“There had better be a reason for your interruption,” Selphrin said annoyed, “And it had better be a good one.” The Royal Guard bowed nervously.

“You won’t believe this, sir. You have a visitor, sir.”

“And what is so strange about that, you idiot?”

“She comes from the west, sir. From across the ocean.”

“You stupid... What?! Send her in immediately!” The Royal Guard scurried out the door after a quick bow. “You there,” Selphrin ordered to another Guard by the door, “find the Hooded One. Immediately!! The rest of you, clear the audience hall!” A few moments later, the Hooded One entered the room.

“Why have you summoned me to your side, Lord Emperor?”

“It seems we have a strange visitor, Hooded One. A woman from the Tershan Continent is here.”

“Tershan, my lord?! No one from there has visited Untala in over five hundred years. Are you quite sure?”

If she is not, then I know a Royal Guard who will soon be dead,” Selphrin said with a wicked grin.

Suddenly, the doors opened and the Guard announced to the woman who entered, “I present to you His Resplendence, Selphrin Merdoon, Lord Emperor of the nation of Dewvron, strongest nation of the continent of Untala.”

The young woman, dressed all in white, approached and bowed before Selphrin. “Greetings, Emperor. I am Zara Ayane, Initiate of the First Temple of Shinto. I have come to ask your permission to act as a healer in your land.”

Selphrin leaned over to the Hooded One and whispered softly. “Well, she certainly doesn’t look Untalan. What say you, Hooded One?”

“Sir, I have heard of the temple that she hails from. From it have come a long line of priests and monks with supernatural powers for healing. If this girl is truly from where she says she is, she could prove a valuable asset to your war effort. I suggest you try and persuade her to aid us in our “time of desperate need.”

“Very well.” Selphrin addressed the girl. “I must say that you have come at a most opportune time, my friend. Recently our peaceful country has been attacked by our neighboring nation of Omerta. After the civil war we have just suffered, we are having hard times fighting off this foe. We would request your aid as a healer on the battle lines. Will you aid us in our great misfortune.”

The girl appeared thoughtful for a few moments, then answered. “Yes, I will help you. But I will require a place to stay until my abilities are needed.”

“Excellent! You may stay here in the palace if you wish. We will likely need your help within the week. Guard, please escort her to an empty room.”

Zara bowed once more, then allowed herself to be escorted out of the audience chamber. “Thank God,” the Hooded One said, “I was afraid you had laid it on too thick.”

“Will she really be as useful as you say, Hooded One? Surely one girl cannot be that useful.”

The last priest of that order to come to Untala was recorded as having sealed great wounds with a glowing hand. Don’t worry, my lord. We’ll be able to test her abilities soon enough. The assault on Omerta is in a month, is it not?”

“Yes. The Omertan fools won’t know what hit them. They haven’t had a standing army in two hundred years! Now, where are Issin and Damien? They should have been back days ago.”

“You worry too much, my lord. They are to be trusted. They will surely bring you the relic you seek within a few days.”

“And with enough of the relics, the entire world shall fall to me!” Selphrin was overcome with sinister laughter, and the Hooded One couldn’t help but join in.