Truthbearer's Daughters: The Journeys of Connor Clark, #3

By Hans Erdman

FAMILY FIRST! FAMILY FIRST ALWAYS!

These are the words that Connor Clark and his beautiful wife Iolena Yaleria live by. These are the words that mean everything to the Truthbearer and his Guardian, and the four daughters who are their family.

Alenia, the fiery, redheaded Captain of the Borderlands Rangers, shares her mother's green eyes and passionate love for the Aerielands, and the oldest daughter's sense of duty to her family. Whenever and wherever her family needs her, she is there.

Shannon, born of First Earth, the mother of Connor's granddaughters, is the Queen and High Sheriff of Gewellyn. The consummate police officer, her only fear is that which she cannot control, until the Deep Magic gives her reason to live for more.

Menta Kai, the adopted daughter; A former slave, fiercely devoted to Connor and Iolena, she is the child of prophecy who will rise, with her daughter Princess Lona, to become the greatest she-elf in the history of the Nine Worlds.

Fiona, born in the future, raised in the past and united with her family in the present, is the mirror image of her mother and a woman of great beauty and amazing magical power. Trained to be an assassin, she is the White Owl, the Guardian of her sister Menta Kai, the Great High Queen of All the Elves.

Four amazing women willing to do anything for each other and for their parents as they carry the Truth to the Nine Worlds; they are the Truthbearer's Daughters.

"Truthbearer's Daughters" is the third book in the epic fantasy series, The Journeys of Connor Clark, the Gewellyn Chronicles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hans Erdman
• Release date: May 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386956921

Hans Erdman

I began writing fantasy in 2016, after my wife, Ellen, was diagnosed with cancer. It really took off a year later when she was declared in full remission and was able to start helping me. When I was a park ranger and, before that, a paramedic, I used to write articles about my areas of expertise. Now, I am writing the tales that have played in my imagination for over 60 years. My stories are epic fantasy with a Biblical world-view, and we test everything by how our teenaged granddaughters would react to it. I hope you enjoy the adventures and will join us on the journeys with Connor, Iolena, Menta Kai, and Fiona!

Book preview

Also by Hans L. Erdman

The Gewellyn Chronicles:

Truthbearer: The Journeys of Connor Clark, Book 1

Trinity of the Truthbearer: The Journeys of Connor Clark, Book 2

Coming Soon:

White Owl: The Adventures of Fiona Clark, Book 1

Song of the Truthbearer: The Journeys of Connor Clark, Book 4

Christmas in Mill Forge

Gilberton: A Thriller

Truthbearer’s Daughters:

The Journeys of Connor Clark

Book 3

© Copyright 2017, Hans L. Erdman, Isanti, MN

All rights reserved

Cover Design © by Melchelle Designs

Scripture Quote from When the Great Spirit Walked Among Us

The First Nations Version (FNV) © 2014 Retold by Terry M. Wildman

Used with permission.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, other than historical figures mentioned, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Dedication:

This book is dedicated to my mother, Phebe W. Erdman, and her sister Elizabeth Weeks (Aunt Bib), who instilled in me a love of reading when I was only in the second or third grade of elementary school, and has become a love of storytelling.

From Children’s Digest Books to the Happy Hollisters, Astronaut Mike Mars, to The Hobbit and Sherlock Holmes, and beyond, thank you Mom and Aunt Bib for giving me books, encouraging me to read, and journey to places where only imagination can take you.

I’ve always said, Someday I’m going to write a book. This is the third one.

With love,

Hans Erdman

Isanti, Minnesota

August, 2017

MapTB2a013.jpg

Elven Words Used in the Storyline

Adar – Father (Formal)

Adara – Mother/Grandmother (Formal)

Adda – Dad/Daddy (Term of endearment)

Amil – Mom/Mama (Term of endearment)

Aran – King

Bore Da – Good Morning/Day

Melda – beloved

Melin er – dear one

Mellon - close friend

Windmera – Great Elf Horses of the Wind

Nin mel – my love

Ontani - Parents

Tar (name) – Queen (name)

Chapter 1: The Singers, the Song and the Child

I have needed to tell you the story for the longest time, Menta Kai. Connor Clark leaned forward in his chair. It just never seemed like the right time, and yet everything that has happened to you in the past three years, in the past 674 years, all that you are and all that you are prophesied to be revolves around what happened 650 years ago in the wildlands of Gewellyn.

Menta Kai looked at her father. There were times, Adda, that I wanted to know and there were other times that I did not. But I did not realize that you knew the entire story. I expected one of the other elves in the family to tell me some of it, maybe.

Connor looked at her. Almost three years before, on an impulse he had adopted this young woman, even before he and Iolena Yaleria had even officially decided to get married. She was a rough-and-tumble, hard as nails, angry and compulsive streetfighting bounty hunter, who was almost without equal as a warrior. Only one person they knew even came close, and that was Arianna Windmera, Menta Kai’s one-time archrival, and now her very best forever friend.

But where Connor saw a scrappy, belligerent, irreverent young woman, Iolena saw promise. Iolena had seen something deeper in Menta Kai, and Menta Kai had seen something that she wanted to be like in Iolena Yaleria, and had attached herself to the Elven Queen who was Connor’s Guardian, and had become his wife two and a half years ago.

Now, Menta Kai was as attached to him as she was to Iolena, and the three of them lived and breathed each other, a Trinity, or as Iolena herself had stated, I could no sooner live without Menta Kai than I could walk without a leg.

As I told you, when I received this gift of ‘Truth-sight’, I saw all of it from your perspective. I knew that the time would come when you would want to know your backstory, so I started doing some research. I talked with Lady Celantine, Thallan and Tlannatar, and even Lochlain. It was Lochlain who set up a meeting with Raider Chieftain Carew for me, and was with me when I met him. Carew was able to fill in a lot of the gaps that the others didn’t know, He is really a good and honorable man, who cares very much about you, and Arianna. Anyhow, that was most of why I haven’t sat down with you about this until now. Menta Kai nodded. I understand, Adda. Now is the time, please.

My love, you know how much you mean to me, to us. He indicated Iolena. This is going to be a very difficult story to tell for me as your father. I just want you to know that going forward. She nodded again.

Nin mel, Iolena’s green eyes met Menta Kai’s deep blue ones. If you and your father want to be alone, we can leave you to yourselves.

Menta Kai sighed deeply, and looked at her parents, her sister and Abrallan. No, Amil. Please. I think I am going to need you and Alenia here, and Abrallan, you’re family. She smiled at her cousin who was also the closest person in Alenia’s life. She looked at Connor.

Adda, she paused. Da, as Fiona would say. I know this will be hard, and I know I will be sad and I will be angry, and I may even lash out, but please understand that it is not aimed at you, even if it seems that way. I guess I am apologizing in advance, just in case. You know that I love you and Amil more than anyone in the entire Nine Worlds.

To the stars and back. Alenia commented.

Menta Kai nodded. And beyond. Tell me who I am, Adda.

Jaed and Jessa Silvarin looked around them. Now where has she gone? That girl is always off creating her own adventures. We have to get going.

She is an explorer, Jaed. His wife smiled. And she has absolutely no fear. I worry more about her getting hurt than getting lost. She has an inner born sense of direction like no elf I have ever seen.

I know Jessa, but she is always going exploring at the least opportune times.

Here I am, Adda! A child’s voice came from an old oak at the edge of the clearing. Catch me! It was only his Creator-given Elven reflexes that enabled him to catch the little girl as she plummeted earthward. Despite his irritation, Jaed swung his daughter around in a circle before setting her on the ground.

Wheee! Do it again, Adda! Please? The little girl begged.

Later, Kai Lee. Jaed replied. We can play later. We have to ride now. We want to make the next village before dark.

I’m not afraid of any old Raiders, Adda. Kai Lee responded. Look what I can do! Taking his horse’s reins, she leaped onto it’s back in one smooth motion. The startled animal almost took off at a run, but her mother mind-spoke to calm it. You are so menta, Kai Lee. So fearless. Her mother smiled a relieved smile. I know, Amil. That’s me, menta Kai Lee. I’m not afraid of anything!

Well, menta Kai Lee, stop squirming or you’ll have to ride with your father. You keep bumping your baby brother or sister and you might hurt them. Jessa mounted the horse behind her daughter.

Kai Lee looked up at her mother with her beautiful bright blue eyes. I don’t want to hurt the baby, Amil. I promise. She patted her mother’s tummy gently, and then looked up at Jessa again. Sing me a song, Amil, please?

What song would you like me to sing? Her mother asked, already knowing the answer.

Sing my favorite. The one about the beautiful elf queen with the green eyes and the man from another world. The girl asked.

But that is such a sad song, Kai Lee. Why do you like it so much? Her mother looked down at the girl.

Because she is so beautiful and so brave. Kai Lee smiled. And it is sad at the start, but it has a happy ending. Someday I want to be beautiful and brave like that too.

Her father looked over at her from his horse. Kai Lee Silvarin, you already are both of those things. He smiled.

Menta Kai looked at Iolena from across the room. I knew who you were from the moment I saw you come out of the Juncture, Amil. That’s why I followed you. You were the Song, the Song my birth mother sang to me. You were the brave and beautiful elf Queen that I wanted to be like. Iolena had to close her eyes to keep from crying.

Clonifer was like many of the other small towns they had visited in Gewellyn. Many of the people that live there knew what the Deep Magic was, but outside of the healers and a few of the teachers, nobody knew what to do with it. The Silvarins were Singers, some would call them preachers or prophets. Jaed spoke with the elders of the town, and the healers, about the Deep Magic that Creator had sent to bless his people. Jessa would talk to the women, particularly those who were healers or married to healers. Kai Lee would play with the other children her age. But in Clonifer, there was a difference. There were Druids in the town who did not want the Singers and the Song they sang of the Deep Magic, and they started looking for an excuse to drive Jaed and his family out of Clonifer.

It is a long and dangerous ride for a young family like yours. One of the village elders told Jaed. Particularly with your wife being with child. There is a caravan leaving for the coast in a couple of days. Why don’t you travel with the group? Jaed agreed that was a good idea, so the elder introduced him to the leader of the caravan, a human, who agreed to take them to Seaside for a fee. Jaed was able to haggle down the price to an amount that he could live with, and paid the wagon master. His mistake was paying the man in gold.

Word quickly passed to the chief Druid that the Aerielands elf had gold, and the chief Druid sent an emissary to talk with the Chieftain of the closest Raider clan. After the emissary had left, a dark figure emerged from the back of the Druids keep.

I want you to get them away from the caravan. Kill the elf woman and the child she carries. I don’t care what you do with him, and you can do whatever you want with the gold. He paused. On second thought, bring them to me. I will deal with these Singers.

Yes, my Lord. The Chief Druid bowed to his master. It shall be done as you command.

What is your plan after you leave Clonifer? The elder asked Jaed as they prepared for the ride.

"The plan is to ride to Seaside, and spend some time there as we did here, then travel to Port Gewellyn and do the same thing. Hopefully, when we get to Gewellyn City, King Attel Wynfarin will be willing to listen to the song we sing. After that? Maybe Beldar, and then Polana. Then, we’re looking forward to crossing the Bridge Above the Stars and go back home to the Aerielands and the ones who sent us.

And what of the baby? The elder sounded genuinely concerned. Your wife looks as if she is due any time. How will you travel with an infant and a small child?

Well, the small child is remarkably independent for her age. Jaed smiled. We believe that the baby will be born during the time that we are at Seaside, so when we arrive, we will make contact with some good healers and a midwife to deliver our baby. Now I just have to figure out where the wee one went off to this time.

The elder chuckled. Best of luck with that, Jaed Silvarin. Farewell and safe journeys. He shook Jaed’s hand, and the father went looking for his errant child.

It was a two and a half day journey from Clonifer to Seaside, at the mouth of the Beleglad River. Jaed and Jessa managed to keep Kai Lee contained, although the child wanted to go and explore at every rest stop. The first day and night passed uneventfully, but as they were drawing close to the end of the second day’s travel, the wagon master rode back along the caravan. He pointed to smoke rising on the road ahead of them.

That looks like it may be coming from where we were going to camp tonight. This area is a hotbed of Raider activity. If you have a weapon, keep it close. He looked at Jessa. And by all means, ma’am, keep your wee one from wandering off again. Jessa nodded, and hugged Kai Lee close. Jaed put a short sword on his belt, and passed another one to his wife. Jessa didn’t put it on, but let Kai Lee carry it.

The smoke had indeed been coming from the planned campsite, where another caravan had been ambushed and destroyed by Raiders. Jessa tried to cover Kai Lee’s eyes, but the child kept moving to see the death and destruction around her. Why would someone do that, Amil? Why do other people hurt people like that? Unfortunately, Jessa didn’t have an answer for that question.

They make camp for the evening farther down the road and the wagon master set out a guard, with all of the adult males taking their turn at night watch. Despite the guards, just before dawn there was a scream, and a horde of Raiders galloped into the camp on horseback. They spared no one, and ransacked everything, but if you had been watching from outside you would’ve known that they were looking for something or someone in particular. Jessa scooped up Kai Lee, and put her on her horse. Aren’t you coming with me Amil?

Kai Lee, listen very carefully to me, my love. I don’t know if I will ever see you again, this side of the North, but I want you to ride as far and as fast as you can. You know how to ride a horse, and you know how to mind-speak to him. In this bag is food and some clothing, and I want you to take this sword. Ride back toward Clonifer, find the army and get some help. Don’t stop for anything, Kai Lee. Do you understand me, Nin Mel? I need you to be menta Kai Lee now. Can you do that for me?

I understand, Amil. I will be menta Kai Lee. I will be brave, I promise I will get help. With that, Jessa slapped the horse on its flank and it headed back up the road they had come down.

Because they were near the end of the caravan, in front of only the wagon master’s own wagon, they were among the last to be reached by the Raiders. The burly brigands looked at the young elf couple, and their leader called out, Tell the Druids that we found them. We found the Aerie elves with their baby! At first Jessa feared that they had caught Kai Lee, but then realized that they were talking about the unborn child within her. Three figures in black cloaks, the hoods obscuring their faces, approached and Jaed drew his sword, standing in front of his wife. One of the Raiders reached over with a chain mail glove, and yanked the sword from Jaed’s hand.

You come from the Aerielands to preach the Deep Magic. Our Master banned the Deep Magic in Gewellyn 8,000 years ago. Before your White Queen was even born, our Master has controlled the dark magic. You will answer to our Master. They seized and bound both Jaed and Jessa and threw them roughly into a cart behind one of their horses, and then turned back south and headed toward the sea.

From a hill overlooking the campsite, a quiet and determined Kai Lee watch them take her parents away. Torn between a desire to try and help her family and following the command her mother had given her, Kai Lee reluctantly turned the horse and continued toward Clonifer.

Jaed didn’t know if he had been unconscious or simply asleep, but he opened his eyes as the Raiders and their black robed Druids dragged him and Jessa from the cart. What do you want with us? He spat out. We’ve done nothing to harm you or anyone else. We’re just trying to show you a better way.

Shut up! The lead Druid commanded. They came upon a large fire, burning brightly despite the sunlight and heat of the day. From behind the fire emerged a large humanesque figure, also clad in a black cloak, only his had red embroidery along the edges. As the Raiders dragged them closer, he could see that it was red flames.

You are Jaed Silvarin and his wife, from the Aerielands, are you not? It didn’t sound as much like a question as a statement, but Jaed answered, I am. Evidently, that was not an answer that the master wanted to hear, because he backhanded the elf, who fell back into his wife. You shall not answer me with those words, elf! I am Zandoran, the Dark Druid. I have the power of life and death over you and your wife and your child. How you answer me will determine if you or they leave here alive.

What do you want of me, then? Jaed asked. Your Raiders have already taken what gold and silver we had. They have smashed our instruments and brought us to you. I have nothing left to give to you.

But yes, you do. If you will swear your allegiance to me, I will spare you and your wife and child. Renounce your Creator and follow my rule, and I will spare you.

Jaed looked at the Dark Druid. Any power you have comes from far beyond. I now know why you could not stand my saying ‘I am’.

The Dark Druid roared. I told you do not use those words! He turned toward Jessa. What is more important to you, elf? Your faith or your family? Renounce your Creator and follow me, and I will spare your wife and your child. But if you insist on clinging to your ridiculous beliefs, I will first kill the child inside of her and then you’ll watch as I execute your wife before I kill you.

Jessa looked at Jaed. Nin Mel, I love you. This child and I will see you in the Great North. She looked at the Druid. Do what you must. My husband and I will not renounce the Lord that we serve. With that, the Druid drove his sword into her middle, then pulled it out, swung it and took off Jessa’s head.

Watching, Jaed felt an incredible calm come over him. He was not even consciously aware of what he did in the next few moments, but an amazing strength overtook him. He flung the Raiders that were holding onto his arms to the sides, grabbed a sword from one, swung it hard, and killed two Raiders and one Druid with one blow. He turned and caught a second Druid with the edge of the blade and cut the protruding hand of the Dark Druid off, before being felled by the remaining Raiders. Zandoran bellowed, and grabbed his severed appendage, and commanded, Kill him! Kill him and cut him apart and leave him for the jackals! The Raiders did as they were commanded.

In the forest that surrounded the clearing, Kai Lee had left the horse behind and watched the horror of her parent's death unfold before her. Zandoran’s hood had fallen back from his head when her father had cut off his forearm, and Kai Lee memorized his face. Someday, she would avenge her parents. She climbed down from the tree, and melted into the forest.

Connor looked at Menta Kai with a devastated look that was mirrored in her own face. Jaed’s story mirrored Connor’s, except that Jaed had not gotten away from his captors. There were no words. No words to say at all. Just tears. In the chair next to her husband, Iolena sobbed uncontrollably.

Kai Lee found her way back to her horse, climbed on top of the animal and started riding. She had no idea where she was going, or for how long she rode. She didn’t eat, didn’t drink, she just rode her horse until sometime after daylight the next day, then she slipped off, and fell into a dreamless slumber.

She awoke to a hand shaking her, and blinked at the bright sun in her eyes. What have we here, little girl? What are you doing out here in the wildlands? Where are your mama and papa? She realized that the man shaking her shoulder was one of the same kind that had helped murder her parents, but she didn’t say anything. Are you lost, little girl? Where is your family? Will they pay a reward to get you back? She shook her head. My mother and father have died.

"Oh, that’s too bad. You’re an orphan. I know just the place for you, somebody who will take good care of a pretty little thing like you. Come along with me. We’ll get you to someone who will take care of you. Do you have a name, little girl?

She looked up at the human. My name... My name is Menta Kai.

Do I need to tell the rest of the story? Connor quietly asked his daughter. She shook her head. No. Most of the next years I remember all too well. The servitude, the slavery, the forced prostitution. The rebellion. She got up from her chair. Excuse me for a little bit. I need to be alone. She went out of the house. That was when Connor lost it. He and Iolena sat wrapped in each other’s arms and cried.

Abrallan looked at Alenia, and mind-spoke. She probably won’t admit it, but Menta Kai needs her big sister now. I’ll stay here with your parents. Alenia nodded, got up and followed Menta Kai out of the house.

Menta Kai was standing by the Beleglad River. Alenia couldn’t see her face, but she could tell from behind that her sister was crying hard. She walked up quietly behind Menta Kai. I don’t care what you’re going to tell me. I don’t need any advice right now. Don’t tell me it’s going to be all right, Alenia. It’s not.

I wasn’t going to tell you anything, Menta Kai. I just want to be here for you, baby sister. That’s what a big sister is supposed to do. She put her hand on Menta Kai’s shoulder. I love you, Kai Lee. You don’t have to be ‘menta’ with me, anymore if you don’t want to. Menta Kai grabbed her hand as if she was afraid that Alenia would pull it back, but she didn’t. She turned her little sister around and gathered her in her arms, then sat her down by the side of the river, and rocked her while she cried.

Shannon arrived later that evening. Alenia had sent Alatar, and mind-spoke with Talia that they needed her sister at the Juncture. She came directly from the horse meadow to the new house. She found Iolena sitting, looking out a window, like she had done the year before at Tlannatar’s castle. Mom, Amil? Iolena turned, and Shannon saw that she had never seen her stepmother look so distraught, even when her father had been dealing with the post-traumatic stress of Polana. She stepped over to Iolena, who rose, and they just held on to each other. Alenia told me what happened, and she sent Alatar to bring me. Where’s Dad? Iolena shook her head.

I don’t know, Shannon. Maybe up in the upper meadow, by the rock where I first found them. He didn’t come to bed last night. It wouldn’t have mattered, because I didn’t sleep at all. She started crying softly. Your father is the most courageous man I know, and I know that telling Menta Kai that story, was the most difficult thing he has ever had to do. They are both just devastated. I don’t know where Menta Kai is, but I do know that Alenia is with her. Abrallan may be with one or the other. He’s been talking with me, and trying to help. She looked at Shannon. Did Alenia tell you that Menta Kai has known who I was from the moment she saw me. That her mother used to sing her a song about a green-eyed elf Queen and a man from another world. The tears came again. It was her favorite song when she was little.

Alenia told me, Amil. She told me everything. She looked into Iolena’s green eyes. I’m here, Mama. What do you want me to do?

Connor was indeed sitting on the rock where Iolena had first found him. Telling Menta Kai the truth about her early life, about her parents, had hit him like a punch in the gut. He didn’t know what to say to Menta Kai and he didn’t know what to say to his wife. It was the same helpless feeling he had had after Polana. He held his head in his hands. The tears wouldn’t come anymore, he was all cried out. He wished that Padraigh or Tlannatar or Abrallan or somebody would come and talk to him. As he wished that, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned and looked up into the tear stained blue eyes of his youngest daughter. They didn’t say a word. They just wrapped their arms around each other, he kissed her, and held onto her like he would never let her go. And he wouldn’t. That’s how Iolena, Alenia, Shannon and Abrallan found them, a while later. They hesitated, not wanting to interrupt their father and his daughter, but Menta Kai saw them and waved for them to come closer. She and Connor rose, and she hugged Shannon first. Thank you. You didn’t need to... Shannon stopped her. Menta Kai, you’re my little sister too. Family first. Family first always. How could I not be here for you and Adda?

They walked back down to the house, Menta Kai flanked by her two sisters, with Abrallan next to Alenia. From time to time they would hear little twitters of laughter from one girl or the other. Iolena looked at Connor with a hopeful smile, and he kissed her. He spoke into her mind, I’m sorry my love, I didn’t mean to abandon you. I just, just didn’t, don’t, can’t process this. Iolena put her finger on his lips, even though he wasn’t talking, and smiled.

I know, Connor. I know. Abrallan and I chose to give you your space, and her, hers. She turned, her beautiful green eyes locking on his gray ones. You are the most courageous man and the best father I have ever known, Nin Mel. I don’t know any other man who could have handled that any better than you did.

Menta Kai turned, and looked at them. Amil, I don’t know if you meant for me to hear that or not, but I did, and you’re right. He is the best father in all of the Nine Worlds. Thank you Adda, for choosing me. For adopting me. For loving me. I love you both so much. Now, she smiled. I’m hungry. Is it still breakfast time, or is it lunch?

Chapter 2: The New Normal

Menta Kai needn’t have worried whether it was breakfast or lunch time. The Keepers had laid out a table full of food for the six of them. The three sisters sat on one side of the table, with their parents and Abrallan on the other. The conversation wasn’t animated, but it was steady and sober.

Menta Kai, can I ask you something? Alenia looked at her. The younger sister smiled. As Amil would say, you already did. But go ahead.

Two things actually. First, do you still want us to call you Menta Kai, or do you want us to call you Kai Lee? Menta Kai appeared to think about the question for a few seconds. I think that I would like to use Kailee as my nickname. However, who I am is Menta Kai Yaleria-Clark, and that is who I want to be. What was the other question?

At the very end of your story yesterday, you mentioned a rebellion. Would it be okay if you explained that to us?

There’s really not a lot to explain actually. Menta Kai opined. About a hundred years ago or so, when Lochlain’s father, King Fergus ruled Gewellyn, slavery was still very common, and I was still a slave. When the new King, Fergus came to visit the village where I was being held at the time, I decided to attract some attention to our plight, so we staged a rebellion and King Fergus decided to outlaw slavery. That’s about all of it. There was no bloodshed, but a lot of unhappy slavers.

Shannon looked at her. So you were a hero before you are ever a hero?

I don’t know about being a hero. I just did what had to be done. After that I decided to become a bounty hunter. It was a way for me to have the tools I needed to protect myself if the slavers ever came back after me. She looked at Shannon and Alenia. Do the two of you have nicknames?

Abrallan and my girlfriends call me Leni when we’re not on duty. Abrallan laughed. She only has two girlfriends, Kevyn and Keturah, the rangers she works with. It’s a very limited use nickname. They all laughed.

Dad has always called me Shan. I don’t know that Lochlain’s ever used it, but some of the cops that I used to work with back home did.

Okay. If I can call you Leni and Shan, you can call me Kailee. She smiled. Should we start calling Amil, Yena?

"I’m glad to see that you’re getting your sense of humor back, young lady. But no, the only one who calls me Yena anymore is my big brother. Your father doesn’t even call me that." Iolena was smiling warmly while she spoke.

That’s because, all he ever calls you is Nin Mel, my love. Menta Kai observed. She reached across the table and took her mother’s hand. And that’s what I am going to call you too, Amil, Nin Mel. My lovely, green eyed, elf Queen mother.

Menta Kai came into Connor’s den the next evening. Adda, I am going to go up to the Ilion Ford on the Aerielands side, and meet with Talia, Ari, and Fiona. Tali wants to go up to see Great-Grandmother for help with her wedding dress, and I’m the only one who knows the way. Menta Kai smiled at her father.

You’re also the Maid of Honor. On First Earth you’re responsible for all of the pre-wedding arrangements for the bride, you know, like the bachelorette party, wedding shower, helping her with her dress, choosing dresses for the other bridesmaids. Connor smiled at her. I am glad to see that you are...

Putting the pieces of my life back together? Menta Kai took Connor’s hand. Adda, I’m tough stuff. You told me that yourself, but yes, I am getting back to normal. What’s the word you use? She thought for a few seconds. Processing. I’m processing all that I learned, that I had hidden in the recesses of my memory. Her blue eyes looked earnestly into her father’s eyes. I’m going to be all right, Adda. Really, I am. That’s one of the reasons I want to spend some time with my girlfriends. Alenia and Shannon really helped me, and I truly miss them now that they’ve gone home. We will stop and see Shannon and Abrallan, of course. But I have another stop I want Tali to make. I think I know a perfect choice for the flower girl for the wedding. She leaned forward until her nose was almost touching her father’s. If you’ll allow her and her family into the Juncture?

Connor smiled. You’re thinking of Lona, aren’t you? Menta Kai nodded enthusiastically. If her parent's consent, you can open portals. You should ask the bride, however.

That’s my secret plan, Adda. Menta Kai leaned back. I think when Talia meets Lona, she’ll find her just as adorable as I do.

You really are taken with that little girl, aren’t you, Melin er? Iolena had entered the room while Menta Kai was speaking.

I am, but not in any weird sort of way. She defended herself. "Just like you saw something in me three years ago, that brought us to where we are right here, right now, I see something in her. I know she’s just a small girl right now, but I believe she is destined to become much more than that. If I can help her that is what I