"I am to be a great warrior!" she said proudly, almost daring him to say something different.

            "Yes," he said. "Yes you are. And always, always remind yourself of that. But, if he causes you harm, trouble or just no good, say my name. Gonin. Once, and with power. He will know and for once you will see Ganain show true fear. He knows none can utter my name without permission. He will know you have been touched."

           "Without permission?! What do you mean?" she asked.

            "None can say my name without my consent, as I am giving you now, lest they die a terrible death. Everyone knows that. Even,"he looked up at her from over his glass. "Even your people. Though most of them forget it. Everyone knows. Except those that must learn it on their own." He took a sip of the strawberry wine. Like you."

            Amy looked up at those words. She had been using her fork to play with her mashed potatoes, but those two words brought her back to reality. She looked at him suspiciously. He met her gaze with one of his own. She could tell he was truthful. He meant her no harm. Then it clicked. Now she knew.

            "What must I do?" she said, setting her fork down on the table with a thud. Gonin smiled. He stood and walked towards the window, druid robes billowing behind him.

            "First, you must spend a month and three days in my care, training for what is ahead. It will be hard, Im warning you now." He said slowly. She nodded. That was what she had expected to hear. He threw open the window and walked out to the balcony, offering the future queen his hand, and he led her outside.

            "Then we will see," he said, as he looked out at the rolling hills below, and at the dark tower in the distance, knowing he would have to send this child there one day. "Then...we will see."