Chapter Five – The Final Mission
By Kateen
"Harry, do you have three weird shaped eggs in your room for a reason?" Letharnet demanded one afternoon.
Looking up from his hex book, Harry raised an eyebrow, "Yeah, the eggs from the dead Phoenix. They're dud's though."
"Think again, Harry," Letharnet said quietly, "I think one of them is hatching!"
Harry scrambled up from his chair and hurried into his room to see what Letharnet was talking about. Sure enough, one of them was beginning to shake and a tiny crack had appeared and a dull yellow beak poked out. Harry sat down beside it on the bed. He had, on impulse, left all three of them by the fire to keep warm since he found them, but nothing had happened. He'd thought they were dead. The shell cracked some more, and a bedraggled head poked out, a small phoenix with wide, wise eyes looked around as she struggled to get out of the rest of the casing.
Something was preventing Harry from helping, as he was fairly sure that it had something to do with a phoenix and independence. What is that lump in front of me? He heard in his mind, and saw the phoenix looking at him. The voice returned to his mind, It looks like a… what's the word… a human! I wonder what he's doing?
I'm watching you, at the moment, Harry said with a faint smile as he tried to send the thought.
It obviously got through as the bird just about dropped off the bed from shock, you can talk to me!
I can talk to all animals, Harry shrugged, I thought your egg was dead.
The phoenix laughed slightly, It might have been, but the last breath of a phoenix holds great power. I have no doubt that the phoenix who bore the egg would have given her last breath to save me and my siblings.
Can you tell if the other eggs are alive? Harry asked.
They are.
The phoenix then turned and began to eat the shell it had come out of. From what Harry saw, the shell had actually been soft. He shook his head in surprise and then turned to the Phoenix, Are you staying here, or do you want to return to the Phoenix kingdom?
I will return to the Kingdom. It would be wrong not to grow up among my kind, she said regally, Maybe one day I will return to you. I ask, however, that you send my two siblings after me when they hatch.
Of course, Harry answered politely.
The phoenix bowed her head to him, and rose, her bedraggled wings causing her to sink slightly. She let out a loud call, and almost immediately, another answered her and an adult phoenix flew in and began to nudge her along through the air towards the mountain that she had come from.
Thank you, Phoenix Lord.
Harry started, not having heard that name before, only ever having seen it on the family tree that he and Sabina had looked at all those days ago. He waved after the bird, Goodbye, little Phoenix.
A few weeks later, well after the other two had hatched as well, and gone off to the mountain as well, Harry was watching the window. He hadn't even needed to ask them. They'd both spoken to him for a few minutes and then gone after their sister. He was very impressed by their loyalty. Letharnet and Garm had seen those two hatch, and thought they were pretty sweet, but they wouldn't want a phoenix for themselves.
Harry sighed; truth be told, he was a little lonely and restless. He wanted to go back to his friends in the 21st centuary and he couldn't because he hadn't graduated. He was almost positive that he would be graduating in a few weeks, but he didn't really want to wait that long.
"Meditate, Harry," Garma instructed, causing Harry to look up with an arched brow. Garma elaborated, "You'll feel more calm and happy. You know you will."
Slowly falling into the deepest trance Harry had ever been in, he began to slowly examine all the thoughts in his mind, not thinking about their meaning, just finding them and finding what they were about before filing them away. Most of them were about his old friends, he watched some of their old antics, and realized that although he was fond of their memories, it was with the fondness of an elder watching a child.
To him, his old friends were immature and foolish. Magi, of any sort, were highly potent and intelligent people. Magi with extreme powers like Harry and his soul brothers, were more mature than an average Mage by the time they had finished training, and far more mature and wise than an average mortal.
He slipped out of the trance and stood, "Garma, what do we have today?" he asked.
"We're going to the top of the mountain to collect some herb supplies to add to our leaving satchel. You are allowed to collect whatever you want, but you have to have a reason."
Harry nodded, "when are we leaving?"
"well, not for a while. The instructors haven't actually announced it; remember? The Vines found out."
Ever since that fateful day when Harry got the scar across his wrist, Harry had found informational letters dropped off in his house by all the other students of the IA training course. He was very impressed by the accuracy of their reports and, as a sign of his gratefulness, had kept them up to date on what was coming so that they could prepare.
They had lost one student on the last mission, and most of them were a little deflated and upset about it, however, because he had died as the result of a misunderstood instruction. All of them were now making absolutely sure they knew what was happening so that something like that didn't happen to anyone else.
"All IA students to the gates – Immediately!"
Harry exchanged a glance with Garma and Letharnet, and they hurried out to pick up their horses. Odin was prancing around, snorting angrily. He could sense, like them, that something exciting was going to be happening on this mission.
"Apprentices, we are going up the mountain. Many of you will be graduating shortly and will need to know where your potions supplies come from, and what each one looks like in it's natural form. You are therefore going up to collect a mixed supply of everything you think you will need. We will judge on who has the most suitable collection for their personality and likely future. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir!" each of them cried.
Harry had known about this in advance, and was well prepared. He had already attached his pouches to his attire, and had brought his Potions guide in shrunken form, even though he knew it by heart. He had found that once he was out of Snape's critical eye, he rather enjoyed the quiet time he got when he was brewing potions. Maybe that was why Snape liked it so much.
Garma and Letharnet were also ready, but for a different sort of ingredient gathering. They were each interested in a different style of potion, Harry taking a general approach, whereas Garma specialized in poisons and weakening potions, while Letharnet took a defensive stance and studied those that would strengthen mental shields and allow clarity when your life was in danger.
"Let's go!" Garma said and, without another word, the three soul brothers pounded off up the mountain with their horses.
Harry was halfway through digging up the root of a Therbiom when he caught the faint scent of something nearby. It wasn't any of the other students, nor was it one of the instructors. It wasn't even the Grand Master, or another Mage. He continued to breathe in the scent for a few minutes, it truly was beautiful.
Good morning, Phoenix Lord.
Starting Harry stared at the Phoenix that stood in front of him, it was pure white in color, with faint sprinkles of gold or silver on the tips of the wings, Phoenix? He asked.
Do you not remember the day I was born? The bird asked, I merely returned to the mountains to learn the ways of a phoenix, before I returned to you. Did you not recall that I said I would?
You said you might, Harry responded, surprised, Are you to travel with me?
Aye. I see big changes for you, and you will need the stability of myself, Odin and Keonri. I must thank Keonri, by the way, she too aided in saving my life, and that of my sisters.
Where are your sisters? Will they remain on the mountain?
No. They, and I, are the newest of the Ali Phoenix. There are only fifteen Ali Phoenix' in the world. We are three, but are assumed dead by our family. They will return to me when they are trained and we will travel with you, to re-establish our lines in the future.
How do you know I'm from the future? Harry demanded.
I am an Ali Phoenix. I know many things, it responded mysteriously.
If you travel with me, do you have a name?
Saraide.
Harry nodded, and went back to gathering his ingredients. A single feather floated down to land on his hand, and Harry saw a second Phoenix beside the other one. It too, was an Ali Phoenix, and had just given Harry a feather. He thanked it, and carefully wrapped up the feather and placed it in his satchel.
I am Lilith, the second Phoenix said after a moment, and then went off to search for ingredients for Harry, while Saraide was already doing so. It therefore didn't take Harry long to collect all the ingredients he wanted. There were plenty of all the most common and a sprinkling of each of the less common.
Having a Phoenix seemed to have advantages, as they could find things much faster than a mere mortal like Harry, even if he was the Midnight Unicorn.
Keonri returns to the future with me, he said to the two, I do not know how people will treat you. Not all are like me. Many refuse to acknowledge that creatures can be good.
We are Ali, they will repect us.
None have heard of you, save perhaps one and he is friends with a Phoenix, descended from the King, I believe.
Interesting.
"We wish to say congratulations to Har-i-rah-hishon, Gehm-o-nahmu and Sahk-a-manhashi, who have all completed this training course with the highest record of points known to us. Particularly to Har-i-rah-hishon and Gehm-o-nahmu who both combined their knowledge of a higher magic than what is known to us, with the magic that we are famed for,
"Har-i-rah-hishon recently rescued over two hundred Phoenix's and then, returned them to their home, after finding them in a dark attack that only he and his brothers could sense. At the same time, he found three unknown phoenix eggs, and a Midnight Unicorn, all of which seem to have adopted him as their master.
"Har-i-rah-hishon will take with him, our love, light and power and his three Phoenix – Saraide, Lilith and Prianz who ride on his horse, Odin, and the Midnight Unicorn – Keonri. He takes them onwards as he returns to the future. We also give him the gift of one hundred Tægern horses, which will be delivered to him as he leaves in five months time.
"The other two will return to us regularly, if not remain with us, but Har-i-rah-hishon will never return. He has a job far more important than returning to the past. Har-i-rah-hishon tells me that there is a great shaking of the balance of power between the light and dark, caused by a distant relation of his, who seeks a power beyond what he can deal with.
"We therefore wish him a success above and beyond that which he has achieved here, with us, and hope that our training holds him in good stead,
"If you see their hands, you will understand why they have been so successful, for they are not only of the Order of the Magi, or even the War Magi, but also of another order that we cannot, and will never understand. They are Warriors of the Light – we can understand that, they are the Light. That we will never understand." The Grand Master Mage and Master War Mage both bowed to the three of them, "We serve you, Har-i-rah-hishon, Gehm-o-nahmu and Sahk-a-manhashi."
The other Magi also bowed, repeating those words in a chant of allegiance. Harry, Garma and Letharnet exchanged looks and waved their hands to stop them, "we do not ask for your service in anything except continuing to train other Magi. Watch for talent, train it well, and do not go easy on them."
Harry smiled and politely ate through the celebratory meal that they were required to attend, now that they have graduated. He had been given his Magi name, in Lihrak – the language of the Magi, but all three of theirs also translated directly into names of power in High-Lihrak. The three of them were the most powerful people in history and soul brothers to boot, that meant that when one died, his power was split equally between the remaining two, and when two died, all their power was absorbed by the third.
Garma stood up, "We were asked what came next for us, the Triad, and now I will tell you our plans. We have agreed that we will split up in three months time. As you know, Har-i-rah-hishon and Gehm-o-nahmu both come from another time and place – Gehm-o-nahmu will travel first, as the portal is open soon, while Har-i-rah-hishon will leave a few months later."
There was a dismayed howl, and Harry stood, "We, the soul brothers, shall leave each other in body, but our spirit, will flow with each other. In my time, I am the last remaining War Mage, and the only known Mage is Albus Dumbledore, who has not been trained. Letharnet will turn to a time where Magi of the highest order are in strife and disagreement, and will untie their knots, letting them see the truth.
"Perhaps our friend Sahk-a-manhashi who remains here with all of you will have the hardest time – He will not carry our souls ever, while we will both carry his. I will be returning to a Wizarding School where I will do my best to select and train the Magi who are young, but it will not be possible to train them the same way I was trained. Not only is it Illegal, I have no doubt that I would be faced with a unanimous refusal to be trained."
There was a strange quiet after that announcement. Magi are very organized people. Their minds are never cluttered with excess thoughts, and they are never confused. Harry, Har-i-rah-hishon would be returning to a place where minds are at their worst. He would feel the pressure of their untidy minds, crowding in on him, because he was the last remaining Mage. There was an unspoken sympathy for him, and he felt it and frowned, he did not want it.
"I will remain, with my brothers, for the next three months and we will be taking several missions with our family, here, until Gehm-o-nahmu (Letharnet) must depart. I will work with Sahk-a-manhashi on any remaining missions before I leave as well, and I wish you all a safe journey through the rugged plains of life, and hope that I see some of you in my travels through the Paths."
There was unanimous, rowdy applause for almost ten minutes before the Master War Mage stood, "I have been asked by the Faery King to provide security for his daughter on her journey through the Sahkupola Forest. He believes she is in danger of assassination by the Dark Forces that we all feel building. Will you take that mission?"
Yes
Hmm
Come on Lethe, this could be fun… a beautiful Faery Princess, us big Magi, what do you think, Garma? Harry laughed at his middle brother who was beginning to blush. He turned to the Mage Master, "we will," he smirked, "and we thank you for your offer."
Oh, do we Har-i-rah-hishon? Garma snorted silently, two or three weeks with a beautiful Princess and I won't be able to do anything. Merlin, it'll be worse than spending time with Mimosa, at least she's not attractive to me!
Sahk-a-manhashi, Harry sneered cheerily, I thought you didn't like women!
A lot you know, Letharnet laughed at Garma's discomfort, he's had eighteen of the new trainees over the last week. It's absolutely shocking.
"Good morning, boys," Fiaru breezed past them as she walked over to the lake, "Did you all sleep well?"
Harry smiled, "Yes, dear Lady, we did, thank you."
In reality, the three of them hadn't slept a wink. All of them could sense the darkness surrounding her, and the same darkness away from her, as though it was within her, but watching her. None of them could understand it, and it was causing them great anguish, to be so close to evil.
The other two nodded politely at her, and left. They had quickly realized that they weren't going to survive, if they talked to her. She was too beautiful, and was causing them to have to meditate more frequently, and take frequent cold washes in the lakes and rivers that they passed. It was only nearing the end of the first week of the journey, but all of them and their creatures were heartily sick of her demands and unconscious flaunting of her body.
Her father was the sweetest old man and all of them agreed that they needed to keep on his good side. The daughter was another matter. She would never reign over the kingdom, her husband would, but what control would she have over him?
Oi! Harry snapped, exasperated that they had, once again, left him with her, We're here to keep her safe. Get your minds out of your pants. If you can't deal with being around her, I want you to chase the darkness that follows us. I will guard her, but you need to get over it.
We'll meet you at the destination tonight. Garma responded. They both mounted their respective horses, and disappeared into the shadows behind the trees. Harry grinned as he watched them galloping away, silently, without leaving tracks or a scent behind.
"Your friends aren't all that nice," Fiaru pouted, "I was all set for a good time, when Papa said I was being escorted by the three new graduates, he said you were all my age. It's been hopelessly boring."
Harry felt himself being sucked in by the endearing quality in her eyes, and frowned, closing his mind to her probe. It was rude to break into another person's mind, and she knew it, but still she tried. He grinned lopsidedly at her, "well then, we'll have to see what we can do to rectify the situation."
Help! he called to the other two, I think she's trying to… to…
Fuck you? Letharnet asked, shouldn't have taught me your vocabulary, Harry.
Maybe if you give her what she wants, she'd leave us all alone.
But what if she takes some revenge complex out on me?
Just see how it plays out. The three of us can cause her to forget it if we have to.
But… Shit!
Come on, Har-i-rah-hishon, taunted Garma, how bad could it be? Sleeping with the most beautiful Faery princess ever? Hell, she might even be virginal.
"Ooh," Fiaru smiled, "so he wants to play!"
She leaned over to him and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. Harry frowned and rolled over, so that he was on top, "I always wanted to play, Fiaru, but it's not right. You are a Princess, you deserve better than this."
"Yeah, but I'll be married off, and probably my brother, or my husband will get the land. It isn't fair," she pouted again, "Just because I was born with a different body to a man, I can't have what is owed to me."
"Relax, Fiaru," Harry said, "I think-"
Harry! We found something!
"Fiaru, You must come with me. Our friends have found some clues. They will bring them to our next destination. We must go at once." Harry smiled calmly at her, but knew he had been firm enough to prevent a refusal.
She sighed, standing up, and retying her gown, "whatever," obviously she was going to sulk for a while. Harry sighed and walked over to Odin, and Saraide.
"We are going, my friends. It is almost over, I hope. Where is Keoni?"
"Keoni is coming, master," Saraide responded quietly, and Harry glanced at her. When he'd found the egg, he'd been surprised by the color, for it hadn't been the normal bespeckled red that was a normal Phoenix egg, but a blue with gold and silver dotting.
Saraide was the most talkative of the three, but Prianz and Lilith were just as close to his heart.