Review Response:
Jadestar123: That wasn't quite the end of the story...
Pere Falc: Heh...Thanks...

OoOoOoO

Alex squeezed Phi's hand tightly in his, "I bet that..." he glanced down at his children, "...that...Trycos is behind all of this!"

Phi nodded, "It would be just like him too...But Alex! That means he's nearby, which means that we might be able to get him to send us home!"

"What?" Trycos's voice boomed in the vast vortex like thunder, catching the four captives by surprise. Luke nearly jumped a foot at the sound and scrambled to hide under Alex's arm, "Me, send you back to your own world? And after what Alex attempted to do? You must be joking..."

Alex blanched, than flushed in an angry rage; if Trycos refused to send them home and pinned the blame on the fact that he and Devic attacked him in the clearing...why he'd

"Murder me?" Trycos's voice continued, mocking Alex's thought, "Now that is not a very nice way to think about a person who you should be begging for help from..."

Alex's rage deepened; if that bastard thought that he was going to beg after what he made them all go through, he had another thing coming...

"Tut tut...Such hatred in your thoughts Alexander..." Trycos laughed and lightening split through the air, "You are in my space now, so I do think that it would be in all of your best interests if you just did whatever I asked of you..."

Phi narrowed her eyes, not liking his tone of voice at all, "And as you have probably already found out, I think differently. I bet any second now Devic and Will will guess what is happening and kill you while you are busy with us. Your physical body is around here somewhere right? Well it won't be long now until they find it..."

Trycos laughed again, that horrible, maniacal laughter that told you the sound was coming from a twisted person, "Oh, you mean the same Devic and Will who are coming up behind me? Of course, they still do not know that I know they are there...How silly, do you actually think I cannot multi-task? No, they will be joining you in a few moments in fact. No one sneaks up on me...Someday you all will figure that out..."

OoOoOoO

Devic froze, his Gift pounding in his ears. This was much too easy...

Signaling for Will to stop where he was, Devic lowered himself further to the ground and lay still, watching Trycos for any sign of movement. Will was fingering his bow anxiously but Devic waved at him to lower his weapon. Could they just simply shoot him in the back? Would that really work? And if so, why would Trycos leave himself so utterly open and defenseless? A man who had lived for as long as he had must have learned by now that you never leave yourself open for attack.

But as hard and as long Devic stared at the mage, he remained motionless, continuing just to stare straight ahead.

Will blinked, not quite understanding why Devic would not let him shoot. Obviously there was a good reason, but he could not see it. They needed to hit Trycos hard and fast, before he awakened from whatever trace he had placed himself in and discovered their presence.

Devic finally gave the signal to proceed, not being able to identify what it was that was that his Gift seemed to be warning him about. As silently as he could, he reached down towards his belt and drew out his sword. Glancing over at Will, he watched carefully as his little cousin drew an arrow from his quiver and notched in onto the bowstring. Will raised his eyebrows and Devic nodded; now he could shoot.

With the lightening fast and practiced move of a master archer, Will rose into a squatting position, pulled back the bowstring and let his arrow fly. The aim was nearly perfect, the arrow flying straight towards Trycos's back, and just about as the arrow hit its target and Devic rose to his feet, his sword drawn out in front of him, everything went black.

OoOoOoO

Will felt himself falling through the blackness, but quickly lost sense of which was up or down. Suddenly he was harshly reminded when he slammed against a solid surface, landing on top of his bow. He winced as the sound of a heartbreaking crack reverberated in his ear and he slowly propped himself up onto his elbows, glancing down and grimacing at the sight of a pile of broken shards of wood that used to be his treasured weapon.

As his mind and vision cleared, he found that he was inside some tent, and he was extremely confused until he spotted Devic lying beside him and Phi, Alex, Devic(y), and Luke huddled along one side, staring at them, mouths agape.

He gave them a weak smile, then turned his head to watch as Devic(o) shook his head as if to clear it, his sword luckily held away from his body in his right hand. The other knight pulled himself up into a sitting position and rubbed his face with the palms of his hands, as if trying to wake himself up.

Suddenly he discovered a pair of hands grabbing his arm and pulling him back towards the side of the tent where the four others were all ready huddled, "What are you pulling me over here for?"

Phi glanced nervously towards the tent's opening, "Because we would rather not have you fall out there."

Devic(o), who had also been guided away from the tent's opening, raised an eyebrow and moved cautiously towards the edge, peering outside. Immediately he moved back and nodded back towards them, "That sounds like good advice, based on the circumstances. William, do not move from that spot..."

Will frowned curiously but obeyed and remained where he was. Devic(o) turned to face Phi and Alex, "What has happened here?"

Phi shrugged, "I'm not sure! We just woke up and were about to go outside, and we pushed aside the flap of the tent and found this outside instead of the hills! And then, actually just a few minutes before you um...dropped in, Trycos started talking to us."

"Well, what did he say?"

"I said, oh impatient one, that to get anything out of me you are going to have to ask like any conquered person would ask their conqueror...beg for my mercy, and then plead for your case..." Trycos's voice boomed out again. It was obvious that he was taking great pleasure in what he was saying. "Oh, and by the way young William, it is not very chivalrous or knightly to shoot a man in the back..."

Will scoffed, "What would you know about such things? I was doing what needed to be done, that is all..."

"Ah, but your conscious berates you for it; do not deny it. Such a black mark on your personal record..."

"But you are a special case, and I mean that in the rudest, most insulting way possible."

"Why you insolent...!" Trycos's voice rose up in a temper, than slowly died down back to its old, nonchalant tone, "But what am I getting worked up about? It is you who will have to lower yourself to the point of groveling to leave this place..."

Devic(o) let out a sound that seemed to be a mix between a laugh and a choke, "Grovel, to you? I would say that you are insane, except that would be redundant since we all know that to be a fact."

"You are right, you all know it is a fact, so it is a mystery to me why you all continue to try my patience in this manner...Why, there is no telling what I may do if I become irritated..."

Alex clenched his fists, "We already know that you can't kill us! Remember, we learned that the last time you caught us in your little dream world!"

"Ah, I cannot kill you, but have you not heard the saying Alexander? There are so many worse fates worse than death..."

Phi felt her blood run cold, and she swallowed, "So you're saying that if we beg you to send us back home, you will? Without causing any of us harm?"

There was a pause, then Trycos relented an answer, "Indeed, I suppose that is what I am getting at...Would you like to start?"

Phi bit her lip and Alex stared at her, his mouth hanging open. His pride wouldn't allow him to give in so easily, but Phi's maternal nature was taking over, she had to get her kids out of there, no matter what the costs...even her dignity.

Phi began to move forward but stopped as Alex grabbed her arm, his voice quivering with emotion, "You swear to keep your word? How can we possibly trust you?"

There was a deep chuckle, "Well I suppose you can not trust me, can you? Now let Phiona go, I believe she has something she wishes to say to me..."

Phi gently pried Alex's fingers off her arm and gave his hand a quick, reassuring squeeze. He gazed at her, realizing that she was doing what she was doing for their children and looked at the ground, slightly ashamed that he wasn't thinking of doing the same thing.

Phi moved over to the middle of the tent cautiously, unsure if the bottom would fall out from beneath her knees, and motioned Devic(y) and Luke to join her. Will gave Luke a little push towards her as the little boy seemed frozen to the spot, and Devic(o) turned his gaze to the boy who was given his name and watched as he crawled up besides his mother.

Phi was about to speak when she felt Luke tugging on her sleeve, "Are we going home now?"

Phi nodded and Devic(y) spoke up from her other side, "Mom, are we ever going to see them again?"

Phi started. She hadn't thought about that...Glancing behind her at Will and Devic(o), she turned back to face the opening of the tent and called out, "Will we be sent directly home after you release us?"

"Perhaps..."

"Yes or no?"

"You'll have to wait and see..."

Phi scowled and turned around. They may never see Will or Devic(o) again...

She blinked and realized that tears were pricking her eyes. Sitting up, she motioned for her sons to lean in, "All right, say good-bye to Will and Devic just in case we don't see them again..."

Luke's eyes widened in surprise, "What? Why not?"

Phi shook her head, "It's a long story..."

Luke continued to stare up at her questioningly but Devic(y) was all ready off, clamoring over to where Will was. Shyly, the boy reached out and wrapped his arms quickly around the archer, giving him a quick hug. Will smiled softly as Luke got the idea and piled up besides his brother, wrapping his small arms around the younger knight. He leaned down and returned their hugs, than gave each boy a pat on the back, "Mind your mother and father now...I shall remember you both very dearly..." Devic(y) nodded and pulled away, leaving Luke clinging to the man still, small tears welling up in the six year olds eyes, who still was unable to understand a word the man was saying yet was refusing to say good-bye.

Devic(y) glanced around and then hesitantly made his way over to Devic(o) who looked surprised as the boy came closer. The knight cleared his throat and reached out his hand, which Devic(y) took and gave the boy a firm handshake, "Good-bye Devic, it was very...enlightening to know you..."

Devic(y) smiled softly then, without warning, threw himself at Devic(o) and wrapping his arms around his neck, "I'm gonna miss you..."

Devic(o) was stunned for a moment and sat, stiff, as he felt wet tears fall onto his shoulder, "Well, I...I will miss you too..." He relaxed a little and cautiously gave Devic(y) a small hug, "All right now...go wait with your mother..."

Devic(y) wiped his eyes, embarrassed, and went back to sitting in the middle of tent, watching as Luke bounced over and stood up to be able to wrap his arms around Devic's(o) neck and give him a quick hug before hurrying over and clamoring next to Devic(y).

It was Phi's turn. She moved towards Will on her hands and knees and gave him a hug, "It was a pleasure to get to know you...Thank you so much for helping to take care of my boys. I will miss you..."

Will smiled sadly, the expression looking strange on his usually happy face, "I have wondered all my life who you, Alex, and Tom were; the three who Devic here talked so much about and yet would tell me so little...Tell your brother that I said hello, and to you I say that it was quite an adventure knowing you and Alex, and that I will miss you dearly."

Phi nodded and then moved past Alex, who was keeping an eye on their sons, and kneeled in front of Devic(o). She grinned sadly, "Well Devic, I doubt this time we'll be coming back to Tortall..."

"I know it..." She sighed and he touched her shoulder gently, "I must tell you..." He looked down at the ground as if unsure how to continue, then glanced back up at her, "Well, you are familiar with the fact that when I was little, my house was destroyed in a fire...and in that fire my older sister was killed...I want to tell you before you leave that I have always considered you a replacement for that sister, as strange as that may sound. I shall miss you as I would miss a dear sister..."

Phi felt tears pricking her eyes again and moved in to give the knight a long hug, "You are a good person Devic...Smart, courageous, strong, and kind...you still have a long life ahead of you, I can feel it...But I want you to live it. Forget chasing Trycos and enjoy yourself...You're too young to be so serious..." He smiled weakly and she gave him another quick hug, then moved over to kneel in the center of the tent.

There was a pause of silence where Phi glanced back anxiously at Alex as if telling him to come next. He gave her a slight nod and she let out a breath of air.

"Well, are all the tender good-byes over and done with? I cannot stand such things, such a waste of time, especially when you are so unsure of the future...Now, Phiona, do you or do you not have something to say to me?"

Phi inhaled sharply, drowning her pride, then bowed down, touching her forehead to the bottom of the tent. She wanted to get this right the first time. "Please sir, I beg of you, send me and my children back to our home in our own world and time! It has been so long and we are weary and tired...I beseech you to find it in your mercy to send us back..." She let her voice trial off and held her breath. Hoping desperately that that pathetic statement would work, she kept her head on the ground and refused to let herself look up.

There was a silence that seemed to last an eternity before Trycos's voice sneered, "See, that was not so very difficult, was it...Very well, you have appealed to my softer side...You and your whelps may go." Phi bristled at what he called her children, but stayed silent, biting her lip so hard that it bleed.

Finally, she felt herself being tugged towards the opening of the tent by a strong wind. Grabbing one of her boys' hands in one of hers, she let the wind pull her outside. As the three of them tumbled down into the nothingness, Phi caught sight of Alex moving forward. Good, he would go next. The darkness grew thicker and thicker, the colors rushing by them as they fell. She heard Luke let out a small whimper and then nothing.

OoOoOoO

Alex watched in subdued horror as his family tumbled out of the tent and into the swirling vertex, his mind screaming that Trycos had lied and that he would never see any of them again. But he knew that if he wanted any chance at all to return home, he would have to keep his worried mind in check and stay silent.

Will moved towards him and gave him a fleeting hug, "As I said to Phi, it was an adventure..."

"It certainly was...I'll miss you...take care of Devic for us." Will grinned lightly and shook his hand.

Alex turned towards Devic and shook his hand as Devic offered it to him. Alex rested a hand on his shoulder and looked at him, as if examining him for one last time, "I still have trouble believing it; that that scrawny little outcast turned out to be the magnificent tactician that I see before me. You are the kind of person that thousands of boys and men would sell their souls to be back in my world...Take care of yourself..."

Devic nodded, touched by the words, and squeezed Alex's hand, "Remember me?"

Alex nodded, "Of course...And you'll remember us?"

"I would never allow myself to forget."

Alex smiled and Devic grinned at him, "Go catch up with Phiona, Devic, and Luke...You have some begging to do."

Alex gave Devic an exasperated look at the thought of pleading and Devic gave him an understanding look and released his hand.

Alex let out a sigh and walked slowly, like a condemned man, to the center of the tent. Knowing only too well that he would have to make an impressive act to be able to leave, he fell to his knees and bowed his forehead to the ground, just as Phi had done, "Lord Trycos, I beg of you to allow me to follow my wife and children back to my own world and my own time so that I may be with them and support them. Without them I am nothing, and once again I beg you, on my knees, to allow me passage back to my own world..." Grimacing inwardly, he lifted his head up and clutched his hands together in front of him, "Please, I beseech you sir..."

He closed his eyes, hoping that it would help him to keep his emotions tied down, and he heard Trycos's booming laugh echo through the emptiness again, "Is that the best you have to offer?"

Alex felt a stab of panic and touched his head to the ground again, "Yes sir..."

"After all the annoyance, all the snide remarks, that is the best you can manage to scrounge up..."

What if he didn't let him go? A second stab of panic was added to the first and Alex felt the blood drain from his face. He would never see Phi and their boys again! He felt his throat tighten an a choke escaped, "Please! Trycos! Let me follow them!"

He heard a sigh and then the wind picked up. Unsure of whether he had convinced the mage or not, Alex felt his body fight against the pull as he began to be drawn towards the edge of the tent, but it didn't help. He tumbled off the side and was plunged into the darkness, picking up speed as he plunged into the shadows, Will and Devic's worried faces watching helplessly as he disappeared into the nothingness.

OoOoOoO

"Phi..."

Phi blinked her eyes open, her vision swirling around, making her dizzy. She heard a voice calling to her...

"Phi..."

"Phi are you all right?"

Groaning, she struggled to lift herself up onto her elbows. She was lying on her back on something soft, and there was someone above her, staring down at her. She narrowed her eyes, willing her eyes to focus, and a hand reached down and softly pushed her back down onto the softness.

"Phi, do you know who I am?"

He narrowed her eyes again and murmured, "Not yet..."

"Do you know where you are?"

"Not yet..."

She heard the figure sigh, then sit down next to her and lean in closer, "Phi, it's me..."

Phi's eyes grew big and she smiled weakly, "Tom!" He bit his lip and threw his arms around her neck, and she returned to hug, nestling into his shoulder, "Thank God...That means that..."

"You're home little sister...I was so worried; you cannot possibly imagine! No contact, no feelings, no anything at such long intervals! I thought I would go mad! And I think I nearly did!"

Phi grinned weakly, "You're right, you suffered more than any of us..."

"Well if you had told me what you had been through!"

Suddenly, panic griped her and she squeezed Tom's shoulder, "Tom! What happened?! Where are the boys?"

He smiled gently, "The boys are in their room sleeping...As to what happened, I was sitting at the table eating breakfast when all of a sudden I felt this explosion in my mind and a loud crash coming from the boys' room, so I ran inside to see what had happened, and what do I find but you, Devic, and Luke sprawled, unconscious, on the floor between the beds. So, wondering what happened to Alex—"

Phi interrupted, "Alex! What happened, where is he?!"

He soothed her gently, "I was getting there...So, as I was saying...I wondered where Alex was, but while I was wondering, I moved each of the boys to their respective beds then a carried you to your bed, which is where you are...I had just gotten all three of you settled when there was another explosion, louder than the last one, more violent, but none the less distinctively the sound of a portal being opened, so I rushed in just in time to see Alex fall to the floor, much more roughly than I believe you three had. I don't know what happened over there, but I can only assume that you found Trycos and Alex wasn't on the best terms with Trycos when he sent him back, hence the harsh landing..."

"So where's Alex?"

Tom smiled, "Right beside you."

Phi frowned and turned her head for the first time and spotted Alex, completely out, lying on his stomach next to her. She smiled gently and ran her fingers down his arm and Tom stood up. She turned her head to look at him and he smiled jokingly at her, "If you're going to get all love-y and stuff, I'm out of here..."

He began to walk out of the room, then turned his head with his hand on the doorknob and asked, "So, when are you going to tell me everything that happened?"

"When I can focus my thoughts enough to do so..."

"All right...Get a good rest in...you look like you need it..."

Tom opened the door and Phi rolled over onto her side to face him, "Thanks Tom..."

He smiled, "No problem...Tell Alex I said hi when he wakes up..."

"Oh! That reminds me! Tom!"

He turned around again, "Yes?"

"William says hello..."

Tom nodded, smiling softly and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Phi rolled over again to face Alex and buried her face in her pillow, her mind drifting slowly back off to sleep.