Hello readers. Hope everyone had a lovely week. This week's chapter will be Fiona's pov and see her reach out to a character we have yet to watch her interact with...As this week included a holiday ( hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!), I have had a bit less time to edit this chapter than others so if its a bit rougher, thats why. As with all chapters in this draft I am posting, it is subject to revision;-). Enjoy!

Fiona

Fiona was surprised by the level of trepidation she felt approaching Caleb's home. She had spent so much of her childhood training there after all. But that had been so long ago now. It felt odd to be returning, as if coming here now was somehow taboo. As if her new relationship with the man who lived at atop the hill just outside of Gregorn, might somehow void the memories of their past friendship.

 Fiona still remembered the day she had made the trek to her teacher's home only to find a strange woman in the house in his stead. Caleb had left, she was told. Moved away without a word. His sister had been charged to take care of the house in his absence. Fiona had run home to Manna as fast as she could. 

"Caleb is gone!" she panted as she burst through the door.

Manna had merely looked back at her, face set in a rigid mask of indifference, without an ounce of emotion.

"I know," she said.

"You know?" Fiona had asked, incredulous. The questions flying through her mind. "Where did he go? What happened?" It hadn't made any sense. How could he just leave?

"He returned to Frenwick, I believe," Manna answered, turning away to busy herself with one thing or another.

Fiona had stood there, staring at her teacher's back in shock. Did she not even care?

"Manna, how could he just."

Fiona's question was cut short as Manna turned back toward her, eyes narrowed, mouth in a tight scowl. "He is gone," she said sharply. "He isn't coming back and I don't want to hear another word about it."

It had taken months for Fiona to truly believe it. She had snuck back to the abandoned cottage at least three more times before the truth finally sunk in. He had left them. She remembered realizing how strange it had been, mourning his absence. There had been a time when Fiona had hated the sword master. His hard manner and brutal training had nearly broken her. But over the years Fiona had grudgingly learned to respect him. As her skill improved so did their relationship. In spite of her frustration with his harsh critique, earning favor in Caleb's eyes filled her with pride. Fiona had learned to appreciate how much he had to offer her. She'd come to see him as a friend. And then he had just disappeared.

Over time, Fiona had learned to forget her former teacher. To look upon his memory with fondness, to make peace with the fact that she might never see the man again. And when he had returned...She hadn't known where to begin. What did one say to a man who had disappeared for over fifteen years?

He was around back when she arrived, sharpening a blade on the grindstone, but looked up immediately when he heard her approach.

"Fee..."

The look of surprise was clearly plastered across his face as he set aside his work, but he quickly recovered with a shake of his head.

"Forgive me," he said, trying to erase the shock seeing her had caused. "Nita Amoral, to what do I owe the pleasure."

Fiona looked down for a moment, discomforted by the degree of deference he offered. "I have come to speak with you, Mr. Blackwell."

Caleb nodded. "I gotta be honest, Manna told me you might come here but I didn't really believe it. It's been nearly two years since I moved back after all."

Without the Council surrounding them, Fiona felt a sudden tinge of guilt at having avoided him for so long. She could feel the energy of the man she had so looked up to, his essence mixing with the smell of his forge. Of fire and metal. In his eyes, she saw kind playfulness of his gaze that he hid so well beneath his rough exterior.

"I'm sorry, Caleb," she said. "I have been busy and..." she stopped. There was no point in making excuses. She had had good reason to avoid his company. She was certain he understood that. Hopefully he understood her regret as well.

He shook his head. "You are Nita," he said. "Of course you are busy. And you owe me nothing."

Fiona knew it wasn't true. She owed him so much. He had been her teacher, playing a large role in shaping her as a child. Now, the secrets he had agreed to keep for her sake and that of her daughter should have granted him Fiona's unending gratitude. 

"Things are different now," he said, breaking in on her thoughts.

"They are," she agreed.

"Besides, I haven't exactly reached out to you either."

Fiona didn't respond. An awkward silence hung between them. It was strange. They had once been so close. But Fiona could not think of any words that might repair the lost years.

"I'm finished out here," he said. "Why don't you come inside and we'll talk. I'm fairly certain I know you came after all, and there are too many eyes and ears in the open air."

Fiona nodded.

Inside, Caleb quickly started up a fire, and Fiona found her place at his table. Sitting in the seat she had not occupied since in so long she felt the cabin embrace her in its familiar rustic charm. She belonged here. As surely as she belonged in Manna's home. She wondered how she could ever have doubted it.

"You want something to drink?" he asked looking back towards her. "Eat?"

"No thank you," she answered. He gave a short grunt and nonetheless returned to the table with a plate of bread and cheese along with two glasses and a bottle of some form of drink.

"Can't host the Nita and offer her nothing," he said with a small grin.

Fiona felt her own mouth grinning back in response, his casual manner calling back memories of their more pleasant times together. She watched as he poured himself a glass of brown liquid which she refused.

"I'm fairly certain that, to your mind, I will always be a petulant child you whipped into shape," she said as she watched him sip from his cup.

His smile deepened. "That may be," he agreed, "but it doesn't mean I don't respect the hard-headed leader that brat grew into."

She laughed along with him, feeling the tension between them breaking away.

"You know I never meant to hurt you Fee," he said as their laughter subsided and he set aside his drink.

"I know you had reason for leaving."

"But I should have given an explanation. I owed it to you. At the time I wasn't..." he trailed off. "It was a mistake."

She didn't answer.

"And I ought to have told you before making a bid for a seat on the Cainell Council. You resent it, don't you? I mean I see the way you look at me now. You think I have joined your enemies somehow. That I now rank among those you have to weigh your words with for fear they will turn against you."

"Did Manna tell you that?" Fiona answered sharply. Perhaps more sharply than she had intended. The idea of them discussing her business made Fiona resentful, but she knew it was unfair to take out her frustration on Caleb. It was Manna who revealed things she should not, speaking to him behind Fiona's back as if she were still a child.

"She didn't have to," Caleb answered, unfazed by her sudden anger. "I knew well enough. Hell, I understand why it seems like a betrayal. But in truth, I joined the Seven for you. You and Manna. For the Senmin people."

Fiona looked away.

"I know you don't believe that," he said. "I have my own issues with the Council. I certainly never thought I would find myself among their ranks, but I realized something when I was I away. There are so many problems in this Empire. Among the Senmin. If I could serve our people, help in some way to repair our broken world, I had to try. Can you understand that?"

"I suppose so," Fiona answered, though she knew her words did not have much conviction behind them.

"Maybe you will someday," he said with a sigh. "My father avoided the Council his whole life. When he served as Council Leader, Avery Trenton's Father Howard practically begged him to take a seat among the Seven. But my father refused. He hated the way they treated the Nita, the Initiate. You know my grandmother was an Initiate member. A powerful priestess at that. My mother and sister too. I was raised among strong women and taught to respect Initiate inductees above all else among our people. My father held good standing among the Senmin and was an obvious choice to join the highest among our leadership. But he wasn't willing to compromise his values and join an institution he inherently disagreed with." Caleb paused. "Over the years however I came to see how wrong my father was."

"Wrong?"

"He avoided the problem of the Council instead of facing it head-on. Instead of using his power to make a difference and effect change."

Fiona nodded. She tried to believe in her former teacher's words. To believe that he was sincere in his motivation to join the Seven. She had known that Caleb's family name was once well known among the Initiate. She trusted that his intentions were, to his mind, well meaning, and the he truly hoped that his position could help the Senmin leadership to become more united. Still, Fiona was skeptical that any good could come of his aligning with the Council.

With his position, Caleb would be forced to report any matters of import she might bring to him. She would expect nothing less given his integrity, but as a consequence, Fiona knew how guarded she must remain around him. And then there was the matter of the Council Leader. Avery Trenton was far too strong.

 Since the day she and Manna had made that fateful vow to the Seven, pledging their life upon a promise they would one day break, Fiona knew that eventually, the Council would become her greatest enemy, that they would once again seek to take her life and that of her daughter. She questioned how much sway Caleb could possibly have. He was only one man and his vote alone would not be enough to save them. That Caleb occasionally sided with Avery on minor issues of policy was hardly worth mention in the end. But the idea that he might one day be among those who would condemn her outright and sentence her to death... Could he truly not see the precarious nature of their relationship?

 But Fiona kept her comments to herself. She wanted to return to the lighthearted banter they had grasped just a moment before. To avoid the wedge that had come between them, the new complications his position on the Council had inevitably introduced to their relationship, to avoid the topic that had brought her here. But there was business to be discussed.

"I didn't come here to talk about us Caleb," she said finally.

He frowned slightly, no doubt disappointed she would not speak further on the matter, but after a moment he acquiesced to her decision to change the topic of their discussion and nodded his head. "You came to talk about the girl," he said.

"I did."

"What do you want me to say?" Caleb asked, sipping from his cup again. "Karina's a good fighter, a good hunter too. Look who her mother is," he said with a half-smile. "Did you expect any different?"

"I just want to know that she can protect herself," Fiona said, though she knew there was more she hoped he could tell her.

Caleb laughed. "She can do more than that," he answered.

Fiona nodded, trying to find the words to express her true concerns. Can she control herself? That was the real question burning in her mind. Will her training in the art of war bring her to ruin?

"Does she behave?" Fiona asked finally.

"Behave?" Caleb snorted. "Better than you ever did."

"I wasn't that bad," Fiona said, trying not to let his teasing touch the true fear she had that Karina would follow in her own footsteps. That the impatience Fiona had passed to her daughter would someday destroy them all.

"You kiddin' me? You were the worse I ever had! And the best of course," he added with a small wink.

Fiona looked away for a moment. It was foolish after all of these years, but she couldn't help but feel a hint of remorse for what she must have put him through so long ago. "I'm sorry Caleb," she said.

"What the hell for?"

"I'm sorry I was so ill-behaved. That I did not respect you as I should have."

"You were a stupid kid, Fee. Besides," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "I think you more than made up for it. You have turned into quite a leader. I know it may not seem it sometimes, but the respect you command among the Senmin is impressive."

"I'm certain Avery Trenton would beg to disagree."

Caleb's smile did not fade. He shook his head slightly. "Avery Trenton was raised to believe that the women of the Initiate might never be trusted. I feel sorry for him in that respect. That prejudice instilled by his family against the female leaders among our people only hurts him in the end. Imagine if the Council was truly willing to work with the Women of the Initiate?

" As I said before, our system of governance is broken. Has been for a long time. The distrust among our own leadership only serves to weaken us." He sighed. "But remember this, Avery has far less power than he likes to think, Fee. You know that as well as I. After all, it is you the King wishes to speak with. You are still the face of the Senmin throughout the Empire."

Fiona was quiet, discomforted by the mention of Henry. She thought of the King's condescending tone as he asked her to recommend him to the Council, of the fight she had had with Manna. Apparently Manna hadn't shared Fiona's qualms about the Crown. That was for the best. Fiona had not come here to think on such matters and knew that to discuss these things with Celeb outside of an official Council meeting was wrong. She certainly could not tell him of her growing desire to reach out to the rebels. Fiona was here for her daughter. She pushed the thoughts away.

As far as Karina is concerned though," Caleb continued with a slight smile. "You've got nothing to worry about. She is strong. She will only get stronger."

Fiona nodded, his words doing nothing to ease her fears.

"What is it?" Caleb asked when the worry in her expression did not fade.

"Manna told you everything did she not? About Karina? The prophesy?"

The smile on his lips faded completely and his expression grew more serious. "She did," he answered.

"I worry Caleb," Fiona said, the words suddenly spilling from her lips uncensored. "I worry that Manna should never have brought my daughter to you. That she should not have forced you to take on this burden of our secret. That she should not have tempted fate in allowing Karina to train in the art of violence."

Caleb was quiet.

"Please say something," Fiona said, desperate to hear him assuage her fears as Manna could not.

"I have seen evil in my life," he said finally. "I served as a soldier. I trained in death. I know well the darkness that can grow inside those who learn the craft of war."

Fiona felt her skin grow cold as she listened to his words, her breath caught in her throat, terrified of the pronouncement he might make on her own child. What if he had seen it too? The danger she feared lurked behind her daughter's irascibility.

"You want to know if I have seen signs of this darkness in Karina."

"I do," Fiona affirmed. Her heart thudding loudly in her chest as Caleb stared back at her, the momentary silence between them unbearable.

"Your daughter is good," He said finally. "I believe that with all my heart. She is certainly a force to be reckoned with, but if I thought that in training her I was nurturing a creature of evil, I never would have agreed to it, no matter what Manna said."

Fiona felt her held breath slowly ease from her clenched teeth as she nodded.

"Can you believe that?" he asked, no doubt seeing the tension she could not bring herself to loose from her body.

"I want to believe it,' she answered. "I trust you. It's just..." she stopped. "Caleb, I fear she is so like me. Peace is not within her nature. Even with all of my training, with my many years acting as the leader of our people, I still find it difficult to resist an urge to fight when I know that I ought to work harder to find another solution. It is a constant struggle I must face."

Fiona was surprised to hear such candidness coming from her own lips. But these truths were ones she knew Manna could never understand as Caleb might. A man who'd lived by the sword. She thought of how easily she felt herself drawn to rebellion against the crown in spite of the danger. Her fear that Karina would have similar reckless tendencies. That without the benefit of past experience the girl would run headlong into danger.

"Karina's potential destiny would make such urges all the more deadly," she continued. "The Council will seek to destroy her someday. You know that as well as I. If she cannot prove that she can control herself..." Fiona trailed off again. She felt Caleb's large calloused hand come to rest on her own.

"Your daughter is strong Fiona, just as you are. Manna might not always understand it, you may try to reject the truth yourself, but sometimes there is cause to fight. It's the way of the world. You are a warrior Fiona and you should accept that fact, not fear it. As for Karina, she will learn balance as you have. I have complete faith in that. I will help her. You will help her."

Fiona could not meet his gaze. "I cannot help her, Caleb. You must know that. I know very well she thinks I hate her. I am not strong enough to be close to her without loving her. I cannot love her without putting her in danger. I have no choice but to leave her care to others."

Fiona felt Caleb's eyes staring as he tried to think of the correct response to her words.

"You don't need to comfort me," she said in response to his silence.

"Wasn't gonna' try,' he answered. "There's not much to say after all. You're right, the Council keeps a close eye on you no question. I can only imagine how hard it is to remain so distant from the girl. But I have no doubt that so much of her goodness comes from you, Fiona. And I know she respects you, even if she is terrified of you as well. Karina's a good kid. You should be proud."

"I am," Fiona said. "And I am grateful to you, Caleb for you willingness to take on such secrets as you have. That you are willing to take on the girl's training in spite of the danger."

"I readily serve the Nita as I serve our people," he answered without pause. "My vows to the Council are not compromised in aiding you and Manna to raise the child. The secrets kept are necessary for the good of the Senmin. Someday things will be different. Your daughter will prove herself, and the Council will be forced to see that their fears of the Initiate are misguided and have been for so long."

Fiona stared at him a moment. He made it sound so simple. As if the Council would easily be swayed to reject their fears of magik, of the Initiate, of prophesy. Fears that had brought about the Council's formation after Astar's death. Fears that were almost intrinsic to their identity.

"You truly believe that," she said, trying to suppress the incredulity in her voice for fear she would offend him.

"I do," he answered.

The conviction in his voice was moving. Fiona was ashamed she had doubted that Caleb remained her true ally. Though she could not share his optimism she did admire it. His words re-instilled a conviction she had feared was slipping. A confidence in the decisions she had made in the past. The decision to keep her child, to fight for what she knew was right. Perhaps the Council would not be convinced easily, but they would see the truth. Caleb would stand by her side. Others would as well. She was the Nita. Karina was destined to be so.

"I am grateful for your faith Caleb Blackwell," She said after a moment.

He smiled. "No gratitude necessary. My faith is well earned." He paused. "But as for you, Fiona Amoral," he said, narrowing his gaze and affecting the harsh tone she remembered from her days training as his student. "You cannot allow fear to dictate your actions. You came here today with fear in your heart. That is the downfall of any true warrior. To fight with fear and uncertainty is to defeat yourself before any enemy can raise a hand against you. You know that.

You must have faith that your convictions will guide your path. It is how I have taught you to live your life. How Manna has taught you as well. Your hardheaded tendencies may serve as an obstacle to achieving your goals, but they are a virtue as well, and your instincts should never be ignored. To do so would be to deny the true strength you possess."

Fiona thought of her daughter, of the King, the Rebellion. Caleb was right. Fear was useless. Strength was meant to be used. She could not suppress her own nature any more than she could hope for her daughter to do so. Manna had made the right decision to send Karina to Caleb.

With his hands grasped around her own. Fiona felt a power return to her that she feared she had lost. She could allow nothing to stand in the way of what she knew was right. She owed it to her people to trust her instincts. To search out the best path for the Senmin to follow even if it was to be risky. It was her job to do so. To see beyond the Council's limited view and use the information she had gained in meeting with Henry, considering other all of her options. As Caleb said, she was Nita. If her path turned her from peaceful resolve with the King, she would force the Council to hear her. To give her the respect her position deserved.

So...What do you think of Caleb and Fiona's relationship? Of Caleb himself? I hope this chapter gave you a bit more of a view into both of these characters paths and maybe more context to who Caleb is, what part he played in Fiona's life, and perhaps a little more understanding of why Manna trusted his with their secret. Next chapter will get us back into the action a bit more and bring the story back to Henry. Remember I had mentioned a new character coming? Well no false alarm this time. You will meet him in chapter 30 ;-). As always, thanks for reading and don't forget to click the star:-)