Chapter Three

Look sharp, stay cool, Teela thought as she entered Castle Grayskull's cavernous throne room. She came to a stop before The Sorceress's massive stone throne. Don't let her see you sweat.

"Sorceress," said Teela, bowing her head slightly out of respect.

"Teela," came the reply from the throne. Before Teela could utter another sound, the Sorceress threw down the gauntlet: "Why do you seek her?"

"Seek who?"

"Your mother," said the Sorceress. "I presume that's why you're here." Softening a bit, she then added, "I'm curious … after all these years of not knowing … why now?" The Sorceress then paused. "Why the sudden obsession?"

She DOES know something! Teela thought excitedly. "Several reasons," she said, composing herself. "Curiosity? Basic questions…"

"Such as…?"

"Who am I?" said Teela. "WHAT am I?" Teela paused. "Where did I come from? Where was I born? Who were my parents?" Teela paused again. "Not knowing doesn't bother nearly as much as … the deception."

" 'Deception?' " The Sorceress raised an eyebrow.

"Just about everyone around me seems to know … who my mother was."

"And you … Don't," said the Sorceress, completing Teela's sentence.

"Exactly."

The Sorceress relaxed a bit on her throne. "Your mother has many enemies," she said. "Any one of whom would think nothing of killing you … to get to HER." The Sorceress paused. "Is that a risk you're prepared to assume?"

What could my mother be doing to offend THAT many people? Teela wondered. "An enemy is an enemy is an enemy," she said. "I fight enemies every day … their motives are irrelevant." Teela paused. "How would fighting my mother's enemies be any different from fighting Skeletor and HIS crew?"

"How much is this worth to you?" asked The Sorceress.

Teela thought fast. "It's worth a return trip to the Crystal Sea."

The Sorceress's eyebrows shot upwards. "THE CRYSTAL SEA?" she exclaimed. "You would risk your life … AGAIN … for a piece of information?"

"I don't know what else TO do," said Teela. "I could spend the rest of my life not knowing a thing about what goes on inside the walls of Grayskull … and I would be happy." Teela paused. "But to ask me to go through life not knowing who my parents are … ESPECIALLY in light of the fact that everyone else around me seems to know … is a burden that I cannot bear."

"I see," said The Sorceress. A look of concern crossed her face. "Is it true … that you're hurting?"

A chill suddenly ran down Teela's spine. " 'Hurting' … How?"

"You haven't been eating or sleeping."

Sucker punch to the gut, Teela thought as she fought to maintain her composure.

The Sorceress grinned lightly. "Well?"

She already KNOWS … so there's no point in lying now, is there? said the Drill Sergeant inside Teela's head. Buck up, soldier … tell her and get it over with. "Yes, it's true," Teela confessed.

"Is it also true … that this has been happening off-and-on … for MONTHS?"

Where does she GET this stuff? Teela wondered. "Yes, it's true," she said. She then added, "You know … I REALLY wasn't expecting this."

"I know," said The Sorceress with an impish grin. "That's why I asked." The Sorceress paused. "You've told me EXACTLY what I wanted to know."

"Which is …?"

"The Truth," said The Sorceress. "You told the truth even though you were tempted to deceive me … in order to save face." The Sorceress paused. "I now know I can trust you."

THAT'S nice to know, Teela thought.

"Your mother cares for you," The Sorceress said softly. "The place where she is now … is no place for children."

Why are YOU telling me this? Teela wondered.

"Your mother gave you up … because you needed something … she could not provide," The Sorceress continued. "Safety … Security … Stability." The Sorceress paused. "A chance to grow up around other people … other children."

Just where in the name of the Ancient Ones is this woman LIVING? Teela thought.

The Sorceress then did the unexpected: She stood up, disappeared into thin air … and then reappeared right in front of Teela at the base of the platform! A stunned Teela could only stare stock-still at The Sorceress - who was now standing mere inches from her.

"Your mother loves you," said The Sorceress.

"Just once," Teela stammered. "I'd like to hear those words … coming from HER lips."

The Sorceress then reached around Teela's back, gently pulled her into an embrace, and whispered in her ear, "You just did."

Teela returned the embrace and put her head on The Sorceress's shoulder. Thank you, she thought.

You're welcome, came the reply from inside Teela's head.

Startled, Teela jumped backwards. "You HEARD that?"

"We are one, Teela … You and I," said The Sorceress. "A part of me … resides within you," she said, placing a small delicate hand over Teela's heart. "I can hear your innermost thoughts."

"I … really should go," said Teela. She backed away and turned towards the drawbridge.

"Teela, wait!" cried The Sorceress. Teela turned back around.

"There's … a favor … I'd like to ask of you."

"Oh!" said Teela, smacking the palm of her hand against her forehead. "Almost forgot." She clenched her right fist and placed it over her heart. "I'll keep your secret," she said with a smile.

The Sorceress smiled and nodded slightly. Good girl.

"So…?" Orko inquired as Teela climbed back into the Wind Raider.

" 'So' … What?" Teela replied.

"Who is it?" Orko asked. "Who's your mother?"

"I … can't tell you," said Teela. "I promised … to keep it a secret."

"You can tell me."

"No," said Teela firmly. "It's no one you'd know, anyway," she lied.

"Pleeeeeeeeeease?" Orko pleaded as Teela started the Wind Raider.

"NO!"

"One little hint?"

"ORKO!"

THE END