I am in the cave, but it is empty. I am the only living being there, and it feels strange. Suddenly, a voice echoes through the cavern. "Observe," it orders. Suddenly, in both eyes a scene plays out. I am standing in the middle of a battlefield. Everyone is clashing weapons and screaming. Suddenly, before me, I see my friends and family. They are being held at swordpoint. It is obvious that I will die if I run to save them. The voice echoes in my head again. "Choose." I think over my options. I will die if I run to save them, but then they will survive. If I stay where I am, they will all die, but my life will continue. I can become great, the ruler of my kingdom, revered by all. I can be a hero, end the war. I cannot end the war if I am dead. I think for another moment, and then I charge forward directly into the swords.

Suddenly, I am back in the cave with my mother and Mayestika. I pull on the sword one more time, and it slips out like butter. Suddenly, there is a flash of light. The sword feels warm in my hands. The warmth spreads to the tips of my fingers, and then moves on. It spreads through my entire body. The warmth builds up in my chest, then stops. I look down at myself. Where my clothes were is now a set of gorgeous, light black plate armor. I slide a gauntleted finger over the armor, marvelling over the comfort. The sword in my hand shines like diamond, and the ruby in the top sends a constant pulse of heat into my hand. Speaking of my hand, my right hand now has a gorgeous black jeweled ring-bracelet. On the other, I have a gorgeous plated gauntlet. I take my mind off of my armor, and run towards Mayestika. The sword's heat increases, and it glides through her chains. She makes a loud sort of trumpeting noise and steps forward.
"Thank you, good Princess. I can tell by your mind that you are a Born Rider. Only a Born Rider can use this sword and wear this armor. Why have you come forth to rescue me?"
I smile at her. "There is a war threatening to start in my kingdom. I need you to help me."
She lifts her head and looks straight at me. "I will help you. But your mother needs help as well. Her time in that dungeon has left scars under the surface, and now she is a broken woman. I can fix her, if you will let me."
I feel a surge of hope in my chest. If Mayestika can make my mother the woman she once was, it would be a great blessing. I nod, and the dragon steps forward to my mother. And then she lets out a stream of pearlescent fire that makes me scream.

But the fire doesn't hurt my mother. On the contrary, it seems as though she is enjoying it. The flame wraps her up like a thick soft blanket, and she rotates, every ounce of her joyous. When the fire stops, my mother is younger. Eleven years younger, actually. The dirt and grime lifts from her like a fog. The wrinkles on her skin smooth out, as though someone is ironing them. Her eyes lose their dull, overcast appearance. Now, they glow like polished gold. Her hair, I now see, is not black. It is a wild chesnut brown, with blondish-auburn streaks. Her back straightens out, her ragged trousers and blouse fade away, and now in their place is a gorgeous brocade gown. The frizz in her hair straightens, and her hair becomes a thick, regal braid. A thin golden circlet appears atop her head, and a smile of peace crosses her lips. For the first time, I see my mother the way that I am meant to see her, the way that she is inside. My mother may be ragged and old and worn, but inside she will always be a queen.

Startled, I drop to the ground in a submissive bow. "My Lady," I whisper, awed. My mother titters in a decidedly unregal manner.
"Oh for Lord's sakes, Lorelei. You don't have to call me 'Lady'."
I laugh. "Alright, alright, I won't anymore. But we must go now. Everett might have noticed that I am gone. Mayestika, you can stay in the abandoned dragon stables at the castle. Mother, you might want to go back to your cell just until I give the word. This way, nobody will suspect anything."
The dragon nods, and I think that she smiles. "Yes, that sounds excellent. But please, call me Maye."
I nod. "Alright, Maye." And then we walk out of the passage and back into the central cavern.