crossroads, and any of those paths can be envisioned. If your parents truly are in danger, then there is no guarantee that we can save them in time to change that possible fate. Then again, you may simply have had a nightmare and it may not be a vision at all.'
“Are you serious? How do you ever make sense of it all?” asked Vartan, rubbing his hands through his hair.
“I understand your frustrations,” replied Karven. “Really, I do. Visions are something that even we struggle to master, but it does get easier with time.”
“We must head to the farm and make sure that my parents are okay!” pleaded Vartan. “After all, they are of dragon's blood. Nymira, I beg of you- please take me home, and we can regroup back at Veldrenn.”
“As you wish, Vartan, but you should remember that we are far from your home. You’d better prepare yourself as best you can for what we may find there.” Nymira broke formation to head in the direction of Greenhaven.
“Thank you for your understanding, Nymira. We must at least try to save them if they are still alive, or I’d never be able to forgive myself,” replied Vartan.
“I truly understand, and I will do what I can to protect you in your journey, no matter what we face,” she said.
Vartan breathed deeply and tried his best to calm his wrecked nerves. He thought back to the farm, of happier times before the war… before life became so horribly complicated. He suddenly realised that his pack had fallen over in Nymira’s claws and the trader’s bag had almost fallen out.
'I had better clean this up,' he mumbled. Carefully, he opened the bag to look for the artefacts from the trader in She’Ma’Ryn. He fumbled inside and retrieved the first shiny artefact, twisting it around in front if his face It looked like a metallic golden egg, which was generously covered in various jewels. It was obvious to the eye that it could be opened in the middle.
Laughing to himself, he tried to force it open. No matter how hard Vartan worked to prise it open, it remained firmly shut.
I suppose this one is not for me, he thought.
Vartan reluctantly returned the egg back to the bag and resumed his exploration of the artefacts. The second one he retrieved was attached to a long and shiny silver chain. At the end of the chain was a woman’s face, naturally formed in what looked like half a pearl set in a golden star. It was covered with strange engraved markings Vartan did not recognize. What amazed Vartan the most was that it appeared to emit its own light as it sparkled and lit up Nymira’s belly like a starry night.
What a fascinating piece of jewellery. I should probably wear this so I don’t lose it, thought Vartan.
As he reached for the clip, it let off a slight hiss as it opened.
My goodness, that is strange, he thought as he shrugged it off and clipped the necklace onto his neck. The chain let out a watery sound, and he felt its weight fall heavily on the back of his neck. Vartan tried to open the necklace again, but no matter where he searched on the clip, it felt solid and he could not find an opening.
“Great. Now look what I’ve gone and done. Who knows who this was intended for,” he sighed. He rested his arms on his knees.
Oh please, don’t get so upset over it, replied a woman’s voice in his mind. I’m sure we can get along just fine.
Vartan almost jumped out of his skin at the sudden loud voice.
“Nymira, are you playing games with me?” said Vartan. “This is hardly the time. Don’t be so loud, we don’t want the whole world to hear us!”
“Vartan, I have no idea what you are talking about. I haven’t said a word,” she replied.
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. Just what I need-another voice in my head, thought Vartan.
He raised the necklace to his face and found an odd surprise. The face in the star now looked like it had human skin and features. The woman’s image stared at him oddly and raised an eyebrow.
No, I’m not kidding you, she said. Her voice sounded like a blend of human and animal tones. You seriously use that word in conversation? ‘Kidding?’ Vartan is your name? Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Keturah… I'm obviously not from around here, and I certainly do not come here often. But it appears that you and I are bonded together. Well, at least until the time of your death.
Oh, that’s reassuring. How come nobody else can hear you? And why is your voice unlike any other in this world?
I can tell this is going to be a long night, young one, and I was not created with the intent to be reassuring. That would be the job of a Faith Talisman. I am a Truth Pendant, made by the highest order of wizards, and my job is exactly that-to seek out the truth. As to why nobody else can hear me, well, that is quite obvious, is it not?
I see you have been blessed with the power of sarcasm, Vartan replied.
My dear, what good would a Truth Pendant be if everyone could hear it? You are the only one who is able to hear me, as my magic is bonded to you. The pendant requires a living soul as part of its creation. Before you ask, at one time I was indeed alive like you are now, but this is what fate has intended for both of us. Now, tell me about you.
Well, began Vartan, since we are obviously stuck together-
That is observant of you, Vartan. Any other moments of genius you would like to share?
Well aren't you a delightful soul, he replied, laughing silently. I can see that this will be a long night indeed. Let me start from the beginning.
Chapter 11: Fool’s Courage
“Our numbers grow stronger by the day, and the addition of such a large supply of weaponry and armour will surely turn the tide in our favour. The knights learn quickly, and have also taught us proud elves a thing or two about sword fighting. Our spirits are high, but I truly hope that Vartan returns to us soon.
We could use the reassurance of his presence. Refugees have flocked into the woods to escape the war, and ironically have found our city. Though all have chosen to join the fight against the Forces of Darkness, it will only be a matter of time until it is one of Kassina’s scouts that finds our defensive perimeter.”
As the arrow entered the room, its blue glow betrayed hints of its presence. Kassina snapped her head toward the arrow and her eyes glowed as her body moved at an unnatural speed. She barely moved swiftly enough to avoid the arrow piercing her heart. It sliced through her lung instead. Her acidic blood splattered onto the bed, burning the satin sheets beneath their bodies. After passing through Kassina’s body, the arrow cut its way through Derian’s heart and finally exited the room through the stone wall. Derian's scream pierced Aidan and Tusdar’s ears as his blood spattered onto Kassina’s chest, attacking her flesh.
Aidan and Tusdar watched in horror as Kassina’s wound rapidly healed itself, while Derian shrieked in agony as his body disintegrated into dust beneath her. Kassina snarled in their direction as she leapt off the bed and spun around, like a tiger ready to pounce on its prey. Her face contorted and she spat out her words. “Whoever you are, you will pay dearly for this cowardly intrusion!”
Tusdar's body shook as he pounded his fist into the bottom of the enchanted circle, sealing the window with a flash of light.
“Run as fast as you can, and whatever you do, don’t look back and don't stop running!” cried Aidan. He turned and fled down the stairs with Tusdar close behind. Angry bolts of lightning blew a giant hole straight through to the outside wall. Chunks of Greenhaven’s golden stones fell heavily to the ground below and sent shudders through the earth.
Kassina's growling voice echoed behind them. “You dare to come into my city, crawl through my walls like filthy little insects, and try to kill me in my own bedroom? In a moment of pleasure?' She blew another two holes through the walls, and sent even more stone to the ground as she screamed in frustration.
“So, you think that you can escape me so easily, do you? Think again! Acerbus et ingens! ” she chanted.
