The falcon's daughters

Chapter 54

Surprised, she looked around in the dark corridor. In the far part she could sense a faint streak of light. Around her, torches were lit on the walls and the silver-white walls lit up.

- This can not be possible. I can 't be here.

A low tone was heard calling to her. The memories washed over her when she had last been in their presence. Dumbfounded, she had stood before them when they had repeated their request.

- If you accept this assignment, you must know that you will lose your abilities forever.

- But why. Can I not continue …

- Your heart must be open. If you are going to raise this child, you must give her a place in your heart.

- If you still belong to us, it can not happen and much will be lost.  Being aware of this, will you undertake the mission?

- I do not know why you have chosen me as this honorable elder. Where can I find the baby?

- In exactly three days you will find help. Head to Morat'x. There at the edge of the wild stream you will find the help you seek.

- Go now child. Time is running out.

Eighteen years had passed since that night when she last stood before the council of the Siars. The calling tone was heard again and she started walking. As she approached the end of the corridor, the large doors opened, revealing a large round room. She stood in the circle of light in the middle of the room. In front of her was a table shaped like a crescent moon. At this table sat the five members of the Supreme Council of the Seers. She let her gaze glide over their timeless faces. Are the strong, Tera the cunning, Teji the mighty, Dina the wise and Vex the sly. She raised her hands to her chest and placed her palms facing each other, bowing her head in respect of those who, not just once but twice, changed her entire life.

- Honored elders.

- Welcome Y'zora.

- A long time has passed since you were last here.

- We hope that Sol is not too upset by our decision.

- No Honored ones. She has been doing well.

- We have understood that she will marry the boy. 

- This is the reason why we have called you here.

They looked at each other for a while before Dina finally spoke.

- If Sol marries the boy, her life will soon be over.

- Her sister will face the same fate.

- Honored ones, how can that happen.

- Have you forgotten, child? Forgot what is missing?

- Easy Vex. You know how a wedding ceremony goes to Y'zora.

- Yes. But I do not understand. They should just join hands with their …

Vex smiled as her face turned pale.

. I see you understood now.

- I had forgotten honor. Her hands. They bear no mark.

- A wedding ceremony had led to the death of both girls.

- Everything is lost if they die.

- But how should I tell her that she is not allowed to marry the man who now owns her heart. It will crush her, honored ones.

- The ceremony must not be performed, Y'zora. The girls must not die.

- Honorable ones, I do not understand. I thought the gods chose to mark a human before the end of the first year of life. But neither Sol nor Kit carry a mark. Why have they been abandoned?

- Child. They have not been abandoned.

- The girls were marked before they were even born.

- You have seen the brand on Sol several times. Have you never wondered where it comes from?

- The Falcons. They bear the mark of a falcon. But I thought there were only five gods.

- There's another one. She does not live with the other gods. For several millennia, she stopped being part of when it was time for a human being to be born and chosen by the gods. Because of this, people have forgotten her. But the gods have not.

One by one, the members of the Supreme Council of the Sisters rose. Slowly they began to change and the stone walls around them faded away. The stars twinkled in the dark night sky as the ancient council appeared in its true form. In front of her stood five huge animals and Y'zora gasped when she realized who they really were. Her gaze fell on them one by one as they uttered their true names.

- Are the Lion.

- Tera the fox.

- Teji the dragon.

- Dina the owl.

- Vex the serpent.

- We all knew that when our youngest sister made her choice among the people.

- Then it would be our job to protect her chosen ones.

- Until the day when we found someone willing to prove her existence.

- If her chosen one were to die before then. It would break our sister's heart and most likely lead to her death.

- You understand Y'zora. Our sister was always the one who loved the creatures in this world the most. She could not stand the pain she felt when one of those she chose died. She vowed never to choose among the people again.

- When she came to us eighteen years ago and said she wanted the unborn girls, we understood that something had changed.

- We knew what would happen to the girls when their mark was not visible on the hand.

- We started planning what we would do to protect them.

- But before we had time to do anything, someone else got involved.

- Our sister protected her chosen ones and we had time to send for help. But a dark presence has made itself known, Y'zora. A presence we can not identify.

- We know that it wants to reveal our sister's chosen and we can not allow that.

- This presence must be known to us," said the lion.

- But right now the most important thing is to protect the falcon's chosen.

- We have a mission for you, Y'zora. We want you to prove our sister's existence.

- How do I do that, honorable ones?

- In the oasis of the Akie desert there is a temple ruin that once belonged to our sister. You will find all the evidence you need there.

- But your mission is urgent. You must bring back the evidence before the girl can return from the oracle.

- Then I go to Akie immediately.

- We put all our trust in you child. We know you will not disappoint us.

- A word of warning, Y'zora. We do not know how many followers this presence has. You can not tell anyone where you are going or what your assignment is about. We fear for your life if the presence would find out what you intend to do.

- I understand, honorable ones. I’ll leave at the first daylight.

- From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you Y'zora.

Y'zora opened her eyes before the sun began to rise on the horizon. She quickly packed a small bag and then went to Sol's room. The door slid open silently and she quietly approached the bed. Softly she stroked a strand of hair from her cheek.

- Sol. Wake up Sol.

Sol blinked a few times before she sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes.

- Yzza. Has something happened?

- No child. You will soon be able to fall asleep again. I'm just going to tell you I'm not going with you to the oracle.

- If you’re not going with me but …

- Do not ask me to explain.

She smiled and put her fingertips against Sol's lips to stop the flow of words. 

- When it's time to leave, ask Lee's captain Arrad for help. He knows where to find Mallak who will take you to Dragon Island. See you again when you return. Now sleep child.

She turned and left the room and the girl behind. The corridors were still empty when she reached the stable. On a table stood a plate of large red apples. She took one of them and held it up to the golden mare. The horse devoured the juicy fruit and Y’zora whispered.

- I know it's early girl. But we have to leave.

She saddled the horse and the dawn spread its colors over the clouds as she rode out through Laniro's gates and set course for the Akie Desert in Faldirak.