Sorceress of the East
Posts: 1798
(2/17/03 5:15 pm) Reply
Age of Refinement (Fall of the Jomri Part 1)
In the beginning, there was only Ai. Ai created the seven Forefathers, children of the storm. With them he created the world, and the thirteen Monarchs to rule over it. Last created, were the races. Dragons, Humans, and Fairies were first, and T'Mar and Galanans came later.
One of the Forefathers, Dedra-Nai, turned to the side of evil, and the First Darkness came upon the World. His twin sister of light, Jom-Nai, led the world in the fight against evil. She was saddened by the need to send her brother away to ever-darkness, but in the end, it was done. Jom-Nai knew, however, that her brother and the forces of evil would be back. She told the Sorcerer Darmes of a child of her own creation that would be sent to save the world on the day of her brother's return.
Luna, the Jomri that had been promised, came to the mortal world in the form of a young woman, hardly more than a girl. She was instructed in the ways of magic, and defeated the forces of darkness. The threat, however, was not completely gone. Nor would it ever be. The Jomri was given Immortality, as much as she could be, anyway, and guardianship of the fabled Blue Rock Spire. She was mother of the next king of Elnador, and ruled almost as a Princess of the T'Mar.
This is not where our story focuses. Old age had been allowed to grip the once beautiful woman with the favor of the gods. She rested in her tower until the day when she would be challenged for her position as High Sorcerer (or Sorceress) of Angorie (the world in which mortals dwell).
This is where our story begins.
It was a warm summer's day in Elnador, and children flocked to the rivers to escape the heat. To of these were the twin brothers, Albin and Quall.
Albin was a kind young man, but often mischievous when he was young. He was strong, talented, and popular among the other children, especially among the girls his age. He was nearly old enough to be considered a man by the standards of his father's race. He was brave and adventurous, and known for getting himself into trouble.
His brother, Quall, seemed the same in many ways. Apart from their personalities, the two boys were identical. However, Quall was not so popular among the other children. He was usually the commander of the team that opposed his brother in their battle games, and was a brilliant strategist. He was known for his mind, but just as much for his mischievous ways as his brother.
But there was something about the two boys that separated them more than they then could understand. Quall would be a Sorcerer, and Albin would be a King.
In that day, it was law the a Sorcerer of any kind could not rule over the kingdoms that were not entirely of magic. This kept any one man from gaining too much power. A war had been started over this law once, but that is another story.
Albin and Quall were sons of a human man that had come to Galanell. He had fallen in love with their Galanan mother, and they had been sprung from that love. They had not known at that time, but a great destiny awaited them both. They would bring a new age to Angorie: The Age of Refinement.
"Come on, Quall!" Albin quietly urged his twin. "This will be great."
"I dunno about this one. What if we get caught?"
Albin stopped on the branch that he and Quall were climbing on. "What if?! Who are you, worrier, and what have you done with Quall Naristi?" he laughed. "We won't get caught."
"We're in a tree, brother! I know how bad your ballence can get at times."
"So, you're going to turn back?" Albin's eyebrows rose with mild surprise.
"Of course not! Don't be so dense."
The sounds of splashing and girls laughing could be heard from the calm-watered river below. The two dared look out through the leaves at the maids bathing in the river. Their white healer gowns were translusent, but this area seem private enough. Their wet clothing clung to them when one would rise above water level. They splashed and played in the water, unaware of the spies in the tree above them.
"Uh, oh," Quall said quietly.
"What's wrong?"
Quall carefully pointed to one golden-haired girl sitting on an island-like rock.
"Cousin Nellika!" Quall hissed to his brother.
The twins panicked. Being Galanan, even theyhad special powers, but their fair-haired cousin was known for her mind-reading abilities.
"Let's get outa here!" Albin said, but as the two of them started back up, Quall slipped. With a yelp, he grabbed onto his brother, and the both fell into the brush with resounding crash. The girls shrieked and ran off into the woods on the other side. Albin cursed loudly.
"Quall! What did you do that for?"
Quall however didn't answer.
"May I ask what you boys are doing here?" an icy voice said from behind them. The two scrambled to there feet and brushed off, carefully avoiding there cousin's piercing gaze.
"N-nothing, mila-milady," Albin stammered. "We were just- just-"
"Spying," Lady Nellika completed for him. She was an indimading sight. She stood nearly six feet tall, and had eyes that could range from soft as a cloud, to sharp as a Dragon's claw. "I thought I could sence something odd. Wait until I tell your mother about this."
"No, please, Nellika, wait," Quall said. "You don't need to trouble mother. I give you my word that it won't happen again."
"It waht? Spying? Or getting caught?" she folded her arms. "You've tried that loophold before, Quall. I'm not as foolish as Nabbad is."
"I'm not saying you are, my Lady," Quall said with a slight bow. "In fact, I marvel at you sometimes. If you just let us go, word of your mercy-"
"Enough, Quall. You can't sweet-talk your way out of this one. No you either deal with your mother, or you deal with me."
The two boys looked at each other, plainly thinking that their thone-bound cousin's punnishment couldn't be nearly as bad as that of there mother.
They were wrong.
As a girl in the direct line of the Anadea, which is what the Galanans call their leader, Nellika had certain power that the boys didn't. On occasion, she would excersize it.
As the twins polished the silver doors to the throne room, which happened to be over ten feet tall as well as eight feet wide, they wondered if they had made a mistake in their judgement somewhere.
"You know, our cousin is really becoming a pain," Albin grumbled.
"Hey, Quall? Aren't these doors supposed to be able to clean themselves?"
Quall looked up at his brother. "Your mind is slowing again. That's not good." He knew the silence that followed meant Albin had not understood. "Yes, they are."
"At least mother would have had us doing something usefull."
"That's Nellika for you. She puts us to work, but we'll have nothing to show for it." He stood back. "I think we're done."
Albin shoock his head. "We have to do the gold ones too. At least on this side, anyway."
With a sigh, Quall picked up the buckets and rags he was in charge of, and Albin followed. The boys had never actually seen the Anadea before, and hope of laying eyes on her brightened them a little. Few mortals could ever see someone so like a goddes in their time.
They had worked silently for almost an hour, when a stranger came to the door.
He would have had to have been a stranger: he wore boots. The only foot-wear used in Galanell were flimsy sandals for brief, woodland visits, and slipers for patients who weren't used to walking barefooted. This man was obviously not familiar with Galanan custum.
He stood out in glimmering hall for more than just his choice of shoes though. He wore a black cloak and red robes, and pieces of bronze in various adornments. His eyes were dark, and his hair was both black and red. He carried a sword. Weapons were not allowed in Galanell, so this aroused the boys' suspicions.
Quall walked over to meet the stranger.
"Is there something I can do to help you, sir?" He was polite enough, but he could sense somethiung in the man that chilled his blood. It was dark memory, much like his mis-fortuned great-grandmother had. Images came to his sight of war and death as he carefully probed the cloaked man's mind.
"I am here to speak with the Anadea. You will lead me to her."
Quall, to say the least, was insulted. This man was ordering him around like a servant! Remembering that the man was armed, the wiser twin chose to do as he had been instructed by Nellika in case there were any visiters. "May I ask the name of one who would ask to visit the Highest Healer?"
"You may not."
"Then who should I tell her is calling?"
"A very old friend."
Normally, he would not have been satisfied by such an answer. Indeed, the man didn't seem to respect local customs in any way at all. But there was something in his voice. Quall would never be able to understand, let alone explain.
"Right this way then."
The twins exchanged a quizical glance as this "old friend" reached out to open the door. As the golden entry cracked to allow him in, brilliant, blinding light showered out of the chamber beyond. The boys, unprepared, shielded their eyes. The door closed, and he was gone. Albin nodded his head toward the door, and Quall silently agreed. Things were a bit muffled behind the door, but not enough.
"You dare to enter my palace unannounced?" came the musical voice of the Anadea. "You haven't changed a bit, Nightshade."
"What did you expect, dear Eshka? I change for no man."
"Or woman, for that matter." At the sound of her laughter, the twins couldn't help but smile. "I take it that this is not a simple 'hello' visit to a companion from nearly a hundred years ago."
"No. I come with a message from Luna."
The Anadea's voice was filled with awe. "I haven't heard from her in years. Does she still reside at Blue Rock Spire?"
"She has ever since King Anias died. She supervises the training of the new ones. You know, more of them pour into the tower every day, but we have to send most of them back."
"People are so eager to believe now, that every child thinks he possesses the gift."
"The return of the T'Mar has had the effect. But I digress."
"Right. What message does the High Sorceress send?"
"She says that the time has come for the world to be refined, and she intends to start with herself."
"I see. When does she plan to arrive?"
"Two weeks, at the most. I need only return to the tower to fetch her."
Eshka's voice lowered. "Isn't that a bit dangerous, old friend?"
"She's let herself age too long to be comfortable with flight. We'll have to go the long way."
"Anything else?"
"Not that she would tell me, Highness." There was a short pause. "Well, the road is long, and time will not wait. I bid you good day, Fair One."
"Safe travels, dear Prince."
They didn't get away fast enough. The door opened inwards, sending both boys falling to the cold marble floor. They chorused responses to their discomfort, Albin using a word inappropriate for in front of the Anadea, Eshkanelliam. The brilliant light that seemed to radiate from her skin poured over them.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded. "Albin! Quall! Explain your actions."
They didn't ask how she knew their names. Indeed, the belief was that she knew everything that happened in her domain. They kept their eyes on the floor, even as Nightshade pulled them roughly to their feet. He seemed incredibly strong for his size.
"I- uh, that is to say we- I mean- we were just-"
"-Polishing the doors!" Albin finished the sentence that his brother could not. "Just as we had been told to by Lady Nellika. We were caught by surprise, is all."
Eshka hid her smile. "I believe that you were cleaning the doors under my heir's orders, but there is something that you are not telling me." Her tone convinced the boys that she could see right into their minds. That she knew everything, and that made them uncomfortable. "Raise your eyes." They obeyed. They could barely see the form of a woman in the midst of that shining light, but her ocean-blue eyes could see them. “I will except you story, for now.” There was a sigh of relief. “You are excused.”
Sorceress of the East
Posts: 1799
(2/17/03 5:23 pm) Reply
Re: Age of Refinement (Fall of the Jomri Part 1)
No one had known when the Jomri would come, and it was foretold that few would believe who she really was, including the girl herself. She was found in a forest, lost and alone, by a Galanan named Eshka. She was taken to Esseniar, the capitol of Elnador, for training. While there, she fell in love with the Prince Anaias, who would become king when he came of proper age. Though her personal life was buried in the sands of time, her deeds were not. She consulted with gods and goddesses, led armies against the land of Dedra, and single-handedly defeated the feared and hated Silver Witch.
But all was not peaceful when she returned home. Her marriage to the Elnadorian King was not approved of by all Enaldorrim and T’Mar. Riots becoming frighteningly frequent, and so did attempts on both of their lives. When she became pregnant with her first child, she was hexed, and forced to leave her daughter under the careful guidance of the Galanans until she turned 13. She had two sons, and after her daughter's return, she gave birth to twins.
Her first son was assassinated, leaving no heir, and shortly after, Anaias fell ill with a deadly disease. She could not mourn her husband's passing for long. A traitorous group of Dedran refugees set all of their magic to setting a horrible curse on the castle. Luna helped the new queen, whom she loved like a daughter, and her three children to escape, but was too late to save her own son. She led them to Galanell, where she knew the queen, the princesses, and the young prince would be safe.
Then, she turned on the ones who cursed her palace. With unspeakable tortures she tormented them, then she returned to Blue Rock Spire, where she would dwell with her grief until the time had come for the world's refinement.
--Section from Elnadorian History, Volume XXXVI
"Can you believe it Albin?!"
"We actually saw her!"
The boys still lived in their amazement long into the night. They should have been asleep by then, but the day's events were too clear to allow that.
"But Albin, what of that other one?" Quall wondered allowed. "The one called Prince Nightshade. What do you think he's prince of?"
"I dunno, but he said he was coming back."
"Right. To bring the Jomri to Galanell. This place will be bubbling over with royals in two weeks!" Quall stood on his chair and looked into his brother's bunk. "Do you think we'll be able to see her too?"
"Maybe." Albin yawned. "Good gods! What time is it?"
"Moonset already. We'd better get to sleep."
"Yeah. Nellika would only get angrier if we couldn't do all of those 'community service' projects tomorrow."
*~*~*
It was two weeks later, and the boys had almost forgotten what was supposed to be happening. They had gone back to their old tricks, this time pulling pranks. They were in one of Galanell's many gardens, carefully placing buckets of fridged water in the bows of trees, when they heard an old woman singing.
"From this bag of wind,
and ancient, creaking bones,
you will hear a tale
of fate and magic stones...
Ooooh! I travel the lands,
with a harp in my hands,
and a song in my heart and mind.
Of sorc'ry and sword,
you'll never get bored,
nor of the treasures you'll find."
Albin looked quizzically at his twin, and they both dropped out of the tree, following the sound.
"Be led by my hands
through those far-away lands,
and the song on my voice and my heart..."
They saw her. A weather-beaten, travel-stained wanderer. Her hair was snowy white, and her skin lined with many wrinkles. She seemed as ancient as the mountains, but for her eyes. They seemed to carry great sorrow, but also signs of a youthful spark that her age could never smother. The boys came closer, carefully hiding behind a rose bush.
"And now to bring joy,
to each girl and boy,
I s'ppose I should probably start."
The verse came to an end. She looked around, taking in all of her surroundings. Her eyes stopped on the rose bush. "Oh, boys!" she called in her creaky voice. "Help an old woman to a bench where she can sit down." She pointed to one just off the path, which the boys would swear had never been there before, nor would ever be there again. Obediently, Albin and Quall each took one of her arms and helped her to the bench.
"How did you know we were there?" Quall asked. "None have ever been able to see through those tangled thorns."
"They look with their eyes, boy," she answered simply. "You must look with your mind." She smiled warmly. "Now, who might you two be? It has been quite some time since I was last in Galanell, and there are many things here that I do not remember."
"I'm Albin, and this is my brother Quall."
"My, my," she said with a gentle laugh. "There's two of you! Twins. What a marvel. Now, what is your family's name?"
"We're Naristis, Wise one."
A look of recognition flickered in the old woman's eyes. For a moment her smile started to fade. She sighed. "That is a name that I have not heard in a long time. A long time indeed."
"Might we know who you are, Aged One?"
"Oh, how silly of me!" She held out her hand in turn to each of the boys. "I am a Bardess of Blue Rock. Caliana is my name."
The boys were amazed at how strong her handshake was. She seemed health enough not to nee the staff she leaned on when she walked.
"What's a Bardess?" Albin asked. "It's no race I've ever heard of."
Caliana laughed. "It's no race at all, boy. It's more of an occupation. The Bards and Bardesses of Blue rock travel through the mortal realms, telling their stories in exchange for what they need to live, providing news and entertainment for all who care to listen."
"You're a story-teller?" Quall's eyes lit up. "There's never been any in Galanell as far as I can remember."
Caliana sighed and looked around again. "A pity. Many don't come this far inland. They stay mostly in the Blue Lands, where the first Bard lived and adventured. His story is better known than any, and every bard can tell it."
"Can you tell it to us, then?" Quall practically begged. The boys adored tales of adventure in the unknown, and often wished themselves into such stories.
"I'm afraid that I cannot now. I have business to attend to. I didn't walk continuously for two weeks just to entertain a couple of pranksters.” With a horrifying crash all of the buckets fell at once, loosing their frigid contents all across the path. The boys bolted to their feet at the sound. When the excitement ended, they went back to the bench.
It was gone! Another bush sat in its place, as if the bush had been their all along.
“Two weeks…” Albin mumbled, trying to remember something. “Two weeks… I’ve heard that before. “The Jomri!” he exclaimed suddenly. “Isn’t she supposed to be coming today?”
Quall was running around, picking up buckets. “I think that’s what they said. Prince Nightingale, or whatever his name was, said he would be bringing her.” He looked at the spot where the bench had been. “Albin? Do you think we should tell anyone about Caliana?”
Albin only shook his head.
They cleaned up the buckets and took them back to the storage shed.
"That shouldn't have happened," Quall said quietly.
"What shouldn't have happened?"
"The buckets falling like that. There was no breeze, and I hadn't even set the triggers yet."
Albin was silent for a moment. "Do you think she could have done it?"
"I don't know, Albin. It's entirely possible."
"What do you mean, you 'don't know'?" came a far-off voice.
"I mean-"
"She wasn't at the tower when I got back, Eshka."
The boys peaked through a pair of holes in the back of the wall. There in the garden stood Eshka and Nightshade.
"This isn't like Luna. She hasn't left that tower in years, and it seemed she never would."
Nightshade had an amused look on his face. "I'm not so sure about that, Eshka."
Her eyes narrowed and she folded her arms. "What do you mean by that?"
"This is typical of the old Luna. Remember? Luna the trouble-maker. Luna the adventurer." He laughed. "I think we've finally gotten her back!"
"You really think so? I don't know."
"Shady!" an old woman's voice called out. "What on Angorie are you doing here?" It was Caliana, leaning on her worn-down staff, walking ever so slowly towards them.
Nightshade looked up. "Looking for you, of course! Why did you run off like that? What were you thinking?!"
"Oh, Shady! I thought you knew better than to seek me out when I don't want to be found. I left the tower shortly after you did."
Eshka hugged Caliana. "Oh, Luna! You shouldn't have scared us like that! And running off all alone? Think what could have happened!"
Caliana pushed her away. "Eshkanelliam, when are you going to learn that nothing can happen to me? I'm Calliadjom, remember? That means I'm immortal."
"What I don't understand is why." Nightshade said.
Caliana shrugged. "I felt like going for a walk. I wander now and then."
"You haven't 'gone for a walk' in almost 50 years, Luna. You'll have to do better than that."
"You want the real reason? You'll have to take that up with M'Ri. I am, once again, working under her instruction."
Eshka gasped. "M'Ri hasn't spoken to you for half a century! Could this mean what I think it means?"
"I don't know. I can't read minds, Esh. I am under specific instructions to meet with the Uniter and the Champion."
"Who?"
Caliana sighed. "Have there been any identical twins born in Galanell in the past 20 years?"
"One set." She fell silent.
"Well, who are they?" The boys were sure that she knew the answer.
Eshka lowered her eyes. "They're a couple of trouble-makers. I don't see how it can possibly be them... They are Naristis, Luna."
"Albin and Quall."
"You know them?" Eshka asked, unable to hide her shock. "I met them on the way in. Can you summon them for me? Oh, wait- not yet. I think I had best go through the procedure first."
"Right. I'll have a room arranged for you by midday. Will that do?"
Nightshade cut in. "I still think this is too dangerous. Are you sure that it's necessary?"
"I have to do this, Shady. This form weakens me." Caliana let her eyes wander, but they seemed to focus on the shed.
Sorceress of the East
Posts: 1810
(2/22/03 7:22 pm) Reply
Re: Age of Refinement (Fall of the Jomri Part 1)
Chapter 3
Sometimes our bodies become polluted by old age, disease, or evil influence. Sometimes we just want a second chance. To start over. In any case, it's dangerous. You must always consider that when performing the Phoenix Spell.
--Darmes the Sorcerer
Eshka had led Nightshade and Caliana away, and the twins made their escape.
"Did you hear what they called her?" Quall exclaimed to his brother. "Luna. They called her Luna."
"Calm down, Quall! Other than the fact that she lied to us, what is the big deal about her name?"
Quall threw his hands up in the air. "Luna Calliadjom, the Jomri! She's the one who single-handedly killed the Silver Witch, and married the King of Elnador. Don't tell me that you've forgotten already." Quall's face changed from excitement to thoughtfulness as he sat down. "But why would she come here to Galanell?"
"Well, she said-"
"I know what she said, Albin. She wants to talk to us, and under go some kind of procedure, but why? Why us? And what could the procedure be?"
Albin looked over his shoulder as a couple of the white-robed Healers walked past. When they turned the corner, he decided it was safe. "We could spy. I think we've been pretty good at it so far. We could follow her."
"We've simply been in the right place at the right time, brother. Spying is a whole other matter." Quall started his characteristic pace that always showed he was thinking. "Plus, if we get caught..."
"We should have been caught earlier, Quall. I know that Caliana- oops, I mean Luna, saw us! I think she wants us to follow."
Quall stopped pacing. "What gave you that idea?"
"Just a feeling, I guess."
"Then we'd better find her room, don't you think?"
"Immediately."
It was a typical plan on their part. They would pick up on a crazy prank if one of them "got an urge" or "had a feeling." They weren't far from where the three had been talking. They quietly stalked after the now silent visitors.
The sun shone from directly overhead, and Luna was just reclining onto a soft bed with white linen sheets, just like any other in the Healer's' city.
"This is going to take a lot of energy out of you, you know," Eshka ways saying as Nightshade lowered Luna to the bed. "You could die."
"I know," Luna replied. "And I won't." She took one last look towards the window by which Albin and Quall were hiding.
She sighed heavily. "Alright. Let's do this."
Her wrists were bound to the bedposts, and her feet together. Albin and Quall had to duck out of site as one of the servants closed the shutter, but there was still a slit big enough for them to see through. Luna's staff was taken from her, and propped up against the wall to the left of her bed. The servants were dismissed, leaving only Eshka, Luna, and Nightshade.
"You might want to back away," she warned. "Just in case."
Nightshade wore his worry and fear for her plainly on his face. She gave him a reassuring smile, then closed her eyes.
They could all feel the temperature in the room begin to rise, though nothing seemed to be happening. Eshka made a sacred sign in the air. "Galan-Nai be with you."
The boys exchanged a quizzical look. In that moment, a flash like that of cracking lightning erupted from the tiny room. They both flinched away from the window as the light was accompanied by a horrendous roar of rolling thunder. They dared look inside again.
The boys began to feel sick to their stomachs. They could smell burning flesh, and inside was what seemed to be a hideous corpse, burned to a crisp, where Luna had once lain. But it wasn't over. The body began to convulse. Twisting and writhing into unnatural forms. The mouth seemed locked open in an eternal silent scream. Then all was still. Eshka looked away, and Nightshade approached the bedside. It was over.
Or so it seemed.
The body exploded into a mass of blue flame, and a great wind began to howl through the cell. It circled and circled, faster and faster, knocking over vases and nightstands. Eshka and Nightshade were thrown against the wall. The wind quieted, and there was silence. Then, there was a moan. The charred cadaver began to move, its ashy remains shedding off. But underneath that burnt flesh was not the blackened skeleton that had placed itself in their minds, but a young woman, probably no more that twenty.
The snowy white hair was a shiny black. Her skin was no longer marred with wrinkles, but smooth and soft. She opened a pair of deep brown eyes, which almost seemed black. Her figure- well, she was young and beautiful. No details are need beyond that.
She took a few shuddering breaths. "Shady."
"I'm right here, Luna." He began to undo her bonds. "How do you feel?"
"Like over-cooked bacon. Has the flame gone out?"
"Yes," he said with a relieved smile. "Everything will be alright now."
"Why don't you get some sleep?" Eshka suggested as she stood up.
"No. I have too much to do." She reached out her hand. "Give me my staff, Shady. There is much to be done."
Her fingers wrapped around the wooden staff like a grip of iron. She swung her feet off the edge of her bed and, leaning heavily on her staff, willed herself to her feet.
"We will go back to your hall," she told Eshka. "Send in my spare robes, and send for the Naristi boys."
The twins bolted. They knew that they had to get as far away as possible. When they stopped, they leaned against an ancient tree to catch their breath.
"Tell me what just happened," Albin said, looking down at the ground in disbelief.
Quall searched his memory for some explanation. "I read somewhere once of a dark ritual where they can kill somebody, and put a new soul inside the corpse, but nothing like this. That was beyond anything I had ever imagined."
"We should ask her." Quall's head snapped up. "When she summons us, I mean."
"No, that would give us away."
Albin stood up straight. "Well, I guess we'll never know then."
"Albin! Quall!" Lady Nellika's clear voice rang out across the gardens. "The Anadea wishes to see you immediately."
Albin and Quall nervously approached the Doors of Gold some minutes later. Nellika disappeared from their side, leaving the two of them alone in the hall. Not a sound could be heard from outside. Without a sound, the doors began to open, seemingly of their own accord. A great light poured into the room, and the twins thought they would be blinded by it. They would say later how it felt as if they had been standing on the sun.
Three people stood at the far end of the Anadea's throne room. To the right was Anadea Eshka, surrounded by an aura of golden light. Her gown of purest white silk hung down to her bare feet. A Golden circlet kept back some of her golden curls, but most of them fell down her back and the sides of her face like liquid sunlight being poured from the hands of Eln-Nai himself.
To the far left stood Prince Nightshade, in an aura of crimson. He wore a circlet of bronze, and a cloak of black. His sword shined red as if covered with blood and his red robe underneath was now embroidered with bronze runes.
And in the center, on Eshka's throne, sat the young Luna. Her aura was of the purist white. She wore a black cloak as well, and midnight blue robes underneath. The silver circlet she wore reflected the light that surrounded her, and at last the silver dragon medallion that she always wore was in plain sight. She held her staff just to her right. She held out her other hand, and gestured for the boys to come forward.
They fear struck boys could only stare. Few mortals could ever look upon these who were so much like children of the Gods.
"Come closer, boys," Luna said softly, with a slight note of irritation at the fact that she had to verbally repeat her unspoken order. "Do not be afraid."
With legs full of lead the twins approached the throne, illuminated by holy lights. Quall let himself fall to his knees, and his brother followed suit. Quall slowly raised his eyes to gaze upon the three radiant beings that stood before them.
"I am not worthy of the honor to look upon such great power and holiness," he began. "But might I at least know thy names?"
Luna suppressed a smile at his use of the word 'thy.' "Holiness can be defined in many ways, child," she said gently. "And if you were not worthy, indeed you would not be here now. You and your brother have been summoned to us, or me, more specifically." Albin looked up now as well. "As for names, I've had many during my life. The companions you see at my sides are already known to you, as am I."
"But we know not what to call you, Fair One," Albin objected. "Caliana we know was a disguise." He might have been a bit dense at times, but he knew better than to tell more than that.
Luna let a soft smile form on her face. Gripping her staff firmly in her hands, the weakened sorceress pulled herself to her feet. As she slowly rose, her light intensified. A chorus of heavenly voices seemed to emanate from the walls themselves. In a voice that seemed too strong to come from one who seemed so frail she proclaimed, "I am the Jomri, Luna Calliadjom Naristi, descended of the Goddesses Jom and M'Ri- my patrons- wife of the late King Anaias Vorel Naristi, High Sorceress of Angorie, Keeper of Blue Rock Spire, friend of Galanans, child of Dragons, Heir of Ilda- the Queen of Fairies, and Chosen One whose coming was foretold by the Seer Darmes. I come to see that destiny follows its rightful course, and you two are chosen to fulfill it."
The brothers were in shock. Albin looked as if her were about to faint, and Quall couldn't stop staring. "The Jomri?" he said breathlessly.
Eshka left her place at Luna's side then, and went down to Albin, who had been struck speechless. Laying gentle hands on his temples she said, "It's alright, Albin. You need not fear."
She looked up at Luna. "I think we should fade it a little, Luna. Coming out 'full glory' makes a good first impression, but we don't want to scare the boys senseless."
Luna bowed her head, closed her eyes, and the shimmering auras faded to little more than a soft glow. She started to shiver, and Nightshade rushed to her side. He helped Luna back down into the throne. "Are you all right?" he asked her.
She dismissed it with a shake of her head. "I'm still weak from the spell," she replied softly. "When you control it like that, there's a longer recovery time. It'll pass." She looked down at the boys who kneeled at her feet. "You can stand back up now, if you want. The formal introduction is order, and it is time to get to business."
"Business?" Quall asked. "What business?"
"The refinement of the world, child. You and your younger brother have much to do."
"Wait, younger?" Albin had regained his senses. "What makes you so sure that I'm not the older one?"
Her eyes pierced down into his very soul. "I know these things, Albin. Nothing can be hidden from me if it is Jom-Nai's will that I know it."
Albin and Quall slowly climbed back up to their feet.
"I see no point in playing games with you," Luna said bluntly. "So I will tell you what you need to know straight out. You both have great destinies ahead of you, and lives that will take you out of Galanell and into history. The only problem is, I don't know which of you fulfills which task, so I have devised a series of tests for the two of you to take. After that, one you will be taken to the Palace in Esseniar, and the other will return to Blue Rock Spire with me."
The two locked eyes. They had never been more than shouting distance apart since they were born. Nor had they ever left home. The thought of separation was unbearable for both boys.
"Do we have to?" Albin asked in a rather childish way. "I mean, Quall and practically have the same dreams. Why do you have to separate us?"
Nightshade broke his long silence. "Your destinies can not be properly fulfilled unless you each get special training. In this case, it means splitting you up." There was a pause.
"It is not good-bye forever," Eshka assured them. "And you will meet again."
"I will give you two this night to think it over," the Jomri said as her shivers stopped. "The tests begin at dawn tomorrow morning."
Lord of Isengard
Posts: 712
(2/23/03 9:07 am) Reply
Re: Age of Refinement (Fall of the Jomri Part 1)
That's great, Silver!
I shut my eyes and turned them on my heart. As a man calls for wine before he fights, I asked one draught of earlier, happier sights, Ere fitly I could hope to play my part. Think first, fight afterwards--the soldier's art: One taste of the old time sets all to rights.
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies 
