The Magean Prophecy -part 1

CHAPTER ONE:
The Cave and the Basin


A single light could be seen, flickering in the grimy window of a small house, which

stood lonely in the moonlight. Behind it, Beechwood forest loomed, a menacing shadow.

Inside the dwelling, a man hurried about in the candlelight, the flame, throwing a

darkened shadow across his handsome, though weary face. He moved hastily,

collecting several papers and concealing the writing with a simple muttered spell

before rolling them up and putting them inside the oversized traveling cloak that was

draped over his shoulders. At that moment, time was of the essence.

The man was about to leave, when his eyes fell on something.

The map.

Quickly, he folded it, and placed it in an envelope, with a hastily written letter to his

student. He sealed it with wax and placed it on the mantelpiece, obscuring it under

an antique vase. 

The figure looked up anxiously when he heard a rustling sound coming from the next

room, and decided he best hurry, if he were to get away unnoticed. He blew out the

candle, and set it down, before skulking out into the cool night, unaware that a

young man was watching him from the window.

Tristan hesitated only barely, before slowly opening the grating window and climbing

out, careful to make as little noise as humanly possible as he jumped.

He landed in the dirt soundlessly and jogged after Orden, cautious to remain a safe

distance away. Further off, in the gloom, he heard an uttered incantation, and saw

an orb of light appear in front of his master, lighting the way as walked on. Tristan

couldn’t risk doing the same, so he jogged on, sticking to the shadows.


Nearby a wolverine howled, and Orden stopped.

“Kahni,” Tristan heard him mutter.

As the young man got closer he could see his tutor, surrounded by snarling

animals, foaming at the mouths. The one that appeared to be the leader stepped

forward, and spoke.

“Orden Bailington, how perfectly charming to see you again!” Said the animal in a

cool female voice. “You wouldn’t try to be escaping with the prophecy, would you?”

Orden laughed, a hard and careless laugh.

“Now why would I go and do that miss?” He asked innocently.

The wolverine shook its head and stood on its hind legs. In a flash of violet light, the

snarling beast disappeared, to be replaced by tall and extremely beautiful woman

with multi-toned hair, which flew about in a conjured breeze.

“Hmmm, I really don’t know Mr. Bailington, perhaps its the fact that you’re a sneaky

and underhanded brute, and because I really don’t trust you,” She replied with fickle

sweetness.

“That’s a shame, then aint it?” Orden scowled.

“Orden, you are trying my patience. I am not in the mood for this! Now hand over the

prophecy! Don’t you believe that my friends will tear you limb from limb, if I so

desire?”

Silence.

Kahni waved her hand and the rolled up paper that had been hidden in Orden’s

cloak, flew out, and unfurled in front of the menacing woman.

“Blank. They are blank. “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS ORDEN BAILINGTON?”

The woman roared, sending a shudder down the spine of Tristan, who had found a

large tree to hide behind, at least twelve feet away from the altercation.

Orden gave the woman a smug smile, and shrugged.

“Wouldn’t have a clue, mi lady,” the last bit was said in a voice of dripping sarcasm,

and he gave a small wave, as he turned into quite a small grey mouse and

endeavored to scamper away.

“Oh Orden, I expected much better than you,” the mage said, slamming her foot

down on the mouse’s tail. “How pathetic,”

She bent low and picked him up, dangling him above her face, as he squeaked and

struggled to get out of her grip. “Such a sneak you are! Oh well, never mind, I’ll put

an end to that!”

And to Tristan’s absolute horror and repulsion, she lowered the protesting animal

into her open mouth and bit down. Hard.

Blood oozed from the corner of her mouth, which was stretched in a satisfied grin.

Tristan retched and Kahni snapped to attention, swallowing what was previously his

master. She walked briskly over to where Tristan was hiding, and reached behind

the tree, grabbing a handful of his shaggy, chestnut brown hair and pulling him out.

“Ah! Finally we meet! So you’re the all-famous apprentice of the recently deceased

Orden Bailington? Quite a looker, aren’t you? What with those pretty lips and all?

You would make such a good partner for me, but unfortunately you’re much to

young!

“I don’t think you’ll be much of a nuisance to me, and you are quite eye-catching, so

I think I’ll let you live, but you’ll have to take a nap, so you can’t follow me.

Goodnight Tristan Bailington!”

She placed her hands on his temple and muttered: “Somnus!”  Tristan, who had

remained quiet throughout this whole ordeal, let out a soft moan, before slumping to

the ground, unconscious.

The woman tilted her head. “He looks so peaceful when he’s sleeping,” she

whispered to no one in particular. Kahni gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead,

before transforming back into a wolverine and loping off into the trees, her followers

close behind.   

*

When Tristan came to, he was aware of the darkness. He looked up; the once clear

sky was laden with heavy rain clouds.

He got shakily to his knees, and then it all came rushing back to him, the

Prophecy, the woman, the blood…

He retched again, and doubled over, expelling his stomach contents into the

bushes.

Once he was sure that he wasn’t in any danger of throwing up again, Tristan stood,

and spat, attempting to get the sour taste from his mouth.

As the rain began to fall, Tristan realized, he didn’t want to go back to the cottage,

the home where he grew up, the place he was loved like a son, by the stranger who

found him abandoned in the forest.

He was also aware that he wouldn’t make it to the village before the storm set in, so

his only choice remaining, where the caves.

The place he and his best friend, Abby, used to play hide and seek when they were

younger, the place he could go and think if things in life got to hard. Sure he was

twenty-two, and now a man, but once in a while even a man had to have their own,

private thinking time. He looked up once more and sighed, before running deeper

into the trees.



By the time he got to the caves, the storm was in full swing, and he was dripping

wet. He slipped into the mouth of the cage and muttered “Viridis ignis.” Moments

later he was holding in his hand an emerald flame, ready to set out, deeper into the

cave. At a particular point, a fetid stench filled his nostrils, and when he looked to

his left, he came upon a ghastly sight.


A corpse, not quite through its stage of decomposition, was propped up against the

rocky wall, decaying flesh, clinging to its bones and maggots wriggling around in its

eye sockets.


Tristan screwed up his face in disgust, but continued onward.

Soon he was aware that he could no longer hear the storm outside, and he also

saw, in the distance, a shimmering gold light. He took a few more steps, and found

himself in a large cavern, faintly illuminated by the gold light, and his own green

flame. Tristan stumbled forward on his long legs and soon, the object that was giving

of the luminous glow, became clearer.

Settled in a stone plinth, was a crystal basin, and in that basin, a thick gold liquid

lazily swirled.

He gave it a suspicious glare, and decided he’d examine it more thoroughly when he

had Abby with him, she had more knowledge of these things, but at the moment, he

was dead tired. He yawned widely, sat down against the stone, and leaned his head

against the cool rock. He listened for a while, to the sounds of water dripping slowly,

before letting the noise lull him into a dreamless sleep.


*

Tristan opened his eyes, and was for a moment, perplexed. Then after taking in his

surroundings, he realized where he was.

Wondering if the rain had let up, he rose to his feet, and again, produced the green

flame. He was still exhausted from using the continuous magic the previous night,

but was barely concerned of what the consequences would be.

The walk back took longer than he expected, being an uphill trip, and it also took a

bit more energy than necessary. By the time he reached the mouth of the cave, he

was covered in sweat, his head was swimming, and to top it all of, the rain was still

as bad as ever.


He sighed in resignation, and leaned against the rocky wall, sliding down, and

grazing his back on the coarse surface.

He closed his eyes, his mind buzzing. It took him a while, but soon he became

mindful of a familiar tugging at the back of his thoughts. Somebody was trying to

contact him telepathically.

Not caring about who it was, he let down his defenses and allowed the contactor in

to his mind.

Tristan? Tristan? Are you okay, I went to Orden’s this morning and you were gone.
Where are you?

With that sweet voice, came flooding relief. It was Abby.

I’m okay…I think, just really…tired

He returned, feeling more of his strength leave him.

I can feel it; you’re not hurt, are you?

Her voice was filled with concern.

I…I don’t think so. He panted his reply, allowing his eyes to slide closed.

I’m so exhausted…I…cant…keep…I cant keep going.

He could feel the connection slipping, he was going to pass out again, and he knew

it. The use of magic for an extended period of time was taking its toll on him.

Just stay with me Tristan, so I can scry for you…

Her voice was now broken.

Stay…come on… …do…it!

He knew he couldn’t, and he let the darkness claim him. 


*

When he opened his eyes next, he immediately squeezed them shut again, the

sunlight piercing his vision. Sunlight. How long had he been unconscious? As if an

answer to his question, a soft hand brushed the side of his cheek.

“Tristan? Are you okay?” Came a softhearted and gentle voice.

“Huh?” he said groggily, his eyes opening once more. When he grew accustomed to

the light, he was able to see the brown eyes and heart shaped face of his best
friend, Abby.

“Thank god, I was worried sick. I went to Orden’s this morning and neither of you
were there, I couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong!”

Tristan gave her a small smile, and ran a hand through his shaggy hair.

“I’m fine, really Abby, It was just exhaustion, I overused my magic I guess.” He
assured her. She shook her head and her dark brown hair flew about her face.

“I will never get you. Men, you’re all so stubborn, it’s unbelievable!” she muttered
giving him a tiny smile. He returned the gesture. “And I will never get you. Women,
you all care too much.”

Abby laughed and gave him a small punch on the shoulder.

“So what happened?” she asked.

Tristan looked away, he had almost forgot the events from the previous night, but the
memory resurfaced and he could feel his eyes burning with unshed tears.

One escaped, a tiny drop, perfect as a diamond and sparkling in the sunlight, it slid
down his cheek, and hung on his chin, before falling to the ground.

“Tristan, what happened?” Not a question, a demand.

“I’m fine,” he said, furiously wiping at his eyes, determined not to cry.

“Tristan,” she warned in her not-to-be-messed-with tone, and the boy looked up.

“Tell me,”

He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, before launching into an explanation
of his activities the night before.

Abbey clapped a hand over her mouth when Tristan told her of his teacher’s death,
and then wrapped her arm around his trembling body.

“It’s okay Tristan, you can cry, it’s just you, and me” she whispered gently in his
ear, tears of her own, slipping out. 



Once Tristan felt he could cry no more, he stood and yawned widely, before helping
Abbey to her feet.

“I need you to see something.” Tristan said simply, and then reached out, grabbing
her dainty hand.

“Stick close, it gets a bit steep. I don’t want you falling in the dark.”

Abby gave her tall friend a confused look.

“What? Where are we going?” she asked, bewildered.

“Just don’t let go of my hand,” Tristan replied, promptly leading her into the
darkness.

“Disgusting! What is that smell?” Abby asked, as they passed where Tristan
guessed the rotting corpse lay. 

“Believe me, you don’t want to know.”

The two remained silent after this, until the gold basin swam into view.

“I want to know if you have any idea what that is,” he said pointing to it. It held no
significance to him, it was just his curiosity was sparked by the mysterious object.
In his long twenty-two years of life, which he spent mostly in the caves, he had
never come across it; so naturally, he was inquisitive.

Abby let go of his hand and slowly walked toward the basin. She looked down into
the gold liquid and touched the glimmering contents with hesitant fingers.

The moment her skin came into contact with the golden substance, her body went
rigid.

As she stared into nothingness, her face void of any expression, Tristan stepped
forth, concerned for his friends well being. 

“Abby?” he asked, taking a cautious step forward.

Just at that moment, she jumped back, completely recovered from her trance.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push the
throbbing pain in her skull, back.

“Are you okay?” Tristan asked, gripping Abby’s shoulder.

She nodded, uncertainly.

“That’s the Elixir of life,” she muttered. “I can tell by the color.”

She looked away from Tristan’s worried glance, but he gently turned her face so that
her dark eyes met his sea green ones.

“What did you see?” He demanded.

“Don’t worry, I…”

“Abby,” Tristan said gently.

Abby tore her face away. “Nothing, it was nothing!” she snapped. “Why can’t you
ever mind your own business?”

Tristan was taken aback at the words and tone that his friend spoke in. Abby had
always been sweet natured and kind, with a patience that seem to run on for
eternity, so the tone stung him.

He stood stock still for a moment, to shocked to move, but was spurred into action
when Abby turned and ran for the dark tunnel, sobbing.

“Abby!” Tristan ran as fast as his long legs could take him, but that didn’t seem fast
enough. Soon, he saw the mouth of the cave and sped out, just as Abby
disappeared into the trees.

“Abby! Slow Down!” he called, following in her path, ignoring the brambles as they
scratched his long legs.

In the distance he could see Abby, starting to slow down as she approached the
bell tower that stood on Beechwood hill, overlooking the small village.

Tristan slowed his pace also and he eventually caught up to her, just as the bell
tolled five.

It would start getting dark soon.

“Abby! What was that about?” he asked, reaching her side.

“I’m sorry!” she shouted over the sound of the bell.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?”

Abbey looked up at him with tear filled eyes.

“Please, don’t make me talk about it, don’t make me see it again,”

Abby slowly sank to the ground and lay back, staring at the clouds as they passed
in the golden sky overhead.

Tristan lay next to her in the long fresh grass, and looked over at her. She seemed
to be calming down as the smell of honey baked ham filled their nostrils.

Tristan took a deep sniff.

“The markets will be opening soon, we should head back,” he stated, getting to his
feet and helping Abby to hers.

She wiped her eyes and followed him as he took the winding path the bottom.



*



Kahni looked away from the glass and gave a low growl. She didn’t think the boy


would be as much trouble as she first thought.

The girl would also be a problem.

She knew that Tristan had heard about the prophecy, and had no doubt in her mind
that he would attempt to locate it.

She had to keep an eye on the two, but for now they were relatively harmless.

Still, it would be nice if she could have some entertainment as she tried to conquer
all and compel everyone to bow at her feet.

She put the looking glass back in its leather pouch and tossed it aside, careful not
to damage it in anyway, and then called for her second in command, Gaharas.

“Yes ma’am?” he asked, bowing deeply.

“Those two kids,” she began. “They might become a nuisance. I want you to keep
an eye on them. The boy, he may be particularly sneaky, I want you to capture him if he comes close to finding the truth, as for the girl…” She thought for a moment.
She would have no use for the young female. “…Kill her,”

Gaharas give a brief nod before backing out of the throne room. Yes, the in house
entertainment will be exceptional once she had the boy…



*



The sun was just beginning to set as Abby and Tristan made their way through the
main square, casting quick glances at the market stalls. Once or twice Tristan was
stopped by a fortuneteller, trying to convince him that he was soon to come into a
power unlike anything he had experienced. Abby just pulled him forth as he waved
them off.

Abby seemed desperate to get him off the street, and Tristan was becoming tired of
waiting for Abby to tell him what she had seen.

The tall boy dug his heels into the ground in a last act of defiance, and Abby’s hand
slipped from his.

“Tell me Abby,” he said softly. The girl before him stopped in her path and slowly
turned to face him, tears silently falling down her cheeks.

“Alright, fine. You win. I saw you. Lying in a cold concrete cell, alone and bleeding.
A woman came in and asked you about a prophecy, and you insisted you didn’t
know what she was talking about. Then…then she killed you,” she said the last part

softly, and slowly Tristan remembered about the woman and the prophecy she
asked of the night she killed his tutor.

Tristan nodded his head slowly before he spoke again.

“What about you?” he asked gently.

“I…I was already dead,”

A silence filled the air. Not an awkward type, just silence, impenetrable and full of
sorrow.

“Lets get to my house,” Abby suggested softly, now walking slowly ahead.

Tristan didn’t want to push her further, so he followed, hoping that even in his silence
he was comforting her.

Soon enough, they arrived at Abby’s house. The windows were dark and the door,
latched. Abby guessed that her parents had already gone out to market so she
wove a hand over the lock and it slid open.

Inside Abby lit several candles, and sat on a wicker chair, her elbows resting on her
knees and her head in her hands.

“I have to leave,” Tristan spoke. “I have to go and find this prophecy and make sure
that evil woman never finds it. I need to go and I need to go now,”

Abby jumped to her feet.

“No! Tristan, they’ll get you, and they will kill you! I don’t want that to happen to you!
If you’re going to go, at least let me come with you!”

Tristan shook his head. “No way Abby! You said it yourself! You die! If I take you
along, it will make it all the more easier for them! You need to stay here where it’s
safe!”

Abby placed her hands on her hips. “How do you know that staying here will help?
How do you know that this isn’t the place that I die?” she argued.

“How do you know that it is?”

Abby took a step forward and placed her hands in his.

“Tristan, you are my best friend! You have always been there for me, and I’m not
about to let you go on some adventure without me. At least if I come with you, I
won’t be alone when I die! Please Tristan, please…”

Tristan considered for a moment, before finally giving in to Abby’s sad eyes.

“Okay. Pack your things. We need to go to Orden’s first, so I can get some of my

belongings,”

Abby nodded and set about packing dried salted meats, biscuits and water. She
also packed a spare change of clothes, some herbs and left a hastily written note to
her parents, explaining why she was gone. Soon enough, they were all set to go.



The two stuck to the shadows, using the cover of darkness as they scampered
down alleyways and over fences, all the way to Orden’s house.

Abby stopped momentarily, clutching her side due to a stitch, but Tristan pulled her
along.

“C’mon Abby, you can rest at Orden’s we need to move now!”

Abby picked up her pace, as she tailed Tristan through the streets of Beechwood,
and eventually, the tilted shape of Orden’s house emerged ahead.

Tristan slowed his rate to that of a quick walk, and as he reached the entranceway
to the dwelling, he waved his hand over the lock, much the same way as Abby had
earlier, and the two were admitted.

Tristan quickly summoned light to each of the various lanterns positioned around the
house, and ran to collect his effects.

As Tristan shuffled about in the other room, Abby, looked around, moving bits of
paper, and strange artifacts.

On the mantelpiece, she saw an old vase, one that was ancient and very dusty. As
she reached out to pick it up, her eye caught on an envelope that was stacked
behind it. She picked it up and flipped it over.

It was addressed to Tristan.

“Hey, Tristan, come here!” Abby called softly, and his lanky frame came walking into
the room. She handed the envelope over to him and he frowned as he broke the seal
and unfolded the parchment.

He read the letter quickly, and pulled the other paper from the envelope. Upon
opening that, he discovered a map.

“Wow, this…this is ridiculous!”

Tristan handed the letter to Abby and she read it softly to herself:







To my Student,

By the time you read this letter it will be too late to save me, but you can save
Gweldenoria, and more importantly, yourself.

The map enclosed will help you find the Magean prophecy, a foresight, written by the great Uru’dain, before the fall of the Magean Empire.
You need to find the prophecy, before Kahni does, because if it falls into her hands, she will only use it to wield a great evil.
Remember your training Tristan, it was always leading up to this day.
Live well, and be happy, for I will never really be gone…


Abby looked up from the letter and at Tristan, and tried to read his emotions, but his
eyes were blank, as he stared out the window.

“Damn,” Tristan muttered, seeing something outside. “Keep your head down and
follow me,”

Abby ducked down and followed her friend across the room, to the bookcase. He
ran a finger across the books until his hand set on a particular one, and he pulled on
it.

The book came out only slightly, and the case swung forward, revealing a staircase
that let straight down. Tristan extinguished the lanterns and followed Abby down the
stairs. Once at the bottom, Tristan, again summoned forth the light, and the room
was set aglow, revealing weapons of all sorts.

“What exactly is going on?” Abby asked.

“They’ve found us. We need to wait until they leave, before we get going. We’re also
going to need weapons,”

Abby nodded slightly and set forward weaving in and out of cabinets and tables,
picking lethal weapons from their places and scrutinizing them from every angle
before putting them back gently.

Eventually she decided on an intricately carved bow, which came with a quiver full of
arrows, and a small Athame.

While Abby shouldered the bow and quiver, Tristan picked up a long silver sword,
which had tiny amethyst and jade gems set into the hilt. He sheathed the sharp
weapon and belted it around his waist, before climbing up the stairs to listen to the
conversation that was taking place overhead.

“I know they are here somewhere sir, one minute, the windows were aglow, the
next, it was blacker than night! They have to be here!” came a muffled voice.

“And I have told you Bainger that we have searched this place twice, and still there
is no one! They must have escaped into the woods! Send your troops out, but in
case they are here still, I will set this sad little house on fire, perhaps that will lure
them out,”

There were a few more mutterings before Tristan became bored with the
conversation, so he quietly made his way back to Abby and told her of the news.

“They’re going to burn the place down! We have to leave!” Abby said frantically.

“No! We can’t! That’s what they’re expecting us to do! They think that the fire will
lure us out!”

Abby snorted.

“It would work, if we we’re actually sane, but, we’re not, so its fine!” he said to her.

Abby looked taken aback. “Speak for yourself, I am not crazy!” she protested.

Tristan chuckled.

“Abby, you surrendered your sanity, the minute you decided to come with me on
this trip. You’re just as crazy as I am,” he said with a broad grin, despite their
situation.

Abby gave him a gentle punch, and then all was quiet.

Tristan closed his eyes to see if he could sense what was going on upstairs, and
then motioned Abby to remain silent. “They’re still up there, but I don’t think they
can hear us.” Tristan said softly, as he sat and relaxed himself, prepared for the long
wait until morning.