Katherine's chambers.

Katherine lay on her bed the tears streaming down her face and her hand stroking the empty spot next to her. She held in her hand a letter that Arerto had sent her just before the war started. It had been delivered by Bella just after Arerto had passed away and she started to read it again. # My dearest Katherine if you are reading this it is because things in the war did not work out. Yes, it means I am dead and you are alone most probably crying. Do not cry, my love we had something special and I will always be grateful to you for what you did on the island. Thinking back to how we met even though I was your **** I think I fell in love with you then. You must carry on with your life and in time find someone to settle down with and be happy for us both. Remember I will be looking down on you always. I love you my dearest sweetheart remember the good times we had together and try not to be too sad.# The letter had been signed with Arerto's normal flourish.

Katherine put the letter in a wooden box for safekeeping and dried her eyes thinking of the day she had met Arerto and how she had treated her which made her frown at herself. She remembered back to the point where Arerto had saved her during that violent storm which had cost her her ship but thanks to the Queen, not her life. These memories comforted Katherine and she lay her head on the pillow soon sleep overtook her and she dreamt of Arerto. The capture of Arerto and then that night they were struck by the storm which sent the ship onto the rocks smashing the wooden deck. The masts crashing down with the sails still set. Herself falling into the water and getting tangled in the ship's rigging as it sank then the hands around her waist supporting her as the rigging was cut away. Then she was free being guided to a large piece of debris where she was pushed up providing some safety and as she turned she expected to so her first mate but instead she saw Arerto. Then Katherine remember nothing as her sleep got deeper.