A Preview of
The Children of the Anarii
Book I ~ The Journey Begins
from Chapter 7
A crystalline moon rose high above Morgana as she shouldered her small pack and carefully followed the well-traveled pathway through her father’s holdlands towards the river. The dark forest loomed silent and eerie before her, the tall grasses around her still as ice in the moonlight. She felt insignificant before the great trees, as if they were the guardians of an ancient temple which she must pass through to seek her answers.
She paused to look back. The follow-lights of her home were no longer visible, only the silent fields and wooded thickets of midnight could she see. No breeze stirred the air. It was as if time had stopped and now waited for her so it could begin anew.
Morgana faced the dark forest. What was so inviting in the brightness of day now appeared impervious, as if daring her to enter its depths. Beyond the trees lay the river; the passage to the sea or the stairway to the mountain skies. Which way would it lead her? With a sigh she adjusted her pack again and started into the forest.
She had barely taken two steps when she found she could no longer see the trail before her. Dismayed, she turned to gaze back at the fields she had just traveled. How was she to find her way to the river? She could hear its endless rushing within the domain of the forest, but she had no desire to walk blindly through the dark to meet her destiny.
"Destiny," she said softly. What a curious thing to think of now. She set her pack in the long grass at her feet and looked up at the sky. The stars glimmered against the black of the night, the moon’s brightness creating a dancing halo as she watched its delicate splendor. "Destiny, where is the path to my destiny?" she asked the pale moon. A remnant of the dream spread before her eyes, a void that moved of its own will misting her sight. She shut her tearing eyes against the terrible memory, willing her fears away. "No more crying!" she scolded herself and retrieved her pack.
A sudden breeze in the treetops caused her to glance skyward again. The moon’s aura appeared brighter and, as she gazed at its silver-edged beauty, a glittering veil spiraled out from the shining sphere. She watched in awe as the spiral grew larger and slowly descended until it reached the distant treetops. A sound shimmered amongst the trees, like crystal raindrops as is fell slowly through the forest. Within the sound, she could hear the tinkling voices of the Others, the mist ponies of her childhood, laughing in playful delight. Cloaked in glimmering mists, they appeared in the forest, lighting the path with their glowing voices.
Morgana stood at the edge of the trees. All of her past spoke to her of the dangers that lay ahead. Her teachings said she should run back to her family where life was ordered and secure. If she followed these beings there would be no safe home that she could return to.
A moment’s decision that seemed like a lifetime swept through her. Shifting her pack once more, she firmly stepped onto the path and was joyously welcomed by the dancing Azerii.
from Chapter 9
Morgana listened to their playful talk while struggling to keep her eyes open. She felt relaxed in their company, safer than she had felt around anyone in what seemed a very long time. She watched Tagar play with the rolling object in his hands, heard Elas and Rejat's sparkling laughter, and watched the Mirii toss her flame dark hair.
Without warning, a nervous snort rushed from the two horses behind them and she felt as if a shadow had just passed through her. From the brush before them appeared a great black Kir-Latt, with two escorting Azerii appearing as brilliant columns of light on either side. Heavy black fur surrounded its face and shoulders and crested along its broad back to the bushy tail. Silver eyes glowed above a fierce muzzle, Morgana imagining that the closed jaws contained many dagger-like teeth. The beast waited quietly before them, the Azerii light columns glowing like silent suns beside the creature.
Elas and Rejat rose slowly, their hands open, palms forward. "Welcome, Brother Kir-Latt," Rejat said first.
Welcome, Sister Mirii, the beast's mind voice boomed through them. Morgana started—she too heard its voice!
The Kir-Latt looked straight her way and a shiver of unknown emotion flowed through her body. Welcome, Little Sister.
"Welcome—Teacher," she uttered in return, surprise flitting across her face at her words.
The black creature gazed at Tagar. Welcome, EarthKeeper.
Tagar stood slowly. "Welcome, Lord Hunter," he said shakily. When Elas turned a startled glance to him he smiled uneasily.
"You can hear him?"
"Yes, very well." He shook his head distractedly. "A bit unsettling though."
Elas turned again to the Kir-Latt. "Welcome, Brother Kir-Latt. How may we assist you?" she said and took a step forward.
There is another of my Tribe who is in need of your skills, Sister Healer. The Kir-Latt also took a step closer, his escort keeping their positions beside him.
Elas glanced at Tagar, then faced the Kir-Latt again. "I shall gladly help in any way I can, Brother Kir-Latt. Can you take me to your companion?"
He is not my companion, the Kir-Latt sent flatly. But he is of my Tribe. I sense he has allowed the company of one not chosen. He now lies near, his body in disease.
Elas cast a sharp look to Rejat. "Has the One left him?"
Yes. I sense none of the Others near. Only his foolish mind greets mine.
Rejat called her Azerii to her. Swiftly, one of the columns of light shifted and became the copper stallion beside her. "Lead us to your tribe member, Brother Kir-Latt," she said as she swung into her saddle.
Elas called Brealyth into like form. "May our companions attend?"
The Kir-Latt turned to Morgana. Little Sister shall come if she chooses. I sense the EarthKeeper does not wish to be a part of this.
Tagar looked uncomfortable. "I mean no offense, Lord Hunter. I'm not accustomed to your—presence, or your great mind voice."
Be calm, EarthKeeper. Remain here if you choose. The Kir-Latt sounded almost amused. He turned suddenly and started off away from the river. Rejat grabbed Morgana’s arm and hauled her up behind her and they quickly followed.
They rode swiftly after the dark beast, Morgana holding tightly to Rejat's waist until the Mirii loudly complained, "You'll squeeze the breath out of me!" She found riding on an Azerii was not quite like riding on a horse. The ride was smoother, even at a swift gallop through the heavy wood the Azerii never stumbled in the thick undergrowth. She watched Elas over Rejat's shoulder. She could barely see the Kir-Latt bounding ahead of them.
What seemed only moments later they stopped abruptly before a dense bramble thicket. Morgana felt a strange tension around them as they slipped from their mounts to face the Kir-Latt who waited before the dark wall of green.
My Tribe member lies within, the gruff mind voice said. She saw a small opening in the thicket near the right edge.
Come, Sister Healer. The Kir-Latt stepped forward to nuzzle Elas' hand and led her to the opening.
Elas paused before the bramble wall and called Brealyth to her. The horse-formed Azerii vanished and a shimmering halo outlined Elas’ body. She knelt and peered into the dark hole, then cast her hand into the opening. A prism of light flew from her hand into the hole, gently lighting up the interior. Morgana watched, fascinated by her aunt's surprising talents, and leaned down to see what lay inside the bramble thicket. Rejat stepped forward just as Elas beckoned to her.
The Kir-Latt stepped to one side of the opening and sat to wait. Elas, followed closely by Rejat, slipped into the opening and out of sight. Nervously, Morgana stepped closer to the passage, curious about what the two Mirii were doing to help the unseen Kir-Latt, but still fearful of the great beast who waited silently before her.
The Kir-Latt turned his luminous gaze to Morgana. Why do you wait, Little Sister? Do you not wish to help? The silver eyes closed slowly, then looked upon her once more.
Morgana felt overwhelmed by the Kir-Latt's gaze. "I do not know how to heal, Lord Kir-Latt." Her voice sounded lost speaking to this great creature.
Your words are not needed. I hear your mind voice. The Kir-Latt blinked again and raised his head high. Come to me, he commanded, rising to his full height.
Morgana heard the power within his voice. Fear held her in place for a moment, then, after swallowing hard, she stepped to within arm's reach of the dark Kir-Latt.
The beast shifted his massive head to look fully upon her. What do you feel?
She stared into his eyes. "Fear," she whispered.
But, you came, the voice echoed within her.
"Yes, but I still feel afraid." Her legs twitched to turn and run, but she held her ground.
Good. You know your fear, but remain. The Kir-Latt took another step closer and thrust his head up, revealing the dagger-like teeth she had previously only imagined.
Morgana unexpectedly laughed. The posture of the Kir-Latt reminded her of the Rinon's show horses when they were at festival. She caught her breath when the Kir-Latt dropped his head and seemed to glare at her with an almost pained expression.
"I'm sorry, Lord Kir-Latt, but the way you stood just now reminded me of our neighbor's horses when they are on show." She held her breath again as the Kir-Latt placed his head under her upraised hand. She carefully stroked the dense black mane on the beast's head. The Kir-Latt purred like a cat, the sound higher, like a vibrating song in its throat.
The Kir-Latt looked up at her. What is my name? the voice commanded once more.
"Darkness," she replied, her hand resting on the black head. The name shifted around her memory, the word echoing from some unknown past. "Why do you call me ‘Little Sister?’" She sat beside the Kir-Latt, feeling an understanding between them.
You have named me truly, Little Sister. Now I name you. Elissii, Child of Knowing. When you are Mirii you shall run with me. You shall learn Kir-Latt speak and be one with us. You shall be a Speaker of Truth. You shall know the Winds, Elissii.
Morgana gazed at the dark face. "How do you know I will be Mirii?"
"The Kir-Latt are Visioners," a voice spoke from behind them. She looked up to see Rejat standing outside the bramble wall, a soft silver glow around her body. She quickly glanced to where her Azerii had been standing, surprised to not have noticed his departure.
She turned back to the Kir-Latt. "Why did I call you Teacher?"
Because you have known me before. The Kir-Latt turned to face the Mirii as Elas crawled out of the passage, a tired expression held in her eyes as she stood.
"Your Tribemate will need rest and protection for some time, Brother Kir-Latt." Elas rubbed her hands over her eyes, the silver glow of her Azerii still around her body. "He has allowed much disease from the meld he accepted. We do not know how soon before he is truly whole again." She lowered her hands from downcast eyes. Morgana thought she saw tears beneath her aunt’s dark lashes.
The Kir-Latt quickly slipped into the thicket. Morgana rose to ask about the other Kir-Latt when Darkness reappeared from the opening.
My Tribe thanks you, Sister Healers, Sister Mirii! the deep mind voice boomed at them. We shall sing your praises to the Lady! We shall honor your names to our memory! We shall open our hearts to your songs! He roared his thanks to them with his awesome howl.
Elas, Rejat and Morgana covered their ears at the Kir-Latt's true voice which cut the air like glass. When his song fell away Elas returned the Kir-Latt's thanks. "We honor our Brothers of the Kir-Latt Tribe as before and always. It is our privilege that we have been of assistance to your great and wise people."
Rejat echoed her words and added, "My thanks to your Tribe for their help in my journey through the Varan Mountains. We would not have survived without it."
The Kir-Latt stared intently at her. We do not usually interfere with the paths of you Hu'mans, but we were forewarned of your journey and knew of your danger. Be warned again. The Hu'mans you ran from still follow your path and desire to prevent your journey from completion. We shall assist you should you need us when you cross the Wildering Ways.
His manner became gentle once more as he turned to Morgana. Farewell, Elissii. Remember your journey. Follow your path to your Truth, Child of Knowing. We shall meet again when you are Mirii. Remember Darkness. Embrace your fear, then stand before it. Farewell, Little Sister.
The Kir-Latt turned and entered the thicket. Elas and Rejat began walking away from the bramble wall, back in the direction from which they had come. Morgana stared at the dark passage, her thoughts dancing; I wonder what happened in there. Was that the Kir-Latt who chased me along the river? Rejat's voice cut sharply through her speculations and she turned and hurried after the two women, now waiting for her astride their horse-form Azerii.
"Come, Morgana. We still have some distance to go before nightfall." Elas offered her hand and pulled her niece up behind her. "Tagar will be worried. He is not overly fond of the Kir-Latt."
"Must have been quite a shock for him to talk to one," Rejat said.
"I don't understand," Morgana said over her aunt's shoulder. "The mist ponies called me Elissii, so did the Kir-Latt, but he said it as if he gave me the name. How did the others know? How did the Kir-Latt?" she mumbled, finding it was getting difficult to think about anything.
"The Kir-Latt are Visioners," Rejat replied, her voice seeming to echo as if from a great distance. "They see beyond the normal limits of Hu'mans and remain separate. It is because of this separation that they can see. If they become involved in other's paths, they lose their ability to vision. They are the Ageless Ones."
Morgana watched the red-haired Mirii astride her dark copper-colored Azerii. Her face appeared drained, as if the healing had taken some of her vitality. Elas too seemed much more tired than before. She held her aunt's slim waist, careful to keep a secure hold without causing her discomfort. She struggled with her own exhaustion as she fought to remain alert. The rocking motion of the Azerii was comforting, where a horse would keep one jarringly awake. Time slipped past her unnoticed until she heard Tagar's voice welcoming their return. He helped her down, then greeted Elas as she slid off her Azerii into his warm embrace.
"We missed you," she murmured.
"I missed you too. Are you all right? You look worn out." Tagar held her close and glanced over her shoulder to smile reassuringly to his niece.
"Come on, you two. We've lost much time," Rejat's voice cut impatiently into their warm reunion and Morgana turned to glance at their red-clad companion. Rejat sat stiff-backed on her Azerii, one hand rubbing the copper neck affectionately, though her eyes revealed her tension and unrest. She looked away from Morgana's too-long gaze and her Azerii moved toward the trees.
Morgana turned and walked to the gray mare and hauled herself into the saddle as Elas and Tagar separated and returned to their mounts. Without another word, the four returned to the northern trail, resuming their interrupted journey to Tagar’s landshold once more.
The journey continues...
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