Chapter 3 - A Gift From Zaneba
Rini sat back, wiping the sweat from her face. In the three weeks she had been with Zaneba, she had been working quite hard. When Zaneba learned of her heritage, she strove to teach the young girl how to tap into her Spirit side.
"You are part human, part spirit," Zaneba had said, when she had first arrived, "When you come of age, when you are 17, your Spirit side will bloom. Your grandmother entrusted you to my care, I intend to honour her, and teach you all I know."
A few days later, Rini turned 17, and the real work began. Now Rini could transform into her mighty Star Dragon form. She could fly faster than Air Dragons, she could withstand heats of incredible magnitude, swim deeper and faster than any Water Dragon, her senses were perfectly in tune with the earth, and could disappear into the very shadows themselves. Her colours were, as always, silver and purple. She had white and silver fur, with a purple mane, her deep violet eyes going so well with her fur.
She had also mastered some simple magics, which Zaneba said she needed if she was to survive in the Bathhouse. Right now she was perfecting a very cool levitating magic.
"Good, good. You have done quite well," Zaneba said to her young protégé.
"It's hard," Rini complained, "I have to concentrate real hard."
"Yes, it is hard, but you must learn it, if you are to convince the Master that you are a Spirit, and not human. Yubaba will give you a job, she has no choice, she promised your grandmother she would. But she will ask for a demonstration of your power. If it pleases her, she will make you her own personal assistant, and you must become her assistant, if you are to have the freedom to go places."
"Who is this 'Master' I keep hearing about?"
"Yubaba's old apprentice. He was able to break the contract he signed with her, and now he is her second-in-command. He is very powerful, being a River Spirit, and can turn dragon as well. Because you are part Star Spirit, you have certain blessings that you can use."
Rini looked at the old woman and asked, "So what have you learned of the medallion?"
"Ahhh, I was wondering when you would get to that. I have found references in old and obscure texts of an ancient medallion, which was said to contain five gems of immense power, representing the five elements, Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Shadows."
"Do you think this is the medallion?"
"Yes child, I do. For the ancient medallion was said to be made from silver mithrill, the only ore that did not transmute the power of the Stars. I believe that this medallion is made from the ore. I cannot be absolutely certain, such precious little remains. Look closely child, you see there are five empty spaces. I believe that the five Sacred Stars are meant to reside here."
"Sacred Stars?"
"The gems that contain the powers. The first one is lilac and white. It is the Sacred Star of Jupiter, representing Air's mighty power. The second one is blue in colour. It is the Sacred Star of Mercury, representing Water's many forms. The third one is red. It is the Sacred Star of Mars, burning with the elemental Fires contained within. The fourth, a green one, is the Sacred Star of Venus, containing the essence of the element of Earth. The fifth one, is larger than those, and goes in the middle. It is the Sacred Star of Shadows, possessing the keys to your very power. It was said that the power of the Stars was so great that they were taken from the medallion so none other could abuse the power."
"Are they that powerful?"
"Yes, that and much more."
"But why me?"
Zaneba walked around then said, "It is said that only when the true bearer comes will the power be released back into the world. Only the true bearer will be able to control the power of the Stars, and not get corrupted by it."
At this point No Face came up then and spoke to Zaneba, "Ahhh...he has finished spinning the silver thread for your hair ribbon. Come child, let us go into the house."
Both Zaneba and Rini trouped into house and saw No Face holding a spool of silver thread. Zaneba and No Face then began to weave the silver thread into a silver ribbon.
"This will take a while child, make us some dinner would you dear?"
"Yes, Granny." Rini said. She moved over to the stove and expertly prepared some tea and poured it for Zaneba and No Face. She then got down to preparing the rice dumplings she and Zaneba ate, and the cake No Face ate.
She watched with fascination as the ribbon began to take shape under No Face and Zaneba's fingers. While spinning, Zaneba was filling each strand with strong protective magic, from a small vial she kept around her neck.
For a week Zaneba and No Face worked on the ribbon, while Rini worked on her magic. Soon she was able to not only levitate herself, but anything she chose as well. A month to the day after Rini walked through Zaneba's door, she was ready to leave.
The ribbon, laced though her hair, glowed with magic, shining like stars; it flowed like water, and was as soft as satin. Rini fingered the precious material, and tears formed in her eyes.
"What is it child?"
"No one has ever made me such a gift before. It is truly special to me."
"Because this ribbon was spun from your very hair itself, it will protect you far better than the purple hair-band. While you wear that ribbon, you will not forget your name, and your powers are enhanced slightly. It glows with Star Magic, for the Great Árnon himself visited me a few days before you came. He said to put the Star Magic into the ribbon."
"My grandfather? He was here?"
"Yes child. He came and left, the ways of the Stars are very mysterious. Star Magic is the strongest magic known to the Spirits. No one will know you have it, but you will. It is healing magic, and will cure any ailment, except death."
Rini tied her hair up with her grandmother's band and the ribbon Zaneba had made for her.
"One last thing child, the locket your grandmother gave you. I have placed strong magics on it as well, if I am in need of you, it will glow. Come as swiftly as you can, dragon is fastest. I shall also use it to call you if I find anything more about the location of the lost Stars."
With that Rini went outside and transformed into her mighty Star Dragon form, she bent her head and Zaneba touched Rini's soft fur.
"Fly swiftly and well, go to my sister and do all that I have told you. I wish you well Lady Spirit."