Chapter One
The Beginning


“Come out, come out, where ever you are!” my little brother, Enish yelled as he ran into the antechamber to my parents room. I climbed out of my hiding spot underneath their bed, opened one of the many hidden doorways in the palace and slipped in, the door closing silently behind me. From my new hiding spot I watched from a small hole in the wall as my little brother came into the room, looking for me. “Ceci, are you in here? Mother sent me to find you and tell you that Lani‘s home” he said as he crept from place to place around the large room looking for me. After looking underneath the bed (a good thing I left that hiding place!) and behind the tapestries, he left the room to go look someplace else. I waited for a few more minutes, just in case he’d decided to come back. When I was sure he wasn’t going to, I opened the hidden doorway and climbed back out of the passage.
Lani’s home, I thought to myself. I hadn’t seen her in at least a year. Alanisah, my older sister, had left last year for her fostering. On special occasions she was allowed to come back for a visit, I guessed my birthday counted as a special occasion. As I hurried to the gardens, where I’d guessed she might be, I paused to check myself in a large mirror in one of the corridors for anything that might give away the place I’d just left. After making sure that there was no dust or dirt on my clothes, I continued to the gardens.

As soon as she saw me, Lani jumped up, ran to me and hugged me tightly. This was her first year of fostering, so it had been hard on her. As I hugged my sister, I looked over her shoulder at our mother. In her late hundreds, she was still as beautiful as she was when she was twenty, or so our father always said, with long, silver hair reaching past her hips, eyes of a soft lavender flecked with silver, long, slender arms and legs, wings dark as midnight. But then again, that was not all that surprising. People of our race quit physically aging at the age of twenty. But her soft looks could be deceiving. My mother and father, along with every other Dark Angel, were seasoned warriors. I had never seen them in actual battle, but I had watched them sparring with each other. If I hadn’t known they were only sparring, I would have sworn they were trying to kill each other.

Lani and I released each other and sat down on opposite sides of our mother. “So…,” I asked my sister, “how is your fostering going so far?” As I sat back listening to my sister tell of her first year of fostering, I studied her. She was twelve years old now, and I could tell that, though she must have missed us all terribly, her fostering was agreeing with her. I could tell already that she was losing some of the pale, softness that comes from living indoors. Even though before she’d left she didn’t spend all of her time inside, she was still pale and soft, as was I. But after living, on a farm I believe, for a year she was replacing that pale, softness for a tan and was developing muscles. Slowly, I tuned back to what Lani was saying excitedly, “Oh, and I’ve been given a horse and am learning how to train it!”
“Really?,” I asked surprised, “you’re already learning how to train horses and such?”
“Yes,’’ she replied, “and I’ve already made friends with some of the children in the village.”
“Well, I’m glad,” my mother said, “that you’re making friends, dear. Ceci, Lani just arrived and I think we should give her some time to rest. Besides, you and I are needed to oversee the decorations for your birthday in the banquet hall.”
Mother and I left Lani to go to her rooms and get some rest. On the way to the banquet hall, we passed by the gardens where Mother pulled me into a little niche.
"Ceciliana," she said sitting down beside me on a little ice veined marble bench," in two days time you will be twelve, which means you will be well on your way to becoming an adult." As she said this, she put her arm around me and hugged me, lingering for a moment as though hesitant to let go, I thought this strange but figured it was due to the fact that she saw me as growing up too fast, as all parents do. "Life will not be kind to you, dear. There will be many hardships, some may come sooner or later than you think. Your fostering will prepare you for this. But enough of that now. You are not yet grown so go find your brother, and take him to play with your friends."
"Yeshta, Mama," I said as I hugged her and then turned to go into the palace. Turning back at the door, I noticed she went to the Seers tower, probably seeing how the weather would be for the next few days. As I went in and up the grand stair case to the floor housing the Royal quarters, I noticed the door to my parents chambers was ajar. Going closer, I heard two people in the room, I knew it would not be Lani or Enish, as he was out watching Father in the training grounds. I listened as a man and a woman searched for something, I could tell they were because they were becoming very, very iritated and were snapping at each other.
"Would you hurry?" the woman snapped," I want to find it before the queen or king, or one of their brats catches us!"
"Hold yer horses!" the man growled out," we'll find it, jest hold yer damned horses!"
I guessed I must have made some noise or another, because the woman paused, "SHh!! Did you hear that?"
"How could I hear anything over yer naggin!" the man replied," It was probably just a rat or one of them damned dogs!"
"Even so, I think we'd better leave before someone comes in here and finds us." the woman said. After that I heard a soft click as she opened one of the passage ways.

I rushed into the room, but they had already entered and closed the door to the passage way. The room was clean, but I thought it wise to tell Mama or Papa. Quickly as I could I ran, my wings still have yet to develop, to the training area because I knew it was wiser to interrupt Papa while he is training than to interrupt Mama when she is with the Seers. The midday sun beat down on my head as I hurried, but it did not bother me because I am used to it. Looking round the arena, I spotted my father with a group of teenage boys instructing them on the long bow.

"Papa!" I said as I hurried over to the group, "I need to talk to you, please?"
"Of course, child," he said kneeling so that he could look me in the eye. Whenever my parents speak to my siblings and I, they always treat what we have to say with utmost importance. "What is it, Ceci?"
"I was on my way to my room to change so that Enish and I could go play in the village and I heard someone in your rooms. I went closer, because I knew that neither you or Mama were in there and neither Enish or Lani were in there, so I was seeing who it WAS. It was a man and a woman. The woman sounded frustrated. They were looking for something, and when they heard me coming, they disappeared through one of the secret passage ways. Who could it have been, Papa?"
After I told him that, Papa was very quiet for a few minutes, then he spoke again "I want you to tell this to no one, Ceci, other than you're mother. She and I have something we need to discuss with you and Lani later on. But for the time being, go change into your play clothes and take your brother to play with the village children, yeshta?"
"Yeshta, Papa" I replied. Hurrying I hugged him and then ran back to the palace once again to change, hopefully this time I would be able to!"
After changing into a dark brown leather tunic embroidered with green hearth leaves, brown leather trousers, and calf-high leather boots I went to look for Enish. Once again, I found him in the training grounds with Papa and the other boys. “Enish, wanna go play with me and the village kids?” I asked. He looked at me for a moment, then back at Papa and the others and shook his head, “I wanna stay here and train like a man.” “ Alright little brother,” I said grinning, “I’ll see you in a bit.” At that I turned and hurried to the village.
As I got to the outskirts someone called to me, “Hey, Ceci! Over hear!” I turned and looked and saw my friend Alanah sitting over by a small creek with a large basket, so I walked over. “Still don’t have your wings, huh?” she asked as she thrust her hand in the creek in hopes of catching one of the silvery, slippery roze fish. “Not yet, but hopefully they’ll come before I go to my fostering.” I said, sighing as I sat down by her and stuck my hands in the warm, crystal clear water. We sat there in comfortable silence for a bit, hands darting in and out of the water catching, and missing, fish. Finally she stood up, picking up the now full basket, and asked “Wanna come with me to take these to the fishwife?” Wiping my hands on my tunic I stood up. “Sure,” I said,” do you have anything else to do after you sell those?”

“Other than going out to the Felcan forest for some herbs for Mother, no,” she said, “anything in mind?” Grinning I handed her a date slice, which she popped in her mouth, and I popped one in mine, “Well I was thinking we could go out to Birch creek for some fusciah fish..”
“That sounds good to me,” She said eagerly. We hurried to the fishwifes’ so Alanah could sell the fish then we headed out to the forest. We found the herbs we were searching for in no time and quickly put them in the basket-pouch, a few sprigs of mynth, some wild onions, and spark leaf. We were climbing trees before we took the herbs back to her mother, and I was pretty high up, when I felt something push me. “Aaahhh!!!!!!”, I screamed as I fell, the forest floor getting closer and closer, until I heard a ripping sound and my free fall suddenly stopped. “Woww….”Alanah said, coming closer,” that was amazing! You were falling, and your wings just APPEARED!” “My..my what?” I asked, shocked. “Your wings,” she said,” look behind you.” I’d felt a slight heaviness on my back, and tentatively touched my shoulder blades and sure enough I felt wings. “Wow…” I said, excitedly, “I FINALLY have my wings!! I wonder how good they work?”

“I don’t know, wanna find out?” She asked.
“Sure.” I said. At that, I took off at a run, and then amazingly was in the air. “Alanah!!” I shouted, “I’m flying!!” I landed by her, and then for some reason got a cold chill down the back of my neck, I looked around but didn’t see anything or anyone, but I DID notice it was getting late. “I think we should head back now.” I told her, she agreed and, because we BOTH have wings now, we took a running head start and flew back to the village. I left her at her house, after saying hello to her mother and father. I thought I would practice my flying on the way home, so I took a running head start, like I’d seen so many other Dark Angel children learning to fly. Again, I was able to fly without a problem and was on my way.

I had almost reached the gates to the Palace, when I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I paused in midair and circled round, observing my surroundings. I may be only eleven but I am still well trained in several forms of fighting. I hovered in air then, keeping a hand on the hilt of my short sword (because even though my parents were good rulers and well loved there WERE those, like the Council, who sought to overthrow my parents and so the older children of Royalty and nobility always made sure to keep themselves armed when alone) and flew on keeping an eye out. I finally came to the gates and nodded hello to the guards. Once I was inside the gates, the feeling I’d had went away and I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked upon the palace that I called home.

As I entered the doors to the Grand Hall, I looked around with pride at my home. The vaulted ceiling, painted with depictions of battles and coronations from years past, soared to seemingly endless heights. The wall tapestries, woven with bright colors depicting past celebrations and births, and our clan symbol the Panther, rippled in a slight breeze that the opened door had brought in. In two days time the hall would be glittering from hundreds of gowns, jewels, and laughter. Already it was bustling with people eating dinner. Everywhere was the aroma of roast fowl, beef, pork, fish. Sweet breads dripping with honey-butter, pastries, and sweet scented horthwax candles filled the room. “Ceciliana!” someone called. I turned and saw my parents sitting at the high table. Smiling, I knew just the thing to surprise them. I walked back to the doors and turned around to see the confused looks on their faces. Then I took a running start and soon was in the air again, flying high to touch the top of the clan tapestries then flew down to neatly land before my parents, grinning at their shocked faces.


Mama was the one who came to first. “How…when did you get your wings?” she asked, shock and pride both in her voice.
“When I was playing with Alanah in the Felcan forest.”
“What in the Great Mothers name were you doing in the Felcan?”
My father asked.
“Alanah and I were gathering some herbs for her mother. Then we were climbing trees, and I guess it started getting windy, and I fell out. My wings just kinda…popped out.” After I told them this, they exchanged a, worried?, look and then Mama pulled out a chair beside her and had me sit in it. “Ceciliana, after dinner your father and I need to talk to you and your sister, yeshta?”

“Yeshta, Mama.” I said as I sat down to eat. Lani was sitting next to me, and Enish was sitting at Papa’s side. Looking at the platters I noticed that most of the foods at our table were my favorites, which meant that the head cook, a good friend of mine, had cooked all my favorite foods. It was a good night, as always, with everyone laughing and talking over platters and bowls of steaming, mouth-watering food, and pitchers of ale, wine, and (in the case of children like us) juices. We could see a storm brewing outside from the ice-crystal windows. Lani and I were talking animatedly about our dresses and other plans about my birthday celebration when a messenger from one of the other clans arrived. She hurried over to Papa and whispered something in his ear. It must have been something bad, because Papas face turned as pale as one of the horthwax candles. The conversation between Lani and I died, as did all the others at our table. He was lost in thought, as the messenger stood by his side, waiting for a reply.

Eventually he came back to reality and looked around at us, having noticed the silence at our table. We all watched him as he told the messenger to go eat and rest, because she surely was hungry and tired from her journey. Then his face went back to normal and he smiled at us, and slowly the conversation round the table started back up. Lani and I went back to our conversation, but every now and then I would glance at Papa, and at times I would catch her doing the same. Looking in her eyes we opened up the Link that she and I shared, for though we were not twins we still had the same link.

*What do you think is wrong?* I asked her.
*I don’t know, but Mama and Papa wanted to speak with us later, I’m guessing after dinner. I suppose we’ll find out then, nyeshta?* she replied then asked, *Ceci, what happened in the forest today?*

I looked at her, warily *What do you mean? I told you, Mama, and Papa what happened.*

At that she looked at me, with that Look that older sisters, and best friends, have when you’re not being completely honest and they know it, and she said, *Ceciliana, I know you better. You’re more careful than to fall out of a tree, even when it gets windy. What really happened?*

I looked around the table at our family. Mama, Papa, and Enish were all laughing and talking with the messenger, but there was a strained look on our parents, and the messengers, faces. Here recently our training has been more on observing our surroundings, and such. Watching for danger, and getting away safely. I felt a nudge in my side, and looked up into Lani’s concerned, and impatient, eyes. *You didn’t answer me. What happened, and I mean really happened, in the forest today?*

I sighed again, then replied *I was up in a tree, and it felt like something, or someone, gave me a little push. Then I was falling, and suddenly I heard a ripping sound and my fall stopped.* Her eyes grew large as saucers, but then she masked her alarm before anyone could see. I figured since I told her part of what happened, I might as well tell the rest. *Then while we were flying around, I got a chill down my back, like I was being watched. I looked round us, but couldn’t see anything. I noticed it getting dark, so we headed back. Also, I was almost to the gates of the Palace, when the hairs down the back of my neck stood on end. I paused in mid-air to look around, but again saw no one and nothing. It stopped once I was inside the gates.*


As I told her this, I noticed that her fork was in danger of being snapped in two. Gently I placed my hand on hers. *Please don’t tell Mama or Papa. At least not until later, after dinner is over. They’ve already enough to worry about. Please, Ala?* Glaring at me, she nodded her head slightly, just enough for me to see. *Fine, but they need to know!* she said, *As I was on my way here, from my foster family, I heard a lot of talk in some of the inns along the way. There’s talk that Mama and Papa’s enemies are getting bolder, that soon royal and noble children alike will not be safe to go to foster families, as has been tradition for Mother knows how long.*

As soon as Lani and I were finished eating, Mama and Papa pulled us into their room for our talk. Sitting down Mama was the first to speak. “Alanisah,” my mother began, “ your sister will be going with you to your foster family.” Our eyes grew wide, my sisters and mine, because that had never happened before. Traditionally royal and noble children were to be sent to different foster families. Seeing our shock and confusion Mama hurried to explain. “Times are becoming dangerous to separate children from their siblings. Plus, this will give you a chance to gain more friends without having to completely start afresh.” Lani and I grew excited at this, because we’d missed each others company terribly. We’d always been best friends or, as my mother and father would say, “thick as thieves.” Our father held up his hand for us to be silent. “There is more,” he said. We looked at each other, and through our link exclaimed *More? What more could there be?* We then shrugged and looked back at our father.

“We’ll be breaking tradition a little bit more,” he began, “because your brother will also be going with you.” We stared at him, wide eyed, even more shocked than before. He smiled, “I can see I’ve shocked you even more. The reason he’ll be going with you is because over the next few months, if not year, the palace will be no place for a child. He’s been wishing he were already twelve, so that he could join you. As far as he will know, we’ve granted him his wish of going to his fostering early.”

At this time, my mother spoke up. “Judging from the looks that were on your faces at dinner, I believe you’ve something to tell us as well, don’t you?” Looking at each other we sighed. “Actually Mama,” I began, “I have something I need to tell you. When I fell from the tree, it wasn’t because of the wind.” As I said that, my parents eyes grew wide and they shared a worried look. I went on, “It felt like something gave me a little push. That’s what made me fall, and thankfully that’s when my wings came out. Then Alanah and I were flying around and I felt a chill down the back of my neck, and it happened again when I was almost to the gates of the palace, like something was watching us, or me.”

I’d been looking at Papa’s face while I was talking, and now looked at Mamas face. It was as white as Papa’s had been at dinner, her eyes were a midnight purple (the eyes of those of our race changed colors depending on our moods) and her mouth was a hard thin line. “Did I do something wrong, Mama?” I asked in a small voice, afraid I’d done something I wasn’t supposed to do, though what that might be I had no idea. Papa laid a hand on her shoulder, and through the Link that they shared I’m guessing he was talking to her. After a minute she looked at me and smiled, her eyes having gone somewhat back to normal, but I could see her smile was forced. “No, dear, you’ve done nothing wrong.” she was saying, “but from now on when you and Alanah, or you and Enish, wish to go anywhere outside of the palace, make sure Lani or an adult is with you. Yeshta?”

“Yeshta, Mama,” I said. “Well,” she said, “I think it is time for you and your sister to go to bed, Enish is already there. Good night, my darlings. Misekahna.”

“Misekahna, Mama, Misekahna, Papa,” Lani and I said as we hugged our parents then left for our rooms. Opening the Link we talked as we walked. *Do you think there’s more going on than they’re telling us?* I asked Lani. *I don’t know, Ceci. They’ve never hidden anything from us before, why should now be any different?* *I don’t know, but before there wasn’t as much danger as there is now, Ala.* *How much more danger could there be now?* She asked. *Remember what you were telling me at dinner? About the talk in the inns on your way home, about the Council?* *I’d forgotten that!* Grinning at her I gently punched her on the arm *I noticed. Well, we’d better get to sleep. Would you mind going with me to the village in the morning, to talk to Alanah?* *Sure, Cec. Goodnight, sis.* At that we both went into our separate rooms.

Taking from my dresser a short sleeved, spider silk nightgown the color of roze fish that ended at my calves I changed out of my tunic, pants, and boots and into it . Before turning off the lunar/solar powered lights, I looked round my room in pride at the assortment of books, furniture, and prized momentos. It was oval shaped, with ice veined, cream colored marble walls, a slightly dome-shaped ceiling, and huge arched, bay windows. Along part of one of was a book shelf filled with leather bound books, stacks of note books, sketch books, jars of brushes, boxes filled with paint. On the very top shelf were scrolls of maps, a globe of our planet, another rotating series of globes from the other planets near ours. Attached to a groove in the bottom and top of the shelf was a ladder, though now that I had my wings I no longer needed it. Next to the bookshelf was a scroll top writing desk cluttered with various writing projects of mine.

In the center of the room stood my bed, a four post, canopy bed with light linen drapes in deference to the warmer nights that the summer was bringing. After turning off the lights I made my way to my bed and turned on the lamp, and picked up a book from my bedside table to read before going to sleep. After reading for a little bit, only about a half hour, I decided to put my book up and go to sleep, because the next day we had lots to do, and the cool sheets and warm aromatic breeze coming through the windows was making me tired. I thought I saw something watching me through the clear, ice crystal windows of my room, but dismissed it because I was tired.


Chapter Two


I coughed in the smoke from my room, finally finding my way to the hallway. Must find Mama and Papa, I thought to myself, they’ll know what to do! Covering my nose with a wet cloth to help me breath I staggered through the smoke filled hallway to my parents room. I heard fighting further down the hallway, oh great, I thought to myself, we’re under attack too! Luckily I’d brought my staff, and had my short sword strapped to my side. When I got to my parents room a lump formed in my throat, a solid form of fear and shock. My parents room was ransacked, but what had shell-shocked me was the sight of their lifeless bodies sprawled across the floor, blood pooling under their bodies. “AGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”, I screamed, the someone started shaking my shoulders, I whirled around, whipping my staff around to attack……and my eyes came open, my mother was shaking my shoulder, looking down at me worriedly. “Ceciliana, daughter, awaken!! Wake up!!!”


Gasping, my eyes popped open and my eyes focused on my mothers face. Crying, I buried my face in her shoulder as she hugged me to her, slowly soothing away the nightmare. Rocking me back and forth she hummed softly, rubbing my back, letting me know I was safe. Once I’d calmed down she sat me back from her, looked into my eyes and asked me, “What was it, child, that scared you so badly?” Behind her stood my father, concern on his face and in the way he stood, still tense as though ready to fight off whatever demons dared try attacking his family. Swallowing a lump that had formed in my throat, “You were both…on the floor..in your room…..covered in blood,” the image, still fresh in my mind, brought on a fresh bout of tears, and hiccups this time. This time both Mama and Papa held me, enfolding me with their wings in a cocoon of love and ticklish feathers.

After awhile of them holding me, I calmed down and we disentangled ourselves. Looking closely at me, Mama asked, “Are you alright now, Cec?” Taking a deep breath, and pushing the gristly images from my dream as far back in my mind as possible, I nodded, “I’m fine, Mama.” And since it was dawn, or shortly after dawn, I guessed I may as well stay up instead of going back to sleep, so I asked, “What are the plans for today?” Sensing that I really WAS feeling better, Papa sat down on the bed. “I was thinking I could take you and Alanah flying.”

“Really Papa?!” I asked excitedly. “If you would like to we can,” He replied, with an amused glint in his eyes, “but first you’ve to get dressed and eat breakfast. SO…” he said grinning and patting me on the leg, “you may want to eat and get dressed, and quickly. I heard from one of the night watch as they were leaving their posts that the weather today is perfect for flight.” After he said that he and my mother left me to dress and went down to the banquet hall. Getting out of bed, I hurried to my dresser, pulling out and putting on a pair of soft, black, Muskog leather trousers, a dark gray, linen tunic that fell to mid-thigh and a lighter gray Muskog leather vest, then I pulled on a pair of summer stockings and a pair of leather, knee high boots. After hurriedly latching my sword belt, and attaching my leg sheath with my dagger (my parents always insisted my siblings and I be armed no matter where we are) I made up my bed, grabbed my back satchel and hurried down to the banquet hall.

When I entered the hall, I saw Alanah sitting at the high table with my family, eating sweet smelling fruit, hot nut muffins, juice, and fragrant, steaming sausage. Rising into the air, I flew across the large room to the table, taking a seat beside my friend. Seeing that she and Papa were almost finished I fixed myself a plate and ate quickly. After I ate, I pulled an oiled cloth bag out of my back satchel and stuffed it with a few slices of sausage and a few muffins. Tying it up and putting it in my bag I slung it on my back. Standing up I grinned at Papa and Alanah and said, “Are we ready?” Papa grinned at me and Alanah just grinned and rolled her eyes, the Papa stood, slung on his pack and sword, kissed Mama and then we were off, the door guards opening the doors for us as we approached them. Once we were outside I realized how right the guards were when they said today was perfect for flight. The sky was clear, dotted here and there by a puffy cloud or two. Birds were singing, flying abut and calling to each other, and there was a slightly warm breeze. Taking a deep breath I did a few spins in the air, enjoying the beautiful weather.

“Ceciliana,” my father called, already several yards ahead of me, “hurry, child, we’ve to be back by dark and there is something I want to show you and Alanah.” As quickly as my wings could carry me, I flew over to Papa and Alanah’s side and we flew on, over the tree tops and hills, valleys and rivers that make up our country and planet. After what seemed like hours, we came up to a mountain top, warmed from the sun. Turning to Alanah and I my father spoke “Cec, Alanah, where I’m taking you, you must mention to NO ONE, yeshta?” “yeshta”, we replied both of us wondering where it was he was taking us that was of such importance, and excited that we were going. Turning from us he started walking, leaving us half flying to keep up with him. We walked for awhile, probably around twenty to twenty five minutes, Alanah and I looking round in wonder (we’d never been here before).

Stopping in front of a group of rocks, my father turned to us and smiled, “Here we are, girls.” We looked around, but didn’t see anything special. “Um..Papa,” I began, “where ARE we?” Grinning at us my father turned and with a wave of his hand the rocks disappeared showing instead a well lit stairwell leading, presumably, down into the mountain. He started down the stairwell, leaving us to follow him. Not wanting to be left alone on an unknown mountaintop, Alanah and I started down the stairwell after my father, the “rock” entrance going back into place. Once the door way to the entrance was closed the only light was from millions of sky crystals that were embedded in the walls in swirling designs. “Come on girls,” my father called from further down the stairwell. Pulling ourselves away from the designs on the walls, Alanah and I hurried after my father, making sure not to step on our wings on the way down. After what seemed like hours but was probably nothing more than ten to fifteen minutes my father led us into a large underground room with a series of pools in a variety of shapes and colors, and each with a small statue by it.

There was a diamond shaped pool with iridescent water and a statue of a water sprite holding a bundle of spark leaves. The next was a crescent moon with silvery, swirling water and a air angel holding a lightning bolt. Against a far wall was a pool shaped like a star with blue-green water with a statue of a odd looking golden winged fish. Across from the crescent moon was a flame, if ever there was such, shaped pool with water shimmering from orange to red to a dark red and situated at the tip of the flame was a statue of a winged man holding a fiery trident. But at the very forefront was a pool in the shape of a large round pool that was very ordinary, compared to the others, but for the gold and silver swirling waters, the blue silver orbs hovering above it, and the statue of the Great Mother holding a babe in one arm, a scroll in the other, and a great staff strapped to her back.

It was the round pool that drew my attention, beckoning me to dip my fingers in its swirling waters. As I stepped closer to it, dipping my fingers in I felt as though I were safe in my mother and fathers arms, flying in the sky the wind whipping through my hair, and sitting at my desk, my nose deep in a book, these all my favorite places to be, at once. My father had been watching me, Alanah had too, and they both stepped close to me, one on each side, watching my face. My father laid his hand on my arm, but I didn’t feel it. I was seeing something, going somewhere that only my mind could go.

I was walking through the woods, barefoot the earth beneath my feet rich in smell, covered in the needles from the trees round me. Child…I heard someone say. I looked around, turning in a small circle, but I saw no one. I kept walking, my hand going to my waist for my short sword, but finding nothing. I looked down and noticed I was wearing a white knee-length linen tunic with a belt of silver discs round my waist and a pair of matching calf-length butter soft leather leggings. My hair was left down, and but I felt a weight on my head. Putting my hand to my brow I felt the coolness of metal. Going to a nearby stream, I knelt down, looking at my reflection in the waters. What I saw surprised me. While I WAS a princess, and therefore accustomed to wearing my crown on occasions of state, I was NOT accustomed to the crown I saw in my reflection. It was that of the Queen. It wasn’t heavy, the Queens crown never is so that she might wear it comfortably everywhere, but it WAS slightly bigger and of more weight than that of a mere princess. It was gold and silver in swirling designs with small pearls, sapphires and emeralds here and there.

Childd…..I heard again in my mind. Sure I was losing my mind I stood and spun around coming face to face with a woman. She was of around the same height as my mother, with short black hair streaked here and there with silver. Her eyes were pure black, the whites of them silver instead of white. “Who are you?” I asked warily. You already know who I am, Ceciliana Stormwynd…she said as she motioned for me to walk with her. I did so, but kept an eye out for a large stick that I could use as a staff if need be. She must have noticed what I was doing, because she motioned with her hand and a staff appeared in front of me, small and large symbols carved into its wood. Take it, my child..she said smiling at me, and I noticed that the smile went to her eyes as well, making small crinkles at the corners. Though you do not need it round me, you may have this staff if it makes you feel any better. I can assure you that you are safer with me than with even your own parents. I took the staff and asked, “Who are you? Where am I?” Again she smiled and said…Do you truly not recognize me, child? You have seen me many times, not in person, but in depictions, pictures, statues, and the like. You’re mother looks much like me, and why that is you will know in due time. I have watched over you all of your life, for you are a special child, Ceciliana, and there is MUCH you will do in your lifetime. Her words rung a bell and I was stunned. I was walking with the Great Mother. I was carrying HER staff, and WAS truly safer with her than with my own parents. I knelt down before her, bowing my head. “Forgive me, Mother,” I said, shame in my voice, “I did not recognize you.” She put her hand under my chin, raising my eyes to meet hers. Worry not, little one. I know you did not recognize me. Ceciliana, the time has come for you and your siblings to leave the shelter of your parents home. The time has come for you to grow, my child. For you to grow in ways you have yet to even imagine. I have spoken with your father, and that is why he has brought you and Alanah here today. She will be going with you as well, for it is her duty to protect you, and also for you to protect her. As she said this I felt a slight breeze and it felt as though I were going backwards. “Mother, what is happening?” Learn all that you can from your foster parents, Ceciliana, for what you learn there will help you more than it has ever helped a Dark Angel before. I felt her hand upon my brow and felt a tingling sensation. I have Marked you, my child, so that all may know you have the blessing of Goddess.

After she said that she disappeared altogether and I was looking up into my fathers smiling face and Alanahs worried face. I looked down and I was back in the clothes I’d worn to the mountain. “Did you have a nice visit?” my father asked, his eyes crinkling in the corners from his smile. “How long was I gone, Papa?” I asked, looking round the large room but there were no signs of daylight from the outside. My father helped me sit up and Alanah opened her pack and handed me a fruit and sausage and her juice flask. Taking them from her I smiled gratefully and devoured them in seconds, washing the food down with juice. “You weren’t gone too terribly long, just under a half hour,” he said before he added, “which considering who you were with you were gone a little longer than expected, but I see she gave you some gifts.”

Confused I asked, “Gifts?” Smiling at me my father directed my attention to a staff leaning against a nearby wall, then he helped me to stand and took me to look in the waters of the Mother pool. Looking down I saw markings in the form of a circlet going across my brow, presumably under my hair as well. I touched them, and they tingled just as it had in my vision when the Mother touched me on the same place. Looking up at my father I asked, “What does this mean, Papa?” “What it means, child,” he said, “I haven’t the slightest idea. I suppose we’ll have to ask the Seers when we return, yeshta?” I nodded absentmindedly and replied, “Yeshta.” Looking at Alanah I noticed something about her had changed, for she certainly wasn’t the same as she’d been before my Vision. Going to her side I sat next to her and laid my hand on her arm. “What is it, Lana?” I asked her. Looking at me she smiled and said “I had a Vision as well, but it wasn’t the Mother I saw. I was at the pool of the Father, the winged man with the trident?” I nodded for her to go on. When she did it was with a confused look on her face, “He told me I’m to protect you, as you and I are already much like sisters. He also gave me much the same Mark as you have and a staff much like yours as well. He told me when the time came I’d know what to do with it.”

Shortly after she told me this my father came over to us and told us it was getting late and we needed to return to the palace, and that Alanah could stay the night and he would send a messenger to her parents to let them know she was safe. We climbed back up the staircase and out of the mountainside. When we came out of the hidden passage I noticed that the sky was getting darker, but there was still a goodly amount of daylight. Strapping my short sword to my belt and taking the staff in hand, Alanah doing the same with hers, we took flight in the form of a small V my father leading the way. As we were flying, I felt the same Chill down the back of my neck, the very same chill I’d felt the day before. I drew closer to my father and told him about it. He looked around us and motioned for Alanah and I to stay close by, which we had no problem doing. When we reached the palace gates I noticed that there were more guards on watch than usual. When I asked my father why, he just told me it was a precaution for my birthday celebration, which would begin as soon as I woke the next day and last until I went to bed.

As I was going up the grand staircase to the Royal floor, my father caught up to me. “Ceciliana,” he said,” after you take your things to your rooms I’d like you to change into something comfortable but nice for when you and I go to see the Seers, which we’ll do as soon as you’re changed. I’m sure when you look in your pack you’ll be surprised.” Nodding my head, I agreed to do as he said, curious though about why he said I’d be surprised. When I arrived at my rooms I sat down on one of the couches in the small antechamber to my room, rummaging through my pack and pulling out the contents. There was the oil cloth bag that had contained my lunch, also in the satchel was my juice flask. I’d picked up some crystals and other such things from the woods and creeks we’d stopped by on the way back, these I also took out. That should have been all that was in there, but there was more. Turning it upside down I dumped out the rest of the contents and was indeed shocked as my father said I’d be. Inside were the clothes I’d worn when I’d been walking with the Great Mother, with one small exception. Alongside the silver disc belt was a pair of leather sandals dyed silver. The Queens circlet wasn’t in there, of which I was thankful.

I supposed my father had meant that I should put on THOSE clothes, so I did then and hurriedly put away the rest of my things. I brushed my hair, leaving it down as I had worn it in my Vision. Quickly as I could I hurried down the grand staircase to where my father awaited me. When I got to the bottom Mother, Father, and a couple of the teenage boys that father was training the day before were staring at me. I looked at myself in the mirror to see why, but couldn't see any stains or dirt. My hair wasn't frizzy, but instead fell smoothly down my shoulders and back, my clothes fit me well and there wasn't a single smudge of dirt on them, nor was anything torn. I turned back to my parents and my confusion must have shown on my face.

"You look wonderful, my child," Mama said, "in fact, why don't you wear those clothes the night of you birthday ball?"

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 25.06.2010

Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Widmung:
I'm dedicating this book to my mother, dad, step-dad, and the rest of my family, because you guys have been there through thick and thin.