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drifting farther away. “Terian the Infinite, in the name of Myrionar I commend these people, the fallen of Kaizatenzei, into your care. I ask you—I beg you—to hear me and bring them to you, receive them into the Light, for though they knew not your name, they served you and have held your Light in their hearts for all their lives.”
    Kyri bowed her head, and then raised it, gazing steadily at the armada of fiery rafts, all flickering with the golden fire of the Phoenix.
    Then Poplock felt Tobimar’s shoulder stiffen beneath him, even as his own little hands gripped suddenly tighter.
    The setting sun ignited in blue-white fire, spreading star-bright light across the water, a path of gleaming silver and sapphire that stretched to meet the oncoming fleet, and as it did so their flames turned to argent and sky. Silhouetted against the now brilliantly-blazing orb was a tiny figure, cloak or cape streaming in a distant wind, arms outstretched as if to welcome friends and family home. The pure, brilliant fire rose higher, dazzling all of the watchers, so that Poplock turned away and even Phoenix raised her hand to shield her eyes.
    And when the light faded, there were only the calm ripples of Enneisolaten glittering ruby and amber in the last rays of the setting sun; of the myriad rafts and their fires there was not a trace.
    For long moments, none spoke; even Kyri was staring in disbelief.
    Then Lady Shae gave the great spread-armed bow to the Phoenix Justiciar, lowering herself until her forehead nearly touched the shore, and there was an echoing rustle up and down the shore as everyone from Hiriista and Miri to the entirety of the gathered crowd followed her lead.
    Only Tobimar and Poplock stood unbowed and looked into the gray eyes that still showed Kyri’s wonder that she, she of all people, could be the focus of such gratitude and awe…and the heavy awareness of the responsibility that placed upon her. And now she’s become a symbol all over again, to these people, as much as she was to Evanwyl. Oh, Tobimar’s got some of that too, but she’s got the presence…and the god acts through her. They’ll remember the Phoenix of Myrionar first and always.
    At last Shae rose. “We—we all —thank you, and through you Myrionar, for Its intercession on our behalf, and give praise to the Light, to Terian himself, for taking our fallen to his side.” There was a murmur of agreement, echoing gratitude that covered the peninsula. “We can now return to our city with the sure knowledge that those we had lost await us in the Light, and wish us all joy and strength.”
    The stars had begun to shine out above, the clarity of the sky resonating with the purity that still somehow persisted about Sha Kaizatenzei Valatar, and as they began to move towards the broken, beautiful city, Poplock glanced back, and saw Kyri silhouetted against the fading crimson of the sunset.
    Above her, just visible against the coming night, the stars of the Balanced Sword shimmered.

Chapter 4
    “Ready,” said Poplock.
    Kyri looked around the large, rectangular room and saw Miri, Tobimar, and Lady Shae in combat poses. “Do you actually think he’s going to lunge out of the tube to kill us all?” she demanded, feeling a somewhat unreasonable annoyance at this suspicion. We don’t know it’s Rion, she reminded herself. It really can’t be him. Can it?
    “Expect, no,” Hriista said from beside her. “Think it is a possibility not to be utterly discounted, yes. You yourself admit that you saw your brother killed, were present when your priest failed to keep him alive due to his soul being torn apart. It is, therefore, vanishingly unlikely that this is indeed your brother. It is thus rather more likely that this is some form of trap. I am still unclear as to what the nature and purpose of such a trap would be, and the fact that apparently this tube was present for well over a year prior to your arrival argues against it being a trap in the