A/N: Hey all! Sorry for the delay! Work's been insanely crazy. I wish I could say it'll get better, but as always, the next few months are busy, so I make no promises except that I'll try not to go more than two weeks without an update. (Hey, that's better than some stories that had an awesome start and haven't been updated in years, leaving poor Adam in the process of having a mental breakdown on Etheria while Skeletor attacks the royal palace on Eternia...but I digress.)

We don't own these guys, a fact that makes a few sweet fans of ours weep for what could have been, and a few hard-core He-Man fans weep with joy. ;-) Thanks to Candi for beta-reading and keeping us straight.

Serena stood before the glowing dimensional gateway. "You must be careful. This place you seek is filled with untold dangers and you are vulnerable in your falcon form."

Malick smiled at Serena's concern. He grasped her shoulder bracingly. "I will be. I promise you. But only I can use my magic outside of Grayskull, and only for a brief time. We do not know for sure when this ability will leave me and you and I both sense it is urgent that these Truth Sworn you have foreseen come to Eternia. I must go while I still can use that magic if I am to find them and bring them here."

Serena nodded. 'That doesn't mean I have to like it,' she groused mentally.

Malick chuckled. "I don't think you meant to send that, Serena, but don't worry. I don't intend to leave my friend stuck alone in this castle for whatever stretch of time we are both meant to serve."

Serena laughed ruefully. "I appreciate that. I would hate to be talking to myself for the next few millennia. I'm sure I'd be bored."

Malick leaned in and placed a brotherly kiss on her forehead and stepped back. In a flash of blinding light, Malick was a proud falcon. He soared through the dimensional portal, leaving a slightly dazed Serena touching her fingertips to her forehead in wonder.

Malick landed on a tree branch, panting heavily. As a falcon, he could soar on the winds for hours without tiring, but even he was reaching his limit. He had been here since the sun was just rising, and already it was beginning to lower for the day. He had avoided populated places, knowing these Truth Sworn were in some sort of jungle from Keldor's and Lyn's descriptions. Finding them, however, was proving to be more difficult than he had anticipated.

The area below him was promising. It looked like a jungle stuck in a sink hole, and he sensed a great power within it. It had the same feel as the power of Grayskull—pure and good. He glanced warily at the sinking sun. He was very uncomfortable at the idea of searching at night, but his inner sense told him time was of the essence.

Wearily, Malick flapped his wings again and took off into the wind, screeching at the top of his lungs and praying with his whole heart that he could find the Truth Sworn in time to save his friends.

"Why are we up here?" Jonas asked as he shifted the sleeping Neara on his shoulder. They stood together in the ritual cleansing chambers for those about to take the Waters, where they had been since after lunch. Jonas had been surprised but unquestioning when they had eaten dinner there. But as the skies began to darken, his curiosity got the better of him. Were they intending to stay at this all night?

"The mages believe it will be easier to find this Eternia, a planet among the stars, if we are closer to the stars. It is a place of peace, undisturbed by the worries of those who dwell among us but are not Truth Sworn," Antaris explained. "This exploration is difficult—they need peace for this spell."

Jonas nodded. He looked over at the palate where Micah lay wrapped up next to his baby sister Keelyanne--both sleeping.

"How much longer do you think?" Jonas asked.

"Perhaps hours, perhaps days. Finding just the right link to the right world is hard enough. The only reason that we can hope to find them at all is the multitude of things they left behind that left remnants of their magics. Magics that can be traced through portal." Antaris sighed. "If we can ever find the right portal that is." Another golden disc appeared between three mages and a tendril of magic was sent through it. When it did not return within the space of a minute the gateway was closed and another one opened.

Jonas sighed. 'I hope this doesn't-'

His thoughts were interrupted as the cry of a great bird pierced the sky above them.

Antaris looked up. "I have never seen its like before."

"Nor have I," agreed Jonas. "Do you suppose it escaped from a Horde zoo?"

"Let's just hope that it didn't escape from a Horde laboratory," Antaris observed. "It is odd to see a bird like that out at night," he murmured to himself.

By this time even the mages had stopped their work to gaze at the graceful bird that was not like any of the fliers on Carina. It spiraled down toward them, its shriek waking Micah and causing Keelyanne to stir restlessly in her sleep.

"Whadisit?" Micah mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Antaris readied his staff and Jonas awkwardly pulled his sword and held on tightly to Neara with one arm, both men ready in case this was a Horde attack. The three mages around them also tensed, their hands raised. But as the bird drew closer, Jonas and Antaris relaxed.

"Can you sense it?" asked Jonas.

"It means us no harm," answered Antaris. "I think," he added, keeping his staff in front of him.

The bird fluttered before the group for a moment before being enveloped by a brilliant flash of white light. Jonas shielded his eyes, but still when he saw the man wearing the feathered cloak standing before him, his vision was cluttered with bright and dark spots.

"I am the Sorcerer of Castle Grayskull," said the man, sounding hopeful yet tired. "I come as a guide for the Truth Sworn seeking to come to our world, Eternia."

Everyone looked at one another for a moment in stunned silence. Finally, Antaris stepped forward. "I seek to go to Eternia as does my companion and these three children. We would be grateful for your help."

Jonas looked at this man. The Truth often provided in amazing ways, but this all seemed too easy. He had to test this. To make sure. "We seek to bring the Waters of Truth to our brother and sister Keldor and Lyn, and wish no harm to befall us on our journey. Do you promise us safe passage, free from Horde trickery, dangers to our person, or our freedom?"

Antaris leveled a searching gaze toward the sorcerer, grateful that he would be able to sense any falsehood in the answer this one gave.

"This I promise," agreed the sorcerer easily, sounding relieved.

"Then we accept your offer," said Antaris. "And you have our thanks."

Jonas handed Antaris his sword and adjusted his grip on Neara. He turned from seeing Micah gather Keelyanne in his arms just as the sorcerer raised his cloaked arms that, to Jonas, looked like great wings. A glow of golden light formed behind him. He motioned for the group to follow. Antaris strode through and Jonas was just about to follow when Micah shifted Keelyanne in his arms so he could tug on Jonas' arm.

"Are we sure we can trust this sorcerer?" the boy asked worriedly.

Jonas smiled sadly, thinking how much the boy was growing. Considering that Micah had trusted Keldor and Lyn immediately upon meeting them, this question was proof that he was slowly outgrowing his innocence. "I sensed the truth of what he was offering, Micah. Now let's go." Micah nodded, and hugged Keelyanne tightly.

As one, Jonas and Micah and the tiny girls they carried entered the portal.

Antaris was struck at once by both the stark surroundings and the feeling of great power as he stepped into the gray walls of some kind of fortress. 'This must be the Castle Grayskull Keldor described,' he surmised as he looked around.

Soon Jonas and the children were through and the sizzle of power faded behind them as the portal closed.

"I welcome you, Servants of Truth," sounded the voice of a lovely woman dressed much as the man who had met them.

Antaris wasn't sure, but she and the sorcerer looked very tired, as if some great battle had just occurred. "Are Keldor and Lyn safe?" he asked. If there had been a battle, great or small, Antaris was sure Keldor would find himself in the thick of it. It was the man's way.

Serena nodded. "Keldor is stable now, but is in need of the substance you have brought with you." She stopped, unsure of how much more to say.

"What is wrong with him?" Jonas asked immediately.

Serena answered, trying to temper her words so as not to scare the children. "He has fought a great evil and helped sever its tie to Eternia, but in the battle, his nephew, Prince Adam was mortally wounded. In order to save Prince Adam's life, Keldor linked his life magically to his own. It has helped Adam survive when nothing else could, but the evil power was focused on destroying Prince Adam weakens Keldor so that the healing is taking some time. I have a feeling what you carry will speed it along."

As Antaris and Jonas exchanged worried glances, Serena approached Jonas, who still held Neara. She was still fast asleep in his arms. "So," said Serena, almost to herself, "you are the tiny girl who tamed an evil overlord and won the heart of a witch." She smiled at Micah. "And you are the brave boy who taught hurt and angry criminals to become a man and woman devoted to Truth."

Micah blushed and looked a bit confused. "Ma and Da? All we did was love them." He shifted on his feet.

"Never underestimate the power of love, Micah," Serena told him warmly. "It is that power that can decide the fate of the very universe."

Micah nodded in spite of the confusion he was feeling at the Sorceress' words.

Serena turned her attention back to Antaris. "You will be needed very soon, but not so soon that you cannot rest. It is late and the children must sleep. As you must."

"If you'll follow me," began Malick, "I will take you to some rooms where you can rest. Please remain in your rooms until we call for you in the morning. There are many strange magics and artifacts in this place, so it is unwise to wander."

Antaris nodded and the small party followed Malick down a long hallway.

Teela flopped down on the couch, Josiah in her arms. He cooed up at her. "Thank the Ancients you're a good baby," she muttered tiredly.

Lyn settled next to her, longing filling her eyes as she watched Josiah. "I'm almost out of the Waters," she said worriedly.

Teela heaved a sigh. "How is it this poison didn't harm me like it is Adam?" she asked.

"She-Ra healed you," Lyn said, drawing out her words as she thought through it. "How did you feel afterwards?"

"Sick," Teela admitted. "I could hardly hold up the Sword of Truth..." Her voice trailed off. "The Sword… Do you think...?"

She rose to her feet and walked briskly out of the room, only to return moments later with the sword in her hand. Lyn watched expectantly and hopefully as Teela raised it and pointed it at Adam, but it did not respond. The blade remained cold and pale.

"No," Teela whispered desperately. "Please work. Please." She shifted Josiah and raised the sword again, but it still did not glow.

"It's meant for revealing the truth, not for healing," Lyn said gently.

Large tears slipped down Teela's face, and she dashed them away angrily. "I know. I just hoped..." She sat down and laid Josiah on a blanket in front of her, placing toys above him so he could play.

"I understand. But you must take into to account that you only had minute amounts of poison in your system. From what Keldor has told us about the fang impaling him, Adam must have had massive amounts flowing through what little blood he maintained until he was brought to safety. And the magics that were about us were fighting in a way I've never sensed magics war before and Adam was caught in the center of it all."

Teela bit her lip and nodded wordlessly. Almost listlessly she batted a toy, making it swing back and forth. Josiah squealed in delight.

Lyn watched Teela playing with her child and took a deep breath. Her hand drifted down to her abdomen. "Is there any way I can get a message to Grayskull, Teela?"

"Of course," Teela answered, looking up. "Why?"

"If the Sorceress could contact some of the mages on Carina, she could open a portal to my world and one of my people could bring us the Waters we need to complete the healing. Besides," Lyn added softly. "If I'm not to return for a great length of time as I suspect, Keldor and I will need it."

"Oh, I see," Teela said, nodding. "The fastest thing to do would be to have Adora contact the Sorceress through telepathy." She raised an eyebrow at Lyn. "Actually, couldn't you do that?"

"I suppose I could." Lyn answered with a shrug. "But I want no communication between myself and any outside source without those in authority being aware. I do not want any of my actions to be misconstrued."

"Oh." Teela stared at Adam's still form for a moment, lost in thought, then she seemed to come back to the present. "Of course you can contact Se--the Sorceress yourself, Lyn."

"Thank you," Lyn said and she closed her eyes in concentration. 'Sorceress. Can you hear me?'

'Good morning, Lyn. Some visitors have recently arrived from your new home, Carina. They seemed to believe that you would need a new skin of Waters and have brought it for you and Keldor.'

"Thank all that's True!' Lyn thought, not meaning to send. Lyn grinned ruefully as she heard the Sorceress' mental chuckle. 'Yes, can they be sent here, to the infirmary as soon as possible?'

'Of course. I have already contacted Adora to have her escort them from Castle Grayskull. They should arrive very shortly.'

'Sorceress.'

'Yes?'

'Thank you again.'

'You are most welcome,' Serena sent and then the connection was broken.

Teela wrung her hands, glad that Lana had taken Josiah for a while. Adam, and by default Keldor, had grown feverish during the last half-hour. Lyn was convinced it was Damien's poison doing it. Teela watched with anxious eyes as Lyn wiped the bowl and placed the cloth on Keldor's head again.

"That's it," Lyn said with a glance at the door. "The Waters are gone. I pray they get here soon."

Adora stuck her head in the door, and impish grin on her face. "I guess that means we're right on time."

Lyn sighed in relief. "How far away are they?"

"Just around the corner," answered a deep baritone voice. In an instant Antaris strode into the room.

"Antaris?" Lyn asked surprised. "Why did you come?"

"I felt I was needed and so I am here."

Lyn rose to meet him and gratefully took the skin of waters he handed her. As Lyn quickly emptied the contents into the nearby basin, Antaris walked up between Adam and Keldor's bedside.

"Antaris," Lyn said, once again bathing Keldor's face with the dampened cloth. "This is Princess Teela, her mother Lana, and next to Keldor is his nephew, Prince Adam. Everyone, this is Antaris, leader of the Truth Sworn of Carina."

Everyone exchanged polite greetings, but Antaris noted the subdued voices of the Eternian ladies. He himself was shocked at the sight of this Prince Adam. He sensed the man had tasted death, and in fact was not supposed to be a part of this world any longer. Yet if Keldor had linked his own life to this one…Antaris frowned, then pushed the thoughts away. There were other matters to attend to. "Lyn, can you pause in your tending? We must speak outside."

Lyn shook her head. "They're very sick from an evil poison," she said, dragging the cloth over Keldor's face again. "I can't stop. They could die."

Antaris gently took the cloth from her. "Then I will tend to them," he said firmly. "Jonas needs to speak to you in the hallway. Now."

"Jonas is here as well?" Lyn asked in surprise, starting towards the door. "Why didn't he come in with you?"

Antaris waved her off. "Just go."

"Aunt Lyn, I'll lead you to him," Adora offered.

Lyn's brows drew together, but she did not argue further. With a backwards glance towards Antaris, she assured herself that the cleansing was continuing as it needed to be. Lyn then focused and followed Adora out the main infirmary doors.

"She'll be here in a moment, child. Be patient," came the warm voice of Jonas, Lyn's fellow Truth Sworn and close friend.

"Jonas?" Lyn called, rounding the corner. She stopped, frozen in her tracks as she saw Micah and Neara standing next to Jonas and Keelyanne in his arms.

"Ma!" shouted Micah and Neara as one. Mother and children rushed into each other's embrace.

"Oh, I've missed you," Lyn breathed as she felt their strong little arms surround her.

"We've missed you too," Micah said releasing his adopted mother. Neara however would not let Lyn go, but clung to her leg after she rose to take Keelyanne from Jonas' arms.

Lyn ran one hand through Neara's curls as she balanced Keelyanne on one hip and stared into her child's lavender eyes. "My baby, I've missed you so much."

Adora's eyes welled with tears and her throat tightened. Oh, how well she could relate to what they were feeling. Even not knowing her parents, there had been such a sense of homecoming and love when Adam had brought her back to Eternia the first time, and her parents had embraced her. 'Father can't separate them again, he just can't!'

Micah approached his mother again. "The sorceress of that strange castle we were in said Da was hurt. But that he was getting well. What happened Ma?"

Lyn stared at her son, unsure for a moment what to say."Do you remember when Keldor showed you how to do the linking spell?" she finally began.

Micah nodded. "Neara had cut her arm and I wanted to help. Da said if we were linked my body could share its strength with Neara and it would heal much quicker."

Lyn nodded. "And it was painful for you wasn't it?"

"Yes. I had to share the pain until the cut healed."

"Your cousin, Prince Adam, was hurt very badly. He wouldn't have survived if your Da didn't link his own life with Adam's."

"But he's going to get better?" asked Micah, his voice anxious.

"I have a good feeling about it, Micah," answered Lyn. It didn't escape Micah's notice that she did not answer the question directly.

"Can we see him?" he asked in a subdued voice.

Lyn reached down to take Neara's hand and pull her gently from her leg. Kneeling down, she looked into her older daughter's eyes, while she held her younger daughter close to her chest.

"Neara, your Da is sleeping now. He is sick, but he will wake up. I'm going to take you and Micah in to see him but you must be quiet. He and Prince Adam are resting after a great battle. Can you go in quietly and not wake your Da or Prince Adam up?"Neara nodded solemnly.

"Then take Micah's hand."

Micah stepped forward and took his sister's hand. He followed as they entered the main hall to the hospital wing.

Adora turned to go with them but Jonas touched her arm to stop her. She turned back to him.

"May I go as well?" Jonas asked.

"Of course," said Adora. They turned toward the hall together.

In a soft voice that wouldn't carry, Jonas asked, "How bad are they?"

Adora's eyes filled with unshed tears. "About as bad as anyone can be. Adam should be dead right now. If Adam dies, Keldor will die with him." Adora took a deep breath. "But they both are getting better each day. Though I doubt that would be the case without your delivery to Grayskull." Adora tilted her head curiously. "How did you know they would need that skin of water? At this specific time?"

Jonas shrugged. "It's something that is a regular occurrence for us. I can see how it would be unusual for you, however. We are bound so closely to the Truth that we are sometimes given insights or leadings. We seldom understand the reasons ourselves at times. We have simply learned over the millennia that our brotherhood has existed to follow those leadings."

"I've seen similar behaviors from Uncle Keldor and Aunt Lyn since their return. I have to tell you, Jonas, I'm intrigued."

Neara entered the sickroom quietly just like Ma had told her to. She saw Antaris putting away a cloth and drying her father's face. There was another man lying beside Da, and he looked really sick. "Ma?" she asked hesitantly, "can I give both of them a magic kiss?" Neara looked at her Ma, and she was looking at another red-haired lady with her eyebrows all raised like she did at Da sometimes.

The red-haired woman hesitated slightly, then nodded at Neara's mom. Neara didn't know what was funny, but the woman was smiling so big she had tears in her eyes. Ma guided Neara to blond man's side first.

"Neara, you must be gentle. Only one quick kiss on the cheek. Do you understand?" Ma asked.

Neara nodded. She looked over man's face. He looked like he was in so much pain. And his face was covered in scratches and bruises. Neara leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the man's cheek where the skin was unbroken, and then eagerly turned to her Da's bed. Without asking, she scrambled up the side of the bed and laid on her Da's chest. She gave her Da kisses on both cheeks and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

"Neara," breathed Da. Neara looked up but Da didn't have his eyes open. She looked at her Ma.

"He's still sleeping, sweetheart. He must be dreaming of you."

Neara nodded and hugged her father one more time. Neara did not want to go when Ma patted her back and told her that it was time for everyone to go get some lunch. She shook her head and hung on to Da a moment more, but Ma used that firm voice that Neara knew meant Ma would make her if she didn't do what she said. Neara looked back up into her da's sleeping face and gave him one quick kiss on the tip of his nose and clambered off him. She took her ma's hand.

"I'll stay with Keldor for a while and continue with his cleansing," offered Jonas.

Ma looked unhappy. Like she wasn't sure what to do. But then Keelyanne squealed and tugged on Ma's hair. "I suppose." She nodded as she spoke. The blond lady and Antaris waved at the children to follow, and Neara walked away slowest of all, her hand in her Ma's and her eyes not leaving her Da until the door of his room closed behind her.

Teela rose quietly from the couch and went to Adam's side, nearly lost in thought. Seeing those little children so concerned about Keldor had wiped away any lingering thought she'd had of wanting Keldor to serve his time in the prison mines for the death of her father. "You were right about him," she whispered to Adam, using a clean cloth to wipe the spot where Neara had kissed him, then brushing his hair back with her hand.

She looked over at Jonas, who was concentrating on Keldor's cleansing and clearly not sure of his place in the room. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude," Teela said. "I'm Teela, Adam's wife."

"I'm Jonas," he answered, his warm gaze meeting hers. "I'm sorry for your difficulties."

Teela smiled bravely. "It's pretty typical around here, Jonas," she said. "It seems like someone's been after Adam for as long as I can remember. But maybe now that Damien's gone, we can have some peace."

"Damien?" Jonas asked hesitantly.

Teela nodded. "We seem to have some time to kill, so let me tell you the story..."


Antaris pushed in Adora's chair and sat across from Lyn and Adora. Keelyanne was sitting in Lyn's lap and Neara was propped up by several pillows so she could reach the table. Micah sat on the other side of his ma and pushed his food around his plate while the others ate the sumptuous meal in front of them.

Micah wasn't paying too much attention to everything going on around him. All he could think about was the fact that Ma explained that Da had linked his life to his nephew. Micah had learned enough about magic to know exactly what that meant, and it gave him no comfort at all.

Micah had seen Horde attacks and knew more than most kids his age how much of an injury someone could take and still survive. Micah was sure that this relative of Da's would be dead now if Da hadn't used his magic to strengthen him, but the blond man was hurt so badly. 'What if Da's strength isn't enough?' Micah worried. He looked over to see Princ--er cousin Adora chatting with Antaris, asking questions about Carina and the Horde that ruled there.

Neara was humming a happy tune as she began eating a sweet tart. Micah stared at the one that had somehow appeared in front of him. 'When did this get here?'

Micah was stabbing idly at the tart when he placed the song Neara was humming. It was the last one his father had sung to him before he died. And now, it could be the last song he heard before he lost his Da too. Without a second's warning, Micah stood and raced out the door, swallowing a sob that threatened to escape him.

Lyn rose to chase after him, but Adora placed her hand on her arm. "I'll go find him. You stay and eat. You've had no relief from that room since we've been back from the battle at Snake Mountain."

Lyn wanted to argue, but she sensed she should stay put for now. She nodded as she eased back into her seat, yet the worry in her eyes didn't fade.

Micah raced down the labyrinth of hallways in the massive palace, not caring where he was heading, just looking for some quiet place he could cry.

Randor caught sight of the little boy rushing blindly towards him and reached out his hands to stop him. "Whoa there, young man, take it easy," he said, catching the boy as gently as he could. He kneeled down next to him. "What's wrong, son?"

Micah couldn't bring himself to even look at the man in front of him as the tears burst forth again. "I've already lost one father," choked out Micah, "And now I'm about to lose another." He coughed and sobbed even harder.

'One of the soldier's sons, no doubt,' Randor surmised. "Come with me, lad." He took the boy to a nearby alcove and sat down on the bench with him. He placed an arm around him and let the boy sob for a few minutes. When his cries began to slow, Randor cleared his throat. "I'm sure the healers are doing everything they can for your father," he said slowly, "but it's hard not to worry anyway, isn't it?"

Micah nodded, his eyes never leaving the swirling marble of the floor tiles. "It's just not fair," whispered Micah. "My father and mother where minding their own business when those monsters came in and killed them and burned me and my sister. All he ever did was what was right. And then when my sister and me got away from those murderers, we had to hide for months on the streets, always scared and hungry. Then my Da comes along and saves us. He took care of us. And now he's dying too--for doing the right thing."

Randor's eyes filled with tears of sympathy. "I know how you feel," he said, causing the boy's eyes to lift from the floor. "My son was doing the right thing and was hurt very badly too, and I'm not sure he's going to...to get better." The boy sniffed. Randor continued in a tender voice, "Your da sounds like a very good man. I found out not long ago that I like fishing with my son. What sorts of things do you do with your da? "

Micah perked up a bit. "We like to fish too. And he's teaching me magic." Micah's chin lifted slightly. "I'm good at it too."

Randor smiled, wondering at the boy's unfamiliar accent. "I bet you are."

"He didn't have to stay with us," Micah continued. "He had a safe place to leave me and my sister. But my Da and Ma risked everything to stay with us. They wanted to keep us with them. To make me and my sister part of their family." Micah let out a deep sigh. "Does doing the right thing always end up with bad things happening to the ones just trying to help?"

Randor's lips parted slightly at the deep question. "No, son, not all the time," he protested. "Sometimes it feels that way, I know, but those who help have just as much joy in their lives as sorrow. I bet you and your sister have brought much happiness to your ma and da, and that they wouldn't trade that for anything."

Micah smiled at that. "I know they wouldn't. They almost died to keep us."

"But they didn't," Randor concluded. "That was very brave of them, to risk their lives for you. It sounds like your da is a very courageous man, who always puts others before himself. He risked his life for you, and he risked his life to protect our kingdom."

Micah's head raised a little higher. "He is. And I want to be just like him when I grow up. I'm even training with the Truth Sworn back home, so I can enter the Waters of Truth and be a Truth Sworn warrior and mage like my Da and Ma. I'm going to protect Carina one day just like they protected me and Neara, and the way my Da is risking his life to save his nephew."

Randor paled. 'Truth Sworn? Carina? By the Ancients...' "You're Keldor's son?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

Micah nodded and looked up at the man beside him for the first time—and the crown he was wearing. "You're a king?" he asked, surprised. "I think my Da is related to some kings on this planet." Micah shifted uncomfortably for a second, then added. "He doesn't like to talk about it though. He doesn't like to remember the bad things he did before he came to Carina. He says he was a monster." Micah looked back up at the man beside him and asked hesitantly, "Do you know him?"

Randor stared at the boy, stunned. 'Monster is exactly the right word for what Skeletor was.' And yet obviously, this boy had never seen that side of Keldor. "I do know your da," Randor finally managed to say. "I am King Randor, his half-brother. It is my son's life Keldor is trying to save." His voice finished on a note of wonder, as if that idea had finally sunken in.

"You're his brother?" asked Micah. "Was he-" began Micah but he was cut off by Adora's voice calling nearby.

"Micah? Where are you? Micah, please, come back and talk to me."

"I'm over here," called Micah.

Adora rounded the corner and stopped short as she saw her father sitting beside Micah.

"Father?" she questioned hesitantly. "What's going on?"

"Micah and I were just enjoying a man-to-man talk," Randor answered lightly. "After all, he is my nephew." He grinned at the boy. "Right, Micah?"

Micah smiled shyly. "Sure, Uncle Randor." Micah looked up at Adora apologetically. "I'm sorry I just ran out."

Adora was torn for a moment between laughter and tears. What won out was a strange sputtering. "Y-your Ma is very worried about you," she finally managed to say, her wide eyes darting back and forth between Randor and Micah.

"He's better now, aren't you Micah?" Randor asked. At the boy's nod, Randor gave him a bracing squeeze on the shoulder. "Now go on and go see your ma before she calls out the entire royal guard to search for you. Mothers worry too much, you know."

Micah giggled and ran out, back towards the dining room. Adora raised an eyebrow at Randor.

"What?" he asked innocently as he stood.

"Did you enjoy your chat?"

"Let's just say I may never look at Keldor and Lyn the same way again," Randor said with a shake of his head. "I know what they told us, but to hear it from the lips of a child..." He shook his head again.

Adora laughed lightly. "Come on, Father. Uncle Stephen and Aunt Mira were looking for you earlier."

Randor and Adora looked over the documents that Mira and Stephen had placed before them.

"All is in good order," Randor said, signing the final document. He looked up at his brother and sister with gratitude. "I just can't thank you enough for all of your help now."

"Nonsense," said Stephen. "We are family. That's what we do for one another."

Randor opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted as their father entered the room. "Son," he commanded, his agitation clear in his voice.

Randor turned quickly at Miro's tone. "What, Father?"

"There is a young man in with Keldor. He said that he and another brought Keldor's children here with them. Do you know where they are?"

Mira and Stephen exchanged surprised expressions.

"I know they're here, but I'm not sure where," explained Randor.

"The last place I saw them was in the dining hall," added Adora in an apologetic tone.

Miro nodded and turned toward the dining hall with great haste.

"Keldor's children are here?" asked Mira. "Why didn't you tell us?" she chided.

"I only just found out myself, just before we met up with you," explained Randor with an upraised hand.

A concerned look crossed Stephen's face. "Is that wise, brother? With the sentencing?"

Randor stopped short as he considered that thought, but before he could say anything Mira interrupted.

"How can either of you think of that right now when Keldor and Adam's lives are on the line?" she asked, exasperated. "Of course they should be here. Their father is sick. They should be close to him."

Randor smiled ruefully. "As always, you see through to the heart of the matter, my sister." He pressed a kiss into her forehead. "In any case, I did not send for them," he explained to Stephen. "Several members of the order that Keldor and Lyn have joined arrived and had the children with them."

"It was a good thing too," added Adora. "Whatever is in that water Lyn was using to cool Keldor's face, it seems to have a healing effect on both of them. And she had just run out when the Sorceress contacted us and explained that visitors from Carina arrived with a skin of those same waters." She glanced at her watch. "Speaking of which, if we're finished, I want to go check on Adam and Uncle Keldor."

"I'll go with you," said Randor, offering his daughter his arm. Adora smiled and slipped her arm through his, but before they could leave Stephen cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"There's one more thing, Randor," Stephen said. "There has been no success in finding the body of He-Man. The time for the memorial for He-Man is now."

Randor released Adora's arm. "I suppose you're right," he admitted reluctantly.

Mira came to his side. "I think Stephen and I can start preparations. Why don't you go visit Adam, and we'll have preliminary plans sketched out when you return."

"Thank you both," he said, as Adora once again threaded her arm through the crook of his elbow. "I shall return soon." Father and daughter walked out, leaving Stephen and Mira to their sad task.