Min didn't know what she had been expecting, but as they caught their first sight of the Reef through the ship's portal windows, she knew that this was not it.

The Reef itself appeared to be a mass of asteroids that had been collected together and 'tied' with the wrecks or remains of hundreds of ships. Yet more asteroids and floating wrecks clustered so close to this conjoined mass that she doubted any ship not familiar with (or guided to) safe paths through them would very quickly join the detritus.

As they approached, several small fighters emerged from various hiding places, closing in on the Luminous like minnows joining a great white shark.

Petra seemed amused, watching their reactions to what was outside the portal, and did not seem inclined to interrupt them with a lot of meaningless chatter. It was only as the Luminous approached the largest portion of the collected together wrecks and prepared to dock that she addressed them again.

"I will escort you to the Queen," she said. "However, there are a few matters I feel I should warn you about. Mara Sov is not one of your Guardians, nor even your Vanguard. Please keep it in mind that she does not tolerate disrespect as they might. You will refer to her as 'Your Grace' or 'Your Majesty'. She has asked you here for her own purposes, however her brother Uldren will likely be in attendance as well. He may be…abrasive. He is suspicious, and protective over his sister by nature. He delights in seeking out and pushing buttons. Do not let him. Mara will rein him in if she feels he is getting out of line but she will tolerate disrespect to him as much as she will tolerate it to herself- that is, not at all. It also goes without saying that any act of hostility will be treated as such."

The small fire team expressed their understanding, and Petra nodded before folding her arms. "Two last things. You will see Fallen here. The House of Wolves serves the Queen as their Kell. The prejudices of the City and the Tower are not the same as out here at the Reef."

"Don't attack the Fallen," Gen said with a nod. "And the second thing?"

"The second thing is you," Petra said, looking at Kalina. "I have warned the Queen but others will not be expecting you. You may be more comfortable waiting here on the ship."

Kalina blinked in surprise. "Wait, what? What do you mean 'they won't be expecting me?'"

"You know who Kalina is," Gen said, lifting one brow. "I mean, who she was before she was a Guardian. You recognized her, back on the Tower. That was why you said bringing us may be problematic."

"I did. And many here will recognize her as well."

"You know who I was?" Kalina asked, looking troubled. Petra nodded as casually as if Kalina had asked if she wanted a cup of coffee.

"Maybe it's a good idea if you stay on board here," Min said to her, putting her hand on the Hunter's shoulder.

Kalina looked at her, then shook her head. "No, I'm coming with you."

"Are you sure?" Gen asked. "If you do, you're probably going to find out who you were before you were a Guardian. Are you ok with that?"

"Sure," Kalina said. "I mean, you and Min both know, right? I'm starting to feel left out."

Min shook her head, then looked at Petra. "One second."

Gently drawing Kalina away for a bit more privacy she said softly to her, "Kal, I can see you're not comfortable with this. It's all right if you stay here. If Gen and I find out we can keep that information to ourselves."

Kalina looked up at her, then gave her a soft smile. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"Kal…"

"No, you are. I'm not even talking about Crota or any of that. No matter what you do, you can't escape your past. Just the part with the river and nearly drowning trying to save someone - that would give me nightmares for years, not just a couple of short panic attacks. I'd be curled up crying in a corner, Min. That you handle it with such strength is…it's humbling, is what it is. You're right. I'm not comfortable finding out, because I'm not sure I can handle whatever it is with even a tenth of the grace that you have."

"Grace? I put a bullet in my own head, remember?"

"To remember," Kalina said. "Not to escape it. Min, you're the strongest and bravest person I know. If you can face your past, as uncomfortable as it made you, then I can do the same. I'm not going to stay here. We're a team, ok? Where you go, I go."

Min bent forward until her forehead touched Kalina's. "Damn," she said. "I was hoping I could get rid of you."

Kalina grinned and let out a soft laugh. "You should have thought of that before you were all beautiful and half-frozen wandering around Russia. I'm afraid you're stuck with me now. Just promise me something ok?"

"Anything."

"If it turns out I was a total asshole or something, or if I end up crying in corner, sobbing all undignified and with snot pouring out of my nose-"

"I'm not going anywhere, Kal," Min told her, then grinned. "Unless there is a lot of snot. Then, you're on your own."

Kalina laughed, then nodded. "Deal."


The Reef may have looked like a mishmash of wrecks from the outside, but stepping off the docking ramp their surroundings appeared to be anything but.

Petra led the three of them through elegantly appointed corridors decorated with softly glowing crystals and gemstone lights, and filled with soft carpets and plants. At regular intervals, other Awoken dressed the same as her two silent companions stiffened and gestured at the Wrath with respect. Though they did not otherwise move, the three could feel their luminous eyes following them along.

Things seemed quiet, and other than the guards they saw no one at first. Kalina was just visibly starting to relax when Petra took a turn, leading them down a short side hall. A door stood open at the end, guarded by another two stiff-necked guards. Beyond was a grand room, filled with at least two dozen people. They could hear the low rumble of voices and lively conversation, and Min felt Kalina reach for her hand a moment before she seemed to think better of it. She drew her hand away again, and straightened her shoulders. When Min looked at her, Kalina gave her what was probably meant to be a reassuring grin but looked instead just mildly sick.

Petra didn't pause as she passed through the door and into the room. The crowd shifted away in front of her with only cursory glances- glances that quickly became double-takes and then stares. Slowly, the lively conversation died away into whispers.

At the far end of the room there was a metal dias. Four steps covered in a carpet of soft cream and blood red lead up to a cavernous throne that was nearly an alcove. Metal spikes sprayed from the top of this amid hanging curtains. Flanking the throne were two Fallen guards, each holding tall pikes whose blade tips were alive with electricity.

An Awoken man lounged on the steps leading up to the dias, tossing a small glowing ball from hand to hand with idle disinterest. His hair was black, his face strong and severe. As he noticed the conversation dying away, his pale blue eyes only lightly flickered in their direction.

"Clear the room," he said in almost conversational tones, and tossed the ball again, catching it lightly on the back of his fingers and then rolling it smoothly into his palm. Not a soul in the room stirred from their spots, still whispering as Petra drew to a halt a few feet away from the dais steps.

Now his eyes lifted, his body following as his fist clenched the glowing ball and nearly snuffed its light.

"I said clear the room!" he said. His voice rung out both sharp and fiery. Immediately the gathered crowds began to stream out of the room, and when the last of them had gone one of Petra's guards closed the door.

"Well, well." The man moved toward them, his eyes fixed on Kalina, his voice now dark silk. "You were not mistaken."

"My Lord, this is the Valkyrie Minerva, and her two companions; Gen, and Kalina," she said. Min wasn't sure if she imagined it or not, but it seemed her voice held a slightly chill edge, as if affronted at the suggestion that she ever made mistakes. "Guardians, this is Prince Uldren Sov, brother of the Queen and her most trusted advisor."

Min was unsure if she should bow or not, but the way that the man was looking at Kalina was killing any inclination she had to do so and stoking inclinations to give him a thrashing. The muscles in her jaw tightened as she resisted.

"Kalina," Uldren said, circling the hunter closely. "An interesting choice of name. Did you pick it? I hear you Guardians pick your names."

"Yes," Kalina said. "I chose it."

Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "My Lord."

"Do you know why?" he asked, a faint smirk teasing at the corners of his lips.

Min knew that Kalina didn't. She'd told her once. At most, it was like a ghost of something she'd heard somewhere before.

"I liked it," Kalina told him evenly. "My Lord."

Binky, clearly uncomfortable with the man's attention on her Guardian, had shifted around to Kalina's opposite shoulder, her oculus fixed to him warily.

"Uldren…"

The voice was soft, almost bored, but the Prince immediately looked up and stiffened. Min followed his eyes.

Though she had seen no motion, and heard no shifting of cloth, a woman now stood in front of the drapings beside the throne. In appearance, she looked remarkably young and guileless, pale and porcelain. In presence, however, she was sheer power. It surrounded her, almost flowed from her like a palpable wave.

Petra bowed forward, and almost without conscious control, Min did the same. Uldren abandoned Kalina's side and returned to the dias as Sov's eyes followed him. Only when he'd reached the steps did she walk to the throne and settle down. Shadow swallowed all but her legs, and the frozen chips of her eyes.

"You are the Valkyrie," she said. Min stepped carefully forward, and inclined her head respectfully again.

"I am Minerva Anasova, Your Grace," she said. "We are honored to be here."

"We are curious," Sov said. "We have heard…many things."

"She is a Guardian," Uldren said, folding his arms. He stood just below the lowest step of the dais now, regarding them from under a lock of his black hair. "I see nothing about her that separates her from any other."

"We would appreciate seeing the Valkyrie," the Queen said, and as Min's brows knit in confusion, Uldren turned and looked at his sister.

"I must protest for your safety," he said.

It was hard to tell with the shadows, but Min thought she saw Mara's hand flick slightly, brushing away his concern as if directing away a buzzing fly.

"Our brother doubts our ability to defend ourselves," she said, almost to herself. "He doubts our Fallen, our Wrath, and our judgement."

"I doubt only the honor of these outsiders," he said in a low, soothing tone. "Never your judgement."

"We would appreciate seeing the Valkyrie," she said again.

Min was momentarily at a loss, before it clicked into place. "I would be honored to show you the Valkyrie," she said. "And while I do not expect your wise brother to accept my word, I understand his righteous concerns and my word is all I can offer. I mean no harm to your Grace or any under your protection."

Uldren, if he was at all surprised by what she said, did not show it beyond a lifted and somewhat skeptical eyebrow. She seemed to have gotten a bit more of Mara's attention, however, for the Queen sat forward slightly.

Looking at her companions, making sure she was far enough away from them, Min waved Lev into her tag, then spread her hands and closed her eyes. A heartbeat later, she lit up.

Flames of Sol unfolded on her back like wings, fire licking up her arms and pouring upward from her bare head into a dancing crown of orange and white. When she opened her eyes, the Queen rose from her seat and started down the dias steps. Uldren started as she passed him, looking like he wanted to reach out and stop her but not quite daring to do it. The Fallen lowered their weapons and aimed them at Min, and Petra took hold of her dagger, but Min did not otherwise move.

Mara stopped in front of her, nearly of a height with her. Min could see the dancing light of her Solfire playing over the Queen's face, then her hands as she lifted her fingers. Min was shocked when those fingers touched her eyelashes, rippling the thin tendrils of smoke-like fire that streamed from her eyes themselves.

"Yes," Mara said softly, as if speaking to herself again. "Yes, we understand now."

Then her hand lowered and she took a step back, flicking her fingers again slightly as she folded her arms. "We have seen enough. We have a task for you."

Min's Solfire immediately died. "I am at your service, Your Grace."

"This is not true," Mara said calmly. "Your service belongs to another. But I will borrow your service for a time."

Bringing her fingers up to her shoulder, she made a 'come hither' gesture. Immediately Uldren approached.

"Have you heard of the Infinite Forest?" he asked, and then before Min could speak added. "What about the Black Garden? No, I can see you haven't. Your warlock friend, then?"

Gen looked surprised at having been addressed. "Yes, my Lord. I have."

"We have a pressing need for something from the Garden," Mara said. Once again, she sounded bored and distant, her eyes somewhere over Min's left shoulder as if she spoke to someone else entirely. Someone only she could see.

Like magic, Uldren produced a small tablet in his hand and offered it to Min. "You will find a way into the Garden and destroy it's Black Heart. You will bring proof you have accomplished this back to the Queen." He said, as she took the tablet.

"With respect, my Lord," Gen said, as Kalina started slightly. "Such a thing is impossible."

"So is crossing into the Ascendent Realm, enduring the Deathsong, and killing Crota," he said to the Exo with a wry twist to his mouth. "For you. But we are not asking you, warlock. We are asking the Valkyrie."

Min felt a faint scowl appearing on her face as she fought the urge to push the insufferably arrogant Awoken man back from her friend.

"You will do this," Mara said, and then turned and headed back toward her throne. Min wished that Uldren would move back as well, but he remained where he was, measuring the three with amusement again. "And when you return, the Tower and the Reef will have a new…accord."

"I understand, your Grace," Min said.

"You'll be fine," Uldren said with mock reassurance. He spoke to Min, but his eyes had locked on Kalina. "If you get into trouble, I'm sure Imogen here will be able to dig you out again, hmm?"

"Imogen?" Kalina asked, her surprise overriding her self-restraint for a moment. If Uldren was offended, he did not look it. In fact, he looked even more amused.

"Oh yes, didn't you know?" he asked, carelessly flipping his black hair from his eyes. "That's who you were when you were important, before you became an insignificant little Guardian with a bobbing child's toy as company. Imogen Rife."