“Whyyyyy noooooot!!!!”

“Oh, for goodness sakes, Zarri, because the last time you went out you came back all bruised up!” Mother tells me again. She hasn't let me out of her sight in three days now.

“So what! I get worse in practice!”

“Say what now?” Her glare darkens. Uh-oh.

“I mean nothing. Let me go out, please!” I try again.

“I said no and that's final, now quit your pouting, it won't help.”

“Priestess.” A maiden stands in the doorway of my room.

“I'm listening.” Mother stands up.

“Your guests have arrived.” She bows and leaves.

“How nice of them. I didn’t expect them for a few more days at least.”

“Who is it?” I crawl over closer from across the bed. Mother looks at me and smiles. She gives me her hand and I take it.

“Why don’t we both go and see.”

“Okay!” I grip her hand tighter. I like it when Mother smiles. It's not often that I see her real smile. We enter the Hall and...

“AMMI!!” I run over to my friend and hug her.

“Zarri?!” Oh no. I quickly let go and push Amana behind me.

“Mother, whatever you think happened it was all my fault, I swear!” Please... Not this again. I feel my heart pound inside my chest. I’m scared...

“Zarri...”

“Amana has nothing to do with it!!! I promise!!!!” I blur it all out.

“Gazarria!” Mother speaks up and I shut up. She sighs and asks for my hand again. I hesitate, but let Amana go and place myself next to Mother.

“Pardon my daughter, she tends to jump in without thinking sometimes.” Mother says, stroking my head. “I appreciate you coming so soon. It has been a while.” She bows her head.

“It's difficult to refuse the Priestess of Noxanda, of all people.” The woman says. She has horns like Ammi. They curve down and in, going slightly to the sides... And the face. But the eyes... I steal a glance over at the man... Yeah. Those are Ammi's greys. The beige brown hair she could have gotten from either one... The parents. I notice Amana's fear and confusion. She's paler than her parents. She's gotten even pal-er now. I try to flash a smile, but I feel my fingers grip my Mother's robe myself... I’m so scared...

“Please, it's Devona, to you.” Mother smiles warmly again. “Gazarria, meet Amana's parents. This is Sharden and Ella.” She gestures to the family. I let the robe go and curtsy, facing them.

“Gazarria Stardust, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The three Cornutese bow to me. I hate this... It always feels so cold...

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“I understand our girls have already met.” Mother says again.

“Yes, we've gathered...” The man says. He's scary...

“I'd like to make a request, as a mother, if you'd allow it.” Mother bows her head again. I never heard her speak so softly before with others...

“Do we have a choice?” The father says again.

“Sharden.” The mother elbows him. That kinda makes me smile.

“With your permission I'd like to ask little Amana if she would be friends with my daughter. She'd be allowed access into the Palace at all times and we'd look after her when she'd visit.” Huh?

“I offer her the best education we can provide too. I do hope she'd keep Zarri company during her studies as well. Seeing as this one;” Mother strokes my head again gently; “has trouble sitting still.” I look up and our eyes meet. Mother gazes over the Cornutese family next. “This is a request. You have the full right to decline if you wish. I simply want to make that clear.” Wait. Access? Studies! Ammi and I could be together all the time!

“Oh please! I beg you!” I bow to the parents. “I'll take care of Amana, I promise! I'll always watch over her and take her home and meet her and!!!” I take in air, keeping my head down still.

“Please, Mom, Zarri is my friend!” I hear Ammi's voice make the plead too. I peek up just a little. “Oh please, Dad! Please!” She clutches onto her father's shirt. Only now I notice that their clothes are slightly different. Tougher looking. Less smooth and more square? I glance back at Mother. Her robe seems to be flowing down her shoulders like water, whereas their clothes seem like they have been ripped out of something... I'll have to ask Ammi about it later.

“Damn it.” The father exhales. “I don't see how we can say no now...”

“Yes, it does seem to be rather difficult to refuse.” The mother agrees. I straighten out.

“Amana is free to stay the night if she pleases, with your permission, of course.” Mother adds. “And we will have a proper escort for her to take her home.”

“I'll do it! I'll do it!” I raise my hand up, waving it.

“Yes, yes, I know.” Mother waves me over to her side again. I stop my jumping and stand next to her again. Holding my breath.

“If Amana is ok with it all, then yes.” Miss Ella nods.

“THANK YOU VERY MUCH!” I bow to them again and rush over to Ammi. We hug again, smiling.

“Just don’t cause any trouble, alright?” Mister Sharden says.

“I won’t!” Ammi answers.

“I feel like our debt to you just keeps growing.” Miss Ella says.

“Think nothing of it. It is you, who are doing me a favor.” Mother smiles again. Ammi and I bounce our gazes between the three adults.

“The Priestess here helped us a lot right before you were born, sweety.” Miss Ella answers. “And she helped us after too. We stayed here for a while. Lady Devona looked after us both, to make sure we were in good health.” She says. I look over back at Mother.

“Like I said. Think nothing of it. It was a natural thing to do.”

“Leave it to the Priestess to make nothing out of saving people's lives.”

“Well I...” Mother doesn’t respond. Instead Mister Sharden nods to Ammi.

“You should thank the Priestess. She saved you and your mother.” Ammi quickly lets me go and bows to my Mother.

“Thank you very much! I promise to be a good friend to Zarri!”

“Oh please, don't...” Mother gets stuck again for a moment, but sighs and smiles again. “Please do. She can be difficult sometimes, I hope you can forgive her.” Mother curtsies to Ammi. Hehe...

“Yooouuu are soooo bluuuuushiiiing!” I poke fun at Ammi.

“Oh shush!” Ammi covers her face. A light laughter echoes through the Hall. I give into the giggles myself a little too.

“Well, since that's settled, can we go now?” Mister Sharden says. He sounds a bit annoyed.

“Don’t stay too late.” Miss Ella hugs Ammi. “Be good now.”

“We will!” We both answer giggling and wave Ammi's parents' goodbye.