This being Summer Wind's last year at the Arcane Academy, unless she wants to stay for specialized training beyond that of general magic, she throws herself into learning twice as hard as ever before, to try to be ready for the Final Exam. She is so busy that she hardly notices her surroundings.

While she still scries for her brother Silver Fox fairly regularly and talks to her sister Smoke Cat perhaps every other week, she is more isolated and reclusive than she has been since escaping her tower prison. From time to time, she sees Kanu, but he seems to have a strange reluctance to approach her, even though he is spending more time on magic, too, and less on his guard duties, since his taking charge of Parakeet was deemed zealous above and beyond what would normally be asked of him.

In her "spare" time, Summer Wind takes the advice of Maestro Sun Son and studies music, which she finds, along with the meditation techniques taught to her by Moon Shadow, actually help organize her thoughts and make her memory more effective for other subjects. Still, she hardly dances anymore, not feeling the need for guidance from her spirit animal the Blue Monarch butterfly and having become stressed beyond being moved simply by the joy of dancing. It doesn't occur to her that movement might also help lessen angst.

Somewhere in the back of her mind is the thought that the self-styled Paleyit Hill Queen Black Rose of the family Jade will not remain defeated forever, that the villainess knows now that Summer Wind is the legitimate Princess of the Dawn Gate and furthermore that she resides at the Arcane Academy, but the idea is no more bothersome than an occasional stinging fly. The girl... No, young woman... does not feel threatened by anyone or anything except the testing and questioning of her own instructors.

As a concerned sibling, however, she does send word to her older brother, through rather circuitous channels but she hopes it will arrive in more or less the form she originally phrased it, to watch out for spies among those joining him in the wilderness of the Uman Shikù Greenwood. Summer Wind knows that Silver Fox will have thought of this on his own and will keep the most vital plans and knowledge, such as his shape-shifting ability, incredibly secret, yet reminders can never hurt and this is itself a demonstration of the power of rumor.

Summer Wind has the option, due to the inherently flexible nature of magecraft influencing the schedules of both students and professors, of taking her Examination either right before she leaves to attend the birth of Blue Turtle and Moon Shadow's child, or after a season of absorbing and digesting in her own way the information which she has learned, perhaps even incorporating shamanic lore into her repertoire. Her choice would've been not to put it off, but everyone she knows advises the other...

Moon Shadow positively blooms when pregnant and doesn't feel sick at all. Therefore, she hopes to repeat the experience as soon as possible, since she feels that time is of the essence. First, however, she must deliver this child, whom the northern Paleyit Hill woman plans to name after one of her saviors.

The expectant mother particularly desires Summer Wind to be present for the arrival of this child, and fortuitously the Academy student's final classes end a few weeks before the baby is due. Moon Shadow is enormous, but very happy. Blue Turtle Dreaming is surprisingly quite a nervous father-to-be as the delivery date grows closer. Infants, however, rarely consult others regarding when they should make their entrance into the world, and Moon Shadow's is... ARE... no exception!

Yes, her daughter turns out to be girls, plural; ordinarily a shaman would be able to tell in advance, but apparently Moon Shadow's twins are so in harmony with each other that their heartbeats were almost synchronous. True to their mother's word, they are both named after aspects of Summer Wind: Butterfly and Dawn. Although, in the manner of most double births, they have come early, the whole family is healthy and blissful so long as the babies are not separated from each other for too long.

As for Moon Shadow herself, she has adapted to the nomadic plains life remarkably well, although she does sometimes wish for a proper eight-walled house in the winter. The town of Hogaban, and her late husband's grand furnishings, she does not miss at all, having brought with her those sentimental treasures dearest to her heart. However, she was born and raised in a village in the northern hills and, every once in a while, she misses the beauty particular to that terrain or the communal hall gatherings.

Summer Wind is not sure where "home" is, except that it is with her family, scattered though they may be. Playing with her tiny "cousins" and niece, riding her mare with the young filly keeping pace, dancing at the naming ceremony for the twins... all this seems to lift a weight from her shoulders.

Her largest regret is that Kanu is not there to dance with her, or even to say that she moves well but is "still too young" which Summer Wind is afraid might become his favorite phrase. Apparently, he is visiting his own family again, now that they have a magic portal and, from the few times that they spoke while she was obsessed with breathing magic instead of air, she gathers that it is on very important business. The second main source of wistfulness for her is that she misses Silver Fox.

She remembers, of course, that she must return to the Arcane Academy for final Mage testing, and for that occasion, intelligence and memory are necessities. Yet Summer Wind begins to understand that the same wisdom that served her well for her combat against Jade Black Rose, and which shines so brightly in Smoke Cat and Blue Turtle, can help her in her upcoming trial as well. The young woman finds herself often in the company of grandfather and chieftain White Bear, and this is a good thing.

Still, even Smoke Cat Watching is surprised when Summer Wind receives an invitation, not quite a summons but nearly that, from the witch-woman Syura, Kanu's mother. The message specifies that the young woman should be prepared to spend up to two weeks with the southern N’kiwãng tribal community. As it happens, no one is ill, Springing Doe is expecting again but not due for a long while yet, and in short, there is really no excuse for Summer Wind not to go. However, suddenly she is less afraid of her Final Exams.

In fact, Summer Wind has not been this nervous about what to wear since packing to leave the tower of her sorcerer father Mourning Cloak. Kanu has never even specified what sort of countryside he comes from: forest, steppe, hills, wetlands, or semi-desert... Only now does it seem strange that she never noticed this reticence in him before. Did he think he could not go home again? However, clearly, he has and is now warmly welcomed. Summer Wind can only hope to be viewed as desirable as a guest.

As it happens, all of Summer Wind's guesses regarding what kind of landscape Kanu is from are wrong, because she has never seen savanna. However, aside from the very large creatures that seem to inhabit it, which are admittedly a bit scary, it is a case of love at first sight for the young woman.

The lush waving grasses and abundant trees are so lovely, and the settled villages that yet have manageable herds of domesticated cattle seem reminiscent of the best of everywhere that Summer Wind has seen on her journeys. This, of course, is before she realizes what it means to live with lions, and packs of wild dogs, and crocodiles in the rivers, etc., but then, no place is perfect. There are cities to the north and south and east, but none has an equal to the Arcane Academy that lured Kanu.

And then there is Syura, who appears to know all about Summer Wind from the first moment of touching her shoulder in greeting. She doesn't actually, of course, and there is a great deal that the witch-woman knows in advance, since Kanu has told his mother much on this trip home of "the right one, who dances", but so it seems to the young northern woman... No, girl... for here she has yet to be counted as an adult. Summer Wind hopes that the earning will have nothing to do with huge animals.

Syura is pleasantly surprised by her initial meeting with "the one who dances", since her son had arrived home in something akin to flat despair, thinking Summer Wind had forsaken both him and that pursuit forever. But this girl, yes, this girl might really be the right one. First, certainly, she must be studied and observed, for Syura has but one son and one daughter to delight in. The witch-woman has looked forward for a long time to doubling that number, but her own girl is too young yet.

For the first few days, Summer Wind is strongly reminded of her introduction to Smoke Cat Watching's clan when she was only 14. She is given no tasks and allowed to wander at will through Bowing Tree village, asking questions or just quietly watching the dynamics; as for interactions, she eats and socializes primarily with Syura, her husband Taronyu, her daughter Syeha, and sometimes also Kanu. When Summer Wind asks where Kanu is the rest of the time, it is either with friends or tending the herds.

Since Kanu seems to be himself, rather than acting constrained or disturbed when he is present, Summer Wind fervently hopes that this is his way of giving her space and a chance to get her footing in this new place, rather than that the young man is simply trying to avoid her. Then, one day, Syura announces that it is time. The young northern princess is to prove herself in this far southern location. "What must I do?" asks Summer Wind, and the fact that she does not balk counts already in her favor.

Syura tells Summer Wind that to be regarded as an adult in the Bowing Tree Tribe that she guides spiritually and magically as witch-woman, all the girl must do is to find her own song. This, of course, is not as easily done as it sounds. It is analogous to discovering a spirit animal for the Tishatayo plains clans: deeply personal and revealing of one's most private secrets and character.

"We have a sacred place, a temple, where you must keep vigil for two days and two nights. There will be water, but no food; don't worry, though, you will probably not feel like eating anyway," says Syura wryly. "Time seems to move... differently... there. Kanu will take you there and even show you the way to proceed as best as he can. My son will remain outside and ensure that you are safe from external dangers. Beware, however, since this inward journey will be more difficult for you, as it is for all who carry their own magic within them."

Summer longs to ask why that should be, that having magic is a complication if not an outright hindrance, but she dares not interrupt the witch-woman's instructions.

"Your song need not have words or be lengthy. If it is not a happy song, this does not mean that your life will not be joyous. I tell you this especially, because I know that you have grave personal shadows which may never clear. That is all right. A shadow is not a darkness, and a darkness is not necessarily an evil. Go now, with my blessing." Even for Syura, this is not a very detailed explanation of "how", but Summer Wind harkens to every nuance that might aid her in this endeavor.

Summer Wind hopes for more concrete guidance from Kanu and realizes that she would instinctively have turned to him anyway, with or without the words of his mother. It isn't far, less than a day's journey on foot since horses would be too vulnerable here to survive, yet the guardsman's nearness is a comfort in itself, regardless of directives or weapons to defend her.

"Sit and listen," he tells her, "Or stand, or pace, or dance, but be open to whatever comes. You may see or hear things, not all of them pleasant. Do no harm. And believe me, you will be tempted. The greatest victory is to come away from this trial clean and content. Not everyone can do so..." Kanu further clarifies.

"Did you?" Summer Wind blurts out, and immediately blushes, for this seems an intrusive thing to ask.

"Not entirely. Hence, I sought the experience which the Academy could provide. It has been very good for me... better even than I had hoped." He stops walking then, and takes her hand, giving her an extremely real and grown-up kiss.

"For luck?" asks Summer, trying to sound casual.

"No," is all Kanu says in response, his gaze steady and earnest.

"Good," Summer Wind replies, and that is the last time they speak, as they are now on temple grounds. Kanu leaves her at the threshold, vanishes into the trees, and she is alone.

For a long while the girl sits and meditates, and nothing unusual happens. Then she stands and paces, and still nothing happens. She drinks some water from the fountain, and there are... reflections? They pull at her, giving an impression of drawing her down, into their shimmering layers, but there is no sensation of wetness, only cool and refreshing... something. Afterwards Summer Wind can't say specifically what she saw or heard or felt, but she does recall a melody, hauntingly familiar... one which leaves her spirit practically aglow: clean, renewed, and contented.

Summer Wind cannot say that she comes away from finding her own song completely contented, either. She is deeply happy, yes, and spends more time than necessary on the trip back to the Bowing Tree N’kiwãng village pausing to share talk and kisses with Kanu. But Jade Black Rose is a threat that can't be ignored. Especially since finding her song, Summer feels uneasy about the Hill Queen.

Accordingly, after her stay with Kanu's family is over, and she has celebrated her adulthood ritual, and generally rested and rejoiced, Summer Wind plans to join Silver Fox in the untamed forests of the eastern borderland between Paleyit and Seo Hán Nì and get to better know and understand the people she is princess of and for. Kanu, now, can hardly be kept from her side, having decided that she is no longer too young at almost 18, and he will, of course, accompany her to find her brother. Syura is pleased to see how very well they move together in the dance.

The two spend a few days at Sun Horse clan encampment, to officially tell Summer Wind's relatives there the news: that Kanu can now court her... or whatever... with a clear conscience as she is not technically a child anymore; and that the pair are going to join Silver Fox, to strengthen his cause, which after all is really that of the Princess of the Dawn Gate, and possibly to confront Queen Jade Black Rose with a view toward ending her reign and her life, since evil will always flourish around her.

Coincidentally, Summer Wind's musical training now serves her well, for no one who hears her song played, not even the notoriously impassive Maestro Sun Son, can remain totally indifferent towards her. It is both sweetly sad and inspiring, beautiful to listen to and somehow almost impossible to forget. Those in her brother's make-shift refuge find hope and courage and conviction again where it was beginning to ebb. New recruits who have never heard it, nonetheless join the reinvigorated movement.

With or without her flute, Summer Wind walks often among her people and finds much to love about them, many of the excellent qualities that are strongest in Moon Shadow, as she is one of them. Their princess is not as sure regarding what they make of her, raised in virtual solitude by an evil sorcerer, but Silver Fox knows that she need not worry. They all want desperately to love her, for her to be the antithesis of the tyrannical and capricious queen, and if she is not quite that, she is close enough.

Silver Fox has not been idle while his little sister studied magic and attained her majority. Although he expected himself to be as shy and awkward around crowds of people as his namesake, the young man finds that he has a certain sly charm which makes him oddly charismatic, and a good leader.

What he will do after he helps Summer Wind defeat and dethrone Jade Black Rose, Silver Fox is not sure, but these past few months have left him addicted to adventure and heroism. The young man thinks it is most likely that he will, of necessity, have to lead a double life to protect his loved ones, although they are formidable in and of themselves. A man cannot be a hero without making powerful enemies, of course, so it would be only prudent to pretend to be a bored courtier between missions.

There is certainly injustice enough in the Central Kingdom to keep one man busy for quite a long time, the caste system of nobility there leading to all sorts of abuses of power. Silver Fox is also attracted to, and almost eager to visit for no reason he can think of, the southeastern archipelago of islands off the coast. He has only seen the ocean a couple of times in his life, and as a boy he was not that impressed with it, but now it seems just as alluring as the ancient trees and forest.

It is the sort of thing his sisters would dance on, probably, but Silver Fox is more drawn to the meditation techniques of the northern Paleyit hill folk. That has yielded no more specific answers than that he must follow his heart and his nose. In this, the young leader has had plenty of practice, for the queen did indeed try to infiltrate the band of rebels loyal to the Princess of the Dawn Gate. Spies have a peculiar taint, half fear and half fanaticism, shown to him in their scent and their eyes.

Queen Black Rose fears that Silver Fox has been making every man, woman, and child who comes to him into an army to overthrow her and occupy her usurped northern lands. This is ridiculously false for the first half but does have some basis for the second since people who have fled her rule must have some place to live when they return. As for the former guardsmen and cabal Sisters, they have always been a fighting force and know that they will eventually have to go up against their own kind.

Everyone hopes that if Jade Black Rose is killed or imprisoned for execution, those folk who have remained loyal to her for their own selfish reasons will be dispirited, and that some inside the town who have been too fearful to leave will welcome the victorious side. This depends largely on forcing the queen to the forefront of battle, preferably to single combat again, although how to entice her to duel with the Princess of the Dawn Gate after losing to Summer Wind once is... problematical.

Queen Black Rose fears that Silver Fox has been making every man, woman, and child who comes to him into an army to overthrow her and occupy her usurped northern lands. This is ridiculously false for the first half but does have some basis in reality for the second part, since people who have fled her rule must have some place to live when they return. As for the former guardsmen and cabal Sisters, they have always been a fighting force and know that they will eventually have to go up against their own kind.

Everyone hopes that if Jade Black Rose is killed or imprisoned for execution, those folk who have remained loyal to her for their own selfish reasons will be dispirited, and that some inside the town who have been too fearful to leave will welcome the victorious side. This depends largely on forcing the queen to the forefront of battle, preferably to single combat again, although how to entice her to duel with the Princess of the Dawn Gate after losing to Summer Wind once is... problematical.

Summer Wind believes that she sees a way to enrage Jade Black Rose so much that she will once more agree to single combat. Just in case it is a foolish idea, however, she consults both siblings and her spirit animal as well. Because it is risky, very risky, to issue proclamations in the queen's name. Of course, it is not enough simply to forge the royal seal on a piece of parchment; Summer Wind must convince the people that the queen truly is revising her most unpopular and oppressive laws.

For this purpose, the young princess commandeers a showy and moderately spirited hill pony, sews together a very fancy dress, and paints her face to look older. Then she rides to the squares of the chosen villages, with an honor guard from the rebels, and schools her expression into a mask of disdain. That the orders she issues are, for once, popular with the people, is something that neither she nor the townsfolk allow to show on their faces.

As herself, Princess of the Dawn Gate, Summer Wind begins extremely sureptitously and cautiously to try to contact the kin of the southern Summer Gate, and if they exist, the heirs of the northern Winter Gate. Summer isn't sure what to do about the western Evening Gate, since Jade Black Rose is the last scion of that family, having eliminated all the rest. If all three other Gate Guardians can be gathered, however, a new candidate could be selected from among the western people and then voted upon by the other existing princesses.

After that, one of the four Paleyit Princesses must be chosen to rule as queen. Whoever gets that job will not have an easy time convincing the populace to once again trust a sovereign. Summer Wind just hopes that no one suggests she is the logical one to reign, since, if this venture is successful, she will have helped to overthrow Jade Black Rose. That is far in the future, however; it is best to face her challenges day by day.

Queen Black Rose predictably sets a price upon the head of the impostor and, furthermore, sends first her guardsmen and then several of the most elite cabal Sisters to capture or assassinate her. However, the evil sorceress's troops and witches seem always to be a step behind the false, yet increasingly beloved, "queen". Silver Fox can not only sniff out spies but also knows how to recruit them from among the populace. A large number of people in the countryside are willing to help by providing a carefully placed whisper of caution, even if they cannot commit to doing more.

Although the tyrannical monarch has no proof, she strongly suspects that the Dawn Gate Guardian is, if not herself the woman wearing the disguise, then certainly behind this whole problem. And Jade Black Rose is daily becoming more frustrated by her benevolent doppelganger. However, the queen is determined not to be lured into a second duel which she is certain would be a trap, since if she were arranging it, undoubtedly it would be a ruse. Perhaps, then, she can devise an ambush of her own.

The plan of Jade Black Rose is, in her own opinion, brilliant in its simplicity and so elementary that it cannot fail. She will execute one girl of near Summer Wind's age and from among her distant maternal Paleyit relatives each day atop the Dawn Gate until the troublesome princess surrenders unconditionally.

Summer Wind is allowed exactly 24 hours from the time of this announcement to give herself up. There are no assurances that the queen will not torture or eventually kill her hostage girls anyway... unless, of course, Silver Fox also yields his fate to the control of the sorceress. Jade Black Rose expects the merciful and therefore foolish siblings to make an attempt to rescue the captives, or possibly even try to murder her, hence the young women are surrounded with traps and her own security is doubled.

Her Majesty forgets, however, to recall the guards and witches hunting for the fake queen. Jade Black Rose is a very evil person, but not really that good a tactician. Achieving her current position was due mainly to surprise and treachery, and maintaining it accomplished through fear of the wicked folk she was able to entice to join with her. If she remembers the magic portal technology that... who, Budgie?... mentioned at all, it is merely as a means for her enemies to travel long distances.

Neither of the actions anticipated by Queen Black Rose, though, actually comes to pass during those crucial 24 hours. Accordingly, a girl is chosen at random and led to the top of the Dawn Gate. Her name, coincidentally, is White Rose, and she is almost a child at the age of twelve. For this first decapitation, the originator of this ploy, the sorceress herself, will preside. She is liberally enshrouded in enchantments to repel all sharp, and most blunt, objects that might be hurled at her.

It is then, just as the masked headsman prepares the fatal sword, for the Hill Queen prefers the sword to the axe, that Summer Wind arrives at the locked eastern Gate under a flag of truce. The chief executioner steps back, taking the sword with him out of arm's reach of Jade Black Rose, and there is a moment of stillness wherein no one moves at all. Furious at being thwarted, and yet exultant at the princess's obedience, the usurper queen pushes the girl from the parapet yelling, "Too late!"

The child, White Rose, finishes half a scream before she begins to waft lazily, like a feather, to the ground. Her Majesty the Queen frowns, probably considering the nastiest manner in which to magically destroy the girl, when the headsman hits her hard on the head with the pommel of her own sword.

During the night, with uncanny stealth aided by the best mute spells and sound dampening enchantments, the forces of the Princess of the Dawn Gate have taken and occupied that same gate, all without alerting or alarming the rest of the town. The masked executioner himself is none other than Blue Turtle Dreaming, who swiftly sets up a special portal that does not connect with the Arcane Academy but rather only to another like it in a hidden location somewhere in the hills. Unconscious, the queen is sent through.

Greatly daring, Summer Wind, once more masquerading as Jade Black Rose, leads a select group of her followers to the prison where the other intended victims are being kept. Her gambit is successful; she is immediately admitted, and as soon as the regular guards are overpowered, the young princess utilizes that unique magical doorway to release the hostages into the relative safety of their native countryside. The rebel forces then wisely retreat, with those holding the Dawn Gate as rearguard.

It is a strangely bloodless coup. Silver Fox has been training his men and women how best to incapacitate silently, and while normally this would involve messy things like slitting throats, a well wielded sap to the skull works fine, also, and avoids cleanup of the scene later for operations like the one just completed. And there is always the wonderful magic of widespread sleep spells. Ironically, Jade Black Rose cannot be assassinated at this time either, so wrapped in protective charms is she.

However, the searchers for the queen's impostor are still scouring the Hill country, and before she regains consciousness Jade Black Rose is moved to a region where she is likely to be discovered rapidly. Proving that she is the genuine Queen Black Rose and not a skilled actress and magician pretending to be her will not be an easy or enjoyable task, as both the guardsmen and the witches of the cabal have Her Majesty's own permission to use torture to reveal the true identity of their captive.

Her Majesty Hill Queen Black Rose of the Family Jade cannot remember the last time she felt pain. This is not only injury, but insult beyond bearing. The girl, Summer Wind, must die. Slowly and in agony. Cut in a thousand places and begging for the end. She wanted a duel; she shall have one!

But this time, yes, this time, things will be different! Sorceress against mage has already been tried. Jade Black Rose believes she knows now how to beat her opponent at that game, but it is not... intimate... enough. The queen favors the sword, not merely for ceremonial purposes or executions; she really understands how to use it, and furthermore how to do so well and with deadly finesse. Let the Princess of the Dawn Gate panic when challenged to fight with purely physical weapons only.

The younger woman's response to this edict comes in the form of a note attached to a crossbow bolt shot into the Evening Gate: since the queen was the issuer of the challenge, the choice of weapons should, by convention, belong to the recipient. However, Her Highness is willing to be lenient in this matter and offer Jade Black Rose the selection of longbow or short bow; either will be acceptable to Princess Summer Wind of the Family Silver, at a mutually agreeable distance and with neutral judging.

Impossible! Arrows from afar are not satisfactory! Queen Black Rose shall cross swords with Princess Summer Wind, or she will employ her sword at random on anyone who happens to fall afoul of her whim. And there will be no judging other than survival. This is the girl's final warning. Again, the sorceress believes that, rather than concede to her demands regarding their prospective duel, the Princess of the Dawn Gate will attack her beforehand, and she is aware of a bit of disappointment.

As she whets her sword to razor sharpness, having put a magic nullifying incantation on the apartments she occupies, Jade Black Rose consoles herself with the thought that, if the foolish girl manages to get into the suite, she will be caged inside those rooms by the cabal while the queen slices her to ribbons. If the princess makes the attempt but fails to approach so closely, she will be locked in the dungeon and tortured until she reveals the location of her brother's camp, and even afterward.

When it comes to weaponry, Summer Wind is excellent with a bow and mediocre with a knife, but swords are as alien to her as the dark side of the moon. The young woman is desperate. If ever there was a time to dance, it is now. She prays for a ray of enlightenment that is somewhat interpretable.

The intensity of this dance is palpable even to those watching and feeling helpless to aid her, as there is no time for Kanu and Silver Fox to teach Summer Wind swordplay. It is evening and both butterflies out late and moths out early are drawn to her almost instantly. The young woman is like a maelstrom of color and movement, and despite the obvious communion of many of the bright creatures with her, the rebel princess dances to near exhaustion. She absolutely must be sure of this message.

"Swords are not for you," her spirit animals tell her. "You are already armed." This is a little comforting, but the dancer hopes that if she is patient, there will be more advice. Summer Wind's mind is filled with a thousand questions, ‘How?’ being first and foremost among them. "Her song is her undoing," say the fluttering things, and variations of that are all that the young princess is able to glean from them. However, Summer Wind thinks she understands. She is quite afraid, anyway.

This time the missive delivered to the queen by the crossbow quarrel contains only two words: when, and where. Not that Summer Wind is going to agree to hold this single combat too far into central Hogaban town, but since much of the land and folk are at least partially loyal to the Princess of the eastern Dawn Gate, there really is no completely neutral territory. After a few suggestions are rejected by both parties, the duel is scheduled for noon, three days hence, immediately outside of the Summer Gate.

For those three days, Summer Wind, when she can be found at all, is never without her flute or lyre. She meditates a great deal and emerges from her reveries looking grimly determined. The princess rarely plays more than a few notes or chords, yet they make anyone who happens to hear them distinctly uncomfortable. Many of her followers wonder if the young woman has become mentally as well as emotionally disturbed, because to enter apparently unarmed into a fight with a swordswoman is suicide.

Privately Silver Fox and Kanu are both worried, although less than those who did not see Summer Wind dance. However, that no one desserts the camp while their princess is acting so oddly, is due almost entirely to the efforts of the two men. They spread reassurance everywhere with their evident faith in, and love for, Summer Wind. Only once do they ask if she knows what she is doing. "Rehearsing," she replies.

"For what occasion?" they ask her, baffled.

The young woman actually smiles. "It is the queen's dirge."

When Summer Wind arrives at the appointed time and place for the duel, Queen Black Rose is already there and ready. The young princess is surprised to see a familiar combat circle carved into the earth, although it is larger to allow for the free play of weapons. Why, as there will be no judging?

The answer is that the conditions, of course, are not entirely fair to the younger woman. The Summer Gate is bristling with bowmen and cabal Sisters who have orders to maim Summer Wind if she strays outside of the circle, or at the signal of the queen. Yet the Princess of the Dawn Gate has come alone, not even bringing her horse. She does have a case with her, but it is completely the wrong shape for a sword. Jade Black Rose, inherently suspicious, feels a strange sensation: nervousness.

Queen Black Rose, alert on this occasion to the possibility of spies or assassins, has banned the townsfolk from the walls or greensward in front of the southern gate. Rumor will spread anyway, but more slowly, and the sorceress queen wants no distractions, like crowd noise, to diminish her enjoyment of this duel. Summer Wind's friends and family have all sworn to remain distant enough to be safe, with Blue Turtle Dreaming again being a guest in her camp, scrying the scene for her brother and Kanu's benefit.

Then Her Highness, Princess of the Dawn Gate, opens the case. It does not contain knives or throwing stars as the Queen was hypothesizing; what Summer Wind unwraps and draws from its carrying container is a lyre. A lyre! A musical instrument! Her Majesty, Queen Black Rose, is virtually hysterical with rage. Somehow it demeans her sense of victory if the foolish girl doesn't even fight back. Perhaps the young woman will yet redeem herself and manifest a proper sword magically from thin air.

But no! The princess strides into the circle and bows to her opponent as a sign that she is ready to begin. Jade Black Rose forgets her plans of slowly bleeding Summer Wind to death and runs at her, sword held high. Incredibly, the girl dodges, sidesteps, slips away again and again, all the while playing that hateful lyre. And the song... the queen cannot escape that song. It is harsh, ugly, discordant, and deeply familiar. She cannot help listening to it and it makes her falter and quail.

Jade Black Rose is a vain creature. She spends hours arranging her hair and gazing into her mirror. That, however, only reflects the surface. The song Summer Wind plays now is the queen's own; it is her soul, her life, and what she has done with both of those gifts. And the evil woman simply cannot stand it. By this time the sword has fallen from her slack fingers, her eyes are glazed over with horror, and she is rapidly losing her mind. Inside her head she is shrieking. The queen falls.

Now Summer Wind does use her magic, because she has no desire to be turned into a pincushion by the guards or suffer whatever horrible enchantments the witches of the cabal can conceive of. Witnessing their queen convulsing on the ground has thrown her troops into... disarray. The young woman simply walks away.

Sanity is a relative thing, but regardless of how it is measured, Jade Black Rose definitely no longer has it. She will eat if she is fed, and sleep if she is put to bed, and that is about all; in short, the former queen is not well. Furthermore, no one particularly wants to care for her. It is a duty assigned as punishment for her most ardent devotees after the Paleyit capital is retaken, and she does not last out the winter. In her weakened state, she develops an inflammation of the lungs and dies.

The young Princess of the Dawn Gate, however, does not stay for the complete recapture of the hill town of Hogaban by the combined forces of the three remaining Gate Guardians. She greets her fellow heiresses and enters into diplomatic relations with them, of course, but the queen's most evil and corrupt men and women know that to surrender would be to be slaughtered by the wrathful Paleyit hill folk and so, reinforcing the castle as a fortress, make a last stand there, resulting in a long and ultimately futile siege.

Summer Wind considers her eighteenth birthday celebration and subsequent Mage examination to be infinitely more important than putting a period to the lives of Queen Black Rose's final adherents. Silver Fox, who doesn't seem to mind military maneuvers, is there to ensure that they do not escape, and she can return to inspire her own troops after those two personal events take place. Kanu, whose participation in the late battles was limited by his tell-tale coloration, has his own preparations to make.

As was hoped, the majority of the regular townspeople have been thoroughly disgusted with Jade Black Rose's reign, and are ready to welcome a change, although they were too fearful to attempt to bring one about themselves. Those who were not upset by the former queen's cruelties and prospered under her rule are now carefully watched by their neighbors for any even remotely criminal offense. As for the Evening Gate, it is cleansed, and smudged, and blessed to remove any lingering evil taint.

On Summer Wind's eighteenth birthday, everyone in her clan family embarrasses her by recounting, in front of a vastly interested Kanu, how far she has progressed from the painfully shy fourteen-year-old she was when they first met her. The difference is lovely, and nothing short of miraculous.

She is given no presents, since Her Highness Silver Butterfly Summer Wind, Princess of the Dawn Gate is now considered to be fully adult by each of the cultures of her relatives and cannot expect more than a party to mark every passing year. Still, there are hints that she might receive a few useful items after she successfully completes her Final Examination and chooses a Mage name to add onto all the others. Before this, however, the young woman must prepare once again to practice spells.

Smoke Cat Watching is inexpressibly proud of her half-sister, yet as a shaman she can see that three days of piecing together and then repeating Queen Black Rose's personal song have left a nasty, twisting darkness on Summer Wind's psyche. Therefore, on the morning after her birthday celebration, the two walk alone several miles upriver to a very special pool. The vessel Smoke Cat carries with her is unremarkable clay, but almost spherical, which is unusual for a water jar of the plains people.

"We have come here to cleanse your spirit. You know this," says Smoke Cat.

"Yes," replies Summer Wind. The shaman bends and fills the container with cool water. She holds it up in front of her, like a salute. Then, without further ado, the older sister dumps it over her sibling's head. "That's it?" splutters the younger woman, wiping drips from her face.

"That depends. How do you feel?" asks Smoke Cat Watching.

"Silly," Summer Wind answers.

"Good!" and the shaman laughs contagiously. "You were expecting something more... grand," the shaman states. "Some people get a more grandiose ceremony; they need it." Summer Wind laughs, too, happy to be light and clean again. "You," Smoke Cat continues, "get pushed into the pool," and suits the action to the word. The waterlogged sister reaches up and pulls the other in after her, and a splash fight ensues, as though they were children.

"I drove a woman insane," Summer Wind says, finally, full of contrition.

"I set a man on fire. Things happen,” Smoke tells her sincerely, and Summer hears the deep wisdom in those few words.

Returning to the Arcane Academy feels strange now to Summer Wind; in a way she will always find this community "home" whenever she is here, but so much has happened over this past season that it is almost like another world. She remembers studying fanatically, yet she is no longer quite that girl.

The young woman is confident in her skills in magecraft. However, she is also not totally certain that she is ready to spread her wings and fly alone. Fortunately, her instructors feel differently about the topic. They are not ignorant of the many trials Summer Wind has undergone and are favorably impressed. Her eyes grow wide when they announce to her, "This is your Exam: select the correct name. You should be transformed by it and yet still remain the same." There are no spells to perform, just a choice.

Suddenly Summer Wind's mind goes blank. She has considered many names: Butterfly obviously, or Aurora for the dawn, Syulang which means flower in Kanu's language, or Melody for her song, Sarah as she is a princess, or Silver Spirit for family... nothing seems exactly right. And then it comes to her. It is so simple and easy and essential. "I know who I am," she says. "I am Summer Wind." The warmth and growth of summer, the breezes that blow from here to there and back again, all of this is her.

"Congratulations," her favorite tutor tells her. "Knowing who you are is not so common a thing as you would think." Summer Wind is initiated into the ranks of the mages in a ceremony almost akin to some wedding rituals, except that instead of a veil being lifted from before her face, one is draped around her shoulders. It is said to symbolize both the mystique of magical power, and the responsibility to always use it wisely, but the origin of this custom is actually lost in the mists of time.

Sure enough, Summer Wind is presented by family and friends with a number of useful and decorative objects to commemorate her graduation into full-fledged magehood, including a new bow... just in case, and a round water jar... just in case. The most interesting gift, however, comes from Kanu.

"I had this made especially," he tells her, "because the short dresses worn by brides from my region just didn't seem right for you. Yet I wish to be wed in the sight of my family, and you would swelter in a traditional northern gown." Kanu grins. "You are still too young. I am not certain that I am not too young. But if it pleases you, I will marry you anyway."

Summer Wind, for the first time, agrees that she feels too young. She isn't ready to settle down and start a family immediately. On the other hand, the young woman is thoroughly tired of waiting. The sleek, blue dress, with its compromise of sheer, and solid, and lace to tie them both together, seems ideal to her.

So, Summer Wind says yes, it would please her very much! She adds that she, too, would like to be joined, or bound, or whatever, with her family in attendance, even if that means having multiple weddings. And Summer Wind grins back at Kanu. "Perhaps," she teases, "by the time we are finished getting married, we might actually be old enough." Then, Summer Wind also says, very seriously, "This is more than just a beautiful dress. It is I-understand-you. And I... I have not thought to give you anything in return..."

Kanu kisses her then, a soft, sweet kiss. "Oh yes, you have. You have given me everything." Since Kanu, meaning "intelligent", has chosen a time when he and Summer Wind can be alone for the offering of this special dress, it is followed by an uncounted number of other kisses, of several different varieties, but all lovely.

Although Kanu consulted with no one outside his tribe, and then only to arrange a place for the newlyweds to stay once they are pronounced husband and wife, none of Summer Wind's relatives are surprised by the news. The women, however, must all see and admire the dress, compliment the bride-to-be on how well it suits her, and enthuse profusely over the one-shoulder style of it. Moon Shadow informs them all that the one-shouldered asymmetry is very Paleyit, and Smoke Cat notes the "Silver" trim and "frost" flowers of lace.

In her role as witch-woman and priestess, Syura enters a trance state to try to foresee a bit of the young couple's future. Of course, nothing is ever certain, and sometimes to speak it aloud is to change its manifestation, but what appears to her, she relates to them. And it is a good vision.

"You will have fine children, strong and beautiful. One for each wedding, I think, but that is not so sure. Do not be alarmed, however; you will not have one from each ceremony. There are several adventures in store for you as partners before you embark upon that of parenthood. You both feel a little too young, but together you are old enough and very wise indeed," Syura tells her son and eminent daughter-in-law. Opening her eyes again, she asks, "With that in mind, will you dance now?"

"Oh yes!” is Summer’s delighted response.

Like the crux of the Tishatayo marriage ritual is the binding of the hands, the core of the matrimonial rite in the Bowing Tree tribe is to dance, as one, over poles held low and under poles held high, to symbolize surpassing obstacles in life together. Then Kanu and Summer Wind spin each other around until they get very dizzy and are escorted, to keep them from falling down, to the dwelling they will share for as long as they are in the South. There is, of course, singing and feasting as well.

Syura, having taught another local magician how to operate the portal invented by Jonas, journeys with Kanu and Summer Wind to the Sun Horse clan on the steppes when they go. She has never been away from the savanna and is eager to be enchanted with everything new and different. The horses, especially, are an amazement to the witch-woman; the idea of riding such a beast is wonderful, and she thinks it is great pity that zebras are not domesticable. Most of all, though, she loves Smoke Cat.

The shaman's tent, with its hanging bundles of herbs, and rounded jars, and scrying mirrors, and other things arcane, is comfortably familiar to Syura. Yet it is also completely, billowingly, alien. Smoke Cat Watching promises to return the courtesy of visiting, being both a polite person and terribly curious about the lifestyle and environment of her Southern friend and counterpart. Even though she is already married with a small child, Smoke Cat looks forward to finding her song, as well.

Summer Wind has not forgotten her duties as Hill Princess of the Dawn Gate. Consequently, as soon as she and Kanu have been wed by her sister Smoke Cat in the grasslands ceremony, and taken a suitable second honeymoon, they travel once more to the octagonal town in the north to fulfill her obligations there.

The final siege has just been broken, and while it was not without bloodshed, Silver Fox's forces suffered relatively few casualties. Many of Queen Black Rose's upper echelon chose to commit suicide rather than be taken alive, once they saw that their defeat was not only inevitable, but nearly upon them. There are now three Gate Guardians, and it is time to elect a fourth. First, however, the Gates are thrown open, and the lamps that traditionally burn in welcome day and night are relighted.

Choosing a successor for Jade Black Rose is not nearly as simple as it sounds, and it does not sound particularly simple. As it happens, the family of Jade isn't quite entirely wiped out; the former queen was not as thorough as she had thought, and a boy of about eight who was being fostered by a Central Kingdom House escaped elimination. But there has never been a male Gate Guardian in the Paleyit Hill Country, and while he is now adult, until his relative’s demise, he did not want to jeopardize any woman's life by marrying her.

Not everyone wants an heir from the Jade family, however, even if the man in question were to instantly wed and produce a daughter. That name is virtually synonymous with wickedness now in many minds, regardless of the fact that the boy was innocent of any wrongdoing. Those women who have put themselves forward as potential princesses, though, aren't very satisfactory either. The predominant feeling is that if a person desires that power and prestige, he or she is clearly unfit to wield it.

In the end a compromise is reached. Both the western Paleyit Hill folk and the three Princesses agree to essentially draft a wise woman who has been living in a secluded cave to avoid persecution by the cabal. Convincing her to take on the position isn't easy; she does not mind the responsibility, but she has no patience for pomp and politics. Also in her favor, though, she possesses enough of the "sight" to have a rough idea of whether she is merely ill or truly dying. When that occurs, she will select her replacement.

While Summer Wind does not want to neglect her post as princess, she does wish to rejoin her brother, renew her sense of closeness to him, and be married one last time in his presence. Fortuitously, the Imperial Court of the Central Kingdom is interested in exchanging diplomatic emissaries again.

Silver Fox, once the fighting was over, became bored with the intricacies of governance, and went back to the family mansion in the capital, the Celestial City, in order to establish himself as a languorous young courtier. Hence, the timing of the change to Central Kingdom foreign policy is perfect for Summer Wind. Since her father was a prominent citizen there, the young woman is the logical choice to send to the Imperial Court as an ambassador. She and Kanu set out immediately from the town of Hogaban.

In the land of Summer Wind's birth, brides, if they can afford it, wear gold for luck and prosperity, and the Silver siblings have invested their wealth wisely. Therefore, this wedding dress is silk of palest yellow, decorated lavishly with swags of golden cord. Many eyes, unfortunately, look askance at Kanu's dark skin, here, where pallor is equated with nobility. Neither the bride nor groom particularly care, however, and no one dares question aloud the taste of the mage and Princess of the Dawn Gate.

Maestro Sun Son officiates at this union and, ridiculous though it may be, this does much to make Kanu acceptable in the opinions of the snobbish. The pair share honeysuckle wine, drunk from either side of a V shaped glass goblet with two mouths but only one base. It is a much more sober and solemn celebration than those of the steppes or savanna; there is no singing, and the dancing is extremely formal and ritualized. Son of the Sun, however, plays the mingled songs of Kanu and Summer Wind.

Kanu is very glad to be so thoroughly married to his wife, yet now that he is no longer employed as an Arcane Academy guardsman, the commute being prohibitive, he feels a bit at loose ends. Playing the part of a world-weary courtier, as Silver Fox is amusing himself doing, doesn't appeal to the young man from southern Visharvé. What does inspire him is the blending of his song with Summer Wind's by the maestro. No one else recognized it for what it was, of course, but it was unbelievably apt and beautiful.

It is somewhat like his design for Summer Wind's original wedding gown: individual, unique, and almost perfect. Kanu realizes that he lacks the talent for arranging music that Master Sun Son has been blessed with. But he does seem to have a gift for weaving together aspects of disparate cultures to produce a harmonious and balanced effect. The people of the Central Kingdom expect him to be practically a barbarian. Fine then, he will occupy himself doing something "primitive" but with finesse and refinement.

Kanu invites his mother to the Capital City of the Central Seo Hán Nì Kingdom and then, Syura being a supportive as well as creative woman, bedecks her in jewelry he has made. Some of his pieces are similar to the traditional styles of the southern N’kiwãng tribes, some incorporate elements from the northern Paleyit Hills, but mostly the accessories have been blended into something new which flows from his own imagination.

She, and her sense of taste, are instantly successful! Although some of the more conservative citizens do not feel they can wholeheartedly embrace the feathers, the fashionably bored courtiers are enthralled with the beading and delicate wire swirls and flowers. It seems that Kanu's, at least temporary, career as a jewelry designer is well launched. From there, he is considering branching out into customized clothing, but that is something for the future, depending on how long Princess Summer Wind is assigned to the Imperial Court.

It is an unconventional occupation for a warrior and hunter, but as he cannot sculpt or paint or play an instrument, it gives him a way to express the sensitive side of himself which he finds truly enjoyable. Meanwhile, Syura is having a lovely time exploring the world and experiencing other cultures. The elaborate, patterned silk costumes are so beautiful, the ornamental gardens and parks, the filigreed scrollwork screens and calligraphed or water-colored wall hangings, it is all marvelous.

However rich in elegant art, and ancient magic, and ancient tradition the Central Kingdom may be, though, it is not a place that Syura really feels comfortable. Kanu warned her, above all, not to mention the word "witch" while she is there. Attitudes towards females working magecraft are changing, partially due to the awareness of the motivation behind Jade Black Rose's cabal, and this revolution of ideas is happening with blinding speed considering the deep veneration of the past basic to Imperial society.

Still, despite the fact that everyone knows Summer Wind is a mage, she is only absorbed smoothly and with friendliness into Seo Hán Nì Court life so long as the Princess of the Dawn Gate never speaks of those abilities. Because she is royalty, and half-foreign, and has status as a diplomat, the young woman has many more freedoms, and certainly much greater influence, than the majority of noble wives and maidens. But this is emphatically not the location for raising her daughters, when and if she has any.

To be fair, Kanu has the same feelings regarding his potential sons and the Paleyit capital, Hogaban. While it is not totally matriarchal in structure, and gender roles are more evenly distributed in the villages than in town, there is no arguing that the opportunities for men are somewhat limited within that country. Undoubtedly, the couple and their future children will have to spend at least some time in both civilizations, and hopefully exposure to the two extremes will mitigate each other's impact on young minds.

After Syura leaves to return home again, all of the residents of the Silver household feel a little restless and lacking in direction. Silver Fox begins taking "hunting" trips into the wilds of the Uman Shikù greenwood, to discover which nobles are oppressing their peasants the most heinously, so he can address them first.

Summer Wind and Kanu start travelling, in a purely conventional way, back and forth from the Imperial Court to the Hill capital. Both partners hope to demonstrate the benefits of reforms in the two societies by providing living examples of what can be accomplished. There are very few male artisans in the Paleyit Nation, but Kanu is successful without compromising his ideals of beauty. Likewise, educated women are rare in the Central Kingdom, however Summer Wind has proven herself to be capable and wise.

In addition, the Princess of the Dawn Gate carefully broaches the topic of founding a select seminary for girls, teaching basically the same subjects which Queen Black Rose claimed to offer, to receptive ears within the Court. Maestro Sun Son, of course, is one of her most ardent supporters, although upper class young ladies have always learned music, and as for magic, it is simply not time yet to try to include that study with the history, mathematics, poetry, and philosophy that she proposes.

On their frequent journeys between Celestial City and Hogaban, the young couple begin to observe signs that Silver Fox's second and secret identity as a righteous bandit is developing well. He calls himself the Sword of Justice, which is melodramatic, but designed to capture popular fancy, and while he has not deposed anyone, as creating chaos is not his goal, he has made greedy tax collectors and squads of bullies fearful of reprisal. Without their brutish men, the nobles are less powerful and less ambitiously grasping.

Naturally, Silver Fox, the indolent young courtier, continues to attend all the right parties, or at least the vast majority of them, and is heard to deplore the lax conditions in the countryside that make it possible for such uncouth ruffians to roam apparently at will. Kanu and Summer Wind, often at the same festivities, maintain that they have never been accosted, and teasingly suggest that those who are afraid acquire an unemployed magician to guard them; they are plentiful in Paleyit, the former Northern Kingdom of the Seo Hán Nì Empire.

This continues for quite a while, with all three young people feeling that they are making headway. Sometimes slower, sometimes faster, but there is an undeniable sense of progress and contentment. Eventually, however, the Central Kingdom grows excessively risky for the Sword of Justice; he is just having too many close calls. Summer Wind has succeeded in persuading a few wealthy patrons to establish a girls' school, and Kanu begins to tire of draping pearls and gems from pampered socialites who not-so-secretly look down on him.

"So, what do we do now, my sister?" Silver Fox asks one evening when, surprisingly, there is no party to attend. "Shall we find an evil sorcerer or sorceress to defeat, overthrow a tyrant, both at once..." and he casts her a quizzical look. "I am not yet weary of heroism, but I lack purpose."

"You will laugh at me if I say I will dance on the problem," Summer Wind replies, "but I will dance on it anyway." She smiles to include her husband in the discussion. "Kanu and I have been feeling much the same way. Although first," she says, "I think I will go visit all of my kinfolk with babies and small children, just to remind myself that I... we... don't need to start our own family quite yet." Kanu strokes her hair. Silver Fox's expression becomes, for a few seconds, vaguely wistful. The fleeting look of longing on her brother's face does not escape Summer Wind's attention. With a very knowing glance she adds, "I will dance on that for you, as well."

Kanu remarks, "You used to talk of wishing to see the ocean again, once in a while, when we were fighting Jade Black Rose. Perhaps that would be a place for you to begin your search... for something worthwhile to do... or whatever." And that is all that is said about the matter that evening, but it remains on their minds.

Summer Wind is concerned that she will not be allowed a hiatus sufficiently long to do more than sojourn briefly with her relatives, since the Princess of the Dawn Gate is still needed as an emissary to the Imperial Court. Political ties between the two nations are less fragile than they were but are by no means tightly cemented. Things are still enough in flux in the Paleyit capital that no new queen has been appointed from among the four Gate Guardians; they have been taking turns as an interim measure.

Then, however, fate seems to intervene. Master Sun Son, who had thought himself finally beyond such emotional attachments, asks Summer Wind, in her capacity as ambassador, to officiate at his wedding. He has slowly grown to love the wise woman chosen to be Princess of the Evening Gate, Falling Leaves by name. And she cherishes him despite his occasional stuffiness. At their age, the union is unlikely to produce any children, but the magical portents are good for it yielding much happiness. This makes her an equally ideal candidate to carry on diplomatic relations with the Central Kingdom, freeing the younger princess from that duty.

It has been a while since Summer Wind danced in the shamanic style, and she finds that she has missed it. However, it is now time to move on to the next adventure, for herself and Kanu, and for her brother Silver Fox. Maybe the three will work again as a team, or perhaps not on this occasion.

Seeking guidance from your spirit animal, especially one as finicky as a smoke cat or as fluttery as a butterfly can be a delicate form of negotiation, and you may have to dance until you are almost ready to give up before the creature comes to you. Luckily, this is not one of those instances, although the butterflies do not gather immediately either. Summer Wind dances first for her brother's benefit, as she is worried that his increasing restlessness will cause him to do something reckless.

She is pleasantly surprised when the answer to Silver Fox's need for virtuous action and his desire for romantic love both appear to point in the same direction, south and east to the sea, which is where he has been half-compelled to go anyway. Her sister Smoke Cat Watching has always said that it is a sign that you are doing the right thing when everything seems to coincide and fall into place, and Summer Wind has never doubted that this is true. However, this is a journey he must make alone.

As for Kanu and herself, Summer Wind's messages are not so clear. They tell her to go back to the Arcane Academy, yet not to the Academy. Those who live in ivory towers can be oblivious to things which are obvious to those who have lived in towers not of ivory. The young woman considers the idea that this may concern her father's wand. It is, as far as she knows, still hidden deep in the catacombs beneath the city. On the other hand, there may be a widespread wrong in the city at large.

There is only one way to find out for sure, and Summer Wind is excited to be travelling once again. She has received no sense of dire urgency from communing with her spirit animals, so she plans to go through with the notion which she had before, of spending a bit of quality time with her far-flung family members, to whom she feels so close. Idly she wonders if a portal could be arranged in such a way that she could lead her horse through it, because she missed her mare dearly in eastern Visharvé.

Summer Wind is conscientious about telling her brother everything she gleaned from her dancing. That he must journey alone, at least until he meets someone who wishes to accompany him, Silver Fox has already guessed. He is also glad to have his intuition about the sea confirmed by shamanic means.

Never having been aboard a boat or a ship in his life, Silver Fox prays fervently that he does not become disastrously seasick, because it is to the islands that he must go. His sister also adds small details about which she is not really certain, but that came to her nebulously once or twice as she danced, with a disclaimer, of course. If he is serious about finding love, the young man must seek out a woman like the Sword of Justice: an outlaw who preys on the strong that prey on the weak.

"How do you feel about piracy?" Summer Wind asks him.

Silver Fox, knowing his little sister well, is slightly suspicious. "Why?"

"Well, you may have to become one for a while, or at least a smuggler, in order to come in contact with the people that you need to meet," she explains. "And you should remember that not everyone is born to wealth and privilege; money is a powerful motivator." The young mage looks extremely serious for a moment. "As is freedom!"

Her brother absorbs this. "Yes." Thinking back to being a fox for months on end, he agrees.

Not being one to dawdle, Silver Fox departs on his trek almost immediately, although he does first visit the Imperial libraries to discover as much about the culture native to the southeastern Thedhis T’al archipelago of islands as he can. Failure to be prepared is simply stupid, and he is a highly intelligent young man. Apparently, they believe in the maxim "separate but equal" in that they have fairly sharply defined roles for each sex, however neither is, at least purportedly, valued above the other.

Regarding her own upcoming adventure, Summer Wind is just as ready as her brother, and from some of the things her husband Kanu has left unsaid, she suspects that he may be even more eager. She has her mage veil, she has her princess "crown", she has a good bow, and most importantly, she has Kanu.

Her family in the steppes are tremendously glad to see the two of them. There are a couple of new babies to meet and exclaim over and play with, and Smoke Cat Watching has visited Syura and found her own song. White Bear is older, although still vigorous, but he is giving more and more of the everyday governance of Sun Horse clan to Star Hawk Burning. Grey Owl is in much the same position in Rolling Thunder, except that his chieftain's health is precarious. Essentially, everyone is happy.

Summer Wind gets the impression from, well, all the women basically, that they half-wish they could come with her, at least to see the Arcane Academy if not to actively fight whatever evil is brewing. The predominant portions of their personalities do delight in caring for their children and generally being good mothers. But still… On impulse, the young mage promises to fetch or call for one or more of them, should she and Kanu have need of help, so long as they can find a competent babysitter in the clan.

Jonas makes the pair recount everything that has happened to them and swear to remember as many details about their future exploits as possible; he is always looking for new tales. Also, he believes it might be possible to lead a trusting horse through a portal if it were blindfolded. Then it is time to go to Kanu's home village of Bowing Tree. Syura and her husband Taronyu are fine, although there is some friction with Syeha, their daughter’s name meaning "breath", who now thinks she is old enough to do whatever she pleases.

So, off to the Arcane Academy they go, then, since that is where the portal leads. However, the first thing Summer Wind does is shop, because the best gossip is to be had in the Jailuha bazaars and marketplaces, and she and Kanu need some idea of what is going on before they can remedy it. Her husband performs much the same activity on the outskirts of the city-state, chatting with the caravan drivers on the pretext of looking for work as a guard. And there is a sense of something wrong but still unclear and nebulous. This definitely warrants further investigation.