Celiath and Stelakar had stayed in Riensi's castle that night and had eaten dinner with him and the other residents of the castle: members of his family, servants, and four other exiled Yin Kador. Three of the Yin Kador had spent most of dinner talking among themselves about ways to make the Queen realize her error in exiling them. Riensi and the fourth Yin Kador, a silver Poogle named Alianyi, had participated in the discussion occasionally but had often stared at Celiath and Stelakar. Alianyi's dark brown eyes had a haunting quality that had bothered Celiath.

After the dinner, Alianyi had approached Celiath with some advice. The words still echoed in Celiath's head: I sense your confusion concerning the silver bracelet you wear. I shall inform you about the ten items on it. The mirror represents reflection, the mask disguise, the raindrop your power, the hummingbird speed, the empty circle possibility, the hand identification, the rainbow magic, the eye sight, the book knowledge, and the key a passage. Those are only a few of our interpretations for those symbols, however. Think of my words what you will, and use your gift wisely.

Celiath looked at her charm bracelet again. The eye glowed a pale turquoise, but Celiath could not figure out why. The empty circle spun around, and Celiath though she saw little images flash inside it but could not see them more clearly. She returned her attention to the path in front of her, which descended to the dock on Ista Kaderyi. A full moon shined as well as a lantern that a third Yin Kador held, a Tuskaninny whose name Celiath could not remember. He was leading Celiath and Stelakar downhill on a back route to the dock that had numerous switchbacks and bothered Celiath a lot. She suspected Stelakar was even more impatient, since the Eyrie was the only one of the three who could fly. Though Celiath was certainly impressed with her twin's flight, she had no desire to do so herself. Being a Zafara was just fine.

Celiath looked back at Stelakar, who was flying close to the path. She then turned her gaze forward, keeping her steps small to avoid tripping over unseen rocks and dips in the path as the Tuskaninny went around another switchback. Celiath could see the glint of the moon on the ocean.

Though this is not a peaceful kingdom, she thought, it would be nice if I could return in another time. Larkani certainly is a beautiful place. I wish I could have brought my camera to capture a moment.

But the next day, there would be no time to think of that. They would be in Ral Mirean, in Queen Fierrey's Court, searching for…someone. Celiath glanced at the bracelet. The book could probably tell me…but no. I don't know whether the charms will disappear after I use them. I should only use them when it's absolutely necessary. Riensi's contacts might be able to answer that question.

The person they were looking for was probably an enchanter with dangerous powers that Celiath and Stelakar had no way of facing, but things might not be like that. There had to be a reason why Riensi had chosen them, and it would be something that would surely give the twins victory.

Maybe it's NeoQuest! Celiath thought suddenly. If you say "Al Mikai" quickly, you think of Ral Mirean. And since I know the game, I can predict the enemy's next move…that is, I would have been able to if I had been able to take down more of Irefen's speech. I think I remember the evil one destroying Lemirka from within, and Al Mikai became a ghost city. But I have to remember, this might be a completely separate world…

Still, Celiath could feel puzzle pieces coming together. But they felt forced, like someone had been cutting away at the pieces to make them fit. Al Mikai and Ral Mirean didn't really sound that similar. Everything could have been a coincidence! She had to remember that.

Celiath looked ahead of her and noticed that she was walking on a beach instead of the narrow path, and that the terrain was much less steep. She lengthened her stride a little. This did not look like what she remembered of the dock, but Celiath had not been looking around when she got to Ista Kaderyi.

The Yin Kador led them to a small boat and gestured for Celiath and Stelakar to get in. He took the front, Celiath took the middle, and Stelakar took the back. "I know the way to Ista Mirean," he said quietly.

"Why all the secrecy?" Stelakar asked in the same whisper. "This probably isn't the main dock."

The Yin Kador placed his lantern in the front of the boat. "The Cairhellin may be watching. Their enchanters would know about the two of you; the disturbance would be obvious to anyone who can sense such things."

Celiath could tell that the Yin Kador was casting a spell of some sort. "A directional thing," he explained. "I have to land at the correct dock on Ista Mirean." He then explained a few things about the boat to Stelakar, and the two of them began to paddle. Celiath let her thoughts drift back to NeoQuest II again. She had always thought that Al Mikai was supposed to be an island, but that it was impossible due to the restrictions of the game. Only a coincidence…but then where are the notes? It could be one of the Cairhellin who wants to find out a few things about me.

Celiath sighed and yawned. She was beginning to wish she had never gotten started on NeoQuest II and just played the original game on the harder levels. If she hadn't, this adventure might be easier because she wouldn't be seeing parallels to a game. Or would I just know that much less? She placed her head in her hands, uncertain. The eye glowed brighter, illuminating a small part of the night and making Celiath blink her own eyes, which wanted to close. She could not fall asleep…something bad would happen if she did, Celiath knew.

Instead, Celiath sat up straighter and looked around the ocean, the constant splash of paddles entering the water creating loud ripples and keeping her awake. She looked at the full moon and then back ahead. Celiath's eyes felt tired from staying open so long, but they also had a strange feeling that she often got while being in the dark. It was like she was on guard for something.

Perhaps she was on guard for the eyes of the Cairhellin…

Celiath looked east and wondered if the warrants for her arrest had spread to Ral Mirean. If they had, she might need to use the mask charm to disguise herself…maybe the contact…what was her name? It started with a K…Celiath shook her head, trying to clear the daze. They could probably help…

A breeze blew in from the ocean, making Celiath shiver. She clasped her arms together and sat up even straighter, turning her head and watching for the unknown presence for a reason she did not know. Paddles rushed through the ocean, the moon watched them, Celiath watched the air around her, and it all lulled her while making her even more alert at the same time.

Finally, the Yin Kador rowing stopped the boat. "Welcome to Ista Mirean," he said in a rather dry voice. "I'll have to go back to Ista Kaderyi right away, as I am not supposed to be here, but we all wish you luck on your mission."

"Thank you," Stelakar said, replacing the paddle. "Where is Kierre?"

"They should be waiting," the Yin Kador said. "I told them you were coming. Now, go into the city quickly so that they don't know that anyone has arrived from the north. If they know that, you two will definitely be under suspicion." He got back in the boat and began to return the way he had come.

Celiath and Stelakar began to walk into the city. "What is the mission?" Celiath asked quietly. "I'm not sure I understand."

"I know I don't understand," Stelakar said without looking at her twin in troubled tones. "And it bothers me. How did we manage to leave Ista Kaderyi without the slightest idea of what to do? I just let Riensi keep talking me around, eager for any way off the island, and now I'm here in a situation I don't understand. And where is this contact anyway? Is she just another polite fiction?"

"I don't believe that that's true."

Celiath spun around, looking for the voice, and spotted a starry Shoyru. She quickly glanced around for somewhere to hide. Who was this?

"You may have heard my name," the voice of the starry Shoyru continued. Whoever it was seemed to be descending. "I am Kierre Aronkela." Celiath and Stelakar both relaxed at that, though Celiath found it nearly impossible to relax. What if it was only someone pretending to be Kierre in order to capture them? There had been signs in Thora Mountain advertising a reward for anyone who could find Celiath, and it would be an attractive lure. Your imagination is far too active! Celiath scolded herself.

"It's all right," Kierre said. "It's really me. I'll take you back to our house where you can rest up before we take you to the Court." Celiath shuddered from a wind before she caught sight of Kierre again.

Kierre flew slowly through the sky, and Stelakar began to fly lower. Celiath followed both of them, walking. She held her elbows, since the breeze was starting to get to her, and rotated her left wrist so that the gleaming eye faced forward and illuminated the street. The streets were larger than the ones in Thora Mountain, but Celiath noticed little else because she was so tired.

A couple of times they stopped, and Celiath figured that Kierre had tried to take shortcuts over buildings in places where Celiath could not go because she had no wings. Finally, the Shoyru and Eyrie began to descend, and Celiath slowed her staggering pace as she noticed the door of a small house that was open a crack. Kierre landed first, drew out a key, and opened the door to let them in.

Celiath blinked her eyes, still trying to understand how she could feel so exhausted and yet so alert at the same time. She rubbed her eyes and followed Kierre to the room that she had set up for the twins, putting her things down beside her bed.

"Good night, Celiath," Stelakar said, entering the room.

" 'Night, Stelakar…" Celiath murmured as she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes.

Celiath looked around the high tower room where she stood. She saw mountains to the east and grassy plains in the other directions. The room looked like one of those generic studies that might bear enough resemblance to Crescent's to take her home. She checked her left wrist for the charm bracelet. There was the tenth charm, the key! Now all she needed were her own clothes…which she was not wearing.

A shadowy presence in the center of the room was speaking. "You asked me about Erala?"

"No," Celiath said, cutting off Rimor. "Can you tell me about Al Mikai? Specifically, about Irefen?"

"What? Oh, yes. Irefen was a sorceress and a kind ruler of Al Mikai, but she died when the city fell. She still guards the city as a ghost."

Celiath snapped her fingers. "A sorceress! Thank you, Rimor." That was a piece of information she had forgotten that could be significant. If Queen Fierrey was a sorceress, then how could she have ordered the exile of the Yin Kador?

Her eyes popped open, and Celiath started as she realized she did not know where this was. You're in Ral Mirean, she reminded herself. You're safe. There was something she had dreamed about…there was an interesting mystery if NeoQuest II was true. It involved the link between Irefen and Fierrey somehow.

"Why did I have to lose the last two pages of those notes?" Celiath mumbled. "It would make things so much easier…"

By the faint light that the eighth charm cast, Celiath saw Stelakar sleeping. The Zafara rolled over in bed and closed her eyes again.

Celiath looked at her own kitchen and raised a spoonful of Neo Crunch Cereal to her mouth, then nearly dropped it when she saw a red paw instead of her own aqua one. She shook her head and glanced at the caramel-colored hair that had fallen over her shoulder, then noticed that she wore a purple halter dress.

Celiath turned her head, but it felt like someone else had made the decision to turn it and that she merely saw through the other person's eyes. Kimtaya's eyes. Crescent was entering the kitchen, her red hair in disarray and her glasses askew. Celiath also saw Elenqui's petpet, Emeline, crouching by the computer. "Stelakar's gone," Crescent said quietly.

"That's horrible!" Kimtaya said. "First Celiath and then Stelakar. I can't believe they've both gone missing. And my history project is still gone, and I have to present today."

"I'll call the school for you," Crescent said, going over to the phone in the corner and dialing a number. "Have you seen Elenqui yet?"

Just then, the faerie Kougra entered the room. "Hello, Elenqui," Kimtaya said to her little sister. "I'm glad you're still here."

Elenqui hugged Kimtaya. "Me too," the young Kougra said simply. "Crescent, is there anything we can do to bring Celiath and Stelakar back?"

Crescent was talking on the phone: "No, you don't understand. The twins, Celiath and Stelakar, have gone missing…we're trying to deal with this. In any case, Kimtaya and Elenqui will not be attending school today. Goodbye." Crescent hung up the phone and then turned to Elenqui. "I don't know," she said. "I just don't know. Stelakar tried, and she got sucked in too. I don't want to lose you too." Crescent left the room and walked up the stairs again.

Celiath tried not to cry at this. If only she had had the sense to change clothes, and she might have been able to go home! Stelakar would not have had the chance, though, and Celiath did not want to leave her twin behind.

"Kimtaya?" Elenqui asked. "You look a little sad."

"I am. My two older sisters are missing, and I don't know whether they'll come back. And I want to do something, but I'm scared. Stelakar tried to bring Celiath back, but the spell took her away too. I might be next, and I don't want to go."

"Me neither," Elenqui said, shivering.

There was a knock on the door. "Is this the residence of Qthayetrules?" a voice shouted. "Also known as Crescent? My name is Adaleine, and I'd like to interview you about the disappearance of your two pets…"

"Go away!" Crescent yelled from upstairs. "We're not talking to you until we get Celiath and Stelakar back!" Celiath heard footsteps and Crescent lowering her voice slightly, "Stupid reporters…"

The dream blurred slightly, and Celiath then noticed Kimtaya and Elenqui were in the attic. There was no sign of the Summoning Key, thankfully. As Elenqui paged through a book titled A History of Larkani, Cairhel, and Kilinti, Celiath wanted to yell out that she was in Larkani. Will they figure it out? Celiath wondered. And is there anything they can do to pull us out?

"Is anyone else here, Elenqui?" Kimtaya asked suddenly. "It feels like someone is watching."

Elenqui looked up from the book, and Celiath saw that it was on Chapter 22 and also noticed the name Riensi Emarla. She wanted to shout out to Elenqui that they were on the right track, but just as soon as she tried to speak, Celiath felt the same strange presence that Kimtaya had sensed. Invisible eyes seemed to surround her and stopped her from doing anything but hovering in Kimtaya's mind in fear. Am I going to be trapped here? Celiath wondered.

Then, Celiath had an idea. She pictured the silver bracelet with the eye facing forward. After fixing it clearly in her mind, she made the eye in her image light up turquoise. A faint tinge of turquoise light appeared in front of Kimtaya's eyes, and Celiath tried to make the image light up more. I hope this works…Kimtaya, Elenqui, keep looking! You're on the right track!

While she tried to convince her sisters to keep it going, Celiath kept feeling someone watching her. She knew they were the same invisible eyes that had haunted her during the trip to Ral Mirean. The invisible watchers filled the room, with many pairs of eyes all targeted toward Celiath. She sensed pressure on her mind, pressure to reveal herself, but knew she could not. Celiath continued to visualize the charm bracelet, hoping it could help somehow. I don't want to be trapped here! Fear froze everything else but that thought and the flickering image of the charm bracelet. She could tell Kimtaya was wondering what was happening from her vague magical sense, and looking out from Kimtaya's eyes one last time Celiath saw Elenqui trying to maintain her composure. Then Celiath pulled out from Kimtaya's head, trying to escape and let her sisters be…

"Celiath?"

Her eyes popped open, and she saw Stelakar in the small room. Celiath blinked a couple of times, trying to remember her dream. Crescent, Kimtaya, and Elenqui…they're trying to do something…and I was scared. I don't know why, but I was scared.

" 'Morning, Stelakar," Celiath said, trying to get up out of the bed. She put her left paw down to lift herself up, but felt pain in her wrist. "Ow!" As soon as Celiath sat up, she raised her shaking left arm to look at the wrist. The ten charms had pressed into Celiath's skin, forming tiny imprints of each one in her skin. "No wonder my paw hurts so much, if I've been doing that all night."

Stelakar looked at the imprints. "Interesting," the Eyrie said as she raised the mirror charm on Celiath's bracelet. "I'll bet you that it was this charm that's responsible for the imprints being so strong. That's one of the powers of reflection."

"I won't bet against you," Celiath said. It did make sense, and Stelakar was smarter than Celiath in her own way. "I've noticed that all these charms seem to have defensive purposes. It is the way I am, but how would Riensi know this? Wait…Riensi wouldn't know. Alianyi would. She probably helped Riensi make the bracelet…"

Stelakar nodded. "I don't plan to bet against you on that one. You have more in the way of common sense than I do."

"Thanks."

"It's true," Stelakar shrugged. "I went up to the attic even though Crescent told me not to. I just couldn't stay away from it. I know that it wasn't my fault, but I still feel like it had something to do with me. Hey, what do you think did happen to Kimtaya's history project about the Tyrannian War?"

Celiath didn't answer. Stelakar's mention of Crescent and Kimtaya had brought her dream that could have been more than a dream back to memory.

"Celiath?"

She took a deep breath. "Kimtaya didn't find it. She won't get in trouble; Crescent called the school and said that Kimtaya and Elenqui wouldn't be going. They're all really scared. Kimtaya thinks she's going to be the next one to disappear, and she wants to do something, but she's too scared. And Elenqui has this book. A History of Larkani, Cairhel, and Kilinti, it's called. It looked like she was getting somewhere. I dreamed it, Stelakar, and I know it's true."

Stelakar looked like she was about to comment on that. After all, Celiath usually didn't even remember her dreams, let alone have true ones. Elenqui had true dreams. "Why would that happen?" she said after a little while. "It's got to be one of the charms that gave you that power, but I don't know which one."

"Neither do I," Celiath said. "I don't understand them, especially the empty circle. And where's Kilinti? It doesn't border Larkani. It might border Cairhel."

Someone knocked on the door, and then opened it. Kierre entered the room. "Feeling better?" she asked them.

"Kind of," Celiath said, still unsettled. "Not…really. Kierre, have you ever heard of a place called Kilinti?"

"Kilinti," Kierre repeated to herself. "It's not familiar to me. Where did you hear about it?"

"In a book," Celiath answered. "It also talks about Cairhel and Larkani." Celiath suddenly remembered something else from the dream. Elenqui had been reading from about the middle of the book, not from the end. And how could there be a book about events that were happening right now in any case? They must have gone back in time as well.

Celiath sighed. So there really was no way home, except by using the tenth charm. And Riensi had probably disabled that until Celiath and Stelakar completed the mission. In any case, all the conditions had to be right for that to happen. The study, the clothes, the situation…

Then Celiath thought about the book again, and how Kierre had never heard of Kilinti. She thought for a little while, and figured she knew how things would play out.

"Well," Kierre said to them, "we have breakfast for you. After you have a bite to eat, we'll finish explaining things."