We have been invited to dinner at the Manor and I stare at the emerald green velvet dress laid out on my bed. It calls to me like a siren. I would dearly like to try it on, however, it looks too expensive to be accepted as a gift from a man I barely know.

Zane pokes his head around the door; he is looking particularly handsome in a dress shirt and green cravat.

"Is something amiss, little one?"

"Oren sent this dress for me to wear tonight, but I don't want to take advantage of his kindness."

He walks in and rests his hands on my shoulders in a fatherly way. "Elissa, it is obvious that the man admires you greatly."

He places a finger on my lips to stop the protestations that I was just about to utter. "He has assured me that his intentions are honourable. I would not be surprised if he seeks permission to court you."

"Court?"

"Wooing, in an attempt to secure an engagement."

I frown, feeling bemused. How can someone possibly contemplate marrying a person they have only just met? "Why would he be interested in me?"

"You underestimate your charms, little one." His smile fades and a dangerous edge glimmers in his eyes. "Of course, he may merely wish to seduce you."

Gee, thanks. I shove him out of the room and put on the dress. I twirl around and I feel ready to attend a medieval banquet.

.......

The carriage Oren sent, pulls up onto the gravel driveway and a servant helps me down, while another shows us to the dining room. Around thirty people, all clothed in their finery, are stood making polite conversation and I'm certainly glad that I look the part in this gorgeous dress.

Our host immediately approaches us, looking very smart in a black tails and a starched, white shirt. "Elissa, you look enchanting tonight. I am so glad that you could make it."

Feeling a little overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze, I try to make a joke, "Well, I had to make room in my busy social calendar, but since you have been so kind, I could not refuse."

He gives an awkward smile, takes my arm and leads me over to an elderly gentleman sat in a sturdy chair, propped up with a couple of velvet cushions.

"Elissa, I would like to introduce you to my grandfather. Tonight, we gather to commemorate the day of his birth."

The old man's expression implies that he would rather not have all the fuss.

"Happy birthday, sir. I'm afraid I did not know and have not brought you a gift."

"When you get to one hundred and twenty solars of age, there is not much one needs other than younger limbs," the man grouses.

"Really? I would not have guessed that you were a day over eighty!"

A smile breaks on his face. "Come my girl, pull up a chair and let us furnish you with a drink." He waves a walking stick and a servant hustles over to do his bidding.

Oren's grandfather has the most amazing stories and I feel privilege to be seated next to him at dinner. I guess being brought up by my grandmother has made me appreciate the wisdom in the older generations.

"I remember when I was a young man and there was a terrible problem with the Diamond Isle. It holds all the other islands in orbit. We feared that we would all fall out of the sky."

I gasp, transfixed. "That's terrible. What happened?"

"Celestia, the elven queen herself came up and fixed it. Terribly powerful is that one. Not a day has she aged, while I have been weathered by the sands of time. Shame, for I would like to show you the gardens here. They are so beautiful by moonlight."

He waves Oren over, who frankly looks rather chagrined. Maybe he was sat next to a really boring dinner guest.

"Oren, I was telling Elissa how beautiful the gardens are by moonlight. 'Tis only a few nights since the full moon. Alas my poor legs do not avail me. Would you humour me by taking her for a turn?"

"I would be delighted." Oren seems to visibly brighten and holds out a hand to help me out of my chair.

We stroll along the gravel paths of the formal gardens. The scent of honeysuckle is heavy in the air and the stars are bright. We stop by a tinkling fountain and I gaze up at the night's sky. Suddenly Oren is right there and pressing his lips against mine. Struck by shock, it takes me a moment to react and push him away.

I really am unfathomably stupid when it comes to men. Zane's comments ring in my ears and I take a step back. "Lord Oren, I hope that I have not misled you, but I .. I am not that sort of woman."

"No, it is I who should apologise. I beg your forgiveness. I assure you my intentions are honourable. I got carried away, bewitched by the sight of you in the moonlight."

It is beyond awkward to be wearing his dress and I rather stiffly insist, "I will of course return the dress to you."

Oren holds out a hand in treaty, "Please, Elissa I beg of you. Keep it. I ask nothing in return."

I soften. He looks truly sorry and maybe I overreacted. I haven't had much experience; I've just had the one boyfriend and that lasted little more than a month before ending in tragedy. Oren is only the second male to kiss me. Well, third if you count that creepy stalker elf, which I don't.

"Please can we forget this incident and be friends."

Oren nods, though looks crestfallen. I feel bad. He is charming and pleasant company, but I have no romantic inclination towards him.

.....

After our stay on the Emerald Isle, we return to our original route visiting the Lapis Isle and now we are on our penultimate island, the Amethyst Isle.

Once we are settled in, Darish says, "I will be taking some gems to the Crystal Temple later today. Elissa, would you care to accompany me? You may find it of interest."

Always eager to see new places, I agree and an hour later we pass through the silver gate into the grounds of the sanctuary. I feel a sense of peace wash over me. It is difficult to describe but it is as if the air itself has regenerative properties. Peaking above the tree line is the glinting tip of a pyramid.

My voice falls to a reverential whisper. "What is that?"

"That is the Crystal Temple. The accolades are all healers and are sent throughout the realm to serve," Darish explains.

We enter a single storey building, nestled amongst the lush gardens, and are ushered into an airy room, done in tones of white and silver. A woman of indeterminate age, glides into the room. Her long flowing sky-blue dress is an almost perfect match to her eyes. It's my favourite colour.

The woman's initial focus is on Darish and she puts her hands together in greeting, almost as if praying. "By the grace of the Mother, we are well met."

Darish reciprocates, "By the grace of the Mother." The movement causes his sleeve to slip down his arm.

She notices his scar and with a feather-light touch, traces the thin white line. "Which healer tended this wound?"

When Darish tells her about the healer he saw, she shakes her head. "No, this is far beyond her healing ability."

For the first time, her attention turns to me.

Darish steps in. "May I introduce you to my ward, Elissa. Elissa this is the Sapphire Priestess from the Crystal Temple."

"Elissa, we are well met." Her warm smile indicates genuine pleasure. "Does the gift of healing lie with you?"

"Well I was learning how to heal animals, but not by using magic like you do here," I explain.

"Why did you choose animals?"

"Where I come from, some animals are endangered. I wanted to go into conservation and help those that cannot help themselves."

The priestess touches my arm and a feeling like static energy passes between us. I fidget under the intensity of her crystal blue gaze; it feels like she is trying to peer into my soul.

"I sense the power of healing within you. Should you ever wish to resume your training, you will always be most welcome here."

While Darish and the Priestess conclude their business, I stare out of the window and watch as a beautiful blue butterfly dances in the sunlight. Absentmindedly, I rub my arm.

.........

The Sapphire Priestess hurries to the Crystal Temple, where the High Priestess is sat, eyes closed, in deep meditation.

Before she can utter a word, the High Priestess mentally links with her. 'Tell me of the girl.'

"She has the gift and eyes of emerald green. I believe that she is a potential candidate for our sisterhood."

The High Priestess opens her eyelids, revealing softly glowing white orbs. 'The sacred trees sing of the girl. Call our sisters. We must prepare for the eventuality that the Child of Nature cometh.'

...............