This last year was also a chance for Ardette and Edaine to bond. Always before, they focused almost exclusively on Darienne. Edaine looked at her as the first-born and often had a stronger bond with her than with Ardette and Ardette had a closer bond to her sister than her mother. The year without Darienne made great time for the both of them to become close and establish the bond that before had only been half-formed. Ardette also used this time to heal the wound that was caused by the loss of Darienne. Edaine was also healing and this common need for support brought them even closer. Everything seemed to be pushing the two of them together as if there was some odd necessity for it, though neither of them could put their finger on what that necessity could be.

Ardette was not looking forward to the end of her training. First of all she felt that she was totally unprepared for her life in the outside world. Her training had been superficial at best and she wanted more. She suddenly saw why Darienne was so obsessed with power. It was her own fear of what was to come when she left the Tower. Ardette completely felt like she knew nothing. She wanted to know what she could do and she wanted to know that what she did know was enough. She felt alone and scared without anyone to turn to. Other than the pure fear of leaving home, she was really worried about what would happen after her year away. She wasn�t going to return to the Tower like her sister. There was only a need for one guardian and that position had already been filled. There were so many possibilities open to her, that she often would wake up in a cold sweat thinking of the daunting choice ahead of her. Where was she to go? What was she to do when she got there? Every night it seemed that one more question came into her mind. The list was getting a little overbearing.

Besides her training in the Arts, Ardette began to learn more about the world outside of the Tower. �Now that you�ll be going out into the world,� Edaine explained to her, �You need to know how it works. You need to learn about each kingdom and how the work together. If anything, you will have a resource to tell you who to trust and who not to trust.�

�I guess that makes sense. But what about preparing for my final exam?�

�Don�t worry about that. You are ready, and we will still practice during the afternoons. Dear, you leave in six months and I want to make sure you know what�s out there. So let�s begin with the kingdoms. There are three major kingdoms in the west, Anari, Hecastia, and Redim. Each of these kingdoms has different forms of government as well as different trades. Together they provide each other with a perfect equilibrium. Acinia is a republic. They have councils that represent the people to make their decisions. There are five major cities in Anari and the land around four of the cities is divided into districts. Each district is then divided into ten ridings. Each of those ridings is represented by a senator. The forty senators meet in the capitol city of An Ardal. The capitol is not connected to the rest country so, in a sense, it is neutral, though a war between districts has never happened so that technicality has never been called into question. Anyway, besides the senators, each riding also has a governor who makes the decisions about the actual riding. The senators represent the ridings in decisions made for the whole kingdom. Each district also has a representative. They are the chancellors and they meet to discuss higher problems of state and they also meet with the ten senators of their district to make minor decisions and cast deciding votes. Above all of them is the high chancellor. He or she represents the whole kingdom and makes the truly final decisions on the gravest matters of state and during great emergencies; the high chancellor is given supreme power over the kingdom.�

�How can that be fair, though? It sounds like a few people are running the entire kingdom.�

�Actually, the people decide who is running the country. They vote every five years. This way, if a person is abusing the people, the people can take him out of office before he or she causes any permanent damage. The Anarians provide the world with two things, transportation and food. They have built roads connecting not only their own cities and towns, but also main roads that connect the major cities of Hecastia. They would have done the same for Redim, but they have no cities, so there�s no point. They also have a great agricultural system. They have provided the kingdoms of the west with food for centuries. In a sense, the Anarians are the founders of trade in the west. Now, let�s move on to Hecastia. Hecastia used to be known as a strange kingdom because they are ruled by a queen, instead of a king. Nowadays it�s not a big deal, but when the kingdom was first founded people rarely took the queens of Hecastia seriously.�

�What changed that, Mother? I mean, most men never take women seriously anyway. Why should that change?�

�There are many reasons for that change, but the most prominent is the skill that the women of Hecastia have in war. They are amazing on the battlefield and it�s rare to find someone who can equal their might. They have proved themselves time and time again to be equal and just as strong as any man. They have also shown great chivalry for anyone that crosses their path. They are polite to a fault, but at the same, they will turn on any that threatens them. Another great thing about their kingdom is the fact that they are so well educated. They have the finest university in the world, for normal studies at least. I think that makes them even more fearsome. Their generals are trained not only in fighting, but also in statistics, cartography, and tactical maneuvers. With all of this education, a war against Hecastia is sheer folly. Hecastia also provides steel development from their mountains to the west and also many herbs come from their jungles in the south. Now, I�ve mentioned already that Redim does not have any cities. They prefer the vast plains in their kingdom. They are cattle drivers and horse raisers. They have no need for buildings or village squares. Along with this, the Redimians are very clannish, so their government reflects this. They have what is called a high monarchy. This means that they have a king who rules the whole kingdom, but also every clan has a kinglet that runs things in that particular clan. This makes the kingdom run more smoothly, as long as the clans aren�t fighting.�

�Fighting?�

�Yes, the clans are known to fight many times over which clan is in power. Sometimes it seems as though the whole kingdom has been at war since it was founded. There are benefits, of course. They are great on the battlefield. Their cavalry tactics are superb. Also, the competition among the clans, keeps the cattle prices low, which not only boosts their economy, but makes meat widely circulated. Overall, these three kingdoms have found a wonderful harmony that has worked for almost a thousand years.�

�All right, I think I understand that. This information should be most helpful, Mother.�

�There�s more, dear. Not only will you have contact with humans, but also other beings with even more power than any mortal could ever have. You will have to be able to cooperate with these beings if you truly want to be able to learn more about your power. These beings are Elves, Nymphs, and Faeries. Each of these beings has their own set of powers. Elves have the most passive powers of the Immortals. They have clairvoyance, empathy, and insight. They can see through people�s hearts and minds easier than any being could ever. Nymphs have full power over the elements. They can coerce nature in an even more elaborate way than any mortal ever could. Faeries have the most power of all the Immortals. They can do anything. Be careful when dealing with Faeries, they have very short tempers when it comes to mortals. The last kind of Immortal is one you will most likely never see. Dragons tend not to come into the mortal plains. They stay in their range to the north. They have about as much power as Faeries and they use their powers in a very direct way, so you should be able to recognize one if they happen to be around.�

�Well, I think I�ll know a Dragon when I see one�

�Dragons can be very elusive, I wouldn�t be so sure. Many times, Dragons will take human form when walking in the mortal plains, so I wouldn�t be so sure of what you see. Now let�s look at diplomacy among the kingdoms of the west.�

Ardette turned to the door and breathed deeply. When she left this room, she would start her new life. She was ready. She knew it in her heart. She was ready to face the outside world. She could do this. She opened the door and started down the stairs. As she walked she began to feel something around her. She could not put her finger on what it was, but something was different. As she walked she noticed that the stairway was not as bright and the air was a little colder than usual. Something was missing. About halfway down the stairs she began to feel alarmed. Something was not just different, something was wrong. She flew down the stairs and ran to the Great Hall. She paused for a second, someone was here. She felt a presence within that room that was vaguely familiar, but at the same time, elusively different. She opened the door.

�OH NO!�

The sight she saw changed her forever. There was her mother on the floor, dying in painful misery. And there was her sister standing over her mother�s body laughing maliciously. All thought left her as she saw her own sister killing their mother. She had no idea how she did it, but somehow she let go of all of her anger and sent it flying at Darienne. Darienne flew across the room, mid-laugh, and hit the wall, leaving a large dent that pronounced the intensity of that attack. Ardette stared in astonishment; she had never been able to send out a blast like that. No one had ever been able to do that. Somehow, her anger was enough that she was able to make it physical.

�How did you do that?� Darienne looked at her sister in consternation.

�What have you done?� Ardette demanded, ignoring the fact that she just did the impossible. �What have you done to our mother?�

�Nothing much, just signed her death warrant, that�s all. What�s the matter, sister dear? Can�t handle the truth that our dear mother was nothing more than a little weakling? Grow up, Ardette. Her life is over, now it�s your turn.�

�You wish, sister dear. But somehow, I doubt you could even tread water to me. I have more power in my pinky than you could ever have.� It was sheer bravado, but she had to say something.

�Goodbye, sister. I hope you and mother have fun in the afterlife. Deimios Tracarus!� A wave of dark flame flew towards Ardette.

�Aqueous Barrios!� A wave of water came out of the fountain by the door and created a barrier in front of Ardette that quenched the flamed. �You�re going to have to better than that Darienne. Try this. Thundrus Sartrus!� A large lightning bolt shot at Darienne from the ceiling. Darienne dodged her shot by just a hair.

�Okay, try this on for size, Ardette. Shadus Tracarus!� A large sheet of darkness flooded towards Ardette.

�Sorry but it looks like more your size. You�ve always been a bit more hippy than I, though.� She did not even bother to use an incantation, she just engulfed herself in an aura of pure light that shatter her sister�s shadow. �Curse you!� Darienne seemed like she was about to use another spell, but she changed her mind. �Goodbye, sister dear. I�ll leave you with the clean up. Tracarus Intervalia!� With that a shadow engulfed her and she disappeared from the great hall.

Ardette looked around her and saw the damage her sister had done. Then her eyes fell on her mother and she ran over to her. �Mother, tell me how to help you! Tell me what spell she used so that I can reverse it!�

�No, Ardette. I can�t let you do that. If you try to reverse it, the spell will take effect on you, too. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you. Don�t worry about me. You are the guardian of the Tower now.� �I don�t know if I can. I haven�t even passed my final test, yet.�

�Yes you have. You have shown great courage in the face of horrible danger. I am proud of you my daughter. Take care.� She then sighed and closed her eyes. Ardette sat there for the longest time, just looking at her mother�s body.

She felt him coming. She heard his footsteps behind her. �What can I do for you?�

�You would be Ardette?�

�Yes and you are?� She turned to face the stranger.

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