Four figures stood in an empty grotto without discernible exit.
The Dreamraider Amica grumpily conceded, “There’s little left to do here. Step onto this blue stone and you’ll leave the cavern and arrive in the outside World of the Three Suns. I can’t tell you where or when you’ll arrive, so I suggest we hold hands and all step together.”
The Dreamraider truthfully had no idea how the blue stone would function for the neophytes.
The púca Cupid said, “There’s nothing for it. I don’t want to hang around in this sealed cavern.”
Leprechaun Oilill quickly said, “Wait!”
The leprechaun sprinkled red sand onto the blue tile. The odd quartet held hands. Then on Amica’s command they crowded together and stepped onto the blue tile. Blueness surrounded them. Every inchworm length of their skin tingled.
A flash of redness surrounded Amica, Oilill, Kirrie, and Cupid. A moment later the Dreamraider, Leprechaun, she-Drelve, and púca breathed familiar fragrant air and stood inside the red elm where the Sandman saved the poisoned Good Witch. Kirrie’s hair had lengthened and grown browner. Oilill’s beard was a bit longer but overall the leprechaun appeared no worse for the wear. The púca Cupid felt stiff and sore and his hair had grown several inches. The large red elm, which served as a guest house in Alms Glen, was otherwise vacant. Kirrie peeked through the bark and listened. Drelves performed day to day tasks in the bustling common area surrounding the big red tree. Two she-Drelves talked near the tree. The mature she-Drelves were Betsy and her sister Emmy. Four-year-old Drelvling Betsy narrowly escaped a meandering Droll only a few cycles of Meries before Kirrie’s entourage entered the cavern behind Alluring Falls. In what seemed a few days to Kirrie’s group, Betsy and her twin sister had matured.
Amica cautioned, “Traveling in the red and blue light has changed you. Eleven changes of seasons have passed since we entered the grotto behind Alluring Falls.”
Kirrie muttered, “So Yannuvia and the folk of Lost Sons have been gone thirteen years.”
Amica stammered, “Uh, yes…”
benjamintowe 