The next day, she stayed in bed and slept, she was still having effects from the beat down. Even though the healer had done most of the healing, there was still something he hadn't healed all the way. Though that was probably her fault as she had most likely distracted him as he told her about Alexander. Maids came in and out between her feverish delirium that had come in early morning. They gave her broth and changed out her cool cloth on her forehead. A knock sounded and creaked open. A chair scraped across the floor to her side.

"Morris?" She opened her eyes and faced Alexander. He looked tired and red eyed.

"Yes?"

I want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Who was that man beneath the mask?" Morris blew air out and closed her eyes.

"Someone from my past." She said weakly

"Yes but who?" She felt pressure on the bed. And saw him leaning on the edge with his forearms. His face was intense.

"It was Nyle."

"Nyle. What was he doing there?"

"I don't know Alexander."

"How do you know it was him?" Morris turned from him.

"I asked you a question Ms. Rossa." He said, his voice hard

"He said something that he had promised to only say if we were in danger." Alexander sighed

"I don't mean to press. It's just that I, well he interfered Morris. You didn't actually kill the Zuki." She rolled back towards him

"So?" She moved her eyes back and forth between his eyes

"So. The queen will not make you a warrior, which means she may tell the kingdoms your secret." Morris sat up but winced.

"She'd do that?" Alexander shook his head back and forth

"I don't know. But if I request a word with her, maybe I can see just what she is up to."

"Is there a way I can have a do over?"

"I will try." He rose and left. Morris quietly cried. It was just one thing after the other. She needed comfort. Like someone from home. Like her mother. A knock sounded on her door and Thryn poked his head in, Morris smiled and wiped her tears.

"Thryn! Hello."

"Hello Morris." He said as he climbed up on the bed and sat cross legged facing her.

"How are you?"

"Quite well, but I hear you're sick." He frowned

"Oh it's nothing. It shall pass soon."

"Good. I hope you're not too sick."

"Why?"

"Because I have a surprise." He rushed off the bed and opened the door. Morris waited with anticipation. A yellow dress entered the room, Morris followed it up to a face. She broke down sobbing as the woman rushed to her side and rocked her back and forth.

"Hallo Mein Liebe." She said softly into her ear.

"Oh mama!" She cried as she gripped her mothers neck tightly. They held each other close until the tears receded. Tryna pulled a hanky from her sleeve and wiped her daughters tears away

"Oh Morris! How much we've missed you!"

"And you have no idea how much I've missed all of you too."

"You look well for a woman who just got beaten up." Tryna chuckled softly.

"You know about that?"

"Yes. When word came that The PeaceKeeper was going to kill a Zuki, I knew I had to go there."

"Oh mamma. I feel like I failed you." Tryna grabbed her and

"But you did not. It was an unfair fight. You are not used to killing Zuki's. I know that was difficult.

"It was mamma. All I wanted to do was help it."

"I know you did." There was a pause then "Uh Morris?"

"Yes?"

"Has Nyle come to visit?"

"No, why?

"I know it was him who helped you. He would do anything to protect you. But apparently the queen-" She paused and looked down.

"The queen what?" Morris pressed.

"We just received word from the village gossiper that the queen wants his head." Morris gasped as her mother stood and began to pace, wrapping the hanky around her finger.

"But why? He did nothing wrong."

"He interfered Morris. He did your job. The job the PeaceKeeper would have done instantly." Tryna said her voice becoming angry

"Well it's not my fault he jumped in."

"It's not but-but the warrior ministry is very angry and thinks that you have led them astray. Your stories of killing Zuki's and dangerous things spread everywhere, people think that you are amazing and have no fear."

"But it's true! I did kill other things. Just not the Zukis. But I guess me not killing ths Zuki in the ring made it seem like the stories are fake. Either I had someone help me or someone did it and gave me the credit."

"Correct."

"Is anyone trying to find Nyle?"

"Yes." She sighed. "Your father is secretly trying to locate him. As you know, if you are found helping someone who is wanted.."

"You die." Morris said softly as her mother sat back down

"Yes. So we must pray to the spirits that your father will stay safe."

"I will."

Now I must get going before the darkling comes back."

"He doesn't know you're here?"

"No, no one does. But I needed to make sure you were okay."

"You are brave mother. Thank you for telling me. Tell Nej and Kleine I love them and give pappa a hug."

"I will Mein Liebe." Her mother kissed her and began to walk to the door. A thought crept into Morris's head

"Wait! Mother?"

"Yes?"

"The queen couldn't have given the orders to kill Nyle."

"What do you mean?" Her mother asked, becoming nervous.

"I mean she wouldn't have known it was him. What are you not telling me?" Her mother fiddled with her fingers.

"I didn't want you to know because it is not a good thing. I want to protect you but I know I can't."

"What isn't safe?" Her mother went to her and grabbed her hand.

"It was the Heretic that put out the order."

"He what?"

"That's what I heard. He doesn't like that Nyle helped you."

"But that's no reason to kill."

"It's not no. But this is what he does, kills for no reason. You need to watch your back."

"I shall mother I shall." She said gripping her mothers hand one last time as Thryn took her out. Morris punched the pillow as anger set in. Everything was going astray because of her. She couldn't let that happen. She rose, wincing through the pain and dressed in a blue leather outfit similar in style to the one she wore in the ceremony. She braided her hair and with quiet feet went out into the hallway. She couldn't wait for a visit from Okeen, it was time to hear the rest of the story. Now. She snuck down the hallway slowly, hiding in shadows as guards and maids ambled past her talking quietly. Walking to the corner before the door, she peeked around it to see two guards there. She needed a distraction but what? "Yes. Used to burn everything." Yenda's voice echoed in her mind. She snapped her fingers and went into the kitchen. She went to the fireplace and put a cloth to it allowing it to illuminate. Then she took it to the curtains on the window and set it ablaze. Once it was strong enough and she began coughing, she ran to the guards

"Fire! Fire!" She shouted. The guards ran towards her

"Where?"

"The kitchen.' She followed them

"How did it happen?"

"I don't know, I was walking by and saw it."

"Go get some water. And you, get out of here." Morris sped out of there and slipped out the door, now unaware of the frigid air. She didn't know exactly how to get to Okeen's hut but she figured one had to know where he was. So up the mountain she went to find out just how big a monster the Darkling was.