel an 'angel'. As for the wards, they were set at Priest-Queen Third-Vision's request … though not to her precise specifications."

Envoy turns to Willow next, and asks, "When you received the message from the Silent-Ones there, are you sure it was an actual communication and not some ancient recording?"

Lochinvar stands listening (and watching) the conversation in silence for the moment. Such talk of wards and magic is not something that he's good at following.

Twilight-Wing casts a glance at Lochinvar, then back to the others. "If you will pardon me, I believe I should be going. I have business with the Priest-Queen, at the City, and should not tarry. A good day to you," he signs, bowing.

Willow's ears flatten a little at the cheetah's signs. "I don't know. I just know that something is pretending to be the Star, and Jade-Eyes has fallen for it. I'm no expert on technology and only know what history I've read. You could probably go to the City and try to find out for yourself, but you would probably find yourself encouraged to leave much like I did."

"Will I see you again?" The Skreek turns to wave at the mage. "You are welcome here, no matter what happens."

Twilight-Wing signs, "Our paths will cross again," and then he turns and walks away.

"What do you think he's going to tell her?" Envoy asks the Skreek in a whisper.

Willow bites at her lip a little. "I might have made a mistake telling him about the room with the writings, but I'd sooner trust him and hope he makes the right decision. Part of the problem with the Star religion right now is that there are people who hide the writings from the people that need them." She shakes her head and smiles halfheartedly at the Aeolun. "Maybe nothing, maybe everything. I don't know."

"Can you describe the tabernacle to me?" the Aeolun asks. "Did it have lots of light-reflecting surfaces, and a clear view of the sky? And by clear view, I mean was it underneath the clouds of the Forbidden Zone or not?"

"I only saw it from the outside, Mage Envoy, and at a distance at that. It looked like just another brown building from what I saw." The Skreek shrugs. "I'm sorry, but I wasn't allowed in or near it. I may be royalty by some standards, but I'm not Savanite royalty."

Envoy's tail lashes back and forth as she thinks. "The Map Chamber used natural light to good effect. To communicate with an artifact in the Procession, light would be the logical medium. It would not be affected by probability barriers, but also would be limited by the brightness and rate of signal encoding available. That might explain why it can only be used when the artifact is in the right position. You've probably seen airships using heliostat mirrors or lanterns to signal to each other or to the ground."

The Ranger nods to Envoy. "Indeed. It's a pretty common practice," he notes, as the conversation touches upon something he has knowledge of.

Willow just shrugs again. "Just more proof that this isn't divine, which is the point I'm trying to make. Just that if we're going to go against a false god, then we need people who believe in the true one to join up with us. Unfortunately there's so many variations, it's like trying to glue a broken sword back together."

The armored cheetah, Son-of-Thunder, walks up to the group. "Lady Dack?" he signs. "We have handed out the last of our booklets that we have for today, and the pamphlets too. We drew our largest crowd yet!"

"Good job! I'll see if I can't get that bread shop to make us some extra loaves when we try to write up more tonight." The Skreek pats the cheetah's armored shoulder. "Hope your fingers can handle it."

"Lochinvar, can you recognize all of the Guide stars in the Procession?" Envoy asks the Ranger. "If we can determine which one – if it is one of them – is the 'Angel' Jade-Eyes mentioned, and if I can get a look at the tabernacle room in action, we might be able to eavesdrop on future communications."

The winged coyote nods. "I am able to, certainly," he replies.

"I think the two of us should take the tour of the City of Hands then," the Mage says to the Hekoye-Vartan, while pointing to the faded poster espousing the thrills and wonders of Safarland.

"Don't get too close, or you'll set off the wards. Third-Vision set them to give off an alarm or something to that effect if someone got too close." Willow rubs her nose. "I'm staying with some friends here in the city. I can give you the address and would be quite interested in anything you can find out. I can't pay you unless you like poly bugs or… " She glances at the Hekoye's tail, noticing the baubles there.

Lochinvar grins a little to Envoy. "A tour could be interesting. As I mentioned before, my last time here was fleeting at best. Hardly time for 'sightseeing'."

"I intended to visit the City anyway," Envoy says, smiling. "Do any of the other surviving members of the Royal Family still live there, Willow?"

Son-of-Thunder signs, "I'll get back to work," and then he bows to Envoy, Lochinvar and Willow, and heads off again.

"Nobody lives there, since they're trying to rebuild it. Jade-Eyes stays there a lot because of the Tabernacle, but I don't think that even she actually lives there." The Skreek digs around in her pocket and pulls out a pair of rings. They look silvery black, like hematite. "Here. I give these to my friends. And, by the way, Envoy… you've grown up a lot since I last saw you. I'm impressed." She holds out her hand, the rings resting in her palm.

Envoy accepts the ring, and tilts her head as she looks over the Skreek's face. "Forgive me, Lady Dack, but … I never forget a face, and I don't believe we've met before. I assume you must have seen me when I was performing as a bard, yes?"

The coyote picks up one of the rings and looks it over briefly. "Thank you," he says.

"Well, my face has changed a lot since you saw it last. Brown fur, yellow eyes, red hair … bad attitude. Don't blurt my name out, if you don't mind. I've changed a lot since Oresta." The Skreek winks. "But if I'm going to call you a friend, then I need to be honest with you."

The Aeolun blinks three times, then smiles. "I promise not to mention your past life, if you will promise not to call me 'the Zelak-girl' or 'bug-lady', all right?"

Lochinvar looks between Envoy and Willow, a little puzzled. For now, he puts the ring in one of his belt pouches.

"Deal." Willow jerks a thumb up to the top of the bridge. "My husband's up top, Prince Sebazhan Dack of Kroz. He's a very handsome black Khatta. I wish you could meet Jezebel Nene, my daughter, but it was safer for her to stay in Kroz." She folds her hands behind her back. "I found the Star through Third-Vision. It was only appropriate that I name my little girl after the person that taught me how to love again."

"I wish I'd had the chance to meet Third-Vision again after her coronation," Envoy says, while looking up towards the bridge. "The last time I'd seen her, she exiled me. Ah, so your husband is the one responsible for this respite from the hot sun?"

The music continues to play from the bridge-building – minus the beggar's-whistle, of course, since Willow's carrying it.

"And the last time you saw me, I insulted you because you were an easy target. People can change in a short amount of time, Star willing." Willow smiles and places her hand on her chest. The light glints off the rings on her fingers. Every one (including her thumbs) sports a ring of a different color and make. "Neither of you seem to be the type to follow the Star, but if you managed to get a book before we ran out, I hope you'll read them. I think that in the end of all of this, faith will be what wins the day. I've seen it do a great deal already."

The Hekoye still has the book that Envoy got. "We did get one, yes," he says, holding it up.

Envoy grins at the sight of Willow's rings, but doesn't comment on them. "I would like to meet your husband. Anyone who can upset so many of my instructors without their having even met him must be a kindred spirit."

"They're just jealous because he learned without having to pay a monster tuition!" The Skreek sticks her tongue out and then grins. "Can either of you sing or play an instrument?"

Off to the side of the street, a girl Savanite, Gallah and Khatta start playing "jump-Naga" – a little female Naga using her own tail as the jump-rope and hissing a nonsense rhyme while her friends jump and duck in time.

"I've been known to dabble in it," Envoy says. "Are you trying to form a local troupe?"

Lochinvar shakes his head. "Sorry," he says. "I do neither."

Willow pulls her whistle from her belt and twirls it. "We play music to gather a crowd, and instead of asking for shekels, we ask that they just listen to us for a little bit. It's time for the last concert, and we invite new converts to join in. If you can't play anything, then you can just clap your hands." The Skreek elbows the Hekoye playfully. "Afterwards, I'll show you a bakery out here to die for."

Envoy smiles, "It's been a while since I've had the chance to sing just for fun. There's a type of magic that doesn't need any Collegia training either."

"Well, I wouldn't call myself a 'convert', but I will join in with the clapping. I think I can manage to fake holding a rhythm," the coyote says, grinning a little.