Chapter Seventeen

Renewed Reason

Ama flew over the water on wings of fire. The alternating red and orange feathers made it seem as if the sun had blessed her. Her mastery of avian art was far superior to Feer or herself. One stoke propelled her over fifty yards. The mare was truly blessed.

"Are those thy friends?" Ama called to Katani.

Thanks to the mare's milk Katani had been given the gift of flight once more. She flew above the mare now and tried desperately to match her stride. Looking where Ama indicated she saw a cluster of black specks. One let out a mighty neigh that rang sharp and true over the water.

"Yes!" Katani laughed with relief. They were all alive. Harder she flew and the others to meet her. Below them the colts ran on the water and Ama stopped by them. By now Katani was going very fast and would have no chance of making a proper halt.

Her wings slid into her back as she dove. Yusuke screamed at her for being an idiot but she pretended not to hear. By directing her arms she grabbed Botan's oar. The oar was pushed back a bit and Katani spun like a windmill. As she reached the top of her second spin she pushed off and brought her wings forward once again.

"You idiot! Stop being such a freakin show off and get down here!"

"Aw… Yusuke was worried about me."

"Hell yeah I was worried about you! First you thrust yourself into a storm and then you disappear for a couple hours. If you died Koenma would kill me and then it would be my butt on the line!"

"What he means to say is that we were scared something had happened to you and we're glad you're okay." Botan said.

"Make what you want of it." Yusuke grinned at Katani. He had been worried about the girl.

Katani beamed until something collided into her side. Stars swam before her eyes as all the air in her lungs was forced out.

"That really was stupid!" Ty had shoved her. "Next time a little heads up would be nice."

"Sorry Ty." Katani flapped to regain her balance. Ty took her hand.

"Oh, Kitten. I'm so glad you're back." He quickly took her in his arms. Katani thought this was what was you did when you loved someone but it didn't fell right. Against what her mind was telling her she pushed him away.

"Thanks but I don't think this is the time for that."

Kuwabara was smiling. "Go get her Ty! Love will make you stronger!"

"What is wrong with you Kuwabara?"

"I doubt there is enough paper in the world to provide an adequate record." Hiei smirked.

Yoko was hovering with his arms folded. Katani caught his eyes and smiled at him. He seemed surprised but returned it with a nod. Okay, so maybe she could still get along with him. The thought of him still scared her slightly but she knew not why.

"Mithril! Doamia refet sajir mateui!" Ama called from below.

"Yoah! Trimun friolsk qent doban. Matune." Katani replied. Everyone save Yoko was lost.

Ama spread her wings and rose to Katani. The two conversed for a quick moment before Ama flew before Feer. She nickered lightly to him and Feer responded with the common courtesy. But he still did not remember his sister. Katani saw the hurt in her eyes but Ama quickly turned away and began to fly back to the island. Her charges followed closely behind on the sea.

"Someone want to explain to me where the flying horse and water running horses came from?" Yusuke asked.

"Later. Right now we have to follow them. I've talked with the white one. Her name is Ama and we can trust her. There is a place where we can rest and gather information on the enemy." Katani flew and the others followed.

"How do you know she can be trusted?" Hiei was always skeptical. As well he should be in a situation like this.

"I have seen her life through her memories. Everything she says is true." Katani told them everything she had seen while in Ama's mind. She told them about her escape from the island, how the people were divided, and why Tithe had been murdered. Everything she shared with them.

"Looks as if they've planned this from the beginning." Yoko said. "To exterminate you once and for all is their goal. I doubt this will be an easy battle. The enemy has already found ways into our mind."

"What do you mean?" Katani asked. "Am I missing something?"

"Oh yeah." Yusuke sighed. "You're completely out of the loop."

"Mind filling me in?"

"Can't. You'll forget it anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Katani took offense thinking he was insulting her intelligence.

"Stupid woman. You are the one who has been taken over." Hiei glared at her.

"I… what?" It was true. She felt it in her mind. Something was there that should not be. Also, something was missing. The thing she had felt while lying on the beach.

Ama rose beside her. In the tongue of Gilia she addressed her. "Well met, Mithril. Doth though require respite?"

"Well met, Ama. Yes, a break would be most appreciated." She sat on the mare's back and folded her wings so she could still fly if necessary.

"What is troubling thee?" Ama flew ahead of the others. Yoko flanked her right and Feer her left. Botan and Yusuke flew above.

"My heart is heavy, Fire Wing. I fear I must tell thee before the thought is taken from me. Already I feel the intruder tugging at my thoughts."

"This sounds serious. Share thine fears."

"I fear naught but the loss of myself. My comrades have informed me that my mind had taken over by an outside force. I know there is nothing they can do because they would have done it already. This thing is robbing me of my memories. I can feel an absence in my past, my very recent past. I also feel a foreign presence that I had not fully acknowledged till just now. Please, aid me Ama."

"This matter is serious. There is nothing I can do for thee. But among the hawks there is a seer named Cove. He can help thee. The foreign presence you feel is most likely Ark, one of the kings Minds."

"Ark?" The name was familiar and she remembered the kind boy who had extended his hand to her. He was her cousin.

"Ark is very powerful. Thou would be wise to seek Cove upon arrival. Only he can drive away a Mind as powerful as Ark."

"I thank thee for thine counsel, Fire Wing."

The sun was low in the sky. They would reach the island by nightfall.

"Man, I'm starving. Nearly dying and sitting on a stick all day really takes it out of you."

"Matea, Yusuke, fonamie dhale okei." Katani said, forgetting to change languages.

"I hope one of those words was food."

"She said, 'Patience, Yusuke, we shall arrive soon.'" Yoko said.

"Yeah what he said. Sorry Yusuke, I was just talking to Ama and she can only converse in Gilian."

"Whoa, hang on. Fox boy over there can understand you?"

Katani didn't feel like going through an explanation so left the issue in the air. Ama was bringing them closer to island but not by the same route. They were traveling to the back of the island and seemed to be headed towards a little cove. Ama turned her head towards Katani.

"Mithril, thee must share the issue with the one on thine team that thee trust the most. We both must talk to him now, before I leaved thee."

"Where are you going?"

"Thine forget that I be a double agent. If this scheme is too continue I must return to my nest among the Phoenix."

Katani looked over her comrades. For a moment she considered calling Yoko over to her. But until she understood the trembling in her heart she could not do so. The fear may be real, but until she knew she could risk nothing.

"Hey, Yusuke! Fly with us for a while, detective." Katani waved him over. Yusuke shrugged and left the oar for Ama.

"Ah, that feels better. Man my but is sore."

"Stop whining. I need to ask you something."

"Shoot."

Katani explained in Japanese what needed to happen when they reached the island. "So I need you to make sure I see this Cove guy, whether I like it or not. Think you could handle that?"

"Forcing you to do something with your permission? Exactly how far does this rule extend?"

With a flick of a wrist she had her sword at Yusuke's throat. "I'd really hate it if you were becoming the lecher of the group. That's one thing we don't need, detective."

"Yeah… Sure. Hey, why don't you ask Kurama or Ty to do it for you? I'm sure they'd be flattered."

"That's exactly why I'm not asking them. I need someone I can trust right now. Can I ask you, Yusuke?"

"Yeah. I'm with you."

"Thank you."

After an arduous flight Ama left them on a rocky river bed. The water was clear and cold, but anything tasted good after not drinking for a whole day. Ama's colts brought them some food from the forest which they ate gratefully.

"I shall leave thee now. Be safe, Rook will guide thee for the rest of thine journey. Take care, I shall see thee soon. The Head will have much to discuss with thee."

Katani nodded and promised to talk with Feer later about his sister. Ama thanked her before fleeing and she was soon lost in the brush.

Botan fell to the ground with a sigh. "Can't we just sleep here tonight? I'm exhausted."

"Do you wish for some hot-blooded humans to come and take you prisoner? Be my guest."

"Hiei, you could stand to be a little nicer. She's not a warrior like some of us."

"Then she should never have come."

Botan frowned.

Katani helped Botan up on Feer. "Rest, I'll make sure you don't fall off."

Botan thanked her and immediately fell asleep. Katani did this more to distract herself from the situation. Rook was cautiously picking his way through the brush while checking back every so often to see if everyone was present. Occasionally he would nicker for Katani to come forward.

"What is it?" She said in Gilian.

"The camp is straight ahead. I will scout and be sure they know who we are. Stay together, make no sound till I give the word." Rook slipped away soundlessly. The others started to move but she held them back with a hand and whisper.

Time passed slowly. Katani heard the roaring of the river and saw the multitude of vegetation. Kurama, in his human form once more, was also observing the plant life. For a moment Katani had almost expected some flashback or something like she had seen in movies. Those ones where the hero returns to his long lost home and finally remembers everything he had forgotten. Nothing of the sort occurred. Everything remained foreign and new to her.

As she was just about to walk on despite Rook's commands, the colt whistled softly from the other side of the brush.

"Hitadea." He whispered.

They walked through and were greeted by Rook and two humans with dazzling long swords. Both were male and wore their hair cut short as military officers often do. They seemed identical and the only way to tell them apart was by their eyes. One had eyes almost as red as Hiei's while the other had striking silver eyes.

The red eyed one spoke first in Japanese. "Mithril, is that you?"

She hated being called that. "Yes, but please, call me Katani."

"An alias eh?" The silver eyed spoke. "Bright one you are."

"Well David what did you expect? Who else would've escaped this damned island?"

"Why Edward, it might've been pure luck. You can never be sure with these things."

"True, but really if luck worked then we'd all flight out of here in a week or two."
"That would be luck eh? But then where would we go?"

"Well Ed, I think we'd have to bunk up with Mithril here. She's obviously survived."

"It's Katani, brother. She made that clear a minute ago."

"Oh, sorry, Katani. Slipped my mind. Well now we can't just stand here all day. What are you people waiting for? An invitation? Come on then, follow me." David waved them forward, silver eyes flashing in the starlight.

Katani whispered to Yusuke. "What have I gotten myself into?"

"I like them."

"You would."

She sighed and pulled Feer forward. David and Edward led them a series of houses very similar to the ones seen during Feudal Japan. The low buildings fit well into the brush and size was generous due mainly to the few people living there. It seemed as if each family had its own house. But while they walked through the dirt street no lights were lit and no people conversing.

"Is everyone sleeping?" Kuwabara asked.

Ed looked back. "Shh. We go to bed at sundown and rise with the sun. Only guardians like Dave and myself stay up. We have cleaned out one of the older houses for you. Girls with girls and boys with boys acceptable?"

"Quite." Katani quickly said before Yusuke could break in.

"You've been expecting us." Kurama stated. "For how long have you known we were coming?"

"Our seer predicted your arrival months ago but never specified on the exact dates. When Ama rode to us earlier and alerted us of your presence Ed and I were summoned to see you in. Tomorrow we shall get into the details of your arrival but now you need rest and nourishment. None shall accuse the Hawks of being inhospitable."

"We thank you for your kindness." Kurama said.

Dave raised a brow. "You're thanking us for providing you a place to stay when you will almost certainly be fighting for our cause? Why if the-" he stopped to count the members of their party. "seven of you can defeat the Swift One we will be forever in your debt."

"We never said anything about helping you." Hiei said.

"Right, but the look on her face says it all." Ed pointed at Katani. "We remember when she trained here with that pegasi and her brother. The three were quite a handful. We were deeply saddened when we heard that the Phoenixes assassinated your brother, Mi- Katani"

"Thank you Edward, but please do not let my personal issues get in the way of anything. Those with me were forced to come. I have no say in their actions."

"Well this could be interesting. Who's in charge then?"

"We don't really have a-"

"He is." Katani pointed to Yusuke.

"Right. Well here we are. To the left you'll find the women's quarters with the baths at the end of the hall. To the right are the men's rooms. If you proceed straight through Feer can bed with Rook in the stable room."

"Thank you for everything." Katani bowed low. Everyone save Hiei did the same.

Once Edward and David were gone the group said their good nights and went to bed. No one felt like talking this late. Kuwabara carried Botan to the ladies rooms and set her on a western style bed.

"Thanks," Katani washed her face in a bowl of water on a round wooden table.

"No problem, Katani. Just be sure to get some rest!" His eagerness seemed to ease her slightly.

"Yeah, sure." She managed a smile as he left. With a sigh she fell onto the second bed. For a moment she felt as if she had forgotten something but the feeling passed as she threw on clean clothes from her backpack.

As she lay in bed she felt completely exhausted but was unable to sleep at all. After an hour of restless tossing and turning she got up and walked to the front door. A quick scan and she saw no one. With her mind she checked the area. Hiei was in a tree to her right. She quickly climbed it and sat on a large branch next to him.

"What?" She said when he gave her a look.

"I should be the one asking you the same thing."

"Can't sleep. But I can guess why you're here."

"Hn."

"You don't trust the Hawks so here you are being Mr. Watchdog."

"You fools are so gullible. Someone gives you some food and a bed and you suspect nothing. With that attitude we'll all end up dead."

What if Hiei were president? Katani thought.

"Come on, you should at least rest a little."

"I'm not tired. Now leave me alone."

"What if I don't want to?" Katani pouted.

"Don't make me kill you."

"For crying out loud you could at least say please." Katani pulled her hair back into a ponytail. "After all this time can't you stand me yet?"

"Hn."

"Fine. Well goodnight then." Katani jumped from the branch and started walking towards the other houses.

"Where are you going?"

"For a walk."

She was almost out of sight when he called. Be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt.

Why can't you say things like that out loud? What is with the man ego thing? Katani kept walking. When they had walked through the first time she remembered seeing a clearing filled with crops. That was her destination. A small bench had been made near the edge of the field and she sat down. The moon was full above and she marveled at the clarity of the sky. From the city you couldn't see anything but black sky but here she felt she could see every star. The mare's milk still ran through her body. With it in her system she felt that sleep would never come.

Oh well. I could use the training. Katani rhythmically pulled off her necklace and sliced a small incision on her right palm. Gold blood seeped slowly from the wound. One dip and the charm changed into a deadly weapon. She took the cord that made up the necklace and slipped it over her wrist. Blade in hand Katani began going through the motions of a warm up. Her steps were short and quick like a cat. Each motion was fluid and smooth as she changed from one stance to the next. As the movements came back to her she stepped up her speed until she was nothing but a dance of sword and body.

After half an hour of this dance she stopped. It had been so long since she had an actual work out and she was breathing heavily. She took a spot on the bench and stabbed her sword in the dirt. Wiping the sweat from her brow she looked to the sky. Dawn was so far away so she might as well become familiar with her surroundings. Across the field looked to be corn and barely. With such a tropical climate she wondered how this island had deciduous forests and crops. They must have developed a new method of agriculture.

At the edge of the crops stood a young man of about twenty with a regal posture and air of royalty. Just looking at him he seemed to be different from David and Edward. His long golden hair obscured his face from view as he bent over the seedlings. From his back were two white wings like spilt milk.

Katani stayed motionless and just watched him. Maybe through observation she could learn something about her lost heritage. The man cupped his hands over the seedling with soft, gentle fingers. The seedling seemed to respond to his caress and grew a few inches. Content, the man smiled and moved to the next plant. Instead of holding it, he knelt near it and began to sing a soft melody. Katani instantly recognized the words. It was the song she had sang after Tithe's death and one other time that she could not recall. The words spoken were soft and clear as bird song.

Katani leapt from her seat, not caring if she startled him or not, and ran to the young man. "Where did you learn that song?" She knelt beside him.

When he continued singing she asked again, louder. Still he ignored her. She felt urgent in her need to speak to him but knew he wouldn't answer till he was good and ready. With a sigh she steadied her nerves and sang along with him. She wasn't the best singer but his astounding voice blotted out any imperfection she may have had. Only once she began her song did he look up at her. For a moment she thought she was looking at Tithe, but a closer look she saw a smooth angular face the color of sand. His eyes were the color of sapphires and seemed to draw her in. She felt she had seen eyes like his before. Their gazes were locked until the last verse of the song was completed.

"Mithril, we have long awaited you." His voice was like a heron, strong but soft with words that flowed.

"My name is Katani. I cannot remember a time when I was called Mithril. Please, tell me, who are you and how do you know that song?"

"I am Rayson Wing. I am the prince of the Hawk clan. Once I lived among the Phoenix, as their prince. Yet their ways were not that of nobility and I left as soon as I understood their plans. Once I came here I was immediately accepted as their prince. The song is the song of the royal family. All born into Phoenix royalty are taught the song from birth. Do you honestly not remember me, Mithril?"

"Forgive me, Sir Rayson, my memory has been lost then and even now. The only link I had of my life here was Feer, my language, and my sword."

"You remembered the Holy Speech? That is truly remarkable. Of Feer, I knew both you and him when you were young and we trained in the same halls."

"How do you know me, or did know me?"

"Dear Mithril, I am your cousin. My father was the brother of your father. After you were born they raised us together to be warriors and stewards of the clan."

"So I have family still alive? We are related?"

"Yes."

"I don't know what to say to that. In my mind all my family was dead. To think that here I am with a whole past and family I didn't even know about it just so overwhelming."

"Yes, looking at you now I see how clouded your mind is. So many conflicting emotions are stirring within you. Yet you have grown much. Despite not having access to the river you have developed wings. Though they are still fairly weak and underdeveloped."

"Well thanks, I think there was a compliment somewhere in there."

Rayson chuckled, a sound like silver bells. "If you like I could train you. There are so many things I wish to know. It's been so long, Mithril. It saddens me that you cannot remember your dear cousin."

"Forgive me, Sir Rayson."

"Sir Rayson is much too formal for old friends such as us. This cannot continue. Come." Rayson stood and held out his hand for Katani. "If you cannot remember then I shall sing to you and break the spell."

Katani stood with her mouth open in wonder. "You can do that?"

He nodded. "As you can. I see your isolation has created a great rift in your abilities. We have such a short amount of time, there is much to teach you."

Katani took his hand and he led her to an extravagant house with flowing fountains and marble walkways. Compared to this the other houses seemed to be in poverty. They walked over the cool marble onto a soft cherry porch. Katani and Rayson removed their shoes and stepped inside the house. Delicate scrolls hung from the walls. Beautiful pottery with dazzling wings and falcons were displayed on granite pedestals. Rayson picked up a silver candle stick and with a gentle breath lit the wick. He motioned for Katani to follow him to the back of the house away from the bedrooms. With soft hands he opened the screen and led Katani into a large empty room.

The only item in the room was a stack of cushions against the wall and a large door made of maple that must led to a closet.

"This is my training room. I had it prepared once I heard of your arrival. I wasn't planning on seeing you until tomorrow but luck is with us. This way." Rayson dropped Katani's hand and placed the candle stick in the center of the room. Quickly he placed two cushions on the ground, on facing the other.

"Can I help with anything?" Katani offered.

"I can see you haven't changed a bit. You can help by taking a seat right over there. Prepare yourself, we will be here a while."

"But I have friends, one of them saw me leave. He might grow worried if I do not return."

"Be still. If we are here past dawn I will have one of my men alert your companions. Now," Rayson took a seat on the cushion across Katani. "I would like to see into your mind if you would allow."

"Whoa, hang on a second. I still don't remember who you are and now you want me to open my mind to you? If it were just my thoughts I wouldn't be so opposed but others have trusted me with their secrets and I cannot so easily betray them."

"Good, you pass. Anyone willing to hand over their thoughts so easily would not be worthy of instruction from any royal, be they of the same blood or not. Will you allow me to examine your blood? Through it I can see what it going on inside of you, maybe even find out if your memory is being blocked or simply erased by the barrier around this island."

Katani nodded, that she could consent to. With a quick slice she cut her palm and handed it to him.

He ran a finger over her cut and the blood absorbed into his skin. After taking a soft cloth and wrapping it around the cut he sat back and was silent.

"Would you mind sharing what you discover out loud? My mind is as cloudy now as it has ever been."

Rayson closed his eyes and nodded. "That is clear. I see not one personality but two. Someone, most likely a seer, has recently infiltrated your mind and seems to be taking something from you. As of late have you felt as something is being taking away from you?"

"…Yes. Can you give that thing back to me?"

"No, but I can give you back the memories that were stolen when you fled this land over ten years ago. I see that there is someone you care very deeply for. A love maybe?"

"I am sorry but I cannot answer honestly. There is someone who has expressed his feelings to me but I do not know how I feel about him."

"Tell me the name."

"Ty."

"Hm. No, he is not the one who stirs you. Is there another?"

"If there is I can not name him. I think that is something that was stolen from me."

"Yes, I thought as much but had to be sure. I can feel the power of your wings in your blood. You used a Phoenix Down to bring them to life. Yet the wings remain bolted down. Do you have trouble releasing them?"

"Yes, I have found that unless I start a cut the wings will rip from my back, which is extremely painful."

"I see. You have anger within you. Unresolved pain, I feel. The need for justice is strong within you. I would guess this is about your half brother, Tithe?"

Katani nodded, amazed that he could surmise so much from a few drops of blood.

"You have given large amounts of blood to another before. This connection has long since severed but could easily be awakened again."

Katani had no idea what he was talking about now. Why would she ever give someone her blood?

"Oh my…"

"What?" Katani grew worried. Rayson's eyes flickered open.

"Have you given an outsider wings?"

"I… it was an emergency. He had been taken over by one of the assassins from this island and the gold blood remained within him. I called the wings from his blood. Was that wrong?"

"No. On the contrary it is magnificent. Bringing your own wings forward is tasking enough but to pull them from the blood of another not born to the clan is amazing. Others have failed miserably when attempting such. Your power is great. I think I understand enough now. Oh, Mithril, you have seen so much. I envy your strength."

"What strength? I can't even keep a hold on my own thoughts."

"First we must teach you to walk before you can fly. I was with you when you flew for the first time, do you remember?"

"That was you? You were the voice in my head!" As soon as she said it she knew it was true. How plain it was now that she had heard his voice in person. He had taught her to fly and led her to the island.

"Yes, I was with you." I have been guiding you for a while now

"That's incredible. How were you able to manage it with the defenses around this island?"

"Part of it was my own will reaching out. The main reason it worked is due to you. You were so afraid that your mind reached out for anything to grasp onto. I was there and offered guidance. You are much more powerful then you give yourself credit for. Allow me to help develop your strength."

Over the hours a part of Katani was awakened that she didn't know existed. Rayson gave her a crash course in everything from mind defense to working with her weapon. He explained that each member of the clan was given such a weapon at birth and it was a testament to how one lived. If the user was righteous and powerful the weapon was such. If the user was corrupt and strong, the weapon was as well. Rayson's weapon was a bow which took the form of a curved earring when not used. If he called upon it his rei energy would create the string and arrow for the bow. All he needed to do was aim and release.

He removed the cloud surrounding her past and the memories of her youth returned. She remembered living here, training with Rayson and the other noble children. The most precious memories were of Tithe and Feer. In the past she even witnessed Feer's birth. That was her most newly treasured memory. All the customs of her people came back. Proper greetings and gestures that betrayed one as a foreigner or local came back. She felt embarrassed at realizing she had acted horribly impolite to Edward and David. Thankfully they had known she would not remember and were accommodating. Immediately she bowed to Rayson muttering,

"Well met, white wing." Her fingers came together and she moved her hand across her chest and over her shoulder in the sign of peace.

"Well met, high flier." He returned. "You remember. Very good."

"It's amazing, I never would have imagined my history to be so rich. I can even remember the time we had tried to fly before getting wings. You made wooden ones and tricked one of the other boys into jumping from a tree to a stream! How the nobles chastised us for that!"

"Your memory is faulty, that was your idea."

"Don't try and trick me! I remember clearly now. I was the one who suggested the stream in case the wings didn't work. It was your plan to try it out in the first place."

Rayson smiled. "I cannot talk my way out of things with you. Let us continue. Dawn will soon be upon us."

They resumed practice. Rayson showed Katani how to contact him or another flier she had met using her mind. The sky was beginning to turn pink when he finished.

"Feeling overwhelmed yet?" he asked.

"Just a tad. Oh, before I forget is there any way you can help me ease the summoning of my wings or sword? I'm not found of cutting myself."

"You need not cut yourself to bring forth your wings or weapon. It is all a matter of self control. You only use the blood because it is easy. I will show you a new way. Think of your charm, think of what you wish it to become. Now call out its name."

The memory of her youth returned. "I call upon thee, rise Kail!" Her necklace glowed and the sword appeared in her hand. Katani couldn't help smiling. How much simpler that made it. Still, she would have to get used to the name and not ripping her necklace off whenever danger threatened.

"Now to release your wings you need this." He held up a phial filled with a clear liquid. "Because your ritual was artificial it's no surprise that it wasn't completely successful. Drink this, for it is pure water of the river and will complete the process."

Katani threw the glass back and drank the contents. It was icy and tingled every nerve as it slid down her throat and into her stomach. The ice water traveled through her body till it found the scar on her back. The chill of the drink calmed the throbbing of her scar.

"Now, think of your wings." Rayson extended his own to demonstrate.

She focused on her wings sliding gracefully from her back and shoulder blades. In moments they were there, just as she had pictured them. Unlike before when it burned and stung to summon them now it actually felt pleasant, as if a limb she had long since lost had come back to her.

"Very good. I think you are ready to see Cove."

"Cove?" Katani asked.

"Yes, he is the seer of the Hawks. It was he who predicted your arrival and alerted us. Come, I can take you to him before breakfast."

Her whole body repelled against the idea of seeing him. Inside her mind a voice shouted for her to stay away from this Cove at all costs.

"No, Rayson, I can't go. Please leave me be. I'm fine, really."

He raised on of his slim eyebrows. "Mithril you must see him. The Phoenix have inserted themselves in your mind. If you do not come they will take control of you."

"No!" She stood and tried to run from the house. Katani barely made it to the crops before Rayson cut her off.

"Forgive me, dear cousin. I must do this for you." His eyes focused on her. "Dimian forth goiuna wratha!"

Katani was encircled by a sphere much like her own, only Rayson's was far stronger. She called Kail forth and struck the barrier. It cracked and she was free for only a moment. One of Rayson's arrows caught her on the arm. The spirit energy encircled her like a net and she couldn't move.

"Let me go!" She knew deep down that she had to see Cove. It was getting to where she had no control over her body. The force inside her was growing stronger. Suddenly it spoke to her.

You have nothing left, Katani. I have been kind to you until now. How do you repay me? Conspire with this renegade and plot my master's downfall? You shall pay. You thought your memories of him were precious, now I shall eliminate all memories of the others.

Rayson heard the voice and shouted some words in the holy speech. Ark shuddered and backed from Katani's mind. He was still there but for the moment subdued.

"We must hasten. My spell will not last long."

"He's already taking more of my memories, what can I do?"

Rayson looked intently at her. "Fight him, fight him with every breath you possess. Do not let him take what is yours."

Katani nodded as Rayson held her hand. The two flew quickly to a modest home partially hidden in the trees.

"Here is where Cove lives."