Month 1, Day 3, 19:30:42; Arvium, Northern Mountains

Aella opened her eyes slowly, seeing the white ceiling staring down at her. Slowly she used a hand to clear the loose hair out of her face. When she turned her head, she saw a woman sitting across from her, a smile on her face. Gentle white curls framed her face, setting off her golden eyes.

The woman was holding her hand, and nodded when Aella started moving to sit up. "Good evening, my dear," she said softly, tapping Aella's hand with her fingers. "You've been asleep for several hours."

Aella moved her hands under the cover, her eyes opening wide when she felt only a thin nightgown covering her body. Her hand slid up her chest and she breathed a sigh of relief when she felt her necklace. She pushed herself up so she was eye to eye with the woman. "Where are my clothes?"

The woman stood, letting Aella's hand rest against the bed. She pointed to the door, and Aella looked around the small room, bare of anything except for a bed and a small dresser. "Through that door and down the hall, drying out. I had to remove them to heal your injuries. Healing spells are less efficient when applied through clothing. Don't worry, I had them cleaned and repaired and they will be returned to you in the morning."

"You saved me?" Aella said, yawning.

She shook her head. "My son was the one who found you and your mentor, Princess. But I am the one who healed your wounds."

Aella frowned. Princess again. She looked into the woman's golden eyes. "Are you an NPC?"

The woman smiled, and shook her head. "No, but we aren't players either. But now isn't the time for that. Do you feel well enough to get up?"

She moved across the room to a dresser, opening the doors. "I have some clothes that you can wear. Once you get dressed, I will take you to get something to eat and you can explore our village. We are celebrating the marriage of two of our members so we are having a celebration. You are more than welcome to attend."

Aella watched her silently, feeling warm despite the thin nightgown she was wearing. The air was warm, and smelled slightly of flowers.

The woman pulled out a golden dress, delicate straps crisscrossing the shoulder area, and tulle flowing from the bodice. Her other hand held simple golden shoes with a ribbon to tie around her legs. "You will look beautiful, my dear."

Aella looked over the golden silk as it shimmered with movement, the fabric moving like golden water. She glanced up at the woman, shaking her head. "I can't wear something like this."

"Nonsense," the woman said, laying the dress on the bed. She motioned for Aella to get out of the bed. "It is simple for such a celebration. And you are our guest. I won't have you looking out of place."

Aella slid out of the covers, placing her feet carefully on the wood floor, slowly shifting her weight to her right leg.

"Is there any pain?"

Aella shook her head. "Thank you," she paused, not knowing the woman's name.

"Marillan," the woman said, smiling at her. "And it is the least I could do. Now, off with that nightgown so I can help you into this dress. I'll fix your hair up as well, and you can go find your mentor."

Aella blushed when Marillan helped pull off her nightgown. She stood there awkwardly, her hands covering herself as much as she could.

"It's fine, dear," Marillan said, reaching to take the dress off of the bed. "It's not something I haven't seen plenty of times in my life. I am the midwife and main healer in this village."

Marillan held the dress up in front of Aella. "Put your hands over head, dear."

Aella gasped as the smooth fabric slid over her body. It fit her well, the hem reaching the floor.

"Let me tie these cords," the woman said, her hand moving in a circular motion.

Aella turned around, glancing down at the dress. It gleamed against her skin, glowing in the rich sunlight that filtered through the curtained window.

"There," Marrilan said with a sigh. "You look beautiful. Now, let's fix that hair. Sit down on the bed."

Aella followed her instructions, feeling the bed shift as the woman sat down next to her. "Would you like it up, or down?"

Aella thought for a moment. "What would look best with this dress?"

Marillan thought for a moment, then pointed the brush at her. "Half-up, and half-down with little braids all throughout it."

Aella smiled. "Then that is how I would like it. Do you have the necessary items?"

The woman laughed. "Yes, dear. I carry all of my medical supplies with me, and I have a separate pouch for personal items. I have two combs I can use."

Aella relaxed as Marrilan moved her hands through Aella's hair, brushing it out.

"Tell me about yourself," Marrilan said quietly.

Aella frowned, glancing down at her bare feet. "I am from Quadrant 56. It is a manufacturing Quadrant on the west continent, the furthest from the Capitol . It is frigid in the winter, but you can still see the stars when the smoke from the factories clear. We have a biodome over the city and Facility and the streets are warmed with solar bricks, so it isn't as cold inside Everything was gray though--made from metal concrete. The only color came from the flags in the center of the Compound, and the Capitol Buildings."

"What were you learning?"

Aella hung her head, pulling it back up when Marrilan lightly tapped her chin with the comb. "I had just taken my final test, and been given the results of my status in the Diplomatic Corps Graduation."

"There, I am finished," Marrilan said. She paused, a heavy sigh escaping from her. "I'm sorry about your home."

Aella turned to face the woman, seeing her downcast eyes and frown. She swallowed hard, speaking past the lump in her throat. "How did you know?"

Marrilan looked down at her, then moved over and sat on the bed. "Come, sit with me."

Aella stood, feeling the soft fabric swish around her legs as she walked. She sat down next to Marrilan, feeling nervous as she saw the thoughtful expression on her face.

Marrilan reached forward and took Aella's hands in her own.

Aella frowned, swallowing. But she relaxed and tilted her head, looking into the woman's eyes. Something about the woman was comforting.

Marrilan smiled softly then she leaned forward. "I know because I am Trinity, my dear."

Aella froze. The Trinity soldier had wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from the bullets. She remembered the cold, and how warm his arms had been around her. She looked into Marrilan's eyes, seeing the same golden hue as his had been.

"One of them saved me," she said.

Marrilan nodded. "We came to save Earth, and we were captured, beaten, taken into captivity. Our queen was taken, our king murdered, and our princess is dead. What few that escaped are called rebels, and are blamed for the Founder's revenge against Quadrants who act out of line. We save everyone we can, but everyday it becomes harder. Every day more join us in this prison. We are kept in this valley because of our queen's sacrifice, but our bodies are imprisoned in the pods. I am sorry we could not save more of your quadrant. Many of our own were killed in the battle." A tear slid down her cheek, and Aella reached forward, using her finger to wipe it away.

Her own chest was heavy, and she swallowed the lump in her throat, biting her tongue to keep her own tears from falling.

Marrilan stood, pulling Aella up from the bed to face her.

Aella looked down at the smaller woman, seeing only pain in her eyes. "Why do you call me Princess?"

Marrilan's face turned serious, her mouth in a straight line. "I have seen it in the short time I have watched you--you have the mind of the wolf, the soul of a leader, and the heart of the phoenix. And now," she said, looking Aella up and down, giving her a small smile. "You look like a queen."

Aella smiled, lowering her eyes.

"But in truth, it is because of the tattoo on your arm, and the necklace you wear around your neck."

Aella's hand reached up to touch Chloe's necklace and she looked the woman in the eyes, shaking her head. "I don't understand."

Marrilan nodded. "My son will explain it to you soon enough." She stepped away, taking a deep breath. "Come with me, and let me show you what Trinity really is."

Aella glanced down at the tattoo on her arm, rubbing it with her fingers.

"I'm not ready for any of this," Aella whispered, looking up at her. "I wasn't supposed to be here. I never wanted this."

"Come, dear," Marrilan said, moving to the door. "Let go of your troubles. Tonight is for celebrating. Tomorrow will come, and you can face your future with a fresh day, and a fresh start." Marrilan smiled, dimples appearing on her cheeks. "Your guard is waiting for you outside, and I must say, he can be quite impatient."

Aella nodded, her hands falling to her side. She stepped forward, walking through the open door and following after Marrilan. She paused just outside of the door when she saw the same golden-eyed, black haired man from before. He was dressed in simple white pants and a white flowing shirt underneath a sleeveless blue tunic with intricate gold, navy, and white embroidery on its edges.

He bowed when he saw them, a smile lighting up his face.

"I'll leave you two alone," Marrilan said, walking past him and down the hallway to an open-air doorway.

Aella watched her go, then turned her attention to the man. "You're the wraith, aren't you?"

He nodded. "My name is Bringer of Death, but you can call me Garron."