Anise patiently waited for the Lady of the Pond to decide. Her hesitation reminded her of how she reacted when she ran around town without her escort that one time and Father caught her. She felt happy that the Dragon was pleased with her steps to make amends. She never broke eye contact with the Lady of the Pond even when the Spirit did so several times. She maintained her warmth and happiness exploded in her heart when the Spirit finally made contact with the Egg.
Anise watched as the Lady of the Pond changed right before her from a cold and imposing woman into a softer and warmer person. Anise did not know what conversation happened between the two, -- and frankly that did not matter to her -- but she knew that it turned out for the better. Finally, the Lady broke contact with the Egg.
"I am . . ." she whispered. A small, sad smile broke the smoothness of her warming face. "I will." She took a step back, removing her touch from the egg, and she breathed normally again. She seemed a very different person, now: her posture was not so rigid, her skin not so cold. Her eyes were bright when she looked to Anise -- yet she raised her chin in an attempt to resume her status. "I will believe, for now, that the Dragon may be prepared to return. The quickest way to do that will be to speak to my sister, the Lady of the Stone. She holds the sun hostage and gives the Lord of Shadow his power. If he were to fall, the Dragon could rise again."
Anise's warm smile transformed into a full out grin, and she placed the Lantern of Flight down to embrace the Lady of the Pond on impulse. "Thank you."
She eventually realized what she was doing and pulled away from the Lady of the Pond still beaming. She bowed her head quickly, but did not apologize. "I am truly grateful."
She looked back at Peck grinning. "Peck, it looks like our next venture will lead us to the mountain." She picked up the Lantern of Flight and looked over at the Kith silently watching in the trees nearby. She recognized the one wearing the mouse mask, but the other one she felt certain she had not seen before. She believed it was impossible for them to have not heard and seen what just happened. She then glanced at Peck whom had been tolerating their presence and wondered just how he would act if she asked for them to come along.
She turned to face the Lady of the Pond again as another thought came to her mind. "What will you do in the meantime? I imagine that since your brothers and sisters also worked together to seal the Dragon away that your change of heart may very well upset them if they find out." She then looked around in the darkness around them. "The Lord of Shadow is everywhere is he not?" Her expression was one of true concern towards the Lady of the Pond.