Zlata shifted on the stone, catching the early morning sun and feeling the warmth spread through her wings. she looked over at Bambi who was nervously moving about on the stone. zlata spoke sharply, 'Bambi, please settle down! You are not in trouble.' Bambi quit shifting and looked at her queen, 'Why did you call me here, Your Majesty? have I not been helpful enough with Corinda?' Zlata looked at the young fae with understanding, 'It's not that. Your work with Corinda has been faultless and she is progressing quite well in her magics. No, I called you here to give you a new task....' Bambi sat up with a jerk and spoke out quickly, 'What do you mean, more work? I've got my hands full with that human female and now you're going to add to the load? When am I going to get some time to myself? Huh?' Zlata snapped, 'That's quite enough, young lady! If you let me finish what I was saying, you would have found out that this is going to be a break for you! That you would not have to be with Corinda for the next couple days.' Ashamed, Bambi bowed her head, 'I'm sorry Your Majesty. I reacted too quickly. Please accept my apologies.' 'Apologies accepted, Bambi,' Zlata spoke calmly. 'What I was going to tell you is that you will be a guide, day after tomorrow, for two people, Staci and Kelbin. They are to be escorted to the Temple of the Fallen where they will spend the day looking at the names of the Fallen and the comments about them. This they have to do before the reading of the Book.' Bambi shifted again on the warming stone and gazed at Zlata. 'Do I have to go into the temple with them?' 'No my dear. You've already spent your time there. No, you just have to escort them to the Temple and then wait by the gates until evening, then you escort them back out. the guards will let you three in and of course, let you out.' 'I would be honored to do this task. If I may ask, when is the reading?' 'It will be in four days, Bambi. There is much to prepare before that time. Plus I still have to get a guide for Telmah and we still have yet to decide what to do with Melian.' Zlata grimaced. 'And then there is Anko and her cousin, Laremea. So many variables and so much to do.' She shook her head sadly as she said those words almost to herself. Zlata stood up and stretched in the morning sunlight. 'You know what you must do, Bambi. I suggest you get rested and be ready to answer some questions for your two charges.' thank you all for your wonderful comments and faves. I wish you all a great Thursday! Mike