Hey everybody! Chapter 7 revised is up! Yay!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Christopher Paolini's!

Raina opened the door.

Even from outside, she could hear the argument between Nacar and Niera, and her skin crawled. She had never heard the couple fight, and Raina didn't really want to know what it was about.

Raina had been outside, sitting in the stable when Sasha had called for her. It was three hours after Colt and Dierik Silwona left the tavern, and it was nearly midnight. Raina usually never stayed up so late, but the day's events kept playing over and over in her mind and she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. The fifteen year old found solitude in the stable, where no one was jostling her about, or throwing jeering remarks her direction. Honestly, the only thing bad about slavery for her right now was how other people outside of a few people she knew thought of her. The Tatanya's tried very hard to make her more than their slave, but Raina still felt apart from them, her slave brand like an everlasting barrier that kept her from being a regular human girl. And it did.

Most girls her age had a loving family, and siblings she could harass and a room to call her own, or just parents that doted on her. Raina had been raised in slavery, and remembered very clearly the day she'd been branded as a slave.

She shivered against the thought, rubbing her arm absently. She could never run from the brand. She was its slave.

Upon entering the hallway and inching her way to the bar, she noticed the voices had died down. Princess Taya Corsallen was the only one seated in the large room, and she was leaning over the table cradling a steaming cup of something in her palms. The copper haired woman looked up when Raina cam in, and smiled warmly at her. Raina walked over to her and sat down.

Taya leaned back in the chair and looked up at the ceiling.

"Do you like living with the Tatanya's, Raina?" She suddenly asked, causing the young girl to jump. "I know you said this afternoon you would like to accompany me to Feinster, but do the Tatanya's treat you well?"

Raina picked her words carefully.

"It's not that I don't like them, really, they are wonderful to me. If I wasn't a slave I would feel like their daughter. But I don't feel like I belong here…but I can't go anywhere! I'm stuck."

Taya looked over at her, and noticed how tears had sprung into her eyes. Taya pushed her chair back, and gently drew a startled Raina into a hug.

After a minute, Taya broke the embrace and reached into her bag, pulling out a black brace with crisscrossed ties. Raina stared curiously at it, and Taya took her left arm with no explanation. She slid the brace over her hand and Raina's heart skipped a beat. Taya placed the brace over her brand, and proceeded to tie it tightly. The leather felt cool against her skin, and Taya's fingers were cool to the touch. When the older girl was finished tying, she let go of her arm and stepped back. Raina could only stare at her in shock, and Taya laughed.

"You're free, Raina. Nacar set you free."

Raina was speechless and she looked down at the brace.

How could it be true? Nacar… Mister Tatanya… He'd said before he wasn't willing to let her go, for various reasons… so why now, all of a sudden?

Her eyes traveled back up to Taya's eyes and she new.

"You…" She whispered.

"I hardly did anything, darling. Remember what Sasha said earlier today? It wasn't much of a decision for him. All I had to do was ask, and coax and he said yes. I never forgot my promise, Raina. You can now make the choice to come with me on your own. I kept my promise. You are free." Tanyel whispered the last sentence, and Raina shivered where she stood, feeling as if a heavy cloak had fallen from her shoulders.

She stood straighter before Taya, her green eyes burning for the first time.

"I want to go with you." She stated firmly, drawing a choked laugh from Taya.

"And so you shall, Raina." "Is Sasha really coming too?" Raina couldn't help but ask.

Taya flashed a wicked grin.

"Why else do you think the Tatanya's were all yelling at each other? Sasha told them only a little while ago, after I made my request, and her parents went berserk. I thought it wise to stay out of the conversation."

Raina couldn't believe it. She'd never forgotten Taya's promise, but it had seemed so… so unreal that she hadn't been able to believe it when they'd returned to the Inn. Now, she knew she would never doubt Taya again. She was going to accompany the princess of Alagaesia on her journey to the Varden.

Raina suddenly felt exhausted, and Taya saw her eyes beginning to droop. She chuckled and turned Raya in the direction of where her room was.

"Go rest, Raina. We have a long journey ahead of us."

The fifteen year old couldn't protest and meandered towards her room, and when she entered the hallway, she stopped and looked over her shoulder.

Taya had sat back down at the table, and had resumed her earlier position, and was taking a sip of her slightly steaming drink, her eyes closed. That image of her was forever burned into Raina's mind, and she fell asleep on her bed thinking about Taya and what lay ahead of them on the road.

It was two hours after telling Raina she was free that Taya finally went upstairs and lay down on her bed. But she still couldn't fall asleep. Something was bothering her, and she couldn't pinpoint it. It was a nagging feeling, as if she needed to do something or had forgotten to do something.

Taya's mind was utterly exhausted, and yet she couldn't force herself to fall asleep. She'd thought about sending herself into a magical sleep, but she'd discarded that thought when the question of how she would wake up arose. She'd then given up on going to sleep and set her weary mind to work trying to figure out what was bothering her.

After Taya had made her request to Nacar and told him Raina was to go with her, he'd relented just as Sasha had implied he would. Niera had been happy that Raina was finally going free and had scrounged up her sister's old brace that Lenya had worn to show she was a tomboy when she was a young girl. Taya thought it fitting that her mother's brace would free Raina from the cursed brand, and she made a mental note to erase it from the girl forever once they quit Dras'leona. Later in the evening, Sasha had bravely told her parents of her decision to travel with Taya and Raina, which led into a very heated argument that hadn't been resolved that night. Niera had called a stop to the discussion when she realized it was so late and they were probably disturbing their guests, and Taya had made up her mind to join in on Sasha's side in the morning. Nacar and Niera deserved to know just who their beloved daughter was going to travel with, and Niera needed to know her sister's fate. It would be cruel of Taya not to tell the woman, since she did know all that had happened to the young Corsan.

On racking her brain, she'd remembered that at one time, years ago, Nacar had actually been the assistant stable hand of Uru'baen castles stables, and that was why his stable resembled the castles' so much. Granted, he'd never known about the Queen or the Princess, only tended their horses. Taya herself had only seen him once there, and that was from a distance. How was a ten year old supposed to remember every name she was ever told? But somehow Taya had, which made her proud of herself.

The princess sighed deeply, and her hand groped for her bag and she took out her mother's diary and the egg. Upon touching the diary, Taya received a shock that made her drowsiness disappear. She stared incredulously at the diary, and her mother's words came back to her

"You will know when you are ready to read this. Do not open it 'till then."

Taya undid the leather binding and flipped through the pages, reading tidbits from her mother's past with her family, the Corsan's. She smiled widely whenever her mother mentioned Niera, which was quite often. It was clear the older sister adored her sibling. Then she found the page dated 20 years before. Taya's blood ran cold as she began reading.

September 12, year of the dual stars.

I don't know where I am. All I know is there are stone walls around me, and a wrought iron door with a small window. It's cold, too, and I feel like I've been thrown into a semi-frozen lake. All I remember was walking home in the dark, with Niera's birthday present tucked under my arm when I saw a shadow to my left. I whirled around and was attacked from behind, gagged and blindfolded. I tried to scream and I fought against the arms that held me, but to no avail. Apparently they didn't want to deal with a kicking captive, and I was suddenly sent into oblivion. I'm sure I was drugged, because I have a massive headache and my right arm is sore. But none of that explains where I am... But I think I'm in the castle.

And I don't think I'll ever leave it again.

Taya was frozen were she lay. Her mother had told her she'd awoken in a lavish room…not a barren, stone cell. Had it been to keep Taya from the unhappy truth that her father was so cruel?

September 13, year of the dual stars.

Last night I was taken from the cell, and brought to a room lavishly furnished with a roaring fire. It felt good to be warm again, but I fear my heart will never unfreeze. I know I'm in the castle. Why I'm here is still a mystery. What would someone in the castle want with a 15 year old peasant girl, I don't know. There was food by the fire, and even though I was starving I didn't touch it. I still haven't. But later in the morning, after I'd memorized the whole room and found no escape, two ladies came in dressed in maids' garments. They didn't speak, even when I asked them what was going on, and instead they tried to force me into a gown. I must say I fought them. They grew frustrated and one called out the door and a frightening man entered. His eyes were dangerous, and I could tell he was evil. I was frightened. I suddenly couldn't feel anything, as if all my will power had been bound by invisible ropes. The two women led me behind a dressing curtain. I couldn't protest like I wanted to. I could only watch and scream in my mind as I was handled like a dog. The man, who I knew was a magician laughed coldly at me, and his eyes were so frightening. I knew what he was thinking. When the women had put strapy sandals on my feet and done up my hair, the man took me by the arm. I was still unable to control myself. A malicious smile tugged at his lips and he led me from the room. To my horror, there were two other men waiting, and they too were like demons waiting to pounce on me.

"He will be pleased." One rumbled, laying his hand on my shoulder, as if testing me. They took me down many long hallways, me following obediently beside them, with my eyes blank and expressionless. I was a puppet, drawn by a magical string to my doom. We entered two double doors and I wanted to stop and run away so bad. But the magic that held me was strong and I was forced against my will into the throne room of King Galbatorix.

The king stood when we entered, and I shivered when his black eyes swept over me, and I could tell he was pleased with my looks. He didn't seem to notice my predicament, and in fact, he acted as if I was there of my own will. He walked up to me, taking my chin in his hand, and he turned my face back and forth. I couldn't feel myself responding to him, I just felt his touch. I knew the king was older than men, like the elves, and so I wondered why he'd taken an interest in me. Even though he was not young, he looked like he was in his mid twenties. He was so frightening I thought I would faint. But something told me even if I fainted, I would still walk when told.

The king looked to the men, and I saw him nod, a strange, fiery light in his eyes. The men bowed, and I found myself turning and walking back to the room. When there, the first man went in with me, and I found the maids had not left. The man nodded to the women, and they once again took me behind the curtain. I was afraid the man would stay and the women would leave me with him, but instead the three turned and left, and I heard the lock on the door click and I was suddenly falling to the floor, released from the magic. I cannot describe how hard I've cried, just that tears have streamed down my face unrestrained and unrelenting. I've sobbed so much my throat and head ache as if a blacksmith is pounding open my skull…and I wish it so. I wish I could die. But I've found nothing in the room that I could kill myself with, except the sheets on the bed or the curtains, but strangling myself doesn't appeal to me... there would be no blood.

To the world, I am lost forever. I know they will be back, and I will fight. And I will go through the whole procedure again. But I will fight.

A choked cry escaped Lenya's daughter. The cold, hard truth crushed her. It was almost too hard to comprehend. Taya clutched the book with trembling fingers and skipped the next pages. She couldn't read any more of that time…not after that. Taya knew what the pages would contain, and her mother's story of herself rang hollow in Taya's ears.

She stopped when she found the page with her birth date.

December 6, year of the flame.

It's a girl. Her name is Taya. Even as a newborn, her hair is red like flames. There is no resemblance between her and her father, save for something in her face. Her eyes are the brightest green I've ever beheld... she is so beautiful. No dark angel came after she was born. She is mine to keep. My precious daughter… Somewhere out there someone holds the child, and I am thankful. The King is not happy. He still hopes for a son, and a son I will not give him. In that I am cursed. Every son I bear will be stillborn. I have known this for a year. The King cannot have a son. And so it shall be. But any child of his, daughter or not, I know, will be cursed. Unless Taya can escape him when she grows up, there will be no hope. All I can do is raise her to be a sensible girl, and to teach her how to understand good and evil, like any mother, except my reason's for doing so are far more dire. She will be great…I can feel it. I only hope I will live to see it.

Taya's mind whirled.

'Somewhere out there someone holds the child, and I am thankful'

What did that mean? The entry was confusing, as if Lenya had had hundreds of things to write down and no time to do it. There was almost no sense to be made of the entry, except that she seemed to think she could not bear her ungrateful husband a son, and even if she did, the child would not be alive. Taya could not understand her mother. It was almost impossible. The diary was a treasure chamber to Taya…a treasure chamber that housed secrets long forgotten.

Flipping again through the pages, she watched the dates of three years fly by, until the heading of and entry froze her hand.

December 10, year of the star.

Phyro save me, I have born a second daughter. Her existence is unknown to all except Diane, who has helped me conceal my pregnancy in Gil'ead where I have spent the last 8 months away from the king with Taya, who has noticed almost nothing. I have named her Raya, which in the language of the Phyro means 'Star' for the year she was born, just like Taya means 'Flame'. But as Raya's existence will go unknown, Diane will take her. Bless her heart, she lost her child only days ago, and has agreed to take Raya as her own. Of course I will still see her, but she must and will never know her true heritage, lest the King find out and use it against her.

Phyro… Taya had heard that name before. It had been mentioned by her mother time and time again, but Taya had never known her name meant 'flame'.

But she knew one thing…She had a sister.

Her face paled as she flipped three years forward, stopping at a page that's edges were wrinkled and torn and read,

April 24, year of grey mornings.

I've lost her.

Raya is gone. She was kidnapped from Diane's backyard. I was late in coming to the house to see my three year old and when I finally reached the house, I found Diane in tears, Kyra wandering the house in a trance. When Diane could finally tell me what happened, I don't think I've ever been so shocked. I flew from the house, calling my guards who had accompanied me and ordering them to search the area for a little girl, three years old and red haired. Dan Merrick, Diane's husband and the captain of my guard sent back to the castle for more people to aid in the search. As it was his daughter that was missing, he had many people scouring the city for any three year old with red hair. But the search came up with nothing. The kidnappers were quick about their job, and had most likely already fled the city. Dan had over fifty men searching. He has a lot of influence in the guards, and with me, the Queen, backing him up, the King could not protest. But it was all in vain... Phyro watch over my dear Raya. Help her. Keep her safe.

Shivers ran through Taya's body as she read the entry. Was she wrong to think immediately of Raina? She said she'd been a slave for as long as she could remember, and she had Taya's and her mother's red hair and green eyes? Was there no such thing as coincidence any more?

Taya shook her head. So much was whirling around in her mind. Who were the Phyro that her mother spoke so often of? Was Raina her lost sister Raya? Why hadn't her mother told her about Raya?

Taya suddenly remembered the visits her mother and her had made to the Merrick's home, where her best friend, Kyra, lived. And she was suddenly remembering the young, red haired girl in the family of blonds. An image of the cute little girl filled her mind, and Taya gasped. She remembered clearly the green eyes and red hair, and the way her face was shaped. And her name was Raya.

No one would have stopped to think about the second daughter of the Merrick's, as Diane had been pregnant and when she lost the child, she'd never told anyone. The name Raya wasn't a mystery either. Diane and Lenya were closest friends, so Diane and Dan could have named their second daughter Raya to match Taya, causing the women's bond to be stronger. And Lenya always took Taya to the Merrick's to play with their eldest daughter, Kyra, who was a year older than Taya. Taya tried to remember her mother on those visits, and realized just how much time her mother spent adoring the youngest girl.

Tears streamed down Taya's face and onto the paper to mix with her mothers. She had to know the truth how her beloved mother had died.

Finding the last entry, she found it was a long one that took up more pages than any other entry. And so the mystery of the death of Queen Lenya came to light.

August 19, year of the dying moon.

My story is ending. Even now as I write my life draws to an end. I give this diary to you, my dearest daughter, to know, when you are ready, my life in full. I'm sorry for all the lies I have told you, but please understand I did it for your own protection. I have placed a spell on this diary that will help you know when you are ready to read it. I am sorry I will not be there to help you grow up, like any other mother. I have been aiding the Varden against Galbatorix for 3 years now, and one of my letters was intercepted and taken to the king. Luckily, I sent two of the same letter but the first went into the king's hands. The only reason I know this is because I was walking by his study when he was telling the Rider Morzan the contents of the letter. When he'd finished, he swore he would end my life, I who am a traitor to him. I fled from there and came here, to my room, to write this explanation for my eminent disappearance. I have woven countless spells on this diary so if your father ever opens it, it will be blank and no amount of dark or light magic can change that. This book holds the old secrets of the Phyro. You will wonder, no doubt, what a Phyro is. I will tell you a little. The Phyro are a race, as old as and older than the Grey Folk. The title means 'Flame to Heal'. Do not take this lightly, my daughter. The Phyro have waited thousands and thousands of years for the 'Flame'. But the Phyro only have one, true line... and you and I are direct descendents. Even Galbatorix does not know of the Phyro. The elves remember them in only the oldest of songs, and even those songs do not reach back to their time. The Phyro disappeared before the Grey Folk, but they knew already what would happen to Alagaesia in the future. They made an agreement with the Grey Folk that they would select one of the Phyro's descendents to be the 'Bearer of the Gifts', meaning, the chosen person would in time hold all the knowledge of the Phyro, bringing the race back into existence. I cannot explain much more to you in this, because I must give the diary to you before it is too late. I'm sorry I cannot tell you all of this in person. But I want you to know I'll always be with you, no matter where you are. I have a last request for you, daughter. Search for your sister, Raya. I know you will find her, by chance, coincidence, reason or because you've been searching for her. Tell her I love her. The Phyro legends do not speak often of the 'Star', so I cannot say what will become of her until her time comes to stand up. But there is one more thing I must tell you. You will love one man. I can already think of who it is, but I cannot say for sure. You will never love anyone else. That is who you are, and that is what happens to every Phyro woman or girl. I do not love your father. If you have read what happened to me, you will understand. But I have loved. I do love. Maybe someday you two will meet, but I do not know for sure, because I know almost nothing for sure. But listen. These words the Phyro left behind in a house that does not wither: "Watch, daughter of the silent stars, as your love waists away before your eyes. Yet, you still have faith in his heart that still has even a little good in it. Can you call that good out or will you die as he does at the tip of your own blade?" Perhaps you know already who they speak of. Do not let this stop you, because you cannot escape the feeling inside you. But be careful and remember those lines forever. I love you, Taya. I always will. I always have. Be safe. Ever since the day you were born, before actually, I knew you would be great. What is left of my heart goes out to your sister. I fear she is a slave to the world, but I know you will find her, and you will free her. Tomorrow, my life ends by the sword of the King. He is evil. And his reign will end.

Queen Lenya Corsan, Daughter of the Phyro and Mother of the Flame and Star.

Sasha Tatanya was sitting at the bar late the next morning, sipping a cup of hot tea. Taya had still not come down yet and Raya was still asleep. Nacar and Niera were busy with their duties, Niera cleaning and Nacar was off buying more feed and returning Anton Callel his hammer.

Last night had been a disaster. Niera had done exactly what Sasha had expected her to do. Go into hysterics. But she'd never been expecting her father to blow up in her face as he did. He had downright refused to let her go with Taya. That had only made the adult girl even angrier, because she was an adult and could take care of herself. She owed Taya her life, and was so attached to Raina she couldn't stay behind as the two ventured into the unknown without her. So the argument had turned ugly, and voices were raised. Nacar and Niera believed that Sasha would be beaten down and made to stay, but Sasha was determined. She would sneak out at night if she had to.

Just thinking about the subject made her cheeks flush and her face burn, her anger boiling inside her. She had no reason to stay here. Emerson Quetir was nearly lost to her, gone to war and glory and in the past few years she had received nothing from him. She still loved the dashing, humorous and lovable young man, but she couldn't wait for him any longer. It was time to move on. She had the feeling that Taya had described coursing through her.

She had to leave. She needed to leave, otherwise she knew she'd go insane. Already the Inn was becoming claustrophobic to her. Taya had set something inside her on fire by coming here, and she new she couldn't run from it. She didn't want to either.

The door opened and Colt Silwona walked in. Sasha turned and smiled at him as he saw her and made his way over.

"Good morning, Sasha." He said, smiling.

"Well, good morning, Colt. What brings you here?" Sasha asked curiously. Colt fidgeted, and sat down beside her.

"I wanted to ask you about Tanyel." He said quietly, as if someone would hear him. Sasha, instead of growing concerned, replied,

"I see. Well, I can try to answer you as best I can. What's bothering you?"

"Well, it's really nothing but a feeling. But I didn't quite believe her and her sister about Rel Erihks. I asked Sharac Katzia, and he said he didn't know anyone by that name. I think they were hiding something."

Sasha looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"And why is this particular thing bothering you?"

"You may have heard that Sharac's brother, Larel, joined the King's elite guard and was later killed in combat. Or so the letter that announced his death said, because the Katzia's never got the body. The King never answered their requests, even when they went to the castle. I just have this feeling Tanyel knows something about it. She lived in Uru'baen. She could have known him. She could know what happened to him." He sounded so desperate.

Sasha hesitated. She didn't know if Taya knew anything about Larel Katzia. She remembered clearly when the Katzia's received the news about Larel's death. Taya was the princess, and could have personally known the young man.

"I don't know what to say, Colt. I don't know if Tanyel knew Larel, or heard anything about him in Uru'baen. All I can do is ask."

"Would you?" Colt brightened "Larel was a good friend of mine, and I was devastated by the news. It would be nice to know what really happened."

Sasha still hesitated, but she stood up.

"I'll go see if she's awake. Stay here."

She walked up the stairs, musing. She knocked on Taya's door, and heard a muffled "Hold On." A few seconds later Taya opened the door and Sasha gaped at the woman before her. There were dark circles under her eyes, and she was paler than a piece of parchment. It looked like she'd gotten no sleep that night. She still had on the clothes she'd worn yesterday, except her feet were bare.

"What happened to you?" Sasha gasped. Taya smiled tiredly, a frightening, haunted look in her green eyes.

"I couldn't sleep. Obviously. Come in." Sasha walked in, noting the bag on the bed, along with the open book. Taya closed the door behind her, and went and sat on the bed. She grabbed the book, locked it and shoved it into the bag. Sasha sat down beside her.

"What's wrong? Can you tell me?"

Taya put her face in her hands. "There's so much I want to tell you, Sasha, but so much I can't. My mind can't rest right now. The worlds changing…and I've set it in motion."

Sasha was incredibly confused. "How did you set it in motion?"

"It's so complicated, I don't even understand. I have so many questions, but no one to answer them. I feel like I jumped into a riptide and I am being sucked to the depths of the ocean, Sasha. And no one's there to pull me out."

"Are you well?" Sasha realized how stupid that sounded, but didn't care. It was an honest question.

Taya looked up at her, and Sasha saw the princess in her.

"In body, I am well. My mind though, is a tomb of dark secrets. Sasha…I don't know what to do."

"I came up here to ask you a question. Maybe you will have an answer instead of you having the questions."

"Fire away." Taya replied, and took a deep breath.

"Colt Silwona is downstairs. He didn't believe your story of Rel Erihks. He wants to know if you know anything about the death of Larel Katzia."

Taya froze. Her features changed, drastically, as if the question had wiped away her weariness.

"So the tides do change…" She growled, not unpleasantly. "Aye, I know about the death of Larel Katzia. I know his story better than anyone, even his family and the king. But I am not willing to divulge the true truth yet. The time isn't right for the world to know. Come, I'll talk to him. Then I will help you convince your parents you have to come with me, as I know you want me to." Taya stood quickly and grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. Sasha followed, incredibly confused. She had no idea what was going on. She never had been good at riddles, and Taya seemed to be made of them.

Colt turned in his seat when they came down, and he must've seen the look on Taya's face because he went pale.

"I will answer your question, Colt Silwona, because I feel it is my duty." Taya said softly, and sat down beside him, turned towards him. "May this relieve your mind slightly. I know much about what goes on in Uru'baen castle. Larel Katzia died a warrior's death, against the hands of his enemy. He fought bravely and valiantly against them, but once he fell the others respected him for his bravery and didn't leave the body. They took him themselves and honored him. That is why the King never sent the young warrior's body home. Because there was no body. You must understand, Colt, that Larel Katzia left much behind. But you mustn't mourn him. He wouldn't want that. That is all I can tell you."

Colt stared at her, and then he nodded. Tanyel nodded to him and stood back up.

"Now, Sasha and I have something to discuss with her parents, so if you'll excuse us. Good day, Colt."

Sasha followed Taya into the back room, and then called for her mother. Niera came in, and said

"Good Morning, Tanyel. Have you changed your mind, honey?" she asked her daughter hopefully. Sasha's face turned stony. Nacar came in, carrying logs for the fire. He set them down and wiped his hands on his chaps like he had the night before when Taya had asked him to free Raya.

"Now what have you two planned?" He growled, but froze when Taya said in a low voice.

"Nacar and Niera Tatanya, I want to call your attention to something. My name is not Tanyel Cavrona. My name is Taya Corsallen, daughter of Lenya Corsan who was daughter of Vella and Chester Corsan, and your sister, Mistress. I am the daughter of King Galbatorix, what is more. Your daughter has trusted me, no matter who my father is and petitioned to accompany me on my way, not to a cousin in Feinster, but to the Varden, to aid them in the destruction of Galbatorix. I have agreed, and Raina will be coming as well. I do not wish to rob you of your daughter, but she is old enough to take care of herself and make her own decisions, and you should not stand in her way if you wish to retain her love. Let her go. I can swear to you, on my mother's grave, that I will never let anything happen to her, if I die along the way or not. This is my request to you, as your niece."

Niera and Nacar stood, speechless, staring at Taya with wide, shocked eyes. Sasha too was surprised. The look on her cousin's face was hard to explain, emotions of sadness, determination and weariness mixed with a queer fire in her eyes. The older girl knew she saw a little bit of the real Taya just then.

I swear to you, on my mother's grave...

Sasha shivered. It was one of her mother's greatest fears that her beloved elder sister was dead. And Taya had told them, straight faced and in no detail that Lenya Corsan was indeed dead. Sasha had never thought Taya would give her secret away like the way she just had, unless something had shattered a wall she had built long ago.

She remembered the open book on the bed that Taya had closed. What had it been?

"My…my sister… she's really dead?" Niera whispered. Taya nodded once, closing her eyes and opening them again.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way, Mistress Tatanya." Taya stared straight into Nacar's eyes "She died six years ago. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you how."

"Why not?" Niera cried. Her face flushed and Nacar put his hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Because the truth would harm you more than you know, and the world cannot know the reason for her death, because it would destroy it."

"Those are not very convincing reasons, girl." Nacar said softly. Taya replied, "Not very convincing, but it's the truth, my uncle. I have no other reasons beside those, but those are what I believe."

"And we must believe you." Nacar said softly, but his voice was calm and understanding. Taya's eyes softened, and she sighed deeply.

"I may not know what happened to her and how she died," Niera said suddenly, causing them all to start, "But I know she'd want us to trust you, and love you. Which we do, Taya."

She walked up to Taya and took the girl into a hug.

Nacar nodded his head in agreement and then suddenly froze, as if something had just come to his attention.

"You said you were the daughter of the king." He breathed. Sasha held her breath. Niera broke away and looked at her niece carefully, who hung her head.

"I am. That is why the world cannot know of my mother's death, or even of her life. She was the queen, yes. And I am the princess. Do you still love me, aunt?" She looked back up, and Niera's eyes filled with tears.

"Of course. Of course I do, Taya. How could I not? You're my sister's daughter!" She hugged Taya again, and Nacar relaxed. If his wife trusted the girl, along with his daughter, he would too and he'd put his niece's father out of his mind.

He stepped up to Taya, and Niera broke her embrace, letting Nacar give his niece a hug.

Sasha smiled. Taya had won. It was clear. Sasha would go with her cousin. She'd see the world beside her cousin and they'd reap destruction on the empire…together.

"I have something else to tell you as well, something that I just discovered last night. I never had a clue about this until I read my mother's diary, and found out why we spent 8 long months in Gil'ead. My mother had a second daughter, who she named Raya. Raya was given over for safekeeping to my mother's maid, who had just lost her child and when Raya was three she was kidnapped. I have reason to believe that Raina, the girl you bought as a slave and the girl I freed last night, is my younger sister Raya."

Sasha's mouth dropped open, and Nacar's eyes went wide. Only Niera didn't seem too surprised by the possibility. Instead, she smiled through her tears.

"If she is, I do not think I could be happier. She resembles my sister so much from when she was younger and before she disappeared, that I sometimes saw Lenya instead of Raina. Something inside me told me Raina was related to Lenya…and I only dreamed of Lenya having children."

She suddenly grabbed Taya's arm, her eyes burning fiercely.

"Do you have to leave so soon? Must you leave this evening?"

Taya looked into her aunt's eyes, and smiled brightly.

"No, actually. Sasha, do you mind postponing our adventure for a while?"

Sasha's smile matched Taya's.

"Not at all."

Sasha leaned into Taya then and whispered

"I told you so."

Taya threw back her head and laughed. "So you did, my dear cousin. So you did."

OK, so I know it's not the longest chapter ever, but it gives a little explanation for somethings. Please let me know what you think!