. A gorgeous wooden-paneled ceiling with polished timber supports spread above me. I turned my head to the side and saw plaster walls painted with flowers and greenery,  with pedestals holding potted plants, a chest of drawers and a table of the type that I believe one calls a ‘console table’, all in a line against the wall. The table …

. The memory ended– no, it wasn’t memory, it was more like I had been reliving lives– and I returned to that golden-lit non-reality, still frozen in the moment of having run Mára through. With my voice shaking, I asked, “Why did you show me that?” The voice answered, “Because your older, wiser self knew the need to preserve these …

. My awareness falls backward. Another life flits past too quickly to see, and then another… …and I find myself on a merchant ship, high in the clouds. My little son is by my side, clutching my clothing, and his younger sister is in my arms. I’m terrified for us, because the raiders have us check-mated. They will soon board. …

. All motion stopped in that instant, along with the noise of the crowd and the banshee cry emitting from Mára. My body and everything else froze. I was caught there like a fly in amber, with my knee on her stomach and my hand on Durandal’s hilt as I stared into her crazed eyes. I would have thought she …

I had no time to look for either Durandal or the jade writing brush. I yelled, “[Body Fortification]!” while flooding myself with the Earth mana from my core as I rolled on the invisible floor provided by the sword grounds screen, trying to evade her. She was yelling, “[Titan’s Tread]!” [Fortification] formed faster than it ever had before, courtesy the …

. Momentum carried me past Mára and out of range of the magic assault, but I nearly dropped my sword and brush from the surprise. I reversed the jade writing brush and chanted “[Healing]”, using the tool to sweep the casting up and down my body. “You were saying something, little monster?” Mára was jeering. The blast had come out …

. The spring night air had a definite chill to it, and this skimpy outfit offered nothing to fend it off. I was trying and very much failing to not think about the number of eyes that were seeing me wear it, too. The moon was bright, and my pale skin was doing an superb job of reflecting its light …

. Miröen… or rather, His Highness Prince Manlon, bowed his head toward me lightly. “Your Highness, it’s truly pleasant to be able to gaze upon your lovely visage two days in a row.” “Thank you,” I said,  returning the bow with a regular curtsey. The pretty pair bookending him looked rather dissatisfied that their man was flattering another girl. They …

. I had to admit she was right. That little schoolyard scuffle I had with Aenëe was not a fairy battle. Remembering her again, I wondered how she was doing against the demons threatening her city. If Trisiagga was still around, the obvious rookie Aenëe would be no match for her. I did my best not to show a reaction …

. Mother departed the Royal Grove of the Fairy King with baby Tiana in her arms in the Month of Full Snows of the Imperial Ostish Year 3247. She once told me that the woods were glistening white in the moonlight and it made her sad to think her daughter would grow up without this beautiful sight. Fourteen years and …