When Lynde woke up in the morning she was very well rested. In fact, it was probably the best night's sleep she'd had in months, as she was either sleeping on hard ground or was otherwise troubled. Her mind was clear and she looked forward to the day.

She got up to get dressed, and found herself pleasantly surprised. The wardrobe—as they called it—was full of dresses that were similar to the ones worn by more common folk like her instead of nobles. They were rather elegant, but not complicated. She could probably put these on by herself, unlike those that Lady Lorana gave her.

When she was dressed, she went into what they called the parlor, and found Rose sitting on a couch, stringing her bow. It was a moment before Rose even realized she was there. "Good morning, Lynde," she said.

"Good morning," Lynde replied, rather confused.

Rose pointed to her bow. "The string was getting weak in one spot, so I'm replacing it. It won't be as strong as if it was Elven, but at least it won't break at an inopportune moment." Lynde didn't exactly understand what she was talking about, but didn't care about it either.

What she was wondering about she soon made clear to Rose. "What are you doing in my room?"

Rose didn't turn away from her bow as she answered. "I wanted to talk to you about our current situation."

"What about it?" she asked.

"I heard a conversation between King Orrin and someone in his confidence," Rose said, putting the bow to the side. "He noted that now that you were here he could start his war. Didn't use those words exactly, but that was about it."

Lynde nodded, but she didn't completely understand. "Okay, so he was waiting for me. So?"

Rose seemed angry at that. "So it could be something to watch out for. I don't know what's going on yet, but it could be very important."

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see then."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Lynde went to answer. It was her father, but his once massive beard was now much shorter, as was the rest of his hair. She thought he looked rather nice like that. He seemed somewhat embarrassed though. "I was told to shorten my beard before meeting with the king again, so I did. Then someone pointed out that my hair was too long… The sooner we stop dealing with the higher ups the better, I say."

"I think you look nice," Lynde said.

"Dignified," Rose said. "Doesn't suit you."

He smiled. "At least someone agrees with me." He then turned back to Lynde. "We've been summoned."

Lynde nodded. She wasn't looking forward to this, but she had no choice. "Let's go."

As she and Rose stepped out, they found that Caolán was waiting for them. She was wary of him, remembering yesterday and his attitude about Artsanna. Before she could object, he spoke. "King Orrin has suggested that I assign someone other than myself to show you around. I accordance with this, may I present Conleth."

Caolán gestured to a young man beside him. He was shorter than most men she'd been around, not to say he was shortest person she had seen, though probably the shortest man—of course, she hadn't met any Dwarves. He had short hair, again unlike most men she'd been around recently. He had a pair of legs that even through trousers she could tell were built up, though his arms were slightly less so. He was a year or two older than her, and had a face that some women she knew wouldn't find immediately attractive even though she did. She didn't know what to make of any of this, but he looked rather nice.

"He will be your guide to Castle Borromeo during your stay," Caolán said. "If you have any complaints, please alert me of them and I shall address them as I can."

Lynde nodded. "I will if I need to," she replied, wondering if she would ever need to.

Conleth seemed impatient as he said in a lighter voice, "Let us not keep King Orrin waiting." He gestured to the hall. "Onward."

Conleth led them out to the livery where Orrin was waiting for them. He wore riding garb that was stylish but not something that would wear out or fade quickly. He seemed happy to see them. "Ah, good morning, Lynde," he said looking to her. "Herbst. Rose."

"Good morning," Lynde said. Looking around she asked, "What are you doing out here?"

"I thought this would be a good place to meet with you and your companions, but your silver-scaled friend is nowhere to be seen," he said.

Lynde sighed. "She's a sneaky one," she said. "I'll find her." She contacted Artsanna with her mind, asking, Artsanna, where are you?

Artsanna was reluctant to reply. Lynde, if I have to account for my actions every step of every day, you would be bored to tears.

Lynde was unamused. Just tell me where you are.

Look behind you. Lynde turned around to see Artsanna's face was a foot away from hers. Lynde was startled by the silent approach, and confused as to how she had grown to be over twice as big as a horse and still be as silent as the grave.

Orrin was more fascinated than surprised, though that could have been because he would have seen Artsanna sneak up on her. "Most Dragons I have known could not approach with such stealth. How are you able to do so on your own Rider?"

Artsanna shrugged. I just do it. My feet are quiet, my movements slow, and instincts honed to this. No doubt my sire or dam had such skill, or perhaps both were such.

Orrin smiled. "You are rather eloquent for a Dragon, I think."

Artsanna seemed to take that as a compliment, which Lynde wasn't sure if it was or not. Thank you, Orrin King of Surda.

"You're welcome, Artsanna Lightfoot," he replied.

Artsanna seemed to scoff in her mind. She then said to Lynde, If that was all I was, we would not be here.

Changing the subject, Lynde asked, "So what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Ah, yes, you're right," Orrin said. "How foolish of me to forget. On to the reason for my summons." He gestured for Conleth to leave and for another man she hadn't seen sitting at a desk to take out a quill and dip it in ink. The man then prepared to write something, she assumed. "I ask for your help in making Surda free again."

Lynde nodded. "That's what you sent the message about."

"Yes, but the mere fact you're here doesn't confirm it," he said. "I want to hear you say whether or not you'll support me. It is only then that I will know if you are part of our cause or not."

Lynde understood that well enough. "I came here to join you, and I fully intend to. But…" She thought of Artsanna as she said, "But let it be me who supports you, not Artsanna. She may support me, but not you. Let her be free from my choices."

Orrin nodded. "I can understand that. Very well; I will consider yours and Artsanna's actions separate, and make it known to others that they are such."

Lynde smiled. "Then I and I alone will join you."

Orrin nodded with a wide smile on his face. "Then I accept your offer. We are partners in this rebellion to make Surda free, now and until either our cause succeeds or fails. May the Empire rue the day they subjugated my people and yours."

Lynde nodded. "They will. Now is there anything else?"

Orrin shook his head. "Now there are many arrangements to be made. You do not need to know all of them, but I will say that tonight there will be a feast and there you will meet others I have gathered to fight this war." He then looked to her father and Rose. "You two are not invited unless you also wish to join our cause."

Rose laughed. "I'd rather fight another Shade. I support Lynde as Artsanna does, and wouldn't have it any other way."

Seeming disappointed, Orrin said, "And what about you?"

"Now what use would an old man be to your rebellion?" her father asked. Little did Orrin know that her father was an expert mindbraker. She wondered if he even remembered that she knew it.

"Well then, I would say that there is nothing left to discuss," Orrin said. "Perhaps you'd like to be shown around the castle or even Aberon?"

"I think I would rather rest," she said. "All this traveling has been very difficult on all of us."

"Very well." Orrin signaled to Conleth. "Show them back to their rooms."

"Of course," he replied, bowing. "If you'll follow me."

As they were being shown to their rooms, Artsanna spoke to Lynde. Thank you.

Lynde acknowledge. You're welcome.