This is an overall reply to all your reviews.

For those who disagree with Kris's decision, I apologize. All along from the first moment I started writing this fic, even before, I already had everything planned. If I made Kris stay in Tortall with her friends, I wouldn't have anything to write later on. This leads to me another thing. I have absolutely no intention of writing a sequel. My head is already spinning out a new fic's storyline, and I plan to get started on that new fic straight after I complete this one. Besides, this fic's last chapter will be on Kris in the Realms of the Gods taking on her new duties as a minor goddess, and I don't really see much to write about after that. Also, I would appreciate suggestions on what Kris should do as a minor goddess like maybe healing etc. I'm extremely sorry to those who were hoping for a sequel.

Before she becomes a goddess, though, there is still the plot to deal with. There is a small mention of it in this chapter, but mostly this chapter is about how exactly Kris is going to become a goddess.

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Chapter 7:

Kris woke up the next morning feeling an odd sense of pleasure. It only took her a few moments to remember why. Kris smiled as she recalled the decision she had made last night. Then her smile faded as she remembered that she would be seeing a lot less of her friends. Better tell Skyleth before I change my mind, Kris thought.

"Skyleth?" Kris said softly. Then, when nothing happened, she called again. "Skyleth? Are you busy? I want a word with you."

There was silence for several moments, then he appeared in front of her with a soft pop. "I'm sorry, my dear, I was busy dealing with a particularly difficult stormwing. Anything the matter?"

Kris licked her suddenly dry lips, and before indecision could take over her again, she blurted, "I've decided to become a goddess."

For a long, long moment, Skyleth just stood and stared at her. There was a mixed expression of disbelief and joy on his face, as if he only half-believed what she had just said.

"I mean it." Kris said, anxiously watching him.

In two long strides he had crossed the room and hugged her. Skyleth's sudden hug knocked the breath out of her lungs.

"Och, tat urts. Leggo, leggo, I an't bree!" Kris choked.

Skyleth released her immediately. "I'm sorry, Kris. It's…it's just that I never thought you would actually agree…I was half-expecting a 'no'."

Kris wrapped her arms around his chest, leaning against him. "How could you think that?"

"You…you seemed so attached to your friends." Skyleth whispered, caressing the back of her neck.

"I am, but I'm much more attached to you. Besides, I can still see them, even though it's much less."

Skyleth tilted her chin up, and gave her a long hard passionate kiss. "You're right. I'll make sure that Mithros grants you the right to visit your friends on holidays."

He straightened, gazing lovingly at Kris. "I'll go see Mithros straight away. I won't be back so soon, maybe tonight. Then I will give you more details."

Skyleth smiled fondly at her before disappearing.

Kris was acutely aware of the fact that her time spent happily with her friends was coming to an end. She decided that she would spend as much time as possible with her friends, so the rest of the day was spent with different friends.

The whole morning was used to practice archery with the Lioness and a few of the Queen's Riders, and in between turns Kris chatted breathlessly with Alanna. The afternoon was a very gloomy and stormy day, so Kris made use of the time indoors to polish and sharpen her blunted daggers in the armory. Raoul and the Lady Knight Keladry joined her, cleaning their armor, all the while discussing various topics. After that, the three of them headed to one of the indoor practicing courts to practice swordplay.

When it was finally time for dinner, Kris sat with some of the apprentices of other mages, who spent the whole meal arguing about the magical uses of crystals. Dinner ended with a dramatic conclusion involving Sir Nealan of Queenscove throwing a plate of venison steak at his knight friend, Sir Merric of Jesslaw. A food fight ensued at his table, which quickly spread to other tables. Kris did not stay to possibly get splattered in the face by a bowl of soup, and instead ducked out of the hall and returned to her room.

It was only when she was inside her room that she realized she had not seen Numair or Daine for the whole day. Kris was turning to go to Numair's rooms when there was a flash of black from behind her.

Kris spun around, instinctively shifting into a fighting position. She spotted a rolled piece of parchment sitting on her table, glowing with black fire.

Recognizing Numair's magic, she relaxed and walked over to pick it up, waiting for the black fire to fade away before unrolling it. It read:

Kris,

Another patrol of eight was killed this morning, and that patrol contained a mage. His majesty wants me to investigate this matter thoroughly. I've found some extremely interesting clues leading to the city, so I will spend the next two days there. Daine was initially with me, but she was summoned to a nearby village to heal some badly injured horses. She will spend the night there, so don't worry if you don't see either of us. I'm afraid we'll have to postpone our lessons. Meanwhile, keep this information to yourself. Stay safe and don't get into trouble. Goddess bless.

Numair Salmalin

Kris threw the parchment into the fire. The mysterious mage who kept killing patrols was going to become a big problem, she could tell. Kris hoped Numair would be able to track him down before he struck again.

A small pop distracted her. Kris looked up to find Skyleth looking very weary.

"How did it go?" Kris asked.

"It was all right, but I spent the whole afternoon quarreling with Mithros. Here, swallow this first." Skyleth held out his hand. Sitting in the middle of his palm was a ball of gleaming silver light no bigger than her thumbnail.

"What's that?" Kris picked up the ball of light cautiously. The ball of light was warm, its texture soft and spongy.

"That is a special kind of medicine. Well, it's not exactly a medicine; I'm not really sure what it's made of. I think that is called a creesha. Odd name. But when it goes into your body it will start to slowly adjust your body to one of a goddess'. It will take two weeks or so, and by the time the two weeks are over I'll bring you to see Mithros and he'll change you into a goddess completely."

"This makes me a goddess?" Kris asked with doubt. She eyed the ball of light for a while, then put it into her mouth. It had no taste whatsoever, and it slid down her throat easily.

"Don't judge it by its size. Of course, Mithros had to give me the slower method of conversion into a goddess. He could simply grant you status of goddess without a creesha in a minute, but he's determined to drag this on. I suppose two weeks has its advantages. You can use the time to bid your friends a goodbye. Have you thought of what you'll say to your friends?"

Kris scowled, tugging nervously at her hair. "I was thinking I would just disappear without telling them anything, but I know it'll get suspicious when I visit them during holidays. Plus, Numair will be turning every stone in Tortall to find me."

She paused, thinking. "I suppose I'll find something to tell them when I'm about to leave. I can't think of anything right now."

Skyleth nodded. "I'm told creeshas have their side effects on mortals. Creeshas affect your Gift the most, so be careful when you use it."

"I will." Kris stifled a yawn. The day was catching up with her. After speaking idly to Skyleth for a few more minutes, she bade Skyleth goodnight and crawled into bed.

Skyleth sat on her bed quietly. Then he gazed into Kris's deep green eyes, and said in a soft but serious voice, "No regrets?"

Knowing what he was talking about, Kris put her tiredness aside for the moment, and replied firmly, "No regrets."

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Review, thanks! Next chapter will be speeding up a bit, with loads more action.