OCTT : A TALE OF TWO QUEENS : SUMME - CHAPTER ONE : CELESTINE (DRAFT)

Chapter One

Celestine

The night was dark and the great palace of Summe lay in silence and isolation but for the hungry mice and ravenous rats which feasted upon the crumbs of the evenings feast, their tiny feet scurrying across the grey stoned floors. The air swayed within the great hall, moved by the cold drafts which teased their ways through the large doors. Standing before a great hearth, the flames licking the cold air of the grey palace stood a pensive Celestine. She wore a gown of jet black wool, its hem embellished with golden thread and her waist with a copper belt, its length falling to the floor. Her fiery auburn hair hung loose about her long back, the tips teasing at her hips. About her neck, she wore a jewelled diamond bestowed upon her by Galean and the four keys of Eden, bestowed upon her by the late Merlin. The diamond was in the shape of a star and of the deepest yellow, the diamond necklace being but one of only two, the other worn by Galean. The orange, red and copper flames embraced the yellow stone with tenderness as Celestine rolled it between her fingers. She knew not the history of the jewel, only that it had belonged to Galean’s mother, the late High Queen Methal of Meer and had been blessed by the great dragon, Nuyay with fire and magic. Through the magic, she had been able to call out to Galean from across the universe and awaken him from a deep and relentless sleep which had tried and failed to kill him. Without much thought, Celestine drew her eyes down to the yellow jewel and three silver keys. 

A year had now passed since she had taken the first of many steps down a path laid out for her by fates stars, a path she had denied, a path she had ignored, a path which upon walking had brought great misfortune yet fortune. Everything in her life had altered and cemented itself to the great prophecy once told by her mother, the beautiful Unyae, daughter of Heiden, God of Aurelius and the universe. In the year which had passed by like the blinking of an eye, Celestine had found herself thrust from the arms of ignorance and innocence into a world, a destiny and a fate unprecedented. Many of her loved ones now danced amongst the stars, and many lay within great peril, all of them bequeathing their lives and honour at her feet for a cause she herself did not fully understand. She was the rightful heir to not one but two Kingdoms, firstly that of Aurelius, the Kingdom of starlight and lastly the Kingdom of Calnuthe which lay upon this planet of Unas. A terrible war fought between the forces of darkness and light, led by the devious Lord Lagar of Hellnuthe and the ancient God of Aurelius, Heiden had now come to its last stand and those caught between the two Kingdoms stood beneath the shadow of great peril. She and she alone was the only hope left to the races of men and guardians. Yet she did not stand alone between the great wielders of flame and light, for another stood opposite her, a half-brother of terrible power and an insatiable thirst for the blood of men and the ruination of all that shone brightly. He had been named after his grandfather and loved by her mother, but even the love of a doe could not pacify the cruel and ambitious son of Lagar, for no one would stand in the way of Heidan, heir to Hellnuthe, Aurelius and King of Calnuthe, the seat of her late father the High King Elieor. There lay no other path before Celestine, no other option or freedom of choice and decision of will, for the survival of all living things now depended upon Celestine and if she failed to find the Garden of Calhuni and defeat her brother, then a great darkness would fall upon the memory of her ancestors and all that was would wither and crumble into particles of dust laden upon the fall of mankind.

Her long fingers etching into the grey stone of the hearth and her striking golden eyes bearing down into the flames, Celestine let the memories of the last year roll over her once again; her husband’s death taking precedence. It had been but a day since her arrival upon the planet of Unas and already she felt lonely and strangely forgotten, despite the rallying call of Anvin and her new friends and in its course, it had dawned upon Celestine that she would find herself an outsider under the gaze of her people and that her journey to the Garden of Calhuni would be tainted with trials and tribulations. As she battled with the flames, she stood away from the hearth and rolled back the warm fabric of her gown and looked down at her arm, her veins black, a direct reaction to the dark magic used upon the isle of man in her battle against the knights of Hellnuthe. She knew not why her veins had turned black and was confused further by the sudden shift in her mood. Celestine felt as though she had been dealt a mortal wound, its blade rendering her weaker than before. In disgust, she rolled down her sleeve and turned from the fire. Everything had altered as she passed through time, and now she stood within the halls of summe, weakened and widowed. Everything was imperially different in this new world; the air felt sharper, the people deeper and the world older. The very land and all those who inhabited this ancient world were seeped in an ageless magic, a magic which electrified the very air about her person. Yet despite being introduced to the Sumerian world, she felt almost that she stood before a great glass wall, herself separated from everything that surrounded her. She was merely a spectator and felt herself thrust into an unending and disturbing dream from which she would never awaken. 

Touching the yellow diamond gently, Celestine moved through the isolated hall, weaving her way around the great round table which lay in the centre of the great palace, the golden chair belonging to the High Priest shimmering against the light of the fire. Passing by several long tables and chairs and over the grey floor, Celestine made for the great copper doors to the south, which stood tall and arched beneath an embellished full moon which lay at the top of the arched doorway, its rays of silver light running over the copper, their points touching the cool floor below. Standing a moment before the ancient doors, Celestine ran her fingers over the silver rays and closed her eyes briefly. Opening her eyes once more, she turned her gaze to the distinctive green Sumerian flag which stood erect beside the door, embellished with a copper flower that was surrounded by golden leaves and silver stars. Her chest rising and falling in sombre fragility, Celestine found the golden handles of the great doors and opened them wide, a great gust of cool air streaming over her with directed vengeance and suspicion. With determined feet, which were clad within warm, leather boots, she walked out onto the palace steps, two great Sumerian flags billowing against the harsh Autu winds. Striding to a halt upon the first step, she drew her eyes down to where several high soldiers of Summe stood in their copper armour, guarding the palace in silence.

The air was cold and crisp and upon the tips of the wind, Celestine felt an uncomfortable restlessness which had now fallen over the small island like dew upon the morning grass. Her loose locks of auburn hair dancing about her shoulders, she looked out over the sleeping city which lay within the ancient walls, which bore the lights of many torches, dutifully held by the many soldiers who were now stationed upon the walls for security. In comparison to the cities of England, Summe was vastly smaller and its population only a few thousand. Within the city, a hierarchy had been created many moons ago and was noticeably obvious due to the homes of its citizens. Those with little lived beside the walls in small, round huts and those with position, power and money lived about the great palace, temples and towers which lay upon a small hill overlooking the rest of the city which lay in the shape of a circle. The houses of those with money and position were not built from straw and mud, they were built with grey, white or brown stone and their circular roofs not of hay and straw but of fine tiles, all of which gleamed with gold, silver and copper. Even the streets differed, those closest to the palace made of cobbled stone instead of earth. The hem of her thick gown billowed about her ankles and with a frown, Celestine heard the sweet sound of singing and turned her eyes down the steps to were a priestess in a robe of burning orange stood singing in Sumerian. Per her friends, it was custom for a priestess to sing as a body lay within the temple of Iriisheene and until the burial of Theodore, the same priestess would sing to his spirit, her voice and words guiding his spirit to the afterlife. Lifting her eyes away from the elderly priestess, and turning them to the right, she found the temple of Iriisheene. It stood taller than the temple of Ininneene which stood to the left of the palace. Both were of circular dimensions and made from grey slate. The smaller of the two temples had roofs made of copper tiles, whilst the larger temples roof was of gold. The palace was instead made of fisha wood, a rare tree which only grew upon the island. Its roof whilst made of grey slate was also covered in a thick paste of tree roots and hashia leaves. Her eyes turning from the temple, Celestine drew them to the great towers which lay away in the distance beyond the temple of Ininneene. The towers reminded her of the great candles which lay within St Paul’s cathedral. There were four and apart from the astronomy tower, they were known as the towers of thought, wisdom and magic and its student were per Aabe, some of the greatest minds across the island. Women were excluded from the towers and were instead taught the ways of the mind and magic in the city of Nor, which lay upon the eastern coast of Summe.

Her heart restless and her mind without ease, Celestine quietly made her way down the steps of the palace, making sure to keep herself from tripping over her gown. With a sombre silence, she made for the temple of Iriisheene, in which her late husband lay. Her feet delicately strode over the cobbled ground and past the high houses, her eyes upon the open doors of the temple. The light of the full moon streamed down into the open space and illuminated the centre of the building and that of Theodore’s body which had been lain upon an altar of silver. Women were traditionally not allowed within the temple, however Anvin the high priest of the north had given her special permission to enter at her will. Standing upon the threshold, a great branch hanging above her, its branches painted in various colours, Celestine looked on with mixed emotions. She had refused to visit Theodore’s body, the memory of her near death at his hands still too painful, worse yet the actions of her own hands, haunting and disturbing. With a gulp and a push forward by the very forces of nature, she stepped over the threshold and entered the great temple. For a moment, she looked around in amazement. The roof above was covered in a thin layer of gold and its peak seemed to reach the heavens. Dotted across the roof were many branches which hung at different heights. She knew not what the symbolism behind the branches meant but assumed that they were held in either high regard or fear. The temple was circular in shape, however unlike the palace it was not divided into rooms, it was instead a wide and open space, divided into areas by thin veils of coloured silk which had upon them various scenes embellished with golden thread. The high alter lay at the epi-centre, the area co-ordained off by great candles which stood at, at least four feet in height. Turning her eyes to the altar, Celestine spotted the body of Theodore, which had been by religious custom, cleansed and laid bare beneath a blanket of red wool. From afar she could make out the features of his sleeping face. Slowly and ever aware that a dozen priests stood quietly about the foot of the altar in their gowns of red and black, Celestine made her way towards Theodore, coming to a halt before an elderly priest, whose eyes were upon the ground. Twelve such priests stood about the altar, all of them carrying lanterns of burning surpine oil, which was believed to protect the soul of the dead from being snatched by the claws of death. The smell was sweet yet putrid and with a sleeved arm, Celestine covered her nose. The vapour of the oil created a great cloud of gold and formed into the shape of a dome over the altar. Upon the entrance of this vaporised dome, Celestine stood, her vivid golden eyes upon the priest who stood before her.

“My lady,” the priest exclaimed softly as he bent over into a regal bow. Unsure of how to respond, Celestine waited for the man to move aside and upon doing so, she stepped forward, her feet ascending the feet steps which led to the altar. Upon entering a dome of vapour, Celestine felt her eyes widen with wonder. The golden vapour was filled with what looked like particles of diamonds, all of them creating a beautiful dome of colour and light. For a moment, Celestine stretched out a hand and weaved her fingers through the air, watching on as the sparkling particles swayed and danced about her. A small smile teased at her lips when at last she came to stand over her late husband, his pale skin dotted with the diamond particles. With dry eyes that were unable to find the strength to cry, she looked down into Theodore’s handsome face. Had she really shared her life with this man? Had he really been her best friend? Had he truly been her first love?

Celestine lay a hand upon Theodore’s heart and felt the little warmth in her veins disappear into disbelief. Was she the perpetrator in her marriage? Or had she been cruelly deceived by a man she had naively followed in life? She knew none of the answers to the most pressing of questions and knew not who to talk to about such things, for who could truly understand? Who could truly look upon her and claim that she had no part in Theodore’s terrible demise into darkness. The real question which burned deeply within her, was whether she could look within herself and feel at ease with her conscience. As she stood over Theodore, his face as handsome as she remembered, she heard the rustling of feet and turned about. Anvin the high priest stood upon the threshold of the temple, dressed in a simple gown of red. He looked withdrawn and tired as he stepped into the great space, the silent priests bowing before their master before retreating into the shadows. Celestine watched Anvin as he slowly made his way towards her, his illuminous eyes expressionless and his hands clasped before him.

“Throughout my life, my people have challenged me on many subjects, but there is a subject which lies at the forefront of their minds, do you know of which event terrifies them the most?” the ancient wizard asked, his voice soft and mellow as he came to stand beside Celestine, a head above her in height. He was lean and handsome, his jet-black hair falling with grace over his arms and back. Celestine looked up into his sparkling blue eyes, both dotted with stars.

“Death I should think,” Celestine returned dutifully. Upon first meeting Anvin, she had supposed that she should have felt terror seize at her, for he was indeed strange and a little terrifying to look upon. However, having met Merlin and his second son, Alsandair, Celestine felt only curiosity and a need to learn when in the presence of the illusive Anvin. Anvin walked about Theodore’s body, his eyes upon Celestine with intent.

“What do you see when you look upon your husband’s face?” he asked with a furrowed brow and serious tone. Celestine found her gaze dropping once more to Theodore and felt the familiar pang of guilt as her eyes roamed over his peaceful self. He was longer than she had thought and despite his cruel attempt at killing her, he looked all but innocent and childlike beneath her gaze, reminding her of the Theodore she had grown up with.

“Guilt,” she said under her breathe, noting just how long Theodore’s eyelashes were. Had she noticed them before now?

“I should have thought pity to be the most preoccupying feeling, perhaps I am wrong,” Anvin declared with confusion, his long fingers splayed upon the altar. Celestine raised her eyes to the wizard and found herself mystified by his sad gaze. He was in the image of his father and a deep nagging inside teased her into telling him so, but a need to keep herself at a distance from the great wizard kept her lips tight and her tongue under control. She knew of course that she would soon take his life and so to look upon him with innocence was in vain, for before her were two men in which she by her own hand, had and would murder. “Soo young and so heavily burdened. I am in awe that you stand before me, strong and defiant.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Celestine whispered darkly. “I am weak and I believe you mistake defiance for shock.”

“You faced much peril and face greater peril now more so than ever as you course, set upon,” Anvin said with curiosity beaconing in his eyes. “I cannot pretend to know the nature of your marriage to this man, nor why you wear one of the jewels of nuynian.”

Celestine quickly brought her fingers to the star shaped jewel which lay upon her chest, her eyes slipping to magical stone. She felt the air thin and alarm bells ringing, Anvin’s curious gaze deepening to that of suspicion. Celestine lifted her gaze, a wave of guilt running through her. Finding the wizard’s sharp blue eyes, she furrowed her brows and held the jewel tight.

“Jewel of nuynian?”

“Only two now remain of those that were bestowed upon the late Methal, High Queen of Meer and her husband Ballour, the High King of Ballour,” Anvin replied simply as he gazed upon the historic stone. “They come from the mountains of Dragna, which lie in the great Kingdom of Fiar. It is said that the first High King of Meer placed a star within the core of the great mount Slieveth. Its name means the heart of the mountain.”

“How did it come into the hands of men?”

“Many years ago when the lands of Meer were deeply immersed in a bloody war in which the blood of many innocent men turned the rivers red, a terrible King by the name of Banan enslaved the dragon Lord, Giloth and gave to him a terrible potion. The potion, its powers so dark that all those who looked upon its black liquid fell into disarray, unlocked Giloth’s tongue and opened his mind. His tongue and mind both lucid from the poison, Giloth let slip the location of the jewel. In return Banan killed the dragon Lord and slaughtered many of his kind. After many years Banan found the jewel and took it from the mountain, claiming it as his own.” Anvin saw the fear in Celestine’s eyes as he spoke of that terrible time. “He believed the stone would give to him immortality. Unfortunately, he did not take into consideration the effect of such purity when in the hands of such evil. Banan could not touch the jewel, for held within the hands of cruelty it burned at the skin and left only a pile of ash in its turn. The stone steadily sent men wild with anger and greed, many searching the length and breadth of the Kingdom for those of magic.” Anvin began to weave his fingers through the vapour, noticing the serious gaze with which Celestine held.

“What happened to the jewel?”

“For a time, the descendants and true heirs to the Kingdom of Meer had gone into hiding, many living within the Eerie Mountains,” Anvin explained, his eyes filled with stars. “The deceased dragon Lord left behind him a wife and daughter who fled from the mountains such was the terrible destruction by Banan. They fled to the Eerie Mountains and sought the help of the heir to the Meerin throne, Eioshir. The jewel of nuynian it is believed was the heart of Gabrenne’s wife. Gabrenne was a guardian who it is said was the son of Gabriel the fair. Upon finding the world of Unas, he brought with him his family and they settled among the new lands, both pure and untouched by those of Heiden’s blood. Unfortunately, the lands were ruled over by the Gruids, who walked beneath the shadows of the night. Gabrenne’s wife was cruelly murdered and it is said that the stone of nuynian is indeed her heart.”

Celestine tried to take in the deeply complicated story, her heart beating wildly under the jewel.

“Perhaps that is why only those of Gabrenne’s blood can touch the jewel without dying,” Anvin said with a slight smile. “Eioshir brought together his men and those of the dragna tribe and together they fought against Banan and took from him the throne of Meer. Upon finding the jewel which had been hidden within the hilt of Banan’s sword, Eioshir divided the stone of starlight into two separate jewels and upon his wedding to Giloth’s daughter, Ailbth, he gave her the smaller of the two.”

“So the jewels were passed down from King to heir?”

“Many wars dot the line of history from the dreadful reign of Banan and over time the jewels became lost, many believing them to have been brought back to the mountain from which they were taken,” Anvin explained kindly. “They were in fact placed beneath the great tree of Meer which lies in the Kingdom of Galgor and the forest of Dulga.” As his words washed over him, Anvin quickly turned away and bite down upon his bottom lip. Celestine watched the wizards back arch forward in pain and wondered at his sudden sadness. “The tree of Meer was planted by Gabrenne who was bestowed upon him one seed by Heiden, in honour of Gabrenne’s duty and loyalty. The seed was from the great tree of Aurelius which lies at the heart of your grandfather’s kingdom. It is the tree in which all your ancestors are buried and from which great power can be sought. Four such trees exist upon this planet and the planets inhabited by guardians.” Anvin turned his eyes to Celestine, a tear of silver falling upon his cheek. “The tree of Meer has been destroyed this last week and for that my heart is heavy and troubled.”

“But my grandfather, he can give you another seed can he not?” Celestine asked with hope. Anvin smiled down at the optimistic Celestine and merely shook his head.

“Were it so easy my child,” he said with a discarded laugh. “Were life so easy then we shouldn’t find ourselves in the throes of darkness. But life is not straight forward and unyielding like an arrow piercing through the air and neither are the rules which govern the universe nor those who sit upon the throne. The high tree of Aurelius only blooms once during the reign of the existing God or Goddess and only sheds two dozen seeds. And so, to be given such a seed is in indeed a great honour and very rare. The death of the tree of Meer is a terrible omen upon the world and its consequences have already been felt.”

“What do you mean?”

“You will see,” Anvin said with a mysterious look as he came about the altar and stood before Celestine. “As for the jewel with which you bare, it was found by Galean’s mother, Methal. She was the descendant of the dragna tribe and keeper of the dragons. During her year of testing, she roamed the Kingdoms of Meer by herself and found herself under the tree of Meer. It was here that she felt the presence of the jewels and found them. Upon her travels, home she met the young Ballour who was touring his Kingdoms with his father. They fell in love and like their ancestors bestowed upon each other the jewels, Methal having the great dragon Nuyay breath over the jewels and encasing them with magic. And so I wonder how it is that you come to wear a jewel of nuynian?”

Celestine felt her cheeks burn under the wizard’s gaze. As she looked for the words, she felt the jewel warm beneath her touch.

“It was given to me by Lord Galean, son to the High King Ballour of Meer,” she said with shaking lips, afraid of immediate judgement. His back straight and the flickering light of a thousand diamonds reflecting against his gown, Anvin looked down into Celestine’s golden eyes and fell into silence.

“You have given yourself to the son of Ballour?” Anvin whispered darkly, his words aching from disappointment.

“Nothing untoward has happened between us my Lord,” Celestine said quickly, her need to defend her betrayal to her husband burning deep within.

“So, the prophecy of your mother speaks truth?”

“I believe so my Lord,” Celestine whispered with a guilty nod. “Though I did not know of the prophecy until after meeting Galean.”

Anvin looked down into the innocent face of Theodore, his own eyes troubled and dark.

“Beware he which walk with troubled soul, under wings of death and heart of woe. For he shall wield a blade of green, to fell the princely doe.” Anvin said aloud as he pressed the tip of his index finger upon Theodores forehead, his eyes closing briefly. Celestine watched the wizard’s face alter and change as he focused on Theodore. After what felt like a lifetime, Anvin opened his eyes and looked up into the distraught face of Celestine. “These are dark time indeed my Lady. Heed my words, all is not as it should be nor shall it be.”

“What can you mean?”

“The veil of fate blows against a harsh wind Celestine,” Anvin said darkly as he lifted away his index finger from Theodore. With haste, he came to Celestine and took her by the arms gently. “You must keep your eyes open and under no circumstances close them, do you understand?”

“You are scaring me my Lord,” Celestine muttered under her breath, the tips of his fingers sending an uneasy energy through her. “You are speaking in riddles, riddles in which I do not fully understand.”

“You shall in time my Lady,” Anvin said clearly, his eyes without shine or stars. “Everything will soon come to pass.”

Celestine took a step back as the wizard’s words seeped into her with discomfort. A moment they stood still, the hems of their gowns dancing about their feet. She felt the eyes of the priests upon her as she gazed upon the powerful wizard and son to the great Merlin.

“I must ask, how was the tree of Meer was destroyed?” Celestine quizzed the high priest, his thick brows furrowed and fraught with tension.

“A terrible witch roams the lands and skies,” Anvin said darkly, his words laced with an anger so deep that it cut Celestine sharply. “Her name is Ethla and she is a black witch. She is possessed of a power not yet before seen in another of my kind. Some day’s past she took the egg of Aurora, Nuyay’s mate and sought out the ashes of the last terrible dragon, Belnun and has brought him to life. Such is her power and such is its darkness that she has slain the tree of Meer and is soon to bring upon my people a terrible war of which no one has ever before witnessed.”

“What of the other trees? Are they safe?” Celestine asked quickly, her words broken and her hands shaking with fear for this black witch. “How did you know of her treachery?”

“The roots of the trees connect to each other through the earth,” Anvin explained as he crossed his arms. “One of the surviving three lies upon the island of Frye, which lies but a few miles north of Summe. Yester evening, I was sent word that the roots were brought forth from the earth and broken.”

“Another lies upon this island?” Celestine whispered, aware that the priests were looking on at them with suspicious eyes.

“Yes,” Anvin returned with a look of sombre agony. “My gaze has fallen upon its beauty only once, for the secretive people of Frye do not allow anyone to step foot onto their land, not without good reason. Many who have tried to reach the tree have never returned. They are the first guardians of the tree and will not so willingly step aside, for the tree bares many a rare treasure, treasures of such a nature that many a good man would fall into the darkness to bestow. I believe you may have visited another such tree?”

Celestine felt the crease between her brow furrow and her gaze drop to Anvin’s felt shoes. She quickly ran through her memories and found them halting upon one particular memory, that of the garden of Calhuni. With surprise, she looked up at Anvin, a half smile upon her lips.

“The garden of Calhuni?”

“Or as it is known to my kind, the garden of Kings,” Anvin returned with a slight nod. The air within the dome of vapour changed as the wizard and Celestine’s conversation took on a new form. Celestine took a step back and placed her hands upon her stomach.

“What can this mean? What lies ahead?” she asked vaguely, her heart stirred with shadow and distress. As she looked upon Anvin, she noticed his gaze lower to the key which lay upon her golden chain about her neck. As if she had uttered the words herself, Anvin’s furrowed brows straightened and the corners of his lips curved into a knowing smile.

“So, it is true what my father predicted all those years ago,” he said weakly. “I will die at your hand.”

Celestine knew not what to say as she felt her form become infinitely smaller than the great wizard who stood before her.

“You see my lady, death does take precedence over everything,” Anvin continued as he stretched out his long hands. Afraid, Celestine took a step back, unsure of the mysterious man before her. He was much like his father and though he had entrusted his life in her hands, she still knew not if he was true and loyal. The light within the dome began to fade and the air began to tighten as Anvin stepped forward, his great blue eyes filled with a thousand skies and his thick brows casting a terrible shade over Celestine. Celestine felt her weaker side thin in what little strength she had left, a familiar jolt of warmth beginning to run through her veins. With shaking hands, she flung out her arms, the sleeves of her gown falling back against her elbows to reveal her marked hand and arm. Anvin’s gaze fell to her blackened arm and with it the tightening air suddenly vanished and the light returned.

“Do not be afraid Celestine,” Anvin said kindly, his thick brows straightening once more. “I mean you no harm.”

“How can I know that? How am I to trust anyone?” Celestine muttered as she summoned her powers, the electricity sparking at the tips of her fingers.

“Because we are bound you and I, and I made an oath to my father, to protect you until my dying breath,” Anvin returned with a fatherly nod. “You must forgive my reaction. I was a taken by surprise that is all. Now I understand his last words to me.”

“I do not wish to take your life or the life of any person,” Celestine said faintly, her eyes turning to the dead corpse of her husband. “It seems that I have no choice in the matter. It seems I have very little choice in anything I do.”

“Celestine, you do have a choice,” Anvin declared with feeling as he stretched out his hands and caught her own. Celestine felt the warmth of his skin seep into her own and felt her heartbeat slow down. “We all have a choice.”

“It is my destiny is it not?”

“Nothing is ever set in stone Celestine,” Anvin said with a perplexed look. “No matter the prophecies, our destiny can always alter, for they are not only made up of one person or one event. Should any detail change or vanish, then the very fabric of the prophecy changes course.”

“That is what I am afraid of,” Celestine whispered darkly. Ashamed and confused, Celestine withdrew her hands from Anvin and walked away, her eyes turned from Theodore. “How can I walk along a path which bears no light in which to guide me? Why hasn’t my grandfather come to me? Why do I feel that I must walk this path alone? And why do I feel that all those who follow shall end up upon this altar?”

“Not all who follow you shall die, and those who do, shall not die in vain my lady. The path in which you walk has been long hidden beneath the veils of darkness and shadows, it is a path in which many have searched for and failed, yet it is the path in which we all must take.”

“How can I defeat my brother when I have been rendered wounded by my own magic?” Celestine cried pathetically, her back arched and her hands tightened into fists. She looked down upon her blackened arm and hand and felt disgust. “I have failed before I have even started out on this journey.”

“As to your wounded arm, I may have the answer, if you are willing to listen to an elderly man who has a well of knowledge?”

Celestine wondered if the wizard was trying to be funny. Certainly, she picked up the hints of mirth in his voice, but found his words to be without humour for she liked to believe that he was a well, filled with knowledge for she would depend upon him a great deal in the future. Standing rigid, Celestine felt Anvin’s hand upon her shoulder.

“Come child, you have nothing to fear, remember you are Heiden’s grand-daughter and I merely your servant,” Anvin said with kindness as he turned Celestine about. “Come do not shed anymore tears, at least not at my expense.”

“I am not sure if I am cut out for this or indeed ready,” Celestine whispered between sobs. “I have already lost so much.”

“Unfortunately, my dear, your journey will be fraught with pain and misery,” Anvin said simply. “It is the necessary evil which you must bear. There is no point in dwindling away your strength by pining over the difficulties you face, you have by all accounts already proved yourself thus far and I am assured that you shall turn into a fine and capable young woman and Queen. Now as to your wounded arm and hand, I believe that because you are half human, your human body may be somewhat allergic to the magic you bare.”

“So, my mother’s genes are allergic to my fathers?” Celestine returned with a confused look.

“In so many words yes, but I have not heard of the word ‘genes’ before?”

“It is a medical term used to define your biological makeup,” Celestine said with a shrug of her shoulders.

“I see,” Anvin returned with a pro-longed see.

“Can my arm and hand be cured of this curse? I doubt I shall be much use without my mother’s powers?”

“Unfortunately, it cannot be altered, at least not until you are crowned Queen and blessed by Heiden himself,” Anvin said with a pitiful smile. “It is a little untimely and a little bit frustrating I know, but I am not surprised by the reaction your body has had to using dark magic. I do however know of an ointment that can somewhat remedy the issue for the immediate future. However, to claim such an ointment may prove tricky.”

Celestine looked up into Anvin’s face, searching his fine lines for any trace of hope. No such lines of hope were to be found as he looked down at her wounded arm and hand.

“What must I do?” she whispered with fright.

“You must go to the island of Frye, for there and only there will you find an elixir which can act as a defence against the human part of yourself,” Anvin said as he held up a hand. “But be aware Celestine, daughter of Unyae and Elieor, to receive this elixir, you must give in return.”

“What can you mean?” Celestine asked darkly, her eyes upon her blackened veins.

“The fryrian people are not often given to acts of kindness to those who do not belong to them,” Anvin stated bluntly. “They take their roles as protectors very seriously. Many have tried and failed to deceive them. They may ask of you something in which you may not wish to give. They will ask from you a terrible sacrifice. And if you are granted this elixir, there is no saying if they will allow you to leave, for they will fear greatly the consequences of helping you.”

“And if I do not go in search of the elixir, what then?”

“You cannot continue to use your powers, for every time in which you do, you will in turn kill the human part of yourself…” Anvin said very carefully. “You will in essence, kill yourself.” Anvin leaned in darkly. “No one must know of this, for if news of this reaches your brother then I am afraid the winds of your fate will turn. All those who oppose you will be greatly gladdened by such news, especially Ethla.”

Celestine gulped at the wizard’s words and merely nodded her head as the terrible news of her own curse sunk in.

“Then I shall have to find the elixir.”



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