Legends of Kepler: Age of Erin

CHAPTER I: DUCHESS OF THE FORESTS (8)

 CHAPTER I: DUCHESS OF THE FORESTS (8)

The major councilor opened the doors, and the dyad entered the main room of the tabernacle. And for Leyra’s awe, a big crowd was upfront. All waiting, for the announcement of the new seneschal of the fire crystals. Keen to the rumor that had been surrounding days around Zaragad; anxious for the introduction of an alleged daughter of Elgoneth, among the hierarchical pillars of the beatific city.

Everyone wanted to meet the woman. Her magical presence in the outskirts, spread like rumors of wonders, and extraordinary capabilities. Thus, the master of the council stood firm upon the rare scaffold, as he looked towards his people.  

"Have a dear welcome, blessed people of Eleanor, to the nicest morning we’ve had in years!" exclaims Yeradoc. “Emancipating the nature of our order, and before the unfortunate cessation of our only seneschal woman, the council has been forced to find a being of equal responsibility, who fulfill the requirements for this demanding, and vital position. As you are well aware, this is not just any ordinary duty. Some women tried to proof their worth the last few days; offering their will, and their compromise. However, it has been proven, no ordinary elf shall receive this liability, for as you may know, the red force demands an insurmountable internal strength. And after fifteen days, the Royal Council is pleased to affirm, the veracity of a gift received from the sky.  The authenticity and notoriety of Leyra, fighter of the south, as a brave princess from the only father, for she is a survivor of conquest and injustice. Of battle and death, of pain and grief. She has endured harsh days, for she is life amid calamity. And has been chosen by the god of life, to mend damaged ties; the galling confusion. Chosen, to bring the needed joy to repair damaged roots; to eliminate some differences, around recent relations of this kingdom, and the guardian of heaven; among the rimmers* of the past. As a spirit of conquest, this young lady is brought to us; as a fortuitous blessing. As a prosper favor, that will accompany us, until the father himself decides."

“Following the basis of our constituency, and considering that our beloved Margeredt Leodvil,” continues Yeradoc, “Ex-Seneschal of the Ruby Energy, ceased from her life on the 10th day of the Serodite Cycle, the position of the regent watchman for the seventh cavern, the cave of the flaming crystals, will be officially assigned to Leyra from the South! The daughter of Elgoneth, and Duchess of the Forests!"

“And here, all gathered in the main hall of our royal council,” continues Yeradoc, “with the sweet presence of our beloved people, upon the Long Table of Balinthor, I declare the arrival of the daughter of life! And the recognition of her nature, by the eyes of the five royal counts. And she will be stipulated in our history, as another abettor of this realm! Therefore, my dear friends, celebrate and dance! Fill your hearts with glee and happiness, because tonight, this blessing will be honored with an endless banquet for all the people! We will receive the sigil of the night with delight! The shadows and tragedy has passed! And we will show our faith to the light, in the main cathedral of the kingdom! Come with your stomachs ready; dress yourself with your best suits! For this day, we will make the father smile, at the presence of the best welcome this city has ever encountered!"

A small chest then, was brought to Master Yeradoc; he opened it slowly, and a red ring glittered on his face. He took hold of the crystal ring, and handed it gently to Leyra. Placing it delicately, on the fourth finger from the woman's right hand.

"The welcome for his first known daughter, whom fate and truth have chosen as the successor to the ruby’s might," continues Yeradoc. “Hallowed you will be, forever, new owner of the magma of glory! Hail, to the new seneschal of the kingdom! Hail, to the new member of this order! Hail, to all people of Eleanor´s Realm!"

"Hail!" the crowd shouted.

Thus, the woman was applauded by everyone. She descended from the small platform, and was introduced to countless men and women. The elves contemplated the lady of the rivers, as if it gold and gems were found. Her face was fine and delicate, but her features were not the elongated ones of an elf. The preciousness of her courtesy shone in the open air with her humble and loving gaze; not with that superiority Solarian’s gaze. The woman caressed the young with the gentlest texture, coming only from the peoples of high devotion and humanity, but she was certainly no human. The people were delirious with the Duchess of the Woods, for they did not understand her nature. Her spirit was the brightness of the morning light among the mountains. Thus, she became known for her great stories; fables about the progress of man, and the right basis for the paths of all earthlings.

The woman was telling her fantastic stories, when suddenly, the major count interrupts. Yeradoc leads her out of the crowd, and walks with her. They headed towards a glass tunnel, which led them to a large and cold room; there were few people in it. Looking around, Leyra knew immediately that she was at the entrance of a theater, and at the deepness of it, nine giant statues were perceived, displayed in order of size; all made of crustal, jewels, and glass. A gesture for the ancient relics, and for the mighty elegance of the deepest rooms from the Royal Council.

"So, Miss Leyra," exclaims Yeradoc. "I was informed that your steps found that of the kingdom, because you were looking for a young earthling?"

"He was a kid, very young," answers Leyra. "I found him in the Ordiret Lagoons; upon the lower mountain dunes of Anaís; in the middle of the forest."

"You say you meet him, in the woods?" asks Yeradoc.

"One night, between these lagoons." responds Leyra. “I asked him how he got there alone, and he told me he lost track of his mother. Hence, I decided to offer him shelter in my cabin, and promise to help him find his mother. But the next day, he just disappeared. And worst, his screams began to resonate like stabbing weapons at me, out of nowhere!"

The count stood silent; thoughtful, pensive. He began to take short steps, trying to understand what the woman was saying to him.

“On the outskirts they tell me it was an illusion, a deception from the grove. My lord, I’m not delusional,” the woman continues, “this child was in danger! He desperately asked of me. I started running, searching for him everywhere. But as soon as I reached the kingdom, his screams left my mind. I just, don’t understand. He was real. I felt compassion, I felt pain. I felt his agony in the face of raw nature. He must still be out there, and yet no one has a clue who he is, because no one other than me saw him! I have known nothing more. I did not sleep the first nights in Edoer, trying to hear him, or to see him; not even in the vicinity of the kingdom could I sense his presence anymore. I was the only one who found him, and the only one who perceived him."

The major earl, looked away from the woman's eyes. Slowly, he returned his attention to the permanent nature that prostrated before them, bowing his head slightly.

"How?" asks Leyra. "How is it possible I’m able to see these souls, when no one else sees them?"

"Once you’re ready, the spirit world will show you things that others can’t yet see." responds Yeradoc. “This child did not lose his mother, this mother lose her child; and so, he wanders in the meadow, like a lost soul, looking for his white transition. They are spirits of the navigating forest; energies that brighten from one realm to another. You seem to have been pertinent enough to guide one of these souls into the tunnel of the pious raid. According to the Töran, only angels could do this, my lady. "

"Could do what?" asks Leyra, stuttering.

"You know, guide deceased souls" replies Yeradoc. "From earth, towards light."

The woman started trembling, as she slowly placed her hands on her forehead, dropping her gaze a little; agitated, she felt a small tingling creeping up the thread of her throat.

"Don't be scared my life, this is a definitive honor" exclaims the count. “The purity and innocence of the creature you helped, assures your natural ability to oscillate among higher frequencies. Were you in those days at the presence of Vitrilen*? "

"What thing, sir?" asks Leyra.

“Fireflies, my daughter” exclaims Yeradoc, “dusk hasn’t fallen yet, and they already approach to you. Don't think I haven't noticed it."

“You are the light of good teachings.” exclaims the man, “carrier of multiple energies. Breath of the divine. Portal for various universes. They are great, my daughter; these powers that’ve been granted to you. The blessings that heads in front of you, for your destiny is sacred. Your intentions are the truest. Your mission is admirable, and your path will be protected until the end of your days. Until the light illuminates these chains, and destroys them to liberate all these nations. "

"But I warn you already," continues Yeradoc, "to destroy these vile chains, is to be involved in knowing the truth, in the battle of our minds. However, the prophets of deceit, reign among us all. The world lies to itself, for the means to reach disdain towards the pains of light, which are only there to honor us; to enlighten us, so that we can finally shine, and see our paths glow with greater intensity. I believe this mending inflicts upon their hearts; as poisonous outrages of fear and despair, believing in the worthless idea of fleeing from our true responsibility. And when you let fear consume you, you are condemned to live in it forever. Wasting the sweet testimony of harmony and adventure that awaits you; the one that allows you to navigate towards the land of hope, through the currents of gratitude and knowledge. "

"Believe in this teaching, believe in this knowledge," continues the man, "is what we stressed in this council, day after day; for I’ll never forget the angels whom once took me to those workers who embraced my flight, and led me to the lake where we rested with all our redeemed saviors.”

The man then, turned around. The woman follows him, and they were both in front of one of the five doors of the hidden room. The count opened the floodgates slowly, returning them to the air of great meetings of the tabernacle.

 “Receive your path, young woman of light,” whispers Yeradoc to the woman, “and do not be so concerned; sometimes you just have to shut your mind, and trust your instincts. You are right where you should be. "

Yeradoc lost himself in the celebrating crowd, as he said goodbye to the woman. As the next time passed, the woman started to leave the place, since she was led by an elf dressed in gold. They went out the council, and returned to the boats; they were dozens of them now, I the mystical shore. They return to the main city, and walked gently towards a strange route, that led them to a red hut; it was right upon a small hill, where its slope overlooked a floating waterfall, vanishing in the steam around the heights. Next to the hut, was a descending path; it was the entrance to a cavern. There, the ruby crystals rested, formed and held between the ground cavities. The elf then gave a key to Leyra, the one that opened the iron door of the shelter. Built by the elves to protect the seventh treasure, privileged with the great force that sustain the hidden city.