I don't own any of the characters depicted in my stories though I wish I did.

Sunrise:

Cindy woke as the sun broke the horizon and was beaming right on her face. Her eye lids fluttered open and she had to shield her eyes from the light. She looked around and saw that Conan was already awake and practicing one of his sword katas. She got to her feet and dusted herself off did a quick stretch and then joined him. She mimicked his moves perfectly. She really was the best student he ever could have had. It filled her with pride when he praised her.

After practice was over Conan prepared a breakfast of eggs and jerky. They ate quietly and prepared to go. They mounted their horses and continued on their journey. Cindy started to ask if it was much further as they rounded the top of a hill but cut herself off when she saw the kingdom laid out in front of her. She gasped. It was more beautiful than she had dreamed it would be. The castle was shimmering white and was surrounded by green fields. People were busily going in and out of the courtyard in their errands. The city spread out in front of the palace and she could see the market center which was already bustling at this early time in the morning. If Cindy wasn't prepared for what the kingdom looked like she was even less prepared to the welcome they received as they entered the city.

Shadizar:

Conan and Cindy rode on their horses into the city streets through the main gate that allowed entrance into the massive perimeter wall that served as protection for the over ten thousand citizens that resided there. The crowd turned to see them approach and Cindy heard someone call out "It's CONAN!" Cindy's hand flew to her sword hilt but Conan told her to relax with a reassuring smile. The trumpets sounded from the palace as the murmur of the crowd surely reached it with news of Conan's arrival. People gathered along the street to cheer at Conan and his companion. Cindy felt really over whelmed. "Did you know this was going to happen?" She asked him. "I had a hunch it would" He smiled deeply and kept his horse moving at the same steady pace bringing them closer to the palace.

They reached the palace and dismounted their horses. A servant rushed out to greet them. "CONAN! Yelled a skinny scruffy looking man that ran and leapt into Conan's arms with such enthusiasm he even wrapped his legs around Conan's waist. Conan laughed deeply and said "It's great to see you again as well Malak. Come meet my friend Cindy"

Malak stepped back and turned to Cindy. He bowed with the up most courtesy and said "It's nice to meet you; any friend of Conan is a friend of mine." Cindy bowed her head at him and said that the feeling was mutual.

Malak led them into the throne room and seated in the throne was a beautiful blond woman wearing a soft white gown. She rose when they entered and Cindy could tell that it was taking all the training the woman had to not run into Conan's arms as well. She realized she had that thought to soon because a moment later the woman did just that. She hugged Conan tightly and tears were clearly visible in her eyes.

More people entered the throne room and joined the reunion. Cindy noticed a tall black woman approach that wore armor that had the imperial crest. She must be the captain of the guard.

Conan turned to face the captain and called out Zula! And they grabbed each other's forearms in a tight embrace that seemed more personal than any handshake Cindy had seen back home.

She heard someone clear his throat and they all turned to look for the source. It was a short bald asian looking man dressed in fine robes. Conan stepped away from his friends and turned to greet the man directly. "Akiro! How are you old friend?" He called out! Akiro excitedly greeted Conan with a half bow that turned into a hug.

Conan introduced Cindy to everyone. They happily greeted her in response. Conan explained to his friends the circumstances on how he had became friends with Cindy and how she came to be his student and partner. He allowed Cindy to tell the parts leading up to her arrival from her homeland.

Akiro thought for a moment and then placed his hands together and started murmuring a chant. When he was done he said "I can sense a strange power coming from you Cindy. You definitely are not from this world. Search your pockets; are you by chance holding any kind of gems or metals?"

She searched her pockets and her fingers gripped onto something round in her pocket. She pulled it out and looked down at it. It was the pearl Jimmy had given her when they had been trapped on the Island together. She held it in her outstretched palm and showed Akiro. She explained how it was special to her. Akiro asked if he could hold it a moment and she dropped it into his palm. His eyes glazed over white and his mind saw the scene with Jimmy giving Cindy the pearl as if it he had been watching it himself.

His eyes cleared and regained their focus. "Cindy this boy, Jimmy you care about him a great deal, am I right?"
She blushed but Akiro insisted it was important that she answer the question honestly. "Yes, I more than just care for him. The truth is I actually love him."

Akiro smiled at that. "Good, it will help us get you home."

Cindy excitedly blurted out "You really can get me home?"

"Yes, Cindy but I will need a special artifact to be able to open a gateway to your world. The trouble is that the artifact is kept by a fanatical group that worships the monster that guards it. It is a long perilous journey full of many dangers.

"I have to do it if it means getting home to….." her voice trailed off but Akiro finished it for her "To Jimmy?"

The raw determination roasted in her eyes and she stated bravely "I'll go alone if I have too."

Conan spoke up "Don't worry Cindy you aren't going alone." She felt more confident at hearing that.

"All of our friends have demanded to go with us."

Queen Jehnna offered to have an army go with them to ensure that they succeed. Conan and Cindy were flattered at the offer but Conan pointed out that a small group of thieves could sneak in and be off with the artifact better than an entire army. "If that is the case than allow me three days to prepare for our departure. I will order a better suit of armor for Cindy as well. Cindy thanked her from the bottom of her heart.

Jehnna turned toward Conan and asked "Conan do you mind if I take Cindy from you for a while? I feel we should have some girl time."

"Of course Jehnna as long as Cindy is comfortable with it." Conan replied.

"Cindy smiled and said I would be honored to speak with you Queen Jehnna."

"Cindy you don't have to call me queen. Please just call me Jehnna. Anyone that has gained the respect of Conan certainly has my respect Cindy. You must be a remarkable girl"

Cindy bathed in Jehnna's private bath chamber. The hot water felt amazingly good. It had been icecold streams for months. She relaxed in the soapy water and listened to the minstrel's music. It was the first time she had a real chance to relax since arriving on this world. She knew it was just the calm before the storm.

After her bath she stopped by the armorery to have her measurements taken. It was the next day that she received the finished armor Jehnna had promised. The suit was form fitting but was covered in scales. It had a maroon color to it which she found appealing. The suit was light weight and flexible but hard enough to protect her from puncturing or chopping attacks. It fit perfectly and Cindy attached her sword belt and went to find Conan so she could show him.

She entered the courtyard and found Conan praying on one knee while he rested his hands on his sword handle. The blade was sticking slightly into the ground. She stood back and waited so not to disturb him. When he finished he stood up and slid his sword smoothly back into its scabbard and turned around and finally noticed Cindy. "Well hello Cindy. I see you have gotten your new armor. It will serve you well. Just remember that when it comes to armor it is best to pretend you are not wearing it. Always avoid an attack whether the armor can handle it or not. The best defense is to not be where the attack is."

"I will remember that Conan" The smug and proud look in her eyes made him laugh. "Come Cindy, let's go find the others."

The three days passed quickly and the group prepared to go. Jehnna surprised them again when the armorer delivered armor for Thunder and Spirit to wear that matched the armor that the horses everyone else in the group was wearing. In total the group was Conan, Cindy, Akiro, Malak, Zula, and Jehnna. They mounted their horses and Akiro took point as they began their journey.

Along the way Cindy insisted that she should learn anything that the group could teach her. So she learned how to throw knives from Malak, Zula taught her how to use a spear, and she would spend hours speaking with Akiro over what he knew about magic. Everyone in the group adored Cindy and were more than willing to meet her demands to be taught the various skills they all had. Everyone was amazed at how fast she learned anything she set her mind to knowing. But no one was amazed as Akiro was when Cindy started using the simple spells he taught her.

To be continued…

Please leave a review