(This concludes the first chapter in the Delphinium Series. I want to thank the many supporters of Anna, George, Millicent and Ingrid as we follow Anna's journey as a Delphinium Knight. Your comments, faves and site mails have kept this story going and shaped it in ways you will never know. Thank you all.) After everyone had grimly watched Millicent and Ingrid dispatch with Onna, Anna set George onto the ground, slowly got up, and crossed the small courtyard to where Ishtar was standing. Looking at the vanquished foe the Goddess had a solemn look on her face; war was always a messy business. She had tried to spare Onna but the latter's arrogance had finally led to her untimely demise. Ishtar was a bit sad at the loss of one so powerful, but in the end Onna was responsible for her own fate. At Anna's touch she immediately gave a smile and pulled the young elven knight close to her. Slightly surprised at the warm touch of the Goddess Anna could only give a shy smile in return. She had only intended to thank Ishtar and had not expected to be embraced by her. It was an amazing feeling to be touched by the Devine, at once both relaxing and exhilarating. Somehow, Anna managed to retain her composure in Ishtar's firm but gentle grasp. Now she felt why Lady Abigail had so loved this Goddess. All she could do was to whisper a soft "Thank you." Ishtar smiled even more deeply at the young knight's now gentle, self defacing demeanor. For she knew that Anna was a warrior and a gifted sorceress, though she was probably too new to knighthood to know her own full potential. When Ishtar had struck Onna's energy shield she was slightly surprised to feel it already cracked and ready to be broken. This could only have been from Anna's assault; such skillfully cast shields were never naturally fractured. If Anna had but hit Onna one more time on her own she would surely have broken the shield herself. Ishtar knew that the one skill Anna needed to work on was faith in herself. She gave Anna a firm squeeze with her left hand, pulling her in tight, and with her other she pointed her index finger right at Anna's heart. Then with a radiant reassuring smile she spoke these words: Anna, listen to me: you are better than you know, and this you need to know. You are strong and you are skilled but you are still not wise. You are clever but you still need to know yourself. There are three things you need to come to know about you: who you think you are, who others think you are, and who you really are. When you come to know these three things then you will be wise. Then you will know yourself and your place in this world. Anna we take our leave of you now, for I promised my dear Ninshubar that we would not tarry long in this place; we have already been much delayed in seeing our beloved Grandfather Enke. But know this my dear Anna and live well by it: when I solve your troubles, it is because you have faith in me; but when I don't solve your troubles, it is because I have faith in you. Previous Delphinium

"I love you"