It was chaos in the town. The locals rushed forward to attack Silvana, only to be knocked back as they butted against some invisible wall. Silvana's eyes glowed with a silvery light that spread out from her waist in a pulse. Everyone struck by it fell as if they were being pounded by a hammer.

A few townsfolk were throwing their eggs and rocks, but with her shield guarding her they simply bounced off and fell to the ground. Closing her eyes, Silvana raised the rocks several feet high before scattering them into the crowd. I heard a few cries of pain as they struck the local's heads. She stretched out a hand, and several were knocked off her feet.

It should have been impressive, but I found that she was no longer as threatening or intimidating. She was no Merlin. No Gandalf. Not some world shaking magician that could call down lightning and thunder with a word. From what I could see her fighting prowess resembled a company of soldiers with clubs and shields. Nothing to scoff at, but underwhelming. With a gun I could have her head any day I wished, but then, the same could be said of everyone.

The townsfolk seemed far more impressed than I, and they scattered like a group of unruly soldiers seeing their officer. Silvana's glow faded. I heard the sound of running. "Hold! What drives the chaos here?"

My eyes turned to the man who had greeted Galahad at the gate. The squire was at his side, dismounted with his sword drawn. Silvana gave a bow. "Master Stewart, I seek to offer a pardon of gold to the criminals Robyn and Marian for their crime of theft." She raised a pouch. Gold glistened inside. "They do not appear to be very popular."

The stewart clasped his hands in front of his chest as if he were praying. "Your kindness lights our day, honourable mage. But the lady Rosanna will not be pleased if a thief goes unpunished. The jewels were dear to her, and she demands a life to sate her anger."

"I journey to the capital city. I will seek out lady Rosanna to resolve the conflict." Silvana said.

The stewart bowed. "I mean no insult, honorable mage. But the lady Rosanna is a great and rich noblewoman holding many towns. She belongs to the high house Decci. Might I ask your name and station?"

"I am Silvana Forraest, apprentice to archmage Zalam Crownbreaker. Heiress of the Waywood."

It sounded powerful. Apparently it was a big deal, because everyone in the town aside from me fell to their knees.

The stewart's face turned blue, and he kissed the ground in front of her. "I did not know, lady heiress, please forgive our insolence."

"If I did not, all of you would be dead. Now, the prisoners?" Silvana asked.

"Released, pardoned. They are yours, lady heir, yours."

Silvana waved a hand in dismissal, and the entire crowd fled as if she were the devil himself. I saw Galahad's face show raw terror before she fled. Silvana tilted her head at the man Robyn, and his wife who was hiding behind him. "I am in need of a few servants to attend me at the capital."

"Yes... of ... of course my lady." He squeaked. It looked comical, such a large man cowering before Silvana like a mouse before a cat.

She turned around. Robyn scrambled to follow. I met Silvana again as she came to meet me. "Nice titles. What were you doing in the village?"

"Godfather's reign has long passed, and the Waywood has been wild and untamed since mother's death. Perhaps my titles would have meant more a decade ago. But Godfather is exiled, and has been since my brother's death."

My mind spun. "What happened?"

"Godfather used to be known as the most powerful archmage the world had seen since Prea'Cantoros the wise. He was the emperor's staff, a powerful man who made kings tremble on their thrones. Those who displeased him were killed, and their kingdoms destroyed or given to another. Men called him Crownbreaker. He was given a charge to protect and train my brother, but he failed." Her voice turned bitter.

"And who was your brother?"

"Richard Forraest, the Starcaller of prophecy. It was him who was chosen by the gods to face Vastas Daem Faellian and the Skybreaker."

"But he died!"

"Yes, he died." Silvana's voice grew soft. "On that day when the sky turned black the Fallen one threw his sword at my chest. He took the blade for me, he died in my place. He was eleven, still a boy."

"I... I'm sorry." I said. "I didn't know."

Silvana sighed. "Save your pity for the world. It has yet to hear the news of my brother's death. He was the chosen of the heavens, the light of the Seven Skies. He is dead, who will save the realm from the Fallen one now?"

"What was he like, your brother?" I asked.

Silvana's eyes grew misty. A lone tear fell from her eye. "A good person this world did not deserve. Like you, very much like you."

Before I knew what I was doing I put an arm around her. "There will be others like him."

Silvana gave a sad smile. "Who? The Fallen one blesses the Skybreaker. The world has seen thousands of years and thousands more prophecies. Only twice were any defied. Heroes will perish at the Skybreaker's blade. Will you stop him yourself?"

"If I have the power to, I will." I promised. An empty promise, but still a promise. In my mind, I was already thinking of ways I could kill him. A gun would probably work.

Silvana laughed, wiping off her tears. "Oh, you are a treasure. Sometimes I wonder if it is a child wearing that body of yours." She waved off my glare. "Remember what you said, celestial. I will certainly not forget. Now, the king's guards are here. We cannot be seen resisting arrest."

I saw the glint of armor under the morning sun as horses galloped past, forming a circle around me and Silvana. "I am Silvana Forraest, apprentice to Zalam Crownbreaker and heiress of the Waywood. I bring you Leon Marshall, celestial of the highest lands."