You didn't need to cross dimensions to find a place where people were leading completely different lives. While the average day in the Warrior Kingdom began and ended with training your body, the Healing people were fixated on what they could use to heal it.

Gardens were built on the canopy of the Giant Trees where plants and herbs were grown in long pots for to make medicines. Dozens of huts were used for the drying herbs, dozens more for grinding and yet more for making tinctures. Just before sunrise, Leyla watched from her window as women in green dresses removed earth-covered crystals from little pockets inside the tree trunks. Each crystal had its own function and they were often used in tandem to relieve pain.

"Its fascinating," Michael smiled beside her. He had claimed kinship again and stayed in her hut, to protect her. The arrangement suited her since it made it easier for her to protect him. "They seem to have discovered a new use for Sectorinium."

Leyla wouldn't ask. She knew the Book Keepers of the Land of Light kept meticulous notes of all information generated by the other Kingdoms. Since yesterday, Michael had been going around the Healers settlement with his eyes wide in fascination.

As a Prince of the Land of Light, Michael was treated with respect and not a little amount of fascination and weariness by the Helaers. The Land of Light was the only Kingdom that did not need their medicines and rarely used their talents. Although it was easy to see that many of the females wanted to gain his favour, all medicine making processes stopped whenever Michael came near. They must think he, unlike the Warriors, would understand and replicate what he saw. Little did they know that Light Spies had probably already gotten their hands on all the information they were trying to hide.

"When are you going to tell me how your spies get around undetected?" Regretting that she had no weapons to train with, Leyla raised her hands and pulled her focus together to start practicing Rik Ruv; a martial art she had learned on Asch.

"You know I can't, La-la." Michael said, looking genuinely unhappy. "It isn't because I don't trust you..."

Leyla stopped mid-movement and raised her brows at her companion. "Relax. I was just messing with you."

"Yeah," he crossed his arms over his chest. "Talking about messing with people. Lady Delphine was very upset when she woke up at the outpost. She cried for hours because she thought you were dead and would only stop every so often to tell me she was never going to leave my side. Care to explain?"

Leyla groaned, remembering her last words to the girl. "At least she is back in the Land of Light now. She will feel more at ease."

Michael shrugged and walked back to take his early position at the window. "If you aren't giving me an explanation for that, how about telling me why the General has suddenly taken an intense dislike to me?"

Alec? Leyla stepped up beside Michael and saw the Warrior coming across the bridge that led to their hut. She hadn't told Michael that Alec discovered who she was, it would serve no purpose other than complicating matters. Why was Alec angry? Was it because Michael lied to him about not knowing Leyla? But Alec would have realised that he couldn't tell him the truth, just as she couldn't. "He must just be preoccupied. He thinks it's his fault that they made such a strange demand in exchange for saving his cousin's life."

"It is his fault." Michael frowned. "Which gives me reason to be angry at him, not the other way around. It's annoying me that I can't seem to figure him out."

Alec stepped onto their platform, the sunshine spinning his hair into pure gold. Every time he took a step, the material of his blue uniform stretched across his muscles and the sheath of his sword tapped his leg. She knew he could fight a dozen men and not break a sweat and yet, he had been so gentle...Leyla pushed away from the window before she became fixated on that kiss again.

It meant nothing. He had kissed her to distract himself. She had practically suggested it herself. And now, the only reason why she couldn't stop thinking about it was that it was her first kiss. It was normal for people to feel strongly about first kisses, wasn't it?

There is nothing more to think about. He is going to marry the Princess.

The brisk knock on the door made her jump.

"I'll get it," Michael grumbled.

Leyla turned away to tuck the Prorex's ring back under her collar. The necklace was forever coming loose and annoying her. She should probably give it to Michael when he left, seeing as it could take a while for Leyla to make it out of the Giant Forest.

The sound of the door opening was followed by Michael's greeting. "Welcome General. To what do we owe this pleasure?"

Alec gave him a brief nod, then looked past him to where she was standing. "I can't find Finn."

Leyla moved without hesitation, following Alec out of the hut. The boy had showered her with apologies when she went to see him the evening before, and had gone on and on about how he would not allow her to be punished for saving him. It was all talk of course, what could he do other than anger the Healers...

"Do you think he is seeking an audience with the Heka?" Michael asked, only a step behind them.

"It's likely," Alec grimaced, "Though it won't do him any good. I've tried speaking to her several times, but she will not budge."

"I've already told you both to stop worrying. The Healing Lands are beautiful. Living here is hardly a punishment." She wasn't lying really. It was a beautiful place to live. A beautiful place full of Healers who wanted to experiment on her body.

Both men shot her unconvinced looks.

"Never mind. Let's just stop Finn before he gets himself into trouble."

They crossed six bridges, then climbed the staircase that twisted around the bark of the Giant Tree which housed the Heka's hut. The door was closed, the guardian statues silent.

"There are always Healers waiting out front," Alec frowned.

Michael put his ear to the double door, "No sound. I heard the Heka inspects the platforms on new moon day. Is it new moon today?"

Leyla was trying to remember the last moon she had noticed, when a long whistle was followed by two short ones. It was the Warrior scout's signal that outsiders were on approach.

Alec leaned over the ledge, "The Healers are moving to the platforms."

"Let's go." It was Michael who led them this time, his expression guarded.

"Did you do something?" she whispered in Asch.

"Not really," was his only response.

That was a definite yes, but what could Michael have done? He didn't seem worried, so it was likely nothing serious. They took the stairs down as low is it would go, but had to wait along with dozens of Healers, for a platform to take them down from the second level.

By the time they reached the ground, hundreds of Healers had gathered, and an air of expectation buzzing amongst them. Over dozens of green turbans, she could see Alec's guard Sten. Wolf and Bo were also close by. Alec whistled low behind her, catching his men's attention, then nodding right and left, directing them to spread out.

What was this gathering about? Suddenly, Alec grabbed her at the waist and lifted her onto a boulder a few steps to their right. His hands stayed on her for a moment longer than needed, before he went back to assess the situation.

"Good idea, General," Michael moved to stand beside her.

Now that she was a little higher up, Leyla spotted the Heka and Serena at the centre of the gathering with Finn nowhere in sight. What was in sight, however, was far more disconcerting. Twenty riders, carrying the banner of the Land of Light were on approach!

"Michael," she hissed, absolutely certain that he had something to do with this.

"Just watch," the Curator grinned.

"We apologise for our sudden arrival," the leader of the company descended from his horse. Nine-teen other riders, all dressed in the white uniforms and blue boots of the Land of Light followed suit, bowing in respect to the Heka who stood in front of her people.

"It is rare indeed to see the Light people. Even rarer to see so many at one time. You are most welcome here," the Heka said graciously.

Michael made to move forward, but Alec stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Hey!" he began to protest, but Leyla pulled at his sleeve, shaking her head in the negative and whispering in Asch:

"Let the Warriors move into position before revealing our location. Alec will not be at ease until they do."

"This is so unnecessary," Michael muttered, but he stayed put as they continued to watch the happenings.

"Thank you, Heka," The commander smiled. Then he signalled for the man to his right to hand him an orange sized object covered in white cloth. "We received word that you have been hosting our future Queen in your land."

A shocked murmur went round the Healers and Leyla felt Alec tense.

"Queen?" Came a shout from the left. "Then you really can't keep her!" Finn pushed forward from where he had been watching in the shadows. By Tevvuk's beard!

Alec caught Bo's eye who moved immediately to restrain Finn and keep him from saying more. Murmurs spread across the congregation as the boy was dragged back into the shade of the tree. The Heka looked displeased.

The Light Commander, however, did not seem in the least perturbed. Pretending not to have noticed the interruption, he continued in his pleasant tone. "To show our appreciation for healing her and those she holds dear, our Prorex has sent a gift. He hopes you will accept this small token of his appreciation."

The Heka motioned for two of her Healers to retrieve the object. When they brought it back, the Heka reached forward to uncover the wrapping. After revealing only a tiny corner, she froze, then she was folding the material back into place, the crystals on her wrists jingling in her haste.

"From her reaction I'm guessing Raphael must have sent an Amaryst." Michael grinned beside her.

"Can you speak a language I can understand?" Leyla hissed.

"It's a crystal that has healing properties that go beyond any other. The Healing People believe the last one was lost two-hundred years ago."

"You guys stole it?" Leyla's eyes widened.

"Of course not," Michael sounded insulted, but he refused to say more.

Leyla watched in amazement as the Heka held the rock to her chest, her eyes filling with tears. Why had the Prorex sent such a precious object? He must have lost his mind...

"Please convey our thanks to the Prorex," The Heka smiled at the envoy, then sent Serena a meaningful look. "We hope the Lady Alessa's journey home passes without danger and injury."

"I think it's time to go home," Michael laughed attracting the attention of the Healers around them.

Now aware of their presence, the crowd parted, clearing a path to the Light Guards who all turned in their direction. Leyla held her breath. She knew she should be happy she had just been released, but somehow her fingers itched for a sword.

"Curator," the soldiers bowed to Michael, raising their fingers to their foreheads. Then the Head Guard walked forward until he was only an arm's length away. Leyla took an involuntary step back. Alec took a step forward, but Michael put a hand on his shoulder; it was his turn to wait.

"Consort," The Head Guard reached for her right hand and bowed to touch his forehead to her fingers. The Light Guards who still waited in the clearing, sunk to their knees as she blinked: "Consort, we greet you! May the light shine upon you!"

Leyla had barely stopped cringing when the Head Guard straightened. "The Prorex heard what happened on your travels and sent this message: He awaits your return and asks you not to take too long to complete your journey."

Pulling back her cold hand, Leyla nodded. All she could think was: Damn.