Serali spent that night on a mattress on the floor in Carita's room, her old bed and room having been given to Turla. The next few days passed in a flurry of happy activity. Serali did all of the things that she had done before leaving. She helped out at the inn, did chores at home, cooked, ran through the gullies and hills outside of town, and just enjoyed herself. She visited Dentol, and found him a state of marital bliss that was almost sickening.

Finally, after an entire week spent enjoying herself, it was time to leave.

Standing in front of the house, she said her farewells, bent down and hugged her mother and father, slapped Ohlito on the back, ruffled Carita's hair, hugged Turla, and turned and walked away.

My family… and it will probably be another whole year before I see them again. Will Turla be married by that time? What else will I miss? She sighed. I guess that I just can't have them both, magic and family. Though maybe someday… maybe someday I'll get married and have a family of my own. Pleasant thought of possible futures occupied her as she walked away from town to a place where she could shift and finish her journey. Though when she changed, her thoughts changed too. She was a dragon. Galen was human. Even if he didn't reject her when she told him the truth, what kind of life together could they have? And what would happen as he grew old, and she didn't? Dragons live forever, if something doesn't kill them. She tried to put such thoughts out of her mind. She could live as a human, even if she wasn't one, and she and Galen were both young. There would be time enough for such worries later. For now she would enjoy what she had.

The trip back to Barona was uneventful and Serali arrived three days later as the sun was setting. Janus welcomed her back without any fuss. They chatted easily about her visit for an hour or so, and then Serali was ready to go up to bed. As she was leaving Janus said, "Oh yes, I nearly forgot. Your schedule tomorrow will be slightly different. Lady Valerie felt that she didn't have anything more to teach you that you won't learn from experience, so you'll be having a new teacher."

Serali went up to her room with her mind going over the possibilities. What kind of teacher would she have now? What else would Janus have her learn?