Present:
"An Avatar of Fate?" repeats Ani'ca.
"Yes. It seems the more I try to distance myself from such beings, the more they interfere with my life."
"If I didn't know you so well I would think you insane, at times."
"You would not be the first to express such an opinion."
"No, I suppose not, still you haven't yet explained why it took you 60 years to get back here!"
"Says she who always protests that I must speak in order?"
"It is true that I do that."
"So I discovered that, somehow, Galeorhin and Hallon were one and the same person. I haven't yet learned how that came to pass. In fact the question has lain at the back of my mind these long years."
"Speaking of Galeorhin, what of the message you recieved?"
"I haven't deciphered it yet. Believe me I tried, when I had the time, that man does so delight in vexing me. I'd wager that he spent years creating it. He couldn't have contacted me, you see, because of potential paradox."
That's a very advanced concept." says Ani'ca thoughtfully.
"Don't sound so surprised, Lord Riax explained it to me. Eventually but that was only recently."
"It did seem like he planned to avoid you," agrees Ani'ca.
"They were busy times."
"Shall we continue tomorrow? You look tired."
"I will rest tonight, and I had best check on my companion."
"I am sorry. I did not realise someone was with you."
"He insisted on coming with me. I would like you to meet him, but not until I am done."
"I would be delighted," agrees Ani'ca, "whenever you like."
Ani'ca is clearly curious about Lheora's companion, but she is unwilling to ask questions that might interrupt the story too much.
"Until tomorrow," says Lheora, wading back to the beach.
"Until then," agrees Ani'ca, diving into the water, on her way to record what she has heard so far.