Being the protege of a wizard is really a wonderful thing. During all of summer last, when I sat under Nevvyn as my mentor, he filled my mind with the most wondrous things. Not just the useful knowledge of herbs and potions, but of spells, spells that could change your life and make you question where you were if not who you were. His wisdom, too was something amazing. He knew when to use his magic and chose to use it for good and proper purposes---not for dark purposes as such we had seen in our quest.

I sat on the comfort of my own newly re-stuffed straw mattress, complements of Tessa and the women of Inver Colpa I am thinking, as I pondered just how I got back home to my own hut with Thunder and Lightning happily dreaming doggie dreams by the fire. Of course it all had to do with Nevvyn, so it really was remarkable.

Last night at this time Mac, Nevvyn and I were sitting at our supper, discussing plans for our early rise and departure. After a cryptic note from Aine, we learned that she and Flora would be part of our party returning to Inver Colpa. My mind couldn't help but think about how the two women would fit into the society of Inver Colpa, but with all I had to do to ready for our early morning trip, those thoughts escaped me and I left Mac, Nevvyn and Flora to begin my packing.

The morning dawned bright and clear. For the first time in ages, Nevvyn went with the Cashel druids to sing up the sun. After eating a filling breakfast we waited for Aine to join us and started down the road at a gentle trot, which I thought must be concerning Mac mightily. It would take forever to get to Inver Colpa at this rate, but then you don't spend so much time with a wizard without getting to know him just a bit. I knew when Nevvyn asked only for our noon-day meal to take along that he had something in mind and so I determined not to worry about our pace and wait and see what the wizard had in mind.

As soon as we were out of sight of the Rock, Nevvyn dismounted and began walking around in the road in front of us. Suddenly he stopped and faced in the direction of our travel. I watched as he struck the earth three times with his staff, chanting the familiar words in the old tongue, the words he had taught me. I smiled as he remounted his horse when he was done and we resumed our leisurely gate. Knowing the wizards spell, I looked to the sides of the road as I watched the trees and bushes rush by in a blur.

At mid-day we stopped and ate, then Nevvyn began the chanting again with the same result. So, before any time at all it seemed, we found ourselves climbing the last hill to the Inver Colpa Keep. We were greeted with great excitement, and Mac had a joyous reunion with his wife, son and new daughter. Afterward I made provision for Aine and Flora to have sleeping accommodations for the night. And now I was comfortably back in my own hut and very happy to be so. Standing I made my way to my trunk and opened it. Rummaging through my clothes, I finally picked out what I considered my prettiest clothes. It was Beltaine and I planned on enjoying my first night back in Inver Colpa.