The instructions were simple, annoyingly difficult, but simple. I had to journey by myself, across the Breached Coast to Mantera, the city of Magda, and talk with the prince Misha Mashen'ka, and show him this scroll, I'm guessing that what is read by others is different than what I read, but when he read it, he simply handed me a sack of gemstones, and told me to wait. an hour later, he handed me the lead rope to a tamed zebra, and bid me farewell.

I was then to journey to Kaine, in Togarini, and do the same thing. for a simple herb seller. The Sylvan I was told to speak with, took the gemstones, held each one to her head, with the flat part against her forehead, and put them back in the bag. she then took the lead rope off the zebra and set her forehead against his. I could tell she was exchanging Ki with it, but I didn't know why.

The scroll told me to wait at her home for three days, for those three days, I helped her with her other projects, and learned as much about the herbs as I could, thinking this is what Demeter wanted me to teach Tasha. At the appointed time, I walked back to the temple where my daughter was. as I entered the town, a beautiful woman with Chestnut hair stopped me, this time I recognized her, as my goddess.

"Set the back of your palm against the head of the zebra." she said, without introduction, just like last time. when I did, everything the Sylvan had ever done in the healing arts was transferred to my memory. all of her herbs, all of the techniques, even how to use makeshift supplies to perfect a tincture. what an herbalist's belt looks like, and how to make it, and what materials to use, so that not even the finest herb can slip through, and be lost.

I felt as though I had lived her lifetime, through her eyes, and I knew I hadn't.

"For the rest of your days, you will remember every memory you just saw as your own, and you will believe you did all those things before you met Ryan. When you return to the temple, you are to place the bag of gemstones in the inside pocket on the right side of Tasha's Nameday cloak. once you do, the memory of this trip, and everything you did will disappear. Tasha will know what to do with the gemstones. and since you waited the three days instead of rushing back here, your obedience is rewarded. Hand this to Damien before you place the gemstones, and simply say these words: here is what Ryan had put back for our daughter."

I nodded to her, and I felt the fabric of Ryan's coin purse. the one his sister had made for him, and gave to him the day he became a paladin.

The city seemed quiet, the Technomagic's fortress still hovered over the city, and most people were staying inside. Tasha's first use of her gift, and she made something so complex, its a rare gift indeed. The Technomage's will probably try to recruit her, but after the beating the sisters gave their enforcer, I doubt the offer to join the shadow will come with a cup of tea.

A woman walking toward me nodded. I looked into her eyes and then to her necklace. A single stiletto pendant; a Sister of Selene. She gave a light hop, as though to start a dance, and then danced around me in a circle. I stopped moving, this is how the sisters fight in the open, as a fluid dance. I started to become enthralled when she stopped. I looked around, having lost track of time and saw four men and two women laying on the ground, their eyes glassed over. I knew there were no healing herbs I could give them to revive them. Hades had already claimed them.

The sister escorted me back to the temple, and just before I walked into the gate, I heard her say "To Demeter's Champion, an easy recovery, an easy battle, an honest life, and your name on Demeter's Oak. May the Sisters of Selene never meet you across a field of battle, for we will surely perish."

how could a trained assassin say something like this about a five year old girl, who hasn't even been trained how to fight yet? well Demeter's order was quite clear, we were all to train her from the time she woke up, with everything we knew, even Bridgett had been ordered to teach my daughter the ways of the Valkyrie. something that Freya had never said before. Two Pantheons, and a celestial monarchy was backing my daughter, and the technomagics went and hurt her. I hope they pay dearly for the cost.

I walked passed the healer's building where my daughter lay. I saw Bridgette sleeping on the cot under the roof of the open portion of the building, and Natalie near by sitting upright, but faking staying awake. I know the Pride of Sisters are still here, but true to their name, they aren't able to be seen.

I walked into Darrien's office, and received a normal daily greeting, as though I hadn't just returned from a trip. that's right, Demeter said no one who lived in the temple would remember me leaving. I handed him the coin purse, and he took the white-gold pieces out, and handed the rest back to me. I put the gemstones in the pocket where Demeter had told me, and walked to my daughter's sick room, and sat down.

as I sit there, Natalie comes in.

"Have you been awake all night?" I nod.

"There hasn't been a change in two weeks, step outside and get some rest, if she wakes I will get you." I nod, but don't move. I lay my head down on her bed, and go to sleep.