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to do sorcery. The way Lenard put it, it’s a dimension other than length, width, and depth—but that’s a difficult concept to grasp, just like nothingness.”
    “Do you think there are planets next to the stars out there?” Gala seemed to be still focused on celestial matters. “Maybe even life, like there is here? Not copies of us on some identical world, but beings who are very different?”
    “I hope so,” Blaise said earnestly. “I like the idea of intelligent beings out there—beings who are not necessarily human.”
    Gala beamed at him, and he realized that his wish was already reality—such a being was sitting next to him right now. Grinning, he pressed her closer, her slender body warm against his side.
    Her smile widened. “If those beings had discovered the Spell Realm, would it be the same one I was born in?” she asked curiously.
    “I don’t know,” Blaise said. “Lenard the Great himself was interested in the very questions you are asking. He didn’t think there was only one Spell Realm, but an infinite number of them. To tell you the truth, my head hurts just thinking about that.”
    “I like thinking about it,” Gala said. “The possibilities are fascinating—infinite Spell Realms, life on other planets . . .”
    “Yes,” Blaise agreed. “It is fascinating. You know, it’s not written about often, but there is a legend among my peers that Lenard didn’t simply disappear—that he actually invented a spell that took him to explore the stars.”
    Gala looked at him intently. “I’d like to believe that. If I could, I would go up there myself—”
    “Come get dinner,” Esther yelled, interrupting Gala mid-sentence.
    “We better go,” Blaise said ruefully, rising to his feet and pulling Gala up as well. Esther refused to accept the fact that he did not need to eat food in a conventional way. He was not sure if Gala did. She did look excited at the offer, though, so Blaise decided to join everyone for the meal.
    As they consumed roast fowl and the stew that Esther prepared, the hunters told them a little bit about life in Alania. What Blaise found most extraordinary was that this fairly large village did not engage in farming of any sort. Women gathered fruits, mushrooms, and other edible plants in the forest, while younger men frequently went out hunting. Older men helped by fishing in the local lakes and rivers. Of course, this was not rigid, and there were exceptions like Ara, who hunted with the men. To Blaise, it seemed like a simple but peaceful life.
    When the meal was done, Maya and Esther turned in for the night. Gala stayed a little longer, but when the hunters began talking about their expeditions and describing the animals they killed, Blaise noticed that she was getting upset. Shortly thereafter, she said good night to everyone and joined the other women in their tent. Given her attachment to the lions, he guessed that she felt bad for the animals in these stories. It seemed like his powerful creation was quite soft-hearted and felt empathy toward all manner of creatures.
    “We’re going to have to set a night watch,” Kostya told him after the meal was over.
    “I would be glad to take the first watch,” Blaise offered, suppressing a yawn. He was tired, but he wanted to contribute in some way, to thank these people for their hospitality.
    Kostya hesitated. “We usually like to have two men on watch—”
    “I’ll do it. I’ll keep watch with Blaise,” Ara volunteered, coming up to them.
    Blaise gave her a smile. Out of the entire camp, the girl seemed to be the only one who didn’t mind that he was a sorcerer.
    “That’ll work,” Kostya said. “Just remember, wake us up if anything happens.”
    Ara nodded in agreement, and Kostya left, heading for his tent. Shram, who had been sitting by the fire and listening to the conversation, walked off as well, mumbling something under his breath about trusting a little girl and a sorcerer with their lives.