They made good time on their way back to the Temple. Something led them on in a different direction than before; they didn’t pass through the Shifter lands again and the terrain was easier to cross. They stayed outside of all woods and forests.

Each evening they made camp and practiced with their altered swords. Both Senar’s robe and Vell’s gown still worked as armor, which they were thankful for. Senar, by Vell’s request, began to shave often. Due to the change in him he needed to do it daily.

They could feel that they were drawing closer to the Temple with each passing day. Each night they continued to sleep by each other’s side, bringing comfort to the other. Though they no longer feared Orlan and they had the rings, they now realized that they would soon be leaving each other.

It was three weeks after they had become Warriors that they both found themselves in the hills a day and a half from Jatin. Somehow they had gone around their homes and Algoma City. Seeing the capital in the distance, they remembered that they had to return there to let everyone know that had made it through their quest.

When they reached the outskirts of Jatin they were surprised despite being told that the conditions were bad. A dark shadow lingered over the city. The Pyralis Sea lapped angrily against the Jatin shore as well as the Island shore. The Temple sat on the Island, cracks visible in the midday sun.

They trotted through Jatin to the shore where the ferry was waiting, being tossed about in the waters. Few people were in the streets, but worried faces gazed out windows as they trotted by. These people had heard of the ones that could save their homes, though they knew them only as the Speakers.

Vell and Senar didn’t realize they had become legends. They did not know that all of Algoma knew of the “Speakers”, that everyone was praying for success and well-being. The “Golden Woman” and “Midnight Man” were celebrated throughout the land. What they had done was often exaggerated, and few knew of Senar’s ending the fire or Vell’s part in the ending of Witches, but some speculated they had indeed done these things.

As they trotted by, many of these people stepped from their homes to watch and wait for the restoring of peace to Jatin and the Temple. Both Warriors noticed the crowd behind them and looked at each other. When they halted by the ferry, Alander grinned at them.

“Ya two are heroes,” he said in his gruff voice. “Ever’one knows of ya. Ya’d be best t’get used to it.”

“I suppose my secret will come out someday,” Senar muttered, referring to the fire.

Vell looked at the bearded man. “Can you take us across?”

Alander looked discouraged. “I wish I cou’d. Thee water’s too wild fer the boat.”

Senar seemed to become lost in thought and rubbed his chin. “I might be able to help with that,” he said at last.

\'Vell nodded and smiled to Alander. “Are you ready to experience what a Spirit Warrior can do in order to aid the Temple?”

He looked curious. “I thought ya were Speakers.”

“We were,” she replied. “Now we’re greater. We’re Warriors, the Temple Defenders.”

“What can ya do?” he asked.

Senar grinned and jumped off Kintec. “You’ll see.” Vell dismounted and took the stallion’s reins as well as Sparkra’s. Senar began murmuring too quietly for them to hear. The sea between them and the Island shore began to calm until a strip of tranquil water just wide enough for the ferry to pass through lay before them.

“Yer amazin’,” Alander whispered. He motioned for them to board as Senar smiled at him.

They sailed across to the Temple. Vell had expected to see Kali and Roel on the shore awaiting them, but they weren’t there. The whole Island looked almost deserted. Vell and Senar quickly left the ferry, Alander promising to watch their horses.

The two Warriors ran up to the front steps. They took them in twos, avoiding loose stones that lay about them. The front doors were crooked on their hinges and Senar opened them carefully, but quickly. They entered the Temple to find debris scattered on the floor. Not having time to stop, they ran to the door that led to the rooms below, jumping over and around pieces of stone.

They slowed down descending the stairs that were dimly lit, but as soon as they reached the floor they began running once more. Their footsteps echoed and dust flew with each step. Brothers and Sisters peeked out of their rooms at the noise. Realizing who they were, many of them began to follow. Vell knew that though they may not have faith in the High Ones, they would still never leave the Temple.

She and Senar jumped over a pile of fallen debris from the ceiling and came to a stop. They had the choice of going to the left or right. Vell nudged Senar and nodded to the left. He agreed and they ran in that direction. Senar led them down a right hallway next, then they turned to the left once more, coming face-to-face with the High Ones\' door. They both paused a moment to catch their breath. Breathing heavily both from their run and the dust, Senar knocked on the door. The Brothers and Sisters stopped a short distance behind them, watching.

Roel answered the knock, looking very stressed and concerned. When he saw them a look of relief spread across his face. “Thank the Spirits,” he whispered, motioning for them to enter. He closed the door behind them. “Kali is ill,” the High Brother told them. “I may not love her without the rings, but I’m still human and I would never leave her like this.”

The High Sister lay sleeping in the bed. Her breathing seemed labored and she coughed. Vell had to bite back fear and sorrow. “We have the rings,” she announced.

“So I had hoped,” he replied. The High Brother turned to Kali. He walked over to the bed and gently woke her. “The Speakers have returned,” he told her quietly. “They have the rings.”

She nodded. “Help me.” He reluctantly helped her to her feet and over to the sofa-seat. She sat and looked at Vell and Senar expectantly.

They walked over to them. “The rings bonded to us when we found them,” Senar explained. “We should be able to take them off now and they’ll become bonded to you once more.”

The High Ones nodded. Vell and Senar pulled the rings from the fingers at the same time. They did not return to their hands. When the rings were handed to the High Brother and Sister they disappeared at the first touch of their skin. Then suddenly reappeared on their fingers.

A light began to fill the room. It stretched through the Temple and over Jatin. They could all hear the cracks in the Temple mending themselves. It took a few minutes for the light to fade. When it did, Vell and Senar looked questioningly at Roel and Kali.

Kali smiled. “I no longer feel ill in the least.” Roel grinned and pulled her to her feet, taking her in his arms.

Senar turned to Vell, his face beaming. “We did it,” he whispered.

“I know,” Vell said quietly, her face lit with a huge smile. They both threw their arms around each other and hugged tightly. Vell laughed as he lifted her off the ground, turned one full circle, then put her back on the floor. She wasn’t worried as they kissed deeply, knowing that Kali and Roel were there. When the kiss ended, Senar once again grinned at the breathless Warrior in his arms.

“We can never thank you enough,” Roel told them. “You will be forever welcome in the Temple. We will always be willing to help you if needed.”

“We’re supposed to help the Temple,” Senar pointed out. “We’re Warriors of the Temple now.”

“We understand that,” Kali noted, “but we wish to repay you somehow.”

“How about two rooms for the night?” Vell suggested and Senar nodded. Staying in the same room would only make people think too much.

“If that’s all you want,” Roel replied reluctantly.

They nodded. There wasn’t much else they did want.