He had deliberately broken her spectacles! How could she get around now? What a calamity!

"I will deal with you later, Gobble," Godiva said, and there was that in her voice that made Jenny wince. She heard the brat fleeing; evidently he recognized that tone too. "Come with me, Jenny."

Godiva's hand took Jenny's elbow, and guided her firmly. Suddenly Jenny didn't have to worry about where she was going; Godiva knew exactly how to help her. She must have had plenty of experience with Gwenny.

In three quarters of a moment they were in Godiva's nice suite, and the woman was sponging off Jenny's face. It stung, but in a good way, for Godiva had a mother's touch. "Why did you return, Jenny?" she asked gently.

Suddenly Jenny remembered her mission. "Chex Centaur says can Gwenny come to live with her!" she burst out. "She—she knows—I didn't tell her but—"

"I understand. I knew she had something in mind. She's a mother."

"If you could let Gwenny go there, then Che could still be her companion, and they wouldn't tell—"

"Give up my daughter?" Godiva asked, dismayed. "But she must be chief, otherwise—"

"Otherwise Gobble is," Jenny said, making a face. "But Chex isn't trying to stop that. She understands. She can teach her—I mean Gwenny can learn while they're teaching Che—and when it's time for her to come back here and be chief—Che will come too. They want Che with them, they don't mind if he's Gwenny's companion, and this is a way—"

"It is a way," Godiva agreed. "They want their child, as I want mine. But mine can have more freedom with them than theirs can have with me. They are centaurs; they can be trusted. Perhaps this is best."

"Then you'll do it?" Jenny asked. "You'll let them go?"

"I will do it," Godiva said.

"Oh, thank you!" Jenny exclaimed, hugging her.

"You will have to get another pair of spectacles," Godiva said, turning businesslike. "But what will become of you, Jenny?"

"Become of me?" Jenny asked blankly.

"You came, as I understand it, into Xanth by chance, and can not return to your world. You have helped Che Centaur, and perhaps helped my daughter too. What will you do with your life, now that they will be secure in theirs?"

"Why—why I don't know. I wasn't thinking of myself. I just did whatever seemed best to do." "Perhaps it is time you did think of yourself."

"First I have to tell Che and give him his mother's message."

"Oh? What is that?"

"Remember the Night Stallion's creed," Jenny said before she thought. Then: "Oh, I don't know if I should have told you. I mean—"

"It is all right, Jenny," Godiva said gently. "I understand that message." She seemed sad.

"What does it mean?"

"That is for Che to decide. Come, I will take you to them now."