This story is my version of how the Silver Millennium came into being,
please bear in mind I have not seen the entire show, only through the end
of SMR. I don?t own any part of the SM universe, though I wish I did.



The Lunar Kingdom History, as taken from standard Lunari Text circa: 100
B.K.

The times were dark, in the beginning. A man was considered as good as his
sword, and only if he had a fast horse beneath him. There were thirteen
Kingdoms then, all ruled by different men. Long ago to avoid the
destruction each could see coming they signed a pact, agreeing to cease
hostilities, and defend each other as honorable men should. The darkness
always loomed at the borders, and now it threatens to overwhelm the
Consolidated Lunar Kingdoms??..

Moon Kingdom Born:Serenity Dawn
by
Elora Danan

Castle Thowstayne was located atop a hill, overlooking the valley beneath
and the river that ran through it. Always, there was the sweet sound of
laughter, from without and within as children raced through the courtyards
and orchards, playing their games. Lord Fettledorn walked with proud steps
to the balcony overlooking his private garden. The children, his children
chased each other through it. Six sons, all strong and healthy from his
four wives. He was rarely home these days, always away to the Consul Castle
on matters of state. He was grateful to be back, for his newest wife,
Asada, was nearly due.

The boys seemed to be waiting for him, for they leapt up at his approach.

"Good day, Father." The oldest, Trell, had always been courteous to his
father.

"And to you Trell. What game do you play?"

"Seek, Father." Jurel piped up from in the back.

"Seek, hmmm. Have you been to your lessons yet?"

Each hung his head. "No, Father."

"Then I suggest you return indoors and complete your lessons, then you may
continue your game in peace."

"Yes Father." They reluctantly left the garden to go in and study, while he
headed for the woods. A long walk was what was needed to clear his mind. He
had not really had time to think since the passing of King Frel nearly six
months prior. The King had left no sons, and he was the next closest
relative, a second cousin, so the mantle was passed to him. He had been
surprised, and honored, but he quickly discovered that being a member of
the Consolidated Council was a lot of work. It required him to travel as
well. A youth running past him on the path nearly careened into him, but
moved at the last second and called an apology. His thoughts churning he
nodded wordlessly, continuing into the quiet woods beyond.

Keroc Variant knew he was late. It hadn?t been his fault that classes with
the village mage went over time. His Father needed help with the forge,
he?d gone to get a load of iron earlier, and was waiting for him to help
him unload it. By the time he got home, he discovered that the door to the
house was open and he set his books down, feeling uneasy. Changing into his
work breeches and apron, he headed to the forge, snatching an apple to eat
on the way. Before he even reached the forge, he could smell the smoke and
see the flames licking the roof. His apple forgotten, he raced to the
burning building and attempted to get in. The flames were too hot, he could
hear cries from within, he struggled forward, undeterred, until hands from
behind encircled him, preventing him from reaching his parents. He could
only stand and watch as the forge burned to the ground, the cries
eventually faded and disappeared completely. The man seemed sympathetic,
hugging him close as tears threatened to fall, but didn?t. The days passed
in a blur, his parents? funeral, the offers to let him stay in the village
with close friends, but he found himself unwilling to stay. Something
tugged him out there, to the realms beyond, so he packed what he could
carry, said his good byes and set out on his own.

Milsk Fettledorn set the parched document aside, smiling faintly at the
cries of an infant from within the nursery. Asada had given him a
beautiful, healthy daughter, whom he named Kaima. She had wide blue eyes
and a cap of red hair, already there was a sense of awe about her, as
though she was beyond his ability to understand. His sons, especially Jurel
weren?t very happy about her presence. All six complained she cried too
much, and kept them awake. They had requested that they be allowed to work
their problems outside, to avoid the noise. He got up, and went to see her.

She was in the arms of her mother, who was rocking her back and forth,
humming softly. Asada smiled at his entrance, and stood up. He motioned her
back to the chair, and knelt beside her.

"She?s beautiful, like her mother."

"Your sons don?t seem happy about her."

"They?ll adjust. Soon she?ll grow up, and they?ll complain about her
accompanying them on their adventures."

"Yes, she does seem the curious type."

Twelve years later..

"Wait for me!" Kaima screamed, her small frame working hard to keep up with
Jurel.

"Why are you following me?"

"I want to help." She caught him, and jogged along side.

"Go home, do girl things. You can?t help me. Go on." He nudged his horse
forward, breaking into a canter and leaving Kaima behind in a trail of
dust. She reluctantly turned and headed back toward the castle. Asada was
in the gardens watching the courtyard, and she could see Kaima?s dejected
expression.

"Daughter, what is troubling you?"

"Nothing, Mother. I was bothering Jurel and he got angry. I shouldn?t
have."

"Kaima?." She walked past slowly and went toward the orchards. Asada let
her go, knowing that she would work it out on her own.

Father had been gone to Consol Castle for a month now, and Kaima found
herself missing him more each day. He had been made speaker of the entire
Consolidated Kingdom, and she felt very proud of him. But, she still missed
him and looked forward to his return. Trell had gone to serve in the Lords
Guard, the elite officers selected to serve the Kings themselves. Her other
brothers were gone too, save Jurel, who was still too young, scattered
throughout the Kingdoms serving in various capacities.

She wanted to grow up and help her Father too, but he told her the best way
she could serve him would be to marry a good, powerful man, and she meant
to do just that, so he would be proud of her.

Hoof beats in the distance caused Asada to look up again, a young man on a
rapidly approaching black horse flew into the courtyard and dismounted.

"Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

"I am Asada, Lord Fettledorn?s fourth wife."

"I am Sir Dralflen, a knight of the Consolidated Realms."

"How may I help you, Sir Dralflen?"

"Lord Fettledorn sent me to teach etiquette to his daughter, Lady Kaima. He
also has promised to send for her when he feels she is ready to join him at
court."

"Very well, since my husband wishes it, it shall be done. Come, I will help
you find her." Asada walked off toward the orchards and Dralflen followed,
leading the horse behind. A young page took the reins and led him inside.
The orchard walls were covered with kudzu and filled with ripe fruit trees,
he could see her sitting in a haymow, not quite a lady, not quite the
little girl he pictured.

"Kaima?"

"Yes, Mother?"

"Your new tutor is here."

A young man peeked around the archway. He had bright green eyes and a
cheery face. She rose in deference, and stepped forward, curtseying
politely.

"Good day, Lady Kaima." He kissed her hand. She blushed, smiled, and
responded in kind;" And to you, good sir. I trust your journey was
pleasant?"

"Yes, thank you. Actually, I am pleased to see we won?t need to work on
your manners. I pictured you as an ignorant child, not a young lady."

"And I pictured you as an old man with gray hair and no teeth."

"We both underestimated each other. I am Dralflen, and I come from the
Consol Court at your father?s request. He wished me to teach you to be a
lady so that you could join him sometime."

"I see. Are you of the nobles?"

"No, my lady. I am of the gentry, you?ll find I have only a title and no
land, but I do know my manners."

"Well then, Sir Dralflen, shall we begin with a tour?"

"I would be delighted. And please call me Dralflen, it sounds so formal
otherwise."

"And call me Kya, everyone else does."

She showed him around the castle, and the surrounding gardens, talking
about the latest gossip to hit the castle, and he informed her of the
rumors flying round the Consol Court.

He talked of the grand balls and elegant parties she would attend as she
was introduced to the court, in her quest for a husband. She left him at
his chambers to change and rest before the evening meal.

Jurel regarded Dralflen as a distraction for Kaima, to keep her out of his
hair. He seemed grateful for the distraction. His mother as well as Asada
were the only ones to eat with them that night. Kaima chattered on about
her day, flowers she had found and dried, the newly born kittens in the
stables. Dralflen smiled at her flighty attitude. He had a lot of work to
do.

They began the next morning, he instructed her to wait for the servants as
they would come to help her dress for the day. No more loose fitting, one
piece dresses for her, they became multi-layered over petticoats, stockings
and corsets, often frilled with lace and gold thread. Jurel had laughed at
her the first time he saw her dressed up, but as time passed he grew to
admire his sister?s patience. There were speech lessons, to make certain
she could enunciate her every word clearly, followed by music lessons, and
finally equestrian lessons, to ride side saddle on the hunt. She took it
all in stride, her nature was to swoop in, where angels feared to tread and
she would boldly leap without looking to see what there was to offer.
Dralflen occasionally returned to Consol Court, sometimes to see her
Father, other times to visit his parents. But the rest of the time, he
stayed with Kaima, they were inseparable. When he wasn?t instructing her,
they would take long walks in the meadows, and go canoeing in the river.
Sometimes, they would sit and talk for hours on end, sharing their stories
and laughing together. But the peace was not to last.

Keroc Variant stood overlooking the village below. It seemed peaceful
enough, situated on the sea, and overlooking the bluish depths he felt
utterly at peace. Picking up his small satchel he headed down to find the
nearest inn.

The hut were made of dried grasses with thatched roofs, he wondered briefly
what would happen if they ever caught fire. Without even realizing it, he
walked into an old man.

"My apologies, sir. I didn?t see you." He extended a hand to him and helped
him up. "Are you unhurt?"

"Yes, I am fine. Please, leave me be." He shoved Keroc away and stumbled
back up the hill. He noticed the old man seemed to be limping, and quickly
set off after him.

"Sir, let me help you. Then perhaps you could tell me where I might find a
place to stay."

The old man watched him carefully, critically, and finally said; "All
right, boy. My home is up the hill, against the cliff. I guess I could use
a hand getting there."

Keroc let him lean against him, and together they stumbled up the hill.
"You have a nice home, sir."

"I live here."

"Oh."

"Thank you. What?s your name boy?"

"Keroc Variant."

"And you said you were looking for a place to stay?"

"Yes sir."

"Where?s your family?"

"Dead, sir, in a fire."

"Weeellll. If you?re willing to work hard, you can stay here. I could use a
hand getting in the wood and keeping this place fixed up. You go to
school?"

"School?"

"Lessons, boy, lessons. No, I can see you don?t. Never mind, I?ll teach you
myself. My name is Negan, and I?m pleased to meet you."

The days passed quickly from summer to winter, and Keroc found himself more
confused than ever before by Negan. The man was a contradiction. It seemed
he had never married, nor had any desire to. He constantly studied the star
charts and magic, but he stayed with the most rudimentary of spells. Keroc
attended the school in the village for a time, but stopped when the other
students began to taunt him for living with Negan. He felt a fierce need to
protect the old man.

Negan was indeed a contradiction, intentionally. For years, the men in his
family had been studying the stars, and the power that bound them together.
He had studied every spell, every nuance of their power and had even found
a way to tap into it.

He needed a physical outlet. He had become too old to attempt it on his
own, and would now need a go-between, a link from this world to steady him
in the one beyond, so he could absorb the power and bring it back. Keroc
would be perfect.

After evening meal, and Keroc had finished feeding the dog, he absently
poked at the coals of the fire and asked; "Keroc, you have noticed my
preoccupation these last few days?"

"Yes, sir. But I thought it best not to say anything."

"I have discovered the power of the universe, Keroc, and I know how to use
it. But in order to, I need your help. The men out there in power don?t
know how to use it. They are weak, and stupid. They do not understand as I
do, and for this they should not rule. Will you help me?"

"Yes." Keroc felt a chill steal over him as he looked into Negan?s blazing
eyes. He felt as though he had just given his life away, and that his soul
was to be damned. Negan knelt before the fire, and calling out an ancient
word, the fire rose into the sky, the hut?s thatched roof gone without so
much as a flame. "Join your soul with mine, boy. Feel the power!" he could
feel the darkness seep into his soul, feel his life draining away. Then it
surged back, and he could hear the old man?s evil laugh reverberating
through the darkness.

The villagers felt the ground begin to shake, and watched helplessly as
their huts vanished into the ground. A great ball of light rose from the
cliffs above, and laughter filled the suddenly still air. They could feel
the darkness permeating them from the outside in, and screamed in terror.
The villagers were the first to fall in the wake of Negan?s universal
power, but his desires stretched across the Juklin Plains to the heart of
the Consolidated Realms.

Keroc Variant stood proudly, bedecked in his shining silver armor, before
the assembled Lords of the Realm. His Master, Lord Negan had sent him with
a proposition for the Consolidated Kingdom. They wished to join them in
their peace.

He represented a new faction in the Northern-most part of the region, and
it was his duty to see that their cause was well presented.

War, Negan said, was the key to the Universe. But only if it was avoided or
fought with the intent to win. Either way, the Consolidated Realms were
about to be reconsolidated.

Castle Thowstayne

The darkest day had come, the one Kya had been dreading since she first
found out about it. Jurel was leaving for his first posting.

"I wish I didn?t have to leave, little sister."

"I know."

Jurel mounted his horse, and gathered the reins. "Good bye, Mother, Asada,
Kya. I shall think of you all." He galloped down the path leading to the
river, never once looking back.

"Come, Kya." Dralflen put an arm around her shoulders. "We should finish
getting you packed. We leave tomorrow morning."

Her room was quiet and empty that night. All of her things were packed, and
stored, the only things left out were her bedclothes and her dress for the
next day. Dralflen had agreed to accompany her to Consol, so he could watch
her until she arrived safely.

She sat up, and stared at the Blue Planet, watching the watery light fill
her room.

She didn?t sleep.

Early the next morning, her mother came in.

"Kya, time to get up. We must get you dressed so you can journey to your
father."

"I am awake, Mother."

"Come, get up." She held out the bathing robe and helped her in it. She was
thoroughly bathed and dried, her hair was unwound from its braid, and
brushed until it shone bright red-gold in the early sunlight. Her dress was
made of pale blue Lunari Silk, it rustled when she walked. Dralflen had
saddled their horses, the trunks had been sent ahead by carriage. He
watched as she said good bye to her mother, and the other women, patted the
dogs, and picked up her kitten. He helped her into the saddle, and mounted
his own horse.

With a wave, they swung around and rode through the stone gateway of the
castle.

For a time, she was silent, occasionally she would move the kitten to where
she was more comfortable. Finally, she asked;" Have you ever thought of not
going back?"

"Kya, I thought you had looked forward to this day."

"I did, once. Now I?m not certain."

"Why?"

"Because?.Because of you."

"Me? Have I harmed you in some way?"

"No! I mean?..I found, that when you first arrived, you were a great
friend. You would play with me when Jurel wouldn?t, but then, I grew up.
And you became?."

"A close friend?"

"Not just close. I love you Dralflen. I didn?t want to tell you because I
knew you didn?t feel the same."

"It can?t be this way between us. You are meant for another, I can?t have
you. Make your Father proud."

With that, he rode ahead, and didn?t look back the rest of the journey. Kya
sat quietly in the saddle as they reached Consol. It was much larger than
she expected, three or four times the size of Thowstayne. She was helped
from her horse, and led into the castle to her chambers.

"Here, my lady. Allow me to help you change, and I shall leave you to rest
from your journey."

"Please, what is your name?"

"My name is Heila, my Lady." She eased Kya?s riding boots off, and helped
her undress, and climb into the washtub. The warm water relaxed her, and
she found herself growing tired. She was brought a light meal, and left to
sleep.

She awoke to Heila building the fire up in the hearth.

"Good morning, my Lady."

"Good morning, Heila. Do you know when my father will see me?"

"I believe this morning he will see you. Do you hunger, my Lady?"

"No, Heila, I?m not hungry right now, I would like to sleep for a little
longer."

"Yes, my Lady, I?ll return in a while." She quietly left, and Kya snuggled
down in the sheets.

The sun was high in the sky when she next woke. She sat up, and Heila moved
in to the room.

"Good Morning., my Lady. Would you like a morning meal?"

"Yes, please."

"We have many fruits, would you like the toast with Lunar Melon jam?"

"That will do."

Heila helped Kya out of bed, and into another dress, brushed her hair and
plaited it before another servant returned with the toast. She ate slowly
and daintily, as Dralflen had showed her.

Dralflen.

She had not seen him since her arrival.

"Heila, do you know where Sir Dralflen is?"

"Who, my Lady?"

"Sir Dralflen, my traveling companion. I wish to know if he is well."

"I believe so, his chambers are in another part of the castle. Your father
will meet with you in his office when you are done."

Kya finished dressing and was escorted to her Father?s office. She was let
in, and motioned into a chair before the large oak desk. She waited a
minute, then she heard the door open again, and close, and her father
entered. He looked much older than he had the last time she had seen him.
His hair was completely gray now, his pleasant face was lined with worry
wrinkles.

"Kya, my daughter, are you well?"

"Yes, Father. I am well. Are you well, you look worn."

"Yes, thank you. I am a bit tired, but that is expected. I am happy to see
you, you could not have come at a better time. We have important visitors."

"Who, Father?"

"They come from beyond our borders. They have come to extend their
greetings, and they have petitioned to join our realms."

"What are they called?"

"They call themselves the Negans, I believe after their leader. The Negan?s
second-in- command, Keroc Variant has expressed, numerous times, an
interest in you, my dear."

"Me, but Father, I do not know of him."

"Regardless, he has seen my photographs of you, and wishes to meet you. I
hope you will meet with him."

"Of course, Father. I shall be happy to meet him."

"Good. He is waiting in the Gardens near the North Entrance."

Kya rose, and curtsied politely, making him smile, and left the room. She
found the gardens easily, and found him waiting for her.

"Good day, my lord. Are you Lord Variant, I presume?"

"Yes, and you must be Kaima, Lord Fettledorn?s daughter. I have heard much
of you."

"I am flattered, my lord."

"Please, call me Keroc, no need for such formality."

"Well, my-Keroc. How is it you come to our lands?"

"We have heard much of the Consolidated Realms, and we wished to join with
you."

My father tells me that you call yourselves Negans. Is this after your
leader?"

"Yes. He is actually Lord Negan, and he is a unique man. We call ourselves
Negans in his honor."

"I see. I should like to meet this man, if it is permitted."

"Of course. I believe he would be as enchanted by you as I am."

"You flatter me, Keroc."

"Shall we?" he motioned her forward, and they began to walk the gardens,
talking of their pasts. She was surprised to find he was of Thowstayne
heritage, and rather impressed with his feats in battle.

"I believe we should return to our chambers for the afternoon, and dress
for the ball. I hope to share a dance with you, my Lady?"

"Of course. I shall see you in a while."

Dralflen was waiting by her door when she returned.

"Dralflen! I had not hoped to see you for some time! Are you coming
tonight?"

"Yes, I will be there. Kya, I am sorry for ignoring you, and I would like
to be friends."

"I understand, you probably felt it was a silly crush. Of course I should
like to be friends!"

"See you tonight then." He left quietly, and Kya slowly entered her
chambers, feeling confused.

The ball was in full swing by the time she arrived. She had been bathed
again, and dressed in an exquisite blue dress that matched her eyes, with
gold thread embroidery across the neckline. Her hair had been left down,
the red ringlets brushed across her forehead and neck. Keroc met her on the
stairs leading in, and escorted her down into the throng, she smiled at
him, and he led her to the refreshment table. They drank the punch, spoke
awhile longer, and then he led her to the dance floor. She fairly glided
over the smooth marble, and he swirled her around. At one point, her Father
cut in, and danced for awhile before releasing her into his arms again.
Dralflen watched jealously from in the shadows. Kya was the envy of the
court before the night was out, and he never did dance with her. She smiled
tiredly at Keroc as he walked her to her chambers for the night.

"I enjoyed tonight, Kya. Thank you."

"I enjoyed it as well. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, I will meet you in the gardens tomorrow, same time as today."

"Good night." She quietly slid the door shut behind and he left quietly.

Morning came all too quickly for Dralflen. He hadn?t slept the night
before, frightened for her. He glimpsed her on her way to the gardens,
though she was gone before he could speak to her. He moved quickly to the
upper wall in the garden, and crouched there, hoping to overhear the
conversation.

"Will you be accepted into the Consolidation?"

"I don?t know, Kya. I pray we will. I enjoyed your company very much last
night, you made a beautiful sight as you danced."

"Thank you."

"I asked your Father if he would object if I asked to court you, I hope you
aren?t angry. I would like to get to know you better."

"No, I don?t mind. I would like to get to know you better as well."

Dralflen?s breath caught, and he leaned against the wall for support. She
was going to court him!

They danced that night, and every night thereafter. At one point, he was
afraid that he would ask for her hand quickly, but Kya and Keroc seemed
content just to court. He watched fearfully for any signs of mistreatment,
but found none. Even though he had lied to Kya, refused to acknowledge her
love, he felt it too, a rightness about them. But she seemed to have
forgotten that. The court debated the status of the Negans for quite some
time before granting their petition. It was around then that the Lord Negan
decided to put in an appearance.

The castle was a flurry of excitement for weeks before his arrival,
cleaning, decorating and planning. Kya and Keroc spent every afternoon
together, riding in the meadows, while Dralflen watched from a distance.

His worst nightmare had come true.

Snatches of words drifted in the wind; "Kya, I love you. I have dreamed of
this moment all my years. Will you honor me, and become my wife?"

"Yes, yes! I shall love you with all my heart!" Kya threw her arms around
him and hugged him close. Dralflen felt his heart shatter.

The Lord Negan arrived that night. Keroc and Kya were on hand to greet him.

He bowed, and Kya curtsied. "My Lord, I am pleased to see you well. I trust
your journey was pleasant?"

"Yes, Keroc. And who is this young lady?"

"I would like to introduce you to my fianc饬 Lady Kaima, the daughter of
Lord Milsk Fettledorn."

"It is a pleasure, my Lady."

"My pleasure as well, my Lord."

"I presume your Lordship would like to rest before the evening?s
festivities?"

"Yes, a few hours at most. I shall see you then, Keroc." He moved away
easily, in the direction of his assigned chambers.

"Kya, go, please wear your new dress, the one I picked, he would like to
see you in it."

"Yes, I?ll meet you in two hours." She shared a quick kiss with him and
walked to her chambers to dress. Dralflen slowly returned to his room to
dress as well.

He watched Kya and Keroc come down the stairs together, he watched her
father?s proud look, he thought he?d made a good match. When Keroc turned
and smiled a dazzling smile at the crowd, he felt sick, and stumbled out to
the terrace. Kya followed him out there.

"Are you well?"

"No, I feel ill. Please, leave me."

"Dralflen, if you are ill you should not be alone."

"I will be all right. Please, return to your fianc鮢

Kya slowly turned and went back inside, leaving Dralflen alone on the
terrace with the stars. He remained out there, alone, thinking for a long
while. He thought about Kya, and Castle Thowstayne, and the times they?d
had there. He remembered her lively spirit, and her bubbly nature. He knew
for some reason, that Keroc was evil, he could sense it clinging to him
like a scent. And Lord Negan was even more so. The old man was surrounded
by courtiers, and even Kya seemed content to bask in his presence. The
party finally broke up, and Keroc escorted to Kya to her chambers for the
night. Dralflen dragged himself to bed, and lay there staring at the
ceiling for half the night, lost in thought.

Kya slept fitfully, tired from the evening?s excursions, but unable to
sleep. Her mind churned restlessly as she considered Dralflen. He had been
ill earlier, perhaps she should check on him. She wrapped a robe about
herself, and stole into the darkened hallways. Dralflen?s chambers were on
the other side of the Castle. She reached his door, and pushed it open,
tiptoeing inside.

"Dralflen? Are you awake?"

"Kya? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you were all right."

"You shouldn?t be here. What if Lord Keroc were to find out?"

"I?m visiting my mentor to see if he is well, nothing more."

"It was once something more." He whispered.

"Dralflen?."

"Kya, you once told me you loved me. Have you changed your heart?"

"I love Keroc, you know that."

"He may have your mind, but your heart belongs to me."

Kya sighed, and sank wearily onto a chaise. "Don?t make this difficult. I
am to be married, my feelings for you may have once existed, but they are
gone now. I love Keroc."

"You repeat that quite often, who are you trying to convince?"

"Ooooooooohhhhh! I?m leaving. I came to see if you are all right. You are,
quite obviously. Good Night!" and Kya stomped out, leaving Dralflen alone
in the dark again.

Two weeks later..

Kya had been avoiding him ever since their fight. Keroc seemed to keep a
closer eye on him than usual, and was most protective of Kya at all times.
Lord Negan seemed to be enjoying his stay, seeing the sights and rushing
about the countryside. He was also preparing a ceremony for the people of
Consol Castle, and many of his people, the Negans, were arriving for it.
The city teemed with exuberance, yet Dralflen still felt strangely uneasy,
especially around Keroc. He couldn?t begin to explain his feelings, so he
kept silent, watching and listening until he felt he should at least speak
to Kya and tell her his suspicions.

"What, are you mad? The Negans are our allies, they petitioned to join our
Kingdom! And you would accuse them of treachery to return to my good
graces! Dralflen, I love you like I love my father, you were my teacher,
and a good one. But I cannot stand by while you accuse them of silly
things."

And she left him.

She returned to Keroc Variant?s side and didn?t leave it for a moment until
it was time to retire for the evening. Then she locked herself in her rooms
for the night.

The day that dawned after a sleepless night was beautiful, and Dralflen
couldn?t shake the feeling that this was his last sunrise. The ceremony,
officiated by Lord Negan was to be a purification ceremony. Keroc and Kya,
to show good will, were to go first. Dralflen nervously sat by when it
began, the Lord chanted strange words and passed a large cobalt colored
stick with a dark globe set in the center over her body. Kya shivered when
it touched her hand, and Lord Negan paused and stared at her incredulously.

"Kya-you are extraordinarily powerful. I am honored that you would see my
side of things."

"Your side, my Lord?"

"We are best ruled by those who know what they are doing. The Universe has
spoken to me, telling me about the silence, and I will make it so. You will
join us, all of you. Kya, with your power we can win this conflict with a
minimum of losses!"

"Do mean you?ll kill everyone so there will be nothing?"

"Yes, Join us now!"

"No! I would never help with anything like that!" She tried to break away,
but Keroc held her wrist firmly, and Dralflen, seething picked up a sword,
and swung it into his back.

"Run Kya!" she darted away, while Keroc picked himself up from the floor,
stunned. The guests started screaming and cries filled the air. Lord
Fettledorn started forward, and Dralflen watched as Negan wrapped his hands
around the old man?s throat, squeezing the life from him. Sheathing his
sword he darted out the door after Kya.

She had made it to the gardens before she collapsed, crying. He picked her
up, and steadied her. "C?mon. We?ve got to get out of here." He carried her
to the stables, ignoring the cries from the castle as best he could. They
were begging for mercy, and the energy blasts ripped through walls, wails
of pain and anguish assaulted them both. He saddled two horses and lifted
her on. Somehow, through her tears she had the presence of mind to grip the
reins and move out. He galloped behind, catching her easily. They had to
get as far away from the Consol Castle as they could.

They ran until the horses could run no more. Both were tired and winded.
They stopped in a glen for the night. Dralflen didn't dare make a fire, for
fear of being seen, so they settled in darkness, tying the horses to trees
and bringing them water. Kya sat down near him, and began to cry, silently
at first, then harder, sobbing like he expected her to.

"Shhh. Shhh. It?s all right. You couldn?t know, no one did."

"I?m sorry for the way I treated you, I didn?t mean it! I still love you."
He pulled her close in a hug, holding her tight. Against the backdrop of
stars and the Blue Planet, was a city ablaze with orange light. Consol was
burning.

He closed his eyes to escape the cries he couldn?t hear, yet imagined. So
many dead tonight. And what had he meant about Kya?s power?

"Kya, I need you to do something for me."

"What?"

"Have you ever, in your entire life, felt something, and known it to be
true?"

"Yes, but only once."

"What was it?"

"When I was a child, maybe eight summers, Jurel was lost in the caves. My
father was dreadfully worried about him, so we all went to look for him. I
must have gotten separated, and I was so very frightened, but I could see
where everyone was. And I went that way, incidentally running into Jurel.
We both came out unharmed, but I just knew what to do."

"Kya, I think you know of what Keroc and Negan were speaking of, don?t
you?"

"Yes."

"What was it?"

"It?s silly."

"What is it?"

"Long ago, there were legends that people could control the Universe by a
central power, my mother was a child of the Northern tribes, and they
believed this as well. It was thought by those in the tribe that the
females in her line could understand the universe, and use the power. But,
no one ever proved it."

"Come, Kya. We?d better keep moving." He held a hand out, and helped her to
her feet. The horses were much more cooperative now that they had rested,
and he found them more than willing to move out. They kept at a steady pace
all day long, only stopping to rest every now and then near a stream.
Dralflen kept them moving though, he had a feeling that Keroc would go to
the ends of the planet and beyond to get Kya?s power.

And he knew where they were headed.

The mountains loomed overhead, it was nearly sunset. The shadows fell over
their backs as they entered the village of Javak. The villagers regarded
them with trepidation as they rode through, dismounting at the stables.

"What you folks stoppin? here for? We ain?t got nothin? for ye."

"We need a place to stay for tonight, we?ll be leaving by daybreak, I
assure you."

"Well, since ye put it that way, there?s an inn down the street. Ye?ll find
rooms for let there. We?ll take good care o? your critters." He took the
reins, and led the horses inside to unsaddle and bed them down. Dralflen
slid a comforting arm around Kya?s back, and guided her inside the inn. The
rooms were spartan, though well furnished. Kya splashed water on her face
and hands and dried them on the hand towel. He settled himself on the bed,
and stared out the window.

"Kya?"

"Yes?"

"You do know you?ll have to use this power to defeat him."

"No, I can?t?.."

"Kya?" he sat up and gripped her shoulders. "You can. I don?t think they
ever meant to join our kingdom, they don?t want to rule it, they want to
destroy it."

"No, my Father?.."

"Kya, your father died because he didn?t see the truth. Do you want his
death to be in vain?"

She didn?t say anything, just sat on the bed and curled into herself,
crying silent tears. He let her cry, she needed to release her feelings.
Finally, when she stopped crying he held her close, and they fell asleep.

Early morning in the village outside?..

Keroc Variant dismounted. The hounds had tracked his bride-to-be to this
remote mountain village, and stopped. By the looks they were giving him,
they were here.

"You." He pointed at an old man reclined on the porch of the local store.
"Where are the strangers?"

"Strangers? I have seen no strangers here, sir."

"No strangers? Then why have my dogs tracked them here?"

"Maybe your dogs smell the doe we just killed for our village banquet.
Mighty fine doe she was too."

"I don?t have time for games, old man. Tell me, or this morning will be the
last you ever see."

"If I picked a morning to die, then this is a good one."

Keroc Variant stared at his fingertips, examining the nails. He carefully
raised his hand and summoned the negative energy, blasting the old man from
the porch. He skidded across the wood, crashing into the post for the
railing before rolling limply to the ground, dead.

"I want to know where the strangers are."

No answer. "Very well, I shall kill each child in this village for every
moon minute they are not revealed."

"At the inn, sir." A woman called quietly from the back.

"You see, not so difficult. You shall be spared on this, our day of
Holocaust."

He moved quickly to the steps, and in the door, hand held out to stun his
victims.

Dralflen woke at the sound of screaming outside. Kya shifted in her sleep
as he padded to the window. Variant!

"Kya, we must go, Variant is here. And where he is, Negan is not far
behind!" she moved quickly, dressing and opening the door quietly. He
followed, and they went down the steps to a window between the first and
second floors. She opened it, and climbed onto the roof, Dralflen
following. The horses were out of the question, he?d have guards in the
stable, so they sprinted for the forested area below the mountain?s mighty
face.

"There they are!"

"Get them fools, or Lord Negan will have your heads for this!"

Men mounted agile horses and sped after them. Kya stumbled, Dralflen lifted
a hand to steady her and they ran on, only to be caught by a soldier at the
base of the trees. He knocked Dralflen out of the way, and flung Kya over
his shoulder.

"My Lord, I?ve got the Lady." He called back to his master.

"Very good. Bring her here, and her companion as well." Dralflen felt
himself being lifted to his feet, he could see Kya, her body was limp,
unmoving. The soldier set her down before Variant.

"Well, my dear. How nice to see you again. And you as well, Sir Dralflen.
Your father expressed his regrets that he would not attend the wedding,
but, I think you?ll understand."

"You?..murderer!"

"Now, now. Such harsh words for your husband."

"I will not marry you!"

"Oh, but you will. Lord Negan will see to that. Corporal, kill him."

"No, not Dralflen, he is all I have left! Please, I beg you."

"Kya, you must?.." his words were cut off as he was blasted with the
negative energy. He fell to the ground, crying silent tears. He could hear
Kya?s cries for mercy, though they went unanswered. His every nerve felt
like it was on fire, he could not draw breath without excruciating pain.
His eyes blurred.

"Now, you see my dear, you are at my mercy. Join us, join Negan?s Universe.
You would be a valuable asset."

"I?ll never join you!"

"Then die." Keroc flexed his hand, and Kya screamed as the dark energy
coursed through her body. She couldn?t see, couldn?t breathe. She felt her
anger surge through her, and

focused her thoughts inward, trying to see through the blinding glare of
the dark energy. Her vision suddenly cleared, and she could see again, the
pain receded, and she could think clearly. She was enveloped in a pinkish
bubble that suddenly took shape, and formed a gleaming white crystal.
Summoning it to her hand she prepared to leave her haven and return to
herself.

Keroc was grinning madly, channeling the dark power of nothingness into
Kya?s limp body when suddenly she was encased in a pink glow that glowed
brilliantly then expanded outward. As the light surrounded him he could see
Kya at the center, with the shape of a crescent moon glistening on her
forehead. He cried out the energy fading from his hand and he screamed as
he passed into the world beyond. Dralflen offered a silent prayer for her
well being as his eyes closed for the last time.

The villagers approached cautiously as Kya sank onto the ground, completely
spent.

The man wasn?t moving. The pink glow faded and formed a silvery crystal
that hovered above her defensively. A woman cautiously reached her side and
tenderly eased her into a sitting position. Kya?s eyes opened slowly, she
focused on the glittering white object above and closed her eyes.
Dralflen?s presence was gone, and she could feel the tears sliding down her
cheeks. She dragged herself to his side, tracing gentle fingertips across
his face.

"No, Dralflen, please do not go, I need you." she whispered his name,
crying in agony. Yet he did not wake. The woman moved back in support her,
and she shoved her away.

"I swear, he will not get away with this!" she rose unsteadily and
staggered toward one of the horses, clutching the reins of a big black
stallion, she mounted with difficulty wrapping her fingers in his mane, she
kicked him in the side and headed for the greatest concentration of
negative energy.

Castle Consol.

Negan laughed wickedly, the few remaining villagers were attempting to
flee, though not very successfully. He would down trees, flatten houses,
and cause mudslides. People were fragile and easily killed.

"Why don?t you try something a little more difficult than wreaking havoc on
defenseless civilians!"

"You think you can defeat me?"

"I don?t know, but I?m willing to find out!"

"Taste of my power! Dark Absolution!" he stamped the cobalt staff into the
ground, and it began to pulsate.

She needed no words to command the power of the tiny crystal, wrapping her
hands around it, she willed it to go to work. The energy cackled in the air
as the small round crystal released the pinkish light to fight the darkness
of the large cobalt colored stick with the dark globe set in the center.
Negan shouted something again and again, but Kya could not hear him. She
concentrated on Dralflen?s presence, her anger at the pain and devastation
Negan had caused, the death of her father. The air around her seemed to
glow brightly, and she felt Dralflen?s presence wrap his hands around hers
as the crystal pulsed brightly, engulfing Negan in its glow. The light
swelled, and he disappeared, banished forever into his own universe.

Kya was blissfully unaware of anything, floating in a void the crystal
created, a surreal environment. Voices called to her, chanting softly;

"Kya, you and your daughter are the first to hear us.

"Daughter?"

"Conceived of your love for Dralflen, she has his kind soul."

"You are to be commended, your heart has brought you peace. You will be
tested again, do not be afraid?.." the voices faded away into nothingness,
and she watched as the haze cleared and she could see the sky.

A fire crackled nearby, and Kya turned instinctively toward it.

"Oh, you?re awake my lady." It was Heila!

" Heila! How did you survive?"

"I hid, my lady. Now, no more talk, you?re weak enough as it is. Stories
goin? round about how you defeated that madman. You?ve got followers now,
my lady."

"Heila.." she sat up, ignoring her protests. "Where?s Dralflen?"

"Oh, my lady?.."

"Is he?Dead?"

"Yes." Heila turned back to the fire, and tended it, adding a few logs.

Kya stared resolutely at the ground, noticing as a few stray strands of
hair fell over her shoulder. They were pink.

"Pink!"

"My lady.."

"What else Heila?"

"What do you mean, what else?"

"Is there anything else different about me?"

"Well, your hair and the crescent moon?."

"Crescent moon?"

She held out a looking glass and Kya stared at it, confused. Her once red
hair was now a brilliant, shocking pink and on her forehead was a small
crescent moon, settled between her eyebrows. She looked older. Felt older,
different somehow. She could see her belly beginning to swell, and
remembered the voice?s words; "You and your daughter are the first to hear
us."

"Heila?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"Is it over?"

"Yes. Would you like to rest, you look as though you feel pain."

"I?m fine Heila, I just need to close my eyes." She shut them firmly
against the sunlight streaming through the windows and fell into a
dreamless sleep.

To be continued. I know it?s a bad place to leave off, but I have so much
HOMEWORK to do. Please mail me and tell me what you think, and thanks to
the people who did!

Luv letters and hate mail to danan_elora@hotmail.com or
kaima_dralflen@yahoo.com

Or come to my homepage at: http://www.angelfire.com/de/edvb5/index.html