After dinner was cleaned up, I went to the study to work on the plans for the new palace. The talk this morning with Aaron, Kalvin, Victor and the guard captain has given me ideas to explore. Placing sheets of paper on the desk along with several charcoal sticks I am ready to sketch. The current palace is modeled on a roman domus, the new will be a more modern design. I am so sick of these dark rooms. Staying in the inn while at Four Rivers reminded me what a window could do.

I sit thinking about what rooms would be needed. Kitchen, its store rooms, dining room, great room, parlor, study, library, storage rooms, bathing rooms, nursery, servant quarters, dressing rooms, toilet rooms. Is that all of them? Shall I have offices in the Palace? Yes, I probably should, at least one for the chamberlain. So, twenty six rooms, plus or minus.

I'm busy sketching when guard Captain Robert interrupts me.

"Your majesty, a ship has entered the harbor."

"Who's flag does it fly?"

"They are flying two, your majesty. One of your families flags and one I am not familiar with."

"Which family Captain, I have several that claim me, Mother's kin, Grand mother's kin and Great Grand mother's kin. Please be specific."

"Ah, I believe this flag is your great grand mother's family then."

Oh, joy. This would be cousin Stanford then with the mystery guest who isn't a mystery. "Have the militia and guards on alert, replace the training weapon with real weapons and distribute any spare armor. And tell the guards on the gate to be extra vigilant."

After the captain returns to the tower, I go to my rooms. Once there I take my sword from it's scabbard. Thinking at the sword I change it into a decorative cloth and metal vambrace which covers my right hand and forearm. I change it to a dagger, then back to the vambrace. I remove my tunic, placing it in the wardrobe, I had only worn it a couple of hours at most. I put on a mid calf length skirt and a blouse, then knee stockings and my brogues.

After changing I tell Tilly, Sophia and Emi we are about to have company, my cousin and the Count. I returned to the study, to continue sketching, I want to show the others the ideas I have for the new palace. About an hour later there was knocking on the door which Emi answered. I could see as she answered the door, letting dear cousin Stanford in, may he be infested the fleas of a thousand camels. There is an older man with him, presumably the Count. Emi shows them to the parlor. Then she come to me, "Your cousin Stanford has arrived your majesty. And he is accompanied by Count Romir. Do you wish tea served?"

"Yes, please. The usually herb blend, please. And when you have served the tea, inform Kalvin that the matter we spoke of is happening, he'll know what I'm speaking of. Then attend me, please. And remember, I love you, no matter what I may say to the contrariety." She has a puzzled look on her face as she leaves to make the tea. Standing I go greet my guests.

"Ah, cousin Stanford, it's such a pleasure, welcome to Haven. It's been years, how are your mother and father? and Great Uncle?" He stands, giving me a hug. He is only an inch taller than I and only slightly heavier, being slim. But he is going soft in the middle, starting to grow a paunch.

"Rufina, so good to see you. Mother and father are doing well as is Great Uncle. You are looking well. Have you recovered from your father and brothers deaths?"

What an ass, the last time we spoke was just after the funeral for father and Burnard. He had to know the depth of the depression she had suffered at that time. Though we talking pleasantly, we despised each other.

"I am feeling much better now, thank you. And who is this gentleman?" I turn to the Count.

"Rufina may I introduce Count Andrew Romir. Count Romir this is my cousin Rufina, Queen of Haven." I held my hand out to the Count, who bows, kissing my knuckles. Knowing what I know I wish to smash his face on my knee while he was down there but I restrained myself. We sit and Stanford started prattling on about the trip from the mainland. After Emi arrived with the tea, I noticed the Count giving her the eye and the growing bulge in his trousers. So the information was true.

When he slows his prattle, I interject, "So Stanford what brings you to Haven?"

"Ah, dear cousin, I have come to introduce the Count to you. Great Uncle has arranged for him to marry you."

"Oh dear, how inconvenient. I'm sorry Count Romir but I can not marry you as I am all ready married."

"And when did you get married and who gave you permission to marry." demands Stanford.

"Just last week and I gave myself permission to marry, I am Queen after all." Stanford looks at the Count, who shrugs.

"I will have to inform Great Uncle of this. I'm sorry Count Romir for the wasted trip."

"That all right, Stanford my boy, as he didn't know that she had married it's understandable. He and I can work something out when we return." He takes a sip of tea, I catch a sour look, he doesn't like something. "Your majesty, Stanford tells me you have some fine horses here on the island, could we see them?"

"Why of course, Count Andrew. Girl, tell cook we have company for supper, then attend me." I give Emi a glare.

"Yes, your majesty." she goes to tell Tilly of our guests.

When she returns, we head to the stables. I notice as we exit the palace quite a few men are loitering about. They are wearing unfamiliar armor so I assume they are the Counts men. After we enter the stable I lead them to the stall containing the foal and her mother. Tobias usually has them confined at this time of day. This is a mistake as I hear a thud then I feel an intense pain in my head then black out.

* * *

The Count returns his dagger to its sheath after knocking both the Queen and the maid out.

"Such a trusting girl. Go round up the rest of the household, Stanford. My men will take care of the guards."

"And what will you be doing, Count?" He is looking at the unconscious girls sprawled on the floor.

"Don't you worry about that. I'll just soften her opinion of me." he chuckled.

"Very well." He walks out the door, closing it behind him.

"All right, girl. Now to teach you some manners." He looks around, noticing the room at the rear. Going to the door he opens it, an apartment. Good, some where a bit more clean than the stable floor. Walking back out to where Rufina and Emi lay, he grabs Rufina by the arms and drags her to Tobias' room, shutting the door behind himself.

Once he has her in the middle of the room, he drops her. Lifting her legs he pulls her shoes and stocking off, throwing them in the corner. Then with a yank he pulls her skirt off. What kind on undergarments are these? No matter, reaching for the crotch he pulls them off, they resist for a couple of pulls but finally give way. Oh, she shaves does she, I like that. Dropping her legs he grabs the neckline of the blouse and yanks, tearing it off her. What ever it is that covers her breast is treated the same. She now naked except for the vambrace on her right arm, which he can't figure out how is held on. So he leaves it.

Slowly removing his clothes, he thinks, first the queen then the cat bitch. They are both what he likes, slim girls that look like they are barely budding into womanhood. Just the thought of having both of them causes his erection to grow. Picking the queen up he places her on the bed, ass on the edge. Then holding her legs up, folding her in half, he runs a finger the length of her slit. As he does that she moans. Oh, she likes that does she. He runs his finger the length of her again, noticing that she is getting wet. Oh, such a slut, he thinks. Placing himself so he can rub his erection in her slit he starts vigorously rubbing on her. He is about to push into her when the door slams open, "What the fuck are you doing to my wife?" Says the man standing there, bare sword in hand.

* * *

The noise of the door slam against the wall followed by Aaron's demand to know what the Count is doing rouses Rufina from her stupor just as the Count drops her legs. She is still not fully conscious as Aaron and the Count start fighting.

As Aaron enters the room the Count drops the queen's legs as he steps back grabbing his dagger from the table and charges at Aaron. Aaron dodges the charge, leading the Count out of the barn, away from Rufina and Emi. Once they are in the court yard, they square off.

Rufina touches the side of her head finding a large knot forming there. "Dumb ass, you let him get behind you. I hope Emi is all right." She get off the bed, "Where am I?" She looks around. 'Ah, Tobias' room.' Hearing the clash of weapons from the open door, she heads toward the sound. She finds Emi laying in the middle of the stable floor. Checking her pulse, she finds it strong. There is knot growing on the side of her head matching the one on her own. Her fingers gentle probe the wound, it's not depressed, which is a good sign. The continuing clash of weapons attracts her attention. She stands, once more moving toward the door. She is peering out of the door, hiding behind the closed half, watching Aaron and the Count circling each other.

Aaron attempts a strike but only nicks the Count's arm but the Count gets a foot in the way, causing Aaron to stumble as he passes. Aaron lands heavily. Before he can recover the Count is there preparing to strike him when out of the corner of his eye he see movement. Heedless of her state of dress Rufina comes charging from the stable, the decoration on her arm now in the shape of a spear, the head a long narrow blade, good for slashing or stabbing. He steps away from Aaron least he be skewered. He can tell that she is not that acquainted with the spear. Though when he attempts to grab it he finds that she is quick with it, getting a slash on the arm. When he does capture it, he finds it isn't a normal spear as it changes in his hand, slicing his hand then scoring his ribs.

He stares at her, noting her nudity. He becomes erect at the sight. She scowls at him, "So you like little girls do you. Well this little girl has claws, bastard." He can see her eyes flick to his erection. Then he sees her grin, a feral looking one. As he watches her spear changes into a strange weapon, a long thin bladed sword. He tenses up, getting ready to defend or retreat. When she does charge he is confused as she doesn't come at him head on but going to one side. Her blade rises slightly, he moves to block with his dagger but her blade is no longer there. With a fleck of her wrist she has unmanned him, slicing three inch of his erection off. As his blood sprays over her, the rapier flicks twice, slicing his neck, first one side then the other.

"Dear Count, how does it feel to be the one being mutilated?" Her blade darts forward, entering him on the left side of his breast bone, slipping between the third and fourth ribs, slicing his heart in two as she moves the pommel to the left. As the light fades from his eyes she kick him in balls, "And that is for all the girls you have raped and murdered."

Aaron reaches Rufina, gathering her into a hug. "Thank you for the save, dear." he murmurs in her ear. She wraps her arms around him, squeezing him tight.

"Aaron, what is going on here?" A strange voice comes from the main gate. A large man leads a woman and several armed men through the gate. There are a pair of bodies lying near the gate, several more can be seen near the tower entrance.

Aaron turns his head, looking over his shoulder. "Just cleaning up some trash, father." Whispering in Rufina's ear, "You had best find your clothes love, my parents are here." She starts, realizing that she is naked. Stepping back from Aaron, she looks him in the eye, "I'll be back shortly." She then turns and strides to the stable.

The large neatly dress older man and an equally neat older woman, surrounded by guards approaches Aaron. "Trash you say? Oh, best not look dear." Taking the hand of his wife he starts to lead her to the front door of the palace.

"A moment, Father. The palace is occupied by enemies at the moment. Guards, would you escort mother to the inn in town. The inn keeper, Scott, will get you a room for the night, tell him that Prince Aaron will come arrange for payment." He hugs his mother, "Welcome to Haven, mother. I'll come see you in a while." He kisses her cheek.

"Who was that naked woman, son?" She ask in a whisper.

"That very capable young woman is Rufina, the queen of Haven and my wife."

* * *

Striding through the stable door Rufina checks Emi, who is still unconscious though her pulse and breathing are good. Willing the rapier back in to vambrace form she picks up Emi in a firemen carry then take her to Tobias' room where she lays her on his bed. Searching the room she finds what is left of her clothes, the torn blouse, the now frog less bra and the button less shorts. Her panties and skirt are okay though.

Looking around she spies a bucket near the basin. Empty. Putting her panties, skirt and blouse on she take the bucket out the back door heading toward the well. Once there she draws a bucket of water then removes her clothing, pouring the bucket of water over her head after walking a few steps away. Rubbing herself clean she then draws a second bucket full to rinse off with. Most of the blood is gone. Redressing she draws a third bucket full then returns to the stable. After finding a cloth she wipe Emi's wound, then places the wet cloth over it. Lifting her eye lids she watches her irises, which are responsive. Good, she thinks.

Coming out of Tobias' room she meets Kalvin, the guard Captain, Aaron and his father. Looking at the body of the Count, "Captain, would you have this trash removed from my sight." The captain has two men move the body.

She pauses a moment to speak with Sophia, 'Sophia, what's your status?' 'Fina! Oh, honey, so good to hear you. Currently, we are in the study with three guards and your cousin preventing us from leaving.' 'No one is hurt?' 'Not hurt but scared.' 'Okay, Kalvin, I and Emi are alive, Emi is unconscious but has a good pulse. I'm with Kalvin and Aaron outside the front door. Does cousin suspect that things have gone badly for his forces?' 'I don't think so, he is relaxed, calm.' 'All right, sit tight then.'

"There are three guards and dear cousin guarding the others. He doesn't suspect that he has lost yet. Any ideas on how to get them freed?"

Kalvin, the Captain, the king of Monte', Aaron and she are discussing how to rescue their friends. Once they come up with a plan, they execute it.

* * *

"You son of bitch, don't touch me." It's Fina's voice coming from the front vestibule. A indistinct voice answers her. Then a loud slap. "I told you not to touch me." Another slap.

The inner door opens and Rufina comes stumbling through it, followed by the Count. At that moment Sophia says,"Rufina," loudly. Rufina's cousin and two of the guards watching are distracted for a second. The Count, who's back is towards them now, has approached Rufina roughly pulling her to her feet then slapping her again.

"Take it easy there Count Romir, she needs to be in good enough shape to stand for the wedding." says cousin Stanford. As he says this he approaches the pair, the Count has Rufina backed against the wall, a hand around her neck.

Mean while Kalvin and several guards have snuck down the hall from the back stairs, bludgeoning the man that is supposed to be watching the hall and back door. He had been distracted by the show near the front door. Cousin Stanford walks up to the Count, but stops short when a dagger blade appears at his throat. The Count, really Aaron in the count's clothes, whispers, "I would stand very still, she is a mite upset with you." The tip of Rufina's blade is pressing on his neck, the slightest movement will open his artery.

"You will call for your guards to come carry the queen to the study, or you won't be calling any thing ever again." On cue Rufina appears to go limp, her blade doesn't waver though.

"Guards, come assist the Count with the Queen."

"Very good, cousin, you may live for a few more minutes." Hisses Rufina, still feigning being passed out.

As the guards leave the study, coming around the pond in the center of the atrium, Kalvin and the guards club them down.

Rufina stands straight, blade still at her cousin's throat, "Take them to the tower, lock them up." Turning to her cousin, "And what did you hope to accomplish by forcing me to marry that beast, dear cousin? Humm."

He starts to open his mouth to speak when he grabs his temples and screams. He drops to the floor, face down, his skull bouncing on the stone.

All she can do is stare at him now. "Damn it to hell," she curses. Her blade reverts to being a vambrace. Knelling down she turns her cousin over. His face is contorted in pain. "Sophia, I need you." she yells.

Sophia come at a run. Stopping beside the body, she stares at it. Extending her hand slowly, she moves it over the body, not touching it. She nods, "The same as the mate, massive brain hemorrhage."

"Captain, remove the body before it dissolves. Then question those men to see if they know anything. And send a platoon to secure their ship. Report when you are done. Sophia come with me please, we need to check Emi."

She starts to turn to the door when two small bodies tackle her. "Mama Fina!" they cry.

"Ah, Beth, Benny. Are you all right? You aren't hurt are you?" She holds them so she can see them. They appear frightened but unhurt. She hugs them close, tears starting to flow. "Come loves, we need to check aunt Emi, the bad man hurt her." Holding their hands she leads them and Sophia out to Tobias' room.

When they get there, Tobias greets them as does Emi. "Your majesty, why is Emi in my bed?"

Sophia and Beth goes to Emi, Beth hugging her, Sophia moving her hands over her head and neck.

"My cousin and a Count Romir have come to claim me for marriage. When I told them I was already married they acted like the matter was settled. When they asked to see the horses the Count knocked us unconscious, I let my guard down. Aaron's arrival woke me and saved me from being raped. Aaron and the Count fought. The Count was about to run Aaron through when I interfered, slaying him. When I cornered my cousin just now the same thing that happened to the mate happened to him. I am glad you are safe, if you had been here you would probably have been slain." She hugged him tight. He hugged her in return.

"Is everyone all right, anyone hurt beside Emi?"

"Three guards perished. And all but three of the Count's men." I was looking at Emi, she is smiling at Beth, holding her hand. I come over, kneeling down, I smile at Emi, "How you feeling love?"

"My head aches something fierce. Are you all right?" When she says that I start to shake, collapsing to the floor. Gods, I killed a man.

Sophia takes my face in her hands. "LOOK AT ME, ROSA!" Our eye lock, all I can see is the fire in her pupils. Then everything fades away.

* * *

"What happened?"

"Is mama all right?"

"Mama Fina."

Sophia, still looking into Fina's eyes says, "She has just realized what she has done. She is a gentle soul, not used to doing violence against others. Tobias, can we use your bed?" he nods. "Help me lift her to the bed, please."

Between the three of them they get her on the bed. "Children will you keep Mama Fina, company while aunt Emi and I go get some things?" They nod. "All right, lay down, one on each side of her, snuggle close, Okay? We'll be back." Taking Emi and Tobias by the hand she leads them to the other side of the room. "Tobias, will you go get a bucket of water, Please. Emi, she needs some new clothes. Go." She then picks up the pitcher that is beside the basin and follows Emi to the palace. Filling the pitcher with hot water she returns to the stable.

Tobias has returned, placing the bucket near the basin, he sits in the only chair in the room. He eyes start to tear as he thinks of his princess having to kill. He remembers the time she attacked her father. The rage in her then because he was beating her friend. She has a demon in her when she gets angry.

Returning with the pitcher of water, Sophia noticed Tobias sitting there, tears flowing down his cheeks. Going to him,"What is the matter?" After he explains his thoughts, she nods,"Yes, she has a demon when she is angry but that demon kept her alive today. Should we remove the demon, letting her die the next time she is attacked or help her control the demon so she can let it out when she or we need it?"

"I don't want to loss her, it's selfish I know but I love her. Help her tame the demon, please."

"I will. Now, will you take young master Benny some where so we can clean Rufina, please?"

"All right." He stands, going over to Benny he whispers in his ear. Benny jumps down from the bed, then runs out the back door into the paddock. "Beth, will you come help?" Holding out her hand she guilds Beth to the basin, where they mix water. Searching for and finding a couple of cloths and a block of soap then stripping Rufina they start washing her. Sophia points out places for Beth to wash then helping her move Rufina when needed. Emi returned with clothes for her then helps wash her. When Rufina was cleaned and dried they dress her. Then they cleaned the room, finally finding Rufina's shoes and stockings.

"Beth, will you go fetch Papa Aaron for me please." After the girl run off to find Aaron, Sophia tells Emi what they would do.

Beth finds Aaron in the palace, talking with Kalvin, the captain of the guard and his father. "Papa Aaron, auntie Sophia needs you in the stable." Taking his hand she starts pulling him toward the door.

"I am being summoned, I will return when I can." He allows Beth to lead him away.

When Beth leads Aaron into the room, they find Sophia and Emi supporting Rufina on the edge of the bed, up right but still asleep.

"Is she all right?" he asks, a worried tone in the his voice.

"Right now she is sleeping. She collapsed when she realized she had killed someone. So I put her to sleep. What I need you to do is to carry her to your room." They help get her on his back, her legs around his waist, one of her arms over his shoulders the other at her side, her head laying on his other shoulder. Sophia borrowed the scarf that Beth was using as a belt to tie Rufina's hands together so she wouldn't fall off as Aaron needed both hands to hold her legs. When she was secure they leave the stable for her rooms.

When they arrived, Sophia has Aaron sit on the bed then unties Rufina's arms then lays her back. After Aaron leaves Sophia and Emi strip Fina to her underwear then tucked her in. Then Emi did the same, crawling in beside her.

As Emi was doing that Sophia is talking with Beth, telling her what was wrong with Mama Fina. "So Mama Fina is sad that she was forced to hurt that man. Will you help aunt Emi and I help Mama Fina?"

"I'll do anything to help."

"Okay. You remember when all the grownups help me fix Papa Aaron's heart, how we sat in the a circle holding hands?" Beth nods. "Emi, you and me will do something like that to help Mama Fina. First you need to take off your tunic." She lifts the tunic over the childs head. "Now crawl into bed next to mama, snuggling close." As Beth does that Sophia removes her skirt, blouse and stockings then gets in behind Beth. "Beth, look at me please." When the girl looks at her, their eye lock and Beth sleeps. After arranging Beth on Fina, Sophia looks at Emi sending her to sleep also. As she cuddles up to Beth, placing a hand on Fina's midsection she too sleeps.

When she is in dream space Sophia forms a room in the image of Fina's bed chamber, complete with the four of them, though with much better lighting. She agrees with Rosa, the rooms of the palace are too dark. Before waking any of the three, she reviews the memories of Rufina for the last few hours, noting the feelings of loathing she has for her cousin and the Count. When Rufina mentions reports, Sophia reviews those memories. As she remembers those reports she becomes angry again. Finishing the reports, she continues reviewing Fina's memories. When she relives the fight and the killing of the Count she understands. When Fina checks Emi, she feels what she felt, the sadness of not protecting her loved one, angry at herself for letting her guard down. When she charges the man fighting Aaron she feels the determination to save her mate. When Aaron points out her lack of clothing, she feels the embarrassment. When she confronts her cousin, she first feels the thrill of a plan coming together then the frustration of not being able to question him. Then the joy of greeting her wards, the worry for Emi then when she finds Emi awake the realization of what she had done, the breaking of the Commandment, thou shall not murder.

Sophia realizes that this could be worse than she thought, this is one of the bases of Rosa's ethics, her childhood religious upbringing. Delving deeper into Rosa memories she searches for the religious teachings. Ah, there is what she needs. Now to do a bit of research on it. She rises from the bed, walking through the door into Rosa's local library. Sitting at the computer she searches for the original text of the that book. Calling it to the screen she reads it in the language of the authors. Closing the browser window, she returns to the bedchamber. Waking Emi first she shares Fina's memories with her which causes her to cry, to be angry, sad, to giggle and finally to be concerned.

"So she thinks that by killing that man she is condemned to eternal suffering in the afterlife."

"That is correct."

"Do you know the God that made those 'Commandments'?"

She thinks about it, A god of three parts. "You know, I just might know Him." She lays back down. Emi sees her relax, then become very ethereal. She is gone for but what seems a few seconds to Emi. As she returned to a more solid appearance another presence appeared standing beside her. Looking around the stranger's eye settled on Rufina, "Ah, so you are the the one that took her out of line, I have been looking for her."

"Sorry, Yahweh. I am just borrowing her for a short time. I'll return her when her tasks are completed."

"Ah, Yes, I see. I will allow it, it is a good work which she is well suited. So what's the problem?.. Oh, let me check the life of that one. Humm, Andrew Romir was condemned long ago as unredeemable, he caused too must pain and suffering."

"Sir, is Rufina going to be punished for killing that man?" Emi asks.

Yahweh turns to Emi, looking into her eyes, then smiles. "No dear girl, the death of the Count shall not count against Rosa/Rufina."

"Thank you Sir." Emi replies bowing to Him.

"Now let me inform Rosa of the verdict," He places his finger on Rufina's brow, then smiles. Her face relaxes, the worry lines disappearing. When Yahweh removes his finger from her forehead, there is a glowing mark where He had touched her.

"Benten, please send a report every now and again, I would like a record of the goings on here." Looking at Beth for the first time, "Ah, I see she is all ready training the next generation. Such a sad way to begin ones life. And there are others. Benten, you choose wisely even though rushed. I bless this work and those that do it." He glows, then a pulse of light goes out. When their eye return to normal, he is gone.

"Was that the god that Rosa worshipped on Earth?" Sophia nods then sits heavily on the floor.

Emi jumps up, running to Sophia. "Are you all right?"

"He is so powerful. He has access to trillions of souls across thousands of worlds. He scares me."

"Let's wake Fina and Beth. This is Beth's first dream space adventure, we should make it a good one." Emi says as she leans over Beth to kiss Fina.

"Wake up, love." Caressing her cheek as she says it. Fina's eyes open taking in the room, the amount of light, the presence of Beth and Sophia.

"I had the strangest dream, God himself came and forgave me for killing the Count, saying that the Count should have been collected years ago. But he said something strange as He disappeared, 'And take good care of your daughters, I see they could do great things.' What did he mean by that?"

Sophia stood, looking at Fina then passed her hand over the her lower abdomen. "Well isn't that something?" A large smile comes to her face, "Fina, my dear, you are pregnant, with twin girls."

"No, it can't be. Really?" She is having a hard time accepting it.

"By the looks of it, they have yet to settle on the the lining of the womb."

Beth chose that moment to stir. "Mama Fina, you're awake. Aunt Sophia is Mama going to be all right? Why is she crying? And what's that mark on her forehead?"

"Mark, what mark?" Fina makes a mirror appear in her hand. "Where did that come from? What is going on?"

"Where did that come from?" Beth asks, pointing to the mirror.

"Beth, this is dream space, do you remember me looking into your eyes? You do, good. This is where anything you can think can happen." Sophia explains to her. "Now watch."

The bed chamber fades away to be replace with Eliza's meadow. The four of them are now in sundresses, sleeveless, just above the knee in length, in different colors, Sophia's starting as deep yellow at the hem fading to white at the bosom. Emi is in pale blue with flowers, Fina is in Green with a silver trimmed black band around the hem. Beth's is like Sophia's but in orange.

"Fina, do you think Beth would like to fly?" Sophia asks.

"Everyone likes to fly," is the reply. As she says it she shrinks until she half Beth size. Then dragonfly wings grow from her back. Her wings start to buzz, she rises until she is level with Beth face, "Want to fly with me Beth?" She then zooms off into the sky, looping and rolling. Yelling with joy she circles Sophia and Emi.

Beth stares at her, "How do I do that?"

"Imagine yourself small, then imagine the wings. Want help?" Sophia asks.

Beth starts shrinking, getting smaller and smaller. "Whoa, Beth, not so small." Sophia stops her from disappearing completely then grows her wings for her. Then Emi and Sophia join her in her tiny size. Fina flew to them shrinking to their size as she approached. They then chased each other around the meadow, hiding among the flowers. After doing that for awhile they flew high into the sky, then floated down while holding hands. When they reached the ground they all grow to about four feet tall, a wide mirror appearing in front of them.

Fina is looking at her face, wondering where the mark on her head came from. Beth is looking at herself, never having seen herself before. Sophia comes behind them, "The mark is where Yahweh touched you when he spoke to you. I saw that you were worry about killing the Count so searched your memories for the reason why. When I told Emi of your upbringing, she asked if I knew your God. I realized that I did know Him so went to him to ask for his help. He decided that you were not to be punished then touched your forehead to tell you of it, leaving that mark. He also bless our endeavors. So be prepared to answer question about a golden glow."

"Is that what I look like?" Beth asks, turning as she looks in the mirror.

"Yes, sweetie. That is what we see when we look at you. Don't you like it?"

"I look so, I don't know, plain?"

"Oh, you look lovely sweetie. Watch." Sophia tells her.

Beth starts to change, her hips grow slightly wider, her breast grow, her hair grows longer reaching her hips. Her face matures, lengthening ever so slightly becoming thinner. Her arms and legs fill out. She now looks like she is in her early twenties. "This is what you should look like in fifteen or so years."

"This is what I will become or what I could become?"

"This is what, based on your body, you should become. Girls, can I show her your memories of each other when you first met?" They nod, they don't remember how they looked then and are curious.

An image of Emi when she was thirteen appears, standing next to one of Rufina at the same age.

"Oh, my. We were so skinny then." Emi and Fina say almost together. Then they giggle. Their thirteen year old selves are all arms and legs, narrow of hip, flat chested. But you can see their current selves in their faces.

Their twenty year old selves stand next to the aged Beth. Fina says, "Don't worry to much about your looks sweetie, every girl is beautiful to the people that love her. And a smile makes every one beautiful so smile beautiful girl." She tickles her ribs, invoking a grin. "See, you are beautiful when you smile." As they stand there looking at their reflections Beth slowly changes back to her seven year old self, she is still smiling and is still beautiful.

Emi turns, looking at her profile, there is a very slight roundness to her flat stomach. "Do I want to know or not?"

Fina looks at her, "What is it now, 4 weeks?"

"All most five. Still four before Mark returns."

Beth looks between them with a puzzled look on her face, "Know what? Who's Mark? And what's five weeks?"

"Mark is Emi's husband and five weeks is how long her baby has been growing. And I assume if it's a boy or or a girl."

Beth mouth falls open, "Emi is going to have a baby? When?"

"In about 31 weeks, a week or two before Spring next year."

"Are you going to tell her? or wait to tell everyone?" Sophia asks me.

"Tell me what?"

"I don't know, do you think she can keep it secret until I can tell Aaron?"

"What, What? Tell me, please."

'Sophia, you can tell her.' 'Thank you, sweetie.'

"While you were asleep, Mama Fina found out some thing that made her cry with happiness, can you guess?"

"That she is not the trouble with her god?"

"She found that out but that is not the secret. Try again."

"If I have to keep it secret until Papa Aaron can be told, it concerns him. What would make Mama happy that concerns Papa?" She frowns in concentration then her eyes go big. She looks from Emi to Fina. "YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY."

"No, not A baby." Beth frowns, when Sophia says that, "Not A baby, two babies, two girls."

"Squeeee, two babies. Girls, Squeeee." She runs up to Fina hugging her tight. "When?"

"About forty weeks from now. The middle of spring next year."

"Girls, would you like to see the babies?" Sophia asks.

Fina is about to ask how they would do that when she remembers Aaron's heart repair. "Mine are just balls of cells right now, not much to see. Emi's should look like something though."

'Teaching opportunity Fina.' , 'Ah, Okay.'

"You want to go first, Fina?" Sophia asks. I nod.

"Okay, relax." she touches my arm. A image appears in front of us, of my waist. The point of view zooms in, going through my dress and then my skin. The muscles of my abdomen fade away. There is my uterus with the tubes, we continue to zoom in, we pass the uterine walls. The view settles on a pair of tiny balls floating above a red plain, we can see the balls wither and move. I start crying, my girls.

"Are those the babies?" Beth asks, a very puzzled look on her face.

"Yes, those are the babies."

"Why don't they look like babies then?"

"They are only two days old, it will be seven weeks before they start looking like babies."

"Why are they moving?" Emi asks, she is curious too.

"They are moving because they are growing, each time the ball moves there are more cells."

"How big are they?"

"Very very tiny. A hair would look like a huge log next to them."

"Wow."

"Let's see what Emi's looks like." I say,

The image of my girls fades away, being replaced by Emi's waist. As with me we zoomed in, passing her dress, skin, muscle and uterine walls. We zoom in, to settle on a mass of cells connected to the wall, zooming a little more we see floating in a bag a tiny thing, a large head with stubby arms, legs and tail with large black spots for eyes.

Emi stares at the fetus, she's crying. Beth has walked right up to the image, pointing at things, asking what they are which Sophia or I tell her. She sits on the grass, a glazed look in her eyes, then asks, "How do babies get started?" Oh, boy. I was hoping for a couple more years before that question was asked.

"Sophia, would you zoom in on one of the ovaries, please." The view changes, showing an ovary and the end of the fallopian tube.

"Did you ever see the animals on your farm breed? Where the male got on the female. You did, okay. That is called intercourse or sex. The male puts little cells in the female called sperm. When the female is ready to have babies these parts shown release a cell called an egg. The egg travels down the tube as the sperm swims up the tube, if the timing is right the egg and the sperm meet and join together, starting a baby."

She sits quietly looking at the image, the image zooms in jerks, focusing on the ovary. When the image is a very tight view of the surface of the ovary we can see the cells that become eggs. "So these form eggs, which go down this," the view turns to the fallopian tube which we start moving down. "Are all animals the same? I mean do the males need to place sperm in the female and do the females make eggs like people do?"

"All mammals do. Mammals are animals that feed their babies milk, like sheep, goats, cows and horses. Birds are a little different, the male still puts the sperm in the female but the female put the egg outside of her body for the baby to grow. Fish are different, the female lays the eggs then the male puts sperm on them. Even plants have eggs and sperm, though they aren't called those words, they work the same way. The sperm enters the egg and a seed starts to grow."

Suddenly we hear a rumble. Beth blushes.

"I think it's time to go find something to eat and to have a talk with everyone," I say.

The image of Emi's insides fades away. Then first Emi, then Beth fade away.

"She is very intelligent isn't she!" I say to Sophia.

"Very. We will have to teach her well."

I take Sophia's hand in mine, squeezing it. "Thank you, Sophia, for everything." I hug her as we fade away.

When I open my eyes, I see we are not alone. Tilly is sitting on the chest at the foot of the bed, Helen and Eliza have brought chairs to sit on. Molly, Abbey and Christina are sitting on the floor beside the bed. Benny is on Aaron's lap, asleep. Aden, Tobias, Kalvin, Benson and Victor are sitting at the far end of the room. This is embarrassing.

"Good evening every one, sorry to worry you all."

Aaron is the one to speak,"Dear, you scared the crap out of us. And what is that on your forehead?"

Touching my forehead, "I had a bit of a moral crisis. Emi and Sophia helped me out of the that with a little divine help, which placed this on my forehead. Then we were teaching Beth about the bird and the bees, as the subject had come up when Emi mentioned that she is five weeks along. Then Sophia told her about your daughters, which got her excited."

The last comment went over his head, but it came back around in a few seconds. First his brow creased then I could see the wheels turn. "Daughters, I have no daugh..." His eyes got big. His mouth drop open. Then others caught on to what I said.

I whispered in Beth ear,"You can say it now."

"Mama is going to have two baby girls, in mid spring of next year. And I got to see them. And aunt Emi's baby too."

These statements caused an uproar, of course. All the women wanted to hug me, and the guys slapped Aaron on the back.

When the noise died down, there was that rumbling again, but this time it came from thirteen stomachs not just one. Tilly and Abbey leave, returning a short time later carrying a tray covered in sandwiches and another with cups and teapots. It appeared that most of them had missed supper for the vigil. As we ate we went into detail about the afternoon, thankfully Aaron is discreet enough to NOT mention my state of dress during our battle.

As the night progressed people started leaving, first Aden, Benson and Victor then Tilly, Abbey and the maids. Tobias, Helen, Eliza and Kalvin were the next to leave. By this time Beth was asleep in my arms so Aaron and I carried Beth and Benny to their room, undress them and tucked them in.

On the way back to our room, he snuggled with me in the dark of their sitting room, tucking me under his chin. "So we are going to have girls," he sighs.

"Yes, dear. Two lovely girls for you to spoil and love. Now come on, lets get to bed, there will be lots to do in the morning. And where are your parents?"

"I had them take a room in the inn, there is too much going on here tonight."

When we arrive back in our room, Emi and Sophia had dressed and were waiting for us. Sophia kisses me good night then hugs Aaron and leaves.

I hug Emi, "How are you feeling love?"

"Head aches, but Sophia says that will be gone in a day or two. How are you feeling? No ill effects?"

"No, I feel fine, wonderful actually." I pull her into a hug and give her a kiss. "See you in the morning." I give her butt a squeeze. When she has gone, I snuff all but one candle then removed the chemise that someone had put on me. Then before cuddling my man I snuffed the last candle.