“Home,” said Gulamendis. With a look of profound relief, he said, “Let’s go home.”

He stepped through and Laromendis followed.

They were on another world and for a moment startled by a change in the air pressure; they had come from high mounts to sea level in a step and their sensitive elven ears protested. And the smells were different, from the acrid stench of the volcanic blasted lands to this green island.

And there was also the matter of a dozen determined-looking magicians forming a half-circle before them, with Pug at the middle.

Gulamendis held up his hands, palms out. “It’s us, Pug.”

Pug motioned for the magicians to step back. Turning to the two elven brothers, he said, “How did you do that?”

“We found a portal, ah, rift device on another world and knew if we turned up in E’bar, we’d be…”

“Explain that later,” said Pug. “What I want to know is how you got the rift to open?”

Gulamendis looked at his brother, indicating he should answer.

“I just…told it to bring us here.”

“And it did?” said Pug in amazement.

“Yes, is that so odd?”

“Very,” said Pug, looking concerned. “I have placed wards on this island since the last attack, which is why I knew you were coming. We were merely a second or two in being alerted once the rift punched through our defenses. We located the source and were here as you emerged.”

“Defenses?” asked Laromendis.

“You should not have been able to get through my barriers without magic of incalculable power.”

The two elves glanced at each other and Laromendis said, “I know the portal…rift gate was better than what our builders have created, but I didn’t think it was that much better.”

Pug put out his hand as if reaching for the rift through which they had stepped and then, looking concerned, let his arm fall. “Nothing. It closed a moment after you stepped through. Where did you come from?”

Gulamendis gave a brief description of their travels and said, “If we can deal with the demons and get safely back to Hub, I can get you to Can-ducar on the world of Telesan, and from there I can find that portal again.”

“That will have to wait awhile, but I will take you up on that offer. That design explains why a lot of things have happened over the years that shouldn’t have, especially attacks on this island that do a fair job of ignoring my defenses.”

“Could we go somewhere and sit down?” asked Gulamendis. “We are both rather tired.”

“Yes,” said Pug with a forced smile. “Forgive me.” He motioned to the other magicians and said, “We’ll meet you back at the keep.” He put his hands on the shoulders of the two elves and suddenly they were in Pug’s private study in the tower.

Laromendis said, “This is a prodigious conjuration, Pug. I’m impressed.”