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shock, or if it’s possible you’re really
taking all of this so well.”
    Brow
furrowing, Allos looked up from his plate finally, looking to Lena. His query
remained silent. Before Lena could say anything about what had happened in the
Church, Aryaunna answered.
    “It’s
not something I can explain easily. I trust the Guardians. I can feel their
connection to Mayla. I know that my sister is in good hands.” To satisfy Lena,
Aryaunna picked up a slice of fruit she did not recognize and took a bite. It
was cut and textured like melon, but marbled blue and bright red. The flavor
exploded in her mouth, sweet yet fluorescent.
    “Eat
well, Aryaunna. Your day sees no end soon. You need your strength,” Allos
reminded as he returned to his own plate. He made no comment of the Guardians
or anything else.
    “That’s
what worries me.” Looking down to her plate full of food, she finished the
melon as a sense of worry built in her stomach.
    A
sideways shrug of his head lifted his shoulders. “Better a day see no end than
no beginning.”

 
    “It
doesn’t matter if she’s ready or not, Allos, nor does the state of her sister. Regrettable
as it may be.” Mayla sighed heavily. “Will you stay with the girl Elizabeth?”
Mayla questioned with a knowing affliction. Allos nodded. “Thank you, Allos.
Aryaunna does not have the allowance of worry for her sister’s safety now.”
    “She’s
ready. She’s the one. I have no doubt she’ll make it-” Lena started.
    “To
the mountain? Or to Him? If she’s not, and she does find Him, she may be going
to her death. If she doesn’t find Him then she’s dead anyway.” Allos paced
himself into a corner as the possibilities raced through his head. He believed
in the prophecy. What if they were wrong though, and something were to happen
to her?
    “Have
faith, Allos. We must have faith,” Mayla reassured him. Placing her hands down
onto Allos’ shoulders she whispered a spell to soothe his worry.

    “Allos
warned me that my day would see no end soon. I suppose he was being more
literal than I realized.” Aryaunna tried to force a smile as she finished
lacing the tall boots Korena had given to her.
    Mayla
stood just behind her, preparing a tonic. “Indeed. You must not fear this
journey, Aryaunna. This tonic will keep you strong.”
    “I
am not afraid. But how will I know I am going the right way?” Standing up, she
lifted a thick brown belt from the table where fresh clothes and things had
been placed for her. The only remaining items had been the belt, and a long
blade. Her gaze rest on it for a long moment before sliding it into the sheath.
    “Trust
your instincts. The Guardians will guide you, and Allos will be here to watch
over your sister. He’s sworn himself to protect her. You must understand you do
not have the luxury to worry over her now. You must find Him immediately.”
Coming up beside her as Aryaunna straightened, Mayla placed the stone cup into
her hands. “Drink, my dear.”
    Raising
the mug to her lips, she drank deeply of a thick liquid that sent tingles down
her throat. “I trust Allos, and you.” Mayla’s head tilted, a pondering in her
eye as a warm smile graced her lips. “Does that surprise you? That I trust you
so? I know Lena doesn’t understand.”
    “No.
Those like us can feel the gift of the Guardians in others. I was actually
thinking about your mother. When I knew her, she was just your age.” Mayla took
the cup, setting it down on the now barren table.
    “Tell
me something about her. I never got to know her.”
    “She
was beautiful.” Mayla smiled, perhaps at a memory.
    “I
dream of her sometimes. Elizabeth looks like her.”
    “Yes,
she does. You have her hair, and her heart, though. Her heart was her greatest
strength, and still yet her greatest weakness. I see the same affinity in you.”
These were Mayla’s parting words as she walked Aryaunna from the small cottage,
outside. Aryaunna had seen her sister before meeting