Book One: Beginnings

by Nicole Ashley Brown Segda

  The datrymia blinks its eyes and Joel does the same. Upon doing so, he finds that the datrymia is gone and Jessica is sitting on the ground. She smiles. “I could still see you, but for some reason I think it worked.”

  Joel laughs as he scratches his forehead. “The datrymia running me down gave it away, didn’t it?”

  She smiles conspiratorially. “So what did you say to it?”

  “Oh, that’s right. You wouldn’t have been able to hear us, would you? Good thing.”

  She sulks. “You say that like it’s so obvious.”

  “Well, light and shadow is one thing, but sound is a completely different animal. You may hear voices but you are not immune to all forms of camouflage.”

  She stands. “Fine. But you do realize what this means, right?”

  “What?”

  “It means,” she pokes him in the chest, “Mr. Know-It-All, that you could turn invisible to the world but I will still see you. More fundamentally, I am blind to nothing. And I may not hear everything, but I hear what others cannot.”

  Joel taunts her. “Are you saying that you are better than me? Because if you are, I would have to say that you’re crazy, Mrs. I-Hear-Dead-People.”

  “No,” she shakes her head, “just that we are different you and I.” She smiles as she looks past Joel. “It’s glowing green now. Do you think it means something?”

  Joel rubs his sore behind. “Yeah—jealousy.” Carefully sitting down on the dew wet grass beneath him, he lets out a long sigh. “You know, the thing about pain is that the initial shock always seems to be the worst but then there is a period of numbness—which is fine—but it later gives way to a persistent throbbing that only serves to remind you of that initial shock over and over and over again, multiplying it into a million little knives stabbing you at random but stabbing you constantly and ceaselessly.”

  Jessica laughs at the exaggeration of his condition. “Get over it already.” Giving him a hand to help him pull himself up, she sighs, “You’ll be fine.”

  He looks incredulously at her. “Say that tomorrow morning when I wake up and won’t be able to move because all of my nerves have been stunned into paralysis. You’ll have to carry me over your shoulder for the rest of the journey and I will be of utterly no use to you.”

  Mischievous as ever, she smiles impishly. “Well, if you will be of utterly no use to me, then I will just leave you behind.”

  “Touché.”

  “I … I…,” she stutters, “I was just joking, Joel.”

  He nods. “I know you were.”

  She stares at him, seriously and almost as if hurt. “I would never leave you behind.”

  He nods his head once more. “I know you wouldn’t.”

  She sighs, relieved, “I am glad you trust in me so much. You believe in me more than I have the right to be believed in.”

  “I wish you could see what I do.”

  “But I don’t.”

  “Not yet.”

  She nods. “Not yet.”

  * * *

  Through the stories of adventure told by the occasional traveler stopping in for a drink and the dusty old books thrown haphazardly into dustier, older shelves of her father’s establishment, Rachel knew that the world—that Ilia—was a large and exciting place. It had to be. But up to this point in time, her life, her world, was very small. It had been defined by four dreary walls with four shadowy corners to hide in. The Green Tavern had been her life, and now it was gone. The fires of oblivion had ravaged her welcome prison and the process was made complete when its ashes were swept away by the winds of inevitability.

  Oblivion was her destination. Inevitability was her truth. What else could she—a former barmaid whose lessons were in etiquette and self-debasement and with a natural tendency to blush at the slightest embarrassment—expect? She had no right to entertain this idea that she had this “potential” that everyone speaks so fondly of. But, nevertheless, she did.

  Behind the doe eyes and nervous smile awaited a restless spirit eager to be set free. Standing here upon this hill, for the first time in her life she felt alive. She wasn’t sure if it was just this place or the people she met here, but something deep inside her was unleashed and she was curious to see to where it would take her. She wanted to be able to tell her own stories. She wanted to see the world for herself.

  She knew that her journey had been preempted by the fire—that much she could not change—but she could control where she went from here. She had to be methodical, approach this scientifically, because she knew she had much to learn before she was ready to start out on her own. As eager as she was to set out, she had weighed the consequences of such rash actions and determined that it would be more prudent for her to wait. So prudent as ever, wait is what she would do.

  Perhaps what drew her so undeniably to the Sylvan cottage was its centrality in her cause. As heir to her father’s place in Oracle Seven, she had been brought up in an environment in which she was always aware of the state of the world. Though only four when she was first introduced to the concept of securing the future of the Ilian peoples, she had understood, to the degree permitted by her age, just how important such a task was. As she grew older, she became more attuned to exactly what would be expected of her when her time would come to inherit her father’s position, not because of their relationship but due to her own fervor in resisting the temptations of a cruel promise masked in pleasantry. She knew well the face of evil, though hidden it may be. Its very nature motivated her in her commitment to the fight for good.

  And now, removed from the life she had known, she was forced to confront the fate that, though expected, came much sooner than she would ever had imagined. She was eighteen, and though older than the majority of her charges, she felt as unprepared for this challenge as they were ready to meet it. Having just two days ago learned of their abilities, they already seemed as if they had been controlling its powers for years. This fact did not surprise her, for she knew of its integral contribution to their individuality, but she was admittedly amazed at the breadth to which they grasped the gifts bestowed upon them. But there was still much that they needed to learn about the nature of the war in Nesthra. It would fall on her to prepare them for battle and guide them in their respective journeys of self-discovery.

  She herself did not possess any great abilities, but she would one day harness the knowledge stored within her father’s crystal and that will provide her with the tools necessary to successfully complete her mission. Much like a computer that she had read about in ancient texts, the knowledge contained within could be downloaded, accessed, and retained for future use. And like that ancient device, the information could also be encrypted so only a designated user had access. These computers came before the Great Flood, though and, much like most everything else that existed in the antediluvian era, were destroyed. The High King Donovan and his queen the Lady Gwendolyn chose not to resurrect this technology and it was therefore left buried with the ancients. They did, however, commission the design of seven crystals that had similar capabilities and were powered by interfacing with the user’s nervous system and were unlocked with a biometric encryption key.

  Many safeguards had been put in place so that these crystals could not be misused should they fall into the wrong hands. So the news that they had been betrayed was very troublesome indeed. How could such a betrayal even be possible? Something malevolent was indeed at work here. Whether this information was given to simply sow the seeds of doubt or it truly identified a grievance that persisted within Oracle Seven remained to be seen. And if the latter, how deep does this darkness dwell? Did a member of Oracle Seven simply entrust sensitive information to someone undeserving of that trust or was one of their own a traitor? Worse yet, if there is a traitor, had they never been of them to begin with? Had they all been fooled by a demon disguised as an angel of light?

  Her father had warned her that in the wrong hands, the crystal had the power to destroy. With all that is
at stake and with all the doubts and questions coursing through her mind, she decides it is best to just watch and wait. And pray. She must always pray. Rachel knew that in time, the iniquity would reveal itself.

  Pete emerges from the stables and steadily walks over to where his daughter stands. “Rachel.” He pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts before he continues, “Rachel, do you remember when I first told ya ‘bout Oracle Seven?”

  She nods.

  “Methinks da time ‘as come for me to pass dis burden to ya.”

  She looks back at him in surprise but otherwise remains silent.

  Rubbing his temples, he sighs deeply, “I cannae begin ta illustrate jus ‘ow much of a burden dis will be. Mah only advice is dat you trust in God and believe in da power of ‘is Spirit dat convicts you. Doubt is a seed dat once planted, only continues ta grow and becomes dat much more difficult ta remove.” He falters, as if seeming to catch his breath. He looks intently at his daughter’s face as if tracing her image into his memory forever. “You ‘ave been such a blessin’ in mah life. Mah only regret is dat mah mission ‘as left you secluded from da world of which ya’re so curious.” Taking her hands, he smiles and a single tear escapes the corner of his eye. “Promise me,” he coughs vehemently, “promise me dat after yer mission is done, you will visit da land of our forefathers. But make dis journey to Phyrre as much for yahself as ‘tis for me and as ‘twill be fer future generations. In da meantime, enjoy yer life. Do not waste yer days in regret. Seize yer moments of ‘appiness when dey come, fer dere will be plenty dark days when ya’re waitin’ fer da sun.” He hugs her deeply, ignoring the tears streaming down his face.

  Rachel lays her head on her father’s shoulder. “Why do you cry, Papa? In all my years I have not known you to cry.” Pulling away from his embrace, she looks at him straight in the eye. “Why do you act as if you are saying goodbye? And why must I relieve you of this burden so early in this fight? Is this not your mission?”

  He sadly shakes his head. “No. Da mission is yers ta undertake. Now, mah darlin’ daughter, please. Do ya promise to travel to Phyrre?”

  She nods. “Yes, but you still have not answered my question. What is the matter, Papa?”

  He smiles broadly though the light in his eyes is faded. “I am glad. And things are as dey should be, mah dear. It seems da Creator is eager ta ‘ave me by ‘is side. I knew dat sooner or later may time would come, but da smoke from da fires ‘ave taken their toll and I find it ‘arder ta breathe wit’ each passin’ moment.”

  She cradles him as he slumps to the ground. “No, Papa. You cannot die. I am not ready for you to leave me.”

  “But ‘tis mah time, and ‘tis yers to fulfill da mission dat I began. Do not fear. Do not worry. Da Lord will always be wit’ ya.” He rises to his feet. “Come. You ‘ave much ta learn in da little time we ‘ave left.”

  She stands as well, wiping away her tears. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she manages a smile. “Yes. There is still some time left. I want to spend it wisely.” With that, she takes her father’s arm in her hand and guides him down the hill to the path that meanders deep into the Northern Woods and onto where Verdana used to be. The forest was one world which both she and her father had duly enjoyed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Rachel emerges from the forest alone. Her eyes are clear and lubricated, so only tiny trails down her cheeks give evidence to the no longer present wetness that had caused them. Around her neck hangs a delicate piece of yellow ribbon from which dangles the crystal that only hours ago had been her father’s. She takes a deep breath, strengthening her resolve in preparation for the encounter with her mother and the two members of Oracle Seven. They would want to hear all that her father had told her in his last hours, and her mother would be comforted to know that he had gone peacefully. A light had broken through the canopy to shine upon her father before absorbing him in its radiance. It flashed once and they both were gone, but not before he smiled at her with a youth that belied his joy and wonderment. She would speak of his passing as it had been, but their conversation prior to the event she felt it best to leave partially undisclosed. She was uncertain how much of what he had told her they already knew, but that wasn’t justification enough to share with them a secret that her father had left for her to keep.

  Much of what he said she already knew. He told her about their mission and their responsibilities. He reiterated the importance of acting only as a guide, not as a diviner. He expressed the dangers of being involved in such a crucial prophecy, of which then he recited the prophetic words that led them all to form Oracle Seven to begin with. He also noted that the prophecy was incomplete, so one must be wary in interpreting the meaning of such passages. For this reason, they must always be aware of the condition of the world and the state which the seven Chosen find themselves in. He explained that there was one guide for each of the Chosen, but that they all worked in unison to effect the salvation of Ilia. Her charge, as had been her father’s, was Kaela.

  She was told that there would be a meeting to serve as her formal induction to Oracle Seven, but for all intents and purposes she already held the status accorded a member of this secret society. At the time she wondered just how secret it was, given how so many people close to her knew of its existence, but then she realized that Ilia is large with a population many times that which comprised her circle of friends. In understanding this, she was immediately humbled by the notion that so many people, whether or not they knew it, were counting on her to do her job. Her father also told her that when they were all to be summoned for the ceremony, the traitor would be the one who would not shake her hand. Evil cannot touch purity, lest that innocence was proffered as a prize. He could touch the clothing on her body, but to touch her skin would be his death. He may also wear gloves to avoid the contact. These things should she look for in identifying the traitor, and these signs are what she will keep to herself when speaking with the others. It was somewhat unnerving to not even be an hour into the acceptance of her calling and already she is hiding information from the group. These are certainly dark times when one does not know whom to trust.

  * * *

  Jessica kneels down and places her hand on the hard-packed brown earth. “There was a castle here.” She turns to face Joel. “But it is gone now … not destroyed … just gone. It is as if something just lifted it from its place and relocated it somewhere else … somewhere near … yet distant.”

  Joel scratches his head. “Wasn’t Lara saying something about her powers being hindered by the earth?” Scratching his chin now, a smile slowly reaches across his face as an idea forms in his head. “What if the castle sank, along with all its inhabitants?”

  Jessica stands. “Don’t’ be ridiculous. This is firm land, not a quagmire. And even if it did sink, what would be the point? They would be that much closer to the world of the dead.”

  “Not necessarily. If someone had the power to move earth, or at least manipulate it to one’s end, wouldn’t they do so to save the people inhabiting it who would otherwise have been ravaged by the fires the Sentran army ignited?”

  Sighing, Jessica puts her hand on her hip. “Say I believe your premise. Who, then, would have such a power? I mean, we are talking about a complete concealment from the outside world of not only the building but also of the population. And then these people would need to have some way of breathing as well as some form of sustenance beyond grassroots and bulbs.” She raises her finger. “Not to mention, a large enough space underground to hold such an institution without the displacement of the earth being so obvious. Because, as I am very well sure that you know, matter just can’t simply poof out of existence.”

  “Nothing ‘poofed out of existence’ as you say. Do you not wonder why the ground is indeed so hard? It is not soft as one might expect fertile soil to be or for, say, a forested area like this is.”

  Jessica shrugs. “So what? All the earth was just packed together? If that is the case, th
at still leaves the question of how the population would be able to breathe underground.”

  Joel looks above him at the treetops, putting his fists on his hips. “This is just speculation, but what if the trees acted as conduits for the air? I mean, their roots run deep and their branches stretch high into the sky. Would it be too much of an assumption to argue that if one had the power to move earth, they would also possess the power to manipulate it?”

  “Again,” Jessica argues, “who could have such power? I am not saying it is impossible, especially given our own abilities, but I am curious….”

  Joel smiles, one corner of his mouth slightly higher than the other in an uninhibited display of his satisfaction. “I think that if anyone should know that answer, it would be the trees themselves. Or, at least, their dryads.”

  Jessica nods, ignoring the silly expression on his face. “Yes, they do know. But they are unwilling to tell me. They say it is enough to know that the people are safe.”

  Joel looks at her, his senses quieted by the magnitude of her own. She truly is an amazing creature, if only he could put that through her thick head. He smiles. “Yes, I guess that is all we need to know.” Rubbing his stomach, he groans. “How does heading back home sound? I think I could use a good meal right about now.”

  Jessica punches him in the shoulder. “When are you not hungry?” Smiling, she takes his hand in hers and heads back through the forest. “But yes, I think we have found the answers we were looking for and it is time we headed home.”

  Joel inwardly rejoices at the warmth in her tone and the softness in her touch, but he only nods and sets his jaw. This was definitely a start, but he could not push her lest he lose her forever.

  * * *

  Kae follows Chase into the kitchen and crosses her arms as she takes a deep breath. “So, you are leaving again?”