I don't believe it.. "Believe it, girl. You know it's true." The white stallion wheeled around, the small young woman jerking her eyes in a frivolus search. A chuckle, a chilled touch to her cheek, and the cold voice whispered near her ear, "Believe it, Lerra. Ye know it for the truth." She clenched her eyes.

"Lerra!" She had warm blue eyes. "Ah! ye know I've told ye not to do that..." And a smile to melt the coldest winter... "But ye know I can hardly stay mad at ye, eh?" And laughter to fill up your heart. "Ah, ye know it for the truth do ye?" I looked up at her and she touched my cheek, smiling.

She shuddered convulsively and the voice chuckled away. "Nay, it's not..." "You know it's the truth. Daughter." "IT'S NOT!" She spun the horse and heeled him away.

The ocean crashed and churned, and she sat with chin to knees, watching it. "Lerrimandor Sorrenan." Her back stiffened. "Daughter of Redden Mandor of Abien and Sarrelimmar of Sorrenan." "It's NOT--" "Lerrim. More commonly known as Lerra." It was her mother's voice gone to stone. "Though I hear they call you Lerr now, in that little heap of Moorgate." She jerked to her feet, spraying sand, eyes burning. "Hold your tongue, I'll not hear anymore--"

"A scar, just under the chin. From a failed attempt at befriending a wolf, if I remember correctly. I told you that wolves don't take especially well to humanoids." A chilled touch melted over her shoulders. "A birthmark on your left breast that Sedillo always used to tease you about." It wrapped itself around her. "You made me a clay vase for my birthday, and you nearly burned down the kitchen trying to fire it." Swirled. "Or the day Sedillo told Callen about your birthmark and you were redder than the dye you were mixing. Foolish of him, right in front of you. The dye ended up over his head..."

A rush of heat rose up her face, and the voice chuckled. "You see? I remember every little thing about you. I remember the month of your first blood, and the day you fell into the river and your father had to jump in after you."

The cold snugged in against her, carressed her cheek with its breath. "Your father. I remember the day I first saw him. So noble. A man with a babe strapped to his chest, searching high and low for a lost love. "Poor man. He deserved some peace, rest. I followed him for days, and one evening he stumbled into a village peopled by elves. They were cautious of him at first, but soon they were treating he and the babe as one of their own. There was a woman among them, with blue eyes. I worked my way into her until I was her and she me. I made him mine. He never stood a chance." A sigh that turned into a low chuckle. "There is no feeling so delicious as watching the noble fall." She trembled and tried to break free of the cold, but it clung around her like fog.

"Lerra?" He was strong and kind... "What can I do for ya lass?" With a rich chuckle. "Ah, a story of adventure then? Well now, let's see..." But there was something missing.. "What? Oh, nothing lass, nothing at all." He took ill when I was ten... "Now about that story for ya..." And we buried him a year later. "There's a city for adventurers ya know." She changed after that... "Aye lass there is." And disappeared a few weeks later. "Moorgate they call it.."

She grit her teeth and the chill swirled closer. "I left you and Sedillo in this world to wreak your havoc. You, my daughter, you have great talent especially. You have made me proud already." "What are ye talking about?""Why, that young fellow you met on the road just a bit ago.."She flung her arm against the cold touch.

He held the crossbow with a bolt ready to be loosed. "Give me ten reasons why I shouldn't kill you." At me. "Well?" Cold as stone. "In that case..." I gave them to him. He struggled with himself, shot the bolt in the air.

"Truly masterful work. Slain by his own hand, I am very proud." "What?!" "Knowing you for what you are, it was simply too much for him. You drove him to it." "Ye lie! Uisho..." "And then there is the other who you married, whose heart you broke." "What?" "Oh, do not feign ignorance, child! Wear your accomplishments with pride!" "Accomplishments?? I'd no intention--!" "Ah! And that is my point! Look at the chaos you draw, simply by existing! Only think of what you could accomplish if you put your mind to it!" "Never!! I'll not ever--!" "You do me proud, girl. Continue to do so." The chill withdrew and left her alone on the beach.