I heard a low growl, and, before I realized what was happening, a massive lion-like creature with a mane of burnished gold and powerful red wings came leaping out of the darkness of the forest, its sharp teeth flashing in the moonlight. It had a jagged, spiked tail and the face of a man. I recognized the mythological creature from a picture I had seen on the Internet.

I froze in my tracks: a manticore!

It snarled, showing multiple rows of razor-sharp fangs, and pounced on the guard who had a sword to my back.

I heard more growls and screaming, but I didn't want to look back. I ran towards the trees, and I saw Snow moving towards me, free. The other two guards who had been holding her now had their swords out and were advancing on me. I tripped over a fallen tree limb and hit my shin. The pain didn't register as I got up and tried to reach Snow.

I needn't have moved at all, as the manticore flew over me and attacked the two guards, ripping out the throat of one and pouncing on the other, slashing his arms and legs with his deadly tail. I looked on in dismay as the guard screamed and tried to get away, but the creature just tore out his throat. The rest of the guards lay unconscious or dead on the ground around us.

I was trembling and rooted to the spot. Would the manticore turn on me now? I had no idea why it was here.

"Do not be afraid, little one," said Snow calmly in my head. "You have nothing to fear from this creature. He is a friend and a protector; he came only because you were in trouble. All the creatures of the fae are loyal to your family."

I looked over carefully at the manticore. He was sitting on his haunches and did not move, looking straight at me with startling gold eyes, full of intelligence. His fangs were still dripping blood, much to my dismay, but his eyes looked kind and full of anguish.

I looked at the dead bodies strewn about the forest clearing, and I started to feel sick. I moved towards a tree and retched, but as I hadn't eaten anything, there was nothing much to throw up. I wiped my mouth as best I could with the sleeve of my dress; it was disgusting, but I couldn't help it. I was surprised at myself. In a situation like this, I really expected to have fainted, but I didn't, and I was pleased with my fortitude.

I turned to see the majestic creature still watching me. There was something about him that was comforting, and I moved forward. The manticore must have been startled, because he stood up and started walking away. I watched his furry, gold body move slowly towards the darkness of the trees, his lethal tail swishing behind him. He stopped once and turned to look at me before spreading his great leathery wings and flying off into the shadows of the vast mountain range.

I let out a deep breath I hadn't even realized I was holding. "Where did that creature come from?" I asked Snow as I got onto her back, this time with the help of a rock that I used as a mounting block. For the first time, I realized how inconvenient it was riding in a dress, as my legs were exposed, but I figured it was really not the time or the place for modesty and settled myself on Snow's back.

"The manticore is an ancient fae creature," said Snow. "There are not many left, especially in these parts, but they have been seen in these mountains before. They are born of magic, so it could sense who you were and came to help."

I wondered what other creatures lived in these mountains, but I didn't want to stick around and find out. I concentrated on holding on as Snow cantered across the open space, spread out her massive wings, and soared into the air again. We flew over the Cascade Mountains towards Eldoren and Silverthorne Castle.

I could not believe what I was doing: riding a magical winged horse, running from the mysterious Shadow Guard, becoming friends with the fae, meeting manticores in the forest and heading towards a family I had never met before. I had to admit I was apprehensive. What if they didn't like me? What if they didn't want to help me? What if . . . ?

My thoughts were cut short as the sun rose over the mountains to the east. I forgot about everything else as I watched the magical land of Avalonia stretch out before me as far as the eye could see. We glided over the Cascade Mountains, which marked the boundary between the kingdoms of Illiador and Eldoren, and I was immediately mesmerized.

The land ahead was covered in wild, green grass. Sprays of pinks, purples, yellows, and reds undulated down into the waiting meadows of the flower-filled valley beyond. It was the most wonderful sight I had ever seen. Rolling hills, colorful fields, green pastures, working farms, massive estates and small villages speckled the countryside. To the right was an emerald-green wood, which stretched out to the hills beyond.

In the center of the valley was what looked like a little hill. At the very top was a magnificent castle, its tall towers glistening in the sunlight as they stretched effortlessly towards the sky. Pristine white flags, each decorated with a single bluebell, fluttered from the castle turrets. Around it, a huge walled town sloped down the hill in concentric circles and spread out into the valley below. Sunlight glinted off the tops of the tallest trees of the forest, and the whole valley was bathed in its warm blanket. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, but it was also everything that I had imagined since I was a little girl.

"That is Fairlone," said Snow in my mind as we flew over the large town. "This whole valley belongs to the Duke of Silverthorne."

Fairlone was a huge bustling town, with broad cobbled streets and paved paths. A great wall surrounded the town, with four massive wooden gates and armed gate towers.

We circled the castle and the town once, and no one looked up, which was a relief, since I was quite sure that, even here, a pegasus was a rare creature. We flew over the outer section of the town, and I looked around; the houses here were closely packed and looked quite run down. The people were dressed in dull, patched clothes, as they were in Lord Oblek's castle in Illiador. Snow explained that this was the poorer part of the town. As we flew closer to the magnificent castle on the top of the hill, I could see a change. The inner town was highly protected by another wall that ran in a circle around the castle.

Wide stone archways, whitewashed buildings, and large, well-kept houses lined the cobblestone streets. Elegant shops and colorful street sellers brightened the main avenue. The buildings were bigger and more ornate, with tiled roofs and brightly colored walls. It was morning, and well-dressed people were bustling round fancy shops and going about their everyday errands.

The men were smartly attired in well-tailored doublets and hose, wearing richly bordered, thick cloaks that swirled about them as they walked. Many wore swords on their belts and some rode on prancing horses. The women were dressed in beautiful silks and velvet, richly embroidered dresses, hooded mantles, and luxurious cloaks. Some were driven about in small, one-horse open carriages.

Finally we flew out of the sky and descended into the stone courtyard of Silverthorne Castle. I was mesmerized and a little disoriented after my long flight on Snow's back. I looked around. The castle was massive and full of activity.

Guards had just realized that we had landed in the center of their castle courtyard and sounded the alarm. Within seconds numerous soldiers had surrounded us and were pointing nasty-looking spears in my face.

9.

The Duke I looked around. Archers had posted themselves at regular intervals on the castle walls, and all the arrows were pointing right at me.

"I want to meet the Duke of Silverthorne," I said, trying to sound like I knew what I was doing.

"So does half the kingdom," said a guard with curly red hair.

"And the other half is plotting his downfall," said another.

"What's your business here?" the first guard growled, still pointing his spear at me.

"Um, tell him . . . tell him that his niece is here," I said hesitantly.

What else could I say? How was I supposed to explain myself?

"He doesn't have a niece," said the red-haired guard, not believing my story for a second.

"What is all this commotion about?" came a large booming voice.

The guards jumped but held their spears in place.

"Who is this?" said a big, burly man with salt-and-pepper hair, his voluminous cerulean cloak billowing in the wind as he came striding down the broad stone steps into the castle courtyard. He was wearing a silver breastplate and a massive sword strapped to his hip. I wondered if this was my granduncle, the duke.

"She just arrived, Captain," said the red-haired guard, standing up straighter. "She says she wants to see the duke, says she's his niece."

"Does she now?" said the captain of the guard, walking closer to me. Snow stamped her hoof and snorted, but he did not even flinch. Finally he stretched out his hand to help me off the pegasus. "Declan Raingate, captain of the duke's guard, at your service, my lady."

He seemed a gentleman, and his brown eyes were kind, so I took his hand and jumped off Snow. "Thank you," I said, straightening my skirt and smoothing my hair, which resembled a bird's nest after all that flying.

"See that the pegasus is well housed in the main stables," said the captain to one of the guards. I liked him already.

"Right away, sir," said the red-haired guard, scurrying to do the captain's bidding.

"Follow me," Declan said, turning to walk up the steps to the castle. "I will take you to the duke."

The guards all straightened their spears and retreated to their posts. The archers put away their bows and returned to their jobs on the battlements. I was relieved. Silverthorne Castle was a fortress; Oblek and Morgana would have a hard time getting to me here. I already felt much safer.

I followed Captain Declan up the great white stone steps, through the big wooden doors, into the castle. We walked down drafty stone corridors and up a wide spiral staircase in one of the towers. Declan knocked once on a stout oak door and opened it without waiting for a reply.

"Can't a man get any work done around here? There is always something that needs my attention," said an old and distinguished-looking man with white, shaggy hair and a clipped white beard, looking up from his desk and putting down his quill. He was wearing a midnight-blue velvet dressing gown lined with intricate silverwork.

I figured that this must be my granduncle, the duke.

"My apologies for disturbing you at this time of the morning, Your Grace. But the matter is of some importance," said the captain of the guard, walking into the brightly lit room.

The duke finally noticed me, and I thought I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes; then, just as quickly, it was gone.

"And you are?" asked the Duke, looking straight at me.

"My name is Aurora, and I think you are my unc-" I said quickly, but the duke suddenly interrupted me.

"Thank you, Declan, but I will speak with this one alone," said Duke Silverthorne.

The captain of the guard bowed once and left the room.

I looked around; this appeared to be the duke's study. It was a large, high-ceilinged room lined with oak beams but bright and airy, with immense windows, which were hung with rich crimson and gold velvet curtains. Big comfortable armchairs were placed about the room. A mahogany desk and an extra-large chair stood behind it. Exotic rugs covered the cold stone floors, and beautiful but slightly faded tapestries lined the walls, all depicting scenes with different fae creatures-unicorns, dragons, pixies, flower fairies, and beautiful lush green forests.

The duke gestured for me to sit down opposite him.

"Now, what is all this really about?" said Duke Silverthorne sternly. His blue eyes shone questioningly, as if he was trying to piece together a puzzle.

"Well," I said hesitantly, sitting down on the offered chair.

I wasn't exactly sure what I should say. I decided to keep it short.

"It turns out that you are my granduncle, and my aunt, Queen Morgana, wants me dead. Oh! And I have nowhere to go and no way to get back home, not that I really have a home anymore," I said. "That's about the gist of it."

The duke studied me carefully and narrowed his eyes. "I think you'd better start again, from the beginning," he said, peering at me from under his big, bushy eyebrows as if he knew exactly what I was talking about. He didn't seem surprised.

I proceeded to recount the full story. When I finished, the duke was quiet, and he was still looking at me very sternly.

"You do look a lot like Azaren," he said finally, his eyes going slightly misty. "But we can never be too careful. I have on occasion heard stories that Elayna and Azaren's child had somehow escaped the massacre at the Star Palace, and once there was even a rumor that the princess had been found in Brandor." He paused, assessing me again. "Of course, she was brought to me."

"And?" I said, urging him to go on.

"And she was an imposter, of course."

"How could you tell?" I asked, now sitting on the edge of my seat and wiping my sweating hands on my skirt.

"You will find out all you need to know in good time," said the duke, "but first, we need to test you, to see if it's true that you are the child of Azaren and Elayna, and not some shapeshifter sent by Lucian to deceive us."

"Shapeshifter!" I said, jumping up from my chair. "You think I am a shapeshifter? This is getting more and more absurd every minute."

I was really upset now. The last two days had taken their toll on me, and I had hardly slept since this all began. Now, when I was just starting to believe all this nonsense myself, my granduncle, who seemed to be the only one who could help me, thought I was an imposter.

I couldn't help myself as the words tumbled out of my mouth.

"I was taken from my home and my world in the middle of the night, thrown in a dungeon, barely escaped with my life, and fought the Shadow Guard, who want to take me to Morgana." I was pacing and waving my hands around as I spoke. "Just two days ago my biggest problem was trying to stay away from my horrid cousin Cornelia, who suddenly doesn't seem so horrid after all, especially after I found out about my aunt who wants me dead."

I took a deep breath and went on. "I just want to go home, but I don't have anywhere to go. My adoptive parents are dead and so are my real ones. I have no family, no friends, and no one cares what happens to me."

I sat back down in my chair and bent over, holding my head in my hands. I had come to the end of the road. I had never felt so alone, so helpless and at a loss as to what to do next. Suddenly all the loneliness and despair of my life that I had bottled up for all these years came rushing back. This was worse than the hollow feeling in my chest when I realized I was adopted and thought that my real parents never wanted me. It brought back a flood of memories. The years of waiting for the day when my parents would return and sweep me away to a beautiful, loving home surrounded by my real family. And the day I finally realized that they were never coming back. I couldn't help releasing the tears that splashed down my face. Wrenching sobs racked my body. I couldn't stop crying, and I wept for what seemed like hours.

When I finally lifted my head and pulled myself together, I saw that the duke was smiling. I dried my eyes with the handkerchief the duke very politely handed to me.

"Thank you," I said, embarrassed at my watery outburst. The duke must think I was nothing more than a scared child who cried every time life seemed too hard.

"Everything happens for a reason, and nothing is an accident. It is all part of a much larger divine plan," Duke Silverthorne said gravely, but in a surprisingly kind voice. "When difficulties come, we must see them as what they are-opportunities and a new path to discover your potential. How will you ever know the magnitude of courage you are capable of if you have never experienced the hopelessness of fear?"

I nodded and tried to act like I understood, but adults always said these philosophical things to make you feel better, and frankly, at the moment, it wasn't helping.

"Now, about the test," the duke said, smiling again after I had finally composed myself. "It's only a simple one. Every mage has a specific magical essence, and I can touch your mind and read yours."

What would he discover in my mind? I must have looked as alarmed as I felt, because the duke quickly tried to reassure me.

"Now, my dear, you must not be worried, I would never delve into your private thoughts. That would be considered the height of rudeness in our world, since a lot of us can talk by mind contact."

"We have phones for that," I said absentmindedly.

The duke laughed. "Yes, it is quite a mystery how you came to be brought up in a different world. I have traveled there on occasion myself for some work. Didn't like it much, though," he said, chuckling to himself.

I smiled at that. I wondered what he had been doing, wandering round in other worlds. Were there more gateways like the one I came through?

Finally he stopped laughing and leaned back in his chair. "I do believe you have traveled here from a different world, and the tapestry you have described is the last of its kind, although there are many other ways to travel to your world. But whether you really are the child of Elayna and Azaren remains to be seen."

I nodded, clasped my hands together in my lap, and tried to behave in a more grown-up fashion.

"Right, the test," he said. "If you are truly of Azaren's bloodline I will know. But you must not fight me. I would not want to hurt your mind in any way."

"Hurt my mind!" I didn't particularly like the thought of someone poking around in there. "What are you going to do to me?"

"Don't worry, just calm your mind and let me look into it. It is quite a simple test we do when the paternity of a child is in question." He coughed, looking embarrassed. "We perform this on babies, but their minds are so free that it's easier."

"Oh, like a magical DNA test," I said, feeling a little relieved. That made sense.

The duke laughed again. "Yes! I am sure that in your world you can ascertain these things by way of what I believe the human race calls science."

I nodded. "Yup, that's it! Science. Not much use round here though, since you guys have magic and all."

The duke smiled. He seemed to find me amusing for some reason.

"You're correct. Magic and science have never done well together, one of the main reasons for Avalonia growing apart from the human world-science and magic were clashing," he said.

"Okay, let's get this over with," I said, sounding braver than I felt.

"Please come and sit in front of me," said the duke, gesturing to a high-backed, velvet-upholstered chair. I went over and sat down opposite him.

"Now, my dear, just concentrate," he began. "Make your mind blank. Try to rid yourself of all thoughts, so I can see clearly who and what you are. Your essence will also tell me if you have the potential to be a mage, or if you have taken on the traits of your mother's race."

"I'm ready," I said, closing my eyes.

The duke placed his fingertips lightly on my temples, and I tried to shut out my wayward thoughts, but they were flitting in and out of my head like mischievous butterflies. It was difficult to make my mind go completely blank. I opened my eyes to peek a little. The duke was frowning.

"What's wrong?" I asked.