Forest & Kingdom Balance Read Online Free Page B

poured wine
from an etched crystal decanter and was mesmerized. The carved
figures appeared to be moving. They were riders on horseback that
galloped in sparkles of brilliant color as they spiraled up the
decanter.
    He noted her interest. “Isn’t it beautiful my Lady,
it’s the work of one of our finest artists. Any movement will
refract the light and send the riders on their way.”
    She took her wine glass and turned it slowly as she
examined the etching of children at play that encircled the glass.
“Beautiful,” was all she could say.
    “Now my lady,” he spoke as she took her first
tentative sip, “I will answer any question you have and many you do
not know to ask.” Froggy watched as her face took on an expression
of ultimate pleasure, more from the wine than his statement it
seemed, since she finished the contents with impressive speed.
“Which won’t matter of course, because if you keep drinking like
that you won’t remember a thing.”
    “Sorry.” Dionara’s mischievous eyes and coy smile
belied her apology. “Answers? No evasions, parables or questions
answered with questions?” Her tone was a bit doubtful.
    He looked straight into her eyes, “I will tell you
that the reason we are here today is not only to give you what you
want; but also, to give you what you will very soon need.”
    A refilled glass in one hand and a strawberry dipped
with cream in the other, Dionara leaned back to consider his
proposal. Much like a cat considers a mouse. Froggy, with a
mischievous smile of his own, waited patiently for her response. As
she drew breath to launch her first barrage of questions against
his, up until then, impenetrable wall of misdirection, she saw a
hawk gliding to land beyond a nearby rise in the field. Froggy’s
eyes unfocused and his expression changed from playful to deadly
serious. A white light flashed from the direction of the rise.
    “Excuse me my Lady.” Froggy apologized as he stood
and hastily departed.
    Frustrated beyond belief, Dionara could do nothing
but watch and wait. Moments after Froggy disappeared from view, her
vision was once again filled with light. This time though, it was a
brilliant emerald green. Once her eyes readjusted she realized
someone was approaching. He appeared to be a young man, strong,
tall and dressed in forest green.
    The stranger knelt. “Princess, the Caretaker wishes
me to express his profound apologies, urgent circumstances have
called him away and he hopes that you will except my company until
he is able to return.”
    Slowly, a cold feeling of vulnerability rippled up
her back as she realized that she was in a strange land and the
only person she knew or trusted was gone. Her playful mood had
vanished and her actions in coming here seemed reckless. “I’m a Princess,” she thought, “I can handle this.” She took a deep
breath as her fear subsided, “What is your name?”
    “John, my Lady.” His head bowed in respect.
    “Well John, it looks like Froggy gave up a perfectly
good meal, I hope it was worth it. Please join me.”
    “With pleasure My Lady.”
    As he moved to seat himself across from her, Dionara
looked into his eyes. For some reason it revived her memories of
the mist. “Yes. The water.”
    “My Lady, I know you have many questions, but first
if I may, I would like to welcome you on behalf of all the Forest
Dwellers to the home of your mother’s birth. Our love for her was
only exceeded by the grief we felt at her death.”
    “What?” Dionara froze.

Interlude
    At Sea
    Sunlight spilled across maps haphazardly strewn, his
eyes idly followed the progression of highlight and shadow as it
mirrored the rhythm of the ship. “When will this
incessant voyage end?” A knock at the door awoke him from
his thoughts. “Enter.”
    Tall, trim, and wrapped in the furs of a long ocean
voyage, Kalibra entered the cabin. Her golden hair wreathed in
morning light swayed with fluid movement, while her radiant
self-confidence reflected