"The distance," Dairine expressed the problem they were both thinking. Roshaun nodded gravely.
"We need a solution. The… let's call it the stretch, will be too much. We won't be able to handle it." Roshaun and Dairine were sitting at the kitchen table, devouring sandwiches.
"I think we need to test our limits," Dairine suggested, "I'll stay here, and you go to the Crossings." Roshaun frowned.
"Isn't that a bit far? Ariktivahahs only reached that distance after a millennia of practice."
"But, the Crossings is closer here than it was at their home. I bet we could do it. Plus, younger wizards are more powerful. It should be a piece of cake." Dairine pounded the table with her fist resolutely.
"Fine. But have Nita come in here with you in case something happens." Dairine nodded, and yelled:
"NITA!" Her sister came running down the stairs moments later, hand shimmering with a ready spell. She looked around hurriedly.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Dairine smiled at her.
"Nothing, I just wanted to get you down here. We need you for an experiment." Nita sighed, but flopped down in a chair, extinguishing the half-completed wizardry.
"What is it?"
"Roshaun and I are going to test the limits of this thing, and see if he can make it to the Crossings without me. We just need you here in case of emergency." Nita nodded.
"Right. Go for it, and try not to hurt yourself." Roshaun quickly set up the transit circle.
"Are you sure?" he asked Dairine, before stepping into it. Dairine nodded, Roshaun disappeared, and Dairine collapsed.
"Dairine!" Nita rushed around the table. She groaned, and struggled upright.
"I… ow." She pressed a palm to her stomach. "It's… pulling…" She broke off, doubling over on the kitchen floor. A second later, Roshaun was back next to her, panting and clutching his abdomen.
"Dairine!" he gasped, keeling over next to her. She grunted.
"I told you." He managed a smile. Dairine inclined her head in acceptance.
"Maybe we should have started smaller, huh?" She was breathing regularly, and Roshaun helped her to her feet. "Right. Try going to the front door."
"What, now?" Nita asked, "Don't you think you should take it easy? That was pretty intense." Dairine shook her head, and Roshaun started for the door.
This was much easier. After the last stunt, it barely compared. With Roshaun at the other end of the house, all she felt was a slight coldness in her mind, and a tug in her stomach.
Go farther, she told him, and saw-felt him opening the door and walking down the driveway. The cool feeling spread, and Dairine put a hand to her head as he passed the mailbox and started down the street. Luckily he was in his "disguise": t-shirt and wizardly-shortened hair.
Roshaun made his way to Tom and Carl's house, following instructions and memories from Dairine's previous trips. He reached the gate and Dairine had to lean on the table. She felt Roshaun press a hand to his temple.
Dairine? he thought.
More.
Where should I go? I'm already at your senior's house.
Try a transit? Short, just to the moon.
Are you sure?
Yeah. I think I can handle it.
Right. She sensed him setting up the spell. It took only a matter of seconds, including setting the oxygen levels, and he stepped in.
And then he was on the moon. Dairine sat down hard with a solid thump.
"Whoa." Her head was filled with a rushing wind, but it wasn't overwhelming. She could feel Roshaun on the gray ground, having sat down to get his bearings.
How do you feel? he asked her.
Dizzy, she replied, But this is a lot better than the crossings. I think I could keep this up for a while.
As could I, he said, Should I come back, or keep going?
Come on back, Dairine said, We can experiment more later, and this is pretty uncomfortable.
Seconds later Roshaun had transited to her side.
"Well, it appears we don't have Ariktivahahs' ability to appear at each other's side." Roshaun sounded a bit disappointed.
"Yeah, that would have been neat," Dairine agreed, "Do you think we have any other powers? I mean, besides the emotion thing."
"What emotion thing?" Nita asked, "You have other powers?"
"Yeah," Dairine answered, "Our emotions sort of bounce back and forth and multiply until they're really strong. They affect the temperature in the room. I got mad at Roshaun's dad, and the room started steaming!"
"Whoa," Nita said, "Remind me to stay on your good side. What are your new power levels like?"
"Off the charts!" Dairine shouted, "We transited from here to Wellakh and didn't even feel it!"
"We have not checked the actual levels yet," Roshaun said, "We should do that."
"I'll check Spot," Dairine said, and whistled. A moment later the computer appeared.
"Remember me?" The laptop asked dryly.
"Sorry, Spot," Dairine apologized, "We've been kind of busy. But we need to check our new power levels. Can you flip to my entry?"
The right screen flickered on instantly. Dairine's jaw dropped.
"Holy crap!"
"Dairine!" Nita said, gazing at the screen, "That is ridiculous! Higher than Mamvish. And look at the entry head."
Dairine tore her eyes away from the ridiculously high power levels and looked at the top of the page.
Her name read: Dairine Callahan ke Callahan ket Roshaun ke Nelaid am Seriv am Teliuyve am Meseph am Veliz am Teriaunst am det Nuiiliat.
Roshaun! Check out the name!
The sun lord spared a glance at the heading.
Interesting. As well as signifying our partnership, this states you as guarantor of Wellakh alongside me. My sire will find fault with this, but there is nothing he can do, if the Powers have willed it.
Great! Your father was teaching me to work with stars, anyway. He seemed to like me, too, which is why it's weird that he was upset with the bonding.
He may like you well enough, Roshaun explained, but he concerns for my planet and family. The people will not like that their king has bonded with an "alien", and that she will share the sun watch him. But it will be fixed.
"Dair, look at the time," Nita urged, "It's already ten, and I'm beat. We should head to bed."
Now that Nita mentioned it, Dairine was feeling a bit… exhausted. Roshaun was as well. And apparently, exhaustion is an emotion.
Dairine dropped like a rock, Roshaun not far behind her.
"Dairine? Roshaun?" Nita crouched down beside them, where they were splayed out of the floor.
"Hmm," Dairine groaned, "Can't… move." Nita guessed what had happened.
"Can't one of you just think… awake thoughts?" Roshaun only grunted. Nita sighed. Drastic times.
Dairine shot up as a shocking burst of cold exploded on her face.
"Nita!" Roshaun stood and glared at Dairine's sister as well, who was holding an empty glass of water and trying to hold in her laughter. He marched stiffly out of the room, Dairine on his heels.
At the steps they paused.
Well? My room again?
I suppose. We could go separately, but I don't like the idea of trying to sleep with that "wind" in my head.
Dairine nodded in agreement.
Tomorrow, I think we should visit the mobiles. I think they might be able to help.
Good idea. We'll go as soon as possible. Now, let us get up the stairs before we both pass out again.
