"It depends on which goddess I want to call down for her..."

"Well, I don't know all the goddesses, so I can't help you there."

"There are seven. Is there something in particular you'd like her to have? It's not guaranteed, but I can try. Isabella's was Evisa Iannakara; Mother was aiming for an art blessing but she got her protection from mind-affecting spells instead."

"I don't know," he says. "How about - the goddess Isabella was named after? Just... because."

"Amariah Lytess. All right. Then I need pine sap and white peppercorns, ideally I'd cast during the full moon, and it would be better if I worked outside."

"Okay," he says. "Can you find the stuff? Is the next full moon soon enough?"

"Yes, I can get it." She peers at the baby. "You really think she's - hers? Somehow? ...She does have Isabella's eyes."

"I don't know who else's she'd be," he says. "If she's a witch, I mean, and I think she is - she's never cold, she likes moonlight..."

"But how did this happen, I don't understand."

"I don't either," he says. "I didn't think she was going to be anybody's. But I guess that's what I get for messing around with magic stuff." He cuddles the baby. "Her name's Helen," he adds.

"Kalavar," says Petaal.

"Hi, Kalavar," coos Castarilan.

"May I hold her?" Ranata asks.

"What's that mean?"

"Learning to do magic, and fly, and shoot and dagger-fight, and if she's Isabella's she's in our clan and should learn about that, and she'll need to separate when she's old enough, and - well, witches are different, dear."

"Of course," says Ranata.

"Okay then," Petaal says unconcernedly, snuggling Kalavar.

"Why don't we go back to the Olympic enclave tomorrow? It will be the full moon the day after."

"Sure," says Kas.

Ranata nods. She goes on holding Helen, rocking her slowly. "And when your mommy comes back she will find the cutest little baby ever, won't she," she murmurs to Helen, apparently provisionally buying the story that this is her grandchild.