Chapter 4 : "A Birthright Rejected."

Rating : Teen

Author's Note: Readers, I would really appreciate any reviews, whether they be words of praise or constructive criticism. Your reviews make me all the more eager to continue writing new chapters! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy this new installment!

Your's truly, Striking Dancer.

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Winter's POV:

It was barely past dawn, and already the camp we had made last night had been packed up, and ready to be loaded onto the horses. I was just putting my saddle onto Shadowfax when I heard Bast walk up quietly beside me, admiring the large white horse.

"I still can't believe he let's you handle him like that."

He said motioning to the handsome white stallion, very aware that the last time Bast had touched him, Shadowfax bit his hand gently. Bast swore he'd never touch him again, which made me feel better.

"That's right, I forgot to tell you. Shadowfax was my horse when I lived in Idendryll. When the city was attacked the horses were all set lose. Shadowfax here, I patted his shoulder gently, must have found his way to the stables in Rabanastre. I am so happy I found him again! You see, I have had Shadowfax since I was a little girl and he is the most loyal animal you will ever see in your lifetime."

I smiled as I saw the question already forming on Bast's lips.

"Horses in Idendryll, are a special breed created by the Singers to not only live very long lives, but there is no horse to be found that is as loyal as a horse bred by a Singer. That is why anyone that tried to ride him quickly found out that such things are not accomplished so easily."

I explained as Shadowfax was nickering and snooping in my pockets, looking for anything to snack on. I looked at him as his large head turned away from mine, as if I had told him I had nothing to eat.

"Well, that does explain a lot, he seems to know exactly what you're thinking without you saying a word. I guess only from a Singer, eh?"

"Yes."

Bast smiled and an awkward silence filled the stagnant space between us, as Shadowfax stopped nickering to see the errie silence and the odd smile that graced Bast's lips. By then, Shadowfax reached his large head over my shoulder to Bast's chest pocket and pulled out a small pastry and began to happily eat it, as Bast frowned.

"Hey!....I was saving that.."

"The Sun sure is rising fast, isn't it?"

I said, to break the pre-fight of my horse versus Bast.

"You're right. We better head out now, for I want to reach your Idendryll by Noon today.."

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Bast's POV:

The sun was slowly setting behind the trees. We had just reached the boarders of Idendryll, and I was none to happy about being late. We approached the gates with caution at my command, much against Winter's protests. Who knew what was lurking behind those gates after all these years?

"Bast please, we have to go in sometime!"

Winter said impatiently, as she tapped her foot against the grass beside me. I could feel the impatience radiating from her like heat from a fire.

"We could wait out here forever, and never know if an enemy was inside."

"True enough, Winter..."

I agreed, evermore grudgingly. I hated being proved wrong. I waved to my group to press on foward into the sad ruins of the village, the place where Winter says was once beautiful.

"Alright, men here we go be on your guard! You shall never know when Shota's armies will attack."

Winter lead the procession, and by the time I was through the gates she was off her horse, and standing among the rubble of what used to be her home, and the once great city of Idendryll. I dismounted my own horse, and walked up beside her. I'll admit the look on her face frightened me. Such a mix of sorrow, anger, and regret on a face so beautiful brought tears to my eyes. She turned to me, and said in a quiet voice.

"I haven't been here since it was destroyed. I guess I thought it wouldn't be as bad as I remembered, but if anything, time has made it worse."

"Winter.... "

I began, kindly I could see her heart breaking to pieces on the inside, but she was not showing any signs that she was about to cry. I guess years of hardened feelings taught her to be tough like that.

"I am so sorry, Winter, about everything..."

That, of course, didn't even begin to cover how I truly felt. I wanted to hold her in my arms, as she cried the tears that I sometimes saw in her eyes, although she would not allow them to fall.

"Don't worry about me, Bast.."

She said with a sad smile, but, the unfallen tears still glistened in her eyes.

"I'll be alright. I think we should see what we can find out about the lockets. Lets begin in the treasury."

She led us to a what appeared to be a cave set behind a large building that I assumed to be the Palace. We walked a short way through a small, but lifeless garden until we reached the mouth of the cave. We then made our way through a large, ornately carved hallway that led us straight to a smooth wall decorated with what appeared to be many ancient designs. They were not drawn from a beginner's hand, but from a Artist. Every detail was surreal, as if the carvings would pop out and come to life before our very eyes.

"Are you sure this is the way to the treasury?"

I asked a bit skeptically, after looking at the drawings and seeing Winter feel the wall for some kind of lock, but she wasn't going fast enough. I wanted to get out quickly as possible, we were in a very high-risk place where enemies could attack and corner us.

"Yes, I am positive, Bast.".

She replied coldly, but she sighed a bit as the fire from our torches illuminated her face as she glanced at the walls. She took a breath and explained.

"I was to learn how to open the treasury after I took my place as Queen of Idendryll, but it was no great secret where it was hidden. Now, if you would be so kind as to help me look for a way to open it instead of questioning my sanity this would be a lot easier."

She said as she placed her hands on her curved hips, and she turned from me and re-issued her search. I bit my tongue to keep from making a smart reply, and started to feel around the massive wall for a crack, or an opening of any kind, to keep her quiet. We had been at it for nearly a hour when I decided I had enough. I was tired of looking for a way into this so called "treasury", and was about to voice my opinion when I heard Winter exclaim loudly,

"I think I found it, everyone! "

I walked over to where she was standing, and looked to see what she was pointing at. There almost invisible to the human eye were two heart shaped indentions carved into the wall, the exact size of our pendants.

"Sure you found something, but what are we going to do now that you have?"

I asked a bit frustrated, tired and my eyes hurt from the dimmed light.

"I'm not sure, but I know this must be the entrance....... "

She replied wondering off. She closed her violet eyes and placed her hand on her chin as if she was in great thought.

"I know!"

She shouted after a few minutes, making me jump in shock. I cursed under my breath.

"Bast, let me see your locket!"

She demanded,but I decided to teach her some lessons.

"Say what, Winter?"

She flustered up greatly at me. I'll be damned if she makes me give my necklace at her demand and not even ask!

"Bast....GIVE me the DAMN NECKLACE, NOW!"

I took it from around my neck, and placed it in her tiny hand, with a smile on my face. She had pure hatred on her's. She then placed it in one of the small indentions on the Cavern wall. It was a perfect fit! She preceded to do the same with her own locket. Then without warning the wall began to rumble, and slid back to reveal a huge room filled with more treasure than I had ever seen in my lifetime. She made her way across the room to a lone altar standing in the middle of the giant chamber. On top of the altar lay an ornately, carved, wooden box. The box was a spectacular piece of artwork, and was embedded with sapphires, and inlaid with silver. She gently opened the lid to reveal a large piece of ancient parchment. I watched her take it slowly out of the box with gentle, and never wavering hands, as if it was going to disenegrate into dust. I glanced over her shoulder in an attempt to read the manuscript but found that it was in a language I did not recognize. So softly that I had to lean in close to hear, Winter began to translate what seemed to be a poem of some kind.

"If the key to immortality is what you seek,

You will find it in the heart you keep.

Unwavering through the passage of time,

The gifts of everlasting beauty, and sorrow shall be Thine.

And fear not evil's searching power,

For I shall light your way in the darkest hour.

But you must love one like you love no other,

Be they friend, or child, or Brother.

Fear not, for your time shall come

And, then the will of the Fates shall be done."

"Do you mean we came all of this way just to hear a nonsense poem? This is supposed to help us defeat Shota?!"

I scoffed angrily, maybe a bit too fast, I was never a good student in English.

"Bast!"

Winter replied coldly, with anger in her eyes and something told me if I wanted my soul intact with my body, I'd best apologize.

"You fool, this is not a some silly poem. It's a prophecy written by the original clan of Singers. They called themselves the Fates because of our unusual power over humes. And, look! Someone has been here recently, see how the dust has been disturbed? "

I took a closer look, and she was right, there was dust all around the pedestal, but on the box there was not a speck to be found.

"Be that as it may, but what does this prophecy mean, and how does it help us in the War with Shota and her Army?"

I wondered out loud. Winter glanced at the paper and replied softly.

"I think it may have something to do with gaining the gift, or curse--"

She added bitterly.

"Of immortality. Although I'm not quite sure what it meant when it said you will find it in the heart you keep. Anyway, I think that whoever was here before us is searching for this "Heart" as well. I can not be sure but I feel that it must be Shota. Only she, and her mages have the power to get into this room without the lockets. I think we should find this Heart first, and destroy it. If Shota gets her hands on it she will be almost unstoppable."

"I have to agree, but where do we go to find this Heart you speak of?"

"Unwavering through the passage of time........"

Winter mumbled to herself, she's getting good at that, but she always comes to a conclusion. So I have nothing to say, I guess.

"I think we should head to Golomore Jungle, and see if the Viera know of this prophecy. They would be the only ones I could think of that might remember something so old."

I watched her walk through the door, and down the passageway through the mouth of the cave. Once again I wondered just what I had gotten myself into when I agreed to let Winter join the Resistance.

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Winter's POV:

The sunlight hurt my eyes after being in the dark cave for so long. After my eyes adjusted to the light I viewed my surroundings. To my surprise I saw a young woman with bright and vivid pink eyes, and long Raven black hair perched upon a fallen column waiting with a playful smile on her lips. Her exotic eyes somewhat playful, but had a serious potiential to them as her strawberry lips were curled in a smile. Even more astonishing, were the clothes she was wearing, that was what made me gasp. She wore the clothing of a Singer, and had no weapons not even a simple dagger to protect herself.

"Hello Winter.."

She said in a most enchanting voice.

"My name is Miranda Skye Praxis, but you may call me "Randa" for short. "

She said as she hopped off the column and to my shock, she stood about only 5 foot high, maybe a bit taller. She smiled meekly at me as she bowed slightly at me, making me wonder what is going on?

"How did you know my name, Miranda?"

I asked, showing none of the anxiety I felt toward this strange Singer. She was acting quite odd, but she toned down her friendliness once the questions poured out of my lips.

"And why have you no weapons to defend yourself with?"

"I have no need of weapons for I am able to use the powers of the mind. Here I'll show you...

"See my powers, Winter?"

I heard inside my head. What did this strange woman want?

"I can also read minds, and cause extreme pain, but we wouldn't want to do that to a Queen now would we?"

she said in a friendly voice.

"If you would be so kind as to follow me there are others who are eagerly waiting to meet you."

She grabbed me by the hand, and led me into the nearby forest where I used to play when I was still a little girl. The burnt grass began to turn back to the vivacious and beautiful green it once was and the trees seemed to glow again, before that day. We soon came upon a large clearing, and I cold smell the spicy smells of sweet wood burning, bringing fresh memories into my mind.

"Here we are.."

Miranda said with victory in her voice as her unusually long hair swished back and forth across her back. I don't know why, but I felt inclined to trust this girl I had only met a few minutes ago. We Singers, we have a sense to know whom to trust and whom not to trust. As we walked further into the clearing I noticed several other figures all dressed in the clothes of a Singer, standing around, as if waiting for me to arrive with Miranda.

"Welcome Queen Winter, we have been looking forward to your arrival for many years!"

Spoke a woman with striking yellow eyes, and short black hair that came right below her chin.

"Eavita!"

I shouted, and ran to hug the older woman, embracing her as the woman's hands reached over my back and hugged me gently as Miranda watched from a bit away.

"I thought I would never see you again!"

"Nor did I, Winter, nor did I..."

She replied smiling down at me, looking from her height of 6 feet. Once she let go of me, she looked at me in the eyes and said.

"Finally the time has come for you to reclaim the throne of Idendryll."

My smile faded as her words sunk in. I could see she was just as presumptuous as when she was my mothers chief advisor. I had so many questions I didn't know where to start.

"I thought you were all dead, how did you.....? "

I said gesturing to the other Singers in the clearing. Two young girls came up beside her, wearing the same clothing as Eavita. One of them had Orange eyes and the other had blue. They smiled as Eavita began the tale of my race's survival.

"We were off on a mission in Golomore, teaching the Veira how to improve on their healing skills. We had been gone for a fort-night, and when we returned we found the city destroyed. We found the bodies of all our loved ones except yours. I knew you would return one day for "Randa" saw it in one of her visions during a council meeting."

I glanced at Miranda, her Pink eyes gleaming as she nodded.

"I'm sorry to say that I shall not be returning to the throne any time soon."

I slowly replied, afraid that I was about to anger the Caretaker of the Singers.

"To do so while Shota is still alive would be suicide. There can be no hope to the Singers surviving while she is still ruling Ivalice."

"So you would forsake your birthright in fear of a mere hume?"

She replied angrily, as Miranda was coming closer to me. Was she coming to my defense?

"Not a mere hume.."

I argued back, but keeping my temper in check.

"Shota is a mage, I fear, shall soon be able to take on even a Singer. I would ask your help in my quest to defeat the Shotan army. I have sworn allegiance to the Resistance, and plan to stand by them at all costs."

"Winter, I cannot abandon my people in a quest of mere folly. Look around you!"

Eavita gestured to the people in the clearing. The two young girls that stood by Eavita motioned for the other Singers to come join us.

"You would do well to remember your place here in Idendryll."

Eavita said, as she looked at Miranda, then me.

"How could I forget?"

I said sadly.

"But I cannot abandon the promise I made to the Resistance. You know as well as I do that I would give anything for things to be as they were. But, I know you can look after these here better than I can right now. Will you continue to do so until my journey is complete?"

"Of Course I will, Winter."

She said her face softening up a bit, but never losing her disappointment.

"We will await your return with hopeful hearts."

I hugged the older woman, and said my Farewells.

"I will return soon, my Sisters!"

I said as I turned, and waved farewell to my awaiting people as I followed Miranda out of the clearing and back to my waiting envoy. Sadly, I wasn't at all too sure that I would....

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