“I know, not my usual style, but I need to keep it up like this and off to the sides so it doesn’t get tangled on the rope in back.” She de-ash...d and replaced the cigarette in her mouth as she returned to the dresser. She removed a shortish piece of rope with two loops at the end. “This is to bind my legs. I don’t want them waving around too much while I hang.” She then produced a light, but strong looking chain belt with handcuffs attached, “and these are to bind my hands so I can’t get to. “We'll stop our father,” she answered.“No. With you.” I swallowed. “What is it that Sister Stella promised you?”Chase didn't answer.“Are you...going to die?”“No.” She put her arm around me. “But...she's going to take away my powers. She needs them to stop father.”“And then you could die.” I swallowed, gazing into her eyes.Her eyes grew dark. “You have your spouses. A family. But...my family is gone. I miss them. I...”“We're your family, Chase.” Tears beaded my eyes. “Don't you love us?”“So. I was stuffed. I wiped my mouth on the expensive blanket sized napkin. "Is that a birthmark?" she said finally. "Yes, but what does that have to do with anything," I said. She just stared and smiled. I looked askance at her. "You don't remember me do you," she said. "No," I said. "I know I'd remember." "Well, you'd be wrong then. We did meet. We even spent the night together. It was years ago," she said. "Look lady, I ain't much, but I got a little pride left, not much but a little. I. "Thank you." Warriors, I must wish you good luck in your journey," Lord Guardian said. "Remember, we, the Gods of the realm, stand on your side."With that the bright light faded, and the room became quiet once more. No one spoke for a while. All were deep in thought. They were facing a great battle, a battle that would decide the fate of their beloved realm. Indeed, the fate of the Land of Lore was at stake.Captain White Lion decided to break the silence, "I must waste no more time. Send me.