Visitors

That night, Udonna lay in bed. Clare is safe, she thought, feeling relieved. But then a pang of guilt hit her. But she nearly died today.

"Udonna," a soft voice called.

Udonna jerked into a sitting position and asked, "Who's there?"

There was silence and Udonna demanded, "Show yourself!"

A giggle filled the air and Udonna grabbed her lesser wand and warned, "Stay away from me."

The figure materialized and said, "Udonna, is that really the best way to greet your sister?"

Udonna dropped the wand and murmured, "Niella?"

The older woman nodded and Udonna climbed out of bed and stumbled over to her sister. "But you're dead… I saw you die… How am I seeing you… This can't be happening…" Udonna began babbling incoherently.

Niella nodded and said, "I know, but I have to talk to you…"

"I'm so sorry I broke my promise," Udonna began to cry.

"You didn't break your promise, Udonna," Niella began.

"Yes, I did," Udonna sobbed.

"What are you talking about?" Niella asked, worried about her baby sister, and wrapped her arms protectively around Udonna.

"I was captured by Koragg and Clare took on the role of the Gatekeeper to try to save me and help the rangers and then Koragg attempted to use the Gatekeeper power to reverse the spell you used to seal the gate twenty years ago and would have died had it not been for Nick's interference," Udonna explained.

"The new red Mystic?" Niella asked.

Udonna nodded. Then Niella held up her hand and said, "Thank him for saving my daughter—and saving you."

Udonna nodded in agreement and said, "I will."

Then Niella held up her hand a second time and said, "I can tell you something about your son."

Udonna nodded eagerly and said, "What about Bowen?"

"He is alive…" Niella began.

Udonna gasped and murmured, "Bowen is alive? I need to find him and protect him."

Niella sighed and said, "Udonna, searching for Bowen would put him in danger. Now would you let me finish?"

Udonna sighed and nodded. "And he is with you," Niella finished.

Udonna stared at her sister and Niella whispered, "I must go."

"Niella! Wait!" Udonna screamed.

"Don't leave me," Udonna began to cry.

Niella vanished and Udonna heard her sister's voice in her ear, whispering, "I will never leave you, Udonna, I promise."

Udonna slowly returned to bed and went back to sleep and dreamed of her sister—all those fun and crazy times, as well as the painful times, they had shared through the twenty years they had lived together.

The End