And The Earth Trembled: Chapter 1
The storm raged over the Sorrows, and the earth seemed to shake with its fury. Then, there was a chilling scream from the sky and a mad, blazing display of lightning before something oddly misshapen fell from the sky, landing with a dull, resounding thud on the forest floor. What moved in the forest came to look and saw a winged creature of some sort, a mage construct from the look of it, the likes of which he had never seen before. It was sprawled over a slight body, so bloody it was difficult to determine whether it was male or female. Only the face remained relatively untouched, revealing skin the color of light baked earth and dark curly hair dyed with streaks the colour of falling leaves in the harvest moon, cut raggedly short. It was a girl and to the watcher, she stood at nearly at the gates of Haven, radiating enough pain that even an untalented would be brought to their knees. Vanyel used his mage-sight and staggered back, nearly blinded by her brilliance. She was glowing white-gold, twining blue and green edging her aura, a nasty undertone of malevolent red that felt wrong threading through them all, but strangely surrounded by a pure silver covering. She glowed as brightly as a sun! Who was she? To his shock, the vrondi and some other air elementals were gathering around her, fauns and goblins joining them, to his surprise. Elementals of different elements NEVER worked together, but the were, making short work of the creature and covering the girl's body, all while she was as yet unconscious! Already, he had seen the green tendrils of healing magic working on her. Then abruptly, her eyes snapped open, twin green stars, cold and bright. never again! The Mindvoice was low and husky, velvet over steel. There was absolute determination and total despair there. Her eyes met his and he had the impression of being measured and dismissed, before agony dragged her back into the dark.
"Lie still, you're not yet healed." The warm voice that greeted her had her tensing imperceptibly. Her green eyes flashed open, wary as a cat's. "My name's Van. I found you. I don't want you to try and speak..." you waste your time herald-mage Vanyel. I will not speak. And tell your companion that I can see her behind me. Vanyel started and the forest around them became noticeably darker. "Do you mea any harm to Valdemar?" Her mouth curved slightly. Is that where I am? No. I seek sanctuary. The truth spell you use an old ploy…but effective I suppose. I will harm none. The mindvoice grew faintly wistful. once, long ago, I would have become a healer. A snort from behind her told her that Yfandes loomed over her. So says one with enough power to function as heartstone! Green eyes met endless blue in silent challenge and Yfandes' ears went flat. If I say I will not wield it, I will not. To do so will mean my death! The Companion shook her head and backed up a step. I do not know what you are but you cannot die! It should not be so! You should be dead! The green eyes shuttered, went blank. Would that I were.
She healed unnaturally fast with Vanyel's help and her own abilities. Only two weeks after she had been found, she was up and walking. But they still did not know her name. There was quite literally no way that Van and Yfandes could enter her mind. She had the strongest tightest shields Vanyel had ever seen, layer upon layer, so close together and overlapped that they seemed an impenetrable wall. Another fortnight passed and she proved an invaluable help in ridding the Forest of those bandits daring enough to venture into the Sorrows. One night, Vanyel found her searching the bodies of the latest unfortunates. "What are you doing little sister?" She looked up at him with the hint of a smile in her eyes, gone as soon as it had appeared. I will need to leave and I must mask what power is showing without losing it. Iron coated with silver or gold works best. There is no forge but magic is strong enough in this place for me to work without revealing myself. Vanyel dropped down beside her from his tree branch. "You are not yet ready to leave! I must teach you to defend yourself!" She shook her head firmly, a bitter note to her mindvoice. Trust me. You do not want to do that. I can never hold a blade again. She straightened, holding some nails in a gloved hand and a couple of medallions in the other. I know you cannot keep this form for long. You need to conserve your strength to defend your home. Go now. I will leave at the dawn.
When she stepped out of the Sorrows the next day, she looked a fey thing, shrouded in mist and secrets. Her hair was long and slightly shaggy, falling over her bright green eyes and shifting colours with the light as it framed her exotic, dark face with its high cheekbones, gamine features and stubborn chin. Her slim curvy figure was clad in tunic and breeches, patched and tailored to fit her. Simple, sturdy boots were on her feet and she carried her cloak wrapped around a small bag of supplies and a sturdy iron tipped staff. As she cast one last glance behind her, she caught the flash of Yfandes' white coat and saw Vanyel just before they faded away. She turned back and the two earrings in her left ear flashed silver before she began to walk away. Goodbye brother. She sent behind her. I am Akhenari.