‘“And the Five Shall Gather Around The Star
The Evil Will Grow
And that which has been hidden
Shall once again, Rise”
‘–Translation from the stone of the Antiquity
Prophecy for the Age of Rain
‘Most people will tell you this story is about the Princess Mara. They’ll also say that she was the one who found the sacred jewel. And that she alone was able to once again call the five mages, and return the demon Holta to hell.
Most people are wrong.
If the princess were still around, she’d tell you the same thing I will. All she did was ask for their help. They handled the rest. Who are they? Why, they are the five mages. It was just one hundred years ago, that they first met.
It was the fifth year of the Dragon. Kai Kerensky was returning home at the request of his family. His father had recently elevated his daughter, Lina, from only being novice, to a full priestess.
Kai Kerensky rode into the small town, bemused by the lack of changes he saw. He wondered if the place would ever change, or stay like this for ever. After one-hundred and forty yeas he was leaning towards no. The family house finally came in to view, and he looked over the small two story structure. Home. No matter how many times he grew restless and returned to his band of Mercnaries, this would always be home. The elf dismounted and went about unpacking his horse, and washing it down.
“Welcome home Kai.”
Turing around towards the voice, Kai saw a woman approaching him. She was short, with long black hair that had streaks of red in it. Her clear blue eyes sparkled in the darkness. Smiling at his niece, he picked her up.
“I thought mom’s letter said you’d grown taller?”
“I am taller. I grew three inches since you were last here.”
Setting her down, he laughed, “Three inches? When I was your age, I was already six feet tall. What are you now, five-two? Five-three?”
She stamped her foot in the snow, “I’m five feet, six inches tall. Which is pretty good for a human.”
Kai laughed at him, loving how much fire there was burning in her. “Aye, but your always be a little on the short side. Did mom and da send you out, or did you see me and volentere?”
“I saw you, and didn’t tell them why I left. Not often I get to spend time with my uncle, alone. I thought the two of us could talk…” Lina said, biting the inside of her cheek. “It’s been two years since you were last home, and I’ve missed you Kai.”
The elf smiled, and leaned down to hug her again. “I’ve missed you too little one. Your no longer a child, but a young women. “Come I’m not expected for another hour, and it’s not so cold out. Let’s sit and talk. I scence you’ve got something on your mind.”
He led her over to a small alcove in the stable, where they sat to talk. “Tell me, what is wrong. Are the others making fun of you?” He asked.
She looked up at him skeptically, “Right. They’re going to openly say something negitive about the adopted daughter of the high priest of the Phoenix and the former leader of the Panthers, the best mercenary crew ever? The girl who was found by the great merc Kai?” Shaking her head, she added “You know they’d never do anything to me. Most would be too afraid of either mom or dad. Never mind if it ever got back to you.”
Kai frowned, “I know it’s been hard on you, little one. Most didn’t want us to keep you. Too many fear our kin and neighbors. We should live with the other races, not apart from them. The phoenix has never said one race was above another.”
Looking at the ground, Lina nodded. “Fathers also been saying that the time of joining is coming. The time when all the races must join together as one, to fight against the growing evil.”
“It was your appearance that first gave him that insight. When I walked in holding you, he saw two visions. One of immense evil, and one of a long lasting peace.” he huged her. “He told me then, that you were important, and that the two of us would help to change the world.”
Silently she nodded, and the two got up, walking to the house. As they entered Kai smiled as the scent of his mother’s cooking wafed toawrds him. She was really going all out for Lina. Not that Lina didn’t deserve it. She was their pride and joy.
His parents had tried for years to have more children, but the Phoenix had decided that one was all they’d have. At least, one natural child. He looked at his niece, so small and almost delicate looking. Eighteen years ago, he’d been returning home for a short visit when he’d come across the remains of a burned-out wagon. Normally, he’d have passed by and left it alone, but something had held him back. Inside, he’d found five bodies. All human. The smell of burned flesh had almost been more than he could bear. He’d been about to leave when his ears had picked up the sound of a small cry. He had dug through the ashes, and there he’d found her. She couldn’t have been more then a few months old. In his one hundred and twenty-three years, he’d never seen anything so tiny. So fragile, and helpless. Cradling her to him, he’d rushed home, wondering what he was going to do with this small, human child.
His parents had loved Lina, the instant they’d seen her. With out a moment’s hesitation, they’d decided to raise her as their own. Due to their vast age difference, Kai had become known to her as uncle, instead of her brother. She became the first human to be raised in this town.
She was eighteen now, and as much an elf as a human. It hadn’t been easy. He knew the only reason the elders had allowed her to remain, was because of his parents. His father, Berit, was the most respected priest of the Phoenix in five countries. Humans, Elves, Kenders, Centaurs, even the Dryads respected him. The Phoenix had blessed him with second sight, magic, and much more.
And then there was his mother. Garana Kerensky. She’d gathered the best mercenaries in the known lands, and some from the unknown, and made them better. She’d fought wars no one had thought she could win. She’d caught bandits, and assassins. Murderers and simple thieves. Her people loved her, and that love made her stronger. The only job she’d ever failed at was to catch the elusive Assassin. He’d somehow gotten past her. But then, when the best go up against each other, one has to come out second best.
The wind howled, drawing Kai’s eyes fromt he pot he was stirring, and towards the brewing storm. It looked to be primaily wind, and his sharp eyes noticed the snow was gone. He commented to his mother on the strangeness of the storm. After several hudred years of being married to Berit, she answered how he would have.
“The Phoenix does, as the Phoenix does. If we were to ask, we would not understand. If we understood, we would not see need to ask. Now, stop stirring before you ruin the soup.”
——————————-
“Bless us oh Phoenix, and bless those without tonight. Keep us safe, and may the storm do your bidding. Amen”
“Amen.” Kai answered, before looking at his niece, “So Lina, what will your new duties be?” He asked.
Her eyes widened, and strayed to her father’s. He nodded, and smiled encouragingly, “I’m actually thinking of becoming a bodyguard.”
“A bodyguard?” He asked, “But you just became a priestess?”!”
“Yes, and I’ll still be one. But I also want to use the skills mother gave me. Years ago, many priests and priestess of the Phoenix would take on bodyguard positions. My thesis was about it. It was believed that the Phoenix was a goddess of love, beauty, and wisdom, but also of wars, and fighting. She was considered fair and just. For one to hire a bodyguard of hers, she had to first decide if the reason was pure.”
“The reason was pure? You’ll need to explain that one.”
She grinned, “As an example, Princess Mara is looking for a bodyguard to help her, while she looks for the mages of old. Her guardian, Dri Hul, recommended me.”
“Dri’s her guardian?”
She nodded, “Dri was a good friend of the Old King, and was given guardianship over her, when the King died. Since they’re still fighting over who should rule, Mara or her aunt Alina, he’s been taking care of her.”
“So where do you come in?” Kai asked, sensing there was more to this than just wanting to put their mothers fighting skills to use.
“A month ago, the witch of Skevee visited her, with a message. She needed to put together a team, and search for the five mages. She had three months to put the team together. She was spicific that there were to be six on the quest. She was the first. From what I understand, she also said that the five would fall in to place, with no outside help, once Mara chose her the next member. Dri was the first, then four more. I happen to slightly resemble the princess, and with the skills of both father and mother was a good match. Member number three.”
He raised his eyebrow, “Am I to be one as well?”
“Only if you want. A big part of this is that we must all go willingly. If she bribes the person, and they then decide to join us, then…” she let it trail off with a grin.
“Is she planning on bribing me?” He asked her.
Lina grinned at that, shaking her head. “I told her it was pointless to try. You’re above reproach. She did ask me to convince you to help. I told her I would tell you about it, and let you decide. No one makes up your mind for you.”
“And what did she say to that?”
Lina’s grin grew, as they both knew the answer, “Now she wants you more then ever.”
Kai laughed, “Let me see if I’ve got this straight. You’ve decided to take on an ancient job, to work for the Princess of d’Illianad, and go on the journey of a lifetime?”
She nodded as he continued, “Then you have the nerve to ask if I want to go, saying you won’t force me, but then pointing out all my ‘outstanding’ qualities to said princess, and yet still not promise I’ll go?”
She nodded again, and he rolled his eyes at her, “Of course I’m going with you, if no other reason then to watch out for you, my little sister. ((find elven for little sister))”
Lina looked at him, shock on face. They’d always danced around those two little words, neither wanting to take a leap they weren’t sure the other wanted. “You… You’ve never all me that.”
He shrugged, smile on his face, “I’ve only thought of you as one for the last few months. You’ve grown up so much, it’s hard to think of you as only a child. You are my sister, in all but blood.”
Berit smiled at his son, “Then you’ve finally admitted it. ‘Bout bloody time.” he said, taking another bite of his dinner, “Do you wanna know anything else about this journey, or are you just gonna leave with her tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow? We have to leave tomorrow?”
Garana nodded, “I can take care of your men, don’t worry. Kayla and I have talked about it, and between the two of us, the Ghosts will be fine.”
He mock glared at them, “I sense a setup.”
His father shrugged, “We, that is your mother and I, knew you would want to go along. Not because it’s your destiny, but to watch over your sister.”
“I can see that going up against the three of you is pretty futile, so I won’t unpack. When do we leave tomorrow, and where are we going?”
“We’ll leave around noon. I know, it’s better to leave early, but since were heading to Atem-Ra, we should only need a few hours.” Lina winked at him, “This way, you can catch up with old friends, or something, before we leave.”
“I thought Princess Mara was in Aphrellla. Why are we going to Atem-Ra first?”
“We have to pick up a thief there. Someone tried to steal the Moon Maiden’s Swords. Nearly got them too. Dri thinks she might be helpful. He also asked that if you were going, to ask if you would be willing to call on a favor in Hour-Sisi.”
Kai raised his eyebrow, “Did he now? Dri must really believe this is important, for me to visit Isisi.” He glared at his plate, “We’ll leave at seven. The thief isn’t going anywhere, but our friend in Isisi might.” Smiling at his bewildered sister, he repeated his first sentence. “At seven, we head out to Hour-Sisi.”
