In Which a Trail May Have Been Found and Justina is Out of Her Depth


The silence continued for days. It was easier to avoid each other, because when they did talk everything came out hesitant and forced. Neither of them liked it, and both wanted it to end. On top of that Skipper hadn't been seen since Justina had begged them for help so there was no one else to talk to. The silence just kept growing.

Justina was having trouble with the lack of differentiation between day and night. She slept when she was tired but that had never been a very reliable metric. She found herself checking the date dial on her watch way more than necessary. She wrote down everything she had learned or suspected in her notebooks. It helped her think things through and she was able to discard some of the more ridiculous theories and plans. Eventually she ran out of things to write down and had to find other things to keep her busy.

By her watch it was three days before she saw Skipper again, but her mind insisted it had been way longer. She was jogging around the outer wall when they popped out from behind a bush looking tired but pleased with themselves.

"We've made it back to your home Metaverse. As I suspected there are lots and lots of trails coming off of it. They're all mixed together too. But I think I've figured out some differences between the different groups. Like one I think doesn't have Thomas in it because all of them smell of fire elements and so were probably coming to your Metaverse and not leaving it. Do you know if there is anything different about him? In a fundamental way? I know that's a silly question but it would help narrow things down a little."

"I don't know. He was a pretty normal person in a lot of ways. Scared to try too hard. Does that help?"

"A little, I can rule out ones with magical elements, although I suppose not the ones coated with magic. That could just be bleed. We might have to visit a few dozen Metaverses to find out which one is him." Skippers whiskers drooped at the thought, but they continued optimistically, "This is quite a puzzle you've given me. It might be 'more marathon than sprint,' as Zuci used to say but it will be so satisfying when we finish!"

Justina squeaked as she thought about how long that would take. "Give me a second. He… um. Oh! That girl, Cassi, said he was sort of dead. That his body was dead but he wasn't. Also, that he might be able to get his body back? Is that the kind of thing that would help?"

Skippers ears perked up. "Yes! That's exactly what I needed to know! Although, there are still several options it could be. Your pilots don't seem to be very careful, do they? Is recklessness a virtue in your culture? But yes, that will help lots! I'll get right on that!"


Justina's watch wrapped itself slowly around two more days, that same reluctant silence heavy in the air.

Skipper appeared again looking exhausted. "I lost track of the path a few times and had to back track again, but I think we're here. If I followed the right path then your husband definitely ended up here, but I can't tell when. He might not still be there."

"I'm ready." Justina grabbed the bag she had been packing and repacking over the last couple days and snatched up the coat she had found on a hanger in her hand-me-down room. And hurried to the clearing with the Metastone.

When she arrived Xanaria was already there waiting by the Metastone. Her jaw was set but she was there. Justina paused, then asked carefully, "Are you coming too?"

"Yes. I know this is important to you and I don't want you to go without backup."

"Thank you, I'm sorry…" Justina struggled to find the words. "I know you don't think I should be doing this-"

"No, I was wrong. Thats… I'm sorry. I hadn't realized how much of my own baggage I was putting on you without realizing it. I wasn't being fair. Of course we're going to save your husband. Let's do this. I'll find you on the other side."

Justina nodded once, and stepped through the opening Skipper made for her as Xanaria sat cross legged and wrapped her arms around the Metastone.