Chapter I, Reading 6

Dakra then walked away, leaving her to search for any clues to be found within the package.

Flindra looked at the bundle through tear-fogged eyes.  It was a crudely made leather bag.  The seams were stitched with a heavy leather lace and the leather itself was stiff and cracked with age.  She opened the bag and dropped its contents in her lap.  There were three leather pouches of different sizes, all with drawstrings around the tops.

She opened the smaller of these bags and discovered an unusual silver ring.  The silver had oxidized with age to such an extent that it was nearly black.  The outstretched wings of a great bird, possibly an eagle, formed the circle of the ring.  An oddly shaped amethyst was held in place by the beak and talons of the eagle.  Flindra looked into the depths of the gem and saw that it wasn’t entirely clear.  At the center of the stone, there was an opaque shape that suggested something to her deepest memories.  She struggled to remember the meaning of the shape, but the thought faded before she could grasp it.  Flindra placed the ring on her finger.  It fit on her finger as if it had been made for her.  It was odd for the band had appeared larger when she first looked at it.  She shook her head in wonder.

The second pouch contained a golden hair comb.  The back of the comb was carved into the shape of the spread wings of a swan with the bird's head gracefully folded over the right wing.  The fine teeth of the comb were closely spaced so it would stay securely in a woman's hair.  The only part of the comb that would be visible in her hair would be the swan.  It would make a pretty ornament.

There were fine strands of auburn hair in the comb, which she pulled free and fingered gently.  Could these delicate strands possibly have belonged to her mother?  She tried to imagine what her birth mother must have been like.

She couldn't help but wonder why she had been given away as a baby.  It was hard enough to accept the fact that she wasn't the daughter of the kind and loving couple who had raised her, but why had her parents, her mother, given her to Kewero to be given away again?

She felt isolated and a little frightened.  Things were too confused.  She retreated from the confusion by closing her eyes and drawing forth a memory of pleasant times.

It was the summer before Leudh's marriage and things couldn't have been happier.  As always, there had been much work to do, but work was pleasure when it assured the health and security of her family.  It hadn't been all work, there had been plenty of time for play, too.  Leudh took her on hunting trips and taught her even more about the ways of the animals and of the forest itself.

The pleasant memories touched her heart with love and hope.  She knew her family would want her to face her fate with courage.  She would try to be brave and face her future without hesitation to live up to that expectation.  She knew it was going to be a challenging effort for she simply couldn't imagine living anywhere else and being someone else.  This was the only home she knew.  Eghero, Dakra, and Leudh the only family she could imagine.  The idea of her being a princess seemed so unreal.  She was a woodsman's daughter - at home in the trees and with the animals.  How could she possibly feel at home in some palace?  She would probably only embarrass herself with some clumsy comment or inappropriate action.

With a sigh of resignation, she went back to the task of examining the objects on her lap.  The last bag was both the largest and the heaviest.  Flindra opened it and found a crystal sphere, which fit neatly in the palm of her hand.  The surface of the crystal was perfectly smooth and pleasurable to touch.  As Flindra moved the sphere about, she saw colored light reflecting throughout the crystal.

Chapter VII, Reading 4

Flindra reached over and grasped her arm in a gentle and supportive touch. "You loved her, didn't you?"

"Very much." With a sigh, she looked at her pupil. "I told you once that you looked like your mother. You also look a great deal like Queen Kwenth. You could be her daughter."

She smiled. "You take after her in many ways, Flindra. Her auburn hair has marked all the children born of her line. It is a stamp of royalty. You share some personality traits with her, too. My Lady Queen was much loved by my people for she was so kind and good. I think you will match her kindness when you become Queen."

"Thank you," she answered with a shy smile.

"Having you here has done much to ease my sorrow. You remind me of her and it makes it seem that it wasn't so long ago when I shared deep discussions with my Queen."

Kewero patted Flindra's hand, which was still resting on her arm. "The Spirit has extended my days so I can be the connection between you and the King and Queen."

"Are you immortal?" Flindra asked in an awed tone.

"No, not at all. I have aged over the years, just more slowly and I'm sure I will know death when my purpose here is ended." The old woman sighed. "I have no wish to be immortal, Flindra. It is the natural order of things to die and rejoin the Spirit."

Kewero's eyes became distant when she returned to her memories and her story. "My Lady Queen told me she had a dream just before she gave birth to her daughter and only child. In her dream, the Spirit warned her that she needed to hide her baby to keep the child safe from the Ansu. King Meldh made plans to hide her as soon as the Queen told him of this warning.

"The King and Queen used a contraction of their names to name the new princess. Her name would always honor her parents for she would never know them and the name would become a reminder of her heritage." Tears appeared in Kewero's eyes. "Princess Melenth was a beautiful babe and had her mother's auburn hair. I didn't get to see much of her, no one did. The King and Queen didn't want to risk her life by keeping her too long. Melenth needed to be hidden where she could survive and where she would be safe to continue the dynasty. They grieved at her loss but they understood it was the only way to keep her alive.

"They decided to hide her among the simple people of the forest. This was the safest place they could think of for they believed that the Ansu wouldn't bother to hunt down the scattered woodsmen." Kewero smiled through her tears. "When the Spirit chose Dakra and Eghero to be your family it brought the line of King Meldh full circle. The first and last children to be hidden from the Ansu grew up in the homes of woodsmen."

"I, for one, am very glad of that. I could not have had a happier home."

"Which pleases me. I have served you well and by doing so have served my beloved Queen and the Spirit. She asked me to become the hidden guardian of Princess Melenth and to find safe places for all the children who would follow. We both knew that eventually the Ansu would discover our survival and would hunt down the children of her line to prevent the birth of our prophesied champion. The Spirit has guided me in my selections of homes to hide your ancestors in. I have placed them with many different types of people so no one group would be singled out in the Enemy's hunt. The Spirit's strategy was most wise for the line continued to you. You were born and have reached me. It is time for you to begin your destiny."

Chapter V, Reading 4

Flindra slackened her hold on the reins to make it easier for Deru to carefully pick his way along the talus-choked path. The rocks protruding above the drifted snow were coated with an ice crust for this pass lay within the perpetual shadows cast by the towering cliffs. The horse struggled with the uneven and slippery footing and stumbled several times.

"This isn't working," Flindra whispered and reined him to a stop. She glided from the saddle and gathered the reins in her hand. She slipped around him and began leading him up the treacherous trail to spare herself a potentially bone crushing fall. She was able to step around or over the worst of the icy spots and Deru was able to keep to his feet without her weight on his back.

While she walked, she concentrated on intensifying Rigga's power shield. There was something gloomy or somehow sinister about the shadowed pathway and she struggled to keep fear from edging into her thoughts.

"Guide my steps, dear Lord," she whispered and kept the knowledge of His presence close to her heart to leave no room for fear.

She was relieved when they finally reached the crest and emerged from the pass. The blast of the north wind peppered her face with blowing ice, but she could see the landscape around her location and felt more comfortable. The topography was vastly different on the north side of the mountain range. Here there were no steep slopes or rocky cliffs. Instead, there was a gradual decline in elevation until the slope intercepted the vast plain of the Northern Reaches. No enemy could remain hidden in this barren landscape.

This was the domain of the wind. The snow from the storm had blown away - had blown up the slope and had been deposited in tremendous snow cornices on the south side of the ridge. Lonely trees dotted the landscape on the northern slope. They did not grow straight but rather bent toward the ground seeking shelter from the wind. Branches only grew on the south half of the trees to minimize the effect of the prevailing north wind. Their roots clung fiercely to the ground to keep from being uprooted.

Flindra took out the crystal orb once more and checked the direction she needed to continue. The crystal glowed when pointed in a northeast direction, roughly perpendicular to the axis of the Greyfell Mountains. She mounted and continued onward.

The descent from the mountains was easy and Flindra soon found herself looking across the barren landscape of the Northern Reaches. This was a desolate land and there was very little vegetation. There were patchy grasses growing low to the ground with an occasional bent and tortured pine punctuating the horizon.

The crystal orb still prompted her to continue in a northeasterly direction through this bleak landscape. The wind still howled from the north so she had to keep her face turned down and to the side to escape the worst of the icy blast. Deru also carried his head to the side and she had to use the pressure of her legs to keep him going in the proper direction.

Chapter XIII, Reading 8

She was innocent of the fact that even as she was drifting off to sleep she was the object of discussion in the lieutenant's quarters.  In the privacy of his tent, the lieutenant talked to Sergeant Leitho.  They were friends and it was obvious the lieutenant respected the opinions of his sergeant.

"So Leitho, what to you think of this girl, Flindra?" he asked.

He swallowed a sip of his wine before he answered.  "She's pretty quiet.  I think it's obvious she has seen some hardship during her years.  She showed a certain amount of weariness in the way she held her shoulders.  Why do you ask, Kalmyk?"

"I was impressed with her abilities today.  Did you notice her skill in the forest?  I've seen expert trackers enough to recognize the fact that she is good, really good.  We could have wandered around for days and never stumbled onto that cave.  And she was right on the mark about that lame horse."

"I noticed that, too.  But didn't she say that she's a woodsman's daughter?"

"Yes, I believe she did."

"Well, that explains her ability.  The people of the forest, at least in these parts, excel in woodcraft - tracking and hunting.  I'd wager she is pretty good with the bow that was hanging from her saddle."

Kalmyk shook his head.  "Is it normal practice for these skills to be taught to girls?  I would guess that household chores would be their proper domain."

"I don't know.  It might be that Flindra's an only child.  If that's the case, I could understand her growing up rather like a boy."

Kalmyk refilled their goblets with wine before he continued.  "I don't know.  There is something about her that puzzles me.  There's a quiet strength about her and she's very confident for a rustic.  She didn't hesitate at all to look me in the eyes."

"You might be confusing her sorrow for strength, Kalmyk.  Did you see the pain flash through her eyes when she talked about her parents?"

"I did.  You could be right, Leitho, but I don't know.  I've a gut feeling that there's more to her than meets the eye.  Too bad she's not a lad.  I could use someone of her skills.  We still need to replace our last scout."

"What's the problem with her being a girl?  She could be our scout and not be in much danger."

"I don't know.  I just feel it isn't right to have a young and pretty maid riding with a bunch of hardened soldiers."

"I don't think you have much to worry about there.  They're already treating her like some long lost sister.  Did you notice that Gwher is guarding her tent like some old wolfhound?  I would hate to be the man to try to cross him.  She'll be safe enough with us, safer than with her family.  They didn't stand a chance against Bhrag's renegades."

"Speaking of which, did you notice the way Bassus stared at her.  If looks could kill I'm afraid Flindra would only be a memory," Kalmyk noted.

"He thought his hole-in-the-wall was safe from discovery.  She punctured his delusion without much problem."

"She did at that."  Kalmyk smiled and rubbed his chin.  "Do you think she would consider staying and becoming our scout?"

"It couldn't hurt to ask.  She might consider it better than begging food and lodging from some distant relative in Deodar.  She's proud and I don't think the prospect of begging suits her.  I wouldn't care much for it, myself, if I were in her position."

"Possibly."  Kalmyk leaned back in his chair and took a sip of wine.  "I guess I'll ask her in the morning.  In the worst case she'll say no."

"I think she will probably say yes.  At least I hope so.  I'm getting tired of spending days crisscrossing the forest looking for signs of the renegades.  A skilled tracker is a must with this kind of duty and the High Command hasn't seen fit to replace our last scout."

Lieutenant Kalmyk smiled.  "Well, if the High Command won't give us another scout we will just have to find our own."

"I can't argue with that."

Chapter XIII, Reading 7

Flindra was eventually served a bowl of salt pork and beans for supper.  Some of the troopers started to talk as they ate their food, forgetting her presence.  They talked of the war, how things didn't look very hopeful for a quick campaign.  All of the men spoke of the Duke's soldiers with a tone of contempt.  Apparently, the renegades they had captured today were typical of his men.

Flindra was more or less ignored as darkness descended.  Finally, a trooper approached and told her to go into the tent where her things were.  She would sleep there.  Flindra walked to the tent, entered, and tied the flap closed.  She heard the soft jingling a mail shirt just outside the entrance - a guard had been posted.  Flindra didn't quite know if the man was there for her protection or to keep her from leaving or a combination of both.

Not that it mattered much.  Flindra had no intention of leaving.  This situation might prove to be an opportunity to begin her task of helping Prince Storos.  She would just have to watch and wait and be ready to seize any opportunity that was presented to her.

Flindra snuggled deep in her blankets and started to imagine what Prince Storos would be like.  Kewero didn't know much about the personal details of the Prince, such as the quality of his personality.  Flindra was impressed by the caliber of these Rangers and felt it was a good indication of the Prince's nature.  Quality had a tendency to draw quality.  She fell asleep trying to imagine what it was going to be like to meet him.

Chapter XIII, Reading 4

As they rode south, the terrain became increasingly familiar.  Flindra relaxed and drew upon her extended memories.  She was pleased she could draw upon the knowledge of her ancestors with such ease.  A distant grandfather had grown up in this region.  She committed his knowledge to her own memory.

The lieutenant signaled a halt with a raised hand.  "Leitho, do you know of any place those renegades could hide?  They couldn't have made it this far."

The sergeant scratched his chin with the back of his hand.  "I'm just not that familiar with this area, Kalmyk.  I've passed through dozens of times but I've never strayed off the road."

The lieutenant turned his question to the men.  "Did any of you grow up around here?"

There was no affirmative answer.

Finally, Flindra thought it wise to speak up.  "Excuse me, sir.  My family spent several years in this area when I was a child.  Could I help you?"

The lieutenant transfixed her with a stare.  "Is there a place hereabout where a group of men could hide?"

"There are many such places.  The hills around here are riddled with caves."

"And I suppose you know where they are?"

"Yes sir.  My father was a woodsman.  I spent much time in the forest with him.  My mother would send me out to bring him his mid-day meal.  I learned where the caves were because my father taught me to avoid them.  They were frequently the hiding places for smugglers and thieves."

"I see.  Well then, Maid Flindra, I don't suppose you would care to show us these caves?"

"I would be happy to, sir."

"Then do it."

Flindra smiled discreetly while she urged Deru to the head of the column.  The Spirit might have solved her problem for her.  She was working with the Prince's men.  Perhaps this could be the opportunity she needed to move into a position to help Prince Storos.

Chapter XIII, Reading 3

Without answering, Flindra drew back her hood exposing her long auburn braids.  She shook her head slightly to make sure that her hair was seen.  All the while she had been looking directly into the lieutenant's eyes.

"Well, I see you are indeed a maid.  I guess your mother could tell the difference after all."  There was a hint of amusement in his eyes.  "Now tell me, what are you doing here?"

"I'm on my way to Deodar," Flindra answered truthfully.

"And what do you intend to do there?"

"I have family in Deodar, sir.  I'm going there to find them."

"Do your parents know you are traveling alone?"  The lieutenant had concluded that Flindra was a runaway.  Probably running away from an unwanted arranged marriage.

"My parents were murdered," Flindra said softly with a catch in her voice.  "What family I have left is in Deodar."

The young sergeant swore under his breath.  "Who did this crime?" he demanded.

"I don't know who the men were."

"Didn't they show any livery?"

"No, sir.  Their clothing was plain."

The sergeant quietly swore again.  "It's just like the Duke's men to remove their insignia.  This isn't the first time we've heard of the Duke's minions attacking innocent civilians."

The lieutenant and the sergeant withdrew slightly - just out of earshot.  Flindra absently stroked Deru's neck while the two men discussed her.  She hated to lie, but she couldn't tell them the truth.  In any case, there was an element of truth to her story.  It was true that her parents had been murdered, although their deaths had occurred years before.

The officers returned.  "You'll ride with us until the next village," the lieutenant commanded.  "I'll see to it that you will have some sort of escort as far as Deodar."

"Thank you, sir.  I appreciate your concern."

Flindra mounted Deru and was surrounded by the horsemen as they took up their positions in their formation.  She rode behind the young sergeant with a trooper on either side of her.  She was surrounded by the sounds of creaking leather and rattling chain mail.  The men rode in tense silence and it was obvious that they were searching for someone.

Chapter XIII, Reading 2

After her difficult journey over the Greyfell Mountains, Flindra had been half-tempted to pay a visit to her family but had decided against it.  She didn't want to bring the wrath of the Ansu down upon them.  It was best to keep her distance from her loved ones.

She had been in contact with them by using the crystal so they understood the next step she must take in destiny's journey.  She had explained her quandary and had sought their advice.  Leudh had suggested that she should seek out the forces of Prince Storos in hopes that a solution would present itself to her.  She now rode toward Deodar, the capitol city of Ostar, and the stronghold of those loyal to Prince Storos.  She would try to have some ideas before she got there.

Before Flindra mounted Deru, she heard the distinct sound of galloping horses.  There was no place of concealment near the stream so Flindra decided to stand fast.  Running away could only be interpreted as guilt.  She busied herself checking Deru's girth strap.  She also reinforced Rigga's power shield.  She kept in mind Kewero's advice of mentally becoming what she needed to be.  Flindra needed to be a woodsman's daughter.  She would concentrate on being just that and nothing more.

A group of twenty men sporting the colors of the King's Rangers rode into view.  Flindra breathed a sigh of relief when she noticed that their shields were emblazoned with the Ostarian crest - at least they were Storos's men.  They quickly surrounded her but their postures weren't menacing.  She felt comfortable with them and relaxed.

All the Rangers were heavily armed.  She could see they all carried heavy broadswords beneath their green cloaks.  Most had a bow and a quiver of arrows hanging over the pommels of their saddles as well.  The men were wearing chain mail under their surcoats.  Their helmets were conical in shape, with a section of steel extending down from the cone to cover the ears and the back of the neck.

The leader of the troop was a large man with the insignia of a lieutenant on the breast of his green surcoat.  He had that stern look around the eyes that comes from being a veteran soldier.  This man was used to being obeyed.  His helmet hid his hair but Flindra noticed his brown mustache and guessed his hair would be much the same color.  His eyes were brown and the wrinkles around them indicated he squinted often.

To his left rode a sergeant.  He was as tall as the lieutenant but was leaner in build.  He was clean-shaven, which gave him a very youthful appearance.  His blue eyes looked grim today, but Flindra guessed they could sparkle with laughter in the right situation.

The lieutenant addressed her gruffly.  "You lad, what is your name?"

"My name is Flindra, sir."

There were a few chuckles among the men.

"A maid's name.  What's a lad doing with a maid's name?  Couldn't your mother tell the difference?"

The chuckles turned into raucous laughter.

Chapter XII, Reading 7

Kewero grasped Flindra by the shoulders.  "You have the power to contact me with your orb so we won't be totally separated."

"It's not the same."  Flindra was crying now.

"I know, but we all must accomplish our assigned tasks in life.  Don't shrink from yours."  Although there were tears in her own eyes, she brushed the wetness from Flindra's cheeks with a gentle touch.

"I love you, Kewero," Flindra said as she pulled the old woman into an embrace.

"I love you too, Princess Flindra.  King Meldh and Queen Kwenth would be proud of you.  The nobility of their line has continued to you.  Do them honor by facing your fate with courage."

"I will do my best," she promised.  She took a deep breath and took a step back.  "I guess it's best to leave now before my resolve weakens."

"I think so, Flindra.  Know that I am proud of your courage, my Princess."  She kissed Flindra's noble brow.  "I'm always at your service, Your Highness.  Never feel afraid to call upon me."

"I promise I'll ask for your help when I need it."

"I think it's time to go out to the yurt.  Daylight is still short this time of year.  Let's not waste it with prolonged good-byes."

Flindra nodded in agreement.  "There's no need for you to go out with me.  I've been practicing with the doorway."

"I know child.  I'm proud of your skill.  I just want to be with you for as long as I can.  Indulge me."

"I'd be proud to."

"I'm not going to say good-bye for we will be in communication through the crystals.  Have a good and safe journey, Princess Flindra.  Trust the words of your heart."

"All right.  I look forward to the day when we have defeated the Ansu and you can come to me to be my advisor.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me.  I love you."  Flindra shook her head.  "The words sound so hollow.  They don't even come close to matching how I feel."

"I understand.  Thanks aren't necessary.  I just want to say that I have been honored to be your teacher.  I wish you well, Princess Flindra.  Take care of yourself.  Never let your guard down and let Rigga protect you."

The women briefly hugged each other in silence and then Flindra mounted Deru.  Kewero took hold of his reins and led them through the shimmering zone to the yurt.  She unlashed the fastenings of the door and then turned to her surrogate daughter.  Kewero held up her hand in parting.  "Good journey, little one.  May the Spirit guide your days and guard your nights."

Flindra bit her lip to keep from crying.  "Be well, Kewero, and may the Spirit bless you."  She bowed her head in respect and then rode out of the yurt and into the bite of the northwind.

Chapter XII, Reading 3

The King had worn it at the Spring Festival, the festival celebrating the continuation of life.  It had been a glorious time, the beautiful weather alone was worth celebrating.  The King and Queen wore smiles that were as warm and generous as the rays of the sun raining down from the sky.  Troubles were forgotten and all the people rejoiced.

However, the forgotten troubles hadn't left and it was not long afterwards that the Ansu attacked and robbed the world of joy.

Kewero spoke to the memories in her heart.  "Dear King, let the time be now for our revenge!"  She could feel his answering rage coming to her from across the ages.

She put everything back in the satchel and stood up.  Spying the saddle, she picked it up along with the satchel and left the storage area.  Kewero took them both to the crystal cave and set them on the floor.

She then sought out a secret niche in the cave wall.  Here she found the three remaining crystals.  The first crystal she picked up was the Blue.  It was an ellipsoid.  It was as broad as her palm and in length it extended from the heel of her hand to her fingertips.  It radiated a soft blue light, which was somehow soothing and calming.  There was strength and wisdom in this crystal.

Kewero held the yellow crystal.  It was incorrect to call this crystal an orb for it was a perfect tetrahedron.  The sharp edges of the four faces matched the restless energy emanating from the gem.  Here was purposeful and decisive action.

The final gem she removed from the niche was the red orb.  It was a smooth sphere and was rather opaque and lusterless.  No light shone from its dull, blood red surface.  Even so, the depth of its emotion was overpowering.  This was memory.  This was revenge.

Kewero placed the three crystals next to the saddle and satchel.  Flindra would have to match the gems to the proper people.  The Blue would go to her husband, the King.  She didn't know who would get the other two but she had faith that Flindra would select well.

It was not long before Flindra joined her in the cave.  "I missed you at breakfast.  Have you been awake long?"

"Not that long.  I needed to fetch some things before we started today's discussion."

"What things?"

"Some tools you will need for your quest.  It is time when you need to start preparing yourself to leave."

Flindra looked a little surprised at these words, surprised and sad.  "So soon?"

Chapter XI, Reading 1

For several more days Flindra rested.  Kewero wanted her to sleep until she couldn't anymore.  Only then, would the mentor be satisfied that she was truly recovered from her ordeal.  She hovered around Flindra in both her waking and sleeping hours.  Kewero loved her Princess and still was afraid she might suffer a repeat of her strange collapse.

When Flindra was starting to grow restless from her confinement, Kewero decided it would be safe for her to spend some time in the kitchen, relaxing over a cup or two of tea.  Before they went for tea, Kewero changed the dressing on Flindra's burned palm.  It was the first time Flindra had seen it.

"I've never seen such a strange burn," she remarked as she tentatively touched the scar.  There was a white patch on her palm.  The skin felt tight and it was tender to the touch.

"Does it hurt much?" Kewero queried in a gentle tone.

"I can bear it.  I've had worse hurts in my life."

"That really didn't answer my question, Flindra."

"It hurts, Kewero, but it's a pain I can endure."

"I have an ointment that might ease your pain a little.  Let me go to my bed chamber and fetch it."

"Of course."

Kewero's room wasn't far from Flindra's so it took her little time to fetch the healing ointment.  "This might feel a little cold at first," she warned as she began to apply it.

"It's making my hand numb.  What's in it?"

"I don't know really.  I buy it from a trader who passes through every spring.  It's his wife's secret formula for easing the pain of arthritis.  Sometimes my knees bother me so I've become one of his steady customers.  The cream does seem to ease the aches of old age."

"It's working on my hand, too.  Momma would be very interested in this.  She's always experimenting with things to find new and better ways to ease pain."

"Dakra is in a good position to do that.  She has access to most of the medicinal plants that grow in our world.  Her healing talents have been helped by being a woodsman's wife."

Kewero wound a gauzy bandage around Flindra's hand to keep the burn clean.  "That should do, little one.  Are you ready for some tea?"

"I'd love a cup."

"I baked a spiced tea cake for us," Kewero reported as she helped Flindra from the bed and held out her chamber robe.

"That sounds wonderful," Flindra answered as she slipped her arms into the warm robe.  She then put on a pair of slippers.

"Well let's go try some."

Chapter VII, Reading 10

"Duke Bhrag was reagent at the time, so he installed one of his retainers to take over the Barony. He is a puppet for the Duke and a rather uninspiring man."

"So my parents died for nothing."

"Honor is not a nothing, Flindra. Your father did what he thought was best for his people. The barons in Ostar have always been a little independent of the Crown and have acted as a balance of power. Young as he was, your father held a position of influence among the Barons.

"Bherek knew he was destined to be the father of the Heir of King Meldh and he lived his life with honor and courage. He wanted you to be proud of him. If he had run away from all his responsibilities, would you respect him?"

"That's a hard question," Flindra finally answered.

"It is and it isn't quite fair of me to ask it. I do want you to know that Bherek and Andha loved you. They did what they had to, to both keep you safe and to live honorably."

Flindra nodded.

"Andha knew you would be coming to me when you reached adulthood. She helped me acquire the clothing and furniture you have here. She wanted you to have a taste of royalty before you had to seek it. It was a small gift for the child she would never know."

"That was kind of her." Flindra dropped her head and Kewero could see the glistening of tears in her downcast eyes.

"I think we have spoken enough for today. You have heard enough."

Flindra shook her head in mute disagreement. "There is so much to learn, I really ought to continue with my lessons."

"No dear, you need a time of rest to understand what I've told you today. There will be enough time. The Spirit will give that to you. Now let's rest."

Chapter VII, Reading 9

"Your grandfather grew up with a merchant family in Kazat. He knew the sea as you know the forest. His name was Kergar and he was brave and honorable. When he reached manhood, we decided that he needed to disappear and start a life somewhere else. He wanted to do this since he knew the Ansu would seek him and leave his foster parents alone. I connected him with a merchant in Wesperos. He eventually married the merchant's daughter, Anthela. She was rather plain but she had a joyful personality and a quick mind.

"They gave your mother to me shortly after Andha was born. I placed her in the care of a noble family in Ostar. They were childless and welcomed a baby into their home. Shortly after I placed her with them, the Baron's brother was killed, leaving an orphan son to take care of. He retrieved his nephew and the boy was raised with Andha. It was very natural that the two fell in love as they grew into adulthood.
"Your father was a brave and gallant gentleman. His name was Bherek, which means to shine. He was handsome and intelligent and he loved your mother more than life. Before they married, I told them both of her true heritage. Andha was old enough to know of her responsibilities. Bherek needed to know, since he would be in danger if he married her. There was no hesitation in his voice when he declared that no threat could turn his heart away from Andha.

"Bherek was the heir to his uncle's estates. It was not possible for him to disappear and begin a new life elsewhere. He and Andha could only hope that the assassins in league with the Ansu would not find them. They married and were boundlessly happy for several years. Then the attacks started. The assassins had discovered Andha and they tried repeatedly to destroy her and your father.

"Responsibility and pride kept Andha and Bherek from leaving their lands. They learned to live with the constant threat of death. They survived several attacks while Andha was pregnant with you. As soon as you were born, I removed you and placed you with Dakra and Eghero. Our Enemy did not know where you had disappeared to, but they decided to murder your parents anyway. I'm not certain why. Perhaps they wanted to ensure that there would be no more children born to the line of King Meldh. The agents of the Ansu bribed a servant to poison your parents. It was a slow acting poison, which can be administered in small, repetitive doses. They died within hours of each other."

Flindra sobbed and buried her face in her hands. Kewero reached over and pulled her into a motherly embrace. "I'm sorry, Flindra, I truly am."

"What happened to their lands? If honor had not held them to the land, they might still be alive. Was it really worth dying over?"

Chapter VII, Reading 8

Kewero sighed quietly and suddenly looked very old and very, very tired. "Flindra, I wouldn’t be honest with you if I didn't confess that question has haunted me from time to time. History records the greatness of King Meldh, but the words cannot match the man. The King was one of the best human beings this race has ever produced. Queen Kwenth was very much his equal in goodness and wisdom. I loved these two people with all my heart and soul. Gladly, I would have died for them. I, too, have felt moments of burning anger at the loss of this pair."

She closed her eyes for a moment. When she finally continued her voice was low. "With the passage of time I've come to understand things a little better. Although King Meldh was a great and good king, his presence in our world wasn't enough. The allies he needed to fight the Ansu abandoned him and betrayed him to the Enemy. As creatures of free will these men and women had a choice and they acted against the King and against the Spirit."

"Oh. Will it be different this time?"

"The Spirit has worked relentlessly since then to assemble a force of willing helpers for you, Princess Flindra. I want you to also recognize that King Meldh lives through you. He is with you through your memories. I think you will also find that King Meldh is present in a more real way."

"How so?" Flindra asked.

Kewero shook her head. "I don't really understand it, but I think the Spirit has allowed him to maintain a presence in the world. I feel his essence, his spirit, on all the relics he has left for you."

Flindra's eyes were wide with wonder. "Oh," she murmured quietly.

"Any more questions?"

"When King Meldh came to me in my dream and showed me how to use Rigga, he said my mother and father were murdered by the agents of the Ansu. Could you tell me their story?"

"I'm sorry they had to die," Kewero said with feeling and understanding. "I wish you could have known them."

There was a film of tears in Flindra's eyes. "I wish I could have, too."
"They were fine people, Flindra. You can be honestly proud of them. The two generations immediately preceding your birth were the victims of increasing Ansu hostility. I think the Ansu knew the time when the champion was to be born was approaching. I had to place your grandfather, your mother, and you in the care of others to fool their agents.