I woke a moment before a knock sounded upon the door. Set also woke as I had. He surprised the frog-man by answering the door.
"Beg pardon, Sisters, but a leprechaun ship has arrived and one claims to be kin."
"Yes, we spoke to him yesterday. Can he meet with us in the eating hall?" I asked as I stood up and went to Set's side.
"He is there already. I will let him know you are on your way," he replied.
He clicked his heels, bowed, turned, and left. I woke my sisters and friends, informing them of our guest. Gretta was nervous. We all understood. The family she had left was very rough on her. She did not want a repeat from her new uncle. I felt out. There were four leprechauns in the outpost. Two were women. Of the two men, one was much older than the other. The younger was nearly our ages, so that could not be the brother of Gretta's grandfather. Focusing on the older man, I found a serious man, but one who loved his family and friends, who was proud of his job guarding the Hoard, and curious about this "lost child" of his brother. Telling Gretta this eased her tremendously. We dressed and went down to the eating hall.
Four leprechauns stood out in this room of aquatics like a small island in a large sea. A veil of nervousness fell from them when they saw us. Visually, without any other sense, Gretta's uncle was easily identified. Even though he was much shorter then she, the physical similarities marked them as family. Eyes, hair, face shape, down to their general build. He smiled and went right to Gretta.
"Caileag, m'teaghlach seo seas romham (translation: Girl, my family stands before me) Seo m'banachararaidean (my female relation) Faic sibh a-nis uam tog cruaidh fheum. (Seeing you now lifts me from a crying need.)"
"Cruaidh fheum? What is this crying need?" Gretta asked, taking his hands.
"My family, m'teaghlach, is gone. Wife, children, siblings, all gone. Hearing from you, seeing you, fills my heart with joy. Come, sit, let us hear of your life."
We sat, ate, and talked with them. Gretta's history made the four repeatedly whisper "nas bochda caileag", meaning "poor girl". Gretta grew more confident as she spoke, feeling the love of family for the first time since her mother died.
When she finished Ian, her uncle, told us of the "Soul of the Sea".
"Countless ages ago, the Primordial Water, the father of the Goddess Ocean, kept the waters churned so violently that no land-person dared to attempt to leave the land to sail the waters. He was determined to allow no 'mud dwellers' to 'infest' his pristine seas. All the gods, including the First One, tried to change his mind, but to no avail. Then, he witnessed a sight that surprised even he. Land elves were riding his great swells on small boards. Humans, in tiny boats that could skim the cruel waves, were hauling fish out of his waters. He raged, making the seas even rougher. Still, land people were finding ways to overcome this harshness and venture into the seas. Spent, he gave his control of the waters to his eldest daughter, Ocean, and drew himself into the smallest and most compact form he could. He crystallized and became a giant, deep blue, sapphire. For centuries, Ocean kept him, in this form, as an advisor. Eventually, he withdrew to the point even she could not reach him. A custody battle began as to who and where he, or 'it' by now, should reside. The First One decreed that keeping him with the aquatics would only fuel more fighting. By this time, we leprechauns had established the Hoard. Seeing it so well hidden and guarded, and us as truly neutral to this conflict, we were given stewardship of this gem. Dubbed the 'Soul of the Sea', we placed it in the heart of the Hoard, in a pool of crystal pure water, tended by aquatic versions of pixies. There it has stayed ever since."
"Why would Konfotuta seek it? What powers does he hope to gain from it?" Gretta asked softly.
"Some speculate that Konfotuta wants to awaken the Primordial Water, drown the lands, and establish himself as ruler of an entirely watery world. Others claim he seeks to consume it and absorb the Primordial Water's powers. Only that beasty knows his true intentions. He and Alkon, in times past, sought it while playing at guardians. Fortunately, only those who hide the Hoard know its location and they never nabbed one of those."
"It must be extremely well hidden," Lisa stated, "for no enemy that has passed this land has even lied about finding it."
Ian laughed, "True. Baalocs, sea dragon, lich, and pirates have all been denied the Hoard. However, it is my hope that one of you shall know it well," he looked at Gretta.
Gretta looked at him in shock while my other sisters snapped their heads to stare at me. Apparently, the Hoard was the treasury Fate predicted that Gretta and Greed would guard and oversee. Gretta took Ian's hands.
"It would be my honor to stand with you to protect our people's prized heritage."
Ian pulled Gretta into his embrace. As they held each other, I felt the presence of many dragons and riders. The leprechauns followed us out to a large area where the dragons and riders were assembling. In the middle of them was a familiar sight.
"SKY THUNDER!" all seven of us called when we saw him. We raced over to greet him.
"Hello, again, Sisters. My, you lot sure do get around," he said, kind of teasing.
"Us? What about you? Arvocan is hardly the gnomish foothills," I teased back.
"Well, Falcon needed an old lightning dragon to help these poggs get coordinated. The ogres left the area for 'less dangerous' territory, so my guardianship wasn't needed. So, Falcon said an evil sea dragon is causing a big fuss. Care to fill us in?"
We gathered all the riders and dragons around and told them about Konfotuta and the saurguin. It saddened them that they may have to kill a dragon, but such evil had to be stopped.
"Any communication with him? Has he voiced his demands to any here or among the aquatics?" a rider asked.
"Other than saurguin, he has not spoken to any race," Anna told them.
"Let me fly over him, see if he will talk to me," Sky Thunder volunteered.
"Let me go with you," I requested, "Seeing him directly will let me know his true state."
"Acceptable. Then, this is the plan: Fly over the saurguin city, contact Konfotuta, get a good read on him, and fly back. Kayla can relay what we learn to her sisters and these riders."
"Set, please stay here," I told him gently, "Sky flies very fast. I do not need you hurting yourself trying to keep up. Keep our sisters and friends safe, alright?"
His sad face became determined, "I will protect them. Sky Thunder is strong. I will see you when you both return."
With that settled, I faced Sky and placed my hand on his forehead. My riding set quickly grew, forming a saddle, reins, and headpiece. Unlike the others, mine did not form a band around Sky's head, but made separate bands on each horn. Sky gave it all a good shake to insure it was on securely. As I mounted, Set took a step towards us before he realized what he had done. Lisa laid a reassuring hand upon Set's head to let us both know they would watch over him.
With a few wing beats, Sky was air-born and headed towards open water. In less than an hour, we sailed over the coral reef. Fortunately, we were able to tell the guards mentally who we were and our task. They waved and pointed towards the saurguin city. Thanking them, Sky adjusted his course. Soon, we began to feel Konfotuta's presence. Sky hovered over the post where his presence was strongest.
"Konfotuta!" Sky mentally yelled, "Show yourself! I demand an audience!"
"'Demand'?" replied a voice I had only heard in a vision, "Who are you to demand such of me? You must be very brave or very stupid."
"I am Sky-of-Rolling-Thunder. I was old when you and Alkon were playing at guardian and terrorizing the aquatic races. I also carry Lawnoss, chosen of Brimagor."
The water below us began churning. A massive pale green head rose from the center of the rolling water. Easily equal in size to Aper See, Konfotuta made Sky look tiny.
"Old you may be, but much smaller than I. That matters not. What insect claims the title Lawnoss and speaks for Brimagor?"
"No insect am I," I replied mentally, guessing that my voice would not carry over the roar of the water around him, "I am Kayla, Faerie blooded and Fate's own."
"Bold, aren't we? Let me guess, you have come all the way out here to try to talk me out of all the bad things my puppets have been doing and sail quietly into the sunset."
"We are not fools. We know your history of treachery and treason. Our only purpose is to assess your strength and the depth of your evil. I see both clearly. With my sisters' aid, all of your weaknesses are plain to me. A battle, while not desired, is inevitable between us. We are many and we know your flaws."
"Flaws! You speak of flaws? Know this, little girl, I, too, have the gift of true sight. I see your fear. I see that you don't even know who your true father is. When we meet to fight, all of your fears will be thrown at you and your sisters. It will be my pleasure to drown you one-by-one and devour the pathetic carcass that remains."
This threat upset Sky greatly and he lashed out with the large scythe-like blade on his tail. This cut Konfotuta across the end of his nose, making him roar in pain. Sky's quickness was the only thing that saved us from a blast of ice breath. Sky went up and left, avoiding the sea dragon's powerful weapon.
As we flew off, Konfotuta sent one last thought, "Guard you minds well, insects. You never know when I may enter your dreams."
Sky raced back to Arvocan. An escort met us to insure we were safe. Set was among them, venting mentally and around his mouth as he told me how angry he was at the way Sky and I were treated. My sisters, the riders, and many citizens also voiced their strong opinion of our encounter.
As the crowd thinned, I noticed something dark on Sky's tail. He pulled it around to look at and smell it.
"It seems I bloodied the bastard. Best wash it off."
"NO!" was yelled from a dozen or more.
Sky jumped at the noise and looked at us, puzzled. Several bottles, jugs, and cups materialized to collect the icor as Sloth explained the multiple uses of such fluid.
While it was being gathered, we all speculated on how Sky managed to cut him when no one and nothing else had done so before. The only theory that made sense was that Sky's electrical nature permeated even to the end of his tail.
We left the dragons to join the riders for lunch. Some of the aquatic food had to be explained to the inland riders. The live food challenged some while disgusting others. The citizens, likewise, both confused and delighted the riders who has never seen such as they. So many inland people also intrigued the aquatics. We spent most of lunch explaining what and where each rider was and their homeland.
After lunch, we all went back to the dragons to work on "battle plans" and how to focus the lightning.
A dwarf ship found us and docked near us. Taking up much of its deck was a large metal box with holes, slots, and clamps. A dwarf unknown to us disembarked and joined us.
"Greetings, all. I am Varlan, captain of this vessel. Gorval has given me the task of aiding you against this water beasty causing such a fuss. That device is, crudely, called the 'Clapper' as in claps of thunder. It collects electrical energy, stores it, condenses it, and shoots it out in a controlled manner. Also, your friends have sent with us a large collection of lightning charged items. They are in the hold. The Clapper can hold these things in various openings and draw their power as well. So, am I in time for the war council?"
"You are," Callie told him, "we were just planning our strategy. Please, join us. All help is appreciated."
Varlan sat with us. This added a new option. Since this machine focused lightning, we could focus on it to pour power at Konfotuta. Sloth and other wizards suggested daubing the blood we collected on the Clapper, "aligning" it to him specifically.
We talked until nearly dark. As the sun was setting, many looked skyward for the first star of evening. When it appeared, many began, in various languages, chanting the old verse of "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight". Once they finished, however, something happened. The star looked as if it was coming towards us. We backed up as the bright light touched the coral and stone of Arvocan. It dimmed to reveal Starlight in all her glory. We all bowed as she walked towards us.
"Kayla, I must speak with you. Set, you may join us. Let us find a quiet place," she gently requested.
Set, Vanity, and I went with Starlight to a place that, on land, would have been a park. Here, it was a plaza with benches overlooking the sea. We sat. Starlight steadied herself to tell me what she had to say.
"Aloriana has told us Immortals of what your dad did for your mother. Reviewing the pages of Time, we watched this act. I know who and what you are."
I sat in utter silence, not wanting her to stop or to interrupt her. Set and Vanity were also silent.
"Raymond of Denar did not just stand in the middle of the forest. By some power, he had found my sister's last temple. As you know, I am the first star of evening. My sister, Starcrystal, was the last star of night or the morning star. Do not try to remember her verse. No one has said it in centuries. Gods live on attention. When we no longer receive it, we slowly die. My sister was down to her last spark of power, attended by her last four clerics who, through forgotten magics, fused their four short lives into one long life with four identities. It is with these four whom Raymond made his deal. With his mortal years, one cleric could separate and be an individual for the amount of time that was taken. Hearing a heartfelt, unselfish request on another's behalf with no expectation of personal gain, the clerics were moved to take the last spark of Starcrystal's divine power and used it on your mother. With a charm over her to believe she mated with your dad, they implanted that divine spark inside her, used her seed, and conceived you. In all honesty, you and your mother are almost identical twins since only her bloodline flows in you. With Faerie blood, my sister is sustained in you. As you have aged, her power has become your power. Here, if this does what I think it will, my belief is proven."
Starlight handed me a large, cloudy-white crystal. She set it in my hands. As soon as she let go, it began to clear. In moments, it was as clear as spring water. Starlight was crying.
"I knew it! The other Immortals thought me daft, but I knew. Kayla, you are my sister, given mortal form, and a Faerie's life."
We three were stunned. Me? A goddess made mortal? I began to realize that this made sense. The things I had "known" without anyone telling me. Feeling my best in the hours before sunrise. I looked at her.
"The time of our births, the Twin Stars in the Great Dragon, does this play into all of this?"
"The twin stars were inseparable friends who, upon nearing death, did not wish to leave each other. They pleaded with every deity to let them stay together. Fate answered and made them twin stars that move as one. As part of this deal, they move to make omens or herald some great event. Their presence at your and Callie's birth as the eyes of the Great Dragon foretold of two inseparable friends who would also be bound to dragons."
We sat in silence to absorb this information. Set rubbed me, purring slightly. I rubbed his horned head as I went over all of this stuff. In truth, I have no mortal father. I am Starcrystal, sister of Starlight, enfolded in mortal form, a near twin to my mortal mother as the divine spark used her body to make me. Faerie blood and time in the Faerie Realm, with occasional splashes of dragon enhanced spring water, have strengthened the divine powers within me. Brimagor's divine gift has also aided both the divine and dragon connection. All of my odd behaviors finally made sense. As a star, I am tied to Fate from the moment I came into existence. With the last of Starcrystal's power, I received her knowledge of magic no mortal knew, like blood connecting living items to mortals to make the bond. As the one who helped sing in the new day, Siren Silver and its properties were known to me.
I took Starlight's hands, "Thank you, Fair Lady, for telling us all of this. While I am different from the sister you knew, I will not dishonor her, you, nor her gift by my actions."
"I am glad that even a part of her still lives. This is a bit confusing to me. Are you my sister or my niece?"
We laughed, understanding the confusion. The crystal that lay between us began to glow. Fate's image shown from within its brightness.
"For now," she told us, "Kayla is our niece. In time, she will become more like your sister. When her time comes to cross over, Starcrystal's spot is still open."
I smiled and looked at Starlight, "Can you wait a few thousand years for me to rejoin you in the sky?"
Starlight seized me in a crushing embrace, "Oh, Kayla! What are years to a star? The skies will sing when you join us."
We held each other for quite some time. Fate faded from the crystal. When we parted, Starlight took the crystal and returned to the night sky. We three returned to the outpost where our sisters, companions, and friends waited. Mentally, I slowly explained what had been said. Callie hugged Echo, all doubt of their bonding erased. We did not include the riders, dragons, or aquatics in our sharing. We felt that now was not the time to drop such news on them.
We went to our room to end this extraordinary day. I would need to write my dad so he would, finally, understand what he had really done in the forest nearly two decades ago.
"Flaws! You speak of flaws? Know this, little girl, I, too, have the gift of true sight. I see your fear. I see that you don't even know who your true father is. When we meet to fight, all of your fears will be thrown at you and your sisters. It will be my pleasure to drown you one-by-one and devour the pathetic carcass that remains."
This threat upset Sky greatly and he lashed out with the large scythe-like blade on his tail. This cut Konfotuta across the end of his nose, making him roar in pain. Sky's quickness was the only thing that saved us from a blast of ice breath. Sky went up and left, avoiding the sea dragon's powerful weapon.
As we flew off, Konfotuta sent one last thought, "Guard you minds well, insects. You never know when I may enter your dreams."
Sky raced back to Arvocan. An escort met us to insure we were safe. Set was among them, venting mentally and around his mouth as he told me how angry he was at the way Sky and I were treated. My sisters, the riders, and many citizens also voiced their strong opinion of our encounter.
As the crowd thinned, I noticed something dark on Sky's tail. He pulled it around to look at and smell it.
"It seems I bloodied the bastard. Best wash it off."
"NO!" was yelled from a dozen or more.
Sky jumped at the noise and looked at us, puzzled. Several bottles, jugs, and cups materialized to collect the icor as Sloth explained the multiple uses of such fluid.
While it was being gathered, we all speculated on how Sky managed to cut him when no one and nothing else had done so before. The only theory that made sense was that Sky's electrical nature permeated even to the end of his tail.
We left the dragons to join the riders for lunch. Some of the aquatic food had to be explained to the inland riders. The live food challenged some while disgusting others. The citizens, likewise, both confused and delighted the riders who has never seen such as they. So many inland people also intrigued the aquatics. We spent most of lunch explaining what and where each rider was and their homeland.
After lunch, we all went back to the dragons to work on "battle plans" and how to focus the lightning.
A dwarf ship found us and docked near us. Taking up much of its deck was a large metal box with holes, slots, and clamps. A dwarf unknown to us disembarked and joined us.
"Greetings, all. I am Varlan, captain of this vessel. Gorval has given me the task of aiding you against this water beasty causing such a fuss. That device is, crudely, called the 'Clapper' as in claps of thunder. It collects electrical energy, stores it, condenses it, and shoots it out in a controlled manner. Also, your friends have sent with us a large collection of lightning charged items. They are in the hold. The Clapper can hold these things in various openings and draw their power as well. So, am I in time for the war council?"
"You are," Callie told him, "we were just planning our strategy. Please, join us. All help is appreciated."
Varlan sat with us. This added a new option. Since this machine focused lightning, we could focus on it to pour power at Konfotuta. Sloth and other wizards suggested daubing the blood we collected on the Clapper, "aligning" it to him specifically.
We talked until nearly dark. As the sun was setting, many looked skyward for the first star of evening. When it appeared, many began, in various languages, chanting the old verse of "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight". Once they finished, however, something happened. The star looked as if it was coming towards us. We backed up as the bright light touched the coral and stone of Arvocan. It dimmed to reveal Starlight in all her glory. We all bowed as she walked towards us.
"Kayla, I must speak with you. Set, you may join us. Let us find a quiet place," she gently requested.
Set, Vanity, and I went with Starlight to a place that, on land, would have been a park. Here, it was a plaza with benches overlooking the sea. We sat. Starlight steadied herself to tell me what she had to say.
"Aloriana has told us Immortals of what your dad did for your mother. Reviewing the pages of Time, we watched this act. I know who and what you are."
I sat in utter silence, not wanting her to stop or to interrupt her. Set and Vanity were also silent.
"Raymond of Denar did not just stand in the middle of the forest. By some power, he had found my sister's last temple. As you know, I am the first star of evening. My sister, Starcrystal, was the last star of night or the morning star. Do not try to remember her verse. No one has said it in centuries. Gods live on attention. When we no longer receive it, we slowly die. My sister was down to her last spark of power, attended by her last four clerics who, through forgotten magics, fused their four short lives into one long life with four identities. It is with these four whom Raymond made his deal. With his mortal years, one cleric could separate and be an individual for the amount of time that was taken. Hearing a heartfelt, unselfish request on another's behalf with no expectation of personal gain, the clerics were moved to take the last spark of Starcrystal's divine power and used it on your mother. With a charm over her to believe she mated with your dad, they implanted that divine spark inside her, used her seed, and conceived you. In all honesty, you and your mother are almost identical twins since only her bloodline flows in you. With Faerie blood, my sister is sustained in you. As you have aged, her power has become your power. Here, if this does what I think it will, my belief is proven."
Starlight handed me a large, cloudy-white crystal. She set it in my hands. As soon as she let go, it began to clear. In moments, it was as clear as spring water. Starlight was crying.
"I knew it! The other Immortals thought me daft, but I knew. Kayla, you are my sister, given mortal form, and a Faerie's life."
We three were stunned. Me? A goddess made mortal? I began to realize that this made sense. The things I had "known" without anyone telling me. Feeling my best in the hours before sunrise. I looked at her.
"The time of our births, the Twin Stars in the Great Dragon, does this play into all of this?"
"The twin stars were inseparable friends who, upon nearing death, did not wish to leave each other. They pleaded with every deity to let them stay together. Fate answered and made them twin stars that move as one. As part of this deal, they move to make omens or herald some great event. Their presence at your and Callie's birth as the eyes of the Great Dragon foretold of two inseparable friends who would also be bound to dragons."
We sat in silence to absorb this information. Set rubbed me, purring slightly. I rubbed his horned head as I went over all of this stuff. In truth, I have no mortal father. I am Starcrystal, sister of Starlight, enfolded in mortal form, a near twin to my mortal mother as the divine spark used her body to make me. Faerie blood and time in the Faerie Realm, with occasional splashes of dragon enhanced spring water, have strengthened the divine powers within me. Brimagor's divine gift has also aided both the divine and dragon connection. All of my odd behaviors finally made sense. As a star, I am tied to Fate from the moment I came into existence. With the last of Starcrystal's power, I received her knowledge of magic no mortal knew, like blood connecting living items to mortals to make the bond. As the one who helped sing in the new day, Siren Silver and its properties were known to me.
I took Starlight's hands, "Thank you, Fair Lady, for telling us all of this. While I am different from the sister you knew, I will not dishonor her, you, nor her gift by my actions."
"I am glad that even a part of her still lives. This is a bit confusing to me. Are you my sister or my niece?"
We laughed, understanding the confusion. The crystal that lay between us began to glow. Fate's image shown from within its brightness.
"For now," she told us, "Kayla is our niece. In time, she will become more like your sister. When her time comes to cross over, Starcrystal's spot is still open."
I smiled and looked at Starlight, "Can you wait a few thousand years for me to rejoin you in the sky?"
Starlight seized me in a crushing embrace, "Oh, Kayla! What are years to a star? The skies will sing when you join us."
We held each other for quite some time. Fate faded from the crystal. When we parted, Starlight took the crystal and returned to the night sky. We three returned to the outpost where our sisters, companions, and friends waited. Mentally, I slowly explained what had been said. Callie hugged Echo, all doubt of their bonding erased. We did not include the riders, dragons, or aquatics in our sharing. We felt that now was not the time to drop such news on them.
We went to our room to end this extraordinary day. I would need to write my dad so he would, finally, understand what he had really done in the forest nearly two decades ago.
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