The news of the sacrifice reached the high priest. The constellations then spinned before Acacia's eyes as the only thing she held was a quantum mechanics book in her shoulder sack. The deed was not taken care of as it lay torn from the chest in Conrad's crumpled hands. Acacia thought about Conrad even as she walked toward the high priest on the hill, up the stone path and past the laurel trees.

"Acacia, you didn't keep an eye on the will as I implied. I'd hate to say it's your fault but since I'm helping you it is no reason to lag in responsibilities."

"It has come to your attention? How do you assume I am unaware of Conrad first? How do you even know about the whereabouts of the deed within the fruit? How do you know how I feel about him?"

"It's no time for silly matters when it is high tide of another coming war. I know because of the 'time telescope', which works like a quantum crystal ball, that the deed sent me also, and since I live here I am part of the deed, the living flesh of the deed, and no matter where you hide the deed I continue to be a part of it. And although I never knew your grandmother, I am led to a prophecy. I study the stars day and night and I am no less ignorant than you. We grew up together and now we share everything together, yet I was given the talent to see into urgent matters overseas."

Kazimir waited for a response. Acacia now wasn't sure what she wanted as she looked at the furrowed expression on his brow tinted with longing. Outside there lingered a beautiful yet suspicious looking towns' lady. Her hair was sun-colored, her skin dark yet rosy, with eyes like the sea. The lady's old-looking outfit and twisted, free-spirited hair made her look lost. Acacia without delay ran outside while Kazimir cautiously treaded her path.

"And just to clarify, Kazimir, I can lock you up in a cage of thorns."

The corner of his lips teased. "I never said you had any less say or power than I do, but remember to never let Jan's wine reach Conrad's lips. His long stupor could sleep through another war. The guardian Conrad has obscurity but he doesn't know how to use wards."

Once Acacia rounded the temple she silenced. "Shh…I forgive you…" The lady did not approach but she had a blank, yet knowing expression. Her fixative eyes were wise with a glint of youth apparent in her appearance.

"Yes, I am Kazimir, the high priest of the village and protector of the temple, and where do you come from?"

The lady with sun-colored hair looked stubborn with silence. "It wasn't the wine and enchanted stories that brought your problems." The thin contralto wore a robe of white with little cleanliness.

"Excuse me?" Kazimir didn't mean to sound rude but he wasn't expecting the response.

Acacia broke the interruption. "You look equally familiar. Please, where do you come from?"

"This is where I come from. I believe you need my help and I believe you know me."

"Grandma?"

"Are you Daphne?" Kazimir inquired.

"I am Daphne, grandmother, and once I was to be queen."

Besides the stoic expression on Daphne's face, Acacia could not resist the urge to embrace her and Daphne was welcoming. Her stoic expression melted with the new sensation of being human.

She recalled the stories of her grandmother. Daphne followed an interesting life. She shared her culture and the telling of her voyages. Daphne also shared her war stories, but most importantly, she shared the triumph of refusing to marry a full-of-it to be king and high priest whom she once held in her heart. The priest turned her into a laurel tree. Daphne's bark was sturdy. Acacia would not let go as she kept held on to her last flood of memories. Somehow she managed to communicate with nature thus speaking to the people in silent rule.

"Grandmother, Conrad ate the original fruit. I don't know exactly what sets it apart from the other fruits of Acropolis but I think he's dead." Tears threatened her eyes with burning rage. "I thought you were dead too."

"In my old form I could go back to youth, especially in the world of Acropolis, but it might not last long if we go back to your world. Your parents didn't know that your world will be more corrupt than this one. In fact, though Conrad may be dead back home, here he is alive in his baptismal wind spirit blessing the trees with his word. He told me you had come back because of the current state of instability. What sets that fruit apart is this: when Conrad ate the fruit he broke the spell. I no longer watch the sea go by. Like him I am free."

"I am truly in your debt Acacia, more than sorry," spoke Kazimir. "I did find suspicion with him but we all did. I'm sorry if I was ever suspicious of you."

"I am still suspicious withal, but more so with the situation back home."

"Let them live by their own lives, by their own will. You almost fell to the curse, but if only I was there to protect you because I know you wouldn't choose this. Take my golden bow and arrow. Remember—the tip is pointed with led."

"Will you come back to fight for my world?"

"Sometime I would visit, often across the stretches of space, but even though I just broke out of my curse, it is my duty to protect the land. And when you protect the land you protect everyone else. Rejoice in this responsibility, knowing you can't protect everybody. Their position has no accountability on me."

Acacia smiled with a glimpse at the older version of herself, the future frozen in time. She took the bow and arrow. Kazimir lead them to the temple where he ordered a gathering of the townspeople to elect Acacia as the new warrior-guardian. The drums picked beat in the streets and she was anointed with rose petal.

At the end of the ceremony, Acacia announced, "I am honored and blessed to be a part of your world, but now that the first war is over, the curse is broken and I'm happy to have the choice to go back to the village across time. Despairingly, Conrad doesn't have that choice. He didn't know where his choices will take him. He was courageous if all in the wrong ways, but I propose a toast to him."

Acacia glanced at the guards and then around the temple to see if Jan was looming. Then she took a small sip of wine from the magic fruit of the land and when used for all the right reasons it lifted the spirits.