Enough with reminiscing. Time to choose my weapons. As much as I loved my father's sword I knew that it was a weapon I could not take, so instead I chose a thin 6 inch blade dagger. Along with this I chose a mace that was specially made to fit into a boot. I was sure I could hide that beneath my gown. Then I picked up a paring knife my grandmother always used, although it did not seem as though it would offer much protection I felt a great need to take it with me. I also gathered up all the herbs I would need for the spells I did know how to weave and gently wrapped them into a linen cloth to hide beneath my cap. With this done I knew that in less then 18 hours I would be on my way to what seemed a hopeless mission. May the Gods smile down upon me.
For the rest of the day I walked around my childhood home and swore that one day this land would be as before. If not, I would die trying to restore it to it's former beauty and to rid the world of The Evil Ones. I would avenge my family's death. I would live only in a land where all were free including the creatures of the forests. I refused to live in a land that fear was all one had to rely on. Where no happiness or hopes were allowed to grow. My father had placed the seeds of dreams and visions of love and beauty and I refused to let those seeds die.
As I walked around my house I once again tried to remember what had happened to me in the years I was in the deep sleep. It seemed at times I could almost hear a voice telling me not to fret when the time was right I would know all. Yet, I knew that it was only my own mind trying to calm my worried soul. The day seemed as though it would never end. I fought with doubts and insecurities for I knew that one little doubt could mean the end of me and the chance of the world. I knew that I was just a lone female in the times of males. I also knew that I would have to fight my greatest demons which was myself. I worried the most of my lost time for how could I prepare myself against any demons that I didn't remember? I knew that no matter the odds I had no choice I was chosen, my destiny was laid before me and I could not change it. So with confusion and doubts I saw the night begin to fall. When the darkness fell I once again heard the Phoenix' song and with it all my fears began to abate. For some reason I knew that all would be ok. That somehow, someway I would find the strength to win.
That night I had many dreams of unrest. I dreamt of pain, torment, and death. I saw unicorns brought by the millions beheaded for their horns of gold. I dreamt of the forests becoming cities of steel that reached to the heavens. Along with these dreams of horror I dreamt of the greenest meadows, songs so sweet, and skies bluer than any I had ever seen. I dreamt of love so pure that it made my heart ache to feel such a love. I dreamt of children laughing without a care. I saw families celebrating with great joy in their hearts. Needless to say with such dreams I slept late into the morn. When I awoke the sun was almost at half. I knew that soon my journey would begin. Yet strangely I felt no fear, this day it was as I learnt something in my dreams which I couldn't remember. The story of my life. I decided that the dreams were meant to tell me what would happen if I did continue with my destiny and what would occur if I did not. In my heart I knew that soon the world would be different. I only hoped it would be for the better.
After fasting yesterday I knew today I must feast of the herbs and fowl. For today I must have all my strength. As I went into the kitchen I smelled a familiar scent, one I could not quite place. From the corner of my eye I saw a fairy dash away. I wondered what was that scent, but as my stomach began to rumble the thought quickly disappeared. I feasted on hazelnut pudding and stuffed fowl. I drank heartily of the milk of the unicorns. I ate as though I had never eaten before. With each bite I felt a strength growing beyond that of regular eating. It was almost as though I was eating of some strange power or magic food that held strength and knowledge.
After eating my fill I went out to practice some of the magic I would be needing and today I seemed not to have the same troubles I usually did. The spell of enchanting worked so quickly I had a cougar eating right out of my hand. Then I went to the village to see if the magic of appearing as a man might work. It did, and with such ease I transformed myself into a man. This surprised me for this was one of the spells I had the hardest time with. The transformation was so complete that I was even allowed in the room that only the manliest of men were allowed.
In that room I did learn that The Evil One had closed his castle to all he did not know. Rumors were that he was afraid of something, but that was just a rumor. I also heard that men of all status were being offered a reward of a lifetime if they could find the one the seer spoke of. See there was this seer who once all the people would travel miles to see and she was always right. When the wars came she turned to The Evil One and offered her services to him and him alone if he would spare her home and her family. He being no fool accepted her offer but as soon as he had her in his grips he ordered for her entire legacy to be put to death. When this was carried out he brought to her the head of her son telling her that if she did not obey him that all of her children to come would meet this same fate. Her being a weak woman has chosen to serve him all these years. Well, the rumors I heard in that dark back room that night amazed me. What the seer had told The Evil One was that a young female who was raised by the mystical creatures of the forest would mean the death of him if ever she gained access to him. Also I heard that The Evil One laughed at such a claim, but that didn't stop him from locking his doors at night. Also rumored was if any man brought this so called female child raised by creatures to his castle all the riches in the world would be theirs. Yet most did not believe in his promise so only the truly wicked and desperate were entertaining the idea of capturing this woman.
With this new knowledge instead of the fear one would expect to fall over me I felt a calming peace throughout my body. I knew now that I was truly the one and if I did die then that was what was to be. With only a few hours before I had to go I said my goodbyes with some lame excuse that some maiden asked me to come to her home after her father was asleep. This was met with good natured laughs and digs of good wishes. Some even saying that they hoped that her father did not awake for I would be truly missed. With all the seriousness I could muster I said I too would hate for the father to awake and that I would be back soon. To me it was so funny that to leave as a man without suspicion all you had to do was mention a maiden and OK we understand. If only they knew. Slowly I walked home to look around at my family's home vowing that when I return all would be back to the time before the time of the wars.
As the hour grew closer I saw the very unicorn that of the day my family was killed appear. "My little one how you have grown. I see that you were shown the ways. Remember my cherished one that all the answers you need are within you. Never doubt your strength for you have more strength than you know." she so sweetly said. "Tonight you will feel an emotion that has no explanation. It will be your inner light. Follow your heart, never doubt what it tells you to do. For following your heart is how you can win." Before I could ask any questions she was gone. When will I ever know these answers they all speak of, I was wondering. Now the time was here. Time to go meet my fate. Never in such an unsure situation had I felt as though I knew what to do |
