The Prophecy Chapter Twenty-One

[skieblue]

Disclaimer: In addition to what I have already, there is some additional stuff for this chapter. There is some dialogue based on the song "Only Love" from the Scarlet Pimpernel soundtrack. There is also some stuff introduced in this chapter that was inspired by Charmed. Some of the spells used in this chapter are borrowed from the Harry Potter books. And Silvanesti is from the Dragon Lance books.


Chapter Twenty-One: The True Prophecy

A few days after the battle, things began to settle.

Karia opened her eye. She looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. She sat up to see Vanidor sitting in a chair close to the bed, watching over her. "How long have I been out?"

"Three days."

"You haven't been sitting there the whole time, have you?" she asked, somewhat teasingly.

"Only for two and a half days," he replied in the same tone.

"Tell me you're not serious."

"Not entirely, but I have been watching over you."

She thought about that for a moment. "May I ask you why? I was perfectly safe."

"I wanted to be sure you were safe. I . . . I care about you, a lot."

She thought about that for a moment. "You . . . care for me? You haven't known me that long, but, I suppose, I see what you mean."

"You do?"

"Well, I don't exactly know how you care me, but, I can see that you care about me. We have known each other several months, and we have talked quite a bit."

"Yes, we have. Actually, there was a time when you were the only one I was talking to. Anyway, what I am trying to say, and probably not doing a very good job of is, I love you."

She looked kind of taken aback or shocked at that. "You love me?" She opened her mouth as if she was going to continue, closed it. "That I don't know how its possible. How could you love something like you?"

"I don't see you that way. I see you as one of the most fascinating people I have ever met. From the very beginning, by the portal, you have been like no one I have ever known. And, when we started talking, I started caring for you more each time, and now I realize that I love you."

"But . . . you don't even know me. My past, who I am. I don't even know who I am. And, as for me being fascinating, that probably has to do with me coming from a different world."

"I know some things about you. And, I know what you are like. I don't need to know everything about your past, because I don't see how any of that would change how I feel. Almost everyone has something in their past that is not so great."

"Wow . . .I wasn't exactly expecting this, but . . ." she let out a heavy breath. "I mean . . . I care for you . . . I just don't know how much. I'm a very complicated person. I don't know if I'd be the best person for you."

"You are the person I love. That is all I know right now. But, I do not want to pressure you into anything. If you want to remain friends, as I hope we have been, I would be happy with that."

"I might . . . have to think about this. This is a lot to digest, especially after all that's happened. And, I should probably get out of these very old clothes. Would it be okay to talk later."

"That would be fine. I will see you later then."

She smiled weakly, stood, and walked out slowly. He watched her go, wondering what was going to happen now.

~*~

Lothiniel paused outside the gates of Magia. She had been sent there by Kris, with a message, and a mission. However, since everyone knew her she needed to get into the city somehow. So, she came up with the idea of dying her hair. She also wore her cloak hood up, shadowing her face as much as possible.

Nice of him to give me clear directions, she thought. How am I supposed to make sure someone doesn't know that I am here, and deliver a message? That's impossible. I need to come up with a plan before I enter the city.

She began walking again, while trying to formulate a plan. The door was guarded, and the guard refused to let her in until someone approved her entrance. He sent a lieutenant to summon one of the leaders.

"This will be a few minutes, miss," the guard said. "I don't know where our leaders are right now, so it might be a while before someone comes."

"That's alright," she replied. "I don't mind waiting." She sat down on the ground near the gate. Her hood was no longer covering her face, leaving her with her hair as her only disguise. This doesn't quite match my plans, she thought, but it should still work out.

A guard approached Faedra. "Mistress there is a visitor at the gate. Your late husband told us not to let anyone in unless one of you let him or her in. Will you come with me to the gate?"

She stood and followed. On the way they met with Wesley. He decided to join in. When they got to the gate they both knew instantly who it was.

"Lothiniel, what is it that you want? I do not have time for your coy little games." Faedra stated.

"I am here on business from my master."

"And just what is this business?"

"I have a message to deliver."

"Well then deliver it and be gone."

"I know where the Queen is."

"Pray do tell."

"She's in Gron."

"And why would she be in Gron?"

"Why do you think? Because he took her there."

"Is that all?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"He's willing to consider an exchange. He wants his cousin sent to him-"

"That is out of the question. You may consider your message delivered. Good day."
"How do you know that my orders weren't to make sure that she heard that? And when she gets the message she will choose to go to her family."

"He is of no relation to her. His interest is nothing of the sort. She will never hear of this offer and she will not be going. I believe I have made myself clear. Goodbye Lothiniel. And I suggest you do not show up here again. I intend on leaving orders to kill you if you do. Our community has lost too many people to the likes of traitors like yourself and I will not lose anyone else. I suggest you leave while you still have the chance."

"And since when are you in charge?"

"Since my husband died."

"That seems to be going around. I hear he was in charge when the last warder died."

"You will hold your tongue or I will kill you myself." Wesley put a hand on her shoulder, to calm her as well as hold her back.

"Wait a minute. I know why you won't deliver the message. You're the one who raised them aren't you?"

"Yes and one disappointment is enough. Besides Lia is too smart to fall for such an ignorant and stupid gesture. You are all very incompetent and couldn't think something out if your life depended on it."

"I think you overestimate the girl. If she's so smart then why did she fall for Derek? Or did she not tell you about that?"

"What Lia has and will do is none of your concern. Now if you do not mind your tongue I will extract it from your mouth."

"Your being rather protective of the girl aren't you?"

"She is my child after all. And she is the only thing I have left."

"She is not your child.-"

"Tell her that. She calls me mother now."

"I'm surprised she is even still here."

"And why is that?"

"Because...as far as I know about her past, I would've just expected her to run away again."

"Yes, well you do not know her and know nothing of her past. I have better things to do then to chat with you. You are not worth anyone's time."

"I know more than you do. You know how you say that your people have lost too much to traitors? Well...do you know that your daughter slept with one of those traitors...twice."

"Yes, I do. I was given Kaje's gift before he died...I know more than you know. I know enough about you that would get you killed, or even hanged for treason. No one was quite sure about your role in Wesley's kidnapping but I know every detail. How you came up with the idea, how you brought it to Mordel and her dark circle and how you executed it. And then how you later tried to kill him but instead killed off a whole bunch of innocent british people. You are just plain dumb. Now off with you."

"Oh you just know everything don't you?"

"Close enough. What I do not know I can find out."

"Well apparently you don't know everything about the people traveling with you."

"Yes, i think I do. I have two vampires helping me and one of whom is being followed by another vampire, one your cohorts hired. Stop playing these ridiculous games with me. You will not win."

"Do you know that someone in your people used to serve a previous dark lord?"

"If you are speaking of Calyna, yes. But that was because she was brainwashed by none other than Leareth. You have no power here. Go now or I am going to change my mind about allowing you to leave."

"Yes but you don't know her other secret."

"I know them all. Shall I get into your past? The fact that you love someone who could careless whether you live or die?"

"I'm well aware of that, that is what most dark lords are like. I am even aware that he didn't care what happened to his own child."

"And yet you still chase after him...pity." She turned her back on her. "Good day."

When both of them had turned their backs on her, Lothiniel drew a dagger from a sheath at her side. It was now time to accomplish the rest of her mission, although she was momentarily tempted to throw the dagger at someone else. Before anyone would have time to notice she wasn't leaving yet, she aimed the dagger and threw it at Wesley.

Faedra turned and caught it in her hand. And before Lothiniel could think it was thrown back at her and she fell to the floor, dead.

~*~

Vanidor rose to address the council. "I have called this meeting so that we can discuss where we go from here, as well as share some information that has recently come to light. As everyone is aware our victory in the battle came at a very high cost, and I know some of you have been wondering who will be our leader now. That will be explained soon, but first, I am going to turn the running of this council over to Dara Faedra." He sat down again in his place at the table.

She eased herself up slowly. "Thank you. Yes as we all know the battle has cost us many...and one of our best was killed. He will live on in our hearts always." There was a brief moment of silence. "Our new temporary leader will be Vanidor he will be helping me out. He will take on some of the responsibilities because of my pregnancy. The first thing that we have to do is get Kaelea back. We need five people to go on this mission and extract her with as little notice as possible."

Fairin stood up. "I will go."

Faedra nodded. "Yes, you should this is good preparation for your new position and well...she is your fiancée. Anyone else?"

Karia stood. " I cannot let my sister stay in that man's clutches. I will go as well."

Vanidor stood next without hesitation. Karia was going and so will he. "I will go as well." Karia looked at him a little uneasily.

"Thank you. We need two more volunteers."

Wesley stood. "I can go. I feel like I haven't done enough, so I will go."

"I am not entirely sure if that would be wise. Kris wants you dead and I don't think he should meet you before the battle. We shouldn't let him know how much you have grown since your last confrontation. It gives you the upper hand."

Wesley sat back down.

Lia stood.

"No. You will not be going Lia. It is not wise. I know she is your cousin but it is not wise. But thank you for volunteering."

"But mother! I-It's not like I've never done anything like that before."

"Maybe if the circumstances were different, but they are not. Please be seated. Calyna will be able to keep you company."

"What?!"

"You will be staying behind as well."

"Why?"

"You two have too much of a past."

Legolas stood. "I will go in their place."

She nodded in approval. Ayon stood. "I will go as well."

She smiled. "Good. Get together and plan your strategy, Fairin is in charge, he will need practice. And make sure to bring the plan to me for approval. Unless there is anything else I think we should let them go to work."

"I have one thing to add." Gildor spoke up.

"Go ahead Gildor."

"It concerns Alor Inarion."

"What about him?"

"I think he's the one that has been behind the attacks on people in the line of succession."

She thought about that for a moment. "Yes, you are quite right. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. We will deal with him and his sister after Kaelea is safe."

"Those two Inarion and Rael have been behind this since Galaran was killed, at least. They hired the yellow-eyed man that killed him."

"You must be speaking of Stefan. That explain why he would be here." Karia added.

"We will leave a note with the guard to inform us if any of them show up. I assume you and Ria can handle them if they do decide to show...as one already has arrived. Go swiftly."

~*~

Ria and Aravan arrived at the gates. They were surprised to see that Rael had managed to get into the city but only past the gates.

"What is the meaning of this? She was not supposed to get past the gates, no one is allowed to." Ria asked the guard.

"But she is royalty. She also stated that she was an Emissary from Arden Vale where her brother is the temporary ruler and that she is the widow of Talarin."

"Yes but she forgot to mention traitor."

"The girl is a liar."

"Rael I suggest you hold your tongue. You are on thin ice already. We all know what you're up to and now you will have to pay for it. There is no way you will be leaving here." She looked to the guard. "Lock the gates, and nobody I mean nobody gets in without one of our say so again. Is that understood?"

They nodded quietly.

"Your rather confidant. My business here has nothing to do with you. I need to speak with my cousin."

"You have no business here." She turned to the guards. "Frisk her...and make sure you leave nothing left unturned."

"I will not submit to this treatment. I am royalty."

"You have no choice. And you are only royalty by default." She smirked. "You forget you wield no power here."

"I'm not the only one whose forgetting something. At least I'm connected with the line of succession. You despite being the neice of Talarin did not even make the list. Or were you kicked off for involvement with a human."

"I have more right to the succession than you royalty runs in my blood. I can't say the same for you...as for Urus there was never any involvement, he was just a mere distraction. A pitiful one at that. Any other insults? I can match them far better that you could think."

"Or is the true reason that your not in the succession is because your parents couldn't arrange a suitable marriage for you?"

"That is not the case. If I marry it will be for Love, not for status, unlike somebody I know. The only reason you are even royalty to this day is because you slept your way to the top. You have no dignity and you're just a selfish whore."

"And what you know of love? Your a warrior you have no idea how to be a proper lady. No one would be interested in you, except maybe a human."

"I know more about love than a heartless, cold selfish bitch like you, who might I add murdered her own husband. I have someone who loves me, and guess what he is royalty. And he is worth more than the very breath you breathe."

"If you're done with your pointless accusations I need to speak with my cousin."

"The only person you will be speaking to is Faedra. You have to answer to the council now my dear."

She turned to Aravan, she moved closer to him. "You've already told them haven't you? You know what will happen when Inarion finds out that you have spoken-"

"He didn't have to. Gildor told us about the botched up attempt on his life by none other than Inarion himself, not to mention Kaje had the visions and already knew. And the fact that you just condemned yourself helps us quite a bit." Ria told her with a smile.

"You honestly think that I would have anything to do with an attempt on my sons life?"

"Yes, because he isn't your blood. And anyone standing in your way to the top must go. Well your days are numbered."

"I might not be the only one whose days are numbered. You know what happens to those who know too much don't you? I had been hoping not to have to make an enemy of the Silvanesti, but I guess I am going to have to."

"Is that a threat? You will have to get through me first, and my dear lady you are no match for me, after all I am a warrior."

"What you are is a disgrace to your people-"

"No that's your job."

"Will you hold your tongue girl."

"Not for one moment. And I am not a girl. Guards! Frisk her and get this wretched poor excuse for a woman out of my sight."

Rael drew out a dagger and a crystal. She spoke a word of power, the crystal glowing as she did so. The guards covered their eyes. Ria smiled...she is gonna play dirty...She unsheathed her sword and held it up to the light, it reflected it and it fell back onto Rael herself. She spoke again. This time she spoke the word of power to the dagger. She threw the dagger towards Aravan...her aim was slightly off do the light emitting from the crystal. He dodged the blade taking a slight cut to his arm. Rael spoke the word of power again and the crystal went off. Ria smiled and closed in on her.

Rael turned and began to run, but she wasn't fast enough. Ria caught up with her and pushed the blade up against her back. "Too slow and it seems you are a chicken after all. You are not good enough for death. I am smarter than you think. You will go to the dungeons and be held there until we find something more suitable for you...although I will miss killing you, unless of course you make me change my mind."

"Who exactly put you in charge in this city? Just because your boyfriend is royalty doesn't mean you are. Who is this boyfriend of yours anyway? As far as I know is that all the royalty is involved. The only uninvolved royalty I can think of...well none of them are your type."

"I was put in charge by the warder and the soon to be new Coron. As for my royalty boyfriend, you just tried to kill him, and failed miserably might I add."

"Soon to be new Coron? You're mistaken about that. My brother will be Coron."

Ria laughed. "My dear you are seriously mistaken. Fairin will be the new Coron."

"Fairin? But he was only third in succession."

"Yes and your brother is last."

"Not quite."

"He is back under Vanidor. It seems he is the last one again, and Aravan was never on the list because he declined. He is the heir to his own kingdom, when that time may come."

"The kingdom of Silvanesti you mean?"

"None other."

"And you think the heir of Silvanos would be interested in the likes of you? And anyway if he was truly worthy of being heir he would be there in the kingdom, before all of the support goes to his brother Sithel. And Silvanos is being pressured by one of his senators to choose his heir by the end of the year."

"Well we still have time, now don't we? Besides, it has to be offered to the eldest son first. I doubt he would let Sithel rule his kingdom, he is an idiot."

"Yes it has to be offered to the eldest unless word gets out that the eldest is a murder and a rapist."

She smiled. "Go ahead no one will believe you. Kaje has taken the liberty to fill in Silvanos of the past 25 years of Aravan's life as well as the fact that he was possessed due to your and Inarion's orders. And kaje also stated that he believed Sithel to be involved as well...So now the king is aware of the conspiracy and is taken action as he sees fit. We were told to steer clear there until it was all settled. You and your brother are through, every king knows..." She smiled.

"We are not through yet. You know what they say. It is not over until it's over."

"We'll see."

~*~

A few days later the group departed in secret a few hours before sunrise. They traveled until nightfall, before reaching the spot where they had planned to make camp, along the banks of a stream that paralleled the road. Within a couple of days, they would reach the portal that would take them to Mithgar, and from there, they would travel to Gron.

Karia wandered off and went to the river.

The rest of the group set about tasks such as building a small fire, and deciding the order of watch for the night, and seeing to the needs of their horses.

After about twenty minutes, Vanidor began to wonder where Karia was. He turned to the others, "Have you seen Karia since we stopped for the night?"

Legolas said, "Actually no. Where did she wander off to."

"I'm going to go find her," Vanidor said. "Just to make sure she's safe."

Fairin looked up from where he had been distractedly staring into the fire. "It is possible she may just have wanted some privacy."

"Well, I am still going to find her. We don't know what's out here."

"I think we're safe tonight," Ayon said. "My Companion says there is nothing dangerous around here right now. And, it seems like you have too much of a tendency to worry about her."

"I just want to find her. That's all. I am not too worried about her."

"Why are you overreacting?" Legolas asked.

"I am not overreacting."

"Well, you did join us as soon as she said she was going to," Fairin pointed out.

"What exactly is between you two anyway?" Legolas asked.

"Nothing," Vanidor replied. "We're just friends."

"Of course, that's what they all say," Ayon said.

"It's okay if you feel something for her. It's only natural. And she is very attractive. I could certainly see why you would have feelings for her." Legolas said.

"Just remember you're married to my sister," Ayon teased.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Vanidor slipped away from camp during this exchange. And headed towards the river, remembering that he had found her by the river in Gondor once before.

Karia looked out at the night sky, her foot dangling off the tree branch as she hummed softly to herself.

Vanidor heard humming of sorts and looked up to see a leg dangling off a tree branch.

"May I ask why you followed me?" She asked quietly.

"You were gone from camp for over twenty minutes. We were wondering where you were."

"We? Or you?"

"Well...I was the one who noticed first but then everyone else joined in the discussion."

She lifted up her foot and flipped off the branch landing on her feet, in a crouched position. "Well as you can see, I am perfectly safe."

"Well, I'm glad to know your safe. Very impressive flip by the way."

"Yes, well I have had time to practice." She leaned up against the tree, her bare feet feeling cool against the floor and tree bark.

"Well...um...maybe you should come back to camp now. We don't know what's out here."

"I'm not afraid...besides I like it here. It's very tranquil, beautiful even." She walked over to the river and sat down as she rolled up her pants legs and let her feet dangle in the water. The icy coolness of it making shivers go down her spine.

"Are you...are you avoiding me or something?"

She looked down, her hair falling in her face. "I-I must admit that I have...yes...quite cowardly I imagine."

"Actually I didn't think it was cowardly. I was wondering if you were angry at me. Am I making you uncomfortable? Do you...want me to leave?"

"No, you can stay...if you want...I-I just...I'm not very good at this relationship stuff...and I'm afraid..."

He walked over to her and sat down beside her on the bank. "I don't k now if I'm very good at it either, to tell you the truth. What are you afraid of...If I may ask?"

She looked up at him. "Love."

"Why?" He asked gently.

"Because the last person I gave my heart to died because of me...it broke my heart. I don't know if I could handle that again." She looked away again.

"I'm sorry...you don't need to be afraid though. Love is nothing to be afraid of. And if it would make you feel any better I have no intention of dying."

"Neither did he."

"Please... don't turn away. Don't be afraid...to feel. Just take the chance. Give me a chance. Open your heart...and don't try to hold in whatever you're feeling. Don't be afraid...it can free you, if you let it release you. It's only love."

She looked up at him again. "I-" She looked down with her eyes. "I know what I feel...I just don't know if I can act upon it."

"What do you feel?"

"I-I care for you very deeply...love you even..."

"And I love you."

She drew her feet from the water and brought a knee to her chest. "I-I can try...but...fear still has its grip on me. I don't know how to shake it...get rid of it..."

"The only way to get rid of a fear is to face it."

She closed her eyes for a moment and then turned to face him. "I'm facing it...now what?" She said so softly that it could be mistaken as a whisper.

"Don't close your eyes...Now reach out to me." She looked up at him and he reached out to her and rested his hand on the side of her face. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes.

Vanidor smiled. "Your independent aren't you." He teased. She opened her eyes and smiled weakly.

"Sometimes I think I'm too independent."

"That's not a bad thing. I don't want you to change who you are. Your spirit is one of the things I love about you."

She smiled. "Could this night get any more perfect?"

He reached down and touched her hand. He brought it to his mouth and kissed it gently.

~*~

Kaelea leaned against the wall, after all what else was there to do. When would Fairin and the others get to her. The door opened and a man with black shoulder length hair towered in front of her.

"Who are you?"

"Princess Kaelea I presume? You are lovelier than I had imagined."

"Who are you and what do you want?"

He laughed. "I am Kane. I have come to take you from here and bring you to my dwelling...where I have plans of my own."

"So you're going to kidnap me from my kidnapper?"

"Precisely."

"Why?"

He brought a finger to his lips. "All in good time. Come." He held a hand out to her. She didn't move.

He sighed. "I see I must do it the hard way." He walked over and grabbed her. She struggled but he was too strong, he threw her over his shoulder and they vanished from the room.

They arrived in a dark place that was lit by candlelight.

"Dantor!" Kane called out.

"Yes? I don't have long to hang around here right now. Isarak will be expecting me back."

"He can wait."

"Yes...he's busy with plans of his own anyway. Not too mention with his girlfriend. And who is this?"

Kane set Kaelea down and she looked between the two of them.

"This my dear friend is Princess Kaelea."

"That tells me a whole lot. Princess of what?"

"Queen...I am a Queen." She chimed in.

"Oh so you have moved up. Congratulations." He looked to Dantor. "She is the Queen of Thardaos."

"Oh. The eleven land. Thought we got all of them."

"No...I made sure she escaped. I have had my eyes on this one. Pretty isn't she?"

"Just how many people did you make sure escaped? Or have you forgotten that you allowed one of my enemies to escape."

"Still sour about that? I did save you as I remember. Don't forget that. I am putting you in charge of her and you better make sure she stays put as well as alive. You can start by getting her something else to wear." He picked up the sleeve and dropped it distastefully. "I am sure we can find something that she will look...better in."

"Yes...I'm sure we can find something. I will check the storeroom. And as for your saving me, that boy wasn't even in the prophecy. And was the Dark Circle that told us he was the one."

"If you remember the prophecy it stated that one of the two would stray...he did...the prophecy was false there...there is another female...stronger than the weakling we have as dark lord. I will not rest til he is destroyed and I believe I have the means..." He looked at Kaelea. "She will prove to be a very nice bargaining chip indeed...if of course we decide to trade her." He smiled a very sinister smile.

"What do you mean there is another? If the prophecy calls them the two doesn't that mean there can only be two?"

"Yes, but they must be the right two.... and this is it. Consider her your new protege...you may do with her what you wish as long as she remains alive. Don't fail me Dantor."

"I have no intention of failing you. Do you have a specific chamber that you would like her kept in?"

"No. But I suggest that you take her with you when you go back to Isarak...just make sure she is not seen. Although I am sure you could explain it...keep her in close quarters."

"Well we should be going then. I don't want Isarak growing suspicious."

"Her clothing."

"Ah, yes, I will make a stop by the store room on the way out."

"You can use magic..."

Dantor pictured her wearing a female apprentice's dress. He waved his hand and muttered something and her clothing changed. She was now in a dark red dress and had red ribbons in her hair.

Kane's eyes lit up. "Much better." He touched her hair, she moved away from him. "It seems she will have to be trained...slightly in case Aylis decides to challenge her...unless of course you fake it but that is too risky. Better hurry, you have much to teach."

They disappeared and reappeared in Dantor's chambers in Isarak's lair. He showed her to her chamber. "This will be your room for the time you are here. I will be back later. I have business to attend to now. Don't try to leave the door will be locked."

"Wouldn't dream of it." She muttered as she made her way towards a couch length bench.

~*~

The next day the group was closer to Gron. A horse could be heard in the distance. Karia walked towards it. The man got off the horse and gave her a scroll, got back on his horse and galloped off. She looked down at it with a quizzical look on her face. She unrolled it and read the contents of it. Her eyes widened. She woke everyone from the group.

"Sorry to wake you but this is important. It seems she has been taken again."

"How did you find that out? Who took her and where did they take her?" Fairin asked frantically.

"Some guy on a horse delivered this." She held up the parchment. " It has a crest of sorts on it...no clue as to where but it says Kane took her."

"Kane? I remember him. He was the one who was in Dantor's tower for the final showdown. We don't know that much about him. According to what we've been able to find he was Dantor's teacher but Dantor betrayed him. He supposedly can travel by some method we're not familiar with, some kind of portals. According to legends he's immortal, he can't be killed. If he is killed by any other means he will just come back again. There is no information on how to kill him." Vanidor answered.

"First rule...everyone can be killed...it is just a matter of finding out how...this Kane...what does he look like?" Karia asked them.

"He's a giant or very big, he has black shoulder length hair, and it's possible that he may be carrying what appears to be a black staff with a pointed crystal on the top."

She thought a moment. "Angel and I have heard of him...seen him...he's a powerful mage but that's not all he is."

"There might be one more thing about him. He fits the description of the one who stole the Anachron, towards the end of that war. We retrieved the stone but the person who stole it vanished and we couldn't find a sign of him. All we know is that he is very powerful and he may still want the Anachron." Ayon added.

"We must get back to the city at once."

~*~

"Where do you think your going, Lia?"

"I-I was just going for a walk?"

"Yeah...sure you were. Nice try. I suggest you turn around and march back into town."

"Maybe I'd like to get out of the walls for a little while."

"What you want is to get your self in trouble. You cannot follow the group it has been days since they left and their trail is cold, besides you don't even know where there going."

"I didn't say I was going to follow them. I said I was going for a walk." She turned away.

"You don't have to...I know you better than you think...remember?" He caught up to her and grabbed her arm spinning her around to face him as he did so. "Don't be stupid and put your life at risk. They will be back before you know it and Kaelea will be safe. Your mother needs you...and so do I."

"You? But...No you-please let go of my arm."

"Yes me." He eased his grip on her. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you...yes me...but I already said that. If you come back with me I will explain it to you."

"I-" She looked back to the gate briefly and then back at Dakkon. "Alright."

He removed his arm and lowered it to her hand. "May I?"

"Yes." She whispered.

He smiled. "I must confess I never thought I would feel this way towards you but I do...and I hope it isn't strange...and that you can reciprocate those feelings."

"Do you-do you mean that..."

"Mean that what?"

"I-I don't know what your feelings are. I-I know what mine are. I-like you."

"Just like? I am injured so."

"Not just...I-think I love you...but...you can't have those feelings for me...there's something that you don't know."

He smiled. "Yes I can and I do. I love you Cordelia. And I am not afraid to say it. I must confess that I know about you and Derek...Lothiniel...kinda blurted it out..."

"She-she told you? How-how you can you still have feelings for me if you know that?" She said quietly.

He put his finger under her chin and lifted it up so that she was looking at him. "I love you no matter what. You couldn't help what he did to you...good thing I killed him when I did...or I would do so now."

"I-I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything...I am going to kiss you now if that is alright?"

"Uh...yeah." She blushed. He smiled and leaned in leaning a gentle kiss upon her lips.

~*~

Dantor returned to his chamber and unlocked Kaelea's door. She looked over and saw him standing in the doorway.

"Time to begin your training."

"And if I refuse?"

"Well you could sit in here and be bored."

She stood almost cat like and walked from the room. Her head was held high as she passed him.

"If you go straight over that way it's the training room, which is already unlocked, since you want to lead."

When she walked into the room she saw a shelf of spell books, long table, and torture equipment. Dantor followed her in and locked the door behind them, he then hid the door.

"What is it exactly that I need to learn? And just how do you expect me to learn it? I have no power that I am aware of."

"You will find out...Cantara." He was now able to tap his power source. "Imitate me. Say the word."

"What word?"

"Cantara."

"Cantara." She looked around and was able to see auras around things...what is this? She thought to herself. "What exactly did I just do?"

"You opened yourself to power."

"That's possible? I am just an elf. I'm not supposed to have any power."

"Well in my time I have encountered elves with power before."

"Now what?"

He walked over to the table and took down a globe, placing it on the table. "I'm going to teach you a very simple spell. I am going to show you how to levitate this globe. I want you to say the words Wingardium Leviosa."

"Wingardium Leviosa." The globe levitated off the table and floated over to her rather quickly.

"That was very good. You must have more power than even I realized. Hmm...power seems to run in families from what I noticed. Are you sure you are the first one in your family to have power."

"Well...my half sister is a mage...she's pretty good."

"Ahhh...it must come from whatever parent the two of you share."

"My mother? I have never seen her use any."

"Whether or not she has it or whether or not she used it is two different things. Have you seen anyone else from your mother's family use magic?"

"My cousin."

"Ahh, so, you have at least two magic users in your family. I would be interested in meeting the other two." He was thinking that if he could turn all three to his side, they could be very useful the cause of darkness.

"I am sure you will..." She smirked knowing full well that he had no idea what he was asking.

"Well, I think that is enough for today. I want you to practice keeping yourself open to the magic. Tomorrow, I will begin teaching you some basic combat magic."

"I'm learning this stuff again . . . why?"

"Because, we decided you are going to learn it."

"Who's we?"

"Kane and I."

"Right."

"Well, anyway, you should return to your chamber now. I have work to do."

"Right and I am supposed to do. . . what exactly?"

"Practice what I've shown you. You may take the globe to your chambers. In fact if you want I have here a book of simple charms. If you want. . . you may take the book with you and practice some of them."

She held out a hand and the book and the globe came to her. "Thank you. Good day." She turned and walked out.

As soon as she left the room he went to Kane.

Kane was sitting behind a desk and jotting something down. "Is there a reason you left her alone?"

"She's practicing her magic. And I discovered something...she's very powerful for never having any training."

He quirked an eyebrow. "Powerful? How powerful?"

"Well I was teaching her a simple levitation spell...she not only levitated the globe but made it float across the room to her. Later she made a spell book and the globe float to her without saying a word."

"Can it be?" He turned on Dantor with a huge grin on his face. "I am a genius. I couldn't have worked this out better if I tried. We have one of the three..."

"The three?"

"Yes the three...equivalent to the charmed ones that reside on earth...only they are made up of two half elf, full mages, and one full elf and full mage...two with hair as dark as coal. Two with eyes as green as an emerald...and all three carrying distinct beauty and wit. It never said that one was royalty...but nonetheless..." He smirked.

"The charmed ones...I've heard a little bit about the earth equivalent but...so we have one here too. If we could turn all three of them that would give us a distinct advantage."

"We have to try to turn the one we have first...by any means necessary. They are said to be strong willed...you will have your work cut out for you...I would be surprised if she wasn't working on her own plan as we speak."

"Yes...I will tend to that. I should get back to her now...before...she gets into any trouble."

"Yes that will be wise...oh and good job. Just one thing...you will not use the Imperius curse on this one. I want her intact...I will not lose this one Dantor."

"I will do my best."

"You better do more than that...I have plans for her...and you if you succeed."

"Well...anyway...I should be returning."

He nodded and went back to his parchment.

~*~

After the group returned Faedra called another meeting.

"I am sorry to call this on such short notice but there have been some recent developments. I was going through some of the things Kaje brought with him and I stumbled on what looks like the real prophecy...it seems that he stumbled onto it..."

"Real prophecy about what?"

"The three..."

"What's the three?" Dakkon asked.

"The enchanted ones..."

"I thought that was just a myth." Legolas stated.

"It is as real as I am."

"Care to fill us in." Karia stated.

"The enchanted ones, or the three of the three are said to have great powers...two with hair as dark as coal, two with eyes as green as emeralds, all three with distinguished beauty and wit. The two of the two was a farce but not entirely."

"But we all found the prophecy of the two in Beacondell." Vanidor stated.

"It was made to throw us off...well the bad guys anyway. Monutras made two prophecies...the true and the changed...we knew of the changed version, had it memorized even...when Kaje told you what it said even he was uncertain of it's truth. So he did a bit of digging and found this...it was well guarded...his father was no fool."

"What exactly did this prophecy say?" Isethia asked.

"Most of what was originally stated is true...we have the 4 from earth here one of whom is the heir. The illegitimate heir destroyed that which she wanted and could not have...we still have to get rid of them...let me read it to you.

"A group of 4 shall come from the east, from a different world, bearing gifts of our kind, object's belonging to the mage of time. The legitimate heir will be one of those travelers, seeking out his rightful place. Then dark days will follow, the illegitimate heir will try to steal what isn't rightfully hers and try to destroy everything righteous and whole. The circle of love must then be formed to rid us of this threat. The circle is made up of four elves each bearing a mark of power...Fire, Air, Earth and Water. They speak an incantation, revealing the enemy...speaking one word will destroy them. The Dark Lord shall be defeated by the true heir, who is one with the heir of Luthan. A new threat awakens, destroying everything in his path. His greed blinding his judgment. It shall be his own downfall. An enemy of an enemy will take his last breath. The day of reckoning follows. Only one matched in skill and years can defeat the immortal demon, one from Earth, one who is just as hard to defeat. The enchanted ones, three of the three, two with hair as dark as coal, two with eyes as green as emeralds, must come together and destroy the one that remains, strip his power, stripping his title, leaving a man with no ambition behind. Years will pass before a new threat comes. By this time the son of Kajen and his herald will be in power...forming the prophecy and destroying thine enemy."

A few moments passed as everyone digested the information that was given to them.

"The enchanted ones...it's the two of the two and Kaelea isn't it?" Fairin asked.

Faedra smiled. "Yes...the three sisters."

"S-sisters? I thought...they were...my cousins."

"You and Karia are fraternal twins. Your mother gave you up to her brother who could not have children...Denmil. Upon his death his wife, Amalia, tried to raise you but was unable to prevent Dantor or any evil from taking you, so when she finally got you back she gave you to us to raise."

"Are you sure this is my actual family now? First you say that Kris is my cousin...then he isn't even related to me. Then you tell me I have two cousins who are now even my sisters, one of whom is my twin."

"Lia, prophecies are very tricky...and sometimes the one you think you know, you don't...but yes this is the final one...And now that you know that you should know that Loman was your mother's brother, as well as your uncle's...which would make Calyna your cousin."

"So...okay let me get this straight. I was sent to Earth and raised by my aunt's or friend's of my family...who ever they are...and then I come here and I am supposedly reunited with my cousin and half sister when in reality it's my twin and half sister. And then I find out I am one of the Two and now it's Three. Did I get everything?"

"No. You and your sisters all have powers...you have the gift of empathy, premonition, and flight. Kaelea has the power of astral projection, telekinesis, and orbing. And Lia has the power to accelerate or slow down time...meaning you can freeze or stop time and you can accelerate things or explode them." Luthan stated.

"You mean...Kaelea has power too? And she's in the hands of...Kane?"

"Yes she has power but now she is in the hands of Dantor." Luthan answered.

"You mean...Dantor's back? I thought he was at least banished somewhere...because Kane did help us defeat him-"

"An illusion my dear...it was fixed that way. They still have the dark weapons and only the three of the three can defeat him..."

"Okay this is getting a little too...confusing."

"I am surprised no one is worried about what Dantor may try to do to her." He stated softly.

"What are you talking about? Of course I'm worried...my fiancée is in the hands of that monster."

"I am afraid he is only the puppet...Kane is the puppet master."

Karia grabbed the scroll of the prophecy to look at it, maybe there was something that they were missing. She dropped it immediately and grabbed her temple, grimacing in pain, as visions flooded into her mind.

"What do you see?" Luthan asked.

"It's Kaelea..."

"What about her?"

"She's changing...darker...learning magic of sorts...wearing...crimson colored clothing... a man...touching her...forcing her..." She opened her eyes. "That's all I have."

"It's like Elfarran." Calyna stated quietly.

"Well...she does have her spirit."

"What?"

"She is basically Elfarran reincarnated...in a way."

"They would have been cousins too wouldn't they?" Lia asked.

Luthan nodded.

"Can this get anymore confusing?" Lia asked.

"We need to find her as soon as possible. If she is with Dantor then there is no doubt that they will try to turn her and use her for their purposes." Dakkon stated.

"Well, I'm going this time." She stated. "She's my sister...and I have faced Dantor before...I can handle him."

"Yes, but it isn't just you who must face him." Legolas stated.

"Well, I should at least be able to go, since it doesn't involve Kris anymore...that is the reason I wasn't able to go before isn't it?"

"I never said you couldn't go this time. But I have a feeling she will be coming to us..." Faedra told her.

"What does that mean?" Aravan asked.

"I don't know, but I feel we may be to late...I fear that they may succeed."

"You mean they'll turn her like Elfarran was turned?" Calyna asked.

"I am afraid so...she can only fight it for so long." Faedra answered.

"But-does that mean she'll stay on that side?"

"There's no telling. She may but I don't know who could bring her back."

"Luthan was the one who brought Elfarran back."

"Yes, but I was ineffective...she killed herself shortly after...I will not make the same mistake again. It is up to Fairin to get her back."

"And...how do I do that? How did you get her back?"

"I sacrificed myself...I should have known she was unable to live without me...but I thought anything was better than me having to kill her. You will not sacrifice yourself or the same fate will happen to Kaelea."

"You thought anything was better than having to kill her? But you still killed her! It was because of you that she went outside the city and took that poison-"

"She had free will...she did not have to kill herself...but she did...you cannot blame it on me...I was already dead."

"If I can't blame it on you than who do I blame it on Gondor?! Everytime I've been there something bad has happened. My father left, my sister died and my child died."

"Yes, but again you cannot blame me...you killed your own child...your sister took her own life...and your father took it upon himself to leave...free will is rather nasty isn't it?"

"You had a child?" Ayon asked.

"I-yes." She whispered. "I was with child."

"You couldn't bare it if you had the Dark Lord's baby...you didn't want it to be like him..." Luthan said gently.

She sighed. "I shouldn't have done what I did though."

"You made the right choice. It may be against our ways but that child would have grown to take his father's place and he would have succeeded. He would have destroyed everything...I saw it when I found out you were pregnant...there would have been nothing left of our people..."

"I-the child would have been evil just because his father was or would it have been because of me too? I served the Dark Lord once. And I killed because he told me that it would increase my power. And every time I have met someone from my family and he's died."

"It had nothing to with you. Kris would have kidnapped the baby and Kane would have raised it. Not everyone in your family has died...Lia is still alive and so is your brother...he is in this room as we speak."

"So...who's my brother?"

"Me." Tolar stated as he stood.

"Your-but I thought you were the son of Vanya and Elodin."

"They raised me."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wasn't sure you wanted to know...you told me once that you never wanted to meet anyone else from your family because you would be afraid to lose them...so I didn't tell you."

"Oh...actually I was afraid I was cursed or something...and it's still happening...my cousin almost died because of me."

"I would not have died...I am very persistent. I am not going anywhere." Karia smirked.

~*~

A week had past since she was taken from Kris. Dantor had kept her busy by teaching her combat magic and then had moved on to unforgivable curses.

Dantor took a mouse out of a cage of twenty or so and placed it on the table. He concentrated on it. "Imperio."

The mouse began to do tricks, and things that a mouse wouldn't do normally. He then turned to her. "This is called the Imperius curse. Who ever you cast it on will have to obey your will."

She took a step back. "Why do I have to learn this? I am not comfortable doing this."

"You have to learn because I am your teacher and I said so."

"My teacher? Since when? I was just supposed to learn a few things so that if Aylis ever challenged me I would be able to calm her suspicions. I do not recall having to go above and beyond that."

"Well, the Imperius curse could aid you in calming her suspicions couldn't it?"

"This seems a bit advanced for an apprentice."

"Yes, but your no ordinary apprentice. You've managed to be at least one level ahead of what I have been trying to teach you the entire time."

"I am not an apprentice...I am a captive. There is a difference."

"Well...anyway, I will show you the other two spells I want you to learn today." He took the Imperius curse off of the mouse and placed it back in the box. He removed another one and placed it on the table. "Crucio." The mouse lay flat and began to twitch.

"Oh my god! What did you do to it?"

"This is called the Cruciatus curse. It causes pain." He said almost reverently.

She backed away from the table. "I don't like this. I am not going to cause anyone pain."

"Even if they are a threat to you?"

"Yes....there are other ways..."

"Well...I still have one more to show you." He removed the curse and put the mouse aside before taking another mouse from the cage. "Avada Kedavra." A flash of green light surrounded the mouse and it fell limp.

"Why did you kill that mouse? Why are you teaching me these things? I do not wish to learn them."

"That was the killing curse. It is the favorite with some of the dark magic users on earth and in the entire known history of magic only one person has ever survived it."

"I do not care. I want you to let me out of here."

"Well...I guess we can come back to these curses another day. Let's see how you have done with some of our more recent lessons. I want you to defend yourself. Combustable."

"Linero."

He continued to throw spells and was goading her at the same time, with degraded her as well as insulted her. She could only take so much.

"Vitera!" She shouted finally...a few of the glass jars shattered and he was thrown over the table against the wall. "I want out of here now!"

Dantor was stunned momentarily. He stood slowly, a smile on his face. "Good. I want you to channel that anger."

"And I want you dead."

"Well, unfortunately for you only the two of the two can kill me. And I know there's another female amongst them but I highly doubt your that other female."

"I'm not but I know them very well..."

"Yes, I really believe you." He claimed sarcastically.

"Why? Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because...it's my job."

"It's your job to degrade me and make me feel insignificant? Well screw you!"

"Well...I can't remember the time I have seen such temper from an elven female. Usually your kind are so prim and proper...like the one who considers herself the lady of Arden Vale."

"Rael is the worst lady I have ever seen...And I hope she lives a miserable life for all that she puts everyone else through...as for you...I hope you lose your soul."

"And what would you know about being the worst lady? Your nothing but a little...Whore! I know about your relationship with the prince of Silvanesti."

She felt her anger surrounded her and radiate off of her body, her eyes even had a tinge of red. "I was raped! How dare you call me a whore! Bilanta!"

Dantor levitated off the ground, and he began to fall..."Fetherall" He shouted as he was slowly brought down to the floor. He turned to her. "Imperio!"

: Cast an unforgivable curse on the mice!:

"NO!" She shouted. "I will not!"

"Oh you are strong. Shall we try this again? Imperio!" He focused all of his will on her.

She closed her eyes. "No." She whispered.

He continued to focus on her. He was strong...she couldn't fight much longer...She looked up. ""I hate you for making me do this...I will get you...Imperio!"
He got hit with it. : Let me out of this room:

He released the illusion on the door. She walked out of the room and headed for the door. "Alohamura." The door unlocked and she was in the hallway. She saw a mage passing by. "Excuse me you could tell me how to get out of here?"

The man pointed. "Thank you." She ended up in a huge corridor.

"Well...well it seems we have a new face. Who may I ask are you?" A woman asked as she circled her.

"I'm an apprentice mage and I am trying to find my way out."

"May I ask you why?"

"I am running an errand for my master."

"Whom is your master?"

"Dantor."

She smiled. "Show me."

"Show you what?"

"Some magic my dear."

She waved her hand and the woman was thrown onto the floor a good distance away.

Aylis smiled as she stood up. "Isarak dear it seems that Dantor has gotten himself quite a powerful mage."

"Yes...apparently he has."

"What should we do with her?"

"Well...it might be a good idea to find a little bit about her." He began to walk around her. "What is your name?"

"Lea."

"You were on an errand for your master I believe you said. Well...we shouldn't hold you up. Don't want your master getting impatient. However, when you finish your errand and return to your master please tell him that I will be keeping an eye on him."

"Tell him yourself he is on his way. Good day." The next thing she knew she was inside the gates of Magia. She looked around...how did I get here? She thought to herself. She could feel anger start to creep up over her, she shook it off...No.