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body.
    Then Drew placed a kiss on her forehead and Sorran one on her shoulder and one of them whispered to her, “Sleep.” And she did.
    * * * * *
    Bram glanced toward his brothers and shook his head. After an entire day of talking they had finally calmed everyone down and made them see the increased importance of moving quickly to unite everyone in one central location on the island. As soon as possible the warriors would be leaving to ensure that their families and villagers began the trek toward the palace that had once been known as the Temple of the Goddess of Altair. It was what had to be done. At least until the mystic’s call sounded and the Island Guardians united. But that was one thing that Bram couldn’t tell the warriors. Not if he wanted them to accept him and his brothers as the new leadership.
    “So where do we go from here?” Finn questioned, automatically turning to the brother who happened to leave the womb first, Bram.
    And just as always Bram took the lead and set the course for them all. “I think it best if we split up for just a bit. I think one of us should head back to the palace, see if Mother is there, and speak with Father. One of us should travel with the men from village to village and oversee the moving of our people. And one should remain here to ensure that no one is left behind or allowed to change their minds about how important this is.”
    “And which do you suggest that I do?” Finn asked matter-of-factly.
    “I’d like you to go to the palace and deal with ensuring its readiness for the influx of people headed that way.” Bram turned to Tanner next.
    “You want me to go from village to village?” Tanner asked.
    “No. I’ll do that. I think of all of us you are perhaps the most persuasive and easygoing. It will be best if you stay here and oversee everything.”
    “You really think it should be me to stay?” Tanner seemed surprised at this but Bram just smiled and nodded.
    “You have the charisma, the charm. Our warriors trust in you and you will be able to reassure them with calm. I am more of a strategist so I am best placed in the villages. And Finn is a born organizer, so obviously he should be at the palace.” Bram looked at both of his brothers and they all nodded in agreement. “The last village I will head to is the one in the east where Mother sent Farrah , and where the Guardian of Earth is. You should both meet me there to assure the safety of the Guardians.”
    “And what of Alea ?” Finn asked.
    “We have to trust in what Mother said, that the Xandova have arrived to take care of her.” Bram shook his head wearily as if the weight of the world were on his shoulders, or perhaps just that of one small island. “I pray to the goddess that Mother is well.”
    “She will be fine, Bram,” Tanner said with confidence that didn’t quite make it into his eyes. They all knew that their mother could care for herself, but none of them was exactly sure of what she might do in her grief over the death of her husband and mate, Prince Micah.
    “We should all pray to the goddess that you are right,” Bram stated quietly.
    No one said anything for a long moment until finally Tanner broke in. “And what of the Guardians? Any ideas of what we should prepare for? Of where the next few days will even lead us?”
    “No,” both Bram and Finn answered at once and all three brothers broke the tension with a laugh.
    “There is no preparing for this. We can only watch and wait and jump in if and when we are required to.” Bram’s voice was quiet but filled with a resolve to do what their mother had prepared them for.
    “And if one should die,” Finn murmured and they all looked at one another. “Are either of you prepared to die for a Guardian?”
    “I don’t know,” Bram said quietly. “I just don’t know.”
    And it was Tanner who looked both of his brothers in the eyes and said with no hesitation, “I would protect them with my last breath. For my people,