Lynde returned from the party quite exhausted. There were many members of this rebellion, some of them she didn't even know existed. The food had been excellent—some of the best she'd ever eaten—and everyone was strangely polite. And of course, this marked the true beginning of the rebellion.

Soon each and every person there would be fighting for Surda's right to be independent of the Empire. And it wasn't even just Surda; Teirm had also sent someone to speak for them, though she did wonder why he was there when this was Surda's fight. Of course, most of the people there she had never heard of before, and couldn't remember who they were.

The only person there she knew was Trianna of all people. Lynde was surprised that she was here, considering the trouble that she and her friends had getting here. She would think someone notable like Trianna would definitely be found by the Empire, but apparently not.

As she opened the door to her room she wasn't surprised to find Rose waiting for her. Lynde crossed her arms and said, "What is it now?"

"Close the door," Rose said. Lynde obeyed and Rose cast a spell against eavesdropping on the room. Now that they were safe from nosy people, Rose explained what was going on. "I have learned something very interesting about the composition of King Orrin's rebellion."

Lynde cocked an eyebrow. "Meaning?"

"This rebellion includes people from both sides of the last war," Rose explained. "It includes the likes of Trianna and Tharos the Quick."

Lynde seemed to remember the name, but it wasn't a memory that was recent at all. "Who's Tharos?" she asked.

"Tharos the Quick is a former Imperial commander," Rose said. "He was at Aroughs when Roran Stronghammer took it, and was the governor's son. During the battle, the governor and his daughter—who was less than twelve if I remember correctly—were killed by the Varden." That was monstrous! "Tharos has since sworn to kill Roran, and has tried to fight a rebellion before."

Lynde was confused. "I don't remember anyone named Tharos at the party. And how did you know that Trianna was a part of it?"

Rose scoffed. "I taught you your skills. Do I have to tell you how to use them?" That was rude. "But no, Tharos wasn't at the party. Though I heard that he is currently leading a fleet to Teirm, which will then go to other port cities along the Empire's coast."

Lynde was surprised by that. "That was fast."

Rose nodded. "I don't know what's going on, but the fact that they had a fleet ready to go is more than a little suspicious. Either they're very lucky to not need their fleet or King Orrin's been planning for this. I wonder for how long."

Lynde shrugged. "Does it really matter?"

"Yes it does," Rose said. "There are three kinds of rebellions: the one to right a wrong, to wrong a right, and to wrong a wrong." Lynde was confused by that greatly. However, Rose explained. "The battle Gabatorix fought was against the Riders of old was to wrong a right, to destroy all that was good about that which had been established by others."

Lynde nodded. "I would think so."

"Don't interrupt," Rose replied sternly. Despite Lynde's hurt feelings Rose continued. "To right a wrong is to turn on those who do acts of cruelty and oppression for none but themselves. This is just, but hard to tell when you are doing it.

"Then there is wronging a wrong, which is vengeance. Those involved do not care about what is right or wrong; only what they want. They would wage war just to destroy those who have wronged them. When they win they destroy the oppressors just to become oppressors themselves. Some say the Varden's war was such, but others do not."

"And what's your point?" Lynde said, a little confused by all this.

"The point is to know what you're doing!" Rose said angrily. "This rebellion might be just for vengeance, so I thought I should tell you what I know for sure."

"Whatever you wanted to do, it's done. Now could you get out of my room?"

"Fine, but remember what I said," Rose said as she went for the window. She then grabbed onto a robe outside the window and swung towards her room. That was certainly odd.

She decided to go to Artsanna for advice. Apparently it was a bad time, as she had woken up the Dragon. What is it, Lynde? Artsanna asked tiredly.

I'm sorry for waking you, Lynde said. This can wait until later.

Well you might as well say it now because tomorrow I think that I might spend the whole day sleeping.

Lynde found Artsanna's plan for sleeping a little odd, but decided to do as she suggested and talk now. Artsanna, do you think that our cause is just?

Artsanna seemed surprised at her question. Lynde, you have one of the best heads for morality I have ever seen. You can trust your instincts here, for they are right. A crime of one's birth is not one that they should be treated responsible for, and magicians cannot help but be magicians. You should fight for them, and creating a kingdom free of the Empire's tyrannical grip on them is right and just. You should not second guess yourself.

I guess you're right, Lynde replied.

You guess? Artsanna replied.

What if they don't share my views and are only telling me what I want to hear?

If they are, we will make them regret it, but I sincerely hope they are not. That didn't give much comfort to Lynde. Go to bed, Lynde, and dream of a tomorrow where the magicians are free.

I will. Thank you for listening.

You're welcome. And the contact ended.

Lynde went to bed, and while she slept she had a dream. It felt different than most, but she was most likely asleep.

There was a sky red with the sunset being covered with flocks of birds. But then the birds turned to Dragons and began to do battle above a city in flames. Among the Dragons was one that was the shape of a Dragon but the light did not cast off its scales, and the only indication that it was not simply a shadow were two pale blue eyes. Soon the Dragon shed its scales to reveal beautiful shining blue ones that reflected the light so powerfully that it looked on fire.

Then there was a man with one arm slaying a woman with deep red hair. His sword was golden, and he soon pointed the sword to another man. This other man looked neither Human nor Elf and had a white sword that glistened in the sun. The two men did battle, but it ended when the one-armed man was stabbed with the second man's sword that turned blue as it was drenched in blood.

Then she saw a white fire be extinguished from nothing. But she soon realized that it was not nothing, but something; a great black fire swallowing up all around it. Soon the flame was all around her and she wanted to wake up, but then a man with a black sword cut the fire in two and the fire bled. There was nothing left now but ashes and embers and a river of blood.

As the man turned to her, she woke up with a start. She breathed heavily and found herself sweating. She had some odd dreams and terrifying nightmares in her time, but that was too much. She would have a lot of trouble getting back to sleep now. But it was just a dream—wasn't it?