Dark Moon Rising (The Prophecies of Zanufey)

by A. Evermore

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Rebirth Upon The Sacred Isle

  It was pain that first drew her attention, a terrible burning sensation upon her back and shoulders. Pain, she thought, that was what it was to be alive and her whole body was filled with it. The more she tried to ignore it the worse it became until she could bear it no longer; it was a stark re-awaking to a living body that was no longer a wraith.

  As Issa sucked air into her parched mouth and filled her lungs with the rich scent of the ocean, it seemed that she breathed for the first time in a long time. Is this what it’s like to be born? she wondered. Never had the air tasted so sweet, so unlike the stagnant air of the Shadowlands, and never had she felt so desperately thirsty.

  What had happened to the ancient stones and sacred mound? “Maion’artheria” the voice had whispered, it echoed in her mind sending a silvery shiver through her body. She had not been in pain then. Her mind wandered loosely, trying to make logical sense of events. She remembered Keteth and the huge golden serpent but then the purple lights came and after that, darkness.

  Slowly, wincing from the pain in her head, Issa opened her eyes only to be immediately blinded by the sun. She shut them with a groan. She had glimpsed enough to know she was lying on her front on soft white sand. The sun was burning every bare bit of skin, which was quite a lot since she had lost Asaph’s cloak and was dressed in only rags and a blacksmith’s belt that dug uncomfortably into her stomach.

  At least she had not drowned, Issa thought, but now she lay frying on some unknown shore and her lungs felt as though she’d been breathing sand. She tried to lick her chapped lips but her tongue was even drier.

  So, I survived drowning only to die of dehydration, her own sarcasm made her chuckle, a wheezing rasp that quickly made her stop.

  Issa tried to open her eyes again, peered through black hair straggled over her face and squinted into the bright light. There was a thick band of yellow white, which she took to be the sand, and a thick band of blue white, which she took to be the sky, and both were blinding.

  She blinked again and in the distance appeared a dark blurry figure, but blinking more did not help clear her vision. The figure grew larger but the sun came from behind it making it too painful to look at. She closed her eyes against the blinding light, acutely aware of her lack of clothes but in too much pain to know fear. She tried to push herself up but her arms were too weak so she gave up and lay still, her consciousness wavering from the strain.

  Someone, she took it to be the blurry figure, knelt beside her and gently turned her over. She tried to look but nearly passed out. A cup of deliciously cool was water held to her lips from which she drank deeply and noisily, desperate to slake the burning thirst. Never had she tasted water so pure and so good. After a moment the throbbing in her head lessened. She tried to speak but only a hoarse croak came out followed by a wave of nausea.

  ‘Do not try to speak or move for you must save your energy, Child of the Raven,’ a well-spoken male voice said, low and reassuring. He must be referring to the colour of my hair, she mused hazily as she relaxed a little. Women’s voices came from a little further away and then something cool and light was draped over her, offering immediate relief from the sun’s burning rays. She drifted in a lucid sleep as they carried her.

  Issa next found herself lying in a bed of soft white sheets. Warm sunlight spilled into the room through wooden window shutters. Exotic sounding birds sung loudly outside and she could just make out peoples’ voices, the laughter of children and beyond them the distant sound of the ocean. The air was heady and warm, a hot summer’s day. Is this just one strange continuous dream, she wondered? But when she moved, her burnt shoulders told her it couldn’t be.

  She glanced at her ring. It gleamed in the sunlight but the small scratches of wear and tear were clearly visible once more. She thought of Asaph and worry creased her forehead. Where is he? Perhaps he is here already, in the next room. Keteth was after me, not them.

  There came a soft knocking at the door and she hastily pulled the covers up to her neck as the door opened. A tall, middle-aged, man with shoulder length greying brown hair and a short neat beard stepped into the room. He had a kind face, slightly tanned, and lightly sprinkled with wrinkles.

  ‘Ah, you are finally awake, that is a great relief. It must have been quite a journey you were on. You’ve been asleep now for a day and night. We were worried about you,’ his voice was deep with a well-spoken accent.

  ‘A day and night?’ she said, wide-eyed in shock, ‘I had the strangest dreams, they was so real, I...,’ she trailed off.

  ‘Yes, you spoke a lot in your sleep,’ he said, closing the door behind him and taking a seat on the wicker chair beside the bed. He looked at her thoughtfully. ‘You mentioned your mother often, as if you were trying to find her, but we could not determine exactly what you were saying.’

  ‘Maion’artheria,’ she whispered.

  ‘What? Yes, something like that. It means ‘Sacred Daughter’, although how anybody other than the most learned Wizard can know of the pre-Ancient language is quite remarkable. You wandered about too. Gave us quite a scare for after much searching we found you on the beach looking out to sea in the place where we first discovered you. Someone had to keep watch outside your door after that to make sure you stayed. It’s somewhat of a miracle that you survived that storm, we found no others or any sign of any wreckage.’ He was silent a moment and then spoke, as if to himself. ‘That was no ordinary storm, it reeked of evil.’

  ‘But there were two others, did you not find two men; one older and grey, one younger and fair? They were with me on the boat?’ she said, trying but failing to keep the desperation from her voice. Nausea swept over her, she closed her eyes and sank down into the pillows.

  He took a cloth from a bowl beside her bed and dampened it with the pitcher of water. Gently he wiped away the beads of sweat on her brow. She was grateful for its coolness.

  ‘Here, drink this,’ he said, ‘it will give you strength and restful sleep.’

  She opened her eyes, relieved to find the room no longer spinning, and drank deeply of the pinkish liquid he passed her. It tasted of sour berries and was warming like whiskey and oddly pleasant.

  ‘You must rest and not exert yourself,’ he said, frowning. ‘There were no others, we searched the whole island and there was nothing, not a scrap of wood or metal, not anything.’

  He looked at her with grave concern, noting how her eyelids fluttered weakly over feverishly bright eyes. ‘The mind must rest and heal just as the body must. Find peace in the knowledge that we will continue the search for your friends. It is my feeling that they are far from here, but I have sensed no such death upon the ocean these few days past, so trust that they are well.’

  Issa nodded briefly, finding some comfort in his words as she dared to trust him.

  ‘I feel I have taxed you too much already. I will come back later after I have scryed for your companions. We can talk more then.’ He turned to leave.

  ‘Wait! Who are you? Where am I?’ she called out, afraid to be alone in another strange place.

  He paused, ‘Forgive me... I am Freydel, Master Wizard of the Wizards’ Circle and physician, alchemist, to the Castle Elune and the sacred Isle of Celene, where we are currently. As you know this island is a sanctuary of our Great Mother Goddess and all who come here are protected by Her and guided here for a reason...’ he was about to say more but trailed off.

  ‘Celene,’ Issa echoed, she knew the name, her mother spoke of it long ago as a place where Issa could take her healing skills. On that old classroom map it was another island far to the south of Little Kammy, a place she had never spent much thought on.

  ‘I found you washed up on the beach,’ Freydel continued, ‘and myself, Maeve and Eleny, the lady of this castle, have been watching over you since. You were very close to death you know.’

  She nodded weakly, ‘I am Issa.’

  He smiled and inc
lined his head in welcome, ‘I shall return in a little while, Child of the Raven, in the meantime please rest and let the healing potion do its work,’ he smiled and turned away.

  ‘Wait,’ she rasped again, ‘why do you call me that?’

  ‘It was a raven that led me to you,’ he said with an enigmatic smile and before she could ask any more questions he had gone, closing the door softly behind him.

  She puzzled over Freydel’s words, but soon the heady liquid he had given her worked its magic and sleep came once more.

  When she next awoke it was dawn and she watched the pale light in the room grow brighter, bringing the summer heat with it. She was well rested and felt strangely calm and content, something she had not felt for a long time. I hope I have not been asleep for another day and night! She promptly swung her legs out of the bed and tried to stand, but her legs were so wobbly and weak she sat back down again, and rubbed and flexed them to get the blood flowing.

  After a while she gingerly shuffled to the pitcher of water on the side table and drunk deeply from it. Though her thirst was slaked her hunger was not and her stomach rumbled hopefully. A soft knock at the door made her jump and again she grabbed the bed sheets and wrapped them around her. But this time a short, plump, middle-aged woman with a red face and a big beaming smile waddled in.

  ‘Oh my, I do apologize, I thought you’d still be asleep at this early hour,’ she said.

  She wore an apron over a stripy blue dress pulled far too tight over a buxom chest and bottom. Her greying mousy hair was mostly tied up in a bun under a white caul except for a few stray strands that hung limply down around her face. She beamed at Issa indulgently.

  ‘Oh it’s good to see you up and about, dear. Me name’s Maeve by the way. I’ll suspect you’ll be wanting a wash by now,’ she had a slight lilting accent, not unlike those found upon the Isle of Kammy and different to Freydel’s polished one.

  Issa nodded, ‘I’m Issa,’ she mumbled and added quickly, ‘I don’t suppose you have anything I could eat, I’m faint with hunger.’ Maeve smiled and promptly produced a shiny green apple from inside her apron and popped it into her hand.

  ‘It’s not much, but when you’re washed and clothed there’ll be a breakfast fit for a Queen waiting for you in the garden. I’ll come get you when the bath is ready.’ She turned and left the room leaving Issa hungrily munching upon the apple.

  Soon Issa was enjoying a luxurious hot bath in a large opulent wet room. Small blue-green dappled tiles covered the walls in ornate swirls and a huge iron bath, as deep as it was long, stood on lion’s paws in the centre. Dense steam rose from the bath and filled the room. Maeve hummed a song unknown to Issa as she busied herself folding towels and clothes.

  ‘Where am I exactly?’ Issa asked blowing white bubbles off her hand and watching them settle upon the steaming water.

  ‘You are in the Castle Elune on the Isle of Celene,’ Maeve replied, ‘although it’s less of a castle and more of a big house by design, for it was not meant to be a fortress. It was built differently so that it was not a symbol of war, but of peace and prosperity. You’ll soon see for yourself when you walk around the beautiful grounds.’

  Maeve stopped folding the towels and frowned, ‘Lady Eleny, Goddess bless her, looks after the household single-handedly since her husband lost his life.’ Maeve shook her head sadly and then brightened, ‘Aye she’s a kind and caring Mistress, I’ll not work for anyone else that’s for sure.

  ‘The Wizard Freydel arrived here a week ago, though we haven’t seen hide or hair of him for nigh on a year. Arrived on the doorstep without any warning he did; seemed quite flustered if you’d ask me, like he was late for something.’

  Maeve looked up at the ceiling frowning in concentration; her face shone with sweat and was becoming increasingly redder from the heat of the wet room. She chattered on, ‘Dunno what though, the Mid Summer’s Celebration is the day after tomorrow. Said he urgently needed to speak with the Lady Eleny. Shut themselves away and talked for a night and day they did. Couple of days later that terrible storm came and then he found and brought you back to the castle, all unconscious and bedraggled. Like a drowned rat I’d say,’ she winked at Issa and grinned.

  ‘That musta been an awful experience for you... They found no one else, not even a chunk of wood. I thought you was a gonna in all fairness, but Freydel’s skill and magic soon saw you right again. You still look pale and far too thin though. What you need is Mr Gabbins’s hot cakes to fill you out,’ Maeve nodded at her own words, rubbing her own rotund belly, clearly helped along by Mr Gabbins’s fare. ‘He’s far too grumpy a cook if you’d ask me but he means well and his food is fabulous.’

  Issa’s stomach rumbled again at the mention of food, but thoughts of Asaph and Coronos flooded into her mind.

  ‘There were two others...’ she said, rubbing her forehead.

  ‘There now, you don’t want to go worrying about your friends just yet,’ Maeve said reassuringly, ‘Freydel mentioned there might be others. There are islands dotted all abouts here that they may have reached. You need to get your strength back and then you can find your friends. Now let’s get you dressed and fed.’ Issa took the huge towel that Maeve held up for her and dried herself off.

  ‘We found some clothes that might fit; you came to us in nowt but rags and your own skin!’ Maeve said putting her hands on plump hips.

  ‘Thank you,’ Issa said, gratefully pulling on the soft cotton under clothes and then winced when she saw the ivy green dress.

  ‘Pretty though it is... do you have any trousers? I haven’t worn dresses since I was a… a child,’ Issa asked reluctantly.

  ‘Only the stable girls wear trousers, dearie,’ Maeve said in surprise. Issa smiled and, feeling ungrateful, swallowed her pride and slipped the dress over her head.

  ‘Don’t worry dear we can get some better clothes made up for you soon.’ Maeve said patting Issa’s shoulder and then helped tightened the cords across her waist.

  The front was low and the sleeves blessedly short for summer and, though a little loose on her tall thin frame, it fit well enough and was of excellent quality. The green matched her eyes and she didn’t look as foolish as she thought. She slipped on the simple leather sandals that Maeve passed her then, as an after-thought, put her belt on. The thick blacksmith’s belt actually looked quite good she thought as she twirled in the mirror. Perhaps I’m getting to like dresses!

  ‘Now then,’ said Maeve, ‘let’s go get you some breakfast.’

  Issa followed Maeve through a maze of corridors and reception rooms out into a small sunny patio where the smiling woman left her. Wrought iron chairs and a table were shaded by the fronds of tall ferns stood amongst beautiful purple and blue flowers that clung and hung over the stone walls. Issa marvelled at the many butterflies and tiny humming birds flittering gracefully between the flowers. She seated herself in one of the chairs and looked over the low wall to the rich green lawns beyond, soaking in the green serenity of the place.

  Within minutes Maeve returned with a large tray filled with an assortment of sweet cakes, exotic fruits and breads with jams and honey. Maeve had stuffed a few cakes for herself into her apron and was happily munching on them whilst Issa ate with an appetite she had not known she possessed. Between mouthfuls both women chatted about the house, Lady Eleny, and Celene. Maeve was a font of information on all three topics and a good-natured gossip too.

  ‘Is Freydel really a Wizard?’ Issa asked, ‘I’ve never met one before.’

  ‘Oh yes,’ Maeve mumbled between a mouthful of bread and jam. She swallowed and continued. ‘He is one of the best in all Maioria. Though I think he is getting tired now and longs for an apprentice to whom he can pass on his knowledge. Maybe that will be you,’ Maeve said quite innocently.

  Issa choked, ‘I don’t know the slightest thing about magic,’ she protested.

  ‘Well, we all have to start somewhere, dearie,’ Maeve said, and patted Issa’s knee.

&nbs
p; Issa couldn’t help but chuckle at Maeve’s unshakeable positive outlook and was secretly flattered. She managed to finish the whole tray, before collapsing back in the chair, but as soon as her hunger was satisfied, her mind returned to thoughts of Asaph and Coronos.

  ‘I must speak with Freydel,’ Issa said, more abruptly than she meant to, ‘I must find them!’

  Maeve held up her hands for calm and hastily spoke between mouthfuls, ‘Freydel is up and about, we only have to find him, little missy,’ she said and frowned, as if it were no easy task to find the Wizard.

  Issa followed Maeve once more, this time across an immaculate lawn spread between cleverly manicured bushes in the shapes of animals. They came to a large ornately designed greenhouse, and stepped into a hot and humid atmosphere through a small glass door. In one corner Freydel was busy taking cuttings.

  ‘Oh good,’ he said without turning around, ‘I knocked on your door earlier but you were not there.’ He put the cutting down and looked at her over half moon glasses, ‘I trust you are feeling a little better now?’

  Issa nodded, ‘Thank you for all you have done for me,’ she smiled and then frowned ‘but I must leave to find my companions.’

  ‘Yes I know. Come with me for a walk so we can talk,’ he said, taking her hand in his own. ‘We can wander through the marvellous grounds. I know all the names of the flowers and butterflies, both their Frayon names and their Celenian ones too,’ Freydel said proudly as they left the greenhouse.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  The Prophecies Of Zanufey

  Freydel and Issa walked in silence down a neatly trimmed path leading away from the castle. This place had a strange feel to it, but in a good way. She could sense it in the air around her, the ground beneath her feet: a pulse, a beat, a power or energy that seeped through everything including herself. Everything was alive upon the island, including the air and the rocks; all filled with life just as she too felt more alive than she could ever remember.