Mercadian Masques

Orim stared upward, nodding absently.

It could not have been true. Gerrard and Volrath could never have been united, just as Dominaria and Phyrexia could never become a whole. One would destroy the other. For these people, though, it was true. For them, the evil unleashed by Urza and Mishra was at last ended.-Ramos and

Orhop had been reconciled, and the dragon engine-the Uniter-was the symbol of that reunion. Evil had been driven out and the people of Mercadia brought together. It was all true. Cho-Ma

"Yes, Cho-Ma

The enormous, beautiful, ancient dragon engine circled the city once, looking for a place to land. It spread its wings and settled lightly in the garden beside the tower. It folded metal mesh and stared down. Before it bowed Saprazzan merfolk, Rishadan pirates, Cho-Arrim warriors…

In a voice as ancient as the races, in a dialect as old as Urza and Mishra, the dragon engine spoke, "Children of Ramos, your protector has returned."

Two days hence, Gerrard and Orim stood on the distant plains and gazed up at the looming mountain.

Once Gerrard had realized it was the dragon engine, Ramos, below and not another Phyrexian ship, he had called off the diving attack. Instead, Weatherlight had risen high into the sky to slip away u

Beside Gerrard and Orim this morning stood Cho-Ma

At length, Gerrard asked Cho-Ma

Orim translated the question and the reply.

"We will work to join forest, mountain, plains, and sea- to make them allies instead of enemies. Perhaps in time we can find a way to unite all the peoples of this world. Until then, I'm content to heal the wounds the Mercadian nobles and their Kyren masters inflicted."

"What have you done with the goblins?"

"Most of them perished in the uprising. Some few were captured. We will take them far from here to where another ridge of mountains rises in the west. There, perhaps they can make a home for themselves. But we will not allow them near Mercadia for a long time." Cho-Ma

He looked at the ship hovering above them and sighed. When he spoke next, the words were for Orim alone.

"I understand that you must leave, chavala. Your place is among these fine people, on this ship that has brought the Uniter to our world. This ship has battles yet to fight in defense of your own world, battles that you must aid in. Even so, I wish you would stay. I love you. Every day, I will think of you. When the battles for your world are done- when your Ramos and Orhop are united and the evil is driven out-return here to me. I will be waiting."

She nodded, a tear forming in her eye. "Of course I will, Cho-Ma

Gerrard asked, "What did he say?"

Smiling through her sadness, Orim replied, "He said that my destiny lies with Weatherlight for a time, but that I will return to him. This he has foreseen."

When she translated the question, Cho-Ma

The Benalian felt a small, cold shock.

Cho-Ma

"I will. Thank you," Gerrard said. He turned toward Atalla. "And what of you? I understand your courage has earned you enough money for your own flying ship."

Atalla flashed a ready smile, and he shrugged. "I'd rather use the money to help the farm. With the coming reforms, we should be able to bring back the forest and reintroduce water to the plains. With money, hard work, and courage, we can turn these dust flats into rich farmland."

Gerrard laughed. "And I thought you were so much like mean adventurer at heart."

"I am," Atalla replied without guile. "I just choose to find my adventure here."

"Excellent," Gerrard said, extending his hand.

Atalla looked puzzled for a moment, and then took his hand. Cho-Ma

Gerrard broke away. He turned and grasped a rope that dangled from Weatherlight's rail. With an easy, hand-over-hand motion, he drew himself up onto the deck of Weatherlight.

Orim lifted her hand as well. With a single, lingering kiss, she bid farewell to Cho-Ma

"Well, I had best get to the sickbay," Orim said, her voice heavy with regret. "Squee is still not fully recovered from his ordeal."

"Or perhaps he's milking it for all it's worth." Gerrard chuckled. He noticed Orim's tears. "Ah, well, he's earned it."

She gave a sad smile and said nothing, only staring down toward Cho-Ma

"You will return," Gerrard said seriously. "I have foreseen it."

Orim nodded. "Thanks." With a last look, she strode toward sickbay.

Gerrard meanwhile made his way to the bridge. As he entered, Ha

Gerrard nodded. "Let's go."

Sisay spoke into the tube, "Full ahead, Karn. Stand by to planeshift."

"Take us home, Sisay," Gerrard said. "Take us to Dominaria."

Atalla watched the great ship slowly lift away from the hillside. It shrank as it accelerated. The air before it seemed to shimmer and bend. Then, as smoothly as a fish gliding through a still pool, Weatherlight disappeared into the clear heavens, which closed behind it with a boom.

Atalla smiled and remembered the night when he first saw the ship that flew.