The reason all this was possible was because the kings and queens of old had been very wise. They had seen that the reason their people suffered was because there was darkness in the world, and that fed the darkness in their hearts. As long as the darkness and the light clashed there would be pain.

So the rulers of old created a mighty spell. One that would seal all darkness out of the kingdom. Without the darkness from outside the darkness in the hearts of the people would die.

With this magic they banished pain and suffering from their world.

But in banishing the darkness from their land, they banished all those whose hearts were filled with more darkness then light. Those cast out fell even deeper into sorrow and anger, but to let them in would break the spell. So the people of light hardened their hearts to the unfortunates outside.

So those people form a realm of their own. A realm based on vengeance. A realm that lived only to destroy those that had cast them out. Yet the barrier held against every attack. Thus in their rage, they turned upon the other kingdoms in the land, and no one could stand against their hate.

Now all true magic has a cost, and the cost of this magic was that those that were to wield the spell could only associate with those of their station and their direct family. The only exception was the one who they were fated to marry, and they would only meet when the caster came of age.

Thus, in their wisdom, each King or Queen had many children, so those children would not grow up alone. But one generation, one queen died in childbirth, leaving only a daughter Selona. With her father constantly away keeping the barrier up, she sat alone in her castle tower watching the distant world pass by in silence.

Her father desperately wanted to keep his child company, but the children of darkness were attacking daily, and he had no time. He watched with sorrow as the child withdrew into herself more and more day by day.

The girl Selona slowly waited for each day to pass, trying to survive the monotony that filled every waking moment. Her meals were brought up by dumb waiter, her studies supervised only by the crows that nested on the tower.

Those crows were the only friends Selona had those long years. They would listen to her and seemed to understand her pain. Yet Selona longed for a human companion, one that would talk as well as listen. One who could tell her of the world outside the royal tower.

So every day she prayed that she would come of age soon, for only then would she meet someone who could stay with her the long hours in the castle.

One day there a caravan entered the city. This was a great event, for few caravans could get through the barrier and the hordes of the dark relm. And the news of their arrival spread though the city like a wild fire.

It was claimed that the caravan was filled with people who's countries had fallen to the dark armies. It was whispered that the few ragged wagons had once been an army 100,000 strong. And it was rumored that there was a Princess of noble birth amoungst the tired wanderers.

Before the caravan had finished untying their oxen this news had reached the King. He was thrilled at this news for that meant that his daughter could finally have a companion. One who could keep her company while he reenforced the barrier against the dark armies. He called down to the captain of the guard to have the girl summoned to the palace at once.

When the girl arrived at court the lords and ladies began to whisper amongst themselves. Some said, "Surely such a dusty and ragged girl can not be a princess, she is beautiful but nothing more." Others whispered, "She must be a princess, for while her clothes are dirty and torn her spirit glistens with nobility and her eyes are full of life."

But the captain of the guard said only, "She is present your majesty."

And from the speaker the king's voice echoed, "Is it true that you are a princess young lady?"

The girl seemed unfazed by the stares of those around her as she replied, "Yes, your majesty. If one can call a girl a princess even after her realm has fallen into darkness."

The court turned to look at the magi in the corner, who all nodded their heads. And another murmur spread through the crowds. She had spoken the truth.

The king's voice once again stilled the muttering of courtiers. "Then noble princess I offer you and your followers the hospitality of my kingdom. However, I fear I must beg a favor of you."

The girl curtsied gracefully to the speaker and said, in a voice that silenced the last doubts as to her nobility, "You have given my people refuge and have saved my life, how can I repay you?"

"I would ask you to stay with my daughter in the castle. She is my only child. If you have heard of the price we pay for the barrier you know that she is constantly alone, except when I get a moments respite. I would ask that you become her friend."

The girl looked up with a smile. "I would be happy to become friends with your daughter."

Thus when Selena went to her afternoon class, ready once again to just fill out some work sheets then read in silence, she opened to door to find another girl there.

As Selona stared in shock and wonder the shorter girl curtsied politely then stepped up to embrace her in a light hug. "I'm Princess Aseki, and I'll be staying here. I'm happy to meet you."

And while she knew that she was supposed to say something formal back, all Selona could do was hold on to the girl and pray that this dream would not fade.

The two princesses quickly became friends, and not just because of the wishes of the King. Their personalities seemed to be a match straight out of a storybook.

Aseki was a very outgoing person and surprisingly optimistic for one whose nation had been destroyed and family killed. Selona remarked often (in jest) that Aseki seemed more like what a 'princess of light' was supposed to be then she did. In addition she had an incredible talent for storytelling and there were few things that Selona loved more then Aseki's tales of the wonders and horrors of the outside world.

Selona while always more hesitant and quiet then Aseki had an intellectual's naivety that Aseki found 'cute.' In addition Selona discovered that her musical and poetic skills were incredible. Or at least Aseki claimed they were.

The days passed more swiftly then and while Selona still longed to see this world outside Aseki's companionship eased the loneliness that had pervaded her life until now.

One evening they were sitting together on a balcony overlooking the city and talking about things normally when Aseki asked a question that had never been heard in this land before. "I wonder, was the barrier was worth it?"

Selona was stunned, "How can you say that having been in the outside world? And what do you mean by 'worth it'? The only people who pay the cost of maintaining the barrier is my family."

Aseki looked into Selona's eyes and gave a sad smile, one that Selona had never seen on the cheerful girls face before. "It is true that you bear the burden of the magic, and perhaps you do so willingly." Aseki reached out and embraced her friend, "And I am glad I am here for you. I know that you would never think of betraying the wishes of your people. But others have suffered besides your family. Those that were driven out, and those that lived without." Selona's eyes widened in understanding. "Those like your family."

"Yes. Like my parents." Aseki turned to look at the barrier wall shimmering in the distance. "While your people have no control over the exiles, it is because they were thrown from their homes and families that they turned on us."

Selona reached out and wiped away the tear that had fallen on her friends cheek. Aseki turned back to her friend and tried to smile. "I'm sorry, it's just I still miss them so much. They died to try to get my people here. I shouldn't be bitter about this." This time her smile was more genuine. "Please ignore all this, I want to hear that song you wrote."

Selona quickly nodded agreement, happy that her friend seemed back to normal. "It's a duet so you'll have to either let me use magic or join in."

Thus the two girls continued their evening as before. And they truly enjoyed their time together. But that night Selona thought about what had been said and wondered what the true cost of banishing darkness had been.