The Quest

By Melanie Liden

The legend was older than the longest standing oracle. It had long since been forgotten that the legend was never proven true (if it had been proven, that had been forgotten even longer). Many a young warrior throughout the land of Krim lived, and died, by its words. Children dreamed of becoming powerful sorcerers with the help of the sword. There was a warning, however, that the one who chose to take on the quest of the magic sword must be pure of heart, for the magic sword and its guardians will always know true intent.

The wizard often told the story of the magic sword to the children, it was their favorite. He enjoyed watching the children's' wide-eyed gazes as he told of the oracles and the tale of the dragon. It pleased him to see the avid interest in the eyes of Kiera, the kings' niece. He had been told the next would soon be coming, but that had been before Richard, the kings' son, had been born. Yet the wise one knew that Richard was not the one. Yes, Richard was wise in his own ways, but magic was not one of his strengths. Of course, convincing the people that their little Kiera was a wise and powerful wizard of great destiny might prove to be difficult. Then again, if Kiera were as gifted as he felt she was, perhaps it would not be that difficult after all. Her comprehension of the great oracles at the young age of five years gave him confidence that Kiera was who he had been waiting for.

Each time he told the story it started the same: "They were times of peace and of oneness. They were the days of legends. There were three brothers sworn to protect the lands of this great continent. Each was given a magic sword with which to protect their given kingdom.

"Each of the three returned to their kingdoms and ruled without much trouble or worry for years. However, as time went by with little direct communication between brothers, mistrust began to grow deep in the hearts of these men. Each slowly began to build what became great armies, this out of fear that one; or both of the other brothers would attack his kingdom. The great separation began.

"The facts leading up to it have been lost over these many years, but eventually there was a great war. The three brothers fought against each other as enemies for a long time. The three kingdoms were nearly destroyed when the great ones finally interfered. The great ones were sorrowful that these brothers were so full of mistrust, they knew now that none were wise enough to properly lead their people. To punish them for their wrongs the Great Ones banished the brothers for all time, to a great plane of existence between life and death where anything can exist. These three great kingdoms were combined and the great ones chose a young boy to oversee their lands. This boy is believed to be the son of one of the brothers, though it is uncertain which brother was his father. It was agreed that this boy would become a student of the magic of the Great Ones.

"The Great Ones agreed that until a proper ruler could be found the boy would stay a child and rule through the innocence of childhood.

"Many years later, when a new leader could be found, the great ones decided that instead of entrusting all knowledge to this new leader, he would be called king and the boy would be named wizard, to oversee all matters of the great ones. The boy was given one of the swords to show his mastery of magic, and that he was in great favor with the Great Ones. Finally, after so many years as a child the boy began to grow to adulthood." Valyn stopped at this point, already knowing who would break the silence and with what words.

As expected, young Kiera anxiously asked, "what happened to the other swords?"

"That, child, is the most important part of the legend. The first sword was destroyed, the second was hidden away for another great wizard to find, one who may need to prove their mastery; to themselves as well as others."

It was young Charles who interjected this time, "has anyone ever found it?"

"No, it still remains hidden for the one gifted enough not only in magic, but patience, with a great love of humanity, and selflessness. Anyone not pure of heart will not be permitted to enter even its hiding place. Only one person is truly meant to possess that sword, only after it is taken will we know who that person is.

"The test of magic is the dragon who watches over the hiding place, there are those who believe that the dragon is actually the youngest of the brothers, but no one knows for certain. All we are left with are the vague clues in this book."

Kiera approached Valyn and the book he now held in his hands. He placed it on the table next to him. Kiera ran her small fingers along the edges of the book. Always questioning, Kiera looked up at Valyn, "How is it you have the book?" Valyn gently placed his arm around the young girl, she was an observant one, but this was not yet the time to give her answers. He smiled down at the child, "That is another legend, for another time." Kiera was by no means happy with that answer, but something told her the wizard was right, she would know when she needed to know. The young Prince Richard stood protectively near his cousin. "I would someday like to find this sword, Kiera you will go with me."

Kiera spoke only in a whisper, "perhaps I will go myself."

"But you are a girl Kiera, remember."

"Really!!??" she said tapping her little foot. "I do not care, I like magic," she looked up at Valyn, "that is all right?" The way the child asked the question was as if her entire life depended on his confirmation.

In that moment, in that question, so much was revealed to Valyn - the cycle, finally, was beginning again. Valyn put his arm around the small child, "of course it is, my child. You must always remember that."

There was a knock at the door and one of the maidservants entered and quickly curtsied. "Sorry to interrupt sir." It was obvious that something was wrong. "His majesty has said the children of Perog must prepare to depart." She whispered the rest to Valyn, "Krinylian soldiers were spotted outside the border. His majesty and the Prince are heading out with a small army. King Bartholomew is also going."

Valyn nodded, "may the Great Ones be with them on their journey and during their struggle." The children were quietly escorted back to the dining hall.

Three phases of the moon passed with no word of the battle to the west. Finally, King William returned, with only a small number of the soldiers he left with. Word quickly spread throughout the kingdom that William and his men forced the enemy to retreat but only after losing a number of soldiers, and his brother.

It was Valyn that broke the news to Kiera, her mother, the princess Cassandra, had asked him to. Tears formed in the little girls' eyes, but never fell. Valyn watched her in silence, sending as much loving energy as possible. After a short time Kiera quietly left the room and headed to the prairies, something drew her out there. She sat in the grass thinking about what she had been told. Her father had been everything to her. He had been the center of her small world, and now he was gone. No, he was here with her now, she could feel that he was, but how? Mother had explained what death was, you had to say good-bye and never see that person again. Death meant going to live with the Great Ones.

Valyn had explained death to her too, she liked his explanation much better. Valyn said you could carry them with you and they would watch over you until it was time for them to come back. Kiera looked up at the clouds, the warm breeze dried her tears. She smiled at the thought of her father looking down at her. Tears formed once again as she thought about never again being able to hear his voice.

As dusk crept over the land a voice spoke to her, "you must return home." She was not sure where the voice came from, but it was a nice voice and she felt she should trust it, so she quietly; and quickly did what she was told. Whatever the reason, she knew it was important.

The small child wept silently in her room high up in the castle. "Father," she called. "Please come back." Kiera knew she asked the impossible. She understood death but she also felt she could still somehow say good-bye, and something had brought her back to her room. That was all she wanted, to feel his presence one last time.

"Father," she called again. Tears formed in her eyes again, this time she let them flow.

"Kiera, my little love," the shadows answered.

Kiera quietly backed to her bed, to sit down, not sure of what to say, "father?" the little girl questioned.

"Yes I have come to say good-bye," what seemed to be a shadow of a man answered her from the far corner of the room.

"I knew you would come," Kiera said running to embrace him. The shadow slowly developed into the man Kiera recognized as her father.

The tall man knelt down to hug his daughter almost folding himself up to come down to her height. He wiped the tears from her face. "No more tears for me, love. I will miss you and the joy you bring me, but I will have all the happiness I could want, that exists beyond this life."

"No more tears father, I promise. No more tears ever," the child promised, there were no more reasons to cry.

"No more tears for me," he stressed his meaning this time. "Just remember love, I will always be with you, always."

"No more tears, ever. I love you father, do not leave me." Kiera cried, grasping him, trying to hold on to him. As strong as the child's grasp was, she could not hold on, he had to leave.

"I cannot stay, love. Valyn will take care of you."

"Good-bye father," she wanted to be his brave little girl.

"Good-bye Kiera, love." The child had stopped crying. Her fathers' presence faded away in her grasp and Kiera ran to the top floor of the castle to Valyns' room. The door was open and Kiera peeked in. Valyns' door was only left open when he was expecting someone to visit. Mother also said this meant not to disturb him. She was about to walk away when his voice stopped her.

"I was expecting you, child," Valyn said looking up from his desk.

"Me, really?" Kiera asked with wide, curious eyes.

He gestured for her to enter. "Yes," he said approaching her.

The child hugged him and said, "father came to say good-bye. I promised I wouldn't cry anymore.

"That was very brave of you child."

"No more tears ever. There is no more reason to cry," she said sounding much older than her five years. Valyn always made her feel older, he always took everything she said seriously.

"Everyone must cry once in awhile," Valyn said.

"No more tears, ever," the child stated quite firmly.

"We shall see, we shall see," Valyn said more to himself than to the child.

So began an even closer friendship between the kings' niece and his wizard. For the years after that night Valyn taught Kiera many things about life beyond this plane, magic, and of course the many legends of the land, including the magic sword legend.

Kiera learned the legend as well as the lessons she had been taught at the royal school. Though she enjoyed hearing of the legend, she had no great desire for the magic sword. She was quite happy with the swords she already possessed. And what a collection she had acquired. An entire section of her room held the swords, small swords, broadswords, and rapiers of all styles: from the most simple in design, to the most elaborately decorated in the three kingdoms, with hilts covered in jewels.

As well as being a princess, Kiera had become the most renowned sword fighter in the kingdom. Talk of her skill had even reached surrounding lands and she was respected by men and woman alike, more for her skill with a blade than for her station.

Every so often, however, a foreign young warrior would drift into the kingdom. Most found it rather amusing that the best sword fighter in this kingdom was, in fact, a woman, royalty or not. It was amusing, at least until they fought her. This was how she acquired her collection of swords. It was common in these friendlier duels to make a friendly wager, in most cases the warriors put up their cherished swords, certain of victory. Only one sword that she possessed had been given to her, that being her fathers, given to her by William when she began her training.

Kieras' latest victory was still being whispered about throughout the kingdom. Kiera had defeated a man nearly twice her size, who also had a knowledge of magic, yet she still defeated him. It was at this time that the king realized his niece truly had a great gift of intuition as well as her extraordinary skill with a blade. This was how she became one of the royal instructors at such a young age.

Kiera had been teaching young warriors the art of swordplay for some time when word began to circulate that a mysterious stranger had entered the kingdom. This stranger was not tattered and tired, as most drifters entering the kingdom from the mountain side. He had carried with him a sword of extraordinary beauty and it was this that reached Kieras' ears.

Many of her students, as well as her friends had approached Kiera to ask if she would duel with this stranger. Her response was always the same, "only if he challenges me." What she did not say was that something was making her feel very uneasy. She could not place exactly what it was, and this bothered her, she had been certain of everything her entire life. Valyn and her spirit guides had been with her since her fathers passing, giving her direction. Now something was different, the answers were not there to be taken. She waited to go to Valyn, fearing even he might not have the answers this time.

A few days had passed and finally, out of frustration, Kiera went to speak with Valyn.

She climbed the marble steps of the castle to the uppermost floor. "Enter, my child," Valyns' calm yet powerful voice stated before Kiera had knocked on the large wooden door. She opened the door and entered the wizard's room, already her feelings of uneasiness subsiding.

Valyn was sitting on a stool, looking very scholarly, hunched over a desk. The desk held a very large book, in front of the book rest the wizard's long white beard, with which he occasionally toyed. Within the pages of the book were strange symbols, some of which Kiera recognized as indicating spells. The wizard was in deep thought. Kiera waited while Valyn finished whatever it was he was doing.

She allowed her surrounding to take hold of her, and they gave her some peace. Her eyes traveled to the one window that was partly clear and partly blue and green stained glass panels. There was some light remaining as the sun set. Her eyes swept past the maps. The first section were those of lands, some so far off Kiera often wondered if they really existed on this plane, if not for Valyn she may never have even heard of them. The second section were those of seas. Kiera often wondered why a wizard would need sea-faring maps, but she simply accepted them as part of his room. Her eyes moved to the third section, the one that intrigued her the most, those of stars. These were the maps Kiera truly understood, and amidst them was her favorite, For some unknown reason the Pegasus constellation had always drawn her

Finally the wizard looked up, closing the book. "I do not know why I even think of knocking anymore, Valyn. No matter how busy you are you always seem to know I am there," Kiera said in mock exhaustion, a slight grin slipping onto her face.

"My child, I can sense your presence from great distances, just as you are aware of mine," Valyn said as if he were talking to his own child. "So it is the stranger that brings you to me so distressed," he stated more than asked.

"Yes," Kiera said, quickly remembering just how strongly she felt earlier that day. "I do not know what it is about him, I have yet to actually lay eyes on the man and I already feel uneasy."

"I have been expecting you since he entered the city," the wizard stated in a reassuring voice.

"Many in the city wish for me to fight him," Kiera continued, so upset her voice was almost cracking.

"What do you want, my child, that is what is important now. Do not lose sight of yourself or your ideas within the mass," he was very serious, yet the reassurance in his voice was unmistakable. Valyn knew this could only be the beginning of the great lesson that would decide Kieras' life path. Times may become difficult for her but he could no longer be her guide, he had brought her as far as he could, now he could only be there to assist her along the way.

The frustration of the situation was affecting Kiera in a way nothing ever had in many years. "What do I want!! I have yet to meet this traveling warrior, yet I am expected to have opinions and feelings about him," Kiera said, a single tear was streaming down her cheek.

It was the tear that Valyn noticed more than her actual words. Valyn put his arms around her. With his left hand he brushed away the tear. He studied the tear on his hand for a moment. "Feelings, you already have my child, much stronger than any you have shown in years. This can only show you how truly important the lesson will be. That is the first tear you have shed since your father passed on," he said deep in thought.

Kiera suddenly recovered. "I said then I would never shed another tear for anything human. I will not retract that now," she firmly stated.

"As I and your spirit teachers have told you, emotions and people are the learning experiences you can not avoid, tears as well as joy will come, they have to," Valyn was just as firm.

"I am not avoiding them, just not experiencing them," Kiera argued, pulling away from Valyn.

"You have always had a way with words, Kiera, but they do not change reality," Valyn calmly stated approaching her again. Valyn took hold of Kiera, "I will tell you this: keep watch of the stranger, he is part of your lesson. How? That is knowledge I have not been presented with, but it is apparent we are well on our way to finding out."

"I do not like this at all," she said in a loathing voice, again pulling away from Valyn.

"Like or not, it is," he stated stressing his final word.

"I know, accept what is there for the learning experience it is," she simply stated, repeating the words she had heard so many times from Valyn as well as her guides. Familiar, yes, but right now the words had little comfort for her.

Sensing the dread, and perhaps some fear, in her voice the wizard took her hand and said, "I have always had faith in your knowledge and intuition, now it is time for you to have that same faith. Intuition is a powerful ally, be sure to always hear its voice."

"Thank you," Kiera said, truly meaning her words. She was still distressed but if Valyn, a powerful wizard, had faith in her intuition then so could she. She turned to leave the wizard to his studies.

Valyn stopped her, "stay and commune with the stars awhile, I know they bring you peace." She did stay, quietly meditating, becoming one with the great universe. And there was peace - at least for a little while.

Morning drills were the regular routine with Kieras' most advanced students. Whether it was sparring or simply reviewing skills. Kiera knew the importance of alert and well-trained warriors; and she felt it was her job to make sure that Krims' warriors were superior to all others. She was running through these drills when the stranger appeared.

She instructed her students to continue on their own and walked apprehensively to the back of the room. 'He has every right to be here,' she told herself. 'If he was in fact taking up residence within the kingdom there was no reason he could not observe the royal school. It was not as if he had presented himself at the castle gate and demanded to be let in. Yet she still felt uneasy in his presence.

The first thing she noticed about him was the intense look he wore on his face, this bothered her, though she was not sure why. "Hello?" she questioned more than stated.

"It is true, the most storied warrior in this kingdom is a woman, and a princess at that," the stranger stated matter of factly.

"Thank you for noticing," she could not help but be sarcastic for a brief moment. "So, you have come to challenge me to prove yourself, stranger," Kiera said sounding bored, she had long ago grown tired of arrogant travelers.

"No, actually I have come to visit an old friend and to learn from you everything I can of swordplay," he stated, then seemed to realize he had forgotten something. "Forgive me, Princess Kiera, we are not exactly strangers, though it has been quite a long time. I am Lord Ashton Charles Drake of Perog," he said with a slight bow, "I would hardly call us strangers."

"So why have you been keeping your identity a secret, until now." Kiera was definitely suspicious, could this person who bothered her so much really be one of her childhood friends.

"I do not wish to be treated as royalty while I am here. I must learn the skills I need and then be off," he simply answered.

"I will try to remember that. So tell me Lord Drake, if that is who you are, the information you have about me, is it strictly gossip of the kingdom, or is it King Bartholomew's information?" she asked biding time, Valyn would know the truth.

"So you do remember my cousin, Perogs' ruler," Lord Drake let a slight grin slip onto his face.

"He was friend to father as well as uncle William," Kiera simply stated. "Lord Drake," she added sarcastically, for some unknown reason.

"Really, my friends still call me Charles," he said with a smile.

Something about that smile bothered Kiera. "It has been quite some time Lord Drake, I would hardly call us friends," she made sure to stress the name she used to address him.

"Yet," he simply stated, and again there was the smile.

Kiera could not help but notice the smile seemed to never leave his face, to say it bothered her, that would be severe understatement. Yet what could she do, he was a stranger whom she knew almost nothing about. The best thing she could do was to treat him as any other stranger and simply observe him.

Kiera did what she felt was her only option, she went back to Valyn. "What do I do?" she questioned of her magical guardian. "Is it really Charles, King Bartholomew's' cousin?"

Valyn knew what his answer must be, "I can not tell you your direction this time, Kiera." This response bothered him as much as it frustrated Kiera. "All I can tell you is your destiny is still in your hands, my dear. What you do now may very well decide what choices are presented to you in the future." Valyn could only hope that she would be strong enough to pass the tests he foresaw in her future. He could only hope that it was really almost time for another great change...

But back to the matter at hand, he approached Kiera and encircled her with his arms. "I wish I could be of more help to you, but these need to be your decisions. I do not know what role this young man plays in this test, but I can tell you this; he is who he says he is, and to return after all these years, it must be important."

Valyn's belief in Kiera's ability to make the right decision reassured her some, but she was truly beginning to dread the days ahead. For now she must at least appear to be untroubled by the events occurring around her. So she focused on continuing with her training of the young warriors of Krim.

Charles, as she caught herself calling him; but only to herself (she would not give him the satisfaction of showing him any special courtesies); regularly sat in on classes of hers and paid her constant compliments on her talents with a blade. "Your father must be quite proud of you," he said one day after class.

"I am sure he is," she stated sadly, "but I would not know for sure." It was not often, any more that she thought of her father as a living person. Her father was more of an entity to her, one that gave her guidance but did not show emotions such as pride.

"Excuse me?" he questioned, obviously confused.

"I suppose stories of our losses never reached Perog, even after these many years. Although news of tragedy often only reaches those who would benefit from it, or try to. Most others do not care." Kiera gave Charles a matter of fact glance.

Charles stood quietly, not sure of how to respond. He simply waited.

Kiera broke the silence with her sarcastic tone, "If I must be your town crier: He was taken prisoner during the Krinylian Wars, he gave his life to spare those that were with him," she suddenly sounded very distant. It was conversations like this that made her try to remember what her father was like as a living human.

"I am truly sorry, I did not mean to bring back bad memories."

"I have no bad memories of my father or his crossing over. I wept for him then. I said good-bye and there were no more tears," she regained her concentration, almost as if she were returning from some distant place. "Besides he is still with me. He walks with me when I am lost and fights beside me when I am weak." She looked into his eyes and added, simply, "Charles."

The name she used is what took his attention the most. It was the first time he knew of her using his given name. "Charles?" he questioned. "Could this mean we have become friends?"

"I suppose it could," she answered, not really understanding her attitude change.

He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. "I am glad," he said with a smile on his face, yet something else was in his eyes.

"I really must be going," Kiera said pulling her hand away feeling very awkward.

"I am sorry," Charles said not really sure why he was apologizing.

Kiera simply turned and ran. She did not stop running until she reached the outstretches of the kingdom. Whenever something was bothering her she could still wander the prairies that bordered the kingdom to the east, it was the one thing that belonged to her since her childhood. The peacefulness helped her think. What was it about this man that bothered her so much?

She lie on the grass with her eyes closed. She began to relax and open her mind as Valyn had taught her. She felt the light breeze on her face. "Why do I want to trust him so much? Yet why does he make me so uneasy?" she asked no one specific. She could sense her spirit guide near her.

"It is all part of the lesson you must learn," the guide said.

"Why does he bother me so much?"

"Because you are arguing within yourself. Do what you feel you need to do."

"But what is that?"

"I am here to help you see within yourself, I can only help you see what is there. I can not give you answers."

"I know, I know," Kiera said sounding frustrated with herself.

"Trust what you feel, Kiera, the answer is within you. Intuition is and always will be your strongest ally."

Kiera could not help remembering that Valyn had said the same thing to her. "Thank you," she said. She was suddenly aware of her surroundings again but she was happier, more at peace. Even if only for a short time.

Charles did not appear at the school the next two days. Kiera thought perhaps he had left and returned to Perog, taking the problems he had brought into her life with him. She knew, however, that she would have been told if he had left. After all gossip of everything he had done since arriving had gotten back to her. It was only a matter of time before he made a return appearance. No sooner had she thought this than he walked into the school. Her classes had ended for the morning a few moments before so the room was empty, but for Kiera. "I thought you might have returned home," she simply stated.

"And not say good-bye to you? Never." He approached her slowly.

"So you are leaving?" she asked hoping to hear him confirm her observation.

"No, I have decided to extend my stay in your beautiful kingdom. I like it here." He took her hand, her pulse quickened.

"Oh," Kiera was suddenly unsure of what she felt.

"Does that bother you?"

"No, I suppose not."

"I had hoped for a bit more positive reaction, but that will have to do."

"I apologize. I am just..." she searched for the right word, "distracted."

"Then I should not be bothering you."

"No bother, really."

"I suppose that is a more positive response. Thank you." He embraced her. The closeness surprised Kiera as well as being awkward. Charles held her for a few moments, when he loosened his embrace his hands fell to her shoulders. "Forgive me, but I have missed seeing you." He pulled her closer and brushed his lips against hers. Kiera, surprising herself, responded to the kiss.

When they broke apart, after what seemed like forever to Kiera, she was flustered. Kiera looked at the floor, she probably would have ran had she been able to will herself to move. Before either could break the silence, one of the kings' young pages ran through the doorway and stopped abruptly upon seeing Kiera. "Pardon me miss, his majesty asked to see you as soon as possible."

"Did he say what it pertained to?" she asked, forgetting Charles' presence.

"No miss, only that he wished to see you. Though I believe the wise one is searching for you as well," the page referred to Valyn.

"Thank you," and with that she was running from the building without giving Charles a second thought let alone a second glance.

When she reached the kings' sitting room, she found him at a desk studying maps and charts. "Uncle?" she inquired as she knocked at the open door.

"Why there you are Kiera," a middle aged looking man answered. "Come, sit with me, there is someone who wishes to see you." Kiera moved into the room, without question and sat on one of the stools near King William. Shortly after she had arrived the kings' son, Prince Richard, entered.

"Richard!" Kiera and Richard embraced.

"How are you Kiera?"

"It is so good to see you," she said happily still holding his hand. "I thought you were still studying abroad."

"I just returned this morning."

"And I sent the page for you after your morning obligations were completed. I did not interrupt anything did I?" William interjected.

"No, I am glad you sent for me," Kiera embraced Richard again.

The cousins sat for hours catching up on what had happened since they had been separated. It was during lunch that Kiera suddenly remembered the page had also said that Valyn was looking for her. "Richard, I have missed you so much but I must be going, Valyn wishes to see me."

"Still studying with the wizard?"

"My time with Valyn is important to me."

"The two of you really have become close?"

"He is like a second father to me."

"Kiera, really, you do not seem the wizard type," he smiled and added a slight chuckle.

"You would be surprised, my dear cousin. You would be wise to be nice to me," Kiera smiled back also laughing.

"Is that so?" Richard raised an eyebrow as he continued to smile at Kiera. "I will have to remember that when I am head of this kingdom."

"Yes you should, after all every king needs his own personal wizard, not saying there is anything wrong with Valyn." Kiera and Richard often joked about her interest in magic but her cousin was right, she was no wizard. But it was fun to play with the idea.

"I will be sure to remember those words in the future. I do hope to see you again soon."

"And I you, dear cousin."

Kiera started to leave when Richard's voice stopped her. "What of this foreigner I have heard so much talk of since I have returned, is it really Lord Drake?"

"You certainly do not waste time finding out the latest gossip, yes it is Lord Drake, Richard, but I really must be off. If you are that curious I am sure he will be at the school tomorrow."

"Then tomorrow it is." Richard kissed her hand and Kiera headed to Valyns' rooms.

When she reached the top of the castle Valyn was waiting in his main room once again studying a book, though different from the last one she had seen. "Hello child, did you enjoy your visit with Richard?"

"I knew you would understand why I was not here right away."

"Of course child, and how is everything with Richard."

"He is well, Valyn." Kiera paused, not sure she should bring up what she was about to say, she finally proceeded. "He inquired about our visitor."

"I assumed he would, Richard is very observant."

"Observant of what?"

"Of you, my dear child. He heard of the 'stranger' this morning as he entered the gates of the city."

"Is it still obvious that something is bothering me?"

"I would venture to say someone, but yes it is, today more than ever. Has something happened?"

"No," Kiera answered to quickly.

"You do not wish to talk about it, that is fine with me but do not deny what you feel. Deal with your feelings, good or bad."

"Yes, I know."

"Now then, to the reason I called for you earlier. I have something new for you to learn, the guides have told me it is time."

"More of stars? But it is very obviously daylight, there are no stars visible yet." Kiera was puzzled.

"As I have said before, there is more to the ways of magic than just the stars. It is time we move on." With Kiera only partly understanding Valyn began to refer to his book that sat in front of him.

The two worked for hours. When they finished for the evening, the dinner a servant had brought had been eaten and cleaned away. Stars had long ago appeared in the sky. Kiera returned to her rooms for the first time since morning before classes, before... the kiss. For the first time since it happened she let herself think about it. How should she take this strangers' advances? Although he was not a complete stranger, he was the cousin of her father's and uncle's friend, and they had met more than once as children. He had nothing to gain, Perog needed nothing she had. Bartholomew's warriors were strong, his wizard very intuitive, and there was an heir to the throne; Bartholomew's son Steven. With these thoughts straying through her mind she fell asleep, though there was nothing peaceful about it.

Days had passed with Kiera successfully avoiding Charles. He did make his morning appearance at the school each day, but she made sure she was gone before the room ever emptied. Her days were spent with Valyn, where she was an avid student of everything he presented to her. Her magic skills had impressed even Valyn. She was able to perform minor spells with Valyns' assistance, he had warned her not to try them alone until he gave her permission to do so.

Her evenings were spent in the prairies, talking with her guides, She learned much from them as well. It was through them and herself, that she knew eventually she would need to face and resolve the Charles "issue," alone. She had hoped it would not be so soon, however. It had only been a few days since Richard's return when she was heading to the prairies and something felt different. She saw something move in the shadows and knew immediately what it was. "So what brings you to the prairies, Charles? Are you heading out of the city?" Kiera said rather accusingly.

"Good evening, princess," he said with a bow, the sarcasm dripped from his voice. "No, as I have said to you before, I intend to stay for awhile. Might I ask you what brings me to my prairie?"

"Your prairie? This is my kingdom, Lord Drake."

"Forgive me. I just seem to have found an unequaled peace here. What about you, your highness, will you be ordering me to leave at once?"

"You are being ridiculous. I am here because I chose to be here. And will you please stop with the pleasantries."

"Once again I apologize, but I was not sure where our relationship stood at present."

"Relationship? What relationship?" Kiera was truly quite puzzled.

"That is precisely what I am referring to, Kiera. I must tell you, I stayed here because of you and now you seem to be avoiding me. I do not understand."

"Neither do I, and that is why I have been avoiding you. I do not understand any of this." Kiera was near tears.

"Trust what you feel, it does not have to be logical."

Kiera could not help but notice how much he sounded like Valyn, but something was not quite right. She began to openly cry. "I do not know what I feel." She sat down in the grass.

"Please, do not cry." Charles sat beside her in the grass and put his arm around her shoulders. "I feel responsible for you being so upset. I am sorry."

"It is not you. I just do not want to deal with any of this, yet I know I must." Kiera rested her head on Charles's shoulder.

"Then feel free to cry all you need to. I am not in a rush to be anywhere but here."

"That is part of what I am referring to tears are not something I am used to dealing with." Emotions won over and tears flowed for a short time and then Kiera looked up at Charles and whispered, "thank you."

"Anything for you," Charles whispered back. Their eyes met briefly and Kiera began to pull away. Charles held Kiera and held her face in his hands. "I will not let you run away from me this time."

"Run away? What are you talking about?" she started to move away again, but Charles stopped her with a gentle kiss. He looked into her eyes, forcing her to look at him, waiting for a response. Finally, she kissed him back. All thoughts of duty and propriety quickly escaped her mind as she gave in to Charles' strong embrace for quite some time. Kiera finally interrupted, "I must be going. I will be missed."

"I understand, but I will miss you."

"I will see you in the morning." They both stood up. "Good night."

"Good night." They kissed good-bye and Kiera returned to her rooms. She fell asleep almost immediately - and this time slept somewhat peacefully.

Charles became an avid student of swordplay, now that he had won Kiera over. His skills improved weekly. The relationship they had formed grew also. Kiera slowly began to push voices of doubt to the back of her mind. She kept up with her studies with Valyn and was an avid student, more so than before. Something not yet known to her was pulling her to this knowledge of magic and metaphysics. She had never truly, seriously considered becoming a king's wizard. Kiera followed the magic because it was her passion, and for no other reason known to her. Valyn, of course, knew otherwise. He had been waiting for her for centuries, but he could not tell her any of that yet, knowing too much of your own future could be destructive. Even more destructive could be trying to explain to the girls' mother that this was truly her daughter's chosen path, that was a problem for the future. Valyns' intention for now was to train Kiera to be the next king's wizard. Many wizards' apprentices had discovered their true paths too early and tried to rush blindly, instead of first striking a clear path. Many a promising young magician had been lost by not heeding the masters warning and attempting spells by themselves much to early in their training. Valyn felt it was better this way, not knowing. Besides the guides had told him that if she continued down the path she had chosen, she would know her true calling soon enough.

There were no doubts in Valyns' mind about Kiera, she would be a great wizard as long as the process was not rushed, Charles on the other hand, was another story. He did not mistrust him, but he did not trust him either. He could not put his finger on why he bothered him. Perhaps it was only his ability to effect Kiera so strongly. Valyn could only wait, and hope that Charles presence; though instrumental; would not rush events to quickly. And so the wizard waited, but not at all peacefully.

The four seasons had come and gone, and it was spring once again. Had it really been twelve phases of the moon since he had arrived in Krim. Charles was amazed at how quickly time had passed. He also realized it was time for him to begin the second half of his journey. Preparations would have to begin soon.

After morning classes that day Charles stayed, as was usual, to talk to Kiera. Kiera knew immediately that something was on his mind. She approached him first, "Charles I could not help but notice that something is distracting you."

"My dear Kiera, I often forget how observant you can be."

"So what is it that is causing you trouble?"

"I have been thinking of taking on The Quest," Charles waited for her reaction.

"The magic sword? You? I do not understand," Kiera was very puzzled.

"I did not expect that you would. You are so much more to your to your kingdom than merely the king's niece. You will always play some important role in this kingdom. I, however, am simply King Bartholomew's cousin and nothing more."

"So much time has passed, and only now you approach the subject?" Kiera was still confused.

"It was my original destination, until I met you, alas I could not move on," Charles took her hand.

"And now?" Kiera suddenly became guarded.

"I must go," Kiera tried to pull away, "but I want you to go with me," he said in his most persuasive voice.

"Go with you!!" Kiera said in shocked distress. "I can not just leave Krim for an indefinite period of time. I have responsibilities here that no one else can oversee."

"You training? I am sure that King William has warriors he can substitute for you."

"That is not my only responsibility in this kingdom," she was pleading with him to understand. Charles, however, was growing impatient. He had believed it would be easier to persuade Kiera to go with him.

"What other responsibilities could you mean? Does the old wizard need tending to these days?" He knew he was pushing her but he did not care, not if she would not go with him.

"Valyn is anything but an 'old wizard,' he is quite capable of 'tending' to himself. Everything he has taught me has been invaluable." Kiera was becoming angry, she did not like having to defend her magic. She was beginning to really understand the importance of magic in her life.

"And so we come to the real reason you will not leave. Afraid to leave the nest of thy teacher, are we? My dear someday you will learn there is more to life than legends and spells." Charles harshly pulled Kiera to him and firmly kissed him. She briefly gave in to the passionate kiss, until he whispered, "will you go with me?"

Her anger quickly resurfaced. Kiera pulled away, the anger burning in her eyes, she followed her instinctive reaction and slapped him. "Do you hear yourself? More to life than legends?" she was almost yelling at this point. "Are you so disillusioned by the thought of power that you have forgotten the magic sword is only a legend itself?"

"I am sorry Kiera, I do not know what else to say. I love you, I want you to go with me. I would do anything to convince you." Charles was desperate to get back into her good graces. The second he finished his sentence he knew it had worked, he could see it in her eyes.

Kiera was not sure how to react to what she had just heard. No one had told her they loved her since her father. She reached towards his face brushing gently the red mark her hand had left. "I am sorry also, and I love you." They tightly embraced and tears formed in her eyes. "I can not go with you."

"Then the choice is made." he whispered still holding her in his arms. "I, however must go." He knew he could not push her any further today. He gently stroked her hair, "we must make the most of the days before I leave." He could only wait, and hope something would change her mind. Little did Charles know, that something would be his own cousin - and that the change would occur so quickly.

It was just a day later when Kiera was summoned to the throne room of the castle. She felt apprehensive immediately after receiving the message. The throne room was only used for official visits and foreign affairs. She arrived in the throne room just as the sun reached its highest point in the sky. "You wish to see me, uncle?"

"Come, sit," King William motioned to a chair near his throne.

"What is it, uncle?" Kiera sat but was still very tense.

"Your mother has spoken to me recently about you."

"I do not understand."

"She is concerned about your future."

"Has there been some displeasure with my teaching." The tense feeling Kiera had felt subsided as confusion took its place.

"You never have thought at all like your mother," William said with a slight chuckle. "She has asked me to arrange a marriage for you."

Kiera was silent for a few moments and finally sputtered out, "marriage... me?"

"Just as your mother had thought. You have not given thought to this aspect of your future."

"Marriage..." Kiera stammered, she was in slight shock.

"My dear, your mother is quite right in he judgment. The time is right and I have made the perfect arrangement, for all involved."

Kiera shook herself out of her shocked state, knowing she had to speak up for herself now. "All of this has been done without my knowledge?"

"Everything has been set..."

Kiera cut him off, anger taking her over. "And who is this perfect match? Or am I not to know until the day of my wedding?"

"Nonsense child. This is why I have called you here, before Prince Robert arrives."

"Prince Robert... of Perog?" She knew the answer before her uncle spoke.

"Yes," William was a bit surprised. "How do you know this Kiera? Do you remember him from the old visits when you were children?"

"A little, but mostly from Cha-... Lord Drake, he spoke of his cousins more than once." She forced herself to use his formal name, to keep their true relationship a secret, there was no need to complicate matters more than they already were.

"I see. Robert will be arriving in two days time."

"Send a messenger to meet him and tell him to return home." Kiera was determined, but knew she was grasping at straws.

"Why would I do that?" William inquired.

"His trip will be a wasted one. I will not marry, especially a man I hardly know."

"But you must. As I said it is perfect for all involved. King Bartholomew is looking for a wife for his son before he gives up his throne, he is not well you see. With you as Queen of Perog our lands would be joined."

"I am sorry to hear King Bartholomew is ailing, but I have no need for marriage and I will not do anything I do not wish to do!" Kiera was quite firm in her statement. Before William was able to respond, Kiera was gone.

One of the kings' guards turned to go after her, but William stopped him. "Let her go. She will return when she has calmed down and realized the importance of the situation." William thought he knew his niece well. He would soon find out that he was wrong, and that this would be the last time he, or anyone else in Krim, would see Kiera for many months.

When Kiera ran from the castle she had one thought in her mind, she had to get as far away as possible from her family; she could not possibly do what they wanted her to do. But where was she to go? It was then that she realized she had reached the prairies. She wandered for quite some time. As the sun was setting she finally sat down. She began to cry. By the time darkness overtook the sky she was lying on the grass, tears still in her eyes. Someone stood over her but Kiera did not move. "Kiera?" Charles whispered as he kneeled next to her. As soon as she heard his voice she knew what her only solution was. She opened her eyes and simply said, "I am going with you."

Kiera was gone, plain and simple. The only evidence that she did not simply disappear into thin air was a note she left Valyn:

The wizard was worried about his young apprentice. He was confident that she could take care of herself, under normal circumstances. Valyn could not help but worry that Charles had disappeared at the same time as Kiera. He was not quite sure why he did not trust the young man, but he also trusted his intuition. The guides reassured him everything was happening as it should, but he still worried. William proposed sending out a search party but Valyn talked him out of it. Valyn knew Kiera, knew her stubbornness, and knew it would only be a disaster if she was forced to come back. Besides deep down he knew exactly where she was going, and he knew the guides were right.

They had left by cover of darkness, Charles never questioned what had changed Kieras' mind. To be truthful, he did not care, his only concern was that he had gotten the best sword fighter to accompany him on his quest. The quest suddenly consumed Kiera, she never gave a second thought to her problems back in Krim.

The night they left, they traveled until morning and then rested until afternoon. They moved on until well after sunset. When twilight fell they set up camp and built a fire. By firelight they studied maps and documents Charles had gathered. Kiera was beginning to feel a little skeptical. She looked up from the maps, across to Charles, "what if there is no sword, magic or otherwise, then what will you do?"

"There is a sword, I know there is. No other story has been so heavily documented, it is more our history than legend. Even your wizard believes it to be fact."

"Legends are legends, some are just more told than others. Valyn only says it could be true."

"I remember when he used to tell the story years ago, he knew it was true," Charles was determined.

"You were seven, I was five, we were easy to convince. We wanted to believe, all the children did."

"If you are so sure it is not true, why are you here?" Charles was obviously upset.

"Let me simply say here is definitely better than there. Besides it does not matter," Kiera said quietly and returned to the maps.

Charles, realizing she might be upset, got up from his place by the fire and moved next to her. He put his arm around her and whispered, "I am sorry, and I am glad you are here, no matter what the reason."

Kiera looked up at him and simply said, "Thank you."

He kissed her to confirm his apology. Kiera immediately forgot she was upset. When they broke apart they were silent as if unsure if they should speak. Finally they broke the silence in unison. "The maps." They laughed at their unison thought.

"I suppose it would help if we knew where we were heading in the morning," Charles said.

"My thoughts exactly," and they went back to studying the maps.

After agreeing on the direction they would travel in and how far they went to sleep.

At dawn the journey truly began. And a fantastic journey it was, oracles and riddles, and the perils of rough terrain. As the days passed, the gates through which they passed became closer together. They also became more impressive looking, their ivory white pillars giving no hint of how long they had stood. This meant more riddles for Kiera to answer. Kiera had not noticed, but as they approached each gate Charles would become silent and fall a few steps behind, letting Kiera answer the riddles. He was impressed by her wisdom, but not too impressed.

The days passed quickly. As the new moon appeared for the third time since they had left, Kiera knew they were getting close to something big. The land was beginning to even out in a slow change from mountains to prairies and forests. There was also the feeling she had, that of being pulled to a destination. Kiera was the happiest, and the saddest, she had ever remembered being. If Kiera had known better she would have realized it was the happiness one could equate to finally having found the path to your spiritual destiny, but to her these feelings were unexplainable. Kiera knew she was doing what she needed to do. Her sadness was much easier to understand. She missed her family, despite being angry with them, but most of all she missed Valyn and their studies together. She had brought some of the books he had wanted her to read, as well as her dream journals, but it was not the same without the wizard. She missed the spells as well as their talks, but she did not dare try the spells alone, after all she had promised. The least she could do was to keep that one promise, besides Valyn had warned her, if she were not ready it could be dangerous. She only hoped Valyn could forgive her enough for leaving that he would take her back when she returned.

After they had mapped out the next days' course, Kiera and Charles settled near the campfire to eat their evening meal. Kiera fell asleep shortly after her supper. She slept peacefully for a few hours but then her wiser subconscious took over briefly: It was dark she could not identify her surrounding. Despite the blackness she suddenly knew she was alone, and it frightened her. She ran through the darkness not knowing what she was looking for. She tried to scream, at first nothing came out, then eventually the scream escaped from her throat. She felt someone reaching for her, she struggled to avoid the grasp, screaming louder. Then through her screams she heard Charles' voice. But his voice did not comfort her, it only made her more frightened. Then sleep gave way to her conscious mind. Charles was calling her and shaking her, trying to wake her.

"Kiera, love, it is all right, everything is fine."

"I am fine now, thank you. It was just a nightmare, it did not mean anything."

"What was it?"

"Nothing, honestly it was just dark, I do not know why it frightened me so."

"Everything is all right now."

"Thank you." She tightly held on to him. He responded to her embrace by kissing her. She responded to his lips even more than she usually did. Passion burned through her, she wanted him.

He needed her to get him to the sword. What better way to win her over completely, and it had been sometime since he had been with a woman. This would be easy, he could tell she wanted him.

Kiera pulled Charles to her, desperate for his touch. She ran her fingers through his hair, touched his face, caressed his body.

Charles went along with it all, consumed by the power he now had over Kiera. She loved him, he thought, she would let him take credit for the riddles being answered, and she would let him claim the sword.

Charles lay awake with a smile on his face. He was not fully pleased, but what did he expect? She was not some common wench that was experienced, as he was used to. He now had control over her and he was happy. Who knew, perhaps he had created an heir for himself - he would not need Perog... His thoughts went on like this for quite sometime.

Kiera only slept peacefully the rest of the night.

As the sun began its' climb up the eastern horizon Charles and Kiera resumed their journey. Kiera again became consumed in the journey. "We are close, I can sense it."

"What are these feelings of yours anyway?"

"It is intuition. Valyn has always told me it is my strongest ally. I have always relied on it."

"So we are close. What else does your intuition tell you?" Charles seemed oddly concerned.

"That something is soon to come."

"How big?"

"The final test, the dragon."

"Do you really believe there is a dragon?" Charles was once again skeptical.

"Do you believe there is a sword?" She countered his skepticism.

"Fine, so how do we get past the dragon?" Charles looked at the maps for an answer.

Kiera smiled, "defeat him of course."

"Of course," he said hesitantly, obviously confused.

Kiera ignored the confusion, feeling her statement ended the conversation. She went back to studying the maps and riddles in her hands. They continued to walk only glancing up once in awhile, to make sure the path ahead was clear.

Something made Kiera look up and into the distance. There it was, rising in against the horizon, the final oracle. Of course looks are often deceiving, especially when it comes to distances. They traveled until dusk and still had not reached the oracle. They stopped and set up camp. After building a fire and preparing supper, they sat once again studying maps.

"We have got to be almost there." Charles said, referring to the oracle, as he looked over her shoulder at the maps.

"We are, but then what, the maps become very vague after the oracle?" She was obviously frustrated, questioning her earlier confidence.

"The legend says that the oracle will guide us. All we can do is hope."

"And follow our intuition," a smirk appeared on Kieras' face.

"Exactly," that is the only reason you are here, Charles said, not finishing his thought aloud. He was still a little puzzled, he did not like not having control.

They resumed their journey as day consumed night. The final oracle loomed, still unmoving, in the horizon. Kiera shuffled through the maps and clues while they walked. Charles walked next to her peering at the maps over her shoulder. She continued, as before, glancing up once in awhile to make sure there was nothing that she might trip on. A thought that this days' journey was a duplicate of the days' just passed, flashed through her mind. Then she noticed something different, they were finally getting noticeably closer. They were finally able to make out pillars that anchored the great structure. Kiera could just make out the opening, there was no door. Even from a distance the sun glared off the pale white walls.

"Do you know what the riddle is yet?" Charles asked obviously awed by the great structure they were headed for.

Kiera shuffled through the items in her hands, "no, there is nothing here to even hint at what it might be."

"But if we do not figure it out, we may as well turn around and head home."

"We will get past. I do not know how yet, but we will get past."

Charles was not as certain but he remained silent. They continued on.

The sun had not yet fully descended into the west as she approached the entrance of the large mass. Kiera had not noticed that Charles had conveniently fallen more than just a few steps behind. This was it, do or die. Their entire journey could turn out to be a waste if she did not get this right. She gathered up all of her courage and stepped across the entranceway. A voice coming from the half man, half horse statue welcomed her, "enter, I have been waiting for you, Kiera."

Being addressed by name surprised her a little, and made her even more nervous. In a shaky voice she responded, "you know my name? How?"

"The truly gifted and pure of heart are always known. You are not traveling alone, however the one who accompanies you, I do not know."

Kiera had forgotten Charles until that point. She looked back at him still approaching the entrance, not giving a thought to why he had fallen so far behind. "It is I who accompanies him. This journey is his, not mine."

"As you wish," the quiet yet commanding voice said. "Unity is how the universe exists. All things exist together. The generations are physically merged in creation, existing as one for a time. Time also coexists with itself, past, present, and future existing as one."

Kiera only hesitated for a moment before responding. "The generations merge, existing as one while a mother carries her unborn child, supporting its life force with her own for a time. Time is less tangible and coexists in a less tangible way, of course. The fourth dimension is time, all exists simultaneously, on different planes of reality."

Charles quietly stood behind Kiera as she finished her response. His presence went unnoticed.

"Your understanding of the universe is impressive. You may continue your journey. The dragon can be outdone, you have the secret within you, you only need to think carefully." Silence fell over the massive structure as an opening appeared opposite the one they entered.

Kiera turned to Charles, "we can continue." They exited through the new opening, to the last part of the long quest.

By that evening the prairies had disappeared, giving way to rocky ground with very little shade. They camped early that evening, knowing they were close, and wanting their rest.

They again resumed their journey shortly after sunrise. By the time the sun had reached the highest point in the sky they had reached the cave of the dragon.

Kiera grabbed Charles and whispered, "you distract him and then I will go for the attack."

"You want me to be a decoy, you must be crazy," self-survival was always first with Charles, and of course ego.

"I have to go for the attack, I am the better swordsman."

"You taught me all you know. Let me attack."

"One can not teach everything, you will be killed."

"And being a decoy will save my life. Ha!" Charles was very accusing. When a person is trying to deceive someone, they naturally expect the same return. Unfortunately his last statement was a bit loud and a certain red, green, and silver dragon became curious.

Kiera dodged behind a boulder as the dragon approached Charles. Like it or not he made a good decoy and at the last second, she was able to jump out and make an initial attack with her sword. All the blow seemed to do was alert the dragon that he had a second visitor, he was not pleased. Enraged, he breathed fire at her. Kiera jumped just out of the way, grabbing for another one of her swords. The dragon, slightly confused, spun around. Kiera, taking advantage of the moment of confusion, attacked again. The dragon let out a noise similar to a howl, she had wounded him. Now in pain, he turned and grabbed at her ankle. Kiera jumped away, pulling her ankle from the dragons' mouth, a slight scream escaped from her lips. At the scream Charles peeked out from behind the boulder he was hiding behind.

Kiera, hiding behind a boulder also, was only in a little pain. The injury to her ankle was not serious, but it was not going to hold much of her weight. She knew there was only one way to defeat the dragon now, magic. It was the only way to save her life, it could also destroy it. She remembered stories of apprentice magicians who attempted solo spells only to lose what power they did have. But her life was on the line, and Charles'. In that moment she realized how important magic was to her, but she had to try to get back to her family. Her decision was made, it had to be magic. "I am sorry Valyn" she whispered. She searched her memory for the right words. Finally she began chanting the ancient language.

Charles again peered from behind the boulder. Kiera was singing, and none of it made sense. What was this gibberish? The girl is going insane, he thought quietly, but kept watching.

As her chanting became more intense she stood focused on the sword next to her, her fathers, it began to move. Not much, but it did move. Then the sword flew towards the dragon. Finding the animals' heart the sword pierced it with inhuman strength. The dragon fell, slowly dying. As the creature lay there Kiera had fallen next to the boulder that was her cover, she was unconscious. Rest easy young mage the dragon thought, he realized he had not seen a wizard that powerful in centuries, not since the separation, not since the child Valyn. His purpose was finished. After these thoughts, there were no more, his centuries of suffering had ended. He was finally at peace.

"Kiera you did well," a feminine voice said, "but now you must continue on." Kiera knew the voice well, it was the voice she had come to recognize as her spirit guide.

"Are you taking me with you?" Kiera was a little out of sorts..

"No, you must finish your journey." Suddenly Kiera remembered the dragon, "what happened?" Before her guide could answer, another voice was calling her, it was her father.

"Kiera," he called

"Father?"

"Yes, love."

"What is happening?"

"You did well, love. Congratulations, my young wizard."

"Wizard? What do you mean?"

"Not now. All will be explained later. First you must complete the quest and return home, quickly.

"But it is so far. My ankle is damaged, it will not hold me." The pain was starting to come back to her again. All Kiera wanted at this point was to put her head down and rest awhile longer.

"But you are wrong, Kiera, you are nearly there. Your ankle will carry you, let go of the pain. I know it is difficult but you must go on."

"I love you father, thank you."

"Thank you love, you have again made me proud of you." He and her guide began to fade away. Kiera held her head in her hands, near tears, when the sound of clinking metal caught her attention. Charles was gathering the strewn weapons. Kiera found she was no longer sitting, but was lying on the ground.

Charles noticed her stir, "Kiera?"

She pulled herself up and stared at him, not saying anything.

"I thought I had lost you," he went to her and embraced her.

Now she was truly confused. "I…I…do not … understand." "You have been lying there unconscious for quite some time."

"But…" Could it all have been just a dream? Her father had seemed so real. Did it really matter? After all, what was reality anyway? She wanted to finish this and go home, she missed her family. "We should be moving on." Kiera slowly got up from the ground. Her eyes shifted to what remained of the dragon. It was that sight that encouraged her to get up. With the dragon slain there was nothing left but to follow the final clues to the magic sword.

"Can you continue the journey?" Charles asked.

"Yes, I will be fine, besides there are no further obstacles, the dragon was the last. It will be easy traveling from here."

"Yes, I suppose you are correct," Charles stated in a slightly disheartened tone.

Kiera gave him a mistrusting glance, the first signs of doubt began to flash through her mind. She finally responded, "I have come this far, there is nothing that could make me turn back now."

Realizing she might be catching on to his true intent, Charles moved closer to her and took her hand. "That is not what I meant, I am simply concerned," Charles forced a concerned tone into his voice.

Kiera slowly took her hand back and dragged her eyes away from his. "Well we are almost there. Come on." Kiera began walking the narrow trail, once again heading towards their quest, Charles quietly followed.

They had walked through the forest for some time when darkness began to fall over them. "We had better set up camp here tonight and continue at dawn," Charles said breaking the long silence

"I suppose you are right," there was disappointment in her voice.

After finding adequate surroundings, they built a fire and heated their rations of food for supper. Kiera looked excitedly at the map, drawn from the clues she had pieced together. "We are so close, I can feel it."

Charles moved next to Kiera and handed her a cup. What she didn't notice was the special attention he paid to which cup he was handing her. "Then a toast," he said offering his glass. They toasted and drank the wine.

After they had eaten Kiera was suddenly very tired. Yawning, she said goodnight.

"Until we conclude our quest," a grin spread across Charles' face.

Kiera thought to herself that something did not seem right, but the fog of exhaustion, in itself odd feeling, soon claimed her. Kiera slept peacefully most of the night and dreamed of the finale to their quest - holding the magic sword.

Dawn had broken an hour before as Kiera slept on. Charles quietly brushed off the wrap he had used as a blanket and placed it over his shoulders. "Good-bye dear Kiera," he whispered and crept off into the woods, continuing the path they had followed the day before.

Kiera stirred in her sleep. Everything she had lived for the past few months was before her. The magic sword was hers. The sunlight reflected off the gold casing that held the sword. She danced about the clearing she was so happy, almost floating. Kiera approached the bush that had housed the sword for so many years and kneeled before it. Her fingers traced the elaborate carvings on the gold case. Her fingers stopped over something that was obviously an inscription but she was unable to make out the words. Suddenly the case began to fade and finally disappeared. Kiera looked around, not knowing who or what she was looking for, and realized that she was alone. Panic raced through her, the trees seemed to be closing in around her. She began to feel trapped. She cried out for her father to help her.

Kiera woke up screaming, not recognizing her surroundings. When she gathered her senses, Kiera looked across the campfire to find her companion had left her, she really was alone.

Charles had gone leaving Kiera with only her weapons, which were close to where she slept, and some food rations. Most of the food rations, Charles' weapons, and the maps were all gone. She remembered her sudden exhaustion of the previous night and knew exactly how he was able to leave without waking her. Of course, she knew exactly where he had gone. She grabbed what rations he had left her, threw on her cloak, quickly picked up her weapons, and headed down the path she knew Charles had taken. She could tell by the fairly new footprints that he was not that far ahead of her, but she did not consider slowing to a walk. She held the image of the map she had been studying for so long in her head, hoping it was accurate enough to find him. She knew she had to catch him, but then what? Kiera tried to convince herself that it would not come to a duel, but deep down she knew otherwise. Charles had no intention of letting her go back to her people with the sword. She began to replay the more significant parts of the journey in her head, realizing that at every challenge he had left her to solve it. Then he had left her to wander lost with hardly any food rations.

As she followed the twisted path through the trees, the feeling that she was closing in on him was growing stronger. She also knew she was closing in on the ancient hiding place of the magic sword. Suddenly, there it was in front of her, the clearing she had dreamed about. Charles turned to face her, a look of surprise on his face. "Kiera, should you be walking on that injured leg?"

"Your sudden concern for me is touching," sarcasm dripped from her voice, "but I am sure you would not have been so considerate had I not mapped out the way to the sword, or perhaps if we had yet to meet the dragon."

Could she be catching on to his plan? No, he thought, it was too perfect. "Kiera, my love, my first concern was always you." He moved toward her, in an attempt to kiss her.

Kiera pushed him away, "yes, and how to get rid of me once I had served my purpose. You drugged me so I would not wake while you were sneaking off."

"What do you mean?" He could not conceive that she might have figured him out.

"The wine, you used some sort of potion, that is why I fell asleep so quickly. That is how you were able to sneak away without waking me. I have been stupid or perhaps just blind not to see it sooner. Your plan was perfect, until now.

"You are quite perceptive my dear, how can I thank you for giving me what I wanted," he motioned across the clearing, then focused his attention on her. "Though you are wrong, I enjoyed your company a little, otherwise I would have discarded you after you served your purpose nearly a week ago."

She knew he refereed to the night she had given herself to him. "How dare you, say such things to me! Do you really believe you would be here without me!" She was shouting at him, "the sword is not yours to take!"

"But really, it was I who started you on this path to begin with."

"True, but it was I who got us past all the obstacles."

"I will not give up what belongs to me!"

"It does not belong to you! Your greed and dishonesty have no place in magic."

"Are you challenging me?"

"Yes I guess I am." Her voice became quiet yet still strong. She shrugged out of her cloak, her hands already resting on her weapons. She stood watching him, waiting, not really wanting it to come to this.

Charles smirked, "you will fight me to the death?' He still didn't believe she would stand up to him.

"If I must. Please do not doubt me." Kiera hoped he would just walk away, she never enjoyed killing by the sword; even her enemies.

Charles fell into a fighting posture, his sword at the ready. He was ready to fight for what he believed was his. He stood motionless, watching her. " I will not strike a women first, master or not."

"Are you doubting my skills, or my unwillingness to let you leave with the sword?"

Charles was quiet but the sarcastic grin that spread across his face showed that he really believed she was no challenge for him. Kiera watched him still hoping she could avoid this fight. Keeping her eyes on Charles, Kiera made a move toward the clearing and the sword. Charles, taking her movement as aggressive, attempted to strike her down. Kieras' warrior instincts took over immediately. His sword missed her as she jumped out of its line of descent. Charles quickly recovered and thrust his blade at her already injured leg, Kiera parried knocking his sword out of the way and going for his shoulder. The exchange continued for quite some time, Charles had learned well from his time studying swordplay with Kiera.

Sometime later Charles managed to disarm Kiera, her sword landing in the forest from which they both had come. Charles blocked the way to the forest, confident he had won, he lifted his sword to inflict what would be a fatal blow. However, some things can not be taught, especially intuition. Before he completed his slash she was behind him, and before he realized what had happened his sword was in her hands at his neck. She could very easily have killed him at that point, but something held her back.

"I should just kill you," she whispered to him, "but killing the helpless, even an enemy, has never been in my nature."

Charles relaxed a little in her grasp, " I expected as much from a woman, I knew you couldn't --" his sentence was interrupted by the blow he received to the head with the pommel of his own sword.

"I may not be able to finish you off, but I can at least give you some of what you deserve." Kiera said to the motionless form. She dropped his sword and retrieved her own, along with her cloak and exactly half of the food rations from the bags laying on the ground. "I will at least not let you starve, while you try to find your way home." She began to walk away from Charles but turned around to look at him one last time, then cursed herself for letting her emotions sneak up on her that way. She walked across the clearing to her destiny.

As she approached a large group of bushes, the sun seemed to shine brighter in one place near the center of the group. The sun reflecting off the gold encasement drew her attention. She sat on the ground in front of it, pulling the gold casing to her. Kiera could not compare this moment to any she had ever experienced, yet something was oddly familiar. The casing looked as if someone had left it there only days ago as opposed to the centuries it had truly been.

Kiera opened the case and there it was, her destiny, her dream fulfilled. At that moment she knew that somehow her whole life had lead to this moment. The magic sword was hers. Her fingers ran lightly over the steel blade and then the hilt. She had never seen anything this beautiful.

Something on the case caught her attention, it was an inscription. She recognized the language immediately, many of Valyns' spells were written in this language, as well as some of his older journals. This was the language of the ancient ones. It was almost eerie how similar this all was to the dream she had that morning, except this time the inscription was perfectly clear. She easily translated the text:

She stopped reading, perhaps it wasn't meant for her. As she interpreted it, this implied someone carrying a child, which she was not. She briefly remembered her night with Charles, but brushed it aside. Besides this implied two children of the same line. All doubt was pushed aside when she read the final inscription: "Kiera of Krim." She once again remembered that one night, could she really be carrying his child? No, that couldn't be right, perhaps these children will come later; she thought She sat for a moment comprehending all that had taken place, finally realizing there was only one thing left to do, return to Krim, her home.

As she passed through the last oracle again, it spoke to her, "Hello Kiera. You will not complete your journey alone."

"My companion and I have parted ways, I will return to Krim alone."

"That is not truth, your new companion awaits you, beyond these walls."

She asked, "who could possibly be-"

"Hello there," a voice from behind her interrupted her thoughts. Kiera turned around, the only living creature present was a white and brown spotted horse. After all she had seen, she was ready to believe anything. "A horse who speaks?"

"No, you are simply perceptive enough to hear my thoughts." the horse answered her.

"But I have never heard animals speak to me before."

"In this body you were not a wizard before, it has taken you time to remember. And now it is again time for me to carry you again."

"I see'" Kiera was a little confused.

"I am Falon, I have been your companion for many lifetimes. I will take you home."

"Thank you"

"Thank you, it has always been an honor to carry someone as distinguished as yourself."

She mounted the horse and began the journey home. Riding horseback certainly made the journey faster, and Falon was a good companion.

One night as she rested before the fire she had built to keep warm, her thoughts drifted to her family.

Falon nuzzled Kieras' neck. "You miss your family?"

"Yes."

"You will soon be with them again."

Kiera sighed heavily. "If only I knew how they will react to my return. I did not leave on the best of terms. They do not even know where I ran off to."

"All is well, child. Do not fear. There is one who knows exactly where you went, and why."

"Valyn," there was no question in her voice.

"Yes, he knew the time was coming even before you left."

"There are other things that worry me." It had been two months since she began the return trip. By now she was certain, "I carry a child."

"Again, the wise one, Valyn, already knows this."

"How does Valyn know these things?"

"After these many years together you still ask how Valyn knows things about you?"

"True, yet he seems so far away." Kiera was truly more homesick than she ever thought possible.

"Distance is merely a physical boundary. You know there is so much more than that to the universe."

"Yes, I am glad to be traveling with such a wise one."

"You are just as wise my child. You only need to trust yourself."

Kiera laughed at these all too familiar words. "You sound just like Valyn."

"Perhaps we are right."

Kiera did not respond but put her arms around the horse's neck in an embrace. She then lay near the fire and went to sleep.

Only days later, as Kiera looked down from the top of a large hill, she could make out the outline of her home city. She was finally home!

She waited for cover of darkness to enter the city. She hoped she could see her family before the others knew she was back. After quietly escorting Falon to the stable she knew who she needed to see first. She went to find Valyn in his library.

Valyn had been waiting for Kiera. He looked up from his desk at her standing in his doorway, the sword hanging from her belt. She entered the room as he stood and approached her. Without any words they embraced.

Kiera broke the silence while still in his embrace. "I am sorry Valyn"

"No need to be sorry," he held her at arms length. "You completed the quest. Then the prophecy has come to pass. I believe you have other news also."

Kiera became a little nervous. "I was told you knew."

"So you did meet Falon again? Yes I know about the child."

"I... well... it is..." Kiera was not sure what to say.

"Everything will be fine child. Everything is occurring as it was meant to."

"You knew all of this? Since I was a child? When you told me of the legends?"

"Yes, though not how it would come to pass. It became obvious with your avid interest in my stories. The last time I spoke to your father, he asked that I continue to guide you to where you were destined to be."

At the thought of her father, tears formed in her eyes. "What about magic?" Kiera suddenly remembered she had gone against what she had believed were Valyns' wishes, using magic on her own. "I am sorry Valyn. I used magic to get past the dragon."

"I know that also. I was waiting for you to tell me. The spell worked I assume?"

"Yes."

"Then the full prophecy has come to pass."

"Excuse me?"

"You are no longer an apprentice magician. The test was the solo spell."

"I...I do not understand."

"I will explain all to you later, now you must go see your family. I am afraid there is bad news."

"What is it?"

"Your Uncle William is quite ill, he may die." Valyn whispered, as if speaking to loudly might call death to the castle.

"Uncle, sick!" Kieras' mind had switched gears quickly. "I must see him immediately!"

Valyn accompanied Kiera to King Williams' chamber. When they entered William lie sleeping in his bed, the drape pulled. Kiera knelt next to the bed. The kings' eyes opened. He smiled when he saw his niece. "My niece, I knew she would return." His voice was weak. He reached for Kieras' hand.

Kiera embraced her uncle. "I am sorry to have worried you. How are you feeling, uncle?"

"Still weak, but seeing you again gives me strength." He touched her cheek, then his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

As they left the room, Valyn stopped her. "Does Lord Drake know..."

Kiera didn't allow him to finish the question. "No." She continued out of the room. "I should hope I am lucky enough to never see that evil man again."

Valyn nodded in understanding, "then it is all true."

"You knew?" Kiera was straining to keep her voice low.

"I could not share my feelings with you. If I had, you would not be where you are now. Remember everything is a learn--"

Kiera cut off his sentence. "Learning experience. I know, I know." She looked into her old friends' eyes and saw the love she had seen there since she was a child. "You did what was best." Again she embraced him.

"You rest child, I will tell your mother and Richard that you have returned."

"Thank you." Before Valyn could leave, Richard came down the long hallway.

"Kiera?" Richard squinted to see her face in the near dark hallway.

"Yes, I am home, as long as I am welcome."

"You are always welcome, Kiera." They embraced. "I am so happy you are back."

"I am happy to be back."

Valyn quietly slipped away, leaving the cousins to talk. Kiera noticed that they had been given their privacy, and she smiled to herself, Valyn always knew. She turned to Richard, "how are you?" Kiera took his hands in hers.

Richard shook his head slowly, "I do not know what I will do if he dies."

"You will be a good king, and take our people forward"

"I do not have confidence in myself that I will be able to do that."

"Richard, you are a strong leader." Kiera embraced him.

"You have always been there for me, Kiera. Promise you will always be here."

"There is something you should know, you may not wish for me to stay." She slowly pushed him to arms length so she could look into his eyes. Kieras' voice became even lower than the whisper she had been speaking in, "I am carrying Charles' child."

Richards' face grew hard, his eyes large. "Did he force you..."

Kiera cut off his sentence, "No, I foolishly, yet willingly gave myself to him." She turned from her cousin, tears in her eyes, yet there was also embarrassment in her voice. "I trusted him."

Richard stepped behind her, his hand on her shoulder. "You always have only seen good in people. We all make errors in judgment..."

Kiera again cut him off, "I should not make these errors, how can I be a wise magician, if I choose the wrong people to trust?"

"You have abilities I will never understand, that is why I need you. If I am to be king, I need that wisdom with me. I can not, I will not be king without you." He turned her to him and embraced her again.

Kiera let the tears flow, resting her head on his shoulder. "Mother will try to send me away when she hears."

"Her king will not allow it." Richard smiled down at his cousin. "So how did you get rid of our dear old friend Charles?"

Kiera smiled at her cousin. "What makes you think I got rid of him?"

"You came back with the sword. I doubt Charles gave it up willingly." Richards' voice became serious again, "does he still live?"

Kiera sighed, "first he poisoned me, but it only made me sleepy, then he tried to force me to challenge him to fight, and when I tried to walk away from him, he tried to kill me. We did fight, but when I had the advantage I could not bring myself to kill him. Instead, I knocked him unconscious with his own sword. Not much of a warrior am I?"

"You have always been excellent with a sword. Not wanting to take his life is understandable, given the circumstances. You were still able to 'detain' him. I have confidence we will not see him again. I can not believe he wishes to revisit his humiliation. The whole land will know of his foolishness soon enough."

"I hope you are correct." Kiera sighed, slowly her mood was lightening.

"Now I believe you should get some rest, you can tell me of the rest of your journey tomorrow."

"I am rather tired." Richard walked Kiera to her chambers. She stopped at the door before entering, and turned again to her cousin. "Everything will be all right. Uncle has a strong will to live."

Richard nodded in agreement and hugged his cousin goodnight. "You really are my best friend, no sister could be better. Good night."

"Good night."

Richard headed towards his own rooms realizing how much better he felt after talking to Kiera. He suddenly knew that even if he lost his father, things would be all right.

Kiera was happy Valyn and Richard had accepted her return so well. She would have to face her mother in the morning, but with the others on her side this did not seem as terrible. For now she looked around her room for the first time in nearly half a year. She could not help but think about how much had changed since she had last been here. She fell into her bed and into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Kiera had been given a hereos' welcome in the presence of the legendary sword, by the citizens of the kingdom. The kings' health even improved enough for him to participate in the festivities. Her mother was another story altogether. To say she was not pleased would be a severe understatement. Cassandra's' first reaction was to try to quickly arrange another marriage. The king interfered on Kieras' behalf this time. William pointed out that Kiera could very well leave again if they forced her to do something she didn't want to. Cassandra then wanted to send her away until after the child came. Again William stepped in, William knew his days were short and he wanted Kiera here with Richard after he was gone. Kiera stayed in Krim, unmarried.

Weeks passed an Williams' health again began to fail. A dark cloud fell over the land, as if everyone knew the king would soon die. The only thing anyone spoke of was the health of their leader. Richard stepped up, reassuring the people that their leader would recover. Kiera knew he was also trying to reassure himself. Three days after he had fallen ill again, with Kiera and Richard at his bedside, King William was dead.

Richard was overcome with grief, but he knew it was up to him now to make sure his people stayed united - he was now their leader.

Kiera, who was rather large with pregnancy, tried to comfort her cousin with thoughts of her own father. Weeks passed and finally Richard began to pull himself out of his depression. Now it was Kiera who needed Richard. As the time drew near for her child to be born, Kiera began to grow fearful that Charles might return after all. What if Charles did decide to return to Krim? He would know the child was his.

Richard saw his cousins fears in her eyes each time he looked at her. He wished he could make that fear disappear. Perhaps if he could get her to talk about these fears, he wished that he had married, at least there would be a woman around that could help her. As it was Cassandra was still refusing to speak to her.

Despite her moments of depression, Kiera continued to learn all she could from Valyn. Things had changed, of course, since her return. Kiera was no longer an apprentice but a wizard in her own right. Valyn was still the elder wizard and still had much to teach her before his time finally passed. When Kiera worried about the future he would reassure her that all would be well. He did not tell her what he new of her coming children, the prophecy of the sword had said two children as one. He had given this information only to William so he would know there was one to take the throne from Richard as well as one to carry on what Kiera had learned from Valyn. He then passed on peacefully.

Richard found her one day leaving the wizards' chambers. "Kiera, might I have a word with you." If he could get her to believe it was not personal she might relax a little first.

Kiera nodded and allowed Richard to escort her to a small alcove in the hallway that contained a bench. "What is it Richard?"

"How are your studies with Valyn?

"Very well, thank you."

"Good"

Kiera studied her cousin carefully, "Richard, I can hardly believe you have sought me out just to ask about my magical studies."

It did not surprise Richard that he could not fool her. "You win again, cousin. I worry about you, yet I feel there is nothing I can do."

Tears welled up in Kieras' eyes, "Richard I am frightened. What if Charles does decide to return?"

"I thought we agreed that would be foolish?"

"That was before it was obvious I carry his child. I'm sure the rumors have reached Perog..."

"He would still be a foolish man to return to a land where he had been made a fool of."

"The stakes are higher now. I have heard that King Bartholomew is quite ill, and has yet to name his heir. Charles having a child, especially if it is a boy, could put him in the best position to inherit the throne."

"I do not believe Bartholomew would do such a thing"

"In his weakened condition he could be tricked..."

"I have told Bartholomew that if he were to name Charles his heir, Krim would no longer be friendly territory to his people." He saw Kiera start to object and held up his hand to stop her. "I can not be friendly with one as dishonorable as Charles, and most of the people of this land agree." Richard embraced Kiera. "I assure you he will not be able to claim this child as his own. As soon as it is born, I will name it as my heir. That will prevent anyone from taking him out of Krim."

Kiera was shocked at his last statement. "What of your own children you may have in the future?"

"I have realized I can not wait forever for something that may never happen. I must have an heir." Kiera was speechless. Richard stood and offered his hand to his cousin. She took it and slowly rose from the bench. "Walk with me for awhile." And so they did.

The magic of the full moon brought forth the miracle of life. An exhausted Kiera was reassured everything would be fine by the birth of twins.

As the sun rose on a new morning, her small children next to her, Kiera saw the forms of two men take shape before her in the shadows. She recognized him immediately. "Father!"

"Hello, love."

Her focus turned to the other form. "Uncle William?"

"Yes, Kiera we are both with you," William replied.

"Both of you? But...why?" Kiera was confused.

Her father answered. "Everything is well. Your worries should be put to rest. Look now to tomorrow, yesterday is gone."

With those words they were both gone as though they had never been. Tears briefly formed in her eyes as she whispered, "good-bye uncle, good-bye father."

"Good-bye love. Remember, tears are a necessary part of life, but shed no more tears for me," her fathers' voice answered her from the shadows.

Kiera wiped the tears away from her face and peered over at the twins. The girl, Callisto for the moon that presided over her birth, and the boy, Orion for the stars that rose next to it.

In just a few days, word of the magical birth had spread throughout the kingdom. Twins were a sign of good fortune, especially within the royal family. Word of the good fortune had even reached the few scattered houses on the far outreaches of Krim. Including a group of outlaws who conformed to the laws of no land, the newest member of which had arrived a few days after Princess Kiera had returned from her great quest.

Richard had requested that the presentation and blessing of the twins be included in the official ceremony celebrating his ascendancy to the throne. The biggest event came just moments before the actual celebration was to begin. There was a knock at Kieras' door.

"Come in," Kiera called not looking up from her children.

Richard and Valyn entered her sitting room, both dressed in elaborate robes; Richards' gold and red in color, Valyns' purple and black. Kieras' maid, seeing this was obviously official, took the children from their mother, and left the sitting room.

Kiera looked at the two men in surprise. "Should you not be at the ceremonial hall?"

Richard spoke up first, "there is one last detail to be tended to."

Kiera became concerned. "Is there something I forgot."

Richard moved to Kiera and placed his hands on her shoulders to reassure her, "Everything is perfect. I just need to know if you will stand beside me today."

Kiera was obviously confused, only two people stood with an ascending king; his wizard and his wife. "I do not understand."

Valyn now moved towards her. "My time has finally passed on with William." He gestured to the sword, which had not left her sight since her return; "it is your destiny, the rest of the legend."

"But... I can not... How can I...?" Kiera glanced from one man to the other.

Richard stepped back and Valyn rested his hand on her shoulder. "I will be here to assist and teach, but you are now the one who must lead."

"I am overwhelmed by all of this." she turned away from them, truly shocked by this conversation.

Richard watched his cousin with concern. "You will be there?"

She turned back to him, "Richard how could I not be?" She embraced him and then Valyn. "We should be heading there now."

"Yes, I will see you at the hall." Richard turned and left. Valyn took her hand, gave it a reassuring squeeze and then followed Richard out the door.

The ceremony was beautiful; nearly the entire kingdom turned out to see the crowning of their new king as well as the newest additions to the royal family. The citizens were quite willing to accept Kiera as Richards' advisor, the two had been so close it seemed natural, and of course Kieras' magical abilities were becoming rather legendary also. Valyn proudly looked on while Kiera swore her oath of loyalty to the new king and then recited the verses asking for blessing and guidance from the Great Ones. It was these same verses he had recited many times at Williams' side as well as his father, and others before, going all the way back to the great separation, when he had been the chosen one. Memories of his experiences as a young mage passed through his thoughts and he smiled. Things had finally come full circle, the land was now back to peaceful times, the people full of hope.

Kiera had finished the verse and stepped aside for Richard to speak. Her focus went, not to Richard, but Valyn, who smiled at her, and was obviously deep in his own thoughts. For a moment though, their thoughts connected and the same feelings of peace and hope overcame her. Valyn was right, things had come full circle, it was again time for peace. Her thoughts did waiver for a moment, circles are never ending, which meant that this was the end, but also the beginning again.

It was the size of the crowd that calmed her, for had she been able to lock in on one persons thoughts, they may have upset her. While all of the people were rejoicing in the improving fortune of the royal family, and therefore all of Krim, one man solely focused on Kiera and her children, it was his only concern since he had arrived. Kiera, however, heard only the voice of her spirit guide reassuring her with the words she had heard so many times: "live for today, yesterday is but a memory to be cherished and tomorrow an adventure yet to be chosen. Time does exist in unison, yet we can only conceive one moment at a time, and what is not yet know to the conscious mind, is always willing to change." What a peaceful thought.