The Children of the Anarii II
The Awakening
This is the continuing story of Morgana’s spiritual journey. After the Mirii’s Communion Ceremony, Morgana is changed by her experience of crossing into the Forbidden—an advanced level of awareness that all Mirii shun because of the Dark Azerii. With the aid of her companions Elas, Rejat and Drek'h, and an unsettling decision by the Mirii High Council, she remains a member, joining Zerren’s Gate Hold. But when one of the Mirii’s small holdings is suddenly and brutally destroyed, Morgana’s unexpected healing abilities rapidly appear, putting her and the Mirii in fear of her awakening mythical powers.
Glimpses of
The Children of the Anarii II ~ The Awakening
from the Prologue
Varan's Reach is burning! Kellander felt the heat from the ancient stones burn his face and hands as he grabbed another Healer from the fatal smoke and intense heat that cascaded through the western tower. He screamed as the figure he held before him turned to flame, threatening to consume him as it had the others.
His agony ended abruptly as always, the blackness of the vision's departure blinding him for panicky minutes afterward. He felt the calming presence of his Azerii surround him, her thoughts soothing his mind. It's over, Kell, let it go, let it go.... Verryth took hu’man form beside him to wrap her arms about his shoulders, her hands moving to his darkened face. It's over, Kell.
I know, Verry, I know, he breathed his thoughts to her heavily, but it's the same one again. Why?
Daskan will know.
He's not here. He's at Communion. I must go to him. He blinked rapidly as his sight began to return, his eyes straining through the fog of his vision's remnants.
Marsk will not allow us to leave. Verryth's face was shadowed with her concern, her green-gold eyes troubled by her Mirii's emotions.
Kellander pushed his long bronze hair from his face, running it through his fingers. He could still sense the smoke and feel the heat of his inner-sight, his body still trembling from his fear of his vision. Five times I've had this Vision, and Daskan does nothing. Why? He raised his eyes to Verryth's golden face. Why? Does he think that by my staying here, it will not come to pass? He leaned his face into his hands, willing away the tremors that still coursed through him.
Verryth rose from his side, her form shimmering faintly as she gathered his clothes from the chair beside his bed. Why don't you talk to Makett? Maybe he could persuade Daskan to see you again. She placed her Mirii's clothes at the foot of the bed, then slipped to the window to open it wide to the summer morning airs that wafted up from the courtyard below. The sounds and smells of the awakening ward echoed from beyond. She turned to face him again, her gossamer figure seeming to waiver in the bright rays that streamed in through the window.
Kellander shook his head, his anger replacing his fear. "Makett talks like Marsk—he won't listen either. I’m sure Daskan has told them of my Visions, but I think they're under his orders to keep me here no matter what."
Well, you are the best Teleport, if anything should happen, Verryth sent, then smiled softly. Besides, why would anyone attack us? None but a few Foresters know we are even here.
"I know. Varan's Reach is the last place to find a Mirii ward. And the last one any would bother with. But what if he's wrong?" He looked up at his Azerii again. "What if my Vision comes true? The Dark Azerii is part of this—he has to see that!" he said angrily, grabbing his tunic and pulling it over his head.
Verryth fell silent, her own thoughts troubled by his words. The Dark Azerii. Yes, her own heart told her this was true. The Dark Azerii were breaking free. The Covenant was failing.
Kellander dressed quickly, his movements reflecting his desire to leave this place, the place where he saw his own death.
from Chapter 4
Communion Council opened at dusk. It began with the gathering of the Mirii High Council, those Elders who had made the long journey from their distant holds and wards. To the center of the encampment they met, in a large circular area lit by dozens of light spheres hovering overhead. Once assembled, the Council members moved to their hold and ward banners which were held aloft in the outer ring by a strong Aza chosen to bear each standard. Five Elders stood before each hold banner; one Visioner, two Healers and two Aza, while three stood before the smaller wards; Visioner, Healer and Aza, those present representing their full councils for the members who remained behind.
In the open field stood the Mediator, Daskan, Elder Visioner and his assistant, Makett, Senior Aza Tor from Varan's Reach Ward. As the Elder called the ceremony to begin he occasionally leaned upon the younger man when his staff became less than adequate. With the opening words complete and the ceremony begun, the two walked to their standard where the Elder was given a chair to further conduct the event while Bekaal, his watchful First Elder Healer, looked on.
Daskan smiled. Though his strength was on the wan, his mind and spirit were full of temper. Be calm, Beloved, he sent privately to Bekaal as she tried not to hover over him. I will outlast many of those standing.
The circle of Elders was completed with the joining of the other members of their camp moving to stand behind each standard and creating a ring about the area. At a nod from Daskan, the newest Mirii, the Chosen Talents who had successfully meld with their Azerii the night before, entered and their names rang out in the clear evening air, the bright promise of their voices lifting into the oncoming night. As each gave their name, linked with their Azerii, they also named the hold or ward they chose as their next destination. Then, with the consenting voices from their Elders, they moved to the banner that marked their new home.
Daskan watched and listened as the Talents were brought in next. With each name given, two of the Aza of the hold or ward that claimed them would step forward to ask the young person a few questions. Then, with the Aza's approval, the Talent was guided into their camp gathering. As the last of the nervous Talents stepped into the circle, his Azerii informed him of the appearance of the Talent that had been so heatedly discussed in their earlier conclave. A tall young woman arrived, dressed in Talents’ garb of golden tan, her dark blond hair cascading around her shoulders, her aura still revealing the golden glow of the Forbidden. She held herself rigid; about her he sensed the fluttering presence of two meld Azerii. She was last in line; purposely placed to draw the least attention, or the most, he wondered.
Morgana stepped to the center of the circle, the ring of faces around her edging her unease higher. As she stopped where the last Talent before her had, and gave her name to the waiting assembly, two figures approached from her left, the gold and black banner of Zerren's Gate Hold lifting in the slight breeze behind them. Two Aza; the man tall and broad-chested, his wavy black hair clipped short around his tanned face; the woman fair-haired and bronze skinned, her slight frame moving easily towards her alongside her companion. They stopped before her, their faces impassive in the light of the spheres.
"Morgana Brejjard, how did you come to join our Communion?" The man spoke first, his deep voice carrying the tone of command.
"I was brought by Aza Har Rejat of Lasah and Healer Elas of Zerren's Gate," she replied, remembering the words her aunt had shared with her of this ceremony.
"Did you come by your own choice?" the woman asked her, her voice holding a softness that did not match her appearance.
"Yes."
"What is your intent?" The man spoke again, his dark eyes narrowing with his words.
"To be Mirii," she stated solemnly, her gaze locked on his. He raised his dark brows at her response then nodded to his companion.
"So be it. Morgana Brejjard, do you swear to uphold the Covenant and protect your fellow Mirii and the meld Azerii, and to obey the wisdom of your Elders?" His gaze became more intense as if he would seek out the truth from her heart.
"Yes, I will—" she began, but her response was abruptly cut short by the overwhelming of her senses when an unspoken scream ripped through her head, the noise stunning the gathering of Mirii as well. She looked up, seeing the dark sky above suddenly brilliant with the lights of the meld Azerii as they took to the air, abandoning their Mirii. The rushing of thousands of voices cried out in her mind and Morgana found herself unable to move, just as those around her, their gazes also locked on the sky. Wild emotions of pain, fear and anger crashed through her, pushing and shoving her awareness from her body to the frantic Azerii that swerved in circles across the night sky, until they abruptly disappeared.
A hu’man cry before her yanked Morgana’s attention back to the earth. She looked past the two stunned Aza to see the fire-blackened forms of two people that had not been there a moment before. Kneeling on the flattened grasses, a man's ruined face greeted her, his eyes filled with pain. "Varan's—Varan's Reach is burning!" he cried, then lowered his head and clutched the still form of a badly-burned woman tighter to his chest, her body limp in his arms.
Morgana stepped forward, her expanded awareness promptly drawing her towards the injured pair, but the strong arms of the two Aza stopped her, holding her in place while several other Mirii rushed toward the two figures. They pulled her away to the now-ragged outer circle, depositing her with Zerren's Gate Hold's other waiting Talents. Elas was there as well and reached for her, her own emotions barely in control. "Varan's Reach—it's Rejat's Vision—its come to pass," she moaned to her niece, her thoughts too garbled to send coherently.
Drek'h quickly joined them, his arms claiming her shoulders as if needing her to steady himself. "He teleported from Varan's—they were attacked—" His voice failed him, his senses, like many, swimming with the shock of the injured Mirii's words.
"Daskan! Healers, attend! Attend!" shouted another, his deep voice cutting through the chaos, demanding their attention. Morgana turned from Elas and Drek'h's shocked gaze to the gathering beyond, now splitting apart as several rushed to the Varan's Reach banner.
Daskan is ill! The mind voice of another broke through her shock. A hush began to fall over the assembly and another Elder began to speak. "Silence! Let us have silence!" the deep male voice boomed over them. When most had complied he spoke again, striding to the fore to be seen by all. "Honored Elders, hold and ward members," he began, his tall frame rising above with his voice. "As Council Elder of Lasah I ask that our gathering be complete for this evening. Our Honored Elder Daskan is ill; Varan's Reach Ward is in danger. Please return to your camps for this night. Your councils will inform you of your duties on the morrow," he said crisply, then turned back to his hold members.
Morgana's gaze returned to the center of the field as two Healers carried the still form of the woman from the gathering. Behind them, several other Healers clustered around the man, his cries lessening with their attention to his injuries. A tall Elder Healer began to direct them, ordering two Aza Tors to carry the man away from the field towards Zerren's Gate Hold's camp.
"That's E'sar, and Bannist, they are taking him to Zerren's Gate," Elas mumbled absently, naming the two Elder Healers leading the party from the circle.
A pale-faced Rejat suddenly appeared beside her and took her hand. "Elas, Dayana has collapsed."
Morant stepped up behind them. "Elas, go to Lasah’s camp, with Rejat. Drek'h, take Morgana to my quarters," he said roughly and pushed his daughters before him towards Lasah's tents before turning to see to the rest of his hold members.
And the journey continues...
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