Liz rushed through the temple and burst through the doors. Standing on the front step of the temple, the wind whipped through her curly brown hair. Brushing it out of her face, she continued on her way. Approaching a small house, she knocked on the door lightly.

"Oh, Lizzy, is that you? Just go around back. Shadow's waiting," called a man's voice from inside.

"Thanks, Mister Malloy," replied Liz as she walked around the path to the back of the house. Mister Malloy was the village's lore master and the children's teacher, but he was getting old now and was no longer able to care for his horse, Shadow. Liz, who had always been fascinated with animals, offered to care for the horse.

Liz smiled as Shadow neighed happily as she approached. This routine was a daily event, after her morning lessons and midday meal, she would come to take Shadow for a walk. In response to the horse's expectant nudges, Liz offered Shadow the apple that had been hidden in the folds of her skirt. Quickly saddling the horse, she unlocked the gate and mounted.

"So where to today, old friend?" she asked quietly. With a soft gentle kick from Liz, they raced out of the village, flying through the fields.

As Shadow slowed to rest, Liz almost missed the man sitting at the side of the road, startled as the man called out.

"May Mator bless you, young miss," the strange man called from where he was sitting against a small tree. Liz halted Shadow and gazed at the man curiously. As he stood, Liz found herself in front of a tall, lean man with darkly tanned skin and dark brown eyes and hair. His appearance was rather plain, the only standing out were his eyes which glittered with so much excitement and joy, that it made her own heart lighten with joy.

"Mator fill your heart, Smao fill your dreams, and Ebudae fill your pocket," Liz said almost without thought. Having been raised by Father Dor, she had been taught many blessings that almost came to her as second nature now.

"I see you were taught well. Perhaps you would care to give your horse a rest, so we could sit and talk awhile."

"Kind sir, you must forgive me for any rudeness on my part, but I have been taught too well to sit with a stranger in the middle of a forest," said Liz calmly.

"Your discomfort is understandable, so I will take no offense, but I truly desire to speak with you. Could we meet somewhere more comfortable to you? Perhaps Mator's temple?" he asked smiling at her. Having so much he wanted to tell her, he was determine to find a way to talk with her. How much did she know about her past, he wondered curiously.

"Fine, tomorrow, after the midday meal, at the temple."

As Liz rode away, the man bowed. "My dearest Elizabeth, it has been too long. Much too long, it is now my time to claim what is mine."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mator sat quietly in the temple. In response to his run-in with Elizabeth the day before, he had spent the morning with Father Dor. Elizabeth had surprised him yesterday. It had been quite a few years since her had last seen her. She still didn't know his identity or her own past, as Mator had found out.

Now, Mator waited for the meeting Elizabeth had promised to have with him. Sitting in the back of the temple, Mator sang softly to himself when Elizabeth found him.

"So you did come. I wasn't sure you'd be here," she said, sitting down on the bench in front of Mator, turning to face him.

"I never would have forgiven myself, had I passed up this opportunity," he said smiling softly.

Elizabeth smiled slightly in return, only to quickly return to a neutral state.

"Yesterday, you said that you wished to speak with me. You now have the opportunity, so what is it you wanted to tell me?" she asked shortly, stunning Mator for a few seconds.

"What is your earliest childhood memory?" he asked hopefully. Elizabeth appeared lost in thought for a few minutes.

"I remember a face, it was a man. He looked powerful and strong but loving and delicate at the same time. He..." her voice trailed off as her eyes grew wide with surprise.

Mator lifted the concealing enchantment he normally kept over himself.

"I remember that night well, my dear child."

"He..he was you!" she stammered, slowly getting angry.

"Elizabeth," he said softly, trying to calm her down, "Give me a chance to explain and I'm sure you'll understand."

"Who are you?" she snapped angrily. His face had often appeared in her dreams, always longing to know who this man was, who's eyes seemed so full of love, a love that was meant for her. Now, with him in front of her, all she felt was anger at him for not revealing himself sooner, for just being here now.

"You know who I am, Elizabeth. Late into the night we would talk, and have I not always granted your requests? Do I not now answer your greatest prayer? To know the identity of the one who has filled your dreams."

Mator watched her carefully as he spoke, hoping she would understand.

"You're trying to tell me that you are Mator?" she yelled. "That you're a god? What do you think I am? I don't know who you are, imposter, except that you are unwelcome here."

At this , Mator lost control. He stood, his shadow looming over the girl.

"Don't assume you can judge people so. Your destiny may be great and the lives of many may one day rest in your hands, but you will never be greater than the gods," roared Mator.

Before Elizabeth could respond, the doors of the temple flew open and a heavily cloaked figure entered. Removing his cloak, Kazor ran up to Elizabeth hugging her protectively.

"Lizzy, quick, you have to get out of here," he demanded in a hushed tone.

"What's wrong, Kaz?" Elizabeth asked, forgetting Mator momentarily.

"You have to get out of here, you are in danger here," he said, raising his hazel eyes to the strange man.

"Why should I run? This village has nothing that would harm me," said Elizabeth, studying Kazor's face.

"I can't say more except that you are in danger. I have risked too much already by coming to you. Please don't ask more of me. Just trust in me and my love for you," he begged.

This was just all too much for Elizabeth to comprehend. She jumped up angrily.

"Look, I don't understand what's going on here. First, you come claiming you're a god and then you, Kaz, of all people, come here demanding I flee from some unknown danger. You are both fools and I'll hear no more of your idiocy!" she cried, fleeing out of the temple.

Father Dor, having heard the commotion, entered the temple just in time to witness Elizabeth leave. Glancing at Mator, he understood part of what happened immediately.

"Don't think to follow her," Father Dor advised. "She is far faster and agile than even you, my lord. She needs time to understand what you've told her."

"Father, she doesn't have time for anything and neither do you. In a few days time the village will be attacked," protested Kaz.

"Kaz, my son, I can't say I'm not surprised to see you here, but I'm not surprised at the news you bring. Don't ask questions now. Don't worry about Liz, she will be fine, if it means my life. Now go home, before they notice you are missing."

The priest looked to Mator, nodding to some private agreement and left the room.

Mator turned to face Kazor, "Father Dor is right, young sorcerer, worry not about Elizabeth. Return to your forest cabin before Zendoria notices your absence."

Kaz turned about to leave, then something in his head questioned how this strange man knew so much about him.

"How did..." he was about to ask how the man how the man knew so much about him, but he was already gone.