The Holy Isle
Llyria

The waters were fairly still along the Island coast as Llyria stood upon the rocky beach looking out, nearly as still as the waters themselves. The long, almost white silvery strands of hair upon her head gently swirled about her face and form; her intense, brown eyes in a look of prolonged study. She seemed far too serious for a girl of nine years, yet she lived in a world surrounded by study and contemplation. The Holy Isle was the Island of the Healers off the coast of the Cymric mainland, a place where they came to learn and study, to become Healers by walking through the Flame and then to either become teachers themselves, or go out into the world to Heal. Llyria's mother, Dori, who was also often referred to as Bright Star, had been asked to become Librarian on the Island; a high honor, although it also required years of more study and a profound dedication to the whole of the Healer's world. Llyria's father, Tamlynn, was Bard to the Island, a title that had not existed before him for his appearance had involved the Flame, altering the knowledge of Its functions forever. Llyria did not completely understand all of what it involved; yet, she grasped that somehow her father had been caught in the Eldritch and that her mother had rescued him through the Flame; a mighty battle had ensued which included an evil Elven lord who had wanted her father's soul as well as Llyria's and was only overcome when her mother learned to use the Flame in It's full powers. As Lyria grew, it was with great pleasure that her father noted her sweet, melodic voice, encouraging her to join him as he played upon a harp and sang himself. Indeed, she loved to sing, but, she also loved to dance, joining in with the Sacred Dancers who had come to the Isle to make a small Bardic faction for her father. Whereas not as well as he would have liked, Lyria could play the harp competently, and Tamlynn contented himself that she was still very young. Besides, she was a joy to watch as she danced, her understanding of movement nearly equaling those of the Sacred Dancers themselves.

What was interesting was that Llyria also had a great fondness of herbs, often staying with some of the Healers for hours helping them to plant, to pick and prepare. She was always full of questions, pestering a young and talented teacher named Manora, who had also become fast friends with this inquisitive girl. In time, Manora came to suggest to Dori that Llyria ought go ahead and begin some actual lessons in Healing, for no matter what direction she took, what could it hurt? Even Tamlynn agreed as long as it did not impede with the possibilities of her Bardic traits. In all honesty, neither mother nor father knew exactly how to take all this, yet, it had to be admitted that it was rare for a full rank Bard and Healer to have joined together, so who could say what the offspring might well be like? And as Llyria began to pursue her herbal studies, she also gained some interest in general healing as well. Frequently she would go down to the shores in contemplation of the various questions that had come up in her studies. Sometimes Manora would find her there and they might talk for long stretches as movements in the heavens passed over them.

But, this day, Manora had not come and Llyria was left to contemplate on her own. It seemed to Llyria that Manora was not as well as she usually was, though she knew that sometimes the pollen on the Island could irritate her friend to some degree. As she looked upon the waters, Llyria felt a peculiar disturbance that caused her to turn about and gaze around in some confusion for several moments. For an instant she thought she saw the flash of light glinting off clothing, and the afterimage of a tall woman with long, red hair. As Manora was not that tall and had ash blond hair, Llyria knew it was not her friend and frowned. A soft breeze floated up about her and for a moment she could have sworn that she had heard her name being whispered upon it. But the image of the woman was gone and she could not even make a semblance return to her mind.

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