T H E  water was smooth and beautiful. Cassia recalled the first time she had seen the sea when she looked out on the Straight of Gilrain. The ferry dock was busy, but otherwise, the city that had sprung up around the ferry was quiet and small. People from the palace were everywhere, stablehands with horses, servants with bags and maids holding umbrellas over their mistresses. The few hands that worked at the ferry were on the broad ferry, getting things packed in for the hour or so journey over.
    Cassia held Greyflood at his head along with the other stablehands and Bender, who had also brought his horse. Joktan was nearby with his horse, as was Hawk with his big dusky grey. All the wagons but one for luggage would stay here since they didn't need them very much to cross the short distance to the capital of Cellos.
    The island of Cellos was in the shelter of the Gulf of Lhun, on the northern side of the Alomian bay. The island was preceeded by a deserted island that wasn't but five feet across at high tide. But the little deserted island was on the northwestern side of Cellos, and they wouldn't cross it on the ferry, which ran straight south from Inden, the little ferry village.
    Greyflood rested a hind foot with it's tip on the ground in a relaxed position. They'd been standing on the ferry dock for an hour already, waiting for the luggage and things to be put away so it all fit. Hawk's horse watched all the goings on with a constant supervision, reminding Cassia of his owner. Hawk also watched the activity in a practiced way, more out of habit than necessity.
    Finally the things were loaded onto the ferry, the Waria Doggen, and the dock workers gave the go-ahead for the horses to walk slowly onto the big deck of the ferry boat. Bender's horse gave a bit of trouble, and one of the younger-looking bays, but the rest had been on ferry boats before, and were used to it.
    Finally they cast off and the giant paddles started turning slowly, pushing the huge boat forward. The Hermit Cewhit was on an upper deck, talking with Cassia's parents.
    The Waria Doggen shifted slightly as they began to pick up a bit of speed, but Cassia thought something looked wrong with the big paddle wheels. They didn't go evenly, like they were supposed to. Instead they paddled in almost quick jerks. She shrugged it off.
    But twenty minutes later it was obvious something was wrong. The ferry hands scurried over the deck, pulling people out of the lower chambers of the boat. Bender yanked one of the hands out of the stream of workers and asked him what it was. He quickly said something about something wrong with one of the boilers, then pulled out of Bender's grasp to get back to his work. Bender looked at Cassia.
    "I don't know enough about these things." he admited. Dare joined the conversation, having come up from one of the lower chambers with Mandi at his side.
    "I do. My dad ran ships for years. The boiler is what powers the paddles. If something goes wrong it could be very dangerous, 'cause they are prone to blowing up." he said with a worried expression, looking out at the jerking paddles.
    Suddenly one of the hands lept up the stairs with a wild expression in his eyes.
    "She's gonna blow! Everyone get off!" he shouted. Deck hands stopped what they were doing at once and started prying boards off the side of the boat for people to float on. The captain came up from below, his face stained with black smoke.
    "Everyone! She's going to blow up within five minutes, so I ask that those of you who can't swim or have disabilities to grab onto one of these boards the hands are prying off. Get off as soon as you can!" he said, and with that, started helping the ferry workers. Dare left Mandi and started helping as well, along with every other able-bodied man on that boat. Those on the upper decks came down and organized caos ensued. Soon people started jumping over the side of the railings, some supplied with boards, others intent on swimming as far away as possible. Angren came down from whatever she had been doing and hastily said something about going for help. She flew away off the ferry at a great speed with Cassia's consent.
    Soon the deck hands knocked the railings into the water and people ran and jumped into the sea water by the dozens. Cassia's heart was racing as she looked at Hawk, who had ended up beside her. They knew what each other was thinking. Would their horses abandon their natural instincts and jump into the water for their masters? Some of the stablehands had abandon their charges, and horses stood trembling amid the caos or running around, narrowly missing trampling people. Most of Cassia's friends had already jumped in, including her parents and the Hermit, who was helping people wrestle their boards into a position that they could help them float.
    Soon the people jumping overboard thinned, and Cassia followed Hawk's example and mounted. They didn't even need to say anything, Hawk took the lead on his more experienced horse. If Greyflood and the other horses saw his horse take the jump, they would be more likely to do it themselves. The people cleared from a few feet below them in the water, anticipating the horse's entrance into the water. Dogs were already being led off and jumped playfully into the water without a problem.
    In a minute Hawk backed his horse as much as the press would allow him, then spurred the horse forward with a powerful jump across the deck. The horse hesitated, but Hawk still gave it the go-ahead, and he jumped into the water without breaking a stride. Bender mounted and waited for Cassia. Joktan and the others who had stayed with the horses also mounted in anitcipation of jumping into the water one by one. Greyflood trembled slightly, but obeyed Cassia's commands without much of a problem. She backed him as Hawk had done, then spurred him forward. Greyflood only had time to get in one stride before the water was under his nose, then under his flying hooves. He jumped into the water, narrowly missing Hawk, and started swimming. Bender and the rest began to jump off one by one, and soon the water was churned up with the horses. The sounds of horses blowing, children crying, and people shouting filled the air along with the sounds of water splashing, churning. Greyflood was swimming well, and soon Cassia had a chain of people on boards linking hands with the first one she had picked up. Greyflood headed to the shoreline of Cellos, which was a few miles away.
    Soon everyone was far away from the Waria Doggen, which was jerking more rapidly. A few minutes later the paddles stopped for a moment, inflicting stillness on the scene. But a second later a huge noise like a cannon filled the air, and Cassia looked back to see parts of the once-intact ferry flying everywhere. People who could ducked down into the water, and shredded boards flew everywhere, along with steel scraps, parts of the deck railings or ceilings, glass, luggage, and debris.
    The horses gave a shriek along with most of the women. Dogs, relaxed in their swimming, barked or yelped when something hit the water near them, and children screamed and cried.
    Pieces of the Waria Doggen landed near the captain, who didn't move as he watched his beloved ship blow appart. He was still for awhile afterward, finally grabbing a piece of wood and slowly turning back to his passengers.
    "Everyone who doesn't have anything should get a board or something. It's about two and a half miles to Cellos from here." the captain shouted. Most of the people acknowledged it, and large pieces of board soon had people on them. Most found good boards to use for paddles, and soon everyone was out of the water and the whole group started moving toward the distant island. Soon the people chain-linked onto Cassia and Greyflood were picked up by reletives or friends or someone who had room on a larger piece of wood, and Cassia and Greyflood swam together without a chain of people.
    Soon Hawk, Bender, and Joktan swam up on their horses. The other stablehands were doing fine on their charges, and Cassia found that the horses who had been abandon on the ships had jumped anyway because all their kind was leaving them. But no one risked getting near them because of the sharp, paddling hooves. One kick at the strength they were going at and that person would be dead.
    The Hermit, Cassia was told, was on another raft, and her parents were reported to be on one of the larger pieces of floor that had come off the Waria Doggen whole. Mandi and Dare were okay, and the rest of her company was accounted for. Everyone had gotten off the ferry safely and no one had been killed by the flying debris. One of the lords had a nasty abrasion on his head from an iron bolt, but he was being tended on one of the rafts as best as the people could manage. It wasn't likely that he would live, but the rest were okay as far as anyone could see.
    It seemed like hours, but soon the shore of Cellos was much closer and the site of the crash could barely be identified. Cassia and the other horses were near the front, as the clumsy rafts didn't go very fast. Soon Cassia felt Greyflood's hooves touch the bottom, and she sent up a shout. Cellos has lots of shallow water along the coast on the north-western side, and for once the people were very grateful for it. Most of the time it just ran boats and things aground. Soon able-bodied people were jumping off the boats, and the horses were put to work pulling the rafts with as many as ropes they could find.
    In a few minutes the water was shallow enough for the people to push the rafts toward the beach. Children and older people sat on the rafts, some still huddled together tightly. It had been just a nice day before, but now it was cold enough on their wet clothes to be a problem.
    Greyflood walked up onto the damp stretch of sand and Cassia turned him to see people from the crash coming up onto the shore. Most were doing okay, they didn't need help. They all regrouped and began counting heads and gathering their families and people from their party. Cassia's group was all there, and she led Greyflood over to the king and queen, who had already seen to it that their people were here and were making sure everyone was accounted for. Soon the king commanded people's attention.
    "Well, that was a surprise." nervous titters went through the crowd. "Nobody's missing as far as we can tell, right?" Nobody objected. Cassia interrupted.
    "My eagle went for help a few minutes before the ferry blew up." she put in. King Firien nodded.
    "That's good." he relayed the news to the crowd, then continued. "Since help will probably be coming in a few minutes, try to dry off. Those wounded will be tended by those who are able. Please co-operate in this way and if you have experiece tending wounds and such, help would be appreciated."
    Cassia went to the man who had been hit by the flying bolt and checked his makeshift bandage. There wasn't much better she could do, so she started helping check the children and older people with other young people and middle-aged women. Most people were okay, besides minor cuts or bruises. It was amazing. Most of the people who had done the work and helped the most were exhausted, but they weren't about to die.
    Soon the beach was littered with people settling in. Long salt-grass grew twenty feet or so beyond where the water lapped at the sand. About three miles away mountains rose up out of the plains, and a little river ran into the strait from that direction.
    But not a half hour had passed before they saw a dozen or so people, horses, and wagons coming from the south-east parallel to the shoreline. Their pace seemed to quicken when they saw the group on the shore, and sure enough, flying above them was Angren.


T H E  C A R A V A N  moved to slowly for most people, but the descent from the mountains took the most time. But all in all, it only took less then three hours to get to Petock. Cassia tended her horse and saw everyone in her party got settled in okay before going to her own assigned room. The palace at Petock wasn't big, not nearly as big as the one at Alturas in Alomus, more like a little smaller than Carmen's castle in the Darim lands. Cassia had been offered her own suite of rooms while the royal suite's were being cleaned and renovated, but she had politely refused, preferring being a little closer to everyone.
    King Firien and Queen Amber did get a suite of rooms, and Cassia's room was near the door leading to it. But as soon as everyone was settled, Cassia went to her room and let herself fall onto the bed. Most of her things had been sent ahead, besides the things she would need for just a few days traveling. They did that because robbers were always a danger along the roads and most of the wealthy people wanted their jewels and things for celebrations. So she had her corination dress and other things.
    Her room was decorated with rich, velvety curtains and pillars reached high up to touch elegant, carven rafters on the high ceiling. A large window took up half the eastern wall, and darkness stared back at Cassia when she looked at it. Soon she dragged herself up, pulled the curtains and changed into her spare nightgown.
    After she was ready for bed she put out the lights and opened the curtains. The firelight from the fireplace reflected in the still black-blanketed glass, but soon Cassia's eyes adjusted and she could see the stars like little diamond jewels dotted in the endless blackness of the night sky.
    Cassia had something to ponder. She didn't think she wanted the throne of Cellos. Even now that it was upon her, the enormous responsibility for it almost overwhelmed her spirit. She had known ever since she was ten, back in Nari, that she had been born to be a leader. She could lead anywhere, anyone, almost. She was what you call a born leader. But she is also very independent, and didn't really care for a position she would spend her whole life in. After the corination she was in for life, that was it for her wandering, wayfaring days.
    Oh God, is this what You want?! Cause I don't know anything! Two fractions warred inside of her, one stated that she had to do this, this was the 'plot laid for her feet to tread.' The other side shouted up loud enough to be heard across the sea. That she was free right now. Her whole life was before her, and she had God with her to guide. But is this what You want? A pause of silence. Finally Cassia fell to her knees. Oh God, if this is what You want for me, I'll do it. I told you when I had nothing that it was Yours. And even now, when I have my whole future, bright and beconing, it all still belongs to You. When I was good as dead You picked me up. Now all I have now, my life, my future, my loyalties, my ties, everything, it's Yours. Guide me where I am to go. Peace cascaded over her heart and soul, and she fell back onto the soft carpet. She'd surrendered again, and God gave her peace about what she was supposed to do. 

    My dear reader, true peace doesn't come from a rippling brook or a singing bird or even the gentle sound of the waves breaking upon the white sands of your homelands. It comes in the darkest hour, when you've come to the end of yourself, you find out your not 'all that,' when you don't have a will anymore. But when you realize God offers you something. He offers you hope, a reason, the Reason. He is the Reason. He's the reason the sun rises every morning over the horizon. He's the reason you are here, the reason I'm here, just by creating us. He is also the reason you're reading these words; that I was able to write these words. He saved me when I was ready to die because I had no reason to live anymore. An internal battle had raged inside my young heart for a long time. The meaning of life. We go through our ups and downs, and maybe come out even. We have disappointments, then victories, and if you're 'lucky' you come out on top. Smart people usually get ahead and make it. Others are left behind. All this toil under the sun, what does it all mean? Is it all just for naught? Is there no reason or rhyme to what humans are for?
    I can answer those questions with one word: God. He's the reason for everything. I had made a deal with Him that if He could show me a reason for life, I would live it for that purpose alone. Kind of funny. He did. He is the reason for everything.
    Humans were created for God, to worship and have fellowship with Him, that is thier purpose. Yet, when we mess up (as we do all the time), His benevolent love shows that while we were yet in rebellion to Him, He died for us. Show me that kind of love anywhere else! Humans can't generate that kind of unfathomable love! We have love for one another and amazing acts done for the love of something or someone, that is a tiny spark held alongside the whole, raging sun. To love something or someone when they hate you, when you need absolutely nothing from them, when they don't do anything you ask, they don't listen to you. Then to die for that person. That is the love and grace of God. It has nothing to do with giving us everything we want, contrary to popular belief. The love and grace of God is that while we were in rebellion to Him, He still loved us and didn't blast us all of the face of the planet. Justice would be served if we all went to hell. Hell is justice for the human race, what we deserve - nothing less. God gave us a way out through extraordinary sacrafice. Underline extraordinary, like, twelve times - but that mere mark on the paper won't do anything. And that's the grace and love of God. It has nothing to do with us getting an easy life of it, or getting what we want.
    And though Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for all men, not everyone gives their life over to Him in this earthly life. Only a few find the way that leads to life, eternal life, and God. Not many seek it, either. It's a narrow, hard road to follow, but overshadowed with the wings of the Almighty. And when our plight is over on earth, He'll take His servants Home. That's love, and when it comes right down to it, it's the only love I'll ever need.
    He's my reason, my love, and my Master. On that foundation I do build my life.