Relma felt like she was falling through an endless void of nothingness. Her body, if she had one, she was numb and unfeeling, yet she felt more than ever. As if she was more herself in the nothingness than she ever had been amidst everything else. Or perhaps she merely felt who she was now that it had all been stripped from her.

As she opened her eyes, she wished something more was around her. She did not need it; she could exist here as the only being for eternity. But she desired things other than herself.

Into the darkness came light. A great light emanated from her in an all-encompassing wave. When it faded, there was a world around her.

And then she awoke. Her eyes opened blearily, and she saw Aunt Pan sitting over her knitting. She felt detached again. Relma had a splitting headache on some level, but it didn't bother her on another. "Aunt Pan?"

"Well, you are lucky to awaken," said Aunt Pan, not looking up. "After what you did."

Relma's mind was a blur. "What did I do?"

"You brought back the dead," said Aunt Pan. "Not an impossible task, given it was a recent death. But a very difficult one and generally not worth the effort. People are usually back in a generation anyway under a new name.

"I've only done it once or twice."

"Oh, come on, you could at least pretend as though I did something remarkable," said Relma, more herself now.

"You did do something remarkable," said Aunt Pan. "And you did it very well and in the perfect context. Gel Carn is positively abuzz with rumors of your nature. But, if I were you, I shouldn't try anything like that again."

"Why not?" asked Relma.

"The universe tends to even itself out," said Aunt Pan. "Pull the threads of fate one way, and you mess with other stories. That is why a subtle touch is best."

"Are you saying I should have let Ajax stay dead?" asked Relma.

"Of course not," said Aunt Pan. "While there might be a price to pay, it won't be nearly as bad as it could have been. You see, you were willing to give up your life."

"What?" said Relma.

"When you defeated Fayn, you fully believed her guilty," said Aunt Pan. "But you willingly went to what you believed would be your death solely to save her and Ronald. Of course, we didn't allow it, but you did not know that.

"Magic is a strange thing, Relma. It is based on the soul of the one who uses it. The power does not come from some magical spring within you. It comes from who you are. Deals with spirits are merely one way to channel it.

"In giving up your life, metaphorically speaking, you were able to draw back the life of another."

"Somehow, I don't think I'll be able to go around bringing people back," said Relma.

"Of course not." scoffed Pan. "This was a miracle, not healing magic."

"What's the difference?" asked Relma, feeling she already knew the answer.

"Healing magic is inspiring the elements within the world to restore the body," said Aunt Pan. "Taking the power inherent to yourself and others and bringing it into play. A miracle is when a force outside the normal order intervenes to perform a wondrous deed.

"The former is business as usual for some people. The latter is never routine."

"So how did I perform it?" asked Relma.

"Another, greater force worked through you," said Aunt Pan. "Quite frankly, I'm very well pleased with how things turned out.

"The Tournament of Kings is a beginning of sorts. And in my experience, the beginning of things almost always foreshadows the end. A reign that begins in blood will end with blood. However, a reign that has its source saving lives will end far better."

"And how did this beginning rank?" asked Relma.

"Well, as far as I can tell, it sets some very hopeful trends," said Aunt Pan. "It shows that you willingly take on the punishments of the unworthy of saving them. It demonstrates that your focus will be on saving others. This foreshadows the healing of old wounds, as opposed to the dealing of death.

"All hopeful signs. For a holy man. I'm not sure it will translate well into a King."

"I will be King, and I'll end the hatred between the nobles," said Relma. "I'll establish friendship where before there was hatred. I'll make peace with all my neighbors and help people. And I'll only fight to defend, never to attack."

"All admirable desires, Relma," said Aunt Pan. "But I don't think you'll manage it. Power ruins everyone who gets it. Some more than others. But no one remains wholly good when they have it."

Relma shook her head. "I will show you, Aunt Pan." And she stood up and began to get dressed at once. "Where are William and Estela?"

Pan put down her knitting. "When last I heard, William has been tending to the sick and injured and playing the harp for that beast when he is not. He seems quite intent on overshadowing you."

"And Estela?" asked Relma.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Training with Ajax in one of the courtyards at the moment," said Aunt Pan. "She's been helping him with the sword."

"Have they reconciled?" asked Relma.

Aunt Pan shook her head. Relma finished getting dressed and walked to the door. "I'm going to go see them."

Relma found Ajax and Estela in the training yard. Both were wielding swords, and Estela seemed to be instructing him. She was probably doing a lot better job of it than Relma had. "Two, three, four, good. You're getting better. Relma really didn't do an excellent job of teaching you."

"Not very surprising," said Ajax.

"Well, that's some thank you, Ajax," said Relma coming forward.

Ajax looked up and smiled. "Relma, you're awake. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine; I just have a headache," said Relma, rubbing her head. "Estela, I need to talk to you about William."

"What about him?" asked Estela, sheathing her sword. "He's spent the past few days healing every sick and injured person he can find. People called him one of your disciples, and he flatly denied it."

"Well, that's to be expected. William wants to be a messiah himself," said Relma.

Estela looked at her oddly. "What do you mean?"

"He feels obligated to seek glory and power for his house," said Relma. "He feels obligated to help others as a Paladin of Elranor. Becoming a messiah who brings salvation to the people is the perfect way to do that."

"Nothing he said gave me that impression," said Estela.

"Of course not; he hasn't fully realized it himself," said Relma. "He thinks he is just putting on appearances to increase the glory of his house. But the appearance you put on often becomes true in your own mind."

"You seem different," said Estela.

Relma was a bit too certain in what she was saying. "Maybe I am.

"At any rate, Estela, I need you to reconcile with William. If House Vortegex and House Gabriel are at each other's throats, it could cause many problems."

"He broke my sword and my shield," said Estela. "I'm going to have to have it reforged."

"And he nearly killed me," said Ajax. "He did kill me."

"But he only did it because of the underhanded way you won, Estela," said Relma. "And Ajax, going into a tournament where people use real weapons with no armor, was not a good idea. You could have just as easily killed him in that melee.

"Fayn nearly killed Reginald, and that was deliberate. No one is complaining about that."

"Garrick did," noted Estela.

"I go into battle with no armor," said Ajax, apparently uninterested in Fayn.

"Yes, but in battle, you are allowed to cheat," said Relma. "You can ambush and trick. Here the expectation is fair play."

"I told you I needed the money," said Estela.

"And you have it," said Relma. "It can't hurt to reconcile with an enemy and part in friendship. Or at least not parting in bitter hatred."

"Since when do you have authority over me?" asked Estela with an edge in her tone.

"I'm not commanding you to do anything," said Relma. "I'm merely telling you that William is a bad person to have as an enemy. And you two really should be friends. But, unfortunately, you're far more alike than either of you want to admit."

Estela remained silent for a long moment. "...Alright, I'll find him and apologize before he goes."

Ajax sniffed. "What happened to you? Your scent is different."

"I don't know," admitted Relma. "I feel as though who I usually am is the surface of what I am. When I brought you back, I think more of myself emerged. It's sort of fading away now.

"What was it like, being dead?" Somehow, Relma thought she already knew.

"Strange," said Ajax. "I felt I was between several worlds. An eternal wildland on the one side and a great palace on the other. And then, dimly, I saw a soothing light.

"Then I was drawn back by the threads of a spider. It was furious, I could tell. I could see its children scuttling around me, weaving new threads. But they weren't the same as the old ones."

"Do you know what happened to the scarf that William used?" asked Relma.

"He gave it back to the Baroness," said Estela. "And thanked her quite politely. Then he split the loot, just like had been planned."

"And Garrick?" asked Relma.

"He left after the tournament," said Estela. "He tried to challenge Fayn to a duel of honor. But Benarus dismissed the cause as frivolous.

"See, Garrick wasn't the one who was betrayed. Saphra was. And she apparently found it hilarious."

"Her cousin was nearly burned to death!" said Relma. What was wrong with Saphra? What, was she a demon in human form? That actually seemed more likely than she would like to admit. She was from a family of vampires.

"Yes, she found it funny," said Ajax.

"I think she found it funny that people think she should care," said Estela.

There was silence between them for a moment. Something occurred to Relma. "...Can I ask you something, Ajax?"

"Of course," said Ajax.

"Why did your father agree to shelter Ronald in the first place?" asked Relma. She suspected she knew the answer.

"...I may have asked him to do it on your behalf," said Ajax.

"Thank you, Ajax," said Relma.

"It's not a problem," said Ajax.

And then Ronald rushed into the training yard. He was wearing ordinary clothes rather than armor. But he hugged her. "Relma!"

"What is it?" said Relma.

"Sir Frederick says he plans to head to Escor as soon as he is well," said Ronald. "He means to take me with him. We're to represent Gel Carn in the coming wars."

"Oh, that's good," said Relma.

"But it gets better. Sir Varsus and Reginald have also agreed to come," said Ronald. "They mean to take their personal forces to aid House Vortegex. They don't want the Dragon Empire to expand either."

"Well then, it looks like I'll be alone for a while," said Relma.

At that moment, William entered the training fields. He was clad in his armor, but his helm was held under one arm. His hair had fallen around his shoulders. With him were Massacre and Felix. He approached in swift strides and bowed slightly.

"Lady Relma," he said.

"William?" asked Relma. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you had awoken," said William. "I came to say goodbye. Felix and I will be leaving tomorrow morning. I've healed most of the people in this area; I plan to start working on the other areas on my way back."

"That's good to know. I'm sure the people appreciate your efforts," said Relma.

"It is my responsibility to aid my House's reputation," said William.

Estela stepped forward. "Sir Gabriel?"

"Yes?" said William.

Their gaze met. Finally, Estela spoke. "...I wish to apologize for my underhanded methods in our battle. And I would take back my words in the tent."

"As would I," said William, too quickly to be genuine. "Ajax, are you well?"

"Better than ever," said Ajax. "I mean, we both know I won that match. Lucky for you, I don't care about money or pride. Putting on a good show is enough for me."

"Perhaps," said William. "It was a good match against both of you. But, Lady Estela, I would offer you this." He motioned to Felix, who brought forward a small chest.

Estela took it. "What is it?"

"Compensation for the armor and weapons I destroyed," said William. "I fear I sometimes don't know my own strength."

"Thank you," said Estela.

William bowed slightly, then turned away, his cloak flying around him. "Come, Felix. We have plans to make."

And he was gone.

"See?" said Relma. "Wasn't that better than eternal hatred?"

"Yes, you've made your point," said Estela. "Listen, Relma, how would you feel about becoming my squire? It'll give you a good reason to go with me to Escor. You could get some more experience there."

"Of course," said Relma.

Estela looked annoyed. "...You realize this is a great honor, don't you?"

"Right, of course," said Relma, bowing her head. "I'm deeply honored, Princess Estela, that you would-"

"Forget it," said Estela before looking away. "It's strange. It's only been a few days. But it seems like everything had already changed."

"Everything shifts, Estela. Let's just hope we're shifting in the right direction," said Relma.