"She's strong in both," the Goddess nodded. "But she's not too much stronger than you now. You could easily handle her, because of your experience."
"I could do that before."
"No, you could have handled her before, but only with great difficulty and considerable risk. You never faced her when she used her full power against you, kitten. Even you are going to be very surprised when you finally see it. Now it will be much easier for you to contain her if it's needful."
Tarrin nodded grimly. That was something he'd long worried about, but it was a worry for another day.
"Am I going to lose all this memory?"
"Some," she nodded. "The memory of your lifetime will fade over time until your memory will be as it was before, but the memories you gained from the Weave are branded into you. You couldn't forget them if you tried."
"I wouldn't want to. Is this what Jenna learned from Spyder?"
"Most of it," she answered. "You learned considerably more than Jenna did, mostly things pertaining to Sorcery itself."
"I noticed that. I can do almost any spell any Sorcerer has ever used," he said without any boasting in his voice.
"Jenna is the repository of the order's history and culture. You are now the repository of its magical lore. I want you to teach Jenna absolutely every spell you know that she doesn't, Tarrin," she said, using his name to drive her order home. "I want it done by tomorrow night."
"It will be done, Mother," he said solemny.
She took a hand off his paw and reached over, touching his cheek. He closed his eyes and submitted to that touch, leaning his face against her hand. "I have missed you so much, my kitten," she said lovingly. "I stayed away from you while you were human because I didn't want to interfere. I know how you felt, and I knew my involvement would only overwhelm you. That Tarrin wasn't prepared to handle someone like me."
"I think it would have," he agreed. "I don't think that other me could have managed to be very rational when he realized just who he was talking to." He opened his eyes and looked at her. "You said you wouldn't let anyone interfere with my choice," he told her, his voice just reaching the edges of accusation.
"I said I'd be extremely cross with them if they did," she said. "I never said I'd directly intefere."
"I hate it when you have an answer for everything," he growled.
"I wouldn't be much of a god if I didn't," she teased with a bright smile. "Don't worry, kitten. I am rather cross with the culprit. The extent of my irritation will become apparent to the offending party very soon."
"Then maybe the wrathful bolts of lightning will guide me in the right direction," he mused.
She laughed lightly, a cascade of choral bells, and patted him on the cheek. "I see you're back to your old self," she winked.
"Would you have expected anything less, Mother?"
She grinned. "No, probably not," she admitted. "So, what are you going to do now? There are several people who are very anxious to see you."
"I can imagine," he grunted. "I guess I'll let Triana know I'm alright. I'm not sure I want to see anyone else at the moment."
"Don't be nasty, kitten," she said. "Jesmind and Kimmie are both very worried about you. They love you."
"I know they do, Mother, and I love them," he said in an annoyed voice, "but sometimes love isn't enough. Jesmind was inexcusable in the way she acted, and I'll bet Kimmie would have been the same way if she hadn't been so busy helping Phandebrass with the potion." He did feel a sudden twang. "I hope all that work wasn't hard on the baby," he said in concern.
"The baby is fine," she said. "Kimmie knows her limits. She's also getting noticably thick around the middle. She'll pop in a couple of months."
"So soon?" he said with a sigh. "And I missed so much already. I guess I'm going to miss the baby's birth, too."
"I'm just asking you not to be like them," she said. "You know what I mean."
He sighed. Of course he knew what she meant. To be unforgiving and hold a grudge. "I'll probably settle down once my temper cools off, but it's still too new," he told her, flexing his fingers in an ominous manner. "I intend to remind Jesmind just where she stands," he warned.
"That's all I can ask for, kitten," she smiled gently. "Now, I've held you here long enough," she announced, standing up. "You have a few things to do, and so do I. Oh, kitten, I think an old friend is waiting to hear from you. You should let her know what's going on… and that you might need her."
Tarrin looked at her. The only old friend that wasn't here now, and one that was that much of an asset, was Sarraya. "Is it safe for her to come back?"
"She's been in her colony a good couple of months," she nodded. "That's enough time for her to rest and recover. She's good for as long as you may need her."
"I'll have Triana contact her," he assured. "Knowing Sarraya, she'll be here before Triana says goodbye."
"Not that soon. Triana's going to have to go get her, but she can be here before you leave in three days' time."
That was as obvious as a hint as the Goddess ever gave. Whatever Tarrin did and wherever he went, the Goddess wanted Sarraya to be with him. He actually looked forward to it… it would be like old times. And he missed his Faerie companion more than he was willing to admit. Her obnoxious manner and her irreverent, combative personality was actually rather entertaining from time to time.
"One other thing," she said, finally letting go of his paw. "I want you to reign in Sapphire."
"What's the matter with her?"
"She's been stalking around the Tower looking for who did this to you, and she fully intends to kill the offender when the tracks the party down. I don't think that would be a very good idea, and she's being very disruptive in her search. You're the only person in the Tower that can talk to her when she's like this, kitten. Everyone else is nothing but a biped to her, but you are clan. That gives you a voice she won't ignore."
"I'll pull her leash," he said. "She won't like it, but then again, neither will I."
"Carefully, kitten. She loves you, but she is a dragon."
"I understand the danger. She can't be much harder to manage than Jesmind or Triana."
The Goddess laughed. "Yes she is, but I'll leave that fun little surprise untouched," she winked. "Now then, I have to go. Don't be a stranger, kitten."
"I won't, Mother," he promised, stepping away from her and bowing his head. She reached out and touched his cheek one more time, and then she stepped back and vanished like smoke.
His obedient demeanor evaporated as fast as she did. He would be respectful and compliant to the Goddess, but not to anyone else. That ancient Were-cat drive was just as primal in him as it was in everyone else. He was the king of the hill, the biggest child in the sandbox, and he knew it. Only Sapphire could challenge him, and he knew that she would not. He would not cow under to the others, and it was about time to re-establish some of the dominancy that certain others seemed to have forgotten was his during his convalescence.
Clenching a fist tightly enough to crack all the knuckles, he looked to the door. He did have alot to do today. Calm Sapphire down, have Triana go get Sarraya and bring her back, punish Jesmind for her behavior, and start teaching Jenna the spells he'd gained through the ordeal. That he'd let everyone know that he was well never really crossed his mind. After all, they'd find out once he was out and about. He was sure that as soon as he stepped out that door, they would find him. They'd have to move pretty quickly, but they would eventually track him down.
First things first, however. The top of the list was Jenna, to let her know he was well and to have her show him where they'd stored his blood. He also wanted to let his sisters and friends know he was alright, and when he was calmer, he'd go see Triana and the other females. And he also needed to calm Sapphire down. He'd ensure that she let him take care of it. The punishment laid down for what was done to him would come from him, not from her. After all, as the injured party, it was his every right to control what happened to the guilty party.