Preparations took a few weeks, but at last everything was ready.

"I wish we could go with you," Alaron said with a pout. In his mind, his parents were going on a grand and glorious adventure that would be all fun and no work.

"Nothing would make me happier than for you to be able to come, but it's far too dangerous." Aurora kissed the boy on the cheek.

"Mother!" He whined, but secretly he loved the affection.

"Why did the Fates do this to us?" Mairwen wanted to know. The Empress had told them of their birth and the strange Fate that delivered them, but left out the fact that Aurora wasn't the one who gave them life. It pained her to keep secrets from these children she loved so much. Someday she would be able to tell them everything.

"I do not know why the Fates did this, but I will do my best to find out. As soon as I do, I will hurry home to you." The slender woman wrapped the little girl in a warm hug. Devrim grabbed Alaron by the shoulder and pulled him into a full-family embrace. The grey-eyed man loved the three in his arms, and he would do anything to keep their family intact. He could not let the future Aurora dreamt come true.

"I cannot breath!" Alaron joked as he was sandwiched in between his parents and sister. Everyone released with a laugh. The boy became serious. "When are you leaving?"

"Not sure exactly, but early in the morning hours. We cannot let anyone see us leave." Devrim gave them and encouraging smile. It was now early evening. The family had had dinner and was now taking a a walk in one of the courtyard gardens. Fall was fast approaching. The leaves on many of the trees were making their last stand of green before they turned glorious shades of red and yellow. Things were changing.

"How long will you be gone?" Mairwen took her mother's hand as they walked. She was brave, but tears formed in the corners of her eyes.

Aurora's heart was wrenched. "I do not know," she answered honestly, "but we will think about you every single day. I love you. I love both of you very much."

"Me too," Devrim confirmed. "You two are like the stars. The sky is not complete without them lighting it up, nor are our lives complete without your beaming smiles."

The four walked along talking about every topic under the sun. Eventually Nanny came to fetch her charges. "Take good care of them, Nanny," Devrim instructed her.

"I'll do my very best." Nanny ushered the children out of sight.

Out of nowhere, Zan appeared. "Your Majesties, we need to talk."

—————————

Zan searched the area carefully. Aurora wasn't sure if she'd ever been to this area of the palace before. It was very far from her living quarters and the throne room, and she gathered that it wasn't visited often. When Zan was satisfied that no one was listening, he took them to a small room with no windows and three chairs. The Chief lit a lamp and allowed the others to be seated before himself.

Devrim looked about the room and its lack of contents. "Have you brought us here to murder us?"

"No, but I need to give you a secret that I have entrusted to no one." There was silence as Zan collected his thoughts. "How long have I been on the Council?"

Aurora wasn't sure. "A long time?"

"Longer than anyone can remember. Longer than I can remember. And how old do I look?"

Aurora and Devrim studied the Chief. He had long, dark hair and strong nose and jaw. His silver eyes made him look timeless, but his overall appearance was a man in his mid-thirties. "Not too old," Devrim said noncommittally.

"That's because I don't age. My body was frozen in time the moment I became a Guardian." Zan let the word hang in the air. Aurora had read about Guardians, but at the moment her memory failed her.

"You are not human?" she asked.

"I am human, or at least I used to be. Now I serve the Fates and do their bidding. Currently I am tasked with keeping you—and all of Valiant— safe. It is for this reason that I reveal myself." Zan paused.

"You work for the Fates?! Why didn't you tell us sooner. Perhaps we do not need to go on this mission at all!" Devrim's voice was filled with hope.

Zan, on the other hand, was sad. "This was my thought also, Emperor Devrim, but I've been calling out to the Fates for weeks with no answer. Evidently they want you to find them. The Fates have their own way of doing things to bring about order and peace. I seldom understand their methods, but they are effective."

"So we have to do whatever they want? We are just puppets?" Devrim asked.

Zan shook his head. "Not at all. The choices we make are our own. We have to live with the consequences of our actions. The Fates simply help to guide. There is a limit to how much they can interfere." Zan held his head in his hands. "I don't understand it all. I wish I could find the answers for you. I'm sorry." When he lifted his head , there was a new determination in his eyes. He removed the black cloak from around his shoulders and held it out. "Take this on your journey."

Aurora took the fabric. It seemed alive in her hands. "A cloak?" She asked, knowing it was more.

"A Guardian's cloak. It will help you on your journey. The cloak holds far more than meets the eye without weighing you down. Though, I do not recommend putting fresh food in it…I learned that the hard way. Also, if you pull up the hood around your head, your face will be invisible to anyone except those with Guardian cloaks. It does many other things, not even I know all if its capabilities."

Aurora was astounded. She had no idea such items like Guardian cloaks even existed. Zan could read her face, "Not many know that such things exist, but those who do will do what they can to try and take it from you."

Devrim held out his hand. "Thank you. We will guard it well and bring it back to you," he promised. The men shook forearms to seal their agreement.

Zan straightened as if a huge weight had been lifted from him. "Safe journey," he said.

Aurora and Devrim left Zan alone in the room. He sighed and massaged his forehead. He had done all he could. Suddenly a gentle breeze filled the room. Zan's head snapped up. "There you are!" He said impatiently.

A woman in white robes appeared. Her skin glowed with a strange bluish light. Zan excitedly stood. "Wait while I go get the Empress!"

"No," the woman said. "She must go on her own journey. I am not allowed to interfere."

"Surely you can disobey just this once!" Zan begged.

The woman looked sad and shook her head. Zan dropped his head in defeat. "Will they be alright?"

The woman looked at Zan with an indescribable expression, "I hope so."