The World of Myth Magazine

The year is 514, Vladimir the Young is Sage-King of the human kingdom of Thuraen.

The year is 5,297, Ulan is High Prince, Derek is Low Prince and Sienna Alknown is Mother Druid of the sylvan Princedom of Greenwood Vale.

The High Prince Ulan watched all those who were present on the fortress rooftop with him. His focus was specifically on Paechra Lightheart, for it was the young druid that the high prince expected to speak first. It had been Paechra who had come home to Greenwood Vale bringing the humans with her. It was Paechra, the youngest druid who was asking much of the sylvan people, her people; a race that had known peace and prosperity for so many years. Paechra was asking them to go to war.

Instead, it was Allknown Mother Druid Sienna who spoke.

"High Prince Ulan, I hear in your words a passion for your people," began the elderly sylvan. "I hear your desire to keep us all safe, to keep safe our way of life and our sheltered grove."

Ulan beamed at these words. This was exactly what he hoped to hear, affirmation and support from Allknown Mother Druid Sienna. Paechra could see in the royal face that there was a fierce confidence that the mother druid would side with his decision.

"High Prince Ulan, you are a fool," Sienna continued, her tone changing from that of a caring grandmother, becoming instead the voice of an accusing matriarch.

"But" began High Prince Ulan, only to be cut off by the elderly druid.

"You cannot see the bigger picture, you do not have the experience," Sienna continued, obviously frustrated. "You have not lived through the times before and therefore do not understand the importance of the present arrangement."

"I know our history," announced Ulan, defensively.

"You have read the scrolls that record our history," argued Sienna. "Words can only say so much, they do not give you the memories of what has happened before."

"I feel quite ill," murmured Queen Catherine as she clutched her midsection. "Please, is there somewhere quieter where I may sit?"

Immediately Paechra and Sienna turned to the human queen, High Prince Ulan for the moment was forgotten.

"We have walked so far without a moment to rest," considered Paechra. "We have not stopped since the meal."

"We must take you to a place where you can be more relaxed," announced Sienna. "Sarah, will you please take the queen to somewhere quieter and more private?"

"Of course, mother," agreed Sarah Lightheart with a bow.

"No, I must remain here as a representative of the city of Andrapaal and as Queen of Thuraen," injected Queen Catherine. "I fear that in this moment there balances the fate of humanity, and I will not turn my back upon a difficult conversation."

"Please, my queen," said Anton with a curt bow. "Allow me as Head Truth Keeper to represent the kingdom in this matter."

"Are you a jester, Anton?" laughed Catherine. "Should I imagine you wearing colored cloth with bells attached?"

"My queen, you should know that I do not speak humorously," replied Anton, a look of confusion obvious across his features. "And my clothing is that of a keeper of the truth, I have worn such from the day I first received my blade and swore the oath."

"I can sense your mood is a poor one, Anton," replied Queen Catherine. "It has been skeptical since our arrival."

"Better to be wary when in the land of witchery," suggested Anton.

"We are guests in paradise," suggested Catherine. "It is your own disillusionment that seems to blind you to this fact."

"Nay, my queen," growled Anton. "It is you who are illusioned, enchanted by these creatures and their magic to the point where you can no longer see the truth."

There was a moment of shocked silence before Michael spoke.

"You call Catherine your queen and yet show her no respect," said Michael Stromsong. "To speak as such to me or Paechra or any of the others is rude but to do so to our queen…"

"I know that you are all blinded and cannot see," accused Anton, pointing to Queen Catherine, then Michael, then Thomas, and finally to Paechra. "And it is you witch, who is the blindest of them all."

With that Anton stormed from the roof and disappeared from sight.

One of the sylvan soldiers made to go after the head of the truth keepers but High Prince Ulan caused him to pause with a single princely gesture.

"Let him go, it gladdens me to no longer need to hear his words or see his features." High Prince Ulan announced. "In fact all of you can go, now, be gone from my sight."

"We will take you to a place of rest," suggested Thomas and Michael as they each stepped up to stand beside Queen Catherine.

"Thank you," said the human queen as she allowed herself to be led away.

"I will show you where to go," offered Sarah Lightheart.

"I will come with you," added Sarah's daughter, Paechra.

"No, Paechra, you will remain here with me," commanded Sienna. "We have much yet to discuss with High Prince Ulan."

"I have demanded my own space," replied Ulan. "Can one not seek silence in one's own home?"

"Not when one is in a position of leadership," replied Sienna, wisely. "A truly great leader makes time for the difficult as much as the enjoyable and I believe you have it in you to be such a leader."

As the others retreated Allknown Mother Druid Sienna gave High Prince Ulan another matriarchal glare.

"Leave us," Sienna said to the guards.

Ulan nodded to the two and they made to move away.

"Remain at the bottom of the stairwell," Ulan commanded. "We are not to be interrupted."

"As you command," replied the sylvan before they marched away.

Paechra strained her ears to hear the tromp, tromp marching as the pair of sylvan soldiers left the roof top. The rhythmic sound of marching strides grew quieter and quieter until it could be heard no more.

"Now, what is the meaning of this?" Ulan demanded to know.

"My prince I wished not to embarrass you in front of our guests," began Sienna.

"Alas embarrassed I am," announced High Prince Ulan.

"Then grow up and listen," stated Allknown Mother Druid Sienna.

Milky white eyes turned to face Ulan and although both Ulan and Paechra knew the extent of Sienna's blindness there was no denying that in that very moment the elder sylvan was staring straight through the high prince's very soul.

"As you request," murmured Ulan, meekly, all bravado sucked from his persona under Sienna's extreme glare.

"Better," Sienna huffed. "Now you must understand that in our past the battles with our mortal enemy almost wiped out the sylvan population."

"I am not afraid," stated Ulan proudly.

"You should be," Sienna Allknown replied. "Your father and mother had peace and prosperity, but they were wise enough to fear the wolf that howls in the night."

"Peace and prosperity is not weakness," argued the high prince.

"And bravado is not wisdom," Sienna argued in reply.

"I wished only for the support of my people," stated Paechra meekly. "I thought that we could be there for humankind again, as we were all those centuries ago."

Ulan and Sienna both turned to face the younger druid.

"You also do not know the true history of that time," replied Sienna.

The old druid's voice was steady, no hint of age and yet she spoke with the conviction of ancient memory.

"My father has spoken to me of that time, I have read the pages of history, I know what you know," announced the high prince.

Allknown Mother Druid Sienna shook her head.

"No, my prince, you know nothing," the elder druid stated. "Words are only words; they do not paint a true picture of the horror and fear of that time."

"Then tell us of that time and make us understand," demanded High Prince Ulan.

"I can do better than tell you," Suggested Sienna, mysteriously. "I am the only one who can show you."

Paechra noticed a white light shadowing the older druid, the outline resembling that of a wise old owl. Sienna cautiously reached out her gnarled hands seeking Ulan's face. Bravely the prince took those reaching hands and placed them upon his temples. Paechra saw the mix of uncertainty and determination in Ulan's eyes before Sienna found those eyes with her searching digits and gently placed her thumbs over the eyelids, sliding them closed.

"Share with me your memories, show me the truth that words cannot reveal," requested High Prince Ulan.

In silence Paechra watched as the prince stiffened as his mind was flooded with Sienna's visions. Gradually he fell to his knees with a moan. Paechra, feeling sympathy was immediately enveloped in a healing blue light. Straight away she embraced the two and felt some of the pain ease from both Sienna and Ulan.

"So much blood, so much suffering," murmured Ulan.

Paechra felt his silently falling tears wet her cheeks.

The memories continued to flow between Sienna and Ulan; the fear and pain of battle, the plan to involve humankind, freeing the land of the vorsurk and finally the feeling of peace and freedom. All of these memories experienced by a child and then interpreted through eons of wisdom and experience. The prince began to shake as Sienna finally removed her hands.

"Help me up, daughter," begged Sienna of Paechra and without question the younger druid obeyed.

"I thank you, Allknown Mother Druid Sienna," whispered the sylvan high prince. "Thank you for sharing with me your knowledge."

"Now you know why we can't say no," said Sienna. "Surely now you understand why it is that we can only say yes, committing the might of the sylvan people to such a worthy and necessary cause, just as we did in the past to save humankind from this fate."

"No, Sienna," muttered the prince. "Now I see for certain that my choice is the correct one, I cannot be the one to commit our people to such a cause, I am not as brave as my ancestors."

"Come, Paechra, there is nothing more that we can say here," stated Sienna sadly, offering Paechra her hands so that she could be led away.

"Foolish, foolish, foolish princes…" muttered Sienna as she and Paechra made their way down the flight of steps.

"Please slow down, mother," begged Paechra. "I am supposed to be the eyes for both of us."

"Child, I know each and every one of these steps, should I choose to I could dance up and down them with the help of spells," answered Sienna.

The elder druid's face twisted into a look of anger and frustration. As Paechra gave a look of shock in reply, Sienna's face softened.

"I am sorry, my daughter," cooed Sienna. "It is not you that I am angry with."

Paechra sighed, relieved.

"You were innocent in your request, you were too quick to jump to the conclusion that what happened in the past is the right solution for the present," continued Sienna, pausing on the steps to take Paechra's hands in her own.

"Was I wrong?" asked Paechra. "Should I have not brought the humans here?"

"Paechra Lightheart, you have journeyed far and already experienced much in your few years, your heart is that of the dragon and your mind is that of the unicorn," Sienna suggested.

"Courage and purity," Paechra stated with a smile.

"Courage and purity with no wisdom," answered Sienna with a tone of forgiveness. "In the same position I would have done the same as you, but I would have been seeking a private audience with our foolish high prince."

The two sylvan guards waiting at the bottom of the steps looked over their shoulders in surprise at hearing such words.

Paechra gave them a wide-eyed glance but Sienna merely pushed her way past them.

"High Prince Ulan has need of rest," Allknown Mother Druid Sienna suggested. "Please escort him to the royal chambers and do not allow him to refuse."

"Of course, mother druid," replied the two respectfully.

As Paechra led Sienna onwards she heard the rhythmic march of the pair making their way up the flight of stairs. She wondered what they would find when they reached the top.

"What is that noise?" grumbled Sienna.

Paechra paused for a moment and tried to focus. Up ahead there was a sound of shouting, it seemed likely that an argument had broken out between the humans.

"Quickly, mother," urged Paechra.

"You go on ahead," suggested Sienna. "I will be fine young one, I shall follow the ruckus."

Unsure for a moment Paechra caught the distinct sound of blades clashing.

"What stupidity will I be walking into?" she muttered to herself before rushing forward.

The noise led Paechra along the fortress passageways until she arrived at the Great Hall once more. There she found two sylvan soldiers sharing blows with Anton while Thomas danced around them like a flightless Arkarokk waving his empty hands about.

"Stop! Stop!" the butcher was shouting.

It was obvious to Paechra that nobody was listening.

"This is how a Truth Keeper teaches his lessons!" growled Anton as his sword arched around in a backhanded blow aiming to hamstring one of the sylvan warriors.

As a pair the sylvan blocked the blow with crossed spear poles before one stabbed at Anton's chest causing the head truth keeper to quickly duck under the thrust.

"Enough of this foolery!" cried Paechra as she stepped into the Great Hall.

The two sylvan looked up for only a second to see who it was that had spoken. This was just enough time for Anton to nick the shoulder of one of the sylvan causing a ribbon of red to spray across a table.

A foreboding purple shadow appeared around Paechra as she saw Sylvan blood spilled.

"I said that is ENOUGH!" the druid boomed.

Dropped weapons clattered to the stone floor.

"I tried, Paechra," Thomas cried out in fear.

"Yes, so I could see," replied the druid.

The purple shadow still without a distinct outline faded as Paechra's anger vanished as quickly as it had flared.

"You there, help him to a healer," commanded Paechra, ordering the uninjured sylvan soldier to support his fellow.

"The foolishness of men is common, regardless of the race," announced Sienna as she appeared in the doorway.

"So, it seems, mother," agreed Paechra.

"I believe that the wisest course of action is some time apart," suggested Sienna. "Perhaps Anton you would like to take a walk with me."

"You are the worst of the hags here!" growled Anton as he made to pick back up his dropped blade.

"Well then, perhaps you would prefer to take a walk outside yourself," said Sienna, her milky white eyes flashing green.

Paechra noticed a similar green pass as a shadow over Anton's face.

The head truth keeper forgot his blade then and nodded.

"Fresh air will do me good," he said.

"Would it trouble you if an old woman happened to be walking the same way?" asked Sienna with a soft smile.

"I guess not," considered Anton.

To the surprise of everyone but Paechra the mother druid and the head truth keeper left the Great Hall then, headed in the direction of the forest. As the pair left the fortress Paechra noted Thomas the Butcher collected Anton's blade. The young human held the weapon reverently and seemed confused about what to do with it next.

"I think it best that we all have some time away from one another," Paechra then suggested, to which there was no argument, just murmurs of concurrency.

An hour later Paechra found herself in the company of Queen Catherine. Michael Stormsong was with her, keeping the queen company.

"It is wonderful to see you at rest," Paechra announced. "May I spend some time with you both in silence, I have many thoughts that I need to set straight."

Queen Catherine was relaxed upon a bed of lush grass, a gentle stream ran alongside where she lay. Michael sat upon a thick fallen branch supplied but a great oak nearby.

"Please do join us," begged Michael. "I would love to speak with you on the subject of my son, if you are willing."

Queen Catherine yawned a dainty little yawn and smiled.

"Yes, please Paechra," said the human queen. "Your presence would be a fine addition to our small but satisfactory party."

Grateful Paechra found a place on the other side of Catherine, sitting upon the grass and facing Michael.

"So, what did you want to know?" the druid asked.

"Well for one thing I was hoping that you could tell me where he is?" asked Michael, hopeful but uncertain.

Paechra pondered upon the question wondering just how to explain the fate that had befallen Michael's son and what she should reveal regarding her involvement. Before she could begin her reply, the party of three was interrupted by Paechra's friend and sister through druid commonality, Heidi the Dove Spirit.

"Here I find you, Paechra my friend," puffed Heidi.

She looked as though she had been searching for Paechra for some time.

"Indeed, friend Heidi, here I am," replied Paechra. "Come sit and rest with us."

"As tempting as that offer is, alas, I cannot rest, and neither can you," Heidi said with a sigh. "The mother druid has summoned us for a meeting in the Sacred Grove."

"Alas indeed," sighed Paechra, turning to address Michael and the human queen she continued. "Please enjoy the peace and the song of the bubbling stream."

"That will not be possible," Heidi added. "Queen Catherine and Michael Stormsong have both been summoned also."

"A man invited to the Sacred Grove?" asked Paechra. "This has never happened before."

"Come quickly," urged Heidi. "Anton and Thomas are already there."

-