Prologue
The Phoenix, whose coming has been foretold to us, will rise from its ashes once again. The Hold must prepare.
The firebird will herald in prosperity and fertility to whichever Hold can capture and keep it. It will not be an easy task. Its spirit is strong-willed, having been returned many times by the Lady of the Skies.
“How are we to prepare for such a creature?” The Augur asked the five Hold Spirits in disbelief. A blessing from the Gods was being sent when the clan needed it most.
No children had been born for over a year, and no woman could hold one within her womb for long. The winter had been harsher, killing off many of their winter crops. War between the clans loomed in the near future as each desperately sought more territory for hunting due to the failure of the winter harvest. Even their hold beast had not been seen in some time.
You must prepare in your hearts, for it is a test as well as a blessing. Many will want to cast out the outsider.
“Cast out a blessin' from the Gods? Who would dare commit such blasphemy!” His young apprentice, Dhara, spoke up. The Spirits hissed and hummed about the Augur’s hut. Their sounds made a symphony of masculine and feminine notes and ranges.
If the Hold cannot keep the Phoenix, it will go to another and make them powerful. The balance of power will shift out of our favor. If it comes against us, many will die in the flames.
“Can you tell us anything else about the firebird that would aid us in our search to identify it?” He needed more information for the hunters to aid their search. This was not a situation where things could be left to chance.
You will know the human female by the great magic she commands. A primal rage dwells in her and sets her spirit on fire. When you lay eyes on her wings, there will be no doubt of her identity.
She’s a Lowlander of the old blood. The fire in her veins cannot be concealed.
Others seek her. The other Holds have already begun to prepare for her. Their hunters stand ready for their Spirits to send them on the hunt.
The Augur stood and turned for the door, but not before a spirit blocked his path.
A final warning: you must not tell her of her destiny. If she is told too much too soon, she has the power to change the path the gods have laid out for her. The blessing of the gods would be lost.
Time is short, the hunters must be ready to depart at a moment’s notice. The Hold cannot afford to let her join with another clan!
With that, the Augur flew from his hut with Dhara in tow. No one stopped him, and all moved out of his way as the husky man was all but in a full sprint to find the Thane. When at last he reached the Great Hall, he was relieved to find him meeting with his advisors. At his sudden appearance, the meeting came to a halt. All eyes turned to him, waiting with bated breath to hear his next words.
“Gather the hunters. Summon the scouts. Have the women prepare the offerings. The Phoenix is coming.”
