“Prince Toran Vombay,” Caro hesitated before pushing forward, “he was drawn into the lifecycle by a stranger at his door, claiming some cryptic message had guided her to him.  As it was, it turned out to be true and now that I know what I know, I have to believe that the persuasion to pull him into the lifecycle was up here,” he tapped at his temple, “the god Fythe was behind everything that was happening.  The stranger at his door, she was from Telosia.” He looked over at Lorin, his gray eyes hard and steady.

  The prince knew in that instant what truly mattered. He stepped forward behind his parents and touched his mother’s shoulder.  Elrya twisted, questioning him with her eyes as Lorin looked down.  Slowly her pools widened in realization.  “Bren.” She choked, lifting a shaking hand to her cheek.

Caro nodded.  “Your youngest is carrying a sword, blind in pride to show off to a woman while stumbling forward, unaware that he will be calling a god to battle.”