Hello my beauties! A new chapter, filled with wonder and delight as we go to the Divine Realms. As usual, I still do not own any characters, only the plot. Hopefully you will like it!

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A strange creature was wondering through the Divine Realms. His kind was not that common, even here. His beaded skin was the color of a thunderhead and his softly pebbled stomach was a light whisper of gray. He carried his tail as that of the ladies of the court; daintily held in one paw as though a train to a gown. For several days he had been searching the Divine Realms, using his skills with languages to try and find information to help the Wildmage. It had been some time since the basilisk had wandered the fields and forests of his native home. He breathed in deeply, scenting the powerful smells the Realms had to offer. Tkaa was glad to be home, but wished it was for a less urgent cause.

Musing to himself, he slid a clawed paw into the pouch on his stomach to pull out a chunk of raw opal. He munched upon it with delight, for the opals found in the Divine Realms were more pure and flavorful than any in the mortal realms. The stone glittered with raw beauty as he bit his sharp silver teeth straight into the heart of the rock. Content, he wiped his muzzle clean and looked about his surroundings, idly playing with his tail.

Tkaa was searching for several immortals, ones who he felt held the key to Daine's recovery. Sarra, the Green Lady, and Weiryn, God of the Hunt. Those two would know how to help their daughter, or at least point him in the direction of those who would hold the information. Even the badger god would be a welcome sight compared to what he had found thus so far. A few animal gods, a nasty stray Stormwing, and a trio of Spidrens were all Tkaa had been able to find. Tkaa was traveling in a direction he felt would lead him to the Hunt God's lands, but he was slightly unsure.

Nightfall was nearing, for the sun was setting and brilliant colors were flowing across the clouds. Rich shades of gold and orange blurred and blended to form shades of deep magenta and violet. Tkaa cocked his head to the side and breathed deep. The sunbirds would soon be out in this glory, to celebrate life the sun brings in a whirling dance of the sky. Tkaa kept walking onward, his eyes keen to his surroundings and to the open sky. He was passing through a section of fertile fields and grasslands, where the tall stalks of the grass wavered gently with the dusk breeze. The field looked as though it was a living, green ocean with gentle, undulating waves.

A melodious warbling came from up ahead, and Tkaa looked up with anticipation. The first sunbird spiraled upward, wing feathers held tightly together and the tail held rigid. This sunbird was a scarlet red with yellow feathers on the crest and wing feathers. He continued upward, seeming to touch the painted clouds with outstretched wings. He hovered for a few moments, then dove down, twisting and turning. The bright wings opened and fanned outward, revealing bright iridescent feathers of mixed green and blue. His tail became relaxed, and the long feathers looked like blue and purple tendrils spiraling out above his body. His melody almost finished, he looped and whirled once again, signaling for the other birds to begin the nightly ritual. Several birds took to the air and made the same journey upwards. Some had more yellow to their bodies, while others were even green.

Tkaa felt such happiness arise from the sunbirds and their legendary dance. He only wished that Daine was well and she could be here to see them. Tkaa had a feeling she would love to visit the Divine Realms, especially to see her mam and finally meet her da. He was glad that Daine had finally found out about her father, but he was unsure if she knew that her mam was actually a goddess. She would be in for quite a surprise one day, he knew.

Night had come, and a bright full moon helped to illuminate the way. The stars were bright shining orbs and the sky was clear. The long grass continued to sway gently, everything in a nighttime peace. Tkaa was beginning to get weary from traveling nonstop for several days. He was relieved when he finally saw some trees up ahead. Trees meant shelter and safety. He picked up the pace, wanting to get there soon so he could to have a chance for rest and to collect his thoughts. Reaching the trees, Tkaa realized that he was at the outskirts of a forest and was getting close to Weiryn's lands. He walked into the woods a short distance, being careful where he trod. He did not have the best night time vision, and it was hard for him to see because the moonlight did not penetrate the thick canopy.

Coming upon some scattered rocks, Tkaa sat down on one and wearily looked around him. A hill was at his back, thick trees all around, and no signs of danger from immortals. All in all a good spot for a rest, Tkaa thought to himself. He bowed his head and closed his thin eyelids, giving his reptilian eyes a rest. He folded his arms and wrapped his tail around his waist to keep it off the forest floor. Tkaa slept deeply, thinking of the Wildmage and her dilemma.

Tkaa's dream was in a fog. He was wandering around someplace, but he could not quite place it. At first, he was in the caves near Dunlath, seeing Russet and the pups. It gave him joy to see familiar friends. Then a wolf he had not seen before came forward and stared at him with curious, unblinking golden eyes. This wolf had a thin, whip like tail and had the air of pack leader. She turned and trotted forward, looking back at Tkaa. Tkaa began to follow her, intrigued by the strange wolf. They walked a short distance until he heard her paws clicking on something like stone. The fog lifted more, and he could see they were in the palace in Tortall.

The wolf knew where she was going and passed by different doors, finally arriving at one. She scratched at it, making it open easily. Tkaa followed her inside, eager to see what lay behind the door. Dismayed, Tkaa was very disappointed. In front on him lay Daine, shivering in her small hospital bed. Numair, Alanna, and Duke Baird sat circled around her bed. Alanna idly played with the sheath of her sword, deep in thought. Numair looked worse for wear; his eyes bloodshot and his skin gray from fatigue. Duke Baird was examining Daine, feeling her forehead and holding her wrist for her pulse. A green glow came from their skin contact, and Tkaa realized he was feeling with his Gift.

Tkaa walked closer and looked at Daine. Her lips were cracked and pale, with dried blood speckled in a few spots. Her skin was ghostly pale with a sheen of sweat. She continued to toss and turn, never really awake but never asleep either. Even her hair had lost the luster it normally held. Tkaa sadly realized that his mortal friend was getting worse.

Tkaa looked to the strange she-wolf and gestured towards the bed. "My pack friend, do you know of how to cure her?" he asked in a sibilant voice.

The wolf looked back unblinkingly and then turned her head towards the bed. A voice did not issue from the wolf, but instead entered Tkaa's mind. It was definitely male.

"Basilisk, this mortal is very important. I brought you to see how she worsens. You need to find an immortal, one who may be familiar to the acts of killer unicorns. It is of utmost importance that you find them. I cannot tell you who, or how to cure her, as much as I wish I could," the male voice said with regret.

Tkaa shook his head, looking back at Daine. "Sir, I need more information than that. There are many immortals; I cannot find them all. Is there a clue as to which immortal I should seek? If this mortal is as important as you say she is, I'm sure it would not hurt to give me a piece of advice," Tkaa said hopefully.

The wolf shut her eyes and sat down on her haunches. Tkaa watched as her muzzle quivered and her eyelids flicked.

"As you say," the male voice said with reverence. The golden eyes opened and the wolf stood to her feet. "I can tell you one piece of information, one that won't harm the balance. The immortal you seek is one whom Daine has met on occasion. That is all I can say. Good luck on your quest, basilisk," the voice said, fading as the white fog rolled in again.

Tkaa woke with a start. The dreams in the Divine Realms were so peculiar as to the fact that they were true. He rubbed his skull, which pounded fiercely. He opened his eyes to an odd sight. A tall pale man, with tousled black hair, stood in front of him. He had on a black jacket and his eyes looked as though they were fathomless. He smiled a weary smile, and pointed with a long finger deeper into the woods.

Standing, Tkaa bowed deeply, awed to meet one of the greater gods.

"Dreamking, I will try not to fail you. Thank you for your information," he said reverently.

Gainel lowered his outstretched hand and smiled again, looking like he himself needed a night of sleep. He slowly faded until Tkaa was the only one near.

Tkaa paced, thinking of an immortal Daine knew who would know about the habits of killer unicorns. It would not be Skysong, or Iakoju, or an animal god. Gainel would have said god instead of immortal. What immortals does Daine know? Tkaa thought. What immortal would know the nasty habits of a killer unicorn? It would have to be a spidren or a Stormwing. Does Daine know any spidrens? Tkaa wondered. No, I don't think she would know a spidren. How about a Stormwing? He continued to pace, thinking of Stormwing flocks and ones that Daine had encountered. Oh, I remember a certain Stormwing that would banter with her, that one from Dunlath. What was his name? Rickas? Reekash? Rikash… I think that was his name. Rikash Moonsword. That is the Stormwing I need to find.

Tkaa breathed in deep, glad to know he finally knew the right being to find. Now, all he had to do was find a certain Stormwing. Tkaa began his search again with a newfound hope. He needed to find Rikash, and soon. He lifted his tail into one paw, and began to gallop towards the home of Weiryn. A god would be able to pinpoint where an immortal was, lesser god or not. Tkaa just hoped that Rikash would be in the Divine Realms. If not, a mage would have to find him in the mortal realms, which would be chancy. The only mage that could do that was Numair, the strongest mage in Tortall. But Numair had been stressed and strained, so his Gift was probably weaker than normal.

Tkaa shook his head with all his worrying. I just need to focus on one thing at a time.

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Will Tkaa find Rikash? Or will Numair, Alanna, and Duke Baird find a cure? Oh the suspense! My dear reader, if it suits your whims, please meet this writers fancy and give her a review! She would dearly love it, and of course be very happy and inspired to write ever onward. Thank you for reading, and I hope my story is still interesting and nice to read. Say so if its not!

Yours truly, as ever, and forever as well,

Krystalglow