3

Cora and Alice Munro knew the secret was out after Gwen told of her encounters with their cousins, and they knew that the truth would be revealed. It wasn't long until Gwenhwyfar was summoned to the parlor and the Munro sisters made sure they went with her for support; Lady Corwin was present along with her sons who kept to separate sides of the room and a Reverend Stern was also present along with General Daniel Webb.

"What did you do to my sons, you witch?" Lady Corwin demanded startling the three young women with venom in her voice.

Gwen said calmly: "Nothing!"

"Liar;" snapped the older woman in anger, "my sons have never acted this way before you came with my nieces and I say you must've cast a spell on them. What are you hiding under that mask and veil?"

"Gwenhwyfar is not a witch, Aunt, she wears the mask and veil for protection;" explained Cora in defense of her friend. "Alice and I along with our Father knew Gwen has been in danger because of her looks!"

"It was Papa's idea that Gwen wears a mask and veil, and it has protected her until now;" added Alice as she took Gwen's hand.

"Then Miss. Moonshard wouldn't mind removing the mask and veil for us;" said the Reverend solemnly and the General added simply: "For peace of mind and satisfy curiosity!"

"The Hell she will not; Gwenhwyfar belongs to the one who is worthy to value her beauty," said William Corwin heatedly. "I saw her first and know she is more than she seems!"

"When Hell freezes over, little brother;" snapped Edward Corwin with a glare, "she is wild and I intend to tame her!"

"Nither of you are worthy and I would bedamned if either of you dishonor me in anyway;" exclaimed Gwenhwyfar Moonshard as the room suddenly became warm.

"Gwen; your temper," said Alice in warning and Cora added in agreement: "Remember the last time you lost your temper was not pleasant!"

Gwen calmed down as she chanted: "I am the flame, the flame is light, light is life and everything is a circle that turns like a wheel; beginning, middle, end and the dance begins again!"

Gwen looked to the Munro sisters and a understanding passed between the three girls as she said: "I will meet you in the gardens!"

"I have not dismissed you;" cried Lady Corwin in anger as she stood up.

But Gwen ignored the older woman as she left without a look back; everyone turned to Alice and Cora who were huddled together whispering.

"You know something;" inquired General Webb as he glanced between the sisters.

"Alice and I were the ones who had found Gwenhwyfar Moonshard but it was different then;" explained Cora and Alice added: "We nursed Gwen back to health after finding her near dead among the ashes of her Mother!"

"Gwen is the last of her kind and unique; there are wicked people who would do anything to get their hands on her," continued Cora and Alice finished: "It's a secret that we and Papa will protect until the grave!"

The Munro sisters led everyone into the gardens; Alice found/retrieved the mask and veil from the ground as they came upon a sight that had Reverend Stern gasping: "Merciful God!"

Nestled among the flowers was a bird of ethereal beauty; it was as if it was made of garnets with gold accenting feathers. The legs and beak were smooth and white as moonlight, and the sharp talons were silver white.

But it was the eyes that spoke volumes; solid sapphire blue like the night sky with twin gold Sun-iris. It was the sight of the eyes that had Edward and William chorusing: "Gwenhwyfar Moonshard!"

"In this form she is known as Lady;" said Cora as she approached the bird and gently stroke her head.

A trilling song was released by Lady that echoed through everyone and Alice added: "She's a Phoenix!"