Chapter 1
Shen was not known for his compassion or for making haste.
As he hurried along the dusty road through the Dry Steppes, he was far from his usual self.
Night held sway and cast its darkness across the sky above him.
The endless drifting stars however kept it from consuming the light whole and glittered like the jewels he so coveted.
"Hurry up, stupid beast!" Shen shouted as he whipped his pack animal.
The cow sped up at the pain and the old wizened man had to run to keep up.
Dawn found them having passed the border into Scosglen.
They watched the sun rise as they stood on the outskirts of Tur Dulra, the greatest college of the Druids.
He paused to catch his breath and to let his cow graze.
Shen finally took a moment to himself and stared down at the swaddled bundle in the sling around his chest.
The baby slept on, ignorant of the turmoil her arrival had caused.
"You have luck on your side," Shen muttered. "Luck that made it me that found you first. You will be safe here until you have grown."
He dragged his beast back from where it had wandered off and once more set off along to the path.
By the time they reached the small enclave a light rain was starting to fall.
Shen argued with the guards at the gates until finally they relented and allowed the strange old man to enter.
He knew where he was going.
Shen walked along the muddy root covered pathway in a straight line to his destination.
The small hut he aimed for was sheltered under one of the many ancient trees of the forest. It had not changed in years and neither had its keeper.
It was far too early for the place to be open but Shen did not have time to wait. He hammered on the door.
"Open up!" he roared. "You are always so lazy! Morning is the best time for business!"
The front door opened slightly as the hut's occupant peered out.
"Shen? Ha! I knew this year had been going too well but to have you visit is going a bit far to balance it."
"Just open the door!"
"Fine, fine. A moment."
Shen hovered anxiously in the doorway as he waited. The door unlocked fully and he rushed into the building.
The shaggy red-head giant of a druid he was confronted with grinned.
"Shen. What have you got for me?"
"This."
He took the baby from the sling and passed it over.
"Eh... not your usual trade. What is this?"
"A secret. One to be kept hidden from the dark."
The druid frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"A fallen star, Oisi. You know what that means."
The druid stared down at the infant who still slept peacefully.
"What of the family?" he asked softly.
"None lived."
Oisi nodded. "Right. I will find a new home for her. We must act quickly, Shen. Time is never with us."
Shen reached into his side-bag and pulled out a small jewelled bracelet. Oisi touched it reverently.
"You have been keeping a lot of things from me."
"Only this. It has been so long since one of us has been born. Even we were not first birthed on this world."
"Hmm. True."
He took the bracelet from Shen's outstretched hand. Oisi gazed down at the peaceful child in his arms.
"I will keep her with me. Who better to care for her than one like her."
The old man chuckled. "Like I hoped you would. There would be none better to teach her than you."
Oisi snorted. "Praise from you is not praise at all, Shen."
The druid held the child up and stared at her face.
"She will be strong... as we all were," Shen mused.
Oisi lowered her back down and cradled her once more.
"What do you mean by were? I shall have my strength... but thank you, old friend."
"Will you be leaving this place?"
"I imagine I must. It was nearing time anyway for me to move on."
"Centuries pass by so quickly. I sometimes forget. Now forgive me but I must go. I cannot delay otherwise-"
Oisi reached out and shook Shen's hand.
"I know. Thank you. You know how to find me if you need to."
Shen nodded, gave a small smile to the infant before leaving Tur Dulra almost as fast as he arrived.
Oisi shut the door after him and gazed down at the child.
He took the bracelet he held and placed it on her right wrist. The metal glowed and started to shrink until it fitted her perfectly.
The druid sighed in relief.
"So... what shall I name you... I will have to think of something that fits. You shall be bearing it for a long time."
The baby's eyes fluttered open. Grey-green eyes stared back at him. For a moment there was understanding behind them.
Then she started to cry as her empty stomach pained her.
"And I need to get a wet-nurse."
Oisi put on the cloak he left near the door before venturing out with the wailing child to find what she needed.