I knew Hona was as unsettled with the situation with Jonga as I was. Not even minutes of being named queen and I was already facing the burdens. Perhaps Baria's last words had merit after all.

One who slays me will inherit the burdens of the divine.

I was beginning to see what she meant before I pressed the knife to her throat. There certainly were burdens for those who inherited the divine and queen's title.

I thrust open the doors to the throne room. Staring at the empty throne, I imagined Baria on it from the first time I saw her. Strong, powerful, like a blizzard storm. Her honey hair straightened, falling to her sides. Her eyes piercing and mocking, yet lifeless.

I climbed the dais, sitting hard on the stone throne. I wished she had picked something a little more comfortable. Cold stone touched my back. No wonder she wore furs, it was frigid. Gooseflesh pricked my skin. I had no idea how Baria could sit in such a thing for so long either. Hona walked in from the entry.

All the questions came rushing back.

"Do you think he will return?" I questioned, my heart racing.

"I honestly do not know," he responded, standing in front of the dais. "Jonga has always been one to stay true to his word, but..."

"But?"

"I've never seen him like this."

From Hona's uncertainty and my own, I worried the villager who claimed death was marching was telling the truth.

I scuffed. "What are we to do?" I asked, my voice straining. "I hardly know who he speaks of and what it is!"

"The Rabaka," Hona said, using the name Jonga had when he was torturing me. His face blanched and I watched as he swallowed a lump in his throat.

"What is it?" I was afraid of the answer.

Hona sighed, and shook his head. "I don't know how to explain it to you."

"You must try," I encouraged. "I have to know what we are up against. The people of Udan's lives are at stake. There must be a resolve to the issue."

"I'm not sure if there is one."

"Hona," I whispered, desperate for an answer, "please tell me what you can. There isn't time to waste."

"You will not like what I tell you," he said, deflecting his answer. "The information I hold is unwelcomed. As Udanians we don't prefer to speak of it."

"I need to know," I ordered. "I must protect Udan like Baria protected it. It is my role here as queen."

"Perhaps it's not for you to deal with."

Not for me to deal with. Even though the crown was passed to me.

"I refuse to stand by idly and not act! I am not like Baria. I will not live in ignorance."

"I know."

I sighed. "I am a part of Udan. I should know of the dangers that hide."

"You're right." His voice came out a whisper.

I couldn't help smiling. He removed his black blouse and pointed to the tattoo on his chest. My body ignited as I stared at it. In the river, I saw it before. It was a wolf howling at a blackened moon from the looks of it. The same brand Qia wore on her hand. I swallowed hard, trying not to stare long.

"I am sure you have wondered about this."

"I have," I answered. "Qia mentioned it was a brand Baria gave."

"It is," he acknowledged, his face unwavering. "But it is also more than that."

"What do you mean?"

"This is the mark of the Guardian," he explained. "A silver beast protecting Udan. Baria was given its divine power and acted as a vessel. They protected each other. One could not exist without the other."

"Is that why she was aging?"

"She never said," he said. "But she made it seem like it was."

The Guardian disappeared and Jonga claimed to have killed it. Perhaps Baria's death was only possible because of the two.

"Jonga mentioned the beast was..."

"Dead," he finished.

These people were in more danger than I thought. My hands shook as I drew sweat away from my forehead. I took a deep breath and tried to contain my emotions. Now wasn't the time to let fear gain control.

"What of the Rabaka?"

"What of it?"

"Tell me its meaning," I ordered.

He huffed. "In our native tongue, it means 'the Power'. The Rabaka is a group of unknown participants that have always wanted one thing: to harness the Power the Guardian holds."

A Power. One that Baria had. I remembered when she healed me before.

"What power does it possess?"

He looked at me. "Mara, this is going to be a lot to take in," he began. "Perhaps it would be better to discuss how to save Udan rather than the history of the Rabaka. I know in time you'll need to know more, and I will tell you, but for now, our people's safety should be top priority."

As much as I wanted to argue with him, I knew he was right. There was no time to learn. We had to come up with a plan fast in order to save Udan. I feared what would happen if the Rabaka was to come here. Their name sent chills down my spine.

"Can we ask for aid?" I pinched the skin between my brows. "Does Udan have any allies?"

"Udan hasn't had any allies for years because of Baria," he explained. "No one will defend us in our time of need. We are secluded from the rest of the world and those who do know of us know us as savages."

No one knew of Udan. We were in worse trouble than I expected.

I cursed, shaking my head. "What are we going to do?"

He sighed. "I don't know. I'm not sure who we could count on at this point."

I thought back to our conversation in the tower. Jonga had called me it many times and so did Baria. I wondered if this entire time Baria was telling me something. She said that I didn't know anything about myself, but what if the answer to who I was was within my reach the entire time. I thought back to the river and what they claimed was beyond it.

"What about Kaija?"

Hona winced then laughed like I was telling a joke. "Kaija?" he repeated, appalled.

I nodded. "I know you have stated they are your enemies but from what we know they are the closest and may be able to help us when the Rabaka strikes."

He fell silent. Asking for their enemies hand in our troubles was a risk. I knew he knew that.

"Hona?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think?"

He groaned. "I defended you and Kaijans," he began. "I could see how making an alliance with them could be beneficial."

I nodded. "I'm glad."

"Baria believed in you, so I do."

Sparks pricked my back. I couldn't believe the words I heard. "What?"

"Before she died, she mentioned her rule was coming to an end. She stated you may very well be her successor," he explained. "Of course I had no idea she knew that you were going to kill her, but thinking back to our conversation, it is apparent that she knew of her demise."

"I am speechless." I recalled the conversation with Baria before she died. Baria always had a plan. She let me kill her. She told me I would understand one day.

The queen of stone wished to be dethroned. I couldn't fathom why. I wondered if it had something to do with the Rabaka or the Guardian.

"If Baria had belief in you, I trust in your plan."

Baria believed in me. Despite the torture I succumbed to and the pain I was subjected to. If Baria believed me to be queen, I would make the decisions of one.

"How would we get to Kaija?"

"I am unsure," he whispered. "Few have gone there. The only villager allowed outside the walls is Bent. He collects river rocks to make spears."

Bent wouldn't be one to know the route to Kaija. I recalled the conversation Baria had with the man, Arawn.

"Awarn mentioned people were traveling through Kaija," I explained. "He has a trading route that leads through there."

"Then we should visit with him and see if he can tell us anything."

Hona and I made our way through the village and stopped at the door leading to Arawn's home. I knew I wasn't his favorite person but time waited for no one when answers needed to be found. I took a deep breath and turned to Hona.

"Hopefully he knows."

"If not, we will find a way," he declared. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "I promise, Mara."

I smiled, blushing as his hand fell from mine, and took the steps and opened the door without knocking. I knew Baria did the same, showing up uninterrupted. I hoped it would show Arawn that I meant business.

We stood in the middle of Arawn's shop. It looked practically the same as before. Perhaps since I wasn't starved, I did not notice the smell of venison hanging in the air. Arawn walked out, his yellow eyes flickering.

"Ah, Kaijan Queen," he said, nodding. He looked me over. I thought he would snarl at me in disgust, but his gaze was fond. "What brings you here?" He was a part of the uproar when Hona announced I was to take Baria's place.

"I remember you were Baria's advisor," I started, looking around his home once more. It was decorated beautifully for a man within the village of Udan. Unlike the other homes, it was built nicely, standing tall. "And I had questions for you."

"Ah, you seek the same advice as she. Since I am bound by divine law and I believe in the Guardian, I am at your service."

At my service, yet moments ago he was threatening me.

"No," I spat. "The fact that you've lied to your people makes you untrustworthy but I have no option but to ask this one thing of you."

His eyes widened then he cocked his head. "Then what brings you here?"

I walked toward the counter on the other side, placing my hand on it. A variety of treasures hid behind the glass. What caught my eye was a silver canteen, a skull of an animal, a rusted sword and some small trinkets such as a quill, stone, and shard of iron. Hona stood behind me, on guard, searching around the home. It appeared he had never been to Arawn's. I wondered if his home was as elegant as this.

"I have come to ask you about the way to Kaija."

He nodded then shook his head as if he couldn't make up his mind. "I am afraid I have no idea how to get there."

I snapped my head toward him. "But you send soldiers."

He waved his hand in a gesture."Right, soldiers. They know the path. I, on the other hand, do not."

Soldiers he sent to the Keeps to recover iron. Baria claimed to have used them for her own luxuries.

"Have they returned?"

"No," he answered. "They never did. Such a shame. We need the iron to hold our trades with the Keeps of Law."

I sighed, trying not to get off track. It seemed we made the wrong decision coming to this ignorant man. "I am sorry to hear that."

"What are we to do now?" Hona questioned, pulling me aside with his voice.

I turned back to him. "We have to find the way to Kaija before it's too late."

Arawn interrupted, eavesdropping. He stepped forward with a raised brow. His eyes flickered inquisitively. "Why Kaija if I may ask you, queen Mara?"

I turned back at him, staring. He looked attentive, paying attention to every word I had to say. It wasn't certain what his intentions were. I recalled the malice in his voice the first time we met. He truly never expected me to usurp Baria.

"I don't trust you with that information."

He nodded. "Queen Mara, may I have your ear for a moment?" he asked, gesturing with his hand toward the kitchen. "It'll only be a moment I swear this to you."

I stood my ground. I couldn't trust him alone. "Not without Hona."

He raised a brow, his eyes insensitive. "He will be right outside the door. If something were to happen, he would hear." He confirmed what I was thinking.

I stared at Hona and he nodded. I stepped into the kitchen with Arawn. It was a small kitchen compared to the one in the castle. The counters were made of wood and the walls were not as luxurious as the ones in the front room. The smell of venison was heavier in the air. A small window, nearing the wooden stove, let in a beam of light. I was curious as to what the rest of the house looked like but put the thought aside. I knew focusing on the path to Kaija and saving the Udanians was the best course of action.

"What is it?"

"I know we did not get off on the right foot," he started. "But please know that I am not used to this."

"To what?"

"A new power," he said. "A new queen."

I blinked, unsure where he was going with this.

"Baria and I have been on the same side for as long as I can remember," he began. "And before me, my father, and his were by her side. For centuries, my family has served the queen of Udan. Those treasures hidden behind the glass were passed down by generations. Relics from history tell stories older than time. They hold the tale of Baria and Udan. Our homeland's entirety is behind that glass."

"I see." My voice was cold and anything but understanding.

He sighed, annoyed. "I was callous to you because I was threatened," he explained. "There's no denying that but now, I serve the queen of Udan and her alone. Since you are now the queen, I am at your service. Just like Queen Baria."

"Why are you telling me this?"

He cleared his throat. "To build trust."

The effort he made wouldn't be forgotten.

I nodded. "Perhaps in time there could be."

He walked back out of the room and returned later with a strange object. He set it into my hand. The silver gleamed with the little light. It was cold against my flesh. "This is from Baria's satchel," he explained. "It is a canteen. Baria had it before she even had the title of Queen."

I shriveled my nose. "Why is this in my hand?"

"It is yours now," he declared, gesturing with his hands. "Call it trust."

"I don't understand."

"History holds importance to me, Queen Mara, and you are a part of history. Since that crown has touched your head, you are now the new queen of Udan. That in time will be history as well. I wish to be a part of it so when the time comes, my family generations later can have knowledge of what happened to Udan. And so, I give to you this piece of history as a truce and an act of trust."

I looked down at the rusted silver then to him. "Thank you. I shall take good care of it."

"And thank you, Queen Mara," he replied, bowing. "Thank you for lending me your ear as well." He appeared to be groveling.

We walked out of the kitchen. Hona's eye met mine then wandered to Arawn. He smiled widely, waving to us.

"Until our next conversation," he said with another bow. His eyes glimmered with mystery. "Have a marvelous day."

Hona and I exited the house and made our way back into the village. I stared at the canteen as we walked, thinking of the conversation between Arawn and me.

I never imagined him to hold much respect for objects. He was a confusing man and I wasn't sure if I would ever get a proper feeling of who he was. One moment he was on Baria's side, the next mine. I wondered what would happen if I was to be dethroned. Arawn appreciated history and would probably bend to the new queen's feet, kissing them like he kissed my arse.

I looked away from the canteen, a looming feeling of defeat creeping. I wasn't sure how we were going to find Kaija but knew that we needed to find it fast. I stared at the canteen in my hand. Baria had it at some point. She was the founder of Udan and before, long before, she mated with a Kaijan.

"What is that?"

"History," I replied simply, staring at it once more.

Hona and I made our way back to the castle. Silence walked with us. The village was quiet despite the freedom in the air. The sun burned down from the clear skies, yet, the air was frigid and cold. I shivered, staring at the castle as we approached the entry.

"I know where we should look," I whispered.

"Where?"

"Are there any records or written histories in the library?"

Hona nodded, staring at the ground. I couldn't understand his change in expression. He looked sullen. "There are."

I stared off toward the wall. Jonga was on my mind and I feared he'd stride in once again. The canteen felt heavy in my hand. I thought of what Arawn said. That this was going to be a part of history. We had to do our best for the generations to come.

"It's the best chance we have."