Suse turned more sombre, "now, things are happening faster than anticipated, I don't expect the Mother Abbess to take this on your word alone, so I want you to go back and ask to speak to her,Sara and Emili alone, give her this reference" at which she reeled of a volume of a book", and ask them to read it then talk to you. Show them your stars and tell them what happened, and tomorrow when you come here, bring Sera and Emili, but tell them that only, no one else must know".
Suse looked at the sky. "it's mid afternoon now, I suggest you eat your food and do as I asked", and with that she walked behind the stone and vanished.
After eating their lunch, they walked back, they all seemed to feel the subtle communication that was going on between them, but Angee sensed there was no fear there.
"I think a lot has happened these past few days, it make you wonder what else awaits". Allia grinned in mock tragedy, "don't go wishing now", and placed a hand on Angee's shoulder, the feeling they had was intense, they could feel everything thing the other felt, Angee pulled away, "I guess this is another part of the triad", they walked the rest of the way in silence.
No one was waiting for them when they got back, they went and had a wash and change and went to the Mother Abbess's office, they knocked and went in at the sound of the Mother Abbess, she looked surprised to see them, "so, you've returned", Angee nodded, "sorry Mother, we said lunchtime, we're a few a hours late", the Mother Abbess smiled, "a few hours?, that was yesterday morning child ". From the look on their faces the Abbess could see their shock.
"Don't worry, a message appeared in the temple saying you were safe and would return today, now can you tell me what happened?".
Angee looked at Bria and Allia, they nodded, she seemed to be the leader of their group she thought, the two girls smiled and nodded again, their thoughts confirming that,Angee shook herself, "first Mother, could you send for Sera and Emili, and ask that a copy of the third battle codex be brought here as well?".
The Abbess looked startled, but called a Bard they didn't recognise and said a few words to her, they sat in silence, until Emili and Sera arrived and the Bard came in with a scroll of papers.
Angee didn't know how she knew, she asked the Mother Abbess to read out the last two pages of the codex, the Abbess began: ' And it shall come to pass that the Unnamed one and his servant shall turn the tide of battle.....', the Mother Abbess continued reading an account of the final battles and how the forces of light were pushed back and on the verge of defeat , ' out of the north came help in the form of three Bards, such as never were seen before, these Bards turned the tide of battle with their extraordinary powers, a force without equal, the Battle Triad, they carried in their breasts the very powers of light that was able to defeat the Unnamed one and his forces, and their stars sparkled like the lights in the Heavens with it, but at the end of the battle a great light engulfed them and they were gone, never to return and so I abjure thee watch out for the triad for their return signals the Unnamed One is returned and new battle has come. '
The three young Bards as one undid their tunics exposing their stars, there were gasps in the room, "we're the new Battle Triad", Angee heard the Mother Abbess quietly murmur a prayer.
Eight
Xeexa left the palace at dusk, she didn't like riding at night but the urgency of her mission meant no rest till she'd passed the new on to the Mother Abbess. Her Bards mount seemed to reflect the urgency she was feeling and she could feel the muscles in his back working at full capacity. Travelling like she was she dosed in the saddle, a trick she learned when a young Bard,the saddle of her mount the same as all Bards was designed to keep her in the saddle in combat, so where as a sudden turn in a normal saddle could unseat a rider easily, in a Bard saddle it was virtually impossible.
As she reached a tree hidden hollow in a bend in the road her sword began to hum, it was out of it's sheath and in her hand in an instant as three figures appeared, red hunters, this would test her prowess to the full, one was bad enough , but three?.
They began circling her slowly, wicked looking swords in their hands,the swords gleamed a shiny black in the dim light.
Xeexa knew she had to watch these weapons, they caused wounds incapable of healing except by magic, if you could get to a healer in time. She sensed a changed in the air behind her and was just in time to deflect the sword coming down on her head, the force of the blow half numbed her arm, they were very strong, doubts began to creep into Xeexa's mind but she shook them off, don't be a fool girl , you know Red hunters can cause opponents to drop their weapons by distracting you, and with that realisation her focus was back.
She lunged at one that was trying to get behind her and took his arm off,a screech came from the hunter and he backed off, the Bard mount shifted it's weight and kicked behind catching another squarely in the chest and sending him flying of his 'horse', the third dismounted and moved into the trees, as she looked around she knew she couldn't just ride on and leave these creatures abroad, this was a busy road, and they weren't picky about their choice of food.
The trees were too thick to go in on horseback so she had to dismount and follow on foot, two Red hunters quickly ambushed her, but they were slower on foot and she parried their blows and took their heads off, now,where was the last one, she thought, when suddenly something made her whirl around, fire exploded in her stomach, the last things she saw and thought was a man on fire with his clawed hand in her belly and how she'd failed, then darkness,then nothing.
* * *
The three young Bards were sat in Angee's room the next morning before dawn, Angee spoke, "I don't know how it happened but I seem to be the leader of this triad", Bria nodded, "I think it stands to reason though, you are a white Bard,you through your magic protect us, so you should be leader", Angee turned to Allia, "what do you think?", Allia looked thoughtful for a moment, "I wasn't sure what to make of you when you first arrived, but now I feel as if I've known you all my life and I am perfectly happy to follow where you lead." Angee blushed and hugged them both, the physical contact enforcing what she felt for them and them for her.
There was a knock at the door, "come in" said Angee turning towards the door, the door opened and Sera and Emili entered, sera had a funny look on her face, "we both had a strange dream that we had to come here this morning before dawn."
Angee looked embarrassed, "I'm sorry, we were supposed to tell you both you had to come with us this morning at the request of our teacher."
"Teacher?", Emili said, "who?", Angee shook her head, "I'm sorry, all we were told was to bring you, you'll understand when you meet her", and with that cryptic remark the three young Bards stood up and walked out of the door with Sera and Emili following.
Angee thought the weather seemed identical to the previous two days which at this time of year was strange,it was usually sun one day, rain the next, or a mixture of the two. They arrived at the glade and stopped in their usual place, Sera turned to Angee, "why have we stopped?", all Angee said was gesture, indicating the shimmering stone.
Sera and Emili were instantly on their guard, swords in their hands,Angee was confused and she felt the same from her friends.
Suse stepped out of the stone and looked at them, a smile almost seemed to hover on her lips, she walked forward arms open showing her palms and stopped just where they could get a good look at her, but not too close to give Suse no time to draw her sword, Suse looked at her and nodded with a grin.
Careful to make no sudden movement she undid her tunic to expose her star, two swords were lowered instantly. Suse buttoned up and smiled at them, "you're probably wondering who I am and what I'm doing here", Sera nodded, "well, once I set these three", she nodded to Angee and her friends, "something to practice, we'll talk aways a bit."
Suse turned to Angee and friends, "I want you to hold hands in a circle and relax your minds, see what comes to you from each other," and with that she walked off twenty paces or so with Sera and Emili.
Once she was sure the th
ree youngsters couldn't hear them she stopped and turned to Sera and Bria, "now, in brief, I'm a Bard from the past come forward to help them prepare for a battle quest against the Unnamed One and his minions, they will face many smaller challenges, but that is more your province than mine, I know your usual methods of training new Bards up to a certain skill level, but for these three you must impart all your knowledge to prepare them as best you can for the ordeals that face them." Sera looked thoughtful, "can you tell us what they will face?", Suse shook her head , "I do not know , just because I am from the past doesn't mean the Goddess has imparted the future to me, no I no more than what I've told you as to what they face" and with that she walked back to the three girls.
Angee Allia and Bria were holding hands when Suse approached, "it's very personal isn't it?", Suse said, the three of them opened their eyes, Suse broke in between Angee and Bria, "take my hands", they did,
"now, I want you to concentrate on a shield, I've linked with you so take the idea from my mind."
Sera and Emili could only watch as a glowing shell of blue,green and white formed around them, Suse laughed, "you can open your eyes you know," Angee and the others blushed as they opened their eyes, they gasped at the light shield they saw, Suse continued, this shield will protect against all magics, but it drains you and if hit enough by magic will fail. I had you stand in a circle to do this but this is not practical I will now show you how to do this in battle." Suse let go of their hands, "now, Allia, Bria, please stand behind Angee and put a hand on her shoulder". They both put a hand on Angee's shoulder, "now, I want you to think of the shield again".
It took a few minutes to get it right but eventually they had a shield covering all of them, Suse looked pleased, "good!, and with practice you'll be able to open gaps in the front of the shield for Angee to work her magics, that is why she needs her hands free." Angee knew what she meant, she didn't know how but she did.
Suse was suddenly enveloped in a white light and they all knew the Goddess was speaking to her, the light faded and Suse looked sombre.
"Sera, Emili, could you take Allia and Bria back to the temple now, I need to be alone with Angee, she will return the day after tomorrow", they nodded and left.
Suse turned to Angee who was looking nervous, "The Goddess has instructed me to cut short part of your training due to lack of time, the knowledge of the High Magics is not easily learnt under normal circumstances, we are going to have to transfer the knowledge to you so you have it now. Angee looked puzzled, "we?", as she said that five Bards stepped out of the shimmering stone.
Suse gave a small wave to them in greeting and then her gaze returned to Angee, "these are five of the most powerful white Bards of times gone, we will transfer the knowledge to you, don't worry it will not hurt you, but you will be in a trance while we do it."
The five sisters approached, gentle smiles on their faces and gave Angee a brief hug before forming a circle around her with Suse, "lie down please Angee", she did as asked and saw the Bards link hands, their hands started glowing white a subtle music coursing though her and the world went away.
Angee felt like she was drifting and awoke slowly to find Suse sat beside her, the other Bards gone.
"Good, you're awake, here have a drink and something to eat", she handed Angee a flask of water and some bread and cheese, while Angee was eating Suse made a request.
"Form a fire mist around the stone", without thinking Angee raised one hand and a mist seeped out of it till it covered the stone with a red cloud full of sparks, she gasped and it disappeared.
Suse stood up, "Angee come here to the stone", Angee stood up and walked over to her, she could feel the heat radiating from the stone. Suse nodded in approval, "you did this by instinct, it will be just a matter of practice now, you know all the relevant spells", as Suse said this she realised she did, and felt the power source that fuelled them.
Suse must have guessed her train of thought , "that is the difference with the whites, the ability to use energy as a weapon beside calling on the Goddess as the other do."
Now I want you to spend the next two weeks practising on your own and working out with Emili and Sera, after that come and see me before you leave with your friends." Angee started, "leave?, where are we going?", Suse put a hand on both Angee's shoulders then cupped her face.
"You have unresolved business with your father and the village" Angee tried to look away, Suse continued , "I know it isn't easy to deal with but you must, and you must take your friends with you, from now on you never go anywhere alone."
Angee looked surprised and Suse pulled her into an embrace, "now go with my blessings sister", and with that was gone behind the stone.
Nine
The two weeks past quickly for Angee, she seemed never to have any rest, Sera and Emili pushed all three of them a lot harder than before and with her practising with her friends and on her own time for her own thought was limited.
Just before the two weeks were up she took Allia and Bria out into a field, "Now we've got the shield down pat and how to open it I will show you why." Allia and Bria put their hands on her shoulders and the shield formed, "now" she said, "you two maintain the shield like we practised." A subtle change in the power flows told her they'd taken the strain.
"Now, watch this," and with that proceeded to display the array of spells at her command, she could feel their excitement and nervousness, and knew this would pass.
When she felt herself growing tired she told them to drop the shield and stopped her display, she turned to them.
"That is how it will be in certain battles, I will use those spells to fight while you maintain the shield and the Goddess willing we will prevail."
Angee looked uncomfortable, "One thing we have to do now is go on a short trip".
Allia and Bria looked curious, "where?" Allia asked, Angee took a breath, "Suse told me I have to go home and you have to accompany me to sort out family differences", she looked on the floor. Allia and Bria came over and hugged her, "of course we will" Allia whispered, "we'd better tell the Mother Abbess first."
Angee knocked on the Abbess's door, and entered at her signal to come in. The Abbess looked up at Angee with Allia and Bria stood behind her, Angee spoke up, "we have to take a trip Mother, we'll be gone a few days."
The Abbess frowned, "a trip, where?, you haven't been here very long, you would be putting yourself in danger to leave now."
Angee sighed, "Mother, I was told to take this trip with my friends, and we can defend ourselves."
At her unspoken command Allia and Bria put their hands on her shoulder and the shield formed, they opened the front and Angee held her hands up glowing with a white light, "Mother, we are a Triad now, and I am in full command of the high magics, I know we need more conventional training but for a duel arcane or any other problem we are fully prepared."
The Abbess sat there a moment, "you have been learning haven't you?, where did you learn the arts so quickly?". Angee smiled, "we had a very good teacher."
The Abbess knew not to press the issue further, "very well", she said with an air of defeat, "take care my daughters."
They turned and left, but could feel the disappointment behind them.
Angee had an unusual feeling while she was packing, she sensed danger ahead, a knock on the door and her friends entered, "nearly finished" she said as put the last of her clothes in her saddle bags.
Allia spoke up, "Angee, Bria and I were talking , we have a feeling that there's some sort of trouble coming". Angee turned to her friends, "yes, I was just thinking that too , it's nothing specific, just a sense of something wrong . I have packed some plain clothes as well as uniforms, it may be well for me to scout the village out first, we don't want to ride into an ambush, you could wait just outside the village, you'd know if something happened to me, and could come to my rescue."
"Oh you!", Bria said and threw a pillow at her.
They made their way towards the stables, Riese was waitin
g for them, "it seems normal rules no longer applies to you", she waved in the direction of three horses, no, Bard mounts Angee realised, "these were waiting for you when I arrived this morning , you don't normally get them till you do your first quest, I guess you need them, at least the Mother Abbess thinks so."
Angee and her friends looked as the three mounts suddenly moved as one and approached them, two were chestnut brown but had little blue and green stars just above their eyes, the third was a bit larger than the other two and snowy white in colour, all three nuzzled their new owners, Angee noticed they were all saddled, she looked at her friends who were still stroking their mounts , "shall we be off?", and saying that climbed into the saddle.
The saddle seemed more restrictive than a normal saddle with high front and rear, but it felt as if it had been made for her. From the look of her friends and the feelings she received, they thought so too.
The journey towards her home was quiet and uneventful and they neared the village about an hour before dusk, one thing had nagged Angee over the past hour though, the sense of danger seemed to hang in the air like a cloud, "we're nearly there" she said, the look the other two gave her spoke volumes, "I know, I feel it too, I think I'll have too..".
Just then she spotted a figure sat near the tree she played in when she was young, Mol, she thought with relief, "I'm going over to talk to that young woman over there, a childhood friend". They both sat there watching from a distance.
Angee climbed out of the saddle and walked over to where Mol was sat watching the dying sun, "who are you!", Mol said with a start, Angee smiled and stepped sideways so Mol could see her without the sun in her eyes, Mol looked at her keenly, "Ang is that you?", she jumped up and hugged her.
A Change For the Light Page 6