^*^*^*^*^*^

"Kira-Kira, wake up, or you shall miss the day"

"I'll miss you day" Kira responded groggily.

"Come on diamond eyes. You don't want everything to pass you by. What would the morning be like with out you?"

"Let's wait and find out"

"I can't do that. I already miss your sparkle"

Kira reluctantly go up. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and yawned.

"You're a prince with a sparkle of your own," She said. Kira had seen a picture of a prince, standing as a heroic figure and it reminded her of Cota. The way the prince smiled, they fact that the prince had been a teenager, the older brother role the prince played, and the certain feel of protection the prince gave off.

Cota smiled and yawned, as Kira got dressed.

"Good morning" She whispered to Trinidy.

Trinidy was asleep in a drawer and when she woke up, she told Kira to go ahead without her. She was going to get something to eat and meet her outside later.

"Good morning" Cota greeted her as she opened the door.

"Good morning" Kira replied, smiling.

Cota took a deep breath of air as they started walking down the hallway. He suddenly stopped and held his hand up. Kira gave him a confused look and he tilted his head and stared slightly upward as if tracking something.

"Smell that?" He asked after a while.

Kira sniffed the air. Her nose was filled with the delicious smell of cinnamon rolls, fresh from the oven. Kira smiled and slowly let out a happy sigh. Lily didn't make cinnamon rolls to often and they usually went fast. Kira looked up at Cota; he looked down at her with a silent "let's go!" They began running down the hall, Cota jogged slowly so Kira could be in the lead. He pretended to be trying his hardest as he jogged.

"No! She's beating me again!" He groaned.

Kira laughed and put out an extreme effort to be faster. Cota pretended to be frustrated whenever she looked back, but when she turned a corner, he smiled. Down the stairs they went, around the corner and skidding to a halt in the dining room. Kira jumped into the room and was followed by Cota. He gasped for air and had his hands on his knees.

"Rats! She beat me" He gasped.

"Yay!" Kira cheered.

"Good job, Kira" Lily congratulated. "Can you go get your father?"

Kira nodded cheerfully and skipped down the hall towards Lily and James's room.

Cota immediately stood up and began setting the table. He dumped the remaining frosting onto Kira's cinnamon roll and got her some milk. Lily watched and smiled.

"You're really good at it" She stated.

"Huh?" Cota asked.

"Playing the role of big brother. You don't care where she came from or what she is. You only care that she is happy"

"Well, that's the whole idea. Besides, Kira is cool and a lot of fun"

"You were right" James exclaimed as he walked down the hall. "I do smell something sweet"

James walked into the kitchen and kissed Lily. "Oooh and there are cinnamon rolls too!" He stated as he sat down at the table.

Kira climbed up into her chair as Lily and Cota sat down. They all ate breakfast and chatted happily. James opened the window and waited for the mail. Cota was showing Kira how to use his wand as a baton and Lily was talking about how great it would be if Kira joined a dance class.

"The hotel has a dance studio there and she could take classes" Lily stated to James.

"Kira, the ballerina..."

"Not just ballet. She could take gymnastics. She likes twirling the wand; she could take that gymnastics and cheer class"

"A cheerleader?"

"Kinda, only they concentrate more on talent, rather then in the Muggle world were they concentrate on how high the skirts can go. It'd be great"

"Well"

"Besides, you are back at work and so am I. There will not be anyone here during the day and having her at work is boring for her"

"I agree, besides I don't want her at the academy where all they are mostly talking about you-know-who"

Lily shivered slightly, even the thought of he who must not be named, made her uneasy. She looked over at Kira, the little girl in her house who only a few months ago had been on her way to being a tool for you-know-who. That little girl who was tossing Cota's wand into the air and trying her best to catch it, was supposed to be a weapon? What happens if that lab, that group, finds Kira? Why they might-

"Oh, you okay?"

"Ouch" Kira rubbed her head, she had failed to catch the 'baton' and knew the penalty.

"Maybe dance lessons are a good idea" James smiled.

Lily nodded, she watched Kira pick up the wand, and Cota tried again to teach her to twirl it. Suddenly an owl came. It flew very fast and quickly dropped a paper onto the table. Everyone in the room was silent, James quickly paid the owl, and it flew off. Cota was staring at the paper, the headline was huge. Lily's breath caught in her chest as she read it. Kira, wondering why Cota had stopped moving, followed his gaze over to the paper.

"V-voh-vohld-er-mort k-kil-kills a-ag-en" She read questioning it and wondering why no one had helped her. It made no sense to her. James spun around to the T.V. and clicked it on. Cota put his hand on Kira's shoulder.

"You shouldn't have to see this, kiddo" He said as calmly as possible.

"What?" Kira asked.

Cota shook his head and quickly opened the back door. "Go play outside" He instructed.

"But I need to go in a few minutes" Kira protested.

"I'm sure your friend's parents will understand why you are late, under the circumstances, they probably have their hands full at the moment anyway" Lily stated.

Kira didn't exactly know why, but something told her that she should stop fighting. It would only upset them. Kira smiled her familiar smile and hopped off her chair. She skipped outside and shut the door behind herself.

"He's done it again?" Cota asked.

The news anchor was very nervous, he gulped and wiped sweat away from his face every few minutes. His red hair was uncombed and his silver glasses were falling down his nose because of all the sweat. It looked like he had just woken up.

"Late last night it was reported that V-" The man shuttered. "That he who must NOT be named, killed an elderly couple"

Cota shook his head, his expression screamed "why?" he was staring at the screen. His mind had stopped telling him that all this couldn't be happening, a while ago. When Voldemort had first began attacking, he, like other people, had simply blew it off, saying it would end and even after the killing started. Their minds just kept saying 'no, this can't be happening', but it was happening and they had to adapt.

~*~*~*~*(Flash Back)*~*~*~*

"Cota?... Cota?"

"Coming father"

Cota put down his script book and walked into the family room. He is on break from the academy and it was good to see his parents again. They had always been kind to him, the believed in each person growing to be the best person they can be. If you liked plays, then you would do plays and advance that part of your creativity. Cota had been raised to be nice to everyone and accept everyone for who they are as long as they are not hurt by whom they are. Be yourself, or be more interesting, but nothing less. That was his father's rule.

"Cota, I-I don't... I'm worried"

"About what?"

"You-Know-Who. Are you safe at the academy? I know they are training you in battle, but you-know-who has many followers"

"Father, if the world was perfect we could all live on the moon with Dumbledore as our guardian, but it isn't perfect. We need guardians, those with the power to protect us. Even after you-know-who is gone, there are still the evil creatures he has created. Who will fight those? Most of the riders are growing weary. The constant battles, being on guard at all times, never-ending alarms, a few people went insane. After V... You-know- who is gone, I'm afraid there will be very few warriors who are willing to continue fighting. Most will get new jobs and others will go back to the simple things and simple threats. Very few will be willing to fight the battle anymore"

"I know, but no one should have to fight that battle alone. Good VS Evil. That battle is the hardest of all"

"I'm not alone. There must be other people out there that have special abilities that most witches and wizards have"

"Voldemort is one of them! Are you sure you're ready?"

"The world isn't ready, but we have to do what we can"

Cota's father had smiled then, for the first time in a month. He beamed with pride at his son who had been through hell and was starting to accept he who must not be named, as a real person. Not some threat that would soon be dealt with, but a real threat. He was accepting that he needed to be involved because this was an important event.

"Well, are you at least getting out of those beginner dorms?'

"Yes, finally. They are giving up on weeding us out and those who made it through are going to live as squires" Cota smiled.

"Who are you living with?"

"Ummmm" Cota looked at the letter Clef had given him. "Potter, James"

"Oh, I've heard his name a few times"

Again he smiled. Cota didn't know that it would be that last time he saw his father smile. They spent the rest of the day together, just hanging out. Cota's father had been so proud, his son was so kind and had a personality that would get him far. His last words to his son were. "I have faith in you. I love you and I know you can take care of yourself. Write me and your mother, every chance you get. Be yourself, or be better, but nothing less. Remember that when you be better, you yourself are better"

*~*~*~*~*(End Of Flash Back)*~*~*~*~*

Cota shook his head again in an effort to shake away the memory. His view had been different then. He always assumed You-Know-Who had to have a reason to kill some one. Now, however, he was killing anyone. How many people had to suffer because of this evil being who's name shall not be spoken?

"The couple was on the street when they were attacked. They had been on their way to visit some friends and apparently they stumbled onto he who must not be named" The news anchor stated.

James scowled, his eyes were burning with rage. 'You kill just because you can' he thought. 'No mercy, no pity, just killing.' James shook his head. Vicious, ruthless, killing, and when will it end? When do you win? When does your heart shine through? Do you even have one? You who kill anyone who dares step in your path, you who tortures and kidnaps people, you know wanted my daughter for a weapon. When does it end?

*~*~*~*~(Flash Back)~*~*~*~*

"England's wizarding community, I know it is a late hour and you are all very tired. However, it is with a solemn heart that I report another death by Voldemort" A speaker from the Ministry of Magic announced.

A few people in the crowed shivered and shuttered with that name. The number of people disturbed by it was growing.

"This makes fifteen deaths. This evil, known as Voldemort. That is the last time I shall say that name. For he is not to be named anymore. We all know who we are talking about"

Nods of agreement arose from the crowd.

"It is at this hour that I announce a sad truth. He has killed fifteen people and our troop that went to stop him, is missing. Snakes seem to be on his side and he is gathering followers. Death Eaters, he calls them. He is very strong and there is no stopping him. All we can do is try our best to stay together, you all must be more careful. All houses must have a back door that is somewhat hidden, or not used very much. It will be checked on a regular basis. Every child will be in their homes no later then sunset. No witch or wizard shall be out past ten, it is safer in your homes after dark. If you see him, do your best to get away, no heroics, just run.

James had been at the academy, listening to the speech. It was the last time that normal witches and wizards had been allowed on the campus, that weren't hiring a rider. They did that because after the speech a few Death Eaters emerged from the crowed and attacked some of the older riders. Two riders were killed and the Death Eaters were able to get away. James had noticed how well they knew the campus. One of the Death Eaters stood on the stage. He magnified his voice and hissed a terrifying speech to the helpless spectators. The speech mocked the riders and stated that no rider will ever become powerful enough to stop him. That he would forever be announced, as Lord Voldemort.

~*~*~*~*(End Flashback)*~*~*~*~

James blinked and was back to the present time. He remembered that day and is scared him. Because, slowly, he was becoming stronger. He had advanced quicker then most and almost all riders. He was becoming a very strong rider. Would Voldemort hold true to his threat? James didn't know.

"The couple was identified by their friends and taken to the sixth floor. They died after only a few hours, so there wasn't too much suffering" The news anchor stated, nodding his head and trying to smile.

He was trying to comfort the people watching, but he himself was scared. Lily sat with a look of horror on her face. She shook her head and tried to force everything out of her mind. The news anchor was handed a piece of parchment. He looked down at it and took a deep breath.

"Chaps, it appears that the evil scum wasn't through yet!" The anchor spat. "He's shown how heartless he is." The anchor took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "The victim was a 39 year old woman, she is on the fourth floor right now and expected to live. However.... however, her baby is on the sixth floor. It appears that the scumbag didn't want to kill her, just the innocent baby" The camera was now on a woman, she looked exhausted. Tears were streaming down her eyes.

"Thomas" She cried. "Why take my poor Thomas?"

Lily's eyes filled with tears, she tried desperately to shake away the memory, but there was no stopping it.

~*~*~*~*~(Flashback)~*~*~*~*~

"Hold on, Lily! Hold on!" James's voice rang out, his hand gripping her's tightly.

The stretcher was being rolled quickly to the fourth floor. Pain was shooting up her and she cried out. What was happening? Why was it happening? What did she do wrong? The doctors set to work, trying to do everything possible to help.

"Please" She cried. "Please, save the baby!"

Lily couldn't believe it, the told her that she might loose the baby! No! Please, no! She could feel the stillness inside her. Wake up, wake up my darling, she wanted to scream. However, nothing helped. The baby was unmoving, his heartbeat was weak. Lily had been in surgery for hours, praying that her baby would live. She could feel him, he was still alive, but wasn't moving. The doctors could do nothing more, they announced that the baby was dead.

"No!" She cried. "No!!!" Her voice rang out as the desperate cry of a mom, trying to help their dying first-born.

Then she felt it, a warm, comfortable feeling. Then she felt a kick.

"He's alive!" She gasped, smiling and more relieved then she had ever been in her entire life.

She felt her son's will to live. It almost seemed like he was stating that he wouldn't abandon her. The surgery to remove the dead baby would have been painful and left scars both mental and physical. Having a stillborn would be worse. It was like the baby was saying 'I'll try. I'll try my hardest. I'm not giving up, so you don't give up either!' Lily was shaking all over.

"It's true, he lives" Her doctor said, smiling a wide, happy smile.

Lily breathed a sigh of relief, she wasn't giving up. She looked at her doctor and smiled, she would fight the disease they said she had, because her baby was fighting too. Now, they would both be safe.

Lily remembered coming home a few days later. Kira stood with a welcome home sign that was almost as big as her. She was wearing her best outfit and smiling. Cota stood behind her with flowers. James helped her to the bedroom and she rested for a few days. When she recovered, she was back to normal and it seemed as if the narrow escape had never happened. Whenever she needed courage, she looked to her family. To her loving husband, to her baby, to Cota, who was like a son, and to Kira, who's innocence always cheered her up.

~*~*~*~*~(End of Flashback)*~*~*~*~

"Sightings have been seen of Voldemort traveling towards Godrics Hollow"

The three sat there, dazed. James, clicked off the T.V. and folded up the newspaper. He had a folder of every newspaper article that had anything to do with Voldemort. He put the front page in with it and then disappeared swiftly down the hall.

"Kira!" Lily called as Cota shut off the lights. "Kira, make haste!"

Kira sat near the fishpond, watching the purple fish swim around. Trinidy sat on a rock and watched along with her. They were talking about what the world would be like if the sky was green, Kira looked up at the sky and saw a strange symbol.

"I've seen that before" She states to Trinidy.

"Have you? Where?"

"I saw it in Takai's office" Kira responds.

Then, like a thunderous sound blasts through the air, knocking Kira over and throwing Trinidy.

"Trinidy!" Kira called, she heard no answer. "Triny!"

Nothing, nothing but the loud noise and screeching wind. Nothing but the painful golf ball sized hail and the flashes of lightning that had come. What was this? Kira stood up, forcing herself not to fall down again. She spotted a blue speck lying in the grass a few feet away. Kira raced over to it, and found Trinidy.

"Kira!" She heard Lily yell. "Kira, make haste!"

Kira turned toward the house and say Lily. Her beautiful red hair was blowing in the wind and there was a look of urgency on her face.

"Trinidy! Trinidy, please wake up!" Kira yelled against the howling wind.

Trinidy did not move. Kira gently picked up her friend's limp body and turned toward the house. Lily was gripping the doorframe tightly, waiting for her to come. Kira ran, she ran as fast as possible. Lily reached out with one hand and scooped her inside, shutting the door as she went. Cota had all the lights out and James was returning, he silently motioned for them all to be quiet and follow him. James grabbed Lily's hand and held it tightly in his own. Cota looked down at Kira, he tapped her on the shoulder and she looked up and him. Kira didn't understand any of it. Why was there a strange symbol in the sky? Why did the storm come so unrepentantly? Why was there no light in the house? Why was everyone so silent? What happened to Trinidy, why was she asleep? Cota walked silently down the hall into the center of the house. Kira followed with Trinidy, in her hands. Lily looked over at Kira, her eyes fell upon the water fairy in Kira's arms. Lily quickly came to the aid of the fairy by using a curing charm on her. Trinity's eyes opened and she looked up at Kira. Kira set her down and put her finger to her lips in a 'shh' signal. Trinidy nodded and everyone was quiet. James looked over at Kira, she was shaking and sitting with her arms wrapped around her legs. Every rider would go to the academy to discuss a counter attack. Lily and Kira would be in danger there. Where could they go?

"Should I try the hotel?" Lily whispered.

"No, it's too dangerous" James sighed.

They whispered back and forth about where to go, the horses would go wherever they were told to go. All they needed to worry about was finding a safe place.

Cota took Kira up the stairs, telling her to pack a bag, they might not be returning here tonight. He then turned and ran down the hall toward his room. Kira didn't know what to do, she just threw a pair of clothes into her bag and then grabbed her sketchbook, crystal writer, and pajamas. Then she grabbed toothpaste and a toothbrush from the bathroom. Cota reappeared and hastily brought Kira back into the room where Lily and James were. James left to pack and Lily lit her wand. Kira backed into a corner and curled up, she was terrified. James came back and they went back to discussing where to go.

"So all that's left is... Hogwarts, right?" Lily said after a while.

"...Yes, but there will be quite a few people trying to take refuge there" James stated.

They were all silent. No one even dared to try to speak. Even when the storm went away, all were silent. They all knew that the storm was merely a threat, if Voldemort was going to attack, he would attack after the storm. There was a haunting whisper in the wind. It continued far after the storm was gone, the whisper of Voldemort, telling you it would be your death on the news today. The whisper that told you that you were not safe, that crept down under your skin and infested you with its venomous wrath.

"Make it stop" Kira whispered. "Make it stop, make it stop!"

James could do nothing for her, he had his arms around Lily, and he knew there was no way to make it stop. He extended his arm toward Kira and Lily did the same. She didn't move so Cota picked her up and carried her over. They all could do nothing more then stay there, together, and hope for the best. Kira was one year, sixth months old, but she was very intelligent and could understand the danger at hand. It was too much for her, for anyone!

"Make it stop" She whispered. "Make it stop" For an hour she rocked back and forth, saying those words over and over. James hated hiding like this, it wasn't his style, but Lily was pregnant. She couldn't battle, Cota was young, he, like James, would have fought to the death. However, leaving Lily, their unborn son, and Kira, was not an option. If Voldemort burst through the door, then James and Cota would have ran to face him, but when they could avoid a fight, they would. They were not hiding, they were protecting. If either of them had been caught alone and Voldemort attacked, they'd attack back, head on. No hiding, a face-to-face battle.

"James" Cota said after a while. "It's noon. We need to get to the academy, they'll want to start a counter attack plan soon"

James nodded, he knew that the academy always tried a counter attack when possible, because Voldemort's Death Eaters would kill more people. If they counter attacked they could sometimes stop the killing. It was always dangerous, but they had to do it. The enemy side was weaker after an attack. However, James didn't want to leave Lily, nit when the attacks were so close to the house. Lily was a very powerful witch, but against Voldemort, she would loose.

There came a knock at the door. James leapt to his feet and Cota soon followed. James had taught him very special fighting moves and spells that only he knew. They strode proudly over to the door, both ready for the attack. Lily stood up infront of Kira, who could not make herself do anything except rock back and forth with her hands on her ears as she tried to block out the whispering. The knock came again and James had his hand on the doorknob.

"Who knocks?" He asked, preparing to strike.

"It is Minerva McGonagall" It was Minerva McGonagall. "I'm telling you my name though you probably don't believe it"

"Smart, why should I believe it is you, what proof do you have?" James asked.

"You hugged me at the reunion, I can turn into a tabby cat, I know it was you who blew up the toilets that one year, your friend Remus, is a werewolf, you told me in my office your first year, that you would master transfiguring before your final year and you transfigured your broom into a shovel when I told you that playing quiditch so hard was basically digging your own grave" Minerva stated, annoyed.

James quickly opened the door and let her in.

"Make it stop" Kira begged Lily.

Minerva walked forward. "Yes, Dumbledore told me there was a young one in the house. He has invited Lily and a Kira to come and stay at his house if need be"

James breathed a sigh of relief and went to go get Lily and tell her the news.

"Lily?" He asked upon entering the room.

Lily nodded, she had heard. Kira followed them out of the room. The voice grew louder and she wanted to yell, to scream for it to just shut up! Minerva smiled and led them outside to where a carriage was waiting. It was a strange carriage. Made of an odd gray wood and had spiral wheels. It didn't look sturdy, but Lily knew Dumbledore would never hurt them so she stepped in. Kira was standing beside one of the giant horses and covering her ears. The horse was a light grew with darker spots. It had a dizzy look on it's face, a white mane and tail, and very light gray hooves.

James helped Kira into the carriage and said his good byes to Lily. Cota handed Kira the bag she had backed and hugged. Promising that everything would be okay. The carriage took off as soon as Minerva stepped in. There was no one leading the horses, no driver at all. Yet the horses moved and seemed to know where they were going.

James and Cota watched as the carriage vanished in the distance then jumped onto the stable and quickly prepared their horses for the trip. They lead the horses out side and leapt into the saddles.

"On, Gyriph!" James commanded and his horse reared.

"Go, Pat!" Cota called and Pat reared and lunged forward with Gyriph.

Pat matched Gyriph's speed and faster. James noticed and told Gyriph to go ahead and speed up. Gyriph and Pat shot off at top speed, both knowing the urgency of the situation. They used the rider trail because the rule was that no rider would travel alone if Voldemort had attacked of if the storm had come. James could have left Cota alone on the rider trail and trusted him to catch up with Derek. However, James knew how terrifying these attacks were and Cota wasn't just his squire, but his friend. He wouldn't leave his friend, he'd go into a dragon's layer to help a friend. They thundered on and eventually arrived at the academy through use of a portal. They jumped off the horses at the same time and ran into the main assembly hall. Clef was sitting in his throne, watching every movement. All around him, sitting in smaller chairs, were riders. There was a total of 158. They hadn't separated into their groups yet so James took his seat among the ten nearest to Clef. Cota sat in a chair directly behind James. He looked to his left out of the corner of his eye and saw Derek, sitting as stiff as he was. Perfect posture, hands resting on the knees, eyes straight ahead, waiting for your Lord's command. Cota brought his gaze forward again and listened carefully to everything that was said. Clef nodded his head when all the movement in the room stopped. He rose to his feet and walked forward.

"Thank you all for coming so hastily. I trust you have all been briefed so I will not burden you with details. We must act quickly. Each guild will be in charge of a certain task. You all know the procedure. Will the heads of each guild please gather come forward"

Cota turned his head at the same time as everyone else toward the lower level of the hall, otherwise known as the main floor. The guild leaders quickly stepped forward from their chairs on the second level and quickly stepped to the main floor. This was a change so everyone was very silent through out the movement so they could hear whatever Clef said.

"Will the advanced Rider class please stand up" Clef's voice seemed strong, yet had a tone of sorrow.

Cota, Derek, Oweiry, Lisa, and the other classmates in the advanced Rider class stood. They were all nervous, but wouldn't dishonor their Lords by showing it. Clef usually just told the Zagan Riders of each team to ban together and attack Voldemort at strategic positions. Everyone else would either attack as a second line, secure houses, or cure anyone that was injured. The students would all get together and the older ones instructed the younger ones on rebuilding procedures.

"Sorry for the confusion, but the Ministry Of Magic had advised that half of the professional Riders stay here. We need to be prepared for reinforcements said to be joining the enemy" Clef explained. Then he paused and looked towards the heads of the guilds and the professors. "Professors of each guild. Your students are standing now. You are aware of their weaknesses, and their strong points. Pick your best two from each class"

The room was quiet as the guild leaders met with the professors to pick four students to represent their guild. When they were finished they called out the names. Every student who was called went down to the main floor. Derek, Oweiry, Cota, and Lisa stood next to each other. They looked straight ahead and dared not speak of what the outcome of this might be.

" Now, there are a few Graduated riders here. Not yet professional so you live here. You have a guild supervisor" Clef explained so that the Ministry Representative would know what he was talking about. "Will the supervisors of these riders please step forward"

Murmurs were hears through out the crowd as the graduated student supervisors stood.

"The same goes for you. Pick your best" Clef ordered.

The picked riders headed down the stairs and stood beside the students. Clef turned so that he was looking only at the students and graduated students. He addressed only them.

"You are chosen as the tops of your classes. Even though you are young, I have no choice except to have you initiate the counter attack"

Every person on the mail floor was hit with shock. Them? They had not ever done anything like this! Why should their first time be against Voldemort? Why in such a strange fashion?

"The front line will consist of our strongest fighters amongst you" Clef announced. "Then the second line will attack from here and here" Clef pointed to some hills on a map. "After the front line as finished. The healers will follow and..." Clef continued.

Cota felt someone grab his hand. It was Lisa. She gave Cota a solemn look and her hand was shaking. Oweiry took a step closer and was shoulder to shoulder with Cota. Derek also moved closer and was behind Lisa. They were supporting each other, binding together in a silent prayer that everything turned out okay.

"The front line will consist of" Clef paused and looked among the students and graduated students. They were all younger then thirty, they had long lives ahead of them. Yet, he was sending them off on a mission they couldn't win. He took a breath, filling his lungs with his own guilt and trapping it. Only to let it escape as a name. Ten names as if in a silent wish of not having to saw them.

"Trevor, age 27, Zagan Rider in training, Graduated student. Along with his horse, Ocius, born of Velox." A pause. "Paula, age 29, Zagan Rider in training, Graduated student. And horse, Daisy, born of Amarion"

Each person had the right to chose if they wanted to go or not. A few did, Gerolt chose to leave, and so did Anna, Tom, and Hermio. They simply shook their heads and stepped back, no one could blame them. It was a loosing battle and no one wanted to die. The riders were not trained for suicide, so if they wanted to flee, everyone simply let them go. Professional Riders wouldn't ever flee though. However, theses were young men and women, not even thirty years old.

"Sandra, age 28, Zagan Rider in training, Graduated student. Horse, Lightstep, born of Velox. Zalik, age 29, Zagan Rider in training, Graduated student. Horse, Tanius, born of Tarek. Lyle, age 26, Zagan Rider in training, Graduated student. Horse, Zippo, born of Natao. Foramier, age 25, Zagan Rider in training, Graduated student. Horse, Quaf, born of Utamis" There was a pause. "And Cota, age 19, Zagan Rider in training, Student, Squire to Lord Potter. Horse, Patrick, born of Shadowhisp"

Murmurs were heard again throughout the chamber. Cota jerked in shock and mentally screamed at himself to be calm. Oweiry's head shot towards him along with Derek's. Concern flooded their eyes. Derek hand his hand on Cota's shoulder. Cota stepped forward and nodded. Clef smiled and nodded back. Cota side glanced James. He was staring at Clef, making no attempt to council Cota in anyway. He wasn't telling him to do it, but he wasn't telling him not to either. When Clef nodded that Cota had accepted, James looked over at him. Cota took a deep breath, bowed to his lord and turned around. Each guild leader assigned their students that had been chosen on where to go. Oweiry, Lisa, Cota, and Derek followed everyone outside. Cota held his hand out once they got outside. He balled his hand into a fist and did his best to smile. Derek followed his action and so did Lisa and Oweiry. They stood in a circle, fists rammed into each others in a sign of eternal friendship and hope. One by one they opened their hands and grasped each others hands in their own. No one spoke, they didn't know what to say. Cota was that charismatic one of the group, yet was silent. He smiled his famous smile, and slowly broke away. Walking backwards as his three friends watched, not knowing if they'd ever see him again. Cota flashed a smile, put two fingers up, and waved good bye. His voice came out as if this was nothing, yet it held a tint of worry and sadness deeper then anything they had expected tonight.

"Catch ya later guys"