Philip's Thoughts

Chapter 2

Adelaide admired the cups while she waited for them to cool. The one she pulled for herself was a nice if cheap mug with a simple leaf pattern on it. The handle was well worn, and smelt of strong copper. The other was an exquisite flower patterned mug, with blooming roses and colourful birds from islands Adelaide couldn’t even name. She looked over to double the small stool and chair were still by the kitchen door; they were. She gently stirred the tea, admiring the steam that seem to fall upwards and out of the mug. Once she felt they were cool enough, she set the spoon down and carried the two mugs with one hand. The other hand picked up the small stool and table and opened the kitchen door. Closing the door behind her, she felt the quick fading warmth of a late summer sun in the grass under her feet. The trees around her were mostly a proud and healthy green. Only one tree, at the far edge of the property had begun to to let a few leaves turn a glorious golden. Cold winds will be blowing soon enough, she thought to herself as she set up the table and chair. A cold wind, no — a wind that was colder than she was expecting — blew through the forest, rustling leaves and branches into their own disharmonious symphony as she sat down. Adelaide set the tea cups in the right locations like she had always done since she was a little girl; one for her and one for her guest, handles pointing away. A cool night breeze briefly blew the steam from the mugs into a circle before dispersing into itself. Adelaide took a sip and let out a relaxing sigh, letting her warm breath escape into the night. She closed her eyes, letting the anticipation out of her body. She was alone, the first step. She had an offering, the second step. Now all that was left was the third. She closed her eyes and meditated. She visualised her mind, a little sparkling star set inside her head slowly rising, till it left her body and was carried on the wind, higher and higher till eventually it touched the stars above Opening her eyes, she looked up at the night sky to find the stars more numerous and brighter than when she had closed them. They started twinkling and moving, faster and faster like whirlpool in the sky, till it culminated in a silent but still awe-inspiring plain. They still drifted slowly, like lilies down a river, brushing into and sliding around each other. The rush of hearing their voice again caused her heart to work even harder. The hair on the back of her neck rose as that familiar honey voice, not masculine, not feminine, but still almost human, slipped into her ears. “Oh bless you child of the stars, we welcome you back to the fold, and are eager to hear how you have been.” Their voice gave her goosebumps for all the right reasons. “Oh blessed stars, I thank you for your gift, for your guidance, and for your love. You cleanse the sin of the earth from my base and weak body.” Adelaide recited. The stars drifted silently for a moment. “We accept you.” Adelaide’s heart sung. “What do you ask of us?” “I come again once more to beg for your blessing once again. I have done as you commanded and spread it among the people, and need to be filled again.” “Very well. Raise your hands and open you hearty and we shill give you our blessing once more.” Adelaide raised her hands above her head in reverence, opened her mouth, and cast her gaze up. A trickle of light, a small beam, little more than a thread, slowly crawled it’s way down from the sky. It entered her mouth, and Adelaide could taste the power. The beam grew wider, and Adelaide was suddenly struck with blinding white light and a growing sense of power. Then, the surging power was gone. Adelaide could feel the blessing inside her. It was partially in her heart, her lungs, and her blood. It was like an awareness of her life, only it was a cool energy that was from the divine source that guided her. She had never discussed it with some one before, and had never had to describe it to someone before. It’s between me and the stars and no one else. “Oh Holy Stars, who look down and give me your guidance and your blessing, I thank you and ask what my next mission to raise your name on earth is.” She bowed as she said that last part. “Adelaide, our ever loyal servant. You have served us in mind, heart, body, and spirit, and we know now are ready for the next step.” Their voice spoke with power and precision, and Adelaide could instantly sense they were going to ask something big of her. “Things are waking in the world that have not woken in a long time. The land is on the brink of war. You are our greatest servant, and we have new needs.” War has already broken out, Adelaide thought but didn’t say anything. “What do you need of me?” “What do you know of the city of New Lontir?” It didn’t ring any bells. “I know not of it, it’s people, or even where it is.” She answered honestly. “Consult a map of the Greying Continent, the city is far to the east of you, beyond the Crescent Mountains.” Adelaide let only a flash of concern hit her face, keeping it as hidden as best as possible. Adelaide explained she didn’t have one on her, and rushed inside to get it. The map had been folded up years ago, to the point Adelaide wasn’t quite sure when it was last opened. Unfolded on the small table, deep crisp lines ran in rectangles down the map, ignorant of any river or national border. The paper was originally white, which it was near the centre, but the edges had begun to yellow. Water colours brought the forests and ocean to life, and Adelaide was struck with the simple beauty of the map. She had heard of the crescent mountains before, but only now did the obviousness of the name dawn on her. They were shaped, imperfectly but still obviously, like a crescent moon, the points bending East, giving the nation that lied on that side a very protected shape. The map called the nation “Duskov.” New Lontir was a dot further across from something age had smudged the details of labelled “Vither Valley.” Adeladie scanned the map for something she did recognise the name of. She knew of the sunset islands in the west, and the marshlands up north, both far away, and might as well be on the moon for all she knew of them. Eventually, she did find the nearby fort of Stonehorn and small city of Willowdale, which she knew were only a few days journey on foot from Starfall. It was going to take all Autumn to get to New Lontir. Adelaide’s face grew pale and her smile went down to a concerned line. She looked back up at the stars. “Oh graceful stars, is this the New Lontir you mean? The one on the far side of the mountains, near the edge of the Greying continent?” She swallowed a small lump in her throat. “We know it is a long journey, longer than you have ever had to go before, but it is more urgent than any mission you’ve had before.” “What lies in that far and foreign city?” “In the city of New Lontir, in the Emperor’s palace, lies the Royal Sorcerer, and his library. He has studied many an ancient and dark art, and his library contains many a great tome of hidden lore, protected such that even we cannot see them. We have taught you all the ways of our power we can, but now you need his instruction to develop your skill further,” they briefly sparkled brighter at the mention of this, “You are our most loyal servant, and we will need you at your strongest for the foes you will face in the future.” Their voice echoed in her mind as she looked down at the ground again and took a sip of her tea. Normally it was quite sweet and warm, but it tasted not quite as warm as she would have liked, and was even somewhat bitter. She realised she had forgotten to add sugar, but sipped it silently regardless. Setting her cup down, she looked back up. “Oh Heaven-dweller, I understand your need, and I have always done what you have asked me without hesitation,” the stars briefly sped up in their drifting, which Adelaide had long interpreted as a smile, “but war has just been declared between Edderland and Duskov. Travelling across the mountains is dangerous as it is, but during a war, it is even worse. Could I not wait until after the war?” The stars floated there, silently drifting in the sky. It was rare that they didn’t have anything to say. Adelaide knew they loved her, and she loved them, there would never be any anger between them, but the silence still worried her. She took another sip of tea. “We understand it is not as safe as you would want, but you will not be as helpless or vulnerable. You will carry our love and blessing and guidance with you.” A slow fear began to take hold of Adelaide’s heart. “But those alone will not save you from men and steel and hate, so we will provide you with additional knowledge, and a new gift, both of which can be used to defend yourself.” Adelaide perked up at that, and her eyes grew wide as a smile broke out. “What gifts?” “Like this.” And before her there emerged, like a light beam through a window, a great silver sword. The handle and blade were long and thin, made of a metal that seemed to shine like a mirror, and yet was just as much a part of the night around it as cold wind or fireflies. It floated about in front of her, like a leaf on a spiders string. “Go on, hold it,” the stars encouraged. Adelaide, keeping one hand close to her chest, reached a tentative finger out to touch the sword. It was cold to the touch, infused with more winters than Adelaide had lived through. Using minimal strength, she let the handle roll from her finger tips into her palm, and took the full weight of it. It was barely any lighter than a stick a little boy would use as a play sword. She could almost hear it vibrating in her hand, and it almost seemed to cut the air as she delicately and slowly swung it through the air. The hand guard seemed to stretch almost too wide, but still felt comfy in her hands. “Do you like it?” They asked, the air itself brimming with the stars anticipation. “I, uh. I don’t know what to say.” Adelaide hadn’t even blinked. Just holding something so well crafted. The trust the stars had placed in her to carry such an incredible relic. Adelaide kept staring. “I love it, but how do I use it? It is so beautiful, I will be targeted by bandits and other horrible people who think it too beautiful and me too easy a target.” “Reach it with your star-mind, connect to it, and it will become a part of you.” Adelaide closed her eyes and concentrated on it, and she found to her surprise, something brimming with power at the edge of her mind, reaching out to her. Her mind reached out and they joined. Now, as she was holding it, she could feel it like she could feel her own feet and the soil and grass beneath. She slowly swung it through the air more naturally than before, amazed and seeing the sword anew. “To bring the sword forth, you must pray, and it will use up some of your blessing, but you will still be able to bless others. It brings us great joy to see you safer than before.” Adelaide finally wore off the shock of the sword and let it go, causing it to shimmer out into starlight. She could almost feel it resting just under her heart. She used her inner blessing to bring it back in a blaze of twinkling lights. “I will tell Vale tomorrow, and we will set out once all our affairs are in order.” She said with some forced resolve. It will be an adventure. We’ll see some sights, get a new blanket or two, and see the world, like we always talked about doing as kids. A small smile grew on her face. The stars twisted slowly in the sky, pondering her words. “We do not think it wise for you to bring your wife, the journey will be hard, the perils many, and she is just one to handle these things. Every person you try to bring across the mountains will imperil your mission further.” Their voice was dripping with concern, and a loving order. Adelaide’s eyebrows dropped low as her mouth fell to a line. “I can protect her. She will be safer with me than staying her by herself.” “The concerns of your house are yours alone, but the concerns of the world are ours to bear. If you think she can follow you, and you can keep true to your mission, then take her with you.” “As you say oh honourable stars, your will shall be done.” “Take heart, Adelaide of the Roses, for you will not do it alone. We have found men to help you.” Adelaide sat straight up, suddenly excited. “Brothers and sisters of other folds?” “No, but men who can aid your mission. In the settlement of Willowdale, there is a small group of men under the name of the Company of Iron and Oaths. They number close to a dozen, and have a mission all their own to cross the mountains and enter New Lontir. They depart from Willowdale a week from now. You must leave for Willowdale on the morrow if you wish to arrive on time.” “I will, have no fear my heavenly ones.” Adelaide said, taking a sip of her tea. It was nearly empty. “Your loyalty fills us with joy you cannot understand. When you find them, tell their leader you claim protection under ‘the Shadow Protocol’, and they will protect you till you arrive safely at the Royal Sorcerer’s feet.” “I understand. Oh stars above, I will honour your love and do as you say. It shall be done.” The stars began to spin and swirl faster and faster, rising up, flashing brighter then growing dimmer. “We love you, oh Adelaide of the Roses, we send you with our blessing, and patiently await the day you can join us in the sky.” There was one more bright flash, a crescendo of moving stars, and the night sky went back to normal. She sat there and basked in the after glow of their presence, while admiring their present. She realised, belatedly, that she never asked the name of the sword. Swords always had names in legends. What do I call you? She thought. She pulled the blade closer to her face and inspected it closely. No name came to her, just her slightly warped and hazy reflection on metal. Now that she had been holding it for where hand was to make the metal warm, she forgot how cold it was as she brushed a finger across the flat of the blade. I’ll come up with something eventually. She let go of the sword with her mind and it disappeared again, resting under heart again. As she cleaned up the tea things, though she never saw it happen, the mug she poured for them was now empty. She almost thought she heard a giggle from somewhere in the woods. Looking over her shoulder, for once the woods at the edge of her farm seemed not so safe. She knew that soon, she would have to leave. What was out there? She turned back to clean up and saw the empty cup again. It was a simple sign that they still took her offerings. Normally it always made her smile. And she did smile seeing it, but this time there was something else at the back of her mind. Something that she couldn’t shake. Sparing one more glance at the stars before she released the sword and went back inside to go to bed with her wife.