Ember Leo stood before the circle of those who had gathered to find solace before the storm. The huge weaving that was their metal and stone Tapestry of the Ages stood behind her. She finished her heroic tune upon her flute, and began to speak. "I will tell you a tale that is known in the Hall of Heroes, a story of greatness, and you find comfort from your worries and fears in it." And it was thus she told the tale as she had heard it so many years ago within the teachings of her own youth.

* * *

It was the time of the challenge. The coming darkness loomed as an ominous shadow intruding onto a spectacular sunset that splashed along the horizon. Valiant turned once again to take a long look over his right shoulder. He scanned the flow of mist blue fields that disappeared into a glistening edging of gold along the deep purple and scarlet sky. Barely perceptible in the far away distance, he could see a shimmering of movement. He knew it was the flapping of wings. Many wings. A gray mass soared low along the shadowed rock that glittered in the fading sunlight, raging forward in obsessive pursuit. These were the Racia rodent beasts, the mindless cousins of the Elea dragons that he had trained and worked with so well during the Helix Wars. But with these creatures there was no comparison in intelligence or trainability. Outside of invisible bloodlines there was nothing to associate the two breeds as being from the same family. These predators were despicable brutes. And the time was soon coming for a violent confrontation. Valiant wasn't in any rush to bring it about. These tenacious monsters were difficult enough to conquer one on one, let alone having the task of waging war on a full hunting pack. For Valiant, fear was not an issue; there was no time to even consider it. But he knew that he must make it a real element for the Racia dragons. He must startle them with just the smallest recognition that their mission was hopeless, and they would fall back and rely on their natural survival instinct of panic and retreat. Neither sword nor magic alone would be enough to triumph over them; it was essential that he maximize both. The accurate lightmissiles from his laserlance wouldn't be fully adequate to send them scowling and whimpering in the opposite way he must travel. There were far too many of them, and delivering ample strikes would be a fatal problem. Racias could move as swift and dart as sharply on assault angles as any winged hunter that moved in the Universe. Humans had no more of a chance than a moth fleeing a bat in the night when it came to escaping Racia dragons. Most minds could not handle the awareness of such terrifyingly slim hope and still have the courage to grapple with the intense pressure of combat against these ferociously ugly monsters. Compared to a Racia, gargoyles would seem pretty. Even worse, no concept of benevolence existed within their narrow demonic intelligence. It would require the wisdom of the Magi. It demanded a knowledge of the Racias' most acute perceptions of fear, and the ability to magnify that fear into an overpowering presentation of threat. And the threat must implode within the tiny splinter of brain, that minuscule aspect of their understanding, that held their even smaller imaginations. Not an easy task even for the bravest and strongest of Defenders.

Many solar cycles ago, Valiant had taken his vow before the Brethren as an honored new member in The Brotherhood of White Knights. It was a cherished and highly sought after position. White Knights represented all the very best in humankind continuous throughout the entire Universe. And White Knights knew no fear except what they observed in others. Now an Elder, Valiant's vow was one that he would hold for time in memoriam. He had sworn an Allegiance to all who were in need of protection, regardless of the levels of evil, no matter how great or small. And the vow was to honor and to serve and to defend. Always; without fail. It was incontrovertible. It was for all lifetimes, through all of time, and across all space. Nothing could ever change it; it was the ultimate definition of a permanent and petrel commitment. It celebrated an element of character that acknowledges the greatest values that human existence has to share, and protectively perpetuates those values throughout all entreaty. It was the heart and soul of The Defender. Very few White Knights ever reached that status.

Valiant shook his head and laughed. There was an entertaining element of humor in how easily the Princess Airisa had attempted to toss all of this away from herself like a dirty piece of clothing, like a rag unwashed and unkempt. But she had placed herself in danger and her mission and quest in jeopardy. There was nothing funny about that. She was walking in snout infested waters, and because she was the subconscious creatress of all of these problems, the difficulties would devour her alive should she fail to recognize that single fact. That element was not the least humorous or entertaining. It caused him again to shake his head, this time grimacing. What purpose or interest could she have in the Babylonian solar system? This ~and the dragons~ certainly added a sufficient challenge for the day. But as a White Knight, an Elder of the Circle, this was why he lived and breathed air. To succeed against the Racia dragons would be magnificent. To succeed in protecting the pathway of Princess Airisa's quest would be the ultimate level of fulfillment. There was none higher. Nothing was simpler to comprehend. He was her Defender.

He turned to check the Racia dragons once again. He noted no recognizable change in their flight distance. Before him he saw the thinly etched outline of the Cragin Stone, a long ridge of dangerous, jagged rock that crossed his entire plane of vision. This area would provide excellent battleground and shelter. With a deep breath he began to glide slowly along a time crease, just within the edge of the outer flow of the energy stream. He would reach the Cragin Stone in four-point-35 and that would allow plenty of time to lay a snare for the Racian menace.

Valiant closed his eyes and began to sing the Hymn of the Order of the Brotherhood. This would be the greatest of times. This achievement would become legend. It was absolute divine destiny. In the Realm of Spirit this was already written as history. His path, as always, was a victorious one. Since all is choice, there always were other methods, other selections, but there could be no other result. All being choice, he had chosen this path to this place upon this very day to accept no other result than triumph. He opened his eyes. He was at the Cragin Stone. He was at the place where it all would begin, just as certainly as it was the place where it also would end. All things are a circle, regardless of the illusions that exist for no other purpose than to convince one it is otherwise. All things are energy; all energy moves in a spiral; a spiral is an extended circle viewed from the side; all things are a circle. Within that circle we are each of us joined to the source of all energy and to each other. The Code and Circle of the Brotherhood taught it with sheer simplicity to everyone who took a seat at the Table of Knowledge. And if this was the beginning, then he had found and established the end. And on this day, the Cragin Stone was where that was to be. He had picked his spot well. Here he would stand and here they would die.

The Terrarium Gardens of Hinterland existed as a fabled part of Babylonian lore. Babylon itself remained the final bastion of the ancient capitalistic endeavor, an old and crumbling anachronism in a rapidly evolving galaxy. Detestable as the decadence of the city was to the Princess Airisa, she could not resist the temptation to sit and bask in the hanging floral gardens that tiered off the balconies. Their beauty and magnitude was extraordinary. They ran the entire edge of a giant circular structure housing the main park. It was the largest enclosed terraced garden facility in the solar system. Built by the Food for Thought restaurant chain that employed one tenth of the Babylon Empire and fed the rest, it was a celebration of natural growth from around the world and across the stars. She had come thinking she would pray and meditate, possibly even sing and dance. To her dismay, she had been distracted by the enormous amount of visitors who were at the Gardens. This appeared to be the conditions every day. However, she had been pleasantly astounded by the brashness of some of the other youth. In this time away from Valiant, her teacher and Defender, she was truly enjoying herself. Sometimes she felt that Valiant, in his love and devotion for her, was too overly cautious in protecting her. Too sheltering. She was even beginning to think that a periodical trip to Babylon was just what she had been needing all along.

Valiant watched as the Racia gathered a few hundred yards out, building their fire to attack in a high-pitched chatter. He closed his eyes, calmly dropping his consciousness deeply into a peaceful place within himself. Images of the battle and his conquest over these low-minded foes quickly flew through his thoughts. He asked She Who Holds All Magic to select at the proper moment his actions and the mystical manner to overcome these foes, and to preserve and protect him in the nobility and service of his mission. And, having spoke it, he knew with total faith that it would be so.

Voices came from the Rio Suega Veranda and spilled out into the main gardens. They joined the clamor of the people relaxing and playfully spending a pleasant day at the park. The Princess Airisa laughed and giggled at the young man who had joined her. He could barely contain his excitement.

"So you say you are from ... where? You are so wonderful! I've really never met anyone quite like yourself." He joined her laughter, then proceeded with his placations. "Do you need an earning position? Would you like to work for me? I'm really very rich, you know, and I could bring you many gifts and..."

"My Defender brings me all the gifts I need. I come from a world so beyond your thoughts that you could not even pronounce its name ... but you might visit me there someday ... if you knew where it was." She tossed and swirled her magnificent gown of sheer layered silk. As she spoke, the metallic sheen of rainbow colors blended into a distracting array of pastels that flashed about her as he tried to concentrate on the delicately fine features of her face and the thick, cascading black hair that fell along her shoulders and down her back.

"Oh, come, please tell me," he laughed in a manner that he knew sounded idiotic. And yet, to his amazement, he continued anyway. It seemed his giddiness was uncontrollable. He walked around the resin formed bench that looked like a natural floral structure decorated with roses and images of their sprites.

"It is too far away to effectually continue discussion of it. I am only here at the invitation of a diplomatic courier ... one of an unknown source. My Defender will most certainly have a fit, but I could not resist a mysterious invitation to the beauty of these Gardens and to experience for myself the renewing energy they provide. Besides, I so rarely ever get to visit Babylon as it is. I kind of like the place, really ... but my Defender detests it."

He laughed, but his thoughts were skeptical. "A diplomatic courier of unknown origin? Certainly you jest?"

"Why should I? And as for work, my wealthy young fellow, I'm paid enormous amounts not to do any work at all, so why should I want to jeopardize that? Particularly for something that would pay me so much less for having to do so much more."

He sensed a slight difference in her tone. "Well, I---"

"Just have not been thinking, it would appear. And what could you do to prevent my eventual boredom with everything that is about you? What would you do then?"

Her change in moods from flippant gaiety to being flippantly stern had caught him off guard. "What an oddly mean thing to say."

"Mean? You find the truth mean? Are you trying to say that you do not believe I would become bored with all that is about you? Or is it just that you cannot handle the realism of what is a given eventuality? Whichever, the boredom will come, I assure you."

"What could have removed the joy from your disposition of just a few short moments ago?" He was genuinely perplexed.

"What could have caused you to presume an offer of employment when I am soon to be a Queen?"

"You can't be serious? A Queen?"

"A Queen. Do you think diplomatic couriers bring invitations to just anyone?" And she gave him the sweetest of smiles.

The young man reached out his hand. "You must come to my home then. Please, you must meet my father, chief dieffect and owner of all The Shops at Hinterland. You will be our pampered guest, my Lady."

"And this is close to here?"

"Very. My name is Tamerin the Younger, and my home," he dramatically emphasized as he turned with a graceful flow, "is there."

She was happily surprised that he pointed to the Great Mansion. It rose like a magnificent gateway to a thousand questions and a thousand more dreams just as one entered the Gardens. She had been highly curious and romantically imaginative of it since she had first seen the place as a young child. Regardless of the fact that this handsome but clumsy-minded fetch would be the one who lived there, she would not miss this golden opportunity to visit such a magnificent architectural monument.

* * *

The first tier of attacking dragons came at him from a dozen different angles. The Defender stood his ground. He knew they would only feign attack in the first wave, soaring close by their prey in an attempt to detect hidden weapons or traps, and to glimpse his opening moves of defense. Flocking in, they swooped past. Sensing no additional force or fighters, they dropped back momentarily, confused by his absence of fear. The attack leader separated from the group, arching his wings and setting himself on a fierce, direct path of assault. Valiant knew that his Magic must take precedence over violent alternatives of defense; the others would follow the attack almost instantly after the first strike. This was the time to reveal a glimpse of how strong their opposition stood. He closed his eyes, breathed one profoundly deep breath and felt a claw go through him. His alteration into light matter had been none too soon. The Racia looked back bewildered by the ineffectual result of what normally would have been a razoring of its prey's skull. The edge of a jagged protrusion caught its wing and sent it slapping into the tearing, razored layers of the rock wall behind it. Confusion and hysteria seized the paltriness of the remaining pack's thinking. Valiant knew immediately that the most grisly threat was over. The largest battle had quickly been won while his great sword had remained sheathed. Only one last cranky Racia lurked off to the left of the others, not quite convinced retreat was the order of the day. Valiant dropped his laserlance into a warning position and the Racia snarled. He fired one flashing lasermissile that landed on its mark, striking the dragon perfectly between the eyes. It pitched out, dropping to the ground without even a final squeal. Squawking and howling, the rest of the Racias winged themselves back towards that far distant wilderness where they had left their nests to come from in the first place. They were gone at last, but he knew that the priest of darkness who had summoned them, Orex Landrel, would not quit; he lived for no other reason than to create further havoc in a future time. Valiant also knew this was a long and arduous journey to finally end the depraved plotting of Orex. He sighed. Perhaps the remaining day would hold events of a calmer nature.

The living quarters of the Mansion were far beyond the elegance that even Princess Airisa had imagined. The wealth of art and comfort was overwhelming, a peculiar experience for someone used to the trappings of royalty. The entire interior was done in metal, wood and stone richly laden with stained glass and crystal. The etchings and faceted cuts filled the main hallway that opened into a huge rounded atrium. It held even more beauty. As she entered this glorious cathedral-like chamber, her eyes were magnetically drawn to an enormous spiral landingcase that rotated slowly, reaching high into the air toward three walkways leading to separate mezzanine floors. It continuously circled upward, never stopping. The faceted crystals sparkled with dazzling, bright colors as they turned in sunlight streaming in from a spectacular skylight.

"The escalating stairwell! I remember being told of it by a park docent when I visited here as a child."

"It never stops moving. It is powered by the currents that feed the main waterfall. The landings collapse and return down from a hidden extension near the rooftop. An extraordinarily clever creation by the designer."

"Who was it that did it?"

"No one knows. The stories abound. My preference is for the one which relates a great tale of romance. It was supposedly built many centuries ago by a wealthy Knight as the finely fitting home for he and his true love."

"How magnificently this adorns the center of this beautiful, beautiful place. This is sheer inspiration; magical architecture totally dedicated to domicile comfort and worship."

"You like it then," he spoke with a warmth of great pride.

"Like it? This must be the most precious home in all of Babylon."

"Many say that it is."

"I should love to spend a week here ... or a month ... even longer. There is so much to see and explore that it ... it could take a lifetime."

"Someday I shall share that experience with a woman who will be my special mate in life."

"You know I was told by the Seer of Phoenix that I would someday dwell in a mansion such as this."

"You were? Her prophecies are said to be infallible."

"Yes," the Princess said quietly. "Yes, I have been told that by many in my entrustment."

"How coincidental. I was told myself just recently by the Old Crone of the Cragin Stone that I would meet my mate ~someone so very special~ in the park by the hanging floral gardens. That is why I've been to the park daily for the past few days. I was told she would be a wonderfully witty and a boldly independent girl, petite and of dark hair, with a background of royalty. She will have the beauty of a goddess."

"You are making it up."

"Not a word! I swear on my name as a good soul, it is true to each of the very syllables I speak. And, well ... I could not help but view your similarities to the description."

"Well, it is presumptuous to think it is I. I am in love with another man." She took in a deep breath, soaking in all that was around her. "But," she whispered, looking at the awesome view from the Great Mansion out over the Park horizon, "...anything is possible." She showered his heart with her soft, happy smile. "Please, show me the rest of what treasures are here."

"It is an honor that you ask. Come, let me show you my favorite room." He gently took her elbow as they stepped upon the landingcase.

"Where is your father?"

"He is off at a meeting somewhere. Business, business, business."

She nodded. "That is the way of Babylon. But I thought I was to meet him?"

He pointed to the art as they rode the spiral upward, ignoring her question. "What art do you prefer, sculpture or painting?"

"I like all that is inspirational, and all that reflects everything beautiful."

"Then a mirror should be your favorite form of artistic achievement?"

She smiled again. "Tell me more of the painting and sculpture and less of your linguistic casting ~romance is not my quest; suitors can be found anytime. Anywhere and everywhere."

* * *

They entered a room that took her breath away. A table glowing with a beautiful translucent blue liquid flowing beneath a glass-covered surface centered the room. It held two solid gold drinking decanters and the finest of imported interplanetary wine sat to the fore of it. The table was surrounded by ten pillars of the most beautiful gold and glass over marbled design. These extraordinary furnishings were the backdrop for a floor covered with cushions set in the most comfortable and inviting of positions. She felt like dropping into their velvet designs and totally relinquishing her stalwart ability to fend off recklessness.

* * *

"Would you like a drink of something very special?" Tamerin asked in his most seductive tone.
"I never suffer myself with inebriants. Not without my Defender being present."
"Not even a small sip of the honeywine of Orron?"
"Especially not that. Possibly on my wedding night and never before." She glanced around the room, drinking it in while keeping an impervious front. "So I take it this is your personal chapel where you come to practice your own form of prayer and worship?"
Her hidden sarcasm was not lost on Tamerin. And her ability to fend off his advances made her all the more alluring and desirable. "Perhaps I should show you the library which might be more suited to your demeanor?"

Valiant moved quickly along the inner seam of the time flow. The Princess Airisa's auratrail grew brighter and more vibrant in its rainbow of colors. He knew he was coming closer to her. Valiant inwardly scoffed at the notion he was headed into the heart of the Empire of Babylon.

Tamerin's first amorous move had been stopped cold by a wall of rejection.
"You deliberately humiliate and mock me. What have I done to incur your most spiteful disdain and wrath? Most certainly you cannot object to me merely attempting an innocent kiss?" He began to feel his sense of exasperation was becoming a permanent state of mind. He moved over to a richly clothed divan and took a seat.
"There is no such thing as an innocent kiss except from a child. I am a student of the science of scorn. What else can I tell you?" She smiled at him whimsically. "On the doctorate level I might add."
Her absolute astuteness at being abrasive was becoming an irritant that eroded his own highly trained patience, a patience honed fully towards the romantic pursuit of females. "More misery from your mouth!"
"Believe me, it does not require conscious effort," she said, sipping from a cup of warm tea Tamerin had brought in for her comfort.
"I do not find that an amazing fact..."

"And what type of studies do you excel at in this library when your father is away, may I ask? It certainly is not the art of kissing and romance, unless you practice on fools."

"And what kind of King might your father be if you are a Princess? Should his tongue match yours, I would not think him to be a benevolent one. No brothers or sisters, I pray? The less children your father has, the easier universal efforts for peace will be." He threw the words at her like little verbal daggers. They were weapons that were not meant to harmfully wound, but were nonetheless aimed to prick back. But the vociferousness of her response startled him once again.

"Leave my family out of this -- you have no right to say or speak anything of my family. I -- and only I -- have the right to say derogatory things about the family name I own. Should you attempt to issue any further attack on a household that has worked so dearly for universal peace and a spiritual balance in all of us, I shall place you in the presence of the Legal Council. Be forewarned." She turned and took a deep breath to stop herself from exploding further. "You know, this is boring. Truly boring. You have the mental dexterity of a wagworm in mating season. I need to leave this place ~what a drag it is when boys like you are allowed to mingle with those who simply seek private worship. They should not be allowed to muddle such a special opportunity. And with you specifically, I am certain now that I will always experience this rude manner. There can be no change when shallowness is at such a low constant. I can not believe you have the ugliness to say bad things about my family."

He had not intended to drop her to this level of anger in the least; he knew he must quickly right the conversational flow. Perhaps a less confrontational tone mixed with humor could save the day. "So you do not get along with your father either then, I take it?"

"You are pure brass impudence; cheap and tarnished as well." Her voice trembled with turbulent tension.

This was not a good start, but, already idiotically entrenched, he persisted. "Ah well, I will additionally guess further that from this day on you will become my polish of sorts; what other purpose could our blossoming friendship have? You can take great pride in the challenge of brightening this tarnished armor." He attempted a smile.

"Acid cleans and brightens, too."

He gave her a little bow. "So it does, my Lady, but let us make an effort to dilute it, shall we?"
"A wise man would not place a large wager on that occurring soon."

"I will consider the point and the source, Princess," he replied, bowing even lower. "Great Goddess, do not run me at speeds I cannot control," he whispered beneath his breath. He rose to look her in the eyes only to find she was up and walking away. He raced across the teal green carpet to catch up. "Hold, my sweet friend, you must not leave without sharing more about yourself."

Valiant moved swiftly along the inner seam with his eyes open, watching the tiny light fairies and other elementals flow by. The glitter and glow from their essence filled the space around him with a warm radiance. He drew strength and fortitude from the sparkling energy that they gifted him with as they spun their way merrily along the Wave Corridor. He could sense the Princess Airisa's presence extremely close now. The Defender had come a long way, but he was near the journey's end. Soon he would be rejoined with She That Carries the Message to All, A Way From War, A Path to Peace, Bringing Laughter Out of the Sadness. For now, the Princess was lost somewhere in Babylon; he accepted the responsibility that he must enter the capitol city, cross into the center of the Empire, and escort her safely home.

"You are really going? I can not believe you are truly leaving." He was sure that she must be joking.
"Boredom, boredom, boredom." She looked at him with a theatrically exaggerated scowl as she gathered her cape about her shoulders.

"May I remind you that you are in Babylon? Princess, it can be very dangerous for someone unfamiliar with its pitfalls." When she gave no response he walked to the window and gave an address as if a warning to all outside. "Beware the Lady of the Laser-sword Tongue, she comes forth to find new victims, beware all, especially those of male persuasion."

She laughed lightly. "Thanks for giving them warning; the boredom ends here. I can handle a little danger ... it is more of you I can not take."

He realized for the first time that she really was leaving. "Oh, for goodness sake, you must reconsider and stay. Calm and center yourself."

"Bye, now. I wish you good fortune in finding the Old Crone's predicted mate for yourself. Do not attempt to follow me or you will certainly cross linear lines with my Defender. Ta-ta, my friend." She gave him that same sweet and soft smile again, and then with a laugh disappeared into a burst of vibrant green and purple light.

"What in the solar system did I say? ...I can not believe she is gone." His shoulders slumped in resignation. "She is so wonderfully beautiful ... and so mysteriously..." He shrugged, almost disgusted with his own answer. "...witty."

After a long pause, he gazed out the window, searching and waiting for some signal of her return. Nearly half an hour had passed when he realized the truth of her teasing. He turned and finished her cup of tea in one quick swallow. At the very least, he had solved the dilemma of whether she was his special mate.

"Wench ... what a brat ... the mean, rotten, little crud." He nodded reflectively. "Going to be a Queen. How crude. The girl is crazy ... and beautiful ... so blasted witty ... the little ... crud."
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