"Hmm?" Artemis looked up for his book, noticing for the first time that they were in a forest. "Oh, uh, yeah, sounds good. That's most of the reason I asked Darren to come anyway." He turned another page without looking and put his hand over the paper. "I'd better get ready before we get any closer."

A soft light shone from the pages of the Dreamtide, and after a second Artemis's hand sank through the paper, reaching into the book up to his elbow. He grasped something and pulled his arm out of the artifact, bringing with it a thin bladed sword that shimmered as it moved, the metal changing colors. He held the sword at his side and dropped the book, which settled itself at his side as if hung by a strap.