While the Chikauitl are preparing to finally leave, packing their lizards and belongings, the leadership of the tribe is gathered in the Celestial Array, the room in the ruins which contains the gate controls.

Last night, discussions went late, but it was decided to finally strike at the Pharic leauge - any kind of victory, to show both the Chikauitl and the Nuqanchik at large that there is hope, and away to fight back that does not involve leaving thousands dead on a battlefied. A way that involves the primal powers that are growing stonger across the land, and which have much to offer for the migratory tribes.

One question was left open, though: Where to look for a good target? Todays meeting will decide that, but at the start, Qyuachin - looking like he did not sleep much recently - has a proud announcement to make.

"I have figured it out", says Qyuachin. "We can use the gate to go to any former Rumi Runa site from here. I'm not sure we will be activate the gate from where we go, though - someone may need to stay behind and open the gate after a certain number of days. Other than that, I can keep it open long enough to take the entire tribe through, if we want. This gives up options, more than we might have considered before. We can pick a region to look for a target, without having to spend months travelling there."

"I like this", says Cuahtemoc. He points to an abandoned ruin, in the central jungles of Pacha, a month's travel to the south, "we could go there. We have already delivered a blow to the league here at the coast near the mountain - they will be on guard. But this is the heart of Nuqanchick lands. It is where the league is most active; where most of our tribes are. If we want our victory to light a beacon to rally around, this is where we will have the most impact."

"True", says Malin'Cali. She is finally getting used to speaking openly with her new powers, at least in this smaller circle. "But we do not yet know how far our new powers can take us. If we kindle the flame of hope too early, we may loose much if it is extinguished again." She points to a part of the map far away, with few temples - it would take long to reach there on foot. "I know there are tribes even this far away from the core of our lands. Someone has to tend the temples there, and ... some tribes are not comfortable with too much divine scrutiny. I believe this is where we will find the most sympathetic tribes - and after we measure our strength against the league ..." she traces a line even farther away, outside where any tribe would travel. "This is one of the sites Paqarimuy reported seeing on the map in Paramusuqs temple. The storm brough us powers - Tem, myself, at least two others. And that was despite the storm hitting us completely out of the blue, and under malign divine influence. Imagine the potential of freeing such a miracle of our accord, on our terms."

"Boring!", says Tepoyali. "Well maybe the primal thingy is not so boring. But all this is on Pacha. This is where the League wants to fight us. And it is not where the stolen Chikauitl are." She points to the side, not on the map but in the direction of the ocean. "There are ruins across the water. We could travel there and strike directly at the lands of the Raellyans - free our people from where they were taken. They will never expect that. And it is the only way to bring back those we lost. Maybe even bring Zuma back. Besides - isn't it exciting? Going somewhere entirely new? It's possible, am I right, uncle?" She looks at Qyuachin.

Qyuachin nods slowly. "That would be possible - brave, maybe even foolhardy, but certainly possible."

Finally, Ixchli speaks. "I don't know. Here, we have allies - the Hitti-Shar, the house of Shar Amur. We know where the refractive weaver is, we have the condor. Maybe the enemy is prepared, but we know the grounds well. We could much more easily assemble a coalition to strike here."

For a bit, everyone is silent as they consider the options. Then Paqarimuy speaks, addressing Tem, Mica and Itzcoa.

"Well, you have heard the proposals. What will it be?

• Strike here, where the enemy is alert but we know the land?
• Strike at the heart of the Nuqanchik lands, to light a beacon of hope for as many tribes as possible?
• Strike far at the borders, where the enemy will be weaker and more primal powers are nearby?
• Or ... strike at their lands, across the sea, where we know our people were taken?

"

All eyes are on the three - those who, even though Tem has been Chikauitl for only a few days, have proven their courage and leadership time and again.