Ansel looked at Griffa as he walked by her side to the Ring meeting hall. He thought she looked every bit a queen today. She was dressed in a new dark blue dress with the sun of Adalwen stitched on the bodice. Her sleeves were long and sheer, with a Keene falcon making up each shoulder. The skirt had darts in the waist to help disguise how thin she still was from her time in Aurumist. The skirt was full and finished just at the tips of her black boots.

She had left her hair down, her long wild curls tumbling down her back. Ansel caught her looking at her face in the mirror and worrying over the few light scars that were there. Ansel had assured her it did not mar her beauty. He thought it showed she was a survivor and a warrior. She still powdered them lightly. She could not hide the dark circles under her eyes or her sallow cheek bones. Ansel hoped she would start resting better and eating more soon. He knew it would take time for her to heal.

“Are you sure you are up for this today?” asked Ansel as they walked.

“Yes, I want answers. I have waited long enough. Have you notice that not a single one of them has come to see me since I’ve returned?” asked Griffa.

Ansel had noticed. He had written to Hector to let him know they were successful. They did not receive a letter or a visit in return. He wondered if the Ring would even show up to a meeting under Griffa’s summons. If they didn’t, she could unseat all of them for treason. He would like to say he hoped it didn’t come to that, but he dreaded the confrontation that would be had if they all showed up.

Ansel glanced behind him to see Talon, Kedan, and Max walking together. Max had not spoken to Ansel since the two mornings ago when he came into Griffa’s bedroom. Ansel had hoped that Max had let his anger go for Ansel, but there were no signs of reconciliation yet. Ansel wondered if Max had any luck figuring out anything about Griffa’s connection to the kingdom and its folk. Ansel wanted answers soon. Griffa had slept better last night, but she had still woken up twice crying and shaking.

They had a plan for today’s meeting. Ansel and Griffa had met with Talon several times. They would go in with strength and certainty. They would go in demanding answers. They would find out whom they could trust. Those they could not trust would be asked to leave. They would be replaced.

They approached the statue of King Nathin and Griffa stopped. She looked up at the statue and gave a small smile.

“All this time I’ve been bowing to him, and I didn’t realize he was of my family,” said Griffa.

She bowed to him and then looked at the gods. Instead of bowing, she walked over to the statue. She put her hand up and touched the foot of the sister, closing her eyes. Ansel looked at Kedan, Talon, and Max. They were all watching Griffa silently. Ansel wondered if they could all feel the power that surrounded Griffa. He wondered if they could all feel her pull. After a minute, Griffa let go off the statue and opened her eyes. She walked away.

“I am ready. Whatever happens, I thank you for all of your support,” said Griffa looking at them all.

Talon grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I will always be here with whatever you need from me, my queen.” Talon let her hand go.

Kedan grabbed her hand and bowed over it. “I owe you more than my own life, Griffa. I don’t know what I can do, but whatever you need, I’m here.”

Max came up and took both of Griffa’s hands. “You are the queen Griffa. No one in there can truly deny that. Whatever you decide today, I know will be right.”

Ansel walked up to Griffa and looked at her. He took her hand. “I am your protector. I promise to be at your side and keep you from harm.”

He pulled her to him and kissed her. “I love you,” he whispered. She held his hand in hers. She kissed it and let it go.

She looked at the others and nodded. Ansel stood at her right side and Talon at her left. Max and Kedan stood side by side behind her. They walked into the meeting hall. Griffa did not stop to talk to the little man who saw to the front door. He only bowed and stayed down as they all passed. When they got to the double doors that led to the room, Griffa paused for a moment. She looked at Ansel who smiled slightly. She looked at Talon who winked at her. She opened both doors and the group walked in together.

All members of the ring were there gathered around the table. They were all standing behind their seats silently. Griffa came in and stood behind the first chair.

“I would like a chair to my right for my protector, a chair to my left for the leader of the Valley, a chair next to him for my friend, Kedan, and Max the young diviner will sit by Madam Sidora. Chairs were brought in as Griffa requested.

“You all my sit,” said Griffa in a commanding voice. “I will not call this Ring to order, because I am not sure you are my Ring. I have heard disturbing reports from my protector and the leader of the Valley of what happened in my absence. There is another matter I would like to discuss as well. You will all speak true to me. If I find any word of falsehood spoken, you will be accused of treason.”

“Gryphon, I think maybe things got too heated during our last meeting with Ansel. We were all under quite a bit of stress with the situation. No one ever considered actually leaving you and Max in Aurumist,” said Hector looking at Griffa.

Griffa turned to Talon, “Is that true, Talon. Do you remember it that way?”

“No,” said Talon looking around the Ring. “I believe the word options were used. The Ring was definitely weighting the option of leaving you and Max in Aurumist. Though only two brought it up, no one of the Ring but Madam Sidora spoke up.”

“Ansel, protector, what is your opinion?” asked Griffa looking at Ansel.

“I agree with Talon. There was also talk of finding a way to settle a peace with the powers of Aurumist.”

Griffa looked around the circle. “Let me be clear, there will be no peace with the powers of Aurumist. They are evil. They are against everything our gods stand for. We cannot be the folk we say we are and try to negotiate with the palace. If you think that is an option, I ask you to leave now. You have no place in my Ring, and you have no place in Abscon.”

“What right do you have to come in here, and talk to all of us like this?”asked Helmer angrily. Ansel felt his protector’s magic rise to the surface of his skin.

“I have every right as the leader of the Ring and your queen,” said Griffa looking at Helmer.

“So, you decide you are the queen, and we fall in line, is that it?” asked Helmer.

“There is no doubt that Gryphon Keene is the true Queen of Regventus,” said Madam Sidora looking at Helmer with disdain.

“Forgive me, Sidora, but you have been wrong before. You told us that the boy next to you was our king,” said Hector

“She did,” said Griffa standing up. “I believe she told you of that vision almost seventeen years ago. Is that correct, Sidora?”

“Yes, my queen. After the boy Maxwell was born.”

“What do we know of visions? Are they always clear?” asked Griffa. She walked around the circle towards Sidora staring at Helmer.

“No,” said Sidora. “Sometimes I have to interpret them the best I can.”

“Do you think anything could ever alter them, or make you see things that aren’t there?” asked Griffa

“I am not sure,” said Sidora.

“Max, you have been studying about being a diviner in the last few weeks since we returned. Have you found anything like what I just said?”

“Yes, there are several spells and potions that can alter visions. Especially after they are told. I can show you all the books I have found if you would like,” said Max.

“That won’t be necessary, Max. I think at least one or two men in this room are already familiar,” said Griffa still staring at Helmer.

Sidora looked startled. She looked at Griffa and then Helmer. Ansel could feel the animosity towards Griffa radiating off of Helmer. Ansel closed his eyes to compose himself and keep his magic contained.

“You see, I believe my father knew exactly who my mother was. I think he knew who I was the moment I was born. I think he told all of you at some point. He trusted all of you. You were his Ring, but as time went on, I didn’t fit your description of what your queen should look and act like. So, you needed to find a way to keep things quiet. I believe some of you went as far as to kill him.”

“No, Gryphon it wasn’t like that,” said Hector with feeling.

“What are you doing?” asked Helmer angrily.

“I’m telling the truth. This has gone on long enough,” said Hector. He looked at Griffa. “Your father did not tell us who you were. I think he wanted to protect you. You were his only daughter. He didn’t want you to be queen. He knew how dangerous it would be for you. He hid your identity from all of us.

“He must have been the one to alter the vision, to protect you. He was a very gifted potion master. I think only he could have made that kind of magic to alter a vision. I think the secret became too much for him. You were the rightful queen of Regventus. I think dreams plagued him. It got to the point where he had to tell the truth, so he came to me. He told me the truth one night at my house. He was in agony over it.

“I went to some of the other members here and discussed it with them. We didn’t know what kind of queen you would be, Gryphon. You were so wild as a child. At sixteen you were still so hardheaded and opinionated. Your father let you do as you please. He let you run wild around the kingdom. He never once checked you.”

“What you are saying is you knew you couldn’t control her,” said Ansel angrily. “You knew Griffa would never bend to your will as the Ring.”

“We knew she would get us into trouble, just as she has,” said Helmer angrily. “She has brought us to the brink of war as just the leader of the Ring. Imagine what will happen now that she is calling herself a queen.”

“Be silent, Helmer,” said Hector. “The biggest mistake I ever made was going to you with the information. It’s your fault Renweard is dead. You said you could make the potion. You said you could use blood magic to make him forget. How did you even get Gryphon’s blood to begin with?”

Ansel looked at Helmer and saw him looking at Griffa. “It was easy. I found her out in the village, running around wild like usual. I had her trip and fall. She cut her knee, and I helped her out.”

“You made a blood potion to have my father forget who I really was?” asked Griffa. “You tricked him into drinking it somehow and it killed him. Is that what you are saying.”

“Yes,” said Helmer. “I made the potion to have him forget you were the queen. I did it for Abscon and for our folk. I knew what kind of queen you would be, and I was right. I’m sorry Renweard died, that wasn’t my intention, but I did it for our folk and the kingdom.”

Ansel could see Griffa was breathing very heavily. She walked back to stand behind her chair.

“You say you didn’t mean to kill my father, but you did,” said Griffa as she gave Helmer a cold stare. “You are banished from Abscon. I want you to leave this second. You will not be able to reenter the village once you leave. I don’t care where you go. You can go join your friend Philo in Aurumist if you like. Your family may stay, but your seat on the Ring will not go to your son.”

Helmer stood up and walked towards Griffa. Ansel stood up and met him. “If you come one more step closer to my queen, you will never get the chance to leave this room alive.”

“You’re all just going to sit there and let her do this?” asked Helmer looking around.

“You are not welcomed in the Valley, either,” said Talon standing up. “You are banished from the Valley and any holdings you may have there. I have full authority of the council to do this, so don’t test it.”

“Go, Helmer. I will not tolerate you in my presence another minute. Go before I have you taken away, and made to pay for your crime. Take the mercy I am offering you,” said Griffa.

Helmer looked at Griffa with so much pure hatred it almost made Ansel curse him where he stood, but Helmer turned and fled the room.

Griffa turned to Hector. “Hector Delis, you knew of this crime all these years. My father trusted you beyond all doubt. He loved you as a friend. You betrayed him and me. I will not banish you from Abscon, but you will remove yourself from the Ring. You will never serve on my Ring again.”

“I would not go to the Valley, Hector,” said Talon. “They are a bit on edge at the moment since their queen was taken and tortured. Once they learn what you have done, you will not be welcomed.”

Hector got up and walked over to Griffa. Ansel looked at him, but Hector kneeled before Griffa.

“I am truly sorry, my queen. I should never have doubted you or your father. I have lived with the knowledge that I as good as killed my best friend all those years ago. I can never make up for what you have lost, but I will serve you however you see fit. I accept my place on the Ring is lost, but I will not turn against you. I will fight for you when the time comes.”

“Very well,” said Griffa looking down at Hector. “You can tell your wife and daughter they are safe in Abscon as are you. If your son decides to come back to Abscon, he will be welcome.”

Hector stood up. “Thank you, my queen.” He looked around and then left.

“Who else knew of this? Who else knew Helmer killed my father? Did you all know?”

“Yes,” said a brown-haired witch sadly. “We did, my queen, except for Sidora I think. It was wrong. I will excuse myself from the Ring. You do have my support Gryphon and my apologies.” The witch left.

One by one, the Ring members left after swearing their loyalty to Griffa. When it was over, Griffa sat down in her chair and laid her head on the table.

“Well, Griffa,” said Talon patting her shoulder, “I don’t know what else you could have done.”

“I know, but now I have an empty Ring except for Madam Sidora.”

“No,” said Sidora. “I see at least four others here.”

Griffa looked around, and Talon smiled. “Yes, Griffa, you have a good start to a new Ring right here. I will serve.”

Griffa smiled. “I believe I promised you one more from the Valley, Talon, so I will defer to you to choose someone.”

“I will do whatever you need of me, you know I will help you,” said Max standing.

“I don’t know how I can serve on the Ring. I have no magical ability, but if you still want me on your Ring, I will serve,” said Kedan.

“I do want you on my Ring. Our kingdom is made up of magical and non-magical folk. All should be represented on the Ring,” said Griffa smiling at Kedan.

“There is no where I would rather be than right here by your side, Griffa. I will serve on your Ring,” said Ansel.

“Thank you, all,” said Griffa. “We can fill out the rest of the Ring as we go along. Now, everyone take your seats. We have things to discuss.”

“I’m not sure a protector has ever been on a Ring before,” said Ansel as he settled into his seat.

“There’s a lot of things you’ve done that a protector’s not done before,” said Talon with a sly smile.