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The Guardian Crusade

Volume I



Chapter 8



Aj always hated funerals, everyone was sad and crying, and he hated the way it made him feel. He looked around at all the different faces, Elvaan, Human, and Dwarves. All of them had tear soaked eyes, sad faces, and broken hearts as they said their final goodbye to a friend. He looked at Rayne as she stood beside the Priest at the head of the casket and he wondered how much she was really paying attention. Her gaze locked on the Elvaan carved casket in front of her. The expression on her face was emotionless and he looked away.



When the service was over, everyone walked out of the Burial Grounds. Aj followed behind Marsa and the guys but when he got to the path that leads into the trees, he stopped and turned around. He saw Evia and Nalia walking up to him, and when they approached him they stopped.



“She will not say anything and I can not get her to come back, perhaps you could.” Evia said with worry. Aj took a deep breath and looked over at Rayne and then looked at Evia and Nalia.



“I’ll try.” He said with a light nod.



“Thank you.” Evia said returning the nod. Queen Evia and Nalia headed into the pathway and Aj slowly walked over to Rayne. As he got closer he saw that she was still crying. He wasn’t sure what to say to her or what to do.



“Rayne?” Aj said quietly as he stopped beside her. She didn’t say anything as she continued to look at the casket. He took another step and placed his hand on her arm. “Rayne?” he said again. Quickly her head turned as she looked at the hand on her arm; slowly she followed the arm up and saw who was standing beside her. Aj was about to ask her if she was ok but as soon as her eyes connected with his, she started crying and she wrapped her arms around him, and pulled herself against him.



He was taken back at first as she stood there crying. Then slowly he wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried. He pulled her hair to the side and rested his hand on her shoulder. His other arm was wrapped around her lower back and for the first time he realized he had her in his arms. Aj wasn’t sure how long they stood there, how long she cried against his chest but he didn’t care; all he wanted was for her pain to go away. Then slowly she started to pull away and he looked down at her.



“Are you ok now?” Aj asked. His hand that was on her shoulder slowly slid down her back, his arms still wrapped around her lower back.



“Yes.” She replied quietly. Turning her head a little she looked at her Father’s coffin and then looked back to Aj. “I wonder if he knew.” A strand of hair had fallen over her eye, and he reached for it, and gently tucked it behind her ear.



“Knew what?” Aj asked a little confused.



“That the Mage was mother.” Rayne said quietly.



“I don’t know.” Aj told her. “Do you think he would have told you, if he had known?”



“No.” Rayne said with a light shake of her head. “Especially with how she is now, who she is, he would not have.” She slid her hands from his back and sighed.



“You want to go back to the Castle now?” Aj asked.



“Yes.” She said with a light nod.



“Ok.” Aj lightly smiled as he took her hand. Together they left the Burial Ground and headed into the city. Rayne walked close to him, she didn’t look at the people as they looked at her, and at him. Each person they walked by stopped what they were doing when they saw the two together. Every once in a while Aj would look behind him, and he would see a couple of people here and there whispering to each other as they watched the two walk down the street. The guards bowed to both of them as they walked into the Castle. Aj turned to her when they reached the bottom of the stairs.



“Are you hungry at all?” he asked.



“No.” She said shaking her head.



“Ok, what did you want to do?” he asked.



“I just want to go to my room.” She said as she stepped onto the stairs. Aj frowned but followed her up the stairs. When they approached her bedroom door Aj turned to her.



“Do you need anything before I go?” He asked.



“No thank you.” She said as she put her hand on the knob. He looked at her a moment, from the time they walked into the Castle to the time they got here, she had gone stone cold on him again. “And thank you for walking me back.” She said with a nod. The tone in her voice made him feel like a servant and as her door clicked close, Aj stood there stunned.



His eyebrows frowned in confusion as he stared at the door. Shaking his head he turned around and headed down to his room. He was completely blown away by the change in attitude in Rayne. Grabbing onto the door knob to his room he angerly pushed on it and then slammed it behind him.







Rayne stopped at her dresser when she heard a loud banging noise. She sighed wondering if it was Alex as she pulled a robe from her dresser. Angry at herself for hugging him when he walked up to her at the Burial Grounds, angry at herself for treating him like she did at the door and now she was going to take off and head back to Sarila. She was going to confront her mother, find out for sure if it was really her or if it was nothing more than the Evil.



Putting on the new robe, she walked over to her other dresser and pulled it out carefully. She reached behind it and pulled out a bag. It was black cotton like material; the strap was long enough so she could put it over her head and shoulder. The strap wrapped diagonally across her as she opened it to make sure she had everything. Last night and this morning she was able to sneak away and get some supplies, some food, and some potions just in case.



Pulling her hair back she tied it up and pulled her hood over her head. She walked over to her door and quietly opened it. Listening at first to see if there were any noise in the hallway, she stood against the wall, with the door opened a crack. When she was satisfied there was no one there she slipped out of the door, closed it carefully and then headed down the hallway. As Rayne quickly walked down the hall she heard the sound of a door opening, a little frantic she looked for a place to hide, and saw a small space behind a decretive pillar. Quickly she slipped behind it, and held her breath hoping they didn’t see her. Pushing up against the wall she watched as Alex’s friends walked passed her laughing. She waited a moment and then peered around the wall, and watched as they walked down the stairs. Exhaling she fixed her bag and left her hiding spacing. She turned to head down the hall but something stopped her dead in her tracks. Quickly she looked up as her body froze and she saw Alex standing there in front of her.



“Well now this is a sight.” Alex said to her as he crossed his arms. “And where are we going?”



“I am going for a walk.” She said as she pulled herself straight and her chin up a little.



“Really.” Alex said and she watched as he tilted his head a little. “Where?”



“Some where.” She said as she tried to think of something. “I..I was thinking of walking the road around the city.”



“I see.” Alex said. “Well how about if I join you.”



“No.” She said quickly.



“No?” Aj asked as he raised an eyebrow.



“I wish to be alone Alex, please respect that.” She said her tone getting stern.



“Fine.” Aj said with a shrug. “Have a good walk.” He said too her as he walked passed her. She looked at him stunned as he headed towards the staircase, where his friends were talking just moments ago. A little shocked she stood there for a moment, and then shook it away. She headed towards the staircase at the end of the hall and opened the door. Walking up a floor Rayne opened another door and then headed down another hallway. She walked all the way to the end and then reached into her pocket and pulled out a key. It was a key that was given to her from the Elvaan’s who had prepared her father for burial. Opening the door she held the key in her hand, turning around she quickly looked to make sure no one was following her, and then she closed the door locking it. Rayne turned around but she could see nothing, the room was covered in darkness. In a second a small firefly appeared in the room, then another and then another, Rayne lightly smiled at the light spell she had conjured, one she hadn’t used since she was a kid. The room lit up in a green yellow glow, and she looked to the middle of the room, where she saw a globe sitting on the pedestal.



This wasn’t the globe to Tokia, this was the globe to Sarila and the key she held in her hand was her Fathers key to turn the globe back on. Looking down at the key she thought about her Father one more time, with a deep breath she lifted the key to the globe, inserted it, and watched as the globe lit up. When the globe was glowing bright Rayne lifted her hand to the globe but a hand on her wrist stopped her and she looked up quickly.



“Turn it off.” Alex said as he held her wrist.



“How did you?” She asked looking back to the closed lock door.



“Turn the globe off Rayne.” Alex said to her sternly. Still a little stunned on how he got into the room she reached for the key and pulled it out. The globe hummed as the light dimmed and it shut off.



“There.” She said as the anger started to over shadow her shock. “Now let go of me.” She said pulling her wrist out of his grip.



“What were you doing?” He asked as she walked away from him. “I thought you were going for a walk?” She didn’t say anything to him as she walked through the fireflies and sat down on the edge of the pedestal. A minute later she felt him sit down beside her. “Where does this globe go Rayne?” Without looking at him she answered.



“Sarila.” She said quietly.



“Sarila?” Aj said shocked. “So what you were going to just walk into the Palace and be like Hi mom I’m home.” He said with a sarcastic wave. Rayne looked at him quickly, angry at the way he mocked her.



“No.” She snapped at him.



“Well then why did you think you could just walk in there?” Aj asked. “That would be like a death trap Rayne.”



“I wanted to stop it.” Rayne said quietly, she didn’t want to look at him.



“Stop what?” Aj asked, and she looked down when she felt his hand slid over hers. Quickly she pulled it away and stood up.



“I wanted to stop what ever it is controlling my mother; I want to stop it, so she can be in peace, with Father.” Rayne said a she walked back over to the globe.



“Even if it means getting yourself killed, and then leaving Pixcadia to whatever.” Alex said as she looked up at him.



“The Evil that is in my Mother would be dead, Pixcadia will be free so what does it matter.” She said with a shrug.



“You would be dead Rayne.” Alex said stunned. “That’s what matters.”



“What do you care, the war will be over, you will be able to go home.” She said as she tucked the key into her robe pocket. “You will not even be here.”



“So that’s what this is about.” Alex said as he walked over to her. She looked up and tried to walk away but he stopped her. “I care Rayne, I care a lot, and we’re supposed to be in this together all four of us. What if you run off and something bad happens and you don’t kill what ever it is that is controlling your mom, then what?” Aj asked her and she didn’t know how to reply. When she felt him sitting her down, she looked up at him. He sat them down on the edge of the pedestal. “I know you have been through a lot these past couple of days, but too me it looks like you’re slipping away.” She looked away as he continued to talk. “You haven’t talked to anyone, you sit in your room all day, before this morning when was the last time you ate?”



She took a deep breath and sighed still not looking at him. If only she had been quicker, if she had left sooner, if the guys hadn’t of walked out of the room she would have made it. But she still wondered how he got through the door.



“Rayne?” Alex said and she looked at him. “I can’t stay.”



“Stop it!” She shouted as she pulled away and stood up. “I know alright, I know you can not stay, stop telling me that.” She really was tired of hearing it, Kevin telling everyone, Alex telling everyone and she just didn’t want to hear it anymore. “Every time someone says you are leaving, when all this is over, it just reminds me of how alone I will be when you do.” She didn’t want to cry, she was tired of crying, over him, over her father, her mother, and she tried to fight it but then as she felt his arms wrap around her, when she felt the calm of being in his arms, it was too much for her, and she started crying. His chin rested on her shoulder, his arms wrapped across her, holding her as she cried and she didn’t dare move.



“I don’t want to hurt you Rayne; I still have to go home.” Aj quietly said as she started to calm herself.



“I know.” She whispered. “I thought it would be easier to stay away, but the more I do, the more I think about when you leave and how I wasted all this time because I did not want to get hurt.”



“Time we could of spent together?” Alex asked and she closed her eyes as she nodded. Slowly he turned her around and she felt his finger slip under her chin. She looked up at him, into his dark eyes and at that moment she didn’t care anymore. She didn’t care he would leave; she didn’t care about how much it would hurt when he did. All she cared about was how all the pain, all the sadness, and all the loneliness went away when she looked into them. Then everything went blank as his lips pressed against hers. It was shocking at first but as his arms wrapped behind her, she fell into the kiss and wrapped her arms around him.



“Promise me something?” Alex said quietly as they pulled away. Rayne looked at him, still holding each other in their arms. “Don’t ever try to take off like that again, at least come get me first.” She lightly smiled and nodded.



“I promise.” She said to him.



“Good.” Alex said with a smile.



“How did you get in here anyways?” she asked. “I locked the door.”



“You did.” Alex said with a nod. “So I just teleported.”



“Oh, I see.” She said with a light smile. “And when did you learn this?” she asked.



“Yesterday.” Alex said with a light smile as he looked down at her. She smiled back as she laid her head against his chest. “Are you still up for that walk?” He asked.



“Yes.” She said as she pulled away from him. She watched as he smiled taking her by the hand and they left the room, together.











Halian sat at the desk in her room. Most of it had been changed already from the mess Johon had left her bedroom in. As she scanned over a report from Rem in Sera, there was a knock at her door, and she looked up.



“Enter.” She shouted as she waited to see who it was. The door opened and in walked one of her soldiers. “Yes, what is it?”



“I am here to report that the Globe from Winnol turned on.” He said to her.



“It did.” She said getting up quickly.



“Yes, M’lady.” He said with a nod. Halian stood up quickly and went to leave her room but the soldier spoke up. “It is not on anymore your majesty.” He said quickly.



“What?” She asked confused as she spun around.



“It was only on for a brief moment.” He explained.



“Hmm.” She said thinking. “How goes the Army?” She asked.



“We are almost ready my Majesty.” He replied.



“Excellent, please inform Dyn I wish to see him.” She told him. The soldier saluted and then headed out of the room. She walked over to her window and opened it. Looking out to her city she wondered what was with the globe coming on, and then turning off.



“What are they up too?” She said too herself as she looked in the direction of Winnol. She sat on the windowsill and remembered to when things were much different. She had never gotten the upper hand on the Guardians like this before. Sure she got to the tale all those years ago but they caught up with her, killed her before any real damage could be done. The only real good that came out of it was the guardians forgetting their Ancient magic. They still had the power to stop her but the longer they went without their Ancient magic the weaker they got, and like she said, she was very patient.



Except now, all of a sudden out of no where, this new one, one of the ones that were sent away to Earth, conjures a Tohil spell. She was not going to let this Alexander mess up her plans, plans she had worked long and hard on. When she left Johon and took over Halian’s body, she found Dyn in hysterics at his mother and sisters’ bodies. It wasn’t hard to feed him the hatred towards his Father, most of it was already there. The same with the jealousy and bitterness he had towards his brother, Alexander.



You see she found out a few months later that Dyn had strong feelings for Rayne, and Marsa knew of these feelings. But Rayne was a Guardian and even though she didn’t know it at the time, she was not to be involved with anyone, until the time of her calling. Now who’s to say she would fall for one or the other but when he heard about Alexander saving Rayne on the ship, he went ballistic and Johon had to put him in solitary for a few days. The brother he loathed was now taking the woman he loved. She smiled, perfect.



“You wanted to see me Queen Halian.” Dyn said.



“Yes Dyn. I have received word that the Army will soon be ready, so what ever plans you have for Marsa you best put them into action.” She told him as she closed her window.



“Thank you.” He said with a nod and a bow.



“How long will this take?” She asked as she walked over to her desk.



“I will send word now, Marsa will be dead a day from now.” He said as a small smile came across his face.



“Then I wish you well Dyn, when you have news please report to me, so I may ready my Army on the ships.” She told him.



“Yes M’lady.” He said with a bow. When he turned to leave she remembered about the globe.



“Oh one more thing Dyn.” She said as he stopped and turned around. “The guard at the Winnol Globe reported it came on and then shut off a minute or so later.” Halian told him.



“Really, what do you make of that?” he asked.



“I am not sure, but I thought I should inform you. If I hear anything on that I will tell you.” She said.



“Of course.” He said as he bowed again, and then left the room.











Aj sat on top of a Gryphon all by himself, the bird standing still beside another Gryphon, Rayne’s Gryphon. They watched as Nick and Kevin learned how to take off. Aj had already gone through a run and did pretty good. It wasn’t that hard he found out, the bird does most of the work; you just have to learn how to stay on. He watched as Kevin started his Gryphon running, then the bird started to flap his wings and soon he was up in the air. Aj brought his fingers to his lips and whistled as Kevin flew over head.



“Yay!” He yelled as he watched Kevin fly pass. The Gryphon swooped around and then glided down to a running stop.



“That was so awesome!” Kevin said as his bird walked up to him and Rayne.



“I know dude its killer.” Aj said smiling.



“Brian does not want to ride?” Rayne asked as she looked to Aj.



“He’s afraid of heights, hates flying, there’s no way we’re getting him on one of these.” Aj said with a light laugh. Rayne started laughing as she looked to Nick who was getting ready to take off. The bird started running and then jumped into the air. Aj looked up as the bird flew over and Nick gave a happy holler. As Nick flew back over them Aj looked down and looked to Rayne. She was smiling and laughing and it made him feel good to see her that way. Much better than how she was this morning at the funeral and after. Of course he knows he had a lot to do with it and what happen in the globe room.



“Well I think I will go and see if Brian will ride with me.” She said looking at him with a smile.



“Good luck.” Aj said with a laugh as she started to walk her Gryphon over to Brian. He smiled as he watched her.



“Hey Miracle Man, what’s up.” Nick said as he walked over with his Gryphon.



“Miracle Man?” Aj asked confused.



“Yeah, you and your mojo sure did a number on Rayne.” Nick said with sly smile. “Is that where you took off to this morning?” Nick giggled.



“Dude.” Aj said looking at him.



“Oh come on Aj don’t deny this, she’s done like a one eighty since this morning. You put a spell on her with your magic wand didn’t you?” Nick smiled as he wiggled his eyebrows.



“I swear if I could reach you I’d hit you.” Aj said with anger.



“Ok, ok, calm down.” Nick said still laughing a little. “But seriously something must have happened.” Aj looked at him, still a little pissed from his comment before.



“Nothing like that happened.” Aj said as he looked away.



“Ok.” Nick said realizing he really did hit a nerve with Aj.



“I caught her trying to sneak to Sarila.” Aj told him.



“By herself?” Nick asked.



“Yep.” Aj nodded.



“What the hell was she thinking?” Nick asked.



“She was messed up from everything over the last couple of days; she wanted to go after her mom.” Aj said with a light shrug.



“But you stopped her.” Nick said.



“Yeah.” Aj said.



“Good.” Nick replied.



“Kevin thinks your staying.” Aj said as he looked over at him.



“He does?” Nick said shocked.



“Yeah and get this..” Aj said. “He said if I wanted to stay that’s ok.”



“Say what now?” Nick said shocked. “Did the Elvaan give him some kind of herb?”



“Dunno.” Aj said laughing.



“Are you?” Nick asked.



“I asked you first.” Aj shot back quickly.



“I don’t know.” Nick said with a shrug. “This place is pretty cool, and it is a lot different than back there.”



“Tell me about it.” Aj nodded. “What about Nalia?”



“She would be part of the reason, but not all of it.” Nick told him as he looked at him.



“Sounds like you are thinking about it.” Aj said.



“That I am.” Nick said with a sigh. “I really am.”



“Wow dude.” Aj said a little shocked.



“You’re not?” Nick asked. Aj took a deep breath and looked at Nick.



“Up until this morning there was nothing stopping me from going back home when this was done.” Aj said “But I’ve spent the last couple of hours wondering if mom would be ok if I didn’t.”



“It’s weird isn’t it?” Nick said as he looked at his friends.



“What?” Aj asked.



“This place..” Nick said with a light laugh. “It’s starting to feel like home.”



“I don’t freakin’ believe it!” Kevin shouted and as Aj and Nick turned to look a Gryphon swooped over them. As it turned, they saw Brian sitting in front of Rayne as they flew in the sky.



“No way.” Nick said in awe. “How the hell did she pull that off?”



“I have no idea.” Aj said as he watched the bird fly above them. Soon the bird swooped back over them as it came to a running stop. Aj and Nick watched as one of the Riders helped Brian down and as soon as his feet touched the ground he dropped to his knees and kissed the dirt below him. The two busted out laughing along with Howie and Kevin.



“How did you do that?” Nick asked Rayne as she approached them.



“I can not say.” She said with a smile. Aj jumped down from his Gryphon as a Rider came up and walked the giant bird over to the others. “But it was a one time agreement.”



“Should I be worried?” Aj asked as he walked up to her.



“No.” She said with an embarrass smile.



“Good.” He smiled back at her. “I was thinking maybe you and I could have a private dinner tonight?”



“Really?” Rayne said. “My room or yours?” she asked.



“You pick.” Aj said as they followed the others out of the Ridding Fields.



“How about your room.” She suggested.



“Ok.” Aj said with a nod. He looked down at her and she smiled back at him, it made him smile. Then she wrapped her arm through his and they walked arm and arm back to the Castle.









Aj walked out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist after his bath. He was busy getting ready for his dinner tonight with Rayne. After the servants left when they had finished getting the table ready for him, he hopped into the tub. Opening the doors to his dresser, he made a clicking sound with his mouth as he looked for a robe to wear. One by one he pushed the robes to the side as he quickly scanned to see what they looked like. When he came to a black robe with red thread embedded into it, he pulled it out. It was simple but the red made it pop and he liked it. He pulled it around him and tied it up around his waist. As he headed over to the only mirror in his room there was a knock at the door. Changing his direction he walked over to his bedroom door and opened it.



“What’s up?” Aj asked as he saw Kevin standing in front of him.



“We’re heading down to dinner now.” Kevin said nodding back to the others in the hallway. “Nick says you’re eating here?”



“Yeah, having dinner with Rayne.” Aj said wondering what he would say to that. Because honestly, he didn’t know, he was still blown away by the last conversation he had with him.



“Cool.” Kevin nodded. “Alright then, we’ll see ya later man.” Kevin said as he waved at Aj.



“Alright.” Aj said as he waved back. He closed the door as the chatter of the guys disappeared down the hall and walked back over to the mirror. Aj looked himself over as he straightened the front of the robe. With a deep breath he turned around and then shouted in fear as he saw a woman standing in front of him.



“I did not mean to scare you.” She said as Aj grabbed onto the mirror to stop himself from falling.



“Well you did.” Aj said as he tried to catch his breath. After a moment he looked at her and saw that it was the woman that had visited him at the cemetery, the woman that was in the picture. “Did you want something?”



“I came to warn you Alexander.” She said and Aj caught the sadness and worry in her tone.



“Warn me?” Aj asked confused.



“The last string has been broken; the last thread of peace has unraveled.” She told him. “I hope you are ready for what lies ahead of you, for you and Rayne.” She stepped towards him and looked into his eyes. “Your mind has settled since we last talked.”



“Umm.” Aj said wondering what she meant.



“You know now that you are from here, you feel at home?” she asked.



“I guess, yeah.” He said nodding.



“Good, you will need that.” She said with a nod.



“I will?” Aj said still confused.



“You will be tested; the people will want to know if you are worthy enough to be their king.” She told him.



“King?” Aj said stunned. There was a knock at the door and he quickly looked back. “Why would I be..” He stopped talking when he saw no one there.



“Mclean, your trippin again.” Aj said as he rubbed his eyes and shook his head. As another knock on the door echoed through the room, Aj grabbed the knob and opened the door.



“Hello.” Rayne said with a smile. He smiled back when he saw her. She was wearing a midnight blue dress, black ribbon crisscrossed down the front of the bustier. Her hair was up with only a couple of ringlet’s hanging down around her neck.



“Hi.” Aj said a little taken back by how she looked. “Come in.” He said as he stepped away from the door. She walked in and looked around the room, as Aj closed the door.



“I thought I heard you talking to someone?” she asked.



“Huh?” He asked confused, then remembered the lady that was here. “Oh, uh don’t think so.” He said as he walked over to her. “So.” He said as he approached her and took her hand. “How are you doing?” He asked.



“I am doing better.” She told him as his hand wrapped around hers.



“You’re sure?” He asked. “No more wanting to pay a visit to mom?”



“No.” She said with a light laugh. “I am sorry for the way I was towards you.” She said



“It’s ok.” He said as he took her other hand. “Trust me I get it.” He said with a light smile, as he looked down at her hands. His thumbs gently brushed across the back of them, they were small hands, and her fingers were slim. He started thinking about what the lady, what Tas was talking about. What did she mean he would be tested by the people?



“Alex?” Rayne said and he looked up at her. “Everything alright?” she asked.



“Yeah, yeah fine.” He said with a smile. He was relieved to hear a knock at the door, knowing it was a servant with dinner. Letting go of her hands he walked over to the door and opened it.



“Dinner Sir.” The servant said as he bowed.



“Sweet, come on in.” Aj said as he stepped back. The servant walked in and set the tray down onto the table.



“M’Lady.” The servant said with a bow.



“Hello.” Rayne smiled with a light bow back. Aj walked the servant out the door and then closed it behind her. He turned around and headed over to Rayne. He reached for a chair and pulled it out for her.



“Thank you.” She said with a light smile.



“You’re welcome.” He said with a smile as he helped her slid up to the table and then walked around and seated himself. “So are you going to tell me how you got Brian up on a Gryphon?” he asked as they started to dish out the food.



“Why is it so important?” Rayne said with a laugh.



“Are you kidding? The dude is terrified of heights, he hates flying in a plane and on a plane we’re inside, no worrying about falling.” Aj said with a light laugh.



“Really?” Rayne said fascinated. “How do you fly inside of a bird?” she asked as her face fell in puzzlement. Aj looked at her for a moment, a little dumb founded, then he remembered she really didn’t have a clue, and it made him laugh. “What is so funny?” She asked.



“I’m sorry.” Aj said trying to stop. “Planes aren’t birds, we build them, from metals, we build the engines that make the planes fly and then put them together.” Aj said trying to explain it to her.



“Oh.” Rayne said still not really understanding. “I guess that made me sound rather dumb.” She said joining in on the laugh.



“Naw it’s alright you didn’t know.” Aj said as he calmed himself. “Now stop changing the subject.” She looked at him a little shocked, and then smiled.



“I told him I would turn Nick into a pig.” She said with a smile.



“Can you do that?” Aj asked as he started laughing.



“No.” She replied as Aj started laughing harder.



“That was very sneaky.” Aj said as he wagged his finger at her.



“I got him on the Gryphon did I not?” She asked laughing.



“True, wait till Kevin finds out.” Aj said still laughing.



The two sat at the table enjoying their meal as they talked. Aj told her more about what he did on Earth, traveling all around the place singing to people. He told her about how the guys met, things they had done together, good and bad. He even told her a little bit about his troubles a few years ago, how he got through it and how he’s doing now. He also hoped it would help her open up about her mom, and about her dad about what had happened to them. A few minutes later when Rayne started telling him about when she was younger, he couldn’t help but smile to himself a little.



“He use to read to me, stories about the Guardians when I was younger, I thought it was just lore, until my Coronation.” She said.



“Coronation?” Aj asked.



“When a Princess turns eighteen, there is a special ceremony.” Rayne told him.



“I get it.” Aj said nodding.



“Well after my coronation I found out from King Marsa, King Rossi, King Colim and my Father, that the tale of the Guardians was true, and we must prepare for the time when they come.” She explained.



“So they didn’t tell you then you were a Guardian.” Aj asked.



“No.” She said shaking her head. “I found out a couple of days before you arrived, Father was leaving for Winnol and asked me to come along for safety reasons, while on the ship he told me who I was.” Rayne said.



“How did you feel when you found out?” He asked.



“Shocked at first.” She said as she thought about it. “I kept thinking about the story my Father told me, now I was the druid from that story, and Pixcadia’s survival was dependent on me.”



“I guess it would be hard growing up with the story and then you actually become the story.” Aj said as a commotion started down the hall.



“Yes, but not as hard as being told you are suppose to protect a world you have never known.” Rayne said as she looked at him. Aj lightly smiled and was about to reply when someone knock on his door.



“Wonder who that is?” Aj said as he got up and headed over to the door. When he opened it he saw a guard standing at his door.



“Sir, Avit wishes to see you in his Majesty’s room.” The man said with a quick bow. “It is very important.”



“Ok.” Aj said not sure what was going on. He turned to Rayne but she was already walking up behind him.



“Is everything alright?” She asked.



“I can not say. Prince Alexander must come immediately.” He told them. Aj looked back to Rayne confused; she lightly shrugged and then motioned for him to go. He took her hand and they left the room, making sure they door closed behind them. They followed the guard down the hall and around the corner. When the turned they saw all the people standing around Marsa’s room, including the guys. Aj looked over to Kevin as they walked passed them, and he had a dismal look on his face. One of the guards standing at Marsa’s door opened it and they followed the guard into the room.



When Aj walked in his fears were proven true, Marsa laid on the bed and he looked sick, very sick. He looked on the other side of the bed and saw Avit walking around towards him. His heart started to race a little, he didn’t know what was going on.



“I am sorry to interrupt your dinner Sir.” Avit said to him with a light bow.



“What’s wrong with him, is he ok?” Aj asked concerned.



“Things do not look good.” Avit said.



“When did he become ill?” Rayne asked as Aj looked at Marsa.



“At lunch he said he did not feel well..” Avit was interrupted.



“Sir Avit.” A Priest said and the three of them turned to look. “He wishes to speak with Prince Alexander.” The servant said.



Aj looked at everyone for a moment and then looked at Marsa. He took a deep breath and walked over to his bed side. The Elvaan was breathing heavily, he was pale, paler than usual, and his eyes were closed. Aj wasn’t sure if he was sleeping, what to do or what to say.



“Your highness Alexander is here.” Avit said as he walked up behind Aj. Marsa opened his eyes and slowly turned his head.



“I do not die a natural death.” He said and it got Aj’s attention. “I know you do not believe you are my son, and that is alright, I knew it would be a price to pay for your safety.” Marsa started coughing and Avit nodded to the Priest. “No.” Marsa gasped out waving the Priest away. He looked back at Aj again, his breathing quick and short. “You are the only one left Alexander, the only Breezewalker to carry on but if you do not wish to stay, then I would like Avit to take my place. He may not have been one of us, but he did marry one.” Marsa said with a light smile.



“Sir.” Avit said shocked, but Aj was a little confused.



“If he does stay Avit, please, protect him as you did me for all these years.” Marsa said quietly.



“Of course sir.” Avit said with a somber nod as Marsa looked to Aj again.



“You are a caring, generous man, who wears his heart proudly, and I could ask nothing more out of a son.” Marsa said. “I am forever in your mother’s debt.”



“Marsa I..” Aj tried to say something but he couldn’t.



“It is alright Alexander, you do what your heart wishes, and I would expect nothing else.” He said with a light smile. Marsa looked away again as he started coughing, much worse than before. Aj and Avit backed away from the bed to let the Priest in. When he felt something touch his arm, he looked down and saw Rayne standing beside him. He looked at Marsa and then at Avit.



“What happened?” Aj asked him.



“After lunch he retired to his room for a while, said he was tired. When he came down for dinner he did not look well at all, but insisted he would eat.” Avit told him. “Half way through he passed out and we brought him up here, when the Priest told me how bad it was I sent for you.”



“What did he mean by ‘I do not die a natural death?’” Aj asked him, but he already knew, he just needed to hear it.



“It looks like some type of Poison.” Avit said sadly, “I have my men searching the grounds, the kitchen, or reports of anything suspicious from the citizens.” Avit said.



“Could the rest of us be poisoned?” Rayne asked concerned.



“I do not think so M’lady, we all would be sick as well.” Avit told her.



“We should leave him alone, let him rest.” The Priest said as she walked up the three of them.



“Of course.” Avit said with a nod. Aj looked at Marsa, his eyes were closed again, and even in his sleep he looked restless. He turned around and followed Avit outside. He was surprised to see the guards had cleared all of the people; the only ones in the hall were Nalia, Queen Evia, and the guys.



“What is going on is Marsa alright?” Evia asked concerned. Aj looked at Avit, even he had to double check.



“I am afraid he is quiet ill.” Avit said sadly.



“He’ll be ok though right?” Nick asked.



“I do not know Prince Nickolas.” Avit replied.



“Avit?” Evia said sadly. “How, he was fine earlier.”



“We believe it was poisoned.” Avit said quietly.



“You mean someone..” Evia said shocked.



“Johon.” Nalia said.



“Most likely, but it worries me that some of my men follow him.” Avit said with some anger. “I need to go check with my men, see if there is any word on anything.” Avit said with a bow. Aj watched Avit walk down the hall, he was kind of stunned. This was all happening pretty fast.



“Alex did you want to stay here?” Rayne asked.



“Yeah.” Aj said with a light nod.



“Dude you look like you need to sit down.” Nick said.



“Yeah man.” Kevin said standing up. “Take my seat, sit down.” Aj walked over to the chair and sat down. “You ok?” Kevin asked as Aj looked up at him.



“I’m just a little.” Aj stopped his words lost in his thoughts of what Marsa’s death would mean.



“We should give him a moment.” Rayne said as Aj looked up. He watch as his friends stepped back and gave him some space.



“I am going to go check with Avit.” Evia said and then left everyone and headed down the hall.



They all waited in the hall, time slowly slipped pass, a couple of hours later Avit joined them. A couple of hours after that Nalia, Nick, Kevin, Brian, and Howie went to bed. Aj took a deep breath trying to wake himself up as he opened his eyes. He looked around and saw Avit leaning by Marsa’s door. Looking beside him he saw Rayne curled up in a chair sleeping. He lightly smiled as he sat up. Marsa’s door opening took his attention from her. A Priest walked out as Avit stood up straight.



“The King has passed.” The Priest said quietly as he bowed his head. Avit bowed his head back and the Priest returned to the room. Aj stood up as the door closed and he looked at Avit.



“He’s gone?” Aj asked.



“Yes.” Avit said with a quick nod.



“What happens now?” Aj asked him.



“There is nothing we can do tonight; tomorrow you must announce his passing.” Avit told him. “I do not mean to push you Alexander but you will need to decide tonight on the fate of the Crown.” Avit told him. “The people need to know who their leader is, especially now.”



“Ok.” Aj said quietly. Avit tried to force a smile to him, and then headed down the hall. “Hey Avit?” Aj said and the General stopped walking.



“Yes sir?’ He said as he turned around.



“What did Marsa mean when we saw him earlier, about you being married to a Breezewalker.” Aj asked him.



“Perhaps another time Sir?” Avit asked and Aj saw the pain on Avit’s face.



“Yeah sure, of course, I’m sorry.” Aj said



“It is alright Sir.” Avit said. Aj lightly smiled and then Avit left down the hall. Aj turned around and saw Rayne still sleeping on the chair. He smiled as he watched her sleep. Quietly he walked over to her and gently slid his arms under neither her. She mumbled a little as her head rested on his shoulder, her forehead just touching the side of his neck. Carefully he walked down the hall as he carried towards her room. He turned the corner and walked passed his room to the other end of the hallway. Slowly he reached for the door knob and turned it and lightly smiled in celebration as the door clicked opened. Using her legs he gently pushed the door back and walked into her room. The servants had already closed the curtains to her bed along with the curtains to her windows. He carried her over to the side where the servants had left one side open to crawl into at night. Carefully he laid her down on the bed, sliding her blankets out from under her and pulling them over her as she moved a little, unconsciously getting into her sleeping place. Gently he sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at her. Her mother, her father, her mother again, and now Marsa all gone from her life. If it hadn’t been for her, he would have never given Marsa a chance, a chance to get to know him. He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand. Aj sighed as he put her hand back down and stood up. Closing her curtain before he left, he walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him. He walked down the hall but didn’t go to his room. There was a long night a head of him, he had a lot of thinking too do, and he decided someplace quiet was the place to be.