Prologue
Four years after the sixth tournament of lore,
Elizabeth guarded the magical silver archway to Raewyn, one of the many duties the kingdom of Aerilon gave the water sorceress. She touched the water stream within the archway. The freezing water chilled her hand, numbing her fingertips. The temperature never changing, as the glittering golden-green jewel of water magic rippled and moved underneath her touch.
She pulled her hand away, seeing the brilliant glittering stream darken for a few moments. An unseen figure passed through her. Their powerful and ancient magic slithered inside her body, shooting waves of electricity towards her heart. She fell to her knees paralysed, blood trickled down from her nose, staining the stone steps. She clutched her chest tightly, unable to inhale enough air, her lungs being squeezed by the rapid energy flowing out of her. She pushed her jolting limbs to rise, inhaling calming breaths, the sensation easing, the connection snapping.
Whatever realms existed beyond the archway weren’t for mortals to know, only the unseen beings could gain the knowledge, for it reduced the ones who were foolish enough to enter the enticing portal to bloody ashes in seconds.
Past victims and foolish adventures stained the archway, trying to force open the passage to what lay beyond. Many came seeking fame and fortune only to stain the shimmering silver with their blood and their bones, swallowed by the enchanted dryad forest.
She sighed, seeing the orange hues of the sun disappear among the trees. Heading down the forest pathway, the dragons who ruled the skies of Aerilon awoke in the twilight hours.
The sound of fluttering feathers directed Elizabeth’s attention towards the trees, her sapphire eyes scanning the hundreds of ravens perched on the branches of the evergreen pine trees. Their eyes watched, studying the water sorceress. Their shrill calls filled the peaceful silence of the forest, their screeches and sounds overlapping the other. Elizabeth covered her hands, trying to block out the repeated phrase.
’ Death comes by dragon’s teeth and claws.’
Bird’s chipping returned, the ones phantom ravens vanished. She searched the trees until no trace remained of the underworld massagers.
’ What on earth?, the ravens are behaving oddly.’ The colour drained from her face. Hearing the phrase over and over, knowing the ravens, served as messengers of the goddess of death. She passed by the black alter, which sat in a clearing, the earth bare where nothing grew, the black pillar carried the aura of death. The offering of red wine and granite gemstones sat there, the wine knocked over, spilling over the alter, staining the ground red. However, raven feathers moved in the breeze, carrying the scent of blood.
’Is someone injured?’ She asked.
They disturbed the pathway leading towards the enchanted lake. Branches lay bent and broken, the bark slashed with a sharp weapon, leaving irreparable gashes and ash among the trees. Blood mixed in with the destruction. She followed the trail, noticing massive pools of it near the shore of the enchanted lake.
The local dyad approached, leading Elizabeth towards the wounded man. Willowmina gently turned him onto his back, large deep gashes scarred against the runes etched in his skin
She undid her satchel, containing her healing herbs, She began crushing the leaves, releasing their aromatic scents, Willowmina gave her a goblet of enchanted lake water, she applied the leaves, stirring until the water changed to a putrid green colour. His wounds bled out, leaving a pool underneath him. Elizabeth frowned, her eyes filling with concern. No animal caused these wounds, the man’s shallow breathing, worsened.
’Willowmina, cradle his head, please.’
She gently poured the liquid down his throat. He groaned with each mouthful. The sweat clung to his exposed skin, but his moans quieted down. The two women gently laid him down on a bed of moss.
While Elizabeth sprinkled the enchanted water over his bleeding gashes, she recalled the black alter and the offering. ’Willowmina, do you know, who left the offering and to which deity? ’She asked.
’ Possibly one of the unseen beings, paying tribute to their goddess.’ She shrugged her slender shoulders. A puzzled expression reaching her emerald eyes, Willowmina twisted a wooden throne out of tree roots, taking a seat.
Her wooden skin creaked when she crossed her legs, her hourglass figure fit perfectly against the natural throne, her long curly chestnut hair cascaded down her back, white, pink and yellow flowers bloomed when she touched the armrests with her delicate wooden hand. The spring dryad protected a treasure underneath the crystal-clear waters.
She glanced down at the man who cried out having a fever induced nightmare. A few years earlier he had taken part in the most dangerous of contests, in order to gain greater power. However, another combatant bested him in battle. Lord Matthew Drake had vanished the next evening, even when his wounds hadn’t fully recovered.
Elizabeth had worked in the infirmary during the tournament, treating the wounded…
Matthew awoke his forest green eyes, staring into the blue ones of his beloved water sorceress. He sat up, a fire burning in the pit of his starving stomach. The thought of food caused his stomach to churn and his eyes watered. He coughed a bitter taste lingered in his mouth and his body ached.
’Are you alright?’
’I feel ill, however my wounds have stopped bleeding. Thank you, Liz. ’ Matthew, leaned his head on her shoulder, lost in his thoughts.
’Who attacked you?’ Elizabeth asked.
’From the scent I picked up, an unseen being who blends in with their environment, I approached the alter only to be attacked from behind, I’ve never provoked these beings before, maybe I interrupted some ritual.’ Matt shrugged.
Matthew kissed her cheek, helping her to her feet. ’ Will you be okay returning home on your own?’
’I’ll be fine, thanks to you.’ He embraced her. His circular horns and olive skin paled, the runes released a faint orange glow sizzling against his skin. ’You could return with me.’ Matt suggested.
She sighed, relaxing against his warmth, ’Me? Ruling the underworld, I am needed back at the dragon sanctuary.’
’Be careful returning, I think Shane’s madness is affecting you, he fills his head with too many magic books.’ With those parting words, he released her hands, vanishing, engulfed in a tower of flame.
Saying a quick goodbye to Willowmina, Elizabeth headed west towards the dragon sanctuary.
***
Elizabeth wandered through the forest. A family of possums hid amongst the trees. The echoing roar of two dragons battling overhead made the native animals cower in fear. Glows of blue and orange filled the indigo night. Smoke bellowed into the sky and the roaring hues of fire. Filled the dryad forest. The wings strike from the two snarling dragons. Produced sharp blasts of winds uprooting the ancient trees, Elizabeth dived out the way, avoiding the icy breath from the second dragon who became momently distracted by the sudden movement.
Normally dragons, who disagreed with each other, rarely noticed humans, however, those wielding the magic of nature shone like beacons, their souls connected with the earth. On instinct, she bolted, knowing the dragon sanctuary wasn’t far from her location.
She barely avoided the fire blast coming from the fearsome lizard which blackened the trees behind her, the scorching heat licking at her skin, leaving tiny burns.
Her heart pounded in her chest, a cold sweat drenched her face in fear, she carried her burning muscles faster, the dragon sanctuary came into view, wild dragons would never pass through the magical barrier, her master placed to protect the wounded dragons, who lived inside.
She shoved the iron gate aside, ignoring the irritating loud screech. The dragons hovered above the green glow of the paper-thin barrier, occupied once again with their endless battle. She heard the wounded dragons become restless with the noise, growls of distress filled the stables and pit, their attention drawn towards their wild counterparts hovering above.
Elizabeth inhaled, the earthly scents surrounding the battered ruins, wild flowers and lavender filled her nostrils, the remains of a nameless castle stood before her, torn in two sections, after countless battles, the castle scattered remains returned to the earth, overgrown with vines and moss, her master made a permeant home here for himself and the wounded dragons, she tended to what remained of the castle interior, as she walked along the wild, untamed grounds, the same grounds that once turned sanguine red with the blood of fallen armies.
After the great calamity struck, the ruins laid forgotten and abandoned, no vegetation grew on the grounds until her Master forged a potion bringing the soil back to life. She entered the wooden door, still hearing the sounds of battle raging outside.
’Wouldn’t Shane have awoken by now? Didn’t he hear the dragons on their doorstep?’ She wondered. An explosive sound erupted from the eastern tower; the levels below rumbled, throwing her off balance.
She caught one of the beautiful swaying tapestries, depicting the white doorway of death. Steadying herself, hearing silence outside, she rushed up the battered staircase, throwing open the door to her master’s lab.
Black smoke clouds thickened the lab, her eyes watered trying to glance inside through the haze a figure emerged covered in soot. Her master coughed. She raised her eyebrows. Heat filled her cheeks in fury.
’Another experiment gone wrong. I see, your research into forbidden magic is going to be the death of you, master. She scolded. Shane shuttered, his chest heaving, while he inhaled, his dirty brown hair becoming loose, he collapsed, she shouldered his weight, shaking her head at his usual antics, she led him to the kitchen, placing her exhausted master in a chair, his grey eyes drooped.
She poured him a cup of water from the bucket; he drank slowly, while she tended to the dying fire. She sighed, inching closer to her master, seeing his bored face clearly, his pupils dilated. She caught the sour scent of alcohol and knowing root, lingering on his breath.
’Master you ingested knowing root again? I understand the plant gives you an enlightened state, but I warned you time and time again, the plant makes your behaviour eccentric, not to mention the addiction and withdrawals, it leads its user to madness.’
Shane stood, his long legs stumbled towards the back door. He headed out into the garden, walking toward the stables overlooking the northern shore. She peered outside, smiling the wild dragons had moved on with their deadly duel. She yawned, wanting nothing more than to curl up in her inviting bed, however she had her most hated chore to attend too. Feeding the adolescent dragons, who called the pit home.
She began preparing the meat, concealing the vegetables. Carrying the tray towards the pit, hearing dragon’s claws digging, the adolescent dragons dug a massive hole wide and meters deep, the younger ones enjoyed playing roughly with each other, dirt crumbled from the edges. ’one wrong move and instant death.’ She thought.
The dragons could be unpredictable most times, especially when the roars and growls demanded food. They clawed and bit each other, fighting for the meat. The leader smashed a younger one against the wall of the pit. Massive amounts of dirt slid free, Elizabeth. Fell among the rocks, her bones shattering on impact with the ground. The adolescent dragons crowded around the fallen sorceress, numbness overcame her, unable to get a single inch of her body to respond, unimaginable pain burned though her in waves, only to subside with a coming coldness, her vision dimmed, tasting the iron, copper tinge of blood, welling up in her mouth.
The dragons ripped into her flesh at the scent and began tearing at her bones in a frenzy; she watched from above, floating with confusion at the scene below, her soul freely floating above the occupied dragons. The sharp snap! Of her bones, being eaten filled her ears. She shuttered at the sight of her body being consumed by the dragons, who minutes ago feasted on the meat that body prepared for them. Leaving nothing but a pool of blood staining the dirt. Elizabeth. Floated down by sheer force of will. The breeze slid through her. Absent of the gentle caress on her skin. Her senses heightened and aware of the world around her. No longer did her feet connect with the muddy pit or the now pouring rain touch her naked soul. She no longer tasted the sweet water against her transparent tongue.
The shrill cries of ravens echoed within her ears, the temperature dropped her spirt shivered out of habit, when the aura of death surrounded her.
A shimmering silver tree burst forth from the mud between its branches and leaves, extending outwards. ’Is that the door of death?’ Elizabeth asked. The raven perched on her transparent shoulder bowed its head in answer.
She gently touched the door, gaining passage…
***
Elizabeth appeared among the leaves in an ancient Celtic forest; the trees towering over them; she followed the sound of flowing water, coming to a grand river, with a towering waterfall that descended into the fog below, into nothingness.
The raven on her shoulder swooped down, changing shape before her eyes appeared an alluring but intimidating woman. She gracefully lowered herself onto a rock wearing a revealing black lace dress made of raven feathers. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, her olive skin stood out against the evergreen pine forest, her blue silvery eyes examined. Elizabeth with intense curiosity,
’Welcome, child. You may call me Morgane.’ She smiled cunningly, patiently waiting for a reaction. She distantly recalled the name before in a well-known legend, she bowed.
’You are the goddess of death and rebirth, please forgive my rudeness.’
A soft chuckle, echoed. From the goddess’s lips. ’No, apologies needed, come.’ She rose in one smooth stride, leading. Elizabeth into a flourishing garden of black and red roses. Where ravens perched among the flowers, one landed on the goddess shoulder, delivering an hourglass with a floating orb inside. She petted the bird affectionately.
’These souls are reapers, who fell in battle during the great calamity, sacrificing their lives so Aerilon could escape the conflict. I already foresaw the magical resistance clam victory and advised the mages of the way to escape their enemies, in exchange they now serve me, as messengers of the otherworld and soul collectors.’
’I will test you against your deeds and your sins. If I find your deeds worthy enough, I will grant you a rebirth and become a reaper.’ Morgane. Explained. Elizabeth wondered if being married to a Delmora lord counted as a sin? The goddess clicked her fingers, opening a gateway, breaking off into sliver, red, green and golden pathways.
’Your new home awaits.’ She gently shoved Elizabeth towards the sliver pathway. She exhaled entering without fear.
The goddess’s form shifted once again into a misty cloud, branching out into new pathways. Lightning struck her chest, she screamed out in agony; the goddess glimpsed images of the people and animals; she healed.
’Interesting, you’re a healer, why save the Delmora? You could have let death take him many times.’
’No matter their crimes, no one deserves to be executed at the hands of the royal guards, I believe recently a reaper attacked him.’ Elizabeth explained.
She didn’t expect a response from the goddess.
’Ahh, you desire the Delmora even married him, don’t worry I encourage my reapers to give into desires I am called the goddess of sex and desire in some Irish legends.’ She chuckled when heat entered her cheeks at the goddess’s declaration. The path switched. Another round of lightning strikes, she continues to scream out for what felt like an eternity. The goddess changed the pathway. The black thunderous clouds surrounded Elizabeth spirt, striking her with white hot lightning, drawing her towards unconsciousness. Had this been her physical body, she would have passed out. The goddess bore witness to Elizabeth’s sins and her motivation to become a healer…
***
Typical of a winter morning in the village of Estonia, the cobblestones covered in a fresh layer of snow, white flakes fell steadily from the sky, landing in her mattered hair. She entered the busy markets overlooking the north cliffs, searching for rare medical herbs, in order to heal the wounded Delmora lord, who took refuge in the dragon sanctuary. Despite the wizards forecasting a snowstorm reaching the coast in the afternoon, people still braved the weather. The numbers and crowds ever changing, she chose the herbs; she needed to stock up on.
Sniffing the lavender for freshness; she chose only the best herbs and sour cherries for the brewing tea.
However, the markets held hidden dangers, thieves, bandits and murders prowled the crowds, searching for unaware people to be their next victim, Elizabeth kept her head down and her hooded coat hiding her face, she took the back alleys, knowing a shortcut out of the village, heavy booted footsteps trailed her light ones, her quickened breaths came out as clouds; she increased her strides, sensing someone following her. They closed in; she untied the dagger on her belt, the sharpened blade at the ready.
The thief grabbed her wrist roughly. She could feel and smell his alcoholic stale breath on her neck, making the hairs stand on edge. Her heart pounded in panic.
’Hand over your valuables and I’ll release you and nobody gets hurt.’ The thief sounded young. She couldn’t understand his voice, muffled by the mask or fabric covering his face. He went for her satchel. She had nothing of worth, except healing herbs. Her instincts kicked in, she turned the dagger around stabbing though the man’s flesh, she heard a muffled grunt, he cried out, warm blood ran down the dagger’s hilt, staining her hands. She circled around to face her masked assailant.
She knew what thieves did to girls who had no valuables, disappearances happened in the market every day and when the girls did reappeared, they were never the same, discarded in the streets, like trash. She twirled the dagger in her fingers, ignoring the warm blood lingering on the blade.
She slammed against the man, knocking him off balance, and fell on the cobblestones on his ass. She stabbed him in the chest. Blood seeped out into the cracks and the thief’s twitching body laid there. He slowly choked, making gurgling sounds when he tried to talk. She snatched her satchel, watching the blood flow out into the stones, shaking using her lingering strength to escape…
’Interesting. You devoted your life to healing, but your capable of darker deeds.’
’Whether he intended to harm me. I still killed and the act itself is a sin, no matter if in self-defence or provoked. I murdered a man.’
’I see… I have chosen you are worthy congratulations, Elizabeth. During the rebirth you will experience memory loss in time, your memories will return, your new life begins once I finish your transformation…’ Morgaine voice echoed inside her head.
Lightning strikes electrified her soul, slowly returning her physical form, while the memories faded into nothingness, she broke though the thunderous storm clouds, landing roughly in the freezing river of the Celtic forest. She gasped, inhaling quivering breaths. The icy water chilled her bones. She took the offered hand reaching out for her knowing Morgaine, her warm hand restoring feeling to her numbing fingers, her head pounded unable to recall the former memories of her pervious life.
She rose to her feet, naked and shivering from the invisible breeze. Heat filled her cheeks, embarrassed about her exposed skin in front of the goddess.
’Do not fear child you have become a reaper; your rebirth is complete, and now I would like to present you with a gift of death.’ Morgane said.
The goddess held out her hand as a scythe appeared. Static electricity filled the air. She took the weapon by the black rod, it zapped her hands. Blue lighting entered her body.
A black top appeared with chains hung down from the chains, a brown belt fastened to her waist with a red garnet gemstone in the centre. With purple and black checked skirt. As lighting struck her legs. Black boots appeared.
A hooded crow amulet around her neck. The lightning struck her hair. Turning the waist length hair dark purple. Lighting flowed into the scythe, changing it with limited power.
’Your transformation is complete. Now rise Luna, I proclaim you, my champion. I will discuss your duties at a later date, when you enter death’s realm, tell him I sent you good luck.’
She opened a pathway to Dryad Forest near the sliver archway, the doorway to Reawyn. A black wolf led Luna into the shimmering portal.
’I’m never going to get used to the goddess of death speaking inside my head. ’Luna thought…
