A Dragon Born by Jordan Baker Page A

magic, ready for whatever approached, for they now felt the presence of something or someone powerful.
    There was a light knock at the door to the room.
    Zachary stepped over to it, lifted the iron latch that held it and slowly pushed it open. A moment later, he stepped aside as a young woman entered. She smiled warmly at him as she walked into the room, and she smiled at Stavros as well but she stopped for a moment when she saw Carly. There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes, and she tilted her head for a moment then she smiled at her before moving on. Next, she turned her attention to the bed where Aaron lay, unconscious and she frowned.
    "I see he has not yet awakened," she said, in a voice that sounded both soft and gentle like a summer breeze, yet powerful and unrelenting as gale.
    "Who are you?" Carly asked.
    "My name is Ehlena," she told them, in a voice that was much smaller than it had been a moment ago. "I am the daughter of King Toren Al-Aran of Aghlar and Lady Elara of the House of Valamyr and I am a friend."
    "Why are you here?"
    "Aaron saved my life. He helped me once, when I was in need, and I would like to help him now."
    "Curious," Zachary said. "I find myself believing everything you say, yet I trust no one. What are you?"
    "She speaks the truth, but not all of it," Stavros said, his eyes shimmering black with power, but with a warm smile on his face. The grey-robed mage knelt on one knee. "She is the Lady."
    "Rise, Stavros," Ehlena said, her voice registering with power once more. "I do not require obeisance from those who serve me."
    "Nonsense." Zachary was skeptical. "You are but a girl, yet you have great power about you. How is this possible?"
    Stavros rose to his feet. "I do not know how, only that it is true."
    "You follow your own path, Zachary," Ehlena said, her voice powerful again. "This has always been your way, but you are not alone, for I have seen your joys and your pains and would give you solace if you so desired it, even though I know you will never accept the gifts that I offer. Stavros has paid respect to me, and for that we are grateful and give him protection as we are able. Know this, Zachary, there is one who seeks your undoing and many who follow him seek this as well. Now that I have returned to this realm, I might safeguard those who honor me, but those who stand alone must also face the shadows alone. I do not know your fate, but I can tell you this; the one who seeks you is driven by fear, for he knows you are a threat to his design."
    "You speak of this one god that the priesthood follows," Zachary said.
    "I do."
    "Let him try," Zachary said.
    "That is why he fears you," Ehlena told him, with a smile on her lips. "You are powerful, mage, and you have within you great potential, but you must guard against the shadows, for they may consume you."
    "I will try to remember that," Zachary said. "Now how can you help my son?"
    "He is lost within himself. I will call to him. I do not know if he will hear me, for there are those who choose to remain lost," Ehlena said then she paused and stared directly at Carly for a moment before continuing. "Nonetheless, I will try."
    "What do you mean by choosing to remain lost?" Carly asked. Something about the girl's words bothered her, but she could not figure out why.
    "I meant exactly what I said," Ehlena told her. "Some choose to lose themselves. The mage, Zachary, tried to accomplish such a thing, but it is not in his nature to remain silent. Aaron has been hidden from himself for so long that he does not know himself and there are things he must face that will be painful for him. His challenge is very difficult. As for you, Carly, you too are lost. It is a choice you made, but I think you do not remember it. Perhaps, in time, you will, but it is good to see you here, helping this young man."
    "How do you know my name?" Carly asked. "How do you know all of our names?"
    "I now know many things," Ehlena said. "It is a gift, the power of the