I waited for the crowd to disperse before entering the castle. Qia helped the volunteers inside and while Hona made sure the soldiers helped the villagers home. We had no idea when the Rabaka's attack was going to come but did not want to risk it.

I stared at the village and the wall, imagining Jonga on the other side. His onyx eyes, ruthless, and staring into mine. We were entangled in an imaginary stare until Hona walked over. The soldiers had left with the villagers, helping them home. I wanted them to be as safe as possible. There was not much knowledge on the Rabaka and I didn't know what power they possessed. The image of Jonga disappeared as Hona's eyes met mine. There was a mutual greeting as we walked into the castle. He threw open the doors to the throne room. The group waited within.

One whistled, another had their head hung low, and most were looking around the room in wonder. I almost forgot many men and women had not had the pleasure to see the castle from the inside.

They parted as I entered the circle they created and rejoined as I sat at the cold throne. I smiled, thinking about how history was about to be made.

"I call this meeting to order," I began. "State your name and your reasoning for waiting to come to Kaija."

The first to respond was the woman with short brown hair. She blinked, and placed her hands at her sides. "Since no man wants to be first to step forward, I will," she said, stepping near the dais. She bore no smile, and there was a seriousness about her.

"Welcome," I answered. "I saw you were first to answer my call."

She nodded. "I was. You have freed me from Baria, and with my newfound freedom, I only want to serve you."

"I thank you for that."

"I ask of you, Queen Mara, if you let me join in this quest for honor."

"What is your name?" I called.

"I call myself Rodi," she answered, a lump visible in her throat. "But I do not remember the name my birth parents gave to me."

"You appear to be young," I stated. "May I ask how old you are?"

"I am of age," she answered. "Old enough to be on my own and make my own decisions."

I cocked my head to the side. "Where are your parents?"

"In the ground," she answered, swallowing the lump. "Dead."

I jolted, surprised by how calm she was. "May I overstep and question what happened?"

"You may," she agreed. "They were farmers that worked for Baria. She did not leave enough of the harvest for my family so my parents gave to me their proportions. In time, they starved and died."

"I am so sorry."

"It was years ago," she whispered. "No need to extend an apology, I hardly remember them."

I didn't want to press further and bring memories back to her. "Does anyone care for you now?"

"At one time someone did," she started. "Two women I knew. They would steal for me. But one day, they never came back. From what I heard, they were taken by Queen Baria and sent to work in the castle."

My eyes widened and I gasped. This was the girl that Tiroa had killed for and Qia had stolen for. I imagined the girl she spoke of to be dead, but here she was. Alive and well.

"Thank you for explaining this," I answered, trying not to lose my composure. "I know that must have been a hard thing to talk about."

"If it's to serve you, I would talk about it again and again."

"You are eager and full of life," I said with a smile. "I would be glad to have you join me on the quest to Kaija."

She bowed. "Thank you."

"Outside these doors is a woman that needs to speak with you," I whispered. "Please return at sunrise with a weapon of choice."

She bowed once more. "Thank you, Queen Mara."

"We will meet at the stables."

Rodi left the room. I could imagine the look on Qia's face when she saw her. I wished I could see the joy. Qia deserved this.

"Anyone else wishing to venture step forward."

The balding man I had seen before stepped forward. He had spoken from within the crowd, agreeing to join her. "Hello, my dear, Queen," he began, his voice rugged, full of age with a lick of sarcasm even when he was not using it. "I have been more than excited to speak with you."

A very interesting man. He reminded me of the way Arawn spoke.

"Speak then," I demanded. "State your name and why you wish to travel. I already mentioned I do not have all day."

He blinked, tucking his hands behind his back before starting. "Yes, yes, ruthless and in a hurry. You are just like in a way, my dear, you don't sit on your arse like she did," he responded in an odd manner.

"The queen said state your name," Hona growled.

He looked at him with an amused expression then back at me. "I am Lenox. I was a great help to Queen Baria back in the earlier days."

"How so?" I tilted my head, staring at Lenox with fascination.

The man placed a hand into his trousers and pulled out a vial. Hona stepped forward, holding his spear out. The vial was like the one Jonga was holding. I feared that this man could have been a member of the Rabaka. My heart raced as Hona moved the spear closer to his face. Lenox's dull eyes widened as he blinked.

The man blinked again before bursting into laughter. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "A big pointy stick." He reached out and touched the tip of the spear.

"You were given an order," Hona spat.

"Don't lose your temper," Lenox reminded, laughing still. "I was just about to show the queen my special skill." Despite his age, his humor was stunted to an adolescent.

"Humor me," I ordered with a wave of my other hand. I was fansicated yet concerned.

He nodded, popping the cork on the vial. A whirl of colors sprang from inside the contents of the bottle, clouding into the room in violets and blues. The man's gray eyes brightened as everyone beheld the scene.

The magic within formed into a cloud before combusting, flowing through the room like a shooting star. It passed by the others in waiting before reaching Hona's face. The rapid moving magic touched his nose before it crackled and disappeared from the room.

"Magic!" he blurted. "An export from the land of Kair in the north-east!"

I gaped. "I—"

Hona returned his spear to his side. He was tense from the look of his chest and shoulders.

This was parlor tricks, not a greater magic. This man was nothing but a child stuck in the body of an elder! He would be no harm. If he helped Baria like he so claimed, he could be a great asset to me on the quest.

"Meet us at the stables," I declared, making a decision. "And do not be late."

Lenox whooped as he closed the vial with a cork. He bowed to me before turning and sticking out his tongue to Hona. I couldn't help laughing as Hona blinked in confusion and stewed in anger. Lenox walked out of the room still cheering.

"Dari," I said, turning to the wiry boy. "Since I have already spoken to you, please just meet me at the stables when it's sunrise."

He bowed and walked past the others.

"If any of you wish to not come please leave now," I whispered. "This will be a dangerous journey." Three left, leaving two.

Arawn looked around. I honestly had not expected him to show. Perhaps he was serious when he mentioned he wanted to earn my trust.

"Arawn," I said, amused. "I am interested to know why Baria's advisor is here right now."

"For once, redemption," he replied. "For a chance or change."

A change. Many changes would come with this journey. One more wouldn't hurt.

"I accept," I replied. "Everyone deserves a chance in this new dawn."

"Thank you, Queen Mara." Arawn nodded, turning and bowing before exiting. The doors echoed once more. I straightened, keeping my eye on the last man in the room.

"Last one," the last man chirped, taking a step forward. "I was hoping to speak with you alone." I recognized him from somewhere but couldn't remember where.

"Hona is here," I answered. "And he will not leave."

He laughed. "I won't dare ask him to leave. He is your protector! I know how it is to protect your own."

"I can protect myself," I answered with a smile, shifting my gaze toward him. "But I enjoy his company."

Hona suppressed a smile as the man's mouth fell open.

"Name," I ordered.

"Makaio," he answered. "I am a father."

The black hair, I knew it well. "I saw you that one day," I whispered. "When I was walking with Baria."

"I saw you as well."

"You stared at me like I was a monster."

"I would argue it was more curiosity," he said. "I was curious about you, my queen."

"You want to leave your family and journey with me instead?"

Makaio paced back and forth, his eyes darting from me to the floor. "Queen Mara, I am a proud Udanian. I have lived here my entire life, and I wanted to serve before I lost the ability to move a muscle. Baria never gave us this chance and you are presenting us this opportunity. One that couldn't be passed. I want to make Udan proud and I want to bring honor to my family and their name."

"I see."

"Will you permit me to join you despite my family?"

"How many children do you have?"

"Four."

Four children that he would leave behind for his people. For change. For their futures.

"Do you have a wife?"

"Yes."

"I cannot permit a man with a family to risk their lives."

"Wait," he called out, desperation in his eyes. "Please. I want more than anything to do this."

"Why?"

He sighed. "Many years ago, when my little one was a baby, I went to visit the queen. Our people were suffering, hungry, and with the amount of children we had, I was certain we would all starve."

I softened.

"I walked through the castle doors with my child in my arms, holding her in the smallest bundle of clothes I had, and stormed into the throne room. Baria was sitting on her stone throne, smiling at me. It was a wicked smile, almost as if she took pleasure in my pain. In my hunger and my children's. I approached her after receiving a threat from—" he paused, his eyes glancing over. "Hona, and told her about our village, about our hunger. Do you know what she said to me, Queen Mara?"

"Please tell me."

"She told me that I shouldn't have had children if I couldn't feed my family myself," he hissed, clutching his hand into a fist. "I couldn't believe such a person could do such a thing and so, I sought to make things right. I created a rebellion against Baria and failed," he stopped. "But now I can succeed by aiding your side."

I sighed, my heart and head pulling. My mind told me it was wrong to let him join us, but my heart begged me. Honor was what he wanted, and justice, just like what I stood for.

"I cannot deny you," I answered. "You seem like a man who deserves honor and I have a feeling if I denied you, you would come with us anyway."

"I am," he answered. "If you denied me, I would follow."

He was dedicated. Not only to crown but to his family. It was wrong to take a man away from his children and wife, but also wrong to keep him away from honor.

"How am I supposed to trust you in following orders?"

"If I go, I will. Please, my queen. I need this more than anything else. Give my life merit."

"Go," I decided, swinging my hand. "We leave tomorrow."

He held his hands together in praise, bowing frantically. "Thank you, thank you. Bless you, and may the Guardian—" he paused, swallowing a lump. His eyes glassed over and he cleared his throat, offering a nod in my direction. "May the divine protect you."

He strode to the door, never letting his gaze leave mine. A smile plastered onto his face as he opened the doors. Once they closed for the last time, Hona lowered his guard. We were alone. For once the air wasn't heavy.

He stepped forward, staring at me. I was so tired despite the sleep I had.

"Mara," he started. "May I be of assistance to you?"

I nodded. "Of course, Hona."

Hona set the spear on the ground and stepped on the dais, walking around the throne to the back. He eased my hair out of the way, revealing my shoulders. He placed his fingers on my flesh and massaged. His fingers worked into my skin in a slow motion. My head lashed to the side as a slight moan escaped from my lips. It was certainly not something I expected Hona to do. Perhaps that magic had loosened him up.

"That's nice," I whispered. "Calming."

"Being queen is stressful."

"It is."

He dug his fingers in deeper, kneading into my flesh. His fingers grazed my shoulder blades, falling to my arms. He held my hands, entwining his fingers with mine. A feeling of uneasy grew over me, constricting, like the itch.

"That's enough, Hona," I breathed, adjusting against the throne. "We have much to do before I part."

"We part," he corrected.

I sighed once more, removing his hands from me. I stood, twisting to face him. I wasn't sure how to tell him my recent decision. I had thought about it night and day but finally realized what was right.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, hesitating. I stared at the ground. "You will not like what I have to say."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't want you to take offense to this," I whispered.

"Tell me what it is and I will decide if I should."

I took a deep breath. "I want you to stay here in Udan."