Kedan was getting used to his new life in Abscon. When he first arrived in Abscon and was taken to Keene Manor, he was not trusted. He couldn’t blame any of them. Ansel had put him in a bedroom and magically locked his door. Later he and Talon had come in and questioned Kedan for hours. Kedan told them his whole life’s story. He admitted the mistakes he had made. He knew he had many faults. He wanted to be different now. He wanted to help do what was right for the kingdom and its folk.

Talon had put some sort of spell on him that would prevent him from lying, and Kedan hated it. He understood why Talon did it, but he hated it. It reminded him too much of being enthralled by Teryn and his mother. He got through it. Afterwards, Ansel let him have free roam of the house, but Kedan could see Ansel still watched him closely.

Kedan wasn’t sure where he fit in with the group that lived in the manor. The owner of the house wasn’t even there. Gryphon Keene, the leader of the Ring and the true Queen of Regventus, had been taken to Aurumist with the presumed king, Max. She and Max were currently held somewhere in the palace. Kedan didn’t know them, but he still felt sorry for what they were probably enduring under Golnar and Philo.

Kedan couldn’t think of Aurumist and the palace without thinking of Teryn. He wondered how she and his mother were doing. Did they face repercussions because they helped him? Had Teryn had his child yet? It must be soon; she would be due any day. Kedan hated that he had left Teryn behind. He wasn’t sure how he felt about her, but she was the mother of his child. He should have worked harder to convince her to go, or taken her by force. He didn’t believe Teryn or his child was safe in the palace.

He would be going back to the palace soon. He had promised Talon and Ansel he would help them save Max and Griffa. He had thought maybe he could find a way to see Teryn while they were there, but he knew he couldn’t jeopardize the rescue. Maybe he would run into Teryn accidently, and he could convince her to grab their child and run with them.

He knew the folk here in Abscon would take care of them all. He had no doubt of that. While everyone in the manor was on edge and sad, they were still kind to Kedan. He had only been there two months and Maybelle already knew his favorite dishes. Issa helped him find things to read on the kingdom. Talon drank with him and taught him things about the magical world. Ansel remained mostly indifferent to Kedan, but Kedan got the idea that Ansel was not an open person to begin with.

Kedan found himself this morning walking with Ansel to a Ring meeting. They walked in silence for most of the way. As they got close to the town center, Kedan glanced at Ansel.

“So, is the meeting today just about the rescue plan or do you have other business to attend to as well?”

“There will probably be some updates on the gathering of forces. Many in the Ring have been out and about in the kingdom, trying to find magical communities who will join us in our fight,” replied Ansel.

They had arrived in the town center, and Ansel stopped by the statue there. He bowed to it and then turned to the other statue by the temple and bowed to it as well.

“I noticed you did that last time. Is it some sacred ceremony?” asked Kedan looking up at the statue before him.

“Sort of,” said Ansel. “Griffa’s father always did it before leading Ring meetings. Griffa kept the tradition. She is my queen and I lead in her stead. I will keep her good luck ritual, as well.”

Kedan gave Ansel a small smile.

“Good morning, Kedan, Ansel,” said Talon walking up. “I’m glad I made it in time. I’ve had council meetings both days I’ve been gone.”

“How are things in the Valley?” asked Ansel. “Have you rebuilt from the attack?”

“Most things are put back to rights,” said Talon. “You can’t replace the folks who were lost. I know you understand that here in Abscon as well.”

Ansel nodded. “We probably need to go in. I think most of the Ring has arrived.”

They walked into the meeting hall together. Most of the Ring was already talking around the table. Ansel had a chair brought over for Kedan and Talon and asked them to sit. Kedan sat and looked around the table as Ansel called the Ring to order. Ansel sat and looked around the table at the Ring.

“As we all know, our queen and Max have been held in the palace for two months. We have been working on a rescue plan and waiting for the perfect moment. It is almost upon us. I have brought Kedan Belles with me today. Kedan was the Lord of Regventus at one time. He lived over half his life in the palace. He knows how to get us in and out quietly and quickly. We plan to go in during Aurumist’s Spring Festival which is in two weeks,” said Ansel.

“How many will you take with you for this rescue?” asked a dark-haired woman.

“Not a large party, myself, Kedan, Talon, a few of my guards. We don’t want to draw attention,” answered Ansel.

“Do you think you can really do this, Ansel?” asked a man a couple of chairs down. “I mean you are talking about going into the palace in Aurumist. Won’t there be soldiers everywhere?”

“Helmer, I know the risk. We all do, but we can’t leave Griffa and Max there any longer than we have already. If we want them alive, we will have to go soon,” said Ansel. Kedan thought he sounded irritated.

“And we are sure they are still alive? It’s been a long time,” said Helmer.

“I know my queen is still alive,” said Ansel definitely sounding irritated now. “Do you doubt me as her protector?”

“No one doubts you, Ansel,” said the man next to him. “I am praying that Gryphon and Max are still alive and well. I think Helmer is trying ask if it is worth it to go in now and get them?”

Ansel looked at the man furiously.

“Are you really asking if it is worth it to save our queen, Hector?” asked Talon incredulously. “And Max, you had him brought here. He may not be your king, but he is your responsibility. Besides, they are the only two folk in the kingdom with Adalwen blood on both sides of their line.”

“That we know of,” said Helmer. “Madam Sidora was wrong once, she could be wrong again.”

“This is not an argument I will hear,” said Ansel fiercely. “There is no debate. Griffa and Max will be saved from the palace. I don’t need your permission.”

“You do to take the guards, I believe,” said Hector. “Ansel, we all know that Griffa and Max are important to you, but we are trying to save the kingdom. We need to weigh every decision very carefully.”

“You think you can win and save the kingdom without your queen?” asked Madam Sidora staring at Hector. “And the young diviner, what of him? You are willing to sacrifice them both for what?”

“What if there was a chance for reconciliation with the powers in Aurumist,” asked Helmer. “What if after all is said and done, what they are planning isn’t really that bad. It might not affect us. Why are we planning to fight a war for those who have ignored our existence for 300 years?”

“Do you know what they are planning at all?” asked Kedan quietly. “They have been releasing magic in magical blooded folk whose powers are dormant. They are doing this against some folk’s will. They are planning to displace all who are not gifted. They are planning to eradicate all those who are not deemed useful by the Council of the Ancients. Do you want all those deaths on your head? If this is what your side stands for, I don’t know why I’m here.”

“It’s not what we stand for. It’s not what Griffa would stand for in her Ring, and this is her Ring, make no mistake about that,” said Ansel. “I will replace every single one of you for her, if that is what it will take.”

“The Valley and it’s council stand on the side of our queen. They will not stand for this,” said Talon loudly.

“Everyone, calm down,” said Hector. “We are not wanting a reconciliation with Aurumist, Helmer. That is not on the table. This is Gryphon’s Ring, Ansel, we know that. We only wanted to go over all the options we have.”

“The only option we have is to save Max and Griffa as soon as possible,” said Ansel. “If anyone disagrees with that, they can leave now.”

“Helmer, do you have any more to say on the subject,” asked Talon staring at the man. “If you truly feel the way you just said, maybe you should step down. I’m sure you could catch a good price in Aurumist for any services you might provide for them. Your friend Philo Quick can help you.”

“Or maybe I’ll talk to your man Devland. He is the one who handed over your queen,” spat Helmer back at Talon.

“Quiet,” said Ansel loudly. “This bickering gets us nowhere. Helmer, you can stay if you like. I will let Griffa decide what to do with all of you when she returns in a couple of weeks. Discuss whatever you want from this point on, Hector. I will not be meeting with the Ring again until I attend with my queen. I will keep you informed of our plans, and I will let you know when they are successful. Good day.”

Ansel got up and motioned to Kedan. He rose as well.

“The Valley will not recognize this council’s authority until Queen Gryphon, or her protector is sitting in the first chair. We will continue to organize forces as our queen commanded. If you want any information from us, you may send me a message at Keene Manor,” said Talon. He rose from his chair and walked out with Ansel and Kedan.

They walked together towards Keene Manor.

“Do you think that was wise?” asked Kedan.

“I will not sit there and listen to them debate things that Griffa would never support. They think they can do as they please because she is gone. I know at least a few of them would like it if she never came back. I’m disappointed in Hector.”

“Protector, Protector,” said a voice behind them. Kedan turned with the others to see the old Diviner of the Ring walking towards them. She was surprisingly nimble for her age.

“I want to apologize for the Ring for that display. I like you, will not be returning until our queen is in her rightful place. I’m afraid the queen might have to form a new Ring sooner than she thought.”

“We will let Griffa decides when she is back here with us,” said Ansel.

Madam Sidora turned to look at Kedan. She took his hand.

“Kedan Belles, you will serve our queen well. You need to get to know her as soon as she returns. You will have to make sacrifices, but you will serve your queen and your kingdom.”

Madam Sidora let go of Kedan’s hand and turned and walked off.

“What was that?” asked Kedan bewildered.

“That was the Great Diviner of the Ring,” said Talon watching her go. “She must have had a vision about you.”

“She couldn’t give more me more information than that?” asked Kedan.

Ansel shrugged. “I guess sometimes vision aren’t clear.”

“So, will it just be the three of us going to Aurumist?” asked Talon.

“Unless you have someone else in mind, Talon,” replied Ansel as they walked.

“I do, but you aren’t going to like it. He came to see me in the Valley to ask how he could help with Griffa and Max. He wasn’t sure of your reception,” said Talon as they turned slightly to go towards the manor.

“Who is it, Talon?” asked Ansel with trepidation.

“Marcus Quick.”

“No,” said Ansel adamantly.

“I was just as skeptical as you. I know what he did almost cost Griffa her life, but he sounds sincere. It really sounds like he didn’t know what he was doing when Griffa was poisoned, Ansel,” said Talon. “We can use another person.”

“Who are we talking about?” asked Kedan confused.

“Marcus Quick, son of Philo Quick, you know him, right? Marcus almost killed Griffa accidently. Ansel holds a grudge against him,” said Talon quickly.

“I don’t trust him, Talon. His father is working for the palace in Aurumist. You saw how Philo treated Griffa.”

“Do you blame the son for the faults of the father, Ansel? Marcus cares about Griffa and he wants to help. If he causes problems, we can just leave him in Aurumist or kill him,” said Talon.

Ansel sighed as they turned to onto the pathway to the manor.

“You want to get Griffa and Max back, don’t you?” asked Talon

“Yes,” said Ansel.

“Then we need every advantage we can get. Marcus wants to help. We don’t know where Griffa and Max will be in the palace. We might have to split up. It would be good no one has to go alone.”

“Fine, but he’s your problem if we do have to split up,” said Ansel as they reached the front door.

“Great,” said Talon patting Kedan on the shoulder. “You can have the non-magical one here. I guess if worst comes to worst, you can use him as a shield.”

Talon walked into the house as Kedan looked at Ansel. Ansel rolled his eyes and walked in after Talon. Kedan walked in after, half wondering if Talon was serious.