"You know about this Mala?" Drakon addressed the healer.
    "Garalt, how did you know?" Mala smiled.
    "Simple.  You said I wouldn't be prepared for what I would find at my parents house.  Under normal circumstances, that wouldn't mean anything.  But you knew my name, and I've never met you in my life.  That must mean you either knew my parents, or my real parents.  And if you knew my real parents, you'd have a reason to follow how my life has been going, and thus you'd recognize my face."
    "Very good young Garalt, I am impressed," Mala chuckled softly, turning to Drakon, "Yes, I know about his real parents.  As I'm sure you already know, Garalt's father was Garadaine the Cleaver, one of the greatest Triark Dragoons there ever was.  Did you ever get to meet him Drakon?"
    "No, Milady, regretfully I did not."
    "Garalt's mother, on the other hand," Mala continued, "was Kiana Di'Anlan, of the Order of Huldrain.  A powerful paladin priestess."
    "There's ya a mouthful," Tundrock commented.  Mala smiled and went on.
    "She, like Garadaine, was one of the best at what she did.  This is how I came to know them.  I summoned the two here, along with several other warriors from around Kahlan."
    "My parent's suicide quest..." Garalt mused.
    "Yes, they all knew that it was a one way trip to where they were going," Mala sighed.  "But before they could go, they had to wait for the proper alignment of the stars, and that was a year after I had gathered them."
    "And Kiana and Garadaine started spending time together, and I happened," Garalt said to himself.
    "But Mala," Alyia started, "What were these warriors trying to accomplish.  In Kiana's letter she spoke of an evil lying dormant, and that the group was going out to prevent it from waking up."

    "There was a group of dragons trying to reawaken the sleeping four.  The most powerful of which you've already met, Tel'Karak Zrahl."  Mala answered.
    "Why would dragons wish to wake up the four dragon siblings?" asked Drakon.
    "Yes, aren't dragons one of the most powerful creatures on earth as it is?" Alyia added.
    "That may be true, but we humans vastly outnumber them.  These dragons wanted the world for themselves and all dragon kind.  I do not know what made these dragons hate humans so, but they did.  They thought by awakening the wind of death and her siblings, the world would once again be ruled by dragon kind."
    "So what were the warriors you summoned setting out to do?"  Garalt asked.
    "When the stars were aligned right, all four dragon siblings could be awakened simultaneously.  Obviously forces like that let loose upon the world would be devastating, but the dragons would never show themselves until that time.  So the seven warriors I summoned had the task of being there when the dragons showed themselves, defeat the dragons, and put Tel'Karak back in her slumber."
    "Back in her slumber?" Garalt was confused.
    "During this alignment, ANY dragon that comes within line of sight of one of the sleeping four will awaken them.  However, unlike breaking the spell as in the case of Tel'Karak today, the spell would be bent so that the dragon could remain awake.  Thus, she was still very groggy after the dragons were defeated.  Only one of the warriors survived the onslaught, but he told me what he saw.  Your mother and father were one of the last to fall, Garalt.  The dragons fought fiercely, but they were defeated.  However, this only left two of the warriors left alive.  Two wizards, one from Kahlan, and a Priest of Zaan from the lands to the west.  The one from Kahlan you know, Garalt."
    "Xanath?" Garalt said softly.
    "Indeed.  Before the battle, he was very powerful.  Xanath lost most of his magical abilities that day.  Xanath's job was to attack Tel'Karak head on, distracting her from the Priest's job of putting her back to sleep.  Obviously they succeeded, but not after Tel'Karak Zrahl fell asleep in mid flight, killing the Priest of Zaan as she fell."
    "If we find another Priest of Zaan, can we put Tel'Karak back to sleep?" Garalt asked.
    "Yes, Xanath and I have been talking about doing just that.  Unfortunately, we know of no Priest of Zaan powerful enough to cast the spell.  Someone will have to travel to the west and learn what they can there."
    "I will go, then," Garalt said firmly.  Mala smiled.
    "I knew you'd volunteer.  Drakon, Garn, I'm sure you two would be of big help if you went with him."  The two knights nodded slowly in approval.
    "I'll come too!" Alyia cheered, wrapping her arms around one of Garalt's.  Garalt looked at her and smiled.
    "If the Princess goes, we go." Tundrock said sternly, motioning to his three subordinates.
    "Wonderful!" Mala said in approval, "Now, taking a ship to the west will take too long.  Every moment that passes Tel'Karak grows stronger and destroys more of Kahlan."
    "Then what do we do?  The master portal has been destroyed..." Garalt lowered his head.
    "It can be rebuilt, but that will take time.  I have a feeling we can bring you back here if we rebuild it.  As for getting you to the lands beyond, I suggest seeking out the help of the Elves.  They regularly communicate and trade with their brothers across the seas.  They might have something that will get you there."