The Crystal Castle:
Skekung watched the Gelfling fleeing into the woods from the third story balcony, from this distance they looked like Peeper Beetles trying to burrow into the sand. Gelfling are weak, he thought smugly watching the Garthim snap at the wounded Gelfling on the tundra. Today is a good day, he concluded to himself, today I win the Emperor's favor. Skekung believed this was a successful battle for the Skeksis, he had managed to stop them from freeing the Spritons and in the process had captured many more. The Emperor was bound to be pleased by the results and this plan was entirely his. No way can the Mariner take this from me, he turned from the balcony and strolled into the castle letting the grin rest on his face.
"SEND THEM NOW!"
Skekung stopped in the hall when he heard the Emperor shouting in the Crystal chamber.
"Of course, Emperor. I will send th-..."
"NOW! GO NOW!"
Skektek burst into the hallway, making his way towards the dining hall, he hadn't even seen Skekung standing there.
"Emperor?," Skekung poked his head into the Crystal chamber. The Emperor was pacing the room practically foaming at the mouth with pure fury.
"GENERAL," the Emperor's eyes flared when he saw Skekung. "YOU IDIOT!" Skekung was at a loss for words, he stammered a response that the Emperor snarled at. "YOU LET THEM ESCAPE!"
"You excellence, I assure you the prisoners are secure in their cells."
"You're worthless," the Emperor grumbled. "I care not of the Spritons! Rian! RIAN HAS ESCAPED!"
"Rian?" The General was just as puzzled as he was before. He had heard the name before, was he not the same Gelfling who had turned the clans against them? "Rian was here?"
"Yes," the Emperor went back to pacing the room. "He was here! I've sent the Garthim to scour the castle but that Rian is slippery. No doubt he has already returned to that disgusting forest."
"One Gelfling is insignificant to us. Soon he will be drained and consumed like the rest."
"I want him dead, General. DO YOU HEAR ME!? I want Rian dead!"
"Yes, Emperor. It will be done."
"Not soon enough! That volatile Gelfling has interfered with me for the last time."
"What has Rian done now?"
Skekso rested his glare on the Skekung, his face wrinkled with disgust. The General had not right to question Skekso's orders, who did Skekung think he was?
"Don't you dare address me like you are my superior!"
"Of course not, Emp-"
"I AM YOU EMPEROR!," he bellowed.
"Yes," Skekung bowed his head.
"YOU WILL DO AS I SAY! THIS, GENERAL, IS YOUR FINAL CHANCE TO IMPRESS ME! IF I DO NOT HANG RIAN'S HEAD ABOVE MY BED BEFORE TOMORROW NIGHT, IT WILL BE YOUR HEAD I TAKE!"
"I understand," Skekung did not dare lift his head to look at Emperor.
"If only Skekmal was alive," The Emperor muttered. "He would give me results."
"I vow to bring you Rian's head," Skekung promised.
The Emperor scoffed, Skekung was weak like the rest of court, they all want power but none are willing to sacrifice.
"Your vow is nothing but words," he hissed. "And your actions are no better! Skekgra tells me the dungeons are empty!"
Skekung finally looked up, eyes wide with shock. "How? It's impossible!"
"It would seem the Gelfling outsmarted General," Skeksil purred with satisfaction as he entered the room.
Skekung growled at the sight of the whining Chamberlain, he was becoming more of a nuisance everyday.
"With Gelfling gone, very little essence will be had," Skeksil noted to the Emperor.
"The General will get no essence until I know Rian is dead!" Skekso spoke to Skeksil but his words were directed to Skekung.
"I will not fail you," The General promised.
"I have sent them! They are gone," Skektek came into the room out of breath.
"Good," the Emperor turned on his heel. "I want to know what is left of the," he shuddered to say the words," Gelfling army."
"The Crystal bats will report it to us," Skektek tried to ease the Emperor's tension.
"Not much, my lord" laughed Skeksil. "Gelfling all run away."
"And the ones who didn't are dead."
The Emperor felt his claws dig into his skin," I want them all destroyed! Burn them! And I want every Gelfling in the castle drained by nightfall!"
"Of course, your majesty," Skektek ran off to fulfill his tasks.
"What is next, Emperor?," Chamberlain focused of Skekso, taking note that he was no longer holding his scepter. Just a few days ago he was possessive of the staff, would not let anyone look at it. Had it really been a gift from s? Where was the Emperor hiding that powerful staff?
"We send the Garthim out, they will destroy the Gelfling one by one!"
At Stone-in-the-Wood:
Every house was now a medical tent for the wounded Gelfling that had managed to escape the castle. The entire village was in a state of chaos trying to mend and heal one another with the little supplies they had available. Some Gelfling were going to die, they were made as comfortable as they could be as they returned to Thra. Rian was heling splint a Paladin's arm when Maudra Yre called from him.
"Garthim? Have you ever heard of something so vile?," she spat angrily. "Those cowardice birds! Hiding behind monsters they created, not even fighting for themselves. Have they no honor!?," Maudra Yre was ranting to Rian.
"Maudra Yre, we must look at the bright side. We were able to free all the remaining Spritons."
"Yes," she sighed. "But not without loss, many of our own clan are now gone, Rian. And Maudra Mera..."
"She had been taken before we got there," Rian tried to lessen the blow, but Rian was replaying the death of Naia in his head.
"Next we must build a defense. We have lost many soldiers and no doubt they will send those... those things back out!"
"Yes," Rian agreed. "Have we done a count of how many have survived?"
"Oinic is doing it now, while also trying to lend his hands to heal."
Rian knew it was a bad sign that Heyah was not the one surveying the camp, it no doubt meant she had been lost in the battle. Rian did not ask because it was too fresh and he saw the Maudra Yre was still trying to understand all that happened at the Crystal palace.
"We should reach out to the All-Maudra, tell her of these new creatures and they threat they pose."
"Yes," Maudra Yre agreed. "I will reach out to every Maudra so they can be forewarned. I also need to speak with Princess Brea, I hear she's at your house?"
"Yes, Maudra. She had gone on her own to recover a book hidden in the Skeksis library."
"A book? A book of what?"
"She said it may be the key to Deet's power, a book of the Sanctuary Tree."
"Yes.. I need to speak to her right away. I need you to help Onic so we can start setting up lookouts, if the Skeksis are smart they will try to attack us tonight. "
"Yes, Maudra," Rian turned to go but Maudra Yre stopped him.
"Rian!"
"Yes," he spun to face her.
She looked disheveled, never had he seen Maudra Yre look so defeated. She was normally proper, her outfit fitted and smooth with the braids down the back of her head. Her braids were frizzy, and it looked like blood was smeared through her hair. Rian did not envy her in the slightest. He hadn't seen what happened in the foyer, but from what he saw of the soldiers and his Maudra, he knew it was beyond horrendous.
"You are truly worthy of the title of Captain."
"Th- Thank you, Maudra Yre."
Rian left the main hall, found Oinic and began one of the longest nights of his life. He went around home to home, offering help and adding to the count of those who made it back. Their once staggering numbers had been demolished by the ruthless Garthim. Oinic and Rian also served at the watch for the night, wanting to keep the solider rested if they needed to be. Rian and Oinic took shifts of circling the village and checking for invading Garthim. The Great sun was beginning to show when Oinic finally dismissed him, Rian was barely able to keep his eyes open when someone called out to him.
"Rian! There you are!" It was Rek'yr who greeting him with an enthusiastic face.
Rian could barely fake the smile as he approached, his body was begging for sleep.
"I heard you made it out safely, but I need to ask you if what I heard is true."
"What did you hear?," Rian stifled a yawn.
"That Brea was with you in the castle."
"She was."
Rek'yr had to keep his composure, he needed to see Brea! He needed to see she was truly safe and far from the Skeksis' clutches.
"She is here? Where is she?"
"She's probably still at my house," Rian couldn't fight the yawn that escaped him.
"Rian, you seem tired."
"Yes," he admitted. "I've been up all night."
"Come, we must get you to bed. Maudra Yre will want you rested."
Rek'yr was using this excuse to see Brea, he guided Rian through the village and to his small home. Rian entered the door, not bothering to shut it as Rek'yr followed behind.
"Rian?," Brea came around the corner. "Have you been out all night?"
"Brea...," Rek'yr's voice caught in his throat.
There she stood, she was safe. She was beautiful even, her light golden hair was braided out of her face and her amber eyes lit up when she recognized Rek'yr.
"Rek'yr," she gasped.
"Yes, I was out all night," Rian mumbled as he walked past her. "I'll be asleep if you need me," he went into his room and shut the door, happy for the silence and comfort of his bed.
"I heard you made if back to Ha'rar," Rek'yr was frozen in his spot.
"Yes," she smiled. "But someone as curious as me gets restless. You must have arrived after I left, I didn't see you the when the Dousans came to Stone-in-Wood."
"No," he shook his head. "Skekmal tracked me through the desert, he was looking for you, he attacked us. I went to protect you, but he had already taken you to the Crystal Castle."
Brea was touched, this man who had barely known her had gone out of his way to not only show them to a forbidden place, but had went twice just to save her from the Hunter.
"How did you escape the Skeksis?," Rek'yr asked.
"Mother Aughra saved us, she sacrificed herself in order for us to be free. I left for Ha'rar to help Deet and keep the shard safe."
"Yes, I heard she is some sort of sorcerer now?"
Brea chuckled," You make it sound so simple."
"Is being a sorcerer a simple task these days? Perhaps the desert sun has melted my memory," he smiled.
Brea blushed," No, you're right. I had to go back to the castle to get into the Skeksis library. And there I found what I needed."
"May I see?"
Brea went to the table in the main room and presented the thick book to Rek'yr without picking up the massive weight. The beautiful dark blue cover was enthralling, Brea had spent up most of the night reading, but the book was ancient. The words on the pages were faded and the pages were starting to crack from exposure making it hard to decipher the true meaning of what was written.
"The Sanctuary Tree," Rek'yr read the title aloud. "You believe this book will be of use?"
"You didn't see it, Rek'yr," Brea stroked the cover gently. "Deet was more than a warrior that day, she had ascended all we had believed possible. She absorbed the Darkening with her own hands and used it against the Skeksis. She was able to kill one instantly," Brea looked down at her feet before continuing. "Then she disappeared, I was only told yesterday that she had returned to Stone-in-the-Wood."
"I was here on her return. I could see how much she means to your friends."
"She is a friend," Brea smiled, looking to Rek'yr. "I want to help her in any way I can."
Rek'yr held her gaze as if he was searching her eyes for answers. Rek'yr couldn't look away from her beauty, she was more dedicated than he had imagined, he felt admiration for her. Brea had infiltrated the castle in hopes to find a way to help her friend and Rek'yr was happy to have her as a friend himself. Brea felt the blush rise in her face and went to turn away when Rek'yr stopped her with the gentle touch of his hand on her neck. Rek'yr noticed that she was wearing the Moog bone necklace he had given her when they first met
"I am honored to see you still wear this."
Brea felt her blush deepen and heat rise in her cheeks, his rough fingers brushed her collarbone as he stroked the pieces of bone.
"Of course," she tried to hide behind her smile. "It has protected me since I've worn it."
Rek'yr smiled, feeling the familiar texture of the bone before looking up to Brea. Her cheeks were a crimson color, making her golden eyes sparkle as she watched his movements. Rek'yr appreciated the closeness he felt to Brea, not only physically, but he felt a deeper connection with her. She was one of the few other Gelfling he had met that did not seem alarmed by the Dousan, in fact she respected his culture.
"I am beyond flattered to help the wild rose in any way I possibly can," he continued to smile.
Brea remembered that when she had first met Rek'yr he had called her a rose, it was truly the most deep felt compliment she had ever received.
"Do you miss the desert?" she asked him, changing the topic.
"Yes," he admitted. "I long for the heat and the sand."
"It must be so different here for you."
"Colder than what I'm used to," he chuckled.
"If you ever travel to Ha'rar, you'll have to bundle up for sure then Last year, a storm blew through so fierce that we all had to stay sheltered inside for days because of how thick the snow was and my mother was so-...," Brea stopped herself. "Sorry, I started to ramble."
"I like listening," Rek'yr replied simply.
"Mother always said I ramble when my mind is too busy."
"Does your mind feel busy now?"
"Yes," Brea admitted with a sigh, sitting at the table. "I'm afraid."
"Of the Skeksis? Because know this, Princess, I would protect you with my last breath."
Brea couldn't help but admire Rek'yr for his valor, he barely knew her and yet he had basically sworn to protect her. A warmth spread through Brea as she and Rek'yr locked eyes.
"That's not all I'm afraid of," she whispered, and the feeling faded as she remembered Naia. "I worry that Naia died because of me."
"She was your friend in the castle, yes?"
Brea nodded," I went with her and Kylan, she wanted to restore the crystal and I wanted this," Brea let her hand run along the spine of the book. "I got what I wanted... but at what cost? I spoke with Maudra Yre tonight, told her all of what... what happened," Brea's voice caught. "Now she will have to reach out to Maudra Laesid and tell her that... that her daughter is gone. I'm not even sure Gurjin knows yet."
"My brief meeting of Naia, she seemed to be a strong, persistent woman. Do you believe she would have gone without you to heal the crystal? " Rek'yr asked, kneeling to be at her eye level.
"Yes, but I-..."
"You cannot hold that burden close to your heart, Princess. Regret and guilt wither a soul faster than anything else in this world. I would suffer to watch you wilt," he placed his hand on top of hers.
"It's not so easy to forgive yourself," Brea blinked away the tear lingering in her eye.
"No," Rek'yr agreed. "But it is necessary."
"I'm truly honored to have met you, Sandmaster Rek'yr," Brea offered him a small smile and gave his hand a squeeze.
Rek'yr was jolted by the sudden use of his title. "No need to be so formal with me, Princess. I prefer you to call me by my name alone."
"You are one of the few who still call me princess," Brea confided. "Even when my mother wore the crown, I never acted like a princess, I was always studying in the library while Tavra was training and Seldaon was at her lessons."
"How should a princess act," Rek'yr stayed knelt in front of her, curiously awaiting her answer.
"My mother was always cross because I ran late to court and how I disobeyed the rules. I always had a knack for sneaking away and getting lost in a good story, mother thought I let my mind wander too much," Brea smiled at the memory of the All-Maudra.
"You are a princess above the rest in my eyes," Rek'yr bowed his head. "If not for you, the secrets buried with the Circle of the Suns would never have been found."
"Rek'yr, you don't need to call me Princess."
"As you wish, Brea. May I assist you with deciphering the book," Rek'yr pulled a chair up for him to sit.
"Yes! A fresh pair of eyes would be so helpful!"
The new Grotton Village:
Building was underway, the Grotton clan had not wasted a second in turning this new oasis into their new home. They were further South than the Spriton Plains and the land was nothing like the farmlands they had passed through. The more the Grottons explored their new home, the more they found this new place to be an exciting new adventure. It was suspected that further east was the Drenchen swamps, and they had landed somewhere in the Sifan territory which was why it was all so deserted. The Sifan loved the life on the sea and neglected a large chunk of their territory that wasn't on the coast of the ocean. Hup was the best asset the Grottons had, he had the most experience living above ground and with his help the Grottons were able to find a bubbling stream a few leagues away and beyond that, trees and edible flora.
The Grottons chose the stone picture as the new center of their village, it was symbol to them of new beginnings and hope of brighter future. Even with the new terrain, new plants and animals they had never seen before, it was impossible to break old habits. Grottons couldn't resist the soft, sandy dirt and started to dig large underground rooms for escape from the hot sun. Many of the elders appreciated the escape from the bright light of the land and the cool familiar sensation of being enclosed. The temperature was different than the caves, it was much warmer, even when in the makeshift caves they had built which was one of the toughest adjustments to make.
Lath'N and Deet were working hard to build new homes out of material they weren't as used to. In the caves the houses were made from the stones of mountains, but here there weren't enough boulders to recreate that design. They used anything they could find; wood, shells buried deep in the ground, and even the giant rocks they were able to move. In only a day, they had a plan for the construction of a village, found food and water, started building, and had already made mini caves. The atmosphere was radiant and Deet felt like her cheeks hurt from smiling all day, she let her mind stay focused on the work and not that of the castle. No word had been brought on what had happened during the battle and she clung to hope that it was just chaos in sorting everything out.
Deet found managing the children to be one of the hardest tasks. Maudra Yre had sent any children rescued from the Spriton Plains and all Stone-in-the-Wood children with them to keep them away from the battle. It was gut wrenching to tear the small Gelfling from their parents, but many parents agreed with the decision. They wanted their kids to be safe from the Skeksis and knew that Stone-in-the-Wood could be attacked at any moment. The Spriton children were happy in the open sun, it reminded them of their old homes and they played with the Grottons easily. The Stonewood children focused more on weapons and fighting, many believed they would join their parents sooner if they could prove themselves. It was Maudra Argot that took charge of the children, she made sure they ate their meals, kept them clean and kept them busy with chores and fun.
"Gelfling!"
A guttural cry broke through the grunts and sounds of building.
"Mother Aughra!," Maudra Argot cackled, while shaking her head. She didn't seem the least bit fazed by the idea of Mother Aughra stumbling upon their new home. Mother Aughra gruffed as she limped from across the flat ground, her silhouette was becoming clearer as she approached and Deet felt her heart start to race.
"So far out in nowhere! Why are Gelfling out here?"
"Mother Aughra, is everything alright?" Deet couldn't help herself, she had to ask.
"No," she grumbled. "Mystics are no help!"
"The Mystics," Lath'N gaped. "Could such a myth be true?"
"They are, father, I've met one," Deet confirmed. "But why have you gone to the Mystics?"
"It's too late!," Aughra declared. " There are few paths left! Time is short, Gelfling. We must not waste time!"
"What is she saying?," Tasis, a Grotton elder, asked as she craned her head to hear better.
"I admit you make less sense than usual," Maudra Argot leaned on her cane.
The two older women were like a mirror image of one another. One was Gelfling and one was Aughra, no doubt each had seen so much in their time on Thra. Mother Argot wore a simple smile on her wrinkled face while Aughra's was furrowed with upsetting knowledge of being able to see into the future. She didn't respond to Maudra Argot, but instead turned her attention to behind the Grottons, it was then that Aughra saw the stone etched with Deet's Darkening.
"Oh my...," her one eye grew large.
"Is there any word about the battle, Mother Aughra?," Deet tried to get her attention.
"Could this be true," Mother Aughra hobbled closer to shield her eye from the sun. "Ohh.. Gelfling! Gelfling, do you know what this?!"
"Can you read it Mother Aughra?," Deet asked her heart beating even faster.
"Yes," she leaned closer, letting her hand graze the stone. Aughra was baffled by what she was looking at, the pictures, the words... it all screamed of the Prophecy that had been foretold.
"You must be older than I remember," Maudra Argot chuckled.
"What does it say?," Lath'N was intrigued.
"A Prophecy," she declared.
"Did she say frogs?!," Tasis turned to Lath'N for help to interpret what Aughra was saying.
"Gelfling, a prophecy is just what we need! And some good news at last!"
"Please, tell us," Deet was ready to beg on her knees.
Aughra was silent as she read the wall carefully, she dare not say a word that was not explicitly described. Could this really be true? Triple Suns... that must be the Great Conjunction... this isn't for another 30 trine! War for the next 30 trine? Oh no... by Gelfling hand or else by none. They truly are the key to Thra's survival!
Deet was not enjoying the silence that followed her request. What awful things could be depicted in this? Was the Darkening the key to it all? How does Aughra know what it says. Is it so bad that she is at a loss for words? Deet nervously pinched her fingers.
"Deet okay?," Hup stood beside her, looking up with worried eyes.
Deet's throat was too dry to respond so she nodded and tried to smile, but it was hard to hide her true feeling, especially from Hup. Hup chose not to put Deet further on edge and the whole crowd waiting in the quiet for Aughra to speak.
Aughra read it several times to be sure, the images were all correlating with the words. This prophecy made things clearer for all of them, but it exposed some harsh reality. Many lives would be lost in the trines to come. Should she spare the Gelfling the knowledge?
Mother Aughra raised her hand to the inscription on top of the stone.
"When single shines the triple sun, what was sundered and undone shall be whole- the two made one. By Gelfling hand or else by none."
Deet let her words resonate, but it all made no sense to her.
"What does that mean, Mother Aughra," Lath'N asked before she could.
"And what are those," Deet pointed to the creatures around the crystal. "They gather around the Crystal." They were tall and in long robes, but they had spikes on their heads, like nothing Deet had ever seen.
"The history of Thra is long. Too long for Gelfling."
"What does it mean by Gelfling hand?," Maudra Argot interest was piqued.
"Question, Questions! So many questions! It means you are the heroes, Gelfling," Mother Aughra examined with the thrust of her cane. "You will save Thra!"
"Are you sure, Mother Aughra? Is this really a prophecy?"
"It is more than a prophecy, it is destiny!," Aughra declared with a happy huff. "This journey was worth every step. Who needs Mystics anyway!"
Aughra celebrated the joyous news, but little beknown to the Gelfling below and her, above in the sky flew an unfamiliar small black creature. It watched them silently, absorbing the information it needed before fluttering back North.