The window pulled away as I was ripped back. I really couldn't run in this blasted dress.

"Keori, stop this. We are trying to help!" Celena came forward and tried to ease my, but I had already taken the breath that was going to break eardrums.

My scream lasted about one second before Allen cupped his hand over my mouth. I jumped slightly and tried to kick him so he lifted me up like I was nothing.

"Release Hurin." Celena's face mirror mine as Kaen materialized out of nowhere and took hold of Allen's sister. He was nothing like I had ever seen him. He was bent to attack, defend and his voice was in a tone I didn't think he could hold. Dryden backed away and Allen dropped me to the ground, but he didn't let me go and he didn't uncover my mouth. "If I am forced to repeat myself again, I ask that you close your eyes Hurin." That seemed to cause Allen some serious fear because he let me go instantly and I ran for Kaen.

"You left me! You left me!" I hit him and he allowed Celena to run to her brother. "I had to leave the ship alone! I waited for you and you never showed!" I hit him again before turning back to Allen. "I want to get out of here before he has a chance to do anything.

"Keori… listen to me." Allen took one step and Kaen pulled me behind him and drew that dagger he sharpened every day whether it got used or no. I was very glad for it suddenly.

"If you step towards Hurin again, I will be forced to act on my orders. You have harmed Hurin, frightened her and chased her. You kidnapped her and she does not like you Allen Schezar, Knight of Asturia."

"He didn't want to come… Dryden made him." Celena spoke up and step forward without Kaen raising his blade to her. "We had sent a message for Dryden to meet us as soon as we found out who you were. He is a scholar. He knows your mother." I didn't know what to do. I needed Dryden, but I didn't trust Allen as far as I could kick him and I couldn't kick him any distance at all.

"Kaen… Is that man Dryden?" He nodded his head, but never lowered his guard. Allen and Kaen gazed at each other waiting for the other to move and give a reason to cut the other to ribbons.

"So you are Hitomi's daughter? Astonishing… to think she was here only 3 years ago… and yet here you are… born, grown and looking at least 16… Time does run oddly between the worlds, doesn't it?" He didn't come any closer, but he looked trustworthy… sort of.

"How can you help me reach Fanelia? I need to speak to Van of Fanelia." Dryden sat down at the table and I walked out from behind Kaen who lowered his blade, but his eyes. Those remained locked on Allen who walked over to the window with his sister and they spoke in whispered voices. Allen held his sister who had begun to shake. I felt bad for Kaen having scared her. She was frail…

"I am the ex-betrothed to the third princess of Asturia. I'm always coming to and from the palace. From there it is a hop a skip and a jump to speak with Chid. The boy may be young, but he is honest and he also knows your mother."

I tensed wondering what version of his mother the King knew of and Dryden saw it like I'd screamed it in his face.

"…that is. What your mother was really like. Not what History was forced to make her out to be… Of all the people on Gaia, only a few actually know what happened with Hitomi. I myself, Allen, his sister Celena, Van of Fanelia, Chid of Asturia and Princess Millerna and Van's advisor Merle. She is of the beast-tribe like your friend…" I listened and devoured everything he said. I was a sponge and he couldn't feed me enough fast enough.

"Why did you lie about my mother?" It was the biggest thing so far… kind of. Everything else I'd just come to terms with. The planet, the people, the time difference, the giant machines… the giant lie about her mother just didn't fit. I didn't know the story.

"That… I cannot say here. The room is well protected, but not for that story… and it is a long tale. So much happened and to tell the truth I couldn't give the entire thing. Only Van could. Allen has a lot of the story, but you two do not seem to get along so well." He grinned as he glanced back at Allen who gave him a dirty scowl and looked at me after with a look of almost hurt.

I did something wrong here didn't I? No. NO! He treated me like crap, kidnapped me! All he had to do was be nice and explain! I would have listened! I was too innocent to Gaia then!

"I want to know everything. I will go with you. I need to find Van. Please… take me to King Chid. I want to go home. I want to see my mother again… And Kaen must come with me." Kaen grinned in a way that almost made it seem like he wanted to pick a fight and it clearly pissed Allen off.

"That is arrange-able…" He stood up and suddenly a smell wafted over to me and both Kaen and I tensed.

"You asshole! I leaned over the table and Allen moved in front of his sister. "You were that dingy man from the ship! You gave me the stuff to stop me from being sick! Why didn't you say anything then you ass!" Dryden grinned and I turned to Kaen. "How did you not know! You saw his face didn't you? You smelled him didn't you?" Kaen pulled away from me and looked to the side.

"I did not know then what Dryden Fassa of Asturia looked like until I left the ship and found out…" I pushed him.

"You didn't know! I sat back down and rested my face in my hands. "Fine… fine…Allen?" He turned around almost startled. "I'm sorry. I didn't look like you were helping me, didn't feel like you were helping me and I'm sorry. I need to go home. I need to find Van." He suddenly smirked. "What are you smiling at?"

"You sound just like Hitomi when you speak of Van." He walked over without being attacked by Kaen and stretched out his hand. I waited a second and put my hand out thinking he wanted to shake hands. I was wrong. He bent down on one knee and kissed my hand. I was so close to pulling it away from him that it wasn't funny.

"I will do everything in my power to help bring you home as I once did for your mother." He suddenly stood and took Celena's hand and nodded to Dryden. "We leave from the Palace immediately. I believe Millerna will wish to know of this and I am sure Dryden will want to see her again." Dryden half smiled and Kaen stepped away from the door to allow Allen to leave first with Celena.

"You are supposed to be my gift of sorts so for all purposes… play along?" He took my hand which Kaen didn't care for in the slightest and walked out with me in hand. Errie's mouth nearly dropped and I waved goodbye meekly while Dryden hollered back.

"I'll bring her back… perhaps."