I smiled around our little group, then pulled more white spirit from my chest and sent it whizzing to our village, warning everyone we were coming. Then, I turned back to the small circle, fiercely containing the ragged breathing and shakes threatening to break from my control. I had used to much good spirit already today, and the stress of holding the unbalanced mass of darkness inside me was a strain. Keeping my face a mask to the pain, I grinned at everyone again, and started leading the way back to our home. When we entered the significantly more substantial clearing that held our town, the people were organized.<br/><br/>They all stood outside their respective Houses of Power, surrounding huge metal hearths filled with the element of the House. I glanced at my own House, where the balls of spirit I had sent here were collected.  An expectant hush fell over the people as we entered the village.