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talk like us,” she admitted with the shrug of a shoulder.
    Duncan growled in response.
    “Remember laddie she’s on our side,” Knackers reminded him as he laid a calming hairy hand on Duncan’s shoulder.
    “Sam’s a- uh-,” Griffin stuttered as he searched for the right word to describe Sam, and having failed looked to the others for help.
    Kat shrugged her shoulders and Robert went uncharacteristically mute.  Annie gave Robert a quick glance and saw his normal mocha colored skin tone bleed out to a pale shade of gray.  Realizing no one was willing to explain Sam, she spat out the first thought that came into her mind.
    “Sam is an oracle.”
    Every face, save Robert’s, quickly snapped in her direction.  A warm flush crept up her cheeks under the scrutiny and irony of her situation.  Annie was, or rather had been, the hardened skeptic in the room.  Using the word “oracle” in a sentence without any hint of condescending tone was something she never had imaged herself saying, ever.  So using the word out loud was akin to verbally pinching herself to make sure she was still awake and not dreaming.  It was almost as painful as the physical pinch Fiona had given her the other day.  She still sported a fading bruise on her backside.  Once again she was faced with the very real and otherworldly turn her life had taken.
    “Never mind them, from what you’ve shown me you spoke true.  Sam is indeed an oracle.  Tis a word they all understand,” reassured the normally silent goddess within her.
    “An oracle?” Finn asked in bewildered awe as his amber eyes landed on Robert.
    “An oracle,” Griffin reaffirmed nodding in appreciation at Annie.  She slowly and loudly exhaled as she and the goddess within grew more enthused by the idea of consulting Sam.
    “Why is this the first we’ve heard about Sam?” Duncan questioned with heavy skepticism.
    “Because Robert’s the only one who actually talks to Sam,” Kat answered as if that explained everything.
    When Duncan opened his mouth to reply Griffin quickly cut him off.  “Because oracles are not to be consulted unless all other options are exhausted; because delving into worlds humans don’t comprehend can and has led to dangerous consequences.”
    “So why speak to the oracle now?” Duncan asked squinting at Griffin.
    “Because,” Annie said before Griffin could.  “ We both think it’s a good idea.”
    Any further argument died with that statement as it became clear to all that both human and goddess agreed and no one had a counterpoint to the two beings that inspired two separate, yet equally devoted followers.
     
     

     
     
     
    After a limited amount of debate two ambassadors were chosen one from each side.  Although this was the simplest thing that had been discussed all night, Rian disagreed with the chosen ambassadors.  “I see that Annie should go as this all concerns her an’ wit Duncan on our side both are obvious choices.”
    Everyone had quickly agreed that Duncan and Annie would and should represent the opposing factions within the Derby Nine.  The irony of course did not escape anyone’s notice.  As two beings that had fought the monsters of time and hindrance to be reunited the fact that they still remained separated by similar obstacles now saddened everyone.  The division had not gone unnoticed by Annie either.  She knew that Duncan had fought, hard, to recapture the love that had been stolen from him by Bres.  It upset her that they could not agree on the best way to reunite him with his lost love.  Although they had grown close over the last few days she could not even hope to replace a woman who had inspired centuries of searching.
    Griffin was to be the neutral party, the deciding vote, and so his presence was essentially a given.  It was Robert that Rian had a problem with.  His presence tipped the scales of balance and that was what was bothering Rian.
    “I assure you Rian once Robert speaks to Sam any