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region.  It is low on magic by our preference.  But on the mainland you will see a great deal of magic, if you wish.  However, I must advise you that much of it is dangerous to the uninitiated.  Have you had experience with dragons?”
    “Dragons!” David exclaimed.  “Really?  Can I see one?”
    Carleton glanced coolly at him.  “I doubt that would be wise.  Dragons are best avoided, unless one is proficient with archery or has protective enchantment.”
    Mom spoke up.  “Are you saying that the whole of Florida—of Xanth—is magical?  That fantastic creatures abound there?”
    “Exactly.  We can arrange to notify the human authorities at Castle Roogna of your presence.  They may send a detachment to assist you, because you surely do not wish to travel Xanth alone.”
    “A castle?” Karen asked, excited anew.  She loved anything fantastic.
     “Castle Roogna is the capital of the human beings.” the centaur explained.  “Their King Dor should be interested.”
    “A King!” Karen exclaimed, really truly delighted.
    “This land's got everything.”
    “But we can't leave our RV,” Mom said, ruining things with her practicality.  “We have to fix it and drive home.”
    “Not to mention the pets,” Dad added.
    That really got Karen.  “Woofer!  Midrange!  Tweeter! They're alone!”
    “They've been alone before, twerp,” David reminded her.
    “There are others in your party?” Carleton asked.
    “Our pet animals,” Sean explained.  “We encountered you folk so suddenly that we never thought to fetch them out of the RV.”
    “What manner of creatures are these?”
    “Woofer's a dog, Midrange's a cat, and Tweeter's a bird,” Karen said quickly.  “They're part of the family. We've got to get them.”
    “Of course you must, before you depart the Isle.”
    “First we have to get our RV running,” Dad said.
    “And—where's the nearest gas station?”
    Carleton's brow furrowed.  “I do not believe I know of that creature.”
    “For gasoline.  The fuel.  You don't use gasoline here? Maybe you call it petrol?”
    “We do have pet-rel seabirds.  However—”
    “Petroleum.  Refined from oil.”
    The centaur shook his head.  “I suspect we are on different subjects.  Our pet-rels merely fly and seek fish.  They do make good pets, of course, but they have no known connection with oil, apart from that with which they preen their feathers.”
    Dad shook his head.  “I think we're in trouble.  But first things first.  Maybe I can get the motor running.  Then maybe we'll have enough gas left to get us home, if we can find the way.”
     “This creature is ailing?  You did say that it was limping.”
    “It's not a creature,” Dad said.  “It's a motor home.  A recreational vehicle, RV.  The motor was skipping, and finally quit.  Maybe salt water blew into it.”
    “Would healing elixir cure it?”
    Dad paused.  “Maybe you should take a look at it, and form your own conclusion.”
    “Certainly.  I will bring a vial of elixir.”
    They finished their meal, and started back.  Karen was openly admiring Carleton's handsome equine body.  She liked all animals, but especially horses.
    The centaur caught her gaze.  “You are small, Karen Human,” he said.  “Would you prefer me to carry you?”
    She was immediately abashed.  “Gee, no—I don't know how to—someday maybe I'll get riding lessons—I'd just fall off.” But how she longed to try it.
    “You will not fall,” he said.
    Karen looked pleadingly at Mom, who was sure to say no, but maybe possibly just this once might not.  Mom sighed and looked away:  her way of not quite opposing it.
    So Dad picked her up by the armpits and set her on the centaur's sturdy back.  She grabbed on to the fur in front of her, hoping she would be able to hold her position.
    Carleton took a step—and Karen didn't lose her balance despite the lack of a saddle.  Somehow the way he moved supported her, giving her