"Completely forgot about training today." Zain says with a slightly guilty smile.

       “We should get ready to go.” Kai says as he stands up.

The two of them make their way to the training field after they have changed.

***

Spanx stands on the top of a hill next to a tree as she looks back at the castle.

         “You seem so small from here. I’m sorry everyone, but for your safety from myself this is something I must do.”

She pulls the hood over her head to block out the rising sun and starts on her way again.

         “There is no turning back for me now.”

***

Captain and Ari Walk onto the training field.

         “Good morning; everyone into your groups please.” Captain says as he makes his way onto the training field.

         “How are you feeling Kai?” Ari asks noticing he’s in the lineup.

         “As well as I can be, still a bit sore though at least I’m off that medical cot.” He tries to play it normal.

         “Well, it’s good to see you out here.” Ari says as he walks past.

         “Thanks Ari.” Kai looks away quickly after replying.

         “Where is Rivers?” Captain calls out.

         “She’s not feeling well this morning.” Zain answers.

Kai rubs his forehead.

         “How would you know the wellbeing of lady Spanx?” Ari turns towards Zain as he asks.

Zain glances at Kai and Kai shakes his head.

         “You see I have a tray of breakfast with a flower sent to her chambers every morning.” Zain smiles confidently.

         “It would seem that you have set your sights on lady Spanx; or do you have breakfast and a flower sent to all the ladies of the castle?” Ari’s full attention is now on Zain.

         “I haven’t received breakfast with a flower from Prince Zain.” Syi says from within the lineup.

         “This is the time for training; if Rivers is unwell she can return to training when she is feeling better. Now let’s begin our training for the day.” Captain calls out.

         “Yes sir.” Everyone says in unison.

Training goes smoothly.

         “Everyone has done well today; training is dismissed.” Captain says then heads back into the castle.

***

Stopping so she can rest and have a bite to eat she sits and leans against a tree. She placed her bag down in front of her. She hears a growl from a nearby bush.

         “Whatever you are; I’m not here to fight.” She says as she prepares herself in case.

When the bush starts to shake, Spanx gets to her feet while she still leans on the tree. Then crawling out of the bush is a small grey animal. It has the body of a cat and long ears like a rabbit and a fluffy tail like one of a fox.

         “I was afraid of a cute little thing like you, I feel silly; are you hungry?”

As Spanx asks, the animal looks up at her.

         “Here you go, it’s only bread though.” She tosses a piece to it. It slowly goes up to and smells it. It looks back up at her and she smiles then takes a bite of the bread herself. It eats the piece of bread she gave it once it finishes it looks up at her and meows.

         “Awe, you’re welcome. You little cutie; Well, I have to continue onward; you should head home little one.”

As Spanx stands, so does it.

         “If you don’t head back home your family is going to miss you.”

It lays its head down as its ears fall flat and it looks up at her sadly.

         “Did you lose your family as well?”

It keeps it head down as it seems to let out a small whimper.

         “I lost my family too. What do you say we be each other’s family; that way neither of us have to be alone out here?”

The animal purrs as it rubs against her legs.

         “Oh, that means you will need a name.”

         Meow.

         “How do you feel about me calling you Selima? It’s another name for cat like.”

Selima meows happily.

         “Well Selima we should continue on. Are you ready?”

Selima jumps onto the top of her bag. Then the two of them continue the journey together. At sunset, the two of them find a place to get some rest. Selima lies on Spanx’s lap.

***

After tossing and turning for some time Zain gets up and heads to Kai’s chamber.

         “Kai, are you still awake?” Zain asks as he slowly opens the door.

         “Do you realize what time of night it is right now?” Kai turns from his desk to look at Zain.

         “I was thinking, and I remembered something that could be useful.”

         “You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?” Kai asks with a small smirk.

         “No; why would I… hey that’s not funny Kai.” Zain says as he sits on the edge of the bed.

         “So, what did all the thinking you did help you to remember?”

         “When they all arrived at the castle; Spanx was taken to the medical wing because the bite from the creature. The doctor confirmed Captains hunch and said Spanx was having a unique reaction to the venom of the bite, that to us she was simply dreaming but to her she was living the events of what she was seeing.” Zain leans forward while still sitting on the edge of Kais’ bed.

         “Does any of what you’re saying hold any significant meaning or are you just talking to hear your own voice again Zain?”

         “When Spanx woke up she said, ‘there were two’ it has to mean something right?”

         “The night of the banquet, which explains why she started to act so strangely; that must be what she was talking about when she said she felt like she had been there before. She even said something about a dream.” Kai gets up from the chair and heads for the door.

         “Where are you going?” Zain asks as he follows him.

         “There must be something in the room of records.” Kai says as he exits his room.

The two of them head to the room of records. Kai looks around then takes a rather large book of the shelf. He carries it to the table using fire to light the two candles; he sets the book down and starts to flip through the pages. On the opposite side of the table Zain watches.

         “What are you looking for?” Zain asks looking uninterested.

         “You will know when I have found it.” Kai replies without looking away from what he’s looking through.

         “Well, if you told me I could help…”

         “Here it is!” Kai exclaims as he holds up an old, damaged book.

         “What does it say? It’s all worn out.” Zain says.

         “The Gemini symbol is in here.” Kai says after he reads the passage to himself. He sits into a chair that’s next to him.

         “What does that mean?” Zain sits across from him.

         “Gemini is a symbol used to indicate the birth of twins, in some of the older text.” Kai gives a quick glance in Zain’s as he speaks but returns to the book.

         “What about twins. What do twins have to do with any of what we are looking for?” Zain rests his chin in his hand while leaning on the table.

         “This book says that Myra gave birth to two children. Her first born was a boy the second born was a girl. The King didn’t want there to be any disputes about sibling favoritism, so he had the son sent away. Myra was left untold about giving birth to the son. The King had planned to marry the daughter with one of his grandsons.”

         “Let me read the passage.” Zain turns the book around and reads it to himself.

         “Hey this says that he paired the daughter of Ari and Myra with his son Hayden’s first-born son; meaning that if Spanx is Ari’s daughter she is to wed you Kai.” Zain slides the book back over to Kai.

         “That was long ago; we are under the rule of a new king; a king with different views.” Kai says with a sigh.

The two of them look at each other than at the book.