Alexanderia is as she remembers; quaint homes and pleasant greetings from residents. Glancing around, she notices, the new places grow from old worn-down structures. The saplings lining the streets are now tall leafy youths. There’s a life in the people, smiles, and gratitude, it warms the heart to see how far they’ve come.

She tries to forget what it was before; the hollow crumbling buildings with broken item scattered over the streets. But the scars remain, she sees it on the elders faces. The longing for the way of life that was violently taken away.

She glances back and finds the group has stopped by a well, they circle Sara as she pulls a letter from her bag. Remo was one part of the mission; her aunt was the other. A frown tugs on her mouth; it’s time for goodbye. She joins the group, as Zack rereads the letter.

“Your aunt is Lady Sherwood?”

“My Daddy’s sister.”

“Is that a problem?” Moira asks.

“No, I wasn’t aware Lady Sherwood had relatives. No one has seen here since her husband passed a few years ago.”

“Uncle Nicky died?” She clutches the pocket with the marble.

“I’m sorry Sara, I thought you knew. It was sudden, the doctors called it angina pectoris.”

“Chest pains,” Eclipse adds. Sara ponders for a minute, staring at her feet before nodding.

“Were you close?” She asks.

“Not really, but he was nice to me. And always sent a present for my birthday. I’m sure auntie is pretty sad with Uncle Nicky gone.”

“Zack, do you know where this address is?” She reads the letter over his shoulder.

“Crowns Avenue, yeah I can take you there.”

She’s grateful for Zack’s directions, without him she’ll be lost in the maze of the affluent neighbourhood. Mansion with lush gardens and peaked rooves sprawl alongside wide stone streets. Their presence turns heads, but no one interferes, especially when the patrolling guards see Zack. With a nod and a salute, they go about their day. Sara squeezes her hand as they walk, her small feet shuffle over the cobble stones, as she fights to keep her composure.

“Moira, is it bad of me to want to stay with you and Eclipse instead?”

“It’s not bad, you’re not a bad person. I’ll miss you too.” Her throat cracks but she takes a deep breath. “But you know why you have to go right?”

“Because my parents want me to live with her. And its important to respect their last wishes.”

“They want you to have a safe place to live and grow. Its not safe with me and Eclipse, I can’t count how many times you could’ve been hurt with us. Remember that waterfall? We could’ve died.”

“Yeah, but it was fun,” she chuckles. “I knew you and Eclipse would protect me. But with you two gone, who will keep me safe?”

“Well, Charcoal is always with you. I’m sure you’ll find a spot for him to call home in Alexanderia’s vast mountain range. Then he won’t be in the Dragon’s Eye all the time.” She points to the mountains in the backdrop of the lavish homes.

“I guess so, do you think they’ll let me keep him there?”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it work.” She winks, “not to mention you aren’t completely alone here once we leave. Chris is on vacation so he’ll be around. And Zack, he lives here. And did you know he’s a knight, and that means he always protects the Lady Fair. It might sound odd to you, but you’re the Lady of Dragon Haven now, so I think that means Zack basically has to do what you say.”

“Moira,” Sara giggles, “that’s not how that works!”

“I know, but it just means you have friends here. You aren’t as alone as you think.”

The playful banter fades as Sara recognises her aunt’s residence. A tall two floor grey stone home rose above a manicured lawn. Creeping overgrowth scales the stone reaching the peaked roof and threatens the narrow windows.

The blue door sits in the center with two white pillars on either side. A small balcony, encased in stone, rests above the door. Ominous formidable hedges line the lawns blocking the neighbour’s prying eyes while a modest metal gate circles the property.

“It doesn’t seem too bad,” Chris leans on the fence, “it looks homey.”

Nothing about it looks welcoming, it’s bland and standoffish. But she keeps it to herself. Sara sniffles when Chris opens the gate. They follow her over the sparkling driveway passing a neat but empty lawn. No flowerbeds, or decorations, the opposite of the vibrant space across the street. She raps her knuckles on the door, summoning a smiling curvy woman to greet them. Dressed in a bonnet, simple dress, and apron, she assesses the group, before her gaze falls on Sara.

“Good day,” she curtsies, “my name is Sara Catherine Rose, my father was—”

“Young Lady Sara!” she cries sweeping her in a loving embrace. She swings the girl from side to side burying her red face into the pigtails. “When His Majesty sent us word... we were—”

“Millie!” a curt voice orders from inside, “Control your useless blubbering.” A tall woman emerges in the doorway wearing a shrew scowl with arms folded across her chest. Her eyes are similar in shape and color as Lord Rose but they lack his lightness and laughter. Her fashionable blue dress compliments her complexion and brown hair which she wears pinned behind her head in a tight bun.

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“Hello, Auntie…”

“Somehow I am not surprised you managed to find your way here.” Her scowl turns into a smile when she notices Zack. “Ah Captain, I heard you were especially courageous during the deployment to rescue survivors. Are you the one who found my niece?”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship, but I’m afraid it wasn’t me who found her.”

“Moira did,” Sara answers.

“I see.” She stares at her like she’s a mangey dog sniffing around for a bone. “Come inside, the neighbours will think you are beggars standing on my stoop like this.” They enter a small parlour with a few comfortable chairs and a small table. While Chris examines the art hanging on the white walls Moira watches Sara retreat into a quiet shell of her former self. But Lady Sherwood makes her presence known: “I suppose you saved her from certain death then?”

“I was entrusted with her, Your Ladyship, by the late Lord and Lady Rose.”

“I assume you want payment for your deed?”

“Consider it a debt repaid.”

“Fine. Say your goodbyes child.” Her hard soled shoes click over the wooden planks as she leaves.

“I’m happy you found your way home, Lady Sara. It’ll be alright, you’ll see. I’ll get everything ready for you.”

“Thanks Millie, I’ll be upstairs in a few minutes.” Sara smiles, but it fades as she stares at her shoes. “Mommy brought me here when I was little. She made Auntie promise if anything happens, she’d look after me. Me, Millie, and Uncle Nicky played dollies when they argued. They fought a lot.”

“No worries kid,” Chris slaps on a grin, “every family has their own squabbles. Well, it looks like we better get going before we wear out our welcome.” He picks her up, squeezing her tight, “don’t let the world weigh you down. You’ll be okay, you’ll see.”

“Thank you,” she squeezes him back, “I hope you enjoy your vacation. Come see me please?”

“You got it kiddo,” he kisses her on the cheek before placing her on her feet.

“I know we just met,” Zack kneels before her, “but if anything happens, or you miss Moira, don’t hesitate to request me at the palace. I’ll send my knights to drag her back if required.”

“Okay Zack. I’ll remember,” she smiles as he kisses her hand. He turns to wink at her before he joins Chris’s side.

“Oh no, no tears,” Eclipse soothes as Sara’s face reddens. “Be brave little one,” he nuzzles his face in hers, “you survived so much, now is not the time to cower.”

“I’ll try…”

“I know nothing will ever feel like home. But when you feel alone, remember, you are loved. In the darkest of the night, Moira and I will always love you.” She unleashes all her tears as she grips his fur sobbing into his neck. “I will miss you too.” He licks her cheek again, nuzzling her one more time before joining the men at the door. Both girls stare, unable to speak as a wave of tears rush from Sara’s eyes. She passes Chris her staff and scoops her in her arms.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” she coos rocking her, “be strong for me, okay?”

“I will,”

“And take care of that annoying dragon of yours okay?”

“Yes ma’am,” she smiles.

“That’s my girl.”

“Will you come and visit me?” but Moira pauses long enough for Sara to notice. “Why do you hate this place so much?”

“I don’t hate it,” she whispers, fighting the truth bubbling to the surface. “I love Alexanderia very much.”

“Then why don’t you stay? Are you scared?” The fear and dread she’s held back risk ripping her apart at the seams. Its an odd feeling, having such a small child hold her together. If she lets go Moira’s certain she’ll crumble and disappear forever. “We both need to be big girls now.”

“You’re right.” She fights the tears welling to the surface. It’s what Eclipse has been trying to tell her for months, and she never listened. She didn’t want to. She doesn’t want to be here. But its time to stop being afraid. “I promise to visit. And if you need me, Zack will know where to find me.” Although, the thought of him keeping track of her for the rest of her life makes her blood boil.

“You promise?”

“Promise.”

As Millie closes the door, her chest heaves. She slams her eyes shut, keeping the stinging tears from escaping. Why is this hard? She’s just a kid. Some orphan she picked up along the way. Eclipse nudges her hip and she follows the men to the palace. But the closing door echoes in her mind. It’s over, she’s safe and sound. A promise kept.

She gazes at the puffy clouds hoping Lord and Lady Rose are watching from Paradise. Now they can rest knowing that Sara isn’t at risk of dying every waking hour. She follows Zack, wiping another tear from her eye; she’s better off there. I can’t keep her safe. I can’t love her like her real family can.

Eclipse doesn’t speak for a few blocks. His head hangs low, she can see his heartbreak in the way he walks. He keeps a few steps behind, and if she reaches for him, she’ll fall apart. But she needs to be brave now. For there’s one last thing on her itinerary.

They reach a familiar part of the kingdom, with wider roads and guards on mounts conducting their patrols. As one guard pauses to chat with Zack, she stares between the gaps in the tall iron fence surrounding the royal palace. In the center of the rounded carriageway of crushed gravel, is the panther sculpture gushing water into the decorated basin. Its like the one in Lord Rose’s painting, a fearsome beast on its hind legs with paws the size of blacksmith bellows poised to attack.

“Seems like Beckham’s handiwork,” He motions to the increased number of soldiers posted around the exterior fence.

The knot in her stomach coils like a snake but when Zack urges them forward, she obeys. They face the enormous four-storey palace that stretches across the gravel. Wide bold windows line the red exterior; permitting as much light inside as possible. She admires the balcony window in the centre of the exterior; overseeing the world it governs.

Dread binds her feet making each step a monumental task until they freeze at the base of the stairs. Marble columns frame the entrance, with matching panther sculptures sitting on their marble perch. But Zack and Chris walk lightly as they enter the world locked behind stone and marble; climbing the stairs without a second thought.

“Well, here we are,” he waits beside her at the bottom step.

“I didn’t realise it would be this hard,” she stares at the marble steps coiling to the wooden doors.

“We can walk away; Sunshine knows the message…”

“Will this be any easier in another year or so?”

“No.”

“Are you two coming or what?” Chris exchanges glances with Zack. Eclipse gazes at her expectantly, waiting for her command; his eyes soft and sombre like a soldier about to lose the war.

“Are you ready?” he whispers.

“No,” but she places her foot on the first step, slowly climbing the remainder with bated breath.

“You two look like you’re going to a funeral. Who died?” he jokes.

“Moira did.”

The two red doors creak open.