I had a woman's badge in my cap--for the first time--the music of her voice in my ears.

I had a magic ring on my finger: a talisman on my arm.

My sword was at my side again.
All round me lay a misty city of adventures, of danger and romance, full of the richest and most beautiful possibilities; a city of real witchery, such as I had read of in stories, through which those fairy gifts and my right hand should guide me safely.

I did not even regret my brothers, or our separation.

I was the eldest.