Chapter XIIV

Andraste walked in the gardens as she sat down overlooking the lake. The moon and the stars lit the water as it was cast back. The salmon in the lake enjoyed as they jumped around. Andraste laughed as she saw it. “This is home, to go with Garvåre will kill me. I have no idea what to do.” She thought as she started crying. Priestess Palisia stood next to Andraste as she stopped crying. “It is normal to cry.” She said as Andraste looked up. “It shows that you care about people.” Palisia said with a smile. “Many things at once, I do not know what I should do.” Andraste said. Palisia said down next to Andraste. “Tell me what you have on your mind. Sometimes you cannot find the answer yourself.” Andraste smiled and started talking.

Priestes Irsdaril opened her eyes as she breathed heavily staring forward. As she regained her calm an owl sat down on her shoulder. Irsdaril stroked the owl and felt lively again. She held out her arm as the owl jumped towards her hand. Irsdaril took the letter attached to the owl’s feet. “War has come. Beware the old caverns for there are dangers we do not know. High Priestess.” Irsdaril turned the paper and wrote. “Lärnberg will fall if not reinforced. He has to leave soon.” Irsdaril rolled up the paper and gave it to the owl, the owl bowed and flew off. Irsdaril looked to the sky and stood up. Strong clouds were gathering in the valley. Irsdaril walked to the shrine and took a bowl. She filled it with water and sat down.She inhalend and exhaled long and steadily three times. As she breathed out she took the bowl, and drank it fully before setting it back on the ground. She closed her eyes again and meditated.

As Nerawn watched how Garvåre worked he was drawn in by his actions and attitude. Before he realised it, he was helping him as Garvåre gave him little chores to do. Garvåre explained every step he undertook and it did not take long before Nerawn was actively smelting with Garvåre. It took several breaks before they sat at the tables for dinner.

“I never knew it would be fun.” Nerawn said as they were finished. “Fun? You mean you can find rest in it, while you are doing it?” Garvåre asked. “Rest in it? What do you mean?” Nerawn asked as he took a sip of his drink. “If you would not find rest in it, you start thinking and soon after you want to do something else. You grow impatient and want to do something different. Something you can focus on and something that does not bother you.” Garvåre explained. Nerawn thought about it and nodded in agreement. “Actions occur when we agree to it ourselves. If we do not agree to it, we think about it.” Garvåre said as he drank. “That is a way I have not thought about it before. You certainly made a valid point.” Nerawn said. “When do we start smithing?” Garvåre laughed. “Let us sleep first.” Nerawn and Garvåre had a laugh for a short moment as they were joined by other miners. They chatted for a while not realising they were being watched.

The High Priestess was meditating as a crow flew into the room and sat on a branch. Fionnuala opened her eyes as the shadow grew. As she stood up priestess Palisia walked in pointing her staff at the crow. She muttered a few words as the crow flew to the ground and changed, an old man stood up. His skin was greyish, he wore a black  robe with red linings, his bald head was old and his beard was dark. “I find it disrespectful that you point your staff towards me.” He said with a strong rasping voice. “Forgive her Master Dirgar.” Fionnuala said. “What is it that brings you here?” Master Dirgar sighed. “To many things have changed, we must hold a meeting. I have send messengers towards the Sun. Although I have no idea whether they are still there.” What do you mean?” Asked Palisia. “The Sun is falling.” Master Dirgar said. Palisia and Fionnuala became silent.

“We all know that Darkness is growing but as long as the Sun is here it will stay in balance. The Moon and the Stars, shine throughout every Darkness. What do you know of this High Priestess?” Master Dirgar said. Fionnuala thought for a second. “Not much yet we have received one of their princes. He is currently walking his own path again.” Master Dirgar nodded as he heard it. “I will give them two more months to return. We will meet again when the Moon is full and the tides are strong.” Master Dirgar bowed and walked out of the room. Fionnuala and Palisia walked him out. Once outside the Master changed into a crow and flew off.

“My Lady, why do you allow him here?” Palisia asked. Fionnuala looked at Palisia. “We are not here to fight but to keep the balance.” Fionnuala said. “Send word to all the priestesses. Their thoughts must be answered so they may act.” “I will my Lady” Palisia said as she bowed and left. The High Priestess whistled a long and beautiful song. Her song reached the ends of the forest and passed over the grassy plains onwards to the sea. An eagle of the sea flew over the water as his ears heard the song. He let out his powerful scream which travelled to the ears of the High Priestess.

Garvåre was sleeping as the Darkness closed in on him. He was chased by the Commander as he had to dodge arrows and spells. As he was cornered he sat thinking, as fear raged in his heart. “What to do? They are too many.” A spell blew up his cover as he was left vulnerable. The Commander appeared in front of him as Garvåre stumbled and fell. The Commander grinned but turned around as his grin disappeared. Garvåre did not understand till he heard a scream. Coming from far he could see a light appearing. The light blinded him and his heart raged with a fury. As he looked closer he could see white wings. Two powerful eyes penetrated his as he stood up and found himself in armour. Shining brightly he unsheathed his sword and attacked the Commander. “No!” He cried with anger. “You will fall to my will!” He shouted as he swung his axe at Garvåre. Garvåre blocked it with his shield. The axe kept stuck in the shield as Garvåre threw it away. He swung his sword and scratched open the gauntlet of the Commander. The Eagle was harassing the Commander’s head. The commander roared as he turned into smoke and left. The Eagle landed on Garvåre’s shoulder as the Darkness left and turned to a bright area filled with grass and trees.