Destiny's Riders
by
Draco's Daughter
Disclaimer: Nothing's mine, only the original characters. The title is Lady Sienna's, given to me of her own free will.
Welcome back to the sequel of Black Phoenix. Thanks to Lady Sienna for the title. Ok, this chapter is going to set the tone for the rest of the series, dark. It's my first stab at a dark fic so any reviews and suggestions will really be a big help So, without further ado, I present to you Destiny's Riders.
Chapter One: Rebirth
Undisclosed Location, 8 p.m. Thursday
In the center of a large room knelt a young woman with long golden colored hair. Her pose gave away that she was in a deep meditative state. At the back of the room sat her guardian, a man-like silver tabby cat, that looked as if he could have stepped right out of the musical Cats. In his silver-furred hands was a sheathed Japanese Katanna. The place was as silent as a grave until a man, no older than forty, burst in. The woman did not stir nor move. The cat-man drew his blade at pointed it at the man.
"I did not mean to come rushing in, Kanu, but I have a pretty piece of information for milady," the man replied. The cat-man sheathed his sword and returned to his sitting spot.
"What do you wish to tell me?" Asked the woman in an unemotional tone. She did not move to greet the man or see who he was. The man bowed low on the floor to her. Instead of speaking directly to her he spoke from his crouched position on the floor.
"Milady, the Pure Riders are beginning to come back. Hogwarts School in Britain was attacked by the forces of He-who-must-no-be-named and an army of Monsters defended it. Among them was young Harry Potter who rode astride a griffin! Surely this must mean that the Black Riders will return shortly?" He said.
"It does, for every good in our world there is an evil, for every light there is darkness. The Riders are not exempt from this rule. This has pleased me greatly. Kanu, please give him his reward," the woman replied. The man's spirits lifted greatly, but they sunk once again as the man-cat drew his blade again. The final thing that the poor man saw in this unforgiving world was the flash of the Katanna and the Silver Tabby coat of Kanu the man-cat. The woman never stirred, even when the man's scream coursed around the manor. The man had learned the consequences of disturbing her meditation, the reward of death...
4 Privet Drive, 3:00 a.m. Friday
Harry Potter sat at his window in the early light of predawn. Hedwig sat on his knee as he absentmindedly stroked her fluffy breast feathers with a finger. The owl gently hooted her affection for her master. The only thing on Harry's mind was the announcement Uncle Vernon had made at breakfast a month ago. He said that they would all be going on a week-long vacation to the countryside. Harry had been shocked because he was included. According to Uncle Vernon it was for business reasons only. They would be leaving this morning. Harry was planning to send Hedwig to Ron's with a note explaining why she had to stay. Of course, Harry sent her to Ron several times before for reasons like this, so it wouldn't be a shock if Hedwig came once again. Headwig hooted gently as Harry put the finishing touches on his letter to Ron. Harry tied the letter to Headwig's leg and sent her off. Harry loaded up the last bits of parchment and his eagle-feathered quill and put them in his trunk with the other items he would be taking on the trip. Uncle Vernon could be heard in the next room, telling Dudley to wake up and get his bag for the trip. They would be on the road for many an hour and Harry knew Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would want to be on time. They were expected at noon. With no warning, Uncle Vernon burst unceremoniously into Harry's room.
"So your up, get your bag and let's go, move," Uncle Vernon said harshly. Harry gripped the handle of his trunk and exited his room in revered silence. Aunt Petunia was stifling a yawn as Harry went though the kitchen and out the front door to help Uncle Vernon load up the car. AS soon as everyone had forced down a slight breakfast and loaded into the car, the long journey started. Dudley put on his new headphones and settled into the first of the many CDs that he was given for the trip. Harry just crossed his arms and let his forehead rest on the cool of the car window for a good, long nap.
Hogwarts Mountain Range, 4:30 a.m.
Griffer and his entire pride were all still in blissful slumber when Harry was headed for a week of "fun." The griffins were all in shades of young brown, healthy gold, tarnished copper, bright bronze, ageing Titanium Gold, weathering Platinum, and three or four ancient silvers. As a griffin grows to a middle-age its coat goes from brown to copper to bronze to gold and as they grow from middle-age to old age their coats go from Gold to Titanium Gold to Platinum to silver. The entire pride slept in a group on a rocky slab in a cave. Griffer rolled over in his sleep and was awoken by the protesting squeak of one of his younger sisters. The little copper female swiped at his face with her sharp front claws. Griffer yelped and stood up. She growled at him as he sulked off to the cave entrance. The light of pre-dawn was growing. Griffer sighed and stepped out, shaking the dust off of his body.
"Another boring day in the life of Griffindor," He said as he opened his wings and flapped them rapidly to get any lingering dust off of them. He then stretched and attacked a persistent Chipifits that was trying to bore into his right leg. "Damn magical ticks." He cursed between the nibbling of his beak. Once he got the little bug in his mouth he spit it out into Talon's waiting mouth.
"Good morning, master Griffer, I see you are starting to become a morning person like Talon" the imp said once he swallowed his snack.
"Good Imp, not all the coffee in Columbia could make me a morning person," Griffer replied as the imp swung onto the Griffin's back and began rubbing his wing muscles.
"Master Elf, Jamal, wants to talk to you," Talon said as he massaged the griffin he adored dearly.
"Why didn't you tell me that first?" Griffer asked, lurching forward suddenly, causing the imp to bounce off his back and onto the griffin's tail, holding fast to it.
"Awww, you're such an important high-dude but you really need to lighten up," Talon replied as they ran forward, the griffin leapt off of the outcropping, spreading his gigantic golden eagle wings wide to catch the first thermals of the day.
Jamal was quietly sipping his tea at his kitchen table. Things were very quite now that Josh wasn't around to disturb his meditation. The boy had been a traitor but it still weighed heavily on the Light Elf's heart. There was no warning as the thick, loud tramping of Griffin paws as Griffer landed in front of Jamal's hut and entered. Talon looked as if he had been stuck in a wind tunnel with his green fur all messed up.
"The imp here just informed me of your wishes to see me," Griffer said. Jamal made no answer. "You-who? Jamal? This is your conscious speaking! It is telling you to greet your Griffin friend warmly and offer him salted pork." Griffer said in the classic tone of a hypnotist.
"Nice try, better luck next time. Besides, I don't have Salted Pork but I do have some bacon you're welcome to," Jamal said as he went to the ancient-style stove and refilled his mug. Griffer helped himself to the last few strips of bacon sitting on Jamal's table while the elf took his time returning with his tea and a basin like bowl. Silently he got the water jug and placed it beside the basin.
"What are we doing? Scrying? Communicating with Crystalin?" The griffin asked looking at the basin while Talon began massaging his wing muscles again to relieve the tension created by flight.
"I'm going to show you the plans for next few weeks," Jamal said as he poured water into the basin. Not a droplet sprayed out. Griffer and Talon stared into the basin. "Over the years, the Light Elves have been the host of a very notorious tournament for young Magicians, Wizards, Mages, Shape-Changers, and Controllers who believe that they can help bring about the riders again. Harry has to be in it or his place will be usurped by more famous characters."
"Mademoiselle Caton," Griffer said with a snarl.
"Yes, she'll be there, she's always there every time it's hosted. I believe she just turned One hundred last year," Jamal said as he waved his hands over the basin. Griffer looked closely as flashes of what could happen at the Tournament.
"So we need to get Harry up to scratch before the Tournament begins," Griffer said after the basin cleared.
"Exactly, he'll also need the Princess's approval and her appraisal of him. From Talon's reports, Harry will be spending some time away from his home this week so you and I will go to the Light Elf kingdom to make the necessary arrangements beforehand," Jamal said, lacing his long slender fingers in front of his face.
"So looks like we're going on another long road trip," Griffer said, sighing. He was still recovering from the last trip. Only Talon's special massages helped his wing muscles get back into proper working order.
Uncle Vernon's Car, 11:45 a.m.
Harry awoke as the car jolted across a gravely road. They were going through a fancy iron gate of an impressive estate. The gate was flanked by a pair of Winged Horse statues. A fountain sat in the courtyard with a wood nymph pouring water out of a jug. Harry yawned as Dudley turned off his CD player.
"Is this place it?" Dudley asked. The estate was large and the mansion had the Gothic architecture of the Dark Ages. Arrow slits and Stain glass windows made up most of the second story windows as the doors were a set of double heavy oak doors that brought to mind the most ancient of years. The Dursleys and Harry climbed out of the car as a man greeted them.
"You've been expected," was all he said as he motioned for them all to enter. Two valets were getting the baggage from the car. The group went inside where a grand marble staircase awaited with a beautiful woman dressed in a blood-red, low-cut gown.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. I hope the directions here were perfectly clear. I am sad that my husband could not greet you himself but he is in a meeting with a client right now. He will be available after lunch. There is only one rule here: you forget all of your troubles that come from the outside. They do not exist here in Villa Pegusi. You may pick them up once you leave the gate," she said, coming down the stairs.
"Beautiful does not even begin to describe this place. It really is a restful spot," Petunia said with a slight incline of her head. The place was spotless and very well suited to her tastes.
"I thank you for your complements. It's what we aim for. My husband needed the fresh air so we built this place," The woman said. "You may address me as Vondrea. And these fine young men must be Dudley Dursley and Mr. Potter. Please as ever to see the youth taking an active vacation in their spare time." She inclined her head towards Harry and Dudley.
"I'm sure that this will be my best vacation ever," Dudley said, bowing slightly to Vondrea.
"You must be very proud of your boy, Mr. Dursley," Vondrea said with a smile that rivaled the song of a siren.
"He does take much after me," Uncle Vernon replied, ruffling his son's hair.
"At Villa Pegusi we also appeal to the minds of today's youth. Selmah! Vanessa!" Vondrea said as she clapped her hands. The two girls appeared from the right of the chamber. Harry smiled, it was the same Vanessa he had fought alongside at Hogwarts. She was dressed very differently though. Her dress was identical to Selmah's but Vanessa wore a black shawl draped across her shoulders. He noticed for the first time the tattoos on her hands. Vanessa shook her head at him to say: 'Pretend you don't know me.' "Young Dudley will be taken to his room by Miss Selmah and Harry will be escorted by Miss Vanessa," Vondrea said as she motioned for Harry and Dudley to follow the indicated girl while she led Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon away to the back patio. Harry nearly ran to Vanessa.
"Why didn't you let me know?" Harry asked as Vanessa let out a sigh of relief.
"Vondrea doesn't like for her Clients to be known by her staff," Vanessa said as she took Harry's hand. "You got the Turret Room. A very nice place compared to the rest of the manor." Harry finally felt that this summer truly was to be the best in his history of summers.
Well, how was that for an opening? Please review! Bye now!
Contest!
Ok, last time I featured some dialogue from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and I want to know which Shakespeare dialogue would be interesting for this story. Your choices are:
1) Romeo and Juliet
2) The Tempest
3) MacBeth