A month seemed to fly by for Dartz, as people had shown him new ways to use these magic stones. He tried not to go near them, for fear of losing yet another part of him, and he feared every time Iona and Chris were around them. He had forbidden them to be kept anywhere near the house, however, they made exceedingly sharp spears and swords which, when the stone was kept in them, never blunted. Still, thought a soldier should be proud of his weapon, and sharpen his own spear.

The horseless carriages had brought them new trade from distant countries, where they would see the local arts and crafts and more things made with these stones.

That day, Dartz stood in his palace courtyard with his wife on his arm and his child on his shoulders looking at a man with a small wooden box covered in feathers. He had not much time before Chris began her lessons. It had taken what seemed an age to persuade her she needed any...

"I have worked the stone in to these wings," The young man pointed, "and I have made this box able to fly."

Chris leant round to whisper in her daddy's ear, "I bet he can't"

Dartz chuckled to himself, his daughter seemed to doubt almost every invention shown to them, which made the surprise all the better for her when it did work. "Show us then."

The man took the device to the other end of the courtyard and began to pedal. It moved steadily along the ground but gained speed. It went so fast past them it made Dartz's hair swish magnificently to his right. Suddenly the front wheels began to lift of the ground and the man was propelled in to the air.

"Wow!" Chris cried in delight as the man flew in circles around their head. "I want a go Daddy!"

"No." said Dartz sternly, although he was impressed. In just a month such progress had been made, making Atlantis one of the most advanced countries in the world they knew. He was proud of his kingdom, if slightly wary.

Iona shielded her eyes as the man flew past the sun, she was concerned that if this was possible, the risk of falling was also inevitable. She rested her other hand on her growing stomach. Dartz had felt the baby kick last night. She hoped it wouldn't disappoint. Her mind was anywhere but amongst the clouds with this new creation.

The man landed and hopped out the side, "What do you think?"

"I want one!" Chris exclaimed as she bounced up and down clapping her hands. The man nearly overflowed with pride at making the young princess this excited.

"It's impressive" said Dartz, "But is it safe?"

"I'm yet to make all the safety features, as it needs not only the stone, but a certain type of fuel made from wood to make it rise higher. Also the person driving it has to pedal, so it needs a lot of power." He spoke quickly, but surely. He was clearly pleased.

Dartz nodded, "I shall see to it that you get funding." He smiled at the man and moved away, taking Iona's hand. "What did you think?"

"It was impressive but dangerous."

"I wanted a go, daddy!" Chris whined, trying to pull her father back towards the man.

"No." Dartz said lifting her off his shoulders and on to the ground, "You are going to start your lessons today, and you don't want to be late."

Chris looked at the floor, "What are lessons going to be like?"

"Daddy knew you wouldn't want to be on your own," Iona knelt down to her level and adjusted her headdress, "So some of the courtier's children will be learning with you. You're going to learn how to be a proper lady and how to run Atlantis if you become Queen."

"The library man said that won't happen if I get a brother!" She pouted, "So can't I just play with you?"

"No." Iona stroked her hair, "because Daddy's got to start being a proper king and you might get a sister instead!"

"Is Daddy not a proper king already?" Dartz gave Iona a sideways look. He was only teasing, but he was interested in what she meant by that...

Chris looked sulkily at the big tower which had been dedicated to her learning, "Don't want to go, Daddy."

"Go and be daddy's brave girl." He kissed her on the head and watched sadly as she walked towards the big wooden door.

"I can't believe it." Iona leant her head on Dartz's shoulder, "She's growing up."

"She's still our little girl." Dartz turned to leave as he wiped a tear away. Iona was right, it seemed like only yesterday she was born, but already she was growing to be a strong-willed young lady. She stood straighter than any of the other young ladies at the court, and she could speak and laugh with many of the older courtiers. She had already learnt to take the wisdom of the older generation.

"There'll be a day when she doesn't need us anymore. She'll get tired of us telling her what to do." Iona wrapped her arms around Dartz's.

Dartz looked down at her and kissed the top of her head softly, "But not yet, Iona. Not for a long while yet."

That day seemed to pass slower than any day since the day before his wedding. They sat in the hall, listening to the endless petitions that they had suddenly been inundated with. Sorting out disputes between land, giving emergency finance, even accepting gifts people had queued up for hours to give them, mainly to do with these stones. Dartz couldn't see the point in half the gifts. He thought the people of Atlantis resented the monarchy, and wondered why they would travel for days to give them a present!

It was just another day, Iona sat on the silk cushions that lined her throne. The miners that stood in front of her lifted an amethyst necklace up for her to examine, another beautiful gift, she wondered when she'd ever have time to wear them all.

"Thank you, miners. As ever, Atlantis is thrilled with all the work... you... do..." Iona stared.

She froze. Her mind blanked. What she had seen seemed to make her forget everything else.

"Iona?" Dartz put his hand on hers nervously, "Are you pleased with the gift?"

"Gift?" Iona looked at him, her eyes wild. She looked down at the intricately carved necklace, "Yes! Greatly so! Thank you. May I reward you?" She handed them a pouch of coins distractedly.

Dartz frowned at the large amount she had given them.

Iona's attention was too diverted. Surely she hadn't seen him. He had to have gone by now.

"Thank you for your time, our lady." The men bowed and moved away, looking uneasily at each other.

The courtiers in the hall all began to mutter to one another.

Iona licked her lips nervously. The tanned body, the sandy hair.

"You're well?" Dartz leaned across to his wife.

She had seen Vandibro.

"You'll excuse me." Iona got up and bowed slightly towards the very puzzled looking Dartz.

"Iona, wait!" He called after her. He looked about the hall. "You'll excuse me too. We shall..." he looked after his wife, "Return soon..."

He walked swiftly after her, out of the back doors of the hall and in to the back of the marble hall. He didn't want to run. That would make him look cowardly.

"Iona?" He called, his voice echoing. The door clanged shut behind him, as he saw her standing in the corner, her hand propping her up against the wall, the other hand on her stomach, "Iona! What's wrong?"

She stood up, and shook her head, "Nothing, I... er... came over faint for a second. I think I, er..." She turned around and looked in to his eyes, "I must be worried about Chris."

Dartz folded his arms and looked at her, she was blatantly lying, "You saw something."

"No." She said too quickly, shaking her head. She couldn't tell Dartz that Vandibro was still there. He would turn again, he might hurt her. He might do anything. She was getting bad twinges of pain from the baby.

"What did you see?"

"Nothing." She said defensively. "I just got... cramp. Probably from the baby." At least that wasn't a lie.

Dartz raised his eyebrows, "You can tell me anything, Iona. I know I get angry, but I will try not to. What happened?"

"Why don't you believe me?"

"Because you won't look at me. Iona, I didn't think we had any secrets."

"We don't..." She stuttered slightly. What if it hadn't been Vandibro, it could have just been a lookalike! They had so many new servants. "I just need a lie down. A rest. Just a rest. I might see the doctor, check that's nothing's wrong." She put her hand on her stomach.

Dartz looked sadly at her, he desperately wanted to help, "All right. I guess I'll see the rest on my own." He turned to go, "Will you come and pick Chris up with me?" He turned and looked lovingly at her. He so desperately wanted to do normal family things with her.

She nodded vigorously, too vigorously, her eyes still wide. She felt sick.

Dartz smiled lightly and let her be. He loved her so desperately, he wanted so badly to trust her, but something was stopping him. He just wanted to know what.

As soon as he left she slid down the wall and put her head in her hands. The floor was cold, which was refreshing. Her head ached. She couldn't have seen Vandibro. He couldn't have gone that long unnoticed. This was her damned palace and she didn't want it to hold any nasty surprises.

"My lady!" A surprised voice of a new maid sounded across the hall. "Do you need some help?"

Iona realised what a state she looked, "I'd like you to take me to my room before calling the doctor for me. I feel a little...unwell."

She lay in her bed as the doctor fussed around her, giving her drinks, potions and scents. All of which were 'guaranteed' to make her feel better. The burning incense had certainly made her head lighter. It filled the room with an intoxicating smell.

"Just send for me if you need anything else. The baby seems very healthy, as do you. Would you like me to call a wise woman? She might be able to predict the sex?"

"Er... I'll have to confer with Dartz." She smiled kindly at the doctor.

"Very well." He smiled back, "I'll visit again tonight to make sure you feel better."

"Thankyou."

The doctor left and she was alone with her thoughts.

She closed her eyes as the sun glinted through the gently blowing curtains, and she began to drift off in to a heavenly sleep.

There was a light thud.

Iona opened her eyes but lay still.

Something had come through the window.

Whatever it was she couldn't let it know she wasn't asleep. Was it a burglar? What did it want?

She felt something slide in to the end of her bed. Slide up the covers and rest its head on the pillow next to her.

She turned her head.

"Vandibro." She looked at him, anger spilling in to her voice.

"I always wondered what you used to smell the way you do." He sniffed deeply, "Too much incense. Nearly as intoxicating as you."

"What do you want?" She sat up. She needed to get away from him.

"No need for you to sit up on my account, I just want to be with you. Your husband won't be back for a while yet."

"He'll come up if I scream." She tried to keep her voice calm. He mustn't know she was terrified.

"No. I don't think he will. Your room's a long way away from the marble hall." He turned his head and smiled at her moronically.

He disgusted her.

He slowly turned on to his side and fumbled with the ends of her hair, "You know, I've always wanted to know what this feels like..." He leant his head closer to her and sniffed in to her hair.

She shuddered in fear. She had to get out.

"Leave. I command you." She glared at him fiercely.

"I shall do anything you command, except that."

She swung out of bed and put her robe on. "I shall call the guard."

"Do it then, but I doubt they'll hear you. They're having a little rest, you see." He was relaxed back on his elbows, staring at her.

She went to the door and called for the guards. It was true. No one came.

No one was going to help her.

"Now, it's not time yet. I just wanted to see you, to..." He paused and looked down at her stomach, still small, but noticeable. "Oh. I see."

She realised what he had seen and she covered her stomach protectively.

"No one had told me of this..." His breathing became swifter. "That should be..." He swallowed and clenched his fists, "You should be carrying my child if any child."

"No." She hissed, "I would never carry your child. If you were the last man on the planet I wouldn't go anywhere near you." She looked at the chair behind her.

He was moving closer.

Quickly she grabbed it and flung it in his direction before running to the door.

She tried to open it but it was locked.

She screamed.

"Shut up!" He yelled, putting one hand over her mouth and the other round her waist, lifting her up bodily. "I think it is time."

She bit down on his hand, making him yell.

He carelessly let go of her as she ran to the open window.

"HELP!" She screamed out of it, down in to the gardens.

Guards down there looked up and saw her, scattering towards the house quickly.

Vandibro grabbed her hand and pulled her down from the window, throwing her on to the floor, one knee on her chest, and his hand on her throat.

"Listen. Are you listening? You don't look like it because you're moving!" He pressed down harder on her chest, "You don't tell Dartz it's me. My name is never to come from your lips ever again. But you know, don't worry if it does." He smiled and lowered himself closer to her. "You just might not get the chance to say goodbye to Chris. Or..." He looked down at her stomach, "This one. When it's born. If it gets that far..." He threatened as he looked in to her eyes, "I do hope you understand. It would be most unfortunate if you didn't." He kissed her as she tried to get away, when there was a thud at the door.

He drew away from her lips and glanced at the door, smiling slightly, "Goodbye, darling." He vaulted out the window, his hand pressing her throat harder as he did, forcing her to choke.

She lay there, the world going black around her.

The door burst silently open, with blurred me spilling in to the room. A guard slid towards her, kneeling down and staring silently in to her face, his mouth still moving. Her throat was white and her robe had been torn.

She heard him call for the doctor and the King as she lost consciousness.