Juan looked from his mom to Kivar. The similarities between them were incredible. His Grandfather must have really known what he was doing when he created the new body for his mother. His mom looked like she had when Katrina had first come, her raven brown hair back after all these years. It was long like it had been thirteen years earlier, ending just above her knees. Her normally pale blue eyes once more held the ice they had when they had first changed color, when he was only three.
Looking at her now, he didn't see his mother, but the woman she once was, a sorceress and princess of Lacanna. She sat upon Fire Star bareback, the sunset red cape given to her by Katrina flowing from her shoulders and resting along Fire Star's body until it flowed with her tail.
Kivar had the same hair and eyes as Beth, and a cape like hers, but of midnight blue. But their similarities were more than just in their hair and eyes. They truly did look like twins, their features almost identical, except Beth's looked a bit more feminine, and Kivar's more masculine.
"Well Sasheena, if this isn't a surprise. You were worried about my men interfering with our battle," Kivar said as he walked towards Beth.
"I wasn't expecting them to find me Kivar. Katrina must have told them where we would be. But, that could be expected, considering you told everyone the prophecies of old," Beth told him as he stopped next to her side.
"Well, what else was I suppose to do sister. Let them think I was a weakling who knew nothing. How else was I to prove that I was a son of Kanare," Kivar said as he grabbed her arm and took the knife she held within her cloak.
"Well, what do we have here? Were you planning on performing the Tanack? Sister, you should know I would be expecting that," He said softly as he grabbed her arm once more and slid the blade along her skin, watching the trail of blood grow.
"Stop!" Juan cried stepping forward.
"Ah yes, my nephew. You and I have business to deal with after your mother's death. I intend to regain my birthright, and no teenage bastard is going to take it from me," Kivar said before Juan went flying across the clearing.
"No!" Beth cried as she wretched her arm free from Kivar and Fire Star ran across the clearing to where Juan lay. Jumping down she carefully lifted Juan's head to rest in her lap. "Juan?" she whispered.
"Mom?" Juan said softly as his eyes slowly opened.
"Hey little one," Beth said with a smile. "Why did you come?" she asked, her voice breaking.
"We couldn't let you go. We need you mom."
"No little one. No matter what happened, I would always have been with you. I have to do this. I can't live knowing I could have spared you any pain at his hands. Listen to me Juan. You have to go. All of you. This is my fight, I have to end the legacy I was unable to end before it started. My people need to be free, as do all of you. Now I'm going to put you on Fire Star, She is going to leave the clearing and your father's and the other's horses will follow her. Don't stop her until you reach the safe house, no matter what. Promise me!"
"Alright mom. I promise," Juan said quietly.
"Good. I love you my son," Beth said as she kissed his forehead. She stood up and helped him get on Fire Star. "Hey girl," She said rubbing Fire Star's nose. "Take them home."
Beth stepped back and looked at Juan, then she slapped Fire Star on her rump and watched as the two of them took off. As Fire Star ran pass the other horses they turned and began to run after her. Al tried to jump down, only to learn that he was unable. "Beth!" he yelled as he rode out of sight.
Beth turned to Kivar who was smiling. "You're only prolonging the inevitable Sasheena."
"No brother, you are," Beth said as she raised the arm he had cut in the air. "It's over Kivar," She cried. The last thing she saw was the look on Kivar's face as he realized his mistake.