Author's Note: I'm back! Finally.  And no I didn't forget about the story, and I haven't really been lazy…these past few weeks have just been crazy, and I've barely had time to sit down, let alone write my next chapter.  I'm very, very sorry, and I hope I can be a little more regular with the chapters now that my life has calmed down a little :) Enjoy!

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Skye shivered as another crash of thunder sounded overhead.  Even the cloak that one of the men had given her couldn't repel the steady rain that had begun to fall on her second night with the rider group.  It was now afternoon on the next day, but the darkness of the clouds overhead had turned the world into a dark canvas of blues and grays.  At the moment, however, her mind was on other things. 

Standing behind the young man who had showed them how to stow their bedrolls on the packhorses, she nervously shifted her weight from side to side and looked up at the huge front door that stood before her.  Jason, who was standing on her left, gave a low whistle.  "What a house!" he whispered, gazing at it admiringly. 

Skye scowled at him before pulling her cloak more tightly around her and returning her gaze to the door.  This "house" looked more like a castle in her opinion…she was sure she could have fit at least three two story houses into this one with room to spare.  She also felt nervous about the men who stood around them, clothed in hooded robes and visibly armed.  In the light from the lightning, she had seen tan, fierce faces beneath the shadow of their hoods.

Alanna knocked, but the sound was masked by another peal of thunder.  Skye's breath caught in her throat as the door slowly began to creep open, and watched as a man peeped his head around the door.  He squinted through the rain a moment, his face thrown into shadow, before suddenly throwing the door open with a happy yell and running to pull Alanna into a tight hug.  Skye widened her eyes in surprise – this was nothing like she had expected. 

As he pulled away from Alanna, Skye saw that the man was short and plump, friendly green-brown eyes staring intelligently as he looked around at rest of the group.  His long hair and beard were mostly gray, though the few hairs with color left in them said his hair was once dark brown.

After a moment the man began to usher them inside, and it was all Skye and Jason could do to keep from getting trampled by the young riders behind them who were eager to get out of the rain.  They looked about them in awe as they were lead through a long hallway lined with portraits and various furniture that looked to be in no particular state of order.   Skye couldn't help but grin as she and the others continued to follow the strange little man, who was still conversing with Alanna.  In her opinion, his house suited him perfectly.

Soon they were led into a room warmed by a roaring fire, and Skye gratefully shed her damp cloak, hooking it over her arm as she looked around.  This room was much different from the hallway in that it had been arranged and skillfully decorated.  Puzzled, Skye suddenly noticed a woman rise from a chair near the fire, a warm smile on her face.  She was tall with twinkling hazel eyes, her chestnut hair streaked with white.  She greeted everyone formally in the strange Tortallan language before laying her eyes questioningly upon Skye and Jason.

This began a series of outbursts of excitement from the rider group, and it took everything Alanna and her friends had to calm them down so that the story of the two outsiders could be told coherently to their hosts.  After a few minutes, Skye and Jason managed to escape the crowd and found seats near the fire, both feeling a little left out. 

"I'm tired of not understanding," Jason sighed, frustrated.  Skye smiled grimly and nodded, staring sleepily into the orange blaze.  They sat in front of the fire for many minutes before a chuckle sounded just behind Skye, making both teens jump.  She turned quickly to find the short man who had led them inside standing just behind her chair.  He stared thoughtfully at them for a moment, and Skye realized that the whole rider group was staring at them as well.  "So…lost, are we?" the man asked, a mischievous grin on his face. 

Skye started to reply when she realized she had actually understood what he had said.  "I…we…did I just understand you?" she asked, mouth agape.  Jason was staring wide-eyed at the man, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.  "How…how do you know English?" he asked, intrigued. 

The man sighed.  "That story is for another time, and I'm sure we will have plenty of time to tell it.  But for now, what are your names?  You can call me Myles, by the way." 

Jason and Skye looked at each other, recognition overwhelming them.  "Myles?"

He chuckled once more, obviously pleased.  "Oh, so you've heard of me?" A faraway look came into his eyes for a moment, and Skye was sure she heard him mutter, "I knew she could do it."  The moment didn't last long, however, and soon his attention came back to them.  "You still haven't told me your names."

"I'm Skye, and this is Jason," she said, suddenly feeling shy.

Myles nodded approvingly.  "Well, we have a lot to talk about you two, but that must wait until after you are properly fed.  How would you like some dinner?"

Jason grinned.  "I'm all for it…how 'bout you, Skye?"  Skye still had so many questions she wanted to ask the man, but she supposed those could wait, just as he had said.  She smiled reluctantly.  "I am pretty hugry…lets eat!"