A/n: I realized I uploaded the wrong version of this chapter. There's a few minor changes. Sorry!!

Chapter Two

"Ophelia is eleven, Cedric is seven, Simon is four, and Eva is nine months old," I said. "I just found them in March. On the streets."

I was sitting in the glen with Sidney, who was leaning against a tree and fiddling with his dagger. It was the day after I'd found them, and Sidney had come to my cottage to find it full of people.

"I see," he replied.

"Have you heard of these Oderians?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Yes," he said. "They're some of the best knights in all the kingdoms."

I frowned. "Then why were they expelled from the Kyrrian army?" I asked.

"Well, about ten years ago, a few of the Kyrrian isles in the Aqueous Sea where being threatened by pirates. King Charmont ordered the Oderian Order of Knights to the isles, because they were the fastest, strongest, and smartest knights he had," Sidney explained. "The knights protected the people for a few days, but then were bribed by the pirates with gold and other riches. The Oderians abandoned the people for the bribe, and the pirates plundered the isle's villages. King Charmont was disgusted and horrified, and banished the Oderians from Kyrria."

"So now they're taking revenge on Char," I replied.

"Exactly," he said.

I stood up. "Wait here. I want to go talk to my aunts, and see what they think," I said.

"I'll be here," he replied.

When I reached home, I explained everything to Allegra, Ginny, and Estelle. They quickly shooed me from the kitchen, where I knew they were going to have a secret talk and decide what to do. Because I wasn't allowed, I decided to go see what Ophelia was up to.

When we'd brought them home, they'd bathed and dressed in new, clean clothes. Ginny found some boys clothes for Cedric and Simon, and managed a small dress for Eva. I'd given Ophelia a dress of mine that was too small. I walked upstairs, headed for my bedroom, where her and the other three were sleeping on bedrolls. I heard Cedric and Simon outside, playing with the wooden swords I'd found in the attic.

I opened up the door and saw Ophelia sitting cross-legged, eyes closed. She seemed to be glowing. I heard her say in an airy, motherly voice, "The quest to save the kingdom has yet to begin, though the quest to destroy it has. A alliance must come together if Kyrria is to be saved."

Ophelia suddenly gasped for breath and opened her eyes, panting. "Nora!" she cried. "Nora, I-I can explain!"

"What are you?" I asked, terrified. "Was that a prophecy? Are you a seer?"

Ophelia shook her head. "It was instructions," she said. "From the Lady."

"The Lady?" I cried. "You mean the Goddess, Mother, Protector of all Nature?"

"Yes," said Ophelia reluctantly. "Please, let me explain."

"Okay," I replied.

"The last time I saw my parents, I was eight. The memory is fuzzy, but they were leaving to house to travel to Frell to see the king. When I got world that they'd been killed, a voice inside me told me, 'This is part of your plan. Don't be afraid.' I've been having visions and such ever since then," Ophelia explained.

I gave her a look.

"Please believe me, Nora Rose!" she whispered urgently. "I'm not lying to you. I have proof."

"And what is that?" I replied.

"There was a reason that you decided to take me here," said Ophelia softly. "You felt it, did you not?"

I paused. I did. I did feel the need to take her with me. I nodded. "Yes," I said. "But why?"

"Because," she replied. "You're-"

"Nora Rose!" someone called. "Please come down here!"

I grabbed her hands. "I believe you Ophelia," I said. "I'll be right back."

When I reached the kitchen, Allegra, Ginny, and Estelle were sitting at the kitchen table, looking at me sternly. Their faces were stony.

"Sit down, Nora," commanded Allegra. "There are some things we need to tell you."

I obliged, sitting down. "All right," I replied.

"Nora, we're not you're aunts," said Estelle.

"I know," I said too quickly.

"You know?" asked Ginny. "How do you know?"

I sighed. Time to come clean. "There are a lot of things that I know," I said.

"Like what?" asked Estelle.

"I know I'm cursed," I said. "I know on my sixteenth birthday I'm going to prick my finger on a spinning wheel and go into a deep sleep, only to be awoken by true love's first kiss. I know King Char and Queen Ella are my real parents. I know I'm supposed to fall in love with Sidney."

"How do you know all of this?" Ginny asked, puzzled.

"I figured it out," I replied. "I overheard pieces of the story and other gossip in the market and put the pieces together."

"You're a smart girl, Nora," said Allegra, obviously impressed. "But we have more to tell you."

"We've been watching these Oderians for some time now. They've recently acquired a new leader, someone who hates Char and Ella more than they do," explained Estelle. "Lucinda."

"We think that if you ride to Frell and tell Char and Ella, it may affect your curse," said Ginny. "In a good way. By defeating Lucinda, your curse may be broken."

I sat in silence, dumbfounded. "What?" I suddenly cried. "You want me to ride to Frell, being chased by Oderians, to alert my parents on the danger ahead?"

They nodded. I laughed. "You're kidding, right?" I said. "How am I to defend myself?"

"Nora Rose, you played with swords more than you played with dolls. You've trained with some of the best swordsman in Kyrria. You know you're a master swordswoman. And we're not kidding," said Ginny. "Although we did leave some bits out."

"You'll have people to accompany you," said Estelle. "Ophelia-"

"Ophelia is a seer," I interrupted. "Well, kind of. She's more of a medium. She can communicate with the Lady."

"We know," said Allegra. "We knew it from the moment she walked in the cottage."

"How?" I asked.

"We're fairies, dearie," Ginny said. "We can sense things humans can't."

"Like I was saying," continued Estelle, "Ophelia and Sidney will accompany you."

"Have you asked them about it?" I asked. "What if they don't want to?"

"They have to," said Allegra. "It's their destiny."

"You can't just claim that it's their destiny!" I said. "How do you know all of this?"

"We just do," Estelle replied. "And you have no choice but to go. You leave tomorrow."

"You can't make me," I said, suddenly stubborn.

"We can't, you're right," replied Ginny. "But the Mother can."

I returned to my room, completely confused. I was to go on a mission to alert Char and Ella of the Oderians and Lucinda, accompanied by an orphaned oracle and an Ayorthaian prince. If I did this, I might be freed from my curse.

"Ophelia," I said. "I have some strange news."

She smiled. "I already know," she replied.

"What?" I cried. "How?"

"The Goddess told me. A long time ago. I'm to go on a quest to relieve a princess's burden, save the kingdom of Kyrria, and avenge my parent's death," she said. "I was going to tell you before you left."

"This is so sudden," I said. "It was just flung on me."

Ophelia shrugged. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness flung upon them," she said. "I think, Nora, that you are all three."

I smiled. "That quote… it's so familiar…let's go find Sidney, shall we?" I asked. "You've yet to meet him, and he'll be surprised to know of this quest!"

We left the cottage and began walking through the woods, until we reached the glen. Sidney didn't see us. He was too busy waltzing about, practicing his footwork with a sword. He moved this way and that, jabbing and diving. I glanced at Ophelia, who seemed enchanted by him. I stifled a giggle, but Sidney heard me.

"You!" he cried. "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough," I replied. "I've got some news for you."

"Who's your friend?" he asked, gazing at Ophelia.

I laughed. "Oh, right," I said. "Sidney, this is Ophelia, the girl I was telling you of. Ophelia, this is Sidney, the prince of Ayortha."

"What?" he cried, dropping his sword. "Where'd you get that idea?"

"Oh, please Sidney!" I said. "You know you are. I know you are. Just admit it!"

He cocked his head at me. "How do you know?" he asked.

I sighed. "I just do," I replied.

He smiled. "She's right," he said to Ophelia. "I am. Prince Sidney Leopold Godfrey Maximillian-"

"Are you finished?" I asked.

"-Ladeslous Frederick John of Ayorthia, at your service."

He bowed and took Ophelia's hand and kissed it. She blushed. "I'm Lady Ophelia, daughter of Claudius and Gertrude," she said, curtsying.

"Enchanted," he replied.

"Okay Sidney," I said. "We've got some important news for you."

"What?" he asked, still captivated by Ophelia's red hair and azure eyes.

"We've got to go on a quest," I said. "The three of us-"

Sidney looked at Ophelia. "You'll be com-coming with us, them?" he asked.

She nodded. "There will be more joining us, though," she replied.

"Right, a group of us, led my me, have to go and warn the king and queen of the Oderians. It might be able to break my curse," I said.

"You know of your curse?" cried Sidney.

"You know of my curse?!" I replied.

"Yes! I was there when it happened!" he said.

"Oh," I replied. "Oh yes, of course. Anyway, we've got to leave tomorrow."

"Okay," he said simply.

I frowned. "You're okay with this?" I asked.

"Yeah," he replied. "I've known about this for awhile."

"What?" I cried. "How?"

"Well…" he said, "I got my fortune told once, and they spoke of a quest."

"Really?" I said. "And you never told me?"

"You never asked," he replied.

A/n: Holy dialogue! I know, that was a lot to read, but now the stage is set. By the way, Ophelia's quote (some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon then) is from Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare (a.k.a. God). Please review! I do enjoy getting them! Please!