*

Max sat on his bed early in morning. It was the day of Issa’s send off. Griffa had explained to him what would happen, but he wasn’t really sure what to expect. The last two days had passed in a blur. Everyone had been kind to him. Everyone wanted to help him. Max thought he was beyond help. There was no help to be found when almost everything you lived for was taken from you.

He was grateful for those around him. Talon and Ansel had gone back to Clarton for Issa’s father. Griffa had wanted to go, but Talon and Ansel both convinced her to stay in Abscon with Max. Max was glad. He wanted Griffa safe. If he lost her, Max knew there would be no way back for him.

Talon and Ansel returned after several hours. They had gotten Issa’s father back to the West Village. They had sat with him and told him about Issa. He was devastated, not really understanding what had happened. Griffa had immediately gone to write him a letter expressing her sorrow and promises to do anything for Edan Finn and his family that she could.

Max looked down at his dark tunic. It was black with a silver sun stitched on the chest. He picked a white thread off of it and let it fall to the floor. He watched as it floated down, thinking of nothing but his own sorrow. He knew he had many people to care for him, but at the moment he felt all alone.

There was small knock at the door.

“May I come in, Max?” asked Griffa.

“Yes,” answered Max.

Griffa opened the door and came into the room. She was wearing the dark blue dress she now wore for Ring meetings. Max looked at the silver sun stitched on her bodice and then looked down at the sun on his own tunic. Griffa sat down gently on Max’s bed and took his hand. Max felt their magic join together. He closed his eyes and leaned slightly on Griffa. Even though he cared about everyone in the house, Griffa was his family. She was who he was depending on in the time of loss.

“How are you?” asked Griffa softly. “I know that is a stupid question.”

Max opened his eyes still leaning on Griffa. “It still doesn’t seem real. I almost expect to go downstairs and see her reading on the sofa.”

“I know,” said Griffa gripping Max’s hand. “I miss her very much. Would you like me to speak for Issa today, or would you like to do it?”

Max could feel Griffa’s sorrow through their magic. He could feel her love for Issa and her overwhelming love for him. He felt tears form in his eyes.

“I don’t think I could get the words out,” said Max. “Will you do it, Griffa? Will you do it as Issa’s friend and queen?”

Griffa nodded. “I feel honored to do it. Max, this will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do. I don’t want you to think you have to be strong for any of us. We all know this is an impossible thing to go through, but we will get you through it. I will get you through it. I won’t lose you, too.”

“Griffa,” said Max sniffling. “I know everyone here cares for me, but all I know right now is I need you. You are my family, and you are my strength. You have to promise me you will do everything you can to keep yourself safe. If I lose you, I won’t go on. I couldn’t.”

Griffa released his hand. She turned slightly towards him and threw her arms around him, crushing him into her. “You won’t lose me, Max, I promise. I will be wiser in my decisions. I will still have to do everything in my power to help the folk of the kingdom, but I will be better at remembering the responsibility I have to make sure the line of Adalwen goes on.”

“I don’t care about the kingdom or what happens in the future. I just want you to be here with me,” said Max sadly.

Griffa let go off Max and sat up. She took his face into her hands and kissed his forehead. “You do care about the kingdom. You are the most caring person I know. You will help me make everything right again. You are of my blood. Together we are the hope for this kingdom.”

Max looked into Griffa’s eyes, and he felt her pull as his queen. He felt the power and strength that came from her as the leader of the kingdom. He felt the love she had for him and all of her folk.

“You are our hope, Griffa. I will not let you fail,” said Max quietly.

“Will you come downstairs and eat breakfast before the send off?” asked Griffa.

Max nodded. Griffa stood and held her hand out to Max. He took it, and Griffa pulled him up. She hooked her arm with his and walked with him down to the dining room. When they got to the table, everyone else was already there. Griffa sat down between Ansel and Talon. Max sat on the other side across from her and next to Kedan.

As Griffa sat down, Ansel took her hand and squeezed it. She grinned at him. Talon leaned lightly brushing his shoulder against her. She turned and smiled at Talon. Max watched all three of them and got a strange feeling. He didn’t know what it was or even if it was real, but he couldn’t shake it. Griffa encouraged Max to eat, so he ate what he could.

As breakfast ended, Griffa stood up.

“It is time to go to the temple,” said Griffa.

Everyone stood up around her and started to quit the dining room. She waited for Max. She took his hand and walked with him to the entry hall. Everyone parted as they made their way to the door.

Griffa put her hand on the doorknob and looked at Max. “Remember, I am here with you. We all are. We will not let you go through this alone.”

Max turned to look at Griffa as she gave him a small smile. Max felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Ansel looking down at him. Max nodded, and Griffa opened the door. They walked silently to the front of the temple. Max felt sad, but no tears came. He held onto Griffa’ s hand as they walked, feeling her strength and love through her magic that joined his.

They came to the statue of the gods where they were met by two clerics who held a small silver box. Griffa walked up to them. They bowed before her as she curtsied. They handed her the box, and Griffa took it reverently. She turned to face everyone.

Max looked around and saw that other folk from the village and beyond had joined their group. Clara Vin stood by Kedan. Hector Delis and his wife and daughter stood in the crowd. Madam Sidora stood by Hector. All the dismissed Ring members except Helmer joined behind Hector. Max saw Hector turn slightly as Malchom Delis came to stand next to him. Malchom nodded slightly at his father.

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Griffa nodded at one of the clerics, and he led the group in a prayer and a song. Max knew he wouldn’t remember what prayer was said or song was sung, but he remembered Talon coming to stand beside him. He remembered Ansel putting his hand on his shoulder. He remembered looking over at Nora to see her supported by Cillian.

After the song, Griffa addressed the crowd. “Isolde Finn was very special. She was a non-gifted folk, but I think she spread magic in this kingdom better than even most magic users. She was kind and strong. She loved freely. She saw the best in all of us. She came to live with us in Abscon without family, without really knowing anyone here. She became a part of our community and our lives.

“She was brave as she fought for her kingdom and those she loved. She was intelligent. She found information that has and will continue to save Regventus. She was witty and adventurous. She loved Maxwell of the line of Adalwen above all, and he loved her. Their love is real, and it unites them beyond what we can see.

“As we say goodbye and send her on her way, we will remember her as one who fought for what is right. We will remember her as a reason we must fight the evil in this kingdom. She will not be forgotten.”

Max saw tears start falling from Griffa’s eyes. Griffa took a deep breath and went on. “I call upon Renweard Keene, Lynette Keene, Elspeth Finn and Danin Blyth to come and accompany our dear Issa on her journey. Help her to find her next great adventure. We call upon our gods, the brother and sister, to watch over her and us. We trust that one day we will meet with Issa again on our own journeys.”

Griffa opened the silver box, and closed her eyes. When she opened them, Max saw ashes fly out of the box and high into the air.

“Journey well, dear one,” said Griffa closing the box. “May you find your next adventure.”

Griffa walked over to Max, Talon moving over so she could stand next to Max. Griffa handed Max the little silver box. She put her arm around Max and held him close. Max felt tears fall down his face as the clerics said a closing prayer.

As the prayer ended, many people came to give Max condolences. He nodded and mumbled his thanks. Griffa and Ansel stayed by his side. He held onto Griffa’s hand with one hand and to the box with the other. Finally, everyone had gone except Max, Griffa, Ansel, Talon, and Kedan.

Max let go of Griffa and walked to look at the statue of the gods. He took deep breaths and closed his eyes. “I will see you again, Issa,” said Max softly. “You are safe now.”

Max smiled to himself a little. He felt his words were true. He stayed looking up at the statue of the gods for a long while. Eventually he turned to see Griffa standing between Ansel and Talon. Kedan stood next to Talon, and they were all watching Max.

Max started walking towards them when he got the strange feeling again. He stared at Griffa, Ansel, and Talon wondering why he was feeling this way. He couldn’t understand it, but it felt important. He walked up to Griffa and looked at her. He looked into her eyes, and he felt his vision go hazy.

Max was transported to the throne room in Aurumist. He was looking up at the dais. Griffa was standing with a crown on her head and by her side was Talon, he took Griffa’s into his arms and kissed her. He pulled back and looked at her with a look of pure love, as Griffa smiled sweetly at Talon. Ansel was at her back, wearing his protector’s tunic. His expression was unreadable.

Max blinked. The scene changed. Griffa was still standing on the dais, but Ansel was the one who took her into his arms and kissed her. Griffa laughed as Ansel pulled back. She leaned in and kissed him quickly one more time. Someone else stood at her back, but Max couldn’t make out whom it was.

He blinked again and Talon ad Ansel were sitting on the dais with their heads down. Ansel looked lost. Talon had tears running down his face as he held Griffa’s staff. Max could feel their sorrow. He could feel the despair they both felt. Max heart broke as he realized Griffa was gone forever.

He blinked and found himself in the middle of the throne room. It was dark, but he could see Talon and Griffa standing close together facing each other. Griffa leaned into the Talon as he put his arms around her. “I’m ready,” she whispered before Talon leaned in and kissed her gently. He could feel the relief and joy Talon felt as he kissed Griffa.

Max blinked and the throne room changed. It was decayed. The roof had holes all in it. The walls were crumbling. He called for Griffa, but she did not come. He knew she would not come. She was gone. Her magic was not in the kingdom.

“Max,” said Griffa loudly. “Max, are you alright?”

Max blinked rapidly and Griffa came into focus. He was back in the middle of Abscon. Talon, Kedan, and Ansel were all gathered around Griffa looking at him.

“I’m fine,” said Max. He shook his head to clear it.

“What is it?” Griffa asked.

Max shook his head again. He didn’t know what to say. He looked at Griffa, Ansel, and Talon standing together. He could feel the tie that bound both men to Griffa. He gasped slightly as he realized both Ansel and Talon loved her.

They were both bonded to her in some way, Ansel as her protector, and Talon as something else. Max couldn't tell what the bond was Talon share with Griffa, but it was strong. Max stared at Talon. He then shifted his gaze to Ansel.

“Did you have a vision?” asked Griffa

“Yes, I think I had several,” several whispered Max. He kept looking between Talon and Ansel. He gaze stopped on Talon, trying to figure out how he was bonded to Griffa.

“What happened?” asked Griffa. “Please tell me, Max.”

Max shook his head again. He closed his eyes. He could see Talon kissing Griffa. He could see Ansel standing behind them. He realized the look on Ansel’s face was one of pain and acceptance. He could feel the relief Talon felt as he kissed Griffa in the middle of the throne room. He could remember the despair both men felt when Griffa was not there.

“Max,” said Griffa begging. “What did you see?”

“It would do no good to tell you. They were all different. I think they all depend on yours and other’s choices. You’ve been right all along, Griffa. Prophecy doesn’t define the future, our choices do. The choices you and others make will decide your fate and the fate of Regventus.”

“Can you tell me anything you saw?”

Max thought about his vision, and he did realize one that that was true no matter what choices were made.

“You will have to save the kingdom, Griffa. It will have to be you. I’m afraid you might have to give your life, but I hope you do not. If you fail, there is no hope.”

Griffa looked at Max curiously. Max saw Talon give Ansel a look of concern. Ansel placed his hand on Griffa and immediately pulled her to him. He spun her around to face him.

“You will not die for this kingdom, Griffa,” said Ansel adamantly. “I won’t let you.”

Griffa pushed back lightly. She walked over to the statue of the gods and put her hand on the sister’s foot, closing her eyes. Talon and Ansel followed her and stood behind her. Max watched as the wind picked up around them. Griffa’s hair danced in the breeze as she held onto the statue.

After a few minutes she let go and opened her eyes. She gazed up at the statue and then turned. She started walking in the direction of Keene Manor. Ansel and Talon looked at each other and walked quickly to catch her. Max and Kedan followed.

“Griffa,” said Talon. “Are you alright?”

Griffa smiled up at him. She touched his arm. “I am.”

Griffa reached for Ansel’s hand, and held it. He looked at her sharply, and stopped her.

“Don’t believe it, Griffa. Please.”

She smiled up at him. “I am not afraid, Ansel. I know what must be done, but as Max said our choices define our future, not visions. I need you to help me make wise choices.” She turned to look at all of them. “I need all of you to help me.”

Max walked up to Griffa. “I will never leave you, Griffa. Whatever you have to do, I will help you do it.”

Talon took Griffa’s hand. “I will see you through this safe. I will not live in this kingdom without you as queen.” He kissed her hand and let it go.

Kedan gave Griffa a small smile. “If I have to jump in front of a hundred deadly curses, I will do it for you.”

Ansel pulled Griffa to him. He held her. “I will not let you down, my queen.” He pulled back and kissed her gently and whispered, “I will not lose you, my love.”

Griffa stepped back. She took Max’s arm. “I want to go home. We will need to plan and prepare soon, but today I just want to be with all of you.”