The last problem facing them was the Midas troops who were unaware of the plans. But keeping the gate closed for an extended period would cause them significant concern. It would have to be explained to them, in some way.

Kurt didn't really have a solution to this other than explain it all. But that seemed unwise. They might even insist on going.

He met with Layla to discuss the plan.

"They don't have any right to talk about what we do on this side," said Layla.

"But what are they going to think this is the first time? And we are bringing over a dragon. I think that's the type of stuff they watch out for."

"So what do you suggest then?"

"I don't know. We could lie or something."

"Lie about what?"

"How long can the moving gate really hold open?"

"That won't make any sense."

Betsy came in, "Are you talking about the Midas people?"

"Yes."

"Well I have an idea," said Betsy.

"And what's that?"

"Well, we go off the continent. What we really need is a way to the islands anyway. We pretend we are going to Valentine's domain. We can even get something from the way we can get there to sell the story."

"You're saying commission a ship."

"We would have to owe another favor to Carl unless the Valentine clan has one at port. And we can make Solomon's Bay a stop."

"That might work," said Layla, "there is a wedding to consider."

"I can't yet."

"And why not?"

"Well, my mother would kill me if she weren't invited."

"Huh?"

"Don't tell Talia, but I won't do it without my parents."

"That sort of sweet," said Betsy. "So where are they?"

"On the other side of the border and the way sort of. I've been trying to stay away because of…everything."

"That won't work as well; it's past most of the ports."

"We might be overthinking it," said Layla. "I just told them we plan on a negotiation on the other continent and they would have to leave in accordance."

"They are really not going to like us," said Kurt.

"None of this is going to work," said Layla, "they will want to keep some and then check if that is where we are going."

"Then the truth?" said Kurt, "Or part of it, say we are going to Castle Bright Flame from this side. Midas is interested in that anyway. And say we don't want to leave the gate open for safety."

"We would have to wait at the port and still get to the islands for Darien."

"We would have to move to the island quickly and get back, you can do that right. You can fly. And my water boots give me the ability to walk on water."

"Sneak off during the carriage ride and get back?" said Layla.

"Exactly."

"I think you should bring some Valentine members from the port to sell them," said Betsy. "If they come and give the plan. It will look like you are helping an ally. Come through the gate in Solomon's Bay as reinforcements."

"I can talk to Talia about it."

If everything worked out it would look like they got to their stop. Valentine Clan came and they were going on a joint mission, Midas could come. And by the time they realized anything about the dragon it was too late, and by the time they got news back, he'd be back in Valentine.

The next carriage ride started as any other would. It was a few-day journey but Jerry knew when and where to stop. The Valentine Clan agreed to have a few members come from the port city. They didn't want Midas knowing about the dragon either.

At one of the night's stops, they knew they had to move. Kurt made an illusion of himself and an illusion of Layla, which upon close inspection would be easily revealed. After getting far enough away from the encampment they began to run using the cover of night to make a quick trip to the waters of the continent.

Running across the waters they went to a particular formation. It would be hard for a ship to navigate semi-sharp points and lowlands near it. The main island was big enough to hold Darien. And he could step away from the land to be less noticeable as well.

The spires came up sharply and the waters were rough. But using his water boots he could keep himself above. Coming to the largest island in the small chain of them. They found a raised section that could hold a gate large enough for Darien.

Kurt watched as Layla opened the gate open. Which is how he could describe it now. The strange glowing orbs that would be on one side of the gate had actually pushed themselves inside Layla's body. He thought she was going to be holding in some way not become a part of her.

He started watching her pull it out of herself. The glow dimmed and the object became more visible. He's seen it somewhere, looking down. At his chest. And there it was a much smaller version inside himself. Wait for what?

He looked up. Layla took a hand into the orb and pulled out a strand of ethereal energy, it had an anchor at the end, she placed it above her. And he saw the ethereal thread of another being attached to it. Much more translucent. She grabbed another and the same happened again but upon each placement, the other strand coming from past her became more opaque.

He noticed something else. Each anchor corresponded to another one somehow. The one on the upper right had to be the upper right.

Once the first strands were there Layla began to weave another around each of them. She made a network of crossing strands.

"Are you watching?" said Layla.

Kurt nodded back.

"See this is really the trick," said Layla. She took a weave cutting crossed the outward lines and brought it to the center then attached it to the upper left anchor. Then back down to the center. And repeated the process for each corner.

"And this last part right here," pouting at the center where all the weaves came back to with a strand hanging out. "You just pull hard."

She pulled the strands and the gate opened up from the middle like as she pulled the weave started to tighten towards the borders and there were only the last middle strands left in Layla's hands. She tied and hooked it back to the orb.

"And that's how you make a gate."

On the other side was the Valentine clan's land. Layla had moved her anchor from that side to there.

After a bit Darien came over and Layla switched the two objects in the gate.

There was a lot to learn about some of the weaves Kurt thought. They seemed simple but it couldn't be right?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.