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Pahpey swore very loudly and colorfully. “Are we going to have to deal with them also?”

“Possibly,” replied Orlando, as he returned to his chair. “Since this just happened, it is hard to tell which way factions are going to go. But, it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.” He knit his brows in thought. “Once the mourning period is over, it will be interesting to see what direction King Hargon will take against the Georgists. He was the legitimate husband of Lynnaria, so I suppose that he might have a claim to the throne. Everything will depend on him and his relationship to the expatriates. Also, with Rawn-Devu being entirely land locked and not bordering Freedonia in any way, it will be difficult, although not impossible to wage a war against the Georgists, unless there are alliances made and formed. Rawn-Devu has only four options.” Orlando looked for and found a map of the world on the wall of Pahpey’s office. He got up to point out his theories. “Travel west through Bellermine and then sail south to Freedonia. Or march west and south through Alfaria and Tuščia Žemė to Freedonia. Or march south through Mahajatma to Freedonia. Or march east and south through Rosta and Pradat-Vashnah to Freedonia.

“Bellermine is completely out, as it has been at odds with Rawn-Devu for centuries. They wouldn’t let a Devun army on their soil for any reason. Mahajatma is out because it is so inhospitable to human life. Hargon would kill most of his armies just marching through that desert. Rosta is unlikely because of all the internal faction fighting that has gone on for centuries. Anyone bringing an army through there would have to fight through the chaos and risk being weakened even before getting to Freedonia. The only logical way would be through Alfaria and Tuščia Žemė. I don’t know how the royals and their governments feel about Hargon. I suspect that the Tuščians aren’t happy with him, since he didn’t help them defend their country against the Georgists.

“Anyway, this is how I see things at this moment. I am willing to listen to other view points.” Orlando sat down again and looked around for everyone’s reactions.

“From what I can see,” commented Haral thoughtfully, “you appear to be spot on in your assessments, Orlando. I think that Hargon has burned a lot of bridges lately and isn’t likely to declare actual war on the Georgists just yet.

“My sp… er … informants in Rawn-Devu tell me that Hargon was only using Lynnaria as a bed mate and a convenient excuse for getting rid of a wife whom he hated. Her baby and his possible heir were just extraneous for him. He has a lot of home-grown political factions working against him right now. He hasn’t committed to anything because his political base isn’t rock solid at the moment. It wouldn’t surprise me if he finds another wife as soon as his mourning period is over. One with connections that will help him solidify his power within his own country. When he does that, he then will lose all connections and rights to the Freedonian throne. This will lead the expatriates back to Patra and her children.”

Haral sighed. “Having watched political factions come and go over the years, I would say that they will try to use Patra, if she is willing. If she isn’t, then they will focus on either Jayzon or Reuel. Jayzon, because he is Hernan’s bastard son and, therefore, higher in line than Reuel and, because he is so young, he can be easily led. Or Reuel, because he is legitimate, the oldest son, and the great-grandson of King Theo and still young enough to be easily led. I am sure that I don’t need to say that stricter, tougher security for the entire family is needed.”

He frowned for a moment and then added, “I will send an agent or two to Rajfahar to see what they can find about the Shah and what is going on there politically. The more we know, the better we can protect Patra and Yusaf.”

Haral then leaned forward in his chair and looked directly at me. His green eyes looked at me with concern. “I know that you are very upset and stressed out right now, Patra. I don’t want to bring up anything further to upset or stress you, but my time isn’t always available at a minute’s notice. You were fortunate getting some time from me right now. I would like to know why you called this meeting, since you called it before things started happening and you are saying that it isn’t related to these happenings.”

I looked at Donal. He also looked concerned and said, “It is up to you. Do you feel strong enough for this?”

I shrugged my shoulders and whispered to him, “I don’t think that I can feel any worse than I do right now. Let us get it over with. I don’t like keeping secrets…”

Donal shook his handsome head and then made a gesture of defeat. “If that is what you want, love. Okay. What do you want me to do? How can I help you?”

I started to get up and whispered back to him. “I have to go and get the crown.”

“No, love, you aren’t strong enough yet.” And he pulled me back into my chair.

“But, Donal, I doubt if the crown will let you touch it.” I replied anxiously.

“I will find a way.” was all that he said. He quickly jumped out of his seat and left the room, leaving me to face the others; my advisors and family. I gave them a quick smile and began nervously.

“Uncle Haral, do you remember the other day, when I came to you for help?”

“Yes.” His face remained passive.

“You prayed to Deivė to help me with the curse.”

“Yes.”

“After she granted our prayer, she talked to me further about my destiny. Do you remember that?”

“Yes.”

“She told me to take Loysa and free my destiny. And gave me something to help me accomplish this.”

“I remember that. Although I believe that Deivė actually used the word ‘heritage’ and not destiny in that instance. You were to free your heritage.” Suddenly, he seemed to get where I was going. However, Orlando and Pahpey seemed unsure and even confused.

“Later that day, after everyone was asleep, I took Loysa and followed Deivė’s instructions, using the device that she gave me.” I proceeded to tell them about what happened in the chamber.

Donal returned with Loysa, who carried something wrapped in a towel in her little hands. Loysa happily gave the bundle to me. After she did, Donal leaned down, caressing her gold curls, thanked her and told her to go back to her sisters to play. Donal then sat back down next to me with an look and a smile that radiated accomplishment to me.

“This is what I was given, what I was told was mine by right of blood.” I took the crown out of the towel and displayed it for Pahpey, Uncle Haral and Orlando to see. Pahpey looked overawed. Uncle Haral looked interested. Orlando … who knew what he was thinking?

In fact, it was Orlando who spoke first. “That is the Gyventi crown. I haven’t seen it in 800 years. It disappeared during the genocide. Nobody knew where it went. A few magic users that I subsequently heard were trying to look for it disappeared and never returned. Where did you say you found it?”

“I don’t know. The device that Deivė gave me just transported us to the chamber and back, but I wasn’t told where it was. The guardian told me that the chamber would be destroyed once I left and not to return.”

“The guardian?” Orlando raised his eyebrow in curiosity.

“Yes. It said that it was the essences of my ancestors bound together in a protective spell waiting for a descendent to claim the crown and bring together the Gyventi people.”

“Ah!” Orlando nodded his head. “I recognize that spell. Very powerful, very complicated. It is a spell that requires a lot of self-sacrifice to achieve. It sounds very much like something that King Vartov would have done.” He continued to nod his head in reminiscence. .

“In case you are wondering,” Orlando continued. “This is the genuine crown. I can feel its magic radiating from it. I know that it is real.” He started to reach out towards the crown, but then, seemingly, changed his mind.

“King Vartov?” Haral asked.

“He was the last king of the Gyventi before Emperor Rhufan of Rosta exterminated them. It was 800 years ago, but if you can find history books from that era, you can read all about it.” Orlando said informatively.

“We have an extensive library in the Temple. I will have to familiarize myself with their history.” Haral looked contemplative and seemed lost in thought for a moment.

I went on. “The guardian charged me with taking the crown and using it to bring together our people, making them a nation once more. He also said that if I didn’t use the crown for this purpose, I would lose it. My question is twofold. 1. How do I use this crown and its magic? 2. Should I do this?

“Deivė told me to ask you, Orlando, to teach me how to use it. I did put it on once and was overwhelmed by the surge of power and the voices it contained. Can you help me with this, Orlando?”

Orlando looked disconcerted, as if he wasn’t sure what to say. “I can try. Considering our last lessons and how disastrous they were, I can’t be confident. But I will try.”

I felt dissatisfied with his answer, but at least it was an honest one. “That leads to my second question. Should I do this? With all the other things going on, I am not sure that I can handle this right now.”

Uncle Haral spoke up first. “Unlike what most people think, destiny isn’t a straight line from point A to point B. Destiny or life, if you will, is all about decisions or choices made and their consequences. If one could look at one’s life path, that person would see zigzags and curves and sometimes even loops in the thread of the tapestry of their life. I doubt that any one person has a straight line life. The idea that the ghods are like puppet masters and force us to live life as they want us to is wrong and very egocentric. The ghods give us guidelines and rules for us to follow; they give us warnings as to what can happen if we ignore them, but they then leave us alone to follow the path of our choices.

“Whatever you decide to do with your life is your choice, Patra. I will support and help you in whatever direction you choose to go. But this choice is yours to make. I can’t make it for you. I can advise you, however, that this choice shouldn’t be made quickly or without consideration. In this instance, I think that you can put off making this decision for a while, although not forever.”

Pahpey had been sitting very quietly throughout most of the meeting. He was looking rather lost in thought. When he realized that his brother had stopped speaking, he shook himself out of his reverie and, looking around, realized that he should say something. “Sorry. Ever since you brought out the crown and started talking about destiny, I have been thinking about what a determined people your ancestors were. Experiencing almost total annihilation and still determined to keep their culture and way of life in existence even if it took hundreds of years to accomplish. I have been wondering what your life would have been like if your mother or grandmother had lived longer and had been able to direct the course of your life. I have been wondering about a people who seemingly disappeared off the face of this world can retain their culture in such secrecy and be able to raise themselves from obscurity to the level of royalty without anyone having noticed. It is a mystery to me. But one thing that Orlando said just now about how King Vartov and his self-sacrifice made me realize that this must be an important part of the Gyventi people. If a lot of your ancestors, Patra, sacrificed their lives, hopes and dreams to bring you into existence to help unify their people, their nation, should you throw all of their sacrifice away? One of the things that I have always noticed and admired about you, my dear, is that you are constantly thinking of others before you think of yourself. This seems to be one of the themes of your life. I am beginning to wonder if this is part of the Gyventi culture.

“I agree with my brother in what he has said. You do have free will. You don’t have to follow the path laid out for you. You can find a different path that fits your needs and desires better. But sometimes in life, even different paths can sometimes parallel or converge and still achieve the ultimate goal. I agree that this decision doesn’t need to be made immediately. I would like to think that you are smart enough to find your own way of dealing with this challenge that will fulfill your ancestor’s goals while allowing you to lead your own life as you wish to.

“And like Haral, I am always here for you and will help in every way that I can.” Pahpey then leaned towards me, took my right hand in his, and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He then smiled at me and took my hand and kissed it. That startled me. It felt like he was giving me his fealty, in a way.

Orlando broke the mood I was in by coming over and taking my other hand. “I have already said that I will help you with learning how to use the crown. As for this destiny/heritage/whatever you wish to call it, whatever you choose to do, I will follow you.

“I agree with Piatrus about your innate sense of selflessness. It is who you are and one of the reasons why we all love you so much. I also see in you something that I can only describe in alchemical terms. I think that you are a catalyst. You are not one thing or another, but because you are what you are, you bring about change.

“Piatrus and Haral are correct. No decision needs to be made today. I am confident that whatever choice you make will be the right one.