Rhiann then headed toward Wombat Mountain to rejoin Maranna and Iyaca Vassi. The cottage was completed. Extensive gardens grew around the homestead. Rhiann felt disappointment. His friends must have commandeered Magick to produce such growth, and he’d asked they adhere to Mayard’s wishes and limit its use. Rhiann found Iyaca working in the cottage. His apprentice looked older.
Iyaca said uncertainly, “It’s you, isn’t it?”
Net marveled, “Of course it’s me. I realize p-Mayard and real-Mayard mimicked me, but they are gone. Why’d you doubt me?”
Iyaca said, “You look the same. It’s like you’ve not even been away.”
Rhiann answered, “Iyaca, are you well? In this dim light, I’d swear you look older. Nice work on the cottage! I’m amazed you finished it so quickly! I’d rather you had avoided using Magick, but the end result is impressive.”
Iyaca replied, “What do you mean quickly? I am older, and we didn’t use Magick. Rhiann, we’d nigh given up on you. Only stories of powerful Magick to the south and east and reports from Old Ones saying they’d spotted you in the Veldt gave us the hope that you would yet someday return. You’ve been gone six centuries, six hundred changes of the seasons!”
Rhiann said, “You jest! I see my reflection in ICU! I look the same. How?”
Iyaca replied, “I see you still need convincing. You have been away six centuries.” Iyaca called, “Maranna, the wayfarer has returned.” The mature apprentice stared at Rhiann.
Rhiann said, “I feel like I’m on display in Thynna’s museum.”
The siren Maranna entered the room.
Rhiann said, “Maranna, you are as lovely as ever. Is Iyaca teasing me?”
Maranna said, “It’s true. You are not of the Old Ones, yet time has not touched you. How? Where? I flew over every inch of the Veldt, including those cursed buttes.”
Rhiann said, “I was oblivious to the passage of time.”
Iyaca noted, “You were unaffected by the passage of time.”
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