Wyrd

"There weren't always dragons in the valley."

The old woman whispered as she stared into the twilight sky, a few stars beginning to appear behind the sun painted clouds.

"...And there weren't always little brats like you!"

She giggled as she poked and tickled the tyke in her lap who screeched in amusement.

The other children sat around the campfire in hushed tension, waiting for the Wytch to continue her story. She always told stories after supper and before they went to bed, filling their minds with wild dreamscapes and etheric wonders. She smiled as she saw she had caught their attention, her ruby eyes had a glimmer of warmth to them.

"There weren't always trees, and birds, and streams, and stones... In fact, there wasn't always a valley!"

Setting the child down she picked up a stick and began drawing strange patterns, runes and sigils that began to glow with a welcoming light. A feeling of wellbeing and protection flowed through them and into the tender hearts of the younglings round the fire.

"But even as there was not always me, or you." She pointed a finger at the eldest there, a boy on the cusp of manhood.

"There was always...Magick."

With that last word the runes and sigils left the ground, floating like dandelion seeds on the wind. Tiny gasps of awe filled the air as they fluttered about, doing strange dances and eloquent flourishes before they fed themselves to the flame. It burned brighter and grew larger before it shrank suddenly. The forest had grown quiet.

There where whispers on the winds.

The children flinched in surprise as the Wytch clapped her hands.

"That's enough for tonight! I'll give ye a more complete story tomorrow dears but there is something in the air on this summers eve."

Collective sounds of disappointment came from the little gathering.

"Ragni! Be a dear and make sure everyone gets home yes?"

The eldest gave her a nod and began to corral them all towards their respective dwellings.

The Wytch sat in silence as she watched them walk the winding path from the campfire to the humble homes of the valley, about half a drem away. With no walls and only a handful of guards about it, it was clearly a village rarely ever in hard times. She sighed, relishing the peaceful memories of the valley thus far. Saryat had many adventures in her youth. Grand journeys of epic proportions, but none satisfied her so much as seeing the looks of wonder in those fresh eyes and shining faces. Untainted, untouched by the darkness in their world. No knowledge of what truly lay in wait for them.

And that was for the best, they'll learn when they must but until then Saryat planned to safeguard them. She turned back to the flame burning before her, the fire danced. Picking up her staff and drawing her cloak tightly around her, there was little opportunity for any chill to creep in. She closed her eyes, the fire whispered. Words began to drip from between her lips, warm and soothing. They spoke of connection, of peace, of harmony. Of deep forests and gentle brooks. The strings of fate were pulled to her, enchanted.

And then there came the whispers once more.

Saryat's eyes shot open as she stood and spoke aloud, with more strength and authority than anyone should think an old woman to possess.

"What business brings ye, whisperin ones?"

But there was no answer. The mutterings continued, just as indiscernible as before. Her eyes narrowed. The old woman was no more, her back stood straight. The lines on her face cleared, save that on her forehead with her furrowed brow. A fierce warrior maiden stood in the crones place.

"I am Saryat Vor Mekt, daughter of the moon, protector of the valley, and keeper of the sacred flame. Reveal yourself or be repelled."

Silence. Branches snapped, tree trunks groaned in the ancient forest that bordered the village. Shadows shifted. Her eyes locked onto a small face poking from behind an old oak. It was featureless, white. A black aura surrounded it. Saryat brought her staff down on the campfire and it's essence was absorbed into the conduit at the top, a deep blue crystal.

She began to march forward to the thing as it started to slither deeper into the wood. There was a distinct pull energetically, like it was bidding her to follow. Time passed as the trees grew taller, and the moon shone bright through the leaves dappling the forest floor. Mosses and lush grass grew at the feet of the old ones as she marched. Hours continued to drift by, Saryat noticed she was in a trance like state. She felt strong though, safe. This strange creature posed no threat. However, what it was leading her to might be a different story.

Finally, something shifted as she came upon a large clearing. A stone circle sat in the middle of it. The thing waited within it. Stepping cautiously, she raised her psychic defenses.

"Why have you led me here, creature?"

It replied softly, in a small melancholy voice.

"To retrieve that which was forgotten."

She cocked her head.

"What was forgotten, little one?"

Instead of a reply it raised shadowy arms and beckoned her into the circle. The Wytch conjured runes of protection around her, and lay half of a willow stave on the ground. The other in her pocket, a safeguard of sorts. Hopefully she would not need it. Stepping inside the circle she felt a shock run through her, the susurrations of the trees grew louder. The stones crackled with energy as the creature seemed to shrink to an infinitesimal size. A pop, and what looked to be an obsidian orb was left in its place. The wind was yet restless, and the stones crackling became the rumble of a coming storm. Saryat stooped to pick up the stone.

The wind stopped as she gazed into it, the stones went quiet. There was a flash as she felt her consciousness eclipsed by an overwhelming force. Images blurred, sensations, emotions, words. What seemed like several lifetimes passed in an instant. A waking dream. Her successes, her failures. Promises made, kept, and broken. Deep hatred and love. Memories long forgotten. Realization. Near its completion a figure spoke, calm yet urgent.

"Guide us home Wayshower, guide him home."