Song: "Once Upon A Time" by Adrian Von Ziegler

You always told me that heartache was just part of the cloudy days before the sun, Mother. But the clouds have lasted for twelve years. Pots can be mended and the cracks glued together, but how long will it be before the pot becomes more cracks than glass and shatters itself? How many scars can it withstand?

❂❂❂

Three months later, the Guild called for a meeting to discuss the Horde again. Sighing, Light Spinner curtsied in front of Master Norwyn before the cauldron in the Lunarium, keeping as far away from Emeth Muriel as possible. Of course he won't be fired. Why did I even hope for anything otherwise?

Norwyn cleared his throat and spoke. "Light Spinner, I have another errand for you to run. Alone."

Light Spinner pursed her lips from behind her red veil. "What would you have me do?"

Norwyn sighed, running his hand along the outside of the cauldron. "The Guild has offered you a chance to prove yourself one last time. To prove that you can obey, and have the judgment not to rush into dangerous situations."

Light Spinner interlaced her white fingers, the fabric of the gloves digging into her skin. The others' expressions were peacefully interested, as though they were reading a drama about kings and queens instead of dealing with dysfunctional father-daughter relations. After the fiasco following Queen Angella's palace, Light Spinner had made convenient excuses to avoid Norwyn - appealing mostly to Micah's newfound dedication in his studies. Something about his behavior had changed how she felt toward him, more than usual.

Norwyn paused at Light Spinner's expression, possibly reconsidering his decision. "Queen Angella has formed a small meeting in her palace to talk about the Horde that invaded Tropicilas. She sent a letter out to me, but I must send someone else; today I am examining the academy."

Light Spinner crossed her arms, but before she could speak, Festinia groaned. "Don't argue with him on this, for the love of the moons. You're so overdramatic."

"I won't."

Every Guild member looked at her, wide-eyed. Light Spinner tossed her head. "I will expect to hear your solution on how to defeat the Horde. But I recognize my method was inappropriate, so in a gesture of submission..." the words hurt for her to say. "I will obey."

Norwyn smiled. "I knew you and I would see eye-to-eye. Bring the news that Mystacor will not join the Rebellion."

Light Spinner wet her lips, turning to the door, her knuckles clenching the knob. I have control of my powers now. My light hasn't gone off against my will since Illuras; I can hide it from the queen. All will be well. "I will, Master. Thank you."

✧✧✧

Light Spinner rode a mirror to a back room in Bright Moon Palace. If Norwyn's brief report had been everything it claimed to be, Angella was gathering a group of princesses in the same room as Light Spinner to discuss what they could do about the Horde. So much power. Light Spinner didn't belong among them, with her shackled light and her boisterous attitude. And my abandoned runestone studies, she thought, ashamed.

She spoke to herself. "Deep breaths. You're going to go out there, and you'll tell them Norwyn says no. That's all you have to say."

Smoothing her dark red skirts, Light Spinner walked out into the throne room. Royals gathered around a table, taking small treats and eating daintily. Though the food was much better than anything she made at home, Light Spinner wasn't hungry. She hadn't had much of an appetite as of late, especially since Norwyn's words kept returning to her mind.

A sharp claw landed on her shoulder, and she spun around instantly, nearly smacking a small, white-haired Scorpion in the face. The woman stepped back, then uttered the most ferocious laugh Light Spinner had ever heard. "I am so sorry for giving you such a scare, darling!"

Light Spinner swallowed, her body shaking. She loathed parties; the last time she'd attended one was well before she'd gone to Mystacor. "Your Majesty - Princess Estila. I am the Emeth you asked to research the Black Garnet."

Her eyes widened hopefully. "And?"

A shuddering sigh. Go on. "I failed. I can't unlock it. There's some sort of missing piece, a gateway that won't respond to any spells I cast."

Estila's dark eyes were lowered, and the women stood in silence for a moment. "You worked on that for over a year and a half. Is that right, my dear?"

"Tirelessly."

"Then you have nothing to be ashamed of," Estila said. "Angella told me about the boy you took under your claw; with that precious child from my kingdom, it's a surprise to me that you could continue!" With this, she made another operatic laugh that carried upward to the ceiling.

At least she doesn't hold a grudge against me. Before she could give Estila a response, Queen Angella flew upward and addressed everyone. "Welcome to the meeting of the First Rebellion, all kingdoms. I ask you now to sit at the table."

Angella spoke again when everyone was seated. "Light Spinner saved a village from the Horde with the help of her apprentice. You all must know how important this rebellion is. With Mystacor at our side, I predict the Horde will be gone in a few years - possibly a few months."

Wait. Did she say I saved them? Does she know who I am? Moons, she's a figurehead of the Seraphites! What would her church think?

Focus, Light Spinner. This isn't about you. She sighed"Actually, Your Majesty...Mystacor cannot join." Angella widened her violet eyes, her face crumpling. Light Spinner pushed down sympathy for the queen and continued. "I nearly died fighting the Horde, and they could have found where Mystacor is hidden. Mystacor can't risk our sorcerers' deaths by joining."

Angella laced her hands together, dejected. The table was quiet for a long moment. Finally, the queen sighed, placing her forehead on her hands. "We needed Mystacor to get the effort off the ground. Five people who can wield magic is not enough against the Horde. Not anymore."

I know. More than you realize, I know. Light Spinner looked downward as the meeting passed in a blur.

✧✧✧

After the meeting, Queen Angella grabbed Light Spinner's elbow as she attempted to leave. Startled, Light Spinner yanked it out of her grip with an indignant look. The queen folded her hands. "Emeth, would you walk with me?"

Oh, moons. Not this. Anything but this. But she had no choice; she may be a Guild member, but she was also a citizen of Bright Moon, and she was under Queen Angella's rule. She nodded numbly, following Angella down a long corridor full of enormous windows that looked out onto the moat encircling the palace.

Angella traced the wall with her gloved hand. "Do you know why Master Norwyn denied the Rebellion aid?"

Light Spinner clenched her gloved fists, swallowing. "It was because of what I did." Tell me you didn't know about my magic.

Angella tilted her head. "You? I don't understand. You chose of your own accord to endanger yourself to save my people, after I pushed you aside."

"But I'm foolish," Light Spinner said. Steady yourself. "I put my thirteen-year-old apprentice in danger. I was acting as a Guild member, telling them we wanted war. If they'd known about our location, they could have brought the war there."

Angella sighed. "You were brave, Light Spinner. You made mistakes along the way, perhaps, but this operation would be bigger than you. You could help. I know you're strong enough to make a difference."

Light Spinner's voice darkened. "No," she said. "No, I'm not. But I do hope your Rebellion grows, Your Majesty." She gazed vacantly out the window. "It must."

Angella's eyes were sad. "My dear, you of all people must understand that hope will only go so far. You must act - you are a Guild member. Isn't there a way they will listen to you? I fear we cannot start the Rebellion without Mystacor's aid."

"I can't act without going against authority," Light Spinner said. "They never listen to me. It's..." she sighed, shuddering as she answered. "It's because some of them are Seraphites. And according to them, I'm a Fulminate." With this, she ignited her plasma, lighting a tiny plume of flame in the air.

Angella giggled, covering her mouth. "They call that Fulmination?"

Light Spinner's body relaxed. "You don't?" A pause. "I'm no Seraphite, Your Majesty - with respect. But I was afraid that you would...see me the way they do."

Respect for the queen welled in her heart with the reply. "Oh, Light Spinner. I have been the queen of Bright Moon for four hundred years, and do you know what I have learned?"

"What?"

She stepped close, as if telling a secret. "Royalty can be wrong too." She walked away, and an idea began to brew in the corner of Light Spinner's mind.

❂❂❂

Did you know...

● Light Spinner's respect for Queen Angella waned greatly over the years.

● We actually do see Estila in the show, though she isn't mentioned by name. She's in a portrait of Scorpia's family.

Tell me what you think...

● What's different about how Queen Angella treats Light Spinner's power?

● What do you think Light Spinner's idea is for defeating the Horde?