The Phoenix's Soldier's War

Blessings and Gifts

    The tribes people danced around the fire, singing and shouting with joy. It's truly a wonderous sight to watch. The reason for celebration, well, lets just say they worship Lady Magic. Fae, who is sitting to my right, is watching them with joy in her eyes. "You should interact more with those who worship you." I told her. She smiled, nodding in agreement.

    "I love watching their celebrations up close. It's just so very rare when I do so. I love watching them from a distance, but it is never the same." She said softly. "I'm glad I showed up when I did. Jenna informed me that you have been blocking the bond." I wrinkled my nose.

    "Her and two others were trying to get to the private thoughts. Shut them down rather quickly." I informed her. She glowered. "That is why they were punished severely a few days ago. I am not forgiving when one tries to get in on my private thoughts. Cooper and Hadrian even know not to do that."

    "They really do test your patience, don't they?" She laughed. "Just so you know, your plan after the war, I approve of it. You don't need my approval of course, but I thought I would let you know."

    "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." I said. She smiled and turned back to watch the dance.

    "How is Sapphire?" She asked.

    "Great. She loves to prank the castle guards. She's wise. I can just imagine the principle calling me, telling me that my child has pranked her classmates and teacher." I chuckled.

    "Yes. Yes, I can see that happening. She would have been a very special child. She is, even if she isn't physically here." I nodded in agreement. "She makes a wonderful sister."    

    "She does. I'm glad my children can see her." I responded. She smiled, not saying anything else on the subject.

    The music slowly came to a halt. The dancers bowed to their chief and sat down. The leader stood up and began to chant and sing, the others followed suit. Fae even joined in, her eyes shining with love and happiness. It gave her a motherly look. I smiled. It suits her.

    The tribes leader spoke to Fae. She nodded, agreeing to what the leader told her. She turned to me. "He wishes to give you a blessing and wants to give your fellow soldiers gifts." She informed me. "Do you accept?"

    "I would be honored." I answered. She repeated the answer to the leader in their language. He grinned and beckoned me and the others, who are very hesitant, to follow him. I mentally rolled my eyes.

    We stood by the fire. The heat warmed my body and my phoenix and dragon purred. I didn't even know they could do that. It is comforting though.  

    Fae stood off to the side, watching intently. The leader and one of the elders came to stand in front of me. The elder held two bowls of paint. The leader began to chant quietly. He took his pointer finger and dipper it into the black paint. He put his finger onto my forehead and began to draw, what I assume is, runes. I closed my eyes as the first bought of magic rushed over me, brightening everything around me. I hummed as it soaked through my skin. 

    The leader had me hold out my hands, palms facing down. He took the red paint and began to draw runes on my left hand, chanting louder. The tribes people joined in on the chanting. He began to draw runes on my right hand. I closed my eyes as the magic brightened once again, pulsing over my body, and then slowly sinking into my skin. 

    The magic felt different. I feel it slowly connect to my core, making both my dragon and phoenix sing praises to Lady Magic. I felt my magic grow stronger, shifting inside of me as it became one once more. The chanting died down. I opened my eyes and I am met with a grinning leader and elder. He said something to me. "He says that you are very gifted. The runes he has drawn on you shows that you are a warrior, a leader, and a mother. Magic will always be apart of you, no matter how big or small. Stories will be passed down for centuries, honoring your bravery and heroism. You are the 'Great Phoenix'." I bowed my head respectfully, thanking him for his and his peoples blessing.

    The leader beckoned for a group of men. They carried objects. They laid them across the ground. Curiosity ran through me as I realized that they are weapons. The leader looked at each one of us. He said something as he pointed at the weapons. "He wants each of you to choose a weapon or weapons. They will call to you." Fae explained. I nodded.

    "Adrian, go first." I told him. Adrian nodded and stepped foreword. Silence reigned over the tribe. The only sound is the crackling of the fire. Adrian paused in front of the weapons, studying them. I saw two weapons glow. A sword, a rather long one, glowed. The handle is black with a dark blue wrapping around it. The blade itself, black. Adrian picked the sword up gently. He gave it a few swings and smiled. He set the sword aside and walked over to an ax. The handle is a deep green and the blade a glimmering silver. Adrian picked it up and smiled once again. 

    "They're perfect." He declared. Fae repeated what Adrian said to the leader. 

    "Erick." I said. Erick nodded and stepped foreword as Adrian returned to his spot. Like before, two weapons glowed. A set of arrows made from oak and a bow, also made from oak. Erick also got a sword. The handle in a deep red with a black blade. Erick nodded his head in thanks. He returned back to his spot. "Joseph."

    Joseph nervously stepped foreword. This time, instead of two weapons, it was three. Joseph picked up a forest green crossbow. He hummed in approval. Joseph also got a sword. The handle is a deep forest green and the blade black. Joseph then went to an ax. The ax handle is also a deep forest green with a grey blade. Joseph returned to his spot with a small smile. "Jenna." I said. She nodded and stepped forward.

    For Jenna, only a sword called out to her.  A look of relief crossed her face at only having one weapon. She picked the sword up. The handle is a dark purple and the blade black. She quickly returned to her spot after giving a nod of thanks to the leader. "Jonah." 

    Jonah, unlike the others, stepped forward with confidence. Like Jenna, only a sword called to him. He scowled softly, but it quickly disappeared. The handle of the sword is mixed with a dark brown and a bright red. He smiled, feeling the connection to the sword. He bowed slightly to the leader and took his spot once more. "Neil."

    Neil stepped foreword, looking a little bored. A spear with a long brown handle and a sharp red blade called to him. He smiled as he picked it up. He has always had a thing for spears. He then picked up a sword. The handle is a rich brown with a black blade. Neil returned to his spot after respectfully thanking the leader. I looked to Fae who smiled at me. She motioned for me to move towards the weapons. 

    I studied the weapons before looking at a set of daggers. I  walked over to them and waved me hand. They floated gently, placing themselves with my other daggers. Like my daggers, the handles are black with pure silver blades. I then walked over to two glowing swords. One has a golden handle with a black blade. The other has a silver handle with a black blade. I picked them up and tested them. I sheathed both of them behind my back. They rested gently. A gentle glowing caught my eye. A crossbow, the color of onyx rested there. I picked it up and grinned. "I believe these will be very useful." I said. I nodded respectfully to the leader, thankful for his blessing and gifts.