The sun had to wake Hero the following morning. He lied there listening to the world around him for a moment. The shuffling of servants outside his door, the wind on the rooftop."

                He tied on his bandanna and headed down for breakfast. The servants greeted and bowed to him as he made his way to the dining room.

                "Good morning Your Highness." The doormen bowed and said in unison before pushing open the gilded doors. Hero inhaled the aroma of breakfast and nodding to the doormen entered the dining room. Before he could spout a good morning he froze.

                "Good morning, Hero." Lahar said.

                Hero looked down the table stretching all the way to the bow window on the opposite wall. It was empty except where Lahar sat. "Where is everyone?"

                "Kiva refused to come down and your father lost his appetite. Then Uhua got mad at Kiva and the Queen went to comfort her."

                Hero scoffed. "Seems all the wars only happen when my eyes are closed." He  took a seat next to Lahar. He sat in silence for a while trying to not disturb Lahar as she finished her breakfast. "What are we going to do about Kiva?"

                Lahar smiled, "I'll handle Kiva." She said waving for a servant to bring Hero food. "You only be a good boy to your mother and your father."

                Hero chuckled. "You always talk so old now."

                Lahar laughed. "Being married to your brother will do that." She said as a bowl of grits was put before Hero. "Now eat up, and we'll see if we can't bring this family back in harmony."

                Lahar always left him feeling refreshed and as she went to talk to the Queen, Hero sought out his father. He checked the throne room and the garden and the bedroom. He was heading back up to his room when he passed the Ambassador's wife.

                "Mrs. Quebec?" He stopped her in the hall.

                "My Prince," The swan curtsied daintily. She then folded her wings so that they were once again hidden beneath her violet floral cloak. "Might I help you with anything?"

                "My father, please." Hero said.

                "Oh," Mrs. Quebec said, her hazel eyes hiding something. "He's gone up to the tower..."

                "The tower?" Hero frowned.

                "Yes well..."

                "Mrs. Quebec, I beg you. So much in this family has been kept from me will you tell me what's going on?"

                Menrai sighed and bowed her head. "Forgive me my Prince, but it is not my place to inform you." She motherly straightened his bandanna. "Go to your father...all you are wondering you shall shortly know."

                Hero started running back the way he had come. "Thank you Mrs. Quebec!" He shouted over his shoulder.

                "Hero's bedroom was the highest in the palace on the second floor. The only room higher was the tower that stood to the west end of the palace. On stormy days a torch was lit to guide people through the weather so they could take shelter in the palace walls. Hero ran up the narrow stairwell until he reached the first level of the two in the tower. The second level was where the flame was kept.

                The old wooden door was already opened so he walked right in. The opposite wall was a large open window that led out to a ledge. A vine had grown up the tower and now reached its fingers even on the inside through the gapping window.

                King Saber, Advisor Desono and Ambassador Akra stood at the window with four messengers before them. Four owls of various kinds, each with a satchel over their backs.

                They bowed a bow fit for a prince as he approached alerting his father to his presence.

                "Hero, good morning," the King said. "Sorry I couldn't make breakfast."

                Hero looked at the messengers as they stood at attention at the orders of Akra. "To the south!" Akra shouted and the first owl took flight into the windy morning. "To the north!" He said next and off flew the second. "To the east," Akra said and the third took to the sky fighting against a stiff wind. "Godspeed son." Akra encouraged him.

                "Why are we sending out the messengers?" Hero asked.

                Saber looked somber as the last messenger took to the sky. Father and son watched until the last of them faded from view into the overcast morning.

                "I got a message this morning, before dawn," the King said. " Eastern Tangia has fallen to the Mounts and everyone in the army city has been taken captive."

                "Even the King?" Hero questioned.

                Saber dismissed Akra and Desono then nodded to his son. "Even the King. Queen Sungari left a week ago with her entourage and a few refugees. No one knows their whereabouts. "

                Hero looked down at his paws as the wind whipped in his bandanna and fur. "What does that mean?"

                "It means if Sapinfree and Carn were hoping for any aid they won't be getting it," King Saber said. "The message also said that Carn is ready to sue for peace. They've lost five princes already; and the youngest barley knows how to fight."

                "I'm sorry for them." Hero looked down and said. "What will you do?"

                King Saber inhaled through his nostrils and turned away from the window. "I will follow my plan and confront the Mount army before they get here." He said as he descended the stairs with Hero behind him.

                "But, Father," Hero said. "They killed our royal cousins in Carn. They killed the Queen of Carn and five of her sons..." He pushed past his father then jumped in his path. "If they can slaughter the Carninese Royal Family, incarcerate the Tangian Royal Family then what will they do to us? Us father the primitive kings."

                Saber squeezed around his son and continued down the stairs. "I already know what they will do," he said. "And I'm prepared to stop them before my family and my people go the ways of the other kingdoms and empires."

                Akra and Desono were waiting at the landing and when the King arrived the three of them walked off in perfect unison. Hero ran after them.

                "The Eshkopeans tried ignoring them, and everyone else has tried to fight." Saber explained to his son. "So the Nagorins will do it the best way they can."

                Hero stopped and his father and his company continued up the hall. He quickly found his mother in her boudoir with Lahar and Uhua. He ran into the pale pink room soiling the soft carpet with muck from the tower. He flung himself on her and buried his face in her chest.

                "My dear boy, you must not be upset." His mother comforted him.

                "How can I not be upset?" Hero wept. "My father is marching to his death."

                "What does Hero mean?" Uhua asked.

                Lahar put aside her knitting. "Come, Uhua." She said. "We should find Kiva."

                The Queen was thankful her daughter didn't protest as she was led out of the room. When they had gone and the doors had closed she raised Hero's chin and smiled at him.

                "You must not fear for your father," she said. "He is a strong, brave king." She dried his tears and rubbed his ears. "He's doing it the best way he can; the only way Nagorins know how."

                "Why can't we just run?" Hero asked. "All of us together."

                "Because your father must set an example for our people. He must preach peace, advocate peace. What message would it send if we abandoned them?"

                "But Mama, the Mounts don't want peace, they want to control everyone who is not like them." Hero said.

                "My poor one." Naogora said and gathered her son closer to her. "I always wished from the day you were born that I could keep you innocent; that a war like those of our ancestors would never come in your time. You've always been my inspiration, my hearer of the wind, my Hero."

                Hero rested his head on his mother's chest. "Me?"

                "Yes, you were always so different from Kiva." Naogora said. "He knows how to think but you know how to feel. Just like the wind."

                Hero closed his eyes and Naogora quickly dried her tears as she rubbed his back. She knew better, than to get her hopes up. She knew that in the morning when she said goodbye to her King that she would be losing him forever. But Saber, the son of a trader from Nagoray's east coast had proved himself a wonderful King. He had resolved to uphold Nagoray's honor even if it meant his death.

                As it was on the following day the court assembled all and Saber took his place on the palace steps as the nation assembled before him. They cheered him on, the great next to the small, each pleased to have a courageous King. Naogora smiled at her husband who looked magnificent in his crown and robes.

                He looked to his left at Hero and Uhua and Lahar. He caught her eye and she shrugged at the empty space where Kiva should have been. Nevertheless Saber nodded to Desono who howled to silence the crowds. Saber took a deep breath and stepped up to the platform.

                "Citizens of Nagoray." He began,

                "Long live the King!" They echoed back to him.

                Saber suppressed the urge to weep at their loyalty. He closed his eyes to press in the tears and sniffled. "I come to you today because it has been decided for us that we cannot live in peace. I ask all of you to be strong as these dark hours come upon us. Remember your heritage...remember it no matter what happens, no matter what they say or do. They can kill us all but they cannot destroy what is in our hearts...they cannot destroy our love, our determination—"

                Hero felt his heart aching as he watched his father speak from the platform. He could see the tears streaking though his yellow fur.

                "And they cannot take away our faith." Saber said. He looked back at his family and to Kiva's missing place.

                Hero turned around to where Desono sat with his family and found Elim. "Where is he?" He asked.

                "I don't know." The dark wolf said.

                "Let us pray." Saber said and a sigh passed through the crowd as heads were bowed.

Hero opened his eyes when his shoulder was bumped.

                "Sorry I'm late." Kiva said.

                Hero stared at his brother, wearing a soldier's helmet. "What do you think you are doing?"

                "Shhh." Uhua hissed at his other side.

                "Amen." Said the King

                "Amen!" The crowd returned.

                Saber turned from the platform again and smiled when he saw his eldest child had finally arrived. "Excuse me." He said to the crowd. He hopped down from the platform and approached Kiva who saluted him. "Kiva, what are you doing."

                "I'm going with you to meet the Mounts." Kiva said. "Don't try to stop me dad."

                "Kiva, you have a wife and siblings to look after and I need you to be here for your mother. Take off that ridiculous helmet."

                "If you can face them, I can face them. You were born a commoner, dad, but I was born a prince. It's my right and my duty to defend Nagoray and every way possible. Why shouldn't a Crown Prince go with his father in times of distress?"

                "Because I need you here."

                "Please father, let me do this." Kiva pleaded. "I have to."

                "No." Saber said.

                "Father," Kiva said. "I have to tell you something, about Eshkope and the message—"

                "For the last time Kiva." Saber said. "You are not coming, your duty is here."

                "Father, please listen to what he has to say." Hero tried to help.

                "Stay out of this Hero." Saber said. "I have one rebellious, good for nothing son I don't need another."

                "Fine." Kiva said turning his back.

                Saber went back to the podium and Naogora stared after her son. "Kiva, wait. Stay and say goodbye to your father."

                Kiva stopped and turned around. "No, Mother." He said. "I'm a useless good for nothing son." He started away again, this time not looking back not matter how many times his mother called.

                The crowd was still overwhelmed with ecstasy as their King addressed them. "As you all know," He said. "Tomorrow marks the beginning of the seven day Festival of the Harvest. I, your king will not be here but I ask that you continue with the festivities!"

                The crowd roared at this.

                "My son Hero will lead you in the celebrations." He nodded to Hero behind him and as the crowd cheered the young Prince wished he was far away.

                "Long live the King!" The crowd chanted. "And long live Prince Hero!"

                Banners were raised and trumpets sounded as Saber stepped down from the podium. His expedition consisted of his ambassadors and his advisers none of which had ever fought in a war before. Saber turned to his family and first approached his wife.

                "Do you think I'm crazy?" He asked her.

                Naogora put both paws on him. "I think we've reached the point where we have little else to choose."

                He kissed her and went next to Hero. "My dreamer" He smiled and Hero threw his arms around his father's neck. "Promise me my son; promise you will never stop dreaming. Never stop believing."

                "I promise." Hero said and his father had to break the embrace. He tried to hold his head up as his father passed on to Uhua next to him and then to Lahar. Finally the pain in his heart broke him and he bowed his head in agony over his sorrow.

                The crowd cheered again and began to part so the King could walk through. They tossed flowers into the air and Hero thought it the most beautiful sad thing he had ever seen. He looked between him and his mother to where Kiva had been.

                "Father." He whispered then glanced around for Kiva. The two couldn't part on these terms. "Father!" He shouted and ran into the cheering throng. He was bounced back pushed shoved and nearly stepped on as everyone vied for a chance to be near King Saber. "Father!" Hero screamed then felt someone pull him up by his bandanna and sat him back on the steps.

                "Thanks Imook." Hero said and the wolf nodded. He watched the crowd draw away from the palace no longer able to see his father. He sat on the steps long after the cheering had faded and the crowds had gone home. Only an empty courtyard decorated with fallen flowers remained of the event that had taken his father from him.

                The first drop of rain he felt landed on his paw then musically pattered onto the steps and grass and trees. It took the role of thunder to jar him out of his trance. He tilted his head back, letting the rain splash onto his face and sting his eyes.

Hero avoided the company of his family all day. Soon the shadows began to crawl across the floor then possess his bedroom fully. Finally deciding that he should at least show for dinner he got up and went downstairs.

                He was halfway to the dining room when Mrs. Quebec stopped him. "Prince Hero, I was just coming up to get you."

                "Am I late for dinner?" Hero asked as thunder rocked the air.

                "No," Menrai said. "Your mother is asking for you. Come." Menrai led Hero out into one of the inner courtyards. The rain had stopped and he could hear the soft gurgles of the overfilled fountain. Lightning flashed high in the clouds turning the welcoming courtyard into a frightening ruin.

                "There." Menrai pointed to the far end of the courtyard where Hero noticed his mother stood with a lantern.

                She turned around and raised her sheer black veil so Hero could see her face. "Menrai," The Queen said and the swan presented herself. "See to it that Kiva gets to dinner and tell Uhua to mind him."

                Menrai nodded.

                Naogora hung her lantern at the courtyard gate. "Come Hero." She said and led him out.

                Hero looked over his shoulder at Menrai who stood calmly in the courtyard. She gave him a reassuring smile then gestured for him to catch up to his mother.

                Hero was looking over his shoulder when they reached the palace wagon. The driver, a large draft horse, bowed his head to them. "The usual evening ride, Your Majesty?"

                "Not tonight, Bash'i." Naogora said as she climbed into the wagon and lowered her veil. "The Temple please.

                "As the crow flies, Your Majesty." Bash'i said and the wagon lurched forward tossing Hero to the other end.

                He always hated drawn wagon rides and only took them when necessary. The Festival of the Harvest was one of those times. On the last day the family would parade through the streets in a white and gold procession.

                Hero observed his mother in the wagon. He could just barely make out the outline of her face behind the veil. He looked at swinging wagon lanterns and listened to Bash'i's hooves on the stones as he pulled the wagon through the town.

                "Mama?" Hero said and the veil looked up at him from across the wagon. "Why are we going to the temple?"

                "It calms me." Naogora said. "When we were girls, Mrs. Quebec and I would race from the school just a few minutes away. We always carried one copper coin to deposit at the temple. Then I'd listen to her sing in the choir."

                "Oh" Hero said, his ears perking up. "Is that why she teaches at the school now?"

                Naogora nodded. "This year's students are quiet impressive, she tells me. You may consider letting them perform at the festival."

                Hero turned around in his seat as the glow of the temple came into view. He had forgotten about that new task but he didn't let his mother see that it was a burden to him. "Maybe I will."

                Before they reached the temple gate they could hear the choir singing. Hero had to squint his eyes at the bright light reflecting off the limestone setting the courtyards aglow in the night. Before entering the sanctuary Naogora straightened her veil.

                "Wait for me here." She instructed Hero.

                Hero watched his mother glide through the silk curtains that separated the sanctuary from the inner courtyard. He couldn't recall her ever before looking so regal. He watched her through the waving curtains as she bowed her head and folded her paws near the warm glow of one of the fire bowls that adorned the sanctuary.

                Naogora could feel her veil brushing against her lips as it shifted in the breeze. She could taste her salty tears as she poured out her heart. For a moment all seemed quiet around her and she was only aware of the beating of her heart and her soft prayers pouring over her lips. She felt someone next to her and looked up.

                "Praying for safe passage?" Gavery the barn owl asked her.

                "High Priest." Naogora said, using her veil to dab her tears. "No," She sniffled. "No I was praying for my family; praying that this doesn't break our spirit." They both looked into the dancing flames of the fire bowl, listening to the soft song of the choir that filled the silence. "Kiva and Saber, they always argue, I worry Uhua will grow apart from us, Lahar feels like a stranger and Hero...I worry for them all, especially Hero."

                Gavery put his wing around her. "Well my dear, you've come to the right place." He led her into another courtyard were other servants of the temple were walking among the garden. He sat her down on the steps and took both her paws. "I've heard the news of the other Kingdoms, and this worries me for you. You must promise old Gavery that when the time comes...you will leave Nagoray."

                Naogora looked around then finally raised her veil. "But—"

                "Think of it as a winter." Gavery said. "No matter how harsh, no matter how unbearable...no matter what, spring will always come. As will the time when peace is restored."

                One of the other temple servants, Gavery's sister Sweet, approached. "A word, High Priest?"  

                Gavery got up from the steps rubbing his bones. "Of course."

                Naogora sat for a moment then she jumped up. "Gavery!" She called out to him familiarly and he turned around. "How will I know when it is spring?"

                Gavery Honey laughed. "Dear child," He said. "When the flowers bloom."