Concerning Serenity and Chaos

Concerning Serenity and Chaos:

In the beginning were the Creator and His children. Two shone with a brightness and beauty far exceeding that of the others. One loved the peace and order in the Creator’s creations; the other loved the wildness and newness of the creations. Both loved the Creator and He them. But the two could never agree on what was the best part of the Creator’s gifts to them. And they fought.

The first gathered together those of the children who followed the laws of order and peace. When they had come together, they called the one Serenity and mother, for the feelings they had for her. And she gave the nine who followed her names of their own. First were the twins, god and goddess: Na, god of the moon and seas and of the Wizards, and his sister; Ne, goddess of the sun and healing and of the Sibish, Siblen and Chamelings. Then followed: Amala, goddess of the Faerie and childhood; Chah, god of birth and death and Unicorn, Pegasi and Centaur; Tukwilles, god of marriage and harmony and Dwarves and Gnomes; TeTua, god of the earth and stone and Druids and Dryads; Quaird, goddess of the Elves and Flora and Fauna; Haras, goddess of the seasons and stars and of the lost and homeless; and finally PeTchua, goddess of Music and poetry and of Sylphs and Naiads. And they were happy together. Serenity showed them how to give life and light to their creations and how to care for them. And the creator was pleased.

The other watched, trying to find away of getting the Creator’s smiles and approval. Slowly, those who had not followed Serenity, gathered around the second. And they called him Chaos. He looked at them and found names for them: Grawck, the ugly, god of love and beauty and Trolls; Perlish, the unshaped, goddess of mystery and magic and Humans; Tziel, goddess of passion and ambition and Orcs; Mhahluh, god of sacrifice and art and Demons; EAleons, god of air and fire and Dragons; and finally Sheagnek, goddess of fate and whimsy and prophecy and of Wer and Mer. And they stood together, but apart. Chaos tried to teach them of creation and of life, but each had their own ideas. And the Creator was sad.

Then the Creator called all of his children together, he had made a new world. It was young and empty and his children all wanted it. With a smile, the Creator gave his earth to Serenity. Chaos rose up in anger and challenged his sister for the world. She looked to their father and He gave her a sad smile. So war and jealousy was made in the likeness of Chaos’s challenge of Serenity.

Formed from the precious metals found on the new world, Chaos lifted the first weapon, a sword. And he struck Serenity and fell away in fear and surprise. Looking from his sister, who he loved, to the stain on the ground at her feet, Chaos threw his blade from the heavens. He sorrowed for Serenity and begged her forgiveness.

Then the Creator stood and held up His hand and Serenity was healed. He turned His wrath on His son, Chaos, but before He could give punishment, a slender hand fell on His sleeve. The Creator looked into the peaceful eyes of Serenity and listened to her pleas for her brother, Chaos. All the other children listened in amazement as their elder sister defended the one who had caused her injury.

Listening to Serenity and Chaos, the Creator gave His judgments. He gave His world to Serenity to rule and govern, and He cast Chaos down to the world also. He told His children that all must be a part of this place, and He called it Sandeenai, meaning, ‘the joining of opposites’. And that together, with all the pieces of His creation, Sandeenai would exist.

Serenity looked to her brothers and sisters and smiled, and then she saw where her blood had been split. Dipping to the ground, she touched it and it turned silver in her hands. Then she hung it around her neck and turned to the father. “This will be my symbol on this new world of Sandeenai. I will give it to my champions, and I will have as many champions as points to this star. I will make them live forever and be strong and young and they will help me keep peace on Sandeenai.”

The Creator was pleased with His daughter and granted her desire. Knowing that Chaos would also like the same power, the Creator gave His son a wish. Chaos stood forward and thought about what he would like on this new world. “I wish to be apart of the destiny of Serenity’s champions. I know I will not be able to change their destinies, but let me help them if I can. And let me have champions as well, not that live forever, but who will give Serenity a reason for needing champions.”

Thinking over what His son asked, the Creator made His decision. “Chaos, you will bring to Sandeenai, that which you love most; wildness, uncertainty and newness. But you will also bring with you war and jealousy and pain, that is your gift to Sandeenai. You may have champions, they will live only a single lifetime and will be opposite of Serenity. You may add two persons to Serenity’s total of champions, when you wish. But once added, they are hers and you will have no power over them.

“Serenity, you may decide who and when your champions will be. Choose well, for they may become the next children for a new world. Now go and populate the world and govern it and learn. I will watch, but you must give or take as you see fit, Sandeenai is your world.” And with that, the Creator left, leaving Serenity in charge of her new world.

Serenity turned to her brothers and sisters and smiled. And with the smile came light to Sandeenai. She told them to go and make life and then she laughed with delight; and music and magic came to Sandeenai. Chaos took his place, giving mystery to Sandeenai and wildness and newness. Each in turn, the other gods and goddess gave their gifts and loves to Sandeenai. And the races began to walk on the rich soil of Sandeenai.

“What are you reading, Kaffi?” Ardro asked, plowing into the cave. He had been wrestling with Jesse again and had torn his tunic. “Hey, isn’t that one of mom’s scrolls? You aren’t supposed to read those, Kaffi. I’m going to tell.”

In a flash, Kaffi was up and sitting on her twin brother’s chest. “You aren’t going to say a word about this to mother, Ardro. Unless you want me to tell her about your fight with Jesse,” Kaffi returned, flicking a disgusted finger against the tear in Ardro’s clothes.

“Okay, I won’t tell,” he grumbled, then perked up. “But what are you reading? It must be good from the look in your eye.” Ardro picked himself up and brushed the dirt off his rear end. Then gave his sister a stern look, “Do you want me to probe you for it?”

“Stay out of my mind, Ardro, or else,” Kaffi hissed, her eyes starting to glimmer green. Ardro laughed and rubbed the red stubble on his head that passed for hair. Watching her brother try to fix the tear in his shirt, Kaffi couldn’t help but smile. “Tell you what, you start reading from here, and I’ll fix your tunic. I’ll keep a watch out for mom and papa.”

With an energetic nod, Ardro took the parchment from his sister’s hand and began to read where she left off. Kaffi silently took his tunic and repaired the damage. “And then the first bloodshed....” Ardro’s young voice began.

Serenity was saddened by the staining of her world with blood, and rain began to fall. Chaos laughed at the feud and fed it with passion and hatred. The children of Quaird and Mhahluh had tasted of each other’s blood and now they would not rest until they had consumed all that they could of each other’s life. Serenity then chose her first champion, a true mix of both Elf and Demon, to bring peace to both races. Chaos laughed at his sister, knowing that such a being would never be.

As the races began to grow and cover more of the beautiful world of Sandeenai, Serenity watched for her other champions, as did Chaos. Then they saw from the children of Perlish and Tukwilles a competition between them for dominance over the jewels of Sandeenai. And Serenity chose her second champion, one who would join these two races together in harmony. The other gods’ and goddess’ laughed at Serenity for choosing such impossible champions. But Serenity held firm, knowing that somehow, her champions would come forth.

Her third and forth choices came at the same time; when Chaos was cursing the unpredicableness of Ne’s children. He didn’t like the way he could never count on them to do his bidding. And so Serenity chose one from the Siblen and one from the Chameling. Chaos then hid his frustration from Serenity, so she wouldn’t be able to pick any more from his least favorite races.

Another war threatened Sandeenai as more races began to fear each other. And for the first time, magic was abused by the children of the gods, and Serenity cried and the oceans were made, separating the land into three islands. Serenity chose her fifth champion of the Wizards, so that the correct use of magic would again be brought to the world. But she knew that magic alone would not work, so she made her Wizard a warrior as well.

Then peace came to Sandeenai as the races began to live on the new lands made by Serenity. And from the quiet joy of the world, Serenity chose her sixth champion; a man of peace and gentleness, yet of strength and passion.

Sandeenai grew older and the races began to forget some of their beginnings, and Serenity was saddened by this. So her seventh champion was chosen from the children of Sheagnek, for they held to the old ways better than the others. And through them would the history be kept. Sheagnek was pleased to have one of her children chosen, for she had the fewest and with roots very shallow in the soil of Sandeenai. Chaos was not pleased, for he thought of Sheagnek as his follower and bid her to not let Serenity have a child of hers. But the goddess refused Chaos and he cursed her children and doomed them to be hunted and feared.

Knowing she would need stealth in her circle of champions, Serenity made her final choice. But didn’t tell the others gods and goddesses from which race the last would come, just that he or she would be like the shadows and a thief. The Prophesy was given to Sandeenai, telling them of the coming of the champions. And Chaos waited, he wanted to have fun with Serenity’s champions and give them a challenging welcome into the world of Sandeenai.

“Wait a minute, Kaffi,” Ardro said with a question to his voice. “Who wrote this scroll? And if mom had it all along, then why didn’t she know about The Prophesy before Handsome attacked her?”

Kaffi stood and stretched, her joints popping as she did. “Because she wrote it when she spent that time with Serenity before she and papa attacked Junior. Can’t you tell mother’s handwriting, Ardro?” With an alertness he always envied, Kaffi hissed him quiet before he could answer. Whisking the parchment into a pocket of her tunic, Kaffi signaled her brother that their parents were coming. He groaned, wanting to read more about Serenity and Chaos and how the Circle came to be.

“Why do they always have to come home when we’re in the middle of something exciting? When can we finish the story, Kaffi?” Ardro whispered, not daring to use mind speech because their mom would hear him then. With a twinkle in her eye, Kaffi held up three fingers and pointed to the sun. “Three days? You expect me to wait three whole days before....” He broke off suddenly as his parent’s cast their shadows into the cave.

Tris gave her children a lifted eyebrow at the sudden halt in conversation. Airidon just laughed and picked up his little girl. “What are you going to have to wait three whole days for, Ardro, another chance to pick a fight with Jesse?” He kissed the top of Kaffi’s silky blond curls and ruffled his son’s red thatch of hair. “Ardro, why do you always pick fights with Jesse? He’s a nice young man, and he’s very tolerant of you tagging along after him.”

“But Papa, he thinks that because he’s older than everyone else, he’s automatically the leader in everything. And he isn’t. I just get so angry with him and his smug looks, I have to hit him. And then he tries to hit me and misses and then the whole fight begins. Besides what he said isn’t true, and I was trying to make him say the truth.” Ardro pouted and hung his head. With his tiny booted foot he drew invisible patterns on the floor.

Tris gave Airidon a look over the children’s heads. She had been so happy when she found out she was going to have twins, but since the birth, she had lost most of the excitement. She and Airidon hadn’t tried to have anymore for awhile, and now that she just found out they would be parents again, she was regretting the decision. The two they had were enough to last one lifetime. How Shrina and Jehro did it, Tris would never understand.

Twin shadows moved into the cave and sat down at Tris’ and Kaffi’s feet. As her daughter buried her face in the thick winter fur of the big cat, Tris smiled. The tiny cubs she had brought back from Earth had certainly been a joy in their family. Kaffi’s childish voice, filled with adult wisdom, answered her brother before either Tris or Airidon could. “Ardro, if you want to show Jesse he isn’t always the leader and right, you don’t start fights with him. Mother never forced the others to follow her, she just led them. Start your own game and see how many follow you, instead of Jesse. If no one follows, then maybe you aren’t the leader you think yourself.” The answer was soft and muffled coming from the neck fur of Kaffi’s favorite cougar, Sterling.

Ardro glared at his sister, he had heard the same advice for weeks now and was getting tired of it. With a disgusted sigh, he swept up his tunic and stomped from the living cave and into his sleeping cave. Kaffi watched with clear blue eyes the doorway to her brother’s room, waiting for his outburst. Tris often wondered how her daughter knew when to expect trouble from her son, but could never get a satisfying answer from the girl. Airidon understood and watched Kaffi for signs of what to expect.

“I’m not saying I have to be the leader, Kaffi!” began the explosion from the next room, followed by a smashing of some pottery. Kaffi had taken to leaving breakable knick-knacks in Ardro’s rooms for just such an occasion, knowing it relieved some of his frustration. Another of the things Tris puzzled over. “It’s just that I think Jesse should let someone else take over in our games once in a while. He should let someone else win, and he shouldn’t cheat to win all the time. It isn’t right to cheat. Is it, Mom?” Ardro didn’t make an appearance, knowing that in his state of rage he would only be sent back to his room for being rude. But he could get support, if he didn’t whine. He hoped his voice hadn’t sounded like a baby’s, because then Tris would side with Kaffi.

Tris considered the question and how it was implied. From the point of view of battle, everything was fair, from the view of a child’s game, perhaps it wasn’t. Yet these weren’t other children, they were the children of the Circle, and they needed to learn all that they could about survival. What was the best answer to give her son? “Ardrocmuth, come here,” Tris finally answered into the waiting silence. The small red head poked around the corner, very surprised. Tris never wanted to see the children when they couldn’t control themselves. What was going on? Ardro walked toward his mom with a wary eye on her, his anger still seething, but under control.

A shadow fell over Kaffi and Sterling, followed by a laugh. “Uncle Fini!” Ardro called, running to jump on the tall man. Fini lifted a bushy eyebrow at Tris and Airidon, and they both nodded. Kaffi looked up at the Druid and measured him. Again he laughed and scooped up both Ardro and Kaffi.

“Tris, I must say you have all the luck when it comes to children. Yours don’t changed shape to get out of doing their chores, nor do they throw spells with their temper tantrums. But when it comes to temperament, I don’t envy you,” Fini said, taking the seat Airidon offered.

“But, Uncle Fini, I thought we were easy to get along with?” Ardro asked, confusion in his green eyes. Again the big man laughed. Tris thought it was good that Fini could laugh again. After the war with Junior, Fini was sullen and reluctant to speak with anyone. Now he was everyone’s uncle and best friend, Tyra was also glad her husband had begun to live life again.

Looking first to Airidon and Tris, Fini measured and weighted his answer. “You, you young scamp,” Fini began, pinching Ardro’s chin, “get into fights with my Jesse at the slightest hint of something you don’t think is right. You have your father’s talents, but your mother’s temper.” Then he turned to Kaffi, sitting on his other leg. “And you, my fine lady, have your mother’s talents, but your father’s temper. And yet, Kaffi, you’re very like your mother when it comes to leadership. I’ve never seen anyone silently control people the way you can, child. I think when you’re older; you should go to the council and try for a seat on it. Kurei’s always looking for someone to take his place as High Judge”

Kaffi looked into her friend’s eyes and pondered his answer. Then shaking her head slowly, gave her answer to him. “No, Uncle Fini, I don’t think I would be happy sitting in such a great seat of power. I’d never be sure if people followed me because of my parents, or because of myself and my abilities. Besides, Ardro wants to be the leader, so I’ll let him. I’ll be like papa is to mother, a second, someone who gives advice and listens and helps and supports. I don’t want to be the one always having to make the decisions. I’ll let Ardro have the council seat.” Then she jumped off of Fini’s lap and ran out in answer to a silent call.

Fini gave Tris a questioning glance, but she didn’t know either. “It’s Nath,” Ardro said after a minute, resentment and bitterness lacing his voice. “I can’t believe my sister, who I always thought had good taste, prefers the company of that person to mine. Every time we get something going, just the two of us, Nath comes up and naturally Kaffi lets him join in. I’m so sick of Nath; I could tear his arms out and shove them down his mouth. Nath!” Ardro sneered at his invisible rival and ran out into the forest, taking a different path than his sister.

“Isn’t Nath, Jehro and Shrina’s boy? I thought he was at least five years older than the twins, which makes him ten. How come Ardro dislikes him so much? He seems nice enough; in fact, he’s probably the only one of Jehro and Shrina’s children I can tolerate for any period of time.”

Airidon chuckled and Tris shook her head, trying to hide a smile. “Because, Fini, you’re right about our daughter. She not only is a natural leader, she’s older than her brother,” Airidon said. “It seems Kaffi has chosen Nath as her preferred playmate. And although neither is thinking about this now, when they get older, we wouldn’t be surprised if they married. Ardro’s green with envy for two reasons; the first because he doesn’t want to share his sister, the second because he too, would like to have an older child be his best friend. Tris and I are just watching, hoping that by not taking sides they’ll resolve it. We’ll see.”

A breath of crushed jasmine floated across the stream and Nath looked up from his work. He was piecing together colored stones and gluing them in place, making a gift for his mother for her birthday. Only one person could come up behind him without his knowing, but that was soon ending. They discovered a special link that was both beyond and below telepathy that they and Ardro shared. But only one person would signal with crushed jasmine, although he secretly thought it would be more fitting if she used the spicy carnation. Now where was she hiding? It was one of their favorite games, one no one else understood.

Opening his mind to that special link, Nath closed his eyes, searching for her presence. Just when he thought he had her, a loud popping of a twig broke his concentration. He looked up in time to see a red bundle of fury and then stars. Moaning a little, Nath opened his eyes and tried to figure out what had happened. Then he tensed his stomach as Ardro landed on it, hard. “Stay away from my sister, you Chameling Siblen freak! I don’t want to ever catch you chasing after her again! Why don’t you find someone of your own race and age to hang around?” Then in an angry whirlwind, Ardro left.

Nath sent an amused grin after the boy’s loud stomping. Then he looked down at his stained and torn tunic and bit his lip to stop from swearing at Ardro. A delicate hand rested on his arm and he startled until he saw who it belonged to. “Here, Nath, I saved your art,” Kaffi’s soft voice said, handing the treasure to her friend. “Don’t mind Ardro, he doesn’t understand.”

Looking into Kaffi’s large blue eyes, Nath could very well forget her pesky twin brother. It always amazed him that she put up with both Ardro’s temper flares and his own jealousy over her. Nath wondered if Kaffi knew just how special she was. “Thank you, Kaffi, I’m glad that little attack didn’t harm mother’s gift. She wouldn’t forgive me for forgetting her birthday. Although I do have to find some way to explain how yet another set of my clothes were ruined. I tell you Kaffi, one of these days Ardro will pick a fight with the wrong fellow and, wham! He’s going to be sorry.”

Kaffi’s musical laughter floated on the air as light as her crushed flowers. She looked like a faerie princess, with flowers braided into her long, golden hair and her blue eyes twinkling with laughter and joy. But on top of that she was the best partner for The Game, and wasn’t afraid of getting dirty, unlike his sisters. Nath sighed as he thought of the differences between his best friend and his sisters; he hoped Kaffi never got that stupid over boys like Jerli and Shanha.

Two heads poked through the bushes and duplicate giggles sounded as Jerli and Shanha found their younger brother. “Nath, Mamma wants to know when you think you’ll be getting home. She doesn’t want you to forget you promised to watch the littles while she and papa went out tonight,” Jerli taunted, giving Kaffi a slightly superior grimace and patting her on the head. “Oh, and your little pet can come over if she wishes, but only if Mamma doesn’t find out. You know how she feels about your strange experiments.”

Shanha echoed her twin’s sneer and tone of voice. “Oh, and by the way, the older of the Circle’s children are getting together for a Game, if you want to play, you’re invited. But the littles can’t join; we don’t want either of them attacking Jesse unfairly.”

Kaffi met Nath’s eyes and he could see her hidden amusement while he stifled the urge to groan. Without his sister’s seeing, he let Kaffi know he approved of her plan. “I’m sorry, Jerli and Shanha; I don’t have the time to play such childish games with you. I’m studying the Elven learning scrolls. And that’s far more exciting than listening to you bumbling all over the forest trying to be silent. Nath, you’re welcome to join myself and Ardro in our studies, but I’m afraid my fort just wouldn’t hold anymore than three. Give my regards to Jesse.” Kaffi said, taking Nath’s hand and leading him away from his sisters. When they were out of earshot, Kaffi shared a disgusted snort with Nath. “Are they still chasing poor Jesse? Don’t they know he’s in love with Stasha?”

“When it comes to my sisters, I don’t know if they even know who Stasha is.” Then they ran off to Drianne’s glade. They talked of the other children and what each was likely to do after they left the forest, if they were going to leave the forest.

As they approached they heard Ardro bending Drianne’s ear, telling her about the story of Serenity and Chaos. He stopped speaking as he felt someone near and waited with his breath held until he saw who it was. Then his pleasant smile vanished with a scowl. Drianne’s light touch on his shoulder was the only thing that kept Ardro from attacking Nath again.

“Kaffi, Ardro’s been telling me the most fascinating tale. What do you know about it?” Drianne said, welcoming both Nath and Kaffi. “And you, Ardro, need to recognize your allies and stop attacking them. It was the same as your mother, in her childhood. I’ve lost count how many times I had to break up a fight between her and Noshtra.” Drianne went silent a moment and all looked to the two graves covered with roses. Nath went and knelt by his sister’s grave and bowed his head for a moment in silent thought.

Kaffi knelt by him and laid her hand gently on his shoulder. He looked at her and tried to smile. “She was so like papa, kind and gentle. Breena always knew when I needed someone and she always knew how to handle the snob twins. I miss her, Kaffi, I really do.” He didn’t have to add that she also had the link, Kaffi already knew it.

With wisdom she neither felt nor fully understood Kaffi nodded. “She’ll always be a part of you, Nath. Don’t fight the memories and one day she’ll find her place in your life and then it won’t hurt so much. In the meantime take heart that Crisa is more like you and your father than the others, so you have another kindred soul among your family.”

A soft whisper of laughter caressed the children and they turned to stare at Drianne. “It seems my Peacock has given birth to Elven wisdom in child form. Come and tell me more of this story of the gods and goddesses. I will keep out the unwelcome.” So the three gathered close to the Dryad’s trunk and watched as she enfolded them in her branches. Then Kaffi pulled out the scroll and began reading. “Then the first of Chaos’ champions....” Her voice was strong in the stillness of Drianne’s protection.

Serenity grieved for the loss of infant race of Fawns. Chaos’s first champion had a taste for the tender flesh of the half human half goat race and had them killed, and then he ate them. Chaos laughed at the antics of his human champion, delighting in using one of Perlish’s children and decided that he would use more of them. And Perlish was angry that her children were so easily corrupted against Serenity. But Serenity did not interfere with Chaos’ chosen servants, knowing her time would come.

It angered Chaos that Serenity didn’t call her champions forward to face his first challenge to her authority. But she would smile at her brother and tell him to wait, that the time had not yet come. So Chaos plotted with even more violent servants, trying to attract the attention of Serenity’s unknown Champions.

Then he found one who fought against Serenity, yet stalked and killed the servants of Chaos. And he was delighted in the change of his plans. This half wizard would be his greatest slave ever. And Chaos was pleased to help this one who called himself Dreybrenic, meaning, ‘Lawless,’ in the ancient tongue of the gods. And in watching the growing power of his newly chosen, Chaos missed the birth of Serenity’s Champions.

Firstborn was the Man of Peace and then the Man from the Chamelings. And as they grew an awareness of Serenity began to grow within them. But it was not to be awakened until the joining of leaders. Second was born the Wizard with a warrior’s heart. And shortly followed the Siblen and the Wer, and all had the awareness of Serenity born into their hearts. And Chaos saw them and fear began to tighten in his breast. If he could keep the rest from being born, maybe these would have to go away as a false start. But just to be sure he let Dreybrenic know of them and sent him to hunt them down.

Then when he was watching Dreybrenic’s hunt, the first of the leaders was born. The one who would bring the children of Perlish and Tukwilles together in harmony was born. It wasn’t possible, he was an impossible mix. Chaos began to watch the other races that were to be joined, planting hints in the dreams of their Sun Speakers and Priestesses and Priests, hoping that the last leader would not be born. While his eyes were turned in other directions the shadow and thief came to being, the Champions of Serenity lacked only one to be complete.

By the perverse nature of Chaos the very thing he wished to avoid, he brought to being. The Elven Sun Speaker became interested in the Demons, wanting to know more about them. And the Demon High Priestess became curious about the Elves. So when the chance for them to meet arrived, they took it. And much to the anger and frustration of Chaos, they fell in love and consummated their union.

Serenity let the children of Quaird and Mhahluh know of the danger to them and their child. And as the parental instinct took over in both, they became even closer and passed that on to the child. When asked of them, both the Elven father and Demon mother gave their very lives to protect that which was a true blending of races. And the final and first of the Champions was born and hidden away from even Chaos’ sight.

Chaos stormed and fought with himself over Serenity’s Champions. He had wanted to help her at one time, but in the time she gave him free reign over Sandeenai, he had wanted it all for himself. He no longer wished to share this wonderful and magical world with anyone, least of all his sister. But he still loved her, and every time he saw her star, he grieved for the blood he had drawn from her. And in his anger, Sandeenai grew dark and fearful.

Then the one called Dreybrenic rose up and began to steal from Sandeenai its life force, its magic. And he sickened it and misshaped it, and fed it to himself alone. Both Chaos and Serenity turned their attention to this mortal who dared to take the power of a god unto himself. And Chaos stopped fighting Serenity’s Champions, but it was too late. He had already told Dreybrenic who to look for, and Dreybrenic was hunting them all. Before they could join together, before all of Serenity’s blessings and gifts could be given them, before they had the power and authority to stop him.

Dreybrenic began to demand more and more from Chaos and when he did not get it, he stole it from the rich soil of Sandeenai. Dreybrenic took both magic and children from the world. All the gods and goddesses lost children to the evil of Dreybrenic’s treachery, and they hid from his seeking eyes. For this mortal was not satisfied with just obtaining dominance over Sandeenai, but wished to control the gods and goddesses themselves. All watched for the Champions to grow and begin their first quest, to save Sandeenai from Dreybrenic.

Chaos came to Serenity and begged her forgiveness for raising such an evil person. And she gave it. Then Chaos asked to give unto the leader of Serenity’s Champions added strength and power, to over come Dreybrenic’s poison. And she gave permission. And the Demon Elf child was touched by the hand of the gods and goddesses and given the strength to call and use the powers of creation. But with the giving also came the cursing.

The Demon Elf could use her power whenever she chose, but if it was ever used in harm or as a weapon, for whatever cause, she had to pay a blood price. She had to consume life to use her power against life. If she had been pure Demon, she would have gladly accepted this and possibly become worse than Dreybrenic. But she was also pure Elf and as such worshiped life. So she would forever struggle with her two races whenever she used her powers as a weapon. But when she used her power for good and healing and creating, she would be filled with light and joy. And so it was that the Demon Elf was made equal to the task of saving Sandeenai from Dreybrenic.

At that council of the gods and goddesses where the Demon Elf was given her power, the other’s saw for the first time Serenity’s Star. And they all stared in surprise at its beauty and at the number of points that shone from its center. They demanded to know where the other Champions were and who they would be. And in the uproar, Serenity smiled as she welcomed the Father Creator back in their midst.

The children of the Creator fell silent as He came forward and took His seat at their head. And for the first time in many years His voice was heard by His children. “I saw that my daughter Serenity would need to anchor her Champion’s with others, not of this world of Sandeenai. As she chose her Champions from this world, I chose from a sister world those who would be the best echoes and anchors for Serenity. And even as we speak they are growing and finding each other, as are those on Sandeenai. When all have joined, then will you, my other children, see the final Champions of Serenity. When the twin Champions have joined, then all knowledge and power will be shared between worlds. And in these twin circles, shall the gates of magic and science be made one.” And then He stood and giving His blessing on His children, left them to ponder His words.

“Kaffi! Ardro! Nath!” Jehro called, coming down into the valley of Drianne’s glade. Kaffi quickly rolled the scroll up and tucked into her tunic, winking at the Dryad. Drianne gave her godchild a mischievous smirk, but returned the wink never-the-less. “There you are. Do you realize what time it is?” Jehro asked as he came under Drianne’s branches. All four had the decency to look embarrassed. The Chameling met the abashed looks in his son and Drianne and gave them a grin. “Been telling stories about us again, Drianne?”

“Well, actually, Uncle Jehro, I was telling her one,” Kaffi said quickly, getting Drianne off the hook. “I guess I just lost track of the time. It was so involving, and we all wanted to know how it was going to end. I’m sorry.” Kaffi looked down, trying to look sorry and not guilty.

The hearts stopped in all of the children as another voice joined Jehro’s. “And just what is this story, Kaffalyn?” Tris asked. Kaffi squenched her eyes shut at the question and tone in which it was asked. She didn’t squirm under her mother’s glare, the way she knew Ardro was, but she didn’t have the courage to meet her mother’s eyes. She knew instinctively knew they were wavering on green.

Taking a deep breath and calming her thoughts, Kaffi realized she had a right to read this scroll, just like anyone else. Lifting her head and looking squarely into her mother’s eye, she felt Nath and Ardro’s admiring glances as she faced the Demon Elf they had just read about. “About you, Mother,” Kaffi stated, with just a hint of a tremble in her small voice. “I was reading from a scroll you wrote about the Circle. Didn’t Serenity want the knowledge of our beginnings remembered? If that’s so, then we need to know what you wrote. We can pass it on to our children in turn. That would please Serenity and we want to please her, as our parents before us.” Tris watched her daughter, first in anger then in wonder. She held out her hand, without saying anything about the speech. When Kaffi’s shaky hand placed the warm scroll in her hand, Tris opened it to see which one her daughter had been reading.

“Mom, do you really go into a bloodlust when you fight with your magic? And do your two race war within you?” Ardro asked, after Tris didn’t go into an instant rage over the purloined scroll. Jehro looked at Tris, a question on his face.

With a loosing of breath and a shaking her head, she handed the scroll to Jehro and made herself comfortable at the feet of her heart sister. The others followed her lead, and once again Drianne enclosed the group with her branches. “Yes, Ardrocmuth, I do and they do. You have read the entire scroll?” Kaffi nodded and Nath gave a small protest. “I know it seems like I haven’t completed the tale, Nathornes,” Tris said, holding up her hand to silence his questions. “But I have, in the chronicles of the Circle. The only part I haven’t done is the joining of the two together. And your mother’s the one to ask about what happened between the time my history begins and the end of this tale. Although it’s not from the viewing of Serenity and Chaos, it is correct.”

“Why didn’t you tell us this before, Mom? And is this why you and Chaos are friends?” Ardro persisted, sitting almost in his mother’s lap. He looked into her face, his green eyes shining in the semi-darkness. Tris looked up to meet Jehro’s eyes and shared a thought. “I am not like Aunt Shrina. I know when to ask my questions and when not to. I also don’t ask a billion of them at a time, but only one or two,” Ardro said, and then clamped his hands over his mouth, biting his lip.

Jehro laughed and reached over to tousle the boy’s hair. “It seems, Tris, we need to shield our mind speech a little tighter around the scamps. Or won’t that do either?” His look telling Ardro he was forgiven this time, but he had better tell the truth now.

Ardro looked at the ground and began to draw tiny patterns in the dirt. He wished for Uncle Korol’s gift of disappearing, this would have been the perfect time to use it. A not so gentle clearing of his mother’s throat and he knew he had to tell the truth and hurry. “Well, no, it wouldn’t help. Mom and Papa can’t shield from Kaffi and I. And to prove it, Mom’s surprised at knowing this and Papa’s angry cause he can’t find us. He’s passed here twice but hasn’t been able to get in. He’s on his way here again, pretty sure this is where we are,” Ardro whispered reluctantly.

Tris looked at Kaffi and tried to hide her surprise in seeing the truth echoed in her daughter’s eyes. “Well, Mother, think about it. Ardro and I were able to speak with both you and Papa before we were born. So you know our link with you is stronger than most. And in case you didn’t know, we can’t really keep you out of our mind speech either. That’s why we never talk mind to mind when we don’t want you to know what we’re thinking.”

Tris laughed and shook her head at her children, then gathered them to her and left to find Airidon. When the family of four was together, they all began to speak at once. Jehro looked at his son and they went home together.

Ardro slid into the underbrush, hoping to catch his prey unwary. This Game was the best yet and more so because he and Kaffi were on different teams. He still seethed that Nath and Kaffi were on the same team, but that wasn’t something he could control. He tried to block out the link that bound them all together, so they wouldn’t be able to find him too easily. Sometimes it was fun knowing what both of them felt and talked about, but when it interfered with the Game, he didn’t like it.

He hated having to help Jerli and Shanha; they were the worst players in the whole forest. So he left them stumbling around their home cave and laughed to himself about it. Every once in a while he could hear them shouting his name, knowing everyone else could as well, and cringed. Jesse would yell at him for not following the rules, but that didn’t matter. Mother had told him that in games of strategy, changing the rules was acceptable. So he had taken her at her word, and rewritten the rules to fit his ideas.

Creeping through Aunt Erlissa’s garden, Ardro spied Stasha. She was, technically, on his team, but not anymore. He had declared himself renegade and all players were fair game. Now how to proceed? Did he pretend to be her friend and ally and then jump her, or did he just take her and make her his prisoner? Ardro decided on the latter and rubbed his hands together in pleasure.

As child size hands closed around her neck and waist, Stasha wondered who had been able to sneak up on her. Jesse was supposed to be guarding her back, what had happened to him. She let out a tiny scream, but then felt a magical gag cover her mouth. Magic wasn’t allowed, who had broken the rule. She struggled to see who had taken her prisoner, but then a dark bag covered her head. Panic sized the fifteen year old, and she fought with everything she had. She remembered when Junior had sent in troops to kill the children of the Circle and prayed that this wasn’t another attempt. Their parents wouldn’t think about looking for them until it was too late, even if she could scream mentally like some of the others. Stasha hoped she would inflict some injury on her captor before whoever it was could finish her off.

Ardro was amazed at the thoughts flooding through his prisoner’s mind and wondered if he should reassure her, but thought better of it. If he was going to prove his worth as a strategist to the older ones, he had to do this without giving himself away. He had secured the old cave that the Circle had first used as a central meeting place as his base. Dragging Stasha up and into the dark secondary chamber, Ardro tied her up with his other prisoners. Then he sealed the cave against their possible rescue or escapes and left them, in search of other prey.

Kaffi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. She felt someone’s overwhelming fear and wondered who it was and why it was. She leaned to her partner and tapping Nath’s hand silently, got his attention. They were perched in a weeping birch, waiting for someone to wander down a ‘safe’ path. “Do you feel it?” she mouthed, not using the link because she didn’t want Ardro to find them, and he nodded. “Should we help?” He didn’t know. They both felt Ardro’s magical signature and exchanged knowing looks. Nath jumped from his branch and turned in time to see Kaffi following. Using the link, they began tracking Ardro, wondering when Jesse was going to call everyone in to tell them about the change in rules. But it didn’t happen, and Nath wondered if something had really gone wrong.

Then Jesse’s voice, ringing loudly through the forest was heard. “Has anyone seen Listy or Stasha or Kevlon?” There was panic in his voice as he came crashing through the trees and bushes, not heeding the game in progress. Then Jerli and Shanha began to scream, this time in earnest, and Jesse’s footsteps headed in their direction. Just as the screaming started, it stopped and a silence fell in the forest.

Kaffi met Nath’s eyes, wondering if he was following her train of thought. He was and they silently headed for the last trace of Ardro’s magic. They froze as other children ran past them, wondering what was happening, not wanting to give away their position. Kaffi wondered what Ardro’s plan was and what she and Nath could do to counter it.

At the sudden halt to her daughters’ screaming and the silence that followed, Shrina became alert. She reached over and woke Jehro from his nap and held up her finger for him to listen. His face lost its far-away-just-waking-up vagueness and hardened into a mask of anger. He couldn’t find some of the children’s life signatures.

Jehro made a mental grab for Tris and found her equally on the prowl. The children’s game had now entered a new phase; the adults were joining this one. Whoever it was that had invaded was going to get the surprise of his or her life. And Tris called the entire Circle and they began the search for the missing children.

Ardro couldn’t believe his luck. His little change of rules had brought the Circle into the Game. That made it all the more exciting. He just hoped they wouldn’t really try to hurt him, after all he wasn’t hurting anyone, just scaring them a little. And wasn’t that what life was all about? Being ready for anything? As he tied up Jerli and Shanha, he hoped he wouldn’t get into too much trouble from his parents when they found out it was him. But that could wait. Which adult was he going to capture first?

Kaffi and Nath just stared as they saw Ardro go into the old cave with Shanha bound and gagged in his grasp. Nath tapped on Kaffi’s hand to get her attention and then mouthed at her, “Do you think he knows our parents have joined the game?” She nodded and dropped her eyes a minute, feeling for the link.

She looked up and mouthed back, “He changed the rules, so we should too. He’ll need help against the adults, and they need to know it’s just a Game. We’ll help him.” Nath thought a minute, and then nodded his agreement.

Kaffi sent a gentle probe into the forest and was surprised by the strength of her mother’s hold on the tendril of thought. She was really afraid for them, Kaffi realized, and was glad she had thought to warn her parents of the nature of the Game. When she calmed her mother down enough to reason with, Kaffi found her mother both angry at the scare Ardro had given them, but also impressed with his talents. She would pass on the information and wished Kaffi and her team good luck.

Then Kaffi nodded to Nath and they stalked to the entrance of Ardro’s base and waited for him to emerge. As he did, they jumped him and holding his mind and mouth silent, drug him back inside. Kaffi made a tiny light, and stood in front of her brother and lifted her finger to her lips. With a sullen nod, Ardro agreed to silence and Nath released him.

“What are you doing here?” Ardro hissed, and Nath’s hand again closed over his mouth. Kaffi rolled her eyes at her brother, again covering her lips with her finger. Ardro struggled for a minute, then gave up and relaxed in Nath’s grip.

Kaffi used the link to inform her brother of the final change in the Game. “Mother and Father have joined the Game. I’ve told them it was still a Game so they won’t hurt us. It’s the three of us against all of them. Understand?”

Ardro thought about it, he hadn’t expected allies and he wasn’t sure he wanted any. But then he thought about it, the odds were still overwhelming. And if he was going to have allies he would have chosen both Kaffi and Nath, so he nodded. Nath released him again and Ardro turned to face his ally. “Are you ready for a fight?” He answered through the link, understanding the new rule of communication. Nath returned his sly grin and Ardro decided he didn’t mind if his sister and this guy liked each other.

Kaffi tapped Ardro on the shoulder and the three of them knelt down to plan their strategy. Deciding that anything was within the rules, the three children demised a plan for the downfall of the others that was equal to one of Tris’. This would be the best Game ever. Then they crept forth to execute their masterpiece.

Erlissa was speaking in hushed tones with Drianne, when Kaffi spotted her. Drianne was the only neutral party in the forest, and she couldn’t be trusted to not let something slip. So she had to be taken as well and that was Kaffi’s job. Letting her thoughts drift into a mist so Drianne couldn’t find them, Kaffi circled the glade and laid her trap for the Sylph.

Feeling the nearness of Kaffi, Erlissa went into hunt mode and left Drianne feeling disappointed. The Dryad hadn’t given her any help, and she had truly thought that she might. But if she could capture Kaffi, then they wouldn’t need Drianne as a spy. ’Lissa stopped at the edge of the glade, feeling the tension in her stomach that warned of a trap. So she stepped on a tiny breeze, to pass over any ground trap and curled up to avoid any tree trap.

Erlissa hadn’t planned on any air traps, and fought panic when she suddenly fell into a blackness that was frighteningly heavy. When she landed, with a soft bump, she was immediately bound and gagged and informed without words, she was a prisoner of the three. Erlissa sat in the darkness and wondered how she could have fallen so easily into the trap, and even what kind of trap it had been. Then she wondered if Drianne was helping the three.

Drianne watched in shock as Erlissa disappeared into what looked like an open mouth. Then she went on alert, knowing that if it was the three children, they would capture her rather than trust to her continued neutrality. Thinking she was ready for anything, Drianne stood ready to defend herself.

She liked playing this kind of Game, and she wondered just how ready Tris and Airidon were to face capture by their own children. In that moment of thought, Drianne felt a tiny pricking of her bark. She tried to find who had touched her, but couldn’t quite get the energy to try. The warmth of the summer sun felt so good against her bark and leaves. The air smelled softly of roses and violets and was so pleasant. The breeze seemed to sing Drianne to sleep. Just as she drifted into a dream of her younger days, Drianne understood what had happened. Kaffi had put her to sleep with a simple spell and herb, something Tris had done when she was of a similar age. But the damage was done; Drianne wouldn’t awake until after the Game was over. She silently congratulated the youngster and enjoyed her dream.

Kaffi sent a lightening quick thought through the forest; she knew her parents would be listening for anything from either her or Ardro. So she made it general, hoping to throw them off her scent. It read simply, “Erlissa and Drianne captured.” She could see Ardro’s silent rejoicing and Nath’s approval in her mind’s eye and left the glade to escape capture.

The branches creaked in the breeze, but that didn’t matter. Jesse wanted to catch Ardro so badly he could taste it, and now was his chance. That little brat had humiliated him for the last time; he would show his parents he was ready for battle by taking Ardro in this Game. And it looked like he was going to get his wish after all. He watched silently as Ardro slithered through the trees toward him, and Jesse hoped the boy wouldn’t know what had happened when he hauled him all trussed up into their base camp.

Ardro listened to Jesse fuming and hid his grin. It wouldn’t do to let his prey know his fate before it happened. He kept his eyes from following Nath’s movements with a self-control that surprised even him. And when his ally was in place, Ardro jumped up and began to wave wildly in the opposite direction as if getting someone’s attention.

Jesse’s heart sped up as he watched Ardro’s foolish actions and swiftly left his tree shape and stalked forward. But before he moved two steps a large bag came down over his head and he felt Nath’s hands binding him. Jesse cursed his luck and fought to free himself, but failed and ended up being teased the whole way back to his prison by Ardro. One day he would get that brat and good.

After leaving Jesse in the half full prisoner cave, Nath left Ardro to trap his own parents. This would be the real test of his skills. He remembered when he was younger asking his mom when he would be old enough to be considered grown up. She had told him that when he could best both herself and Jehro, that Nath would be well on the road to adulthood, if not already there. And now was his chance to prove to them he was old enough to not need Jerli and Shanha hanging around him all the time. And maybe they would let him go and stay for a season or two with Uncle Meckin’s brother, Jonas.

Knowing his father would be looking for him to change shape in his attack, Nath slipped into the mist Kaffi had created. This would shroud him and allow him to move without being seen, it also made changing shape unnecessary. He just had to remember that his mother could see through illusions if she used her eye.

Nath jumped in his skin as he felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. He bit his lips hoping he wouldn’t yelp and give his position away. Kaffi smiled at him a moment, then he followed her silent arm and saw his quarry. Giving his friend a wolfish grin, he dropped to his stomach and slithered through the soft pine needles. Like with Ardro, Kaffi would be the bait, only she could also act as the trap if something went wrong. She waited until Nath was in place, and then broke a dry branch in her hands. Then Kaffi fell into the dirt and let her mist do its work.

Shrina and Jehro started and turned, seeing a shadow that appeared to be slipping from a tree and running away. It was the figure of a young girl matching the description of Tris’ daughter. Jehro shared a grin with his wife and they split up, Jehro taking the right flank and Shrina the left.

Nath watched as his father’s feet stopped inches in front of him. He stilled his breath, hoping Jehro wouldn’t look down and see him lying in wait. Then Kaffi snapped another branch, making it sound just ahead in the fog. And Jehro sprang forward noiselessly, eager for the catch. Nath followed his father a heartbeat later.

Shrina watched as Jehro stopped to listen, and then take off after the elusive sound, and was surprised to see her son rise and follow a few feet behind. She didn’t join, wanting to see how Nath would take Jehro, if in fact he did. Her mouth curved into a smile as Nath froze in the shadow of a tree seconds before Jehro turned to see who was following. She waved to him and pretended to be looking into the distant fog. Nodding, Jehro again started forward. Nath hadn’t seen his mother, or her helping him, but someone else had.

Nath’s heart was pounding so hard, he could hardly breathe. He was sure his father could hear him, if not actually see him, and it made his palms cold and sweaty. Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto his father’s trail and closed the gap between them. Pulling a dark bag from his tunic, Nath closed his eyes and pulled it over his father’s head.

Jehro felt and saw the bag closing at the same time and wondered who, then knew. Nath had been following him, but why hadn’t Shrina warned him? He decided to see how alert his son was and changed shape. But as his form shifted, Nath’s hands sealed off the opening of the bag, trapping Jehro inside. The Chameling tried to fade as Korolwyn could, but found the bag magically protected. He laughed at being caught so easily, but he had been captured fairly and skillfully. Maybe he should talk to Meckin about having Jonas take Nath on for a few months.

Shrina didn’t know whether to feel excited for her son, or guilt for her husband. She could have warned Jehro, but she truly wanted to see how Nath would handle himself. She knew her twin daughters would probably never be more than brides to some silly Sibish, but she had great hopes for her son. And he had more than justified her feelings. Maybe it was time she joined the hunt and freed her husband.

But before she could act on her decision, a similar bag dropped over her head and she was trapped. She had forgotten Kaffi was still in the area and had just stood there like a village idiot. Well she deserved to be captured if she had no more sense than to make a target out of herself. She didn’t fight or struggle and she toyed with the idea of Kaffi also being an asset to the Circle.

Ardro couldn’t help but giggle as he finished tying Fini up in the prisoner cave. Kaffi and Nath stood and stared as they saw Ardro’s catch. “I did it all by myself and he didn’t even see it coming. He thought I must have hit my head on something, the way I was spinning around. But when I released the net, he couldn’t duck fast enough. I caught him and he admitted to it, so I didn’t have to carry him all by myself, but I trapped him all by myself.”

Fini, not realizing Ardro was with someone, grumbled back to him. “Yes, you young scamp you caught me. But you don’t have to gloat over it. It isn’t smart to talk around your prisoners, you never know when they might escape or get rescued. And then your wonderful ambush wouldn’t work on someone else. Think about it, Ardro, and good hunting.”

Kaffi and Nath didn’t say anything, but by the looks on their faces they agreed with Fini, especially considering who they had just brought it. They then heard the good natured laughter coming from Jehro and Shrina’s bags. “So Ardro got you with a net? I tell you, Fini, it’s far better then being taken from behind by your own son,” Jehro said. “I still can’t figure out how I missed him, I was sure I kept a close eye on any shape changing magics.”

“That’s because he didn’t shape change, Jehro,” Shrina said, wondering if she should admit her own folly. She also wondered if the children were still in the cave and if they could hear the pride in the voices of the adults. “He simply hid in the fog and underbrush until you passed him, then he stalked you. I was very impressed, which is why I didn’t warn you. I wanted to see how he would spring his trap. I was going to come to your rescue, but didn’t count on Kaffi waiting to grab me from behind. I’d say we have three very fine warriors in these young people.”

“I would agree with you, Shrina,” Fini said and then the cave fell silent. Kaffi, Ardro, and Nath looked at each other, wondering if the adults were trying something on them or if they really meant what they said. They silently left the cave and returned to the hunt, still puzzling over the comments.

Tris stopped short as yet another of the Circle’s awareness’ disappeared from her mind. The only people left free were herself, Airidon, Korolwyn, Meckin, Tyra, and Yanette. All of the children had long since fallen prey to Ardro, Kaffi, and Nath. She was impressed at the skill and or luck of the threesome, and had already decided to give them special lessons in strategy and weapons; this just sped up her timetable.

With two to one odds, Tris felt certain they could win. But Airidon gave his mate a wondering glance, when they had started the odds were better than seven to one. Tris wondered how the children managed to get Jehro and Shrina so quickly, they were usually the trickiest. Now was time for some down and dirty scheming. Tris gathered the rest of the Circle in for a planning session and was waiting for Meckin and Yanette to join them.

Korol watched as Tris’ face hardened yet again and knew someone else had been taken prisoner. He laughed to himself at the baffled expressions on Tris and Airidon’s faces. He knew that the children from their union would be the sneakiest, smartest, and most cunning of all the Circle’s children to be able to keep their parents on their toes. And this little game was proving it, and very loudly too. He was enjoying it, even if all of his children and his wife had been taken so early in the game. He hoped he could see the young imps take their parents before falling prey to them himself.

Then his other self alerted him to danger, and Korol went into a defensive fade. But it wasn’t for him that the warning was meant, but for his friend Meckin. Meckin and Yanette were hurrying to the meeting place and weren’t watching where they were going. They heard all about how disgusted Ardro was that they hadn’t even given him a chance to stalk them before walking into his trap. Both bit their tongues against telling the boy he talked too much, but they had to admit he was right. If they had been alert, he never would have caught them so easily. And now they had to face Tris’ anger over their not being at her meeting.

Tris stood up and paced, holding in her pent up frustration. How had Meckin and Yanette both fallen victim at the same time? Hadn’t they been paying attention? Didn’t she warn them that her children were on the prowl? What more could she have done? Spelled them to her? She could almost hear Chaos laughing at her and then she did. In fact the whole cave heard him and then saw him. “It would seem that what goes around comes around, Trisinda. I’m sure you’re rejoicing that your children have followed in your footsteps with regards to Serenity. I’m enjoying this game like I have enjoyed nothing since you and your Circle defeated Dreybrenic. Continue, I’m curious to see how you take being captured by three of the best warriors I’ve seen since yourselves.” Then the god left Tris and her remaining force to try and counter the three children.

Nath, Kaffi, and Ardro sat in three separate trees and watched as Tris and Airidon drew in the dirt. Korol and Tyra concentrated on the map and details of their plan rather than on the surrounding foliage. It was the perfect set up and the children knew it, so they moved in for the final catch.

Kaffi signaled Nath and he signaled Ardro. When all three were focused on the four adults bent over the ground, Kaffi let go an ear-shattering scream and they jumped. The net they had carefully made fell with them, pinning the last of the enemy under it. They laughed as Korol cursed its magical wards and as Airidon’s blade failed to cut through the sap treated vines.

“We win!” shouted Ardro, beaming into his mother’s chagrinned eyes. “We three captured all of you and you didn’t even get a hold on us once. Mom, did you do that on purpose, let us catch you all so easily, or did you truly fight us?” he asked as the idea dawned on him.

Tris rolled her eyes at Airidon and Korol laughed at his leader. “No, Ardro, you caught us fair and square. We weren’t purposely letting you take us prisoner,” Tyra answered calmly. “I think the three of you have just earned your way into ranks of Children of the Circle Heroes.”

The three children glowed under the praise and freed their prisoners. All of them couldn’t wait until the rematch after a few weeks of training. And Ardro told Nath that as long as he could tag along, he didn’t mind if Nath was best friends with Kaffi. So was formed the first core of the heroes from the Children of the Circle.