by Jenny McKane
Her grandmother stepped into the light. “My precious one,” she whispered. “We are with you.”
Then, slowly, she could see animals behind them. So many that Avalon lost count. They were all staring at her. Her eyes flickered over them, and she could see the new creatures, as well. All of them standing side by side, like a wall that went on forever.
“Call to them,” said the Goddess, smiling.
Avalon took a deep breath.
“My friends,” she said. “Liberation is at hand. Swear your allegiance to me, and I promise you that you will no longer be enslaved. The dark army’s power is waning. They control you through fear and hate. I offer you love.”
They stared at her.
“I offer you love,” she repeated.
She started chanting it. The same line, over and over.
I offer you love.
Her grandmother was saying it. Her mother raised her sword and started to chant it. And then, the Goddess spread her light so wide that the animals were suddenly blinded by it…
She opened her eyes slowly. The candles had burnt low, and some had sputtered out. She could smell the lingering scent of sandalwood. Her knees hurt, and she was so weary that she almost stumbled onto the statue as she slowly got to her feet.
She walked to the entrance of the temple, surprised to see that it was almost dark. How long had she been sitting in there, chanting?
Entering the little house through the back door, she was surprised to see that it was empty. Where was everybody?
And then, she saw them outside—at the front of the house. They were gazing over the plains, pointing and gesturing excitedly. Avalon was surprised to see Everard, standing next to Mother Oda, supporting himself with a stick. Skyresh stood on the other side of the old woman, smiling.
The two wolves had walked to higher ground, standing side by side. Then she saw another animal slowly walk up to them. It was Aberfa! She was well and could walk again.
The two wolves raised their heads to the sky and started to howl.
She parted the curtains to the entrance of the house and walked out to them.
Mother Oda turned her head and saw her. Her face was radiant.
“Oh, Avalon,” she gasped, running to her. “Come and see!”
She took Avalon’s hand, guiding her.
Skyresh gazed at her, his eyes full of joy, and even Everard managed to turn and smile at her.
And that was when she saw what they were staring at.
It was almost exactly as it had been in her vision in the temple. Maybe not as many animals, but so many that they filled the plain. There were wolves and lions. Bears and rabbits. She could see insects hovering in the air and birds sitting in the branches of the trees, trilling. And so many more that she didn’t recognize.
The new creatures were there, as well. She could see a fire breathing creature, and one of the bee-like creatures that they had encountered in the desert. The great eagle that had delivered them here stood at the center of them all, squawking.
“It has worked,” whispered Mother Oda, turning to her. The old woman had tears in her eyes. “I thank the Goddess that I have lived to see this day! You have liberated the animals, Avalon. They are no longer under the power of the Jarle.”
Avalon felt overwhelmed, gazing at them. “I never believed it was possible.”
The old woman gasped. “You are truly our queen, Avalon. The animals, and even the new creatures, know it. With all of them on our side, we are ready. It will still not be easy. The Jarle have more sorcerers, and Agnor himself will come out to battle, but we are one step closer.” Mother Oda took a deep breath. “And it is thanks to you, great warrior queen. You have trusted your power at long last.”
Avalon felt tears streaming down her face, gazing at all the animals.
And then, she felt a hand, taking her own. It was Skyresh. He gazed at her, lovingly.
She turned and Everard was by her side. He took her other hand.
The three of them gazed out over the plain, not speaking.
It had been a long, hard journey. They had lost each other and almost died. They had battled a great sorcerer and lived to tell the tale.
And now, with the animals liberated, they were ready. It wasn’t over, as Mother Oda had said. They had won a great battle, but the war was still raging around them.
Avalon smiled. She had learned to trust her power at long last.
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