Lara’s voice was loving, but Marzina could hear the desperate edge in it. It saddened her, but she forced back the very unfaerie-like emotion. “Mother, I know I have everything I need here on Belmair,” she said. “You must concentrate upon what lies ahead for you and Kaliq. Do not fear for me. I know what Kolgrim is. I always have, despite his charm and fascination.” She laughed. “I believe that is why he actually likes me. I am the one creature who knows who he really is.”

“If that is so then surely Kolgrim fears you, as well, Marzina, which makes him doubly dangerous toward you. Kaliq will wrap Belmair in a protective cloak shortly, and all here will be safe for eternity. Knowing you are here with your kinfolk is a relief.”

Marzina kissed her mother’s cheek. “It is the cloak of your love wrapped about me, Mother, from wherever you may be that will always keep me safe,” she said. “It has always been there, and it will always be there for me. Now I must go, for if I remain I will become weepy.” Marzina’s image began to shimmer with light. You will be in my heart forever, Mother. Farewell! And then she was gone in her familiar haze of pale violet smoke, the tinkling of bells that had so often been associated with her sounding in Lara’s ears as the youngest of her children disappeared from her sight.

Kaliq was by her side. It is time, my love, he said to her.

I know, Lara responded, and she did. It was time.

We will escort you for a short distance, Nidhug said to them.

They walked from the hall out into the garden that separated the two castles. There Dillon, Cinnia and their seven children, who had come to bid them their farewells, were assembled. Dasras stood patiently waiting for them.

“I leave Verica with you for good,” Lara said of her staff of wisdom. “Your grandmother gave him to me long ago. Listen to his counsel for it is wise, Dillon, my firstborn.” She kissed his cheeks, and he hugged her so hard Lara almost lost her breath. “Don’t you dare cry!” she cautioned him for she herself was near tears. She had not thought it would be so hard to depart them all when her destiny called. Lara pulled quickly away from Dillon to kiss her daughter-in-law, Cinnia. Then she bade each of their seven children goodbye. But when she came to their third-born daughter, Gormangabis, she stopped, unbuckled her sword and scabbard and handed them to the surprised girl. “Did you think no one knew your talent for weaponry, especially swords, descendant of Swiftsword,” Lara said with a smile. “Where I go I have no need for Andraste, but one day you will. You will venture forth and she will be your companion. Andraste, old friend and companion, greet your new mistress!”

I greet Gormangabis, daughter of Dillon, granddaughter of Lara, great-grandchild of Swiftsword as my new mistress, Andraste said in her deep singsong voice. But then the head of the sword turned back to Lara. Farewell, Lara, daughter of Swiftsword and Ilona. We have fought well together. I will not ever forget you. Go always in the light!

I will, Andraste, Lara said, realizing she would miss Andraste, too.

Dasras pawed the ground snorting impatiently. Laughing, Kaliq and Lara mounted him. She leaned forward, taking the stallion’s reins firmly in her hands, Kaliq behind, a single arm about her. Then Dasras began to move, slowly at first, slipping into a canter and then a gallop as his beautiful wings unfolded and he rose into the blue skies of Belmair.

On either side of him for a brief time two dragons flew. The larger had iridescent scales of sea-blue and spring-green. Its crest was purple and gold. Its wings gold, its eyes dark with swirls of gold-and-silver edged with thick purple eyelashes. Its claws were painted a vivid shade of pink. Its companion was just slightly less showy as would befit the mate of the Great Dragon of Belmair, with scales of sky-blue and gold and silvery gold wings. And then the two dragons hovered for a long moment as Dasras climbed higher and higher into the skies of Belmair. Their dragon voices called out in unison Go always in the light, Lara and Kaliq of the Shadows! Then the two dragons dove back down from the skies to return to Belmair.

“Dasras, stop for a moment, and turn,” Kaliq said. Certain that Nidhug and Cirillo had reached the blue of Belmair’s skies once again, he spoke the spell that would keep Belmair safe from predators for all time. Belmair from darkness shall be wary. Kept safe by Shadow and by Faerie. No eye, be it magic or mortal, shall see. For it is not where it should be. The memory of Belmair shall go to keep it safe from dark and foe.

“’Tis a wonderful spell,” Lara said as she looked to where the bright star that had been Belmair had been. There was nothing there now to her eye, but Lara knew Dillon’s world still existed, and on it all that had been good in Hetar. She turned her head to look at Kaliq. “Are we ready now?” she asked him.

“Gallop on, Dasras!” Kaliq called to the stallion, who once again moved forward.

To their right Lara could see the world of Hetar now cloaked in a dun-colored atmosphere of gloom and darkness. “Look, Kaliq!” she said. “Our beautiful Hetar is truly gone now. The darkness has encompassed it, and Kolgrim rules.” But then something caught Lara’s eyes. A tiny pin spot of blinding, flickering light that darted across Hetar. She looked at it, and then with certainty gave a pained cry. Marzina! Kaliq, it is Marzina! I am certain of it! She has returned to Hetar despite all that we said to her! This is surely the most reckless and foolish action she has ever taken!

Nay, my love, he said in a calming voice. From the moment she was born it was decided that when the day came that the darkness finally claimed Hetar, the daughter Kol forced upon you, a child of both the light and the dark, would remain behind to keep the hope alive that one day the light would return to Hetar. Marzina’s destiny is less complicated than yours, Lara, but you can have faith that your daughter will not fail, Kaliq said. It will not be easy, and it will take time to accomplish. But Marzina is strong for she is your daughter. You, your mother and I have taught her well. She knows her brother better than any of us. Marzina made her choice to choose the light long ago.

Lara was weeping. She is so young a faerie, and Kolgrim so devious.

Kolgrim is a creature of tradition. He cannot kill Marzina for he shares blood with her on both sides of their lineage. And he will never catch her. I have made certain of that. It was little enough, considering what she must do, Kaliq said. Reaching around her, he took the reins from her hands, his booted heels encouraging Dasras forward once again. Marzina will survive, and the light will return again.

Then Dasras leapt forward into the velvet dark Cosmos. Quickly Hetar disappeared from their sight. Around them were twinkling stars and great swirls of color in which there were stars now being born. They rode for what seemed hours, and suddenly Lara saw a smooth dark space ahead of them. She knew what she wanted to do, but she wasn’t quite certain how.

Ah, Kaliq said, you know you have arrived at the point of your destiny, my love.

Aye, I do, but I don’t know how to accomplish what I must, Kaliq, Lara said.

We must dismount, he said to her, and sliding off the horse’s back, he helped her down. They now spoke only their silent language so as not to disturb the Cosmos.

It never occurred to Lara that they would fall. If the Cosmos would hold Dasras up it would certainly hold them. It is for us both to do, Lara said, smiling at him.

He nodded, and took her into his arms. Think everything you would want it to be, and I shall do the same, Kaliq told her.

Lara nodded. Her lips met his in a tender kiss, and she felt them beginning to spin faster and faster and faster. For a century or two they rotated like this in the Cosmos while about them a new world began to form. Its shape was round, and at first it was covered in water and mist. But then gradually it became more visible to the eye. Finally Lara and Kaliq emerged from the center of the sphere, sealing their exit carefully. They stepped out into the Cosmos again. A bright yellow star shone above them illuminating the new world, and there were several companion worlds revolving about the same star.

Those weren’t here when we came, Lara noted.

They are creations of my fellow Shadow Princes, Kaliq told her. They but awaited your decision as to where to place them. We call these worlds planets although only the one you and I have created is habitable for mortals right now. Eventually some of the others will be, but not for thousands of years.

We have created no mortals for our world, Lara said.

They will come in their time, my love, he explained. But not quite yet. There but remains one thing to do, and in this matter I shall defer to you, Lara, my love. You must name this world for us.

Lara thought for a small time, and then she smiled. Let us call it Earth, she said.

And let us hope that the mortals who one day inhabit it will do better than those we left behind on Hetar, Kaliq responded.

Agreed! Lara replied.

How did you decide to name it Earth? Kaliq asked her curiously.

I simply used the same letters that make up Hetar and Terah, Lara answered.

’Tis clever, but then you were always the most clever faerie woman, Kaliq said as, mounting Dasras, he drew Lara up before him, kissing her mouth a deep and passionate kiss as he did so. Are you ready, my love? he asked her as faerie green eyes met bright blue ones.