by Jaci Miller
“I think so,” she responded, quick to cover up the nervous energy that had been building as she had come up the trail.
“And you are willing to accept your destiny and all its responsibilities.”
“Yes,” she whispered her heart pounding so hard she was sure Sebastian could hear it.
“This is going to send you on an entirely new path Dane, and there will be sacrifices to be made.”
“I understand Sebastian. I have lived with a secret most of my life, hiding who I am from the entire world and building relationships on half-truths. This is just more of the same.” She lifted an eyebrow and smirked. “Anyway, it’s not like I can refuse.”
He looked at her affectionately understanding what she meant. “Our destiny does not always give us a choice that is true, but there is always a way for us to find peace with our fate.”
She nodded, knowing deep down that the choice she was making was indeed the correct one and that her destiny would unfold the way it was intended. She had accepted her role in this prophecy and was determined to see it through, at whatever cost. “I am fine and ready. I won’t let you down, Sebastian.”
He squeezed her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. “The moon is out and will be reaching its apex in a few hours, we must prepare.”
She followed his gaze, the full moon its ghostly glow visible behind the farthest branches of the treetops.
Sebastian pointed at a large root, motioning for her to sit down. Flinging his cape up behind him as he sat, he looked at her, his brow furrowed and an intense seriousness in his eyes.
“There are things you must know and remember before you enter the portal.”
His tone was somber as he looked intensely at her. “As I told you before our world is in what we call stasis; a magical dormancy. While your presence may rouse the magic from this dormancy, only reigniting the Druidstone can power and strengthen that magic fully. The Druidstone is essential to the magic of the realm and is also where you will be given your birthright. It is located at the top of the highest mountain on Dywen, residing in a sacred place called the Temple of Earth. It will not be an easy journey. You must go to the ancient city first. The location of the Temple of Earth and how to navigate the perils of the mountain can be found in the Great Hall of the Warlician Barracks, inside the city walls.”
A shadow passed over Sebastian’s features.
“I am not sure where the portal will open on the other side, so you must be vigilant. Without a direct link in the ancient realm to stabilize it the portal may be erratic, and you could emerge anywhere. Dywen is the largest of the realms and not easy to navigate as it has a multitude of varying landscapes, some harsher than others. For guidance, look to the sky and head directly toward the two moons. They are visible constantly during the day and night and will guide you to Arcadium, the ancient city of Dywen for they hang directly over it.”
Sebastian placed his hands firmly on her shoulders, looking deep into her eyes. “Besides activating the Druidstone you must locate and return with the Book of Realms and the Essence of Ether, as both these items are essential to what is coming. This will not be an easy task as both these items have been magically hidden. Dywen’s magic will strengthen after the Druidstone has been reactivated and your birthright fulfilled. Harness the ancient magic of your ancestors Dane it will guide you through your tasks and help you find what you desire. Rely on your instincts, they will not fail you.”
“What about the other Warlician? The one tasked with looking after the book. Will he not help?” She asked not understanding why this other warrior was not involved in making her arrival in Dywen an easier transition.
“You must be wary of him for he has been in a deep sleep for billions of centuries. He will know nothing of the time that has passed or the world beyond his own. His instinct for survival will be stronger than his memory of the past, his need to protect the book his only priority. He will be unreliable at best. He will not know you, nor trust you and he will not hesitate to harm if he deems you a threat, so you must proceed with caution.”
Reaching into his pocket, he handed her a large silver coin. On one side was engraved a tree its trunk an inverted sword, the other a dagger piercing a sphere.
“What is it?”
“It will ensure your protection.”
“How is an old coin going to do that?”
“One side is your family crest,” he said pointing to the side with the tree, “the other is the mark of The Order, one he knows well. When he finds you, and he will show him this and he’ll know that you are one of us.”
She turned the coin over and over in her hand inspecting the dented pewter surface and the ancient etchings before storing it safely inside the front zippered pocket of her jacket.
Sebastian turned, gesturing for her to follow him to the base of the tree. His green eyes softening as he stared deep into hers.
“Remember Dane, listen to your instincts they will guide you and never second guess your intuition it will rarely be misleading.” He paused briefly before continuing a heavy sadness coating his voice as he spoke, “You carry a heavy burden my dear but accept your destiny and you will prevail.”
Gracing her with a knowing smile he stood and faced the trunk, the full moon’s glow casting it in a soft ethereal light. Lifting his hand, he placed it on the flat part of the scar, light springing from his fingertips. Closing his eyes, he recited something in a tongue she did not recognize. Suddenly the smooth bark beneath his hand disappeared and in its place, was a flat panel with five corresponding holes, each a different color.
He took a few steps back, gesturing for Dane to proceed.
Quickly, she removed from her backpack the leather bag where she had stored the portal stone. Its glow ignited the moment it touched her skin. She carefully placed it in the corresponding green hole in the panel. The stone glowed for a moment longer and then began to throb, a hum that pulsated through the dark clearing as the full moon’s light bathed the old Elder Oak in an enchanted silver glow.
She took a few steps back as a green light began to seep from the portal stone down the trunk of the tree, over the ground and upward, forming an arched doorway of rotating green light. She stared in awe at the portal, the brilliance of its green glow was stunning, a shimmering gateway to a land lost in time.
Smiling she turned to Sebastian. “Thank you,” she said squeezing his hand gently. “I will miss you.”
“I will never be far,” he replied, as small white sparks began to emanate from his body and his physical form once again transformed to light.
She watched until the last of his light receded into the tree before turning to face the portal, its haunting hum beckoning her. Clasping the medallion that hung around her neck she took a deep breath, shifting the weight of her backpack and taking a step toward the portal. Suddenly, she heard Sebastian’s voice in her head—go now and uncover your past.
With his words echoing in her mind Dane walked through the portal, unsure as to what she would find on the other side. As the portal’s green light encircled her body, carrying her into the unknown, she readied herself to meet her true destiny.
Chapter 18
Dane stood on the precipice of a magnificent waterfall, its mist gently caressing her face. The rumble of its cascading flow silenced any other sounds evident in this world as it thundered powerfully to the river hundreds of feet below.
From her position atop the waterfall, she had an unspoiled view of the breathtaking landscape that stretched before her. The massive green forest was the color of emeralds, its expanse cut in half by the waterfall’s river that wound through it like an aqua green snake, sparkling vibrantly as it basked in the day’s golden hue. In the distance hung two moons, their silver surfaces shimmering in the sunlight. The first was enormous as it hovered low to the ground, allowing
her to make out the slight imperfections on its surface. The three rings encircling its perimeter reflected the sun’s rays, casting a colorful prism of light outward. A second much smaller moon sat just to its left. It too shimmered in the sunlight but its surface was smooth as glass and void of any blemishes.
She could see for miles in every direction, the magnificent beauty of this land taking her breath away as she turned, slowly scanning the different horizons. A mountain range towered up in the distance, grey rock peaks reaching gracefully into the cloud bank that hovered over their tips. Behind her stretched an expanse of dusty flatland, large rock formations scattered across its vastness. The barren land seemed to fall off the edge of the distant horizon as heat waves shimmered on its surface.
The surreal beauty of this realm was haunting. She smiled, this was the world she had seen in her visions, her ancestor’s homeland.
Luckily, the portal had opened at the top of a waterfall making it easy to get her bearings and see where she needed to go. She had emerged from the portal feeling slightly hazy and a little nauseous, but it had passed quickly as she stood gazing out over the realm of her ancestors.
As she scanned the landscapes in awe, a glint exploded in her peripheral vision and she turned quickly to see what had caused it. Off in the distance, directly below the moons, she could make out a structure rising from the edge of the thick forest.
She removed the binoculars from her backpack, training the lenses in its direction. Tall stone turrets reached silently upward from the lush green forest, their silver-tipped spires piercing the blue sky. Beyond the stone castle and the city walls, snuggled quaintly into a pristine vale, she could see a village; smaller stone and wood structures nestled together on empty dirt streets.
Arcadium, she thought her eyes straining as she looked for movement even though she knew she would find none. She could feel the deafening silence of this world as it wound around her.
A gentle breeze ruffled her hair, whispering as it blew by, its wisps tainted with the scent of unknown flowers. She closed her eyes letting the warm breeze caress her skin. Suddenly, she felt a slight tug on her magic as her existence in this world began to awaken a pulse that had been lost long ago. A Callathian had returned home and Dywen knew it.
She glanced at her watch the hands firmly set at 8:15. She had been in the portal for less than two minutes.
Taking out her compass she noted the direction of the village. She would need to go southeast from the other side of the waterfall to reach the city. She looked around for a path or any indication of how to get down, but none was visible from where she stood. Walking slowly, she circled the top of the waterfall looking over the edge, the pounding water hurtling to the canyon floor below. Making her way to the backside she found no way down there either, only a rope ladder that hung precariously down the cliff and ended on a small ledge about twenty feet below. She could see nothing beyond the ledge as the vegetation was too thick, so with no other options, she began to descend carefully down the rickety ladder.
Near the bottom, she saw the cliff jutted in and hidden beneath its ledge was an opening. Taking the flashlight from her backpack she pointed the beam into the darkness. Dusty stone stairs descended the inside of the waterfall where she could hear the faint rumble of the water echoing far below.
“This must be the way down,” she said softly, hoping that she would not drop hundreds of feet to her death because ancient stairs gave way beneath her.
Carefully, she began to descend, slowly testing the ability of each to hold her weight before she continued to the next. The stairs spiraled downward into the dark and she lost sight of them as they left the reach of her flashlight’s beam. Hopeful that they would hold, she descended quicker, allowing the beam to race ahead of her, ensuring there were no obstacles waiting.
Eventually, she reached the bottom of the staircase, the rumble of the waterfall much louder now. Daylight lit up the far wall. She headed in that direction, finding a small opening in the thick rock, that led outside.
As she exited, she could feel the spray from the waterfall pounding ferociously only feet away, a deafening roar that drowned out every other sound around it. She realized quickly that she was on the opposite side of the waterfall. Checking the compass again she confirmed that southeast was now on the backside of the waterfall. Unable to see the spires or the moons from where she stood she searched the area for a trail or a way through the thick forest. Skirting the river’s edge, she found a break in the foliage about a hundred feet down. A worn stone path led into the trees and she followed it in hopes that it would circle back, taking her in the correct direction otherwise, she may be getting hopelessly lost in a dense and unknown forest.
She trekked through the thick, shadowy woods for what seemed like hours, the slowness of her watch reminding her, this world was not her own. She stopped occasionally to check her direction and drink water but kept moving at a consistent pace hoping to emerge from the forest before Dywen’s day ended, whenever that might be.
The similar appearance of Dywen to earth was uncanny making Dane feel more comfortable and at home with her surroundings. The differences between the two were evident only in Dywen’s visual intensity. The green of the foliage was surreal, vibrant and bright as each leaf shone like it was covered in shimmering dew. There was an abundance of large colorful flowers that seemed to thrive in this shadowy environment, each showcasing brilliant unique colors not found back home. Thick root-like vines hung in loops from large trees coiling around the trunks and swaying lazily in the light breeze; a warm soothing gust that consistently carried the delicate scent of unfamiliar flowers.
She could feel the life pulsing through every part of the forest. It was alive with a renewed sense of purpose, an essence that beckoned to her as she passed.
Stopping at a small stream, she bent down and dangled her fingers in the cool water, a tingle creeping up her arm as the water flowed by her fingertips. She could sense the water’s direction, felt it ebb and flow as it moved around rocks and through the thick reeds that dotted its surface. The sand at its bottom was soft but determined as it fought the pull of the current. The sweetness of the clean water flowed over her senses, immersing her in its life force. All her senses were electrified by the energy that ran through this world. She had never been so in tune with the natural environment or experienced such intensity—it was exhilarating.
The light was beginning to fade as she made her way into a small clearing near a rock cut jutting out from the side of a small knoll. Satiny green moss clung desperately to the knoll’s stone surface, cascading gently down its side and onto the forest floor. She quickly took stock of her surroundings deciding this would be a good place to camp for the night.
Placing her backpack against the tree she took the knife from the sheath strapped to her calf and went in search of firewood. Finding some, she gathered a few rocks and placed them in a circle around the wood, building a small fire pit. Once the fire was lit, she took out the small thin blanket she had brought from home and laid it on the soft mossy ground using her backpack as a backrest. She ate her sandwich and an apple, listening to the crackle of the fire and thinking about all the wonders of this new world that were immersing her senses in its strange magical essence.
As the light faded into night and the forest went dark, Dane began to feel a heaviness pressing down on her heart, a loneliness quite unexpected. She reached into the side pocket of her backpack and took out a crinkled photograph. Staring back at her were the faces of her mother, father, and her five best friends. The ache in her heart expanded until she couldn’t bear to look at the photo any longer. Tucking it carefully back in the pocket she concentrated instead on the task that loomed ahead of her.
Tomorrow she must reach the city and find the way to the Druidstone. Always keep the moons in front of you, he had told her, and you will find what you
seek. Great advice if she could see the moons through the dense canopy of the forest. Currently, she was relying on intuition and luck.
The fire died down and the surrounding area fell into shadows. Without the bright light of the sun blocking them, she could see the two moons shining like silver orbs in the night sky their shimmering light filtering down through the small breaks in the forest canopy. They were much larger than they were from the top of the waterfall, so she was thankfully heading in the right direction.
Settling back onto her blanket, she propped her head comfortably on her backpack, as the dark sky peeked down at her. The canopy seemed to open at night. Branches recoiling slightly letting the moonlight seep unobstructed to the forest floor. As the sky darkened, thousands of stars appeared twinkling erratically against the inky backdrop. The stars were different here, there were no constellations that she recognized, and the stars seemed closer to the ground. There was a faint green-tinged haze that encircled each star adding to the brilliance of its glow. Layer upon layers of stars, one in front of the other, twinkled in a subtle pattern. The night sky was alive, she could feel the magic pulsing through the air as the breeze carried the moonlight across the land. The energy encapsulated in this world was comforting and it made her feel safe. She closed her eyes letting the rustle of the overhead leaves lull her to sleep.
She was awakened the next morning by the sun as it rose over the horizon and pierced the small knoll with its blinding golden rays. The temperature had risen, and it was humid and sticky in the forest. She changed into a cotton tank and tied her jacket onto the loop of her backpack. Quickly, eating a bagel and drinking some water, she doused the still warm fire with sand ensuring that all the embers were completely out before leaving.