A whirl of events began the moment Prince Valdor left. Mauvis entered the room with the air of a drill sergeant and quickly divided the group with their own servants to be bathed and dressed in traditional elvin custom before being allowed to roam in the guest quarters.

All the while Aurora's head spun trying to grasp that Lucas was actually Valdor and a prince. She was friends with a prince and was going to dine with another! Nerves filled her stomach so fully that when the noon meal arrived she barely took a bite.

When Mauvis returned to Aurora's chamber she took her to a set of tall double doors that were carved a watery scene with a lonely tower. "Prince Valdor regrets not being able to be here, but hopes that you find joy inside." With a slight nod, Mauvis turned down the hall and left Aurora staring at the closed doors.

Gathering her courage, Aurora passed through the doors, uncertain of what she would find. An elvin maiden sat facing the garden waterfalls with her back to Aurora. As she approached her heart swelled with excitement and a smile stretched her face wide as she recognized Lily.

Lifting the soft, light fabric of the simple pale blue gown she was made to wear, Aurora sprinted to her. Then she stopped once again, just short of reaching Lily, remembering her affliction with touch. "Lily, it's Aurora. Can I hug you?"

"I'd like nothing more." Lily responded with open arms.

By the time their eyes were dry, they had shared their separate journeys as each comforted the other.

"I can't believe you're going to be part of an elvin royal family. Who would have thought, Lucas, er, Valdor could be so responsible? I guess Nim was very special to him." Aurora looked out to the garden biting her lip and lost in thought.

"What are your plans now, Ro?"

"I don't know. I don't know what happens next. I just wanted to find you that nothing else mattered."

Lily beamed at her. "Well, here I am. You found me. Now what are we going to do?"

Suddenly, Aurora kneeled besides Lily and squeezed her hands tight, hoping that Lily would use her magic and see her desperation. "I want to go home back to our world where everything is normal. I don't care about the magic. I just want to go home. Let's go home, Lily."

Shock froze Lily. Sight infused her senses and she stared at Aurora's wide eyes as they pleaded with her. "How? We can't go back."

"Yes we can. I'm sure Master Owen can open a Crossing for us."

"Ro, we can't. Listen to yourself talking about 'normal'. You've never been normal. You need answers that can only be found in Armindia and I must stay here if I am to heal. We have a chance here of being 'normal' and accepted. Especially you. Aren't you curious?"

But Aurora shook her head violently. "I'm frightened Lily. I'm scared of what happens next. I'm scared of what I'll learn from Anthonias. I'm scared of being the answer to a prophecy I care nothing about. And I'm scared of going on without you."

"It's time to let go, Ro. It doesn't mean I won't be there when you need me. Our paths are meant to be apart for now. It's time you realize you can do things without me. I'm only a crutch. Besides, I've never known you to be scared only stubborn. Life is not about simple choices or predictable.

"I need to regain my sight, and you must learn how to use your powers fully. My place is here, and Armindia is where you need to go. You've always wondered why you have magic within you; this is your chance to find out. Up until now all you've ever been able to do is cast shields, so think about how much more you can learn from Master Owen. There are answers in Armindia, to questions you have not even asked, I'm sure. Then again, when you leave you won't be alone, will you? What about Tezaro?"

"Why are you saying his name in that tone?"

"Even a blind person," Lily pointed at herself, "can see you light up at just the mention of his name. Am I wrong?"

"There's nothing between us. It's just..." she fought for the right words then recalled Tezaro's depiction of her feelings, "hero worship."

Lily had her misgivings, but remained silent on the matter. "Are you certain he feels nothing toward you? A man doesn't go through so much danger for someone---"

"I'm just a mission to him Lily. Those are his words. I am simply a means to an end. As soon as he gets me to Armindia he'll have what he wants and leave." Aurora stood turning her back on Lily.

"What about Valdor? He seems to have taken an interest in you." That brought a carefree smile to her face, but Aurora was unable to answer.

"At last I am free!" To hear Valdor's shout one would think he'd been imprisoned for years. He stretched his arms in the air and inhaled deeply the sweet scent of budding flowers and crisp waters. "I see I'm not alone in the gardens." He sauntered over to them.

"The both of you put the blossoms of summer to shame with your beauty." He kissed Lily's hand and proceeded with Aurora as she tried to bow to him. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, pretty one. We shall have none of that between us." His hand gently lifted her chin to him.

Unbidden color tinted her cheeks at his attention. "I, I still don't know what to call you."

"Call me whatever you wish, so long as you call me yours."

Ignoring the heat she felt rise to her face, Aurora answered, "Just like Mumbata."

"What about Mumbata?" Lily chimed in, remembering the wonderful beast that had brought her to safety.

"He warned me that all things resemble their masters, and Mumbata is a shameless flirt."

    Lily's laughter brought a joy to Aurora's heart,and a flush to Valdor's face that went unnoticed by either of the girls. Soon the others found them and introductions were made. Together they spent the warm afternoon enjoying light hearted conversation until it was time to prepare for the evening meal.

Unlike human dining halls that boasted of large feasts and even larger crowds the elves of Kai'lym were more reserved. Only those invited were seated at the crescent table in the similarly shaped hall.

Although Landros normally asked his advisors to dine with him to continue any unfinished business in the running of the kingdom, he preferred to dine alone in the tranquility of his study in the Healers Quarters. A luxury he found with less and less occurrence.

But tonight was different. The arrival of his cousin's 'guests' was a fact he wished not to announce. The gossip that would ensue if found out could drive the tongue mills with months of speculation if Kai'lym will join the fight with Armindia or the Fallen of Mithoran.

He sat in his customary seat at center of the inner crescent, his cousin Valdor to his right and Thea to his left. Though he was not comfortable with Thea's presence, her attendance would keep the atmosphere on a more informal level. Still, she was learning well the rituals of court life and this would be an opportunity for her to practice her skills.

Before him sat the former Lord Bladewoods, Protector of Armindia, as the rest of his companions flanked him with curious stares. Landros' gaze landed on Lily as he noticed she held the hand of one of the newcomers. Unsure about his thoughts of why Lily was present and her connection to the girl, he chose to store that information for later.

After the traditional exchange of introductions and pleasantries, the meal began. An uncomfortable silence nested among them as they pecked at their plates. But curiosity could not be silenced as Thea asked Tezaro, "How is it you came to meet my brother? He has longed spoken of his desire to meet you. I must say, that rumors of your skill even inspired him to drop his treasured bow and use a sword instead."

Tezaro cocked an eyebrow and turned to Valdor. "Is that so?" Eri stifled a laugh with an impromptu cough, while Owen came to his sister's rescue with a pat on the back.

"Had I known then how dour you are, I never would have sent Nim to arrange an introduction. Although looking back, I'm glad we did not meet then. I quite prefer the way our first meeting turned out." Both recalled their first encounter clearly.

"We met at an inn, princess. He was taken with a dagger of mine."

"A very rare and beautiful dagger." Before lifting his cup in salute with Tezaro, Valdor smiled and winked at Aurora. That drew her lids back the farthest they'd ever been as she finally understood the meaning behind that exchange.

"Nonetheless, he made a distinct impression on me when we encountered the Red Fox." The large morsel of food in his mouth was not the reason behind the large grin that Tezaro wore as he remembered Valdor knocked to the ground.

At that Thea frowned, "I do not like to think of what could have happened to you at the hands of that criminal. Someone should put an end to his thievery."

"Indeed. But we will let the people of Mithoran resolve their own problems." Prince Landros continued his meal while Valdor pushed his plate aside and poured a large amount of wine into his goblet. "And you two know each other," Prince Landros addressed Lily and Aurora with interest.

Uncertain of what to say, Aurora felt her throat go dry as Lily squeeze her hand. Yet it was Lily that answered, "Yes, we've known each other for many years, your grace. It was until recently that we became separated after Aurora became an apprentice."

With that, Prince Landros' attention shifted once more. "How long has she been your apprentice, Master Pathfinder?"

"A few months, your grace." The sincerity and casual tone of his voice made his words easy to believe. Not a twitch in his demeanor revealed his deceit. "I was fortunate to come across her in my travels. Her talent is still raw, but with discipline and many years of practice she may become a respectable mage."

"Yes, discipline is vital if you are going to excel in your craft." Ice blue eyes pinned Aurora down with a hard stare. "Your master has clearly led by example. Let nothing distract you otherwise why even make the attempt. Your skill must be your only focus."

"Ease up, cousin." Valdor snorted. "The girl must also live. To hear you speak, one would think there is no room for her to experience life. To travel, to taste the wonders of the world...to love."

If there was a spell to make her invisible, this would be the time she'd chose to use it.

"Your attitude in this is not surprising. Irresponsibility and thoughtlessness have always been your playmates. The world is nothing but frivolity to you."

"Better that than a cold life devoid of passion. Excuse me." Valdor did not wait for a response before he stormed out.

"It is moments like this when I am gladdened by the fact he is your brother dear Thea and not mine. It's better off to be alone than with a brother, what say you Bladewoods?" A collective breath was drawn at the table at Prince Landros' callous comment in reference to siblings. 

All eyes waited expectantly for Tezaro's reaction. "I disagree with you completely. The bond between brothers is a connection that only one that has never experienced it would dismiss so lightly. Like a title or position that one does not have, you cannot miss it. Regardless, I understand you perfectly, prince." Lightning seemed to strike out of Tezaro's grey storm eyes as he held his gaze steady at the presumptive monarch.

Then Eri piped in, "That is exactly how I feel about my brother. Valdor would know. What about you Lady Thea?"

Taken aback by being put in a situation wherein defending her brother meant disagreeing with the prince or agreeing with the prince meant betraying her brother, she put her court diplomacy in action. "I believe all family is important and like all disciplines of study, they come with challenges."

"That is most wise, my lady." Master Owen bowed his head to her.

Although a valiant effort by Eri and Master Owen to turn the conversation, Prince Landros would not be dissuade from Tezaro's final comment. "Perhaps you are right, Bladewoods." Refusing to address him by his former title. "Yet I would never be foolish enough to relinquish what is so evidently mine."

"You may be right, prince. But at least I already held the title." The prince's comments had turned Tezaro more argumentative than he'd ever been with a noble or royal. 

He attributed his lack of civility to the absence of titles and responsibilities that had bound him before. It was a gratifying sensation. Perhaps that was why Valdor acted as he did. A shudder ran through him at the thought of sympathizing with the reckless elf.

The uncomfortable silence returned briefly before Prince Landros declared the meal to be over. "I believe an Armindian merchant ship arrives tomorrow. Enjoy your stay." That was all, before he walked out with an air of superiority and disdain.

"If you'll excuse me, I think I will go and find my brother." Remembering her manners, Thea closed and parted her hands before her at them then quietly followed her cousin's path. But the rustle of her rushed steps could not hide her concern.

"Well, that's an invitation to leave, if I've ever heard one."

"Always with the quick wit, my dear sister." Eri scowled at Owen's sarcasm.

"Yes, Prince Landros is not one to mince words." Lily rose with Aurora's help.

"I'll be sure to visit the docks tomorrow and get us passage to Arminidia. The sooner we leave the better." Eri and Owen nodded in agreement with Tezaro.

When dinner was mercifully over, none was more grateful than Aurora to escape Prince Landros' judgment. "Agreed. Although, I never thought I'd be in such a hurry to leave Lily than I am now. But after that," Aurora cringed, "Sorry."

As they gathered to return to the guest parlor, Lily stunned the group by defending Landros. "He cares about healing me and I am grateful for it." But she was not done. "Tezaro, I want to speak with you. Alone."