The next eternal hour is...strenuous.  Adnan did not mention the sense of resistance, nor the sparks that flew up off of the Paw, nor the vague sense that every fibre of their being would feel as though it was being tested!  But finally, soaked with sweat and panting for breath, all four of you stand in the center of the Lion's Paw.<br/><br/>Adnan is no longer there, watching from the 'start' of the Paw.  You didn't see him go...but then he might have left at any time without your noticing.  What were his next instructions again?<br/><br/>Oh, right.  The Great Circle...<br/><br/>In a flash, you are there, standing in the middle of the front courtyard, surrounded by an awestruck crowd of nobles and notables.  Before you can even ask 'how', you are each aware of another presence...<br/><br/>The great, golden form of the Lion of Heaven steps gracefully out from between the four of you, throws his head back, and<em>roars</em>!  As the crowd quickly falls to its knees, there are six who remain standing--Mother, your four elder siblings, and the Ifrit.<br/><br/>Mother steps forward, smiling, and reaches out to stroke the Lion's mane...which it permits with casual feline dignity.<br/><br/>"Well done!  Well done, indeed."<br/><br/>Still stroking the Lion between the ears, she turns to the onlookers.<br/><br/>"There are those among you who had doubts.  There are those who question whether these were blood of my blood.  You do not question now, I should think."  She laughs softly.  "My people, I present to you my younger children:  Prince Jacob, Princess Inanna, Prince Danesh, and Prince Zephyr."<br/><br/>The applause which follows is deafening!