Beth stopped at the entrance to Frazier Woods; she looked back the way she had come. She knew that this would be the last time that she would ever see the home she loved. But, even though today she would see her last sunrise, at least her family would see the sunset, and many more throughout their lifetimes. She turned Fire Star back to the woods, and began the long path to the place where he waited.
As they traveled, Beth thought back over the life she had left on Antar all those years earlier. Her father had always said she and Kivar were meant for greater destinies than lives on Antar would allow. She had always thought Papa had meant they were destined to live in Lacanna, the birthplace of Kanare the Great, her kingdom, the kingdom she was to rule, while Kivar would live in Antar. Lacanna was so different from Antar, even though both kingdoms existed in the same space, but the magical barrier protected Lacanna, so Antarians never saw it, unless invited. She thought the greatest thing there could be was to have a Prince of Lacanna in Antar, and a Princess ruling Lacanna, she would have been the first.
Now she knew that what he meant was much different. Growing up she never dreamed that Kivar would become envious of her place as heir to the powers of Kanare. He had always been the older brother she looked up to, who protected her from everything that would bring her harm. They had spent their childhood racing on Fire Star and Night Star, twin sorcerer horses, blessed under the same star that she and Kivar had been born under.
Then, everything changed after their thirteenth summer, when she began her training. Kivar was sent to train as a warrior with Zan and Rath. When they returned home after three summers, she knew everything had changed. She felt it in her spirit. No one believed her though, except Katrina. But Katrina's place in life was to protect her, so Katrina always was the first to believe Sasheena's feelings. And, over the three years they had been together, that had proved to be a blessing as Sasheena's visions were never wrong. But, even she began to doubt the truth of her visions about Kivar. For two summers nothing happened, until Zan's coronation. Zan became king, naming Rath as his second. Kivar was furious, he wanted to be Zan's second. She had tried to explain that it only made sense that the position would go to Zan's best friend, but Kivar refused to listen. Zan knew of Kivar's feelings, and tried to make amends. But Kivar refused to let things go.
Kivar knew the best way to hurt Zan was through his sister. So, Kivar seduced Velondria, and made plans as to how he could bring down Zan and claim the throne through Velondria. When she learned of the plot, she confronted him, after sending a letter to Zan telling him of Kivar's treachery. When Kivar learned that his sister knew and had informed Zan, he knew that now more than ever he needed the powers of Karnare to achieve his goal. She had underestimated her brother's hatred against her, so when he pulled out their father's sword, she never thought he would actually use it. Until she felt the pain of death come. Then, she finally understood why he had a ceremonial fire built on the alter. And she did the only thing she could to ensure that he never receive the powers. Stepping back with the strength she still possessed, she had stepped off the cliff. She still remembered his scream as the powers he craved slipped from his grasp.
She learned the truth of what happened after her first death when Katrina found her again. Father was the one who had created the process used on Zan, Rath, Velondria, and Ava. When she died, he sensed it, and got to her body before Kivar could. He sent her to Earth in the hope that one day she could return and destroy his son's evil. For, by the time the process was done, Kivar had achieved his goal. He had killed Zan and the others; Velondria had let him into the castle. Zan had not told her of the letter, so she believed he was still the man that he had made her believe him to be.
She was the first to die, he killed Ava and her unborn child while Zan was forced to watch. Zan he killed with the king's sword, the same blade he used to kill Rath after showing him how he had failed his King. The Queen mother had begged her father to use the process on the four of them in the hopes that they would return and rescue their people.
Father did, though he was not able to complete the process as well as he had with her. He sent them so that they would appear to be six years old, and they would grow up with their powers. For her, he was able to make her appear as a baby, and she would not know of my powers until she was eighteen. Now, at last, it was time for her to avenge the suffering of her people. And this time she know not to underestimate her older brother.
Beth finally entered the clearing that sparkled in the moonlight, the place of where Antarian's magical essence existed on this world. Even if they had followed her, she knew Al and the others would not find her before the battle started. There were too many clearings to search, and Fire Star never left footprints, her gift as a sorceress' horse of Antar. She glanced up at the moon, and stopped Fire Star. Softly she began to utter the prayer of strength and guidance passed down through countless generations of Antarian sorcerer's who had fought for all they loved. Looking back at the forest she finally was ready.
"Kivar, son of Kanare, great sorcerer of Antar; I challenge you," her voice rang loud and clear through the woods.
"I accept your challenge, Sasheena, daughter of Kanare," A strong male voice echoed through the woods. Beth looked in front of her to see her brother sitting upon Night Star.