All We Are
by: mokatster
Summary: A mysterious group offers blessings to the new kings and queens of Narnia. But blessings soon turn to curses as the magic unveils terrifying secrets, and a power believed vanquished threatens to destroy their kingdom and their lives once again.
Prologue: The Promise
The air was filled with the clangs and scrapes of steel on steel, with shouts and howls meant to intimidate, with screams of the wounded and dying. At the edge of the wood, she stood perhaps a little too close to the fray—she was within arrow shot—but she feared neither injury nor discovery. No one could find her if she didn't want to be found.
A chill wind whipped across the battlefield and disturbed the trees at the edge of the forest, which rustled in agitation. She pulled her hooded cloak more closely around her, not once removing her eyes from the clashing soldiers.
Anyone who saw her watching this ruthless struggle for domination would say that she watched with indifference. Her hood concealed her face entirely, and her stance revealed no sign of the anger and frustration welling inside of her—a burning force so strong she felt as if she would explode from the effort of suppressing it.
She didn't react when the High King led the charge against the rabble; she didn't flinch when a stray arrow flew toward her hiding place. She betrayed no emotion when the younger king took a slice to the gut, and didn't even blink when he then managed to slay his attacker with a gruesome stab to the throat before collapsing in pain.
She lingered until it was clear who the victors would be. A wolf-like snarl of disgust and bitter disappointment escaped through her teeth and she turned to leave, her cloak swishing angrily behind her. She set a rapid pace through the forest, leaves scattering and swirling around and before her as if in a miniature windstorm. She was capable of faster methods of travel than walking, but she had to move. She wanted to feel the burn of her leg muscles as she strained to maintain her swift speed. She wanted to feel the screaming of her lungs as her breathing became labored.
She had to feel something; she wanted to feel like she was doing something, because thus far all her actions were akin to swimming endlessly against a current. She was accomplishing nothing. Finding nothing.
Her stride didn't falter when another hooded figure suddenly emerged from the trees to her right and fell into step beside her.
"Well, The'eba?" She recognized Maera's distinct voice at once.
"The Narnians are again victorious," she growled, allowing the frustration she felt to color her tone.
"Did the rabble find anything?" It was spoken derisively, but The'eba could detect a sliver of hope in her companion's voice.
"Nothing."
Maera didn't respond, but The'eba knew she felt the same bitter disappointment welling inside of her. There was only one thing they sought, one thing that was more important to them than anything else. It was the only possible catalyst that could bring about the fulfillment of a promise made long ago. Without it—she didn't allow herself to finish the thought, for it caused a wave of despair so strong it was almost incapacitating.
She took a deep breath, the cold air searing her throat and burning her lungs even more. She had never before been accused of impatience. But she—all of them—had waited an entire century longer than planned; she could, perhaps, be excused if she felt inclined to act hastily now.
"It is time to reveal ourselves."
Maera did not respond with the expected protest. Her eyes flashed from within her cowl as she turned toward The'eba.
"It will not be as dangerous as the others suspect," Maera agreed, softly. "The only way to find where it is hidden is to intervene ourselves."
The'eba pressed her lips together in a grim line, though she was pleased that Maera understood the situation as she did. She knew the others would not react favorably when she announced her intentions. But they would all agree, eventually. They couldn't argue the facts. Their efforts, though persistent, had been to no avail. One group after another had all failed to recover what they had been sent for.
"After observing the Kings myself, it is obvious they are not using it to defeat the rabble," she murmured. "In any case, we were foolish to suspect as much. They have not the ability. They would have hidden it."
"No matter," Maera said dismissively. "They cannot conceal it forever. One way or another, they will give it to us."
"And the gift—the only thing worth having, now—will be ours," The'eba said, unable to keep her voice from trembling with emotion.
"Yes," Maera agreed, solemnly. "I have foreseen it."
The'eba breathed easier. Maera was never wrong. If she had indeed seen it, then it would soon come to pass.
They continued through the darkening woods, silent as shadows, their passage marked by no living creature. The'eba felt her confidence grow with each step.
It would soon be theirs.
A/N: A HUGE thank-you to Metonomia, who enthusiastically listened to my scheming for this story when I began it over a year ago, and for graciously looking over the very first drafts.
I'm hoping to begin posting this story regularly by Christmas; I now have nearly 60,000 words and am a mere four chapters away from completion, so I thought it would be safe to post at least the prologue now. Consider this a promise to finally finish this sucker! :)
Thanks so much for reading! I'd love to hear any and all thoughts/comments! :)