Pandora Chronicles

6 - Prophacy Child

***Istoviir’s POV***

The path to the Drivolna was treacherous, but I had to know the truth, so I left my cloak and sword behind, and climbed the cliff face to her cave. Her special honor of being the city's holy woman, unfortunately caused her to be reclusive and in most casy, insane. Her cave looked over the entire city, and her only friends were the creepy creatures that were able to scale the walls. Massive spider webs and tree roots filled the opening, and created the ceiling of her cave. Trinkets from the surface world, gifts for her services, hung from the ceiling from roots, and thick smoke clung to the walls from the small fireplace located at the back of her cave. Strange creatures unseen in the city scurried around her home, as the smoke wafted from inside making the entire place look and feel mystical and dangerous.

The current Drivolna was someone I knew well. Her name was Vu’kria Sha’therzen, and we had grown up together as children and even attended the same academy until she was chosen by the goddess and the priestesses took her to the temple for her training. At one time she was a normal Ilythrin, and got along well with the other children, but once her training started, she changed. Drivolna’s were crazy; actually insane from the long hours of meditation and mind altering drugs that were used to open their minds enough to allow them to speak directly to Ephindrals or demons alike.

“Istoviir, is that you come to see me?” She cood from behind a large root as he entered the cave. She was dressed in almost nothing, and her long black hair was matted into locks and decorated with bits of gold and silver beads.

“It is, Vu'kria, I trust you know why I'm here.” I answered, letting out a heavy breath. In truth I hated seeing her since she changed.

“Have you finally come to please me?” She stepped from behind a column and swayed seductively while she eyed me. “You stink of lust.” She giggled.

“No, not for you.” I blushed and rubbed the back of my neck nervously. She always tried to get me in her bed, and every time I refused she would make a fuss. I hoped this time would be different but I didn’t expect it to be.

“Oh, the white skinned half breed? That's who you've come for... Why should I tell you anything about her?” She pouted, laying across the table as she eyed me like prey. She knocked several bottles and small trinkets from the table as she did, ignoring the smashing glass as it hit the ground.

“I have brought you something.” I said taking a beautiful bracelet from the surface world out of my pocket. She sat up immediately, eyeing it greedily. “But I have some questions first.” I told her. It was unfortunate we had to have our conversations this way.

“Deal.” She said without pause.

“What do you mean half breed?” I squinted to see her in the darkened cave.

“I'm not supposed to tell you,” she toyed with me, and I tucked the bracelet away to taunt her, causing her to continue quickly, “but she's not just a wizard. She was born of Pan, and has Ephindral blood, although still mortal.”

“Is she the prophecy child?” I got to the point. She had all the right signs and the last Drivolna had told me that I would fall in love with the prophecy child and it would ruin the world.

“Yes, but she can be turned for good or evil as any mortal, and the prophecy can go either way based on her heart.” I dangled the bracelet in front of her and she stood from the table.

“This feeling that I have for her, is it real? Does she feel it too?” I asked. It was foolish but I needed to know.

“You know the answer to that.” She snatched the bracelet and examined it for a moment before handing it to the tree root that swooped down and carried it up to the rest of her collection. She looked at me one last time before pulling her skirt up too high, “There was a time when you looked at me with such desire.”

“We were children, and that time has long since passed Vu.” I told her as I left the cave, “Take care of yourself.”

“It is YOU that should take care. Love makes you stupid.” She grinned before disappearing into the cave once more. The climb back down was heavy for me; heavier than I cared to admit.

I blinked to the tower and saw them enter the gates and then I appeared in the King's audience chamber, next to my father who sat on his throne, discussing the matters of the court.

I whispered in my father’s ear and then stood behind his chair. He clapped his hands once and the congregation was silent. Prince Rikiir, my younger brother, entered the room from the side and stood on the other side of me behind our father, but my mother was nowhere to be seen. She despised outsiders, and rarely interacted with them.

“Nind phuul ghil. (They are here.)” King Eklar said, and I held my breath.

***Wolf’s POV***

He had been watching me quietly since our lunch, but he disappeared when Marchus came to meet me at the Inn. “This really is for the best Wolf.” My master said.

“I know, Master.” I replied, “It is just that I have not left you in ten years. It will be very strange for me to have a different Master, but I trust your decision.”

“You will do well here Wolf.” He began. “You do not need me anymore.” He was so wrong. I loved him like a father, and he was the only person in this whole wretched world that didn’t think I was a monster. This prince thought I was a weakling because I had promised to behave myself, but I was anything but innocent. I didn’t want to leave him, but after he had done so much to get me accepted, I couldn’t say no, and I complied to show my loyalty to him.

I embraced my beloved master as we both knew there would be no time once I was presented, and we left to introduce me to the Darksword court. I was to be given an Ilythrin name, as it was customary for every student. Each name had been cataloged in a large book since the school's inception, and never once had a name of any other race been added. It seemed foolish to me, as I would be tutored and not actually attend the academy, but I was not in a position to criticize that. I would then start my training with Istoviir and I had no idea how that was going to truly play out. I could barely keep my thoughts straight in his presence, and when I looked in his eyes, I couldn’t remember anything, not even my own name. No one had ever elicited those types of emotions or actions from me before and it was terrifying.

We walked across the stone bridge, and entered the gates of the castle, which was secluded off to one side of the city, with great chasms surrounding it to provide perfect defensive positions. The castle was more like a small city under one roof, being able to house most of the entire population in a time of disaster, as well as their massive army at all times. I spotted Istoviir watching as we entered, my heart racing at the thought of his undivided attention for the next several months. The hood of my cloak was pulled low over my head, obstructing any view of my face, and my hands were tucked deep within my pockets.

The doors were opened and we entered the grand hall. We walked up the long path lined with columns, and I bowed before the King and his sons on a platform twenty steps above us. The throne room was intimidating to say the least, with amazing moving glasswork pictures covering the walls and ceiling, reciting the “heroic” and brutal stories of the Olath’killian court, an ancient family that had ruled since the first age. I noticed my new admirer included in the glass, the story was a brutal ambush. At least a hundred Karuken foes surrounded him, and he slaughtered them all and returned untouched. After seeing him fight in the tavern, it was not difficult to believe at all.