Four moons had passed since the day Kela Calledwdele was thrust back into the Forbidden Forest. She had spent long days looking toward the sky for any sign of King Edulf recalling his Euchoun.

Kela was that Euchoun. She was the protector of the Sordarins.

Her path had been laid before her since her birth. The legend held that the Great One only sends Euchouns when a great need arises.

The need arose with the Arachnidan threat.

After the Battle of the Payelaga Desert, she had hoped she would finally be acknowledged alongside her warrior, Cono.

Her hopes had been dashed.

She had been sent back to the Forbidden Forest, where she had been trained as a Euchoun for over four years. In truth, this godforsaken place had been nothing more than a prison to her, keeping her from her family.

But the life of a Euchoun was one of sacrifice.

Each day she rose and waited on the rocky hilltop overlooking the landscape. From the north, the white-tipped mountain peaks towered above her. The steep rugged cliffs soared high into the clouds.

Turning to the south, the small cottage where she slept sat in the middle of the narrow valley, encircled by the impenetrable foliage of the Forbidden Forest. The forest, tall and unbroken, grew thicker and taller the farther one walked, but once within, all would be lost forever.

There was no exit to the Forbidden Forest.

She had been taught that each day was a precious gift to be cherished, but she had only existed since being sent back.

Her frustration welled. The time had come to take her place alongside her warrior and protect Scarladin from the dread Asmeodai. That Kela understood well, but not how to pursue the destiny she had embraced.

The days passed with bitter disappointment, for there had been no call to return.

Though all had not been dark and gloom.

Despite being thrust back to the Forbidden Forest in a hurried manner, her welfare had been seen to with plentiful food and provisions. Her old nurse, Guilda, was sent back to be her companion.

Twiten and his students no longer resided at the old castle. Yet, Twiten came at different intervals. He gave Kela a link to the world outside while overseeing her care.

In truth, though, he had not come for an extended period.

That was not Kela’s only worry.

Guilda had not uttered a word of complaint. Instead, she seemed to accept their fate as she had never done before, which was not like her old nurse. Kela worried about Guilda’s health.

Kela clung to her faith in Cono, that he would come for her.

Cono had given his word he would come for her no later than the day the moon sits on the blue centar.

So, Kela dreamed.

In her dreams, she thought only of Cono. She imagined herself staring up at the open sky, anticipating Cono’s return. He would appear, soaring in the heavens. Swift and sure, he would swoop down and sweep her into his arms...taking her away from this godforsaken place, never…never to return.

A foolish dream, for Kela imagined, in truth, Twiten would return to transport her through the portal. Johannes had told Kela the flight to the Forbidden Forest was long and tedious at best.

Kela thought constantly upon the call for her return. She cared not if it was King Edulf himself who came.

She wanted only to be with Cono and her family.

Guilda held no hope. Her nurse had not expressed disbelief, but her eyes told she held no faith in any Sordarins. Guilda believed they were forgotten.

Through it all, Kela’s belief in her warrior remained.

The night before her eighteenth nameday, Kela spent a restless night. Sleep had not come easy. She counted the hours until the sun appeared.

Kela rose with great anticipation. Cono would come on the day he had chosen to claim her, knowing she had been born on the day the moon sat on the blue centar.

Cono’s words echoed in her heart. I will come. Have faith. You have my word.

Bitter disappointment awaited her.

With the morning dawn, Kela rose to the sounds of the forest. There may as well have been silence. She heard nothing of what she wanted. No fluttering of wings. No call of her name. Nothing.

Still, she dressed with care with the promise of what the day held in her simple blue wool surcoat, stained but clean. She braided the sides of her hair, letting the rest fall loose down her back.

She planned to cook for Cono when he arrived. She had already prepared the menu. The evening meal would include fresh bread, with a meat stew with potatoes and onions. She had held onto a special gift that was in the last box left in Blackton castle’s kitchen, an old bottle of Sabot wine.

Refusing to contemplate he had forgotten her, she made her way to the top of the tallest hillside, constantly searching the sky for any sign of her Sordarin.

There was none.

Desolated, Kela finally withdrew back to the cottage. To her surprise, she found her old nurse sitting at the table. It was not often Guilda got out of bed.

On Kela’s entrance, Guilda pushed back from the table. Gripping to the edge, she steadied herself and stood.

“Your siblings should have remembered, Kela,” Guilda said. Pity resonated in her voice. “Falco and Sareta have been given their rightful place. Yet, we are here, in the middle of nowhere. Banished.”

“You are too hard on them,” Kela said. “It is not within their power to recall us.”

Guilda shook her head. “Sordarins! Keeping you away from sight. Does King Edulf not know you are known? It is too late to hide you, nor is it needed. You need to go.”

“I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“It is your time.” Her wrinkled hand took hold of Kela’s. “No one can keep you back now. Go, my child. By the Shimmering Pool, you will find a present. It is your legacy…your destiny.”

“I…”

“You don’t understand,” Guilda finished for Kela. “You will. You think I have not talked to the Wood Spirit also? We have agreed it is time. Go.”

“Where?” Kela asked, confused.

“To your heart.”

Tentatively, Kela eased out of the cottage. As she glanced back over her shoulder, Guilda waved her arms at Kela and shooed her down the path toward the Shimmering Pool.

“It is your day, my child,” Guilda said. “Worry not about me.”

Kela hesitated only a moment before she rushed over the well-worn trail. She ran all the way…then abruptly halted.

Her hopes were dashed. There was nothing at the Shimmering Pool.

Guilda had talked nonsense. Everyone had forgotten. Cono…Falco…Sareta…King Edulf.

Disheartened, she fell down to her knees. Bowing her head, she wiped back a tear.

A sudden churning of water caused Kela to lift her head.

Kela watched the pool conjure up a hazy vision. As the mist faded, a figure materialized within...a lovely maiden with the most striking of flowing gowns. A sparkling white gown glittered in the sunlight, as if stars in the night had been sewn within the threads of the silk.

The high-waist gown cut low against her bosom. Her chestnut hair twisted back from her face, but hung loose down her back. Blowing in the breeze, a cloak was attached to the shoulders.

Kela couldn’t take her eyes off the woman. An aura encompassed her, which grew brighter as the lady moved slowly toward Kela…closer...and closer.

Leaping up on her feet, Kela found she was frozen to her spot as the glowing maiden continued onward. Paralyzed, Kela found she could only gulp for air as the woman moved through her.

In Kela’s next breath, the maiden was no more. Moreover, Kela no longer wore her old surcoat. Instead, she stood in the flowing gown from the Shimmering Pool.

She stared at her reflection, unbelieving her own eyes. Gone was the waif of a girl, replaced by a lady, elegant and refined.

A voice whispered in her ear.

This is your destiny, your fate to wear. Take this leap, Kela. Follow your path. Descend down into the Shimmering Pool, for once and only once, it will take you to where your fate awaits.

Turning and looking around, Kela scoured for the origin of the voice, but to no avail. The words echoed around her until comprehension surged within her being.

Kela walked straight into the Shimmering Pool.