You've all been waiting for this moment - the appearance of an original Jewel Rider character! If you remember my Author's Note, and have been paying attention, then you'll know who it is without reading. But, of course, you want to know what happens next, so you might as well read on, anyway.

ファネイシアのファロン公爵婦人
Log 10: Duchess Fallon of Fanasia

"Denbridge? You're headed there? That's a long journey for a young girl like you...."
　 Keith awoke to muted conversations in the late afternoon. Someone had stripped off his coat and hung it on a peg nearby. Drowsily he looked around: His bed was carved walnut with a canopy and curtains of forest green; the walls were washed in a pale green accented with walnut panels and brass torch-holders; a window just placed some feet from the foot of the bed gave a view of a stone palace keep blanketed in snow. His staff lay on the bedcovers, by his side.
　 "Kathryn?" he groaned, pulling off the covers from his body. Avellonis in his hands, he stood up and walked to the closest door - all of them were closed, but the conversation sounded closest from this one.
　 It opened out to a circular parlor, surrounded by two other doors to guest rooms, a spiral staircase, and a giant window that granted views of a snow-blanketed field. On lounge chairs, attended by a servant, sat Derrik and Kathryn, along with an older, dark-skinned woman in lavender dress.
　 "Ah, you've awakened," the stranger said, setting down a cup of a steaming dark drink. "Kathryn calls you 'Keith', right? Go ahead - sit."
　 "Thank you." Keith took a seat between her and Kathryn. "Yes, I am ... Keith. How are you addressed?"
　 "Sorry - I forgot. I'm Fallon, duchess of Fanasia, archduchess of the Plains Country. This is my castle, Basilica-on-the-Bluff."
　 "She was a friend of my mother," Kathryn commented. She sipped at her drink - its sweet scent wafted to Keith's nose.
　 "Yes, I was," the duchess sighed. "I rode with her in the Jewel Riders. Starla was one of the best wielders of the Sunstone since Guinevere's time - other than Anya, of course. Sad to hear that she died." She sniffed; the servant passed her a cloth napkin.
　 "Is this why the kingdom is shattered?" Kathryn asked. "Because my mother died?"
　 "Well, knowing that Kathryn married the Sálíphiran sultan, and you were heir to Sálíphirá, the people thought there was no heir to Avalon - hence, no need to remain united. That's why each region is its own kingdom - even Denbridge City itself."
　 "This won't complicate our journey, though, will it?" Derrik said.
　 "No - remember, Oblivion Gates aren't biased. And the kingdoms aren't at war. You can still arrive at Denbridge in a short time." Fallon looked out the window, saw the twilight sun sink below the snow-blanketed horizon. "Ah, it appears to be supper-time. The servants will bring you supper here. I have an appointment with the ryûka chieftan." She stood from her seat. "I will see you in the morning." She walked to the staircase and descended.

A different voice spoke in Keith's mind....
　 "I knew her, Keythedrian. Fallon was Miharoshi-shi, Wielder of Miharoshiandagia. She took the blade into the care of the ryûka, the dragon-kin.
　 Where is it?
　 "The keep. The ryûka chieftan is awaiting you later."
　 Thank you, then, lord....
　 "Elekiterion, ôji-sama. I am your Regent, Elekiterion."

That's one Jewel Rider character we've been introduced to, and two others that were merely mentioned! And to make you fans happier, I'll introduce another original Jewel Rider character in the next part! Whee!