Helnion was once again sitting in the center garden watching the birds. As she had been unable to move very much because of her broken ankle she often found herself here, watching the animals, maids, and concubines as they went along with their days all in an effort to forget the events on Korron.

A part of her was furious that she hadn't been there for Salis and Perrinu. Salis was gone and Perrinu was dead. She sorely missed Salis and wish her friend had taken her with her and was somewhat hurt by the fact. She also dearly missed Perrinu and it tore at her heart that she had died after doing so much.

Usui had told her about the men that had finally left Korron and that it was all thanks to Perrinu. If only Helnion hadn't gotten injured Perinu might still be alive and she'd still be helping the men to do whatever it was that Perinu thought needed to be done.

Helnion had finally gotten over the worst of her emotions at the loss of her two friends and felt ready to move on. Sitting in the garden had helped with this but even this was getting boring for her and she felt she needed to do more.

She turned her thoughts back to the garden. The birds had not held her attention for long and she was watching squirrels chasing each other through the trees. Then she saw some butterflies float past her and she lifted her hand out in hopes one would land on her finger. It did not. They never had and it made her a little sad.

Helnion's stomach rumbled. She could have called one of the servants over and asked them to get her food like she had been but today was the first day she had been allowed to walk, even if she had to use a crutch, and she wanted to go to the kitchens herself and watch the cooks prepare food while she ate.

She stood up, grabbed her crutch, and slowly made her way around the palace made of plants. She had no idea where the kitchen was in Usui's palace but she had wanted to explore the place and see what happened inside, her hunger could wait.

"Lady Helnion" One of the ageless and beautiful maids stopped her, "Do you need help back to your room?"

Helnion shook her head and continued walking. The maid bowed and continued on her way.

Several more times she was stopped by servants or maids and each time she declined their help.

She found the rest of the palace boring by comparison to the garden. Most of the rooms she had seen were simply empty rooms or servant quarters. She had not even seen a washroom or any kind of workroom.

It was not long before her ankle could take no more walking she decided that it was time to give up. When the next maid came to her, interrupting her thoughts on how to ask for help, she finally asked for food.

Not only did the maid leave to get her food another came and helped her back to her room. There she found the food already waiting for her.

Helnion had been getting sick of the food she was being served. Nobody here ate meat, and she had had none since she had left Kein. She had been wanting to ask for some but did not know the best way to ask. If Salis were here, she would know.

* * *

"Lady Helnion… Lady Helnion…" someone said, shaking her.

She had fallen asleep again after a meal. She had had no energy since she had gotten her injury and, while she liked to sleep, she had been doing it so much lately that it had become too much even for her.

Helnion sat up slowly and yawned.

Standing beside her bed was the maid, a short ageless woman with long light brown hair that was always pulled over her left shoulder and was the woman Usui had assigned to take care of her. Helnion simply looked at her, wondering what she wanted.

"Lady Helnion, you have some visitors." The maid, Uyae said.

Helnion tilted her head and wondered who was coming to visit her. Had Usui allowed her family to come see her, or had he found Salis and brought her back.

Uyae had grown accustomed to Helnion's lack of words and simply left the room when she saw Helnion understood what was going on.

A moment later two women entered the room. Uyae did not return.

"So you are one of the children my idiot brother sent to Korron? You have my sympathies. To be stuck with those disgusting creatures called men for so long…" Said one of the women.

Helnion had never seen anyone like this woman. She was wearing a form-fitting yet somehow modest set of clothes made from what could only be described as crystal thread, or so Helnion thought. The clothes even glowed gently, changing colors at random. Her golden hair was long, very long and was adorned with various jewels, pins, and other adornments of a quality Helnion had never seen before. Her skin was a spotless light pink, as if it had never seen the sun or been scarred in any way.

"If I had known your plight I would have come to your aide but I prefer to stay away from this place as much as possible." The woman said.

The second women, shorter with clothes that covered most of her features including most of her face, whispered to the first woman.

"I must apologize, I often forget that most of the children do not recognize me by sight. I am Melche and this is one of my servants, Triosa." The woman, Melche, said.

Helnion fell off her bed, hitting her bad ankle hard on the floor causing her to gasp in pain.

Few things surprised Helnion, especially after all that had happened to her after meeting Salis, but never had she expected one of the Deity to come visit her personally. Maybe Salis but not her.

When Triosa had helped Helnion back into her bed Melche resumed speaking. "Yes, you should feel honored to meet me. I like to keep out of the business of mortals so I rarely visit Calorin, which makes you one of the rare mortals to have had the privilege of meeting me."

"Why would one of such great position speak to one such as me?" Helnion said, her polite upbringing kicking in for once. It felt awkward saying it and a bit too serious for her tastes but how else was she to speak to a Deity?

"I have a request to make of you, Child. I also plan to reward you for your efforts by helping you search for your lost friend." Melche said.

"Deal!" Helnion said excitedly, and not caring to speak politely…

"Do you not want to hear my request before accepting?"

Helnion did not say anything.

"After my brother recovered you from Korron I had some of my servants investigate what happened." Melche looked at my ankle. "Some of the men said how well you fought against those foul madmen with your magic and it was that strength, despite not being born under my name, that made me interested in you. I realize you still have much to learn but it should not be a problem.

"As I said before I do not like to venture to Calorin. Which is why I am asking for your help as you are not associated with me. It also relates to your home country of Kein as well."

Melche paused and stepped next to the side of the bed.

"I want you to track down some thieves for me. Several of my temples in Koa Flaer and now Kein have been ransacked and in some cases vandalized. Many of my followers have been killed as well."

Helnion was unsure of what to do. Sure she wanted Melche's help finding Salis but what could she do to stop people that had been able to kill fully trained magic users.

"I know this is asking much for one with skills unpolished as yours but I would not ask you if I did not think you could do it. You will also not be going without aide."

Melche motioned to her servant… whose name Helnion had already forgotten.

"Triosa here will accompany you and training you. She will also keep me informed of anything you might find out and will also receive any information that any of my other servants will find out. I will also strengthen some of your potential, specifically a new magic as you will need it for a later task I have planned.

"If you do these things for me, I will instruct all of my servants on Calorin to keep an eye out for your friend."

Helnion agreed to help Melche a second time.

"Good,” Melche looked pleased.

"Helnion," Triosa said. "We will be leaving immediately.

Helnion nodded, grabbed her crutches and stood up. Triosa took her by the arm, helping to support her, and the two left Usui's palace.

When the two had gone, Melche left as well. Usui had not known of her coming and she did not want to be here when he found out. She would get an earful later, but she had expected as much.