Born of Light and Power

Chapter 3

Quinn approached the pair of elves that had arrived at the castle this morning. The younger of the two was pacing fervently in the garden while the older one was smiling and sitting on one of the many marble benches. As Quinn approached, the younger stopped pacing and turned towards him.

“Well? Is she ok?” The younger elf asked.

Quinn smiled and nodded his head.

“When I received your message warning me about what my son had done, I didn’t believe you. Not until I found her in his room unconscious. It broke my heart to send him to the prisons, but the law is there for a reason,” he sighed and met the younger elf’s eyes. “I didn’t catch your name or association.”

“I’m Caelum, an apprentice Druid. This is my Elder, Druid Fergus,” the younger elf Caelum responded. “We’re from the Ancient Elven tribe of Rowael Wood.”

“Ah, yes, the capital of your region, which would make Elder Fergus the Elder that sits on the Council of Ten,” Quin responded. He looked again at Elder Fergus, who hadn’t said a word. He was watching the two interact with the same strange smile on his face.

“How is she, Quinn?” Caelum asked again.

“She seems... distant. Forlorn. Maybe a little in shock,” he said. “I hope when her sister arrives she will perk up a bit.”

Caelum c****d his head and looked at Quinn questioningly.

“Her sister?”

“Yes, her sister is the new Luna of the Bloodstone Werewolf Pack in the Earthen Realm, the one that guards the Midden portal. She was recently turned so she is permitted entry to Aureum.”

Caelum nodded in understanding, thinking how peculiar it was that this human would have supernatural relatives.

Quinn cleared his throat as he continued, “ Elders, I would like to request leniency for this girl. She did not come here of her own accord. And I have an idea for her. My idea ensures she isn’t harmed in any way and the sanctity and secrecy of our realm is kept intact.”

Quinn eyed the two elders who just stared back at him, emotionless. He felt unease sink into his gut, but continued.

“Anyway, my plan is to suggest The Bloodstone Pack take custody of Rhea. Let her return to the Earthen Realm and be around her family, but she will live with them and be in their care.”

Caelum nodded slowly as Quinn explained his idea. He knew that Rhea wouldn’t be leaving Aureum. He wasn’t ready to reveal who she was to this fairy chancellor just yet. He was certain that her presence wouldn’t be welcomed by everyone. She may even be in danger when her identity is revealed.

“That’s a good plan, Quinn,” he said quietly. “We’ll see what the council says.”

“Truthfully, Caelum, I think that if you and Elder Fergus backed my plan then the council will be much more agreeable and will likely find it to be the best outcome here.”

“Like the boy said,” Elder Fergus suddenly said in a deep voice. “We will see what the council has to say.”

Elder Fergus stood and stretched. He was tired and ready to rest for the evening. Their departure was quick from Roweal Wood and they had agreed not to stop and rest, and therefore had traveled from their home land to the fae court in record time.

“My apprentice and I have been traveling for two days straight to get here in a timely fashion. Is there somewhere we could rest for the night?”

“Oh, of course, where are my manners?” Quinn laughed. Caelum smiled back but Elder Fergus had lost his smile and was frowning in response. “Gail? Gail, love, could you please show these distinguished guests to their quarters for the next few weeks?”

A young, white-haired fae quickly approached the group and smiled widely at them.

“Please follow me, sirs. It’s just up the stairs here to the left.”

Gail and Elder Fergus began to walk towards the castle. Quinn gently grabbed Caelum’s upper arm.

“We will speak more tomorrow. Rebecca, the sister, will be arriving with the second in command, Zach. I believe Alpha Darren will be joining them in a few days' time.”

“Sounds great Quinn, thank you so much for your thoughts. I can tell you are trying earnestly to fix this issue in the best way possible,” Caelum said. He turned and jogged to catch up with his Elder.

He needed to find the girl.

He followed Gail up the stairs and thanked her warmly. His mind was restless as he turned and walked into the large room. Quinn had placed the pair in one of the suits on the second floor of the castle. A living area with a small kitchen connected to two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.

Caelum walked mindlessly around the suite, opening cabinets and doors, searching for nothing. The ancient magic was pulling his thoughts to the girl who was closer now than ever before.

“Go, boy. I know you feel the need to see her,” Elder Fergus said with an amused smile. He sat on one of the couches and watched his apprentice.

“What is this, Elder? I’ve never felt like this before.”

“The bond between you is strong. It was formed when you foresaw her future. Since she is a human, she likely won’t feel anything for you. The ancient magic isn’t within her.”

Caelum nodded and frowned. He knew that Rhea wouldn’t see him as more than a stranger. He understood their bond could only go one way. But it still bothered him.

For the last 20 years, she had been on his mind. He spent countless years focusing solely on her. He researched ways to find her in the earthen realm so he could monitor her. He even gave the werewolves closest to portals in the earthen realm the ability to feel when the portals were opened so they could monitor who entered and exited the realm. He felt so protective over her, so drawn to her.

And now she was finally here. She was about to unleash her destiny across the realm.

Caelum stood outside the door to the suite. The hall was vacant and empty though the merriment from the gardens filtered through the open arches in the corridor.

He closed his eyes and called out to the ancient magic. He felt the familiar gust of wind greet his body. He opened his eyes and reached his hand out to the shimmering mind surrounding him. The wind wrapped itself around his fingers, as if it were saying hello.

“Lead me to her,” Caelm said in a low, steady voice.

The wind rose up around him with glee, showing it was ready to lead him to the girl at long last.

He walked with the wind as it led him up a long staircase, at least three floors above him. As he reached the landing he paused for a moment. This floor felt darker, almost less inviting. Where vibrant plants lined the walls on his floor, these walls were bare. Not even a sconce or light was hanging on the walls or from the ceiling. It looked abandoned.

The wind gathered behind him and played with his hair, gently urging him to continue walking. Caelum knew better than to question the ancient magic, so he obeyed and began walking again.

Three doors away from the staircase, the wind died down. The shimmer gathered in front of the door, inviting Caelum to knock.

He bowed his head and whispered, “thank you, ancient magic, for showing me the way.”

The shimmering wind responded by again wrapping itself in his hair, playing with his many braids before it disappeared completely.

Caelum stood up straight and smiled slightly. He had come a long way from where he was 20 years ago. He felt accomplished to have beckoned the wind so easily this time. It took a lot of practice and a lot of inner strength and resolve to summon the magic.

He reached out his hand to knock on the door and faltered. He felt like the entirety of the last 20 years had finally come to a head. All the long nights, the endless trips, and the longing in his heart were going to at last mean something. He was nervous. He could only hope that he had done all he could to keep this girl’s fate steady on the right path.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Footsteps approached from beyond the door. He tried to take deep breaths but soon found himself holding his breath.

He was about to meet the next Chosen.