Yuki returned with Neal as the ghostly glow of predawn touched the window of Liam's study. They, along with the king kept a grim vigil as the girl whom had brought them here slept in complete peace. The few words that were spoken wer barely audable for fear of waking Rhiana, who slept so soundly, in the next room.
It was at such a wordy occasion, however, that Rhiana awoke to find herself on a couch in the prince's chambers. Rhiana sat up to get her barrings and noticed that dawn had already kissed the sky above Tortall. It was then that she heard the whispers coming from the next room. As curious as a girl her age should be she crept n cat's feet to the door and listened. Unable to hear anything she leaned against the door found herself sprawled at the feet of a guffawing prince.
Rhiana blushed a deep crimson as she saw that the prince was not alone in his laughter, her adopted parents as well a the king and seen her land gracelessly on the floor in her nightdress with hair still mussed with sleep. Mustering all her dignity she righted herself and curtsied deeply to the king. "Your Magesty." she acknowledged, still wondering why she was in her nightclthes in the princes study with the king and her gaurdians. Rhiana said as much to the king and was suprised even more by his answer.
"My Child, Lady Yukimi went to check on you late last night as she does every night and found you missing. She searched for you and discovered you asleep on Liam's couch. Liam tells us you came to his door still in a dream and as sick as a deer hunted into a corner. Now I must ask you to tell us this dream that had you so afraid, and after you tell us tha, tell us who you are in truth so we can better protect you.
Rhiana hesitated, If I tell them, will they protect me or will the send me back? Daine told me that she once had a secret and they let her stay, Rhiana looked as hunted as ever, as she told them her dream that was not a ream but her past.
"I am the only living child of a great warlord. He was a good man who wanted peace for his people. Maggur kept my family hostage so that he would fight. My mother was beautiful and Maggur would have been blind not to see it. He wanted her as a mistress but she loved my father so much and said no. Maggur hates being denied and so every denile cost her a child.
"He killed them all until only my baby brother and I were left. That was when he summoned my father. Before all our eyes he beheaded my brother and the requested he tell my mother to consent or they word do worse to me. My father did as he was told but first begged time alone with his wife and child. During that short time he take his horse and run south. I must never look back. I did as I was bid and ran. Trumpets announced the chase and I knew I was alone and helpless.I could never stop not ever! But here I am, not alone, not chased, but still helpless and still afraid."