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effect, the way it went 3D making them seem to be standing in a hall. They ought to learn the secret, so they could incorporate it into the Companions software, it would sell a million. Assuming there still was a business, after the divorce.
    They walked down the hall and entered the girl's chamber. Breanna—that was her name. Of the Black Wave, as if anyone could doubt her color. But she seemed nice enough, and they'd better get along, because there really were dragons in Xanth, and Pia had no idea how to avoid them.
    Justin was there, as quiet as before. Then the gaudy dragon man and splashy damsel arrived. The odd thing was that the room didn't seem at all crowded, even with eight people.
    “Some things we need to clarify,” the damsel said. Chlorine—that was her name, like a chemical treatment—was taking charge, in her pushy manner, as she had before. “We shall need to remain in touch, in case it should prove necessary to end the exchange early. So we must report to this O-Xone each day.” She glanced around, but nobody disagreed. “And though Nimby and I will not have magic in Mundania, the two of you will have talents in Xanth. We want you to have useful ones, that will help you get along without being so strong as to attract undue attention. So you, Edsel, will have the ability to create solid illusionary creatures. And you, Pia, will be able to see one day into the future. That should help you avoid problems, as you will be able to change that future by changing your immediate actions.”
    She would have a magic talent? This was becoming increasingly interesting. She would have to experiment, to be sure she know how to use it.
    “Now let's make the exchange,” Chlorine said. As she spoke, she and Nimby changed form, becoming exactly like Pia and Edsel. “Take our hands.”
    They held hands, then separated. That was all.
    “So when do we change?” Pia asked, not really trying to mask her impatience with this ritual.
    There was laughter, which she didn't appreciate. “Uh. I think we are changed,” Edsel murmured beside her “We're on the other side of the room.”
    She saw that they were facing Dug and Kim, though she was not aware of turning around. Beside them were Justin and Breanna. “But we're the same,” she protested.
    “I'm not sure. I feel better than I did, somehow.”
    “We provided you with bodies in perfect health,” the other Pia said. “Except for your malady, of course.”
    Pia suppressed her irritation. Since this was really illusion, they couldn't cure the incurable. She checked her purse: her insulin kit was still there. So she was in her own body. Yet she did feel better. She had a recent scratch on her left foot that itched; it no longer did. She had meant to wash her hair, as it had started to feel grungy, but had forgotten in the distraction of getting ready; it now felt fine. Surely her imagination, yet enough to make her wonder at the power of suggestion.
    “This way,” Breanna said, turning to the door opposite the one they had entered by.
    Edsel and Justin followed, so Pia had to go too. But she wasn't easy with this. Could this all be a fancy joke? Yet what was there to do except play along until it ended?
    Breanna turned her head back. “See you here tomorrow for check-in!” she called.
    “Got it.” Kim called back from the far doorway.
    Then they were on their way down a hall. As they proceeded, it gradually lost its square outline, becoming rounded. Soon it resembled a natural cave tunnel. What was the point? To show off the morphing abilities of the program?
    The tunnel opened into a regular cave. There was a stream running through it, and a sweetness wafted from the water. Pia sniffed, trying to identify the tantalizing fragrance, and felt distinctly strange.
    “Don't breathe too much of that,” Breanna warned. “It's from a love spring.”
    Definitely a joke. But Pia stifled her breathing. She didn't know what the consequence of imbibing from a love