The Badger nodded once, there was a bright flash of light, then they were in a completely different forest. Far less dense, and the air carried hints of ocean to the east. To the north was a fortress, flags flying.

Daine let go of the mage to bend and kiss the Badger on his head. "Thank you, Badger."

"Yer a good enough kit," he said. "Just don't go thinking the Gods are always going to be at your beck and call, Weiryn's daughter."

She grinned. "Perish the thought. Besides, when you call for Gods, half the time you get the wrong one anyway, at least among the Two-Legger Gods. The People are far more sensible about that sort of thing."

He gave a small snort. "You meet the Dawn Crow then tell me about sensible," he muttered but he sounded flattered, anyway. He twisted to look at Link again. "Be good, don't get my kit killed." With a flash of silver, he vanished.

"No words for me, I noticed," Numair said, somewhat amused.