At some point Rosalea fell asleep because she woke up with her eyes gummed from crying. She snuggled Lio, who was still wrapped around her, and procrastinated for a while. She wanted to stretch this moment into forever, but she knew she could not. When she heard Briar passing the room in the hall, talking outside, she decided that she should get up. She gave Lio kisses on her cheek and forehead until she woke up.

Fen stirred and dropped off the bed. Rosalea rubbed her eyes and used the bowl of water next to her bed to clean her face. Lio also had gummy eyes, so Rosalea helped her wash her face, using her magic to warm the water first. It is not fair! I did not ask for this! I should not have to go! she screamed inside. Fen butted her head against Rosalea's leg. “I know, it does not matter. I have no choice.” Having no choice did not make her feel any better about it.

She went into the kitchen to find Yelena fixing breakfast with the chef supervising. Yelena was tense; her face was tight from keeping in emotion. She took a shaky breath. “So you will be leaving right after breakfast?”

“Yes.” Lio began to sniffle again, so Rosalea picked her up and hugged her.

Yelena cracked eggs with jerky motions and dumped them into a pan. She had made a fancy breakfast. There was fried bread, butter, jam, eggs, milk, a platter of fruit, and sausage. A farewell breakfast. Rosalea stopped the tears that threatened to spill again. “Yelena, I am s- sorry I could not be there for –” her voice was uneven and she stuttered.

“You do not really have much to do with deciding that, it seems, but I am sorry too.” She finished the eggs and began to set the kitchen table. Genya came in and helped.

Rosalea wanted to fill the silence with something. “Yelena, if she has Ieshan magic or terra magic . . . could you, could you teach her?”

“I will do it gladly.”

“Thank you.”

Rhainnon came in and sat down, she had a vague look on her face, like she had gotten over a bad fever, except Rosalea was painfully aware it was much more intense than that.

Rosalea took her seat and pulled Lio into her lap. The table was set now and the other two took their places. A moment later, Briar appeared with a blank look and took the last empty chair.

Breakfast was a very silent, emotion filled meal. Everyone knew that Rosalea would leave when it was over. Rosalea herself battled with memories, trying to stop them from tormenting her. All of the meals they had eaten together. The dinner when Briar had proposed to Yelena in front of everyone. When Yelena had accepted, Lio had leaped up with a shriek and jumped with joy. These were the only people Rosalea knew really, the only people she had ever been close to. The only person missing was Kaylar.

Rosalea gulped some milk, it would not do to cry now. Not while everyone was so upset. Then, she started to eat a serving of the cut fruit. She and Lio had always loved to climb to the top of the tallest fruit trees and simply look down and enjoy what they could see. Once Genya had scolded them that they would both fall and break their necks. Rosalea's response was that Genya was just afraid to be that high in a tree. To this Genya whole-heartedly agreed, but she also maintained that one day she would not be the least surprised that they had fallen out.

Lio ate from her plate, which she had not done since last year sometime, and Rosalea gave her a little piece of her toast with butter and honey on it. This is going to be the last home cooked meal I eat for who knows how long. She didn’t remember everything after the Gods had attacked her with magic, but she did remember the long bitter cold with Annie of a winter years ago now. She remembered the weariness of sleeping on the ground and cold baths. She did not want to go.

Breakfast was over. Rosalea set Lio down and stood slowly up. She made herself smile, then turned and walked out with Lio still holding her hand. Kaylar was waiting for them just outside the castle. Lio was tense, not certain what was going on. No one had told her yet. He had a fancy chestnut gelding that was heavily loaded with traveling gear. The general mood was gloomy as everyone came outside behind her. Rosalea was leaving and this time she would likely never come back. She was aware of every eye on her back. “Master Kaylar, I do not need this gift from you. I have my magic.”

“When you were spoken to by the Myajacs, they wanted to kill me to punish us both, yes?”

Rosalea nodded and shrugged uncomfortably.

“But you saved me from that and took the pain for me, for us all. You will take the horse and hopefully he will make your journey smoother, Rose. I will not let you forget that I owe you, and you are beloved to me.”

Rosalea trembled as she curtsied deeply. She had no words, not for any of what was in her heart. She turned to face the people that had been in her life for more than five years. Rhainnon strode forward and embraced her. “Thank you for everything,” she whispered. I only hope that you feel that way in fifty years. Rhainnon gave her a small wooden box. “Open it when you are away from here. Rosalea, I will miss you,” her voice broke and she began crying as she backed away. Rosalea's heart twisted.

Genya was next, she squeezed Rosalea tightly. “I suppose that every mother must let go of her babe. It doesn't make me feel much better though.” She pulled away and took Rosalea's hand and pressed something into it. “Ya open it later.”

Rosalea nodded and put both the wooden box and the gift into her pocket. “Genya, I have to leave Lio,” she whispered softly.

Genya smiled. “I will be there for her ta, all right? Granny Genya will never let her be alone.” Genya watched Rosalea nod and then moved away.

Yelena and Briar came next, both embracing her, promising to take care of Lio as if she were their own, also. They would miss her. When they broke off, Briar wiped away one of the tears on Rosalea's face. “Be strong, Princess, be strong.” Rosalea was glad they had no gift for her, because they had already given one in their promise to take care of Lio.

Lio came uncertainly forward. When Rosalea bent down and held out her arms, she ran forward. “Mother, are you leaving! Why are you leaving?”

“I have to dear one, I have to.”

“Then bring me too, mom! Please bring me too! Do not leave me!”

“I cannot take you with me.”

“No! You cannot leave! I will not forgive you if you leave! Do you hate us?”

Rosalea really started to cry now, and she believed that she would never do anything so hard, ever, in her whole life. “Lio, listen to me! I cannot take you with me! Listen to me! I love you. I never loved anyone more than I have loved you. I will always love you. But sometimes people have to do things they do not want to.”

Lio pouted and shoved away, turning her back on Rosalea. “If you loved me, you would take me with you!” she wailed.

Rosalea was quiet. This is so awful. She was conscious of the people around them sobbing, even Kaylar looked very sad about this. She is just a child. Did I really expect her to take it well?

“Lio, you know about the Gods, right?”

Lio slowly turned back. “Is that why you are leaving?”

Rosalea slowly nodded. Lio pouted and cried some more, but at least she was looking at her. “Lio, when you were born, the Gods told me you would have to do something special.”

“What is that?”

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“I do not know, but I want you to tell me something. You cannot tell anyone else this thing. Only you and I must know it, do you understand.”

Lio slowly walked back and leaned forward, whispering softly. “My mom is a big, black wolf with blue rings and splashes.”

Rosalea was startled, why would Lio say something like that? She guessed that it must be because her liana shape was a large ebony wolf. The only break in the color was a white spot on her ankle that was brown in human shape.

“Do you really have to leave, Mama?” Rosalea nodded. Lio’s lip trembled, “But I love you!”

I have to, Rosalea reminded herself. The Gods will be angered if I do not. I cannot face that anger again. She used her weather magic to make a rainbow. She pointed it out to Lio. “Do you see that? What is it called?”

“It is a rainbow.”

“That's right, dearest. Every time I see a rainbow, I will think of you and how much I love you. You will always be in my heart.”

“Will I ever see you again?”

“Someday. If I can do what I have been called to do.” I do not know. I hope so, she felt a little guilty about the lie.

Rosalea grunted as Lio threw her arms around her. “I will always love you, forever and ever,” she whispered. Then she broke away and ran to Yelena. Rosalea stood and smiled bitterly. At least Yelena and Briar could be her parents, at least Genya would be there for her too. Lio would never be as alone as she was. She took one ragged breath, one last look at her odd family. Kaylar bowed to her and she returned the bow.

She leaped aboard the gelding and made a strangled sound as she jammed her heels into his side. He reared and plunged away. Rosalea could hear Lio crying, “I love you, Mama!” as she left. There was a flash of blue and she knew that Kaylar had set her free. Something she had wanted badly once, something she would do anything to change now.

***

Rosalea stopped only when it was too dark to see. Hazel the horse was relieved to stop, and thought she was just a little on the crazy side. Rosalea didn't argue, maybe he was right. She made a fire because no one was following her. She decided that now was as good as any time to look at the gifts she had been given. She was surprised when her fingers touched a velvet drawstring bag. She knew what had happened.

“I's a thief,” he had said the very first time she had met him. Rosalea felt like crying again. The sack was made of sea blue velvet and it was neatly sewn together. Intricately embroidered in dragon letters was her name. The cord was made of carefully braided ribbon that was the same color as the bag. This had taken Yelena hours. Gingerly she pulled the first thing out. It was a ball of parchment, but it was heavy. She delicately began to straighten it out, and an object slid into her lap. She picked it up and gasped.

It was an intricately carved rose in full bloom made from pink rose quartz. It had been so finely carved that it almost looked like a real rose that had come into bloom, its delicate petals reaching out for all the sun light . . .

“So ya likes the roses?”

Yes, Briar, she thought at the memory. I do love the roses, and this is the most beautiful of all . . . She noticed that the parchment had writing on it, she smoothed it out and began reading.

Dear Rosalea,

It is strange to think of myself as a learned man that can write. This is the first time I have ever seriously used it, but if it would change anything I would unlearn it all. Ah, well. I believe you would be interested to know how this one was made. It was rather extraordinary. Master Kaylar sat with me, and helped me work with his gray essa magic and my plant magic at the same time. Since my plant magic went in, it furled out and bloomed just as though it was a real flower, and indeed, it does almost look real. I wondered if I could do it again, with someone less skilled than Master Kaylar?

Rosalea this next bit is sentimental, but I know you are a tough girl, and you will not cry. - Rosalea smiled in spite of herself.- Anyway, I could say things like I will never forget you, and it is very true, but I am not going to. I want to tell you to make the world remember you, oh legendary tyrant princess of the Ieshans! I will not forget the day I met you, the way you accepted me for what I am, and did not tense up when I told you I was a thief. Make sure that you make that much of a lasting impression on everyone else you meet.

Remember that the plants can always help you when you need it, but then a tough girl like you would never need help!

Rosalea, I never told you this face to face, and then I never had the chance. I love you like you are my sister. Now it looks bad on paper, but then, I was never great with words when it was important. It is true anyway. Rosalea, I really will miss you, and I hope that one day I shall see you again. Keep your chin up and do not cry!

With love,

Briar

Rosalea folded the letter neatly. Sorrow ached in her heart. Do not cry, indeed! You said that because you were wailing too! She turned the stone over and found a small brier that made it into a necklace pendant. She smiled, and saw in the bottom of the bag a thin chain that she had seen Yelena wear a lot. She put the two together and clasped it around her neck. Roses and Briars always went together, right? She took a deep breath. Briar had said no crying and she couldn't let him down, completely.

She reached into the bag one more time and her fingers touched stone. She drew it out, it was a white stone, and she recognized it as one of Lio's treasures. She had found it in the creek, perfectly round and smoothed by the water; she had put it into her pocket, and when she wasn't thinking about it, it was in her hand and she polished it with her thumb, it glinted even now. Rosalea smiled, this was one of Lio's favorite treasures, and now it was hers. It was big enough to sit comfortably in Rosalea's palm, and the firelight danced on its surface. What puzzled her were the letters neatly painted across it. My mom is a big black wolf with blue rings and splashes. On the other side was a rainbow that also had letters written under it. I love you forever and ever.

Rosalea frowned. How had Lio known? Who painted the letters on with such careful precise strokes for her?

Perplexed she put it down and reached into the bag for the last thing in it, a letter. It was from Yelena.

Dear Rosalea,

Honestly, I stayed up all night making this for you, and now I am not sure I am awake enough to write. Lio had me help her with this stone little while ago, she wanted to give it to you as a present, and I figured you should have it now. I want you to have something material to remember us by. I do not know what Lio meant with the stone, perhaps it is somehow linked to your liana shape. Maybe you really know the reason, but Lio would not tell me. It is her gift, so I let it be. It is true, Rosalea, we shall both love you forever and ever. I know that none of us were related by blood, but you, Rhainnon, and me, we loved and cared about each other as if we were sisters. I sound terribly sentimental, and mushy, but this is my fourth letter, and so far, I have been unable to sound differently. We shall all pray to the Myajacs that one-day you shall return. Remember us, Rosalea, remember.

Yelena

Rosalea blinked rapidly, she would not cry. She had not known Yelena was even capable of being this way, but here it was. Considering she had once forgotten everything, she felt like Yelena’s last line was more a prayer than a command.

The next gift she pulled from her pocket was from Genya. It was a small box made from ivory, with two leaves entwined on the lid. She opened it and a piece of paper popped out. My mother gave this to me and hers before and hers before. You have always been my daughter in my heart. Take it and cherish it for the next daughter. I love you. The ring was in velvet padding inside the box. It was the same silver ring Genya had always worn on the middle finger of her right hand. Rosalea slipped this on the necklace as well.

Finally, there was Rhainnon's. In away, Rosalea was afraid to open it, afraid of what she would find inside. Rhainnon was the first friend she had ever had, and she knew that between them the bond of friendship was the very strongest. On the inside of the lid there was a marsh that was painted, in the bottom was a tightly folded piece of paper. On the bottom there were two hands painted, clasped.

Rosalea, I remember the day I first laid eyes on you. You walked like a wild thing and dared any one to say the wrong thing to you. I remember when you told me you would stay despite Kaylar's curse, and I knew in my heart it was because you wouldn't leave a friend behind. I remember when the inevitable happened, and the curse fell upon you; you insisted that the fault was not mine. I remember all the arguments we had about Kaylar, and how dear freedom was to you. I was terrified that one day I would wake and you would be gone, despite the binding spell. I wasn't just afraid that you could physically break it, because your love for freedom was so strong. I was frightened that your love for freedom was so strong that you would let yourself die so that you could achieve it. Yet though you did leave, you returned; you were lost and alone, a different person than the one I had known, yet you were so much the same. You were the same loyal, hard working, wonderful person I knew for my best friend. I was troubled, though, it was then I knew in my heart one day you would no longer be lost and would once again leave. The time has come, and I do not know if you will be permitted to return or if you will live to return; but I can only hope against the terrible sadness in my heart. I am grateful you saved my life. I will never feel different no matter what has been cut loose from me. I will always remember you, Rosalea, you who are my best friend. I will remember, as I know all of us will, and I know you will always remember us.

Rosalea folded the note. Sorry, Briar, I failed to not cry. It was telling that the box was empty, because Rhainnon had felt she couldn’t put in anything physical, just pictures representing what she thought. As if the box somehow should hold a small piece of love inside it. She replaced the note and put it in the satchel along with the box and the broken necklace. She held it close to her. They all hope I will return one day. I hope so too . . . Fen pressed herself to Rosalea's side, trying to give comfort. Rosalea sighed and wrapped her arms around Fen and tried not to cry some more. Her eyes hurt from crying so much lately.

“Okay, Gods. I left. Where am I going? What am I doing?” she thought out into the world at them.

But even Fen, with her connection to the Gods could not answer for her. She just mirrored back the profound sorrow.

Rosalea fell asleep clutching Fen close, her face buried in the wolf’s coat. Fen rested her head and neck over Rosalea’s shoulder, trying to hold her back the best that they could, and show Rosalea that she was not really all alone after all.

***

“Please,” Fen whispered out to the Gods timidly herself, trying not to wake Rosalea. The wolf felt rattled. What was she, if she was not meant to be the connection to the Gods for Nadia? Why did they attack? She was always listening for them. “Help me. I am here.”