The Sahara Chronicles #1: The Young Foreigner (Available in full on Amazon)

PART XVI: PLANNING

"You're going to get used to this, you know."

Elmeida looked up to see her aunt standing beside her chair in the family room, a gloomy smile on her face. She shrugged. "Of course, it's not like I cannot get used to it. As Morgana Mathra, I should. Well, not yet, but I must show that I'm capable of becoming one."

"And you will become capable. Your mother had a little more time than you, but you can never compare yourself with her – or anybody for that matter. You shouldn't. You're a different person." Her niece was about to protest, but she held up a hand. "Do not tell me you don't do it. I know you very well by now." Her face softened again, as she sank down on a chair beside her, staring intently at the young girl. "Oh my... you look so much like my sister!"

"And maybe be like her, too." Elmeida didn't feel as forlorn as she sounded. 'My mother was a wonderful woman. I'd love to be like her.'

Before either of them could say anything more:

"I've been reading at the royal library," came another familiar voice, "and I know what you're going through."

Elmeida turned around. "Yor!" A small smile graced her lips. "Were you at the royal library? What did you find out?" Suddenly, another thought occurred to her. "Oh, before that – Oh Aunt, what of the kingdom?! That man ravaged the entire island, didn't he?!"

Aunt Alia's face fell, though her smile still remained. "I'm afraid so. The royal guards had arrived as you were dealing with the Jermian army and drove it away from the borders. I'm quite sure Umbridge is not going to come after you again, as long as you're within the borders of Aloris." She let out a breath she had been holding. "But somehow, I don't feel that's right, you being here. You should ensure your kingdom is back with you and our people roam free unafraid."

Elmeida nodded. "My mother tried so hard... alas, her parents were killed in the process. But Aunt, I never lived there, in Jermis, as much as I've lived in Cordelia! However am I supposed to invade it?!"

"The Dark and the Light Palaces have friends amongst the other kingdoms and republics. You should take their blessings before you arrive at Jermis to seize back your legacy. I hear the Morgans are all hiding in the forests of the kingdom – bless the island! It's filled with forests! Learn all about it and maybe make a friend there – the inhabitants of Light Palace may not have been completely eradicated – and you might have a good chance for some guerrilla warfare!"

The young girl smirked. "You love a chance for a good fight, don't you!"

She winked. "That's what you say, not me!"

Elmeida didn't say anything and silence followed for a while. Yor had taken a seat near aunt and niece, waiting patiently for his turn to speak.

When the silence stretched for a long while, he cleared his throat and said, "I... Can I talk now, please?"

They both turned their heads towards him, as though suddenly remembering he was in the room, too.

"Oh yes, Yor Castel, do go ahead," said Elmeida. "Library – what did you find out?"

"I was trying to understand how tethering works. Do you know?"

She shook her head. "It's a very complex process; I'm afraid I didn't pay much attention to my mother when she was trying to explain." A graceful blush filled her brown cheeks.

Yor gazed thoughtfully at her, before blinking away and moving on: "Once the Darkness takes over your body, it has an immense control over all your senses, except, perhaps, your heart, if it is strong enough. Because of that, once the Darkness subdues, you will suffer the after-effects of its control for a while. They can come in the form of physical or emotional harm.