Shock rolled through the courtyard. Garrick stared in shock, he'd never seen her in full vampire rage. She hadn't once bared fangs, not even when going against her sister. "Are you quite through," Marie asked unphased by her granddaughters' outburst. Darra managed to get ahold of herself but just barely. At that moment Aiden came flying out of the keep straight towards Darra. His eyes bright amber. He skidded to a stop right between them. "Darra," he asked softly, "Darra are you alright?" She rubbed a hand over her forehead and eyes suddenly feeling very tired. He turned and looked up at the white-haired woman that had caused Darras outburst. "Leave her alone," he shouted, "haven't you people done enough?!" Darra touched his shoulder, "It's alright Aiden, this is my grandmother, Marie." The others approached cautiously. "I believe we should discuss this privately," Garrick said. Marie glanced at the wolf king, then the boy and then back to her granddaughter. "Yes, I believe you are right," she said quietly.
She stood staring sightlessly out the window listening to them talk behind her. Her grandmother arguing first with Garrick and alternatively with Gregori. When she'd finally had enough, she turned to them and said, "How about I just show you?" They turned to her then. Brenna arched an eyebrow, "You can do that?" "I've been able to do that since I was a child," she said softly. Brenna and Marie shared a knowing look but said nothing. Marie stepped forward and extended her hand, "Show me." Darra rubbed her hands together and took a deep breath, when she felt centered, she grasped her grandmother's hand. After a few minutes Darra pulled her hand away turning in one motion back to the window. "Oh, my child," Marie said sadly. "I don't want your pity," Darra answered quietly. She moved so she was facing her granddaughter, "It isn't pity, its sympathy. What you have gone through is awful, but you survived when I'm not sure any of us would have. I know what it's like to have to strike down a family member." Darra frowned at her, "I'm not going to kill my sister! She's my sister!" "You are the rightful queen! There is no choice! War is here and you must prevail," Marie admonished. Darra squeezed her eyes shut, her hands closing over her head. "I'm so tired of this, always the same. No peace, I understand now why my mother was always sad. She was tired and I am so very tired," she whispered. Marie stepped back and frowned, "I've heard that before. Your mother..." She trailed off then suddenly spread her hands wide. The tie that held Darras hair gave an audible pop, and her hair came tumbling over her shoulders. The Ancients gasped, Marie looked especially shocked. "I guess I can't hide it anymore can I," Darra asked. Garrick noticed that the white in her hair was even higher than when he'd first noticed. "When did this start," Marie exclaimed, "You're too young, you're way too young!" "When mother died, I found the first tuft of white hair, I tried cutting it out, burning it out or just plain pulling it out. Nothing worked," she answered.
"I don't understand," Garrick said,"does her hair have some significant value?" Gregori looked at his queen in sadness, "For our people, white hair is asign of age and power. But for the royalfamily it is doubly so. Our hair doesn'tturn white until after our five hundredth year." "Alright, but what does that mean for Darra,"Garrick asked. Marie answered, "It meansthat even if we win this new war, her rule as queen will be very short. Ages ago, when our kingdom was new and beingformed, there are a set of rules that we all live by. And the number one rule states that when arulers hair turns completely white it is time for her to pass on the crown toher heir next in line." "What differencedoes her hair make that indicates her unfit to rule," he asked. Finally, Darra spoke, "As we age we gainpower, we start to see the world differently. Because of that power no Ancient can stay within the kingdom walls, itputs the people in constant danger as our power attracts all manner of mysticalcreatures. Most Ancients choose eternalrest, others like my grandmother and these five choose to travel and in direcircumstances return to the kingdom to protect it." That started the room arguing again. Darra heard another whisper, "Come tome." She turned to the window again andpressed her hand against the glass. Thistime, however, two of the Ancients noticed. "What was that" they asked almost in unison. Their question stopped the chatter in theroom immediately. They moved to standbeside Darra, trying in vain to see beyond the veil. Darra simply stared at them, her eyesswirling gold. "We felt a presence onour way here but did not have the time to investigate. It's calling to you," Toya said. "It's been calling to me since I got here,"Darra said absently turning her eyes back to the window.
