Chapter 3

Vision in the Temple

From where she sat she could almost imagine that she was floating on the river. It was so quite up here, even though there were all kinds of nightly activities happening in the city hundreds of feet below. The stars twinkled and the moons glowed like multi colored embers in a dying fire.

She sipped her tea and wished she could shake this feeling that something really big was about to happen to her.

Her balcony sat about 100 or so feet from the base of her family's tower. It was about 25 feet long and was curved outward from the ends of the balcony; the farthest point reached about 20 feet. The railing was black iron, molded into wave like structures. Vines of roses and ivy snaked threw her railing and up the walls to almost the very top of the tower.

Lord Perth, she prayed in her mind, give me strength get threw this ball tomorrow, give me strength to help me understand and accept what I feel is going to happen, give me…

"Willow…?" She heard him whisper behind her.

"I'm out her Kaydell, what are you doing?"

Her twin, dressed in warmer night ware, stepped onto the balcony, "What are you doing still up?"

"Shouldn't I ask you the same thing?"

"True, so, why can't you sleep?"

"Same reason you can't"

"The feeling that mother is going to announce something that will effect us greatly, something that'll will change our lives…"

"Yeah, and I don't think that it's she's pregnant again." Willow chuckled.

He laughed too, "I hope not."

"Have a seat, we can have a sleepless night together."

He sat next to her, on the couch. It wasn't a couch really; it was just a huge purple, velvety overstuffed pillow, set on a wooden frame. In front of the couch was a wooden oval table that currently supported the teapot, and an empty teacup.

"Expecting company?" He asked, nodding toward the empty teacup.

"Lucky guess." She mumbled to him.

His sister sat with her legs tucked under her to her left, her feet poking out of her white night dress. In her lap she cradled her teacup in her hands while she leaned on the armrest. Her hair was undone and wild looking.

He admired his sister. She was so independent and unique. Following a god that was not hers by race, faithful to her studies as his Priestess and she had the heart of a warrior. She idolized their mother, and it showed.The elven twins sat on the balcony of Willow's tower and watched the river across the courtyard. Neither said much, knowing it would ruin the beautiful silence of the waves below. The two sat for a long time, watching the great ships sail across the river, their great colorful sails catching the wind and pulling them from one destination to the next. Faint colors began to whisper across the horizon signaling the very early morning, but neither was awake to see them. Both fell asleep on the large overstuffed pillow of Willows couch.

Breakfast was very quite, except for the occasional giggle or squeal from one of the children, there was quite talk among the councilmen but nothing to latch onto.

The ebony colored winged elf sat in silence as he ate his breakfast.

Kaydell and Willow could not help but steal long glances at this creature. They've seen other winged elves, but a pure black one with silvery white hair? Wonders never cease to amaze. In a city were diversity rules; sometimes there will be things that one has just not seen yet.

Willow looked over her extended family this morning. Her parents, Lady Kailya and Lord Daiwen sat close together at the front of the table. Her mother, she always thought, was the most serene person in her life, capable of every range of emotion and constantly in thought. Her father was a handsome man, he had shocking red hair, the cause of her and her brothers red tresses, he was strong, fearless and so compassionate and loving. Willow loved her parents, she couldn't have prayed to get any better parents, she knew.

Her 7 other siblings gathered around the table on either sides of the table. The baby, Yearnare, being only 10 years, was still trying to accomplish how to eat without missing his mouth; he sat in a baby chair next to his mother. Off to her fathers side was Damesun, the oldest, following in her mother's footsteps of running a city, waiting for her city, Sarallmin, to be reconstructed. Then Betten, the next child after herself and Kaydell, he resembled the oldest with his curly dark blond hair and blue eyes. After Betten there was Corrette and her partner in crime Elcrim, her 'should have been' twin, they were less than 3 years apart and looked so much alike with the almost white blond hair and the deep speckled green eyes. Off to her mothers side was Herrissa, she was almost identical to Kailya, Willow could almost imagine she was seeing her mother as a preteen. Then there was Gaddis and Ambren. Gaddis looked strikingly like their father with his curly red hair and green eyes, but his mothers features shone threw his features. Ambren was such a dainty, fragile looking girl with long lovely light brown hair and pale blue eyes with a darker blue circling the paler blue, freckles dotted across her nose. Ambren was Willow's favorite sister, it was hard to admit, she loved all of her siblings, but Ambren and her shared a special bond.

Her uncle Tayson, barely even 120 years older than her and Kaydell sat next to her. He was a strange man, it was probably the fact that he kept all those animals in his room and he could summon spirits, something she really didn't want to know or hear about, but it really didn't matter to her, he was family none the less.

"Why are you and your brother so subdued this morning?" He asked her. His long blond hair was tied back today and his ocean blue eyes seem to stand out more when his hair was tied back. This particular Shaman wore dark blue today, instead of the stereotypical black that some Shamans were thought to wear. Wearing dead, smelly, half rotten animal hides was something that their uncle was never found to wear, thank all of the gods and goddesses.

Willow shrugged, "Didn't sleep good last night."

He nodded as he chewed on a piece of ham, after he finished he spoke, "The spirits have been restless lately, I have not been sleeping as well, they've been whispering of hidden Names, and of an abandoned desolate land of abominations. They never get any more specific, it's hard to sleep when you have whispering secrets swimming around you every night." He was almost saying this to himself, but he gave her a small smile, "Don't worry my young Willow, your nights will not be as bad as mine."

Willow, normally hating to hear of what the dead have to say, was somehow drawn to what he was saying, "Have they ever said anything before now? Or did they just start speaking of it?"

"It's been within the past month or so, one malevolent spirit had spoke of an awakening of a force, one that would try to defeat the growth of darkness. I questioned it relentlessly trying to gather more but it only said that the darkness was growing in the land that is no longer," he shrugged, "It is nothing to worry about young one, you are probably excited about the Harvest week festivities"

Willow, feeling strangely like this was some sort of sign to the future, smiled her best fake smile to her uncle, "That's probably it."

"Kaydell, did you manage to gather any goods for me in any of your recent ventures?" Tyson asked his nephew.

"No, not yet, soon though, probably sometime this week or so, I promise." Kaydell swore to his uncle.

"I have no doubt, just as long as it's before the first frost."

"It will be." Kaydell promised.

Willow sat at the table numbly eating her breakfast while her mind raced and her heart pounded.

Willow knew that steeling away to the temple would have to be a short one, but she felt safe there and hoped that Perth would hear her and relieve her of her worries, or give her guidance. She passed threw the castle gates, nodding to the guards on her hasty exit.

Her trip threw the city, past several city blocks to the temple, was blurred, her mind filled with strange worries and questions, she barely saw the pre-festivities that took place outside of the castle walls. She never saw the brightly colored banners and flags or the young already dancing and singing.

She looked up just in time to see the larger figure push himself in front of her. She gasped, being caught off guard due to her thoughts swimming in her mind.

"Willow? Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you…"Retten, the last person she wanted to encounter in her state of mind, "Are you alright, you look upset?"

She smiled at the blond Paramin Knight, "I have a lot on my mind for the festival Retten, that's all, and I was on my way to the temple to see Lord Pethous." Hoping he would get the clue and leave her alone with the head of the Temple of Perth.

"Oh, well then, I shall accompany you the rest of the way," he offered, straitening his already tall frame out to make himself look bold. His chain mail shirt jingled a bit as he did so.

"That's not necessary, Retten, really, it's right around the…."

"What kind of Knight would I be if I did not accompany the daughter of the Princess Kailya?" He asked, with a hurt sound in his voice.

She sighed, and slumped a bit, admitting to herself the defeat, "Very well, Retten, shall we go? I have many things to take care of for the Harvest Ball tonight."

"Yes Lady Willow," they began to walk, she pushed to walk faster, but he wouldn't let her rush, "You will be present tonight at the ball then?"

"Yes, I will, as always," she replied, figuring she'd better start making conversation or he'd start to inflate his ego, "Do you have the evening off or do they have you on duty?" She wanted to be at least be civil to him.

He smiled almost bogusly, "They have me on duty, but I will be in the castle at the Ball, a royal guard for the lords and ladies of our country."

She groaned inwardly, "Really? That's wonderful, Retten. You must be very excited to have such a duty for only being a knight for such a short time." She didn't really mean it because she knew that he wouldn't leave her alone all night. All of the Knights that are on duty at the castle usually end up being unsaid dance partners for the older or available lords and ladies (there were female knights as well as male in the Paramin Knighthood). Willow knew that Retten had his heart set on her for almost 50 years now, and he's been rather relentless lately. He was a nice enough fellow and he was handsome as well, with his long, pale blond hair, his dark blue eyes and his cleanly shaven face, but they had next to nothing in common. He wanted someone with a wealthy background who would look good on his arm, could raise his children, bring him a name and a line to royalty, someone to be waiting happily at home for him every night at the end of his duty. Willow knew that she really was not what he was looking for, and he was not what she was looking for either.

"Do you think you would be able to save a few dances for me tonight?"

She didn't answer at first because they had arrived at the front entrance to the temple, "I'll try, being the daughter of our princess makes me a very busy girl." I'll do anything in my power to make sure I'm busy dancing, she said inwardly.

For a minute they both surveyed the outside of the temple. She always felt awestruck when she stood at its entranceway. With its enormous carved, double wooden doors. Centered directly on the center of the doors was the symbol of the God Perth, a kriss sword ran threw a silver rectangle, very simple, but beautifully polished and taken care of. The white stonewalls and stained glass windows were also another lovely touch to the temple.

She turned to look at him, he was trying to hide his hopeful expression, "Thank you for walking me to the temple, I will see you tonight."

She turned to leave but was stopped by Retten grabbing her hand, she turned around, not sure what he was going to do, he took her hand gently in his hand, brought it up to his lips and kissed it, "Until tonight Lady Willow."

The bench was welcoming to her; she closed her eyes and relaxed her body...

Lord Perth, I have such a keen fear of what my mother is about to announce tonight. This apprehension I feel about tonight is so different from any uncertainty I have ever experienced. Something my mother is about to tell us, I know, is about to change my life and the life of others around me. Guide me, Lord Perth. Let me make the right decisions for my future. I know that you would not lead me into the unknown without your guidance and strength. Erase this fear from me, Lord Perth, make me strong, make me brave, and make me full of your power.

He watched the young Willow sit in total concentration on the first bench in silent prayer. Her long wavy reddish hair hung loosely around her, cascading the whole length of her back. She didn't wear a cloak, like most did now in the few remaining weeks of autumn, instead she wore a heavily woven green, cotton gown, long sleeved trimmed with rose colored trim at the hem of her sleeves and bottom of the skirt and it neck.

She had such dedication to Lord Perth. She was one of his best students; she was smart, quick and fast. Her life in the castle did not make her weak or numb to the happenings of life around her. She was indeed the daughter of Lord and Lady Rannesin. With blood from such powerful people he was not surprised to find her so ready to defeat every obstacle that was placed in front of her. Father Pethous could still see the young red headed Torin girl with her small hand in her fathers. Her green eyes twinkled with uncertainty. For years she would only go when her father came to the temple, then one sunny autumn afternoon she showed by herself. She was full of questions and wanted to find answers for them. After that day she would show up and read tome after tome after tome. She finally was enrolled as a student, so to speak, but she had leaps and bounds above the others. He watched her grow from a skinny youngling to a beautiful Torin Elf with the title of the Battle Priestess of Perth.

He left her to her silent prayer.

The instant her body straitened she felt as if lightning ran threw her body. She felt her body arche, painfully ridged, her sight had vanished to blackness, she felt her body collapse to the floor, her knees and hands hitting the marble floor. A low wale began to fill her ears.

Suddenly, instead of blackness, she began to see forms and she began to hear voices. The form of a human man, dark complexion with blue eyes and sun lightened hair and tattoos on a ship that looked to be of Torin design, possibly a Korbec. Another human, a woman this time, with wavy black hair with a huge sword strapped to her back, her one eye was blue, her other eye was green. Now, another human girl, with long silver hair, blue eyes and beautiful dark skin that almost seemed to shimmer gold. Now there was black water, she knew it was unnaturally cold and something bad was in there, something evil. There was a crystal now, a long skinny shard with violet and blue light dancing within, silver veins delicately wrapped like a lace all around it. She saw the face of her brother, he was scruffy looking, a short beard with braids, he wore a cloak of fur. Beldovin and Klayn, sitting against something wood, talking. Then, the winged elf, F'vell was casting something she couldn't make out. She saw the face of a goblin, a rather large one, pacing on the deck of the ship. Yet another human girl, with dark skin, long, black short hair wearing a short brown leather skirt, an tight leather top and a rapier at her side. Others, now, glimpses, feelings, she could make out Retten, then the face of a middle aged human, beautiful actually, with brownish hair wearing a flimsy violet gown. There was a plant she held in her hand now, one freshly picked, she saw herself wrapping it in a cloth…and on a dead body…whose dead body!? There were suddenly several giant wolf like animals, a tree with a peacock shape symbol carved deep into its skin, a little dragon-like creature…she felt panic, great sadness, confusion, frustration and then, amongst all of that, there was something pushing, it wasn't a bad push, it was…it was courage, determination and hope.

What's happening to me? Lord Perth, what am I seeing...nothing, just the whispering voices of her vision. Is this my future?

Suddenly, just like it had started it was gone; she was now looking at the floor of the temple on her hands and knees. She shock uncontrollably, her skin clammy.

"...Kaydell…"

She rose and ran for the door, the city, once again, was nothing but a blur for her. She ran for the castle, before she even reached the gates of the castle she found her brother running for her. When they collided they held each other tightly. Both were out of breath.

"I felt it, what happened?!" He asked his shivering twin.

She shook her head, "I don't know, I was hit with something, like lightning, and I saw all these...these people and things and then it was all over...I don't know…"

He pulled back and looked her over, she was a little pale, but other than that, she looked fine.

"Tell me what you saw," he asked her.

"Our future."