It was late and the halls of the castle were vacant. Komand'r enjoyed the evenings on Tamaran, they were tranquil. As a child, nighttime was her only escape from the cruelty she received from her people, her parents, even her sister. It wasn't lost on her that the noble houses that continue to dispute her claim on the throne were among the most vile in her youth.

She strolled through the empty halls readying herself for the upcoming council meeting. Great progress had been made since her return but it was not enough, not to her. She may have been raised around the tamaranean elite, but she was always reminded of her place…less. She was always less, something to be written off or sacrificed, not even allowed to be considered a tamaranean. Now, she roamed these halls as their queen. It was surreal.

Entering the courtyard was calming, the moonlight welcomed her. Conner crossed her mind as the moon came into view. Their earlier conversation was interrupted by a nearby emergency. It didn't bother her, she was quite proud of him.

There were hopes of another connection tonight. Their attempts were generally successful. Several things were noticed during their experiments. Although they were getting better at it, stronger, each try was draining regardless of the duration. Conner believed their distance was a factor.

Trying repeatedly in short bursts was not something she was ever going to do again. Her mind was hazy for days afterwards. They discovered the connection was strongest and clearer when their emotions were heightened. It soon became a great source of comfort and stress relief.

She was lost in thought when she sensed a nearby presence. It was the soothsayer. The very one that stripped her powers away when she was born.

"My Queen." The soothsayer bowed as she approached.

"Good evening." Komand'r acknowledged her arrival without facing her.

"You always enjoyed these halls at night as a child."

Komand'r nodded. "Yes. I remember."

"There have been whispers of the council meeting tomorrow." Her voice showed concern.

"Have there? What of visions?" Komand'r's tone was biting and it was noticed.

"I know you have no interest in my services my Queen. It is expected. You were wronged and I must atone for my part in it."

Komand'r lowered her head. "You were ordered by my father to take my powers from me, I…" She sighed releasing the tension she was holding and faced the woman. "I don't blame you, not anymore."

"But-"

"It's in the past, we're building a future for Tamaran. Will you do your part?"

"Yes. Yes my Queen." A smile graced the woman's lips. "I have seen the work you've done, you created opportunities for those in need. You closed the Pit, forbade its use, and I hear that all are welcome to learn the advanced studies. I was born in the ruins, my gifts saved me from a life of horrors. You may not see it, but your people feel your presence. It warms my heart to see such progress."

Komand'r smiled. "Tamaran will flourish when all of our people prosper, not just the elite few."

The woman's smile faded. "May I speak openly with you?"

Komand'r nodded. "Yes, of course."

"You have been here for some months now. There are some growing concerns."

"Yes? What?"

"There have been talks of your refusal of…servants and…suitors."

Komand'r was aware she was being monitored but often wondered how closely. "That is of no one's concern?"

"An offer has been made."

Komand'r raised an eyebrow. "Offer?"

"Marriage."

"No."

"My Queen…"

"No."

"The offer came from the highest noble house."

Komand'r knew of this house. "Phagan."

"Yes, he would be a wise choice."

"My answer stands, even more firmly now."

"But it would ensure peace. Peace among the classes. Peace between you and the noble houses."

Komand'r scoffed at the mention of peace. "It would ensure power for his house and the rest of the nobles. No."

"My Queen-"

"What do you think would happen if I married into that house? Alliances have already been formed behind my back. They want me dead, they want the throne, but marriage is the easiest way for them to maintain their power. I will not sacrifice progress in order to appease the most vile among us."

"Yes my Queen." The woman's eyes welled. She finally understood, the ruler of Tamaran cared for her people more than they realized.

Komand'r calmed herself. "The council meeting, will you be there?"

The woman nodded. "I attend all council meetings my Queen."

"Will you be there by my side, as an adviser? Please?"

The woman was beside herself. "I would be honored."

"Now, may I speak openly with you?"

"Yes my Queen."

"What is your name?"

The woman froze. Not one person knew her given name. She was taken from her home the moment her gifts manifested. Taken from her family. From that moment she was referred to only as The Soothsayer. She relished in the sheer question of her name. "Tasan, my name is Tasan."

Komand'r bowed. "Warm greetings to you, Tasan."

Not far from the castle a villa is filled with shouting from members of the noble houses. Their gathering was triggered by the possible offer of marriage.

"We all agreed! We all called for her death!"

"Yeah!" The crowd was angry.

In the center of the commotion stood Phagan. He was tall with an athletic yet slender frame that donned the classic attire of tamaranean nobles. "Yes, yes. Her death will come, but she has gained the love of the people…"

"She has created a divide!"

"Yeah"

"She must be stopped!"

Murmurs echoed as Phagan raised his hand to regain control. A thing of ease for the highest noble house. "What would happen if we killed her now?"

"We will have our power back!"

"Wrong." Phagan continued. "The people would rise against us. We need to be strategic, we must weaken her, show her vulnerability. We must disrupt her plans, upset her at every turn and when the moment is right, we strike her down. Then, we will show the people of Tamaran who they will bow down to."

"But Phagan. It is said that she possesses the power of fire."

"And she has yet to wield it." Phagan circled to see the group's faces. "Birthright or no, I will not have the Cursed Child return and ruin what my house has built for generations. Her family has been a stain on our planet, one she began removing herself. First her parents and are we to believe that beloved Queen Koriand'r chose to stay on Earth. She's dead."

"But why marriage Phagan?"

"After her death, the marriage will legitimize me as king. The people of Tamaran will fall in line."

"If they don't?"

Phagan smiled menacingly. "They will wish for the Pit."