Larc was deep in her meditation, searching for a glimpse of Saran. She knew t hat Saran was okay, but wanted to really be sure. No one knew where she was, or Rae and Loa or Tinka or Corde for that matter.

The sounds of the academy children laughing and learning were all around, yet Larc could not hear them. She tried to go deeper inside her mind, searching, searching.... a sudden thought, a sudden smell that jerked her out of the meditation and back into the world...a smell that was familiar, yet not inviting...Larc racked her brain, she knew that smell...it was food, yet not appetizing...

She let out a yelp, as the old factory memory finally clicked.

"Haggis!"

"Ewww." she thought.

 Falcon and the Queen raced through the darkened streets, absent of even the smallest of vendor carts. Just as they rounded the first corner, the Queen reached out and pulled Falcon back; flat against the wall. Cyan put one finger over her mouth and then pointed upward. From behind her cloak she withdrew a long rope that looked more like a custom made whip than anything else. Falcon watched as the Queen flicked it upwards into the night and yanked decisively. Within seconds a figure from above had fallen in front of them; landing loudly with a thump.

Cyan and Falcon both leaned over the figure as it slowly began to move. The Queen rolled her eyes and then crossed her arms in front of her as she waited for the figure to pick herself up to a standing position. Eventually the cloaked figure stood before the Queen and her warrior, but not without some noticeable difficulty.

"By far and away, this is certainly the lowest profile I have seen from you yet Eri."

"You could have yanked a little easier ya know. You almost knocked me out." Eri brushed her clothes off with some noticeable irritation.

"You're right Eri. I have often been accused of not asking my stalkers ahead of time their preference of yanking strength."

Falcon chuckled quietly as the Queen indicated for the three of them to head back to their rooms.

"You're lucky it was us who found you. Now let's get back to the tavern; our plans have just been changed."

Eri went into the other room to wake the Enforcer and Matt. While she was out of the room, Cyan took the chance to pull Falcon aside.

"I am willing to let the news of your horses pass Falcon; but I am warning you, even my patience in your secrets will only last so long. If you have anything else of value about your past, I suggest you tell me before this night has passed. Am I clear?"

"Yes my Queen." Cyan let go of Falcon's arm as the others entered the room.

"Have a seat everyone. It seems we need a new plan."

Cyan spent the next several minutes recounting all that she and Falcon had seen and heard; save the information about Falcon's horses. The noticeable absence of that part of the story was not lost on Falcon, and she was sure to make eye contact with the Queen to acknowledge her gratefulness.

"What are we going to do then?" Matt asked sensing that the Queen was on the verge of revoking her 'low profile' order.

"We're going to have Falcon sell us out." The Queen replied flatly. The room was silent as four very shocked faces just stared at the Queen.

"My Queen, I told you, I would nev…" Cyan stopped Falcon from continuing.

"Relax Falcon. I know you would not sell us out, but for that very reason, you will. We need to find where these village slave traders are taking the children. We also need to get inside with someone to try and find out just how many Priests Kahn has in this realm, and where they are."

The warriors began to nod in understanding, and an evil smile came across both the Enforcer and Falcon's lips simultaneously.

"So we send Falcon in with Eri and she trades the girl for information by pretending to join them right?" Matt asked with quite a bit of enthusiasm for someone offering his fellow Amazon up for bait. Eri looked at him and responded harshly.

"I think we all get the basic plan Matt, but I'd appreciate it if we could all focus just a bit more time on ensuring my safety! Huh? What do you think?"

Cyan touched her niece's hand and Eri settled back a bit in her chair.

"Falcon will be with you every minute Eri, and Olympia and Matt will be watching from above. No harm will come to you."

"Well, that's just terrific Cyan," Eri said as she leaned forward again, "but just where in the hell are you gonna be?!"

The Queen and her warriors were a bit taken back by Eri's sudden outburst, but eventually the Queen smiled at her niece. "Me? Well, I'm gonna be dead; that's where."

Again the recognition of the rest of the plan began to come across the faces of the Island warriors. Unless they had missed an important meeting back on the Island, everyone knew the Queen was immortal by birth. This made her free from death both on and off the island; something the others obviously didn't know. It also meant that low profile or not, the others had not yet figured out the Queen's identity.

Eri finally relaxed a bit and spoke with a little more restraint, but the nervousness in her voice was still there.

"So, while we're taking care of finding the Shadow Priests, you're going to try and find where they are taking the children? Please tell me that's the plan, and the whole plan."

Cyan nodded. "They must be keeping the children somewhere close, but out of sight. The villagers would have spotted them, or we would have heard something by now if they had already been sold. We have to find where they are, and if they think they've killed me, they'll have no choice but to hide me there too. Too much activity always draws attention, and attention is something neither Ares or Kahn's Priests can afford right now."

"Once we have found out what we can from the Priests, how will we find you?" Matt asked.

"I believe our new friend Nikolas will be the key." Olympia, Falcon and the Queen began to smile.

"Of course." The Enforcer began, "He is nothing more than a child, and as such, completely invisible. He will be able to watch their every move and never even be seen."

"Okay." The Queen said as she rose from her seat. "Let's finish the night of sleeping and get a good meal in the morning. Olympia, you will need to speak with Nikolas; and Falcon, you will need to make yourself available to your new business partners."

The warriors all rose and went to their respective rooms. The Queen indicated no one to take watch, which only Falcon seemed to grasp the full meaning of. The Queen had left her a window in which to talk; now she needed to truly decide whether she would use it, or shut it forever.

"She’s gone!!" Eri said in some confusion. Suddenly a hand appeared and Eri was pulled into the darkness. Cyan smiled and just as quickly Falcon reappeared with a now giggling Eri. "It’s a passage way. That’s how she got in here earlier."

"If the two of you are done playing .." Cyan said shaking her head. "Eri get some sleep I will be waking you soon enough. Falcon did you wish to speak to me?"

Falcon nodded and waited for the Queen to join her in the dark passage. Cyan followed the healer into a small room. A fire burned in the fireplace, and a small form lay curled before it asleep. Placing her finger to her lips, Falcon asked for silence. Mixing a powder in a cup of water, Falcon convinced the boy to drink. In moments the boy’s eyes closed. Gently lifting the child Falcon looked to the Queen. "Nikolas." Falcon said softly. She gently placed him on the small sleeping pallet and covered him. "He will sleep the night, and not hear us."

"Falcon why is he here?"

Falcon shrugged. "I purchased him for the time I am here. When I am out, he will work the tavern below. When I am here he answers only to me." Cyan smiled "And who would think to suspect a child of spying?" Falcon grinned in return.

"Now, my Queen I would show you my pride; that is if you would care to exit a window again?"

Cyan smiled; this was proving to be quiet the adventure. Cyan and Falcon once more stole into the night. In moments Falcon led the Queen into the stables. The stable boy was asleep and with a quick scratch of a dart made sure he would remain so for a while.

"How do you know which dart is which?" the Queen asked.

"I never make the same mistake twice." Falcon grinned. Falcon moved to the back of the stable "I could not tell you of my horses my Queen because I was not sure that they would still be here. As you yourself have already found, horses of any kind are in demand." "This is Dark Purpose." Falcon scratched the head of a large war horse. The mare lipped at Falcon’s shirt looking for a treat and was rewarded with one. Falcon moved to another war horse "This is Light of the Morning." Falcon’s eyes became wet. "She was my sisters’." A soft wicker came from another stall. Falcon smiled. Lighting a lantern near the stall, Falcon entered and was greeted by the soft blowing of a black mare; smaller than the war horses. "And this my Queen, is my joy. She is called Wind of the Desert. She is the direct descendant of my first and shares her name. My daughter use to call her Windy." The mare turned and snuffed at the Queen. Taking in the scent and noting Falcon’s reaction to the other human; the mare took no more notice of her. "Falcon, she is beautiful." Cyan said softly. Watching Falcon with the mare she was reminded of her quiet healer again. Falcon turned to Cyan. "My Queen, if something happens to me, please take the horses back to the island, and if you cannot find his parents, will you take the boy also?"

"Nothing will happen Falcon and we will all return, with the horses." "Their gear and such is in the tack room with a saddle bag marked with a wolf’s head crest. In it is a letter. It gives the bearer ownership of all I posses. The two war horses with a strong hand will let most any ride them. Wind of the Desert however... " Falcon grasped the Queen’s hand and pulled her to the Arabian mare. Falcon pulled the mares ear till the head lowered. She whispered into the twitching ear. The mare balked and snorted, seeming to disagree with what was being said. Falcon pulled again and bit down hard on the mares ear. She squealed and pulled back but in a moment stepped forward and began to snuff and blow into the Queen’s hand and face. "You must blow softly into her nose, My Queen. Share your breath with her." Cyan did as requested. After a moment the mare turned and seemed to sulk in the corner.

"Now if something happens to me, she will obey and protect you."

Leaving the tall after one last pat, Falcon lead Cyan to a box in the back. She opened it in a series of moving panels. Taking out two pouches she handed one to Cyan. "That powder simulates death. You will be aware of all around you, but unable to move. Your heart and breathing will slow, so that you will appear as dead. The effect will last only four candle marks. If you need to be revived earlier, this under the tongue will reverse the effect. The simulation of death is so complete that nothing done to you would show a body reaction. I have used this before. A dead killer is no longer looked for."

The Queen smiled and patted Falcon on the shoulder. "You have many talents Healer, and I am flattered to find that you think I am worthy to follow so loyally."

Falcon shifted awkwardly, not entirely sure how to respond to the Queen’s comment. Cyan ended her discomfort by breaking the silence, forcing the healer to meet her eyes.

"I have many secrets myself healer; we all do. I realize that your past is creeping up on you, not at all unlike mine. We come from very different places Falcon, but I am sure with your instincts and wisdom, you have sensed by now that I have more powers within me than I have let on. The truth is, there are things about myself that I must rediscover just as you are doing now. Things that will shape who we are, even in the future. But one thing I am certain of, you are an Amazon; my Amazon. And as such, your destiny lies with our Island. We were chosen to change the destinies of all who are manipulated by the gods and more. So, regardless of what is said and done over these next days, you have earned my trust, and my assassin we might once have known; no longer exists."

The Queen walked away leaving the healer to say goodbye to her horses. "Oh, and by the way Falcon. Whether his parents are found or not, they do not deserve the love of that boy. Nikolas will return to the Island with us when all of this is over, and he will be your ward."

Falcon smiled inside the dimly lit stables as the Queen walked again towards the door. Cyan stopped briefly and looked over her shoulder at Falcon as she began to close the last of the stalls. "Perhaps you may even want to introduce him to one of Shatan’s offspring when we get home?" Falcon’s heart skipped a beat as she realized that the Queen had not only granted her the opportunity to watch over this child, but to give him one of the royal horses. In that one instant, Falcon realized she had not felt this peaceful in a home for a very long time. Later, she also realized it was good that the feeling itself had come upon her as strong as it had; for it would be a difficult few days, resuming her killer's identity, before she felt that warmth again.

Falcon watched as the rising sun crept into the room, chasing the dark shadows away. Sleep was not to be for her. A soft whimper caused her to tighten her arms around the small body nestled in her arms. She softly crooned to quiet the boy, and in sleep he snuggled into the warmth.

When Cyan and Falcon had returned to her room, all had been quiet. After instructing the Queen in the uses of the passageways and their panels, Falcon sat in the chair by the window, looking up at the Moon she intoned a silent child like Prayer to her Goddess.

"Artemis please protect my family." Tears rolled down her face, the last she would shed for days. A soft snick told her that the panel had just shut.

"Good night my Queen."

"No!!" a soft whimper came from the pallet. Falcon rose quickly and sat on the edge. She spoke softly to the boy who was in the clutches of the demons of the night. Suddenly the boy's form turned and wrapped himself around the healer’s body. The nightmare must be terrible indeed to push past the draught that Falcon had given him.

Falcon rocked and crooned to the boy soon the shudders stopped, and once again he returned to the drug induced sleep.

Falcon reclined, and pulled the furs around herself and the small boy. Small fingers tangled into dark leathers, clinging to the warmth that he had been denied for so long, and he smiled.

"Eri, wake up." The Queen shook her niece even harder; remembering to duck this time, unlike so many other unfortunate mornings. "Eri! Wake up!" Eri rolled widely onto her side; swinging her arms heavily onto the bed, and just missing Cyan’s head. Her eyes slowly opened and began to blink reluctantly. "You have got to be kidding me. What now? If you keep waking me Cyan, I will never be ready to fight a battle once the sun breaks." "The sun broke over an hour ago Eri, and unless you are out of that bed in the next few minutes, the sun will not be the only thing broken this morning. Everyone is already downstairs getting their morning meal, and preparing the plan. Falcon has already gone out amongst the vendors to get an early start and to appear separated from us." "Well, why didn’t you wake me sooner?" Eri said in her usually morning huff.

"Because we were busy drawing straws to see who would be the lucky one."

"And you lost Cyan? I had always thought you so lucky?" "Not lucky, my dearest niece, just compassionate for the rest of my warriors." Eri rolled her eyes and got up out of bed. "Besides, I want it to appear that we have gone about our business as usual and that I have left you, Matt and Olympia behind. This will help to insure keeping my identity a secret and make it easier for Falcon to work her plan. When you have finished eating, go out on the streets and set about looking for horses again; just as yesterday. I have to get going. Nikolas is waiting for me out near the stables. He will find you as soon as he has news." The Queen turned and walked towards the door, pulling on her cloak as she walked. She stopped momentarily at the door, turned and walked back towards her niece. She leaned down and kissed the girl on her head. "I love you Eri. Be careful. If all else has gone wrong, call for my mother and she will come." Cyan turned and walked out the door. Eri smiled and rubbed her forehead thoughtfully. "I love you too Aunt Cyan." The young Amazon strapped on her sword and began to descend the steps to the tavern hall.

Cyan went over everything she had done last night as she descended the steps to the tavern’s main floor. Matt and the Enforcer were talking quietly at a table near the back of the eating area. The Queen walked up to the table and took a seat next to Matt.

"So, you both understand what is going to happen?" "Yes my Queen, but I think you should let us be with you in case something were to go wrong." Matt nodded his head in agreement. "What could possibly go wrong Olympia? I’m supposed to get killed. Even in the worse case scenario, our plan will play out." Cyan patted Olympia’s hand reassuringly. The Queen knew that even though she was an immortal, her bodyguard was constantly worried about any tactics the Queen suggested that involved unnecessary risk. Likewise, ever since Mad Matt had come to the Island and become her personal assassin, he and the Enforcer had always shared this common ground.

"I think she’s right Queenie, we should be closer." Cyan smiled as she remembered the first day she had heard Matt call her that. Both he and StudBoy were the only ones on the Island capable of calling her that without invoking some form of irritation. Many moons had passed since the killer for hire had first set foot into her life, and she had been thankful for his friendship ever since.

"I hear what you are saying, but you must trust me. Falcon and I have worked out all the details of the plan, and it will go smoothly. If there is one thing we are all in agreement on is her ability to execute." The Enforcer cringed at the use of the word. "That is our concern Cyan. How can you trust her to carry out your plans; especially with Eri’s life?" "There was a day, a very long time ago Olympia, when you yourself entrusted me with your very life, even when all of your senses told you not to. All I’m asking is that you trust me again."

Within seconds Olympia’s attitude had changed and Cyan knew that each of her warriors would do as they were told.

"I must get going. By now Falcon has already set her betrayal and motion and Eri will soon come down. All I want is for you to lose yourself in the purchase of horses, and split up to cover more ground. Be sure to send Eri to the specific stables I showed you and then return to your rooms and wait for Falcon to come."

Before either one of them could respond to their orders, Cyan had disappeared through the door.

"Sometimes her speed really freaks me out." Matt said casually to the Enforcer; making conversation until Eri arrived. 

Falcon stood by a blacksmith forge and watched as he finished shoeing one of her war horses. She wanted to make sure that they would be ready in case instant flight was necessary.

"Well what about the horses out there? Surely they are for sale." Eri's voice sounded both loud and irritated.

The blacksmith apprentice answered nervously. "I told you; they are not for sale, and even if they were you could not afford them." He did not want the Dark Wolf to hear the girl's outburst; the Killer was known for delivering a quick death for seemingly no reason.

"My dinars are as good as anyone else. If I am to pay good money, I expect good horses." Eri looked over the dark war horse and then the smaller black mare.

Falcon walked slowly up behind her, the apprentice baking away; surly the girl would die for touching the Wolf's horses.

"You make it a habit of touching other peoples things?" she asked softly as she came around the corner behind Eri.

Eri turned and stepped back. She looked to the horses and back to Falcon. "They are yours?"

Eri had begun to open her mouth, prepared to berate Falcon for not letting them know about the horses before.

"How much do you want for them?" Cyan walked into the yard and signaled Eri to silence.

"They are not for sale." Falcon said as she turned to walk away.

Cyan's hand grabbed Falcon's arm.

Falcon turned slowly, ice blue eyes looked at the hand that had dared touch her, and then back to Cyan's face.

For a moment Cyan did not recognize the healer; but with just one almost imperceptive twitch in the ice blue eyes, she was again reassured that this seemingly cold-blooded killer was still her Amazon.

Even Matt and the Enforcer, who were in the loft above, struggled to keep from leaping between the Dark Wolf and their Queen. They had both received strict orders not to interfere, even if it seemed that the Queen was in danger. Their only job was to track where Eri was taken.

"You risk much woman. Remove your hand." Falcon growled.

"What will you take for the horses?" Cyan said her voice firm.

The Dark Wolf smiled and her eyes narrowed. "The girl."

Two thugs suddenly grabbed Eri, holding her arms in an iron-like grip.

"Are you out of your mind?" Eri screamed and struggled with the men who held her.

With a scream of rage Cyan grabbed a hay rake and charged the Dark Wolf; barely missing as the dark clad figure stepped aside.

"Come wild cat surely you can do better than that" Falcon taunted. The band of thugs chuckled. They enjoyed the game that The Wolf was playing with the peasant wench.

Cyan charged again but this time as she passed, the Wolf's hand shot out and cuffed the back of her head. Cyan fell to her knees in a daze.

It was all Matt could do to quietly talk the Enforcer out of tearing Falcon limb from limb.

"Relax E, she’s immortal. It’s all an act; you know..... although I do think she’s gonna remember that wild cat comment when she comes back from the dead." Matt hissed.

"Does she have to make it look so, gods be damned, real?" Olympia shook with a barely controlled rage.

Grabbing Cyan by the arm, Falcon shoved her at the large wounded man.

"Cool this cat down." She laughed.

The Man dragged Cyan to a water trough and pushed her head into the water.

Eri screamed in rage. "I'll kill you!!!!!" I swear it! I'll kill you by my own hands!"

"Gag and bind the girl." Falcon shouted.

Quickly the men complied.

Cyan thrashed and caught the man who held her with a glancing blow to a very sensitive place. He growled in rage and again held her under the water. A moment later Cyan stopped fighting and her body went slack.

The large man let her drop to the ground.

"You fool." Falcon snarled as she bent over the still figure; her cloak hiding Cyan's head and most of her body from view.

"You idiot, she's dead!" Falcon snarled

The man stumbled back away from the Dark Wolf.

Turning to the men she said, "I will take the girl with me. Tonight when the buyers come, I will collect the fee and tomorrow we will divide it."

"Now just a minute Wolf; I set this deal up, so I should collect the fee."

Ice blue eyes fell on the big man. Falcon smiled and slowly walked up to him.

"Yes, you so deserve to get something out of all of this."

Suddenly the man stiffened and stumbled back; blood spread over his chest. Falcon examined the bloody blade of her dagger; her face devoid of all emotion. The man dropped to his knees and fell to his face.

Eri looked to the body of her Aunt, to the dead man, and now to the face of one she knew as Falcon. Or was it really Falcon? What if it was one of those clone things?"

"Give me any trouble girl and you will join them." Falcon's voice was calm.

"You and you. Take the bodies away. The fool told me that you were hiding the children outside of the village in some caves. Take the bodies there."

"But Wolf?" One of the men started to speak but was quickly silent again when the Wolf's dagger found itself pressed to his throat.

"Unless you want to join him, I suggest you obey. Now move. Take the girl also, but be warned if I find one mark on her and it lowers her value, I will skin you alive."

Falcon whistled and the boy Nikolas ran to her side. Handing the boy a coin she said. "A skin of wine, and foods for a mid day meal in my room; have it waiting for me. You should stay as well and bring your flute; I would hear you play."

The boy grinned and ran off to do his mistress' bidding.

"I don't trust that boy," one of the men said softly. In a flash a dart hit him in the throat and he crumpled to the ground; his eyes wild with panic. He knew he was dying and that he could do nothing about it.

"Anyone else wish to question my decisions?"

The remaining men muttered but no challenge came. They had each been cowed by the Dark Wolf and were now her 'pack'.

Olympia stormed into her room in the tavern; shaking with rage. There in the middle of the room stood the boy.

"Wolf is waiting in her room for you." turning he ducked into the secret passage.

Part 7