River of Time

by crazypandagirl

In the modern day, the final descendant of the heroes we know is facing the day where the Queen of Chaos is freed, and finds herself meeting her ancestors the day of Lord Raoul's wedding. But she hides her identity from them in an effort to keep the people in their era from learning of the horror she comes from. And now they have to stop her from ever going into their time.

1. Chapter 1

Sophia POV

I sigh as I slump back in my throne, rubbing my eyes as yet another noble of the Naxen house leaves after complaining about the court ladies. A large hand comes to rest on my shoulder, and I look over to see my Bazhir husband, Hassim, giving me a comforting smile. "Would you like to go into Corus for a while?"

I shake my head and pull out my kindle, scrolling through my e-mail and finding a request to speak with Lord Jackson of Cavall. "I can't, the Lord of Cavall has requested my audience in ten minutes."

He sighs in exasperation. "Soph, you're only nineteen, queen of five years, and we need a queen who is not overworked. You have to set a rest day soon, or you will collapse. Besides, you haven't stopped since the miscarriage to properly rest and grieve."

My expression goes blank, just like a Yamani's, at the mention of our failed attempt at becoming parents. "I have to keep myself occupied, or I'll never get back on my feet, you know that. Especially after the last time."

He remembers how my parents were murdered before my eyes when I was seven, then my aunt and uncle when I was fourteen, one week before my coronation. "I understand that sentiment, but you need to lay your demons to rest, or they will haunt you until the day you die."

I put my kindle in my purse and stand up, arranging my skirt so it isn't bunched up in the back. "I need to meet him in the pages' training field, so I will have to leave now. Would you care to walk there with me?" I effectively force him to drop the topic, it being one that I have not been keen on speaking with any but the gods about.

"Fine, but we will continue this conversation later." He stands and offers his arm, which I wrap my hands around and lead him off to the training master and his young charges.

We arrive in the tilting fields just as the pages finish lining up. Lord Jackson waves to me as he orders the pages to begin without his guidance for a few minutes, then jogs over to me. "Your Majesty, thank you for making the time to see me."

"It is a pleasure to come see the pages practice while we talk. What was it you wished to discuss?"

Something in his demeanor seems to shift. "Well, it's our spies in Tusaine. Their king knows who at least one of them is, and cornered her. However, instead of ordering her death or sending her home in a crate, he gave her a message to pass on to you."

I bite my lip, fearing the reason why the king of Tusaine would not punish a spy. "What was the message?"

"It is a letter addressed to you specifically, as well as me, as the spymaster, regarding a tale of the rise of the Queen of Chaos about fifteen hundred years ago, and the fear that immortals are beginning to favor that unsavory faith once more."

"The Immortals War? What about the legends that arose from that time period? The Wildmage was definitely a story from then, and she was responsible for ending it, right?" I think aloud.

Lord Jackson nods his own confirmation. "Yes, there was a mention of her. He also stated that he fears Skysong has been away from you for too long, and wishes for her to visit. If you remember, she was under the care of the Wildmage in the war."

"She could be of major assistance, if she would be willing to share what she knows from that time."

Hassim frowns, deep in thought. "Sophia, another matter we ought to consider is our spies and allies among the immortals who were allowed to remain here after the war."

"Yes, that was mentioned vaguely in the letter. He wished for you to both understand that he is building an army of immortals and elite fighters in his country, and advises that we begin doing the same." Lord Jackson looks at the pages. "They may have to fight this war as well, something that I sincerely hope does not happen. They just aren't ready to go into battle, no matter what I teach them."

I smirk. "How about I join in the fray? Gods know I could use the fresh air."

He bows to me. "Enjoy your time out here. Would you like to borrow my horse, Angel?"

"That beauty? I would love to, so long as I get to torture the pages with sword practice as well?"

"As long as we get a good laugh, you can torture them to your heart's content, Your Majesty." Lord Jackson whistles, summoning a gorgeous mare with a golden coat, with a pure white mane and tail.

Four Days Later, Night

I scry from atop Balor's Needle for any sign of stormwings in the sky, hoping the skies will show my allies returning to give me the report on the enemy troops circling the country. I open my eyes with disappointment, not having found anything, and examine my hands, still sparkling with my red, black, white, and purple Gift. I hardly know the history of my Conte ancestors, but I know that only my coal black hair comes from that line. My gift comes from two of the most powerful mages in the history of Tortall, my features and build come from the rest of them, and a peculiar link with the gods and immortals from a demigoddess in my family line. Their names were lost with the ages, but I know they would not be disappointed with how the world turned out, regardless of the differences of the modern day.

I sigh as a flaming arrow soars past me, landing on the platform behind me and setting the wood aflame. I only glimpse sight of the enemy's fletching on the arrow as a vortex pulls me back, and I am warped to the ground, where a squad of fully armored men and a mage are awaiting me. I throw a fire spell at them and try to run, but only make it a few steps before a retaliatory spell hits me in the back, and the world goes black.

I seem to float in the darkness for what feels like ages, but when I finally open my eyes, it is to find a horrific fire and plumes of smoke filling my sight, and the screams of fear and agony of the people of Corus. I then realize my arms are burning in agony, feeling as though they are being ripped from their sockets, then note that I am dangling from a rope on the outer wall of the palace.

"Ah, Your Majesty, so you finally grace us with your consciousness." A nasty voice gurgles in a language I know all too well.

"Ugh, you have got to be joking." I look up to the walkway above me, and see the corpse of a recently deceased lord of the court looking down on me with a nasty smirk on his half-rotted face. "Who dares to disturb you in your death?" I reply in the same language, which no other living person would stand a chance of understanding.

"How do you not already know? War and death is falling to your precious kingdom now, destined to happen with the death of a star, just as Father Universe and Mother Flame promised."

My eyes widen in horror. "No, you can't serve the Queen of Chaos!" I start kicking, straining against my bonds. "Please, don't serve her! If only for the sake of your family and dying honor! Don't you remember why you died?!"

The mirth leaves his gaze, replaced by anger and confusion. "Of course I remember, but that was a concern I had in life! Times have changed, and now it is time to see if we can change the faith of this time!"

"What are you talking about? You can't change the faith of a world! You know better than anyone besides myself that faith cannot be forced!"

An evil grin takes over his features. "Of course it can't these days, Majesty. But with your blessings of the Gods, anything is possible!"

"I refuse to aid you in your pursuits! I would rather die!" I summon my gift, burning the rope from my wrists.

I drop down to the distant ground, braced, but still jarred from the impact with the ground. I don't bother with an upward glance as I run down the infernal hill into the city, where I use my Gift to raise water from the Olorun River to put out the flames eating away at the Lower City. The water immediately puts out the flames, and I use more of my Gift to send basic healing throughout the city to all the injured to aid in the effort as I run through the last gate, knowing I may never be able to return as I run into a portal lined with the white fire of the gods.

Divine Realms

No POV

Queen Sophia falls to the ground in a clearing in the woods, dazed and unsure of what was happening to her. Her body trembles with exhaustion as she forces herself back onto her feet, continuing to run through the woods until she stumbles upon a Chaos Vent, more active than it should have been.

"My daughter." A voice, like the sound of wolves in the night, comes from all around. "What the former lord said holds true. Our sister Chaos is now free of her punishment for her last uprising. Our parents remain unaware of her actions as of yet." The disembodied voice takes form next to her as a woman clothed in a lilac dress reaching to the ground, the top of her gown being slim straps holding it up on her shoulders. "Sophia, she wishes to harness the powers of the blessings you received upon your birth from us to change the past. Should she have her way, it could change everything in this time, and even make us all disappear from existence."

Sophia looks to the Goddess with a lost expression. "Why would she want to force the faith of mortals to go strictly to her? She already owns half of humanity, as we are half chaos by nature."

"She is consumed by the desire for more, as is her nature. She also now hungers for revenge against the bloodline that led to her being put into her prison in the first place, which you are the last living descendant of." She places a delicate hand on Sophia's shoulder. "Your people needed you before, but now the world needs you."

"I will do everything in my power, for all mortals, immortals, and gods." She raises her determined gaze to the Goddess. "I swear, nothing short of death or careless possession will allow me to fail those of this era."

During the Reign of King Jonathan and Queen Thayet

Fort Mastiff

Kel POV

I walk along the wall with Dom holding my hand, trying to figure out why I feel so uneasy.

"Kel? Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" he asks with a smile on his lips, but worry in his eyes.

"I don't know. I just feel extremely uneasy, when I know I ought to be excited for this afternoon for My Lord and Buri." I offer a smile to him and squeeze his hand. "I promise I won't go charging off again, this feeling isn't like what happened with Haven."

He sighs in relief. "Well, since you are one of the bridesmaids, I think Lalasa and Buri would appreciate it if you were to spend the day getting ready with them." He escorts me down the stairs and over to the command building, which the women have taken over for the wedding preparations. "I shall see you in a few hours, my lady Protector."

He kisses my hand and dashes off before I can reprimand him for calling me that again. I mumble in Yamani about Sergeants and how tricky he gets when he is trying to ease my tension. I then walk into the building to face my fate: a formal gown, face paint, and uncomfortable shoes. I send a mental message to the Chamber of the Ordeal. 'Isn't there anything you can send me off to do soon?' I don't think anymore as Lalasa pulls me into a random room for a bath.

After the Wedding

"Congratulations, my lord." I approach Lord Raoul from behind. He turns to pull me into a massive hug. "My… Lord… can't… breathe…"

"Raoul, let her go before you suffocate the poor girl." Buri chides him. He reluctantly releases me, and I smile at Buri. "Thanks for making the time to come here from your mothering at New Hope."

I groan. "Why must you also nitpick at that as well?"

I feel Neal's arm slip over my shoulders. "Because it's true, and we need you to accept it." Everybody rumbles with laughter until a crack of lightning splits the sky, and the ground shakes and buckles as people start screaming. The wind picks up as a swell of water rises over the edge of the outer wall, glittering with a magic we have never before seen.

"Numair!" Raoul shouts, searching for the one person we can only pray would know what is going on. "Is this some kind of prank?!"

A scream pierces the air, silencing everyone else's screams as the swell vanishes. I rush to the wall, climbing as fast as my skirts will allow me, and I gasp. What seems to be an army of strangely dressed soldiers stand outside the fort, swords drawn and bows ready to fire at us. At the front is a larger soldier holding a girl slightly older than me, wearing a filthy blue gown that must have once been beautiful, the sleeves shredded to the point that they are strips of cloth stuck to a seam, and the skirt in the same condition up to her mid thighs. I then see the blood over the black and brown of old blood and filth. From what I can tell of her shoes, they may or may not be working to protect her feet from the earth.

One of them shouts in a foreign language that none of us understand. "They want you to open your gates and send out all of your weapons and knights!" The girl speaks in ragged Common, as though she is having difficulty with the language. "If you comply, they will leave the nearby refugee camp alone!" A whip cracks at her, and she falls to the ground with a scream of agony. She then switches to a common dialect of Yamani, which I understand. "Please, don't do it! They will kill us all!"

Lord Wyldon stands next to me, frowning as he debates the options once I translate quietly. "Ask why she has to communicate for them." I shout to her in Yamani, translating what he has requested.

"They are cursed!" she screams again. "Kill the one holding me! I have to get away, I know how to get rid of them! They don't know your languages like I do!" she shouts, continuing to use Yamani.

"Tobe! My bow! Archers, take positions, be ready to provide cover fire!" I shout, not bothering with translating as she is hit with the whip once more. Tobe rushes to my side faster than I had thought he would, carrying a quiver of the griffin fletched arrows. "Good choice. Now get below, things might get nasty up here."

"Yes, lady." He runs down the stairs as I hold an arrow to the string, pulling it back to my ear and aligning the shot to the giant soldier's heart.

"Ready!" Lord Wyldon shouts, as I loose my arrow, killing the one holding the girl. As he falls, the girl shudders and rips something from her neck, what looks like a metal collar worn by slaves. She starts running to the fort as the army realizes she is free and gives chase. "Now!" Archers loose their arrows to bury themselves into the army, killing many before they can catch the girl. "Open the gates!" Two men begin to haul the great wooden doors open just enough to allow her in.

However, as she reaches the gates, she throws a ball of reddish light picked out with other colors over her shoulder toward the oncoming army before charging into the fort. She runs inside as their own archers line up their own shots, and one buries itself into her shoulder, causing her to cry out in pain and fall to her hands and knees. Neal makes to run to her, hand already glowing, when she breaks the arrow and rips it out the rest of the way on her own, pressing a hand to the bleeding wound.

She dodges Neal and runs up the stairs, and I see her green eyes wild with pain and fear, and turning to red, filling with fury. Without warning, she raises her hands over her head, calling an orb of red, black, white and purple magic over our heads. Speaking a word, the swell of water builds behind the army, trapping them between her magic and a deadly wall of water.

"You forget your place!" she shouts at them. As their archers raise their weapons to her again, she swings her arms down almost faster than my eyes can track, and the raw energy, following her will, crashes and explodes over the army. The screams of agony meet my ears as well as the rush of water, and a blinding light makes me cover my eyes, though I notice the girl next to me doesn't bother. When the light fades, I look over the field to see nothing there but the slowly draining water and the odd patches of blood and arrows littering the war-torn earth.

"Girl, look at me." I look over to see Lord Wyldon trying to talk to her, just as her eyes flutter and she collapses, wounds still openly bleeding. "Queenscove! Get up here, now!" He puts his hands over the wound on her shoulder, trying to staunch the bleeding enough that Neal will still be able to save her life.

I turn away from the poor girl, praying to any gods listening that she will be alright and not prove to be an enemy of Tortall.

Divine Realms

No POV

The gods sit about a pond, watching the events of northern Tortall.

"Brother, it is time we call Mother and Father into this matter. They are the only ones who will be able to help us repair the rift." The Great Mother Goddess pleads with Mithros.

He sighs. "Even they may not be much help. Of anyone of our numbers, we must find the Goddess of Time. She may be able to at least set us in the right direction."

Kyprioth leans forward over the pond. "Does it not seem strange that the Bazhir have a legend that refers to this event? What is it called again…? The 'River of Time,' if I'm not much mistaken."

The Goddess puts a hand to her chin in thought. "I do believe you are right, Brother. If that is the case, then this girl is in danger of disappearing from existence, now that she and a new enemy have come from the future."

Weiryn and Sarra arrive to the pond. "Forgive us, we were called upon and only just returned." They take one look into the pond and gasp. "She has Daine's power in her body." Weiryn looks to Mithros in confusion. "What is this?"

The Great Gods all share a glance before Mithros gestures for the minor gods to take a seat. "This girl just appeared in this time of mortal history, as the prisoner and translator for an army that attempted to kill many Tortallans. Apparently, she has your lineage, as you recognize her power."

"Mithros, can you look into her mind? Learn anything from her memories?" Sarra begs, worried by the slow healing of the girl as she only continues bleeding and losing her color.

"I will go there myself and find out what is happening." The Goddess answers, rising as Mithros opens his mouth to protest. "She is a woman, and therefore under my jurisdiction, and I sense a great pain hidden in the recesses of her mind, that of a mother and wife."

He shudders. "I will gladly allow you to see to her then."

Fort Mastiff

No POV

"Alanna, Neal can't stop the bleeding, and is exhausted from trying. Could you give it a try?" Kel asks hours later just outside the infirmary.

She sighs and holds the ember at her throat. "I will do what I can, if the Goddess wills it."

"As a matter of fact, my daughters, I will heal her myself." Both Lady Knights fall to their knees in the respectful bows to the Goddess. "Please, rise. There is no sense in kneeling to me when Sophia is hurt."

"So that's her name?" Alanna asks as she rises, curiosity piqued.

"Yes, but that is all I will tell you for now. The rest is for her to choose." They walk into the infirmary, finding an exhausted and pale Neal seated on a stool. "Sir Nealan, please step aside, I shall care for my daughter." He scrambles away from the cot, allowing the Goddess to take his seat and spill pure white fire over Sophia. The fire covers her entire body for a moment, then vanishes, leaving a clean girl free of injuries resting peacefully on the cot. The Goddess then places a gentle hand on the girl's forehead, willing her to awaken. "Hello, my child. Would you please give us your name?"

She blinks for a moment before deciding to speak. "I- my name is Sophia, my Mother. Please, tell me where I am?"

"You are in Fort Mastiff, in Tortall, close by the border with Scanra. Do you know what year it is and how old you are?"

"I am nineteen, and I am not sure of the year. Would you please be so kind as to tell me?" she asks, as polite and proper as she can be.

The Goddess smiles gently. "It is the year 460 of the Human Era, when immortals are beginning to walk the lands once more." Sophia's face takes on a stony expression, and her eyes fade from a brilliant green to a sullen blue. "Sophia, where are you from?"

"I am from Tortall." Her lip trembles as she rolls over. "I want him back, I want them all back." She whispers to herself as tears begin to fall from her eyes. "I want to go home."

The Goddess stands and touches a glowing hand to Sophia's shoulder, putting her under a spell to sleep peacefully. "Alanna, Keladry, please walk with me." The three women leave the infirmary in silence, taking a stroll to the command building, walking into a meeting with George, Wyldon, Raoul, Numair, Daine, Buri, Jonathan and Thayet. "Greetings all. I am sure you are fairly confused by today's events."

"That may be an understatement, my lady." Jonathan replies drily. "We were hoping that we would receive some aid from you and your divine family in this puzzling matter, or at least some enlightenment on who she is and what brought about this turn of events."

"Indeed, I have come to do all of that in place of my brother, as she falls under my protection." She takes an empty chair and motions for the lady knights to take a seat. "Her name is Lady Sophia, she is nineteen years old, and holds a great deal of power. She has a much stronger Gift for a mortal than has been seen in a long time, and is favored by many of my siblings, but is blessed by the Goddess of Time, though the blessings and favors are not of this era. I happen to know almost nothing about her though, and would prefer not to disclose anything else that I may learn."

"My lady, what about today's events?" Thayet asks, a delicate frown marring her features. "That army and the water surge, when the nearest river is at New Hope… it doesn't make sense."

The Goddess sighs. "I do not recognize the spell as being of this era, or any of the previous eras of mortal life. The army is a much easier explanation though- they were the recently deceased raised against our divine will, and cursed to speak only the language of the dead, which only a certain bloodline has ever been able to speak in life."

"And whose bloodline would the talent come from today?" Alanna asks her patron.

The goddess smiles lightly, but maintains a frown on her features. "There is actually a small story to it, from a couple of centuries ago, when women were allowed to be in the military forces and law enforcement. In the Lower City, there was one woman who became famous among the Provost's Guard, nicknamed the Terrier, the Bloodhound, and then finally the Mastiff." She favors Alanna with a meaningful look. "Your family now bears her blood, as you married the one man to have inherited the gift of all her descendants."

"George?" she whispers, staring at him in shock.

He gawps for a moment before remembering himself. "I only knew from family tales that she was blessed by the Black God, and could communicate with the spirits of the dead who rode the pigeons."

The Goddess nods. "Yes, that was earlier in her career, before she was betrayed, as mentioned in the journals she left behind. However, upon her wedding day, she was granted another blessing, and the skill became prominent in her household. The trait, however, vanished with her death, and we have ensured its survival in her deserving descendants, though not coming to the forefront of their abilities."

"So what you're sayin' is that she is related to us?" George confirms with both brows raised.

"That is all that is for sure. Only she would know, and something is preventing me from entering her mind enough to do anything more than slightly awaken and heal her." Her eyes take on a downcast expression as she rises. "As much as I would love to remain here to tell you more and watch over Sophia personally, I have other duties I must attend to. I must recommend to all of you to keep her busy, and keep a sharp eye on her."

"As you wish, Mother." Alanna speaks as they all rise to bow to the Goddess. The Goddess simply nods and vanishes in a flash of light. When their eyes clear, they all turn to each other and shrug.

"So, George, is there any chance that you could try talking to her when she awakens?" Jon asks after a spell of silence.

"I suppose it won't be much trouble for me to stay until that point." George puts his face in his hands, leaning his elbows on his knees. "But for now, is it a half bad suggestion for us to all turn in for the night?"

Kel yawns, causing everyone in the room to smile sympathetically. "I think that is a wonderful idea, Baron. Good night, everybody." She gives a collective bow to all in the room before stepping out into the chilled night air.

Kel POV

I step out of the crowded meeting room into the fresh night air, taking a relaxing breath, before I see Dom walking to me from the small fire outside the barracks.

"Kel, would you care to go on a walk with me around the wall?" he asks, with a small bow and offers my arm.

"You are such a charmer, Sergeant." I roll my eyes and take his arm, letting him guide me up to the wall, where the gentle breeze soothes me even more.

"Kel, I got a relaxation tea out of Neal earlier that doesn't taste half bad. Would you like to go to your room and try some of that? You seem… tense." Dom asks after we stand in the same place on the wall for several moments in silence.

I simply nod, and he guides me down the stairs and back to my room in the guest quarters. He leaves me in my room for a few minutes to fetch a pot of hot water, in which I change out of my gown in favor of pulling on soft breeches and a loose shirt, leaving my stockings and boots off in favor of sitting on my feet.

I only sit for a moment after changing clothes when Dom returns, carrying a couple of cups and a teapot that I assume has the hot tea already in it. He sets the cups down on the small bedside table and pours the tea out for the both of us, which smells heavenly in comparison with the normal healers' teas and other potions. He passes me the cup that is only half full, just in case I don't like, while he takes the other one he had filled almost to the rim.

"If you think this stuff smells good, it tastes even better." Dom raises his tea to me in a mock toast, and takes a sip of the tea, sighing as it works its magic on his own mind.

I take a tentative sip of my own tea, and sigh myself as the smooth flavor soothes me, and the tension seems to drain from my body. "This tea is great, Dom." I roll my head around, hearing the satisfying pops as the bones snap around.

"I told you, but no, Mother, you didn't believe it! I am wounded!"

I roll my eyes. "Dom, if you keep that up, I might just start calling you Meathead, not Neal."

He gasps at the mere threat. "You wouldn't! I assure you that I am most certainly not even close to being worthy of that name! That is all Neal!"

I smile at him and pour myself some more tea, as Dom drinks some more of his own. I drink all of my tea and feel my eyes start to droop. "You know, Dom, I think this tea is making me too relaxed at the moment." I yawn widely, and Dom grabs the cup from my loose grip before I drop it.

"Kel, why don't you go to sleep now? I'll take care of these." I barely nod my assent before my eyes flutter shut and I fall over into a deep sleep.

Next Morning

Sophia POV

I groan I put a hand to my head, keeping my eyes closed as I take stock of my injuries. I note the soreness in my shoulder, the lines of pain striped over my back reminding me of the whips, and the searing pain in my head.

"Hey, take it easy, my lady. I'm going to take care of that headache, then we're going to sit you up, alright?" A man speaks, and I just groan again so he knows I understood him. A cool sensation fills my head, soothing my pain and allowing me to open my eyes, but I have to blink several times before my vision regains its normal clarity. "Are you alright to sit up now?"

"Ye- yes." Two men with black hair, one with a glittering blue Gift to match his eyes, and another without the Gift, but has the build of a giant, help me to sit up. "Forgive my poor manners, but who are you?"

The one with the Gift gives me a funny look, as if I am amusing. The other one takes pity on me and answers my query. "I am Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, and this is King Jonathon IV of Conte, Lady… Sophia, correct?" I nod my confirmation of my identity, but wonder how much they really learned of me from the Goddess?

"Is her ladyship arising from her slumber, Your Majesty?" a voice with the tone of the Trickster himself breaks my train of thought. A young man with brown hair and eyes the brightest shade of green possible wearing the colors of Queenscove, and the badge of a knight, comes from around the curtain around my bed. "Well, look who finally decided to grace us with consciousness. How do you feel?"

"I'm a little sore, but otherwise alright." His hand glows a brilliant green, and he reaches for me, but I shake my head. "There is no need for you to heal me, His Majesty here has already cared for the worst of my aches."

He frowns. "You have the speech of someone with a high education. Would you care to give us your station at court?"

I bite my lip to prevent myself from answering as a flash of light fills the room. I shield my sensitive eyes until it fades, and gasp at who is standing at the end of my bed. "Mithros?"

"Yes, child. I know all that my sister does, and have come to take care of any questions you may find awkward, such as the one Nealan has just asked you." The armored god turns to the knight-healer with a frown. "There is no need to know her station, especially if most of the gods do not know it. Currently, we are trying to figure some things out, so in the meantime, we would all appreciate it if you would refrain from asking any more questions of Lady Sophia."

Nealan nods his head. "Of course. I was unaware of the full situation."

Mithros smiles and shakes his head. "Just because gods are all-knowing does not mean we don't understand that mortals are not. Lady Sophia, we will be seeing you again sometime soon." With that, he leaves in another flash of light.

King Jonathon gives me a look of amusement. "Well, you are most certainly under divine observation and protection."

I roll my eyes and make to pull off the blanket when I realize I am hardly even clothed. "Uh, would it be too much trouble to ask for some clothes?"

The giant man, Raoul, chuckles and wanders off. "I'll find Kel and Lalasa so we can get you some clothes that stand a chance of fitting you."

The king smiles and shakes his head. "Ignore him, he was just worried about you. Actually, everybody in the fort was worried about you."

I feel my face heat up slightly. "I understand that some would be concerned, but everyone?"

Sir Nealan snorts. "If I can't heal someone, let alone stop the bleeding on a simple wound, then everyone has reason to worry." I see a flash of copper before something hits the back of his head. "Ow! Lioness, what did I do this time?!"

"You were there, Queenscove. And if I were you, I would be silent. Lord Wyldon is on his way, and His Majesty is going to keep an eye on Lady Sophia, as a healer." She smiles at me, and her vibrant purple eyes catch my attention. "I'm Lady Alanna of Pirates Swoop." She offers her hand to me, and I feel the tingle of magic in her palm when I shake her hand in greeting.

"Why are you prodding around with your Gift? I've had a healing and I'm fine now."

She smirks. "I'm just being thorough, as I wouldn't like to go back and fix a headache that my former squire might have brought on."

Sir Nealan throws his hands in the air with a sigh. "I am wounded! Nobody appreciates my company, or my humor!"

"Queenscove." A gruff voice makes him pale slightly and stand at attention, and I see a balding man with scars littering his arms and face, going into his brown-going-gray hair. "Cease your dramatics and leave now, or I will find a way to tie your tongue in knots." He gives a mocking bow to the newcomer, then scurries out like a cat chasing a laser pointer. "Lady Sophia, I heard you had awoken and was hoping for a word with you about your circumstances for being here."

I sit a little bit straighter and turn my mind to how to tell a somewhat honest version of my story. "Well, it's a little bit complicated, and quite… unpleasant."

"My dear, we are at war. I doubt your story could be much worse." King Jonathon puts his hand on my shoulder.

I give both men a long look before I look at my hands, clenched in the blanket. "You'll have to tell me what you know, so I know where to start."

They trade a look as Lord Raoul comes back in with two women, who I assume are Kel and Lalasa. "Lady Sophia, meet Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, and the best seamstress she has found, Lalasa Isran." The Lady Knight smiles kindly at me, and I can't help but think that she looks a lot like my mother.

"I'm glad to see that you're up now." She comes over and sits on the stool by my bedside. "We need to kick all of you menfolk out so she can get dressed, if you would be so kind."

The king, Lord Wyldon, and Lord Raoul leave, closing the curtains around my bed. "Thank you for getting them to leave, my lady. There was just too many of them crowding me."

"It's Kel, Lady Sophia." She smiles, shaking her head. "And you must forgive all of us, it was quite a shock yesterday."

I frown slightly. "It's Sophia, I don't really care for the titles." I look over to Lalasa, a shy smile on my face. "I take it you are going to help me with clothes that will fit, then?"

"Yes Sophia. If you would please stand up for me, I'll take your measurements and get some clothes that will suffice until I have better fitted things ready for you." She pulls a knotted cord out of her pocket, and I push off the blanket and stand up, wincing as I stretch my stiff muscles.

She takes my measurements faster than I would have thought her able, and dashes off, muttering under her breath what sizes she needed to find. "So, Kel, what are the recent events that you can tell me for the war?"

Kel makes me sit on the bed again and lays the blanket over my bare legs again. "Well, I took care of Blayce the Gallan and his dog Stenmun a few months ago on a rescue mission into Scanra. Yesterday was Lord Raoul's wedding, I have been fortifying New Hope, making it a town instead of a poorly protected refugee camp… King Maggur is losing the war now that his pet mage is gone."

I gasp, remembering the story passed down through my family of this particular war. "You're the Protector of the Small." She makes a face, and I backtrack. "I'm sorry, it's just… my mother left a diary with your tale in it."

"It's alright, I just don't like to be called that name." Lalasa comes in carrying what looks to be several outfits. "Lalasa, did you honestly need to bring the entire wardrobe?"

She blushes slightly. "Kel, it's not that much clothing. I just didn't know if Sophia would prefer to wear a dress, skirt, or breeches, so I brought a couple of each."

I roll my eyes and stand up. "Well, I guess I would prefer to wear breeches, please."

She pulls out of the pile a couple pairs of breeches and a couple of shirts, as well as underclothes that look like they ought to fit. "I'm sorry these aren't going to be the best fit, but it's what we have."

"Its fine, I'm happier being able to walk around rather than be bedridden with only a shirt to wear." I take the rough clothes from her and trade the giant shirt for the much more appealing outfit, feeling better wearing the familiar rough material. I finally get out of bed then realize I don't have any shoes to wear. "Uh, would you happen to know what happened to my boots?"

"They were pretty much useless, and had to be discarded. We have a cobbler working on a new set of boots for you, but that will take a while yet. For now, you can use a pair of my old boots." Kel stands up. "Lalasa, tell the healers she'll be staying with me for the time being. And that we will be in the guest quarters, please."

"Yes. I'll be joining you there once I get some more cloth so I can get started on more outfits."

Afternoon, Sophia POV

"Kel, do you think we should go to find the king? I just got the impression that he and everybody else may come hounding me later if I don't see them sooner rather than later."

She sighs and nods. "I guess we should go find them now. It would be a hassle if they were to have to search us out if you don't see them soon." We leave Lalasa sewing in my room, going to the command building to find the King, Lord Wyldon, and Lord Raoul in a heated debate, the last one furious with the other two.

"No way can you do that! Not without any more information!" The giant man roars at the other two.

Kel walks up to him and grabs his arms lightly. "Calm down, you don't want to say something you will regret later."

He visibly holds onto his anger, but tones it down a lot upon seeing my analyzing gaze. "Right, it's just that I don't agree with this proposal."

She raises her brow. "What proposal?"

Lord Wyldon clears his throat. "Might I suggest we save this conversation for a later time? Preferably for when a curious newcomer is not present?"

I roll my eyes at him, smirking. "And here I had thought that you wanted to hear my story, my lord?"

King Jonathan puts up his hand. "Indeed, that is the truth. Wyldon, rest assured that we will continue this discussion at another time." he gestures me for me to take the seat across from him. "Lady Sophia, might I ask that you begin by telling us why you have graced our presence here?"

I make a face of disgust. "That damned Goddess of Chaos is why. In my era, she has broken free of her prison, and had been gathering followers in many immortals. However, this wasn't just by chance, she had put into place a deep cover spy in the middle of the Immortals War. So deep, that nobody would ever think to connect them, and I've come to the impression that events soon to occur will show me the answer."

"Are you here to eliminate the spy?" Wyldon asks.

I shake my head. "Not exactly. I'm here because I was forced to perform the spell, and now have to alter everything, just as I predicted when…" I trail off, all emotion leaving my face as I look at the ground.

"Yamani expressions? Is it that bad?" Kel puts her hand lightly on my shoulder, and I sigh. "Start from the beginning. Who are you?"

"I go by a few aliases, but my real name is Sophia Sarralyn Cooper, acknowledging two parts of my family's bloodline." I clench my fists. "Some days I curse the fact my parents took us for a picnic on my birthday, but I don't resent them for it."

"Start from the beginning, Sophia. We have time." Raoul murmurs.

I glance up at him. "Not as much as you would like to think." I then fall into the memories.

"Mama, why are we having a picnic? I wanna play with my friends!" I whine at her, holding her hand and skipping alongside her.

"It's a surprise, honey." She winks at me, walking out to the courtyard where the servants have been banned from entering.

I gasp as I see all the banners and streamers in pink and blue, and pretty glittery balloons everywhere. "Ah, it's awesome!" I run into a small patio with the balloons, finding a marker on the table.

She laughs, and then Daddy steps out of the shadows. "Happy birthday, my baby girl!" He grabs me and swings me in the air, then crushes me in a massive hug.

I squeeze him around his neck, laughing also. "Thank you!" He then plops me onto a cushion under a tree, and Mama opens a small basket, pulling out a small cake and lemonade. "Is it strawberry cake?"

Mama sighs and fakes being sad. "Oh, and I had wanted this to be a surprise! How could I have let it slip that it would be strawberry cake?"

I hug her arm. "Thank you Mama."

Daddy laughs and ruffles my hair, then straightens my blue dress. "Smile you two!" he pulls out a camera. "Say cheese!"

I give him my biggest grin, and he clicks the camera, catching the moment forever. "Let's eat!" I cheer.

As Daddy starts to cut me a slice, I hear a gunshot, and Mama falls over, a blank look on her face before I feel her blood on me. I then see the blood pooling under her, and scream. "MAMA!"

Daddy pulls me to him and runs for the door, but a big man with a big gun blocks the door. He turns around and finds three more people pointing guns at us. "What do you want?" he asks, protecting me with his body as I cry into his chest.

"Your death, you traitor." The whisper, and then Daddy's blood is all over me as he slumps to the ground, pulling me to the side with him.

He looks into my eyes with sadness, and smiles weakly, blood dripping from his mouth. "My baby… I love you…" he closes his eyes, and stops breathing.

"Daddy?" I shake his arm, the way he hates me doing. He doesn't answer me or wake up. "Daddy!"

"What do we do with the kid?" one of the men asks.

"Kill her, she's seen our faces, and can identify us." I hear the click of a gun.

"NO!" Red, purple, black, and white fire spills out of my hands, protecting me from the bullets, and throwing them back at the killers. It then forms a pillar in the sky as I scream my heart out.

The next thing I know, I'm waking up to find myself back in my bed, tears on my cheeks, and no will to smile.

The men are silent, as I leave out the finer details of their deaths and the significance they must never know. "I only found out years later that I was touched by most of the gods, and even related to a couple of them." I take a shaky breath. "That day, I was touched by Chaos and Time, and it nearly destroyed me."

Kel looks as though she's about ready to cry, and the men have stony expressions on their faces. "What does this have to do with what's happening in our era?" Jonathan asks.

"Everything. My Gift hadn't even existed until that point, and the power in the family line had vanished centuries ago. Had that not happened, we wouldn't be dealing with the rift, and the history I know would be much different." I conjure a history textbook with poorly detailed events of this time. "Right now, we are at the rift, which was already set to happen." I open the heavy book to the timeline, where it labels the current year as the appearance of a time traveler appearing.

"What is this event? 'The Dark Times?'" Wyldon asks, pointing to the next century.

I hesitate slightly. "Not much is known, but I have family tales that many events led to the near destruction of everything you know. Other than that, I can't tell you much." I then flip to the chapter where we are currently at. "Now, it says here that the birth names of the legends of this day are forgotten, even mine, so nobody could think to connect what is happening in my time with what is occurring now, a major help."

"So, why are you telling us all of this?" Wyldon asks.

I don't even look up as I scan the pages for a specific line. "It's pertinent to understand what I will be doing here, and imperative that my name and origins never leave this fort, or there will be possible alterations in time that will be difficult to remedy." I finally find the lines I'm looking for. "It states that King Maggur is on the throne here, at the end of this chapter. His reign isn't due to end for another… what, three months by your guess?"

Jonathan looks surprised. "That's too good for a guess."

I shrug. "But it is nonetheless. It says he vanished, as did the legends of this time, when the time traveler seemed to give up in a certain fight at the end of their mission. But if I am indeed this time traveler, I have no intentions of giving up so easily." I look at Kel. "So, you were able to truly get in and out of Scanra that well?"

She actually blushes. "It wasn't easy, but we got it done."

"Huh." I look at the small map in the corner of the page, too small to be read. "Is there any way to get an up to date map of the way to the…" I think of where I would hide when in danger all the time. "… The Grimhold Mountain passes by going through Scanra?"

Three Weeks Later

The door opens, and I dissipate the conjuring of the book, much to everyone's displeasure. "Sire, we have a major hostage situation. You might want to take a look." A random soldier in the regular army uniform reports.

I book it out of there faster than they can hope to keep up with me. I get up on the wall, and gasp at the scene, my blood running cold. "Hassim!"

Before I can jump over the wall, a massive weight settles on my shoulder. I look over to see Mithros, rage in his burning eyes. "This is not good, the rift is getting out of hand. I will lend you my aid, but I make no guarantees about the outcome of this fight. Especially not when Maggur is the one holding Hassim."

I glare at the man holding the dagger to my husband's neck. "He's the one I swore to destroy, isn't he?"

He nods. "Indeed. But beware, he is desperate now. There is no telling what he will do to ensure his life and throne."

I glance into Hassim's eyes, filled with a strange mix of fear and relief. "Whatever it takes, no matter the consequences, I will change what I must to save this time."

"So mote it be." He whispers, and a gown made of glowing gold drapes over me, slits on both sides revealing my legs and a loose underskirt not even reaching mid-thigh, and heavy duty combat boots reaching my knees, all lined with chain mail. The top of the dress is a simple halter style, with light plate armor and chain mail over my shoulders. A helmet covers my head, hiding my face behind a mask of metal, and goes down far enough to protect my neck. "Change this era, child." With that, he presses a sword into my hand, glowing white hot and sharper than anything humanly possible.

I jump over the wall just as the legends reach the base of the stairs, all fully armored and ready for a fight. I seem to glide over to the men, barely registering the ground passing beneath my feet. "Maggur of Rathausak, Bloody King of Scanra. I presume we are here to decide the fate of the war?"

He grins wolfishly. "Indeed, little Queen." I growl at the title, which he takes joy in. "I see you haven't told your precious legendary ancestors who you are. A pity, they will never understand what their fate is, to see their descendant die with only one of their deaths." An archer takes a shot just past me, and I hear a horse whinny in pain, and the sound of clattering armor. A wave of pain washes over me, and I look in horror to see Kel nursing a wounded Domitan of Masbolle, an arrow in his arm.

"You'll pay for that!" I shout, a magical dome coming over each legend, protecting them from harm. I charge to meet him, and he shoves Hassim to the ground, drawing his blade in time to stop me from beheading him. Growling, I spin in a circle, mirroring the original attack and nicking his shoulder. "You have hell to pay for this, tyrant."

He grins wildly, blocking most of the attacks. "You are weak, you don't understand swordplay, and you will fail."

I return his grin with one that puts fear into his eyes. "I never said I would fight fairly." With that, I throw a fire spell at his feet. Now aflame, he panics, swinging his sword wildly, and I stab him through his heart. "And a dishonorable war is won by dishonorable means." I twist the blade, and pull it out, ending his life. Another wave of pain comes over me, and my left hand twinges. I look at it to find myself beginning to fade slightly.

"Dom, look at me, you're gonna be alright!" Kel shouts at him, hands over the wound in his arm.

I run over to them, pushing her aside. I grab the wound and send my gift into him. Closing my eyes, I force the vein to reseal itself, and the twinging pain goes away, and he sighs in relief. "Dom, I trust that you will be fine in a few hours with rest." I open my eyes, finding blood covering my gown, and sinking into the ground. Turning to Raoul, I look down. "I am sorry, but this is no longer my fight. This is up to you now."

He grabs my shoulder, forcing me to stand. "Damn it, woman! You need to help us fight them off!" he roars at me.

"That's not what I meant. Prevent my presence from ever having come here. Change the course of history by traveling into my recent history, and find me." I summon the waters of time. "I cannot guide you any more other than by telling you to travel to where Jonathan first met George." I roughly push the man into the wall of water, and use magic to force the rest of them into the water. "Be safe, and I promise to watch over this time while you are gone."

Okay, that's not quite to the ten thousand word long chapter I wanted, but it's close enough for now. I am enjoying this already, and there is a reason that she only told the part about her parents, omitting that she is actually the future queen. I promise everything will be explained in future chapters.

I do not own the Protector of the Small.