The next morning Lena awoke to sunlight streaming in through her window. She stood up, realizing that she had fallen asleep in the dress she had worn the previous evening. She walked to the closet, searching through it until she discovered a tunic-like brown shirt and a pair of pants that were seemingly made from the same fabric. Lena slipped out of the dress and donned the more casual clothing. Once she was dressed she quickly ran a hand through her black hair attempting to tame it, and left her room.

As she walked down the hallway Lena pondered how dark the halls were compared to the rooms. The halls were dark, save for the faint light of torches along the walls and tiny patches of light from narrow, high windows near the ceiling. The first hallway gave way to more hallways and after what seemed like hours, Lena finally found a door that led to the outside. There was a gentle breeze that danced around Lena. Lena turned and began walking around the side of the castle. The more Lena saw of it, the more she realized that it was built almost like a fortress. Though much of the castle was made of wood, there were large sections made of stone with vines climbing the walls.

Lena slowly wandered through the small cluster of buildings that stood near the castle. Several people bustled in and out of the buildings, some giving Lena a curious glance as she passed, but most of them seemed to be too absorbed in what they were doing to pay attention to her. Just then, Lena heard a voice call out behind her.

"Princess Lena!" She turned to see Cyran jogging to meet her.

"Hello," Lena replied when Cyran had reached her.

"I have been looking for you!" Cyran panted, resting a hand on his side. "You must start your training today!"

"Training? What training?" Lena asked.

"Battle training. I was told that attacks have already been made against you. Katya asked for you to start training in archery and bladework as soon as possible. Your instructors are already waiting," Cyran said. "I didn't anticipate having to locate you before your lesson." Cyran narrowed his eyes at Lena, but Lena could detect an amused smile lurking at the corners of Cryan's mouth.

"Well then, lead the way," Lena said.

"We just have one stop to make on the way," Cyran said, turning and leading Lena through the cluster of buildings.

Lena looked curiously at the buildings as she passed each one. Most of the structures were wooden huts of varying sizes, but the last building in the line was the largest. It was made of gray stone and had two stone chimneys from which plumes of smoke issued. As they approached the building, the scent of fresh woodsmoke greeted them.

"Welcome to the armory," Cyran said, opening the door and gesturing for Lena to enter.

The armory was lit by the sunlight through several windows, but most of the interior light came from two large fires on either side of the large room. As Lena entered a muscular woman rose from a stool by one fire to meet them.

"Cyran! Who ya got with ya today?" the woman asked, looking Lena up and down. "I don't recall seeing ya here before."

"I'm Lena," Lena informed her.

"Lena... ya don't mean...," the woman's eyes widened and she immediately dropped into a low bow. "Princess! It really is you! I was told ya had returned! Braern! Get over here! It's the princess!"

A man Lena hadn't noticed before turned from his fire and rushed to kneel beside the woman.

"Welcome home Princess!" the man, Braern, said in a deep voice.

"Ah... please get up! I'm not used to people bowing to me! You really don't need to!" Lena said, feeling slightly awkward. Braern and the woman stood up before the woman spoke again.

"My name is Zaleria. What can I do for ya today? Ya here for armor? Weaponry?"

"Weaponry and archery armor" Cyran spoke up, seeing Lena looking blankly at Ashryn.

"Well then, what kind of weaponry are ya looking for?" Zaleria gestured to a wall that was covered in bows, swords, daggers, spears and a number of other weapons that Lena wasn't sure she could name.

"A simple sword and a bow," Cyran said.

"Ah yes, I make all the bladed weaponry. As for the bows, Braern makes them and can help ya with them. Come with me." Zaleria led Lena and Cyran back toward the fire she had been seated near when they had entered.

"I have several new swords, just made recently. Maybe one of them will do ya for now, and in time I can make ya your own special blade. I didn't know ya were coming, so I'm afraid I don't have a blade quite worthy of a princess at the moment," Zaleria said, pulling a long, thin sword from a rack.

"Don't worry about it. Until very recently I had no idea I even was a princess," Lena replied, taking the sword Zaleria handed her.

"Hold it up like so," Zaleria said, demonstrating for Lena to hold the sword up in front of her in a defensive stance. Lena copied the movement, and Zaleria stepped back to look at her.

"Hmmm... That one looks a tad bit long for ya. How is the weight?" Zaleria asked.

"It's not heavy," Lena replied, watching as Zaleria poked through another shelf of blades, searching for something.

"How about this one?" Zaleria handed Lena a second sword. This one was wider than the first, but shorter. Lena mimicked the same stance as before and Zaleria nodded.

"That one looks better. How's it feel?" Zaleria asked, moving Lena's arm to create different positions, looking at each one carefully.

"It's light enough that I can move it, and it's short enough for me I think," Lena said. "To be honest though, I really know nothing about swords except that they're sharp and they are weapons."

"I think this one will do well for ya now. Once ya learn how to wield it, then we will see about making one for ya special. Now then, just gotta get ya your archery armor and then Braern here will get ya your bow."

Just then a small door in the back of the shop opened and two young children ran in.

"Mama! I got the tool you wanted!" A boy that Lena guessed was the older of the two said. The younger one ran to Braern and deposited a pile of feathers on his table then ran back to hug Ashryn.

"Are you and Braern married?" Lena asked, the idea suddenly connecting as she watched the two children.

"Yes. These are our children. The young one is Ayen and this is Ryllae." Zaleria said, gesturing to the little girl and boy in turn.

"Nice to meet you," Lena said with a small wave.

"Who is this Mama?" Ayen asked in a soft voice.

"She's the princess. Princess Lena has returned to Erinaea," Zaleria said. Ayen's eyes lit up.

"The princess? She's pretty!" Lena couldn't help but laugh quietly and blush at Ayen's comment.

"Are you getting a sword? I'm learning to fight! Are you learning? Can I watch you train?" Ryllae asked.

"You can watch if your parents let you and if Lena wants you to," Cyran said, "But first the princess needs a bow."

"You can watch, but I know nothing about fighting yet, so you'll probably be much better than I am," Lena said offering a smile to Ryllae.

"You can watch if you finish your work as soon as you get back," Braern said.

"Oooh yes!" Ayen said, excitedly running to her father and whispering something to him.

"Let me see your arm," Zaleria said, drawing Lena's attention back to her. Lena extended her arm and Ashryn placed a gauntlet of soft leather on Lena's forearm, securing it with a plant fiber string.

"This should work well for training. Once ya get your real armor there will be a better one. Now then, try this on," Ashryn handed Lena a delicate leather glove. The inside was lined with a very soft fur and Lena was amazed at how comfortably it fit.

"Now that you've got that, ya should be set. Braern will get your bow and arrows now. It was a pleasure to meet you Princess," Zaleria said.

"Thank you," Lena said, then followed Cyran to where Braern stood looking at a selection of bows.

"This one looks about the right height," Braern said, pulling down an elegantly curved bow. The smooth wood gleamed in the firelight as he handed it to Lena. Lena took it and looked at Braern, not having the slightest idea what to do next.

"Hold it here with this hand," Braern instructed, directing Lena to grip a small handhold. "Now pull the string back and slowly put it back in place. Don't let go."

Lena did as she was directed, surprised by the power of the bow she held. Just pulling the string back took more effort than she expected.

"The size is good. You'll get stronger with training so you'll be able to draw more easily soon," Braern said. "Now you need your arrows and you should be set to go. Thank you for allowing my children to watch you today, they are very appreciative."

"I hope I don't disappoint them," Lena said. Braern offered her several lengths of arrows before finally deciding and giving Lena a quiver of six arrows.

"Thank you for the help," Cyran said, nodding to Zaleria and Braern as Lena slipped her sword into a sheath Zaleria handed her and secured it at her hip. Lena slung her quiver over one shoulder and picked up her bow.

"Thank you for everything, see you again," Lena said as Ayen and Ryllae ran to her side. The children waved to their parents as the four of them left the armory and headed toward the back of the castle.

"I have something for you," Ayen piped up after several moments of walking at Lena's side. "I had Papa help me make it!" Ayen revealed an arrow she had been hiding in a fold in her shirt and gave it to Lena.

"Thank you Ayen! It's beautiful." Lena inspected the arrow, marveling at the fletchings which were made of a brilliant blue feather.

"Aria let me take some feathers!" Ayen said, pointing to the fletchings. "Do you know her? She's Enigma's thunderbird! Do you know Enigma?"

"I know them," Lena said.

"We're here!" Cyran announced, opening a gate into a small courtyard. Lena entered, followed by Cyran, Ayen and Ryllae. Lena looked around at the training yard. There were several benches on one side. Along two perpendicular sides there were rows of targets, and in the center were two people Lena was slightly surprised to see.

Ayen and Ryllae ran past Lena to take a seat on one of the benches to watch, waving at the two people in the center of the yard. Enigma smiled and waved back. At her side, Etna's expression was emotionless as her eyes met Lena's.