Asadi walked through the meadows, a short distance from the hiding place of the council chambers, in the center of Lomond forest. The soft grass bent under the weight of her bare feet as she slowly and thoughtfully took each step. The sound of nymphs filled the air. Asadi stopped for a moment to listen to their conversations and watch their activity before passing on. The nymphs were the largest reason that the council chambers had remained hidden so well. The forest Lomond held a larger population of nymphs than any other place west of the Misty River. No one with any sense traveled through the forest, for even the most adept tracker could be easily lost if the nymphs did not allow him passage.
“Asadi,” One of the nymphs called. “You must see Irandiil now. He has information for you and the council. About thirteen nymphs approached, each no bigger than a man’s finger. One might question what use a nymph could be upon first seeing one, but Asadi knew the strength of a nymph that lay hidden unless they wished to show it.
She quickened her pace to follow the nymphs, her long, brownish-red waves lifted off her slender frame to be tossed around by her momentum as she walked toward the fairy circle not too far ahead. There have been many a story told about what a fairy circle is and the things that might happen to one who is caught therein, but Asadi approached the circle with confidence knowing that this fairy circle was a gathering of the fairy leaders in the area.
Several bowed at the seer’s approach. Asadi began to glow slightly then seemed to disappear altogether; a small nymph with Asadi’s likeness filled the area she once encompassed. Her wings took her to a dandelion, barren of its seeds. The meeting was similar to a round room meeting that one might expect to find in any castle with the king, his guards, advisors, and any guests in a circle. The major difference to be noted was that nymphs did not use furniture; they either flew or rested on nature, in this case, most were resting on flowers and grass although the more heavily armored guards were encircling the area in flight.
“Asadi, we have grave news indeed,” Irandiil spoke first. He was the king of the nymphs and Asadi’s uncle. His face was hardened by war and stress. He and his fathers before him continually battled the Daimonion in an attempt to prepare the way for the return of Iskatar. They alone, among the people of Ardiil, had not lost faith in Iskatar. Irandiil rested on a blade of grass like many others. “A report has just come in from our scouts in the plains of Manath.” He turned his head to a nymph kneeling before him.
“Ma’am,” The nymph scout began, “We were scouting the area and saw a small battalion of the Korgar’s soldiers carrying a prisoner. We were too small a troupe to try a rescue, for the Daimonion with them were numerous, but we kept watch. The prisoner was branded and tortured before finally being rescued and taken to the town of Althein. The part that we thought you might be interested to know is that the brand laid on his back was that of the line of Huor. The Korgar believe him to be the lost son of the line of Huor.” The nymph bowed and stepped back.
“What?” Asadi asked. Her shock showed plainly through her small features. “Has he finally been revealed?”
“Our scouts are keeping an eye on him, and I have just sent a full troupe of my elite soldiers to protect him, but it may not be enough without your help. Your council must act quickly.” Irandiil spoke with the authority of one accustomed to being heeded.
“I will convene the council at once. Thank you for the information, high king Irandiil. As usual, our council is in your debt.” Asadi bowed and left the circle.
Upon resuming her human figure, Asadi ran toward the meeting room of the council. Hear me, brothers. We must meet at once. Her thoughts echoed through some spaceless rift and found its home in the thoughts of each council member. Before an hour had passed, the council sat together and Asadi shared her story.
“I believe that the Korgar will attack and try to destroy this son of Huor before the work of Iskatar can come to fruition in him.” Asadi spoke to the attentive council, her voice conveyed the urgency her words formed. “I have seen a march against the town of Althein, but I did not know why until Irandiil spoke to me.” Upon finishing, Asadi sat and the seven-foot tall Ikari stood.
“He will require our help if he is to reach the Netherworld. The task may be upon him after that, but until then Senna and I will watch over him and teach the son of Huor all that we may. Perhaps we even ought to take him across the river for a time.”
Kotari stood and met Ikari’s deep-brown eyes. “We will not take him across the river, at least not yet. There is a world there he does not understand. You and Senna will, however, train the boy as well as you might. Above all, protect him. That is your sworn duty until he has crossed the border into the Netherworld.” Ikari bowed then sat as Kotari turned to face Lokai.
“Curthadir, how is the girl? Luran believes that her time is near.”
Lokai remained seated, but turned a serious look toward Kotari, “You cannot truly expect that she will be ready any time soon. She is working hard and we are all teaching her as best as we can, but there is much fear in her. She has much to learn.
“Even we, who were taught by Iskatar himself, could not have learned everything in such a short time. It took us nearly twenty years to even be wise enough to return to Ardiil. It is impossible that she should learn any quicker, for we are not as great at teaching as Iskatar.”
Kotari lessened the severity of his look and responded to Lokai, “It has not been appointed for her full training to take place with us. She must learn as much as possible here, but then she will learn much elsewhere. The important thing is that she is grounded and that the two of you are ready to go as soon as we receive word from Ikari and Senna.”
Kotari turned his eyes from one end of the council member’s table to the other and said, “The time we have waited for is now. This is where uncertainty begins, but it was for this time that we were called. This time in Ardiil’s history will tell why we are alive. We are here only to do what we have been called to, no more and no less. Let us live this moment out without fear lest we fall short of the goal. May Iskatar’s hand guide us all.”
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