"What are you doing hiding up there," Emily asked as she looked up into th rafters. Shocked that she had found me I could only answer, "hiding."

"Why," she asked as I floated down. She giggled saying, "that tickles!"

"You can feel magic?" I asked. "Um-hm!" she cooed as I landed by her not making a sound.

"You are honest," I said to her. I knelt and then took her hand. "I like that. I promise you that I'll be completely honest with you okay?"

She nodded. "You are the Falcon from legend aren't you?" she asked.

I stood up and noodded.

"Why won't you let me `see' you?" she asked.

"Becuase I don't want to put you in danger." I answered.

"You won't," she replied. "I trust you."

This touched me. I reached out and ran my finger along her cheek. I smiled and then whispered, "I trust you too." I had not said those words to another living being for over a hundered years.

She smiled and clasped her hands together, "then will you let me `see' you?"

"It's not `see', you mean probe," I said as I walked to the window. Pondering on this I asked, "who taught you how to do that?"

She shrugged, "no one, I just know how to do it."

"You must not let another soul know what you find," I told her.

"Oh," she squealed. "No I wont! I promise!"

"Okay," I said hesitantly. "You may probe me. But be careful, you will be the first to have probed me. Many have tried and failed. I've never had anyone ask me before."

I opened up my self to her, my soul. She reached out to me and began to probe. Her eyes wandered to and fro working as she probed this way and that. Suddenly her eyes opened up and were flooded with Light. She began to float. She pulled more and more. My memories were hers and hers mine. She saw all. Even things I had not seen. She whispered about angels, and the warmth there. Peace so pure that she could taste it. And at the same time she shuddered as a darkness swept over her. She pushed it away. She felt me; I was helpess. She began to work towards the knowlege I had long since buried. I then felt to her and told her that we needed to go find her brothers and sister. She agreed and stopped her probing. She let me go and I collapsed on the ground shaking and sweating profusely. She ran to me as I smoldered on the ground.

"Are you alrught?" she gasped.

"Yes," I wheezed, whiping blood form my mouth. I heaved trying to get air into my lungs. Finally I regained control. She helped me up. "What happened-?" she asked.

"N-never mind," I conforted her. "It is past."

She smiled at me, "I know about you now. I saw-"

"Shhhh," I whispered as I put a finger to her mouth. "Remember, you can't tell another soul what you saw." I was tempted to ask her just what she saw, but I didn't. "No one must know what you saw."

She shook her head and then I asked her, "how did you know that I was up in the rafters, when you first came in? You came right to were I was."

"I felt you here," she replied grabbing my hand and pulling me forward. "Now tell me what you where doing up there."

"Well," I answered. "Earlier this morining I was walking on the southern border of Falcos, it was cold out and I had on my cloak. Beyond the hills I head screaming. I lay flat on the ground. After I got up enough nerve, I peered out over the hills. There were knights. Some I recognised as my knights, others were from the Queendom of Beauty's Bend. Immediately after they had disappeared down a hill, I got up, and started for the castle. I had to hide, I couldn't let them find me here. At least not before I finished telling the story. I made it to this room. I whistled at the three baby falcons and they hid. I had taught them to do that a few days before I met you. I was surprised that they listened. I took the candles and the books and hid them. I put the fire out with dirt and concealed the smoke. There was a crash outside. I ean to the window to see what the crash was. It was one of my knights lying in a pool of mud. The other knights were laughing at him. One rode over and pushed him with his foot. The knight in the mud drew his sword and poked the other knights horse with it. His horse reared up and kicked its rider off. He too fell in he mud. The knight in the mud began to heaved with laughter.

I could not see my squire or a few of the other knights. 'They must be checking around the kingdom for me,' I thought. 'I must hide.' I looked out of the window again and the second knight in he mud stood up. With a handful of mud in his hand, he flung it in the laughing knights mouth. I was going to laugh but I heard commotion at the door. The door creaked open. My personal royal squire, Gregor, entered into the room. He looked around for a moment. I was relieved that he did not look up into the rafters. For if he would have, he would have seen me sitting crouched among them. He walked over to the window and saw the commotion going on outside.

"Hey you! you down there!", Gregor shouted. "Get up from the mud and prepare to leave! Quit acting like children and act more like knights you Ogre dung!"

The knights stopped the horse play and got out of the mud. Gregor turned to leave, then hesitated. He then said, "Were are you my king? I am worried greatly about you, as are we all." He took one last look and left. Above the door in the shadows stood one of the falcons. She was brooding and impatient. I let go of the beams and landed on my feet. The pain was excruciating. I lifted my arm to the falcon and she flew and landed on my arm. I walked to the window and watched them all leave.

"That is scary," Emily said as she looked concerned. "It is good that we came well after noon."

I shook my head in agreement as we entered the room at the highest peak of Falcos. I probed a five mile radius and felt nothing.

Ben and Dhovan smiled as I walked in. They had started up the fire again and Sarah had put on thistle tea that she had found along the way here. It would be good with how cold it was out. After the tea was ready we sipped it and Sarah was ready to start scribing again. The tea warmed us all. I handed out thick heavy blankets to all, and they snuggled together, as the room began to heat up. It bagan to rain slightly outside. All looked upon me in awe. For befgore then sat a childhood legend, telling them first hand the legends they and many generations of childeren had grown up with and would dream about.

The fire crackled and snapped. They each looked on in anticipation hanging on my every word. `This is all play to them,' I remember thinking as the Falcon took me and began the tale once more...

A season had passed since our confrontation with Darkness. It seemed as if he was gone for good. I had a feeling that you were at Beauty's Bend, but I never even went as close as twenty miles to there. I spent my times wandering around. I saw many things, and helped many people and I often wondered what had happened to Falcos. I went there once as a merchant and it was being run by people who were great friends of my father, the Barons. I left Falcos thinking that it was in good hands. The Dark power turned to chaos. In the Evil Realms of Dark Lore, there was ruin. Pain and agony reined as the remnants of Darkness' armies fought and slaughtered themselves for the throne of the Darkness. Without the Darkness there to rule with an iron fist, there was a great weakening in the ranks. Great division and war erupted after the fall of the Darkness. This led to a time period know as the Great Goblin Wars. Emptiness took control over the Orcs, Dark elves, and Dark dwarves. Fear took control of the cobolds and goblins. The other creatures in Darkness' armies fled in fear of the coming apocalypse. They felt that they could survive under their own leadership. Emptiness and Fear were generals of the Darkness. They could not agree on anything. Whenever these two shadow goblins got together there was a war. No matter how hard they tried to unite, there was always war between the two groups. This led to three very costly wars. Each paid greatly for the other's crimes. The Dark seemed to be beyond repair until a gloomy darkness fell over the land. The creatures who had fled began to return. After all of the Dark side was reunited, six generals each had a chunk of the Dark sides power. Their purpose for reuniting was so that they could unite under one leadership, one council.

On a Dark night when there seemed to be war brewing within the ranks of the Dark side, once more, there came a huge crash from outside. All of the creatures ran outside ready for attack. A top the ruined castle of He Who is the Darkness, a hooded figure dismounted off of his skeletal dragon steed. This steed in one head breathed fire. In the other breathed thunder and lightning. The hooded figure entered the castle. He entered into the throne room of the Darkness. The hooded figure walked over to the throne and snatched up He Who is the Darkness' crown in his hands. He then went out of the balcony. All of the Darkness' creatures were below. Their numbers filled up the entire valley.

The hooded figure took his hood down to expose a demon like head. He raised the crown in the air and then screamed out in rage...

"FATHER!! The dawn of a new era is within my grasp! I will rein this era in honor of YOU!! And finally Light shall be overcome by DARKNESS!! If you so wish your son, Ssenkrad, to reign in your place to defile this world, let all who behold this be shown a sign!!"

And immediately the moon was blackened and bolt of lightning struck every general dead.

"What say you all creatures of the night? Who will you follow?"

And immediately they all bowed down to Ssenkrad all praising his name and the name of the Darkness.

He raised his hand in the air and the Ring of Darkness was on his finger. He placed the crown of the Darkness upon his head and casted them all into the heart of the Evil Realms of Dark Lore. There a top a mountain of skulls in the Darkest of Dark he created a castle of great Dark power. From which he would spread insanity, and destruction throughout the world. He gathered the thirteen most powerful warlocks he could find and thirteen witches. Their sole purpose was to breed evil creations to strengthen the ranks of his fathers armies.

Then he had his most powerful sorcerers purge the land of all of the Light. They together with the Dark armies of the Darkness' raped the land of its remaining Light and Life. The Evil Realms of Dark Lore were known throughout the lands of Zandarous as evil barren lands. No one ever went there and if they did no one ever returned. Many foolish knights lost their lives there. Many countless others lost their lives their too. For not knowing that they had trespassed upon this land. Even the Gypsies of the South lands, who traveled where ever they chose, and, the Elders Laundaurious, never dared dream of going there. So all that the armies of Darkness did to these lands were seen by no one.

Ssenkrad also made his sorcerers and wizard summon up a wide range of creatures. They were to be released into his armies as soon as they were made. In a years time Ssenkrad had very powerful legions of armies to unleash upon the world. Still in his insanity he was not satisfied. He alone reached into his blacker than black heart and created what was to become feared as the Dark Warriors. They numbered eight and were the most vile of all of the creations created under his reign.

Slaughter was the first Dark Warrior created. He was a six legged skeletal scorpion. From the waist up he had a human skeleton with four arms. In his hands he held the Sword of Darkness. With this sword he had the power of demons. One touch of this blade would set any creatures soul on fire. This sword was a shape changer. It talked always with anger. If Slaughter wanted to, he could make the Sword of Darkness into four swords, one for each of his arms.

Second to be created was Devastator. Devastator had three heads with the likeness of a lion, the body of a dragon and the wings of a bat. He had with him the Bracelet of Tebec. This bracelet had many arcane powers. One of which could take over anyone's mind. In tales of lore it was known to animate dead objects and to do horrid things to living flesh.

Third to be created was Ravage. Ravage was a huge giant half winged goblin, from the waist up, and panther from the waist down. Flesh was constantly peeling off of the panther part of him. He held the Amulet of Dark Chaos Power. This Amulet could cast evil hexes upon anyone. It had been written that many of the dead forest that exist on Zandarous now a days were armies of creatures turned into dead trees by this Amulet.

Fourth to be created was Carnage. Carnage is an evil blob of moving body parts. He had hundreds of eyes. Carnage wields the Mace of Dark Might. This mace was said to have caused mountains to fall. Whole towns were wiped out by its power. This mace was worshipped by worms and can call those worms even today.

Chaos was the fifth warrior to be created. No one really knows what he looks like, save for Ssenkrad, for he always is hooded and cloaked. He wields the Withering Staff of Darkness. The staff is amply named for it appears to be withering. It is said that this staff can summon up dark demonic forces. It is also said that this weapon is also called the Slayer of Kings.

Sixth to be created was Rampage. Rampage is a dark perverted elven giant. He holds the Book of Dark Spells. It is said that he can change his shape. He was even rumored to change into the wind. His favorite form is that of a rotting phoenix. This Dark warrior loves to play sick crude jokes on everyone.

Seventh was Annihalator, Annihalator has the Necklace of Sorrows. This necklace brings out very deep sorrows, its intent is to kill. No one can escape its powers. Annihalator is a huge eyeball a top a small goblin body. He can hypnotize almost anyone. His eye can entrap people in jelly like molds of acid and can teleport a being to another dimension.

Finally there is Havoc, eighth to be created. He is like a small imp. He is a prankster too. He holds the Ring of Illusion. He loves to trick people and scare them. The younger the better. Of all the Dark warriors he is the most insane.

Ssenkrad unleashed these Dark warriors to create chaos and to kill those responsible for the demise of the Darkness, his father. Then would Darkness prevail over the Light.

I looked on and saw the kids stir in horror of my description of the Dark Warriors. I wanted them to see that evil currupts absolutely. Listening to the crackleing of the fire, I then continued on.

A dark time fell upon Falcos. The kingdom was being threatened all along it's borders, and the people cried out. The Queen of the Bend, seeing anarcy on the way, marched her forces in and took over Falcos. The people of Falcos were very happy, because beofre then there had been talk of rebellion. Falcos was a very old kingdom, and not once in it's many, many long centuries of existance had there been rebellion. The king shuddered in agony when he heard of this one evening in a tavern. He was shattered. He now had totally failed his father.

"But you had to leave to follow your heart," Sarah said looking up from the page. "You couldn't know that Robyn was safe so you couldn't return."

"I know," I whispered hoarsely. La dinal mayech ne balies," I added.

"What?" Ben asked.

That's elven talk isn't it?" Sarah asked. I shook my head. "What does it mean?" she asked.

"Translated it means: Many a foolish heart, blindly travels loves lost trail." Sarah whispered a faint "Oh." "It's one of the most ancient sayings amoung the elves." I added.

Ben and Dhovan lay on cusions they had placed upon the run, Emily lay by Ben, all eyes intent on me.

"Do you think the people of Falcos hated you?" Emily asked.

Pretending that I didn't hear Emily, I continued the tale.

The Queen brought life into my kingdom again. I was jealous because my kingdom was once again with life, and my heart was not. He took comfort in the fact that at least his people were sage. Now he culd continue his search for his love unbidden.

The Queen of the Bend's power had reached across all the realm of Light. She was indeed the most powerful ruler in Zandarous at that time. She was very popular for her intent was but for peace.

One day on her travels through a town called Edonon, she met a little wanderer, by the name of Dew.

"Good!" Emily clapped with glee. "Dew!"

Dhovan's eyes suddenly opened in shock. "Not the same Dew that was born amoung the unicorn's. Yes! It has to be! She was rainbow walking in the story earlier! I've only read of her in books. Is that the same Dew?" He was almost standing now.

"That is the one," I responded.

"Why she was the most powerful..." Dhovan eyes lowered as though he suddenly came to a realization. He knew.

I continued.

At once she fell in love with Dew. They stayed together for two days. Finally the Queen invited Dew to come and love with her. Dew said that she would be glad to. She adopted Dew, but the king did not know about that at the time. Sir Reed and Sir Chaplain ran the Queen of the Bends trade and aided in her becoming the most powerful ruler in the world. The Queen of the Bends influence reached to the far corners of the world. Helping Sir Reed and Sir Chaplain was a girl by the name of Maiden Nyrvana.

Maiden Nyrvana was a fortune teller, and would sometimes advise the Queen of the Bend, Sir Reed, and Sir Chaplain. Nyrvana had blonde, shoulder length, curly darkish blonde, hair, and lovely gray eyes. She loved to wear studded leather armor. She also had a love for chaos and dabbled a little in dark magic for fun. She loved to read the stars, and would buy every book she could find on the Dark magic called Kardon, the magic of Manipulation. Sir Reed, and Sir Chaplain would always ask Maiden Nyrvana if it was all right for them to put their ships out to sea.

The Queen of the Bends castle was very huge it was four miles long and three miles wide! Her lands extended from sea to sea. In the great many halls of the Bend were many wonderful libraries. In the libraries were books from all civilizations and countries. Maiden Norax, Master of the Books ran all of the libraries. Maiden Norax often loved wearing studded leather armor because it was comfortable. She had brownish blondeish hair and brown eyes and was light complected. She had beauty within that she never knew existed.

Lets not forget the protector of Beauty's Bend, the Sorceress of the Bend.

Now on that particular day the Queendom of Beauty's Bend was festive, for they were having a huge celebration to mark the anniversery of the safe return of, Robyn, daughter of the Queen of Beauty's Bend. The feast lasted twelve days. On the twelfth day the Queen of the Bend was sitting out in the gardens, spending some time with Dew. Dew was sitting on the Queens laps, curled up.

"Mom," said Dew to the Queen, "I've been so happy these last few years living here with you. I love you greatly and love having you as a mother."

"I love you too," the Queen said to Dew. "One of the greatest things I ever did was adopt you. I remember when I first saw you. You were in the market place and you looked so alone. I remember asking you if you were lost. You smiled, and it warmed my heart. I asked you to join me for supper and you laughed. You brought laughter to the lonely walls of my heart. You eased the pain of my loss. I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time. She paused. And then Robyn returned." She stopped trying not to cry in front of Dew. Wiping a ear from her eye she sat there, and for a moment all was silent as they looked at each other and smiled. "Now hush now and I will tell you a nice little story." The Queen brushed the hair from out of Dews eyes and began to speak in a soothing voice. "There once was an evil red dragon who slayed many in this Queendom. I was very sad. Things began to die and I was losing hope. Then one day a lone stranger suddenly showed up here. He was very angry for he had lost his Queen. He was lost without her. His love for her was great. And although he had a great burden upon his heart, the brave knight slayed the dragon and freed this Queendom and brought life back to us all. That Dark knight left suddenly, and excepted no thanks. I have never met a man such as he. And I doubt anyone ever has."

Dew looked up into her mothers eyes, gave her a big hug, and replied softly as she shut her eyes, "I have mommie. In the village were I came from. We played together all the day. Can you belive that he never rainbow walked before? We fell asleep. When I awoke the next morning, he had left. I wanted to follow him. I was about to go in search for him. I became lost and that is how I came to be there in the market place. I loved his falcon armor. I liked him a lot, his name was Aftermath. I was so sad for him. Running in circles. I can't explain it but I was very scared that he was going to die." Dew sat up in the Queen's lap. "Whatever happened to the man you met mommie?"

The Queen of the Bend was indeed surprised by Dew's words. Had the stranger had come to the Queendom of Beauty's Bend call himself Aftermath? No she dismissed. Her surprise soon faded and the Queen smiled once again at Dew and answered, "I don't really know. He didn't say where he was going, and didn't even except our help. He just disappeared into the darkness." Dew began to frown. The Queen noticing Dew's frown said, "But legend has it, that one day he will return to this Queendom, and when he does that will be a wonderful day."

Dew smiled and hugged the Queen tightly and the Queen hugged Dew back. "Oh good," Dew replied. "Do you belive that mommie?"

The Queen looked upon her adopted daughter and sail truthfully, " I want to so badly/"

"I belive," Dew whispered.

They both didn't notice that Robyn was behind them listening to what they were saying. She had come with food for her mother and adopted sister. She was thrown into trumoil. Through tears she turned around and ran off.

The queen lay her head on Dew's as she played with Dews hair, and watched the bonfire below and listened the music fade into the night.

The next morning, after the festivities had died down, the Sorceress of the Bend was standing in the middle of the gardens looking to the south. The Queen of the Bend was passing by and went down to talk to her.

"What are you doing in the gardens so early in the day?" the Queen asked.

"I don't know," the Sorceress replied, "I can feel a very powerful, power in the south. It is evil I can sense. I feel a Dark power that I have not felt in years. It disturbs me. It has been disturbing me for the past few months more and more. We are at peace though, I don't know what it means." The Sorceress paused for a moment scanning the sky. Then she screamed in alarm, "Strange riders coming in from the east. Were these the ones who have answered your call?"

"Oh, good," the Queen replied, "they have finally arrived." The Sorceress looked at Queen perplexed. Then the Queen grimaced and began to explain, "I have felt evil rising too. A few weeks ago I put out word throughout my queendom for the most powerful knights. It seems as if they have been in the Queendom for four days. They sent word to me that they would come. I want you to test them with your magic. This will be very interesting."

An hour later in the throne room of the Bend six knights and a squire entered. When they were before the Queen, the Queen spoke. "I am the Queen of Beauty's Bend. I am the ruler of this realm of the Light. I take it that you have answered my call for the most powerful of knights."

"Yes you majesty," the squire answered as he bowed, "I will be introducing these knights."

The Queen nodded in approval.

And so the squire began the introductions. "First is Sir Dakken, he is our guide through this country. His weapon of choice is the long swords. Some say they even hold magical powers. Next is Sir Rage, he is an awfully tough opponent in battle. He is so overpowering it is frightening. His weapon of choice is the dreaded mace. Next is Sir Shadow, he is quick with his daggers. He loves to hide in the shadows and attack. He is an honorable thief by trade, but a good knight anyhow. Next is Sir Lost he is our mage. He is a healer and in some cases he fights using magic. His weapon of choice is a staff. Next is Sir Red. His weapon of choice is the crossbow. He combines magic with skill and is very deadly. Next is Sir Baux. He loves the bow and arrow. He too is deadly in battle. Then there is I. I am but a squire. We have answered your call your majesty. We no longer have our king and wish to serve you. Since you have taken over our kingdom of Falcos it is our duty to serve you."

"Not to be rude," the Queen of the Bend replied, "but, I must test you first." She then snapped her fingers. Then in the middle of he room a flash of red smoke arose to the roof with a splendor of light. There appeared the Sorceress of the Bend. Her eyes glowed red and her hands were full of magic. She let loose the magic that was in her hands.

The squire hit the ground. Ten bolts of magic came to Sir Drakken. With his Swords of Speeder he blocked and cut through the magic bolts.

A bolt of magic landed by Sir Red and took the form of bat. It spit fire at Sir Red. Sir Red leapt up into the air and shot off an arrow. Just before the arrow hit the bat Sir Red yelled out, "Weeds!" The bat turned into weeds and then to dust.

Sir Lost, with a wave of his staff, placed a shield barrier of magic around Sir Rage. Two magic bolts were deflected by the barrier. Sir Rage in turn blocked two more magic bolts from hitting him and Sir Lost. Sir Rage nodded towards Sir Baux, knelt on one knee. Sir Rage brought down his maces to the ground with such force it knocked the Sorceress up into the air. Sir Baux then unleashed a fury of arrows from his bow. These arrows pinned the Sorceress to the wall. She was unhurt. Sir Drakken leapt over to were the squire was to protect him.

Just then the Sorceress of the Bend raised her hand and yelled, "Enough! You have proven yourselves worthy of becoming my Light Warriors. The Sorceress of the Bend snapped her fingers and the arrows were gone as were the holes they had made in her gown. "I know that you are of the Light for if you were not, then you would not have defeated my Sorceress. You may stay in my Queendom as my knights."

Sir Drakken knelt down on one knee as did they all and said, "`tis an honor to be able to serve you my Queen. We will not let you down. We will serve you as we did our king. The only problem that we have is were can our maidens stay?"

"Why here in the Queendom of course," the Queen of the Bend replied. "You will always have a home here."

Another year passed by. The Light Warriors performed many great tasks for the Queen during this time. Soon fame of the Light Warriors spread far and wide. People would hear of them and bring stories of their might across the seas. Beyond mountains and skies songs were sung of them. The songs reached many ears, including the ears of Ssenkrad, son of Darkness.

Ssenkrad jumped up and grasped his staff.

"Where are you going sire?" a goblin asked.

"I," he said fiendishly, "am going to go see these Light Warriors." He then tapped his staff upon the ground and disappeared into a puff of smoke. Laughter echoed throughout his castle, then faded away into the night. Many of the creatures of the night cringed in fear.

'twas the very next day in the Queendom of Beauty's Bend. It was a peaceful day. The festival of fall was underway. Music filled the air and the brisk wind began to howl softly. The trees were showing off the magnificent colors that fall had bestowed upon them. The Queen of the Bend was in the gardens with Dew. Dew was sitting on the ground playing with a kitten and laughing. The Light Warriors were spread throughout the Queendom caught up in the mood of the festival. A light breeze started to flow in from the south. Robyn sat the the left of the Queen, watching the people below dancing and laughing.

Suddenly the sky blackened and the wind began to roar fiercely. People ran in despair and were very frightened. The wind picked up everything it could and hurled it into the air. Thunder and lightning cracked the sky without remorse.

Dew jumped into her mothers arms. The Light Warriors were struggling to get back to the Queen, only the stampeding crowd was stopping them. There was laughter in the air as Ssenkrad appeared before the Queen. He was garbed in a flowing black cloak. Two tiny points of red light stood out in the abyss that was Ssenkrad’s hood. "My dear Queen allow me to introduce myself." Ssenkrad said slyly. "I am Ssenkrad, ruler of the Dark side. I am in search of many things. I am in search of the ones guilty of killing my father. And I am in search of the legendary Light Warriors. I wish to put them all in their graves. I am Darkness' son. I seek the warrior they call Aftermath!"

"How dare you interrupt my feast. Light Warriors come and slay this intruder!" the Queen of the Bend ordered.

The Light Warriors flew into action but, with a wave of Ssenkrad's hand they were propelled back. "These!! these, are the legendary Light Warriors? They are pathetic little rodents! They can not withstand me! Look before me they do cower. Enough though I grow weary of this idiotic game. They say that the Light killed my father. Who is responsible for this?"

Robyn snuck into the castle through a side gate and ran down the hall. Ssenkrad looked up and saw her through the wall. "Yes!" he said as his eyes gleamed with delight. He tapped his staff and in a puff of smoke he was gone. He appeared inside the castle right in front of Robyn. He held his staff in one hand and his chin in the other. He rubbed his chin and then slyly asked, "Hello now who do we have here? Tell me what is your name?"

She replied, "I am the Queen of the Bends daughter, Robyn. I am the one who destroyed the Darkness that arose from the South."

Ssenkrad's smile turned into rage as he screamed out. "You destroyed my father? Then in stone you will be!!" Ssenkrad tapped his staff upon the ground and they were both gone. They reappeared in the gardens below. He raised his hand into the air and said to Robyn, "Behold the power and might of Darkness!!" The Ring of Darkness flickered on his hand, then she was turned into stone. "This will be my mockery of the Light," he chuckled. Ssenkrad once again tapped his staff to the ground and he was gone. Dew had been playing in the gardens. When she heard the commotion she hid among some bushes. She was witness to all that had happened. She ran out and hugged the statue about its feet.

Dew cried at Robyn’s feet weeping, "Help me!” she screamed.” She felt the stone. “Robyn!! Please don't be dead. Please someone tell me that my sister will be all right! Someone help me! Please Robyn I love you, don't leave me.” She tried to peel off the stone. “Please come back to me! No! No! No!" Dew then buried her head in her arms. Guards poured int othe gardens. The Light Warriors had got to the Queen and the Sorceress had teleported them all into the castle. She appeared out of the air in back of jDew and knelt to comfort her. She then looked up in horror as she looked upon the statur. She tried spell after spell, but they all failed.

“It’s useless,” Dew cried. “This magic can not be undone.” The Sorceress looked at Dew, a trail of tears running down her cheeks. The Sorceress tried again and was thrown to the ground by a backlash of shielded magic. Dew lept to her and placed her hands on either side of her temples. Dew reached in with her mind and found the Sorceress’s heart. The Light scorched Dew as she re-started the Sorceress’s heart again. The Sorceress gasped for breath as Dew rocked her head in her lap. Dew’s arms began to smolder. The Sorceress would be alright at least.

Fame of this incident spread throughout the land. No wizard, nor sorcerer, nor witch, nor gypsy could undo the magic that was casted that day. Everyone started to fear the growing might of the Dark side.

Dew went out to the statue everyday, and read stories, of heroes, and of dragons that Maiden Norax would give her from the libraries... Dew would pick flowers from the gardens and decorate the statue of Robyn. Sometimes Dew would sing out in her sadness, songs of love. And no matter how hard people tried, no one could get Dew to leave the statue. Not even the Queen.

"....And then a stranger shall one day come,
His power more mighty than the sun.
He shall surely come into the Bend,
To see a statue, love without end,
And no one shall know him for awhile,
His love will shine upon a child.
Eyes of innocence will recognize,
The savior of all, is in disguise.
A lone stranger from a nearby land,
Against the growing Dark, will he stand.
He along with a band of brave men,
The reign of the Dark side will they end.
All his power I have not seen,
He shall be seeking his long lost queen.
Thus begins the worst battle above,
And it will solve the mystery of...

Atop paradise in a far away land,
The huge majestic castle of Light does stand.
The awesome castle there is void of laughter,
For the Queen is without her older daughter.
Within the magical gardens all alone,
Lies the statue of the Queen's daughter, in stone.
It has been one month after that dreaded day,
When, vile, Ssenkrad took the Queens Daughter away.

In the Queendom of Beauty's Bend everyone was going about their business as if nothing were wrong. Only the guard over the castle gate saw the lone figure riding in from the north. The rider rode into the Queendom. Only Dew noticed him. She was on the fifth floor of the castle in the library looking for books. She smiled a smile of innocence, because she had a feeling, but she want sure. The books in her hands hit the floor as she dropped them. She ran into Maiden Norax, Master of the Books.

"What is your hurry, Dew?" Maiden Norax asked Dew.

"He's here, he's here!" was all Dew could scream with uncertainly as she ran out of the door of the library.

"Who?" Maiden Norax called out in her lovely voice, "and does he have any books?"

Dew ran out above the stables to get a good look at him. He had just handed the reins to a squire.

"What is his name," the squire inquired about the horse.

"I call him old faithful," said the stranger.

"Who are you if I may ask?" the squire asked.

"I am a bounty hunter," the stranger said, "Ordron is my name. I have heard of the Queen daughters demise, and I wish to help, if the price is right.” Dusting himself off, he looked up and said, “also over the years my heart has hardened, and I was told to come see the beauty that is in the gardens here. I am told it will do wonders for my heart."

The squire nodded and then placed the horse into the stable. The stranger then gave the squire a gold piece. The squire thanked him, showed him to the gardens, and ran off.

Dew hurried around into the gardens and hid underneath some vines. She loved the gardens. She could get into places that no other could get. She could get into places that not even the royal gardeners knew about. She was about twenty feet from were Robyn, was so that she could get a better look at the stranger.

The stranger was looking at all of the flowers of the gardens. Then his eyes fell upon the statue. His heart heaved as he fell to his knees in front of the statue. A red rose, from a nearby bush, caressed Dews cheek as she listened, with great anticipation, to the stranger speak...

"As I kneel here alone right now I shed a tear,
For have I truly lost the one that I hold dear?
My dark, fragile, aching heart now cries out in vain,
Oh Please, please tell me how can I endure the pain?
For without you my heart has died a million deaths,
Over the only one I loved, hugged and caressed.
The dark dagger was driven deep within my heart,
And our lovely peaceful world was shattered apart.
My weak, dark, heart was wounded, wounded so badly,
It's worse now that I struggle without you, sadly.
What 'er did I do to push you away from me?
What is this dreary, sadness taking over me?
What ever did I do to have to deserve this?
To have you ripped away from me before the kiss?"

Dew was now crying. She could literally feel the strangers pain. She didn’t even have t ofeel out to him. At once she knew who that stranger was. No disguise could have hid the strangers identity from her. She knew his pain. Slowly she crawled out from underneath the vines. She approached the stranger with tears running down her face. He did not notice her and proceeded to say...

"How can I undo this dark magic tell me please?
So that this searing pain, I'd be able to ease.
How could, mischievous, life, this trick on me, play?
Shall I e'er be able to take the pain away?
Love has the likeness of a, fine, double edge sword,
It had turned and sliced my heart up in just a word.
There is indeed no feeling in my heart tonight,
No birds are singing, no angels winging, delight.
Without you I am a lonely empty person,
I can only hope that the pain does not worsen.
And though all of these feelings have overtaken,
I know, to, well my heart shall never awaken.
Please tell me how much of myself am I to give!
And please tell me how, without you, am I to live?

My dark heart, of only you, does it desire,
Of being an casualty, it is tired.
You were my life, how am I to live without you,
Oh, what am I, what am I, what am I to do!
You are my only love, the only one for me,
I must hold you forever or I can not be.
What can I do to unlock your love, Robyn, dear?
How could your love for me, so quickly disappear?
Oh please, tell me what you want, tell me what you need!
I love you so greatly my heart, for you, does bleed.
For you, I'd slaughter the moons, I'd slaughter the suns,
I'd unearth ancient relics, without any puns.
My great love is no burden, what am I to say?
If you say nothing now, I will just walk away."

The King paused for a moment looking for a sign that she still loved him, but, he saw none. So he glanced back at Robyn then turned to leave.

Dew suddenly jumped into the Kings arms gining him a great hug screaming, "King Aftermath! Oh it is you! It is! I thought I would never see you again!"

He looked at Dew perplexed, "How did you know who I was?" he asked. "I am supposed to be in disguise."

"I know the love that is in your heart, “ Dew replied. "It is kind of strange, I kind of felt you too. I mean I was looking up books with Maiden Norax Master of the Books. You see, I come out here everyday and read Robyn stories. When I was up in one of the libraries I thought I felt you but I had to be sure. So I followed you and by your words, and by your love I knew at once that it was you." Dew then drew huge breaths to catch up with what she was saying. Then she hugged me again. “I’m so glad that you are here! Now I know that everything is going to be alright. I feel a pull here. Something important is about to happen.”

The King hugged her back and said, "You have no idea how happy it makes me that you are here, I had no idea. So how have you been doing?"

"Fine, your majesty," Dew replied with a smile. She looked over at the statue, then to me and questioned, "Is this the love that you spoke of in the Vertilla?"

"Yes," the King replied, "I can not lie to you. This is the one that I love greatly. She was taken from me and now I am nothing without her."

Dew looked into his saddened eyes with the look of innocence that melted his heart and simply said, "Don't worry, never give up faith in the Light. For with it anything can happen, anything. Remember rainbowalking? You could not have done that without having faith. The Light will always find a way to bring everything together, to take care of us all." She hugged the King once more and then he let her down. She took her hand in his and walked the King over to a stone bench. The bench was magnificently sculpted from marble. They sat down. "She's my sister you know." said Dew proudly.

"How is that?" the King asked.

"Well," said Dew politely, "Her mother, the Queen of the Bend, adopted me after I took off in search of you."

"Oh," the King replied not knowing what to say. Dew had put had put her life in danger going to look for him. Had he known, he’d have taken her with him.

"Is something wrong?" Dew inquired.

"No," the King replied, "Its just that you have grown. You have gotten bigger."

"Oh, King Aftermath," Dew replied blushing, "I am not that big. I'm older, but not much taller." Then she laughed that wonderful childish laugh. The king laughed too. Her laugh very was contagious.

"Can you do me a favor?" he asked Dew after they finished laughing.

"Yes," said Dew with excitement in her voice. "Is it a secret? I will never tell if it is. I do so love secrets."

"Yes it is," the King replied. "I want you to keep my identity a secret. No one but you may know who I am. I've come here to see if I can undo the magic that was done to your sister. I love her greatly and I have come to right the wrong which has happened here. I want people to think that I'm Ordron, a bounty hunter."

"Yes!" screamed Dew as she reached for the sky then putting her hands together sung out, "I knew you would come and saver her, I just knew it. All right, you are Ordron, a stranger passing through. I will keep your secret. But, no matter how much I want to I can not hide that you are my dear King Aftermath."

"I am lucky to have you to help me and this I vow: now that you are helping me, I will always be there to help you no matter what."

"I know you love my sister," Dew replied, "But I do this also to help my sister, for I love her too. Come," Dew said, "I will take you to my mother the Queen of the Bend. If you want to help Robyn, we must hurry. Most of the elders, sorcerers, and wise people, from all over the world, are having a conference about what to do. They are all trying to help Robyn. I fear that they will fail."

"I will be there in a moment," the King said, "there is something that I need to say."

Dew nodded and then I walked over to the staute, and said, "I know that you can hear me, my love, I vow that I will do whatever it takes to get you back. Now I will prove to you how much I love you. If it kills me, at least I’ll know that I died trying to save you." The King turned and walked over to Dew. She took his hand, smiled, and they walked to the castle. The good King did not notice that upon the statue, from it's left eye, the tear that slowly ran down the statue's cheek.

The King also did not notice a powerful wizard that had witnessed all of this. He was dressed in purple. His name was Shandor. When the King, and Dew left the gardens, Shandor turned and left also.

An hour later that same wizard, Shandor, stood before the Queen of the Bend. He stood still and calm before her. They were waiting upon the Sorceress of the Bend, and Maiden Norax, Master of the Books. Finally they arrived in the throne room carrying an old, dusty book. It was blue and gold and had a four pointed star in the center of it. On each corner it had one red ruby.

"We have found the book that the wizard Shandor has requested, your majesty." said The Sorceress of the Bend.

"Yes," added Maiden Norax, "we had to look in the oldest part of the oldest library. I didn't even know if this book even truly did exist."

"It does exist," yelled out one elvish wizard, "but it is what is in it that does not exist! There's nothing important in that book. It merely contains a bunch of prophecies that are rubbish."

"Yes," an elder centar chimed in, "this book of prophecy is blasphemy. I don’t even think that you can call them profecies. We gifted with future sight know what is to truely happen. The prophecies in that book are lies. They are known as the 'children's prophecies.' They are dreams of a child."

"They are delusions of madmen," a human added.

"The writings in that book are based on imagination," an old sorcerer grunted. "We men and women of science know better than to be duped by that hogwash!"

"Ha!," they laughed, "We can not believe that Shandor as powerful as he would ever be tricked by the thinking at the level of children."

Another with a sense of clarity about her chuckled, "You majesty, the prophecies in this book are very dangerous. They tell of the end of the world. Very dark and apocalyptic those words are. Not one of the prophecies in that book have come true. The first ancients used to believe in them, but over time they saw the book for what it really was. A book of false truths. That book has no use here. It speaks of an army of children that is to be gathered by a falcon and destroy the dark side."

"Now let's be serious," a holy man interrupted. "Our religious beliefs, and our sciences, and magic tell us what will come to pass. We have proof that the sayings in this book are false. The only thing that can come out of this book is mass hysteria."

"Yes," another added standing. "These are Dark times. Many evil things are happening in the world. There are rumors of war. The world is pile of kindling ready to ignite. Any spark of evil will ignite it."

"Most of the prophecies," another wizard dressed in brown put in. "Revolve about this very Queendom. They say that the end will happen here. There is to be a mass exodus of broken armies from defeated kingdoms from all about the world. I see none here. Do any of you?"

They all began to laugh.

"If these prophecies are not real," said Shandor, "then why did I just see two prophecies that are written in this book, of rubbish, as you call it come to pass?"

"Enough!" said the Queen of the Bend, "no more outbursts! Shandor you may continue speaking."

"As you wish your majesty," Shandor replied as he bowed. "Like I was telling you before Maiden Norax and the Sorceress left to find the Book of Wisdom. This book of the purest Light...."

"Yes," sneered a wizard, "the light shines bright through your head."

"That is enough," the Queen interjected.

"Allow me to throw him out your majesty," Shandor spoke with a grin.

"Proceed," said the Queen.

And with a wave of his hand Shandor sent the wizard out the door on a comet. The wizard whizzed throughout the Queendom. Through the kitchen and into the stable into a pile of horse manure.

"As I was saying, your majesty," Shandor paused. The Queen nodded and Shandor proceeded. "I have been searching the libraries of the world for seventeen seasons now. I finally have traced the book to your libraries. For you see seventeen years ago we experienced a falconi moon, blue moon. That is what sent me on my journey to start looking for this book. This book tells of treasures great and bold. They are known as The Treasures of Light. The one you are interested in are a family of these treasures called the Six Secret Treasures of Lore. They can undo any type magic. Their power is not really elaborated on long in the book. I do know that they are very powerful and can release your daughter from this evil dark magic that plagues her to this moment. They have the ability to undo even the Darkest of magic." The Queen placed her hands together and looked down in deep thought.

"But, your majesty, I implore you," one of the Queens most trusted advisors pleaded, "I do not wish to dishonor this fine wizard but this book is the stuff of fairy tales. I have read a copy of this book. It is interesting that we’ve found the original. On the other hand it is quite disturbing. It foretells of the fall of the Dark power and of the end of the world. It also says blasphemous things about your very Queendom. It does not say anything about your daughter. It would be foolish to listen to this man and to sent our most powerful Light Warriors out on a quest that they would never come back from. They would never return simply because these treasures do not exist. Face reality Shandor, you are a man of science, a wizard. It shocks me that you would get caught up in fairy tales and believe that they are true prophecies. They are dreams of children."

"Some of the most powerful people who move mountains with needles are dreamers," the Sorceress of the Bend replied coming to Shandors defense. "Is it not written, that if we all could believe as a child we can accomplish any feat, even if it is destroying the Dark side, if we just had even a little faith?"

"We are among the best intellect in the world," Shandor told the Sorceress of the Bend. "And yet you show more wisdom than all of them put together. I am astounded and impressed." The Sorceress blushed.

"Face reality," another stood up.

"The reality is," grunted Shandor with wrath as he spun around to face his mocker, "is that all of you elders and wizards can not break the spell over the Queens daughter. I am here to offer a possible solution and all you do is accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about?"

"I care not what they say, Shandor," interrupted the Queen, now angry, "I am ruler here, I wish to hear what you have to say and my word is absolute. Keep talking I will listen, for if there lies anyway to save my daughter I will see to it that it is done."

"Do you have warriors that would be brave enough to go in search for these treasures?" Shandor asked. "The way there is fraught with many dangers and I fear that even the most powerful will fail. For you see these treasures lay in hiding in the forgotten lands of Yore. Your Warriors must have a very stong leader. One deemed worthy by the Light."

"Shandor," an elder pleaded. "Please, what you do now is dangerous. Do not be so delusional that you try to force those prophecies come true."

Shandor opened the book and began to read.

"-and in those days wondrous things will begin to happen. Prophecies that were to be, will not be. Things that were never to happen, will happen. And the inhabitants of the world will be brought to their knees in total humbleness of His might. All those who have lost faith will bask in the glory of the Creator. Sing all you trustworthy children who believe, have faith in the Light. And rejoice for there will come a time when the full might of the Light will be unleashed. Rise ye children! the time for war has approached. May he bless the falcon who is to lead His chosen children all the way to glory's gate. And I will blind all to what I am doing, so that I can weed out all of the non believers. And woe to all of they who take me for granted. For they will be the undoers of their own destinies. Take heart little children, and believe. The time comes for the destruction of the world. It all starts with two who dare to love. Their love will overshadow the Light. Many are not aware of the events that have been set in motion. I will take them all unawares. The circle will end were Zandor began it. All of the colors will yield to the infinity that is the Light."

He flipped through the pages and read once more.

"Following a falconi moon, a sign that all of this will come to pass shall arise. A crisis befalls the Bend. A terrible thing will happen in which all of the best intellect that the world has to offer will convene. They will be puzzled at the vile trickery that has befallen, not the one, but all."

"Ladies and gentlemen," Shandor grinned. "How do you feel being part of the prophecies that you all have been mocking today?"

A huge murmur arose among them all, scoffing, and grunting, and shaking their heads.

With a sigh Shandor read once again. "And even then they will not believe." Suddenly an elder jumped up with rage. "This is the most outrageous thing that I have ever heard! That book does not say those things."

"Oh no?" Shandor grinned. The room tensed as he walked towards the elder with the book in hand. He handed the book to them. The Sorceress moved closer to the Queen in case a fight broke out. Wizards dueling could be very destructive.

"It is written in Zeldarioc, an ancient elvish magical script." A book master scoffed. "Don't tell me you can read this?"

"Are you blind man!" Shandor shouted. "I sat here in front of you and read it."

"Please," an old elf-mage crackled as she arose. "Let us not forget our lady the Queen. There will be no quarrels here today. Remember, we are her guests here." The Sorceress nodded to her. "Let me see the book," She creaked as she reached for the book. Shandor made his way over to her quickly. He placed the book in her hands. She smiled. "I am nine hundred years old. In my earliest memories of the oldest writings do I remember writing such as this."

"Can you read it?" a scholar asked.

"Why yes," She replied. She read and her shaggy eyebrows fell. She looked up at Shandor and wrinkled her forehead. "The Light shine on us and have mercy on our souls." She whispered hoarsely.

"That book could not have meant us," a wizard interrupted. "It could have been any number of things."

"Plus," a warlock added. "There is still no evidence to support all of you claims."

"Yes," the Queen finally spoke up. "The famous and legendary Light Warriors. They all have unique talents beyond magic and skill. Here let me introduce them to you." At her motion, my knights stepped out. They were close to the throne at the signal of the Sorceress when she thought there might be trouble. Shandor took the book and made his way back to the Queen. The Queen continued. "Sir Dakken knows most of the lands around here. He will be the Light Warriors guide throughout the quest. He knows quite a bit about survival in the wild too. Sir Rage is skilled in hunting. He is also a very powerful warrior and weapons smith. Sir Shadow is a thief. What the Light Warriors need to know he can spy for them. Sir Lost is a mage. He knows how to read runes and many other kinds of writings. He is mainly a healer. Sir Red navigates and builds shelters, he also knows his herbs and can heal almost any wound. Sir Baux is very good at solving riddles. He will be very handy in the labyrinths. Finally there is the squire. He cooks and helps the other knights in battle. He can also set very powerful traps. This group is without a leader though. I've looked throughout my lands and still I can not find a leader." Then the Queen cried out dismayed, "Oh when will this madness end! First Ssenkrad came into my Queendom and took all from me including my daughter. Now when I am close to saving her I am farther even still. Who will lead my Light Warriors? Is there anyone who can led these Warriors to the Six Secret Treasures of Lore?"

Dew and the King had been in the room for a while now.

"What is going on here," the King asked Dew, "there seems to be a meeting."

"Yes King After-, I mean Ordron, it seems that many wizards and elders have gathered here to talk about any hope of reviving Robyn. There is a wizard here, named Shandor that is speaking to my mom about a way to help her. He says he knows a cure for the evil, vile spell casted upon Robyn. I like him he is funny. Trust me, you can trust him. My mom is in agony. I wish I could help her but, how? I am all that she has now. I know that you are the one that will save my sister. The Light Warriors are in need of a leader. I know that you would make the perfect leader. I believe in you."

The King looked down into Dew's eyes. She gave him the courage to step forward. "Introduce me to your mother. I shall lead these Light Warriors whoever they are. I vowed to save my love and I shall."

Just then Dew grabbed the King by the arm and pulled him through the crowd. "Mommie! Mommie!," she shouted. "Meet my friend! I have found the one to lead the Light Warriors! Rejoice for Robyn is saved!"

The crowd all turned to see what was going on. People, elves, dwarves and other such creatures such as that started to talk among themselves. Finally they were before the Queen. Shandor had stepped back towards the crowd. The good King marveled at him. he did look like a wizard, and a powerful one at that.

The Queen looked at the King and asked, "Have I seen you before in my life or perhaps in a dream? What is your name?"

"I am an adventurer," the King answered, "I am known to the world at large as the bounty hunter Ordron." He bowed low in front of her. The Queen was trying very hard to recognize this stranger before her. Had she seen him before? The Kings cloak had grayed a little and he had changed a lot. His appearance was the same but his voice was a little deeper. He knelt on one knee and then said...

"I kneel before you let me introduce myself please,
I am a bounty hunter from way beyond the breeze.
This is not a dream, oh how I wish it were you see,
We would wake up and everyone would be happy.

I am not here to play a game, Ordron is my name,
I have heard of your majesties great beauty and fame.
Then I did hear of your poor, poor daughters tragedy,
So I came here to see if it was reality.

All of my life I have hated the evil Dark side,
I will never fear the Dark, from it I do not hide.
For you I do wish to seek the Six Secret Treasures,
And know the wondrous mysteries of their pleasures.

I would truly die, my queen, for your daughters beauty,
For you are my queen, and it is only my duty,
Your majesty your beauty's indeed beyond compare,
I'm truly illuminated by your long blonde hair."

"Also along the way your Light Warriors need to take heed of the Dark Warriors. I have heard of their terror. " The finished up saying.

"Why would you do this for me?" asked the Queen.

Before I could answer Dew broke in and said, "Don't distrust him. He does it out of love for Robyn."

The King looked at Dew and she shrugged her shoulders. Then she placed her hands over her mouth as if to stop the flow of words. Then she looked at Ordron as if to say: I'm sorry.

The King looked back at the Queen, who said, "So be it. If you save Robyn and she deems you worthy, you may have her hand in marriage."

Orderon was over joyed at the Queens words. And merely bowed.

"The Sword of Lore has the might,
A magical sword forged of Light.
It sits there so bold and alone,
Sleeping beyond the queen's gold throne.
Oh my! how it's power doth gleam,
Twill only listen to a king.
The sword has only one master,
Awakened 'twill cause disaster.
So you sleep softly little sword,
Of you there'll never be hear a word."

The Queen was with joy. Finally there was one who came forward to try to lead the Light Warriors. The Sorceress on the other hand, was very suspicious of the stranger. Especially because of what Dew had said. "Allow me to interject here my queen," said the Sorceress of the Bend.

"Very well," the Sorceress of the Bend replied.

The Sorceress turned to Orderon and asked, "Do I know you?" Ordron shook his head flat out lying to her. "If you are indeed the one to lead the Light Warriors, then let me put you through one test. I need to test your skill."

Ordron nodded ascent and Shandor, from the crowd, lifted his head in expectation.

The Sorceress continued with a grin, "My dear Sir, your test is a simple one. Behind this throne there sleeps a sword. It will only listen to it's master. It's master shall be the one to leads the Light Warriors. Call to it and if it comes to you, than you shall lead. If not then you shall leave this Queendom, never to return again."

Shandor, who knew of events to come, started to interject, but decided that it would only prove to be useless. Shandor felt sorry for the Ordron because, this Sword of Lore was to never be awakened. It was cursed to sleep until the end of time and then die along with everything else. It was found asleep and was to never be awakened again. After thousands of years of trying to wake the sword, everyone finally gave up trying to wake the sword. There were chuckles throughout the crowd. It appeared as though Ordron was trapped. The Sorceress did not trust this new stranger and this was her way of telling him to leave the Queendom politely. She grinned in anticipation of his failure.

Ordron nodded in approval.

"The sword is called the Sword of Lore. Many men have tried to awaken it but have failed. You have my blessing on trying." She turned to the guards. "You there come and take away the throne." The guards did so.

Ordron turned and looked at Dew and she shrugged. A silence fell over the room. Everyone gasped in awe as the throne was moved. The Sorceress stepped down followed by her the guards. There Ordron stood lone and in front of a huge darkened chamber, made of one full huge solid block of pure diamond.

Ordron raised his hands in the air and spoke to the sword. "Sword of Lore, listen to me. I call upon all of your great radiant Light. I beg of you, aid me in my quest for the Light. Aid me through my pain. 'twill be an honor for me to wield you, though I am not worthy. I beg of you shine your radiance upon this poor lonely soul. You are my only chance left at life."

As his words of love and pure honesty fell upon the crowd there came a roar of laughter. Soon the whole crowd was laughing and clapping. Ordron looked at Dew and she had her hands clenched up to her chest as she gazed upon Ordron with hope and belief. Ordron looked down to the ground and closed his eyes. He felt the Light within him pulling very strong. He still could not touch it. Ordron felt the sword in the other room. He opened his eyes and nothing had happened. Then when Ordron was going to give up, there from the darken room, came a Light.

Light flooded the queendom. The Sword of Lore had awakened. It floated across the room and gently fell into Ordron’s outstretched hand. The crowd gasped in fear. Ordron thanked the sword in his mind and held it high. It shone with the luster of a million suns. Shandor was quite surprised too. He knew that this event was never supposed to happen. No where was it written, nowhere down the line did he see this event with his future sight. He was stunned. All were silent.

"-and in those days wondrous things will begin to happen. Prophecies that were to be, will not be. Things that were never to happen, will happen. And the inhabitants of the world will be brought to their knees in total humbleness of His might." Shandor spoke with awe. "He, the Creator is indeed powerful.

Ordron looked over at Dew and she smiled greatly and clapped silently. Shandor left the room.

"Everyone rejoice," shouted the squire, "for the Sword of Lore has awakened and has found us a new leader. All hail the Light!" And the crowd was overjoyed and loud, with screams, and tears, and laughter, and hugging, save for the wizards and wise people and elders who were there. They just sat in awe. As did the Sorceress of the Bend. She stood with her mouth wide open. The King knelt before the Queen and said, “with the Sword of Lore, I shall crush the Dark side and bring your daughter back to you... this I vow.

Dew hugged the Queen and said, "You see mommie, I told you he would be the one, I just knew it."

"Yes indeed," said the Sorceress of the Bend standing besides the Queen, "he is very unique."

"I agree," the Queen of the Bend replied. "Yes indeed. Now I have hope, finally, in bringing my daughter back to life." Then she turned and looked at the Light Warriors. "Eat, and sleep well tonight, Light Warriors. For tomorrow you ride."

There was a great feast there in the Bend that night. Dancing and music, and food, and laughter was everywhere. It was as if there was a holiday. Ordron wanted no part of it and slipped out quietly. Dew followed him out to the gardens. This time she sat on the grass and watched as he knelt down before the statue. She looked upon us with sorrow, for she could not do anything for us. The King placed my hands over his heart and spoke...

"Though I leave tomorrow, my love, my dear,
My weak heart can not help but shed a tear.
I vow to you I'll return with pleasure,
Bearing, for you, the Six Secret Treasures.
Because within my heart you are there,
Whispering, beautifully as the air.

My heart's devoted to the one I love,
You fascinate me, beyond and above.
You are magnificent as a rose,
For you any army would I oppose.
I know you need me now and I am here,
I will heal you of this magic don't fear.

I'll always be your hero for all time,
Forever yours and forever sublime.
I love you so much, the world I would fight,
To keep you my dear, to hold you so tight.
My love exceeds the limit of my heart,
Your love keeps my world from coming apart."

Dew wiped a tear from her eyes. For she knew my words were true and full of agony. I took a breath and spoke once more...

"Now a days even the wind whispers your name,
While the birds that fly in the trees do the same.
How can the world against your beauty stand?
It's so great it could crush the strongest of man.
Even the flowers sing out it's foreseen,
That even the mountains bow to you, their queen.
As the waterfall plays out its sweet melody,
You make my world run in perfect harmony.

How can one have beauty that is so great?
And captured my heart, I didn't anticipate!
I don't mind saying I love you so very much,
I don't mind admitting that I quiver at your touch.
I would trade anything to be with you,
Do you love me too? Do you love me true?
How can I help it my heart cries out for you,
Until I see you it will never be subdued.

Before I met you I was all alone,
But now it's magical, my love sings out in tones.
I have tried so hard to be tough it was a must,
But your beauty, so great, it crushed me to dust.
It is you that rules my world so sublime,
That's why I'll love you for all of my lifetime.
This I say is true, I'm nothing without you,
For true love to exist it takes only two."

"I still can not believe that you are gone,
I'll not stop until your cured and we've won.
My love is yours, my dedication endures,
These words come from my heart, forever yours....."

Dew cried and the King picked her up in his arms. She hugged Ordron and he could feel that she was greatly afraid for him. "Hush now," Ordron said, "I'll be back soon enough. Then we shall play once more. All of us together."

The next morning all eight of the Light Warriors left the Beauty’s Bend, secretly. They had set out thier quest. "And one day an unknown king shall set out on a quest,
Riding secretly with six knights, will they pass the test?
It will be one of the greatest battles of pure might,
Dark will have risen up against the lovely Light.
The Light will aid the lonely falcon without tire,
All this for the king, six knights, and a lonely squire." - the Book of Wisdom.

Dhovan shook his head, “so all th wise wouldn’t believe Shandor eventhough he was powerful and know what he was talking about?”

“Why wouldn’t the others listen to him?” Ben asked.

“Almost eveyone hates change,” I started. “And they had good reasons not to believe Shandor. You see most of the Childerens Prophicies were written by childeren. Most know this. And plus all of the wise had Future Seer’s and they know nothing of the sort was going to happen. to complicate the story even more... they all knew that the Six Secret Treasures of Lore didn’t exist.”

The childerens mouths dropped a little as the sat back in shock.

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