A Miracle for Love (Caesar Drisdall from The White Knights Chronicles)

***Chapter 19***

The group opened their eyes to find themselves in the Lagnish Desert at the entrance to the ruins. Leonard shouted out, "Over there. It's them." A monoship rose up from the ground of the ruins. Katelyn looked around and saw that Caesar was already in position around the corner, but out of sight from everyone else. Katelyn nodded to Eldore, Yulie, and Sapphire. The group ran up to the ruins towards Belcitane, the Magi, and the then Princess Cisna. "Cisna," Leonard shouted. "Leonard," she shouted back. The man, Belcitane said, " Oh. On a first name basis, are we? You're more persistent than I thought, I am impressed. And look! You've picked up a new 'friend' in Albana... Why hello there, Kara. Hmm. It appears that you failed to carry out my orders. Whoopsie!" "Where's Lena? Where's my sister," Katelyn spoke up. "You'll meet her soon enough. All in good time. Well, in any case, I'm so glad that you're all here. I need help persuading this foolishly stubborn Princess to cooperate. I know you have the power to break the seals of the Athwani. You will unlock the ancient relic that is hidden within these ruins." "I told you, I don't know how," Princess Cisna shouted at him. "Oh, I think you do! You knew more than enough to unlock the seal of the White Knight in Balandor. Now do as I say! Or your friends here will be the first to suffer the consequences," Belcitane said. "What," Princess Cisna said. "Your answer, please," he said. "But... I'm telling the truth! The White Knight, it had nothing to do with me!" "What do you take me for? A fool?! You're trying my patience. I could snap this arm of yours like a twig!" "Stop that! Damn you, let her go right now," Leonard shouted. "I have a better idea. Why don't you give me the Knight's Ark like a good little boy, hmm?" "I'll do you one better, Belcitane," Katelyn said, pulling out her knife and holding it to Leonard's back. "Kara, what are you doing," Eldore asked. Katelyn said, "I'll kill him and the Ark can be yours. All I want is the Princess and my sister back. You have to kill the Pact Maker to take the Ark for yourself." "Smart girl. Kill him first, then you can have your trade." "No, Belcitane. I don't trust you. Give me my sister and the Princess, then I will kill him. I'm not losing my bargaining chip." "Fine. Bring out the girl." Lena was brought out by two Magi. "Let her walk," Belcitane said. Lena walked towards them with her hands still tied and made it behind Katelyn. She grabbed Katelyn's arm that wasn't holding the knife with her two hands. "Now, the Princess. Let her walk." "Not until the knife is in his back," Belcitane said. Katelyn hesitated for a moment before whispering, "I need you to pretend I stabbed you, Leonard. Fall to your knees." She then said loud enough for everyone to hear, "Any last words?" Leonard said, "I thought you could be trusted. At least I die knowing Cisna is safe. Katelyn reared her arm back and then pushed it forward, turning the knife to the side so that it rested against his back. Leonard cried out with perfect timing and fell to his knees as Katelyn continued to hold the knife at an angle against his back. He dropped the Ark on the ground and pretended to collapse to the side as Katelyn let go of the knife. This gave them the opportunity that they needed as Belcitane let Cisna go. As Belcitane touched the Ark, he was thrown back. Katelyn pushed Lena towards Eldore and ran to grab the Princess. She grabbed Cisna and moved her towards the back of the group. She took Lena and cut the ties off her wrists. She pulled the gag from her mouth and said, "I have someone waiting to bring you to safety. Let's go." "Sister, what happened to you? You are so different." "I'll explain in a few minutes. Come with me." Katelyn held onto Lena as they walked down the steps of the ruins. Caesar met them around the corner as they planned. "Lena, I know this may sound strange, but my name is Katelyn. Your sister, Kara, was killed in battle a little over a year ago. She was resurrected but found she no longer had a purpose here. So, she switched places with me. We are actually from the future and came back to save you. This is Count Caesar Drisdall, my husband. We met when I first was brought here and didn't know what was happening." "You're crazy, Kara. Have you lost your mind?" "You'll see in due time. We are just waiting for the others to return and we will teleport back to Balandor. But, first, I need to channel my power to you so that I can bring you back." Katelyn grabbed Lena's hands as the girl trembled against her. Katelyn took a deep breath and focused on the power, letting it flow to Lena. The words came to her, a spell, as she held the smaller girls' hands. As she finished, a mark appeared on Lena's wrist and hers. She realized that it was a binding spell that would bring Lena back to the present with the group. "It is finished. Now we wait," Katelyn said as she pulled Lena against her. A few minutes later, the monoship flew off. Eldore, Yulie, Sapphire, and Leonard approached. As the group came together, everyone except for Leonard started to glow. Katelyn knew that the mission was successful. When she reopened her eyes, they were back in the kitchen where they had started. The only difference was Lena was with them. Lena opened her eyes and looked around for a moment before finding Katelyn's eyes. "So, it is true? You are not Kara." "I am not. But I would still love to be your sister. Me and Caesar could adopt you. You could live with us in Greede." "I don't know what to say. I have learned I was killed today, been brought back to life, and am now told my only family is gone." "I'll tell you a story if you would like. But I think we can move this conversation to somewhere more private if that is okay with you." Lena nodded and said, "Okay." "Would you like some tea? I can bring some with us." Lena shook her head. "Okay then. Let's go back to our room," she said to Caesar. He nodded and walked with her and Lena as they walked through the halls.