Wings: OMG! You're back!

BWSH: ... Yeah. Sorry about that.

Heart: I thought you'd gone off and died.

BWSH: I missed you too.

Heart:...yeah. You go ahead and think that.

Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 9

Compelled To Leave

Narya sat at the kitchen table staring at her hands, her mind was a thousand miles away. It had been a month since she had thought of him, now that she was, she was surprised at what she felt. Numbness. She neither hurt, nor was she over her loss. She was just numb.

It was like she was rehabilitating emotionally. Her pains where dulled, and soon there would be not but scars left in place of the damage. Scars she would have to live with, but would she mind? If she could go back and change what had happened, would she? He was the only person she could remember losing. Was this some sort of lesson she was supposed to learn? Loss?

Narya's thoughts were interrupted by a hurried knock at the door. Narya sighed, as she stood and went to answer.

O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O

It's white petals curved up slightly and caught the rays of the sun. Reyson stood soundlessly in the gardens at the palace studying a lily. He considered it's beauty a rare sight in the dead garden. He considered this flower a sign... of hope.

The garden had once been the most beautiful place in the forest. Filled with white and yellow flowers that sprang from the soil and Ivy that crawled stealthily up onto the benches and fountains. The once sticky-sweet aroma that had blanketed the area had also disappeared along with all life. This had been an unforeseen surprise for the Herons, to whom the sacred garden had represented hope.

While the news of the dying garden had spread a prophet stepped forth with a foretelling. She told of a newcomer to the forest, a child who's past would haunt her and pain would wound. She would teach a valuable lesson to one, who the future of the herons would depend on. The prophet also claimed that great destruction would follow the child and a marriage between a heron royal and one of beorc blood would take place and bring new hope to the kingdom.

There were many who did not believe the prophecy to be reliable. For many prophecies had fallen false over the years, but six months after the prophecy had been delivered to the people of Serenes, Narya was found in the forest. Still most did not believe and the few who did where frightened. They knew that the destruction they thought was to follow was near.

Reyson did not know if he believed in the prophecy, but his father believed deeply. His father feared the prophecy.

O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O O0o:..:o0O :..:o0O

Three crows stood at the door. Each had long dark hair, and ebony wings, they were almost impossible to tell apart. It was as though each were clones of the other, yet they were all so familiar. There was no mistaking these laguz, they were members of King Kilvas army.

"Are you the Beorc Narya?" One asked in monotone.

Narya stared blankly at the trio before delivering her answer. "Yes"

"You are hear by banished from the forest by King Serenes. You have twenty minutes to gather your possessions." Said one of the impassive soldiers.

Hetria, her eyes were wide with astonishment, made her way over to the door. She couldn't help overhearing what had been said. "What are the charges!" She cried shrilly, pushing her way past Narya.

"We are simply here to bring the girl to the edge of the forest, we don't ask questions, nor do we know reasons. Twenty minutes."

Hetria glared defiantly at the three, unwilling to move or let her charge be taken from her home. The crow, noticing this, transformed. "Move... or shall we take her now?"

"At least let her go home, to Phoenicis." Hetria said a little shakily.

"Those are not our orders."

Narya placed a hand on her aunts shoulder and turned from the scene before her. She walked across the kitchen until she reached the stairs leading to the rooms above.

"Where are you going!" Hetria called after her.

"I see no way out of this." Narya replied, absentmindedly.

With one last glare at the soldiers Hetria turned to follow Narya. She found the girl in her room putting a change of clothes into a pack. "What are you doing?" Asked the worried Heron, "You don't actually think you're leaving."

Narya straightened and looked over at her aunt. "I don't see what else I can do." She said as she grabbed her mothers book from the shelf and placed it carefully in the pack along with Zihark's letter.

"We'll send for your father!" Hetria exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air.

"He won't be here in time."

"Then we'll think of something else."

There was a long silence. There was nothing else Narya could do but go with the crows and find her way back to Phoenicis later, They both knew that. Hetria broke out in tears as Narya walked over to hug the older woman. "It's alright." Narya whispered, "I'll see you again."

Hetria just nodded. "I have something for you." She said as she wiped tears from her eyes. "I'll go get it. In the meantime, go to the kitchen and find some bread. I don't know when you'll eat next." With that the Heron turned and left Narya to finish her packing.

Narya examined her room, she had always taken for granted the view of the city from her window. With a sigh she took her hidden sword from between the mattresses and attached it to her waist. Taking her bag in hand she quickly made her way down to the kitchen, and dug through the old cupboard for some bread. How much time did she have left?

A few moments later Hetria scrambled down the stairs in a hurry. " Narya, come here." She said breathlessly. "This is for you." She said unfolding a traveling cloak of dark blue, a slight shade lighter than her hair, the bottom of the cloak was embroidered with the most realistic white lilies. "Here." Hetria said as she threw the cloak about the beorc's shoulders. "Now hurry." Narya taking notice of the crows entering her house, realized that her time must be up.

"Thank you..." Narya said, and with a quick hug goodbye, she followed the crows out of her house.

Wings: No!

Heart:...

Wings: I can't believe it!

Heart: I'm not surprised.

Wings: You're heartless...

Heart: ...

Wings: Never mind. You don't get it.

Author's Note: Hey, sorry I haven't posted in forever. I've been visiting my father, and his computer doesn't exactly work right. Not to mention I've had band camp, so... yeah, I've been pretty busy. Anyway, the part where Reyson is in the garden, isn't just some random thing I threw in there... well not completely. But anyways thanks for being patient with my story and thanks for all of the reviews.

-BWSH