Morning bells weren't due to ring for at least 3 more hours, but Kalina was restless and couldn't sleep. She sat up in her bunk and pushed her light brown hair back behind her shoulders. Her mind was reeling.

She'd been at the academy for a week, but still she had moments of doubt. Had she done the right thing by leaving the life she had known to join this group of people? She'd grown to like and care for many of the other cadets very, very much and that worried her, too. Such strong and fast connections would surely be painful to break. She knew the decision to stay or leave would have to be made. And soon.

Kalina let out a soft sigh, gently eased from her bunk, slipped out of the room as quietly as possible and headed out into the night air.

"The stars are so beautiful," she thought, "I always forget how beautiful they are."

Walking had always helped clear her mind, but tonight it wasn't doing the trick. She couldn't stop herself from thinking. And remembering. Sighing once more, Kalina settled herself on the ground and leaned against the well. "Ah...you're not quite the same, but you do in a pinch."

"Do you always talk to wells or is this a special case?"

Kalina jolted at the voice, bumping her head on the stone behind her. She twisted to see Hercules standing there with a small smile on his face. Iolaus was beside him, half asleep on his feet.

"Um...heh," answered Kalina, while rubbing the back of her head, "I guess it's a special case. I'm just feeling kind of homesick."

"You might feel better if you could get some sleep." said Herc.

"I know I would." replied Iolaus.

"I'm sorry." Kalina dropped her eyes to the ground. "I didn't mean to wake you." She had a special soft spot for the curly haired cadet.

Iolaus rubbed a hand over his face in an attempt to wake up a little. "You didn't. Not really anyway. Herc heard you and wanted me to come, too. Thought you could use some cheering up. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah, sure. I'll come back in." Kalina rose and moved closer to the two cadets. "Thank you for caring," she said, looking both of them in the eye. She hoped they understood that she meant for more than the last few minutes.

Back in her bunk, Kalina settled in and managed to drift off to sleep.

Then the dreams began.

Once again, as she had countless times, Kalina would relive memories of what had come before.

A young girl with tousled brown hair and a streak of dirt under her grayish-blue eyes stood in the marketplace looking wistfully at the fruit vendor's cart.

"Eleven years old." she thought. "I'm 11 years old today. I deserve a treat. So many wonderful things, how can I decide?"

It was Kalina's birthday. At least the one she had chosen for herself. She had never known her real one and so had decided to take the summer solstice as her day of birth. "Right in the middle and all" was her reasoning.

Kalina had managed to save 2 whole dinars to use just for herself. They were in the pocket of her simple tan dress and she figured today would be a good day to use them. All the fruit looked so good and her stomach growled, reminding her that it was time for her to eat.

"I'll have one of those," she said to the vendor, "one of these, two of those, and oh I must have one of these..." Kalina had gotten carried away and looked stricken when the man said, "That'll be 4 dinars, please." "But I only have two." replied Kalina, "I'd like everything but...I guess...well, how much is only two dinars?"

"Don't worry, child," came a voice from behind her. Kalina turned to see a tall woman with auburn hair just beginning to silver from age, smiling down at her. "If you would let me, I will buy this for you as well as a few things for myself. Then would you be so kind as to join me for your meal?"

"O..okay." stammered Kalina. The woman's generosity had stunned her.

The marketplace was teeming with activity so after the purchase was made, Kalina followed the woman away from the main part of the city to sit beneath a shade tree.

"I do love a picnic", said the stranger, "and this is a grand old tree. Now..would you mind telling me your name ?"

She finished arranging the skirt of her dark green, sleeveless dress while she waited for the answer.

"I'm Kalina. Who're you?" she asked, biting into a large strawberry.

"My name is Elaina. How do you come to be here alone? Are your parents near?"

"I don't have parents." replied Kalina while wiping juice from her chin. "I don't remember them and I don't know why they're gone. Heh, I don't even know what my last name is."

"I kinda stay with these people, Eric and Abbie. I took up with them about 2 years ago. They let me hang around, tag along. They're okay."

"Do you live around here?" asked the woman.

"Not yet, but I think I will. Eric and Abbie are gonna have a baby, so they're looking for a nice place to settle. We used to move a lot. Job to job, that kind of thing, but now there's gonna be a baby to take care of."

"Ah, I see," returned Elaina. "Well Corinth is a very good place for a family."

"Yep, I hear the king's fair and the people're nice. Prob'ly as good a place as any." said Kalina.

Elaina smiled. "I hope you do settle here. I think I would very much like to have you as my friend."

They sat together under the tree for a while longer, talking and working their way through the fruit.

"My, this was wonderful," Elaina let out a contented sigh, "but I do believe I've had my fill. I certainly have enjoyed this time together and I'll let you be on your way now, but I hope we run across one another again."

"Yeah, sure. That'd be swell...I mean, I'd like that , too. You're a nice lady."

"Thank you, Kalina." Elaina smiled again.

Kalina did settle there with Eric and Abbie, but after the baby was born, she had more and more time on her own. Whenever she was lonely, she would end up spending time with Elaina.

At first Kalina told herself it was because she couldn't think of a better way to while away the time. But eventually she admitted that she very much enjoyed the older woman's company.

Over the next years, Elaina became the most important person in Kalina's life. She was her dearest friend and Kalina treasured every moment they could spend together.

Yet, strangely, she had never known or seen where Kalina lived. She did not know much about Elaina's life outside of Corinth. When Kalina asked, Elaina was evasive. "Not far from here, child. Not far. One day you will know many things about me. But not today." She would then succeed in distracting Kalina's attention and the query would pass.

No one had ever taken such an interest in Kalina as Elaina did and the bond of friendship they'd formed had been lightning fast. Often, they would sit beneath the tree where they had had their picnic that first day. There Elaina would tell amazing stories, painting pictures with words. She knew *so* much and Kalina could sit for hours, enthralled, just listening.

Those were some of the best years of her life.

The dream shifted.

Three years later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Panicked thoughts drifted to her.

::Run::Keep going:: ::It wasn't me!::I didn't take it!:: ::The forest!::Keep going::They won't find me in there::

They were chasing her. Both of them. She had tried to explain.

She had been minding her own business, wandering the marketplace. It wasn't her fault that girl ran into her. It wasn't her fault the girl was a thief. It wasn't her fault that the girl had chosen to steal the coin purses from Derin and Cytus, two members of the toughest gang around. And it wasn't her fault that the girl had shoved something at Kalina then run in the other direction.

But that didn't matter to them. All they cared about was the fact that they had seen a girl - a brown-haired girl in a yellow dress - hurrying away from them with their money in her hands.

They were outraged. Shamed to have been done over by a girl. A girl! And it must be this girl because her hair was brown, her dress was yellow and she had *their* pouches in her hands. They wanted revenge for this strike to their pride.

Kalina had tried to explain, reason with them, but it was no use. Their anger had closed their ears. They cared about only one thing.

So Kalina had thrown their coin pouches at them and run. And they followed.

::Run::Keep going::You can lose them in the forest::Just run!::

She crashed through the thin, low hanging branches at the perimeter of the forest. Fueled by fear, she ran far and fast, dodging limbs and jumping over roots and fallen logs.

::I can still hear them:: They're right behind me!::

"There she is!", Cytus yelled.

"No!", cried Kalina. She ran four more steps and broke out into a small clearing before she slipped and tumbled to the ground.

Trying to get up, she lifted her head....and found herself looking into the quiet amber eyes of a dog.

"No. No, wait," thought Kalina, confused "Not a dog. It's - it's a wolf. A white wolf! Why is there a wolf in...."

Coming to her senses, she scrambled backwards, momentarily forgetting her pursuers who had stopped only 15 feet from her.

The wolf turned to the men, bared his teeth and snarled at them. He advanced a pace towards them and looked ready to pounce.

"Nicodemus! Hold!" A woman stepped into view. She was wrapped in a hooded cloak the color of the forest around her. "I think you boys should leave before my friend decides not to listen to me. Make no mistake. You will *not* harm that child."

"We aren't afraid of a woman and some feral mutt! You think you can stop us?" challenged Cytus.

Nicodemus answered by considerably closing the distance between them, snarling still. His eyes gleamed with animosity.

"Hey, uh, Cytus?" said Derin, "Um, I think we should just let it go. Right? Yeah, I mean we've got our money. No harm done." He laughed a little, nervously.

Cytus let out a furious yell. "Fine...fine! We'll go. But I won't forget this." He looked straight at Kalina. "Or you."

Kalina watched them go. Her relief was so great, it left her limp. She stood up and turned to her rescuer. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done. How can I ever repay you?"

Kalina stopped short when the woman lowered her hood from her head.

"Elaina! What...?"

"Hush now, child. I know you have many questions and the time has come for me to give you the answers. Please. Follow me."

Elaina turned and walked farther into the forest.

Kalina could only stare as she watched Elaina making her way through the trees. "What's happening here?"

Nicodemus made a small whining sound beside her.

"Oh! I'd almost forgotten you were there."

"You won't hurt me will you." It was a statement, not a question. She knew the wolf meant her no harm.

"Thank you for protecting me." Kalina crouched and petted the animal between its ears. She then straightened and looked around. Elaina had disappeared from view. "I've lost sight of her, Nicodemus. Will you lead me?"

The wolf lowered its head as if nodding and set off in the same direction Elaina had taken.

Nicodemus led Kalina through the forest. Their route was winding, but he went a pace that she could keep up with fairly well. Ahead of her, the wolf stopped as if he had reached his destination and looked back to see Kalina 20 paces behind. Satisfied she would follow, he nosed into some vines - and vanished.

Kalina stopped in her tracks. Where had he gone? She walked up close to the spot where she had last seen him.

"Great. Just great," said Kalina. "Okay, think. He had to have gone somewhere. What's so special about right here?"

She turned in a circle and studied her surroundings. The farther into the forest they had gone, the denser and more like stretches of wall the trees and vines had become.

"Nicodemus? Where are you?" she called. There was a whine as a reply.

Her eyes shot to the place where the white wolf had disappeared. The sound had come from directly behind it.

Kalina began searching for a break in the vines and was soon rewarded. She pulled them back and discovered an opening comfortably larger than she would need to get through.

"There you are."

She could see her guide now, sitting not far from the new doorway. He watched her as she stepped through to the other side of the wall of trees. The vines fell back, once again masterfully concealing the entrance she had passed through.

"I gather that was the only way in?"

"Yes," said Elaina.

Kalina quickly turned her attention to her friend. Then drew a breath in surprise as she noticed the structure beyond Elaina.

There, standing proudly, was a small castle. It was made of familiar gray stone. There was a tower at every corner in addition to the keep at the front center. Several trees had grown up tall and large at points all around it. Flowering vines trailed into windows and snaked across the walls and around the towers.

"What is this place?" Kalina asked in wonder.

"It's called Fairlight Mansion. Please come inside."

Kalina followed Elaina through the gates and they passed through the main entryway. The two of them made their way down halls and took several turns before Elaina stopped in front of an archway, the only entrance to the large, central courtyard.

"It's almost like a maze in here." Kalina observed.

"Indeed" replied Elaina. "and the reason for that lies beyond this doorway." Intrigued, Kalina walked through the opening.

At the center of the courtyard stood an exquisite fountain.

It had 3 levels and was made of stone that was a pale violet color. The outside of the large base was surrounded by a graceful design of intertwining lines etched onto the surface. A soft musical sound from the splashing water drifted lightly to Kalina's ears.

The whole fountain seemed to shimmer with promise.

"It's beautiful." Kalina said quietly. She felt as though she should whisper. "Tell me about it?"

"Yes, but first we must sit and I will explain." When they were seated on a bench a few feet from the fountain, Elaina began.

"As I said, this place is called Fairlight Mansion. It is my responsibility. More specifically, this fountain is my responsibility. It is the Fountain of Knowledge."

"What!", blurted Kalina.

"Yes. The Fountain is real and the very one you see before you. The legends are true."

"I...Why..."

"Please, child. Do not interrupt. It will be best if you listen completely first."

Kalina nodded for Elaina to proceed.

"My family has ever been the protectors of the Fountain of Knowledge. Fairlight is my ancestral name and this castle belongs to my family line."

"Long ago, the Fountain was made available to those deemed worthy. If their questions were great enough and their intentions sincere, they were allowed to drink from its waters to gain the answers they sought."

"After time, a group of many who were repeatedly turned away grew so angry that they attacked Fairlight Mansion. The fight was long, but my ancestors won the battle." "

They could foresee that there would only be more assaults and so spread word that the Fountain had been destroyed. Eventually, it was reduced to the stuff of myths and the precise location of this castle was forgotten. The forest grew up and became an extra barrier against anyone who would misuse the Fountain."

"The secret has been passed down through my family from generation to generation. We make sure the Fountain's powers do not become available to the wrong people. It may have been turned into a legend, but there are always those who search for it."

"Position of Guardian of the Fountain of Knowledge passes from parent to eldest child. My father was Guardian before me. It is a sacred tradition and a high honor."

"As long as there has been a necessity for protection, there have been special animals that share the duty. When I am away, Nicodemus and Gideon stand guard in my place."

"Gideon?", Kalina had been paying rapt attention, but the unfamiliar name threw her. "Who's Gideon?"

"Ah, yes. You have not met him yet." answered Elaina. "Gideon is a red-tailed hawk. He patrols from the air."

As if on cue, Kalina heard a "Shreee". She looked up and saw the magnificent bird approaching from above. He glided in and perched perfectly on the branch of a tree that grew near the wall. He looked at her and made a "tcherrupt" sound.

"He accepts you," Elaina said.

"So much to take in!" Kalina's mind was spinning. "Why are you willing to tell me all this? Your secret?"

"Because," Elaina looking Kalina straight in the eye, "your mother was my little sister."

Kalina's mouth fell open. She was stunned speechless. She had to squeeze her eyes shut and shake her head before she could get any words out.

"Y..your sister?" What are you talking about? That's not possible! What..?!?"

Elaina stood up and paced back and forth while she tried to explain this major surprise she had sprung. She had known this day would arrive, but it was still hard to find the words.

"Maia." Elaina said. "Her name was Maia. She was my sister in every sense but blood. I was 12 when my father adopted her into our family. She was 7. Maia had no one, until my father and I. She was so nervous and scared when I met her, but that didn't last long. We became very close and depended on each other."

A sad smile crossed her face. "She used to call me Lainey. *Oh*, I miss her."

Maia left when she turned 23. My dear father had passed away the previous year and Maia had grown more and more restless. I had taken over my duties as Guardian and was away much of the time. She felt too alone."

"I had always known my purpose. Maia decided to set out and find her own. She left without telling me. I came home one day and she was gone. I received only 3 letters from her over the next 2 years."

"In the first, she told me why she had left and asked me not to worry. The second came one year later. She had met someone and fallen in love. She was working. She was fine. The third gave news of your birth. She loved you so much, Kalina"

"I never heard from her again after that, but 2 years later I received word that she had taken ill. A terrible fever that she didn't survive. It struck your father down as well. No one ever told me what became of you."

Elaina returned to sit beside a shocked Kalina and take her hand.

"When I first saw you in the marketplace, my heart squeezed. I thought I was seeing things. You look exactly like her, even now. I didn't know what to do. I had to be sure you were who I thought, so I didn't say anything right away. Then..."

"Stop right there." Kalina pulled her hand from Elaina's grasp. The shock had worn off and now she was angry.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? All this time. All this time!" She jumped up and stormed around the courtyard. "I had a right to know! I could've known about my parents. I could've known where I came from." She turned, glared at Elaina and yelled, "I could have known my *name*! All this time!"

Kalina collapsed to her knees and broke into sobs, covering her face with her hands. Elaina walked over to her niece and tentatively touched a hand to her shoulder. Kalina batted it away and Elaina looked heartbroken. Then suddenly Kalina grabbed the same hand and pulled Elaina down to the ground beside her. She gathered the grieving child into her lap and just held her while she cried out the pain.

Later, when her tears had stopped, Kalina moved from Elaina's embrace and rose to stand looking down at her.

Elaina looked up and said, "I'll understand if you hate me. I know you must feel betrayed. I only hope that, in time, you can forgive me."

In a calm voice, Kalina answered, "I'm not angry anymore. I don't hate you. And I *will* forgive you..."

Relief flooded over the older woman's face as she rose to stand as well.

"But," Kalina continued, "that does not excuse your keeping this from me. I *did* have a right to know. You must promise me that you will never keep something from me again."

"Never again." Elaina promised somberly.

"There's more isn't there."

Elaina let out a long sigh. "Yes, there is. But I'm not sure you will want to hear this as well."

"No secrets. Tell me."

The newly confessed aunt clasped her hands nervously in front of her. "I told you that position of Guardian passes from parent to eldest child."

Kalina nodded.

"I have no children. I have no direct heirs."

The girl's eyes widened as she realized what would be said.

"The next rightful Guardian is you, Kalina."

She could only stare. Just over half an hour ago, she hadn't known the Fountain of Knowledge truly existed. Now, suddenly, she was next in line to be its protector!?!

"That can't be!" Kalina said, distressed. "What if I don't want it?"

"That's your decision." Elaina answered soberly. "There has never been a Guardian not of the Fairlight line, but the duties *can* be passed on to someone truly worthy. If you do not find a replacement, the Fountain will be vulnerable forevermore after I am gone."

"If I accept, can I change my mind?"

"Only if you have found a worthy replacement."

"All right, then." Kalina lifted her chin, straightened her shoulders and hoped she portrayed a strength and confidence she did not feel. "I'll accept this destiny...for now."

"Very good, child" Elaina said, using the familiar endearment. "You must prepare. There are still many things for you to know."

And indeed there were.

One of the first things Elaina began was teaching Kalina the rudiments of fighting and self-defense. Kalina found that she had a natural aptitude and affinity for the staff.

They spent more and more time at Fairlight Mansion and Kalina came to understand the true honor of her future duty.

On Kalina's 18th birthday, Elaina knew she was ready to hear the most special gift the Guardian would receive. They had sworn to no secrets, but it was forbidden to be told before that time.

It was true that the Fountain's waters answered the questions of those who asked, but the Guardian was granted something more. Upon drinking twice, the Guardian gained knowledge of the ages. A great many things were revealed and it was a large responsibility.

The first was to be at the age of 18. Upon drinking, Kalina's memory ability was vastly increased. The newfound ability to recall the obscure was incredible.

The second drink would be at the time which she took her rightful place.

Kalina once joked that since Elaina knew "everything" and she only knew "some" things, then perhaps the Fountain should be renamed the Fountain of *Occasional* Knowledge. Fortunately, Elaina was amused, and so Kalina's title was born: Keeper of Occasional Knowledge.

Kalina moaned in her sleep and turned onto her side as the dream changed again.

10 days ago

Hercules, Iolaus and Lilith sat on the bank of the lake, each holding a fishing pole. Classes were scheduled to start late that day and they had taken advantage of the extra free time.

"OK," said Lilith."So, now I've tried it and I still don't get it. What's so fun about drowning a few worms?"

Hercules dipped his head to hide a snicker then looked at her and said, "Come on, Lilith, it's relaxing. Give it a chance. You've just got to loosen up a little."

"Oh, that's a good one, coming from you Herc." Iolaus nudged his friend playfully in the side.

"All right, all right." the tall cadet muttered.

"It was a joke." Iolaus said lightly. "Just a joke."

"You know what? I think I'll stretch my legs, take a little walk. Watch my pole for me?" His friends nodded and he walked away thinking to himself, "I wonder if any bushes still have berries on them."

He hadn't gotten very far when he heard a voice cry out from around the bend of the path. A girl's voice. He broke into a run.

He rounded the bend of trees and pulled up short when he saw a girl in a green tank top and black leather pants kneeling on the path ahead. A staff lay at an angle beside her. A slightly older man was holding the point of his sword dangerously close to her. As Iolaus determined his best method of approach and moved stealthily through the trees, he over heard their exchange of words.

"I told you I would never forget you," the man said. "No one gets the best of me and lives to get away with it. No matter how long it takes."

"You're a coward, Cytus." The girl glared up at him. "How many times in all these years have we seen each other and you never made a move? You had your chances before now."

"Before *now*," Cytus growled, "We were always in the city. This time it's different."

"Ohhhh." The girl drew out the word mockingly. "Before *now* it wasn't *worth* attacking me? You had to follow me all the way out here. You had to wait until I was all alone on an empty road and *vulnerable* so conditions would be favorable. I understand. You really are a coward."

"Shut up! Shut up you..."

A twig snapped and Cytus' attention wavered for a second. Kalina seized the opportunity and shifted quickly away from the swordpoint, grabbing her staff as she got to her feet. Gripping it with both hands, she swung her weapon at her enemy and contacted solidly with his chest.

Cytus roared in anger even as he dropped his sword and bent over in pain. Kalina prepared to land another blow on his back, but he surprised her by lunging at her while her arms were still lifted. The impact knocked the staff from Kalina's grasp. The two struggled briefly, but Cytus succeeded in capturing Kalina.

He stood behind her with one strong arm around her neck. Squeezing, squeezing. The other arm held one of Kalina's trapped at her back. She struggled to get free, pulling at the arm around her throat with her unpinned hand, but it was no use. The world was fading away.

Suddenly, Iolaus tackled Cytus and tore him away from Kalina. She fell to the ground, grasping her throat and coughing.

Cytus and the cadet sprang to their feet. Cytus threw a punch. Iolaus blocked it and returned one of his own, connecting with the side of Cytus' face. He then backed up a step and planted a kick squarely in Cytus' stomach. Stumbling backwards, the girl's attacker cried out in pain and frustration.

Iolaus stood in a fighter's stance, primed and ready to take Cytus on again, but the man knew he was most likely outmatched and turned to run like the coward Kalina had called him.

Surprised to have won so quickly, Iolaus hurried to Kalina's side. "Are you alright?" He helped her to her feet.

"Yes, I will be." she answered. "You saved my life. Thank you"

"Ah, I didn't do much." he said modestly. "After I stepped on that twig it looked like you had it under control, but... Well, I'm glad I could help."

"My hero," she said with a smile. The smile grew wider when he ducked his head briefly in response to the praise. "I am Kalina. May I know the name of my rescuer?"

"I'm Iolaus," he said. "Who was *that* guy?"

"Cytus. He thinks I shamed him a long time ago. Word got around that he had "let" his money get stolen by a lowly girl. Presumably yours truly." she said with a wry smile. "And that he hadn't gotten proper retribution."

Kalina blew out a breath, rubbed her sore neck and muttered "The boy sure knows how to hold a grudge," not realizing the double entendre of that statement.

"Where were you headed before you got, um...sidetracked?" Iolaus asked.

Kalina had to laugh at that. "I was on my way to visit Cheiron's Academy. Do you know of it?"

"Know of it?!" Iolaus straightened proudly and said with a flourish, "I'm a cadet."

"Wonderful! Can you escort me there?"

"Sure thing. First we should find out if Hercules and Lilith are ready to go back and then we can be on our way." At Kalina's questioning look, Iolaus said, "They're my friends and fellow cadets. Come on, I'm sure you'll like them. This way."

As they approached the lake and caught sight of Herc and Lilith, they could see that the blond girl had a triumphant look on her face and was holding something.

When she heard their footsteps, Lilith looked up, saw Iolaus first and said, "I caught a fish! Ha ha!". She held it up to show it off. "Maybe drowning worms is kinda fun after all."

"Oh, hi." She shifted her attention to the girl behind her friend. "I'm Lilith. Who're you?"

"Kalina." She nodded her head in greeting and stepped forward. "And you're Hercules." she said, looking over to him.

A little surprised, he answered, "Right. How did you know?"

"Nothing mysterious, I promise. Iolaus told me." She smiled over at the curly haired cadet. "He saved my life just now."

"What? What happened?" Hercules and Lilith asked in unison.

"I can tell you about it on the way. Iolaus said that you three could escort me to the Academy. My teacher has taught me all she can, but my skills still need polish. She wants me to consider attending."

"Hey, great," said Lilith. "I can give you the full tour if you like."

"I'd like that very much, Lilith. Thank you," Kalina said. "Um, are you gonna take the fish with you?"

"Oh!", Lilith remembered. "I meant to release it." She hurried to the bank and placed the fish gently back in the water.

When she had rejoined the group and they had gathered their poles, they started the walk back to the Academy. Kalina began to relate how she had come to need Iolaus' help earlier.

None of them noticed the figure that followed at a safe distance then settled in cover outside the Academy to wait.

Once they arrived, Lilith led Kalina to Cheiron's office. The newcomer explained why she had come and Cheiron agreed to let Lilith show her around and let her observe. She even participated in some of the drills.

Kalina was very impressed. She returned to Cheiron's office to speak to him again when classes broke that afternoon for the weekend. "I believe I would very much like to be a part of your Academy, sir. May I have the weekend to decide? I want to be sure."

The centaur agreed to her request and she went to find Hercules, Iolaus and Lilith to tell them her news.

"...want to be sure so I'm going to take a couple days to decide." Kalina finished explaining to the three.

"I hope you do decide to come back..." Hercules said.

"Yeah." Iolaus piped up. "Please? Oh, sorry Herc. I didn't mean to cut in."

"What we mean," Lilith explained, whacking Iolaus on the arm, "is that we'd miss you. Everyone really liked you. Plus the Academy's the best around. And you'd be an asset to it."

Kalina flushed a little from embarrassment and glanced at her feet. "You're all making it very hard for me to decide on a no. But I need time to think. I need to speak to my aunt."

"Where do you live?" Iolaus asked.

"Fai . . . .uh near Corinth. Thereabouts." Kalina mentally chastised herself. She couldn't believe she'd almost slipped and said "Fairlight Mansion".

"Hey, that's great!" Herc said. "We can go with you. We were going to visit Jason anyway."

"Jason, King of Corinth? That's right." Kalina remembered. "You three are his friends." She smiled a little. "I knew that."

"We're in Corinth a lot." added Iolaus. "I'm surprised one of us hasn't met you before."

"Oh.." Kalina replied, "Um, Corinth isn't exactly small and...I guess I'm not much of a socializer. I don't exactly have a lot of friends."

"Well," Hercules put an amiable arm around Kalina's shoulders, "consider yourself 3 more to the good."

"Come on guys." Lilith said. "We need to set out now so we'll keep as much light as possible."

"I left my staff inside. I go nowhere without it. Wait a second." Kalina dashed inside to retrieve it.

"Ready," she said when she returned. "Let's go...friends." The word brought another soft smile to her face.

The group passed through the main entrance to the grounds and began the journey to Corinth.

They didn't hear the figure in the tall grasses mutter something to itself then move from its cover.

Temporarily thwarted, it circled through the trees and ahead of the travelers to make its own way to Corinth, determined to get there first.

Hercules, Iolaus, Lilith and Kalina reached the entrance to the city of Corinth.

"This is where we split up." Kalina said. "Maybe I'll see you all later."

"Will you tell us what you decide?" Hercules asked her.

"Of course." she answered. "I'll find all of you regardless."

She waited until her new friends had moved into the city before turning and heading towards the forest. And Fairlight Mansion.

"Hey," Hercules said, "do you think she'd want to meet Jason?"

"Good idea! I'll go ask." Iolaus turned back and hurried to try and catch Kalina. His friends stopped walking.

"I didn't mean right now!" Hercules called after his friend.

Lilith started to laugh, but quickly sobered when Iolaus came running back, full speed.

"Come on! You have to come right now." he said urgently. "I just saw Cytus and 3 guys follow Kalina into the trees. I don't know what he's trying, but she's going to need our help."

The three cadets tore off in the direction Iolaus had seen the others take.

"You won't get away from me this time." Cytus said under his breath as he tracked after Kalina.

She was making her way along the familiar path she always took to Fairlight Mansion. She'd traveled it so many times coming back from Corinth that she didn't have to think about which turns to make or which landmarks to pass. Instead, her mind was on what she needed to speak about with Elaina and she was almost home. If she had been more alert she would have heard Cytus moving along beside her. And she wouldn't have been surprised when he stepped out in front of her to block her way.

"This time you're mine, girly." he sneered. "I almost had you for good last time, but you got a lucky break."

Kalina shifted her weight to her back foot and lifted her staff in front of her, ready.

"Lucky break?" she asked. "Ah, you mean Iolaus. Yes, good thing for me he was there."

Kalina began backing away and to the left where she knew the trees thinned out and there would be more room to fight. If they stayed there, he would have the advantage.

Cytus felt a surge of power when he saw what he took as a retreat. "That's right girl, run! Flee from me. I followed you to that Academy and waited for you! You knew that didn't you?!"

He began walking towards Kalina and her destination.

"That's why you got those cadets to come back with you. You know you can't win. But *I* got here first. *I* have the plan this time!"

Kalina rolled her eyes, using the movement to hide a quick glance at the surrounding trees.

"Do I need to waste my breath for the hundredth time and tell you *again* it wasn't me? Anyone else would have let this go a long time ago. Derin did. Why not you, Cytus?"

He just scoffed. "You..*you* are the only mark against me and I'm going to correct it. There's no one to save you this time."

"Wrong." Hercules said. He, Iolaus and Lilith stepped from cover and moved to flank Kalina. "Oh, look. You seem to be outnumbered."

"I expected as much." Cytus said. "But I came prepared." "Boys! Now!"

Nothing happened.

"I said NOW!"

"Gee," Iolaus said. "I think your playmates all decided to take a nap." A smile lifted the corner of his mouth. "Don't worry. We tucked them in all nice and neat."

Rage flashed in Cytus' eyes.

"Talk less, listen more, Cytus." Kalina told him. "You were too busy yapping at me to even notice.....but *I* did."

She was ready when he came at her.

Iolaus moved to help, but Hercules grabbed his arm. "It's her fight, Iolaus."

Reluctantly, he backed away with Hercules and Lilith to give the fighters more room. All three stayed prepared to jump in and assist if it became necessary.

Cytus came at Kalina. She sidestepped so he'd miss then turned and brought her staff around to hit him in the small of the back. He stumbled forward, but kept his footing. He turned and lunged at Kalina with his sword. She jumped into the air and did a backflip to avoid it, landing several feet from her original position.

Cytus yelled something unintelligible and rushed at her, his sword held in the air and ready to chop straight down at her head. Kalina raised her staff horizontally above her to block the strike and Cytus' wrist smashed into the wood with great force. His hand opened reflexively and his sword flew to the ground. Cytus stepped back and howled at the pain, gripping the wrist with his other hand.

"Lost your sword *again*. Your making that a habit." Kalina said.

Then she approached him and swung her staff into his stomach. While he doubled over, she maneuvered the staff around and swept his feet out from under him. He landed hard and fell onto his back. Kalina pressed the end of her staff into his throat.

"This ends now, Cytus. You may live, but only if you promise to let me be. Do I have your word?"

He nodded slightly, loathing in his eyes.

"Fine." She backed away. "Go."

Cytus got to his feet and retrieved his sword. He stood glaring at Kalina for a short moment then turned and walked away.

Kalina breathed deeply and let it out long and slow. She turned to her friends. "Thank you for helping me. Cytus would have won if you hadn't been here for me."

"We'll always be here for you if you need us." Hercules said.

"You're our friend." Lilith added. "It comes with the territory."

"By the way, um," Iolaus asked, "Why did you travel so far into the forest? I know you said you lived near Corinth, but...here?"

Kalina looked distressed and tried to shrug it off, but ended up babbling instead. "Here? No, noooo. I don't live *here*. Heh, uh, I was just taking a walk. A simple walk. The forest is so pretty, you know? And I *love* trees. Green's my favorite color. Lots and lots of green. And flowers and plants and..."

"Kalina."

All four of the youths jumped at Elaina's voice.

"Elaina! Oh, don't do that." Kalina said, holding a hand to her heart. "I forgot how quiet you can be."

"Who's this?" Hercules asked.

"My aunt. Elaina. I've spoken of her." Kalina sent a questioning look to her aunt.

"Come, Kalina. We must go." The woman looked to the cadets. "Do not follow us."

Kalina gave them a sad and apologetic look and left with Elaina. They headed the short distance back to the vine-covered entrance of Fairlight Mansion.

"Do not follow us." Iolaus repeated. "Hmph."

This was just too cryptic and mysterious a situation for him to resist...so he trailed after them.

"Are we just gonna let him go." Lilith asked.

"Nope." Hercules replied. "Not without us!"

They quickly caught up with their friend.

All three of them peeked around from behind a large bush and saw Kalina and Elaina stop. The woman said something and Kalina nodded.

Then came an angry yell and Cytus' flying form as he burst from the trees and tackled Kalina. They fell against - and through - the vines.

"That guy just doesn't give up!" Lilith exclaimed as she, Hercules and Iolaus sprinted toward a stunned Elaina. By the time they reached her, she had regained herself and was already disappearing through the foliage.

Within seconds, the three cadets had followed.

Kalina lay on the ground, unconscious. Cytus looked up and ran into the castle. Hercules and Iolaus raced after him. Elaina and Lilith rushed to tend to Kalina.

Cytus ran, taking turns with no particular reasoning. Iolaus and Hercules were close behind.

Outside, Kalina had rejoined the world and was on her feet.

"Where's Cytus?" she asked, holding her head.

"Inside." Lilith told her.

"No! Elaina, the Fountain! What if he finds it?!" Her pain forgotten, she hurried inside and towards the courtyard. The other 2 women her at her heels.

Cytus had indeed lucked upon the courtyard and "found" the Fountain. But Kalina needn't have worried so.

Cytus had run through the archway entrance while looking back over his shoulder for Hercules and Iolaus.

That's why he didn't see Nicodemus rush into position. That's why he ended up tripping over the wolf's sideways and crouched body. And that's why he went flying and smacked his head on the Fountain's base so hard he went out like a light instantly. He would stay that way for hours.

The guys skidded to a halt. Then burst out in laughter at the sight they had witnessed.

"Alright!" Iolaus laughed. "That was perfect."

The three women hurried through the archway just then.

"What happened?" Kalina asked.

"The wolf tripped him." Hercules said, trying to keep a straight face.

"He tripped him?"

"Nicodemus." she said to the wolf, "come here, please."

Obediently, the wolf walked over and sat in front of her. She knelt down, wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.

"Hey, what about us?" Iolaus asked.

Kalina stood up and smiled. She hugged and thanked each of her new friends in turn. First Lilith, then Hercules and lastly Iolaus.

After she'd pulled back from Iolaus she said to him, "You're still my hero."

He ducked his head as he had before. "Oh, well..::ahem::."

He then looked around and asked, "Um, where are we?"

"Well.." Kalina looked to Elaina for help.

Her aunt nodded. "They can be trusted. They've earned the right to know."

"Yes." Kalina agreed, relieved. "First, though, we should get Cytus to the Constable. He doesn't deserve to wake anywhere but a cell." "When that's done, I promise I'll tell you everything."

::bong:: ::bong:: ::bong:: ::bong::

Morning bells sounded and woke the Academy of cadets from their sleep.

Kalina lay there with her eyes closed for a minute.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Time to get up."

She opened her eyes to see Hercules and Iolaus standing beside her bunk. Lilith walked up seconds later.

"Sleep well?" Iolaus asked as Kalina sat up.

"Not exactly." she replied.

"Well, maybe some breakfast will help." Lilith said. She smiled at her friend in an effort to cheer her up. "I'm almost sure it'll be edible today."

"Alright." Kalina returned a small smile. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up in a few minutes."

"We'll save you a seat." said Hercules.

"Okay." She nodded and watched them go.

::Today:: she thought. ::Today I have to decide for certain. Is it really right for me to be here?:: ::I told Cheiron I wouldn't come back unless I was sure. But..."::

She covered her face and began to weep softly into her hands. ::What am I going to do?::

Hercules, Iolaus and Lilith were the last to leave the room. She was alone. Kalina afforded herself the luxury of crying for only a minute and as she wiped her face dry she thought...

::Honestly, Kalina. Get a grip.::You're tougher than this. It shouldn't be getting to you like it is.::Where's the problem?::

She remained sitting in her bunk and pondered her feelings.

::The right decision. Make the right decision.::You told Cheiron you were going to take the weekend to decide.::But then there was that whole mess with Cytus. Herc, Iolaus and Lilith were so good to me. They helped when they didn't have to, when they barely knew me.::

She recalled her words with Elaina as they walked back to the vine-covered entrance to Fairlight Mansion those few days before. Before Cytus had jumped from the trees.

"I saw what those cadets did for you, child. Do they know who you are? Who you will be?"

"No." Kalina replied. "But they *are* my friends. I could trust them with my secret."

"That's up to you. Choose wisely."

They stopped by the hidden entrance and Elaina stepped around to face Kalina. "I know that my asking you to leave here and attend the Academy has caused you uncertainty. But you must remember - you are not yet Guardian. You are not yet bound to this place in the way that I am." "Promise me you will listen to your heart as well as your mind in this decision."

Kalina nodded.

Then Cytus had attacked and they had gone tumbling through the vines.

::After we delivered Cytus to the Constable and I told them about me...:: Kalina sighed and stared down at her hands in her lap. ::They were surprised, but they accepted me. No disbelief, no refusal. Just...acceptance.::and I didn't expect that so quickly.:: ::Did I agree to return with them because I felt I owed them?::I'd never had such fast friends. Never had anyone care about me so quickly.::Not since Elaina.::

Kalina squeezed her eyes shut for a second.

::Aunt Lainey.::I don't want to let you down.::You wanted me to come here but you let the choice be mine.::

::This should have been simple. Being here should have been the obvious choice.::You want me to be here and I need the skills I can gain here.::My friends want me to be here...

::Why am I scared?::

"Why *am* I scared?" she asked aloud.

::I don't belong.::

The thought struck her like a hand across the face.

::I don't really belong here.::I've never been a part of something true and stable. Except with Aunt Lainey.::

::Before she found me, I went from family to family, place to place. No one wanted the responsibility of me for long, so I left and I learned to rely on myself.::Eric and Abbie let me hang around, but I never completely fit into the picture with them. And after the baby was born, there was nothing left for me there.::Nowhere felt right until I met Aunt Lainey.::

"Do they *really* want me here? Or are they just being kind?"

Miserable, Kalina slid from her bunk and dressed, then headed to the dining hall. She stopped in the doorway and scanned the room. Several of the other cadets caught her eye and smiled or waved.

"Kalina! Over here." Hercules motioned her over. "One saved seat, as promised." he said when she sat down beside him.

Iolaus was across from her and Lilith was across from Hercules.

Kalina managed a small smile. "Thanks." She slumped in her seat.

"You hungry?" Iolaus asked her.

"Um..sure."

He placed a dish before her. "One bowl of glop, specially prepared *just* for you."

"Don't look so down." Lilith quipped. "It doesn't get *really* bad until it's cold."

"True." Iolaus added. "And remember - there's always bread." He pinched off a piece and tossed it at Kalina. It hit her on the nose and she blinked, surprised.

This time she managed a genuine smile and sat up straighter in her seat.

"That's more like it." Hercules said.

Kalina watched her friends as there banter picked up again. Each person's words flowed into the other's.

"Hey," said Iolaus, "anybody got an idea about what Feducious picked out for today's test?"

"Not me." Lilith answered. "But I'm a little weak this time on the geography we've been studying. There's time to look that over though. You'll help me with that, won't you Kalina? And at drills I'll help you with that tumbling sequence again."

"Hey, Kalina. You ever gone fishing?" Hercules asked her.

She shook her head no.

"Oh, you gotta try it. It's a great time. We'll all go this weekend, okay?"

"Yeah. " Lilith agreed. "Drowning worms is fun once you get into it.

"Oh, would you stop calling it "drowning worms"!" Iolaus protested. "It's fishing. *Fishing* alright?"

"Do you or do you *not* put a worm on a hook and then toss it underwater?"

"Well...yeah...but.."

"Ha! I'll call it drowning worms if I *want* to. So there."

"Well, hopefully *Kalina* won't take to that particular phrase." Iolaus muttered.

Kalina started giggling then, so hard she had to hold her sides.

Hercules had been watching his friends' exchange, amused. But when her giggles turned into full out laughter, the 3 cadets all switched their attention to Kalina.

"What?" Herc asked. "What is it?"

Kalina controlled herself and wiped tears, this time happy tears, from her eyes.

"Oh, I'm just so glad I *did* come back after all. Everyone here is so great. How could I have thought I should leave?"

Her friends spoke at the same time.

"What? You were thinking that?" Lilith said.

"You were gonna leave?" Iolaus asked.

"Of course you should stay." Hercules told her.

"Let me go first." Herc said to Iolaus and Lilith.

He turned to Kalina. "That's why you were up last night, wasn't it? You weren't just homesick, you were trying to decide whether to stay."

"Yeah." she answered. "I hoped the walk would help, but it didn't."

"And the well was a replacement for the fountain?"

"Right again." Kalina smiled. "I always did my best thinking by the Fountain. So peaceful."

"What made you decide to stay?" Iolaus asked.

"You guys." She looked around at all of them. "Just now. *And* something Elaina told me."

"Will you tell *us*?" Lilith asked.

Kalina nodded.

"She left the final decision of whether I should be here up to me. But she asked that I listen to my heart *as well as* my mind in making it." "I wasn't doing that for the last few days. I was listening to my mind and my doubts and letting them sway me rather than listening to the truth that my heart already knew."

"And that is?" Lilith wondered.

"It's simple really." Kalina took a deep breath and finally relaxed. "This *is* where I belong."

Her friends once again chorused together.

"Hear, hear."

"Of course!"

"We've known it all along, too."

A huge smile broke out across Kalina's face.

"I won't let anyone tell me different again. Not me - not anyone."