The door opened and out came the members of the Queen's council. Each greeted Falcon in their turn; eventually leaving the chamber next to empty. Only Queen Cyan, the Enforcer, and a couple guards, who also served as runners, were left.

A weary Queen looked up from the papers in her hand; smiling she beckoned Falcon to come in.

Falcon entered the room and stopped half way across; removing her daggers and assorted hidden darts and laying them on the floor. After she was finished, she stepped before the raised dais and knelt before the Queen; her head bowed.

The Queen and the Enforcer watched with interest. While it was normal for Falcon to lay her weapons down in the Royal presence, never before had she left them out of reach; including the darts she secreted about her person.

"This" thought the Queen, "is serious."

"You requested a private audience Falcon. Do you wish it to just be the two of us?"

"No my Queen. If you will permit, what I am to tell you, I believe the Enforcer needs be present for."

"Then the guards are excused." The Queen raised her hand and the two guards exited, leaving only Falcon, the Queen, and The Enforcer. "Falcon, I have been seated in this chair all morning; I have a Saran-size headache; and looking down at you is not helping." The Queen stood, and as she walked towards the door to her private chambers, she signaled for Falcon and the Enforcer to follow.

Falcon stood, looked towards her weapons, and followed the Queen, unarmed.

The Enforcer watched this with interest. "I am definitely interested in knowing what it is she has to say." Calling a guard from outside, she instructed that Falcon's weapons be gathered carefully and placed in a locked chest. "Use caution handling the small darts." the Enforcer warned. It was well known that sometimes the darts were tipped with strange drugs, even a scratch could be fatal; or at the least, paralyze.

The Enforcer entered the Queen's private rooms and took in the scene before her. The Queen was trying to get Falcon to sit in a chair, but it seemed that the Animal Healer would have none of it.

"My Queen what I have to say is better said standing," Falcon was trying to explain.

At last the Queen pulled out her ace. "Falcon! Sit!" she said in a raised voice. "I have a headache and I don't wish to argue this point any further! I don't want to look up at you while you stand, nor do I want you to kneel. Just sit!" Cyan looked at the Enforcer as she continued. "I swear, she is as stubborn as you!"

Falcon sat stiffly in a straight-backed chair.

"Falcon," The Queen began. "Relax, you look like a condemned prisoner, waiting for a death sentence to be carried out."

"I may very well be My Queen." Falcon said softly.

The Enforcer had been pouring a cup of something for the Queen, but at Falcon's words, she spun and looked between Queen Cyan and Falcon. The Queen's face was an unreadable mask, and Falcon's displayed no emotions save the pain in her eyes.

"Olympia, give me the cup or drink it yourself."

The Enforcer just now realized that Queen Cyan was holding out a hand for the cup she held. With a mumbled sorry she handed the cup to the Queen.

The Queen sighed, and after a moment she looked up from the cup and studied the member of her tribe. She had learned so much about the Animal Healer in the short time she had been on the Island; yet she knew that there was still so much more to learn; perhaps too much.

"Begin." The Queen said.

Falcon took a deep breath, and her pain filled eyes looked into the Queen's.

"Let me start by saying that I am grateful for the home you gave to me before you even knew who or what I was." Falcon began.

After a brief pause, with only a nod from the Queen, Falcon continued.

"I told you. That very day I handed you the assassin's blade……"

The Enforcer's mind pondered. "What blade? And why was I not told?" The Enforcer looked earnestly at the Queen, but Cyan signaled for Olympia to remain silent. She decided to ask the Queen later, and turned her attention again to what Falcon was saying.

"……….that there were things I would need to tell you once Corde and Saran were safe. Perhaps I should have told you then, but in light of what I learned later, it might be for the best that I did not. I found out more about my past, for good or ill my Queen, I found out much more.

While we waited in the tavern, an attempt was made on our lives. It failed but before we could obtain many answers, the killer managed to take a poison. Before he died, he made as if her knew me. He called me one of the "master's best", that I had been paid to do something and failed. This was also said by the Shadow Priest My Queen, you yourself heard him.

After he died, Tama searched his body. He found items similar to what I myself now carry; darts tipped with poisons and such. But what Tama did not see was that the killer bore the same paw print tattoo that I have; on his ankle as well. Tama also found the Dragon head medallion. I knew what it meant, yet I was not sure how I knew. It meant that he worked for Shao Kahn, or one of his minions.

I spoke at length to Princess Eponie and to Ashana about the returning memories and the dreams. Under the watchful eye of Chakras I gave myself a potion that would release my mind into the dream world; there I hoped to find answers."

Queen Cyan and the Enforcer both remained silent; engrossed by what they were hearing, yet fearing what might come next.

"This, my Queen is what I found out…………

I was small, just about the age of the Little Princess when our village was overrun by slavers. Many Amazons died and many were taken. My mother managed to hide us in the temple for two days. In that time, she placed on my sister and I, tattoos to identify us to our tribe should we manage to regroup. We were eventually found and my mother was killed.

My sister Mariah and I were sold to a man who trained assassins. Taking children, he trained them for years in the arts of weapons, poisons, stealth; all the things a killer would need. Even as a child I was strong willed. I tried often to escape and was beaten many times for it. My back bares the scars of the lash. When I was older, one of the trainers was often kind to me and in the ignorance of youth I believed he really cared; till I found myself with child.

The master trainer now had a hold over me. I would do anything to protect my unborn child and later I bore a daughter. I went out and preformed 'services' as was required by the master trainer. Once I made a mistake and the man I was sent to kill almost lived long enough to get help. I was beaten severely and was told that the next day my child was going to be taken and sold. That night Mariah, my sister, and I managed to get my daughter and we escaped. But before I left, I paid a visit to the master trainer and showed him that I never make the same mistake twice. He would be dead many hours before they found him.

Mariah and I traveled many weeks before being found by another tribe of Amazons. They eventually adopted us and I now bear their mark on my breast. They had heard of the destruction of our village and told us that a few of them still lived and had found their way to them also.

We lived, worked and loved in that village until my daughter was five seasons old.

It was then that rumors came to us of great wars against the Amazon nation. Then, one day our scouts came, telling of a large army that would be upon us within a few candlemarks. We tried to gather all we could, getting the children and mothers out of the village, while many of us stayed behind. They came much sooner than we thought and in the very thick of it, I placed my daughter into my sister's arms and told her to take her to safety. I can still hear her screams for me. Soon my sister returned to fight with me, and when the battle was over I found her; dying. She died in my arms before she could even tell me where the children were.

I left behind the remnants of the village and the bodies of many women and children. As far as I knew, all had died, save a few. I made my way selling my skills and using the name given me by the master trainer; they called me the Dark Wolf. One day a man came to me and offered me a large fee to do a very difficult job. He wished for me to find and kidnap someone; or failing that to kill her. He bore the mark of one who served the power known as Shao Kahn. I accepted the gold and set out on board ship to find this person.

One night a storm erupted, the ship split wide and I was hurt. The next thing I remember was a piece of wreckage that served me as a raft, and washing up onto your shores. Without a memory, and no home. It was then that I met the Little Princess. She is who told me about your village, and she, who led me to you."

Falcon looked at the Queen for a moment; she rose, and knelt on the floor before the Queen.

"For what I am about to tell you, I ask only a swift death by your hand, and that you tell the village I have gone on a long Quest for you."

"If your death is warranted, it will be as you requested." The Queen looked at Falcon and saw the torment in her eyes. "Continue."

Falcon placed her hands behind her back, and looked straight into the Queen's eyes.

"I am ever in your service My Queen. You have earned my respect and my affection; that is why this is so hard……………My Queen the person I was to kidnap or kill---- was you."

The Enforcer stood rigidly, staring in disbelief at the Amazon warrior kneeling before the Queen, and what she had just heard. Cyan sat quietly, as if waiting for something more to be said by Falcon. When she was sure that Falcon had released all of what was obviously weighing heavily on her mind, she stood and put her hand on the warrior's shoulder.

"Please stand up Falcon. My headache has not left with the arrival of your news, and your continuous kneeling is not helping; although I wouldn't mind if it rub off on some of the others."

Falcon rose somewhat hesitantly, even more confused by the lack of anger she had already prepared for in the Queen's voice. "Yes my Queen" was all she was able to muster together before again looking down and avoiding Cyan's eyes.

"My friend, it seems I am as popular as ever with assassins……" The Queen smiled slightly as she walked slowly by Olympia, nudging her in the arm. "Please Olympia, try and relax a little, or I swear I will have Corde switch you to decaf faster than the gods switch sides of a battle."

The Enforcer gave little more than an exasperated look at her long time friend, and true to nature, very seriously replied "I really do not think what we have heard here today is a laughing matter my Queen. This changes many things. She is an assassin, more specifically, yours!"

Falcon became more and more awkward as she watched the exchange between the Queen and her bodyguard. Suddenly she realized the Queen was talking to her; asking something…

"Do you agree Falcon? Are you my assassin? Have things changed?"

Falcon stammered, almost unsure of how to answer the Queen, or what exactly it was she was asking. "My Queen it pains me to repeat what I told you. Please, I only ask of you to keep your promises which were made when I first spoke of these things."

"I remember your request Falcon, and if it is your desire to leave this Island after we talk, then you will do so of your own choosing. For now I am only interested in your answer to my question, so I will ask it only one more time…….. Have things changed Falcon? Or are you still my Amazon warrior; one who's only crime that I can see is perhaps the intensity in which she pursues her loyalty?"

 Both the Enforcer and Falcon stared at the Queen, each as speechless as the other.

"My Queen" the Enforcer began, but Cyan held up her hand for Olympia's silence and for Falcon's response.

"Yes my Queen, things have changed. The same warrior that stands before you now is not the one who set out before coming here."

"Then it seems we have many things to talk about and work through Falcon, but for now your actions have given me no reason to distrust you since the day you washed up on my shores. So, only one question remains to be asked Amazon……."

Falcon swallowed slowly as she felt her throat drying even as the Queen spoke…

"Do you wish to stay here….. on the Island….. with us?"

"Yes my Queen."

"Then you have now found your permanent home Falcon. Go and get something to eat and rest a bit. Then come, after dinner, and we will talk…. Just the two of us."

Falcon closed the door to Cyan's palace room and headed towards her hut. She could most definitely use the opportunity to lie down right now; perhaps even to help stop her head from spinning…..

"Are you sure you know what you're doing Cyan? We could still produce the same end results, but be more cautious in our approach with her."

Cyan clapped Olympia on the back as the two walked side by side out through the palace gardens.

"We all have deep secrets Olympia, and we knew one day that they may involve or endanger other members of the tribe. Look at Vorpax, or Saran, or even my niece Eri - they all have secrets - deep secrets. You have looked into Falcon's eyes my friend, and as cautious as you are with my life, I know you do not doubt her loyalty to either me or this Island."

The Enforcer stopped and hugged the Queen tightly. Cyan was always a bit surprised when Olympia's emotions suddenly rose to the surface, but she had become quite used to their sudden departure or arrival over the years.

"What was that for?" Cyan finally said, as they began walking once again.

"For making the right decision…… and……. For keeping my secrets."

The two friends walked off towards the Java Hut to begin discussing their next moves, and what would need to be done if….. when Saran and her trio came home.

 Falcon soon found herself at the healers hut, how she was not sure.

Ashana looked up from her work, and smiled.

"Falcon what brings you here?" She asked smiling.

"I told her." Was Falcons reply.

Ashana knew that what ever it was that Falcon had found out in the dreamworld had upset her greatly. She had only said that she needed to speak to the Queen and soon.

Ashana had spoken to Princess Eponie and she had seen the two of them talk. It was later that under the watchful eye of her apprentice that Falcon entered the dreamworld. However she seemed even more shaken than before.

She watched as Falcon acted less like the quiet gentle healer, and more like a trapped animal, ready to rend anything that came near.

The Falcon that stood before her now was shaken but more at peace, and it seemed a little lost.

"She told me to eat and lay down, then see her after dinner." Falcon said softly.

"Then you lay down right here." The Healer urged Falcon to a pallet in the back, made her sit, and went to get something to help her sleep.

"Drink this." she said and handed Falcon a cup of liquid.

The Animal Healer drank it and lay back on the pallet. Soon she felt herself become relaxed. just as she almost faded into sleep a cold wet nose nudged her hand. Falcon opened her eyes, and found two pairs staring back at her. One a black wolf, the other a child’s.

"Takin' a nap Falcon? Don’t ya feel good?" Princess Marissa asked.

"I have a headache Little Princess, but Ashana gave me something for it."

"I can show you what my mother does when I don’t feel good."

"What is that Princess.?" Falcon asked trying hard to fight the drug, it would be rude to fall asleep when talking to a Princess.

"Move over." Announced the Little Princess and she curled up into the Animal Healer, pulling a cover over the two of them. "I was gonna take a nap anyway." The Little Princess yawned.

Putting her arm around the child Falcon drifted off to sleep. Her body remembered a time when another small body sought her warmth.

With a sigh Shadow curled up under the pallet and watched with sleepy eyes.

The Queen and the Enforcer looked at the sleeping pair.

"Perhaps I have my healer back." Cyan said softly.

"No my Queen you have a skilled killer, who just happens to have the skills of a healer." The Enforcer replied. " And I think I see a Little Princess who has that killer wrapped around her little finger."

"As we all are Olympia, as we all are. Now about dinner."

Part 4