CHAPTER 1

The message came by catlin from Irth to Earth. The smallblack and white striped feline with bluish-black featheredwings was swift and sworn to its duty. However it wasnot above having a bit of fun in the process of its business.

Banking around Lyndell's castle towers, the catlin dovebetween the posted guards on the upper wall, yowling fiercely.The startled guards cried out in alarm and ducked for cover. Thecatlin then whisked up to the window of Merrick and Krystin'schambers. There it perched on the ledge for a moment, licking itspaw and enjoying its view. Below, the spooked and cursing guardswere shaking their fists, promising revenge.

The catlin stretched lazily, satisfied it had caused a sufficientstir, then leapt through the open window. It landed lightly on thefloor behind the tapestry, which hung over the opening to keepout the cool spring air. Sauntering to the middle of the room, ityowled its greeting and announcement of the arrival of a message.It sat on its haunches, folded back its glossy wings, and waitedto be noticed. The catlin switched its tail impatiently. If it had toyowl again, it might have to demand higher pay.

Presently, Princess Krystin came into the sitting room,yawning and rubbing her still sleepy green eyes. "I thoughtI heard a catlin," she said drowsily. She knelt down, her longgolden-brown braid slipping over her shoulder. She openedthe message tube which was attached to the animal's back by aleather harness. Pulling out a roll of parchment, she stroked thecatlin gently.

"Merrick!" Krystin called toward the bed chambers. "A messagefrom home."

Smiling, her husband, Merrick ambled into the sitting room."Who's it from?" he asked, coming up from behind and puttinghis arms around her.

"I'm not sure," she replied, returning his smile and affection."I've never seen this seal before."

Krystin turned and handed Merrick the rolled message. Heglanced at the green wax seal which held it closed.

"It's the seal of en'Edlia's High Council," Merrick said runninghis hand through his dark hair. "It must be official business,though I can't imagine what it might concern." He tapped oneside of the imprinted waxy glob and it vanished with a "poof."Merrick began to unroll the crisp parchment.

"Official business is boring," Krystin yawned. "I'll go see to thetwins."

Merrick slumped into a soft chair. His brow furrowed as hisdark eyes moved quickly over the words written in a flowingscript. Suddenly he gasped, sitting bolt upright in the chair. "Oh,no," he moaned, dropping his face into his hand.

Krystin came back towing a toddler with each hand. Herhusband sat limply, his face pale. "Merrick! What's the matter?"she cried. She released the children and knelt at Merrick's side,touching him gently.

"I'm being called back home to en'Edlia," Merrick choked out.He looked sadly into his wife's eyes. "My father is dead."

CHAPTER 2

"Krystin is coming! My new sister is coming!"Nizza couldn't stop saying it. "After twelve longyears with just brothers, I'll have a sister livingright here with me!"

Nizza turned a dancing circle, her arms wide and her long,straight, red hair flying out in all directions. "Can she sleep in myroom, Mother?"

"No, dear," Narrian, the high matriarch of en'Edlia replied, asmall smile touching her lips. "She'll be in the high patriarchalchambers with your brother, Merrick."

"Oh." Nizza frowned disappointedly. "I wish I could have goneto their wedding with you and father. Merrick always gets to dofun things."

"I'm sure Merrick will be having much less fun now he ...he ...," Narrian tried to control her emotions. She drew a raggedbreath as the tears came to her eyes yet again. Her unadornedwhite dress, a symbol of her mourning, lay around her like snow.Her dark hair was pinned up away from her face. "How can Iever go on without my dear, strong Brokt?" she muttered. "I'moverwhelmed with funeral preparations, the coronation ceremony,and all the foreign ambassadors and dignitaries coming from allover Irth and off-worlds to pay their respects. He was too youngto leave me so soon."

"Oh, Mother," Nizza ran to sit beside her mother and place aloving arm around her shoulders.

Concentrating on radiating happiness toward her mother,Nizza envisioned a warming, golden glow around them both,easing their sorrow and carrying away the heaviness of heartthey felt.

This was Nizza's birth-gift, a magical power which all peopleof Irth are born with. Each person's gift could be different. Eachmust learn to control and use it to help themselves and others.Nizza thought hers was perfect. She loved giving others happinessand peace, even though she wasn't affected by her own power. Herfamily's grief had been easier for her to bear knowing she couldease some of the harder moments for them, like now.

Nizza particularly liked using her birth-gift for defensivepurposes. It was so satisfying watching her brothers squirm.They loved to tease and pester her, using their own birth-giftsof levitation and controlling insects to play jokes on her or try toanger her. However, Nizza's gift had proven an equal match, forJarrius and Wayen soon found themselves crying with happiness,helpless under her power.

Now as she sat by her lonely, grieving parent, she felt hermother relax as the deep sorrow was lifted by her gift. As shecontinued to comfort the high matriarch, Nizza thought aboutwhat was happening in en'Edlia.

Third born and only daughter of High Patriarch Brokt and HighMatriarch Narrian, Nizza had watched the palace, and the realmalike, tumble into political upheaval. Her oldest brother, CrownPatriarch Merrick, was to claim the throne at the death of theirfather. He was coming home after five years on the portal worldof Earth with an off-world wife and two-year-old twin daughters.There had never been an off-worlder in the high patriarchal familyline in the history of en'Edlia. Never.

The High Council feared rebellion from the Xens. Xens werepurists believing only those of Irth should be allowed into thehigh patriarchal family. Guardwatch on the ruling family hadbeen increased. The city council was doing all it could to calm thecitizens of en'Edlia in the midst of this turmoil.

So many events were happening and each inspiring differentemotions for Nizza. She felt joy at Merrick's return, and theprospect of having a sister close. She felt deep sorrow at herbeloved father's death. There was hope for relief of en'Edlia'sbuilding tension and the return to peace as the new high patriarchwas accepted and gained control.

Nizza would have to be careful to choose wisely when andwhere to use her birth-gift. Overuse of one's gift could cause totalexhaustion, unconsciousness, mind-sickness or even death. Nizzadidn't actually know anyone who had died, but the history bookshad recorded proper warnings of those who had.

For now, all those feelings were slinking off into the murkybackground of her mind as the happiness she generated began tosoak in and her mother began to smile again.

"Mother, when will I get to meet my new sister?" Nizza askedanxiously, her excitement about Merrick's return surfacing again.

"His catlin message said they would be here tomorrowmorning, dear," Narrian replied. "And thank you." She gave Nizzaa squeeze. "Just don't wear yourself out. We will get through thistogether."

"I know we will," Nizza replied quietly. "I just...