The sun had long since traveled past Mid-day, when the Little Princess began to wake. She hurt all over, from her head to her feet. But when she tried to move, a pain like fire lanced through her right arm. She lay back holding the injured arm close to her body, "Mother", she whimpered, tears rolling down her cheeks. Looking out she realized that she had not been dreaming, she was on a ledge, and Morning Star was gone. How did she get herself into this mess?

Remembering what was taught to her in school she slowly and painfully moved closer to the wall of her perch to catch the warmth that the sun had given the stone. At least for a little while she would have some protection against the night air, if no one found her right away. "Please Morning Star, Please get Mother for me." The Little Princess trembled and the pain made her lose consciousness. She dreamed, and in her dreams, she remembered.

She had gone after classes to see the little Merlin, taking a shortcut through the stables, of the Hospital. Passing the empty and non-empty stalls, Princess Marissa could hear voices. The voices were the Queen's and the animal healer. As she neared she heard her name mentioned.

"Falcon, you spoil her almost as much as her mother." The Queen laughed. "Now how is that little Merlin doing, has she flown yet?"

"No my Queen, she still refuses to try the wing." "I know it pains her to use it, but she must, or she will never fly."

"Well what will you do?"

"Well I have already begun, I have not fed her since yesterday, and she is very hungry. I hope that by holding out on her food..."

"Poor Morning Star." Princess Marissa's heart goes out to the little Merlin. " I have to get her to fly. I just have to."

"Maybe I can explain it to her." The little Princess moves quietly away before she is seen and goes straight to the Animal Hospital.

The Little Merlin warbles a "hello" to her friend.

"Morning Star you've got to fly, you have to try the wing even if it hurts."

Morning Star shifts from foot to foot. Thoughts of hunger fill the Little Princess's mind, of mice, sparrows and other things that the Merlin liked to eat.

I know your hungry Morning Star, she whispers; Princess Marissa tries to think pictures of flight to the little Merlin. It does no good Morning Star can only complain how hungry she is.

Pulling a chair up to the cage, the Little Princess struggles with the lock on the door.

"Princess Marissa, what are you doing?" The all too familiar voice of the healer asks as she enters the room.

"You know you are not supposed to be in this room without myself or someone I designate."

"But Falcon..." the Little Princess starts.

"I know she is hungry, I'm not being mean to her Princess it is the only way I can see to get her to fly.'

"But Falcon." Princess Marissa starts again.

"I'm sorry Little Princess, but I'm afraid I will have to ask that you leave now."

Princess Marissa looks up into Falcons eyes, and sees that this is one time she will not get her way with the animal healer. Leaving the Hospital, Princess Marissa does not even hear some children calling her to play with them.

She just had to help Morning Star to fly, she just had to.

" Hey Marissa, a tall blond girl, a year away form her rite of passage, called. " Larclette says that we have a half-day tomorrow cause of the feast. Aint it great?" The children run off to play before the evening meal is called.

Princess Marissa stops for a moment, and the words sink in. "Half day", she says softly, and a plan begins to form.

"Wait up!" she calls to the children, happy in her certainty that by this time tomorrow, Morning Star would be flying.

"Half day." The injured Princess mumbles as she begins to regain consciousness. Looking around, she realizes it will soon be dark. Did Morning Star make it? Would they find her before dark? Soon her mind drifts back to earlier that day.

"Half day children." Larclette, the Headmistress of the school called, "You older children, you know where you are to go and what is to be done." She said indicating the children over the age of 14, they would soon, some of them, be considered adult members of the tribe. "The rest of you report to your elders. That is all. Have a good time at the feast tonight."

With the confusion of the upcoming festival, Princess Marissa was able to sneak into the forbidden area of the animal Hospital. Morning Star chattered happily hoping her friend had some food for her.

The bell sounds a call to the tribe, and all that could, came to the square before the Queen's hut. There was much speculation as to why the bell had sounded, why in the middle of preparations was an assembly called? The Queen stepped forward, and raised her hand; all fell silent, eager to hear what ever it was that was to be said.

"My People " she started. "The Princess Marissa-----is missing."

There was a collective gasp from the crowd, where could she be, and other questions filtered around the crowd.

"We will need volunteers to go in groups to search for her." the Queen was pleased to see how quickly her people assembled into groups.

"Does anyone know where, and when she was last seen?" Princess Vicky asked, her face pale and care worn in worry for her child.

"She was at classes this morning Princess." A tall blond girl answered.

"She not wanna play." lisped a small boy, one younger that the missing Princess.

"Birdy!" chimed in his twin sister. "She gots the Birdy"

Princess Vicky hurried down and knelt before the suddenly shy twins. She spoke softly so as not to overwhelm them.

"What Birdy sweetie?" Hope in her heart that perhaps they might have seen her daughter.

"Hand Birdy" The boy chimed in, not to be outdone by his sister, for the attention of the pretty lady.

"Did you see where she went?" Princess Vicky asked.

The little girl put her finger in her mouth and shook her head no, her brother smiled and pointed to the trees behind the Animal Hospital.

"Thank-you both." Princess Vicky then hugged the two toddlers, looking up at their proud mother, she said. "Thank-you, when this is over take them to the Java Hut and get them the best that our Corde can make, on me"

"My Queen," Falcon began, "I will get my things and take Shadow to see if I can trail her."

"No." was the Queens reply to a startled Falcon,

"Not alone, choose the members of your party, and return to me here."

Falcon bowed deeply, "As you wish my Queen." She turned and ran toward the Hospital, whistling for her wolf companion.

Search groups had gathered, and soon, all but Falcons party had left. Falcon was trying to reason with a distraught Princess, as to why it was better if she stayed in the village to await word.

"She is my daughter Falcon!" shouted Princess Vicky "I will go with you."

Falcon cast a pleading look at the Queen. She could not refuse if the Princess insisted, but if the Queen intervened.

"Vicky," she said softly, Falcon is right, you are far to upset and would hold them back." Princess Vicky wept tears of frustration on her Queen/ friends shoulder and just nodded her agreement.

"If only we had some clue as to where she might have gone." Saran said softly

"Queen Cyan, perhaps this may be a clue", Larc stepped forward, "These are some drawings that Marissa made in classes yesterday and today."

"See my Queen", Larc said," they appear to be a small figure watching a bird in flight. and the picture seems to be....'

Princess Vicky gasped, "The cliffs, Artemis protect her, she’s gone to the cliffs."

"Then", Falcon said, "My party will go to the cliffs, Saran hooks and extra ropes." Falcon whistled and Shadow appeared by her side. Kneeling beside the dark animal she held the small blood stained glove out for him to scent.

Falcon waited till Shadow has sniffed it all over, he whines softly, as if he too now worried after the missing child.

"Find." Falcon said and pointed to the trees. Shadow was off like a crossbow bolt nose high, as if to scent the wind. He stopped at the edge of the trees, looked back, and snuffed at his human packmates as if to say, " Well, lets go."

Falcon, carrying Morning Star on her fist, with her group was off at a run to follow the dark wolf.

"Falcon wait!", Princess Vicky called, trying to follow, but was stopped by the Queen.

"Vicky wait, we will follow with extra equipment on horseback." "You and you" she indicated two new warriors, "to the trees. Track behind Falcon and leave a trail we can follow; now go."

The two young people, thrilled to be chosen by the Queen herself, ran to follow the searchers, who were already out of sight.

The sun had not yet set, but the ledge the Little Princess lay on was already without the warming rays of the sun.

Trying as best she could, the Little Princess pulled leaves and vines close around her to make a nest. This, she was told, would help keep her body heat in, and help hide her from the eyes of animals, or enemies. Now she just had to wait where she was, till they found her.

"If you become separated from your party", the teacher had said, Stay where you are." "Make a shelter for yourself as best you can, only if you must, go to the trees."

Well she had to stay where she was; she couldn’t go anywhere else. "Mother, I'm sorry." she whispered." Tears again trailed down her small face. "Please Morning Star", she murmured "Get my mother."

The poor little Merlin was confused, sore, and tired. Her friend’s mind had screamed fear, and pain, both she could understand. Then pictures of one of the humans rang into the little Merlin’s head, and a sense of urgency. It was one human that her little friend wanted, needed. Her friend’s wing seemed hurt like her own. So maybe that is why she didn’t fly. When she and her friend fell instinct took over, and the little Merlin spread her wings to catch the air and slow her decent. But her friend did not, and now lay hurt and scared. Pictures saying take the skin, and seek out the one human, came from her friend’s mind. Thoughts of pain and fear washed over the Merlin. Her friend needed her help, and Morning Star was going to get it. Grasping the blood stained glove, the little Merlin launched herself off the ledge, and into the open air. Pain like fire spread into the seldom-used wing, and Morning Star faltered. The ledge was high on the cliffs, and gave her time to adjust to the pain, as she rode the air currents. Within minutes the pain eased, and the little Merlin circled, called once to her friend, and soared towards the village.

Falcon and her party raced for the cliffs, in hopes of quickly finding the missing child. Shadow had quickly picked up the scent of the Little Princess, and the party followed the twisting trail; sometimes having to detour around places that only a child could go, and then having to wait till the wolf picked up the scent again.

It was growing dark, and Falcon feared that soon they would have to stop, lest one of them were injured in the darkness. Taking a breather Tama watched as Falcon stepped away with the Merlin to sit on a fallen tree.

"Princess where are you?" she whispered. "I should have secured a lock on the cage when I found you near it the day before." Pain filled the animal healers eyes.

"It’s not your fault Falcon." a voice said.

Looking up Falcon looked into the eyes of Tamahome and there she saw the same fear for the Little Princess.

Sitting next to the animal healer Tama sat quietly, looking at the nervous Merlin, who seemed suddenly eager to, -----

Fly?

"Falcon, why not let the bird go." if anything can get to the Princess She can, and with us in the trees and you on the ground with that large 'Puppy' of yours we may just find her all the faster."

Falcon looked from the young warrior and back to the Merlin, Why hadn’t she thought of that? She didn’t know weather to hug him or just kiss him. Deciding that he would not appreciate either from the much older woman she grasped his shoulder, and smiled.

"Yes, that is exactly what we will do." moving toward the rest of her party she gave out her instructions. "Saran and I will stay on the ground with Shadow to lay a trail for the Queen's party to follow. Tama, you and the rest, to the trees; keep Morning Star in your sight. If you see something, signal, we should still be within hearing range. Now whoever finds Princess Marissa first, alert the others. Then we will send one of us back along the trail to bring news to the Queen and Princess Vicky.

Saran and Falcon shouldered the extra ropes, and waited while the rest of the party went to the trees. In moments a whistle indicated that all were set high in the branches of the dense forest.

Looking into the eyes of the panting Merlin, Falcon loosened the jesses in her grip. "Morning Star, find her,---please, show us where she is." And with that she launched the Merlin into the air.

Morning Star rose into the air circled once over Falcons and Saran's head and was gone into the trees. Within a minute, the follow signal was heard.

"They've spotted Morning Star, Saran said.

With a twitch of an ear, Shadow heard the cry of the Merlin. Two Amazons on the ground followed the trail sounds and the fast progress of the wolf.

Princess Marissa lay in a fever now, her injuries, the fast approaching night, and her fear, were beginning to take their toll on the child. She had had no food or water since long before the sun was at midday.

"An Amazon always prepares before she goes out away from the village." The voice of one of her teachers drifted into her mind.

And now the Warrior was to spend a cold night in the woods with no food or water because she didn't think she would need it for a short journey to the neighboring village. "That children is why we teach you to plan ahead, and why...." The voice of Labris, the story teller, faded in and out, as Princess Marissa fevered mind drew on one of the teaching stories that were frequently told at the dinner hour, or at festival times. Why had she not listened? The child’s' mind now heard the sound of a bird of prey call. It sounded just like...... a flutter of wings and pictures of members of the tribe burst into Marissa's mind, and before the darkness took her again, she heard a whistle.

"We found her!" Tinka's voice sounded as she dropped from above, right in front of the running Saran and Falcon.

"Falcon, Saran, we found her. "

Grabbing Tinka's arm, Falcon asked quickly, "How badly is she hurt." The healers eyes were wide with fear for the child.

"I don't know", Tinka said, "I came back to guide you ahead. Corde has gone back to lead the rest up there, Tama stayed with her.---Falcon she's on a narrow ledge, we didn’t go down,---"

The animal healer started forward, but was stopped my Tinka's hand on her arm. "Falcon the edge of the cliff is crumbling, we need the ropes and hooks to rig something to get to her. Tama's afraid if we aren’t careful the cliff face may go and knock the Princess off the ledge and----" The look on Tinka's face spoke volumes.

Falcon crawled carefully to the edge of the cliff, as she gazed down at the still figure of the Little Princess her heart leaped, she was still alive. A bit of the cliff edge crumbled and pebbles fell bouncing around the child and over the edge.

The surface of the ledge was wide enough for the child, and perhaps a kneeling person but not much more.

"The branches over the cliff are not strong enough to hold anyone to climb down to her." Tamahome said, his brow furrowed in thought. Saran looked up at the trees that edged the cliffs.

"To bad those trees weren't closer." she indicated two very large branches ten, and fifteen feel to either side.

Falcon and Tamahome just looked at one another, and a gleam shone in the young warriors eyes.

"Can we do it?" he asked with hope.

'We have to try." Falcon answered. "Saran how much rope do we have?"

"Two coils one hundred feet, one coil one hundred feet." and two fifty foot light ropes. Why---Falcon what are you and Tama planning?"

"We my dear, Saran are going to make a certain Princess Fly." Falcon smiled. "Now this is what I want you to do."

The light was already fading when Falcon adjusted her ropes. Saran and Tamahome stood ready at the guide ropes.

The strange combinations of ropes and hooks suspended from the trees looked like the start of a spider web.

"Now," Falcon said, "when I give the signal I will need you both to pull, and pull hard. I will try to keep the litter away form the cliff face, but it means leading out over the edge, and I don't know how long I can keep my balance."

"Falcon maybe we should wait for the rest to get here" Saran started "they were coming with horses and--"

"Saran, we don't know Princess Marissa's condition, minutes may count, I can't risk her life, as a healer and as an Amazon I'm bound to this."

Saran nodded, "All right Falcon you are in charge, but be careful."

Falcon nodded to both of her party then launched herself into the air. Swinging out with only on guide rope to pull her close to the cliff face she slid down to the edge of the small ledge where the small Princess lay. Carefully she knelt on the edge with her feet hanging off the edge. Within minutes, Falcon assessed the injuries to the unconscious child.

"Falcon!" the voice of a worried mother rang, and pieces of rock tumbled over the edge of the cliff.

"She lives my Princess, but you must stay away from the edge." "Did you bring horses, and rope?"

"Yes Falcon we have both," Queen Cyan's voice called.

"Tama!" Falcon called. "Lower the litter as we planned, but secure the ropes to the horses instead."

Within minutes a litter is lowered to the already too small ledge. Falcon lifts the small Princess into her arms and manages to secure her in place on the litter.

"Mother?" a small voice whimpers.

"No, Little Princess, It is Falcon, you mother waits above." Falcon gently strokes the child’s fevered brow.

"Morning Star!" the Little Princess tries to sit up but is prevented by the restraints.

"She is well my Little Princess." Falcon explains. "She led us right to you, even now she circles over head in worry over you."

Morning Star swooped down, and settled on the edge of the litter and chattered nervously at her friend.

"Now Little Princess, this is what we are going to do." Falcon explained to Princess Marissa, how they were going to swing her out and over the cliff to be lifted and guided to safety above. "You will feel like you are flying, and it may cause you stomach to flip a little. Just try to stay calm and we will have you to you mother in no time."

Falcon removed the rope from her waist and tied it to the litter. Stepping carefully to the wall she called up to the cliff edge. "Is all ready above?"

"Yes Falcon, all is ready." called down Queen Cyan. "Give the word and we will lift the two of you up."

"My Queen", Falcon called, "the wind is to strong I will guide the litter from here with rope to keep it from swinging to much, the minute it clears the edge pull her in."

"Alright" Queen Cyan answered, "But you be careful, that is a Royal Order."

Falcon laughed softly. "I am ever in your service my Queen, I will do my best to obey."

At Falcon's signal the litter and its precious cargo, and one small-feathered protector, began to rise. Swinging out over the cliff into empty air, Falcon slowed the swinging with her guide rope. "Now pull slowly." she called.

Up, up, up the litter went buffeted by the air currents, but held firmly by the guide ropes attached. Just when the litter was over the top of the cliff face a strong wind pulled at it, sending it away from the cliffs edge. Falcon pulled hard, but she herself was pulled to the edge of the ledge and over.

Into the air went the animal healer, and down. She grabbed for the edge of the ledge but it crumpled in her hands, giving way. Suddenly a sharp pain in her ribs as Falcon hit something; it was instinct alone that saved her as she grabbed some long forgotten branch. Falcon fought the nausea from the pain, and held on.

"Falcon!!" she heard a child scream, but for a few moments it was not her name she heard. "Mother!!" a child's voice screamed, Falcon watched from her minds eye as her hands thrust a small child into another woman's arms.

"Take her to safety." She screamed and lifted her bow to fire on one she knew to be an enemy.

"Mother!!" wailed the child as the other woman ran. "Mother!" The child's voice faded, and Falcon found herself in the here and now.

"Falcon, answer us - are you alright?" The voice of Queen Cyan commanded and Falcon obeyed.

The injured healer pulled herself onto a small outcrop, the pain she felt with each breathe told her that a few of her ribs may be bruised if not broken, but since she did not feel and need to cough she knew that for now she was alright.

"I live My Queen" she called, "but I'm afraid I am in need of help. I will not be able to climb any rope. If the Queen permits perhaps, one of the horses could pull this clumsy Amazon up to the top?"

"Do not move." a voice called down and soon two ropes dropped near the injured healer. One of the ropes indicated that a person was climbing down, and soon it the apprentice healer Chakras was kneeling beside Falcon. After a few minutes and a rather painful examination she looks at Falcon and gives her the verdict. "You have cracked at least two ribs and strained your shoulder. Aside from that, quite a few scrapes, cuts, not to mention bruises, you are well."

Chakras began to prepare a sling on the ropes to lift her injured patient, but is stopped by Falcon.

"Wait, what is that?" Falcon points to what appears to be a small cave behind some brush on the ledge they were on.

Rising painfully, she pushes aside the brush just as the last few rays of the sun glint off something inside the cave.

In the fading light Falcon and Chakras find scrolls. Looking at each other they carefully choose two and replace the brush in front of the mouth of the cave. Carefully the apprentice healer secures Falcon to a rope and then herself. At a signal the two women are quickly and safely pulled up the face of the high cliff.

After some arguments and then the gentle but firm Royal Command, Falcon permits herself to be placed on the horse drawn litter beside the Little Princess. It is decided that they can keep each other awake on the slow journey down from the cliffs by torchlight.

It was several days before Ashana released Princess Marissa from enforced bed rest. The arm was not broken just sprained, but the Healer wanted to be sure that she was well recovered form dehydration, and shock.

Falcon was by far the worst patient Ashana ever had. She kept trying to get up and do more than her battered ribs were ready for, and once again, the Royal Hand had to be raised.

"Falcon you will follow Ashana's orders as you would my own." Queen Cyan said.

"But my Queen the animals…." Falcon started.

"….Will be just fine. Falcon that is my command." Queen Cyan hid a smile as she watched the animal healer's shoulders slump with resignation.

"As you wish my Queen." was Falcons reply

The evening meal was over and Queen Cyan, Princess Eponie and Princess Vicky sat in council. The entire village sat in attendance, at the Queens request.

The Queen signaled, and Princess Marissa was escorted to the front of the dais where the Royal council sat.

"Marissa," the Queen started. " Over a week ago, in defiance of strict orders of you mother, and against the wishes of Falcon, you took an animal from its cage and went out of the village. You ventured up to the high cliffs, a place that you knew that you should not have gone. In doing so, you put yourself in great danger, and others were injured on your behalf."

The Little Princess hung her head. She was really sorry about all the trouble she caused, and just wished it never happened. Well most of it, at least Morning Star was flying now.

"Marissa" the Queen continued "a Princess must above all else learn to think of the good of the whole tribe, not just herself. If someday she were to become Queen, she must be ready to give her all for her people. For these reasons Marissa, this is the decision of the Queen and her council. Stand straight and hear the punishments for your deeds."

Marissa stood as straight and tall as she could, she waited to hear the words of the Queen.

"For disobedience to you mother, you are to offer an apology for the pain you caused her. For going off and not telling anyone where you were going, thus causing the entire village to search for you, you will ask all to forgive you. For taking an animal from the care of the Hospital, in direct defiance of the Animal healer, you are to go for one hour after classes and assist her in her work. This was at Falcons own request, and we agreed."

Princess Marissa's face lit with joy. To work with the animals was not a punishment. She glanced to the side and smiled at the Animal healer who just smiled back. Princess Marissa was so caught up in her thoughts that it was a few moments before she realized that the Queen was calling her.

"Marissa, did you hear me?" Queen Cyan hid her smile behind a stern face.

Princess Marissa shook her head. "I'm really in for it now." she thought.

"Furthermore", the Queen added. " After you have finished with your duties at the Animal Hospital, it is our decision that you come to the Royal Hut, to begin training as a Princess of the Amazon nation. Each day you will be given a task to perform or a lesson to learn. We will be kept informed of your progress; of course we will take into consideration your recent injury. Do you have anything to say?"

"I'm sorry, your Majesty." the Princess said in a soft voice. "I'll try real hard to be good, honest."

"That is all we ask. As Princess you have to show the other children how to behave. That for now is a very important job that only you can do." Queen Cyan smiled. "Now Labris I believe has some information for us about the scrolls that were found in a cave in the cliffs?"

Labris the storyteller and elder stood, while all paid close attention. "Yes Queen Cyan I do. It took almost a week because the language of the scrolls was ancient and the condition of the scroll itself was fragile. My Queen, the scrolls as far as I am able to determine are a history of the island and of the crystal caves. I would like to have all the scrolls from that cave recovered, and anything else that may be there."

Any thing else indeed...... hmmm who knows this may just be the start of another story.

I wish to thank all for their patience, including a very patient Little Princess

In your service I remain Falcon of Amazon Quest 11/99