As the students paused and then began to discuss amongst themselves possible theories of how their power might be used to awaken a creature that had turned to stone long ago, Caldwyn kept his expression neutral, nodding thoughtfully at some questions thrown his way but not making a comment either way. Finally, the chatter had died away, which took quite awhile because the young ones still had the leaping minds of youths and wanted to discuss everyone’s theory to the fullest extent. But none had really touched on the topic he had wanted them to ponder, just yet. He had watched the adult fire mage slide his attention in and around the clustered students and their thoughts as they considered it, but not comment on it either. Caldwyn supposed Cyne might be a bit skeptical of the theory but then again, magic worked differently in the realm he was from.<br/><br/>“You all have some excellent theories as to the procedure of working with the creature’s stone form directly... but, no one has managed to think back far enough to really find a feasible solution.” Caldwyn began, lifting his finger in the air of someone instructing his charges. “What have we always said about a problem in this particular class? In order to find a solution, we must start at the ‘cause’ of the problem, yes? So what do we all know that caused the dragon to become stone, to fossilize, to become just a statue in our realm, curled around her unhatched clutch of eggs?”<br/><br/>The students were silent for a full two minutes before one lifted her hand gracefully and opened her mouth to state very firmly in her low volume voice, “The Sundering, Caldwyn. It cut the dragon off from her magic, her life force. It twisted the path of magic in our realm and is what makes our work so difficult.” He smiled, looking pleased as his students’ eyebrows lifted in surprise and then they turned to one another without prompting, starting to theorize of how the Sundering occurred and how they might undo it.<br/><br/>*********<br/><br/>Elara had really dressed for a political occasion that hadn’t needed to see her as a harmless female; her council was still terrified of her and her reputation and that was how she liked it. With a quick uniform change, the Queen commanded a small crew of her loyal soldiers to head in the direction of the portal but to fan out and search the area thoroughly to find out who or what had come through, and why. Under no circumstances were they to kill unless their own lives were threatened, but that was an absolute last resort. That charge in particular done, Elara headed down to the outdoor garden to hear the last few words that Caldwyn had said to send his students into a full on frenzy of research and talking, theories pouring out of their mouths almost as fast as they could speak... about undoing the Sundering.<br/><br/>She glanced in Cyne’s direction once before catching Caldwyn’s eye and beckoning him to approach with a finger while the children were distracted. He did as commanded and even inclined his head respectfully to the Queen. “It’s time to discussion your best methods for destroying the portal, Caldwyn. The Council has made that their number one concern at the moment and I’m inclined to agree with the ripple that came through either late last night or early this morning. Someone or something has crossed over.” Caldwyn pressed his lips together and gestured once in Cyne’s direction. “Yes, undoubtedly following my guest.” Elara confirmed.