"We have to go. It's urgent," Aqila expressed to Kavi.

"I figured, I'll prepare the owls. Cirocco and Brisa of Kashmala, it was an honor to be in your presence. I am looking forward to continuing our discussion," he bowed his head in respect before walking away.

Aqila walked up to her parents and hugged them, "I'm so happy to have met you and relieved to know that you missed me."

"Of course we missed you, we love you, and nothing will change that," Brisa cupped her daughter's face. Cirocco placed a sweet kiss on her forehead as they embraced.

"You're always a part of the family. Take care of yourself on your mission, sis. Love you!"

Aqila started for Talon, "I love you too," she whispered.

The pair were steadied on their dashers and proceeded to leave the snowy mountain in the farthest part of Kashmala.

Kavi eyed Aqila as they flew off, "So what's up?"

"Jai's in trouble at Tora's place. I have to go immediately. I hate to be missing the dinner your parents planned."

"They'll understand. Just be careful. If I was in position, I would accompany you. However, that is not the case."

"I'll be careful, I promise. Just to ease your mind, I will gather some medical supplies in Wyndhm before I set off."

"You won't need to. Just wait for me at the border. I'll bring some of what I have. If you're pressed for time, it will save you a trip in the opposite direction."

"I appreciate it. Kavi, were things going well... with my parents?"

He sighed a long, heavy sigh, "I'm not sure. I would like to think that things were going well. I was expecting more questions about our plans, but they were asking more questions about me and my future role as ruler. It was somewhat unusual. But I won't get a feel of things until they have dinner with my parents."

"How were they questioning your plans for rulership? What does that have to do with our marriage?"

"Aqila, it could have everything to do with our marriage. For the first time, I realized how much our roles could affect our future and the future of the Windmasters. A ruler and a seer have never been married before. A ruler and a legend have never been married before except when Aenon married Avala. And we know how that turned out. I don't think that's a problem with the Windmasters. We believe in change, catapulting growth. But the rest of the world may have a serious problem with it. And that's what I believe your parents wanted me to realize."

"I never thought about that," Aqila murmured and swallowed hard. "Kavi, if it comes to it-"

"You had better not complete that sentence," he cut her off. "If it comes to it, I won't be the next ruler of Kashmala, and I have no problems with that."

"Kavi, don't you have worked so hard for this, your parents' expectation. They want this for you. Think of how horrible I would feel to know that I robbed you of your destiny for my selfish desires."

Kavi chuckled, "Do you hear yourself? That's exactly why you're the one I love. Great love requires great sacrifice. When I first asked my father about marrying you, he said, 'A ruler has never married a seer before. Her training could take years. How will you wait that long? How do you know it's love and not lust? Will you fight for her tomorrow, like you fight for her now?' I told him I could not accept a future for myself where you were not my wife. I was ready to give up being a ruler then and there. I have cousins that are groomed for official positions that would rule Kashmala well. Succession would never be a problem. Aqila, your stars were set in place when you were born to be a seer and a legend. You can't change that. I don't have to be a ruler to live a great life. I have plenty of talents and strengths. I could be a professor, scientist, political consultant, or whatever. But I can't live a great and fulfilling life without you. I'm honored that you would sacrifice the cries of your heart, but that will not be necessary. I will make sure of it."

"That means the world to me. I wish I could do my part at dinner, but trust I will support your decisions faithfully."

"I never questioned that," he looked down, "I will meet you at the border in a few minutes." Sterling spiraled down towards the Capitol. Talon and Aqila flew off towards the border shared with Theyra. Hearing Kavi's determination for marriage eased Aqila's mind. She didn't want to be worried about that and Jai's well-being. She believed the Universe would guide everyone to the best decision.

As Talon hovered over the cliff-like terrain of the border, Aqila wondered how Boaz had fared. He must have been successful in retrieving Jai anytime he was at Tora's house. She silently prayed that nothing else would happen to anyone before she arrived.