I was blindfolded, and brought into the village. I assumed I was in the village, that is, for of course, I couldn't see. I wasn't upset or concerned about this. In this village, there was mostly metal and leather working done. It's a peaceful, boring place.

After being led around blindfolded, I was brought inside somewhere. I only know this because I heard a door open, I walked over the threshold and onto wooden floors. The winter breeze was blocked. I was led from there down a series of hallways and down staircases which, though I tried to recall each turn, failed.

Eventually, I was thrown down into a chair, and bound. There were more people in the room at that time than just Almond, but they left quickly after having tied me to the chair.

Then, I was alone, blindfolded, and tied to a chair. I couldn't even grab my dagger.

While I was pondering an amazing way to escape, which really depended on how sturdy the chair was in relation to how hard the floor was, I heard the door open. The soft, small pattering of shoes walked across the room. Small hands untied the blindfold.

Kathryn took the blindfold from my face, and put it in the pocket of her dress.

“Greetings,Stiri.” she said, smiling. “I foretold that we would meet again.”

To be honest, it took me a moment to remember who she was. It was still summer when I had last seen her. My first meeting with Kos, running through the castle in Teans, the little girl, sitting by the windowsill.

“...Kathryn?” I asked. She smiled and nodded.

“Yes. I am the leader of Baliancia.”

I looked about the room we were in. My chair was the only one in the room. The floor was covered in brightly colored pillows, and the stone walls of the windowless room were covered in colorful tapestries and drapes.

“Do you wish me to untie you?” she asked gently. “I trust you won't do anything to harm me. Besides, I could stop you if you tried to do anything so foolish.”

I sat there, staring at her a moment. She smiled, and walked towards me. She started to gently loosen the ropes.

“I assume.” she said. “that you were expecting someone much older. However, I assure you, I am much older than I appear.”

“You're a Magus?” I asked

“Of sorts, but that is not the reason for my.. appearance.” The ropes fell down around the chair. I pulled my arms in front of me and rubbed the torn skin.

“Oh... You're hurt.”

I gave her a very strange look as she walked over to a large purple pillow and gently dropped into it.

“Please, make yourself more comfortable. Almond said you have things to tell me. I eagerly await your tales.”

I stood up from the chair, and sat down in one of the pillows, cross legged. My clothes were still soaked, so I took off my cloak and threw it on the chair. Kathryn clapped her hands and a brightly burning torch appeared next to me.

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“I beseech of you to find it in you to forgive Almond for his actions towards you. As I am sure you know, his feelings towards you are-”

“Justified.” I finished.

She looked at me, her head tilted, her blond hair hanging over half her face. “If you insist.” she said.

“So... back when we first met-”

“You provided distraction for Kos and Rico, and acted as vessel for my escape from them. I was able to return to my friends safely. Most people here, save for Almond, have a somewhat higher regard for you..” She pondered a moment. “Foster especially tried to pacify Almond much concerning his rage against you. It caused many arguments.”

My stomach lunged forward at the mention of Foster. I didn't know he had tried to do that for me. How could he have thought it was a worthwhile thing to do.

“Foster died.” I said. “Tenlon killed him.”

Kathryn looked at me with sympathy. “I'm sorry to hear that. From what he said, the two of you were very close. It must have been hard to bear.”

I shrugged. As it stood now, I didn't know what magic she could use to see if I was lying, or not. It was best for the time to tell as much of the truth as possible.

“I happened across...this.” I pulled the pendant out again. Her eyes flickered from me to the pendant, and suddenly, almost for only an instant, I saw a flash of age. In one moment, the look in her eyes made her age by hundreds of years.

Then she was the same child again, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and sympathy, waiting to hear the rest of my tale.

“I saw Foster after my encounter with you.. I had the pendant then, and did not know it's potential, nor it's power. Foster told me what it was capable of, and what it was...He is dead now, so I have no problem telling you that he told me of the situation of Vitam, Baliancia, and the Wall.”

“Foster must have trusted you greatly.” she said. “Otherwise, he would have been driven to madness by fear of what you might do with the information he had given you.”

I shrugged. “I had intended to leave it with him, but before I could give it to him, Tenlon attacked Artis, and killed Foster. I didn't give up the pendant, and he didn't know I had it... I fought Tenlon months later but I wasn't strong enough, and I was almost killed.”

“How did you survive?”

“I had a few allies at that time.” I said. “They managed to pull me out of harms way.”

“Your allies, Almond told me, were the magician, Rico and a girl.”

“That would be correct.”

“They are not with you now?”

I choose my words carefully. “Simply put, Rico did not like my lack of loyalty to his cause. He went on his own way, and the girl went with him.”

She bowed her head a moment. “I'm sorry to hear that.” she said.

“Being free of them, I thought I might come here, and share what knowledge I have acquired... I have many sources, and I have learned much in the last few months.”

“This is the knowledge that you wish to tell me?” She asked. I nodded. “ Go ahead.” she said.

“I think you know that Kos has the Moonstone, yes?” she nodded. “He also has the feather.” I said, “He stole it from Foster, who stole it from the Vanguard.”

“hmm..” She looked down at the floor, and seemed deep in thought for a moment. “Is there anything else?”

“I have the pendant.” I said. “You have two items, Kos has two items.”

She nodded. “It might be a good idea to try to make and alliance with the Vanguard. They must be desperate now, and they are much easier to work with than Kos... Less impatient.”

“I suppose.”

“Is there anything else?” She asked. “I do owe you for not telling anyone how you survived the fall, and for simply being there to facilitate my escape.” She chewed her lower lip and played with her hair while she thought things over. “I wouldn't, of course, be able to have you as a part of our group. Almond would not accept it. However, if you do give up the pendant, then I will make arrangements to have you escape the kingdom safely, without notice of Vitam, the Wall, or anyone else in Baliancia.”

I wrapped my fingers around the pendant, as thought I were thinking on it. After a moment, I replied.

“Please.. Let me rest for the night, and I will give you my answer in the morning.”

“Very well. It will be impossible for you to escape here with the pendant.” she said. I nodded.

“I had expected that was so.”

“I will let you keep it for the night, if you wish. I know you can use it. Almond told me. I have already blocked its power from you. Is that ok?” She asked. I nodded. Happily, she stood up.

“Then I shall bring you to a room in which you may rest!”