Chapter Two: The Worst of the Fights

Disclaimer: Melanie Rawn is a gifted science fiction writer; I do not own her characters or plot.

My seventeenth birthday celebration was amazing. Every member of my family was there. Well, I guess 'every member of the family' is an exaggeration. Between mother and father, I have a rather large family. Obviously, my immediate family was there: Papa, Mother, Pol, Aunt Tobin, Uncle Chay, Maarken with his wife Hollis, Sorin, and Andry. Also present was Uncle Davvi with his family. Family friends were there: Ostvel with his son Riyan, among them. Great-aunt Andrade was not present physically, but she was probably watching through the windows with moonlight.

Papa had presented me with a special coronet that symbolized my rank as princess. That was the first time I wore a coronet, although I had dreamt of its weight on my head for years. Sitting at the high table in the Great Hall, I looked out at all the people who were there to celebrate my birthday. I smiled out at the sea of faces and then turned towards my father, sitting next to me.

"The chefs have really outdone themselves this time, Papa," I said. The food was delicious; the chefs had prepared all my favorite courses. My father nodded in agreement, then motioned at my untouched wine goblet.

"Aren't you going to have any of the wine you're Uncle Davvi brought with him from River Run? You know the wine that comes from that vineyard is among the best," my father said looking worried. "You've never turned down good wine, even as a child when we would allow you small sips. What's wrong Remilyn?"

I shook my head. I could not tell my father the real reason I refused to drink the wine in front of me. I planned on leaving for Goddess Keep during the night; the wine would just make me sleepy. My hand went up to twirl at a loose strand of my fiery red hair, just like my mother's. My father looked pointedly at my hand, knowing that it was a nervous gesture of mine.

I stopped twirling my hair and put my hand in my lap where I couldn't give myself away. I licked my lips and looked at my father. "There's nothing wrong, Papa." I looked at blue eyes, the same color as my own, and knew he didn't believe me. "We'll talk later, all right Papa?" I asked gently before turning to the rest of the table.

Smiling, I turned to talk with my Uncle Chay about Radzyn's horses this year. I wasn't completely paying attention to my uncle, which I'm sure he noticed. He never said a word about my lack of attention, however, just continued to talk. Radzyn's horses were my uncle's pride and joy and he could go on for hours on the subject.

Several hours later, the guests had returned to their homes or had retired to their rooms for the night. Mother forced Pol, who had gotten permission to come home for the occasion, into bed. Pol complained loudly the entire way up to his room that he was not a child anymore. I laughed quietly as I made my way to Summer Room.

I nodded to father's squire and he opened the doors for me. I entered, still in my forest green dress that worked wonderfully with my hair. I had inherited most of my mother's looks. According to Ostvel, who knew my mother when she was a teenager, I looked just like her at that age. I had gotten one physical feature from my father: my eyes. Luckily, I had inherited something of Grandfather Zehava's: the ability to know when dragons were nearby.

I snapped myself out of my thoughts and sat down in the chair near the window, saying hello to my father and aunt who were already present. I closed my eyes and felt the moon's silver rays wash around me. As a Sunrunner, I love all colors. Of course, some of the color combinations of the other princedoms are harder to look at as a Sunrunner.

Suddenly, I felt my great-aunt Andrade's colors. Goddess Greetings, niece. Happy Birthday!

I quickly wove the moonlight into my own colors of crystal, sapphire, amethyst, and onyx. I formed the pattern that named me more than my own name did. Hello, Aunt Andrade. How goes business at Goddess Keep?

Since when did you start caring about Goddess Keep, Remilyn? My aunt's color flared ever so slightly with suspicion. If I hadn't been looking for a reaction, I wouldn't have even noticed.

I take it you still plan to join me here and continue your training more formally?

I am, my Lady. After a moment's hesitation, I added: That's going to take some getting used to. Calling you 'my Lady' instead of Aunt.

I could practically hear my aunt smile at my statement. Go; join the rest of your family. I can tell your mother is starting to get worried and we don't need her overhearing anything. Goddess Bless.

Goddess Bless. I repeated and then untangled myself from the web we had created.

When I was once again aware of my surroundings, I realized my mother and Uncle Chay had joined us. Smiling at everyone, I apologized for the interruption. "Aunt Andrade was wishing me a happy birthday," I explained, "she says hello to everyone." Everyone nodded at me to indicate they got the message. I noticed my mother studying my face through narrowed eyes.

"So, did I miss anything?" I questioned. "Not yet, niece," Aunt Tobin answered. "Why were we all summoned here?" I now turned towards my father for the answer. Obviously acting as High Prince now, my father glanced at my face and then answered. "It's about Pol and your willingness to tell him the secret." Not completely surprised by this, I answered as honestly as I could, "I wanted to tell him, and I believe he has the right to know. I also think it's your job as his father, or yours as his mother to tell him, not me."

My parents nodded at me and then I spoke up. "Mother, are you still completely against me going to Goddess Keep?" What had compelled me to ask such a question? I know my mother dislikes the way my aunt tries to run people's lives for them. Plus, I've basically told them where to find me the next day when they realize I've left.

Surprised by my question, Sioned took her time answering. Finally she spoke, "I don't think there is any need for you to continue your studies there, or at all for that matter." Blinking at her, I couldn't keep the disgust out of my voice. "What do you mean there's no reason for me to continue my studies? Are you completely insane?"

My mother shrugged her shoulders at me. "We think, as your High Princess, that it is unnecessary for you to continue your Sunrunner training. You have learned enough as it is." I thought I detected a sense of fear in her face, perhaps the only reason why I spoke the unthinkable.

"Are you afraid that I'll become stronger than you, mother? Is that why you won't let me learn more? I'm younger than you and, due to that youth, already more powerful. I have yet to learn the control you have or how to direct my energy for some spells. But I will learn!"

With that, I turned and ran out the door, leaving my family members shell-shocked.