When Sage was completely gone from view, Hanna materialized beside him with her still looking like an old woman. Silver was not surprised; he had expected her return.

"Ethyn's back at the village with Lily," the Fate told him.

Silver merely nodded. "Be honest with me, Fate." His words were solemn as he addressed Hanna by her title and not her name. "Will I ever see her again?" he asked, his gaze transfixed where the horse had gone beneath the trees.

Hanna's eyes became unfocused as she stared off into the distance. Dancing around her in a slow, circuitous column, the wind teased through the scraggly bluish hair.

"Yes," Hanna answered as she inhaled deeply. "I believe you two will find a way." Her eyes came back into focus and the breeze went still. She touched the Guardian's arm gently. "Take a walk with me."

They walked slowly in silence for a while, Hanna's haggard form setting their pace. "I am glad you are not mad anymore," Hanna said almost to herself. Then she added more confidently, "You seem to be handling this situation well. I was afraid you would run away again."

"I'm done running." Silver said with conviction. "The darkness and anger followed me wherever I went. Running only gave it power. I don't want fear and hate to have control any longer." There was a steel in his voice that made Hanna believe him. She nodded approvingly.

"Good." They ambled along through the trees. Green leaves were nearly fully grown and the bushes were teeming with tiny buds and flowers for bees to enjoy. There was newness all around.

"Hanna?" Silver had a question, but he wasn't sure how to ask it. "Why me?"

Hanna smiled at him, and Silver felt as if the sun itself had come down and settled in her countenance. Her colorless eyes swirled with a storm that held the mysteries of time. "Since the foundation of the world, the Maker has had a purpose for every creature. Each person is an integral part of the fabric of time. Simply put: you matter."

Shocked by her words, Silver stammered, "What...what is my purpose?"

'Why was I saved when others were not?'

"Your purpose is so big that if I laid it out for you, you would not comprehend it. So instead I will tell you: your purpose is to help put to right what is broken."

"But I'm broken too." Silver was not being obstinate, just honest.

"Yes, well, I suppose there is a beauty in that too. Where greed and selfishness divide, love can mend. You have plenty of love. I have seen that over and over."

Silver shook his head in disbelief. "Do you know everything?"

Hanna's tinkling laugh filled the air. "Bless you, no!" Her face became serious, "I would never have allowed the Great Rebellion to occur if I had known the hearts of men. I lost everything in that war."

The Guardian recalled those harrowing events as Hanna had shown them to him. The world was nearly ruined as certain humans tried to eradicate the world of Fates, Guardians and magical folk. It had been one of the bleakest times in history and triggered the dark age they were in now.

"I didn't think about that. I'm sorry." Silver lowered his head.

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The swirling in Hanna's irises stilled. "I nearly gave up then, you know. I was hurt and angry."

The Guardian's eyes widened at her admission. "I'm glad you didn't." 'Or I wouldn't be here.'

The Fate's eyes crinkled. "Me too. And I am glad you didn't give up on life either that day in the woods. I know how much you wanted to find Haven."

Silver let out a long sigh, "Do you know where Haven is?"

Hanna looked into the distance as her face went blank. She seemed to be weighing her answer. "I do," she responded after a moment.

"Will you tell me where she is?" the Guardian held his breath.

Hanna continued her far off gaze, but a smile touched her lips. "Not yet. Nice try."

Silver shrugged. He had hoped that perhaps she would at least give him a hint. "At least tell me, is she safe and loved?"

Hanna turned to look at him and stopped walking. Her eyes softened and glistened with tears. "Yes to both. I would not have it any other way."

Silver paused to study her for a moment. He had to trust her. "Then I can wait," he declared.

Hanna's voice became playful as a spiderweb of wrinkles spread across her face. "Good. Because you don't have a choice."

They continued their stroll and turned down to walk parallel with the river. It was flowing freely now that the winter snow had melted up in the mountains and significant spring rain had added to the current. The flowers along the bank were in full bloom and the warmth of the day gave a feeling of hope and anticipation.

The silence was companionable but also confusing. Hanna had never stayed with him this long without a purpose, and she had certainly never been so open with her words. He was used to the cryptic enigma who appeared to tell him what to do or give him advice. The creature before him did not resemble her at all.

'Either she is really worried about me or this is a new stage in our relationship. Either way, I am walking alongside a Fate.'

Silver watched as a bird flitted between trees gathering twigs to add to its ever-growing nest. 'I'm not the only one with something to look forward to,' he mused. His mind went back to the purple cloaked woman. 'The question is: how long will I have to wait?'

"Sage was riding a very nice mare today," Silver commented.

"Thank you! I picked her out myself." Hanna cheeks puffed with pride.

"You never gave me a horse!" Silver cried out indignantly.

Hanna smiled impishly. "Why, dear, you never asked."

The hairs on the back of Silver's neck bristled. He forgot how infuriating the ethereal being could be. He snorted at her answer, ready to bring his other grievances against her. "And another thing! Why didn't you come to help me sooner? We could have avoided a lot of unpleasantness. I nearly lost my head!"

Hanna was taken aback. She pointed to herself and leveled her gaze at him. "Did you call me? Did you ask for assistance? Because the only person I remember calling for my help was Ethyn."

Silver pursed his lips. He had no response. 'Note to self: always ask Hanna for things. She can be very stingy.'

They passed a bush full of early spring berries, and Hanna popped one in her mouth. "Delicious," she commented. Silver tried to remember if he had ever seen her eat. Perhaps Fates only ate for pleasure.

"I did make sure Borit wouldn't come here again. You should be grateful for that."

"Why didn't you just kill him?" While his act of killing Borit would have been out of hate, the Fate's would have been out of justice.

Hanna sighed. He could see she was trying to find words to explain it to him. "Just like you, Borit has a purpose, even if he chooses not to fulfill it. His day of reckoning has not yet come."

"When the time comes, can I help bring Borit down? Please?" Silver was surprised to hear the whine in his voice. He sounded like a five year old begging for sweets.

"Well, since you asked so nicely…just know I can only see bits of the future, and even those are not certain. In the end, I can only do what the Maker allows."

"I get it. You can't promise anything that might mess up the grand design. Fair enough." The Guardian would have to wait and see what the future held when he got there.

"I always knew you were bright." Hanna paused and looked down. She waved her hand slightly. From thin air many sacks appeared at their feet. Waiting for permission and receiving it, Silver looked into the bags. He gasped. Hanna smiled mischievously. "The Baron has returned what Borit collected the other day. He apologizes for the confusion and claims that Borit took them under false pretense."

"This is far more than was taken, Hanna." Silver eyed the Fate suspiciously.

She stroked her chin as is trying to remember. "Oh yes! The baron also sends a large sum to make peace with the Mighty Silver. He promises to leave your area in peace, only collecting the taxes demanded by law. Monte has even created small salaries for a mayor and a sheriff position for Rynnlee. The area is growing rapidly, you know. I don't suppose Aiden and Conall would object to being paid, should they be elected."

"How badly did you frighten him to make this come about?" Silver could still not believe his eyes. 'There is enough money here to buy a palace!'

"Let's just say Baron Monte will be looking over his shoulder for a long time. He still has far too much money." Hanna shrugged.

"What am I to do with all…"

Hanna cut him off, her usually brisk persona taking over at last. "Build a library or a school. Get new farming equipment. Do whatever you like! But I recommend you set some aside for your future and the boy's as well. You told him you would not be stealing anymore, correct? Now you will not have to break that promise."

Silver smiled graciously. He could sense their time was quickly coming to an end. He stored the sacks inside his bottomless cape. 'This is truly a remarkable cloak,' he thought for at least the hundredth time. "Hanna? Thanks for staying a while. No one else would have understood."

"It's been good for me too, my dear. I rarely stop to enjoy creation. A Fate's work is never done." She waved her hand in an endless circular motion and sighed. "I should be going. I will check in soon."

"Perhaps we can take another walk then. I have so many questions." Silver told her. He had seen so many things in her eyes, and wanted to know more about them all.

"Yes, my friend. We will walk again. Till next time!" With that, Hanna disappeared without a trace, leaving the Guardian to walk alone to town. However, he felt anything but lonely. He was heading home.