A choice has to be made

Cinis told Marika to go inside and he would deal with soldiers outside.

But suddenly Marika felt a pain to her chest and looked to Richard. She saw that Khai wasn't on his shoulders anymore but lying on the ground with a knife in his body.

Cinis saw the little dragon on the ground, and looked at Marika, she was now pretty much far gone out of hatred and grieve. Her blood lust was so overwhelming that everybody started to fear that if they made any move it would be there last.

Marika flew inside and just cut down all the soldier one by one in mere seconds. At that moment her opponent was in a panic and Richard and the others saw a chance to escape.

Richard picked up Khai and took out the knife from his body and ran oud side, he crushed the stone on Khai collar and directed the energy to inside his body. Slowly Khai started to heal up.

Everybody outside could only stand there and watch how Marika was taking out on soldier after another. She looked like she wasn't coherent to anybody.

Dr. Niveus then said "This is the price they pay for trying to take away everything she loves, over and over again. That princess had to push her buttons"

"Ohh and don't worry she is sound of mind, but it was just the final straw for her."

Everybody looked at Dr. Niveus, if he were insane.

"What you don't believe me?"

Everybody shook their heads.

"O just watch this, Hey little girl! Your scaring the big boys over here!"

Marika kicked down the princess and stabbed her blade in her left shoulder and was pinned to the wall so she couldn't escape.

Marika turned around and looked at the man and smiled, 'Well if you find it so hard to watch then why don't you guys get a cup of tea and wait for me till I come find you after I'm done her.'

"See, sound of mind"

She then walked over to Richard 'How is our child doing?'

Marika looked very concerned , as she was holding Khai a tear fell from her eye.

Richard hugged her and whispered "I crushed the stone on his collar and put the energy in him."

Marika felt the presents of someone she was really discussed by. She gave Richard a kiss and she stood up, and started to walk back.

'Well, well, well look who came to his daughters aid!'

As she walked over her blood lust started to well up again. But it was a lot lower than before.

'You better not touch my sword! And leave her hanging for a while!'

The Sun King saw Marika walking over with her horn's and arms in a dragon state.

But the only reason Marika did that was to intimidate The Sun King.

Outside the Black Dragon King ran over to Cinis and the others. He saw the bodies of the death soldier laying in side and the princess pinned to the wall.

"What happened here?"

Dr. Niveus pushed up his glasses "Well that little princess found it funny to try and take away what the little girl loves and she is now paying the price for it. And to add to it she even had the gall to almost kill your fist son and pinned down you're second son and hold us all hostage in that room and provoke our little girl there by hurting the baby dragon."

The Black Dragon King looked in disbelieve "She killed all of the soldier? All by herself?"

Everybody nodded.

Than Canus told everybody to hush because he wanted to watch the show that was unfolding before him.

Everybody then started to watch on what was going one in side.

The Sun King step away from the 3rd princess .

'Well aren't smart? You should have taught her better!'

"I apologize for my foolish daughter behavior."

'Hum… apologize? Well if saying sorry could fix everything then there wouldn't be political war's and death in the world.'

Marika walked over to the princess and grabbed her by the hair and lifted her head.

'Look your father is here, but you know what I don't think he can safe you.'

"Could you find it in your heart to spare her life?"

'Let me think about that….' And she looked outside to Khai and Richard.

'I don't think so…. Because she was planning on stealing my husband and she almost killed my son.'

'You should know, a wife's wrath is something that any man or women should fear.'

Marika let go of the princess head and she pulled out her sword from the princess.

There was an agonizing scream that fallowed right after.

'Are you awake now?'

The princess looked in fear at Marika. And then started to panicky ask her father to save her.

"Is there anything I can….."

'Well I feel like my words always seem to fall at deaf ears, I warned you to keep this b*tch in check and ever since I arrived at this kingdom she tried to kill me three times already, ohh scrap that make it four.'

'So I leave you with a choice, either I kill her or your whole clan dies! Because as I said before any assassination attempt on me is a declaration of war! And I do hold to my word and I do hold grudges.'

The Sun King was cornered by Marika's words, he could not find a way to save his daughter.

'Ohh I have a question for you Sun King! Do you regret making a weapon that is now your own down fall?'

"Yes I regret it, if I knew that this is what you would became then I never have made any moves on you from the beginning."

'Now choose, her life or you're entire clan?'

"Wait!!!!"

Everybody who were standing outside turned around to see the head and the first prince of the Yellow clan together with the first prince of the red clan running over.

"Please wait!"

Marika looked at the 3 man standing in the door way.

'What? Did you guys come here to plead for her life?'

The first prince of the red clan looked at the head of the yellow clan and he nodded.

"No, you can do as you like! We came here to inform you that my father is now dethroned by me and I gave the authority to the head of yellow clan as the new Sun King."

Marika started to laugh out loud. 'So you did raise at least one decent child after all.'

The first prince then kneel down before Marika and said "I'm deeply ashamed what my father and fellow clan's man did to you. Saying sorry will not fix anything and I know that. So please could you find it in your hard to not destroy the Red Dragon Clan? If you feel better by taking the life's of my father and sister then so be it."

Marika knelt down and tilted the prince's head upwards so he could look in her eyes.

'Do you plan to hold a grudge or seek revenge on me if I do so?'

"I would not!"

Marika saw he wasn't lying to her.

And she then pulled up the Prince and asked. Can you guys guarantee that nobody of either clan comes after my life again?'

The new Sun King spoke "We cannot, but if anybody of either the yellow or the red clan does so, you may kill them without mercy and we will not raise a fuss over it."

Marika nodded to the new king and then turned to the first prince of the red clan.

'Do you have any word you want to tell your father and sister?'

The prince nodded and walked over to the both of them

"What did you do! You are not my son, how could you do this to us?" The old Sun King yelled at his son.

"Father, I know you very well, even if you would let sister get killed by her you would find some way to attack her again and again till our whole clan is no more. I already spoke about this with second brother and first and second sister. They all agreed to protect peace and prevent a war we dethrone you. And if the Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi deemed to take your life we all accept this small price we should pay for what our clan has done to her. "

"Sister not ones but twice you tried to take away the Queen of Virtus et Caeruleus Viridi future husband."

Marika looked at Richard and Richard pointed at Khai. She smiled and knew that her baby had chased away that women once before.

"And you even tried to kill her 4 times now, do you want us all to get killed by your stupid greed? "

'Please brother I know what I did was wrong, I would never do something like this again I promise!'

"Your just like father greedy and when you need to pay the price for your own stupidity you turn to others so you may live another day to only repeat your stupidity. Your brothers and sisters don't want to get dragged down by you. May you have a better life in your next life!"

"Goodbye father, goodbye sister!"

Then the prince walked over to Marika and bowed to her, "Do as you see fit with them." And he walked away.

Marika stopped the first and whispers something to him and the let him go.

Marika looked at the Old Sun King 'Seems like you raised 4 decent children, but I get the sense they were not raised by their father but by their mother.'

'Now how do you want to die? By a quick and painless poison or by my sword?'

'Poison!' The princess then said. She knew there was no way for her to get out of this and she accepted her faith.

The old king asked for the same.

Marika walked over to Cinis and asked he give her 2 of his pills.

Canus and Cinis asked her "Are you sure about this?"

'Well they would have died in the end anyway. Because if I let them go they can only inflict more wounds on me. I'm already scared by them and don't want any more of them on me.'

Marika had a sad smile on her face. She walked over to the old King and 3rd princess.

'You can swallow them whole or use water to increase the breakdown of the pill. You will fall asleep and after that, it's a done deal.'

The both took the pill with water and they indeed fall asleep and in mere minutes they indeed died.

Dr. Niveaus checked the body's and confirmed the have died.

Marika fell through her knees on the ground, Genus check on her imminently.

"Little girl you a total mess on the inside."

'You think so?' and tears started to fall down.

"I know so, you pushed yourself to hard and you almost awakened your sixth stage."

"Do you regret taking their life's?"

Marika shook her head.

"Then let your future husband comfort you. O and one more thing no fighting for a few day's"

Marika then was up to her old self again and whispered in a teasing voice 'I promise on the not fighting, but what about bed activities?'

"Sure as long as she don't overdo it" Genus grinned back at her.

Marika started to laugh, 'I think you're the first doctor I can like! As long as you don't wear your coat.'

'But you won't lose your nick name, that one stays.'

"Ahaha back at you." And he ruffled Marika's hear.

Richard walked over with Khai in his arms. The baby Dragon was awake and wanted to see his mommy.

"By the way, there is something on my mind that is puzzling me."

Marika looked at Genus 'What is it?'

"How can you tell when there is a doctor near or in the room even without seeing them?"

'It's your coats!, They give off an odor of the sick and dead, mixed with medicine. It's a treble smell.'

Then a sudden hug came from behind her. And a teasing voice asked her.

"So what kind of reward does my little princess wants for teaching those bullies a lesson?"

'Give me your body' she teased him back.

"Can you stand?" Richard asked her.

'I can't I think, my legs feel funny.'

Genus check her legs and couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. So he check her pulls but it didn't seem out of the ordinary either. So he took of his glasses to seen what her inner energy was doing.

What he saw there it was concentrating in her legs, meaning it would chance very soon. He then told her to lift her shirt because he was going to look at her back because he felt uneased by what he saw in her legs.

Marika did what he asked, and Genus concerns where confirmed. At her back he could see marks of something that had wanted to push out of her not long ago.

Genus looked at Richard and said "This doesn't look good"

"Little girl I'll give it to you straight, you were at the starting point of destroying yourself."

Marika looked at Richard with a concerned look in her eye's 'Then wat should I do?

Genus then said, "Bite down because what I'm about to do is going to feel uncomfortable and will hurt a lot."

Marika looked at Richard and then at Genus. 'Alright white coat, I'll trust you but don't try to damage your trust I have for you.'

"Ready?"

Marika nodded

"Master Richard you hold her tight now."

Genus although he made a lot of medicine, he was a master of redirecting inner energy.

He placed his hands on Marika's back and started the to redirect the energy from Marika's legs to her back. Marika started to feel nauseous and pant. It felt to hear everything was going backwards.

Genus then warned her that the most painful part was coming.

Marika was digging her nails in Richard because of the pain. Something was trying to force its self out of her back. Marika was mentally fighting the process and try to stop whatever was trying to break out of her back.

"Hey little girl, stop resisting it will only hurt more and longer!"

She for some reason want it all to stop so she was putting up a fight.

"Sweetie look at me!"

Marika looked at Richard he could see she had a hard time dealing with the stress and pain of her body. So he would try and distract her mind from it.

"I love you!" And he started to kiss her.

Marika's mind went blank and her body started to relax a little. When she was out of breath Genus was almost done.

Marika started to feel sleepy 'White coat are you done?'

Genus then looked at her "You did great, I'm all done."

Marika closed her eyes and fell asleep in Richards arms.

"Don't worry she will wake up in an few hour or so… Consider what she went through today, it's not surprising she would be tired."

Richard scoop up Marika and walked with Genus out of the room. Everybody was still waiting outside. Once they were outside everybody walked over and saw the messy state Marika was in.

"How is she?" Cinis asked?

"Let's talk somewhere else" The Black Dragon King said.

The king then order his soldiers to clean up the mess and he took the rest of them to the north side of the palace. The went in to a big room so they could talk. He pointed to Richard if he went through the door there would be a bedroom with a bathroom so if she would wake up everybody was close by.

Richard nodded.

Richard took Marika to the bathroom and started to clean her up and then laid her on the bed.

Marika held Richard firmly in her sleep, unconsciously she was afraid that if she let go he would disappear from her.

Richard whispered a few words to her and her grip loosened. And he went to join the others.

Richard set down. And sighted a small sigh.

Genus then asked Cinis what he gave Marika because the pills she gave the Old King and Princess where very effective and worked very fast.

"It was a medicine created by her, it detoxify any to all poisons. But only the people who hold the medicine would be safe, any other person would die if they took it."

Cinis then gave a pill to Genus to have a look at it.

"O my, the little girl is a goddess of medicine. She made it in such a way it's bound to the person and can't be recreated by any doctor there is. Its odorless and I can safely say that even a taste would poison the person."

"But how is it bound to the people she made it for?" Richard asked.

"Well this is just a guess but she use something of their body's and put it in there and used magic along with it, but herb wise I can't tell because it's odorless.

"By the way, just to inform you but there is only two stages left. She already force 3 stages today."

Genus was explaining that this event really had put her life in danger, it could have easily ended her life, if she wasn't so smart and sound of mind.

There was a knock on the door and a footman informed there were two guest who wanted to see Marika.

Richard looked up and he saw Solis and Caelum standing at the door in a human form.

"Let them in!"

Solis looked like an adult whereas Caelum looked like a teen age boy. He ran over to Richard and hugged him. "How is my mother? "

Richard ruffled Caelums hair and said "She is sleeping now but if you go through that door you can find her there."

Solis walked over to Caelum hit his head "She is not your mother, but your guardian!"

"She is my mother, she gave me her energy to hatch me!"

"Now, now Solis, calm down she refers to you both as our children so don't be too hard on your brother." Richard said with a teasing smile as he looked at Solis.

The people in the room looked at Richard in shock.

Solis started to blush by Richard words.

Richard told Caelum he could go in there and see his mother now.

"But why are you here? Is there something wrong back home?"

Solis nodded "We know the state she is in right now and it is not good, but we need her help."

"I also know you were planning on going to spent a few day's at the Forest of Eternal Night. But that should be fine and help her recover faster."

"You don't need to worry father, remember what I told you before…"

"I know, and I know if she heard of your situation she would rush over to your guy's in a heartbeat. That just how she is." He smiled.

Then everybody heard a sequel coming from the bedroom and Richard knew she was awake.

Richard walked over to the room and looked inside. There he saw Marika was hugging Caelum.

He smiled at the sight, she had a warm look on her face like a mother who was happy to see her child.

'Look at our boy, isn't he cute?'

"Well our oldest is also here, but I'm afraid you would die of cuteness over load if you saw him." Richard looked at Solis teasingly.

'Solis is also here, why doesn't he come in to see me?' Marika said with a sad tone.

Richard looked at Solis "You heard her, get in there! Or do you want to make her cry?"

Solis walked over and went inside and said with a shy voice "Hello mother." And started to blush a little.

Marika looked at Solis and rushed over and gave him a hug too. 'You're so handsome, well not has handsome as your father but still.'

Solis surprised expression changed to a warm smile, and gave her a hug.

'Which wind brought you here?'

"The wind of trouble!" Richard answered.

Marika looked at Solis and Caelum. 'Well tell me!'

Solis then started to speak. "We know you're not well at the moment, but we still came to ask for your help. Our clan is residing in Mystic Mountain and it falls under you're Kingdom. And because you are our mother and guardian, our clan upholds the honor for our mother and queen who respect's our way of living and the nature around her kingdom."

'But your current allied clan's isn't seeing it that way, and thinks I'm using you to take over theirs?'

Caelum nodded, "We told them you're not like that and that our clan was pretty much left alone by you. And we only helped you because we wanted to and that it was our destiny to do so."

Marika pulled the both of them in her embrace 'Solis, Caelum I am so thankful for all you did for me, and I always will be. So not matter the problem big or small, I will always come and help my two boys who gave me a change to live with people I love. And that include you two as well.'

Solis and Caelum felt her love for them, like a mother would have for her children. They both hugged her and thanked her. For being there mother, who they never had ever sins there eggs were abandoned by their birth parents.

'I'll be home in a few days, so let's meet at Mystic Cave in 5 days.'

Solis and Cealum nodded, "We will inform our clan you will have returned in 5 days."

After they left Marika washed up and joined the other in the big living room. She then asked if there were some clean clothes' because her current clothe were covered in dirt and blood.

Richard gave her, her suit case and Marika went back to a short bathe and changed in clean set of cloths. She then came out of the room again and hold her old cloth. 'Please burn them.'

Cinis called for a maid to come in and told her to burn them. The maid nodded and left the room.

Then Canus wanted to teas Marika about her being called a mother, "Are they you're only 2 children?"

'No we have 4 children, You met our two oldest, we also have a daughter and our latest child is Khai.' She said while hugging Richard.

Canus jaw dropped and looked at Richard, "And your fine with that?"

"Why not? I like children and I love Marika. I want to marry her and have a lot of kids in the future with her." Richard grind at Canus.

William then said "Don't bother to make any head's and tails out of it."

Marika looked at Genus, because he heard the conversation with the two phoenixes.

"You know what I said? No fight's for a while!"

'Well can I at least have a fight with words?'

"That is the only battle your allowed to fight!"

'Yes sir, doctor sir' and Marika saluted him.

Everybody started to laugh because she was acting funny.

Marika took William away from the rest because the wanted to know how her brothers were doing and how the village was doing.

"I'm quite surprised by Dante, he has exceptional leadership skills and Kevin has a neck for the economic aspect."

'So what position would you appoint them in the future if you have to give them one?'

"Currently with his skills and training Dante could easily be a Captain of the guard. And Kevin if he study for a few more years could become a chief of an economic department."

'So let's say if I were sitting on a throne, What would you recommend me now as their position?'

"In that case, I would recommend Dante as your personal guard, and Kevin would be good as a personal assistant."

Marika was thinking that would be good but that left them still somewhat in her shadow. William understood what she was thinking.

"You could also appoint them as a lord's of a territory and go from there, it's common for royal sibling to have their own land and be acting Lord or Lady's to support their parent King or Queen. Even if the ruling King or Queen is a sibling."

After that William also reported on the rebuilding of the village and that everything was going smoothly but there we a few thing they need her thoughts on.

Canus then asked," What is she discussing?"

Than the Black Dragon king said. "It probably the rebuilding of the village that was destroyed."

"You're right, ones she has the chance she will mingle with the people there and look at the progress herself." Richard then said.

"Well she doesn't have the headache of nobles within her kingdom, she is pretty lucky in that department. Maybe I should ask my guard to track down that vigilantly and ask him or her to come here and help me deal with those troublesome nobles." The Black Dragon King sighted.

"You don't have to track down that person father" Canus said.

"Because the vigilantly is already here in the room with us." Richard fallowed.

Richard, Canus and Cinis all looked in the direction of Marika. The king fallowed there gaze and it then hit him.

"Don't tell me! She is the one who solved the issue of Farville District!?"

The three man nodded in sync, the king looked at Marika with disbelieve. She smoked out a group of criminals who were plaguing the district for years in just half a day.

Marika felt a gaze on her and finished her conversation with William. She walked over and said with a smile 'What's up? '

Cinis than said "Ohh nothing much, the king wanted to ask the vigilantly to help him with some troublesome nobles."

Marika looked at the king, who had shock written all over his face. She then asked him 'So what's the problem you have with them?'

"I get report's that the people in their territories are unhappy. But on paper everything looks fine and nothing out of the ordinary. "

'That's easy, paper work can easily be forge. But why not plant a few spies there and let them collect evidence and send Cinis to mingle with the people there and get some testimonies.'

'As for the spies, I can recommend you a squad of soldiers to do that job.'

'But if you insist on letting me handle this personally than I'm afraid your left with half a country.'

The three man laughed, the king knew that if he let her handle the matter than he would be indeed left with half a country.

Marika asked Canus to get the squad of soldiers from Faville. She then wrote down her plan step by step and even counter measures if something went wrong. The three man looked at her plan and were surprised she thought of so many thing that could go wrong and even fount counter measures for all of them.

Canus yelled from outside that they had arrived.

Marika then stood up and said 'I'll be leaving after this and if you still hit a wall come and find me. But know that this is a time consuming plan and you need to be patient. Because catching a big fish is a battle of patience.'

As they arrived outside, she smiled to the group of soldiers. And walked over to the captain.

The soldiers all knelt down before her. "Your Majesty what can we do for you?"

'Well stand up first please, I may be a queen but please treat me as you would a friend.'

Marika started to explain her plan to them to deal with some trouble the king had. Cinis would copy the plan and they should memorize it to their hearts and burn the copy after they have memorized it.

'In my opinion you guys are the best, you all have your own skill set and it will come in handy. And before I leave I have something for you guys that can help you.' And she opened her bag.

'Here is some poison, truth serum, sleep inducer and the best for last healing potions.'

Genus eyes grew large and asked "When did you cooked that all up?"

'Ohh in the days before I came here.'

Marika walked over to Genus and said 'Don't worry here is your share, and I have an additional gift for you.'

"Additional gift?"

Marika gave him 2 cones of the aphrodisiac she had found the night before. 'just so you know this is some powerful stuff. If you have no resistance one whiff of the faint smell is enough to drug you.'

Richard then looked at Marika, "So even if I weren't able to smell it clearly I could be effected?"

Marika nodded.

"So if I were exposed to the same amount you did, how bad would it be?"

'Instant effect, and you wouldn't be able to fight off your desire or lust.'

'You heard what happen when to six couples and that was outside in the open air.'

Genus looked at Marika, "Then how were you able to resist for the time you did?"

'Ohh that's easy, I exposed myself to that stuff a few times in the past. And build up some resistance to it.' She said with a smile.

'So what I want you to do is make a medicine against this stuff and once you're done send it over here. And when you succeed' she whispered to Genus 'I'll teach you the secret to those pill's you saw earlier.'

But suddenly Marika turn quiet. Genus observed every sign she admitted. Her guard went up and he notices she was focused on sound and smell. And he kept quietly observing her.

Cinis noticed Marika was silent. He looked around and saw what the problem was.

He saw a group of royal doctors coming their way and they all were wearing their coats.

Marika's expression started to change, but there was no killing intent coming from her, but as soon her eyes started to change Genus call out to Richard.

He rushed over and blocked her few. "It's alright they will just pass through, nothing is going to happen."

Marika tensed up when they were only 3 meter away from her.

"Good girl, keep calm. They can't see you."

Richard looked back to see if they were walking by. Or that they come over but to his relieve they kept on walking. After they were 10 meters away from them he slowly let go of her. As he looked at her, he saw she was perfectly fine.

"Girl you are a silent killer, you know that!" Genus said.

Marika looked at him as if she didn't understand. But then her attention was taken away instantly.

She saw a beautiful hors with a slight temper brought her way by Canus.

The horse had a beautiful black coat and a white spot his had shaped like a crescent moon.

The King then said, although it's nothing incomparable to what you did for us, I hope you would accept this gift.

Marika walked over to the horse and he became quite docile

'Hey handsome, you're a fine stallion aren't you?'

The hors neighed and Marika placed her head against the horse.

And she whispered 'Do you mind if I ride on your back for a little while?'

She looked at the horse and he was standing calm and waiting for her to get on his back.

Canus the asked "You know how to ride….."

Marika urge the hors to run.

"Seems like she know how to" Richard then said.

Marika was enjoying the speed of the horse. She felt like she was free and no care in the word. She could just go anywhere she wanted. After 15 minutes she returned to everybody.

Marika looked exited and energized.

She then asked 'What is his name?'

Canus told her he had no name, and a horse would only receive a name ones they have an owner.

Marika looked at the horse and made her dissension 'Socius, how about it?'

Richard nodded in agreement. It suits him very well.

Marika came down from the horse and she swapped some of her things in her bag and put it in her suitcase and vice versa she then gave her suitcase to William and then she started to take a few thing from Richard suitcase and put that in a separate bag and threw the bag to Richard.

'Let's go!'

Richard whistle and a horse a appear, It was a Stallion that had the same color as Marika's hors the only different was the spot on the head Richards hors had a spot shaped in the form of a star.

Marika was inpatient and she quickly bid the King, Cinis and Canus goodbye

'If something comes up let me know' She said to Cinis.

She urged the horse again and she was off.

Richard mounted his horse and also bid everybody goodbye Canus walked over. "She really is wild spirited."

Richard smiled "I think life would be pretty boring without her."

Canus laughed "That is so true. See you around!"

Richard urged his horse and was also off.

William took the two suitcases, and opened a portal and bid everybody goodbye Genus told them he would send over the antidote to the incense in a few days.

The king sighted and Canus and Cinis asked their father wat was wrong.

"She is such a capable and smart women. She is helping us without asking anything in return. And I don't even know how we could ever repay her."

Cinis then spoke, "Father here are some words she spoke to me ones." "Do I need a reason to help someone? Do you think I need to meet or know a person first before helping him or her?"

Canus then spoke "Her kindness and willing to help knows now bound's because she knows her help and kindness will pay it self-back in the future."

"Ohh and don't think of persuading her to marry one of us, because her heart will not waver, and the best way to keep balance and peace is to be allied with her and be friends." Cinis said.

"I don't have that kind of intention, because neither of you would fulfill her need. She want's someone strong next to her and who can understand her."

Canus and Cinis smiled at him "We will be their pillars of support so they both can find there happiness."

Marika was galloping over the path to the Forest of Eternal Night. Richard had finally caught up to her.

"Are you in a hurry?"

'No, but doesn't it feel nice? Not to have a care in the world and be free to go to wherever the wind will carry you?'

Richard couldn't remember when the last time was when he could ride like this. She was right, he was free, there were no obligation, nobody to tell him what to do. There was only him and Marika and the freedom to move around as he pleases.

Richard urged the horse to speed up again. But Marika stayed in her gallop speed, Khai pop his head out from under Marika's shirt and looked a bit sad as he saw Richard run off.

'Don't worry, he was living in a cage for a long time. He now got a chance to spread his wings again and he is taking this opportunity to fly again.' She smiled at Khai.

'Did you know that even you can fly Khai!'

Khai looked at her not really understanding what she meant.

'Go sit on top of my head.'

Khai did as his mommy told him and set down on her head. Marika slightly increased the speed of the horse. The sudden change in speed made Khai to close his eyes.

'Khai open your eyes and look forward.'

As he did, he felt like he was indeed flying. The wind in his face felt nice to him, but unknowingly to him there were already a pair of wings on his back.

'Now spread your wings!'

As he did, his instinct took over and he was flying on his own. Marika looked at Khai with a happy smile.

'That's our Khai, now let's go and find daddy so you can show him' as she smiled at him.

Richard was waiting for Marika at the entrench of the forest. He didn't notice he had left her behind when he took off. The feeling of freedom had taken over him and when he reached the edge of the forest he noticed Marika wasn't there. He felt guilty that he just took off and left her behind.

Then from behind him he heard Marika calling out to him.

'Richard! Look at our son, he is flying!

Richard turned around and saw Marika riding up to him and next to her Khai was flying.

Marika told Khai to go on a head 'Go and show daddy you're flying!'

Khai increased his speed and flew towards Richard with a happy expression on his face.

Richard smiled at Khai, and he was proud of his son although still very young could already fly.

Although Khai didn't know how to land yet he flew straight in to Richard in the hope his daddy would stop him. Richard caught Khai and told him he was very proud of him, and that they would teach him how to land.

Marika the finally arrived at Richard. And she dismounted her horse

'Did my two boys enjoyed their flight today?'

"I'm sorry I left you…."

'I asked if you enjoyed your flight?'

Richard hugged Marika "I enjoyed it very much."

'That's good then' Marika hugged him back.

Marika and Richard walked for a bit after they entered the forest. They both were leading there horse. And Marika was looking around in amazement, the forest looked so beautiful. She then suddenly took Richard's hand and said 'You know, now that I'm here I don't want to leave this place and stay here with you forever.'

Richard smiled at Marika and placed a kiss on her head. "We can always come back when we feel tired of the world and want to be free of our shackles."

Marika nodded