As the others prepared the final arrangements for departure, David pulled Yue aside to an alcove off the main room. Luna and Elara joined them, the latter seemingly reluctant to let David out of her sight after the eagle's appearance.
"The materials you gathered," David began without preamble, "I need to know if they're suitable for a stabilization matrix."
Yue's childlike face grew serious, the ancient alchemist within momentarily overriding her playful demeanour.
"Theoretically, yes. The phoenix feathers and moon-touched silver create a perfect resonance for dimensional work. But David, what you're suggesting would require formulae beyond even my understanding."
"Show me what you've collected," he said.
She produced a small velvet pouch from within her robes, carefully spreading its contents on a small table. The iridescent ground phoenix feathers glimmered next to coils of silvery wire that seemed to phase in and out of visibility depending on the angle of observation.
