Robertyn stood at the doorway to Merayla’s room. His sister was asleep in the bed. Talis moved around the room sprinkling herbs on the floor in a circle around her bed. Eryk moved behind his father placing little silver medallions at regular intervals. They joined Robertyn in the hallway once finished, Talis closing the door behind him.
“She is guarded now. No one will be able to enter the circle except those tied to Merayla in love. She can sleep in peace.” Talis explained to Robertyn putting a comforting hand to his shoulder. “Join Eryk and I for a quiet night cap. We still have many things to discuss before we leave in the morning.”
Robertyn knew he needed to sleep the last few hours of the night but also knew that he would most likely spend the time tossing and turning his mind churning through the events gone and those yet to come. He might as well spend the time with Talis. At least he would then be achieving something.
Talis led the two men to the room set aside for him. The room had the usual items of furniture including a large four poster hung with fawn coloured curtains. Across for it was a table with four cushioned chairs arranged around it. On the table was a pitcher of mead with three matching goblets.
Talis poured the mead while Eryk and Robertyn made themselves comfortable.
“Now Robertyn I am sure you have many questions. I shall do my best to answer them all,” Talis smiled handing him a glass before handing one to his son. “And Eryk I think you might have a few questions of your own about what you have been drawn into.”
Robertyn took a sip of the mead and tried to sort the chaos of his mind into a first question. He opened his mouth to speak but Eryk bet him to it.
“Are we related?”
Talis laughed at his son’s question. “Yes.” He answered and Eryk’s face paled. “But not very closely.”
Robertyn raised an eyebrow in Eryk’s direction. “Just exactly what have you been doing with my baby sister?”
“On my life, I have done nothing yet to dishonour your sister.” Eryk assured him placing his hand over his heart.
“Yet? You’re planning too?”
“No, no!” Eryk replied. “I would never dishonour her! And in time with your permission I shall do her much honour.”
“As happy as I am Eryk to see you are discovering the female species, we do have more pressing matters to attend to.” Talis interrupted the two young men. “We have much to achieve to restore the throne to your family Robertyn and it seems we have an adversary who is not above killing to stop us and stop the prophecy.”
Merayla had fallen asleep pretty quickly after she had shut her eyes. She could head Talis and Eryk moving around her room as she drifted off. She was so tired. It seemed like an age since she had truly slept. In her prison of nothingness she had slept but it was different. This was truly restful and healing sleep, in a soft bed that felt so good pressing against her body. Each touch and sensation was heightened. In her mind it was years since she had truly felt anything. And with these thoughts she had fallen asleep. The dream came to her shortly after that.
Merayla was on the edge of a wood. It was night and a full moon hung in the sky. Nor far from where she stood across a field she could see a simple wooden cottage, a soft glow shining from its window. It seemed far more inviting than the dark wood behind her so she headed towards it hoping to find some hospitality. She knocked on the door and waited. There was no sound inside so she knocked again. There was no answer again. She moved to the window and peered in. The room was lit by a large lamp sitting on a rough wood table. The cottage was a large open room, to one side a bed was separated from the rest of the room by a hanging sheet. The fireplace held a few trembling embers. She could see no one inside and it was obvious from the dying nature of the fire that no one had been in there and tended it for some hours.
Merayla sensed someone watching her and quickly turned from the house, but there was no one there. The sensation remained and Merayla started to feel a little afraid. She didn’t know quite what to do. She didn’t want to be out here with the feeling of eyes on her, but she did not want to enter the house uninvited either. The silence of the night was broken with a loud howling. Suddenly the dream jumped and Merayla found herself standing at the edge of a cliff top. She could hear the waves breaking on rocks well below her. Metres in front of her stood a beast. It was part wolf, part hyena, part man to look at. Its mouth hung open, huge sharp teeth glinting in the full moonlight with dripping saliva. It dropped onto all four paws and growled at her. Merayla was trapped between the beast and the cliff. The air around the beast shimmered and it became a man. He was horribly thin, his ribs jutting out from beneath his skin. His hair was greasy and mattered. His teeth as he grinned at her were yellow and rotting. He crossed to her grabbing her wrists.
“He is coming for you. He will have you. He is coming for you. He will have you.” The air shimmered once more and the beast returned, its claws cutting into her wrists painfully. Blood began to ooze from one wound. The beast sniffed its muzzle to her wrist. She felt the cold tongue taste her blood. It stumbled backwards from her and began howling. It turned and ran from her.
The cliff she stood on was a narrow outlet and she had no choice but to follow the same course the beast had taken. And then suddenly the dream changed again.
Sitting in his chair Robertyn suddenly got a chill down his spine. Something was wrong. He felt scared, an overwhelming terror. Before he could make sense of it both Talis and Eryk were on their feet.
“Merayla!” Talis said. The three men thundered from the room towards Merayla’s. Liliana was already standing in the doorway to the room. A bright white light shone out from within. Liliana stood completely still bathed in the light. Robertyn called her name, she remained motionless. He grabbed her arm and found himself drawn from his body into the mind of his youngest sister, into a mind filled with terror.
Merayla found herself on a cross. Her arms were tied to the arms, her body tied to the post. The night sky was filled with heavy clouds and thunder echoed across them. At her feet small ugly creatures placed sticks and branches around her. The beast man stood off a few yards watching their progress. In his hand he held a burning torch. They were going to burn her. Merayla had been terrified of burning to death for as long as she could remember. She didn’t know why. She loved fire but in her darkest nightmares and terrors there were images of flames, of overwhelming heat consuming her, stealing her breath away. She struggled at her bonds, the rough rope rubbing painfully against her skin. It was no use the ropes were too strong and too tight.
“Don’t struggle sweet mistress. You are his and he shall have you or the flames shall have you.” The man giggled, his face contorting in a hideous grin. Merayla continued to struggle. Maybe something would give. She couldn’t die, not this way. From the darkness behind the man she could see moving lights, torches, burning as they were carried closer. As they neared Merayla realised it was the seven hags she had seen before she had been taken into the dark prison. The fear inside her grew and threatened to overwhelm her. A scream escaped her throat which seemed to amuse the beast man even more. He turned and bowed to the seven women as they moved past him to form a circle around Merayla. Each woman was dressed in a gown of a different colour, red, orange, gold, green, blue, purple and black. Each held in their hands a wooden bowl filled with a steaming liquid. Merayla forgot her struggles as she watched them begin to circle her. With each step they took they placed their hand into the bowl and then flicked drops of its contents onto the wood surrounding Merayla.
As they circled they chanted Circum Circum Dominus Convienon Ater Asperitus Exorius The chanted the words seven times as they circled anti-clockwise around her. At the end of the seventh time they stopped and turned to face Merayla chanting Ater Asperitus parvala orcolos est vestrium. One at a time starting with the woman in black facing Merayla they emptied their bowls onto the ground before them. A white light grew up from the ground where the contents had fallen. The light moved out merging into each other. It rose from the ground a few feet upwards and then remained constant pulsing brightly. The seven hags flung themselves to the ground crying Ater Asperitus Exorius over and over. The beast man began dancing around laughing.
“He comes, Master comes. He comes for the princess. He comes from his princess. She is his and he comes. She is his and he comes.” The ugly creatures who had been loading up the kindling all began to shriek before running off into the darkness. Merayla began to frantically struggle against her bonds again. As the beast man danced and laughed he shimmered and changed into the beast once more. His words and laughter transformed into wild howling. He nearly dropped the torch he was carrying but quickly grabbed it with his claws. He threw his head back and let out a long howl which was soon picked up by the hags. The sound cut through Merayla’s mind like a red hot blade. The pain was so intense she screamed. Her voice joined with the howling in such a way that despite the pain she cut it off. The last thing she wanted to do was aid the calling of their Master. She could only assume that their Master and the red eyed man were one in the same. As if her thoughts had called him he appeared in that instant before her. His red eyes the first thing to catch her attention. They bored straight into her, as if reading every secret part of her mind and soul, breaking her open for his entertainment. She tried to look away but his gaze held her. She watched in horror as the eyes remained constant but he began to change. His body moved and morphed first taking on the form of her father, a man she had never really known, then her brother, then Talis, then Eryk before reverting back to his original appearance. Each change had been like a knife within her. Finally he broke their eye contact looking down at his hags prostrated on the ground around her.
He said nothing but they rose and moved to stand behind him alongside the beast. The beast moved forward and passed the torch to the red eyed man.
“Burn for me”
Robertyn found himself lying on the floor in the hall outside Merayla’s room a large javelin across his chest, each end held by Talis and Eryk. He jumped to his feet pushing away from them. He reached out to pull Liliana out of the way so he could get to Merayla but before he could touch her Talis grabbed him pulling him back.
“No!” He yelled “You cannot touch Liliana and you cannot get to Merayla.”
“You said she was safe.” Robertyn growled grabbing Talis and throwing him against the wall. “You said nothing can get to her.”
“I was wrong.” Talis admitted dropping his gaze unable to hold Robertyn’s. “She should have been safe. I thought she would be safe. I have never failed before.”
At the dejection in Talis’s voice Robertyn loosed his grip. “They have her again.” He said to Eryk.
“Her body remains.” Eryk replied guiding him to a point beside Liliana but not touching her. Past one sister Robertyn could see the form of his other. She lay on the bed still just as when he had last seen her.
“But they have her. They are going to burn her. I saw. I saw through her eyes.” Eryk shook his head sadly.
“They have her in the Otherworld, they have her spirit, her dream self. She is dreaming.”
“Then she is safe? Thank god.” Robertyn let out a deep breath relieved.
“I’m sorry but she isn’t.” Eryk said pulling him back away from Liliana.
“In one of strong of soul as Merayla, what happens on the soul plane will manifest on this physical one.” Talis explained.
“Liliana?” Robertyn asked, realising that his other sister could be in as much trouble as his youngest. “What have they done to her?”
“Like you became when touching her, she is within Merayla’s mind. But unlike you we cannot break the connection. She is held in the light.”
“What can we do?”
“I wish I knew.” Robertyn’s heart sunk. This had been the worst night of his life. He had thought he would die the first time Merayla had been taken from them, and now she was here and he still could do nothing to help her, and Liliana was caught too. He wanted to scream, to smash something, to smash someone. He threw himself against the wall and screamed.
“Feel better?” Eryk asked
“Hardly!” Robertyn rounded on him. “My sisters, the two most important things in my life, in my heart are about to die.”
Talis moved between them. He could see Eryk tensing with Robertyn’s words, he knew the tension within them both needed an outlet and a fight between them would be the perfect outlet they could see. “If I have to break up a fight between you I cannot think. Robertyn go and bring your Godmother, Eryk wake the council and bring them and all the scrolls and books we have here.”
He watched the young men run down the hallway. He stepped forward and placed a hand on Liliana’s shoulder and let himself be drawn through her mind into Merayla’s. There was little the others or his books could do. He needed to see the enemy. He needed to see his strength and power. And perhaps he could use the newly awakened power within Merayla to save the sisters both.
Eryk was quickly carried inside at Talis’s request. They carefully laid him out on a rug in the hall.
“Who are these people?” Robertyn whispered to Blodwyn as he watching Talis kneel down placing his hands on each side of his son’s head, his fingers resting against the temples.
“They were once all students of Talis and now form the council of the thirteen.” Blodwyn guided Robertyn and Liliana to Talis. They formed a triangle around Talis and Eryk.
“Do as I do,” Blodwyn instructed them placing her left hand on Talis and putting her right hand on Robertyn’s left arm to the right of her. Robertyn placed his left hand onto Talis and clasped Liliana’s left arm, which she in turn placed on Talis as well before reaching her right hand to her godmothers arm. Talis looked to his former students and nodded. They quickly formed a circle around the five placing their left hands on Blodwyn, Robertyn or Liliana, clasping their right hands to the person next to them.
Talis began to hum a single note, to Robertyn it sounded like he was saying hugh. The dragon riders soon picked up the note and joined. The note was long and deep resounding around the great hall. Robertyn did not know whether he was meant to hum as well and decided that since Blodwyn was not he would not either. She had closed her eyes so Robertyn did the same. He was immediately aware of a warm energy coming from Talis. As Robertyn concentrated on the energy he felt it move. It danced up his arm leaving his skin tingling and warm; he could feel it joining with more energy flowing from Blodwyn’s hand where he held him. He felt the power flow into his body. It seemed to be shining forth from various points from his head down his body to his groin. Then it sparked out flowing down his other arm to Liliana and into the four hands against his back.
His mind was filled with blackness. It felt empty, yet heavy, threatening to envelope and drown him. He began to stuggle against it reading to withdraw from it and the circle of energy he was part of. He felt a gentle squeeze on his arm from his godmother. He knew she wanted him to calm himself but the darkness was closing in around him and he wanted nothing more than to break himself from it. He pulled himself back trying to break away from her grasp but her gentle touch was firm and he could not loosen himself. He wondered if this was what Merayla felt and a his stomach churned thinking of the fear it would hold for his little sister. She must be so scared. Merayla, that was why he was here, if she was here, if this blackness was holding her he had to fight against the fear. He couldn’t break the circle or their chance might be lost and his actions could cost her life. Robertyn ceased his struggle and swallowing the overwhelming fear he calmed himself.
To his right he felt Liliana begun to struggle and get free from his grasp. He strengthened his grip on her arm and willed her to be calm. As much as he could without letting go he moved his fingers comfortingly against her skin, willing her to know he was there, he was supporting her. They were together and the darkness could not break that. After a moment her struggling ceased and he softened his hold on her again. The blackness was still there inside him, pressing against him, flooding his mind. He pushed back at the darkness trying to will his thoughts and his presence to his youngest sister. Merayla he called with his mind pressing the word against the darkness. Merayla come back to us please.
Merayla twisted around at the sound of her brother’s voice. She was dreaming, Eryk had bought her to a circle of stones at the edge of a wood. They had been enjoying a meal of fruits and cheeses and Eryk had been telling her of the healing properties of all the flowers that grew within the circle. Eryk had gone silent when she heard her brother’s voice call her name. Eryk pulled her to him wrapping his arms tightly around her. The blackness began to return breaking through the dream
“I won’t let go no matter what” Eryk said as he faded from her sight. She was returned to the nothingness again and could feel nothing. Eryk’s was no longer there but she could sense him still holding her and she held tighter to the illusion inside her.
Merayla come back to us please Merayla heard her brother in her head.
“Robertyn I’m here.” She called over and over. The blackness seemed to cling to her skin holding her firm. She thrashed against it. It threatened to smother her completely and she was losing the sensation of Eryk’s arms around her. She felt the darkness press against her mouth and nose like tendrils moving down her throat and suffocating her. She tried to pull away but it was all around her crushing her, killing her. She tried to call to Robertyn, to Eryk but could make no sound. Her mind began to fill with darkness. She struggled against it imagining a bright light in her mind. With all her remaining strength she flung the light at the darkness like a lightning bolt. Then there was only darkness.
Robertyn could feel his sister and feel her fear, the darkness was becoming more oppressive and he felt himself struggling for breath. Then suddenly out of the darkness was a brilliant light. In the light he thought he saw the image of his sister floating limp, then the light hit. He felt himself falling back and the hands touching him and the people beneath his own hands disappeared. He landed on the floor of the great hall with a heavy thump. He opened his eyes to see the rest scattered in a wide circle around the room. He looked to the centre and saw Eryk his arms wrapped around a woman. At the site of the woman Robertyn’s heart leapt and fell. It hadn’t worked. They hadn’t saved his sister. Eryk and the woman stirred and opened their eyes to look at each other. Robertyn could not be sad when he saw the joy on their faces as they stared at one another. They may not have saved his sister but they had at least saved Eryk and his mystery woman and perhaps there was still time to try again and save his sister. Surely dawn was still hours away.
“Eryk, is that you?” The woman asked as Eryk sat up moving her to the floor beside him. Robertyn’s heart leapt again. He knew that voice, it was the voice of the women that had filled his life with love since before he was born. It was the voice of his mother dead so long, and the voice of his sister Liliana. Robertyn shook his head, was it possible? Was this woman his sister? Talis had said that she would be moving through her life, dead by morning. Had they saved her? Had she played out her childhood and youth in the hours he had been gone from them?
Robertyn crawled towards the woman lying within the arms of Talis’s son.
“Merayla?” he called softly, tentatively, all his hope within the one word. His voice caused a flurry of movement as the woman turned and on seeing him near flew across the floor to him.
“Robertyn!” she cried, tears forming quickly in her eyes and streaming down her cheeks. “I heard you. You came for me.” She flew into his arms embracing him fiercely. Robertyn stared into her eyes and knew this was his sister. She was a child no more. She was a woman, equal to him in age. She wasn’t the same girl who had left but she was back and she was safe and that was all, at that moment, that Robertyn cared about. His heart had broken thinking her gone, imagining her dead, but she was saved, returned to them.
Liliana slowly approached them. She looked questioningly at Robertyn who nodded in reply. Liliana dropped to her knees and Robertyn drew her into the embrace.
Talis helped his son to his feet.
“Are you okay Eryk?” Eryk embraced his father then nodded.
“I feel fine Father. Exhausted but none the worse for wear that I can tell.”
“What happened?”
“To be honest I don’t know. I was at the house with the others waiting for word from you, and then suddenly I was somewhere else, another place, another land, the Otherworld I think. And Merayla was there. I don’t know how I knew but I knew she was there for me to train. I became master to her as you have been to me. I showed her the world and taught her the ways of magic and nature. Somehow as time passed she aged from puberty to adulthood yet I remained the same.” Eryk stopped and watched Merayla with her siblings. A soft smile lit is face. “She is the most amazing woman father.”
Talis chuckled and squeezed his son’s shoulder. After all this time his son, finally, had lost his heart and to a royal woman of prophecy no less. Talis looked to Blodwyn who was watching her god children, a smile warming her face as her own tears of relief and happiness fell. It had been just hours since Merayla’s disappearance. Though it seemed the world and have moved and changed in that small time. Whoever the man with the red eyes had been his plan to destroy the prophecy had failed and he had in fact aided their cause. Merayla was now a grown woman, and capable of the greatness prophecy hinted at. Time would not have to be wasted now waiting for her to grow into her body and into her magic. The Lord and Lady moved in ways no mortal could comprehend and the evil attempted had been turned into a blessing. The time of prophecy had arrived and now they had a better chance than ever imagined of succeeding, restoring the Fae blood to the throne and bringing magic back into their lands. Magic was already blooming and blossoming, Talis could see the energies radiating out of the returned woman infusing all around her. He was pleased to see that as her energy merged with his son’s it became a soft rosy colour, the colour of love. The greatest power in the world was love and in this room evil forces had created and strengthened it in ways they had much reason to fear. Love would conquer, love would restore, love would heal and the prophecy would come to pass.
Merayla sat in the darkness. She had no idea how long she had been here now. It seemed like an eternity and perhaps it had been. She could feel nothing at all. No floors beneath her feet, nor walls to meet her outstretched fingers. The man with the red eyes had said “Out of time out of space, withered and dead before dawn meets this place” How many times had she gone over that in her head? As she moved around her formless prison the air made her skin tingle. Like those time as a child she had tried to find magic within herself, her skin had tingled and magic had been so close and yet so far out of reach. As a child she had been a child the last time she had felt the ground beneath her feet and seen the light, seen anything, but child no longer. The only thing she could feel was herself. And the curves dictated she was child no more.
Time passed and Merayla’s mind returned to the last moments of freedom. Standing in the great hall beside her brother and sister, discovering they were in fact of royal blood with a great destiny ahead of them. She had been scared, had wondered if it was all some wondrous mistake. Then they had appeared. The man with the red eyes and his black winged harpy woman. They had swooped into the hall startling everyone. The man had looked straight at her. “No destiny, no third, the prophecy broken, the world torn asunder by the words spoken. Out of time and out of space, withered and dead before dawn meets this place” Then nothing. Nothing for so long. She felt she might go insane. Perhaps she had. But there were still dreams and in her dreams and day dreams she was real again. She lived, she felt, she learned. And she loved.
As the curves had come to her body, so had his face come to her mind. His smiling eyes all the time keeping the fear at bay. His eyes so clear, full of understanding. He took her on journey’s to places never before imagined. Tall snow covered mountains, deep into jungled forests, to the shores of a great ocean that stretched on so far Merayla wondered if it ended with a sudden drop. They talked always. Words of wisdom, stories and tales, and learning, so much knowledge poured from his lips into her. A lifetime of knowledge in every dream. She dreamed herself magical, as she had always dreamed in her youth, her life before darkness. He taught her as master to apprentice the ways of the soul, the command of the elements, the call of all creatures. She dreamed herself powerful and wonderful. And so she kept her sanity, or at least the illusion of sanity. She did not dream of her life before. She tried not to think of her brother, her sister. For she did not want to feel her tears.
Robertyn looked to his godmother, Blodwyn was a mess. One moment tearful and holding tight to himself and his sister Liliana, the next screaming and thundering at the almighty powers, her ancestors and anyone else she could lay the disappearance of Merayla at the feet of. Talis was pouring through scroll after scroll and book after book. Jered and Derek were talking to everyone in the household. Merayla was gone, vanished with the intruders. The dark caped man with the burning red eyes and his seven angels of darkness, ugly hags with great black feathered wings. He had spouted his nonsense rhyme and vanished taking Merayla with him. He had threatened to kill her by sunrise and as the night wore on Robertyn felt more sick. He was helpless, he did not know who the man was, he did not know where he had come from nor where he had gone to. How could he find Merayla by sunrise, how could any of them. He had never felt more worthless and helpless and it made him sick to his stomach. He wished he could be sedated like Liliana, who sat stunned and quiet. Her senses dulled by the potion of Talis’s.
“I have it!” Talis yelled startling half the room into silence. Blodwyn looked up from her recent bout of tears at him. “What?” “Out of time and out of space; a pocket plane. It’s a pocket plane. He has put her in a bubble of space not of this world. Time does not work as we know it there, the laws of nature do not work as we know them at all. Time is moving so swiftly for her that by sunrise she will have aged her whole lifetime and will” Talis paused, the excitement leaving his voice and demeanour.
“She will be dead,” finished Robertyn.
“How do we get her back Talis, we have to get her back!” Blodwyn stood up and moved to see the scroll Talis had been reading. “How do we get her back from this plane? Can we get her back?”
Talis put his arm around Blodwyn’s shoulders. “We will get her back, we have to.”
“But how?”
“I don’t know” Talis confessed his hand falling to his side. “I know the theory of these pocket planes, and then even if I could find one I don’t know that I would find the one holding her.” He dropped into the nearest chair putting his head into his hands. “Perhaps if I had time, I had resources and I had the council of the thirteen I might be able to come up with something.”
As if on cue a young paige came running into the hall. “Dragons, the dragons are coming.”
Talis was out of his seat and half way to the door before the boy had finished his first word. Eleven dragons were circling and landing as Robertyn reached the courtyard. He was only a fraction of a second slower than Talis. A body seemed to be laid out across the back of the first dragon, a rider seated behind it, keeping it in place. Robertyn’s heart skipped and tears sprung to his eyes. But as he closed the distance he realised this body was too large, too tall to be Merayla. This was the body of a grown man, not a little girl.
“Lord and Lady, no!” Talis exclaimed as he neared the dragon. The rider dismounted and was joined by the riders of two more of the dragons. Together they released the body and let it slide into their arms. Gently they laid it out on the ground. Robertyn noticed first that it was breathing. The man was unconscious not dead. Then he realised how like Talis this man looked, much younger, but still very alike.
“Eryk,” whispered Talis as he knelt on the ground. “My son.” He began to weep. The first rider put his hand on Talis’s shoulder and squeezed it.
“Master, he is not dead. Four hours ago he collapsed, there was no warning, we were simply eating midmeal. We have not been able to revive him thus far and thought it best to bring him here.” “Four hours ago,” Robertyn repeated “That was when Merayla disappeared.”
“Are the others all here?” asked Talis. The first rider nodded before replying. “We eleven all came with Eryk.”
Talis stood up and turned to Blodwyn who had joined them. “The Lord and Lady shine on us. Here is our hope!”
Everyone hushed as Talis held up his arms. He waited a few moments to have everyone’s attention before he began to speak. His voice had a melodic aspect to it. Lulu felt a shiver run down her body as it relaxed, her mind stilling at the sound of his voice. As he spoke his words formed in her mind, she felt as she saw and felt all that he said.
“In the times gone by all was ruled by a great family. Long had their blood stood uniting the lands together under one banner against our enemies. The land blossomed in their wisdom, the harvests swelled under their guidance and the land was happy. Long lived were these rulers. Longer than we the common people, longer than they the lord and ladies. The last to rule this great land of ours were the High King Alexander and his beautiful Queen Jusandria. For long years all waited for a child to be born to them. Many feared the Queen to be barren but despite the urging on his councillors the Alexander would not put aside his lady love. Their love was true and pure and though they despaired they had faith that from their love would blossom new life. Their faith was strong and in time they were right to hold to it. A beautiful child was born to them, a girl given the name Lilith. The kingdom rejoiced.
As was tradition on the eve of her one mood birthday a great feast was held. The child would be presented and a godparent would be chosen. This godparent would become as a parent, as sibling, confident, guardian and guide to the child. It was a position of great honour and none knew who would be chosen. The night came and the King and Queen’s closest friend and advisor, Myrddan, was chosen as GodFather. Myrddan was also the kingdom’s greatest weaver of magic and mystery. As he took the child into his arms to accept his role in her life he fell into a trance. Lilith glowed deep red in his arms. His voice shook the room as it thundered in prophecy from his lips. In my arms lies the downfall and salvation of the kingdom. No more in this age shall the High Queen and King rule our lands. For an age shall we rule unto ourselves. Should any sit upon these thrones and seek to rule then shall the land plummet into darkness and our enemies shall claim all as there own. The family shall be hidden, the waters eternal shall sustain. And so shall the symbols of their sovereignty be taken and for their hidden away in the arms of the family. When the age is done once more shall the family return and unite the lands and defeat the darkness as it comes. Then he fell silent.
No one doubted the words he had issued as truth, and none hesitated to follow them through. That night the King and Queen and their newborn were whisked from the castle, never to return. The Lords and Ladies of the lands agreed to rule in their own right and peace prevailed.
Unbeknown to their subjects the line of the family continued. Another child was born to the queen, a son they named Aneil. Their children grew and found loves of their own and were married. The family had two lines. Myrddan prophesied once more before disappearing from all record and all knowledge. He foretold that from the line of Lilith would come they that would rule and restore the kingdom, from the line Aneil would come the line that would protect and hide the symbols and the future rulers until the age was ended and they may come forth again.
Many years passed and both lines of the family flourished. Then came the time of hiding. The symbols were set forth with the daughters of Queen Lilith the granddaughter of Aniel. Lilith tasked her daughter Blodwyn with the task of watching over the line of the family.
Blodwyn took the line of her great great aunt from their place by the Fountain Eternal and took them back out into the lands to live as their subjects lived. Many generations of the family royal have come and gone in hiding. So many that they no longer know who they are or what they are tasked to do.”
Talis paused for a moment. Lulu’s head was spinning. In her heart she felt she knew what he was about to say, but she feared it was ego leading her to this conclusion. Talis’s voice returned to normal as he spoke again. Still commanding but lacking the magic of moments before.
“The age has ended. Darkness threatens at our borders and the Eye glows for release. The royal family long exiled must not seek and retrieve the symbols of their authority, they must restore their throne. They must unite the land as only they may do, as they are destined to do. And they must lead us to victory.”
Lulu felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Godmother Lil standing beside her. Merayla was already standing up and walking to stand beside Talis.
“Follow your sister.” Lil said to Lulu and Bobbob. They both rose and followed Merayla.
“Three members of the royal line remain, who without knowing the truth began questing for their birthright. Tonight they reclaim the truth of their heritage.”
“Bobbob..” said Lulu clutching tight to her brother’s hand.
“Bobbob no more.” Said Lil “It is time to put away the names of your childhood and go by the names you were given at birth.”
Talis and Lil moved to stand behind the three Fae children.
“It is more pleasure and right to present the heirs of this Kingdom. I present their Royal Highness’s Prince Robertyn Emrys Fae, Princess Liliana Morgana Fae and Princess Merayla Kayla Fae.”
Lulu found the castle in an uproar as she left her quarters to see brother and tell him about her dream. She stopped a passing servant as he tried to run passed.
“What on earth is going on?”
“The sky…” He stammered. “They sky is alight and a creature comes.”
Unsure what this meant, Lulu hitched up her dressing gown and sprinted for her brothers room. It was empty when she arrived at it but an enquiry with another member of the household told her he had been woken by Jered not 5 minutes before.
Lulu took off in the direction of the great hall and rounded the corner straight into Blackey.
“I just came from your room. You weren’t there.” Blackey said as he helped Lulu regain her balance. His hand lingered for a moment on her arm. “I was worried.”
Lulu smiled back at him. “I’m sorry I had this dream. I was coming to find Bobbob”
“He’s in the grand room with Jered and the others. The sky is ablaze with a brilliant purple light coming out of the east. And from the south there are some winged horses approaching.”
“East but we are heading north aren’t we?”
“Who knows what is happening now. We better get to the others to find out.” Blackey offered Lulu his hand and together they ran to the great hall. Inside Jered was shouting instructions to his captains and lieutenants. Lady Noi was sending her staff in all directions to retrieve maps, scrolls and books. Bobbob was no where to be seen. They hurried to Jered’s side, waiting for him to finish his instructions.
“Where is my brother?” Lulu asked
“My dear lady, your brother has gone to the battlements to see more of our visitors. He asks you wait here for him to return in case there is danger.”
“Like heck I’m going to stay here.” She felt Blackey’s hand tighten around her own and felt her anger rise to meet it. She wrenched her hand from his and facing him smacked him in the arm.
“Deryk Blackan!” She started using his full name. She seemed about to say something else and changed her mind turning instead and racing from the room toward the stairs that lead out to the battlements. She could hear two sets of footsteps behind her but did not waste time looking back. She assumed, correctly, that Deryk and Jered were following her. She took the stairs two at a time and reached the door out in time to have it open into her sending her falling back down the stairs into her pursuers. Jered managed to grab the hand railing on the wall and braced himself to prevent any further descent. Bobbob was through the door and on the steps before he even noticed what he had done. He looked confused for a moment to see them sprawled across the stairwell.
“What on earth are you doing like that.” Bobbob asked offering his arm to Lulu to help pull her up.
“We decided to have a wrestling match on the stairs. What do you think we are doing?” Lulu yelled at her brother. “Did you think to check behind the door before you just flung it open?”
“I am so sorry.” He apologised. “I didn’t even think about it. I was too excited.”
“By what?” Deryk said as he and Jered helped each other back to their feet.
“The horses, its Godmother Lil and Merayla.”
“What? How?” Lulu asked
“No idea but they are landing in the courtyard as we speak.”
They all turned and hurried back the way they had come. In the courtyard the was loud with yelling and confusion. Armed soldiers surrounded the three horses and their six riders. Swords out at the new arrivals. Lulu ran passed the soldiers and their weapons to sweep Merayla up in a hug. As she ran Jered barked a command to the soldiers and their weapons were lowered and sheathed.
“We must get inside. The Dragon’s Eye burns.” Talis said stepping forward.
“And you are?” Jered asked, warily eyeing the beasts and the newcomers.
“He is Talis and he is welcome once more to Caer Camyl” Came a voice from behind them. The Lady Noi and her attendants had reached the courtyard.
“My thanks my Lady.” Talis said. “May we go within?”
Lady Noi nodded and they all moved toward the door. Talis turned to one of his companions.
“Margette please see to the pegusi.”
It took a few minutes for enough quite to come to the great hall. Talis stood before everyone, waiting until he had their full attention.
It was now three hours since Merayla had been woken by her godmother Lil. Lil had told Merayla they were going on a special visit to the library of Talis Sein at Myrthin Vale, to find out more about the tapestry clues. Merayla was excited, she had heard all the stories about Talis. He was said to be the wisest and most magical being to ever walk the woods. Merayla had scoffed down her breakfast and dressed as fast as she could to be ready to leave. Now three hours later they were entering the Vale.
The woods surrounded the vale on each side but did not descend more than a few feet down the slopes. Along the centre of the plain below flowed a sparkling river. The vale was filled with flowers. Beside the river sat a great house complete with east and west turrets. Behind the house was a half circle of trees surrounding a stone circle. Each tree was different. As they followed the path that would lead them down into the valley and across to the house Merayla decided to pass the time by asking about the trees.
“They are the thirteen trees of magic and mystery.” Lil replied “Birch, Rowan, Ash, Alder, Willow, Hawthorn, Oak, Holly, Hazel, Vine, Ivy, Reed, Elder.”
“But I don’t see 13 trees?”
“Very clever my dear. That is because while they are all known as the thirteen trees of magic and mystery a few are not trunked trees.”
“Oh yeah, like the mistletoe cause it grows on trees.”
“Correct.”
They were approaching the home of Talis Sein now and Merayla could see hundred upon hundreds of butterflies. As they neared one flew up and hovered in front of Merayla’s face, giggled and flew quickly toward the house. Another landed on her shoulder. Merayla froze.
“These aren’t butterflies!” She squealed. Her godmother laughed.
“They are Faries. Named for the Fae Folk.”
“I’m a Fae Folk aren’t I?” Merayla asked “But they don’t all look like me, this one looks like a lion cub!”
“The Fairies take on many forms. Some look as you, some look like animals and the rest look as the other creatures of the woods and lands.”
Merayla dropped into a curtsey as she had been taught when she met new people. She looked to the little lion fairy on her shoulder.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” The lion bowed his head in reply and made a little happy growl.
The door to the house opened as they approached and a tall man with pointy ears appeared from within. He crossed the distance before then in a few strides of his long legs and embraced Lil.
“Me dear friend Blodwyn. It’s been too long.”
“But your name is Lil, Godmother?”
“Lily is one of my names my sweet, Blodwyn is just another.”
Merayla was still confused but could see from her godmothers face that she wasn’t going to get a better answer from her. Talis then knelt down on one knee before Merayla and took an imaginary hat from his head and held it to his heart.
“And this must be the wondrous princess Merayla, you are the image of your mother, how I miss her.”
“Princess..?” Merayla started “My mother, you knew my mother?”
This was not at all the welcome she had been expecting and she was even more surprised when her godmother clipped the back of Talis’s head.
“We’ve come for the scrolls.” She said and started walking toward the house. “Come along Merayla, we must move quickly if we wish to help your brother and sister.
The house was beautiful inside and seemed so much bigger than it looked from the outside. They followed a long corridor that seemed to go on for miles to Merayla. Off the corridor were other corridors and so many rooms, most with closed doors. Merayla peaked inside the first open door they passed. The room was made completely of wood, like it was carved out of the inside of a tree. Rich green curtains hung over a huge window that seemed to look out onto a night sky.
“Merayla!” Called her godmother and Merayla hurried to catch them up. The two were speaking in hushed voices and Merayla could only hear the odd phrase said. She heard Talis say time already and none of them know? She could not hear anything that her godmother said. They stopped outside a set of double doors. They doors were beautifully carved showing a number of scenes, like storybook pictures. Merayla realised one looked like it had the island from the knights shield she had seen in the vision of her brother and sister. She was about to comment when Talis pushed the doors open and she was overwhelmed by the room within. It was a library but unlike any she had seen before. It was two stories high packed floor to ceiling with books and scrolls and parchments. Great ladders hung around the bookshelves and they looked like they would move around the cases. Merayla loved reading and this room was like heaven to her.
Forgetting the quest and the reason for their visit she ran to the nearest shelf and began reading the titles.
“Oh Godmother, they have The Little White Horse and, oh look, they have Eiridis.” Merayla did not notice that her Godmother and Talis had moved to the far corner of the room. She looked around after a moment when Lil did not respond to see Talis standing in front of a pillar separating two shelves of books. His hand glowed a brilliant blue as he ran it down the pillars length. To her surprise the pillar creaked and spilt apart revealing a narrow compartment. She could not see what was inside from her spot so quickly ran towards them. But she was not quick enough. Talis withdrew a chest and the pillar swung shut with a thud. Merayla ran her hand up and down its length but could not find a seam or anything to indicate that it would open.
Talis placed the chest on the table
“You have the key Blodwyn?” He asked
“Kept safe and always with me.” She replied lifting her necklace over head head. It had a pendant hanging on it. The figure of a tree encrusted with red ruby apples. She pressed the pendant between her hands and rotated them in opposite directions. She opened her hand again and the tree had slid apart into two pieces and within one lay a delicate looking silver key. Merayla was stunned again. She had played with that pendant all her life and not once had it done anything like that. Talis took the key out of its hiding place and placed it into the lock of the chest and turned it.
The lid clicked unlocked and Talis lifted it up. Within were seven scrolls and a velvet bag on a long cord. Talis picked up the bag and put the cord over Merayla’s neck so it hung like a necklace.
“You keep this safe for me little one. But don’t open it until I tell you to.”
Merayla nodded. She hated being called little one. But she considered that given how tall Talis was most people would be little ones to him. While he was doing that Lil took out the first scroll and unrolled it. The top half of the scroll was taken up with a beautifully drawn picture of a lily surrounded by seven roses. It was just like the nights shield but far more detailed and in this case each rose was a different colour. On the shield they had been red. Talis leaned forward and read the words
“And so the great queen Lilith sat with her seven daughters before the running waters of immortality. “My daughters my time has come and no more shall I drink these waters. I leave to you each a task to complete and pass down.” One by one the daughters approached their mother to hear her words and instructions.
The first was dressed in a dress of blood red. She knelt before her mothers feet and was handed a small medallion. My eldest daughter Katlyn I give to you the care of the tree of life. Watch it wisely and teach those that come after you to do the same.
The second was dressed in a dress of sunset orange. She knelt before her mothers feet and was handed a silver horn. My dearest daughter Safira I give to you the care of the Call of Harmony. Watch it wisely and teach those that come after you to do the same.
The third was dressed in a dress of shining yellow gold. She knelt before her mothers feet and was handed a large faceted amethyst crystal. My shyest daughter Krystia I give to you the care of the Dragon’s Eye. Watch it wisely and teach those that come after you to do the same.
The fourth was dressed in a dress of new leaf Green. She knelt before her mothers feet and was handed a chalice encrusted with stones. My sweet daughter Jenivere I give to you the care of the Chalice of Tears. Watch it wisely and teach those that come after you to do the same.
The fifth was dressed in a dress of midnight blue. She knelt before her mothers feet and was handed a sword. My brave daughter Elifae I give to you the care of the sword of Albirian. Watch it wisely and teach those that come after you to do the same.
The six was dressed in a dress of dark violet. She knelt before her mothers feet and was given a vile of water. My darling daughter Tia I give to you the care of the fountain and our home. Care for them wisely.
The seventh was dressed in a dress of lightest indigo. She knelt before her mothers feet and was given nothing. My youngest daughter Blodwyn I give to you the care of the family. Watch them wisely and teach those that come after you to do the same.
When the gifts of the seven Roses return then shall once more the be ruled and once more shall there be a golden age.
Then having said this, the great Queen Lilith stood and withdrew to the tomb of her great husband never to be seen in this life again.”
Talis stopped reading and looked at Lil
“You?” He asked looking amazed. Lil shook her head
“My name is Blodwyn Lily, named first for my mother and second for my grandmother.”
“Did you know?”
“I knew my duty, I knew its importance. But I never knew my history. My mother said I was only to come for the scrolls when I saw the Lily and the seven Roses. That when I saw it the time would be here and our charge would be nearing completion.” Blodwyn looked down at Merayla and smiled a slightly sad smile. Then she turned back to Talis. “We must get to the others quickly before they go too far. I never imagined that their quest was anything more than a fancy.”
Merayla allowed herself to be lead out of the library and back down the passage. She had no idea what the scroll meant only that she was going to see her brother and sister. She was going to be part of the quest after all.
Lulu had no trouble falling asleep after she was shown to her room by Jered. It had been a long day and she was exhausted.
As soon as Lulu fell asleep, the first dream came to her. In front of her was the knight of the tapestry. He was kneeling before a huge fountain, his head resting on its edge. The water of the fountain flowed a soft violet colour. In the centre of the fountain was a great statue of the great mother goddess. From her eyes the water flowed like tears. It seemed fitting as the knights own tears fell into the water.
A polite cough came from behind them. The knight quickly dried his eyes and turned around.
“What is it Kerrit?” He asked the intruder.
“I am sorry to intrude on your solitude majesty. But it is most important. A party approaches the castle. I think it is her.”
The knight leapt from the ground, his tears forgotten. His head moved from side to side as if he searched for something. Kerrit, the knight’s squire, brought his hand from behind his back. In it was an empty flagon.
“Will this do majesty?” Kerrit asked.
The knight quickly crossed to the young squire taking the flagon in one hand and grasping Kerrit’s shoulder in the other.
“You are indeed the best squire any King could wish for.” The knight-King crossed back to the fountain and submerged the flagon. He watched for a moment as bubbles of air escaped as water filled the flagon then satisfied it was full turned and ran toward the castle, Kerrit quickly following.
Lulu realised as they ran toward the castle that neither had even noticed her, that being the case she felt she was in no danger if she followed to see where this dream would take her.
She quickly hitched up her skirt and ran after the two figures as they disappeared inside the castle.
The dream shifted as she reached the castle and she found herself in a great throne room. The knight was sitting in one of the two thrones at the head of the room. The room was buzzing with quiet talk of all gathered within. A trumpet sounded and the room hushed. A loud voice called from the door
“Into the presence of our High King and Sovereign Liege of the Faeling Folk, his majesty King Kaeden do I bring the royal Lady Kaylee and her royal guard and companions.”
The doors at the far end of the room swung open and six burly knights entered carrying a litter between them. They crossed the room and lowered the litter to the floor before the steps to the thrones. Two woman rushed forward and drew back the curtains. Inside was the frail Lady Kaylee. The king rose from his throne and quickly paced down the steps to the litter. He knelt and took the Lady’s hand.
“My dearest love, how time has aged you.”
“My dearest love, how it has not aged you.” Replied Kaylee. “I have travelled far to set eyes on your face one last time before I sleep the last sleep.”
“My love, it does not have to be so. As I am young so can you be, to rule at my side.” So saying Kaeden withdrew the flagon from his pocket and offered it to his love. She took the flagon from him and sipped its contents. The change was immediate. She began to glow with a light, the same violet hue as the water she had drunk. The lighted flared around her body and before the eyes of the court the years she had lived slipped away from her body. As the light dimmed she stepped forth from the litter a young woman once more. King Kaeden took her into his arms and held her tightly.
“My love you have returned to me. We shall never again be parted.”
Lulu felt tears wet her cheeks at the romance and happiness of the moment. She was not alone. Most present were overcome. The Lady turned to face Lulu.
“Go back my daughter, there is much to do before you reach this place but we are waiting.”
Lulu’s eyes widened in surprise for not only was this woman looking straight at her, but this woman was the exact image of herself.
With a start Lulu awoke in the darkened chamber of Caer Camyl. She leapt from her bed pulling on cloak and headed out into the dark hallway to find her brother’s room and tell him her dream.
Please vote for Merayla’s new habitat at
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Please and thank you
It was bedtime at the Treehouse and Lil, the Fae’s Faery Godmother was tucking Merayla in for the night.
“Dairy Godmother, I mean Faery Godmother, I wish I knew what Bobbob and Lulu were doing.” Merayla said raising herself up onto her elbows. “We haven’t had a postcard in days and days.”
Lil smiled down at her.
“Dairy godmother indeed. Would you like a milkshake with that.” Merayla giggled up at her godmother. “Lie back down and we’ll try something special to see if we can see you brother and sister.”
Merayla obediently settled back down into the bed, snuggling her teddy bear bebe against her. Lil pulled her magic wand, seemingly out of thin air and waved it in front of her.
“Cynnai Denai Mirrus Appearus” As she spoke the magic words an antique mirror appeared. Its glass sparkling with magic. “Magic Mirror show us Bobbob and Lulu”
The mirror glowed brightly for a moment then a picture appeared replacing the reflection. Merayla felt herself losing herself into the image as it began to move and sounds floated to her.
The sun was high in the sky as the small party of travellers approached the drawbridge of a small castle sitting at the base of a large mountain. The sun lit up the snow capped peaks above them.
“That is so beautiful! I wish we had time to climb to the snow.” Lulu said resting on her walking stick.
“Maybe another time we can return here with Mer, I’m sure she would love to play in the snow.” Replied Bobbob
As they spoke the drawbridge lowered and a party of knights rode out to greet them.
“Welcome to Caer Camyl. I am Jered, you must be Bobbob, Lulu and Blackey. Come in and be welcome.”
The castle was beautifully decorated from the entrance through to the Great Hall where the Lady of the house greeted them.
“I am Lady Noi, welcome to our home. I am sorry Lord Steviray could not be here to greet you also but he and our two sons Sparky and Jumpy are on patrol. Trolls have been harassing out borders of late.”
“Thank you for your greeting milady. We are grateful to be welcomed so.” Bobbob said.
“Jumpy? Sparky? those are strange kids names.” Blackey murmured to Lulu as Bobbob spoke. Lady Noi laughed.
“Nicknames for my sons.” Blackey blushed, embarrassed at being heard. Bobbob cleared his throat loudly to draw attention away from Blackey’s embarrassment.
“We believe you have a clue to the map Lady Noi.”
“Indeed I do Bobbob. This has been in our family for generations. I had no idea of its significance until your friend Wigg arrived a few days ago. He had remembered it from our last meeting.”
“Wigg was here? Why? How did he know about the tapestry?” Lulu asked. They had briefly run into Wigg the Trader at a tavern three nights earlier in the town of Dunson. That day they had found the Fountain of Truth and discovered their next clue lay on a tapestry. The tapestry showed a knight riding to battle. On his shield was an image of their next destination. The stars shining above him would give them the next key they needed.
“I told him about our quest after you retired for the night. It was he that suggested we come here. He thought the tapestry might be the one we were after.”
As Bobbob talked two servants came into the room carrying a large woven tapestry. It was obviously very old and the colours of the thread had faded a little but the image it bore was still clear. The servants lay it down across the long dining table of the Great Hall. The trio of travellers gathered around it. A lone knight rode across an open field. Behind him was the mountain and the castle they were currently visiting. His shield hung from his arm facing out toward them. It was a coat of arms in three sections. The top right quarter showed a red dragon rampant, the top left a rocky outcrop atop a small island, the lower section seven roses in a circle around a lily. Underneath were the words aqua sapientes defendit.
“What does that mean?” Blackey asked
“Its one of the old languages from Drakantis. I think it means Water protects wisdom” Said Lulu
“My father said it meant Water protects the Wise Ones.” Said Lady Noi. “The story says that long ago a knight came to our lands from a far away land. He spoke a strange language. He fell in love with a lady of my line. He learned our language and our ways and they were married. He would never speak of where he came from. Over time it became apparent that he did not age as we did. The villagers rose up in fear and drove him away. He was never to return but as his Lady lay on her deathbed many years later a messenger arrived carrying this tapestry and a note.”
“Can we see the note?” Bobbob asked interrupting Lady Noi
“I am afraid it is long lost but it is said to have said The Waters of Home Flow Eternal. In Word In Image lie the path. Follow me home and be my Lady always. The Lady drew together her bravest knights and they took her on a journey to the north. A year later the knights returned with a small babe. They would not speak of where they had journeyed only to say that this was the child of the Lady and Lord. They named her Tiadow and I am the direct descendant of that child.”
“It appears we are heading north my friends.” Bobbob said placing an arm on each of his companions shoulders. “We shall sleep here the night and let our minds work on these clues. And in the morning we shall depart.”
Merayla felt a rush of wind around her and found herself looking once more at her reflection.
“Do you know where they need to go Godmother?” Merayla asked. Lil leant down and kissed her forehead.
“I do not know but I may know a story that might help them. Sleep now and in the morning we shall visit the bard’s home and see what we can find.”
Merayla nodded and rolled onto her side. Within moments she was sound asleep.
