As Numair, Sarra, and Mia entered a meeting room they were greeted by Tortall's good looking king. The girls bowed then were enveloped in a warm embrace from their loving godfather. "Ademia," he exclaimed, using her first name as he always did, "you's gotten so tall since I last saw you." A pleasant conversation started up until snacks and refreshments were brought. "Now for the real business," King Jonathan stated. "Numair, I would like you to go to the Copper Isles then the Yamani Islands to help hold off tropical storms with some other mages. I feel all your children are old enough to help out. I'm hoping to have Rikash temporarily leave the University and go up to Scanra to help with the unfertile crops. He's always had a knack with making things grow with his magic." Rikash was Mia's sixteen year old brother who, like Numair, had a very strong Gift. The thought of him being so far away scared her. Rikash had been her playmate until he went to the University. He was an intelligent, funny young man with looks like Numair. And he was more agreeable then their sister.
The king continued. "I just thought of sending Daine with Alanna to Carthak. She can shape-shift and fly to catch up." 'It was a good idea to send Ma to the southern country, Mia thought. Daine was good friends with Kaddar and together they could catch the nobles who were going against the emperor's wishes. Jon's voice interrupted her thoughts again. "Sarra, I'd like you to go with the Queen's Riders to Feif Mindelan. There has been quite a bit of immortal trouble and they could use your help." Mia began to get worried. It seemed like her family was being split up.
"Ademia, pay attention closely. Your task is to go to Tyra and shape-shift into a small animal of some sort. We need you to be a pet of the Tyran King's daughter. It will be hard, but you must do this. That country is up to something and a spy with your abilities is greatly needed. You will find a way to report back to the soldiers and mages going with you. They'll be disguised as a band of gypsies. I believe you are old enough to handle it or I would not have given you the job." Mia was shocked. She had expected to be sent either to her Ma or Da's location. But this? A total surprise. Of course she wanted to be independent and all. She always regarded her parents as nuisances that stood in her way of freedom, but that was just a teenage habit. She really appreciated what her parents did for her and didn't want to be separated from them. What if she lost one of them? Come to think of it, she loved her parents.