#odyssey

"And... is there... anything else " Dryly, and in a tone that this is going overlong

She shoots a BROW back at the Keremet.

Symon shrugs. "That will be all." Dryly back

Derva mutters "I WOULD like my old collection back, but if I can't get that, something new to start it? But not if it means you wont' restore folks"

"What do you collect?" Symon asks the childling.

"Coins, I used to collect coins" The Clurichaaun says

Her chin lifts as if daring anyone to give her grief about that unoriginal interest

Symon digs through his pockets, and finds the coin he had earlier, used for catching the light. "It's not much, but..." He offers it to her.

It's worth maybe $1 US. Dark and tarnished one one side, shiny on the other.

"THANKS" she clutches them like Linus being reunited with his blanket

Symon gives the Keremet a look. "You know the dreaming. The least you can do is.... directions. There must be a land of numismatics."

Symon whispers to Dagmar, or whoever might listen, "Perhaps a new quest is just the thing for this motley."

"Depends on how far and where the others have gone." She shrugs.

"I think we've been in the Dreaming enough" Pudge worries

"Derva, do you have a home? Parents?"

"I did., They maybe old or even dead by now" SHe frowns

A soft sigh. "Okay. Okay. I hope Kerri forgives me for this. If you head south until you reach Gardens, seek Rivervale. If you've no other home, we will take you. Tell the Chieftain that I made the offer."

A flicker of a smile at Pudge. "Anne-Marie is there."

Pudge grins "Don't you worry, I'll guide them there, with Majesix's help..maybe Otho too and..." the building rumbles

"Let's move. Sy-Seth, sorry, gonna ask you to piggyback while I climb that rope, okay?" Her armor folds away, making her lighter.

Symon is already climbing her like a ladder, up the side of the Troll giant to perch easily on her back.

She tosses the last balloon to Pudge.

The Keremet and their prize are gone..

"Okay" Pudge takes the balloon pack "Come on Derva"

Dagmar takes off at a run - planting a foot on the wall to propel her UP so she can grab the dangling rope.

Dagmar grabs the rope, Symon wiggling along her back and hauls

The balloon launcher carries the other two former hostages up up and up

Behind them, the Dreaming reforms, the pocket they were in filling in and sealing up behind them, treasurees to be cast to other realms, secrets to be scattered!

Perhaps some Count will hear the tale of the room of enchanted mirrors. With luck, he'll get stuck there.

Dagmar hauls hand-over-hand, as fast as her brawny arms can carry them.

Luckily, Symon is a very light burden.

And they make it just in time to find themselves on the TOP side silver, tired, ,but victors with all hostagaes safe

Goldy is crying "She was bouncing in bone space and I wanted her to be my friend but instead she was just my mean boss and even after I fetched"

"you weren't the only one, child" says the old slaugh with more kindness towards the childling than my sluagh grumps give

"I hope that closing up means the shitho is dead" Gutter snaps

Dagmar hauls up and over, dropping to her knees, arms briefly turning into overcooked spaghetti. "....You're still here?"

"It didn't feel like time to leave" Majestix explains "The story wasn't ...done?"

A tired laugh. "Eshu."

"That and the pooka kid was ready to zap us until just recently" Gutter adds

Goldy blushes

then starts crying again

"Oh, hey, no. Hey, kiddo."

Otho says "Told you balloons would work"

Goldy sobs some more

"They really did, thank you." She stretches and twists her arms. "A fourth might have been nice, but it worked out."

"I'm probably too heavy for one, anyways."

She reaches out to touch the childling's shoulder. "Hey, hey, kiddo. You're okay. Nobody is mad at you. I'm a Gwydion, I can't lie without making a stink-face."

"You're Gridiron?" She asks "YOu wouldn't like to a pup would ya?"

"I think you'd like my squire. He's a pup, too." She doesn't mind that Symon has curled up behind her - able to watch, but not pressured to interact.