Crimson Cove

Passing the Crown

Neytiri exited her new room and paradise inside the walls. She felt like there was much more to her newfound Queendom than she had expected. Her mother had once told her when she was a child that when the time came she would know what she was meant to do. Did he have some purpose in this? Would he know anything about the cove and what lies behind the haze? She dreaded the answer. If he did, they might all be in jeopardy, the entire cove.

Neytiri, there you are. Have you been to your room?

Yes, Renae, and it has become my sanctuary as mother intended.

Good, it is almost time for dinner. Your mother asked me to accompany you.

So formal, can we just walk to the willow and leave all of this as is, we are best friends and this is like any other dinner isn't it?

You know it isn't. Saffron has set this all up so that the most important people in her inner circle are aware you are the new Queen and she has chosen to move on from here. This is very important for her, Tiri.

I know, I just hate the spectacle of it all. I mean, they all know me and her and are aware she has set things in motion for the future of the cove. So why all of the fanfare? Why can't it just be simple, no ceremony, just me and her switching places and continuing forward.

It doesn't work that way, you will see once we get to dinner. You have so many things you do not yet understand.

I have been here my entire life. What is it that I do not understand that you, a young witch who has been here merely one hundred years, could know better than me?

I cannot tell you until I am supposed to, all will be clear before the end of the night. I promise you, Tiri, I will never do anything ever to harm you, the cove, or our coven.

Tiri looked at her as she said this, watching her pledge her fielty to her like she had never done before. She was aware that Renae had taken her place at Tiri's side as her beta.

I must thank you for your fielty Renae, I always knew you would be second in command by my side if thee time ever came.

Yes, thank you Queen Neytiri. I live to serve you and our coven here in the cove for as long as you will have me. Renae gave a slight bow, which Neytiri returned.

I am grateful and truly blessed by the goddess to have you. She smiled, knowing she was beginning her new journey with her best friend.

Renae smiled warmly, she then turned to lead Neytiri to her final dinner with her mother and her inner circle.

They walked down the hallway to the stairs. As they descended she felt the air charging for the ceremony. It would be a brief moment but it was also the culmination of her mother's work. She gathered her composure as they opened the door to the garden. She walked with new-found dignity as she entered the garden. Her mother sat at the head of the table under her willow tree. As Renae stopped before her she knew to wait until she was announced to the attending women.

Queen Saffron, honored elders, I have the honor of bringing you the future Queen and new leader of the Crimson Cove Coven. Miss Neytiri Blackborne.

Neytiri had not heard her full name since she was very small. It made her wince a little, knowing what it meant to her mother. She averted her gaze when her mother looked at her.

Welcome Neytiri and Renae. Please sit. We have everything in place for the ritual. Saffron had complete control of the situation. Sitting across from her mother, she could see this would be her inner circle as her mother passed into the haze.

Renae sat beside Tiri to the right. She was to be the right hand of the Queen. Neytiri was honored by her mother's choice for her. She had always known they would be close.

As I have gathered you all here this evening, I have also made preparations for the next few days so as to assist you once I am gone. I have left things with my daughter's second in command, Renae, to make my passing easier. I will fade into the haze before morning light touches our cove. I want all of you to leave after the ceremony and find your peace. My daughter will be a just and kind leader. She will have all of the same tools that I have, and will ensure growth and security through the years to come. I have no doubt that it is time for me to move on from this world and leave the cove in more adept and secure hands. Neytiri is not your average witch, as you all know. My life here began so long ago, and when it did I was blessed to have been given this one gift, the gift of a beautiful and brilliant child who would take Crimson Cove into the future. She is the one who will keep everyone here safe and happy for centuries to come. Now is the time for you all to be made aware of who Neytiri is and where she comes from. As all of you know, I spent three decades alone here after the first two women who came here left. I taught Tiri everything I could, knowing she would one day take my place and would be tasked with protecting all of you and those who need sanctuary. As you each came here, she became part of each of you, she has grown with all of us and will always be the only true heir to Crimson Cove. What you do not know is that she is the daughter of a Viking who helped me come to this place centuries ago. Her father was second in common for a Viking ship I had hidden aboard. I kept hidden as best as I could, usually in the food stores under large tarps cloaked from the men aboard the ship. I was escaping my own fate, the fate of being wed to a man who would have killed me once he found out my blood came from a royal line of witches. Her father caught me one night when all the other men were asleep. I stayed cloaked and wandered the ship unfettered by human eyes. He did not so much as see me, he simply felt me. As she spoke, her eyes met Neytiri's. It was then he spoke. He only said for me to reveal myself. I had no way of stopping it. He knew exactly how to overturn my powers with one word. My body took shape and he saw me, the first human to ever be able to pull me from the shadows.

Neytiris eyes widened at the thoughts running through her mind.

Once I was visible, he simply smiled. He knew I was not supposed to be there, that I should be taken to his brother, who owned the ship, but he did nothing of the sort. He kept my secret, hiding me in plain sight right under the crew's eyes. I stayed hidden during the day, but at night we shared the ship, he and I. When the ship made port it was on this side of the island. They left the ship looking for the path to overthrow the established leaders and take control of the island. You have all come here from the other side or from distant lands.You know how important this particular island is. I stayed in the cove, hiding and keeping to myself. I saw him every day for weeks. We were in love with each other, knowing it was dangerous and could never be. The Vikings took the port and had control of the island, or so they thought. I went to the crest of the cliffs that night I saw him for the last time. What was there was not what I had expected. Everything was on fire. Something or someone had attacked the Vikings. Running to the port, I looked everywhere for him. Gunnbjorne, the man I loved, still love. I caught a glimpse of him fighting with his brother and a few other of the crew. I see his eyes every time I think of him. Her shoulders trembled with the weight of the words.

Madame Queen, we can rest if you like. It was Elana, her mother's best friend and right hand.

No, you know El that I have to do this now. It is time. Elana sat back down, resigning herself to the process.

He looked away from battle for only a split second, but that was all it took. He was ripped open by the large deadly jaws of a wolf. All of them were faltering to the creatures filtering in from the edges of the small port. There were all manner of men mixed within the hordes of wolves. In the end, my love was gone, taken from me by whatever lives on the edges. Gunnbjorne was an amazing man, but he could not protect me from the same fate, so I came back to the cove. I sat beneath Willow, and began chanting. I enclosed myself and two others within the cloak I put up to protect myself. The willow began speaking to me, as it had to a few others. She promised to keep us safe. When I asked who we were, she named the two women, and told me she knew the tiny soul within me was safe as well. I learned that night that I had lost my soulmate, and that I carried our child within me all at once. Once I had handled the other two women and moved forward, this sanctuary formed and grew strong over the past one thousand years. Tonight marks my one thousand and one anniversary. I made my choice to leave tonight so that my daughter can usher in the future. She will bring our coven into the future. I ask that you all stand now and be counted, Renae, please begin.

Yes Queen Saffron. Renae took a small piece of wood from her pocket, placing it in the sachet she was given. Handing it to the next woman, she tapped it thrice.

There were twelve elders present and Renae, Neytiri's second in command. Each of them placed a small personal trinket in the sachet and tapped it thrice. This was a symbol of acceptance amongst them. With every trinket and tap they acknowledged their fielty to Neytiri. As it made its way around the circle of women, she found herself feeling a little softer than normal. She was chosen, not just by her mother, but by all of the elders. Once it made its way back to Renae, she pulled the cords securing the items within. She then took the small sachet to Queen Saffron.

Thank you Renae.Saffron took the sachet and drew it close to her mouth, breathing words into it. As she finished, her gaze shifted to Neytiri, catching her eyes, hypnotizing her in an instant. They drifted for a moment. Neytiri heard her inside of her head. They hadn't gone anywhere, time simply stood still.

Listen to me Neytiri. These women will all be gone sooner than any of them know. You are the key to the Cove. They have no clue that it is you that control who comes or goes. You are the gatekeeper, always have been. Protect those who need protection, love the one who sees you, and live freely. These days are almost over. Do not let any of these women change your vision. At that moment, Neytiri knew her mother was giving her a chance to have something she was never able to, her freedom. With that Saffron held the sachet to the sky, it lit up from within. The light symbolized the blessing of the Goddess, she was going to be free, someday. Her mother asked her to come forth. Neytiri obliged, as she kelt in front of her mother she could feel her mothers heart swell with pride.

Take my strength, wisdom, and light with you into the future, give it to the next generation, so that we may live on eternally.

Neytiri took the sachet with tender hands, kissing her mother's hand as she removed it from them. She had accepted the role of leader and Queen, but it would not be forever. As the ceremony concluded, they ate dinner and shared stories of the Queen and her life. This was how they celebrated the transition. Her mother finally rose from her chair.

Neytiri, would you please accompany me on my last walk?

Yes, mother. Neytiri knew her mother was ready to go, there was only one more thing she wanted to impart before doing so.

Thank you all for everything. Tomorrow will be a new day. I will always be a part of each of you. Saffron said as she smailed. Tiri took her hand, this helped Saffron let go. They turned, walking from the garden into the dark of night.

Saffron guided them to the edge of the woods.

Go, you must grab anything you have in your tree. Willow can only do so much, and you know your father's knife is there. You will need it soon. I love you Neytiri. I will always be within you, always.

Mother, I can go later. Let me spend your last night with you.

No. You need only to go back to your room, you will find what you need there, after you get your father's knife.

Who is he?

Her mom stopped short. Who?

Do not play coy with me, mother. You know who I am speaking of.

He is your destined.

Destined what?

He will be your future. You have known him from your birth on.

How do you know these things? Does Willow say so?

You know how I know. It is just how you knew he would see you, and yet you allowed yourself to be seen. It is because it is your destiny. It is written that you together will heal them all.

So I am to follow this to its end?

You must, it is what is needed. Now go, grab the knife, you will need it.

Good journey mother.

Good journey daughter.

Neytiri ran to her tree. As she ascended one branch at a time, she could feel something had changed.