When they returned back to the house Kane shared with his mother and sister, Kane took the horses and put them in the small stable they had. He headed bak into the house and found Liana laughing with his mother while she helped her prepare dinner.

“And when he was five years old...”

“Please mum, don’t tell that story.” Kane didn’t want his mother telling about all the embarrassing moments in his life to liana. He would be mortified.

“Come now Kane, I enjoy your mothers tales. So, you actually managed to wrestle a pig and lost?”

“No!” Liana and Nareen burst out with laughter. His mother had told the forbidden story.

“Kane, you need to lighten up a bit dear.” His mother patted his cheek.

He grumbled some inappropriate words that his mother didn’t hear, but liana heard them plain and clear because of her advanced hearing.

A lot of Lianas senses were enhanced along with enhanced strength.

Knock knock

“Oh no, someone’s at the door. Liana, go hide in Kane’s room. Kane, when she’s out of the room, answer the door.”

“I’ll hide, but if anything happens, and any of you are in danger, I will make my presence known and help you.”

“Don’t worry we’ll be fine, no go!”

Liana ran to Kane’s room and shut the door quietly.

Kane walked over slowly and opened the door revealing his real uncle lance.

“U-uncle. What are you doing here?” Lance came in past Kane and went up to Nareen.

“Nareen. The word around the village is that Kane is leaving to go to Valdum, to live with his uncle.”

“Yes, that is correct. I’ll be leaving tomorrow.” Lance looked at Kane like he was stupid.

“But I’m your only uncle Kane. Your father once told me he had no other siblings. His mother died after he was born.”

Nareen looked like she was about to kick herself. She had forgotten all about that fact about her husband.

“Why, you were mistaken uncle. Father did have but one brother. Natem. Father did not get along with his brother very well so he told people he was an only child.”

Gail had spoken up in Kane’s defense. He had to admit. She was a good liar.

“But why would this Natem all of the sudden want to take Kane in?”

“I don’t know Lance. Pity maybe? I’m sure you can think of a hundred reasons just like your thinking of hundreds of questions.”

Lance seemed taken aback by Nareens out burst but soon got over it.

“Well, I guess there isn’t anything left to discuss. Good luck Kane, and stay safe.” Kane nodded and shook his uncles hand.

Lance turned toward the door and started to head out. But then there was a loud crash from Kane’s room.

“Liana” Kane hissed quietly so Lance wouldn’t hear.

“What in bloody blazes was that?” Lance brushed past Kane, Gail, and Nareen. They all started to stop him but he ignored them.

“I think they’re’s some one in your house. Stay back.” Lance put his hand on the doorknob and slowly turned it.

Kane closed his eyes when Lance swung open the door. He didn’t want to see His reaction when Lance found Liana. He was expecting to hear some yelling or even a struggle but nothing came.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw lance standing in the doorway of his room.

“There’s nothing in here.” Lance looked confused. He stepped into the room farther. After he took a few steps more, it seemed apparent that Liana was not in there.

Lane looked over at his mother who was as confused as he was.

A loud thump and then a thud jolted Kane back into reality.

Liana had made her appearance from behind the door. In her hand she had a very large book. A huge grin was plastered on her face as she looked down onto lance’s still body.

“I got the bugger!” liana looked over to Kane. Okay. You grab his legs I’ll grab his arms and we’ll dump the body in the woods and let the scavengers have at him.”

“Liana! That’s my uncle!” Kane yelled.

Nareen rushed over to lance and checked to see if he was okay.

“He’s just knocked out.” her voice sounded a bit shaken.

“Bloody good job Liana. I hate that man. He’s a giant son of a”

“Gail! That is enough of that! Kane, Liana, put him on the bed.”

Liana seemed disappointed that she wasn’t the hero who had saved everyone from the villain.

“I honestly had no idea who he was.”

“Then what in the world possessed you to hit him upside the head with a book?”

“Do I really need to remind you how critical it is to keep my presence a secret? If I am found to be with you then people will make the connection from a qual to a guardian. The darkness believes that he has ridden the land of the guardians. We have to keep it that way.”

“I understand, but did you have to hit my uncle so hard he might have lost some memory?”

“No, I didn’t have to, but if I would’ve hit him lighter then it would’ve taken the fun out of it all.”

“You are strange. Do you know that?” Kane held back a laugh. He was trying to be serious.

“I think I’ve been told that before.” Liana smirked at him.

“Now that we got that all settled, can we please think of what we’re going to tell your uncle when he wakes up?” Nareen intervened into their conversation.

“Yes liana, I believe you should think of something to tell my uncle given how it was your fault that Lance is unconscious in the first place!” Kane yelled at her.

“Don’t yell at me! I’m thinking!” Liana began to pace around the room with her face in her hands.

Kane looked at the book on the floor where liana had left it. An idea entered his mind and a devious grin spread over his face.

“Liana, you can change into any form, right?”

Liana stopped her frantic pacing and nodded.

“I think I have a solution...”

Lance slowly opened his eyes. His hand rushed to his head to nurse is aching mind.

“W-what happened to me?”

Kane, nareen and Gail were standing next to the bed he was laying on. In his hand Kane held a small black mouse.

“I’m terribly sorry uncle. I seems this mouse got into my room and was knocking things of my shelf. A book fell off and hit you in the head. It was just a small rodent.”

“This little bugger did it? Bloody hell. You want me to take it home and give it to the cat?”

The black mouse let out a terrified squeak. Kane just smiled to himself.

“It’s okay, I’ll take care of it myself.”

Lance looked at him for a moment but then just pulled himself while still holding his sore head.

“I think it’s best if I get home now. Good luck on your journey Kane, stay safe.” Kane nodded and shook lance’s hand. Nareen led her brother to the front door.

When Kane was sure his uncle had left he set the black mouse on the floor and it quickly turned back into a black haired woman named Liana.

“That is one of the most vilest man I have ever met!” She exclaimed. “The sooner we get out of here the better. I still can’t believe I actually turned into a mouse. The thought still makes me shudder.”

“It was either that or actually tell him the truth.”

“Well, I have been told that telling the truth makes you feel good, but it’s never done anything for me.” She laughed.

“I don’t’ know what’s so bad about being a mouse.”

“Would you like to be a mouse? Because I’m sure at one point of your life that conflict will come up.”

“Your just saying that to scare me.” Kane crossed his arms across his chest.

“Is it working?” liana grinned at him. Kane ignored the question.

“So when exactly are you planning we depart?”

“Judging how long it took me to find you, I’d say we need to leave tomorrow to make up for loss time.”

Kane looked at his feet and didn’t say anything.

“I know it must be hard to leave Kane. I’m not gonna force you. It’s really your choice if you still want to go.”

“I will go, and I will return here someday.” Liana put her hand on his shoulder and gave him a smile.

Someday.