Kindly edited by @CollinHarrison4

Serenity rose from the water and smiled at Kelton. Her beauty drew him into the pool. Ignoring the water flooding over the tops of his boots, he pursued his desire. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the soft morning sun as it danced across the surface of the pond. He heard his name from her lips, a song that dissolved into his soul. Her welcoming arms reached out to him - then giggles shattered the dream.

Kelton opened his eyes and found three smiles. Rebecca, Audria, and Daphne knelt by his blanket. Daphne realized he was aware and lost her humor, then shifted behind Audria to hide. An uncomfortable way to wake.

"Who is Serenity?" Rebecca asked. There was a sparkle in her eyes as if she were privy to some pleasurable secret.

Kelton leaned up on his elbows. "How do you know that name?"

"You mumble it in your dreams," Rebecca replied.

Audria laughed. "Four days now, each morning the same." They thought the loathsome dream was amusing, like some kind of toy. What bothered him most was that he unwantedly spoke Serenity's name.

"It is the name of the last-of-the-line," Rolic announced. He was passing by with a washing cloth in his hand, returning from the stream at the bottom of the hill. Kelton had overslept if the light and movement in the small camp were any guides.

"You have not told us of her," Audria said. She sat fully down as if this conversation would last. Kelton was sure it would not.

"You have spoken of Juno often, but not a word of the one you dream of." Audria continued pulling Daphne down next to her, which stopped the girl from following Rolic as he moved on.

Kelton sat up and stretched his neck, rubbing the back of it. "I do not enjoy the dream. It is forced upon me each morning. Best if you leave it be."

"Does this Juno know?" Rebecca asked, relaxing as well. Her smile made it seem as if she thought the whole thing some nefarious joke.

"Aye," Kelton replied. He pushed the blanket off and let the cool air wake him further. They had gained many, which forced them to travel slowly through the woods, adding days to the journey. Twice they had wandered off track and had to retrace. It was difficult going without a road or O'fan's scouts.

Rebecca folded her arms in the way of her mother. "And she allows you to dream of another?"

Kelton smiled. "She would prefer I did not. I would prefer I did not." He shook his head and stood. The night sweat in his clothes cooled fast and sent a shiver. "It is not something I desire to think on." He held out his hand to Audria. She took the hint, rising with his help. He repeated the process with Rebecca, who held it longer than necessary. Daphne stood on her own, careful to make sure Audria stayed between her and Kelton.

"You need not fear me, Daphne," Kelton said with a sigh. It hurt that she was so fragile.

"Aye." Daphne's reply was weak, but it was an answer directed to Kelton. A victory he decided not to push.

"Are you not supposed to be the last-of-the-line's love?" Rebecca asked. Kelton rolled his eyes. It seemed the whole world desired him to reject his heart.

"It is an old story," Kelton said as he began rolling up his blanket. "In this, I will make my choice without help from others." It came out stronger than he had meant. He stopped rolling and looked at Rebecca with more softness. "My sorrows, it is an argument that visits too often."

"Mayhap, you will not see this last-of-the-line again," Audria said with a shrug. It seemed a simple solution.

Kelton finished rolling and began to tie the blanket to his pack. "She travels with us, or will once we meet up with them again."

"Juno allows this?" Rebecca said, hands on her hips. "I would not allow such a..." Audria started laughing. An aborted snicker emerged from Daphne as well.

"Leave the Answer be," Audria said, pulling Rebecca away. "He does not need a third." Rebecca's eyes widened, and her cheeks reddened. She turned and allowed herself to be led away.

To Kelton's surprise, Daphne stayed a moment longer with a smile and eyes directed at Kelton. She realized her error and scampered after Audria. Another small victory.

"Tea, sire," Hillbrand said as he approached with a steaming mug.

"My thanks," Kelton said, taking the mug. Hillbrand was the soldier Kelton had disarmed first in the tavern, an able swordsman once loyal to the now-dead Hold Lord. "My sorrows for the hard travel."

"I do miss my sleeping pallet," Hillbrand said, sharing a smile. "Though not the company. I will stay where truth is spoken." He had been more shocked than the others when he recognized the horror of the promise. His sword was offered, and Kelton gladly took it. Unlike many he gathered that night, Hillbrand is skilled. Bynard will be pleased.

"I have overslept," Kelton said, then sipped the tea. It chased away the morning shivers.

"Aye," Hillbrand agreed. His smile indicated it was of no consequence. His expression changed to something more serious. "Did I hear well? You choose another and deny the last-of-the-line?"

"We deny each other," Kelton said. Again, his response was more curse than intended. "I have found my days-to-come in another. Juno and I are as one."

"Ah, a true flower," Hillbrand said with a dream-like expression.

"A true flower," Kelton agreed, saluting with his tea. He sipped again, thankful for its warmth.

"And this last-of-the-line, she is like a cow?"

Kelton rolled his eyes. "Nay, a flower as well. Though one whose beauty is best left in the field. To pick it would damage its petals." He smiled as he thought of Juno. "Juno, well, she is one you choose to cherish. Strong petals, yet soft and full of color. Sometimes, I think the sun travels the sky just to peek at her heart."

Hillbrand chuckled. "It is not the Goddess in your blades; it is this Juno."

"Aye," Kelton agreed.

"The old Brother, the one who fights with us," Hillbrand said, indicating the direction where Rolic had gone.

"Rolic," Kelton said, clarifying the name.

"Aye, Rolic," Hillbrand said with a nod. "He spoke to me last night. He believes my words have more power with you than his own."

Kelton chuckled. "Rolic has spent time arguing for the last-of-the-line."

"Aye, and is passionate. Says you deny what needs to be."

"What are your thoughts?" Kelton asked with amusement. The argument was becoming silly. Kelton enjoyed Hillbrand's mind, for their conversations over that last few days had earned him a trust beyond many others.

"I follow the truth, sire," Hillbrand replied. "As long as you wield it, I will draw my blade when you draw yours. Your enemies are my enemies." He smiled. "I will not trouble myself for who is in your heart if you do not care who is in mine."

"Well said," Kelton replied, tipping his mug. "Rolic is right, Hillbrand. Your words do have more power than his."

Juno laughed. "Two horses?"

"Aye," Serenity replied. "I thought I saw Hector's eyes twinkle as if I were cattle to be traded for profit."

"Horses would have been more convenient at times," Hector said, forcing a straight face. Serenity struck his shoulder, a faux fist that moved Hector more than it should. "In truth, I would have done it for three," He added.

"I am not for sale," Serenity insisted, striking Hector again. He gave up his facade of seriousness and laughed.

Juno used her foot to push a piece of wood deeper into the fire. The days were getting shorter, but, thankfully, the weather wasn't changing as fast. Some mornings were crisper, though she had yet to see her breath, which is the true sign of coming winter.

"So, what now?" Juno asked. "If Kelton is the Answer, you no longer need to fill your belly with a babe." The conversations with Serenity had changed dramatically since they first met. They talked as equals, no longer caring for titles and curses. Juno stopped worrying that Kelton would join with Serenity, especially when Serenity expressed her lack of desire. There was no love for the duty her line of mothers had thrust upon her. It was as if she had scorned it all along.

"A weight lifted," Serenity replied. "Not that I do not love babes. It is the man I have yet to find. I am not going to spread like a ..." Her face dropped in sorrow, as did her words.

"Like a cursed," Juno finished, waving away the words. "No sorrows, I know your meaning, and it was not meant to insult."

"It was unthinking," Serenity said. An apology from an equal. It was more pleasing than Serenity would know. To believe her a friend helped to erase the eternity of being cursed.

"At least I was not traded for horses," Juno said. That brought back Serenity's smile.

"I did not accept," Hector argued, now that the subject had returned. Serenity leaned into him and patted his back in a comforting manner. They had an odd relationship. Friends, to be sure, though it was apparent her word was final in all things. He was like a caring uncle.

"I smell stew," Hector said as he looked toward the cooking fire. He rose from Serenity's care. "I will gather a few bowls for us." Serenity smiled as he headed off.

"He cares for you deeply," Juno said.

"A promise to my mother," Serenity agreed. "It is she he loved, and I am all that is left of her. I have grown with him at my side and know no other way." She leaned closer. "I think it is why he did not trade me for horses. He would have no one to argue with." They shared a chuckle.

The two sat in silence for a moment, Serenity mending her skirt and Juno watching. For some reason, Juno had thought Serenity was too proud to mend or cook as if beauty and duty did not mix. Instead, she found Serenity to be much warmer once her facade was pierced. Perhaps it was Juno who had to look past what was expected.

"It is surprising you have not found the match for your soul as I have," Juno said absently. "The men here throw themselves at you. One must stir your fancy."

"They seek only with their eyes," Serenity said. "If I were shaped like a cow or had a face full of pox, they would give me no mind." She lowered her work. "Though yours is worse, I am cursed as well. I think I seek a blind man, one who desires me because we are as one. The men I have met want only my skin, not what it holds."

"A horrible curse," Juno said, adding a smile. If only she were cursed with such beauty.

"Aye," Serenity said with a shrug. "Better than the pox, I suppose." She went back to her work. "You know of what I speak; you have Kelton."

"It was the pox with him," Juno said. When Serenity's eyebrows rose, Juno smiled and continued. "He was struck with it and lost in dreams. It was I who cared for him, though he was only a boy then. I was told who he was, and my dreams grew. When he woke, I was already his, though he did not know it."

"You did not tell him?"

"Nay," Juno replied. "I demanded a kiss before he left. It was then he became mine, though I did not know it. I thought he was lost to me. I imagined I was forgotten and replaced by another."

"He did not forget," Serenity said.

"He did not," Juno agreed. The memory of Kelton's return was still her most valuable treasure. It held a place in her mind above all others, the creation of substance out of dreams.

"That is what I desire," Serenity said to the ground. "No man has brought me more than a promise of duty, not the sharing of it. Mayhap I am stubborn in my ways, thinking I deserve more than what can be given."

"Your dreams will come," Juno consoled. Perhaps beauty is its own curse, in which case Serenity was saddled with more than a rightful share. Juno still desired Serenity's curves and unblemished skin, yet Kelton did not seem to notice anything missing.

Serenity looked up with a weak smile, then lost it as her eyes looked past Juno. "Is that Floren with Sanlina?" Juno turned, then stood when Serenity was proven correct.

Floren looked ragged as if she had ridden unstopping for days. Her expression was grim, as was Sanlina's. Juno felt her heart drop as her greatest fear emerged: something happened to Kelton. There was little else that could bring Floren from her duty. Juno's first thought was to turn away and hide; what is not heard cannot be true. She stiffened and resolved to stay - weakness was for that woman flogged on the pole, not her anymore. Serenity moved beside her and encircled her arm around Juno's. She sensed it as well.

"I will speak with you alone," Floren said, indicating Juno.

Juno tightened her hold on Serenity. "We will speak here."

Floren looked at Serenity, a moment lost in thought, then shrugged. "As you desire." Sanlina moved next to Juno, her friends declaring themselves.

"How did you find us?" Juno asked. It was a delaying tactic, nothing more - a stupid question to forestall bad news.

"Followed the Whispering Way, then one of O'fan's scouts. They stay connected to gather word," Floren said. "It was a difficult ride with hard news."

"Does he breathe?" Juno asked, her face breaking with the strain of the question. She sent him with Rolic. It would be her fault.

"Oh, my dear," Floren said, concern filling her eyes. "That is not my news. He is whole last I heard. It is his words I bring. He speaks of a horror that is hard to believe."

Juno's heart returned to its proper place, and the breath she had been holding leaked away as it should. Then, anger filled her. "It is true then?" She released Serenity's arm and crossed hers.

"You already heard?" Floren asked.

"Heard what?" Serenity asked.

"The Brethren trade the Chosen's lives for their own. They live on stolen winters," Juno replied. She looked at Serenity's unbelieving eyes. "They do not die."

"How did word speed past my travels?" Floren asked.

"It did not," Juno said. Knowing Rolic was both a curse and a blessing. "I was told by one who once wore the white. It was I who sent Kelton to learn the truth of it." She wondered if Kelton was the same man who left. Perhaps the knowledge damaged him, or worse, set the task of ending the Brethren above his love.

"Rolic?" Sanlina asked. Juno nodded.

"Who is this Rolic?" Floren asked, her eyes becoming more intense. Juno knew she disliked not knowing all.

"It is a long tale, mother," Juno said. She smiled to slow the world and remember there was good in it. "Your visit is most welcome," she continued and moved to hug Floren, which was happily returned with the same vigor. "We will gather others and talk with a meal in our hands. Best if we only share our tales once." To Juno's surprise, Serenity went off to help Hector gather more bowls than first thought.

"You are taken with her?" Floren asked, her eyes following Serenity.

"We have become friends," Juno replied.

"Aye," Sanlina agreed, not realizing that Floren's question was directed at Juno.

"That is a good thing," Floren said. She sat next to the fire and waited for Juno and Sanlina to join her on the ground. "I have traded words with many mothers, some eye to eye. Your desire for Kelton and his for you is now well known. It has been decided that it would be acceptable if you were to share him with the last-of-the-line. Trade some moments for..."

Sanlina started laughing, which triggered Juno to do the same.

Floren became visibly frustrated. "It is only for moments, and then you shall have him back."

Sanlina laughed harder. Juno had to cover her mouth to stifle what she thought was becoming disrespectful. Floren had done well by Juno and deserved more than mockery.

"The mothers hold no power in this," Sanlina said as her laughter abated.

"There are three who will not agree to this," Juno said, placing her hand on Floren's knee. "Even if you could acquire my agreement, which you cannot, Kelton and Serenity have no desire. Know that you and the other mother's worries are not shared. It is an old tale and holds only the power to unite in cause."

"Serenity would never agree to step between," Sanlina said. "And she has a stubbornness about her desires."

"Aye, she does," the voice coming from behind them. It was Serenity carrying three steaming bowls she must have relieved Hector of. Floren turned in a panic. Serenity only smiled and handed her a bowl.

"It is your duty," Floren argued.

"To spread my legs?" Serenity asked. She passed a bowl to Juno, the other to Sanlina. "I do not think it right that the Brethren curse, and I think it less so when you do it."

"It is not what..."

"I know your meaning," Serenity said, her smile never fading. "You think of the land and the undoing of the Brethren. A noble struggle, one I am also committed to. But know that Kelton does not stir my insides about, nor does the idea of trampling what he and Juno have - as if I could. It is an old tale, not a mandate."

"All else has happened," Floren argued.

"Then it shall have to be enough," Serenity said. "We will need a few more bowls and some tea, will we not?" Sanlina nodded, her mouth already filled. Serenity turned to her self-declared duties.

"Stubborn, as you say," Floren said to Sanlina.

"In this, I am stubborn as her," Juno added. She sighed. "It is a repetitive argument voiced by many. Leave it be, mother. I wish to enjoy your visit. With the news you bring, there will be time enough for misery."

Floren finished conveying Kelton's words when the whispering in the crowd began to emerge. She looked toward Juno, who sat among the gathered army as the sun's light waned. Their eyes met, investing confidence in the subject at hand. Floren remembered when she was the one who gave confidence. Now, it was shared. She should be proud, yet somehow it sapped a bit of strength away.

"It cannot be," a disheveled man who stood in the rear called out. Floren was about to argue the point when another stood. She noticed that the last-of-the-line wielded power within the small army, for the whispers silenced as if by command.

"It can, and it is," Serenity announced. There was no fear in her voice, only determination. All eyes were upon her though some looked as if they were in a dream. Floren almost smiled at the use of beauty as strength. The way Serenity swayed as she slowly walked cemented attention - a true storyteller born with a powerful tool.

"Juno was told by Rolic before our King left," Serenity continued. Floren was surprised how easily the term 'king' was bandied about. None questioned it. "It was deemed the Answer must see, and now he has." Serenity pointed at Floren. "One I trust more than most has brought the news as further proof." Her voice began to rise. "Our King no longer desires a slow path - there are too many of our daughters to lose. He declares the Brethren will burn and bring an end to this horror. I will die to see my King's will done."

"As will I," Juno shouted, standing for all to see.

"And I," Gossamer announced, his storytelling voice echoing for all to hear. He stood in a flourish that moved all eyes to him. "The Brethren will see no more winters!"

Floren almost cried as the pledges of determination grew. One by one, then in groups, men and women declared their loyalty to Kelton. She had lived to see it. The Answer had indeed come, and a beautiful fury was growing. She moved next to Serenity.