Chapter 2

Every time the Council comes to town, Marelda feels a tightness in her chest, a constricting fear that they will discover the secrets of her family. Only a handful of the original family lines remain, and even fewer descendants have stayed in Silvahora. The day she has dreaded with every fiber of her being has finally arrived.

Marelda kneels to get a good look at Stephen. With trembling hands, she cups his face, memorizing every tiny detail. His kind features are becoming more like his stubborn father's with each passing day. She takes a deep breath to steady her emotions, then reaches around her neck to unclasp a tiger's eye pendant set in silver. She carefully folds it into his small hand.

"Listen to me carefully, my heart. Protect this with all you have. It MUST be given to your sister when she needs it most." She hugs him tight, savoring the warmth of his small body against hers, before taking one more look at him.

He nuzzles his face into her neck. "Don't worry, Ma. We love you," Stephen says, trying to be as strong and fearless as a seven-year-old can be.

"Now go to Sivak until your Da returns from Emberly. Run the whole way, do not stop until you see your sister. I love you both." Marelda ushers him out the door, pausing briefly to ensure he is out of sight. Knowing the children are safe, she grabs a quill and parchment off the desk to pen a quick note to Darick. No sooner does she lift her finger from sealing the last crease than the note vanishes.

Prophecy is never exact magic. Bits, glitter, baubles, and pieces are all she ever gets—a moment here, a second there. Sometimes it's just a feeling, a voice, a color. The magic of prophecy is so rare that it must be kept hidden. Sadly, all the knowledge in the world never prepared her for this damn moment. She hated to leave, but those with the gift of prophecy are usually taken by the Council for their own nefarious needs. Someone had leaked her identity to them. The only way to protect her family's deeper secret was to leave.

Marelda places one last protection and blessing spell on her loved ones. Hearing the front gate opening, she finds the darkest shadow in the room, starts her incantation, "I dtreo na scáthanna is doimhne treoraíonn Solas mo ghrá dom," and disappears as the front door bursts open.

The door crashes open, splintering against the wall as the Council's enforcers storm inside. Marelda's heart pounds as she slips through the shadows, her incantation cloaking her in darkness. She watches from the safety of the shadows as the enforcers scour the room, overturning furniture and rifling through her belongings.

"She's not here," one of them growls, frustration evident in his voice. "Spread out. Search the entire property. She couldn't have gone far."

Marelda moves silently through the shadows, slipping past the enforcers and out the back door. She knows she has little time before they realize she's gone. Her destination is clear: the old forest on the outskirts of Silvahora, where the ancient tree stands. The Memory Tree.

As she runs, memories flood her mind—moments of joy, sorrow, and love. She thinks of Darick, strong and steadfast, always by her side. She thinks of Amber, her sweet daughter, and Stephen, brave beyond his years. Her heart aches, but she pushes the pain aside. She must focus on the task at hand.

The forest looms ahead, dark and foreboding. She slips between the trees, moving swiftly and silently. The Memory Tree stands in the center, its massive trunk glowing faintly in the moonlight. Marelda approaches it, placing her hand on the rough bark. The tree responds to her touch, its branches rustling as if whispering secrets.

"Help me," she whispers, her voice trembling. "Protect my family. Keep them safe."

The tree's glow intensifies, and Marelda feels a surge of energy coursing through her. The ancient magic of the tree binds her spell, creating a protective barrier around her loved ones. She knows the tree will remember her plea, and its power will aid them in their time of need.

Footsteps approach, and Marelda knows she must leave. She steps back into the shadows, the tree's magic still tingling on her skin. As she slips away, she hears the enforcers crashing through the underbrush, their voices growing louder.

"Find her! She can't have gone far!"

Marelda moves deeper into the forest, her mind racing. She needs to find a place to hide, to regroup and plan her next move. She thinks of Emberly, the hidden city of defectors, and wonders if she can reach it before the Council catches up to her.

As she runs, she hears a familiar voice in her mind. It's Darick, his words clear and steady. "Stay strong, Marelda. We'll find each other again. Protect the children. I'll be with you soon."

She clings to his words, drawing strength from them. The path ahead is uncertain, but she knows she must keep moving. For her family, for their secrets, for their future.

With a final glance back at the Memory Tree, Marelda disappears into the night, determined to stay one step ahead of the Council. Her journey has only just begun.

The Note

Flecks of dust danced in the morning sunlight as it shone through the open window. Darick stretched long to wake himself. Throwing the covers off, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed as something fell to the floor. His breath caught when he realized it was a note from Marelda. He quickly unfolded the parchment and revealed her hastily written message.

D,

Seedlings with S.

Safe at Arendal.

My love is forever yours.

M.

Darick's mind started racing. Marelda… The Council knows… he absently combed his hand through his hair. Thankfully, they only knew about that... If they knew the whole truth... Pausing, he read the note one more time before lifting it into the sunlight and turning it into dust.

Tap Tap Tap

He turned to the opening door; it was one of the attendants. As the young boy set the tray of food up, Darick penned a quick note explaining that urgent matters in Silvahora required his attention. Before the boy left, he requested that the note be delivered to Tendai, the master of the house.

With his bag packed, he took a moment at the open window, feeling for the brightest spot of sunlight. He stopped, felt the energy, then whispered, "Solas isteach mo chroí, éalú m'anam," before vanishing from the room.

While traveling the light, the warmth that washed over him felt like bathing in the sun after swimming in the ocean, embraced in a hug from his truest love. It was the warmest, happiest memories that allowed him to do this. Briefly, he saw an image of Marelda lovingly smiling at him.

Mere seconds later, he was standing in front of a fireplace.

"I've put some tea on," Sivak said, interrupting his train of thought.

"The seedlings?" Darick asked, turning his back to the crackling fire.

"Safe, sleeping in the guest room. I distracted them with the history of Dragons, Fae, and other Magical Beings in the times before the Council."

"Good, we have much to discuss," Darick replied as he poured a cup of tea. "Marelda is gone."

"I figured as much when she sent Stephen to me all out of breath," Sivak replied, adding a bit of whiskey to his tea before offering some to Darick. "She knew this day would come."

"That knowledge never prepared us for when it actually happened," Darick replied gruffly. "They will have to start training to prepare. Especially Lily..."

Both men stared into the fire, lost in thought. Breaking the silence, Sivak told Darick, "Rare magic like theirs will need extra attention. Without discipline, it will be wasted and useless, or worse, easily manipulated by others. Have them join me in the morning, and I'll work with them."

Darick agreed as he made his way to the guestroom. His tall frame filled the doorway as he watched them sleeping peacefully without any knowledge of the challenges ahead.

In the shadows of the room, Darick did not see the tiniest glistening tear rolling down Lily's cheek as she slept.

"MA! Where are you?!" Lily cried out, searching the bustling crowd. She was lost in a sea of people moving around her. Merchants haggled from their stalls, others talking and arguing, the sound of money clinking as purchases were made. The smell of fresh bread traveled the heat of the market. A hooded figure grabbed her arm. Frightened, she turned to run but was unable. The crowd was oblivious to her struggles. The figure pulled her close and whispered, "Find the path of cherry blossoms in the path between light and shadow, little rose."

Jerking her wrist free, she was suddenly back in the guest room of the Memory Tree. Stephen was rocking her while whispering, "It's okay, sis, just wake up. It's only a dream."

Slowly, she sat up and wiped the sweat-soaked hair from her face. She whispered to her brother, "This one felt different. More real."

"The same dream?" he asked.

"Yes and no… I was stuck this time as someone grabbed me." Gingerly rubbing her wrist, she winced. "They told me to find the path of cherry blossoms between light and shadow, little rose. We must keep this to ourselves."

Stephen agreed as he went back to sleep. Lily lay down, feeling overwhelmed. The dreams had started a week ago and showed no signs of stopping. Each time, the dreams were more real, more intense. She feared the day she would not wake up.

As the first light of dawn seeped into the room, Lily lay in bed, her mind still buzzing with the remnants of the dream. The cryptic message replayed over and over in her head: "Find the path of cherry blossoms in the path between light and shadow, little rose." She wondered what it could mean and why it felt so urgent.

Stephen stirred next to her, waking up with a yawn. He looked at her with concern, his young face lined with worry far beyond his years. "Are you okay, Lily?" he asked softly.

Lily forced a smile. "I'm fine, Stephen. Just... trying to make sense of everything."

Before he could respond, a gentle knock on the door interrupted them. Sivak entered, his expression serious but kind. "Good morning, you two. I hope you slept well."

Lily and Stephen exchanged glances but said nothing. Sivak continued, "Come, let's have breakfast. There is much we need to discuss."

They followed Sivak to the kitchen, where a modest meal was laid out. As they ate, Sivak spoke of the times before the Council's rise to power, of a world filled with wonder and magic freely practiced. He told them about the ancient bloodlines and the unique gifts that each family possessed. His words were a comforting distraction, but the underlying tension in the room was palpable.

After breakfast, Sivak led them to a small study lined with books and artifacts. "Your mother has entrusted me with your safety and your training," he said, his voice firm. "The Council's reach is long, and they fear what they do not control. Your abilities are rare and powerful, and they must be honed and protected."

Lily nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. "What do we need to do?"

Sivak smiled gently. "First, we need to understand your dreams, Lily. They are more than mere visions; they are messages from the magic within you. And Stephen, your strength and determination will be your greatest assets. Together, you must learn to control and harness your abilities."

They spent the morning training, Sivak guiding them through exercises to enhance their magical skills and physical endurance. Lily practiced focusing her dreams, trying to glean more details from the cryptic messages. Stephen worked on his fire manipulation, his small hands glowing with controlled flames.

As the sun reached its zenith, Sivak called for a break. They sat in the garden, enjoying the fresh air and the scent of blooming flowers. It was a brief respite from the turmoil that surrounded them.

Lily's thoughts returned to the dream. "Sivak, do you know anything about the path of cherry blossoms between light and shadow?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and urgency.

Sivak's eyes widened slightly. "The path of cherry blossoms... that is a very old and powerful symbol. It represents a journey between worlds, a transition from one state of being to another. It is said to be a place where magic is strongest, where light and shadow intertwine."

Lily's heart quickened. "And what about 'little rose'?"

Sivak smiled. "That was your mother's nickname for you when you were a baby. You were always so delicate and beautiful, like a rose in full bloom."

The pieces started to fall into place in Lily's mind. The dream was guiding her to something important, something that could help them in their fight against the Council.

"We need to find this path," she said with determination. "It's the key to everything."

Sivak nodded. "Indeed, it may be. But it is not a journey you can undertake alone. The path is fraught with danger and unknowns. You will need each other, and you will need to be prepared for anything."

As they continued their training, a sense of purpose and unity grew within them. They knew the road ahead would be difficult, but they were ready to face it together. The bonds of family and friendship, strengthened by love and trust, would be their greatest weapon against the darkness that threatened their world.